This made me laugh. It made me laugh harder the longer I listened to it. LOL.

CORN ON THE COB... CORN ON THE KABOB


Poverty. Not so fun. Although, when looking at *real* poverty as it exists throughout the rest of the world, and then looking at our country's poor.. our country's poor have it pretty damned good comparatively. I was watching a special on illegal immigrants, and one of them was talking about living in a "poor" neighborhood here on the U.S. side. He said he felt like a king because he had three hot meals a day, beer, a television to watch as much as he liked and still had money left over to send home to Mexico. It wasn't fine living by much of America's standards, no. But, I thought it was an interesting perspective.

On a semi-related note. I've been thinking about the impending entitlement crisis in this country. It seems to me that the real reform that needs to happen is that social security be treated like an insurance program. If we get to retirement and have enough money to live on, then we shouldn't receive social security benefits. If we are struggling (at whatever arbitrary line is established), then payments kick in to cover the difference. Plus, I think we should give people the option to opt-out of social security (at least at a reduced contribution or something) as long as they have documneted contributions into IRA-style accounts of their chosing. Hell, even if we will get social security payments, the rate of return is less than the rate of inflation! (Which, I suspect, is one of the real reasons the program is in place still anyway.. it keeps the rate of inflation on the dollar artificially low by sucking out 15 percent of everyone's gross pay out of the market). Also, if we are allowed to invest our own dollars towards retirement, then we will have more "winners" and "losers" in the capitalistic playing field.. which will further widen the gap between the rich and poor. It's kind of a revolving shitter.. how to establish an equal playing field without undue restrictions on innovation and success and simultaneously provide a quality safety net for the less fortunate, able or what have you.

Anyway.. I'm rambling now. Eric is coming! Eric is coming!

Wheeeeeeee!

Out.

~O.