CapitalistMarks

Multi-tasking President

Posted on 07. Feb, 2009 by scott.

I fear that the economy is such a dominating and difficult problem for our President that he will fail to do one of the things all of us voters hoped he would do when he was elected.? That is prove an ability to work on more than one problem at a time.? And frankly that would be at least one more problem than the previous administration was able to deal with (I?could generously?add the caveat — effectively — here but?I don’t think it is needed).

Currently the problem that strikes me nearly as critical as the economy is the mid-east problem.? Fix that and a lot of other related problems would go away.? I mean, what are the extremist Islamic jehadists going to ‘go off’ on if the Palestinians and Israelis can be made, or encouraged, to live together in peace.?

That is the mantra Ahmadinejadiboob in Iran dwells on more than any other.? Sadly?there are a lot of his same ilk in the region.

The thing is that peace is possible.? It takes some effort.? Just ask the folk in Northern Ireland.

If people will? sit down and figure out solutions rather than lobbing bombs at each other think what might happen.?

Secretary of State Clinton and her able assistant (the former Pres.) should make that goal the ONLY thing they work on for the next few months (or even years).? The average Joe (even a few who are plumbers) in Gaza and in Israel want peace.? It seems only a few horribly misguided leaders (and followers) on both sides are so intransigent that they can’t see the damage that further conflict is doing to this and future generations.?

The U.S.?can help by giving economic aid so that education and jobs are available to counter the indifference (jealousy)?that the impressionable, uneducated, unemployed?young people in the region experience and that guides (forces) ?them into extremism.?

We must also insist that the wealthy Arab/Muslim nations step up to the plate and provide hope (jobs/education) for good people? who just want a ‘life’ for their families.??By the same token those who abuse the teachings of the Bible or the Q’uran must be punished by all governments and religious leaders until they ‘repent.?’

Peace is possible, if all direct parties and third parties join together to solve the problem.? That means political, economic and religious leaders must be forced to work together using persuasion, logic and the peaceful teachings most accept anyway.?

This isn’t rocket science, and we don’t need a Manhattan project to push it.? We do need leaders who will use Islamic, Christian and Jewish virtues to trump the falsehoods that hatred, mistrust and?perverted history have made all to common.? Change despair to hope.? Change the all to common view of an awful past to a promising future.

Prove you can do it Obama.? Set hillary and the attack-peace-dogs on the problem and?keeping pushing until it is done.?

The world would be different and?Many?of our other problems would go away at the same time.? ?

And by the way. . . . don’t forget the economy.??I have another neighbor who just lost his job.? Multitask, my man BHO.

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In the foot?

Posted on 04. Feb, 2009 by scott.

Virtually everyone in the country agrees that further economic stimulus is needed.? Yet the right and center-right? ‘on the hill’? are playing foolish games that are worthy only of children?or ‘Limbaughs’.? At what point do we actually unite for the good of the country?? Do they?get it?? Not that I can see.

Fear mongering and threats are idle when the entire nation is on life support.? Do something worthwhile!? Please, Congressmen &?Senators stop the foolishness and act.? For a life-long (until 4 years ago anyway) republican?I am frustrated by the words and the deeds of members of both parties but particularly the GOP.??I won’t go into the term limit argument again but you know it is out there.

Employ. Stimulate.? Employ. Encourage.? Employ.? And do it now!? Anything less is real PORK!

On the other hand maybe in two years certain elected officials will see that they have commited political suicide.??They will be out the door and then (heaven forbid) one party will control everything in Washington D.C..? Oh, what a ‘party’ that will be??? (welcome back Harry Truman)

Jeez, louise!? Stop shooting yourselves in the foot and start aiming a little higher.?? We can only hope!

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How to fix government! Part deux.

Posted on 27. Jan, 2009 by scott.

I’ve already pontificated on term limits.? Today is part II of the government problem (and of course the solution).

