Blog Archives
My Two Cents: The Fiscal Cliff
It’s a good thing I saved my final two cents for the end of the year. It looks like many of us are going to need the extra money in 2013.
You’ve just got to love all of the finger-pointing that’s going on in Congress right now regarding the so-called Fiscal Cliff. Democrats are blaming Republicans for the whole debacle and Republicans are blaming Obama and Democrats for their unwillingness to compromise.
As if the whole Mayan thing wasn’t bad enough, last-minute proposals and late night meetings are taking place in the dead of night to offset rising taxes, crashing markets and double-digit unemployment. Not a good way to ring in the new year.
I know this may come as a shock, but I’m going out on a limb here and say that this whole thing isn’t the fault Obama, John Boehner or anyone else in the House or Senate. Sadly, the real reason for this whole pickle we’re in lies with you, me and everyone else who votes.
We continuously bitch and moan about what’s being done in Washington and see polls that show the approval rating of Congress to be in the teens. And yet, every two years (without fail) we continue to re-elect the exact same people we can’t stand.
I borrowed this doozy from Ballot-Pedia showing the results of the Congressional 2012 Elections. Grab a vomit bag before you read them.
That’s right, out of 435 House seats “We The People” voted 349 of them back in. These results show that even though Congress as a whole has an 18% approval rating, we decided that 80% of them deserved to be re-elected.
Even though some of these people spent the last two years riding the Sunday talk show circuit for exposure or ran for president themselves instead of casting important (and necessary) votes for their districts, only 27 of them were doing enough of a bad job for us to get rid of them. Pathetic!
So in 2013, when you’re watching the news or reading blogs that blame Obama or Congress for the mess we are in, consider this chart. Then take a good long look in the mirror and you’ll see where the problem really lies.
Just my two-cents.
Squirrel Food and Black Helicopters
I usually don’t like to write about politics but after reading a news article today I just couldn’t resist.
A new survey conducted by the Democratic polling firm Public Policy Polling, found that 49% of Republican voters believe that Barack Obama did not legitimately win reelection because the community organizing group ACORN somehow interfered with the vote.
That’s right, half of all Republican voters say that ACORN engaged in voter fraud and somehow aided in stealing the 2012 election for President Obama. Personally (aside from the fact that group closed it’s doors in 2010), I find it hard to imagine that anyone would actually believe that a little group of people (with the same name as squirrel food) could have power enough to decide elections. As if the Citizens United decision wasn’t already bad enough.
Conspiracy theories, black helicopters and end of the world falsehoods are fast becoming the norm. Seems like every election (no matter which party wins) there are always allegations of voter fraud and intimidation. And you’ve just got to love how the folks on talk radio perpetuate these myths. Whatever is said on the airwaves suddenly becomes gospel. We are a susceptible society and it’s scary.
Back in 1938, Orson Wells went on the radio and announced that we were being invaded by aliens. Of course, that “announcement” was actually part of a skit he was doing based upon the H. G. Wells novel, ‘War of The Worlds’, but it was more than enough to make audiences believe that we were actually under attack. It was entertainment, much like what the talk radio folks today like to consider themselves to be instead of news.
I firmly believe that our society is more than ready for a second coming of ‘War of The Worlds’. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if every talking head on the radio (conservative and liberal) all got together as a joke and formulated a “skit” to say a zombie apocalypse was taking place, people would actually buy it.
Sure, it’s absolutely ludicrous to suggest that our world has suddenly become an episode of ‘The Walking Dead’, but consider the fact that many of these same people who listen religiously to talk radio DO believe in Bigfoot sightings. I’m convinced quite a few people, if they heard it on the radio by their favorite broadcaster would actually believe it.
You want my advice? Forget this voter fraud and world ending nonsense. Take all of these outlandish thoughts and file them alongside stories of the Abominable Snowman and Loch Ness Monster. Because the truth is, if ACORN (or any other group) had the power to somehow rig an entire United States election process without anyone ever finding out, we deserve to be taken over by aliens. Conspiracy theories are for the birds.
Of course, if the Mayans are correct on December 21st, I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong.
Friday Rant
There are certain things in life that irk me more than others. Waiting in traffic, bad coffee and top-40 radio quickly come to mind. But this time of year, there are two things that drive me insane more than anything else. Things that make it so I can’t even turn on the TV or browse news websites for fear of going postal.
The first is the pending election on November 6th where we citizens go to the polls to elect a president. I’ve become convinced that my reason for loathing has nothing to do with the physical act of voting, but the fact that people put blinders on and take sides.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for choosing who you think it the best candidate. It’s what this country was founded upon. My problem lies with the negativity expressed on both sides of the aisle.
