Self Deportation... An idea whose time may have come!
I just love watching these Republican Presidential candidate debates. It is great entertainment.
First there is Newt---If some news correspondent challenges your marital ethics, turn the table on them, and go after the questioner. Hypocrisy be damned. Use the path to the Presidency...the ultimate bully pulpit, to bully the press and rally the Republican base. If someone calls you a lobbyist, tell them you are an historian! ! Hey, it works! He won South Carolina.
And how about that Mitt Romney? You're right Mitt, we envy you. We are part of the 99%, and you are the 1% of the 1%! You are one lucky guy! You are paying 13.9% on your income tax while most of us pay 25% or more on a lot less income. Yes Mitt, you are blessed that your income comes not from wages, or the sweat of your brow, but from corporate manipulation, vulture capitalism, and borrowing to buy fire sale corporations at near zero percent interest (Thank you Fed....), re-inventing them, squeezing out the money, and selling them for huge profits!
You are one of those rich guys who we are supposed to be calling "Job creators". And the great thing about America is that our tax code rewards your type of "work" by granting you special tax loopholes and concessions that we poor working stiffs only dream about! No wonder you reject the label 1% and say it's envy! You are not campaigning for President to change it. You are running to preserve it. Who's kidding who? What a great country this is ( if you are in the 1% ! ) The best thing is, you even do your own laundry. What a regular guy. I bet you iron those nicely starched shirts too!
How dare anyone not genuflect at the altar of Vulture Capitalism. Job killers? It is Obama and the Democrats who are the job killers, not the tax loopholing, tax dodging , Cayman Island bank account holding , Swiss bank depositing, job creators! Let's get our facts straight here!
And your answer to the immigration issue was absolutely, stunningly, brilliant! How do we deal with the 22 million undocumented residents of this country who arrived in the land of opportunity by extra legal means? The answer? Self deportation!
Self deportation... What a great idea. We could take it one step further and maybe even urge those lazy food stamp consuming largely African Americans to self deport too! Back to Africa! I bet Newt would even agree with you. Imagine the cheers that would draw from the Republican base at the next debate.
Even better... Why not scrap the food stamp program altogether, take the money, and buy plane tickets to the homeland for the self deportees.
Food stamp problem... solved!
And while we are at it, why not urge self deportation to Europe for all those Socialist state advocating Un-American acting Democrats who believe in a fair and universal health care system.
The possibilities are endless. Just think...we could solve the Social Security system shortfall by giving plane tickets to all Baby Boomers who want to self deport themselves back to the insolvent countries of their forebears, like Greece, and Ireland and Italy! Imagine..no more diners or Irish pubs or Italian restaurants!
Just think of the convicted felons who, once out of prison, cannot find a job. The answer? Self deportation. Buy 'em a bus ticket outta town, just like the old time Sheriffs used to do. What possibilities this Self deportation concept portends!
I just love these debates. They amuse. They unenlighten. They are great fodder for the befuddled. Move over American Idol and Survivor. The Mitt and Newt show is on . It could even outdraw Beavis and Butthead in the Neilsens.
America, stay tuned. ...but remember...The whole world is watching.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Richard Cordray--- Hooray and Hallelujah!
Recess appointment
Every school kid beyond Kindergarten understands what the term "recess" means. Time out from the school day to take a deep breath, recreate, re-focus, and then come back to the school day with a re-invigorated purposeful spirit.
Imagine if the teacher, during a twenty minute recess, came out to the school playground ringing a bell every 5 minutes, to remind the students that they are really still in school, that recess is not really recess after all, so don't get too involved in playing "Mother May I " because while you may be on the playground, it is not really recess! Huh? Recess is not really recess? A Rose by any other name is really not a rose... ?
Would that make sense to a second grader? Hardly!
And for Congress to leave town after Christmas, not returning until Jan. 23rd, a full month away, and claim that they are really still in session is not just an artifice... It is nothing short of preposterous! It is phony. It is a sham, and the American people know a hoax when they see one. Congress is playing a silly game, and finally...finally...President Obama is calling them on it, with his recess appointment of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,
He has crossed the Republican's Rubicon River, by throwing down the gauntlet He may as well have said "Alea Iacta Est!" , as did Ceasar ( The die is cast). The battle for the heart and soul of the Republic now looms!
It is about time. Obama has faced nothing but obstruction from a Republican dominated Congress since he took office. Even when the Democrats held the majority in both houses, the Republicans used every available device to frustrate, delay, and obstruct Obama's agenda.
