It's about time

Say what you will about the Democratic House of Representatives, but they've turned (at least temporarily) government back to considering sane, realistic government policy. Let's review some of the first 100 hours accomplishments:

• Lower interest rates on federally subsidized student loans
• Expand government-financed embryonic stem cell research
• Raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour
  
• Force the government to bargain directly with drug companies to reduce prices
  
• Require more cargo inspections to thwart would-be terrorists.
  
• Repeal $6 billion tax breaks for the oil industry

You can argue, and I think reasonably, that these might not benefit the everyday American as much as might at first be believed, but at least these are solid, bread-and-butter issues that touch millions and millions of lives. Contrast that to Republican initiatives that touch the lives of almost no one, or in no positive way:

• Federal amendments to ban flag-burning and same sex marriage
• Allowing Bush to indefinitely replace U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation
• Make it more difficult for everyday folks to declare bankruptcy
• Allow warrantless wiretapping and other eavesdropping

It is a relief to know that, at least for the next two years, those days are behind us.

New favorite lyric:

"All in love is fair
(She'll rip out your hair)
Now I'm declaring war
(You know she's killed before)
'Cause I'm a lover and a fighter, bitch"

Artist: Julie Brown (Julie Brown, Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly)
Song: Girl Fight Tonight!
Album: Trapped in the Body of a White Girl