I Don't Understand

I'm confused.  Maybe it's the medication I am on.  But really-- I just don't get it.

I cannot understand how people (read-- Republicans, others who are opposed to Obama, etc) are all of a sudden up in arms about national debt.  Were you sleeping the past eight years?  You know, those past eight long years when we went from having a 50 BILLION dollar surplus with Clinton (but I know, we can't say anything good about him because *gasp* he's immoral) to having a TRILLION dollar deficit.  

Last year, with the cost of the Iraq War, we spent $800 billion (yes B as in Billion) on ONE department-- the Defense.  Now, as my husband is a part of the military and we get a nice check from them each month AND they pay his tuition, we are big fans of the Defense Department.  However, I also know that it's not tuition dollars costing them $800 Billion a year-- our check isn't THAT nice.  

It just seems rather hypocritical that people were in favor of spending to keep our country "safe."  Who cares about being safe when you don't have money to feed your family?  What's the difference really?  Shouldn't we also be spending money on making sure American families are economically "safe"?  

I totally understand that there are different ideas on economics.  Some believe that government spending is the worst thing that could happen right now-- and I completely believe in the right to have that opinion and that it has definite validity.  Others think that the only way to get out of this recession is for the government to spend its way out-- another point that has serious evidence backing it up.  I am not an economics guru.  In fact, I've never even taken an econ course.  So who am I to talk?

What I don't understand is how people are suddenly so upset about government spending.  What about the 700 Billion G. W. Bush pushed through last year?  What about the 1 Trillion deficit he wrapped up in a bow and left on Obama's desk?  Where were Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh then? Where were their charts and t-shirts complaining about Bush's spending?  Rush came up with a genius idea--- the authority to spend money should be divided based on the popular vote from the election.  Wait, didn't Gore win the majority vote?  Where was his 51%?  

It is a given fact that Congress loves to spend money.  Republican (see the 70 billion tacked on the package in Republican tax cuts in the last two days) or Democrat (see the 132 million for STD prevention-- job creation? Interesting).  That's their job-- bring home the bacon (or pork...) to their constituents.  The only difference now is the party in control.  The actions are the same.  Stimulus package--- stimulus package.  Yupp, looks the same to me.  

I'm not saying don't complain.  I'm asking for people to be consistent.  If you railed against spending during the Bush years-- fantastic.  Keep on railing.  But don't pretend like Obama is the first President to spend spend spend, cause he's not the first, and he won't be the last.  But your opinion on government spending shouldn't change depending on what party is in power.  

I'm not a fan of the spending package.  Pete is.  But at least we remain consistent in opposing each other :)

Yumm Yumm

It's Girl Scout Cookie Season and I am ready to purchase some. If anyone is selling them, don't walk, RUN to my house and I will gladly order a trillion million boxes. Because if anything can cure pneumonia, it's Thin Mints :)

The end.

On Being Sick

1. I thought Pete was a lousy sick person, but I beat him hands down.
2. I do not own enough sweat pants.
3. Sick people need cable. Reading makes my eyes hurt and soap operas just make me want to die even faster.
4. Benadryl, while making it easier to sleep, gives you crazy, crazy dreams.
5. Friends are the best people in the world.

Six Pack Baby!

I went to see my doctor today and he diagnosed me with pneumonia, an ear infection and strep throat. I am so doped up on medicine I can barely type, but I have have have to comment on the game.

THE GAME.

It was an awesome, nail biting game. The Cardinals played incredibly well and all I can say is Larry Fitzgerald went to The University of Pittsburgh :) In the end though, while the Cardinals had an incredible journey, the Steelers have an incredible team.

Here's to being proud of the Steelers-- 'cause we all know that the Pirates give us oh so much to cheer for... not.

PS-
Who else thought that Harrison was going to die right on the field? I love watching defensive players run. They're all pumped for the first twenty yards and then they look like they are suffering a heart attack right there on the field.

Why YOU Should be a Steelers Fan ;)

This is directly from the September issue of GQ. The articles called, 73 Reasons We're Living in a Golden Age of Football, and this particular chunk was written by Jean Marie Laskas.

