Wednesday, February 16, 2011

South Dakota

When did it become our MO to make stupid laws because we don't agree with other laws? Over the past 24 hours I have seen two separate articles detailing two separate bills that are currently on the docket in South Dakota. Although, honestly, you could mistake it for Texas in this instance.
First, state representatives have proposed a bill that would make it mandatory for all residents over the age of 21 to purchase firearms. The reason they are doing this is to prove that the federal government cannot make it mandatory for citizens to purchase health insurance. However, they do not have any problem with auto insurance being compulsory. So they don't have a problem with the premise of the law as much as they have a problem with who is passing the law. If they are really against socialism, then they should not have access to any socialized services in our society. When they retire, they can't collect social security. Then, if they go bankrupt, they should not be able to access welfare, Medicare, or Medicaid. If they are the victim of a crime, or if their property were to catch on fire, they cannot call the police or fire departments. Their children cannot go to public school and cannot check out books from the public library. And finally, they have to sit in their house all day, because they will be unable to use roads and highways. Politicians need to realize that free market and communism are not binary definitions. It is a continuum, and we just happen to be on the free market side of said continuum. Also, the health care reform bill isn't even socialized health care. We still have to pay for health insurance. Only a portion will be subsidized for people who need it.
To summarize my view of their thought process: why should we try to get people to buy health insurance to help them survive? Instead, let's make everyone get an implement to kill people with whom they disagree.
Speaking of which, some South Dakota lawmakers are trying to pass a bill to make it justifiable to murder abortion doctors. The exact language of the law is: "Homicide is justifiable if committed by any person while resisting any attempt to murder such person, or to harm the unborn child of such person in a manner and to a degree likely to result in the death of the unborn child, or to commit any felony upon him or her, or upon or in any dwelling house in which such person is." To me, it seems as though it was specifically worded to be misleading. They wanted people to think that it supposed to allow for self-defense. The terrible wording aside, this is possibly one of the worst bills ever to be taken seriously in America. Abortion has been ruled legal by the Supreme Court before. So why should doctors who perform a legal medical service be grouped together with murderers and felons? Especially a few weeks after a member of congress was almost assassinated because of her beliefs. The beliefs of Voltaire, one of the catalysts of modern democracy, can be summed up as this: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." What happened to the days of democracy when this was still held true? Now, if somebody doesn't agree with another person, they try to kill them.
One argument against the health care reform is that it will put doctors out of jobs. Isn't one of the leading causes of unemployment death? So why should we decrease the number of doctors in this country?
Stop it America!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentime's Day

This weekend marked one of the worst awards shows, the Grammys. For 53 years, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences have given away awards to the "best" "musicians" of the preceding year. I use those two words very liberally in this sense. Just to give a reference point, Mick Jagger, the lead singer of what some people could argue is one of the greatest rock bands, just performed at the Grammys for the first time. 39 years after the Rolling Stones formed. Lady Gaga has performed more times than Mick Jagger. Speaking of Lady Gaga, she is probably one of the most overrated performers at this point in time. The only reason she is famous is her shock value. The only thing that separates her from, say, Marilyn Manson, is that she is more socially accepted. So when people say that she got screwed for album of the year because nobody knows who Arcade Fire are is idiotic. This sadly represents what is wrong with the music industry. Good musicians get pushed to the side, while people who make pop music become more famous and get more recognition. What's worse, the bane of the music industry, is Justin Bieber. Millions of little girls are going to raise hell because he didn't win best new artist over Esperanza Spalding. Sadly, there are adults that agree. Unlike Justin Bieber she is a talented musician. She obviously has to be if she is winning a mainstream Grammy despite being a jazz musician.
Today is Valentine's Day, one of the most pointless days of the year. If you have to wait for a special day once a year to show your admiration for your significant other, there is something wrong with your relationship. Like many holidays in America, it is only a way for companies to make money off of people.
Speaking of things that are wrong with America, why do Americans only like sports that we create? One of the greatest annual sports events is happening this month, the RBS 6 Nations tournaments. However, because most Americans are too stupid/lazy/self-centered to learn about rugby, we get to watch one game a week. It doesn't even get coverage on ESPN, while poker and bowling both get time. Even worse, next summer marks the beginning of the Rugby World Cup, and I'm willing to bet that the only time it will get time on TV in America is whatever games BBC televises.
Stop it America!