Paladino's Gyration

This week Carl Paladino managed to claim headlines of all major news agencies once again. Unfortunately, all the press Mr. Paladino received appeared to be bad press. Last week Paladino made headlines for an altercation with a journalist. This week, after an upsurge in recent anti-gay hate crimes both locally and nationally, Paladino made headlines for “hating gays.”

On Sunday, during an address to a group of Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn, Paladino made some very provocative statements concerning homosexuality. For example, Paladino said that he didn’t want children “to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option,” compared to heterosexuality. Furthermore, a transcript of Paladino’s speech said, “there is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual. That’s not how God created us.”

Paladino also attacked his opponent, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, saying that it was in bad taste for him to bring his daughters to a recent gay pride parade in New York. Paladino went on to say, “That’s not the example that we should be showing the children, and certainly not in our schools."

It seems to me, however, that Mr. Paladino is the one who is not showing a good example to the youth of America. Ever since I was little I remember being taught to treat others as I would like to be treated. This principle of equality is a key tenant of this nation, and is vital for a democracy to function properly. Perhaps if we raise our children to be more accepting of others, as Mr. Cuomo's children seem to be, the Tyler Clementi's of tomorrow will be able to live a normal life. Until all homosexuals are treated equally in America, our nation will fall short of setting an example for human rights around the world.

Candidates on the Attack

Things are heating up here in New York, and I'm not talking about the weather. New York's governor's race is getting hot, and the candidates are feeling the heat. While most polls have been showing the democratic candidate, Andrew Cuomo, in the lead by about 20 points, a recent poll put out by Quinnipiac University shows the republican candidate, Carl Paladino, only trailing by 6.

Coincidentally, at least according to the Cuomo campaign, the same week that these poll numbers came out the Cuomo campaign released its first direct attack ad on Paladino. The television ad, which can be viewed below, suggests that Paladino made several campaign contributions to elected officials in the past, which in turn earned him real estate deals.

The ad also says that one of Paladino's companies was granted $1.4 million worth of state tax breaks for a project intended to promote economic development and ended up creating only one job. Cuomo refers to Paladino as the "welfare king," and asserts that he is "part of the problem."

Paladino's campaign did not deny the allegations of the ad, but a Paladino spokesman believes it "illustrates Cuomo's misunderstanding of the business world." Attacking one's opponent is nothing new to the Paladino campaign. Paladino has openly called Cuomo "gutless," and his campaign is handing out "duck calls" to volunteers in efforts to get their supporters to attend Cuomo campaign events and disrupt them by "quacking."

October is shaping up to be a very interesting month for the governor's race in New York. Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino will spend the next month campaigning extremely hard. One can only hope that during that time New Yorkers will be exposed to information regarding where the candidates stand on the issues instead of being exposed to attack ads and horse race journalism.

FOX News on the War in Afghanistan

FOX News has been known to push a very conservative agenda; some considering the Rupert Murdoch affiliate a 'wing of the Republican Party.' Many conservatives argue that there are dozens of news agencies that have a liberal bias, and consider FOX News to be one of the only televised news channels that have a conservative voice. I happen to agree with both. The FOX News agency does act as an extension of the Republican Party, but it also is one of the only conservative voices in televised journalism. Therefore my qualm with FOX News is not that they are biased, but that they mislead people by considering themselves "fair and balanced."

These claims are not new, and have been well known for some time. There have been several articles written and documentaries made about the FOX News bias. President Obama's administration even came out to "wage war" on the network. While there is nothing more that I admire than reputable journalism, I also respect the first amendment.

I have recently read several articles concerning the current situation in Afghanistan, and the effects that President Obama's recent troop increase has had on the war torn nation. More than 15,000 NATO troops swept into Marjah, a Taliban stronghold, earlier today as part of Operation Mashtarak, the largest attack since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The recent attack has gone unexpectedly well. Major-General Gordon Messenger, a spokesman of the NATO forces, said that "the Taliban appeared confused and disorientated" and that "the key objectives have been secured and have been done so with minimal interference." However, he continued to say that the Taliban have a reputation for "sitting and watching" and that they could strike an attack at any time.

