Whose fault is it really?

I understand there is a significant amount of people who are unhappy with the current President. Additionally, based on the current divorce rate, there seems to be a significant amount of people who are unhappy with their current/ex spouse. I always find it interesting when those people (in either scenario) start passing around the blame for their current unhappy circumstances. Here is an interesting thought: you picked them. Does that make it your fault then if it doesn't work out? Or are you one of those people (I believe some would call you an "optimist") who really believes people will change? I understand that the correlation is a bit indirect in relation to the President, so let me explain. You chose to live in a democracy where the majority makes the decisions. The current majority selected the current President. Therefore, whether you voted for him or not, you still "chose" him, by living in a country that abides by such a process. For those of you that do not vote, again, that was your choice, and by making that choice, you implicitly agreed to accept the outcome based on those who did vote. So in essence, all of you who are unhappy with your choices in life (whether your spouse, President, or even a pet), maybe just look in the mirror next time you are looking for someone to blame.

Car Makers, Taxes, and I should be King...

Chrysler wants a piece of the bailout (who can blame them, I want a piece too), except they want to use their piece to pay some of their top execs $30 Million bonuses. Nice. I would just like to use my part of the bailout (which will never actually make it to me, the common man) to pay my mortgage, buy a flat screen (do they make them 120"?) and travel the world snowboarding; you know, just the every day necessities that we all require.

Starbucks' revenue is down, and you know the economy is suffering when people are refusing to purchase a $13 cup of coffee from a pumpkin-pie haircutted freak with every part of their face pierced who insists on giving you the evil eye because you drive an SUV. I am actively looking for ways to increase my carbon footprint now...

I have an idea for taxes. If you did not vote for the President that raises them, you should not be liable (o yeah, that's a law school word) for the increase(s). The qualifying factor: you have to vote, if you did not vote you don't get any of the (hypothetical) perks.

Next election, I am going to run for King/Supreme Dictator. Can I count on your vote? My campaign promise: no campaign promises.

Voting for Obama? Thanks

I just wanted to say thank you to those of you voting Obama in '08. As a nonworking, poor student with a family who does not pay taxes, I appreciate all of your support. I am excited that all of you small business owners and wealthy people are going to pay for my health care, food stamps, and lifestyle. I will let you know if I need anything else. Perhaps there is a way I can work this into a boat?

The good news is that by the time I am in the wealthy crowd, a new President with a tax plan that benefits me will be in office. I love our electoral system (even though I am against voting).

Nebraska - not brilliant... and another useless debate.

No, I am not watching another useless debate. Watching tweedledee and tweedledum suck up to the middle class with empty promises and plans that cannot in a million years be funded while "slap fighting" with each other just makes me embarrassed by our electoral process. I find it humorous the passion that seems to be everywhere in this election when the facts indicate that the majority of us don't even vote. I will be glad when this is over and nothing changes. At least at that point the commercials will go back to normal and I won't have to watch neighbors wage their passive aggressive lawn sign wars with each other. It's like if you have the most signs in your lawn then you are the cool one. The truth is the old lawn flamingos are cooler than the election signs. Go get lawn flamingos, go now. And get a lawn gnome. There is my travelocity plug.

Now on to Nebraska. State Senator Ernie Chambers brought a lawsuit against God. That's right, The Almighty. Unfortunately for him (and fortunately for everyone who is sane) the court dismissed the case because God does not have an address and therefore he cannot be served. Chambers has been part of the Nebraska legislature for the last 38 years and is not going for election. This guy is clearly an idiot. Perhaps he was not hugged enough as a child (or maybe hugged too much?), who knows. What does this say about the people of Nebraska? They elected him for 38 years. That goes past ignorance, that is just plain stupid. Way to go over there.

To Bank, Or Not To Bank

WaMu, what more can I say? Apparently another victim of a "run on a bank syndrome." Does that mean all that money ($16.7 Billion drawn out in 12 days) is now under the mattresses of all those people?

I am not watching the candidate debate tonight. Let's face it, these guys don't have a clue or a plan to save the country. In either case we are in for 4 more years of the same. Sure, there is weight to the fact that several new justices will be nominated by the President, but how much does that really matter?

An interesting perspective from an international friend: He thought it humorous that we put so much stock into our elections. His view is that in America, not much changes when a new leader is elected. In his country, when a new leader is elected, people die. Something to think about.


Enjoy the debate (if you can call it that), I am going to watch Friends reruns.

Should Stay-At-Home Mothers Get Paid?

