The Gingrich Doppelganger

It's been bugging me for weeks now, but I finally figured it out.
Newt Gingrich is really THE BRAIN and he's preparing to take over the world!

Images courtesy of Warner Brothers and the World Wide Web!

a dilemma of participation

What gets people motivated to get involved in the fiscal health of the schools that educate their kids?

These days, this is a question which I ponder quite regularly .

New Jersey has tilted the balance of funds to public education from the state coffers to the local community taxpayers, putting schools in fiscal binds and stirring up resentment in the public that gets directed at one of the only budgets that people get to vote on - the school budget. Is it any wonder that people, stirred up by economic situations beyond their control, exert their control by voting down many local school budgets?

But mostly it's just a small portion of the population who take the time and energy to actually exert that right of casting a ballot. Less than 20% of our community came out to vote in last year's school budget election and our populations tops 50,000 people.  

Now since I can't believe that situation is unique to our township, I'm forced to wonder what the obstacles are that prevent people, parents specifically, from taking an interest and active participation in determining whether a school budget is passed or not, considering that their children spend 13 years, if one counts kindergarten, within the halls of an establishment whose main focus is shaping the education, the critical analysis, the mathematical abilities and the reading comprehension those children receive.

Because if I knew what those obstacles were I could find a way to encourage and urge those parents to get more involved, to participate in the discussion and offer their insight, and learn the real facts. Because knowing those facts would overcome misconceptions and politically motivated rhetoric. Pushing information out is as easy as pressing send on an email, posting it on a website or sending an automated phone message. Engaging community with that message, asking them to take in that information and act on it, one way or the other, is the hurdle and given all the efforts put in this year, I'm not sure how else to prompt further action.

It's no secret that people are quick to speak up when something bothers them, or when they feel an action doesn't line up with their agenda, because then the participation gets loud and angry. That's a fine thing, but it's decidedly one sided and usually over a specific topic and once that has been addressed and the heat has subsided, the usual complacency sets in and those folks cast theirs eyes elsewhere, forgetting, or ignoring that there is still day to day business happening that impacts decisions and would benefit from involved community.

As NJ cuts public school aid and ties local school boards hands, the state
turns a blind eye to the increasing costs of private specialty schools needed for special education students, obliquely imply that local districts are spending too much in this area, and do nothing to curtail the year over year increases those private schools burden the home districts with as they endeavor to seek out the best education for that student population. Why does the NJ DOE not look to restrict tuition increases in that sector since it is still education dollars for our students? Why does the state do nothing to limit the increase health insurance costs impose on a school district annually? The average yearly increase school districts are faced with in one of the larger budgetary expenditures hovers in the 15% - 20% range. It seems that the state offices are perfectly okay that tax dollars go to a bloated insurance executive bonus instead of an early intervention reading program, adding an elective to the curriculum, or an advanced placement language course.

It takes the participation of the larger population to decide what is in their best interests, and in the interest of the schools educating their kids, yet that participation is limited to a small segment of involved parents and community minded individuals. And that's a shame as every person in the community, be they people without children currently enrolled or individuals without children, benefit from educating the next generation of innovators, civil servants, scientists, doctors, or businessperson. 

No Time to Hate

In another lifetime ago, during a Grateful Dead show, I picked up a bumper sticker that simply stated"No Time to Hate", blue on white, with peace symbol's in the o's for effect.

I still try to remember that message, the simplicity of it, in this crazy life we live.

Life is short, we can all coexist, and still be unique. Imagine what our world could be if we all just work together, let ourselves be, tolerate others, embrace the diversity.

Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples"

The Glorious Day Has Dawned

Today is the day.

That most miraculous day.

The Wondrous Hopeful Day all sane and befuddled people the world over have been anticipating and dreaming of these long, long disturbing 8 years.

Obama gets the keys to the White House and relieves us of the shrub.

And the heavens rejoice with song and dance for all things good and blessed.

While on vacation this week...

The Catutes Family is on vacation this week and it's been a busy one so far.

~Barack Obama was elected President, which was , in my humble opinion, meant to be at this time and place and no forces could have prevented it from happening. All the words have been said and thus, I have little else to add to the dialogue, except, KEEP THE YARD SIGN. I have the satisfaction of getting the President.

~ Took the kids on a two hour Mule ride up and down rocky trails, across craggy plateau's and cold streams. The kids loved it and the scenery was beautiful. Let me mention a note of caution for those willing to entertain embarking on a similar vacation event. When the guide says you should stand in the stirrups while trotting, it is best to head that advice. My ass still hurts, two days later.

