Wall Street is using its campaign contributions to punish Democrats and reward Republicans, according to a recent article in the New York Times. Apparently, financial industry execs are sore that some Democrats, including the President, have started going ‘populist,’ calling them ‘fat cats,' trying to interfere with their bonuses and pushing for modest financial reforms.

Here’s an idea worth watching: New proposed Federal procurement rules would reward contractors who pay living wages, provide benefits and adhere to sound environmental practices. The proposal is tentatively named the “High Road Procurement Policy.” It’s about time our government rewarded socially responsible businesses. This is a good idea for several reasons. Here are a couple:

“The rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.” This is something I’d like to see President Obama demonstrate during Wednesday night’s State of the Union address. He’ll need to announce some bold proposals for reining in Wall Street, for investing in communities and creating jobs. Something showing that he has a lot of fight in him, that he is willing to stand up to entrenched power in both parties as well as the bullies on the Right.

An open letter to CEOs who recently testified before Congress about the financial meltdown:

Each year, on this day set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, I enjoy reading speeches from across the nation and noting the themes that people are drawing upon from Dr. King's life and work. This year, three themes stand out:

--- Solidarity with and support for the people of Haiti. Not just relief during this time of tragedy, which is important, but looking at underlying structural and historical roots of the human-made tragedy of poverty. 

--- Renewed commitment to peace, including just withdrawals from Iraq and Afganistan.