Photo: Bill Clinton walks Chelsea Clinton down the aisle at wedding

Former president Bill Clinton walked Chelsea Clinton down the aisle at her exclusive wedding in Rhinebeck , New York .  Although Chelsea Clinton’s wedding was absent of a media entourage, it’s still one of THE hottest events of the century.

Bill Clinton lost weight to walk his daughter down the aisle.  It’s reported that she told him that all he had to do was walk her down the aisle, and he had to look good doing it. Of course, just being Bill Clinton is enough in the eyes of many, but this is his daughter, the bride talking.  She reportedly told him he needed to lose 15 pounds.

And so he did.  He lost at least 15 pounds, per his bridezilla…er…daughter’s request.  Typically it’s the bride and the mother of the bride speaking about losing weight for the big day.  Of course, when you are the Secretary of State, you may not exactly have time for a weight loss regimen.

We know that Chelsea is health conscious just from her gluten free wedding cake. She reportedly purchased a gluten free cake from La Tulipe Bakery in New York . 

What do you think of Bill Clinton walking Chelsea down the aisle? Don’t they look great? Chelsea ’s flowered into a beautiful young woman, and Bill  looks fab with his noticeably slimmer frame.

99er Unemployment Legislation: Stabenow Among Those Desiring Another Extension Bill

99er unemployment legislation could be in the works.  Debbie Stabenow, the Democratic Senator from Michigan is said to be one of the handful of Senators who are ready to get some help to 99ers in need of a benefits extension.  This comes as little surprise as she is the representative for the state with the second highest unemployment rate, which sits well into the double digits.

99er legislation would make jobless benefits available for longer than...99 weeks. This is the current time frame allowed under the bill that was signed into law last week.

Stabenow has also indicated that job creation is crucial to the success of the economy. It's true that the only way to truly solve the unemployment issue is to get people back to work.  Perhaps this should be the focus now, alongside a measure to help extend benefit to the long term unemployed.

In a letter to the public, Stabenow said the following regarding her support of Tier 5 legislation for the 99ers:

I wish that the bill we passed helped those who have been looking for work the longest – the so-called "99ers." I'm working on a bill to help them because, when there are five people out of work for every one job opening, it's the right thing to do.


Hopefully more politicians feel the same, so that a comprehensive measure can be brought to the floor to discuss.


Source: American Chronicle

Financial Reform Bill 2010 - Banking Industry Awaits Effects

The Financial Reform Bill 2010 has many Wall Street bankers shaking in their boots. The bill, which is the most sweeping financial reform since the great depression, could negatively impact the bottom lines of many financial institutions. The end result will either be good or bad for the US economy.

Although that sounds like common sense - it will either work, or it won't, it's actually not just that simple.

The bill is created in order to avoid the collapse we saw near the end of 2008. It gives the Federal Reserve Bank more power, the SEC more power, and brings the government into the industry more and more than ever before.

The reform bill will create more stringent rules for hedge funds and derivatives, hopefully helping avoid the collapse that was felt after the Credit Default Swaps brought down Lehman Brothers.

All of this is fine and dandy, but will this help or hurt the American way of life? After all, we were built on capitalism and free markets. If the government puts their hands into the financial markets, what will that mean for venture capitalism, investments, and pure American ingenuity?

Creative genius is what creates growth, and many of those who have great ideas that they can build into successful companies are not financial types. Having to sort through governmental red tape every step of the way to get an idea financed could squelch this type of growth.

On the other hand, the consumer needs to be protected. Banks and investment firms can afford expensive lawyers to give them advice and how to stay out of legal trouble, where the average consumer can't afford advice on how to not get taken advantage of. Having regulations in place to ensure the consumer is protected could go a long way in keeping the markets from collapse.

References: New York Times

2010 Unemployment Extension and a Political Unemployment Benefits Bill Blame Game

The 2010 unemployment extension is the hot political topic of the day.  The unemployment extension 2010 benefits bill has led to a political blame game that is really taking over Capital Hill.  Of course, you have Republicans blaming Democrats and vice versa but there are some key players that are getting blamed for the mess.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid voted against the unemployment extension.  Before you get up in arms, it was because he has to vote against a failing measure if he wants it to be able to be brought back up.  The final vote of 58-38 represents an actual vote of 59-38, as Reid is for the bill.

However, Reid is getting blamed for the failure to pass the bill.  A Republican Senator offered to vote for the bill if compromises were made.  Among the compromises was to have at least half the bill paid for via unused stimulus funds. Reid didn't make any compromises.

The standoff isn't over the issue of unemployment extensions - it's over funding.  Republicans don't want the tax hikes that will affect small businesses and investment fund managers - they also don't want to add to deficit spending.

Democrats want to fund the measure using deficit spending and tax hikes.  The tax hikes include requiring certain S-Corporations to pay self employment taxes on 100% of their taxable income - not just owner draws.  It also increases taxation of investment fund managers and oil companies.

Once a replacement for Robert Byrd is found, it's said that the measure will pass.  Until then,  Americans will be sitting back waiting to see what is going on and if the unemployment extension will ever pass.

Pelosi: Unemployment Benefits and Checks Create Jobs?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claims that unemployment benefits and checks will create jobs. The unemployment benefits extension still hasn't passed, and perhaps one of the most influential people in Congress has given her opinion on the unemployment debate.

Nancy Pelosi thinks that unemployment checks will actually CREATE jobs.  Sounds kinda like a paradox, doesn't it? After all, how can paying people NOT to work create JOBS?  If you think about it, and listen to her logic - it does make sense.

