During the recent mini-break (or, at the least, reduction in overt primary mania) from Clinton/Obama madness it's been refreshing to see the variety of news not necessarily primary-related that's out there for consumption.
Obviously, the state of the economy, gas prices, housing decline, food pricing increasing, the as-expected BS from Petraeus and Crocker are all extremely noteworthy topics that affect all Americans (and isn't without an international ripple effect, either).
Random "I wonders" come and go and I truly wish I'd write them all down for perusal by kossacks and other bloggers alike.
Here's what I've been wondering about...
- If Bush had been successful with privatizing social security how painful would the recent market decline be to contributors -- especially people soon-to-retire? (Bonddad? anyone?)
- Why don't polls about Iraq ask the obvious next question of those who support the occupation? Like, exactly what would be "better" or what constitutes "success" to their way of thinking?
- What are the chances that we'll see some war crimes trials under a Democratic president?
- How man times a day bin Laden gives thanks that Bush invaded Iraq?
- The next president is going to benefit from an executive position whose powers were expanded under Bush/Cheney/Rove. Really, what are the chances we'll see a reversal? What will it take to make sure the Constitution actually means something again?
- My daughter is epileptic. I wonder if/when we'll stop feeding into a pharmaceutical and medical research system that focuses on "designer" illnesses, profitability or drugs that make us look or feel better (or can maintain a recreational erection longer)?
- I wonder why pharmceutical companies don't have to pay people, Medicare, the VA and health insurance companies (who don't want reimbursed???) back when it turns out the expensive drugs they market so aggressively don't really work after all.
- What will central Ohio be like in 40-50 years?
- What students passionate about their field or "calling" feel one, five, ten years after working. Seriously, how many medical students go to med school for the promise of a pretty great income versus those that feel called to provide care to the sick? How many journalists want to be the next Cronkite?
- I love Tom Clancy's early novels. I remember when Jack Ryan became president and was setting up his cabinet and much of Congress was also vacant. He asks the American public to send him teachers and farmers. Will real-life America ever answer a similar call?
- One (haha) basic feature of our government really, really bugs me. Think about it: We pay federal income taxes and then essentially "hire" the person best able to go to Congress and get as much of our money back as they possibly can. I'd much rather pay higher State taxes and free up Congress to focus on the bigger picture.
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What's on your mind?