MONDAY, 20 APRIL AD 2009

1835L MDT

Okay. Maybe I'm not the most rivetting guy on the planet. Perhaps not everyone wants to read my point of view.

Hmmm. That's all valid.

Since this is the time for HOPEANDCHANGE, let's get started with the first blog of the year. Normally, I'd put this all in one of the pages of the nebulous web site hrhsmith.com, which will always be around. Let me throw up all this stuff all over you.

First, I don't like HOPEANDCHANGE. In nearby Greeley, the Democrats put up a billboard touting several of their candidates, most of whom are now part of the ruling class. Their sign ended by saying, "Vote for change. Change is good." I'm like Dilbert. If change is so good, you go first. Many of these folks are saying that capitalism is bad. To a large extent, their criticism is valid. Just look at the profits that the oil companies gained when gas prices topped 4 bucks a gallon. What people don't talk about is that government gained just as much of the largess of capitialism as buisness does. What is more heinous is that government usually doesn't earn it. It takes. And takes. And takes. Capitalism may be bad, but all the other systems are so much worse. I almost wanted to shred that crappy copy of Newsweek that said "We're all socialists now." Like that's something to be looking forward with glee? Negative, Ghost Rider. Hey you clods at Newsweek!!! Some of still believe that capitalism is a good thing and will not take this sudden change of economic philosophy lightly.

Second, what does HOPEANDCHANGE mean to my profession, the military? Almost certainly, budgets in the military are gonna get cut. When Democrats rule, the military deals with the old adage "Do more with less." As people I work with point out, you can't do that. You do less with less. And where does those trillions of dollars go?

Finally, I think the USA will weather this storm. It may take months or years, but we will get through it.

Glad to always be an American,

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH