Local Government Pisses on People Again

   Government at all levels is corrupt in some way.  I can’t be wrong in thinking that and I know I’m not the only one.  That said, I think our court system is in bed with our governments, whether they be local, regional or all encompassing.  It’s hard to trust an entity that insists you’re worth working for but treats you like crap.

   Where is this going? you ask.  Well, just recently in the paper there was an account regarding a couple who owned a building and were planning on opening up a restaurant there.  Next door to that building was a building that was falling down.  The county government said “Take it down!”, and they did, and in the process damaged this couple’s property. 

Well, not only did it damage their property but while they were trying to protest the demolition, the husband was locked up in a psych ward because he got on his roof and told them to stop.  The Sheriff issued orders for him to go.  The Sheriff, who apparently had some type of medical training.  Uhhh, no.  No, he didn’t.

   To top it off, this situation led to problems with the husband and wife, which resulted in a divorce.  They had at least one child and I think more, so it was made even harder for them.  These were regular people just trying to make a living and to hopefully leave something to their kids someday.  Someday didn’t come, though. 

   A lawsuit was started to get the County to own up to what they did and it took fourteen years to actually get to court.  This man had lost an opportunity to start a business that could’ve been handed down through the generations, he lost his wife and family life in a divorce, and then several years later his wife died.  Who knows if the actual loss of the building and her family hastened her demise? 

   The lawsuit was put in front of a judge and jury.  The settlement asked for was $1.25 million.  The jury decided that the County was in the wrong.  They awarded the plaintiff $5,000.  That’s 3% of what was requested.  He said it was a slap in the face and it was.  I really believe it was.  I wish they had moved the proceedings to a different county so it could be heard by those impartial to the county’s financial standings, because I have a feeling that the reason the jury awarded such a small amount is because they wanted the plaintiff to get something, but were afraid they would get stuck with a bill in the form of fees and taxes.  And they probably would have.

   I hope he appeals and requests a different venue, and I hope justice wins.

Cheerios - the Drama

   Ok, John Q. Public, what’s wrong with the new Cheerios commercial?  As I was scanning news stories this morning I heard that a ton of the public took umbrage to the idea of a bi-racial family in the new Cheerios commercial.  Really?  I have to wonder why that is.  I seriously don’t understand it and what populations are so against it?  I think it’s great.  I think it shows that General Mills is more in touch with our country than our government is. 

You can watch it on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYofm5d5Xdw

   Think about it.  Maybe we should have the government hire someone from Cheerios to discuss with them who we are, what we’re like, what we actually like and more than likely earn.  Because frankly, I don’t think the government has a clue, even though they do a census every ten years to find out where we live, who we live with, if we are living in sin, if we bring bastard children into the world, what we earn, if we own or rent or are homeless – you get the picture.  And then they classify middle class America as earning $200,000 a year.  Shit, I’m dirt poor then, and I’m better off than a lot in my neck of the woods.  If you’re wondering, I bring home almost $30,000 a year, but not quite.  I’m lucky.  I have a job and a reliable car.  I also have bills (and student loans and a child who refuses to grow up) and if I had to buy a car off the lot tomorrow I wouldn’t be able to afford it without cutting a ton out of my household budget. 

   Cheerios nails it with this family, and if you ask me it should have been presented long before this.  Long before we accepted reality shows as the norm, long before cartoon families became more real and more meaningful than our own.  Long before (and I’ll get flak for this) we recognized gay marriage in our sitcoms.  (By the way, I think gay marriage is ok, as long as you’re in love.) 

   Whoever is bashing the commercial needs to realize that this is the melting pot, as stated in a previous blog post.  My parent’s families immigrated here from Germany, Ireland and England.  The assimilated, went outside of their neighborhoods, met other people from other countries, had dinner and decided that this person sitting across from them, even though they spoke differently, was very interesting and quite possibly worth falling in love with.  Maybe even, (gasp!) have a child or two, with.  I’m sure there was an uproar from some of the older folks, but the kids got hitched and started their own families and here we are, several generations later gasping at a bi-racial couple. 

   C’mon America, pull your heads out.  Please.