Jenny Sanford: New Role Model for Women Who've Had Enough

In what has to be another once-in-a-lifetime event, the First Lady of SC isn't crying for Argentina! She's not "standing by her man" or "suffering in silence". In the Curious Case of Yet Another Cheating Republican this story has a major plot twist that goes against the grain. Hallelujah! 

Just to bring you up to speed, the Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford went missing for nearly a week. It turns out he was in Argentina with another woman. A woman he's had a long-standing extra-marital relationship with. He was gone during the weekend that included Father's Day despite his having four children. What kind of man abandons his kids to go chasing after another woman that he's not married to? A selfish jerk that's who! 

There's about a zillion emails that would rival the text messages sent between former hip-hop Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his piece on the side. Now it's yet another same old-same old of monkey see - but do not do what I do -  as he was one of the Republicans who'd called for President Clinton's impeachment, cited family values and recently refused Federal stimulus money. You know  - a real tool! He isn't offering to resign either. Arrogant to the end this one.

The corporate media had irrefutable proof of the man's cheating and lying but sat on it for MONTHS. This shows you how deeply imbedded they are in obstructing the will of the people in favor of sharing profits and giggles with crooked politicians. I know "crooked" and "politician" is an oxymoron. Just ask Monica Conyers. 

Anyhoo, Mrs. Sanford did find out about the relationship because these types of things do not stay a secret forever. She gave him time to get his priorities together. I guess he's showed who and what's most important. Not the job he was elected for and definitely not his family. What was different this time is she didn't attend her husband's fake mea culpa press conference with her head bowed, she's not trashing the other woman and she hasn't retreated to the background in shame! Luv it. Is it really 2009 or something's in the water? 

Jenny Sanford said Thursday that her husband Mark Sanford's political career is "not a concern of mine" and that she'd be just fine -- regardless of whether their marriage survives. “He’s gonna have to worry about that, and I’m going to worry about my family and the character of my children,” she said. (CNN) 

I think Ms. Jenny is not only NOT singing "Stand By Your Man" but will be in fact singing "D.I.V.O.R.C.E." very soon! Good for her. You know sometimes women put up with a lot of things because the overall benefits seem to outweigh the sacrifices. Then there's crossing a line that should never be broken. When a woman is fed up that's it. She seems to have enacted boundaries and standards for herself and her children for what she will and won't tolerate. After she basically funded and has been an integral part of her husband's political career he has a funny way of showing his gratitude. This is a valuable lesson for all of us to learn. The sooner the better. Don't sacrifice yourself for another person. When you do too much for them they do not appreciate it, they come to expect it. Then you've lost your identity.   

Why Do These Politicians Insist On Lying?

If this was a soap opera this latest saga between Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the CIA and the Republican obfuscation agenda would be called: The Lying Liars and the Lies. If you believe that Pelosi didn't know the methods of interrogation being used by the CIA and others in the government I've got a nice padded cell to recommend to you because you must be crazy! Now having said that, I am fairly certain ALL the elected officials who were in office during the Bush administration had some inkling of the shadiness that went down. It wouldn't be too far fetched to think many of them were directly involved, profited from it in some way or turned a blind eye to it just to get by. 

This is why the President is not going to bring former President Bush, Vice President Cheney or the other war profiteers to justice. The Democrats are up to their eyeballs in the mud just like the Republicans. Perhaps they weren't giving the orders but collectively they did nothing to stop it either. We know the typical politician's first rule of thumb is to self-protect and Pelosi has been at this for a very long time. The art of negotiation and strategizing can be a slippery slope where hanging on may be...difficult. Trying to fight the good fight may mean doing it alone. 

We can look to how Cynthia McKinney has been treated unfairly and hung out to dry as an example of someone who stuck out their neck and got nicked. Had she been cozying up to lobbyists and doing harm to her former constituents she'd still be in Congress and a member of the Democratic party. Nancy don't play that! She had some rather harsh words about how the CIA "mislead" Congress but has since adopted a more conciliatory tone. 

It is no coincidence that as Pelosi is working on a comprehensive health care plan for the country this attack occurs. That's a rabbit hole we'll never emerge from! This ties into why the President wasn't volunteering to release the latest round of photos showing "terror suspects" being tortured. The big picture here is that the Bush administration and its supporters violated terms of the Geneva Convention. Far too many of the general voting public went right along with it after the drum beats of war were sounded post-9/11. Remember that nonsense about changing the name of French fries to Freedom fries? 

