So much for being the richest, most free country in the world.
I've been reading a lot about this latest stimulus bill. That term, "stimulus" is a joke. All it really amounts to is the economic rape of at least five generations of Americans. Democrats have put in every single pet project, no matter if it "stimulates" the economy or not.
For example, Pelosi's pet project of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of condoms. How, exactly, does this stimulate the economy?
And now, there is the interesting item in the bill which provides $335 million for STD Awareness and sex education.
For the record, I have no idealogical objections to condoms, STD awareness, or sex education. Rather, I don't think they are the best use of my money at this time in history. You also are not going to stimulate the economy by passing out more digital tv coupons, something that amounts to another $650 million. That's just nuts! Moreover, Acorn, the nonprofit which encourages election fraud nationwide, they get more than $2 Billion. That's billion with a "B". Because...election fraud is expensive and...stimulates the economy?
Fuck if I know.
$1.5 Billion for a "carbon-capturing contest" - who the hell is that going to employ, the judges? I'm pretty sure we could get Paula Abdul for a lot less.
$45 Million for ATV trail maintenance and rehabilitation.
$75 Million for Smoking Cessation. Give me the $75 Million and I'll get them to stop.
$600 Million for a new fleet of government vehicles. Something wrong with the ones we have?
$150 Million for the Smithsonian, which, okay, but not likely to stimulate the economy.
Another “stimulus” secret is that some $252 billion is for income-transfer payments — that is, not investments that arguably help everyone, but cash or benefits to individuals for doing nothing at all. There’s $81 billion for Medicaid, $36 billion for expanded unemployment benefits, $20 billion for food stamps, and $83 billion for the earned income credit for people who don’t pay income tax. While some of that may be justified to help poorer Americans ride out the recession, they aren’t job creators.
And, as to Obama's grand promise to spend the taxpayer's money wisely and with accountability, there is this nugget:
As for the promise of accountability, some $54 billion will go to federal programs that the Office of Management and Budget or the Government Accountability Office have already criticized as “ineffective” or unable to pass basic financial audits. These include the Economic Development Administration, the Small Business Administration, the 10 federal job training programs, and many more.
I swear, the Democrats are slitting their own throats with all of this ridiculous crap!
Doesn't this judge know what happens to people who don't follow The One's orders?
Yikes!
How is Obama going to give each of these terrorists a kiss on the cheek, a pat on the ass, and a plane ticket to The Mall of America if people insist on prosecuting them?!?
Get with the plan, man. Don't you know that yesterday's "terrorist" is today's teddy bear?
Even though Candidate Obama promised a new era of bipartisanship, should he emerge victorious, it seems President Obama doesn't feel the need for that.
When Republicans voiced their concerns over the stimulus bill and, among other things, millions of dollars for rubbers, the President reminded them why he didn't have to listen to them.
I can't help but mention what happened the other day as it is a nice little metaphor for all of the bailout and stimulus that Obama has in mind.
We have a board game at home called "Masterpiece." It is all about buying and selling famous artwork. The play money for the game comes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 20 million dollars.
So, imagine my surprise when I catch the three-year-old feeding $10 million dollar bills into the toilet!
She seems to have the popular idea...
God, please save us from the politicians who are intent on "helping."
It is Day Four of the Obama Administration and, whaddaya know, the press is bristling under the broken promises.
These lackeys polished The One's knob on a regular basis and expected "transparency."
According to allsortsofreports, what the White House Press Corps is getting is more of the same.
It turns out, they were told that they were not going to be able to refer to some sources by name. They were also not allowed to interview The One on Inaguration Day. That exclusive right belonged to ABC for their sponsorship of a ball on Inaguration night, a scheme one member of the press claimed was akin to "pay to play."
The press corps was also peeved at not being invited to the re-do on Obama's oath-taking and the only recordings/photos of the event were from the White House photographer. The same was true of Obama's first photos of him behind the Resolute Desk. No press invited, "here's the photo, boys, sorry you couldn't be there."