He has tried to reach out to them. ..to no avail. He has compromised with them on tax policy, only to be confounded again in the debt ceiling debate. He finally stood his ground on the middle class tax cut before Christmas, and the recalcitrant Republicans , with no reasonable retreat route, raised the white flag. They caved. No wonder Congress is only at an 11% approval rating.
They have done nothing to move the country forward. They have done nothing to create jobs. They have done nothing to protect the American worker. They have done nothing to help the middle class consumer. They have refused to raise taxes on the rich, but were ready to allow the middle class payroll tax cut to go by the boards. They have become the "Do Nothing Republican Congress" of 2011-12, and their days are now numbered.
Rome is burning. The choice is between "Don't just stand there...Do Something!", and don't do anything, just stand there!". The American people are finally calling them out on their failure to function. Fiddling amidst the flames of a faltering economy is no solution. As Lee Iacocca used to say" Either lead...follow..or get the hell out of the way!" Time for them to do the latter.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Good Night Irene!
Good Night Irene
We need a whole new Congress. It's as simple as that! The Congress that is revered by only 11 % of the people for steadfastly protecting the rights and privileges of 1% of the people has got to go. They have flunked the test of functionality by any objective standard, and it's time to send them packing.
So. next fall ( would that it were sooner) the American people get their chance to" just say no" to the "just say no" Congress by saying, Thank you for your disservice to America. It's time for you to move on! And while you're at it, you can take your moneybagging, malfeasant , malevolent lobbyists with you. And don't let the door hit you in the backside on your way out.
Move over Grover Norquist, a new pledge is on the way. Your time has passed . Your hegemony is no more, because our time has come.
To take back our Democracy, we need to not only throw the rascals out of office. We need to get the money out of politics. So let's all take a new pledge.
Repeat after me. "I do solemnly swear that I will vote out of office, any incumbent member of Congress who takes one dime of special interest money, so help me God!"
That will fix it. That's the only thing that will fix it. We need a new bunch of bananas in Congress from top to bottom, whose only interest will be to serve the American people's interests, and not themselves and the special interests who bought and paid for them. Let's say goodbye to petty partisan political agendas. The only agenda that should matter is the agenda of the American electorate and we want a Congress to make rules to insure that if you work hard, and do the right thing, and not take risks that are too risky.... you will live long and prosper.
We are not looking to be bailed out. We don't want to be bowled over any more. We want the American dream back. We are tired of repeatedly watching your do nothing nightmare Republican Congress' Groundhog Day charade. It's over . No more acting out the same old scenarios, and acting up when you don't get your way. Time to put some adults in your place, and dismiss the cry baby curmudgeons who are posing as Congressmen .
The House Republican majority says they are now passionately for, what they once adamantly opposed. (a one year extension of the 2% middle class tax hike instead of the two month compromise that was worked out bipartisanly by the Senate), that simply strains credulity . It doesn't wash.
Not too long ago ( less than a week if memory serves) they were against the middle tax cut.... period. They were against it before they were for it. It was a Democratic gimmick to assuage the masses, said they. Balderdash! . We're not buying it.
If they really think that the American people are going to be hornswaggled by their latest attempt at camouflaging their skulduggery, they'd better move to Brooklyn. and start bidding on bridges.
Do you hear us? Enough is Enough! It is you who should be out pounding the pavement, looking for a job come January 1 of 2013! That will be a wondrous New Year celebration when we can say "Good riddance to bad rubbish!" And don't let the door hit you in the backside on your way out!
Goodbye dysfunctional Congress. Welcome back American democracy . It is way past time to cut 'em off and vote 'em out. The large lady has finally stepped up to the microphone, and is singing a song we can all hum along to. Goodnight Irene! And good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.
We need a whole new Congress. It's as simple as that! The Congress that is revered by only 11 % of the people for steadfastly protecting the rights and privileges of 1% of the people has got to go. They have flunked the test of functionality by any objective standard, and it's time to send them packing.
So. next fall ( would that it were sooner) the American people get their chance to" just say no" to the "just say no" Congress by saying, Thank you for your disservice to America. It's time for you to move on! And while you're at it, you can take your moneybagging, malfeasant , malevolent lobbyists with you. And don't let the door hit you in the backside on your way out.
Move over Grover Norquist, a new pledge is on the way. Your time has passed . Your hegemony is no more, because our time has come.
