OK - here are my questions to the Republican Party after hearing Rush on the news saying he hopes Obama fails. Unpatriotic and sensational - just what we need in this country. Shouldn't we be using our moral and ethical side to be part of something greater than ourself - work together to solve problems - you know act according to the golden rule in everything we do? Is this too wimpy now when lots of money and fame etc are what makes us worthy? Whether Republicans like it or deserve it, Rush is a spokesman for them - many who listen to him don't consider him just an entertainer. Is this what Republicans want? Anyway, today I heard Rush say Obama shouldn't trash talk the economy. If he doesn't like trash talk, why is he trash talking Obama, especially when he has been President for a few days. Give me a break! Republicans in my mind (whether deserved across the board or not) right now stand for Wall Street greed, fiscal irresponsibility and NO explanation of how their tax cut plans to fix the economy work. Based on common sense spending rules, you take in revenue, you spend it on the areas you deem necessary/important, if your spending exceeds your revenue, you generate more revenue or cut back. How does a tax cut fit into this equation. I think you should help the American people understand how your economic solution of cutting taxes helps the economy. It is counterintuitive. If it helps businesses by giving them more reason to build their businesses in the USA and create jobs - I think that is the idea. However we have seen over the last 8 years, when tax cuts favored business, those unregulated businesses created jobs overseas, gave bonuses etc and the so-called trickle down economics did not work. How do you expect the American people to buy the old news 'tax cut' strategy? Didn't we just prove it did NOT WORK! Come on guys - work with Obama - and if you disagree with him, help the American people understand how your differences with him are any improvement over what happened over the last 8 years. Come on, please - you are public servants - do your job!!!! Get rid of the trash talkers, PLEASE! It just doesn't help - we need to solve ourproblems.

Relief and Jubilation

I am so happy the election is over and that Obama has won. I was so anxious on Tuesday, I could not watch the returns, read the news or listen to the radio. When I found out the next morning that Obama had won, I jumped up and down on the bed and screamed. Luckily I was able to catch his acceptance speech on the computer and was overwhelmed with emotion. My new passion is DVR - I love control and this is my new control toy. I watch the Daily Show and the Tonight Show every day now whenever I want and without sitting thru commercials. I am greatly indebted to whomever perfected this technology. That's it for now.

Columbus Day Weekend

My sister-in-law throws a party for her family and ours at their camp on a bubbling river. The sun was shining, the water was sparkling, the smell of party beverages and food wafting in the air. Since I am a vegan and am not imbibing alcoholic beverages right now, I had to have my fun by wearing my new wig. I had wavy red hair and my sister always had very straight dark hair. My new wig is dark straight hair with red highlights. As you can see, we kind of look like twins. I think it gave everyone quite a laugh. I wore my Canadian tuxedo (jeans and a denim jacket) and high boot-like shoes. I suppose attention was my intention, so I believe I got more than my share. Then today was another magnificent day, weatherwise and my husband and I were like two squirrels getting ready for winter, putting up storm windows, taking in outdoor furniture, doing some tasks we had been neglecting all summer. I read the Sunday paper in the backyard with the sun beaming down on me - even the news about the economy and all the other bad things happening in the world couldn't bring me down today. We even walked a couple of miles to a store (instead of driving) to get a few items we needed. I wore my new Obama T-shirt and walked down the main drag with my chest out hoping to swing some votes. Since I do not live in a contested state, it is probably unnecessary, but it made me feel like I was doing something for the cause. Back to work tomorrow - wish I had it off.

After the debate

Well, I watched the debate last night. There were times when McCain was rambling that I had to cover my ears. He almost sounded like he had the same debate/interview teacher as Sarah Palin. I thought Obama was so much more organized in his responses so that you could at least understand in most circumstances what his plans were in important areas like energy, health care, economy, even foreign policy. There were times that neither candidate answered the question asked - reverting to their usual policy statements that did not address the specific concern of the questioner. I actually thought McCain did better in the first debate - I gained more respect for his knowledge of foreign policy. In this one, he appeared old, confused and unable to make clear what his policies were going to be. Combined with Sarah Palin's nasty attacks on the stump about Barack Obama's associations with supposed terrorists etc, I think the McCain campaign has an uphill battle and I will do everything in my power to give Obama and the Democrats a chance to fix the mess we are in. I hope everyone gets out and votes and votes for Obama/Biden.

High School Reunion

Went to my high school reunion this past weekend and it was interesting to see people I used to know, but haven't talked to in a very long time. However, it was sort of depressing to note that so many had been divorced and remarried (some several times), divorced and single or never married. Our slide show included about 15 people that have died. Also, there were many in attendance who did not remotely look or act like I remember them in high school. I have to admit I was pretty focused on academics and music at that time and thus kind of insulated myself from the social scene. Once I graduated, I have not lived in the community I grew up in - having lived in Boston and back to Central NY eventually, but not in my old town. It was a somewhat disconcerting evening. On Sunday - went to a MoveOn.org calling party to make calls for Obama. At first, it was uncomfortable making phone calls, but after a few, I felt more confident and happy to be doing something to actively help the cause.

Politics Politics

I worry so much about our country. I worry that the Republicans will win - can't take 4 more years of it. I try the Que sera, Quer sera approach, but it just doesn't work. Got my Obama lawn sign that I made by covering my old Bush must go sign with the Obama 2008 logo and left exposed the human need not corporate greed. We don't need McCain and Palin - Rambos both, but a leader who consults experts, considers alternatives and understands the nature of negotiation and how powerful it can be when a leader knows how to use it for the good. Those who are at a loss for words need to resort to violence and force to win. That is not what we need. It's late - I'm tired - Going to bed and reading about construction.