Obama Puts Forth Plan to Save the American Middle Class
President Obama, just a few days before his State of the Union Address, has broached the subject of helping the beleaguered middle class with a series of proposals.
In the wake of a massive and ambitious health care overhaul likely being scrapped in favor that is much smaller and less intrusive in scope, President Obama has refocused his attention on issues that more directly affects the large American middle class, laying out a broad plan to help a group that he says is "under assault." The new plans put forth by the White House include help families pay bills, save for retirement and help to care for their children and elderly parents. His comments on the matter came in advance of tomorrow’s State of the Union Address.
While Obama didn’t talk about the creation of jobs for the middle class, he did mention wanting to "re-establish some of the security that’s slipped away." The comments – and plans – come as a vast majority of the country is clearly in a sour mood over the economy, a fact reflected in recent elections that have seen Democrats on the ropes. Among the new ideas that Obama will put forth is a near doubling of the tax credit for child costs that families earning under $85,000 can receive, as well as additional help for families earning up to $115,000.
Obama also is talking about increasing a federal fund to help families pay for child care by $1.6 billion, which would create coverage for an additional 235,000 children. He would also require employers not offering 401(k) retirement plans to offer direct-deposit IRAs for their employees and plans to spend over $100 million to help families care for elderly parents. While the White House is still talking about creating jobs, the most recent comments are aimed directly at the middle class. Vice President Joe Biden noted, "We’re talking about dignity. We’re talking about security. We’re talking about knowing your pension is safe, your health insurance is reliable, your elderly parents and your children are going to be cared for, your neighborhood is safe."
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 1/26/2010
In the wake of a massive and ambitious health care overhaul likely being scrapped in favor that is much smaller and less intrusive in scope, President Obama has refocused his attention on issues that more directly affects the large American middle class, laying out a broad plan to help a group that he says is "under assault." The new plans put forth by the White House include help families pay bills, save for retirement and help to care for their children and elderly parents. His comments on the matter came in advance of tomorrow’s State of the Union Address.
While Obama didn’t talk about the creation of jobs for the middle class, he did mention wanting to "re-establish some of the security that’s slipped away." The comments – and plans – come as a vast majority of the country is clearly in a sour mood over the economy, a fact reflected in recent elections that have seen Democrats on the ropes. Among the new ideas that Obama will put forth is a near doubling of the tax credit for child costs that families earning under $85,000 can receive, as well as additional help for families earning up to $115,000.
Obama also is talking about increasing a federal fund to help families pay for child care by $1.6 billion, which would create coverage for an additional 235,000 children. He would also require employers not offering 401(k) retirement plans to offer direct-deposit IRAs for their employees and plans to spend over $100 million to help families care for elderly parents. While the White House is still talking about creating jobs, the most recent comments are aimed directly at the middle class. Vice President Joe Biden noted, "We’re talking about dignity. We’re talking about security. We’re talking about knowing your pension is safe, your health insurance is reliable, your elderly parents and your children are going to be cared for, your neighborhood is safe."
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 1/26/2010
Brangelina Breakup Rumors are Heating Up
According to many tabloid reports, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are preparing to formally announce their break-up and the custody arrangement for their children.
At this point, there has been no official comment from Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie about the current status of their relationship. No statement from either actor and none coming from a publicist to quell the rumors that are swirling. Instead, there are only reports from the tabloids which suggest that Pitt and Jolie have met recently with divorce attorneys to draw up documents that would dictate the terms of an amicable split. Although the pair is not currently married, they have children together and have lived together for several years.
Obviously, given the fame of the couple involved, there are always rumors swirling about a potential break-up, or a pregnancy or some some other even more outrageous claims. But given the persistence of the reports surrounding their current status, it would almost be surprising if some news didn't break soon about the fact that they will be separating, if not breaking up for good.
Life with young children can be difficult, especially when trying to manage global careers on the scales of Pitt and Jolie. Yes, they have unlimited financial resources, but the pressures associated with trying to raise a family properly and remaining involved with the process can be overwhelming - regardless of financial status. If the couple ends up apart in the near future, it would likely be as a result of those pressures.
With the National Enquirer and others already stating their cases that Brangelina is finished, it seems like the writing may finally be on the wall.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 1/26/2010
At this point, there has been no official comment from Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie about the current status of their relationship. No statement from either actor and none coming from a publicist to quell the rumors that are swirling. Instead, there are only reports from the tabloids which suggest that Pitt and Jolie have met recently with divorce attorneys to draw up documents that would dictate the terms of an amicable split. Although the pair is not currently married, they have children together and have lived together for several years.
Obviously, given the fame of the couple involved, there are always rumors swirling about a potential break-up, or a pregnancy or some some other even more outrageous claims. But given the persistence of the reports surrounding their current status, it would almost be surprising if some news didn't break soon about the fact that they will be separating, if not breaking up for good.
Life with young children can be difficult, especially when trying to manage global careers on the scales of Pitt and Jolie. Yes, they have unlimited financial resources, but the pressures associated with trying to raise a family properly and remaining involved with the process can be overwhelming - regardless of financial status. If the couple ends up apart in the near future, it would likely be as a result of those pressures.
