Politics: September 2008 Archives

 

Okay.  I know it was only  a couple of days ago that I wrote that Palin was energetic, but that wasn't enough.  However, recent developments have caused an even further shift into the "must be a token skirt" column.

Sarah Palin, the nominee to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency of the United States, has been kept away from the press for good reason: She don't know crap 'bout nothin'!! 

When she has been allowed to speak to the press, she is usually unable to answer any specific questions.  She talks in vague generalities while emphatically stating that she and John McCain are ready to assume the top spots in the country. 

For instance, Katie Couric asked Palin in a recent interview about legislative stances on economic issues regarding regulation to "... give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you've said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?"

I wanted to share this letter that I sent to my two U.S. Senators and Representative in Washington today.

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RE: Financial Bailout Plan Opposition

I know your time is valuable, but I must speak up at this time.  I want to record my opposition to the bailout as described by Secretary Paulson and Mr. Bernanke.

It is my opinion that the bailout is in opposition to the capitalist system that we rely upon.  Such a bailout simply rewards those individuals who were too greedy to establish solid financial planning.  There are thousands of U.S. businesses that are not on the verge of bankruptcy today due to their diligence and fiscal responsibility.  Instead of rewarding the huge gambling losses that these people racked up, we need to focus on supporting those fiscally strong companies through government backed loans to those who wish to fill the gaps that would be made by the failure of the weak ones.  I would trust my tax money to those companies who are responsible over those who took my money for services and lost it on a gamble.

I certainly understand that there will be a financial impact throughout the economy, but we cannot be so afraid of it that we abandon the principles that make this country strong.  The United States is a strong country and we will pull through.  In a capitalist society, the weak companies will fail or be taken over by the strong companies.  That is how it should be.  Government should create regulations to make sure that company executives are properly held accountable for mismanagment or fiduciary irresponsibility.  Companies like Bank of America can step in at times like these and take advantage of the situation because they planned properly throughout the years and are a strong company.  By bailing out those who gambled and lost, we set the precedent that if you gamble big and lose big, the government will bail you out.  If you are fiscally responsible and lose, then tough luck, that's capitalism.

Again, I realize that not bailing out those institutions will lead to multiple financial shockwaves as they fall, but I believe it will lead to a much stronger fiscal mindset in company executives in the future.  That, I believe, will lead to a much stronger United States of America.  After watching the events of the last two years unfold, I believe we all want a stronger financial system in the U.S.

I thank you for your service to our community and our country in the Legislature.  Have a great day.

When a presidential candidate is looking for a vice presidential candidate to run with him, what does he put on the list of qualifications?  I have heard countless political analysts talk about the symbiotic and complementary characteristics that the running mate should have.  They should have strengths where the presidential candidate has weaknesses. 

However, there is a list of things that both of the candidates should have in common - ideology, good character, excellent knowledge of domestic and foreign situations, excellent grasp on macro-economics, and proven experience in highly stressful situations where they are forced to make difficult decisions on the fly.

When John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate, I was one of the millions of watchers out there who collectively said - WHO?  My first gut reaction was that he had picked an unknown woman to be - as my father-in-law says - "a token skirt".  I drew a deep breath and declared the election over and done with.