As I said I will change or solidify my viewpoints as better information comes to me and I have a commenter Chad Sargent to thank for pointing out the Fair Tax proposal.
This is an important piece of legislation that deserves your support. The savings in governmental spending and the overall positives effect this would have to our economy are tremendous and could truly be revolutionary The optimist in me (yes it exists) says this could lead the way to true long term economic growth after a one year adjustment period.
Please check it out and tell you representatives that you want them to support it as the new law of the land.
In simple terms it exchanges the federal taxes out of your income for a Federal Sales Tax and is projected to produced the same level of taxes as the current system, but with great savings to spending as it essentially would eliminate the IRS and many other expenses which exist due to our tax code.
http://www.fairtax.org/
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Saturday, November 11, 2006
A Review of The Wilstorm Universe
I have never been heavily into the Wildstorm Universe per se, but under this banner Planetary and The Authority have both been published and both are excellent books, but I never got so immersed in this Universe to know it in any detail. They have just done a massive relaunch that have many titles doing hard resets and soft resets. Since I have limited to no knowledge of some of there stuff prior to the relaunch I don't know what I'm supposed to know from before or what is just brand new. Also this judgement is a little premature as most of the titles have not had a chance to really find their niche. Still my grading as of this moment in time of the series that I get are:
Gen13 #2 - A "B" book. Appears to be a hard reset as we are starting from ground zero. Gail Simone is a favorite writer of mine and I never followed Gen13 before. So far a good series that is loaded with potential and really nice art.
The Boys #5 - "D". This book has yet to show me it is anything but shock for shocks sake. More sex then a porn comic and it is a disgusting book at this point. If by issue 6 Ennis hasn't started to make a point good bye to the Boys. A waste of great work by Darrick Robertson.
Wetworks #3 - "C". This appears to be a soft reset and I remember nothing about Wetworks before. Right now it is very convoluted to me.
Deathblow #2 - I have only read issue #1 and I enjoyed the beginning of the series and the artwork was very good. Starting at a solid "B" and has plenty of potential already built in.
Midnighter #1 - A solid "B" start. Great premise for a first story arc and it will be interesting to see how they play out the kill Hitler storyline.
Stormwatch PHD #1 - Great start, almost want to give it an "A", but with only one issue a "B" is as high as I can go. Great set up and starting of this group. We are introduced to all the players and given a reason for the group as well as some solid action scenes in one issue. Note to Brad Metzler regarding the JLA launch - see this issue for how to start a team book.
The Authority #1 - A "C" start and many people feel a "D" start as the Authority never appeared. I believe the Authority needs a strong restart and I think this obscure beginning may work. Obviously subsequent issues will determine if this prelude was a wise move or just a waste of the fans money.
Wildcats #1 - "B" and possible could have been better, but when I heard issue #2 is pushed back to March, I want to wait for the trade. I know enough Wildcats history to be confused and enjoying the series both at the same time. A shame I will have forgotten the set-up four months down the road.
Claw #6 - An "A" book. That may sound crazy but Chuck Dixon and Andy Smith have fashioned a great sword and sorcery story. Great art, solid and engaging story and pure no holds barred action. I really enjoy this book and never expected to like it.
Astro City: Dark Age - Book Two #1 - Haven't read it yet, but as a series Astro City is an "A". It has slipped with Dark Ages a little, but Busiek and Anderson's Astro City is a great look at super heroes from a ground level. It builds on what Busiek started to do in Marvels and goes it five times better.
Planetary #26 - An "A" and one of the best books ever done. Go buy the trades and read it. Issue #27 is the end of the series and it will go down as one of the best of all time.
I give Jim Lee and DC a lot of credit with maintiaining the Wildstorm franchise and working to keep it a strong brand.
Gen13 #2 - A "B" book. Appears to be a hard reset as we are starting from ground zero. Gail Simone is a favorite writer of mine and I never followed Gen13 before. So far a good series that is loaded with potential and really nice art.
