The benefit of being removed from party affiliations is that I can bitch and complain without the necessity of compromising my super-secret ideals. It’s a game of mystery of sorts; can you guess? People have to ask me my opinion, not assume based on a few colors, two animals or knowledge of previous posts grouping affiliation. I’ve always been challenged as a Republican, a conservative and even a Neocon. I hate nasty generalizations, don’t you?

One thing that’s generally gaining steam from the small consortium of non-party issues is fuel. Paying $4 for a tank of gas when prices before Katrina were so much more manageable, is absurd, if you feel the weight of a penny-pinching, benefits-increasing, flat pay, economy. For the love of god, I do. Which, of course, could be an unwelcome byproduct of the war, outdated refineries, worker strikes, cartel greed, etc..

Private and public sectors are pushing four-day work weeks for employees. Some relief, no doubt. Not at my work though. I could do 95% of my job from my couch at home, yet I’m not given that gift. The government feeling the pressure of voter backlash wants to create commissions, regulations and more laws and oversight. Citizens are forming petitions to drill domestically. Even if passes, the same remains — campaign promises to “find” energy alternatives using the same tired and old technologies used five generations ago is just that, a promise. And what’s your general feeling on a campaign promise?

Yet, I’m the fool that drives over 70 miles a day to and from work. I’m the fool that lives in an apartment where cost of living is relatively high because of multi-million dollar school levies passing while guilt-promoting levy-supporters bag parents and emotionalists. I suppose I could bitch about the gas prices — it’s even a good conversation starter anyway — but in the end, it’s me that could change habits to wither my own costs.

And thus, a glimpse at my overall philosophy.