Dec 31 2012

Wrapping up 2012

I am never one to lament the completion of another year as I spend relatively little time looking backwards. To be honest, much to the chagrin of my wife (who is quite the planner), I spend relatively little time looking forward either as I’m usually absorbed in the here and now. I find there is enough to deal with in the present. As with most of my years on this earth (and there have now been almost 60 of them), 2012 was a year with some good and some bad – and in some cases pretty horrid. Luckily, my life and my sphere of influence fell mostly on the side of the good stuff. I am happy with that but I am disheartened by all the not so good stuff I see around me – again feeling lucky that most all of it has chosen to remain outside of me and my family but never feeling so insulated and safe to not recognize that at any moment it could easily intrude. That possibility is never that far away and with everything going on in this country at the moment, nothing is a certainty.

While most anyone else probably doesn’t care about the personal side of my life, this is really for me – by seeing it in writing it re-emphasizes the gift I have and how lucky I am to have the people around me who are my immediate family. It ensures I never take it all for granted.

Let’s talk about the good first.

I remain happily married and in love – kind of corny on one hand but having the type of relationship I have with my wife after 32 years is one that happens far too little in our society – I am very fortunate.
All four of us in the immediate family are healthy. Those of us over 55 are feeling our age but that’s it. There is nothing life threatening we need to deal with and we can do most everything we want – and I am thankful for that. My joints make much more noise than they ever have but I take this over most of the alternatives.
As a family we have remained pretty much unscathed by the economic travesties of the past couple of years.
My two kids continue success in their careers and jobs – and they have good jobs. Not as a result of luck because they have both worked hard and have not waited for things to be handed to them. And I am (we are) extremely proud to have raised these types of adults.
I can also see the fruits of the time and effort we put into parenting over oh so many years (and it never really stops – it just changes). I believe my kids are contributing members of society. Perfect with no faults – not at all – they were raised by imperfect but caring parents. They are thoughtful, intelligent and caring of everything that is around them. They are not myopic and self-centered which seems to be more the rule than the exception any more.

On the personal “not so good” side, I actually can’t come up with too much that has happened this past year. In fact there is only one thing that has been bad that I can really think of. For anyone who has a family pet, you will understand. For the rest of you, probably not. If you look at the photos in my blog header and probably dispersed around other places, you will see a few of Gunther – our Jack Russell who has been a member of our family for the past 13 years. I’ve had a good number of dogs over my time but there has been none that have been like him. He is the embodiment of attitude and coolness. This was a dog that was all id, in your face, spirited beyond belief but loveable and warm through it all. His health issues began actually almost two years ago but it has been this past year we’ve watched him change the most. Where he was a friend to any person who walked into our house, he now moves away from everyone other than a couple of us – even those he readily jumped on just a short time ago. He is often confused and seems disoriented – his cataracts have gotten worse so it’s hard to tell if it is because he can’t see or if it is really the canine dementia the vet has diagnosed. We are lucky (again) that we have the resources to make sure he gets the treatment and care that he needs. Not sure if cataract surgery is in the future or if the medicine for the dementia will actually help him but I am hopeful. I know I’m blessed that this has been the only real downer on my year but that doesn’t take away the pain of watching the changes taking place and knowing what is happening to him – hoping his discomfort is more evident to us than to him.

On a broader note, some of the most recent happenings in our country have been tough to watch and often harder to understand. I don’t have answers to all the problems as I don’t believe there is any problem that has one or two causes and given the complexity of people and their varied ways of perceiving that around themselves, there will never be a “fix” that everyone sees the same way. That being said, there is some common sense that might factor into what we do or at least how we approach some of our issues of the day. Nothing magic or deep on my part or even maybe helpful but given this blog was a way to dump that which is in my head, so be it.

Guns and killing in America – Good topic top of mind – and one that could use some common sense applied.

