Sarah Who?

What has happened to Sarah Palin?  Where is she?  Not sure anyone has noticed but Sarah Palin has disappeared from our television screens, newspapers and magazines.  What's up with that?  It is campaign season and there are candidates running for office, where could she be? 

I have been trying to remember when a whole week, maybe two weeks now, has gone by when Sarah Palin hasn't been in the news doing something or speaking somewhere about her own brand of politics.  Maybe she took a powder for the holiday season.   It is unlike her not to be out and about doing what she can for her "brand". 

Maybe she's resting up with plans to resurface this next week in Iowa just prior to the primary season that is closely approaching.  She could be putting the finishing touches on her efforts to re-emerge as a player within the Republican party primary season.  It's actually been pretty quiet of late not hearing what campaign she is competing with as she traveled about the country. 

Maybe Sarah and Donald are working together planning to make a splash after the first of the year.  Maybe she's thinking that if Mitt Romney doesn't break free as Newt Gingrich begins to lose his numbers, the Republican Party will be looking for a breakout candidate to step forward and save the day. 

It just seems strange to go a few weeks without hearing news of Sarah out and about speaking her nonsense.  For the last three years, she has been everywhere.  The news has been full of Sarah Palin forever now.  Where did she go?  Maybe she's earned enough money now to relax and enjoy her family in Alaska.  Don't think so.  She likes the spotlight and for that very reason, she must be plotting some type of splash sometime soon. 

Which Republican candidate will she select to share the stage with showing up conveniently at the same place and time.  Sarah has a knack of timing, that's for sure.  That's the Sarah Palin we love to talk about.  It is Tea Party time and Sarah is their darling so I suspect we will hear news of her again very soon.   Do you wonder as I do, which Republican candidate worries the most that they will receive Sarah Palin's endorsement for the Republican nomination?

Which candidate is wooing her I wonder for her endorsement.  Not sure any of them are right now.  I suspect that Romney's camp wouldn't even answer her calls if she placed one to them.  Can't imagine Mitt Romney wanting that endorsement.  Somebody will receive it whether they want it or not, guaranteed.  Sarah has been out of the news cycle for a while now and it is unlikely that much more time will pass before she is back in fashion front and center. 

Maybe she's biding her time until the other crazy lady drops out of the race, Michele Bachman.  Why is it that the Republican party can't elevate one of their real capable, competent and reasonable conservative women to this highest tier of leadership?  Until then, it's all Sarah.  Hurry back Sarah, everyone misses you.         

Congress Gives Gift - Lump of Coal?

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Do you really think that your payroll taxes are going to go up come January 1, 2012.  Admittedly, I think not.  At the eleventh hour, Congress will find a way to save face and get a deal done.  If they do not find their way to a compromise, 160 million Americans will be angry going into an election year.  Not generally something a politician wants hanging over their head.  One thing is for sure, Americans will not be angry with President Obama.  The President has worked this issue for months now and is clearly seen as the protector of the American middle class.  Congress, on the other hand, is destined to become the Christmas Grinch. 

This annual last minute bickering by Congress is getting old.  Do not forget that just one year ago, they were squabbling over the debt ceiling.  They settled that mess at the last possible moment too.  Congress is starting to remind me of the up and coming celebrity or failing Hollywood icon who believes that any publicity is better than no publicity.  I call this the Donald Trump syndrome or Trumpitis. 

A year ago, this very Congress failed to act in a mature and prudent fashion causing the marketplace a bad case of the jitters.  A credit downgrade followed.  International credibility was harmed.  Obviously, this Congress could care less of these concerns.  Here we are again, facing a deadline which will have a direct impact on millions of Americans and Congress is taking its sweet time to find compromise.  Just suck it up and get it done already.  The payroll tax credit is deemed critical by every economist for an improving economy.  Same goes for the extension of unemployment benefits. 

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Just five days till Christmas and all these wonderful, middle-class Americans have no idea whether they will be seeing less money in their first paycheck of the New Year or if unemployed, any check at all.  Maybe Congress likes the old television gimmick of cliffhangers. " Tune in tomorrow and see if John Boehner will succumb to the Senate's two-month extension". 

Last year, Congress gambled with our credit.  This year they are gambling with our hard earned cash money.   Does Congress really want to place a lump of coal in our stockings this year?  If they do not get a deal done, that's exactly what they will be doing.  If that turns out to be the case, this time around I do believe that all Americans might take notice and not forget such a gift.  Maybe the phrase, "throw the bums out" will not just echo briefly but indeed be the rallying cry for both Republican and Democrat.  Would that not shake up our nation's capital?  That truly would be breaking news.  Could you imagine not having one incumbent returned to office in 2012? 

It will never happen.  Congress will cut a deal.  The American people will forget and forgive their foolishness.  I'm almost hoping for the lump of coal.  A new body politic might be the best Christmas gift I could hope for.