Cabinet Makers

This is rather strange. One would have expected things would look definitely more positive and people in a better mood on the very day of the inauguration of a new president of the US.

Sadly, that is not the exact scenario. The world stock markets dip into the negative territory, and unbelievably Dow falls more than 300 points (4%) to close below the 8k mark. This does not augur well for the global economy, reflecting badly on the dire state-of-affairs of the US economy in particular.

One explanation for the lackluster performance could be because consumers may not have that much confidence in the new administration team in bringing the bashed financial institutions back to normal that soon. If that is the case, there is no need to talk big about CHANGE and end up offering false promises.

In short, just quietly and diligently do the necessary work to bring about the correct result via right actions. Show the world Washington CAN and will.
(Tan Boon Tee, btt1943@yahoo.com)

Oh yes, a new admin means a new upheaval.

Mrs. Clinton has been confirmed as the Secretary of State. Was this not a covert agreement made when she threw her support whole-heartedly to her arch rival after losing out in the Democrat nomination?

Clinton has been a person of strong determination. It will be almost impossible for others to change her idea once she has sat firmly on it, not even the president. And that is the naughty part of it. Her new post makes her practically the most powerful diplomat in the US as well as the world, her words count.

What if she adamantly refuses to heed her superior???s advice and toe her own line, thinking that she is always in the right (like before)? Well, no prize for guessing it right ??? the White House will be thrown into internal squabbles -- unless of course, Obama gives way quietly if not surreptitiously.

Chapter I, Act I of the new era of CHANGE, will soon begin.
(Tan Boon Tee)

All He has picked is the biggest marxist power hungry thugs he could find

I continue to be amazed that this felon, Mr. Berger, is given any regard for his opinions at all. He has admitted to stealing government documents in the face of a congressional investigationinto the 9-11 attacks, hiding those documents in his clothing in order to remove them from the National archives, leaving those documents exposed and vulnerable to compromise outside the Archives for hours at a time, taking those documents to his office and cutting them up in pieces. Yet, here he is allowed to reminisce about his role as National Security Advisor. All of this just makes me wonder what he did while in office that violated the laws about which we have yet to learn. Berger is a a lying, cheating, criminal. His views should be ignored.

2. IMMEDIATE RELIEF FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES
Even when the overall economy was growing, most American families were not sharing in this growth. The typical non-elderly household saw its income decline by more than $2,000 from 2000 to 2007 as expenses skyrocketed. Weekly wages, adjusted for inflation, are now lower than they were a decade ago. Barack Obama and Joe Biden's overall economic plan will relieve the squeeze on families and foster bottom-up growth. But they are proposing that we implement several measures immediately:
??? A tax cut for 95 percent of workers and their families -- plus seniors: Barack Obama and Joe Biden propose a permanent tax cut of $500 for workers and $1,000 for families. A first round of these tax credits could be mailed out quickly by the IRS based on tax returns already filed for tax year 2007. In addition, Obama and Biden would extend these expedited tax credits to senior citizens who are retired as a down payment on his plan to eliminate taxes for all seniors making up to $50,000.
??? Extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits: Millions of Americans are looking for work but unable to find it in the weak economy. Today, more than one in five unemployed workers has been out of work for more than half a year -- the highest level since early 2005. Obama supported extending unemployment insurance this summer, but already 800,000 jobless workers have exhausted those benefits and are being left without any unemployment compensation. Obama and Biden believe Congress should immediately extend unemployment insurance for an additional 13 weeks to help families that are being hit hardest by this downturn. In addition, they believe we should temporarily suspend taxes on unemployment insurance benefits as a way of giving more relief to families.
??? Penalty-free hardship withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k)s in 2008 and 2009: Many families are going to be facing unique economic hardship over the coming year. To help these families pay their bills and their mortgages and make it through these tough times, Obama and Biden are calling for legislation that would allow withdrawals of 15% up to $10,000 from retirement accounts without penalty (although subject to the normal taxes). This would apply to withdrawals in 2008 (including retroactively) and 2009.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden have a plan to revitalize the economy.
1. Immediate Action to Create Good Jobs in America
2. Immediate Relief for Struggling Families
3. Direct, Immediate Assistance for Homeowners, Not a Bailout for Irresponsible Mortgage Lenders
4. A Rapid, Aggressive Response to Our Financial Crisis, Using All the Tools We Have

