STILLBlog

It's been hard to have anything relevant to say lately (boy, I left myself open with that modifier), since the events of the last week have left me reeling with confusion. I don't really feel qualified to say anything about the economy... at least I didn't feel qualified, but that's changed now.

But let's start with the debate.

Verdict: tie. I would have given it to McCain, if only he had the common decency to look his opponent in the eye, or address him by name. He didn't even do it when they shook hands at the end. (By the way, insolence does not delineate down party or cultural lines. Anyone who argues different is once again trying to distract us with minatue, and gets my vote for King or Queen of Fools.)

Obama scores points, as always, for simply having a plan. McCain justifiably refers to his honorable career in the Congress. That they have differences and that they both made mistakes, we all know this. They sounded like a couple of school kids arguing over bragging rights to the courtship of Lady America. The brainy band kid with the scholarship to Yale and the football hero still basking in the glow of fan adulation. Geeze!!

But did either one of them gives us a clear feel for their future administration? No. Fixing the economy? No. "Talking the talk and walking the walk?" No. Whom to bomb first, Iraq or Pakistan? No. How to viably engage Russia, China or North Korea? No.

Maybe because neither of them really know. What this debate did give us was a feel for their personalities. And here it's Obama all the way. Wotta guy. I'd love to have him over for dinner, actually.

My wife scoffed when the candidates mentioned their solidarity for Poland. I know what she means. She's Polish, and I lived there for five years. McCain, she says - the "soldier boy" (it's weird how when I closed my eyes during his answers, I could perfectly hear my Retired Air Force Dad talking) - understands Europe better than Obama, but the idea that America or the European Union would do anything if Putin grabbed that Caucasian pipeline or attacked Ukraine or Poland.... well, it made her laugh.

Poland finds Russia's aggression alarming, to say the least. Many of my friends and contacts in my old adopted country are all in favor of the planned American missile silos on Poland's eastern border, for no other reason than to deter a Russian attack. I give McCain full props for talking tough about the Bear's evil eye on Ukraine. (Though he still didn't say anything of substance, other than "watch out!") Me, I still see my America manipulating my Poland into another game of "Stump the Russkies!"

We Americans still tend to see this world through our not-quite-rose-but maybe-magenta-colored-glasses and don't understand the caution and mixed emotions the rest of this world views us with. I'm not talking about those from the opposite extreme who view America as the Evil Empire; I'm talking about the America who's fat and lazy and much too cocksure of itself.

Even in our posturing over how bad America has been run into the ground by the current administration and poetical party, we're still so god damned certain that it's up to us to regain our moral footing and lead the way for the rest of the globe. We're still so blessed with the inevitability of our own Manifest Destiny. I mean, it's nice to feel that you're always right, you know? C'mon, I know you know!

Which is why much of the world tuned in for the debate, and will be reading and talking about it tomorrow (or is that today?) in Warsaw and Moscow and Beijing and Tokyo and all the rest. Because Americas believe we're the best - even when we're downright condemning ourselves.  We believe we're the best, we act like we're the best, and that makes us dangerous to the rest of the world. Or annoying. Or both.

But did it ever occur to you that we should just shut up for awhile?

Anyway.... Health plan talks? Point to Obama on this one. Any corporate entity that says we have to shell out large sums of our earnings each month into a structure that we largely won't use, and when we do use it we are at the capricious mercy of health care providers who overschedule in the grand rush to stuff their waiting rooms and soak up all the cost benefits they can, keeping us hacking and feverish while surrounded by others who are somehow always reliably worse off than us, spreading the germs in a big old fashioned love fest. And God forbid if we don't start our benefits "on time" or buy into the right plan or have the temerity to contract a pre-existing condition.

Now.... for the economy. McCain may have been on point when he suspended the campaign to engage in Congressional talks. It's always bothered me, these longish campaign seasons. I mean, don't these people have jobs? Stop talking and let me see you in action!

Blame is spread both ways. Golden parachutes? Oh yeah, baby.... just evil how many of the wealthiest will stay wealthy no matter how badly they mismanage things for the rest of us. But there also has been a big push for loans to traditionally heavy-risk clients..... it was called racist and classist when banks did not loan to these demographics, and now it's being called racist and classist again that these loans defaulted. Seems to me it was just a lack of common sense in the guise of politics to secure these loans in the first place.

So, my .... ahem.... bipartisan solution? Have plans for people to receive their Constitution guarantees: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Points to Obama. But don't under any circumstances give them money in hand. Cut spending. Points to McCain.

And leave more money in their pockets by cutting taxes. Points to both.

That was THE problem with this "he said/ he said" debate. Hell, with all debates! Stop talking about how you're going to lead, damn it! Just do it!

Well, as they say in Polish....Na razie.

PS Tine to retire "maverick," "miss congeniality," and "wall street/main street" comparisons. Please!