Seasonal Changes

The fall is seasonal change time in my business. During this time I have a lot of design drawings to get out the door, proposals to write and submit. After that materials must be scheduled and managed for delivery, and then after all of this -you have to execute.

In the business environment that we have these days, a small business has to be as close to perfect as is humanly possible as the customers that hire small companies like mine have lots of options. They can take what your offering or leave it. Now that my seasonal change work has died down, I can take a fresh look at how the Obama Administration is moving along on their agenda to change world, or at least America.

It looks like the Obama Administration has a good chance at Health care getting passed. I see that Senator Harry Reid has put the Public Option in the final bill going to the floor for debate. I don't think it is going to make it into the final bill the President signs, but it does appease the liberal factions of the party and helps in Reid's re-election bid.

Personally, I don't really know what to think about this health care thing. It doesn't look like a lot of people are going to be able to sign up for any Government health care. A study just released said maybe 2 million people will qualify for any Public Option health care-if it were to pass. Along with that, you always have to be wary of any new entitlements being handed out by the Government. Not that I'm one of those people who feels that the Government does nothing right - I feel if you have intelligent people running the Government, you'll have smart Government.

Going forward President Obama has got to focus on job creation (he doesn't at his own peril). The American people have shockingly short memories and it's now cool to be a seen as a conservative. I'm interested to see if this trend picks up steam. The 2010 elections will be here before we know it. Already the pundits are saying that this election will be a referendum on Obama's Presidency, which is maybe half true. What happened to the old saying "all politics are local?" Now every city council election is about if you agree with Obama or not.

Due to the News Media's insatiable need to 'create' news and entice higher ratings, they will be stirring this "referendum" pot more and more as we get closer to November 2010. I think Obama's popularity will help some and hurt some. I think Obama will pass Health care. I think that it would probably be good if Obama lost the House of Representatives to the Republicans. Let the Republicans come up with some fresh ideas for a change. Let's see if we can re-create the Clinton Era.

Garden tip: It's a great time in most parts of the country to fertilize for the fall and winter. It's also a great time to move plants that you've been wanting to relocate to different spot in your landscape. It's also a great time to over seed your yard.

The Rope a Dope...

I've been observing the direction the Obama Administration is taking in accomplishing their goals concerning; health care, Afghanistan, Cap and trade etc etc... It seems they are employing the old Muhammad Ali strategy of the old ''rope a dope'.

If your not familiar with the 'rope a dope', back in 1974 Muhammad Ali was scheduled to fight the 'now' grill king George Foreman in Zaire, Africa. Back in 74' Foremen was a big muscle bound brute, who was knocking out every opponent he faced. Foremen was the champ at the time, Ali was the challenger.

In 1974' Ali was thought to already be past his prime. Ali was smart though, his strategy in the fight was to let Foremen throw punches until his arms would be so tired that he could barely hold them up and defend himself, at that time- Ali, still basically fresh (because he had laid against the ropes and let Foremen punch himself out), would knock Foremen out with his quickness and power.

This is what I see the Obama team doing against the Republicans. The Rethugs have been screaming, lying and obstructing since Obama first day on the job, the Obama Administration have been laying on the ropes taking the punches, taking the lies, taking the obstruction of their policies, and now it seems like the Rethugs are all lied out, no more bullets in their rhetorical weapons. Right now Republicans are primed for the big knockout, the key punch that will start them towards the canvas will be the passage of a health care bill. Next will be a decision on Afghanistan, most likely Obama will send more troops, he almost has to. Cap and Trade will come easier with the political capital built up from passing historic health care reform. Along the way I believe Obama's going to have reallocate some of the stimulus money to go directly to job creation. All of this needs to be in place by the 2010 elections or all bets are off.

What if MaCain and Palin had won ?

If your paying attention and have a job, things are jugging along to recovery just like the President said it would. The economy is picking up slowly but surely, companies are beginning to hire, health care in-the-end, will be reformed and someone is actually thinking hard about weather to send more troops into the war zone in Afghanistan.

The grown ups are back in office. Over the last 8 months the sore loser have been doing what sore loser do, whining, second guessing and being obstructionist, what else is new. President Obama on the other hand has been a busy man, at home and abroad. Right now -'I' know he's laying the ground work for partnerships with our foes and allies, this is good, in my opinion. I know - just like kids, our foes just want to be included in the process... made to feel big.


I was thinking this morning- what if John McCain and Sarah Palin had been elected into office, what kind of mess would this country.... heck the world be in ? I personally think McCain /Palin would have listened to those saying let the banks fail. I think they would have tried it...at first.

From what we know now, this would have led to a global run on the banks. If like a lot of Republicans that are protesting had their way- Citi Bank, Bank of America, and probably Chase would have went out of business. Believe me there would have been long long lines outside of banks. The FDIC would have been insolvent quickly, the govt. would have had to print money (we would not have been able to borrow the money from China because there would have been no confidence in our system). Plus they would have had their own problems. Unemployment would have shot to like thirty or forty percent and the Great Depression II would have been in full effect.

