Saturday, November 22, 2008

Bail me out please!

Ain’t this grand? Years of profiting and bad business practice with no oversight, not a problem. Uncle Sam to the rescue! What about my bad choices and investments? Am I going to get a cut? Oh, and since I have made a way to pay my mortgages (God really made the way but you get the point I hope) I don’t get bailed out of that. I should have not paid my loan for a few months and then I could refinance at a nice rate.

This whole thing bothers me more and more every time that I hear about it. Neither of my candidates for president at the time took a different side to the issue. With all the out cry from citizens (For the people, by the people? Oh yeah Abe.) against the bail out the senators still passed the bill. And this was only done after they added other money to the bill to appease those who donate to their campaigns or to benefit the area they are from so they can say look what I did for you. This wasn’t about the best interest of the country or about what the country wanted. They had to protect us cause we didn’t understand how this was truly needed. Truly needed? Nothing has changed from what I can tell. Maybe I would have been okay with all of this if there was more stipulation on how the money would be dispersed. But what happened is that they passed a bill to give themselves 700 billion to just spend how they see fit. That is our money they are spending. The oversight committee they wanted – not formed yet. The report on how the spending is going and to where it has gone – not done yet. Anyone surprised? Good old government!

Now everyone wants a cut? Can we blame anyone for trying to get money when the government is giving it out? Auto industry, plumbers, construction, financial sector, etc… Just line up and open up your pockets. A country in debt will just pick up more debt and worry about it later. And it’s not even good debt. Wish I could do that.

I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs. But at this point it is already happening. Why support business that has shown itself not able to survive and thrive? As one falls, another will rise. Let the market fix itself. Businesses will be forced to rethink how they do things and improve and jobs will eventually be created again. If you know someone is a wasteful spender and just blows money would you give them money? I guess you can just put faith in the fact that they have learned their lesson and things will be different from now on.

This past election had two candidates. The crisis hits and this is how they react. One, desparate to gain ground in the race, suspends his election to try and swoop in and save the day. The other candidate, comfortably ahead in the polls, sits back and does nothing so that he doesn’t lose ground. Was either looking out for the country? Is that leadership? Now we have a President Elect that I am failing to hear from as Congress (which he happens to be apart of) decides on whether or not to spend more money. I am not sure why this is, but it doesn’t make sense to me. At least it does not in any good way. So if these things work or don’t work in helping the country can we blame or credit our new President? By saying little or nothing it seems he leaves himself all possible options. All I know is, if I have a contract on a home I’m not going to sit back and let them do all kinds of changes on the home before I move in.

Change - Simple Genius

Could a phrase really be anymore vague yet have so much power in this country? Lets define change:

to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone:

Now the genius in the use of this word for a slogan is that the entire country is upset with the status quo. So why not capitalize on this widespread feeling? It was so good in fact, that both campaigns eventually tried to use the slogan.

The problem: What is change? All change is not good. I “change” underwear every day, but if I put on a pair from the dirty clothes basket is that a good thing? I asked several people who spit this word out to me over the last year what that meant and a majority had no real answer except different from Bush and that McCain is just like him. In actuality those two men don’t care for each other and McCain has been a thorn in the side of republicans for years. Yes he voted 90% of the time with Bush=Republicans, Obama voted 96% with Democrats. That seems to be what they do, vote with their party. McCain is an older white man which fits the typical presidential description. Though he seems to believe in the basic republican principles, which Bush has gone against the last few years in terms of big government. Obama described himself as a new kind of politician and different from the rest of the guys you see in Washington. Of course this will imply to many the fact that his skin color is different and he is smart enough to know that and smart enough to always say that wasn’t his intent. Ex: He said he wasn’t like the people you see on American currency? First thought to what they have in common that he doesn’t share is that melanin in his skin. But he comes out and says that isn’t what he meant. Come on man, don’t try my intelligence. And Obama is clearly a politician. Look at how he seldom answers a direct question or gives the politically correct answer. He is a classic politician. A great politician in fact. But where or what is this “change”? He’s been liberal his whole career and moved to the center a bit to win the election. So should I expect him to buck his historical trend and not be very liberal as president? Yeah right.

Yet at a time when people really aren’t sure what this change means, that fact doesn’t matter. We all want change. Obama created himself to represent change. That is great advertising right there. So change can be whatever the believer wants that to be. Health care, education, taxes, etc… it all adds up to hope. But from what I have seen, most people don’t know fundamentally why Obama’s change was is better than McCain’s change.