War is war. Taking over a single Taliban stronghold is certainly not a win, but it is a victory, and as we know victories under President Obama are not appreciated by FOX News. Like Rush Limbaugh, FOX News would like to see President Obama 'fail.' While BBC News put up headlines such as "NATO Hails Major Afghan Operation" FOX News put up headlines that read "U.S., Afghan Forces Face Bombs, Booby Traps in Push to Take Taliban Stronghold." In all fairness, something the FOX organization is incapable of being, the article did go on to mention that NATO forces were doing well, but not until about halfway through the article after mentioning all the "homemade bombs and mines" that slowed the advance.

These types of misleading headlines come all too often from FOX News. Although the article contained valid information, many people today simply get their news from reading headlines or get through half the article if their lucky. It shouldn't be shocking when FOX News puts out a negative headline about President Obama or the Democratic Party, but I was surprised that they had the audacity to disrespect young men and women that risk their lives to make this country safer for you and me. Our troops don't deserve the type of defamation that comes from FOX News headlines, not when we have a victory. Give their families and our citizens something to be proud of, and don't let the enemy believe that they are winning. Shame on you FOX News.

President Obama, bring our troops home.

If You Haven't Seen It Yet, Here It Is!

Two days after President Obama gave his State of the Union address he did something no President has ever done before in American history. He stood in front of a Republican chamber, and allowed them to ask him a series of questions; no ifs, ands or buts. It was incredibly risky, and incredibly bold. It also seems to have paid off. Not only did it make President Obama look emphatically brilliant when he was able to seemingly answer all their questions without hesitation, but it also was good for Washington. President Obama took a giant step in the right direction towards healing the segregation between Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill. If you haven't seen it yet, here it is.

Time for us to Throw in the Towel on Obama?

It's like getting an overcooked steak at a five star restaurant. It's like sitting through a horrible movie that received amazing reviews. It's like going on vacation to Hawaii only to have it rain the entire time you're there. These analogies are in reference to President Obama's first year in the Oval Office.

During the Presidential campaign back in 2008 the American public was promised a great deal of change if we were to elect, then, Senator Obama to the Presidency. The American Electorate, desperate for something new after eight years of nausea, took the bait and elected the first black president to the White House.

Now, one year later, the American public seems to be disillusioned by the thought that President Obama did not bring about the change that he had promised. We are still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, unemployment has risen to the double didgets, universal health care is no longer a reality, and the list goes on and on. As a result, the President's approval ratings have fallen dramatically. Worse than losing faith in President Obama, many have lost all hope in our political system. If things don't change with a democratic president and a large democratic majority in the house and senate, when will they ever change?

Last night President Obama delivered his first State of the Union address to a joint session of congress. It was a much needed transcendent speech by the suave American Presidential speaker. By stating that "jobs must be our number one focus in 2010" it showed that he is in step with the American people. He also insisted that congress not step away from health care reform, "not when we are this close." He also spent time talking about Iraq, Afghanistan, clean energy, climate change, education, bipartisanship, and a few other important issues.
In a vital part of President Obama's speech, he reminded the American people of what he HAS done since he has taken office. He insisted that the Recovery Act saved 2,000,000 jobs, a figure which has not been rebuked by FactCheck.org. He insisted that the Wall St. bailout, although "about as popular as a root canal," saved unemployment from going into Great Depression figures, saved homes from being lost, and saved businesses from closing. He also said that the government has recovered most of the tax payer money that they spent on the banks, and promises to recover the remaining sum. Furthermore, he talked about the important job he did rekindling Americas partnership and standing with the rest of the world, a relationship that was hindered during President Bush's 8 years in the circus, I mean White House.

Last night's State of the Union address once again proved how powerful of a speaker President Obama is. Just as I, and many other Americans were beginning to believe that we had another failed president on our hands, he lifts us up and restores our faith.