I read in the paper this morning that lobbyists spents $3.3 BILLION in 2008.? That money went to influence our elected leaders.? Two issues jump out at me here, and?I have to add that either of these trump any possible reasons for allowing paid lobbyist to even visit Washington, D.C.?let alone exert any kind of influence there.? Who elected those high paid dudes (or dudettes) ?to have an impact on our lives?

?This is a freakin’ democracy!! by the people, for the people and all that.? Not by the rich (those who can afford to influence by hiring lobbyists) and for the rich.? Jeez louise, how dumb can we (the electorate) be to allow this?????

Back to the 2 issues.

First, there is the matter of the $3.3 billion.? now that doesn’t sound like a lot today when our government uses several trillion $$ of OUR money to try (notice it is conditional) and fix economic problems caused primarily by those companies that our paying for the lobbyists.? The likes of?fannie and freddie and others of their ilk . . . i.e. just about every bank and financial company out there . . . as well as automakers and peanut butter makers (hate it when?I get salmonella)? . . . and mortgage bankers and . . . gosh?I guess every company with overpaid and underpermforming CEO’s out there.? Does that leave anyone out?? Don’t think so!? oh, yeah –?I forgot, it left out you and me!

What if those companies kept the $3.3 billion and returned it to shareholders??What if they spent it on R&D to make better and safer products (ah, there is the peanut butter thing again), or to increase pay for the average worker (you know, those who work 40 hour weeks for a tiny fraction of what their bosses make while they are golfing or cruisin’ in their private jets), or to contribute to health care for workers, or . . . gosh just about anything …. EXCEPT?LOBBYING!!

Second.? Why should only those with money be allowed to influence elected officials?? But there is even a bigger issue here.? NO ONE . . . repeat NO ONE, should be allowed, permitted or encouraged to influence votes or decisions of any kind except for the individuals that put the greedy bums (I’m not angry . . . just think about what YOU could do with part of that $3.3 BILLION) in office.? Hey, the only ones who should be allowed to influence, in any way shape or form (I think that is legal language but?I am not sure even though?I spent a very?frustrating week in law school) ?elected officials should be the electors . . . that is you and me again.? One person — one vote.? Not one million dollars — one vote.? Are you seeing a trend here?? It is a simple issue of the rich getting richer and the middle class getting middler and the poor getting poorer because they have no infuence.

So change this offensive and impure process.? Legislate, adjudicate, and pontificate (legalese again?)?– or whatever it takes to simply STOP it!? Dead in its tracks.? Right now.? Write, email, phone and even visit in person . . . let our elected officials know that NO lobbying will be allowed.? None.? Nadda. Null.

In conclusion my friends (no closing argument here . . . just the solution) paid lobbyist’s should be jailed because the practice (well,?I guess it isn’t practice anymore because they have it down to science) should be against the law.? But that won’t happen until?WE make it happen.

Its up to you.? And me.? Us.? Make it illegal.? Federally.? Stateally (in every state). Countyally (in every county) and cityally (in every city).?? forgive the legalese again.

Lobbying should be against the law EVERYWHERE in a democratic society.

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Hope!

Posted on 20. Jan, 2009 by scott.

Today was indeed historic.? Imagine the President of our United States is a man whose father was born in Kenya and his wife’s great-grandfather was a slave.? Incredibly President Obama was born to a Muslim father, and yet he is a devout Christian.? This fine (further accolades must be held in abeyance for at least 2 or 3 more years) man was a good attorney who gravitated to helping the oppressed and poor.? Just a few years ago he was a virtual unknown.? He has two wonderfully normal daughters and a wife with professional and personal credentials?to shame nearly every other first lady in recent memory.? That alone should keep him grounded . . . a really good thing.?

But, ‘wait-if you believe right now you get this one time only, act in the next twenty minutes bonus’:? I’ve seen pictures of this President donating time to help the poor, shopping for?groceries, playing basketball (THE manly sport), walking on the?beach, and smiling –?wow what a smile!? Send in you?order now.??A double order, biggie sized, of HOPE!

