Tonight's GOP debate was mature, professional and of course, completely devoid of anything resembling a rational, workable plan for the future. The same rhetoric we've heard over and again was shelled out in bulk. Tax cuts, reinstatement of DADT, privatizing Medicare, a Constitutional Amendment banning marriage equality and the fear of Muslims permeated tonight's spectacle of sheer ignorance and deceit.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, which, of course, describes the GOP platform. They want to return to the policies that led to the current financial mess we are in (as mentioned in my preamble). Tax cuts don't create jobs. Companies will not move jobs back here if you put more money into their pockets. They will simply keep the cash. DADT is unconstitutional, and most people supported the repeal. Privatizing Medicare is a horrible idea, as it gives even more money to private corporations, and screws those who have paid into the program. DOMA/an amendment banning marriage equality is not what the American people want, and it violates the Equal Protection Clause. Michele Bachmann, someone who supports 23 foster children and receives government assistance, is against government assistance for others.
But perhaps the most disturbing comments this evening came from Herman Cain, regarding his stance on Muslims and 'sharia law'. He made it abundantly clear he believes no Muslim can be trusted, and that their very presense in our society is leading to sharia law in our courts. There's nothing more that can be said on this issue other than Herman Cain is a racist bigot.
The GOP also made it clear that they would rather the US Default on its debt than raise the debt ceiling. As much as I don't think we should be borrowing at the rate we are, default is not a viable option. We should raise the ceiling and then restructure our budget. Spending needs to be reigned in, and we can do this by closing our overseas military bases and cutting foreign aid. We have enough problems in this country to solve.
We need to invest in infrastructure and education. We need to offer incentives to companies to invest in jobs here, such as tax CREDITS for those who create jobs, not just tax cuts for no reason. We need to start building things again, such as high-speed electric rail along the coasts. There's no reason to fly between New York and Baltimore, for example. We need Universal Health Care. We need to invest in renewable energy... we can start by solarizing all homes. It's not that hard to do, IF we focus on it.
But I digress. The clear winner tonight, I believe, was Michele Bachmann. She clearly demonstrated she is firm in her beliefs, and she proved that she is not Sarah Palin.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
My Brother Wrote This... So Proud.
While the death of Osama Bin Laden has sounded across the world, I have felt compelled to write down what this actually means. For one, my instinctual reaction when I first learned of this was "Ok….now what?". To see people marching in the streets chanting "USA! USA!" is not a sign of patriotism, but merely just sensationalism. It is disgusting to see us cheering at the death of an individual, that makes us NO better than the people we've said we're set out to destroy. We have been told OBL was the mastermind and organizer of the 9/11 attacks in which 3000 US citizens were murdered. While I do not feel like bringing up the controversial events of who was really behind 9/11, it is important to understand how it was used as the United States' excuse to barge in to the Middle East.
While OBL may have been the head of Al Qaeda, to think that just because he is out of power now will stop these "terrorists" from anything is just plain foolish. To think of the amount of new hatred we have spawned over there now; we have just fueled the fire of those who hate us. Hate begets hate. It is not like killing a tapeworm where you remove the head and the rest falls. It is more like stopping cell multiplication, no matter how many you stop, more will emerge. To erase a type of people based on their thought is ludicrous, and the BILLIONS of dollars we have spent, and THOUSANDS of troops that have died, and the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Afghani, Iraqi, and Pakistani civilians we have MURDERED to find ONE individual is simply appalling. The media has completely obscured the publics view to think that millions of people die from terrorist acts every year, when in reality, the number is a few thousand at best. No one mentions the millions that die from heart disease every year, or the hundreds of thousands that die in car accidents. All that money that could be spent going to research for heart disease and safer cars is being thrown into the stupidity of more firearms, more ammunition, and leaving these problems to be solved by dick-waving politicians.
Now, I remember back when I was about 12 years old when we first declared we were going to war in Iraq. And my reaction was the same as the general population…"uh, why?". Many believe that it was to remove Saddam from power. While he was an evil dictator, America always has this instinctual reaction to think we have to step in and save everybody and make everything our issue. Saddam has been dead for how long now? 7 or 8 years? Mission accomplished 8 years ago? Now people would think that we would retreat from Iraq given this, but nope we stayed. Then we said we're staying until we can establish a democracy there, nope, we stayed. What most people do not realize is the US has built the largest embassy in history in Iraq; one the size of Vatican City. The billions that went into that project is mind bending. We have set up an establishment in Iraq, and we are not going anywhere for a very long time.
