CNN/YouTube Democratic Debate

I was just watching the CNN/YouTube Democratic Debates, and I just saw the best debate question ever posed.



As a whole the candidates cracked me up. When asked about global warming they all agreed that it was real and dangerous. Then when asked about their travel plans all but 1 of the candidates admitted to taking a private jet.

When talking about schools they tell us that we need to trust in public schools. Then when asked where they sent their children over 1/2 of them provided some sort of excuse as to why their children went to private schools. Why not just admit that private schools are better and you took advantage of the opportunities presented to you?

Here's my overview of the candidates:

• Kucinich - He really believes what he says. While I may not agree with him, I respect him.
• Clinton - Too polished. Will probably end up with the nomination though because of her rehearsed answers to everything.
• Obama - Charismatic, but not quite as smooth on his feet as necessary.
• Biden - Reminds me of old-college fraternity person from the north east...will never make it and has some bad ideas while trying to take more credit than he deserves.
• Dodd - Not pretty enough. Mediocre ideas, but nothing new.
• Edwards - has a fighting chance. Nothing unique, but not as detestable as Hillary.
• Gravel - My favorite candidate by far. Proponent of the fair tax and school competition, didn't pander to emotions in his answer...basically no way in hell he'd get the Dem nomination because he actually tries to think.

Here's another fun question while we're at it:
Remy's Question on Taxes: YouTube/CNN Debates

Milestones

Yesterday marks the first anniversary of my marriage to the Wife. The hardest part to believe is the cliché response of how quickly everything has gone. Last year was such fun with all of the wedding stuff going on, getting to visit with lots of friends, creating an event that truly represented who we are and what we wanted.

The past year in review has been one of the best in my life; full of joy, laughter, and fulfillment, excitement, adventure, newness, passion, frugality, and satisfaction. I really don’t know what else I could ask for.

Life with the Wife has been great. I’ve learned so much about her, about myself and about what we want for our lives and how we wish to grow. The best part is too that things are just starting. We’re finally getting settled into the role of spouse, confidant, lover and friend; and things are going along incredibly smoothly. In fact, many people warned us that the first year of marriage was by far the hardest and that things will get easier from here on out. I really don’t know how things could get easier, it’s been great.

What’s fun is now that we’re settled into our roles we’re starting to figure out what some of our goals are for the future and who/what we really want to be and be willing to take some of the steps that will get us closer. One great book that I would really recommend to any couple would be the book Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach. While the word ‘rich’ is in the title, it’s not all about money. It’s about making sure that your life is headed in the right direction to help you become what you want to be and centering your life around the values that make up who you are and not around the things you want to buy (one of the biggest problems for most Americans).

So one year in review I would say that marriage to the right person is one of the greatest choices you could ever make. I’m so happy that I’m with the person that I found. Wife, I couldn’t ask for more and I look forward to more slow Saturday mornings, trips to new places, dinners at home, uncorking bottles of wine, hikes through the park with the puppy, motorcycle rides on back country roads, mornings in the coffee shop, reading together on the couch, cuddling up for a movie together, helping you reach things on top shelves, making sure you are squeaky clean, creating stories about strangers’ lives, explaining mathematical/scientific concepts, learning about HR nuances, camping trips, reading labels in search of glutens, working out together, and feeling the closeness of you for years to come.