Be an Informed Voter

It had to happen sooner or later. From time to time I will speak on political topics. I know, my grandfathers both used to tell me the three things you never discuss in public are sex, love and politics (and not necessarily in that order).

Well, I promise to do my best to stay neutral on this site. That may mean that I have to create a second blog later that is more opinionated; but for right now, I am just going to try to play it like my golf game…right down the middle (yeah, I know that was cheesy). After all, this site is supposed to be about common sense in you everyday life and sometimes politics should require common sense.

Before I start this little episode, let me put out this disclaimer. I consider myself to be somewhere right of center in my political beliefs. My beliefs are just that - mine, and I generally am beholding to no party. So with that said, lets get going.

Last fall, before the election, a friend of mine wrote an article for one of the local papers in which he discussed the importance of not only voting, but of being an “informed voter.” This friend and I don’t always agree on every issue, but our political conversations are always interesting as we seek to have an intelligent dialogue on the issues. On this issue, he was absolutely correct. Whether you consider yourself a liberal or a conservative; a Democrat, Libertarian, Green, Whig, or a Republican, you should be informed.

Being an informed voter may sound like a lot of work, but it really isn’t. It only requires a person to pay attention to the news and maybe, occasionally read a newspaper from time to time. Not really a lot to ask, but you would be surprised how many people, who will go out and vote, have no idea about what is really going on in their own city hall much less the world.

Over the course of the normal day I often hear people discussing politics and while the subject can be tricky enough when discussing it with folks that are politically savvy, it can be impossible with modern internet/email informed people. The problem is that, too many folks take serious the slanted and even false information they get from the internet through emails, partisan web sites, and yes…blogs (well, I mean except for mine).

What is an “Omnibus Spending Package,” or a “Trade and Cap” policy? What is an “Earmark” and how does one affect spending? Do the terms “Continuing Resolution” or a “Cloture Vote“ sound even remotely familiar? Probably not, but these are the terms that will affect our futures and far too many voters know nothing of them.

During an election year, and then usually only a few months before the actual election, do most people even begin to pay any attention to what their representatives in government are doing. Who are those representatives in Washington, and in Austin? These are the people who have the most affect on your life and yet most people couldn’t name who their legislative representatives are or what they stand for.

I am a political junky and eat this stuff up about the same way a Las Vegas bookie knows sports. So in the future, from time to time, I will write an occasional blog that will give you some pointers and direction to sources for gathering information that will help. I know this is not everyone’s cup of tea; however, unlike sports, being an informed voter will make you more effective in helping to determine the future for us, our children and, someday, our grandchildren.

Sincerely, your non-partisan blogger,
Bill

My Driving Difficulties

OK, lets start this out by saying that I drive like an old man. If you don’t believe me ask my wife, my friends, or my children. They seem to have a never ending supply of adjectives to describe my driving style.

With that said, I have some pet peeves that absolutely drive (notice the pun) me crazy. Anyone who has ever taken the opportunity to ride with me has probably heard some of the pleasantries I often share with my fellow drivers, and I have more than once been told how much comedic value there is in riding along with me. I may drive like an old man, but I offer my opinion of other drivers in the same manner an old sailor would - wait a minute, I am an old sailor.

Getting back to my pet peeves, I can name the first three in terms my Grandfather used when he was burning up the roads. Of course he was a judge and NO ONE was going to give him a ticket. Granddaddy used the phrase that you, “lead, follow, or get out of the way.” And he meant it.

Look, it is simple. If someone comes up behind you, make it easy for them to pass. If you come up on someone who is driving slower than you, pass them. I know for many Texans it is hard not to pass without the driver in front of you moving over onto the shoulder, but you really must get over that.

Nothing, and I MEAN NOTHING, gets me more irate than following someone who is following a slower driver and will not pass because the driver in front won’t move over. Good God people, we have some of the best, widest, well-marked roads in the nation and these goobers won’t pass without two miles of visible, clear road ahead. This is when I need that James Bond laser feature on my car. Take them out with one shot, I would.

Then there’s the Boneheads who drive around a parking lot for 20 minutes looking for a parking spot near the door. I don’t care if they drive around and waste their gas, but they’re always in my way. Oh My God! These are the same people who drive around the gym parking looking for the closest space possible. COME ON - you’re there to workout, consider it a warm-up!