Political Slaves

Why is it that blacks vote so heavily democrat? This is something I have wondered for a while. I started voting that way because that is what mom and many people around me did. But there was no real reason for my voting that way. Someone asked me this question the other day and the only reason I can think of is based on the social programs and sympathizing to black issues by democrats (Whatever today’s black issues are). If it has to do with social issues, I sure hope not. Stop looking for help and handouts. Teach a man to fish, he eats on his own forever. Keep feeding a man and he continues to need your help to eat. So maybe this is a good way to keep blacks down. Help people help themselves.

Historically speaking, republicans were on the forefront of civil rights. The democrats fought integration. That governor in AL, Wallace? He was a democrat. Mr. King Jr. was a republican. Now right around the time he went on to glory, blacks started voting heavily democrat beginning really with the 64 election of Johnson. The republican candidate (Goldwater) failed to sign the civil rights act of 64 which probably is the reason things happened the way they did. Of course he gave some reason about why he didn’t sign the bill the same way politicians do today, but whatever his reasoning I think that started the trend we see today. Obama being considered black, which I still don’t understand completely, and getting 96% of the vote including mine does make sense. But giving our loyalty to a party so greatly consistently?

I thought blacks were a diverse group of people, but our voting does not seem to reflect this. No other race is so heavily one sided (at least that I know of). Some will say that Catholics or Gays give their votes heavily to either party, but that is not the same. Those aren’t diverse groups. They are groups that share similar plights, issues or beliefs. So then the question is, do we still have the same struggle throughout? I mean what do we share? That we are black and the world is against us? We need social help to get out of our situations? Slavery affects us still and is the cause of our problems today? Yet we are not all poor. Blacks probably are some of the most religious people percentage wise, yet the party associated with that ideology gets very little of our vote.

I can’t say there is anything wrong with this, except that our vote and needs don’t need to be catered to. Why would they when they know the black vote is a given? I just don’t understand this fact. The popular vote is always ~50% to both sides, so most other sectors must vote more evenly between the parties. It is just hard for me to imagine that a diverse people would not vary more on how they believe the country should be run; one way no more right or wrong than the other.


If someone has the answer or why they think things are so, please let me know.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Stop the VOTE!!

The right to vote is something we should all cherish because so much has been done for every American to have he opporunity to vote. I am all for every American voting. What I get tired of is the get out to vote stuff. We are all taught in school that we have the right to vote and should register when we come of age. Beyond that, if you don't care enough to go out and vote, then fine. The idea that the vote of an uniformed uniterested voter counts the same as someone who has gone out and informed themselves and is really into the voting process bothers me. I look at it like this: If you need to be told/begged to go vote, then you really don't care in the first place. Someone who is interested in voting doesn't need a get out to vote campaign. Stop polluting the system with those who truly don't care. I'd rather have concerned citizens voting for those who will hold public office and initiate policies that will affect my life. So going out and getting bums/homeless people to vote with your name and picture everywhere is crap. Really, who are they going to vote for? I guess that is a good reason though. By any means necessary to win I right?

If a person wants to vote and needs a ride I would be the first one to take them there. But you shouldn't have to be asked, pushed, begged, bugged, etc... to vote. Leave the voting to those who want to vote.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

My Political Cherry

I've been trying to become more informed about politics and news in general for years now. This past year or so I have really begun to pay attention. What I have found is that it is what I expected and somewhat dissapointing at the same time. For some reason it interests me now though. I'll chalk that one up to age.

What I found this past year is that politics isn't all that different from a high school election. A lot of it is based on popularity. How many posters you have or how often they see you. How many calls to people you can make or what promises you can make. Basically there isn't much substance behind what they give you. It is like a beauty contest. Some people just vote for their team, republican or democrat. This voting along party lines thing I don't understand. Just vote for who you think is the best. But like someone told me, it is like rooting for your favorite team no matter if they are the best that year or not.

I've known this for a while, but the contests that we should be more educated on are the ones that we tend to ignore, the local elections. Those affect are lives a lot more directly than the presidential election, but we know far less about those people running.

So now that the empty slogans are done, I can get back to just keeping up with what our new president will actually do. This country is in a bad time right now so I don't think I will be turning my head away from the news anytime soon. Next time elections come around I want to be fully educated on what these politicians have done. So though I may be weary of all the political games I am determined to stay informed. Who knows, one day I may run for office! But then again I don't know if I want my skeletons coming back out. It's like a graveyard back there.