Lets say McCain/Palin did do a stimulus, I would bet that their stimulus would have been 70% tax cuts to large businesses and the rich. Very little infrastructure very little help for the people, noo employment extentions, no help for home buyers, just tax cuts. McCain/Palin would still have a raging war going on in Iraq and a building raging war in Afghanistan. Just with those two decisions this country and world would be in a whole different boat.

Garden Tip: Unless a shrub has a specific pruning needs, prune some of the oldest wood each year. This opens the plant's center to more air and light and encourages new growth.

Cool as a Fan...

I couldn't be President, there are too many fools and clowns to deal with. President Obama's speech last night was my personal favorite. Any person with half a brain and who actually cares about America would see the logic of his arguments. What has happened in America especially with Republicans is that they have become 'so' partisan that reason and good, heck even great ideas, can't get a fair review or hearing.

Who elects these people ? That's what I wonder. The state of South Carolina needs to make better choices about who they elect. It really shows that their majority electorate aren't too bright. First Governor Stanford gallivanting around South America with his "soul mate". Now Congressman Wilson not being able to control himself in a joint session speech in Congress by yelling "you lie!"on the floor of the House of Representatives when the President of the United States was speaking about some of the gravest concerns of our nation. Are you kidding me? The President was "cool as a fan", hardly missing a beat, probably expecting nonsense like this at this point.

Personally, if I were Barack, I would be thinking about not running for re-election. It comes to a point were you can't save people who don't want to be saved. If the Democrats can't get health care with fillabuster proof majorities in both houses, then that's sad.

There were a few brilliant turns in the President's speech but I like the way he wrapped it up. He seemed to be asking the lawmakers if they were men or boys, if they came to work or bullshit. I like that. The more the Republicans keep up this nonsense the more they are being looked upon as just inconsequential, or as an after thought. Other than the 10 to 15% far right Republicans, I wonder sometimes how mainstream Republicans feel about their party. The Republicans used to have ideas, what happened ?

Reagan and Obama

At one point in his first term Ronald Reagan's disapproval ratings in Gallup polls were at
35 %, along with that -unemployment was over 10%. Just wanted to get that tidbit out there. President Obama's poll numbers are on the slide as of recently, they're still over 50 % but as the healthcare battle rolls on I expect them to continue heading south. This is what always happens when Presidents tackle tough issues and try to change the established ways.

During Reagan's presidency think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Hoover Institute were laying the groundwork for a economic shift away from the people and towards business, what we now call Reaganomics, programs and practices that haunt America to this day. Obama was elected as the person that would once and for all, dismantle Reaganomics and lead America into a new more "equal" and "granola-ish" America -where there's a chicken in every pot, a Prius in every driveway and the Government will take up the slack if things don't go ....just right.

The reality of the situation is a little different, Obama may not have the stomach required for surviving this fight. I honestly think he worries about his family. Who could blame him? There's a very negative energy in Politics these days. It doesn't suit his style, there's a reason why they call him "No-Drama Obama." His first seven months have been pure drama, it seems like he got "shook".

Reagan had the bad economy when he came into office like Obama. It was close to the third year of his presidency before the economy started turning around, Obama has the economy turning in 7 months. Granted Obama's polls are no where near 35%, but as he enacts more "change" in the country, those on the other side are going to become more and more entrenched in their position. Only time will be able to show us if they are able to change their previous "beliefs" and learn to embrace or at lease accept the kind of reforms that the actual people of this country, really need.

Garden Tip: Something you might want to try. Ammonia the harsh smelling cleaning product, is almost 60% Nitrogen and 40% water. Why this matters is that nitrogen is what makes plants deep green, it's what makes grass green. If you have a sprayer that hooks to your hose, fill your sprayer about half full of Ammonia and give your plants and grass a spray, you'll be surprised by the outcome.

60 years and counting...

President Obama didn't take his opponent seriously enough in the health care reform debate. This health care debate has been roaring for 60 years now, ever since President Truman was first called a socialist for suggesting national health care for all. In looking at the history of this debate, the Republicans have used the exact same scare tactics and lies they used sixty years ago, and it still works!

For people who don't know, the Republicans are the party of business, as simple as that, they advocate for business interest, not the people. Democrats are the party that watch out for the people. What is interesting and to a lesser degree- genius about what the Republicans have been able to accomplish is that they get people, regular Americans to demonstrate and act a fool at these town hall meetings to help a interest that has no love for them. These business lobbyist donate money to these republicans to make sure the America people have no National healthcare. These interests and the Republican lawmakers will fool, trick or lie to these people them to work against their own interests. Until this does not work, they see no reason in changing their playbook.

