What do women and politicians have in common? Well, for one thing, they both know how to shoot themselves in the foot at the very moment they are sitting in the catbird seat. Let’s begin with politicians. When George W. began his Presidency, his party had control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He explained to America – his vision for reform programs that would bring relief to many of the ills plaguing this nation. Many factors came into play that prevented this vision from coming to fruition, i.e. the war in Iraq, his own party shooting him in the foot and subsequently shooting themselves in the foot – thus paving the way for the majority in the House and Senate now. However, no one gets a free pass in this political game of chess. The Republicans had the best of all scenarios but they couldn’t get their individuated opinions out of the way long enough to rally behind a new President in order to push forward a conservative agenda born out of intelligent discussion and concern for the American people. Every President inherits the problems of his predecessor and Bush was no exception. Was he a perfect President? I think not – but this country felt safe with the programs he had in place regarding terrorism. I don’t think Americans feel that same sense of security today.

You say, “What’s your point?” Just this – Remember poor old Rodney King who said, “Can’t we all get along? Well, no Rodney we can’t – not today, not yesterday and I doubt if we ever will. Why? SELF INTEREST! My great friend Em used to say, “Well, you’ve got an opinion, so what?” How many times have you watched C-Span and thought, ”WOULD YOU PEOPLE JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!” If we could but harness the wasted energy behind all the opinions of human beings – that might just create some ‘out of the box’ solar energy! Am I a Republican or a Democrat? At this juncture – I’d have to say neither. I’m just an innocent bystander, like the majority of Americans, waiting for the next drive by hit. As journalist Charley Reese so wisely put it…” There are 545 people responsible for America’s woes. They are the 100 Senators, 435 Congressmen, one President and 9 Supreme Court Justices – 545 human beings out of the 300M who are directly legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No intelligent human being would have the gall of Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who stood up and criticized G.W. Bush for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.” The bottom line is that all the hoo hah regarding the new Health Care Bill is about nothing more that seizing power and limiting rights. I think it’s about time we go back and review the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Americans suffer from the malady of falling in love with the “marketed persona” of those candidates running for President rather than using their God given intelligence, doing their homework and actually researching the candidate’s track record, their background and their associates. Instead, we vote with emotion and are turned on by the charisma and of these people. It’s a “puppy love” mentality that loves movie star good looks and then goes so far as to use that as a criteria for casting their vote. Charisma is the defining moment when their ring goes on that politician’s finger and the words, “I do” are uttered. Sometimes I listen to focus groups and wonder what spaceship they arrived on. When asked, “Why are you going to vote for him?” The answer is as banal as, “I just like him. He’s so cute. He’s so charming. He makes me feel good about myself and I like his vision for America.” Well, Duh! Duh! and more Duhs! Did you do any in depth research on the background of this individual? What had he accomplished that benefited his constituents before he ran for President? Good looks and a smooth tongue are to a Presidential candidate what a good make over is to a woman – better to have it than not have it – but in the long haul, the hooters will one day turn into ping pong paddles and good looks go south fast! What Americans want to know is “WHERE’S THE  BEEF?”

Americans can’t seem to live without that minority guilt ridden train ride and it is seriously passé if not tedious in this day and age. It’s time for that gravy train to come to a screeching halt. However, I don’t see that happening because 1) it is politically expedient 2) fanning the racial fire equates to big bucks. Is it possible that we elect Afro American politicians based upon unloading some mythical guilt – and in so doing, we unload a burden that doesn’t belong to us. Leaving partisan politics aside, that is an insulting perspective. Well, as my Grandfather used to say, “HOGWASH” – The measure of any man or woman is their devotion and dedication to duty – nothing more and nothing less. Now let’s take on Hillary Clinton – well, that’s another blog for Sunday – so tune in folks for another peek at what women and politicians have in common.

