What is this Wrong Path You Speak of?

I recently heard one of these right-wing zealots complaining about America going down the wrong path and how all our children will be ruined.
So I proceeded to look up some poll numbers and what have you, to get more clarity about this. What I found online was mostly Obama bashing brought forth by statistically insignificant Fox news polls. Usually a rampant fear of "progressive socialism". When I dug a bit deeper into what people really mean by this, I found it interesting that nobody is comparing this bogey man to Cuba or China, but call the evil plot "European style socialism".
How funny is that? It's like saying :"watch out or you will all become Canadian!" (As we all know Canadians have three heads and live in caves). I understand that the USA is a great economic force in the world--but do our financial markets really ensure the well-being of the average American Joe?
I wish the average Joes and Janes could all get a plane ticket to "this Europe" they fear so much for a few weeks. Travel the train system, eat at some cafes and talk to the locals about how "miserable" they are with socialized medicine and more government intervention.
Then Joe and Jane could more accurately discuss this big fear they have. Otherwise, it's like a small child's fear of Santa Claus. The big red suit scares them more than the positive idea of actually receiving a gift.

The Consumeristic Paradox

It keeps driving me nuts that nobody has a problem with the constant tirade of conflicting messages we get in this country when it comes to "consumer spending".
How many times during the Holiday season do we hear about making Christmas less materialistic and more about family, or heart, or whatever?? Yet in the mean time, the same media outlets show all sorts of consumer spending charts and diagrams complaining how retailers are suffering without increased spending?
Then there is the "get out of debt"or "get rid of your credit cards" banter...yet not a minute later, with a straight face, the news guy will turn around and discuss how consumers need to spend more-- to help the economy. Buy a new car, a new house, a new cell phone, just buy something already....!! How many times do we hear: "consumer confidence" is up or down.....?

People complain and complain about "kids today" caring only about designer clothes and money...but what do you think drives a capitalistic economy if it is not growing materialistic kids?
You just can't have it both ways folks. I guess nobody really wants a hippie economy based only on bartering their stuff on Freecycle--but what is the alternative? Building more and bigger houses, buying more cars, money-hungry children? Does economic growth also mean unquestionable greed growth?? What does the future hold for such a system?

Sarah Palin and Selling the Body for Money

Out of morbid curiosity I just glanced at an article about Sarah Palin vs. her little nemesis: Levi Johnson. She states that he can not be taken seriously, as he is someone who would sell his body for money...
What??
As someone who lives in Alaska, and has been familiar with Sarah Palin way before she was a household name, let me tell you something about her popularity. It has to do with her looks. I'm so sorry if that makes people uncomfortable, but it's reality.....
Talking to a good friend in Dutch Harbor, many of the fishermen have no problem admitting they voted for Palin, as she"is hot". And what about those t-shirts & stickers out here: "coldest state, hottest governor??".
I know many politicians are required to be good-looking in this media age. But unfortunately women are held to an even higher standard. And it is a fact that men enjoy listening to a good looking woman, if it is called listening--a more accurate description: staring at the body while the mouth flaps. Why else do you think someone not well read or worldly, got so far so fast??? I guarantee that she would be nowhere if she was fat, ugly and old.
Sarah Palin knows this too--why else does she wear sexy red pumps and own a tanning bed?
So leave Levi alone for "making money off his body", because that fantastic book deal $$ has everything to do with Sarah's body as well.......

Top Five Things We Can Live Without

Ok, I know there are plenty of Americans with real financial problems right now. But my gripe is with the moaners who always complain about money, regardless of their situation. The ones who claim they can't afford to buy local, gas costs too much, I need to shop at Walmart..blah, blah.....but I never see a real financial problem because their house is filled with stuff.

So I compiled a list of the top 5 things these complainers could live without:

1- Their giant big screen TV and satellite dishes. Give me a break, do something productive instead.

2-Countless plastic children's toys. A huge issue to me. I was just reading about plastics that don't ever decompose and just wind up floating in a garbage pile in the ocean. These cheap plastic toys fill space and make your house look tacky. Kids don't need roomfuls of toys--they just wind up becoming boring and uncreative!

3- Holiday knick-knacks. I am utterly grossed out by how much money Americans will spend on inflatable Holiday lawn decorations! Then there are window stick-ons, and plastic weird things galore. It used to be just Christmas--but Halloween is just as bad now. What happened to just making a home-made scarecrow for the front yard???

4- Pet luxury items. What an embarrassment to the rest of the world! Why do Americans spend so much on pet treats, toys and even costumes? Holy cow!

5- Blasting the heat and AC. This is crazy. I have had to work with ladies who actually put the heat thermostat on 80 degrees! They just couldn't handle the concept of dressing differently in the winter (like warm). These same people then can't stand the hot summer temps and want AC on 68 degrees?? What gives? It's like oppositional climate disorder or something.

King Rush and His Serfs

A long time ago in European history, a common way to live was in a feudalistic system. You had the castle and the great lord of this manor. Outside the gates lived the hard working serfs, toiling away to feed the king.
Now I don't remember exactly why the serfs were so obedient--I expect they would simply be killed by the King's men if they did not do as they were told. But if I remember correctly--they were also offered some protection in times of war by the king and his castle.

Fast forward to USA 2009. Quite a few hardworking serfs (if I may call them that) have been fooled by their self-proclaimed King: Rush Limbaugh. Of course he is secretive about his assets, yet I did read he may be making upwards of $33 million a year. Nevertheless, it is nowhere near the amounts of his fiercest supporters, living in working class towns somewhere in middle America.

