Merry Christmas

May you have a very Merry Christmas.

May the best be yet to come.

For now, the Republic endures.

Blagojevich...the real life Bart Simpson

As the eternal child and prankster Bart Simpson of Springfield says,

"I didn't do it. No one saw me do it. You can't prove anything!"

Here are a few more quotes of Bart that I pulled off this page...

• "I got my taste of authority, and I liked it!"
• "I don't know! I don't know why I did it, I don't know why I enjoyed it, and I don't know why I'll do it again!"
• "If I do something bad and there's no one there to catch me, does that make me good?"
• "Hello world! You can all kiss my ass!"
• "Go to Hell."

Perhaps Blago ran into Bart in Springfield? He probably also knows Mayor Quimby.

It is going to be entertaining to watch this unfold. First we have the shock of the charges, now the very strong denial by Blago. When the truth comes out what will he blame his behavior on? Drugs, abusive childhood, etc.? Will he take anyone down with him?

Time will tell.

Senator Schlossberg?

From what I have read and heard, here are Carolyn Schlossberg's qualification for senate...

• wrote a book - herself
  
• raised a family - herself
  
• intelligent - Patrick Kennedy
  
• talented - Patrick Kennedy
• does good job if committed to something - Patrick Kennedy
  
• has genetic coding - Larry Levy (Hofstra Univ.)
  
• has DNA of family - Ed Koch
  
• is the princess of camelot - media

Ok, compare those to someone like John McCain's... hmmm.

Wow.

I am all for it. We need another democrat who will be inexperienced and ineffective. Besides, the re-election run would be fun to watch. Your name only goes so far, Mrs. Schlossberg. You will need to actually do something. How about starting with telling people where you stand on the issues.

The new meaning of Christmas?

I'm speechless...



Apparently this is supposed to be some type of school 'program' put on my the children, but its just sickening.

Here are the lyrics to the song as best as I can tell...

let me tell you all the story, of a day not long ago
I was growing in a forest north of rio de janerio
i was cool, i was relaxed, i was growing branches ...
but everything went south
when my friends were clear cut

(ohhh!)

something was wrong
and i suspect
i got caught up
in the greenhouse effect

the temperature is getting hot
the oceans ?????????

the arctic's ice are melting fast
and i suspect the green house effect...
...

Children are being indoctrinated right before our eyes into the new religion of environmentalism. Even Santa Claus is in on it.

You can't even clear some land in Brazil to grow food to make your life better.

The radical environmental leftists want all of us to live in misery. Thank God they were not around when the Pilgrims escaped religious persecution by coming to North America to start a new colony.

Have a Happy Winter Solstice!

UAW Country Club (members only)

Did you know the UAW has a country club? Check it out here.
From the web site...

Black Lake Golf Club is the newest addition to the UAW’s Walter and May Reuther Family Education Center, situated on 1,000 heavily forested acres along the southeast side of Black Lake, one of Michigan’s largest inland lakes near Onaway, Michigan.

Black Lake Golf Club complements the Center’s recreational facilities, which now include a beautiful gym with two full-sized basketball courts, an Olympic-size indoor pool, and exercise and weight room, table-tennis and pool tables, a sauna, beaches, walking and bike trails, softball and soccer fields and a boat launch ramp.

The UAW selected one of golf’s most acclaimed course architects, Rees Jones, to design an environmentally responsible, championship caliber course. It was a challenge eagerly embraced by Jones, Golf World Magazine’s “Architect of the Year” in 1995.

Also from the website, here is some info on memberships...

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Black Lake Golf Club is now accepting a limited number of members.

Categories:

Lifetime Memberships: Open to only UAW Members and UAW Retirees. Additional information upon inquiry.

Annual Memberships: Open to only UAW Members and UAW Retirees. Unlimited green fees. Members pay only for cart. Cart must be used, unless playing after twilight. Additional information upon inquiry.

UAW Retiree UAW Member
Individual Member $800 $1000
Family Member $1400 $1800

Cart Fees: 18 holes---$15.00/person. 9 holes---$8.00/person

So Media pressures the Big 3 execs into hitch-hiking down to DC to be treated like children at the congressional hearings...not one word about the UAW Country Club. But at least I feel a little better that not ALL union dues go to democrat coffers, they spent some on a golf course that can be used for four months of the year. Though, the Olympic sized pool is indoors so presumably could be used all year...

