Oh those Crappy Meals!

I feel sorry for all those little kids in San Fran...their rights to the toys that came with Meals Formerly Known as Happy have been ripped away!

Now if they want a toy, they will probably have to be force-fed some heinous tofu concoction with baked unsalted pita chips and nonfat chocolate milk. (What's the use of non-fat chocolate milk? I don't get it!) I suppose they WILL be given some fruit and veggies -- that have been soaked in something to keep them from discoloring while they are shipped around the country...

I'm sure the franchise owners really appreciate this great new marketing strategy, courtesy of the SanFran powers-that-be... "We have the right to tell you what to sell, because it is our job to save the people from you, you selfish, profit-mongering, health endangerers!"

Not to mention that it seems to be the government's aim to save the people from themselves. The ignorant masses can't be trusted to make good choices for their children when a toy is involved. 

Face it SanFran council, no one goes to McD's expecting to eat health food. In fact, we go there because it is NOT health food...It just tastes good -- fat and carbs taste good! We like them...and we need them -- amongst other nutrients-- and our kids will not die from fast food consumption.

And -- as a mom, I feel it is my duty to let the people who passed this law know this truth of child behavior: Just because you bought the healthy meal with a toy doesn't mean the kid is going to eat it.

But they will play with the toy.

Book Report...

I recently read this book and want to recommend it as a "must read". I learned so much from it. Being a believer in free enterprise, I must admit my knowledge of its principles was very incomplete. This book was a succint and straightforward reckoning of the difference between free enterprise, and the big government statism advocated by our current president.  If truly our country is at this crossroads, we must know what we are fighting for, and against. There is much at stake.You'll be a lot more informed and confident in the conflict if you read this book.

Some quotes from Mr. Brooks:

"Free enterprise is the system of values and laws that respects private property, encourages industry, celebrates liberty, limits government, and creates individual opportunity."

"Under free enterprise, people can pursue their own ends -- and they reap the rewards and consequences, positive and negative, of their own actions.

"More than any other system, free enterprise enables people to earn success and thereby achieve happiness. For that reason, its not just an economic alternative, but a moral imperative."

Big government/statism wants us to believe that success is not earned; it is a right. And if we do not have it, we are victims of some kind of exploitation. Our outcomes have nothing to do with merit or effort on our part.

"People who believe they have earned success -- measured in whatever life currency they want -- are happy."

Big government defines success for us -- all possessing the same amount, equal outcomes.

"If we know we have the possibility of earning success, we know we can improve our lives and our lot. That is one of the great gifts of the American free enterprise system -- the opportunity for people to re-invent themselves, to work toward a future that is better than their past. This is the American Dream."

Home ownership is NOT the American Dream. Having stuff is NOT the American Dream. The American Dream is the optimism of a better tomorrow.

"Earned success gives people a sense of meaning about their lives. And meaning is the key to human flourishing. It reassures us that what we do in life is of significance and value, for ourselves and for those around us. To truly flourish, we need to know that the ways in which we occupy our waking hours are not based on mere pursuit of pleasure or money or any other superficial goal. We need to know our endeavors have a deeper purpose."

"Free enterprise enables us to find meaningful work through free markets that match our skills and passions."

Contrast that thought with the European markets and their mandated pay, vacation, and their push to career choices made early and set in stone...They may have job security, but they have no choice to pursue their own skills and passions, and the rewards of such. Maybe that's why they riot when they find out they have to work for 2 more years before retirement...

"Successful, flourishing -happy- people are those who believe that through their own efforts they can determine their own destinies. Those who are powerless, and unable to affect what they consider important aspects of their lives, are among the most miserable people of all."

"The purpose of free enterprise is human flourishing, not materialism."

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what Mr. Brooks has written, and the value of free enterprise has become paramount to me.  This will be an epic battle in our country, and we need to know what we are standing for.  And, as Mr. Brooks states in the book, "We need to find a better language with which to talk about our free enterprise values." (Italics mine) If we are going to win this battle, we need to keep pointing people to the principle values behind all the talking points.

I hope this book report may have whet your appetite for this book. It is a short read -- without cumbersome economic terms...You won't regret checking it out.

Note: All blue type is direct quotations from the book. Black type: my opinion only...read the book! Mr. Brooks deserves a better look than my observations accomplish!

Someone's liable...

Yesterday, I was listening to the Joe & Patti Show on KGMI. They were discussing the legal case of an injured firefighter whose court-award of $12million was challenged when he was investigated and found to be physically capable of much more than his original complaint claimed. Despite the video footage and photographs that showed him playing bocce & horse shoes, and even dancing, his award was re-instated.


A caller defended this guy saying that you can’t see all the consequences of the original injuries, so it’s not fair to judge. Someone may be disabled and not look that way...Besides, the caller stated, “SOMEONE is liable...”

Apparently, that’s a given. When something bad happens, SOMEONE is liable.

