The Republican Wrecking Ball

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has released a new ad entitled "Wrecking Ball"

The Budget That Transcends Numbers

Well, folks, they've finally done it. The GOP has finally managed to create a federal budget that doesn't contain one single dollar amount. I guess that sure beats the heck out of that "overambitious" $3.6 trillion budget President Obama's administration proposed. I mean, it makes so much sense. If you want to get rid of "big spending" in government, just don't budget any money, right?

http://news.aol.com/article/house-gop-offers-budget-blueprint-but/399212

Jim for Georgia

Our Top Priority has to be the Georgia senate seat. Jim Martin has released the first ad of the run off, declaring America is Back!

There is another Ad in the works yet to be sent to TV that attacks Chambliss' Shameless treatment of a whistle blower involved with the events surrounding the Savannah Sugar Refinery Explosion.

Currently Democrats hold 57 Senate Seats, with Oregon being called today for the Democratic Challenger. In Alaska, some 20,000 absentee ballots have yet to be counted in a race only split by approximately 3000 votes. Minnesota is headed for a recount with Democrat Al Franken trailing by 300 votes. Expect final returns to be in by Mid-to-Late November.

Alaska is however an interesting case. Republicans and Democrats alike want Ted Stephens out of the Senate. Personally, I am hopeful that a vote regarding this will take place soon. If possible before December 2nd, I am unsure of the chances of that happening.

So lets get Shameless Chambliss out of the Senate...Vote Jim for Georgia

Battleground Georgia

Friends,

VoteVets.org has released a new anti-Shameless add and it is powerful.

Also the Georgia Senate Race has been heating up nicely....you should vote early...tons of our neighbors have...

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has been convicted, now to see what the punishment will be.

Vote Early, Vote Blue!

A New Ad from Jim Martin!

The Jim for Georgia Campaign has released a new ad called "Root."

Late last week Congressional Quarterly upgraded the race from "Republican Favored" to "Republican Leaning." What does that mean? It means that the Jim for Georgia Campaign is gaining ground on Saxby Shameless. Lets Turn Georgia Blue! Vote Jim Martin for Senate!

The Bailout Two Step (Senate Version)

As I am sure most of you know the Bailout Failed in the House on Monday. However since the Bailout was a Concurring Resolution The Senate Version is up for a vote today at approximately 7:30PM (Notice: After the Markets Close). The Senate version of the bill is, at its core, a little different from the House version. It includes a provision to increase the FDIC insured limit from $100,000 to $250,000. This is a big deal for Small Business.

Added on to the Bailout Bill will be several "sweetners" for both Republicans and Democrats. Tacked on will be a Mental Health Bill and a package of tax breaks. Those tax breaks include a temporary fix of the Alternative Minimum Tax, a renewable energy and conservation tax credit bill, tax relief for disaster victims, as well as other things.

Also under consideration will be an Amendment to the bailout introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to add a 10% surtax to those making over $500,000.

Both John McCain and Barack Obama have said they will vote; 60 votes are required to move the bill out of debate.

The Process for this bill is going to be very odd. The bailout will be introduced as a Subsitute Amendent to H.R. 1424 (Orginally the previously mentioned Mental Health bill). Both the Bailout and the Sanders Amendment need 60 Votes to pass another vote will be needed to move the total package out of debate and then the vote will occur.

Taxpayers for Common Sense has released a Statement.

More Information:
Open Congress
Senate Calendar

Jim For Georgia

Hey Georgia! Lets vote out Saxby Shameless. Vote Jim Martin for Georgia's Middle Class.

Are you a fiscal conservative? Then take a look at Allen Buckley the Libertarian.

Earmarks v Palin, Biden, et al.

On AC360, Anderson Cooper makes a point of "Keeping Them Honest." A few nights ago, the focus was on Gov. Sarah Palin (the Bridge and Road to Nowhere) and Sen. Joe Biden (with His own Bridge Earmarks) Earmarks have become somewhat of an issue. The media has latched on to them as a form of quasi-corruption. I however have two issues with earmarks, the lack of spending control and their secretive nature.

I have no doubt that within the earmark society there is corruption. However the projects that are funded via earmarks are important nevertheless. An earmark is really just a budget request. We cannot deny that the U.S. Congress, just like any other legislative body, has to allocate money for special projects. The issue is that while these allocations have no open platform, in the full view of the nation, they will continue to be hidden. Or they will continue to bloat massive spending bills.

So yes lets eliminate the pork. But lets also provide for projects to be brought into the light, where Americans can view them and give these special projects all due fiscal and ethical consideration.

Until then, lets keep them honest.

Its the Regulations Stupid!

The US Government is considering bailouts for Wall Street Firms and even some foreign banks. Current Cost...$700 Billion. Look for that price tag to go up before the bill passes. While this bailout may be necessary it is also an opportunity.

The Bush Administration is out to maintain some sort of legacy. They do not want to go down in history as the modern era equivalent of Herbert Hoover. Not to mention Democrats that want to push Obama into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., not to mention their goal of a Filibuster proof Senate Majority. Everything is on the table, Dems have the upper hand.

