seems like only yesterday

But it was nearly 4 years ago when I was writing on politics, in particular DFL -- The Hillary-Barack battle.  Now, we are rapidly (THANK GOODNESS) approaching the end of Obama's first (And many people hope only) term.  There are no challengers to him on his side.At least, none that we can see.  He's unopposed by any DFL member.

4 years ago, it was a battle on GOP -- McCain, Romney, Huckabee...and I was preparing for the MN caucus.  I missed it: I was battling influenza A.  But I had done my research.  I was not going to do more than a "token" vote ; the straw poll isn't binding.

4 years, and 1500 miles away, this year I prepare for my first PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.  It's on Tuesday, January 31st, here in Florida.  Unless I wind up in the hospital or something extreme happens, I will be casting my first vote in Florida.

I've been watching.  There's little civility, if any.  It's enough to turn me off.  But I know:  It's my duty to get out there.  This isn't a general election.  It's little more than a "beauty contest.,"  But I've tried to follow the candidates.  I was a T-Paw fan.  Then he dropped.  Bachmann fell by the wayside.  Cain was forced out.  Huntsman Shuffled aside.  The candidates dwindled.  I found myself with a choices that were not acceptable. Except one.

I know of "Romneycare"...And I find it nothing more than a mirror image of Obama-care, and NEITHER is any good.  Obama's is worse, because of the "extra taxes" that are being forced on to us, the consumer.

PAUL -- Too much of "Maverick" for me.  His anti-Israel views hurt him.  and it's gonna see a "Drop" soon. Maybe as soon as Tuesday.

Gingrich -- Well, I have a few words about his infidelity.  If it comes down to him vs. Oblamebushforya, I still won't support "O".  But I'm not sure I can support "G", either.  Sure, I like Newt's vision of a moon base.  But I don't see how I can support a guy who's been married 3 times.  I had a hard enough time justifying 2 with McCain.

That leaves Santorum.  A little of an unknown to me, but at least some of our views match.  I can say that about ALL the GOP candidates, though.  "Some" of our views match.

We need JOBS, not job killing (See Solyndra, Keystone pipeline),  We need spending cuts before increasing taxes.  We need a balanced budget, and a budget from the Senate.  We're getting NONE of this from "O".

Florida is a "Winner take all" state, I understand.  But I don't trust the polls.  And I can't see any way that Gingrich and Romney would pair up, nor Romney and Santorum...CERTAINLY not Paul!
While Florida may be a "Winner take all" state, there's a problem:  They won't get full delegate support.  Neither will NH, nor SC.  Rules and bylaws of the party give us pause.  But even if any one candidate slips by (By even 1 vote), Florida is done... and the winner may just grab the coveted nomination.

Whoever the Republicans finally choose -- there will still be a division in the party.  At least, for a little while.

So far:  Romney won NH.  Santorum succeeded in Iowa.  Gingrich got the nod in South Carolina. While Florida won't determine the final outcome (Bet on California),  expect whosoever comes in 4th to drop.  If it's Paul, you might expect a "3rd party" showing up.  Some would say the show's already over.  Some would say it's just beginning.  But, As I see it,  The show isn't over, nor is it beginning.  It's not a "SHOW" at all.  It's a circus.  It's an asylum.  And it's got to be solved before, and I mean LONG before JUNE...since the convention is in August.  We need to put aside our petty squabbles...and focus on the task at hand:  Removing an incompetent President (Or a usurper?).  If we don't make peace amongst ourselves, we get what we deserve.  It's a Frightening thought.

Yes, just think of what 4 more years of Obama is likely to do.  If that doesn't frighten you, you're a bit of a fool:  AS I SEE IT!

Revenge of the Consumer!

You may get calls, letters, fliers.. all offering to "help" get your debts down.  They claim they'll "mediate" your debt, what not.  They generally use "credit card" offers to try bringing it down...just to entice.

Today, got one of the letters.  A month ago, they wrote and offered their "Services".  I ignored it.  After all, the only "Debt" I currently have (aside from utilities, car insurance) is a disputed debt, one mortgage, and one "very small" doctor bill.  Nothing else that I am aware of, and nothing that I would spend money on negotiating!

