I have several different cars I'm responsible for. My daughters car that's a local trips, running errands only, four door ride for her and her mom.
My truck, which no longer needs off road tires, since taking a blind woman on a camping trip is just a cruel thing to do. But I've given it to my son to drive to the wilds of the Murray High parking lot. Soccer practice, work at Culver's and out with his friends.
The Audi. Which is the main ride for us. Deb and I have put 70K miles on it in six years driving every where from the trip to Minnesota, to many trips to California, Oregon, and I can't even calculate how many times we've been to Las Vegas or various places in Colorado. It gets around.
I haven't had to buy tires for, "The Bitchin' Camaro" yet. I've had it two years now. And only put 8100 miles on it. Its' not a good car for long trips. It's so tightly sprung, I do believe it would shake your teeth out if you drove it to Denver.
And your luggage better be small, or it's going in the back seat. Where we normally put our children.
But when I need to buy tires for this high performance, speed rated, fire breathing beast that runs low profile, "Z" rated, Pirelli's? I'll get them the same place I buy tires for all my other cars.
Costco.
You can order anything from them, that you could get at, Tirerack.com, which is where guys with performance cars buy their stuff. Well, I do my research there, then take my stuff to Costco and get the same tire for $50 a tire cheaper, WITH a flat repair warranty.
Today, I happened to notice that one of my, "High Performance All Season Michelin" tires on the Audi had a nail in it. Well, that's not good. So I drove over to Costco to have that taken care of.
This is where the point of diminishing returns comes into play.
Does anyone remember a tire store chain around here in Utah (and maybe else where, I don't know) called, Grandma's Tires? They had a store on State Street just north of 4800 S. and just south of the old fire station/BMW dealer on the east side of the street. They were bought out by, Big O Tires years ago.
But when we bought our first house in the 1980's, they were a five minute walk from, Meadow View Circle. And they did everything. And if they couldn't do it? There was a mechanic named, Gene, right next door who could.
I was a good customer. When I would show up, the owner would put my car first. I could get a flat repair done in ten minutes. I wasn't rich, I wasn't famous. I was a regular. And they treated you like it.
Now, you save money at Costco, but you're just another Costco customer.
I don't mean to insinuate that Costco treats you badly. They do NOT! But as big as they are? They can't treat you like family, either.
So I guess I have to wonder. Are there any places like, Grandma's Tires anymore? And if there are? Is the extra price worth not having to sit in a warehouse for an hour to get a flat repair?
How much frozen yogurt can you eat when you have other stuff you want to do that day? Just sayin...
Times have changed. I'm old. I like Costco. I don't want to lose the advantages we have now. But sometimes? I miss the personal service. Even if it cost a few bucks more a tire.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Kragthorp's Folly
Kurt Kragthorp makes an interesting, if not compelling argument in this morning's Tribune about why Utah should continue to play BYU in football. But he seems to forget, there is nothing in it for the Utes to continue the series.
The Cougars could even on shaky recruiting ground, put together a team that could beat you, and that doesn't look good for us on a national level.
And besides, we have a full schedule. We will have 9 PAC 12 games every year, one with a Big 10 opponent and that leaves only two open dates, and both will be in September.
For the foreseeable future that looks like a, "Directional" school (Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington, Southern Utah) for a tune up to start the season. And then someone else that we would want to schedule a, "twofer" with. Like, we make one trip to UNLV, or, Colorado State and they play us here, twice.
BYU would never agree to that. Their pride is what lead them to shoot themselves in the head and go independent in the first place.
No one thinks for a second that our Big 10 game is going to be Michigan or Ohio State every year. But every time we play Minnesota or Illinois, or Indiana, we get media attention in the entire Big 10 footprint. And that includes the Eastern Time Zone, where most of the people in this country, and most of the sports writers who have a vote in the polls, live.
So what this does is make beating a Big 10 school, ANY Big 10 school a whole lot more valuable on a national level, than having a hard fought game in Provo, on a Thursday night, that no one outside of Utah even cares about.
And if we lose to them, it doesn't hurt us. After all, they are a Big 10 school. If we lose to BYU? Who did they play this year? Idaho, San Jose State, New Mexico State? Good bye top 10 ranking.
If it comes down to having another in state game? EVERY Ute fan's money is on Utah State. We LIKE those guys. We root for them when they aren't playing us! Their fans are FUN! You can't say that about the Cougars.
