So, about old Warren..

Mr. Buffett is now the president's transitional economic advisor, alongside a series of economic superstars. Not sure he needs all the help - just being a democrat is enough to fix the economy, according to history - but it's nice to have all those brains working on the problem. Something needs to happen fast, but that should not lead to the massive handouts some of the business community (read: car manufacturers) want.

Sorry guys, but it is time to let the auto industry in America die a merciful death. These guys have been burning up money, building sub-standard cars for how many years now? It's wonderful that the remaining employees in Detroit are able to make $75 an hour installing seat belts, but at what cost? 50 - 60 billion taxpayer dollars this round? Toyota, Honda, Hyundai all are successfully building affordable, reliable cars in America. And those folks in Kentucky, Alabama, and Tennessee are happy to take home $20-$25 an hour. It's not like the Japanese and Koreans are running sweatshops over here. They - intelligently - have their factories in places where labor is reasonable and the government isn't appointed by the union leaders. Yes, unionites I've had an assful of you guys too. I live in a right to work state and the wages suck, but people have jobs and the business community is GROWING. Take note union states. If there aren't any jobs, it really doesn't matter how much people are getting paid.

I'm officially excited about Obama

This guy is going to make a good president. I thought he might, but actions do speak louder than words. Look to the people he is appointing. He's made some seriously good choices.

Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State:

This one not only brings many of the people who supported her presidential run back on board, but it also makes our meaningful allies back on board quick. I mean some of Eastern Europe liked Bush (lotta good that did Georgia, but that is a different story) but Western Europe has been pining for the days of Bill since like 10 minutes after 9/11. She has pull over there. Only complaint: The Middle Eastern nations that we need so desperately to deal with diplomatically won't take a woman seriously. But Condi had the same problem, so overall it is still a major improvement.

Tomorrow: Warren Buffett as Chief Financial Advisor.

I thought Pyramid Schemes were illegal...

or does that law not apply on the internet? Is it just me or are there millions of sites promoting a get-rich-quick product that essentially just gets you to distribute the rights to distribute distributorships that allow people to distribute distributorships to other distributors. (Even if that made no sense, you get what I'm saying.) Last time I checked, MLM with no actual product is a pyramid scheme. Is that like blogging about how to make money with blogs about making money?

Ok, people. If you are going to build a business - build a business that adds value, please. I have no problem with people selling IP or ideas or digital non-physical products. I do that myself. But some of this crap is just that - crap. And if you are going into business for yourself, and you don't understand the concept of "adding value" you may want to rethink your plans.

Instead of working out ways to part people with solid entrepreneureal intentions from their seed money, why don't some of you work out ways to take that seed money and help these people compete with China or India. Our way of living is at risk. In case no one has noticed, economic growth in China is inversely proportionate to economic growth in Michigan or Ohio. China grows as the manufacturing belt of America shrinks.

I am not one of those dreamers that thinks the manufacturing industry in the US can be rebuilt to take the world by storm like it once did. I understand that there is going to be a painful period for middle-aged and near retirement age workers as the US economy retools for the future with a basis in information and innovation. Big chunks of the nation have already done this. But selling reseller rights to a sales and reseller system is really not helping anyone in the long run.

Stupid people suck

This is a bit off-topic, but I really don't care. How can some people go around in life with no idea what the hell is going on around them? Seriously, many people have absolutely no clue about basic necessities of American life.

Ever seen the bits on late night TV where they go around and ask people on the street basic questions about life and history? People don't know who the vice president is, they think that we fought against the British in WWII, and (my personal favorite) they think it was a great idea for Obama to select a woman for VP. (If you haven't seen that, Google "Howard Stern man on the street interviews" you'll find it in there)

People, please teach your children. Something. Make them go to school. And if you know they aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, tell them not to ever speak in front of a camera.

The new pres on 60 Minutes

I like this guy more by the day. College football playoffs, and he is serious about it. Finally, someone who understands how to make America a better place. But seriously, I'm glad that someone is going to take the reigns on that one. And all that other stuff he said was good too.

President-Elect Obama really did have a good outing on 60 Minutes. He sounds like he is going to work with both sides of the aisle, and he seems to have a good grasp of reality ("The American people don't want to hear lots of speeches." So true). And if history is to be our guide the economy should improve rapidly, just because he is a democrat. Yes, all you money-grubbing republicans - the economy has ALWAYS tended to suck when you guys take over. If you don't believe me, check out the interest rates under Reagan. Or which party was in power to usher in the Great Depression - and which party got us out.