What this says to me is that we as Americans aren't getting any brighter, and that the Democrats and President Obama aren't getting 'it'. How can someone do the exact same thing, use the exact same tricks and lies and get away with it without (the Democrats) trying to adjust. At this point and as I marinate on this health care battle, I get more and more disappointed with the way Obama and his lieutenants, got blindsided by their critics and are ineffective in neutralizing their attacks.

I know the Obama camp knows what I'm saying, going into September I'm interested in seeing if they have any answers for the American people, because as of now, it'll be 75 years before a Democrat gets a crack at health care reform again. I think that's why Dem's do the health care reform dance as soon as they get in office- they can lose the debate and still, if lucky get re-elected by the short term memories of voters.

Garden Tip: When you have a plant in a landscape that keeps dying after replacing two or three times, try another plant. Some plants just won't live in certain spots, simple as that.

In a Perfect World we'd all be Republicans

In a perfect world everyone would be Republican, this a strange statement coming from someone like myself. I try to beat up on Rethuglicans every chance I get. I like their rhetoric, but in practice, they always always always get side tracked by crooks. Not all, but a good portion of Republican politicians just want to be re-elected just like Democrats, and to get re-elected you have to get in bed with unsavory characters, this is the game and they all play it.

I like the Republican mantra of small Government, I like their talk about reducing the deficit, I like their dogma about people being responsible for their own health care and there talk about giving the power to govern back to states. But if you think about it -Clinton was the only President in the last 50 years to lower the deficit or shrink government. President's Reagan, Bush and Bush II all ran massive deficits, and never really tried to fix the problem (when the first Bush tried to raise taxes to fix the problem, he got ran out of office on a rail). Both Reagan and Dick Cheney have said "deficits don't matter", look at them now though. Bush II grew the size of government at a unprecedented rate, first with two wars and then with the unfunded liability of Medicare-Part D. At least Obama is trying to pay for the health reform he's proposing.

Another Republican rallying point- personal responsibility is only applicable when times are good, look how all of these so-called free market capitalist companies are lining up for Government bailouts and handouts, whats that all about ? Another rallying cry is- the monopoly on Christian values, which is only convenient when they're not 'bearing false witness' concerning different aspects of President Obama agenda. But when they do get what they want, the values will return. This is the biggest problem most Democrat I talk to, have with Republicans, their supposed Christian values, that they cast a side when it's convenient.

There is one bright spot in this continued 'bearing of false witness'. The Fox News crowd-advertisers are starting to leave the channel and programs like Glenn Beck that tell lies about serious problems this country faces. No one is opposed to a opposing opinion, but this country cannot continue to be viable if 39% of the population is basing their opinions off of false information. People need to understand that 25 to 30% of the population get all of their news from Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, it should scare people. These are good American people who in a lot of cases have no idea their being manipulated by people ruled by money and the bottom line concerns.

Garden Tip: here's a simple way to find out if your plants need water, take a handful of soil and squeeze it, if no water comes out of your hand the plant needs water.

Tight Rope Walker

President Obama is walking a tight rope. He wants to get something done concerning health care but he has two sides pulling at him and if he doesn't watch out, they will rip him apart. Earlier this week the administration let out how the President was not being married to the PublicOption in the health care reform bill. This got Rachael Maddow, Dr. Howard Dean and their liberal leaning crowd in a tizzy. Dean was on the morning news shows yesterday saying that if there's no Public Option, "health care isn't even worth passing," which then set a fire under Obama and his people because if he loses the more liberal wing of his party - game over for a second term.

The more I think about it President Obama may have to fall on his sword on this one, take a position and go all out, and let the cards fall where they may. Democrats are looking at him as wobbly, as if he'll take any bill that lands on his desk. In these days and times that's not acceptable, people have strong feelings, they could have sent anybody to Washington to be weak and indecisive. Many people 'really' looked at Obama as the 'messiah,' somebody needs to tell him that.

It really just occurred to me as-of-late, reading op-ed's and comments from some of the American people writing in, members of the far left are ready to fight for health care as much as the people on the far right. Obama's problem is that those on the left voted for him. If these people don't at least get a Public Option, (they have already given up on the single payer-Medicare style plan they really want) Obama will be a one term President.

In my opinion, the only way Mr. Obama can get out of this predicament is for the economy to take off like shot out of a cannon. The economy may be the only thing that will get Mr. Obama a pass. He still needs to take a stand though. Today Obama was to meet with former President Bill Clinton, I'll assume they're talking strategy, I hope their talking strategy. Clinton's been behind this eight ball before, he was always able to stay one step ahead of the Rethuglicans. I'm pretty sure Clinton is telling him not to become too close to many of the current Democrats in Congress -as they might not be around after November 2010.

I've said this before: the best thing that could happen to President Obama would be for the Rethuglicans to take back the House of Representives and Democrats keep the Senate. Clinton's telling him the same plus not to take it personally if it happens, he went through the same thing and look how he turned out...