It certainly comes as no surprise to me that Obama is guarding his image so closely. I mean, he's the second coming of Christ, The One, The Messiah, Bigger than the Beatles, etc. You don't want just anybody snapping pics of the Anointed One. For god's sake, next thing you know we'll be expecting him to be answerable to The People. The Obama doesn't answer to the hoi polloi, he governs by divine right, isn't that what I've read?
In the most telling exchange of them all, comes the news that on a quick stop into the Press Room to say hello, Obama refused to answer a question about the inconsistency with him hiring a lobbyist when he had sworn he wouldn't.
"Ahh, see," he said, "I came down here to visit. See this is what happens. I can't end up visiting with you guys and shaking hands if I'm going to get grilled every time I come down here."
I suppose Mr. Obama is just not prepared to answer questions about hypocrisy right now. Perhaps you can submit your questions along with one of those "any embarrassing things in your closet?" applications and see if you don't have an answer by...2012.
And, since we're discussing The President, let's face facts: he isn't going to chase down our enemies. I suppose we should start the clock until the next major terrorist attack on Americans. Clearly, Obama doesn't care how many of us bin Laden and his people kill. Acceptable losses to Obama, so long as we don't waterboard any murderous terrorists. Obama has put a moratorium on the trials at Gitmo. Maybe he'll actually bring all of those assholes into the States and put them in regular prisons. That way it will be so much easier for them to break out and kill more Americans. Good plan! Why, it is a wonder bin Laden didn't think of it!
Look, people, these people are not going to be rehabilitated. When we release them, figuring they are no longer a threat, they quickly return to the battleground. We are never going to stop them if we just keep sending them back to their killing. News out this morning is that al Qaeda's #2 in Yemen was, until recently, a member of the GTMO country club for rehabilitated jihadists. You can not treat terrorists like people with parking tickets! Do 3,000 more Americans have to die before Obama gets it?!?
Al Qaeda doesn't want to have tea parties in freedom, they are dead set, literally, on the extermination of Americans. Doesn't matter what color your socks or undies, whether you are a sympathizer or not: If you are an American, you must die.
Wake me up when The President grows a set, please. I've gotta go buy ammo.
If only "hope 'n change" came with a happy pill...
'Cause I totally am. Why, my education has already leapt tremendously.
For example, until yesterday when Rev. Lowery spoke, I had no idea that the color of my skin made me wrong.
Lest you missed it, here is what the good reverend said:
"....help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right."
According to the good reverend, I am "wrong" merely by virtue, or perhaps the vice, of my skin color. Is it just me, or does this fall far short of Dr. King's Dream?
I mean, maybe I'm misconstruing here, but somehow I doubt he's making a call for all white people to become Republicans. Therefore, I am left to surmise that he is claiming moral superiority and finding white people lacking because of their skin color. Gee, that's almost...klan-ish of him.
Back in the day, there were some mindless fools who claimed African Americans were lesser beings, dumber, etc. because of their skin color. I have certainly never felt that way, but it appears that Lowery has turned that premise on end and concluded that white people need to make amends for being "wrong" and "get right".
We've come a long way, baby...exactly 2 centimeters by my estimation.
You know, I suspect that Lowery is just another Rev. Jeremiah Wright, "God damn"-ing "Amerikkka" at every turn and blaming "whitey" for all the supposed ills faced by the black man. Well you know what?
I have no trouble seeing past skin color. I am enlightened. I don't care about sexual preference, race, religion, etc. But I can't help but notice that the only people bringing up race are the Obamabots and Obama's legion of vile-spewing men of the cloth.
I am not going to attempt to "embrace what is right." Instead, I'm going to suggest that the racist get over himself.
You know, if Obama really wanted to bring the nation together, he totally whiffed.
So...who do you think has the unwelcome task of having to break it to President Obama that simply voting "present" is not going to be enough to get this job done?
I was at a conference over the weekend in Chicago and had a great time. It had the very real potential of being a snooze fest, I'm not going to lie to you.
