Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Welcome To My America...Fat Cat Nation

Writing about politics is not a decision to be taken lightly. While I have brushed on the subject from time to time over the years, I feel that the political climate in America today warrants a more careful and close examination moving forward. The 2000 election provided some insight into an America that is becoming more divided among political views, even after a brief period of unity following 9/11. The 2004 election will no doubt be more of the same.

Each side has dug in their heels and will continue to simply push back rather than to even attempt to compromise. This will make politics in America a rough ride for the foreseeable future. Gone are the days of good-natured and spirited political difference and barbs. Here to stay are the back-handed, personal attacks and comparing anything you don't agree with to Nazi Germany.

There was a time when Americans could handle not winning every time and lost gracefully. There was a time when hard work and dedication were respected and honored, and a lack of hard work and dedication was looked down upon for its true laziness. More and more people want something for nothing, have no respect for the law, and lash out at those who do, and those who have because of their labor.

And that is why there is no time like the present to turn my watchful and critical eye to the state of politics in America today. And while I would never call my brand of satirical, one-sided (my-sided), “right”eous, but still analytical views journalism, there are far too many sources out their that still call their slanted brand of storytelling exactly that. One-sided, politically-correct jab-and-retreat reporting has met with completely biased, unfair shots to the back, yet all of it is somehow still considered journalism today.

Well, I feel it is time to fight back. I feel it is time to demand reasonability from the unreasonable with my own brand of political slant, something that I like to call "My America"...a place I like to call "Fat Cat Nation"...

Taking a certain stand on issues, then going as far as to share your views through the written word is a God- and nation-given right not to be taken lightly. So, what has moved me to write about politics today and in the future? Sure, it's the terrorism that I have seen since I was born an American to an American family that traces its history back to the mid-1700’s on one side, and 1899 and the land bridge to the new world on the other, but there are also another reason.

Though Americans do need to move on and continue to live their lives, that does not mean that 9/11 should be forgotten. You go out there among the masses and listen to what nearly a third of them are saying and doing as our young men and women are risking their lives at home and abroad for our freedoms, and you see that people are already forgetting the horrors of that day. The flag stickers people put on their cars and the flags people put up on their houses on 9/12 are fading and being left to wear already. Those who didn’t put flags up are out attacking police officers and their fellow citizens and even trying to stop supply shipments to our troops as I write this. So, I am unfortunately only able to conclude that while some of us are going to never forget the sacrifices and horrors our nation has endured so that each of us can live the lives that we live, there are far too many who are already taking the sacrifices people made on that day and the sacrifices of our soldiers for granted.

So, I feel like now is the time to get the word out and to do what I do well. Tell stories. This time, they will be political stories about the land I love. So, I hope you will join me in my journey here as I do what I can to incite America to pride, self-respect, and true democracy’s trust of the best-planned government in modern human history. Join me in thanking and supporting our soldiers as well as the families of those who have lost their lives, giving us the lives we live. This is how I want my America to be, and now it is time for me to take a stand, not against a Fat Cat Nation, but for one...




So, who created Fat Cat Nation? Let me be the first to say that it wasn’t me. While I put together the little collage above, that is all for which I can take credit. For once, I must give credit to the young libby bullshitter, the flag-burner, the violent anti-violence protestor, the greedy bastard, the lazy whiner, the deceitful back-stabber, Willy Jeff, and the ungrateful anti-American. I didn’t even come up with the name Fat Cat Nation!

Let’s take a look at that collage...On the far left, you see a heavy-set guy on the cover of an OC Weekly from 2000. What you don’t see is me standing just to his left when this picture was taken. Do you think the OC Weekly photographer told this guy that they were going to put his picture on the cover and make fun of his weight? Aren’t libby people supposed to be against mean people who make fun of other people’s weight because they love everybody?


This picture and tag line are so typical of the hypocrisy that I continually witness first-hand. So, why Fat Cat Nation? Well, I spoke to this guy and he seemed like a nice guy. I had a sandwich, too...why didn’t they take my picture? I lean more to the right, so according to the libbies, I’m supposed to be the mean son-of-a-bitch who hates people, right? So, you take a guy who’s volunteered his time to take pride in America and you slam him for doing so? Needless to say, when I saw this cover, I said, “Fat Cat Nation, huh? You want it, ya bastards, you got it!”

Next to the Fat Cat Nation guy, you see a scan of one of the US flags I display with pride in my home. It’s one of eight up right now with more to come. I think Dana Rohrabacher said it best when he addressed flag burners with his sentiment that if they must burn the US flag, at least they could have the decency to wrap themselves up in it before lighting it on fire. Every time I saw a flag ablaze, it put me one step closer to Fat Cat Nation.

To the right of the flag, a drawing of a WWII pilot with a caption I know anyone in uniform would take to heart. No matter what non-supporters say, our men and women will do what they need to do to protect us all and their right to be non-supporters.

Below the pilot, is a creation of my brother. Meet Uncle Sam Hain, a symbol of folks out there consumed by greed. We love our money, but we know there are things in life that are much more important.

To the right of Uncle Sam Hain is a picture of the front-end of my car. You’ll notice my tribute to 9/11 victims in the red, white, and blue stripes on my headlight. What else does this picture symbolize? Well, there are lazy whiners out there that would tell you I’m a capitalist pig for driving that car and I must say that the car is a symbol of my protest against that view. Before someone comments on what I drive, I hope they’ll have the decency to start their own business, get involved in philanthropy and politics, start trust funds for those in their care and be sure to put in 105 hours of work a week over all seven days. To borrow from the WWII pilot, “You Shut The Fuck Up." I earn it and I give back to those in need.

Above the car, the answer to the back-stabbing, lying, selfish bastards out there in the business world...the F.U. Tie.

To the right of the tie guy, Willy Jeff flipping the bird at the GOP. In my eyes, this so greatly symbolizes the dual personality we endured for eight years. You know he loves America, but you can’t figure out his disrespect for the office he was given. He wasn’t respectful, so I’ll forever call him “Willy Jeff” in return.

To the right of Willy Jeff, the red, white, and blue ribbon, my symbol of thanks for the sacrifices that have given me the life I live. That is a scan of the ribbon I received in return for donating to help 9/11 victims and first responders. I will carry that ribbon with pride forever.

And lastly, the President of Presidents standing before the Sacramento Capital Building the year I was born. What is more American than Uncle Ronnie, ying to Willy Jeff’s misguided wang?


And so, while it has been a long time coming, today, I welcome you all to Fat Cat Nation...