Out of Iraq by 2010?

President Obama told congressional leaders Thursday he's planning to pull all combat troups out of Iraq by August 2010. The plan would keep 35,000 to 50,000 as support troops in Iraq after the combat troops are out.

Should the troops be reduced by 2010? What do you think will happen when the troops leave? How long do you think the support troops will be in Iraq?

Go Blue!

Gitmo Again?

A new defense department report concluded that the detention center at Guantanamo Bay has treated detainees humanely. Do you think the facility will be closed within a year? What should President Obama do?

Afghanistan , It's His War Now!

President Obama ordered two more U.S. combat brigades into Afghanistan, deploying 17,000 more troops to join the 36,000 already deployed there. The troops had been slated for Iraq. He said it was "necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan."

Afghanistan is getting worse and the sanctuaries across the border in Pakistan are becoming a bigger problem for the stability of Pakistani government

What should Obama do? Send more troops or increase talks with the Taliban?

The "American Dream"

Should our government help homeowners facing foreclosure or struggling to make their mortgage payments?

Have a great weekend.

Billions More for the Auto Industry?

The Obama Administration will rule on the fate of the struggling American automakers. Do you think the additional billions will make a difference? Or should we declare the American auto industry "dead" and move on?

What about home foreclosures? Stay tune!

Barbie turns 50! Wow! Why does this doll continue to be so popular? Why is she an American icon?

Congress Approves $787 Billion Stimulus Bill!

The House voted yesterday 246-183 and the Senate approved the bill last night 60-38. No Republicans voted for the bill in the House and only 3 Republicans voted for it in the Senate. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine were the high stakes deal makers along Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania to prevent a filibuster by the Republicans.

About 65% goes toward spending while about 35% will pay for tax cuts.

Figures reflect only discretionary spending and do not include mandatory spending.

120 Billion - Infrastructure and Science
14.2 Health
105.9 Education and Training
37.5 Energy
24.3 Helping Americans hit hardest by the economic crisis
7.8 Law enforcement, Oversight, Other Programs

What would you propose?

Yay or Nay on the Stimulus?

If you were a member of Congress, would you vote for it or against it?

Did President Obama's first-prime time news conference help you in your decision? How was the conference different from previous news conferences? What issue did you find most interesting?

President Obama Sets Executive Pay Limits

$500,000!!

How do you feel about President Obama's announcement that executives of companies receiving TARP funds will have their pay capped at $500,000 under a revised financial compensation plan.

You have to wonder how many bonuses were rewarded out of the first 350 billion dollars of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Can these executives on Wall Street live on $500,000? What happens if they decide to leave their company? Do you think the companies can survive without them?

So how's the "honeymoon" going for President Obama?

Tom Daschle has decided to withdraw his nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary. Isn't this what we were talking about in class today? As you recall the former senator had a major tax problem.

The big story coming out of the White House was to be about the nomination of another Republican for Obama's cabinet. What a story. Three Republicans in the cabinet?