Republican Blueprint

Having just returned from a trip, I think I better understand the Republican blueprint for America: Everything will be organized like the airlines. The airlines are giant monopoly corporations. Sure, there's more than one company, but if you're not going to drive, you've got to fly, unless you're poor, and then you take the bus, or you don't go.

And in spite of what the ads tell you, it doesn't make much difference whether you're on AirTran or Delta. The experience is the same, and nobody need compete to make it better. The airlines are the perfect monopoly business model. They are supported by government subsidies, while their only competition, Amtrak, is starved by that same government into irrelevance.

Like all corporations, airlines must pay careful attention to the bottom line. They must contain costs. Unlike other corporations, though, monopoly corporations do not have to worry about customer satisfaction, because the customer has no choice. Gasoline companies, banks, wireless phone service all have this same kind of monopoly. No matter which one you choose, the experience is pretty much the same, dictated by the corporation's need to cut costs, rather than the customer's desire for a good experience.

And, of course, nowdays, the 1 percent fly on private jets, so the airlines are dealing with the rest of us and can treat us like cattle: the Republican blueprint again.

That’s what the Republicans are all about with government, no matter what that does to services like healthcare, education, public safety, etc. The giant corporations control those policies, of course, and a lot of Democrats are in their pockets, too.

So, vote Republican, or, where you have the opportunity, vote for a Democrat who is owned by the corporations, so that you can look forward to a life that feels like  you do on an airplane trip: solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short—but with long layovers.

An Example

Speaking of the Republican blueprint, be sure to attend the Clarke Central PTO forum on the charter school amendment Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in Mell Auditorium at Clarke Central High School. Listen to your fellow citizens discussing the amendment and join in.

Mad As Hell?

Not going to take it anymore? My friend Dennis is, too, and he isn't satisfied just to not vote for 10th District Republican Congressman Paul Broun. Dennis has decided to protest against Broun's right-wing nuttery and opposition, in the name of ideology, to helping people live better through health insurance, education, decent housing, etc.

Dennis has decided that, as a protest, he will write in the name of somebody else other than Broun. Dennis knows full well that his vote is symbolic only and will make no difference to Paul Broun's election. It will just make Dennis feel slightly better, as if he were the kid pointing out to the cheering mob that the emperor has no clothes.

Consequently, Dennis has decided to cast his vote in the 10th District congressional race for Pete McCommunist. He figures such a vote has just enough nuttiness to give the finger to Paul Broun. Dennis invites you to join him if you live in the part of Athens-Clarke County that is in the 10th Congressional District. If you do live in the 10th, Broun will be on your ballot.

Dennis modestly hopes that all those Democrats who voted Republican to turn Rep. Doug McKillip out of office might want to get in on this protest against Broun. You don't even have to ask for a Republican ballot this time. All the candidates are on the same ballot. Wouldn't it be cool if 1,500 people registered their discontent with Broun and all he stands for! Vote your conscience! Vote McCommunist!