To take back our Democracy, we need to not only throw the rascals out of office. We need to get the money out of politics. So let's all take a new pledge.
Repeat after me. "I do solemnly swear that I will vote out of office, any incumbent member of Congress who takes one dime of special interest money, so help me God!"
That will fix it. That's the only thing that will fix it. We need a new bunch of bananas in Congress from top to bottom, whose only interest will be to serve the American people's interests, and not themselves and the special interests who bought and paid for them. Let's say goodbye to petty partisan political agendas. The only agenda that should matter is the agenda of the American electorate and we want a Congress to make rules to insure that if you work hard, and do the right thing, and not take risks that are too risky.... you will live long and prosper.
We are not looking to be bailed out. We don't want to be bowled over any more. We want the American dream back. We are tired of repeatedly watching your do nothing nightmare Republican Congress' Groundhog Day charade. It's over . No more acting out the same old scenarios, and acting up when you don't get your way. Time to put some adults in your place, and dismiss the cry baby curmudgeons who are posing as Congressmen .
The House Republican majority says they are now passionately for, what they once adamantly opposed. (a one year extension of the 2% middle class tax hike instead of the two month compromise that was worked out bipartisanly by the Senate), that simply strains credulity . It doesn't wash.
Not too long ago ( less than a week if memory serves) they were against the middle tax cut.... period. They were against it before they were for it. It was a Democratic gimmick to assuage the masses, said they. Balderdash! . We're not buying it.
If they really think that the American people are going to be hornswaggled by their latest attempt at camouflaging their skulduggery, they'd better move to Brooklyn. and start bidding on bridges.
Do you hear us? Enough is Enough! It is you who should be out pounding the pavement, looking for a job come January 1 of 2013! That will be a wondrous New Year celebration when we can say "Good riddance to bad rubbish!" And don't let the door hit you in the backside on your way out!
Goodbye dysfunctional Congress. Welcome back American democracy . It is way past time to cut 'em off and vote 'em out. The large lady has finally stepped up to the microphone, and is singing a song we can all hum along to. Goodnight Irene! And good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Obama and Newton's Third Law
December 8th, 2011...Is it a day that will live in infamy in Presidential politics? That just may be the case. Will it be remembered as the day when the President finally suited up, put on his game face, and threw down the gauntlet? Have the Republicans finally crossed his political Rubicon?
With his "enough is enough " appearance in the Presidential briefing room on the day after Pearl Harbor Day, President Obama seems to be finding a way to channel his inner Teddy Roosevelt, even if he still sounds like Woodrow Wilson. If so, the Republican obstructionists may have to finally retreat from their San Juan Hill of Obstructionsim.
Was this indeed a watershed moment in his Presidency? Will it be remembered as a day of infamy by his unrelenting Republican antagonists? The next few weeks will tell the tale. The countdown clock is ticking in Congress as well as in the Presidential briefing room.
How does the President deal with Sen Mitch Mc Connell and his style of "Just say no, or just say... hell no" congressional leadership?
What pressure can Obama bring to bear against these illegitimate tactics being employed by his Republican adversaries?.
It used to be that there was at least a pretext for the Senate’s refusing to advise and consent on Presidential nominations. Now, with the refusal of the Senate Republicans to confirm former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, that pretense is no more.
It is not about qualifications or credentials. He satisfies that criteria. It is about the Republicans refusing to execute the law which is now on the books, which they don't like. They are not trying to repeal it. They are just trying to obstruct it, and to keep the agency from doing the job the law requires it to do. This rationale for rejecting a nominee has no precedent. It is a raw and unbridled attempt to politically muscle the President, and he, rightfully, must fight back with whatever appropriate tools he has in his arsenal.
The Republicans need to be reminded that Newton's Third law of physics still applies in Congress, as in every body politic. No action takes place in a vacuum. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Obama needs to finally dig in his heels, and use his clout. He seems to be finally doing just that.
Is there anything Mc Connell and his cohorts value that can be denied them? Obama must show that two can play at this game. He must also continue to use the bully pulpit to rail against this political skulduggery as well, but speeches are not enough. He has to search the hand they have dealt him for whatever Trump cards he may hold, and at least threaten their use, if not actually employ them.
Politics can be hardball, and when one side is playing hardball, it makes no sense for the other side to play softball. Obama has to find Teddy Roosevelt's big stick, and start swinging it. Maybe walking softly while carrying that big stick was a Rooseveltian method that he should have been emulating all along...but it is not too late. The President has to transition from walking loudly, (speechifying too much), and carrying a whiffle ball bat. Goodbye Mr. Nice Guy, hello Rough Rider!.