In this case, the firefighter was injured when he got up to use the restroom one night in a firehouse he was not familiar with. In the dark, he chose the wrong door, and stepped off into the hole for the fire pole down to the first floor. He suffered a head injury, 10 broken ribs and worse, if you can imagine that.

This just stuck in my craw, and I don’t mean the specifics of this case. You can argue about what this guy did or didn’t do, and whether he should have the money but that’s not what’s bugging me. I’m sorry that this guy suffered such severe consequences from an unfortunate mistake, but what about personal responsibility? No one shoved him over the edge. Why isn’t HE the one responsible? Why is SOMEONE (read: ELSE) liable? Why is this the immediate response?

There seems to be the attitude that because this firefighter has lost something, someone must make it up to him. It’s a general attitude these days, I fear. If I have less than you, someone should make it up to me...and most likely you. Or the government should...Or those rich, uncaring corporations...

People want to dissociate merit, or effort, or the lack thereof, with outcomes. They want us to think that we’re all the same, and deserve the same. We are all made in the image of God, and deserve the same respect, and the same opportunities – but we do not have all the same motivations, nor do we all deserve the same kind of outcomes. And sometimes we make bad, maybe even stupid, mistakes, that set us far back from where we want to be...

If you take the time to think about it, you recognize that while we all want security and happiness, no one defines them in the same way. As we persist in the pursuit of equal outcomes for all, we restrict our ability to freely pursue that which is our own unique definition of security and happiness. I may have to settle for yours, you may have to settle for mine, or worse, we both have to settle for the government’s definition of these.

So much is wasted by encouraging people to wait around for others to make up what they lack, when, all the time, opportunity and freedom are right there for us to grab hold of in pursuit of our unique dream of security and happiness.

This is America, people! -- the place where initiative, creativity and hard work allow us to take our talents to undetermined heights! Why are we ceding our dreams to wait for equal footing? We’ll never get it and we don’t even need it.

It’s time we stopped whining for equal outcomes, and grabbed the equal opportunities that already exist.

If someone is liable for what you lack, most likely that someone is YOU.

An Almost Wordless Wednesday...

Got this in the mail...

I decided to do this with it...

Thanks to the Republican Party for this little exercise that reminds us how the Federal government works.

When they send you money, you end up sending it back, and about 80% of it gets lost in the process.

God bless -- no, God HELP America!

It's not exactly a Death Panel, but it seems like it...

I heard on the news tonight that an Arizona man who has leukemia has been given a virtual death sentence because of budget cuts implemented by Gov. Jan Brewer.

The Arizona legislature, not just Gov. Brewer, made cuts to the state's Medicaid funding because federal mandates about who is now eligible for coverage have created huge cost burdens. They were forced to cut optional services, which included some transplants...including a non-family member bone marrow transplant which would likely save the life of Mark Price, father of six.

The media has brought this to light, most likely because they are not fans of Jan Brewer...because if they were honest about it, they would have to admit that when Obamacare was in process, they mocked the people who predicted that decisions would be made that would cost people their lives.

In this case, it seems that the system requires that more people are covered, at the expense of others with more uncommon problems. Arizona Attorney General, Terry Goddard, and the Democratic nominee for governor, accuses Gov. Brewer that she has not made "tough decisions; she's made mean decisions that hurt Arizona families".  So is that how the families that have gained coverage feel? That the Governor is "mean" for including them, at the expense of others? I doubt it...

I can understand the frustration and grief of the Price family...but how do you decide who gets what? If you make an exception, what will it be based on? Is one person more deserving of life than another?

While proponents of Obamacare would have us think that all our health problems can be addressed and resolved through their system, it's just not true. They would have us believe that everyone has a right to an equal outcome...It's just not possible. There is not an infinite, ever-flowing stream of funding...Choices will have to be made, and when we are dependent on one source, we have no opportunity, or freedom, to pursue our own resources...When this course is followed, eventually we do have an equality of outcomes -- and no one is happy with them.

Indeed, the whole world has gone crazy!

I'm sitting here by my window, waiting for a pig to fly by.

I won't even be surprised when it happens...It seems only a logical next step in the sequential insanity of events that have occurred with today's testimony of Stephen Colbert before a House committee.

Oh, I know it's not weird for celebs to testify in front of Congress, but usually they do it as citizens, or experts in their fields -- not in character.

Yes, Stephen Colbert testified as the character he portrays on TV with all the outrageous, satirical and sarcastic commentary he is known for.

What?! And this was important because...? And his sarcastic reporting about his stint working in the same fields as illegal immigrants do is valuable because...? Uh...because...uh, it made some people laugh...uh, because...uh, it was good for ratings...? It's going to take quite a bit of spin to get something that sounds even remotely appropriate or valuable about this. I'm anxious to hear this defended..

What a waste of time!! Who cares what a TV character thinks?? Who's next -- Homer Simpson?

