If you live in Florida, today is primary voting day... Voting is an important constitutional right and responsibility as a citizen of the United States!! So get out and vote!!!
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Floridians... Get Out and Vote!!
If you live in Florida, today is primary voting day... Voting is an important constitutional right and responsibility as a citizen of the United States!! So get out and vote!!!
Monday, July 30, 2012
the affordable healthcare act... and the poor...
Whether you like politics or not, your life is affected by the decisions that politicians make. It doesn't matter a person's age or socio-economic background, the politics and the political issues of our times impact all of us. Sometimes, the people who have no
voice in our political system, the ones who other more powerful or
influential people would prefer be forgotten and for whom not many speak -
the poor, the homeless, those who live on the margins of society - sometimes it
is these people whose lives are affected most by the decisions our politicians
make.
One of the biggest debates in politics these days is the Affordable Healthcare Act (there is actually a longer name for this new healthcare law, but most people will recognize it by the name Obama-Care). This new law has now been ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States, but still there continues to be political resistance to it. One of its provisions, the expansion of Medicaid coverage, is under state, not federal control. Some of our state governors (mostly Republican governors) still say they are either hesitant, undecided or will flat out refuse to implement this provision - they will not expand coverage under Medicaid to their state's poorer citizens.
It is unfortunate that many people think of the poor and marginalized as lazy, shiftless, or "no good"... but these descriptive adjectives could not be farther from the truth. The truth is, the majority of those living in poverty are hard working individuals, who many times work long hours for low pay, sometimes working two or three jobs just to try to make ends meet. They usually have jobs that do not provide them with health care benefits, and do not pay them enough so they might buy their own health care policies.
To make matters worse, while they do not make enough money to be able to afford to buy their own health care policy, many of them make too much money to be eligible for coverage under Medicaid. Therefore, they are not able to take advantage of regular and preventive health care for themselves or their families, leading to the possibility of more expensive health issues down the road... for which society could end up paying anyway!
The Affordable Care Act (Obama-Care) could change that, if the governors of the individual states would be willing to implement the provision that will expand Medicaid coverage for the citizens in their states.
Most of the governors who oppose this provision do so ostensibly for economic reasons, or so they say. It is my opinion that in the long run it would be more costly to a state's economy to have to pay for the people who go to the hospital but cannot afford to pay their bill, than it would be to expand Medicaid coverage under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. PBS NewsHour Correspondent Betty Ann Bowser takes a look at the arguments made by those governors opposed to expanding Medicaid within their states.
You may be someone who agrees with Obama-Care or you may not like it... but, please don't forget, as the ideologically driven debates continue, that there are real people whose lives could be touched and dramatically improved by each governor putting into effect and practice the provision that calls for the expansion of Medicaid. Be an advocate and a voice for the voiceless...
One of the biggest debates in politics these days is the Affordable Healthcare Act (there is actually a longer name for this new healthcare law, but most people will recognize it by the name Obama-Care). This new law has now been ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States, but still there continues to be political resistance to it. One of its provisions, the expansion of Medicaid coverage, is under state, not federal control. Some of our state governors (mostly Republican governors) still say they are either hesitant, undecided or will flat out refuse to implement this provision - they will not expand coverage under Medicaid to their state's poorer citizens.
It is unfortunate that many people think of the poor and marginalized as lazy, shiftless, or "no good"... but these descriptive adjectives could not be farther from the truth. The truth is, the majority of those living in poverty are hard working individuals, who many times work long hours for low pay, sometimes working two or three jobs just to try to make ends meet. They usually have jobs that do not provide them with health care benefits, and do not pay them enough so they might buy their own health care policies.
To make matters worse, while they do not make enough money to be able to afford to buy their own health care policy, many of them make too much money to be eligible for coverage under Medicaid. Therefore, they are not able to take advantage of regular and preventive health care for themselves or their families, leading to the possibility of more expensive health issues down the road... for which society could end up paying anyway!
The Affordable Care Act (Obama-Care) could change that, if the governors of the individual states would be willing to implement the provision that will expand Medicaid coverage for the citizens in their states.
Most of the governors who oppose this provision do so ostensibly for economic reasons, or so they say. It is my opinion that in the long run it would be more costly to a state's economy to have to pay for the people who go to the hospital but cannot afford to pay their bill, than it would be to expand Medicaid coverage under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. PBS NewsHour Correspondent Betty Ann Bowser takes a look at the arguments made by those governors opposed to expanding Medicaid within their states.
You may be someone who agrees with Obama-Care or you may not like it... but, please don't forget, as the ideologically driven debates continue, that there are real people whose lives could be touched and dramatically improved by each governor putting into effect and practice the provision that calls for the expansion of Medicaid. Be an advocate and a voice for the voiceless...
Friday, July 13, 2012
Biggest Waste of Time, Effort and US Tax Dollars...
It is time that the Republican-led congress tries to do something that is constructive!! Wasting time and money to vote on repealing the healthcare law, when it should be obvious that they would be unsuccessful is ridiculous! The House might vote to repeal it, but the Senate will not take it up, and President Obama would veto... It is a known fact that the Republicans do not like the law... they don't have to waste our money and their time to prove it!! Do something to help your constituents.... many of whom are probably already benefiting from parts of the healthcare law... and when it is fully implemented, will benefit more!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The Romney Rabbit Hole...
