Pennsylvania is now a red state with a hatchet Republican governor. He is cutting 58 percent of state funding for higher education alone. The public school budget will be 10% lighter--read 550 million dollars, along with another 260 million for early childhood education. Charter schools will lose 224 million. Interestingly, the governor refuses to privatize the state run liquor stores: this ridiculous PA law has lined the pockets of many a state crony, and created financial loss in the state budget. Pennsylvania--who's your daddy?
But people deserve what they ask for. Most of PA stayed home on Election Day. Many people screamed out their entitlement to ignore their right to vote. Now they are faced with the results of their self-righteous apathy. Corbett didn't win because of a landslide. He tottered to victory because most people found something else to do. Yes, it was horrible to vote in 2010. If the negative ads didn't make you vomit, the sheer hubris of Obama's administration made you wonder if these people ever looked outside their windows--some even admitted that they weren't concerned with the economy. But once you dismiss your right to vote, you might as well give up any political discussion.
A lot of people are going to lose their jobs.. I wish it were the political fat cats who milk the cash cow. But no, it will be more of the middle class--the lower middle class who manage to earn between 40,000 to 50,000 K a year while supporting a family of four. I keep hearing about the economic recovery. I also hear that Pluto is no longer a planet. Many of us would be better off if we invested in real estate on the distant planet. The atmosphere is far more conducive to human life than here.
Okie dokie... Pluto here I come!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I am hoping these conservative marauders disguised as governors, are shooting the repug party in the foot for 2012. On the other hand, given the apathy and downright ignorance of many of our fellow citizens...I'm not holding my breath!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great picture -- Saddam reborn?
ReplyDeleteMade my whole day . . . chuckling away.
Thanks, gal
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ReplyDeleteGoatman: Isn't it priceless? It made me think of all the state owned liquor stores along with our American puppetmaster skills.
SJ: Pluto is a real planet, not to mention that it is the planet of Scorpio. The job cuts in our department began today, so one way shuttles to Pluto will be in demand.
JadedJ: I am very pissed off at voters or should I say, non-voters. At the same time, I wonder if a conspiracy theory fits: all the negative ads and the general stupidity of 2010 gave people an out. A low turnout assures a Republican victory. Possibly the Dems were in cahoots, as they really didn't seem to take the Republican threat very seriously. But I could be reading too much into it. I just know that people are getting hurt--a Dem is no savior, but Corbett thinks he is on a mission from God.
This post reminds me of Max Weber. He saw bureaucracy as a cold, impersonal rationalistic system as opposed to systems of organization based more on "magic" or superstition (e.g., the church) that were more personal. These people seemed to have combined the worse of each tradition.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute! I came over here for some spiritual inspiration. Peace, love and understanding. I must be in the wrong place. I'm getting flash-backs of Enemy of the Republic. That's more like it. Kick their asses. You go girl. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of vicepresident Nelson Rockefeller's faux pas when he was asked what the average salary was in the US and he answered "Has to be about $100,000". At the time the average salary was less than $30,000.
ReplyDeleteYes, politicians live in a parallel universe.
Camille Paglia is in full froth over Liz Taylor:
Elizabeth Taylor has been a colossal pagan goddess to me
Link to Paglia's article:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/elizabeth_taylor/index.html?story=/ent/movies/feature/2011/03/23/camille_paglia_on_elizabeth_taylor
Mr. C: I thought about that as I am probably the only person who doesn't want Enemy resurrected--CV was good while it lasted, but I felt constricted by it, plus there was a lot of baggage. But a government that wants to deny the citizens of all chances to advance themselves is unjust and yes, falls under the darkness camp, so I'm still doing what I planned with this thing. Hell, I don't know. I just am so disgusted.
ReplyDeletePiktor: Well, that figures--and the Rockerfellers were in politics--of course they were! They had to make sure the government represented their interests.
I love C. Paglia.
X--I haven't read Weber in ages, but I think you told me that once before. I will have to schedule time to read him. If he said it, I am in agreement!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you all the way Susan. As they say in Blazing Saddles... just pulling your lariat!
ReplyDeleteOh, man. I just found out about Liz Taylor. She isn't supposed to die. Seriously--Paul Newman and Liz Taylor--forever!
ReplyDelete"Oh, man. I just found out about Liz Taylor. She isn't supposed to die."
ReplyDeleteLiz is one of the greats that will never die. A legend in her own time, seemed to live a full life. That's what the papers told us.
Why do I get the feeling she lived a very lonely life. She asked to be buried in the same location as her friend Michael Jackson, another legend in his own time, also hauntingly alone in this world.
Life is amazing.
Everyone move to Detroit...we have no functioning anything and that includes government. You will find peace here if you just keep your business your own and let others do the same. We have just taken on a new city motto, though not official yet because like I said even government doesn't function here so there is no vote scheduled on its adoption but it's simple and works in every situation.
ReplyDelete"Fuck 'Em"
GW-- You fool no one with your anonymous comments.
ReplyDeleteSusan, just visiting and saw your comment about Liz and Paul. Ditto, me. I loved Paul Newman. A total class act. I got to shake his hand once, at a race his car was in. And Liz, as crazy as she was, she was a hell of an actress, and timeless. I often muse over the names that have passed on and how much they meant to me over my lifetime. It's sad, but I try to focus on those treasures still living.
ReplyDeleteDamn! I am trying to think of those still living but they're all my contemporaries. Suddenly I feel very mortal. Think I'll have a martini.
Paul Newman was the man. Who is left now that Taylor is gone?
ReplyDeleteSelf-righteous apathy, almost sounds like and oxymoron.
ReplyDeleteWe're in the midst of an election here, after 2 straight minority governments for the Cons. We'll likely get a 3rd. Ironically, as the middle east revolts for the right to vote, all people can do here is complain that there's an election that they already know the result of. If they all got off their arses and voted, however, the results might be different.