The Scrooges of Capital Hill

December 14, 2025 / skidaz / Leave a comment

As a child, I was moved by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Why? I guess because I was young and had never met a ruthless, nasty Ebeneezer. When How the Grinch Stole Christmas appeared in 1957, I was nine-years-old and certainly still too young to understand the heartless green, evil guy.

Today, I’m a septuagenarian–more experienced, worldly, and battle-worn, who has encountered a mere handful of abominable folk. Until now. Now? They’re everywhere. Yes, everywhere, particularly in Washington, DC. The newfound colony of millionaires, billionaires, and even a trillionaire, who are clueless about the rest of us. They don’t go to the grocery, nor the gas station. They don’t shop Black Friday sales, nor do they use duct tape to repair a broken pipe. Their pension and health insurance is guaranteed for life. And when THEIR company shut down, they got paid, while our military and air traffic controllers did not.

This past week, these egotistic villains failed to act on health care plans, causing over half of us to be faced with increased costs of as much as 500%. Imagine the young teacher, who is currently paying $180 per month. In January, her bill will be $1,200 a month! To me, this is unconscionable and irresponsible–and inhumane. It seems these elected politicians are oblivious to their looming reelections in 2026, since 57% of those on the expiring Affordable Care Act are Republicans.

The holiday memories of my childhood are crystal clear this time of year. I sat in the upper choir loft of the Methodist Church and joined my friends in singing, Glory to the newborn King. On Christmas Eve, I looked out my bedroom window to see if I could spot the jolly, old soul. I believed in the spirit, the miracle birth, and the love and the joy.

My greatest wish this season is for those on Capital Hill to wake up from their oblivion! Your constituents are hurting. You should embrace and act on Peace on Earth and Good Will to All. My question is: Will you?

NIMBY

July 13, 2025 / skidaz / Leave a comment

An acronym which has been around for forty-six years–not in my backyard. Originally, it was coined to oppose governmental or environmental changes to one’s neighborhood, such as a nuclear plant, low-income housing, or commercial development. But its meaning has morphed over time to include most everything no one wants, until….disaster strikes.

“Why weren’t we warned of the impending floods in the Texas High Country?” Hmm. You weren’t warned because the state legislature denied your numerous requests for a $77,000 weather alert system. Instead, the legislature has proposed moving the Challenger Space Shuttle from the Smithsonian to Houston at the cost of $300 million! It’s all about priorities.
“Where is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and why is ICE Barbie here?” Because ICE Barbie directs FEMA, an agency destined for the chopping block, as a wasteful, unnecessary nuisance. Further ICE Barbie is a pro at dealing with disasters. She dons her combat gear, pulls out her AK-47 and fires.
“Where are Senator Cruz and POTUS?” Cruz is viewing the ancient ruins in Greece, and his highness is golfing. After all, it’s the weekend.

But this is a disaster, and it’s in my backyard! I need help.

I understand, but you denied help when it was in someone else’s backyard. You slashed funding and personnel without any thought to the consequences. I mourn the loss of so many innocent lives that were lost to your callousness and greed.

I Beg Your Pardon, Mr. President

August 27, 2017August 28, 2017 / skidaz / Leave a comment

The events of the last few weeks have left me thunderstruck. I have zero tolerance for malicious hate. Further, I have zero tolerance for megalomaniacs–folks consumed with wealth,power, and omnipotence. Folks, who don’t play by societal rules, for they are above the law.

I’ve witnessed first hand the ascension of the former Sheriff. Over time, he morphed into a madman, fueled by a large campaign chest and national media attention. He bragged about his inmates wearing pink underwear, eating green bologna, and sleeping in tents in Phoenix summers. Now, anybody who has taken a criminal justice course knows rehabilitation or habilitation is not accomplished through humiliation.

As time went on, he focused on Latinos. His deputies routinely stopped brownish, innocent American citizens. He spent a million investigating President Obama’s birth certificate. He staged an assassination attempt against himself. Clearly, he was hell-bent on furthering his national image. Over and over, he was accused of racial profiling, defiance of the law, and ignoring court orders. He thumbed his nose and proclaimed, “I’m just upholding the law.”

I could cite countless examples of his grandstanding, like the $92 million Maricopa County wasted on his defense in the racial profiling case. Months ago, he was found guilty and awaited sentencing. He asked the President to pardon him. Friday afternoon, it was delivered. He said he and his wife planned to celebrate with spaghetti, calamari, and red wine at their favorite Italian restaurant. “I’m not through with politics; I have a lot to offer.” After 24 years as sheriff and at 85-years-old, that seems preposterous! But I’ve never danced in the spotlight. Some egos must not die until their last breath.

Mr. President, while I find your acceptance of proven, institutional racism unconscionable, I abhor your pardon of a man who failed to investigate hundreds of sex abuse cases, many of which involved children. Guess rape or sexual molestation didn’t feed the world’s toughest sheriff’s megalomania.