Congress may actually pass an economic stimulus bill this week, which is good news for the short-term needs of the country. There is no question the economy is tottering, and could easily tip over from recession to depression, so a bill that focuses on saving jobs and creating jobs is desperately needed. The good news is that the bill will definitely help achieve some of those aims. The bad news is that it will lay a crushing debt burden on taxpayers for the future, which can only be addressed if government becomes far more efficient in the use of tax dollars than it has in the past. That could very well force, down the road, what many of us have wanted for years, a smaller, more efficient government. But somehow, that doesn't seem likely. Because Congress hasn't figured out that the model for government is, and should be, changing. And the best example is the stimulus package. Despite billions of dollars in cuts, it still contains way too much pork. And some of the cuts (to make way for that pork) seem to make no sense, such as dropping $40 billion to help keep schools from having to fire teachers. That's counter-productive. The bill is supposed to save or create jobs, not leave them threatened. Both sides of the aisle bear the blame. The Democratic leadership rolled over on way too many pet projects among its members, losing sight of the long-term goal of the bill. And Republicans kept insisting on sticking to the same failed policies of the past, and playing the same old games where personal and party political power carried more weight than the needs of the nation. One GOP leader actually admitted his goal for the bill, and the amendments he introduced, were designed to divide the Democrats and make them look bad. So much for caring about the people of this country. Both parties should be ashamed. It is time for Congress to look up from its myopic and petty party power games, and its proclivity for pork, and look at the desperate state of the nation, focusing solely on programs that stand a good chance of meeting the goal of keeping people working. Making things work should be a bipartisan issue. This bill should be about America, not the Republican or Democratic parties. -- Kelly Everitt

Time to roll up the sleeves

Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at 8:27 AM

Usually, inaugural speeches are an opportunity to lay out vast visions and the hopes for a lasting legacy by a president.

With rare exceptions (Lincoln being one), second inaugural speeches usually don't live up to that hype, and President Obama's speech Monday was no exception. There were no great phrases that will be on people's lips for years, no sweeping vistas of vision to inspire the American people.

Instead, it read a lot like your typical State of the Union address, which is coming up in a couple of weeks.

Of all the lofty goals the president laid out for his administration, two, we believe, are vital.

First, our nation's leaders must continue to restart the economy. It's still too fragile not to be monitored closely and given additional support -- especially for small businesses. The small-business survivors of the Great Recession are still hanging on by a thread. When it comes to business, Congress and the president need to take a bottom-up approach to the economy.

Second, the president and Congress have to pass a balanced budget. Heck, it would be a miracle if they'd just pass a budget, since most of the Obama administration has been run on continuing resolutions. But, if they'd actually manage to do their job, at a minimum, the budget should not increase the debt. Ideally, it will begin to slowly draw it down.

This plan to "pass a budget or Congress doesn't get paid" is so much window dressing. Most of the members (the vast majority) of Congress are millionaires, so not getting their $14,575 monthly paycheck isn't actually going to hurt them (plus, they still get all their perks).

We don't need window dressing. We need hard work and compromise between the Senate, the House and the White House. They've had years to debate and play all their silly games. Now, it's time to actually accomplish something.

-- Kelly Everitt

Comments

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the real question that needs to be asked is why have they not passed a budget? Why have they gotten away with it?

-- Posted by twilcox1978 on Wed, Jan 23, 2013, at 10:48 AM
Anyone see Frontline last night? The name of the episode is "The Untouchables" . If you missed it, I believe it repeats later in the week. Check the schedule at idahoptv.org.

Anyone have any ideas they would address to their elected representatives? Something other than "Just Do It"?

Might be in trouble with Nike there, but I don't think it's an offense that'd cost me my guns. :)

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Wed, Jan 23, 2013, at 12:17 PM
Speaking of blog rants:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8WmvMCTW_g

We haven't changed since ancient times.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Wed, Jan 23, 2013, at 12:36 PM
Yes someone should be allowed to have a cigarette.

And they still are.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 8:32 AM
I have a friend who works in health care.

One day an elderly Medicare patient, a smoker with COPD, stepped out out of the facility to smoke a cigarette. Whilst lighting the cigarette, the oxygen cannula was set on fire, and of course the patient was burned.