How did Lord Rush achieve such a diabolical scheme? How do you have the working class actually supporting your right to less taxes and to sit on mass amounts of wealth simply for hurling insults?? Last time I checked, Lord Rush was not dirtying his hands in a coal mine.

Well he as the great Kings of yore, has promised some sort of protection from the enemy army to the loyal serfs. The enemy being "the Liberal agenda". This time around, they will not be stealing your fair maidens and burning your villages. Instead, these warrior liberals have come along to convert your children to homosexuality and tree-hugging. And as long as Lord Rush continues to scare the hard-working serfs into believing the end is near, he gets to laugh all the way to the bank and keep more of his "hard earned money" to pay his pill-popping expenses.

The Right to Liberty and the Pursuit of Craziness

I am always trying to figure out what these "conservatives" are really thinking. Their distrust of government (except to blow up other countries) and their bizarre ideology that somehow people can be trusted to do the right thing. Do they really feel humans are that awesome and smart? Or do they only want to protect their own large sums of money so they get everyone all jazzed up about taxes?? (I can't help thinking that Rush simply wants the poor and paranoid to protect his own wealth by staging anti-Obama rallies)

One theory of mine is that many right-winged politicians are simply not well traveled. When you argue that people can make good financial decisions without government legislation--they haven't opened their eyes to the incredible corruption that happens in countries without such regulation. (Don't they know people are greedy little pigs?)

Even Ron Paul, who has some good ideas, but also a few nutty ones, has a silly thought that doctors would uphold the Hippocratic oath to provide free medical care if we eliminated Medicare/Medicaid. It is certainly an interesting theory that Government programs have eliminated personal responsibility towards the poor. However, in this day and age people are definitely more greedy. If you reversed the clock I just don't see people going back to the days of yore when they looked out for each other. It is a fact that the higher your income level, the less you actually help others, volunteer or donate.....

My personal experience growing up in NJ was that people were horrid to one another. Then moving to Alaska I almost fell over how much people trusted and helped one another. My explanation for this difference: the less populated an area, the nicer the people. We get cranky living on top of one another...Just like gerbils attacking their young in a crowded cage...
So for now Government is what we have to protect us from ourselves.

What's The Deal With Swine Flu??

So everyone is scared about swine flu. The media is having a great time scaring the pants off of everyone, as a good thriller is always fun. But here's the let down: it's not as exciting as the media makes it out to be.
For one, I should know as living in Alaska, it looks like I already caught the flu two weeks ago. When I realized that I had the flu and not a cold (because of the chills & lack of runny nose) I started researching more about symptoms. I came upon some British websites that honestly told their population --yes --half of you have the swine flu, but get over it--it is actually MILDER than regular flu.
A statement was released by the government, that yes, 98% of flu right now (Aug/Sept.) in the USA are H1N1. So many of us loyal citizens have the damn thing but don't even realize it--because you are not going to test for something that seems so ordinary...
Of course I understand the flu is never a joke--as vulnerable populations are always at risk for complications. I just don't know why they want people to expect this fearsome disease--when actually it is much milder, they probably already have it and therefore are spreading it without even realizing it.....

Why Would it Cost $220,000 to Raise a Child??

So I'm reading a Time magazine article about the high cost of raising a child (in the USA that is). The number quoted was $220,000. I looked up the USDA stats that come up with these numbers and sure enough--average spent in 2008 was about $180,00-$220,000 depending on your income, as rich people simply spend more on their kids.

I needed to know more because it seemed so crazy to me, so I looked at the breakdown chart. Ok, the food bills make sense, especially if you buy healthy food. Of course breast feeding your baby would greatly reduce the first years costs. Health expenses probably includes dental, etc..so that wasn't outrageous. Nor was $1,160 on 2 years worth of transportation once you include an occasional plane ticket. However, I contend if we weren't obsessed with driving children to all these sports & lessons and had better public transportation that cost would be less too...

The main issues I had with their numerology (or our voracious lifestyles) was the clothes & housing. I agree that clothing a teenager is expensive--because lets face it, we are so crazy materialistic that our teenagers get heckled for not wearing the hottest trends and having sparkling new sneakers. The only way to fix that is to shake up society. But can't we suck it up and buy more used clothes for the little ones?? Or a few less? I often see daycare kids dressed to the nines in the nicest outfits--in my opinion the parents are alleviating their guilt by dressing them up....yet I regress.

Housing was the big ah-ha moment: The cost breakdown was 33% of that large $200,000 estimate -due to mortgage and utilities. Probably based on the assumption that an American kid will simply fall over and die without his or her own bedroom. Therefore you need to run out and buy a four bedroom three bath house. Baloney!
Many people without children happen to have big mortgages as well, and I'm pretty sure they crank the heat . So I'm not sure how the kids are to blame for the mortgage, except for the perception that you need this big-ass house so you can hide from each other.

Remember the Brady Bunch? Six kids 3 bedrooms. My sister just raised her kids in a 2 bedroom house (the trick was to make the basement a play area) And our house in Alaska used to house 4 kids and it is two bedrooms, tiny office -possible third bedroom, and one bathroom.
Sharing bedrooms actually teaches kids to get along with one another. Sure they can argue and go nuts--but the lesson is you need to deal with it--not shut the door and hide. Plus I know some kids actually find it fun--and that isolation is lonely. Of course if you have a boy and a girl, you probably are going to separate them out at some point (I'm not crazy enough to say they should share a room) Maybe build out that attic like the Brady Bunch did!

