Political Philosophy

Much of my interest in politics lies in the political philosophies behind the systems vs the actual execution of politics (given how politics has gone in the last 50 years or so, execution may be the right word).  I have been particularly interested in the Social Contract theories such as those proposed by Locke and Rousseau etc.  In general the concept is this: if I am stronger I could come take over your land...until someone stronger than me comes along.  We agree to leave each other alone and help protect each other against the next big guy that comes along.  We agree to give up a "natural" instinct to take and overpower, in order to assure that we are not the victim of the same instinct from someone else.  The evolution of this concept is the foundation of our modern democratic and republican systems (referring to the methodologies of rule not the political leanings of individuals and parties that have overcome the original meanings).    

My personal theory will likely become a book some day...the United States has moved from a government based on the Social Contract theories to a government based on a Socialised Contract.  The Social Contract implies a conscious decision to exchange "freedoms" for security and certainty.  When you look at the US today there are two minorities that fit that description: naturalized citizens and expats.  They have actively chosen to adhere to or move away from the laws of the land.  An extremely large majority of the remaining population grows up hearing that the US is the best country in the world and our system of government is second to none.  I'm not saying it isn't - I am saying that by the time we reach an age where we can actively participate in our governing or move away from it we are socialized into the concept that there is not other way to go.  We accept our method of government as if there isn't an alternative.  This eliminates the very base of the Social Contract - a decision.  Even the extremists at both ends of the spectrum rely on the understood and assumed level of freedom and rights in the system.

The short of the message is think it through.  Understand what government is and should be.  From their you will likely - as I have - know you are in the right place.  

Food, Wine and me

I could have my first true post on religion, my wife and kids, or even on something like my current job search.... Nope, food.  For those that know me this will come as no surprise - it has been said of me that I live from meal to meal and everything in between is just filler.  Luckily for me I married one of the most talented cooks anyone could hope to find.  Angie mixes precision, research and a bit of adventure.  She knows of more cooking sites, secret methods and substitutions than should be recalled by anyone less than leader of a secret society of culinary librarians.  She rarely backs down from a challenging recipe and I rarely back away from anything but an empty plate.  I am no slack in the kitchen myself - a bit more of a MacGyver.  To this point in my kitchen experimentation I have only chucked 2 "experiments".  I whole-heartily believe in cooking with your nose...pick a central ingredient and start smelling your way through the rest of it.

While I appreciate the unique and the extravagant - the simple pleasures of simple foods done right sit just as well with me.    When I title an entry with anything related to "food" expect a short bit on my recent bites.  

On that note - last night: nothing fancy, sirloin from Costco (unless you have a specialty shop or butcher near by Costco likely the best choice you will have for good meat).  While I didn't take the time to age the steaks last night I have been known to do so.  A simple method I use when grilling steaks is to give them a light coating of butter before placing them on the grill (when I say light I mean that in a Paula Dean way).  I find this gives a steak a nice but thin crust.  By the way, medium rare is my personal recommendation on a steak.  If you are going to err toward more or less done - always go toward more rare.  Medium is overcooked - anything past is burnt.    We had some sides etc with dinner but I can't remember a dang one...the steak was too good. 

I am marinating the rest of the steaks for tomorrow (the other reason I buy at Costco is there is too much for one meal...darn I have to have steak twice this week).