In just a few weeks, President Obama has amazed me more times than I anticipated. His administration is off to a great start…if by great you mean colossally bad.
First of all, Obama has clearly never watched American Idol. One of the dumbest things you can do is choose to sing a song that was ever sung by Whitney Houston. She set the bar too high, and you will almost invariably wind up looking horribly amateurish. Ditto for Presidents. If a president regularly ranks in the top five every year, you’ll have a tough act to follow. Obama seems to think he is some kind of amalgam of Lincoln, FDR, and JKF. Certainly if you’re going to find examples to follow, three of the most beloved presidents in US history are probably a good bet. However, Lincoln preserved the union, FDR presided over the worst war in modern history, and JFK had the good fortune of being assassinated (it’s done wonders for his popularity). Unless Obama plans to go to war with South Carolina, invade France (which I may support-France sucks) or die young, I wouldn’t make obvious comparisons. Obama only has two years before people start talking about the next election. What’s he going to do if the economy hasn’t magically turned around by then? What if his “fireside chats” and sympathetic letter reading have somehow failed to solve in two years a problem 15 years in the making? What if his cabinet of rivals has not given him the mystical key to solving all the problems of modern democracy. What if he spends all my money, and my children’s money, and my grandchildren’s money, and I am no better off than I was before the age of “Camelot?” I’ll tell you: no reelection for you Mr. Obama. We’re all going red, not green-and certainly not blue.
Next, the election has addled Obama’s brain. He seems to think you can do two opposite things at once. On Monday, Obama pledged to dramatically slash our skyrocketing deficit, seemingly minutes after signing a $787 billion dollar stimulus bill. I half expect him to promise to have a press conference announcing his intention to have his cake and eat it too. How in the world to you jack up the deficit while simultaneously slashing it? "We cannot simply spend as we please and defer the consequences,” says the Commander-in-Chief. I agree. So who’s going to pay for my stimulus package and all the bailouts we’ve been forking over? Rich people. Everyone knows they don’t pay taxes. Just for the sake of argument, I’d like to compare my tax return to my mother-in-laws. I live in a $35-$50,000 tax bracket. She lives in a $75-$100,000 tax bracket. She makes easily double what I do. I get a tax refund every year. What with the EIC and tuition credits, the government pays me more than they took out in taxes for a whole year-three times more. She doesn’t get a tax return. Ever. She and my father-in-law often owe taxes at the end of the year. My point is this: what are poor people complaining about? YOU DON”T PAY TAXES! The government already pays you to get married, and have kids, and go to school and all kinds of other things you were going to do anyway. Rich people pay taxes. Even if they get out of some of them, they still pay way more than I do. So basically, by hiking their taxes up, we make them middle class too, only they don’t get paid for it. Yeah. That’s fair. Go ahead, climb the ladder of success-under Obama’s America, it turns out the ladder is an escalator-you’re not going anywhere.
If it sounds like I want Obama to fail, please believe me when I say I really don’t want him to go down in history as the beginning of the end. I don’t think he’s allied with the devil (I’ve read that on the Internet-I don’t like him but I’m not crazy). I actually think he’s a good, principled man and I very much admire his commitment to his wife and children. It’s just that he’s trying to do good-and a government isn’t meant to do good. It’s supposed to create an environment where the citizenry can do good. He’s going to wind up a sad little man wearing Lincoln’s stove pipe hat, FDR’s leg-braces flashing JFK’s signature smile while he chases his tail all the way back home to Illinois, with a country no better off, and more than a little disillusioned.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Why adulterers should be eaten by ants...
We seem to live in a society that is rapidly progressing to an almost Caligulan free-for-all; we can do whatever we want to get what we want as long as we don't get caught. Even if we do get caught, we seem to think some fast talking will make consequences go away. The governor of Illinois thought he could sell a vacant senate seat-he got caught and now he's trying to spin the consequences of his actions into a civil rights struggle for the common man. At least once a year for the past 10 we've heard of a powerful man-a politition, a minister, a business tycoon-who gets caught having sex with the wrong people, people who are not only NOT his wife, but also NOT women. The only thing that helps the irritation of being presumed so stupid we would all buy the incredibly lame excuses they throw at us, is the comedic pathos of a moron talking too much, way too late. Society needs rules to have order. People disregard the rules, you get all kinds of messy consequences: we don't trust politicians, evangelists are more than a little suspect, and we are less surprised than we ought to be when we hear that so-and-so are getting a divorce because one of them cheated. That's why I was so interested to learn about ants.
