What's Outside My Window?

Squirrely, up to his usual antics. :)

Let's Talk Politics for a Minute

So, in 2004 when Bush was re-elected, I felt like there should have been pandemonium and riots in the streets. After Bush's first four years, it didn't seem like he was doing a good enough job to warrant another four years. In recent weeks we seem to have reached the end of the world--since we're on the brink of an economic collapse, I'm just waiting for cats and dogs to start falling from the sky, along with locusts. So, you can imagine I am feeling very apprehensive about the upcoming election. This has spawned two specific thoughts about the Republican candidates...

John McCain Turned My Wife into a Vegetable

So, when I think about life on November 5th, if McCain wins, my brain kind of just stops. I just can't fathom life for another four years as the American world continues this downward spiral, only now under McCain's leadership. I told Mark about how I just can't wrap my head around the thought of McCain winning--that I'll effectively have a mental breakdown if McCain wins. Mark will have to tell people that I've turned into a vegetable, and it's John McCain's fault! Newspapers will print this headline: John McCain Turned My Wife into a Vegetable.

I'm Embarrased to be a Woman

This might seem a bit melodramatic, but Palin makes me embarrassed to be a woman. And here's why:

• Palin is the first woman to be part of a President/Vice President duo
• if McCain is elected, Palin would be the most powerful woman in America
• Palin has been chosen to represent the women of America
• she isn't a qualified politician, she was chosen to be the token woman, and she isn't even a good representative of our gender
  

Palin is an embarrassing woman, and that's why I'm embarrassed to be a woman.

I Got a Tattoo!

I'm bad ass with my Hello Kitty! tattoo. Mark's work had a carnival last Friday, and we went for awhile. The weather was beautiful, and they had lots of fun things like make wax hands, get tattoos, lots of carnival games and food and beverages (free via Mark's work, by the way). It was a great time!

Romping In the Fountain

Mariel came to visit Katie, and we spent an hour tramping around downtown, including this frolick in a fountain.

The We Deserve It Dividend

As Congress tries to finish writing the AIG bailout bill so they can pass it and prevent economic disaster, you may have received an email about the "We Deserve it Dividend," or heard people discussing this idea. (For instance, I heard it as a topic of discussion on a local radio station.) In principle, I actually agree with this email because even though bailing out AIG will help keep the economy "stable," it doesn't do anything to help the people who were allowed to take out these bad loans and mortgages, lost their homes, and have their credit damaged for the next 7-10 years. I firmly believe that the people who were hurt from these businesses' mistakes should be helped.

But I do have a few caveats. For instance, why share the money with every American over the age of 18? Surely there could be a cut-off, so those (few) individuals who make more than--let's say--$150,000 a year, are not included. I mean, if you're making over 150k and you still have lost your home, then I have a really hard time feeling sympathy for you. The poverty line in the continental U.S. is $10,500, so if you're making $150,000, then your income is about 14x more than the 36.5 million people (approximately 1 in 8 Americans) who are living below the poverty line. In fact, when you put it like that, I feel like those individuals making between 100k and 149,999 are pretty damn greedy if they get some of this "we deserve it dividend." But, let's say that all U.S. citizens who were 18 or older on their 2007 tax returns and made less than $150,000, would be eligible for this dividend. (Sorry John McCain, you wouldn't be eligible.)

The email I saw for this idea gives a lot of numbers, and I math is not my strong suit, so I'm going to avoid giving concrete numbers. But something I agree with is if we all get this dividend, it's considered income, and we all pay taxes on it (I think we should just pay the taxes off the top, so people don't have to worry about having enough money to pay in on their next tax return, but that's just me). But, however much that ends up being for each individual, it would be a lot of money, which would give everyone a chance to pay off their mortgages, credit cards, misc. loans; those who already lost their homes, would be able to purchase a new home with cash; people could buy food, gas, and maybe could afford some nonessential consumer items, which would stimulate the economy.

And, as an additional crazy idea, there could be some kind of package attached to this money where you get additional tax credits (on top of the standard ones available now) for using some of this dividend to make your home green or for trading in your current car or purchasing a new car for something greener (i.e., hybrid, electric).

I think we do deserve this money, and not those louses who have hurt so many Americans. Although, unfortunately, if the "we deserve it dividend" did come true under Bush's reign, I think that would almost be worse.

Ninja Cat

I love cats, so this was hilarious to watch, because their antics are great! Watch this cat get closer without moving!

Feel Like Some Mexican for Dinner?

So, if you go to Qdoba, you can take a personality test to find out what kind of Mexican food you are. (I'm a quesadilla.) Then you can also vote for your favorite presidential candidate. I thought it was amusing, and a good way to take a break from work. :)