I'm half-Catholic (aka my dad was raised that way and chose not to force it on me but I still understand the cultural identity that comes with being Catholic if only by proxy) and even though I've chosen not to practice Catholicism, I've always been into the idea of Lent. I love that millions of people in the world choose to give up things they hold dear as a testament to their faith. It's the kind of thing that gets me all worked up. Self-denial makes a big impact these days in our age of overindulgence. So, the fact that anybody still observes Lent is amazing to me. And what a great way for a progressive movement to gain traction. For example:
From NPR Morning Edition, February 7, 2008 · With the season of Lent upon us, bishops in London and Liverpool have come up with a new kind of 40-day fast. Along with the aid agency Tearfund, the bishops have launched a carbon fast. Instead of giving up chocolate, how about giving up on plastic bags or incandescent light bulbs? Full story.
2. Being a Republican.
OK, since when do you "work harder" if you make a fat salary and have never had the misfortune of losing your job? Republicans in the Senate are blocking the stimulus package because it helps poor people pay their heating bills and extends unemployment benefits. Last time I checked, the minimum wage in this country is less than $6.00 an hour. That means if you work a minimum wage job and have to drive to work, you're probably paying about $50 a week in gas, more than a day's pay. So, most likely, you're working two jobs just to pay the bills. And Republicans have the audacity to say that people who make over $150k "work harder" and deserve more tax amnesty and subsidies? The only people I know who work more than 50 hours a week are not executives or CEOs. They're the people who scrape by doing jobs most people would find demeaning. And it's "irresponsible" to help those people pay their heating bills? The next time you see someone picking up your trash or cleaning up after you at the office, are you thinking to yourself "they don't deserve to be warm...but I do because I work behind a desk"? I swear, class-ism in America makes me want to throw up.
3. Drunk Dialing
OK, how did I miss this breathalyzer cellphone released in 2006 and where do I get one?
4. Talking about your hair.
This is my least favorite topic of conversation ever. And not just your hair. I don't like talking about my hair either. Is it really worthy of more than a sentence? Is your hair so consuming and all-important that you actually have an entire arsenal of conversation fodder involving your hair to turn to whenever there's a lull? Read a book. And talk to me about that instead.
5. Facebook
Because it's just creepy.
1 comment:
I'm probably stirring up a hornet's nest where it's not wanted or warranted, but I have to take exception with your characterization of Republicans as people who think those who earn more than 150K work harder than those who don't. I'm sure there are some Republicans out there who think that way. But I think you'll find the vast majority do not. And I've not heard one Republican politician claim those who make 150K deserve more tax breaks than those who make less.
In fact, the current stimulus package that was passed by both houses of congress does not apply to families who make more than 150K.
I know it can be easy to perceive Republicans as heartless rich folks who don't care about the poor. In the case of the stimulus package, Republicans in the Senate were ticked that Democrats wanted to add any provisions to the measure that had already been approved by the (Democratically-led) House of Representatives. In fact, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi specifically fought efforts to add the unemployment extension to the House bill. But will you hear ANYONE complaining that she was against the poor? Doubtful.
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