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| Courtesy of The Economist |
The farm bill was signed by President Obama in Detroit, Michigan. It will cost us $1 trillion over a decade. Earmarks and pork barrels on both sides, and we will be taxed forever.
Food stamps that increased over the years; agricultural subsides that go mainly to big farmers; earmark projects that all of them need on both sides for the midterm election. Thus incumbent wins despite with less than ten percent approval rates. On the positive side, the bill does end direct payments to farmers. The tax money, however, is unfairly distributed among lawmakers that only strengthen the corrupt scheme of the regime.
Obama there in Detroit, that already announced that it defaulted on its debt, stated something of how starved some families are that need food stamps, the need for immigration reform and raising minimum wages. Let's say his comments are 'encouraging' while he talked of no plans for promoting these issues, even about spending the money for campaigning nor plans for election. Not for those issues for sure. Only thing that is so apparent is in that his saying "we need this money for the election". It is our tax money, and Obama still does not say any figures at all. As if food stamps do not consist of large portion of the farm bill.
Sochi olympics started in Russia. The opening ceremony indeed was a surprise and it is surprisingly huge in scale in every sense of the word. The rail is four kilometer long, it's huge in actual size and by the design. There are Russian tastes in everything presented; the music was by Borodin, the mascot animals are Russian, the onion head sculpture is Russian, the costume is Russian, the mass game is Russian, the chorus is Russian, etc. It is as if Borodin came alive in 21st century.
Meanwhile, there are reports on qualities of Russian style services. The open manhole on the road, sounds quite dangerous. The disarrayed mass game somewhat shocked me as it means lack of oversight or technological means to correct it. Winked Olympic symbol is yet another shocker, which I first took it did not open by design.
The athletes went on the procession around a huge projected map that shows the country they represent. They are evidently quite fit, and charming waving hands to the audience. Some are even texting messages and taking photos while walking down the aisle, as if to defy any sort of media appearances. They are ready to fight, for the game.