No. 8 Because the Cowboys may be America's team, but the Steelers are God's team.

A Steelers game is a holy war, a fight for what is virtuous and right. To live here in Pittsburgh, where Heinz Field sits like a fat temple bursting with kielbasa-loving believers, is to know all there is to know. Unflinching, unconditional, ours is a faith handed to us from grandpa or great-grandpa, the guy who first got the season tickets and passed them down through generations. (the waiting list for season tickets is ten years long- you have to wait until someone dies.) Divorcing couples have been known to wage custody battles over season tickets; ex-husbands give in and sit with ex-wives, sharing nachos and cold iron. Hey, it's the Steelers.

We are born into our religion, and we are baptized, and we receive our communion. A Steelers fan never strays. You move to Denver, or to some fancy sunbelt place, or even to California, you stay a Steeler fan. People say the Cowboys are America's team, and we think that is so adorable. So very precious. Listen people: the Steelers are God's team. Hometown boy Bill Cowher having passed along to Sainthood, we embrace a new Messiah, Mike Tomlin, trusting in the guidance of our holiest family, the Rooneys (because they're from Pittsburgh). And now, of course, we have Big Ben Roethlisberger, who can make us more than a tiny bit nervous, and Hines Ward, with his eternal smile (he smiles, we think, because he gets to play for Pittsburgh), and Troy Polamalu, who embodies the sort of humanity we expect of our Steelers. Good people. Good people. Hey, they play for Pittsburgh- a rusty promised land where there is so little left to be proud of. So we will sit and wave our terrible towels and battle the gray chill that cuts to the bone, wave that towel, wave that towel in praise. We will do this because this is our life's work. We will continue to give birth to baby Steeler fans, and we will continue our charge to take over the world, to convert you and you and you. We are missionaries charged with leading you toward the light of Steeler nation. It's probably a rule in the bible somewhere. Oh, it probably is.


****I apologize for the sacrireligous tone of the article-- but hey, IT'S THE STEELERS****

Pretty Cool

Ok... I'll admit it-- I'm an Obama supporter. It's true. I met him at the debate at Drexel University during the primaries in Oct 2007 and was pretty impressed. From there I watched his campaign and was rather pleased with his message. Call me hopeful, call me blind to reality-- I want Obama to succeed.

However, I am a little annoyed by the media coverage of our new President. His "approval" ratings were at record highs on the day of his inauguration. Approval ratings? He hasn't even spent a day as President yet!

But to be perfectly honest, I can't help myself from being swept up in the excitement of it all. I was a *gasp* Bush supporter, but the past few years have left me disappointed and disillusioned. I am hesitant to get too excited-- I worry that I am just going to be disappointed and let down again, but I find myself unable to remove my emotions from the moment. Maybe he is just a slick politician, but shoot, he's getting people to feel some hope, some desire to serve our country, some pride in America. If that's the case, we could use a few more slick politicians.

I was particularly impressed with Obama's transition. According to the Liberal Media, aka- the New York Times, "Over the last three months, Mr. Obama has quietly consulted Mr. McCain about many of the new administration’s potential nominees to top national security jobs and about other issues — in one case relaying back a contender’s answers to questions Mr. McCain had suggested." He didn't have to consult McCain on his nominees, but he took the time to find out who his former opponent recommended. It's refreshing to see a politician realize that maybe his opposition has some valid points and opinions. That maybe he doesn't have all the answers.

My favorite part of the Inauguration came when he said (or paraphrased), "We will extend our hand when you will unclench your fist." Many scoff at Obama's pretty words and skilled speeches, but I say-- maybe we should listen to his pretty words a little more, maybe we need to unclench our own fists a little more often to reach out to the extended hands in our lives.

Here We Go!

Of course, I could not let this week go by without mentioning that... ahem... it will be the Steelers going to the superbowl!

While we were disappointed that it will not be a Philadelphia/Pittsburgh face-off, we are glad that our marriage does not have to end on Feb 1.

That is all.