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The Mighty, Messy Power of Europe | Newsweek Business | Newsweek.com

Just a few short years ago. Remember? When the idea was proposed of a Union of Europe? I remember thinking, wow – how would any of these proud, old countries and their citizenry be willing to give up an inch of autonomy on even just economic policy – let alone political ideology and goals?

The main focus of course was on economy because the proposal was to replace the Franc, Mark, Lire with a European currency. Blasphemy! I remember thinking, that I couldn’t imagine America being willing to give up the Dollar in exchange for a unilateral currency. And, of course, the idea at the time was preposterous. Why would America give up anything, let alone it’s mighty dollar.

For years we have been the pre-eminent in all things fiscal. We have set the policy or at the very least had a modicum of influence in nearly every world wide matter. Just by virtue of the dollar being the ‘standard’ by which most things were measured. Oil? Sure it’s in the middle east, but it’s traded for in Dollars. China’s trade surplus? Sure, it’s huge. And, it’s measured in dollars.

But somewhere along the way, oh say between 2000-and-2008 America lost it’s focus, if not its way. Political ideology leaned conservative at all costs. Anti gay and pro corporate welfare? Vote Republican. Pro school voucher and anti democrat-anything? Vote Republican, Pro military, pro life, pro religion taking over social welfare programs, etc. You get the idea. Vote Republican.

In fact, I’d argue that the down fall of America can be traced to the Gays. Well, not the Gay’s in as much as American religious intolerant hatred of them. “Oh boo” you conservatives say. We don’t hate gays. We love them. We just wish they were us. That’s all. Ok.

As a result of years of being steered by a President who claimed to have a monopoly on a moral compasses but would appear no real world fiscal, political, or intellectual leadership we have come to this. We have countries pushing for a new standard and to de-dollarize the world from measurement. China being a chief advocate of this and no small wonder as it enters the stage posed to be the new eminent power – and some would argue already is.

So, we could spend the next decade (and probably will) pointing fingers to determine exactly who is at fault. I would argue that we’ve been headed for these rocks for sometime. Republicans would try and have you believe this all just came about in the last 10 months. Ever since Obama was elected, the worlds gone to shit. Really? Wow. We’re in deeper doo than I thought.

So here’s a radical idea. What about an American Union? That is, a Union of the Americas. North, Central, South. It’s time we realize we may have to swallow our nationalistic, jingo-istic pride and chart a new course. One that includes our neighbors and begins to look – at least in our own backyard – to other countries as equals. Sure, Mexico and other countries have severe problems. And, Venezuela might rather we fall off the face of the earth than join a picnic with us let alone an economic alliance. But, as we wrap up the first decade of this century, we’re in poor straights than where we were just 10 years ago.

And, given the challenges we have and the benefits which could be had from linking our combined currencies and efforts with those around us, is it really that radical of an idea? Oh, American’s will never have it. I’m just dreaming out loud of course. But think about it. It could be the next big thing.

It’s 5,418 today.

Welcome to the Public Campaign Finance Page for the State of Maine

In case you were wondering, it’s the who’s who of gowned men. No, I’m not talking about drag queens. Although, they are gowned men too. I’m talking about the church. Pick one, but predominately Catholic and Mormon. Don’t you think entities who are essentially political action committees rather than tax-exempt religious organizations should be paying their fare share? I do.

Or, maybe gay couples shouldn’t be struggling at city hall to get marriage licenses, maybe we should be approaching the IRS to incorporate as churches. Two members, devoted to worshipping each other. It could work. God knows “I” could use the tax relief. Shoot. If my home were a church, I’d be on easy street. I might even have enough left over money to – oh, I don’t know – donate to my favorite causes.

Gay leaders blame ads, Obama for loss – More politics- msnbc.com

You can’t possibly be stunned that our President hasn’t stood with us in our continued march in this civil rights struggle right? Rather than coming down as a community on President Obama for being disengenious, wouldn’t it be better to look inward in this instance?

President Obama is displaying nothing new. He’s been one hundred percent consistent throughout his campaign and into the coming end of the first year of his first term. Which is – he’s been silent. If you read back through my blogs, you’ll know that I’ve been consistent too. I’ve said, in one form or another, that President Obama is no friend of the Gay community. Granted – and a big granted – he’s not a mortal enemy. He exists somewhere in between. You know. Like that family member that knows you’re gay. Is “ok” with it, but would prefer you weren’t so swishy or you used less “s” when you said “passssth the ssssalt”.

President Obama has never appeared comfortable at any time this topic has come up. He shifts and says, no he’s for marriage remaining between a man and a woman, but he feels our struggle and he wants to support our community. Oh, those analogies of the uncomfortable relative are coming back.

