And Then There Were Two...or Three, or Four

Romney's denouement was a surprise to me. I took him at his word that he was marching on despite a poor showing on Super Tuesday. This changes the complexion of the campaign for the Republicans. McCain had started his meager attempt to bring every one into the tent. He saw this as necessary to combat the flogging he was taking not only from Romney, but from the radio right.

Now it seems that he has a choice. To continue the catering if he wishes, or to be true to his more moderate ways. He appears to not need the far right, unless there is an ABMc (Anyone But McCain) movement that Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh seem willing to join.

McCain was lambasted this past week with constant references to "McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy, and McCain-Lieberman" legislation. This was an attempt to "liberalize" the Senator, but I always saw McCain's efforts as a way to bridge that awful partisan gap that hamstrings our government. It looks like no good deed continues to go unpunished.

Speaking of Las Vegas...What is Excess?

To be clear, we visit Las Vegas once or twice every year and we enjoy the glitz, the excitement, and the chance to strike it rich. We are not BIG gamblers but manage to leave a little of our green with the casinos. For that, we get occasional free (!) nights of lodging.

This last visit we saw even more construction going on - it never stops here - and still are amazed at what certainly has to be built on the backs of losers. OK, my hand is up here, but we are careful to lose only what we can afford. We don't spend the rent, the food budget (heaven forbid), and other needed dough.

Yet, I am torn between my conservative (read cop) views, allowing people to be responsible for their own actions and allowing businessmen to spend their earned money as they see fit. So another hotel and casino, the $1.9 billion Palazzo, has risen from the desert like so many before have done.

Another project, City Center, will be selling condos for millions (that's plural) and then my social worker side wonders what kinds of good things could be done for kids or others with those excess millions. Wow, the project is set to cost over $9 billion! Just for a hotel, condos, and probably another casino or two.

I guess I am ambivalent (maybe). I will visit those casinos when they open and likely contribute to their balance sheets. I already "gave" at the Palazzo "office". But I still wonder if this is all excessive and where does it all end? I recall the mighty Romans built edifaces to themselves and lived to excess as well. Could all this be a part of the Rise and Fall of the American Empire?