redd granite

Wow.  I just cannot believe it.  December 31 came and went and we all collectively did not jump off of the fiscal cliff. These notions that the media builds into our thought process as well as politicians who continue to make decisions based upon what their party mates may or may not like vs. what is really right for the country continue to bring us down to a level that soon will approach Jerry Springer. It is just the continued bullshit of the political process and the media who’s only real concerns are ratings and forwarding their own agenda. Congratulations Mr. Politicians.  You did a great job here.  In two months, we will all go through this again. You see, I am all for voting and the democratic process. But this is based upon the premise that politicans, elected by their constituants, make decisions on behalf of, and for them. Unfortuantely, modern politics has move far away from the noble intentions of the founders of this country who themselves risked much more to be in the position to sign a declaration of independence, and form a country that would argueably be the greatest super power of the world. We are told our vote counts.  But in the end, does it really?  Politics now is about personal and party power, lobbyists, and paying back large benefactors who back campaigns in exchange for forwarding their agenda.  Really?  And we are told not to be apathetic as every vote counts? 

No. Sadly we have strayed far from the great intentions and leadership of our founding fathers. Politicians falter the people of this country every day.  The political process needs an enima.  But that will just have to be for another evening.  Meanwhile, I will enjoy my momentary stock gains the true comfort that we have avoided this great disaster…..if but not for a grand total of two months. 

Now that we are long past the election and all the senselessness that is associated with this process, it is a good time to reflect where we are as we head into this ‘fiscal cliff’ scare. You have heard of it.  Everyone and his dog is concerned that the government, more specifically, the politicians cannot get their act together to come up with a meaningful financing package to keep the country running. So the question is, will this be politics as usual?  I am amused by the fiscal cliff discussions and related scare.  There is absolutely little chance that this will affect us.  And as before, they will likely come up with a stay of execution figuratively speaking for a month or two while the political crackpipes try to get their party agenda largely instilled. However, the result is that you and I see our stock portfolios tread in volatility while all of this meandering mess tries to work itself out people on both sides of the isle, many of whom have no concern of the real answer or compromise in favor of some partisan agenda. Both parties are well guilty as sin on this.  Both parties have somewhat lost sight on the fact that they represent hard-working people, many of whom have to get by on a daily basis financially.  I do not know about you, but I rather despise some unconnected partisan politician making decisions that will very well affect my standard of living, without seemingly being concerned what is best for us.  I get it.  The country is way deep in debt, and this is not good. Foreign interests hold so much of U.S. debt that it is scary to think what this could mean if you are one of those worriers that constantly think the end is near……well….

There are a few things to think about here. All of us would collectively like to see the country return to financial strength, yes?  I believe most would agree. There are many ways to consider to do this, some very painful, others, not as much. We want jobs resulting in a serious reduction in unemployment. The list goes on.  Almost everyone would agree, I believe, that jobs are a key factor in the health of the economy. With this there is a lot of talk of serious government cut back of spending. Agree in principal. However, it is very easy to say that the government needs to cut back ‘xx%” in spending.  But what it seems everyone loses sight of is what that really means.  If the government cuts 20% of spending, lets say for analytical discussion, how many government jobs does this involve? While these figures a bit out of date, in March of 2010, there were over 22M government employees.  If you reduce spending by the above amount, how much of this is actual employment versus other forms of government funding?  I do not know this answer, but I would venture to say more than half of this would be labor force.  So you reduce government payrolls by 2.2M, what does that do to the unemployment rate? The economy? Further, some of the spending cuts would come from systems and technology the government purchases from private industry.  In these times where companies lay off simply if they forecast lower earnings, what further effect will these reductions effect?

All in the argument seem to boldly state their position……most it seems state it right along their party agenda of choice.  It seems little thought is really dedicated to the big picture and the effects thereof.

Do not get me wrong. There is no easy answer. The country needs a giant financial enema to turn the finances around.  The problem is, that enema is painful to the average American.  It would mean substantial job loss and a period of extended great recession symptoms.  We can do that.  No problem, just I do not want to be the one who loses my job because of the shrinking opportunity in the work place due to this bitter pill we would have to swallow. I do not think you do as well.

Politics as usual? Yes. We will not leap off the fiscal cliff, and it will be OK.  Still, in America and in Washington, we have become so party oriented that I believe all of us have lost sight on the big picture and the effects thereof.  This is to encourage all to think individually, not just be the New Zealand herd listening to our shepard party……..whatever that may be for you.  Force politicians to do their job for the right reasons, not some party alignment. Enough.  You have heard enough.  Peace

Words of wisdom here are ‘baby steps’. Balance is a very important virtue in this process.

