Adios, Texas

See that Join or Die flag over there? Yeah, I put that up before these teabagging morons co-opted the image. I put it up because it is pro-Union, and because its by Ben Franklin, the ultimate politician and statesman. I picked that image because its the perfect symbol for this blog, where Andy and Sandy can engage in spirited debate from the extremes of Conservatism and Liberalism without being vulgar, without hating, without lumping each other into a nameless, faceless mass of other. We both love our country, we just have different views and I want to understand his and have him try to understand mine. In a lot of places, that's not allowed but this is America where all things are possible.

Maybe its the "mainstream media" who is brainwashing me, but what are the Teabaggers supposed to be accomplishing? So 95% of the country just got a tax cut and they are protesting the inevitable tax increase? They are protesting the Stimulus Package which is supposed to create more jobs? So they are using the pro-Union image of Join or Die to promote secession from the Union? These people would do better to figure out what they want and what they represent. Right now I just see an extension of the hate, fear and bitterness that Palin liked to tap into during the election.

In the meantime, don't tread on my revolution. The Boston Tea Party was about taxation without representation and as a Boston girl I'm very proud of the role my state played in organizing this Union. The Teabaggers are just whining cause their candidates lost. If you don't like your representation put your focus on some decent candidates for the next cycle.

And please, if Texas wants to leave the Union let's give it back to Mexico.

AIG "Retention" Bonuses

"It makes no difference who you vote for - the two parties are really one party representing four percent of the people" - Gore Vidal

And the sense of entitlement of that four percent, is truly mind boggling. No shame, no honor, no sense of right and wrong. These are the people AIG is retaining?

When did they turn the corner on this stance?

Fear this

Oh no! Don't pass that stimulus package it's too terrifying. Almost as terrifying as the 3 TRILLION dollars that Iraq cost.

I feel pretty solid about blaming Bush for putting this country in the shitter. And no, I'm not afraid of some action in Washington, particularly if it doesn't involve our soldiers losing their lives.

Dear Andy, I would love to disagree but...

I don't understand your Let's stop agreeing already post- what do those numbers represent? Dollars? Deaths? Your point isn't clear to me.

Also, I sort of had it in the back of my head to avoid this one topic with you, because you clearly are pro-life for very personal, religious reasons. For me, in my personal life and experience, I appreciate I that I have the choice to be...pro-life.

However, I respect that there is a separation of church and state, that not everyone holds my same views and that they should have the right to choose what happens to their own bodies. This was not founded as a christian nation, this is a place of religious and personal freedom and I don't believe in limiting rights according to any one faith's ideals.

If you can guarantee me that there will be no more rape and incest, maybe I would change my mind. Until then I remain... pro-choice. And don't get crazy and start calling me pro-abortion, nobody is happy about it.

Let the shitstorm begin...

President Feelgood...

Now that you have wiped your tears from your proud eyes America, can you please take a look at the ruse you have bought into? Listen. No question, we are in a world of hurt in America... who is to blame? Who cares? Bush? A Democratic Party contoled congress? Let's be fair here. Everyone is at fault when we look to the government! But I really urge you all Right. Left. Middle. The sound coming out of Washington is FEAR! Our future is at stake and we can't allow this government to threaten us into morgaging our children's future for special interest and programs that don't have any thing to do with directly helping to energize the economy!
FEAR!
"President warns that failure to act on package now exceeding $920 billion could plunge the nation into a long-lasting recession that might prove irreversible." (foxnews.com)
This is a direct THREAT!
This is just the tip of the iceberg folks! Are we going to just sit back and be extored for the next four years? IT IS EXTORTION!!! How different is it from, "You're gonna give Guido the Nose 50% of your profit or your gonna be wearing concrete shoes at the bottom of the river..."? Can we please get reasonable and see what is going on for what it is?

Let's stop agreeing already!

So... so far we agree. While I hate government being involved (i.e. caseworkers) in people's finances, obviously, the private sector has done a less than splendid job themselves. So, maybe something new is in order there...
Now. Here is a statement that may be offensive. And frankly, I don't put it out there in ignorance... I had the abortionists blood on my hands too but please consider this:

Aborted fetus number:


3,361,872
Cure for cancer

17,926,471
Cure for Alzheimer's

21,445,160
Inventor of simple and inexpensive alternative fuel

37,897,585
Cure for HIV/AIDS

43,414,753
Cure for common cold

55,965,478
Inventor of teleportation

61,521,456
Cure for paralysis

64,451,012
Inventor of gravitational protection field to protect vehicles from collision

78,785,939
World leader bringing liberation, independence, autonomy and peace between each

80,000,000 Coming this week...

How much was that "little problem" worth?

Are you there Obama? It's me Sandy.

I have to apologize to Andy for being in blogging hibernation this winter. Now that 2009 is here and on track I can get down to the serious business of refuting Andy's crazy idea... wait a minute. I agree with his first two posts. I think gays should be allowed civil unions and I definitely feel less strongly about gay marriage in the religious sense, but mostly because most religions (the biggies anyway) don't condone their gayness anyway. As long as they are considered next of kin by law, I think that would cover most issues.

I have also been going over in my head why this bailout money was given to the banks and corporations and not directly to the people a la FEMA cards. Here is a very rough sketch of how it might work:

1. You set up the Federal Emergency Homeower Assistance program (FEHA).
2. Establish some guidelines for qualifications eg, you are in Foreclosure, you have lost your job, or lost your spouse in Iraq etc
3. Homeowners apply for a fixed rate loan at 5%, almost like a refinance situation and are approved or denied. Then government cuts the bank a check, takes over your mortgage at the current market value of your home.
4. You pay your mortgage back to the government over the next 15-40 years.

I'm sure there are some major gaping holes in this plan, but I think it solves two issues: the banks get paid, and the people who are in trouble with adjustable rate mortgages are given a more reasonable option of paying market value at a fixed rate. Additionally, the homeowner is required to complete a course on financial responsibility, or case workers can be assigned to assist them in staying on track.

Assuming all goes well and the homeowner pays the government back at that interest rate, we'd double the money initially lent to the individual. If even given these circumstances, the homeowner defaults on the government loan, they would then act as any bank would - foreclose and resell.

I still think with this model there is accountibility for the funds and it would have cost less than just handing over $350b to banks.