So we are all somewhat responsible and we have to learn our lessons so we don't repeat them. We have to stop letting politicians attach a false morality to everything they do - and don't do. It would be so nice if these Republicans would spend as much time being constructive as they are at running these schemes. Some would rather see people in despair, ill, unemployed and left to fend for themselves than seek solutions to problems. From their blocking needle exchange programs in the 90's to slow the spread of AIDS to this latest bully pulpit, denial only makes things worse. 

As our current President seeks to rebuild goodwill around the world and rebuild the infrastructure in this country nothing's going to change unless we work for it. We have to uphold a minimum standard and block obstructionism from members of the political parties, corporations and individuals. Pelosi will more than likely emerge from this latest non-troversy unscathed but will we? 

Is Trouble In the Republican Party A Head Fake Or An Opportunity?

I've been tuning out the majority of cable news punditry and other media echo chambers as of late because it's almost all the same sound: the bleating of sheep and other public whining and arguing. The self-appointed voices of the Republican Party are all gnashing their teeth it seems over the fact that Barack & Michelle Obama are in the White House. From Dick Cheney vs. Joe Biden, Rush Limbaugh vs. the world and Glen Beck insinuating we're going up in flames I wonder what utterly ridiculous comment is going to be made next. 

Not that I'm giving the Democrats a pat on the back. They're not 100% in unison and as I've stated in previous posts I'm not sure who is actually loyal to the President for loyalty's sake or personal convenience. It's just that Barack Obama has been in office since January 20th. Today is April 11th. He's been in office for 81 days. Some people act as if it's been years and he's been ineffective or something. I haven't agreed with every appointment or every step but I certainly applaud his efforts in such a short period of time. Besides we should know by now that we are the only ones responsible for saving ourselves like it or not!

You'd think Obama was lying to the public, raiding the treasury, antagonizing our allies, starting wars, playing dumb and being obstinate. Oh snap...that was the last guy in office. So are the Republicans just sucking on sour grapes with the face to match or are the trying to push a meme hoping it gains traction? It's not like they don't have help from the corporate media. From those idiotic political comedy shows that were greenlit for Black male comics who couldn't carry their weight, to the modern day slave catcher routine of the wanna be accountability police sent to trap Obama or the pseudo-intelligentsia writers who spend way too much time discussing Michelle Obama's physicality it seems especially virulent doesn't it?

Of course all of this isn't coming from the Republicans exclusively but when one entity is allowed to go unchecked it opens the door for a flood of negativity and depravity from all sides. If you don't believe me look at the the devaluation of R&B and Rap into the cesspool of coonery and derogatory images that is considered "normal" today. It is anything but. So the question remains whether enough people have gotten fed up with the foolishness of their political party of choice because it was hijacked by a rabid minority or if this is temporary amnesia.

I think for some it's all business as usual. They are protected by the system no matter who's in office and their political party affiliation is more of a device of convenience. Others do lean more towards an ideology but again the bottom line are their creature comforts. It's the hard-core followers who let a line of thinking inform their voting choices as well as those that are easily swayed by charismatic leadership that are the most invested. Believe it or not I'm also certain some just follow the same path as their elders, not really questioning why they think they way they do and assuming it's the only way because it's "what's always been done". 

The culmination of the past eight years has forced many people to reevaluate their choices. It wasn't one borne of an exercise in critical thinking outside the lines of what they thought was the norm either. It was borne of necessity. Since the Republican leadership has decided to push their narrow agenda even further they have so far succeeded in making the party less palatable to some while encouraging others to dig in their heels.

If their agenda is to improve the state of the country and for it to be more efficient what do they have planned to accomplish it? Who are they working with? Where were those voices before this new administration came to power? Or is their agenda strictly to obfuscate?  I don't see any workable coalition, just a bunch of wealthy white men who are using fear and a bullhorn to make themselves richer at the expense of those who haven't seen past their tactics - yet. 

As the Obama approval ratings show those who identify as Democrat and Independent have given a majority of their support. So it seems that if the malcontents of the Republican Party don't find a way to get with the program they're going to be left on the sidelines. Which is why this is a great time for people to set a more reasonable agenda and take the reigns from the grouchy grandpas who are up way past their bedtime. 

Bristol & Levi Were Doomed From the Beginning And It's Our Fault

So in what can't be a surprise to anyone, the Juno of Alaska will now remain a single mom. See this is what happens when parents are embroiled in their own problems or are singularly focused on their career ambitions and fail their children. Mama Palin was trying to win America's Next President contest against John McCain for the soul of the Republican Party, pulling her best stint from All About Eve. I won't put all of the blame on her, for the First Gentleman of Alaska or whatever he's called didn't seem to be running the show. So we see what happens when some people focus on controlling a woman's womb and worship the idea of motherhood but don't do anything about supporting mothers and their children or making sure there's an active male participating from the beginning either.  