“MY guy is better than YOUR guy. YOUR guy is gonna raise taxes. YOUR guy wants to take away guns. YOUR guy wants to take Grandma’s wheelchair. YOUR guy wants tax breaks for millionaires. “— AH, SHUT UP!
When will people actually wake up and realize that we hear this exact same rhetoric every election cycle? Conspiracy theories, death panels, birth certificates, October surprises, financial transcripts not being produced in a timely manner… I’m SICK of it.
The other thing that drives me over the edge is actually worse than a presidential election cycle. Where as an election happens once every four years, this one happens every year and as of late, seems to be happening earlier and earlier. I’m talking about extreme weather conditions and the hysteria that follows.
Every winter, my neck of the woods gets hit by at least two or three significant snowstorms that causes news outlets to get on the air and warn people of the apocalypse. Last year, we had a snow event (somewhere in the 6-8 inch range) on October 31st. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that Halloween is very early for snow, but was there really need to remind everyone (who are already used to these types of weather events) to stock up on milk, bread and eggs? Hardly.
Some stations even devote 24/7 media coverage to these storms, saying the same things over and over again ad nauseam about the progress. People call in to local radio stations to give snow accumulation totals. It’s ridiculous.
Early next week, my little region is going to be hit by a whopper of a storm. High winds, heavy rain and flooding are expected. A few days ago, getting news of what “might” be coming was informative and most welcome. But, once it became known that all bets were off and we were definitely getting the storm, the crazy was let out of the cage.
Although we’ve weathered many such events and flooding in the past, the lunacy of the news media is at an all time high. Instead of just stating the obvious and moving on, they seem more concerned about changing the name of the hurricane/tropical storm (Sandy) to something that will better coincide with the Halloween season: “Frankenstorm!” – How convenient.
I am thankful that we have news and weather outlets to warn us of pending storms. It’s great to be informed of what’s coming and I want to prepare for the worst and hope for the best just like everyone else. But I swear, if I see one more story that says there’s going to be a full moon the night “Frankenstorm” hits, I’m going to go Wolfman on someone.
A Political Observation
Just a quick little rant from an observation I made.
Yesterday, I noticed that someone had posted a political picture of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on their Facebook wall. The picture featured both candidates along with “quotes” they had made (and was obviously pro Romney). The person who posted the picture left no doubt as to who she was going to vote for.
Now, we all know how these pictures work: on one side, the “bad” guy (in this case Obama) is pictured in an ominous blue color, posing with an angry look on his face with quotes taken out of context. On the other, a bright, cheery photo of the “good” guy (Romney) speaking passionately with a bunch of supporters along with quotes he made on how to make America great again. Typical ads that both sides use and ones that everyone has seen a million times during every campaign season.
What was disturbing though, were the comments that followed….
One person, obviously a “friend” of the person who posted the picture, wrote a comment saying how disappointed she was in her “friend” because she was going to vote for Romney. That comment was replied to by the person who posted the picture asking why she was disappointed? The conversation went back and forth and eventually, more and more “friends” started chiming in. Before long, everyone was going back and forth with the same tired old narrative:
1. How could you vote for someone (Romney) who hates women?
2. Why would you vote for someone (Obama) who takes money and gives it to people who don’t want to work?
It’s kind of sad to think that friendships, some of them possibly life-long ones, could be lost or strained over something as simple as a photograph posted on a social networking site.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and can vote for whoever they want. We should respect that. After all, isn’t that what men (AND women) of this country have fought and died for?
The real problem when you think about it is not who you vote for. Because it doesn’t really matter who wins this election. In the end, we’re ALL screwed anyway. And in four more years, we’ll do it all again. There, I said it.
As far as friendships go, this incident only reinforces something my grandfather told me a long time ago: Politics (and religion) needs to stay out of three things: my wallet, my bedroom and public discourse.
James Wood For Congress
You non-political junkies may be bored to tears with this latest post, but I encourage you to read it anyway. The future of our country is literally at stake.
It’s the time again. Time for the greatest nation in the world to go to the ballot box and elect a president and members of Congress. Ones that will represent us for the next two, four or six years. Partisan zombies who willingly do whatever the “R” or “D” say have already set up shop with their lobbiest friends and have begun the process of barraging us with radio and television advertisements in an effort to sway our vote.
Their mission? A promise of hard work to make America better?… Nope. An honest look will tell you that their only goal is to hold on to their cushy jobs for another few years and then repeat the cycle all over again.
