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James's Journal

james
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01/09/2009 12:54 #47339

Post-It Note!
Hi,

The only thing I read in the New York Post is the pun for their leading front-page story. In fact, sometimes for fun I like to imagine what their headline would be for colorful historical events.

Trotsky: "Don't Pick Me!"
Louis XVI gets ahead of himself
Mishima spills guts to gov

But someone recommended yesterday's editorial and I was surprised.

"The state of our state is perilous," Paterson warned. New York faces its "gravest" challenge "in nearly a century."

No argument here.

Thing is, Paterson has said this before. And nowhere in his 63-minute speech did he suggest what to do about it.

Rather, he rambled on about what he termed an "epidemic" of childhood obesity - scarcely noting that New York's fundamental problem is its scandalously obese government.



We are in a financial crisis, no doubt. But currently New York ranked second among states with highest state/federal tax burden. How is it that other states are able to do just fine without the benefit of already taxing the shit out of people? Why did Patterson make this budget before the stimulus package hits the financial institutions who's poor year caused this financial crisis in Albany? With Medicare being gutted by the budget, is Patterson hoping that federal medicare dollars make up the difference? Why is Patterson against a millionaires tax that would cut the deficit in half?

The answer to all of those questions is 2010. That is when Patterson is up for election and by looking at some early poll numbers the governor has every reason to be concerned. He will face a primary challenger and he possibly will face Rudy Giuliani in the general and the poll numbers, compiled in November before the budget shit hit the fan don't look good for a man who had very good approval numbers just a few months before that. Patterson is going to need every Millionaire SOB to bankroll him instead of Rudy.

We know we are buried in a mess. I believe government can have a positive role in fixing the mess. But Patterson is not leading when we need it most. He is offering no vision for a new New York. This sort of politics is exactly why we are hemorrhaging people and companies every day and we can't stop the bleeding like this.
jason - 01/09/09 15:58
I don't think it ever really does occur to some folks that the state government really is obese, and really is spending more than it can afford, or even take in. They would rather punish us for their incompetence and corruption. They call tax hikes "hard choices" but in reality it is the easiest choice, and the only ones NYS politicians can stomach. People will still be leaving here in droves because it's clear the government will not reform itself.
james - 01/09/09 13:55
Or as Rod Watson called it in his editorial in the Buffalo News "Patterson's slash-and-burn (and then tax the fire) budget".

:::link:::
mrmike - 01/09/09 13:45
I concur. So far he's given every reason to stay away or leave altogether and suggested both will be taxed.

01/06/2009 13:05 #47306

Uncle Talk
If you recall a dream I wrote about [inlink]James,47152[/inlink] about a talk show called Uncle Talk. Last night I had a fourth Uncle Talk dream and it is worth journaling about.

The premise of the show is that a bunch of uncles sit around and talk about issues affecting uncles. This week very special guest Michael Cera was on. He was George Michael on Arrested Development and was in the movie Superbad among others. He was on promoting a new movie in which he goes to an exclusive high school for child prodigies. The school is across the country however and he must move in with his single uncle. Even though he is a child prodigy, he can't seem to see that his uncle is obviously a dirty uncle. A discussion about the film and the unfair treatment of uncles in films ensues.

Very pleased with my subconscious.
joshua - 01/06/09 22:33
Hey, I've got one -

How to snoop through a memory card you found in a camera your nephew sent for you to fix, and then find your nephew doing all kinds of unsavory things in pictures, and then how to let your nephew know that you know he did some unsavory stuff.
mrmike - 01/06/09 20:31
What are tyou snacking on before bedtime?
drew - 01/06/09 15:47
I'm thinking its time to produce this show. I am likely to become an uncle soon, and I need to get educated on the issues I might face.
james - 01/06/09 15:44
The two previous dreams the issues were
1) How to safely put your nieces car seat in your truck
2) Kissing baby bellies with a full beard.

just to give you an idea what issues uncles face.
joshua - 01/06/09 15:27
Issues facing uncles. I have to say I never considered this one!

01/06/2009 00:25 #47299

Nothing left but drink
So,

Lindsey Lohan has a myspace page. The content is pretty much what you would expect. But the comments. The comments. Oh sweet fucking god. Thousands of people, humbly prostrating themselves before the mighty Lohan. Offering words of encouragement at the latest rumors surrounding her relationship. Patting her on the back. Don't listen to those tabloids baby, you are top shelf no matter what they say. It is the diarrhea of star fucking.



01/02/2009 10:02 #47249

Garfield RPG
This fills me with giggles.


metalpeter - 01/02/09 19:42
Garfield as Final Fantasy that is awesome

12/28/2008 18:47 #47206

Thank you for being a friend
The best thing about christmas is that it is over. Not that it was bad, I am just always more happy when it is in the past.

But, this made my day yesterday.


tinypliny - 12/31/08 11:21
LOL Head exploding cookies. That was pretty freaky!
mike - 12/29/08 23:46
haha i love it!
fellyconnelly - 12/29/08 06:31
oh man, i want super head exploding golden girls gingerbread cookies!