The HuffPost Religion article, "Obama Birth Control Mandate: Catholic Bishops Divided On Legal Battle" includes the following
quote:
"Blaire, a leading spokesman on social justice issues
as head of the domestic policy committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops, worried that the confrontational approach taken by the bishops was
being exploited by political groups 'very far to the right' who are trying to
use the conflict with the White House as 'an anti-Obama campaign.'"
Of course the far right-wing Republicans are exploiting this
move by the Roman Catholic Church! Is
this really a surprise to anyone??
Republican strategists are using every scare tactic possible to try to
get people to vote for Mitt Romney... and to be able to suggest that The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act interferes with religious beliefs, as they would say is
evidenced by the lawsuit brought by the Catholic Bishops, is just one more ploy
in their attempts to trick and maneuver people into casting a vote for Mr.
Romney without really looking carefully at his positions on the economy,
education, healthcare, or foreign policy, just to name a few of the issues the
President of the United States has to deal with as he governs our country.
Oh, wait a minute… we don't need to look too closely at Mr.
Romney’s ideas for governing the United States… because
he has already given us a pretty good idea where he stands…
On the economy: He’s
going “fix it”! He knows how to do this based on
his years of making money for venture capitalists at Bain… But I wonder for whom he will be trying to
make money as the President of the United States… Who or what will he try to divide up and sell
off? And to whom will he sell?
On education: He has
stated that he will get rid of the US Department of Education, or at least
merge it with other departments in the government… I mean who really needs a Department of
(Public) Education when everyone knows that Charter Schools (privately funded,
for profit schools) are the best way to go… right? Hmmm… privately funded, for profit schools… Does
that mean that in the future those people in our country who won’t be able to
afford it, will then no longer get an education? Not even a basic one? I can just see the US literacy rates
plummeting now… That ought to be really good for the United States…
On healthcare: He
will get rid of “Obama-care” (also known as The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act)!! The piece
of legislation that allows young people to stay on their parents’ health
insurance until the age of 26, saving them a great deal of money… The piece of legislation that will not allow insurance companies to charge more for women's coverage than men's coverage... The piece of
legislation that (now) does not allow insurance companies to limit or refuse
children insurance based on pre-existing illnesses, and that (by the year 2014)
will benefit all people in the same way… The piece of legislation that does not
allow insurance companies to drop someone from coverage at will…or because
they actually needed and used their health coverage… The piece of legislation that will help more
Americans be able to get affordable health coverage (it is called "The...Affordable
Care Act" for a reason)… And Mr. Romney would get rid of it. Thousands (millions?) of people in the United
States cannot afford health care now. Does this mean that Mr. Romney does not want Americans (all
Americans, not just the more affluent ones) to have access to affordable health
care? Sounds like it to me…
On foreign policy:
Well perhaps we don’t really need to worry too much about Mr. Romney’s
knowledge of foreign policy…after all, he is up on all the latest news… Why, just a couple of weeks back, he reminded us
just who the United States’ greatest enemy was…
Did you not catch the news that day?
I’ll fill you in… according to
Mr. Romney, America’s greatest enemy and threat is… Russia… Well, at least he didn’t say it was the now
non-existent USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic), of which Russia was a
part… But then, for so many years Russia
was synonymous with the USSR… Maybe I do
need to be a little concerned about Mr. Romney’s ability to lead the United
States in the area of foreign policy after all…maybe we all do…
Ahhh… I am
sorry… I did get a little off topic. I started out this post to say that the Roman Catholic Church is being used by
the far right wing of the Republican Party to attempt to gain political momentum and scare
people into voting for Mr. Romney.
I guess I went down a Romney rabbit hole… I’m glad I’m back out of it… it is a little scary
to consider what the “Romney States of America” might be like in the future.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
2012 Republican Presidential Candidates...
I heard this today as I was watching "Morning Joe" on MSNBC:
"The Republican primary race has really been a choice between the unlikeable and the insufferable."
~ Tina Brown, Editor-in-Chief, Newsweek Magazine
This is a very interesting summation of the Republican candidates for President in 2012. Who are the individuals who would have been more likable, sufferable or even desirable to the Republican Party as candidates for President? Do such individuals actually exist? And why didn't they run???
Maybe the question really needs to be: What is considered likable, sufferable or desirable for a presidential candidate in the Republican Party? Maybe if that question were answered, then the more preferred presidential candidates could be found...
But I suspect that this close to the presidential election, even if that question were able to be answered and the more preferred candidate found, that it is too late... and Republicans will be stuck with either Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul... none of whom have been endorsed wholeheartedly and without any type of reservation by leading Republicans, and all of whom are still running for nomination as the Republican candidate for President in the 2012 campaign.
"The Republican primary race has really been a choice between the unlikeable and the insufferable."
~ Tina Brown, Editor-in-Chief, Newsweek Magazine
This is a very interesting summation of the Republican candidates for President in 2012. Who are the individuals who would have been more likable, sufferable or even desirable to the Republican Party as candidates for President? Do such individuals actually exist? And why didn't they run???
Maybe the question really needs to be: What is considered likable, sufferable or desirable for a presidential candidate in the Republican Party? Maybe if that question were answered, then the more preferred presidential candidates could be found...
