The Morning Alert

Will Hillary Clinton accept the Secretary of State post?  Before we believe all the media hype about leaks, I think it would be wise to wait and see what Obama does with Hillary Clinton.  The news is trying to hike their ratings.  “Leaks!” they scream. 

Obama is wise.  He is either putting the information out, or allowing the leaks for his own purposes.  I think if Obama didn’t like the “leaks” he could stop them from the Clinton side, if that is where they are originating.  She’s not in this to antagonize him.

All the speculation is for ratings, rankings and “ranklings.”  As for me, I don’t care, I’m calm with letting Obama pick his staff.  He’s just begun, let’s back off.  Can’t the media talk about the Cindy McCain affair?  Can’t the press scream about Bush’s last minute executive orders?

Chris Matthews, from Hardball on MSNBC, come on, give it a rest.  You’re screaming louder about the leaks regarding Hillary Clinton’s possible appointment as Secretary of State than the leakers!  I normally find you enlightening, but you are irritating me with the constant speculation. 

Back off, let Obama do his job, we’ve got a future of hope ahead of us if the press will let us enjoy it. 

GOD….I’m almost tempted to say “Bring back the Palin puns and jokes….”

Almost…well, maybe not.  Shiver.

-Marisue, an average American, on the ground.

Posted on November 20th, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Election, The Morning Alert, The Political Moment | Add Your Comments »

The 2008 Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Alaska’s own governor, Sarah Palin, has a 7 million dollar Book Deal? 

Gee, don’t cha think she ”outta” at least read a book before she tries to write one?  And, if her speech at the Florida Governor’s convention is any indication, she might need to request the aid of a ghost writer.  If I had her ear, I’d tell her, but something tells me she’s not listening to ME.

Actually, she’s achieved the ultimate “American Dream!”  In spite of having less than the thinking and reasoning ability of a panicky, hunted Alaskan Moose, she’s got the Diva thing going; which really made me re-consider the value of lipstick on a peacock, not to mention high heels.

Am I jealous?  You betcha’!  Think of all those dolls out there with Joe Six Pack or hangin’ on the arm of Joe-the-not-licensed-nor-buying-a-small-business-Plumber wastin’ their time away at the local saloon.  They could have run for Governor or fill the bill for the Vice President’s office. 

Who Knew?

-Marisue, an average American, on the ground.

Posted on November 17th, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Election, The Political Moment | Add Your Comments »

The Morning Alert

Obama can’t take office soon enough for me!  I’m so hopeful and ready for a common sense government!  Intelligence in the White House?  Change for America! Hillary for Secretary of State?  Exciting!

Are the Republicans becoming a party of whiners?  Gee, it sure sounds like it.  Since I’m not completely unsympathetic, though close, I did spend some time thinking about how they could get out of their dilemma. 

Now let’s see, they’ve been saying that they need to change.  They want to appeal to the working American, meet their needs, increase jobs, save the planet, end greedy spending, change the way bills are passed so as to decrease or eliminate pork barrel spending, provide health care for us all, help small businesses, save people from foreclosure, never again select someone without a brain (Oz, anyone?) for the Vice President’s position…WAIT! 

With all those great ideas about how to govern, they are sounding an awful lot like the Democrats!!  I ‘ve got an idea!!  Why don’t they just become a Democrat?  Republicans can then save themselves all that work with re-shaping the Republican Party, and just change their registration to Democrat!! 

See?  Problem solved!  Let the remaining radical right have the party, since it’s lame anyway, and the healthy thinking Republicans can just move over to the Democrats!  Why re-invent the wheel? 

We forgive you for pushing Palin off on us, well, ok, so we’re still working on that one.  But,  we will forgive you for not thinking of all these great ways to help the average American on the ground until after the election. 

You were kind of busy watching Sarah Palin, the Alaskan governor, melt the Republican ticket, and then having to monitor all that shopping, plus draggin’ Joe the not-licensed Plumber around.   So, we can forgive you for forgetting about all the other average tax base workers.  However, we’ll call the shots for awhile, if you don’t mind.  Having just gotten off the sinking Republican ship, we know you’ll need some time to get your “land legs” back.

See you in Congress!  I think your seats are a bit towards the back, but we’ll call on you, eventually.

