A couple of points first. Please read the Blogstream Service Notice. Sorry that I made comments about this.

Also, just returned from an absolutely delightful trip around New England thanks to our Laura. More on this when we get organized.

Today sent a note to my Congresswoman about The Failure of the Century (Congress' failure). She voted against the bailout. When 80% of Americans are in favor of it (CNN poll) and a vast majority of the economic experts interviewed said we need it, how can Congress be so politically partisan and selfcentered? Anyone wish to make a contribution to my retirement fund? Not an economic expert but do not wish to live under the overpass with the homeless.

Always knew Pelosi is an idiot. And a bunch of Democratic Congressmen voted against the bill. A big minus for the Democrats.

The Republican reaction and a big bunch of Republican Congressmen voting against it is a big, big minus for the Republicans.

As for the voting checkoff list. Alvin for President. The Bull Moose Party for us! But let's get real folks, we have to live with either McCain or Obama, Republicans or Democrats. Which one will be out of the frying pan and into the fire? A slight advantage for the Democrats and Obama. The Republicans have shot themselves in the foot - or some place more painful.

A memorable day. We start a week-and-a-half tour around New England thanks to one of our daughters. Another part of our 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Look out, all you Yankees, here we come.

Could have written about Washington's Farewell Address made on this date in 1796 but already did that. Could have written about the Battle of Sharpsburg (also called the Battle of Antietam) which took place on this date in 1862. But our 50th is really significant.

Will be away from a computer (isn't that what a vacation is supposed to do?) for a while, anyway. See y'all in a bit.

The Peever had a posting about “single issue” voters. Prompted me to get started on updating my checkoff list for the election.

In a sense I guess I am a “single issue” voter. Certainly not abortion or gay marriage or something idiotic like that. My single issue is the economy.

A couple of comments to begin with. Will rogers said all men look good until they are elected and that Congress' greatest contribution is to get the 500 biggest liars in the country in the same place. You know how to tell when a politician is lying? His mouth moves. Obama was on GMA this morning and very unartfully avoided the question.

Some sub issues about the economy and how the candidates look to me (based largely on their websites).

The National Debt. McCain wants to reform the Federal bureaucracy and keep taxes low. Obama wants a “jumpstart” and tax relief. But taxes are a separate category. A lot of this is fighting Congress' corruption and the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Close but Obama gets the check on this one.

The War. We should not have ever gotten into it. But we are in it and it must be ended correctly. A terrible drain on the economy. Sue Bush for the costs of the war. But an economic draw between McCain and Obama. Too much smoke screen and flipflopping.

The dollar. A lot of this to my mind is the national Debt and what them furriners think of us 'Murrikins. Bush is the international symbol for evil and McCain will not be able to turn that around. Trade barriers, international business are hard to find out about. Obama gets a definite check.

Taxes. Complicated. A lot of smoke from both sides. Tend to go with the age old idea that Republicans go for smaller government and Democrats are tax and spend. McCain gets a tentative check.

Energy and gas. Like all of the ideas about off-shore drilling, alternative sources, alternative transportation, nuclear, oil company profits (lots of luck on that one), etc. Neither will go for higher gas taxes but I think that is the way to go. Pretty even between them. Maybe McCain.

The environment. This is a big economic issue. Cleaning stuff up is expensive. And dollars spent now will means lots less spent by my grandchildren. Obama's website has a list of things he promises to do. Sounds good before the election. Check for Obama.

Earmarks and Congressional corruption. Again, lots of smoke. These are politicians talking about their bread and butter, after all. Based on McCain's record in Congress, a definite check for him.

Summary: close but an edge for Obama.

Both of the websites are full of what they are going to do. Neither really tell how. Whatever the how is, it will cost us – a lot. My peronal economic plan will be a joke. And neither tell how they will get around a donothing, corrupt, political Congress.

And then there is this that showed up in my inbox this very morning: "A president's pension currently is $191,300 per year, until he is 80 years old. Assuming the next president would be Sen. McCain and he lives to age 80 at the end of two terms as president, he would receive ZERO pension. Sen. Obama would be retired for 26 years after two terms and would receive $4,973,800 in pension. Therefore it would certainly make economic sense to elect McCain in November."

Comments and additions welcomed.

A 50th Anniversary is a cause for a lot of analysis. What did the 50 years accomplish? Of course, just as life itself is reason enough for life, marriage itself is reason enough for marriage, family itself is reason enough for family.

Back in January, made a post about success. A few successes in 72 years. A lot of mediocrity. A bunch of nonsuccesses (failure is a traumatic word).

A week or so ago, our kids gave us an anniversary dinner at Indigo in Alexandria. Right on the Potomac near Reagan airport. It was too much fun and a truly memorable time. Here is a picture of us and our babies.

And one including the wives, husbands, grandchildren (one is missing, just starting classes at Tech)

We all have to pick our measures of success. Probably a lot of rationalization goes into it. But those children and grandchildren make a really good measure. God's in His Heaven and all is right with the world.

Most of the pictures are from Google images. Know we have our own pictures in a foot locker but did not take the time to search through all of them.

Our '93 white Grand Marquis is having some problems but the old girl purrs up the road to The Big City as smooth as silk. The AC does not work, the biggest problem. But as long as the traffic keeps moving along, open windows keep you pretty comfortable. Just put a thousand dollars into her because of a water leak and fuel pump flatulence. Wade, our repairman, perfomed some magic and our fuel tank works and goes from empty to full! But a thousand is the equivalent of several months of car payments and it is paid for. As it has been for a decade. A great car.

When we got the white '93 from a dealer in Andrews, Texas, we really wished for a red one with tan interior. The dealer was the parent of one of my students and gave us a good deal so we ended up with a white one with grey-blue interior.

On a whim a little over a week ago, I looked at a couple of the big internet dealers. Don't ask me why. Carmax had a red Grand Marquis with tan interior and a '03 at less than ten thousand. In Eastern U.S., the Atlanta area. The photos looked like it was pristine and the vehicle history excellent. The Gods and the Fates pointed their fickle fingers and we started the process.

Have had insurance with USAA for fifty years. Called them about the loan. A good rate and very easy to deal with.

Carmax could not have made the process easier. No haggle, no fuss. Had to pay to get the car brought up to the D.C. Area but not out of reason. A good experience.

The car was as good as the pictures. The carpets looked as if they had not had a shoe on them. No dents, spit and polish engine compartment, clean and soft leather. Meant to be, meant for us.

Our first car was a '48 Mercury we bought when we were married in 1958. Should have kept that one. Above is me is my bomber jacket and our Mercury in 1958.

When the kids started to come, we got a new car, a '59 Morris Minor. Should have kept that one, too. 38 horsepower! Above is my Annie with the boys and the Morris.

After ten years and more children, that was followed by a light blue Gran Torino wagon. Should have kept that one too. 350 Cleveland engine.

Ten years later, a Volvo. Only had that one for several years. It was a mistake.

Then, in '83, a Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park wagon. A tank. Put a 4X8 plywood flat in the back of it. Should have kept that one.

And in '93, the white Grand Marquis. The best one of all. Still have it.

And now, a '03 Mercury Grand Marquis. Hope it is as good as the other Mercury Grand Marquis'.

Try Carmax, you'll like it.