CNN

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE OBAMA HATERS...MAY GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY WITH THE JOY OF THE SEASON....

the bailout, while needed in some form, would not even be necessary, if 20% of American drivers who bought foreign cars had bought AMERICAN, this subject would not even be on the table..they will say oh, they make better cars, balonny, the big three have the best lineup of cars in the world; we have become a people without values, and the sence of national pride that continues to make nations great has been lost, perhaps this downturn will re-awaken our sence of nationalism, and wearing American flag stick pins will again be fashionable..

Jackie in Dallas:

Obama has the most diverse cabinet in history, among them is FOUR latinos, TWO Republicans, FOUR African Americans, TWO Asian-Americans, FIVE women, and the FIRST openly gay cabinet member.

If you are going to accuse Obama of not living up to his campaign promises, you might want to do a little research first.

To all the anti-union bashers – Don't you think it's just a little ironic that you are criticizing unions when you are currently enjoying the 40 hour work week and time off for the upcoming holidays that union activism secured at the expense of their blood and efforts?

Palin is palling around with drug dealers. Where's the reporting CNN?

Congress votes for $4700 pay raise. Good to know the economy is booming.

More Chicago politicians. Little Chicago machine at work in thw White House. Talk about change! We got it.

Can someone please tell me how borrowing and spending will fix the problem if it is what caused it in the first place?

American workers "make too much" because of unions!

That is the most ignorant and ill-informed statement I have ever heard – and it is followed up with the second most stupid statement – that "American labor can't compete".

Compete with what? Wages payed to child and slave labor under working conditions that would land any American business owner in prison?
Compete with countries that have no environmental laws so corporate America can go dump industrial waste in their rivers and poison their children?

American labor can't compete with that – nor should they!

Putting Hilda Slis in charge of Labor is like putting Bill in charge of the Chicken Ranch. Looking for balance, Obama, balance!

@ LIP, who said

"Why can't we be competitive? Because, we pay our workers too much."

Wow, that is the funniest crazy talk I've read here all week. Thank you.

President-elect Obama has made it clear with his invitation of Rick Warren to participate in the inauguration that LGBT community is not part of his vision of "Change We Can Beleive In."

The only economic agenda item that would repair his devestated reputation would be to immediately call for employment and housing protection for LGBT Americans equivalent to the protections afforded to other minorities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Change – Yeah Left..... you better go back and read your history.... what it was before Unions was not a pretty picture! Any one who is for those "good old days" need to be drug out into the streets and hung up by their thumbs.... like in the "good old days."

Unions may not be perfect.... they are darned sure better than the days before them! Have a quick read of the "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, if you can't stand to crack a history book!

Just a suggestion for all these young whinners about the evils of the Unions...

Sounds good to me.... if these folks are not horse show judges, beauty queens, or stupid... it has to be better than what we have had for eight years! That is all I can say!

Yeah Cheryl. He can always go and nominate Joe the Plumber.

Oh wait...

@ RealityKing

You're the first one we'll bury.

My only concerrn is what is reflected in our current economy.
Every good job has been exported since Clintons NAFTA pack with the world. Why were jobs exported? They were exported because we can' t be competitive. Why can't we be competitive? Because, we pay our workers too much. Why do we pay them to much? Because of the unions people...because of the unions. So, what do we do? We put someone in place that is probably the most vocal representative for the Unions, that you will ever find.

I don't understand all you people who are bad-mouthing the unions. People who work need decent wages and benefits. In case you haven't noticed most people aren't doing too well and we have more working poor than ever. You think that is a good thing?

ILL gotten gains never bode well PEBO!

USA will become a big Los Angeles, thanks to nomination of Solis.

To all currently getting up in arm over the appointment of a pro-labor individual to Labor Sec (What a concept!), I have to ask:

Do you send your children to work in coal mines?

Are you required to work six days a week for twelve hours with no breaks?

Have you or someone you care about been injured, maimed for life, or even killed due to dangerous work conditions?

If the answer to these questions is 'No', then thank a union member.

Ron in Ft. Meyers...you are absolutely right. Being praised by labor unions isn't something that is very encouraging. Not in the least! I guess it's time to push that Employee "Free" Choice Act through. Time for the unions to rise to new heights in power again.

This is a horrid choice for Labor. Unions have pushed the manufacturing jobs out of America as the Union bosses get fat. Unions stole money from me and I want nothing to do with the thieves.

All he is doing is... picking, but the Democratic party's is still the same old Jimmy Carter's, but glad he relies on Bush's Defense Secretary, very wise indeed. Bush has the last laugh. Only time can tell if Obama is the last angel standing, or even savior of the world, especially in foreign policy, as human nature is imperfect and sinful, and everyone has his own ambition, and lust for power and fame. They all are taking advantage of his inexperience, for their own gain and ambition.

Obama could resurrect all the dudes on Mt. Rushmore and throw in Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy and appoint them to cabinet posts and the republicans would not be happy or impressed.

Nuff respect to Barack!

Great, a Labor Secretary that is in bed with the Unions. Oh Yummy!

@Once you vote Black

Careful there buddy. "Chinaman" is a derogatory term. I am also impressed with the diversity of his picks and can't wait to see what such a colorful team and do for this country.

If she was praised by labor unions, we're in real trouble. A n approval from them means she is going to further ruin the economy!

Excellent. Now everyone can line up for a shovel for the temporary road projects..

Some of you haters will never be happy with any of Obama chooses.

Obama needs to start at the White House and stop the pay raise congress just voted to give themselves. In times like this I find it a slap in the face they would even consider a pay raise. I think the pay raise was over $4000 now tell me how that's good for America?

He picked 2 GOP members, how many did Bush put in place. He picked 9 white people, how many blacks did Bush put into place. He picked a Lesbian from NJ. How many did Bush put in place? He has a Chinaman, did Bush? He has folks from the left, right, middle, ageeable, disagreeable, all he needs now is someone who is blink cripple or crazy. Did Bush do that?

President Elect Obama has done a remarkable job in putting his cabinet together in such a short amount of time. He is an intelligent and thoughtful person who has a true vision for this country. He is inheriting more than his share of problems, yet he is so optimistic. He is what America need RIGHT NOW and as long as he continues on the road he is on, he will do just fine. God be with him and his family!

A venture captialist for SBA? Guess Obama knows very little about real small businesses. How about someone who has run a brick and mortor establishment and not some fancy office !!

I would have liked to have seen a more bipartisan cabinet like Obama said was going to happen.

obama has a heart for the people of the united states of america, he doesnot just thinks about himself but about others that's the person we need as our president

Anyone that the Union praises scares the heebie-geebies out of me. The new ruler of the USSA has finally shown his true colors!

It begs the question of how much the Unions padded his campaign, now doesn't it. Especially given all the union troubles in Chicago.

Gee, a Republican and a Hispanic woman. Diversity, indeed. I hope that people in general will give President Elect Obama the credit for at least attempting to live up to THAT campaign promise!