Not China Too! There's A Lesson Here

One has to wonder about a country that builds a wall like the Great Wall of China.  Was it to keep the people in or the enemy out?  By today's standards, it would definitely be to keep the people in.

A story in this morning's  Wall Street Journal tells of a great wave of unrest that is spreading across the country.  The public unrest is stemming from economic and government grievances.  Sound familiar?

Consider the Arab Spring ranging from Syria to Egypt.  Both are huge hunks of real estate with inhabitants in turmoil.

Like the Arab countries, we've been harping at the Chinese about their human rights record for what seems like forever.  And for just as long they tell us "don't go there" - so we don't.  Well, the people have finally taken it upon themselves to deal with it.  The interesting thing in China is that the unrest does not seem to be organized, it's just happening and spreading.

With campaign season already upon us in this country, politicians take note.  Right now especially Obama and the Democrats who want as much government control over us as is possible.  When we rebel, someone gets punished.  Like Boeing trying to move a plant to South Carolina, a right to work state which the unions do not like one little bit and are doing everything possible to block.  Oh, if all those potential hires wanted to join unions there would be no problem. Unions.  Obama's favorite support group.  Financial support that is.  For his campaign.

When James Carville, one of the Democrats own, warns that civil unrest is imminently possible if our economic situation doesn't improve, one has to wonder. I think we've learned since the last two years of Bush's term having both houses of Congress held by one party and the presidency the other, negates progress and civil debate.  With Obama in office and the same party in the same place for the past two years has seen any semblance of balance - and civil debate disappear.  The ideologues worked the system against the will of the people.

If that doesn't change and there are more things like Obamamobiles and Obamacare shoved down our throats while jobs and opportunity remain in a drought, there may well be civil unrest.

We need balance.  Enough of both parties in both houses to make debate and compromise not only possible but mandatory.  And we need a President who wants to reinstate this country into the leadership role it has always held.  Not content to go along to get along, just be one of the boys.

Unrest in China.  If you think the Mid East unrest is ugly, wait until China unleashes its army against its own people.  The thought that it could happen here for the same reasons is about as sobering as it gets.

Through The Eye Of The Beholder

Do you ever wonder how the rest of the world views our government?  We  know many of the world leaders consider our President a lightweight; weak.  It isn't widely known what they think of Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton.  The photo ops are always programmed to show everyone smiling and shaking hands.

The only member of the Cabinet that really says it like it is seems to be Bob Gates and unfortunately he's leaving the end of the month.

Then we drop down a tier.  To Congress.  They often go off on junkets to learn first hand about various situations around the world.  I wonder how they're viewed.  Do they give men like men like Anthony Weiner a pass because they too are a little loose when it comes to proper behavior with women?  I really don't know.

The bigger question is how we feel about such men.  Everyone and his pet dog has suggested Weiner resign but somehow he thinks going into therapy is going to solve all his problems.  And continue to draw his salary while he's away.  That's all fine and dandy.  What bothers me is this man is one of the faces of the United States government.  Is he acceptable to us in that role?  Will therapy erase the image we have of him? Is it sincere or merely diversionary tactic?  Who's to know?

During the time we were agonizing about how we extract information from enemies, it was often said, "That's not us, we're better than that."

Not that I expect everyone to be perfect, but I expect more from our Representatives than what we're getting from too many of them.  What ever happened to respect and common decency, be it toward a spouse or a constituent?  I'd like to think, "That's not us, we're better than that."

But what does the rest of the world think?  Does it apply at all any more?

Political Wives

This whole Weiner affair has prompted me to think once again about the wives of such men.  Ole Anthony bit off quite a bit considering his wife, pregnant and supportive, is a close and long time associate of Hillary Clinton.  I imagine he is dreading the next time he has to meet Hillary face to face!  I remember how she was after the Lewinsky episode hit the news.  Frosty would be a polite description.

On the other hand, considering she is still Mrs. Clinton, emphasis on the Clinton, may mean that the biggest talking to went to Huma Abedin, his wife.  Remember Hillary's famous statement when Bill was running for office?  "I'm not sitting here, some little woman standing by her man.  I'm sitting here because I love him and respect him."  Well, there is sometimes no understanding the personal dynamics between a husband and wife.

Political wives are an interesting breed.  We've seen them standing by their men, tears in their eyes, while the men confessed to the most hurtful indiscretions a marriage be asked to withstand. It interests me that most stay.  In reality, I think, they are enablers.  Elizabeth Edwards was.  She knew of John's affair yet still campaigned vigorously for his presidential bid.

Hillary was the biggest enabler of all.  No matter what Bill did, she stood right by him, no matter what she said.  I wonder about calling it love.

Isn't love and marriage about trust and fidelity rather than betrayal and hurt?  I don't understand their concept of hurt.  Or are they as addicted to the perks of their husbands positions as their husbands are?  The hurt is placed on the back burner.  I imagine it like my back pain.  Bearable yet always there.

I can imagine Hillary counseling Mrs. Weiner on that basis.  Can she twist love into an acceptance of his behavior?  Does she respect his political skills and what she gains from them?

It's a level of relationship I don't pretend to understand.   Hub and I've always thought the strength of our relationship has been our ability to survive with just the two of us in the household.  No kids, no kids activities through the years to hide behind during rough patches.  Just each other.  Angry.  Sad.  Not on the same page.  It was all there.  Under one roof, between the two of us.