People without jobs that don't have any income can't purchase goods and services.  This means that demand drops, and then employers need to lay off more workers making the cycle worse.

The same unemployed person with a check will have the ability to purchase goods and services. Jobs are sustained or created as demand stays stable or increases. This helps us dig out of the hole we are in.

On the other hand, there's a fine line of how to pay for said benefits.  IF benefits are paid for by measures that will cost businesses money, then some of the benefits of the checks will be negated.  There are ways to pay for the unemployment benefits that will give businesses incentives to create jobs as well as give Americans the lifeline that they need.

The Senate is currently on vacation. They are holding up the unemployment extension. Once they reconvene, it's hoped that they will pass either HR 4213 or a standalone bill and give Americans the unemployment extension that they need.

2010 Unemployment Extension Benefits Bill, Sharron Angle, and Harry Reid

The 2010 unemployment extension benefits bill has not passed.  The unemployment benefits extension is a hot political debate, especially in the state of Nevada.  Currently, the Silver State has 14% unemployment and they most recently surpassed Michigan as the state with the highest unemployment totals.  It comes as no surprise that during the next election, the unemployment benefits extension bill will be a hot topic.

Sharron Angle is the Republican candidate for the Nevada Senate seat.  She is a tea party favorite, and she's made a lot of headlines since winning the Primaries for the mid-term election.

Angle was recently quoted as calling the unemployed "spoiled" much to the dismay of ... well, the unemployed and all those that back helping the unemployed. These are not wise words for a politician seeking election in the state with the highest unemployment level in the country (but at least she was honestly speaking her mind and not giving us smoke and mirrors on her views...)

Recently, she "clarified" the statement - but instead of softening her remarks she further indicated that unemployment benefits should be cut to the point where it's hard to live on them, forcing the unemployed to find work.

Obviously Angle hasn't been job hunting recently.

On the other side, Harry Reid - the Democratic Senator and Senate Majority Leader from Nevada is for the passage of the unemployment benefits bill.  He's tried several times to bring the vote to the Senate floor and has tried to block the Republicans' attempts at filibusters.

Angle's stance on the unemployed and unemployment benefits extension may very well be the proverbial nail in the coffin this election year. Unemployed individuals even from other states are outraged by her remarks, and believe that her stance shows how ill-informed she is about the situation in the country today.

On the other hand, her supporters rally behind her, sick and tired of the government adding to the deficit spending all the time.

Elizabeth Edwards about John Edwards Scandal

Elizabeth Edwards was the wife of Senator and former vice-presidential hopeful John Edwards. We all know that John was outed by the National Enquirer after having an illegitimate child with his mistress. Even though she had cancer, Elizabeth Edwards had enough and is now separated from her husband of 30 years.

It's stories like the John Edwards story that make the National Enquirer seem almost...credible. They recently broke a story about Al Gore and a masseuse who dubbed him a "sex crazed poodle." The 50-plus masseuse claims that Gore forced himself on her and demanded favors during his massage. She spoke with authorities about the matter. We're still waiting to see what transpires about this story.

Elizabeth is now opening up for the first time since separating from her husband. He's now got another child, his daughter with Rielle Hunter. Rielle was recently seen in the pages of GQ in a suggestive photo shoot.

Mrs. Edwards shows strength and determination. Although devastating, she hasn't let her husband's infidelities define her.

Cate Edwards, John and Elizabeth's 28 year old daughter also spoke out about her mother, commending how strong she remained even though her live had been "savaged" by people she didn't invite in it.

Elizabeth will open up to Matt Lauer. Her book, Resilience is also coming out soon. This book will likely be a big hit because it will tell how she coped with the infidelity of her husband, which is something that many people want to know more about.

Senator Robert Byrd Dead at 92; Robert Byrd Dies after Falling Ill

Senator Robert C. Byrd died at age 92.  Byrd was the longest serving US Senator, and fell ill over the weekend.  Robert Byrd was]s "seriously ill" according to his office, but then passed away. He was 92 years old, and was a Democrat from West Virginia. He went to the hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion and dehydration as temperatures eclipsed 100 degrees in the nation's Capital.

President Obama's agenda could be jeopardized by Byrd's passing, as it was during the healthcare debate. Byrd came in to several key votes in his wheelchair to the applause of his colleagues.

Many wondered what would happen if Byrd became too ill to serve, and who would be elected.  The prospect is scary for Senate Democrats as after the death of Senator Kennedy, Scott Brown became the first Republican to be elected as a Massachusetts Senator in several decades.

There are key issues that Senate would like to resolve this week before they adjourn for the 4th of July holiday.  The financial overhaul bill is on the horizon.

The Senator was in his current role since 1959, and even served as a leader in the Senate in the 1970's and 1980's.  He cast over 18,000 votes and funneled lots of funds to his home state.  Roads, bridges, and infrastructure are named in his honor as he truly served them well.

The Democrats need all the votes they can get to pass the financial overhaul bill.  Will there be a stalemate with the financial overhaul like there is with the unemployment extension? What will happen now that this Democratic Senator has passed?

The Senate will break for the 4th of July holiday, and several pieces of legislation should be passed before they adjourn. This will likely put a damper on the assembly and could limit what is accomplished.

Robert Byrd should be remembered as a great Senator.  He was present in Washington for generations, and was a dynamic and pivotal leader.  He will be missed.