For all of the religious talk about how evil premarital sex is, there's an insistence by some adults (and institutions) at keeping kids dumb in an effort to limit their choices. So they make the "right" choice and abstain from sex. As you know kids having sex will lead to the fall of the Empire. Not sexual abuse, drug use, lack of resources or a poor education. Since when does knowing facts about reproduction and diseases as well as an understanding of female/male interactions give the green light for wanton behavior? It only breeds ignorance where people don't think critically about their choices but repeat ideas they've heard as "proof" of following the right(eous) path. 

How about instilling in kids a sense of purpose and arming them with tools to negotiate their way through their childhood and society at large? I mean isn't that what we all need? Values and religious dogma are not the same thing. Then girls wouldn't be so easily swayed by sweet talk from boys - and increasingly older men. Kids might be able to explore their growing sexuality without shame and could make more informed choices. Sometimes first love is fleeting but you don't want to be left with anything other than memories. 

Now despite an unplanned pregnancy Bristol Palin is still in a much better position than most other young women her age. We're to assume it was a consensual relationship and at least her parents aren't broke and she has her entire life in front of her. It's just that maybe she might have chosen differently had she been more mature and not had religious dogma foisted on her. When people operate in absolutes the results are often extreme. 

Having parenthood foisted upon people doesn't always result in a moment of clarity. It can be disastrous for the child being unplanned for and growing up around those unprepared or unwilling to provide for her/him emotionally and financially. Bristol's pregnancy was an almost entirely preventable situation had she not been used by her parents for Republican talking points and votes. There was no guarantee of course. But the odds of getting into that situation is greatly increased when people essentially roll the dice, hoping for the best. Or grab a national spotlight based on false pretenses. It eventually gets exposed as a sham. Lust and newness fade away and people who were never really committed to each other to begin with won't necessarily stay together because they've created life. Ending a romantic relationship isn't a pleasant experience under the most ideal circumstances. It's far worse under the glare of national media attention.  

Let's hope we won't be seeing the continued circus side show antics of this child along with the Suleman 8 due to the parent's desire for attention. Then we can stop gawking at the kids and judging the parents for their imperfect choices.

Who Believes Steele Has What It Takes To Be the Republican Party Leader?

How can we work this fissure in the Republican party to our advantage? I'm only posting this because someone downloaded it to YouTube. Regular readers of my blog know I cannot stand DL Idiot, but those bright lights are always a clarion call to some of our people. A sucker is born every minute so the saying goes. Apparently only the misogynistic Black woman hating men get a national spotlight (the Perrys, the Smileys, etc). 

Chuck D is always an interesting study. At least I know when he opens his mouth something intelligent will usually come out. Such is not the case for Michael Steele. Oh Michael Steele. Where do we start? I know we so want to clown him because he's corny, lame and dripping with insincerity. He tries to claim some traumatic downtrodden childhood dodging bullets and stepping over crack pipes instead of his quiet lower Middle class upbringing. I bet a shrink would have a field day with all of his obvious issues. At least they seem obvious to me. 

He wants to be liked and has misplaced loyalties but is also distrustful of other Blacks he may not personally know. I'm sure he was teased a lot as a kid but it's time to let it go man! Stop hating on Black people for being Black. You can tell he's mediocre, a people-pleaser and insecure. Everything Obama is NOT. He's someone who would reject his Black heritage if he was recently bi-racial but alas he doesn't have that privilege. So instead he just makes stuff up. Like claiming college students rolled Oreo cookies at him during a speaking engagement. Like complaining about legit criticism of the Bush administration from the get-go. Of course we wanted his policies to fail, look what has happened to the country under his tenure?!!! Hello! He even referenced the photo dearly departed blogger Steve Gilliard had posted on his blog (and removed after all the whining from the attack dog Rethugs who can't take their own medicine) years ago at the SOBU as if it happened yesterday. I mean talk about thin-skinned! If Obama overreacted the way he does he would've never made it through the election. 

Oh but Michelle Malkin of all people still has it on her hate-fest blog, go figure. Beware of all the brown-skinned people who aren't your kin folk! 

All of a sudden Steele wants the Black community to come together. His entire career has been built on self-interest and working with white allies in a paternalistic fashion. I'm not going to knock that per se, it's just that he's decried Civil Rights and has tried to claim it's all about an individual's effort. He never wants to have a detailed discussion about systematic racism and in fact denies its impact. I get the feeling any legit inroads we might make would be undermined for his own personal gain. After all, when he ran for office he bused in homeless people to canvass neighborhoods in a different state.  So he is not to be considered a full ally. However he might prove useful in the short term. 