'Ride' on a fire truck

I never considered myself a scrooge or anything, but after reading this you may.

Durham, N.C. — Durham firefighters are collecting toys. In exchange, they'll give you a ride on a fire truck. ...

Continue...

The story does not specify or define exactly what the 'ride' is. (Special thanks to BJ Clinton (and probably the BO) for teaching us we need to parse words so carefully.) Maybe you just get to sit in the drivers seat while the engine 'spits' on the windshield and your copilot makes the siren sound. I hope so.

If not, who will be paying for the fuel and taking responsibility if someone gets hurt?

The taxpayers. Who approved this program? the fire chief? the city council? Perhaps there is some extra money in the budgets this year, and if they don't spend it, they lose it?

The government from top to bottom does not get it. They can not continue to spend taxpayer money with such recklessness. How long will it be before the city of Durham asks for a federal bailout?

For now, the Republic endures.

Blood in the water

We now have the first blood in the water. What will the media do? Time will tell, but I think they will turn on the BO. How soon is going to depend on what Blago does. How much will he sing?

Fun to watch.

President-elect M*F*er

This is too much...it's better than anyone could have hoped for...the hope and change is just astounding. All just in time for winter's doldrums...

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich wanted President-elect Barack Obama "to put something together…something big" in exchange for going along with Obama's choice to fill his vacant U.S. Senate seat, according to a FBI affidavit unsealed following the governor's stunning arrest.

"I've got this thing and it's f***ing golden, and, uh, uh, I'm just not giving it up for f***in' nothing. I'm not gonna do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there," Blagojevich said in a phone call...

...the FBI says it heard Blagojevich complain he has to give this "motherf***er [the president-elect] his senator.

Continue...

So was there any negotiation going on between Blago and President-elect M*F*er for a payoff to get M*F*er's selection to his old seat?

Will Blago sing like a bird, now that he has been thrown under the bus by every democrat in the state of Illinois?

Time to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Another Democrat Governor busted

Well, I am assuming he is a Democrat, we are talking about Illinois here.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges.

Continue...

The article mentions the word Democrat twice. The first is in reference to Watergate and burglary at Democratic offices. The seconds refers to Democrat party concerns over Blogajovitch being investigated.

The media...gotta love the double standards.

Obama 'Hope and Change' metrics

Here are the Obama 'Hope and Change' metrics in a nice graph. I suspect we will be watching the red line go up, the green line go down. Yellow and blue...who knows.

As you mouse over the graph, you will see thin orange vertical lines get high-lighted. These are events. Nothing much there now, but feel free to suggest anything.

Unemployment 6.7%

The unemployment rate for November 2008 is now up to 6.7%.

This is one of the Obama "metrics of change" we are tracking here at this blog.

Bail-out disgust

I feel sorry for the auto execs. First they are shamed into 'car pooling', then they are forced into taking a $1 salary (yeah, these two actions really prove they are serious and its really going to help save the companies. yeah, right.) All symbolism.

Will they have to go back to Washington again? Maybe this time they'll travel by bus or hobo down there on empty box cars to grovel before the almighty and powerful oz?

Who would be surprised by a mob of angry congress men shouting "burn them! burn them!"? They will march over to Madman Speaker Pilosi's office. The BO will be there, too. Pilosi will ask how to prove they are witches. BO will suggest if they float like a duck they are witches. Pilosi will get her balance scale out and put Mulally, Wagoner and Nardelli on one side and a duck on the other. It will balance and prove the CEOs are witches. The mob will haul them off continuing to shout 'burn them! burn them!'.

So who will run the Big 3? The (democrat controlled) government of course. They're the best.

61% of Americans do not want a bail-out. Bring these people around by threatening a depression like no other. Yeah, they are the best.

Climate Change

Melting Man Challenges Climate Change




Here we have an eco-fool from Argentina.

Think of all the poor trees that died for his handout of eco, marxist propagana, not to mention the chemical processing of the ink to print them. Do you suppose the paint on his 'puddle' is oil-based or latex? Whichever, I'm sure its bad for the environment.

In the US, my bet is this guy would have wealth re-distributed to him and/or get some government grant for his 'art'.

GA senate run-off results

It looks as though the thorough trouncing of Jim Martin (D) by Saxby Chambliss (R) is indicating voter remorse for voting blue some four weeks ago.

