from Robert Reich's blog, posted with permission.

t now, Obamacare is at war with itself. Political efforts to buy off Big Pharma, private insurers, and the AMA are all pushing up long-term costs -- one reason why Douglas Elmendorf, head of the Congressional Budget Office, told Congress late last week that "the cost curve is being raised." But this is setting off alarms among Blue Dog Democrats worried about future deficits -- and their votes are critical.

Originally posted  2009-03-27 03:24:40 -0500. Bumped by carol.

There is a nifty little website called USAspending.gov that is sponsored by the Government Accountability Office.  It has a great search feature to let you sift through government contracts and grants to see who is getting the money and what they are getting it for.  If you have a couple of hours to waste, it is a perversely fun place to dig around.

For instance, one of their canned searches is for the top 100 recipients of government contracts in 2009 ... here are the top 20 ...click thru to the website for the rest of the list.

Fed Chairman Bernanke went to the Senate Budget Committee yesterday to testify. The Senators asked him at least four times, and in different ways, where he is burying the loot that is being shovelled his way. And, at least four times, he refused to answer.

The Money Party (7):

Bailout Blackmail

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Before I write anything on why Sarah Palin is truly a very sick person I want you to look at these stats for violent crime and forcible rape on a state by state basis:

While - thankfully for us Nutmeggers - Connecticut is way down near the bottom of this list, it is obvious that rape in Alaska is a very serious issue that is and has been begging to be dealt with properly. Unfortunately for Alaskans, Sarah Palin has made it a budgetary priority to ignore these issues.

John McCain, appearing on CNN's "American Morning" stated that despite what the numbers say, his Economic Plan that includes continuing Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, would balance the budget.

CNN's John Roberts posed the question, "Senator, you can't get over the fact, though, that extending the Bush tax cuts, as you want to do, and adding in your tax cuts do take the deficit number from -- we actually go from a $70 billion surplus to a $445 billion deficit. So, it's those tax cuts."

OhioNews Bureau

ONB COLUMBUS: The label “battleground state” generally refers to a state whose Electoral College votes can make or break a race for the White House. Ohio, the nation’s 7th largest state with 20 such votes, has been so designated in previous election cycles and is predicted to again defend that title this year.

This year the moniker "battleground state" may more aptly describe the breakout of intra-state battles taking shape over the budget, voting systems and energy. These battles are creating fissures between Republicans, who still rule the roost at the legislature and office of auditor, and Democrats, who for the first time in 16 years control the executive branch and offices of attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state.