It’s always nice to get outside in the summer.  It’s too bad my business is conducted almost completely indoors, but that’s just the way it is.

There are increasing rumors that Mitt Romney may be considering former SecState Condi Rice as his VP pick.  Ms. Rice has denied, repeatedly, any ambitions towards public office, but things change.

It might just be an inspired choice.

Condoleeza Rice is one of the smartest people to have served in a senior public service role in recent history, although it’s true she has never (yet) served in elected office.  She holds a PhD in political science, and unlike some serving in elected office today we know quite a bit about her academic record:  A B.A. cum laude in political science from University of Denver, a Master’s in political science from Notre Dame, and a Ph.D. in political science from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. She has taught political science at Stanford both before and after her tenures as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.

Dr. Rice has, again, repeatedly stated she isn’t interested in elected office, and frankly I can’t really blame her.  But it would be an interesting choice – perhaps even… a game changer?

Two articles on the subject:

The Weekly Standard:  Romney-Rice?

The Wall Street Journal:  Ennui the People.

Changing gears:  Here’s an interesting tidbit.  6 Charts That Show the Welfare State Run Amok.  Excerpt:

A few scary factoids:

– In the 1960s, there were 18 workers per Medicaid recipient. Today that number is 2.5.

– The number of Americans on disability has risen 19% faster than jobs created during this recovery.

– There are just 1.2 private sector workers per 1 person on welfare or working for government.

– There are now just 1.65 employed persons in private sector per 1 person on welfare assistance.

Can you say “unsustainable?”  I knew you could.  Look at the charts.  It’s hard to see that as anything but a calamity.

More along those lines:  Americans Will Work More than 6 Months to Pay Cost of Government in 2012.  Whoops.  Excerpt:

In a new report,  Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has calculated that Americans will spend a total of 197 days toiling to pay for the cost of government.

“Cost of Government Day is the date of the calendar year on which the average American worker has earned enough gross income to pay off his or her share of the spending and regulatory burden imposed by government at the federal, state and local levels,” reads the report.

The report, Cost of Government Day, shows that Americans will work 88 days to pay for federal spending; 40 days for state and local spending; and 69 days for total regulatory costs.

Are you getting your money’s worth?

Well, if things get bad enough, there’s always the option of building an interstellar worldship and departing for greener pastures.  It might take a few generations, but it would be worth it – maybe.

Work beckons, True Believers.  Everyone have a superior Friday.  As always, more as events warrant.