The Congress has gone "high school" if you ask me! "Hey! Let's get that funny guy to testify about the issue...That will be AWESOME!"  Have they let go of their last shred of dignity? I would hope that our lawmakers might have more important things to do than spend their time on Stephen Colbert...and with my tax dollars...Please! Has this been entered into the Congressional Record?...Embarassing!

I want to know who set up this visit...and who attended...and what they say for WHY they attended!

As I said, embarassing...

The whole world is getting played...

Much ado about nothing?

I think we're all getting played on the issues of the "Ground Zero" mosque, AND the Florida pastor's threatened burning of the Koran.

Mosque, Shmosque...I hate the thought that a mosque is being built near the place where thousands fell to the evil purposes of terrorists who declare Islam their religion...Probably as much as abortion providers hate it that the law allows protestors to stand across the street from their clinics. The obvious point being that we are free to express ourselves as long as we do not break the law. We are free to have poor taste, be stupid, be confrontational and insensitive, and even be a bully -- along with all the appropriate ways there are to express ourselves.

If the builders of this mosque are trying to express the ultimate "neener, neener" to the United States, how should we respond? Don't bullies grow in power, as their victims grow loud protestations? I think indifference might be the most appropriate response. If their "parishioners" (?) are as moderate as they claim, do you think they will want to be seen attending this particular mosque? This issue may have already died, except that the media blew up the conflict to give it life...And so many have fallen for it, spending much loud energy opposing it...

Then there's a little issue with the owner of the property...I've heard that a buyer with 20 million could come in and make the whole conflict go away...Just buy the property from the mosque builders...What a clever way to increase the value of property...get the whole country angry, upset, incensed, offended...and just a few million sacrificed by someone will make SO many people happy...

Pardon my cynicism, but I think that the Florida pastor may have shown his ulterior motives for the Koran burning stunt as well...First, who would have ever known this guy if he had not proposed this activity? Second, for a little bit, it looked like HE would be the one to make the whole country happy by striking a deal to stop the "Ground Zero" mosque...a hero!

Seriously, Pastor -- you think the Islamic radicals are that upset about 200 Korans being burned? Come on! "Oh, please, please don't burn our Korans! We'll stop plans to build that mosque immediately if you just don't burn our holy book!" Ridiculous that this Pastor even believed that it was possible...I'm sorry, hero will not apply in this case. It's all foolishness...

To me, it was all much ado about nothing until I heard our President make a plea to the Florida pastor to not burn the Koran because of the suffering that would be caused by his action. Mr. Obama implied that our servicemen & women might be harmed...

Neither is this an appropriate response to a bully..."Please don't do anything to make the terrorists mad. We don't want to get hurt..." assumes powerlessness.  We won't stand on our principles. We won't stand against evil done against our people. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to keep from getting hurt...What?

I can't believe that our President would communicate such a weak position to the terrorists and to the world. I'm appalled...angry...embarassed...and I'm sad for our country. 

God help us to be committed more to what is RIGHT than to what is comfortable...

And God help us discern the truth in every situation so we are not deceived into inadvertently aggrandizing the "players" who create situations that hurt our country for their own gain...

I've been too tired to vent...

Sorry for the long absence. I'm getting my head clear after a busy harvest time.

Well, as clear as it is possible to get...

In the meantime, here is a post you will enjoy from an author I particularly enjoy...And I agree with him on this 100%.

http://www.redcounty.com/content/true-conservative-witch-hunt


BLOGGER'S NOTE: A blatant advertisement for my son's writing...but he IS good!

How SHOULD the "Have's" be responsible for the "Have-not's"?

President Obama today chided the GOP saying that the same people who want to give the wealthiest Americans tax cuts refuse to support continued benefits for the unemployed.

I believe they are just demonstrating consistency of principle.

President Obama, tax breaks for the wealthy could create a job for the Tom, Dick & Harriet you say are suffering in their unemployment. That would be a lifeline for them!

Continued unemployment benefits only give them another deadline -- emphasis on the "dead".

Which is the better way to help those who have not?

NASA tasked with creating better relations with the Muslim world...

You read it right...President Obama has tasked the space agency with improving relations with the Muslim world. In fact, he's made it their foremost mission.

Uh....what?

The space agency -- the guys who figured out how to get to the moon, and more importantly, back -- The brilliant scientists who have spent years discovering the stars, learning about the planets,and innovatively creating ways to get our world linked with the immeasurable universe -- is now supposed to reach out to the Muslim world.

And from what I read, it seems that the greatest motivation behind this is that the Muslim world has been...well, left out when it comes to historic contributions to science.  "...there is much to be gained by drawing in the contributions that are possible from Muslim {nations}." NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden explained.

You'll note that he said "possible".  I'm sorry but this seems a lot like giving participation ribbons to the all the little soccer players who were on the field, but didn't accomplish any thing beyond that.  I'm sure that there are brilliant Muslim scientists, but I have never heard of any huge scientific discoveries or contributions made by Muslim countries...And probably no fault of the scientists, there either. Muslim nations don't strike me as being big into science, sadly.

