Gwen IFill described the process of juggling or multitasking in our daily lives as a type of split-screen process when it comes to how we view the current agenda and political strategies of President Obama and his challengers.  Her description wasn't at all surprising to me because of my appreciation for the massive amount of information available nationwide from various media outlets, including television and print sources.

 One critical thing that I can not help but focus on is what I learned early during my undergraduate studies about the process of receiving and using information.  I remember specifically reading that if I was to be a good student and perform well in academics, I had to learn to take in large amounts of information, process it, and then determine what would be useful to me.  Supposedly, doing so would help me retain information on a short and long-term basis while also allowing me the opportunity to ponder my own beliefs and formulate new ideas.  I think I have mastered the skill pretty much.  So if I'm to use it now, it will not be on a split-screen concerned with time slots and someone else's version of truth because we all can possibly agree that the truth can have as many as three sides.  Your side, my side, and the truth.

 I would rather present you with my take on the Surface Transportation Bill now floating around in limbo. The law making process starts out pretty much simple from an idea with fire behind it, but the process quickly heats up as a bill makes it through various committees and ends up on the floor of Congress. The bickering over the renewal of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act has still not clearly defined what is the underlying cause of the delay within Congrees. Please don't even tell me it's over the federal fuel tax (the source which funds the Highway Trust Fund) of gasoline and diesel fuel. It is funny how the media seems to forget to focus on the direct cause of an uproar or obstacle within government, and instead they paint a picture that shows the tug-a-war without giving us more information about the facts. Identifying the problem first is the only way to come up with solutions. From what I understand the Highway Trust Fund was operating at a deficit so money was transferred from a General Fund. Is it then likely that the problem stems from the deficit funding which has not been corrected. The idea that the immediate approval or extension of the Surface Transportation Bill will not change the funds deficit may be the reason Congress is stalling. Additionally, we have not been made aware of what type of markups have happened, and also how those markups will affect federal, state, and local funding. Some things to consider.

Forget about focusing on who will lose jobs, and pass the Surface Transportation Bill with stipulations requiring furloughs for everyone even if it means that cuts have to happen. If the budget is to ever be repaired, money has to be generated somehow. Taxes, cuts, or some type of voluntary contributions would help to a least get us back on track with the deficit. I for one would not mind giving a dollar out of every one of my pay checks, if I knew that it was going in a fund to help my country.  A day or more of furloughs to help repair a broken part of the system is worth the sacrifice.  All workers white collar, pink collar, blue collar, and everyone who receives from this fund should be eagar to participate in a process to help correct the current deficit. If everyone makes a sacrifice we can really see change that results in a lower deficit and improved budgets across the board. Here for President Obama's Remarks There's even more complication to think about if we have to talk proposals, contracts, and bidding. Is that a possible factor in this equation? If it is, we are talking big business. The urgency in the White House is definitely pressing listen below for President Obama's weekly address.
When I hear comparisons between the Surface Transportation Bill and the FAA Bill (Federal Aviation Administration Bill) I say that's not a good example to use in order to spur action. Comparisons in that sense will not work to provide efficient solutions.  Another scenario playing out like the aftermath of the FAA disaster will only confuse Americans, and cause unnecessary panic that is stirred up because of incomplete information. We want to see the Surface Transportation Bill pass or extended, but let's not be to hasty to take sides without having all the information. A final thought before you leave with a mouthful, if you are reluctant about furloughs think about our nations resourceful teachers. They have quite some time off for summer without pay, and they manage to survive. Until next week, are you still hungry?