Op-Ed

I might have to admit I am wrong. It doesn’t happen often, so pay attention.

I really wanted to be off the political soap box, and move on to more fun topics, but I have been taken a little by surprise.

On Election Day, I was pretty passive, not caring that much, as I pretty much expect the status quo, no matter who gets in.

Then I see the celebration in the streets over the Obama victory. I was pretty amazed over the outpouring of, well something. Not sure if it was joy, happiness, relief or whatever, but it seems there are some pretty high expectations happening here.

Yes, after two years of almost 24 x 7 coverage, the 2008 Presidential campaign is just about over. That is if they can decide this in one day, which does seem to be a challenge recently.

No matter who I have listened to over the past 6 months, it seems the country is doomed to fail after this election. No, I am not assuming one guy has won over the other. I have listened to supporters of both McCain and Obama, and more than one in each camp has repeated the same line: "If (insert opposition's name here) wins, it is the end of this country."

What scares me is not one guy winning over the other, but the hatred that exists, not necessarily for someones views, but just because of his/her affiliation with a party. Sometime it feels like it is hated sports rivalry, where we only root for the colors and logo of the jersey. If McCain wasn't attached to W by the Republican party, he would be better in the polls. Not to say he would win, but no doubt he would be better off. On the same note, Bush 1, wouldn't have had it so easy in '88. It also seems this divide is getting deeper every four years, and I don't think either candidate will, or can, reverse the trend.

What scares me even more is how the country has been essentially divided geographically the same way since 1992. Which means ideas, values and what is considered important are moving further apart based on where you live.

The logical side of my brain tells me that no matter who wins, it will be mostly more of the same. I base this on the fact the majority of incumbents will win re-election in their House or Senate seat, and even if the Democrats win the White House with a majority in Congress, the lobbyist and power brokers will make sure nothing to drastic happens.

The hopeful side of my brain is hoping whoever wins will start bringing the country back together. I don't hold out too much hope for that happening.

What I would like to see in my lifetime is someone to come out of nowhere, with no party affiliation and be able to reach all Americans and start the healing and truly change the system. Again, not too much hope, but a lot has changed in the first half of my life (yes, I am being optimistic), so hopefully that is a trend that continues.

On the bright side, only 2 more years until next campaign begins.

Here is an interesting exercise for the reader. One of my pet peeves is the national polls for the general election. Which are mostly meaningless because of our Electoral College system. To get a real feel for the race, and too see how incredibly close it is, take a look at the following the Real Clear Politics Electoral Map

This also allows you to move a state from one candidate to the other to see how it swings the outcome.


Just to re-iterate about how some states being forgone conclusions, it shows New York and California at about +13% for Obama.

I have never been a fan of the government bailout of corporations, and I don't think most taxpayers are, but after a wild ride last week on Wall Street, I think they had to do something or else we may have been looking at a very long road back to a healthy economy.

It is probably not fair to save the leaders of these companies from their own mistakes. Most people agree that if they messed up, they should suffer the consequences. However, in some cases I think it extends beyond saving the select few at the top of these corporations.

When bailouts of car companies or airlines happen, you are saving the jobs of the tens of thousands of jobs, most of whom are working middle-class, but while that is justified in most cases, that is about it. The void would be filled by competitors or other alternative.

I think what some of the outraged masses are missing is that if these Wall Street companies and the many, many banks go down, it stretched beyond the people that work for them. It affects the markets globally, and had the potential to drag the economy even further down.

Yes, while my company didn't need saving (yet), this help stabilize the market and benefits me, even if indirectly, but in the long run, I think it benefits its us. At least once the tax bill is paid for this mess

As I put in the title to this post, it popped up as an auto-fill, as if I used it before. A quick scan of my posts, didn't take long, shows I haven't officially used it. But it does show I have been hemming and hawing (is that really a word) on the subject for awhile.

With the entertainment of the Presidential election in full swing, and yes, when you are in a state that neither side is spending money in because it is already a foregone conclusion which way it will be going, it is entertainment, I thought I would throw a few things out there.

First off, if I was in a state that mattered, say Ohio or Colorado, I would be a highly coveted voter. Although I am registered with a party, I tend to think for myself when it comes to elections, instead of voting down a line because, well, of the name on that proceeds it. In fact in past elections I have not voted for any President because I couldn't bring myself to justify either one being in office.

I was very sad to hear of this passing. I usually don't pay too much attention to celebrity dealings, but George Carlin was always something more than just a comedian who pushed the envelope, at least to me. Some called him a philosopher, and I think that label fits as well.

Yes, he could be crude and rude, but he never failed to make me laugh. The thing that impressed me most was that he was able to get across serious point and make valid arguments and I would still be on the floor laughing.

I generally cannot stand when celebrities try and start preaching or politicking. Normally I just ignore their rants as much as I can and pay attention to their entertainment. Sometimes, it doesn't work. Carl Sagan was an icon of mine in my early years (really sucks that I actually can say I have early years, but I digress). He went down a peg or two in my book when he started using his 'science' speaking circuit to preach politics.

Well, I guess they are technically in the home stretch, as this has been going on now for almost 2 years. The media circus the whole election process has become is really a joke. Why would anyone with brains and talent enough to lead this country put themselves through the process we have derived. Except of course the ones who crave such attention and love to hear them selves speak. Don't get me wrong, I believe there are still a few politicians out there who try and do good, but they get squashed by all the other.

I think George Carlin has it right in saying the country is led by the same 900 people or so no matter who is in office. Yes, our current leader has created some messes, and has done somethings others wouldn't, but you don't know what disaster we could have instead of the current one. But things like the economy and oil prices and health care are all control by massive companies. Don't get me wrong, I work for a massive company, and am grateful for the money they pay me, and wouldn't give it up, but how long can the system last like this.

I stopped for gas the other day at a place where you still had to go inside and deal with a real person to pay. I guess when dealing in the amount to fill up a tank these days they don't trust the machines. Anyway, while paying, a girl walked in and asked for $5 worth. I chuckled to myself remembering an old joke from a previous gas 'crisis'.

Customer: "Give me $2's worth"
Attendant: "I'll try, but I don't think my reflexes are that good."

There always seems to be a disconnect between the politicos in Washington and the average American, but sometimes you really have to wonder if they get out of the beltway at all. Forget W's shock when he heard that gasoline was approaching $4 gallon, guess he wanted to make Dad look good about the whole supermarket scanner incident, now they want to speed up our rebate checks to help the economy. Good that will let me pay my gasoline credit cards, now what?

For those of you who have visited the site more than once (and a big thank you to those who do), you may have noticed the little random quote generator in the upper left.

One of my favorites is from Dave Barry:

No matter what happens ... somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.

Now for those who think he was just joking, exhibit A.


My son Kevin's lacrosse coach gives out this t-shirt to everyone at practice yesterday. By the way, can you tell how thrilled he is for me to take his picture? Nice enough gesture, especially considering how they have been running the kids into the ground the past few weeks. Now the back has what I would call a typical lacrosse type saying on it.