All Troops Out By 2011? Not So Fast; Why Obama's Iraq Speech Deserves a Second Look

Is is possible that all the U. S. troops will be out of Iraq by 2011? In Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on Friday, President Obama declared to make it a reality. According to the article
"All Troops Out By 2011? Not So Fast; Why Obama's Iraq Speech Deserves a Second Look," Obama said,"I intend to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011," the anti-war analyst find hope in Obama's speech but realize that it is more complicated than it sounds.

The plan to remove the troops by 2011 is subject to change. The Obama administration plans to revisit the idea, allowing for change if needed. Obama assured, New York Rep. John McHugh that he has a Plan B. Although the plan is for all troops to pull out of Iraq, Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszeswki has reason to believe that a large number of U. S. troops will remain in Iraq for the next 15-20 years. It is reported that it is insubordinate to make such statements against Obama's order.

The U. S. Embassy in Baghdad revealed last month that there would be a need for U. S. presence in Baghdad to maintain the city.The need to place U.S. diplomats in armed convoy in Iraq creates danger for the Iraqi civilians. Know matter who is chosen for the job, regularly escorting U.S. VIPs around Iraq will cause conflict. Obama neglected to mention how this would be handled.

The Status of Forces Agreement, or the plan for a timetable U.S. withdrawal from Iraq contains loopholes, or the possibility U.S. troops will remain in Iraq well beyond the 2011 deadline. The congressional Democratic leadership was shocked by President Obama's plan to wait until 2011 to withdraw all the troops from Iraq. They expected less than 35,000 to 50,000 troops in the country beyond 2010.

Obama addressed the military audience during his speech on Friday, declaring "We sent our troops to Iraq to do away with Saddam Hussein's regime -- and you got the job done." He explained that the troops were placed in Iraq to establish a sovereign government, now their job is done. Our goal was for the Iraqi people to live better, now the opportunity is in their hands.Our job has been accomplished.


I hope that President Obama's plan to remove the troops from Iraq is a reality. Although a lot of people thrashes President Bush for sending our troops to Iraq, I believe he did the right thing.
I do believe that we have accomplished our goal and it is time for them to come home. One thing that we don't need is war on our turf.

Obama's Plan to Slash the Deficit

President Obama Has Plan to Slash Deficit, Despite Stimulus Bill

President Obama has a plan to slash the $ 1.2 trillion deficit he inherited when he took office. Although, the deficit will rise to $ 1.5 trillion after the passing of the stimulus bill, he plans to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term. The withdrawal of troops in Iraq, and the wealthy having higher taxes will help reduce the deficit. With the 2010 fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009, he will unveil a plan in April in which he hopes to have the National Deficit down to $533 billion by 2013, his last year of his term as President. His projected $533 billion deficit by the end of his term would be a reduction from 10% of the total domestic product, down to 3%, a sustainable level according to economists.

In President Obama's weekly radio address, he laid out the details of his strategy, in which he would invest in the things that were necessary and cut what is not. President Obama plans to introduce proposals of tax increment's on investment income for hedge funds and private equity. This tax increase could potentially return to 39.6% from 35% where it is currently. Also, President Obama has called for an end in 2010 to the Bush Tax Cuts on income, capital gains, and dividends for individuals making $250,000 or more.

Due to the rising deficit, some believed that President Obama would have to put his plans for health care reform on hold. However, in his budget plan, he wants to increase health care coverage to over 46 million uninsured individuals. He believes that he will be able to do this without growing the economy even more by making cost-saving changes. When it comes to energy policy, President Obamas has proposed that there will be new revenues by 2012 from requiring companies to purchase a government permit for greenhouse gas emissions above a certain point.

I believe that President Obama is trying to help the citizens of the United States.The problems with the financial deficit are not a quick fix. It will take many years to see improvements, if we ever do. I just hope that people understand that Obama is human and can't perform miracles.

Awaiting Bailout, Several Big Banks Halt Foreclosures

Awaiting Bailout, Several Big Banks Halt Foreclosures.

The word foreclosure is a common word in many households in the United States. The struggle to make their mortgage payments are simply impossible. Some of the major banks are halting foreclosures while President Obama works diligently to help the struggling homeowner. Arizona is one of the hardest hit by foreclosures. Obama wants to insure that not only home owners in Arizona but other states are protected from having their homes foreclosed on.

Although lenders have attempted to help the struggling home owners, it hasn't stopped the housing recession. In 2008,the housing industry faced an 81% increase in foreclosures compared to 2007. President Obama wants home owners to have lower mortgages, which would force the mortgage industry to modify the terms of home loans. The home owner wouldn't have to be in default to qualify. It is amazing to think that 274,000 American households have received at least one foreclosure notice last month.

Government controlled mortgage companies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are determining the loans that are at least three months behind on their payments. Obama thinks that bankruptcy judges should be able to alter the terms of the loans.

I realize that the housing industry is in a trouble crisis. The question I ask is who is at fault? The home owner or the lender? These lending companies lend money to people they know can't pay. There are many people I know that have $1,400.00 a month mortgages, two car payments, and maxed out credit cards. I really think the fault lies in the hands of those that lend. Why would you lend that much money to someone you know can't pay?

Obama Calls on Congress to Put Stimulus Plan in Motion

Obama Calls on Congress to Put Stimulus Plan in Motion
President Obama wants congress to set aside their differences in an attempt to ease the economic woes. Obama wants to put a plan in motion that would bring new jobs to our country.

In President Obama's weekly address, he talked about the criticism from the Republican Party toward the stimulus package, in which they believed would not create new jobs.

Obama was happy that the democrats and the republicans in the senate are responding to the urgency of the economic crisis.

In the address, Obama noted that "this is the United States' greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression."

With Americans struggling they are watching to see how the government responds.

Although the Obama family is preparing for their trip to Camp David, the work continues. His advisers are preparing for the bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans to come together so that President Obama can sign the dotted line.

Obama named specific states that would benefit from the stimulus. Indiana, as well as Maine. Maine's Republican Senators, Snowe & Collins votes are key in the senate.

The President will travel to Indiana where he will hold a town meeting in an attempt to build support. On Tuesday, he will travel to Florida where he promises to upgrade schools, and create new jobs. Promises have also been made in Ohio for "4.5 million workers to receive tax relief."

I believe that President Obama has good ideas if he can only follow through. What I worry about is the poor and the elderly. The ones that would benefit are the middle and upper class. It's all over the news about helping the big companies. As my mother always said "the poor gets poorer and the rich gets richer." From what I can tell, it sure does look like this will continue.