He said that no options were off the table in his pursuit of persuasive devices to bring the recalcitrant Republicans around. He must, as he has promised, force the Republicans to get off their political locked boxes, and do their jobs. They must pass the tax cut extension, and get Cordray confirmed. Can the President persuade them to do it? Time will tell.
But one thing is certain, if he fails to fight fire with fire, it's the American people who will end up getting burned. That is why the President needs to get out his blowtorch, aim the flames where needed, and start hitting back at them with real heat. Eventually, and hopefully sooner rather than later, they will feel that heat, and get out of the kitchen of their pugilistic political posturing. If not, then it will be time for the American people to guide them to the nearest exit, kit and kaboodle, and shake the cupboards bare come election time.
With his "enough is enough " appearance in the Presidential briefing room on the day after Pearl Harbor Day, President Obama seems to be finding a way to channel his inner Teddy Roosevelt, even if he still sounds like Woodrow Wilson. If so, the Republican obstructionists may have to finally retreat from their San Juan Hill of Obstructionsim.
Was this indeed a watershed moment in his Presidency? Will it be remembered as a day of infamy by his unrelenting Republican antagonists? The next few weeks will tell the tale. The countdown clock is ticking in Congress as well as in the Presidential briefing room.
How does the President deal with Sen Mitch Mc Connell and his style of "Just say no, or just say... hell no" congressional leadership?
What pressure can Obama bring to bear against these illegitimate tactics being employed by his Republican adversaries?.
It used to be that there was at least a pretext for the Senate’s refusing to advise and consent on Presidential nominations. Now, with the refusal of the Senate Republicans to confirm former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, that pretense is no more.
It is not about qualifications or credentials. He satisfies that criteria. It is about the Republicans refusing to execute the law which is now on the books, which they don't like. They are not trying to repeal it. They are just trying to obstruct it, and to keep the agency from doing the job the law requires it to do. This rationale for rejecting a nominee has no precedent. It is a raw and unbridled attempt to politically muscle the President, and he, rightfully, must fight back with whatever appropriate tools he has in his arsenal.
The Republicans need to be reminded that Newton's Third law of physics still applies in Congress, as in every body politic. No action takes place in a vacuum. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Obama needs to finally dig in his heels, and use his clout. He seems to be finally doing just that.
Is there anything Mc Connell and his cohorts value that can be denied them? Obama must show that two can play at this game. He must also continue to use the bully pulpit to rail against this political skulduggery as well, but speeches are not enough. He has to search the hand they have dealt him for whatever Trump cards he may hold, and at least threaten their use, if not actually employ them.
Politics can be hardball, and when one side is playing hardball, it makes no sense for the other side to play softball. Obama has to find Teddy Roosevelt's big stick, and start swinging it. Maybe walking softly while carrying that big stick was a Rooseveltian method that he should have been emulating all along...but it is not too late. The President has to transition from walking loudly, (speechifying too much), and carrying a whiffle ball bat. Goodbye Mr. Nice Guy, hello Rough Rider!.
He said that no options were off the table in his pursuit of persuasive devices to bring the recalcitrant Republicans around. He must, as he has promised, force the Republicans to get off their political locked boxes, and do their jobs. They must pass the tax cut extension, and get Cordray confirmed. Can the President persuade them to do it? Time will tell.
But one thing is certain, if he fails to fight fire with fire, it's the American people who will end up getting burned. That is why the President needs to get out his blowtorch, aim the flames where needed, and start hitting back at them with real heat. Eventually, and hopefully sooner rather than later, they will feel that heat, and get out of the kitchen of their pugilistic political posturing. If not, then it will be time for the American people to guide them to the nearest exit, kit and kaboodle, and shake the cupboards bare come election time.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Extending Your Own Runway!
Extending your runway!
Let me start by explaining that I am a widower with four grown daughters. All of them are talented, loving, bright, achievement oriented young women. For this, I am grateful. For the most part, they are focused on their careers, their partners, and the daily stresses of their own life. There is one exception. That is when Dad comes to visit, and I become the focus of their not always entirely welcomed scrutiny, and efforts to do a Dad makeover in a day!
