10% U.S. Flat Tax Accross the Board!

[painter]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Actually, it was my father, when he wasn't at work. Other times my two younger (but older than me) sisters Wendy and Kristi that raised me.

Mom had serious problems, unfortunately. Although, there were times when she was brilliant, between bouts of depression, when she wasn't on Valium or revved up beyond belief on a religious tyrade.

How's that Hendrix song go?

"....manic depressions a frustratin' mess.........."

Dave

You must forgive me when at times I revert my thinking of women back to the fifties. Of coarse there are exceptions to every rule. I would never paint all with the same brush..ha!
I was referring to the infant stage when mothers were typically in charge of the newborns. Today...it can be and should be shared. Up until the kid is dropped off to DAYCARE on their way to work (again...for some).
Hey...just because a woman gives birth doesn't mean she is a better parent than a father. On the other hand...some of the most motherly women I knew NEVER gave birth. Blessed are the fathers who teach a boy how to be a man

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by bhunter

Sorry Finn, but an intellectual needs a body of work that can be read and analyze. Obama doesn't have that. If you know of any of his academic or other cerebral papers dealing with analysis and new ideas or concepts let me know. I have not been able to find any. I'll admit, he does have the facade of an intellectual albeit not quite as good as Senator Schumer.

Point taken. But his intellectual, pondering aloofness seems to be his downfall. I suppose the last true intellectual I can think of in public service was Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Depending on how one defines intellectual, Bubba (Clinton) may have qualified. His aw-shucks demeanor (and open zipper) hid a pretty bright mind.

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Point taken. But his intellectual, pondering aloofness seems to be his downfall. I suppose the last true intellectual I can think of in public service was Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

I once read a book of his. I was indeed pleasantly surprised. I went and looked for it, but evidently it got lost in a move.

Depending on how one defines intellectual, Bubba (Clinton) may have qualified. His aw-shucks demeanor (and open zipper) hid a pretty bright mind.

I would agree with that regarding Clinton. I'm not sure how sharp he is outside of the social sciences. For me, an intellectual needs to at least have a grounding in basic science along with being well read. I know quite a number of people that qualify, but they usually lack mechanical skill or have the charisma of a rock. I like visionaries that can see beyond the present and have a knack for making that vision happen. Steve Jobs is an example of someone that has this visionary skill, although, his dictatorial style is a problem.

[merrylander]

If nominated I will not run, if elected I will not serve.

[painter]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Hear, hear! +1.

Some of the sharpest candidates go down the tubes simply because they are perceived as "elitist" or "intellectual". The latter really makes me crazy, when people vote against a candidate because he or she seems intelligent.

Dave

Strange isn't it?
Yet...let anyone NEED cancer surgery and we want the most intelligent, skilled surgeon for the job.
There are fifty candidates for "Miss America"...and only two for president with two vice-stand in's.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by painter

You must forgive me when at times I revert my thinking of women back to the fifties. Of coarse there are exceptions to every rule. I would never paint all with the same brush..ha!
I was referring to the infant stage when mothers were typically in charge of the newborns. Today...it can be and should be shared. Up until the kid is dropped off to DAYCARE on their way to work (again...for some).
Hey...just because a woman gives birth doesn't mean she is a better parent than a father. On the other hand...some of the most motherly women I knew NEVER gave birth. Blessed are the fathers who teach a boy how to be a man

My Mom was a woman of the '40s. She had seven kids and one miscarriage between 1945 and 1964. She could be the most wonderful person on earth one minute and a your worst nightmare the next.

Dad was awesome. Not in the sense that he was a lot of fun, actually, he worked us pretty hard, keeping the household "ship-shape" as he put it. But, he was a very smart guy who engaged us in thoughtful conversation. He taught us to think for ourselves. "I hate mindless followers. If everyone else was jumping off a bridge, would you follow?"

But, the most inspiring thing of all came just weeks before he died;

"I promised I would take care of her (Mom) for the rest of her life. I've done that. It's left me old, worn out and tired. Now, it's time for me to go."

Can you imagine?

I love you, Pops.

Dave

[painter]

A person taking stock in middle age is like an artist or composer looking at an unfinished work; but whereas the composer and the painter can erase some of their past efforts, we cannot. We are stuck with what we have lived through. The trick is to finish it with a sense of design and a flourish rather than to patch up the holes or merely to add new patches to it. ~ Harry S. Broudy

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

My Mom was a woman of the '40s. She had seven kids and one miscarriage between 1945 and 1964. She could be the most wonderful person on earth one minute and a your worst nightmare the next.

Dad was awesome. Not in the sense that he was a lot of fun, actually, he worked us pretty hard, keeping the household "ship-shape" as he put it. But, he was a very smart guy who engaged us in thoughtful conversation. He taught us to think for ourselves. "I hate mindless followers. If everyone else was jumping off a bridge, would you follow?"

But, the most inspiring thing of all came just weeks before he died;

"I promised I would take care of her (Mom) for the rest of her life. I've done that. It's left me old, worn out and tired. Now, it's time for me to go."

Can you imagine?

I love you, Pops.

Dave

Honest with himself, honest with everyone else.

I'm impressed.

Chas

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by painter

You must forgive me when at times I revert my thinking of women back to the fifties. Of coarse there are exceptions to every rule. I would never paint all with the same brush..ha!
I was referring to the infant stage when mothers were typically in charge of the newborns. Today...it can be and should be shared. Up until the kid is dropped off to DAYCARE on their way to work (again...for some).
Hey...just because a woman gives birth doesn't mean she is a better parent than a father. On the other hand...some of the most motherly women I knew NEVER gave birth. Blessed are the fathers who teach a boy how to be a man

It would always drive me nuts when my mother-in-law would call when I was in charge of the boys. She would say something like "I guess you're babysitting today." I would always tell her "No, I'm taking care of the boys,'' or 'No, I'm parenting," but I don't think she ever got the hint. We were fortunate enough to work opposite shifts that we seldom needed daycare.

If the boys should ever bless us with grandchildren, we will definitely be babysitting.

Regards,

D-Ray

[merrylander]

I believe that I led a charmed life in my youth, at no time did I ever doubt my parents love, for me, for my siblings and for each other. Dad was a gentle-man, just do not mess with his family, someday I hope to emulate him. Mom was the kindest person you could meet yet also a disciplinarian. Sometime I think they were looking down and guiding my meeting with Florence just to guarantee my happiness in my senior years.

We have so much and I can't help but want the same for others.