Some Thoughts on the Cato Study

See, I thought I was going to be able to write about nonsense and filler…then this Cato study came up. I’m just going to go through the entire study* and post some thoughts.

(*Ed. note: after a certain point it became redundant: this is expressed later.)

“Welfare benefits continue to outpace the income that most recipients can expect to earn from an entry-level job”

Equality and Objectivity

There are many things that I find asinine about people’s opposition to gay marriage. Most of them are quite obvious: namely, what it has to do with their own lives and the religious connotation. I admit, I can almost get to a point of understanding the latter…until I get to that whole thing against judging (speaking of Christianity: not sure how other religions deal with that).

The thing I don’t get, though? “If you support gay marriage, you must be gay.”

Taxes and Integrity

I was working on my taxes and when I got down to the end, I noticed that I owed a dollar.

Yes, ‘a’ – as in one – dollar.

A Look At Some Election Data

So, like the political nerd/junkie I am, I decided to look at this NY Times election data. If you have time, I suggest you do so too. Anyway, here are some of the more interesting findings:

The county in Florida with the highest % of voters casting a ballot for President Obama was…

Finding My Politics = Losing My Appetite

As you all know by now, I’m not a fan of big business for many reasons. Going to talk about two in particular right now. You already know which two, so let’s get to it.

My issue with the public stances taken by Papa John’s and Applebee’s isn’t their stance toward the ACA. Shoot, anyone in the country can be stupid. Half the country is plain idiotic in their political thinking. That is only a crime against intelligence (transgressions of such nature, I feel should be prosecuted…but that’s another matter). My real issue is the ‘public’ part…and I just read that Darden is on that list too.

Is it me, or are these just places I don’t really care for anyway?

My Post-Election Rant

Alright, this is going to be a bit more…what’s the word I’m looking for here…”ornery” than most of my offerings.

Basically, I’m just offering up general thoughts on the elections and on politics in general. 

The Dirtiest Secret In Politics

Ed. note: I originally planned on waiting to release this one until closer to the election, but given last night's debate and today's VSB post it made sense to go ahead and get this out.

I'm going to let y'all in on the dirtiest little secret in American politics: something that no one will ever admit to. One political party believes this truth would subjugate it, while the other will never say it because its truth shines a light on the very problem it says doesn't exist.

By the way, I'm going to use the party names here instead of referring to the ideologies. Even though the latter would be more accurate, I'm choosing this particular method of nomenclature for application purposes. It's a pretty simple concept, really. So, here goes:

Campaign Financing: An Alternate POV

I’m hardly an expert on federal politics. The mass majority of my “nuts and bolts” knowledge is on the state level. That said, I know the importance of campaign finances and spending.

How can I not? The president sends me emails about it every day. There is also the fact that I was in a doctoral program and spent much of my first year studying ads, but I digress.

A 2011 Review

 What happened this past year? Let's see...

Music

I’m not even going to lie: music stunk in 2011. Usually I can come up with long lists of songs I’ve liked, but I’m going to struggle to come up with a decently long list of songs that actually came out (or really hit the scene) in 2011. Since I enjoy, challenges, though…

Occupy The Voting Booth

I’m sure everyone’s heard of ‘Occupy Wall Street’ by now. One year from now, there will be another movement of occupation, and it will take place all over the country. Of course, I’m talking about ‘Occupy the Voting Booth’. The presidential election - along with many others that will have a more direct bearing on Americans’ lives - is exactly one year from today.

To Buy Or Not To Buy

As most who know me know, I’m no fan of President Obama. I think his “reach across the aisle and work toward bipartisanship” approach has been extremely counterproductive and done severe damage to both his reputation and his resume as a leader. Progressives have been increasingly disenchanted with him (see: Uygur, Cenk) and - surprise - conservatives still treat him as badly as they ever have (see: Limbaugh, Rush).

This is not new. I’ve never been a fan of the idea - nor the reality - of President Obama. He was fourth on ‘list’ of presidential candidates behind John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, and Dennis Kucinich (who I honestly felt had the best ideas, but knew had little shot of getting the nomination). I went through countless arguments in 2008 with almost everyone I knew because, to be frank, I saw this coming. Nothing I said back then has failed to come to pass, especially not my main two concerns with him. He’s shown his inexperience and he’s tried too hard to compromise.

