The Cost of Life

I know the popular term is "the cost of living", but the cost of life is more appropriate to me.

I pay attention to the price of the different things I require to survive. They've all gone up and not by just a little. While many on the public dole just continue to spend with abandon, I don't have that luxury, so my purchases are guided by what I can afford. Here's an example:

I like to make homemade vegetable, beef soup. The ingredients are the same, so for years I haven't changed any; including the brands. The only thing that might change is the type of beef. I vary between stew meat and roasts - depending on the price.

Four years ago, the two pounds of meat and various items was around $12. Over the weekend, I bought the same items and the price was $20. That's a substantial difference and with the drought, pending freeze in places that don't normally freeze, with increasing prices for various government mandates, the cost will only become higher.

So, the cost of life is higher and my salary is frozen. Meanwhile, Congress is pushing for a raise and government employees are given raises without any thought of how it affects the deficit or attitude of those that actually produce the tax money they spend without thinking.

I don't know about you, but I'm pissed. The arrogance and lack of fiscal responsibility by many in government has reached the point it's intolerable. They may think they can continue without reactions from taxpayers but I have the feeling they've reached the end of their rope. People push back when their survival is at stake. Those that live in Washington, D.C. may not notice the drastic attitude change by taxpayers, but the Congress critters will eventually have to go home. I hope those that are making efforts to bring this fiscal crises under control are treated as heroes. As far as the tax and spend bunch: I hope they're pelted with rotten vegetables and become afraid to leave their houses. They're warts on the ass of progress and need to go.

The Great Thinkers of Our Time...

...are remarkably absent from the current administration. Think about it.

For Those That Don't Know

This is the second amendment to the Constitution:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Read it carefully. It's written in English and the words are clear. 

Now, there are - and always have been - discussions about the work "militia" and the meaning in context. Personally, I don't think that's important. The rest of the amendment: "...the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed..." has no wiggle room or need any interpretation. 

So, if you wonder about your right to keep and bear arms, wonder no longer. It's written in the Constitution as a right that can never be removed unless 2/3 majorities of both houses of Congress pass the amendment and 3/4 of the states pass the amendment. I don't see that happening. 

Another thing: when it comes to amendments to the Constitution, the President is left out of the process. Otherwise, the current President can flex his muscles, stick his tongue out at his constituents and demand changes to gun laws, but all he has is an opinion. He has no power, unless you allow it. I'm thinking anyone reading this is smarter than that. If not, ask some questions and I'll help you out. 

Mathematical Imbalance

A handful of politicians and pundits are clamoring for more gun control. Meanwhile, besides the millions of guns sold, there are millions on back order. I think the numbers speak for themselves and the obvious winner has bullets.

So....What's The Point?

I've noticed the Weather Channel has decided winter storms need names. I was a little surprised, at first, since I don't watch the Weather Channel, except a few seconds at a time, with the hope they'll actually have the real time radar on, instead of some show about AGW or people chasing tornadoes. The National Weather Service doesn't do this, so I'm wondering if there's some big power play between the two giants of meteorological wizardry?

Why would anyone want to name a winter storm...or any storm? Why not give it a numerical classification, such as 2013 WS-1 or 2....whatever. It's easy to determine the type of storm and when it happened. There's no confusion during conversations, such as one where the name Sandy is brought up. Nobody will have flashbacks to the storm, while other's think of a close friend, or like me: fond memories of a lovely, petite, blond comedic actress that warmed our hearts in the 70's.

Bleh. Life's confusing enough without adding more confusion. Don't meteorologists have something better to do? How about showing the weather instead of reality shows? How about drawing some isobars?