Shortly after the burns to the patients face were treated, the patient was outside again, cigarette in hand.

Not sure if they delegated the cigarette lighting task to a staff member or not.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 8:58 AM
Speaking of taking away freedom. More states are jumping in on banning texting while driving.

http://www.iihs.org/laws/maptextingbans.aspx

Most business have banned smoking on their property.

However the one that gets the most attention is the banning of assault weapons and ammunition.

I heard on the news last night anyone can go to wal-mart and fill up a cart with ammo. No questions asked, no back ground checks. If your a criminal No Problem buying a cart full of ammo. If your mentally ill, again no problem load up that cart. Talk about Ridiculous !

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 10:17 AM
It's so wrong to have universal back ground checks. After all it's no ones business what I buy.

"Live free or die" is New Hampshire's motto I think it should be the motto of all states.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 10:37 AM
Will Bush ever answer to his lying about the torture that took place under his reign? He said he didn't know any one was using water boarding as a tactic to get information. They found phone conversations proving he knew. Nothing was done about that. Shoved under the carpet when he was "KING"

I would say he allowed water boarding! Afghanistan, Iraq, Guantanamo...........

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/17/george-bush-criminal-proceed...

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 11:24 AM
Aren't we suppose to follow the Geneva Convention?

Part II: General Protection of Prisoners of War

This part of the convention covers the status of prisoners of war.

Article 12 states that prisoners of war are the responsibility of the state, not the persons who capture them, and that they may not be transferred to a state that is not party to the Convention.

Articles 13 to 16 state that prisoners of war must be treated humanely without any adverse discrimination and that their medical needs must be met.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 12:10 PM
I know that this is way off topic but since it was brought up by MSM...As Trevor stated, it's been happneing since the dawn of time. Prosecuting President Bush would be purely hypocritical. Every President since the inception of the Geneva Convention in 1949 has allowed similar and worse treatment of prisoners. The truth of the matter is, it's still going on in some form the media just hasn't or won't bring it to light...yet.

-- Posted by TundraRat on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 12:41 PM
I caught that on the news. Guess that frees up an extra executive order for the prez

MHR I think I know those people. Isn't it in our constitution that we will take care of our poor?

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 3:53 PM
TundraRat I like your comment.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 4:09 PM
Did anyone hear how many appointments were made after the "Fiscal Cliff" deal was reached?

I understand that Senators McConnell and Reid worked out details to a compromise from Republicans that allowed several appointments to obtain the required consent.

While everyone was whooping it up following the Fiscal Cliff deal, Senator Reid was on the floor of the Senate, reading the appointments into the Congressional Record.

I understand Senator McConnell is now a target of the Tea party.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Fri, Jan 25, 2013, at 4:38 PM
If Hilary runs its a done deal

-- Posted by WinterStorm on Sun, Jan 27, 2013, at 11:48 AM
From George Wills column of 11/09/12.

" Most voters already favor less punitive immigration policies than the ones angrily advocated by clenched-fist Republicans unwilling to acknowledge that immigrating -- risking uncertainty for personal and family betterment -- is an entrepreneurial act."

Right on.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Tue, Jan 29, 2013, at 11:36 AM
I should've provided the link too I suppose.

http://m.washingtonpost.com/opinions/george-will-republicans-must-start-over-aga...

It's a good read.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Tue, Jan 29, 2013, at 11:38 AM
IT'S rather comical that you have people talking about selling the country out to immergrints when they are one themselves,the other point is these same people are screaming about the constitution but they now want to change the electoral colleg so that they can take elections without the majority vote counting

Please tell us how you can reconcile the two stances.I WOULD SAY A THIRD PARTY IS NEEDED IN AMERICAN POLETICS BUT TREASON TO WHATS IN PLACE IS NOT THE WAY TO GO.

THE TRUMPET BLARES American values,but your proposals violate that at every turn.That leads me to believe those values only count if your in charge and you can apply them to whom you see fit.To ignore what role is played by our present immergrint population is to wish the farmer among others out of business.So would you like to tell us who is going to take there place in the fields??IT is ok to think something will happen it is another to deal with the reality of what will happen,ask the farmers here in idaho,calif,texas,nebraska.Should we sell out for cheap lobor NO should we face the reality that your not going into the fields YES.