I find it interesting that he's insisting on being referred to as the HNIC of the Republican Party when he's simply the RNC Chair, but doesn't speak for the entire party.  Apparently Rush Limbaugh concurs and them's fighting words! 

Monday on his show, Limbaugh said: "You know who needs a little leadership? Michael Steele and those at the RNC."   "It turns out we're the leaders,” he added. “We're going to have to pick them up and drive them back to their core."  In an interview on CNN with D.L. Hughley, Steele assured that he, not Limbaugh, was in charge of the party before saying that he wanted to put the right-wing talker “into context.” “Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer,” Steele said. “Rush Limbaugh, his whole thing is entertainment. Yes it’s incendiary, yes it’s ugly."

As an example Howard Dean served as the DNC Chair and designed the 50 State strategy that Obama used to win amongst other initiatives. Dean is definitely not the leader of the Democratic Party. He didn't even get a position in the Obama administration as a matter of fact because he's not a right fit per a spokesperson. Whatever!! I've let my feelings about Obama working with all the enemies and rewarding them while most of the supporters got sidelined or the axe be known. 

If Steele is serious about building bridges, making inroads and is in fact calling the shots then he needs to cut Limbaugh off at the knees. If that sounds harsh it really isn't. There's a war going on at Rethug central and a real leader knows how to be sweet as well as deadly when necessary. 

From US News: Of concern is that Steele, the party's first black chairman, will be attacked by Limbaugh and other talk show hosts, further splitting the party...Republicans are concerned that a feud between the national party and conservative talk radio would upset donors, who would stop giving to the party. "One possible outcome is that giving by the base, sickly for the last few years, could get even worse," said a key GOP donor. Steele's supporters, however, say that he is not trying to pick a fight with conservative radio and is just trying to counter Democratic charges that Limbaugh—who has engaged in a verbal war with President Obama—is the de facto boss of the party. He is also trying to put the word out there that the GOP is open to other viewpoints.

Personally I don't think he has what it takes. Limbaugh is a bear with sharp teeth and claws but perhaps Steele's ambition will get him to be more shrewd - and ruthless. I really want to know who his secret allies are because Steele isn't doing all of this by himself you know. Until we see who emerges victorious I'll be breaking out the popcorn. 

Update: Before I've even posted the story Steele has already cried uncle....or perhaps the more appropriate term to use would be massa and has apologized to Limballs. See....what a sucker! Round One: Limbaugh & Racists.

To Be Continued I'm sure......

Why Are So Many Companies Going Under?

Can we got some detailed explanations from economists WTH is going on with the economy?! I do NOT understand why all of these companies from Circuit City to Yahoo to the friggin' Postal Service are reporting millions - and billions - in losses! What have they been doing the past 8 years? This isn't all about bad mortgages and bank mergers either. I suspect this is the result of rampant greed that went unchecked and false religiosity cloaked in ideology by a lot of dishonest people.

It's no coincidence these companies are hitting the bricks right at the beginning of the new Democratic Administration. You know #43 and his cronies and lapdogs have been hiding all the crap under the floorboards, way back in the closet and the levees are about the break (again). Why should #44 be considered a failure for not being able to waive a magic wand over all of this?! It's a no-brainer that infrastructure should be part of the economic relief package because it's BROKEN! You can't build on quicksand. 

Tax breaks for the wealthy will do nothing for those of us on Main Street....or the Alley. This is so far from over it's down right frightening. I sincerely hope all those blocking solutions because of partisan politricks get voted out of office. **Ah-nold still hasn't managed to get his Rethug legislators in line to agree on a budget for California either. No state grants for school or tax refunds. It must be nice to be really wealthy but so divested from concern about the average wage-earner. Ah, but the let them eat cake motto led to a revolution.

So Now the Rethugs Are Concerned About the Budget?!

It's day 8 of the Obama Administration. He was sworn-in approximately one week ago. The President wants a huge stimulus package to make it's way through Congress so he can sign it into law. The economy is in the toilet. While politicians want to add pork and hem and haw over semantics they are still being paid or come from family money. That does nothing for the ever-growing list of unemployed as more companies lay off workers and try to stay solvent. 

When the Bailout plan was initiated last fall, people were rightfully outraged. It was falsely rebranded as a "Rescue" package. As we see the only thing that happened was large corporations and their lobbyists got a very generous parting gift from Shrub. None of that money went to the people. President Obama is using diplomacy and perhaps "begging" all members of Congress to vote for his bill. He isn't threatening martial law - unlike #43. 

