More Reflections, and Other Nonsense
Here it is, Merry Christmas, and I hope you're-------no, wait, sorry, that's from my favorite Christmas song, by Slade. Christmas, a Holiday I've dreaded for years now. It never was my favorite Holiday, but it at least provided a much needed respite from the bleak landscape of Winter, my least favorite season. The retail takeover of it caused my enjoyment of it to decline. Rather rapidly. One saving grace was that it was colorful, something Winter is decidedly not.
This year, I have found that I have only two bright spots in the season. Psych: The Movie, and, the Doctor Who Christmas Special. The realization of that has left me nearly speechless ( not a condition I am used to ); the only thing I am looking forward to are two television programs? What in the Heck? Not that the two programs are unworthy, they definitely are something to look forward to. But. The only things? Why?
So, I have been questioning myself on that very topic, and have come to a few conclusions. One, of course, is financial. Retirement severely curtails one's bank account. Especially if one is used to living on twice the income. Fortunately, there are programs in place that can help, which I have availed myself of, but, that leads to my other conclusions. Which, sadly, have to do with the state our government is in. Okay, it isn't in a state -- picky, picky -- it's in a District, but, I wasn't referring to geography. I was referring more to the combination of oligarchy and amateurish leadership we are experiencing now, and what it is doing to our freedoms, our futures, and our very lives.
The Congressional House and Senate have been in the process of passing bills, under the guise of 'tax reform', that are not even thinly disguised as anything of benefit to we, the people. Powerful financial lobbies have bought votes, admitted by some Congresspersons, that will severely negatively impact the Nation's budget and economy, to the benefit of the most wealthy corporations and individuals. Many of whom are themselves against it. To do this, lower income levels will have to increase over a brief period after a initial apparent 'cut', in order to make up the difference created to support the included budget. This will also severely negatively impact many programs that people of limited incomes ( such as retirees on fixed incomes, wage earners, veterans, and the unemployed ) depend upon for food, medical care, and shelter. Things such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps. Make no mistake, they will get this done; they are in a hurry to do it while they still have majority control of Congress and a untrained monkey in the White House.
Other reasons: daily, new 'sexual misconduct' allegations appear, directed at males who are either well known, or well known and have political power. Occasionally, one sneaks in about a female, but generally a little known or minor celebrity that at least I have never heard of. Honestly, I am sick of hearing it, for several reasons. One: I know they are all true. I am almost 70. I've lived that same time frame. I'm aware of how men treated women, and especially, men with some influence. I'd like to say I wasn't like that, and I am pretty sure I wasn't. But, yes, I likely crossed over that line more than once. Many times more than once. Two: the difference in the way the reports are treated. We have now three Congresspersons who have resigned ( or, retired ). Granted, after some pressure, but, they have done it. Wisely. We have others, including a President, another Congressman, and a candidate for Senate, who have not. We have some media and many people wanting to paint all of these with a broad brush, and others, like me, who think each case should be taken on it's own merit. After all, if one Texan runs amok and becomes a rabid killer, we don't assume ALL Texans are rabid killers-in-training, do we?
Ok. Bad example.
And, more. I see Tom Cotton is up for new CIA Director. Seriously? From the ideals I have heard Tom Cotton sputter, the only thing he should be up for is 25 to life. At least it isn't Steve King or Chuck Grassley from Iowa, 2 Congressmen whose only redeeming factors seem to be that, like all humans, they won't live forever. For me, they have already overstayed their welcome.
Seems our President is moving the U.S. Embassy for Israel to Jerusalem. A bold move. And probably not a well thought-out move. Apparently, his Fox & Friends TV program neglected to inform him that control of Jerusalem has been contested for decades. Violently contested. Years of talks endeavoring to resolve the issue and keep the peace there are now threatened, and any personnel associated with our embassy should be considered at high risk once the move is made. Our President, the afore-mentioned untrained monkey in the White House, enjoys playing the schoolyard game of 'I dare you'. When dealing with the adult world, and in the realm of international politics, that game carries with it extreme risks, risks that can prove hazardous to children, and other living things. When the fire is already smoldering, it isn't a wise move to toss gasoline on it. Something our President seems to love doing.
These are just some of the things keeping me retreating to the world of television fantasy for escape. Daily, we are bombarded with even more. A war on Christmas? Never was one, until this year. Our very own government seems determined to suck what little enjoyment some of us still have for the Holiday right out the old bomb chute, along with our ability to eat, keep warm, and be comfortable.
