Poor Math Skills

The New York Times is running this story about a rise in household income.

It's interesting to watch the administration cite these figures as some kind of vindication of their fiscal policies over the last 6 & 1/2 years.

Even after two years of growth in median household income, it is still lower than when Clinton left office, and was, according to the Times, only achieved by more people having to work, rather than by people earning more.

Way to go, George!

Wealthy Republican Out of Touch with Reality

Giuliani has proposed a $15,000 tax deduction to help people without health insurance afford coverage. It really indicates more than anything I've seen in a while how out-of-touch these rich right-wingers are.

The people who don't have health insurace do not pay $15,000 in tax, they often don't earn $15,000!

Suffering

Religious types will have us believe that suffering is a good thing. Take the following from a popular-music radio station in Greenville, SC. My mother-in-law died after a painful struggle with cancer. Let's see how these glib one-liners shape up in real life.

1. Suffering comes with the freedom to choose.
My mother-in-law had no choice in the matter.
2. Pain can warn us of danger.
It did warn her, she couldn't do anything about it though.
3. Suffering reveals what is in our hearts.
She never had trouble expressing what was in her heart.
4. Suffering takes us to the edge of eternity.
It took her to the edge of existence, then over the border.
5. Pain loosens our grip on this life.
This was true in her case. It was not a good thing.
6. Suffering gives opportunity to trust God.
Not sure it's worth the cost.
7. God suffers with us in our suffering.
Poor God. If only there was something he could do about it.
8. God's comfort is greater than our suffering.
It most certainly was not in my mother-in-law's case.
9. In times of crisis, we find one another.
We had already found her. She was right there.
10. God can turn suffering around for our good.
He failed miserably in our case.

Maybe they should re-think this 'good suffering' tack!