And just a few months ago, we declared a new war on Libya. Again, led by an evil dictator, the UN decides to act by means of violence to remove Gaddafi which is the biggest hypocritical social statement I've ever heard. The UN, a NON VIOLENT GROUP decided to act in violent means towards Libya.
Now Iraq and Libya, as many of you know, are some of the largest oil reserves in the world. We have established a home base in Iraq and are quickly moving our way to do it in Libya as well. Now, oil is EVERYTHING, and the Middle East in total has some 250-280 billion barrels of oil remaining. The United States uses almost 20 million barrels per DAY. Now you think we can find alternative resources but the fact is we WONT. There is ZERO money to be made. Take a look around your room. Look at everything you own, especially plastic. That is all OIL. Your toothbrush, your toothpaste, your tupperware, your computer, your chairs (given they're not wood), EVERYTHING. And if its not, what about how it gets transported to the store and your home? Traveled on an oil powered machine with 7 gallons of oil in each tire. Now, what happens when this all runs out? Not if, but when. What happens when our FINITE RESOURCE for our INFINITE GROWTH social system runs out? We fall, the whole global system crumbles. We want control of the resource we need to survive, this is no secret. Just because something is not talked about on CNN does not mean it is not happening or not true.
This ties me back into why we will never leave the Middle East. We have returned hatred with hatred and used the War in Afghanistan as our push in to establish ourself in the Middle East. If we take control of that land, we take control of that oil.
There is no conspiracy theory, and there is NOTHING more patriotic than questioning the status quo. This isn't some game or fantasy I'm making up, this is what the world IS. I may not have the solutions on how to fix everything, I don't think any of us can, but something in the system of war, violence, poverty, starvation, we live in is FUCKED.
OBL is dead, that means NOTHING. We will stay in Afghanistan, unwanted by the people there just as we have stayed in Iraq. These are our brothers we're killing. We are all people, sharing this one planet that we have. Being compelled by our petty differences all the time holds us back as a species. We are nature, we have lost that. We think everything is about power and money (when I say we, of course im not referring to everyone, just the generalization of people who don't care about anything else), and we are bred to believe everything the parental figure of government and media tells us. It conditions us to listen to it. And it becomes one of the hardest things to challenge as wrong and bullshit because the government is supposed to be there to deliver the truth. Why should they? If they have the power, and control the masses and sheep, why tell the truth? Everything is about profit and oil. No gray lines. Thats the way the world is run. And I'm not talking about people researching medicine and what not, I am speaking about the dick waving CORPORATIONS who bought and sold our world long before we realized it happened.
Im sure a lot of you are going to hate on this, and frankly I dont care. I just cannot in good conscience let this shit fly by without speaking up. I refuse to accept authority as truth rather than truth as authority. Take what you want from this, call me crazy, call me right, call me wrong, I flat out do not care, but I must speak my mind when I see the only world we have crashing and burning right before our eyes.
.
While OBL may have been the head of Al Qaeda, to think that just because he is out of power now will stop these "terrorists" from anything is just plain foolish. To think of the amount of new hatred we have spawned over there now; we have just fueled the fire of those who hate us. Hate begets hate. It is not like killing a tapeworm where you remove the head and the rest falls. It is more like stopping cell multiplication, no matter how many you stop, more will emerge. To erase a type of people based on their thought is ludicrous, and the BILLIONS of dollars we have spent, and THOUSANDS of troops that have died, and the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Afghani, Iraqi, and Pakistani civilians we have MURDERED to find ONE individual is simply appalling. The media has completely obscured the publics view to think that millions of people die from terrorist acts every year, when in reality, the number is a few thousand at best. No one mentions the millions that die from heart disease every year, or the hundreds of thousands that die in car accidents. All that money that could be spent going to research for heart disease and safer cars is being thrown into the stupidity of more firearms, more ammunition, and leaving these problems to be solved by dick-waving politicians.
Now, I remember back when I was about 12 years old when we first declared we were going to war in Iraq. And my reaction was the same as the general population…"uh, why?". Many believe that it was to remove Saddam from power. While he was an evil dictator, America always has this instinctual reaction to think we have to step in and save everybody and make everything our issue. Saddam has been dead for how long now? 7 or 8 years? Mission accomplished 8 years ago? Now people would think that we would retreat from Iraq given this, but nope we stayed. Then we said we're staying until we can establish a democracy there, nope, we stayed. What most people do not realize is the US has built the largest embassy in history in Iraq; one the size of Vatican City. The billions that went into that project is mind bending. We have set up an establishment in Iraq, and we are not going anywhere for a very long time.