-Marisue, an average American on the ground

Posted on November 17th, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Election, The Morning Alert, The Political Moment | Add Your Comments »

The Morning Alert

“Rick Davis, the campaign manager for former John McCain’s White House bid came to Sarah Palin’s defense in an upcoming interview with the National Review, saying the now-infamous $150,000 clothing tab for the Alaska governor was caused by a “failure of management.” -cnn

Oh, come on Rick!  You further stated that she was “forced ” to buy the clothes.

Are you interested in some ocean front property in Arkansas as well?

Give us a break.  She couldn’t see that well over $150,000 in clothing might just be a little “over the top?”  Well, I can believe she couldn’t see that, she’s got the judgement of a snail.

What does it matter?  Because the budget she could have been watching over, was going to include my money, and believe me, I don’t want a Diva divin’ in to my pocket.

Thanks for trying to protect her, Mr. Rick Davis, and yes, you goofed, but your story is a weak excuse.  Sarah Palin is a big girl.  She’s all grown up in high heels and lipstick, and she owns the shopping trip.  I know how to say “no” and she should have.  Or at least “enough.”  Instead, she had to be told to “stop spending” more than once, according to other sources.  Even if that’s not true, which I believe it is, but even if it’s not…it’s a matter of judgement.

You know, that “there also” kind of judgement she kept squawking about when she was talkin’ about the Democrats, you remember, the big spenders??  The Big Government Guys?

I thought you Republicans didn’t make mistakes like that big shopping spree, you with the wonderful plan for tight expenditures and spending freezes if you got in power.

The average American on the ground spending freezes, no health care, no jobs, no stock options, no house, no bank account, no pool, no pets, no cigarettes.

Damn!  I’m SO GLAD you lost your rears this past November 4th.  There is hope for America, now.

-Marisue, an average American on the ground.

Posted on November 14th, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Election, The Morning Alert, The Political Moment | 1 Comment, Add Your Comments »

The Morning Alert

The Republicans just don’t “get it!”

We are so sick of the Republican philosophy and yet they continue to try and tell the ”Average American” on the ground, what’s good for them.

The Wall

“Mr. Republican, tear down that wall of arrogance!”

Ten Ways to Get Smart:

1. Hear the voter’s voice.  We have spoken, quit telling us what we mean.  The Republicans have spun the vote every which way but the way we meant it.  Republicans lost seats for clear reasons, but they refuse to learn. 
2. Be humble.  You screwed the economy, quit throwing dirt at Obama who is going to be cleaning up the Republican mess.  Admit your mistakes, admit you gave to the rich at the cost of the average american worker.  Until you admit what you have done, you will not be humble enough to change your ways.  We, the worker and voter, will never go back to voting Republicans in as a majority until you come down to earth.
3. Quit Spinning Palin.  As common sense Americans, we’re dizzy and sick.  You did a horrible thing: for the sake of politics, you nearly put a person who had a dangerous ignorance of the world, economics, and history as well as little common sense and a complete lack of honesty and simple communication skills, in charge of this country.  You lied to us everytime you said she was qualified and you knew it was a lie.  ADMIT YOUR ERROR, that mistake was even worse than the wreck of the economy as she could have cost American lives with new wars, among thousands of other wrongs.
4. Develop programs that help Americans first. 
5. Quit calling people who help people in America “socialists.”  We don’t care.  We want our families taken care of, our kids educated, our jobs to stay in this country.  What is wrong about spending our tax dollars on us?  We can support wars, rumors of wars, other governments, but can’t take care of our grandmother? 
6. Quit complaining about the rich paying more taxes.  We just can’t muster up the sympathy.  So they buy a smaller yacht, big deal.  Duh.
7. Quit saying Democrats are for big government.  I think the last 8 years sort of blows that whine out the window, Phil Gramm.
8. Shut down your connection with Fox News (Fixed News).  It’s so obviously  controlled by Republican spin that it flies in the face of honest reporting.  “Liberal media?  Where?”  Do you really think Bill O”Reilly (O’Really) helps you??
9. Are you seriously going to keep being proud of Rush Limbaugh?  You really want that drug addicted, incoherent loud mouth liar-could-be-a-racist on your side?  Ok, it’s your funeral.
10. Build relationships abroad. Get rid of the bully attitude.  We can all see where it has gotten us, and it’s killed and maimed more people than 9-11.

