9.4 Trillion

Our favorite third wheel is back.

He’s right you know. Our national debt is a disgrace.

Ross Perot, business leader and former presidential candidate, announced today the launch of “PerotCharts.com,” a public information website that contains objective, factual information about the current economic crisis in America. The site is being launched as an alert and appeal for American citizens to inform themselves about federal government spending. Perot said, “The U.S. national debt reached $9.4 TRILLION on April 30, and it is increasing by more than $1 billion every day. We are leaving our children and grandchildren with debt they cannot possibly pay.”

PerotCharts.com consists of three major components: a video featuring Ross Perot discussing the purpose of the website, a blog where new charts and other information are posted daily for study and comment, and a narrated chart presentation explaining the economic problems our country faces.

The website is not affiliated with any political party or candidate. Most of the data and research for the charts is gathered from official government sources.

“The economic crisis facing America today is far greater than anything since the Great Depression,” said Perot. “Our federal government continues to spend us deeper into debt. The American people must get directly involved and demand an end to deficit spending. This website will provide information for citizens to do just that.”

On a related note, I was watching this 1992 Presidential Debate with Ross Perot, George Bush Sr., and Bill Clinton. Things sure haven’t changed in the last 16 years. We have a candidate running on the platform of “change” from a Bush presidency, and Ross Perot is talking about the national debt.

If only Dana Carvey would rejoin SNL.

Filed under: America, Debt, Democrat, Politics, Republican, Ross Perot

Faith & Hope

“Americans are a religious people. 90% of us believe in God, 70% affiliate themselves with an organized religion, 38% call themselves committed Christians. Substantially more people in America believe in angels than they do in evolution. This religious tendency is not simply the result of successful marketing by skilled preachers or the draw of popular megachurches. In fact, it speaks to a hunger that is deeper than that, a hunger that goes deeper than any particular issue or cause. Each day it seems, that thousands of Americans who are going about their daily rounds–they’re dropping off their kids, they’re driving to the office, they’re flying to a business meeting, they’re shopping at the mall, they’re trying to stay on their diets–and they’re coming to the realization that something’s missing. They’re deciding that their work, their possessions, their diversions, their sheer business is not enough. They want a sense of purpose, a narrative arc to their life; they’re looking to relieve a chronic loneliness, a feeling supported by a recent study that shows Americans have fewer close friends and confidants than ever before, and so they need assurance that someone out there cares about them, is listening to them. That they are not just destined to travel down that long highway towards nothingness.”

—Barack Obama, 2006 (text, video)

On a related note, Frank Schaeffer writes on The Huffington Post why he’s Pro-Life and Pro-Obama.

Filed under: Alan Keyes, Barack Obama, Democrat, Faith, Frank Schaeffer, God, Politics, Republican

Big Tuesday

1. Macworld happens today. All of the mac lovers out there are geeked up like it’s Christmas all over again. I tend to be on the mildly interested side, due to the fact that I never buy any of this new stuff. But it is fun to see all of the innovation they bring.

2. Michigan votes today. However, democratic leaders voted to strip Michigan of all its delegates to the national convention as punishment for scheduling an early presidential primary in violation of party rules. Some interesting things may happen as a result.

3. American Idol starts tonight. Featuring our own Robbie Seay Bands, Rise, as the theme song! Just for fun, here is a list of my Top Five American Idol Performances of All Time.

Shout to the Heart – Blake Lewis
(Dude is my hero. Best performance on AI ever)

Love is a Battlefiled – Carrie Underwood
(Threw me for a loop with a very un-country performance)

Hemorrhage – Chris Daughtry
(Better than Fuel? IMHO)

I Believe – Fantasia Barrino
(If this doesn’t bring you to tears…)

A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
(First AI performance I ever saw. Very raw and emotional)

Filed under: American Idol, Apple, Democrat, Macworld, Politics, Republican, Robbie Seay Band, Voting

Gangsta Right Lean

Have I ever mentioned that I don’t like politics?

I still don’t, but this go around I’m in the middle of becoming a better steward in all areas of my life. And that includes my vote.

It’s a good time to toss my thoughts into the mix. There are no incumbents, and no givens. It’s a new day for a new direction with new ideas.

I should probably state up front that I am neither a Republican nor Democrat, but I have voted with a right gangsta lean the last few elections. However in the last few years I’ve come to find myself a little more centered. Mostly because I listen to people that make sense on both sides (like my friend and new blogger Jessica). I think it’s great fun that my brother thinks I’m a lefty, and the ladies at work think I’m a righty. I’d say that puts me squarely in the middle, eh?

So I’m looking to familiarize myself with all of the new blood. Barack Obama is the most intriguing to me. I checked out his book, Audacity of Hope, from the library last night, and look forward to seeing what he has to say. My gut instinct tells me that he’s going to be the man on the Democratic ticket. There’s some rumblings that an Obama/Edwards ticket will be a formidable foe for whoever comes out of the Republican side.

If there’s anything you can say about the Obama campaign, it’s that his logo is disgustingly good (great article here). And if Billary Clinton hates his guts, he just might be on to something. (I love the 12th comment down!)

Filed under: Barack Obama, Billary Clinton, Democrat, Government, Politics, Republican, Voting