(To be continued – Part 2 on Sunday, Jan 17, 2010)

Attila Honey

By Attila Honey

Why a good Mom might make a better President than a man? Well, what do mothers do? They micro manage and think of others 24/7. They wake up determined, make breakfast, get the kids off to school, spend the rest of the day cleaning the house, grocery shopping, driving the kids to soccer, basketball, cheer leading, make dinner, clean up after dinner – not to speak of the multitudinous errands they run for everyone. The women with husbands have to get themselves “titty-vated” (a word my granny used after going to the beauty parlor) before hubby walks in the door and listen to a litany of blah, blah, blah, about this person or that person that she never heard of. Then if, by some miracle, he asks her, “How was your day honey”…just when she opens her mouth to answer, he remembers that he wants a beer before dinner so he can relax and watch a little T.V. So it’s a plus to be a care giver and have a mother’s heart. A little diplomacy doesn’t hurt either. Most politicians lack that compassion that most Moms have – otherwise we wouldn’t have a Health Care Plan in the works that is a disaster for the elderly and everyone else who isn’t an illegal.

Most Moms work best under pressure and know how to take their licks. Good Moms don’t take a lot of mouth from their kids, they know how to kick butt when needed, they give a hug when earned and never give up on anything or anyone they believe in. So what does this have to do with government? EVERYTHING! Let’s take Sarah Palin – just as an example of sheer guts. True, I am a big fan of hers and would love to see a ticket with her on it because she has PLUCK! But I can’t remember any woman in history that has been bludgeoned as has Sarah Palin…oh and let’s not forget how they continue to attack her Downs Syndrome baby, all her other children, her husband, and anything else they can dig up. So what’s the problem? Why the fear? In the Puffed up Post, I commented on a blog written by Deepak Chopra – an individual “who is supposed” to be about helping others find their way. Yet he injects himself into politics like a worm into the mouth of a snake. Yet, Sarah just keeps on going. I like her. Americans like her because she speaks the language of common sense. She’s also about morality, family, bringing business back to America and common sense fiscal responsibility. In short, she works well under pressure. Most Moms do – otherwise they’d go crazy. I know because I’ve raised five. I also think it’s important to practice when elected what you preached when you campaigned.

Any strong Mom faced with vitriolic opposition in a family situation, would just reach over the table and grab little “Mr. Know It All” (like Rahm Emanuel) by his lapels and say, “Listen you little piece of dog do – shut the hell up or I’ll kick your ass into your ears….now go to your room and stay there or I’ll pull the damn telephone out of the wall and throw your computer right through your window – maybe with you on top of it!!!!!!” Guaranteed! That would be the end of that! Actually, I wouldn’t mind seeing a good Mom President come in packing. O.K. – just a thought!

These are other qualities that should be considered when electing a President. Do they know how to motivate? Do they know how to kick butt until it hurts? Do they have the guts to go down to the wire in the face of tremendous opposition?  Do they know how to be innovative and come up with creative solutions that are good for everyone? Most importantly, do they have their hand on the heartbeat of the American people? Do they have common sense? In the long haul, most questions – even posed by the most brilliant analytical minds – require a knowledgeable leader  with common sense to find resolution.

Another thing that any good Mom would never tolerate is a kid watching a show like the music awards the other night. The sewage coming from their mouths was so bad that there were more bleeps than music. A good Mom President would put a quick end to all the porn on the internet, change the rating in films and in music  – even though it might cost her the next election. Then she’d take on all the self interest groups and would handle those board meetings similar to the one with little Rahm Emanuel.  She might even resort to making Barney Frank write 1000 times “ I will not marry any man again who earns over 11,000 a year. In that way, I won’t be tempted to accept kick backs from the company he works for like Herb Moses and Fannie Mae!.” Another thing she’d do is go on a worldwide tour – speak of America’s virtues and the possibilities of working together for a better tomorrow. She would always lead from a position of strength and not of weakness. She would be a elegant first lady – in the same manner as Nancy Reagan, both Bush wives, and Jackie Kennedy. …understated elegance.

Yep! I think men have had their shot at running this country –  time for a good Mom to take charge! The CEO or Politician who doesn’t get a heads up on all of the above – is not qualified – better suited for take out at McDonald’s.