Some of My Faves

* President Barack H. Obama.
* Beyonce' Giselle Knowles-Carter.
* Shawn Corey "Jay Z" Carter.
* Fundraiser last night @ the 40/40 in NYC.
* They raised $4 million dollars for the President.
* #ILOVE

The 47%

As a political enthusiast, nothing makes me happier than a political scandal. They are even more interesting when the politician is running for office. Such was the case on Monday for Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. It is the things politicians say amongst friends and in private that let us into their real train of thought. This website broke a huge story Monday afternoon. It was a recording of Romney speaking at a fundraiser to a group of very rich, very elite, very white group of people. His words may be his own undoing

"47% of the people will vote for the president no matter what. There are 47% who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what. These are people who pay no income tax. My job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives. Women are open to supporting me but we are having a much harder time with Hispanic voters, and if the Hispanic voting bloc becomes as committed to the Democrats as the African American voting block has in the past, why, we’re in trouble as a party and, I think, as a nation." - Romney

How do you want to be the President of the U.S. but you don't care about almost half of the citizens? It's bad enough that Romney clearly doesn't care about women, the poor, or the elderly. Now, he said put of his own mouth that these people are unemployed, government dependent and are on welfare. Oh the irony of accusing 47% of Americans of not paying taxes is not lost on me. Romney, none of us are sure that you've paid any taxes in years. He definitely hasn't paid his fair share if any. I read a headline that this recording will cost him the election. I hope so. The man is antiquated and out of touch. He does not see the same future for all Americans. His only concern are the very rich. That is not the quality of person I want running this country. In this day & age, politicians have to know that nothing is private or secret. And, what's worse is that his response to the video is that his words were "inelegant" not that he was dead wrong. I was mad on Monday. Today, I'm taking this for what it is: a gift. November 6th can't get here fast enough. Vote or die.

#30in30: Political Notes: Romney Picks Ryan

Romney picked Ryan as his running mate this past weekend. So, now that battle has been set. With the picking of Ryan, Romney solidifies the fact that he is only about the rich population of the U.S. Ryan, like Romney, wants to tax the middle class while giving all the tax breaks to the rich. He also wants to do away with Medicare as we know it. Ryan is just as bad as Romney. The bottom line is if we don't re-elect President Obama, Romney/Ryan will be running this country. Americans can't afford what they are selling. I cannot say a whole lot more about it. But, I will list some things about Ryan below. This is serious business. This election will come down to the very last vote. We should all be watching what's going on. Politics are serious business. It affects all of us. Vote or Romney will be President. I can't let that happen. We cannot allow that to occur.

12 Things You Should Know About Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan by Scott Hoffman

1. Raises taxes on the middle class, cuts them for millionaires.
2. Dramatically increases Medicare costs for seniors, increases eligibility age.
3. Leaves Social Security to the whims of Wall Street.
4. Budget would result in 4.1 million lost jobs in 2 years.
5. Eliminates Pell Grants for more than 1 million students.
6. Embraces extreme individualism (selfishness is “virtue.”)
7. Keeps $40 billion in subsidies for Big Oil.
8. Ryan’s Family stands to benefit from oil subsidies
9. Claimed Romneycare has led to “rationing and benefit cuts.”
10. Believes that Romneycare is “not that dissimilar to Obamacare.”
11. Accused generals of lying about their support for Obama’s military budget.
12. Co-sponsored a personhood amendment.

"All signs point to Paul Ryan being Romney's VP pick. So the man who doesn't care about the poor and likes "firing people" will pick the guy that would end Social Security as we know it. hmmm way to alienate everybody. The poor, the elderly, etc..."

Rant: Who's Un-American?

Mitt Romney and his team spent all day yesterday claiming that our current President is "un- American. " Really? Is it me or is this not a reboot of McCain in 2008? Back then, the GOP slandered President Obama with the claims that he was a Muslim and that he wasn't born here. That would mean that he wasn't an American. Has the Republican party ran out of ideas? It appears that they are just going to recycle the same mud from the last election. Newsflash to them: it didn't work then and it won't work now. It makes Romney & the Republican party look out of touch and racist. They need a new platform because this one is just stupid. How more American can the President be? Born and raised here and he has ascended to the highest office in the land. He pursued the American Dream. He came from nothing to acquire something. Is that not American of him? I love politics but I hate the mud slinging that comes along with it. Campaign on the facts. Just the facts. The people will decide what is fact and what is fiction. Un-American my ass!

