How the Democrats Will Govern

Will the Democrats -- the President-elect and the House and Senate -- be liberal Ted Kennedy Democrats, or moderate Bill Clinton Democrats? That, it seems to me, is the main question.

I was no fan of Bill Clinton, but I was no great detractor of his, either; I think he was a smart guy and a pretty good President, especially when his private appetites didn't interfere with his public policy. He got welfare reform through, he was good on trade, and in general was pretty good as far as his domestic policy went. (In post-9/11 retrospect, we see the flaws in his foreign policy, but we see the same with regard to the pre-9/11 George W. Bush; both parties were no great shakes as to foreign policy in the immediately pre-9/11 era.) If the Obama Administration implements Clintonesque policies, I wouldn't be that worried. If it implements Ted-Kennedy-like policies, I would be worried.

Here's why I think the Clinton option is more likely: 1994, or to be precise the Democrats' awareness of 1994. Remember that in 1992, the Democratic Presidential candidate beat the Republican by 5.5%. (I realize Perot was something of a confounding factor, but it was clear this was a solid victory for the Democrats.) After the election, the Senate was 56-44 (without the shift in the Democrats' favor, but that shift had happened just a few years before). The House was 258-176 (with a slight shift against the Democrats, I realize), and a raw percentage of 49.9% to 44.8%. The Democrats were solidly in control, more or less to the same extent they are now. And then two years later, despite a good economy and no foreign policy problems, they lost both houses.

The Democrats, if they're politically savvy -- and I'm pretty sure they are -- realize that this could happen again in 2010. And this is especially so because of the extraordinarily high turnout this election: In 2010, many of the new voters from 2008 won't vote; it will be a midterm election, the charismatic Obama won't be on the ballot, and we'll be back to normal politics.

My sense is that the Democrats will govern with an eye towards that. Obviously, this gives an extra incentive to do things that are seen as helping the country as a whole, both in domestic and foreign policy. Nothing succeeds like success. If their policies are seen by the country as working, and as compatible with the values of the center as well as of the left, the Democrats will win in 2010 -- and they'll deserve to win.

But the prospect of the 2010 election, in front of a very different-looking electorate than the one that voted in 2008, also gives Democrats an incentive to be relatively moderate, and to avoid both risky gambles and political programs that are seen as benefiting the Democratic base (either materially or symbolically) at the expense of the center.

Worldly Advice

Why do you think a girl would get a lower back tattoo that she will never see? It’s so you have something to look out while you’re doing her doggy style. She wants you to be visually entertained during sex; how thoughtful is that?!

The debate over homosexuality

I ran across this sentence in another blog that I sometimes view and I wanted to comment on it.

Homosexuality is an enduring status or quality; attacking "homosexuality" is indistinguishable from attacking homosexuals, just as attacking "being black" is indistinguishable from attacking black people.

Although I don't think homosexuality is an immoral sin and don't care what sexual perferences you may entertain, this phrase is one of those oft-repeated saying that means nothing. There are a lot of qualities that are enduring which people find immoral. To name one, pedophilia (no, I am not comparing homosexuals and pedophiles). But it does seem to be an enduring status or quality. It's hard to "cure" these sickos just as it's hard to convert a homosexual to a heterosexual. So what if a quality is enduring if that quality is immoral?

The difference, of course, is that some believe that homosexuality is amoral (as do I) and pedophila is immoral (as do I). It doesn't make any difference that each quality is enduring and resistant to change or remedy.

Let's not kid ourselves that the opprobrium assigned to homosexuality can be dissolved with hollow slogans like "Homosexuality is enduring, it's just like race!" to convince the public that homosexuals are not gross or immoral sinners, one must address the underlying morality of the act.

Problem with Social engineering

I was thinking about the Family Medical Leave Act the other day. Although I imagine many people might have problems with me questioning the great social policy that it is, I'll just throw out there an example of the abuse that it brings. What occurs is that employees only have so many sick days (let's say 12 in a year). Once those 12 are used up they can only take unpaid "Family and Medical Leave." To use this properly, an employee must either be significantly ill or a family member significantly ill that they need at the minimum 3 days off. What ends up happening is that they either out right say to their employer they need 3 days off or lie and profess sickness for 3 days even though they want 1 or 2 days off for whatever reason. Happens all the time in government and I imagine in the private sector as well. Liberal politicians are always abused and people will always find a way around the barriers set up to prevent abuse.