The Boys #5 - "D". This book has yet to show me it is anything but shock for shocks sake. More sex then a porn comic and it is a disgusting book at this point. If by issue 6 Ennis hasn't started to make a point good bye to the Boys. A waste of great work by Darrick Robertson.
Wetworks #3 - "C". This appears to be a soft reset and I remember nothing about Wetworks before. Right now it is very convoluted to me.
Deathblow #2 - I have only read issue #1 and I enjoyed the beginning of the series and the artwork was very good. Starting at a solid "B" and has plenty of potential already built in.
Midnighter #1 - A solid "B" start. Great premise for a first story arc and it will be interesting to see how they play out the kill Hitler storyline.
Stormwatch PHD #1 - Great start, almost want to give it an "A", but with only one issue a "B" is as high as I can go. Great set up and starting of this group. We are introduced to all the players and given a reason for the group as well as some solid action scenes in one issue. Note to Brad Metzler regarding the JLA launch - see this issue for how to start a team book.
The Authority #1 - A "C" start and many people feel a "D" start as the Authority never appeared. I believe the Authority needs a strong restart and I think this obscure beginning may work. Obviously subsequent issues will determine if this prelude was a wise move or just a waste of the fans money.
Wildcats #1 - "B" and possible could have been better, but when I heard issue #2 is pushed back to March, I want to wait for the trade. I know enough Wildcats history to be confused and enjoying the series both at the same time. A shame I will have forgotten the set-up four months down the road.
Claw #6 - An "A" book. That may sound crazy but Chuck Dixon and Andy Smith have fashioned a great sword and sorcery story. Great art, solid and engaging story and pure no holds barred action. I really enjoy this book and never expected to like it.
Astro City: Dark Age - Book Two #1 - Haven't read it yet, but as a series Astro City is an "A". It has slipped with Dark Ages a little, but Busiek and Anderson's Astro City is a great look at super heroes from a ground level. It builds on what Busiek started to do in Marvels and goes it five times better.
Planetary #26 - An "A" and one of the best books ever done. Go buy the trades and read it. Issue #27 is the end of the series and it will go down as one of the best of all time.
I give Jim Lee and DC a lot of credit with maintiaining the Wildstorm franchise and working to keep it a strong brand.
Friday, November 10, 2006
The Silver Age Party - Starting a New Political Party
Okay this will be an occasional post where I will try and define what I think our government should look like or at least the basis for my own political party. I'm so frustrated with what the Republican and Democratic parties have become that I can not in good conscious align myself with either side. While I like the Libertarian ideals for some things, they still come across a little too quirky for me to get behind 100%. Of course some of my thoughts will be out of line with many persons also, but hell it's my made up political party and I can start it however I want.
The underlying foundation for my party will be that we have to try and do the right thing no matter what the person cost is to ourselves. The right thing will not be politically correct at times, but we are striving to make the USA a stronger and better country to leave to our children and their children.
As I said I will try and outline what I think the party should stand for and if I receive any commentary that makes me rethink my position, the position will be changed to reflect those better ideas.
The first thing that I believe needs to be outlined is that the government needs to be smaller. The government can not take care of everybody and even well intentioned ideas can have bad consequences.
We can not have universal health care, it will bankrupt the country, we can bring sanity back into the medical field. One change is that if a doctor is willing to settle for a lower price with a health care company that same price has to be automatically offered to an uninsured person. I have had blood work done that had a bill for over $600, my insurance company disallowed over $450 and paid the bill and they were fine. If I didn't have health care I would have had to pay the full $600 or tried to negotiate the bill down on my own and would surely have paid more then what my provider paid. This is wrong. I have been a business owner of my own comic store and essentially had nothing but a disaster plan health care (the first $10,000 in expense were mine, after that my insurance would kick in). It makes no sense that those who do not have health care pay more for services provided then the health insurance companies. Those without are just being made to pay more of a tab and probably don't even know about negotiating the payments being made.
