Our Political System Sucks.. And here's why. 1 Man's Opinion.

I'm not a political pundit and I'm certainly no constitutional scholar, but here's what I think is the biggest flaw of our founding fathers- and their lack of foresight into what this country would become. They said (paraphrasing) that our government should be made up of representatives of the citizens (no taxation without representation and all). But, here's the thing. As a whole we're a society of selfish, greedy idiots. We don't need representatives of the common person. We need people better than the average. People who aren't running for political office, for ego, or money or power. People who know the difference between right and wrong and aren't interested in pandering to the lowest common denominator (lobbyists are tops of the crap pile). We need people who actually want to make the United States and the world a better place. Government should not be a place to appease the masses, but to better them.

Pro-Life and Republicans

Before I write this post, I want to be clear, I'm not "pro-abortion" of course and I'm not even "anti-pro-life" though I am admittedly very squarely in the pro-choice category.  That said, this post is about the relationship between Pro-Lifers and Republicans.

While not all Pro-Lifers are Republicans (I'm guessing, though all anecdotal evidence shows otherwise) there is an odd dichotomy here.

Of course Planned Parenthood has been a major source of debate over the last few weeks/years, and while the videos have been proven to be highly edited and misleading the organization is still under attack by the Republican party and Pro-Lifers alike.

But, here's the thing.  Do Pro-Lifers realize that IF abortion was to be criminalized across the US that a majority of those 300,000+ babies born would end up in the adoption system?

Do Pro-Lifers realize that beyond their Pro-Life stance the Republican party is also against taxes (at least on the wealthy) and so-called "hand-outs"?

What do Pro-Lifers think will happen to these 300,000+ babies (EACH YEAR) that end up in the U.S. adoption system?

If they think taxes are high now...

If they think welfare is a drain....

Just wait until there are 300,000 more babies every year burning through diapers and formula and clothes and housing and schooling on the government's (and thus taxpayer's) dime.

So, Pro-Lifers, are you ready to go Democrat?

I'm back-ish

Hello again. It's been a long time..

I guess I should forewarn my readers (if there are any left) but with the state of the world these days I feel obligated to speak up. I can't really do so on social media under my real name for various reasons (though my identify is certainly no secret) so I'm going to use this forum I created a while ago.

My biases will become pretty evident, but I will try to stay factual as opposed to opinion based whenever I can.

First up - this story:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/03/politics/bobby-jindal-sanctuary-cities-arrest-mayors/index.html

Louisiana Governor and Presidential hopeful (I hope not) Bobby Jindal believes Mayors of "Sanctuary Cities" should be held as accomplices for crimes of undocumented immigrants..

You can read the article, but I'll just ask this simple question: Shouldn't then Governors also be held culpable in States that don't issue same-sex marriage licenses after mandated by the federal government? 

The BS Report

Well, it's been a long time since I've blogged.  So long in fact that Blogger went ahead and changed the whole blogging process.... My bad!  Sorry that I've slacked.  But, school is all but officially over and I'll get at least some of my life back...

I know I've talked about this one before, but this article and situation really fires me up.

I have no problem with the Minnesota Vikings, but why are citizens forced to pay for private stadiums??  Seriously.  Further, what does this have to do with cutting taxes on businesses?  "Republican leaders also have said they don't want to pass a stadium bill unless they can reach a larger deal with Dayton that includes tax cuts for businesses."

All around this is a sham. 

The NFL is a money making machine and NFL owners set ticket prices at exorbiteantly high rates.  They can easily afford their own stadiums. 

If I can't get tax money to pay for rent on my business why should an NFL owner??

Since I've been out of touch for a while I'll also add this related, but different note...

How is it that Ticketmaster is not a monopoly?  I tried to buy tickets for a show and the ticket price was $54.  For 2 tickets that should be $108.  Somehow after a "convenience fee" the price was $133.  Then Ticketmaster has the gal to try to charge me a "processing fee" off $5.50 on top of that.  What the hell???  Ticketmaster thought they deserved over a third of the total costs?!?!  For what exactly?  That didn't even include shipping cause of course I could just print my tickets...
And of course you can't just buy tickets from the venue online because they always direct you to Ticketmaster....
I call BS on the whole thing.