Who wants to cross paths with a bunch of self righteous scolds who think they're better than you? Their idea of college tailgating is Jello. The rest of the worlds idea of college tailgating is Jello SHOOTERS!
Their pre-game party is like waiting for the fireworks show to start at the stadium of fire. Ours is more like waiting for a Jimmy Buffett show. We're a world apart.
And lets face it. The, "rivalry" part has gotten ugly in the last ten years. I've seen fights, and threats. Name calling and religious arguments. I'm not calling anyone out, it's come from both sides. But we never tackled a cheerleader, as far as I know. Just sayin...
So it's time to give it a rest. Let things cool off for a while. Oh, and Cougar fans? That trophy from your Deseret First Credit Union? Keep it. Truth is, no one in red ever gave, to quote, Kurt Vonnegut, "a flying fuck at a rolling donut" about that thing.
The Cougars could even on shaky recruiting ground, put together a team that could beat you, and that doesn't look good for us on a national level.
And besides, we have a full schedule. We will have 9 PAC 12 games every year, one with a Big 10 opponent and that leaves only two open dates, and both will be in September.
For the foreseeable future that looks like a, "Directional" school (Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington, Southern Utah) for a tune up to start the season. And then someone else that we would want to schedule a, "twofer" with. Like, we make one trip to UNLV, or, Colorado State and they play us here, twice.
BYU would never agree to that. Their pride is what lead them to shoot themselves in the head and go independent in the first place.
No one thinks for a second that our Big 10 game is going to be Michigan or Ohio State every year. But every time we play Minnesota or Illinois, or Indiana, we get media attention in the entire Big 10 footprint. And that includes the Eastern Time Zone, where most of the people in this country, and most of the sports writers who have a vote in the polls, live.
So what this does is make beating a Big 10 school, ANY Big 10 school a whole lot more valuable on a national level, than having a hard fought game in Provo, on a Thursday night, that no one outside of Utah even cares about.
And if we lose to them, it doesn't hurt us. After all, they are a Big 10 school. If we lose to BYU? Who did they play this year? Idaho, San Jose State, New Mexico State? Good bye top 10 ranking.
If it comes down to having another in state game? EVERY Ute fan's money is on Utah State. We LIKE those guys. We root for them when they aren't playing us! Their fans are FUN! You can't say that about the Cougars.
Who wants to cross paths with a bunch of self righteous scolds who think they're better than you? Their idea of college tailgating is Jello. The rest of the worlds idea of college tailgating is Jello SHOOTERS!
Their pre-game party is like waiting for the fireworks show to start at the stadium of fire. Ours is more like waiting for a Jimmy Buffett show. We're a world apart.
And lets face it. The, "rivalry" part has gotten ugly in the last ten years. I've seen fights, and threats. Name calling and religious arguments. I'm not calling anyone out, it's come from both sides. But we never tackled a cheerleader, as far as I know. Just sayin...
So it's time to give it a rest. Let things cool off for a while. Oh, and Cougar fans? That trophy from your Deseret First Credit Union? Keep it. Truth is, no one in red ever gave, to quote, Kurt Vonnegut, "a flying fuck at a rolling donut" about that thing.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
The OTHER Bucket List
There has been a lot of talk, since the movie came out a few years ago, about what's on your, "Bucket List". The list of stuff you want to accomplish before you kick the bucket. Die.
We all have one. But as you get older, I think your list changes. You start crossing off stuff like, "Have sex with the, Playmate of the year", and, "Shoot a Bear with a handgun", or, "Pitch one game in the Major Leagues". Cause you know that at your advanced age, you might shoot that bear, but your major league prospects are dim, and unless you have a WHOLE lot of money or publish the most popular men's magazine in history, you're not sleeping with anyone who looks like that.
I've kind of started mentally keeping a different kind of bucket list. The stuff getting thrown in that bucket, is the kind of stuff you are disregarding. I mean in a, "God, I'm glad I don't ever have to do THAT again!" Or, "I'm really glad I was never, drunk/stoned/crazy/mentally ill enough to have thought THAT was a good idea!" And now you're just, too, damn, old.
I was thinking about this today when a story came on about, The Burning Man Festival. I guess if I was working on a documentary film crew, and could go back to a motel every night? I might have wanted to see that. But I'm glad I was never crazy enough to think going there was a good idea.
And doing, "No Knock Search Warrants" in meth labs. Or for that matter spending ANY time in meth labs, would be on the list. Did it, survived it, even though it was probably a contributing factor to the recent bladder cancer diagnosis. I'll fight the cancer. I'm just happy no one shot me!
