Peace, Love and the G.O.P

NOT funny...not NICE!!!

Since we're one week into the new year I thought it was time for me to get a little political. You may or may not agree with me, but I think many people are a little disillusioned with our current President's first year in office. He has focused so intently on his health care agenda that he has let so many other things, including the economy and national security fall by the wayside. Yeah, yeah, I know, "he inherited a big mess." Yes, he did, but it's his job to try to fix it. You can't play the blame game forever.

It seems like the political tide is shifting slowly but surely, and many people are rethinking their political views. I am a perfect example. For the past couple of years I have been leaning very strongly towards a Libertarian political philosophy. I believed in as little national government intervention in our lives as possible, with the exception of defense.

Because of all the uproar during the last election, as well as a result of the banking crisis and incidents with terrorist attacks on American lives, I no longer have such an extreme belief that the government should play a hands off role in our lives. I think my previous philosophy was a bit naive.

A fellow blogger drew my attention to this article from The Wall Street Journal....it describes the "Republican stereotype" which labels members of the Republican party as people who "use homophobic language, express thinly disguised contempt toward immigrants, or ridicule heartfelt concerns for the environment, they affront the values of the educated class."

The article goes on to describe a group of voter's that he calls "Whole Foods Republicans." This article resonated with me, because in so many ways it describes me, my husband and many of my friends. (Although I have to admit, my husband does NOT ride his bike to his job, 40 miles away...even though I think he's like to!)

"—independent-minded voters who embrace a progressive lifestyle but not progressive politics. These highly-educated individuals appreciate diversity and would never tell racist or homophobic jokes; they like living in walkable urban environments; they believe in environmental stewardship, community service and a spirit of inclusion. And yes, many shop at Whole Foods, which has become a symbol of progressive affluence but is also a good example of the free enterprise system at work. (Not to mention that its founder is a well-known libertarian who took to these pages to excoriate ObamaCare as inimical to market principles.) What makes these voters potential Republicans is that, lifestyle choices aside, they view big government with great suspicion. There's no law that someone who enjoys organic food, rides his bike to work, or wants a diverse school for his kids must also believe that the federal government should take over the health-care system or waste money on thousands of social programs with no evidence of effectiveness. Nor do highly educated people have to agree that a strong national defense is harmful to the cause of peace and international cooperation.

Bottom line is, yes, we are Republicans, but just because we don't want the government to have it's hand in every aspect of our lives, does NOT mean we are homophobic, racist, or heartless.

If you want an interesting read, head on over and read the article in it's entirety, and tell me what you think...

Huh?

And that's all I have to say about THAT. Not really, but I don't know if I feel like discussing it.

It's ridiculous!!

I'm not going to say anymore....

I'm puzzled, perplexed...

Wow, my fingers have blog Tourette's.

Okay. I'll stop.

Have a great weekend!

All I Need Is The Air That I Breathe...

Remember that song by The Hollies? I love that song, but I digress.

In my last post, I listed a few things that I WANT. This of course was my short list, but I threw out a few things that I would love to have.

Now I'm going to talk about what we all NEED to have.

Take a look at the pyramid above. This is Mazlow's Hierarchy of Needs. At the bottom are our basic needs: breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis (the body's ability to regulate it's body to the outside environment) and excretion.

That's it. That's all we need...to breath, sleep, eat and do poo poo and pee pee. But let's face it, we all WANT much more, which leads us up the pyramid. (Take note that this pyramid doesn't include nice jeans, an iPod, an Apple MacBook or a trip to Florida for Spring Break.)

It's human nature to want things, and to strive to get them. It is also human nature (for most people) to have empathy for our fellow humans and to want to help those in need.

What I question is the government's assertion that they have a say in how much we make, or who we choose to assist.

Rush Limbaugh was a guest on "The Jay Leno Show" last night. He and Jay got into a political discussion (of course). Jay said he feels that it's CRAZY how much money some people make. "It's NUTS," Jay said, "these people are making MILLIONS of dollars. Do they really NEED to make that much?"

According to my research, Jay Leno makes about 16 million a year. Who is he to say some people make TOO MUCH? Who is anyone to say it?

Rush made the same point. As long as someone is making there money legally, who is anyone to say it's too much!? If Jay REALLY feels this way, maybe he can keep a million a year and give the other 15 million to the government and let them decide where to spend it. Great idea right?