Garden Tip: This is the No.1 gardening and landscape tip I can give you - buy Lesco fertilizers and lawn care products. They are sold at Home Depot now. They are a professional grade products that work - great!

America: The Land of Gangsters

I've been wondering out loud lately-did black people in general sign up for the pain they would have to go through to get President Obama agenda achieved ? What I mean by that is there are untold numbers of blacks, latins, muslim and liberal whites that have lost there jobs because of their political view. There have been women (mostly black) that have come on to job sites, whether it be casual Friday or everyday clothes, wearing Barak Obama tee shirts or overly happy about his win, are now laided off, or outright fired now. People that don't really follow minusha of Government and it's effects on the business culture don't know what hit them, some probably had just got a good yearly review or raise.

Not all but a good portion of small and large corporations are run by very conservative IE Republican men. These men (not all) are taking the election and the direction President Obama is taking the country very personally, The more Mr. Obama tries to get his agenda across the more and more these people have fears that their freedoms and money to some extent will be taken away from them, in the form of higher taxes. The way these people get back at Obama and his kind (Dems, Liberals blacks and Latins- who they think are all illegal) is to lay as many of them off as possible.

It's been widely reported that businesses went overboard in cutting jobs last fall and winter. Right now the stock market is sailing right along -higher and higher. Most economist feel like the recovery is well on it's way to becoming reality. But nobody feels flush, know one feels 'safe' yet. This as we all know is because of jobs. Unemployment is still a huge problem among young black men, there rate of unemployment is at like 25 to 30%. Blacks overall unemployment is 14.6 but going lower, this is good. The Hispanic unemployment rate is12.6 but going hire, which isn't good.

This brings me back to my original thought- why do 'some' black have to suffer because Barak Obama wants to try to 'utopasize' a very gangster America ? Anyone who has been paying attention to American since the Reagan Revolution of the early 80's, up-to-now, know that in America people steal big money, and they don't have to wear masks. These days the best thieves wear- three piece Brooks Brothers suits while stealing millions and in some cases billions.

All of this while the local news concentrate on brothers and poor whites stealing hundred dollar Playstations. This is the culture of America now, this 'is' the new normal -Russians, Italians, Hispanics and to a lesser extent the Jews realized this long ago. Rich Rappers like Jay-Z and 50 Cent figured it out and try to explain it, in their raps. It's why I like Jay, he just says it, "it's only illegal if you get caught". Welcome to America

I like America, it's a competitive place, if you have some hustle and imagination you can have some incredible times hear, (Lord knows I have). But I also understand that America is a Country consumed by gangsters who like it just the way it is. Wall Streeters hate when you refer to them as gangsters, they prefer business men. But you tell me: a guy sits down with his friend, he's known for 25 yrs, we'll say at Goldman Sachs. They are discussing a compensation package where he pays his friend 100 million dollars for a years work. The deal says whether the Company make money or loses money his friend gets paid enough money to take care of three generations of his family. Now you tell me that's not gangster.

Idiocracy

I saw a movie a while back, it was a outrageous over the top take on what America will be like in 500 years. The movie was called Idiocracy and was written and directed by Mike Judge the man behind 'Beevis and Butthead' and 'King of the Hill'. It starred Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph. The whole premise of the movie revolved around American people becoming dumber and dumber over the centuries, instead of smarter and smarter. When I watched it for the first time I thought it was ok, a little much -but cool. Now that I see what this debate on healthcare has become, I can truly see something like that happening in the near future.

This is just my opinion, but there is a element in this country that have figured out how to manipulate the less bright amongst us. These people follow Sarah Palin and the Birther Groups -who think President Obama was born in Kenya, and shouldn't be President. What is disturbing about this is that these people are the ones buying all the guns. I think they want to try to bully the rest of the country out of healthcare, they think Democrats are scared of them. This healthcare debate and vote are going to be a huge crossroads for this country, I'm interested to see how all this plays out.

A big problem that's facing the American people is the media/press let this nonsense go unchecked. The only news outlet I've seen call Palin to the carpet, concerning her Facebook rant about Obama's supposed -Death Panels was ABC NEWS who held their their viewers hands and explained to them that it was all a big lie, no Death Panels.

What is going on concerning all the disinformation being dissipated is a STRATEGY. People have to understand these things, the people behind this feel that their losing control, checks may stop coming in. A tactic in the larger strategy of misinforming their constituents is just trying to stop the debate among people who want to discuss healthcare. That to me is a new low, the more and more I see this, it's proves Idiocracy exists. Mike Judge is somewhere saying- "I told you so".

Garden Tip: Something real easy, but something people never think about until it's too late. When you go out of town move your pots on the deck and on the front porch out of the sun into the shade. You can't imagine how that could be the difference between a dead plant and a plant just wilted a bit.