Let’s start with the premise that I don’t think that anyone really wants to take everyone’s gun away from them. I could give two hoots about what animals you want to kill – I don’t do it, I don’t really understand it. I have had guns and I’ve hunted – first time out deer hunting I quickly realized I couldn’t ever shoot a deer – and luckily one never showed up. I hear the talk of personal freedom, 2nd amendment, it’s an equalizer, etc. etc. I look around and see the evidence that guns breed more violence and death. There is no other civilized country with the number of guns we have in the US and there is no other country with a murder rate that comes close to ours. Not sure that adding more guns to the mix will improve the situation if we are really focused on reducing gun violence. Banning assault weapons and mega-clips seems to be a logical step forward. Yes, it won’t get rid of the guns and clips already out there. But if logic were to prevail, if we are not making more assault weapons then there won’t be more people with them. Does it fix the problem and make sure that no-one will again use an assault rifle or use a mega-clip to kill a bunch of people? Not at all but if it keeps someone who doesn’t have one now from getting one and creating another Newtown incident then maybe it makes sense.
Armed guards in our schools – unfortunately, the state of our society has already resulted in some surprisingly high number of schools where there are already armed guards protecting something. I would surmise it might not be a result of protecting against terrorist or crazy person attacks but more for internal school problems but that is neither here nor there. As has been heavily discussed, Columbine had armed guards. Will it possibly stop another Newtown? It might and if I follow the logic I see on an assault weapon ban, if having an armed guard saves lives in one instance, maybe it makes sense. That being said, having the likes of a Wayne La Pierre walking the halls to protect our children sends chills down my spine. While I have no doubt there are NRA members with the right skills – both gun and people – to maybe pull it off, sorry, if armed guards is the answer, then we need to talk about some real special people. The last thing we need is an internal disaster resulting from this “fix”. Arming school administrators and teachers – sorry – that is another disaster waiting to happen. Pretty sad this is even a topic we need to discuss.
Violence in the movies and in video games – nice, easy target but if we again use common sense, the US isn’t the only country with violent movies and video games. Take a look at Japan – not without violent movies and definitely not without violent video games – take a look at their murder rate. Is the amount of violence a problem? I think there is something wrong here but focusing on this area isn’t going to get the desired results.
Taking religion out of schools – Mike Huckabee, a man who never saw a barbecue he didn’t like, was quick to jump to this one. Not much to say other than “what an asshole”.

Dora has more to her than I would have thought!

End of the day, as President Obama has said, because the problem is too complex isn’t a reason not to do something. If we can save one life, it is a start and an action worth taking.

Looking ahead I expect there is much more to rant about and I expect 2013 will offer plenty of fodder to continue my blog. Speaking of fodder, how about that Congress?

At least there is one thing on which we can all agree!

Happy New Year to all. Here’s to a great 2013 for everyone. A little peace and prosperity for all.

Dec 5 2012

Welcome Back Ricky!

It has been a bit difficult to figure out what I want to blog about as of recent given much of the political landscape and turmoil is almost laughable. If I didn’t know better, I would almost assume the Republicans had actually won this last election cycle and that they increased whatever political collateral they had last time we went around on the debt ceiling and how to best handle the issues of deficit reduction. Their continuing stance of protecting the upper 2% of taxpayers while refusing to acknowledge the problems of the middle class will no doubt be discussed in future political science classes as they ponder what appears to be a death march celebrating the ongoing decline of the Republican Party. But that is not where I want to spend my time today.

For anyone who has paid any attention to my blogs for going back into the beginning of the last election, one of my favorite targets has been Ricky Santorum. Hasn’t taken much skill on my part as here we have a man who essentially put the proverbial “Kick Me” sign on his own back as he continually and consistently demonstrated his anachronistic stance in terms of moral, ethical, cultural and almost every form of bias and short-sighted bigotry of everything that didn’t fit cleanly in the mold he has established around his world. I don’t have time nor interest in repeating all my reasons and all my conclusions about this asshole of a human being but, again, he has made it easy as he works to stay in the limelight – really more around bad attention is better than no attention at all. So where does he climb out of his hole in the ground? He’s taken a job as a columnist for the birther bible WorldNetDaily. I’ll admit I hadn’t been aware of the site or organization prior to Ricky’s announcement of his new job but this is a site and organization that makes News Corporation and Rupert Murdock look almost like a real new agency. Aside from maintaining that Obama is not a US citizen and all the like, WorldNetDaily has maintained what I think is one of the most shattering headlines that most of the world has undoubtedly overlooked – that Obama hid gay life in order to become President. I knew Obama was pretty smart – who would have thought.

