Legislative session 2009 leaves me as just an unhappy little blogger.
This has been just a long session, fraught with conservatives who really aren’t, cuts that won’t be made, nanny state measures passing, and Republicans who haven’t met a tax increase they didn’t like.
The worst part? I haven’t been able to make it there for a single day of it.
NOT ONE DARN DAY!
I had plans to do so. I had planned to be over for an event for my profession, but, my wife had a meeting in Pierre at the same time. Since she was resident of her organization, she kind of HAD to be there.And the Department of Social Services frowns upon leaving children chained to heavy furniture with bread and water. (Hey, they would be safe!) So, I’m stuck at home.
And any other day? Work, work, work. I’m not complaining mind you. Work is pay, and I have a lot of tax deductions to feed. But one day – all I’m asking for is one day……
Seriously, this is the first year in a long time I haven’t been able to make it over for at least a day or so in the legislature’s main run. And I’m pretty disappointed. I live to watching the proceedings & the horse trading. As much as I get the business for giving people the dickens on their bad votes, I enjoy giving it back to our citizen legislators. And then we go have dinner together.
I’m hoping to come over the night before veto day, but I’m sure something will happen or conflict to mess that up as well.
But I’ll hold out hope.
As we wind down the session this week, I’ll wish the legislators on both sides of the aisle good luck and God speed in completing the work of the people.
I wish I was there.
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Comments
Veto day.
Rounds is making noises like he’s going to veto the smoking ban you can go and get the last laugh when the override fails.
I think last time I was recognized by the Lt. Gov in the senate as being in the gallery, I was booed from the floor.
Which just gave me the biggest darned smile!
You describe your children like they are a burden to you. If that is your opinion, why did you have so many?
Because some people who read blogs lack a sense of humor and feel the need to ask dumb questions, so I’m required to provide them the opportunity.
Wow.
An anonymous hater who reads through the posts, and then leaves a snotty comment.
Yawn.
I remember the day PP was announced in the gallery. I think I was listening on the web.
As for nay sayers, I would have to say it goes along with blogging and calling people on their votes.
Maybe we should be glad it is over. Now we have to make it through veto day!!!
I wish there could have been cuts across the board and focus on the basics. I also wish they would not have tried everything in the book to raise taxes.
Is it actually over? There’s still time for plenty of last-minute surprises. They’ve certainly been tried before. We’ll see what the final budget looks like in a couple days, but the fat lady isn’t singing just yet.
PP You weren’t missed,(they were busy trying to clear the air HB1240). I’ll give Sen Maher credit for signing his name, better than the rest of the anonwoomous legis. I would think we at least have an Abe Lincoln or a Franklin Roosevelt, might know which party they are trying to represent.
“An anonymous hater who reads through the posts, and then leaves a snotty comment”
That’s a normal occurance on here, but mostly towards liberals.
“Work is pay, and I have a lot of tax deductions to feed.”
That statement got me thinking, you probably pay less in taxes then I do PP. So I pose this question to Mr. Fiscal Conservative; Do you think people deserve tax breaks for kids? I don’t.
That’s because you don’t have any. If you did, you’d understand. I’m not saying it in a snotty way, it’s just that there are some basic truths about the economic realities in child rearing that people don’t realize until they have them. I know I didn’t.
The tax breaks for kids are because they cost an incredible amount of money to feed and clothe. And I’m not talking occasional. It’s an ongoing and crushing demand on your wallet. My largest expense item is for groceries (as in your favorite topic in removing the tax on). And I’m not talking convenience foods, it’s an expense on meats, breads and dairy products. What the meat of the month is, is usually based on what’s the cheapest at the moment. (Chicken is cheaper right now, although I have hopes hamburger will come down).
Medical expenses are also massive at the moment, from colds & strep throat treatments, to specialized treatments, such as ear tubes and trying to address one daughter’s special needs. Then there is eye care, and dental care, etc. and so on. And then there are clothes. While you can get through with hand-me-downs and overs from friends and relatives, they can only take you so far. The need for shoes and coats and other things often don’t cone at convenient times.
Again, people who don’t have them can’t begin to comprehend the expense. I have several things I would like, such as to go out to eat on a regular basis, or to seek treatment for a terrible case of tinnitus (which will require hearing aids not covered by insurance), or to fix one of the multiple things wrong with my vehicle, but my kids and their needs come first.
In addition to the personal expense, it is also an incredible societal interest to produce children. When you don’t have kids, such as some developed countries have, you don’t have anyone replacing workers, you don’t have care givers, and you don’t have a sustainable population.
So, do I believe that I deserve a tax break for the contributions I’m required to make to the economy on their behalf, as well as the contributions that my children will make to your and my future well being? Considering the economic input far outweighs the tax consideration in return, you’re darned tooting I do.
But it was your choice to have those children, not mine. I just don’t buy the argument ‘it’s expensive to feed and clothe kids’. So how is that my problem? We live in a modern society where married couples can control the number of children they have and still have a healthy sexual relationship. As for the return, I don’t buy that either. Putting seven kids thru public school is spendy, and guess who pays for that to? I think an education is an investment though, so I don’t bawk at paying property taxes. I just think that everyone should pay a straight income tax with no exeptions.
I think your topic choices are great and they promote thinking on the parts of some and narrow-mindedness on the parts of others. If people do not like you for the stand you take on issues, it is because they cannot separate a personality from an issue..how sad!
Pretty amazing comments Detroit. Especially from someone who I’m quite certain would defend the right of a single mother of three, all from different dads, to receive more and more government dollars to pay for her childcare.
You weren’t missed.