Let's Check The List...

As, the November elections draw closer, I thought it would be wise to remind people just exactly what President Barack Obama has done thus far. I had some help via Google with some of these. Read, remember, and vote accordingly!

Here is a list of 109 things that Obama has accomplished during his presidency so far:

1. Saved the collapse of the American automotive industry by making GM restructure before bailing them out, and putting incentive money to help the industry.

2. Shifted the focus of the war from Iraq to Afghanistan, and putting the emphasis on reducing terrorism where it should have been all along.

3. Relaxed Anti-American tensions throughout the world.

4. Signed order to close the prisoner “torture camp” at Guantanamo Bay.

5. Has made the environment a national priority, and a primary source for job creation.

6. Has made education a national priority by putting emphasis and money behind new ideas like charter schools, but speaking directly to school children in telling them they have to do their part.

7. Won the Nobel Peace Prize.

8. $789 billion economic stimulus plan.

9. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court.

10. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles.

11. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans.

12. Renewed dialogue with NATO and other allies and partners on strategic issues.

13. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force… this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

14. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops.

15. “Cash for clunkers” program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulates auto sales.

16. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan.

17. Closed offshore tax safe havens.

18. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan.

19. Ended media “blackout” on war casualties; reporting full information.

20. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts.

21. . Ended media blackout on war casualties and the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB.

22. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules.

23. Ended previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings.

24. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports.

25. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created 2.1 million jobs (as of 12/31/09).

26. Ended previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions.

27. Ended previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back.

28. Ended previous policy on torture; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards.

29. Launched Recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, an unprecedented step to provide transparency and accountability through technology.

30. Ended previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices.

31. Ended previous “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date.

32. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources.

33. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient.

34. Established a new cyber security office.

35. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children.

36. Expanding vaccination programs.

37. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses.

38. Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America’s Veterans.

39. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research.

40. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools.

41. Responded with compassion and leadership to the earthquake in Haiti.

42. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters.

43. . Launched Business.gov – enabling conversation and online collaboration between small business owners, government representatives and industry experts in discussion forums relevant to starting and managing a business. Great for the economy.

44. Improved housing for military personnel.

45. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals.

46. Changed failing war strategy in Afghanistan.

47. Improving benefits for veterans.

48. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) after years of neglect.

49. Donated his $1.4 million Nobel Prize to nonprofits.

50. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program.

51. Provided tax credits to first-time home buyers through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 to revitalize the U.S. housing market.

52. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel.

53. Increasing student loans.

54. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit loved ones.

55. Cracked down on companies that deny sick pay, vacation and health insurance to workers by abusing the employee classification of independent contractor. Such companies also avoid paying Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance taxes for those workers.

56. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000.

57. Limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House.

58. Protected 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors through the Recovery Act that would have otherwise been lost.

59. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration.

60. Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on February 4, 2009, provides quality health care to 11 million kids – 4 million who were previously uninsured.

61. Lower drug costs for seniors.

62. Making more loans available to small businesses.

63. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration.

64. . Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis.

65. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans.

66. Announced creation of a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record for members of the U.S. Armed Forces to improve quality of medical care.

67. New federal funding for science and research labs.

68. New funds for school construction.

69. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending.

70. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices.

71. . Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals.

72. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan.

73. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions.

74. Provided tax credit to workers thus cutting taxes for 95% of America’s working families.

75. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic.

76. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research.

77. . Helped reverse a downward spiral of the stock market. On January 19, 2009, the last day of President Bush’s presidency, the Dow closed at 8,218.22. In February 2010, the Dow closed at 10,309.24.

78. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel.

79. Restarted the nuclear non-proliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols.

80. Provided attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles.

81. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters.

82. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy.

