Alive

I'm reading a Washington Post article about California's budget woes and am getting nervous. That state alone is the 8th largest economy in the WORLD. Bigger than Brazil....bigger than Canada...I hope things get sorted out there - I think California is key to our economic recovery, whether we like it or not and whether it is "fair" or not for the Feds to help that state out over others.

In other news, I head off to Italy soon for my sister's wedding! I am so excited - I've never been to Italy and am looking forward to the food, sights and company. I just hope the mice that have invaded my pantry are gone before I go. I found them this morning...ew, so gross. I threw out a loaf of bread that one had made it's nest and was still sleeping inside.

Work is going well. My interns are doing great and I'm learning more and more about government oversight and the like. The first report of Stimulus waste came out today. It appears to be propaganda of sorts - I sincerely doubt the Senator issuing the report has NEVER had an earmark in an appropriations bill. It's really easy to find things wrong and complain. It's much more difficult to provide solutions and real dialogue, something that is decidedly lacking in this city. Health care reform is the hot issue of the summer and I'm loosely following the on-going debates. This always reminds me that I really need to stick to my commitment of leaving the DC area once a month to get perspective. This place has been described as an echo chamber and it is true. There's a whole different world outside the Beltway and it's hard to remember the perspective from outside is not the same as from within.

And, in other exciting news, I had my picture taken with Senator George McGovern. He ran against Nixon in 1972 and is an anti-hunger advocate presently. It's very cool!

Ok, back to reading about wasteful government spending...