Cash for Clunkers.

'Clunkers' Critics Question Move to Extend Funding for Program
Senate Republicans are raising concerns that extending the "cash for clunkers" program would use deficit spending to pay for a program that, according to its supporters, has already met its objectives.

The cash for clunkers exchange program has turned lawmakers into victims of their own success. Now some senators are questioning why taxpayers should continue to foot the bill for something that, according to supporters, has already achieved its goals.

The program, approved in June, pays people to trade in their gas-guzzling "clunkers" for new, fuel-efficient cars. It has helped boost auto dealers' sales numbers, and it's gotten a heap of inefficient vehicles off the road.

But the program, which was set to expire on Nov. 1, has already spent pretty much all of the $1 billion the government set aside for it, leading Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to say that the "wildly popular" program should be extended with additional funds.

The House voted to give the program a $2 billion lifeline on Friday, and LaHood now is putting pressure on the Senate to approve the extension before it adjourns for August recess at the end of the week. He said Monday he expects it will pass.

A senior Democratic adviser told FOX News that Senate leaders hope to act on the extension later this week.

But there was never a mandate in the original legislation that said the program had to last until November.

"Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first," reads the government Web site for the "clunkers" program.

The exhaustion of funds simply came before the expiration date. Republicans are suggesting it's too late to change the allocation now.

I just think this is a great example of the stupidity that's coming out of Washington right now," Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said on "FOX News Sunday," adding that the Senate needs to "slow this thing down."

"We estimated this would cost $1 billion," DeMint said. "Now they're saying we need $2 billion more. Our children and grandchildren can't afford to make these car dealers well right now."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has threatened to block the bill.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in prepared remarks, said Monday that the lifeline request just shows how poor the original spending estimates were.

Though supporters are talking about pulling the additional $2 billion from existing stimulus funds, that hasn't quelled Republican concerns.

McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said that cash is still "borrowed money."

"They can say it's paid for, but it's paid for with a credit card. ... It's like making your minimum payment through a cash advance of another credit card," he said.

However, because the "clunkers" program was originally authorized at $4 billion -- not $1 billion -- some supporters had wanted to review its funding this fall anyway to see if more money could be allocated.

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Rethinking Obama. I've Been Too Hard On Him.

With the coming of a new week and with the opportunity to vote early, I am mulling over this election in my mind.

I'm giving Obama another thought, wondering if I am too hard on the poor lad.

Sure, the economy is bad. That is why the polls are so much higher for Obama. He has no ties to the economy, where McCain is a Republican and therefore, McCain must be responsible. When Obama gets elected, he'll fix the economy for sure.

So, I wondered about whether I've been too hard on Obama regarding the Ayers relationship. Is it his fault that the guy is literally his neighbor? I am sure that he never talks to his neighbors, since he has obviously been to busy organizing the community. He probably doesn't even know that Ayers purchased the other half of the lot, making Obama's half more affordable. I bet that, when Obama went next door for the fundraiser, he had no idea that he was stepping foot into Ayers' home. I'm guessing that he just thought he had been cut a lucky break when the guy next door offered to have a fundraiser to launch Obama's political campaign. He probably just said, 'Wow. This guy next door, whom I don't know at all, is willing to jump start my career and earn me some cash.". I bet he was totally excited and didn't even cross paths with Ayers the whole time he was there.

What about the contributions he has reportedly received (the top second) from Fannie Mae? Oh, that must have been a type-o. He is going to fix the economy, so he must have nothing to do with the down-swing of the nation's economy. He isn't a Republican. Obama is a Democrat, which means he had nothing to do with anything along the lines of the bombing economy and the lack of cash in our pocketbooks. He has tons of wonderful programs that the government is going to take charge of for us. Surely, the money for those programs will come from some magic place and we won't have to pay for it out of our earnings. His idea to have much of our society taken over by the government sounds so great. The government never screws anything up.

Obama has nothing to do with the war in Iraq. After all, he is a Democrat. Of course, he made a mistake when he initially voted for the war. The poor guy. Things just happen. It's not because of anything he has done. He wouldn't vote for anything like the war in Iraq. When Obama becomes President, his desire to yank the U.S. out of Iraq is so perfect. So what if Iraq collapses under it's own government.

I think it would be great to have dialog with Iran. When Amademajad says that the U.S. and Israel should be wiped off the map, Obama should just talk.

'So sorry that you feel that way, Amademajad. Let's talk it over and find out if this rage comes from your relationship with your father.'

When Amademajad says that the Holocaust never happened and that the Jews made it up, Obama should just discuss it. What is the problem in that? When Amademajad says that the U.S. should be bombed with a nuclear bomb, Obama should just assume that he is having a bad day, go get him a cup of coffee and talk. After all, he is human and he will feel better about things once he has been able to talk them out. Yes, Obama's desire to have diplomatic discussions with Amademajad is so realistic and reasonable.

