Wishful Thinking - All Is Calm, All Is Bright

What a year.  At my age I do not tend to wish time away, but I will wish for better as time marches on.  Unfortunately, the prospects aren't as bright as I'd like.

The sands of Iraq have barely settled since our departure and already we're watching the gains we've imagined they made fading into chaos.  I believe what we're seeing was preordained by our trying to create a democracy where the concept is as foreign to them as we are.  No brightness in their future.

North Korea has lost one dictator for the tandem of son and brother.  No brightness there.

Iran continues it's march toward the realization of a nuclear weapon.  Brightness there will be a huge blast probably in Israel.

Congress has finally cleared the halls for the holidays by kicking the proverbial ball down the road one more time.  I foresee a year of governance in two to three month segments and no budget.  That doesn't bode bright.

The whack a mole Republican campaign continues on.  It has taken the cheer out of the holiday because the best and the brightest are no where to be seen.  Let's see, six down, two to go.  This assumes Gingrich has had his 15 minutes in the lights and Paul's flame will also flicker and die.  That leaves Santorum and Huntsman.  Santorum's flint never produced a spark and probably won't at this point.  Not enough time before Iowa where he has spent a lot of capital.  Huntsman?  About all I know about him is he can play Jerry Lee Lewis style piano with the best of them as seen on David Letterman.  And he's had the good graces to not kiss Donald Trump's ring.

Then there's Trump trumpeting he's no longer Republican but unaffiliated.  If he and Paul actually do go third party we might as well move up Obama's inauguration.  Why not?  Everything else is being moved up.

I've actually had to force myself to stay away from posting these last several weeks.  Just enough to keep my hand in. There has been so much to comment on but oh so dismal.  My enthusiasm is dimmed every time I switch on the news and I don't want to feel that way about my country, either party, the candidates, the world and maybe most of all, the season.

On the other hand, musing about what's going on around me is what I'm all about on this blog.  For the rest of 2011 I'll  hope your days are merry and bright and to remember that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot.

Wishing that it was here and now and something other than wishful thinking.

The Winter Of Political Discontent

I've often written about how restless the people are.  The more  government intrudes in our lives the worse those lives become.  This isn't anything new.  It has been an escalating menace for years.

People have been clamoring for third party solutions.  Countless efforts are being made.  Consider the Americans Elect movement, The Modern Whigs, No Labels among others.  All have been founded to try and solve the problem of Washington and the way it governs.  Unfortunately, as with any new idea, it takes time.  First to make people aware such efforts are being made, secondly to convince them it's worth getting involved and then to finally take hold with enough strength to see changes made.

Every once in awhile the press gives them some notice.  I've learned about all of them from reading papers like the Wall Street Journal but today our local paper,The Coeur d'Alene Press,  had an editorial suggesting people check out No Labels   which is more of an on line think tank than a third party effort.  Never-the-less, it is made up with those like myself who are hopelessly fed up with Congress and how it does business.

The editorial takes from the organization that it's not so much the people who make up Congress that's the problem, but rather the antiquated procedures that make forward movement difficult at best.  That it's the broken system where 'good and talented people get dragged down'.

I don't agree.  It is the people whether they are good and talented or not.  There are certainly some of each.  But there is nothing to keep them from fixing what's broken other than the will to do it.  They don't have it.  There is too much self interest.  It has been discussed ad nauseam, how Congress is more interested in ideology and re-election than what's good for the country. That's the people in Congress, not the system itself.  There is no barrier keeping them from reaching across the aisle to reach solutions.  No side is ever entirely right while the other is entirely wrong but you'd never know it from listening to any of them.

I don't disagree that the systems mechanics could use some modernization.  It's like using a dial phone in the age of smart phones.  But it's still people using them.

Until the people who run for office are more interested in returning the country to the greatness it once enjoyed, and until the electorate insists in that trait in their candidates, nothing will change.  We will still be mired down in the quest for selfish ends.  Ends that leave the rest of us out.  Like insider trading by members of Congress while we would go to jail.

Like a candidate who would defy Supreme Court rulings with which he  disagrees.  He's running for President, not dictator.  Or is he?

Nope, it's not just the system that needs fixed.  It's the attitude of the people.

"Franking" Sense And Misbelief

I've been away from the keyboard for a while now. The news has been so depressing I didn't even want to bother reading it what's more muster a rant.

Then came Thanksgiving followed by the beginning of the Christmas season.  We decided to begin decorating earlier than usual.  The outside to beat the snow that has yet to come, then the inside so we weren't rushed and we'd have longer to enjoy our efforts. Christmas greetings needed to be written and mailed.

 Christmas.  The time of year when pleas go out, no matter the economy, for toys and food and clothing and all else that makes it festive  and meaningful for the less fortunate.  What makes it holy is the response of the people who contribute like those paying off lay away accounts at K-Mart. After all it is the season.

The one thing you won't get is Christmas greetings from your Congressman.  The President, yes, if you're a worthy contributor.  Your Senator, yes.  But not from your Congressman.  At least not unless he decides to fund it from his own pocket.

According to The Washington Examiner  if Congressmen want their mailings to be "franked", paid for with tax payer dollars,  they cannot contain holiday greetings.  Not even New Years!

According to the franking manual, item 4(a), examples include birthdays, anniversaries, births, retirements or condolences along with the aforementioned holiday greetings.  I don't know when this began.  When my Dad passed away Mom got a condolence card from President and Mrs. Reagan.  She had no idea why since he was a staunch Democrat and resented it because they hadn't a clue who he was! A meaningless gesture for a misdirected reason.  But Merry Christmas from your Congressman?

