Beyond the Rhetoric

It could have been someone like Condi Rice, or Rob Portman, and then I would have a choice.  Or it could have been someone like Marco Rubio, or Chris Christie, which would be interesting.  But Paul Ryan.  Lets give him some credit.

The rhetoric and devil names are already coming out, since I still seem to be on Mr Obama's favorites email list.  I get to hear about all the rich and famous movie stars he will be dining with.  Is this supposed to make me think he can solve fiscal policy problems, and get us on a sustainable path to the future? So that my kids won't have to pay for my medical bills when I am aged, and their kids don't have to wait till generations hence to cash in that Millenium Barbie (please try to save it till Year 3000)..

As they explained on Poli-Optics, when our own Ron Wyden joined up with Mr Ryan to propose Medicare reform, well some of us wrote letters of praise.  Yes, bipartisan cooperation!  Yes, a chance at real reform!  But Poli-Optics explained how Wyden was chastised so badly by the Democrats that no one else was going to stick their neck out.

It is going to be painted as an epic battle between good and evil.  Light and Darkness.  Before you believe, like apparently half the cspan callers-in (the other half are authentic!) the rhetoric, stop and think.

Who is actually trying to solve our fiscal problems.  Who is actually putting forth solutions - maybe not perfect ones - but even trying to start the conversation.  Who cares about the American economy and is not willing to give up on it, and let us sink into a hand-out society.  Which is really what we've become.

Beyond the rhetoric, give Paul Ryan a chance - he is authentic.  And now Romney has my vote too!

Political Cover

What does it take?  Can I run down to the local antique dealer/lotto shop/gun shop, in a neighborhood near my nice urban enclave, and buy an automatic assault rifle?

Now don't get me wrong, AK-47s have their place.  I will always always remember the brave truck drivers like Reynaldo, from my 2-week stint in Nicaragua doing random technical chores (in solidarity).  He carried such a weapon on his food distribution rounds.

Well, if that is what it takes to get rice and beans to equalize inequality in a less developed nation, then I am all for it.

But we do not live in a less developed country.  Though it appears every day that Oregon is in some kind of dis-reality bubble.  But nevermind state politics.  Assault rifles.

Listened to the weasley Jay Carney, President Obama's press secretary, on the "reaction" to the latest episode of horrific violence on normal average Americans.  This incident in Milwaukee Wisconsin, the last in Colorado.  And the evening radio news talking about cracking down on gang violence in my city of roses (my city!!).

Mr Carney spoke about needing a broader discussion beyond specific legislation, aimed at reducing violence overall.  So - the time is not right for anti-assault weapon legislation?  But to talk about stuff??  Like some sort of encounter session?

Flash the episode of West Wing - the one where Josh gets shot.  Maybe if someone close to the core of power was involved, instead of normal average Americans, who are supposedly represented by The Executive Branch We Voted For, then maybe the time would be right?  Help us all.