Here's a thought. Stay at home mothers should get a paycheck. What if the government paid these hard working women (and men for you stay at home dads) a small stipend for their hard work? $5,000 non-taxable dollars for each child up to the age of 18. You would have to apply for the program, and that could be done at the same time you fill out paperwork for your child's birth certificate. There would be required drug testing, and if you fail you are barred from the program for 12 months and can reapply at that time. I know that is a stricter policy than any sports program here, but it's for the kids. Should the program only apply to married women with children? What about wives who do not have children? I have not worked out the kinks yet, and let's face it, this would never make it to the President's desk. It is not very much money, but it could be enough to encourage more mothers to stay home and raise their children instead of sticking them in (disease infested, overworked and understaffed) child care centers. Wouldn't this promote a more cohesive family unit, and therefor better adjusted children? I believe it would, and who's going to turn down some extra cash to help with the bills and family vacations? Some would ask, "who's going to pay for this (taxpayers)," and some would say "that will only increase our national debt." Hey, at least this way you know where some of your tax money is going (and it just might make it back your wife), and with the amount of debt our government is racking up, don't make me feel guilty for wanting a piece of the pie. When I see the Pentagon and Congress working on a (limited) budget, that is when I will drink that kool aid.

How do you really know the economy is suffering?

I will tell you how you know. It's not the housing market, or the price of oil, or the rate of inflation, it's hookers. That's right, when business is suffering for those in the sex business, that's when you know the economy is suffering. Legal brothels in Las Vegas are down 40% this year. That is worse than the housing market in California (38%)!!! Apparently it can be traced back to oil. Due to higher gas prices, truckers have been unable to take advantage of the services offered by such establishments as the Shady Lady and the Bunny Ranch. According to interviews (not done by me), truckers were one of the top sources of revenue for these businesses. In order to lure business back (seriously, how hard can that be?), some of these brothels are offering $50 gas cards when a client spends $300 or more per month. This is starting to sound like an ad for a used car dealership.

On a related note, I wonder what the misery rating is currently. I believe it was highest under President Carter (Dem) with 20% interest rates, 12% unemployment and a high rate of inflation. Just something to ponder.

Moving...

If you don't have a soul, this may not effect you. http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/706270

It puts things in perspective.

President/Congress/High End Cocktail

President Bush, how will he be remembered? Does it really matter? I enjoy the political banter as much as the next guy, but even I fear for our country's future. When will our candidates start discussing their policies instead of constantly condemning the current President? I consider myself somewhat normal, and here are the issues that matter to me (in no particular order):

• Economy


• Health Care


• War in Iraq/Security


• Gas Prices


• Big Government


• Taxes

There is so much white noise out there, neither McCain nor Obama seem to be solidifying a position on any of these. I keep hearing "change and hope" from both parties, and let's face it; my faith in our government leaders is wavering. For as much criticism as G.W. receives, his approval rating is more than twice that of Congress (which is controlled by which party?), 28% and 13% respectively. 13%!!! How many of us would keep our jobs with that? I would probably end up sleeping on a park bench under a newspaper. Is there a way we can fire them all and start over? I thought they worked for us...

http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob.htm

http://www.pollingreport.com/CongJob.htm

After that, I do need a drink. Here is a high end cocktail to break out with your smoking jacket or tuxedo:

Twentieth Century

• 1 1/4 oz Gin


• 3/4 oz Lillet Blanc


• 3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice


• 1/2 oz Cre'me de Cacao (clear)

Shake with ice & strain into a stemmed cocktail glass. Lemon Twist.

A Rant and a Cocktail

So crude is flirting (or rather making out) with $140 per barrel, my Health Savings Account deductible is up to $2,500 for an individual ($5,000 for a family), and whenever I leave Canada, it is with less American money than I am used to (and that has nothing to do with the casinos). It will be interesting to see how our next President deals with this mess. I can't help but think our next leader will be nothing more than a scapegoat for the next 4 years. An opportunist would probably argue this is a wonderful time to run for office, but I am running for my underground-end-of-the-world bunker. So what, if any, solutions are out there? How about the Geo Metros (remember those?) is a 50 mpg car? That's better than the Prius (and less expensive) and you can buy one for $1,000 to $1,500 or so on Ebay. Unfortunately, I do not fit in either car, so it's back to the 10-speed.
I need a cocktail:
Aviation

• 1 1/4 oz gin
• 1/2 to 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 oz maraschino (NOT THE CHERRY JUICE!!!) liqueur*
• Shake with ice and strain into a stemmed cocktail glass. Lemon Twist
• Enjoy

* This can be tough to be find. There are 2 Italian versions, Luxuardo and Stock. If your local state store does not have it/can't get it, email Preiss Imports at website@preissimports.com. There is a Croatian version, Maraska, carried by SendLiquor.com