...with apologies...
...more politics. On this one, I don't know if I can avoid commentary.
While doing a little research on the previous posts, I spent a lot of time chatting with Jocelyn about various topics. These chats help form my opinions and positions. I think that it is safe to say that for most people, their spouse is both an influence and an indication of what they consider to be good and important in the world. At the very least it says something about the person with whom they have committed to spending an awful lot of time.
Without further ado, I present to you an absurdly reduced summary of the 2008 "First-Spouses". My only metric is their current occupation and their education.
Quick thoughts: Michelle Obama has been observed to be on the board of a company that profits from WalMart. Cindy McCain has invested massive time and money on very respectable humanitarian foundation work. Jill Biden is president of an NPO related to cancer education, and also works with military families. Todd Palin is a champion snow mobile racer.
Quick conclusion: Democratic ticket spouses have a law degree and a Ph.D. Republican ticket spouses have a Master's and a diploma.
Potential conflicts from Spousal Occupation: Biden might vote for more education. McCain could encourage more beer consumption (or tax breaks for folks earning $6 million/year). Obama may favor big-health or Pickle Producers. Palin will continue to push for more oil extraction, but will likely keep wild spaces open to off-road vehicle use.
Trying hard not to sound like a broken record here.... but doesn't it seem, yet again, that one of the four is a bit of an outlying data point? Who would *you* want advising the most powerful decision maker in the free world? A snow mobile racer?
While doing a little research on the previous posts, I spent a lot of time chatting with Jocelyn about various topics. These chats help form my opinions and positions. I think that it is safe to say that for most people, their spouse is both an influence and an indication of what they consider to be good and important in the world. At the very least it says something about the person with whom they have committed to spending an awful lot of time.
Without further ado, I present to you an absurdly reduced summary of the 2008 "First-Spouses". My only metric is their current occupation and their education.
Candidate | Spouse's Name | Occupation | Education |
John McCain | Cindy McCain | Chair of Hensley & Co (beer distributor) | B.A. University of Southern California, M.A. University of Southern California |
Barrack Obama | Michelle Obama | VP External Relations, University of Chicago Hospitals | B.A. cum laude Princeton University/ J.D. Harvard Law |
Joe Biden | Jill Biden | Community College Professor | B.A. University of Delaware/ M.A. Villanova University/ M.Ed. West Chester University/ |
Sarah Palin | Todd Palin | BP employee (formerly management), Commercial Fisherman | Wasilla High School (and some college courses!) |
Quick thoughts: Michelle Obama has been observed to be on the board of a company that profits from WalMart. Cindy McCain has invested massive time and money on very respectable humanitarian foundation work. Jill Biden is president of an NPO related to cancer education, and also works with military families. Todd Palin is a champion snow mobile racer.
Quick conclusion: Democratic ticket spouses have a law degree and a Ph.D. Republican ticket spouses have a Master's and a diploma.
Potential conflicts from Spousal Occupation: Biden might vote for more education. McCain could encourage more beer consumption (or tax breaks for folks earning $6 million/year). Obama may favor big-health or Pickle Producers. Palin will continue to push for more oil extraction, but will likely keep wild spaces open to off-road vehicle use.
Trying hard not to sound like a broken record here.... but doesn't it seem, yet again, that one of the four is a bit of an outlying data point? Who would *you* want advising the most powerful decision maker in the free world? A snow mobile racer?
Labels: news
# posted by Steve Broyles @ 10/12/2008 03:06:00 PM 
Comments:
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I like how you've put all this together. Here's an interesting site you might like.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchOMatic/fullpage?id=5542139
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchOMatic/fullpage?id=5542139
I'm just wondering why a couple who has chosen to leave their country has taken the trouble to get involved with its politics? Shouldn't you be trying to gain citizenship in Costa Rica and vote there?
# posted by 
: Fri Oct 24, 01:55:00 AM CST
: Fri Oct 24, 01:55:00 AM CST
Fair question!
Our goal is to someday enjoy spending as many as three to six months/year back in California.
We love the USA and still refer to northern California as "home" when speaking to each other.
Our decision to move to Costa Rica was partly born of a sense of trying something new and different, partly due to enjoying the weather in the tropics (usually) and partly due to knowing that there is a great big world out there and that restricting ourselves to living in just one little part of it wasn't enough to satisfy us.
Beyond that- we also recognize that the US political scene has far-reaching effects upon the economies and lives of millions of people who live outside of the USA. Just look at the economic situation in the news today if you need more evidence. Or try telling an Iraqi that the US presidential elections only affect people living in the USA.
As for Costa Rica- we are legal residents but have no intention of becoming citizens largely because the USA doesn't recognize dual-citizenship, but partly because we still consider ourselves guests in this country and *from* California. I do, however, participate in politics at a very local level in an attempt to help steer towards more sustainable development and increase infrastructure. It may not be much, but I think I help out.
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Our goal is to someday enjoy spending as many as three to six months/year back in California.
We love the USA and still refer to northern California as "home" when speaking to each other.
Our decision to move to Costa Rica was partly born of a sense of trying something new and different, partly due to enjoying the weather in the tropics (usually) and partly due to knowing that there is a great big world out there and that restricting ourselves to living in just one little part of it wasn't enough to satisfy us.
Beyond that- we also recognize that the US political scene has far-reaching effects upon the economies and lives of millions of people who live outside of the USA. Just look at the economic situation in the news today if you need more evidence. Or try telling an Iraqi that the US presidential elections only affect people living in the USA.
As for Costa Rica- we are legal residents but have no intention of becoming citizens largely because the USA doesn't recognize dual-citizenship, but partly because we still consider ourselves guests in this country and *from* California. I do, however, participate in politics at a very local level in an attempt to help steer towards more sustainable development and increase infrastructure. It may not be much, but I think I help out.
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