Jay began writing politically themed commentary and founded his blog, Swimming Freestyle, in October 2007. Here he'll write about politics from a progressive perspective.

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Senate Push Back

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May 1, 3:14 PM

by Jay McDonough, Progressive Politics Examiner

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted unanimously today to limit U.S. investment in Iraqi infrastructure projects:

The Senate Armed Services Committee spoke with one voice Thursday and sent “a loud message to Iraq,” according to Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), that the U.S. is no longer willing to pick up the bill when it comes to costly infrastructure projects.

As part of the Defense authorization bill, the panel unanimously approved a provision that prohibits the Pentagon from paying for infrastructure projects in Iraq that cost more than $2 million.

Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) told reporters: “American taxpayers are paying for too many things here in Iraq that the Iraqis ought to pay for out of their surplus.”

He noted that Iraq exports 2 million barrels of oil per day at current market prices of about $120 a barrel.

“It is unconscionable, it is inexcusable, it makes no common sense for a country that has that kind of wealth and that kind of surplus in our banks and their banks to be sending us the tab or for us to pay the tab for the infrastructure and some of the training costs that we're now paying for.”

The Iraqi government is purported to have a budget excess of $25B. Oil revenue for 2007-2008 is expected to be >$100B.

"This nation's facing record deficits, and the Iraqis have translated their oil revenues into budget surpluses rather than effective services," Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, the Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said Wednesday. (Link)

Topics: Iraq War

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Obama's birth certificate; you can't keep a good conspiracy theorist down

8 comments

December 4, 3:24 PM

Did you know the Apollo 11 moon landing was faked by NASA?Did you know 9/11 attacks were orchestrated by the U.S. government?Did you know the government manages Area 51, where alien spacecraft and its occupants are being studied?Well, maybe you don't... Read More

The president's most solemn oath

1 comment

December 4, 2:12 PM

On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama will take the following oath and become the 44th president of the United States:"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of... Read More
Topics: Torture , Bush , Mukasey

Auto industry predictions

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December 4, 11:35 AM

Phil LeBeau from CNBC made some predictions the other day about the U.S. auto industry. A couple:1. Chrysler will be sold.This isn't hard to imagine. The company is a shell of what it once was, it has just enough cash to stay out of bankruptcy,... Read More

The case for health care investment

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December 4, 9:26 AM

Given the precarious state of the economy and the huge investment being made to keep Wall Street afloat, some have argued any move to implement universal health care is ill-timed. Jonathan Gruber, in an op-ed piece in today's New York Times, argues... Read More

A picture for the day

1 comment

December 3, 5:16 PM

Beijing, China: A newborn baby holds onto his mother's finger at a hospital (Photograph: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images) ... Read More

UAW offers concessions to automakers

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December 3, 3:49 PM

The United Auto Workers announced today their willingness to make contract concessions to assist the troubled Big Three automakers in winning loan guarantees from the federal government. The UAW will agree to delay the autoworkers contribution... Read More

Subpoenas issued in Justice probe

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December 3, 3:09 PM

Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed an independent prosecutor, Nora Dannehy, two months ago to investigate the dismissals of nine U.S. attorneys. Mr. Mukasey's move was initiated following an internal Department of Justice review that concluded... Read More

Retired officers want torture revoked

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December 3, 11:59 AM

The other day I noted a Washington Post op-ed, written by a former interrogator, arguing for an end to the use of torture by American forces. I included this comment:After reading much on the topic, it seems that the great majority of career military... Read More