But please lets remember, that the high cost of raising a child really has nothing to do with keeping them warm, fed & clothed-- but more with what Americans want and what they have come to expect.

Rush Limbaugh is the Real Socialist Nazi

The few times I have listened to pill popping Rush Limbaugh, I have heard him refer to Hitler as some sort of Socialist. This is true to a point--he believed cleaning his society of any "undesirables" would help propel the arian nation forward, i.e.-- the perfect white people. He wanted what was best for a society of blue eyed, blonde beauties. No minorities, no Jews, no disabled people to keep anyone else down.....
Of course anyone who has read about "socialism" knows that what Marx wanted, and how it was or is interpreted by other countries (Soviet Union, China, Cuba) varies tremendously. Anyone who has read anything by Marx knows that obviously his dream of socialism is nothing like what Hitler wanted....
Either way, that leads to the point--what does Limbaugh actually want?? To the best of my understanding he is against government "entitlement" programs like Social Security or Medicare, or any future government health care. The funding that keeps disabled and old folk living with some sort of human dignity and medical care. So we don't have sickly, frail people starving on the streets. Obviously they should get their lazy asses off of their hospital beds and pay their own bills. Break out of those socialist nursing homes, by getting a job--maybe by spewing hate on the radio?? Perhaps that would be a good job for someone suffering from incurable dementia....
Hitler wanted to gas the disabled, Limbaugh prefers to starve them of care. Oh big difference.
The second reason Limbaugh is the real Hitler is the way he states his message. By screaming propaganda. Being loud and full of controversy. He is not subtle--no way. Well guess who studied this particular way of spreading information?? I believe the quote in Mein Kamf is something like: everyone will listen to the loud fool, as opposed to the quiet thinker. Enough said.

British Columbia Parks and Recreation

Recently we took a trip up the Alaska Highway. From North Dakota back to Alaska--a short jaunt --ha, ha. What struck us as the most amazing thing about our trip wasn't the stone sheep, grizzly bear, or caribou we saw--but the British Columbia Park system. What a pleasant surprise! The public playgrounds/picnic areas/benches were the nicest we have ever seen--and we stopped at three different parks there. We also noticed all the workers buzzing about--cleaning the outhouses, emptying recycling bins, etc....The public bathrooms at Laird Hot Springs even had a 4 stall public composting restroom--and no, it did not stink!

So we don't really know what this all means--we stopped in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Yukon as well--and Yukon parks are very nice too--but B.C. just kicks it up a notch. Do they pay more in taxes?? And how about the economy--do park budgets get cut in Canada?? Or do they just value them more?? (We did not even have to pay any day use fees, except for the hot springs).

As someone who seriously appreciates everything a park offers, I am always upset when Alaska or any other state closes parks first due to "budget shortfalls". As if they don't value them at all, nor does the public find them that important.
I haven't really gotten to why the thinking is so different, but it is amazing nevertheless.

The Diabolical Nature of the Healthcare Debate

Today I saw a TV ad from a breast cancer organization helping spread fear about health care reform. Mainly they warned that the US currently has good cancer care, but that the goofballs in Government are going to put restrictions on that.
The diabolical irony here is that--has everyone read their own private insurance plans??? Most people have cap limits, or a $$ when they are "maxed out". I personally know of a brain tumor patient simply booted out of their private health care plan. And guess who is picking up the tab for his chemo now?? Well big bad government, that's who (Medicaid/Medicare). The same system the "right" usually hates. But now the "right" is sooo worried about human life. Well only rich people's lives actually....

Sarah Palin is the Real Elitist

So Ms. Sarah feels good that she has exposed the bogeyman of healthcare reform--discussion about end of life and excessive medical procedures. True enough she smelled the rat of socialized medicine. BUT the big BUT is our American butts for one....we with our "free will" food choices have caused these insurmountable health care costs (heart disease, diabetes, etc.) that's where all those Medicare dollars are going folks like it or not.

Secondly--Sarah feels we all have rights to "life expanding" treatments, indefinitely??Well who pays for it now?? Often the taxpayer. And who will pay for it in the future, as these procedures get more complex and expensive??
Regular private insurance already practices the "death march"--but they do it in a less tacky way by calling it all financial--sorry dude, but you've maxed out. And this happens to many average Joes that get severely disabled or get "life expanding treatments" that go beyond their coverage. Then they fall back on to Medicaid. So the only ones in the end who can actually afford fancy technology and "life at all costs" are the republican elitists. The same folks that hate Medicaid & Medicare , the so called "entitlement programs" that actually keep people alive ....

Goodbye Brain, Hello Twitter

So I have been reading up on the new and ridiculous phenomena of Twitter. Of course the likes of certain pro-Twitter factions will tell you: look at all the links to news articles you receive--it will improve the way we communicate! I say it's bogus.
95% of the population is interested in nothing intellectual. They will follow celebrity gossip and someone sticking their wife in a dungeon, but anything that requires understanding politics or science is just a snooze in dumbed-down America.
I don't buy the argument:" you'll get links to all the articles your friends are reading." Which nerdy (and I say that with respect) friends are those? I can't find them. Most people I know (and that is 100% college educated) really don't read anything with substance and post crap about the dog barking or toast burning on Facebook. Celebrities carry more credit than scientists or real philosophers Unfortunately many so-called "educated" Americans of today really can't be bothered to pick up a book, and only like the voyeuristic pleasure of following how many times their neighbor flushed her toilet...
So let's just see where this all takes us in the next 20 years. And I will not be surprised if Nations that care about science and math over celebrity gossip just happen to pass us as we stare at our little screens...

