So as everyone has heard (even internationally — oh the shame), Amendment One passed in North Carolina today by an astounding majority, even higher than predicted. However, I am very pleased to report that it failed failed FAILED in Mecklenburg County. So there’s that? I can be proud of our efforts here in the Charlotte area and know that we did our best. And yes, a 27.45% turnout is fantastic for a primary! As sad as that sounds. We’re obviously not France.
Here’s what I think one of the main problems was: people didn’t understand the full consequences of it and/or couldn’t see past the media and proponent’s constant framing of it as a gay marriage issue. That is, unfortunately, already illegal in the state, and this went so much farther that I don’t see how it would ever hold up against the 14th Amendment. I would love an unmarried, long-term committed heterosexual couple with 2.5 kids to take it to the Supreme Court and have it blasted into oblivion for how atrocious for everyone it really is. But we tried, oh we tried, to get people to listen to reason and it paid off! Just…Mecklenburg County isn’t enough in and of itself.
In addition, I’ve had an actual paid job on a campaign for county commissioner for the last 3 weeks. He didn’t win today so I’m again unemployed. But hey, that’s 3 weeks of income I didn’t have before and 3 weeks of invaluable experience teaching me that I NEVER WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE. But if anyone needs a campaign assistant (*cough* manager), give me a call.
Okay, so my job isn’t actually over. There are yard signs all over the county I have to help pick up and thank yous for contributions to be done and campaign finance reports to finalize and a long list I don’t want to think about.
But tomorrow I get to sleep in. Boss said so.
This owns. (Taken with instagram)
My old boss tried to use the restroom argument with me once. For people who try to use this as another example of why trans* people create all of the problems of the world, it can really be THIS simple.
Simple as that.
(Source: ohlipsss, via stfuconservatives)
“In the fanciest restaurants, order what sounds least appetizing.” —
Frugal economist Tyler Cowen, revealing one of his six rules for dining out.
“The logic is simple,” he explains. “At a fancy restaurant, the menu is well thought-out. The kitchen’s time and attention are scarce. An item won’t be on the menu unless there is a good reason for its presence. If it sounds bad, it probably tastes especially good. […] And consider that a few items may be on the menu specifically because they are generally in demand, not because the chef cooks them with special brilliance.”
(via theatlantic)
I guess this is (one reason) why I don’t eat at fancy restaurants. Why would I order something that doesn’t sound appetizing? ”If it sounds bad, it probably tastes especially good.” I don’t follow this logic at all. I understand the roast chicken theory, but I think I’m too picky an eater to order something that doesn’t appeal at least somewhat. It can be “unknown” without being icky-sounding.
I, however, am a fan of restaurants in strip malls and Vietnamese food. So the author and I can agree on that.
(via theatlantic)
good:
Why is Smart Car Argentina’s Twitter feed the coolest thing we’ve seen all day?
Hmm…an invitation for a OFA conference call with Michelle Obama. But it’s a statewide thing, so I would assume tons of people doing it, right? How does it work? Anyone have experience with this sort of thing?
To thank you for your amazing efforts and continue building for the next 6 months, we are inviting you to participate in a special conference call on ————— with First Lady Michelle Obama and supporters across North Carolina. Mrs. Obama will speak to each of us about what’s at stake in North Carolina and discuss how America prospers when we’re all in it together; when hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded.
Probably just a listen-in setup? Hem and haw, I’ll likely not participate this time.
[video]
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“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”
E. B. White, 1976
Good morning.
(Source: m3zzaluna, via nprfreshair)
American Corporations pay the lowest taxes in the entire developed world! -
Pay no attention to the lies already coming from the Right – corporations are paying less in taxes in America than they’ve paid in 40 years. According to the Congressional Budget Office – despite American corporations making enormous profits last year – their second best in a generation - they paid on average only 12.1% in federal taxes. That’s far below the 35% corporate tax rate that Conservatives claim is crippling business in America. At 12.1%, American corporations are paying the lowest taxes in the entire developed world.
It’s also a staggering drop off since the last quarter century – between 1987 and 2008 – when corporations paid on average a 25.6% corporation tax rate. When corporations and the very, very wealthy aren’t paying their fair share in taxes, then working people have to pick up the slack. That’s exactly what’s happened in recent years – and one reason why the United States has one of the highest level of wealth inequality in the developed world – and why the middle class is disappearing right in front of our eyes.
(Source: azspot)