Bonus Thought:

1. Put people to work with infrastructure.  Quit the endless debating and arguing and DO SOMETHING to help the nation’s eager workers.  We want work, we need the productivity of the American Worker, and we need the revenue from an enlarged tax base.  Repulicans, unemployment hurts the nation, even if you don’t feel it.

Oh there’s more, so much more, you could do to help the nation.  Stop lying just to save your party’s butt.  Understand and respect the intelligence of the American Voter. 

And if you value the heart of Americans everywhere, please let Palin melt into the background.  She could not learn enough, fast enough to ever have a place on a legitimate Republican national ticket.  Are you even listening to her endless interviews?  Does every self respecting hard working Republican congressman or governor not just throw up as they hear her take front stage?  Does she not embarass you?  Be honest!  Send her home!  She only hurts you…but hey, wait a minute, that’s good for us Democrats, so, uh, never mind. 

Let ‘er rip!

-Marisue, an average American, on the ground.

Posted on November 13th, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Election, The Morning Alert, The Political Moment | Add Your Comments »

Why can’t Sarah Palin just go away?  Why? 

Because her ego is bigger than Alaska. 

Look, sweetie, we don’t care anymore.  You burned us out.  I’d rather slide down a razor blade naked into a pit of alcohol than listen to your squeaky voice one more second.  You are constantly  full of complaints about how mistreated you are.  You didn’t do anything wrong, it was the sexist press, the one bad apple spoiling the bunch, the jerks! 

We get that part.  How dare they ask you tough questions, like about NAFTA, and AFRICA, and stuff like that.   Now, there ya go again, Sarah, ya just can’t get a fair deal!  (We won’t mention the “Not the  President of France, call. shhh)

What’s Wrong With Sarah Palin?

Let me tell you some things the rest of us get and you don’t:

1. You’re stupid.  I’m  aghast that it hasn’t dawned on you yet.  The worst part of it is that you’re stupid by choice, which is the height of dumb.
2. You SHOPPED FOR THE CLOTHES.  YOU WERE OUT OF CONTROL.  Put your big girl britches on and just say you goofed.  You could have shopped at Wal-Mart, spent a thousand or two, and been a hero, but you took the low road, gave into your ego, and shopped ’til you dropped.  Now, you dropped.  Get over it and quit whinning.  Some people would have given their left arm to have had your ride on the backs of the Republicans so show some respect. 
3. You can’ have it both ways.  You like the Republicans or you don’t.  You love McCain or you don’t.  IF you “loved him” why did you shoot him in the foot everytime you opened your mouth, why did you run your own agenda, why didn’t you really read and study before interviews?
4. Quit giving interviews.  You’re not helping yourself or the Republicans or ALASKA! Remember Alaska?  THAT GOVERNORS’ JOB?
5. DO YOU not realize, that you insulted all 49 states when you talked about how unequal they are and how they should copy Alaska? 
6. Thanks, but no Thanks.  We don’t need your advice, because frankly, you don’t speak coherently.  Between the ” -in’ ” ending’s to your words, and the “there also’s” when you want to say something but the words don’t come, we stay totally confused.  After a long day at work, I just don’t want to make the effort to try and decipher your sentences.  Are you sure you went to college while you were awake, and “there, also?”
7. I’m just wondering, why is it that all those clothes ended up in your closet in Alaska, instead of on the plane in suitcases?  Man, that was fast!  When did you send them there?  You are verrrrry tricky, young lady.  And, since this is Obama’s time and all of the things like that and how come we’re talkin’ about your shoppin’ - uh, cuz it was   uh….WRONG???  You went wild, moose lady, and we’re sorta sick-a-hearin’ ya defend it there, also…..
8. Please don’t film yourself in your kitchen cookin’ up that moose stew and moose hot dogs anymore.  I can’t bear to watch all that fake photo op,  I really got sick at my stomach and I fear that Alaskan’s are being grossly neglected with your homey skills,   oh and by the way, did you bill them a per diem for that there meal, “also” ? 
9. And, really, I just wonder, how could a person track, pack, count, and send to Alaska, over $150,000 worth of clothing that was barely used in 3 months…?  Now that’s some serious shoppin’ skills, there also!  (Ya tired of the “there also” yet, Sarah?)
10. A piece of advice:  I wouldn’t vote for you if you ran for Dog Catcher, in fact, I’d turn you in for animal abuse.  Please do the country a favor if you have an ounce of patriotism in that rogue-maverick-also brain of yours….SHUT UP!  Just don’t speak.  As in close  your mouth.  Take care of Alaska.  We didn’t know you 6 months ago, and we’d like to go back to that time.  You didn’t help!  In fact, you just made millions of us really mad at the Republicans who tried to shove you down our throats! “It’s not really ignorance you see, America, trust us,  don’t trust your ears, trust us…again, 4 more years….”  How could they in the name of “country first” ever keep you on the ticket??  How could they even attempt to push someone like you off on the rest of the country, and the world?  We shudder to think of what might have happened to the good ol’ US OF A. 

