TAP: Web Feature: With Interest. by Michael Tomasky. June 25, 2003. Hmmm, this article reminds me of the post I made earlier today. Good ideas about how Dems should present the argument against the tax cut.

Libertarians have some good points, but it seems like the ones I meet lately think that they shouldn't have to pay any taxes and that poor people are every one of them lazy. They think that even a Republican government is "too big." I think they are every bit as idealistic as the Green Party, just the other way!

Here's a question: are there any existing Libertarian countries in the world? And if so, how's that working out for them?

One can't ignore the fact that a lot of people in this country are living check to check, barely getting by, and basically one shred away from total lawlessness. If you cut back on government, it just puts the rich in charge and makes the poor liable to riot, steal, to do whatever they can to get by.

On one hand I DO feel very compassionate toward people who are having hard times, single mothers, uneducated people, people who are growing up with role models like Snoop Dogg and Eminem. I don't think we should give these people a complete free ride, but I don't think we should say, too fucking bad, you were born into the wrong family.

And on another level, I know LOGICALLY that a person who is able to get a decent job, make a real wage and feed their kid is a person less likely to shoot somebody (me) in a petty robbery. A person who has the help to actually graduate from high school is more likely to become the kind of neighbor/voter/worker I want beside me. So that is partly selfish, right?

I don't want a country run by Microsoft and McDonald's and Disney, I want one where there are protections for small, local businesses too, and one that is run by a government that we the people put together. I am willing to pay part of my income to ensure that America is, not an EVEN society, but a more pleasant one overall. If that's a third of my income, so be it, as long as everyone else is having to pull their share and everyone else reaps benefits from it.

I don't sit there at the end of the day and say, well, I don't have kids in school -- why should I have to support the school systems? Well, because I have kids on my block, and neighbors and friends with kids, and I don't want those kids to grow up completely directionless and moronic.

It's ironic to me that some of the very same people who talk about how GREAT and how FREE this country is are so stingy when it comes to helping their fellow Americans ... with time, with money, with whatever!

OK, OK, the White Stripes = pretty damn good. Impressive that only two people could put on such a rockin' show. They're still no They Might Be Giants.

Going to see the White Stripes tonight. I know about five of their songs. They're pretty good, but they are not the Kings of Rock that they're made out to be. (I may change my mind on that after I see them) Wow, I just noticed it is raining and sunshiny right now, so gotta go look for a rainbow. Byee.

Which flock do you follow?

this quiz was made by alanna Apparently I'm a Hippy Sheep. I guess there are worse sheep to be.

Do you lean Republican or Democrat? - Quizilla I made a quiz! Ha, ha. Not very scientific. I tried not to make it completely biased, but you know me.

C and I saw Bladerunner this weekend. Both of us were surprised that we'd never seen it before, and both of us were impressed by it overall. The ending kind of lost me -- due in part to the fact that Rutger Hauer kept reminding me of Billy Idol -- and the rooftop chase scene seemed a bit much. Why was it that Harrison Ford was such a badass Bladerunner when it came to blowing away female Replicants, but he was a complete wimp when confronted with the guys?

Also, it seemed like the Replicants were looking to extend their four-year lifespans, and then the scientist just basically said, "Nope, can't be done" and they took that news pretty well -- apart from killing the scientist, that is. I would think they would either go on a killing spree, upset that they are limited and enslaved by humans, OR, would have done everything possible to find some scientific solution. I mean, they came all that way for nothing.

Salon.com News | What the Bush tax cut could have bought ?That $330 billion could have covered every uninsured child in the country and paid for millions of teachers and child-care workers. Instead it's going to the richest Americans."

Argh.

I think this is a GREAT idea.Greens Consider Standing Behind Democrats in '04 (washingtonpost.com) I was just thinking yesterday that the Greens could tip the scales in the Democrats' favor, if they would realize that it would make an enormous difference to their agenda to have a Democrat in office, rather than the current admin.

Every time I take an objective political interest survey, I turn up more aligned with Greens than Dems, but nevertheless I live in the real world. A Green will not be elected President in this century, and I am content with casting my vote with the more socially and environmentally responsible party.

I heard a lot of talk in the 2000 election to the tune of "Democrats and Republicans -- there's no difference." Given the events of the past three years, I bet a lot of people are re-thinking those comments. You can't tell me that if Gore were in office right now, EVERYTHING would be JUST the same as it is right now. Bush has done so much to set back environmental law that it astounds me.

I'm going to compile a list of things I learned from my mother. I think it would be a great way to appreciate her, and also, it's a super way to have a head start if I ever have a kid myself. I'll have a reference.

It would include:
1) how to make hospital corners on a bed
2) that there's good reason to sort laundry into lights and darks
3) the names of dozens of plants and shrubs
4) naps are key
5) it's important to smile a lot, and sometimes smiling makes you feel happier than you did a minute ago.
The list goes on and on...

The Geek Test says that I am 21.69625% and therefore in the category of Geek. Not Major Geek, Extreme Geek or Geek God. But still a pretty decent showing.

Everyone lists on their blogs what music they are listening to, so I guess I will go with the flow... today it's "World of Morrissey" and also a little NPR. Heard a program earlier today with the author of "Fast Food Nation." He's got a new book out called "Reefer Madness" about sex, drugs and migrant workers. Interesting.

The Secret Garden Have you ever wondered what an x-ray of a flower would look like? Uh, probably not. But now you can find out anyway! Really beautiful.

This weekend in Atlanta was fun. I'm too busy at work right now to keep up with my blog. Maybe I'll get re-inspired but who knows?
Today I'm listening to Echobelly, "Lustra." I can't believe this album's been in my own house for over three years (Charlie had it) and I've never heard it. It's right up my alley.

CNN.com - Fleischer resigning White House post - May. 19, 2003 I can't stand Fleischer and his arrogance. Not to mention the lies and half-truths he stands there with a straight face and spouts. I say, good riddance. We'll see if McClellan is any worse.

Limaxaphobia: Fear of slugs. Anyone who's been around me when I've spotted one of these creatures knows that it is no joke. I am not myself. I squeak, I shriek, I flee -- and if I've been unlucky enough to come into any contact with the thing, I shed clothing as I bolt into the house.

Don't bother handing me the lame argument that they can't hurt me. Of course I know they can't hurt me. Other people are afraid of roaches, which are equally as harmless. That's why they call it a "phobia" and not a "rational personal preference."

Download PDF (142 K) Subject: Republicans' budget ideas and how they have historically raided Social Security. Interesting reading, y'all.

Slap The Donkey! (Democratic Action) Y'all, check out my shop. I made a T-shirt, yay!

Have You Accepted Jesus Yet? This page is funny for several reasons. Now I ain't laughing at Jesus, but certain of his followers are crazy. The thing that caught my eye first on this web site is the typo. It should read, "Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?" You would use "hath" to refer to the second person, as in, "He hath" or "Imelda hath," and it's wrong here. Secondly, if he had something to say to you, Jesus probably wouldn't address you in King James English. He didn't speak it and neither do you, so it makes no sense at all.

The link featured on this page doesn't work but the banner ad at the bottom sure does, and you won't believe these action figures.

In the world of X-Men, I am Beast! Well, that's according to this particular quiz...