On a recent visit to my daughter's house in Saratoga Springs, in Upstate NY for the Thanksgiving holiday, I had a chance to visit with my two middle daughters. One is a life coach, and the other a teacher. Both have lots of advice for dear old Dad! I probably should not have complained about my sciatica, plantar fasciitis, and other sundry annoyances of an increasingly post middle age existence.
Since my wife died, my daughters often act as parents in reverse. Without a wife to nag or cajole me, my daughters have taken up the cudgel! I have to keep reminding myself that it's only because they love me!
I've gotten lessons on nutrition, temperance, fitness, scheduling and
partnering. Since old habits die hard, I have heard, but not heeded, much of this before. For some reason, I was a little more receptive this time.
Maybe it is because of my advancing years. Maybe it's because I am mostly retired and have more time to listen. Or maybe it's because I have a Medicare milestone birthday coming up. I am reminded of that daily by junk mail solicitation for Medicare Supplementary health plans M.ust be the government is so desperate for money these days, that they sell their upcoming eligible lists to telemarketers!
The way I put it to them was, "Listen girls, my plane is still flying, but the runway is getting shorter." "Well, Dad", responded one. "It's time to lengthen your runway!" Boom! She hit pay dirt! What was it Mickey Mantle once said, "If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!" Mickey was a smart guy!
Too bad he had four sons instead of four daughters. If he did, perhaps his runway might have been extended too!
So now that I am back home in Kansas, it's time to start making lists for runway repair and extension.
So here goes: I promise to love more, listen better, eat less, laugh a lot, write more, and organize a daily bucket list. Cause you never know when the runway you are landing on might be shorter than you think. Oh... And I promise to always be there on the other end of the phone line when they need a Dad for everyday advice, cheering and bucking them up, and just listening without always trying to fix it.
Somehow though, I think the parental role reversals will increase until I get my aircraft refueled, re-tooled, and ready to fly further. That way, hopefully I can avoid too much turbulence. Not a bad everyday life goal , eh?
Best of all. It's just good to know they care. So, today is the best first day of the rest of my life! And a healthy and Happy Holiday to all of you!
Let me start by explaining that I am a widower with four grown daughters. All of them are talented, loving, bright, achievement oriented young women. For this, I am grateful. For the most part, they are focused on their careers, their partners, and the daily stresses of their own life. There is one exception. That is when Dad comes to visit, and I become the focus of their not always entirely welcomed scrutiny, and efforts to do a Dad makeover in a day!
On a recent visit to my daughter's house in Saratoga Springs, in Upstate NY for the Thanksgiving holiday, I had a chance to visit with my two middle daughters. One is a life coach, and the other a teacher. Both have lots of advice for dear old Dad! I probably should not have complained about my sciatica, plantar fasciitis, and other sundry annoyances of an increasingly post middle age existence.
Since my wife died, my daughters often act as parents in reverse. Without a wife to nag or cajole me, my daughters have taken up the cudgel! I have to keep reminding myself that it's only because they love me!
I've gotten lessons on nutrition, temperance, fitness, scheduling and
partnering. Since old habits die hard, I have heard, but not heeded, much of this before. For some reason, I was a little more receptive this time.
Maybe it is because of my advancing years. Maybe it's because I am mostly retired and have more time to listen. Or maybe it's because I have a Medicare milestone birthday coming up. I am reminded of that daily by junk mail solicitation for Medicare Supplementary health plans M.ust be the government is so desperate for money these days, that they sell their upcoming eligible lists to telemarketers!
The way I put it to them was, "Listen girls, my plane is still flying, but the runway is getting shorter." "Well, Dad", responded one. "It's time to lengthen your runway!" Boom! She hit pay dirt! What was it Mickey Mantle once said, "If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!" Mickey was a smart guy!
Too bad he had four sons instead of four daughters. If he did, perhaps his runway might have been extended too!
So now that I am back home in Kansas, it's time to start making lists for runway repair and extension.
So here goes: I promise to love more, listen better, eat less, laugh a lot, write more, and organize a daily bucket list. Cause you never know when the runway you are landing on might be shorter than you think. Oh... And I promise to always be there on the other end of the phone line when they need a Dad for everyday advice, cheering and bucking them up, and just listening without always trying to fix it.
Somehow though, I think the parental role reversals will increase until I get my aircraft refueled, re-tooled, and ready to fly further. That way, hopefully I can avoid too much turbulence. Not a bad everyday life goal , eh?
