In no particular order with the exception of the last entry, here are the things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving.
I'm thankful for these beautiful days we're having this fall. We're taking walks in the afternoon at work and I'm particularly thankful for still being mobile and at least minimally active at 63.
I'm thankful for music, laughter, good books, good cigars, good whiskey and pretty women.
I'm thankful that after struggling with the recession, my wife's cancer, under and unemployment that we're buying a house this year.
I'm thankful for Love, for being loved and loving.
I'm thankful that we'll be spending this Thanksgiving with some of our children and grandchildren.
I'm thankful that Vicki and I are still happy being together after 31 years.
So most of all I'm thankful that I've had 31 years with Vicki and I'm looking forward to as many more as God gives us.
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving Day.
RT
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
The Illusion of "Choice"
Thank God the election is only 3 days away. I am sick of all the political commercials. It is extremely galling when you understand that regardless of the outcome must of us will still be well and truly screwed.
That's due to the small differences between the parties and the candidates when it comes to meaningful change. Both parties are run by the wealthy and powerful, for the wealthy and powerful. If you don't believe that just look at how much money, reported money that is, we don't know for sure the amount of so called "dark money" that's being spent on this election. The total is over 2 Billion Dollars. Even the Koch brothers call that real money.
The Dems will attempt to slow down (or appear to slow down) the decimation of the middle class, but the end will be the same as the more blatant Republicans. The goal of business and government seems to be the privatization of everything. We citizens are just a natural resource to be exploited and believe me we have been and will continue to be exploited no matter who takes the white house. The only real questions are how much and how soon will it take place.
It's not that these politicians and power brokers hate us (though some comments from the Romney camp sound that way) or that they take us for granted (though some practices of the Obama Administration look that way), it's just what the country, the culture and the people have become accustomed to.
I work with people in their 30s and 40s who wouldn't know a good job if it bit them in the ass. Who think the economy, the political environment and the culture of our country is just fine. Most of that is because they never knew anything better. It saddens me deeply. I feel bad for their low expectations and diminished lifestyles.
Yet they and I will still go to the polls on Tuesday and cast our vote. In my case I'm doing it as an act of citizenship in spite of my belief in its ultimate futility. Because I've come to feel that it doesn't matter. No politician has the balls to stand up to the folks that really run things anymore. There was a time that guys like Ike spoke about the detrimental influence of money and big business in forming government policy. Now it's not only taken for granted by both parties, but actually celebrated by the Republicans. They want us to believe that if we just let them run wild it will all work out.
On the other side the Dems quietly pass bills, vote for more and more useless military expenses and grab all the money they can get, while telling us how they are looking out for the little guy.
I do not buy either of their lines. It's just plain BS.
This is why I think our choice in this election is an illusion. I hate to admit it, but it looks like ole Ralph Nader was right. We will never get what we need from the two major parties. Until we have a viable third party or independent movement in this country we are destined to vote based on what we consider the lesser of 2 evils.
OK, I'm done bitching. Go out and vote on Tuesday. At least you'll have the feeling of speaking your mind to power; even if the power isn't listening.
RT
That's due to the small differences between the parties and the candidates when it comes to meaningful change. Both parties are run by the wealthy and powerful, for the wealthy and powerful. If you don't believe that just look at how much money, reported money that is, we don't know for sure the amount of so called "dark money" that's being spent on this election. The total is over 2 Billion Dollars. Even the Koch brothers call that real money.
The Dems will attempt to slow down (or appear to slow down) the decimation of the middle class, but the end will be the same as the more blatant Republicans. The goal of business and government seems to be the privatization of everything. We citizens are just a natural resource to be exploited and believe me we have been and will continue to be exploited no matter who takes the white house. The only real questions are how much and how soon will it take place.
It's not that these politicians and power brokers hate us (though some comments from the Romney camp sound that way) or that they take us for granted (though some practices of the Obama Administration look that way), it's just what the country, the culture and the people have become accustomed to.
I work with people in their 30s and 40s who wouldn't know a good job if it bit them in the ass. Who think the economy, the political environment and the culture of our country is just fine. Most of that is because they never knew anything better. It saddens me deeply. I feel bad for their low expectations and diminished lifestyles.
Yet they and I will still go to the polls on Tuesday and cast our vote. In my case I'm doing it as an act of citizenship in spite of my belief in its ultimate futility. Because I've come to feel that it doesn't matter. No politician has the balls to stand up to the folks that really run things anymore. There was a time that guys like Ike spoke about the detrimental influence of money and big business in forming government policy. Now it's not only taken for granted by both parties, but actually celebrated by the Republicans. They want us to believe that if we just let them run wild it will all work out.
On the other side the Dems quietly pass bills, vote for more and more useless military expenses and grab all the money they can get, while telling us how they are looking out for the little guy.
I do not buy either of their lines. It's just plain BS.
This is why I think our choice in this election is an illusion. I hate to admit it, but it looks like ole Ralph Nader was right. We will never get what we need from the two major parties. Until we have a viable third party or independent movement in this country we are destined to vote based on what we consider the lesser of 2 evils.
OK, I'm done bitching. Go out and vote on Tuesday. At least you'll have the feeling of speaking your mind to power; even if the power isn't listening.
RT
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