IMMERGRATION REFORM IS A MUST NOW LETS GET ON WITH THE MECHANICS OF IT.

-- Posted by lamont on Tue, Jan 29, 2013, at 11:42 AM
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/29/fact-sheet-fixing-our-brok...

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Tue, Jan 29, 2013, at 2:46 PM
We give these politicians way too much credit. We make them into national celebrities. No wonder they play everything up and give us such great sound bites. We let them think that our lives played out the way that they did solely because of them and their decisions. Hold them accountable but inflating their importance just empowers them more. Think of all the legislation that would never come to be if they were not busy playing hero and appeasing unrealistic, misinformed voters.

-- Posted by twilcox1978 on Wed, Jan 30, 2013, at 9:44 AM
http://www.nationaljournal.com/once-unthinkable-severe-spending-cuts-now-seem-pl...

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Wed, Jan 30, 2013, at 10:01 AM
Forgot to mention that Senator Crapo is mentioned in that National Journal article.

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Wed, Jan 30, 2013, at 10:10 AM
And which country should we borrow the money from to give away? Or should we just print some?

-- Posted by arsenal on Wed, Jan 30, 2013, at 4:38 PM
1- only democrates lie 2- only democrates use snide remarks 3- only democrates name call.4-only democrate misrepresnt.......and on and on......the hate filled rehotric is the reason we cant get anything done........I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AND ILLNESS THAT HAS VERY MUCH OPENED MY EYES TO A FACT........I KNEW IT BEFORE BUT LIKE YOU FOLKS IT HAD NOT HIT ME PERSONALLY SO I COULD YAK ALL DAY ABOUT IT..........I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE.........And if I did not have what I have I would be dead.....so if SSI,MEDICAIRE,is part of your junk programs i suggest that you take another look,As it applies to immergrints maybe we should take a look at how that elgibilty works but to cut off our nose to spite our face makes no sense.Keep the blame game going if it makes you feel good,Americans dont want and unfeeling autocratic government.For those of you who do nobody is stopping you from living that way.BUT do not label until you have walked in there shoes,and because you feel it will never happen to you from my view I hope IT doesnt, but if it does you will probally find the lesson viscious.Some here will understand some here will care to ignore.What ever turns you on some need to be thankfull,because it can happen to you.

-- Posted by lamont on Thu, Jan 31, 2013, at 10:22 AM
Which programs might those be Zook? Which ones are kept around to get votes?

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Thu, Jan 31, 2013, at 9:09 PM
I'm wondering if this story:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/dow-climbs-above-14000

May have something to do with this story:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/once-unthinkable-severe-spending-cuts-now-seem-pl...

-- Posted by Dave Thompson on Fri, Feb 1, 2013, at 9:38 AM
patrick A........YOU DISAGREE AND THAT IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE PERSONAL ATTACKS.I DIDNT KNOW HP4 SPOKE FOR THE BLOG MAJORITY OR MINORITY.

HMMMM.......wonder when and how that happened?? After all there are some pretty consevative independent minded people here,I dont see them giving that torch to anyone.The great state of idaho does have a majority conservative populace so what???? Most are not insulting just to be insulting wrapping themselves in a cloak of superiority to there fellow man.FACE TO FACE that is a joke I hope, seeing how the insults only seem to fly one way.I guess you can feel as though because your in the majority poltically that insulting every and anyone who disagrees is the way to go.IT's not but press on there is a price to pay and you will sooner or later.

-- Posted by lamont on Fri, Feb 1, 2013, at 5:32 PM
The idaea of a secure border as a condition has always been a part of the reform bill.For my money there is nothing wrong with that except,it is subjective.The figures on the border have been kept especially the last 4 years.What this administration has done is just plain a good job.They dont talk it up because of poletics but they have put clamps on the border.

I think some assumptions permeate the atmospeher based on race and that is not the case here.The record says otherwise if you take the time to look.I realize for some nothing less than total deportation will do,propblem is that it's not a solution nor is it practical.