I, once a staunch Obama supporter, am willing to give President Obama more time to fulfill his promises. I must say that I am disappointed that I have not seen more change over this past year, but I also understand how hard change is, even while your party may hold the presidency and have majority in the house and senate. Our constitution does not allow for sweeping change overnight, and perhaps that is a good thing.

We have at least 3 more years to find out if President Obama will be successful in fixing this country, and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. At the same time, I will continue to question his every action, and continue to be skeptical of his optimistic rhetoric. After all, actions speak louder than words. Let's see more action!

Politics As Usual

When I heard about it I didn't believe it. When I found out that it was true I was in awe. As many by now know, congress has voted to open up debate on the healthcare bill, which is great. But the means by which they did so was not so great. In order to do so, all 60 Democratic votes in the Senate were needed in order to block a Republican filibuster, which they got from a price that will be paid by the American taxpayer.

One Democratic Senator, a Mrs. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, was originally opposed to voting with her Democratic colleagues to open up debate on the bill. In order to convince her otherwise, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, along with some other congressional Democrats, added a clause to the bill which promises to provide $300 million in aid to Landrieu's state of Louisiana in the form of a "Medicaid bonus."

Essentially, Landrieu's vote was bought by her colleagues. Is it just me, or is there something terribly wrong with this picture. Bribes are not the way voting on bills should be taking place. Unfortunately, there have been many instances on both sides of the aisle where congressional leaders were promised something in exchange for their vote, and it's perfectly legal.

During President Obama's campaign he promised to "clean up" Capital Hill. What happened to getting rid of "politics as usual." It is sickening that such a stunt can be pulled so openly in Washington D.C., with no shame what so ever. I am sure that Louisiana and the Katrina victims need the help, but this is certainly not the way to go about it. I am hopeful that President Obama has the courage to condemn his colleagues, and finally clean up Washington and put an end to this abomination.

Happy Thanksgiving

Real Talk Politic wishes all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Hopefully you are all with close friends and family on this turkey filled day. Along with celebrating Thanksgiving, Real Talk Politic is also celebrating its 1 year anniversary. Happy Birthday Real Talk!

Here are a few video clips of some memorable political turkey filled moments for your entertainment, from Barack Obama to Sarah Palin to George W. Bush. Enjoy.

Sorry

Why is it so hard for people to say that they are sorry? Perhaps it is because saying sorry draws attention to the fact that you made an error in judgement. It means that you have recognized that you made a mistake. Worst of all, it means that you have recognized that you were wrong.

We are all human, and as humans we all make mistakes. To deny that fact is to be out of out of touch with reality. It is hard enough to get family members or friends to say sorry to one another, and when talking about politicians, forget about it.

President Bush and The Bush Administration made a terrible mistake when they decided to invade Iraq in March of 2003. It has since cost hundreds of thousands of lives, well over 4,000 of which were American military men and women. Let's also not forget about the hundreds of thousands that have been injured and disabled for life as a result of the Iraq War.

The Bush Administration had originally invaded Iraq based on the primary belief that the Saddam Hussein regime had ties to al-Qaeda and were developing nuclear and biological weapons. We all remember the infamous address by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell at the United Nations where he pinpointed exactly where the production of weapons of mass destruction was taking place, or so he thought.

Fact of the matter is, as we clearly know today, is that Saddam Hussein's regime was not developing WMD's, nor did they have relations with al-Qaeda. Sure the Hussein regime was extremely evil and corrupt, but that is no reason to invade a country. If the U.S. was to invade every country with an evil and corrupt government we would be at war in South America, Africa, Asia, and, well, all over the world. The Bush Administration clearly made a mistake by invading Iraq and has never, to this day, apologized and admitted that they were wrong for doing so.

Admitting one's wrongs holds no political barriers. President Obama and the Obama Administration also seem to be guilty of being unable to say sorry to the American people. During his campaign and early on in office, President Obama promised the American people that if the gargantuan stimulus package was passed the unemployment rate of this country would not exceed 8%.