Chaperoning your daughter's 5th grade class on a field trip to the state fair is on that list. I wish I'd counted how many times I told a group of boys, "Don't walk behind the cows! They will kick you. Stay here until the farmer has moved her", right before that kid got kicked out the barn door and onto the asphalt. By the end of that day? I was ready to be kicked in the head by a cow.
Impressing women is on the list. Which is NOT the same as being nice to them. I'm always going to try to be nice to my wife and the other women in my life. I just, no longer feel the need to impress pretty girls.
My wife and I have been married 27 years. I think that die has been cast. We're not always happy with each other, but I'm pretty sure we're going to be with each other for ever. And I'm real sure I won't do any better. I really like the company of my young women friends. My former partner, my friend the comedian cracks me up when I see her shows. My friend, Diane, who my kids grew up calling, "Aunt Di". I love to be around all of them. But trust me, by the time you get to be 50? You are really sure you like them for all the right reasons. And, "pretty" is not on the list of those reasons.
Pretty is a good bonus, but if pretty is all you got? It won't get me to play golf with you, or buy a ticket to your show or take a bullet for you. Pretty is all over the place. Real friends are a lot more valuable to you when your 50 than when you're 25.
Big rock shows are on the list. My first live concert was, Led Zeppelin when I was in the 8th grade. It was at the Salt Palace, and the ticket cost $8.50. I don't like the crowds, I don't like the drunks, and I don't like the smoke. Tobacco and otherwise.
I'll make exceptions for Jimmy Buffett shows, cause that's a whole other type of atmosphere. And I have to admit, that if I got a chance to see, "The Boss" live? I'd put up with all that shit. But just once.
So this is just a partial list. I'm sure I'll be expanding it in the future. And if any of you OTHER old guys out there, have some suggestions? I'll all ears. I mean, the list is endless. I'm sure you've all had a moment when you've said, "Wow. I'm glad I'll never have to do THAT again!" haven't you?
I'd love to hear about it.
We all have one. But as you get older, I think your list changes. You start crossing off stuff like, "Have sex with the, Playmate of the year", and, "Shoot a Bear with a handgun", or, "Pitch one game in the Major Leagues". Cause you know that at your advanced age, you might shoot that bear, but your major league prospects are dim, and unless you have a WHOLE lot of money or publish the most popular men's magazine in history, you're not sleeping with anyone who looks like that.
I've kind of started mentally keeping a different kind of bucket list. The stuff getting thrown in that bucket, is the kind of stuff you are disregarding. I mean in a, "God, I'm glad I don't ever have to do THAT again!" Or, "I'm really glad I was never, drunk/stoned/crazy/mentally ill enough to have thought THAT was a good idea!" And now you're just, too, damn, old.
I was thinking about this today when a story came on about, The Burning Man Festival. I guess if I was working on a documentary film crew, and could go back to a motel every night? I might have wanted to see that. But I'm glad I was never crazy enough to think going there was a good idea.
And doing, "No Knock Search Warrants" in meth labs. Or for that matter spending ANY time in meth labs, would be on the list. Did it, survived it, even though it was probably a contributing factor to the recent bladder cancer diagnosis. I'll fight the cancer. I'm just happy no one shot me!
Chaperoning your daughter's 5th grade class on a field trip to the state fair is on that list. I wish I'd counted how many times I told a group of boys, "Don't walk behind the cows! They will kick you. Stay here until the farmer has moved her", right before that kid got kicked out the barn door and onto the asphalt. By the end of that day? I was ready to be kicked in the head by a cow.
Impressing women is on the list. Which is NOT the same as being nice to them. I'm always going to try to be nice to my wife and the other women in my life. I just, no longer feel the need to impress pretty girls.
My wife and I have been married 27 years. I think that die has been cast. We're not always happy with each other, but I'm pretty sure we're going to be with each other for ever. And I'm real sure I won't do any better. I really like the company of my young women friends. My former partner, my friend the comedian cracks me up when I see her shows. My friend, Diane, who my kids grew up calling, "Aunt Di". I love to be around all of them. But trust me, by the time you get to be 50? You are really sure you like them for all the right reasons. And, "pretty" is not on the list of those reasons.
Pretty is a good bonus, but if pretty is all you got? It won't get me to play golf with you, or buy a ticket to your show or take a bullet for you. Pretty is all over the place. Real friends are a lot more valuable to you when your 50 than when you're 25.