What Does it Mean to be Rich

Our whole market based capitalistic system is based on the premise that humans want to be rich, thus they will work hardest for themselves to accumulate wealth.
So ask any depressed college student (yes, I just read that 40% of college students feel apathetic and depressed) what they want to be and they will answer "rich". Perhaps this vain, abstract and empty purpose for their future is in some way related to their apathy? But I digress...
Either way, so I was thinking what does wealthy or rich really mean? To most Americans it means a sports car or two, 4 car garage, mansion, pool, fancy clothes & shoes. (Not necessarily culture though) I'm sure in a poorer nation, the feeling of rich comes from far fewer possessions. However, the scary part is when these poorer nations begin to emulate our definition of rich...I mean is the goal of a worldwide market based economy the complete paving over of the globe? Open pit mines, clear cut forests for homes, fighting for access to agricultural land, over- fishing and complete depletion of fresh water sources??
I don't get it and often feel alone in my own definitions of wealth. I really hate feeling like one of the few who feels rich just knowing that pandas are free to sit in the bamboo, wolves to roam or whales to breech. Or going on a hike into the wilderness unspoiled by man with crystal clear water.
I can't see a future where both these definitions of "rich" can coexist. I do feel more of my fellow humans gain enjoyment from developing a forest than just enjoying it as is. Not to mention just being content with what they already have, in a system that always makes you crave more goods. When will someone say: " I am rich--I have health & a happy family?? Some may say it--but most still mock it--and capitalism wouldn't work without the mockery of those that are content with less. (thus increasing the pressure to purchase more) One of the cruelties of our system.

The Social Security Blues

One of the favorite topics of Conservative know-it-alls is the "entitlement" (hate the term) systems of SS, Medicaid/Medicare. The blow-hards will tell you how they are going broke and costs are exploding--which is true enough.
What is very frustrating to me, is that about 98% of Americans probably don't even know the difference between these programs and why they exist.
A quick run down:
Social security payments do go to the elderly as retirement benefits, but the other part is disability payments. I'm not sure what the cost break down is (which costs more the elderly or disabled) but I do know the process of applying for disability is much, much harder than most people assume--and not given out willy nilly.
Medicaid on the other hand is medical insurance for low income and disabled-varies by state to state, and Medicare is insurance for the elderly and long term disabled and completely federal.

Those nuances aside, the irony is who is using these programs? Many are the result of a medical system that prolongs life at any cost. Interestingly enough, isn't that very pro-life?? I mean are the liberal lefties the first in line yelling about not pulling plugs, I think not. In a hip hip hooray free market people are going to get rich extending life at any cost--but guess what --someone needs to pay for it- and it's not cheap. (I'm not saying at all that I am anti-saving lives, I'm saying it's not a free ride)
These same confused conservatives, seem to think it's ok to judge a woman when confronted with the prospect of raising a severely disabled child, yet would gladly deny government assistance to pay for the child's medical bills. In some instances millions of dollars in care. Guess what rich republicans-- even people with health insurance get denied tons of medical services when the costs go wild.

Conservatives hate to tell people how to live. "No government intrusion"--is what the radical right screams all the time--keep them out of our lives!! Ok then, but do you know what people do without seat belt laws or nutrition guidelines? They make themselves even more sick and disabled and so much of our disability payments are already going to preventable causes. But in a free market it is more important to protect the rights of Burger King and Pepsi than try to curb consumer appetites for the stuff. Which of course would be the fastest way to shave costs of these "entitlement" programs as of yet.
So as long as folks in this country are in the life saving business and the "live how you want" business someone needs to foot the bill. And if government doesn't do it--well get used to seeing a lot more death, or at best peddlers and beggers on the streets. Remember simple history-- that was the reason these programs started in the first place.

Alaska weather

Oh what a boring topic, yet so consuming.
This past year 2008-2009 has been the weirdest I have seen so far. Southcentral Alaska experienced summer 2008 with only a handful of sunny warm days--and by that I mean only one day the whole summer actually touched 70 degrees. The rest of our "summer" season was a dreary mix of rain, clouds and about 50 degrees. Then about the beginning of September frost set in, then snow, and then one of the coldest winters. Now 7 months of snow later we have this nice freaky beginning of May--7o degrees and sunny 3 days in a row, a few dips back into cold, (frost) but here we are mid-May and things are looking up again. By that I mean, even though it was 31 degrees this morning we should see high 50's this week and plenty of the yellow ball in the sky.
In the past 7 years I have seen a winter without snow that was almost completely in the 30 degree range. Then a few years later, we were stuck at-28 all of January. Summer 2004 had weeks of mid 80's. Now the volcano is expected to blow again--so let's wait and see what comes next....

