As this is my last blog of 2009, I’m doing it. I’m the first! The very first 2009: year in review! It has been an exciting one hasn’t it? We started with a brand new president, full of hope, 2009 was going to be a great year! Well, I don’t know if it was great, so much as just completely crazy.
2009 has seen some big issues come our way, from California’s budget crisis (parts one and two), to national healthcare, to possibly dismantling the Federal Reserve.
So let’s recap:
- We have a new President ladies and gents! Someone who people either find hopeful or horrific, no one can accuse Obama as being lazy as he’s packed some big issues into his first year in office.
- The economy goes from bad to bad. Ok, let’s face it, the economy hasn’t really gone anywhere in the last year. We’ve been assured that without the billions in bailout money it would’ve been a whole lot worse, but it isn’t exactly a whole lot better either.
- Among several other states, California finds itself in a budget crisis because of the economy. The legislature throws some band-aids on it to stop the hemorrhaging, but is back in the red only a few months later.
- To protect consumers, Congress starts discussing several different angles on financial regulations. None are particularly helpful and appear to just increase the crazy bureaucracy. Except for the possibility of getting rid of the Federal Reserve, which would put the power of the purse back in Congress’s hands where the founders intended it. But, given how we all feel about Congress, are we really comfortable with that?
- Senator Al Franken is elected giving the Democrats 60 votes in the Senate, a so-called “supermajority”. Except that for some reason they still can’t get anything passed. (To hear my full rant on this particular issue, feel free to email me!)
- California’s Gubernatorial election is in full swing! It appears that the conservative candidates will be Steve Poizner, Tom Campbell, and Meg Whitman vs. democratic candidate Jerry Brown.
- This year saw the outing of a power religious group: “The Family”. While the particular political dealings of this group are still veiled, I highly recommend the book for some totally scandalous (but completely true) reading: http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060559793/The_Family/index.aspx
- Two propositions are submitted to California’s Secretary of State giving the people the opportunity to scrap the current California constitution and start all over.
- Healthcare. Need I say more?
It’s been quite the year. Publicly and personally, it’s been a year full of change. At times it’s been scary, and at other times it’s been nothing short of amazing. I hope your 2009 brought you health and happiness and that 2010 brings you everything you hope for. Happy New Year everyone!
Showing posts with label Just Silly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Just Silly. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
'Twas the Night Before Voting
'Twas the night before voting, when all through the Senate, All creatures were stirring, discussing their tenets
The healthcare debate must come to a close, the Senate will vote while the West coast will doze
The Senators nestled all snug in their seats, In hopes that the bill will not meet defeat
Hopefully hoping to go home at last, They’d been working much harder than holiday’s past
But out from the floor there arose such a clatter, we all sprang from our couches to see what was the matter!
Away to the news stations we flew like a flash, to cable, to internet and other such trash
The flashing of cameras at great shelves of books, giving the semblance of smartness to people with looks
When, what to my inquiring eyes should appear, but former Governor Sarah Palin! And her politics of fear!
With a lively old interviewer, just nice as heck, I knew it a moment it must be Glenn Beck
Knowing without doubt that his rivals were lame, he yelled and he shouted and he called them by name;
“Now Nancy, now Stewart, now Hoyer and Kerry! On Colbert, on Schumer, on Obama and Harry!
To the top of the ratings! To the top of them all! Now watch me, now watch me, now watch me,” he called.
As the Senate’s debating drew near to an end, with a bill full of provisions and a nation to mend
The protestors they came, to the capital they flew, with a bag full of signs and some firearms too
But then, in a twinkling, I read it online, they have all the votes to pass it on time
As I took off my glasses and was turning around, from my laptop there came an unmistakable sound
She was dressed in a skirt suit, her lipstick dark red, And her blouse neatly pressed, hair perfect on her head
In her hand she held over 2,000 pages, And all she can say is “it’s one for the ages”
Her eyes—how they twinkled! Her dimples so merry! Between you and me, she’s been into the sherry.
Not that I blame her with a nation so torn, though there’s not much to do but regard them with scorn
Who would like a Congress that does everything wrong? And is a big part of why this year’s been so long.
But don’t worry good people, 2010’s a new year, we’ll vote them all out and change will be near
For now though adieu as I must take flight, Happy Christmas to all and to all a Good Night
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Viva Las Vegas!
Last weekend I went to Las Vegas. I had a fantastic time. Being an adult and with a group of people who have respectable incomes lends itself to having fun in Vegas. While I was in sin city, it occurred to me (on a slightly inebriated elevator ride) that being in Vegas is an awful lot like being in politics.
For example, when you first show up in Vegas it’s bright and shiny and exciting. Much like politics where, at first, everything is new and different and you really believe that you can make a difference. After a few days, you come to realize that, during the day, Vegas is literally hell on earth at a dry, dusty, miserable scorching 104 degrees. Politics also can be a hell on earth, with endless meetings, presentations, lobbyists, caucuses, committee meetings, people who want favors, people you already owe favors to, press conferences, and did I mention meetings? It is no wonder that most politicians not only don’t write their own bills (clearly that work is done by their highly underpaid staffers), but they don’t usually read the whole 1,000-2,000 page bills that they vote on.
