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Who gives a FIG about politics?? The Phillies are kings of the world!!!!
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October 30, 2008
October 20, 2008
American Idol(atry): our precious economy.
I'll go out on a limb here.
The economic zeitgeist is probably impenetrable, but I'll give it a shot. America is the only country I know of where its citizens run up monstrous private debts and triple mortgages, then complain about the state the economy is in. WE must take fiscal responsibility for ourselves. And the government, I think, needs to impose caps on prices and spending. We have allowed our runaway tank to drastically affect the world, and we must put an end to this. Obama's loan relief is a great idea, but we must realize this treats symptomology. The cause is out-of-control prices. Our paper currency is practically valueless. And we must take control of this train wreck.
So: back to the gold standard. Have our currency actually backed by something substantial, so that there are finite limits imposed on inflation and deflation. Find the instances everywhere costs are out of control, and stage a series of regulatory Congressional sessions that will culminate in the reining-in of spending practices across the board.
I don't mean across the board cuts, as McCain proposes. I mean across the board regulations. I believe government is responsible to the people and must guide us - but not by spending more. By enacting fair controls.
A recent conversation with a colleague (a claims adjuster) underscores my point. I told him the real problem with health care costs is the preposterous salaries of health care providers. He agreed to a point - but added that providers have to deal with the rising cost of malpractice insurance - which indicts the insurance industry and as always, lawyers. Further, he cited the costs of machinery and technology and real estate.... More indictments. They in turn are sure to blame their own bogeymen.
Another example: when I lived in Alaska (ah, it makes sense now, eh?) I was struck by exorbitantly high everything was. Even paper and lumber and products made from same. But why? Well, the mill owners had to be able to afford the new cars that were being shipped in from Seattle, and the car dealers wanted to afford the vacations out to Ketchikan to see if they really should lobby for the Bridge to Nowhere, and the Ketchikan fisherman wanted to be able to afford the newest video game designed in part by Alaskan geeks but with parts manufactured in San Francisco.... and so on.
Prices rise in this country because we want them to. I know that sounds simplistic, but truly, this is the reason. At least that's why they start to rise - then, when they spiral out of control, we disavow any responsibility and cry out to the Heavens - or Washington - for monetary relief, in the form of more spending programs.
We should even consider monetary deflation. Take a zero or two from the value of our bills. (Hey, it continues to work for Poland.)
I want to remind everyone that FDR provided relief by putting people to work, creating jobs, and not just handing out wads of cash. We must not only create jobs for people, and encourage the creation of jobs (jobs here on American land, and not overseas), we must create a mindset of national fiscal responsibility. To cite FDR again, he rose to the challenge of the times by leading his country into doing something bold, something heroic.
The time for boldness has come again.
Idiot Watch 9/20
Some cringe-worthy quotes:
“Only an unproven and inexperienced politician like Barack Obama would have to rely so heavily on another man’s resume in making the case for his own candidacy — and it shows that he’s just not ready,” McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in a statement.
"I'm an American and I choose to fight." - John McCain
"Joe the plumber is my invisible friend" (or something like that) - SNL. (That's not satire. That's lazy writing.)
Just about any reason Sarah Palin cites as justification for her nomination.
"All the News that fits." - Rolling Stone Magazine (emphasis mine)
“Only an unproven and inexperienced politician like Barack Obama would have to rely so heavily on another man’s resume in making the case for his own candidacy — and it shows that he’s just not ready,” McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in a statement.
"I'm an American and I choose to fight." - John McCain
"Joe the plumber is my invisible friend" (or something like that) - SNL. (That's not satire. That's lazy writing.)
Just about any reason Sarah Palin cites as justification for her nomination.