Let’s be clear. The President only came out a few weeks ago to speak about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. And, only when we publicly begin to question why we spend millions supporting candidates like Obama and the democratic party in general when they don’t listen to what our concerns are and the very human rights struggle we view this to be. Kinda like that uncomfortable relative who wishes you wore colors that were more muted but because your successful, doesn’t have a problem calling you occasionally for a loan. Only after do you give him the money does he forget that there’s elements about you he’d rather not acknowledge.

This ladies and gentlemen, and gentle ladies and ladies that are gentleman is the nature of politics. So, what is it about the LGBT community that’s so self deprecating that we can’t see this charade for what it is. Back to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

With one stroke of a pen, the President could effectively end this policy. As Commander in Chief, he could merely order the military to stop enforcing this policy and spend our war time resources on more productive matters like .. oh – I don’t know – STOPPING THE TALIBAN? Finding Bin Laden, paying for that inevitable troop surge in Afghanistan, pulling out of Iraq, closing Guantanamo – a number of more important endeavors.

But we refuse invitation to a high-profile Democratic fundraiser, and publicly indicate that we’re re-thinking our support – and all of a sudden he’s warm and fuzzy on the topic of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. We cheer, he goes back behind the curtain, nothing changes.

Rather than looking outside ourselves at what the problem is, let’s start here. Stop spending gay dollars, and support on wasteful expenditures. Yes, our President represents the lesser of the evils that was offered to us his go around in 2008. And, given the nature of Republican politics with the likes of Newt, Sarah and Rush – we might be faced with similar situation in 2012. But, FOR NOW – WE are supposed to be in charge. We’re the people – remember? Let’s start behaving like it.

Pandora Radio – Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music

If I haven’t told you lately how much I love Pandora – I do.

NYT analysis: Victories rekindle GOP’s hope – The New York Times- msnbc.com

You’re kidding me right? You think because a state like VIRGINIA voted in a Republican Governor that this is supposed to be some sort of harbinger of things to come. That somehow the whole country is destined to be swallowed up by red tidal wave?

I don’t know whether to laugh, or snort.

I’m not certain if there’s a left media, or a right media in America. Some would argue that MSNBC represents left media. Some would argue Fox News represents right media. But, one thing that is becoming clearer, it’s all one big – moronic media. In this day of tabloid journalism and one up-mans-ship on the wow factor it’s understandable that our news conglomerates would want to create a story where there isn’t one.

I suppose the picture painted of darkening clouds on the horizon is supposed to create interest or a stir in a non-story, but it’s not working for me. Firstly, Governors races have little bearing on the national agenda. People in a particular state vote for their Governor – and get this – on State issues. Surprise moronic media. For Christs-sake – CALIFORNIA has a republican governor! It means little. Secondly, this represents nothing on the scale of the ‘republican revolution’ which gave us the likes of Newt Gingrich and others and their contract on America.

So, stop, please – stop. Trying to create a story out of nothing. Stop scoring the psycho violin music every time there’s a local referendum and try and transpose that on a national graph. Mary please.

I sure miss Tim Russert.

Is Fiat Helping Chrysler–Or Fiat? – Forbes.com

It may be time to say goodbye to another American Brand(s).

Chrysler, and by extension Dodge (no need to mention Chrysler, the last interim trustee of this great American brand killed that portion) is still in decline and has no prospect of ever returning to profitability, let alone greatness.

It seems Fiat has pulled off the greatest Automotive coup since BMW stole Rolls Royce away from VW. With no apparent plans of ever infusing cash into this ailing maker, the billions taxpayers have already invested seem to being squandered. The government essentially ‘gave’ Chrysler to Fiat in hopes that they would invest eventually, and at least initially infuse the company with some small-car product and know-how. But, that seems to be a premature wish.

More likely Fiat is going to raid the company for it’s rear drive platform, i.e. the Chrysler 300 so that they can expand their own offerings. In return? Well – they’ve killed the Nissan/Chrysler venture. They’ve killed the Mercedes truck import initiative. Basically anything promising that could help provide income to develop new products has been starved or cut. So where will the money for new product come from? Here’s my guess. There is no plan for new money and by extension, new product. The Italian plan all along has been to rape Americans for the Taxpayer investment already put forth, which was essentially life support to keep the company viable long enough for Fiat to absorb some of the production capacity for its own Fiat and Alfa lines. Take the platform of the rear wheel drive 300, an excellently engineered drivetrain as it was originally the previous generation e-Class Mercedes Benz, and allowing the Chrysler and Dodge nameplate to wilt. Oh. And, all the American jobs that go with it.

Sure, they may keep Jeep. But only as a brand that might have global recognition and some (tarnished) cache. I suggest this. When those Fiat 500’s roll off the line, if they aren’t badged Chryslers, you spit on em when they drive by. You’ve already pissed away your tax dollars to provide a huge corporate give away to this Italian company – you might as well add some more body fluids.