Why Bother?

I've really been dogging it lately when it comes to posting.  Not that there hasn't been a lot to comment about.  I'm just wondering why bother. Especially when it comes to our government and the political scene in general.  It's what I write about mostly and nothing is going to change.

Consider, this fiscal cliff deal.  After the people have complained for years that we're tired of the acrimony in Congress, has it changed any?  No. Two days are left before they may or may not throw together one more shoddy plan kicking the problem down the road one more time in any event.  Another "we'll have to pass it to see what's in it" deal no doubt.

For this they, along with all federal workers, are going to get a raise by Presidential decree.  We have all missed our calling if our goal was great pay, Cadillac benefits and darn little work. This is apparently the President's idea of redistribution.  Take it from us and give it to them.

They are so prone to over reactions and just plain wrong reactions yet we're actually beginning to buy into them.  The fiscal cliff isn't going to kill us.  It won't happen over night, number one and protracting something out over 10 years isn't ever likely to happen anyway.  Taxes are going up.  Period.  Obamacare for one. Spending will not go down in any significant manner as long as Obama is President.  The debt ceiling will continue to rise.

Then there is the current flurry of anxiety over gun laws.  I'm no huge fan of guns but I'm not against them either. But having to be seen doing something they're ignoring the health issue and the culture of violence, as in video games; talking tough on guns is so much easier.

Let's face it.  If they can't get their act together to undo a 1949 statute that now puts the price of milk into a precarious position, why should we expect them to do anything else in a timely manner?  They won't.

I listen to the talking heads interviewing politicians on their programs.  Often asked is why they aren't doing their jobs.  The usual answer is it's the other guys fault.  Everything operates in crisis mode if at all.

So I've come to the conclusion that there is nothing I nor anyone else can say or do that will change how government works.  Besides, we're so substantive that our petitions on the White House site seem to care more about whether or not David Gregory is arrested for having an empty gun magazine on his show or deporting Piers Morgan because we don't like his view on our gun laws.  On such depends the future of our country.

I'm feeling every bit as old as Father Time these days and I have no faith in the Baby New Year.  My heros are fast disappearing - the Norman Schwartzkoffs and Robert Borks of the world. I have no desire to go along to get along when I know I can be the best. We've lost that personal pride somewhere along the way.   Sure it exists in individuals here and there, but it doesn't exist in our nation as a whole .

We've settled for mediocrity as a standard and the mediocre as our standard bearers.  But of course it's not my fault.  It's yours.

Tooth Fairy

Let's set the stage here.  You're an attractive woman.  You're married and have kids.  You've been at the same job for ten years - with the same boss.  You were considered an excellent employee. You're fired.

Not because you're a woman mind you, but you've suddenly become a danger to said bosses marriage because he finds your "tight" clothing provocative and he might be inclined to try to start an affair.  Inclined to try?

And it's all perfectly legal, at least in Iowa.  The court rules it's about family values, not gender.  It's about preserving a marriage.  Never mind that the wife who also works in the office found the two were texting one another and demanded the woman be fired.  Never mind too that the texts were inconsequential things about kids and such.  In this day and age, for heavens sake don't text a good looking employee!  If she had been ordinary would it have mattered?

A couple of thoughts come to mind.  I go to the dentist regularly and I've yet to see beyond lab coats, eye shields and masks enough of anyone to lure me into an affair.

I will concede that office personnel do see one another out of 'uniform' upon coming and going and maybe lunch breaks so physical attributes may be more apparent.  However,  if someone was incredibly attractive I can't imagine it would take ten years for lust to bubble to the surface.  If she was dressing inappropriately, I'm sure the wife wouldn't have taken ten years to notice either.

The whole scenario seems ludicrous to me.  The dentist is a bit slow on the uptake here and so is his wife.

Even more ludicrous is the idea that a seven man panel of judges would side unanimously with the dentist, terming it "irresistible attraction".  Especially when no inappropriate behavior was ever displayed by the employee. Talk about arrested development on the part of the judicial! Spare me from patriarchal societies.  The Mideast is bad enough.  We don't need them here.

As for the horny dentist it might be time to grow up and curb his appetites.  Hanky panky in the work place is nothing new.  One usually has to engage in it, however, before being fired.  General Petraeus may be able to explain it better than I can.

For it to be legal to terminate someone for an unacted upon prurient dream is beyond my comprehension.  This in Iowa, a stronghold for Christian Conservatives yet a place where gay marriage is legal.  It's obviously also a place where "family values" can be shaped just about any way you want.

Except if your a good looking woman with a man child for a boss.

They Really Don't Get It!

I had mixed feelings when the Republicans balked at passing "Plan B".  On one hand, it was as close to hard ball as the Republicans have come by giving the President a tax increase even though it wasn't anywhere near what he wanted.