He’s great at getting elected - or at least he was: we’ll see how things turn out next fall - but he leaves much to be desired as a governing official. Said it before he got elected…future tense then, of course…and it’s held up. He’s somehow allowed positives (stimulus, health care) to be turned into negatives and the negatives (most recently the debt deal) speak for themselves. His best hope for re-election sits with one group of people. I’ll get to them now.

As everyone who knows me knows, I am even less a fan of the GOP. Shoot, demographics could have easily told people that. I’m a black American from an urban environment who has a master’s degree in social work. The only GOP characteristic I fit is ‘male’. My lack of love for the GOP, as is the case for most black people, has both contemporary and historical rationale. I think everyone knows enough about the GOP to understand this, so I’ll skip straight to the dilemma.

I can’t decide whether to get a 2O12 shirt. I don’t want to vote for the president, but any other electoral activity helps the GOP. Plain and simple, I want the GOP to lose a lot more - and I mean a whole lot more - than I want President Obama to win. This is mainly true because they’re a collection of orifices. It’s also true because even if I wanted them to win and ruin the country so people would wake up, I have insufficient confidence in Americans to believe they would realize this (and given the upward trend in Rick Scott’s approval ratings, the state of Florida has given me further reason to believe this). Is that enough reason to spend $30 minimum on a 2O12 shirt?

Maybe I should divvy up the cost mentally. Say, pretend that I’m donating $10 to help him win but $20 to help the GOP lose. With thirty dollars, there are enough to go around. Actually, it may be at least 60. My cousin’s dad, who’s equally disappointed in the president, said he’d most likely give if I gave. This isn’t that much of an added burden - especially since he makes a lot more than I do - but it’s a small consideration. Hate to lead someone else down the wrong path.

You know what? After seeing my supervisor (who I like as a person, despite his political leanings) run a Google search for “Obama impressionist”…the check’s in the mail.

(Ed. note: I bought the shirt last Sunday and it came in the mail yesterday).

The Six-Man Tag Team Match

I’m sure many of you have heard about Cornel West and Tavis Smiley going in on President Obama, basically saying he doesn’t do enough for the poor and/or black folk. Steve Harvey then went after West and Smiley. Then of course, my favorite professor/columnist (110% sarcasm) Boyce Watkins went after Harvey and placed Tom Joyner in the Harvey camp.

Sounds like the makings of a six-man tag team match - which may be a propos with SummerSlam in the rearview. Smiley has had issues with Obama from the start that have to be considered personal: I feel comfortable saying this because I’ve seen Tavis air out some of these issues with my own two eyes. West’s issues with the president have been more professional, but he’s had quite a few.

Ask Men - Part III

And let's finish this off...

1. Which gender is winning?

55%                 It's not a competition.

28%                 Men.

17%                Women.

Really, it depends on the context. Business-wise, men are winning. Socially, women are.

2. How should America reboot the economy?

35%                 Save more money through budget cuts.

23%                None of the above.

17%                 Revolution.

14%                 Spend more money, such as on stimulus.

11%                 Wait it out.

It’s called “closing the tax loopholes for the rich and making them hire Americans rather than outsourcing”.

3. Is America still a superpower?

71%                Yes, but one that is on the decline.

24%                 Yes, as much as it has ever been.

5%                   No.

Not that this matters much to those on top.

4. What keeps you up at night?

42%                 Nothing. I sleep like a baby.

26%                 Anxiety about my relationships.

23%                 Anxiety about my work.

9%                  Anxiety about the state of the world.

Seems like the closest answer to the truth, in a ‘catch all’ sort of way.

5. How do you usually share articles you've read or websites you've discovered with family and friends?

36%                 In person.

32%                On Facebook.

21%                 Over email.

5%                   Through text message.

3%                   Over the phone.

2%                   On another social network.

1%                   On Twitter.

S’where most of them are.

6. How do you usually recommend purchases to family and friends?

70%                 In person.

10%                Over the phone.

8%                   Over email.

7%                   Through text message.

5%                   Over Facebook.

1%                   Over another social network.

-1%                  Over Twitter.

Seems to be the only medium in which I talk about purchases.

7. Which of the following do you consider most likely to exist?

47%                 Aliens.

31%                Angels.

12%                 None of the above.

10%                 Ghosts.

0%                   Vampires.

Sure wasn’t any of the others.

8. Should we increase our use of nuclear power?

47%                 Yes.

23%                 No, it is too dangerous.

18%                No, it is environmentally unfriendly.

12%                 No, for another reason.

