Having received a comment from another blogger, I reminded myself that I am being perhaps a bit too "passionate" in my posts. I don't really tend to get too emotional, but a couple of posts seemed to have a little too much, shall we say, enthusiasm.

A minor comment on my most recent post.
I thought about how one could fundamentally disagree with the way I view arguments on topics like entitlement programs and minimum wage and it is interesting that while the difference may be slight it can turn into a bitter and contentious debate.

Is the difference in opinion on say the minimum wage that I (on the right) believe that most people have the capability but fail to execute while those on the left say that most would execute if given a fair opportunity? I may of course be wrong about the stance of the left, but assuming that I'm not, it is not a position to scoff at or berate. It is the difference between believing in the abilities vs. believing in the sensibilities.

I'm not going to say that either position is better or more accurate, however, as an individualist that believes that each of us, while we may have our own challenges, have the power to rise above most any hurdle placed in our way I have to believe in the former. In the end, it is certainly a little of both and so the question becomes how to help or support those that need help and what role the government should play in that. Another post perhaps.

I just read a post suggesting that we need to raise the minimum wage because you "can't live on it." Well, no duh and so what. Why are some people so concerned about the poor decisions other people have made and then the fact that they earn peanuts performing unskilled labor? The last thing I need to hear is that someone can't raise a family on it - well what are you doing with a family if you have no skills. These same people then complain about how the evil rich get richer. So now I know the person writing it is not rich and has little to offer anyone other than their opinion.

First, I'm not rich (although I probably have more wealth than the person that wrote this - or at least I have less wealth envy) and I don't care. I have sacrificed some income for a lot more happiness and I don't give a rats ass if all my friends make more $$ than me. At some point, you might just realize that it is not about how much crap you have.

Second, my mother worked for room and board only in her younger years due to horrible circumstances. However, she learned a skill through working in kitchens, finally got jobs with restaurants making minimum wage and eventually went on to make much more. In other words, even if you have difficulties, it is unlikely that you will have to work for the rest of your life making minimum wage. Sure, it may be for a short while (i.e. couple of years), but if you work hard and do your job, you will earn more. In the mean time, make due with what you have (i.e. don't have kids).

Third, why do people complain about the rich getting richer? It's not because Bush is giving it to them, it's because they are doing the things that make money and there is nothing wrong with that - so long as it is legal. Many of these "evil" rich people run their own companies and CREATE jobs and hire people. That is known as a capitalist society and it is the GREATEST ANTI-POVERTY tool ever created. In fact, if you think you are underpaid, go start your own company or get another job. If you can't, whose fault is that? I once had this guy tell me he was sick of working for "these people" and just making them rich. Oh yeah, well go out and do it for yourself then. Seriously, if you can then stop complaining and go do it. If not, then stop bad mouthing the people giving you an opportunity.

Finally, I just don't understand. Is it that these people really care about the poor that can't earn more than minimum wage? They don't seem to know any of these people as they usually just spout statistics. If you do know them, why don't you give them a job for a true living wage? What, you don't have one to offer? Well what makes you think that someone else should do it since you can't? Oh, then let's just make the government make people do it. Yes people - who the heck do you think owns the businesses that have to pay it , robots? That's freedom for you, right? I ran my own business for 5 years with employees, my parents did for over 30 years - it's no picnic and it's no get rich quick scheme where you bilk customers and employees and then live high on the hog.

Well, the NY Times seems to have great timing once again. Interesting how they had information for about a year regarding "secret spying" authorized by the administration and it just happens to make its way out the day after an historic and very successful vote in Iraq. hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Just got this this morning in e-mail, thought it was funny enough to share...

1. People who point at their wrist while asking for the time.... I know where my watch is pal, where the hell is yours? Do I point at my crotch when I ask where the toilet is?

2. People who are willing to get off their ass to search the entire room for the T.V. remote because they refuse to walk to the T.V. and change the channel manually.

3. When people say "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too". Damn right! What good is cake if you can't eat it?

4. When people say "it's always the last place you look". Of course it is. Why the hell would you keep looking after you've found it? Do people do this? Who and where are they? Gonna Kick their asses!

5. When people say while watching a film "did you see that?". No Loser, I paid $12 to come to the cinema and stare at the damn floor.

6. People who ask "Can I ask you a question?".... Didn't really give me a choice there, did ya sunshine?

7. When something is 'new and improved!'. Which is it? If it's new, then there has never been anything before it. If it's an improvement, then there must have been something before it, couldn't be new.

8. When people say "life is short". What the hell?? Life is the longest damn thing anyone ever does!! What can you do that's longer?

9. When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks "Has the bus come yet?". If the bus came would I be standing here, dumbass?

I know there are a lot of problems in Iraq, but we get to hear about those every day. I enjoyed reading this piece on Powerline where Congressman John Kline comments on his recent trip, his third, to Iraq. There is certainly a lot of progress in the right direction which can give us hope that Iraq will turn out to be a beacon of democracy in the ME. Commenting on the difference in this trip from the last two:

One, overall the level of violence was down. We were able to stay in Baghdad, not Kuwait, and we spent the whole time inside the Sunni Triangle. And in the time I was there I didn’t hear a gunshot or explosion. But the most important thing was the prevalence of the Iraqi security forces. They are really out there now, and they are doing a good job.

And on morale of the troops:

Now that they’re over there and they’re engaged, it’s still their only concern. Their morale is still high. And now they’re there so they can see that they‘re making a difference. They are excited about what they‘re doing, they are confident about what they’re doing, they believe in the mission, and they’re glad to be there. So what some of these politicians are saying is annoying to them, it kind of makes them mad. I don’t like that it’s their only expressed concern, they shouldn’t have any concern about that at all. But in general they’re getting on with business, and their morale is high.

Yes, this focuses on the positive. Yes, there are problems. It's just good to hear some positive impressions. Read the whole thing.