When Money Isn't Everything

Finally, a pro football player with his priorities in line.

Over the past week we've been reading how Albert Haynesworth signed a $100 Million dollar contract with the Washington Redskins ($45M of which is guaranteed!). We see more signings around the league that show pro players are more interested in the almighty dollar than and getting more of it than the next guy. And here I was, all prepared to write a nasty blog about their greed, self-serving, and lack of caring about who ultimately pays their salaries...the fans.

Today, I read an article that made me stop and rethink my blog. I came across the news that shows me that at least one pro player (football, that is) actually has his priorities in line.

The same Washington Redskins that signed Haynesworth to that ludicrous contract today released Defensive End Jason Taylor because he wouldn't commit to a mandatory 3-a-week workout at the teams' training facility for eight of the thirteen off-season weeks. He loses $8.5M in salary, and must now look for work with another team.

But he doesn't mind. His priorities, and his integrity are both intact. Mr. Taylor's excuse for saying "No thanks?" He wanted to spend the off-season with his wife and kids.

Hooray for Jason Taylor! Hooray!!!

The man had spent most of the past year away from his family due to football and appearances, and wanted to be with his family. Instead of caving in to the demands of an uncaring employer, Mr. Taylor stuck to what he knew to be right, keeping his integrity intact, and earning greater respect and love from his family.

Jason Taylor sacrificed much to be with his family; but the price he would pay in his personal life had he chosen otherwise would have been far greater.

THANK YOU Jason Taylor...you have made a fan out of me, and have earned my admiration and respect as well.

ANOTHER Tax?!

Earlier this week a story surfaced that indicated that our current Congress was looking at the possibility of taxing America's drivers for each mile they drive their cars.

This is being looked at due to the supposed decrease in revenues caused by the recent inflated costs of energy that has resulted in fewer gallons of fuel being purchased, and hence, fewer taxes rolling in to government coffers.

Subsequently, the politico's in DC are examining various ways to keep that revenue stream going at its recent pace. They claim that more money is needed to shore up the transportation infrastructure across this great nation. Our roads are aging, our bridges are becoming hazardous, etc.

So, the idea of taxing us for the each mile we drive has been floated...again. This is not a new idea. It literally surfaces every few years as tighter and tighter budgets are proposed.

What's disturbing about this concept is that the only realistic way to gauge any car's miles driven is by installing some sort of GPS or other similar technology in every car in the US. THAT smacks of too much governmental intrusion in our lives; a sort of Orwellian prophecy fulfilled.

I immediately emailed my House Rep and said "No, No, NO!" We are already taxed when we buy gas; buy a car; renew our car tabs every year; pay for repairs etc. Why should we pay yet another tax for something we are already paying taxes for--the owning and operating of an automobile? This one stinks!!!

I've got an idea...instead of taxing the US consumers, how about paying the contractors that work on our roads less money? Further, how about insisting that any repair jobs are not only done under budget, but are done so that the fix is permanent; instead of having to go back six months later and repair the same thing yet again? These things can be written in the contracts; and any overages are the responsibility of the contractors--NOT the US government. You do THAT and I guarantee you that costs would drop, and repairs would be better, and last longer.

Enough of taking the hard-earned money out of our pockets. It's time our Senators and Representatives take responsibility for the mess they (and their predecessors) have created. They need to insist on lowered costs across all the various aspects of building and repairing the highways, by-ways, and other national infrastructure.

If this was actually enacted and enforced, I wonder how many billions of dollars we would save every year, and how much safer our infrastructure would actually be.

But...it's just a dream. One I'm sure we'll be taxed on just for having...

Bailing Out Detroit...Again.

The US taxpayer has already spent $700 Billion dollars to purportedly shore up the weakend financial sector because their over-paid, over-compensated leaders failed to see the disastrous path that they themselves laid out through bad investments, over-zealous mortaging practices, and billions for top level leadership bonuses.

Today, President Obama signed more legislation that will cough up another $787 Billion to further shore up our economy. Together, that's $1.87 TRILLION dollars spent over the past few months that goes to corporations, banks, auto companies, etc.