The Tax Man Cometh

This is a bit old, but it's been on my "to blog" list for a while... Of course there's been no consistency to my blogging, and such it's taken me a while to get here, but still..

An interesting read. 

TMQ

If you're not reading ESPN's weekly TMQ then you're missing out.  And if you're thinking about starting now, you're pretty much out of luck - as this column/blog/content is only updated during football seaons.  And, sure, it's mostly football related but author Gregg Easterbrook almost always adds a piece about the state of the world or political corruption or just interesting stories.  This one for example, that I thought was worth passing on:

"Another Class-Action Swindle? TMQ has written items on class-action lawsuits that appear on paper to be victories for consumers, but mainly benefit lawyers. The settlements might pay huge sums to plaintiff's counsel and little or nothing to the supposed class of victims, while allowing a corporation to shed liability. (Presumably the offending behavior is stopped.) In some class-action suits, the corporation that appears to "lose" and the tort attorneys who say they are "standing up for the little guy" appear to be cooperating for the purpose of shafting the little guy.
The latest suspicious class-action settlement is noted by reader Sterling Crockett of Bothell, Wash. The proposed settlement appears to be a victory for anyone who bought a ticket from Ticketmaster using its website. As Crockett notes, the lawyers will receive up to $16.5 million and people who bought tickets get a $1.50 discount on a future Ticketmaster purchase. (Click on "settlement agreement.") So the lawyers receive a mere 11 million times as much as any one of the victims! Like many class-action suits, one must actively opt out. If a Ticketmaster customer does nothing -- or never hears the litigation occurred -- his or her standing to sue Ticketmaster is voided.
Basically the proposed settlement has the company paying some lawyers a tax-deductible $16.5 million to shed its own customers' rights, and the "award" to the victims requires them to make future purchases from the company."

Update:  As John mentioned a link to the article is probably appropriate.  Thank you for the feedback.  (As noted, this is an ongoing "column" and each new article will have a different link.)

Reading Between the Lines

*Please see the disclosure on the earlier post before reading further.

I've been listening to the information stemming from the Iowa Caucus and a few things bother me.

1 - Several of the candidates have spoken up about making abortion illegal and I need to say a few things on this.
a) Why does this keep being a go-to issue for politicians?  The subject of abortion has been dealt with at every level of government and will not change.  The legal precedents have been set and cannot be overturned.  Using this as a political talking point is a ploy at best and a mockery at worst.
b) Several candidates have said they will make abortion illegal even in cases of rape.  What?!  If a women is raped and impregnated the government is going to force her to have the baby?  To have a constant reminder of what was likely the worst experience of her life?  And, are they also going to force her to raise the child?  And who is going to pay for this child to grow up?  Is the candidate offering to foot the bill for 18 years of child support?  Are they going to throw money at orphanages?  So much for cutting the deficit.  As we should do with all of these political issues, think "what if this was me or someone I love"...

2 - Several of the candidates have said they will eliminate the Department of Energy to shrink the government and reduce the deficit. 
From the Department of Energy's website their mission is "to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions"
In essence this is the department within the United States Government which is working towards a more sustainable planet through energy efficiencies.  These are the people who encourage (and sometimes force) companies to raise energy effeciency standards - such as fuel mileage on cars.  These are the people that are promoting alternatives to fossil fuels.  Is it any coincidence that Republicans want to eliminate this department?  This is after all the department most devastating to Big Oil.  The same Big Oil that is well known for its lobbying and political contributions to Republicans.
Eliminating the Department of Energy would not only be a blow to our environment, but it would be one more step towards big business officially (its currently unofficial) running the government.

A Petition to Support the Saving American Democracy Amendment

As a business man I know that Big Business is not looking out for me.  You want to take your chances?

http://sanders.senate.gov/petition/?uid=f1c2660f-54b9-4193-86a4-ec2c39342c6c

Thank you Jillian S. for sharing!

