Let's talk about civility.

This week, Sandy and I were riding our bicycles. As we do on our rides, we say good morning to people we encounter. Most people are gracious and return our greetings. Some are so wrapped up in their headset music, that they don't. Them, I forgive, pitying their disconnect from social interactions and lost opportunities. Others are so wrapped up in their own worlds, that they rudely ignore our greetings. Their loss. Today something truly bizarre happened. A man's cell phone was ringing as I rode past him and I jokingly said, I think it's for you. His answer was "Up Your Ass". I laughed and said "very nice!". As I drove past, I couldn't help but wonder , What could be so bad as to elicit such a nasty response. Lack of intellect? Lack of manners? I just have to chalk it up to all of the above, kind of like the South Carolina representative Joe Wilson. The man was able to get himself elected, so he can't be a totally stupid. Or can he? Doesn't he know anything about good manners? Too often, people are saying and doing things out of sheer nastyness, without thinking about the effect of their actions. Jokingly I told Sandy, I wish I had a gun so I could shoot down the nasty man on our ride like a rabid dog. Instead I write my rants. Try being nice and polite. It doesn't cost anything and it will make me happy. Thank you.

HEALTHCARE REFORM DEBATE

Once again, we are proving that we have the best government MONEY CAN BUY. When I read and hear about the town hall meetings where citizens are up in arms against health care reform, I have to chuckle. Again, the sponsers of these people have framed the issue in such a way that emotion has overridden logic. Death squads, if only it were so. I know who I would put up as candidates for target practice. The followers who can be so quickly caught up in there own fears because they can't sit back and think for themselves. Usually they are smug because they have healthcare insurance provided by their employers. They forget that if they lose their jobs, they quickly could sink into the morass of the many havenots in this country. Now seriously, why can't our President get his party behind this. The truth of the matter is, we already have a huge percentage of our populace on government sponsered health programs. I have always been a supporter of the Democratic party, but now I feel that both parties have become the puppets of big business. Our elected officials are continuously selling their votes to the highest bidders.The drug companies and the insurance companies are controlling OUR elected officials. The Dems have to sprout a pair. If not, don't whine in 2 or 4 years when those great framers the GOP retake the government. I further can't believe the people of this country can act so stupid, petty and selfish that they could elect George W. Bush, not once, but twice? Come on people, aren't you sick of being the puppets? Can't we do better?