For the next few months, not a single thing will get done in Congress (by either party) out of fear of reprisal by the electorate. Everyone is out “Rah-Rah’ing” for Obama and Romney but no one seems to understand or care that NOTHING is getting done.
Liberals and Democrats refuse to budge on such things as cutting entitlements and Conservatives and Republicans refuse to budge on having the millionaires pay more. Meanwhile, the stock market has been rising and falling for months, the housing market is a complete wreck, gas prices are once again through the roof and unemployment is still hovering around 8% which, ironically is the same approval rating for Congress. When will these people understand that being an elected official who represents the people of the United States is a privilege and not a life time career?
Therefore, I am announcing my candidacy as an Independent for US Congress.
Unfortunately, I can’t promise you a chicken in every pot but here are the four oaths I will work tirelessly to do if elected:
First and for most: Every day on the floor of the House I will make a motion to pass a Constitutional amendment to impose term-limits on ALL members of Congress. This is my only reason for seeking this office.
I, like many of you, am disgusted with what’s happening in Washington. Our elected officials are not doing the will of the people and quite frankly, they really have no need to. An incumbents re-election chances are around 75-80%. Pretty good odds considering that they really don’t do much. What you have to understand is that for a typical member of Congress, the first day of a new session is actually the first day their re-election campaign begins.
Second, I will NOT seek re-election. My term in Congress will only be two-years. I promise to do everything in my power every single day to make the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution be to allow for members of Congress and the United States Senate to be re-elected to office only one time.
Examples to make my point:
Strom Thurmond (R): 47 years as Senator
Robert Byrd (D): 52 years as Senator
Charles Rangel (D): 40 years as Congressman
Bill Young (R): 40 years as Congressman
This member for life bullshit has got to stop. Our country depends on it. Back when pitchforks and torches were all the rage and our country was built on the backs of hard-working men and women we needed someone to do the will of the people for as long as possible. That is no longer the case.
Thirdly, for all other votes (you know, important ones like renaming french fries “Freedom Fries”) I will meet with individuals throughout my district every weekend detailing the upcoming weeks agenda and will vote strictly as my district suggests regardless of my personal convictions. I represent THEM. They do not represent ME.
Finally, I will not accept donations or gifts and will only meet with citizens of my district. This will remove any chance of lobbiest influence.
I promise to earn every single penny of the $348,000 I will make over those two years (you did know that’s how much each member of Congress makes didn’t you? Makes you feel so much better about the jobs they’re doing now doesn’t it?).
I do not care if I am a member of any sub-committee or if I am alienated by the current democrat and republican members. I do not want anything more than what I am proposing here
Lets begin the dialogue. For the good of our country. I am ready…. are YOU?
I’m James Wood and I approve this message…
An Election Exercise
It’s almost that time again folks. Next week, the GOP establishment will invade Tampa, Florida for a week-long extravaganza of tea drinking and liberal bashing. Then a week later, the Democrats will have their own love-fest in North Carolina where they will bash the conservative agenda.
Big Whoop-Dee-Do! Every four years we hear the same rhetoric by the same people.
We’ve also heard stupid gaffes made by members of both parties. From the Joe Biden (D) “Put you back in chains” comment to the doozy that Senate candidate Todd Akin (R) made about “legitimate rape”. And THESE are the people we have to choose from in order to determine who is best suited to run our country?
Folks, we are in serious trouble.
No, I’m not telling you who to vote for. That’s completely up to you. What I am asking though is for you to do your homework and to PLEASE, PLEASE not follow blindly along based on a party affiliation. I know for many of you, that’s probably hard to do. You listen all day long to whatever is spouted by your favorite political commentators. It gets ingrained in your head and then you go into that voting booth and blindly press the “D” or “R” lever.
But here’s a thought: how about instead of just exercising your right to vote this year, you do some research first? First, find the list of candidates that will be on the ballot in your area and then actually find out what they stand for. For one week turn off Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Ed Schultz and Media Matters and compile a list of the issues that matter most to you and then find out where each of the candidates stands on the issue. You have two months; I know you can do it.
In the end, you probably will wind up just voting along party lines, but at the very least this exercise will leave no doubt that you voted for the right candidate and not just who Glenn Beck or Rachel Maddow told you to.
And here’s something else to think about. Want to know just how badly these guys want your vote? By the time November 6th rolls around, these two parties will have spent close to ONE BILLION dollars (most of it in TV and radio advertisements) just to elect a president that half of the country is going to HATE. Think about that for a minute. Then think about what else one billion dollars can actually do.
It’s YOUR vote, not theirs. Make it count.