The Rally Continues...

If I'm home at this time of day (it's 2p)I'm listening to CNBC on the TV while working in our office. The older I get the less I like TV, it's become mostly reality shows, court programs and home fix-it programs-nonsense. Today the unemployment numbers came out for July, all week different business oriented shows were making a big deal about if the number was going to be good or bad. As of recently like 5 months now, the stock market has been on tear. This has been while the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and my favorite Neil Boortz have been hammering President Obama about how he can't handle the economy and unemployment while trying to overhall healthcare. The unemployment number turned out to be good -going from 9.6 to 9.4, most economist had expected the number to rise. The rally continued on the Dow and S&P while President Obama gets some room to think and take a quick vacation with his family.

Health care town hall meetings across the country have been hectic. The meetings are being attended by Congressmen and women in their district . During these town hall meetings the dignitaries have been shouted down, threatened and surrounded and followed to their cars after the meetings. Paul Krugman in the New York Times today says this is the same crowd that attend the birther rallies and don't believe Obama was born in America. Democrat operatives have called on union members to rally around the Congress people and stand up to those that are trying to interrupt the democratic process in these meetings.

Now if one if these people have serious issues and disagreements with policies that are being discussed in these meetings, they definitely have the right to have their say. But if your coming to intimate the people who want to discuss and debate health care, then that's not cool. It also says a lot about that group of people. This is what people do when they have no new IDEAS, you have to be able to bring a different viewpoint a new idea that people want to rally behind.

Garden Tip: Here's something that I do -Plant White flowers around walkways and areas in the landscape they are the last plants to fade at dusk and kind of pop at night in outdoors situations. If you have potted plants on your deck or your front porch throws some white petunias, or pansy in to create interest in night settings.

36 Chambers with Kim Jong Ill

Maybe this is harsh but why were these journalist so close to North Korea's border, also why were the three hikers hiking so close to the border of Iran. This is not a game people !
In the case of the journalist, if one of the ladies sisters wasn't the more famous journalist Lisa Ling, would these ladies be home right now. If they weren't working for one of Al Gores' ventures - Current TV, would they have been able to reach out to former President Bill Clinton.

From reports that I've read, these young ladies never saw the inside of a jail cell. They were in a North Korean 'condo' the whole time. They were able to talk to their families 'a lot' and were served three hot meals a day. So lets hold up on the sympathy for these two. As is the American way they'll get back home, write a book, sell the movie rights, go on a book tour, and forever be looked at as some sort of North Korean experts. They'll probably graduate from cable channel obscurity to be on-air personalities for Network TV. Really folks where is the downside.

On top of that, they've been eating bad North Korean food and have probably shed a few unwanted pounds.

What sucks about the whole thing is that the Obama Administration has to spend political capital and answer questions about who sent Clinton, who paid for it and why are we rewarding a dictator like Kim Jong Ill, with the presence of someone like former President Bill Clinton.

Before all of this, the Obama administration was trying to isolate Mr. Jong Ill and his country because of the Nuclear testing his they had been conducting off the coast of Japan and South Korea. They had even threatened to launch towards Hawaii and Alaska. But now it looks like their rewarding bad behavior. And right on cue the Rethuglican's have pounced on Clinton's trip as bad diplomacy that sends the wrong message to the world and North Korea. "We are suppose to be mad at them, didn't Obama didn't get memo".

Garden Tip: Here's a tip to help you decide which of your plants like sunshine and which don't. Those with big leaves like hydranges, rhododendrons, and hostas need less sun than plants with small leaves like herbs and sedums. Big leaf less sun,, small leaf more sun.

Healthcare healthcare healthcare

I think President Obama and his administration have it right. He still has a tough road ahead, but things should work out. Healthcare is going to happen, in my opinion. People don't realize that the Democrats have been trying to pass healthcare reform for 40 yrs now. Each time the Rethuglicans beat them back with lies and scare tactics to the American people, it always works because most Americans aren't too bright. You have admire their persuasiveness in getting people to support a interest that doesn't serve their own goals. Like a person needing a glass of water in the dessert and someone talking them out of drinking it. This is our healthcare debate.

Let me make this clear though, I just don't want 'any' healthcare. If Govenment/Americans enter into a Medicare (Single Payor Type Program) for healthcare, I don't think we the 50% of people who pay taxes can afford it. If we do decide to go that way, the Government will have to have everyone pay taxes, even the poor people- I understand this is unpopular.

Something that I try to explain to people everytime I get a chance is that only 50 % of the population in America pays income taxes. The other half gets earned income tax credits and other little goodies, to prop up their income. Nothing wrong with that if that's the law that we voted in. Buttttt for everyone to have Universal healthcare, everyone -even the earned income tax credit crowd need to pay taxes or this isn't going to work. I'm not talking about alot of money, but something -2 or 3 dollars a pay period. Every little bit helps.