I hate Hollywood

Sorry for not posting in awhile, but that's life. Anyhow, here is something that pissed me off recently: "Ten percent of the [New 9/11] movie's first three days of grosses will go to the Flight 93 memorial." Why not 10% for the run of the film? Come on how cheap is Hollywood anyhow? Three days is nothing when this film will benefit for months from the deaths of 9/11 victims and their families. Really irks me.

Here is a thought

You know how people love to stick supposedly inspirational quotes in their signature, from inspirational-like people, usually some dead musician or marginally talented writer like Maya Angelou or whoever? Well, here's my new idea: every day, have a different quote in your signature line from a different dictator in history. Start with King Herod, then work your way forward through history and see if you can get all the way to Saddam Hussein before getting a talking-to from friends and/or co-workers.

Random Thoughts

I just saw a bunch of the Victoria Secret models on TV. I believe they were making a proposition to me. Every time one of them raises an eyebrow, that's code for "I want to make love to you in the manner of wild beasts; meet me in on the corner of 14th and P."

The girls say a lot.

G-d damn you, Victoria Secret models! I'm only flesh and blood ... *sob*

Anyone else have this thought?

After CA finally killed Tookie did you think hey which murderous asshole will Hollywood try to save now?

Its just a thought but I expect them to move quickly to some other pointless cause that regular Americans find distasteful and useless like saving pigs in Africa or some crap like that.

Does New Jersey Suck?

Lets be perfectly honest with ourselves. New Jersey is a great state to make fun of for a number of reasons. One that comes to the top of my head is the attempt by any New Jersey citizen to defend their native state. Its just sad to watch them try to list great men, places, or anything worth wild about the state.

You might ask how do I know that New Jersey sucks? Gosh, I didn't know people needed that one explained to them. I guess 2 + 2 is a bit hard for you. Ok, I was merely going to submit a three year old article on why New Jersey sucks, but I decided to do some "objective" research to see if the state really does blow. I conducted two independent web search trials over a two-day time span (anymore waste of time on New Jersey would have made me crazy). My search effort included both positive and negative sites, articles, or images of New Jersey. What I discovered is that alot of people hate New Jersey. Here are just some of the examples of whatt I gleaned from the Internet:

NIJIT Sucks
New Jersey Sucks Website
Blog post about why they hate New Jersey
Why one should fear New Jersey blog
Jersey Sucks Website
"Why I Hate New Jersey" feature comedy

There were more, but I thought it best to highlight for time purposes the best of the best if you will. All had wonderful things to offer in terms of New Jersey bashing. One blog's comment board had this to say: "if u look at a map of the united states, it kinda looks like new york is pooping out new jersey. new jersey is new york's shit!!" Now that made me laugh.

Now one site in particular had some very good reasons for disliking New Jersey, but before I get to that I must cover the other half of my reasearch. There aren't many who "love" New Jersey. Only one website expressly stated "I love New Jersey" and it offered nothing but a message that they will be putting stuff up soon. Damn, I can't wait!!!

There were other sites, but even while trying to defend New Jersey, they made the state look even worse. For example, when a state has to sponsor a tour titled, "A State That Doesn't Hate" it has major problems. Or when some guy has to create "New Jersey Doesn't Suck!" t-shirts ... well, thats just sad. Name me another state that would do that. I could see New York's new campaign. Instead of "I love New York" it would be "I don't hate New York." When a state starts on the defensive its lost the battle, war, and all its people should be subjected to commie rule.

Hold on!!! I have more. When someone put a 24 Hour Internet Cafe SECOND on a list of the "Top 10 Cool Places in Jersey" the state has issues. Better still, is it good to say: "Appreciate NJ! We're the one and only state where you will find a bowling alley and Diner in almost every town you visit!" How delightfully White Trash!

I could go on, but I want to top off this diatribe with a word or two about Al Mink's "A List of Reasons Why New Jersey Sucks." Although biased in his opinion, Mr. Mink is a native of the state. As he said: "I was born in New Jersey. I lived 30 years of my life in New Jersey. But 2½ years ago, I jumped at the chance and fled that hellhole, even trampling a few auto insurance companies on the way out! After escaping to the beautiful scenery and quiet sanity of Central Pennsylvania, I realized even more just how bad New Jersey sucks. Now that I have left that damned dystopia, I'm NEVER EVER going back!"

