Ah, 2017. A Year To Remember. Unfortunately.
Well, here we are, a scant 3 weeks or so away from 2018. In the words of a too-often repeated adage; If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself.
Who am I kidding? No, I wouldn't have.
It's been quite a year. As for being a memorable one, well, I personally have had years much more memorable than this one. However, it certainly has been eventful. I began it by retiring, something I hadn't really expected to do so soon, because I wasn't looking forward to depending entirely on Social Security. Don't get me wrong; I am grateful for it, I paid into it for many long years, but it certainly isn't enough. Might have been, as recently as 1980, but certainly not now. Medicare, on the other hand, is well worth it. But, no, it has been eventful for many, many other reasons than that.
Obviously, our new administration has provided nearly daily events, and our Congress has paired with it to create daily reasons to clench the old butt cheeks and expect the worst at any moment. Our President has provided endless comedy material with his daily meandering from full on psychopath to almost intelligent form of higher ape. He has done his best to alienate nearly everyone in the World, including his own people, then tried to smooth it all over by saying he was just joking. He has ignored tragedy as anything other than a opportunity to promote himself and his questionable ( at best ) agenda.
Alabama had a special election for Senator and provided a small bit of a surprise as a Democrat was elected, for the first time in 25 years. Granted, the Republican candidate had a history of bigotry, misogyny, 3 failed judge appointments, and allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, so, it would be advisable not to read too much into the upset. Still, it was notable in that there was a large voter turnout, despite efforts there ( and in many other States ) to restrict voting rights via redistricting and easily questionable new voting I.D. laws.
Several sitting U.S. Senators, from both parties, resigned or retired due to sexual misconduct allegations. These allegations can be considered long overdue, most occurring years before these men took office, but the reveals are spreading, and almost any elected official is vulnerable today regardless of gender, or even position. One of the most accused, however, is in the White House, and remains there. Raising the question 'Just who might be exempt from any scandal in today's America?', and, why is accused sexual misconduct almost considered worse than theft, bribery, or lying? All I can come up with is, no one is exempt from at least being accused, and no one is free from some sort of criminal activity in their lifetime. I guess I could say, judgment should be on the degree of harm caused. Myself, I admit nothing. But, I have gone 35 in a 30 mph zone...hey, it counts!
Congressional Republicans finally banded together to pass a new tax bill. Okay, they call it 'reform' but it reforms nothing. It was cobbled together in closed sessions, with a clear message from both they and the White House that bipartisan input was not welcome nor would it be considered. It may have accidentally even gotten a couple things right, although it was in constant revision even while both Houses voted on it, and it passed with votes from Congresspersons who clearly had no clue what was in it. Some passages are clearly aimed at giving away tax monies to some of the wealthiest persons and businesses in America, and making those cuts permanent, while providing no real incentive for any of them to return jobs and production to America. Also, for a few years, lower income levels ( the largest group of Americans ) will see some benefit in take home pay, although they may lose even more on a yearly basis. Those cuts, however, are not permanent, and will steadily decrease over the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, the national debt will increase, up to a possible deficit of $2 trillion. Obviously, that deficit, even if it is much less, will have to be covered from something being decreased. Current Congressional leaders have openly stated this will come from 'entitlement' programs. It is doubtful it will come from the entitled military offense budget ( it is labeled the Defense Budget, but the only places being defended currently are far outside America's borders). The White House and GOP leaders say much of it will be offset by the economic growth they predict the tax bill will inspire, a growth as high as 6%, from increased jobs and wages and production. Yet, even those who could be seen as benefiting from the plan have indicated the extra money they save with these cuts will remain in their pockets and the pockets of shareholders. Even many of the wealthiest persons and corporations in America have called this plan a potential disaster, despite the fact they will also benefit. Certainly a very eventful way to end good old 2017.
Meanwhile, two of the world's most infantile leaders are playing Russian Roulette with millions of lives over who gets to rule the sandbox in a game of 'I dare you!, No, I dare YOU!'. Leaving, of course, two of our biggest potential enemies to try to calm the toddlers down. In response, our White House has decided to move our Israeli Embassy to Jerusalem despite overwhelming world opposition. The reason, of course, is because while most of us do consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel, the nation of Palestine vociferously ( and violently ) disagrees. And they do have a point. So, our answer is, we are going to move our embassy there, now, that makes it official. Personally, I would not want to be a embassy official or a member of the team responsible for their security once such a move is made. I can think of no logical reason for this move, other than to appease Israel ( a nation I prefer to have as a ally ) at the cost of putting even more American lives at risk in the Middle East. And if that is the price of keeping Israel as a ally, my response would have to be, so long, been good to know ya.
Well, as I said, 2017 has been a eventful year. Certainly many more events than what I have mentioned here, but I feel as if I have typed a encyclopedia already. If it seems I have a dim view of the year's events, well, that would be because I do. It's my take on it. It's Christmas, Christmas falls in Winter, and I hate Winter, so that may have something to do with it. Maybe. Hopefully, if you are reading this, you have a different, more positive view of the year. I hope so.
As usual, if you feel up to commenting, I will be sharing this to Facebook, and I thank you for reading my rambles. I actually am considering blogging about some things I found more positive in 2017. One day, I may actually think of something. Oh! I do have one! I don't have to worry about going to work at a job I disliked and wasn't very good at! Okay, well, thanks to my physical limitations, aren't many jobs I'd be good at any longer, but--that IS a positive!! Thanks again, and Merry Christmas!!