It looks like were going to end up with some sort of COOP - Pooled healthcare plan- companies in a big pool are choosen by people who need insurance, I believe this is what Massachusett is doing right now. There would also be rules that everyone would have to covered and the insurance companies wouldn't be able to turn away people with pre exisisting conditions. I say as long as people have a option that doesn't bankrupt their family if someone in their family has a major illness, this would be progress.

Garden Tip: When plantings under trees use plants with shallow root systems. Plants like impatiens, hostas and other shade tolerant plants, grow well because of their shallow root sytems that like the shade a large tree provides.

Obama Gets One Right

Obama finally gets one right ! For me this isn't President Obama's first win, but to conservatives this is the first time the Obama administration has did something that has had overwhelming success in the marketplace. Cash for Clunkers may have saved the Democratic Congress from a midterm Rethuglican landslide.

With the success of the program -auto dealerships are moving 'new' cars at record rates. When the 'now' 3 billion program is finished, dealership will have few if any new cars in stock. This is good for the whole economy, it will mean that a chain reaction in hiring will have to happen. The large automakers will have to crank up production, to replace all of the new vehichles that have been sold through Cash for Clunkers. The parts makers will have to hire to keep up with the demand fron the automakers. The parts suppliers suppliers are going to need raw materials; as in steel, plastic and fiberglass to make the parts to send to the auto dealers, chain reaction. The Stock Market already knows this, prices of stocks are heading north fast.

As is usual the Rethuglicans are trying to put a damper on the program and it's economic benefits. This to me shows that the rethugs only want power, they tell the American people (indirectly) everyday that the don't care about their interest. It's all tax cuts, which help the wealthier in our society. Not that I have anything against wealthy people, They are the ones that employee people and drive our economy. I would just prefer for the Ruthuglicans to have more interest in the other 95% of the people who aren't in the top 5% of income earners.

From looking at what the Obama Administration has in the pipeline, with stimulus money and shovel ready projects things are going to be gangbusters the 4th qtr of this year, and all of next year. People need to understand that 20,000 projects are funded, going through final approvals and about to get started.

Like I've said before Rahm and the President are too smart not to flood the country with stimulus money and projects right before the 2010 congressional elections. If they play this right, (and I've heard conservative talk radio shows saying this could work) they could have the GDP Gross Domestic Product) moving at 5 to 6 % on the upside. Where right now it is 1% on the down side. Best estimates have the GDP at 2.5 to 3%. The Obama Administration predict 4%. I'll jump out the window at 5.5% to 6%.

Our economic system is healthy, Americans are saving money like not scene in 20 to 30 years. Because of the Madoff scandal and other Ponzi schemes, companies have been cleaning up their books and flying right. For banks and home buyers money is cheap. People don't understand that these guys are borrowing money from the treasury at like 1% or something crazy like that, and loaning it to the people basically at 6% or above unless you have excellent credit. You can't help but make money and if your doing volume your making a lot of money.

Garden Tip: If you would like to adjust the color of your roses to a deep intense red add about a half a cup of Epsom salt to the base of the rose bush, it should do the trick.

Henry Louis 'Skip' Gates Jr.- Wild Man !

I knew this was going to happen, as soon as words left his mouth. In these days of gotta journalism, a President has to be vague on controversial issues, to keep the wolves (press) at bay. The President let that one get away from him and now he has to pay. Things like these distract the American people from his real agenda; health care, energy and education.

I've always followed and admired Henry Louis Gates Jr. career. He's had an impressive run at Harvard, with his work on African American genealogy. But after listening to an radio announcer read the arrest report, the man was out of control . I'm sorry but, Mr Gates couldn't believe he was being treated like a common 'black dude', (welcome to the club, 'Skip'). With his celebrity at Harvard, I'm sure he's used to being recognized wherever he goes. But when this officer didn't immediately bow down to him- he lost it.

On top of that the President calls the cops stupid without having all the facts, something that would seem out of character with Mr Obama. He's a very careful person, he has to be, the wolves live for these moments. Today Mr. Obama held a surprise press conference, to discuss the matter. He mentioned he had spoken to the officer and he held no ill will, to Mr Gates or the President. One of the two suggest beers at the White House with Mr Gates,the officer and of course the President. The officer said sure, the President was game, Gates said he didn't drink beer.

Garden tip: When you have rusty equipment, don't throw your tools away. Soak the old shears, shovels and trowels in vinegar. Wipe away the residue after soaking overnight. Your tools should be good as new.

Hope

I'm sitting here listening to CNBC, this morning earnings are being reported for the second quarter of the year. Companies report their earnings to shareholders and the public, to give a barometer of how the stocks did that quarter and how they predict the future will look. What I like about the stock market is it is a crystal ball of what's going to be happening in the future. I wish the general public in America were forced to watch earnings reports, if they did the world would be so less stressed about Obama and his administration.

