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  • Home
  • My World - blog
    • The Daily Brat
    • My writings
    • Where I've Been
  • Untangling the Knot - Field Goal Vlog
    • Training Log
    • Sneak Peak at Untangling the Knot
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    • Molto Mayhem - Favorite Italian Recipes
    • Betting Jessica's Character World
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Overheard on. . . NOW With Alex Wagner

10/8/2013

1 Comment

 
“… (It) is like going to your credit card company after you’ve maxed out and saying- I’m
not going to change my spending, I’m not going to spend less, but I want you to raise the rate.”
Tom Cole (R) Oklahoma

Yesterday Alex Wagner had Oklahoma State Rep., Tom Cole (R) on to discuss the possibility of default on the U.S. debt. His point was in reference to asking Democrats to negotiate over the debt ceiling. Giving him the benefit of the doubt that he meant ‘raise the limit’ NOT ‘raise the rate’ (which will indeed happen if we default), it seemed like a fair point.

But wait!

Blame whomever you wish, the bottom line is that the congress has had a chance to reach a budget agreement for months (since the sequester went into effect, March 1st in fact.) And yet they failed to come together to resolve this and put in place a real budget.

And, what about that sequester? How’s that going? Check the numbers and you will see that the budget is already at lower spending levels than the majority of either party proposed back when they were attempting to resolve this a year ago. Unlike the congressman’s example, we may not like how we got here, but the federal government has been placed on a financial diet. (So feel free to begin referring to last year’s Super Committee as the Jenny Craig of Federal Spending.)

Where does that leave us, then? I don’t know about you, but I am scared. The politicians so far seem unable to acknowledge the harm they are inflicting. And I don’t care how many resolutions they pass to bring select government employees out of furlough, all I see are the kids unable to go to Head-Start, or the families who can’t pay for their housing this month because of a lack of housing assistance.

It is not right. Conservatives claim that government is too big and these things should be handled by private organizations, like churches or non-profits. Show me where that is happening right now. Please, really, show me. I would like to know that these people who suffer are getting more than a 10% discount on their hamburger. I’d like to think that people, other than Colbert, are stepping in to provide the services that are not available because congress can’t accept that they already made a mistake by letting it get this far.

And liberals, stop making this about winning some game. The first rule of negotiation is NOT to back your opponent into a corner. The right is claiming you won’t negotiate. We know that there is room for agreement outside of the two crises that face us. So stop letting your rhetoric block in both sides. It is not helpful!

Tom Cole is an excellent example that things are not always black and white. I hope everyone can see that there are many, many colors that make up our country and each of them have a story. Listen!

I’m done with my rant now… but you may have something to add. I love to hear comments- I just ask that you
keep them civil and fact based. 


And, to prove how much I love hearing from you I will be giving away a copy of my book, UNTANGLING THE KNOT, to one lucky commenter in October. Leave a comment for any of my blog posts and at the end of each month I
will randomly select one  visitor/commenter to receive a free download of my book
. (Note: winner will be notified by a reply linked to their original comment…. Check back at the end of the month for directions on how to claim your prize!)

NOTE: September is now over; thanks to everyone for your fun comments. I have chosen the winner of BETTING JESSICA from the names of those who commented during the month. Congratulations JENNY HANSEN. Please send me and email at dwilstedauthor (at) outlook (dot) com and let me know where I can send your digital copy:>)
FINAL NOTE
I am celebrating my 15 year Anniversary Thursday
So please forgive me - No blog post that day.
I'll see you all again next week!
1 Comment
Maggie Jaimeson link
10/8/2013 03:45:56 am

First, Happy Anniversary! As you celebrate your 15th, we will be flying to Pittsburgh to see our youngest get married.

Second, I agree with your analysis of the state of the union. It seems to me that for the past two decades, the work of congress has been to get re-elected rather than to work for the people. The way this has happened is to spend time making over-the-top claims about each other, to grandstand, and to refuse to compromise. The past 6 years has been particularly virulent.

I am a realist when it comes to politics. I believe the debt ceiling will be raised the night before America defaults on everything because no amount of rhetoric can paper over what will happen. I also believe the sequester will end. Unfortunately, the end will come not because either side thinks it is right or that the two sides come to a considered and purposeful budget. It will end because one side will realize that the polls for re-election are getting worse based on their actions.

The fault for all this is US. Congress is a reflection of the American people and those who have the loudest voices. The only way to have a plethora of reasonable voices heard is for everyone to be writing and calling their representatives. If every person who is disgusted with the way things are would write / call their representatives in Congress and the Senate, something would happen.

Staffers do count those calls. Staffers do keep a tally of pros and cons and let the representatives know. Until the American People stop feeling like they can do nothing and simply deal by closing their eyes, nothing will happen. Take a few minutes to pick up the phone, send an email, write a letter. If even 10% of the population would do that it would make a difference. It would push the negotiations ahead.

Yes, they want to get re-elected and your voice matters. Right now both sides are listening to their "base" meaning the extremes of their parties. That's because the middle hasn't made contact.

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    Deanne Wilsted

    Link here to Betting Jessica on Amazon.com

    Background - Overheard While Writing
    It's hard to explain, but 12 years ago, when I started to write seriously, the only place where I could get my work done was at Starbucks. 

    Since then, 4 manuscripts and 4 favored Starbucks later, I sill find myself drawn to a cozy corner and a half-decaf Americano.... not to mention the many friendly faces that greet me when I arrive.

    And, while I try to stay focused, there are some times when the conversations or interactions that surround me draw my attention away from my own characters, and into the world of life's own characters. 

    This BLOG captures some of those funny, sincere, inspiring moments. Maybe they will give you a reason to write as well.

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