Take away the freedom to vote.

“So you’re voting for McCain because he’s a Republican? And because you are a Christian conservative you believe that you should vote for him?”

“Well kind of, except isn’t McCain a Mormon?”

 

I’d guess that 60-80% of the people who will vote in the 2008 presidential elections know less about politics than their local sports team. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I enjoy politics for the hypocrisy and ability for geniuses to truly convince people that they have the power to do something absurd.

However, I think there should be a standardized test to allow people to vote. It needs to test the knowledge of candidates as well as the current events of America. Why wouldn’t this happen? The Republicans would win every election if this were so, which is exactly what we don’t need right now. The Republicans are smart beyond genius. Granted, they’re sleazy, they know how to win elections far better than any Democrat in the past several years. They’d easily figure out a way to mass train their blind following to pass a standardized test. If they can get Mr. Bush reelected, they can definitely pull off some miracles.

Second topic: The actual presidential nomination process. Another standardized test, this one dealing with foreign and domestic knowledge as well as leadership. For one thing every candidate should be smart. Rhodes Scholar or somewhere close to that smart. They shouldn’t get Sunni and Shiite mixed up. There should be no confusion in their head over any foreign affairs. They also should be required to speak more than one language. If they have a history of running businesses into the ground, count them out.

I respect Bush. As hard as that is to say. I think he is probably a nice, genuine guy. He does look kind of cuddly as he mumbles and stutters through speeches that are supposed to strike fear into other parts of the world. (Parts of the world like hunger-ridden Ethiopia. Not saying we’re classy, just saying we strike fear where fear needs striking) Unfortunately, as for a leader? 80% of the country would agree that he is garbage. I’d imagine 95% of the world would be in that same boat. And that, I feel like for the success of America, is the key. The global perspective of this country. I feel like other countries should have a say on who the president will be. Maybe not in every election, but just in this one coming up. We need to open up our ears and figure out how to get people back on our side. There is nothing in this country’s issues that are more important than foreign affairs. This isn’t the early 19th century. These days people in Sumgait, Azerbaijan know exactly who the leader of this country is and probably know more than Jim Smith from eastern Oregon.

 This brings me to my final topic: China. People in America have ranted for years about those “reds” being too communistic for their liking. “They’re going to take over the world,” says 90% of the baby boomer generation. Yet, now that same commy-China is rising as an economic powerhouse, stretching out of their closed ways into a more capitalistic society. So what are those same people saying? You betcha: “They’re going to take over the world!” You just can’t win, can you China? Well some people in this country realize your importance. FDR got it.

Fear, it’s what this country runs on.

Christian author that’s not so “Christian-y”

Big fan of an author named Donald Miller. If you are a Christian, hate Christianity, or have questions about the religion, I’d recomend checking one of his books out.

Blue Like Jazz

Through Painted Deserts

Searching for God knows what

Although, I’d read Painted Deserts first, then Jazz.

R. Kelly free to go.

Story.

Here’s the thing Mr. Kelly. We know you did it, but we also can’t see your face in the tape. Disgusting, but I guess you better make use of this second chance. Just stay away from my kids.

On a similar note. “The glove doesn’t fit!” I’m sure this is old news by now, but a friend of mine that’s a med student explained to me that if the body consumes a high amount of sodium that the skin tissue will actually swell. Thus causing an inelastic, leather glove not to fit.

Interesting.

 

How to bring gas prices down?

Question: What’s your advice to the average American who is hurting now, facing the prospect of $4 a gallon gasoline?

President Bush: Wait, what did you just say? You’re predicting $4 a gallon gasoline?… I hadn’t heard that.”

— News conference, Feb. 28, 2008

Here.

Interesting article courtesy of USA Today.

CNBC Portfolio Challenge

Fake money, real stocks, chance to win real money.

Here.

Cost of Shipping

Front page of the WSJ.

Plan on seeing companies move manufacturing back into the United States thanks to high oil prices and shipping costs.

 

One company the WSJ references.

New US Currency System

Lowest valued piece: the $.50

Multiply every value by 10.

5 = $.50

10 = $1

and so on…

My theory behind this is to help stop the amount of wasted money. Of course this will never work, in part because America is set in their current currency standards, and also because taking out currency below .50 makes too much sense. Something like 1,000,000 pennies are thrown away each day. It almost costs more to make the copper coin than the actual value of it.

Having even prices, for example: a hot dog costing $30 (or $3) rather than $2.99 makes carrying cash a lot easier. That’s how China and Korea both operate. Rounding to the nearest $10 (or $1) makes much more sense when speaking of ease in investment.

 

I am aware of the interest and stock concerns when talking about fractions of dollars.

CNN headlines that catch your attention

Debating Guns in National Parks – think about it.

Anderson Cooper’s blog:

What’s for dinner? Porcupine

Secretive Swinger club irks neighbors (Video)

I think CNN is a good news source but the junk that makes it to their front page is ridiculous. As MTV lost music videos, ESPN stopped showing sports, and so I guess CNN will begin its transformation away from meaningful news to… well… I can’t stop watching the swingers.

I need more swingers.

Mexico and Brazil

The key to America getting its feet back underneath them? Working with Mexico and Brazil. I think it should be noted that cooperation with Asian markets is just as important but the two others offer a ton of support in America’s unfolding problems.

First off, they’re the only two economies on the upswing. Is that a joke? Mexico? Somehow, as the WSJ puts it, “They didn’t get the memo that they’re Mexico.” US money should be flowing into the Mexican markets to help fuel the somewhat jumpstart their economy is currently experiencing. Opening jobs will help slow the rate of illegal immigration. After all, people come to America because they can’t find work. This does nothing but weaken our own economy as taxes of all sorts and kinds are being avoided. Now I do realize that in a fairy-tale world this would be a good idea. That somewhere in there one has to consider the Mexican government being somewhat corrupt or the markets taking a turn for the worse as soon as the American hand gets involved. But I’m not sure how much of that is true, I just know that Mr. Bush wants us to think that way. In a few months it will no longer be up to him. Rest easy Marines, you won’t need to brush up on your Spanish just yet.

Brazil. No other country currently has the resources that Brazil has to offer. Just like the 1938 oil discovery in Saudi Arabia, America needs to move in on that. It is our style. Find the country that can supply our large scale manufacturing, and make it happen. America isn’t a goods country anymore, as one would say. Well don’t you think that might be part of the reason things just aren’t going right at the moment. Get those manufacturing wheels turning, open up jobs in the homeland, and bring back the 1950’s!

Although…

 

 

Interesting blog about earmarks…

Here.