I expect significant changes in the Whitehouse, and the?Executive branch of our goverrnment in general.??I know he wants to affect real worthwhile change in Washington and?I hope he can (like finding a way to limit ALL other elected officials to?a few terms . . . a common theme you will hear from me).?

Sadly the prior administration?has left the President with problems and realities that will make? his job?very difficult.? Theformer guys?managed to trash any HOPE.??? The realities of our?economy will limit his capacity to provide government assistance to?the needy (financially, economically, healthally, educationally, combatally, politically?. . . .).

Oh boy, does he have a challenge ahead.? But, there is HOPE.

Hey, people in Kenya celebrated, Arabs and Muslims?are excited that he?likely understands their?beliefs and?HOPE ?more than any previous President.??Europeans danced in the street, and generally everyone?I know or have seen on?TV has HOPE as a result of his election.? They want and expect a different and better America than they have seen for 8 seemingly long, dark years.

Sure, the market?(stock not vegetables) crashed today.? However, CNBC informed us, thank heavens, that the market?declines 72% of the time on?inaguration days.? Truthfully the market probably won’t get the Obama?bounce that so many expected.? Nothing happens?( predictably) when our?incredibly unpopular Congress gets involved.? That means that the President’s plan for economic stimulus and change in government will not be approved soon.?

Think about it.? The market (here?I speak of the millions who buy and sell securities and bonds) can’t react positively until there is good news and an improvement in the two things that the government HAS to focus on (I started?pleading for this in?August to the students in?a college macro economics class?I taught . . . so?I am not coming to this party late, and I am?certain others have recognized this too), and that is lowering unemployment, and improving?consumer (say citizen here) confidence.? Just those two things.? Nothing else extraneous, just those two things.? Focus on them, Mr.??President, honored (boy that is hard to write) Congress — and then you will give the rest of us real HOPE.

While many are expectant, and even more are HOPEful we have to be realistic.? It will take many weeks, perhaps months,?for the President to get his advisors and administrators approved by Congres and put to work.? The sooner the better, but don’t expect Congress?to be intelligent?about it (they are too dang politicized and concerned about their high-paying,?live and retire on easy-street jobs to?do that).?

So, reality is that change (if it comes) will take time?(and sadly lots of it).?

That leaves us with only one thing:? HOPE!? hope doesn’t float . . . it has to be paddles to stay afloat.? Give us a paddle Congress.

Don’t let go of it.? The more of us that share HOPE, the more our leaders will start to realize their?jobs might just?be dependent upon?reviving our?HOPE.? Holy mackeral, that would be something., wouldn’t it??

So HOPE.

And pass along HOPE.

And don’t give up your HOPE.

Spread the word.

HOPE!?

?

thanks to jurvetson for the picture from flikr

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How to see the problem?

Posted on 15. Jan, 2009 by scott.

The economy is ‘officially’ in the toilet (well?a toilet anyway).? It is far too late to place blame although there is plenty of fodder for THAT fire!?

So far:??We have had fed (reserve that is) action greater than ever before — ah, the pristine nature of 0% rates, treasury action (oh my gosh is Paulson still at the helm?) in the form of opening up the currency printing presses, FDIC action to secure deposits, Whitehouse action in the form of pointing blame at anyone but the Executive branch, Congressional action such as contentious opposition to any suggestions from?’that’ Whitehouse . . . and yet the ‘wall still comes crumblin’ down.’?

Here is a perfect example of why we need term limits.? All the guys (and gals) in the categories above find ways to look out for themselves (what? is congress really getting a raise in the midst of this downturn?) and ignore the obvious.? They are worse than talking heads.? They are talking … ?(well just think of another less intellectual part of the anatomy).

All ya gotta do?dudes (that is a?congenial term usually reserved for witless teens — how fitting here)???is open your eyes!!?

