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Recently, the U.S. Treasury unveiled the new Benjamins.  A redesign of the $100 bill with advance security features developed to impede the likes of sophisticated or crafty counterfeiters. The Treasury Secretary says the bill “… incorporates the best technology… to ensure we’re staying ahead of counterfeiters.”  But while the government is protecting us from counterfeiters on the prowl to bamboozle us out of our hard earned Benjamins, there are other predators on the prowl that we need to warrant safeguards against.

The derailment and near collapse of our financial system personally is still an open wound. Like so many, watching my retirement funds drop zeros, moving the decimal point substantially left has shaken my confidence and trust as a consumer, investor and taxpayer. In addition, an epidemic of foreclosures has continued to plague our neighborhoods.

Then to top it all off, the predators responsible for the collapse are still resisting regulation that is long overdue. House Republican Leader John Boehner claims that  President Obama’s reform measures are “a government takeover of the entire private sector.” These claims are even more ridiculous, especially in light of the recent investigation into fraud involving Goldman Sachs. For the record, no entity should be too big to fail!

Regulatory reform and oversight that actually protect consumers, investors and taxpayers from the too big to fail predators on Wall Street needs to happen - NOW! Whether it’s Main Street or Wall Street, a predator is still a predator. 
 

The Governor of Arizona signed an immigration reform bill that has sparked much controversy and characterized by the President as being “misguided.”

Do you agree with the Governor’s decision? What do you think about the bill? 

Legends that Lived Life with a Purpose  

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you GOD?  Unfortunately, these words seem to lose their meaning in many instances outside of the courtroom.

On April 15th, the filing deadline for American taxpayers, the Tea Party chose to spend the day protesting taxes and rallying against the Obama administration that has, (for the record) REDUCED the tax burden for the majority of taxpayers. This same administration has been forced to address the effects of eight years of a downward economic spiral inherited from a Bush administration that engaged the country in war that has cost thousands of precious lives and millions of dollars under the false pretense of “weapons of mass destruction.” It is amazing how those who voted not once, but twice for George W. Bush are now protesting a deficit inherited from the failed policies of his administration, and behaving as though those eight years didn’t happen.

Let’s tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth – So help our country!
 

A recent Gallup Poll revealed that 50% of registered voters feel that President Obama does not deserve re-election.

Based on performance, do you think President Obama deserves a second term?

It’s becoming extremely difficult to distinguish between news, infotainment and pure entertainment. Now that Tiger Woods is back on the green, you would think that the media’s obsession with Tiger’s personal saga would be over, but no, the evening newscasts covered the Master’s Tournament with the zeal of ESPN. There is something gravely wrong when the media indulges us with news that we can’t use opposed to in depth accounts of critical issues that should be front and center, warranting more than just a casual or courtesy mention. 

At the other end of the spectrum is conservative talk /entertainment radio, a forum perpetrating as legitimate news that capitalizes on political rhetoric, innuendo and in some cases outright lies. With millions of viewers and listeners that seem unable to discern fact from fiction- this can be toxic.

There is growing political tension in the air that’s dividing the country. Unfortunately, it won’t attract the level of mainstream media attention as that of Tiger Woods, while conservative talk entertainment outlets continue to do what they do best – misinform and mislead.   
 
  

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell recently acknowledged that the omission of slavery from his proclamation declaring Confederate History Month was a mistake.  

Does his amendment to include slavery give credence to the celebration of the Confederacy?

 Relief for the Middle Class at Tax Time

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Virginia joined Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Texas in formally recognizing Confederate History Month, according to a published report. Should the legacy of the Confederate States of America be celebrated? Check out today’s Wassup video and comment or share your thoughts on this or any other topic.  www.tanyafree.com   

Desperate times calls for desperate measures is the cliché that describes the way school systems across the country are being affected by budget woes. The result of countless school closings and the elimination of teaching positions are devastating but there is a silver lining. In most cases, attention is being drawn to struggling and low performing schools, many with declining enrollment. Detroit, Kansas and many other school systems are aggressively identifying waste and unnecessary spending within school districts leading to a re-allocation of funds and personnel.

School officials can’t do it alone. It’s imperative that parents and citizens work together with their respective school boards to ensure that even in these tough economic times, a good quality public education is and will be available to our future leaders.     

Allegations of sexual abuse and cover up continue to plague the Roman Catholic Church.

Do you think the Church’s response was adequate? If not, what actions should be taken by the Church?

President's weekly address: Holiday Greetings 

Check out today’s Wassup video story and comment or share your thoughts on any topic of your choice. What’s on your mind?   www.tanyafree.com