Is There A Better Way?

Questions posed from a very good friend of mine in an e-mail:

"But again, maybe there is something inherently wrong with the system of government set up by our forefathers over 200 years ago? Maybe we need more checks and balances? Maybe there should be no one single head of government (POTUS). It may have worked at one time for a nation of few, but for a nation of 400 million? Maybe there is a better way of government of the people, for the people and by the people?"

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with our system of government. It beats all others that have EVER been tried throughout history. I think we, as a populace, have allowed it to go unchecked for years and are paying the price for that today. It takes a strong, independent and engaged populace to stop the injustices and stupidity of those we have elected to represent us. We have become complacent, apathetic and have generally ignored what goes on in Washington for decades. We have given up our freedom for the "security" of a benevolent (or so we think) federal government. We want easy. We want simple. We want convenience. We want instant gratification. We think we deserve it all because we are America. Never mind working. Never mind sacrificing. Never mind accountability. Never mind responsibility. Those are words that we no longer use and appreciate. We covet. We covet everything and we expect it to be granted. And granted for no other reason than it should be. So, we have become self-centered and forgotten that we have piece of the pie in the equation of "...government of the people, by the people and for the people." We have a responsibility to stay vigilant and stay on top of those who represent us. We have failed mightily in that regard. Unfortunately, we have turned from a representative republic to a democracy, which is nothing more than mob rule.

While it may appear that we have one, single head of government, in reality we SHOULD have a working triumverate of government; executive, judicial and legislative branches as defined by the Constitution. Again, we have allowed the three to run amock and all are now singular and NOT working together to complete thier assigned duties according to the Constitution.

The Constitution has checks and balances written into it...and written into it very well. We have ignored them and allowed politicians to effectively ride rough shod on the Constitution. We have either a rule of law or we have rule of man. We don't get it both ways...but we want it both ways.

I go back to the Constitution a lot. It is NOT a living document. It has objective meaning in all of its glory. If there is no objective meaning behind it then why do we even have a Constitution? It spells out the LIMITS placed on government, not what government should do. Our founders knew this because they new man and his imperfections. Throughout history there are numerous examples of man trying to rule over man. The founders knew that given his vices, man will always try and rule over other men. What they created was a means to disallow that to happen. It worked for many , many years. Now, it isn't working because "government...by the people" has checked out of our responsibilities to do just that.

The question I ask: "Is it fixable?" Sadly, I am of the opinion that the ship is listing too far to one side and that we will not be able to right her and continue down the path of our republic...at least during my lifetime. That is unfortunate for our kids. They will have the pain of growing up in a newly and quickly growing socialist/facist country. That saddens me to no end.

When is Enough Enough?

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/dc-res-ticketed-for-parking-in-own-driveways

I am still trying to figure out where in the heck this country went wrong. It can't all be about religion and abortion. At some point in time, after 100-125 years of self-rule, apparently the populace decided that it was ok to not be free and to be ruled by someone or something else. That is unfathomable to me. Why would I give up the ability (freedom) to live as I want to live to an entity that isn't anywhere near me or has no remote interest in me or my family's well-being? And they keep sending these idiots back to D.C. thinking they do care about us. Why? The historical evidence is astounding against that viewpoint. Except for cases of war, the government has never had the best interests of the people in mind. Not once. And the Specter move proves it beyond a reasonable doubt. He doesn't care about his constituency. He cares about acquiring and keeping his own sense of power. Is it that difficult to see?

If You Dress Up a Pig...

...it's still a pig.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97RKDNO1&show_article=1

"I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," he said in the statement"

Yep. Thank you my fellow Pennsylvanians for your trust (and your money) over these past 29 years. It has meant...well, it has meant that I get to come to D.C. every year and be a fat cat who cares absolutely nothing about you or your principles. Sorry 'bout that but I am sure you understand. See you in November!

"As recently as late winter, he was asked by a reporter why he had not taken Democrats up on past offers to switch parties. "Because I am a Republican," he said at the time."

Specter has been a RINO for all 29 of those years...and the leading poster child for all the problems in Washington. Intoxicated by their own sense of power and accomplishment, our reps forgot about us a long, long time ago.

We used to call them traitors.

Now we call them Mr. President.

What Happened to Cutting the Budget?

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-land27-2009apr27,0,7967905.story?track=rss

President Obama has proposed spending $420 million next year to buy land for national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, and to help states fund parks and recreation projects. That is more than double the amount Congress provided for 2009

It's ONLY $210 million. What's a million amongst comrades?

I have never been a fan of parks, green spaces or other contrived government wastes of taxpayer money. It is just another way to employee those who are otherwise unemployable in the private sector. Unfortunately, I live in a county where the current parks big shot loves to buy (or snatch up via emminent domain, whichever is cheaper) up as much land as he can and turn it into green park space...or soccer fields where he can charge a premium for us taxpayers to use the land he just purchased with taxpayer money in the first place; "for the good of everyone in the community." I fully expect him to be in line with his hand, lapping at the boot of PBO to build another flower bed somewhere.

Are we REALLY that stupid?

But HE Promised...

Just another in a long line of the idiots who voted fro this guy to take care of them...and THIS is the norm across America today. Cna't pay your bills? Fear not. PBO will take care of you!!!!!

Morons.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/25/AR2009042501870_2.html?sid=ST2009042502839

I Wish I Could Write THIS Well!

One of THE funniest pieces of writing I have read! (Tippped from Boortz.com)

Reprinted from here: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/openletters/6always.html

AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. JAMES THATCHER,BRAND MANAGER,PROCTER & GAMBLE.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your Always maxi pads for over 20 years, and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core™ or Dri-Weave™ absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.
Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from "the curse"? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my "time of the month" is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call "an inbred hillbilly with knife skills." Isn't the human body amazing?
As brand manager in the feminine-hygiene division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers' monthly visits from Aunt Flo. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy! The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in capri pants. Which brings me to the reason for my letter.
Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: "Have a Happy Period."
Are you fucking kidding me?
What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness—actual smiling, laughing happiness—is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything "happy" about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlúa and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreens armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory. For the love of God, pull your head out, man. If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like "Put Down the Hammer" or "Vehicular Manslaughter Is Wrong"? Or are you just picking on us?
Sir, please inform your accounting department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flexi-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always.
Best,
Wendi AaronsAustin, TX

Lurch Knows All

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/22/kerry-aims-to-rescue-newspaper-industry/

"America's newspapers are struggling to survive, and while there will be serious consequences in terms of the lives and financial security of the employees involved, including hundreds at the Globe, there will also be serious consequences for our democracy where diversity of opinion and strong debate are paramount," Mr. Kerry said.

That's rich. In other words, who is going to write what I want them to write? Kerry has no more interest in "diversity of opinion" than Keith Olberman, Chris Matthews and George "Hippopautamus" does. They no what is best for you. They will tell you what that is and you are supposed to genuflect (sp) at their all knowingness. All three have thebrain power of a scuppernog seed...

"I am committed to your fight, committed to your industry and committed to ensuring that the vital public service newspapers provide does not disappear," Mr. Kerry told the Globe employees.

If you ask any editor he will tell you (well, if he doesn't he is a liar and making shit up) that he is not serving some "vital public service." He is serving the pocketbook. As with all media, it is about advertising dollars pure and simple.

Mr. Kerry, who has called for Senate hearings on "the future of journalism" to begin May 6, also cited the negative influence of "agenda-driven reporting" and media conglomerates.

Control the flow of information...and that is EXACTLY what Kerry and company mean by "the future of journalism"...and you control the people. Freedom of the press and speech is meaning less to these idealogues.