(no subject)
"I'm getting increasingly infuriated over government behavior. The belief that poorly run or oppressive businesses should be subsidized and nurtured solely for the sake of saving jobs is an affront to the idea of a free market. It simply encourages businesses to remain disorganized or dishonest, which further threatens the very jobs we've tried to save. Short-term stability is meaningless as long as we're fostering long-term ruin."
Bah. Don't let the quotation marks fool you. I just thought it might be taken more seriously if people didn't know it was me who said it. Not that anyone but you reads this. (Who am I down to? Ed, Jim, and sometimes Keith?)
In the last few days I've paid nearly $80 on drugs--nearly full price--and my monthly charge of $60 for insurance. Insurance which the law says I must have by such-and-such a date or I'll be fined. Fined. Can you believe that? Congress actually passed a law saying I have to give money to a company just for the sake of letting the nation hang on to a company that only wants to take my money.
But we live in a democracy. So we get to choose which company takes our money.
Really. I don't see what the hell is so good about living in a democracy. The people don't have power. Hell, we don't even have a choice. When was the last time they asked you or me which candidate should run for office? No. The Party chooses for us. Instead of the king's firstborn son ascending to the throne, we get our choice of the firstborn or the second born. And sometimes his half-wit cousin, Ross.
A girl came up to me yesterday and wanted me to sign a petition "to hold politicians accountable for their decisions." I asked her if that meant French-Revolution-Style accountable. (I don't think she understood...people here are way too young. But that's another rant entirely)
I would much prefer living under a monarchy to the current situation. Bad kings tend not to live long. People revolt. New kings rise to power. Here we have the illusion of choice. They think, "I can vote for a better person if I just wait a few years." I think the hope for a change is what is keeping this country inert.
Damn, do I need to go to bed.
Bah. Don't let the quotation marks fool you. I just thought it might be taken more seriously if people didn't know it was me who said it. Not that anyone but you reads this. (Who am I down to? Ed, Jim, and sometimes Keith?)
In the last few days I've paid nearly $80 on drugs--nearly full price--and my monthly charge of $60 for insurance. Insurance which the law says I must have by such-and-such a date or I'll be fined. Fined. Can you believe that? Congress actually passed a law saying I have to give money to a company just for the sake of letting the nation hang on to a company that only wants to take my money.
But we live in a democracy. So we get to choose which company takes our money.
Really. I don't see what the hell is so good about living in a democracy. The people don't have power. Hell, we don't even have a choice. When was the last time they asked you or me which candidate should run for office? No. The Party chooses for us. Instead of the king's firstborn son ascending to the throne, we get our choice of the firstborn or the second born. And sometimes his half-wit cousin, Ross.
A girl came up to me yesterday and wanted me to sign a petition "to hold politicians accountable for their decisions." I asked her if that meant French-Revolution-Style accountable. (I don't think she understood...people here are way too young. But that's another rant entirely)
I would much prefer living under a monarchy to the current situation. Bad kings tend not to live long. People revolt. New kings rise to power. Here we have the illusion of choice. They think, "I can vote for a better person if I just wait a few years." I think the hope for a change is what is keeping this country inert.
Damn, do I need to go to bed.