The De-unification of the United States

Again, I need to preface all of my political ramblings with the disclaimer that I don't much care for or follow politics, and as such sometimes I can be accused of "talking out of my ass" or being misinformed.  Still, I do hear things from time to time and I am sure that my common sense and integrity is stronger than that of almost all politicians...

So, without further ado:

1 - When the hell did the country become so divided?  Why are all politicians seemingly on the far left or the far right?  Why is "moderate" a dirty word?

2 - What the hell happened to "sportsmanship" (for a lack of a better word)?  Didn't there use to be a time that even if you lost an election you supported the winner?  Particularly when that winner is the President of the United States and he is chosen by the people he is meant to represent?  Why can't politicians get this?  Why can't they support "the winner" and those that elected him.  [This is not a pro-democrat argument but a pro-UNITY argument.]

3 - Why can't we get stability in this country?  Obama passed his "Obama-care" for example.  I understand it was/is controversial, but it was passed.  Now, before it truly even goes into affect Republican candidates are declaring that if they are elected to Presidency they will repeal it.  What the hell is that?  Obama spent a great deal of his time in office struggling with all the push back from the Republicans and making concessions and "deals" to finally get it passed and now Republicans are saying "eh, never mind"?  And then what?  They'll spend half of their presidency fighting to put something else in place?  This isn't progress.  This is the definition of running in place. If politicians could stop politicking for just 2 years we might actually get something meaningful.

4 - While we're on it, why the hell can't someone just go into office and let their accomplishments speak for themselves?  I'm sure I've talked about this before, but it's ludicrous that our elected officials spend most of their time in office campaigning for re-election or their next move.  DO THE JOB YOU'RE ELECTED TO and if you do it well enough trust that will be enough.  You are paid way too much and compensated way too greatly (pensions and life-time health benefits, for example) to do NOTHING... 

Thanks Giving

Yesterday I donated a little to some charities that are important to me.  I'm not saying this for praise or recognition, but rather because it brought up some questions...

For one, let's just say I donated to a non-profit whose mission is research, and proposedly development of a cure, vaccine, or at least a medical protocol to increase standard of living or life expectancy.  My question is then, what if they find a cure or vaccine or a medical protocol?  Who pays for the treatments?  Notice that this not a drug company and as a non-profit it isn't meant to make, well, profit, but of course there are costs incurred beyond the R&D...  So, what happens if one of these companies is ultimately "successful"?  Who overseas the use of donor funds or how the treatments are administered?

And, not-for-profit doesn't mean that a company doesn't make money.  It still has employees and management and executives who need to be compensated.  So, isn't this a dilemma?  If a companies mission is to develop a cure for something and it achieves this mission doesn't it put itself out of business?  Isn't this about as clear a conflict of interest as anything has ever been? 

I write this with hesitation.  I certainly hope people donate to causes they believe in and I don't mean to shine unfavorable light on any organization which is out to do good.  Rather, I'm simply looking to ask the right questions. 

Occupy Everything

The "Occupy Wall Street" movement has spread... Several states and major cities have taken to the cause.  Problem is, most have no idea what this cause is and almost everyone has their own agenda.  I've heard reasons for the movement ranging from "the top 1% need to pay their share" to "I need my student loans forgiven" to "hey, everyone else is doing it".

I am amongst the first to criticize the government.  If you read this blog, you know that.  However, when doing so there must be some sensibilities taken into account.  Can a government simply "forgive" student loan debt?  For many reasons this is infeasible. So to ask demeans the more reasonable "requests".. And, regardless, this is such a myopic issue... as is the concept that the top 1% need to "pay their share."

Again, I have my issues with the government and I'm all in favor of getting on a soapbox (see this blog), but what is this movement saying?  What's the true message you're trying to get across?  What's the end goal?  And please, please, please don't tell me "we want to be heard" or "we want to let the government know we're not happy"... You have your forum.. what do you want the government to hear?  What are you not happy about (be specific and for the love of god prioritize!)?

