108 years ago (in March actually) "Winnie", as her friends called her, was brought forth into the world. She is the perfect example to exhibit that God knows what is doing. She married young and had four children quite spread apart. This writer was the last and probably the most difficult. "Untimely snatched," as Shakespeare wrote in his play Julius Caesar. Quite a feat in middle of the 20th Century.
I have a picture of a canvas tent up to its eaves in snow. A wood stove chimney visible in field of white. She would say "I raised two children in a McCall, Idaho winter. I can do anything." She was of course referring to my two oldest siblings. As it would be a few decades later before my arrival in her and Dad's life. That statement sticks with me and a number of friends have heard the story. Many of you influenced by her constant good cheer, warm welcome, and cinnamon roles. She was of friend of God and prayed to Jesus and I never doubted her faith. She set an expansive table for her family even when we didn't all give thanks and behave as properly as we should. Her love for us all never diminished, even when we disappointed. I know that as sure as I sit writing this essay.
Even though I miss her counsel, she still influences my thought, personality, and belief's. Her DNA flows in my veins and for that the Almighty must approve. One of her Granddaughters, our number two, called her an and old soul. The wisdom visible in the sharp eyes as hers pierced yours and you know the correctness of that statement. She taught me forgiveness for others and my own sins. She taught me the value of thought, and cooling my temper. She taught me to love others even when they caused me pain. Difficult lessons steeped in life and living. She taught me that mathematics was important even as I struggled with high school algebra. She taught me the value of a poker face in the face of trial (and cards.) The lessons go on and on.
I think she would approve of the effort, and many of the results of my labor and choices, and strongly disapprove of many others. Isn't that what a mother is supposed to do? Never raised a hand to me that I recall, but the weight of disappointment in bad behavior was far more crushing than any corporal punishment. The thing is I remember only a very good life with my parents, and my mother did her part. Sorry for the bad choices Mom, hope you find joy in the good ones.
I miss you. Happy Mothers Day.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Sunday Mornings and Balkinization
I can't decide if Sunday morning news shows are good or bad for me. Invariably they get my blood pressure up (bad) but my intellectual juices start flowing (good & bad.) I remember there is a channel changer (good.) Tolerating the effete intellectual snobbery of the left (they assume I am stupid and incapable of taking care of myself) or the self righteous puffery of the friends of the oligarchs wanting to make sure I don't get too smart. I know both chip away at me when I listen to them and the guy on the left makes a point, I get it, the guy on the right makes a point (he sounds better when he is not running for president) makes a point and, guess what, I get it. That is when exhaustion (and rising blood pressure sets in.)
Today, most of the discussion revolved around whatisname owner of the Clippers, Benghazi, and White House Correspondents Dinner. Ok the Pres said some funny stuff. Wasn't ingratiating enough. His popularity poles are still in the septic tank, but the quips on Congress were good. Nothing new though as Mark Twain and Will Rogers already satirized Congress better than anybody since.
Ok I digress.
The point I thought I might be making is the from the Republican vantage point the federal government is too big, and the reason our economy does not grow is because the federal budget and regulatory burden puts too heavy a weight on business. What businesses are they talking about? Seems to me it is local government that makes the deals with the Intel's of the world to not pay property tax (or at least pay very little to build a plant.) Did the IRS send me a letter and say, 'hey I know you broke your neck last year to earn the paltry $30grand so you can send us a check for $10K. So here is some money back.' I have done this before.
The county, with the states blessing, has never said 'I know you are trying to pay your bills and we'll discount your property tax for the cubby you have upstairs where you spend 10-12 hours a day on the phone and email so you make some commission to pay your taxes!'
I am not in charge of anything but my, uhhh, can't think of anything, never mind. Since the Supremes said I can now write a check for $50jillion or so to my favorite candidate maybe I can buy some influence in Congress. Oh WAIT I do not have $50 jillion! Shit what do I do now? Write.
The Republicans are correct in one respect. The Federal government is too big. The Dem's are right about one thing also. The Fed's have to regulate what crosses state lines. Everything does these days. The regulatory process is antiquated, managed by incompetent princes grasping desperately to eroding fiefdoms. That is no reason to get cranky, it just means it is time to go. What the Republicans don't get is the de-centralization of government will lead to further polarization of the parties and politics. Not all states can afford to pump money into their local economies by giving away the store to those who will move their business. Republicans say jobs are in small business--no one at any governmental level cuts them a break. This uneven distribution of dollars is apparent in any school district (particularly ones supported by property taxes like they are in my state) when less is spent per student in one part of the district than another. How about variations in one state to another of student teacher ratios ; 15 to 1 teacher ratio in one and in another it is 32 to 1. Who has the advantage? For the US to compete on the global stage this antiquated notion that what is done best is done at the local level is nonsense in the face of enormous concentrations of money in locations away from these local jurisdictions.
