Is the honeymoon over?

As I sit here all wrapped up to keep warm, I can't help but think of several ironic notions: First of all there is a recession in many parts of the United States and yet we are obsessed with the idea of "Superbowl weekend." Second of all I do have electricity and am safe and somewhat warm, while many of my neighbors are gripped by a terrible ice storm that has caused havoc with power lines and that source of heat and comfort.

The first flush of warmth generated by the Obama inauguration has passed as Congress votes down party lines to approve or not the stimulus package pushed by the new President. Have we so quickly forgotten the glow from Washington as people from all walks of life celebrated the swearing in of Obama with all the hope and expectation of change? I feel that the CEO's that have continued to drain the U.S. of the bailout money and all of those promises has put quite a damper on the outlook of our economy.

If Wall Street banks are shameless, what about the rest of us? When are we going to demand accountability instead of just talk about it?

I'm tired of this

I am tired of trying to figure out what I should do. Do I buy, sell, or hold. It's not that I have all that in the stock market, but I do have some. And I don't like losing.

Maybe it's the loss of control I feel, knowing forces are out "there" that are determining my financial fate.

Is it true that Obama won the election because of the bad economy?

What are we going to do? Will we have the guts to buckle down and start paying our way instead of borrowing it? How much do we owe to foreign countries? Can our government ever get itself under control and start spending OUR money on the people of the United States instead of making huge interest payments on the money we owe others?

I decided I should buy a few stocks while the prices are low, but now I am second guessing myself and wondering if it is worth it. I decided to buy and hold on to some old timers that have been around for decades, hoping that they can weather any storm. I feel like a kid still believing in Santa Claus. Only time will tell if I get the gift or the bucket of coal and ashes.

If we had listened to history, we would have learned that we can only count on the money that is in the bank, not on that elusive money that is only on paper. We need to put a real value on things rather than an inflated idea of what we think it is worth. Oh, but wait...if we did that???

What to do, what to do...

And there was Dancing in the Streets

Barack Obama has received the honor of becoming the President Elect of the United States of America. Never have we seen such joyous reaction by his supporters; there was literally dancing in the streets.

Yes, We Can...

This election has been historic in many ways, but the one thing that has been the most amazing, has been the turn out at the voting booths. I am so glad we have had an election in which the entire US has been so involved. The candidates had very different views on the economy, health care, social security, the Iraq war, and our place in the world.

John McCain is truly an American Hero and will continue to work hard for his home state of Arizona and for the US. I believe he will be one of our new President's strong supporters and will help lead the way in getting our nation on track.

Yes, We Can!!!

Palin???

Sarah Palin...a big question mark for the John McCain campaign. Yes, she is a "Maverick" like McCain; yes, she is a very likable person (a soccer-mom, if you will) and yes, she is a well respected governor of the state of Alaska. I have tried to find fault with her personally, tried to dislike her; but I can't.

However, I still question McCain's judgement in picking her as his running mate and a potential second in command of our country. What was he thinking?? or was he thinking?? Is this VP pick an example of his leadership style?? Sort of "Shoot first, and ask questions later" approach to governing?? I don't like it.

For someone who has had years, and I do mean years, to select a vice-president running mate, why did he pick an unknown...unknown not only to the USA in general, but also unknown to him as well? Why take a chance like this? Desperation comes to mind, but also ignorance of what we need in the White House, manipulation of the Republican base, and arrogance in thinking he could control her every move until elected.

McCain needed a Cheerleader and he got one. I don't care how much the Republican Party spent on her hair, clothes, and make-up. What I do care about is her reckless name-calling and labeling of Barack Obama and the Democratic Party. Palin was hired to do the dirty work of McCain...that keeps his hands clean. And McCain also has a fall guy to blame when things don't work out.

We all vote for various reasons and philosophies, but I hope when you do get in that election booth, you consider not only the policies our parties represent, but also the manner in which they are presented. Vote for the person you feel will make the best President and Vice-President for our country and who will represent us best in the world arena.

Belmont Presidential Debate 2008

The Presidential debate of October 7th, 2008 has come and gone. The debate was uneventful to say the least; but what happened after the debate was over, tells me more about the candidates than anything else.

While McCain feels he has "won" Tennessee and doesn't need to expend any more energy on gaining votes,(TN has voted Republican the last few Presidential elections) he missed a good chance to work the crowd of Tennessee voters. He shook a few hands and left the stage.

Obama stayed as long as the secret service would allow... shaking hands, thanking everyone, posing for pictures, signing autographs. This is what will be remembered.

Even though the media gave Obama a slight edge in "winning" the debate, he definitely won some undecided votes by his openness and willingness to meet the public and acknowledge their hard work in preparing for it. After all, Belmont University and the people of Nashville and Tennessee, did sponsor the debate and gave countless hours and spent tons of money to be the sponsor. Granted the sponsors do benefit from the publicity, tourism, etc. Plus it is an honor to be selected as a debate site. Tennesseans can be proud of their efforts.