With the election pressing upon us, it is time to crawl out the shell and state the platform for which I support. I will get off the fence and reveal my party platform.  I call it the “Erotic Politician” Party.  Yes that is a direct steal of quote from Jim Morrison of the The Doors, back in ’67…….the same Jim Morrison I have written in as a vote for 6 of the 10 presidential elections I have been able to vote. That ought to tell you what I think of politics in general……OK.  Now for the platform.  If I were king……..

• DEBT. I do not like debt any more than the other person.  We need to proactive steps to reduce it, but in the end, you must not loose sight of the fact, that if the government lays off the number of their workers they should lay off to be aligned properly, the country would go into a massive recession. It would literally take hundreds of thousands of layoffs of government workers to reduce the debt…..and guess what?  These people now add to our GNP….with this many laid off at once, a already dire job market becomes stalemated……..think about it folks……we need to take gradual measures to reduce the debt. Also, clearly, we need more revenue as well.  So, what do I do?  You’ll love these I am sure:

1. Get rid of the dollar bill and go to dollar coins.  Yes, everyone hates them, but guess what?  We are one of the few countries who still have paper currency at such a low level of exchange. This alone has  been estimated to save $1.5B a year…further, move to plastic based currency. The average paper bill lasts only 3 months.  The average plastic currency last at least 3 times this leaving less need for printing.  BTW, Australia and New Zealand have such a currency.  It is also very difficult to counterfeit
2.  Sin Taxes.  This is not a judgement. For those things that are purely discretionary, and generally not good for the general populous, like cigarettes and liquor, raise the taxes.  Raise them significantly.  look, when I want to go on a bender, I have no problem paying the piper……
3. Fuel Taxes. Yes, I would put an additional tax on gasoline.  I would exempt most business, as increases in fuel costs are very inflationary.  I am more interested in energy dependency as anything
4. Special Interests. There is a butt load of these out there.  Bottom line, you do not want to retard technological advances, but lets face it, many of these funded things are just plain frivolous.
5. Aid To Other Countries. Stop the flow of American dollars to countries that are not responsible to work out their issues. Cold.  I know.  It is what it is.  We need to quit being big brother and focus on our own shores.
6.  Legalize Pot. And tax it heavily. Increase substantially the penalties for drug trade and black market. Afterall,  the cartels are getting their money…..and we in the US have proven that it is a market that is not going away.  End the prohibition.

Those are the major ones for budget.  Overall I do believe the government needs to be as small as possible. The only reason I sway from this is the fact that the free market needs adjustment once in a while.  It is based upon short term greed. The old MBA business principles are out of the window. We in America are held hostage to the Middle East and the oil companies.  If there is an issue with delivery of proper amounts of affordable gas based on the latest hurricane or refinery switch over, well, the government steps in.  Do they do it better? Hell no.  But somebody has to step in. Corporate greed has gotten out of control.

•  Immigration. Big issue for sure.  Secure the borders.  No need to make the matter worse. But for those here, amnesty for those who can 1) prove they have paid taxes in the last two years…and 2) If they have been here over 5 years, no criminal record, then they can stay. However, they must file a tax return the next year if applicable for them. This means all the illegal nannies will have to come clean.
• Defense. I am jaded, as I work in this industry. That’s the qualifier. But in the end, if we had not played big brother in Iraq and Afghanistan, we would have saved hundreds of lives and save billions of dollars. Face it politicians  we do not understand the culture. We had little business being there. In the end, Iraq was about oil….well get of the teat of the Middle East and you will not have that issue. Speak softly and carry a big stick (not a sexual reference you perves).  We need to invest in defense technology and stay well ahead of all else…..but use it only when absolutely needed
• Energy Policy. Do not call me a tree hugger. But in the end, we need to be off the teat of the Middle East. I fully support electric and hybrid technologies.  I believe we should have serious tax abatement’s for purchase of these vehicles, much more than has been. Also, the car companies should get serious tax relief for development of alternative technologies. I do not care what it is is, but if we can reduce our gas/oil consumption by as little as 20%, the markets will think differently, in spite of the other countries that are increasing the use of gas and oil. Further, drill, drill, drill. I do not care where it is.  If it is wildlife effecting, we can compromise on how to drill with little impact.  C’mon peeps, our country is tops in technology.  Surely we can figure this out.
• Education. We are screwing up here.  We are being passed by virtually everyone……I do not have good answers here, but pay and screen teachers much more.  Make college costs more affordable for the masses
• Health Care. Here is the biggie. I believe affordable health care should be able to everyone. Call me socialist.  I do not care.  And do not say Canadians hate their system.  They laugh at America on health care. whether the government is the right party to administer this is a good argument. But lets face it, a healthy country works more than than one not. Not everyone is blessed with wealth. Now I hate the welfare slackers as much as the next, and if I see another fat fuck in an government paid for electric chair when they should be walking, well, I may go postal. But I believe that those are more the minority, and we can put in place better oversight for such abuses. But people need healthcare.  I think we can all agree that healthcare costs way to much in this country. Provide basic healthcare.  If someone wants specialized or more individual service, they can pay for it

Well, there are many more issues, and If I Were King, I would be will to talk about them all……but I am not, so go out and vote.  But I am writing in Jim Morrison……..call me apathetic, it matters not to me.