So here we have Ricky stepping down a notch (hard to believe that was possible) and signing on with an organization that maintains credibility with only those who aren’t really sure what year it is and where they left their car keys. But wait, it gets a bit better because what is his first column about? He basically shits all over the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, which he feels “crushes U.S. sovereignty.” What is this convention all about? It is intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Those parties that sign and support the Convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law. Sounds pretty bad to me – oh wait – didn’t we in the US pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to essentially get to the same place?

I’ll admit I haven’t reviewed all the nuances of the UN Convention but it would seem that we in the US should be ready and willing to fully support the UN effort. Well, sorry folks but here we go again with this new Republican mindset of somehow being entirely out of step with most everyone else in the US if not the world. Just yesterday on December 4, 2012, the Senate rejected the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities by 61 to 38. The 38 Republicans voting against the agreement prevented it from receiving a two-thirds majority, necessary in the ratification of treaties. This was despite strong support from John McCain, John Kerry, Bob Dole and others who approached this in a non-partisan manner. What was the rationale of voting against the convention? They took the stand that to vote for the U.N. treaty would mean that the U.N. committee overseeing the ban on discrimination against the disabled, including children, could violate the rights of American parents who decide to home school their disabled children. Visions of Big Brother at it’s finest – you do have to wonder what all these Republicans are really doing behind closed doors that they are that concerned about infringements on their personal freedom. Again, lead by a Tea Party Senator, Mike Lee from Utah, the use of fear and confusion remains a key weapon by those who don’t seem intelligent enough to be making decisions for the citizens of this country. And how embarrassing for the United States – this is not a position to be taken by the greatest country in the world.

So here we continue down a path that is astounding in its lack of civility and compassion for those who probably need help the most. Boy, the elections in 2014 can’t get here soon enough.

I guess for Ricky Santorum he thinks this is somehow going to enhance his bid for the Presidency in 2016. If nothing else, he is consistent – once a fool, always a fool.

Nov 15 2012

If You’re a Republican, Politics Trumps America Every Time

McCain caught doing his best Rodney “I don’t get no respect” Dangerfield imitation

There is no doubt the killing of four Americans in Benghazi is a tragedy and there should be the required reviews and assessment of the situation to learn what we can, understand what was not done that maybe should have been and to work to reduce the likelihood this will happen again. I say reduce as I expect to take any position that implies there is anything we can do that will prevent these sort of incidents in the future would be stupid and illogical – especially given the temperament of the world today. I would doubt that any ambassador or any staff member in a US embassy in most of the rest of the world recognizes they take the position with some element of risk being evident. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do everything we can to protect them but we are not dealing with people or situations where we can anticipate every move and action. There are actions to be taken but to turn this political is unacceptable. This brings me to today’s “Head in the Butt” award.

The Dynamic Duo of 2008 – Two halfwits not adding up to a whole

There was a time where I had a lot of respect and time for John McCain. He was a man who had served his country and a man who appeared to obviously have some standards for which he stood – and he actually seemed to be a pretty nice guy – at least from afar. My naiveté. As he took the national and global stage in his run for President, it quickly became clear that behind the public persona I had seen was someone who was pretty much a jerk, someone who was pretty angry and basically a man who was pretty much a bastard. With his pick of Palin for VP he further showed his inability to understand what was important and the degree of his shortsightedness. To think he could have foisted that half-wit of a governor on this country is unconscionable and the fact he would allow the Republican Party to push that on him puts his leadership ability seriously in question. His recent attacks on Obama and Susan Rice continue to show this is a man who has an ax to grind and again reminds us of the Peter Principle in practice. I can only imagine where this country would be four years later and with the challenges we have faced. But I digress. These most recent McCain political attacks show that he is no different from the rest of his party and he will put politics before country. His grandstanding and his obvious lack of civility brings only one good thing to the forefront – we get to see the newly enthused Barack Obama start to show the muscle and attitude many of us have figured was there and were waiting to see. So on that note, thanks, John. You’re still an asshole but every cloud has a silver lining.