America is the greatest consumer economy in the history of the Universe.? Consumption drives our economy.? Anything that greases the wheels of consumption WILL grow the economy.??That is?given and accepted by virtually all economists.?

But . . ?where do the dudes ?I’m talking about ‘lead’ in attempting?to dig ourselves out of this (w)hole mess?

The answer is too obvious for the economic and political ‘genuises to really grasp.? it is right there in front of you — dudes! do something, anything, to motivate, encourage, stimulate and give confidence to . . . THE CONSUMERS!? and do it at once . . . immediately . . . yesterday . . . today . . . and tomorrow!? Stop arguing , discussing and talking.? Try something novel, like actually doing something.

Forget any so called stimuli that will benefit businesses, large or small, or that are intended to?put money in the pockets of individuals (or institutions) that won’t spend it right away.? Forget projects (pet or otherwise) that will take months or years?to implement.? Stop thinking about saving corrupt, inefficient, bloated financial (or manufacturing etc.) corporations that are clearly NOT going to help the problem — and are harming our national heritage of increasing efficiency.

Put the all money and all the effort in doing TWO things and those TWO things only!!? (1) — create jobs now?? (2) — increase confidence now.?

That’s it folks.? Don’t waste time or money on ANYTHING that doesn’t immediately have an impact on those TWO things!

I’m not being paid to work this out but there are solutions that fit the TWO things above.? Read them and open your eyes you knuckleheads!?

Focus only on the TWO things above.? Anything else is worthless and wasted.

Open your eyes! Focus! Open your eyes! Focus! Open your eyes! Focus! Open you . . . . etc. etc. etc. . . .

thanks to focalpunkt at flikr for the photo

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Farewell is sorta welcome.

Posted on 13. Jan, 2009 by scott.

He campaigned in his first presidential election by promising he would not be a ‘divider’ . . . we believed him.? He said he would be a ‘uniter’.? He told us a few years later that he was the ‘decider’.? We were told by him that the U.S. would never go into a war without an ‘exit strategy’ and that we would never use our military to be ‘nation builders’.? He began his first term with a recession and ended it with a really big recession (the biggest since the great ‘D’ . . . by the way a depression is considered a recession that lasts longer than three years – some say two – and/or a recession that results in at least a 10% decline in GDP — and so we are not free of the big ‘D’ yet).

In between we had a few good laughs (just do a google on ‘Bushisms’) and a whole lot of tears.? Upwards of 5,000 of our young men and women have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan during his term.? another 30,000 plus wounded, injured or crippled.?? Worse our constitution has been wounded by his ‘regal presidency.’

He told us ‘victory accomplished’ more than six years ago (and most of the deaths and injuries to our military happened after that).? His administration fell asleep at the wheel while fannie and freddie tried to get everyone into a home (some with monthly mortgage payments greater than their monthly ‘gross’ income’ . . . yeah go figure?)?and thereby ignited the financial ‘whirlwind’ we are living in today.?

He told us Putin had a soul (how can you have a soul without having a personality or a conscience? and you have to have one to judge one) .? He was so populat that a foreign?journalist threw both?his sole(s) at him.? He brought us (just last year) the greatest deficit in U.S. history– and left?the new Pres. with a deficit that will be at least three times bigger?this year (yechh, ?in one year the annual deficit will triple under his ‘deciding’).? He?doubled the national debt is?his eight years . . . that’s twice what it had become in the previous 200+ years.? He turned friendly countries into doubters and?doubters into enemies.

Americans used to?travel proudly with?flags and such on their bags and clothes.? Does anyone?in their right mind want to do that now??? Now the government tells us to hide the fact that we are American when we travel.

He defined the ‘axis of evil’ and then managed to watch that very same axis of economic and military ‘wannabes’ turn into ‘nuclur’ powers while he stood by helplessly confused.?

I could go on.? But i won’t — it is too dang frustrating.