I just have to step back and marvel at the entertaining world of politics, especially as it relates to people.  A quick check on a daily basis of the social media, and it seems a majority of the friends and acquaintances are hanging some shingle out there for their candidate, or who won what debate, or throw spears at Obamacare, or whatever. It seems that never has a nation been more divided. The good news is that people seem to be standing up and taking notice, even if it is their own, jaded, little minded corner of the world that they thinks revolves around them. Well, one thing I have learned over the years is that one’s perspective is merely that, a perspective.  It is not right or wrong, it is the reality that is that person. If you accept that premise at some level, then one has to ask why everyone feels compelled to throw their opinions out there in such a strong manner?  Especially in friend circles like found on Facebook and other social sites. I do not get it, or maybe I do, it depends upon your perspective.  Sure, some of us may be on the bubble as far as candidates go, but shouldn’t we all take responsibility for our own decisions and opinions, vote responsibly and according to our opinions, and move on?

Politics as Usual, and We Buy It

Instead you get this barrage of people staining the face of your Facebook wall apparently trying to cram their opinions and views down your throat. Oh joy.  This is what I joined this social page for.  I look forward every single day to the self annointed iconic suggestions of these “friends” who apparently feel I need guidance on my political views and choices. Save it folks. You are not changing my mind, or likely that of any other person.  Get back to the light hearted environment that I believe Facebook was originally meant to be. Yes, I know that Facebook is really nothing more than a advertising platform.   Believe me, I get it.  But most of us, I believe, look beyond the marketing side of sites such as these and focus on content. Many of us, me for one, have connected with long forgotten friends from decades past. I utilize Facebook to keep up with family that is geographically separated.  This has been enjoyable. But as we get closer and closer to the election, it seems everyone is coming out of their foxholes to put forth the proposition that we must agree with their political (or in many cases, anything else) views. Really?  Who anointed you God of my sphere? Why should I care?  Because you are a friend or acquaintance? Again, really?  Is this what friendship is based upon?  My way or the highway?

Interestingly enough, many of these posts can get quite derogatory. Like that is what this country needs,yet another opinionated self appointed royalty to throw out a bunch of jaded philosophy on the masses as if it is God’s given truth.  Well, I am sorry, largely, we are not interested in your singular epitaphs of wisdom that you deem so robust. My real feeling on this is that it is another narcissistic attempt to call attention to oneself…..a kind of calling card to the circle of friends to put your stamp on who you really are. Branding. ‘ I am a democrat, no, I am a Republican, or I am Tea Party, or’…….you see the point.
The thing is, the reason we put up with the commercial platform that is Facebook is that we like hearing about what is going on in your life, your trials, your tribulations, your joys, or (God willing) a suggestion of something in life that you found useful and feel that others could benefit from. Personally, now about 20% of my wall posts are for dog rescue groups, and that is what I now choose to focus on and it brings satisfaction to the Facebook experience.  Yes. If you wish to call attention to yourself, why not brand yourself as someone who is helping and concerned about something  rather than landing a political scud on the social sites in the friendship circle?  All, is this really what the idea of social networks were all about to begin with?  I will live with the advertising.  I will live with the pages you have a choice to hit “like” on Facebook.  I can live with that, because  right wrong or indifferent  that is what America is, an ad driven capitalistic society driven by greed.  And we are not alone.  All of the 40+ countries I have been to (my own brand of narcissism) have the same commercialism.  Maybe they are on different levels and intensity, but they are there.

But at the end of the day, I am not interested in being a friend or acquaintance if it comes with the qualifier that ‘you must be like me’. I understand that everyone feels more comfortable around people of a like kind.  But we have some serious issues to attack here. The political process is broke. I am fairly certain it matters not who gets elected….decisions are made along partisan lines with little or no regard to what is really the answer. Let us not draw friend ship lines along political lines.  It just seems wrong.

Enough.  Go vote.  Vote your heart. I honestly do not care who you are voting for. But hopefully, you can cleanse your mind of all the influences that people try to insert into you that is nothing more than assisting them to assure themselves they are right.  That is not voting.  As you find on this site, I highly believe the political process is seriously broke and needs and enema.   But, it is what we have to live with now……..please, vote how you will vote.  But please, allow me to do the same without all the  pompous  opinions submitted on the social networks.