The "No child left behind act" needs to be abolished as does the federal government involvement in education. Education is a local issue and should be addressed at a local level. This is just a waste of taxpayers money and only serves to add another level of bureaucracy on an already over burdened school system. Also the whole insidious record keeping going on for all the nations children by the military within this act has a ugly feel to it that makes me see conspiracy theories.
Another way to reduce government is a new codification of the law. The law today is so voluminous that no one can understand or even knows of all the laws on the books. Remember that we have ignorance of the law is no excuse if you break the law. We are all ignorant of the law and are breaking laws everyday, which allows the government to just decide when they want to arrest or charge you with a crime. The rationalism that has lead to 500 page laws being passed is insane. Ambiguity in the law is fine and the courts can decide what is within the purview of the law or not. That codification should be able to translate our federal laws into less then 10 volumes of 500 pages. I believe 5,000 pages of federal law would be more then enough. Plus we can wipe off the books many old laws that have no true application in today's society.
The IRS can be almost eliminated by getting rid of the tax code. Except for a few tax deductions for some basic things we should all be paying a flat federal tax. I'm even for increasing that percentage for the higher income producers, but lets get rid of the tax shelters for everybody. Mortgage interest for the home you live in, deductions for children, medical expenses and education expenses and that's it. The rest is crap. These basic deductions are to help lower and middle income people to be able to afford a better life. But higher incomes can afford to pay more to the country that has afforded them their standard of living. So in today's dollars maybe a 12% flat tax, with the rate going up to 20% for any earnings over $150,000 and 35% for any earnings over $300,000 and 40% for any earnings over $1,000,000.
There are many other areas that we need to reduce government but I will address that when I tackle some other planks for the Silver Age Party Platform. The basic theme is less government and more fiscal responsibility as plank #1.
The underlying foundation for my party will be that we have to try and do the right thing no matter what the person cost is to ourselves. The right thing will not be politically correct at times, but we are striving to make the USA a stronger and better country to leave to our children and their children.
As I said I will try and outline what I think the party should stand for and if I receive any commentary that makes me rethink my position, the position will be changed to reflect those better ideas.
The first thing that I believe needs to be outlined is that the government needs to be smaller. The government can not take care of everybody and even well intentioned ideas can have bad consequences.
We can not have universal health care, it will bankrupt the country, we can bring sanity back into the medical field. One change is that if a doctor is willing to settle for a lower price with a health care company that same price has to be automatically offered to an uninsured person. I have had blood work done that had a bill for over $600, my insurance company disallowed over $450 and paid the bill and they were fine. If I didn't have health care I would have had to pay the full $600 or tried to negotiate the bill down on my own and would surely have paid more then what my provider paid. This is wrong. I have been a business owner of my own comic store and essentially had nothing but a disaster plan health care (the first $10,000 in expense were mine, after that my insurance would kick in). It makes no sense that those who do not have health care pay more for services provided then the health insurance companies. Those without are just being made to pay more of a tab and probably don't even know about negotiating the payments being made.
The "No child left behind act" needs to be abolished as does the federal government involvement in education. Education is a local issue and should be addressed at a local level. This is just a waste of taxpayers money and only serves to add another level of bureaucracy on an already over burdened school system. Also the whole insidious record keeping going on for all the nations children by the military within this act has a ugly feel to it that makes me see conspiracy theories.
Another way to reduce government is a new codification of the law. The law today is so voluminous that no one can understand or even knows of all the laws on the books. Remember that we have ignorance of the law is no excuse if you break the law. We are all ignorant of the law and are breaking laws everyday, which allows the government to just decide when they want to arrest or charge you with a crime. The rationalism that has lead to 500 page laws being passed is insane. Ambiguity in the law is fine and the courts can decide what is within the purview of the law or not. That codification should be able to translate our federal laws into less then 10 volumes of 500 pages. I believe 5,000 pages of federal law would be more then enough. Plus we can wipe off the books many old laws that have no true application in today's society.
