Out of Touch

You will have to forgive me if I'm a little down today. I was up until after midnight last night watching election returns. I had difficulty getting to sleep after that so I'm cranking on a couple of hours of real sleep. But I have this missive in my head and I had better get it out.

Forty years ago I voted in my first presidential election. I remember distinctly voting for Richard Nixon when I was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Rigel - AF-58 in Norfolk, VA. He was running against some old hippie named McGovern so there really wasn't much of a choice. If memory serves, which is sometimes doubtful at this age, I have voted in the next 10 presidential elections. Votes were for Carter, Reagan, Reagan, Bush 41, Bush 41, Dole, Bush 43, Bush 43, McCain, and Romney. As you can see I have only ever voted for one Democrat for president and I claim a case of '70's temporary insanity. You will also note that in most cases the candidate I voted for won the election. They weren't all great presidents but each of them understood leadership and connected with me and my generation.

Last night I got skunked on all levels. If you are drawing a breath you know Romney lost, but the Republican party locally got lost across the board. In fact, I called my boss this morning, a Republican judge running unopposed, and told him I was glad he eeked out a win! We have been hashing out what happened and came up with some plausible explanations but the bottom line is that I am out of touch with the majority of my fellow Americans. My thinking does not represent the mainstream of thought in this country. And sadly, I doubt it ever will again.

So what, you might ask? While some might consider this a badge of honor; a distinction from their peers. My generation burned their draft cards, protested the war, experimented heavily with drugs, etc. Real counter culture activity. But that was never me. I have always prided myself in having good political instincts and understanding the psyche of America. But it looks like I lost that instinct back in 2008 but only came to realize it last night. So I am looking for a rudder right now to get my ship back on course.

Here are the new truths I learned last night:

1. $16 trillion is considered "manageable debt"
2. If the media loves you there is no accountability.
3. Not following through on any of your promises is okay.
4. Permanent dependence on the government is a good thing.

While I have a hard time wrapping my head around these I have decided that I am going to give mainstreaming a try. Here is my plan:

1. I have about $30,000 in line of credit on my credit card accounts. While this is a far cry from $16 trillion relatively speaking it's a nice chunk of change. I have worked hard to keep the balances paid off to avoid interest but I ask myself why. So henceforth I plan to max those puppies out, only paying the interest. Hey, it works for the feds, why not for me?

2. Old conservatives generally have a hard time becoming media darlings. We are such sticks in the mud, always whining against abortion, paying for contraceptives, and immoral behavior. So in an effort to charm the local media I will come out in favor of late term abortions, free birth control, and more than equal pay for women. I should have the press eating from my hand in no time!

3. For the old me my word was my bond. If I told you I was going to do something you could count on it. How old fashion can you get?! In the future I plan to tell you what you want to hear and forget about it as soon as I do. I will get credit for saying what I am going do and not accountable for what I didn't do.

4. It is fess up time! I have already begun my dependence on the government. My wife has been drawing her social security for the past 5 years. Gasp! She never worked a lot during our marriage so the check is very small but hey it's hers! Our next step is to get her on Medicare. I don't think I qualify for food stamps but I could probably lie and get those too. In another 10 months I could start drawing my social security but then I could only make about $20K a year if I did. Then I definitely would qualify for some kind of assistance. I need to do some figuring but I think I can work part time and do pretty well. Those other guys will pay for it so what do I care?

While the above sounds ludicrous it is close to the mindset of mainstream America. We have devolved from a society of self sufficient hard working independent people to one that looks to the government for it's daily bread. 47 million people on food stamps. Almost half of all households relying on the government for at least part of its monthly income. Medicare and Medicaid is the largest health care insurance program in the country. We are borrowing $0.40 of every dollar we spend, much of it going to these social programs. At this rate our national debt will be over $20 trillion when 2016 comes to an end.

So who will pay for all of my stuff? Not me! I have decided that YOU are rich, probably because your are evil and you need to pay your fair share. My income is so small I shouldn't have to pay any taxes but you don't need as much as you make so fork it over!!! Oh, while your at it I am old and fat and not in the best of health so I need to to buy my health insurance, no limits, and make sure I am taken care of. But I understand that if an Independent Payment Advisory Board (death panel) decides that the cost of my care exceeds my value I'll be cut off and allowed to die. Yeah I won't live as long but what I do will be at your expense!

Over the years this blog has been my bully pulpit, preaching against the rising national debt, excess government spending and waste, and for fiscal conservatism. Mine has been one of many such voices that have been ignored. The reelection of Barack Obama tells me just how out of touch I am. So I am getting on board with the rest of the country and start relying on the government to take care of me. So if you see Lloyd Doggett tell him I need him to stop by Dairy Queen and bring me a Butterfinger Blizzard. And make it quick!