Washington Panorama
January 2006
2005 was filled with action and intrigue, with substance and flash, with charge and counter-charge in our nation’s capitol. 2006 promises no less — if one can separate the real from the political fabrication in it all. Among the issues the citizen and especially the retiree will deal with in 2006 are:
Alerting other state retirees that we must not sign up for Medicare part D because our benefits are better &Ask yourself, with at least 41 different programs available could this issue have been made any more difficult to comprehend? Cost of gasoline to top $3 a gallon says Tom Kloza, a gas analyst at the Oil Price Informational Service (Green Bay Press-Gazette, Tuesday 1/03/06 page 3). Look for continued pressure to open the ANWR preserve to drilling.
Cost of mailing a letter goes from 37 to 39 cents, the first increase in some time. The “Penny” postcard will now mail for 24 cents.
The economy has just concluded its 10th consecutive quarter with growth of over 3 percent. Unemployment at 5 percent — is lower than the averages for the 1970’s, 80’s or 90’s. Productivity for 200-2005 is the highest of any five year period in 50 years. (Michael Barone, U. S. News and World Report, Jan 9, 2006, Page 28)
As WalMart does well, what will happen to GM? Boom or Bust? Bankruptcy? and will Ford follow?
Fidel Castro, the longest reigning dictator in the world, becomes an octogenarian this year. His attitude and behavior toward the United States is matched in the western hemisphere by that of Argentina’s Hugo Chavez and newly elected Evo Morales in Bolivia who calls himself “America’s nightmare.”
- The “I’s” have it in the mideast.
- Iraq, a pullout for U.S. forces?
- Iran, a nuke in its arsenal?
- Israel, the Palestinian question and obliteration by Iran?
- And what role will the United Nations play in any of this.
Internationally, Bird Flu threatens all of us the way the influenza epidemic of 1918 did in numbers of people dead.
On the bright side in February will be Super bowl XL in Detroit, and the XX Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. And in D.C. legislators return to work holding hearings on the latest nominee for the Supreme Court. Will they hold the President’s choice up to a filibuster as a political posture?
To the Homeland Security proposition, as it seems there are few areas that anyone wants to change why has it been dealt with a delaying tactic rather than straight up &is someone playing political games rather than looking out for the U.S.?
Are the House and Senate (in Washington or Lansing) making good decisions for the populace, or are the Democrats and Republicans just engaged in political gaming &if your answer is gaming, it is time for you to contact your legislators.
The intelligence community &will it continue to be subject to simplistic stupidities and secondguessing by legislators?
What’s going to happen to former senate leader Tom Delay?)
Here is what we must determine to do:
Be aware of and attend politician and representative “town meetings” and to ask questions of MY representatives.
Exercise physical in addition to the mental workouts. Physical fitness, physical examination annually.
Help our representatives and senators express our desires rather than following their own agendas by telling them regularly where we stand on issues.
Resolve to read at least two newspapers week, from two different political standpoints, or to read two magazines edited from different perspectives. To use the public library for information and to find what services it provides for my specific needs, To use other information sources, like the Internet, discussion groups and SERA meetings, department retiree sessions and public lectures for information.
Take your best shot at being an active and participating citizen. Make sure you are registered and that you vote.
Editor’s note: “Tony” Grudnoski is President of the Marquette SERA hapter and SERA’s Washington “Reporter.” He may be reached at 216 W. Hewitt Ave., Marquette 49855; Ph. 906/228-8670; e-mail tonyg25@hotmail.com.
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