The IRS can be almost eliminated by getting rid of the tax code. Except for a few tax deductions for some basic things we should all be paying a flat federal tax. I'm even for increasing that percentage for the higher income producers, but lets get rid of the tax shelters for everybody. Mortgage interest for the home you live in, deductions for children, medical expenses and education expenses and that's it. The rest is crap. These basic deductions are to help lower and middle income people to be able to afford a better life. But higher incomes can afford to pay more to the country that has afforded them their standard of living. So in today's dollars maybe a 12% flat tax, with the rate going up to 20% for any earnings over $150,000 and 35% for any earnings over $300,000 and 40% for any earnings over $1,000,000.
There are many other areas that we need to reduce government but I will address that when I tackle some other planks for the Silver Age Party Platform. The basic theme is less government and more fiscal responsibility as plank #1.
A Review of the Current DC Universe
I plan to review DC, Marvel, Vertigo and Wildstorm as a group and of course I can only review what I read. This is just a quick touch on each book, not an in depth review which would get too laborious, but maybe a worthwhile idea for a review of a series on occasion.
Note the issue numbers reflect the November solicitations.
BATMAN #659 - A really solid book now, constantly a “B”
DETECTIVE COMICS #825 – Again the fill in for Paul Dini was a little weak but a “B” book now days. It’s nice to see DC put solid and strong talent on both Batman and Superman, Since the One Year Later jump the two main icons have really been enjoyable.
ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #5 – A waste of the paper and the talent. Frank Miller and Jim Lee can do better. When it shows a “C".
BATMAN AND THE MAD MONK #4 – A terrific mini-series, Wagner is doing a great job as a series this is an “A”
NIGHTWING #126 – Now back into the good side of books and is a “B” level monthly.
CATWOMAN #61 – An enjoyable comic, a solid book another “B”
ROBIN #156 – Again an enjoyable read and as a monthly a “B” book.
ALL STAR SUPERMAN – An “A” level book, really a great read and wonderful art.
ACTION COMICS #845 – A solid “B” book and looks to be moving up.
SUPERMAN #658 – Another solid “B” comic. Every month Busiek and Pacheo have managed to entertain us with solid writing and art.
SUPERMAN/BATMAN #31 – A “D” level disaster. The story is so convoluted that it is really failing right now.
SUPERGIRL #12 – A “B” book. Casey and Churchill are doing a really nice job in making this book readable and entertaining after it’s disastrous launch.
SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #1 – An “A” book, Cooke and Sale rock. Of course this book will go up or down based on each arc as the team will switch after every story.
52: WEEKS 26-30 – Wow – a quality book and they have not missed a week. A “B” grade with an “A” for effort.
THE ALL-NEW ATOM #5 – Fun romp based on some Morrison ideas and Gail Simone doing the stories – a “B”.
AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS #47 – An “A” as long as Busiek and Guice are on this book. I hope the new team manages to hold onto the quality.
BIRDS OF PREY #100 – A really solid and entertaining book, I’ll miss Black Canary as she has quit the team for now, a solid “B”.
THE BLUE BEETLE #9 – A “C” book, okay so far, but has yet to make me anticipate an issue.
THE FLASH: FASTEST MAN ALIVE #6 – “D” book. The story has been weak, inconsistent artwork and this has Bart Allen as the Flash, which I love, but they have not delivered on this series.
FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN #31 – A “C” book. Better then Blue Beetle, but again I’m not anticipating this book every month.
GREEN LANTERN #16 – Tough one to call as the art has been great, but the stories have been good and bad, as a series a “C”.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #6 – A “B” level book. Good solid entertainment and has gotten better ever issue.
GREEN ARROW #68 – A “B” level book, month in and month out really fast paced excitement.
ION #8 – A “C” level book, it has its moments and then those moments pass too quickly.
HAWKGIRL #58 – A “D” level book. A real disappointment, I like the character , the writer and can live with Chaykin’s art and the series has been flat, nothing is happening that I have cared about until this last issue.
JLA CLASSIFIED #29 – “C” book, depends on the arc. Not sure this book has a reason to exist.
