Category Archives: Poltics

Thank you for sharing WickedGayBlog.

I’ve swiped the title from an interesting article on NPR’s website.  If you are like me you love charts that show information rather than listing content simply in text.  The chart just below provides an interesting look at what American households earn.  Just to be clear, a “household” consists of all the people who live in one house or apartment; including families, roommates, etc…These numbers come from the more than 114 million households in the 2010 Census. What this shows us is that the median household in the US makes approximately $50,000 in income and benefits per year; meaning 50% made more and 50% made less.

The article overlays that information with geographical data.  This is where I know I’m a marketing geek, because I just loved this bit. You’ll see that many of the wealthiest states are ironically what would be classified as “blue” states (more progressive) or in the case of states like Colorado, New Hampshire and Virginia trending that way. Read into this what you will.  If you like you may read the article on the NPR website by linking here.

I’ve decided the “A” at the end of this fast food restaurant chain stands for a word that’s not nice to say.  Can you guess the word?

The normally tight lipped Republican Party, which is more adept than their counterparts in the Democratic Party at unifying behind one candidate has been uncharacteristically vocal about their frustrations with their candidate for President, Mitt Romney.

On June 30th  the Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner said the following about Mitt Romney at a fundraiser in W VA.

“The American people probably aren’t going to fall in love with Mitt Romney. I’ll tell you this: 95 percent of the people that show up to vote in November are going to show up in that voting booth, and they are going to vote for or against Barack Obama.”  Source: Roll Call

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the man the Republican Party is pinning their hopes on in the November election, but Boehner is correct.  This problem is somewhat unique for a party that in recent years has gone out of their way to champion national candidates who are more folksy and likable than intelligent or thoughtful (at least publicly).  Take for example President Bush who would intentionally mispronounce words to sound more down to earth or Sarah Palin who (I believe unintentionally) speaks with the grammatical correctness of a fourth grader.  Romney appears to be a far more cerebral candidate.

The greatest threat to Obama isn’t Romney, it is the slow and unsteady economic recovery of the US economy.  This,  more than anything Romney can say or do may contribute to Obama losing to the Republican’s “unlovable candidate” to paraphrase Boehner.

However, Americans are more passionate than practical when it comes to politics and Romney’s plastic personality and reputation for taking care of the super rich is going to pose a significant challenge.  Ultimately, I think this election will be determined by which side can convince enough of their supporters to come out and vote, while Independents – frustrated by the grid-lock and fighting stay home.

Massachusetts US Congressman, Barney Frank, married his long-time partner, Jim Ready, in a reception along the Charles River yesterday.  The marriage marks another first for our Congressman who became the  first to be married to a partner of the same sex.

According to the report in The Boston Globe, vows written by the couple, included pledges to love each other “on MSNBC or on Fox”.

Congratulations Barney & Jim

Upworthy has launched a Tumblr site called, “Mitt, Venn and Now.” I thought the diagram above was particularly telling. However, there are quite a few more which you may peruse by visiting the tumblr site linked above for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks to Chris @MITguy01 for tweeting about this site.

At 10:00AM Eastern the US Supreme Court – the highest court in the country – will rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act President Obama signed into law back in 2010.

While the rest of the world sits around dumbfounded by our health care system wondering why providing universal care would be a bad idea, I will be sitting at my desk following the SCOTUS blog, which will be live blogging.  I’m fairly certain aspects of the legislation are likely to be found unconstitutional. I say this because most of the Supreme Court’s rulings under Chief Roberts have been split decisions (5-4) along political lines. My fingers are crossed that the Affordable Care Act which is based on my state’s health care system will be upheld.

What are your thoughts about this debate?