So today, please take a bow and accept the most recent “Head in the Butt” award. In reality, I think it is long overdue.

There was a close runner up but not this time Lindsey. Lindsey Graham, by joining the same chorus with McCain, definitely put himself in contention for the “Head in the Butt” award. Unfortunately, this time around you weren’t quite up to the same level of cluelessness but I have to give you some slack given your area of study in college – one I expect leaves you entirely out of step with many of us but probably more in line (or at least a little ahead) with many of your Republican peers. Your B.A. in Pseudoscience actually implies you have some inkling that science might have some bearing in our lives. I, for one, didn’t know this even existed as a major in any college. It seems somewhat contrary to most of what I would expect from any college curriculum but that could be my shortcoming. For others in my same stead, Pseudoscience is often characterized by the use of vague, exaggerated or unprovable claims, an over-reliance on confirmation rather than rigorous attempts at refutation, a lack of openness to evaluation by other experts, and a general absence of systematic processes to rationally develop theories (Wikipedia). I expect this helps when you want to basically ignore fact and make it up as it meets your need. So, Lindsey, I’m not of the mindset you should get the “Head up the Butt” award but have no issue giving you a runner up prize of the other award of notice – the “Bag of Shit” award seems appropriate given I can’t expect you to look at anything beyond the use of vague and unprovable claims.

Yes Lindsey, that is pretty rank – on par with your recent attack on Susan Rice.

Nov 13 2012

It’s a New Day

Back from vacation – turned out to be a great week – almost 6 days in Las Vegas (Disneyworld for adults where real life only intrudes in small pieces) and an election that pretty much worked out as I had hoped. I will admit there was a point a week or so before the election where I had I had my doubts as to whether we would bring back President Obama for another four years but as the election grew nearer I was pretty sure we would be okay. I already expressed some of my initial feelings on election night – posted from my cell in our room right around the time Romney appeared to deliver his concession speech. I was not awfully elegant nor was I gracious in the least but I’ve reached that point in my life where I realize that conciliatory is not necessarily better – something I hope the Democrats keep in mind as I expect the Republicans are far from looking to make things work going forward.

Not much I can add at this point re: the election results other than a couple of thoughts:

1. The fact that it would seem the entire Republican Party, most importantly Romney, was totally taken off-guard when they didn’t win is pretty reflective of the lack of connection with reality Mitt would have brought to the Presidency. While we all have a tendency to see things as we wish them to be, this takes it to a new height. I think this is also reflective of the type of CEO Mitt probably was – surround yourself with only those who tell you what you want to hear. Doesn’t make for a company (or a country) that can realistically deal with the real problems and solutions. Only thing I wish is that I could have been in the room when the realization that they lost became clear. There’s a sweet picture.

2. At some level, my faith in the people in our country is a renewed. I was disheartened thru much of the election cycle by what appeared to be the same level of intellect and lemming-like mentality that re-elected Bush the 2nd to office twice. To have an election that wasn’t really a close one was an uplifting experience. Nice to see there are enough people out there not focused purely on economic considerations that the care and focus on people and social issues has not been lost. No doubt we need to fix things from an economic side – but to do it with no consideration of other human costs is not a palatable strategy. It’s not just the economy, stupid.

3. I am most elated with the progress in the results of Gay Rights. Aside from a plethora of elections of GLBT candidates to the Senate and House, the shift in state votes on gay marriage was monumental as same-sex marriage was legalized in three more states using ballot referendums and not legislation. This was the people talking – this is the voting public. Kudos to Maine, Maryland, and Washington who all voted to allow same-sex couples the right to marry in their states as well as to Minnesota which became the first state to have voters reject a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. While opponents to gay rights have quickly put their spin on why and how, the tides continue to change and we continue our march towards a country where all citizens are recognized equally under the law – how disheartening is it that this is even a statement that can be made in 2012. The future for my son is looking better and while I labor under no illusion that there remain many out there who would have him stay a second class citizen, they are slowly losing. In reality, there will always be stupid and hateful people around but we can only hope (as I’ve offered on many ocassions) that they die off quickly as they are a dwindling breed. They remain a bane on our society all while sucking out everything they can while giving nothing back.