Alternative Lifestyles

What is going on in this country? Everywhere I look now I see homosexuals. It's like being gay is in style. I go to the mall and I see these feminine boys walking around or girls holding hands. Took a trip to Atlanta and you know what I saw there. Atlanta is the homosexual capital. Atlanta? of all the places. There are more beautiful women in Atlanta than anywhere.

So how do you become gay? Some would say that people are born that way. Others just try it because they become turned off from the opposite sex. Some try it when they get locked up. I really don't believe that one can be born gay though. One may have more estrogen or testosterone than their respecive sex, but born that way? If that is the case they would be able to check your DNA and find a gene. I think its more along the lines of alcoholism. Some are more prone to have that affliction. I'm thinking this applies for any tendency we have to some sin. Plus, it's just not natural. The sexual act is intended for reproduction more so than pleasure. Two men or two women can't create another life. So by that thought process there, it can't be something you are born with.

Way back in the day homosexuality was pretty prevelant. I mean, King James (cat on the Bible) was gay. Back in Greece they used to lay down with young boys. So I guess like any fad such as afros, the homosexual life can come back. I attribute a lot of (what I perceive to be an increase) this spread of the alternative lifestyle as a result of the increasingly liberal society we live in. Gays are all over television now. I've seen dating shows with only men. If you keep putting this stuff in front of people I think they are more likely to try it. What other reason could there be? Unless there has always been this much activity but now they feel safer to be out in the open. I know it sounds bad, but I wish they would go back in the closet. I don't want kids being exposed to that. Who wants to explain to their child why two women are kissing? But we keep getting more an more lenient and this will continue to grow. Gays adopting kids, gay preachers, gay tv show hosts, etc... And yes, I said gay preachers. How they justify that one is beyond me. When I learn more, I will write on that.

What I really don't understand is how men want other men? What is attractive about a man? We don't smell good, aren't emotional, don't dress as well, don't look as good (that is probably my straight mind talking), and can't feel the same way. I just don't see what another man could provide me? From my boys all I want is someone to chill and look/holla at women with, talk sports with, play some video games, or talk about women. Most men aren't emotional or caring like a woman. They aren't soft. And what the hell would make you want to have a man put his manhood in your ass? Or vice versa? The thought makes me want to gag. Then one of them is pretty punkish or whatever. So if you want something feminine then get a damn woman? There are more of them out there than men anyways. You just have to be a soft ass man to want a man instead of a woman. Can they just not pull women? Ok, I know they are supposedly attracted to each other, but... Now, women on the other hand I can understand. The physical act you can get somewhat similar results. No unusual opening in your body has to be used. Many women have adult toys anyways so using them with another woman... not a stretch in my mind. Women tend to like conversation and a woman can give them that. They want someone emotionally there and suff like that. Plus women can look at other women and say they are attractive. I could see a woman becoming fed up with men cheating or not caring about what is going on in their lives. Althought I think everyone cheats, I do think women are probably more faithful than men. Regardless of my understanding of the women side of things, and I won't lie and say it doesn't interest me at all watching two women, but it is just as wrong. God did not intend things to be this way.

Yes, I am a bit homophobic. No, I don't hate gays. I am curious about it because I don't understand it. Gay people don't bother me as long as its not all in my face (for that matter I don't like seeing anyones PDA all in my face). The only ones I don't care for are the guys that are flaming! Not sure I could have a gay friend, but I can be cool and hang around one and be ok. In fact I have, and it was no different than being around anyone else.

Going to end this like this: God made Adam. Adam was lonely so he gave him a woman, Eve. It all started with a man and woman. The way it was intended and the way it should always be.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

My Reason for Speaking

Now this is something I never thought I would find myself doing, but that is why you never say never. I'm far from a writer, nor am I all that eloquent. But sometimes you just need a place or way to vent. For me, I find it hard to express my thoughts to those close to me. Partly because of their own views on topics or my desire not to offend them with my own thoughts. So here, I can say what I feel and people can take from it what they want. There is a good chance this will end up being more a journal that I read myself more so than something my friends read. Hopefully some of the things I blog on will interest people, but if not... at least I was able to get it out.

My topics will range anywhere from music to relationships, or from politics to religion. So hang around and see what you can find FLOATING SOMEWHEREINTHERE