And just a few months ago, we declared a new war on Libya. Again, led by an evil dictator, the UN decides to act by means of violence to remove Gaddafi which is the biggest hypocritical social statement I've ever heard. The UN, a NON VIOLENT GROUP decided to act in violent means towards Libya.
Now Iraq and Libya, as many of you know, are some of the largest oil reserves in the world. We have established a home base in Iraq and are quickly moving our way to do it in Libya as well. Now, oil is EVERYTHING, and the Middle East in total has some 250-280 billion barrels of oil remaining. The United States uses almost 20 million barrels per DAY. Now you think we can find alternative resources but the fact is we WONT. There is ZERO money to be made. Take a look around your room. Look at everything you own, especially plastic. That is all OIL. Your toothbrush, your toothpaste, your tupperware, your computer, your chairs (given they're not wood), EVERYTHING. And if its not, what about how it gets transported to the store and your home? Traveled on an oil powered machine with 7 gallons of oil in each tire. Now, what happens when this all runs out? Not if, but when. What happens when our FINITE RESOURCE for our INFINITE GROWTH social system runs out? We fall, the whole global system crumbles. We want control of the resource we need to survive, this is no secret. Just because something is not talked about on CNN does not mean it is not happening or not true.
This ties me back into why we will never leave the Middle East. We have returned hatred with hatred and used the War in Afghanistan as our push in to establish ourself in the Middle East. If we take control of that land, we take control of that oil.
There is no conspiracy theory, and there is NOTHING more patriotic than questioning the status quo. This isn't some game or fantasy I'm making up, this is what the world IS. I may not have the solutions on how to fix everything, I don't think any of us can, but something in the system of war, violence, poverty, starvation, we live in is FUCKED.
OBL is dead, that means NOTHING. We will stay in Afghanistan, unwanted by the people there just as we have stayed in Iraq. These are our brothers we're killing. We are all people, sharing this one planet that we have. Being compelled by our petty differences all the time holds us back as a species. We are nature, we have lost that. We think everything is about power and money (when I say we, of course im not referring to everyone, just the generalization of people who don't care about anything else), and we are bred to believe everything the parental figure of government and media tells us. It conditions us to listen to it. And it becomes one of the hardest things to challenge as wrong and bullshit because the government is supposed to be there to deliver the truth. Why should they? If they have the power, and control the masses and sheep, why tell the truth? Everything is about profit and oil. No gray lines. Thats the way the world is run. And I'm not talking about people researching medicine and what not, I am speaking about the dick waving CORPORATIONS who bought and sold our world long before we realized it happened.
Im sure a lot of you are going to hate on this, and frankly I dont care. I just cannot in good conscience let this shit fly by without speaking up. I refuse to accept authority as truth rather than truth as authority. Take what you want from this, call me crazy, call me right, call me wrong, I flat out do not care, but I must speak my mind when I see the only world we have crashing and burning right before our eyes.
.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ranting
I would like to vent some frustration with our American culture. I can not stand how many Americans, regardless of political creed, do not vote in elections. I can not stand the amount of apathy in this country. Now, I understand that our system is FUBAR, but let's face it... it's our own damned fault. We believe what we are told by the people in charge, and we embrace the dumbening-down of our culture. Perfect examples of this - more people voted on American Idol than in the midterm elections. That is downright disgusting. We have been programmed to sit tight, enjoy our mindless entertainment, idolize the pretty celebrities, eat our fake, nutrient-lacking "foods," and, best of all, use credit cards so we can throw our money at CEO's who are already making millions. Yes, this first paragraph is what's going on in my brain.