Also today, both General Motors and Chrysler Corp. announced that they still need an additional $21 Billion dollars in order to stay afloat. Tomorrow (or the next day) we'll see more companies begging for another government handout.

Meanwhile, people are losing their jobs, food is getting more expensive, foreclosures on homes are nearing an all-time yearly high, and personal bankruptcies are up 37% over last year.

My question here...what happened to a free market economy? You know, the normal ups, downs, laterals, openings, closings, etc? Since when is it the responsibility of the government to spend OUR tax dollars to save a huge corporation from folding? We (the American consumer) are already overpaying for goods and services of all types. Now, our tax dollars are being used to financially prop up these failing businesses. What's wrong with this picture? It's like I'm getting screwed twice by the same companies (once by the company itself, then by my tax dollars going to them as well).

In a true free-market economy, a company will prosper or die because of market conditions, consumer preferences, good (or bad) financial accountability, superior (or inferior) products or services, etc.

The previous and current bailouts throw that whole approach right out the window. Why close your business when you can get a loan from the government so the leaders who caused this whole mess within your company can waste even more of OPM (Other People's Money)and then collect hefty bonuses that most American families won't see in their entire lifetimes?

[On a corporate scale] The free market economy is being strangled. Personal and corporate accountability seems to be lost. Thousands of jobs are disappearing because of wasteful financial practices, poor oversight, and a lack of vision as to the future of the economy.

I once heard that big business is not the true strength of our economy; rather it is the small business men and women that really power our economy. I suggest that big business take a few lessons from the small business community about surviving bad times, and being responsible in good times. I guarantee that these two issues go completely hand in hand.

Our small business owners get through the tough times, and survive for many years. They prosper in the times of plenty, and trim the fat in times of lean. But there they remain--the real driving force of the economy...day in and day out. No luxury corporate outings; no billion dollar bonuses; no condos or houses in Aspen or the Hamptons; no private jets; no billions in preferred stock options, etc.

Nope, we are economically powered by the hard working men and women who work 10-14 hours a day, 5-6 days a week, who struggle to feed their families, but who gladly do so because they are proud of what they do, and who continue to dream of a better life.

THESE are the lessons those big corporations need to learn. If they did, maybe our hard-earned tax dollars wouldn't be wasted bailing out poorly run businesses.

Entertainment "News"

I don't know about any of you, but I really am getting fed up of all the so-called "entertainment" news being tossed about so blythly these days. It seems as though the more trivial and banal the tidbits of info, the more they are hyped like these things really matter.

For instance, tonight on the MSN homepage the 3rd entertainment headline reads 'Etta James: "I can't stand Beyonce." The article goes on to elaborate about Beyonce singing "At Last" for President Obama at one of the recent Inaugural events. (I only read that much because I am writing this blog!)

Now, I don't know about you, but the very first thought I have whenever I read this type of useless headline is, "WHO CARES?!!!" Really! Yeah, there are enough interested readers out there who will take an avid (and completely ridiculous) interest in such things, and who will swear by the truth of anything they read about any celebrity.

My objection here is that the virtual, print, and video rags that exist make this junk out to be vital to our everyday lives. (To immitate the William Shatner school of pause acting....) We-just-CAN'T-live-without-knowing-
that- John-Doe-actor-said-something-negative-about-his-gardener! (or whatever drivel we are force fed and told is vastly important.)

I know that there will always be people out there who will soak up every piece of irrelevant entertainment news like it was manna from heavan; but get a grip, please!

Entertainers, pro athletes, and anyone who has a high public profile are just like you and me. They have problems of all sorts that they must address every day. They are literally no different than anyone else. It just so happens that their problems have become fodder for entertainment "news."

I have known a number of pro athletes over the years, as well as Congressmen, and a few in the entertainment industry. Believe me when I say that they are just like you and I. They really are. The only real difference being they have more money than we do.

