Grandmaster Flash Had It Right

Although I feel like I have to cover my ears and say lalalalala over most of the popular songs that pass as hip-hop/rap nowadays I can always listen to old skool (and indie) music.

Don't push me cuz I'm close to the edge

I'm trying not to lose my head 

It's like a jungle sometimes

Makes me wonder

How I keep from going under

I think more and more people can relate to these lyrics. Bush signed a Federal extension for unemployment benefits so we won't have to knock off the Salvation Army jingle janglers for money this holiday. Before we think wow what a great thing, remember Bush is going to push through all sorts of nefarious legislation and pass out pardons to his war criminal cronies as his last act of vengeance against the American people. 

This is the real cost of the war folks. With every state running in the red, every city cutting vital services and every sector taking a hit this is the legacy of the Bush administration and both the Democrat and Republican politicians that assisted him. We closed our eyes after 9/11 and said, let somebody else take care of this. Wall Street gets a bail-out, the Big 3 Automakers may be next and all we have is a lousy t-shirt. Ugh!  

California's unemployment rate for new claims has jumped to 8.2%. Since that doesn't include those already receiving benefits I'd say we could likely double it for a total population count. Bush signed a similar extension back in 2003, so this country has been bleeding jobs for years. The housing bubble only masked it. I have no idea what the Obama administration has planned but I know that sticking a bandage over a gaping wound won't work. I hope we'll be able to hang on until a solution has been implemented. On the other hand we still have our lives. Which brings me back to the song.