Wonderful speech! The President said things I really wanted to hear, regarding some plans and hopes. But most of all I appreciated his heartfelt comprehension about what matters.
What you said, Renee. If only he hangs tough on the expiring tax cuts and Reid does so on filibuster reform, we could see a tremendous political change that lasts for a generation. We should know in January if they have the gumption for that.
Checking the state propositions out here, I see that aside from abolishing the death penalty and GMO food labeling, the voters of California followed my lead [grin]. Nine out of eleven ain't bad.
Hangs though on the expiring tax cuts? Obama has explicitly said that he is against letting the cuts expire except for the wealthy. The Republicans, of course, are even worse. They are against allowing any of the cuts expire. Neither appear to be serious about adequately funding the federal government.
And I don't want to see the filibuster rule changed, except in the minor sense of requiring people to actually filibuster, not just say they are going to. I don't trust politicians, and especially a simple political majority, all that much. There should be a mechanism by which a substantial minority can force a compromise, and that mechanism is the filibuster. Compromise is something we have seen far too little of the past couple of decades, and doing away with the filibuster would make it even less likely.
Two out of our three props passed, including one that made the national news: legalizing medical marijuana. Not as spectacular as Colorado and - where was the other state? California? - that legalized it for recreational use! Wow! But, still, for stodgy old Massachusetts, not bad.
Disappointingly, the Death with Dignity question did not pass. Very heavy lobbying against that one by the Church, of course. I haven't seen the vote totals for any of the questions. Apparently, the State House was not happy that marijuana passed and Death with Dignity was defeated.
They're both First!!
ReplyDeletePresident Obama to speak in less than two minutes.
"Reforming our tax code" ~ !!! Yeeeaaaggghhhhh!
ReplyDeleteWonderful speech! The President said things I really wanted to hear, regarding some plans and hopes. But most of all I appreciated his heartfelt comprehension about what matters.
ReplyDeleteI caught the end of the speech. Our president is a decent human being. Glad we get to keep him.
ReplyDeleteYeah, makes a nice change from all the skuzz balls out there, doesn't he?
DeleteWhat you said, Renee. If only he hangs tough on the expiring tax cuts and Reid does so on filibuster reform, we could see a tremendous political change that lasts for a generation. We should know in January if they have the gumption for that.
ReplyDeleteChecking the state propositions out here, I see that aside from abolishing the death penalty and GMO food labeling, the voters of California followed my lead [grin]. Nine out of eleven ain't bad.
--Alan
Hangs though on the expiring tax cuts? Obama has explicitly said that he is against letting the cuts expire except for the wealthy. The Republicans, of course, are even worse. They are against allowing any of the cuts expire. Neither appear to be serious about adequately funding the federal government.
DeleteAnd I don't want to see the filibuster rule changed, except in the minor sense of requiring people to actually filibuster, not just say they are going to. I don't trust politicians, and especially a simple political majority, all that much. There should be a mechanism by which a substantial minority can force a compromise, and that mechanism is the filibuster. Compromise is something we have seen far too little of the past couple of decades, and doing away with the filibuster would make it even less likely.
DeleteTwo out of our three props passed, including one that made the national news: legalizing medical marijuana. Not as spectacular as Colorado and - where was the other state? California? - that legalized it for recreational use! Wow! But, still, for stodgy old Massachusetts, not bad.
DeleteDisappointingly, the Death with Dignity question did not pass. Very heavy lobbying against that one by the Church, of course. I haven't seen the vote totals for any of the questions. Apparently, the State House was not happy that marijuana passed and Death with Dignity was defeated.
Washington was the other state that legalized marijuana use. California legalized medical marijuana several years ago but hasn't moved beyond that.
Delete100% of Florida precincts reporting, Obama ahead of Romney by 0.5%, 49.8 to 49.3. Looks like 332 electoral votes for Obama.
ReplyDelete--Alan
Although it's still too close to call because the absentee ballots could switch things.
DeleteNBC still hasn't called Florida.
Delete