4. Nice to see that the idiot men whom so eloquently gave us insight into their prehistoric views of women and how they are treated in regards to sex, rape and all that were so soundly defeated. Nice to see that there are some things that no level of spin can help. The larger stain here is that the Republican leadership was essentially absent in their condemnation – yes, there was the attempt to distance but not the outrage one would expect (at least one who actually believes that men and women are equals and that rape is never legitimate).

5. The lack of influence of the Tea Party this time around was refreshing. I guess watching all these old and uneducated people who are taking Social Security and Medicare rant on about getting the Federal government out of their lives resulted in a moment of cognitive dissonance for many in our country. Trying to have it both ways is somewhat disingenuous – another thing that Romney seemed to forget about.

6. Additional kudos to the youth of our country for showing up again – despite all the dire predictions. It is good to see they all recognize they have quite the vested interest in making their voices heard. I know both my kids were there without prodding – my daughter even stood for hours in line down in Washington DC.

7. I remain somewhat embarrassed at the obvious bias and bigotry that remains with white voters. To think that only 39% of white voters were with Obama is disturbing. Sure, I’m sure that there are many whites who would position that it was about policy and platform differences but we all really know there is much more beyond that. As a white male over 55 I am definitely out of step with the majority of my peers – and boy does that feel good.

8. Last point – after watching Obama speak to the crowds after his re-election and most pointedly in his talk with his campaign staff, I again saw probably what I saw as one of the main reasons I voted for this man – it was obvious he was tired and worn out from the process but his emotional reaction was not scripted and we got a good glimpse into the type of person we just re-elected. His level of emotion and his deep sense of caring was obvious. He wasn’t and hasn’t been playing a part or emoting a position based on who he is speaking to. This is a man who, at least in my view, truly cares about this country and it’s people. Not just some of the people, not just those who can help him.

Boy, do I feel better.

Nov 7 2012

Mitt – You Can’t Go Home

Hey Mitt – nothing like home sweet home. Oh wait – doesn’t appear that Mass. or Michigan is looking like they are there with welcoming arms. Maybe a nice plantation down south might work out better.

Let’s also recognize the huge message for our LGBT citizens – looks like four (out of four) states are going to pass gay marriage rights legislation. Fuck you, Mitt, and the Republican Party you rode in on. Maybe you can all realize it is the 21st century and not the 1950’s. Looking to the Tea Party as your base is not an enduring strategy.

And Fuck you Donny Trump and Rush. Back into your holes.

Nothing high road on my part – considering the campaign of hate and lies the Republicans ran, they deserve nothing more.

Nov 2 2012

Awards of the Day – Politics as Usual

It has been quite a week for many on the East coast including many of us not exactly on the coast. To a great extent, we in the Poconos were pretty lucky. As Hurricane Sandy made her way to landfall, we managed to pretty much be in the path of the eye of the storm – not that there wasn’t damage and impact. For many in our area, they remain without power. We lost power Monday evening and did not get it back until Wednesday afternoon around 3pm. Inconvenient yes, but not the disaster that unfolded across much of the tri-state area. I at least had a generator so within an hour of the loss of power, we were sitting in a lit house and our refrigerators and sump pumps were all functional. The real inconvenience was we quickly ran out of water as there are relatively few areas with public utilities so when the volume of water in our captive air tank was exhausted, that was about it. Luckily, we have learned to plan and were well stocked with water and other things we needed. Again, this was an opportunity to realize how lucky we were which wasn’t clear until we got our cable and internet back and we could see what many had and will continue to have to deal with.

That brings me to probably to me what was so different from what has been front center almost every day for the past, I don’t know, 6 months or so – the presidential election. I can’t say I thought too much about it and it was actually refreshing to get a break from the explosion of ads and political rhetoric with which we have all been inundated. It also meant I got a break from blog material – less that incensed me and less to somehow find catharsis for. But wait, it didn’t take too long. So today I’m going to actually recognize some positive and give some kudos as well as cite some of the usual bullshit that I continue to be astonished that so many believe and embrace.

