Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Hidden Joys of Barely Keeping Your Head Above Water
With all of this financial upheaval in the country, folks with money are getting scared. This is probably one of the biggest advantages to not having any. The other, of course, being, that you have nothing to steal.
We aren't pitiful dirt poor. Chris has a good job, making middle class (for Alabama) income, and now I have one too, assuming I get to keep it after my 90 day evaluation. I drive a 7 year old car, Chris drives a 10 year old truck and we have a 22 year old house. We don't have a savings account (scandalous, I know), none of us are label 'hos, so we're all okay that we get by on less than $40 bucks an outfit (less for the kids since we have so many friends and family with children older than ours who hand stuff down to us). We are the type of people who will happily spend money on travel, but will keep our furniture and electronics until they let out a weak squeal before they give up the ghost. We do have a 401K, and I'm sure it's looking pretty thin today, but I trust this country enough to know that it will recover, so I'm not really worried. I trust it so much that, after my 90 day evaluation, when I am eligible, I will start a 401K of my own.
Financial straights are relative. Compared to some, we are filthy stinkin' rich, for the simple reason that we aren't on welfare (though we have been before). Compared to others, our financial situation is so precarious they would need to be in the psyche ward to cope with it.
For the most part, I figure as long as we aren't lazy and are willing to work, and as long as we aren't selfish and are willing to give back, everything will work out in the end.
We aren't pitiful dirt poor. Chris has a good job, making middle class (for Alabama) income, and now I have one too, assuming I get to keep it after my 90 day evaluation. I drive a 7 year old car, Chris drives a 10 year old truck and we have a 22 year old house. We don't have a savings account (scandalous, I know), none of us are label 'hos, so we're all okay that we get by on less than $40 bucks an outfit (less for the kids since we have so many friends and family with children older than ours who hand stuff down to us). We are the type of people who will happily spend money on travel, but will keep our furniture and electronics until they let out a weak squeal before they give up the ghost. We do have a 401K, and I'm sure it's looking pretty thin today, but I trust this country enough to know that it will recover, so I'm not really worried. I trust it so much that, after my 90 day evaluation, when I am eligible, I will start a 401K of my own.
Financial straights are relative. Compared to some, we are filthy stinkin' rich, for the simple reason that we aren't on welfare (though we have been before). Compared to others, our financial situation is so precarious they would need to be in the psyche ward to cope with it.
For the most part, I figure as long as we aren't lazy and are willing to work, and as long as we aren't selfish and are willing to give back, everything will work out in the end.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Jury Duty
I am so jealous. Both Chris AND Sweet Bruhver, who doesn't even live here and hasn't voted in an election in Alabama since perhaps 1995, were called for jury duty starting today. Okay, what are the odds? My brother and my husband, for the same week? What about me? ME? I want jury duty! My mom has done it and my dad has done it, and I'm the one who wants to do it!
I have voted in every election, primaries included for nearly 18 years. The legal system fascinates me, and I want to do my civic duty. Why do I never get jury summons? And, Chris is summoned for criminal trials and was in the next pool for the local trial that is so huge it has even been on CBS! Oh, if only he could have been chosen for that, then I could have experienced it vicariously (de post facto, of course).
I have voted in every election, primaries included for nearly 18 years. The legal system fascinates me, and I want to do my civic duty. Why do I never get jury summons? And, Chris is summoned for criminal trials and was in the next pool for the local trial that is so huge it has even been on CBS! Oh, if only he could have been chosen for that, then I could have experienced it vicariously (de post facto, of course).
Friday, January 25, 2008
I am not being wishy washy. I'm simply exploring all options.
I am so pissed about the Obama and Hillary bitch fight. They have both put a bad taste in my mouth. Yes, I am an average voter, and I am watching what you do. What I am seeing just now, is John Edwards sticking to his guns and not slinging mud at anyone.
I am of the school that thinks all primaries should be held on the same day. Were that the case, the press would have no opportunity to influence anyone. Ideally, people would do their research and then "vote their conscience" as my daddy has always taught me to do.
On the other hand, were it not for the press, I would have not seen the bitchiness. I would have not seen John Edwards rise above the bitchiness and say exactly what he thought and why.
Either way. I will vote February 6, at the primaries. I will go to the local church (where Chris and I are likely the only registered Democrats) to vote.
