Tag Archives: politics

A Political Exercise

How about if we get every elected congressional representative and senator in the USA to agree for a week that they are out of work (no accessing your bank account except for $100, and no trust funds, preppies).  You have no clothes except what you’re wearing and no toothbrush or shaving kit.  You must to go through the paperwork of COBRA/HIPAA, fill out your state’s unemployment forms and realize what a paltry sum you’d receive if you really had to be on it, also food stamps and AFDC.  Effectively you have no health insurance so will have to go to a public hospital with a sore tooth or a heart attack.

If you agree to do this, you could stay in a one-star motel room on your dime. No car, no staff, no cell phone, no house keys or golf clubs.  You would have to find a public phone – good luck.  On the fourth day a down-on-his-luck constituent will drop a ten-dollar bill on the sidewalk in front of you and count the seconds ’til you pick it up.  He’ll do it because we’ll pay him $20 to do so.

After this experiment is over, it’s on to the next one, working in a factory, but that’s not mine.  But you will have to answer to your constituents and make things right after the regulatory debacle that has allowed our banks and manufacturers to fail and your constituents to be out of work.

Today I made the fourth meal out of one $6 chicken (there’s another left).  We had soup with most ingredients from our pantry.  We are not wanting government assistance, only good work.  We are being judicious, I am as head of the household pantry and such, frugal and not profligate.  I’m sure we can afford a bit more but it pays to work our way through the pantry if we’re to move quickly to another city and job for my loving husband.

I would like for the people who claim to represent us in government to do more than make speeches.  Live our lives.  Know what life many of your constituents lead who have lost jobs and can’t find new ones in this depressed economy.  Thanks for listening.  ‘night now, Dee

Notions Capital

I hope Mike is not lost in the crowds in DC but is dancing away with his intended at an inaugural ball. Let’s hope he dressed appropriately, as I believe his love wouldn’t let him go out without looking great. Of course, she looks terrific.

Let’s try not to pick up stray pups along the way. It’ll mess up her hair. Both of you, if you have any left after all of this writing and the chilly temperatures.

I wish I could have been there. My heart is full and pockets empty but there is a sense of hope that may help everyone. xoxo Dee

Old Year, New Year

This month Jim and I will celebrate our sixth year of marriage. One could say that 9/11 brought us together because we had a chance meeting a few weeks after I was “trapped’ in Europe during the attack and could not get a flight home. We look forward to many more years together.

We lost a few celebrities this year, most recently Eartha Kitt, who was a terrific singer, actress and dancer. We also lost my mother three months ago, whose beauty rivaled Jacqueline Kennedy’s but was not born with the pedigree. Her brain is something I’d have liked to inherit. I got the literature but not the math. Our father strives to keep our family together and the first experiment will take place shortly as they’ve been apart over fifteen years.

This evening I watched President-Elect Obama alight from a government jet to transition to his new home in Washington. It was a poignant moment for an incoming President who has a lot on his plate. Four or eight years from now, his hair will undoubtably sport gray, as does mine. I hope as a voter and citizen that his security will be tight to protect him from any harm. The war, economic crisis and condition of many Americans demands action. Let’s hope our elected officials make the right decisions. I know this is a cooking blog, but I am a voter and stakeholder in the future of this nation. Dee

Celebrity Culture

I’ve been concerned at the recent lack of talent at Food Network, for good reason. If I want inspiration to cook something (not by recipe) or seek regional cuisines I’ll check out Bourdain, Batali et al on other networks.

Lately Food TV has focused on personality, not talent or ability to do the job.

Unfortunately politics has gone the same way, swayed by the television lights and may the best personality win.

I don’t want a chef with the best personality to win in his/her restaurant kitchen. The best food and service should win, and hold the personalities in check.

Same with our soon-to-be President and Vice-President of either party. We should demand more than a pretty face and good on-camera personality. Where is the meat? The substance? The veg and starch? We need to know about our economy, the environment, global wars and much more.

We have questioned Food Network’s choices for how to run the network (money vs. quality shows) so why don’t we question our presidential choices and their run with a Food Network mentality?

Is Barack Obama Sandra Lee, Dems Lite? Is John McCain Guy Fieri? Who knows. I know you want the Veeps so I’ll wait until you ask before the others are revealed. Let’s hope they’re not the party boys or Paula’s sons.

But in serious cooking and politics, it comes down to what you can deliver. And that’s not just a pretty face.