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 Of course, this is a legitimate reason for the health care bill to be repealed.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.