Captain Planet, he’s our hero…oh, wait.

9. Do you feel your country is prepared in the case of a natural disaster similar to the earthquakes / tsunamis that recently hit Japan?

60%                No.

21%                 Yes.

19%                 I'm not sure.

Katrina wasn’t that long ago.

10. When is a political assassination justified?

35%                 In wartime.

31%                Never.

30%                 When it is an act of preemptive defense.

4%                   When it is an act of revenge.

Understandable in wartime, but not justified.

11. If you could max out your credit card at any designer men's store, what would it be?

51%                 None of the above.

21%                Ralph Lauren.

10%                 Brooks Brothers.

10%                 Gucci.

6%                   Lacoste.

2%                   Paul Smith.

This one isn’t even close.

12. Which type of workout do you perform most regularly?

30%                Weightlifting.

21%                 Some other type of workout.

18%                 Running

14%                 I don't work out.

7%                   Biking.

5%                   P90X or other home DVD.

4%                   Swimming.

1%                   Personal Trainer.

I would run more, but beating up my lower legs isn’t fun and I can’t stand these hills.

13. Which screen do you spend the most time in front of when you are not working?

60%                Computer

19%                 Television

17%                 Phone/Mobile device

4%                   Tablet/iPad

There are times when I’m online and  the TV is off. When the TV is on, I’m in front of the computer…probably tweeting about what I’m watching.

14. If you could only have one child, would you prefer it to be a boy or a girl?

53%                A boy

33%                 Either or

14%                 A girl

Just seems easier.

14. Which of the following superheroes would you most want to be?

32%                 Superman.

25%                Batman.

21%                 Iron Man.

17%                 X-Men.

5%                   Captain America.

This one was too easy.

15. Where do you get most of your news on a daily basis?

73%                Online.

12%                 TV.

6%                   Social-media.

6%                   Newspaper.

3%                   Some other source.

I still watch a decent amount of TV news (and everyone knows why), but most of it’s online now.

16. If you could ask one person for financial advice, who would it be?

45%                Warren Buffett.

27%                 Your dad.

20%                 Donald Trump.

5%                   Suze Orman.

3%                   Jim Cramer.

May as well shoot for the top.

17. Who should have been cut some slack by the media for his sexual transgressions?

57%                None of the above. They all got what they deserved.

17%                 Anthony Weiner.

17%                 Arnold Schwarzenegger.

6%                   Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

3%                   John Edwards.

I wanted to say Edwards, but couldn’t. Wait: Weiner’s situation wasn’t as bad as the other three.

18. What type of smartphone do you have?

37%                 I don't have a smartphone.

26%                Android.

22%                 iPhone.

12%                 BlackBerry.

3%                   Windows Phone.

Team Android. All. Day.

19. Where do you most often access the movies that you watch?

24%                 Through legal download/streaming, such as from Netflix or iTunes.

18%                 At the theater.

17%                 Through illegal download/streaming, such as from PirateBay.

16%                On television (broadcast, cable or satellite).

10%                 On DVD or Blu-ray, through rental.

8%                   On DVD or Blu-ray, through purchase.

7%                   Through a "video on demand" service (cable or satellite).

I don’t have $5-10 to go see every movie in the theater.

20. Do you go to see movies at the theater?

58%                 Yes, but not as much as I used to.

30%                Yes, as much as I always have.

12%                 No, not at all.

It’s called “whenever there’s a good movie out”. Now, I may live at the theater next summer.

21. Do you still read the newspaper in its print format?

41%                Yes, but not as much as I used to.

40%                 No, not at all.

19%                 Yes, as much as I always have.

I put this on my not reading as much when I was home in June as I did previously.

22. What do you do to protect your privacy on your cell phone?

50%                Nothing. I'm not concerned about privacy on my phone.

41%                 I use my phone's security settings.

7%                   I have downloaded and use a security app.

2%                   I subscribe to a security service.

It’s my phone. Why would anyone else have it anyway?

23. What do you do to protect your privacy on Facebook?

38%                I use privacy settings on Facebook so that only my friends can view my profile.

19%                 I self-censor what I share on Facebook.

18%                 I use privacy settings on Facebook to determine what my friends are able to see.

10%                 I have never had a Facebook account.

8%                   Nothing. I'm not concerned about privacy.

7%                   I deleted my Facebook account.

I do the second one too, but I think the first is more prevalent.

