Monday, March 2, 2009

Rush Limbaugh is at it again. This time many of his fellow Republicans are upset with him as well as Democrats. Rush spoke at CPAC Saturday. He continues to declare publicly that he hopes President Obama fails. Congressional and Senate Republicans are becoming annoyed with him. Imagine an outspoken major conservative figure saying that he hopes the President fails because the President is of the opposing party? Rush does say that he opposes the policies of Obama, not Obama personally. I do give Rush credit for speaking his mind. However, I think he is doing a disservice to his own popularity and more importantly to his credibility as a media person. Right now Rush has many radio listeners. He is popular among conservatives and even some non-conservatives. He is and has been an agent for partisan complaining and attack. Most of the time the party out of power complains and attacks the party in power, but these are no ordinary times. The United States is in a real recession, possibly a depression. Economic times are hard for everyone. Most Americans realize the devastating economic condition of the United States. They want the problem solved. This is not the time for partisan bickering. The party doing the bickering will be perceived as the enemy. Rush is doing the country and his own party an major disservice. It's a gamble for Rush. He may lose the fight and hence lose his creditability and public support. In these difficult times, we, Americans must be united. We must work together to solve the problem. As I said, I do give Rush some credit for declaring his opinion. He has never been shy about defending conservatism. If truth be known, I would suspect that most Republicans in congress are privately hoping for an Obama misstep. They do not enjoy being the loyal opposition. They want to return to power. This is partisan politics at it's worst. Both parties have acted in the past in very much the same manner. That's the meaning of politics as usual. President Obama ran and won the presidency proposing to declare an end to politics as usual. So far, he has kept his campaign promises. Agree with his policies or not, he deserves a chance to govern. In his own words paraphrased, if he fails, then he won't be president in 2013. Give him a chance. 

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The RNC Chairman, Michael Steele, apologized to Rush Limbaugh for making comments against Rush's role in the Republican Party. Now whose afraid of the big bad Rush? The answer, the entire Republican Party. Imagine the lack of political chutzpah by the chairman of a major political party. In a way Rush was correct. Steele should be out of the media fray. He should be rebuilding the Republican Party and preparing for the 2010 midterm elections. However, this apology confirms Rush's place in the hierarchy of conservative philosophy and party structure. It cements Rush's place of importance in the basic core of the Republican Party. Now that's a misplaced position of a highly controversial and divisive media personality. I see no positive effects for the Party of elevating Rush Limbaugh to such a position of Republican esteem. Rush is a media personality. He makes his money by entertaining his radio listeners. If he wants to go into politics, then he should relinquish his media role. Yes, as a media radio entertainer he has every right to comment on the political climate of the times, but not to be part of it. Maybe he is trying to become part of the political machine of the day? Perhaps he is eyeing political office? That would be good, very good, excellent as a matter of fact, for the Democrats and an embarrassment and sure failure for the Republicans. The majority of Americans do not want divisive, hateful and totally arrogant political leaders. Rush and his characteristic manner is good for talk radio. People enjoy a good laugh or a good riotous discussion attacking Rush's political personality of the month. Clear thinking, responsible Americans want and demand more of their leaders. Rush should stay on talk radio and out of any specific formal influence in the Republican Party. Of course being a Democrat, I relish the thought of Rush running for political office. Another Allan Keyes - conservative, radical, hate mongrel. Come on Rush rev it up. Show America you are the real Republican conservative. Don't be just the mouthpiece for radical conservatism. Be the example of the conservative party, the Republican Party. Show us that Republicans are really just like you. Go get them Rush. You are the best, the best for Democrats and smart and controlled liberalism. You go Rush.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The best things in life are free. I'm sure we all remember that time honored saying. Today while I was enjoying lunch at my favorite java joint, I was shown another example that the precious, simple and most meaningful parts of life still exist. Although they are hidden and hard to find sometime, the really meaningful parts of life are still present for our appreciation. My usual java stop is a noisy if not boisterous place frequented by a majority of the most obnoxious, selfish, ultra ego sustaining mix of 20 something's, yuppies, family's and seniors. Enough said about the clientele. I do enjoy the coffee and menu items and even the ambience of the place to a fault. I'm an observer of human behavior, so it does me fine. I was unassumingly enjoying my coffee, salad and daily newspaper when I noticed from the corner of my eye two older patrons sitting in one of the all too few and highly desirous booths. I was half concentrating on my newspaper and half on the older couple. It appeared to me from my vantage point that they were eating their meal in silence. I thought how sad, they had nothing more to say to each other. The thrill was gone. Oh, was I wrong. I happened to look up and noticed that they were genuinely enjoying each others company. They were conversing very quietly almost at a whisper, gazing into each others eyes and communicating very effectively. Here were two people who must have experienced it all and now all they needed was each other. They didn't need a lot of noise, attention or special notice. They appeared to be completely at ease with each other. They seemed to be fully experiencing the human connection that they shared. Their lives seemed simple, modest and complete. That sight just warmed my heart. It gave me another validation that life is beautiful, special and ever so fleeting. We do need to put our lives in perspective, even in the midst of our country's economic condition as well as any personal problems that we may be facing. As important as they are, our economic problems or personal concerns are not the most important part of our lives now or ever. Each of us and the people in our lives are the most important part of our existence. Appreciate the wonderful life and times that we share. The couple that I described may have been discussing a major life problem. Or they may have been discussing the grandchildren. No one knows. That is not the important point. The important point is the fact that they were experiencing life together and dealing with it.

