Way Off The Subject - Political Interlude

Just a few thoughts that have been rattling around in my brain that I feel compelled to put down on virtual paper.

First of all, Rudy Blagojevich. There has been no end of commentary from talking heads and pundits about his misdeeds, but I have yet to hear someone say this: it is laughable to think that by taking him down you're doing anything to reduce corruption. About the only difference between Bad Boyovich and most politicians in any significant position of power is that he was comically heavy-handed. If we've learned anything about American politics, it is that it takes money to gain access, and that money entirely influences what laws get passed and which comnpanies are favored. The whole government is for sale, not just one Senate seat. The oil and coal interests paid for Dubya to get elected, and lo and behold, you have a spate of deregulation and policies favorable to their interests, and not necessarily yours. Hey, the oil company representatives even got to sleep with Interior Department employees! Bonus!

So please, don't make me weary with your corruption probes and Congressional handwringing. Either clean it all up or stop pretending.

Second item: the bailout. Let's just call it by its proper name: the FLAILOUT. Enough said for now.

OK, here's another one. It never ceases to amaze me that in all the discussion about the economy, the war (wars) are barely touched upon, as if it was now common wisdom that there will always be a war going on. Orwell was right? With all the hand-wringing about how we can't afford health care or education, you'd think the cost of the wars would be foremost in the discussion. But no, instead it's a conversation about who to tax and when. At least if we move forward on the energy front we'll make progress in the war department, because the source of most of the hard cash for the business of terrorism comes from oil profits. Eliminate the need for imported oil, and you'll have a bunch of terrorists trying to come at you with wood sticks instead of A-Bombs. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WAR, every day until it ends. This is not a cry for pacifism, by the way; I'm ready to fight the good fight whenever necessary. And there's no question it's a scary world out there. But by squandering our treasure on Bechtel-Halliburton-Exxon socialism,we're becoming weaker and more vulnerable while they become wealthier (and even move their headquarters out of the United States!)

And now, back to my real job. Food. Radiation. and everything in between.