Two stories worth note, both in part related to the economic downturn.

Marketplace, the business show on Public Radio, has this interesting (and short) story about recycling, and how an economic stimulus package can be directed to include re-use of our waste:

Barack Obama's stimulus plan is finally coming into focus. And tax cuts are big part of it -- about 40 percent. Businesses would get refunds on taxes they paid several years ago. Individuals would see a little more money in their paychecks.

But Obama still plans to do some infrastructure spending, and the recycling industry wouldn't mind seeing a little of that. With people buying less in this economy, used paper, glass and cans are stacking up in warehouses all over the country.

The BBC reports this morning that as a result of the Israeli incursion, Gaza is now in "a full-blown humanitarian crisis."

"After 10 days of uninterrupted military operations in the Gaza Strip, what we're dealing with is clearly and beyond doubt in my mind a full-blown and major humanitarian crisis," the ICRC's Pierre Kraehenbuhl told the BBC.

"For the people inside Gaza, the situation has become intolerable... The reports we've had during the night is that the last night has been the most intense in terms of bombardments and military operations."

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The United Nations also warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza would deepen as it was having difficulty getting aid into the territory.

This morning, the 111th Congress will come together, as newly elected and returning members of the Senate and all members of the House, new and old, will be sworn in.

Along with Mike Michaud, Chellie Pingree will begin her term, representing Maine's 1st District. Susan Collins will also be sworn in to start her third term.

Unfortunately, the day is not without dispute. Roland Burris of Illinois intends to present himself:

Roland Burris and Democratic Party leaders headed toward a symbolic showdown at the door of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as the former Illinois attorney general presses his claim to a disputed seat.

Burris said in an interview Monday evening that he intends to try to walk onto the Senate floor to be sworn in with incoming senators when the Senate convenes Tuesday despite declarations from party leaders that they will prevent the 71-year-old, longtime politician from entering the legislative body's ornate chamber.

Good morning Maine, here is your Wake-Up Call. Each morning PolitickerME.com sifts through the day's news and commentary to find the stories you need to read. We scour the web for Maine's top political stories to pull together the important headlines in one place. Like the Wake-Up Call? Sign up to have it emailed to your laptop, Blackberry or phone. It's free and easy!

Bruce Hodsdon, president of the Maine State Employees Association, told legislators Monday that the budget proposal to cut 94 state jobs -- 40 of which are filled -- is a "political, not economic" move.

Hodsdon delivered his remarks to the Appropriations Committee as it took public testimony on Gov. John Baldacci's proposal to close a $140 million gap in the current state budget. He said existing employees should not be laid off because it will further exacerbate an already bad economy.

"While a year ago we heard some opinion leaders argue that our state's financial problems could be solved by cutting state jobs and benefits, this is a much different time," he said.

You are no doubt familiar with Poor Richard's Almanac (which calls for a warm winter with plenty of snow this year), but may not have heard about Poor George's Almanac ("The Wisdom of Patriots, the Folly of Bush").

In response to an overheard conversation, the author wondered "if it would be possible to find enough Bush material that could be 'pinned' to most of the 365 dates in a year. Yes, the president and his administration have made some blunders over their time in office, but I wondered if there were enough of them, and were they dispersed across the calendar in such a way, that I could fill in the majority of dates with something relevant for each date.

h/t TPM

On his blog this morning, regarding President-elect Obama's stimulus package, Paul Krugman writes:

Let's lay out the basics here. Other things equal, public investment is a much better way to provide economic stimulus than tax cuts, for two reasons. First, if the government spends money, that money is spent, helping support demand, whereas tax cuts may be largely saved. So public investment offers more bang for the buck. Second, public investment leaves something of value behind when the stimulus is over.

That said, there's a problem with a public-investment-only stimulus plan, namely timing. We need stimulus fast, and there's a limited supply of "shovel-ready" projects that can be started soon enough to deliver an economic boost any time soon.

The headline at the top taken from this article from The Hill says it all:

Cheney: I would absolutely do it again

"I would absolutely do it again," Cheney said on CBS's "Face the Nation" following questions about warrantless wiretapping, the Guantanamo Bay prison and harsh interrogation techniques. "I think the loss of life, if there had been further mass casualty attacks against the United States over the last seven-and-a-half years, fully justifies it."

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"I don't believe we violated anybody's civil liberties," said Cheney, who criticized the New York Times for its "outrageous decision" to publish a story on the government's surveillance program even after being asked not to.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Veteran lawmakers on the Maine Legislature’s Appropriations Committee say they see their challenge to balance a state budget facing a $140 million shortfall as an opportunity.

They made the remarks Monday as the committee began work on revisions to the budget for the present fiscal year, which ends June 30.

The package advanced last month by Gov. John Baldacci would eliminate 94 positions, including 40 layoffs, mostly in the Corrections Department.

Democratic Rep. John Martin of Eagle Lake and Republican Rep. Sawin Millet of Waterford both see the work ahead as an opportunity. Millet says revisions in the present budget could strongly influence those to be made in the next two-year budget, which faces a shortfall of more than $800 million.

Good morning Maine, here is your Wake-Up Call. Each morning PolitickerME.com sifts through the day's news and commentary to find the stories you need to read. We scour the web for Maine's top political stories to pull together the important headlines in one place. Like the Wake-Up Call? Sign up to have it emailed to your laptop, Blackberry or phone. It's free and easy!