Domestic Geek

So, the after-election rants are starting on Facebook. People claiming they can't live in a country where Republicans have the majority (I heard the same thing from the other side 2 years ago, yet here they all still live). Others acting like we're at the beginning of an apocalypse because their candidates didn't win. Here's the deal - stop giving the government that much control over your lives. Until there is a major shift in thinking in this country, it doesn't matter who wins - we all lose. Being Libertarian, my candidates rarely win. I'm hopeful that one day enough people will wake up and realize that the current 2-party political system that panders to the leeches of society (both rich and poor) is the problem.

Edited 11/5 to add:
A couple of election things that did bum me out:
1. The GMO labeling proposition failed. I guess people feel ignorance is bliss. I, for one, want to know what I'm eating. Way to fall for the scare tactics from people that profit from GMOs.
2. The Aurora pit bull ban is still in place. It's not a breed problem, it's an owner problem. I'm sorry, the only time I was ever attacked when I was delivering pizzas was by a little, yappy drop-kick dog that sank it's sharp little teeth into my Achilles tendon while I waited for the owner to go get money.
3. Hickenlooper is still Governor of Colorado.

Today we participate in that twice-yearly moronic tradition of screwing around with our body's clocks by trying to fool ourselves by adjusting the time.

There are a set amount of hours in any given day. Who cares when it is light or dark outside at any given hour? If it bothers you, change your schedule. Is it really worth the depression, accidents and lost productivity caused while people's systems try to adjust to the outcome of this nonsensical practice?

Add to that the fact that the United States decided to change when they do it a few years ago. The United Kingdom time change was last weekend. Then there are the places (like in Arizona) that refuse to participate. The whole danged thing is ludicrous.

I'm already not happy with how our state is being governed. I knew that stupid tax bill they just put into effect went too far, but then I got this email today:

Dear Colorado-based Amazon Associate:

We are writing from the Amazon Associates Program to inform you that the Colorado government recently enacted a law to impose sales tax regulations on online retailers. The regulations are burdensome and no other state has similar rules. The new regulations do not require online retailers to collect sales tax. Instead, they are clearly intended to increase the compliance burden to a point where online retailers will be induced to "voluntarily" collect Colorado sales tax -- a course we won't take.

We and many others strongly opposed this legislation, known as HB 10-1193, but it was enacted anyway. Regrettably, as a result of the new law, we have decided to stop advertising through Associates based in Colorado. We plan to continue to sell to Colorado residents, however, and will advertise through other channels, including through Associates based in other states.

There is a right way for Colorado to pursue its revenue goals, but this new law is a wrong way. As we repeatedly communicated to Colorado legislators, including those who sponsored and supported the new law, we are not opposed to collecting sales tax within a constitutionally-permissible system applied even-handedly. The US Supreme Court has defined what would be constitutional, and if Colorado would repeal the current law or follow the constitutional approach to collection, we would welcome the opportunity to reinstate Colorado-based Associates.

You may express your views of Colorado's new law to members of the General Assembly and to Governor Ritter, who signed the bill.

Your Associates account has been closed as of March 8, 2010, and we will no longer pay advertising fees for customers you refer to Amazon.com after that date. Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned prior to March 8, 2010, will be processed and paid in accordance with our regular payment schedule. Based on your account closure date of March 8, any final payments will be paid by May 31, 2010.

We have enjoyed working with you and other Colorado-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program, and wish you all the best in your future.


Best Regards,

The Amazon Associates Team

I didn't make any money from being an Amazon associate, but it was nice to have that possible income stream at my disposal. I also used associate links in my blog posts for products or books I liked.

I wish I could say that putting Republicans back in charge would change things, but it won't. All current politicians are power-hungry and corrupt. Things are only going to change when we, the people, start taking responsibility and start taking control of our lives back. The economic troubles (caused by government interference), the unfair tax system, the out of control regulations...we're being micro-manged to the point of strangling the principles on which this nation was built — freedom, personal responsibility, liberty. You know, the original colonists fought back against England for less tan we're being put through now. Wake up, people. The government is not the solution nor can they help with your problems. All they do is compound problems and keep people down. I'm tired of it.