Quote - Big Deficit

I am not worried about the deficit. It's big enough to take care of itself. - Ronald Reagan

category: US domestic | posted by: Norbert | comments: 2

Thanksgiving Message

Here are 6 reasons the Americans should be thankful during these tough economic times according to USA Today.
1. Optimism still reigns - The Americans remain one of the most optimistic nation. The latest presidential election where a man was judged not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character, proves that point beyond anybody's doubt.
2. It's not a depression - People are not loosing bank deposited money like they used to during the Great Depression. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is guaranteeing money saved by individuals in banks. The unemployment rate was even greater in 1982. And as long as Americans are willing to spend over 100 million dollars to see the latest James Bond movie - it's really not a depression yet.
3. Housing is more affordable - If you were planning to purchase a house over a year ago, and you were troubled how to come up with $500K for it, worry no more. You only need $350K for it today!
4. Gas prices are way down - With the average national gas price for a gallon of regular unleaded under $2, this really is a reason to be thankful for.
5. We're living longer - According to the latest data life expectancy in the USA has risen from 70.8 years to 78.5 years over the last 40 years.
6. Families ties get stronger - with the advances and affordability of latest technology, we have every more ways to stay in touch with the loved ones.

source: USA Today

category: US domestic | posted by: Norbert | comments: 1

Justifiable Fear of Tempting Fate

Much has been and will be said about the 8 years of presidency of George W. Bush. I think most of the people agree that he has not been the greatest president this country has had in its history. A lot has happened during his term in the office, I am pretty sure much more than he hoped for. History has it's own special way of judging the leaders and Mr. Bush will not be spared.
One thing that's worth mentioning that's actually positive and should be contributed to this president's leadership is the fact that there hasn't been a terrorist attack on american soil since September 11, 2001. However high the price was paid for it, the fact and the matter is that we have been safe here at home, despite 2 major international conflicts that the United States is heavily involved with and numerous terrorist attacks in other countries, some being very close allies.
If this is the greatest achievement of this administration, why not take full credit for it and put it up on boards for critics and oponents to see? The explanation is in the title of this post and I wish I could take credit for phrasing it that way. It was Robert Kagan, a Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the author of The Return of History and the End of Dreams, who used it in his article in the September/October 2008 issue of Foreign Affairs.

category: US domestic | posted by: Norbert | comments: 0

Yes We Can

The people of the United States have once again showed the world why this country is the leader in the free world. This time it wasn't about a military success or economic leadership. This time it was about electing a black senator from Chicago to be the next president of this great nation. African Americans are a minority in the United States, and not so long ago they were considered second class citizens with all the hardship that followed. This is an unprecedented event. Senator Obama represents to many, especially to his supporters, a change. And although "change" has a very wide meaning, different perhaps to every individual voter, this year's election has changed the perspective on the perception of America around the world but also here at home. Or maybe a better way to put it is that the perception has alwasy been there, but in the recent years it has been challanged, doubted and undermined. I think Senator Obama has described it perfectly in his speech in Chicago right after it was clear that he was the winner. Let me quote:

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama!

category: US domestic | posted by: Norbert | comments: 0

Election Day

The day has finally arrived. After hundreds of millions of dollars spent by both parties and a good number of candidates, we get our chance to pick our candidate and what he represents. Every vote counts, so please go ahead and cast yours. While doing it, think of it as a privilege, something many many people in today's world have never experienced and perhaps they never will for the rest of their lives. Don't take it for granted. Things have not always been that way, even in this great country.

category: US domestic | posted by: Norbert | comments: 0