The Man In The Arena

Bill

"As a boy, my family legacy, as fascinating as it was to me, often felt like an imposition, I knew from a very early age that I was destined for Annapolis and a career in the Navy. In reaction, I often rebelled in small and petty ways to what I perceived as an encroachment on my free will.

I concede that I remember with affection the unruly passions of youth, and how they governed my immature sense of honor and self-respect. As I grew older, and the challenges to my self-respect grew more varied and serious, I was surprised to discover that while my sense of honor had matured, its defense mattered even more to me than it did when it was such a vulnerable thing that any empty challenge threatened it."

"Like most people, when I reflect on the adventures and joys of youth, I feel a longing for what is lost and cannot be restored. But though the happy pursuits of the young prove ephemeral, something better can endure, and endure until our last moment of life. And that is the honor we earn and the love we give when we work and sacrifice with others for a cause greater than our self-interest. For me that cause has long been our country. I am a lucky, lucky man to have found it, and am forever grateful to those who showed me the way. What they gave me was much more valuable and lasting than the tribute I once paid to vanity.

I am the son and grandson of admirals, My grandfather was an aviator; my father a submariner. They were my first heroes, and their respect for me has been one of the most lasting ambitions of my life. They gave their lives to their country, and taught me lessons about honor, courage, duty, perseverance and leadership that I didn't fully grasp until later in life, but remembered when I needed them most. I have been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I am their son, and they showed me how to love my country, and that has made all the difference for me, my friends, all the difference in the world.''

-John McCain-Meridian Mississippi March 31, 2008

As an adult, there was not a man in public life whom I admired more.

Eli

Everything before the word "but" is horse shit.

Eli,

The Washington Post reports on Elizabeth Warren:

The Massachusetts Democrat unveiled a proposal Wednesday aimed at fundamentally recalibrating the mission of the biggest corporations, pushing them away from maximizing immediate returns for shareholders and executives and toward investing in longer-term value and sharing gains with workers.

In an interview with CNBC's John Harwood she states:

“I am a capitalist,” she told Harwood. “I love what markets can do, I love what functioning economies can do. They are what make us rich, they are what create opportunity. But only fair markets, markets with rules.”

There's a line in "Game of Thrones," from Jon Snow:

Sansa Stark: They respect you, they really do, but you have to... Why are you laughing?

Jon Snow: What did father use to say? Everything before the word "but" is horse shit.

Bill

State of CT

Eli,

Can CT go Republican? Until Trump I thought it was a certainty. Not so sure now since we in CT like to sneer at New Yorkers, particularly those from Queens.

In 2009-10 the Dems had a 114-37 advantage in the State House and an 24-12 advantage in the Senate.
By 2017-18 the lead had dropped to 80-71 in the House and tied in the Senate 18-18.
Of course, the entire Congressional delegation is Democratic, which has to be the result of gerrymandering; there couldn't possibly be another explanation.

Malloy is one of the most hated governors in the US, the CT economy seems stuck in neutral, and the pension liability is a killer. [Speaking of that, isn't the first rule of holes, 1) When you are stuck in a hole, stop digging.? So why would the state continue to use pensions? I have a 401K. Why not switch all new workers to 401K's and migrate current workers to 401Ks?] Can all of that overcome our Yankee distaste for the boorishness of Mr. Trump? It would be very interesting to see CT turn Red at the state level, at least in the Governor's office and Senate.

I'm not registered with either party, so I won't be able to join the primary fun. I'm amused by the Dem's choice for Governor: The rich guy who is the descendant of one of the principals of JP Morgan or the guy who's the criminal. Frankly I'm confused who is running on the Republican side. I'm not a fan of business people running for office thinking they are going to apply their magical business skills to government. My impression, working with businessmen for many years, is they are not as smart as they think. And government is much different than business.

Bill

My Primary Ballot

Bill,


The missus and I are headed to the Canadian Rockies for our annual August walk up-and-down the mountain. I'm hoping they let us in without having to apply for refugee status, and that they don't deport us at least until vacation is over. We'll be away during the August primary, and so, faithful voters that we are, have our absentee ballots in hand. Here are this Democrat's choices to meet their
Republican opponents in the general election.


Governor-Ned Lamont. An easy choice. Don't know what I'll do if Joe Ganim gets the nod. I've voted for a lot of Republican governors, but if the choice ends up between a crook and a Trumpist I might have to sit that one out.


Lieutenant Governor-Eva Zimmerman-this choice will have you rolling your eyes I am sure. Her politics are undoubtedly to the left of mine. Like my grandfather, she is a labor organizer, so there is a tug of the heartstrings. She is well spoken and seems reasonably bright. Her opponent, Susan Bysiewicz is a hack in the classic mold. The deal she made with Lamont to withdraw from the governor's race in exchange for his support is classic backroom stuff (and certainly no credit to Lamont).  Besides, how much damage can a lieutenant governor do? I know you'll remind me of that statement if she ever ascends to the top office.


For Congress in the Fighting Fifth-Mary Glassman. Here I get to do what I am well known and justifiably criticized for, which is to take the opposite side of the argument I just made for Eva Zimmerman. Glassman is a run-of-the-mill candidate, with middle-of-the-road (or what passes for middle-of-the-road nowadays) Democratic positions, and seems reasonably capable. Jahana Hayes? Where do I begin? A loudmouthed, deeply stupid candidate who has no idea how governing works and will accomplish nothing except to make the House more polarized. She and those like her represent the Democratic equivalent of the Tea Party wing on the other side, with all its attendant ills. What's worse, a Hayes candidacy will make this race much more competitive against whatever Trump fanatic ends up on the other side.


For Attorney General-William Kim. The son of immigrants. A University of Chicago Law grad. Best equipped to carry on the fight.




 Eli