~ I enjoyed a lovely visit with a good friend I see way too little of most of the time. Life getting in the way is no excuse for not keeping in touch with those you care about.

~ The resort pool has apparently been treated with some sort of caustic chemical as Giggles skin looks desiccated when she emerges from the watery depths for any length of time. She's a moisturizing fool in the evenings now.

~ My skill at billiards is woefully inadequate and loosing to SuperHubby does not take the sting out of loosing.

~ Why is it so damn difficult to get a prescription filled while one is on vacation? Really? I'm not looking to get major narcotics, just migraine medication to relieve SuperHubby's back spasm migraine and it's taken almost an hour to find a pharmacy that carries the meds and get to them to agree to fill the prescription when the Doctor's office calls it in. Maybe the surburban mom look is the new junky fad.

Ciao!

Furious

Some dirtbag stole MY Obama-Biden sign out of MY very own front yard.

Clearly the republicans are so fearful of losing this election that they will trespass on private property and steal a sign supporting their competitor. This action translates for me, that McCain supporters, ergo republicans, are thieves and not above stealing anything. Oh wait, see Election 2000.

Alright, that's mean spirited, not all republicans are thieves and dirtbags. Just some, most especially the one that stole my, or any other, Obama sign.

During my travels placing Obama signs around town, I have seen and been right near any number of McCain signs and NOT ONCE did I think to remove the McCain sign. Because that would be wrong and mean spirited, not to mention small minded and immature.

To those of you who crept in the night onto private property and, like the skunks you are, out of cowardice stole my sign, I've got a message for you:

Bite me.

cross posted at nablopomo

Election Obsession

My name is Catootes and I’m an election news junkie.

For someone who paid scant attention to politics prior to the debacle that was the 2000 elections, I’ve become completely consumed by this one. I try to catch CNN once or twice a day. This action actually befuddles me, even as I press the select channel button, as I think most TV news programs are basically infomercials at best. I read online news voraciously, all day long. I can’t go more than an hour without checking into the NY Times, Drudge, Huffington Post, Google News and my local online presses, just to see if something else has popped up in the news sphere that will shed insight on the direction this election will eventually lead. Because we all know, anything can happen.

Absolutely anything. Sarah Palin, for example.

I was so riled up during the debates, my kids rolled their eyes and left the living room, when I would let them escape, so as to not be in the same room with possessed being that had displaced their mother. At a recent dinner with my In-Law’s, we started to discuss the choices of Obama and. McCain. As I am an ardent Obama supported and they long time conservative Republicans, this conversation got quite energetic and loud. Giggles piped up to remind us that we were all family and words like that should not be said at the dinner table. It’s a good thing I have a solid relationship with my In-Law’s, as this could be a schism of unconquerable dimensions.

The next several days of anticipation are going to eat at my insides until there is a nothing but a seething acidic dank hole where my stomach once held residence. This whole month has been one long experiment in anxiety for how this will all resolve. Much of the year flew by on the wings of a busy life but this last month has been grinding ever so slowly, it seems, to that day so many of us been waiting for since W. stole the election.

Given the strong stances and comprehensive dialogues I’ve seen exhibited by other bloggers and the absurdities coming through what should be legitimate news sources, I am not the only one being consumed by the fire of this election. I’ve been conveying to Ace and Giggles, to their utter subject fatigue, that this will probably be the most important election of their lives. But when you’re 13 and 10, this kind of thing is hard to grasp as a long-term view. I insisted they watch the debates and listen to me read news articles that are relevant to how this election impacts their lives. Much to my In-Laws despair, their political education is strictly slanted toward liberalism. I hope when my kids look back on this moment, they’ll remember the passion, engagement and wonder exhibited by a country standing on the precipice of hope and history.

Intervention may be necessary for me when this whole thing is over and we know what the future holds.

Why My Vote is for Barack Obama

Since I’ve been of age to vote, I’ve neglected to exercise that right as an American. My reasons ranged from apathy toward the political process as a whole to cynicism of the politicians swimming in those particular murky depths. The agenda’s have been set and my one lone voice had little impact, I believed, and left the rest of the population to analyze and speculate. My attention was caught by the higher visibility news and actions of America’s political players but that was the extent of my concern, other than a scathing contempt at the corruption of most politicians and how subverted the political process has become. We’ve all seen the broken pre-election promises; the blatant disregard of the popular vote and lies fed to us for agenda’s not in our best interests. And it is these actions that have caused much of the country to fall into apathetic political comas.

