Bailout Poll

Recently Congress has agreed to try to give Chrysler, Ford, and GM $15 billion dollars out of the $34 billion they were asking for (the number is as of yet not finalized). The decision was made only after Nancy Pelosi agreed to President Bush's demand that any money given was to be given out of a fund to develop more fuel efficient cars and not the economic bailout fund. The bill on the distribution of the money that will be reviewed sometime next week is said to include the provision for a board of trustees that will ensure that the auto companies are reformed with the money. Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts also made it clear that the money will be loan and not a gift. The suffering companies have already cut thousands of jobs due to low car sales throughout the country, GM has made 11,000 layoffs this year.  Congress was also asked to think of the trickle down effect, meaning the effect that the bankruptcy of the three companies would have on smaller businesses that rely on them for their supply or their business. But even though this money may be able to help the three car companies, it does not eliminate the possibility for failure. 

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the national security team

The appointments are thus:

Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain as Secretary of Defense.
Eric Holder as Attorney General.
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Susan Rice as Ambassador to the United Nations.
General Jim Jones, USMC (Ret) as National Security Adviser.

Janet Napolitano, governor of Arizona, has recently gathered such prestigious awards as one of the Top five governors in America (Time Magazine) and one of America's top women leaders (Newsweek). In recognition of these national accomplishments in addition to the many advances she's made as the Arizona governor (not to mention making a historically conservative state take a more liberal stance), Barack Obama has chosen her to assume the role of Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. With her innovative problem solving skills, Napolitano will no doubt do a great job in her new position, but there are definitely many Arizonans who fear the progress she has made as governor might head in a different direction.

Hillary Clinton (the biggest celebrity pick on the team) was presented with the dilemma of either resuming her role as one of the nation's most recognized and successful senators or becoming the Secretary of State and taking on the public face around the world of the Obama administration. The choice ultimately came down to the position that Clinton thought she would have the greatest influence over public policy. Although Clinton was quickly rising in the Senate (and gaining more and more acclaim) the opportunity to be the Secretary of State was evidently too great to pass up. Some will still no doubt argue over her decision of the Executive branch over the Legislative branch and the future implications of her decision.

Bingo Words:
• Hope
• Togetherness(unity)
• Community
• Safety and security
• Global Leadership

Order of Sections:
• Economy
o Community in crisis but solution is at hand
o Cut taxes for poor and 95% of Americans
o Universal mortgage credit- protect peoples homes
o Add jobs-(auto manufacturers)
o Green sector jobs- innovative new job creation
• Trade- want to trade ideas
o Export American brilliance-marketplace of ideas
o Free trade must be fair- free and fair
o Amend NAFTA

Immigration also needs reform

• Immigration
o Work with Mexico to promote economic development in order to decrease/eliminate push factors for immigration
o Fix bureaucracy-up the number of legal immigrants
• He believes that immigrants are people
• Immigration is not a virus
o Increasing border patrol including technology- SAFETY
Border safety transition into Foreign Policy

• Foreign Policy
o War in Iraq –time table, decrease troops
o Leads to Afghanistan
o Leads to diplomatic relations
• Wants to strengthen NATO to guard new threats
• Open discussions
• Reassertion of global leadership
Transition into Energy-need to lead the world in leadership in energy

• Global Leadership
o Education
o Health Care
o Energy Development
• Education
o Goal: lead the world in creativity, achievement, and success
o 21st century education- students able to lead the world
• Early Childhood
• K-12
 NCLB reform
o Higher Education
• College tuition credits

• Health Care
o All kids are insured
o Everyone can be covered even with pre existing condition
o Can keep old healthcare if you like it
o Save Americans money
o All Americans healthy if planet is healthy
• Energy
o Climate Change
• Petroleum Oil
• Pollution
• Inefficiency
• Solutions