Rush stressed the importance of allowing the marketplace to work out problems and to exclude the government from over regulation. He criticized Leno for caring about the salaries of CEOs. Limbaugh stated that it was no one's business what anyone else makes. I agree.

In the same vein, Limbaugh mentioned that one of his primary fears with the national health care system is that it would give the federal government justification to control the lives of American citizens. Limbaugh explained that under the guise of fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers, the government could dictate some very personal freedoms.

I love Rush's philosophy on government. Less regulation, less taxes. The government does not need to step in to solve all our problems. It's not their job. This isn't about political affiliation. For me, it's all about freedom.

In my next post I'll discuss communism and capitalism. (And no, I'm not calling anyone a communist..so chill, will ya?!)

I leave you with this video:

Okay, let's drop the subject and move on...

Okay, so this whole "Tonight Show" business has really got everyone talking.

My husband found this little tidbit on politico.com.:

Obviously not the most important issue of the day, but I think people are misreading Obama's off-color joke. His comment came in response to Leno's sarcastic praise, sounding to me like he was comparing the empty compliment ("That's pretty good, Mr. President") to the "everyone gets a medal just for coming" ethos of the Special Olympics.

In other words, he wasn't saying he's as bad a bowler as a Special Olympian, he was saying Leno's encouragement was as cheerfully hollow as that of a Special Olympics organizer.

This was followed by a barrage of commentary from both liberals and conservatives alike...here are some of the more interesting ones...

So somehow its OK because he was only mocking the sincerity of people who volunteer countless hours work very hard and give so much of themselves to put on the Special Olympics?

This Democrat did not like people busting on the President and she had this to say:

Republicans are soooooooooooo jealous!!!!! President Barack Obama is an amazing leader and you know it!! He actually can do more than one thing at once and it annoys you because your leaders can not. He can go on the tonight show and speak to the American people about what is going on in our country. If you watched you would know he was very serious about it. He made one comment you could jump on and you are off. The thing is this is all Republicans know how to do. You have no solutions to the problems that face our country. All you do is name call. The American people can see through your fake outrage!!

Counterpoint:

So somehow its OK because he was only mocking the sincerity of people who volunteer countless hours work very hard and give so much of themselves to put on the Special Olympics?

"Right Winger" steps in on the action...

Uh uh...ACORN uh uh...Marxist uh uh...Commie uh uh...Soshulizm! uh uh...Hates America! I'm a mindless, idiot parrot from the paleotithic era and I just can't help myself!

I think you've got the point.

If you want to check out the whole drama head on over to Ben Smith's blog on Politico and read it yourself.

This whole drama takes me back a few months to the fall of 2008. The blog world was buzzing with election drama. Wow, I really miss those days.

Hope you have a great weekend. I think we're going to go bowling.

Harmless quip?

You learn something new every day!

And one thing I learned from yesterday's post is...Botox and politics do NOT go together.

That is unless your name happens to be Joe Biden.

Carry on.

Botox Bandits

A mug shot of a "Botox Bandit.." Looks like she stole some lip injections too!!!

Catherine is sick today...poor girl. The only good thing about this, is I got to watch some of "The Today Show."

When Meg was a baby and I was nursing I was quite the daytime TV watcher. "Regis and Kelly", "Oprah", "The View"...I watched em all!

Now things are different. On weekdays the girls and I wake up, RUSH, RUSH, RUSH, I drop them at school at 8:40 and I'm on my merry way...

So anyway, today on "Today" Kathie Lee and Hoda were discussing Botox. Kathie Lee admitted she's a big fan of the stuff. I want to know who she goes to, because I think she looks awesome. And I'm sure she pays big bucks to look as good as she does.

The thing with Botox and Juvederm and all that good stuff is...it's pretty pricey.

A syringe of Juvederm runs about $500. A forehead full of Botox runs about $400. And you have to do it every few months. If you want to do it right, you'll have to pay about $3,500 a year. Bummer.

What is the average woman on a budget to do??? Well, a few clever ladies came up with a plan. These women are "The Botox Bandits." Go ahead...Google it. They are everywhere. Florida, Texas, California, Arizona....our nation is in the midst of an injectable crime spree.

