Is There A Relationship Between IQ and Common Sense?

Linda and I exercised our duty as good citizens by completing and mailing in our absentee ballots for this coming Saturday’s elections in New Orleans.  Now we can sit back and see what happens.  I’m curious to see just how forgiving people will be of C. Ray when push comes to shove.

There’s a group called “IQ” that is running for the seven assessor seats.  IQ stands for “I Quit”.  They (the IQs) say that if they win, six of the seven will quit, leaving one assessor.  Sounds good in theory, but who decides which one stays?  And what if only 1 of the “IQs” gets elected?  Or only two, or three, or…  you get the picture.

Remember the tornadoes that passed through our area two weeks ago?  It seems that FEMA has brought in some of the trailers originally intended for Katrina-hit areas.  Now everyone want to know why we have trailers, but no one is living in them.  Hey, it’s only been two weeks!!  After seven month, there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of still EMPTY trailers in New Orleans.  Never forget, anything that comes from the government (ANY government!!) comes with an ample supply of “cinta roja” (red tape).

And have you noticed how the TV networks bring in their fall lineups, give you a chance to settle into a routine of watching your favorite programs, then either cancel one of your favorites, or move it to a “new day and time”, invariably opposite another show you always watch?  (Whew, was that sentence complex enough?)

Back to New Orleans…  I mentioned in an earlier entry that we’re already seeing increases in our property taxes.  At the same time we’re seeing a decrease in city services.  Trash pick up has gone from twice a week to, theoretically, once a week, but even that is sporadic, at best.  It is not uncommon for trash pickup to occur once in two weeks or more.

The Louisiana insurance commission just approved a rate hike for Allstate Insurance.  Predictions are that New Orleans residents may see as much as a 52% hike in home owners insurance.  And apparently Allstate, and others, is levying a one time 15% fee to help them “get well” since the storms.

Gas prices.  Anyone notice how quickly and how high they are going?  It’s being predicted that gas will average $3.50/gallon by summer.  We’re being told that it’s due to high cost of crude (maybe so), development of alternative fuels (what is the connection here?), and some suggest it’s simply supply and demand.  When I read about oil company executives who retire with a $400 MILLION retirement package, I have to wonder just how many oil company employees have hyper-inflated salary/bonus/retirement packages, and how much this, coupled with HUGE oil company profits posted annually, are the actual reason behind high gas prices.

I’m really looking forward to April 29th.  H2’s commencement from Loyola University of New Orleans will bring the whole family together, including H1 and DIL coming in from Houston!  That in itself is reason for a party, but we are SO proud of H2 and his accomplishments, so we will have to party twice as hearty!!