83. Unveiled a program on Earth Day 2009 to develop the renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. These regulations will enable, for the first time ever, the nation to tap into our ocean’s vast sustainable resources to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner.

84. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program.

85. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards.

86. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced.

87. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job.

88. The FDA is now regulating tobacco.

89. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date.

90. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010.

91. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying.

92. The “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed.

93. US financial and banking rescue plan.

94. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast.

95. Signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in the defense procurement and contracting system.

96. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office.

97. Improved relations with Iran.

98. Improved U.S. policy on climate change.

99. Set timetable for exiting Iraq (already started removing troops).

100. Improved relations with Russia.

101. Improved relations with the Islamic World.

102. Made progress towards greater cooperation on limiting nuclear proliferation.

103. Economic stimulus plan has created jobs. (Unemployment rate decreasing).

104. Drastically slowed down the recession.

105. Saved Wall Street.

106. Passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act (equal work for equal pay).

107. HEALTHCARE REFORM.

108. Ordered the military operation that killed Osama Bin Laden.

109. Was the first sitting President to take a definitive stand on the issue of marriage equality.

Who Will Lead The GOP?

The GOP is clearly confused. I've never seen such an odd race. I've been a political buff for half of my life. Politics intrigue me. The inner workings, the elections, the campaigns all make me want to know. I am fiercely a Democrat. I am a fierce believer in President Obama. To date, Republican voters cannot decide on who should get the nomination for the upcoming elections.

Rick Santorum has swept the 3 states on Tuesday night. These shocking results put him slightly ahead of the former frontrunner Romney. There have been so many lead shifts. There is no clear winner here. There has also been low voter turnout. Political pundits agree that this means voters are not pleased with any of the candidates. It's as if the voters don't know who they want to represent their party. It's already February. This is so sad to me. The GOP has clearly fallen from grace. No clear candidate choice. Three totally different men. I left Paul off purposely because no candidate who continually places 4th will ever get the nom. Either or, I'm thoroughly convinced that none of them can be a better President than Obama.

It's going to be a long road before a GOP nominee is picked. I'm sure there will be many more things for me to laugh at. I just cannot wait to cast my vote to re-elect President Barack Obama in November. He is the only choice in my book. No, he's not perfect. But, I still believe in him and his platform. I cannot think of a single policy disagreement I have with President Obama that can be solved by electing any Republican, Tea Party or Independent candidate. That just does not compute in my world. None of the candidates have not said one thing that I can readily get behind. I cannot wait to see who gets the nom. Then and only then will this race get interesting.

I Do Not Approve of Herman Cain

Herman Cain is running on the platform that he is the "anti-Obama." He is right about that. He is nothing like my President. There is nothing inspirational or hopeful about Cain and his platform. I wouldn't even delve into what his platform is. My main issue with Cain is his attitude towards Blacks. He has said that Blacks are "brainwashed into voting for Democrats." To me, that comes off as we cannot think for ourselves. As if we are too stupid, ignorant, uninformed to make an intelligent choice when it comes to voting. I hate for a person to underestimate my intelligence. Herman Cain seems to look down on the 99%, especially Blacks. That is an ultimate no-no in my book. I also see what the Republicans are attempting to do, split the minority and youth vote that got President Obama elected in 2008. I simply do not approve of Herman Cain.

Journalist Toure' tweets "It baffles me how Cain can attack Black people—call us brainwashed, deny racism, deny Obama's Blackness—and still some Blacks loooove him." I totally agree. As a dark skinned Black man who denies that racism exists says a lot about Cain's character. Yes, we have a Black President. But, we still live in a country full of racists. I would be a fool to believe that President Obama's election erased all of the racism in the U.S. That is beyond absurd. Any Black person who believes such an outlandish tale is silly as well. I live in the real world. I leave fairy tales for the kids.

