The Odds Makers Have Spoken, We Have a New President

Anyone who watches sports knows it is amazing how close bookmakers come to setting the line for a sporting a event.  If there success translates to the Presidential election Obama is a heavy favorite.  The line is about what it would be if Oklahoma played SMU.  Sportsbook.com has the line at 2-9 in favor of Barack Obama.  That means you need to bet $9 to win just $2!

The bookies are calling for a romp.  I would assume the line would mimic the nation.  Bookies are the most neutral, undecided group in the world.  They don’t care who wins, as long as even money is split on both sides.  When the money flocks to Obama, they move the line to make McCain more of an underdog in hopes of enticing people to bet on him for the big pay off.  They way the line is set right now, shows that everyone is betting on Obama.

Here are some links where you can find the odds and watch them change:

1. Sportsbook.com
2. Oddschecker.com
3. World Sports Exchange

Congress Approves Bailout Plan – For Themselves

Today Congress approved a sweeping bail out plan to ensure all members of Congress are re-elected.  The House joined the Senate in voting unanimously to take 200 of the 700 billion dollars meant for Wall Street and split it amongst their own campaign coffers.

Realizing a “Wall Street Bail Out” would never get done before Election Day, House leaders came up with a plan to use government debt to finance their re-election campaigns to ensure each member of Congress  would be able to return to Washington to work on the plan to calm financial markets.

“We are all in this together,” one Congressman said, “If we can’t return to D.C. together, then we refuse to bail out the fat cats of Wall Street.”  Another prominent Senator stated boldly, “This plan let’s the American people know once and for all, we in Congress are just out for ourselves, no more lies or deceit, the only goal now is to get re-elected.”

Political operatives believe the plan is a brilliant one.  Here is what one strategist said, “The media will now be focused on how Congress voted to give themselves millions in tax payer dollars to finance their own re-election campaigns.  The media will forget all about the crisis on Wall Street.”

Finally one congressional leader summed it up this way, “After we buy ourselves another term, using tax payer dollars, then we can get back to the business of solving the financial crisis.”  But most insiders believe they won’t work too fast, they are loving all the TV interviews that come with the stalemate.

(Note To Gullible Readers:  This is satire and for entertainment purposes only)

Mild Mannered Congressman Sinks The Market or Saves It?

Is Republican Congressman Jeb Hensarling now saying what the hell did I get myself into?  Many in Washington are crediting him, or blaming him for yesterday’s failed “Bail Out” vote.  The mild mannered, often unnoticed, congressman from Dallas now has himself smack in the middle of the nation’s worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Congressional insiders tell me Hensarling was instrumental in pulling his fellow republicans onto the “vote no” side.  When the stock market plummeted nearly 800 points Hensarling told me, “it was gut wrenching to watch.”  Even he acknowledges some kind of action needs to be taken to calm the financial markets.  If Congress doesn’t act soon, it will be “gut wrenching” to watch my 401k disappear before my eyes.

The Cowboys Real Problem

Yesterday’s loss comes down to one major issue that continues to be a problem for Dallas… Pass Defense.  I know the running game was a no show yesterday but at least Marion and Julius have proved this season the running game can work and work well.

The pass defense has yet to show me anything, last season and this season.  Unless it improves soon teams will continue to pick the Cowboys apart.

No Deal Means More Uncertainty

The merits of the bail out deal can be debated until the end of time.  All the arguments are compelling:

1.  Why reward risky behavior? 
2.  Why should the tax payer bail out wealthy wall street? 
3.  If we don’t the economy will suffer.
4.  With out a bail out the credit market comes to a halt.

No matter what you believe, the lack of a deal leaves us in uncertain times.  That is why the Dow dropped nearly 800 points.  Investors do not like uncertain times. 

As much as I hate the thought of bailing out the Titans of Wall Street, I just want the doom and gloom to stop.  I think the only way it does stop is with some kind of a deal. 

How serious are our lawmakers about solving this crisis?  We shall see, getting re-elected may be more important.  Election day is not far off and the incumbents have not had much time to do any campaigning.  Let’s see if they choose to do that instead of staying in D.C. to hammer out a deal that will calm the American Investor.

