A First for Women

Obama has signed his first bill: the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. Hey, it's 2009, I think it's about time, don't you? If you Google it you can read all about it, but here I will just quote a few exerpts from Obama's statement about the bill:

"It is fitting that with the very first bill I sign - the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act - we are upholding one of this nation's first principles: that we are all created equal and each deserve a chance to pursue our own version of happiness.

"It is also fitting that we are joined today by the woman after whom this bill is named - someone Michelle and I have had the privilege of getting to know for ourselves. Lilly Ledbetter didn't set out to be a trailblazer or a household name. She was just a good hard worker who did her job - and did it well - for nearly two decades before discovering that for years, she was paid less than her male colleagues for the very same work. Over the course of her career, she lost more than $200,000 in salary, and even more in pension and Social Security benefits - losses she still feels today.

"But equal pay is by no means just a women's issue - it's a family issue. It's about parents who find themselves with less money for tuition or child care; couples who wind up with less to retire on; households where, when one breadwinner is paid less than she deserves, that's the difference between affording the mortgage - or not; between keeping the heat on, or paying the doctor's bills - or not. And in this economy, when so many folks are already working harder for less and struggling to get by, the last thing they can afford is losing part of each month's paycheck to simple discrimination.

"So in signing this bill today, I intend to send a clear message: That making our economy work means making sure it works for everyone...."

Again, more change we can all believe in. Your thoughts?

Not exactly rolling out the welcome mat...

Happy New Year everyone! Yeah, it's been awhile since I have posted, first it was the holidays, then I was under the weather, but today I am much better! My goal for 2009 is to post more often. Everyone expects a momentous year, what with Obama's inauguration, a new administration taking charge, and the continuing financial crisis.

So much has happened in the past couple of weeks! Bush got shoes thrown at him in Iraq, Blagojevich went ahead and appointed Obama's replacement while plans to impeach him are underway, things got tragically bad in the Middle East, and Cheney called himself "warm and lovable" (no, I am not making that up!).

But one of the smaller stories that caught my attention was the Blair House dustup. Blair House is the official presidential guest house, and according to tradition, the incoming President and his family are put up there during the days leading up to inauguration. In December, Obama requested an early move-in date because his daughters were to start school on January 5. But the request was denied, because Blair House was booked! What? Who or what event could possibly trump the President-elect? Really now, I can't think of anyone who, if asked very politely, wouldn't cheerfully rebook themselves and their entourage into a nearby hotel to accomodate the Obama family. But noooo, the prospective first family is currently residing at the Hay-Adams hotel, and then will have to move into Blair House, then again into the White House! Yeah, just a nice little last-minute snub courtesy of the Bush administration. Besides the obvious lack of common courtesy, the extra security required at the hotel is costing us taxpayers a not-insignificant amount of money. Blair House already has appropriate security.

So just WHO is the extremely important dignitary that bumped the Obama family out? None other than the former prime minister of Australia, John Howard, hated in his own country for his support of Bush's horrific adventure in Iraq. Bush is awarding him the Medal of Freedom. Right. MUCH more important that the soon-to-be leader of the free world. Um hmm.

It's just a perfect metaphor for how Bush has treated each and every American (other than the rich and powerful) since the day he took office eight years ago. With disdain and disrespect.

I can't WAIT for January 20.

The Day After

Wow! What a victory for Obama, and really for the whole world. I am listening to the Thom Hartmann show on Air America, and he is taking calls from all over the globe this morning. Everyone, from every nation, is saying the same thing: we are celebrating here. I know that my friends in Uganda, Kenya, Finland and elsewhere are celebrating also. The world still looks to America as a shining example, and the media worldwide have given unprecedented coverage to this election. In Obama's triumph, the world sees hope and freedom, and the expectation that our tarnished image can be restored to its former distinction. I am hearing African-American pundits say that growing up, their parents told them, "You can be anything you want, except President." That wall has come crashing down. It's wonderful. I am grateful that the Republican campaign was not successful in frightening Americans into voting against their best interests, and the interests of people everywhere.

Yes we did.