It's been awhile since I've been on. Life catches up, the daily stressors, and I think, for awhile there, I let that stress consume me a bit. But Spring is here and though it brings with it more allergies and more headaches it also brings more free reading time, camping, social time, and outings. I end up spending my days inside anyway but it looks pretty! 
But I'm back if only to get some things off my mind. Though I've been frequenting Facebook, in lieu of tv.com, I still favor the anonymity of tv.com, the comfort that comes from espousing my ideas without any real fear of rancor. I love my friends and family but sometimes you just want to get things off your chest...not go into a back and forth attack.
Anyway, I'm reading that "Thousands Rally with 'tea parties' on tax day" from Yahoo news (oh the horror) and I'm still confused and wouldn't mind any opinions if I still have friends after such a long absence. No worries if I don't...like I said...this is just a way of self aggrandizing.
I know President Obama is spending alot and I'm not thrilled with the ballooning deficit nor am I exactly thrilled with the 4% increase in military spending (though everywhere I look there are complaints about the cutback in military spending). I'm not thrilled with his anti-Iraq war platform and his now renewed efforts in Afghanistan. I'm a walking contradiction on this topic because I can't come up with firm stance. I don't want to be in either country and yet, if we can bring about some difference and evolution in human rights, then the cost is worth it...maybe!?! In the next breath, I can argue that we shouldn't interfere, that we should allow every country to evolve, that we should focus on our own domestic issues, that we shouldn't lie to the American public about motives. But, if the lying is what bothers me, why not just accept it? Do not the ends justify the means? I don't know....
But onto the economy...wouldn't people be just as upset if President Obama did nothing, if he idly sat by and said "don't worry...these tax cuts that never work to begin with will work now...just give it time" instead of trying to infuse funds and yes even make work into the economy. The bonus in my paycheck is miniscule but does it add up? I don't know. To be honest, I wasn't even feeling the economic downturn one bit. I had one cousin who was laid off and that seemed like a given since he works in the construction business. But I felt just fine. The camps spread out about the country that are reminiscent of Hoovervilles kind of shocked me into reality. But the reality of it all hit when I got my own pink slip. I've made connections with the staff, love it there, but I don't have seniority and, though I may be rehired, who knows?
But I'm still ok with the stimulus plan and I'm still ok with Obama's plan. We've got to spend to make a different right? And that takes time...
So does anyone know what is so wrong with this plan? Do tax cuts really work? Aren't tax increases necessary for the programs we support? There in lies my contradiction again...I'm always afraid of a 1984 and Handsmaid Tale situation but I'm for big government when it comes to social issues...
ok...that was just throwup...any thoughts
Comments
So, speaking of walking contradictions, I'm a conservative and vote accordingly. I was just thinking about this driving home from the grocery store and the thought I had was that any number of Americans look up north to us and call Canada "socialist." It's the fact that that word seems to used as a pejorative that bothers me.
Yes, we have a number of government programs (Universal Health Care being primary) that the US does not, but it doesn't make us some sort of evil empire. It's the American government that's getting into the new car warranty business!! Also, nationalizing banks and such are what communists do. So...be nice to us.
Oddly enough, I don't have a problem with with President Obama is doing. I follow US politics quite closely and I support the man and pray for his safety and success. I appreciate his speeches and his willingness to tackle these entrenched ideas. He's asking people to sacrifice something for their country and that is good. I loved the line in the address to Congress that kids who drop out of high school are letting their country down. I don't think since Kennedy has there been a President that has really asked anything of the citizenry, so I am glad for that. He also went over to Europe (France) and called them on their non-support of the fight against terror and their 'insidious' hatred of America. Good for him!
As far as the economy goes, I hear a lot of Republican/Conservative gnashing of teeth and yet nary an alternative. If this is so bad, come up with something better. We're all listening and the President has made it abundantly clear that is open to ideas. I can't seem to recall one credible alternative to his plan from any Republican. Can you?
As for the camps, well our countries were built on freedom of assembly and speech and if these folks have some good ideas and can galvanize public opinion, all the power to them. This President and Congress were elected with pretty powerful majorities, so I think they have a solid mandate, but I think everyone should be free to speak their minds and do whatever they want as long as they don't harm other people or spew hatred.
I think I shared my thoughts on the military missions last summer. We recently lost our 100th soldier in Afghanistan and while that pales in comparison to US losses, those are 100 of my fellow citizens and it matters. It matters a lot. By the way, it was our Liberal government that entered into the Afghan campaign and it is the Conservatives that have announced that they plan to end the contribution in 2010. I for one am proud of and grateful for our presence in Afghanistan and I know that we have played a part is allowing girls to go to school and in tearing down the fanaticism of the Taliban. I believe in noblesse oblige, so I'm good with our intervention here. I'm with you in that if "we can bring about some difference and evolution in human rights, then the cost is worth it."
And, the more I teach my students to be upstanders, the more I care less about motive and care more about the outcome. I still don't appreciate government and media manipulation of the minds of the masses...but I can appreciate outcomes.
Thanks Karl!
And, like Karl said, sorry about the pink slip as well.
I've been dividing most of my free time between TV.com and Facebook as well lately. I use TV.com when I want to relax, FB when I want to talk to friends!
I think lately, this country has been facing a plethora of issues and challenges. However, with TIME, things will get better. So far, President Obama hasn't been doing too bad of a job,
and if we just keep our spirits up, we'll all get through these tough times. Our country has faced much more challenging times than these.
karlmeszaros