First of all, I don't know what is true or not in this list, but from just some of the "fact checking" I did, it looks good. So like the custom agents who check 1% of the containers coming into the United States and assume the other 99% are clean, let us do the same. I will not bore you with all the facts mentioned by Mr. Mink, but I do want to highlight a few of them. New Jersey has the highest auto insurance rates in the nation. New Jersey has the highest property and cigarette tax in the nation. In addition to the the second highest statewide housing costs (73% above the national average), third highest business costs, fourth highest health insurance costs, and the fifth highest tax-supported debt in the nation. New Jersey collects income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, sin taxes, casino taxes, tourism taxes, and highway tolls. All of this combined to place New Jersey's cost of living 32% above the national average.

I could go on, but I feel my case has been made. New Jersey does suck. Lets hope the people that live there don't find out. Well, they probably do know, but are just too dumb to do anything about it. As my final send off I would like to make note that "Atlantic City will always be a cut-rate resort compared to Las Vegas" (FYI: I use to live in Las Vegas).

Marc Anthony -- He's a giver

Asked to draw a caricature of himself for display at W Hotels and then later auctioned off for charity, Marc Anthony decides to give them something more. The busy but ever thoughtful Mr. Anthony wrote: "FUCK YOU" instead of drawing the picture. I tell you I can't understand why people would have a reason to hate Hollywood/Music/Sports celebs., can you?

It works both ways guys

If the lady is willing to go down on you and all you have to do is reciprocate, then your an idiot if you don't take her up on the offer. Ladies I am with you 100% in needing oral. If done right, its good times. Read what this poor woman had to go through:

"My fiancé does not like to give oral sex, but he loves to receive it. He gets it almost every night, but I have to beg to get it. He says it makes him sick, even though I am very clean. We are getting married in eight days, and I am seriously considering calling off the marriage because of this. What can I do to help him like it more?"

Now I feel for her. Its got to be tough to be the one giving and not receiving, but she got some good advice. Food products work in a relationship. They spice the sex life up cause after awhile even the hottest partner gets old (I have found the better looking they are the worse they are in bed). At any rate, start off with some whip cream on yourselves ladies (anything that is in liquid form will run into your ass). If your wanting to use it on a guy I say go with some honey or chocolate sauce (It will stick better to the penis). The number one thing to remember is your partner is just as shy as you (unless your dating me then your probably the shy one), so go slow and experiment with things. Learn from one another and know neither one of you is "sick" for wanting to be spanked or having alittle dirty talk.

Support Lesbianism: now this one is for you Mike

Supporting a cause means you have to make compromises. In this case, girl on girl sex requires one to accept ugly girls in the war to end lesbian discrimination.

But, if push did come to shove I would pick the pretty lesbian over the ugly one. Thats right liberals I discrimate (ironic but true) against ugly women. You can be black, asian, white, or whatever, however, if your ugly then get in the back of the line or bus.

With that said, I will get behind an ugly lesbian. They deserve our full support. Lesbian discrimination could end their way of life. So, please guys and nonlesbian ladies (the few that our out there) give what you can to ensure that lesbiansim is around when we all our long gone.

Running of the Bulls

I believe that there are two things I will not do while I am on this earth. 1) Have gay sex and 2) Run with bulls. I personally have no sympathy for those who decide its a good idea to travel to Spain and get maimed by a 800 lb. beast.

A short rant on drunk girls

Nobody likes that drunk girl at a party who has 3 beers and then acts like she just polished off a fifth of Jack. You know who you are.

Student Loan Programs. Middle class welfare?

I would like to start a discussion on federal government spending. What programs do the federal government pursue that could best be left to the private sector?

Let's start with federal student loan programs. Those are subsidies that go to students who will earn higher-than-average incomes during their lifetimes. People whom support student loan programs argue that college is a public good like national defense. The argument is that if workers are more educated, then the nation's economic growth will be greater.

Although that may be true, people with college educations will earn on average 75 percent more during their lifetimes than will those with just a high school degree; that should provide a direct incentive for people to pay their own college investment, government loan programs are not needed to ensure that a sufficient number of students attend college.