How do you steal Botox? Well, you go into a medispa and give them a fake name. You proceed to get all shot up. Then, when it comes time to pay, you realize you forgot your checkbook or credit card. Tell the lady you need to run out to the car...and then you get the hell out of dodge.

Some advice...don't let them take before and after pictures...that helps the police track you down. Duh.

But hey, at least you'll look hot in your mug shot! Another bonus, is you'll be the best looking gal in prison, which means you get the toughest girlfriend.

I think this crime wave is a sign of the times. Why should wealthy women be the only ones who get Botox? What about the middle class? I certainly hope President Obama has included some funds in his stimulus plan for cosmetic procedures for the needy. It's only fair...and it will keep these poor women out of prison.

If you're with me on this send President Obama a request...www.whitehouse.gov.

Remember...EVERYONE has the right to a smooth, wrinkle free face and they shouldn't have to resort to a life of crime to get it.

The great "Calm Down" incident...

This guilt thing that I should be doing something "productive" is really getting in the way of my blogging. That and my newest addiction Facebook, which I'm getting over already. ( I told you I had a short attention span!)

Anyway, we were talking about how to handle a delicate situation with a 5th grader when we last met.

You all had some great perspectives on how you would address this matter.

Bottom line is my friend told her daughter that she was glad she came to her for information. She told her that she shouldn't be discussing stuff like that with her friend and that yes, sometimes moms and dads use something called birth control to prevent having a baby. She also told her she had never heard of a "calm down."

It ended there. (For now.)

I'm pretty open with my daughters when they have questions. As Zibbs said, I try to keep it pretty clinical, but I'm not going to freak out if they hear something at school. It would be naive to think that kids in 4th and 5th grade don't know at least something about sex.

I would much rather have my child be the one hearing stuff, than have her be the one telling My worst nightmare is getting a phone call from an irrate parent telling me that Meg gave her child a complete run down on "how babies are made." When I tell her things I ask her to keep it just between us. I'm sure she doesn't listen all the time.

I actually have a neighbor who called the elementary school principal to scream at him because her 6 year old daughter heard the word "vagina" from someone at school. She had never heard that word before at home! She told the principal that her son who is in 4th grade doesn't even know that word! I give the principal credit because he told her, "With all due respect ma'am. I'm sure your son does know that word, he just won't let you know that he does." HA!

I think parents have to face facts that kids are curious and they are going to ask questions. They are ALSO going to goof around and get silly about it sometimes. It's natural.

Alright, I'm done talking about that.

I think I'll open a can of worms. How 'bout that Inauguration? It's amazing what a production you can pull together with $150 million dollars.

The Obamas really know how to put on a show!!!

Now if I had that kind of dough, I might consider doing something a little more low key and take the rest of the loot and use it to help people who really need it. But hey, it's his money and if he wants to use it to throw a huge, ostentatious bash, who am I to tell him what to do with his money?

In the news...

There are a couple of stories in the news this week that really fired me up.

The first is the family in Western Jersey who were outraged that a local Shop rite supermarket would not decorate a cake for their son, named Adolf Hitler Campbell. Apparently this isn't the first time the Shop rite refused to make a cake for their son. Last year they requested a swastika be placed on the cake as decoration.

The child's father is LIVID that the supermarket refused to do the cake. After all, "it's just a name. He's not going to do what Hitler did."

Come on buddy, don't bullshit us. You name your son Adolf Hitler, and your daughters JoyceLynn Aryan Nation and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie and you expect no one is going to be outraged. You're an asshole and a Nazi. 'Nuff said.

The second story is regarding New York State Governor David Patterson's new budget plan which includes a 15% obesity tax on non diet soft drinks. OBESITY TAX? WTF? Once again, the government is going a little too far with this one. Why stop at taxing soda? You might as well have daily weigh ins for the citizens of New York State. If you are over the healthy limit for your height, you have to give the state a dollar. Let's take it one step further, if you are underweight you pay an emaciation tax. A dollar a day until you get up to a healthy weight. Maybe an ugly tax. If you aren't deemed good looking enough, another dollar.

That should help solve the budget deficit. IDIOTS.

And finally, Caroline Kennedy is gunning for the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Granted, she is from a great political family, she went to Harvard and has a law degree. But she is NOT experienced. She's a socialite and philanthropist, but she is not a politician. It's a nice idea to have another Kennedy in the Senate. But c'mon people...there are other people who deserve it far more than she does and who have years of experience working for the state of New York. If she gets handed the seat it's nepotism pure and simple.

