WAYFARERS AND ADVIL

I do not want to be a politician. I’m pretty sure everyone goes through hypothetical campaign speeches in their head while they’re on the toilet.

I think some people misunderstand the debt ceiling. When republicans say they won’t raise the debt ceiling with out necessary spending cuts, it’s complete malarkey. Republicans are essentially blocking the United States from paying the bills that Congress has already incurred. This isn’t a matter of spending, there is going to be a time for a budget debate, but this isn’t it. Blocking the debt deal is basically holding the economy hostage, and threatening the full faith credit of the U.S. Congress has already passed the laws, we have to pay our damn bills! Alas, the GOP doesn’t see it this way. They want spending cuts, although they won’t name which specific programs they want to cut, but I digress. Congress should pass a clean debt ceiling bill, but we all know it’s going to be a circus.

Democrats: This isn’t working. Let’s try something new.

Republicans: This isn’t working. Let’s do the same thing, only more of it.

Albert Einstein: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

The General Election

I am a Democrat. I make no claims to be otherwise. I am proud of that. Like most members of my party I was not happy with the President’s debate performance. He had multiple opportunities to call out Gov. Romney on his complete and utter falsehoods and he didn’t. He didn’t press him for details or fight back. The President did however tell the truth. Romney flip flopped on positions, stated he wouldn’t cut taxes for the rich, and said he wants to keep some regulation in the markets. He was “extremely conservative” up until debate night, and then he turns into the moderate. Romney figures he can say anything to pander to the base, and then completely change policy positions and no one will call him out on it. After the debate his campaign actually fact checked him, repudiating his claim that new insurance customers would be covered for pre-existing conditions under his plan. He knows that most people won’t read the paper and see that they won’t be covered, they’ll believe otherwise because the debate showed the moderate Mitt. My point is, that every credible news organization in the country should bring his falsehoods to light. How can a man running for president blatantly lie to the electorate on national tv and get away with it? Why are we debating style points instead of substance? Are we so obsessed with Hollywood antics that we prefer a good show rather than arguments based on the reality of our economic situation? We can argue about who had the style, or who framed the narrative to their advantage. What we can not afford to do is debate facts. That in itself is an oxymoron. Mitt Romney has no core positions, tells lies, breaks transparency tradition with not disclosing his taxes, and yet there he stands, in contention for the greatest office in the land.

Some people wanted Michael Jordan to be more politically outspoken. Personally, I never had a problem with his stance. I don’t need Jordan to tell me who I should vote for, and you shouldn’t either. I don’t put that much stock in his political prowess anyway. I love music, and sports, but I don’t look to these people for guidance on how I should vote. They don’t have anything in common with me. Take the power in your own hands. Jordan was a hell of a ball player, but it ends there. If the vote doesn’t go Jordan’s way he’ll still be fine, but you won’t. Engage in politics, or else don’t complain.