What the President Has Signed Into Law – February 2008
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Our Rights, Politics
The purpose for this post is to inform you of the new laws and acts enacted by President Bush. It’s good to know what’s going on because some of them may benefit us as a people. It’s important for us to watch every step our government takes. We elect them, so we need to make sure they are doing their job. The laws I list are posted at whitehouse.gov. For a more unbiased version, I’d recommend doing additional research at govtrack.us. As always feel free to leave any additional comments.
On Tuesday, February 5, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 3432, the “Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act,” which establishes a commission to plan activities appropriate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
On Wednesday, February 6, 2008, the President signed into law:
S. 2110, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Taft, California, as the Larry S. Pierce Post Office.
On Monday, February 11, 2008, the President signed:
President Bush Signs 2008 Economic Report
On Wednesday, February 13, 2008, the President signed:
H.R. 5140, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008
Here’s the Fact Sheet
On Thursday, February 14, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 4253, the “Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2008,” which requires an interagency task force to coordinate efforts to improve opportunities for small businesses owned by veterans; permanently reauthorizes the SBA Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs; and expands small business development and loan programs for veterans and reservists.
On Thursday, February 28, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 1216, the “Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 or the K.T. Safety Act of 2007,” which requires the Department of Transportation to issue regulations related to power window safety, rearward visibility, and rollaway prevention intended to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside and near motor vehicles;
H.R. 5270, the “Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2008,” which extends authorities: to collect taxes that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund through June 30, 2008; to make expenditures from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund through June 30, 2008; to make grants to airports under the Airport Improvement Program through June 30, 2008; and to provide Essential Air Service subsidies to three small communities through September 30, 2008.
On Friday, February 29, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 5264, the “Andean Trade Preference Extension Act of 2008,” which extends the Andean Trade Preference Act through 12/31/08.
H.R. 5478, which provides for the continued minting and issuance of certain $1 coins in 2008.
Do Political Parties Do More Harm Than Good?
March 4, 2008 was one of the most exciting days in the history of our political process. As two of the states with the most voting delegates went to the Democratic primary polls, the entire nation sat by to watch Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama vie for the Democratic nomination. In an amazing change in momentum, Sen. Hillary Clinton was able to pull out both Texas and Ohio after losing 11 straight primaries. By day’s end, she would capture the strongest foothold she’d had during the entire race. No matter if you’re a Clinton supporter, a Barack fan, or a Republican with no skin in the game the entire show has b een thrilling one to watch. It’s been great to see each politician nudge each other back and forth over the process, and it’s great that we have this process going on so more people will continue to be involved in the different civic events that effect us all both at a micro and a macro-level. Yet, partisanship continues to fail us it was originally meant to serve.
Consider the GOP. There are MANY people out there, albeit the minority, who are stating they’d rather write-in a candidate than vote for John McCain because he’s not “conservative” enough. McCain has now been spending his energy gaining the approval of conservative archetypes like GW and preaching a message of more mainline conservative speak. His detractors portray him as an AARP-aged, ex-POW that will appear as the Republican party candidate by virtue of surviving the 25-man caged match that comprised the Republican nomination. Conversely, there’s the Democratic Race featuring the unqualified upstart with questionable affiliations who is exploiting his cultural background to try to win the popular vote in Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton is the ex-First Lady of Arkansas/ex-First Lady of the US turned Senator who’s husband has been deemed the “First Black President” for many of the wrong reasons.