Interesting Read

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7021031/the-nets-nba-economics

I found this to be quite an interesting read.  What I wonder about most, however, is what happened to the residents who were displaced under the guise of "public use".  And will they be able to afford this use this "public" property? 

I'm pretty sure I've already blogged about the sham that is tax-payers paying for stadiums that they can't afford to go to, and now we have people being forced out of their homes for stadiums that they can't afford to go to?  Wow.

USPS

I imagine most of my readers have heard of the struggle of the United States Postal Service.  I imagine that most have heard reports that USPS services are going to be reduced and possibly even eliminated altogether.  I just wanted to take a minute and tell you that this is not something that should be taken lightly.  I don't have statistics (though I'm sure you can find them easy enough online), but believe me when I say that we NEED the USPS. 

I know that in these times of online billpay and paypal the envelope and stamp is nearing obsolescense, but what about birthday cards, wedding invitations, seasons greetings?  Believe me, FedEx and UPS would love to deliver your letters, but that's not cheap now and would only become more expensive without USPS competition.  And let's not forget FlatRate boxes for our Ebay and Amazon sellers.

Finally, consider the unemployment situation in this country.  Does anyone reading this think we need more people jobless?  

I could end this post with a call to action: stop paying your bills online, but I know that's unrealistic.  Instead I will just ask you all to at least follow this situation.

Yellowcard - Believe

There is so much to say today and yet I can't seem to say any of it as eloquently as I think is necessary.  For this I apologize.  Still, I write.

10 years ago I was a freshman in college.  Barely.  I hadn't been away from home for much more than a few weeks.  I hadn't even adjusted to my new class schedule or getting up in time for my 9am class.  Most days I slept through my alarm and found myself rushing out of bed, slipping on my rollerblades (class was a good 25 minute walk and I take pride in how quick I could run up 4 flights of stairs in my skates) and speeding to class still in my pajamas - never turning on the TV.  For some reason, on September 11, 2001 my alarm actually did it's job.  But instead of the Sportscenter that morning you all know what was on the television. 

And while most of the world watched for hours stunned and unable to look away I spent those hours on my dorm room phone (I didn't yet own a cell phone) trying to reach my mother.  My mother who worked just a few blocks from the Twin Towers.  To this day few things infuriate me more than the automated words "all circuits are busy, please try again".  After racking up quite an expensive phone bill (dorm room calls were like $0.10 per minute) I learned that my mother had been picked up by an amazing cab driver and had walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and though shaken, she was OK.  The day after 9/11 I got my first cell phone.  And it wasn't long after that my mother quit her job in the city.  And to this day she won't take the subway. 

Anyway, that's my story.  But today I think of those who didn't make it home.  I think of the bravery of the "Heroes of 9/11" and the kindness of strangers towards one another.  I think of those who've lost their lives in the ongoing fight to keep this country and the world a safer place.  I think of those families who've endured the loss of loved ones throughout it all. 

I can't believe it's been 10 years.  It feels like a lifetime ago.  I can't believe it's been 10 years.  It still hasn't ended.

Church and State

Please note that I have no biases against any religion.  I will openly admit that I don't agree with organized religion, but my belief in G-d really depends on the day.

I wanted to make sure that is documented before I get into this post. 

I currently live in the South... Borderline "Bible Belt" territory.  Recently there has been news about prayers in school - specifically about public schools using the PA systems for pre-game prayers at football games.  I wanted to take a minute to make something very clear.  The separation of Church and State is one of the fundamental ideals of our constitution and society.  Unless every child in said school is of the same religious background (or pays to go to a private school knowing full well that the school has prayers) this is not even a debate.  There should be NO school prayers.  No child should be forcefully alienated by principles, teachers, coaches, parents or other students for any reason - particularly religion.  On the news today I saw a lady explain how forcing the school to stop public prayers was limiting the right of religious freedom.  On the contrary the prayers are forcing religion on others.  No one is saying students and parents can't pray before games.  They are simply saying that it should not be a school function or forced upon anyone else. 

On a similar note do you know how you can tell when you've entered the "Bible Belt"?  When the ludicrous number of churches is only rivaled by the ridiculous number of "adult" stores.  Really I know this might come off as funny or condescending, but it's completely true.  And just kind of sad!