But I suspect that this close to the presidential election, even if that question were able to be answered and the more preferred candidate found, that it is too late... and Republicans will be stuck with either Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul... none of whom have been endorsed wholeheartedly and without any type of reservation by leading Republicans, and all of whom are still running for nomination as the Republican candidate for President in the 2012 campaign.
Friday, May 27, 2011
that "fire in my belly"...
"I think my problem is that I have that fire in my belly... I struggle with it every day." ~Sarah Palin
Sarah, Sarah, there is no need for you to have to continue struggling with such pain ... there are medications available these days for that type of problem ... even over-the-counter ones. But if the Rolaids, Tums, Pepto Bismol, or Milk of Magnesia don't help, and you continue to have that sensation of "fire in [your] belly" then I would suggest you seek the help of a Gastroenterologist [a tummy doctor].
He or she can suggest some medical tests ... for example a CT scan with contrast, or a barium swallow [I hear that the stuff doesn't really taste that bad], or a barium enema, or maybe even a colonoscopy, to name only a few possible tests, that might help to determine the cause of the "fire in [your] belly." Your doctor might even decide that you need some type of surgery to relieve you of the "fire in [your] belly."
Of course, I do realize that these medicines and medical procedures, and the time you would spend in the hospital if you ended up needing surgery for the "fire in [your] belly" could run your medical bills pretty high ... and you might be one of the few thousand people who do not have good health insurance, and therefore struggle to have enough money to be able to pay your medical expenses ... in which case it might be difficult to get the problem of the "fire in [your] belly" quickly diagnosed and properly treated.
Oh, you're that Sarah Palin ... well, I guess you do have enough money and/or insurance to take care of the "fire in [your] belly". Well, as I said at the outset, don't continue to struggle with such pain day in and day out ... see a doctor. But please, don't pass the pain on to the American people by running for President of the United States in 2012. No one in America has enough money or good enough insurance to help with the pain that would cause, in the very remote chance that you might win.
Sarah, Sarah, there is no need for you to have to continue struggling with such pain ... there are medications available these days for that type of problem ... even over-the-counter ones. But if the Rolaids, Tums, Pepto Bismol, or Milk of Magnesia don't help, and you continue to have that sensation of "fire in [your] belly" then I would suggest you seek the help of a Gastroenterologist [a tummy doctor].
He or she can suggest some medical tests ... for example a CT scan with contrast, or a barium swallow [I hear that the stuff doesn't really taste that bad], or a barium enema, or maybe even a colonoscopy, to name only a few possible tests, that might help to determine the cause of the "fire in [your] belly." Your doctor might even decide that you need some type of surgery to relieve you of the "fire in [your] belly."
Of course, I do realize that these medicines and medical procedures, and the time you would spend in the hospital if you ended up needing surgery for the "fire in [your] belly" could run your medical bills pretty high ... and you might be one of the few thousand people who do not have good health insurance, and therefore struggle to have enough money to be able to pay your medical expenses ... in which case it might be difficult to get the problem of the "fire in [your] belly" quickly diagnosed and properly treated.
Oh, you're that Sarah Palin ... well, I guess you do have enough money and/or insurance to take care of the "fire in [your] belly". Well, as I said at the outset, don't continue to struggle with such pain day in and day out ... see a doctor. But please, don't pass the pain on to the American people by running for President of the United States in 2012. No one in America has enough money or good enough insurance to help with the pain that would cause, in the very remote chance that you might win.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
no... he didn't really say that... did he?
Record flooding of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Killer tornadoes through Joplin Missouri, Tuscaloosa Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and numerous other states wreaking havoc and horrendous destruction, death, and financial loss to citizens of the United States. Always, at least before today, in these situations, the federal government has done what it could to send aid, in the form of experienced disaster personnel and money, in order to augment state and local emergency personnel, secure damaged areas, save lives, and help in the rebuilding of what "Mother Nature" has destroyed.
But maybe, this will no longer be the case... Eric Cantor, Republican Majority Leader in the United States House of Representatives, announced that emergency funding to help those devastated by the recent tornadoes and storms, should certainly be sent, but only as long as there is an equal corresponding reduction of monetary assets taken away from other federal programs... in the interest of deficit reduction, of course.
When, oh when, will Republicans quit holding the American people hostage in the guise of deficit reduction?!! And when will they quit trying to "reduce the deficit" on the backs of those who are least able to bear the burden - the poor, the needy and those who are "powerless" and have little voice in our society?!!
Shame!!! Shame on you, Eric Cantor, for trying to use the sufferings and the hardships of thousands, sufferings that have resulted from "Mother Nature's" destructive forces... shame on you for trying to use them for political ends!!! In making a statement, you had a chance to give an encouraging word, to show some compassion for the people who will now be trying to pick up the pieces of their lives after the utter devastation they have been blessed enough to survive... but no, you had to make it into a political point, at their expense.... Shame on you!!! I have no doubt that your mother tried to teach you better, but you must not have listened to her lessons very well... I will say it again... Shame on you!!!
But maybe, this will no longer be the case... Eric Cantor, Republican Majority Leader in the United States House of Representatives, announced that emergency funding to help those devastated by the recent tornadoes and storms, should certainly be sent, but only as long as there is an equal corresponding reduction of monetary assets taken away from other federal programs... in the interest of deficit reduction, of course.
