Seriously, it is Wednesday

Are we in the dog days of summer yet?  Not sure of what those actually are, technically.  On the local political scale however everything has the appearance of typical New England weather.  Lots of potential for certain events to transpire.

Certain information as of last week was still past do relative to decisions needed to be made in town. whether it has been received, I honestly don't know.  As with most things, the policy is "don't ask, don't tell". Outdated on many fronts really.

Anyway ...

Information folks is the most important aspect of any decision. Well, I should add accurate information. Left or right, right or wrong, the truth is often half told, and very much stretched.  It seems liars exist only on the opposite side of an issue.  Omitting relevant information is technically not lying so that is okay. You purpose is noble, your goal is just, therefore your means are truly righteous.

Does not the truth remain the truth, no matter how far it is stretched?

We would all do well to remember the simple reality that not all people think the same, have the same priorities, needs or special interest.  Opinions throughout this country, even on your own block are likely to vary widely.

Like the weather, many of those are subject to extreme change and often at the drop of a hat.

We like to blame others in this country.  We like to point out the evils of opposite opinions, without any willingness to even address the shortcomings of our own position.

Change is coming down the road. Not just change in our little town.  One way or another, there is going to be a momentum swing in this country politically.  The signs are there.  Current operations simply cannot sustain the burden.

Stimulus money doesn't exist anymore.  Whether it should is certainly a debate, however a tale of two cities locally show the effects. If you have been paying attention to news elsewhere, you should be able to figure out the tale.

Everyone wants more.  Everyone believes they are entitled to more. Quite frankly I am beginning to buy into the entitlement concept hook, line and sinker.

It is what it is.

Moving on a bit.

The federal case involving patronage goes into jury deliberations.  Everyone gets up in arms over patronage. Why should someone get a job just because of political connections?  Fair enough question.  One that has been asked in this country since, well since politician had jobs to hand out.  There is nothing new about patronage.  We can argue about the wrongs of it, i.e. appointing the unqualified.  I could even present to you several reasons why historically and presently, the patronage concept is not in and of itself a bad thing.

The fact is though, patronage takes on many forms, other than getting someone a job.  We see examples of it all the time.  Indeed there have been times I have had to bite my own tongue recently when listening to an individual complain about the "job" patronage and when the topic shifted I am not listening to the individual essentially brag about how they managed to get something done.  

Patronage? Maybe not in the way most commonly think.  Certainly in my opinion one in the same.  Not necessarily wrong either.  When the privilege granted is one that is out of the norm or gives some one a leg up, or provides something more than the average citizen would get, well that is where the tangled web starts to unravel.

Just a thought on it.

Dumbest continuing debate in town ...

You may have your own ides for this one. Mine is grass cutting. Mine involves discussions about grass cutting that people either don't have a clue about what they are discussing, or ignore facts about the whole issue. Present lines of authority, jurisdiction, and believe it or not, existing appropriations which in FY 2014 could have been used and in FY 2015 can be used.

The fact is no one seems to want to gather all the facts before they talk about an issue.  That simple in what can admittedly be the very simple mind of mine.

Anyway, before I let the simmering water start to boil, I am going to end this one here.  Lots of rambling I know, but the ramblings do tie together, again at least in my simple mind.

Take care.

Be safe.