Yes this is being posted on April 17th, but I wanted the entire day to pass without missing a moment of it, and to see if the world really ended because of the "high taxes". Did something magically change or was it the typical SOS different day thing. I am still trying to figure that one out so perhaps you dear reader can help me.
Somewhere, somehow things have changed and I don't recognize the country I was born in and I am having trouble recognizing the people as well.
More after the fold
April 16th started out frantically as I rushed around getting lab testing done to confirm I had diabetes (yes, I'm a sweet guy). I saw my wife go into work saddened because it was her last day at work. Her company was bought out by a larger company and as a result, she was laid off. That was very hard for her as she is the type of employee that if she decides to leave to take a better position, her soon to be former employers try to offer her more with incentives to stay. Her former company had kept her on for an additional month after letting the others who were laid off go, and as always the top managers asked her to have any future employers who needed references to give them a call. They'd tell them what a "golden child" they were getting. She finished off all the budget accruals for April ahead of time as a parting gesture, yes she's that way.
I on the other hand worried about time missed, because if I don't work I don't get paid. We were already losing forty percent of our household income so every penny helps. I started packing my lunches again something I had not done in a while, but that's a better way to keep control of your diabetes. Oh we lost our health insurance but I am lucky. I am a government contractor and my company has health insurance so we are covered. Listening to NPR on the drive into work I recalled the humor April 15th had provided with their recounting of the different "Tea Baggers" events held in protest of Obama's economic stimulus plan. The biggest irony to me was all those so called working Americans protesting tax funds being spent to provide extra unemployment insurance to the many of them either out of work, or soon to be without a job. Supposedly this was a "grass roots" event though the sponsors were big money lobbyists who represented firms that would have their taxes raised, their off shore accounts opened wide while the protester got the largest tax break in history. The hypocrisy of those organizing and promoting these events is beyond belief (yes kiddies Fox Noise despite numerous denials promoted these gatherings, and then lied openly about the numbers in attendance).
President Obama released more of the torture memos in a move very opposite of the former Administration and it shows an openness not seen for a while. In so doing this he closed the door basically on accountability. Obama once again said he wished to focus on the future rather then seek retribution for the past. It is unfortunate that he feels this way, for it clouds his judgement for the future, and for the nation's future. Until the crimes believed by the Bush Administration are brought out in the open and dealt with honestly, this country and the Obama Administration will be unable to claim righteousness against others for doing the same things we did. What though I see as a greater danger is the fact that in his refusal to address the violations of our own laws, as well as international law he sets precedent for future Presidents to claim the right to do anything they wish. At the same time he tells Americans that we have a two tiered system of justice. One for you and me where we are held accountable, and a second for those we choose to run government who are then essentially above the law. I can hear defense attorney's across the land making that same argument for their clients. "No your honor we should dismiss all charges against my client, he is try to make progress and move forward. What useful benefit would we get if we look only to the past, my client is beyond that now".
The wingnuts are getting more crazy with each passing day and I know longer recognize the political process or even my country anymore. Rick Perry, Governor of Texas is hinting at a repeat of history long since settled after a bloody civil war. He intimated to the Huston Chronicle that Texas might secede the Union, but then with drew that with editing to another journal when asked about it. They say Perry has aspirations to the White House, but maybe he figures Sarah Palin is a better choice so he'll make his own country.
Michele Bachmann (R- Mn) seems to be insane at this point with her recent statements about the costs of converting to alternative energy, and the six Immans that were kicked off a plane. Her statements are flat out lies, yet no one in the MSM has called her out on it. There is a lack of public outcry over her hysterical ravings about re-education camps and other delusional, no more like psychotic ravings go overall unremarked upon. I wonder who is more crazy, Bachmann or the voters that tolerate this type of representation.
Oh, I just got one more piece of good news, I have just been terminated. I have two weeks left then I join the ranks of the unemployed. There goes the health insurance, and soon quite possibly the rest of my things along with my home. My wife and I have been trying to pay things down but were living from paycheck to paycheck. I worry now for my eight year old daughter and 16 year old step son. Hopefully we will make it. Someone tell me right now what is right with this country? It isn't the same land I grew up in and I don't recognize many of the people here any more.