Quick Note

Obviously the Financial "Crisis" has been the major topic on the news and around the world.  I don't have the time or patience to go into this too much right now, but here's just a quick note.

-If you want to help the economy then stop buying stuff online.  Go into the stores.  Sure it might cost a little more and maybe it's slightly less convenient, but it also keeps people employed.  Keep this in mind: as we become more technologically advanced humans become less valuable.  I don't believe robots will take over the world, but they'll put us all out of business.. and when that happens I don't want to speculate what will happen to society.

Abort, Abort

This fits in with my current theme of griping on our government...

http://richarddawkins.net/articles/642186-states-enact-record-number-of-abortion-restrictions-in-first-half-of-2011

Beyond making abortion illegal, how many more restrictions can you put on it?  Seriously, I'm asking.. it's either legal or it's not.  For F's sake... I don't care what political party you support and I don't care about your thoughts on abortion.  Really, I don't.  Bottom line is that this country has many, many more important issues to worry about.

And on a related note... When the church stops molesting little boys I'll take their pro-life stance just a little more seriously...

Thanks Emmylee for sharing.

Netflix Wins!

By now everyone knows that Netflix is upping their price.  It's been on the news and all over Facebook.  Outrage seems everywhere.  I have 3 points to make on this issue:

1 - Netflix has been talking for some time now about getting everyone onto their streaming service.  They do not like supporting the DVD service.  It is not cost effective for them (from buying rights to the newest movies to the shipping costs, etc. the larger the service grows the more of a losing proposition it becomes).   To everyone that thinks they are somehow "sticking it" to Netflix by canceling the DVD portion of their service, I'm sorry to say you are playing right into their hands... (I still think it makes sense to cancel the DVD portion, but that's personal opinion).

2 - Does Netflix plan to do anything about it's lack of quality streaming options?  I can't tell you how many times I try to find movies/tv shows on streaming that are only available via DVD.

3 - Throughout history it has been illegal to undercut a business to drive them out and then exorbitantly raise your rates.  Isn't this basically what Netflix has done with Blockbuster?  I'm not claiming them a monopoly and I understand why the government would let them get away with this, but shouldn't someone at least ask the question?  Especially as the governments go out of their way to look out for companies such as Netflix with their anti-piracy laws?  Again, I just wonder if the government is focusing on protecting the right people...   

Checks and Balances... Or Mostly Just Checks

Ok.. Here's another political rant. I know I said I hate politics and I do, but I hate the feeling that I'm being screwed more.  And every day I see the government screwing the average person.

I think every 235 years it's time for us to look at our government and our laws and our regulations and our taxes and our representation and see what's still relevant; what makes sense.  Seriously, the government was written "for the people by the people" but has clearly become "run by the rich for the rich" or more specifically "run for the wealthy, powered with money from the poor".  And let me clarify immediately, "rich" does not necessarily refer to private individuals (though in some cases it does - CEO's getting $500 million a year qualify), but more it refers to companies and industries and lobbyists who care not about the average person, but their special interest.

Below I'm going to gripe about some issues I have, but these are just a few... Chime in with what irritates you or how I'm an idiot, or whatever you've got to say..

- I've already taken a shot at the RIAA in this blog (http://thegiftandthegoods.blogspot.com/2009/12/riaa-its-not-about-music-anymore.html) but every day we hear a new way in which the government is trying to protect the arts or internet businesses.  I am of course against Piracy and as a business person myself, I fully support people making money for their talents.  I do however believe the "market" or economy should be allowed to self-regulate.  In all truth, for a long time music has been in a bubble - similar to the housing market.  Record labels demand $15 for a CD where they know likely only 2 or 3 songs will become "popular" and charge ticket prices at concerts upwards of $200 a seat.  If the market is resorting to piracy perhaps the industry is the one doing something wrong?  Sure, piracy threatens the future of the digital arts.  I don't argue for a second that if musicians can't get paid it may limit the number of future musicians, but no one stopped the creation of posters which hurt painters.  And in truth, if musicians stop making music eventually people will yearn for new music and the industy will be reborn.  Perhaps its time the government stopped helping to hold up this bubble and let it pop?

