A Dream Fulfilled - A New Dream Begins...

My wife Jen and I are finally moving to San Francisco – completing a goal that we have had for over 3 years. It has not been easy – but we are extremely happy to be moving to the City. We fell in love with San Francisco on our first visit back in 2003. When we first visited, we noticed that he people were extremely open, friendly and helpful – especially considering the size of the city. San Francisco was a beautiful city and very multicultural. Jen and I were impressed and found that it had everything we were looking for in a place to live – employment opportunities, and open-minded, accepting and progressive spirit, an interesting history, good public transportation, diversity, and a unique charm and character. It has been our dream since our first visit to live there and I am very happy to write that our dream will be coming true this week. Thank you to all the people who made this possible!
Jen and I really feel that we can truly begin to work to our fullest potential in San Francisco. While things have been better for us in Livermore, California than they were back in Ohio, we still felt stifled for many reasons. Now we feel a great sense of relief, and are full of hope and optimism for the future.

Americans Win

     It appears that the Democrats have won the majority in both the House of Representatives as well as the Senate.  I am very happy about this as a Democrat.  But I am even more relieved as an American.  At last we will have some oversight in our government.  I hope that the new Democratic majority will actually listen to minority views – this was something that was not accorded to the Democrats when they were the minority party.  Let us hope that we are entering a new era of bipartisan cooperation.  Even when President Clinton was facing impeachment, he managed to work with the Republicans in congress to push through a balanced and responsible budget.  Bush had a rubber stamp congress that pushed through an ultra-conservative agenda while at the same time passing plenty of pork barrel spending on an unprecedented scale.  Let us hope that a new spirit of cooperation will put the nation’s numerous problems ahead of extreme political interests.  We need to work on a plan to remove our troops from the fiasco in Iraq, provide healthcare to millions of uninsured and underinsured, fund quality education, and work on a consensus regarding illegal immigration.  Now let us hope that the Democrats will lead America to a brighter, more inclusive future!

Oversight - Coming Soon?

I am hoping and praying that the Democrats gain control of both houses of Congress after the elections on November 7th. After all, the Republicans have had complete control over most of the government for quite some time – and look what it has brought us – a needless preemptive war in Iraq where thousands are being killed, the loss of respect by most of the world, pollution-friendly policies, higher energy prices, torture of detainees in our care, secret prisons, outing of CIA agents, secret energy policy meetings with energy companies, promotion of intolerant polices, no-bid contracts where billions have been squandered and or lost, secret wire tapping of American citizens, cover-ups of pedophile congressmen, large runaway government deficits, and an assault on rational thinking. We are told that we should trust our political leaders and that whatever thy are doing it is for our own good. Can we trust them? Perhaps, but even Ronald Reagan is often cited for his famous phrase “Trust but verify.” So who is watching out for us, making sure that the President isn’t abusing his power? Congress? Who is watching Congress? The President? Its like two used car salesmen who are trying to sell us a lemon by each pointing out the virtues of the other salesman. “Just trust him. He’s a decent guy…” Right. We have all heard that one before.
This brings me to my current thoughts. What am I hoping will be accomplished with a Democratic majority in congress? I believe it is oversight. This GOP dominated congress has rubber stamped just about anything President Bush wanted. Where are the investigations into the botched up situation on Iraq? Where are the investigations to see if our civil rights are being violated? Where are the investigations into the missing $9 Billion in Iraq? So, I hope and pray that there will be some checks and balances though congressional oversight after the elections. So lets hope the Democrats win both the House and the Senate.