TIME FOR A RIGHT TURN, MAYBE EVEN A U TURN

I don’t have any trouble making up my mind. I don’t have any trouble expressing my opinions. I do change my mind from time to time and it is distressing me to say that it is happening again.

To give you some history, I have been for years what you would call an economic Republican and a social Democrat. What this means is that we as a nation should be fiscally conservative and strive for a balanced budget, spending money only when it is necessary. Further, we should as a nation understand that “there are people out there that need help” and you can quote me on that. People that have been disadvantaged by race, by economic circumstances, by events or things not of their own doing. Examples of this would be Hurricane Katrina; one of our nation’s biggest failings. Other examples would be disadvantaged by race or ethnicity. If you don’t understand how different it is to be black every day of your life, then go ask someone what it is like to walk in their shoes. Yes, we have made a lot of progress in our country but “we aint there yet”.

Now, I need to tell you that I was so disgusted by George “they tried to kill my Daddy” Bush, Dick “they do have weapons of mass destruction” Cheney, and Don “I have no idea what I am doing” Rumsfeld that there was no way I could vote for another Republican in the latest Presidential election. Our reputation in the world was as low as it has ever been. We had no more credibility left as a country. Our civil rights were being trampled. And, we were in a recession of unknown magnitude.

Along comes Barack Obama and he presents a different alternative for a President. Rather than a continuation of the status quo. He wants to fix our reputation in the world and wants to correct some of the social injustices in this country. Unfortunately, he was dealt a recessionary environment which has to be fixed. This is on top of extracting us from our various wars around the world but accomplishing the main mission against terrorism. I was enthusiastically on his boat!

Here is where I get off the boat! There is a difference between getting the economy going by some social programs, public works spending, and helping out (yes, bailing out) some of our major corporations on the one hand; and on the other hand, going hog wild on leveling out the growth of wealth and income in our country. That is not free enterprise and capitalism but instead is socialism. Nancy Pelosi is the poster child for this approach. (How can anyone from California have any national credibility left based on the fiscal ineptness of what is happening in their state?)

I am sure you have seen the current proposals about assessing a surcharge on income above $350,000 and requiring company paid health insurance for all employees. Not that I make that much but there are those that do and we need them in our country. Capitalism makes our country grow, makes our country great and ends up trickling down to everyone. Yes, you could call it “trickle down economics.”

Let me off the boat, I am feeling very let down by our Congress, the representatives of the people. I don’t know what to do.

I think I will go for a hike by myself on the Appalachian Trail. Maybe something will come to me. I might even run into a politician or two! Maybe I should go to Argentina?

MY LATEST THOUGHTS ON THE NATION

Where to start? I have been accumulating ideas and thoughts on what to write about for quite some time. It has been awhile since the last blog and I have felt somewhat guilty for not getting something done. However, things have intervened such as vacation, golf, spraining my ankle playing tennis, taking up swimming, family etc.

So, with that said, some things are weighing on my mind and it is time to get them off my mind and onto yours! This will be somewhat of a collage of thoughts and pronouncements.

First of all, if you follow football (and even if you don’t) how could you miss the announcement that the Senate is going to “look into the BCS”? BCS of course stands for the Bowl Championship Series. The recent process is going to be led by Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a Republican no less! They think that the Senate needs to intervene in the sports worlds domain to ensure fairness in the selection of a national champion of football. Well, Democrats take notice! Who is talking socialism now? The Republicans want to spread the wealth (more on this later) for the common good.

This sounds a whole lot like communism and way past socialism. Why do we need government intervention in this process? Yes, it is flawed. Yes, it might not anoint the absolute best team. But, it does create a lot of enthusiasm in the country and a lot of discussion on something like college athletics. Isn’t this good that such discussions can overarch race, politics (up to now), and take our mind off more serious matters. Yes, we can actually have fun with this as a nation!

Furthermore, doesn’t the Senate have better things to do with their time? Like discussing Governor Mark Sanford’s situation? Like figuring out how to get out of the auto and investment banking business?

Next up and this shouldn’t take long: did you see the headline about the CIA being told not to pursue the assassination of Al Qaeda “executives? What? Are you kidding me? Isn’t this what we are spending billions on in Afghanistan and Iraq? I thought we had a price on Bin Laden’s head as well as his minions?

Now we are saying that the secret mission of the CIA that was targeted to trying to take them out by assassination or other inside techniques should not be continued. Why not? Again, isn’t that what we are trying to do in Iraq and Afghanistan? Isn’t the CIA our spy and intelligence agency? Isn’t that what they are supposed to be doing?

I am so confused. Someone please straighten me out on this one! Please!