Big rock shows are on the list. My first live concert was, Led Zeppelin when I was in the 8th grade. It was at the Salt Palace, and the ticket cost $8.50. I don't like the crowds, I don't like the drunks, and I don't like the smoke. Tobacco and otherwise.
I'll make exceptions for Jimmy Buffett shows, cause that's a whole other type of atmosphere. And I have to admit, that if I got a chance to see, "The Boss" live? I'd put up with all that shit. But just once.
So this is just a partial list. I'm sure I'll be expanding it in the future. And if any of you OTHER old guys out there, have some suggestions? I'll all ears. I mean, the list is endless. I'm sure you've all had a moment when you've said, "Wow. I'm glad I'll never have to do THAT again!" haven't you?
I'd love to hear about it.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Belize Comes To Murray
He was here from about three O'clock, to six O'clock, played all the favorites and everyone had a great time.
I hope he sold a lot of CD's. I know there was a lot of rum consumed by the crowd.
We had perfect weather. And a lot of good friends to spend the evening with.
Go to You Tube and look him up. There are some amature videos of him doing some of his songs. I really with someone would let, Kenny Chesney hear, "Boat in Belize". Kelly could get rich.
It was good to see some old friends, and my old partner, "Father Paul" Truelson and his wife. Father Paul and I took a TON of bandits (and a shit load of dope) off the streets years ago.
 |
| Searching for shade! It got hot out there! |
Good to see Patti and John again. I miss them!
My friends, Ed and Sharon were here. Always good to see them.
Now that we've done this twice, most folks knew the words, and when to sing along. Kelly liked that. I think he's starting to feel at home here in the desert.
And with any luck, we'll get him back here next year.
And despite MY reputation? Kelly is really family friendly. So if he comes next year? Bring the kids.
And with any luck, we'll get him back here next year.
And despite MY reputation? Kelly is really family friendly. So if he comes next year? Bring the kids.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
New Right Wing Talking Points
"Lame stream media". It means any media outlet who reports the truth, and not the Right Wing party line.
"Ask about the $150K the Obama administration offered, Reverend Wright to shut up." Totally bullshit story, started by Glenn Beck. It has no basis in fact. As, Bill Maher says about Mormonism, "A religion so crazy, Tom Cruise WOULDN'T join it, but, Glenn Beck DID!"
"Drink the Kool Aid". This one is really a stretch. The phrase goes back to the Jonestown Cult (who, by the way, were religious nuts. Like Republicans) who all took poison in Kool Aid, because their leader told them to. But it wasn't, Kool Aid. It was, Flavor Aid. They were too cheap to buy the higher quality, Kool Aid.
And it implies that since we believe what Liberals know to be truth, and we believe in science and reality, instead of bullshit and religion? We have drunk the Kool Aid of our, "cult".
Well, if your supporting a guy for President, who's a Mormon? And you think I'M a member of a cult? I have my doubts about you being Kool Aid free. But I'm pretty much OK with my not having had THAT drink.
Trying to debate politics with Republicans these days is like arguing with a four year old. The only answer you get is not a reasoned, fact based argument. It's just, "IknowyouarebutwhatamI!" Or, a long list of the talking points, and bullshit outlined above.
Ronald Regan was the devil. He was awful for American politics. But credit where it's due. He sure taught the dumb how to stick to the talking points, and win elections. Because he made sure that having an education, and actually knowing what's going on around you, didn't matter!
You just stay on message, even if the message is AGAINST you!
As Forrest Gump says, "Stupid is, as stupid does". And stupid votes for Republicans, even when you're poor and don't have health insurance for you or your kids, and you're out of work, and you're convinced Unions are ruining the country and you only finished high school. Who do you think gave you a weekend, dumb ass?
You're stupid if you vote for Republicans and you hate a national health care plan. Who's going to pay for your health care when you retire from you shitty job, and your employer no longer has to?
You're stupid if you think the Democrats are FOR abortion. No one is FOR abortion. But we want women to make their own choices. We want them to do it, instead of Orrin Hatch. Is that so wrong?
You're stupid if you think the Democrats are coming for your guns. Based on what? Mitt (I torture my dog) Romney told the NRA convention last month, that, "Obama is coming for your guns."
Oh yeah? The only two gun laws Obama has signed allow you to take a gun on an Amtrak Train, and into a National Park. Yep, he's out to get your gun.
I'm a left wing, Liberal, Democrat who's traveled to places you Republicans fear. Like France, and England, and Canada because they have, "Socialized Medicine". You know what? Everything Faux News tells you about how the folks their hate their socialized medicine is bullshit! They LOVE it!
