At this very moment I happen to be watching a new Discovery Channel program called “One Way Out” and I’, not sure if the host is a total nut job, highly intelligent or both. I’ll tell you this, it’s quite entertaining to watch. It’s almost part Jackass and part Myth Busters.
It’s not for the faint of heart though.
Anyway, there a number of things that happened today that I have some thoughts about. Let’s start with Illinois Politics
Rod Blagojevich
The impeachment trial of Rod Blagojevich started today, and guess what… we wasn’t there! He decided that the trial “wasn’t fair” and simply decided he wasn’t going to show up. Instead he was all over talk shows this morning acting as if this was no big deal.
When pressed on comments he allegedly made about selling the open Illinois Senate seat he said “I can’t confirm or deny anything when I haven’t had the chance to hear all the tapes. Whatever the tapes are, they will speak for themselves, I was working to try to make the right decision for the people of Illinois.”
Is saying “I’ve got this thing and it’s fucking golden, and I’m just not giving it up for fucking nothing. I’m not gonna do it.” really looking out for the people of Illinois. Yes, anything can be taken out of context, but there is a lot more in the transcripts that point to him trying to profit from the open position. Eventually, one can no longer take it out of context and see it is clear he was attempting to profit for himself and his wife.
The arrogance this man shows is amazing.
Timothy Geithner
As expected, the Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner as treasury secretary. Let’s face it, the man is a crook. He cheated on his taxes multiple times and he employed an illegal immigrant. He didn’t pay his taxes until it was clear he was going to be nominated for the treasure secretary, which makes one wonder if he would have ever paid at all if this position never came along.
Again, I want to know where the outrage is – in the press, in the Democratic and Republican parties, and the public in general. A man who could not pay his taxes (either he forgot or chose to) is now in charge of the Internal Revenue Service.
More and more layoffs
When looking at things I could see happening in 2009, I suggested that economists were being overly optimistic and that I believe unemployment could hit 10%. All of a sudden the experts are starting to wonder the same thing. Today alone major corporations in the United States announced 40,000 layoffs. 40,000 in one day.
Last year the economy lost 2.6 million jobs, this year has the potential to match that number. With the public worried about their jobs, or if they will be able to pay the bills tomorrow, why would big purchases on their mind? Easy answer, they wouldn’t be. Unless some massive tax credit is provided to people who buy a home, the real estate market won’t be picking up any time soon… nor will the automotive industry (though, I would never expect the government to offer large tax credits for stimulate the auto industry at this point).
I still believe things will get worse before they get better.
Well, off to finish my TheraFul… still trying to shake this flu/cold.
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