Let me address that one for a minute. I know that many of you will say that though they have problems, celebrities at least have all that money. I want to give you a piece of info that many of you may not realize...Just because you have money certainly does NOT mean that your problems disappear.

Marriages both thrive and suffer, bills still stack up, kids get sick, personal injuries occur, people get robbed, you might be out of work for six months or a year, etc, etc.

I for one have enough to deal with in my life to be putting any thought or energy into what is happening in someone elses. I care about what is real news that truly affects my life; things like the economy, our government, advances in healthcare, the education of our kids, the proper management and stewardship of our environment, and what my friend in Australia (who is a former drug user) is doing with her life.

THESE things are important. These things matter. They matter to me; they SHOULD matter to you. These are things that affect, and effect our lives every day, all around the world.

Let those in the so-called public eye have their privacy. Knowing one more interpersonal spat just doesn't matter one iota. And believe me, these good men and women would really rather keep their lives to themselves instead of feeling like they're in a glass cage twenty-four hours a day.

Bored of the Super Bowl

Well folks, the week of the Super Bore is here once again. Time for the literally endless prognostications regarding the "possible" outcomes, the "sure-fire impact players," how this team or that team is "destined" to win it all, blah, blah, blah, blah, blabber, drone, yawn, yawn,.....zzzzzzzzz...

This one game is the most hyped, most watched, most commerically expensive, and most boring of any pro sporting event of the entire year.

Very rarely does any Super Bore actually deliver the excitement. It's usually a blowout. As I was passing by a bank of display TV's the other day, there were three separate shows on offering whatever "unique" perspectives they had about the big game. Analysts wearily droned on and on about this factor, or that outcome, etc.

As Sunday approaches, I am trying to figure out what I'll be doing that DOESN'T involve watching that game. Probably plug in a DVD or watch old reruns of the Twilight Zone...it'll definitely be more entertaining that being bored with another "Super" game.

Our New President

When Barack Obama was running for the Democratic nomination, I was more than skeptical about his vision, and his qualifications. Not enough time in office, no clear agenda, etc.

Today, whether some choose to recognize it or not, we were all witnesses to living history as Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States. It is historically significant because what was once regarded as impossible, is now a reality--a black man has risen to the highest office in the land.

I still have many doubts about the path we are now upon; But for the first time in over 8 years, I now have hope that our government actually cares about its citizens, and will work towards improving the issues facing many Americans here at home.

In what was a pointed and poignant Inauguration Speech, President Obama promised peace, prosperity, and stability for America. He chided former President George W. Bush on many fronts, and unapologetically stated that Mr. Bush's agenda was plain wrong, and worked against the will and the benefit of the American people.

He is a great orator; now we get to see if he is a great Leader. This nation hopes that is so. Mr. Obama, I think, believes he can buouy up the pride, confidence, and prosperity of America. He asked directly that ordinary Americans rise up to the challenge of rebuilding this country, and I for one, expect him to lead us all by example.

The prayers of a nation are with our newest President; and many strongly believe that we will all be better off in four years. I look forward to seeing the changes that await. It will be a wonderful journey.

A Final, Parting Shot

Unless he does something else pretty stupid (and hence, noteworthy), this will be my last blog on our 'friend and good ol' boy of a pal, Georgie Dubya Bushie.

In a sign that surely backs up my obvious opinion of our (thankfully) outgoing President, Newsweek magazine released its last GW Bush poll that shows he is exiting his office with the LOWEST approval rating in the history of the poll. Just 22% of Americans approve of the job he has done over his long eight-year administration.

Let me put it another way...out of every 100 Americans, 78 disapprove of Mr. Bush and the job he has done.

OUCH!!!!

When he was re-elected following his disgusting character assasination of Senator John Kerry, Mr. Bush carried 62% of the vote while only carrying a 47% approval rating. It's been all downhill ever since.

Only Richard Nixon and Harry Truman had comparable disapproval numbers at the conclusion of their presidencies.