Yes. I can choose  not go into FB or other social networks.  It is like the radio and TV with potentially offensive stuff….my opinion is that you can always turn it off if you do not like it, but do not attempt to edit it.  But in the end, many of us are on social networks to  (get ready for it) connect with friends of the past and current…..and keep involved in the lives of friends and such.  For God’s sake, please, please do not subject us to your political platform (or other for that matter).  Recognize what Facebook and other social media platforms are:  A way to connect and communicate.  And please note:  Anything more than the above, well, most of us are just not interested.

Unfortunately, I am not sure I have the gall to use the many tools I have to immediately paste this to FB.  I had thought of doing an experiment, count the number of friends before and after the post……….that is too calculated.  Lets just let the article stand on its own.

P.S.  I did decide to put it on Facebook.  After all, why not join the narcissistic parade? I will report the estimated friend total I lose as a result of this post……….peace.

I am quite tired of hearing about the latest media blitz, the Tea Party. So let me just go ahead and write about it. Everywhere I turn, it seems in every outlet of news I receive, I am bombarded with stories covering Tea Party events and their cause. It’s not that some of their causes or agenda are not good, but it is just political viewpoints like most in this country have. What specifically is of concerns to me about this group, and at the risk of stereo typing them, which I truly do not, wish to, is their origins.

Again, agenda aside, my concern is that the Tea Party group has grown more out of America’s religious right. This is distressing as I am a strong believer of separation of church and state.  But if you look beyond their agenda, most of these are moral right wingers with a taste to judge others in their lifestyles.  The Tea Party would like nothing better than to have the entire country subscribing to their beliefs, that of the highly religious conservative right. It seems that this group wants their little perfect society where every thinks and acts the same and the little nastiness of the world are shoved under some carpet and put out of their minds.

Interestingly, for being such a religious bearing group where many of them embrace functional biblical teachings, the Tea Party is a group that surprisingly lacks sympathy for any person other than themselves.  They are just an extension of the “me” era. If policy affects them adversely, then be damned with it; forget the effect on the overall population and their needs. And interestingly, the average demographic of the Tea Party is one of higher standard of living than most, i.e., they can afford some modest negative impact for the greater good, yet, despite many of their stated beliefs, they merely look inward to themselves. They fear Socialism, yet many truly know what this term is, and truly, many of them have never left the borders of US to truly understand how other countries are run politically.

Look, I am not advocating huge government and taxes. I am certainly not sympathetic to free loaders in this society who could help themselves but refuse to. If I had my druthers, there would be no government. I do believe in the free market. I am not advocating Socialism.  But I also see that there are certain needs the citizens of this country have that the free market, in all of its short term thinking infinite wisdom, cannot address. And it is here where the necessary evil we call government must play a role. Most of the Tea Party folk could care less about this. And while I generally embrace the above principals that somewhat align to some of the Tea Party agenda, the fact is, there does come a time when a government must intervene.  Most of the Tea Party likely criticizes the recent government bailouts.  Most would criticize intervention in the banking industry.  While I am not a fan of any these as well, I believe the government had to act swiftly, and yes it cost money.  But it saved jobs as well. I agree with recent statements by fed chairman Bernake that government debt must be reigned in under control, but that he felt the bailouts were necessary.

No, it is not the agenda overall, as I think the agenda can have merits if looked across the diverse country that the US is. Its the higher calling of this group that bothers me. I am more concerned that this group is gaining force to aggressively push their conservative religious view points as well. I am not against religion.  But at the end of the day, I want the freedom to make my choices on how live, worship, and pay taxes, and I believe the Tea Party would like to steel that freedom from most of us through their religious controlling eyes.

Peace.

God I love Texas politics. I love politics in general. We in Texas enjoy a rather unusual environment when compared to the rest of the country. No, I am not spouting the Lone Star crap that comes out of the Texas pride thing, I am talking about relative stability in economical terms, from housing to jobs.  We have our issues like anyone else. Hell, I have been out of a job recently (thats when I started all this internet crap), so it is not all guns and roses here either (well, maybe the guns, anyway). And we, like any other state, need things done here as well. There are many issues to address, yet all I hear from the political ads are bashing candidates one upping each other with half true ads about what the other has not done, or supported, or did support, or whatever. And interestingly, most of this bashing comes from within one party. Little attention seems to be paid on ads that really offer suggestions or answers for improvement. Little can really be determined about what a candidate will do when in office. Texas politics are no different that national politics…which leads one to wonder why anyone cares. Yes there are other movements, like the Tea Party. Ugh.  A bunch of Republicans looking for the perfect society where we all act and think alike.  I think I remember a society like that, where was it? Germany in the WWII era? No, they are not the answer either.

Unfortunately, I do not have a great answer. Until we start forcing politicians to truly work for us or be fired (hell, isn’t that what we all face in our day to day jobs), we will go on with this silliness resulting in a lot of nothingness.  Sometimes I think we would all be better off considering ourselves our own country and truly living free…..I just love Texas Politics