Not that the world economy can get much worse. This morning on the news they reported that the price of oil FELL in response to a threat from OPEC to cut production. Ummmm....wonder if the problem is on the demand side? Ya think.

Finally, the best part or the interview, for me, was that we have actually elected someone who is capable of speaking in complete, intelligent sentences - without a teleprompter or notes. Seriously, I had a giant grin on my face for the first ten minutes of the interview, just thinking that we have a president able to communicate...presidentially. It's been a long time since old Bill was out there making Americans look bright and energetic. I'm tired of watching Alfred E. Newman make us look like whatever it is that he makes us look like.

And, on top of all that, college football will soon have a true champion.

Warning! I'm drunk...

Well, maybe not DRUNK, but I've had a couple.

President-elect Obama has a true chance to help fix the problems that have been created by the morons who have been running the show for almost a decade. (Even in the last couple Clinton years, the GOP dominated congress had him so distracted by BJ's, that they began screwing everything up before the Florida Supreme Court appointed Gomer Pyle to the White House)

To all the miserable, toothless, tobacco mouthed rednecks: Don't ya think that the Secret Service can handle a bunch of idiots with white hoods and shotguns? I mean seriously. The KKK? Just watch the movie Deliverance and you'll see what I'm talking about. That is the fine bunch of folks that the KKK is made of today. I think the Federal Government might have a couple guys that can deal with them. (I just wish the reader could hear the sarcasm. It is meant to be quite thick.)

Tine Fey is going to make SNL relevent again on her own

Tina Fey is f*cking hilarious. Seriously. The original SNL crew was great, and the crew from about 1987 until 1997 or so was very funny, but since it has been generally underwhelming. Even those of you who watch religiously got to admit that you'd rather watch Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi or Mike Myers, Chris Farley, and David Spade then the crew right now. Other than Tina Fey. She is an absolute riot. Her Palin act is going to single-handedly make me watch this weekend. And I don't mean like "if I'm home, I might watch" I mean "I am going to make it a point to be somewhere to watch".

I'm not a TV guy. I don't have TiVO. In fact, the only thing I watch on TV is sports, movies, THC (The History Channel - get your mind out of the gutter), and the comedy channel quasi-news shows (The Daily, Colbert, etc.) I saw Tina Fey with a flute in the Palin get-up, and I decided to make it a point to watch.

So much promise.....At first.

This has got to be the most disappointing election in my lifetime. And it is still months away.

I remember a couple of years ago, thinking "Gosh, a Clinton-McCain election would be the best possible thing - I could live with either winner!" Well, the demise of Hillary took care of half of that (more on Obama in a second) and McCain is now trumpeting the Bush line, like the last 8 years have been just peachey. Is anyone better off now, than in 2000 - aside from Halliburton executives?

So, now the choice becomes: another 4-8 years of King George the II, or throwing ourselves into the total unknown. Read the Obama website before you vote. I'll be voting for Obama simply because the option is unacceptable, but if there was another option, I'd consider it.

Where do we go from here? Into the wild blue, I guess. I'm seriously considering England. Think about it. If Obama wins, the war will end, the troops will come home, and our taxes will be higher then those in Britain. If it's McCain, your money will continue to support the murder of Americans and Iraqis, all for oil - and Halliburton, of course.

Good luck. We'll need it.

Yes, I put ads on my blog - I donate enough to the military/oil complex.

I know, I know. Some of you out there erroneously believe that placing ads on a blog is the equivalent of selling your opinions to the almighty Google.

Not so. And even if it was, is it possible to support a better company. (Full disclosure: I DO NOT, HAVE NOT, and HAVE NO offer to work for Google - but I would like to) C'mon, their corporate mission statement on the IPO documents was "Don't be evil". Seriously. Haven't we seen too many corporations rattle on for 2 or 3 paragraphs about value to stockholders, shareholders, the community, and the CEO's dog - all of which then turns out to be BS when they raise all their employees health insurance premiums 500%, and only contibute to "charities" personally sponsored by the Executive Wives' club? Google's mission statement is both beautiful, right, and the hardest one is all of history to abide by. Even the attempt makes me admire the company. Who would you rather support - Microsoft? If so, you probably donate to the "Dick Chaney fund for the Kingship of America" Or your living in 1991.

Back to the topic at hand - I truly enjoy telling people what I think. I'm far from rich, and a blog isn't going to get me there. That said, if people find a service in one of Google's ads that serves a purpose for them - and the company finds a customer - who, exactly, is harmed by me making a few cents? If you don't want me, or Google, to make any money, then don't click the ads. But don't assume that the presence of the ads effects my content - it does not. Even us liberals (at least in America) believe in free enterprise.