Vote, Vote , Vote

I just came back from the library where I cast my vote. The line was not too bad, about 50 people in line ahead of me. It took about 45 minutes to make it through the line and when I left there were about 50 people in line still. I sure did not want to be in line on November 4. I waited over 4 hours to vote in the primary and I really didn't want to do that again. So on the fourth i will be kicking back with my Shinner Bach watching all the people who didn't vote early wait in very long lines. I don't care who you vote for but make sure you make your voice heard.

My trip to DC

I made my first visit to Washington DC last week. I had a conference on Monday and Tuesday so I booked my flight to arrive the Sunday before. My flight arrived at 11:30 and the first function was a reception at 5 o'clock Sunday night. I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton (At $699 a night, no I did not pay for it, I shared a room with one of my doctors). I walked to Georgetown and looked at the store fronts and all of the different restaurants in the area. Then I walked down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Mall. That was a nice walk as well. I saw the war memorials and took lots of pictures. I have some pictures in a slide show from Picasa.

You know you're a redneck.....

I was cleaning off the counter and I have three containers of coins. They have been sitting on the counter for the better part of four years. So I sorted out the coins and made some rolls of nickels, dimes, and pennies. When all was said and done I had 2 dime rolls and 5 nickel rolls and more penny rolls than I care to count. Ashley wanted a pumpkin pie from Bill Millers and Melanie wanted some coleslaw. I grabbed the rolls and told Ashley to head to the car. Only when we were on our way out of the neighborhood did Ashley realize what was going on. "Aw Dad, your not paying with THAT are you?" Why not, it's money isn't it? "But it's not real money. Nobody pays with change!" Not true, I do. "You're going to embarrass me" Well, we pulled up to the drive through and there were several cars in line. I recount my coin rolls that I brought with me, 10 dollars in nickels, 10 dollars in dimes and 7 dollars in quarters. I looked at the menu and placed my order, a whole pumpkin pie, 4 chopped beef sandwiches, 2 ice teas, and 2 orders of fries. I look over at Ashley and she is mortified. "You've got to be kidding me?" Well while we were out may as well get something for dinner. She was really trying to make herself small and disappear. I pulled up to the window and the lady said that will be 20 dollars and 91 cents. Perfect I exclaimed. I handed her the rolls of nickels and dimes along with a dollar bill. I heard the lady ask the manager, "Do we take these?", holding up the rolls of change. At that point Ashley rolled her eyes and avoided eye contact. "Sure do" the manager said. She handed me the food and gave me my change. As we were driving out I said CRAP. "What's wrong?" I should of told her to keep the change!!! "Dad, you're such a redneck!"

To HELL with the people

The American people have just been stung by the scorpion. It is in the nature of the politician to look out for self interests. The people spoke VERY loudly that we did not want this sell out of the American people. This bill is the same bill that congress voted no to before. So what was different.... About 150 billion dollars in ear marks and pork barrel spending on typical Washington bullshit. Congress had this bill for less than 48 hours to read through and dissect and digest. That is 451 pages of lawyer speak crap to sort out. How in the hell can anyone vote on a bill if they have not even read it. What the hell is wrong with these people? Every one should look up to see how their Senator and Congressman voted for this bill and keep that in mind when voting in November. The market spoke on the bill passing today. The DOW was up about 250 points before the vote and ended down 150 for the day. We the people can either roll over and bare our necks in submission or we can send a message to our ELECTED officials in this great country by firing each and every one. Time will tell. I for one will not take this sitting down. I will not vote for anyone who has proven will not vote the will of the people. A spending of this magnitude should go to a vote of the people. Raise your voice. Remind YOUR elected officials who is in charge!

I strongly oppose the sell out of the tax payer. We have been and are being treated like mushrooms. Kept in the dark and feed a load of crap. I have heard of several plans that put less burden on the tax payer and have more protection. This system did not break over night and it will not be fixed over night. Now is not the time to act with haste and then live with regret later. More time needs to be taken to explore all options and make sure that all angles have been taken into account. Make your voice heard. The market will rebound and retirement accounts will grow again but this debt will be hanging over my grandchildren for many years to come. Yes, credit will be harder to obtain because there is less money to lend but then people will not be able to over extend them selves and will be better off in the long run. Well, that is my 2 cents worth.