Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Sarah Six-Pack

"Oh, I think they're just not used to someone coming in from the outside saying you know what? It's time that a normal Joe Six-pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency, and I think that that's kind of taken some people off guard, and they're out of sorts, and they're ticked off about it."

Now let's think about what Sarah Palin is saying.

First, Joe Six-pack.  Now I think that the office of VP should be occupied by someone educated, informed and decidedly NOT Joe Six-pack.  It is insulting to all Americans to think that just anyone can take on the responsibilities of being VP.  

Second, it's true that some people are taken off guard.  John McCain is 72 years old.  The VP should be ready at any time to become president.  Yes, I am taken off guard to think that this woman, who can not name one newspaper that she reads, can not name one Supreme Court case, does not know who or what Hamas is, has no knowledge of what the intention of the bailout is, could actually be not only VP but potentially president.

Third, what exactly does she mean by "out of sorts?"  And "ticked off."  Now just from the point of the average American, this is not the type of language I would expect someone trying to become VP to actually use. Maybe she's trying to be downhome in some way, but to me it appears that she is unable to speak intelligently and formally. 

The debate with Joe Biden should be quite interesting.  He should just let her talk.  But Biden's biggest problem is he can't let anyone else talk.  If he shuts up long enough he might just be the emcee of a new comedy show starring Sarah Palin as...Sarah Palin.


Uh, Sarah, Can You Just Answer the QUESTION?

Asked what newspapers and magazines she reads, Palin - a journalism major in college - could not name one publication.

"I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media," she said at first. Couric responded, "What, specifically?"

"Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years."

"Can you name a few?"

"I have a vast variety of source where we get our news," Palin said. "Alaska isn't a foreign country, where it's kind of suggested, 'wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?' Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America."

Suggestion for a follow up question, "Hey, numbnuts, NAME ONE!  GET IT?"

Or how about, "Do you read the Huffington Post?"

Sarah: "Uh, oh, yes, sure, every day." Couris, "Oh REALLY!"


Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Doing a little math.

Just doing a little math:

$700,000,000,000 

If you spent $1 million a day, it would take you 1917 YEARS to spend $700 billion!

If your house is worth $230,000, you could buy 2,800,000 of them with $700 billion.

Why would anyone, especially the Fed, give a blank check for this much money to exactly the same people who got us here in the first place?  They need to think this thing through and come up with a plan. Not so fast guys.  Develop a plan that makes sense and let the American people know what the plan is before you do anything.  The result of rushing this through could be far worse than what we might face without it.

Monday, September 29, 2008

My response from Florida Senator Martinez

Dear Mr. Kayser:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the financial crisis facing our country. I appreciate you contacting me regarding this important issue.

I have heard from thousands of Floridians in recent days who are worried about this financial crisis and are concerned about the actions that Congress and the Administration may take in addressing it. I believe that our country is facing a very serious situation, and I share many Floridians’ concerns about the economic consequences to our country if we fail to act appropriately. We need to enact legislation that enables our economy to continue functioning while imposing new regulations and safeguards to ensure that this situation never occurs again.

The exact form that this legislation will take is not yet decided, but I assure you that I am working hard to ensure that your tax dollars will not be wasted on any plan that rewards irresponsible or illegal activities by investment bankers on Wall Street. There must be accountability in any plan approved, and those who have given rise to this crisis need to be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for any wrong-doing that occurred.

I am enclosing a copy of remarks I made on the floor of the Senate regarding the current crisis and its origins in the housing market. I believe that this problem is far too complex and serious to be handled in the same ultra-partisan fashion that has unfortunately characterized much of the 110th Congress. I assure you that I am committed to working with all of my colleagues to address this crisis and enact meaningful reforms to protect homeowners and ensure the long-term economic prosperity of our country. 

Again, thank you for contacting me regarding this important issue. If I may be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Sorry Son, Wait for the Fed

Stick with this for a moment...

Sunday:
Son: Dad, thanks for the allowance.  I'm going to the movies next weekend and maybe buy some comics and baseball cards.  I might even have a bit left over from my $5.
Dad: Sure son, thanks for cutting the grass.
Monday at school: 
Billy: Hey buddy, can you lend me some money?  I really need just a few dollars to buy some stuff.
Son: Sure, but uh, I need the money back by this weekend.  Can you get it back to me?
Billy: Of course, and to show you I mean it I'll write this note.  It says, "You can have my bike if I don't pay you back by Friday."
Son: Great!
Monday night:
Son to himself: Hmmm.  Billy's bike must be worth more than $5.  Maybe I can sell his note to somebody and make a few extra dollars.
Tuesday at school:
Son: Hey Sam, you're always complaining that you need a new bike.  Wanna get one real cheap?
Sam: Sure.  But I'm broke today.
Son: That's ok.  Pay me by Friday.  Here's the note.
Wednesday night:
Sam to himself: Wow, this bike must be worth more than the money I paid...
Thursday at school: 
Sam: Hey Billy, I have a great deal for you...
Friday at school: 
Son: Hey Sam, got the money?
Sam: I'm going to get it soon.
Son: Hey, Billy, got the money?
Billy: Uh, no.
Son: So, I get to keep your bike?
Billy: Well, actually never really had the bike...
Billy: Hey Sam, where's the bike?  I gotta give it to Son!
Sam: But I never had the bike.
Saturday morning:
Son: Dad, can I borrow $5 on next week's allowance?
Dad: Sorry Son, you have to wait for the Fed to bail you out!!!

