Irony: It's a Bitch

I think I have finally figured out what is going to cause America to become a socialist society and it is not the election of the so called socialist, Barrack Obama, or the powerful lobbyists in Washington or even the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United - although those things will play a small part. It will be the fall of the two party system in America that will ultimately cause our capitalistic society to collapse. I know you are thinking I am crazy, but I think it is closer to a reality than any of us want it to be. And the best part is:

The Republican Party is going to be responsible for socialism in America.

In order to explain myself, I must start with a brief history lesson. I took a Russian history class in college and you can’t talk Russian history without understanding a little about Karl Marx. Marx was mainly a historian and I was struck by his theory on the changes that societies go through over time. He theorized that societies go through six stages, with the passing of each stage raising the standard of living of the masses. You may recognize some of these stages as our society has endured them on our way to being the greatest capitalistic society ever.

• Primitive Communism
• Slave Society
• Feudalism
• Capitalism
• Socialism
• Communism

After taking this class and learning a little about this theory, I have often wondered what trigger would bring about the rise of socialism in American society. Marx theorized that this would happen when the division between the “haves” and the “have nots” grew so wide that is caused the poor to rise up against the rich. The government would then need to step in and take over or regulate key areas of our society, and thus socialism is born in America (a very simplistic interpretation).

I didn’t think that I would live to see this uprising, but I am not so sure any more. I think we are on the brink of socialism and I think I have figured out what will trigger the uprising. And it is not the election of a centrist to the White House or the the near collapse of our economic system. Neither of those things could have the society altering affect needed to wake up the 98% of Americans who struggle everyday while our government does everything it can to ensure that the 2% continue to grow their wealth. The demise of capitalism in our society will be brought about by the collapse of our two party system. You may not realize it, but we are very close to eliminating one side of the two party fight we have been enduring for years.

How, you are wondering, would we ever lose the two party system. It seems like republicans and democrats will forever be arguing over something that is inconsequential to our everyday life while solving almost no problems in the country. Hell, many people think we are close to adding a third party into the fray with the emergence of the Tea Party. Well, I think we are close having only one party that is in power in this country – the Republican Party.

How is that possible? Well if you have been paying attention to the news, then you have noticed the debates going on in Wisconsin concerning unions. By the way, I think Wisconsin is a perfect example of what would happen in this country if Republicans had all the power. The governor there gave millions in tax breaks to business and then turned around and asked the public sector workers to pay for them by giving up their benefits. I am not saying he did this maliciously or out of greed, he did this because he honestly believes that this is the best way to grow the economy and what is best for his state.

First let me say that I am not a “union” guy. I worked for a union at the railroad for about 18 months and once I figured out that that I was rewarded based on time served and not my accomplishments, I knew the union life was not for me. I believe, as President Obama does, that we will all have to do our part in order to get out of our current situation – and that includes the unions. I don't believe they are to blame for where we are now, but neither am I and I pay a lot in taxes. They need to tighten their belt as well.

However, if the democrats allow the republicans to break the unions, they are ultimately spelling the doom of the Democratic Party. You see the democrats get their campaign contributions from two main places, the middle class and the unions, whereas the republicans get their money from the rich and big business. So you can see how breaking the unions would be really great for the Republican Party. If they are successful in their bid to break up the unions across America, then they will they will be in the majority at every level of government. And one thing I am sure of is that without a balancing party, the republicans will trickle us right into the poor house.

So let me see if I can sum this up for you.

1. Republican win elections by calling Barrack Obama a socialist and convincing Americans that Obama is trying to take over their lives.
2. Republicans use their majorities in the states to bust up the unions.
3. Republicans win more elections as democrats lose their main campaign contributors.
4. Republicans enact laws eliminating regulations on the financial industry, creating big tax breaks for rich and eliminating all social services.
5. The rich get even richer and the middle class disappears into a sea of poor.
6. Our economy shatters and the government is forced to take over failing industries.
7. America becomes a socialistic society.

The irony of it is by using rhetoric about socialism to win elections, the Republican Party will eventually cause socialism.

I am still not sure I will live to see this change. And honestly, I am not sure I want to. Things will get a lot worse in our country for most of us before our apathetic society decides they have had enough and demands change. It will likely be an apocalyptic story worse than in any movie. Who knows, maybe it will bring about “The Next Revolution.”

I wonder as we look back on our capitalistic time in America if the republicans will ever know the part they played in creating the next stage of our society.

Congressional Reform Act of 2010

I have often lamented that we as a people would be better off if we used a national lottery to determine our next Senator, Representative or even President. I am not sure that anyone who truly wants to be President should be allowed to have the job. Think about it, would you want to be President? Me either. What does that say about the people who want to serve?

Since I doubt we will be able to institute a lottery system to determine our public servants, I would settle for these changes. I don't think it matters which side of the aisle you are on, these changes would benefit you. Are you aware that there is someone in the Senate who will be 93 years old this year...should someone that old really be deciding the laws of the land?

1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six year Senate terms
B. Six Two year House terms
C. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms

2. No Tenure / No Pension: A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security: All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.

8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11 . The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

Women as Explained by Engineers

Proper Temperature to Serve Wine

Many people store their red wine at room temperature (70 degrees). This is fine as long as you store it in a room where the temperature stays pretty consistent. The kitchen is a bad place to store wine just because of the temperature changes from cooking. Most people store their white wine in the refrigerator (35 to 40 degrees). This is also fine but know that white wine is not meant to be served that cold and red wine is not meant to be served that warm. I have a quick tip or you so that you will always serve your wine at the appropriate temperature. Follow the simple 20 minute rule.

For red wine: if you store it at room temperature, then put it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before you serve it. That will drop the temperature of the red wine down to a good serving temperature (about 63 degrees).

For white wine: if you store it in the refrigerator, then take it out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before you serve it. This allows the temperature to rise to a good serving temperature (about 48 degrees).

Drinking wine that it to cold or to warm does not allow you to get the full experience of the taste and bouquet. Following this 20 minute rule will enhance your wine drinking experience.

Some Dog Humor

Marriage - A Kids POV

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with...
-- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough...
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure? )

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10 (isn't he ready for the world of dating?)

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
-- Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them... It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys.. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8 (I like this kid)

And the #1 Favorite is ....

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10 (He'll be married forever )

Help Stop Mobile Device Abuse and Cruelty

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This was one very poorly maintained iPhone.

Swine Flu Celebrity Death

We all know who he got it from...