May 17, 2012

May 16, 2012

May 15, 2012

  • State Rights?

    http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/05/15/kansas/

     

    Or the wrongs fostered by a De-centralized government, allowed to ride rough shod over the rights of their people?

  • The Big Picture, The Small Picture, & Where We Are

    People?

     

    We really need to focus.

    All the crap about conservative versus liberal is not going to save us...long or short term.

    When Wall Street was being run like a Macao Casino, when it was obvious that the housing market was spinning wildly out of control, and the dumb asses decided to package the garbage loans as "investments", some foresight would have saved millions of lives from awful loss. Our economy would never have been scuttled, and so much of the damage we are now stumped about repairing? It wouldn't have happened. That suggests that some foresight could help us immensely...but that isn't being offered...by anyone.

    a. The infrastructure has been crumbling for almost 30 years---about the same time they started raiding every public fund to repair or maintain it that existed, so they wouldn't have to "raise taxes". Most people didn't catch on to the idea that they were not "saving" anything...when roads became unpassable, or bridges fell, they still needed to be repaired...usually at a far greater cost, and unfunded to boot.

     

    b. We have calculated "credit worthiness" using a completely BIZARRE equation---which makes it possible for someone to ruin themselves with credit card debt---but still have a sterling record, so long as they keep current with all their payments.

     

    c. Despite the obvious stupid that collapsed the loan market for houses, we are continuing to ignore the student loan disaster...which long term can DESTROY the economy for an entire generation...and beyond. Young people who are saddled with mortgage sized debt for the next decade or longer are NOT GOING TO BE SPENDING MONEY ON HOMES, CARS, or any other big ticket items that normally fuel the economy. No houses means no building, no contractors, no services or supplies purchased. Are you getting the picture? THEIR problem is OUR problem...like it or not. A small bit of help, like reducing the interest rates can make a difference between a generation that has a stake in their own future, and one that sees no point...and is content to do nothing.

     

    d. Social Security is going to take a monster hit in the next 20 years...but as things stand, there will be no funding for it. Those of us who paid into it for our whole lives, and watched our parents take an EARLY retirement are less than thrilled when someone suggests that we just should fold the tent...yielding us NOTHING.

     

    e. Job creation is vital...but minimum wage jobs that don't produce a living wage are not going to help us. LOOK AHEAD. People who can barely afford food and gas are NOT going to be building the economy. We're in it together, boys and girls...ignoring that fact doesn't change a thing.

     

    So honestly, I don't care about any cute theories you have about what we "should" be doing---unless it addresses those points. "Root Hog, or Die" may have worked 150 years ago, but we live NOW. We have electricity, running water, and antibiotics. Most of the people yelling about "OTHER people" messing things up would die in weeks in a "every man for themselves" world. So could we try something different?

     

    Let's DEMAND forethought. Let's do the math---and not let someone dazzle us with stuff that simply WON'T work...because of human nature, the laws of gravity, or any other practical matter that could get in the way. Communism sounds dandy on paper. So does John Galt. Both are bullshit.

     

    I will consider ANY idea that involves actual thought...but PLEASE don't pee on my shoes, and tell me to look for the rainbow...

May 14, 2012

  • I Wonder What Happened

    I grew up on the ass end of the 60's, when it became uncool to say things that were patently hateful. Even the most dyed in the wool bigot knew they would not attract support to their ignorant, oft times illogical and ruinous rhetoric...so all but the most blatant faded from view. I remember when people started to complain, and then rail about "PC", and how being "politically correct" was limiting who were were. I thought then that is was bullshit..."PC" wasn't a matter of legality...it was a measure of public attitude and tolerance.

    And one day, I woke up, and it was OK to called the POTUS the "n" word...and say that he was actually a hated Muslim born in AFRICA, just because you were pissed that he got elected. It was ok for one group of people to FIGHT against allowing another group to marry...on the grounds that to do so made it somehow LESS important for group one to get married. I woke up in a world where "science" was twisted to accommodate belief---and people were trying to base our law on one small group's religious values...to the exclusion of all others. I woke up in a place where women could be condemned for using birth control, or NOT using birth control---but men never faced any  public penalty whatever for their  personal behavior. I woke to world where people were fine with human beings dying to save companies money, that they were PAID to use to save lives...and the interests of their profits were more important than making them honor the contracts they made with the sick, or the dying.

     

    So I am wondering what happened. When did it become ok to be hateful again? Who lit the "if you got em, smoke em" lamp of intolerance? And why are so many otherwise good people acting like it's all perfectly all right with them...just because the peasants with pitchforks haven't shown up on their lawns? More importantly, what will make them return to the rocks from which they came...back when they avoided the light of day, knowing how soft, and unprotected their vile hatefulness was? They are certainly entitled to their opinions...but actions and words DO have consequences...and I want them to at least be ashamed of themselves again...instead of stupidly proud of their views.

     

    Please stop wrapping the flag I love around your prejudice.

    Please stop trying to re-write the words of the Founding Fathers, or Jesus Christ to suit your bias.

    Please stop acting like you have a right to deprive SOMEONE else of their rights. That is NOT what the Constitution says.

    You can say what you will...but I have the unalienable right to regard you as stupid, illogical, hateful, stunted, and vile when you do. I also have the right to use that as a reason to NOT associate with you...because people do judge you by the company you keep...and I would NEVER want to be who you are. Nor would I want my kids to grow up thinking that what you are is even an option for a decent human being.

    Go back under that rock...you are not welcome in the light of day. I don't CARE how you got here. You do only harm, in the name of good.

     

May 13, 2012

  • Keeping Track...

    Desi has been home since Friday...it's been wonderful, waking up to hear her voice again.

    We spent a little time running around today...color THIS momma happy.

    Did I mention...she has an awesome semester?

     

    More later...right now, I  got a glow going....

May 11, 2012

  • This I Do Believe...

    I refuse to be dragged into a an abortion debate.

    I know where I stand, and what I believe.

    I will not change my mind.

     

    Women MUST decide if they will commit to having a child or not.

    Men may have an interest, but women ALONE can die as a direct result of childbirth, or complications of pregnancy.

    Since that is FACT...a woman alone must make the choice to carry a pregnancy.

    You are welcome to your own beliefs---I will not debate or argue them.

    But you have NO RIGHT to force another woman, or worse, a young girl to do something because of your thoughts.

    Their lives. Their bodies. Their choice.

    Not yours.

     

    And no...I'm not "tolerant" on this one.

    Because when choice goes away, women die.

    With choice, women who can't bear the thought of abortion are free NOT to have one.

    The inverse is not true. Remove Choice, and women are forced to bear children, even if a pregnancy can ruin their lives, their health, or destroy their families.

    Women Matter.

    Women Count.

    I CHOSE to become a mother...and it was the best thing I have ever done.

    Had it been forced upon me, that would not be the case.

    So...follow your own beliefs...but don't expect me to accept yours...no matter how passionately you may hold them.

     

     

     

     

May 9, 2012