And, end rant. As always, if you've made it this far, thank you sincerely for reading, and may you have a joyous and prosperous, happy, and warm Holiday season ( without it costing someone else to lose theirs ). As usual, I will be sharing this to my Facebook page, if any readers feel like commenting or calling me names, and don't want to have to register a Google account.
This year, I have found that I have only two bright spots in the season. Psych: The Movie, and, the Doctor Who Christmas Special. The realization of that has left me nearly speechless ( not a condition I am used to ); the only thing I am looking forward to are two television programs? What in the Heck? Not that the two programs are unworthy, they definitely are something to look forward to. But. The only things? Why?
So, I have been questioning myself on that very topic, and have come to a few conclusions. One, of course, is financial. Retirement severely curtails one's bank account. Especially if one is used to living on twice the income. Fortunately, there are programs in place that can help, which I have availed myself of, but, that leads to my other conclusions. Which, sadly, have to do with the state our government is in. Okay, it isn't in a state -- picky, picky -- it's in a District, but, I wasn't referring to geography. I was referring more to the combination of oligarchy and amateurish leadership we are experiencing now, and what it is doing to our freedoms, our futures, and our very lives.
The Congressional House and Senate have been in the process of passing bills, under the guise of 'tax reform', that are not even thinly disguised as anything of benefit to we, the people. Powerful financial lobbies have bought votes, admitted by some Congresspersons, that will severely negatively impact the Nation's budget and economy, to the benefit of the most wealthy corporations and individuals. Many of whom are themselves against it. To do this, lower income levels will have to increase over a brief period after a initial apparent 'cut', in order to make up the difference created to support the included budget. This will also severely negatively impact many programs that people of limited incomes ( such as retirees on fixed incomes, wage earners, veterans, and the unemployed ) depend upon for food, medical care, and shelter. Things such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps. Make no mistake, they will get this done; they are in a hurry to do it while they still have majority control of Congress and a untrained monkey in the White House.
Other reasons: daily, new 'sexual misconduct' allegations appear, directed at males who are either well known, or well known and have political power. Occasionally, one sneaks in about a female, but generally a little known or minor celebrity that at least I have never heard of. Honestly, I am sick of hearing it, for several reasons. One: I know they are all true. I am almost 70. I've lived that same time frame. I'm aware of how men treated women, and especially, men with some influence. I'd like to say I wasn't like that, and I am pretty sure I wasn't. But, yes, I likely crossed over that line more than once. Many times more than once. Two: the difference in the way the reports are treated. We have now three Congresspersons who have resigned ( or, retired ). Granted, after some pressure, but, they have done it. Wisely. We have others, including a President, another Congressman, and a candidate for Senate, who have not. We have some media and many people wanting to paint all of these with a broad brush, and others, like me, who think each case should be taken on it's own merit. After all, if one Texan runs amok and becomes a rabid killer, we don't assume ALL Texans are rabid killers-in-training, do we?
Ok. Bad example.
And, more. I see Tom Cotton is up for new CIA Director. Seriously? From the ideals I have heard Tom Cotton sputter, the only thing he should be up for is 25 to life. At least it isn't Steve King or Chuck Grassley from Iowa, 2 Congressmen whose only redeeming factors seem to be that, like all humans, they won't live forever. For me, they have already overstayed their welcome.
Seems our President is moving the U.S. Embassy for Israel to Jerusalem. A bold move. And probably not a well thought-out move. Apparently, his Fox & Friends TV program neglected to inform him that control of Jerusalem has been contested for decades. Violently contested. Years of talks endeavoring to resolve the issue and keep the peace there are now threatened, and any personnel associated with our embassy should be considered at high risk once the move is made. Our President, the afore-mentioned untrained monkey in the White House, enjoys playing the schoolyard game of 'I dare you'. When dealing with the adult world, and in the realm of international politics, that game carries with it extreme risks, risks that can prove hazardous to children, and other living things. When the fire is already smoldering, it isn't a wise move to toss gasoline on it. Something our President seems to love doing.
These are just some of the things keeping me retreating to the world of television fantasy for escape. Daily, we are bombarded with even more. A war on Christmas? Never was one, until this year. Our very own government seems determined to suck what little enjoyment some of us still have for the Holiday right out the old bomb chute, along with our ability to eat, keep warm, and be comfortable.
And, end rant. As always, if you've made it this far, thank you sincerely for reading, and may you have a joyous and prosperous, happy, and warm Holiday season ( without it costing someone else to lose theirs ). As usual, I will be sharing this to my Facebook page, if any readers feel like commenting or calling me names, and don't want to have to register a Google account.
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