JSA CLASSIFIED #19 “B” level, again depends on the arc, but this is spotlighting JSA members in solo adventures.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4 – “C” book, the art is the saving grace for this book.
JONAH HEX #13 – “B” book, close to an “A” level comic, really great Western.
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4 – “B” level. I like the Martian Manhunter and I think they are doing a decent job trying to re-Define the character.
OMAC #5 – “C” – weak and is only held together because the concept is interesting.
OUTSIDERS #42 – “B” great team action book.
RUSH CITY #5 – “B” almost an “A” this is a wonderful action movie, with Chuck Dixon writing and Tim Green as artist.
SECRET SIX #6 – “B” book, this was a terrific mini-series that ends here. Gail Simone has done a great job with these characters.
SHADOWPACT #7 – “A” – just out and out fun and madness.
TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED #2 – “B” love the back-up on Dr. 13 more then the Spectre lead feature.
TRIALS OF SHAZAM #4 – “B” another Judd Winick written book, that I’m enjoying a lot.
SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #24 – “A” but I’m a sucker for the Legion and this has been a terrific series.
UNCLE SAM AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS #5 – “B” with better art and “A”, solid mini-series that really surprised me.
TEEN TITANS #41 – “C” level. I like the book, but it seems directionless.
DC has been doing a lot of mini-series as oppossed to new continung series and I think I like that idea. Not every character can hold a long term series that well as proven by sales histories and often after the initial writer leaves the books falter. So doing a mini-series to tell a story about a character is great as long as we bring them back for follow-up stories. Spectre had a 3 issue mini and now is the lead character in Tales of the Unexpected mini-series, so it seems like DC will continue with a character if the stories merit it. Plus I believe the mini-series allow more characters to be able to get the spotlight as the talent is not tied up on unlimited series.
DC also has the Archives series of hard covers reprinting the old Golden Age, Silver Age and more recent stuff in high quality reproductins. These are the best produced reprints of their kind and I'm only disappointed by the lack of issues published every year and too much of a focus on some of the Golden Age Superman and Batman stuff.
Recently DC has taken to doing the black and white reprints (a la Essentials) called Showcase. These reprints are great, 500 pages for $17 is a real bargin and I encourage people to pick them up.
Note the issue numbers reflect the November solicitations.
BATMAN #659 - A really solid book now, constantly a “B”
DETECTIVE COMICS #825 – Again the fill in for Paul Dini was a little weak but a “B” book now days. It’s nice to see DC put solid and strong talent on both Batman and Superman, Since the One Year Later jump the two main icons have really been enjoyable.
ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #5 – A waste of the paper and the talent. Frank Miller and Jim Lee can do better. When it shows a “C".
BATMAN AND THE MAD MONK #4 – A terrific mini-series, Wagner is doing a great job as a series this is an “A”
NIGHTWING #126 – Now back into the good side of books and is a “B” level monthly.
CATWOMAN #61 – An enjoyable comic, a solid book another “B”
ROBIN #156 – Again an enjoyable read and as a monthly a “B” book.
ALL STAR SUPERMAN – An “A” level book, really a great read and wonderful art.
ACTION COMICS #845 – A solid “B” book and looks to be moving up.
SUPERMAN #658 – Another solid “B” comic. Every month Busiek and Pacheo have managed to entertain us with solid writing and art.
SUPERMAN/BATMAN #31 – A “D” level disaster. The story is so convoluted that it is really failing right now.
SUPERGIRL #12 – A “B” book. Casey and Churchill are doing a really nice job in making this book readable and entertaining after it’s disastrous launch.
SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #1 – An “A” book, Cooke and Sale rock. Of course this book will go up or down based on each arc as the team will switch after every story.
52: WEEKS 26-30 – Wow – a quality book and they have not missed a week. A “B” grade with an “A” for effort.
THE ALL-NEW ATOM #5 – Fun romp based on some Morrison ideas and Gail Simone doing the stories – a “B”.
AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS #47 – An “A” as long as Busiek and Guice are on this book. I hope the new team manages to hold onto the quality.
BIRDS OF PREY #100 – A really solid and entertaining book, I’ll miss Black Canary as she has quit the team for now, a solid “B”.
THE BLUE BEETLE #9 – A “C” book, okay so far, but has yet to make me anticipate an issue.
THE FLASH: FASTEST MAN ALIVE #6 – “D” book. The story has been weak, inconsistent artwork and this has Bart Allen as the Flash, which I love, but they have not delivered on this series.
FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN #31 – A “C” book. Better then Blue Beetle, but again I’m not anticipating this book every month.
GREEN LANTERN #16 – Tough one to call as the art has been great, but the stories have been good and bad, as a series a “C”.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #6 – A “B” level book. Good solid entertainment and has gotten better ever issue.
GREEN ARROW #68 – A “B” level book, month in and month out really fast paced excitement.
ION #8 – A “C” level book, it has its moments and then those moments pass too quickly.
HAWKGIRL #58 – A “D” level book. A real disappointment, I like the character , the writer and can live with Chaykin’s art and the series has been flat, nothing is happening that I have cared about until this last issue.
JLA CLASSIFIED #29 – “C” book, depends on the arc. Not sure this book has a reason to exist.
JSA CLASSIFIED #19 “B” level, again depends on the arc, but this is spotlighting JSA members in solo adventures.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4 – “C” book, the art is the saving grace for this book.
JONAH HEX #13 – “B” book, close to an “A” level comic, really great Western.
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4 – “B” level. I like the Martian Manhunter and I think they are doing a decent job trying to re-Define the character.
OMAC #5 – “C” – weak and is only held together because the concept is interesting.
OUTSIDERS #42 – “B” great team action book.
RUSH CITY #5 – “B” almost an “A” this is a wonderful action movie, with Chuck Dixon writing and Tim Green as artist.
SECRET SIX #6 – “B” book, this was a terrific mini-series that ends here. Gail Simone has done a great job with these characters.
SHADOWPACT #7 – “A” – just out and out fun and madness.
TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED #2 – “B” love the back-up on Dr. 13 more then the Spectre lead feature.
TRIALS OF SHAZAM #4 – “B” another Judd Winick written book, that I’m enjoying a lot.
SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #24 – “A” but I’m a sucker for the Legion and this has been a terrific series.
UNCLE SAM AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS #5 – “B” with better art and “A”, solid mini-series that really surprised me.
TEEN TITANS #41 – “C” level. I like the book, but it seems directionless.
DC has been doing a lot of mini-series as oppossed to new continung series and I think I like that idea. Not every character can hold a long term series that well as proven by sales histories and often after the initial writer leaves the books falter. So doing a mini-series to tell a story about a character is great as long as we bring them back for follow-up stories. Spectre had a 3 issue mini and now is the lead character in Tales of the Unexpected mini-series, so it seems like DC will continue with a character if the stories merit it. Plus I believe the mini-series allow more characters to be able to get the spotlight as the talent is not tied up on unlimited series.
DC also has the Archives series of hard covers reprinting the old Golden Age, Silver Age and more recent stuff in high quality reproductins. These are the best produced reprints of their kind and I'm only disappointed by the lack of issues published every year and too much of a focus on some of the Golden Age Superman and Batman stuff.
Recently DC has taken to doing the black and white reprints (a la Essentials) called Showcase. These reprints are great, 500 pages for $17 is a real bargin and I encourage people to pick them up.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Doctor Strange The Oath #2 - A Review
Doctor Strange The Oath #2 - Brian K. Vaughn - Writer, Marcos Martin - Art, Javier Rodriguez - Colors
Premise - Dr. Strange's manservant Wong is dying and Dr. Strange went and found a serum that can cure anything, Dr. Strange gets shot by the crook who stole the serum from him and now Dr. Strange, Night Nurse and Wong are in search of who is behind the theft.
