Nearly going to have to rename the blog...

...because we've got a double-shot of irony -- Alanis Morrisette would be thrilled.

Today's ironical contribution is from the GOP. Before I go any further, let me say that I'm a registered Republican and that given any of the Presidential choices this past November, Ron Paul would have been my guy. His stance on Constitutional politics is not terribly popular with his fellows, but that's not surprising -- people in power want to do what it takes to stay in power -- not to make things better.

So while I'm not a fan of the government increasing in size or becoming a larger bureaucratic and social-state than it is currently, and while I'm not 100% certain that a bailout investment in the car companies or the economy is the right way to fix things, I'm also certain the Republican's protestations and proselytizing about smaller government and how they're going to "fix" things the right way (which they've screwed the pooch on for the last 8 years) are the most bitter ironic pill I've seen them try to force the American public to swallow.

Add to the irony the claims that President Obama is not attempting to keep his non-partisan approach to governing -- especially from the lips of John McCain -- and you've got a recipe for another song (except this time with real irony). Obama reached out, made trips to discuss the bills and their caveats, reached out to specific Republican Senators and House members for the past 2 weeks -- he's asked them to come to the table for a real debate and to present a better solution -- and none of them would. They hemmed and hawed about several minor pieces of the bill (several of which should have been removed before presenting the bill -- shame on the Dems for even trying to push some of that pork through!) -- instead of just coming together and stripping out the worthless stuff and putting together a bill that they could feel would benefit the most people in the most definite ways. Instead, they gave up their opportunity to do something noble and useful for the American public -- and the REPUBLICANS tried to keep us even more in this crapper we've found ourselves in. Thanks. I'll be one of millions re-contemplating my party status come the next election, boys and girls of the gOp -- grumpy OLD party.

To his credit, Ron Paul (Sir Ian McKellan impressions notwithstanding) made an attempt to convince the country that now was the time for a smaller government and to try to steer the helm of the Republican party back to his Liberty concepts. I laud him and all those who continue to fight the good fight, especially in the face of distressing odds -- but this was a bill that could have been even more beneficial (since it was obvious it was going to pass) -- having more creative input and direction for the bill and made it better for all of us. THAT's the definition of bipartisan.

Now if we can only get these Senators a dictionary or two...

In response to http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/15/obama.gop.stimulus/index.html

Alanis Morissette got Ironic wrong...

Post in response to: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/05/fiorina.pay/index.html

It's ironic that Carly Fiorina of all people would be up talking about CEO malfeasance and doing the "right" thing... she was one of the CEOs who got it wrong and knows exactly how NOT to do things!

Case in point -- when HP/Compaq were in the process of merging and thousands of layoffs were occurring and profits were way down (mostly due to mismanagement -- not necessarily due to the merger itself), Carly and her executive team were still flying around in their executive jets. There were very few jobs available for internal HP employees who were about to be axed (or who feared their division might be next) to transfer to that were considered safe... but the one that caught many an eye -- a host/hostess position available to stand by and be ready to serve on the corporate jets, paying $50,000/yr.

So, Carly, please continue to lecture us on how responsible corporate American is being and how we should let the markets continue to ruin us... but don't expect us to listen.

I will say that several of the other posters here have hit on a few salient points -- CJ's points on the proxy voting is excellent -- but I guess it drives home a point that we have been allowing the foxes to guard the hen house, and if we're going to "invest" and "own" a stake in a company, then we should stand ready to be there for the meetings and make our voices heard -- because otherwise, much of the culpability falls on our shoulders as well. The trend for investing solely for profit and day trading are also to blame for the fiscal fiasco we find ourselves mired in.
A good example from recent history -- there was unrest at the Walt Disney Company. People were justifiably unhappy with the performance of then CEO Michael Eisner. Mike had had a decent tenure and had done a number of positive things for the Disney company, but his time had come, and he was unwilling to remove himself from the post for reasons best left unsaid. But the stakeholders had enough, and led by majority sharedholders Roy Disney and Stanley Gold and a very well engineering majority, a no-confidence vote was held (non-binding, but very visible) and Mike Eisner vacated his seat shortly thereafter.

When we take the responsibilty that being an "owner" comes with -- and not just the privilege of profit -- we can make a difference. The blame cannot rest entirely on the shoulders of the CEOs, their companies or the government. We, too, must take our medicine and change the way we behave in order to make a lasting difference and to move to a new era of stability and transparency, where all can find success when they do the right thing.

I saw a story on CNN titled "Boy, 5, hoping for new foot" --- and the first thing that came to mind was how funny it would be if the headline were changed by adding just one extra letter:

Boy, 5, hopping for new foot

Yes, I know; I'm going to hell for that one. :-)

In other related news, Happy belated Christmas, and an early Merry New Year to you all... see you all in the new year (if I survive my homework, work1 and work2 load!). I'm working at Disney on New Year's Eve and Day, if anyone wants to come by and visit; I'll be in Epcot's World Showcase, somewhere. :-)

CNN Story (hopping boy): http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/12/26/hershey.new.foot.for.christmas.wjxt

Open letter to Michigan's Governor Granholm

In response to: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/13/granholm.energy/index.html

Governor Granholm,

Unfortunately, incompetent management and lower-quality products seem to the modus operandi of the Big 3 in Motor City... until these people catch up with the innovations and create products that American buyers want (like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyunda, Kia and many others have), they will continue to founder.

The unions must be broken (or at least provide significant concessions) so that they can compete on price and hire and fire based on an employee's competence rather than the ability of their union rep to argue against a set of arcane and illogical rules that have stymied any progress on creating a business model that stands any chance of success for the future.

Whilst I agree that having the jobs in Detroit is important, and that the amount of raw materials and product generated in/out of the city are fundamental to the success of the economy there and throughout the United States, her insistence on using the American taxpayer's dollars to bail out incompetence at the automakers is flawed thinking... fix the problems in GM, Chrysler and Ford's management and product lines -- THEN we can talk about giving them my hard-earned money.

As a case in point -- when I went searching for a car this year, I looked for a hybrid that could match up with the Toyota Prius. None could. Every vehicle in the American market failed to measure up. Saturn came the closest -- but since 2002 when they dropped the SL and SC lines, they've had steadily falling sales and even less commitment to their products and vision. Dodge had products and marketing that captured hearts and minds (the Neon commericals come to mind) -- but the product behind it was a failed lark of a vehicle and it is a demonstration of all that is wrong with the American auto market.

Governor, I respect your opinion -- but you need to work with your constituents in Detroit to get them to get back in touch with the American people. Then, perhaps the American people will see clear to help bail them out -- by buying their vehicles instead of writing them a blank check to keep doing (badly) what they've been doing the last several years.

Joe Fox
joe@webcruiser.org

Also posted to CNN's comments on this article.

Passing this along

There's a site giving away a free Obama sticker to celebrate his victory. It's designed by Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the iconic HOPE poster. And MoveOn's giving them away totally free--even the shipping's free.
I ordered one (haven't received it yet). Their site claims to have given away over 2.5 million as of this moment... Whether I agree with President-elect Obama or not, this is a truly historic moment, and it's a sad individual who can't at least realize and appreciate that. Click this link to get your free Obama sticker:
http://pol.moveon.org/shepstickers/?id=-14612379-rappeTx&rc=

I wonder -- will Barack Obama do the same as George W. did and demand that everyone (especially the press) call him President Bush not Sir or any other title of respect? (If you didn't see/read the exchange, see http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040405-4.html OR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOCHqfIhA0Q -- time mark about 1:06) Somehow, I doubt it, but time will tell.....

Joe

Tomorrow will be a better day...

I will not always agree with Barack Obama. I will not always like what he will do or stand for, and at times, I may challenge him to follow the eloquent words he spoke this evening, but I can say that after two excellent speeches, I will support our new President and I will work to end the partisan bickering and mindless prattling of politics and work to make the next century as great a move forward as the last century. Yes, we can, and yes, I will.

Tomorrow will be a better day because we can and we will do what it takes to make this country a better place. The burden is now on us all to take the start and the challenge that President-elect Barack Obama has given us tonight, and I'm ready for the challenge.

Thank you to both President-elect and to Senator McCain for being classy and being commited to making this country a more perfect union... You gentlemen have set a standard for leadership for both Democrats and Republicans to follow tonight - I hope that your parties will follow your lead.

God bless Barack Obama, God bless John McCain, and God bless the USA.

YES WE CAN!!!

The Debate

Obama doesn't get it... we don't want to have a Robin Hood system, where he takes from the rich and gives to the poor. We don't want to be overtaxed.

McCain doesn't get it -- governmental control and ignoring a "fair" tax system that balances what the big fish and the small fish pay to a fair level (in other words -- 100% fair -- a percentage system, not based on income, but on spending).

Why don't either of these people represent what the majority of Americans think and believe? These people are incompetent! I'm ready for a third (or more) REAL party to stand up for America.

joe