politics and buying in
Here in the USA we have elections all the time. Seems like every few months there's something else to vote for (or against) but it's the 4 year Presidential cycle that gets the most attention. Gearing up for this election began almost as soon as that dick currently residing in the Oval Office got elected.
Personally I try to ignore politics since I see it as a lose-lose situation. No matter who we elect, we end up getting screwed because it's the people with money that get first consideration when laws are drafted, enforced and adjudicated. Politicians make public promises to the poor and middle class, where the majority of the votes reside, but it's the private promises to the well heeled that actually get kept.
Anyway, here's a joke that pretty much sums up my view of politics:
A husband and wife were having dinner at a very fine restaurant when this absolutely stunning young woman comes over to their table, gives the husband a big kiss, says she'll see him later and walks away.
His wife glares at him and says, "Who the hell was that?"
"Oh," replies the husband, "she's my mistress."
"Well, that's the last straw," says the wife. "I've had enough, I want a divorce."
"I can understand that," replies her husband, "but remember, if we get a divorce it means that you don't get any more shopping trips to Paris, no more wintering in Barbados, no more summers in Tuscany, no more Ferraris and Lexus's in the garage and no more yacht club.But the decision is yours."
Just then, a mutual friend enters the restaurant with a gorgeous babe on his arm.
"Who's that woman with Jim?" asks the wife.
"That's his mistress," says her husband.
"Ours is prettier," she replies.
I'd say that the joke sums up the concept of "buying in" quite well and that's the key to politics. Any electable candidate is a compromise between competing interest groups and he or she only looks good compared to the one that the other folks are fronting. November 4th, election day, is only a few days away and reminds me more than a little of Halloween--which is today--'cause it's very scary.
Two wealthy people going up for the post of President. I wonder if they have my best interests at heart? Ha!
Decoder:
Husband: Politician
Mistress: Lobbyists / Special Interests
Wife: Public (you & me)
Costly Toys: roads, medical care, retirement accounts, law enforcement, etc
Personally I try to ignore politics since I see it as a lose-lose situation. No matter who we elect, we end up getting screwed because it's the people with money that get first consideration when laws are drafted, enforced and adjudicated. Politicians make public promises to the poor and middle class, where the majority of the votes reside, but it's the private promises to the well heeled that actually get kept.
Anyway, here's a joke that pretty much sums up my view of politics:
A husband and wife were having dinner at a very fine restaurant when this absolutely stunning young woman comes over to their table, gives the husband a big kiss, says she'll see him later and walks away.
His wife glares at him and says, "Who the hell was that?"
"Oh," replies the husband, "she's my mistress."
"Well, that's the last straw," says the wife. "I've had enough, I want a divorce."
"I can understand that," replies her husband, "but remember, if we get a divorce it means that you don't get any more shopping trips to Paris, no more wintering in Barbados, no more summers in Tuscany, no more Ferraris and Lexus's in the garage and no more yacht club.But the decision is yours."
Just then, a mutual friend enters the restaurant with a gorgeous babe on his arm.
"Who's that woman with Jim?" asks the wife.
"That's his mistress," says her husband.
"Ours is prettier," she replies.
I'd say that the joke sums up the concept of "buying in" quite well and that's the key to politics. Any electable candidate is a compromise between competing interest groups and he or she only looks good compared to the one that the other folks are fronting. November 4th, election day, is only a few days away and reminds me more than a little of Halloween--which is today--'cause it's very scary.
Two wealthy people going up for the post of President. I wonder if they have my best interests at heart? Ha!
Decoder:
Husband: Politician
Mistress: Lobbyists / Special Interests
Wife: Public (you & me)
Costly Toys: roads, medical care, retirement accounts, law enforcement, etc
Comments
Now I'm confused! Happy Halloween - hope all your weenies are happy!