In summary, Nazis, stupid taxes and preferential treatment annoy me. I know that they are all facts of life, but it doesn't make it right!!

What do YOU think?

Nothing says "I hate you" like a shoe to the face!!!

Did you see the footage of the Iraqi reporter throwing his shoes at President Bush? If you haven't Google it...it's hilarious. Bush is laughing while the guy wings his wing tips at his head.

It's classic holiday entertainment.

This is getting really interesting!!!

I've been reading your comments on my last post and I really love that we are debating the upcoming election in a civil manner!

Here's a thought I want to throw out for discussion.

What do you think about our system of government?  The Constitution, which I feel is a powerful and amazing document outlines a system of checks and balances that guarantees (or at least attempts to guarantee) that no part of the government becomes too powerful.     

Personally I think this is a great system.  One of my fears is that if we don't have at least somewhat equal representation of Democrats and Republicans in all branches of government, that the government will have too much power.  

I do not want the government to have a hand in my every aspect of my life.  In my opinion the less government intervention the better.  IN EVERYTHING.

What do you think about this?

Hey you...don't run away!! This isn't a "fun" post...but it's important.

Have you decided who you are voting for on November 4th?

Most people I've talked to have their minds made up.  

If you watch the news, you'll see that both candidates are frantically campaigning in "swing states."  Why?  Because according to polls there are many people who haven't decided which candidate will receive their vote.  

There are lots of reasons why some people are undecided.  Some people are fed up with all the partisan bickering.  Some are upset with the way the Bush administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress have been running the country.  

Some are fiscally conservative and socially liberal.  (I fit into this category.)  Maybe you just feel neither candidate is qualified, so for you this election will mean choosing "the lesser of two evils."

If you are still making up your mind, I'm curious.  Why?

(I know, I know everyone is sick and tired of the election.  I can't help but be obsessed with it, because this is huge and the person we choose is going to affect our lives PROFOUNDLY for many years to come.) 

Oh and by the way, in case you didn't already know, I'm voting for John McCain.

Let's talk about the weather...

I've read your comments on my previous post and I can see why some of you don't even want to dignify the e-mail I received. I too found it offensive, but I posted it to make a point.

On the radio this morning a talk show host who is an older gentlemen talked about the election. He commented that Americans have always had different opinions and that's what makes this country great. He has noticed, as we all have, that we no longer seem to have a shared vision. Instead of acknowledging our differences and celebrating them, there is a strong feeling of hatred and divisiveness. I know there have been other times in history that our country has been strongly divided, such as during the Civil War and Vietnam, I just haven't been around to see it.

I am very interested in people and the way their minds work. The past few months have been fascinating for me, because I've seen a side of many people that has quite frankly shocked me. Who would guess that this woman who appears so gentile and intelligent would send out such a harsh racist e-mail to 100 people? It's so over the top!!! On the other side, I've heard conspiracy theories. I've heard from more than one person that George Bush and Dick Cheney masterminded the 9/11 attacks for their own financial and political benefit! Once again, shocking and pretty extreme. I've heard racist and sexist comments from the mouths of people who I never dreamed would utter such trash.

I guess this is why people talk about the weather, or sports and not politics or religion.

So, in that vein, did you see Beverly Hills Chihuahua yet? It's so cute. All those adorable little puppies running around. Precious I tell you, just precious.

FF9D7DCE-AE40-2579-3F6E-F719942FF63D

1.02.05

One thing Republicans and Democrats can agree on...

There's less than 2 months until the Presidential Elections and the whole country is buzzing!

As I've mentioned, this is not a political blog, but I just HAD to talk about this. I've already covered the color of Sarah Palin's lipstick at the RNC. I still don't know what brand and shade she had on, but when I find out, I'M GETTING IT!

The next political fashion I'm going to talk about is a little more pricey than a $20 tube of lipstick.

Today I'm going to talk about a watch. And not just any run of the mill watch.

I'm talking about the Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch.