Our culture is intentionally being made dumber. This is not just my opinion, it's a statistical fact. America ranks 34th on the best countries in which to live list, and our math and science scores are consistently declining when compared to other industrialized nations. We have become a society of programmed drones. Here's the truth... most of what we are taught in school is complete BS, and, if you chose to do actual research on many subjects, much of what we are taught is factually or historically wrong (I'm referring to history, mainly). We are taught not to question, that dissent is bad, and that those with the most money know best. Our education system focuses on topics that for most of us, have no real-world applications. We need an educational system that actually prepares us for a successful life. School should be a place where the skills needed for life in America are taught, and, where we can learn about how our country really works (what a scary thought for Wall Street... imagine if everyone knew about Credit Default Swaps and Derivatives, and how our economic system is run like a casino). Imagine if every high school graduate understood basic accounting (wow... addition and subtraction), basic nutrition (wait... KFC isn't healthy?), and basic economics (wow... imagine everyone walking around knowing how credit cards really work). Imagine being able to speak numerous languages (the best time to learn a language is between ages 4 and 8, while the brain is still developing). Imagine everyone having a basic understanding of different forms of government, including our own. Our system has created something very dangerous... apathy. How dare we sit at home on election day? When I see what's going on in Egypt, where people are literally giving their lives to obtain what WE in American take for granted, it really boils my blood... and ya know, our own destruction and decay is our own damned fault.
See, it all ties together. When the system is dominated by a few people with lots of money, controlling those who are elected to serve the people, who really wins? The people with the money... and that sure as hell ain't you or me.
Our culture is intentionally being made dumber. This is not just my opinion, it's a statistical fact. America ranks 34th on the best countries in which to live list, and our math and science scores are consistently declining when compared to other industrialized nations. We have become a society of programmed drones. Here's the truth... most of what we are taught in school is complete BS, and, if you chose to do actual research on many subjects, much of what we are taught is factually or historically wrong (I'm referring to history, mainly). We are taught not to question, that dissent is bad, and that those with the most money know best. Our education system focuses on topics that for most of us, have no real-world applications. We need an educational system that actually prepares us for a successful life. School should be a place where the skills needed for life in America are taught, and, where we can learn about how our country really works (what a scary thought for Wall Street... imagine if everyone knew about Credit Default Swaps and Derivatives, and how our economic system is run like a casino). Imagine if every high school graduate understood basic accounting (wow... addition and subtraction), basic nutrition (wait... KFC isn't healthy?), and basic economics (wow... imagine everyone walking around knowing how credit cards really work). Imagine being able to speak numerous languages (the best time to learn a language is between ages 4 and 8, while the brain is still developing). Imagine everyone having a basic understanding of different forms of government, including our own. Our system has created something very dangerous... apathy. How dare we sit at home on election day? When I see what's going on in Egypt, where people are literally giving their lives to obtain what WE in American take for granted, it really boils my blood... and ya know, our own destruction and decay is our own damned fault.
See, it all ties together. When the system is dominated by a few people with lots of money, controlling those who are elected to serve the people, who really wins? The people with the money... and that sure as hell ain't you or me.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Mid-Term Elections
The 2010 Congressional elections are arguably the most important of the last 50 years (at least). On one hand, we have the Democrats, whom since 2008 have been trying their hardest to move this country forward through progressive legislation such as health care reform, financial regulation and environmental policies; all of which are intended to protect consumers and make this country a safer, healthier, more prosperous place for everyone. On the other side, we have the Republicans, who have, since Obama took office, attempted to obstruct any and all legislation proposed by Obama, even when Obama included initiatives originally proposed by Republicans.
What is their goal, should they win control of Congress? According to Mitch McConnell, the soul purpose will be to ensure that Obama only serves one term as President, and to guarantee the 2012 Republican Presidential nominee all the support they need. While many of the Republican/Tea Party positions are frightening and extreme, the aforementioned strategy needs no further explanation: Republicans have no plan to create jobs or fix the economy. Their sole purpose is to destroy Barack Obama. Are these the kind of people we want running our country? This is a party who time and again has refused to cooperate, or even come to the table with solutions to the current economic crisis. This is a party whose members have apologized to BP, and who have blocked all efforts to investigate why Deep Water Horizons exploded. This is a party who believes President Obama wants to enforce Muslim Sharia law in the US. This is a political party who's only method of getting votes is fear.
When asked what solutions they have to our society's ills, the Republican answer is, almost always, tax cuts and less government. Of course, they consistently fail to specify how they would shrink government (of course, smaller government= no reproductive rights for women and making gays second-class citizens). Nevermind that tax cuts for the rich do NOT create jobs, as history has shown us, nevermind how Republicans support tax cuts for companies that ship jobs overseas, nevermind how Republicans believe that religion should have an integral part of government. Nevermind the hypocrisy of Republicans who abhor the stimulus money, yet brag about the money their state got and the corporate donations they received from the TARP program that they stood so feverishly against. The overarching message is that Republicans run for office to represent corporate America; unregulated, no such thing as too-big-to-fail Capitalism. The only logical conclusion of how Republicans govern can be summed up as PROFITS OVER PEOPLE.