Over the last six months I've been paying attention to Wall Street and the Obama Administration, they have to be able to work together or this recession is not going to have a good outcome. A couple of times over these six months, I thought the Rethugs were going to 'Jimmy Carter', Obama. I always thought, how could this happen with someone like Rahm Emanuel as your right hand man, no offense but he is one of those 'super dynamic' Jews. The man can play hardball or softball, whatever way you want it and the Rethugs know it. Between Emanuel and Joe Biden- a man who's been in Washington since I was born. These two know how to unclog the machine and make things happen.

From what I've seen over the last week, companies on the Dow Jones (which covers about 12,000 securities in a number of markets) have been faring well, most companies have been reporting decent earnings. This is because most companies have been getting healthy 'fiscally' while laying off massive amounts of employees. When you do these things, they make a company lean and ready for the future, with future being the key word here. If any sort of strong to moderate recovery occurs, there is going to be a hiring bonanza. I would bet smart companies are already cherry picking through resumes trying to hire the best and brightest before other companies snap these people up.

All of this is percolating and just 20% of the stimulus has been allocated. The President and Mr Emanuel are timing the stimulus money allocation for the 2010 midterm elections-genius. If they are right, 70 to 80% of the stimulus will be allocated before the 2010 midterm congressional elections, if this happens the Democrats will be golden for re-election.

Already this morning Republican doom-sayers have been out trying to talk down the good news coming from Wall Street. The facts are the facts though. People need understand that Wall Street doesn't bet on 'now' they bet on what's going to happen in the 'future'. One example-Caterpillar the heavy machinery maker is up 10% this morning, on better than expected earnings, All of this and the stimulus hasn't really even took effect yet. It's not 'now' people, it's the 'future'.

Garden Tip: Slant cuts when pruning. Prune about a quarter inch above a bud on an angled. This lets water slide off the wound you've made pruning and makes it less likely that water with fungi will pool on the tip of the wound causing disease.

Fox New ism

Because conservatives/republicans read the newspaper, listen to talk radio, and watch news programs on tv more than democrats/liberals, our news providers have begun slanting the 'headlines' and leads of their stories to be more bias against democrats/liberals. This doesn't mean the bodies of these stories are right leaning though, what gives. News outlets like; The New York Times, CNN, Politico etc. have started headlining stories with negative leads about Democrats and the Obama Administration, red meat for the right.
You will see a headlines like: 'Obama's poll numbers sinking; America abandoning the President'. Obama fans and conservatives click on the link or tune in the radio and Obama's poll number's have dropped like 2 points. The writer of the story talks about how the President's numbers are still strong and 'really' most Americans are still behind him. But at the end of the piece they will quote one conservative who agrees with the headline premis and -there-they have their negative Obama headline story. No problem that 97% of the story is totally opposite of the headline.
Gloria Borger a CNN political analyst displays this type of reporting on the CNN website today. The headline reads: 'Republicans show signs of life', but when you click the link, she doesn't speak about Republican or 'signs of life' she's talking about Sotomayer and dodging questions during her hearings, what's that all about ? The press have found that they get more hits, sell more papers and attract more evening news viewers if they make the headline positive about conservatives or negative about Obama or Democrats, remember conservative read and follow the news more than liberals, it only makes sense.
I understand, everybody has to eat at these places, but what happened to the Walter Cronkite wing of the reporting business. When the NY Times starts playing these games, it seems that all is lost in the 'mainstream' reporting world. We are entering the era of Fox New ism. It's sad, the lengths these supposedly reputable news services will go to get a page view.

Garden Tip: Start seedlings indoors. Give your new plants a break in the battle against weeds. Raise seedlings in containers indoors. Once they are well-established transplant them to outdoor beds.

Let them eat Cake....

A couple of days ago President Obama was in Michigan to launch a new initiative concerning Community College enrollment around the country. It struck me that that was wise move, by a wise man. . A lot of people that go to college out of high school have no business going to a four year school, it just isn't for everybody.
The President's initiative strikes at the root of the problem here in America. Blacks, Latinos and poor whites, that have high school diplomas or a GED but really, no marketable skills. This is a problem, it breeds people who are lost and become fatalistic. We see them everyday on the evening news.
Community Colleges offer people, (for a reasonable price) and in a relatively short period time, a life long skill to build on. I would hope getting these skills, and working in their industry for a few years would lead these people to start their own business'. In looking at the way America is moving, this will be the only way that people who don't at least invest in a graduate level education can keep pace with the haves of this world.
I hope the President Obama will use all the powers of his office to get the information to the people who most can use it. Right now with the recession raging and people with and without marketable skills being put out of work, this is needed. We don't want a 'Maria Antoinette' moment-hear in America.

Gardening Tip: Did you know, after you prune your plants, they get hungry, especially when you do a hard pruning. Feed a plant after pruning and then add mulch at the base. This two step process should add nutrients to the plant that should last you the summer.