In my humble opinion, all of the candidates are more than capable of serving as Commander-In-Chief and getting some major issues we face today turned around and likely with similar modes of execution. No matter what anyone SAYS to get elected it may be a different story once in office (ie George Bush and “No new taxes!”). In addition, we’ve seen too many times how confusing, divisive, and elitist political party affiliations can be. Truthfully, they can operate to serve some good, but the evidence shows that the bad far outweighs the good. My hope is that every American who makes the trip back to the polls in November goes with a sense of voting for the candidate that we each individually believe will best address the issues we face today; the economy/housing market, gas prices, the war, health care, etc. When we learn to vote for the good of our national community we will learn that it will ultimately benefit us all as individuals. I’ll end with this quote from George Washington during his farewell address as President:
On party politics:
They serve to Organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force–to put in the place of the delegated will of the Nation, the will of a party; often a small but artful and enterprizing minority of the Community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public Administration the Mirror of the ill concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the Organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common councils and modefied by mutual interests. However combinations or Associations of the above description may now & then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the Power of the People, & to usurp for themselves the reins of Government; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
The Race Continues
It looks like Hillary has won Texas, but Barack is ahead with delegates with 39% of the polls reporting. No matter the outcome both have the intentions of running until the end, a strategy that might benefit the Republican party. I posted my experience at the caucus and I feel there’s a lot of work to be done in Texas with regards to its primacaucs voting.
It’s funny to see how quick the media is to change sides and give the advantage to the other candidate when one is on a run. But the people in some way have been heard. The Repubs need to be ready because once a nominee is chosen, they’re definitely in for a fight.
A lot of people want Barack to fight back and it seems like he might be doing that in his own way. I think he has to do something and soon. I’ve heard him make the comment that if the race is about having experience, McCain has the upper-hand. And he might have a point, but I’d really like to see him go on the attack and make her squirm a little. Knowing Hillary’s tax filings aren’t a big deal to me, so I’m not sure where he’s going with it. But as we all know it’s not over until it’s over. This is only the beginning for whoever goes up against McCain and it’s not going to get any easier.
Texas Snow in the Backyard
Texas Snow
It only lasted until the nighttime, then it was gone.
Mobile post sent by tjohnson3 using Utterz.
My Texas Caucus Experience
Well, it’s done and over. I’m sure the ads will die down and the candidates will move on to conquer their next state. It was an experience that I feel will push me to get more involved. There were all types of people there. People brought their kids and families. Despite not having a clue what we were to do, most were cool, discussing politics or making a new friend.
I was really bothered by the confusion and lack of information on how to caucus. It’s a simple process, but I had to visit a number of sites to get a clear understanding. Even then, it still wasn’t clear, but I knew I’d learn a lot at the caucus site. I talked with other friends of mine and it was much of the same thing. Long lines and confusion. But I have hopes that Texas will work out the kinks for next time.
To see people getting out to vote was a sight to behold. The parking lot was full and people were chanting for their candidate. This is what democracy is all about. We have it available, yet seem to take it for granted. Despite who wins, my hope is that people will still continue to be involved. Change is needed and we have the opportunity to make it happen.
Done with the Texas Caucus
Texas Caucus In Progress
Texas isn’t ready for this. Voting is still going on.
Mobile post sent by tjohnson3 using Utterz.
Limbaugh Urges Listeners to Vote for Clinton
This just goes to show how important it is for us to get out and vote (especially if you’re a Obama fan). Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh is urging his listeners to vote for Hillary Clinton in the Texas primaries. He’s hoping that Clinton and Obama will wear each other down before the final decision is made on who the Democratic nominee will be.
Both candidates have made it known that they are going to run to the end, so even if the numbers are low for either person I don’t see how Limbaugh’s plan will make a difference. He’s just starved for attention and says things like this to keep the numbers on his show up. It just gives him a chance to talk about something since the Repubs have informally made their decision.
I’m exited to see all the news coverage Texas is getting. This is history in the making, so go make your vote count. Ignore the news and the political pundits. Vote for the one you feel will take this country in the right direction.
A Texas Caucusing I Will Go!
Isn’t it funny that Texas is becoming an important factor in choosing the Democratic nominee? I’ve heard that both candidates have spent over $11 million on running ads to potential voters. Texas is splitting up the delegates between the results from the primary and the caucus on March 4th. Since I early voted, I’ll able to participate in the Texas Caucus at 7:15pm tomorrow.
I plan on keeping you all up to date via twitter and utterz. In reading about the caucus and what it entails, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be much. If you listened to my last podcast you know, I’m supporting Obama. This second attempt will hopefully get him the delegates he needs to win. I want to hear from you! Are you caucusing? How do you feel about the attention we’re getting from the candidates to win our vote?
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