So why aren't the Republicans getting on board with this economic recovery plan? Why am I hearing the same rhetoric of how Democrats are "tax and spend" - minus the Republican motto of "fiscal conservation"? Well, they can't claim it anymore. Shall we do the math? The costs of the world domination agenda is very pricey. Iraq has cost us at least 1 Trillion - and counting.   Add to that the Republican-led deregulation efforts of the banking industry and you see why we are here in this mess. 

Yes, individual people overextended themselves and need to clean up their financial messiness. But you couldn't spend on credit unless you were given credit to begin with. The financial institutions made a fortune putting as many people into as much debt as possible. They set the prices for homes and intentionally over-inflated their value to bundle the mortgages and sell them. They offered those shady mortgages. It was the two-fold punch of exchanging paper with no real value, spending all the money in the piggy bank on war mongering and borrowing money from Saudi Arabia and China. 

Oh the Dumbocrats have to take their share of the blame as well, but the rampant disregard for any common sense or sound fiscal principles lay solely at the feet of the political party large and in charge for 8 years. I want to keep a list of all the members of Congress who support and don't support Obama's plan. Don't try to hold it up because you don't want a woman to have access to birth control pills or want $3M for a toilet. If it passes and is successful then President Obama has his first victory; if they can kill the bill on the floor it will be a setback. These politicians are forgetting something in their political posturing: their constituents are going down the toilet. They will not forget who stood in the way of them getting relief. Relief that had been promised by the last Administration but was not delivered. 

If the Rethugs (from Senator John McCain to Rep. Dave Camp) were so concerned about the budget and debt where we they nine days ago? One month ago? One year ago? They stood by and did nothing. So I don't want to hear any of their BS now! Just sign off on the bill. If it doesn't work it will be egg on the President's face and he can fail all on his own. Of course I don't think Obama would put a grossly flawed plan together. I would not underestimate him or rule out him playing hardball. He's not quite the Magic Negro some may think. 2010 and 2012 is not that far away and they need a reminder they may not be in office if they keep this up! 

I urge everyone to contact their elected officials and gently remind them who they're supposed to be working for! We need an additional extension of unemployment benefits, students need their financial aid for school, free clinics must remain open, the banks are supposed to be lending money freely again! It's time to get with the program. He won - now move on!  

Update: From The Field blog: How Obama is setting up a GOP Fall.

Reuters photo of the President, Speaker Pelosi & House Minority Leader John Boehner 

No Gov't Care & Feeding Of Its Citizens

It's a Capitol Meltdown Coast to Coast! 

You know I'm getting sick of all this media attention on the juvenile antics of the Serbian Governator. He's corrupt! Get over it and get rid of him already. You know he's not going to voluntarily step down when that's his main base of power - and cover. He might be arrogant and a little gangsta but he ain't that stupid! President-Elect Obama stayed far away - as did apparently most of the elected officials in IL who wanted to dodge mud and poo. Nice try corporate media and thanks for continuing to sleep on Bush's final F-U to the American people like allowing concealed weapons in national parks or rolling back environmental protections. Of course let's not forget about his threat of martial law and subsequent parting gift: $900B and counting to the "Wall Street Elite/Crooked Class of 2008" with no questions asked. Now can we PLEASE move on!

The $14B bailout requested by the titans of the auto industry failed to pass the Senate 52-35 thanks to the Republicans! They want to whittle away pensions, health benefits and paid leave so the UAW members earn similar (MUCH LESS) benefits than the foreign-based auto employees. The UAW has drawn its line in the sand. They may end up on the unemployment line though. Apparently this is the new (but old depending on who's history you recall) American way! Bust all unions until there's nothing left so a few people can become even richer off the backs of workers. Of course they had no problem building wealth with forced enslavement and breeding before so I guess this is just a  minor screw-over. Gee thanks!

*Might I add these politicians have not given up THEIR health benefits or paid time off.

Rounding this Oh-So-Fun-To-Watch-A-Politician-Not-Give-A-Damn-Day, we tour the lovely halls of (in)justice in Sacramento, where the CA state budget deficit has nearly doubled to just shy of $14B. Ah-nold reminds us every day this is what happens when you hire an action star to pretend to be a politician away from the movie set when you can't say, "Cut!" No budget has been passed - and surprise surprise - it's the Republicans mucking it up here as well. In case anyone thinks I'm being unfair and biased against the Rethugs I'd like to remind you they held a special election that cost $30M+ to oust Grey Davis when he was trying to get back the millions that Bush proxy company Enron had stolen from electric customers and caused fake rolling blackouts. When your bill jumps from $60 to $500 from one month to the next with no change in usage you are being robbed! I'm trying to spruce up my employment skill set but still can't register for Spring Semester because my school has suspended enrollment. 

New Rule: 

NO POLITICIAN SHOULD GET PAID OR BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE FOR A VACATION WHEN THEY ARE HOLDING UP LEGISLATION THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS US.