Box Store Communism

When people here the word "communist" they think political oppression or even financial equality. When I here the word "communist" I think bland conformity.
If you travel to the formal Soviet Union (as I have) you can see a few things 1- political prosecution is terrible, 2- Soviet housing was known as "bloc housing" bland, grey square buildings. Art was not appreciated nor was individuality. Clothes were grey, people looked drab. That was the bland reality of "communistic conformity".
Then look at where America is going now. Be it NJ where my favorite childhood store (Fountains of Wayne) is going out of business, or my favorite Alaskan store that is now gone (Outdoors and More). Replaced by Americans zeal to shop their local big boxes instead. It doesn't matter which state you are in--they all look the same now. Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Alaska--you can't tell the difference when you are looking at the Target/Walgreens/PetCo Complex.
Everyone is rushing out to wear the exact same Old Navy dress, sandals from Kohls and patio set from WalMart. I don't understand for the life of me why people enjoy this.
I don't even know if there is a point for Mom & Pop to open their own little shop anymore, because you know the big box monsters will come and devour them all.
Let alone the consumer who is to blame--as they see 25 cents savings on a pair of shorts and lose their brains. Never mind the fact that we are voluntarily choosing to be EXACTLY THE SAME. Bring on the communism, bag unique expression. Drive home to your beige house and weep.

What's the Deal With Costco?

I am probably the last American to step inside a Costco. (did I even spell that right?) There has been one in Alaska (in Anchorage) for years, and it is my understanding that everyone is madly in love with it. There is a smaller version of this monstrosity around Alaska called Three Bears--that I understand. I can get good kitty litter there, cheap coffee and now and then some camping gear. Nothing to be overwhelmed about, and probably a good deal if you run a B&B and need bulk stuff.
But the giant Anchorage Costco? No, no, no. I am not understanding it at all. It is a hideous experience to walk in there. Like you are going to have a stroke or seizure. All those giant TV's blaring and people everywhere and giant pallets of who knows what forming towers in a city of tackiness. Clumsy patrons stroll about pushing carts full of Ramen noodles. It is such a confusing experience I couldn't figure out if we were walking in the clothing section or looking at frozen chickens (which by the way weren't even such a good deal).
Do Americans really eat so much that an average family needs like 2 gallons of mayonnaise and 12 jugs of fruit punch at one time? I can't help but think some of that just goes to waste--so there is no real savings.
As we sat dazed and confused eating cheap pizza, I saw what people were buying: canopy's and storage containers, electronic doodads. Hundreds of people roboticly checking out to add clutter and purchase storage solutions for their clutter. Nobody was smiling there. This is the future of consumerism? It reminded me of something out of Wall-e, welcome to Economy!!

Bring Back the Booze

As a connoisseur of old movies and TV it really appears that casual drinks, cocktail hour and what have you seem to have been more acceptable past times 40 years ago than they are now. What happened to the martini lunch or liquor cart in ones home or office?? All replaced with espresso and nut bars instead. Of course this TV view may not reflect reality then or now, but it does indicate a change of perception--i.e. drinking is evil, and we can't portray it casually on TV or movies anymore.
This might be a long shot--but does the demonization of alcohol drive up the market for drugs? I am wondering why in the world do so many Americans need so much cocaine to absolutely put Mexico into such a violent quagmire. And what's with all the oxycotin addicts?? So I just can't help but make the assumption that the anti-booze movement just pushes people into more underground narcotic choices. Either because the perception could be--well what's the difference? Or among younger people (under 21) drugs can be so much easier to hide than stinky, bulky booze.
Not that I am pro-addicts of any kind. I find it pathetic to not change your situation and just mope in a pile of substances..But I do think, just maybe we could bring back the days of casual cocktails and not the casual coke.

The New Social Illness

Ok, so this will definitely come across as hypocritical, as I am online--but there are social technologies out there that are really upsetting me. Of course, by nature I hate new technology and many materialistic pursuits--but the thing that's really getting under my skin are these social networking addicts.
Again, the funny thing is I haven't tried it. I reject all Facebook friend requests because I'm just not starting that nonsense. But I do listen and read what others are doing on Facebook and Twitter.
And that's the scary part. What people are doing with these networking tools are simply watching and judging each other do the most mundane, boring tasks ever. Who cares what you ate for breakfast or if the dog is barking?? It's crazyville in my opinion. We have gotten so fat, lazy and boring that this is what it has come to. I mean use your social networking to exchange philosophical ideas, end tyranny, overpopulation, read the great classics. Why are people so boring?? And dumb?
I'm sure there are intellectual people exchanging good ideas out there. But somehow I get the feeling that's not the norm. I believe it was Marx who speculated that a more evolved society (with more money and leisure time) would use this time to pursue art, music and intellect. But no, they use it to follow someones waffle choices, or exchange naked photos. How wrong he was to expect so much from such a shallow and primitive species.

How Alaskans Save Money

I watch these ridiculous shows on National TV with little bits about how to save families money. Ha, ha. They just reinforce my beliefs that what the average American "needs" could easily be considered luxuries.
Like these programs will show you the best deals on spring dresses and handbags. Or cell phone plans..I mean give me a break. We have created a culture where if you don't have a new dress at work people will think you are disturbed. What the heck do ladies put in those giant handbags anyway? Lapdogs? And doesn't anyone remember life before cell phones? Somehow we lived.
So here's the Alaskan way to save money:
1) Live anywhere but Anchorage
2) Clothes are anything that keeps you warm. Doesn't matter if it is stained or even bloody. You can wear coveralls anywhere and one set of warm boots is all you wear all winter. Ladies with heels are mocked. (Women as well as men have the same standard) Fancy fashion means a new set of Carharts.
3)There is nothing at all to put into a ladies handbag. It only gets in the way. Car keys can fit in your pocket, carry cash.
4) Drive whatever goes. Especially if it has 4x4--keep it forever. A few dings and dents just show character. Always make fun of Mercedes Benz.
5)If you happen to have a lot of money buy an RV or boat (or both) but never upgrade your wardrobe. That's snobby.
6) If you want cheap eats- kill something or berry pick.
7) High heating costs? Purchase a log splitter.
8) Screw make up and perfume, cologne--you always smell like wood smoke anyway.