On the other hand I can't help but admire them for balking because they were to get nothing in the way of spending cuts in return.  Empty promises don't count.

So many are quick to blame the Republicans for all our financial woes, but it simply isn't true. When it comes to spending, both parties can't help but to go hog wild ~ with pork and bureaucracy.

Take the $60 billion aid bill promised by the President for victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Bear in mind, many are still without shelter.  Many are living in unheated and unsanitary shells of what used to be their homes.  FEMA funds for hotels are running out and people are being turned out.  Some are living in their cars while FEMA trailers remain undelivered.  It's winter.  It's cold and it's wet.

So where is that $60 million?  Apparently some is being held up until after Christmas so they can determine what spending is appropriate.  It's winter.  It's cold and it's wet. This, by the way, is the Republicans.

Then there is the pork.  Eight million has been tagged to buy cars for homeland security and justice department personnel.  While Sandy victims sleep in what's left of theirs.

Thirteen billion is slated for tree plantings and such in preparation for future storms.  While trees still remain protruding from crushed roofs.

One hundred fifty million has been slotted for NOAA to dole out to Alaskan fisheries. Let them eat fish?  Don't they wish! Untold millions are going to other government entities for sprucing up - like a new roof for the Smithsonian and spiffying up National Cemeteries.

Not that these projects don't have some merit, but they should be voted up or down on their own merit and not attached to an aid bill for people who can do little more than scratch their heads and wonder where their President's promised help is.

People are helping one another as best they can.  We have a friend who is a volunteer fireman whose home is in an involved community.  The firemen take turns taking one of their trucks to keep watch in communities which no longer have their own.  This is what we as Americans do.  We help each other, our neighbors, people in far reaches of the country from our own.

But what does our government do?  They posture.  They promise.  They preach.  Then they disappear.  Americans remind me of my Big Dog sweatshirt that reads "Lead, follow or get out of the way."

The government reminds me of another that reads, "If you aren't the lead dog, the view never changes."  No matter who is in charge, no matter who holds the houses of congress, the view never changes.  I'd wonder how they can live with themselves if I thought they were even aware, but I don't think they are.  They lose their sight and  their vision in the smog of deceit while the rest of us stand outside looking in.  And you wonder why Ron Paul and his Libertarians have such a foothold.

In The Spirit Of The Holiday - Congress Go Home

I've been thinking lately, I've never seen Harry Reid look like a nice man.  His usual countenance, frowning, colorless and cold seems to reflect his view of leadership. Oh, yeah, and doing nothing.  He's good at that.

Now if only the Republicans would learn how to capitalize on that.  But they won't.  They live in a bubble of their own making and don't see things that are obvious to those of us outside looking in.

One, the President does not want to avoid the fiscal cliff that really isn't a cliff.  Why?  Because he would have to give something and that is not in his nature.  He is Lucy to Boehner's Charlie Brown. And Charlie falls for the ploy every time.

It's time the Republicans realize some truths.  No matter how many promises are made to discuss spending cuts and tax reform down the road they are empty promises.  It won't happen, or if they do it will be the same football and the same game.

The President isn't all that unlike Egypt's Morsi.  He wants unprecedented and unfettered powers to tax, borrow and spend as he pleases.  Period.  Harry Reid is complicit in the scheme by refusing to bring anything to the floor that is sent up from the House.  I think it should be mandatory, actually, for the Senate to vote on legislation originated in the House and let the chips fall where they may.  I also think members of both Houses should not be intimidated by their leadership.  Committee assignments and chairmanships should not be the determining factor of their votes.  It should be what their constituents want.

The Republicans on the other hand want some balance and have actually come up with some feasible ideas on how to accomplish it.  Their problem is they don't know how to articulate it to the American people.  I've never seen politicians so tongue tied about important issues yet so verbose when it comes to accusations and name calling. The Republicans need a face and a voice.  If Jeb Bush wants to be President next go round then he should take the bull by the horns now and start talking.  Or any of the potential candidates.

If someone doesn't, we're doomed to more of the same game playing for the next four years.

For now, however, I hope what I read is correct. That Boehner is going to pass Plan B which at least makes the tax hikes eminently more fair by raising the level to earners of over $1 million.  Too much is still off the table but one thing else they need to learn is it's better to take small chunks as they can get them than to hold out and get nothing.

Well, I can dream can't I?  Realistically I know it's going to be more of the same and ugly.  I know our country is changing drastically.  I'm of the school that thinks it's for the worse and  do not see it changing for the better for a long time to come if ever.

But 'tis the season for dreams.  Maybe I can conjure up some sugar plum fairies.