I seem to remember hearing this is a nation built on Christian principles.  Even those of us who do not profess to be "Christian" abide by those principles.  We reference God on our money and in our pledge of allegiance.  What is so politically incorrect about our Congressmen and women wishing their constituents a Merry Christmas?

The separation of church and state doesn't wash if the Senate, the Executive branch and the Judicial are not forbidden to do the same.  So what is it?  Rank has it's privileges?

I don't know where that puts me, a lowly citizen who grew up with nothing but fond memories of the season and the day.  Christmas.  A time of celebration and merriment as well as a time for reflection.

Unfortunately I've been reflecting on the dismal downward spiral of a country I dearly love.   I wonder where our elected officials have come from and how they've become what they are - and are not.

I worry that government has become so large and unwieldy and those within so entrenched the bad can no longer be reversed.

One thing I do know, though, is that December 25 is Christmas and January 1 is New Years and the pleas in the paper for "Christmas for All"  will always be heeded by we lowly citizens.

As for the wizards of government who come up with this stuff, take your regulations and manuals and stuff them. A turkey might be an appropriate place.

$1000 And You Can Run For President

It's true.  If you want to run in New Hampshire. The Wall Street Journal informs me there are already 30 Republicans and 14 Democrats doing just that.

It dawned on me while reading the article just what is the matter with this country.  We consider the most important process to elect the most important position in the country as no more than entertainment.  We have become no more than a cult led by political personalities.  Substance?  What's that?

Have you noticed how many words like that are disappearing from our political vocabulary?

One New Hampshire candidate wants no more than to get  the powers talking about Thorium, a replacement for uranium in nuclear reactors.  A worthy conversation, I'm sure, but enough for a Presidential run? Ah, what's $1000 bucks.  I can't think of a better cause that could use it.

Another said God told him to run but gave him no guidelines. He is not one of the current seven known candidates, but he could be!

This one particularly appeals to me.   Vermin Supreme, that's his name, wants zombie preparedness.  That should get us ready for a new Congress.  Mandatory tooth brushing.  Bringing hygiene to the 'Occupy' enclaves.  And a pony for every American.  Boy, I always wanted a pony as a kid.  Didn't you?  At least he admits his platform is designed to show the absurdity of the process.

Ah, the absurdity of the process.  How on the mark.  What could be more absurd than Donald Trump setting himself up as arbiter of what the candidates should profess.  Or Greta Van Susteren giving him air time night after night to wax profound.  Or Trump moderating a debate.  At least Romney, Huntsman and Paul have had the good sense to decline.

Speaking of Paul, the man who thinks Iran will like us better if we're nicer to them.  Didn't Obama try that?  And Newt.  Oh well, no one will mind if their kids are required to help clean the school along with the janitorial staff to learn a work ethic.

Somehow the gentleman promoting zombie preparedness seems no more absurd to me than most of the first and second tier candidates.  That's what scares me.

Why don't we take it seriously?  It is serious.  Dead serious.  My Saint Bernard buddy, Jub Jub, is going to audition for 'America's Got Talent' next month.  If all the candidates would audition for the show I'd wager on the dog winning. He'll be the serious contender.

Actually, Jub is auditioning for the right show.  The candidates seem to be auditioning for 'Lost'.  That too is serious.  Dead serious.

Of Christmas Cards And Thank You Notes

Yesterday morning I caught Stuart Varney asking his panel whether or not they still send Christmas cards.  Only one said yes and that was to see the family photos that often were included in those she got in return.

Considering the other excuses were simple and expected - it's so much easier to do it on line, I'd have thought catching up on family photos would be just as easy on Facebook.   But at least she does it for now.  By her own admission as the children grow up she too will end the practice.

The whole conversation depressed me.  Whatever happened to the art of letter writing?  It disappeared years ago.  Now even  the teaching off cursive writing in our schools is going to be eliminated.  One more time I see the world in which I was raised slowly disappearing.  It's sad.

I can remember as a child how I loved having pen pals from far away places.  I anxiously awaited birthday cards from grandma and grandpa because they othen contained maybe a whole dollar! I always wrote a letter to Santa and loved to leaf through the Christmas cards that filled our mail box a whole seven days a week throughout the season. I also remember my Mom sitting me down after Christmas or the birthday to crank out the thank you notes.  I came to find they were greatly appreciated.

Those days are gone forever.  Now even sending a greeting on Facebook or one of the greeting card sites seems like a chore. I do it - and don't.  I've gotten lazy and I say that with no pride.

I'm trying to remember the last time I actually got a personal letter in the mail.  I cannot remember the last time I wrote one.  I do though still send Christmas cards and on most write a line or two in greeting. I'm not big on newsletters.  Our life is pretty quiet and I suspect of little interest to others, even good friends.  That's also why I don't participate on Facebook.  If I don't want to share something with old friends why would I want to share it with the world?

 We send far fewer cards these days.  Our base of friends is shrinking as the years pass. That's why I feel strongly that at least once a year I can make the effort to remember good and long time friends with a personal, hand written greeting. It's a way to let them know they are special to me - to us.

And thank you notes?  Always!  Once again I slip into my mother's spirit and mourn the loss of the 'good old days'.  Times were not as frenetic as they are today.  People had time for one another and relished personal time together.  I suspect those days are soon to be no more than memory except for those of us of a certain age.

Perhaps the coming generations won't miss what they've never had.  But I'll miss those times and practices because they helped shape me into the person I am.  One who will still say please and thank you and still put pen to paper. I'll feel a pang of remorse though that we've not done the job of passing on these wonderful old traditions to those coming behind us.  It will be their loss and perhaps should be our shame.