Let me start with the positive. In the past I have not always been kind to Chris Christie, NJ Governor. There is much of him that exemplifies everything I despise in Republican Party. However, I need to give him credit for two things this week. One, it is obvious the man says what he believes and feels – I have to respect that quality whether I agree with the content or not. Secondly, Christie quickly put politics to the side and was unabashed in his praise of President Obama in light of the support and attention he got for NJ when it was most needed. And I expect he knew he would take shit for it from his fellow Republicans. Again, kudos for having some balls. So today, I want to award Chris Christie the “Hero of the Day” award for being real. I don’t labor under any illusion that when things calm down he will quickly move back into the fold but that’s okay – he at least showed he is not the imbalanced jerk that most of his Republican peers are.

BFFs

My other award today is actually related to the “Hero of the Day” award. Let me say that the recipient demonstrated behavior that was not a surprise and is consistent with being probably one of the most vile people on the planet – so I guess there is something to be said for consistency. But he does lose points for lack of creativity. In any case, the immediate condemnation of Chris Christie by our recipient is indicative of his general lack of compassion, empathy and most other generally positive human emotions and feelings. Yes, I expect many will have already guessed it – it is no other than that shit hole of a human being – Rush Limbaugh. He again takes lowlife to a new level – as hard as that is in his case. I might also suggest that his loyal followers get to share in this award given their general inability to deal with life in general – demonstrated by their blind allegiance to someone of Rush’s calibre and character. Rush, take a bow – oops, you dropped one of your pills – is that a Viagra or a oxycodone?

A Triple Crown Winner! Take your pick – Head up the Butt, Horse’s Ass or Bag of Shit or any combination of the above!

I think it is also fitting to also recognize the runner-up for jerk of the day – a man who isn’t used to being 2nd in much of anything – Donny Trump – for a myriad of stupid ass things that come out of his mouth – he again provides some pretty interesting support that man did evolve from apes – some less than others!

Don’t feel bad – you are only runner-up today. You still are one of the biggest shit bags I see out there today!

Oct 24 2012

Donald Trump – Is there no Bigger?

With Donnie’s latest attempt to get back in the spotlight by going after Obama’s citizenship again, it is almost embarrassing the level to which he has stooped. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger horse’s ass – and my apologies to the horse population!

Oct 15 2012

It’s not the demeanor, stupid!

Wonder how Ryan’s mom feels being one of the 47%?

It has been a while since my last post and to be perfectly honest I have pretty much tired of this presidential campaign as I can hardly bear to listen to Romney and Ryan as they manipulate and lie their way forward. I can only hear so much garbage and can only tolerate those who continue to not see anything problematic with the shifting sands in which their campaign run sits. However, after the last debate with Biden and Ryan, to hear the differing perspectives of who won, who was more professional and/or stately, whatever, it become entirely clear that the details really don’t matter to most. We have reached the point where it is less about what really is impactful and critical to our future and more about whether the candidate presented themself in a way that meets our expectations. To be honest, I would rather have someone who I feel is honest about who they are and how they feel. I find Biden’s dismissal of Ryan as basically a liar and a lightweight actually refreshing – not only because I agree but mostly because I know that is really how he feels. This positioning and guidance that Obama got for the first debate not to get angry and not to show his true feelings I believe did more harm than good. And in typical Republican style, Mitt took quite the advantage of it and has continued to pound his chest and throw off all that recently found testosterone – which was usually more reserved for Ann Romney.

It is time to really get angry and more aggressive in light of what lies ahead as potential consequences. To be at this point in the election and still be undecided speaks more to someone not really paying attention or someone who really has no stated values or philosophical stand on life. This is symptomatic of our arrival at being a society where People Magazine is the literary choice of most, the Kardashian family a focal point of many and how we look is less important than who we really are. Pretty sad but also something that explains the lack of real attention to detail.

