The New United States

The future of our nation is uncertain, but we are continually moving forward. An increasing amount of cities are looking to make their cities Eco-friendly and urban development is moving towards maximizing efficiency. Urban lofts and condos are becoming more popular in real estate, on the contrary I see more "for sale" signs in the suburbs now. My hometown of Lexington is been providing incentives for more LEED certified buildings to improve Eco-efficiency according to the Lexington Herald Leader. Along with the Eco-friendly attitude of urban development, the Internet has had a major impact on the United States. The free flow of information to those who can afford the service is very powerful tool for citizens to use, not only in leisure time but also to keep tabs on our government. This is somewhat of a pro and a con, because of the flow of information we can sometimes become too involved. What I mean by this is that we think we know better than some of our elected officials on issues that, require experience in that particular field, in order to make a sound decision. But the Internet also allows us to get our voices heard more easily to our Representatives or Senators. Indeed there is a fine line between obsessed and observant, and we must speak wisely when we let our officials know our opinion. The Age of Information has changed us whether we admit it or not, and it continues to propel us forward, always innovating new technologies and discovering ever more complex ways to use it to our advantage.

The New Challenge

Now that we have decided to start the health care reform, we must now focus on a new set of challenges before us. The baby boomer generation is now getting older and sooner or later most will utilize social security. Now in case you aren't clear about what a baby boomer is, they are mostly considered as someone born during the demographic post-World War II baby boom. There were 78.2 million estimated number of baby boomers as of July 1, 2005 according to the United States Census Bureau , http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/006105.html , and let's say it would have probably declined to about 75 million in 2009. This is a startling figure for us because of the fact that social security is very expensive for the government to upkeep for 75 million people. The annual cost of social security benefits represented 4.4 percent of GDP in 2008 and is projected to increase to 6.2 percent of GDP in 2034, and then decline to about 5.8 percent of GDP by 2050 and remain at about that level according to the Social Security Online website, http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=approximate+social+security+cost&d=4950345029059122&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=972102d3,1c437d0a . Basically this means that social securtiy cost will rise about 1.8 percent from 2008 to 2034, then it will decrease 0.4 percent from 2034 to 2050. All in all there is an increase in the cost and with the pilling deficit from bailouts to the stimulus packages, our government continues to spur the inflation and increase the debt that future generations are held responsible.

Mr. President, Kudos

Over the last few blogs, I think in all fairness, I need to give the president a round of applause. He has made information flow much more freely from his desk to our eyes and ears much better than the past few presidents (which is probably why we are more outspoken about his presidency). He has utilized technology in a such a way that it has encouraged the freedom of information and the ability of Americans to gain access to the governments plans, legislation, and actions. For example when Barack Obama was still pretty new as a president, he signed a mandatory act for all branches of government and different government associations to make new websites that help us Americans see whats going on where, and how. This is an invaluable resource to the people, so this way we have a reliable source of information, and don't have just to listen to the always biased T.V. news, radio talk shows, or newspapers.
Another thing that Obama does very well is his weekly address via the internet. This too helps us know what's going through his mind as he leads this country by explaining his plans, and reminding us of upcoming legislation. Now of course this weekly address of his is more of a personal vidoc (video documentary) than a weekly state of the union, but nonetheless helps us know whats going on up there at the White House. Let this be a lesson to all future presidents, that the more they share with us, the more comfortable we will feel with his/her leadership.

The Rush for Health Care

With Obama's recent surge to pass the health care reform, it makes you think whether he's actually thinking long term and not just short term. I mean, I know that our health care does need reform, its not perfect like most things. But his simple stubbornness to simply wave things along as if the things he is doing will have no consequences is a real danger to how we approach situations like this. The White House released a draft on the newest revision to the bill on their web site. This version has expanded the tax cuts to middle class Americans with a annual income roughly of $55k - $88k. The new bill also seems to be more geared to help our deficit supposedly by $100 billion dollars. The newest changes can be found here http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/proposal/whatsnew/overview . Even still I'm no politician and I don't have a hard copy of the actual bill, but from my point of view the president is getting closer to hammering out the rough spots. I just wish he wouldn't rush these kind of things through, if we are going to change our health care then we need to do it right, or not at all. I believe that this debate has made our country stronger without a doubt, we going through a trial of fire, and just like gold we will come out more genuine and have more patriotic shine. Thank God for Democrats, Republicans, and every other politician that challenges our leaders actions, because it is just one of our great nation's virtues that make us stronger.

Stimulus Logic

I refuse to fall into the belief that all problems can be solved with money. That just isn't true with any economy or country. Its basic economics that if the government prints more money, that even if it is paid off over time, that will cause the value of the currency to fall. For example, if I have the only gold nugget that is infused with every other metallic element in our world, is worth more becasue it is very rare. But if others start finding metallic nuggets just like it, then it becomes less rare and the value drops. The same can be said about our dollar, the more there are, the less valuable it becomes.

Recovery Progress Report 1

Every once and a while I will report on the Economic Stimulus package total committed and total payed up to date so that we can see exactly how much of the money is helping major businesses and our states get out from the shadow of the U.S. economic crisis. We also have to keep in mind that the president wants us to hold him accountable for the actions that he takes, and as citizens it is our responsibility to do so. The total as of January 26, $332.2 billion of the $787 billion stimulus has been committed to states; $176 billion has been paid out, as reported by c-span.org.

Republican wins Kennedy's seat, but what does that mean for Kentucky.

With a key seat in the Senate about to be filled, this will have a major effect to the outcome of the healthcare reform. While it is undisputed that the currnet form of healthcare needs reform, this election has been a blow to Obama's domestic agenda. Although it is clear that the people of Massachusetts have spoken out as a whole that Obama's agenda, and the democratic congressional agenda, are in the wrong place. For Kentuckians this means that senator, and minority leader Mitch McConnell will have another vote to push the republican version of the reform bill. As this special election in Mass. has shown, that people from every backround are tired of todays system of politics. The system needs to be balanced more so that even if your not rich, and/or ranking with the upper class that you can have a fair chance of becoming elected.