And if you think about it, once they find that elusive parking spot near the door and climb their lazy rears out of their 1986 Ford Escorts, you get a look at them and realize that they probably should have parked across the street and walked on over for the exercise value alone. Just park your car at the first spot you come to, get out and walk in. What are you really saving by driving around for 20 minutes when you would probably benefit more from the extra 90 seconds of walking anyway.

Then there are the idiots who follow you while you walk back to your car; waiting on you to leave so they can get your spot. Next time this happens, walk to your car, get in, let them sit for a few seconds, then get out of your car and go back towards the store. It really gets ‘em hoppin. Then, to top it off, once the bird-dogger drives away, turn back around, go to your car, and let the next person have the spot. I love that one.

Now we come to those who take Grandma’s car to the store to use the handicapped sticker. I can’t even think of anything else to say but SHAME ON YOU. And get Grandma’s car back…the liquor store closes at 9:00.

Lastly, I leave you with this little jewel. Keep an old Hank Williams’ CD in your Truck (in Central Texas “Truck” is the generic term we use for any vehicle). Keep this CD for that special occasion when you hear some chucklehead with their stereo set to a volume level that can be monitored by the International Space Station. Take Hank out, roll your windows down, put Hank in the CD player and share Hank. They may not like Hank, but when you do this, the other people around you will almost always give you a thumbs up (don’t you Aggies get all giddy out there).

Well, hope this has been enlightening and even somewhat helpful.

Later Gator,
Bill

Horse Sense

I wanted to start a blog long ago, but put it off for fear of what might be thought of my thoughts. I am responsible for my own thoughts and actually worry little about what people think of me, but I have always held out hope that most people would think I am smarter than I am and feared that by sharing my thoughts maybe people would realize the truth. Now I am no longer as concerned about what people think about my thoughts. I just want people to think for themselves. I am starting this blog in the hopes that it interjects a little bit of that good old common sense that used to be…well, common.

Much of the time in today’s world we seek to make far too much out of the simplest of things. For an easy definition of common sense you can go to Webster’s Dictionary. By the way, there is no difference between “Common Sense” and “Horse Sense,” thus the source of this blog’s name. The definition is as follows:

Common Sense: it is sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.

Here in Central Texas we have an old saying that describes the concept of common sense – “If you see a snake, kill it.” Yes, I know, it is probably an old saying all over the place but I first heard it here in Central Texas. Here are the procedures for this:

1. Sight the snake (by the way, the snake is a metaphor for just about any problem, task and or situation).
2. Pick something that will kill the snake and obtain that object quickly.
3. Use the acquired object to kill the snake.

How simple is that? Unfortunately, in the world we currently find ourselves in, that simple bit of common sense has disintegrated, disappeared and been substituted for a bureaucratic mess that is working to destroy our society a little more with everyday that passes. Today the saying more closely resembles this; “If you see a snake, form a committee on how to kill it.” The process more resembles the following:

1. Sight the snake (once again, the snake is a metaphor).
2. Form a committee to determine the snakes true identity.
3. Establish the snake’s hazard to society.
4. Conduct risk analysis on the removal of the snake from society. (NOTE: in this model we will use the term “removal” as using the term “kill” is deemed too traumatic)
5. Determine the cost of removing said snake.
6. Identify the individual best suited to remove the snake.
7. Conclude what method of removal should be used.
8. Settle on a time for the snake to be removed.
9. And lastly, come to terms with who is responsible for the snake’s removal and how that responsibility should be assessed and if the person responsible will need counseling.

Sadly, as humorous as this all sounds, it is as accurate an anecdote as I can come up with – OK, I could have made the second part much more in-depth, but I was pretty sure you knew where I was coming from.

Anyway, I just wanted to get this thing kicked off and let everyone know what is going on, kind of. I will try and post as often as I get around to it (man, I should be a politician). For those of you who know me, you know that I am usually pretty busy. For those of you who don’t know me, well, I am a pretty busy person. If you want to comment I think you can and if you want to email me I think you can do that to. To be honest I am not sure I have this whole thing figured out yet, but I will get there.

Thanks,
Bill