Monday, March 9, 2009

One of my favorite Sunday night TV shows, Brothers and Sisters, is getting a little unbearable to watch. The story lines are getting just too much. The characters in that show have so many conflicts, way too many for any character real or imaginary. Nora Walker, Sally Fields, said it best last night when referring to her family, "I asked them to be themselves. Now who are these people?" The amazing thing to me is the fact that the members of the family remain loving and caring throughout their conflicts. The episode last night was so depressing. As I've alluded to before, I don't know how any family could stay together experiencing so many serious problems. The current situations are so sad. I'm sure that a real life family has been exposed to one or more of these situations, but not all at the same time and certainly not at the show's rate of occurrence. Last night's episode contained enough material to keep a family sociologist busy for a lifetime. It gave me an overwhelming feeling of sadness with compassion and empathy for the American family. I think the fundamental reason for success or failure of families as well as individuals is communication. Communication is so important for healthy relationships. Other important qualities in successful relationships are honesty and a strong sense of self-realization. At least the show hints at those points. Maybe that's it's purpose. The rest as they say is Show Biz.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Today I got a general standard programmed message on my answering machine. It said that a debt collections company was calling and instructed me to call a toll free number immediately. The caller gave a reference number for me to use when inquiring about the call. I knew the call was bogus, but I started reviewing all the standard safeguards I use to secure my financial standing. I knew I had no outstanding debt problems, but had someone stolen my identity and created the debt? That was plausible but not probable. I regularly check my credit report and have a service that monitors my report for irregular activity. In my mind I knew that it was a scam. I goggled the phone number and found that indeed it was a scam. I read the accounts by other victims. This call was bogus. Then I got to thinking, what about the people who do not monitor their financial records? How about the people who do not employ technology in their quest for financial security? What about people who are vulnerable to such phone calls? The search results gave many different accounts of other people's experiences with this scam. Some said that after they returned the call the person asked for their social security number, etc. Some were told that their phone number was associated with other people's names. Some challenged the information that the company was giving them and were hung up on. In any case, this was a scam. Our best defense against such an attack is knowledge. Know your financial situation. Do not give out any information. Check your credit report regularly. Be proactive in the monitoring of your financial standing. Above all, trust your ability to handle any situation successfully.