I admire Obama's desire to be Christian. Wright must be getting the shaft when people are discussing his views. Being Christ-like is a tricky thing. Of course, Wright never taught that being Christian means that you can be racist. Why would Obama sit and listen to that council. Wright must be teaching the correct views on Christianity. Obama certainly wouldn't tie himself with anyone who taught incorrect things about 9/11. I sure do admire someone who is acting like a true Christian.

I think that I've been too hard on Obama for sure. I know who I'm going to vote for now that I have mulled it over.

Depression and the Economy

Can what you are feeling today be attributed to the U.S. economy? Are you feeling blue because of the Dow Jones numbers falling? Can your depression be attributed to the U.S. Presidential Elections and the negative politics between candidates?

Of course, the answer to the above questions is, yes. Multiple sources show that the heavy weight of just hearing about these major issues affects our general well being. Not only that, but the fact that many are being affected in more personal ways regarding their homes being foreclosed upon, their jobs being lost, their 401K depreciating in value, their pensions being lost, and on and on. If you are thriving in this economic crisis, making a profit on your home, getting an income raise, or otherwise flourishing, you are one of the lucky ones.

According to the Mayo Clinic symptoms of depression include:

Loss of interest in normal daily activities
Feeling sad or down
Feeling hopeless
Crying spells for no apparent reason
Problems sleeping
Trouble focusing or concentrating
Difficulty making decisions
Unintentional weight gain or loss
Irritability
Restlessness
Being easily annoyed
Feeling fatigued or weak
Feeling worthless
Loss of interest in sex
Thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior
Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

"Depression symptoms can vary greatly because different people experience depression in different ways. A 25-year-old man with depression may not have the same symptoms as a 70-year-old man, for instance. For some people, depression symptoms are so severe that it's obvious something isn't right. Others may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why."

What can you do to help yourself if you find that you have some of the symptoms of depression?

Obtain the right amount of sleep. Some people need 8-12 hours of sleep. Other people need only 6 hours of sleep. The most important thing is that you stay consistent in the time you go to bed and the time you wake up to keep your internal clock running correctly.

Seek appropriate and consistent exercise. Depending on your fitness level, exercise regularly and aerobically. A brisk walk outside will help your heart and your mind. You'll find that, by exercising regularly, you'll benefit your mind, your body, and possibly eventually even your pocketbook.

Avoid excess sugar and/or caffeine. These stimulants can cause you to "crash", or in other words, they can cause a "major downer" after you have the "high" from either of these two stimulants.

MayoClinic.com has great advice regarding prevention of depression that we could all follow closely in these turbulent times. "However, taking steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and to boost low self-esteem may help. Friendship and social support, especially in times of crisis, can help you weather rough spells. In addition, treatment at the earliest sign of a problem can help prevent depression from worsening. Long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of depression symptoms."

Complications can occur from depression. "Depression is a serious illness that can take a terrible toll on individuals and families. Untreated, depression can lead to a downward spiral of disability, dependency and suicide. Depression can result in severe emotional, behavioral, health and even legal and financial problems that affect every area of your life. Complications that depression may cause or be associated with include:

Suicide
Alcohol abuse
Substance abuse
Anxiety
Heart disease and other medical conditions
Work or school problems
Family conflicts
Relationship difficulties
Social isolation"

What can you do to cope with depression or with the signs of depression? "Coping with depression can be challenging. Depression makes it hard to engage in the behavior and activities that may help you feel better. Talk to your doctor or therapist about improving your coping skills, and consider these tips to cope with depression:

Simplify your life. Cut back on obligations when possible, and set reasonable schedules for goals.

Consider writing in a journal to express pain, anger, fear or other emotions.

Read reputable self-help books and consider talking about them to your doctor or therapist.

Don't become isolated. Try to participate in normal activities and get together with family or friends regularly.

Take care of yourself by eating a healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep.

Join a support group for people with depression so that you can connect to others facing similar challenges.

Stay focused on your goals. Recovery from depression is an ongoing process. Stay motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind. Remind yourself that you're responsible for managing your illness and working toward your goals.

Learn relaxation and stress management. Try such stress reduction techniques as meditation, yoga or tai chi.

Structure your time. Plan your day and activities. Try to stay organized. You may find it helpful to make a list of daily tasks.

Don't make important decisions when you're in the depths of depression, since you may not be thinking clearly."

You can become well again, even with the most severe forms of depression. If you feel that you cannot cope alone, please contact your physician for help.

Remember that these economic cycles are just that, cycles. The situation our economy is in at this moment will not be the situation a year from now. These cycles eventually have an upswing. So, change your outlook from doom-and-gloom to a visualization of a year from now when the outlook can be prosperous.

Sources:
MayoClinic.com