Well, when President Obama took office the American unemployment rate was at 7.2%. Almost a year down the road and hundreds of billions of dollars later the unemployment rate has jumped to 10.2%. Not only does the Obama Administration refuse to apologize to the American people, but they insist that the stimulus has been working. A jobless recovery is not what the Obama Administration had intended back in January of this year when President Obama told us that the stimulus package would stop the unemployment rate from growing over 8%.

As we all know, saying sorry is a very difficult thing to do. It takes vulnerability and admitting one's wrongs. The Bush apologetics and Obama apologetics are diluted, and in complete denial. Not being able to recognize that we all make mistakes is to be out of touch with reality, even if that mistake was at the expense of human lives or billions of dollars of debt for subsequent generations to come. We need more honest apologetics in Washing D.C.

Compromising Health Care Reform

This week the Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus introduced a health care reform plan that would not add to the federal deficit. The bill does not include a public option (AKA government funded health care), a key element of reforming health care according to President Obama and fellow democrats. At least it used to be a key element. Recently President Obama has said that the public option is not absolutely necessary to reach his goals for reform.

Many people have acknowledged that passing health care reform has a "make it or break it" stigma attached to the success or failure of President Obama's presidency. Is President Obama loosening his belt on his goals for health care reform simply so that he can say he was successful? Is he letting the main component of reform, a public option, slip under the table so that he can say he passed health care reform legislation? Is gaining a few Republican supporters worth erasing such a key element from the bill? Negotiating, compromising, and reaching a common solution is extremely important for passing partisan legislation, but is health care reform really something that can be compromised? These are all important questions we must ask ourselves.

Furthermore, another questionable aspect of Baucus' proposal is the idea of mandated health care coverage. In other words, if an individual is not insured they could receive a fine. The bill does create health care exchanges, non-profit health insurance cooperatives, and sets limits on out-of-pocket expenses, but should we really be fining people if they can't afford health care insurance.

The Baucus plan is definitely a step in the right direction, but much more work needs to be done if we are going to pass serious health care reform. This plan estimates to cover nearly 30 million uninsured Americans While nearly 50 million Americans remain uninsured. We can do better. America can do better.

Universal Health Care, Is It Time?

During the Presidential campaign of 2008 Senator Barack Obama promised to reform the health care system in America. Now, more than halfway through the 2009 calendar year, President Obama is fighting hard to fix the health care problems that he talked about repeatedly during his campaign without adding to the nation's debt. This is no easy task.  In fact, the last time any substantial reforms were made to our health care system was in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson with the creation of medicaid and medicare.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle agree that health care reform is necessary. Their differences lie on their views of what kind of reform is needed and where the money will come from. Politicians who oppose Obama's plan have called it nothing more than pure socialism, a government take over of the nation's health care system. These are the same politicians who have drawn charts to represent the President's plan. Charts that can be described in one simple word. Confusing.

Just hearing the words socialist health care and looking at a chart that looks like a maze leading to nowhere has made many American's think twice about the President's health care initiatives. Hell, I don't like the sound of it either. Who wants the control over their own health taken away from them and put in the hands of the government? Who wants to be led on a long journey to nowhere? Not I.

In the mean time close to 50 million American's live every day of their lives with no health care insurance, millions of American's can barely afford the coverage plans they have, and millions of American's may think they have great health care coverage until they get sick or injured and learn that their health care provider won't pay for their treatment because of a pre-existing condition.

There is something wrong with this picture. There is something wrong when roughly 1/6 of the population of the "greatest nation on Earth" is uninsured and even more underinsured. There is something wrong when nearly every westernized country has universal health care with the exception of America. There is something wrong when we equate a persons health and well being with corporations making a profit. Yes, there is something wrong.

Universalizing the health care system in America is not going to be easy. It is a complex issue with extremely complex solutions that the majority of Americans, including myself, will not be able to grasp. It will not be easy to pass in congress nor will it be easy to figure out how the system will work and how it will be paid for. But one thing is for certain, health care reform in America is long overdue.