Beware of the ides of March. Friday the 13th now the ides of March superstitious people must be having a panic attack about now. Did you know that according to the Roman calendar the 15th of March or May or July or October is called the ides of that month. For the other months, the ides is the 13th of the month? I never knew that fact. See you learn something new everyday. I am superstitious to a degree. I am aware of the different superstitions and really wouldn't want to challenge any of them, but I don't believe in them. That's not to say that I don't wonder about them and do appreciate their meanings, but my life isn't ruled by them. When confronted by any irrational belief I try to remember that good over takes evil all the time. That is part of my faith. I think we have to choose evil just like we have to choose good. I choose good. Now let me go sprinkle salt over my shoulder, don't step on any cracks, don't break any mirrors, watch that black cat, go around the ladder, cross your fingers, etc., etc., etc.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The AIG bailout: it's over, done, get over it. The bailout was completed. The government should accept the fact that it made a mistake. The mistake has nothing to do with AIG issuing obscenely high bonuses to AIG employees. These bonuses were covered in contractual agreements between the employer and the employees. Contracts should be honored. The mistake was bailing out AIG in the first place. The government never gets it right. The government should leave business to the free market place. At this point the government should step back, regroup and evaluate it's role in business. GM is another example of misplaced bailout funds. GM may have to declare bankruptcy and be parceled out to the highest bidders. I'm sorry but that is how the market works. Let business, free markets, competition, etc. exist. Let business create a fair, competitive and just market. The role of government should be that of an oversight agency. Government should secure the legality of business affairs. Just like it secures law and order, fairness and equitable practices in American life.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

I read an article in my daily this morning about the CEO of Starbucks trying to discredit the popular belief that Starbucks is out of the economic reach of regular people. The media has entertained the premise that a cup of Starbucks coffee is in the $4.00 range. That price may have been true a few years ago, but not anymore. Recently I visited a Starbucks coffee spot and purchased a grande cup of the daily blend for around the same price as Panera Breads. I believe the price was about $1.69. In fact that's a little lower than Panera's price. However, no refill at Starbucks. Yes, you can order up, there are a variety of coffees available. I think Starbucks has taken a bum rap concerning their prices. They are trying to accommodate more reasonable pricing. The economic minded patron will be satisfied with the options at Starbucks. The main reason that I do not regularly patronize Starbucks is due to their limited menu. Some of their sites have added some sandwiches, but not to the extent that I am satisfied. I don't think they offer bagels. A cup of coffee and a bagel makes for a smart snack at any time of day. In any case, do give Starbucks a break. They are trying to meet the needs of the cash strapped shopper.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

If it's Sunday, it's Meet The Press. True, but for Catholic boys it's thinking of church, too. Why do I say, "Thinking of Church" and not, "Going to Church"? Probably because many Catholics do not go to Mass regularly anymore. So, they think about church. I guess I'm in that category. I think about going to church. I think about God. I think about the Catholic Church, it's relationship to God and it's relationship to the world. Personally I find that the Catholic Church as well as most Christian faiths are in direct opposition to God's love. Most religions do not represent God's love and reality. Too many times they represent their own selfish, egotistical and arrogant interpretations of their definitions of God's love. They represent a manmade concept of God. Religions may redefine themselves, but God's message of love stands for all time. I have always thought that religion is manmade, not God-made. In other words, Religion serves the purpose of man not God. After the death of Jesus Christ, the Christian Catholic Church started to reflect the beliefs of it's leaders rather than following the teachings of it's founder. Man is fallible. Man does make mistakes. If that is true, then contemporary churches are nothing more than man's feeble attempt to follow the teachings of God, who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I do respect established religions. However, I do not support their arrogant, self-serving interpretations of God's Word. Any religion that preaches hate and bigotry is not preaching God's Word. God is love - love and acceptance of all people. As I've said, man is fallible. Therefore, man's version of Christianity is fallible. I feel that a human being has the God given right to live life as he or she sees fit. No human being has all the answers for all people. Each of us must find his or her own answers to life's challenges. In the end, the God that we love will be the One to evaluate our human existence. In the meantime, each of us must pursue God in our own, unique, individual pathways.