President Obama, while speaking at Eastfield College in Mesquite College, Texas, entreats Congress to pass the American Jobs Act. "Right now, he won't even let this jobs bill have a vote," the president said of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican. (Associated Press)
When Benjamin Franklin was in charge of the mail, letters bound Americans together. For the typical household today, nearly two months can pass before a personal letter shows up. The letter has been largely replaced by email, Twitter, Facebook and the like. (Library of Congress via Associated Press)
Exhibit: "I Love Lucy: An American Legend" Lucy Ricardo, America's chocolate-eating foible-prone sweetheart, turned 60 this year. To mark the occasion, the Library of Congress has gathered a veritable treasure trove of mementos, keepsakes, and photos from the years before, during, and after "I Love Lucy" established itself as the sitcom to beat in the 20th century (and after, seeing as syndication deals will likely keep the show on the air long after yours truly has kicked the bucket). Thanks to the Library´s Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Collection, visitors can get a glimpse of scripts, show notes, and off-set photos, and also remnants of Ball's life before (when she was a model and b-list regular in romantic dramas) and after (when she had to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities for having once registered as a communist) the six-season sitcom that came to define her entire existence. To January 28 at the Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave SE. Phone: (202) 707-6400. Web: loc.gov
Republican presidential candidates Texas Gov. Rick Perry (seen here), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Rep. Ron Paul have distinct deficit-reducing plans they would pursue as president. But all three are against repealing the costly Medicare drug benefit, which was passed by a Republican-led Congress in 2003 under GOP President George W. Bush. (Associated Press)
** FILE ** President Obama delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, Pool)
Reps. Marcy Kaptur (seen here) and Dennis J. Kucinich, Ohio Democrats, have been cast together into a newly redrawn district across northern Ohio, stretching alongside Lake Erie from Cleveland to Toledo. Unless one decides to retire, they will have to fight it out in a primary next year to remain in Congress. (Associated Press)
A bill in Congress would cut rates for earthquake insurance so more homeowners can afford it, but critics say it's just a bailout for California, which bears the brunt of quake activity in the U.S. The 6.7 magnitude Northridge quake (pictured) in 1994 caused an estimated $20 billion in damage. (Associated Press)
'HERE IT IS': President Obama presents a copy of his American Jobs Act bill on Monday during a statement challenging Congress to pass it quickly. (Associated Press)
President Obama speaks about his new jobs plan during an address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque, Pool)
