The people taking to the streets to protest “big government” and out-of-control spending are a little late getting into the game.  The massive federal budget deficit didn’t just happen when Obama took office, as this article clearly points out.  It’s been many years in the making.

A huge reduction in tax receipts, thanks to the tanked economy, is a big factor in the deficit.  Also, Bush administration initiatives that have been adopted by Obama (Iraq, Afghanistan, middle class tax cuts, Medicare drug benefits) have for years and continue to push us into the red.  Obama’s initiatives, including the stimulus package, account for just 10% of deficit spending.

I know I’ll be lambasted by the right for “blaming it all on Bush”  (I know, a two term president who’s now out of office should be free from citicism).  But Obama does deserve a knock or two for not confronting the reality of the deficits and how to deal them over the long term.

So my question to the ”Tea Partiers” is, what’s taken you so long?

If Boeing and the machinists union negotiate in good faith and reach an agreement on a no-strike clause, fine. But for Boeing to insist on it under a threat to open another 787 production line in a different state is just plain wrong.

Boeing’s CEO has said that the company and the unions must set a new, more cooperative tone - and that makes sense. But basically demanding that the unions completely “disarm” is not a step in that direction.

Business is a two-way street. Management can’t see labor as an enemy and vice versa. And the right should stop blaming workers for the failures of businesses they work for.

Republicans in congress and others are criticizing President Obama for not being more supportive of the protesters in Iran.  But I think they’re forgetting, or ignoring the fact that he toes a very fine line.

Iran’s supreme leader has already blamed the U.S. and the west in general for fomenting the unrest that has led to the protests over the disputed election and even for causing the protests themselves.  He doesn’t have much to base that claim on, but would if Obama jumps in as a cheerleader for the protest movement. 

This is the Iranian peoples’ fight, not ours.  It would only undermine and demean their bravery if Obama were to grandstand on Iran’s turmoil.

General Motors is a mess, a mess created by the free market - and not one that the right can blame on the government.  Now, what should the government do?  Stand idly by while the whole thing collapses and takes an entire American industry with it?  Or step in, invest a lot of money and order it to restructure into a competitive company? 

Of course, Obama chose the latter and most agree it’s the right thing to do.  The new CEO of General Motors says it’ll allow the company to come back stronger.  The conservative PM of Canada says his government’s similar investment in GM there will save the Canadian auto industry. 

I know many say we should just let it collapse (serves the unions right), just as we should have allowed the banking and insurance systems to fail.  I guess the thinking is if we all just suffer enough for four years a Republican will certainly be elected in 2012.  Sounds like the right really wants not just Obama, but America, to fail.

I also find it funny, if it weren’t so sad, that many are so disgusted by our government taking over a failed company, but don’t bat an eye when it takes over another country.

Jeremy and I are doing great guns with our workouts, new and improved diet and straighter frames. 

Give Brad and Dana a call at Brad and Dana Chiropractic for treatment of existing problems you might have, or for a check-up to make sure your body is in good shape as you begin or continue a fitness program.  They’re great, and their office is the friendliest place you’ll find in Bellingham.  I even bring the baby along for my appointments.

Call Carrie Stone at Want More Health to get your diet straight - without going on a diet.  She can get the weight melting away and get you looking good in an incredibly short amount of time.

And Zak, Krista and Jason at Fitness Gear and Training are the best.  Check them out whether you’re looking for a personal trainer or a small bootcamp style program.  Either way, they give you the personal attention that really inspires and they know how to work you out gradually so it’s not agonizing - just rewarding and successful.

Check out the new video of Jeremy and me working out.  It’s not exactly pretty, but gives a good idea of what we’re doing with our trainers.

Enough of this nonsense already over the Department of Homeland Security’s assessment of the potential for violent hate groups to make a resurgence.  It is sensible for law enforcement to be dilligent in considering potential threats where ever they may lurk.  It’s just too darn bad that some extreme rightists have been and could continue to be a threat to the nation and its citizens, just as have left wing nuts and other extremists.  And former soldiers have done some very bad deeds.  Timothy McVeigh was a gulf war veteran.  Even sniper John Muhammad was a veteran.  Still, Janet Napolitano and the FBI itself say veterans and conservatives aren’t being “profiled.”

And to everyone hollering about surveillance of Tea Party attendees (which didn’t happen anywhere that I have seen) I say:  where were you freedom lovers when anti-war marches were regularly video taped by police during the last administration.

And Obama certainly takes all types of terrorism seriously as evidenced by his focus on Afghanistan.

Jeremy and I are well into our workout routine.  We’ll meet again this afternoon at Fitness Gear and Training for a session with Jason.  Tune into the Saturday Morning Show with Joe & Patti tomorrow at 7a.m.  Brad Smith from Chiropractic Health Care Clinic will join us to discuss some problems he found in my posture that I didn’t even know I had, what issues it could cause, and how we’re dealing with it.

