• Your mouth doesn’t get mulligans

    In between hearings the Judge said he worried about the future of our country (referring to the election), adding, “I don’t know how long the top thirty percent can continue to support the other seventy.”

    I replied (with a mischievous smile), “well speaking for the seventy percent: we thank you.”

    That didn’t earn me any points. And because I seem to like really deep holes, I kept talking.

    “What scares me is the health care system. Say I decide to change jobs and my new job has benefits just as good as this one, but the health plan has a one year exclusion on pre-existing conditions (like my current job – which has pretty good benefits). What happens if my leukemia comes back during that year? I’d be ruined.”

    “I don’t mean to sound like I don’t care John, but you’re not entitled to health care.”

    “Why not? And either way, what difference does it make? Does the constitution guarantee public education or public roads?”

    “You’re not entitled to roads to drive on either….”

    “Yeah, but as a society we’ve decided those things we want to pay for….”

    I was all set to launch into a whole spiel on tax policy, but I got a message the next group was ready for their hearing and the day moved on. It’s a good thing the Judge is someone I consider a friend. I’m a shy guy who usually doesn’t have much to say in social settings, so why do I feel compelled to speak up every time politics comes up – no matter how much trouble it could get me in?

    The short answer is: I’m not as smart as my kids think I am.

  • Comment gets an election day (after) promotion

    This started out as a follow-up comment to my post with the Florida/CNN map, but I thought I’d let this one try to stand on it’s own. If you’re a McCain supporter you might think this is just piling on, but that’s not the intent at all. This little post is for me and my kids. It’s not just for today, but years from now.

    Today was a great day. EARLY this morning I had trouble turning off the television or putting away my computer. I’d see the celebrations in Chicago, D.C., New York, or any one of countless places around the world, and my breath would catch in my throat – turning into a joyous chuckle. I imagine if you were standing on the other side of a closed door you’d think I was a crazy person. Maybe you think that anyway….

    Then a little later this morning (after a few hours of sleep) I made my way into work. We were all incredibly tired… but it didn’t matter. Everyone was grinning. The office was filled with high-fives and big smiles all day. I’ve still got a silly grin on my face now, going on 10 p.m., and I’m not sure it’s completely sunk in yet.

    Barack won.

    Everyone I spoke to today gets it. The history. The hope. The promise.

    It was incredible.

  • Anxiety and me

    How worried was I?

    I had a redirect page ready to go.