Fighting theTaliban

Why aren't we using our Special Forces to fight the Taliban? Isn't that what they are for? If not, shouldn't it be considering the kind of 'wars' we've been fighting for decades now?

Dropping bombs on homes and towns doesn't cut it. And it's evil.

Sustainable Food - Why can't supermarkets get it local?

So why can't Sysco, Wal-mart and others responsible for these huge industrial farms and the loss of small, local family farms use the technology they developed to supply the entire country with food shipped thousands of miles, now use it to develop a network of small, local, sustainable growers to supply local stores?

Mass transit and the bailout

So I'm reading an article about Seattle's great new streetcar system and the author comments that the cars were made in the Czech Republic and asks why we don't have any manufacturers here in the U.S.. Michael Moore was right. The auto industry bailout and stimulus package should have included requirements and contracts for them to switch some plants over to mass transit projects.

That would be an investment in our infrastructure, not money down the drain.

It doesn't trickle down, it trickles up...

If we can't afford to buy their stuff, our economy collapses. Because we don't produce anything anymore. Our economy is based on the population's ability to buy stuff.

I've been meaning to post that for a while. And that the philosophies Republicans supposedly base their policies on just plain don't work, leave so many people in misery, end in crisis, and cost more in the long run. Bill Clinton brought it up yesterday when talking to reporters after voting.

So, whether or not you believe everyone should take care of themselves and welfare is for freeloaders. That healthcare isn't a right. That the wealthy will create the jobs if only they don't have to pay taxes. That markets should regulate themselves, etc. It's irrelevant, because it costs us all more to run the country this way.

It's actually cheaper to provide assistance and leads to a better lifestyle for us all. I'm tired of there being homeless people all over the city. I'm tired of the poverty, children at risk attending lousy, unsafe schools, dropping out and joining gangs. A healthcare system that doesn't work while costs spiral. We pay so much and get so little. Don't ever go to the emergency room unless you arrive on an ambulance because you won't be treated like you have an emergency. And the bill will bankrupt you.

And we lost jobs after cutting taxes on the top few percent. All it did was create their wealth.

And then there's their so-called pro-military stance. They are pro-having and using a military, sure. But they certainly don't 'support the troops.' They don't pay them, properly arm them, treat them or their families right. And the use of reservists and National Guard is ruinning small towns and businesses all over the country.

So Bill Clinton said something about how people are beginning to see that the basic Republic philosophies just don't work and are voting accordingly. Now I don't think many people actually do see that. Most just wanted change. Any change.

I wanted any change. I would have voted for anyone but a Republican, just like I did in 2004. But I'm glad I could vote for someone I believe is a great man and can be a great president. I still believe that candidates should pursue a path to gain experience before running for president and didn't want to add to the precedent of electing someoe with so little experience. And I'm sorry we didn't get a woman president. But still. Today is a great day.

Micheal Moore caught up in Obama Wave

He sent an email out this morning in which he specifically says he is more interested in the wave than in the candidate. Is that a good basis for voting? This is so disturbing.

Why I'm not for Obama

I don't think he's all style and no substance. In fact, I think he'll likely be a good president. Someday. But I do think the majority of his supporters are putting style before substance. And I find it a little scary that so many people are willing to follow someone just because he's a good showman.

I don't think they realize how little experience he has. He has only been a Senator for 3 years and he has spent half of that running for president. And before that he was only in the Illinois state legislature.

It's my rule of thumb to want any presidential candidate to have completed at least one term as Senator or as a state governor so he or she has either foreign relations and national experience, or executive experience. Ideally, they should have both. Such as a Governor who has also been part of a Presidential administration like Bill Richardson. Or a senator on her second term that has also been part of a presidential administration for two full terms. Hey, Hillary has that.

So called Green movement

So now there are builders in the Houston area promoting ther 'green' projects. But I look at the brochures and apparently green means bamboo floors and energy star appliances. The bare minimum to be able to capitalize on the so-called 'green' trend. The trend that is really just hype, rock concerts, and very few real changes. Much like Earth Day 1990, which felt like things were really going to change, yet the only real result is that a fraction of people began to recycle only because some neighborhoods started offering curbside pickup.

Why don't they just tell people to turn things off? Turn the thermostat up and dress for your climate? Stop buying so much throwaway crap?