Category: Politics

Love Trumps Hate

Just saying’…

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The 2016 Stevenology Voter Guide Makes Voting Easy!

voteleftAre you wondering how to vote in this election? Well, wonder no more. Here at stevenology we make it easy. No need to think for yourself, we’ll do that for you! It’s simple, just vote like this:

President – Hillary Clinton

US Senate – Kamala Harris

US Rep, District 6 – Doris Matsui

US Rep, District 7 – Ami Bera

State Assembly, District 7 – Kevin McCarty

Prop 55 – Tax Extension For Education and Healthcare – VOTE YES

Prop 56 – Cigarette Tax – VOTE YES

Prop 59 – Corporations and Political Spending – VOTE YES

Prop 61 – Drug Prices – VOTE YES

Prop 62 – Death Penalty Repeal – VOTE YES

Prop 63 – Firearms Control – VOTE YES

Prop 64 – Marijuana Legalization – VOTE YES

Prop 65 – Carry Out Bags – VOTE NO

Prop 66 – Death Penalty Procedures – VOTE NO

Prop 67 – Plastic Bag Ban – VOTE YES

I left some items off, vote however you want on those 😉

Now see, wasn’t that easy? Feel free to argue with me or (better yet) praise my wisdom by leaving a comment below!

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The 2012 Stevenology Voter Guide Makes Voting Easy!

Are you wondering how to vote in this election? Well, wonder no more. Here at stevenology we make it easy. No need to think for yourself, we’ll do that for you! It’s simple, just vote like this:

President – Barack Obama

US Senator – Dianne Feinstein

US Representative – Doris Matsui

US Representative – Ami Bera

State Assembly – Roger Dickinson

State Assembly – Ken Cooley

Proposition 30 – YES – Temporary Taxes for Education


The Stevenology Voter Guide Is All You Need

Wondering how to vote? Well, wonder no more. Here at stevenology we make it easy for you. No need to think for yourself, we’ll do that for you! It’s simple, just vote like this:

Governor – Jerry Brown

Lt. Governor – Gavin Newsom

Secretary of State – Debra Bowen

Controller – John Chiang

Treasurer – Bill Lockyer

Attorney General – Kamala Harris

Insurance Commissioner – Dave Jones

US Senator – Barbara Boxer

Congress District 6 – Doris Matsui

State Senate District 6 – Darrell Steinberg

State Assembly District 5 – Richard Pan

State Superintendent of Public Education – Tom Torlakson

Sheriff – Jim Cooper

Prop 19 (Marijuana) – Yes

Prop 20 (Redistricting) – No

Prop 21 (State Parks) – Yes

Prop 23 (Suspend Implementation of Pollution Law) – No

Prop 25 (Majority budget) – Yes

Prop 26 (2/3 for Fees) – No

Prop 27 (Redistricting) – Yes

Now see, wasn’t that easy? Feel free to argue with me or (better yet) praise my wisdom by leaving a comment below!

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Wanda’s Wisdom Explains A Few Things

If you like George W. Bush, if you are politically conservative, or if you are easily offended stop reading now. Really, I mean it. If you are progressive, if you like our current president, and if you have a good sense of humor keep reading now. If you don’t fit in one of those categories, only read every other word. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Below is a quote from comedian Wanda Sykes from her new talk show. I found it really funny but sad too.

“I went to sleep, and when I woke up people were mad at Obama. And I thought, ‘Did I miss something? Did Obama start an illegal war? Did he fly over a flood zone and just wave? Did he torture detainees in a secret prison? Did he start illegally tapping phones? Did he alienate the world and squander a surplus?  Because if he did any of that, we need to impeach that jackass.’ …

I can’t believe people are blaming Obama for the mess Bush left. I mean, Bush just pees all over everything and leaves it soaking wet, and people are looking at Obama like he just zipped up HIS fly. That’s Bush pee!”

Haha! You go girl!!

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Leave me a comment below. Hurry, before your shoes get all wet!


Capitalism: A Love Story

capitalismLast night Petra had a meeting to go to, so I contacted a few friends. Karl (friends) and I went to see a movie. Well, first we had some mexican food. Then we went to see Michael Moore‘s new film “Capitalism: A Love Story” (official site).

Long-time stevenology readers will know that I love his films. He makes documentaries but they are entertaining, funny, insightful, and well-done. His last film “Sicko” took on the health care issue, his film before that Farenheit 911 took on the Bush administration and their misleading propaganda lies that got us into the unwinable and disasterous Iraq war invasion. And even before that was his study of guns and violence in America, Bowling For Columbine. Great stuff.