What I Liked:
1) The art. Marcos Martin has a great style for Dr. Strange. A mix of Tim Sale and Darwyn Cooke, but really all his own. It is a a nice fluid style that fits Dr. Strange very well. The coloring is okay, it does not feel perfect, but it certainly is not hurting the art.
2) The utilization of Dr. Strange's past. Seldom is his past utilized and I find that it helps in giving the character depth.
3) Night Nurse. Never paid attention to this character before and I'm enjoying seeing her in action.
What I Didn't Like:
1) The characterization of Dr. Strange. It feels inconsistent and at times he comes across a little too much of a wise cracking hero. Some of the lines are funny and I tend to forgive some of this stuff. Also he appears inept at times. The spell lines were the worst, especially "By the hoary #$**ing hosts." I want to like this book because I like Doctor Strange as a charcter. Vaughan's handing of Strange is inconsistent to me.
2) The building up of a supporting character, only to kill him in the same issue. We learn about a friend of Dr. Strange from his days as a surgeon, only to have him killed this issue.
3) The ads. More ad pages then comics and so interspersed in between the story pages, I feel like why bother, just get the trade. When the ads become intrusive, that is a problem.
Grade C
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Election Post Mortem
History tells us that those in power after six years almost always lose power at this point, so the changing back to a democratic legislature is not a surprise. What will be disheartening is that if all they do is go after Bush and try to impeach him and/or have committees ad naseum bringing in people to try and just play the blame game. I will be pleasantly shocked if they actually try to get stuff done. Of course I want them to focus on the impending fiscal crisis and illegal immigration and I'm afraid all they will do is find ways to take more of our money via taxes.
I was bummed that Ehrlich did not win re-election as governor of Maryland as he did a good job and did not deserve to lose, but the anti-Bush stuff was just too overwhelming. Plus I console myself with the fact that the even more overwhelming democratic legislature-elect and the democratic governor-elect should drive the state into a huge financial crisis in two years or less and it will be mildly amusing to see how they try and blame that on Ehrlich. Maryland is a joke when it comes to our government. The only reason we survive as a state is our close proximity to Washington, DC puts a lot of well paying jobs in our state.
I thought the Republicans had blown their chance at power and it was time for a turn over, but I miss what I used to think the Republican party stood for, which was less government and more personal responsibility. It may never have ever really been that, but now it has morphed into a self righteous party that felt it had moral superiority and believed government should be bigger and government knows what's best for us. It felt a little fascist. The Democratic party thinks they can tax everyone to death and take care of us, generating the perfect nanny state. They also act as they have moral superiority. It feels very a little communistic.
My favorite president (that I was alive and aware of) is Ronald Regan. He had a vision for the country and seemed to be a decent person. While I was alive I was but a child, but Kennedy certainly had some visionary qualities and that is sorely lacking in today's politicians.
My big fear is that I may had rose colored glasses and that all politics for all of our history may have been this bad, but I have to believe that is wrong and that their are still politicians who want to serve and not rule us.
Hope springs eternal and lets see if the Democrats can try to do some positive things and see if Bush and the congress both learn to compromise. The Democrats are back in power, but they do not have a veto proof majority. It is not a historic change either, it is how US politics almost always play put.
I heard it put best when someone said the Republicans deserve to loss, but the Democrats do not deserve to win.
It's frightening to realize that the rules have been changed to make a third party very difficult to ever come into power, but I think that is what we need.
I was bummed that Ehrlich did not win re-election as governor of Maryland as he did a good job and did not deserve to lose, but the anti-Bush stuff was just too overwhelming. Plus I console myself with the fact that the even more overwhelming democratic legislature-elect and the democratic governor-elect should drive the state into a huge financial crisis in two years or less and it will be mildly amusing to see how they try and blame that on Ehrlich. Maryland is a joke when it comes to our government. The only reason we survive as a state is our close proximity to Washington, DC puts a lot of well paying jobs in our state.
