Some political stuff
Here are some really good things I have read today and the wheels they started turning in my noggin'.
Very interesting piece on NM Gov Bill Richardson and his take on the immigration debate, so interesting in fact that I think he warrants STRONG consideration among progressives and Democrats interested in winning the White House (note: not all progressives are that interested in the White House, many would rather back a candidate they saw more in line with their views than one who can actually win a general election in Nascar's 'Mer'ca). Now, the Domestique "endorsed" Obama some time back (sorry, too lazy to go find the link, and yes, I say endorse with my tongue firmly in my cheek, obviously what I say here carries no weight whatsoever). Also, there have been allegations of impropriety by Governor Bill Richardson with regards to how he treats/acts around his female staff (think fatter Bill Clinton, minus the BJ part, but with all the fraternizing you'd associate with WJC). But, Obama fandom aside, Bill Richardson, as the first Hispanic to run for president, seems to be taking out a very progressive, and therefore not wholly popular, position on the immigration bill currently in Congress. His point (as I read from this great article) is that the current bill as it sits in Congress is not compassionate enough because it fails to take into account the most significant aspect of the debate from the immigrants' perspective: family reunification. Apparently after he initially backed the bill, he read it thoroughly and decided he could not support it. Now, the Domestique has long posited that the current anti-immigration furor in this country--from the GOP idiots in control to Lou Dobbs on that show of his that about 15 people watch--is completely and wholly rooted in racism. That is, the anti-immigrant a-holes out there are more concerned with the color of the people's skin who are coming across the border than the low wage work they are apparently stealing from we hard working down on our luck Americans. Richardson understands this I think, and like it or not will become the immigration candidate. And why not? He's hispanic, his mother is Mexican, and he is the governor of the state with the largest Hispanic population in the country. Lastly, I will say this: he is probably more qualified to be president than any of the other candidates, except maybe Hillary Rodham Clinton. Even there, I'd say it is a toss-up. While she was in the WH for 8 years, he has a pretty remarkable resume.
Next item: the effect of gas prices on people's demand for gasoline. Interestingly, the Washington Post and ABC news did a poll on the rising gas prices, and put together this fascinating article showing that Americans are not yet phased by the high gas prices and that it may take another dollar increase or more before they start changing their habits! That is crazy! Stupid Americans, indeed. The House of Reps just passed legislation that would make price gouging illegal, and Chuck Schumer in the Senate (NY) mentioned that the Senate may consider breaking up the powerful oil companies. Due to mergers, there are now just 5 oil companies who control 55% of the market. So much for free and open markets. Let's see how the GOP reacts to that one.
And lastly, this from Bonnie Erbe at the US News & World Reports, who says that there are feminists who are questioning Michelle Obama's decision to scale back her high-paying career, and who question what role her husband's campaign team had to do with that move. Part of the criticism is that this could have a negative effect on the advancement of women in the workplace because it reinforces the idea that the wife ought to sacrifice her career for the good of her husband. Now, while I 100% agree with this critique in theory, I also agree with Ms. Erbe's take on the situation:
Personally, I can relate to the feminist angst but refuse to spend too much time worrying about Michelle Obama's decision. She is in a singular position (to wit, a marriage partnership with a presidential contender) and simply cannot be counted as one of the Ivy League-educated Opt-Out Revolutionaries so widely denounced by hard-working, highly educated career women.
I am interested in what my feminist pals Misha and Steff think about this (for the record I also like to think of myself as a feminist, but that is a whole other post), as well would the rest of my readership I would imagine, so don't hesitate to drop some knowledge in the comments section, ok ladies? Thanks!