It is bad enough that NASA has been hamstrung by budget cuts while Congress spends money on more unemployment benefits, but I'm appalled that now they are being made irrelevant by being tasked with this ridiculous mission.

Dear Honorable, Innovative, Hard-working, Forward-thinking NASA employees, you have my sympathy.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/05/nasa-chief-frontier-better-relations-muslims/

It doesn't seem like a big deal...Until they come for YOUR freedom...

Our state has instituted “sin taxes” on candy, and soda pop. Some states are trying to regulate fat content of foods, and children’s consumption of foods deemed to be “unhealthy”. The list of regulation grows...

I have to admit that it never bothered me that there are plenty of taxes on cigarettes and liquor – mostly because I don’t smoke, and rarely have an alcoholic drink. But when they come for my candy, my pop, my french fries – I find myself thinking, “Back off!”

The premise behind this is that certain items for consumption, and certain activities, are more likely to be harmful to you. Your use or participation will probably result in physical needs that are costly to meet. So – the powers-that-be seek to discourage your participation by making it more costly to you now, as well as mitigate, with your tax dollars, the future cost of your care.

Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it?

Until they come for your french fries...or your motorcycle rides...or your diet Coke...or your favorite restaurant’s menu...or your helicopter skiing excursion...or your daily latte...

Then it seems like they are taking away our freedom, and regulating us all to activities that are manageable for them. I don’t like it...and I’m pretty sure that the addicted-to-risk-taking generations that follow us won’t like it either. I just can’t picture Gen X or Y (what letter are we on now?) giving up snowboarding out-of-bounds (with their transponder, of course!)to maintain good standing with their government provided health-care. I’ve always taken encouragement from the fact that Gen Y’ers won’t put up with it, and it will be the death of the idea.

However, recently, the wise Walter Williams alerted me to the problem with the premise that sounds so reasonable.

He explained that while we look at these taxes and regulations as a failure of liberty, they are not. Instead, they are a failure of socialism. Socialism presumes that the government is responsible for our care, all of it. Whether we need our bank bailed out, our health care paid for, our environment cleaned of oil, our cribs made safe, our crop failures reimbursed (the list is endless) – it is the government’s responsibility.

Of course, the government can’t do it all – unless they manage the risks, unless they curtail our freedoms. The problem is not that we choose to participate in certain behaviors. The problem is that we participate in these behaviors, expecting someone else to cover the consequences if we can’t.

Anymore, I don’t take such comfort in the attitude of the Gen Y’ers risk-taking addiction. I suppose they figure that whatever happens to them, someone else will take care of it. It now seems obvious to me that we are a society that believes we have a right to good results...no matter what we do. From ambulance-chasing lawyers, to Congressional hearings about gas pedals, we expect that anything bad that happens to us should be fixed – by the government (or some big, deep-pocketed corporation the government took to the woodshed)!

We can engage in endless discussion of what should be regulated, and why, and how, and who should receive help, and who should be protected – a morass of moral relativism that threatens to swamp us all. In reality, the issue at its basis is simple: It’s not the government’s job to take care of us, to guarantee positive outcomes for all of our lives.

I wonder how our lives might be changed if we knew that our consequences were our own...that, truly, we would reap what we sowed...that if trouble came, we had to figure it out, not submit a form to the government for aid.

It could only improve the country, in my opinion. It might produce a new generation of innovators, and confident problem-solvers, instead of the whining, self-indulgent, and apathetic society we see too often these days.

It’s been a challenge to me, and I challenge you , to recognize where we have accepted the expectation that others should mitigate the consequences of our choices. It is a sneaky little assumption that creeps into our minds more readily than we realize.

And it needs to go!

Got Rhythm?

A national survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control, who interviewed 2800 15-19 year olds, face to face, between 2006 and 2008 has revealed an interesting statistic.

It was found that 17% of sexually active teenage girls (up from 11% in 2002) rely on the rhythm method for birth control.

I can't believe it.

I just can't picture a teen rendevous in the back seat of the car ending with a counted consideration of the days in her personal calendar...Right...Because, of course, teen boys heading for the back seat of the care are so restrained and responsible with their hormones.
The only scenario in which this might work is with a couple that so rarely restrains themselves that they are sated enough to take a break...A sad and unlikely situation.

Basically, these girls are saying they don't use birth control...A sadder and more likely situation.

Because you know what they call people who use the rhythm method: PARENTS.

And 70% of the girls in the survey believe it is okay for a girl to have a baby on her own, as did 64% of  young men in the same age group...

I wonder if their opinion changes once they've unsuccessfully used the rhythm method...

Thinking of all those little kids caught in the consequences saddens my heart.

Love It/Hate It

Have you seen these Zappos ads yet? I LOVE THEM!! They are so clever, and so cute...and very effective.

