Framing the Dialogue

Posts Tagged ‘federal’

As The Debt Turns

For those of us that lean fiscally conservative the following headline was meant to give solace to the frighteningly steep rise in our nation’s debt;

House votes to deny Obama more borrowing authority

The borrowing refers to the need to yet again raise our debt ceiling and allow politicians the ability to spend more by borrowing more.  I, unlike the article’s author, used the term “politicians” rather than just Obama when referring to the one(s) doing the borrowing.  This story is should be primer on how the political class (both right and left and middle) play the game to ensure that they stay in power while seeming to play to their bases.

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For-Proifit College

Start with a headline to catch your attention.

For-profit college debt brings burdens

Follow up with a subhead that nails it and creates the mood.

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Stamp of Disapproval

“Wanted. Young, skinny, wiry fellows. Not over 18. Must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.”

That job description for a Pony Express rider would not garner much attention today, but that was the genesis of today’s postal service.  The only qualifications that might match are the age requirement and the need for a driver’s license.  Unlike most people I have respect for the United States Postal Service.  Their troubles have been well documented by both liberals and conservatives as the USPS is a very popular agency to point to regarding the failure of government.

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Hunky Dory

Before I start, I want to ensure you that since I am at least 75% Ruthenian and/or Slovak I have the proper standing to use the term “Hunky.”  I really never considered the label as derogatory and I always took some pride in calling myself a Hunky.  

The homelands of my ancestors have changed names so many times, I often hesitate when answering a question about my nationality.  I guess in today’s PC world I would be a Slovak-American, but an American none the less.  I got a shot of native homeland pride recently when I read an article about one of the home countries, Slovakia.

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One Thousand Dollar Hammers

Around television ratings weeks investigative reporters pull out their eye-raising stories that are typically about government waste and abuse.  They often use “gotcha” tactics to surprise government workers who are not really working.  A favorite is the story about some item that you or I could buy at the local Home Depot for under ten dollars, but our government has paid hundreds or even thousands for.  I, like many have asked why the government pays so much for stuff  and even more for any work that it wants performed. 

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Keeping Up With The Jones

The joke goes;  A Brit, a Canadian, a Croatian, a Frenchman, a German, an Irishman, a Mexican, a Romanian, a Dutchman, a Norwegian, a South Korean, and a Swede rush out of a bar one day.  Barry the bartender says “What’s the hurry?  Did someone spill something?

The joke unfortunately is on us as our federal goverment has refused the help of these nations to control and clean up the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  Many of us seriously have our doubts that the White House was on top of things from “day one,” but the linked article provides a glimpse into the fact that many of our allies offered help in our hour of need.  The Dutch, in particular, offered help almost from DAY ONE.  Here we are nearly two months later and the Obama administration is still refusing help from other countries.

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News Briefs – Volume III

Brief 1:  The Associated Press reported that a man stripped off his clothes and began to jog near the White House.  He was quickly apprehended and taken to a hospital for mental health observation.  The nude jogger posed no threat to the President, who was home at the time.  It was unclear, however, whether CNBC’s Chris Matthews would be available for his Hardball telecast or would be committed to a mental health facility for further observation.  An angry Keith Olberman was overheard saying, “That damn Matthews.  I wish that I had thought of that.  That would make Obama love me more.”

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