The kicker was yesterday though . . .?at his final white house press conference he showed us how much he grew in the office.? Let me quote: “And so, yes, look, there’s plenty of critics in this business; I understand that. And I thank you for giving me a chance to defend a record that I am going to continue to defend, because I think it’s a good, strong record. ”

That’s been the problem for 8 years.? Was he napping for 8 years.? He hasn’t and can’t see the forest for the trees.? iIf he has a strong record then?I am superman and Gov. Blogejevich is a saint.? He can’t now admit . . . or maybe even see . . . the impact of his awful ‘deciding’ . . . and the chasm caused by his intense ‘dividing’? . . . and the deaths caused by his attempts at nation building in Iraq and Afghanistan . . . oh boy . . . oh boy . . . . . oh mama!

Part of growing is admitting your mistakes and correcting them.? But, he still refuses to admit any real mistakes and he sure as heck didn’t ever try to ever correct anything on the fly.?

What if Americans were arrested in a war zone where they were innocently trapped and then imprisoned and tortured for years without hope of trail or release?? Would the citizens of this great country be angry? Disappointed? Confused?

you can check out the entire press conference at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2009/01/20090112.html? and draw your own conclusions.?

He says history will judge.??I sure hope so.? In my opinion he will go down as one of the worst presidents in history and?I believe history will confirm that?in 5 years and in fifty years.?

You’ve heard it b4 — I voted for the guy in ‘00 but that was the only time.? Little good that fact does me trying to sleep at night now.?

Let me say this, though.??I think he was basically honorable (that isn’t the same thing as honest by the way) and?I think he is patriotic and I don’ t think he is our least intelligent politician (gosh Palin was fun though and Biden is hilarious!).? He is (soon will be ‘was’) our Pres. and for whatever good he did?I am appreciative?(email me to remind me when you’ve got the time and can add to that list).

Helps me to vent though and?I hope it helps you.? Its always darkest just b4 dawn.? Those singing ‘bug’ guys had it right in the ’60’s ‘Here Comes the Sun’.

?

thanks to World Economic Forum?for the photo from flikr

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Can cuba be different?

Posted on 06. Jan, 2009 by scott.

Here’s the deal.? Obama is promising change over the next four years.? THe real problem is? that we need change today.? Immediately!??

To start , he can make a change right here in our hemisphere without spending untold taxpayer $$.??It?would be?easy and it is the right thing to do.

Give full recognition to Cuba.?? OPen the doors.? Welcome the neighbors.

And do it now.? Tell the press and the world.? Even?before he takes office he can?get the change ball rolling.

Communists?? Who cares?? Socialists?? Who cares?

We deal with China, Russia, Uzbhekistan, France and Canada don’t we?? Some are communists and some are socialists and some are both — but so what?? We’re all capitalist today it seems (China is, Russia is, maybe even Iran . . . but don’t let me leave the impression they are democratic ‘cuz they aren’t).

Our good island neighbors to the south have suffered too long due to the archaic policies of a failed past.? Give the?deserving people of Cuba a chance to see what democracy and openness can do for us and they will want it for themselves.? Treat them like good nieghbors (my apologies state farm) and make some new friends.

The people in this country aren’t afraid of Cuba.? How can the government be unless they are completely and totally out of touch (oh, I forgot . . . of course they are).? Do it Obama-man help them and help us.?

This big step?will?change lives for?the good…for?millions in Cuba.? It will help millions here? in the U.S. too, those who want what Cuba has to offer like: Cuban cigars (though iIpersonally don’t get the appeal of smoking), or carribean food (everything but the crazy spicy stuff), or (and here is my favorite ) the great beaches we have been denied from enjoying for as long as I can remember.

Maka Fidel a happy many before he passes on.? Give him some props Obama, after all he was an incredible leader for his people (at least a vast majority of them practically worship him).?

