Rhetorical Horse Pucky

If I hear one more negative campaign ad I'll SCREAM! How about some ideas as to how we're going to solve national issues, local problems, and global warfare instead of slamming political opponents?

I have a few ideas of my own:

NO MORE TAXES of any kind on anything. Also included in the "no more taxes of any kind on anything" are no more property assessments that far exceed the true value of our homes.

Think about how much money we'd save as well as money we'd have to spend on goods. The auto industry would perk up, the housing market would be revived, retail businesses would see a profit for a change, and I could put money in the bank instead of pay the government for stuff I don't want, need, or use including all this expensive campaigning.

No local taxes:

1. People can pay to send their children to school. Maybe they'd appreciate it if they had to pay for it.  Kids could work part time to help their parents regardless of child's age. It'd get the little rug rats away from the TV and the computer for awhile and get them some much needed exercise.

2. Individual home owners could hire private contractors to plow our roads and highways, creating more jobs instead of using the local towns and state D.O.T. to do it. You know the state D.O.T. Those guys who make $65/hour standing in the middle of the road holding a sign that reads "SLOW". Do I really need to pay state and local taxes so these guys can get paid to hold up a sign telling me I need to go slow when a three lane road is reduced to one lane? Puhleeeeze! At least have the courtesy to entertain me while I'm waiting for my turn to drive forward. Perhaps a little song and dance while holding the sign would be enjoyable.

National issues:

There wouldn't be any issues if we stopped paying taxes. No more politicians to pay. No more rhetorical horse pucky. No one telling me how much I owe the government on April 15th, no one telling me how to live my life, and no big perks for government officials from big business.

Global warfare:

There would be no warfare. I'd host a national "come-on-over" for dinner day once a month. All the nations would be represented... BYOB and a dish to pass. Think of all the great food and drink we'd enjoy. We could have camel rides, pony rides, and a pinata filled with candy for the kids. Maybe even a belly dancer or two for you gentlemen. I need to work out a location. Maybe somewhere in Adirondack State Park.

No more rhetorical horse pucky! Give me some positive, fun ideas.

Little Piggy

Those NFL players who kick around that "little piggy" look like a bunch of wrestlers-gone-bad out there on the field since the substitute refs have replaced the on-strike "zebras". 

I'll admit I don't know a whole lot about the rules and regulations of football, but I think can don a black and white stripe shirt and make better calls than the substitutes calling the games now; especially the game last night between the Seahawks and the Packers.  

As for the players, they're still making their individual millions even if there is a bad call or a lost game, so I don't feel too sorry for them. One of my big concerns is the rate of injuries and how  serious they've been.

Let's get with the program, guys. You know how to play football without trying to kill your opponent. Do you really need a referee to tell you that?! The zebras should be there to make those close line calls, not break up brawls.

So far what I've seen are are teams of neanderthals kicking around a little piggy, while the zebras are running around in their stripes not paying any attention to vicious uncalled hits. I tell you it's a zoo gone mad.

Time to get out the golf clubs or go on a trail ride.. The weather's great! 

Peppers

Peppers

Normally I don't plug restaurants I've been to, but this time is an exception. The reason for the exception: It's tough to find an eatery that serves great home cooking at reasonable prices in and around Rochester, NY or anywhere for that matter.

Peppers Deli and Pastas on 101 East Lake Road in Canandaigua, NY is one of those finds that are worth mentioning. My good pal, Carla, and I celebrated her birthday at Peppers two weeks ago. She had a chicken pot pie that was loaded with tender white meat of chicken, vegetables, and topped with a delectable crust. I had the Italian trio special which consisted of three cheese-stuffed jumbo shells, chicken parmesan, and eggplant parmesan. It makes my mouth salivate just thinking about it.

The chef and owner, Darren Canova, came to our table to personally introduce himself and to be sure we enjoyed his cusine, proudly explaining that everything is made from scratch. Our server, John, was excellent. He was very attentive without being overly solicitous. Carla's and my dinner came with a salad. I ordered a house Merlot. The total for both dinners was $33 and change; a real bargain for the excellent preparation and amount of food we got.

For any of you who decide to go boating, fishing, or swimming in Canandaigua Lake or are just passing through this beautiful area, be sure to stop in at Peppers on East Lake Road. It's a positive taste experience you'll never forget.

Oh yes, Peppers is a 45-minute drive from Rochester for me. I'd drive 60 minutes to go back there for dinner. It was that good.

The Draconian GOP

After watching and really listening to both parties during their respective conventions, then reading several essays by Pulitzer prize winning authors along with articles by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Analysis Center, Washington Post, and the New York Times, I've come away with the knowledge that the Republican party is draconian.

I honestly tried to be objective in order to make an intelligent decision about the 2012 presidential election. After hours of reading, viewing, and pondering I came to a decision. For me there is no contest. I'll be voting for Barrack Obama...again. Why? Because my life is a lot better since Barrack took office and I'll bet the farm that it'll get worse if Romney/Ryan are in the oval office. 

There are so many issues I could write about in this blog post as to why I'm voting Democrat, it would take pages and pages of health care propaganda facts, budget facts, social issues, women's rights issues, and retirement concerns, to name a few.

My biggest concern is for the disabled, our most vulnerable members of society. Currently Jon's son, Gregory is 49 years old and has advanced stage cerebral palsy. He's been in a wheel chair 95% of his live with no use of his lower limbs. He's unable to talk, walk, or go to the bathroom on his own. He is totally dependent on staff members in his residence home to bath him, toilet him, and feed him. Who pays for this? Our tax dollars in the form of medicaid and social security for Greg. And I don't mind my tax dollars going for the truly disadvantaged in our society.

Romney/Ryan said if they are elected the first thing they will do is sign a bill scrapping medicaid and social security. What about people like Greg and others like him? What's going to happen to them? Who's going to pay for their daily, 24/7 care and services they need?

It's time for people in this world to look at the whole picture, not just their own situation. Gregory had no control over the hand that was dealt him. This is the vulnerable segment of society that needs us and that is why I'm voting for a humanitarian President, not a draconian candidate.

Just call me The Horse Pucky Queen.

 

Hitchin' A Ride

International Space Station

As I looked up in the western sky last night, my heart started to race. I couldn't believe what I saw. There it was, so low in the sky, I could almost hitch a ride. The ISS was beaming with red white and blue lights. It was an impressive object moving across the nightime sky among the stars and planets, but never to be outdone by the moon. 

The International Space Station was at it's lowest point of orbit in the upstate NY skyscape last evening. I was fascinated. After looking up some info on wikipedia, I discovered that the space station is divided into two sections; the Russian orbital section and the United States orbital section and is shared by many nations.

The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research lab where crew members conduct experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, meterology, and other fields.

My conclusion after reading about the ISS and it's possiblities:

1. The only way to get along is to go up in space and live in separate areas of a moving aircraft.
2. Get first-hand weather info by observing it yourself.
3. Learn to play golf in a non-gravity environment.
4. Conduct plant biology experiments using 100% pure, cured horse pucky.
5. Last, but not least, moon all your friends on earth.

I'm volunteering for the next ISS orbit. If the moon shines extra bright one night, it's me.