I learned that some of these ads are actual recordings of people posing as customers, making strange requests of actual Zappos customer service reps. Then they recreated the scene with the puppets. Obviously, their customer service reps are great!

On the other hand, here is an ad I HATE!!



Even though it's a cartoon, it's just TOO GRAPHIC for me...YUK!! I just don't want to think about that...

And I'm embarrassed that you brought it up...PLEASE!! Some problems just don't need to be discussed in public!

Radio Ridiculousness...

Having a son in the radio business, I listen quite a lot...and yesterday I caught a couple of common and regular ridiculous radio caller comments, and I can stay silent no longer.

People! You make me crazy when you say:

"Your screener told me to get right to the point, so I will just get right to the point."

Uhhhh...that is NOT getting right to the point!!! And, surprise, the talk show host knows that the screener told you that, because the SCREENER TELLS EVERYONE THAT!! We ALL know the screener says that!!! JUST GET TO THE POINT BY SAYING YOUR POINT!!!

And then, when the talk show host says, "20 seconds, what are your thoughts?" I hear:

"I know time is short, so I'll just get right to the subject."

Do you realize that you just used 15% of your time saying you didn't have much time? Right after the host said you didn't have much time? Oh, please! Redundancy!! Wastefulness!! All in 20 seconds...which are now gone with your point half made. 

Okay, okay...I know I'm unmerciful to these amateurs who are probably nervous, and maybe say things they didn't plan to...But I'm not assigning any devaluation to their personhood...I'm just saying, IT MAKES ME CRAZY!!

And folks...I don't have far to go on that...

The Rock and The Hard Place...

Recent buzz has our Governor, Christine Gregoire, as a possible candidate to move from our lovely state, to the Other Washington, to fill the Solicitor General position that may be vacated by Elaina Kagan, nominee for the U. S. Supreme Court.

I'm no fan of Governor Gregoire's policies, or practices, and frankly, I think there was some funny business that went on to win her the election after multiple recounts. I have absolutely no proof -- The situation just seemed too contrived to be legitimate. Call me a conspiracy theorist on that topic!

Anyway, I would not be sorry to see Ms. Gregoire vacate her office and give Washingtonians an opportunity to see some real leadership in our Governor's office.

However...

The Solicitor General is the attorney that represents the United States in cases that come before the Supreme Court...which would mean that Christine Gregoire, with her liberal leanings, and political debts to pay and play, would be the lead defender/ litigator for our country against those making claims against it. Think about that...Oh my!

As much as I want a change for our state, it might be better for our country if we suffered the damage here in Washington for a little while longer...

Catching up...

Goodness! I didn't realize that I had been silent for almost a month...Silent, but not without opinions, and there have been a few things that have been percolating in my mind...

First, let me say that I stand with you, Spirit Airlilnes, on your unpopular implementation of a fee for carry on bags.  Personally, I have an affinity for this because I find it extremely annoying to stand in the aisle of a plane behind someone who is "encouraging" their too large bag to fit inside an overhead compartment. Sometimes, I have all I can do to keep from saying, "It might be easier for you to ride in the overhead compartment and put your mondo-bag on the seat!"  or "Please tell me that during turbulence, when your mondo-bag bursts out of the compartment it will hit YOU and not ME on the head." Anyway, that's my personal reasoning. If it costs more than checking your bag, fewer people will do it, and we will be able to board the plane in less time...and de-board in less time too! And have less risk of injury and aggravation...

But there is a better reason why I want Chuck Schumer and the government to stay out of Spirit Airline's business. We don't need  government to come in and start making a bunch of new rules that will be stupid in half the circumstances they regulate, when the marketplace will take care of any problems on its own. I've noticed that Spirit Airlines is not the only airline in the country...hmmmm -- and if people think their new policy is unfair, they will probably find another airline to fly with...hmmm...And if enough people do that, Spirit Airlines will start to lose money, and they will decide that perhaps charging for carry-ons isn't working out so well...and then they will stop doing that...

That is called the "free market" and isn't it amazing how it just takes care of the perceived problem without leaving behind a pile of paperwork, documentation and irrelevant regulation. It's AMAZING!! Chuck, you should try it some time...soon.

My second issue is a potential biggie: the proposal for a Washington State income tax "on the wealthy". First question: Who gets to decide who is wealthy? I think that there may be as many definitions of wealthy as there are people in the state. If one of the premises of this proposal is to make things "fair", how do you define what is "fair"?

Frankly, I feel sorry for the wealthy. They just don't get credit for one of their major contributions to society. Everyone thinks that the best they can do is give more money to be shared with those who have not...I think their major contribution is that their success creates more jobs. "Ever seen a poor man give another man a job?" I quote a caller to the Rush Limbaugh show. It's a lot like the old adage, "Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime."

