My Favorite Thus Far

I worry that if I go into politics, one day I might end up in a binder, in the hands of someone like Mitt Romney.

Getting Political.

Eric:  learn more about sarah palin every day

she ran a 3:59 marathon in 2005

 me:  do you like her better now?

 Eric:  no

but i think it's a good incentive for people i know that run slower than that to pick up the pace

Sarah Palin Lookalike Contest

So, long story short - there's an upcoming Sarah Palin lookalike contest.  See here.

Anyhow - I was super excited and ready to enter (despite the fact that proceeds are going to the teabaggers and all).

Anyhow - huge disappointment.  I did some more research.  This is being hosted at the Admiral strip club.  It looks as though the Palin lookalike contest will be, uh, a normal night at the venue.  In other words - no one would notice the nice detailing of my flag pin.

Sigh.   I don't think I can bring myself to do it.  There must be another outlet for my Sarah Palin-esque talent.

Please send any ideas of said outlet my way.

Some Thoughts on the Healthcare Bill

I really can't fault the newspaper industry on this one. Way to attempt to up circulation!

I Don't Know Much About Photography....

...but to me, I get a different message from this shot than 'I'm really concerned about our health care bill'.

Health Care

So there has been a rampant facebook status over the past couple days:

"No one should die because they (sic) can't afford healthcare and no one should go broke because they (sic) get sick."

It is posted mostly by people in regards to the debate over the debate over universal healthcare (presumably coming from those in favor of a government-run healthcare system).

I have a couple issues with it (grammatical issues aside). Now, I am not sure where I stand on the issue of universal healtcare. And, I am in 100% agreement that our current healthcare system needs some serious help.

However.

This is a blatantly over-simplified statement to appeal to emotion that is impossible to argue. Is anyone out there going to say 'no, people should die because they can't afford healthcare?' No one should die because he or she can't afford food, and that happens somewhat regularly. This statement doesn't argue the merits of whether or not a universal healthcare system would actually work.

That, and I feel this largely discounts a simple fact: good healthcare is expensive. Good, qualified doctors are not easy to come by. Medical school is expensive, and, more importantly, a large, taxing time commitment. There has to be some form of a reward (i.e. a decent salary that will, at the very least, one day pay off the debt accrued) in order for enough qualified individuals to follow through with it. Medical supplies and machines are expensive. Medicine itself is expensive. Sure, there may be some 'price gouging', if you will, but at the base of it all, there's still a decent cost to everything.

Now, if everyone in America is going to have good healthcare, the money to cover these costs is going to have to come from somewhere. Whether it be each individual, employers, the government, or someone else entirely is quite the debate. However, if it is the government, simply, the money is going to have to come from somewhere (read: a large tax). Whether or not that is the only right way to go is another debate entirely. Another thing to consider - despite how many people there are in America without health insurance right now, it is not easy to get into the doctor's office. I am definitely all for everyone having health insurance, however, we are going to need more qualified individuals in the healthcare field when this happens. Anyhow - the bottom line - the idea that we could possibly get 'free healthcare from the government' is simply an illusion.

I know this is one of those boring posts that no one likes or is interested in - sorry. Anyhow.

Getting Political For A Second

Americans’ approval of Congress stands at 31% (per Gallup)


Keep up the good work!

It's Been Too Long Since I Last Spoke On Sarah Palin....

Sarah Palin is a girl after my own heart. She's got big dreams. And dangly dog earrings.

Important News Story About Our President

"Obama fills out brackets; who's in his final four?"

This nicely accompanies "Obama's Haircut", "The Obama Dog", "What Michelle Obama Wore", "The Obama Daughters' Chores", "The Obama Daughters' New Swingset", and my personal favorite "What's on Obama's Ipod?".

I'm not criticizing Obama on this one, he just went about his life like a normal person - it's more those really cared to write and read said pieces. It's not to say there aren't pieces like this on every sitting president (although usually not to this extent). Also, not to say there's not other unimportant writing out there that people are paying attention to, such as all celeb gossip, or, ahem, blogs.

However, there's just SOMETHING about this that bugs me. I can't pinpoint exactly why. Hmm.

Bush, on the Economy....

Thanks A Lot, Rod!

There's no more pointing fingers at the state of Alaska for the foolishness and stupidity of their governor. As a resident of Illinois, I must now eat my words for all the Palin jokes. Terribly sorry, Sarah! I'll take a bridge to nowhere any day! It only makes sense that, like Bush, we elected and then re-elected this guy. In the words of good old B-Rod himself "What were we thinking?" And seriously, Rod, what are you thinking, dragging the good Illinois name through the mud!?!? (Well, Drew Peterson, Jeremiah Wright, George Ryan and the driver's license scandal, and 3 other corrupt governors aside....)

