Same as it ever was.

Friday, June 27, 2008 at 11:33 am (Writing by Ear)
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On the road to the airport yesterday morning, I heard an NPR story about Hilary now having to pay back her massive $22 million campaign debt. It talked about how Obama would likely participate in fund-raising on her behalf for that purpose (and I just read that he and Michelle contributed $2300 personally to “the cause” — ain’t that swell), and that Hillary had given her own campaign $12 million. The commentators talked about how it would be a tough sell — people want to support their party’s run for office, not pay off the losing candidate’s debt.

What struck me most was the $12 million donation. (Also had a chuckle about her being known by a one-word name — like Cher or Madonna — obviously the Clinton part is more of a detriment than an asset.) Seems the Clintons are worth $34.9 million and have earned $109 million since leaving the presidency. The McCains are worth $40.4 million. Modest in comparison, the Obamas are worth $1.3 million. (I heard a comment from Obama last night that they are as close to middle class as you will ever see running for president. I scoffed at that, and still do. I saw the same Obama commercial at least 5 times on TV in a one-hour period. How are we going to survive the next 5 months of election bombardment — especially as he starts spending his cajillion campaign dollars?)

Truth is — all of these people are millionaires. I’m not a millionaire — can’t fathom being a millionaire. No one I know appears to be a millionaire (you don’t really know how much money people might have). So, with all the talk about how far we’ve come to have a woman and an African-American vying for president, how far have we really come? None of these people can possibly understand what it’s like to be me, or to be the vast majority of Americans. All the rhetoric about “feeling your pain” and angst over rising prices for food, gas, shelter, utilities, health care — it’s laughable. It’s not affecting these folks one bit.  

It’s the same as it ever was (do the Talking Heads arm chop with me) — Washington is about people of wealth and privilege, jockeying for power and position, and spending the $2.6 trillion collected in taxes (44 cents of every dollar of that from individual taxpayers like Mike and me) however the heck they want. It’s not about me or you or our reality.

Now get back to work. You have taxes to pay.

Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have
come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. 
                                                       ~ Ronald Reagan

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And now for something politically charged…

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 2:39 pm (Writing by Ear)
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No doubt you’ve heard about a little thing called “rising gas prices” and unless you raise all your own food, ride a bicycle everywhere you go, and live “off the grid” — and probably even then — you’ve been affected by it.

I’m lucky. Working at home means I don’t have to commute every day, but my mom’s recent health issues have meant frequent 70-mile-or-so roundtrips to visit her or tend to her house. I’m guessing nearly 3 gallons of gas used on every trip — you can do the math.

I’ve also been hearing and reading about the surge in interest in exploiting our own national energy resources, which are extensive. Just this morning I signed a petition at www.americansolutions.com to “Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less.” even though I told Mike a couple days ago that I thought the “Pay Less.” message should really be a “Be Secure.” message, and that the focus on money cheapened it.

It’s not that I don’t care about the environment (or don’t care about paying high energy prices) — it’s that I think we are being incredibly foolish not to take advantage of the resources we are blessed to have and the security those resources bring. And I think the technology exists to extract those resources without damaging the environment. And I think other countries are playing in our backyard and kicking dirt in our face as they do. Brazil is gleefully chomping at the bit to exploit its newfound energy reserves, realizing the power and opportunity they provide.

Oh, and let’s not forget nuclear energy. I used to write marketing copy for a supplier of nuclear fuel, so I know a little bit about it. How foolish are we not to have built any new nuclear plants in 30 years? Would I live near one? Maybe, maybe not. I do live in the Three Mile Island state, and visited the site a few years ago. You can’t tell me the circumstances that led to that accident haven’t been corrected. Hey, it’s working for France [80% of its energy comes from nuclear], the rest of the EU, Japan…wake up and smell the coffee you need electricity to make!

I’ve heard that neither presidential candidate is in favor of exploiting our energy resources to the extent I am. So that’s another reason to be in a quandary about the election. Not voting doesn’t seem right; voting “off the ticket” seems like wasting your vote; voting for a candidate you don’t really support leaves a foul taste. As usual, it comes down to choosing the lesser of two evils. So what will the deciding factor be? Energy? Defense? Social issues? Taxes? Economic policies? Health care? Sophie’s Choice anyone?

But tell me, why not use the abundant resources we have, and be a stronger nation for it?

Kilometers are shorter than miles. 
Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers. 
                                  ~ George Carlin

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“Were you expecting this check?”

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 4:00 pm (Writing by Ear)
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That was what the teller asked me at the bank yesterday as I deposited an unusually hefty check representing months of work for a particular project. I think she said something like, “Is this for winning a contest or lottery?” and in response to my blank look (likely the “Are you insane?” look I’ve been told I have), she asked “Is this a check you were expecting?”

I said, “Yes, it’s a paycheck.” Then, puzzled, I asked, “Does it make a difference?” 

“Yes, it does,” she answered. “There are so many scams going on and counterfeit or fraudulent checks out there that I always ask. You wouldn’t believe the calls we get from people saying, ‘I got this check. It says I won a contest. Is it real?’ When we ask if it says they have to send money, they say ‘Well, yes, to cover taxes.’ and we have to explain it’s a scam. Or we ask, ‘Did you ENTER a contest or lottery?’ and they can’t remember.”

Good Lord — are that many people that gullible? Or is it just a matter of wanting to win something so much that all reason escapes them?

Or maybe it’s neither of those. Maybe it’s not that I’m smart and they’re not; it’s just that I’m not that optimistic.

They probably think, “Why wouldn’t I suddenly receive a big check in the mail?” (Why not indeed? Didn’t Mike and I just get our “free money” last week, courtesy of Uncle Sam?) 

Clearly, I don’t expect good things to happen unexpectedly, money to fall from the sky, or life to suddenly go my way. I’m more prepared for everything to go wrong and, knowing that, anticipating what I can do or should do to put it right. Or just sitting back and waiting for it to go wrong, just so I can be right…again…as usual…since I’m never wrong (another endearing trait I’ve been told about, along with the insane look).

It’s a cop-out attitude and I know it. Much the same thing I chastise Mike for during Steeler games. They get behind by one field goal and that’s it, they’re losing, they’ll never win again, it’s all over, change the channel. I know it’s just a tactic to avoid disappointment, but it’s also awfully annoying.

I’ve read enough books advocating The Power of Positive Thinking (it’s truly a seminal work) that I know better. The proper attitude is to expect good things. Tell yourself you’ll get that job, the test will be negative, the party will be great, the project will be your best yet. Repeat your mantra. Positive thinking fosters positive happening.

Is there a downside? Not as long as you don’t abandon all reason in the process (à la all those would-be contest winners), I suppose. Though it’s probably a fine line between being positive (I will make ends meet.) and being duped (Yay, I got the money I need!). What’s the difference between a pessimist and a realist anyway?

Oh, I can’t decide. Should I race to the mailbox or not?

“I was going to buy a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking,
and then I thought: What the hell good would that do?
                                                ~ Ronnie Shakes

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