We can not allow the Republican/Tea Party to win control of our government. Their positions are so extreme, they defy logic. Here are just a FEW examples, with which most of us are familiar. Michele Bachmann wants to bring the Constitution back to "its original purpose," which must mean, logically, what it was in 1789, meaning amongst many things, no voting rights for women and a reinstatement of slavery. Joe Miller wants to end (not privatize... END) Social Security, as well as unemployment insurance. Sharron Angle believes people should consider "Second Amendment Remedies" when the wrong candidates win. She also has slammed Harry Reid for not creating jobs while at the same time saying it's "not her job as Senator to create jobs." Christine O'Donnell believes that separation of church and state is a myth, and has no understanding of our Constitution. Ken Buck believes homosexuality is a choice, and he compared it to alcoholism. Rand Paul believes fundamental aspects of the Civil Rights Act to be unconstitutional.
The Palin-Beck led corporate-sponsored Tea Party is nothing more than a domestic terror group in training. From Second Amendment Remedies to poisonous white powder being sent to the office of Congressman Raul Grijalva, from head-stomping in Kentucky to the arrest of a reporter for asking a question in Alaska, this group prides itself on ignorance and idolizes stupidity. This is a group who nominates candidates who refuse to answer questions by the media (and arrest or threaten to "take out" reporters who ask questions they don't like), who nominates candidates whose tactics are fear, Islamophobia and ignorance, and who do not give a damn about WE THE PEOPLE.
Folks, the most important thing we can do is VOTE. The moderate, responsible Republican party is no more. It does not exist, and while Democrats are FAR from perfect, at least they have the best interests of the people at heart. We, in America, should have single-payer Universal Health Care. We, in America, should be free to marry and love whomever we chose. We, in America, should be able to ask our candidates tough questions and get honest answers.
I would like to reintroduce FDR's Second Bill of Rights. Had he not died from Polio while in office, I believe this country would be a radically different place. Here is his dream from his 1944 State of the Union Address, and I challenge anyone to state one negative aspect of this proposal:
"It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people—whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth—is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.
This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights—among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.
As our nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.
We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.”[2] People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.
In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.
Among these are:
The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
The right of every family to a decent home;
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
Americas own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens.
For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world."
I, for one, believe this Second Bill of Rights is something toward which we must work in the coming years. We need to start building things again, things like roads, bridges, skyscrapers and dams. We should build high-speed magnetic rail systems that produce no pollution, can get people across the country in a few hours and would create thousands of jobs, not only from construction, but by creating an interconnected system of commerce. We need to invest in sustainable energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal. We need to take-on the challenges of being an innovative society if we are to re-emerge as the global leader in business, technology and innovation. Imagine what we could accomplish if we dared to elect those who have a vision of the future. It could all start now, or, it could all end now. On Tuesday, November 2, vote.
What is their goal, should they win control of Congress? According to Mitch McConnell, the soul purpose will be to ensure that Obama only serves one term as President, and to guarantee the 2012 Republican Presidential nominee all the support they need. While many of the Republican/Tea Party positions are frightening and extreme, the aforementioned strategy needs no further explanation: Republicans have no plan to create jobs or fix the economy. Their sole purpose is to destroy Barack Obama. Are these the kind of people we want running our country? This is a party who time and again has refused to cooperate, or even come to the table with solutions to the current economic crisis. This is a party whose members have apologized to BP, and who have blocked all efforts to investigate why Deep Water Horizons exploded. This is a party who believes President Obama wants to enforce Muslim Sharia law in the US. This is a political party who's only method of getting votes is fear.
When asked what solutions they have to our society's ills, the Republican answer is, almost always, tax cuts and less government. Of course, they consistently fail to specify how they would shrink government (of course, smaller government= no reproductive rights for women and making gays second-class citizens). Nevermind that tax cuts for the rich do NOT create jobs, as history has shown us, nevermind how Republicans support tax cuts for companies that ship jobs overseas, nevermind how Republicans believe that religion should have an integral part of government. Nevermind the hypocrisy of Republicans who abhor the stimulus money, yet brag about the money their state got and the corporate donations they received from the TARP program that they stood so feverishly against. The overarching message is that Republicans run for office to represent corporate America; unregulated, no such thing as too-big-to-fail Capitalism. The only logical conclusion of how Republicans govern can be summed up as PROFITS OVER PEOPLE.
