News 30 March 2009

White House questions viability of GM, Chrysler
President Barack Obama is sending a blunt message to Detroit automakers: To survive — and win more government help — they must remake themselves top to bottom. Driving home the point, the White House ousted the General Motors chairman as it rejected GM and Chrysler's restructuring plans.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/03/white_house_questions_viability_of_gm_chrysler.php?ref=fp1
Bachmann Blasts Obama's "Economic Marxism," Calls For "Orderly Revolution" To Save Freedom
Wow. Just plain wow. This past Wednesday, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) appeared on Sean Hannity's radio show, and sharply reiterated her calls for revolution in America, warning against the imminent dangers of tyranny under Barack Obama: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/bachmann-blasts-obamas-economic-marxism-calls-for-revolution-to-save-freedom.php
The Oil Patch Vaudeville Act
There they go again. It was so nice and quiet on the oil front for a short while. Had the price of oil held at $147 we would have been regaled endlessly with all the good reasons why it should go ever higher. Procrastinations came from far and wide and were trumpeted loudly for all to hear. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raymond-j-learsy/the-oil-patch-vaudeville_b_180595.html
Generations Must Stand United for Employee Free Choice Act
Our nation’s economic crisis is affecting nearly everyone. Unless you are getting one of those big Wall Street bonuses, you are probably struggling to pay your bills, keep your home, or afford to see a doctor or fill a prescription. There is no longer any doubt that the fundamentals of our economy are broken
http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/03/27/generations-must-stand-united-for-employee-free-choice-act/
Pension insurer shifted to stocks
WASHINGTON - Just months before the start of last year's stock market collapse, the federal agency that insures the retirement funds of 44 million Americans departed from its conservative investment strategy and decided to put much of its $64 billion insurance fund into stocks http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/30/pension_insurer_shifted_to_stocks/?page=full
Nelson seeks ban on Chinese drywall
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida filed legislation today seeking a temporary ban on Chinese-made drywall believed to be emitting sulfur-based gases in numerous Florida homes built with the product, correspondent Eun Kim reports.
http://www.floridatoday.com/watchdog
- Feeling Too Down to Rise Up
IN Chicago, during the summer of 1992, I watched a rally explode into a riot. Unruly public housing tenants were protesting high prices at local grocery stores. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/opinion/29venkatesh.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th Companies Pretty Up Prices to Win Stimulus Projects
Department stores are marking down their spring collections. Broadway shows are offering discount tickets. Now road work is on sale, as well. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/us/29bids.html?th&emc=th