Best of all. It's just good to know they care. So, today is the best first day of the rest of my life! And a healthy and Happy Holiday to all of you!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Demons or Scapegoats?
Demons? Or just scapegoats?
11/26/2011
There are watershed moments in history, as there are in life, when everything turns on a dime. They are events that change our lives. The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the events of 9/11 are but a few examples. We knew at those moments that life would never again be the same.
Art mirrors life, so movies have watershed moments as well. They are the quintessential climax, the powerful point of revelation, that leave the viewer profoundly affected. One such movie moment comes to mind from the classic female-bonding film, "Steel Magnolias," which starred such first-rate actresses as Sally Fields as the mother of Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine as the curmudgeonly yet still lovable Louisa "Ouiser," Olympia Dukakis as Clairee and Dolly Parton as Truvy the hairdresser. It was around her beauty parlor's egg-shaped hair dryers that the women forged a common bond and sense of deep and devoted kinship.
The watershed moment occurs in the cemetery scene. At the grave where her daughter has just been buried, Sally Fields is overcome with grief and anger. She falls to the ground, crying, "Why, why, why!" and then says, "I am so angry! I am just so angry. I just want to hit someone!"
At that moment. Olympia Dukakis grabs Shirley MacLaine and says, "Here, hit Ouiser!" MacLaine grimaces in bewildered anticipation of the blows that never do come, because, realizing the ridiculousness of the proposition, Fields changes from sobbing to laughing hysterically.
Hit Ouiser indeed? What good would that do?
We are immediately struck by the humor and the futility of the scene.
I have often used that example to explain President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq. He couldn't immediately find the real culprit to punch, Osama Bin Laden, so he did the next best thing. He hit "Ouiser", in the person of Iraqi dictator Sadam Hussein. It turned out to be a mistake of gigantic proportion, and far reaching consequence.
Ten years later, after trillions of dollars squandered, thousands of lives spent and countless other casualties that will remain with us, we have to ask ourselves whether it was truly worth the effort.
Did we pay far too great a price for the partial objectives achieved? History will be the judge of that.
In the meantime, we need to employ the "Hit Ouiser" principle to our current political conundrum. How do we express our anger at the mistakes and mismanagement that almost collapsed our whole economy, and still threatens to cripple our economic hegemony today?
Do we "Hit Ouiser?" — that is, blame it all on President Barack Obama, and throw the bum out? Or do we focus on the real culprits, the greed, and the stupidity that brought us to the brink of disaster, and exorcise the real demons that bedevil us?
I
That is our challenge in this upcoming presidential election year.
If we chose to just "Hit Ouiser," we will have no one but ourselves to blame for the damage we self-inflict. But if we rise up and right the wrongs which have beset us, we will ultimately benefit not only ourselves, but our children, and their children as well.
The choice is ours to make, America. Let's hope we make that choice not from a place of anger or spite, but out of wisdom, reason, judgment and forethought.
11/26/2011
There are watershed moments in history, as there are in life, when everything turns on a dime. They are events that change our lives. The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the events of 9/11 are but a few examples. We knew at those moments that life would never again be the same.
Art mirrors life, so movies have watershed moments as well. They are the quintessential climax, the powerful point of revelation, that leave the viewer profoundly affected. One such movie moment comes to mind from the classic female-bonding film, "Steel Magnolias," which starred such first-rate actresses as Sally Fields as the mother of Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine as the curmudgeonly yet still lovable Louisa "Ouiser," Olympia Dukakis as Clairee and Dolly Parton as Truvy the hairdresser. It was around her beauty parlor's egg-shaped hair dryers that the women forged a common bond and sense of deep and devoted kinship.
The watershed moment occurs in the cemetery scene. At the grave where her daughter has just been buried, Sally Fields is overcome with grief and anger. She falls to the ground, crying, "Why, why, why!" and then says, "I am so angry! I am just so angry. I just want to hit someone!"
At that moment. Olympia Dukakis grabs Shirley MacLaine and says, "Here, hit Ouiser!" MacLaine grimaces in bewildered anticipation of the blows that never do come, because, realizing the ridiculousness of the proposition, Fields changes from sobbing to laughing hysterically.
Hit Ouiser indeed? What good would that do?
We are immediately struck by the humor and the futility of the scene.
I have often used that example to explain President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq. He couldn't immediately find the real culprit to punch, Osama Bin Laden, so he did the next best thing. He hit "Ouiser", in the person of Iraqi dictator Sadam Hussein. It turned out to be a mistake of gigantic proportion, and far reaching consequence.
