The two best jobs in the USA

We all know without being constantly reminded that our economy has certain difficulties. Whether this financial slump is contrived, manufactured or real, we have been enlightened of that situation for about a year now by every politician and media outlet. Of course, unemployment is one of the foremost talking points and concerns – it's a talking point for politicians and the media and a concern for all of those who are unemployed.

With that in mind there are two individuals who are employed and who would seem to have two of the best jobs in the United States and perhaps the world. While total job security may not be one of the perks of each position, these situations must be viewed as extremely lucrative at the present moment.

The first position is that of the caddy of one Mr. Tiger Woods. Steve Williams has held this position for about a decade now and we can only assume that he is doing adequately in the financial arena. Not only that, his future employment with Mr. Woods seems pretty secure. However, he is in the world of professional golfers who feel that in order to be successful they need an entourage of various expert handlers. I guess this situation is a bit like politics – one bit of really bad advice and there could be a guillotine-like effect.

The second most envied appointment at the current time is speechwriter to President Barack Obama. Jon Favreau currently holds the honor of being Director of Speechwriting for the President. Now this position has a positive and a negative side. On the positive side, considering the large quantity of speeches made by the President, there are lots of words to write. Financially, one could only anticipate that Mr. Favreau has negotiated a contract whereby he is paid by the hour and/or speech. Let's hope a straight salary is not involved. He would obviously be getting the short end of the pen. On the negative side being a speechwriter for the current administration is a lot like being a tournament golfer, one bad speech – or hole in a tournament if you will – can spell disaster.

So, despite the negative aspects of these two occupations, they are most assuredly the best jobs in the good ol' US of A.

I Want My Share!!

As the owners and investors in this country, we have had the (mis)fortune of watching our brokers [our elected and appointed officials] purchase several companies for us in the past few weeks. Using our investment capital [the tax dollars we all pay], we have now invested in companies like Bear-Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG. The big buzz among the talking heads is whether or not using our tax dollars was a good idea. Even the experts, who got us into this mess, are not sure whether this is a viable solution to get us out. That’s why they are called experts, they have no clue. In other words the new expert is yesterday’s idiot.

Now, in order that we the tax payer do not wind up getting hosed for all these billions and billions of dollars, I believe the solution is quite simple. Since we as taxpayers have invested (“bailed out” is the buzz) in these companies, we have now become shareholders. Therefore, every American whose pays taxes in 2008 should receive stock certificates for their share of the investment from our brokerage [the U.S. Government].

It probably sounds way too unsophisticated. If you pay taxes, you get shares in the companies that our government has purchased. To those who say it is inane, I say that you can take your economic prowess elsewhere – perhaps Iran or Russia. The reason we have this mayhem is because we strayed away from simplicity. Beside I want my share of my investment.

ABC’s Charlie Gibson Must Have Alzheimer’s

After watching Charlie Gibson’s interview with Republican VP Nominee Sarah Palin, I am convinced that Gibson has Alzheimer’s. There were several questions that he felt the need to repeat. Although Gibson is so clever and condescending that he was changed a couple of words in the repetition phrase hoping that Gov. Palin wouldn’t recognize the “new” question.

Now there are a couple of reasons why someone would repeat the same question multiple times. First, he didn’t hear the answer that was given the first time. Therefore he needs to get his hearing checked or pay closer attention. Second, he did not get answer that he was hoping for which would display a supercilious attitude. Third, he was trying to trap Governor Palin and we know this could not be the case because we know that Gibson is an experienced and responsible newsman whose only agenda is to inform us and not influence us.

Unfortunately, there is one, further deep concern that we have for Mr. Gibson. It is possible that he may be going insane. If the definition of insanity is constant repetition of the same task with the anticipation of different results, then surely Mr. Gibson is head down the path to the nut house.

Pit Bulls, Pigs and Lipstick

By now we all know about the “lipstick on the pig” remark by his potential highness Barack Obama. I think we could safely say that Obama, seeing that he is an Ivy League graduate, could not possibly be so stupid as to equate Governor Palin to a pig. (Although only the good Lord knows what’s in his heart.) Purposeful intent of that nature would, for all practical purposes, kill his campaign. Such a purposeful gaff and he might as well be running for Cook County Dog Catcher. But, even though his intended meaning is between him and his Maker, the way the audience received and perceived the remark is what counts. And here is where the damage was done. The group of invitation-only volunteers that made up his audience went wild. There was no doubt how they understood the expression. Thus, the damage was done regardless of Obama’s intent.

You see, Palin has the cosmetology on animals expressions on reserve throughout the campaign. She got to the “metaphor and simile library” first on this one and checked it out for the next two months. Whether or not the liberals like it, they cannot say anything about animals and makeup in the same paragraph. It is Republican domain. But the good news is that if Obama fails in his attempt to win the White House, he will have somewhere to place the blame since he can’t seem to accept responsibility for any failure.

Obama’s VP No Change at All

Fussin’ and Fumin’ has now returned. It was just a short pause. But it is important for us to inject our valuable opinion into the political spectrum. Most (as in almost 100%) of the experts have a career to look out for or are just plain out of touch. We here at F&F, as we are affectionately called by the political pundits, have no personal agenda and no career in politics. It is just our valued opinion that we present.

With the selection of Senator Joseph Biden to be his VP Nominee, Obama has essentially declared that he is really not for change after all. Biden has been in the Senate since 1972. If you are mathematically challenged that’s thirty-six, 3-6, years. He is extremely zealous in his viewpoints and his dealings with other elected officials. He is 65 year old which just about negates the age issue as far as McCain is concerned.

The big mystery for the past several days was who Obama would choose. It was a “secret,” only to be revealed by text message at the appropriate time for dramatic effect. Well it’s a little hard to keep that secret when Fox News reports that a private jet sent by the Obama gang had landed in Delaware. And just on the eve of the supposed VP announcement.

But before Biden gets on the fulltime campaign trail, he might have “a little ‘splain’ to do.”

Biden has been quoted in the past with these beauties:

"I am not running for vice president. I would not accept it if anyone offered it to me. The fact of the matter is I'd rather stay as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee than be vice president."

“…not ready to be President.” In addition to cutting down his foreign policy experience.

Well, Joe, how’s that workin’ for ya?

Sally Field To Run A Country But Can't Remember Which One

This damn work thing has been keeping me too busy or too worn out to get write a bit. But with a day off and a few minutes to spare, I can comment on a couple of events this past week. My favorite is the celebrity watch. This week's winner was Ms. Sally Field. She wins an Emmy and then launches into a political speech basically telling us that she could run the country better. Now this is the same lady who is pimping Boniva, a bone strenghtening pill that you only have to take once a month instead of weekly. Miss Sally claims in the ad that it's much easier for her to remember the monthly thing that the weekly thing. Can't remember to take a simple pill once a week but yet thinks she can run the USA? What's wrong with this picture?

Dogs

I like to observe our dogs. It is plural now. We recently added a Lhasa Apso named Jewel to the family. She has joined Sebastian the Cocker. He is English royalty of a sort. Lewel is now about four months old, growing fast and developing her own distinct personality. She, of coure, thinks that her brother should be willing to play with her whenever she has the urge which is most of the time she's awake. He, on the other hand, is not a playful dog. He just likes to look cool and be left alone except when HE decides it's time for some attention.

One of the more interesting observations is how these two dogs communicate. Or at least how I think they communicate. It's fun to put human words to their actions, barks, growls and whines.

That's all part of the joy of owning a pet. Got pets? Share the love.