I think most of us would agree that it would be irresponsible for Dad to give Son another $5.  Son made a bad deal and lost his money.  Period.  That's free enterprise.  If Dad continually bailed out Son when would Son learn to be responsible.  If every time Son makes a bad deal and he knows Dad will bail him out, one might assume that Son will continue to make bad deals.

Sorry Son, you'll have to live with your mistakes.

Will America be worse off if the "bailout" is voted down, or worse off if it goes through.  Congress will at some point vote it into effect.  But they will probably load it down with earmarks instead of oversight.  

The American taxpayer will pay the bill.  But just try doing this yourself, like not paying YOUR bills and see what the Fed does for you.





Sunday, September 28, 2008

Oppose the bailout NOW!!!

In case you missed it, here is the transcript of Bush convincing Americans that there are WMDs in Iraq...oh, sorry, that we need a Wall Street bailout.  I just wonder why Americans aren't screaming and yelling at this plan.  Many Americans don't have health insurance.  Mom and Pop businesses fail every day.  Folks from the aftermath of New Orleans still are waiting for the new and improved city that Bush promised.  And on and on.  Yet taxpayers are expected to bail out the theives on Wall Street that ran their companies into the ground. So they made bad investments.  If Mr. and Mrs. Average American invest poorly does the Fed come along and bail them out?  If Mr. and Mrs. Average American can't pay their credit car bills or car payments does the Fed bail them out?  

WHAT ARE THE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON THINKING ABOUT?  WHAT IS BUSH THINKING ABOUT?

The answer is simple.  They are thinking about their buddies on Wall Street. They are thinking about the lobbyists who control them.  Or they are just plain not thinking at all.

Why does Dennis Kucinich ask for 5 minutes on the floor of Congress, speak for 1 minute and thirty seconds against the bailout, then get gaveled off the floor? And where are all the senators and congressmen that should be working? Kucinich was speaking to an empty chamber.  Can you not show up to work any time you please?


Why are Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich NOT the presidential nominees? Clearly they think outside the Washington box. They make too much sense. They are interested in protecting our rights. They see the mistaken thinking of the present administration.  

Write to your Senator and oppose the bailout.  Write to your Congressperson and oppose the bailout.

Too funny!!!

POEHLER AS COURIC: "And how do you do that exactly?"

FEY AS PALIN: "Every morning, when Alaskans wake up, one of the first things they do, is look outside to see if there are any Russians hanging around. And if there are, you gotta go up to them and ask, 'What are you doing here?' and if they can't give you a good reason, it's our responsibility to say, you know, 'Shoo! Get back over there!'

POEHLER AS COURIC: "Senator McCain attempted to shut down his political campaign this week in order to deal with the economic crisis. What's your opinion of this potential 700 billion dollar bailout?"

FEY AS PALIN: "Like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill about this. We're saying, 'Hey, why bail out Fanny and Freddie and not me?' But ultimately what the bailout does is, help those that are concerned about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up our economy to help...uh...it's gotta be all about job creation, too. Also, too, shoring up our economy and putting Fannie and Freddy back on the right track and so healthcare reform and reducing taxes and reigning in spending...'cause Barack Obama, y'know...has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans, also, having a dollar value meal at restaurants. That's gonna help. But one in five jobs being created today under the umbrella of job creation. That, you know...Also..."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "What lessons have you learned from Iraq and how specifically, would you spread democracy abroad?"

FEY AS PALIN: "Specifically, we would make every effort possible to spread democracy abroad to those who want it."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "Yes, but specifically what would you do?"

FEY AS PALIN: "We're gonna promote freedom. Usher in democratic values and ideals. And fight terror-loving terrorists."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "But again, and not to belabor the point. One specific thing."

(several seconds of FEY and POEHLER staring at each other)

FEY AS PALIN: "Katie, I'd like to use one of my lifelines."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "I'm sorry?"

FEY AS PALIN: "I want to phone a friend."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "You don't have any lifelines."

FEY AS PALIN: "Well in that case I'm gonna just have to get back to you!"