Voter Political Blog

OK, before reading this, let’s comprehend just how much 780 billion dollars is.  All these values seem to be lost in translation these days because the government throws around millions, billions, and now trillions of dollars in everyday lingo.  So how much is 780 billion?

First off, after “ancillary” expenses to manage the 780 billion, this is easily going to cost taxpayers 1 trillion dollars.  1 trillion doesn’t really sound that much different from 1 million does it?  Well, let’s assume for a minute we all have really long life spans, and really grand spending habits.  If we spent 1 million dollars every single day, 365 days a year,  on our lavish spending habit, every day since the day Jesus was born, we still would not have spent 1 trillion dollars.  We would have to continue spending 1 million dollars per day until the year 2737 to finally spend the 1 trillion dollars.

Another example, for perspective.  A million seconds is about 11½ days. A billion seconds is about 32 years, and a trillion seconds is 32,000 years.

So how does the government come up with 1 trillion dollars to “stimulate” the economy?  If you are thinking “out of thin air”, you are precisely correct.  More on this later…

— on to the article —

US senators reached agreement on a financial stimulus plan totaling about $US780 billion, Democratic lawmakers said.

Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry, emerging from a meeting of Senate Democrats at the Capitol tonight, called the agreement an important step and said senators hope to vote on it tonight.

“This is our best chance,”Senators have reached a tentative agreement on a financial stimulus plan of about $US780 billion, Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry said.

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel attended a meeting with Senate Democrats and left, smiling, without speaking to reporters. Jennifer Burita, an aide to Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins, said the agreement would be announced on the Senate floor.

Kerry called the agreement an “important step” and said the Senate hopes to vote on it tonight.

Before the meeting, Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota said the plan being discussed doesn’t include about $US50 billion in funds for autos and homebuyers. Those were part of the $US900 billion-plus package debated in the Senate this week.

More

President Barack Obama chose the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya Arabic satellite TV network for his first formal television interview as president. He cited his Muslim background and Muslim relatives and said that one of his main tasks was to communicate to Muslims “that the Americans are not your enemy.”

Obama said the U.S. had made mistakes in the past but expressed hope “that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there’s no reason why we can’t restore that.”

He condemned Iran’s threats against Israel, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and support of terrorist organizations, but he added, “It is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress.”

Obama called for a new partnership with the Muslim world “based on mutual respect and mutual interest.” He talked about growing up in Indonesia, the Muslim world’s most populous nation, and noted that he has Muslim relatives.

With Obama’s inauguration ceremony less than a week away, I’m curious what everyone thinks of all the hype.  I can’t turn a page on CNN, or walk down the street without seeing something about it.  I guess I’m helping perpetuate that with this article as well. ;)  With the economy in the most serious dire straits it has seen since the great depression, and more people out of work than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, the grandstand parade and unthinkable amounts of money being spent on the inauguration party are a curious item of discussion.

No doubt, this inaguration is absolutely is a big deal!  It’s our first African American president, and perhaps more importantly it’s the day the GWB loses power.  Millions of people are there to celebrate one of these items or the other.  It’s supposed to be the largest audience for an inaguration ever from what I hear.  People are clearly electrified by the opportunity to be part of history.

I would love to hear thoughts on the matter.  Is a huge celebration really in order, or would a more modest approach seem more appropriate given the state of the economy?  I’m having flashbacks to the convention and the greek pillars (as the GOP called them).

Perhaps even more importantly, what is the world view of this.  I can’t wait to see reactions from around the globe.  I have my fingers crossed that it will be positive, but it may really all reside in the hands of how the media spins it.

p.s. For those on the ground in Washington for this party, I found the Inaguration Survival Guide online.

Not exactly how it sounds.  The secret service have nicknamed Obama’s new 100 foot long limo “The Beast”.

The 2009 limo having the presidential seal on the side states that this is not just a normal car. The Beast is equipped with such valuable assets that it provides the occupant with the highest level of security. The car is likely to include bullet proof glass, an armored body, sealed interior against any chemical reaction and separate oxygen supply, as said by the observers of the car. The Beast is equipped with the latest and up to date technology.

Cadillac is honoured to again provide a new Presidential Limousine,” said Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. “This is a great American tradition that we’re delighted to renew with an all-new car featuring the best of Cadillac’s dramatic design and technology.

The image of an American president greeting crowds from a Cadillac limousine dates to President Woodrow Wilson and the early days of the automobile, and continues into an historic new era. The latest Cadillac Presidential Limousine is a completely new design, succeeding the DTS Presidential Limousine that debuted in 2004. The new car incorporates many of the dramatic design and technology features of new and highly acclaimed Cadillac vehicles in a purpose-built format tailored to specific and exacting specifications befitting presidential transport.

Inside and out, the Cadillac Presidential Limousine includes many of the brand’s signature design elements. Assertive, modern and elegant, the front of the car includes the intricate, dual-textured grille made famous by Cadillac’s most popular current models, the CTS sport sedan and Escalade. Vertical design elements, such as the car’s front and rear lighting, mirror those used on production models.

For largely functional reasons, such as optimal outward visibility, the car is slightly more upright than its predecessor. However, this new Cadillac Presidential Limousine occupies roughly the same overall footprint on the road as the previous model, with a similar size and proportion.

The side and rear profiles of the new Presidential Limousine are classic, elegant forms, evocative of Cadillac’s STS and DTS luxury sedans. Inside the cabin, the car includes the
finest examples of Cadillac’s recent renaissance in design, technology and craftsmanship.

The cabin blends modern design and technology with old-world craftsmanship. Major aspects of the cabin are cut and sewn by hand, the same process used in popular Cadillac models such as the CTS sport sedan.

Naturally, many purpose-built aspects of the car are specially designed and prepared for presidential use. The rear passenger area includes an extensive executive compartment with ample seating space, outward visibility and useful mobile office features.

The car was designed, developed and tested by specialists who adhered to an extensive set of specifications. It was subjected to an extreme testing regimen to ensure performance that achieves precise functional requirements. In doing so, security provisions were undertaken at all times during development to ensure the car’s functional capabilities are preserved and confidential.

An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the centre of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors. The U.S. flag is placed on the right front fender, and the presidential standard is located on the left front fender when the president travels in the vehicle. High-tech LED spotlights illuminate the flags at night.

Source for the fuzzy warm information (below the pic).