"All the News that fits." - Rolling Stone Magazine (emphasis mine)
October 16, 2008
Idiot Watch: 10/16 The State of the Union
America is a great country. This upcoming election will not be as historic as the race for the same has been. A black man and a white woman generating unprecedented excitement by running for president. A white man signing on as sidekick to a black man on the presidential ticket, a white woman on the other side of the aisle, also on board as sidekick - and so there's no misunderstanding of my words - both competing for Most Important Sidekick in America. All this has been, and continues to be, absolutely soul-stirring... life-affirming. In plain words, race and gender have ceased to be detriments. As a nation, we've gotten over racism and sexism.
America is also, in pockets. a deeply prejudicial country. This is not the same of racism; it seems I will never have to stop stating this. A prejudiced person will have his doubts, but will give a fella the benefit of that doubt. A racist person will not. There is a huge difference, and those who ignore or deliberately misrepresent that difference, do this great nation a disservice. This is why so many independents and even Republicans - like the "recovering republicans" who have posted here recently, as well as a dear friend of mine - are willing to vote for Barack Obama.
This cannot be overstated: we as a people have progressed to this idealistic stance toward race and gender because, despite our ingrained prejudices, we give the benefit of the doubt to people we may initially view with hesitation. And that leads to absolute Democracy. That leads to the end of the prejudices. People like Obama and Palin lead us to Democracy. While people who scream racist at every turn… lead us into caves.
Are these horrific racists still abiding in this country? Absolutely! Ignore them, vilify them, marginalize them. But they are the minority.
And those who bring up the sector of race-baiting as the great bogeyman are nothing less then hate-mongering, bullying fools. When the media runs headlines on the subject of race day after day, when they speak of some mysteriously mercurial "Bradley Effect," when posters on this very page develop a post-November 4th Democratic loss strategy by blaming it on racism and characterizing all Republicans and Alaskans and mid-Westerners and rural Americans and anyone not zealously pro-Obama as backwards bigots, then politics as usual continues.
When Governor Palin ramps up the rhetoric and character attacks on Senator Obama, and doesn't quiet the mean-spirited people at her rallies, she allows these stupid, foolish people too much face (or voice) time and she is doing this nation a disservice. But even though she is associated with McCain, she is not McCain. McCain has consistently told his more radical constituents where there are wrong.
In this race, we've all heard characterizations of "we" and "they", "us" and "them". We've heard the other side denounced as wrong and wrong-headed. We've had the blogger, the politician with 7 houses, overpaid doctors and union reps, and the actor who makes 15 million dollars a picture all try to stake a claim to solidarity with the working man, trying to influence our vote. We've heard pundits and entertainers state that we need to "redefine America."
This is getting foolish, dangerous, ridiculous. America, which embraces Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Sarah Palin... Joe Biden, John McCain, etc. - does not need to be redefined. It needs to be refined, reinvigorated, rededicated to the ideals of Democracy and fair play that were implicit in the framing of our Constitution, but got glossed over and rationalized and even trashed over the years.... but step by painful step, America has ultimately got around to embracing and celebrating these ideals.
And we continue to do it. God bless America. In this election, for both the parties and their myriad supporters, there must be dignity in defeat. And perhaps more important, there must be dignity in victory. No gloating should be allowed here - rather, let us celebrate the camaraderie and solidarity forged in a job well done and a race well fought.
And in an America that stands tall. Very, very tall.
"Go out and vote. It will make you feel big and strong."
October 04, 2008
Idiot Watch 11/4
Sarah Palin's got more than a few problems. She's fast and loose with the facts, she has extreme views on abortion and she's untried and uninformed for the Executive Branch of the United States Government.
So attack her on the issues. Going after her because she winks and says words like "gol'darn" with no apparent irony is just poor sportsmanship - and petty. Somebody posted a comment to a recent blog entry that Palin is stupid. She's not that. Not by a long shot. The fact that someone disagrees with you, or even with the rest of the world, does not make someone stupid. But it can make you fodder for ridicule.
