Blogcritics: Comments on Dumpster Bust Keeping It Real Politik: Uniquely American

Comment by Eric Berlin

Sat, 12 Feb 2005 00:54:10 EST

[Before the tech problems, Eric O. asked me about Howard Dean's politics...] He's shockingly moderate, Eric. He believes in balanced budgets (he accomplished this a bunch of times in the small state of Vermont) and as a doctor has an excellent sense of the health care system. He's as pro-gun as a Democrat will ever get, and though he was "rabidly" anti-war with regard to Iraq, supported Gulf War I and Afghanistan. I think he's "for" war as a last resort and for doing it in the right way. He's quite liberal on social issues which seems, at least, to be where even many of the conservative regulars to BC are at. Dean was easily painted as an outlandish Northeastern liberal because of his grassroots support, spooky Internet following, and anti-Iraq stance. The Scream sealed the deal, but the truth is that the guy is remarkably articulate and reasonable. I think he can be an excellent spokesman for the Dems and help to solidify message and instill backbone/gumption where needed.

Comment by Roy Smith

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 21:29:04 EST

Dave says: It didn't help that Kerry was clearly even MORE out of touch with common Americans than Bush was. That was the appearance at least. His other problem is that he didn't have a governing philosophy that could be turned into a soundbite, and didn't even make an effort to get there. That can kill you every time in an election, even if you have better policy proposals, which I think he did.

Comment by Eric Berlin

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 01:57:18 EST

Dave - You're right, Kerry lost the appearance war, plain and simple. Too bad that has so little to do with governance.

Comment by Dave Nalle

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 01:40:49 EST

>>It's this kind of values gap that makes John Edwards' Two Americas pitch so appealing to many. It's too bad that Kerry couldn't make this case more effectively in '04.<< It didn't help that Kerry was clearly even MORE out of touch with common Americans than Bush was. Dave

Comment by Eric Berlin

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 23:37:38 EST

Muskrats, dirt, and Europe aside (good topics though they all be), my overall not-so-subtle point is that the President appears to be woefully out-of-touch with ordinary folk and the ordinary and not-so-unique struggle of many Americans to get ahead. It's this kind of values gap that makes John Edwards' Two Americas pitch so appealing to many. It's too bad that Kerry couldn't make this case more effectively in '04.

Comment by Dave Nalle

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 23:21:56 EST

Joe: Is it their protective layer of bodily filth? I know you thought you were joking here, but I've seen studies which suggest that this may actually be the case, especially with children. If they're kept nice and dirty for the first 4 years they're more resistent to disease later in life. Dave

Comment by Temple Stark

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 21:34:46 EST

>>but in the broader sense it is also an indication of the health of our economy that she can find three jobs to work>> No, it's sad that she can't find ONE good paying job. That she cannot but must work three parttime - which usually means menial - is not an indicator of a strong economy. And Dave N nails it on why Americans in general (not just some of the poor) are as pork-laden as the coming budget - better diet. You eat Ramen noodles for a week that's 10 for a $1. When you're past your high-burning metabolism college stage -- well have you seen the 25 percent fat content in Ramen? It sticks around. Fast food hamburgers. Cheap and at every corner? Sugar and flour are also very inexpensive - and both are packed with the wee stuffs that aren't that great for you And don't start saying, well at least that's all available, because wer'e not comparing America to some African countries, we're comparing it to other developed countries.

Comment by RJ

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 19:40:04 EST

"Is it their protective layer of bodily filth?" ROTFL!

Comment by Eric Olsen

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 19:39:00 EST

I work 65-70 hours a week

Comment by RJ

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 19:34:44 EST

"I also suspect that if you look into the situation you'll find that she's working part time jobs, not three full time jobs" I agree. If it was 3 full-time jobs (120 hours a week...and there are only 168 total hours in a week!), then she'd be dead of exhaustion. So. She prolly works one 40 hour/week job, and a couple 15 or 20 hour/week jobs. Just under 80 hours per week. Is that a lot of work? YES! But MY boss manages to do about 70 per week, even while suffering from MS.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 18:31:22 EST

Maurice, I was in no way making fun of you or your grandfather. I'm just a general smartass. In fact, I think your perspective is extremely admirable

Comment by Joe

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:57:31 EST

Their programming lineup is very inferior, as well, which leads to them not being as inclined as us to be couch potatoes.

Comment by Dave Nalle

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:54:40 EST

>>Maurice: So why do Europeans live longer and have lower rates of heart disease and cancer?<< You directed this at Maurice, but I can answer it. Better diet. That's the key to it all. Americans eat crap and it kills them. Dave

Comment by Maurice

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:53:31 EST

Dave, my grandfather would cure the pelts himself and sell them directly to a company here in Idaho. I don't know where you would buy them now. Wait a minute... is this more 'lets make fun of the hillbilly humor'? Roy, people here are fat. Even the poor here are fat. The answer to your other question can be found in a book titled "Currents of Death".

Comment by Joe

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:53:31 EST

That's humor by the way. Just capitalizing on the comedic value of stereotypes!

Comment by Joe

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:52:04 EST

Is it their protective layer of bodily filth?

Comment by Roy Smith

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:44:04 EST

Maurice: So why do Europeans live longer and have lower rates of heart disease and cancer?

Comment by Dave Nalle

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:38:56 EST

Ok, here's a vital question. Who do you sell your Muskrats to after you catch and clean them? And how do I get some nice muskrat pelts for my home? Dave

Comment by Maurice

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:35:06 EST

Roy, you are confusing 2 issues - min wage and homelessness. Once again I am uniquely qualified to comment on this because I worked in France, England, Italy and Switzerland for several years. They have plenty of homeless people wandering around and I beleive it is the same reason we have them here. Mental illness or drug abuse. Dave Nalle had a great post where he debunked the whole min wage thing. One last point - the health care there sucks. I had to go to the hospital once because of a bicycle accident. It reminded me of the hospital in 'Jacobs Ladder'. Very funny Eric - I'll tell you it aint easy being a hillbilly.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:06:51 EST

Maurice, re cleaning muskrats: I just assumed there were muskrat washes in the area or something like that, sort of like the whale wash in Shark Story

Comment by Katharine Donelson

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:02:44 EST

RJ: I know very little about labor law in Europe. Thank you for the recommendation.

Comment by Angela Chen Shui

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 14:13:13 EST

sorry, 'care for'..

Comment by Angela Chen Shui

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 14:11:09 EST

Great post, thanks for the thread and commendations to Ms. Mornin and all women around the world who go all out to care of their children, sometimes grandchildren as well. As a mother, chances are no matter how well Ms. Mornin 'arranges' her 3 jobs, p/t or not, and her schedule, with all the things a single mom with a special needs child has to include, the kids and Ms. Mornin herself are the ones that 'lose out' the most. Quality of life, parental guidance and all around nurturing can't be 'all that'.

Comment by Roy Smith

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 14:09:25 EST

Maurice: We have the richest poor in the world. Depends on how you define rich. Many of our poor are homeless and very few of them have adequate health care. In the EU, homelessness is much lower and health care is generally universal.

Comment by Maurice

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 14:05:53 EST

Roy - in addition to alway having your talk button pushed, you always see the glass as half empty. We have the richest poor in the world. My parents have always been very frugal. They own their home and their vehicles. I am happy that they were always able to find jobs. I used to go to the bakery with my Dad at night and help him sweep up. Being a janitor was just one of his many min wage jobs. It didn't seem like a hardship. BTW trapping muskrats is easy - cleaning them is another story.