24. If you're in a relationship, is "sexting" with someone else considered cheating?

74%                Yes, absolutely.

14%                 No, as long as no one is sending naked photos.

12%                 No, it is harmless fun.

I really wouldn’t consider it cheating, but it’s still wrong and I wouldn’t do it.

25. Which of the following poses the biggest threat to the United States?

46%                 The United States.

28%                China.

11%                 North Korea.

9%                   Iran.

6%                   Pakistan.

The Republicans may be killing us slowly from within, but there aren’t a billion of them.

26. Which of the following do you use the most when you are not working?

58%                Computer.

24%                 Phone / Mobile device.

14%                 Television.

4%                   Tablet / iPad.

Without question.

27. What do you use your cell phone for most?

53%                 Texting / Messaging.

29%                Talking.

11%                 Browsing the web.

5%                   Apps.

2%                   Games.

0%                   Photos / Photo sharing.

All the other stuff I can do with something else.

28. What device could you not live without?

62%                Computer.

24%                 Smartphone.

12%                 Television.

2%                   Tablet / iPad.

I’d be so lost without my laptop. Shoot, I’m somewhat lost without my desktop (need a new monitor).

29. What would you rather have?

34%                 Both.

30%                A child.

23%                 A dog.

13%                 Neither.

Lifespans are usually longer.

30. Which of the following characteristics best defines a "real man" in 2011?

48%                Being a great father and husband who takes care of his family.

23%                 Being a great leader and motivator.

11%                 Having manly skills, like the ability to fix things.

8%                   None of the above.

5%                   Being charismatic and popular.

3%                   Being wealthy.

2%                   Being a great seducer and/or lover.

That’ll always be my answer.

31. Of the choices below, which female public figure are you most tired of hearing about?

29%                 Lady Gaga.

25%                 Sarah Palin.

17%                 Kim Kardashian.

15%                 Lindsay Lohan.

8%                  None of the above.

3%                   Kate Middleton.

3%                   Pippa Middleton.

The correct answer is Hope Solo.

32. Of the choices below, which male public figure are you most tired of hearing about?

47%                 Justin Bieber.

20%                 Charlie Sheen.

12%                 Barack Obama.

8%                   Donald Trump.

6%                  None of the above.

4%                   Prince William.

3%                   Mark Zuckerberg.

0%                   Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The correct answer is still Brett Favre.

33. Do you own an iPad or an iPad 2?

71%                No, and I do not plan to purchase one in the next 12 months.

16%                 No, but I plan to purchase one in the next 12 months.

10%                 Yes.

3%                   No, but I own another tablet device.

Richelle Carey may change this, as HLN now has live streaming available on the iPad.

34. Other than for playing video games, what do you use your console (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii) for most often?

34%                 I do not own a console.

25%                I use my console strictly for gaming.

20%                 To watch TV shows and movies/films on DVD or Blu-ray.

19%                 To download or stream TV shows or movies/films.

2%                   To surf the web.

0%                   To make purchases.

I have other things to do everything else on.

35. Who do you play video games with most often?

28%                No one. I play by myself.

24%                 With my friends, in person.

23%                 I don't play video games.

16%                 With my friends, online.

9%                   With strangers, online.

This should come as a surprise to no one.

36. Where do you play video games most often?

48%                On my console (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii).

22%                 I don't play video games.

22%                 On my computer (PC, Mac).

5%                   On my mobile device (phone, iPod touch).

1%                   On my handheld gaming device (PSP, DS).

2%                   On my tablet / iPad.

I wouldn’t really think about playing video games anywhere else, unless College Town counts.

37. How do you primarily watch your favorite TV series?

37%                 On my computer, with the frequency that I download/stream them at.

28%                Episode by episode as it is broadcast live.

23%                 In batches of episodes as I rent the DVDs or as I watch them on a recording device (DVR or PVR).

12%                 I never watch TV series in their entirety.

And now I watch the replays on Saturday nights, thanks to Universal.

38. Do you watch cable or satellite TV on an actual television set?

44%                Yes, as much as I always have.

38%                 Yes, but not as much as I used to.

18%                 No, not at all.

The stuff I watch online is in addition to, not instead of, what I watch on TV.

39. Has Obama changed the international perception of the United States?

38%                Yes, for the better.

22%                 Yes, for the worse.

21%                 I don't know / I don't care.

19%                 No.

Five out of eight people obviously didn’t see the celebrations internationally when he won.