So she hunts moose. So what? This makes her a raving lunatic in the eyes of many. She advocates "predator control" of wolves by licensed hunters. Well, I've lived in Alaska... knew a family who had to move on with their lives after the wolves claimed too many livestock. There's a diff between tech-savvy terminators hunting elk and ridding the area of predators. This latter is called wildlife management. Good grief, I even read columnists attack her as a "baby factory" because she's got 5 kids!
I've been hearing much about how the Obama-Biden campaign is a CHANGE (yes, in capital letters) from politics as usual. Well, the personal attacks on Palin and McCain make me think otherwise. And make me ashamed to be considered "liberal" by so many.
No less a statesman than Joe Biden advised us all to question judgment, never motives. Sage advice. And that does make me hopeful about the Democratic ticket.
And a few more tidbits for you ravenous carnivores out there: Biden played fast and loose with the facts, too, during the debate. McCain does not favor abortion for rape and incest, even though I've seen Internet ads that claim he does. And Palin did not try to censor books in the Wasilla, Alaska library, has never been a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, and has never insisted that creationism be taught in schools. We also know that she and Biden feel the same way toward gay and lesbian civil unions.
You know what? She's got a big family, she's driven, and she's intelligent.
Get over it, already.
So attack her on the issues. Going after her because she winks and says words like "gol'darn" with no apparent irony is just poor sportsmanship - and petty. Somebody posted a comment to a recent blog entry that Palin is stupid. She's not that. Not by a long shot. The fact that someone disagrees with you, or even with the rest of the world, does not make someone stupid. But it can make you fodder for ridicule.
So she hunts moose. So what? This makes her a raving lunatic in the eyes of many. She advocates "predator control" of wolves by licensed hunters. Well, I've lived in Alaska... knew a family who had to move on with their lives after the wolves claimed too many livestock. There's a diff between tech-savvy terminators hunting elk and ridding the area of predators. This latter is called wildlife management. Good grief, I even read columnists attack her as a "baby factory" because she's got 5 kids!
I've been hearing much about how the Obama-Biden campaign is a CHANGE (yes, in capital letters) from politics as usual. Well, the personal attacks on Palin and McCain make me think otherwise. And make me ashamed to be considered "liberal" by so many.
No less a statesman than Joe Biden advised us all to question judgment, never motives. Sage advice. And that does make me hopeful about the Democratic ticket.
And a few more tidbits for you ravenous carnivores out there: Biden played fast and loose with the facts, too, during the debate. McCain does not favor abortion for rape and incest, even though I've seen Internet ads that claim he does. And Palin did not try to censor books in the Wasilla, Alaska library, has never been a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, and has never insisted that creationism be taught in schools. We also know that she and Biden feel the same way toward gay and lesbian civil unions.
You know what? She's got a big family, she's driven, and she's intelligent.
Get over it, already.
October 01, 2008
Idiot Watch 10/01
Way to go, Pelosi. Just when you and your cohorts were actually about to achieve something, you decide to launch a pre-emptive "nyah, nyah!" strike that made the Republicans so crucial to your victory go away. Not only impolitic, but immature. Bully to the Republicans for gritting their teeth and then going away.
And kudos to the whole Democratic House , who couldn't come together on this momentous bailout bill because not enough earmarks, special legislation, and good ol' fashioned pork for a host of local causes was attached to the measure.
And New Year's blessing to be bestowed on Barney Frank, who couldn't get it together enough over the last few years to stop criticizing those who sought more regulation of Wall Street investment firms and actually pass some regulations his damned self.
One of those who called out for more regs, by the way, was John McCain. He's the only guy who tried to treat this event as the catastrophe it is. Too bad his vaunted leadership skills are a bit lacking in this regard. Much ado about nothing, was McCain's reaction to our financial crisis.
How impressed we all should be with both parties, and the de facto leaders of both, the presidential candidates. Pointing fingers, slinging the mud, and getting nowhere. Now's not the time for blame. McCain did not scuttle the bailout deal last Friday, and the Dems share no more blame than the Pubs for this unmitigated mess. Why Obama himself recently said our economy was fundamentally sound. Sound familiar??.... Oh yeah, and all of us are as guilty as sin, too.
