Optimism

The Republicans and the media are telling us over and over that 2010 will be a disaster for Democrats. And with Democratic Congressional retirements coming fast and furious, there does seem reason for concern.

But there are reasons to be hopeful as well, signs that the country may finally be pulling itself out of the mess Bush created. A diary on Daily Kos goes into considerable detail about how Obama really HAS brought real change...positive change and that change is helping real people. Here are some excerpts from that diary:

Factory Expansion Is Fastest Since 2006

U.S. manufacturing expanded in December at the fastest pace in more than three years, capping a late-2009 global factory rebound that helped pull the world out of the worst slump since the 1930s.

That's going to bring jobs and suggests that 2010 may well be a better year than people are expecting.

Ohio gets an extra $1 billion, maybe more, in stimulus money

When the federal stimulus program was announced last year, Ohio figured it would get around $8.2 billion. But the state already has surpassed that by $1 billion and could get another billion before the program ends.

The extra money has come mostly through competitive grants that Ohio departments, agencies and others have been able to snag, including more than $140 million for energy and environmental projects.

Missouri gets $1.2M stimulus to identify green skills

The planned research includes statewide and regional green growth reports with localized analyses of green industries and job trends; a green competency model, which will spell out the skills and competencies needed for green occupations; and a green pathways career guide, which will present a step-by-step guide to securing green careers with assessments, skill lists and training information.
...Nearly 5 percent of Missouri’s total employment, or more than 130,000 positions, are now tied to the green economy.

Not just jobs...green jobs. We wouldn't have gotten that with Bush or McCain.

C.I.A. Is Sharing Data With Climate Scientists

The nation’s top scientists and spies are collaborating on an effort to use the federal government’s intelligence assets — including spy satellites and other classified sensors — to assess the hidden complexities of environmental change. They seek insights from natural phenomena like clouds and glaciers, deserts and tropical forests...
...The collaboration restarts an effort the Bush administration shut down and has the strong backing of the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Another example of what a difference electing Obama means.

Change Hilda Solis can believe in....

Soon after she became the nation's labor secretary, Hilda Solis warned corporate America there was "a new sheriff in town." Less than a year into her tenure, that figurative badge of authority is unmistakable.

Her aggressive moves to boost enforcement and crack down on businesses that violate workplace safety rules have sent employers scrambling to make sure they are following the rules.

The changes are a departure from the policies of Solis' predecessor, Elaine Chao. They follow through on President Barack Obama's campaign promise to boost funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, increase enforcement and safeguard workers in dangerous industries.

...An administration can either stand up for workers' and consumers' interests, or not. A lot changed when Obama took the reins from Bush, and when it comes to noticing substantive shifts, this is among the most striking areas.

Another example of just what a major difference electing Obama means...actual enforcement of labor laws. Making companies actually follow safety rules!

Yes, 2010 may see Democrats lose some seats in Congress. But in the end it may not be the disaster the media and Republicans are trying to create. Real change HAS happened in this country and it is slowly going to be helping people get back on their feet. And people are going to be noticing.