This month is National Landscape Architecture Month. April is also African American Women’s Fitness Month, International Cesarean Awareness Month, Emotional Overeaters Awareness Month, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Month & Nationally Sexually Transmitted Diseases Month just to name a few. (From the site here.) I’m promoting Landscape Architecture since I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Landscape Architecture (B.S.L.A.) from Purdue University. I am a Registered Landscape Architect with the State of Indiana. I am a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Politics
Regalia Quote
“The president’s budget came out last month, and after reading through hundreds of pages of text and tables, I came to the conclusion that this budget was a lot like the “El Gordo” platter at my favorite Mexican restaurant – it contains something for everybody, it’s loaded with pork, but it’s bad for your health, and it totes a hefty price tag.”
– From March 2010, Econ 101, Dr. Martin Regalia, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Economic Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Jack Jordan
Becky and I were invited to a meet & greet fundraiser for Jack Jordan at the home of Carol & John Zeglis last week. Carol and John are always wonderful hosts and make everyone welcome. There were a lot of new faces there, but it was still a comfortable setting.
Jack and his wife, Hope, were very personable. He has the basic Republican positions, but with a strong “anti-politician” message. One of his issues is term limits and he has promised no more than three terms. I wish I could believe in that… I want to believe in that… It seems though, that those that run for political office quickly become politicians. The number of incumbent politicians that believe in term limits is significantly less than those using that platform plank in their first run for office.
Washington Gibberish
I am somewhat frustrated by the gibberish that is coming from Washington. Be it Health Care Reform, the so called “stimulus” packages or even just the general budgets. Many would say it has always been like that and I have read some accounts that discussed arguments over bills that nearly came to blows in the 1800’s. There are other records that belie that though. The Homestead Act of 1862 is one such example. Could such a sweeping document be created and passed in such a succinct form today? I think not.
First, if you look at that document (here), which basically opened the West to settlement, it is only two pages long! I would wager that President Lincoln didn’t sign his name to it with 15 different give-away pens either…
News Release from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
ABC Unveils Jobs Proposal for the Construction Industry
Contact: Gail Raiman, (703) 812-2073 Gerry Fritz, (703) 812-2062March 2, 2010 Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today unveiled its 2010 Job Creation Proposal, a wide-ranging package of recommendations that will help to stimulate the construction industry and put Americans back to work.
“We believe these measures are a much-needed first step to get this nation’s construction industry moving again,” said ABC President and CEO Kirk Pickerel. “With construction in this country nearly at a standstill and the industry unemployment rate at a staggering 24.7 percent – more than twice the national average – it is imperative for Congress to enact meaningful job creation legislation.”