Disgusted With The Polictical Party's and Process

For the last 24 years I have been registered to vote, I have been a registered republican. Although I have never voted the straight party line, I have on many occasion's cross multiple party lines and voted for other candidates. My personal beliefs and ideals used to be more in line with the Republican party, mostly the Reagan era party, not the party as it is currently constructed

I have gotten to a point in my life where I am so disgusted with both major party's and the lack of carrying for the constituents and how they pander more to the lobbyist and special interest groups.

I am almost to the point of switching my party affiliation to independent so I can't identify with either party, but by doing that, I eliminate my opportunity to vote in the primary election, because in Pennsylvania they have closed primaries where you can only vote for candidates for the party in which you are registered.

What this country really needs is a good, strong third or even fourth party, that actually cares about the people who elect them to office, and don't get in bed with the special interest groups and lobbyist. Why is that a party like has not made enough headway in this country to come to fruition. I would join it in a minute.

As the congress is laid out now, the republicans and democrats just bicker back and forth and nothing really gets done. Mostly everything is done along party lines, and no real work gets done. A third party with a strong block of members would force compromise and probably get some real things accomplished.

And while we are on the subject, term limits for our congress members would be a welcome change. I know it would require a constitutional amendment. I would love to see a member of congress with some real guts come forward and propose such an amendment. I would even be happy if it was effective with the newly elected and those currently in office, can ride out their terms until they retire or hopefully replaced.

President Obama has promised change, he has yet to deliver, maybe a member of congress can come forward and propose a change to the constitution.

If not one of them has the guts, it's time for we the people to elect representatives to our government, to put free thinking, open minded and most off all honest politicians, who are accountable to the people for whom they work for and were elected by.

That is the change this country needs.

--gfo

On Michael Jackson

I am sure I am not the only one who is not saddened by MJ's death. Sure the guy had a lot of success in the music industry, but for me, MJ will always be remembered as a messed up person, who only by the fact that he had lots of money (to pay off/hush witnesses), and could afford good legal representation that he avoided jail time.

Although karma had a way with him, since the trial, and him fleeing to Bahrain, he really had no career since, and managed to stay out of the spotlight, which was fine with me.

The sooner the story of his death is no longer being reported the better. He was a has been, and his death to me is not tragic at all. He is no better than any other rich person that got away with a crime...To me that is his legacy

--gfo

Well The People Have Spoken

They wanted change, albeit 52%, and change is what they got. We will soon have Democratic President and Congress.

Let see if all their talk about change is rhetoric or if they actually put their words into real action. Otherwise, the American people can vote for change again and again. That is the beauty of our system of government, we the people have a voice and choose our representatives, even though we may not like who is ultimately elected, we the people can change that at any time

Just remember to those newly elected or those reelected not to forget who you work for, the people, not special interest.

Best of luck President-Elect Obama. You have a taken on a huge burden, and have a lot of expectations of you. We as a nation can only hope that you are as good a leader as you are a speaker, because actions speak louder than words.

--gfo

An Open Post To The DNC, RNC, and All Other PAC's

Enough of the attack ad's, he said, she said, and finger pointing. I want to hear and read about substance and what your plans are to move this country forward, and what your candidates stand for, what they are against, what they are going to do if elected.

I don't give a shit about, how much, or how little experience the candidates have to say about each other, or how many houses they may or may not own, if their spouse is a good dancer, speaker, parent, etc.

Substance, is what I want to hear about. Give me an idea of who you are, what you want to do, what you don't want to do. Foreign and domestic policy, taxes, gas prices. I'd also like to see a candidate that does not say what they think people want to hear, and I'd also like to see a candidate that isn't in bed with its party, big donors, and special interest. You work for and are elected by the people. Sometimes politicians forget that.

I know I am just some forty something working middles class schmuck from suburban Philadelphia, who has this tiny blog that post's on a variety of subjects, that not to many people read, but I felt the need to get this message out.

Now I feel better

--gfo

Floods - What A Difference

From an email that I got earlier today. As politically incorrect as it appears to be, it is balls on accurate:

Something to think about..it is a social commentary on the difference of two communities with a similar disaster, although I am sure some idiot is going to say "Hate speak".

• Where are all the Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for help in restoring Iowa and helping the folks affected by the floods?

• Where is all the media asking the tough questions about why the federal government hasn't solved the problem? Asking where the FEMA trucks (and trailers) are?

• Why isn't the Federal Government relocating Iowa people to free hotels in Chicago?

• When will Spike Lee say that the Federal Government blew up the levees that failed in Des Moines?