Equality Loses Battle, War Continues

equality1Earlier this week the struggle for marriage equality lost a battle. Another battle. Proposition 8 was allowed to stand as law. You may remember that about 52% of the voters voted to write discrimination into the state constitution and take away the right for same-sex couples to marry. Now, keep in mind that about 18,000 people did marry before that, and the world did not come to an end. Amazing! In fact, their actions did not harm anyone at all! These are people that love each other and want to commit to each other. In this time of divorce and adultery everywhere, we should encourage commitment, not outlaw it. But a well-financed bare majority took away that right for millions of Californians. What’s next? Maybe blacks shouldn’t be able to marry whites? There was a time when a majority of people felt that way. See, majority rule is fine most of the time, but when it tramples and takes away the rights of a minority group, then that is a different story.

equality21My wife and I have same-sex friends who married during the “equality period” when it was legal. They love each other deeply. And their marriage is not hurting you in any manner. Bottom line: if you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, then don’t have one! Fine! But you shouldn’t tell me, my friends, and millions of other people who we can and can’t marry. That is wrong, just as inter-racial marriage laws were wrong. And it will be changed eventually. More states are allowing same-sex marriage and, as more people realize that it is no threat, even more states will do the same. Every poll shows that younger people overwhelmingly support equality in marriage rights, so it is just a matter of time before this becomes the dominant view.

One day we will look back and say “how could we have discriminated like this”? Will that be a year from now? A few years? Maybe five, ten, fifteen? I don’t know. But the polling evidence shows a huge trend toward tolerance and acceptance of this right. The voters of the future support it and thank goodness for their open-mindedness and sense of fairness. Once again, the only real threat posed by gay marriage is the gay-bashing and hatred of some of the Prop 8 supporters who think gays are a plague and should be wiped out. Sane people know this is not true, and that people are people. Almost everyone has a gay friend or acquaintance, whether you know it or not. So, get with it, let’s treat these folks equally! The world won’t end and it’s no threat to your marriage! Meanwhile, we will return to fight the next battle in this struggle for equality and equal rights. And we will fight the battle after that, and the next, and how many ever it takes to gain marriage equality.

Tolerance and justice will be the eventual winners.

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Obama Bash and Bush Retirement Party

We had a double celebration last weekend. First, we have a wonderful new president, Barack Obama. Second, the previous president, George “Dubya” Bush (least popular since Nixon, btw) is finally leaving office! Either of those things would be reason for a party, but both? Be still my beating heart! Yes, yes, yes!

So, naturally, we invited 30 or so of our friends (and a few other people) and had a bash. There was food and drink, of course, but so much more. The guest of honor was Barack, as you can see in the party photos. And he was smiling the whole time so it must have been a good great party! We had it all: the worlds most difficult puzzle, pig stacking, a pool table, musical instruments, and of course the legendary Big Bowl of Bushisms, a bowl filled with hundreds of the dense and dumb things that former president Bush has said over the years. And he said enough dumb things to keep the party rolling for a long time. More about Bushisms here and here. But the best thing about the party was all the great people who attended. Thanks for coming, if you were here. If not, as Mr T used to say, “I pity the fool”. Hahaha! 😉

Now – check out the party photos, and you will see what a happening event it was. Click on any thumbnail photo to view a larger one. While viewing the larger ones, you can click on the right arrow in the upper right of the screen to go to the next one. Or there’s a slideshow option up there too. Ok, sure, some of the pix are a bit blurry, but then again some of the people were too. But it’s ok, we accept all people, be they blurry or crystal clear. Plus, you can get to those photos and many more on the photos page. But just don’t think you can find out any of the 48 solutions to the puzzle by looking at these photos. We’ve blocked out the solution, you’ll just have to work the puzzle for yourself. If you dare…

Were you there? Were you square? Did you love those photos? Why not leave me a comment?


Change Has Come To America!

I never thought I would live to see this day. The first African-American president. That would be amazing enough, but he is a special man apart from that. He is intelligent, thoughtful, and inspirational with a positive vision of hope for America and everyone in it. As I watched the inauguration today I was enormously moved by the incredible number of people there, even in freezing temperatures. Everyone was smiling and happy and no one was worried about black or white, straight or gay, rich or poor, it was a teeming sea of humanity with a common thread: “we are one”. If anyone can bring this country back together and get us past the divisiveness, it may well be this man.

On a personal level, I like his politics and voted for him. Normally when I do that, the person loses. But not this time! But it’s not just me. He enters office with a huge approval rating and millions and millions of people willing to work with him and support him. In reality, his views are those of most of America, though some would try to call him liberal or extremist. But he stands for what most of America wants and that is why change has indeed come to America.

