In today’s Fix: a re-cap of the lame-duck session, a Utah legislator makes ATR’s “nice” list, Scott Matheson is confirmed to the 10th Circuit Court, the 4 people have tossed their hat in the ring (so far) to replace Ron Bigelow, the top 20 things that became obsolete during the last decade and awkward family Christmas photos.
*The lame-duck session has seen its final vote cast and Congress is headed home – at last! To recap the lame-duck legislation: START was ratified, the pork-laden omnibus was shot down, the Food Safety Act sailed through unanimously after some hiccups on the way, the-healthcare-for 9/11-first responders passed and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was repealed (see – laws CAN be repealed. Looking forward to lots more of that.) On we go with the lame-duck session: The DREAM Act died, the current tax rates were extended two more years and the FCC approves Net Neutrality rules. I haven’t seen a final price tag on what this lame-duck session cost the US taxpayers, but I guarantee it’s high.
*Utah Senator Dan Liljenquist made the Grover Norquist’s “Americans for Tax Reform” (ATR) “Nice” list on their much-anticipated annual Christmas card. Senator Liljenquist was chosen for his work on pension reform and joins such luminaries as New Jersey’s Governor, Chris Christie, “who stared down government union bosses, Gene Simmons who wishes he could take his Obama vote back, Snooki who called out the President on his tanning tax and to, well – Charlie Rangel. Charlie made the list “for lowering at least one American’s tax burden!”
*Scott Matheson, brother to Congressman Jim Matheson was confirmed to the 10th Circuit Court today, following up on an Obama promise made earlier this year.
*The 4 people who are currently vying to replace Ron Bigelow in legislative district 32 are James Leigh, Fred Cox, Sharon Naegle and Sherri Winder. With 30-something delegates, the new Representative is going to be elected by a small handful of people.
*Huffington Post has a fun photo-essay on their picks for the top 20 items to have become obsolete in the last decade. Their choices include VHS tapes (gone the way of the 8-track), snail mail letters and catalogs, classified ads in “hard copy” newspapers, bookstores and travel agents.
*Finally, to quote Sausagegrinder: “If none of that interests you,” just be glad YOUR family Christmas picture didn’t end up on this list of the “Most Awkward Family Holiday Photos!”