I can't tell you how much money we have saved simply by living in a state where there is no pressure to own fancy clothes, cars or tend your lawn...

How Alaska Understands Animals

Anybody who spends a lot of time in Alaska begins to notice that a common theme is knocking animal rights groups. People love their faux PETA "people for eating tasty animals" bumper stickers, or others wear PETA t-shirts while running with the reindeer. (obviously a non-PETA approved activity). Usually at this time of year (Iditarod season) there is also plenty of talk of the "idiot wing-nuts" and their anti-sled dog baloney...
Having myself formerly been part of the other world also known as the "lower 48" I understand why the perception is different up here.
Part of it is definitely the sheltered suburban world of many Americans. I mean if all you ever see when it comes to animals, is an occasional stray cat--well there is room for a lot of sentiment. What happens when you are in a more "wild/frontier" type climate is there is more "reality". You understand that every piece of meat you eat had a mother. However, I put the world reality in quotes because although the animal situation is different here, it is not necessarily natural either.
Yes, sled dogs are tied to chains most of the time. But they also get to run and have fun. I know a lot of city dogs are barely allowed out of apartments dying of heart disease, let alone ever getting the chance to run in the wilderness and roll in fresh snow. And yes, the days of whips and forced running are over. Most newer mushers adore their sled teams and treat them as pets.

The other "animal" thing up here is hunting. If you can't tolerate hunting, and you live in Alaska, you basically need to shut up or move out. However, that does not mean that I feel the state game board is not out of line. Part of their fake "reality" is believing that it is still 1880 frontier land and that white man needs to subsistence hunt. I mean give me a break, people driving $45,000 RV's to hunting grounds are not hunting to "live" they do so for fun and because they choose game meat over raising their own chickens or bison. Bug game meat is too low in fat to live off of anyhow.
But this "myth" of subsistence hunting, gives the Alaska game board fake self-righteousness when it comes to the wolf kill program. They kill wolves in the name of increasing moose & caribou numbers. But it is just so ridiculously unnatural to cull wolves in areas where people basically do road-accessible hunting. Would you dare poison the worlds sharks to increase fish stocks? No, it doesn't make sense. But when the Alaska Board of game kills wolves they feel it is ok to play God.

What is the Liberal Agenda Anyway??

All week long I have been getting annoying phone calls from a robot voice asking me to support Sarah Palin's PAC - (political action committee). Finally I listened to robot-man last night in its entirety and this statement was repeated: "we want to fight the liberal agenda".
As far as I know, the democrats or "liberals" don't have some sort of written policy called "the liberal agenda". I assume the conservatives want it to be some sort of scary boogeyman, compelling one to vote republican.
So in the republican fantasy camp, the Liberal Agenda would look something like this:

1- Graphic sex education to pre-schoolers.
2- 24 hour a day free gay porn on PBS
3-UN tanks rolling down the streets taking away every citizens hand guns
4- Government take over of the food supply
5- Free abortions in public restrooms
6- Castro/Chavez leadership on US socialist policies

I guess any honest idea the liberal democrats have to help Americans should just be ignored--say better education, access to health care, or repairing the aging infrastructure. Because it is obviously easier just to hate them instead.

Predicting When Someone Will Snap

Wow-- the media again is providing non-stop coverage of two massive shootings in the developed world--Germany and Alabama that is.
I noticed a few news headlines mentioned that a potential plan is to work on "predicting which citizens are most likely to snap". Hmm interesting. Having worked in the Mental health field myself I have never seen anybody very good at predicting anything at all. That's the nature of mental illness--it is unpredictable. Sure we can sometimes stop and prevent suicides, but think of how many thousands of people commit suicide every day. Some times nobody had a clue and sometimes it happens during an actual "suicide watch".
I use that analogy as I feel there must be some aspect of depression in a mass shooting. Mixed in with incredible narcissism and anger.
Of course, I would like to see semi-automatic weapons banned. Unpopular choice. Then there is all the "target practice" young people get with violent video games. Another unpopular item to ban. I guess lastly the only way to prevent copy cat shootings, would be to simply ignore them int he media. Unlikely.

Can you be Against Both Guns and Smut??

In addition to the Craigslist prostitution controversy, Alaska has its own mini axe to grind with the site. It appears quite a group of Alaskans couldn't handle the "liberals" who kept flagging their posts for animal breeding or guns. Therefore a new site was formed: Alaska list.
This is all fine and good. But what is fascinating to me, is that since Craigslist does not allow pet breeding, or guns, but does allow some sort of erotica, Alaskans are quite certain they are (and I quote) "gay porn and PETA loving liberals".
Meanwhile good "conservatives"are supposedly always pro-guns, pro-animal breeding, but anti- porn.
These are all obviously very easy to understand black and white standards that define political views, and I should know that.
But personally I am anti-gun, anti-porn, anti-smut, usually anti dog or cat breeding, anti-tofu, yet pro live stock and other pet breeding and sales....
So now I am VERY confused. Does this make me into a conservative or liberal??????