In my long life, this is one of the best things I have ever seen. After all the disappointments and cynicism, now I finally see a sense of hope after all these years. And the best thing about it, most of the coutry feels the same way! So, to President Obama (I love to write that), I say thank you for inspiring people and helping us to come together. The healing has begun and we are looking forward to this great journey and to restoring the greatness and pride in America, both here at home and around the world.

Did you watch his inaugural speech? Wasn’t it great? You can read it and watch it here.

Yes we can!


A Day Of Service On MLK Day

President-elect Obama has asked us all to step up to the plate and do something to make this world a better place. He asked us that today, on the Martin Luther King holiday, that we volunteer to do something useful for our community and country. With a mild and appreciated nudge from my wife Petra, we volunteered to work the morning at raft, a local non-profit group that provides very low cost materials for teachers. Check out their web site here.

We helped cut stickers for material packs for teachers. A menial task, sure, but helpful to teachers. And teachers are one of the most useful and underappreciated groups in our country. We can only be great if our people make intelligent choices. The smarter our young people become, the better our country will become.

Another way to serve: Treat your fellow human beings with respect and caring. Make sure that everyone has equal rights and equal opportunity. We can only be a good as the way we treat our weakest and poorest. When you raise their level, everyone above it becomes better too. We are a country for ALL the people. As the richest country on earth we can and should include everyone.


Barack Is In The House! Our House!

Barack The houseYeah, baby! It’s the President-Elect. And you all know what big Obama fans we are, having already read this and this. So, really, it’s no big surprise that he showed up at our house to thank us personally for voting for him. Hey, pictures don’t lie!

Possible captions for this photo:

Barack: “This is better than the White House”

Us: “No, you can’t give our dog to your kids!”

Us: “RED wine? That’s our favorite too!”

The dog: “Want to watch General Hospital?”

Me: “Too bad you didn’t know Petra before you picked your vice-president!”

Any other ideas? C’mon boys and girls. Just click on the comment link below…


Thoughts On This Historic Election

Yes We Can!

Our President-ElectThe most important thing first: HE WON!! Barack Obama is our next president! News doesn’t get much better than that. After eight years of having a clueless frat-boy and his evil henchman running ruining the country, we finally have an intelligent president who can actually speak well, with real ideas and integrity and a hope for uniting our country and making it better for all Americans. Not to mention he is the first African-American president we have ever had. I didn’t think I would see it in my lifetime and I am so glad that I did. We have come a long way from when slavery was the norm and blacks couldn’t even vote. I am proud to have voted for Obama. Yes we can!!!

Of course, we still have a little


One Kind Favor I Will Ask Of You

Vote NO on proposition 8

Family, friends, and fellow blogaholics –

I don’t ask you for a favor very often. But I’m asking for one now. I’m asking you to please vote NO on Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 is an unfair ballot proposition that, if passed, will take away the fundamental rights of some personal friends of ours, and lots of other people too. Our friends are loving, caring, mature, responsible people who only want to marry the person they love, the way the rest of us can. And today they have that right. But if Prop 8 passes their right to get married to the person they love will be taken away. This is wrong.

Same-sex couples have been getting married in California for many months now. Over 11,000 couples, in fact. And guess what? The sky didn?t fall, the apocalypse didn?t happen, not even so much as a plague of locusts! It?s harmless! And hey, gay people are people too! In this time filled with so much mistrust and hatred, if two people love each other and want to commit to each other, then we should encourage that, not take their rights away.

Prop 8 is about eliminating a fundamental right to marry for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of couples, some of whom have been together for many, many years. They are our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers and maybe even our family members. State law should not single out anyone to be treated differently under the law. We should not vote to eliminate these fundamental rights. Keep marriage legal for all couples.

So, please, just do me this one favor and vote NO on proposition 8. Equality for everyone, it’s the right thing to do.

I sincerely thank you,

Steve


Stevenology Voter Guide – It’s So Simple

Post-election update: I got most of them right. But Heather Fargo lost to NBA star Kevin Johnson and 52% of the voters wrote discrimination into our constitution by approving Prop 8. That one is very sad.

Election day is almost here. Why worry about who or what to vote for? I’ve done the thinking for you! No more stress about what to do, just print out the recommendations below and do what they say! It’s so easy everyone should do it!

President – Barack Obama

Congress District 5 – Doris Matsui

CA Proposition 2 – Yes

CA Proposition 4 – No

CA Proposition 8 – No

Sacramento Mayor – Heather Fargo

If you live somewhere else, and want some advice, just leave a comment and I’ll be glad to tell you how to vote. For free! Just leave it to me…


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