Who am I kidding? No, I wouldn't have.
It's been quite a year. As for being a memorable one, well, I personally have had years much more memorable than this one. However, it certainly has been eventful. I began it by retiring, something I hadn't really expected to do so soon, because I wasn't looking forward to depending entirely on Social Security. Don't get me wrong; I am grateful for it, I paid into it for many long years, but it certainly isn't enough. Might have been, as recently as 1980, but certainly not now. Medicare, on the other hand, is well worth it. But, no, it has been eventful for many, many other reasons than that.
Obviously, our new administration has provided nearly daily events, and our Congress has paired with it to create daily reasons to clench the old butt cheeks and expect the worst at any moment. Our President has provided endless comedy material with his daily meandering from full on psychopath to almost intelligent form of higher ape. He has done his best to alienate nearly everyone in the World, including his own people, then tried to smooth it all over by saying he was just joking. He has ignored tragedy as anything other than a opportunity to promote himself and his questionable ( at best ) agenda.
Alabama had a special election for Senator and provided a small bit of a surprise as a Democrat was elected, for the first time in 25 years. Granted, the Republican candidate had a history of bigotry, misogyny, 3 failed judge appointments, and allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, so, it would be advisable not to read too much into the upset. Still, it was notable in that there was a large voter turnout, despite efforts there ( and in many other States ) to restrict voting rights via redistricting and easily questionable new voting I.D. laws.
Several sitting U.S. Senators, from both parties, resigned or retired due to sexual misconduct allegations. These allegations can be considered long overdue, most occurring years before these men took office, but the reveals are spreading, and almost any elected official is vulnerable today regardless of gender, or even position. One of the most accused, however, is in the White House, and remains there. Raising the question 'Just who might be exempt from any scandal in today's America?', and, why is accused sexual misconduct almost considered worse than theft, bribery, or lying? All I can come up with is, no one is exempt from at least being accused, and no one is free from some sort of criminal activity in their lifetime. I guess I could say, judgment should be on the degree of harm caused. Myself, I admit nothing. But, I have gone 35 in a 30 mph zone...hey, it counts!
Congressional Republicans finally banded together to pass a new tax bill. Okay, they call it 'reform' but it reforms nothing. It was cobbled together in closed sessions, with a clear message from both they and the White House that bipartisan input was not welcome nor would it be considered. It may have accidentally even gotten a couple things right, although it was in constant revision even while both Houses voted on it, and it passed with votes from Congresspersons who clearly had no clue what was in it. Some passages are clearly aimed at giving away tax monies to some of the wealthiest persons and businesses in America, and making those cuts permanent, while providing no real incentive for any of them to return jobs and production to America. Also, for a few years, lower income levels ( the largest group of Americans ) will see some benefit in take home pay, although they may lose even more on a yearly basis. Those cuts, however, are not permanent, and will steadily decrease over the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, the national debt will increase, up to a possible deficit of $2 trillion. Obviously, that deficit, even if it is much less, will have to be covered from something being decreased. Current Congressional leaders have openly stated this will come from 'entitlement' programs. It is doubtful it will come from the entitled military offense budget ( it is labeled the Defense Budget, but the only places being defended currently are far outside America's borders). The White House and GOP leaders say much of it will be offset by the economic growth they predict the tax bill will inspire, a growth as high as 6%, from increased jobs and wages and production. Yet, even those who could be seen as benefiting from the plan have indicated the extra money they save with these cuts will remain in their pockets and the pockets of shareholders. Even many of the wealthiest persons and corporations in America have called this plan a potential disaster, despite the fact they will also benefit. Certainly a very eventful way to end good old 2017.
Meanwhile, two of the world's most infantile leaders are playing Russian Roulette with millions of lives over who gets to rule the sandbox in a game of 'I dare you!, No, I dare YOU!'. Leaving, of course, two of our biggest potential enemies to try to calm the toddlers down. In response, our White House has decided to move our Israeli Embassy to Jerusalem despite overwhelming world opposition. The reason, of course, is because while most of us do consider Jerusalem the capital of Israel, the nation of Palestine vociferously ( and violently ) disagrees. And they do have a point. So, our answer is, we are going to move our embassy there, now, that makes it official. Personally, I would not want to be a embassy official or a member of the team responsible for their security once such a move is made. I can think of no logical reason for this move, other than to appease Israel ( a nation I prefer to have as a ally ) at the cost of putting even more American lives at risk in the Middle East. And if that is the price of keeping Israel as a ally, my response would have to be, so long, been good to know ya.
Well, as I said, 2017 has been a eventful year. Certainly many more events than what I have mentioned here, but I feel as if I have typed a encyclopedia already. If it seems I have a dim view of the year's events, well, that would be because I do. It's my take on it. It's Christmas, Christmas falls in Winter, and I hate Winter, so that may have something to do with it. Maybe. Hopefully, if you are reading this, you have a different, more positive view of the year. I hope so.
As usual, if you feel up to commenting, I will be sharing this to Facebook, and I thank you for reading my rambles. I actually am considering blogging about some things I found more positive in 2017. One day, I may actually think of something. Oh! I do have one! I don't have to worry about going to work at a job I disliked and wasn't very good at! Okay, well, thanks to my physical limitations, aren't many jobs I'd be good at any longer, but--that IS a positive!! Thanks again, and Merry Christmas!!
Comments