The tax dollars taken from the rich are finite. The opportunities that a job gives an individual are not. So I see the proposed income tax as limiting opportunities. And of course, it is another case of punishing the productive to reward the unproductive -- and I'm not just talking about welfare recipients -- unless you consider our state government a welfare recipient, which it very nearly is, come to think of it. If it's going to keep going, we are going to have to give more to help it get back on it's feet...Which seem to be standing on our feet...all the time lately.

Overall, it just isn't a solution to take more money from our successful entrepeneurs and businesses to grow a state government that can't get its own budget balanced -- or even understood.  It seems to me that a little tough love, a little free market thinking might be in order here.

So this is what it has come to...

I couldn't believe what I was reading in the Sunday Herald! I'll quote it (partially) here, with credit to the author, in an effort to not get in trouble for copying without permission...

TANNING TAX MAKES SOME SALON BUSINESSES BURNING MAD
by Nathan Olivarez-Giles  LA Times

"Eydie McNeill was fuming about the newly passed health care bill, but her rage had nothing to do with socialism, death panels, or the deficit.

She just likes a good tan, and because of a provision in the bill that puts a 10 percent additional tax on tanning salon fees, her sessions are going to cost her more.

'I'm angry, I'm really disappointed by all this,' said McNeill, 51, waiting for a tanning bed at the Tanning Club in Westwood. "It just feels like we are being taxed for everything nowadays."

She was not just thinking of herself. McNeill is a sorority house mom at Gamma Phi Beta at the University of California-Los Angeles.

'A lot of my girls tan, most of them, and they don't have a lot of extra money,' she said. 'They're students. Most students live on a tight budget.' "

I have 3 observations:
1. Sorority girls of UCLA -- if you can afford to tan, you don't know what a tight budget is!! Holy cow!! These are the depths of victimization that we have fallen to? We are now supposed to be concerned about people who can't afford to tan -- as much as they are accustomed to.

2. Of course, this is a legitimate reason for the health care bill to be repealed. Girls in CALIFORNIA will not be able to tan!! Thank you, liberal media for finally finding a good reason for the American public to be concerned and fearful about how this bill will change their lives.

3. Though I reject the idea that taxing tanning will lead to the prevention of skin cancer, I would like to encourage you entitlement-minded out there to note this: You want free health care. You want the government to provide for your "right" to quality health care. You know how they're going to take care of you? They're going to limit your freedom to tan as much as you want, to eat as many french fries as you want, to smoke if you want, to ride motorcycles if you want, etc., etc...by taxing you, or the business that provides these services...Yep, it will COST more...one way or the other...and probably both ways.

You know, it would be nice if you entitlement-minded people would think these things through, and not just live by your gut.

I don't think I've ever said a less diplomatic thing in my life.

LONGING...LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGIIIINNNGGG...

That describes me after all the Health Care Reform Hoo-Haw...

I'm LONGING for SOMEONE, ANYONE in the halls (no longer hallowed) of Congress to speak the truth...to make a decision based on what is good for the people he serves, NOT based on what his good for his position, or for his next election.

I believe that I am not the only one feeling this kind of longing. In fact, I think that anyone who had the courage to do this would find himself in front of a very large following. However, besides the lack of courageous people of integrity in Congress (not a dearth, a lack), I think this doesn't happen because most citizens are not aware of how bad things are, and are not paying enough attention to require accountability in their own representatives and Senators.

Was it Plato that said, "The price men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves."?

That's it, folks. We need to make our government representatives accountable. Make them answer for what they are doing...And show the door to those who are in power for power, not to serve.

Easier said than done...but imperative!

Another reason I am against health care reform...

"Of all tryannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. "
                                                                                                    -- C.S. Lewis

Oh for goodness, people!

Big news today is that WA Ceasefire is putting the pressure on Starbucks to make their coffee shops gun-free zones.

Can one think of a more ill-conceived and ill-timed campaign?

Good idea, guys! Let's start this movement in Seattle, which is next-door to Tacoma, where 4 gun-carrying police officers were shot & killed in a coffee shop by an armed crazyman. Because one of these officers was able to fire at the fleeing perp and wound him, they were able to find and arrest the crazyman, protecting the public and other officers from being further targets.

Isn't this illustration enough that it is not the presence of guns that cause the problem?

WA Ceasefire is demanding that Starbucks create a law of their own -- not supported by the codes and laws of the state, which allow gun-totin' (they're all cowboys anyway, right?)citizens to go purchase their grande double shot caramel macchiato extra hot while packing their own heat...So who is going to enforce it? Can you see the barista going up to the gun-packing coffee drinker and asking him to leave? I don't think so.

And, by the way, how big a problem do they think this is? I can't say I've ever gone into any coffee shop wondering how many people in there were carrying guns...I have my doubts that's where all the sketchy gun-carrying people go...Starbucks...Right! The coffee shops are rife with people just waiting to shoot it up...Though, if they know people with guns are not allowed there, maybe now they will give it a try. No worries about somebody trying to be a hero when you're robbing the place...

I'm glad that, so far, Starbucks is sticking to their guns (pun intended), and not changing their policy. But I have to say that I know a lot of Seattlite liberal types will think it a moral victory if they cave...and they just might -- for marketing reasons. It will make some people feel good, and feel safer (-- and self-righteous too) and they will LOVE Starbucks.  "I'll have a little world peace with my coffee, please." Awwww...

Foolish people are willing to FEEL good, instead of looking at facts with reason and responding appropriately.  WA Ceasefire members seem to be passionate and proud that they are working to make people feel safe...But when a crazyman breaks down their door, I think they might wish they had a gun.

Oxymoron: "Congressional Hearing"

I’ve just watched a portion of the Congressional hearing into the Toyota recall crisis...


It’s not riveting. In fact, it’s kind of comical to me. Congressmen with grave faces challenging the Toyota execs...Yes, Congressmen from Congress – that paragon of efficient problem solving. Oh, the irony!!

But, they are putting the screws to them. They even asked the $64 question: Do you intend to address these quality control issues in such a way as to restore the safety of Toyota drivers and be an example for other car manufacturers?

I tell you, I was waiting with bated breath for that answer!

What’s Mr. Toyoda going to say? “Uh, no...we’ve really made enough money already, big uncaring corporation that we are. We’ve always marketed our cars as reliable, quality vehicles and we and our employees have taken pride in making them. But what you’re asking us to do is too much work. We’ll just let the whole thing go down. Yes, probably fewer and fewer Toyota’s will be sold, and we’ll end up in bankruptcy. But, we know that when we get to that point, you will bail us out – so no worries. In the meantime, we’re going to try a new marketing campaign: TAKE YOUR CHANCES, DRIVE A TOYOTA! It should appeal to the Gen Y’ers with their love for risk.”

In my opinion, he could have said: “This is a stupid question because, obviously, we are doing that already! In the real world, unlike Congress, quality results are a pre-requisite to success. If we don’t build safe, quality cars, people don’t buy them. We don’t make money. We can’t employ people. We won’t have a business. Quality products, and corrections to any deficiencies that show up, keep us in business, so we have a vested interest in getting things right. We know that you have us here so you can look like you’re holding our feet to the fire and as a result, it will be perceived that is Congress who is making American drivers safer. Well, sirs, in that you are wrong. We are already at work to make drivers safer, and you are wasting our valuable time by requiring us to be here to answer stupid questions.”

Instead, Mr. Toyoda gave the politically correct answer, and the expected abject apologies and groveling. I know he couldn’t say the kind of things that I was thinking, but I’m still kind of disappointed. So many of these Congressional hearings are a farce. It is just an opportunity for Congress to look like they are in control of curing all American ills. Goodness! How would we have survived this recall crisis if they had not intervened???

Very well, thank you. And it would please me immensely if you, Congress, would recognize that looking like something is very different than BEING something. Stop with the laughable hearings that are just a stage for your ulterior motives, and start doing more for the American people by doing less!

How you know your pre-SuperBowl coverage has gone on too long...

You know your coverage has gone on too long when you hear your commentators say:

COMMENTATOR #1: {Paraphrased} "The Saints need to force the turnovers! Statistically, the teams that recover the turnovers win the most games."

COMMENTATOR #2: {Quote} "But will the Saints be able to do that today?"

COMMENTATOR #3: {Quote}"We don't know -- that's why they need to play the game..."

CUT TO COMMERCIAL

Yes, PLEASE, PLEASE! cut to a commercial!! It seems quite obvious that this may be only one of MANY, MANY reasons why they need to play the game... Another might be to see who wins...and what about the revenue from all those commercials? Somebody needs to play a game for there to be commercials, right?  And don't forget that lots of people bought tickets to see a game, so someone might as well play one...

At least we know it has been statistically proven that teams that do things right often win over those that make mistakes.

Maybe 5 1/2 hours is too long to talk about a football game that hasn't happened yet, ya think?

Perhaps I was a bit too harsh...

...in my review of Disney World.


Oh, cynical, hypocritical me, the one who likes to watch movies with HAPPY endings, railing against the artificiality of Disney World! (Blush!)


I have to agree that it is joy to watch wonder-filled innocents meet Cinderella and Mickey, and see their faces light up at the marvels of a fantasy world come to life.


And there's nothing wrong with having fun either -- hours and hours of just plain, laughing fun...


Okay -- I was too harsh...So I want you to know that while I have my reservations (not the hotel kind), I do not condemn the Magic Kingdom nor its aficionados.


Mr. Walt, and Mickey -- forgive me for diminishing  your contributions to the world.

Disney World...What can I say?

It’s quite the place. There are lots of cute things, interesting things, even some marvelous things there. When you go there you will be entertained, and you will have fun. But I can’t say I loved the place, or even liked it overly much. I really don’t need to go back there ever again – even if I have grandkids some day. Our money would be better spent to build the biggest sandbox of all time.



