auto boulot dodo - left coast

yes!!! It's a shame that these health care issues are just starting to get the attention and analysis that they deserve.

I realized yesterday what I really find so repulsive about Bush and the people that support him - this was something actually said by the Fox news channel host Sean Hannity. Basically his point was that Bush was good because he sees things very black and white, and that he acts on his principle and does what he thinks is good for the country without considering the possibillity that people may disagree with him for valid reasons. This is exactly why he is so dangerous and offensive to me, because for one his principles are not backed up by any sort of logical reasoning. Clinton was always critizised for being unprincipled and changing his mind for "popularity" but why is that a bad thing? Politicians are supposed to represent the people that they govern and public opinion changes as situations change. Hannity also suggested that all the people who were mad at Bush were just mad because he was so effective in doing what he thinks is right (and according to Hannity is unquestionably good for the country) Well ... yes duh! that's a perfectly reasonable response - Bush is systematically acting counter to my principles and preferences in a duplicitous and illogical way. He may think he is "principled" but I defy anyone to present a case that these so-called principles that he is acting on are consistent or backed up by credible evidence. I have some sympathy for a consistent conservative set of principles - fiscal responsibility, government staying out of peoples lives!!!! leaving decisions and power to the states. There are some persuasive arguments one can make for these principles of government. Bush is clearly not following these conservative principles unless they happen to coincide with what he wants to do. Personally I find myself alligned more with Liberal views but more than that, I believe in public policy that works for the majority of people - that either improves their lives or stays out of it. Markets can be great, but free market economics doesn't automatically produce the best results for a population. Sure I would love it if I agreed with everything the government did but I would also understand if other people didn't like it, if it conflicted with their preferences. I accept the fact that not everyone wants to live how I think they should and I am perfectly willing to put up with a government that to some degree accomodates that. It pisses me off that Bush thinks that he has the intelligence to make good decisions for the entire country and that he doesn't even entertain the possibility that his actions are just plain bad and bad for the country. Give me a fucking break.

Also I officially hate Calvin and think it is an evil institution. Any place where a school official can just go through your room without notice or justification is toxic. In further family discussions I will not even temper my opinion - I think it's fine for it to exist. I think some of its practices should be illegal. But I will not in any way say that it is a good institution - I think it is just plain bad and I will do everything I can to convince people to that effect. Especially my brother. Even if it takes some financial persuasion. I feel like I should make all the money I can because that seems to be the most effective way to influence things. Especially if I can make the money from the people I don't agree with.

listening to: magnetic fields - holiday