Fresh Approach or Frozen Sameness?

Not long ago. McCain was the champion of many Republicans. Hard core followers who voted for him as their candidate in spite of a spotty record, sometimes he was the all-time party leader others the so-called maverick. It wasn’t enough. Now, with the real threat of loosing the general election in November, a new approach has surfaced in an attempt to conquer the far religious right and even trying to snatch away from the Democrats a few undecided, especially those DNC women unhappy with the loss of their candidate, Hillary.
It’s amazing how someone can morph in such a short time and with a straight face. But what it’s most intriguing are the tools the RNC is using to push their nominee forward and make it palatable.
The Republican convention was the canvas to present a new and improved version of their message. The reminder of Vietnam, the McCain days as POW was such a blow below the belt that makes us think, once again, that very little has changed, and why should it?
Regarding policies, everyone with a pulse knows that past the personal charm and suffering of McCain he’s still a Republican, no more no less. Telling people that change is coming thru him is akin to believe that the whole Republican platform from the past and present will be different. It’ll take too many converts for that. Besides, the mere fact that they are mimicking the theme of the Democrats: Change, shows how pathetically poor the Republican offer is.
If we ad the Palin effect, the smoke and mirrors they’re trying to pull is such an obvious move that hurts. If you believe she’s qualified now the question follows: Where was this lady month ago when the vetting for a Vice-President started. Why was she picked instantly without any previous attempt to introduce her to the public? Answer: The Republicans desperately needed someone to bring in the far right, ultra religious folks who were not convinced yet about McCain.
This ticket, McCain/Palin, is all show, no substance. He looks presidential; she’s a blank slate. That’s about it. On the other hand, all the hoopla, noise and cheers in the convention floor amused me. Lots of excitement, but then again, you get that at any Amway meeting too. The believers are there and also the wanna-be’s, those who are hoping for a piece of the pie should their ticket be the winner in November.
It doesn’t cut it for the rest of us. The vast majority who’s being hurt by all the Republican shenanigans for the past eight years, the mothers and fathers who lost their son or daughter in a made-up war, the millions loosing their homes and jobs while most corporations are getting tax breaks and more.
Do you want to vote for them? Go ahead, it’s a free country and you probably voted for Bush, not once but twice. Myself, I prefer to ignore them and their empty promises made in a hurry just to get support.
God help us all if they get elected!

Vote Democrat - Look Forward!

After hearing the much awaited (by some) Hillary’s speech last night I hope those undecided and supporters of the ex-first lady put an end to the doubts they may have about Barack Obama and unite behind him.
At this point and time, it doesn’t matter what anyone believes should have been the outcome of the primaries - They Are Over! - and the presidential candidate for the party is Obama.

Unless those who’d prefer Hillary are not real Democrats, just personal fans of the lady, I’d like to think they‘d consider the consequences of not supporting the present candidate and either go for a no-vote or give their vote away to McCain. It could precipitate a disaster and more of the same, no matter how crafty the Republicans are in disguising McCain as a “different” candidate. Let’s not kid ourselves. McCain IS Republican. McCain has been with Bush’s policies all the way in most critical matters.
Besides the fact that he’s considered a hero from the Vietnam era (thousands could be in the same category by the way) there is no special reason to believe he will change the present loosing policies.

As far as the noise made by the Republicans and some in the media indicating that Obama does not have the experience to occupy the White House, I wonder who does. NOBODY has the experience for the job. Being President is a matter of beliefs, in how much the person cares for the country and what he or she will do for the rest of us. That takes an intelligent leader able to surround himself with the proper entourage and advisors to fill the void where needed. A thinking person, with enough flexibility to adapt, consult and make the right decisions is what we need, not a crusty, set in your ways individual who’s dragging the heavy baggage of the present policies.

Young blood, new ideas, a fresh approach to our problems is what we need. Obama represents that. So, Hillary fans, get real, be a Democrat first and vote for Obama.

A Las Vegas Experience

Citizens Area Transit - A Nightmare

During the month of July 2008, I decided to conduct a personal experiment regarding local transportation. I parked my car, went to the DTC (Downtown Transit Center) and bought a monthly pass ($40).

Watching all the hoopla about the RTC (those who run CAT) on their TV ads and public service announcements, one would think they have everything under control and traveling by bus should be a pleasurable experience. Friendly faces, shinny units, some like the Max with a futuristic line, other as the Deuce with two decks, etc., etc.

So, I said to myself, gas has hit $4 a gallon and maybe now it’s the time to give this mode of transportation a try. And so I did, to my chagrin.

To begin with, some of the drivers are not so pleasant, even though most are. I guess their job is difficult and a few are not ready to drive, smile and be patient all at the same time.

The schedules are another issue. In general they suck, big time! Luckily they gave me a booklet with all the routes and hours but even then I have to structure my travels as if I were overseas, heck sometimes it’s easier to schedule a flight!

Just as an example, if you go from point A to point B and you need one line only, you are lucky. Save the fact that some hours may not be available, it’s a matter of being at the closest stop to your starting point on time, preferably even early. However, if you have the need to transfer from one line to another to reach your destination, be prepared to be very, very patient.

Let’s say you want to go from Cashman Field to Eastern and Bonanza. A trip that by car will probably take you no more than 4 minutes. Of course in this example you are not using your car, so you’ve got to be flexible right?

From Cashman Field going West you can take the 208 line to Maryland and Bonanza - That’s a - 35-second ride - Great! Now, at Maryland and Bonanza you must transfer to 215 going West. From that corner to destination the trip is about 3 minutes. Whoa! Total traveling time about the same as if you were doing it by car. Isn’t that exciting?

So, what’s the problem you say? The problem is the schedules. To begin with, sometimes a bus may be a little earlier, others a heck of a lot late. So, the guessing game takes over.

If your first bus - in this case the 208 - it’s supposed to be at Cashman Field at 6:10, you better get there at 6:00 (just in case). Now, once you arrived at your connecting point - Maryland and Bonanza in this example - your other line (215W) could have been there 1 minute ago and you’re out of luck. Now you have to sit and wait for sometimes 30 minutes until another 215W comes by.

The bottom line is that, even for such a short hop. You have to allow yourself up to 45 minutes for a net trip of 4 minutes.

Why have these people decided to use large (and mostly empty) buses with such long delays in between runs as opposed to smaller buses with more frequent runs escapes me.

Another issue is the total lack of small and frequent neighborhood runs. Save the only one I know of, which is the City Ride, going from the DTC to Charleston and Bruce, there is nothing else to move you locally and within neighborhoods. Depending on where you live, you may have to walk and walk, just to find a bus stop that may or may not be the full ride, but just your starting point.

It seems as if the people responsible for this service look at it more or less as if doing you a favor and not a real service for the people of Las Vegas. It’s true that their fees are not expensive, but I’d rather pay a little more and have a more comprehensive service, or at least a real service.

After this monthly experience I fully understand why the residents of our City are not giving up their cars. As long as anyone can afford it, driving your own vehicle it’s the only sensible thing to do.