But, there were high points. I got to hear/see Dennis Hastert speak (Very cool) about personal responsibility and what to expect from the new administration. My husband and I went to ESPN Zone (very loud). I got to see The Beatles perform.
That probably shocks you. It did me. We saw a Beatles tribute band called American English. They were so amazing! They sounded just like the Fab Four, down to the way they spoke. We danced and had a great time, but were mostly mystified by the band's portrayal.
We partied at Navy Pier, had excellent food, it was a really good time.
Bunny Boop spent the weekend with "Gram" and is still doing exceptionally well on the potty-training.
We missed her, of course. Still, it was good to get away, however briefly.
I don't know how you could have missed the news. The media has been in full-on circle jerk for two weeks. But, if you missed it, The Messiah is come. Kiss your ass goodbye.
But seriously, it is going to be a long four years.
The left saw fit to begin denigrating George W. Bush before he took office. I have seen fit to withhold my criticism until he actually took office, but now the gloves are off. I intend to pick pick pick and point out every flaw that comes along. Every error in judgement. Every broken promise. Every illegal act. You got it. I'm gonna be a regular pain in the ass.
And why shouldn't I? It is going to be my taxes that, in part, expand the nanny state to Obama's measure. Pelosi, Reid, Obama, Oh my! We are well and truly screwed.
I had the great good fortune to be in Chicago over the weekend (home of the Messiah himself) and heard former Speaker of the House Denny Hastert speak. It was very cool. He gave a good speech that was...pretty depressing to be honest. He listed a whole bunch of items on the Obama agenda, along with price tags, and by the end of it, I wanted to cry.
For those of you who may still be harboring some "hope" that "change" is coming, well..., get used to having nothing but "change" in your wallet. What was most remarkable to me was the overwhelming beneficiaries of the taxpayer's largesse. Let me assure you, it wasn't me and it likely wasn't you either. Well, as a nation, we are going to get just what we asked for. And learn that lesson again.
Are you feeling the glow yet? Was the Sermon on the Mount all that you had hoped?
I am sick to death of footing the bill for irresponsible Americans and irresponsible business practices.
I pay my bills - all of them. I pay my mortgage, every month, on time. I was smart enough to lock in a 30-year mortgage at a historically low rate, thanks largely to my excellent credit score. I pay my taxes every year, filing early, usually in February.
I do not renege on my responsibilities. I am not a leach on the welfare rolls. I am a working mother and wife.
So please, somebody tell me why instead of feeling proud of my accomplishments, of living within my means and providing for my family in a responsible family, I feel like a chump.
Why am I the one footing the bill?
DAMN IT! I did not encourage dumb people to sign mortgages they couldn't afford. I didn't encourage banks to offer these silly poor-credit-risk mortgages. I didn't encourage the investment firms to buy the worthless paper they were written on. I certainly have long taken issue with the death-grip on which the UAW have on American Automobile Manufacturing and have little interest in helping them squeeze the American consumer further. I don't want anymore bailouts! NO MORE!
DO YOU HEAR ME, NANCY PELOSI? DO YOU HEAR ME HARRY REID? DO YOU HEAR ME MR. OBAMA? I'm done.
THERE IS NO LONGER ANY INCENTIVE TO ME TO BE A RESPONSIBLE, TAXPAYER AND HOMEOWNER. Why should I be the last chump in line at the trough, huh?
Why must I pay for the stupidity of others?
If you stub your toe in your bedroom, why must I buy you a popsicle, huh? Do we no longer bear any personal responsibility?
Is the government going to wipe people's asses too? Am I going to be required to buy the TP?
This free market girl is sick of all the handouts. You really want to help people? Let them fail, just once, and see how it feels.
The weather here is exactly what I imagine when people say "when hell freezes over." It is bitterly cold, with temps between -1 and -40 with windchill, depending on the day. It is the kind of cold where you take shallow breaths to spare your lungs the shock of ice crystals forming in the little sacks. And, as if the bitter cold were not enough, the icing on the cake is the snow everyday that is complicated by blowing and drifting. It just isn't funny anymore.