We can not allow the Republican/Tea Party to win control of our government. Their positions are so extreme, they defy logic. Here are just a FEW examples, with which most of us are familiar. Michele Bachmann wants to bring the Constitution back to "its original purpose," which must mean, logically, what it was in 1789, meaning amongst many things, no voting rights for women and a reinstatement of slavery. Joe Miller wants to end (not privatize... END) Social Security, as well as unemployment insurance. Sharron Angle believes people should consider "Second Amendment Remedies" when the wrong candidates win. She also has slammed Harry Reid for not creating jobs while at the same time saying it's "not her job as Senator to create jobs." Christine O'Donnell believes that separation of church and state is a myth, and has no understanding of our Constitution. Ken Buck believes homosexuality is a choice, and he compared it to alcoholism. Rand Paul believes fundamental aspects of the Civil Rights Act to be unconstitutional.
The Palin-Beck led corporate-sponsored Tea Party is nothing more than a domestic terror group in training. From Second Amendment Remedies to poisonous white powder being sent to the office of Congressman Raul Grijalva, from head-stomping in Kentucky to the arrest of a reporter for asking a question in Alaska, this group prides itself on ignorance and idolizes stupidity. This is a group who nominates candidates who refuse to answer questions by the media (and arrest or threaten to "take out" reporters who ask questions they don't like), who nominates candidates whose tactics are fear, Islamophobia and ignorance, and who do not give a damn about WE THE PEOPLE.
Folks, the most important thing we can do is VOTE. The moderate, responsible Republican party is no more. It does not exist, and while Democrats are FAR from perfect, at least they have the best interests of the people at heart. We, in America, should have single-payer Universal Health Care. We, in America, should be free to marry and love whomever we chose. We, in America, should be able to ask our candidates tough questions and get honest answers.
I would like to reintroduce FDR's Second Bill of Rights. Had he not died from Polio while in office, I believe this country would be a radically different place. Here is his dream from his 1944 State of the Union Address, and I challenge anyone to state one negative aspect of this proposal:
"It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people—whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth—is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.
This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights—among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.
As our nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.
We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.”[2] People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.
In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.
Among these are:
The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
The right of every family to a decent home;
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
Americas own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens.
For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world."
I, for one, believe this Second Bill of Rights is something toward which we must work in the coming years. We need to start building things again, things like roads, bridges, skyscrapers and dams. We should build high-speed magnetic rail systems that produce no pollution, can get people across the country in a few hours and would create thousands of jobs, not only from construction, but by creating an interconnected system of commerce. We need to invest in sustainable energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal. We need to take-on the challenges of being an innovative society if we are to re-emerge as the global leader in business, technology and innovation. Imagine what we could accomplish if we dared to elect those who have a vision of the future. It could all start now, or, it could all end now. On Tuesday, November 2, vote.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Ground Zero Mosque
I'll keep this brief.
The First Amendment to our Constitution opens with, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...". Why then, based on the principles upon which this country was founded, is there any sort of argument against building an Islamic Cultural Center 2 blocks from the World Trade Center? First of all, the term Ground Zero Mosque just doesn't apply here. There already IS an HAS been a mosque at the WTC for years, even before the complex was contructed. Second, the proposed building isn't a mosque... it's a cultural center. Third, it's not at Ground Zero, it's 2 blocks away. Those are the facts.
Muslims died on 9-11; in the planes, in the towers and many gave their lives to rescue people. To say that they can't have a place to worship near this site makes us no better than countries like Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where many religions are illegal. Comparing this building to a "synagogue in Mecca" is not only asinine, but just plain stupid. First of all, I don't know of anyone who actually wants or needs a synagogue in Mecca. Second, this is a comparison of two vastly different cultures in to very different countries, both of which have different laws and perspectives regarding religion and the free practice thereof. Preventing this cultural center from being built underminds American values and spits in the face of those who died in the attacks, as well as the people fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's astonishing that there are Americans who are willing to support our troops being sent to die to supposedly protect our freedoms, but are unwilling to share these same freedoms with law-abiding, peaceful citizens of this country. The argument that shrine to a religion that kills people is an interesting one, and as such, frankly, means that no religious building should be built anywhere, since all religions are guilty of needless killing for some insane reason. I'd like to see how many white Christians would protest a church being built next to the Murrah Building Memorial in Oklahoma City. My bet is, there wouldn't be any protests, despite McVeigh having been a Christian.