And it's a lot cheaper than medical care here!
You right wingers believe bullshit, even when it's in your own self interest to disregard it. Cause you're stupid.
Stupid is the new, right wing talking point.
If it's supported by science, or reason, or someone who won a Pulitzer Prize, or Nobel Peace Prize, it has to be wrong!
Dumb. Republicans are dumb. They willfully deny science. And that's stupid.
Even Forrest Gump had COMMON sense. Today's Republicans? Not so much.
"Ask about the $150K the Obama administration offered, Reverend Wright to shut up." Totally bullshit story, started by Glenn Beck. It has no basis in fact. As, Bill Maher says about Mormonism, "A religion so crazy, Tom Cruise WOULDN'T join it, but, Glenn Beck DID!"
"Drink the Kool Aid". This one is really a stretch. The phrase goes back to the Jonestown Cult (who, by the way, were religious nuts. Like Republicans) who all took poison in Kool Aid, because their leader told them to. But it wasn't, Kool Aid. It was, Flavor Aid. They were too cheap to buy the higher quality, Kool Aid.
And it implies that since we believe what Liberals know to be truth, and we believe in science and reality, instead of bullshit and religion? We have drunk the Kool Aid of our, "cult".
Well, if your supporting a guy for President, who's a Mormon? And you think I'M a member of a cult? I have my doubts about you being Kool Aid free. But I'm pretty much OK with my not having had THAT drink.
Trying to debate politics with Republicans these days is like arguing with a four year old. The only answer you get is not a reasoned, fact based argument. It's just, "IknowyouarebutwhatamI!" Or, a long list of the talking points, and bullshit outlined above.
Ronald Regan was the devil. He was awful for American politics. But credit where it's due. He sure taught the dumb how to stick to the talking points, and win elections. Because he made sure that having an education, and actually knowing what's going on around you, didn't matter!
You just stay on message, even if the message is AGAINST you!
As Forrest Gump says, "Stupid is, as stupid does". And stupid votes for Republicans, even when you're poor and don't have health insurance for you or your kids, and you're out of work, and you're convinced Unions are ruining the country and you only finished high school. Who do you think gave you a weekend, dumb ass?
You're stupid if you vote for Republicans and you hate a national health care plan. Who's going to pay for your health care when you retire from you shitty job, and your employer no longer has to?
You're stupid if you think the Democrats are FOR abortion. No one is FOR abortion. But we want women to make their own choices. We want them to do it, instead of Orrin Hatch. Is that so wrong?
You're stupid if you think the Democrats are coming for your guns. Based on what? Mitt (I torture my dog) Romney told the NRA convention last month, that, "Obama is coming for your guns."
Oh yeah? The only two gun laws Obama has signed allow you to take a gun on an Amtrak Train, and into a National Park. Yep, he's out to get your gun.
I'm a left wing, Liberal, Democrat who's traveled to places you Republicans fear. Like France, and England, and Canada because they have, "Socialized Medicine". You know what? Everything Faux News tells you about how the folks their hate their socialized medicine is bullshit! They LOVE it!
And it's a lot cheaper than medical care here!
You right wingers believe bullshit, even when it's in your own self interest to disregard it. Cause you're stupid.
Stupid is the new, right wing talking point.
If it's supported by science, or reason, or someone who won a Pulitzer Prize, or Nobel Peace Prize, it has to be wrong!
Dumb. Republicans are dumb. They willfully deny science. And that's stupid.
Even Forrest Gump had COMMON sense. Today's Republicans? Not so much.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Gubment Hatin'
The Government in this country built the Erie Canal. It opened the Midwest Territory to settlement.
The Government in this country built the Panama Canal, which allowed the west coast of this country to be settled, taken over from Mexico and Russia, and eventually led to Alaska and Hawaii becoming states.
The Government in this country established the Public Works Administration (my mom, who grew up in the Great Depression still says PWA, stood for, "Papa Works, Again") that put America back to work, when there were no, "Job Creators", "trickling down" jobs. But there were still plenty of rich folks. Like NOW!
The Government in this country established Social Security to take care of our old people. Medicare to do the same, and Medicaid to keep the poor and disabled from dying unnecessarily.
The Government in this country established the Tennessee Valley Authority and other rural electrification projects to bring electricity to rural America, because private industry would not. All you SEC football fans in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and the Carolina's? You better thank the Federal Government for that. Because without them? You'd still be reading about college football in a week old newspaper by coal oil lamp. If you could read. And wondering what the hell college football was. And what was a, "college"?
