I was just checking email, an in the "Comcast News" section...which you have to go through to access email, there is a story about Todd Palin defending the GOP spending $150,000 on clothes for his wife during campaign. THIS IS NEWS?!?!? It's April 1 (gotta be a joke, right?) The federal gvt just sent our country into record defecits and 150K is NEWS?????? Let's talk about the bailouts, or the omnibus bill, or the fact that as we speak, other countries want the dollar to stop being the global standard!!!

Oh wait, Mr. Palin commented on jeans. What was I thinking? Clearly that's more newsworthy.

UGH!!! And I was just looking at a job posting there, too.

Time to start calling your government offices and let them know you are NOT happy. Tell all your friends....put them on speed dial. Demand answers.

I too posted on vent and it is no longer there.....my inbox is full of comments though. I'm kind of new to this....what's going on here?

No, I have never felt charitable on April 15th, nor on any day I open my pay stub and see how much I have already "donated." And sadly, I am limited in what I can give financially, because of what I have already paid the government.

But charitable giving doesn't have to be financial. It is any honesy and willing gift to someone. The gift of time, friendship, Calling an elderly neighbor for a chat. Helping a friend or neighbor with that project that needs one more set of hands. Driving someone to the dr appt and sitting with them while they wait for scary test results.

Like I tell my students, if you give and expect something in return, that is not charity, it's a trade. But if you give with the openness and love of the human heart, it is a true gift. And, ironically, in return, a positive bond between people is made. If charity is mandated, it becomes a duty or a chore. Duties and chores can breed resentment. There is envy, contempt, anger and defensiveness. With an open and honest gift truly given, comes humility, gratitude and kinship.

Which have we seen more of lately?

I would like for members of Congress (or any other political office) running for a different office, to give up their jobs during their campaigns. Obama, Clinton and McCain were all "acting" senators during the lengthy campaign. How much of the people's work did they do??? They should have to resign and then run. How many of us, could take a long term leave of absence to go and look for another job....and still get paid? There is NO risk for them.

Also, they are our hired representatives, for better or worse, not showing up for a vote or abstaining from a vote should be an automatic removal from office. What else were they "hired" to do? Do any of us have that many personal days? Say what you mean and mean what you say and don't be a coward about leaving a public record!