some quick hits

First of all the Republican faithful have to take off their rose colored glasses for their politicians. Latest example is the crash and burn of Rick Perry. I mentioned a few months ago that Rick Perry should be watched a bit more carefully because there really wasn't that much to go on about him, it was more of a nice little blog not really going into any depth, but it is panning out. Many jumped on his bandwagon when he announced back in August and now the more he opens his mouth, well the more we can see. Yep this does follow the debate debacle where he couldn't remember which depts he wanted to shut down. I get tired of Republicans supporting anyone that quotes the "conservative principles" as a valid candidate. Folks we really need somone that can think, be creative, and can do more than just say, less taxes, less regulation, a five year old can make that quote. So again I rant against the Elitist Republicans who offer no more than: support our programs so we can keep getting richer at everyone else's expense. Please Republicans look for someone who can actually represent this country.

And now for the other side of the coin,,,, to the Occupy Wall Street Group,,, just occupy the voting booths,,,, all this noise is not accomplishing anything productive. Spend time finding candidates that will support programs that will create economic opportunity for a larger group of people and some problems will take care of themselves. The more we create true economic growth and spread it around; wall street becomes less powerful, their lobbyists less effective, and well everyone else has the potential to be better off. Yes you might rant and rave we need to hold wall street accountable for the recession (and I join this sometimes), but the real issue is to prevent future problems and do that by opening up opportunities to many people, expanding the wealth base so there is more competition for power and if you read history once power is deconcentrated then better things happen, or yes if you leave power concentrated abuse begins. But you need to create real policy, force politicians to support better ideas, to accomplish this goal. Sitting around on wall street, just doesn't produce results if the politicians aren't held to the fire. Or we get new ones held liable to the people.
A healthy middle class is a sign of a healthy democracy and economy.

Finally the Joe Paterno thing, frankly I love football, played some as a youth and watch it pretty regularly, but this obsession now shows we got some priority issues. It is time someone stepped up and said enough is enough, football icons are only football icons and if they make human mistakes they need to be held accountable for them. Our society has got to stop worshipping the wrong ideals.Now yes he does deserve to have due process, but he didn't commit a crime, what he did was run a program that needs to be held to a higher standard because it (and any major university) needs to be held to a higher standard. Universities represent the pinnacle of who we are as a society. To put something that is more entertainment than substance above the health and safety of our children, and the values we are suppose to hold close as a society shows that we really need to look at ourselves in the mirror more closely. How much the Coach knew is not important, the fact that he and the institution did not put the care of the child first (defenseless child) is not some macho tough guy support the coach priority. The child and possible children are our priority and Coach Paterno should have immediately addressed that issue with as much if not more energy than a national title game. His complete lack of caring for the child by not pressing the issue shows serious fault in who is running the program and shows a lack of values for human dignity. Get over it people football is not more important than human life.  Really ritoting about this, come on.