When, oh when, will Republicans quit holding the American people hostage in the guise of deficit reduction?!! And when will they quit trying to "reduce the deficit" on the backs of those who are least able to bear the burden - the poor, the needy and those who are "powerless" and have little voice in our society?!!
Shame!!! Shame on you, Eric Cantor, for trying to use the sufferings and the hardships of thousands, sufferings that have resulted from "Mother Nature's" destructive forces... shame on you for trying to use them for political ends!!! In making a statement, you had a chance to give an encouraging word, to show some compassion for the people who will now be trying to pick up the pieces of their lives after the utter devastation they have been blessed enough to survive... but no, you had to make it into a political point, at their expense.... Shame on you!!! I have no doubt that your mother tried to teach you better, but you must not have listened to her lessons very well... I will say it again... Shame on you!!!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
a little political humor...
I confess... A friend sent this to me through email and I could not resist re-posting it to this blog site, although I do not know the original author, in order to give him or her credit... so here goes with a little bit of political humor... one has to lighten up once in a while, right? Anyway, here goes...
A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude."
She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be an Obama Democrat."
"I am,"replied the man. "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."
The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Republican."
"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."
A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude."
She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be an Obama Democrat."
"I am,"replied the man. "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."
The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Republican."
"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."
Monday, January 10, 2011
birthers, republicans and political strategy
Last week the 112th Congress took office… new members were sworn in… and the Constitution of the United States of America was read aloud. That was most likely a good idea, as I am sure that no matter whether they are Republican, Democrat, Tea Party, Independent, or whatever fringe political party our congressional representatives may attach themselves to or consider themselves to be part of, there are not many of them who have the Constitution memorized.
Now, our Constitution is not worded exactly the same now, in 2011, as it was when it was originally written and adopted. That is because there have been amendments made to it… and rightfully so. Our Founding Fathers were far-sighted enough to agree upon a constitution that would be able to be amended as time passed. They knew that things would change within our country, and that our Constitution would need to change with it… but so that the values upon which our country was founded, and which were embodied within the Constitution could not just be swept away arbitrarily by any individual or group in power on a whim or fancy, changing our Constitution, making amendments to it, was made a difficult process to achieve. I give kudos to our Founding Fathers for this protection.
Now, one of the things included in our Constitution are the requirements that one must meet in order to serve as the President of the United States of America… and among them is the requirement that any individual who serves as President must be a natural born citizen. The man or woman who is President must have been born in the United States of America… and of course most people know, I think, that this would include anyone who was born within any of the states that are considered to be part of the United States of America.
This is a simple enough concept, but apparently there are still those who do not understand it. I say this because as I understand it, when our congressional leaders were reading the Constitution aloud last week, as they got to the part that mentioned the requirements to be the President, there was a woman who shouted out, “Except Obama!”
Now she did this for one of two reasons… either she does not know that the State of Hawaii is a part of the United States of America… or she does not believe that President Obama was actually born in the State of Hawaii, as public records indicate. While I know that it is not always wise to “assume” something, I will give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she does indeed know that Hawaii is one of the states that make up our fair country… so that must mean that she still does not believe that President Obama was actually born in the State of Hawaii… and I suspect that she is not alone… they are called “the birthers”…
It has now been two years since President Obama took office, after winning the 2008 presidential election. This notion, that he is not a natural born citizen, started sometime while he was running for president, and during the campaign, was used as political fodder for those who were campaigning for his opponents. Official public records show this idea for the ridiculous lie that it is.
In my humble opinion, it is time that this lie be laid to rest, in favor of the truth, that President Obama is indeed a natural born citizen, and whether or not one likes the man or even agrees with him, he should have the respect that any President of the United States deserves, simply because he is the President. I also believe that it would go a long way to help end this lie, if Republicans, and even Tea Party-ers, would refute it definitely, openly and publicly.
Do I think that Republicans or Tea Party-ers will do this? No. And the reason has nothing to do with their beliefs about President Obama’s citizenship status, but rather more to do with political strategy… It is simply more politically expedient for Republicans and Tea Party-ers to have a fringe of society constantly stirring this idea up at any opportune moment… as it keeps people divided at a time when we really need to be working together to find solutions for the pressing economic problems that we, as a nation continue to face. C’mon Republicans… C’mon Tea Party-ers… help take out one more thing that is used to divide citizens of the United States… help put to death this lie that continues to be believed and spread by “the birthers”…
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Robin Hood, Where are You??
I heard on the news this morning that Congress has chosen not to extend the unemployment benefits to millions of Americans who desperately need them... citing "fiscal responsibility" they cannot see their way clear to help those who lost their jobs as a result of our tanking economy. Ok, I get it... they want people to work for their money, not just have it handed to them.... so then Congress, WHERE ARE THE JOBS???
If you don't want to be fiscally irresponsible and add 56 billion dollars to the deficit, in order to help your less fortunate brothers and sisters here in America, who by the way, did nothing to deserve the economic difficulties that they are experiencing, and try as they might cannot find a job, then at least you could work on creating incentives so that the economy will pick up and they will be able to get back to work and earn their pay...
Of course, there are always those Bush era tax cuts... those can be extended to everyone, as Republicans would like... now that would be real "fiscal responsibility" wouldn't it? Especially extending the tax cuts to the wealthiest 2% of our nation... I have heard from news sources that economists say that doing this would add somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 billion dollars to the deficit...