I mean it only seems fair that they should suffer a little inconvenience when millions are in REAL AGONY! Can somebody explain to me why we're living the title of a Chinua Achebe novel? I know there's a lesson that needs to be learned but this is very disconcerting. What do you think? 

Update 12/19: So Bush has decided to throw the US Automakers a bone. It comes with lots of strings attached and demands the reduction of pay and benefits of the UAW to those of the foreign automakers. Now how are they supposed to do that? Cut off the pensions of the retirees? Cut out their health insurance? This is how the gov't busts a union while claiming to help. It seems this was the plan all along.

Republicans Ask: So Now What?

Why is it that so many Black male Republicans who offer themselves up to the news media as the "voice of the party" are such tools? I know I could write something a little more nuanced with a social dissertation of how achievement and politics collide. But let's get down to the nitty gritty shall we? This isn't to say all Republicans of either gender are lacking in humanity. Or that those in the Democratic Party are so divine. It's just I always get that whiff of opportunistic sycophant when I have to listen to them. 

You know it's a flip side of the same coin. Black people trying to position themselves on the receiving end of political favor, but still not getting they need the power and a seat at the table. I think the Republicans are more delusional in that respect. They think by separating themselves and making themselves the "special pet Negro" to the Republican hierarchy they'll be considered equals. Can they really part of the club when they're working the pole as race dancers, blaming real systematic obstacles on the stated deficiency of the working class/lower class Black person to get ahead? 

Ward Connerly tries to do the dirty work (and get rich) for every child or follower of the Southern strategy creators by working on amendments repealing Affirmative Action laws that have merit. He gets the Slave Catcher title for the real acts of betrayal a few did to many to have a perceived gain of favor in the eyes of their Master. 

Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele wants to be (Head Negro in Charge) Chair of the Republican National Convention. Interesting. Allow me to roll my eyes heavenward. He gets to move from permanent Lawn Jockey status to the Big House, or so he hopes. After all, Condi Rice is still there and now that Colin Powell was put out on the porch for misbehaving, there's a empty spot available! In his current role as Chairman of GoPac, the training and recruiting arm of  the party (and creator of especially vicious attack ads against Obama during the General Election) it would seem a natural fit. 

It's just the Republican Party is being run by racists and religious zealots! They were decimated this election season and with good reason. What is that saying about the road to hell being paved with good intentions? The party has dominated for nearly 30 years since Reagan with an increasingly dogmatic approach to governance. They wrested away the keys to the kingdom, got bloated on power and self-destructed. Look at the economy and a host of other problems. They did everything they said they stood against. 

So now they might be willing to add a color commentary. Desperate times call for desperate measures, huh? Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's name is being floated around as a potential Presidential challenger to Obama in 2012. I have no idea if he'd be a formidable candidate or what qualifications he has (or doesn't). I'm inclined to think he should get everything he wants in order to run, though. I just wonder how well another brown-skinned man would perform in the red (historically slave-holding) states if they had such a problem with the one coming to the Oval Office. But he's not a bi-racial Kenyan so maybe they'd make him their exception.

It will be very interesting to see how the Republicans regroup and whether they learn anything. You can't just slap some paint on a pig and call it - wait - didn't they try that already? Perhaps the least tolerant amongst their shot-callers will have to recede in the background and let more sensible people emerge. That might bring back so many who ran away in disgust. Vengeance and intolerance isn't power. There is a class fight as well as one of ideology. 

I see more opportunities where more PoC can position themselves for parity and reciprocity, hopefully neutralizing these race hustlers. I am diametrically opposed to much of the Republican rhetoric, but this will keep the Democrats on their toes as well. 

No more taking voters for granted! A little upward mobility is a great thing. I know I read on certain blogs the opinion that Obama is a compromised politician who will (continue) to capitulate to white interests and I may have my questions to what extent, but with Republicans like these I already know it to be true! Right now we don't belong to them and they don't belong to us. Perhaps things will change in the immediate future.

This isn't Monopoly the game, it's real life.  

P.S. I'm adding this segment from last night's Hardball disagreement between Pat Buchanan and Strategist Mike Paul, who's trying to tell members of his party to get a clue. 

Leave Sarah Palin Alone!

I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth! I still despise the woman for her policies, her racism, her lack of concern for other women and her ignorance but this barrage of negative information leaking from the McCain camp (you know the one who was the top of the ticket) needs to stop. It is beyond lame and only makes it seem like men are attacking women so white women will have something else to complain about. Because life is sooo hard when you get to collectively benefit from white male patriarchy making you the epitome of all womanhood. Not!