It didn't take the fine folks of Georgia long to wake up and see what is going on. Who wants to pay some lackey, rust-belt UAW worker in Flint with another house on the lake 'up-north' for not working?

Me either!

Help is on the way

Oh praise be, Obama Says "Help Is On The Way". Just in time because I was starting to become worried about the economy with Christmas right around the corner and all. But, no need to worry now. If you loose your job in the next 55 days or so, don't sweat it. Seriously, apparently the economic hard times will soon be over. BO has saved the day.

But there is something familiar...but I just can't quite seem to put my finger on it. Ah, that's it. Mission Accomplished.

Will the media view the "Help is on the way" statement the way the spun President Bush's "Mission Accomplished"? Will the media rake BO through the mud like they did President Bush? Will we see this all over the airwaves and in the papers?




Of course not, remember the bias and the double standards. Bush is a Republican, after all.

For now, the Republic endures.

When are they going to stop?

Everyday, a new bailout. The sky is falling again today. When are they going to stop?

Why is it that people can not equate a big bureaucracy with the current and future direction of the government? The old saying "I'm from the government and I am here to help." Is scoffed at as a joke. Wake up people. Why did you VOTE for it then. (Yes, a red vote would have just been the lesser of two evils, but you have to take what you can get.)

Thomas Sowell has an editorial here, where he says in part:

We are not talking about the Great Depression, when output dropped by one-third and unemployment soared to 25%.

What we are talking about is a golden political opportunity for politicians to use the current financial crisis to fundamentally change an economy that has been successful for more than two centuries, so that politicians can henceforth micromanage all sorts of businesses and play Robin Hood, taking from those who are not likely to vote for them and transferring part of their earnings to those who will vote for them.

For that, the politicians need lots of hype, and that is being generously supplied by the media.

Basically, this is another power grab. Things would actually be better without the government intervention. But they do it anyway, for the power.

The new Cold War

Ah, the Cold War. I kind of missed it when the Islamic Terrorist hit the scene.

Soviet warships in Venezuela. Medvedev getting mouthy. We were tested by the attack on Georgia earlier this year. What and when will the next test be? Is the Barack going to be ready? We are vulnerable.

Obama says he is going to look at every single line item in the budget. He will cut the military. But he will also get Osama. He has backed off of pulling the troops out of Iraq immediately (that talk was obvious pandering to activist voters). So many promises, so little time. So vulnerable.

Perhaps this is going to be the war zone that taxmanblog: Little sweet Molly will get to report on. However, she had better add a 4th major... Russian.

The Administration Nominations

CNN is reporting on the break-neck speed of the Obama vetting process.

From the article...

"If we do not act swiftly and boldly, most experts believe that we could lose millions of jobs next year," Obama said Monday.

Therefore, anyone who opposes the nominations will be blamed for preventing Obama from saving those jobs.

Hope and change?

Uh, no. Same tired, old tactics by the left.

Obama budget

Hey Iowa Farmers, those of you who voted for hope and change...sounds like there is some change coming by way of a cut in the farm subsidies. 'Hope' you saved your millions, looks like you will need the spare 'change'.

Seriously, I am really more worried about the military being decimated than the farmers that are on the dole.

He is going to 'do whatever it takes'

So Obama is going to 'do whatever it takes' to revive the economy. Guess he is going to slash taxes, regulations and the size of government, huh?

Wishful thinking, I know.

The way his cabinet and appointments seem to be shaping up, I am wondering where the 'change' is. They are all from the Clinton administration. People like Peggy Joeseph and now Molly (Honey) Sweeney probably don't recognize it. They are are still clinging to hope, the way we are clinging to our guns and religion. It's the same old shtick from the left. Keep promising freebies, keep taking hard-earned money, grow government and dependency, blame the right for obstructing, repeat cycle. Nothing ever gets done, and they take more freedom, liberty and money. Insanity like this is only going to get worse with the new administration.

For some reason, the blue voting zombies keep falling right in line.

Frozen turkey stops carjacker

You have seen Mythbusters when they confirm the myth that a frozen turkey can kill a small dog...

There was a story on the 11:00 o'clock news tonight that an idiot carjacker was put in the hospital with one...

Too funny.

Bill Clinton agrees to vetting

According to CNN, Bill Clinton agrees to vetting.

