Obama criticised for defending religious freedom

USA today reports on President Obama's statements related to the right of all Americans to practice their own religion - including muslims.

Obama proposes more regulation of US banks

BBC Report today that President Obama is planning new regulations of the US banking sector.
US President Barack Obama has proposed significant new curbs on the activities of banks to try to prevent future financial crises.  The plans - the most far-reaching yet -include limits to the size of banks and restrictions on riskier trading.

While the greed of certain fringe financiers may have got the world into the financial mess it found itself in last year.  It is by no means clear that ongoing extension of state controls in the solution.  Arguably if those companies that got themselves into difficulty had been allowed to go under the market would be now have cleared out the companies that acted unwisely with depositers funds.

AFP: Clinton to visit Australia, New Zealand, PNG

AFP: Clinton to visit Australia, New Zealand, PNG : US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, will be conducting a flying visit to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea next week to discuss international security issues, development and the environment. New Zealand's relationship with the USA remains vitally important for defence, trade and foreign affairs.

Obama healthcare plan moves a step closer

BBC reports that after a long, often acrimonious debate Senators voted 60 to 40 along party lines to end debate on the health reform bill at 0100 (0600 GMT) on Monday.Four further votes are scheduled this week on the issue before the final Senate vote on Christmas Eve.

Under the Senate bill, most Americans would have to have health insurance. This marks a significant breakthrough to help ensure that Americans can receive the health treatment they need - regardless of whether they are rich or poor. Historically the US health system has been one of the most expensive in the world.  The proliferation of private providers funded by private insurance companies has led to significant waste and duplication.  At the same time many low income Americans have been unable to pay the premiums which are now required to fund this private healthcare monster.

Is George Bush The Worst President In America's History?

As the Presidential elections begin to enter the home straight we can take a look at the legacy of eight years of the GW Bush presidency. The popular image of a buffoon in the Oval Office does not necessarily do justice to President Bush. To get a fair assessment we need to look at the evidence and then draw our conclusions. After all an inability to string sentences together is not necessarily an indication of poor statesmanship. This week's Independent www.theindepndent.co.nz
published a very interesting ledger weighing up the legacy of the GW Bush years.

The view of America held by foreigners fell from 58% favourable in January 2001 to 39% favourable in January 2008. But what do non-Americans know about the US? Of more importance is how the Bush Presidency impacted the daily lives of ordinary Americans. The cost of health premiums increased from $US6230 per year to $US12,106 per year; household income actually fell by $1,100. Personal savings rates fell 0.5% compared to an increase of 2.3% to January 2001.

Beyond the household and from the nation's perspective Real GDP growth had been 4% to January 2001 when Bush came into office. Over the past seven years GDP has increased by just 2.6%. The Budget balance went from a $US431bn surplus over the previous three budgets to a $US734 deficit over the previous three budgets in January 2008. National debt increased from $US 5.7trillion to $US 9.2trillion. The number of Americans living in poverty rose from 31.6million to 36.5million.

There are a host of other statistics on the costs of college, price of petrol and the number of new private sector jobs created which all point to a real failure under the watch of the Bush Administration. Sounds like a time for change.

Obama Streets Ahead on Iraq and Education

A very useful summary of the US Presidential candidates positions on major policy issues has been developed by Associated press www.kansascity.com/445/story/765614.html

On the key matter of Iraq Senator McCain: "Opposes scheduling a troop withdrawal, saying latest strategy is succeeding. Supported decision to go to war, but was early critic of the manner in which administration prosecuted it. Was key backer of the troop increase. Willing to have permanent U.S. peacekeeping forces in Iraq."

In contrast Senator Obama: "Spoke against war at start, opposed troop increase. Voted against one major military spending bill in May 2007; otherwise voted in favor of money to support the war. Says his plan would complete withdrawal of combat troops in 16 months. Initially had said a timetable for completing withdrawal would be irresponsible without knowing what facts he'd face in office."

On Education Senator McCain: "Favors parental choice of schools, including vouchers for private schools when approved by local officials, and right of parents to choose home schooling. More money for community college education."

In contrast Senator Obama: "Encourage but not require universal pre-kindergarten programs, expand teacher-mentoring programs and reward teachers with higher pay not tied to standardized test scores, in $18 billion plan to be paid for in part by delaying elements of moon and Mars missions. Change No Child Left Behind law "so that we're not just teaching to a test and crowding out programs like art and music." Tax credit to pay up to $4,000 of college expenses for students who perform 100 hours of community service a year."

Biden Adds Foreign Policy Strength to Obama Ticket

Senator Obama's decision to have Senator Joe Biden as his Vice Presidential running mate will add further gravitas to the Democratic ticket in the US elections this November. Biden is one of America's longest serving Senator's, with two presidential races behind him (1988 and 2008),and immense foreign policy expertise. In choosing Biden Obama has added experience to his youth, an insider's knowledge to his reputation as an anti-establishment figure, and international relations expertise to Obama's domestic policy background. It will be interesting to see the next few polls comparing McCain to Obama - given this latest news.