About that Joe the Plumber Guy and the Real Tax Increase Planned for All of Us

We know the Republican party will stop at nothing to use psychological warfare in pushing voters to work against their best interests. This man Joe Wurzelbacher was used as a prop by John McCain during last night's debate. I thought Obama was caught of guard for a moment in fact, though he was able to recover. Debating is not one of his strengths though he has improved vastly over the past six months. Sparring and (stumbling at times) through his debates against Hillary Clinton did help him step up his game. 

I don't believe in coincidences. The Republican party has been on the offensive and have been engaging in highly offensive behavior. McCain dismissed any calls of admonishment for those that have shouted for bringing harm to Obama or have engaged in racially charged actions. So he is giving his approval of such tactics. Yet he wants Obama to throw John Lewis under the bus for calling him out on it. Lewis was claimed as a hero by McCain in an earlier debate now he wants his head on a platter? As I stated before McCain has sunk so low he has to reach up for the gutter.

There is this meme being presented whereby Middle class values are equated with white people who live in smaller towns. They are imbued with a distinctive moral fiber and are being elevated as the only 'true Americans'. Populations to the far East or West are 'liberals' and everyone else is completely discounted, particularly people of color. This is where Joe Six Pack and Joe the Plumber come into play.

As it turns out this man is an employee of a small business and is nowhere near in a position to buy the business. He doesn't have a license. He owes the state of OH $1200 in back taxes. He doesn't earn $250K. I find it curiously convenient that this man approached Obama to plant seeds of discourse over his tax plan that would in fact reduce taxes for 95% of the country. 

That big bad scary tax increase turns out to be not so much in fact. It would increase from its current 36% to 39% for those earning more than $250K. I don't consider a 3% tax increase an exorbitant amount, particularly when other plans are in place to reduce other costs of living across the board. Like with health insurance. It's still better than the across the board tax increase McCain is proposing under the guise of a tax credit for health insurance. That tax rate increase for all wage-earners is anywhere from 1-10%. It is a scam and a sham and I really hope people read between the lines, do real number crunching and figure out it's the typical Republican politricks at work again. 

McCain claims the average cost of health insurance is $5800 per person. In what state is he referring to and with what insurer? Magicland?! So going back to his plan of a $2500 for single, $5000 tax credit for families let's do the math. Not that a family has been specifically defined but let's assume it's the 2 parents and 2 kid scenario. That's a total $23, 200 for the four but McCain's credit is $5000. Your family's taxable amount has now increased by $18, 200. This policy is penny wise but pound foolish and sets a bad precedent for how strapped we'd end up. Meanwhile the multi-national corporations get an increase in their windfall profits at our expense. 

McCain also alluded to those with top-tier insurance policies are not part of the equation, but tried to misconstrue it as those with coverage for plastic coverage surgery or other 'unnecessary' coverage. Well I'm not aware of insurers covering plastic surgery unless it's reconstructive in nature from an accident. Plastic surgery is typically classified as elective (meaning not covered).  So much for choice! He has also failed to mention he currently has top-tier insurance at a heavily subsidized rate through our tax dollars. 

I went to the Obama Tax Cut website to punch in my numbers to determine what my tax reduction would be and to compare the difference under the McCain plan. I'd save several hundred dollars under the Obama plan and less than $100 under the McCain plan, but like I stated above if I add in the cost of the health insurance as taxable income goes up by about $8000 (and counting). That puts me in a higher tax bracket and my taxes would go up 3-5% regardless. So McCain's plan, like McCain's choice in a running mate is a Trojan horse and a set up to cause more harm than good. 

Meanwhile the Republicans are lying about ACORN while trying to purge legally registered voters from rolls in all the battleground states, esp. Ohio, Florida and Colorado. There are 19 days left. Even if you have reservations about this so-called utopia of hope floating in the horizon I urge everyone to get out and take action toward something positive. Phone bank, knock on doors, sign a few petitions and donate. Be engaged politically. It's our country and we should not forget that. 

Update 140pm:  See I hadn't read any blogs before I wrote this post. I just glanced through the Yahoo article I linked to when I was checking my messages. Apparently all heck has broken loose over Joe the Plumber. He was definitely a plant and is in fact a relative of Charles Keating, white collar banking thief and friend of McCain. You can't make this shizz up!!