Ants have a rigid social structure and heirarchy. You can imagine how complicated it could get if a poplation that big was constantly competing against each other to mate, to protect their young, to get the resources needed to feed their young...its actually a little too easy to imagine. In ant colonies, there is only one female, the queen, who has the genetic mettle to produce strong and productive offspring that will benefit the entire colony. She only mates for one brief period in her life, storing all the sperm she could ever need during those, um, "encounters." Once she's mated, she doesn't get to mate anymore. Of course, the other ants sometimes get a little more excited than is strictly necessary when your whole life is devoted to moving crumbs. The other ants can sense both a male's arousal, and a female's fecundity. Not only do the other members of the colony attack if they catch rank and file ants mating, they attack if they're even thinking about it! Now that is some justice system!
The scientist who ran the study had this to say: "The idea that social harmony is dependent on strict systems to prevent and punish cheating seems to apply to most successful societies."
I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that we ought to emulate ants in all the ways they control the chaos-I don't love communism or socialism, I think the idea of objectively picking the fittest female to carry one the species is more than a little creepy, and execution for fornicators is probably a little much. However, I do think its time to consider the reason everything from our economy to our government to our own families are in chaos for a very simple reason: too many of us believe we are above the rules, or the rules are obsolete. We don't believe our choices have far-reaching consequences. Now our economy is wrecked by selfish, hedonistic jerks and an attitude that can't wait for luxuries we can't afford. Our government is run by a bunch of great thinkers who believe we can throw money on a fire to put it out. Our homes, our families, our communities are a mess, because we only want what WE want, and all others be damned.
Ants aren't the smartest creatures. They have 250,000 nuerons in their tiny ant brains. An adult human brain has more than 100 billion. Ants get it. What's our problem?
Ants have a rigid social structure and heirarchy. You can imagine how complicated it could get if a poplation that big was constantly competing against each other to mate, to protect their young, to get the resources needed to feed their young...its actually a little too easy to imagine. In ant colonies, there is only one female, the queen, who has the genetic mettle to produce strong and productive offspring that will benefit the entire colony. She only mates for one brief period in her life, storing all the sperm she could ever need during those, um, "encounters." Once she's mated, she doesn't get to mate anymore. Of course, the other ants sometimes get a little more excited than is strictly necessary when your whole life is devoted to moving crumbs. The other ants can sense both a male's arousal, and a female's fecundity. Not only do the other members of the colony attack if they catch rank and file ants mating, they attack if they're even thinking about it! Now that is some justice system!
The scientist who ran the study had this to say: "The idea that social harmony is dependent on strict systems to prevent and punish cheating seems to apply to most successful societies."
I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that we ought to emulate ants in all the ways they control the chaos-I don't love communism or socialism, I think the idea of objectively picking the fittest female to carry one the species is more than a little creepy, and execution for fornicators is probably a little much. However, I do think its time to consider the reason everything from our economy to our government to our own families are in chaos for a very simple reason: too many of us believe we are above the rules, or the rules are obsolete. We don't believe our choices have far-reaching consequences. Now our economy is wrecked by selfish, hedonistic jerks and an attitude that can't wait for luxuries we can't afford. Our government is run by a bunch of great thinkers who believe we can throw money on a fire to put it out. Our homes, our families, our communities are a mess, because we only want what WE want, and all others be damned.
Ants aren't the smartest creatures. They have 250,000 nuerons in their tiny ant brains. An adult human brain has more than 100 billion. Ants get it. What's our problem?
Friday, October 31, 2008
If You Think This President is Bad, Pick a New One!
