The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

The American dream is a lovely concept. It contends that no matter who you are or where you came from, if you continually showcase a good work ethic, dedication, and determination, this dream can become a reality. You'll have a big house in the suburbs, a beautiful wife/handsome husband, a couple of kids, a dog, a white picket fence, backyard barbecues in the summer,  and an annual family vacation. In other words, you'll be living the dream. However, it seems that over the past 30+ years, while this dream is still feasible for a decent percentage of people and their families, it's becoming decreasingly likely. Trickle-down economics, certain tax breaks and loopholes, and through that, a growing disparity between the top 1-2% and everybody else, has left many in the middle-class living paycheck to paycheck, and many in the lower-class searching for second and third jobs in order to just make ends meet. Sadly, while the rich have been continuing to get richer these past 30+ y...

Considering I was once called "The Dude," in reference to Jeff Bridges' character in the film The Big Lebowski  due to my laid-back demeanor, it seems pretty safe to say that it takes a lot to anger me. However, it does happen on occasion, such as once this past weekend. Over the weekend, a devout "Christian" decided it was her duty to pass judgment on me, because, well, I'm in my 30s, don't have any kids, and am not making a great deal of money. I found this to be incredibly ironic, considering the fact that in the book of Matthew, chapter 19, verse 24, Jesus supposedly said this: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." In the book of Luke, chapter 6, verses 20 through 26, he said: "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 'Blessed are you who are hung...

After President Obama spoke about the Pope's criticism of capitalism, talk show host and man most likely to have been Humpty Dumpty in a former life - Rush Limbaugh - decided to make the following comments on his show: "This is the president citing the pope, his new best friend, because the pope is ripping America, the pope ripping capitalism. And Obama's having an orgasm. Jeremiah Wright is beside himself. Jeremiah Wright thought he was Obama's preacher, now pope somehow has co-opted Obama. This guy can't wait to rip this country apart, every day, whenever there's an opportunity to criticize this country, he's the first in line. And that is just an outright falsehood that the increasing inequality - income, wealth, whatever - is most pronounced in our country. And I tell you the way he means that, 'We've got too many rich people, we need more people who are poor and lower middle class, that's the only way we can have equality and fairness...

Unless something crazy happens in the next couple days, this will be the first Valentine's Day in quite some time where I will be involved with someone. There's really only been one other woman I was involved with during this holiday and that occurred over a decade ago. Oddly enough, my feelings about Valentine's Day have been extremely consistent through the years, with my dating status being completely irrelevant. I'm just going to come right out and say it - I cannot stand Valentine's Day. I couldn't stand it a decade or so ago when I was seeing a woman for a couple years. I couldn't stand it when I was single. I can't stand it now that I've been seeing someone for going on six months. I have a feeling I won't be able to stand it for my remaining years. I know, I know. Feel free to hurl the Grinch-esque labels at me, call me cheap, describe me as a whiner, or as being anti-romance. People can say whatever they want about guys whom don'...

I know I'll likely be viewed as a holiday grump or Grinch or some may even claim that since I'm single on Valentine's Day, I'm just jealous of couples celebrating the day with one another. I can state with great clarity that the latter portion of that sentence is false. Even when I was dating, I held the same feelings about this very holiday. I find this day to be: Dull, unromantic, ridiculous and sad. Let me explain. I find it to be dull because I honestly don't see much excitement regarding the regular routine most couples go through year after year on February 14th. The man may deliver flowers (roses) to his girlfriend's/wife's workplace. On his way home from work, he may pick up a Hallmark card, some chocolates and a teddy bear, before possibly taking her out to eat. Some couples don't fall into this routine, but I know many who do and it makes me yawn just thinking about it. I'll skip to my claim that the holiday is ridiculous. It's a ca...

So, no, Jesus' birthday isn't on December 25th. However, many people like to celebrate his birthday on that day and refer to it as Christmas (when it was created to counter the Pagan's Winter Solstice). So, okay, I'll let it slide for the time and just pretend that since we have no idea when the man was born, we just chose December 25th for the hell of it (even though that's not true, as stated above). So, what has Christmas become? Shopping. Gifts. Spent money. The hot new items. Black Friday. Material things. Objects. Presents. Cash. Checks. Credit cards. Toys. Junk. Jewelry. Cars. Games. Clothes. JC Penny's. Target. Toys 'R Us. Best Buy. Victoria's Secret. In The Bible, Jesus says the following: The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow M...

Standing United and Vulnerable Making a quick buck, At the expense of others, As the Twin Towers are struck, Millions then suffer, Vulnerabilities at their peak, Fearful of another attack, Blindly following the president’s lead, A child listening to his father, Temporarily standing united, Superficial over-the-top patriotism exudes, Outside, around the house, with what we wear, Sporting nothing but red, white and blue, Observed by businessmen and manufacturers, Sensing a golden opportunity, To take advantage of the nation’s vulnerability, To make the most off this tragedy, Shirts, mugs and pens are sold, Books, posters and blankets as well, Every material object known to man, Sold in the name of 9/11, Millions reign in, As thousands are lost, Money of no substitute, No matter what the cost, An attack commercialized, Capitalism at its finest, Making a quick buck, As millions still suffer.