And we’re off.  My Fit Club partner Jeremy and I started our program this week.  We worked out together Friday with Krista at Fitness Gear and Training, started our nutrition program with Kari of Want More Health and got our initial readjustments from Brad and Dana at Chiropractic Health Care Clinic.  The workout was hard but do-able, and I can tell that I’ll definitely start seeing results.

On our Saturday show we talked with Zak from Fitness Gear and Training about whether you should have a goal as you begin a program (Jeremy and I are aiming for the Lake Padden Triathalon in June) and about some great new programs they’re starting in the store.  If you missed the show just check out the podcast on this website.

I get many e-mails from listeners who vehemently disagree with President Obama, and myself, about how we should be dealing with the current economic mess.  I try to respond to them all, but it gets a bit overwhelming.  So instead, I’ll respond to some assertions made by listener Bill in a recent message…

• the Obama Administration does want to nationalize business in this country.  How else will he redistribute wealth as he and others in his party have stated is their goal?

Obama does not want to nationalize business in this country, and he doesn’t want to redistribute wealth.  He does believe, as many do, that the wealthy (including himself) should shoulder their fair share of the tax burden, and that there must be a safety net for vulnerable Americans.  More on this as we go along…

• the economy is now officially owned by the Obama Administration since he and the Democratic majority have pushed through the recent Stimulus Bills and budgets with his $3.6 trillion budget about to be pushed through as well.  He is increasing debt, not cutting it.

It’s true that the economy is Obama’s baby now, and he admits it himself.  He will be judged by the success or failure of his economic plan.  But he’s the guy who was elected to implement his ideas.  Be honest, though.  The first stimulus bill was passed under the previous administration.  He is increasing debt, not cutting it, out of necessity.  With all quarters of the economy contracting, the government can’t sit on the sideline and watch the economy collapse.  I don’t care what history revisionists say, the New Deal did pull America out of the Great Depression.  World War II finished the job - but that was exactly because the government adopted even more deficit spending.

• Politicians are very good at grand standing and rushing to pass new regulation and do a terrible job of evaluating what the unintended consequences of their decisions or bills may be.  This is also another basic rule in business, determine what the upside and downside of the decision that you are about to make may be.

That may well be true of politicians.  But we’re seeing in vivid detail that businesses aren’t always so capable of determining what the upside and downside of a decision will be.  The bottom line is that this recession was caused by businesses run amok, not by government, though I believe government could have done much to prevent it via stricter regulation of these irresponsible financial institutions.

• Joe. My father worked three jobs to provide for his family.  He never sought, demanded or expected the government to support him or his family.  I have worked since I was 14 years old and actually from the time I was 8 if you consider a paper route, snow shoveling and lawn mowing jobs.  Now Joe. My father worked three jobs to provide for his family.  He never sought, demanded or expected the government to support him or his family.  I have worked since I was 14 years old and actually from the time I was 8 if you consider a paper route, snow shoveling and lawn mowing jobs.  Now I am supposed to just sit back and accept that all that I have EARNED with over 45 years of work is to be taken or taxed away to redistribute to second and third generation welfare recipients who have proven that they are too lazy to work and also to support illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place. And you call this fair and just?. And you call this fair and just?

Your father’s work ethic is admirable.  But there are many, many people out there who can’t find one job, let alone three these days.  Shouldn’t government help those people via unemployment benefits, etc.?  I, too, have worked all my life and have never gotten government assistance - unless you want to count student loans (which I did pay back 100%).  But I don’t resent a portion of my tax dollars going to support an unemployed worker or a family mired in poverty.  And to say that “I am supposed to just sit back and accept that all that I have EARNED with over 45 years of work is to be taken or taxed away to redistribute to second and third generation welfare recipients who have proven that they are too lazy to work and also to support illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place” is nonsense.  If anyone says that raising the tax rate the wealthiest Americans pay from 35% to 39% percent is taking “everything they’ve worked for,” that person needs to get an education in mathematics.  Also, don’t discount the benefits that workers, whether legal or not, bring to our communities. 

Once again, as my title to this blog says, we have to be honest in our arguments.  Outrageous overstatements and misrepresentations do nothing to either solve the problem or enhance the discussion.

I hope Obama succeeds fantastically!

The right’s favorite word is now “socialist.”  It’s used so often and in relation to so many issues that it’s lost all meaning.  Actually nationalizing a company or industry is a socialist move.  Simply propping up a failing bank or institution is not.  If Obama is a socialist for giving capital and loans to teetering banks, then so is George W. Bush and his father along with Ronald Reagan.  The younger Bush began the bank “bailout” that Obama has continued.  Reagan and his successor bailed out hundreds of failed Savings and Loan institutions in the 80’s and early 90’s.  I think they all made the right decision.

Obama acts while McCain twitters…