As I write this posting this evening, it seems as if things are going crazy both at the personal level and on the world stage.
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I don't want to get into what's going on at work. All I will say is that the future is very uncertain. Changing job conditions may or may not be forcing me into a relocation somewhere down the road. I don't know what's going to happen. It's too early to tell. But I've had to devote a lot of mental energy lately to wondering about some changes that could (or could not) be happening for me.
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Over in Egypt we recently saw mass demonstrations force longtime president Hosni Mubarak from power. Over in Libya, we see Moammar Khadafy (or however that's spelled) on the brink of being forced from office. There is unrest in Bahrain and in Yemen, and over in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the royal family is very concerned about things right now.
I'm no fan, of course of Khadafy. There is concern though about his eventual successor. My best guess is that once Moammar is gone, there will be a lot of celebrating in Tripoli, but I think we'll also see a lot of turmoil as those near the top fight for "King of the Mountain". The new guy may not be the improvement that we hope he is.
This could have serious repercussions on the economy. For good or bad, oil is the lifeblood of the world economy, and rising oil prices are being seen here at the gas pumps and also where you are. The cost of energy gets folded into the prices of all commodities as that petroleum is used to get that food to your supermarket. And in an economy where anyone who is not a CEO gets a 2% pay raise (if they get one at all), it seems as if the vise that's squeezing you is going to be squeezing you a bit more this year.
At the White House, I'm reading where the President is partying up a storm about celebrating Motown, while Detroit is closing half of its public schools. The White House is also issuing pronouncements that they are not going to defend or uphold legislation that they don't like.
Seems as if the whole world is going crazy.
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In Wisconsin we have an interesting legislative battle going on. The new governor and the new legislature, all controlled by Republicans, is trying to get some budget legislation that will be taking aim at the public sector unions. It has led to several of their Democrat senators fleeing the state. Democrat legislators have also fled Indiana, and I expect that we'll see a similar occurrence in Ohio.
In a sick way, this is amusing. The Democrats for the past few years have enjoyed labelling the Republicans as the party of "No". As these Democrats flee their job duties, I can't help but ask, who's the party of "No" now?
Don't get me wrong. I favor the currrent filibuster rules in the U.S. Senate. And if a bunch of Democrat state legislators want to flee their state (and the people they represent), let them. Really.....I'm all for it.
I will never stand in the way of legislators or a party that wishes to make themselves look stupid. The more they do that, the greater the chances of them being remembered at the ballot box.
And if you don't mind, I'm going to remind you that I'm a registered independent and I have issues with both Republicans and Democrats. My own view is that the established leaders of both parties need to be run out of town on a rail, so that some average Joes from the real world can rise up and take over, and start making some fixes.
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If in the event you happen to be someone who prays, I'm going to ask that you remember the following people in your prayers:
1. Robin W of Tennessee, who has some medical issues that I can't disclose, nor could I since I don't know what they are. She's been an angel of mercy to a great many people, incluing me. It's time for those of us she's prayed for to return the favor.
2. Karin F of Colorado, another angel of mercy, who has been a big help in encouraging me thru the latest series of setbacks that I've had lately. She's been trying to find some gainful employment in her field for over a year now, and her good spirits never cease to amaze me. Please pray for her.
3. Marge M and Karen M of Tucson. Marge is the mother of Karen, and Marge's son who is in another state is undergoing some difficulties that I won't make public here. This has to be a strain on both of them, and I ask that you remember them.
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Yep, I think it's really easy to say these days, that the whole world is going crazy.
But someone else also said, centuries ago, that "there is nothing new under the sun".
Don't forget to pet a dog or a cat.
The difference with the Republicans being the party of "no" last year in Congress and the Democrats being the party of "no" this year in Wisconsin (and other states) is that a lot of concessions were made for the Republicans last year, but were still rebuffed (health care, taxes, etc.), whereas the Democrats were willing to make compromises (cuts to wages and benefits), but were not willing to let the entire union structure be gutted.
ReplyDeleteThe Republicans have moved so far to the right that what is now the center is where the Republicans started 20 years ago. "Obamacare" is what Bob Dole proposed and what was totally acceptable to Republicans back when Clinton was president. Now that's too far "liberal." You can't negotiate with people who are constantly moving the line.
The Republicans wanted to balance the budget in Wisconsin and told unions they had to sacrifice wages and benefits. The unions agreed. Now the Republicans say that isn't good enough, you have to be destroyed so that you can never get those wages and benefits back. Who's not willing to compromise here? Who's really the party of "no"?
Frankly, imo, if the unions have to give up 5% in wages and benefits, the top 2% should have to incur a 5% tax hike. Why should only the middle class, those that make "on average" $60,000 a year, have to make all the sacrifices? Why not those that make 5 times that amount? Heck, even a 2% tax hike on the top 2% would generate more income for states/fed than a 5% wage/benefit cut on the middle class.
Hopefully, the people of Wisconsin now realize their mistake in trusting the current crop of Republican politicians.
I think it's more accurate to say that with the influx of the Tea Partiers, the rank and file of the Republican Party has moved to the right. I don't think for one minute their leadership has.
ReplyDeleteThey lost Congress in 2006 when it was becoming apparent that they too were big spenders and champions of illegal aliens.
As for taxing the rich, they'll find loopholes. Their assets either leave the country or they take advantage of a loophole given to them by the politicians so that the campaign contributions keep coming in.
As for Wisconsin, we won't know how the voters really feel about their current crop of Republicans until late next year.