Now the conspiracy theorist in me says that this is nothing more than a way for Obama to create a huge embarrassment for Bill and Hil' and roll over them one more time.

Should be fun to watch.

More Big 3 bailout

Have you heard the news?!? Horror of horrors! The auto executives flew in private planes to go before the House Financial Services Committee. The nerve! I suppose they respectively each took a great big gas guzzlin', pollutin' Ford, GM and Chrysler SUV from the airport and did not even think about carpooling.

From this WSJ article...

Lawmakers spent more than three hours grilling the executives on issues ranging from the management of their companies to their decision to fly to Washington on private jets, which one member called "arrogant."

It is disgusting to see these politicians in their committee, all the posturing, the high-and-mighty, looking down on their victims. Whom are they calling "arrogant?"

It takes a special kind of person to go into politics. They themselves grovel for campaign money and votes. Then they turn around and treat people like dirt. Disgusting.

End corporate welfare!

The country would be a whole lot better off if there was an end to corporate welfare by the Big 3.

The 'corporate welfare' that I am talking about is the way the Big 3 have been coerced by the UAW to provide welfare benefits to the union members.

Take a look at this post on the taxmanblog. Watch the Bonior video. Sick.

There should be no bail out for the Big 3. If they fail, it will hurt the auto workers, suppliers, and globally on down the line. The Big 3's web is world-wide. To the auto worker, I'm sorry for you. But you are an American, so get off your ass and pull yourself up. After all there are no guarantees or free lunches in life.

If the Big 3 fail, they will be back. Smaller, faster, leaner, smarter. This is their chance to bust the UAW. It is their chance for a new start. There is just no way we can continue down the path we are on.

For now, the Republic endures.

Our Public Schools ... followup

The teacher is still working...
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/3974729/

Bail-out or Buy-in

I read the Smart Girl Politics blog. This post talks about bailing out the automotive industry.

These big three companies are American icons. Automobiles make us independent and give us freedom. Freedom and independence built this country. We love our cars. Unfortunately it seems it is all coming to an end. It will be sad, it will hurt, but it has to happen...for the future.

There are several reasons these companies are failing. As the Smart Girl says, the biggest reason is the union. The union worker has more loyalty to the union than the company, and now they've just about killed the goose that laid the golden egg. Congratulations. Now you are going to screw up a lot of people's lives. Those of us who saved will be asked to pay (it's patriotic) for the bailout or the unemployment benefits of all those workers.

Because of exorbitant demands by the unions, employers can't pay the wages, retirement benefits, pensions, etc. Jobs go overseas to cheaper labor. Unemployment goes up. Union members whine. Liberal democrat politicians make promises. Union bosses tell members how to vote. Liberal democrat gets elected and says, "Look, I've rolled up my sleeves and I am workin' hard for you, Joe. Those Republicans are keeping us working men out of the promised land, they're sendin' your jobs overseas." In the end, nobody gets ahead. Everybody suffers. This cycle has to be broken. We need leadership to do it.

How about cutting, no slashing, taxes so people will have money to invest in these companies. Let the bail-out, no, make that 'buy-in', come from the private sector. Private investment can bring these companies back; bigger and better than before. Private investors will have skin in the game, they are NOT going to want to lose their money. The will succeed. It's the American Way.

I will say this again.
For the first time in my adult life, I am worried about the future of my country.

Our Public Schools

The story of the public school teacher who told the little girl, "That means your daddy could stay in the military for another 100 years" is right in my backyard (OK maybe a few blocks from my back yard).



Here is the school superintendents response:



I had not heard much on this story lately, so I asked the local TV reporter who covered the story if there was anything going on and I was told that the school system has hired an a lawyer to look into it. The teacher also has hired a lawyer. And that's about it.

I will post any future updates that do not make the national news here...

Looking for Civilian Security Force information

I have some questions about the Civilian Security Force that BO has proposed...

1. Will you need to supply your own weapon? Is this the reason for the run on guns?
2. Will there be recognition for service on Veteran's Day? Or will there be a new holiday?
3. Is there a website for signing up?
   

Please leave a comment if you have any infomration.

"Partial" zero-emissions

Driving to work today, I was next to a car (Subaru or something) that had a gaudy green paint job and huge letters proclaiming some thing about being a "Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle". I nearly lost control of my '96 Ford SUV since I was laughing so hard.