Yeah, that's the ticket to fiscal responsibility and economic growth... give those wealthy people tax cuts that they don't really need so they can save the money, not spend it on expanding business and creating job growth.... as opposed to giving the ordinary folks money they need to survive, who will then spend it on necessities and put it back into our economy.
After hearing how "fiscally responsible" Congress wants to be now, I just have so much more confidence in my elected officials... those people who are supposed to put the good of the American People ahead of their own agendas...
But I must admit that I don't have a lot of confidence in their basic knowledge of Arithmetic... I mean, the last time I checked, 700 billion dollars was a lot greater than 56 billion dollars [700 billion>56 billion]... so where is the fiscal responsibility in denying the needy and pandering to the rich?
Taking from the poor and giving to the rich.... Robin Hood, where are you when we need you????
If you don't want to be fiscally irresponsible and add 56 billion dollars to the deficit, in order to help your less fortunate brothers and sisters here in America, who by the way, did nothing to deserve the economic difficulties that they are experiencing, and try as they might cannot find a job, then at least you could work on creating incentives so that the economy will pick up and they will be able to get back to work and earn their pay...
Of course, there are always those Bush era tax cuts... those can be extended to everyone, as Republicans would like... now that would be real "fiscal responsibility" wouldn't it? Especially extending the tax cuts to the wealthiest 2% of our nation... I have heard from news sources that economists say that doing this would add somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 billion dollars to the deficit...
Yeah, that's the ticket to fiscal responsibility and economic growth... give those wealthy people tax cuts that they don't really need so they can save the money, not spend it on expanding business and creating job growth.... as opposed to giving the ordinary folks money they need to survive, who will then spend it on necessities and put it back into our economy.
After hearing how "fiscally responsible" Congress wants to be now, I just have so much more confidence in my elected officials... those people who are supposed to put the good of the American People ahead of their own agendas...
But I must admit that I don't have a lot of confidence in their basic knowledge of Arithmetic... I mean, the last time I checked, 700 billion dollars was a lot greater than 56 billion dollars [700 billion>56 billion]... so where is the fiscal responsibility in denying the needy and pandering to the rich?
Taking from the poor and giving to the rich.... Robin Hood, where are you when we need you????
Saturday, November 6, 2010
damn the torpedoes...
It has been interesting listening to comments made by our politicians and our soon to be politicians since the "shellackin" that the Democratic Party received in the elections less than a week ago. The "whys", the "wherefores", the "what-nots", and the "what's next" have all been spoken on... by those of all political parties and persuasions... and the Republicans and Tea Party-ers would have us believe that they are now going to come in and "save the day"!!
As I listened to election returns, one thing seemed to stand out... Democrats and Republicans and Tea Party-ers who spoke that night focused on the fact that people in our country were angry that not enough had been done to create more jobs for those who have been and continue to struggle with unemployment. And perhaps I heard it wrong, but it sounded to me as if those who had been re-elected and newly elected were making promises to take up the challenges of unemployment and job creation that are plaguing our economy as a top priority...
It sounded as though they were saying they would be coming to Washington to work to reduce unemployment and grow our economy... granted, that was not the only thing they were saying, but at least on election night it seemed as though that was going to be their top priority, because they said, "that was what the American People wanted"... "that was why the American People had so soundly defeated the Democrats"... "that was why the American People had handed the Democrats the largest defeat in history since the 1930's"... And from both Republicans and Democrats I heard that they [our elected and newly elected officials] were now going to work to fulfill the "people's mandate" [although the word "mandate" may not have actually been used, it was certainly implied]...
I wonder how they are going to do that?
I know, I know!!!! I heard it from the mouth of Mitch McConnell himself!!! He is going to focus on making sure that President Obama does not get elected in 2012, so that a Republican nominee can be elected as president, so that they can then repeal "Obama-care"...
Now that's a plan if I ever heard one... that will certainly fulfill the American People's "mandate" to create more jobs and bring the unemployment numbers down...
Yessiree!! Let's have two more years of Republicans and Tea Party-ers saying, "No, we won't!" to anything that is suggested or proposed, so that in the 2012 elections, the Democrats can be blamed, President Obama can be defeated, and Republicans can "take over"... and "Obama-care" can be repealed!!!
But wait... what about those unemployment numbers and those people in our country who are losing their homes and struggling to make ends meet? What about the American People's "mandate" that you promised to make top priority? Or at least that you appeared to promise to make top priority...
I guess in the short time span of just a few days, everything is suddenly ok with the job/unemployment situation, and attention can now be focused on the more important things... that of making sure that Democrats and President Obama are defeated in the 2012 elections... damn the needs of the American People... damn the anger in this country over job loss, mortgage foreclosures, unemployment and Wall Street excesses that brought us to this point...
What's that saying? "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead"?
Be warned.... we Americans now live in an "instant society" of "fast foods" and instant access to anything we want over the internet... and we apparently also expect "instant answers" to problems for which there are none... the "torpedoes" that sunk the Democrats in the 2010 elections may also sink Republicans and Tea Party-ers in the 2012 elections...
It is time that political posturing, political power-plays, and election rhetoric be put aside for the more important job of working together to find ways of reducing unemployment and encouraging the creation of more jobs... Whether Democrat or Republican or Tea Party or Independent, this is the reason you were elected... this is what the American People are screaming for... this is your "mandate"!!
