LSJ OPINIONS

Thought I would post a couple of recent opinions that did not make the Sunday edition. They are always online for LSJ, but hard to find. Difficult to express all the thoughts or issues in 75 words or less, but therein lies the challenge!


For the question on what I would like to see in the State budget:

"The State needs to get creative when it comes to the regulations and tax structures that are crippling small and mid-size companies. They are the ones struggling to survive yet employ 1,000's of people. They do not have the clout to demand concessions yet they will bring this state back if we just support their efforts. Some assistance or alternatives to allow smaller companies to cover health care costs would also be a major step forward."

On the question of what I would like to see in the next Governor:

"First there should be a limit on election spending. No buying of elections. The next governor should be compassionate to the needs of the people yet strong enough to make the tough decisions regardless of who it upsets. However no governor can succeed or focus on more important issues when they are constantly wrangling with a self-serving partisan legislature. "Politics as usual" has been a devastating win/lose game with Michigan taxpayers ending up the losers. Get over yourselves!"

ONE SMALL LIGHT

One must admit there are extremists on both ends of the world view spectrum which really do not define who most of us are and what we believe. As we grow a little older and hopefully wiser, we find our ideals encompass both liberal and conservative viewpoints. We believe what we believe based on our experiences, our families, our friends and most of us try to do the right thing.

But I have to admit if it wasn't for those annoying, saber rattling, hysterical opposite views being expressed,the world would be a scarier place. Debate and protest prevent one group from taking over completely and I thank whoever, that we can still do so in this country.

I ask you, if the crackpot liberals did not keep fighting for what they believe is right the wealthy, the bankers and wall street would force us to take whatever they deem fit and personal freedom would be a thing of the past. And if the wild-eyed conservatives did not continually fight to preserve their world view we would probably descend into chaos.

So I raise a glass to both sides of the everlasting debate as I contemplate the wisdom of my 57 or is it 58 years on this planet. ROCK ON!

FALLING SCENES

Noticed a bouquet of fall flowers today. The colors were rich and succulent. Reds, yellows, purplish pink and white. Funny that the end of the season presents such vivid colors. Every notice how on a sunny fall day the sky is so blue it almost hurts your eyes? The leaves wear crimson and golden coats just before they skydive to their eventual demise. Almost as if the dying makes everything more colorful and vibrant.

A metaphor for life, love and death. A fever burns hotter; eyes shine brighter. A glimpse into heaven. Makes a lot of sense really. Two years ago this week. There must be a butterfly nearby....

SCENES OF PROTEST

I find the vehemence and passion of the protests against a health care reform totally amazing. This affects every citizen of this country. People should not have to die for lack of care or go bankrupt due lack of coverage.

Where were all these protesters when Wall Street was bailed out and executives rewarded for crashing the economy? Where were the marchers and venomous rhetoric against the bank bailouts which were used for executive bonuses and banks buying up other banks. Yet the businesses and people who were begging for a small piece of these billions for loans "WHICH THEY WOULD PAY BACK" were getting nada. Ahh ahh the same people and businesses who would stop foreclosures, produce products, pay their workers and get the economy going again.

Protest and disruption are great tactics. We children of the 60's and 70's learned that lesson very well. Unfortunately normally thinking, intelligent people are questioning the need for health care reform rather than the tactics that are being used to confuse and condemn any change. Apparently it is ok for the rich to get richer, but not for the rest of us to have the basics of preventative care and choice. The large insurance companies control 70 to 95% of the business in most states. There is no choice.

Is the govt perfect? No of course not, but changes are needed and it takes a giant and compassion to slay the other giants. All options require compromise, but to do nothing but accept the status quo rewards the wrong segment of society and may condemn many to bankruptcy or worse.

HUMMER UPDATE

Apparently the original visitor "HUMVEE" as I like to call him/her as been joined by other greedy friends. A longer, skinnier version of the first and a smaller neck-banded male of much aggression. The battle ensues when one attempts a quick snack and run. Bombarding mites blow each other off course in a comical aerial act of foolhardy bravery. They literally fly sideways to avoid the evil wings and beak of the feathery flapping defense. He jealously guards the red sugar water that, trust me, one little bird smaller than the size of my fist could not possibly hope to demolish within his or her lifetime.

To be available for guard duty we have determined he must hang in a nearby tree or bush ready for instant attack should another hungry beastie approach. Metaphor for life I suppose. If you are not willing to share you are doomed to spend every waking minute defending your treasure from the marauding hordes who attempt to take it from you. Be sure it is worth the effort I say. He knows that we are talking about him fixing beady eyes on us through the window while pausing gracefully in midair flapping furiously to warn us off. Hilarious yet misguided courage as I am a low carb person uninterested in stealing his overly sugared treat.

SCENES OF KENNEDY

Although not perfect; a family full of contradictions, excessive behavior, influence and power. One cannot deny that this family of wealth and privilege never forgot that public service is the highest calling and followed the practice to their death. I salute you Senator Kennedy and those that came before you. My hope is that others will follow the path you began.

OF KINGS AND FEATHERS AND HORSEFEATHERS

Ok initial rant. Why a week's worth of obsession about Jacko Wacko? Come on, the guy had some good music, but face it what did he ever contribute to society? Did he discover a cure for cancer? Make the blind to see and the lame to walk? No. Get over it already or on the other hand, how pathetic that this caused anyone to weep and wail over his loss. He was an entertainer (more in his personal life actually) nothing more. How pathetic.

We certainly like to be entertained with our bread and circuses while Rome burns around us. This type of adulation should be reserved for the truly deserving and it makes me wonder if we are so starved for excitement we just climb aboard the celebrity wagon. Or should I blame the media that wastes so much time on the undeserving for the entertainment value.

Now more important things. My hummer has been making a regular stop at the cheap little plastic red thingee we put out there. When we had the handsome copper and red mansion, he turned his little birdee nose up at it. Apparently hummingbirds are the "common sewers" of the bird world and prefer the trailer with the tassels and spinning tops rather than the fancy pants feeder we were willing to provide for their dining pleasure. Chez Ide was too upscale for my buddy I have dubbed "HumVee".

I look each morning and evening. The Burt man said he was working outside today and it sounded like a freakin' helicopter when he was hitting the feeder. Apparently there is an issue with their little bodies and their long long beaks being too heavy for their wings-thus the constant flapping. Last night the light was on inside and he caught a glimpse of his hosts. I swear his visage showed major surprise and curiosity so much so that he forgot the sugar water and kept peering in the window. Peeping Tom HumVee. Probably the first time he realized that someone must be filling his juice banquet. We were appropriately nonchalant and unobtrusive as good servants should be until he settled down. But now I see him in unexpected places, no doubt trying to see if we are real or not.