Ten years later, after trillions of dollars squandered, thousands of lives spent and countless other casualties that will remain with us, we have to ask ourselves whether it was truly worth the effort.
Did we pay far too great a price for the partial objectives achieved? History will be the judge of that.
In the meantime, we need to employ the "Hit Ouiser" principle to our current political conundrum. How do we express our anger at the mistakes and mismanagement that almost collapsed our whole economy, and still threatens to cripple our economic hegemony today?
Do we "Hit Ouiser?" — that is, blame it all on President Barack Obama, and throw the bum out? Or do we focus on the real culprits, the greed, and the stupidity that brought us to the brink of disaster, and exorcise the real demons that bedevil us?
I
That is our challenge in this upcoming presidential election year.
If we chose to just "Hit Ouiser," we will have no one but ourselves to blame for the damage we self-inflict. But if we rise up and right the wrongs which have beset us, we will ultimately benefit not only ourselves, but our children, and their children as well.
The choice is ours to make, America. Let's hope we make that choice not from a place of anger or spite, but out of wisdom, reason, judgment and forethought.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Call out the Boogeymen!
Call Out the Boogeymen!
A wise person once told me, “Never should on yourself or anyone else!” Now, say that ten times fast. Or say” You should pass this bill right away!”, five times, like President Obama did on Thursday night. The result of this admonition is the same, it gets the person’s back up who you are “should-ing”, and strengthens their resistance to oppose, rather than support, what it is you say they should do. It is simple human nature.
Now, President Obama knew, going in, that he was entering the Lions’ Den. His mistake in the presentation , however, was in holding out hope for the hopelessly opposed, and trying to shame them into doing something that may benefit the American people, but will not benefit their political agenda, both long and short term. After all, the Republicans in Congress already have jobs...their own, and they want to keep their jobs, and will go to whatever extremes are necessary to do so. They simply want to insure that President Obama loses his job in November of 2012, so it is not in their interest to do anything to save him from the loss of that job. So, they will find multiple excuses for not supporting the Jobs bill...and they will twist the truth to say that they have already proposed many jobs bills which the President and the Democrats in congress have rejected (translate that more tax cuts..) This is political bloodsport...pure and simple, and the sooner the President recognizes this inevitable fact, the sooner he may be able to save his own job by fixing the blame squarely on the shoulders of those responsible for the current political imbroglio..the recalcitrant Republicans in the do nothing Republican Congress.
That’s how Harry Truman saved his job in 1948, and the same principle applies in 2012. Call out the Boogeyman for who he, or they, are, and point the finger at them, repeatedly. This is what they have been doing to him ad nauseum on talk radio. Time to reverse polarity and fight fire with fire. If President Obama does not have the fire in his belly to do so, he will suffer indigestion for the next 14 months, all for naught, while in the end, he will fade away as a first and one termer.
The American people, and yes, those critically undecided Independent voters in the middle, already clearly understand one thing. He is not the one who has failed to extend the olive branch. All you have to do is look at the expression on John Boehner’s face during Obama’s speech to see where they are, and have been, at. They wouldn’t even give him the courtesy of setting up the speech for an earlier time, let alone the courtesy of a response. Boehner mumbled something about the American people being more interested in football, than in listening to a Republican response. Clearly, they think this is nothing more than an “Save Obama’s job” bill, and the more he entreats them, the more convinced they become. Time to move on, go past them, and take the case to the American people directly.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch Mc Connell quoted something from Albert Einstein about the definition of insanity being doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. He is right on that point, only the insanity is not in proposing jobs bills that the Republicans think are flawed from the start, the insanity is in believing that you can get a different result from an entrenched oppositional party that has made naysaying their signature response to anything this President may do, and de-legitimizing his status as President at every turn they can the sine qua non of their own success barometer.
Take a chapter out of the book of Harry. It is time to give the Republicans hell, Barry! Not Purgatory, not Limbo, but hell...and and don’t mince words or equivocate. Tell it like it is. To quote the immortal Harry S. Truman,” I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell. ... I just tell the truth and they think it's hell.” Tell them the truth Mr. President, and keep telling it until at last the truth sets you free. The only way to deal with this crowd is to send them packing in 2012. Sad, but that is just the way it is. Use the megaphone of the bully pulpit at every turn, and enlist your friends and Democratic comrades to do the same. That is the only formula for ultimate success.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)