That being said, I still want a woman to be president, and I still think that Hillary is the woman for me. But I have said it before and I will say it again: We are all on the same team. Stop fighting.
I am of the school that thinks all primaries should be held on the same day. Were that the case, the press would have no opportunity to influence anyone. Ideally, people would do their research and then "vote their conscience" as my daddy has always taught me to do.
On the other hand, were it not for the press, I would have not seen the bitchiness. I would have not seen John Edwards rise above the bitchiness and say exactly what he thought and why.
Either way. I will vote February 6, at the primaries. I will go to the local church (where Chris and I are likely the only registered Democrats) to vote.
That being said, I still want a woman to be president, and I still think that Hillary is the woman for me. But I have said it before and I will say it again: We are all on the same team. Stop fighting.
Monday, January 14, 2008
There are no statesmen. Only politicians.
You know what bothers the shit out of me? Mudslinging. I have said it before and I will say it again. I support Hillary. I will support Obama if he wins the nomination. But I wish the aspersions of character would stop. We are on the same side here, y'all. I know that you have each spent zillions of dollars to get the votes, but isn't the good of America what we should really be considering here? Yes, it's politics. But I still hate it.
I hate it that no one has a chance to be an elected leader in this country unless they have zillions of dollars to spend. I hate it that when I get emails from Hillary and Obama (I am on both their lists) that they always ask for a contribution. I hate it that they are fighting each other. Hillary isn't a racist. Obama is not a wishy washy guy. Come on, yall.
I am a yellow dog Democrat. Meaning that I will vote for a yellow dog before I will vote for a Republican. Generally speaking, Democrats feel the same way about the issues that are important to me. Primarily, not trying to legalize "morality", and feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. You can call me a bleedin' heart liberal. But these are my core issues.
What Obama and Hillary both agree on is that this country needs some changes. And they are both willing to work to make those changes happen. Why do I support Hillary? Specifically? The number one reason is because she is so left wing that if 1/2 of what is on her wish list is achieved, the US will be a place that more closely mirrors my ideals. We all know about checks and balances. We all know that it takes 3 years of any presidency to get anything working, because of all the red tape. The Confederacy had 6 year Presidential terms. I think that makes good sense. Bush has done so much to make this country OPPOSITE of my ideals, that I would like to see us swing back toward the 21st century. Hillary is forward thinking.
What I really like about Obama is that he is a little green and idealistic. So was Lincoln. I have studied Lincoln more than I have studied any President. I respect him so much that I have a plaque of him on my bookcase in my living room. Nuff said.
So I support them both, but will vote for Hillary in the primaries. In Alabama, the primaries are in June, so by that time it's almost a moot point. I will vote for her all the same. After the votes are tallied, I will give 100% of my support to the Democrat nominee.
But I really wish they would stop fighting amongst themselves.
I hate it that no one has a chance to be an elected leader in this country unless they have zillions of dollars to spend. I hate it that when I get emails from Hillary and Obama (I am on both their lists) that they always ask for a contribution. I hate it that they are fighting each other. Hillary isn't a racist. Obama is not a wishy washy guy. Come on, yall.
I am a yellow dog Democrat. Meaning that I will vote for a yellow dog before I will vote for a Republican. Generally speaking, Democrats feel the same way about the issues that are important to me. Primarily, not trying to legalize "morality", and feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. You can call me a bleedin' heart liberal. But these are my core issues.
What Obama and Hillary both agree on is that this country needs some changes. And they are both willing to work to make those changes happen. Why do I support Hillary? Specifically? The number one reason is because she is so left wing that if 1/2 of what is on her wish list is achieved, the US will be a place that more closely mirrors my ideals. We all know about checks and balances. We all know that it takes 3 years of any presidency to get anything working, because of all the red tape. The Confederacy had 6 year Presidential terms. I think that makes good sense. Bush has done so much to make this country OPPOSITE of my ideals, that I would like to see us swing back toward the 21st century. Hillary is forward thinking.
What I really like about Obama is that he is a little green and idealistic. So was Lincoln. I have studied Lincoln more than I have studied any President. I respect him so much that I have a plaque of him on my bookcase in my living room. Nuff said.
So I support them both, but will vote for Hillary in the primaries. In Alabama, the primaries are in June, so by that time it's almost a moot point. I will vote for her all the same. After the votes are tallied, I will give 100% of my support to the Democrat nominee.
But I really wish they would stop fighting amongst themselves.