New Blog in Town

Please look at my new blog, The Quintessential Curmudgeon.

The Amarillo Independent: ABC 7 News investigates the Amarillo Commerce Buil...

The Amarillo Independent: ABC 7 News investigates the Amarillo Commerce Buil...: ABC 7 News was to run this story on the 10 p.m. news Thursday, but technical difficulties prevented this story from airing. It aired this mo...

Something Positive

It is wonderful to see, on television, sports events, entertainment, news programs and in the public eye in general the wonderful diversity of gender, ethnic names, races, ages, and orientation compared to just a few short years ago.

We have a long way to go, but as an eighty-two year old person, I certainly can remember times when none but white men (often old, white men) ruled the roost, and we didn't have the pleasure of enjoying the intelligence, articulation, wit, confidence and positive attitudes of these folks.

Keep it up, U.S.A. and only get the percentages more balanced in all these areas.

Jim Restine

Don't Confuse me - I'm Trying to Think!

Why do you think the repubs can't discuss, much less vote on more than one thing at a time? They stay hung up on something forever (ACA, Deficit, Veterans' Benefits, Balanced Budget, etc., etc., etc.) and can't think about considering anything else at the same time!

With all the things the government needs to help with, the repubs are at a loss if they try to think about something besides The Topic of the Day!

Jim Restine

Two Branches

Wouldn't it be nice if the plan made by our country's founders would be true today?

We only have two branches of government (true, only functioning at a below average rate!), but at least functioning.

The Executive, as spineless as it is, is still making some attempt to do some things for the betterment of our country. And even though our congress has tied the judiciary's hands by the lack of appointing judges, it is functioning to some degree - frightening in the case of the right wing supreme court, but none the less functioning.

Where is the third wing? Opposing everything, going on vacation, and campaigning. Whoopee!

Jim Restine

So Simple!

The solution to the U.S. financial stress can be helped along with two easy fixes:

     1. Tax capitol gains at the same rate as the general tax payer is taxed (right now they are taxed NOTHING!

     2. Take the wage cap off Social Security tax.

See - If only we had  a congress that would wake up!

Jim Restine 

What Are We Thinking?!

What would our country look like if, instead of the adulation and fascination with athletes and movie stars and 15 minute celebrities that make them worth millions and zillions in salaries and perks to our citizens, our folks would suddenly realize that teachers are the priceless ones in our society, culture and economy. Without our teachers we would be an uncivilized, ignorant, uneducated country, lacking skills, knowledge and the know how to innovate, create and produce the bounties we now have and should only get better in the future.

Teaching would become so lucrative, so challenging and satisfying that our best and brightest would gravitate to it and do amazing things. Until that time our teachers will continue to do the best they can with limited resources and financial rewards, and instead continue to be satisfied with the personal satisfaction of knowing they have touched precious lives of their students, and will continue struggling in a society that thinks more of  its' stars and football players than they do of some of the most important people in our country - our teachers!

Jim Restine, Liberalator