The so-called season of giving is officially behind us. Even in these sluggish economic times, Americans still managed to spend more than $50 billion in gift-giving. Now that all the gifts have been opened, all that is left is for us to enjoy them.

Yet I can't help but wonder whether our pleasure would be dimmed were we to truly understand what is involved in bringing these gifts - at the bargain prices Americans love - to our homes.

How many awards can Al Gore win from his worldwide coterie of sycophants?

I asked a cow once what she thought of Ron Paul. She told me to moo-ve. I was surprised by the rude response. Looking down, however, I quickly realized that I was probably standing on her lunch. So, I moved off the patch of green grass. Then, I again asked Betsy what she thought of presidential candidate Ron Paul. Looking at me with those big brown eyes, her tail twitching, Betsy answered: "Ask the people in the house. I don't vote." 

Okay, that was a fair answer.  

People like those in the house do have an opinion about Ron Paul. Besides being generational family farmers, they are nearly fanatical about supporting Ron Paul for president. When asked why, speaking in unison, they say Paul has been attempting to protect the small farmers' rights in Congress. But protecting them from whom? 

If your holiday shopping this season finds you in a bookstore, ask for the section on presidential history and take a peek. I'll hazard a guess you'll find literally hundreds of works of presidential history, from the scholarly tomes with hundreds of footnotes to the downright silly works on presidential pets.

Now, take a moment and imagine it's 2033, and you're looking for a nice downloadable e-book history of the Clinton or Bush presidency.