Odds N Ends

It's already becoming a big year for regulation, and an even bigger year for big government.

Here is one example, the raising of the federal cigarette tax to $2.00, from 0.39 a pack. Now, for every cigarette smoked, the government gets a nickel. Of course, I am from North Carolina, the nation's top tobacco producer, and I am a smoker. However, how in the hell does the GOVERNMENT have a right to raise taxes on "sinful" products? The states should be the ONLY government allowed to regulate, and raise taxes on cigarettes, and alcohol. The government has turned into the pleasure police. Federal officials state the raise in taxes will "help people quit this bad, unhealthy habit."

Excuse me, but I, as a free individual, do not need the federal government's high cigarette tax to "help" me quit smoking. I chose to smoke nasty, cancer sticks, because it gives me pleasure. When I'm good and ready to stop, I will. The federal government has no business regulating companies out of business, just because it is unhealthy.

If the government feels it can "help" smokers, then I see a new tax hike on alcohol coming, so that the Americans will stop drinking. Perhaps, a tax hike on tanning beds (they cause cancer) is in order. Why not a tax hike on food sold at McDonald's, Burger King, and Pizza Hut? I mean obesity is the #1 health problem in America...we need higher taxes on sodas even!

To all you non-smokers out there, who feel there is nothing wrong with raising cigarette taxes, because it's "bad" for those of us who freely chose to smoke, beware, soon enough you'll be paying higher taxes for things you enjoy, yet is unhealthy for you.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police had a bad week. One officer of the law decided it was a good idea to drive down the road, going 90 miles per hour, with no lights on, and ended up hitting and killing a 20 year old innocent woman. This is the third person a Charlotte Mecklenburg Policeman has killed in the last 9 years, due to high speeds.

The officer in this wreck, whose name has not been made public, has had 3 speeding tickets in the last 2 years. Of course, Police Chief Rodney Monroe, contends that a "thorough" investigation will be done. What the hell is the Police Department doing investigating THEMSELVES? NO, NO, NO, I say, this is when the State Bureau of Investigation should be involved.

Most importantly, an officer of the law, who has had 3 speeding tickets, should be put on probation, have his gun taken away, and put behind a desk for at least one year. Why? Because officers have the public's trust in their hands. We the people give our officers a gun, and trust their decision making skills, to not shoot everyone, not speed unnecessarily, and not harass innocent people. If an officer, on his free time, makes a decision to speed 3 times (at least those 3 times he got caught, it may be more), the officer is NOT responsible, and should NOT be on patrol, with a gun. Period. Hence, now officer fantastic killed an innocent 20 year old woman, because he lacks proper maturity and responsibility. Instead of raising taxes, the government should be raising police department standards!

The American Family. Do you ever get the feeling we all just pretend to like each other? It seems to me, that family loves you the most when you're down and out. They give you money, invite you over for dinner, and call to offer their help. Yet, when the going gets good, the relationship turns sour. You start succeeding, and all of the sudden you don't get phone calls anymore, no money, and they open Christmas gifts before you arrive (but save yours for you to open when you get there).

What's more, is the pure deception in families. There is always one side against the other. It is never the same folks against the others, the alliances change as the circumstances change. There is no love between women in families. Only jealousy remains.

Family solution, to keep everyone together, and actually develop love: start family traditions. Instead of everyone sitting around the tube, and talking about all the stuff we bought at the store, why don't families start playing games, cooking meals, cooking desserts, fixing cars, doing yard work, start a family scrapbook...anything that develops actual love and respect between individuals, instead of jealousy (what did you buy, what are you going to buy, where are you going to travel, what great thing you did on an individual basis...etc.)

I may be a bit of a Debbie-Downer at some family functions, because I simply don't buy a lot and I certainly don't run marathons or coach sports teams. So does that make me lazy? That make me poor? Am I mean? I know some family may think I am unhealthy, too skinny, and a nasty smoker. You know what, I'm happy. I don't need a social validation activity to make me feel "acceptable" to others. I don't enjoy running or exercise. I like walks, hikes, and picnics. I like to talk about politics and religion, because it helps me grow as person. I like conversations with my family that is actually important, that helps us all in our lives and our philosophy.

What gets me, is the very people who laugh at me when they see me running and playing with kids, are the ones NOT running or playing with their kids. By themselves, yes, but not with their kids. The same people who laugh at me and say I'm full of myself, and stuck up, are the same ones flashing photos of their new big house, and bragging on their big screen TV. Who are you to judge me? Who are you to throw rocks at me, when you do the exact same things you accuse, and hate on me, for doing?

One simple answer remains: validation. You have the great health, the great cars, great furniture, big house, big TV, yet you're not happy. You still have to find someone (me) to dislike and pass judgment on, because you don't love yourself. You aren't happy with all your material wealth. And you will never be happy, with all you material wealth, unless and until you love and accept who you are. I'm not in a contest with anyone, it's not a competition to me. This is life, live it, love it, and forget about it!