Writer's Block: You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!

[Error: unknown template qotd]
I own "It's a Wonderful Life", "Mr. Kruger's Christmas", and "Miracle on 34th Street." I can watch these any time I like, and they're about the only holiday shows that I enjoy re-watching. I don't have a hypnogourd, which is good - because if I were to see the stop-motion "Frosty" even one more time, I think I'd gouge my eyes out with a rotary phone.

Doc Rat: Drive-by Proposal

Phew! Now that we've gotten that out of the way...

Life never looks quite the way we expect it will...

'Onya, Ben!

Oxymoron #47: Corporate Ethics

Every day I read "Dilbert". Every day it makes me grin wryly, but also fills my soul with a feeling of dread, because I know it's only a reflection of what's taking place out there.

Three examples are here:

http://www.dilbert.com/2009-01-25/
http://www.dilbert.com/2009-12-01/
http://www.dilbert.com/2009-12-22/

These will suffice - yet just about any day serves the purpose. It points out the fact that the underlying principles of most businesses out there are:

1) Screw the employee
2) Lie to the customer
3) Do whatever it takes to make the sale.
4) Win at any cost

It seems to me that the entire business structure of our country, not to mention the world, is built on a sandy foundation of lies, treachery and deceit - and if the rains come down and the floods come up, there's no way that house can stand.

The Old Testament records Abraham's negotiations with the Lord to save Sodom and Gomorrah - he successfully brokered a deal whereby the cities would be saved if ten righteous people could be found there. Tragically, the conditions of the contract were not met, and those two cities became the hottest towns on the plain.

If our nation is deserving of any form of divine favor whatever, it's only because of the relatively few decent people out there trying to live their lives and do business in a non-toxic way. If it were not for a few exceptions to this rule, I would despair for our nation's survival altogether.

Thou shalt not steal... unless you're poor and rip off WalMart

"British Rev. Tim Jones caused an uproar by telling his congregation that it is sometimes acceptable for desperate people to shoplift _ as long as they do it at large national chain stores, rather than small, family businesses."

Clicky

Oh wow. I feel a conversion to the Church of England coming on. Hello, WalMart? How late are you open?

I do wonder how much time will elapse before Father Jones' bishop wants a word with him...

Feasting on eggs fried in bacon grease... Merry Yule to me!

How to fix Congress

This appeared in my mailbox today. I've seen similar things elsewhere, and these ideas have been floated individually at various times. I really like this one. Regardless of its likelihood or feasability, I happen to agree with it. If you don't, write your own blog.

"Congressional Reform Act of 2010"

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 who would serve their term(s), and then go home and back to work.