With the National Enquirer and others already stating their cases that Brangelina is finished, it seems like the writing may finally be on the wall.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 1/26/2010
Schwarzenegger Wants to Build Prison in Mexico for Illegal Immigrant Inmates
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested sending illegal immigrants currently in California prisons to prisons in Mexico.
California's budget crises are still in full swing and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is not afraid to throw out controversial potential solutions to some of the problems. Arnold's latest idea is to send 20,000 of California's prison inmates - all of whom are illegal immigrants - to a prison that California would build in Mexico. Scwharzenegger explained the plan as follows: "We pay them to build the prison down in Mexico. And then we have those undocumented immigrants down there in prison. It would half the costs to build the prison and run the prison. We could save a billion dollars right there that could go into higher education."
Obviously, that's a pretty brief explanation and there is no word as to whether Mexico is even aware that such an idea exists and if they would be willing to go along with such a plan. Certainly, there is cheaper labor in Mexico, but is that something that California wants to try to manage remotely, especially given the corruption and violence that is everywhere in Mexico.
At that rate, it may be easier to simply release all of the immigrant prisoners back into Mexico. Or what about just regular extradition. Even though their crimes were committed here, wouldn't it make sense to send them back to their countries of origin. To be sure, all of the 20,000 illegal immigrant prisoners are not from Mexico.
Arnold is up against it in terms of the California financial crisis. The state is projecting nearly a $20 billion budge deficit and is just another in a long line of states that simply seems unwilling to make the tough decisions and make deep and meaningful spending cuts.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 1/26/2010
California's budget crises are still in full swing and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is not afraid to throw out controversial potential solutions to some of the problems. Arnold's latest idea is to send 20,000 of California's prison inmates - all of whom are illegal immigrants - to a prison that California would build in Mexico. Scwharzenegger explained the plan as follows: "We pay them to build the prison down in Mexico. And then we have those undocumented immigrants down there in prison. It would half the costs to build the prison and run the prison. We could save a billion dollars right there that could go into higher education."
Obviously, that's a pretty brief explanation and there is no word as to whether Mexico is even aware that such an idea exists and if they would be willing to go along with such a plan. Certainly, there is cheaper labor in Mexico, but is that something that California wants to try to manage remotely, especially given the corruption and violence that is everywhere in Mexico.
At that rate, it may be easier to simply release all of the immigrant prisoners back into Mexico. Or what about just regular extradition. Even though their crimes were committed here, wouldn't it make sense to send them back to their countries of origin. To be sure, all of the 20,000 illegal immigrant prisoners are not from Mexico.
Arnold is up against it in terms of the California financial crisis. The state is projecting nearly a $20 billion budge deficit and is just another in a long line of states that simply seems unwilling to make the tough decisions and make deep and meaningful spending cuts.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 1/26/2010
Intruder Arrested by Scottish Police at Susan Boyle's Home
Susan Boyle reportedly surprised an intruder when returning to her home in Blackburn, Scotland on Tuesday night.
Susan Boyle's rise to fame has been meteoric, to say the least. But throughout her amazing run of professional success and fame, she has managed to stay under the radar and still lives in her hometown village of Blackburn Scotland. It would appear that the locals there are generally willing to allow Susan the most realistic possibility of living a normal life, largely outside of the media spotlight.
But on Tuesday night some of that changed as Boyle returned home from a recording session to raise money for Haiti. Initial reports are that Boyle returned home to find an unidentified man in her home and that police were called to the scene. The local police have been largely quiet on the issue thus far, although it's most likely that they will soon have to issue a formal statement in relation to the incident.
The man was held by police for a time and was eventually released, although no further details are available. As much as one would like to think that it's possible for a celebrity such as Boyle to return to the lifestyle in which she is most comfortable, the reality of fame in today's world is such that celebrities are forced to surrender their privacy.
We'll have to wait for the details to emerge before there is an understanding of exactly what happened, but the fact that the man was let go so shortly after being arrested would suggest a prank-like visitor or general fan behavior gone awry. While the end result of that may be harmless, it's nonetheless disturbing that Boyle has to endure it as a price for her success.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 1/27/2010
Susan Boyle's rise to fame has been meteoric, to say the least. But throughout her amazing run of professional success and fame, she has managed to stay under the radar and still lives in her hometown village of Blackburn Scotland. It would appear that the locals there are generally willing to allow Susan the most realistic possibility of living a normal life, largely outside of the media spotlight.
But on Tuesday night some of that changed as Boyle returned home from a recording session to raise money for Haiti. Initial reports are that Boyle returned home to find an unidentified man in her home and that police were called to the scene. The local police have been largely quiet on the issue thus far, although it's most likely that they will soon have to issue a formal statement in relation to the incident.
The man was held by police for a time and was eventually released, although no further details are available. As much as one would like to think that it's possible for a celebrity such as Boyle to return to the lifestyle in which she is most comfortable, the reality of fame in today's world is such that celebrities are forced to surrender their privacy.
We'll have to wait for the details to emerge before there is an understanding of exactly what happened, but the fact that the man was let go so shortly after being arrested would suggest a prank-like visitor or general fan behavior gone awry. While the end result of that may be harmless, it's nonetheless disturbing that Boyle has to endure it as a price for her success.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 1/27/2010
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