Category Archives: government

choices & the fiscal cliff

I’m totally baffled by the tempest in a teapot that’s being stirred up by the media over the so-called “fiscal cliff.” Fueled mostly by conservative pundits and Tea Party sycophants, and aided by a complacent media, it seems that the average U.S. taxpayer should be in a state of panic. The thing is: yes, taxes

vote yes on no! (election 2012 live[ish]blog)

7:35pm Polls are closed in Virginia. Results from there are… forming. But I vote in DC. I arrived at my polling place at 7:02am ad found a queue of over 100 people waiting to cast ballots. And by 7:30am, I was done and out. Many ovals were filled with the standard golf pencil: Obama/Biden, Grosso,

random thursday rant

A few random thoughts about recent happenings in DC: I’m dismayed that the DC Council’s monthly breakfasts tend to be lavish affairs, especially when the Council is dealing with high levels of unemployment, corruption, and whatnot. Yesterday’s breakfast had a rather flashy spread, complete with individual glass bottles of Voss sparkling mineral water. This water

a note regarding the impending federal government shutdown

To all my friends out there who may be cheering the impending shutdown of the Federal government: Please note that this shutdown will also shutter most of the District of Columbia’s city government. We have no control over our own money, so Congress’ petulant bickering will result in trash not getting collected, many social services

can we just send the committee of 100 out to sea?

Seriously, that the Committee of 100 has influence on DC politics is frightening. They wield power over old-school DC politicians in a way that drags the District and its citizens down by the balls, advocating governmental moves that would hurt the city and its potential for future growth and livability. Here’s how they describe themselves:

austerity 101 for dc politicians and voters

Let’s make this really simple: The District of Columbia is in a financial mess. We’re spending like mad, yet not bringing in enough revenue to pay for every commitment we have toward programs large and small. This situation stands to leave the District in a long-term financial hole unless something is done to make ends

leaving a better world for the future

Reading stories like this one about how a growing number of U.S. citizens question man’s role in global climate change has me worried about not only the future of the world, but also the level of intelligence and education amongst not only the doubters, but also the legislators who seem to be guided by short-sighted

sick to my stomach

That a basic, seemingly inherent human and civil right – the right to equality under law – can be put up for a vote is abhorrent to me. And that rights that have been granted by government can be taken away via referendum is doubly abhorrent. The scary side of referenda reared its ugly head

standing up with the courageous and the crazy

Last night I decided to take part in DC politics for the first time in a while. The subject matter? Whether the ability to marry should be extended to all couples, both gay and straight. As anybody who knows me can attest, I’m a staunch advocate for marriage equality – as well as a vehement

monday musings (tuesday edition)

Since we last met, I’ve been skiing in Colorado (great time – proper post coming soon, though the new header image is from this trip) and spent a weekend in Chicago, where sprite had her annual meeting (inconveniently planned to occur on her birthday). There are plenty of pics from both adventures over at my