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Sunday, January 28, 2007

Happy Anniversary

Life is Crap is now one years old! A lot has happened since we started up this thing. Last year at this time, things were looking a bit bleak.

Buddy: Our mascot keeps us smiling even in the dire times.

The war in Iraq was falling apart, and most Americans couldn't be bothered. Perhaps we were too busy focused on our own dismal economic matters; the rocketing cost of health care, unemployment, and the roller coaster ride of gas prices.

The last 6 years have been hell for most of us. Our wages may have increased, but so has the cost of everything else. While we try to cope with these new realities, we sometimes think about the past.

Are we better off today than we were 6 years ago? Perhaps if we invested in Oil Companies or Medical Insurance providers, we would say, "Hell yes." But the reality is that most of us do not have much change to spare.

Sure America has Aiken, but Aiken don't pay the bills.

Those of us in the Middle Class are not starving to death, but we are wondering how we can save money for college and retirement when health care and gas prices increase faster than our wages.

It is not like we are getting better gas or better health care. The sad truth is that Americans pay more for health care than any other country and receive worst results. Why? The answer is that we are paying for those who do not have insurance.

Bush has a plan. Those who have company sponsored health insurance should pay taxes on their plans while those who don't carry health insurance will get tax deductions to buy coverage. Thanks a lot compassionate conservative. Is it not enough that I shell out 20 bucks every time I go to the doctor? Do I now have to pay taxes on my health insurance too? The problem is that the uninsured make too little to even pay taxes! How is a tax deduction going to help?

GWB: Such a pristine finger gesture from such a pristine compassionate man.

The plan stinks. I shiver at the thought of what could happen if the Republicans were still in control of both houses. Would they try to pass this thing? Jesus... I wouldn't put it past them.

Instead the Republican party is reverting back to the party of whiny sour grape losers. Americans simply can not afford the corporate give-aways any more. Definitely not at our expense. I suspect that there will be a chipping away and some tougher regulations on the companies which profited most in the past 6 years.

Will things get instantly better? No. There has been a lot of damage to the Middle Class in the past 25 years. It will take a lot to change things for the better. The good news is that I feel that the tide is changing. I'm glad that Tom and I are part of it.

Life is Crap is more than just a few cheap shots at the rich and famous. Corey Haim's film career in particular or Bush's latest foible make for great social commentary. We also have a secret agenda to fight for the Middle Class.

Corey Haim: Just about to say something intelligent.

Maybe it is a bit selfish, since we are members of this prestigious club. But we are what we are and we are great! We are the backbone of American Dream. We are what makes America work. Without us all those stupid self-absorbed assholes making 7 figures would not have careers. Think about it!

We've been kicked around lately. We've been told to idolize the rich. Screw that. Don't be taken by that nonsense. The rich need to be afraid of us. We have more than enough in both numbers and intellect. It wouldn't even be a contest if it came to fist fights. Can you imagine 99 people versus Donald Trump? I rest my case.

Donald Trump: Once we beat him up, we can shave his head so he looks decent.

I am not advocating violence. There are much better ways to get what we want through diplomatic peaceful means. The fact of the matter is that it is not a crime to be successful in America. But success should not come out of the expense of the people underneath you. It should also not elicit hero worship.

Does a CEO who has just laid off thousands of people deserve a bonus? Please keep in mind that he already makes over 430 times the salary of the average production worker. This is up from 109 times the salary of the average production worker in 1990. It is hard to justify the cost especially when these same corporations have raised co-pays on insurance plans, and eliminated pensions.

We simply deserve better. Tom and I know this and that is why we are fighting for you. Granted it is not earth shattering have a blog, but in a small way we are doing our part. When it all comes down to it, the problem is not as much political as it is quality of life. Do all Americans deserve a shot at the American Dream? Do we all deserve health care? Do we all deserve to have enough food to eat and a place to live? I think we do.

I accept the fact that some of us will have it better. We do after all live in a capitalistic society. But a country's success is measured not by the richest among us, but the lowest of our citizens. Based on that reasoning, we have a long ways to go.

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7 Comments:

Blogger Stealth said...

happy anniversary (bloggerversary)...you know how i feel about this site..

my lil jon stewarts of the web...

did you toast to me on christmas??

;-)

and what kind was it?? j/k you don't have to answer that...

I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

xoxo

1/29/2007 07:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mike K said :

"... a country's success is measured not by the richest among us, but the lowest of our citizens. Based on that reasoning, we have a long ways to go."

Actually, based on that reasoning, the US is still pretty much on top of the heap.

1/29/2007 10:18:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

...Where are my manners?

Congratulations on your one year anniversary.

1/29/2007 10:37:00 AM  
Blogger Mike K said...

Thanks Joe. Perhaps we do not have as widespread of a poverty problem as in other countries, but it is a disgrace for the richest most powerful nation on earth to have people going to bed starving.

It's even worse when it happens to people who do work hard. Take this story for example. Maybe her line of works doesn't deserve 100,000 bucks a year, but how about 45,000 or 50,000? Something that she and her family can at least live on.

1/29/2007 10:47:00 AM  
Blogger Mike K said...

Stealth, you know we have a lot of love for you here. We toasted you as well as the blog. It was good stuff. Nothing fancy, just a few cold ones.

I only got to see Tom once over the Xmas break. It's unfortunate, but that is what happens.

I can no longer stay out drinking until 4:00am in the morning like I used to during Xmas. Sigh. I suppose I am mellowing out a bit.

1/29/2007 10:53:00 AM  
Blogger Mike K said...

Hey Stealth,

Thanks for the invite. I checked out the site. It looks great.

1/29/2007 06:16:00 PM  
Blogger Tom G said...

Cheers on a craptacular anniversary and a craperific approaching year. We plan to fill your year with crap. Whoo-hooo!!!!!!

Stealth, I toasted you on Friday night at the Life is Crap Chicago's branch 1st year celebration. Actually, we toasted all of y'all. But we did many toast, rather loud, for Stealth. Didja hear us in Texas?

1/29/2007 06:20:00 PM  

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