In case you don't know what I'm talking about here it is on Cindy McCain at the RNC:














Here's a little closer look at the watch as worn by Hillary Clinton:









The other day at cheerleading practice one of the moms was wearing a watch that looked ALOT like the Chanel J12. I had never met her before, but I simply HAD to take a close up view at her sweet little time piece. I hoped it was a knockoff so I could find out where she got it and score one for myself.


I approached the woman and introduced myself. As soon as I made a little small talk I pounced..."I love your watch, it's beautiful."

"Oh, thanks," she replied "my husband got it for me for my birthday."


She held her wrist out so I could take a gander and I knew with one glance, that this watch was no knockoff. It was the real, gorgeous, amazing, $4,500 McCoy!

I guess some people haven't been affected by our nation's economic slump!!!!

Anyway, if any of you budget fashionistas happen to know where I can find a nice looking replica of this fabulous work of art, let me know.

Or, if you happen to have an extra $4,500 burning a hole in your pocket and you want to make a nice lady from Jersey VERY happy, you know where to reach me.



Have a great weekend.

All this mudslinging has damaged us...

My poll results are in and 50% of you want to be movie stars.

o% would like to be President of the United States.

What does that say about us?

I think it says we'd rather have a house in Malibu, and get paid to make out with Brad Pitt than hang out with a bunch of blowhards and live in that big old stuffy White House.

But that's just my opinion.

What do you think?

I'm floored!

This isn't a political blog, so I haven't commented on the upcoming presidential election. I mean the US Open is on, so I can only take so much excitement.

That being said, I LOVE drama, so I am really excited about John McCain's choice for a running mate. Sarah Palin is a really interesting woman. No matter what your party affiliation, you have to admit, her story is really intriguing. She is definitely not your run of the mill politician.

I was glued to the DNC the past few nights, but now I'm really hooked.

I genuinely hope the American public uses their right to vote, and that they vote for the candidate they feel is right for the job. It shouldn't be about race or gender, but let's not fool ourselves, some people choose their candidates based on some pretty lame criteria.

How exciting is it that this January we will either have a black president, or a female vice-president? In either case, it's about time and history WILL be made!

What do you think about this new twist in the race for the White House?

Any opinions on Obama's speech last night? Let's get down and dirty! But not too dirty, remember this is a family friendly blog :) (And remember, we're all in this together!)

Kinda makes you think!

Saturday night as we were decorating the tree my 8 year old daughter commented, "The Chinese are so talented!"

It came out of left field, so I asked why she said it. "Well, it seems EVERYTHING is MADE IN CHINA!"

That innocent little statement opened a whole can of worms for me. As you know, I'm a gal who loves her trips to Target. My daughters' have little pink "Made in China" Christmas trees in their room from Wal-Mart. Our house is filled with toys, clothing and housewares which were all manufactured by people working for slave wages.

I remember a friend of mine traveled to China and told me about the teenage girls who put the hair in Barbie Dolls' heads for pennies an hour!

I got on the computer and of course there is a ton of information on the subject.

One movie, Mardis Gras: Made in China has won rave reviews for it's peek into the world of Chinese laborers"

"Mardi Gras: Made in China," looks at the conditions in a factory in the Chinese city of Fuzhou where young workers, mostly women, are paid $1.20 a day to work 14-to-20-hour shifts in enforced silence making the beads showered onto revelers in New Orleans in exchange for baring their breasts at Mardi Gras. The Chinese factory owner, who sees himself as a good guy and model manager, boasts of the punishments he exacts in wages from the workers toiling in sweatshop conditions when they don't meet their quotas. In a nifty turnabout, the filmmaker asks the revelers if they know where the beads come from. They don't, of course, and even when told, few seem to care.

Along with the whole lead paint scare there are a myriad of political reasons why many people are boycotting products "Made in China."

If you are interested here are a some articles highlighting this important issue!

The Seattle Times: "Mom's Web site lists toys not made in China"

The Christian Science Monitor:"A year without 'Made in China'"

I don't mean to be a bummer, but at his time of year I think it's important to think about how lucky we are. As the Christian Science Monitor article points out-it's pretty hard to avoid items made under the horrible conditions in China, but if we all try to cut down, maybe in some small way we can help these people.

FOOTNOTE: I think my 8 year old is getting REALLY suspicious about Santa. This afternoon she said, "What if I get toys from Santa that say "MADE IN CHINA?" That means they weren't made by elves." She paused, "unless they're Chinese elves!"