it’s all about transfats Elaine. :)

Liz Peek: “It would help if our new president would stop scaring everyone to death… No one voted for “despair and change.” I think there’s a tinge of self-serving protectionism to Obama’s economic fear-mongering. He cast the “hope” message aside in his very first speech after grabbing the presidency. If he doesn’t relay hope, then he can’t be blamed for not delivering recovery… right? Wrong. He’ll be blamed either way. He needs to start instilling some optimism. Consumers, employers and home buyers will respond positively to it. Exactly the way they did to Bill Clinton’s hope message. As for the cost of food. There is some serious price increasing across the boards at food and health stores. Retailers are playing a nasty game. Soda at my local grocer used to be $3.50 a 12 pack. Yesterday it was ON SALE at 2 for $9. That’s a $1 increase per case. Uh huh. Ice cream… my brand, usually at $3.19 a pint, was ON SALE, two for $7.00. Uh huh. Increase. These are just 2 of the memorable ones because the ON SALE labels were big and RED. But the same held for carrots, celery, meat (forgit about it.) There is serious gouging going on.

When you see what the politicians put forward as a stimulus plan you just wonder, what is in the water inside the beltway? How disconnected are these career politicians from the needs and concerns of the country. Tax cuts, first of all, are not a stimulus to anything. I don’t care what Republicans say. I like the infrastructure plans. It kills two birds with one stone. But education is not stimulus. It should be in another plan. If Obama concentrated on infrastructure alone he could kickstart the economy. With jobs, construction interests and getting the unsexy work done across America that we so sorely need, he could shore up the economy and our basic functionality. I like investments in green industries too. More low income housing. Healthcare clinics etc. A government banking system for home mortgages - kind of like a credit union - could ease the path for many. Instead of giving the $$ to the banks, who continue to party on the handouts, launch a govt. lending institution, which assumes all these foreclosures and issues lower mortgage payments for these struggling families. I don’t care if it sounds like socialism. Clearly, capitalism, unchecked, has taken the greed express to the gutter and gone belly up.

fine looking canine! old dogs can win the ribbon at Westminster… but not in U.S. politics - hah

I don’t have an answer for you. But Sheila Nevins and Liz Smith probably do.

exactly, we expected a Change from this administration. maybe even some dignity brought to the office again. you don’t get there by giving voice to headlines reported ad nauseam in tabloid magazines. ugh

I hate to say, I told you so… but—-

O’Reilly’s another one who should shut his cake hole.

Ingram should shut her cake hole. Republicans also love spending — especially when it’s going into the accounts of Haliburton, Enron etc.

I would love to see Drescher tell Newt Gingrich to talk to the hand.

Please. Another favor to be repayed? The Daschle one didn’t work out. Let’s stop repaying favors and get someone in there who can negotiate legislation, kick butt and has circled the healthcare drain before. It should’ve been Hillary, who had a passion for the issue and tried to ram universal health care through during Bill’s tenure. Now, make it either Bill Clinton (who has been down this universal heath care road before) or maybe Howard Dean. Someone who actually understands about care. Or? Any suggestions, anyone else? I knew Daschle was a mistake. I hope he isn’t hanging around too long pulling more strings at the White House. He could end up being Obama’s Karl Rove and his downfall politically. Frankly, I liked how Obama took on Republicans this week. Hardball baby, hardball. He has to be his own man now. Not a marionette for the old school - links to big business - politicians.

I love Edith Ann. She (Jane Wagner) is the master at using humor and childhood innocence to examine life’s puzzling and serious issues.

yes Didi, agreed. reminds me of the McCain deathwatch during the general election. I thought that also to be in very bad taste

Jeannot, my sentiments exactly.

This is interesting. A financial incentive to learn and be good. Leave it to Edith Ann to point to a sign of the times. We didn’t have incentives like this when I was growing up. We were bullied instead. Education happened. Manners happened. I wonder if that is why the current unemployment figures are lower for older workers and higher for the millennials, who tend to come in when they like, leave when they like and shun being told what to do. Interesting proposal Edith Ann.