In a dirty gas station in Virginia, a checkout clerk had the TV tuned in to CNN. She told me she doesn’t usually watch it—it’s mostly for people commuting in to Washington. “I don’t like the president, and I don’t like to listen to him talk.” Sounded pretty fair, so I asked, “Did you vote for John Kerry?”
“No, I didn’t vote.”
Here’s the thing: You are entitled to your opinion. You can think the president is a blibbering idiot incapable of rational thought. If you didn’t vote, you don’t get to complain.
This is one of the single most irritating example of the complacency and ingratitude that plague American political culture. The irony of our beginnings to our present reality kills me. We fought a bloody, horrible war because we had no representation in the government, and now we don’t exercise our right to elect a representative? In 2000 voter turnout was a mere 53.7%. In 2004, it was 55.4%. Basically, only half of us bothered to leave the house and vote. Let’s break that down by statistics:
34% of the US population is classified as a minority race. The 15th amendment guarantees their right to vote. It was followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prevents states from enforcing discriminatory tactics aimed at preventing minorities’ fair opportunities to participate in the voting process.
51% of the US population is women. The 19th amendment was ratified in 1919 after years of struggle and protest.
So, if only 54.5% (avg) voted, it’s as if all the women stayed home, or not one person of minority background voted. That’s a lot of time, energy, money, blood, sweat and tears wasted. Even if you’re a white male who has, for the most part, always been able to vote in the US, consider all of our ancestors came from countries that were not known for democratic outreach.
I know it can feel as if your vote doesn’t count. There’s a lot of talk about the Electoral College, the popular vote, and voter fraud. The fact is, no matter who you are, someone, somewhere, died for your right to vote. Someone, somewhere, doesn’t have the right to vote, and would die for it. So regardless of who you vote for, VOTE! Don’t waste sacrifice. Don’t waste privilege. Don’t waste responsibility.
“No, I didn’t vote.”
Here’s the thing: You are entitled to your opinion. You can think the president is a blibbering idiot incapable of rational thought. If you didn’t vote, you don’t get to complain.
This is one of the single most irritating example of the complacency and ingratitude that plague American political culture. The irony of our beginnings to our present reality kills me. We fought a bloody, horrible war because we had no representation in the government, and now we don’t exercise our right to elect a representative? In 2000 voter turnout was a mere 53.7%. In 2004, it was 55.4%. Basically, only half of us bothered to leave the house and vote. Let’s break that down by statistics:
34% of the US population is classified as a minority race. The 15th amendment guarantees their right to vote. It was followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prevents states from enforcing discriminatory tactics aimed at preventing minorities’ fair opportunities to participate in the voting process.
51% of the US population is women. The 19th amendment was ratified in 1919 after years of struggle and protest.
So, if only 54.5% (avg) voted, it’s as if all the women stayed home, or not one person of minority background voted. That’s a lot of time, energy, money, blood, sweat and tears wasted. Even if you’re a white male who has, for the most part, always been able to vote in the US, consider all of our ancestors came from countries that were not known for democratic outreach.
I know it can feel as if your vote doesn’t count. There’s a lot of talk about the Electoral College, the popular vote, and voter fraud. The fact is, no matter who you are, someone, somewhere, died for your right to vote. Someone, somewhere, doesn’t have the right to vote, and would die for it. So regardless of who you vote for, VOTE! Don’t waste sacrifice. Don’t waste privilege. Don’t waste responsibility.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions...What the Hell are my Roads Paved With?
During construction on an aging bridge in Nampa Monday, a 100 ft section of the bridge collapsed, sending 13 workers to the hospital. All but 2 were treated and released. Of those two still hospitalized, one was in serious condition until Wednesday afternoon. This is the pretty pass our roads have come to- they are so damaged and structurally deficient, we can't even fix them without risking death and dismemberment.
According to the Idaho Transportation Department, 20% of all the roads in Idaho are structurally deficient. That means one in every five miles is broken and in need of serious repair. 19% of our bridges have aged beyond their 50-year life span, and many more are approaching the end of their life span. Consider these facts in conjunction with this fun fact: Traffic in Idaho has increased 99% since 1978, when these bridges were already at least 20 years old. Neat.
