Welfare - who needs it?

I'm way deep in an email conversation with a dear Republican friend of mine (no that's not an oxymoron) and I'm not sure I'm making any headway in converting him.  (He's desperately trying to convert me as well; to no avail).

I think in my next round to "talks" with him I'm going to agree with him on his stand on welfare and social programs (he hates them - big surprise).  I'm going to suggest that we make the tax cuts for the rich permanent and that we abolish any and all social welfare programs.  All those deadbeat moms out there who are having more and more kids just so they can get a raise on their welfare checks are going to be in for a big surprise.  Those new mothers counting on a little help from the W.I.C. will now have to compete at the dumpster right along with the rest of the poor.  Medicare???  Nope, that'll be gone so your parents and grandparents who are just barely hanging on as it is, will just have to suck it up and go without their meds; or maybe they could sell the last remaining family heirlooms and give their last few bucks to the big pharmacuticals.  Hey, those companies have a high overhead and need the money.

Cutting back on these programs will save a lot of money.  Sure, people will be out in the street and we'll be able to see a real-life Tiny Tim gimping around the streets of your town, but too bad.  The rich need their tax cuts.  But there'll be a catch.

When George Bush wants a new stadium for his Texas Rangers baseball team, he's going to have to dig into his pocket to pay for it.  No more government money for that stuff.  Tit for tat.  When the oil companies say that they cannot possible exist (along with their record-breaking profits) without a government handout for exploration, bummer.  Go to your rich banker friends and see if they'll give you a loan.  Oh, and speaking of loans, no more loan guarantees for the 70 year old nuclear industry.  If you can't stand on your own two feet by now, then you'll have to fall right along with those unwed mothers.

Think of the money we're going to save.  We'll be on a roll.  We can privatize our schools, which will save us even more.  Fire all those old, union teachers and bring in the young, not-quite-certified teachers.  You won't need to worry about how dismal these private schools are because if you're rich it won't matter.  You'll be sending your little Johnny to a great private school, just like you were going to do anyway.

Now you workin' people who are going to save a bundle can go right out and spend your $5 or $10 grand on a new motorcycle or snowmobile.  You'll never have enough to by the much needed medication for your parents, so what the hell, you might as well go blow it.  Those old people are going to check out anyway.

You rich folks, well here's a different story.  You're going to have to struggle and it's not going to be easy.  You may end up with an additional $400,000 or $500,000.  It might even be a couple of million if you're wicked rich.  You already have a ton of money and every single thing you've ever wanted.  Think of the burden that comes with this money.  You'll be up late at night drinking a glass of imported Cognac fretting away on how best to invest this money so you don't lose it.

Of course, you could always consider giving it to the poor who could use a little help.  Oh, sorry, what was I think.  That ain't gonna happen.

Merry Christmas

Demise of America

I'm in a protracted email conversation with a good friend of mine who coincidentally a very conservative Republican.  He's pretty convinced that the Democrats are responsible for our debt, our regulations and all of our troubles.  He doesn't see the tax cuts for the top 0.01% of the nation's wealthiest people as a tax break, since, as he says, they pay all the taxes.

I've tried my darndest to explain to him that the problem(s) aren't that easy.  My contention is that leaving the world to the rich isn't necessarily the best answer.  The mega-rich never have enough money or enough power.  Without regulation and oversight the end game would be that we'd end up back to the days of the Pharaohs.  One person rules a nation of slaves, which is great if you're the one person.

The fact is that governments came into being so that we would have the playing field appropriately lined and boundaries set.  Lately the lines have been blurred.  In America the gap between the extremely wealthy and the middle class is widening more every day.  Power and greed are replacing reverence for our country.

The time is fast approaching when Americans will have to decide who will run/rule the nation.  Is this going to continue to be a nation of the people, for the people and by the people or are we simply going to hand the keys over to the mega-corporations and allow them to year in and year out take our hard earned tax dollars for their own corporate gain?

Your thoughts?

The Day Before

Tomorrow's the big day.  Our daughter and son-in-law are arriving tomorrow with our granddaughter, Thyra Grayce.  We are on the threshold of grandchild overdose.

It's amazing to contemplate how a three month old person who is only 22" long and weighs like 11 lbs. can dominate so many lives.  I can assure you that as soon as they arrive all things important will cease to exist.

Christmas shopping?? It better be done, because once the baby shows up, that's it.  I spent part of the day making vegetable beef stock for what I hope will be a delicious soup for tomorrow night.

Nothing else matters.  Once the baby arrives it won't matter that the Christian right are now declaring that all environmentalists are threatening the world and hurting the poor.

It won't matter that Congressman Issa is about to go nuts on the Obama Administration for whatever he can.  He'll spend the next two years and millions of our tax dollars on nothing more than a fishing expedition.

It won't matter that the Republicans have demonstrated breathtaking hypocracy on deficits and earmarks.

Nope, nothing really matters except a tiny person who can make her grandparents melt with a simple smile.

Welcome

Hello people. It's December 8, the day John Lennon died and the day that I have decided to (finally) do a blog.

There is much to talk about in this world today. A president who is a little too eager to compromise on tax cuts for our nation's wealthiest people. Losing Lennon. Losing Jeffrey Charbonneau. Losing summer (we now have snow on the ground).

I will be using this venue to post my columns that appear in the Bennington Banner as well as my thoughts on Vt. Yankee; a nuclear power in Vermont that I have been hired to close down, as scheduled, in 2012.

I will also, most likely make some comments on Thyra Grayce Hairston; my new granddaughter, but I will desperately try to keep this blog pertinent and of interest.

Stay tuned. Tell your friends. Mark the page