The Next President (& Vice-President) of the USA

Howdy neighbor.  I know, seems like last week we was listening all them campaign commercials.  But here it is, campaign time again.  Heck, the election's less than 2 years away you know!   Makes you kinda wish Tom, John, Ben and the guys had hung on to them British election laws, don't it.  That way them politicians would spend more time doin' the job we're paying 'em for. 

 

Of course you know its time 'cause the President already announced he'll run for another term.  But that ain't the only reason.  You noticed how all them crises we had kinda got moved to the back burner?  You know, Social Security and Medicare and the like can wait a little longer.  Right?  Also, have you noticed the President's got time for them town meetings again?  And have you noticed how the blame game got goin' again?  Yep, all the signs are there. 

 

Most folks say it's way too early to make any predictions about the outcome of that next election.  After all, won't be till next summer that they officially choose who's running.  Well maybe so, but I been known to do some crazy things in my day and even make a prediction every once in a while.  Now I can see this one comin' just as clear as the air after a cold front passes.  Reckon it's time to put it down in writin' before I forget. 

 

Ain't going to waste no words. The way I see it, unless something real bad (and I mean REAL bad) happens in the next year and a half, President Obama's going have his second term.  First off, the incumbent's always got an advantage.   But besides that, them Republicans still ain't got nobody that'll be able to fend off all that dirt diggin', name-callin', and fun makin' that's gonna happen.  Mark my words friend, that's the way it'll be no matter who they pick.   Even more so if they put a woman on the ticket.  Not only that, but I hear tell the Democrats and their supporters still got lots of cash to spend.  Them anti-anything-conservative-or-Tea Party-or-Republican commercials will be agoin' before your plantin' is done.  There might even be another "timely" movie come out of Hollywood 'fore it's over.  Come to think of it, some of the unions are already busy up there in Wisconsin and over in Ohio. You know, that “assault on worker’s rights” thing?

But no matter. Here's the kicker, Clyde. (And I ain't got time for no conspiracy stuff, so I ain't saying there was some kinda deal made either.)  I'm bettin' that ol' Joe Biden is gonna decide to retire from politics just about cultivating time next year.  As I see it, there's only one logical choice for a replacement.  A former Senator.  A person close to a former President.  And now a diplomat known around the world.  And a woman.  Now if that don't guarantee success nothing will.  Hillary will be the solution to keeping the White House for 12 to 16 years and satisfying a very ambitious person.

All right, call me a crazy old coot.  Don't mind at all.  In fact somebody in my house has taken pride in pointin' out how wrong I am for many years.  Kinda used to it.  But we'll talk 'bout this again sometime neighbor.  Till then, I am...

Justan O. Geezer

Bad Roads

Well neighbor, like I told you the other day, I was out traveling 'round. And you know, it ain't till you get to travel a bit that you come realize just how many roads we got in this here country. Now I ain't talkin' about local roads here 'cause folks got there share of gravel and dirt roads everywhere . And most of us kinda like it that way. You take it slow, you don't raise too much dust and you get there anyway.

Over the past few months I got to ride on a bunch of them Interstate Highways. Now I gotta hand it to old Dwight D. Eisenhower for having the gum-shun to get that project goin'. Of course at the time, we was all pretty scared of them Russians and the Cold War and such. Ol' Dwight thought we could use some good roads to move troops and stuff around the country in a hurry. Nowadays, we couldn't do without them just for getting crops to market.

Reminds me. In most states, besides them US Highways, you got your State Highways and County or Parish Roads. But down in Texas, they do it a bit different. Naturally they got all the regular roads. You know, the Toll Roads and Park Roads and Business Routes and the like. But besides all that, they got some down right descriptive designations. Down there you see roads like FM1368 and RM311. That would be a "farm to market" road or a "ranch to market" road. They call 'em that just 'cause that's what they are (or were).

Anyway, lie I said, I spent a bunch of time on them Interstate highways. Most of 'em are in pretty good shape, at least once you get away from the big cities. But let me tell you friend, some ain't fit for a buggy at any speed. I seen some that 'll rattle the teeth right out of your mouth. To me, Arkansas and Indiana got the worst Interstate Highways in the country! Over there in Arkansas, you better hope it don't rain none. When it does, you might do better in a boat. The tracks worn down them asphalt roads are more like the chutes at your favorite water park, my friend. Slidin' down the road just ain't no fun.

Now up there in Indiana, it's a different story. If you'd just stay around Indianapolis, you'd think you was in hog heaven. The Interstate System around that city is real good and if you head out past the airport, you'd think you got on a runway by mistake! Some places, there's like 6 to 8 lanes in each direction and that don't count the marginal road. Once you get away from that "Circle City," it ain't pretty, neighbor. In fact, if you can get to the state border without getting shook to death, you can bet your truck's lost half its bolts and maybe a tire too. Don't take my word for it neighbor - but don't blame me fer not warnin' you. 

 

Now I'll be the first to tell ya, I don't know why them roads are in such bad shape. Maybe they never got none of that "stimulus" money to fix 'em. Or maybe they outsourced the maintenace to India, but I reckon I'll be driving around them states rather than through them next time.

I know our economic problems have affected road maintenance, just like everything else.  And all the roads 'round the country show need for some upkeep.  But it sho 'nough can't explain why you can tell which state your in by the rattle of your teeth.

Got my teeth back in now and settle in some, but I am still...

Justan O. Geezer