Why is it that I seem to be the only one who still feels the stab wound left by the 700 or 800 or 1 trillion dollar bailout measure? It’s like it was yesterday that I watched the failed measure return after a week, along with added billions in openly admitted pork. I saw the list of entities that were added in to appease representatives for their vote in the most overt show of disrespect to taxpayers I can recall. I’m sure there have been past examples, but in the midst of what was proclaimed as a critical time, both of our candidates voted to follow a plan that was unknown to them in detail, and forced your face into a pile of political crap to get it done.

As we eagerly await what may be the biggest growth in government we have ever seen, all I’m asking for is the adoption of a new goal. Not government-run health care or schools. No, I want concepts that end up getting able bodied Americans on the tax rolls.

And what’s with having debates at colleges? How about a debate at a convention of independent business people?

Have you really succumbed to this fashion of non representation that’s growing like never before, with a Feinstein explanation that we don’t understand?

When Obama declares his goal of tax cuts for 95% of Americans, why aren’t we all screaming that less than 50% of Americans pay ALL the taxes? What’s the plan to get all those other non tax paying voters onto the tax rolls?

There’s a reason a new show called “The sons of anarchy” is getting rave reviews. We’re dying to see our country do right by those that pay the bill.

How about showing your income tax return in order to get a ballot? You can’t have a say in the operation of the race track if you don’t have a horse in the race. Let’s see if Biden can get his “fair” argument working in that arena of wealth distribution.

And for those that just think I’m taking this opportunity to bash the Democrats, be corrected. That stab wound I mentioned earlier was caused by both parties. They believe down deep that a little bit of disrespect is

acceptable as long as they can get some of the bounty for someone in their neighborhood.

Pretty sour stuff huh? It comes with age, and many years of paying into the system. It’s sort of like seeing your retirement account statement last month.

There’s a song title that sums up my current state of mind regarding the good old USA bureaucracy, present and future. Many may not recall it but it goes, “I don’t see me in your eyes anymore”.

10/03/08

our representatives failed a recommended financial/wall street bailout a week ago and this morning they passed it.  the same amount , 700,000,000,000, but this time even more pork has been added to include a FEW of the items like:

The wooden arrow manufacturers; Rum Producers in the Virgin Islands; Wool Research;  Auto Racing Tracks, Manufacturing in American Samoa; Specific TV/Movie Production in Southern California;  And On, and On.  Presumable to BUY 12 votes.   If there is a true crisis why is Congress laughing in our faces with all of this PORK. 

if the 700 billion was needed for the financial mess, how did they manage to screw us out of the additional billions that the bottom feeders (above) got out of it?  was it that the 700 billion was more than the financial bailout needed?  no?  how much is needed for the bailout?  don't know?  either do they, and this is akin to having your representatives just flat ass piss on your leg while you're watching.

It’s amazing how many old bumper stickers are still out there.

I notice them more now that the newest political garbage is hitting the streets.

I wonder if the old ”W” crowd thinks those aged stickers help more than a word or two about their newest choice.

I wonder if the old “Gore/Edwards” hangers on think that others will respect their perseverance, or just appreciate the ozone saved by not manufacturing another sticker.

The entertainment provided by some other types of bumper stickers, (let’s just refer to them all as B.S. for the sake of the column) has literally made me snicker at times and at times made me question the sanity of the driver. For instance, I still love “Visualize Whirled Peas”, “Rehab is for Quitters” and “Only Users Lose Drugs”. I think I actually had the one that read “Never Squat With Your Spurs On” back in my hayburner days.

At least it’s one way to keep the Illegal Immigrant issue in the forefront, since the campaigns of neither candidate thinks it‘s a serious invasion that’s threatening our nation.

The “ I Love Immigrants, As Long As They’re Legal” is tame enough, but there are still a few “Uncle Sam Wants You…To Speak English” to balance them out.

It’s the B.S. that make you feel the driver is also saying they have the proper perspective and yours is in question that tend to make me want to catch a glimpse of that guy. The “Civil Disobedience! It’s Not Just For Revolutionaries Anymore.” should also add the line, “Yeah, Now We Moron Gangbanger Idiots On Welfare Can Take Part Too!”

The “Who Would Jesus Bomb?” crowd should always be careful not to give the impression that the pedestal they’re standing on may be a bit tall for their own safety.

I think “I’d Rather Be Right Than Be Politically Correct” says it all much better.

I appreciate “Coexist”, but it’s so hard, with shouts of “Kill All The Infidels” in the background. Along the same lines, “An Eye For An Eye Leaves the Whole World Blind” should also finish by adding, “Just Accept the Loss Of Your Eye”.

Maybe the “NoBama” and “McBush” B.S. will get more obvious in the next few weeks. It’s only a form of catharsis for the drivers of those cars, and you should make every effort to not allow them to affect you. Deep breaths and soft music are suggested. Take yourself to that happy place.

I actually stalled my exit from the Bel Air on Hwy 49 once to see if the person driving the old white Toyota sporting the B.S. “Fight The Rich, Not Their Wars” would show his face. Then I caught myself. “It’s only B.S. Tom.. Don’t let it get to you.” It won’t be long before you’ll see a “Stop Global Whining” and snap out of it.

So, Lindann, another customer of mine falls prey to conversation at the framing counter as I head off into the dreaded reality issue of slow business. I confess that I’m considering the prospect of retirement. Not the real concept of cashing in on your life’s efforts in order to sustain yourself for your remaining years, but a new feeling that’s begun to rear it’s ugly head to me. It has presented itself, and for the first time, in a concept that fosters resentment.

