The right person for the job

In a perfect world our government would run efficiently, overseen by the most competent people we can find.  Our current Attorney General is proof that this is not a perfect world.  In fact, this is just the most recent in a streak that makes me question the human resources skills at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  From the FEMA disaster back to the Harriet Myers nomination it seems as though hiring based on competence and experience does not enter the equasion of the “decision maker”.  Once again, lest ye think I am some left wing nut job, I point to the current administration only because it it that, current.  There are plenty of examples Republican, Democrat and Whig (if you want to go back that far) of this type of cronyism (patronage if you will).  The point is that every time we see this we lose a little faith (and a whole lot of tax dollars).  I would ask any President, if you have so little confidence in your leadership that you have to find weak people to fill the jobs around you, perhaps the highest office in the land is not something you should be seeking. 

What might have been….

Why do we save people from themselves.  Apparently, some dumb-ass lost a bet on the Superbowl and the result was that he had to legally change his name to Peyton Manning.  A judge has ruled that this young man will not be allowed to change his name after all.  His parents are relieved.  The judge said it is to avoid confusion but the real reason was to give this kid an out.  Why do we do this.  We are constantly saving people from making bad decisions or rescuing them when they do.  When we rescue people from the small mistakes, they don’t learn.  Then they make bigger ones.  Don’t climb on the top step of a ladder, don’t eat a frozen pizza without cooking it, don’t bet a legal name change on the Superbowl.  Have some freaking common sense.  Life is rough, get a helmet!

A Pox upon both houses…

This is the problem with ideology trumping common sense.  The media, Congress, The White House and both political parties are all a twitter over the fact that some lawyers may have been fired for political reasons.  Insert your favorite lawyer joke here.  The Republicans lack credibility for two reasons.  First, of course they were fired for political reasons and to expend any effort to convince people to the contrary is ridiculous.  Second, in the last administration it was the Republicans crying foul for this very type of thing.  On the other hand, the Democrats lack credibility for two reasons.  First, during Democratic administrations this is the type of behavior they engage in.  Second, after engaging in that behavior they whine about it when the Republicans do it.  For this very reason political parties are by their nature detrimental to efficient, effective government.  What could Congress or the White House accomplish if they actually focused on the people’s business.  A pox upon both parties for thier selfish derailment of the public agenda for polictical gain.  We as people should be more willing to call politicians (friend and foe alike) to the carpet rather than drinking the koolaide of whatever particular ideology you hold.

Here is one thing that is wrong…

…with corporate America.  I received a privacy notice from the company with which I have my student loan.  I have to fill this out and send it back.  There are three options.  I can let them send any information they want to all of their “corporate partners”, or I can let them send only “certain” information to their corporate partners.  The third choice is that I do not want them sharing my information.  If I do not send the form back, they take that to mean I give them permission to send, sell or Publish my information (that part about publishing might be an exaggeration).  Permission should be needed to share my information.  Silence is not permission.  In this day of the almighty dollar when companies have enough trouble not “losing” or having my information stolen, I don’t see the need to give them the power to make additional money off of me at the risk of the security of my information.  We should shut it down.  The only way a company should be able to share my information with anyone outside of the immediate reason it was given , is if I have signed a statement authorizing it.  End of story.  I hope you enjoyed my rant of the day.  Thank you for visiting common sense. 

Question?

I was watching C-Span late last night (I hope this doesn’t say too much about me as a person) and I saw a show that asked some really good questions.  Newt Gingrich and Mario Cuomo were discussing issues with moderation by the competent Tim Russert.  It provided enough fodder for me to make entries on this blog for a month.  To my surprise Newt Gingrich is not the ultraconservative person I thought he was.  He actually had some very practical things to say.  What he said made me wonder about this question.  If a CEO and board of directors ran a corporation the way that our government runs our country would they continue to have a job?  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  We continue to send the same people to run the country expecting better results.  Why do we blame them?

In case you thought the judiciary was above reproach…

I heard a commercial that a bill has been introduced into the Minnesota Legislature that allows homeowners to defend themselves against intruders.  I am not a huge law and order guy, but I have always found it backwards that a homeowner can be sued by an intruder.  In my opinion, when you unlawfully enter a premises you forfeit any right to a civil suit.  I applaud the opportunity for some common sense to be injected into our system.  Our system certainly doesn’t use what is right for a blue print of what is legal.  It is time for a reduction in legal shenanigans and an increase in correct legal decisions. 

World Leader?

The United States claims to be the only remaining superpower and the leader of the free world.  Today, even as some of our leaders continue to debate the existence of global climate change, Europe announced new binding standards for renewable energy.  The United States is not a leader, heck,  we aren’t even a follower when it comes to the environment.  The United States backed out of the Kyoto Accords because it may not be good for our economy.  I guess the only reason we should ever do something is if there is no chance of sacrifice or pain.  This brings to mind irony on many fronts.  The war in Iraq reminds me of this very idea because no sacrifice is being asked of our citizens.  It is fought solely on the backs of America’s military families.  Even the bill is financed.  We don’t notice it right now, we leave it to the next generation to pay.  Another of our reverse “pay it forward” policies are the tax cuts some seem so fond of.  Don’t get me wrong, I understand Keynesian economics.  What I do not understand is the lack of intention to ever pay back.  Politicians rack up debt to pay for popularity.  We allow it because it requires no sacrifice on our part.  We get the rewards and the bill gets passed to others.  This attitude of total luxery and no sacrifice now to be to be paid for and suffered for by our children shows how truly selfish we are.  Shame on us. 

Big News?

The treatment received by veterans at Walter Reed and other facilities has created quite the firestorm lately.  Members of Congress have been at the forefront of indignitude (homage to SNL).  My question is this, weren’t the families of veterans trying to get some help from their Congress members.  It seems as though some are more concerned about the negative publicity than the actual treatment the veterans receive.  After all it took a newspaper article to create the furor.  Members of Congress did not seem all that concerned with the reports (if their position is purely information receptacle)  nor did they actually take an active role in seeking information about the treatment of our veterans (if they want to approach  their duties proactively).  It seems as though once again Congress has abdicated its oversight responsibility and it has been passed to a newspaper. 

Anne Coulter Said Something Stupid???

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Anne Coulter’s work, she is what we as a society get for a lack of accountability for what comes out of your mouth.  She is someone who spews forth conservative rhetoric and liberal bashing so that mainstream politicians don’t have to.  Please know that she has an opposite number on the liberal side and my dislike for her is not ideological.  Somehow legitimate news organizations allow her on their shows despite the fact that her books and speeches are nothing more than third grade name calling.  Now, she has said something really stupid.  Not stupid in the sense that she doesn’t believe it; it was stupid in the sense that is ruffled the sensibilities of a major segment of our population.  I hear people from both sides of the ideological chasm denouncing her comments.  I say, how is this different than when she has insulted so many others.  Her politics of attack and name calling haven’t changed. 

This is what you are going with???

I am sometimes amazed at the things people get up in arms about.   I read in an article today that there are people out there who have nothing better to do than try to get a school reading program banned.  Why? because it is sponsored by Pizza Hut.  I guess it is that one personal pan pizza at the end of the program that will break the camel’s back.   Look if you want to fight childhood obesity,  fine.  But don’t go after the reading program.  How about starting with: video games, television, surfing the Internet:), soda machines in schools, concession stands at schools sponsored sporting events and the many other poor food choices made in schools that don’t promote academic achievement and take place more than every few months.  I bet these are the same people that decry schools for having low test scores in reading.   If you are going to become indignant and boycott something, please make it count.  How about making sure every child has enough to eat every day.