March Madness

Wow, what a couple of weeks. McCain comes back from the dead to clinch the nomination, hoping to get Dole to come out of retirement as his running mate to show the vitality that is John McCain. The Democrats fall over themselves in their quest to blow the election. All fun and games here in the American political system, where no politician is too stupid.

MRS ANGRY MIDDLE SPEAKS UP
As democrats consider whether to label themselves with the Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks brand, it is worth considering—beyond the sound bite language of the endless campaign—what these labels really mean.

Obviously, the major implication is price- rich snobs drink Starbucks, working stiffs drink DD. This many well be true, but on a price per ounce basis this may not necessarily add up. According to a 10/28/05 article in the Boston Globe, here in New England “Dunkin's small 10-ounce coffee costs $1.46 and Starbucks' small 12-ounce runs $1.58”. While prices have probably changes since then, by my reckoning DD coffee cost over a penny more per ounce. Since Starbucks coffee has as much as twice the caffeine, the price per unit of caffeine consumed makes Starbucks a much better value.

But there are other questions about these two brands a good democrat would do well to ask: how do they treat their workers? Do they provide good wages and benefits? Do they purchase Fair Trade Coffee? What about organic, shade grown blends? And what about those disposable cups and other types of pollution (ie SUVs in the drive-through line)? Does wanting good, green collar jobs (and a strong cup of coffee) somehow make you an effete snob?

If all this talk about balancing costs and social justice makes your head want to explode, you may want to just take the route of the Angry Middle family and brew your own and tote it around in a reusable cup (even if at times you end up a forget-the-cup, have-no-money and have-a headache-all-day Democrat). This could help you save more money toward your kids’ college, homeownership, or retirement… and maybe guns and canned goods. Cause the way this country seems headed, you may need them.

OK, That's nice honey, now go make me breakfast....

SPITZER SWALL.... OK I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT
Dammit, Eliot you were supposed to be one of the good guys. Attacking corporate and organized crime as a prosecutor, moving into the corner office ready to show what good government is.

OK, so it turns out you're just another scumbag, hypocrite. Trying to stop the organized crime that you don't personally patronize. I'll give you this, you weren't afraid to spend daddy's money on some quality dates. Yeah, nobody's ever going to catch you with high class call girls, that never happens.

Whatever happened to the traditional, upperclass Democratic skirtchasing of socialites? The Palm Beach crowd that didn't benefit from it being known that they are philanderers? Is this some type of 21st century multitasking, going to DC anyway to lobby, may as well get me one of those 22 year old hotties. It's hard to say what was going through his wife's head, another woman's life destroyed as she heads up to the podium in a Xanax-like haze. How do you know the center of the scandal was a Democrat, adult woman.

HOLY CRAP
I know almost nothing about the minister of Obama's congregation. I do know that the IRS for some reason is looking at our entire church organization, The United Church of Christ, because Obama spoke at the synod. I'm unsure if they have looked at every conservative church for the same purposes but that's a different issue altogether.

Barack's minister came up with some crazy crackhead conspiracies not often heard outside the buzz of a black helicopter or the whining of a spoiled brat Larouchite. Certainly many of us are often disturbed by the leaders of our faith and in Barack's case, he bought the whole boat with this guy. Obama made an amazing rhetorical response and saved face among the "readers" in the country. It's difficult to understand why someone would stay in a church with a pastor like this, unless perhaps one can have an understanding of what being "saved" is, perhaps this is where Obama stands, but this is not for me, not for me to understand his heart and soul. How this benefits his being while hearing words that may revile. Either that or he makes Slick Willie look like mumbly jones.

There is a profound challenge in this day of a 24/7 newscycle, Hillary has certainly faced this for years, the constant abuse. There is a long trail ahead.

CORPORATE WELFARE
These are strange economic times, huge swings in the markets and the economy based on the news of the day. These are times when the big corporations cry out for government intervention. The "revenooers" don't seem so vicious when they are dishing out the dough. The big investment banks have the government over a barrel, they know that their failure will reverberate throughout the American economy, and the government will happily use the taxpayer's money or the money we borrow to ironically bail out those companies that have become overextended.

It's different to collect welfare when you have lobbyists, 6 and 7 digit bonuses and a three piece suit. It comes quickly and by wire. There is no shame to it, no social worker coming to check up on your family, no hiding the man of the house. Companies now are dumping their dirty laundry on the American taxpayer, hiding it in hedge funds, bundling it in impenetrable derivatives, moving around money faster than a Flatbush Ave three card monte game. The beauty of this of course, every high executive gets their golden parachute, stock options at levels that existed only on paper on a particular date, not based in reality and the Wall St. shuffle to another firm instead of a bus to Danbury to do some federal time. And when this shakes out, there is incredible growth in financial stocks, the herd thinned not by the free market but by taxpayer largess.