I thought the Republicans had blown their chance at power and it was time for a turn over, but I miss what I used to think the Republican party stood for, which was less government and more personal responsibility. It may never have ever really been that, but now it has morphed into a self righteous party that felt it had moral superiority and believed government should be bigger and government knows what's best for us. It felt a little fascist. The Democratic party thinks they can tax everyone to death and take care of us, generating the perfect nanny state. They also act as they have moral superiority. It feels very a little communistic.
My favorite president (that I was alive and aware of) is Ronald Regan. He had a vision for the country and seemed to be a decent person. While I was alive I was but a child, but Kennedy certainly had some visionary qualities and that is sorely lacking in today's politicians.
My big fear is that I may had rose colored glasses and that all politics for all of our history may have been this bad, but I have to believe that is wrong and that their are still politicians who want to serve and not rule us.
Hope springs eternal and lets see if the Democrats can try to do some positive things and see if Bush and the congress both learn to compromise. The Democrats are back in power, but they do not have a veto proof majority. It is not a historic change either, it is how US politics almost always play put.
I heard it put best when someone said the Republicans deserve to loss, but the Democrats do not deserve to win.
It's frightening to realize that the rules have been changed to make a third party very difficult to ever come into power, but I think that is what we need.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Election Day - 2006
So Maryland now has touch screen voting. It's quick, easy and was a very nice experience in casting my vote. It also scares the crap out of me as we have no record of our actual vote.
I guess that's the end of contested elections and we can all just sit back and accept whatever the results are after the election. I mean polls are never wrong, so we all know who was going to win anyway, so don't worry about the validity of the system.
Also they don't really confirm who the hell is voting. So if you know your neighbor hasn't vote, go back later and vote again. They make you sign a piece of paper, but just make sure you sign right handed.
So when the results come back and one candidate gets 75%, we should just accept it.
Why is the hue and cry over no audit trial, more like a slight whimper.
I don't understand how we can go down this path quietly.
Maybe I do to a certain extent. I was an auditor for my first career and if it was printed out by a computer everyone assumed it must be right. I would actually add up columns on these printouts and have people think I was nuts. I once found that the columns did not add up correctly. What was wrong was an internal coding problem that left some of the rows out of the bottom total (old time computer programing). So just because it is printed or on a computer, doesn't mean it's right.
Another reason for the lack of concern is the general apathy that people have. The world is so big and complex, what does any of it matter. At least I get that attitude from some people.
I think we are at the beginning of the end of Western Civilization, but I will rage against the storm until my dying breath. I will not go gentle into the good night, I will go down kicking and screaming. With real leadership and people of courage and conviction we can still turn things around. Never, never give up!
Let's see how this election plays out and see how many losing candidates get upset over the results.
I guess that's the end of contested elections and we can all just sit back and accept whatever the results are after the election. I mean polls are never wrong, so we all know who was going to win anyway, so don't worry about the validity of the system.
Also they don't really confirm who the hell is voting. So if you know your neighbor hasn't vote, go back later and vote again. They make you sign a piece of paper, but just make sure you sign right handed.
So when the results come back and one candidate gets 75%, we should just accept it.
Why is the hue and cry over no audit trial, more like a slight whimper.
I don't understand how we can go down this path quietly.
Maybe I do to a certain extent. I was an auditor for my first career and if it was printed out by a computer everyone assumed it must be right. I would actually add up columns on these printouts and have people think I was nuts. I once found that the columns did not add up correctly. What was wrong was an internal coding problem that left some of the rows out of the bottom total (old time computer programing). So just because it is printed or on a computer, doesn't mean it's right.
Another reason for the lack of concern is the general apathy that people have. The world is so big and complex, what does any of it matter. At least I get that attitude from some people.
I think we are at the beginning of the end of Western Civilization, but I will rage against the storm until my dying breath. I will not go gentle into the good night, I will go down kicking and screaming. With real leadership and people of courage and conviction we can still turn things around. Never, never give up!
Let's see how this election plays out and see how many losing candidates get upset over the results.
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