We, the American People, are looking to you, our elected officials, for leadership, not partisanship!! And I think, that although we would like our problems to be solved instantaneously, that deep down, we know that will not happen... but it would be nice to see some progress being made... without having to wait another two years before any of you legislators even begins to get to work...
As I listened to election returns, one thing seemed to stand out... Democrats and Republicans and Tea Party-ers who spoke that night focused on the fact that people in our country were angry that not enough had been done to create more jobs for those who have been and continue to struggle with unemployment. And perhaps I heard it wrong, but it sounded to me as if those who had been re-elected and newly elected were making promises to take up the challenges of unemployment and job creation that are plaguing our economy as a top priority...
It sounded as though they were saying they would be coming to Washington to work to reduce unemployment and grow our economy... granted, that was not the only thing they were saying, but at least on election night it seemed as though that was going to be their top priority, because they said, "that was what the American People wanted"... "that was why the American People had so soundly defeated the Democrats"... "that was why the American People had handed the Democrats the largest defeat in history since the 1930's"... And from both Republicans and Democrats I heard that they [our elected and newly elected officials] were now going to work to fulfill the "people's mandate" [although the word "mandate" may not have actually been used, it was certainly implied]...
I wonder how they are going to do that?
I know, I know!!!! I heard it from the mouth of Mitch McConnell himself!!! He is going to focus on making sure that President Obama does not get elected in 2012, so that a Republican nominee can be elected as president, so that they can then repeal "Obama-care"...
Now that's a plan if I ever heard one... that will certainly fulfill the American People's "mandate" to create more jobs and bring the unemployment numbers down...
Yessiree!! Let's have two more years of Republicans and Tea Party-ers saying, "No, we won't!" to anything that is suggested or proposed, so that in the 2012 elections, the Democrats can be blamed, President Obama can be defeated, and Republicans can "take over"... and "Obama-care" can be repealed!!!
But wait... what about those unemployment numbers and those people in our country who are losing their homes and struggling to make ends meet? What about the American People's "mandate" that you promised to make top priority? Or at least that you appeared to promise to make top priority...
I guess in the short time span of just a few days, everything is suddenly ok with the job/unemployment situation, and attention can now be focused on the more important things... that of making sure that Democrats and President Obama are defeated in the 2012 elections... damn the needs of the American People... damn the anger in this country over job loss, mortgage foreclosures, unemployment and Wall Street excesses that brought us to this point...
What's that saying? "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead"?
Be warned.... we Americans now live in an "instant society" of "fast foods" and instant access to anything we want over the internet... and we apparently also expect "instant answers" to problems for which there are none... the "torpedoes" that sunk the Democrats in the 2010 elections may also sink Republicans and Tea Party-ers in the 2012 elections...
It is time that political posturing, political power-plays, and election rhetoric be put aside for the more important job of working together to find ways of reducing unemployment and encouraging the creation of more jobs... Whether Democrat or Republican or Tea Party or Independent, this is the reason you were elected... this is what the American People are screaming for... this is your "mandate"!!
We, the American People, are looking to you, our elected officials, for leadership, not partisanship!! And I think, that although we would like our problems to be solved instantaneously, that deep down, we know that will not happen... but it would be nice to see some progress being made... without having to wait another two years before any of you legislators even begins to get to work...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Today.... Get Out and Vote!!!!
We who are citizens of the United States of America have a privilege that many Americans take for granted, because they have never known anything different... we have the right to go to the polls and vote for the candidates of our choice. Unfortunately, there are many who do not take advantage of this privilege... no, not privilege... this responsibility!! It is our responsibility as citizens of the United States to vote for those who will be our representatives at all levels of government.
Why?
Well, it has been awhile, but somewhere in my education, I learned about The Gettysburg Address, in which then President Abraham Lincoln referred to the government of the United States of America as a government "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." He could refer to our government in this way, because we, as ordinary citizens of the United States, could go to the polls and choose our leaders!!
Granted, in President Lincoln's day, not all people over the age of majority who had been born in and lived in the United States had the right to vote... or were even considered to be citizens... it was not until the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified in July of 1868, that all persons, born or naturalized in the United States, were legally assured of citizenship status within the United States and within the individual state in which they resided... and it was not until the 15th Amendment [ratified in February of 1870] and the 19th Amendment [ratified in August of 1920] that all people, regardless of sex, race, color, or previous condition of servitude, were given the right to vote.
But... we in the 21st century, all of us who are legal citizens of the United States of America, and who are above the age of majority [18 years old], no matter whether we are male or female, no matter what our race, ethnic background, socio-economic status or religious creed might happen to be... we still have the government that President Abraham Lincoln described as "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." It is because of this very reason that we have a responsibility to exercise our privilege and our right to go to the polls and vote!!
Being able to vote for those who will be our representatives at all levels of government is what gives us Americans a government that is "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." Voting is the fundamental thing that gives us a "voice" in our government!!
So, take the time... exercise your privilege... your right... your responsibility... let your voice be heard...
Today... get out and vote!!
Why?
Well, it has been awhile, but somewhere in my education, I learned about The Gettysburg Address, in which then President Abraham Lincoln referred to the government of the United States of America as a government "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." He could refer to our government in this way, because we, as ordinary citizens of the United States, could go to the polls and choose our leaders!!
