The stimulus that works and the stimulus that doesn't

This morning, I saw this article about positive effects the stimulus money is having: hot meals for seniors. Something just feels good inside when you discover that some of your tax money is going to feeding senior citizens instead of adding to the billions in government waste. One of the things I do like about the Democratic party is that they are usually the ones to spend more money on social-economical programs such as this. The billions in bailout and TARP money that went to all the financial institutions feels a lot more republican. I think both are important, but let's be honest, using money for old people is the 'feel-good' kind of government spending and fixing our financial institutions feels a lot more cold, and removed. Of course, regarding the latter, the Obama admin totally missed the boat on how to fix the economy. Turns out you can't throw billions of dollars at a problem with no regulations and expect it is blossom into a booming economy. As Josh Gottleib said at a Shabbos meal one time, 'If they had given all the money to the banks and said, 'Here is the money-now go use it! Lend it out to the American people, let them buy homes and fix their credit and get their mortgages adjusted into something can afford." then we would be in much better shape." But instead, the banks took the money and put it into their savings (or holdings, etc.) and are just sitting on it. And of course, the government, who are leaders in arrogance can not and would not go back to the financial institutions with egg on their face and say, 'Oops, we messed up, we failed to stimulate the economy. Can you please give us our money back, or, rather we demand that you lend it all out." To which they will receive an emphatic: "NO."

Obama simply does not like Israel

This evening I learned that the ZOA is asking Obama rescind his recent appointment of retired Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) to chair the President's Intelligence Advisory Board. This is a senator with a consistent anti-Israel voting record. To view the story and several examples of Hagel's voting record, check HERE

With the amount of people in Israel, the U.S. and several other communities throughout the world questioning Obama's support for Israel why in the world would he appoint someone who is so anti-Israel, other the obvious conclusion: President Obama does not like Israel. Of course, who could blame the guy; he sat listening to Rev. Jeremiah Wright shout hate speech for almost a decade. But seriously, one has to ask some tough questions. If you already know your support is in question and your sincerity is in doubt why would you continue to appoint such people?

Obama/Rahm v Israel...What a sad state of affairs.

Recently, Rahm Emanuel gave Israel an ultimatum, "move forward with peace talks with the Palestinians for a two-state solution, or we will stop putting pressure on Iran. www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710862759&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull I would first have to ask, "What pressure?" Iran is moving forward full speed ahead. So basically Rahm is asking the Israeli public a simple question: Would you like to die by the hands of Palestinian Hamas or Iranian Hamas? Great options. The ongoing situation between “Palestinians” and Israelis has gone on for decades. And here we have a leader who in one breath says he dreams of a world with Israel wiped off the map, and in the next breath consults with his science department to learn how close he actually is to being able to do it. Now combine that with all of the terrorist groups surrounding Israel, threatening their existence on a daily basis. And as the United States government, who do you put the pressure on? Israel. That is just perfect. They do not have enough pressure on them, and now their virtually only ally is going to turn their back on them as well. I have a lot more to say on this. To be continued, oh and for a quick read, you should check out Newt's take on the situation: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=86674144973&h=C2YFd&u=oCNUp