Gravitas And Sarah Palin

Two days to go. Nearly everyone seems to agree that the House will go Republican, the Senate will hold. Whether or not Harry Reid will be there is still open speculation.

The changes will be significant. Whether good or bad remains to be see. If Sarah Palin has her way, and she is not alone, there will still be gridlock. I listened to her interview with Mike Wallace this morning and must agree with Karl Rove that as of yet she has not the gravitas to be President. She is a die hard conservative and nothing more, or less, will do. This is a beeline for gridlock. The one saving grace at this point is that the Tea Partiers will not hold the majority of Republican seats. Holding to principles in lieu of debate and compromise does not work. Haven't we seen this cycle after cycle? It's what partisanship is all about.

I remember one of my readers telling me why having power divided one way or the other between the House, Senate and Executive is essential to prevent debacles like Obamacare, it's also necessary to force compromise. And compromise makes for better legislation. Not necessarily good ~ but better.

So here we go. I'm looking forward to seeing how things shake out. I'm looking forward to seeing if I'm in sync with local voters where I have the same knowledge of our candidates' credentials as they do. I'm especially looking forward to see who the Republicans start floating as serious Presidential candidates.

Chris Wallace ventured a guess about Ms. Palin. He thinks she's having too much fun and making too much money to declare. She answered she'd make the necessary sacrifices if the country really wanted her. To generate such yearning in me she'd have to show she is not only deeply versed in all the issues that we face, from war to terror to health care to the economy. And that she understands not everyone agrees with the ultra conservative stance. If she doesn't, she'll find herself facing an electorate likely to reject her. Dealing with the ideologue we have now should be example enough. Realizing that is gravitas.

Assasination By Campaign Sign

The closer we get to election day, the nastier things get. I'd advise those perpetrating the dirty tricks to be careful of what they wish for. On the other hand they probably don't care.

I've seen these signs around brilliant red northern Idaho and wonder if the Republicans are so worried about their candidate losing they have to stoop to this. Or do the Democrats have a death wish? Curious, I asked a friend who is a mover and shaker with the Dems and was advised to note the sponsoring name on the poster. Hmmm. Seems the name is that of a VP of the Reagan Republicans! Whether or not his organization gave it's blessing is something I don't know. He certainly has the right as an individual to do as he pleases. If it's a personal issue or a party issue, the party is tarred with it.

The bothersome thing is that Mr. Minnick has been anything but a rubber stamp for Obama and his agenda. Yes, he is a Democrat and yes, he does vote with his party. However, on the headline issues he's voted against them. You see, he's one of those rascally Blue Dogs. The ones who've listened to their constituents and voted their conscience all along. The ones who don't have to be marathon men now racing away from ill advised votes.

We need the Blue Dogs. Though the power may shift as a result of this election cycle, if there is to be any hope for cross aisle negotiating, we need politicians like the Blue Dogs. If Mr. Minnick pulls out this election perhaps he could become the lead dog. That would be something!

On the other hand, a deliberately obfuscated campaign sign will cost him votes. After all, that's the name of the game. Win. No matter the cost. For all the wrong reasons.

It has nothing to do with the candidate, his character or how he voted on the issues before him. It's just politics as usual. Desperate or dirty. Take your pick.

Hypocrisy ~ Socialist President Leading The Bourgeois Life

I find it fascinating how the American public has been relegated to the outside looking in at the political reality show unfolding before us.

We have a President whose contempt for the wishes of the American public are astounding. He, along with his wife and former President Clinton, have been busy campaigning for candidates in tough races. Some of these candidates are among the most disliked politicians in America. Disliked for force feeding us an agenda for which we have no taste. There is no "good for America" in this exercise. There is only the desire to retain power and reshape America to their image. Not bettering ours.

Their image, or the President's, seems to be to slowly expand government until it rules everything, paired with the diminishment of what was the greatest country in the world to the mediocrity of all others. You'd think the President was Robin Hood. Take from the rich and give to the poor until everyone is equal. This would assure the fears many have about the country they will be leaving their children. Once upon a time parents wanted to leave a better one. Now it's questionable if they'll be able to leave one equal.

When parents feel that if their kids can find a job selling tires at Les Schwab, they'll have a great life, the country is doomed. What's wrong with a computer geek aspiring to be the next Mark Zuckerman or Bill Gates? What's wrong with them accepting and enjoying the perks that accompany such success? Did they not earn it? Would waves of such successes be so bad? Raising the country to what it was via innovation in the private sector? Like a drill bit developed in small town Pennsylvania that saved 32 Chilian miners because the Chilians were willing to give it a try? Would we have? In today's climate I wonder.

The paradox of what's happening to our country is that while the President preaches equality; Wall Street is evil; Hispanics must vote to defeat their enemies and on and on, he is living the good life on our dime. Michelle's vacation in Spain. His kids go to one of the best private schools. He has around the clock protection, his own plane and a supporting staff of hundreds. He's on a first name basis with celebrites galore and entertains with opulence often. All on our dime.

Could a community organizer have achieved such heights in Obama's view of the country? Never. Does he even realize the hypocrisy of his actions? If he truly thinks the people of the country should be on a more equal basis, why does he not lead by example while in the White House? Ahhh, those perks. Pretty nice. Especially when you don't have to pay for them.

This election has been reduced to character assasinations. Too bad it's the wrong target. It should be the President's agenda. Period.

Down Home Politics - Corrupt Or Just Plain Stupid?

Years ago when we were first learning about the political climate in Idaho, Hub commented you could label a tree stump a Republican and it would be elected. That observation has been proven correct on too many occasions as I think back on those we've elected. The two most egregious to national office were probably Bill Sali, of 'abortion causes breast cancer' fame, to the House and Larry Craig, 'I have a wide stance', to the Senate.

