Control comes with benefits

One can vacillate between amusement and disgust while listening to politicians pandering to the "working class", whatever that is.
 
Apparently there are lots of folks who are looking for a candidate who will make their lives better, which means they don't understand that it isn't government's role; the individuals and families are charged with that responsibility.
 
The bottom line here is this: depending on government means giving them more control of your life, and in view of what we see in politics these days that should scare the hell out of you.

-With all the conversation about education these days, consider this from Thomas Solwell, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute, Stanford University. He referred to the "ignorance is no excuse" remark we have all heard by saying "today, ignorance is no problem. Our schools promote so much self-esteem that people confidently and constantly spout off about all sort of things about which they know absolutely nothing." Yup.

-While on education, we have all heard many in that field lament the lack of funding and cite that as the main reason for educational problems. Well, hold on a sec.
 
A recent study reports that the U.S. spends more money per student than any other industrialized nation, with poorer results. Another report stated that money spent in Arizona has increased significantly.
 
One can't help but conclude that just throwing money at our educational woes won't solve the problems.

-Bumper Sticker: Support bacteria. That's the only culture some people have.

-Say what you will about Rev. Jeremiah Wright, he is a powerful, dynamic speaker. The problem is his message. Those who are enraptured by his rhetoric are those who are looking for someone to blame for their lot in life and Wright gives them what they want.

Wright has become too enamored with himself, and the resulting narcissistic attitude he projects is not good for his followers. There are better role models for Black Americans, like Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, Condoleza Rice and Bill Cosby, just to name a few.

Instead of being a positive motivator, Wright pours gas on the smoldering embers of anger - anger that is all too prevalent in our society.

-This just in (on the computer): There is a medication on the market that not many know about. It's called Liagra, and is taken by people who are afflicted with ED (excessive dishonesty). It assists one in telling longer lasting fabrications, faster, and with more energy, while removing all sense of remorse, allowing one to believe their own stories.

-Listening to political speeches would cause one to think many politicians are taking this drug. Does "I was ducking sniper fire" ring a bell?

-Here's betting the campaign managers for John McCain are taking copious notes as they listen to the back and forth exchanges between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. There will be a plethora of useful material available for the presidential debates.

-By the time this is printed Hillary Clinton may well be out of the race, but it is difficult to imagine why anyone would vote for her in the first place. To call her disingenuous (and Bill too) is like calling water wet - everyone knows it  -but many still seem predisposed to vote for her. Mind-boggling.

-Someone sent me a list of things that don't go together. Some are unprintable, but among them were the following: A nose ring and bifocals, Midriff shirts and midriff bulge, bald men wearing pony tails, and thongs and depends. Makes for some amusing mental pictures.


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Gene Lemon is a Yuma resident and guest columnist for The Sun.