Ridiculous Republican Response

So yesterday, President Obama gave a nice uplifting speech, which the media followed with a so-called "Republican response". Of course it was given by the new Republican sweetheart Bobby J. The conservatives answer to solving their old man image for 2012.
But anyway, as much as Bobby's little speech was charming at first, I heard at least two "talking points" that smelled funny to me.
First of all--calling volcano monitoring frivolous pork spending. Ha! Volcano's might sound outlandish in Louisiana, but here in Alaska that's important stuff. I'm sure Mr. Bobby has no idea that volcano ash clouds could crash international jet liners. Just like "levy building" might seem wasteful in Kentucky, doesn't mean it's wrong for the bayou. Therefore how can you judge spending just because it doesn't affect your little corner of the world??
Then there is the beat-the-dead-horse line about Government smart cars. Now what is the problem with replacing the Government's fleet of cars with new super hybrids?? I mean do the Republicans enjoy paying high gasoline prices for Government SUV's or F-150's?? I just don't get it. Any expense that could save much more money 5 years from now is mocked, mocked, mocked. Everything is about short-term gains in the Republican party. I assume this is why their politics mesh with the religious right--since dooms day is coming and the world will end soon anyway, there's no point in looking at the big picture.

Blah, Blah Free Market

Finally I see more articles in the media about some of the failures of our current free market. Mostly stemming from the anger caused by the banking situation, but more recently a case in Pennsylvania came to light.
Namely, some judges put more kids in private (for profit) juvenile detention centers after receiving financial kick backs to do so. What caused this whole scandal was the change from state-run facilities to private ones in order to save money. The old conservative argument: privatize everything and save money! Yay! Government is wasteful, the private sector is always better! The market always corrects itself, blah, blah.
So I can't figure out if these free market dip shits really believe their own words, or do they just say these things to ensure their own access to wealth driven schemes continues.

Case in point- Through my years I have worked in 3 different social service agencies. Two were for profit, one non-profit. The first (a boarding school for emotionally disturbed children) was a fairly ok place, but it was surprising that kids treatment plans, were directly correlated to their insurance money. If your money ran out--you were "cured", but if you had plenty of insurance, treatment continued, regardless of your progress. But that's not as bad as the therapy center I worked at later. No matter how much I begged and argued with my supervisors to discontinue services to certain clients (because they obviously did not need them anymore), their names continued on our rosters, simply because they had the insurance to cover it. These situations wouldn't even be remotely considered corruption cases, but it helped open my eyes to how people behave when the dollar is at stake.
So I can never really understand how these conservative think tanks pat themselves on the back talking about "the free market will take care of itself". It's like some kind of delusional dream. Do they live in isolation and have never met human beings? Don't they even know that greed trumps all? I mean we are wired that way. My dog will tell you she certainly is. Leave the dog food out without locking it up---and the whole bag will be eaten.

The Economy Wants Us Soft

So here we are, living in this great country with an economic system based on the simple principle that if we just buy stuff- everyone will have good jobs and live happily ever after.
There is a fundamental logic to this, as on a small scale you can see--buying some sugar from Sam's General Store helps Sam and Sam in turn will buy my wheat...or something like that.
But then the town's population increases & increases again, thus you keep needing to grow this tyre of system indefinitely. And nobody is happy with slow growth--they want it fast --so some can be wealthy.

What's the result??? Well advertising, pressure to buy and keeping up with the Joneses--and worse-- the conviction that you need so much just to exist.
That's how I define "soft"--the inability to fend for yourself. A night without TV, ipods, cell phones, microwaves, and climate control has now become an impossibility for many Americans.
Just recently the Anchorage news was reporting on a family of African immigrants arriving in Alaska. The kind social service agency assisting them gave them boxes of "necessities"--shaving cream, shampoo, furniture, toys.. What's interesting to note--is that the man interviewed simply called these items--"luxuries". He was almost surprised that he needed all these items to survive, especially after coming from an African refugee camp.

Not that I feel this family shouldn't get the gifts, of course they needed them in order to fit in, go to school and get jobs. It's just amazing to see that it is all a matter of perception. How much we have become dependent on material goods or what could be considered luxuries. And most of us are not immune, I myself am no fan of camping and always lug wet wipes into the wilderness. And even then, I feel itchy without having a hot shower for 1 or 2 nights.

We so easily get hooked on instant messages, cell phones and 24 hour climate control all in the name of keeping the economy chugging along. Folks complain about the high cost of raising children without a hint of irony that these kid costs are mostly made up of buying fancy strollers, brand new gym shoes and keeping up with video game systems. Otherwise our kiddies will be mocked--that's the system we live in.

Your Right to Own a Chimp

The compelling news story of the week is the tragic and violent chimp attack upon a family friend.
Not even waiting for the fur to settle, news headlines are already calling to ban chimp ownership and report those that do so illegally. What a crazy over-reaction in my opinion!!!
Honestly, I'm not really pro pet chimps, mostly because it fuels the exotic pet trade--and these animals could be pulled from the wild. But if you happen upon a wild animal in some other, more ethical, manner--why is everyone so up in arms about your right to keep it? Especially by using the "safety" argument? Certainly, it appears the chimp could have attacked a neighborhood child or unsuspecting jogger--and this is a good point. But what about all the other things that you may have at home that could harm the neighbors??
This is the slippery slope. So many folks own guns, and it's no secret that kids (and drunken adults) find guns and commit accidental shootings. I just read too, that a home swimming pool is actually more risky than some may think. And what about the family dog, or say you own a scorpion???
So that's all I'm saying, that you can't have groups defending your rights to own some dangerous things, but ban the right to own others. It just doesn't make sense.

