Life in Africa USA was formed in 2008 for the purpose of raising funds in the United States to support the efforts of the Life in Africa Foundation based in Uganda. One of Life in Africa's programs in Uganda helps provide school fees for orphans, who otherwise would not be able to attend school, as education is not provided free of charge as it is here in the U.S.

For more information, go to LifeInAfrica.com.

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?

OK, here's the deal

"Leading economists indicate that an economic investment bill would create more economic growth than the bill itself costs. For every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure, the U.S. creates 35,000 jobs and up to $6 billion in gross domestic product. Every $1 spent on food stamp benefits generates $1.73 in economic activity. Every $1 spent on unemployment benefits generates $1.64 in new economic demand. Every $1 in general aid to state government generates $1.36 in economic activity."

That's according to: Dr. J. Steven Landefeld, Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the U. S. Department of Commerce; Dr. Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics and International Business at New York University; Dr. Simon Johnson, Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT; and Dr. Richard Vedder, Distinguished Professor of Economics at Ohio University and Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. http://www.house.gov/list/press/ny22_hinchey/morenews/102908HincheyJECHearing.html

Obama is trying to get an economic stimulus package passed, and all the Republicans are running around saying the same thing they have been saying for eight years: tax cuts tax cuts tax cuts! Ummmm, I think we tried that and it DIDN'T WORK!

You have to spend money to make money. Obama won the election, in a crystal clear referendum on Republican economic policies. Give him a chance to do what we elected him to do.

Oh, the Joy

He's closing Guantanamo, rejecting torture and restricting lobbying, making his administration transparent, and limiting his staff's salaries. And that's just the first two days! What's not to like? I am really having trouble expressing the joy I am feeling that things are turning around. Finally the rule of law will be restored. Finally I can feel pride instead of embarrassment when the President speaks. It feels like a tall cool drink after eight years wandering in the wilderness.

Please share your thoughts! And here's to looking forward to the future of our beloved country once again!