Middle Class Candidate

As the battle for the White House heats up, one thing is certain - both parties are trying to connect with the middle class. So, which of the candidates truly feels the needs and pains of the middle class?

Last Friday Sarah Palin released her tax returns and personal financial disclosure report. The Palin Family, Sarah and Todd, had a combined adjusted gross income of $166,000 in 2007, and $128,000 in 2006.

Interestingly, according to tax documents, John McCain paid more for household help last year—$270,000—than his running mate and her husband earned.

Barack and Michelle Obama reported income of $4.2 million in 2007.

The Biden Family reported $320,000 in adjusted gross income last year.

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University of Illinois at Chicago Receives $10 Million Gift for Polish Studies

University of Illinois at Chicago Receives $10 Million Gift for Polish Studies

A $10 million gift to the University of Illinois at Chicago to enhance studies in Polish history, language and literature will transform the study of that country and its culture in the city with the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw.

The donation, a bequest from the late Romuald Hejna, is the second-largest gift from an individual that UIC has ever received and the biggest single gift to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Hejna's bequest will create two chairs in the history of Poland and one chair in Polish language and literature.

"Mr. Hejna's gift has ensured not only that the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will remain on the map for Polish Studies -- so vital already in Chicago with its storied and strong connections to Poland -- but also that UIC will become a beacon for scholars who wish to research and teach in this specialization," said Dwight A. McBride, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

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Can You Hear Me Now? Cell Phone Service Coming to Metro

H.R. 2095: Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008, is now on the way to the President's desk for signature. The bill gives the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) $1.5 billion in federal funding for its Metro system.

The legislation provides funding to Metro on the condition that it is used to maintain the existing system and not to add new tracks or stations. Metro plans to buy and maintain rail cars and buses and renovate stations in need of repair, said Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel.

Of interest to frequent Metro users, the bill requires that Metro expand cell phone coverage to assure service at its 20 busiest stops within the next year and install service at all stops within four years. Currently, only Verizon or Sprint roaming customers can receive signals - and the coverage is spotty at best.

For the government to award the money, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia must match it with $1.5 billion of their own, with each jurisdiction paying $500 million apiece.

Senator Tom Coburn, R-Okla., placed a hold on the legislation Friday, making it the most recent of more than 80 spending bills that he has held since 2005. While he approved of many of the bill's safety reforms, he strongly objected to what he considered wasteful funding, most notably the $1.5 billion for Metro and almost $13.1 billion for Amtrak. As a side note, Senator Biden (D-Amtrak), did not vote on this bill.

The Senate was able to get around Coburn's hold Monday by voting for cloture. When approved by 60 senators, cloture limits consideration of a bill to no more than 30 additional hours. The motion passed, 69-17, clearing the way for Wednesday's vote.

The bill is now before the President awaiting his review and signature.

More on this story
Southern Maryland Online
Washington Post Story
US Senate Website

Senate Bailout - Wooden Arrows

The Following story from Associated Content:

In struggling with the liquidity crisis, the United States Senate seems to have found that it goes beyond banks, investment firms, and even generally small business. It seems that, among others, the manufacturers of wooden arrows for children were in peril.

Dutifully, the Senate tucked into its version of the bailout bill a provision repealing a 39 cent excise tax on wooden arrows made for children. This relief for the beleaguered wooden arrows industry was included on behalf of Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, Democrat and Republican respectively, of Oregon to benefit arrow manufacturers in their state.

One supposes that if one makes fiberglass arrows for adults, one is just out of luck.

According to Bloomberg:
"(via Bloomberg):
Senators attached a provision repealing a 39-cent excise tax on wooden arrows designed for children to an historic $700 billion financial-markets rescue that passed tonight by a vote of 74-25. The provision, originally proposed by Oregon senators Ron Wyden [D] and Gordon Smith [R], will save manufacturers such as Rose City Archery in Myrtle Point, Oregon, about $200,000 a year.

It's one of dozens of tax breaks benefiting Hollywood producers, stock-car racetrack owners and Virgin Islands rum-makers included in the broader legislation in an effort to win support from House Republicans, whose defection contributed to a rejection of an earlier version of the legislation two days ago on a 228-205 vote."

Associated Content continued:

The Senate bailout bill also contains provisions benefiting Hollywood producers, stockcar race track owners, and rum distillers. These kinds of provisions are delicately known as earmarks. They are commonly known as pork.

The German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck once said that there are two things that should not be looked at too closely, sausage making and law making. The Senate bailout bill, filled out with pork to get Senators to sign on to it, is sausage making at its finest and at its worst.

The liquidity crisis, we are told, has the potential to sink the American economy and cause a second Great Depression. If no one is willing to loan anyone any money, then commerce will grind to a halt. Tens of millions of people will lose their jobs. Chaos will reign.

