Countdown is on to the release of Michael Moore’s next film, and yet again I’m sitting here trying to decide whether or not I’m going to blow the cash to see it. I don’t tend to agree with him very much, but hate to admit that I like his style.

Simplifying the complexities of government is something I enjoy doing, and Moore tends to do just that with his films. Of course this can be a liability when it comes to dealing with most conservatives (as Screen Daily observes), but Moore probably isn’t too concerned about garnering box office sales from them. At the very least, I know the film will cause at least a wave of self-righteous complaints from the conservative blogosphere.

Unfortunately he is pinning his loyal viewers’ hopes on a system of government that has already been proven to be ineffective. Socialism looks good on paper, but has its own set of nightmares in practice. Instead of trading one set of problems for another, we need to create (and re-create) laws to keep businesses from running purely for the short-term gains, with no concern for the future. Our present problems are directly linked to management and investment practices that had no eye on sustaining our way of life for generations to come. The problem is not capitalism – it is unfettered capitalism.

From Reuters – Senator Edward Kennedy Dies at 77…

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, a towering figure in the Democratic Party who took the helm of one of America’s most fabled political families after two older brothers were assassinated, has died at age 77, his family said on Wednesday.

Cameras will be following the president-elect and his family every step of the way during the day — and you’ll be able to watch it live streaming on MTV.com. Here’s a look at where they’ll be for the ceremony, the parades — and of course the Youth Inaugural Ball and other balls throughout the evening.

» 8:25 a.m.: Obamas leave Blair House for prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church

» 8:35 a.m.: Prayer service

» 9:45 a.m.: Church service ends; Obamas depart for the White House

» 10:05 a.m.: Obamas arrive at White House for coffee with the Bushes

» 11 a.m.: Motorcade departs for the Capitol

» 11:30 a.m.: Bushes and Obamas proceed to platform on the West Front; California Senator Dianne Feinstein will issue the call to order and deliver brief welcoming remarks, followed by an invocation from Dr. Rick Warren and a performance from Aretha Franklin (who also sang at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration)

» 11:50 a.m.: Joe Biden is sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Justice John Stevens

» 12 p.m.: Barack Obama is sworn in as president by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Obama, with his hand on Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural Bible, will recite the same oath as his predecessors: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Musical performance from John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill, followed by “Hail to the Chief” and a 21-gun salute

» 12:05 p.m.: Inaugural address, followed by a poem written and recited by Elizabeth Alexander and a benediction from Dr. Joseph Lowery. The national anthem will be performed by the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters

» 12:30 p.m.: Ceremony concludes

» 12:35 p.m.: Bush departs via helicopter; Cheney departs by limo

» 12:45 p.m.: Obama signs inauguration papers in the President’s Room

» 1:00 p.m.: Obama attends congressional luncheon

» 2:15 p.m.: Obama and Biden review troops at Capitol

» 2:30 p.m.: President Obama leads the parade from the Capitol along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House

» 3:15 p.m.: Arrival at the White House

» 3:45 p.m.: Obamas and Bidens proceed to the reviewing stand; inaugural parade continues until 6 p.m.

» 7 p.m.: The official inaugural balls begin with the Neighborhood Ball at the Washington Convention Center, with performers scheduled to include Beyoncé. Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Stevie Wonder and others. Nick Cannon will DJ.

The event, expected to include the president and first lady’s first dance of the night, will be broadcast on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. From there, it’s on to other celebrations, including MTV’s Youth Ball.

What do you think? Let me know in comments.

Saturday Night Live Video – George Bush Endorses John McCain and Sarah Palin

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Many people, like myself, feel that the way in which a society supports its most vulnerable or disenfranchised citizens is a critical indicator of how healthy that society is, and where it is headed in the future.

The issue of disability policy and the improvements that are necessary to elevate the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities in this country has rarely made it into the mainstream discourse during this election. Unfortunately, this is not surprising as individuals with disabilities are typically excluded from the larger social and political environments, both by actual physical barriers and by traditional social practices in our society which make them invisible.

Although it seemed that we might actually be treated to a serious debate on disability policy issues when Sarah Palin’s name was added to the Republican ticket and she announced that she has a child who was born with Down Syndrome earlier this year, no such rich or meaningful public discussion has resulted. Palin has vowed to make special needs children a priority in a McCain/Palin Whitehouse, however it is not clear how Sarah Palin, or John McCain, would accomplish this. In addition, given the track records of both Palin as Governor and McCain as Senator, it does not appear that the disability policy issues that will be crucial in the 21st Century, such as greater independence, de-institutionalization, community supports, and funding for special education will be represented by this ticket should they win the 2008 Presidential Election.

For example, McCain has repeatedly been unsupportive of fully funding special education for children with disabilities across the nation, and he does not support legislation to help move more people out of state institutions and into communities. Sarah Palin, as noted in a New York Times article in September, has not so far been an advocate of children with special needs in her state, which has one of the highest rates of out-of-state placements of children with disabilities based on Alaska’s inability to provide them with adequate services.

On the other side of the spectrum, Barack Obama released his plan to empower people with disabilities earlier this year, and it is a comprehensive plan that addresses many of the issues facing people, both adults and children, with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities, including health care, education, independent living, employment, and a host of other issues. In addition, Barack Obama supports the movement towards requiring that insurance plans cover mental and behavioral health services, which would positively impact people who are dually diagnosed with both disabilities and mental illness.

On November 4th, many who care about the rights and quality of life for people with disabilities will decide, in addition to other factors and issues, which candidate can best serve to support this population and honor their rights and abilities to live full, happy, and productive lives in American society. Hopefully, you will be one of them! Find out more information on where these candidates stand by visiting the links below:

Senator Barack Obama/ Senator Joe Biden:
Website: www.barackobama.com
Plan: Obama-Biden Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities

Senator John McCain/ Governor Sarah Palin:
Website: www.johnmccain.com
*Plan: Please note that although McCain does address some disability issues for veterans, he does not have a policy plan for people with disabilities.

So…What are they saying? Are they just like Joe the plumber, who makes over $250,000.00 a year? Do they know that guy isn’t a licensed plumber and doesn’t make even close to the income he claimed, and he never had any intention of buying a small business? Do they know, that under Barack Obama’s plan, Joe the plumber would have his taxes lowered? Do they realize, that unless they have incomes greater than $250,000.00, their taxes would be lower too?

What do you think of all the “Joe the Plumber” hoopla? Are you sick of it? Let me know in comments.