The Way I See ItBy cj pollickReligious Days - Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday the 8th and continues through Thursday the 9th of April. Good Friday is on Friday the 10th of April and Easter is on Sunday the 12th. Belleair Beach Bridge Opening – According to latest reports on the Belleair Beach Causeway and bridge project, end of construction is expected by late 2009 or early 2010. The old bridge built in 1950 is planned for demolition in late 2009. Remember Shopping At The Local Mall? - There was a time, not long ago, when people went to the local Mall to shop. Those days are changing, thanks to the recession. Large retail companies such as Macy's, Saks, JC Penney, Dillard's, Ann Taylor, GAP, Nordstrom's, Sears, etc., etc., are experiencing financial problems and are expected to close stores in many Malls across the country. Of course, that means Shopping Mall owners may find themselves in a difficult position trying to find tenants to fill empty shopping Mall space. One professional who works with Mall owners has stated the situation with tenants is getting worse by the month. If the recession lasts much longer, investors in Shopping Malls may soon find themselves seeking credit relief. If popular retail stores, such as GAP, Ann Taylor, Saks, Dillard's and Macy's leave local Malls, which retail store might be left to provide all types of shopping goods? And, if those large retail stores remain only in certain Malls, driving distance to shop might be increased to the point where shopping could become a day-long event. The good news? Perhaps shopping at local “family-owned” stores may become more popular. Bailout GM? – President Obama wants to save GM and the tens of thousands of union jobs and retirement benefits. The bail-out price-tag? Tens of billions of taxpayer dollars. End result? Without bankruptcy protection it is likely GM could require even more taxpayer funds than expected. How much money can Obama throw at GM debts before drowning taxpayers in national debt. NY House Race Gains National Attention - When Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton, Democrats felt the NY House seat was ... safe for Democrats. Not true. GOP challenger Jim Tedisco is now within a few dozen votes of pulling-off a major upset over Democrat Scott Murphy for the NY House seat. The campaign issue? President Obama's economic decisions. (Stimulus plan and corporate "bail-out" spending of US tax dollars.) It appears that in New York, Obama's overall popularity has dwindled since his election. If the GOP wins this important New York House seat, it might reflect larger political problems for Democrats who have supported Obama's spending habits of US tax funds. Face Of The Republican Party – If you were asked to name one person who is the current “face of the Republican Party, who would you name? Sarah Polin? Mitt Romney? Bobby Jindel? Charlie Crist? No, not one GOP politician is more recognized as the “face” of the GOP than perhaps Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck – all conservative television/radio commentators. What is a bit ironic about this scenario is the fact that the GOP expects to regain some Congressional seats in 2010 due to bumptious financial decisions made by Democrats in charge of Congress. Yes, even with an out-of-control Congress and President who appeals more to socialists than capitalists, Republicans are still suffering from a lack of political leadership. The party of Ronald Reagan might need to re-discover its roots and not support government waste and higher taxes. Final Four – U Conn vs. Michigan State and Villanova vs. North Carolina. Vegas picks U Conn over Michigan State by 4 points and UNC Over Nova by 7-1/2 points. Overall winner according to odds-makers at Vegas? UNC. The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy. - Montesquieu |