Houston, We Have A Problem.

I have many Gen Y friends and acquaintances. I've noticed a very startling fact in a lot of them, not all mind you, but a lot. Fact is they love to have all of the good stuff. They like to roll like the rich and famous, in name brand everything. High end SUVs, hand bags, sunglasses, jeans, and watches. You name it, they have it. They have made it a serious priority, at any cost. They want the house like their parents have right now. They are also bankrupting themselves to do it. Want it now? Charge it. What's scarier to me it what they are teaching their children by example.

Recently we were invited to one of these couple homes for a party for a little 2 year old. The house was, of course, decked out with all the best furnishings and amenities. Seriously, not jealous, but I know that even with our higher than average salaries I wouldn't be buying a house full from Ethan Allen. After seeing the house, the things this 2 year old had already received and the party decor, I felt the need to grab my gift and head out the door.  The child had already received a living room full of over the top gifts. The standard 2 year old gift was truly sub par for this 20 something family. Standard party games were so not going to happen, oh no, we had hired performers! FOR A 2 YEAR OLD! Come to find out there was a hired photographer to document the day. The same one had been used a week earlier to hold a "I'm 2" photo shoot complete with several changes of clothing and hair styles.

I weep for the future. This 2 year old is going to think that they deserve every thing on a silver platter, and you better get it for them right now. Imagine what happen when the teen years hit!

I left with a feeling of utter disgust. Next thing you will hear about is how it's so hard to raise this child with the tantrums and disobedience. Not going to surprise me in the slightest.

The Political Battle

I'm very careful not to go off all half cocked on issues that really have a tendency to be hot buttons for numerous people. I first write out what's triggering my open mouth, slack jaw reaction. After some time, I cool off a bit, go at the subject from a few different angles and then I sleep on it. The next day I can revisit what piece of the world revved my engine a bit to hard, edit my profanity as needed, and readdress the issue. (See years of therapy in play here.)

Today it wasn't just one issue, it was a few. I'm irritated by all the Obama bashing.

"A House divided against itself cannot stand." - Abraham Lincoln

Yes, it's originally a Bible verse, I'm not a religious person, as obvious in my prior rants, but it rings true of our country. We are currently at odds within our own boundaries. We have again turned brother against brother. I've watched, though the never blinking eye of social media, educated people, others less so, lambaste one another over what the others candidate did or did not do, what they wore or did not, what they commented on or what they chose not to comment on.

What people fail to address is that this is one man. One man, who no matter what anyone says, does not hold divine power over everything, either failing or being accomplished, in our country. Our Congress and Senate hold our government in check. If we are to look for the failings of our establishment we need to go to the root of the problem. If this tree is to bear fruit, a few branches will need to be trimmed for the health of the tree.

Look to your Senators and Congress men and women. How are they voting? What are they not voting on? Who are they looking out for? Are they trading their vote away? What is loading down the bills? We all know that they are so many things not even associated with bills that are slipped in under cover. The President alone can not cut funding to the military, cut health care, institute a plan without approval.

The color of his suit, how he saluted, where he was when "X" happened, his color or religion should have no bearing on the man's judgement or his determination. I grant the very few people would actually want to step into his shoes. The weight is heavy indeed. He carries it as best he can with the "tools" (Yes I meant that exactly like you think.) he is giving by us, the voting public.

So enough of the bashing. Agree to disagree. You do not have to hold the same ideal as another to be a friend, granted it makes it easier, but what's the fun in that.


Up next on the Rant - Twenty-somethings and living their lives in the open on social media or "Oh good lord! Did I really need to see that?"