Back from hibernation...and a thought on the stimulus

So, I'm back to blogging after a hiatus...been a long time, sorry I was gone, yadda, yadda yadda.

On the stimulus, I really have one thought...does anyone actually think senators have thoroughly studied this bill? I don't have a problem with spending the money on the face of it, but it makes me very nervous to pass a huge spending/stimulus bill with so little time to actually go over it, to make sure the bill will actually do what it's intended to do, in the most efficient way possible.

It's kind of like buying a used car...when someone tells me I have to act now, and there's no time to analyze it or think it over, I tend to reach for my wallet.

One of the basic tenets of being a blue-dog Democrat is fiscal responsibility. This doesn't mean not spending money...it means spending it wisely. I hope this bill does that, but I remain unconvinced.

Fight on the Right - George Will lashes out against McCain

This is why some thoughtful conservatives have grave doubts about his ability to be president.

That's the reaction of conservative columnist George Will to John McCain's recent call for SEC Chairman Christopher Cox to be fired. Will spoke yesterday to a business group in Michigan, and McCain was definitely a topic. Will, a friend of Cox, clearly wasn't in a friendly mood when it came to McCain. Here is more from the article:

In his speech, Will said McCain worries conservatives because he is someone who "can so polarize every argument into a kind of moral melodrama. You can't have honest difference of opinion with John McCain. This is very difficult because to disagree with he who is honor personified is inherently dishonorable."

SEC Chairman responds to McCain

Christopher Cox, SEC Chairman, responded to McCain's call earlier today for him to be fired:

"While I have great respect for Sen. McCain, we have sometimes disagreed, and
this is one such occasion. The SEC has made plain that we have zero tolerance
for naked short selling. In this market crisis, the men and women of the SEC
have responded valiantly as they always do -- with the utmost dedication and
professionalism. Addressing the extraordinary challenges facing our markets, the
independent and bipartisan SEC has taken the following decisive actions."

My take:
It seems to me that Cox is treating McCain like a senile old uncle...with the appearance of deference and respect, but with a knowing wink.

From Politico - McCain wants SEC Commissioner fired

Wow...talk about sticking your neck out. McCain said today that SEC Commissioner Christopher Cox, a Republican who spent 17 years as a Congressman from California, should be fired:

"The Chairman of the SEC serves at the appointment of the President and has betrayed the public's trust," McCain said, reading deliberately from set remarks at a rally in Cedar Rapids. "If I were President today, I would fire him."

McCain...will put an end to greed?

In a sweeping statement, Senator McCain said yesterday at a townhall meeting:

"We're going to reform how Wall Street does business and put an end to the greed that has driven our markets into chaos."

My take:
Whoa. Put an end to greed? While he's at it, why doesn't he end pride, envy and covetousness? I know he probably didn't mean what he said...but still...not the best use of the language I've ever seen.