2010-06-19T15:09:00.002-05:00

So it's been quite a while since I've written anything. I guess I was waiting until I actually had enough to write about. Well, this year has left me no shortage of things to rant about. So, lets start with current issues and work our way backwards.

Most recent: The oil spill.

Like everyone else, I'm tired of hearing about it and just want it to go away. More than being angry that the fact that there is oil in my communities back yard (I live on the gulf coast), I'm angry at the response that the government has given it. Better put, I'm angry at the lack of a response. The President has made it abundantly clear that "The buck stops with him". That's wonderful. I'm glad he at least wants to say he's taking responsibility for something. Problem is, he wants to do the wrong thing. His response was most recently described as a "20 billion dollar shakedown". The truth has never been so clear. BP has agreed to put $20 billion into an escrow account to be used to repay/compensate people whose lively hood has been affected by this spill. I'm glad BP is willing to set aside this money to help people who need it. I'm not happy that the feds feel they have to strong arm BP into handing it over to the government to divvy out. Instead of reserving this money for people who genuinely need it, the feds will pay out to any 'Joe Schmoe' that files a claim. This seems like a repeat of stimulus money handling. One other thing that I see wrong with this. Why is BP being forced to pay workers from other oil companies that have been idled due to the governments moratorium? Sure, it's BP's responsibility to pay for clean-up and restoration of the region. But for the government to tell oil companies they are not allowed to drill, and then make BP pay out to cover those workers wages is insane. If that's the way the game is going to be played, someone tell Obama to put a halt to travel agencies booking vacations. That way I won't have to work, and a third party will still have to pay me as if I were.

Moving on: Health Care

Was this even needed? Looking at all the programs the government has started or taken over in the past should answer this for most people. As this has been covered over and over again, I won't get too deep into it. I am appalled that it has gotten this far. Our government now has the power to tell us that we have to purchase healthcare, and they can tell us which plan is best for us. If you have health insurance and they don't feel it's enough, they can actually force you to upgrade and increase your coverage. Don't think they have the manpower to watch each individual in the country? Think again. 16,500 new IRS agents will be hired with the sole task of making sure each person has coverage and the 'correct' amount of it. If you don't want to purchase or upgrade to the required plan, no worries. You don't have to worry about spending that money on healthcare, the feds will just impose fees on you as punishment. Fees ranging from $1500 to 2.5 percent of your yearly income. Let me guess, you're gonna be a rebel and not pay the fees. Try and "skip town". They've got you covered there too. Those thousands of agent previously mentioned will be able to withhold the fee from your tax returns, or even from your paycheck.

Having gotten some of this off my chest, I'm off to a celebration. My grandfather turns 70 today. I'm going to forget that the government and oil spill even exist. I'm going to sit with family and friends, and experience the two purest things in this world. Love and Laughter. Next time you are with family or friends and you get lost in the moment with them, cherish it. Our government is trying to get into and control every aspect of our lives, don't let them take what is most important: Each other!

Until next time...

/BibbitZ

So It Begins. . .

2008-07-25T10:38:00.004-05:00

Yes, I've been suckered into yet another blogging site. At first I was quite happy with my blogs on Myspace. Then I found LiveJournal. With a focus directly on writing (unlike Myspace) and a few options for layout, I was pretty happy. In the past few weeks, a couple of my friends have shown me their posts on here. . .which leads me to today. So, we'll see how long it takes before I'm signing up for something else.

You'll find that most of my writing is indeed ranting. Now days it's hard not to rant. At least a little. The general population of this country seems to have a collective IQ nearing the temperature of my house. Look around you. Just sit down somewhere, have a nice cup of coffee (or your drink of choice) and watch the stupidity unfold. Sometimes it's just mind boggling. Other times it's quite entertaining. Both of my jobs require me to work with the public. That, coupled with my own seemingly distorted thoughts (commonly referred to as 'sanity'), should leave me no shortage of things to write about.

Please, sit back. Relax a little. And enjoy the rantings of a lucid mind. . .

Rantings From A Lucid Mind. . .

So It Begins. . .