Thought of the Day 2010 #20 - Buttars

Utah State Representative Chris Buttars (quoted as saying, "...gays are the biggest threat to America" amongst other pearls) is an idiot. When I hear him speak, my skin crawls as his repulsive, cowardly and imbicilic thoughts roll through his lips.

Thought of the Day #259 - Can't shake it

Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and George W Bush look "separated at birth".
Is it just me??

Thought of the Day #240 - South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson

The knee jerk reaction by Republicans regarding Tuesday's presidential speech to school children was questionable. But Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, showed today what Republicans really wanted to show kids -- It's OK to be disrespectful to the President. It's OK to be disrespectful to people who are speaking at a podium. It's OK to be disrespectful to people who have a differing opinion.

Way to go, Mr. Wilson. Lesson taught and learned by millions tonight. One can only hope you are afforded the same treatment through the rest of your shortened political career.

Thought of the Day #219 - Death Panels

Supposed "Death Panels" in Obama's plan will decide who will get care
and who won't. Tell me how this is any different than insurance
companies denying care and refusing claims? Same thing, only the latter
is making the decision to limit corporate financial liability for its
shareholders.

Thought of the Day #164 - Social Networking Propaganda

I've heard quite a bit of buzz the past week about the advantages of social networking sites moving information out of Iran. It made me think, however, that this same information leakage could be used as a propaganda machine quite easily. And, quite honestly, it probably is being used around the world in that way already. It just makes me wary of the loose definition of a "source" for information. Just making me go "hmmmm..." tonight.

Thought of the Day #103 - Simplify Taxes

On this, the US income tax filing deadline day, I wish to plead for simplification, standardization and equalization in tax. You know, a truly, honest flat tax. No deductions for "farm hand tools" (actual deduction on Utah's forms). I think Utah was trying for a flat tax this year...they put "The Utah tax rate for 2008 is a single rate of 5 percent". If that was really the case, there wouldn't be a 20 page instruction booklet for the basic form and an additional deduction form specficially for mining expenses. STOP the specialized deductions for your buds in particular industries. Seriously (or srsly as they kids say 'cuz they don't have money for a proper education ;-) ). Just make it simple and fair. Ahem. Back to your tax forms, everyone.

Why I'll Vote for Obama

While I consider myself to be a pretty leftist liberal, I consider myself an independent when it comes to political races. I rarely vote straight party lines, because what's important to me isn't necessarily important to the party as a whole. I tend to look at the individuals running...as...well, individuals. I don't believe that just because a politician runs under a particular party banner that it makes them a good person or for that matter, valid as a representative in a governmental position.

In most presidential elections, I find myself really disliking both major party candidates. Clinton vs. Dole - Eh. Bush vs. Gore - Eww. Bush vs. Kerry - Double ewww. Typically, I ended up picking the "lesser of two evils. " It is not a healthy position to be in at the polls.

So, that's what makes this year's election especially refreshing to me. I find I *actually* like a candidate! I find Barack Obama to be intelligent, level- headed and positive. The dream of having an intelligent, well spoken president is potentially REAL. To have a president that can travel internationally and NOT make an ass of the term "American" is soooo refreshing. It's crazy, but this dream could be real!!

So many people focus on "issues", which are such a waste of time. For instance, do you really believe that either candidate will be able to lower your taxes after signing a 700 billion dollar financial debacle plan? No freakin' way. (At best, I want the candidates to come clean and tell me, "We won't raise or lower the tax rate." )

Do you believe that one man can actually save the economic downturn? They cannot. The US economy is a vaporous and emotional animal. One man or woman cannot change the outlook.

Also, in advertising the candidates like to say that they're "for" this or "against" that, but do they forget that they aren't running for "king?" Last I heard this was a country with a congress comprised of a House and Senate.

My randomly worded points come down to this -- don't vote based upon the "issues" rather vote based upon the personal traits.

McCain seems relatively intelligent, but he comes across nervous and somewhat insecure. He's quick to anger and seems a bit overly concerned about his war past. These are all traits that I really don't appreciate in a leader.

As stated above, Obama really does present himself well as intelligent and even. I feel this is what our country needs in a new leader -- someone for the world to respect and our kids to use as a role model.

This perception of Obama could be completely incorrect, but I trust that for over a year his persona hasn't cracked, so more than likely this is his true way of being.

Come Tuesday, in this overwhelmingly red state, I will be casting my vote for Barack Obama. I hope that you will do the same.

Because I can't say it any better....

Maybe it's just me...

But at this stage of the political game, the "undecided" Democratic Superdelegates are just political superpussies. Pick your frickin' candidate already. Everyone else had to vote already...

Prostitution In the Media

New York Governor Spitzer has been connected to "high-priced", "high-dollar" prostitute. Does it make a difference if the prostitute is getting more money than the ones on the street? Every news story I've heard about this mentioned the "high-priced" bit. Is this supposed to make him look better or worse? Like, "Hey, he's an idiot for spending so much money...he could get it much cheaper on 5th Street." Or is it supposed to make me think, "Well, gosh, he cheated on his wife...but at least he got one of those classy high buck whores." It's one of those added titilating terms that news writers use. It doesn't add to the scandal's actual news worthiness, but it adds to the perception of the news worthiness. Spin news, spin!

Oh dear. I've got to talk Politics

I really haven't seen much need to post about politics for several years...until now. I see that Romney has stopped his campaign bid. Not that I was ever a Romney fan, but he was one of the lesser evils of the Republican party. Now it looks like evil McCain is going to get the elephant party nod. A scary thought. I would even swallow Huckabee easier than McCain even though I feel Huckabee is a bit too much of a religious zealot.

Oh, the pain...the pain that comes with the thought that McCain could be in the White House. We'll have four more years of war. Four more years of economic disaster. Please. Make. It. Stop. Now, regardless of who wins the Democratic nod, I'll have to vote for them. My Utah vote won't really count in the "electoral college" since this is a red-red state, but at the very least the popular vote count will get one more for the anti-McCain front.