Tom Desrosier
Much of what we believe about ourselves, our world and our politics, we learned from someone else.
Sometimes, years later, we still cling to this stufff, long after its proven wrong.
Go figure...
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Chris Dodd gets another Mortgage
Gee whiz, the world’s most honest Senator (and of course most misunderstood), the venerable Chris Dodd is redoing his home loans – he says it was all a big misunderstanding and wants to get it behind him.
Let’s say that together - “a misunderstanding”.
Dodd is up for re-election this November and no doubt he wants this way behind him! Indeed, his polling numbers are somewhat subdued (but certainly not fatally).
You’d think he’d be seeing more than just a dip in the polls – but no, someone in Connecticut is actually still thinking about voting for him. Despite the corruption, the obvious ethics violation, the obvious connection between him and the current financial mess we’re in…
I don’t get politics. Who in their right mind would actually still vote for him?
Tom
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I too am rethinking the GOP
When you’re the party in charge, you articulate a vision and meander in that direction.
When you’re not the party in charge, you simply oppose whatever the other party is trying to do, for no other reason than you don’t want them to succeed.
I bet you didn’t know that.
Sure. Wisdom of the ages, right here.
Here’s what the Republicans have been about since President Bush took office:
Secure the borders;
Fight the war on terror;
Promote the free enterprise system;
Be the bastions of traditional morality.
And the Democrats? As I mentioned above, they simply opposed the view of the party in power without offering alternatives of their own. But that’s changed, and slowly we are seeing a vision emerge for the Democrats as well. Attend:
Socialize Medicine;
We are not at war, we are peace-makers;
Share the wealth;
Be tolerant of everyone’s beliefs.
The problem with Republicans, is that they seem too draconian in their interpretation of American values, far too intolerant of other cultures and beliefs, and they openly cater to and protect big business and the fabulously well-to-do.
The problem with Democrats, is that they seem to pay far too much homage to fringe interests, such as PETA, Gay rights, Abortion rights, and so on, and seem to protect, indeed perpetuate corruption and incompetence in their party. But worse than that, they have chosen their most visible leaders among the more liberal of their party and such as these do not repose America’s trust.
And yes, they want to perpetuate and capitalize a subculture of victimhood.
As I said, I’m rethinking the GOP and my own political beliefs. And when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
Enter my latest teacher, Jaime.
Jaime is a middle aged guy from Puerto Rico who completed his last day of work yesterday, owing to his need to return home due to his mother’s poor health. A hard worker; diligent in his humble duties, enthusiastic in demeanor – Jaime is the kind of worker every boss hopes to find.
And at $8.50 and hour, what a bargain.
Here’s what Jaime taught me about my current beliefs about politics, about America, indeed, about our basic humanity. Jaime taught me that Lincoln’s famous utterance that “all men are created equal” (note men and not men and women) is either a lie or merely a dream.
Because Jaime is a a living, breathing testament to the blatant inequality unfolding before our eyes.
Let’s take a look at why Jaime makes $8.50 an hour, and I make oodles more: There’s three reasons, none of which are his doing:
* Genetics – Jaime is Hispanic.
* Geography – Jaime was born in a rather poor section of Puerto Rico.
* Influence – And finally, Jaime found himself surrounded with people just like him, whose expectations about life, about wealth, about career, and so on, perhaps never rose to much beyond $8.50 an hour.
Meanwhile, lets look at someone of rather lavish means, and far more privilege. Paris Hilton for instance.
* Genetics – Paris is Caucasian, blonde, and attractive.
* Geography – Paris was born in America, the child of wealthy parents, who also inherited their wealth.
* Influence – And finally, Paris was pampered, spoiled, and now in adult life, expects nothing less than to be doted over. She contributes little to humanity other than her poor example.
I imagine the rest of us are somewhere in-between. A little more than $8.50 and hour, a little less than inherited millions.
Such is our America: The wealthy, every expectation of more and more wealth, the poor, every expectation of more and more poverty; and our politicians – re-election of course.
So that’s what I’m rethinking.
I want a party that taxes the ever-living crap out of smug assholes like the CEO of EXXON, and those greed-mongering bottom feeders who are taking bonuses with my tax money; and yeah - mindless bimbos like Paris Hilton too.
I want a party that will prosecute corrupt politicians like Christopher Dodd and Barney Franks.
I want a party that doesn’t attempt to make abortion, no more a consequence than getting a boob-job.
I want a party that tries to help out hard working people like Jaime, but passes by those just wanting a free ride, like all those whiners and deadbeats from Hurricane Katrina.
I want a party that advocates a strong national defense, but doesn’t squander our military people on ill-advised adventures borne of flawed intelligence and wishful thinking.
I want a party that will hold teachers accountable for competently teaching our youth.
I want a party that will fix Social Security, Medicare and balance the budget.
I want a party that advances science, gets to the bottom of this global warming fiasco, and transforms America to energy self-sufficiency.
I want a party that will restrain lawyers and thier “sue the crap out of anybody” mentality, before they destroy our society by making us all too fearful to do anything!
And as long as I’m wishing – Hey throw in a pony, will you?
Tom
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A last minute Reprieve…
The Wall Street Bailout Bill, heralded by all those experts as Economic Nirvana, was killed in a rather dramatic and ignoble vote of 228 Nay and 205 Yea.
And it was stupidity we have to thank for such a miracle. Serendipitous, perhaps, but stupidity nonetheless!
You know that old sage saying:
When the stupidity, of the one, outweighs the stupidity of the many…
Never mind.
On this Youtube, Pelosi is heard lambasting the Republicans for causing the big, huge financial mess. How it was the Republicans that failed to act, and failed to administer regulations to the banking industry.
And so on.
Perhaps just an innocent oversight, She neglected to mention the "kickback kids - Chris Dodd and Barney Franks and their lack of foresight of leadership in all this.
But back to Pelosi’s stinging admonishments… Such might have been a great idea… 30 minutes later - too bad she chose to voice them just moments before the big vote. The affect was swift and sure - the small number of fence-sitting Republicans, scurried away like rats. together with their all-important "yes" votes.
Adding to this debacle, she allowed a large number of Democrats, whose re-elections were in jeopardy (including many committee chairs) to vote "no".
And so America lives again - not because of great statesmanship, but for its wanting.
Ahhh, stupidity. Like a breath of fresh air.
Tom
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