That picture of Herman Cain & Uncle Ruckus is a perfection depiction in my mind. Uncle Ruckus hates Black people. I'm beginning to believe the same thing about Cain. His delivery and condescending attitude grates on my nerves. I also do not think he has a chance in hell of actually securing the GOP nomination. He is being used as a ploy. Sad, that he does not see that. Anyway, I have a very adverse reaction to this man and every thing he says. He is a cartoon character to me. I will be voting for President Obama in 2012. Wish I could vote for him again in 2016. Either way, I would never vote for Herman Cain. It has less to do with him being a Republican and more to do with the fact that he is a joke. I'm not impressed. And, I actually feel sorry for the GOP. There isn't one strong contender in that whole group. Not Perry or Bachmann or Romney. None of them have it. That makes me smile. Oh, yeah just fyi, Obama in 2012!

Casting My Vote Again For Hope

Truer words have not been written. This picture really caught my eye. It expresses my exact thoughts. I have been a President Obama supporter since the first time I saw him at the DNC 2004. His demeanor, voice and aura intrigued me.I began looking into his background. I loved the things I found out. I voted for him in 2008 because I believed in him. I will cast my vote for him again in 2012 for the same reason. I did not solely vote for him because he is a Black man. There have been other Black men who have attempted to run. They failed. There is another Black man hoping to get his party's bid for 2012 right now. He won't get my vote either. Mainly because I think Herman Cain, just like Michael Steele, is the Republicans ploy to split the minority vote.

I am voting for Mr. Obama again in 2012 because I think he is the most qualified for the job. A non-politician like Cain has no experience. This is Mr. Obama's job to finish in his second term. I was never one of the people who saw him as a savior or the Messiah. He is just a man with a plan. A plan that Republicans have tried to block at each turn. That saddest thing about that is that the Republicans are opposing him on principal alone. They haven't offered any resolutions either. So, in the end, the 99% suffer. I still believe in President Obama's mission. I will still be voting for him. What about you? Will you have his back in 2012?

Show Me Your Papers...What???

There is no other way to say this. We are not in a post-racial America because our President is Barack Obama. The Tea Party, Donald Trump, Republicans calling for our elected President's long form birth certificate is every bit as racial. Never in our history, has a President been asked such absurd things. Now, folks are calling for his college transcripts. Really America?? No one questioned the intelligence of George W. Bush or Sarah Palin. Both of them were questionable students with lackluster grades. But a Harvard Law grad gets a second look? What type of foolishness is this?

I came across a great article via Facebook. It was posted on the site The Grio by a Goldie Taylor. It sums up everything I think about this whole situation. It is impossible for anyone to ascend to the office of President of this United States without being properly looked into. All paperwork, credentials, and the like are investigated. Even furthermore, the thought that Mr. Obama's mother and grandparents knew that the little boy born on August 4, 1961 would grow up to attend Columbia, graduate magna cum laude from Harvard Law, become a senator in Chicago and eventually become President. I'm sorry but that conspiracy theory in comical and implausible. And, I serious wonder about the mental capacity of anyone who wholeheartedly believes any of this.

I could actually respect these birthers more if they just say what it is that they are really mad about. Just say that you are angry about the fact that a Black man is running a country that was essentially built on the backs of many Blacks. I have no love for racist people. As a Black woman in America, my plight has been hard enough. I am angry that our President is having to produce papers that will not appease his detractors. Nothing he does will ever be good enough for them. Because the one thing he cannot change or fix is the fact that he is a proud Black man. And, one thing they cannot change or erase is the fact that he is our President. Elected by the people, for the people. That is the truth. It is what it is.

"The office of Presidency isn't being attacked. Black brilliance is. Black "citizenship" is." - dream hampton, writer

I shake my head at the ridiculousness of Donald Trump and that dead rug on his head. He is the new Sarah Palin. A lot of talk and fluff with no substance or intelligence underneath it. I have no respect for that. I'm sorry but if Trump can walk around with that ferret on his head and thinks it looks good, I cannot trust him to run my country. And, he's also filed for bankruptcy 6 times. He has a habit of not finishing what he's started. Sorry, but I will be Baracking my vote again in 2012 for my President. I believe that he was born here. I believe that he is doing a great job with what was left at his doorsteps. He still is the best person for the job. I did not need to see his birth certificate to know that he is a American citizen. In the words of President Barack Obama, "we do not have time for silliness."

"We're not going to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers," said President Barack Obama