Grouchy Old Utard

I didn't start this blog to talk about politics, but as with most other things I'm easily distracted. Like everyone else, I've been caught up in all of the excitement of the campaigns.

The real purpose of this blog was to provide myself, and anyone else with as short of an attention span as mine that cares to read this, with a little amusement. And as my good friend, Don Evans, would say -- it was definitely little. It doesn't take much to amuse me; I've never been sure if that's a sign of intelligence or stupidity.

Once upon a time... don't all tall tales start this way? Back before the turn of the century, when I was a young boy scout, I was walking home from school one day. I got to the corner of Studebaker Rd and Excelsior Dr (just to take those of you from Norwalk, CA back in time). The light was red and there was an old lady standing on the corner, waiting to cross the street. She was struggling with 3 bags of groceries. You know, the old brown paper bags weren't as easy to handle as the plastic ones with handles, but I digress...

Anyway, being a good boy scout, I asked if I could help her get across the street with her bags.

She said, "no, thank you", as she struggled to keep from dropping one of them.

I grabbed it just in time to keep it from spilling all over the sidewalk, and into the street. Just then the light turned green, so I just started across the street. I figured I'd help her whether she wanted it or not.

All of a sudden I felt a dull thud on my shoulder. She whacked me with her cane, and was chasing me across the street! Now we were in the middle of the street, and I thought stopping there wouldn't be very smart, so I ran the rest of the way across. She kept swinging her crooked, old cane, and managed to whack me good one more time.

As I handed the sack back to her I apologized, "gee lady, I was just trying to help you with your groceries, I didn't mean to upset you."

"I told you I didn't need your gol-darned help! There's important stuff in that sack."

I apologized again, and ran off towards home. I wanted to put some distance between me and her cane.

As I slowed back down to a walk, I couldn't help but think about what was in the sack. I decided that it must be a bunch of baloney, just like I've been feeding you all this time! LOL

This story was forwarded to me by my sister:

Yesterday on my way to lunch at Doe's, I passed one of the homeless guys in that area, with a sign that read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.'

Once in the Doe's my waiter had on a 'Obama 08' tee shirt.

When the bill came, I decided not to tip the waiter and explained to him while he had given me exceptional service, that his tee shirt made me feel he obviously believes in Senator Obama's plan to redistribute the wealth. I told him I was going to redistribute his tip to someone that I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. He stood there in disbelief and angrily stormed away.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $3 and told him to thank the waiter inside, as I had decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy looked at me in disbelief but seemed grateful.

As I got in my truck, I realized this rather unscientific redistribution experiment had left the homeless guy quite happy for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn.

Well, I guess this redistribution of wealth is going to take a while to catch on, with those doing the work.

How many of you out there have even heard of this term?

According to CBS' 60 Minutes, and Warren Buffet, it was the legalization of credit default swaps by the 106th congress, under BILL CLINTON not the policies of George Bush, that has caused the downfall of our financial institutions. I'm surprised that a mainstream, left leaning media outlet like CBS would let this story out BEFORE the election. They may have helped the McCain camp more than they want to, if the public really looks into this.

"Credit default swaps" are also known as "derivatives", which financial experts say are basically "side bets" on what financial markets are going to do. This practice was outlawed after the stock market drop in the early 1900's, and was part of banking and SEC regulations up until the ens of 1999 when Bill Clinton, and Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, decided that the pros on Wall Street could better handle the policing of these practices. Apparently, they turned a fox loose in the financial hen house.

As is usually the case with presidential campaigns, much is said about what the president wants to do. Unfortunately, most of what is promised, or complained about, is really under the control of the legislature. They are the group that votes on bills and spending that become national policy or law; the president can only sign and approve it, or veto it. The presidential candidates can both promise change, but that change won't come from the president-- it will come from the legislature. The only thing the president can really change on his own is the war, since he's the Commander In Chief. And yes, i'd like to see that changed, but that's another rant for another day.