Additionally, our very hated Vice President, DICK Cheney, is exiting his office with a mere 13% approval--and most of that is from partisan supporters! That is THE lowest Veep rating in the history of the poll.

I am not surprised by these numbers. The GW Bush Administration was perhaps the worst in the history of this country, and these polling numbers definitely support that opinion.

What was once promised by Georgie himself to be a time of the strengthening and uniting of this country by a White House that cared about us, turned out to be nothing more than lies, deceit, and campaign rhetoric that won an election (well, sort of won--I think STOLE is a better word for his "victory" in 2000) for the worst President in history.

A Final Public Delusionary Statement

Just when we thought we were pretty much rid of perhaps the worst president in our history, up he pops in his final Farewell (and good riddance!) address. And for one last time our pal Georgie Dubya Bushie opens his mouth and astonishes yet again with his total lack of honesty, and his ongoing delusions about his presidency.

From his address: 1) "You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made, but I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions."
(Tough decisions?! What the #@&%!!? You mean sending our men and women to war based on lies? Or financially trampling the middle income Americans with made up energy crises? Or irreparably harming our environment through the tossing out of most environmental protections? Or was the decision to no-bid the Iraq war contract to friend and Veep DICK Cheney's company such an agonizing one? About the only tough decision he made was just how many vacations he would take every year in his beloved little Texas--hint, it was at least seven trips to Crawford every year! I wish I could take seven plus vacations each year!)

2) "Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks," said Bush. "There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right."

(Honestly here--does this man really have a conscience? He was a complete idiot when 9/11 was happening; he organized the money pit of a department called Homeland Security; he LIED to the entire world via the United Nations General Assembly in an effort to finish the war his daddy started; he completely, unethically, and immorally assasinated the good name of Senator John Kerry in the 2004 election; he appointed key cabinet posts to men and women who had no governmental experience whatsoever; he and DICK Cheney told Congress their agenda (post-election, of course) and that anyone who stood in their way would be drummed out via election ASAP (read 'Against the Tide' by Lincoln Chaffee. Eye-opening doesn't even begin to describe Bush's Administration!); His foreign policy was a disaster on nearly every front;
His domestic policies were ludicrous, at best; instead of being the "Uniter" he promised all of us, we are now deeply divided; we are now over Ten TRILLION dollars in debt; we have the worst econmomy since the great depression,...and I could go on and on.
Yeah...he really acted on his conscience and did what he thought was in the best interest of the country...what a pal!)

3) 'Trumpeting his domestic record, Bush said he has presided over higher standards in public schools, a new Medicare prescription drug benefit, lower income taxes, more help for people suffering from drug addiction and the appointment of two justices to the Supreme Court.'

(His so called Higher Standards in Public Schools is a joke. Basically, if schools don't raise their success rates in the core subjects (reading, writing, math, history) the schools lose their Federal funding. In an effort to meet this, many schools had to cut funding to arts, music, drama, sports, etc. Last I read, only 20% of states were able to meet the No Child Left Behind criteria. What a success, though!

Lower medicare prescriptions? He only did this to help the already wealthy drug companies make bigger net profits by basically stopping American dollars (and subsequently tax income) from going to our neighbor to the north. What a win!

Lower income taxes? I'm still paying the same amount...oh that's right! It's the WEALTHY who are paying less taxes....silly me; I forgot...

He may have indeed funneled more money into treatment problems, but the rampant illegal importation of drugs into the US overshadows any success here. We are creating more drug addicts every day than we are able to treat. Another rousing success for Georgie!

And he appointed two judges to the Supreme Court? Big Deal. Just about every president appoints one or two new Judges. So what? This is certainly no cause for celebration.)

So, in his last ditch effort to keep the Spin Machine spinning, Georgie Dubya Bushie was obviously on his own, because that spin cycle is definitely broken, with no repairman in sight.

A Lame (DUCK!) speech by a really Lame (DUCK!) President. Too bad no one was around to insult him by tossing their shoes at his head. It would have been more fitting than the delusional address he gave.

Farewell Georgie; and damned good riddance.