Also, in Las Vegas, as I just discovered last weekend, you have the potential to win big or go home a big, fat loser. My good friend taught me how to play and bet on blackjack, and by the end of the weekend I came home with extra money in my pocket! It was amazing! It’s exactly the same in politics. When a politician is first elected, they (theoretically) have the political capital to win big. Of course, if the bill or program that they propose goes down in flames or ends up being an economic drain then they too can go home angry and defeated, maybe even losing their reelection.
Don’t forget that Vegas (and politics) costs money to get there! Plane tickets to Vegas are among the only flights whose prices have not gone down during the current recession and forget about how much it costs to stay in a hotel on the actual Vegas strip. You also must factor in the fact that us girls have to take cabs to get anywhere (we definitely aren’t walking in our four inch stiletto heels), drinks will cost you an arm and a leg (or your first born whichever you’re more willing to part with), and if you’re going to gamble then you should pretty much be prepared to kiss all that money good-bye. This is just like running for office! McCain and Obama spent outrageous amounts of money in the last election: $333 million and $730 million, respectively. It’s not as if they can use that money for anything other than gambling on themselves in the presidential election. Historically speaking, he (or she) who spends the most money wins and gets to keep playing. (www.opensecrets.org)
Just like someone in Las Vegas, politicians must maintain their composure at all times. Girls: you must look great at all times, and wearing dresses that short means you can’t get too drunk otherwise you may flash everyone at the party on accident. Guys: never, ever run out of cash or you too may get caught unable to buy your girlfriend of the evening a drink (or a cab ride back to the hotel), also, don’t freak out when you lose all your money gambling. We expect our politicians to keep it together constantly. You think you’re getting away with that extramarital affair? HA! Our presidents must be tough on terrorism, but compassionate on human rights issues; politicians must not be seen as flip-floppers, but are forced into compromise by the very nature of their positions; they must be good to their families, but should spent almost all of their time working for their constituents.
So, like I was saying, being in politics is a bit like going to Las Vegas. Exciting and glamorous (and expensive) at first, but after a little while you become jaded, calloused, and are totally broke.
For example, when you first show up in Vegas it’s bright and shiny and exciting. Much like politics where, at first, everything is new and different and you really believe that you can make a difference. After a few days, you come to realize that, during the day, Vegas is literally hell on earth at a dry, dusty, miserable scorching 104 degrees. Politics also can be a hell on earth, with endless meetings, presentations, lobbyists, caucuses, committee meetings, people who want favors, people you already owe favors to, press conferences, and did I mention meetings? It is no wonder that most politicians not only don’t write their own bills (clearly that work is done by their highly underpaid staffers), but they don’t usually read the whole 1,000-2,000 page bills that they vote on.
Also, in Las Vegas, as I just discovered last weekend, you have the potential to win big or go home a big, fat loser. My good friend taught me how to play and bet on blackjack, and by the end of the weekend I came home with extra money in my pocket! It was amazing! It’s exactly the same in politics. When a politician is first elected, they (theoretically) have the political capital to win big. Of course, if the bill or program that they propose goes down in flames or ends up being an economic drain then they too can go home angry and defeated, maybe even losing their reelection.
Don’t forget that Vegas (and politics) costs money to get there! Plane tickets to Vegas are among the only flights whose prices have not gone down during the current recession and forget about how much it costs to stay in a hotel on the actual Vegas strip. You also must factor in the fact that us girls have to take cabs to get anywhere (we definitely aren’t walking in our four inch stiletto heels), drinks will cost you an arm and a leg (or your first born whichever you’re more willing to part with), and if you’re going to gamble then you should pretty much be prepared to kiss all that money good-bye. This is just like running for office! McCain and Obama spent outrageous amounts of money in the last election: $333 million and $730 million, respectively. It’s not as if they can use that money for anything other than gambling on themselves in the presidential election. Historically speaking, he (or she) who spends the most money wins and gets to keep playing. (www.opensecrets.org)
Just like someone in Las Vegas, politicians must maintain their composure at all times. Girls: you must look great at all times, and wearing dresses that short means you can’t get too drunk otherwise you may flash everyone at the party on accident. Guys: never, ever run out of cash or you too may get caught unable to buy your girlfriend of the evening a drink (or a cab ride back to the hotel), also, don’t freak out when you lose all your money gambling. We expect our politicians to keep it together constantly. You think you’re getting away with that extramarital affair? HA! Our presidents must be tough on terrorism, but compassionate on human rights issues; politicians must not be seen as flip-floppers, but are forced into compromise by the very nature of their positions; they must be good to their families, but should spent almost all of their time working for their constituents.
So, like I was saying, being in politics is a bit like going to Las Vegas. Exciting and glamorous (and expensive) at first, but after a little while you become jaded, calloused, and are totally broke.
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