Day 655: It's finally over!

Finally, the Senate and House passed a deal to reopen the government and raise the country's debt limit.    The behavior of many of the legislators has been shameful.   To risk the economic stability of our nation and the world is unconscionable.  Millions of citizens have been harmed by this foolish shut down and the integrity of our nation is now in question.  Those who voted to continue the shut down and force the nation into default must be defeated.  In New York, the only two congressmen who voted no on the deal tonight were Tom Reed of our district and Chris Collins from Erie Co.

The other day, the Chinese said that the world should prepare for a deAmericanized world, meaning that the dollar would not be the main currency nor would the US be the dominant global power.  I think every American Congressman or woman should visit Shanghai. The staggering scope of their growth and power is on display there.  Perhaps that would stop them from quibbling about investing in our students, our infrastructure and technological research.  It's been ten years since I visited China and I have never forgotten the impressions of China's massive focus on growth that I got at the top of the Shanghai tower.  Construction cranes as far as the eye could see!  Miles of towering multinational corporate headquarters,  spotless subway stations.

When we walked today, we found out that the fish we saw swimming upstream yesterday were steelhead trout.  A cluster were again trying swim through the current this morning.  Three shot ahead while one held back in a deeper pool.  Soon one trout swam back to the pool as if it was cheering its friend on.  Then the other two came back and they all tried again to push through the current.  Imagine, trout turning back to help!  Teamwork so that all could overcome the challenge!  If only our congressional representatives could learn from the trout!