• Where are Sean Penn and the Dixie Chicks?

• Where are all the looters stealing high-end tennis shoes and big screen television

• When will we hear Governor Chet Culver say that he wants to rebuild a "vanilla" Iowa, because that's the way God wants it?

• Where is the hysterical 24/7 media coverage complete with reports of cannibalism?

• Where are the people declaring that George Bush hates white, rural people?

• How come in 2 weeks, you will never hear about the Iowa flooding ever again?

HOW COME THERE IS SUCH A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS FLOODING AND THAT OF NEW ORLEANS?

• When N.O. flooded, it was a racist plan to wipe out black people.
  

• Now that white people are getting flooded out, we need to investigate .. who?

• I heard a dimwit on CNN yesterday say that this reminded him of New Orleans. How?

Outside of being flooded, there is no looting, no people wandering the streets looking for meanness, no grocery carts being shoved through the water carrying stolen big screen TVs, no people sitting on the tops of their houses waiting on the government to come and get them, no police abandoning their posts, no Iowans bitching how the government and George Bush is failing them. There is not one damn thing, other than water, that is similar to New Orleans.

The streets in Des Moines are empty. People left when they were told to evacuate. They didn't whine, bitch or blame the Government for the broken levees. They did what responsible people do in a crisis. Some people who didn't even live in the flood areas came and filled sandbags to help their neighbors.

The actions of the people of Des Moines and the other Iowan cities only makes the actions of the people of New Orleans look worse.

--gfo

On Obama and Race

A lot is being said on the comments of Barack Obama's pastor Jeremiah Wright, and the fact that candidate Obama refuses to acknowledge, condemn, Reverend Wright's statements. Instead he chooses to spin it like any other candidate does.

He can come out and say all he wants about race relations in this country, but to he himself be associated with a man of the cloth who makes such outrageous comments like the does, and then for Obama to say, well I wasn't that for that sermon, or that wasn't what he says when I am there is just plain ludicrous. He must really think that most American's are idiots.

Of course the Obama supporters are spinning this their own way and most are drinking the same Kool Aid.

If Obama was smart, he would disassociate himself from Reverend Wright, condemn what he says, and most importantly leave that church altogether. He could restore some credibility to himself and his campaign.

Side note, I am not an Obama supporter, nor will I vote for him if he is the candidate. I just find it hysterical how he is allowing this whole situation implode on itself, and act as if nothing is wrong.

What's even funnier is the whole Democratic party imploding on itself. Their convention should be interesting to say the least.

In this blogger's humble opinion race is still an issue in this country only because those of color choose to make it that way.

--gfo

2007: A Retrospective

As with any year, there were a lot of ups and downs, both figuratively and literally. Overall the downs outdrew the ups. Most of the downs came in the results of slips and falls, which although sporadic, and caused no serious injuries save for my ego, were certainly frustrating to deal with.

Of course the big blow came in July, when the neurologist finally dropped the MS bomb on me. Although we both had suspected and expected to finally hear him say it, albeit we did have to ask him directly, was certainly a shock to say the least.

So with that, came monthly IV infusions, which take about 1½-2 hours, and some more questions and further exacerbations of the disease. Most notably cognitive issues, with speaking, reading, and sometimes, typing. The speaking and reading when combined can be most troublesome as I am a lector at our parish, and have had a more than a few faux pas whilst reading. Most of them, were barely noticeable, only to me. I did have a minor flub during the mass of thanksgiving with Cardinal Foley during the first reading, which could very well have been perceived as nerves. I did however nail the second reading.

On the positive side, I am still able to ride my bike although still inside, I managed to crank out, 2,361.30 miles. It could have been more, but due to some physical and mental issues I took some time off, most of it was during the summer, when it was just too hot to ride, and I have to be careful with the heat.

More on the positive, the kids are doing great, both are great students, and are active in sports. I coach my daughters softball team.

The Mrs continues to work as both a teacher and part time nurse, while auspiciously maintaining order in an often chaotic household.

Perhaps the highlight of the year, was the naming of John Patrick Foley to the College of Cardinals, and his subsequent visit to our parish to celebrate mass. It was a very monumental night for my family and me, as well as our entire parish community

No retrospect would complete without at least a mention of the big boned cat. He still manages to get his 21-22 hours of sleep a day. This year he managed to kill at least five mice, and one bird. Four mice were in the house, one and the bird were outside...not too bad for a cat who is sans front claws. He also continues to be a thorn in the Mrs's side, as they clash over the sleeping arrangements...he wants to sleep with us, and she doesn't want him in our room. Its never ending battle.