1. IMMEDIATE ACTION TO CREATE GOOD JOBS IN AMERICA
The economy has lost 760,000 jobs this year -- and some forecasters expect the unemployment rate to exceed 8 percent by the end of next year. Addressing the financial crisis will help prevent the most severe loss of jobs from the crisis. But taking direct steps to create jobs will also strengthen the economy and help with the financial crisis. Barack Obama and Joe Biden's overall economic agenda is pro-jobs, including their plans to eliminate America's dependence on foreign oil and bring down healthcare costs. But Obama and Biden believe we must take additional aggressive steps to jump-start job creation right now:
??? A New American Jobs Tax Credit: Obama and Biden will provide a new temporary tax credit to companies that add jobs here in the United States. During 2009 and 2010, existing businesses will receive a $3,000 refundable tax credit for each additional full-time employee hired. For example, if a company that currently has 10 U.S. employees increases its domestic full time employment to 20 employees, this company would get a $30,000 tax credit -- enough to offset the entire added payroll tax costs to the company for the first $50,000 of income for the new employees. The tax credit will benefit all companies creating net new jobs, even those struggling to make a profit.
??? Raise the small business investment expensing limit to $250,000 through the end of 2009: Obama and Biden will give small businesses an additional incentive to make investments and start creating jobs again by providing temporary business tax incentives through 2009. The February 2008 stimulus bill increased maximum Section 179 expenses to $250,000 but this expires in December 2008. This provision will encourage all firms to pursue investment in the coming months, but will particularly benefit small firms which generally have smaller amounts of annual property purchases and so choose to expense the cost of their acquired property.
??? Zero capital gains rate for investment in small businesses: Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that we need to encourage investment in small businesses to help create

The Country in Turmoil and deepshit,Obama needs someone in the Country with experience and top mind s to be gather NOT Rookies,Obama "GET IT'S" see his masterplan and his swift Actions for the past Weeks,he can go to Bahamas or Hawaii for Vacation just Like Past Presidents But instead he work out and draft ed America future with brilliant thoughts .

I would like to share my experience with you and ask for your help. At a social function at the home of Congressman and Ms Dingell, I had my picture taken with Chistine T. Whitman and Gov. Jennifer Graholman. These two great woman I would like to send this picture to be signed by the two of them. Now at 74 years old I want to pass this part of my history to my grand-children. Good luck to both women. Janie M.

Sandy Berger didn't mention the obvious. When the facts are ready to show how naive, in over-your-head, and dangerously incompetent, you are and have been, be ready to go to the National Archives with extra large trousers. Make sure they're big enough to be able to stuff the most damning documents in the pants and yet to still be able to walk safely out the door. Thanks Sandy.

Attorney General: ERIC HOLDER

Governor Whitman's comments are right on target. Bush has never respected nor understood the impact of his special interest friends on the environment. President elect Obama and his environmental team should interface with his economic team to propel economic growth with alternative energy sources. Petroleum should become a specialty lubricant; not the fuel to proper our vehicles or heat our homes and workplaces. Now that the fear of knowledge has been cast aside for the promise of scientific breakthroughs, we have the triggers of global economic prosperity and health within our reach. Recognition of gifted young scientists should become a hallmark of our education system. Just as the Industrial Revolution and the Technological Revolution moved our world forward, so could an Environmental/Energy/Education Revolution move us out of the current economic doldrums. The planet is clearly in need of healing and its inhabitants are in need of cures for cancer, alzheimers and other diseases. As Ghandi said, "Become the change you want to see." Here's to our new leadership, may they solve multiple issues with the intelligent harnessing of talent, technology and applied knowledge.

I think in a like these we need very good and experiences people who know excactly what
they are doing to help the president... get this country get out of this mess that those thiefs
put this country in, i"m going to do everything i can do to help the elected president.and I
hope every americans will join in with me in doing what ever they can to help.

I am at a loss...why would anyone listen to advice from this group of failed Republicans (to my knowledge, only two of them worked in Democratic Administrations)..the rest from Whitman who went along with the GOP rape of the environment to Ed Meese who helped dismantle the Constitution, these people can only offer insight on what not to do...do not listen to their advice. Does anyone remember Iran-Contra?

wgtodd, The votes of many of us white conservatives for Obama was a backlash against the state of mind you display in your postings. As the Iraq war is the biggest recruitment poster for the Wahhabi nuts, your point of view is what scares many who lean conservative away from the republican party.

wow !!

it's great that Obama won. i think he will pick a Cabinet THAT reflects him & what he plans to accomplish as president...

i cant understand how Prop 8 banned gay marriage in CA. but Prop 2 saved the caged birds ? come-on ppl? did they not understand the Prop? the irony here is that the gay population supported electing History & A.A. 's & other groups in CA. voted to suppress rights for another group...... i just dont get it ! one sided mind i guess....... i feel sorry for the gay ppl ( all they wanted to do was get married).....

wgtodd, unfortunately, it's YOUR KIND that I often run into when looking for a job.