The Birkin Bag

Jane Birkin died. I'd never heard of her. It seems she inspired the "Birkin bag, a designer purse made by Hermès. The exclusive bags, which retail for $9,000 to $500,000 and are difficult to come by, are beloved by celebrities such as the Kardashians, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham and Lady Gaga." (USA Today)

I have a $9 purse I bought at Walmart 5 years ago that I love, and if it weren't worn out, I'd still be using it. It is made of denim and is the perfect size for my phone or i-pad and has 2 little side pockets for keys, comb and Kleenex.

It would seem that Lady Gaga and I have different values.

Except for Kim Kardashian who describes herself as a political mix of Republican and Democrats, I think all these ladies probably vote for Democrats. Which tells us where they are on the importance of life and liberty (for themselves, not others). Kardashian worked with President Trump to get a black woman freed from prison and on a criminal justice program. Haven't heard if she's helping Biden with his criminal just-us plan.

On being a conservative in 2021

When I left the liberal left (i.e., the Democrat party) in 2000 I only knew about the one issue that mattered most to me: abortion. Democrats supported it, wanted it, lusted after it, used my tax money to support it, and campaigned on it. So I left the left--the party that said they cared about the workers and the little guys, but lied about it for years.

At the time, I didn't know much about Republicans except what I'd been told by academics and the media. They were bad I was told. I had to find out about "conservative" ideas and values on my own, because Republicans were sort of . . . spineless, and weak, and weren't good at selling their ideas. So here's what I'd like to see from Republicans--perhaps the impossible dream.

Attitudes/sentiments/beliefs for Conservatism

Family (I include pro-life protections in this)
Faith (freedom of religion for all faiths)
Fair (opportunities for all)
Patriotism (respect and honor for the country's history, values, laws)
Security (strong, but not corrupt or bloated, military)
Free markets (as little gov't interference as possible)
Safety net (for the unborn, the weakest, the elderly)
Practical, prudent policies (no more 2000 page bills no one reads)
Fiscally wise, low taxes (capitalism, but not oligarchs like Bezos owning Washington Post or Big Tech controlling the presidency)
Separation of the 3 branches of government as intended
Merit, intelligence, ambition and ability rewarded
Natural and built environment protected, but not worshipped
Local control where possible, national direction where necessary

and I'll add more as I think (or sleep) on it.