- Why do tax dollars go to pay for stadiums and arenas run by private franchises?  I love sports - pretty much more than anything else- but I can't afford to go to the games.  Why do my tax dollars fund those stadiums?  I know the government and teams will tell me the stadium brings in lots of revenue to the state, but not if the NFL/NBA has a lock-out!  How can my tax dollars go to building stadiums and then still teams are allowed to sell seat licenses - which mean absolutely nothing (in fact you can't even customize your seat [ie sell ad space] even though you have the license)?

- I've griped on here many times about speed limits (http://thegiftandthegoods.blogspot.com/2009/12/need-for-speed.html), but this is my biggest issue.  Speeding is not a crime.  It is something the average person does every time they get in their car.  Speed limits were originally created to protect people, but now they are simply a form of taxation (without representation) and it needs to stop.  At the very least the governments need to realize and acknowledge that most speed limits were decided before cars had anti-lock breaks and clearly aren't realistic anymore.  And to further prove my point:  the fact that you can be giving a ticket via a camera and a picture mailed to your home proves the lack of severity of the issue.

- Why don't we let common sense rule the day?  Why does shit need to be written down to be official?  Piracy is wrong.  We can go ahead and create laws that say so.  But why do we allow the RIAA or other parties take advantage?  Why do we allow them to charge $20,000 in damages per song (as in the above post)?  Why do we allow them to go after people who do stupid things on YouTube, but happen to have the song in the background?

- Why do we let people sue McDonald's because the coffee is too hot?  Causing all future coffee to be just luke warm?

- Why do we think laying off teachers is a good idea?  Have we learned nothing about the value of education?  Have we forgotten that children are our future?

I'm not just a complainer though... I'm also a problem solver and I've got some suggestions...

- We have tons of unemployment, but we're looking for ways to stimulate the economy, hmmm... How about creating jobs?  More specifically, how about hiring some of the overabundant supply of lawyers to review all the above things (and the thousands of others) and actually fix the system?  How about hiring civil engineers to review all of the speed limits and adjust them for today's automobile technology?  How about just keeping our (good) teachers employed?

I know, I know, someone is going to ask where we are going to get the money for all of that.  I've got ideas for that too..  1 - see my last post.  Let's use campaign contribution money.  2 - Take it from our overpaid and underperforming Congressmen/women and Senators and Members of the House who are so busy bickering and trying to screw each other to actually consider their citizens.  3 - Take it out of the travel and leisure and lunch budget of the aforementioned groups.  Afterall, do they really need catered lunches every day? and meetings in Hawaii (I'm looking at you former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele)? 

Government Vs. Politics

I apologize up front because I know my readers don't necessarily come here to get all political, but this is where my head is at currently and the next few blog posts will reflect that.  In truth, these are the only things that seem blog worthy lately (I'm always open to topic suggestions).  It also probably has a little to do with the fact that my current cubicle is also the mail room and I have been perusing USA Today every morning...

That all said, I'm going to just mention this quickly..

According to said USA Today Obama has already raised $86 million for his re-election campaing - putting him above his pace of 2008 (where he ultimalte raised nearly $750 million). 
So, to recap, during one of the worst economic times ever Obama is raking in record high campaign contributions. 

1 - What is he doing so well that people want to shower him with money?   For all the "Change" he spoke of, nothing's really changed... For all the promise he had when elected, the economy has only continued to slide (and no I don't necessarily blame him for any of that). 

2 - What the hell is wrong with the system when one person can raise, what is projected to be, over $750 million, but he can't find any money to support his own government programs or reduce our national debt?

3 - Obama, I'll throw this out there.  You want my vote?  Don't campaign!  Put that $750 million into reducing the debt or into financing any one of your positive initiatives.  Show me you're actually about governing rather than politicking and I will give you my vote.  And I will praise you loudly all the while.  After all, I'm not interested in a politicians running my country.  I'm looking for a President.