Economy

Here's an old blog I found. Originally written on Dec. 11, 2008.

“It’s the economy, stupid.” Or is it “the stupid economy?”

They say that folks vote on the economy more than any other issue. Voters look at their bank account and give the nod to a candidate based on their financial situation.

I remember signs about President Carter that said: “Jimmy Carter, kiss my gas!” Gas was around 89 cents a gallon at the time. LOL. How many of us would love to pay that price now? At that time, people were buying siphons, pretending it was for their fish tank, when indeed they were using it to suck gas out of cars.

What ever happened to those good old days? No one siphons anymore…

It appears to me that we could pick any time in our history and (if we choose to) it would be a difficult time. There has always been some thing or some one to fear and loathe. We have been in a state of righteous resentment for eternity. It’s based on who the media and government choose to be our enemy.

I got news for the purveyors of bad news…I don’t fear the people you tell me to fear. President Bush uses the word “terror” like he has terror Tourette’s Syndrome. Considering the scare he puts into people, he should work in a haunted house! When he retires, maybe he should become an Ultimate Fighting promoter? “My fellow Americans, I’d like to introduce you to my new client, Kimbo Slice. He’s going to bring back a long standing American tradition and my personal favorite – torture!”

This promotion of the enemy du jour has been going on since the beginning of time.

In the 40’s we locked up Japanese American citizens into internment prison camps, but no one of German decent was put away because they all look like the dudes in charge who are doing the fear mongering. I was taught the same judgmental stuff about Russians as our kids are now being taught about Muslims.

Based on what I was told, Ruskies were people who were devoid of personality and they were going to nuke us any minute. When Rocky fought Drago in Rocky 4, his opponent was a robot-like mutant who killed Apollo Creed wearing American flag shorts. And I don’t think Sylvester Stallone is capable or writing subtle irony or nuance.

I got news for the news. I am more afraid of righteous religious zealots taking away our freedoms than I am of someone our government deems to be a threat to my way of life.

When I voted, I gave the nod to the candidates who inspire, rather than provoke.

I vote for men (or women) who encourage unity, not divisiveness. I am all for change, and that change includes a new way of looking at the world, money and ourselves.

I think now is as good as good a time in history to get that we should forget the anger towards the other parties. It’s time to get together and accept the folks who are in office and look for ways to support them by being of service.

Sometimes, I do not understand how people get up in arms if you talk about a politician, but don’t say a word if you question someone else in charge.

If you are a supporter of a college team and the coach has a bad record, you make the coaching staff accept responsibility, and if they don’t deliver, you let them go and find someone who can get the job done. No one questions your support for the university because you think there should be changes, but apparently some think you are not a patriot if you disagree with our administration. If you believe Charlie Weiss, the current losing coach of football at Notre Dame, should be let go because of his record, certainly you are within your rights and would get little hostile resistance for your views.

Well, our country is having a losing season. As a life long Philly sports fan, I know what that feels like. And even though I moved 3000 miles away, my allegiance does not waver or wane. The same applies to my country. I am rooting for the best for our entire team and am loyal no matter what.

I am happy we have a coaching change. Next, I’d like to see the greedy corporate guys give back the millions they made by ripping people off and serving their own self interest. And I don’t care what party they come from.