Good-bye, Republican Party . . .

It's been a chaotic week, but I've been meaning to blog about our new president for some time now. Though I remain pessimistic as ever, I was highly encouraged to see Barack H. Obama become the new President of the United States!!! He was who I wanted to see win the office during the primaries and (a first for me) I actually found him more ideal than any of the available third party candidates (of whom I seriously considered Nader (who should really stop running, though I voted for him without any regrets both in '96 and '00) and McKinney (who just didn't strike me as able to deliver and was pushing issues (like trying Bush and Cheney for war crimes and pulling out of Afghanistan) that left me cold)). I'm still in shock that the candidate I wanted to see win at the beginning of the process actually became the winner! However, he couldn't be taking office in worse circumstances. I must say that I wouldn't wish Obama's (or the new Congress') task on my worst enemies. He gets to inherit the mismanaged messes of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as an economy which I am afraid is progressing towards Depression-level lows. This man has on his shoulders not only his own prospects, but the prospects of how his party will be perceived for a generation, and most important of all, the fortunes of the American people for probably a decade to come. I hope that he can deliver on all the hopes he has raised. Thankfully, he is eminently qualified and level-headed. I fear the compromises and conflict to come, but I find while expecting the worst, I can more genuinely hope for the best than ever before. We'll see during the next four years if things really improve or if I'm simply drinking too much O-Kool-Aid . . .

As Obama met with Bush today, businesses asked for more "help" at the expense of their employees. The amount of corporate welfare governments all over the world have been giving is astonishing. Given the fact that overextended consumers who can no longer use their houses as ATMs is at the heart of the issue, and that these consumers (i.e. average citizens) will soon be facing lost jobs, lost houses, lost pensions, and lost opportunities for themselves and their children, I'd hope the urge to help soon turns to helping the poor get needed help and solid opportunities. 'Cause, uh, there is about to be a whole lot more of the poor, I'm afraid . . . And those hanging onto the middle class by their pinky toe . . . If those people can't buy goods and services, all ships will sink. If they can, all ships will rise. We can't build the economy on personal welfare, but I think that personal welfare will do more to get the economy back on track in the long run (and create less personal suffering in the short run) than bailing out failing, mismanaged companies. But I'm pinko like that . . .

In the meantime, lots and lots of people around me (that is, most of the white ones) were rather bitter about the defeat of McCain and Palin at the polls. Given the way things played out, I think McCain must be that much more disappointed that Jindal turned him down. I suspect if McCain had run with Jindal, he would have won. However, Jindal apparently wants to leave a mark here in Louisiana. I also suspect he didn't want to be any more closely associated with Bush's wake than necessary . . . After all, he had been a Bush appointee to the Department of Health and Human Services and has been considered a health care expert. That may have made an election run uncomfortable, but I suspect he would have inspired voters with way more confidence than Palin did . . . All-in-all, I'm glad he stayed here and focused, where he's undoubtedly needed. (And kudos to him for his good management of Hurricane Gustav, the worst I've ever seen here in Baton Rouge.) Still, I suspect I'll see Jindal on the national stage, eventually . . .

I am happy to see the Democrats have a chance to shape policy during what will undoubtedly be one of the most critical times in our nation's history. So . . . DON'T FUCK IT UP, Y'ALL!! ;-)