Big Banks Knew we were Suckers all Along

Last I checked “Sub Prime” means below prime.  Sub Prime means risky, and it means the people who banks lend to have a history of not paying their bills.  The banks decided to play in that game, no one twisted their arms.  Giving a loan to someone who typically can’t pay it back is a dangerous game, and the banks got caught with their financial pants down.

I would love to play the stock market, betting only on penny stocks, knowing my broker will cover all my loses should I lose.  In reality that is what the banks are getting away with.  They took a gamble and now want the American Tax Payer to cover their gambling debts.

Remember Sub Prime, means Sub Prime… Why is anyone surprised the people who took out those loans can’t pay them back?  And why should we bail out the banks who offered them?

The reason is simple, the banks now have the American economy by the “you know what.”  We don’t have a choice but to bail them out.  Maybe those bankers were smarter then we think, they approved high risk loans, with no risk at all.  I guess the tax payers are the suckers.

Conservative Talk in Lip Stick and Heels

Look out Sarah Palin, this is no hockey mom! Debbie Davis is a self described football mom in high heels and lipstick.  But instead of going into politics she talks about politics.  Her statewide radio show, The Debbie Davis Show, can be heard on 1160 am between 9-11am.

Debbie is now taking on the conservative “Good ole Boys” of talk radio.  Her show continues to grow in popularity.  And even if you don’t agree with her thinking, you have to admire her determination.  And in case you were wondering, she does where glasses just like Sarah Palin.  Debbie assured me she had hers long before she even knew who Sarah Palin was.

The Country Club Vandal

Who would ever expect a member of Timarron Country Club in Southlake to also be a member of the Sierra Club and Green Peace?  I am sure those ties were not stated on James Jeppe’s application for membership.  Jeppe, seen above, is a member of all three.  He also stands accused of ruining the paint jobs of numerous Hummers across Southlake.

It turns out, the Hummer Jeppe got caught on tape vandalizing, is owned by another member of Timarron.  It got me thinking as to what would cause someone to scratch an X into a fellow members car. 

1. Did Jeppe catch the owner of the Hummer cheating at Gin Rummy?
2. Did Jeppe lose a big bet on the 18th hole?
3. Maybe the owner of that Hummer said, “Noonan!” in the middle of Jeppe’s back swing.
4. Maybe Jeppe was playing golf one group behind the owner, painfully waiting on every hole.
5. Maybe while Jeppe was taking a golf lesson, the Hummer owner’s son was chuckling at Jeppe’s awful swing.

Leave to a Hummer owner to install a surveillance camera!

So Where is Jessica Simpson?

Attention all Grant’s Rant readers, I have a question for you: Has Jessica Simpson been banned from attending Cowboys Games?  I have not seen her at any games this season, not that she would want to travel to Green Bay anyway.  Unless you are a die hard football fan/buff Green Bay would not be the first choice of travel destinations.

But it still begs the question, to avert a PR nightmare, has Tony told her to watch from home?  The reality is with each game the Cowboys win, the more dangerous it becomes for Jessica Simpson to show up at a game.  For all those idiots who believe in the Jessica Jinx, if the Cowboys lose the first game Simpson attends,  forgetaboutit!!!! (as we say in NY)

Democracy Should Not Mean the Government Gets to Rig the Vote

 

It is undisputed that this November 4th will have the greatest voter turnout in American History.  Barack Obama and Sarah Palin (and John McCain) are inspiring millions of Americans to head to the polls, many of whom never voted before.

The question is, why are so many school districts holding “Tax Increase” elections three weeks earlier?  Why not hold those elections when the majority of the towns population will be voting?  That would give everyone an equal voice.

There is one reason why the districts want the tax elections early… because they fear failure when more people vote.  By holding the “tax hike” elections before November 4th, it increases the chances that the people who show up to vote are school employees and families who’s kids go to the schools.  Someone voting “No” to the increase, may not go out of his or her way to head to the polls. 

The Districts all holding an early “special” election say, they want the issue to be the sole focus on the ballot and they need the money before November.  I believe that to be true, but it doesn’t make it right to change an election date just because the “real one” doesn’t work in  your favor.

Sadly, I don’t think our forefathers envisioned holding elections only on days when victory is in the governments favor.  November 4th is this country’s “Election Day.”  That means it should be the day when Elections are held.

(Please note: This is note a post on the merits of a tax hike… Only on the merits of giving everyone a voice.)