It's been a while again.

I have been thinking about going in to politics, if only for trying to bring a little unity and common sense into the proceedings. I am tired of smokescreens being thrown up whenever there is a serious issue. Economy down? Blame illegal immigrants taking our jobs! NEWS FLASH: Um, no, it's not illegal immigrants taking jobs, it's the employers looking to make a few extra bucks in profit by hiring on employees for whom they don't have to pay health care benefits or even minimum wage. Chances are you have more in common with the the illegal immigrant than you do with the employer (who is not your friend; they are knowingly screwing you over). See turn of the 20th century New York, Irish and Italians.

Another wonderful smokescreen is gay marriage. Funny, I don't feel my marriage is threatened by giving other people the right to marry. If you truly believe gay marriage is wrong, for religious purposes or otherwise - don't do it. There are a couple major religions against the eating of pork products, and I don't recall any legislature calling for a permanent ban on the eating of bacon. By the way, I believe it is also against Scripture to eat shellfish, but I don't see anyone getting fired up about making shrimp cocktail illegal. How about we allow people to make their own choices and lead their own lives? Is it really that difficult?

These issues are like the supermarket tabloids, really - escapism. I really doubt everyone who complains about gay marriage or the trials and tribulations of Brangelina™ has such a perfect, stress-free life that they can devote all their time to this debate. Who is sleeping with/cheating on/madly in love with/has a restraining order against whom has no bearing on my life.