If The Economy Is So Great Why Did I Just Get Laid-Off ?

This could be very bad. I got laid-off Friday and already I've blogged more in the last three days than I have i six months. Yesterday I even ventured so far as to write my first diary on DailyKos; it wasn't much to look at so I won't link it here.

The Mrs. asked me if she could leave a list of things to do while I am off work. I grunted but listened. Now to check that list:
Screens out storm windows in......check
Dinner ready on time.....................check
Christmas tree trimmed................check
Unemployment claim filed.............check

The Mrs. hasn't mentioned anything for tomorrow, so I'm guessing I'm free to play all day. I already have dinner planned, spaghetti and mariana with Italian sausage, garlic bread and a small salad. I'm reminded what my wife's former co-worker once said when asked if her husband works............ her response: " what good is a husband who doesn't work? "

I see Chabot has been busy

From the Enquirer I see Steve Chabot has been to Afganistan and has his eye on everything except the Ohio first congressional district. There are a couple of intresting points I find in the article.

The first concerns nation building:

Chabot, who returned from his Afghanistan trip Monday, said the U.S. also must help Afghanistan build its economy, stop the drug trade and build roads and bridges.
"This is a very poor country. We have a lot to do beyond just training security forces,'' Chabot said.

How about a little Cincinnati building first Steve; I think the Brent Spence bridge could use a little attention. And as far as the drug trade goes, we could use some help on that problem right here in Hamilton County. No need to travel around the world to find problems to solve Mr Chabot.

Another curiousity that caught my attention:

Back home, Chabot said he is working on getting a bill through Congress to help Southern black farmers get retribution because of years of discrimination.

...Uh......can you please repeat that one? What about a little help on all the freaking good paying jobs we're loosing right here in good old Cincinnati Steve? Us blue collar guys need to feed our kids and send them to good private schools. I don't have anything against repairing the damage done for past mistakes. If southern black farmers were promised fourty acres and a mule by all means deliver on that promise. But do us a favor and work on stop the bleeding right here in our own district.

Newsflash to Chabot: The Ohio first district is in Ohio. You can find it on a map of the state, it's in the lower left hand corner.

LETTER FROM HACKETT


Paul Hackett is due to formally announce his candiacy for US Senate. He has a website up and running where you can contribute to his campaign or even sign up to volunteer. I was hoping to put off the ground game for a few more months but it looks like a primary is in order. I'm going shopping today for a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
Here is his letter:

I'm running for Senate to bring new direction and leadership to Washington.
I'm fed up with what's happening to my country. I'm ready to reset America's priorities. Just like you, I watched the same mistakes made an ocean away in Iraq repeated here at home in the wake of hurricane Katrina. This is a crucial time for America. The issues we now face and how they're resolved will have a lasting impact on us, and our children.
I grew up right here in Ohio, steeped in our American values. Now I'm raising a family here. I understand what's at stake for my neighbors and people all across America. I won't sit on the sidelines and watch politics as usual take us in the wrong direction.
I recently returned from Iraq as a Major in the US Marines Corps. I had been honorably discharged from the Corps in 1999, but I couldn't just sit by and watch what was happening over there when I knew I could help. So I volunteered to go. After I had been in Iraq for two months I volunteered again - this time to go to Fallujah. Religious fanatics and insurgents had seized the city. They had to be stopped. A civil government had to be restored.
My wife and three kids didn't want me to go to Iraq. But they understood my commitment to service and they knew that I had to do everything I could to support my brothers and sisters in arms. It was my responsibility to serve.
Now I'm ready to serve Ohio, this country, and you in the United States Senate. I'm ready to take your fight to Washington. I'm ready to take a stand on the issues that matter most to us, like keeping American jobs at home, protecting our Social Security benefits, making good healthcare accessible to everyone, and bringing the war in Iraq to a swift and secure resolution.
Let's not squander the exceptional opportunity we now have before us. Let's stop arguing about who's red and who's blue. Let's do all we can do for a stronger red, white, and blue.
Support my candidacy for U.S. Senate. Join me in fighting for a brighter future for all Americans. Together we can put things right. All we need is the will to do it.
Sincerely,

Paul Hackett