A recent CNN poll found that during this economically troubled holiday season 68 percent of Americans are buying gifts that their friends and family need, compared to 27 percent who are buying gifts they think they would enjoy.
As for me, as part of my annual tradition of getting gifts for my favorite -- and not so favorite -- public figures, I'm going for the middle ground, choosing gifts they need... and that I think you might enjoy.
Here's this year's list:
Joe Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Mitch McConnell and the other congressional obstructionists: a DVD of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, so they can see the proper use of a filibuster -- to fight corruption, not promote it.
Health insurance and drug company lobbyists: Nothing -- they're getting enough from the Senate and the White House this Christmas.
Lou Dobbs: Just a simple "Feliz Navidad."
Mark Sanford and Tiger Woods: Love-sick emails that self-destruct 60 seconds after you send them. "Soul mates" they are actually married too.
Jenny Sanford and Elin Nordegren: Husbands they can trust. An at-home HIV test. The best divorce lawyer money can buy.
Joe Wilson, Kanye West, and Serena Williams: Impulse control.
Meghan McCain: More attention for her fabulous cleaving takes (Karl Rove is a "creepy" Twitter follower; Dick Cheney should "go away"), and less attention for her fabulous cleavage.
Taylor Swift: a Harry Winston-designed mace holder for her next awards show meet-up with Kanye West.
Tareq and Michaele Salahi: a Photoshop class -- it's a much less obnoxious way to get a picture of yourself with Obama and Biden.
Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger: the pilot's seat on my next flight. And the next one. And the next one...
The Iranian people: a green uprising that turns into a velvet revolution.
The American people: Real health care reform (Medicare For All).
Carrie Prejean: New breast implants, so she can give back the ones the Miss California pageant bought for her.
Roman Polanski: a cellmate who also believes that plying someone with champagne and a Quaalude and anally penetrating them is "making love."
Larry Summers: a Goldman Sachs pension -- after all, he's earned it.
Richard and Mayumi Heene: Parenting classes. Behind bars.
Falcon Heene: Classmates who've never watched TV.
David from "David After the Dentist": Classmates who've never watched YouTube.
All the cable anchors who spent endless hours expressing their deep concern for Balloon Boy: the names of some of the 13 million children living in poverty in this country who desperately need their concern and attention, and some time in the media spotlight.
Erin Andrews: a lifetime supply of masking tape. And a plush hotel robe -- floor-length.
Orly Taitz: Someone to tell her that her 15 minutes expired months ago.
The cast of Jersey Shore: a copy of "Dummies for Dummies." Vasectomies for the guys and a lifetime supply of birth control pills for the girls.
Members of the GOP: an Xbox 360. They might as well occupy themselves with something, since they've decided to do nothing in Congress.
Lady Gaga: Guy Ritchie -- She's already stolen everything else that used to belong to Madonna.
The recipients of the 3.9 million foreclosure notices sent to homeowners this year: a cramdown amendment that isn't killed by banking lobbyists.
Goldman Sachs: $23 billion of taxpayers' money. Oops, sorry -- that's what we gave them last year.
That's my list. Now it's your turn to play Santa. Who's been naughty and who's been nice? Please post your gift ideas for your favorite -- and not so favorite -- public figures in the comments section and we'll collect the best ones and unwrap them on Christmas Day.
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UPDATE, Christmas Day
Click here to read your gift suggestions, including a GPS for Barack Obama, to show him the way from Wall Street to Main Street (submitted by manx).
Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff
For Sarah Palin, a course in basic grammar, and geography, and possibly human anatomy. Ah, **** it, just a muzzle.
For Tiger Woods, the best divorce attorney money can by...he's going to need it. I'd also give the gift of good taste if that was possible, and good judgement for that matter. He's given himself the gift of humility.
For Elin Nordegren, a vast fortune...oh wait, never mind.
For Bill O'Reilly and Hannity...the gift of common decency.
For anyone who abuses animals or children, a one way hike to the depths of Mount Mayon in the Phillipines.
For the planet, well, the gift of the human race having a 100 year bout of infertility, just to give her a break for a while.
Wintertime brings Holiday Wishes
Frosty souls are warmed by festive kisses
Random loneliness cured with seasonal amity
Camaraderie and fancy blooms like winter trees
Politics may be murky but one thing is clear
Wintertime brings goodwill hope and cheer
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May next year be better than all before
May peace blossom and our prosperity restore
All the souls in need
Let great hearts not dally, but succeed
For this winter has been dark
Let true light and hope for all spark
That is my holiday wish,
And for all who read this
Be kind
Cordially signed
Meldah
Ten years ago LA Attroney Dolly Gee was nominated by President Clinton to serve as US District Court Judge.
Nominated again by President Obama she finally received the confirmation.
Note:
Gee will be the first Chinese American Woman to serve on the US District Court.
The community and public at large need to know the makeup of the person running the country regardless of the media revenue gathering stories that are created to sell advertising and influence
the political process for their benefit.
The kind of decision noted above will impact America for a very long time.
Gary Kennedy
Newhall Ca.
Thanks for the good news!
For the rest of us an early spring loaded with the promise of renewed hope, before gasoline and heating fuel prices go up any higher.
Here's my stocking stuffer for y'all - a funny little song about Santa!
For my conservative friends (and folks pressed for time):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQbyT0cUMNc
Arlo Guthrie/The Pause of Mr. Claus (1:48)
For my liberal friends (and folks who like introductions to songs along with the music):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FChEGL1BUY
A Pause for Mr Claus by Arlo Guthrie (4:29)
The promises seem so long ago that the VHS format seemed appropriate.
"I'm good enough, and gosh darn it, I deserve time for extended floor remarks."
To the American Government: Troops home to guard our borders and use their expertise in patrol to train others who have a racist tint to the border that turns off support.
He's lucky to print web pages and hand them to a senator in lieu of answering questions and get away with it, for example.
when we are lonely, angry..have an issue , just want to sound off.. or thank someone, or express our sorrow for someone
. expression is such a key to our lives.
Huffington Post... is a nice place
we all learn . maybe fight sometimes.
we all love one another ........ in some way.
that is how we grow.
thank you ..Huffington Post
merry holiday to everyone,
Hmm... on the other hand, everyone's been on their best behavior today...
What the heck. Tell the boss she should give you an extra Christmas turkey this year!
Merry Christmas, one and all!