I havnt posted for a couple of months regulary but I DO READ THEM.FOR me I consider it personal when terms as used such as,....your and idiot,blog troll,hold you in contempt and the fact that assumptiona are made that others feel the same way,they can speak for themselfes.obama lama ding dongs very excitatious and insulting . I DONT SEE MOST PEOPLE HERE CALLING MC CONNOL OR BAHNER NAMES OR HURLING INSULTING LABELS AT PEOPLE.YES we are free to do it but most of us are adult enough to realize it's school yard garbage.So for me I will consider the source and leave it at that,i fell into that before and I try not to let it happen again.Projection usually is very telling,I am secure in my skin to bad some here arnt.

-- Posted by lamont on Sat, Feb 2, 2013, at 12:34 PM
A......they should be concerned about the border with canada it's the gatway for terrorist.THEY TALK OF A POROUS BORDER BUT NEVER LOOK NORTH IT DOESNT GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.

I feel they should look a the statitics what else do you make and objective decision from? I would hope not word of mouth but we seem to act on that if it suits our politics ; EXAMPLE RAND PAUL...... ANYHOW . it'S BEING WORKED NOW LETS HOPE IT DOESNT GET SABOTAGED BY EITHER SIDE....

-- Posted by lamont on Sat, Feb 2, 2013, at 2:43 PM
SOAPBOX......is ok....smile....one issue I MIGHT ADD IS WE LIKE THOSE OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO RETIRE TO EARLY.I did the AF for 28yrs and then still came out opened my own business and did another 20.I dont feel any worst for the wear and tear and truthfully all my friends that threw out there fishing poles are just about gone.But we have a mind set about the older worker one that is not good.The baby boomers were raised with the entitlement spoon.and things like this recession was not in there plans there survival skills suck,but that is another story.I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY

-- Posted by lamont on Sun, Feb 3, 2013, at 12:21 PM
STOP RIGHT THERE.......IS IT NOT THE GOP THAT IS RIGHT NOW TRYING TO CHANGE THE ELECTORAL PROCESS??

They dont win elections because they are busy defining the issues to suit how they want to rule.

There are some stats out there that need to be read and looked at real hard and they have nothing to do with party per se but thay are rather damming.We have had this argument so I would rather not go there but you cant keep feeding 1% AT THE EXSPENCE OF THE REST IT DOESNT WORK.WHEN a specific group is trying to tell all others how they should fit into the society we all contribute to, who set them up to do that??

I dont normally get into the rumor mill but i just got when that said MS ANN COULTER refused to board a plane because the pilot was black,and if true why does the GOP think anyone should listen to them?? Maybe I WANT TO MUCH BUT i certainly DONT want to return to the good old days because they were not good old days for me.WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ADVOCATING A RETURN TO SLAVERY AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SEGREGATION,I DONT NEED AND EDUCATION AND I COULD GO ON.......WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT OUR NATION AS A WHOLE WANTS TO LISTEN TO THAT.We have been there and done that you want change and need change change your spokes people and get rid of you seperatist attitudes.WE are falling into the same trap as the roman empire but we keep heading right for it.......now I need to get off my soapbox.........have a great day

-- Posted by lamont on Tue, Feb 5, 2013, at 2:59 PM
The change I REFER TO HAS TO DO WITH THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND HOW THE ELECTORAL VOTES ARE AWARDED.sOME states controlled by the GOP are trying to make it so that ellectoral votes are awarded by who wins that county not by nthe winner take all for the state.......that would be a major change.I know you must have heard about that on the NEWS.The ID CARD IS NOT A CHANGE OF ANY MAGNITUDE,THE TIMING WAS THE ISSUE.

The coulter issue is just and example of a mouthpiece who is not all inclusive who the GOP holds up in estem.MY point being with people like that up front how can you possible believe you can win the hearst and minds of the nation?? CAIN AND WHO YOU BACKED HAS NOT GOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH COULTER ,HER POSITIONS OR WHAT SHE DOES.IT can only be held up as a GOP talking head who has shown her true thoughts and feelings,that is all,but It affects public perception that is all I am saying.