I personally have been responsible for a phenomenal amount of dollars, as far as taxes are concerned, in the last thirty years,.

With the election coming, do I succumb to the heartfelt compassion of the party that wants me to add to my list of duties, the management of a national retirement plan for every person I may ever hire? (Is that the best national goal they could come up with?) I certainly don’t have enough responsibilities with workman’s comp, state sales tax, payroll taxes, and enough insurance costs to leave my anus sore.

I want to hear the tenor of the conversation change from heartfelt compassion to topics that lead to inspiration, employment and nation building right here at home.

George Carlin recently passed, and I overheard part of an interview he had on Imus. I recall his response to a question regarding his political leanings. Paraphrasing now, he admitted to becoming left leaning in his later years. Carlin said he had become more concerned for the people. Which people George? You were certainly blessed with the riches this country has to offer. Instead of being grateful for your wealth and ability to provide for truly needy citizens on your own, you join the list of folks who think it’s the government’s responsibility to take care of every individual. Wrong George! The system worked perfectly until you changed your focus from what people in your category of income can do for people through charities and privately funded programs, to the shirking of that form of our personal responsibility, and the handing over of it to the government.

It’s a perfect example of how little interest there is in fostering our capitalistic society in the name of compassion.

So I confide in Lindann, that after thirty plus years of doling out the greater share of my accomplishments to the government, I’m starting to resent the way they’re spending it, to the extent that I believe the compassionate set should happily take on the yoke of all the dollar generation.

I certainly have nowhere near the savings to last out my remaining years. I don’t have that 401K that millions have been blessed with thru their employers. My social security couldn’t cover my health insurance and mortgage, let alone food. But I have something going for me that will allow me to sustain. I have the ability to fend for myself, and that certainly isn’t something the government taught me. It isn’t something the government gave me. It’s something that comes to you almost as if through osmosis when you’re raised to know the treasure this country offers, a system that rewards those who help themselves.

But just as the word capitalism has become secondary to the idea of entitlements, my resentment (which I refuse to believe is isolated) is aimed at those that can’t stop giving your money and my money away in the name of compassion. That’s why George Carlin’s left leaning politics don’t speak from his heart. It speaks from my wallet. If it was all about George’s heart we would have heard him talking about all the programs he put into place, not what you and I should dole out to others. You and I both know that’s not about bolstering capitalism. Look at the educational programs Tiger woods has privately funded. He sure isn’t bent on tapping my pocketbook for poorly managed government programs. You folks that think we ‘60 plus hour a week’ workers, (who provide sustenance for employees as well), are part of the ‘rich’ class should be the ones forced to pay the tare, so be ready to get on with it.

I’m driving home and make the sporadic stop at the Zinfandel at Rocklin Rd. only to find the door locked. So sad that you walk away from scenarios like that with a shrug and an “oh well” these days. Staying in business points to some resilient folks these days. We do it, and we do it with less.

The drive up to Lou LaBonte’s yielded the radio news stories about the 4^th being the second major holiday with fewer people taking to the road. The interviews were with whiney former travelers intent on driving less out of necessity. The demeanor of the news reporter, most somber, outroing with a feeling of ‘how much more of this can we take?’

Wait a minute! This is what we’re supposed to be doing. Why am I hearing of this with a defeatist bent? We’re supposed to be driving less. Why isn’t the media taking the positive road by getting several of those sacrificing, together to point out the success of smart people? Wow! A story indicating the abilities of those banding together to answer to the needs of a new America! Nah! Can’t sell the drama of a newscast with positive overtones.

Look, the news media could have proven its expertise a couple years ago when the first signs of a wounded economy began to affect small businesses. They just hadn’t been told it was happening. So pay close attention to what you’re being told. Take a step back once in a while to think about what you’re hearing. We do have a tendency to absorb without analysis. Decades and decades of this in all aspects of the media, journalistic and entertainment, is showing it’s effect on society.

Marketing is key. Don’t give the listener a chance to determine what the story is about. Tell them. You can’t come across sounding like you know what you’re doing if you provide an opportunity to see any alternative viewpoint.

Let me give you another example. Snapple is hyping a new product called White Tea. The marketing approach is based upon White Tea being the lightest tasting Tea ever. The TV commercial showing the Asian elder plucking the smallest, least mature leaves atop the plant to provide what? The least flavorful tea you could possibly buy. Of course they can’t say that. It won’t sell. So you go out and buy the “lightest flavor tea” available instead. Why the hell would you buy a tea drink with the least tea flavor possible? I have no idea.

It’s easy to absorb what’s going around you. It’s just not the best way for you to figure out what’s going on.

There’s nothing wrong with looking at the lesser holiday travel as a positive factor. What negatives result from larger family gatherings at home? New neighborhood 4^th of July parties on the block sound so ominous to you? Or is it that word “sacrifice” mentioned earlier in the article? I hope not cause it’s one word that we need to be reminded of regularly. Without it we wouldn’t be wherever we are today. It’s just that too many believe anything can be accomplished without sacrifice. Those people are wrong.

Is it really the “lightest tasting tea drink” or is it the tea drink with the least tea flavor possible?

Was the drop in holiday travel a negative result of the fuel pricing crisis, or a positive reaction by smart Americans.