And, incidentally, Barack Obama will be elected with a far left Congress with a mandate to enact a second New Deal. That is a nightmarish prospect that should be an incentive for any Republican law makers to want to fix the liquidity crisis before it gets really out of control.

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Vice Presidential Debate - Time to Party?!?

Election Season in D.C. is like the Superbowl elsewhere, even the bars get into the elections. For this week's VP debate, many of the D.C. bars are hosting specials, here is just a snippet of what is available.

Complied by the Washington Post:

DC

At the 1331 Bar in the JW Marriott hotel, try some partisan wings—the “left” come with a spicy Asian lacquer, and the “right” have a Texas barbecue sauce—or an “undecider slider,” and sip on some red, white, and blue cocktails. The lounge will host happy hours every Tuesday through November 4 and will also show the presidential debates.

At Ventnor’s, customers can pick a word they think the candidates will say, and every time it’s uttered, shots will be $1.

At Capitol Lounge, enjoy $10 pitchers of Budweiser, Bud Light, Capitol Amber, and Yuengling while watching Biden and Palin duke it out.

DC for Obama is hosting a VP Debate Extravaganza at Mezza Luna. It has one 100-inch and four 32-inch flat-screen TVs in the main area, which guarantees you’ll be able to hear the debate. Reservations are required, but you can reserve a space only for yourself and one other person. Click here to RSVP.

While airing the debate, Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue will also be hosting a Democratic fundraiser. The suggested donation is $100, with a $25 minimum. There will be a cash bar, and pizza and appetizers are free; 8 to 11:30.

The Progressive Happy Hour Crew will host a debate/dance party at Left Bank Bistro Lounge in Adams Morgan.

The couch-filled executive rooms at Lounge 201 will be available after 8 for debate watching, but you can also see it at the bar.

Capitol Hill’s 18th Amendment will offer its regular happy-hour specials.

For last week’s debate, Hawk & Dove was packed by 7:30, so arrive early and take advantage of the happy-hour specials while waiting for the main event. Miller Lite drafts are $1.75, and pitchers are $7.

At Stetson’s Famous Bar & Grill, a big crowd is expected for the debate, so show up early.

Head to the Lobby Bar in the Ritz-Carlton to try a campaign cocktail such as the Elegant Elephant, Delicate Donkey, Obamaretto Sour, or Sugar (Mc)Cain Mojito. These specials and more will be offered through Election Night.

Because of the high demand last week, Timberlake’s American Bar & Grill will show the debate on three flat-screen TVs.

B. Smith’s will raffle off a dinner for two during its debate-viewing party. Guests can enjoy two specialty drinks: the Obama Bahama Mama and the McCain Mojito.

VP Moderator In the Tank for Obama-Biden?

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
ELECTION 2008
WorldNetDaily Exclusive
VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Posted: September 30, 2008
8:35 pm Eastern

By Bob Unruh
WorldNetDaily

Gwen Ifill
The moderator of Thursday's vice-presidential debate is writing a book to come out about the time the next president takes the oath of office that aims to "shed new light" on Democratic candidate Barack Obama and other "emerging young African American politicians" who are "forging a bold new path to political power."

Gwen Ifill of the Public Broadcasting Service program "Washington Week" is promoting "The Breakthrough," in which she argues the "black political structure" of the civil rights movement is giving way to men and women who have benefited from the struggles over racial equality.

Ifill declined to return a WND telephone message asking for a comment about her book project and whether its success would be expected should Obama lose. But she has faced criticism previously for not treating candidates of both major parties the same.

During a vice-presidential candidate debate she moderated in 2004 – when Democrat John Edwards attacked Republican Dick Cheney's former employer, Halliburton – the vice president said, "I can respond, Gwen, but it's going to take more than 30 seconds."

"Well, that's all you've got," she told Cheney.

Ifill told the Associated Press Democrats were delighted with her answer, because they "thought I was being snippy to Cheney."

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Just Call Me Andrew, Esq.!

ILLINOIS BOARD OF ADMISSIONS TO THE BAR

October 1, 2008


Dear Mr. Roszak,

We are pleased to advise that you have passed the July 2008 Illinois bar examination.

Our records reflect that you have satisfied all of the requirements for admission to the bar of Illinois pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 704 and will be certified to the Illinois Supreme Court as eligible to take the oath of admission.

For information regarding the transfer of your Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) score to another jurisdiction, please visit the National Conference of Bar Examiners website at www.ncbex.org. For information and to download the transfer form, click the MBE link under the homepage heading labeled Multistate Tests.

The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday, November 6, 2008, as the date of the admission ceremonies. All certified candidates for admission to the bar must appear in open court to take the attorney's oath and receive their licenses. November 6 is the earliest date on which certified candidates may do so. Notices and instructions that include the location and time of your assigned ceremony will be mailed by the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court.

Very truly yours,

Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar