Barack Sinks Hillary's Ship in S.C.

I just sat watching Barack Obama drive the last nails in Hillary's coffin. What a victory speech! I don't even like speeches, but I liked this one. I couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that, a couple of nights ago, all the Republican candidates, save Ron Paul, were touting Hillary as their future opponent. But none of them watch or pay attention to the polls.

McCain doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell against Barack. Nor do any of the "top tier" Bozo's running for the Republican nomination. That's why they were touting Hillary during the last debate. They would rather run against Hillary, not because she's a woman, but because she is perceived by many American voters as a cold heartless bitch. Like I said before, perception, and image mean so much to Americans.

Barack will not get my vote because I'm not deceived by the charm, the wonderful speaking ability, or youthful appearance. Despite all of that, I don't agree with the man on the issues.

I'm sitting here, second cup of coffee in hand, rehashing Barack's "Blue Print for change". Wonderful stuff. Really, it is, but let's focus on one small issue under his plan for the economy and educating the workforce. Who wouldn't want American schools to be competitive with the rest of the world? I live in Germany. I'm sick and tired of listing to Germans look down their long. bony, and dreadfully arrogant snouts and tell me how sub par American education is when matched with theirs. That's not entirely true first of all, and I could argue way but I'd be veering off my main point; that being, the problem with Barack's blueprint.

America is a huge country. In fact, its fifty individual "countries" bound together by one Constitution. No where in that Constitution does it suggest that the government of the United States of America should finance and overseer the schools in each of the 50 States. In essence, that is why we have state governments in the first place. Logically speaking why shouldn't a state government know better the educational needs for its schools? Perhaps Congress would have to pass a law that forced each State to live up to a particular standard, but that would be much cheaper than paying for the expansion of the Department of Education with American tax dollars.

That's the problem with Barack "Blueprint for Change" in a nutshell. There is no way to escape the fact that taxes will have to be raised in order to finance Barack's Utopian America. Still, great speech!

The Patriot Act Must Go!

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin in 1755

I was talking to a Russian colleague at work the other day. The subject of personal liberty came up. I'll call my friend "Ivan". Ivan suggested to me that giving up personal liberties for the sake of protection is not necessarily a bad thing. I disagreed of course. I vehemently argued that I don't need the State to watch over my telephone lines, internet connections, and daily routines about the city, in order to keep me and my family safe. I'll take my chances, thank you very much.

Ivan couldn't understand my logic and, I expected as much. He's the product of the old Soviet system. Ivan truly believes that the government knows much better about how we should live our lives than we do. Fair enough. Like I said, Ivan's a product of his environment. Things become a little bit disconcerting, however, when I hear an American say the same thing.

I nearly fell over in disbelief a few months ago upon hearing an American being interviewed about the so-called "Patriot Act" say, "Hey, if it keeps me and my family safe from them terrorists over there in Iraq, then I don't mind giving up a little freedom."

Well, I mind. I also have the comfort and profound joy of knowing that Ben Franklin minded as well.

I sometimes wonder if Americans have any sense of historical perspective or, if the sum of their historical prowess can be found in a 3rd grade history book. I shudder to think the latter.

Your's truly will not vote for any candidate who chooses to retain the Patriot Act in any way shape or form. That leaves me but with one choice...that nut case, Ron Paul.

Is the American Election Process Fair?

After watching MSNBC's Republican Debate in Florida last night, I can surely understand why Ron Paul's followers have been so up in arms for most of the American election process. Their man is clearly getting screwed, but then try being a Dennis Kucinich supporter!

Bottom line is, the American election process is an immensely unfair process that is somewhat exacerbated be the enormous gullibility of the American people. Not all Americans, mind you. There are some Americans who actually read. Still, I would venture to say that the majority of American citizenry depends on information from televised "talking heads" and the American media knows this.

Americans have a nasty habit of liking the outer appearance of the nutshell without ever having really examined the nut inside. For example, they love Barack's charming smile, Hillary's moment of tenderness, and John McCain's tough guy exterior, but do they take time to really study what each and all of the candidates really stand for? By all indicators, no. That makes the image of an American candidate a major factor. American Philosopher, Noam Chomsky said it best. "Elections are run by the same people who sell toothpaste. They market candidates the same way." This is so true; so blatantly obvious. Those Americans who are sold on Crest, love Barack Obama.

I'm not necessarily convinced that there is a conspiracy per se against the likes of Ron Paul. It's more like the "ignore" button on Yahoo chat. "Ron Paul is a nutter, let's ignore him." That sort of thing. Is that fair? Of course not but like the American novelist William Goldman said, "Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death."

I'm pretty much convinced that no political process, anywhere, is unequivocally fair, but if the American version is the most fair we can get, then we free people of the world are most surly in serious trouble.