I’m worried about Barack Obama.

I’m worried because I keep hearing about the angry crowds at McCain/Palin rallies who are yelling things like “traitor”, “terrorist” and, unbelievably, “off with his head” when Obama’s name is mentioned.

“Off with his head”?!?! Some people are really and truly nuts.

Really and truly nuts, and probably racist too.

There is no question in my mind that there is a scarily sizable chunk of the population that is appalled that a black man could become the next President. I heard an interview with one man who said that he “couldn’t live in a country that had Obama as President”.

Buh-bye, then. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

I am worried though. And, I’m disgusted that McCain and Palin have not come out stronger against people who chant such things at their rallies. Especially things like “off with his head” or “kill him”. It’s unconscionable.

If things keep going this route, I’m going to suggest that Obama contact Rome for some “divine” intervention.

Because, really, if something terrible were to happen to this man, I think another bit of my faith in humanity would go up in smoke.

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I have a sharp-tongued friend who once worked at a Collection Agency straight out of college, a job that suited her well. I remember her telling us of her phone calls; she’d go after these people without mercy: “You’d better get your ass off that couch because we’re coming for it!” and “Take the Christmas gifts out of the trunk ‘cuz that car is ours now!“. Those were classics to our 20-year-old ears.

They don’t seem so funny anymore, maybe now that I’m just too keenly aware of how easy it is to slip under. I’m not talking about going spending crazy with a credit card; I’m talking about losing a job, getting behind on bills and then just slowly. sinking. under. I have a lot more empathy at 41 than I did at 22.

So lately, I’ve thought a lot about those phone calls, especially with all the crap that is going on in the financial world. Our debt is now up to 10 trillion dollars, and we owe huge sums of money (about 25% of the total) to foreign countries like China and Japan.

I will be the first to admit that I don’t know all that much about how this “debt ownership” works, but what if China decides they want that debt paid off now? We clearly aren’t in a position to pay anything off, so what then?

The other night I lay in bed and wondered what China might demand. Texas? California? New York? Or, maybe they’ll just take Microsoft and call it a day. I’ll even throw in McDonald’s and one almost-past President/VP team for good measure.

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Dear Macy’s,

I’ve seen your television commercials that are chock-full of celebrities: Martha Stewart in Home Furnishings, Donald Trump in Men’s Clothing, Jessica Simpson in Perfumes. Wow, that spot must have cost you a fortune.

It’s too bad you wasted so much cash on a television spot when your money could’ve been better spent on improving the shopping experience for your customers. Take your dressing rooms:

I don’t think your customers should feel like they are under interrogation and about to be strip searched in the cell-blocks you call dressing rooms. And what exactly is that little piece of wood with a hole in it supposed to be? I decided it was where I’d be handcuffed when security arrived for the interrogation.

Dirty, bare and with unflattering light to boot! Perfect for trying on overpriced clothing.

I don’t think Martha would approve.

Signed,

Glad to be outta there

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