Granted, in President Lincoln's day, not all people over the age of majority who had been born in and lived in the United States had the right to vote... or were even considered to be citizens... it was not until the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified in July of 1868, that all persons, born or naturalized in the United States, were legally assured of citizenship status within the United States and within the individual state in which they resided... and it was not until the 15th Amendment [ratified in February of 1870] and the 19th Amendment [ratified in August of 1920] that all people, regardless of sex, race, color, or previous condition of servitude, were given the right to vote.
But... we in the 21st century, all of us who are legal citizens of the United States of America, and who are above the age of majority [18 years old], no matter whether we are male or female, no matter what our race, ethnic background, socio-economic status or religious creed might happen to be... we still have the government that President Abraham Lincoln described as "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." It is because of this very reason that we have a responsibility to exercise our privilege and our right to go to the polls and vote!!
Being able to vote for those who will be our representatives at all levels of government is what gives us Americans a government that is "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." Voting is the fundamental thing that gives us a "voice" in our government!!
So, take the time... exercise your privilege... your right... your responsibility... let your voice be heard...
Today... get out and vote!!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
worries...
I must admit... I am worried about America...
There are many problems that we face as a nation... unemployment... war... people losing their homes... the economy...
Two years ago as we elected a new president there seemed to be so much hope... "Yes we can!" was the rallying cry... in spite of the fact that the problems we faced did not seem to have an easy end in sight... "Yes we can!" was our answer...
Our new president told us in his Acceptance Speech as President-Elect as well as in his Inaugural Address of the many problems we faced as a nation... the economic recession being only one of them... he told us that we would need to work together to find the solutions to our problems and that it would take time... that there were no quick fixes... that full recovery might not even be accomplished within a single term of office... and still we answered, "Yes we can!"
What has happened to us Americans?
Are those of us who are older and in influential and wealthy positions within our country so secure in our own financial futures that it really doesn't matter to us about those who are struggling? Has our thinking become, "We have what we want and need, so who cares about those who don't!"?
Have we older adults become so selfish, unfeeling and uncaring [unless of course the problems touch our own "pocketbooks"] ... or have we become so hungry for political power that we give up our common sense, civility and integrity to get it? Are those who are in a political office so unwilling to work together with others who do not belong to their particular political party, that they are willing to sacrifice those for whom they are supposed to be working? [...in case you aren't sure who I mean, I am talking about us common, not so wealthy or influential folk...]
And what about our younger adults? Have we in our country under the age of 25 or so become so enamored with fast foods and the instant access that the internet gives us to almost anything and everything that we want, that we have forgotten what it means when someone tells us there is no quick fix… that things will take time for us to recover fully? Are we two year olds who throw tantrums and stamp our feet because we want it “NOW!”…and then because we have not gotten what we want as fast as we want, we lose hope, we give up and we give in to fear?
Are those of us who are older and in influential and wealthy positions within our country so secure in our own financial futures that it really doesn't matter to us about those who are struggling? Has our thinking become, "We have what we want and need, so who cares about those who don't!"?
Have we older adults become so selfish, unfeeling and uncaring [unless of course the problems touch our own "pocketbooks"] ... or have we become so hungry for political power that we give up our common sense, civility and integrity to get it? Are those who are in a political office so unwilling to work together with others who do not belong to their particular political party, that they are willing to sacrifice those for whom they are supposed to be working? [...in case you aren't sure who I mean, I am talking about us common, not so wealthy or influential folk...]
And what about our younger adults? Have we in our country under the age of 25 or so become so enamored with fast foods and the instant access that the internet gives us to almost anything and everything that we want, that we have forgotten what it means when someone tells us there is no quick fix… that things will take time for us to recover fully? Are we two year olds who throw tantrums and stamp our feet because we want it “NOW!”…and then because we have not gotten what we want as fast as we want, we lose hope, we give up and we give in to fear?
What happened to the hope in the seeming infinite possibilities that existed two years ago, in spite of the difficulties we were enduring and that were sure to continue? Has our, "Yes we can!" turned into, "No we won't!"
What has happened to us Americans that live in “the home of the free and the brave”? Have we lost our courage in the face of those who would use fear and half truths and innuendo and outright lies for political power and gain, all the while hiding behind flashy smiles, cute “mama bear” rhetoric, and pretty faces?
Has the “home of the free and the brave” instead become a cesspool of fears and lies in which its residents have become mired?
Yes, I am worried about America... because I am worried about Americans!!
Yes, I am worried about America... because I am worried about Americans!!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
...but isn't that the way it works in politics?
Ok... I heard on a morning news show today that some people in Florida from one of the groups of candidates identified with the Tea Party were going to file criminal charges against people in the Republican Party, because of disparaging ads painting them [Tea party candidates] in a bad light, and telling downright lies about them... those from the Tea Party claim that these disparaging ads were put forth because of the Republicans' fear of having to deal with them as a "third party"...
"Mud-slinging" and lying about one's political opponents are campaign tactics that have been around for a long time... probably as long as political campaigns have been around... I mean, why should candidates who are running for a political office try to win on their own merits, on their own integrity, or on their own abilities as a leader and a "statesman"? Oh, wait... does such a word as "statesman" even belong in politics these days, or did it go out of fashion with our founding fathers?