Of course, the Republicans are using this issue to renew the fear of the brown person, just like they did in 2001. How anyone can support a political party whose main platforms are fear and hatred is just beyond my scope of understanding... it actually makes my brain hurt trying to figure out how people can really be this stupid.
The bottom line is, freedom of religion is pretty explicit. Therefore, you so-called defenders of the Constitution, I ask, what's the problem? Don't treat our most important document like you do the Bible, just picking and choosing things that suit your agenda. It won't work.
The First Amendment to our Constitution opens with, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...". Why then, based on the principles upon which this country was founded, is there any sort of argument against building an Islamic Cultural Center 2 blocks from the World Trade Center? First of all, the term Ground Zero Mosque just doesn't apply here. There already IS an HAS been a mosque at the WTC for years, even before the complex was contructed. Second, the proposed building isn't a mosque... it's a cultural center. Third, it's not at Ground Zero, it's 2 blocks away. Those are the facts.
Muslims died on 9-11; in the planes, in the towers and many gave their lives to rescue people. To say that they can't have a place to worship near this site makes us no better than countries like Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where many religions are illegal. Comparing this building to a "synagogue in Mecca" is not only asinine, but just plain stupid. First of all, I don't know of anyone who actually wants or needs a synagogue in Mecca. Second, this is a comparison of two vastly different cultures in to very different countries, both of which have different laws and perspectives regarding religion and the free practice thereof. Preventing this cultural center from being built underminds American values and spits in the face of those who died in the attacks, as well as the people fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's astonishing that there are Americans who are willing to support our troops being sent to die to supposedly protect our freedoms, but are unwilling to share these same freedoms with law-abiding, peaceful citizens of this country. The argument that shrine to a religion that kills people is an interesting one, and as such, frankly, means that no religious building should be built anywhere, since all religions are guilty of needless killing for some insane reason. I'd like to see how many white Christians would protest a church being built next to the Murrah Building Memorial in Oklahoma City. My bet is, there wouldn't be any protests, despite McVeigh having been a Christian.
Of course, the Republicans are using this issue to renew the fear of the brown person, just like they did in 2001. How anyone can support a political party whose main platforms are fear and hatred is just beyond my scope of understanding... it actually makes my brain hurt trying to figure out how people can really be this stupid.
The bottom line is, freedom of religion is pretty explicit. Therefore, you so-called defenders of the Constitution, I ask, what's the problem? Don't treat our most important document like you do the Bible, just picking and choosing things that suit your agenda. It won't work.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
14th Amendment Fiasco
If there were ever a prime example of GOP hypocrisy, the latest out of Senators Kyl and Graham would take the crown. They are calling for a full repeal of the 14th Amendment... yes, the same 1868 amendment that guaranteed freed slaves and their kin citizenship in this country. It was the first true civil rights amendment in our country's history. The GOP wants to repeal it to save us from the illegal immigrants... so much for the party of Lincoln and the self-proclaimed defenders of the Constitution.
The wording of the 14th Amendment is quite clear... anyone born in the US, with the exception of the children of foreign dignitaries and enemy soldiers, are automatic US citizens. This amendment sums up the very purpose for which our country was founded... for the persecuted, the poor, the miserable, the whatever, to have a place in which they can raise a family. I've been struggling to find a position on this issue, and my final opinion is that yes, children of illegals deserve their citizenship, based on the founding principles of our country. Our borders need to be open and secure to allow everyone access to the American Dream... isn't that the creed to which the Republicans are supposed to be associated? Mistake me not - I believe that anyone that wants to come to the US should be able to, so long as they do it within the law. This can be difficult, however, when the society into which these people want to enter is closed-minded and as of late, fearful and outright racist.
Let us not make the mistakes Germany made with the Turks, denying Turks born in Germany immediate citizenship. This has led to many people in Germany being stateless, and citizens of nowhere. We are better than that, at least, in theory. Where would it stop, should the 14th Amendment be repealed? Since we are all, in some sense, children of immigrants, would the government then have to sniff out every person that was born of immigrants, or not born on US soil? Should we rescind citizenship of the descendants of freed slaves, and of the freed slaves themselves? This is dangerous path down which to wander, and I believe the purpose behind this proposed legislation is to instill fear and hatred among the American people. There are also other implications, as the 14th Amendment guaranteed for all American citizens equal protection under the Bill of Rights. Should we not have a Bill of Rights?