Obama vs. Palin not...

Sometimes if your listening to Political Talk Radio, Democratic or Republican slanted, you'll hear a caller compare President Barack Obama and Alaska Govenor Sarah Palin. Almost always if the caller is Republican they will make the point that Palin has more executive experience than Obama. Their reasoning being: she was the mayor of Wasila, Alaska and is now Governor of Alaska. They say that Obama was a community organizer and state legislature and a one year junior Senator of Illinois. Usually the talking head radio guy agrees, and millions of their listeners take this as fact, never mentioning Obama's complete resume.

I believe once or twice I've heard a person slip by the radio host's phone screener and tell the whole truth. After doing his undergrad at Colombia University and being elected President of the Harvard Law Review, Obama graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law School. Yes he did become a Community Organizer, doing good in the hood is a not bad thing. From there, Constitutional Law Professor at University of Chicago (one of the most conservative law schools in America), a State Senator, and finally, Senator for the State of Illinois. This while writing two bestselling books.
Now, in my opinion, that's an almost perfect resume. It takes so much character and discipline not to take the money coming out of Law School. Becoming a community organizer says the most about who Barack Obama is. Some people don't understand how much money he left on table. Barack and Michelle are wealthy now, due to book sales of his two bestsellers. But this is only recently- the last 3 or 4 years. If they had choose to, they probably could have been pretty wealthy two or three years out of school.

On the other side, we have Sarah Palin, who seems to have set a pattern, 'pattern' being the key word here. Sarah's pattern of short stints at schools and jobs should be troubling to voters. Palin went to six colleges before she got her Journalism Degree. She was a Beauty Pageant contestant, a sports reporter for the local news in Alaska, then I believe she ran for Mayor of Wasila and won-a Alaska city of 7000 people tops. She was bright enough though, to know that she could leverage her looks, (something that's done everyday). In doing so, we find her as the Governor of Alaska -you can't be mad at her, becoming Governor of a state isn't easy. Now though, I think she'll go into the world of professional republican celebrity, get rich making silly speeches, and writing red meat books for conservatives. She'll still say dumb things from time to time. But her holding office days -are over.

I don't think the Republicans would trot her out against President Obama in 2012 anyway, Barack wishes they would though. I predict right now in 2009 that Obama will unfortunately be going against Tim Pawlenty from Minnesota, or maybe Mitt Romney, or both. If they run a ticket of Pawlenty and Romney or Romney and Pawlenty, it's going to be tough, Pawlenty just seems so 'sane' to be Republican.



Gardening Tip: Pinch or 'deadhead' your plant to prompt growth. deadheading your plant is imperative for the most blooms and growth. If you leave dead blooms on your plants, they will put their energy into setting seed rather than growing. Instead, encourage them to bush out and flower again by pinching off faded blooms. Your plants grow and flower will grow much more vigorously in the future.

Try to get a Job from a Poor Person

It pains me to say, but President Obama needs for the Democrats to lose the midterm Congressional elections. My reasoning goes like this: At this point in the recession there should be a bit more job growth going on, there isn't. Some of this has to do with Companies just not being sure how this recession thing is going to work out. There's also a large group of Companies led by Conservative Republicans who could hire more, probably alot more, but they don't care for Obama and his policies. This is the 'lets cut taxes' crowd. They have a lot of power when it comes to making the American Economy move.

If you get time- watch CNBC- check out it for a day. Most of the commentators and their guests (Captains of Industry literally), CEO's, Hedge Fund Managers etc., watch these guys and it will tell you why the economy is not doing well. These people want-what-they-want and if they don't get it, there not gonna play ball ,(do any hiring).
A lot of people these days are convinced that rich people are evil, I would say to that: "try to get a job from a poor person". If the Democrats lose the midterms, it will give Obama cover to ignore much of the liberal agenda, that he has in the pipelines right now. Obama needs (just like Clinton did) to move a bit more to the right. It's a damn shame but he needs to throw the 'lets cut taxes' crowd a bone, or they are not going to play ball. If they don't play ball, Obama has no chance, none.

In watching the conservative stock market commentator Larry Kudlow on the Kudlow Report/ CNBC you get the distinct felling this guys are sitting on their hands, very negative about the future, always talking about tax cuts. These people need to be pacified. If Obama/Democrats lose the midterm elections the Republicans will feel like they've knock Obama off his perch, sadly that's all they want. Obama can then- work with the Republican Congress and really do some negotiating and get healthcare, energy and education reformed and not just try to figure out how to tax achievers to pass on to the -less fortunate.

Gardening Tip: Bigger Plants and trees are not better. When choosing a tree to plant in your yard buy a small, sturdy sapling rather than a larger already-trained tree. A young sapling may need a little more training, but it's more likely to survive the transplant and grow into a strong healthy tree.