America continues to be the only nation whose citizens run up massive personal debts on their credit cards, government loans, and banks' largess, and then continue to gripe about the horrible shape our economy is in. As usual, we have met the enemy, and it is us.
What's needed now is the consensus to find our way out of this mess, and then to keep ourselves from ever getting here again.
And kudos to the whole Democratic House , who couldn't come together on this momentous bailout bill because not enough earmarks, special legislation, and good ol' fashioned pork for a host of local causes was attached to the measure.
And New Year's blessing to be bestowed on Barney Frank, who couldn't get it together enough over the last few years to stop criticizing those who sought more regulation of Wall Street investment firms and actually pass some regulations his damned self.
One of those who called out for more regs, by the way, was John McCain. He's the only guy who tried to treat this event as the catastrophe it is. Too bad his vaunted leadership skills are a bit lacking in this regard. Much ado about nothing, was McCain's reaction to our financial crisis.
How impressed we all should be with both parties, and the de facto leaders of both, the presidential candidates. Pointing fingers, slinging the mud, and getting nowhere. Now's not the time for blame. McCain did not scuttle the bailout deal last Friday, and the Dems share no more blame than the Pubs for this unmitigated mess. Why Obama himself recently said our economy was fundamentally sound. Sound familiar??.... Oh yeah, and all of us are as guilty as sin, too.
America continues to be the only nation whose citizens run up massive personal debts on their credit cards, government loans, and banks' largess, and then continue to gripe about the horrible shape our economy is in. As usual, we have met the enemy, and it is us.
What's needed now is the consensus to find our way out of this mess, and then to keep ourselves from ever getting here again.
Id Watch 5769
From Eid al-Fitr to Rosh Hashanah, out with the old and in with the new.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Insight Watch 10/01: It's the Economy, Stupid!
Quick! Without cutting and pasting the whole quote into Ask.com, who said this?
"Just imagine the results if a construction company was forced to use a yardstick whose measures changed daily to construct a skyscraper. The result would be a very unstable and dangerous building. No doubt the construction company would try to cover up their fundamental problem with patchwork repairs, but no amount of patchwork can fix a building with an unstable inner structure. Eventually, the skyscraper will collapse, forcing the construction company to rebuild - hopefully this time with a stable yardstick. This 700 billion package is more patchwork repair and will prove to be money down a rat hole and will only make the dollar crisis that much worse.
There are three good reasons why Congress should reject this (bailout) legislation:
"Just imagine the results if a construction company was forced to use a yardstick whose measures changed daily to construct a skyscraper. The result would be a very unstable and dangerous building. No doubt the construction company would try to cover up their fundamental problem with patchwork repairs, but no amount of patchwork can fix a building with an unstable inner structure. Eventually, the skyscraper will collapse, forcing the construction company to rebuild - hopefully this time with a stable yardstick. This 700 billion package is more patchwork repair and will prove to be money down a rat hole and will only make the dollar crisis that much worse.
There are three good reasons why Congress should reject this (bailout) legislation:
a. It is immoral - Dumping bad debt on the innocent taxpayers is an act of theft and is wrong.
b. It is unconstitutional - There is no constitutional authority to use government power to serve special interests.
c. It is bad economic policy - By refusing to address the monetary system while continuing to place the burdens of the bailout on the dollar, we can be certain that in time, we will be faced with another, more severe crisis when the market figures out that there is no magic government bailout or regulation that can make a fraudulent monetary system work."
PS.... Idiot Watch 10/01
"Gotcha Journalism"....?? Oh, right John. Like you haven't done a "gotcha" every single day of your campaign.
And Sarah and John: marching on as if you both haven't been making fools of yourself?? Especially with Mr. McSmith Going to Washington last week (I know: clunky) and resolving nothing. Forget allusions to Dubya. Anybody here remember a guy named G.W. Bush and another bloke named Quayle?