It's hard to say what bothers me more about lousy roads. Is it that instead of paying for the upkeep of roads that are vitally important to everybody, our tax dollars were spent on protecting wolves that eat our exports? Is it that when we do fix our roads and bridges, we do it as cheaply as possible instead of doing it right so it lasts more than a year? Is it that it seems that I can't drive on I15 in the summer months without avoiding orange barrels, and it never seems to get better? I'm just going to have to divide my angst on this one between the three. Actually, if I were honest I'd have to add a fourth, less noble source of irritation: those flag guys make way more money than I do, and I also am skilled at standing around avoiding traffic-and work.
Sub-standard infrastructure has been a hot topic for a few years now, and so far all our government, both state and federal, has been able to do to address the issue is have a lot of committee meetings. We could pave a sub-standard road with the documents they've published detailing all the talking they do about the problem. Governor Otter wants to create a system that taxes the people who use the roads most. What's his implementation plan? Install taxi meters in all registered vehicles? Some like the thought of toll roads to increase revenue. This would work, except that instead of repairing the road, we'd have to build toll booths. And who is supposed to pay for all this anyway? Does the federal government pay for the interstates, and the state pays for the rest? Questions, questions, and more questions.
The fact is, we have to have safe and reliable roads. Our health depends on it, our economy depends on it, and our defense depends on it. Congress: Instead of chatting volumes about how bad the situation is, prioritize and pay for a decent infrastructure. IDOT: wise up-you get what you pay for, and I'm tired of paying for crap. Special interest groups (especially environmentalists)-when I can drive safely over my overpass that is now so deficient one lane is closed, then I'll start caring about your wolves. Until then, be quiet. Everyone else: just try to avoid the potholes. Lets not make a bad situation worse.
According to the Idaho Transportation Department, 20% of all the roads in Idaho are structurally deficient. That means one in every five miles is broken and in need of serious repair. 19% of our bridges have aged beyond their 50-year life span, and many more are approaching the end of their life span. Consider these facts in conjunction with this fun fact: Traffic in Idaho has increased 99% since 1978, when these bridges were already at least 20 years old. Neat.
It's hard to say what bothers me more about lousy roads. Is it that instead of paying for the upkeep of roads that are vitally important to everybody, our tax dollars were spent on protecting wolves that eat our exports? Is it that when we do fix our roads and bridges, we do it as cheaply as possible instead of doing it right so it lasts more than a year? Is it that it seems that I can't drive on I15 in the summer months without avoiding orange barrels, and it never seems to get better? I'm just going to have to divide my angst on this one between the three. Actually, if I were honest I'd have to add a fourth, less noble source of irritation: those flag guys make way more money than I do, and I also am skilled at standing around avoiding traffic-and work.
Sub-standard infrastructure has been a hot topic for a few years now, and so far all our government, both state and federal, has been able to do to address the issue is have a lot of committee meetings. We could pave a sub-standard road with the documents they've published detailing all the talking they do about the problem. Governor Otter wants to create a system that taxes the people who use the roads most. What's his implementation plan? Install taxi meters in all registered vehicles? Some like the thought of toll roads to increase revenue. This would work, except that instead of repairing the road, we'd have to build toll booths. And who is supposed to pay for all this anyway? Does the federal government pay for the interstates, and the state pays for the rest? Questions, questions, and more questions.
The fact is, we have to have safe and reliable roads. Our health depends on it, our economy depends on it, and our defense depends on it. Congress: Instead of chatting volumes about how bad the situation is, prioritize and pay for a decent infrastructure. IDOT: wise up-you get what you pay for, and I'm tired of paying for crap. Special interest groups (especially environmentalists)-when I can drive safely over my overpass that is now so deficient one lane is closed, then I'll start caring about your wolves. Until then, be quiet. Everyone else: just try to avoid the potholes. Lets not make a bad situation worse.
In the beginning...
The real reason for this blog is, I love to write, and I need to write more. Writers really aren't writers unless they, you know, write. So I hope to find one current event or news bit every day and blog about it, just to keep my essay skills fresh. Feel free to comment with corrections, additions, and your own opinions.
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