Besides the constant pain in the ass that is the Wisconsin winter, things are looking up.
We are making huge advances on the potty-training front. Bunny Boop occassionally has an accident now and then, but her successes far outnumber her failures. Her temperment has also improved. She's talking up a storm and soaking up far too much information for my comfort.
I have a new treadmill that is keeping me active since only crazy people go outside in this weather, and...I've become addicted to 24. I had heard it was good, but I bought the first season on iTunes the other day. I can't believe I haven't been watching this all along!
Being the mother of a 3-year-old does not afford one a lot of free time. Even so, Prince Charming arranged a babysitter for Sunday afternoon and took me to the movies and then an early dinner.
We saw the movie of his choice, Gran Torino.
I wanted to see this film, but mostly because I like Clint Eastwood. Did I have to see it in the theater? No. But, my Prince wanted to see it and I'm angling for a companion for a movie of my choice.
First off, the film is AMAZING. I laughed, I cried, I nearly wet my pants. It is THAT good. And, as opposed to most films today, it met the critical test. That being, after paying the price of admission and buying two sodas and a large popcorn, we didn't feel like we'd been cheated. Seriously! You get $30 invested and you expect something for your time and money. This movie delivers. You will not regret your full-price ticket.
So, now that I've recommended the film, let me share with you the thing that kept going through my mind as I watched Clint Eastwood on the big screen.
"This guy is a REAL movie star."
I couldn't help but be impressed by Eastwood. And, that is to say, he didn't surprise me. As I said, I am a fan of his work. What impressed me is the fact that Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Will Smith...couldn't have done what Eastwood did. Oh, they are all pretty on screen, but Eastwood is gritty. Eastwood is a man. Clooney, Pitt, and all of those metrosexuals in Hollywood that grace the covers of the tabloids don't appeal to me. They are gloss and body butter and ego where Eastwood is...real. There is nothing vapid about Eastwood the man or his performance. This man is blood, sweat, callous, and grit. He knows how to get into a saddle, knows how to handle a firearm, knows how to treat people. Clooney, Pitt, and all the others are as flat as the image in their mirrors and quite pale by comparison.
You don't go to see an Eastwood film because Eastwood is beautiful, although he appeals to a woman who appreciates a real man, but because he excels at his craft. In Gran Torino, Eastwood's character is a veritable grouch. He's offensive and mean, downright nasty in some cases. And yet, Eastwood makes us love him. We intrinsically know where Eastwood's character is coming from. It isn't that we sympathize, we simply recognize Eastwood's character as one of the good guys. A flawed good guy, but definitely one of the good guys.
Pitt, Clooney, Cruise, et al...don't have it in them.
What we need in Hollywood are some actors and lot fewer celebrities.
Everything between Christmas Eve and...yesterday is a blur. It has just been crazy!
Santa Claus came to town. He brought a new kitchen set with a big red bow for Bunny Boop. She was delighted. She also loves her new puppy. Relax! It is a "Fur Real Friend", a teacup yorkie that sits in a little purse and yips. Very cute. He spends a lot of time in her kitchen.
We also celebrated Bunny's birthday. She had an icecream cake and it was very low key. She got some play doh and a Fisher Price Cool School computer (which was a HUGE hit) and, most surprisingly, a dress up trunk of Disney Princess costumes that she loves. We have five or six costume changes per day, easy. She's actually better at walking in heels than I am! She's forever chattering on about her necklace and her jewels. She won't take off the tiara...it's been fun.
Winter shows no signs of abating. We've had snow, then ice, and finally more snow. For the friends of ours who are still harvesting tomatos from their home gardens and the 75 degree weather in Pasadena, I'll trade either of you. I've got a ton of snow with your names on it. Just tell me where you want it delivered!
Work is still good. Busy, of course. The market has been very volatile, but it is good to be busy.
