What are the signs of bailout fatigue?
From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Have you noticed it's become nearly impossible to wake up in the morning without hearing about another big-time bailout by the federal government?
The stock market takes a hit every time the government announces a new initiative.
President Obama recently signed the almost $790 billion economic stimulus bill. His Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner unveiled the bank bailout plan that could mean another trillion dollars spent on bailing out our nation's drowning financial institutions. That's on top of the $700 billion financial bailout package from last fall.
Then there are the auto companies – they were back in Washington this week wanting another $21.6 billion of your money, on top of the more than $17 billion they got last fall. Then there's the administration's $275 billion plan to help up to 9 million struggling homeowners refinance or modify their mortgages so they don't lose their homes.
If these dizzying numbers aren't enough to give you a headache, how about the fact that the stock market keeps tanking every time the government announces a new initiative? Yesterday the Dow closed at its lowest level in more than 6 years and today it took another big hit. Investors are nervous that the government won't be able to right our economic ship, despite the trillions of dollars it's pouring in.
All of which has probably left millions of Americans either pulling their hair out or reaching for the Jack Daniels.
Here’s my question to you: What are the signs you’re suffering from bailout fatigue?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Will Dems self-destruct over ethics issues?
From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Democrats gained control of Congress in 2006 by effectively hammering Republicans over a "culture of corruption". But as the Associated Press points out - that very same theme may wind up now biting the Democrats in the you-know-what.
Burris, Blagojevich, and Daschle have all been entangled in ethics scandals in recent months.
When it comes to ethical behavior, it turns out Senator Roland Burris of Illinois is only the latest in a pretty long line of embarrassments. Burris now admits he tried to raise money for ousted Governor Rod Blagojevich - who allegedly tried to sell Obama's former Senate seat. Blagojevich was, of course, another black eye for the Democrats.
Then there's New York Congressman Charlie Rangel - he's the subject of a House ethics investigation for a couple of different issues.
And Pennsylvania Congressman Jack Murtha is under scrutiny, as well... since the feds raided two defense contractors that got millions of dollars in funding from Murtha.
Then come the Democrats with tax "issues". Both Tom Daschle and Nancy Killefer stepped down from potential posts in Pres. Obama's inner circle. And Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was confirmed only after it was revealed that he had failed to pay some of his taxes.
Another would-be cabinet member, Bill Richardson, didn't make the cut due to a grand jury investigation. And the president had to waive his own ethics regulations regarding lobbying ties in order to confirm William Lynn as Deputy Defense Secretary.
During the campaign last fall, Obama struck a chord with the American people when he vowed to clean up Washington and change the way business is done.
Here’s my question to you: Are the Democrats threatening to self-destruct over ethics issues?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
How helpful is Bill Clinton’s advice to Pres. Obama?
Is Bill Clinton's advice helpful? (PHOTO CREDIT: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It didn't take long at all for Bill Clinton to get in on the act. A month after his wife was sworn in as Secretary of State, the former president is out with some advice on how President Obama should handle his job.
In an interview with ABC News Clinton gives the new president an "A" for his first month in office yet says he should put on a more positive face when talking about the economy. Clinton says he likes the fact that Mr. Obama didn't come out with a bunch of "happy talk" about the economic crisis. He added, "I just want the American people to know that he's confident that we are gonna get out of this and he feels good about the long run."
And he had more pearls of wisdom. Clinton went on to say that President Obama should talk to the public in greater depth about the economic crisis, saying he should lay out the full scope of what's going on but end by saying he's "hopeful and completely convinced" that we'll make it out okay.
Here's the issue: this is exactly what many Obama supporters feared would happen if he brought Hillary Clinton on board as vice president, or in any cabinet position for that matter. It's the old "two for the price of one", and it's probably just about the last thing Barack Obama needs right now.
Here’s my question to you: How helpful is it for Bill Clinton to publicly give President Obama advice on how to do his job?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Recent Comments