Politico

Who's worse?  

Bill O'Reilly or

Keith Olbermann??

I am actually leaning toward Olbermann.  That's saying a lot.

(Emily, in my defense, you have been blogging about the Bachelor a lot lately - so I am going back to politics.)

The Inauguration

Ok, so Barack Obama is getting inaugurated this coming week.  Dare I ask, what's the big deal?

Now, this has nothing to do with my mixed feelings toward this candidate.  I'd say this no matter who it was.  The ELECTION was the big deal/historic part.  I understand the inauguration is his official 'taking over' ceremony - but realistically, it's not as though there are questions about what's going to happen during the event.  With the election, there were questions about the outcome.  Barring anything unforseen, we all know what will happen after the day comes and goes.

Anyhow - the inauguration isn't what's important - what he does when he's in office is.  Even if he gives the speech of his life on inauguration day - whether or not he succeeds at moving the country forward is what people will remember him (and every president) for.  Perhaps it's like the wedding day/marriage conundrum - people make a huge deal about the importance of the former, but it's the latter that really matters.   Anyhow.  I will be glad when the mayhem ends.  

Every Industry Has Been Hit

I will find a better quality of this video soon.

In short, the porn industry wants a bailout (I'd think they'd be recession-proof, but who knows).

They do have some valid points:

1) The porn industry is more flexible, is more modern, and has more of a future than the big 3 auto companies.

2) It does employ a lot of individuals (as she says, in California alone!)

3) Let's face it, congress is not unfamiliar with said industry.

Another Quote

Greta Van Susteren (love her) - on her show, On the Record:

"This is the fourth governor of Illinois to be indicted - what's going on in Illinois?!?!?!"

This is how we roll in Illinois.   

Some of You May Have Noticed....

....it's been a while since I've hated on Barack.  Well, I am not hating on Barack - I think he's doing ok (considering he hasn't even taken office yet) - he's appointed some smart people, which is all he's really been asked to do so far - ok, fine....

However, I've had enough!!  I've had enough of talking about him!  ENOUGH!  (Yes, I realize I'm doing it now.)  Obviously, Barbara Walters (who, for someone who really had to work hard to break barriers for women in journalism, seems to be phoning it in over the past couple years) named him the most fascinating person of the year.  I'm sick of everyone being fascinated by him.  I'm sick of commemorative plates (shouldn't that come after the end of his presidency?!?!  Just sayin'!!).  

I'm sick of articles about 'what's on Obama's I-pod', 'Christmas at the Obama house', 'the Obama daughter's chores', 'Obama's haircut' - AHHHHH!!!   Seriously, the man is our president - not Britney Spears.  I realize there's a certain amount of human interest stories with all public figures, but COME ON.  

I can't help but think - two popular presidents from my lifetime - Clinton and Reagan - certainly had their moments when they were less than loved by the general public.  All president approval ratings have ebbs and flows - and Obama is only human.  I can't wait until he formally assumes office so the press and everyone else can stop worshiping the ground he walks on.  URGH!  

Barackstar

Ok, not to rant and rave FOREVER, but Barack Obama has not yet even been inaugurated yet and how many different keepsakes are there out there for sale?  I'm watching an infomercial for a Barack Obama commemorative plate.  SERIOUSLY!?!?!  That's not to mention dvds, posters, special editions of newspapers, etc.  I can't help but wonder if Barack Obama doesn't come through with some of his campaign promises (such as 'change'), there'll be millions of pieces of memorabilia for the Republicans to rub his face in?  

President Elect

I have a sneaking suspicion I'm one of the few who won't be disappointed by Obama...I have reasonable expectations on the man.

I do appreciate him giving multiple speeches over the past couple days pretty much saying "You know all those things I lead you to believe I could do over the past year and a half?  Yeah, about that...."

Misc. Political Cartoons

I'll miss you, Sarah.

And, while we're at it, let's make good use of the lame duck.

Mr. President

So he won!?!?

Congratulations Barack Obama!  He sure ran a great campaign.

I must say, I was touched by hearing older African Americans talk about struggles they and their parents and grandparents experienced in life and how they never thought they'd see this day and what it means to them.  

Now, the campaign is over.  It's time to stop talking about change and actually do it.  I look forward to not hearing the word change, in fact.  And the expectations are VERY VERY HIGH, president-elect, so things will surely be interesting.  I truly, sincerely hope Barack Obama does a good job, especially when it comes to improving our economy and healthcare system.

I truly also look forward the end of attack ads, the words 'hope' and 'change', and mostly, Keith Olbermann's hourlong nightly love song.  

(My loyal readers probably truly look forward to me writing about new topics.)

I'll miss you, Sarah Palin.