God save us all.

-Marisue, an average American on the ground…who is thinking of new uses for duct tape.  Naaa, probably wouldn’t work, that woman is on a 4 year continuous loop of talking.  I don’t think even duct tape would stifle the noise, and I’m not doin’ it.  I’m not gettin’ that close to her…Maybe FIRST DUDE will.  I bet he’s sick of it, too.

Posted on November 11th, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Election, The Morning Alert | Add Your Comments »

The Morning Alert

Hope Arrives! President Elect Barack Obama and soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama bring hope to the White House as they take their first look at the halls of power. 

America wins, and I walk more relaxed since November 4th, 2008.  I was not aware just how heavy the burdens were on my shoulders.  I felt the pain and agony of a weak economy mishandled by a weak President George W. Bush, who not only didn’t have a clue, he didn’t have a grip.  It affected me, an average American on the ground, in various ways; I held my breath more, I gritted my teeth, felt an overall sense of gloom and doom, had to work even harder for find customers in my self storage job, I felt the heaviness of friends and family and even strangers who were affected by high gas prices and low wages plus the fear of losing their jobs.  There was always a nagging headache.

The future looked bleak as we thought about 2 wars, weak economics, disappearing jobs, oil, and health care for ourselves and families.  At the election of Barack Obama, I felt lighter.   Soon, I could even move my neck with less pain.  (I wonder if that means Bush was a literal pain in the neck?)

The world smiled.  Isn’t it strange, to have a President with a cabinet who can bear our burdens as they should? Some are thinking Obama is too charming, I never thought he was just charming, I thought he spoke with vision, and that’s a good thing.  Without vision, the people parish. 

We’ve had enough of a President who only evisioned things for the wealthy and his own agenda.  Enough secrets, enough spin, enough private agenda, enough secret deals, enough skirting the law, enough lack of thought for the middle class, enough deals for the wealthy. 

Hope for America, arrives for us all this afternoon in Washington D.C.  It’s ok to smile sometimes, America.  It’s a good feeling.  One we could get used to.

-Marisue, an average American, on the ground.

Posted on November 10th, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Election, The Morning Alert | Add Your Comments »

This 2008 presidential campaign season was emotionally and intellectually intense.  It was hard to get away from the news, the ads, the auto phone messages, the conversations with friends in person and on the Internet.  A lot of us, myself included, made this engagement with campaign information a nearly full-time preoccupation. 

However, other aspects of life still needed tending to, like paying bills, cooking meals, and ordering a new supply of bank checks.

The other day, amid the campaign information blitz, I realized I needed to order bank checks, so I called the printing company.  The Customer Service Representative who picked up my call was polite, professional, and very pleasant.  She listened patiently to my request to reprint the same plain blue checks I’ve been ordering for twenty years.  With efficiency, she confirmed the routing and account numbers, the names to be printed on the checks, and the shipping address.

Then she asked if perhaps I’d be interested in a change, after all this time.  “How about scenic seascapes, or endangered species, or eco-friendly checks made from recycled paper, or Sponge Bob Square Pants, or….?” she asked.

I listened patiently, understanding that it’s her job to eke more than $11.63 out of me for a year’s supply of checks. 