On the sports front, the Phillies made the post-season for the first time in 14 years, only to be swept in the NLDS. All the excitement was short lived, it was a fun ride for the Phillies this year...side note, they lost their 10,000^th game in franchise history, and your's truly was in attendance for the game. Although it's not a record they were happy to break, it was bound to happen in a franchise that has been around as long as they have.

The Eagles finished the year 8-8, missing the playoffs on the tiebreaker. A lot of questions need to be answered about the team, and the off season, should be very interesting to say the least. Most of which will be interesting fodder for the local radio and print media to speculate on, as well as your author.

Stay tuned to this blog, as there will be plenty more coming, in all aspects of sports, MS, and as the race for the White House heats up, I will be posting more and more about that as well.

Enjoy 2008

--gfo

Letter To The Editor

A few weeks ago, during the final days of the Philadelphia Mayoral election, now Mayor-Elect Michael Nutter published a full page ad, basically blaming President Bush for all that is wrong in Philadelphia.

So that afternoon, 02 November, I fired off an email to the Philadelphia Daily News, and received a call later that day that it would be published. The election came and went and the letter went unpublished. Checking on line as I do every morning, I found that my letter was finally published.

My point was that this city has been run by the Democratic machine for many generations, and to me, the local problems, are not a national issue but a local one. If you want to bring party politics into it, perhaps, they need to look into the mirror.

Here is the letter...

--gfo

On Local Politics

Well on the local home front, in what was the first bitterly contested race for seats on borough council and tax collector, the democrats actually fielded some viable candidates, and were able to go out and campaign. All democratic candidates won, not overwhelmingly, but they managed to sweep their way into what has been a long standing Republican borough.

This campaign was pretty issue based, and toward the end but sides got nasty and personal. Although I don't/didn't agree with the democratic platform, and the didn't get my vote, based on that, there is still a 4-3 republican majority on council, so the democrats will probably have a hard moving their agenda forward. The remaining four seats, including the mayor's seat will be on the ballot in two years.

So the next two years should be interesting. Let's see if the newly elected councilors will do what's in the best interest for the borough, or the party. Hopefully its the former. The republicans have kept taxes low, and its known that democrats like to tax and spend. The borough has been a great place to live, and I hope for the residents sake that it stays that way.

--gfo

Election Day 2007

Well even though its an off year, and turn will most likely be suckier than normal, today is election. Time for those that give a shit to let their voices be heard.

I am proud to say, that since I have been eligible to vote I have only missed one election, and that was a primary, due to the birth of my oldest daughter. I have never missed a general election.

Some pretty competitive local races that are being closely watched, especially in my hometown, where a lot of mudslinging has occurred.

Its sad that voter turnout in the country is as abysmal as it is. I would bet good money that a lot of folks that complain the loudest don't vote. Its one of the foundations of this country, and its what makes our government what it is today. Also its probably the only day the politicians truly care about their constituents, since their livelihood is on the line, ergo what they really want is your vote.

I generally don't vote the party line. I stick to the candidates and the issues. I ignore all the negative bullshit that they say about each other and let the issues vet themselves out. To me, its only about the issues, the stuff doesn't matter.

If you don't vote, don't bitch.

--gfo

RIP Officer Charles Cassidy

Philadelphia Police Officer Charles Cassidy succumbed to injuries sustained yesterday when he brutally shot by a coward robber.

Cassidy a 25 year veteran, who was making a routine business check, and happened upon a robbery, when he was shot.

A massive manhunt is underway, and the perpetrator is still on the loose. Hopefully this piece of shit will be caught on has enough sense to turn himself in. We need thugs like this off the street.

Officer Cassidy leaves behind a wife and three children.

--gfo

The Gun's They Are Ablazing

In the last week, three Philadelphia police officers have been shot, including two in the last 14 hours.

The officer that was shot last night, was shot about a block away from my office. The perpetrator had shot three people only minutes before he fired at the officer. The officer even though wounded chased the suspect. The suspect in an attempt to elude police jumped into the Schuylkill river. An extensive search went out for the suspect. A few hours later his body was recovered, hence saving the taxpayers a lot of money.

The officer was taken to Jefferson University Hospital, where he is recovering.

Another officer was shot in the head earlier this morning. So far no details have been released as to his/her condition.

The murder rate is already out of control, here. The Mayor is burying his head in the sand (and his iPhone), shootings are commonplace. What is it going to take to get this shit to stop.

Not a lot of brotherly love of late here in this fair city, and doesn't seem like anyone cares...

--gfo