I did a little math on my commute time (1 hour) each day (24 hours). Hell, my Ford yields nearly 96% zero emissions, which I believe qualifies as 'partial'! Not only that, its green (with a beige interior)!

So even though it was Monday, the economy/stock market is going down, taxes/unemployment will be going up, I felt all warm and fuzzy inside because I am doing my part to save the planet without even really trying. Thank you, Barack!

Obama Presidency: The Movie

I am sure you have had someone tell you about the great movie they just saw. In addition to blowing $9.00 or $10.00, two hours of your life are gone and you'll ever get them back.

Based on what your friend said, your expectations for the movie went way too high. The reality is that the movie sucked.

Based on the media and interviews with Peggy Joeseph, what are the expectations for the Obama presidency?

With the economy in disarray and the nation's treasury draining, President-elect Barack Obama and his advisers are trying to figure out which of his expansive campaign promises to push in the opening months of his tenure and which to put on a slower track.

Obama repeated on Saturday that his first priority would be an economic recovery program to get the nation's business system back on track and people back to work. But advisers said the question was whether they could tackle health care, climate change and energy independence at once or needed to stagger these initiatives over time.

continues...

Yeah, there are lots of people pulling in lots of different directions and the expectations are way up there.

Let's not forget Peggy Joeseph...



She is in for a rude awakening.

This is why we will have a one term president.

Obamitude

As I have been out and about these past few days, at stores, restaurants and the like, I have sensed people copping an attitude. This attitude is coming from people wearing Obama buttons, stickers and t-shirts. The conclusion is that these Obama supporters are feeling high and mighty and their (and the savior's) toilets smell really nice.

The campaign is over folks. I know you are still on your honeymoon. You are excited about the promises of the future. You are excited about the 'change'. But reasonable people know not all change is good.

In his press conference, he tried to set the tone that it won't be quick and easy, be patient, it will take sacrifice, blah, blah, blah. There are going to be a lot of disappointed people soon, but a few teleprompted speeches and they will be back on board for 2012. (Unless of course there are internal party forces attempting to thwart the re-election campaign. You know who I mean.)

Unemployment at 6.5% will seem low in a few months time. Will you still have your obamitude, then? Who is going to get the blame with the house of cards falls down? My money is on either Bush or the filibustering few republicans who will be trying to keep the country from going down the toilet. Guess what, your toilet stinks now, but it will be even worse when we are all stuck going down in it!

Press Conference #1

Well, this press conference was quite interesting. Taking a shot at Nancy Reagan and that mutt comment. The next administration may actually provide some entertainment while they are raising out taxes and driving the economy into the ground.

Today's American Culture

You hear about people who win the lottery and all of a sudden they are contacted by long lost relatives. It's also the way politics and a lot of relationships work. Everyone wants to be friends with the popular kid.

Its going to be fun watching who jumps on the coattails of the president-elect. I'm sure we will be hearing, "We worked tirelessly in the senate together, side-by-side, with our shirt-sleeves rolled up for you, the middle-class. He is a great guy, and I was right the with him, every step of the way. blah, blah, blah." Yep, everyone wants to hitch their wagon to a star. Maybe even if some months back they wouldn't give the new popular person the time of day. Two-faced rats. That's point one.

Point two. Now that 'history has been made', what will the media do? They used him, and were a part of making history. Yippee. But now they will have to top this story. They did it to Senator John McCain. Remember early in the primaries how they loved him. The moderate republican who was most in line with their leftist views. They got him nominated. "We did it!", they shouted. But once the real campaign started, they chewed McCain up and spit him out. In time, they will do it to Obama, too. Another doormat? Maybe. John McCain's integrity had him stand up and take it like a man. What will Obama do?

In conclusion, we have people (and media) using whatever means to serve their own interest at the time. They have no regard for the humanity with which they interact. They want to leave their mark on the world and be a part of the history--no matter what.

Its a damn shame.

My fun today....

I got an IM from a buddy today and it starts out
>"OBAMA!"
so I ask him if he is thinking of joining the Civilian Security Force, commenting that he will have to learn how to march...