But these dingleberries seem to think that they can convince me.

Aside from the obvious problems of there not being enough, plus the fact that things are just "questionable" in almost all conditions, what's the point?

I decided to ELIMINATE their harassment, once and for all.  I hid my phone number (I don't use it when talking to unknown people, collection agencies (When they are right OR wrong) or creditors.  I WILL use it when talking to Family, friends (Mind you, I have no hearing, so I cannot HEAR them, but I need a caption phone), or business which I need services.  (That doesn't include agencies, schools, or whatnot).  I WILL not hide it when talking with politician's offices, stores that I do business with, or along that line.

Anyway, I told 'em "I have no credit card debt".  True enough.  I have no cards!  None on my own, and my wife's is small enough not to be a major factor.  But then they asked "Any loans, hospital bills, blah, blah".  Only "Loan" is a mortgage, which is current.  Only medical -- one currently for me, one for my wife...and that's it...CURRENT.  This doesn't include disputes, or the like.

Told 'em TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST.  They did...supposedly.  We shall see.
Their number -- was an 800 number  800-900-6068.

May I recommend you do no business with them?  They're obviously vultures...No thanks.

The CONSUMER wins THIS ROUND>... As i see it!

Both humorous and appalling!

I get a lot of spam mail... actually, my wife does.  I get a whole lot less.  But sometimes, things get through to an account... and I simply delete.

Well, everybody needs a hobby.  Sending Spam mail is just one way idiots pass the time.

Today, though..IT REALLY BURNS MY BUTT.

Why?  The letter from someplace called "Searches" -- I didn't save the whole name, it was just stupid.  But the Email title caught my eye.  It amused...then ANGERED me.  Why?  Well...

"Your EX has searched for you!" it declares.  Wow.  My "EX" searched for me, huh?  You gotta wonder how she found me.  I mean how did she even know where to look?  (SARCASM MODE OFF, NOW)

The thing is, the email declares "Find out who."  WOW.  I mean my EX, and then I have to find out WHO?  I mean, It's absolutely astonishing...CONSIDERING I'VE ONLY BEEN MARRIED ONCE, AND AM STILL MARRIED TO THE SAME WOMAN AFTER 21 YEARS!

Do they REALLY think that I'm gonna click a link, trying to track my "ex" who searched for me...when she doesn't even exist?!

CRIMINEY, YOU FREAKING SPAMMERS, VIRUS UPLOADERS, AND HACKERS... Do you think I'm STUPID?

I called them out.  I told 'em that they were a bunch of FOOL LIARS... And NOT SO KINDLY!

Look, you stupid spamming/hacking dorks...you have a LOT to learn.  And AS I SEE IT, you're just too stupid to realize that NOT EVERY MARRIAGE ENDS IN DIVORCE.  Not everyone owes income tax.  And not everybody is stupid enough to fall for your machinations!

Battles with the intolerant

Sure, I admit it.  I'm guilty of intolerance of somethings.  Who isn't?  But I try to be tolerant of people.  When the become rude or insulting, I turn them off.  Simple.  They'll spread lies, rumors...The truth will out.

One fellow on Twitter is giving me a time...doesn't want to talk to GOP, at all...I pointed out some stuff, he responded...I asked for an example of what he was saying.  But he tells me to go look it up.  Well, I don't know what he's thinking about; how am I to look it up?  Why won't he say?  Because, probably, he knows that I'll be able to puncture holes in his argument.  You know the old saying right?  "I've made up my mind, don't confuse me with facts!"

In the spirit, I wrote a short Twitter poem.

Consider it, AS I SEE IT... this little poem about tolerance rings true.

TOLERANCE, TOLERANCE, that is the key.
I tolerate you, but you don't tolerate me.
So, I don't tolerate you, and we have a war....
Soon we're both tolerant, because We are No More.

It's a statement on hatred.  It's a statement on war.  And like it or not, it's the Truth.  Not just the truth as i see it, but a full-fledged universal.  And TRUTH, YES, TRUTH NEVER CHANGES.