Fed employees under the bus?

"President Obama urged Congress Monday to limit cost-of-living pay raises to 2% for 1.3 million federal employees in 2010, extending an income squeeze that has hit private workers and threatens Social Security recipients and even 401(k) investors."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-08-31-cola_N.htm

And, they're talking about taxing their health insurance benefits.

Remind me - - why did the public employees unions back Obama?

Afghanistan: The deadliest month ends

"Two bombings in Afghanistan's most violent region killed two U.S. service members Monday, the last day of the deadliest month of the war for U.S. forces. The attacks brought the number of American troops killed in Afghanistan in August to 47, the highest monthly death toll for the U.S. since the conflict began in 2001."

http://broadband.zoomtown.com/news/read.php?id=17413320&ps=923&srce=news_class&action=4&lang=en&_LT=UNLC_NKNWU00L4_UNEWS

Aren't you glad the "anti war" candidates won the last two national elections?

Tom Ridge, wimp

"Former Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge, speaking for the first time about accusations made in his new book, says he did not mean to suggest that other top Bush administration officials were playing politics with the nation's security before the 2004 presidential election."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-08-30-tom-ridge_N.htm

Ridge said one thing to promote his book, and then said the opposite when he had to deal with the resulting critics.

With so little strength of character, imagine how bad he was at actually fighting terrorism.

Down, down, down

"Rasmussen, whose poll measures likely voters and is an especially good indicator of public attitudes, now has Obama’s job approval dropping to 46%. Zogby, the other good poll, has him at 45%. These surveys suggest that healthcare reform and the continuing bad economy are driving Obama down at a record clip."

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/56859-obama-down-to-46-in-rasmussen-poll-

No more dynasties?

"Vicki Reggie Kennedy has told family friends she does not want to succeed her late husband in the Senate, but that didn't stop two of Sen. Edward Kennedy's close associates from talking up the prospect Sunday."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-08-30-kennedy-next-senate-seat_N.htm

Where are all those in the media and politics who shouted "no more dynasties" to Bush and Hillary Clinton? Actually, none of them have said that since they tried to buy a senate seat for Caroline.

Hundreds rally in N.J. against Gadhafi visit, but . . .

"More than 200 people gathered Sunday to tell Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi he's not welcome in their suburban New Jersey community, including several who lost relatives in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine was among those at the event in Englewood, where the Libyan government has been renovating a 5-acre estate ahead of Gadhafi's first U.S. visit, scheduled for next month. Gadhafi had been expected to pitch a tent on the grounds, but his representatives said Friday that he would stay in Manhattan where he's addressing the United Nations General Assembly, after rumors of his visit to New Jersey sparked an uproar."

http://rss.usatoday.mlogic3g.com/detail.jsp?key=690285&rc=news

The only elected "leader" in the New Jersey / New York metropolitan area to attend the rally was an incumbent governor, running for reelection, who's behind in the polls. Where were all the other New York area governors and mayors and legislators?

Is college worth it?

Expect to see more stories like this:

"In a recession, is college worth it? Fear of debt changes plans . . . Darla . . acknowledges she didn't give much thought to the cost of college when she enrolled at State University of New York in Purchase. "My plans were to get out of Texas, and college became incidental" . . . Because she didn't qualify for financial aid, she took out student loans, graduating in 2005 with a double major in journalism and anthropology and more than $80,000 in debt. Her loan payments were manageable until this year, when she lost her job . . . . she's behind on her loan payments. . . . "To this day, I have yet to see the complete value of my education," Horn says."

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/college/2009-08-30-college-costs-recession_N.htm

Short answer: If you go to a mediocre college, pay private or out of state tuition rates, and take fun and easy but useless majors (anthropology?), the answer is "No".

But, if you go to a good state college, pay in state rates, and take a real major that leads to job certification, licensure or grad school? Yes.

It's like everything else. Spend your money wisely.