I don’t think that everyone else needs to believe what I believe or feel strongly about those issues I find important. But you have to stand for something. You have to know what is important to you and what will make a difference. To be undecided and to have your decision on who you vote for based on whether Joe Biden interrupted too much (was it only me who thought Romney did a bit more butting in) or snickered more than you thought was right, I find that mind-boggling. What really set me off was an item I saw right after the debate this past week. I actually read a twitter comment from someone who was part of a group our local paper (a bastion on inadequacy in its own right) that after watching how Biden comported (my word) himself in that debate, she was changing her vote. Amazing – but not really a surprise given the “undecideds” still on the fence. If you are still undecided at this point I would submit you did not pass the litmus test of having enough intelligence to actually vote – or you have been in a cave for the past 11 years and didn’t see what had brought this country to its knees. But that is my concern – to think that Romney might win and it not be because people agree with his policies (what ever they are today) or what he will likely change is disheartening – it is because of some shallow, really unimportant factor like whether you like someone’s demeanor. Look, I think Romney is a flaming asshole and is so far away from what it most people’s life experience that his ability to understand or relate is non-existent. But if I believed in his policies and his direction for America, his persona is of less importance. Sure we want likeable. But that won’t cut it. As I recall, the Bush the 2nd polls showed him as someone with whom you would want to have a beer – unfortunately that “likeability” can now be enjoyed by almost 7000 less American military people given the execution of his policies and his view of what was good for the US.

This time around, I see there are several key areas where you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to recognize a difference between the candidates. You don’t need to agree but recognize what you will get on each side. My list of what is important:
1. Equal Rights for our gay citizens – whether you want to recognize it as the same as the rights won by minorities over the past decades, gay rights and equal right to marriage and the perks that go with it will not move ahead in a Romney win.
2. Women’s reproductive rights and their ability to control their own destiny – I still remain in awe of the women that support Romney. His abortion and birth control agenda will move our country back 50 years.
3. Abortion – related to above but important enough to put as its own headliner. Still trying to overturn Roe v Wade 40 years later – persistent but not based on what the American people want.
4. Religious Freedom – or what is in reality the installation of religious intolerance of anyone who doesn’t believe as I do or doesn’t hold the same view of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I could give two shits about what you do and how you do it in your personal space – but don’t limit mine. I won’t tell you what to do beyond stay out of my life and how I live it.
5. The poor and the needy – as if they haven’t had it tough enough already. Sure there are those who suck off of the rest of us but let’s not ignore our responsibility to those who are really in need – not going to happen with Romney – once politics are aside, it is back to Republican tactics and focus on the rich getting richer.
6. Behind most everything – who sits on the Supreme Court – do we want another Scalia? Do we want more political leaning and furthering of a right leaning agenda? It is likely the next 4 years will bring us at least one appointment of a new justice – and the current tenuous balance will disappear with a Romney administration.

Sure the economy is important but it is and will continue to improve. Not my hot button since I will likely be okay no matter who is in the Whitehouse and probably better with the Republicans but that really doesn’t sit well – we aren’t great as a country because we only care about our own self-interest. Bringing back the policies of yesteryear and depending on trickle down economics flies in the face of reality. There is quite a bit of money sitting in corporate coffers (keep in mind that corporations are people too) and they are doing nothing to take care of the workers – middle class or not. They are the rich and well-off – and they have been at the core of much of the pain of the middle-class. Do we really think corporate behavior will change? It will only to the extent that their profits are larger – and profits at the expense of everything else.

An uncanny resemblance – has anyone checked Ryan’s birth certificate? (A “Saved by the Bell” moment – who could forget Screech – no doubt one of the more annoying characters from kid’s TV)

Now, quick comment on the debate this week – townhall-style, questions I believe from the audience. If I could have my wish, I’d love to see a “Michael Dukakis” moment where Romney can’t hide behind his corporate and political persona. I’d ask him “what are you going to do and what is your first action when one of your sons announces he is gay?”.

Let’s really see what kind of person we have here.

notthebestoftimes…

And it is getting worse – time to get our collective head out of our ass

Category Politics

If You’re a Republican, Politics Trumps America Every Time

It’s a New Day

Mitt – You Can’t Go Home

Donald Trump – Is there no Bigger?