As I grew older raising my children, paying a mortgage, building my career and a retirement future, my views matured and changed such that I started paying much closer attention to the politics that govern my world. The elections of 2000 certainly fascinated me when somehow, beyond everything that made sense, W. was let into the White House. Since that historic occasion, and the debacle of 2004, I have paid much more attention. I am compelled to participate now. Because I live in Middle America and our voice needs to be heard in this time and place.

My family lives the Main Street Middle American life I hear politician after politician speak of in their sound bites and news blurbs. We are the critical bases being squeezed by the gas prices and the price increase of goods, the stock market collapse affecting our kid’s future education and our own financial future outlook. The ongoing military conflicts make me worry about my son’s future as he heads into High School. I wonder if another insurance company would cover my husband’s back problems if one of us were to loose our job. Our retirement funds have diminished in a market where the very people responsible for the current collapse walk away with million dollar rewards for FAILING. I worry that the careers we have, within companies dependent on consumer spending, will still be our careers in the coming year. These are my worries and I have hope that with Barack Obama as President, the people running our country will diminish my concerns with attention and a plan to fix the mess we're in as a country.

There is no doubt I lean in a liberal direction but I’ve never been one for party lines. I couldn’t care less if the right candidate is Republican, Democrat, or Independent. Frankly, I think the two party political structure if fraught with corruption and should be dismantled entirely. But this election is different. This election is the most important in my lifetime. It is important in ways that stretch beyond the first African American candidate, beyond the first woman running as VP on a Republican ticket. It is more important than just getting rid of the current administration. It is important that this election bring integrity and honesty and values back into our Government. This is why I am supporting Barack Obama.

I have great respect for John McCain and what he has given to our country as a military man and as a politician. I believe he wants to do the right thing and sees himself as the best candidate. But I’m very much afraid he has compromised the very principles he touts by aligning himself with a political machine that was instrumental in demeaning him to get W. elected. If you want something so very badly that you are willing to walk all over your deepest beliefs to get there, align yourself with the very beast you decry, you can’t be trusted to do the right thing by the rest of us. As for Governor Palin, well frankly, I don’t want her policies and religious views affecting my or my daughter’s rights as women. So far she’s shown herself, in my eyes, to be disingenuous and patronizing in her efforts to reach American voters. Governor Palin, you want to be taken seriously as a Vice Presidential candidate, please don’t wink at me when I’m waiting for you to tell me how you’re going to fix the economic crisis affecting my life.

Barack Obama doesn’t have all the answers nor does he pretend to. He does commit to learning and finding the answers. What he offers is vision and that is what America needs right now. We need change; we need to think about where this country should be in 10 years, 20 years. We should not be reflecting on what Ronald Reagan would do. It is not Ronald Reagan’s time and in so many wonderful and terrifying ways, the world is completely different. It needs a different type of leader who is willing to push back against fear-mongering and reach out for a better vision of the world. I am not deluding myself that Obama doesn’t have an agenda of his own but I truly believe that agenda to be the right one and we just need to believe that it can be different and better if we all work at it.

There is a plethora of books out there discussing how to accept change, how to affect change, but let’s face it, people are afraid change and what they do not know and hesitant of committing themselves and trusting. Obama is different, I feel. He is asking us all to have hope, to put effort into restoring America one person at a time. He is asking us to embrace a new vision of America where we all have a stake in what happens. We’re a jaded bunch, us Americans. We’ve sat and reveled in our role as the reigning Superpower and marveled at our fortunes. During the past eight years those very elements have fractured. I’m not deluding myself that it is all Bush & Cheney’s fault, I’d like to, but it takes many years for any Administration’s actions to spill into the every day world of you and I. Democrats alike have to shoulder the blame for what is happening in our world today, just as much as the Republicans.

This is what makes Obama stand out for me. He sees the greatness that can be revitalized in America if every person takes a vested interest in making this country better. The first step is to let go of the fear of change and embrace the potential to help define what surely can be America’s prosperity and promise for everyone.

cross posted on BlogHer

How to compare those running for top office

Everyone even remotely dithering about whether they plan to vote for Obama or McPain needs to read this very insightful and funny little shakedown, America is Scary.

* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."
* If you grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, you're a quintessential American story.

* If your name is Barack, you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* If you name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

* If you graduate from Harvard law School, you are unstable.
* If you attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.

* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
* If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system, while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.
* If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

penned by Roger Freedman
(My thanks to More Than A Minivan)


And if you haven't seen the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler SNL sketch yet. GO NOW. You will laugh and laugh and watch it many times. I think I've got the girl crush on Tina Fey, she's effing brilliant. Really.