What made it work was, yes, the respect.  The idea that we both had our areas in which we excelled and we celebrate that for and with each other.  That's the key maybe.  For and with each other, to the extent we'd never purposely do anything to hurt the other.  That's the kind of love I know.  Not the power or position or perks.  They fade in time.  The limelight dims.

You age.  It is a bittersweet time that should be enjoyed for having lived your life together well.  The ending of that time begins to become palpable. I'm not sure I could live it harboring the hurt so many political wives do. I wonder if their glory days will be worth it.

Social Media And The Ugly American

I've been posting less frequently on my blog.  My Facebook page is 99% the game I play.  I do not have a Twitter account.

All three are due, somewhat, to time restraints.  Like right now.  I should be out in the yard and will be as soon as I finish.   However, there is a lot more to it.

As for the blog, I'm getting tired of railing about politics.  Even using it as a way to vent is getting  old because that's all I'm doing.  Venting. I'm contributing absolutely nothing to the national dialog which is comprised of people who already have their own opinions and will continue to do so no matter what I may think.

Twitter and Facebook are another story entirely.  Of the nearly 200 hundred friends on my Facebook page, most are fellow game players.  The next largest chunk come from our local blogging community.  They are acquaintances, not friends.  I find I have little in common with most of them and rarely check their pages.  The remainder are my real friends.  People I actually know and care for.  It seems a shame the numbers aren't reversed, but I've no one to blame for that but myself.

Twitter?  Other than not having a device other that a prepaid phone and my computer, I'm not really able to participate.  I wouldn't if I could.  Just look at the Weiner affair.  Did he or didn't he send tasteless photos of himself?  It's hard to believe he could be stupid enough to do so, but then he is a politician.

If he didn't, and was hacked as he says, what kind of people have we become?  How could anyone do that to another?  This isn't a bunch of kids harassing their favorite nerd, which is bad enough and often has a tragic end in and of itself.  This is adults destroying a man's life, his reputation, his career.  If it could happen to him, it could happen to any of us.  By people we don't even know.  Wow.  It makes my skin crawl at the very thought of it.

I'm less than a week away from entering a new decade.  I don't have many left, if any.  I think back on conversations with my Mother during her later years as she'd shake her head in wonderment regarding the state of the world and the people in it.  I'm doing exactly the same thing, only my thoughts aren't wonderment as much as disgust.

When you hear people say they like animals better than they do people, believe them.  There's good reason for it.

I rarely return to a post to add something but today I feel compelled.  Congressman Anthony Weiner, D-NY has admitted to everything reported thus far in the Twitter scandal.  This has nothing to do with party and everything to do with character.  There are too many like Mr. Weiner serving in Congress.  What is it that attracts voters to such men.  If it's a reflection of ourselves, that we can 'identify' with them, we need to take a good hard look at who we are and what the world sees.

Redistribution Of Wealth Won't Work

Have you noticed every time the monthly stats come out showing the economy continuing to slide the government always says it's "unexpected"?  Is it getting tiresome?  Do you wonder,  really wonder, if they know what they're doing?  Don't blame it on Bush.  We're three and a half years into this administration and none of their ideas have worked.

What's worrisome is, according to Gallup, that the nation seems to be split nearly down the middle as to whether or not we should tax the rich .  Remember that's those who make over $250,000.  This day and age it is not an exorbitant salary - for those lucky enough to be working.  Place an undue tax burden on them and they'll quit spending.  Just like the rest of us.  That is the Democrat's plan. Tax, tax, tax.

The solicitor general even went so far as to suggest if you're balking at the mandate to buy insurance in the Obama care scheme, which is a tax, make less money!  What kind of advice is that from a government official?  It's reprehensible and totally alien to the American way of self reliance.

As time passes I'm getting more and more worried about another four years of Obama.  He doesn't listen except to his own drummer.  His people are snide and condescending.  And nothing they've put forward, be it cash for clunkers which decimated the used car market, to the bank bailout that has made the banks so gun shy they won't lend money to help clear up the housing market mess, has worked.

There is one plan out there.  It is Paul Ryan's.  Yes, it will change medicare but in truth that isn't bad.  It doesn't eliminate it, it merely becomes a voucher system.  It will not affect those currently in the system or those who will be before legislation is enacted.  At least take a look at it. Don't listen to the Democrat scare tactics.  Medicare as it is now or would be under Obama is no great shakes itself.  Just try to find a doctor who will take you and if you do what kind of time they give you.  Trust me.  It's less than adequate to say the least.

How is redistributing wealth going to help any of this?  Before the next election rolls around we need to do our homework on proposed solutions and, as I harp on often, find out the 'how'.  Ryan has done that.

The Republican field is still shaping up.  Beware the "personalities".  We have one in office now and are witnessing what inexperience can do.  We need an experienced steady hand on the tiller. A person knowledgeable about both our own problems and those we face throughout the world. Knowledgeable!  Get that?

Or am I once again witnessing the generational shift where it's so much easier to let the government do it in it's own way without challenge?

 Hub and I have worked hard for everything we have.  We've had no government hand outs.  Success was achieved through knowledge, read education, ability, perseverance and hard work.  To have that taken from us because someone else doesn't want to put forth the effort makes me angry.  And sad.  It's not the America in which I grew up nor expected in which to live.

The pendulum can swing back.  I'm seeing few signs that it will.