RANDOM THOUGHTS DEC.5

Tempering hope: Obama seems to be approaching his Presidency well prepared with strong personalities in critical positions. I have no problem with most of his choices except on close examination we are returning to an extension of the Clinton era.

So much for campaign promises of clean sweep from the Washington politics of today. I supposed that means that there will be few carryovers in the grunt jobs from the Republican years. The political sacrifice of well functioning agency workers could be acceptable but regret able if it were not for the fact that patronage may apparently be going on full blast. To the victor belong the spoils. The danger is that any economy recovery will be short circuited by personal agendas.

Already one of the Nominees has been linked to a very very questionable Clinton Pardon.In today's Los Angeles Times two new nominees, Holder as Attorney General and Representative Becerra were linked to Clinton's granting a pardon to cocaine dealer Vignati? Read the sordid story. Mote the money paid to Hillary's brother to lobby for the pardon. The campaign contribution to Becerra. The Clintons weren't clean. Is Obama travelling the same road?

Trivia: The width of today's newspaper's page; Star Ledger 12.5", The Times 12", The Suburban News (weekly)11", The Courier 11". All have 5 columns per page. That is reflected in the size of the print, and readability. All have reduced the number of paged per edition which of course is reflected in the timing of articles and their scope. It is no question that the print media is joining the Dodo Bird as an extinct breed.

Was it worth it: Social Security recipients received a 5.8% COLA this year. However this is tempered by penalty deductions assessed each individual -not family- for income levels over certain trigger points.That would be fine if the income was derived from work or investment activities. However for those that have to liquidate IRA and other retirement funds to meet daily living expenses, the increase in reportable income comes from capital gains. The retiree is being penalized for trying to prepare for his non productive years. In some cases the recipient is receiving less spendable Social Security money than before the adjustment. Is this rational or fair?