Why is no one reporting about the obscene interest rate hike Citibank is perpetrating on even its best customers?  Interest rates are being raised from 6% to 29.99% on millions of customers, many with very good credit scores.  We bailed this bank out. Where is the outrage?  Why aren't our representatives on this?  I suggest that Congress and the Executive branch immediately require that the FDIC will not insure the funds of banks who engage in predatory practices.  Anyone have any ideas/solutions for all of these people who are being gouged? Maybe we need a tea party for this one!

If Congressman McCarthy were truly responding to the needs of constituents in his district, he would immediately ask that some of the funds earmarked for mortgage modifications be used to reduce PMI for homeowners who will never (or possibly never) reach the 20% equity required to drop this insurance.  Alleviating this would allow these homeowners to remain in their homes, avoid bankruptcy, and possibly spend a little more in our local economy, providing stimulus. Most people don't need a modification for the entire loan, just this small reduction to provide some breathing room.  Congressman McCarthy seems much more interested in building his leadership credentials than being responsive to the needs of his constituents.  Possibly, when your name is the only one on the ballot, you don't need to be a responsive representative of the people.  Maybe a write in campaign in 2010 is on the horizon!  A serious challenge might make our congressman more responsive.

While on a "bookstore date" with my husband I encountered a young man, maybe 17 or 18, looking for a book called On Killing.  I engaged him in casual conversation....is this a murder mystery, CSI ficition, or what?  No, a book on the psychology of killing.  He was very polite, and said he was buying the book for a friend.  Should local bookstores sell this type of non-fiction to young people?  I know that it's all over the internet, it just was a little creepy.   A whole, fairly good sized book on killing?  Isn't it "kill or be killed" and try to come home alive? 

The achievement gap discussion focused on race is a red herring.  It solidifies stereotypes for racist individuals, disheartens students, and doesn't give educators any real information.  The correct way to look at test scores is by examining poverty and parent education levels.  We have known since the 60s and Head Start that poverty sets kids behind from the beginning.  So why did the Bush Administration cut the program, which was working?  It should be significantly expanded to bring all kindergarteners up to an accepted level of  proficiency.  I have seen really bright Hispanic kids come through my classroom and white kids who were not so capable. The issue is not one of race, but environment and socioeconomic status.

The story in the Californian about the family with the little boy with cancer should be a wake up call to all who are "satisified" with their healthcare.  My husband and I have great coverage, at least until we had to use it.  In 1987, my husband had a heart attack at 27.  According to our carrier, he was "too young" so they refused to pay.  I took a night job to pay the bills.  In 2008, my husband collapsed on a plane from Alaska to Seattle.  Thank goodness providers in Seattle were patient.  It took 18 months and countless faxes and phone calls to settle everything.  Whenever I read about family's like the one in Sunday's paper, I can't help but think that all of those who are opposed to healthcare reform are people who think they have good care, but have never had to use it. Oh, and our great care?  Next year we will either have to help pay the cost, take fewer benefits, or have a larger co-pay.  If you haven't had that conversation with your employer yet, then it's on the horizon.

Much has been made about the issue of the consitutionality of healthcare. The enumerated powers of Congress include a "commerce clause" and most scholars find the authority for the federal government there.   Some who are opposed feel that the clause does not support the "mandate" for healthcare that is in some proposal.  They see this as an unconstitutional invasion of privacy.  Interesting that these are the same folks who used federal power to intervene against Terri Schiavo's family and also want to deny a woman's right to reproductive privacy...

In his First Inaugural Lincoln spoke about the "better angels" of our nature.  The current state of political discourse seems to have taken the opposite road.  The worst angels of our nature are revealed when TV talking heads like Beck and Olbermann spend more time talking about themselves (and each other) and not about issues that face Americans.  My biggest concern is that Americans fall for this stuff.  It amazes me that in an age when we have incredible access to information, fact checking, etc. people will allow their views and opinions to be shaped by one entity, usually MSNBC or FOX.  Both of these networks are proven to be biased, with CNN showing up as the most balanced. (Project for Excellence in Journalism).  When will the madness stop?  I'm worried that it will spiral out of control.