Political advertisements that plant the seeds of fear and disparage and demonize opponents seem to be the normal fare of political campaigns these days... and, interestingly enough, seems to have been taken to new "lows" by the Tea Party Movement in the last two years...
So what's the matter? You can "dish it out" but can't "take it" when it comes back your way?
"Mud-slinging" and lying about one's political opponents are campaign tactics that have been around for a long time... probably as long as political campaigns have been around... I mean, why should candidates who are running for a political office try to win on their own merits, on their own integrity, or on their own abilities as a leader and a "statesman"? Oh, wait... does such a word as "statesman" even belong in politics these days, or did it go out of fashion with our founding fathers?
Political advertisements that plant the seeds of fear and disparage and demonize opponents seem to be the normal fare of political campaigns these days... and, interestingly enough, seems to have been taken to new "lows" by the Tea Party Movement in the last two years...
So what's the matter? You can "dish it out" but can't "take it" when it comes back your way?
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Telling the Truth
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." ~George Orwell
Friday, September 24, 2010
Immigrant Workers... Immigration Reform
In my humble opinion, we have a horrendous problem here in the United States... that being how we think of and treat those who cross our borders, albeit illegally, in order to make a better life for themselves, because they feel they have no other choice.
We lump these undocumented immigrant farm workers together with those who would cross our borders to cause harm through violence and drug trafficking and thereby sooth our consciences as to the ways that they are treated here in the great United States of America. We conveniently forget that many of these workers were brought here and are exploited by the very people they work for, and that they have little or no recourse for obtaining justice under our laws. While slavery may not legally exist within the USA, never-the-less, many immigrant farm workers are treated little better than those slaves of history past.
We hide behind present legalities and economic situations, contending that [undocumented] immigrant farm workers are taking jobs away from "good red-blooded Americans" who are in desperate need of employment. While I don't doubt that in these times there are thousands of good red-blooded Americans in desperate need of employment, I sincerely doubt that many of them would want to endure the harsh working conditions and low pay associated with migrant farm work.
And while this type of farm work is back-breakingly hard, it is needed!! Crops cannot harvest themselves. Although there have been technological advances in mechanical harvesting, reducing labor needs and harvest costs, which allow farmers to remain competitive in the world market, there are still many crops that are hand-harvested. According to authors James F. Thompson and Steven C. Blank in a research article entitled Harvest Mechanization Helps Agriculture Remain Competitive "much effort has been devoted to these crops [current crops still hand-harvested], but in the last 20 years there have been only a few advancements in developing commercial harvesters."
Surely we in this great nation of ours can find a way to come together to reform immigration policies, so that people who need work [even if they come from our neighboring country to the south], can legally find it in the US, so they will not be exploited by those for whom they work and will not have to live in fear of their employers as well as our police forces, and in the process of working in our country, contribute to its economic growth.
Ahhh... but perhaps, giving workers from our neighboring country to the south the ability to legally enter our country for work purposes, possibly reducing the exploitation they suffer, giving them legal recourse for justice, and thereby eliminating the near-slave status they endure, is something that those with power to make such changes do not really want... after all, the workers might not want to work down on the farm anymore... and then where would we be?
This morning I watched a YouTube video of Steve Colbert as he testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security. He has done a marvelous job of using satire to comment on the issue of immigration reform. I offer this for some thought-provoking enjoyment!
We lump these undocumented immigrant farm workers together with those who would cross our borders to cause harm through violence and drug trafficking and thereby sooth our consciences as to the ways that they are treated here in the great United States of America. We conveniently forget that many of these workers were brought here and are exploited by the very people they work for, and that they have little or no recourse for obtaining justice under our laws. While slavery may not legally exist within the USA, never-the-less, many immigrant farm workers are treated little better than those slaves of history past.
We hide behind present legalities and economic situations, contending that [undocumented] immigrant farm workers are taking jobs away from "good red-blooded Americans" who are in desperate need of employment. While I don't doubt that in these times there are thousands of good red-blooded Americans in desperate need of employment, I sincerely doubt that many of them would want to endure the harsh working conditions and low pay associated with migrant farm work.
And while this type of farm work is back-breakingly hard, it is needed!! Crops cannot harvest themselves. Although there have been technological advances in mechanical harvesting, reducing labor needs and harvest costs, which allow farmers to remain competitive in the world market, there are still many crops that are hand-harvested. According to authors James F. Thompson and Steven C. Blank in a research article entitled Harvest Mechanization Helps Agriculture Remain Competitive "much effort has been devoted to these crops [current crops still hand-harvested], but in the last 20 years there have been only a few advancements in developing commercial harvesters."
Surely we in this great nation of ours can find a way to come together to reform immigration policies, so that people who need work [even if they come from our neighboring country to the south], can legally find it in the US, so they will not be exploited by those for whom they work and will not have to live in fear of their employers as well as our police forces, and in the process of working in our country, contribute to its economic growth.
Ahhh... but perhaps, giving workers from our neighboring country to the south the ability to legally enter our country for work purposes, possibly reducing the exploitation they suffer, giving them legal recourse for justice, and thereby eliminating the near-slave status they endure, is something that those with power to make such changes do not really want... after all, the workers might not want to work down on the farm anymore... and then where would we be?
This morning I watched a YouTube video of Steve Colbert as he testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security. He has done a marvelous job of using satire to comment on the issue of immigration reform. I offer this for some thought-provoking enjoyment!
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