Palin is a Barracuda

Governor Sarah Palin is a great actress. She just gave a heck of a reading for her Vice Presidential acceptance speech. She didn't write it, after all. There will a full transcript break down coming from various sources: some will praise it and others will skewer it. The bottom line I take away is that she is attractive and articulate. If you ignore everything she says she sounded really good. Except half of the speech was an attack on Obama and the other half was lying about hers and McCain's voting record and what the Rethugs will do when they're in office. She specifically mentioned how special needs children will have a voice in the White House except that she cut funding for those very same programs down to the quick. For those children as well as pregnant homeless teens. So talk is cheap, baby. But she looked good standing on stage lying through her teeth. I sincerely hope that people look at voting records, program funding (and lack thereof) and be critical thinkers. This cannot be about not voting for the colored dude. The Democrats need to come up with a counter argument and fast. She comes across as very believable. I sincerely didn't think we could get a worse administration than Bush/Cheney but it's staring at us right in the face. Since historically every superpower falls from prominence and implodes on itself I wonder which direction this nation will take? We are dancing on the pin of a needle and it could go either way. I shudder to think what will happen if McCain 'wins' by hook or by crook. I do NOT want Sarah Palin anywhere near the button. Criticizing her has nothing to do with sexism. She is a Trojan horse. 

Bush Ain't the Only Rethug We Can't Wait to Get Rid Of

Sub-Titled: "People Who Have to Suffer Because Some of You Voters Are IDIOTS"


Here in California I believe a lot of residents are experiencing what some would call buyer's remorse. Except those of us who were taken along for the ride reluctantly. When former Governor Grey Davis declared war on Enron and what turned out to be the doctored rates and fake rolling blackouts, the Rethugs put out their version of a fatwa on his candidacy by offering up a Reagan for the Millenium. Who is that you may ask? Why action star Arnold Schwarzenegger of course. Good looking [to some] - check. Famous - check. Married into the USA version of foreign royalty - check. Right wing attack dog in mumbled English-speaking clothing - check, check, check!

See Grey Davis was actually doing his JOB questioning a company who ran in league with the Frat Boy [a lovely and apt term I got from Field Negro] and charging our state ridiculous rates for electricity and spotty service. Remember those $1000 bills for what had been say $350? Who do you think was behind that being that we're a solidly Democratic Party stronghold, aka a Blue State?

The Republican Party has been trying to subvert the existing laws and slowly chip away at progressive issues in a direct attack on those of us who seek a more just and fair world. There were enough of us in the Bay Area to see past the movie star glow and Kennedy wife to not support his candidacy. What about the rest of you? We get the government we allow.

1. CA Marriage Amendment
2. State Budget Crisis - when hasn't the state had a balanced budget while Ah-nold's been in office?
3. The attempt at killing rent-control.
4. Pay demotion of SEIU members from union wage to federal minimum wage - coincidently huge Obama supporters - connect the dots.....
5. Now he wants a 'temporary' increase in the state sales tax. We already have one of the highest rates at 8.5%.
6. Redistricting plans.
7. Voter Suppression.
8. Have I forgotten anything else?

And remember those plans to change to Constitution [as if it hasn't already been abused and subverted enough] to allow a foreigner to run for POTUS?

You Ain't Slick!

This is NOTHING less than an assault on the poorer, the less fortunate, the future activists of this state. Without a diverse constituency this state would go Red and be in the hands of the Rethugs once again. I have many many many issues with the Democratic Party. I am in total support of a viable insurgent 3rd Party to counterbalance the corruption that is rampant on both sides. I would have loved having a Mayor who was a member of the Green Party. To make a significant change you cannot go back, you can only move forward....with a solid plan. What can YOU do to help stop/slow/thwart this?

1. Call or email to remind him he's elected to represent the people, not his rich friends and not big business [one in the same I suppose]. People's governor my ass! He tried to take down the nurses/firefighters/teachers/our backbone of infrastructure before. He needs a reminder of how well that went over.

2. If the budget is in such crisis why not reduce the salaries and per diems of state employees and legislators making more than $100K who also have a $35K+ living expense bonus? Or how about not giving TAX BREAKS to sub-prime mortgage lenders who helped bring the economy down to begin with?

3. Time for some more marches and rallies I think. You know how well the Frat Boy likes them. He hasn't set foot in the City of San Francisco for fear of being caught on camera with protesters calling for his impeachment.

4. Contact Secretary of State Debra Bowen regarding our election laws. We need to make sure we don't have another case of the missing ballots. Can we know put to rest the entire fallacy of the so-called 'Bradley Effect'? He supposedly lost by x number of votes and six months after the election a missing ballot box with x and surplus amount of votes floated back to shore from the Pacific ocean. The fact is, he had enough votes to have won and the election was stolen from him. The end.

5. I don't know what else to suggest. People have to be informed. People have to take action. And let's thank and support those that are not rolling over and playing dead like so many other politicians - yeah I'm talking to you Congressional Democrats!

**I just found out there's an Assembly meeting scheduled for Friday at 1pm to discuss the budget.