I have my 7 condidtions for a bailout and they are:

1. End Short Selling, While it is an easy way into the markets it is not worth the problems it causes.
2. Create a 4, 6, or 8 person council to decide who gets bailed out and how much money they get. This council must have an even number of members. Included on this board must be the Chairs of the House and Senate Banking Committee, Secretary Paulson, and the Ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee. They must agree in order to bailout. The Council only has a lifespan of 6-months.
   
3. The bailout must include aid and a restruturing plan for firms and in trouble households. Allow Local Courts to restructure loans from bailed out firms.
   
4. The Government must recieve a fair value in shares of companies bailed out. Said number of shares must be a condition of the bailout.
5. The Government must disclose who is being bailed out, why, and all of the terms of the bail out.
6. CEO's of bailed out companies cannot recieve pay or severence packages exceding $300,000
7. THERE MUST BE A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE REGULATORY SYSTEMS FOR THE FINANCE INDUSTRY and any other industry in need of major government assistance.
   

I don't like the idea of a bailout but otherwise we risk turmoil. Oh and one more thing, NO BAILOUTS OF FORIEGN FIRMS!!!

What a Great Day for Georgia

As we democrats continue our quest to improve our state and our nation Georgia Dems made some great decisions today.

3) CLAYTON COUNTY

• Keeping Eldrin Bell as County Commission Chair is an important step. Now I wouldn't call him perfect, but he works for the people. And is much more respectable than Lee Scott, who threatened a man after he was accused of knocking down one of his wife's Campaign Signs
• Jewel Scott is out as DA, Its just a good look all around....see above
• Victor Hill is out as Sheriff. Having completely trivialized Clayton County Law Enforcement and destablizing the Office of Sheriff.
• SEE MORE:
  

  Creative Loafing
  Obi's Sister
  Fox 5
  Peach Pundit
  

2) FULTON COUNTY

• While I truely belive Myron Freeman is a good man, there is no confidence in his administration. The Jail has had its ups and downs. And he has at the very least kept the Jail from getting worst. The problem again is that people lack confidence in the Fulton Co. Sheriff, and this has been the case for the last few election cycles. No confidence in the Organization, no confidence in its Leader. Good Man, Wrong Time.

1) SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN

• All I can say is that the Georgia Democratic Party will not be led by a Republican Puppet. Who's the puppet you ask? Vernon Jones of course. The two time Bush and GOP supporter, not to mention Obama wannabe has been soundly defeated by Jim Martin!

This has been a Great Night for the Future of Our State

H.R. 3221 - Roll Call

The U.S. Senate was in session on Saturday voting on some very important legislation. (See My Post on the Matter) The final tally on the vote for H.R. 3221 was:

• 72 Ayes
• 13 Nays
• 15 Abstentions

Both Georgia Senators Voted in-favor of this legislation. (Oh the Attacks if they dared vote No) But what caught my eye was who abstained. Both Obama and McCain abstained.

Well Obama has an excuse he was on his way home from #10 Downing Street, where he met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

But what about McCain, where was he on this special saturday? A day of Rest and Light Campaigning Perhaps?

Senators Voting Against

Sen. John Barrasso [WY]

Sen. Thomas Coburn [OK]

Sen. Bob Corker [TN]

Sen. John Cornyn [TX]

Sen. Jim DeMint [SC]

Sen. John Ensign [NV]

Sen. Michael Enzi [WY]

Sen. Charles Grassley [IA]

Sen. Orrin Hatch [UT]

Sen. Kay Hutchison [TX]

Sen. Jon Kyl [AZ]

Sen. John Thune [SD]

Sen. David Vitter [LA]

Senators Abstaining

Sen. Thomas Carper [DE]

Sen. Thomas Harkin [IA]

Sen. Daniel Inouye [HI]

Sen. Edward Kennedy [MA]

Sen. Patty Murray [WA]

Sen. Barack Obama [IL]

Sen. Wayne Allard [CO]

Sen. Christopher Bond [MO]

Sen. Jim Bunning [KY]

Sen. Richard Burr [NC]

Sen. Elizabeth Dole [NC]

Sen. Lindsey Graham [SC]

Sen. James Inhofe [OK]

Sen. John McCain [AZ]

Sen. John Warner [VA]

Saturday School

The US Senate has just passed H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act in a special Saturday Session of Congress

from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi:
The centerpiece of the bill will help significant numbers of hard-working American families in danger of losing their home refinance into lower-cost government -insured mortgages they can afford to repay – at no cost to the American taxpayer. It also:

• strengthens neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis by providing resources to allow cities and states to buy up and rehabilitate foreclosed properties that are currently driving down home prices, reducing state and local revenues, and destabilizing neighborhoods;
• expands homeownership opportunities for veterans and helps returning soldiers avoid foreclosure and stay in their home;
• provides tax breaks to spur home buying; and
• creates a new Fund to boost the nation’s stock of affordable rental housing in both rural and urban areas for low and very low-income individuals and families.

Votes In-favor - 72
Votes Against - 13

List of Senators Votes coming soon.