Now I am no populist, but the oligarchs are in control, and the right sleeps in their pocket next to their. . . well never mind. What is missing is an understanding on both sides there has to be some kind of balance. You can sing whatever songs you want about what we are doing well, but the bottom line people is, it is not enough. Until the both parties recognize the governments role, and I will talk about that again later, the US will continue killing its middle class, decline in too many indexes to count against foreign competition, and this is a concoction for catastrophe.
The Founding Fathers were brilliant, and to be admired and revered for whatever life the "Republic" has. The thing they could not envision was the concentration of power through money corrupting their vision. In addition they could not foresee the power of global communications. (Maybe Ben Franklin did.) Rupert Murdoch does and so does that nut bag in North Korea, damn it I am digressing again.
Ok, I have vented enough. Please note this is the first directly political post I have written. There will be more. I just don't care anymore who I piss off. Right thinking has to start somewhere.
Today, most of the discussion revolved around whatisname owner of the Clippers, Benghazi, and White House Correspondents Dinner. Ok the Pres said some funny stuff. Wasn't ingratiating enough. His popularity poles are still in the septic tank, but the quips on Congress were good. Nothing new though as Mark Twain and Will Rogers already satirized Congress better than anybody since.
Ok I digress.
The point I thought I might be making is the from the Republican vantage point the federal government is too big, and the reason our economy does not grow is because the federal budget and regulatory burden puts too heavy a weight on business. What businesses are they talking about? Seems to me it is local government that makes the deals with the Intel's of the world to not pay property tax (or at least pay very little to build a plant.) Did the IRS send me a letter and say, 'hey I know you broke your neck last year to earn the paltry $30grand so you can send us a check for $10K. So here is some money back.' I have done this before.
The county, with the states blessing, has never said 'I know you are trying to pay your bills and we'll discount your property tax for the cubby you have upstairs where you spend 10-12 hours a day on the phone and email so you make some commission to pay your taxes!'
I am not in charge of anything but my, uhhh, can't think of anything, never mind. Since the Supremes said I can now write a check for $50jillion or so to my favorite candidate maybe I can buy some influence in Congress. Oh WAIT I do not have $50 jillion! Shit what do I do now? Write.
The Republicans are correct in one respect. The Federal government is too big. The Dem's are right about one thing also. The Fed's have to regulate what crosses state lines. Everything does these days. The regulatory process is antiquated, managed by incompetent princes grasping desperately to eroding fiefdoms. That is no reason to get cranky, it just means it is time to go. What the Republicans don't get is the de-centralization of government will lead to further polarization of the parties and politics. Not all states can afford to pump money into their local economies by giving away the store to those who will move their business. Republicans say jobs are in small business--no one at any governmental level cuts them a break. This uneven distribution of dollars is apparent in any school district (particularly ones supported by property taxes like they are in my state) when less is spent per student in one part of the district than another. How about variations in one state to another of student teacher ratios ; 15 to 1 teacher ratio in one and in another it is 32 to 1. Who has the advantage? For the US to compete on the global stage this antiquated notion that what is done best is done at the local level is nonsense in the face of enormous concentrations of money in locations away from these local jurisdictions.
Now I am no populist, but the oligarchs are in control, and the right sleeps in their pocket next to their. . . well never mind. What is missing is an understanding on both sides there has to be some kind of balance. You can sing whatever songs you want about what we are doing well, but the bottom line people is, it is not enough. Until the both parties recognize the governments role, and I will talk about that again later, the US will continue killing its middle class, decline in too many indexes to count against foreign competition, and this is a concoction for catastrophe.
The Founding Fathers were brilliant, and to be admired and revered for whatever life the "Republic" has. The thing they could not envision was the concentration of power through money corrupting their vision. In addition they could not foresee the power of global communications. (Maybe Ben Franklin did.) Rupert Murdoch does and so does that nut bag in North Korea, damn it I am digressing again.
Ok, I have vented enough. Please note this is the first directly political post I have written. There will be more. I just don't care anymore who I piss off. Right thinking has to start somewhere.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
