Pen-pricks
• California Governor Jerry Brown trumpeted Justice Department crime statistics showing that serious crimes were way down in the Golden State in the last year. However, I was robbed at the gas station in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, but I got a good look at the thief. It was Pump Number Three.
• The National Aeronautics Space Administration announced they are putting out a job listing for a Planetary Protection Officer. NASA is going to hire somebody to guard Earth from attack by space aliens, which begs an important question. What the hell happened to Superman?
Argus Hamilton is the host comedian at The Comedy Store in Hollywood and a speaker. His email address is argus@argushamilton.com.
The antics we see in politics these days, particularly at the national level, can justifiably be described as detestable. Anyone who pays attention probably agrees, and while each party blames the other, both parties are guilty of questionable behavior. The animus between Republicans and Democrats, or conservatives and liberals (whatever), is more intense than ever, and the reason(s) is something that deserves the attention of anyone with the capacity to analyze the situation objectively.
Some will eagerly proclaim it’s Trump’s fault, and I agree, in a positive way. Whether the media and the left like it or not, Trump is the face of an American populace that is sick of an inept, even corrupt, federal government. His election threatens many of those in Congress — the “establishment” (often referred to as the swamp) as well as the power brokers who really control the government.
When Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, a Republican, says that Trump has “excessive expectations,” we have a problem! It’s not Trump’s expectations that are too high, it’s that the level of importance politicians place on what the American people expect is too low. McConnell also said that Trump is “new to this type of work.” Yup, he is, and that allows him to see government the way we do. McConnell’s remark also illustrates the posture he, and many in Congress, have — a “this is our club and we will operate it anyway we choose” attitude.
Maybe it’s time we start thinking about the 2018 primary elections. Maybe we should give serious consideration to ridding ourselves of incumbents, and do the same in 2020. Maybe that will get their attention. Maybe.
It is time that the misuse of the words “saving” and “savings” come to a roaring halt!
All over this country almost all advertisers are using the words “save,” “saving” and “savings” to sell products and services to the public. They are leading consumers to believe that by purchasing from them, the consumer will “save money.” This type of advertising is seen in all forms of media including TV, radio, newspapers, junk mail, hand out flyers, sign boards and even signs in stores. They advertise “Save Big”, “Save, Save, Save,” etc. This is not true.
In order to “save money,” money must be set aside BEFORE any purchases are made. Some of the best ways to save money are savings accounts in banks, credit unions or other financial institutions. It is far better to put money under a mattress then to be led to believe that money will be saved by spending. Money CANNOT be saved by spending.
It is possible to get a good price, a better deal or a great bargain when making a purchase, but it is impossible to spend in order to save or save by spending.
If it were possible, I, personally, would refuse to deal with any store, dealer or service company that advertised in this manner, but, almost every retail store, dealership, service provider or other sellers advertise in this manner. Instead, when they tell me that I “saved” an amount of money, I correct them and tell them that I “saved” nothing, but “spent” whatever amount I was charged.
The American public has been fed this type of advertising for so long that they’re brainwashed. Although these words have been used in almost all advertising for decades, the use of these words by advertisers is false and misleading. Isn’t it time for all elected officials (local, state and federal) to start enacting laws to prevent this mockery?
Today, too many people are in financial straits, totally indebted and even bankrupt from “saving!”