As we near the end of this struggle between individuals who hope to be the next leader of the United States of America, I find myself feeling a bit at a lose. I guess it’s because of all the entertainment that all the hopefuls have supplied me for the last year or so. I haven’t cast my vote yet but I do plan to do so today. I know as I go into that booth I will be letting go of a piece of history that will mostly like never be reviled in the remaining days of my life. I must say that this round has been a lot more civil than the prior presidential races that have mostly consisted of vigorous mud slinging and out right cut throat practices. It seems that with the current state of affairs the politicians have finally figured out that the American people don’t really care about all the dastardly deeds or accused deeds that and individual has done. We are more concerned with what the individual has to offer us within the boundaries of leadership criteria. That is what is most important. The old ideas that have lead this country to the recent calamities in the economic arena as well as failed foreign policies, demanded that we reformed or old out-dated mindsets about what should be done in order to foster in true national advancement and growth. This has clearly been reflected in each candidates campaign approach. This has helped the nation see more of what each individual represents.
To clear the air, by no means am I saying that there hasn’t been some “dirty pool”, because that too is the nature of the political chess game. In a further assessment though, it is easy to see that this has been the most civil of all races in comparison to previous elections. The political pawn pieces that come in the form of discrediting a potential leader is critically important in order to stir up the individuals personal opinions about their choice of who to vote for. It tends to raise interest in the voter to evaluate their choice more vigorously and delve a bit deeper into making an intelligent selection through research and questioning that otherwise would not occur if not for this process. In the end, it makes for a better nomination (we had a re-occurring brain fart in 2004).
I believe that the new approach that has happen this time around will be a format that will continue, especially with the Internets vast resources of information. The new generation will be better equipped to choose who is the better leader. We will still have some remnants of old ideology but as with everything counter-productive and obsolete, it too will die out. With this in mind, I am optimistic about the future of our country. Make sure you go vote and do so intelligently.
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The current state of economic conditions are staggering. To think that all this stemmed from an over emphasized push towards real estate investment and home ownership promoted by government and financial institutions alone is ludacris. I must admit that the financial institutions involvment in pushing the envelope for home ownership in order to fatten their coffers from leveraged “Creative Investment Schemes” backed by those new home loans did cause a large amount of the current recessional woahs. This and other monetary investment enshrouded in the darkness of mortgage debt was reminiscent of the casino schemes in Las Vegas, but these bandits aren’t the only factors, nor are they the main factors. (Pardon my run-on sentences)
The key factors that allowed this capital decline is none other than our own U.S. government. Now I’m not into so-called “Big Government” nor am I into the right wing rhetoric. I am into the government taking care of their citizens, and if that means non-regulated economics to stimulate capital investment for job creation, so be it. If it means government regulations are necessary to keep corporate giants and financial institutions from running rampant in the streets (Wall Street to be exact) with hard working peoples money, then I support that. Either way you summarize it, government is involved. The act of not doing anything in itself, is an action. Obviously our political leaders don’t understand this.
For the last 8 years we have had the “No Big Government” mentality in the forefront of our leadership. As a result, the corporations have taken full advantage of not being watched and cheated the American people by using underhanded “Ponzi” schemes cloaked under the name of “Collateralized debt obligations“, with the victims being the American public. The very fact that this was allowed to happen shows how The White House feels about its citizens. “As long is it doesn’t immediately effect me…”, is the mentality of our current leadership and it has been. During this economic downturn, there are people losing millions of dollars, versus people losing their homes, jobs, and a decent life. Not anything fancy, just a life that permits them to make it day to day. Which is more critical? The millionare who loses a couple of million or the family that loses their home and are out on the street? This should be the key factor that our next U.S. leader needs to address, there after, everything else will fall into place.
McCain & Obama
To say that tonight’s debate was a wrap in reference overall, is an understatement. The poise and almost eerie coolness of Senator Barack Obama showed why this man has garnered more political attention than anyone since John F. Kennedy. His ability to keep a cool head during the various attacks and negativity from a seemingly frustrated Senator John McCain showed a level of adroitness the is the precursor to any potentially great leader. McCain constantly made reference to his experience as a political reformer while playing on the limited experience of Obama as a Washington politician. The fact of the matter is that “Washington Politics” is what has reduced this country to the current state we are in.
Senator Barack Obama focused on the issues and the plans he had in mind for getting the country back in order. The health plan that Barack Obama proposes would hold large businesses accountable for the health and well being of their own employees, and in turn, the American people. It would impose a penalty on large businesses that don’t cover workers. In addition to his health plan, Barack Obama also spoke on anti-oil energy solutions as an economic development tool. This plan, in detail, incorporates the idea of building factories that produce environmental-friendly automobiles in America, opposed to importing these same automobiles from foreign countries. This concept has 3 key points to it. It will help the environment and global warming, it will produces millions of jobs, and it will curb some of our dependency on foreign oil.
John McCain’s health care plan would give $5,000 to Americans to go out and purchase their own insurance, in which ever state they choose. Also his energy plan is to drill for more oil offshore versus importing foreign oil. This doesn’t really give us much detailed information on how that’s going to help us economically or how it’s going to help with the pertinent issue of global warming. He further claims that he will cut taxes, a typical republican mantra, and decrease the size of “Big Government”. The government is what brought us to the current situation. A McCain supported George Bush Government to be specific. Less of the same?
To sum it all up, if I had to choose a candidate right now based on the 3 presidental debates, I would have to swing towards Obama. The last debate was horrible and consisted of typical politician finger pointing and accusational rhetoric, with little or no commentary in detail as to how either presidental hopeful would adddress the current state of the union. Barack Obama deliveried for me tonight. As once put by a popular video game I love, still to this day, “Barack Obama, WINS. Fatality”….1
The Menil Collection
For those of you on a budget and looking for ‘recession-friendly’ entertainment, the Menil Collection is a great option. The operative word here, is FREE. Very nice!!! Even if you don’t know that much about art, the Menil has a very serene, peaceful environment. If you’ve been stressed out from work, school, kids or just life, the Menil Collection can be a good place to enjoy the silence and clear your head. (is that possible?) My husband and I went on Saturday for the first time. I’m fortunate enough to have a husband that likes doing that stuff. But if your spouse isn’t into cultural activities, go by yourself. Like I said, the atmosphere is very quiet, so you really don’t talk to anyone anyway (Sometimes, life is alot better that way).
Metal Pendulum @ The Menil Collection
The Menil’s, Jean and Dominique opened the Menil Collection in 1987 and holds their private collection of 20th Century Art. Dominique was an heiress to oil- drilling giant, Schlumberger and her husband, Jean (aka John) was an executive of the company. The Menil Collection holds about 15,000 paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures and books, including pieces from the Paleolithic Era. The Menil Collection also includes the Cy Twombly Gallery (An American artist known for large scribbled graffiti and calligraphic styled paintings in shades of gray and off white tones), the Richmond Hall, as well as the Byzantine Fresco Chapel ( holds pieces of architecture from Byzantine Church in the 13th Century) and the Rothko Chapel, which is an interfaith chapel that has holy books from all religious faiths for which you can read on your visit.
If I sound like I don’t know what I’m talking about. I don’t! Art History is not my forte, to say the least. I do enjoy and appreciate what little I do know about it. So, if your an art buff or just looking for some cool stuff to look at, go see the Menil Collection. The Menil has something for everyone’s taste, it’s quite peaceful and the price is right.
The Menil Collection Operating Hours