Bailout

If you have chosen to live within your means, you’ll soon be punished for your practical spending habits. The House just passed the “bailout bill,” which ostensibly will save the country from an apocryphal financial crisis. The actual purpose of massive homeower bailouts, though, is to further socialize the U.S.

There appears to be no point in living reasonably and within one’s means. Sky-high taxes have choked the incentive, and now the government is actually implementing a punishment for those who practice personal economic restraint. Why should anyone save for a down payment when banks hand out loans with zero-down? Why purchase a house you can afford when banks don’t verify income? And now: Why make timely mortgage payments when the government will happily pay that loan for you?

If you will go to work tomorrow and drink your home-brewed Folgers in your well-worn car, save your overtime pay, and watch tv on your decade-old televison, the American government has something to say to you: You are a fool.

This is America, and the government only rewards $4 Starbucks, financed-all-to-hell gigantic trucks, maxed-out credit cards, and 70″ plasmas.

If you are sick of feeling like a fool, visit Petitiononline.com/bailout.

From Mandewilkes.com

Did John Edwards Refer Osama to His Hair Stylist?

The Democrats would have an unmatched spokesman, if only they would recognize their solidarity with Osama bin Laden. Like a dripping faucet bin Laden spouted all the liberal talking points, flagellating America for capitalism, berating corporations, and demanding an end to the Iraq war. He even blamed the U.S. for so-called global warming!

At least Osama admits that he is an enemy of this country.

From Mandewilkes.com

Upsetting the Apple Cart

I’ve known for a while that Apple-enthusiasts are an odd sort. Users are cult-like in their pursuit of all things Mac, and there’s a definite sentiment that “once you go Mac, you never go back.” Weird as these Macsters are presumed to be, I had no idea that they’re oblivious to supply-and-demand reality.

Macsters who 3 months ago happily paid for the coveted iPhone are now in hysterics about the recently reduced price. They’re in such a tizzy, in fact, that Apple has offered a $100 credit to anyone who paid the original price. From customers’ anger to Apple’s rebate, I’m confused by this entire situation. Every product on earth, it seems, cost more when it is released than it does at any other time. This effect is especially pronounced for techie merchandise. Gadgets are by their nature ephemeral and subject to becoming almost immediately obsolete. The iPhone is of course far from being out-of-style, but it certainly doesn’t hold the same appeal as it did when it was released. Naturally, then, the price should decrease in accordance with demand.

Evidently, Macsters believe that their loyalty exempts them from this basic principle of business. And shockingly, they are apparently correct.

From Mandewilkes.com

Ron Paul 2008

In a drastic departure from my aversion to hands-on politics, I actually like one of the presidential candidates. It’s official: I endorse Ron Paul.

He kicked major Republican rear on last night’s debate, winning 33% of the vote. In a debate split eight ways that’s a mighty strong lead, especially considering that he got twice the votes than did the runner-up. Most impressively, last week’s polls showed him with only 3% support among Republicans. Apparently he simply was not on the national radar, and now, after brilliantly showcasing his Libertarian aspirations, he is!

Paul is old-school Republican, eschewing neo-con “values” in favor of hallmark live-and-let-live conservativism. Following are highlights of his platform: I respect his vow to shut down the CIA and the Department of Education. It’s remarkable that in the era of No Child Left Behind and whiny teachers, Paul supports home-schooling as the ultimate mark of American freedom. Other candidates plan to implement regulations that would effectively choke home-schooling, while Paul will give tax credits to parents who educate their own kids.

Best of all, he will eliminate the IRS! ‘Nuff said.

From Mandewilkes.com

Love Ron, But I Gotta Hand it to Fred...

I love that you can’t put Fred Thompson in a box. He defies categorization, and that’s a welcome change from the cookie-cutter politicians we’re used to. Though Ron Paul emerged as last night’s debate winner, I wonder if the real winner may have been Thompson. The first question of the debate centered on his absence, and the candidates mentioned him several times during the evening. It was his absence which set him apart and made him memorable beyond what he would have been had he been predictable and shown up. Adding to the intrigue of his absence was a 30-second ad during the debate. The ad set off his absence, framing it as thought-out and establishing him as a dynamic, provocative president-in-the-making.

From Mandewilkes.com

Doggone It!

With the implementation of its newest law, Texas has firmly cemented its reputation for tough-as-nails justice. As of September 1 the “Attack by Dog” statute went into effect, mandating a prison sentence of at least 2 years and up to 20 years for any Texan whose dog seriously harms or kills someone. This law is the final proof that America is disillusioned about what it means to own a dog.

Americans carry on a perplexing love affair with their dogs. The animals are viewed as so much more than what they are - cute and cuddly and comforting; instead, they are considered family members. Just yesterday, in fact, my dentist balked at the mention of grandkids, noting that Rover and Spot are the only grandkids he’ll ever need. I even have a friend who put on a $600 birthday bash for her pooch! Alarmingly, that party was probably low-key in comparison to the fetes available on the dozens of websites dedicated to dog celebrations. I had never heard of a “pup party planner” until my google search, but apparently it has emerged as a lucrative position. And don’t forget those dog emporiums like PetSmart, and wherever it is that people buy those jeweled collars and tailored “clothes” - all for Fido!

This canine fetish is exactly the mentality which led to the passing of the Texas law. As much as people want to believe otherwise, dogs are not household members. Their actions can’t be predicted and controlled and accounted for the way a person’s can. And no matter how many “behavior modification therapy sessions” or “finishing school” classes your dog attends, you can never trust them. (By the way, there really are such services available to your dog.)

The Texas legislature appears to suggest that with appropriate human responsibility, dogs can be fully integrated into society as safe and predictable members of our communities. Ridiculous!

From Mandewilkes.com