-- Posted by lamont on Tue, Feb 5, 2013, at 5:18 PM
What they are proposing ZOOK is so unfair that I am surprised they have the nerve to try it.What they are trying to do is get rid of the vote from urban areas. IF it were by the numbers congressional districts would not count only the popular vote would.Stop and think about what they are proposing.This aint the 1800'S.Instead of schemes why doesnt the GOP figure out how to make there platform believable and all inclusive.The nation not either side will stand for jerry rigged elections,this is AMERICA

-- Posted by lamont on Tue, Feb 5, 2013, at 9:28 PM
HP4 .......your insinuation about urban areas is way off base but I am sure you believe every word of it.YOU should check some stats on rural welfare and dont forget to count subsides farms that people dont farm........start with elmore county it should blow your mind......but we dont have money to send kids to schoolpoint Being jobs is the name of the game and you know that.

-- Posted by lamont on Wed, Feb 6, 2013, at 3:24 PM
MH......JERRY RIGGED .......SOUNDS RACIST????..... WHO WOULD I BE REFERING TOO??? because I wouldnt know, around here the word they use is not jerry and I cant put it here without brenda comming unglued I dont use the word period. Starts with N. HAVE YOU HEARD IT??Now we do know who that refers too dont we??Games are for children.........nice try......

-- Posted by lamont on Wed, Feb 13, 2013, at 10:13 AM
IF that is so then it is news to me and I would apologize to anyone I have offended.I dont use words that disparge and the word iv heard that disparge germans starts with a K AS DOES a J when refering to japanes.NOW IF I AM WRONG I APOLOGIZE.THERE WAS NO INTENT TO DISPARGE ANYONE.

-- Posted by lamont on Wed, Feb 13, 2013, at 4:03 PM
SO NOW WE SLAP OTHER PEOPLES CHILDREN,WHILE WE ARE GETTING INROXICATED AND IT OK.....HE SHOULD HAVE LOST HIS JOB.The kid was crying because his ears were popping from the let down.And mister stupid from HAYDEN decided he had the right to tell that woman what he felt like because he was who he WAS....well he's not any more I wonder how he feels now. AND THEY SAY IT'S OVER IT DOESNT HAPPEN ANYMORE ,PEOPLE ARE BIGGER THAN THAT,HAPPENS IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER EVERYDAY.and the gotcha's with the word JERRY just goes to show what we think we know or better still what we dont know.

-- Posted by lamont on Mon, Feb 18, 2013, at 12:10 PM
LETS SEE........HOW DID YOU GET THAT SOME ONE IS TALKING ABOUT BEING OWED ANYTHING???is That how you comment on the slapping of a 19 month old.......I wonder how you would respond if it were your granchild???? For sure you dont owe me anything and I dont ask for anything other than the same respect you give others.Everything I HAVE I earned,MY PARENTS EARNED SO JUST WERE ARE YOU COMMING FROM??? DO you know ???? OR do you feel when things happen to us for no good reason we should just shut up and eat it ,wrong there was a time when saying anything fell on deaf ears and in some respects still does, but we are going to let the world know when you abuse one of our children or granchildren.Hayden may be the home of the aryan nations,we dont care ,he may get away with that there, but not in the real world.

DIDNT DO ANYTHING TO EARN IT.......my parents owned there own home in the 1940'S I HAVE never lived in and apartment,poor me, MAYBE YOU WOULD DO BETTER IN THIS AREA WHEN YOU STOP STEREOTYPING PEOPLE......again the gotcha's only show misunderstanding...and foster bad feelings...

-- Posted by lamont on Tue, Feb 19, 2013, at 3:31 PM
The statement came off personal because yours was ,read your last sentence,THAT IS WHY I answered as I did no big deal I know what I am about.guilty CONSIENCE INDEED THAT'S ANOTHER GOTCHA.YOU OUGHT TO STOP THAT.

-- Posted by lamont on Wed, Feb 20, 2013, at 2:11 PM
I prepare taxes as a volunteer. The other day, I overheard a man complaining about sequestration. He worked in conjunction with USDOT. He was crying about how politicians don't care who they hurt. In short, he was going to be a casualty of sequestration. While from the other side of his mouth, he was condemning big government and their lack of courage in making necessary cuts.

I did not burst his self-created bubble but his job and livelihood are the product of inflated government expenditures. He would have supported sequestration had it affected someone else. It is good, old Not In My Back Yard. Hypocrisy is not just for politicians.

-- Posted by twilcox1978 on Thu, Mar 7, 2013, at 10:19 AM

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