Archive for November 13th, 2008

Republican Governors Meet, Glumly

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

A few years back it was a larger gathering.  This year there will be only 21 Republican Governors in our country.  They were gathering in Miami to mull over what happened and how to deal with the new situation.  Only 16 of the 21 actually made the trip.  It is a gloomy group to say the least.

“The Republican Party is ill situated to serve a changing America, they said. Members make excuses for corruption. The Bush administration and congressional leaders are fiscally irresponsible and have ceded the tax issue — of all issues — to the Democrats. Large swaths of the country are off limits to GOP candidates. Republicans have lost the technology advantage, and if they were part of a corporation, “heads would roll.” It’s going to be worse in 2010.”
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Dartmouth Junior Wins County Election and Starts Town vs. Gown Dispute

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

Political campaigns cost money, lots of money.  Barack Obama and John McCain spent millions.  In one town in Grafton County, New Hampshire Vanessa Sievers, a Dartmouth College junior spent far less.  She actually spent $51 dollars.

“Ms. Sievers’s big investment in the campaign was a $51 advertisement on Facebook, which she paid for with her own money.”

“The current county treasurer, Carol Elliott, 68, called Ms. Sievers, 20, a “teenybopper” in an interview with a local newspaper, The Valley News, and said she had won only because “brainwashed college kids” had voted for the Democratic ticket.”

“Ms. Sievers beat Ms. Elliott by 586 votes out of about 42,000 cast, and won big in Hanover, home to Dartmouth, and Plymouth, home to both Ms. Elliott and Plymouth State University.”
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G.M.’s Troubles Stir Question of Bankruptcy vs. a Bailout

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

To declare bankruptcy or not.  That is the question.  Whether ’tis nobler to accept the reality of necessary revamping or beg for billions to stay afloat for a bit longer, that is the decision to be made.  Skeptics point to the benefits of bankruptcy, which can offer a new start.

“Some experts note that while bankruptcy would be painful, it may be preferable to a government bailout that may only delay, at considerable cost, the wrenching but necessary steps G.M. needs to take to become a stronger, leaner company.”

“Although G.M.’s labor contracts would be at risk of termination in a bankruptcy, setting up a potential confrontation with its unions, the company says its pension obligations are largely financed for its 479,000 retirees and their spouses.”
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