Shabbat Shalom 27 Tamuz 5767

Clinton and Edwards to Limit Debate Participants
Finally the Dems are doing something right

In a perfect world, people would have unlimited attention spans and time would not matter. Since that is not the case, Democratic front runners for the Presidency, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards want to exclude lower tier candidates from their debates.

Fox News microphones caught Edwards discussing the idea with Clinton during an NAACP event in Detroit. Presidential hopeful and 2ND tier candidate, Rep. Dennis Kucinich has already expressed outrage over the idea.

Kucinich and his fellow lower tier candidates have already participated in multiple debates, making no head-way. They have every right to keep running and should partake in events they are invited too. However, Clinton, Edwards, Obama and I would add Bill Richardson, should begin planning their own debates in which they will each have more time to make their case to Democratic voters.

If Kucinich, Dodd, Biden or Gravel gain substantial ground in the polls or show they have even a minuscule chance at the nomination, they should be added to the top tier debates. Until then, get out of the way.

Republicans should consider doing the same. As of now, Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Romney and McCain are the top tier. Followed up by Huckabee, Hunter and Tancredo. Ron Paul gained limited steam after the last debate, but is no longer on the radar screen.

GOP voters have benefited from the voices of Huckabee, Hunter and Paul during the debates. However at some point they need to start hearing the top tier candidates fight it out. As in the case with the Dems, if a GOP 2ND tier candidate begins making headway, they would need to be included. Until then and with the first primary only 6 months away, it's time to put the kids to bed and let the adults fight it out.


14,000 in sight
DOW gains 280 points yesterday, climbing again today

It's a story that the left-wing media doesn't want to talk about. The strength of our economy. On 9/12 2001, it appeared our economy would collapse due to the uncertainty caused by the 9/11 attacks. However, good old American capitalism, free markets and the Bush administration tax-cuts, overcame that threat and today our economy is possibly the strongest it's ever been.

Today home ownership is at a record high, including minority ownership of property. Unemployment is at near record lows, wages are up and our investments in the markets secure, especially with a Dow about to break the 14,000 mark.

Ten years ago when our economy was strong due to the computer industry and Internet boom, Bill Clinton was praised by the media even though most economists will tell you his policies prevented greater growth. George Bush has had to deal with 9/11, which resulted in a collapse of the transportation industry as well as skyrocketing gas prices. Don't forget a decline in the dot com industry that began under Clinton. However, he doesn't get a pat on the back by the mainstream press. Just claims that only the upper 1% is benefiting.

Your brilliant blogger is not in the upper 1%, in fact we aren't in the upper 1/3. My family and I are proud middle class Americans who will be buying a home in a matter of months and just purchased a new car.

Don't tell me everyone isn't benefiting from the Bush economy. By the way, have you noticed the deficit has dwindled down to nothing? I doubt Chris Matthews or Katie Couric mentioned that to you.

Paulie