Transition

These days we're all undergoing some sort of transition. It might be political or economic or both.

Political

As we are constantly reminded, the Federal government is (thankfully) transitioning from the ineptitude of George W. Bush & Co. to at least a hopeful alternative. Barack Obama has appeared very presidential and conciliatory--witness his meetings with John McCain and Hillary Clinton, both of whom called him some nasty names, but that's politics. There are so many lies spoken during a campaign that it's a wonder everyone's pants aren't on fire. Hillary might even be Secretary of State with the big question being--will Bill disclose enough of his finances to ensure that she's on the road (way out of town) most of the time? Speaking of hypocritical liars, the President- elect even magnanimously forgave Joe (the traitor) Lieberman. Certainly this wasn't pandering for the Jewish vote, which ignored Joe anyway. Although we're still 2 months from inauguration, some Republicans are already positioning themselves for 2012, such as Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and yes, Sarah Palin, whose much ballyhooed $40 billion gas pipeline is on indefinite delay. Her pants would be on fire if they hadn't been returned to the GOP National Committee.

Economic

With only a few exceptions (e.g., overpaid professional athletes) the current economic crisis is affecting, more or less, just about everyone. Even reasonably affluent people who no longer have college tuition, etc. to worry about are tightening their belts due to the shrinkage in investments and thus are effectively transitioning their lifestyles--downward. Worse, job prospects for many are non-existent. Most upsetting to TNB is the likelihood that many students in a country already behind some others in educating future scientists and the like will have their college plans seriously curtailed. A possible cause of high college tuitions (which regularly have risen far more rapidly than the cost of living) is the astronomical amount, upwards of $1 million in some cases, paid to certain college presidents. Of course, they don't get stock options (remember them?) like much maligned corporate CEO's but to suggest that maybe they're not worth their inflated compensation is almost as heretical as saying that football coaches aren't worth their pay either.

Perhaps the biggest transition has been for people to seek another form of daily entertainment outside of election and campaign coverage, which we've been watching now for almost 2 years. TNB's advice, which he is having trouble following is--get a life!

Scattered Thoughts

TNB is finding it difficult to completely drop politics from his thought process He does usually focus and everything written here isn't just a scattered thought, although it may seem that way. For instance:

• It's not to soon to start planning for the 2016 elections. The nominating conventions will begin soon after President Obama opens the Chicago Olympics. Joe Biden will be nearing 72 and that age has not been attractive to the electorate as we've just seen. Plus, his hair plugs and gleaming teeth could be falling out. There might be a opportunity for someone special to lead Republicans out of the wilderness and since African-Americans have broken the presidential barrier, why not a female Governor of a remote state outside the Continental US? No, not her but rather Gov. Linda Lingle of Hawaii , who would also be the first Jewish president (you were expecting Rahm Emanuel?). She's reputed to be a close friend of the future hostess of the reality show Shotgun Weddin' so her slogan could be "I'm just pallin' around with Sarah".
• Now that thankfully there are no longer any political commercials, the programs appealing to seniors (e.g. the news) are once again full of pitches for new drugs. It's hard to believe that anyone would even ask their doctor to prescribe these frightening potions with their vast array of side effects (even including, honestly, possibly causing cancer!). Viewers might be misled, of course, by the healthy glow of the "patients" portrayed in these ads, who supposedly suffer from all sorts of debilitating or embarrassing conditions such as osteoporosis, incontinence, flatulence, hemorrhoids and baldness in addition to several unmentionable ones (at least by TNB). Why is such "direct to patient" advertising allowed if the required disclaimers are so counterproductive?
• Although it was apparent that most TV comedians and other humorists wanted Barack Obama to win, many are now having second thoughts. The new administration doesn't look like it will present as many opportunities for humor. Really, George W. Bush should receive royalties for 8 years of providing a perfect target to lampoon. And while Joe Biden might come down with an advanced case of "hoof in mouth" disease, he certainly is no Dick Cheney. And of course, who can ever replace Sarah Palin whose every utterance was turned into a comical interlude? When we didn't have an election going on (was there ever such a time?) what did Jon Stewart, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, David Letterman et al talk about? Vladimir Putin, Osama Bin Laden, Hugo Chavez and Pope Benedict don't exactly provide a barrel of laughs. Nor does the economy, the new television season or the Cubs.

The Real Losers

President-Elect Barack Obama (takes some getting used to, doesn't it?) and the Democratic Party deserve congratulations and admiration for their stunning victory. But it is still necessary to reflect, perhaps one last time, on the real losers in this campaign.

John McCain His performance on SNL and his gracious concession speech served as a reminder of the McCain so many Americans respected (justifiably) until he got caught up in some problems of his own making (see below) and some that were not (see below). TNB would not be surprised if sooner or later the old McCain surfaced again and made positive contributions to helping solve our national dilemmas.

Sarah Palin With lightning speed even in this high tech Internet, YouTube age, the previously obscure Alaska governor burst on the scene, effectively polarizing the populace and becoming for many an object of ridicule. It's incredible that some are seriously mentioning her as a future national GOP leader (although she could appoint herself Senator once Ted Stevens, amazingly re-elected by Alaskans, is thrown out of the Senate due to his felony conviction). TNB believes that her persona can be best used as hostess of a FoxNews show entitled "You Betcha". Don't laugh-- there are stranger personalities hosting live TV shows.

Politics of Fear Despite unbelievable smear campaigns aimed at portraying Obama as a Muslim terrorist, etc. the negativity (almost the entire McCain strategy) was not bought into by the majority of the American public. A little noticed low point occurred on Election Day afternoon(!) when the McCain/Palin campaign produced robocalls to South Florida's Cuban-American community falsely (natch!) claiming that Fidel Castro had just endorsed Obama. Ever wonder what all these liars, charlatans and con artists do between elections?

Myths The Bradley effect (lying to pollsters about voting for minority candidates) is apparently behind us. So is the notion that retired Jews in Florida can't be trusted to vote Democratic. Well, maybe they can't--witness the "success" of The Great Schlep where thousands (OK, dozens) of young Jews paid a special visit to Boca to persuade thair grandparents that Obama was not threatening and wouldn't turn over Israel to the Iranians.

Joe Although Joe Biden, despite his gaffes, proved to be a credible VP candidate, three other Joes are on the ash heap. Of course, there's Joe Lieberman, who thought a McCain victory would elevate him to the Supreme Court (right--he's pro-choice!) but now faces wrath and isolation in the Senate--say it ain't so, Joe! Then there's the 15 minutes of fame wonder Joe the Plumber whose over $250,000 net income (once he gets a plumber's license) will be subject to higher taxes! Finally Joe Sixpack, who is no doubt drowning his sorrows by drinking at least a dozen bottles. Hopefully he won't then drive his pickup truck.

W. George W. Bush is really the biggest loser. Snubbed at his own party's convention (thanks Hurricane Gustav) and avoided by GOP candidates like he had leprosy, the President's failed administration became an albatross that Republicans could not overcome. Although determined not to repeat his father's mistakes (see the surprisingly sympathetic Oliver Stone movie of the same initial), Bush 43 like Bush 41 squandered high approval ratings that resulted from goodwill over crises (first Gulf War, 9/11) that the public perceived were well managed.

Time now to take a breath and concentrate on Thanksgiving, football and whether there will be a Christmas shopping season this year.