Judicial Activism

“At this point, perhaps we should all accept that the best definition of a ‘judicial activist’ is a judge who decides a case in a way you don’t like.”

— Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)  [via squashed]

Not quite, Russ.  To downplay the serious issue of judicial activism in this fashion is an ignorant and shocking pronouncement that the Senate cares so little for their constitutional powers that they are inclined to pass them off to the bench.  No doubt a more ‘efficient’ way to get things done — but that doesn’t make for much of a republic.

Excess Government Spending: Defined

Here’s just a few of the highlights from the proposed NINE-HUNDRED-BILLION ($900,000,000,000) stimulus bill being debated in the Senate.  I’ll be quick, so that I can get back to work and generate more tax revenues to prop up Amtrak…

• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STDs
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters
• $246 million for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film
• $2 billion to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint

All in all, the NINE-HUNDRED-BILLION ($900,000,000,000) equates to a charge of about $3000 for each of these United States’ 300 million people… but I expect everyone in the middle will be covering for the babies that refuse to pay their fair share [don’t worry, we’ll get back at them when we pass our debt to their children].

Sarcasm?

Blogger-in-Chief

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.  The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace.  Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.

— President Barack Obama, Inaugural Address

While the world watched over the inauguration of Barack Obama with hope and anticipation, the first signs of change were already underway with the re-launch of whitehouse.org.  Though currently only enabling one side of the dialogue that democracy requires (no comments?!), it nonetheless is an important recognition of the fact that “we the people” demand more transparency and deserve more input into our elected governance in the years ahead.

As referenced in his innagural address, forty-three Americans have preceded Obama into office; but among many other firsts, he will certainly be our first Blogger-in-Chief.  I can only hope this first step evolves into more than a thinly-veiled megaphone for pre-approved talking points.