Universal health care has always been one of the issues closest to my voting heart. I believe every citizen should have access to a minimum coverage, that it should be portable and that it should be affordable. It was was one of the many reasons I was an ardent support of Senator - no Secretary of State - Clinton in her pursuit of the Presidency. It was one of my major gripes with President Obama's programs during his first 100 days. I felt that addressing health care costs would do so much more for burdened Americans that giving them $13 a week in their pay envelopes. Today he addressed it but (and as my friend say's with me there's always a but)...<< MORE >>

Sometimes those of us in California think that what we do here is known by everyone, so for those who actually have lives that do not include checking out what goes on every day in CA: Proposition 8 amended California's constitution to make marriage legal only between a man and a woman. I voted against it (although, to be honest, I think only civil unions amongst both men and women and those of the same gender should be certified by the state and marriages should be the province of religion or just a lot of partying for the agnostics and atheists in the crowd); somehow, even though I didn't support it, Prop 8 passed, that saddens me. I am almost equally saddened though by the resignation of Scott Eckern as artistic director of California Musical Theatre.<< MORE >>

will once again be able to stand tall having proven its intellectual and moral meddle by electing Senator Barack Obama. Hallelujah!<< MORE >>

1. 11 2. Four 3. Have a TV show on Fox 4. Party like it's 1994 5. elifiknow
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on CNBC and the traders on Fast Money have been telling me how we're all in this financial crisis together. Trust me, guys, I get it but I do still have a few questions: Does this mean Hank Paulson will be writing me into his will? When do I start vacationing in the Hamptions? Will my black American Express card arrive this week or next?<< MORE >>

Citing his inability to execute the company restructuring he had envisioned, word has it that the ex-CEO of AIG Robert Willlumstad has refused his $22 million severance package.    

        

plan for the Government to buy mortgage backed securities began to be released to the public, the story of how Hank and Ben scared the living daylights out of the congressional leadership was also being told. Well, there are a few things that scare the living daylights out of me as well. For instance, how is it that the men and women of the House and Senate (who will now be called upon to pass legislation authorizing the plan) did not realize - until told by H&B on Thursday - that the situation was so dire? Hell, I had a friend telling me on Tuesday that he felt we were headed for a Depression style Crash.<< MORE >>

Nothing like the financial world going to Hell in a handbasket to give the ratings a goose. Sunday night it was like a frat party when a special live edition on the network pulled in virtually everyone on the payroll - almost expected Liz Claman to show up; even Cramer and Maria Bartiromo were there via telephone. Already overloaded with headlines and chyrons, every word that drops from a CNBC correspondent's mouth these days is "breaking news", "unprecedented" or "historic". BREAKING NEWS: Joe Kernan joins the ACLU. UNPRECENTED: Dylan Ratigan takes a breath. HISTORIC: Mark Haines puts mustard on his fries. (I actually prefer to listen to Bernard Lo on Bloomberg, a lot less drama and a lot more in depth info. This evening he opened Bloomberg Live by saying, "Look for more damage today after that big mess on the Street. Sorry to tell you that but truth is truth.") With all the backward analysis on CNBC, it's odd to me that they have yet address the questions I have about AIG's sudden fall: What part did those AIG laughing babies play in the debacle? Are they responsible? Can they be prosecuted? << MORE >>

it was also - for me - a deal breaker. I was hoping that Senator McCain would nominate Lindsey Graham or someone along the same lines. Governor Palin's strong anti-choice views (Although I believe that life begins at conception, I also believe that choices of that nature must be made by the woman in consultation with her loved ones and spiritual advisors. As a mother I do not think the vast majority of women make such a choice lightly and that women of means and poor, desperate women will always find a way to end a pregnancy but I guess all of that is a separate post.) and her "drill, drill, drill" philosophy are signficantly different from mine to make it impossible for me to vote for her. Also, just as I find Senator Obama insufficiently experienced to be President, I find Governor Palin insufficiently experienced to be President (sauce for the gander, sauce for the goose). Still, I am mystified by female Democrats who have villified Senator McCain for selecting her and demonized Governor Palin as being able to single handedly destroy the feminist movement. Apparently, the Democrat's Big Tent has only one entrance for women. << MORE >>

Coming up against Sarah Palin the Obama campaign seems to be making the same mistakes the Clinton campaign made when it came up against a rock star challenging its front runner status. Obamaville has strayed off message and allowed itself to be drawn into a battle it cannot win. If it continues with this strategy Obama-ites may well learn what it is to be a true Democrat. Understanding that Obamaville is built on the vague foundation of "yes, you can" it is now time to find out about a few "no, you can'ts". << MORE >>