The Government in this country established the interstate highways. So you folks in Montana know what a banana looks like. Even if you choose to live on Elk meat and methamphetamine? You have other options.
The Government in this country gave women the right to vote, minorities the right to vote, abolished poll taxes and ended discrimination in schools and everywhere else. If we left THAT up to the states? There would be no Black people in Utah, and sure as hell no, Utah Jazz.
The Government in this country makes sure you don't, on too many occasions, eat spoiled vegetables, rotten meat, bad drugs or stuff that's called meat and really isn't.
The Government in this country makes sure your airliner isn't landing on a runway at the same time as ANOTHER airliner.
The Government in this country made the rivers quit burning. Is still trying to clean the air, except in Utah (that's a LOCAL problem) and makes sure your credit card, debit card, health insurance, and MARRIAGE is recognized in EVERY state. No matter where you got married, in a church or a court house, or WHO married you, a Judge or Minister.
The Government in this country makes sure that every time you pick up the phone to ask for help, someone takes the call. There are no, Privatized Police and Fire Departments in this country. Yet.
The Government in this country is the reason you don't have to set your watch back one minute every time you drive nine miles east like train conductors had to in the 1800's, to have the correct time.
The Government in this country is the reason your milk you give you kids is pasteurized and safe. But the beer you buy for yourself doesn't have to be. As long as you know about it up front.
The Government in this country is the reason you can practice any religion you like, any where you like, no matter how crazy, or weird, even in public. BUT you can't shove it down my throat and MAKE me behave like you want me too by passing laws based on YOUR religion!
And for all of the above? I am VERY grateful.
So if you hate government intervention in your life? Maybe you need to move to another country. And leave us true, patriots, the Liberals, in charge of OUR country.
The Government in this country built the Panama Canal, which allowed the west coast of this country to be settled, taken over from Mexico and Russia, and eventually led to Alaska and Hawaii becoming states.
The Government in this country established the Public Works Administration (my mom, who grew up in the Great Depression still says PWA, stood for, "Papa Works, Again") that put America back to work, when there were no, "Job Creators", "trickling down" jobs. But there were still plenty of rich folks. Like NOW!
The Government in this country established Social Security to take care of our old people. Medicare to do the same, and Medicaid to keep the poor and disabled from dying unnecessarily.
The Government in this country established the Tennessee Valley Authority and other rural electrification projects to bring electricity to rural America, because private industry would not. All you SEC football fans in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and the Carolina's? You better thank the Federal Government for that. Because without them? You'd still be reading about college football in a week old newspaper by coal oil lamp. If you could read. And wondering what the hell college football was. And what was a, "college"?
The Government in this country established the interstate highways. So you folks in Montana know what a banana looks like. Even if you choose to live on Elk meat and methamphetamine? You have other options.
The Government in this country gave women the right to vote, minorities the right to vote, abolished poll taxes and ended discrimination in schools and everywhere else. If we left THAT up to the states? There would be no Black people in Utah, and sure as hell no, Utah Jazz.
The Government in this country makes sure you don't, on too many occasions, eat spoiled vegetables, rotten meat, bad drugs or stuff that's called meat and really isn't.
The Government in this country makes sure your airliner isn't landing on a runway at the same time as ANOTHER airliner.
The Government in this country made the rivers quit burning. Is still trying to clean the air, except in Utah (that's a LOCAL problem) and makes sure your credit card, debit card, health insurance, and MARRIAGE is recognized in EVERY state. No matter where you got married, in a church or a court house, or WHO married you, a Judge or Minister.
The Government in this country makes sure that every time you pick up the phone to ask for help, someone takes the call. There are no, Privatized Police and Fire Departments in this country. Yet.
The Government in this country is the reason you don't have to set your watch back one minute every time you drive nine miles east like train conductors had to in the 1800's, to have the correct time.
The Government in this country is the reason your milk you give you kids is pasteurized and safe. But the beer you buy for yourself doesn't have to be. As long as you know about it up front.
The Government in this country is the reason you can practice any religion you like, any where you like, no matter how crazy, or weird, even in public. BUT you can't shove it down my throat and MAKE me behave like you want me too by passing laws based on YOUR religion!
And for all of the above? I am VERY grateful.
So if you hate government intervention in your life? Maybe you need to move to another country. And leave us true, patriots, the Liberals, in charge of OUR country.
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