They keep asking for money and I keep telling them the same thing.

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF POLITENESS MAN:

Battling inane comments and rude behavior with a deflective retort, he works hard to keep society off balance by making them think that what they say and do is acceptable.

TODAY - POLITENESS MAN AT THE DRUG STORE...

Politeness Man is purchasing one thing in a box small enough to fit inside his polite pocket. Cashier asks, "Would you like a bag?"

"No", Politeness Man replies with a gentle eye roll.

The cashier isn't finished. "Would you like to donate a dollar to Lou Gehrig's Disease?" she asks.

"Umm ... no," replies Politeness Man, when what he really wanted to say was, "No, it's a horrible disease and it's doing fine without any help from me." But Politeness Man knew what she meant, even though her phrasing was awkward.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE EXCITING ADVENTURES.

I got my first request for money from the Barack Obama campaign today. He must have seen my sidebar button. Either that, or I'm on some kind of list. I'm guessing the list. They're looking a "generous contribution" of at least $50. The letter has my name on it and everything. Imagine Barack taking the time to type out a personal letter to me. I'm flattered. He's convinced he can "change America." The P.S. goes like this:

My faith in the decency and honesty and generosity of the American people is not based on false hope or blind optimism, but on what I've lived and what I've seen in this campaign.

Back in 2004 I gave some money to the Kerry campaign because I figured we had a shot. Now, I'm struggling to pay my bills and they're still asking for money and saying that they can change a country that doesn't seem to want to change. I like the guy but I'm not buying into this "change" deal. We like to do what we want when we want and if it costs us too much money or threatens to kill us we complain that it costs too much or tries to kill us, then sue the people who sold it to us. We're a fat, lazy country of convenience and we have a "me first" mentality that permeates our society like a marinated steak. Our lifestyles are embedded in us and it will take a lot more than a $4 a gallon fill-up to get us to change - apparently. The fifty bucks he's looking for is long gone and if I had it to give, I'm not all that sure it will make enough of a difference. He'll get what he needs from people who have a lot more than I have and still accomplish the same thing. It's an old joke:

Do you have change for a hundred?

Yes.

OK, then you don't need the five bucks I was gonna give you.

I'm a skeptic and a cynic, and my lack of faith in the decency of the American people is not based on blind pessimism, but on what I've lived through and seen in my life, which is a Hell of a lot longer than his campaign. I'll defend his right to try, but I'll believe in change when I see it.

Ask somebody who has the money to spare. What I have is in constant use.