It is no less troublesome on the state and local level. There are so many recalls in small communities they might as well put the loser into the job. Losers in primaries go after write in votes claiming the people are stupid for having nominated their opponent. Yep. We just don't get it. Just listen to the campaign rhetoric from the big guys from both parties.

Here in Idaho though, I think they may have a point. We have a state representative who has been in trouble with the law for years because he refused to pay his taxes. Unconstitutional. We elected him and he was assigned to the Revenue and Taxation committee. Go figure. After being told his issues with the IRS had been squared away they arose once again. This time, reluctantly, the ethics committee had a look and concluded his personal problems had no bearing on his professional responsibilities.

He ran again, unopposed. More information was revealed about the hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax liens still unsettled and on top of that the fact he stole timber from state land with which he built his house. This man has a serious disconnect.

This is but the ground work of the story. Some citizens, Republicans, have come to their senses. Tired of the scandal, he has a write in challenger who I hope wins.

Other local Republicans have refused to distribute his campaign literature. Who knows what will happen to them? Why? Because a state committeeman is on the verge of losing his position for balking at the thought of supporting this legislator. "Character matters. Being honest matters."

But does it? Not if it's at odds with the "primary process" which apparently binds one at such level to support the nominee regardless. Speaking on the issue, another committeeman said, "I don't care who it is. If the guy is elected through the primaries (not hard if you're unopposed), that is the person we're obligated to support. It could be Bozo the Clown, for all I care..."

Therein lies the problem does it not? Inflexibility. Character? Nah. Honesty? Nope. Heaven forbid the sacrosanct primary process be denied! And people wonder why I don't claim a political affiliation.

As I read the headlines this morning I found where one early voter pushed the button for a straight Republican ticket and the machine printed out Democrat. A voter in Nevada got to the booth and while looking at his ballot found Harry Reid's name had already been marked.

We stew over the integrity of elections in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet another of our committeemen stated because the one who would not support the candidate was out of step with their charge of having an executive board required to lead by example he is likely to be relieved of his position.

I thought we were to lead other counties by example. If their election processes are flawed, ours are totally broken. This has been the dirtiest election season in recent memory. The half truths and lies abound, some to the point of ridiculousness.

Oddly, we've just finished up a trial on the city council level about flaws in and breeches of the almighty process. The plaintiffs lost. Local level.

State level. The process rears its head again. Will the plaintiffs (the voters) lose again? You bet.

Before we go foisting "democracy" on others and overseeing their elections for honesty and integrity, we had best take care of our own house. As of right now, I see nothing gained no matter who is victorious November 2nd. Corruption is invasive and has no favorite. All are welcome to the siren song.

The Weeks That Were

This vacation was as near perfect as we could hope for. From witnessing an early morning Tai Chi class in the plaza in Taos to our close encounter with Yellowstone Bison ~ not once, but twice! Hub always marvels at how little it takes to excite me. I guess it's the inner child I cling to when politics become overwhelming. Who else could be thrilled with a gift of cottonwood root for my carving?

We stumbled on another haunted old hotel in Cimmeron that we hadn't heard about. We love to stay, or at least dine, at these wonderful preservation's of times past. That was a highlight and goes into the plans for the next trip.

We trekked to Taos by way of Angel Fire then on to Santa Fe. The town was crowded but the galleries relatively empty so browsing was great. From there we headed to Indian country and visited our favorite trading posts then headed back to civilization as we know it.

This is one of the first times we've allowed ourselves the time to just poke. That took us into Winslow, AZ just to see the stature of of the young man 'standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona,' from the 1970s era hit 'Take It Easy' by the Eagles. That's about the only thing to draw you to Winslow other than another of those grand old hotels, La Posada!

On to Scottsdale for a show at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Another day done.

Sedona was next. The high point was visiting with a young Navajo basket maker who was demonstrating at Garlands. She was an absolute delight and her work some of the most imaginative we've seen. Of course we ended up buying the one she had on display and I'm still marvelling at how thrilled she seemed. Of course the Indians don't live as we do and the reservation has little to offer. It's sparse and barren to say the least. A sale is exciting!

Phoenix ~ more gallery hopping. We found out we no longer have the tolerance for 100+ degree heat we once did. Even if it is dry!

The only down side to the trip happened just outside of Wickenburg as we headed for Vegas. A police car whipped by us sirens blaring. A few short minutes later we saw the flashing lights and turmoil of a major accident. Three life flights and an hour and a half later we were able to proceed. The wreckage was horrendous and gave every driver for miles pause.

It seemed fitting the only evening we had in Vegas was a wet one. We were glad to head on to the Parks. We got to Jackson early enough to do Teton before heading for the galleries. That's where I saw my wolf! Scurrying through the scrub, I grabbed the binoculars while Hub reached for the big lens camera. I won. I watched him for a good five minutes as he appeared and studied us then disappeared only to reappear again. All hub managed to spot was a furry behind as he finally went on his way. He never got the shot. That was the second high point for me! I never tire of the Parks nor the wild life no matter how many times we've been there.

Jackson under our belt it was time to head on to Yellowstone. Not too many critters were out and about except for the Bison. They seemed to have taken over the roads that were still open. We got caught up in them not once, but twice. Again, I was like a little kid. One old boy came up to the car and spent minutes just licking the grill. Those squashed bugs sure must have been tasty. I loved it!

We decided this would be the trip where we took pictures of everything, something we seldom do. Now I've got video and photos coming out my ears. I've got to organize them, label them and get a link up for anyone who would like to see them. Meanwhile I've put together just a sampler from Yellowstone. Especially for you Margie. So went the trip!

All the videos
All the photos