I spoke to a family friend who is over 50 just yesterday. She said she was told to dye her hair to hide the gray so when she went for a job she wouldn’t be turned down. Her companion had talked to someone about a job over the phone. When he went for the interview he had set up during that call, the interviewer said he had thought he was speaking to a younger man. No, he didn’t get the job. Age discrimination? Yes, but you would have to prove it and it’s your word against theirs.

People are taking jobs that they would have felt beneath them years ago when the economy was good. Minimal paying jobs are being snapped up by older citizens who need to have money coming into their households. Food stamps and food banks have been used more than ever. People are desperate to keep their homes and feed their families. If Congress balks again, I am sure many of them who are set to be re-elected in November will be watching their opponents win their seats in Congress.

The latest news on unemployment is that 13 out of 100 people are able to find at least a part time job. That’s not good. Where are the jobs? We have been told the economy is getting better, but judging from what I have heard on tv and read in the newspapers it’s not the truth. We need to have a future here in the U.S. We need to have Congress do the right thing and pass the bill before them. Word has it this will happen tomorrow. I am not holding my breath.

This mess didn’t happen overnight and it sure won’t be cleaned up quickly. It’s taken decades to get the U.S. to where it is today…in a major “traffic jam” of extremely bad economy. Putting the blame on the past elected officials isn’t entirely true, either. You need to add the bank ceos, mortgage brokers and real estate people to the list. They all helped contribute to the downfall of the economy. It’s sad that no one really can point a finger at the one major person who started the ball rolling, but that will never happen. There are too many greedy people who took advantage of a decent economy, told home buyers they could afford that mortgage over $1000 a month, and then laughed when homes began to be foreclosed. They didn’t care because they had gotten their commissions and bonuses.

We, as a nation, have to be strong and fight back. We can do it, but it will take TIME. That’s something President Obama doesn’t seem to think we have. He is rushing into this and that project as fast as he can. He will run out of steam very soon if he keeps that energy level going. Is he researching these things before he jumps right into the fire? Is he really trying to be the most wonderful president ever to be listed in the history books as not only the first black president, but the one who got the most done in the first 100 days? I have some advice for him. SLOW DOWN! Listen to the people out there, not just the people who surround you in Washington. Listen to the little people, the ones who have the small businesses that have kept America going all these years. The ones who are struggling to make ends meet week after week. Your fellow Americans who want things to improve, but who aren’t willing to go too far to make that happen. Your fellow constituents in Washington were voted into office by these people and they should be listening, too. It’s time to fight again for America, home of the brave and the free. Can we please have America be fruitful again? Prosperous and strong? We need to work together on doing this. One nation under God. I’ll be praying for America and I ask you to join me.

What was Citi Bank thinking? When the economy got worse and they had to ask for bailout funds, they should have realized their customers and non customers would be furious over news of a purchase of such an expensive private jet. Greed has gotten too many of our financial companies into trouble. There was a story on the news just last week about a bank president who spent a lot of money redecorating his private office. The big executives need to cut way back and look out for the people they are serving. It just doesn’t look good to have the banks spending money unwisely in this bad economy.

He’s got a lot of issues on his plate right now- the lousy economy, the growing number of unemployed, a health care system that definitely needs to be revamped, a few wars, terrorists, an energy policy that needs help, a Medicare system that needs attention, Social Security that’s not exactly up to par, and a strained military. While he intends to tackle all the above, he also plans to change the way Washington does its tackling of certain issues. I fear he will be severely tested. While Obama is very popular with voters, how will they feel after his first 100 days?

Obama will do something different than other presidents. He has a website where he intends to post congressionally enacted laws for five days so he can invite the public to comment before he signs them. He would also appreciate citizen ideas about the Web site content. You can sign up to receive regular email updates from his website. “Organizing for America” is the website. Check this website. There is a lot of information on it now and more to follow.

On Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday Obama will be sworn in. How fitting to be on this day. Sean Wilentz, professor of history at Princeton University said this moment “speaks of a hunger for leadership and a hope that he (Obama) will be it.” Yes, we need a leader, one who will be strong enough to deal with all the obstacles being dumped in his lap.

With the economy in a slump, unemployment at an all time high, and two wars going on where American soldiers fighting terrorists, Obama will have his hands full. In a poll taken by the Associated Press-GFK, 37% of the people polled felt Obama will be an “above average” president while 28% thought he would be an “outstanding” one. Some of the media seem to have declared Obama and his family celebrities, claiming he will be the “paparazzi president”.

Obama modified a few campaign promises. He isn’t going to push for the instant repeal of the Bush tax cuts due to the economy. Everything will take time including withdrawal from Iraq and shutting down the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Obama has shown an ability to learn things quickly and can change course if necessary- vital things for the President of the United States.

As for the ball that is to be held afterwards, I read donations from people and corporations usually fund the ball. This year I wonder what will happen. Will Michelle Obama spend a lot on a designer dress or gown? Will there be a huge bill for the ball after it’s over? Who will pay for it? Perhaps both Obamas should sit back and decide on a budget cutting ball. Don’t overspend! It doesn’t show the American people that you are concerned about the economy.

President Bush and other world leaders seem to have gotten something done over the weekend to get the economy rolling again. We’ve been told the recession won’t be a long one. I hope this is true. I would hate to see the entire world having financial problems. Jobs would be in jeopardy, people would be laid off, riots would more than likely occur. This would not just be in the United States. The biggest question is this one: Will a new president be able to continue to not only lead the U.S. in the world markets, but will he be able to deal with the recession, making sure his people will be able to live comfortably? This is something I wonder about. We need good leadership. We don’t need lies and deception, corrupt government, or the feeling there is no future for us.

The questions that were asked were very well thought about. I think both came across as very confident in their abilities to answer questions they did not know would be asked. One thing I did not particularly like was the “that one” McCain called Obama. He should have been more of a gentleman and not referred to Obama in those words. That’s the only point I felt was wrong.

As to who won this debate, I don’t believe either of them did. It was a good debate, but a bit lengthy at times. I would have liked to have heard at least two more questions, but time constraints would not have allowed this. Neither candidate seemed to consider there was a time limit to their speaking, but kept going even when their time was up. Have I made up my mind as to who to vote for? This debate did little to make me feel the candidates are good enough to be President. I look forward to the next debate.