Then I told him to kiss his 401k goodbye (he thought I was talking about the market drop because of "Blue Wednesday"). So I had to explain that the left was going to take it away. He says:
>why do think they are going to remove 401k
to which I said to pay for the Civilian Security Force and that Peggy Joseph lady's gas and mortgage. So he says:
>please, it'll never happen
>obama isn't that stupid and buffet is an advisor to to obama

At this point I just chuckled quietly to myself and let it go.

Any bets on how long it takes for the voters remorse to set in? I'll take January 21, 2009. Honeymoon over!

Change metrics

Let's track these four items:

November 4, 2008

1. unemployment - (September 2008) 6.1%
   
2. Prime Interest Rate - 4.00%
   
3. National average regular gasoline $2.391
   
4. DJIA - (close) 9625.28

I will come up with a chart or something, but lets keep an eye on this now that we are going to have 'real change'.

My state went blue!?!

Take a look at the new blue states. You will see one thing in common. The blue counties which tipped the states are generally the population centers. Was he that good that he focused his efforts in these areas? Smart. That's what you call bang for the buck.

Here is a blog with another thought on the subject...
http://taxmanblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/red-versus-blue-still-hold-true.html

Can't really argue with logic. Which is why I guess I don't understand the left, since they have no logic.

What next?

Well, now we've really done it. Not exactly 'we', since I didn't vote for the guy. But now I believe our Republic has just entered a new era. A dangerous era. Can the Republic that we knew and loved, endure?

The ugly face of Socialism knocked, while the American media covered the peephole. The American people opened the door.

This is what I think is the scary part. This guy came out of nowhere. We do not really know who he is. He talks in a mesmerizing manner with out saying anything of substance. People bought it. Is this what the beginning of the end looks like? Once you lose liberty you can never get it back. Ever. It has slowly been eroding away over the years, but now I think the rate is going to accelerate.

This era will pass. The pendulum will swing the other way. But how long will it take? Once it does, what will be left? Who will shape it? Can it be shaped?

It can be done. It must be done. We need a leader to do it. I used to think we needed an event to rally around, like 9/11. But the president-elect proved it is not necessary. All you need is to get people to follow you, i.e. lead. Who will be the leader to turn America away from socialism?

So, for the first time in my adult life, I am worried about the future of my country. Here are a few things this blog will watch:

• unemployment
• interest rates
• fairness doctrine
• keeping your 401k
• gas prices

I hope we will be able to come up with a leader that can be used to preserve the liberties we enjoy in this the greatest country on earth.

Election day and why we need term limits

Tomorrow is going to be a big day...With congress' approval rating of 9% or something hideously low, wouldn't you expect that there will be a massive turn-over in our congressional representatives? I think a logical person would, but you know it is not going to happen and politics is not about logic.

Apparently everybody thinks that their representative is not part of the problem. Are people getting such good results and handouts from their representatives such that they continue to vote for them? I guess. Its a shame that today's career politicians are all about power and money. What ever happened to serving one's country?

Politicians seem to have very little integrity. I just read a report that Phillip Fulmer is going to step down as the head football coach at Tennessee. The Vols are struggling this year, so the reason why is pretty obvious and the decision mutual. I'm sure the was a lot of pressure on both sides from the constituents, er, fans. How many politicians do this? Very few. Some step down when there is a scandal. Richard Nixon. Bob Livingstone. Larry Craig (not running for re-election). Its interesting that the only ones that come to mind are Republicans. (Is that a glimmer of integrity for that party in general?) Why don't we hold the leaders of the free world to the same standard we hold our coaches? There is a lot more riding on the future of the country versus if your team will make it to a bowl game.

Are politicians really performing for us, or just telling us they are? Something should be done.

Federal term limits.

Why not have term limits? If you get a loser for a candidate, they will be gone in a short time. If you get a winner, they will move on to bigger and better things. Without giving it too much thought, here are some numbers...

• 4 terms in the house = 8 years
• 2 in the senate = 12 years
• 2 as president = 8 years
• A couple cabinet posts = 4-6 years.

Assume you have a truly great person who holds every office for the maximum duration. All told, they would have a 32-34 year career. That's not bad if they truly are committed to serving their country. However a poor candidate would have to face a new election dynamic once their term limits were reached and adapt to a statewide campaign or a national campaign. Hopefully they would not last that long, but if they did, the damage would be limited.

Every year, I get more cynical with this whole process. Our country is hanging in a fragile balance, lets do what we can to not mess it up.