For a political party, who for years has been screaming about the Constitution and how final it is, this is the ultimate in hypocrisy, and moreover, a straight-up denial of history. It is a slap in the face of the legacy of great presidents like Lincoln and Johnson, who fought for civil rights and equality. The Republican Party is a movement spouting fear, hatred and untruth. Even more frightening, people are buying into it because the Democrats don't seem to have the balls to fight back.
My message to Republicans: be careful what you wish for. My message to Democrats: defend what's right, fight back, or prepare to lose in November. Ignorance is powerful in America, and scary as it is, it actually could prevail.
The wording of the 14th Amendment is quite clear... anyone born in the US, with the exception of the children of foreign dignitaries and enemy soldiers, are automatic US citizens. This amendment sums up the very purpose for which our country was founded... for the persecuted, the poor, the miserable, the whatever, to have a place in which they can raise a family. I've been struggling to find a position on this issue, and my final opinion is that yes, children of illegals deserve their citizenship, based on the founding principles of our country. Our borders need to be open and secure to allow everyone access to the American Dream... isn't that the creed to which the Republicans are supposed to be associated? Mistake me not - I believe that anyone that wants to come to the US should be able to, so long as they do it within the law. This can be difficult, however, when the society into which these people want to enter is closed-minded and as of late, fearful and outright racist.
Let us not make the mistakes Germany made with the Turks, denying Turks born in Germany immediate citizenship. This has led to many people in Germany being stateless, and citizens of nowhere. We are better than that, at least, in theory. Where would it stop, should the 14th Amendment be repealed? Since we are all, in some sense, children of immigrants, would the government then have to sniff out every person that was born of immigrants, or not born on US soil? Should we rescind citizenship of the descendants of freed slaves, and of the freed slaves themselves? This is dangerous path down which to wander, and I believe the purpose behind this proposed legislation is to instill fear and hatred among the American people. There are also other implications, as the 14th Amendment guaranteed for all American citizens equal protection under the Bill of Rights. Should we not have a Bill of Rights?
For a political party, who for years has been screaming about the Constitution and how final it is, this is the ultimate in hypocrisy, and moreover, a straight-up denial of history. It is a slap in the face of the legacy of great presidents like Lincoln and Johnson, who fought for civil rights and equality. The Republican Party is a movement spouting fear, hatred and untruth. Even more frightening, people are buying into it because the Democrats don't seem to have the balls to fight back.
My message to Republicans: be careful what you wish for. My message to Democrats: defend what's right, fight back, or prepare to lose in November. Ignorance is powerful in America, and scary as it is, it actually could prevail.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Unemployment Benefits and Republicans
I'm convinced Republicans have no souls. The sheer hypocrisy they continue to exhibit is sickening, and their lack of human decency is so blatantly apparent that it makes me wonder how in the hell these people have supporters. Republicans are trying to block the extension of unemployment benefits, claiming that it will add too much to the deficit. So let's look at this; millions of people lost their jobs because pathetic Republican leadership and deregulation caused our economy to nearly collapse, and Republicans want to deny them benefits. Where is the decency?
The Republicans preach about cutting the deficit and reducing spending, yet offer no solutions. They claim that extending benefits would add to the deficit, so the extension should be blocked. Here's an idea: pull out of Iraq and stop wasting money on blowing people up. That's a great way to stop wasting money.
What REALLY amazes me, and this really is astonishing, is that Republican voters are primarily from the demographic in the aforementioned paragraphs. It's amazing that Republicans draw on support from the very people they protect the least. It angers me that people with no sense of human decency, no compassion, and no real idea what the real world is like are the ones drawing support from the people to whom they continuously say, "screw you, you're on your own." This political party who supposedly stands for personal responsibility and small government are the first to call upon government to solve the problems of say, oh, business... something from which they would like government to stay away. Logic does not exist within the Republican Party.
The Republicans preach about cutting the deficit and reducing spending, yet offer no solutions. They claim that extending benefits would add to the deficit, so the extension should be blocked. Here's an idea: pull out of Iraq and stop wasting money on blowing people up. That's a great way to stop wasting money.
What REALLY amazes me, and this really is astonishing, is that Republican voters are primarily from the demographic in the aforementioned paragraphs. It's amazing that Republicans draw on support from the very people they protect the least. It angers me that people with no sense of human decency, no compassion, and no real idea what the real world is like are the ones drawing support from the people to whom they continuously say, "screw you, you're on your own." This political party who supposedly stands for personal responsibility and small government are the first to call upon government to solve the problems of say, oh, business... something from which they would like government to stay away. Logic does not exist within the Republican Party.
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