Flametoad

Words of wisdom from a combustable amphibian.

It’s Downhill from Here

Posted Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at 5:54 am

Dear Mr. President,

Congratulations on becoming of one of the most powerful leaders on Earth. I am incredibly proud that a country with such diverse values can engage in peaceful transition of power decade after decade. It is something that Americans take for granted, but one only has to look around the world or in one’s history books to be reminded that our country is the exception rather than the rule.

You’ve got a tough time ahead of you. Like every president before you, you’re inheriting problems you didn’t create. I respect that your campaign was built on the idea of hope and change for a better world. Clearly that resonated with the majority of Americans.

Now comes the hard part.

You see, for some, “change” won’t happen fast enough or in the way they had dreamed. That will lead to feelings of betrayal, which in turn will lead to anger. Eventually, those who have built you up to lofty heights will be the same ones who try to tear you down. It’s human nature. You already expect attacks to come from the GOP (unfortunately that’s the nature of politics), but keep an eye on the supporters at your back lest something sharp sprout from your own.

Speaking of supporters, up until now you’ve been the darling of the media. That’ll end very soon. Even if they don’t pick up on the quicksilver changes of public opinion (unlikely), those same outlets still have to sell copies/viewers/advertising/whatever. To do that, they’ll start probing for cracks in your administration. “If it bleeds, it leads.” Nothing draws out the media sharks like weakness, and if a weakness can’t be found then it’ll be manufactured. Starting today, your every decision will be subject to popularity polls, approval ratings, and the reading of tea leaves.

Good luck, Mr. President. I didn’t vote for you, but you were peacefully elected to become the leader of my country and I’ll stand by you. I suspect you’ll need all the help you can get.

Regards,

-Flametoad

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4 Comments

Comment by Ed Wetterman
2009-01-21 16:24:35

So who did you vote for in an election that had schmuck one or schmuck two?

Libertarian…that’s who.

I’m still calling for Texas Secession. That being said, I have to say I did not disagree with the points the President made yesterday. Is he FDR or Jimmy Carter? Only time will tell.

Ed

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Comment by Mike Callahan
2009-01-21 18:43:44

(Just lurking around the Flame Toad)…

I HAD to respond to this one! Just this: if Texas does secede, please make it the Lone Star’s first policy to invade and conquer Massachussetts. I live in the People’s Republic of Mass and we need it. I love our countryside but detest Beacon Hill. Please save Lovecraft country!

 
 
Comment by Pepster
2009-01-21 16:44:39

I read some blogs of RPG designers during the past election season. A majority were giddy for The One. A handful ticked me off. I only anticipate tough times ahead. Less money means less coin to buy RPG’s. Could I be a big enough jerk not to buy a game because of the designer’s political leanings? Sure! They wouldn’t want this conservative’s money anyway, right?

Flametoad, you’re a better man than me. After eight years of “Bush stole the 2000 election”, I’m afraid I just can’t support The Obamessiah. I will, however, continue to support 12 to Midnight.

God bless,
Pepster

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Comment by Ed Wetterman
2009-01-22 09:31:06

Hey Pepster, you know me man! What ya see is what you get. The older I get the more “Independent” I get, as both the major political parties upset me. So don’t buy any game due to a designer’s political leanings, buy it for the fun! I know there are some designers who are definitely ultra liberal and there are some who are ultra conservative. If the game’s good, who cares!

IMHO; rich lawyers from both parties keep the poor down, screw the middle class, and keep their rich friends protected. They just have different ways of accomplishing these three items.

I don’t know why I feel I should share, but…

When I was 19 in the 1980s, I served on the George Bush Sr. for President steering committee for Fort Bend County, was a Precinct Captain, and was a delegate to the State Republican Convention. I believed in Reagan and his policies. However, at the Convention, I was ultimately disappointed when I saw how much Special Interests groups and powerful lobbyists truly control the politics of our country. I have moved to the center in the past twenty years, and now I vote for the man I believe will least screw me over.

I love the Constitution, but I do not accept how these rich lawyers debate the meaning of words like “it” or the basic freedoms of Speech, Religion, Press, Guns, etc.

And I admit, I am a nationalistic Texan. Sorry if it offends, but I am. And you don’t have to be a Texan to join me. Everyone’s welcomed, from Mass to Phili, though Eagles fans scare me more than Raiders…I mean ya booed Santa Claus!

Okay, i’m just rambling now….

I do wonder what happened to the basic tenets of Capitalism and why it’s okay to let all the small businesses die in this economy, but we MUST save the big one’s that have made poor decisions, pay millions to their CEOs even as they are led to bankruptcy, and that my tax dollars are to be used to save those businesses. Does anyone believe that if you build a better mousetrap, you can make money? I also wonder why there are no ethics in big business or government? I do think that the total deregulation of the last 25 years of all industry has helped companies screw the people and now the government wants to pay for it. Have we not just put off the collapse a little longer? Printing billions more dollars generally weakens the American dollar. Who is this going to hurt in the long run? Should we bankroll wallstreet, the Big Three Auto makers, or the Airline industries? If we do, what do we, the taxpaying consumer, get for our money? Is there any regulation to how they spend the money? Is this just putting off the inevitable collapse of our economy? Can a service economy compete in the 21st century? Do we need a return to production? How can this be accomplished? Is socialism the answer? Is Capitalism dead?

Man…when I think of all this, Yeah, I’d rather seceed and start over.

Ed

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About Flametoad

Flametoad is the personal website for Preston DuBose, a full-time e-commerce and credit card security professional for the higher-education market, a part-time RPG publisher, and a full-time husband and father.

I ignore conventional blogging wisdom and refuse to focus on a single topic. This website covers gaming, family life, marketing, security, literature, music, and just about anything else shiny that catches my eye.

Do you think I might be your long lost nephew, to whom you'd like to bequeath your vast financial empire? Find my e-mail address and read more of my bio on the About Flametoad page.

I get a small thrill every time someone bothers to respond to one of my posts. I get a big thrill when you post naked pictures of yourself. Well, not YOU.

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