When she finished, I said, “I don’t think I want a new design, thank you.  I like the one I’ve had for 20 years.”  But even as I spoke the words, I saw my stuffy, outdated checks in my check wallet and found myself thinking that the whole country is anticipating some kind of major change once the upcoming election is over, a change that I’m going to be a part of, no matter what it is.  So, I asked her,  “On the other hand, you don’t happen to have a design of Obama’s face, do you?”

The answer was, of course, no.  But we both liked the idea and agreed that printing Obama’s face on bank checks would be a fine money-maker for her company, even in the midst of this roller coaster of economic uncertainty. 

Then I asked, “Well, if not an Obama design, then what about a Palin?” 

The CSR said nothing for a while.  I could hear the gears turning in her head, knowing that she knew that I had just baited her, fairly or unfairly, but by this time we had come to an easy and friendly, although still business-like, rapport.  Just as I was about to say, “Are you still there?” she said, with what I imagined was an extraordinarily straight face,  “I’m sorry we don’t have any Governor Palin check designs, but may I suggest something from the Barbie doll line?”

Looks like I’ll be using the stuffy blue checks for another year, but I’ll be remembering this exchange with the CSR for a long time.  Maybe next year the blue checks will go by the wayside…I eagerly await all the changes to come.

by Sally

Posted on November 5th, 2008 by Sally
Filed under: Daily Life in America, Election | 1 Comment, Add Your Comments »

The Political Moment

Obama!  America!  The People!  The Average American has spoken, and what a voice! 

Hooray for common sense, for programs that help each other, for our tax dollars being spent at home for energy, health care, housing, security, jobs, us. 

Us.

What a wonderful word.  I am so glad we voted with a powerful unity, a voice that says “America will not be down-troddened by the rich, the greedy, the selfish.  WE have the power, and we remembered it.”

Obama, our President, we’ve got your back!  Let’s get to work!

-Marisue, an average American on the ground, with a voice that was heard from sea to shining sea, and around the world.

Posted on November 5th, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Daily Life in America, Election, Patriotism In the USA, The Political Moment | Add Your Comments »

The Political Moment

November 4th is near!  Get out and vote, and offer a ride to someone else.  Vote early if you can!  The lines are long; the attitudes so far are pleasant, your vote counts more than ever as the race tightens. 

In my heart, I believe that Obama will take the White House by storm, but we need every vote or it won’t happen.  Nothing can be taken for granted.  As I watched and listened to McCain and Palin the last few days, I am amazed that anyone with common sense would want these two for any job, much less the most important jobs in our nation.

Does anyone remember McCain’s slip of the tongue “My fellow prisoners….” (And WHY has that comment not gotten more press?)  Doesn’t that make you wonder where his head is??  “MY FELLOW PRISONERS???”  I think his sanity is truly in question, underneath it all, he cannot separate his past from the needs of the country.  Maybe no POW could, but why put him in the oval office?

Let’s let him get the treatment he may very well need, send Palin back to the Alaskan authorities, who may be working on special papers for her in the form of formal charges, and let our nation get about the business of righting the wrongs of the last 8 years.

Speaking of Bush, what’s up with his eleventh hour de-regulations??  What’s up with the attack within the boundaries of Pakistan??  Is Bush TRYING to destroy what’s left of our country??  I can’t wait until we replace him with Obama, for President!  May God protect Obama, may we do the right thing as a country by electing him.  However, I think all of it depends on us doing our part, wishing won’t get it done.  We’ve got the emotional devestation of job losses, the Iraq War that has broken our country’s economic system and killed our sons and daughters, maimed over 30,000.  We’ve sold our soul to China, sent our factory jobs (to name one) overseas, not secured our borders, not helped our sick and needy, what more reason do any of us need to vote for Obama?  Don’t let the Republicans make you afraid of programs to help us, of Obama to lead us.  He’s an American, like you, like me. 

Help America by electing this honest, intelligent, warm, caring man, who exhibts even today, respect for his opponent, even though McCain in many ways has not deserved it.  Obama has risen above the temptation to slur or defame.  He has shown character, heart, professionalism, self-control.

Don’t leave it up to “the other guy” this election, please vote Obama in the 2008 Presidential Campaign!  What an historical moment for America!

-Marisue, an average American on the ground

Posted on November 1st, 2008 by AnAmerican
Filed under: Election, The Political Moment | Add Your Comments »