Nothin' But Good Times?

Heard a radio commercial this morning for GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, in which his record of never having voted for a tax increase is touted. A daily update on his website states:

"A real fiscal conservative always votes for balanced budgets, lower spending and would never, ever raise taxes."

While balanced budgets and lower spending are generally good things, perhaps Dr. Paul has had the excellent fortune and timing to only hold public office during years of very tall cotton. So here's This Week's Discussion Question:

Never, ever raise taxes? Never? EVER?

Please keep the discussion civil and do not wander off into "Perhaps fiscal conservatives lack the wisdom and foresight to consider all possibilities" or "Why, that phony fiscal conservative Ronald Reagan..."

Discuss.

Parade

Had a viewing of the musical "Hairspray" at TWDQ HQ over the weekend. We mightily enjoyed the advice Queen Latifah's character offers to her son and his white girlfriend near the movie's ending: "You two better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin’ at you from a never-ending parade of stupid."

So here's This Week's Discussion Question:

Do you suppose that line might come to mind at some point during this election year?

Please keep the discussion civil and do not wander off into "Hell, I'm hoping there's one day this year when it won't" or "I can believe John Travolta as a woman, but TV sets coming on instantly in 1962? No way."

Discuss.

Fame

Rich "Goose" Gossage, one of the most feared relievers in baseball history (look up the great Eddie Murray story in Sparky Lyle's "The Bronx Zoo" sometime), was elected to the Hall of Fame on Tuesday. The BBWAA does a fine job as HoF gatekeepers, but some mysteries at the bottom of the ballot provide This Week's Discussion Question:

Why would ANYONE cast a Hall of Fame vote for Chuck Knoblauch or Shawon Dunston?

Please keep the discussion civil and do not wander off into "I can see throwing a vote to David Justice as props merely for having been hitched--however briefly--to Halle Berry" or "Fred's fortunate the primaries don't use a 'five percent minimum to stay on future ballots' rule."

Discuss.