Most of what you do there is wait in line. If you don’t like waiting in long lines, don’t go to Disney World. Every wonder you want to see is preceded by a line of people snaking through maze-like walkways. You shuffle back and forth through cavernous buildings, side to side, front to back, side to side, around 3 corners, until you are somewhat disoriented about where you came from and where you are going. Finally you reach The Doors, where you are loaded onto some sort of carriage. You scream for 3 minutes, or laugh for 10, and then unload into a slightly shorter maze that ends in a gift shop where you can purchase a tee shirt that says, “I survived the FILL-IN-THE-BLANK”. After you’ve made your purchase, you head down the crowded thoroughfare to the next attraction and start the process all over again...Lather, rinse, repeat as they say. And to top it off, you have paid hundreds of dollars for this privilege.


Doesn’t this seem a little weird?


But there are people there by the thousands, the THOUSANDS! I can’t help but wonder that this shows us What Is Wrong With America...Thousands of citizens paying hundreds of dollars to wait in line, saying, “Entertain me! Thrill me!” We noticed that the lines were shortest at the attractions that tended to be more informative than thrilling so, of course, we frequented a number of these.(Hey! We’re Dutch! We don’t even like to spend more time than we need to...) Classed by many as “cheesy” and “outdated”, I found them to be more fun than getting my body jerked and thrown around. (They should have chiropractors in those gift shops at the end of the ride...now THERE’S a business idea!) And definitely more fun than getting the bejeebers scared out of me! Sorry, I have this disorder – apparently – that causes me to think that being scared is not a fun activity. Being comfortable is a fun activity. Acquiring knowledge, seeing new things, eating food, laughing are fun activities. Being scared or nauseated? NOT fun! What is it with you people???


But, I digress...


Has it come to this, America? Are we so bored with the privileges and conveniences we enjoy daily that we have to keep chasing after thrills? Are we so sated that we have to pursue artificial means to get them? I wonder how many people there had experienced the thrill of standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, or on the beaches of the wild Pacific, or pondered how the Space Shuttle works, or marveled at the plans and writings of the men who founded this country? I hope they’re not overlooking these kind of wonders and thinking they’ve reached the pinnacle of fun and beauty in the Artificial World of Disney. I hope they’re not teaching their kids that the kind of world we aspire to is Disney. Indeed, Walt Disney World is cute, clean, fun, inventive, clever, innovative, pleasing to the eye. But it’s not REAL. It may be the Sappiest Place on Earth, but it is not the Happiest Place on Earth.


In my opinion, it’s a fine place to go if you have nothing better to do. You’ll have fun while you’re there. You’ll see some things you haven’t seen before – though not much, considering our exposure through TV and the internet these days. Enjoy the bright colors, the music, the action – Just take the “dreams all come true” stuff with a grain of salt – and bring your credit card, ‘cause “dreams come true” don’t come cheap in Walt Disney World!

I want a gold star...

...for being a TSA Excellent Traveler!

There's just something about rules for me...If I know there are rules, I feel I MUST follow them to the letter. In my maturity, uh, let's make that in my JOURNEY TOWARD maturity, I have realized that some rules are dumb, and some are really just optional and can be adjusted to reality, or context, or whatever. But it's hard for me to do that...It makes me uncomfortable in a looking-over-my-shoulder, I'm-gonna-get-in-trouble sort of way.

But when there are rules that are not dumb and MUST  be followed...well -- I shine...and I WANT to shine.

This became clear to me once again as we went through the airport security line. Now, come on people, the line is usually long enough for you to read all the signs, and take all the actions necessary. I was ready, READY I tell you!(and everyone else should be too!) My shoes were off, my jacket was off -- both in the bin. My laptop was out; the bag separated in a bin...nothing in my pockets...And I slipped right through that portal into the great beyond of airline travel. I was a bit chagrined to look back and see that my dear hubby was being re-scanned as he forgot to take his cell phone out of his pocket, and then again, had to take off his belt.

As I gathered my things, I realized that it felt a little empty...I guess I really hoped to be appreciated, complimented on my consideration and efficiency. Wasn't there a sticker or SOMETHING? Why couldn't it be like school...The TSA guy says, "Now, everyone! Look at this lady here as an example of how to go through an airport security line. She had everything ready -- shoes, jacket off, items in bins, boarding pass ready...You should all try to be like her! Travelers like her make this process efficient and effective." He hands me a certificate for a free latte...and I beam, rewarded by my effort. Afterwards people come up and ask my how I did it...etc., etc...

But that didn't happen...or anything even close. I'm not saying that my efforts were unappreciated. In fact, I'm sure they were. But in a grown-up world, you're supposed to do things in order to enhance efficiency, or out of consideration for others -- not because you want to win a gold star.

And in that category, I think I get a "Needs Improvement"...As I said, in my JOURNEY TOWARD MATURITY...