Think of what the rest of the world would think of us if we did.? They might even start liking us again — you know, the ‘we are all God’s children’ thing.? That makes us brothers and sisters.? The choice is easy.

Change could start right now with the stroke of a pen, a simple invitation, a cup of

thanks to flikr’s factor for the photo

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Team player on the socio-economic dream team!

Posted on 05. Jan, 2009 by scott.

Can’t be easy for Bill Richardson to pull away from a position on Obama’s cabinet . . . but it bodes well for the team.? Although, supposedly innocent of any of the charges being investigated by the feds in New Mexico, Richardson steps up (or down) and takes one for the team.?

It seems on the surface to be unselfish and?I like that.? Quite a change for a politician and maybe a precursor for the future (we can only hope!).

Some pundits look at this as a ‘hit’ to the Pres-elect’s pristine image.? Not me.? I see it as?a good thing.? Demonstrates the loyalty of the people around BHO.? Not just to the man but to the country and the ‘movement’ he represents — you know — the change thing.

Too bad we haven’t seen this kind of loyalty and patriotism in the last 8 years.? Rumsfield might have resigned in a week, Cheney a few days later, and Paulson?? Heck he might never have left the big bucks at Goldman Sucks (eh . . . Sachs).? I could name a bunch of others but what’s the point.

Anyway, thanks Richardson . . . thanks for putting country above self.? If everyone in D.C.?had that kind of hutzpah we might have to get all?new Senators and all new Congressmen!!? Say hallelujah!!

* thanks to flickr user?mikeschinkel for the title image

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Gaza. The mideast powder keg.

Posted on 04. Jan, 2009 by scott.

This is short today.? Out of respect.? People are dying out in Gaza.? Hundreds have been killed by Israeli bombs (made in the USA?)?and now there is a ground attack and even more are going to suffer.

What did hamas expect?

They have been raining rockets down on innocent civilians in Israel for years.? 6,464 rockets in just the last three years according to Charles Krauthammer in his Washington Post editorial today.?

Why haven’t there been thousands protesting those acts of terror conducted ?by an elected government in Gaza?? How can anyone expect Israel to live with that kind of hatred?? Even Obama said that he’d do anything to stop rockets from falling on his kids bedrooms.

You reap what you sow, Hamas (or any other terror group).? Google the editorial above and read more if you’d like (Krauthammer usually has a pretty even-handed perspective).? You?ought to?be shocked at the painful stupidity and selfish idocy of Hamas.? Who pays the price?? civilians on both sides, not the ‘genius’ leaders that promulgate the insanity.?

Soldiers and militias expect the risks.? Women and children and other innocents do not and should not IN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD expect to be killed at any second by random bombing, suicide attacks?or rockets.?Who are these people?? Their own Q’uran is against killing innocents, the Bible too.? Where do these idots get off??

Where is the religious outrage, the demand from governments, protesters, scholars, the?UN for crying out loud?

Golda Mier hit the nail on the head?years ago.? She said, and I quote as best as?I can remember:? “the mideast will be in a state of war and terror as long as Palestinian mothers hate jews more than the love their own children.”?

What kind of people think like that?? Can they be sane? Moral? Stupid?? Heck, I?can’t imagine.

I?hate to hear of anyone dying violently . . . anywhere in the world.? But selfish, stupid people bring it on themselves with hatred and lust for vengeance.? Its gotta stop.

Don’t even suggest such acts are approved by God, any God.? Impossible.? Everyone?should know better.

why? why? why?

*thanks to flickr user farshadebrahimi for this post’s image

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Who is the most qualified?

Posted on 30. Dec, 2008 by scott.

Another kennedy in the Senate?? Why not?

I can’t say I’m a fan, but what other good choices do the good folk from NY have?? The Governor can appoint anyone he wants, but I think he is better served appointing someone with?NO political background.? Imagine how cool it would be if all 50 states had representatives in the legislature who are common (by which I mean not professional politicians).?

