Common Sense Political Party

Posted by: on Aug 19, 2011 | No Comments

Common Sense Political Party

Last week, I posted on facebook that I was thinking of starting my own political party and running for congress. Some folks suggested I should skip the whole congress thing and run for president right away. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough hush money in the world to cover up all the skeletons that would inevitably come charging out of that closet.  As I stated, my political party would be “The Common Sense Party” because it’s become quite apparent that common sense is completely lacking in our government today.

If I’m going to start my own party, I guess I need to start developing the ideas and ideals that my party would stand for. Now what I think is common sense might not be everyone’s cup of tea, so I’m open to suggestions. Let’s consider this the first in a series of blog posts that will address what The Common Sense Party stands for and how we will look at some of the serious issues in today’s political arena.

Issue 1 – War and Taxes
The last guy who was the leader of the free world started 2 wars and cut taxes at the same time. Common Sense tells us that if you are going to start a war that requires a major capital expenditure, cutting taxes is a bad idea. If you can’t pay for guns, air force planes, bombs, ammunition and most importantly, the people to fight your wars and protect them with the best body armor money can buy, than war is an even worse then it sounds. The Common Sense Party is anti-war and anti raising taxes but if you are going to go around wreaking havoc on the world, you better have some way to pay for it that won’t bankrupt the country.

Issue 2 – Pro Life and/or Pro Choice
This is one of my favorites. People who tend to be pro life when it comes to abortion issues also tend to be pro death penalty when it comes to criminal issues. It’s a right wing thing. They want to protect you in the womb but once you get out, you are on your own. And if you screw things up really bad, it’s “off with your head.” The Common Sense Party is pro choice. Nobody can really tell another person what to do with their body. But what to do if that person really screws up their life and does harm to others? I’m sure this won’t make left wing friends too happy but I’m going off with “off their head.” Common Sense tells me there’s better things we can do with our money, time, effort and space than keep hardened and dangerous to society criminals alive when it costs hundreds of  thousands of dollars per year per criminal alive to do so. Without apologies I’m going right on this one.

Issue 3 – The Legalization of Marijuana
If single malt scotch is legal, well pot should be too. It’s that simple. If you don’t believe me, go pour yourself a nice tall glass of McAllan’s 12 year old, drink that baby down and see if you don’t recognize the buzz.  If ever a war has been fought and lost it’s the war on drugs. Nancy Reagen said “just say no” but no one was and no one is listening, especially her neighbors in California where pot is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. The war is over and the stoners won. Whole communities depend on the pot industry for their livelihood and survival, so Common Sense says give up the fight and legalize it, regulate it, tax it, make money off it, just like tobacco and alcohol. As for pot being a gateway drug, oh please…if that were true, than everyone I know in college would have been addicted to cocaine or strung out on heroin. Guess what?  They weren’t then and they are not now. As a matter of fact, the one person I knew in college who didn’t smoke pot turned out to be the biggest whack job of them all.

I think that’s enough for today. Common Sense tells me my audience has a short attention span and 3 issues is enough for one sitting. Must be all that pot you people smoked in college!


My Favorite One-Hit-Wonders

Posted by: on Aug 10, 2011 | One Comment

On my drive home from work last Friday, those familiar words could be heard on the radio: “Josie’s on a vacation far away.” Ah, The Outfield, a one-hit-wonder if ever there were one. That’s the way the weekend went. Sixpence None the Richer, Ace, Chumbawumba, and a few other groups who came….and went. Inspired me to put together my own IraSez’s Favorite One Hit Wonders.  It’s not really a whole list or even a top 10 list but these are songs I have heard recently (or seen the artists in other media) and I just wanted to share with you hoping they bring back some fond memories.

Here are some of those songs,  in no particular order (along with some tidbits from the IraSez Encyclopedia of useless information).

“Broken Wings” by Mr. Mister. Before being sung by one of the eTrade babies, there was the original. Technically, I think they had another hit with “Kyrie” but it’s my list and I don’t deal with technicalities. Besides, I saw them in concert as the opening act for The Bangles in 1985, Miller Time Concerts on the Pier, next to the Intrepid. Those were good daze…I mean days.

“How Long” by Ace. Not to confused with the remake by Rod Stewart (and don’t get me started on him). “How Long” was sung by Paul Carrack who went on to pretty good career that included Roxy Music, Squeeze (lead vocals on “Tempted”) and Mike and the Mechanics. Speaking of Mike and The Mechanics, I saw them in 1985 at the Miller Time Concerts on the Pier. Those were good days (and a good daze too).

“Whip It” by Devo. Great fraternity dance song and a classic video. In his post Devo career, co-founder Mark Mothersbaugh has gone onto a prolific composing career which includes the  theme to The Rugrats. I just love that. And while we are on the subject of those great frat parties at Zeta Psi, how about “Turning Japanese” by The Vapors, “Mickey (a.k.a “Bob Hickey” to all you Gamma Zetes) by Toni Basil, “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc. (with a special shout out to my favorite Buffalo couple on this one). Nothing like the smell of a beer soaked rug the morning after one our parties. Those were really good days and amazing dazes.

“Heartbeat” by Don Johnson. Actually, I don’t like this song all that much but have such an affinity for Miami Vice and Don put such emotion into the video, I just had to throw this one on their. Besides, he was at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort with my golf group this year so he’s fresh in my mind. And the trip to Bandon Days, those are really, really good days (especially when it doesn’t rain).

“Party All The Time” by Eddie Murphy. While we are talking about actors turned singers (who very quickly went back to acting), here’s Eddie produced by the funk-a-licous Rick James. Song isn’t bad but Rick is the man. “She’s a very kinky girl, the kind you don’t take home to mama.” Those were such excellent days, that I took that girl home to mama…and still do.

For my 2 favorite one-hit-wonders, we are going back to the 70s.  Not only are these my 2 favorite one hitters, they are 2 of my favorite songs.  The first one goes like this:
There’s a port on a western bay
And it serves a hundred ships a day
Lonely sailors pass the time away
And talk about their homes
Yes, I’m talking about “Brandy” by the Looking Glass. Just love this one.

As for the my all time favorite one-hit-wonder, see if these lyrics mean anything:
We get it on most every night
When that moon is big and bright
Its a supernatural delight
Because everybody is “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest, which was a big dance number at those crazy bar mitzvah days of my youth. Has special meaning as I can still recall dancing with the loverly 7th grade ladies of Great Neck North on longisland. I didn’t know it then but those were good days and the music of those days always makes me smile.

And there you have it (for now). Just some of my favorite one-hit wonders from some really good days.