Small House Phobia

I am on a mission to cure others of small house phobia. And no, it's not just because I myself live in a tiny dwelling in Alaska, but because I feel that subdivision sprawl is a social and environmental ill.
Some of the obvious reasons large houses suck: tremendous amounts of unsustainable building materials, difficult to heat, a pain to fill with furniture and clean. Who even feels warm and cozy in a sprawling McMansion?? And can you even find your own kids? The huge houses of the past were at least built with quality building materials and beauty in mind. But now you throw together 4,000 square feet of particle wood and slap in a granite counter top and call it luxury.

Here's the reason most would cite for needing a large home: "I need more space."
Here's the real reason they buy a large home: "I want to impress people. Everyone will now know that I am a success and a fantastic person as I have a huge home. They will all want to be my friend and admire me."

The reason I believe #2, not #1 is that unless you have like 5 kids, people usually only think they need more space is to fill it with useless junk and clutter. Again, this isn't the 1800's when people would fill a mansion with art collections and libraries. Oh no. Now it's just to stick huge TV's on flat surfaces, particle board end tables cluttered with DVD collections, and plastic playhouses in the back yard. Some can't even afford to furnish their Mc Mansion with anything at all, so all you see are giant rooms filled with one couch and an echo.

My own tiny house reminds me that I need to constantly bring our unused stuff to the salvation army or other thrift stores. And this is a true blessing. We just can't saddle ourselves with unused clutter because there is no place to put it.

Of course the economy benefits when people pay others to bulldoze trees and build them giant hamburger houses. But wouldn't the amount of $$ going back to the people be the same if we just scaled down the homes and built them with fantastic and natural materials instead? Stone, brick, adobe. Local wood. And built them well so they would stand for generations? Spend more and put in solar, grey water and other eco-friendly systems??? Then furnish them with fine Amish furniture or other local artisan fares?
So let the addiction go--embrace small instead!

The Drill Baby Drill Joke

Has anyone noticed that the famous republican slogan of "drill baby drill" seems to have all but disappeared lately?
It just fell off the face of the earth once gas prices plummeted. I just saw a bumper sticker in Anchorage stating "drill now, drill here, pay less for gas". What a funny joke. I can't believe that person has the gall to even drive around with that thing.
The joke might not even be as obvious in the lower 48, but here in Alaska the state government is crying themselves a river that low oil prices are hurting our state budget. Hiring freezes are in effect and everyone is worried. So when are we drilling baby?? Does Palin want the state budget tanking more?
Wonder if the dittoheads even noticed that gas prices fell WITHOUT drilling anything....

Wake Up and Smell the Population

Well I guess I can't really say the population stinks, but what many folks don't realize is: reproduction and growth is actually causing more social strife than anyone cares to admit.
Population worries were once the popular choice for doomsday scenarios, but somehow they have fallen out of favor in recent years.
I say bring the worries back! Our whole unsustainable financial system is based on the need to grow the economy as the global population grows. As our human population blossoms, our fish are over-fished, simple resources depleted, and the bulldozers are happily plowing down more wilderness to build, build, build...
A few sourdoughs in Alaska do notice as more newcomers arrive in the great North they spoil all the fun. People become less polite, vandalism increases, hunting grounds disappear and water front property is snatched up and public access disappears--to name a few issues..
But I got news for you folks, it's not ending anytime soon--and most people are actually gung-ho about it. A quick example--everyone wants the new Home Depot or Costco to be built, so the wilderness is paved, new jobs are formed, creating a demand for more housing, causing more pavement, more box stores and more houses. I've actually heard people say: what's so wrong with creating new jobs and homes? To feed and house my family? Well the problem is- even giant Alaska doesn't have enough land to keep up an economic model based on paving, building and growing. Land runs out.
So what are your grand kids going to do for money if everything is already built up? And even worse, what if one of those grand kids wants to actually fish from a clear stream or hike in the woods, but all he has left are giant parking lots and Taco Bells. This scenario isn't as nuts as it sounds, anyone been to Northern NJ, Los Angeles, Miami, etc.. lately?

The Difference between cold and ALASKA COLD

I know all too well what the Lower 48 folks consider "cold & frigid weather". It means things like slushy roads and salt, "wind chill factor" freak outs, designer ear muffs, and quaint warming huts at the ski resorts. Folks fall over and faint when forecasts predict single digits or teens.

Compare this to the interesting phenomena of Alaska cold. We've been sitting in quite a spell for a few weeks now. Not all places in Alaska are crazy cold mind you. (Areas by the sea are actually very mild--like Juneau or Homer) But take anything in the interior and you learn a whole new skill set. My particular experience happens to be in the temperatures ranging from
-39 to -26 F lately.
New things you learn about in this kind of cold are:
1- how quickly a dog can poop while standing on three legs (paws hurt in cold snow)
2- electric sockets become frosty indoors
3- bathroom vent freezes shut
4- daily visits to the roof in order to unclog the sewer vent (frozen sewer steam)
5- watch out for metal cold burns--door knobs, car grills
6- no sort of adhesive sticks, so good luck trying to glue/stick any sort of heating coils to all the auto apparatus that has frozen shut.
7- your car won't start after 24 hours without a block heater--this leads to all the auto shenanigans most Alaskans engage in at these temps.
Auto games include: jump starting every morning (espec. a diesel)
spraying starter fluid into the air filter
tarping a car and sticking space heaters underneath it
pushing the car to a heated garage to thaw out
8-Snot and noses freeze shut, but so far the dogs have never come indoors with a "peestickle" sticking to them. So I believe one can pee without worry in an outhouse....but who knows at -45???