Who would you rather have represent you in today’s difficult and enomically challenged world????A longtime political hack or a real person who works for a living?

Think!? Politicians owe every special interest group that helped get them elected and reelected and reelected etc etc.? Do you think they think they owe us?? And there is more, they have benefits that most of us could only dream about.? They have NO idea what life is like today for the majority of Americans.

While I’m on it) what about the convicted Senator Stevens from Alaska?? Think he’ll ever do time?? What about that ‘perve’?airport Senator from Idaho? Then the magical Blogojevich?in Illinois.? Will he have to give up his ill gotten gain (if it can ever be accounted for)??

What about the? incredible pension and other benefits for the Senate?? Those guys (and a few gals who had the $$$ to get elected) will?make more from retirement benefits than? most people make working hard every day.?

Sure, you can count on them to do the right thing!!? Aahuh — and i’ve got some great land in Florida I’d like to sell you cheap — big cash downpayment of course.?

Oh, and?the ‘everymen’ (or women) who have to shop in grocery stores, worry about paying utility bills, can’t sleep at night for concern about keeping their jobs, pay too much for (or don’t have) medical insurance and the list goes on.? That is who the country is about and should be for.? But do the ‘pros’ really care? Apparently not in this universe.

Not the way it was supposed to be friends.? The founding fathers never anticipated a full-time, career class of professional and privileged politicians.? They are?the new ‘royalty’, the untouchable upper crust of our society.?

Wierd!??They (the founding fathers) wanted ‘normal’ people getting together and making decisions that affect other ‘normal’ people.

Today, our bigwig officials have every reason to make decisions?based solely on what will get them reelected and is best for them? . . . NOT on what is best for the country!!?? Most of the time they do just that.

This gets me thinking about term limits (say three terms in the House, two terms in the Senate and similar limits for ALL other elected officials).?

Doggonit why do we keep electing these knuckleheads??

Part of it is their privileges give them (incumbents) incredible advantages in any election (like subsidized travel, free postage and of course TV coverage any time they sneeze).? The rest is that?WE keep sending them back . . . aw jeez who looks stupid now?

Term limits would resolve lots of the issues but of course the elected privileged would never push for that!? I won’t get into it now but why don’t you check out www.termlimits.org where you’ll get a pretty good picture of the problem and can even join an attempt at solving it.? There are plenty of other groups pushing for term limits and despite their own agendas the basic idea is right on point.

Back to Caroline.? Why not?? Is there anyone interested who is more qualified that someone who has never been to D.C.?? I don’t think so.? Congress has a lower rating than our sorry President (that issue will have to wait for another day–and I voted for him in ‘00 — what was?I thinking?).?

Term limits.? NOW.? Throw the ‘professional’ bums out!!? give regular people the jobs.?? Why not plumbers for heck sake!? Carpenters, grocers, gas station attendents even me and you!!? Come on, do you think it takes a great education and a superior intellect to run the country . . . NO NO NO . . . it takes a little bit of common sense and we all (mostly) have that.

Lincoln had it right.? “By the people and for the people.”? Not by the new ‘royalty’ of permanently elected officials and for the same knuckleheads!!?

You don’t have to look far for proof.? Take?Joe Biden . . . he got elected before most of us were born . . . and he’s no shining star.? What about?Senators serving (shall we say being served) in their 80’s and 90’s??? Would you want your?surgeon to be 93?? Your pilot?? Your proctologist??

So, go caroline . . . or anyone else willing to take up the burden and the honor of serving for ONLY a few years!!? Make the right choice Governor and then let?the people of New York?choose wisely in 2010.

How about this solution?? Next election you vote for me and I’ll vote for you and none of us vote for incumbents!! What a change we’d see then.?

God bless America . . . and every other free nation (every other nation of anykind for that matter).?

Term limits now!? Then we’d have a great new year!

and thanks to diggersf at flikr.com for the photo!

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