American Morning
What's Congress up to?
In the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, you'd think it wouldn't be business as usual in the House of Representatives. But you'd be wrong.
The House has taken action on nearly 200 bills and regulations this year. Roughly a dozen of them have to do with the nation’s troubled economy, but many more of them are small bills, which are sometimes referred to as “vanity” bills. They are often inconsequential pieces of legislation naming buildings after friends or colleagues, or honoring a person or group, or authorizing the use of Federal property for use by an outside group.
CNN’s Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider says these actions by congressmen are useful in “building up their personal favorability rating. That’s how they stay elected... the question is, is it overwhelming other business?”
While it’s doubtful that’s the case, the business as usual presentation of small bills in these troubled times might give the wrong appearance when people are losing their jobs, living in tent cities, or losing their life savings in the stock market. “I think sometimes it seems out of touch,” says Congressional Quarterly’s Jonathan Allen.
So what are some of these bills? The Library of Congress has kept track of every single House of Representative floor action this year.
Fast Forward
The stories that will be making news later today:
At 10 am Eastern, rap star T.I. will head to an Atlanta courthouse to face sentencing for charges he attempted to buy illegal firearms in 2007. The rapper has previously worked out a plea deal that will significantly cut down his jail time.
At 9:25 am, President Obama unveils his new strategy for the war in Afghanistan. The plan calls for up to four thousand more troops on the ground and up to 1.5 billion dollars in humanitarian aid to Pakistan. That's nearly triple the amount the country receives now. The goal: Defeat Al-Qaeda and destroy the safe haven that has developed in Pakistan.
And preparations begin today for the Shuttle Discovery's return trip home. The shuttle is scheduled to make it back to Earth at 1:39 pm tomorrow. The astronauts successfully installed all six solar panel wings.
What’s on Tap – Friday March 27, 2009
Here are the big stories we’re working on for you today:
- Bracing for Disaster – There are evacuations in place for parts of Fargo, North Dakota. There’s word of a levee breach as flood predictions get even worse.
- Pacific Showdown – Navy Ships are on the move as North Korea readies to launch what it says is a satellite. The U.S. believes it’s really a missile. The president only has a few minutes to decide whether to shoot it down, once it’s up there.
- Shifting Strategy – President Obama putting al Qaeda leaders on notice : You’re no longer safe in Pakistan. The Commander in Chief will also announce plans to send 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan.
- Working Hard, or Hardly Working? – Remember the “do nothing” Congress? Well it’s passed 175 measures since January 6th. Resolution 37 authorized the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. Really?? They’re focused on soap box derbies in this economy??
- Lower Your Property Taxes – Your home value has dropped, but you’re probably still paying the same amount in property taxes. Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis will show you how to hit back.
We Listen!
Here’s your daily recap of the best feedback we got from YOU on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Email. Continue the conversation below. And remember, keep it brief, and keep it clean. Thanks!
American Morning viewers were split regarding Secretary Clinton’s statement that the U.S. was in part responsible for the Mexican drug problem. Some in agreement noted that U.S. drug demand would decrease dramatically if marijuana were legalized. Those opposed wanted to hear more “proactive” solutions to the issue.
- Dominic – Hillary is correct when she says that the U.S. is partly to blame. We can discourage the violence by removing profit from the equation which is why it makes sense to legalize marijuana. Not only would the taxes on it help us in our current fiscal crisis but it would also stem the tide of violence by taking away the incentive of selling it in the U.S.
- LJ – I am in Phoenix, AZ and do not accept the fact that it is US demand. A few years ago in Northern AZ, a gang was busted for PUSHING drugs on grade school kids. Hey, how about militarizing the border? DO ya think it might slow down the drug flow? Did Hillary Clinton explain the sophisticated drug bust in Australia two months ago when Mexican Nationals were arrested? They are all over the place, not just the United States. I am from AZ and it is very sad that we are now the kidnapping capitol of the United States. The war on drugs is worthless, and way too many lives have been taken. I do not know the answer, but it is not having a few agents on the border. in the 1990's, 340,000 Mexicans a month were coming over the border. Governor Jane Hull went to Washington to seek help, but nothing happened. Now we have 900,000 people on government Healthcare and welfare and are going bankrupt.
- Tony – Thank you Mrs. Clinton for blaming Mexico's dysfunctional, corrupt governments inability to handle their internal drug problem on the U.S.. Here's an idea...stop the butt kissing, finish the fence and secure the border in and out! Stop being reactive and start being proactive.
Tell us your thoughts. Is the drug problem one that crosses borders or is Mexico responsible for its own issues? What solutions would you offer?
Kiran: Find your passion
It's a recession. If you find yourself without a job, well you aren't alone and it doesn't mean you can't find a way to success.
Bill Gates, Jim Henson, Walt Disney, just to name a few, all took a chance and hit it big during an economic downturn.
Instead of waiting around to get a call back from one of the hundreds of resumes you've sent or posted online, why not start your own business? Is it possible if you've never done it before and haven't the slightest idea where to begin? Yes, says Peter Bregman, a business management consultant who joined me on the show this morning. He says find your passion and go from there! Watch the interview.
On Twitter this morning, I asked people to tweet about their passions. We got some great answers; cooking, working in the field of green energy. News is my passion and has been since I was a kid. But if I had to try to start up my own business on the side, I'd probably do some photography. I love taking pics of the kids, gorgeous landscapes, everyday objects seen through an artistic eye. I'm also not bad with doing people's makeup. Among my friends, I'm the go-to gal if they need to get glam for a party.
Everyone's got a knack for something beyond what they get paid to do. Our guest today says it's just a matter of taking a risk at a time when you probably have a little less to lose.
Good luck,
Kiran
An SUV is home for jobless duo
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/26/art_homeless_pair.jpg caption="Richard Barboza, left, and John Nilsen are among those struggling in the current economic recession."]
By John Zarrella
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (CNN) - Richard Barboza sits behind the steering wheel, patiently working a crossword puzzle. There's no rush. Time is one thing Barboza has plenty of.
It's just after sun-up. The streaks of light shimmer off the car windows. In the back of the Ford Explorer John Nilsen stirs. This is home. Clothes are kept in a suitcase. Food is wherever they can find it.
"It's definitely not something that you ever see yourself being, homeless," Nilsen says.
But homeless they have been for the past six weeks, ever since the money ran out and they were evicted from the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, apartment they shared. Nilsen had lost his job, and Barboza is waiting for disability checks to start arriving.
The line of homeless men and women has already started to form at the food bank when the two men walk up. The faces are always the same, with a few more added every day.
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