The most significant FIRST in this Presidential election, for me. . .
Pundits have talked about the first “Black” President elected. That is not so significant to me. I’ve worked with, been hired by, hired and fired black people, white people, Asian people and many other people of differing . . . something, all without thought of race or gender. Race, color and gender are not significant to me. It is the quality of a person’s character and their work ethic that matter most.
I voted for Obama, not because he is “Black.” I voted for him not just because he is a Democrat, although I have voted that way in the past and it was an important factor in my vote in this election. At times, my vote has been cast “against” something as much as it was cast “for” something. But that wasn’t the significant thing in this election.
It is easy to be against the Bush philosophy and the Karl Rovian tactics. The fact that Obama didn’t use those kinds of tactics is not why I voted for him and it is not the most significant part of this election.
Political “Dirty Tricks” by Republicans have been around for my entire voting career. My first vote was cast “against” Richard Nixon. They didn’t call him “Tricky Dickey” for nothing. Remember Water Gate! Don’t forget the Iran Contra Hearing, which revealed that the Reagan Administration was paying the Iranians to hold our hostages until he won the election in ’80. And the Willie Horton ads George H. W. Bush ran in 1988 got my candidate, Dukakis, defeated. Yeah, those were dirty tricks! But that wasn’t the most significant thing about this election and this President elect.
The world’s reaction to the President elect is completely understandable, given the flagrant disregard the Bush Administration has given to other countries sovereignty. The Bush Doctrine of Pre-emptive War doesn’t exactly instill the other nations to rush to our side. Still, that was not the most significant part of this President elect.
I worked hard for Obama’s election. I contributed money to the campaign and Democrats in tight races and came through when asked to contribute. I called, emailed and talked to people about the issues (many of them total strangers), trying to convince them (and was successful in some cases) to vote for Obama! I have yard signs, probably to my neighbors chagrin. But I had done all that before in the Kerry Campaign. So that wasn’t all that significant.
No, none of those things were the most significant to me. The most significant bit of reality to me: This is the first President that will be younger than I am!
How’s that for reality? That’s As I See It. . .
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Gay Marriage Vs. Civil Union
I wanted to get married at the courthouse and my wife wanted to get married in a church. Guess who won? She did. I was unsure about most religions having observed a great deal of hypocrisy and she was dedicated to the idea of a church wedding. The end result was a church wedding with the majority of guests sitting on “her side” of the isle.
My personal experience isn’t that relevant but in the interest of full disclosure, I explain it. You see, I agree with the “Christian Right” that “marriage” is generally accepted as a Bible based ceremony and belongs in a church. But since in this country we have a practicing separation of church and state, we the people have laws that allow for church ceremonies to be accepted as state ceremonies by sanction of the state. A “Preacher” must have state authority to perform the ceremony and that’s what makes it legal. Look at your marriage "license" to view it for your state.
What if I had had my way and we married at the courthouse? We would still be “married” (a derivative of the word Marriage) and we would still be “legal.” The difference? Both are state sanctioned but only one is church sanctioned.
Here’s what I propose; Let the churches keep their ceremony of marriage and let the state perform “civil ceremonies” at courthouses and let them both be legal! The difference would be a true separation of church and state, but both satisfy the requirements of the state. The technical difference is that a church “wedding” would be “marriage” and a courthouse “wedding” would be a “civil union.”
Churches that deny homosexual marriage do not have to allow them. The state, which does not allow discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, sexual preference, (or any others I may have overlooked), would not call it a “Marriage.” Thus, one is a civil union while the other is a marriage. Both are equal under the state law.
Problem solved, solution applied and let’s get on with serious problems. . .What was that? You say, “What about religious gays that want to marry in a church?”
That’s between you and the church! Don’t get the state involved. It doesn’t belong there!
That’s As I see it. . .
I wanted to get married at the courthouse and my wife wanted to get married in a church. Guess who won? She did. I was unsure about most religions having observed a great deal of hypocrisy and she was dedicated to the idea of a church wedding. The end result was a church wedding with the majority of guests sitting on “her side” of the isle.
My personal experience isn’t that relevant but in the interest of full disclosure, I explain it. You see, I agree with the “Christian Right” that “marriage” is generally accepted as a Bible based ceremony and belongs in a church. But since in this country we have a practicing separation of church and state, we the people have laws that allow for church ceremonies to be accepted as state ceremonies by sanction of the state. A “Preacher” must have state authority to perform the ceremony and that’s what makes it legal. Look at your marriage "license" to view it for your state.
What if I had had my way and we married at the courthouse? We would still be “married” (a derivative of the word Marriage) and we would still be “legal.” The difference? Both are state sanctioned but only one is church sanctioned.
Here’s what I propose; Let the churches keep their ceremony of marriage and let the state perform “civil ceremonies” at courthouses and let them both be legal! The difference would be a true separation of church and state, but both satisfy the requirements of the state. The technical difference is that a church “wedding” would be “marriage” and a courthouse “wedding” would be a “civil union.”
Churches that deny homosexual marriage do not have to allow them. The state, which does not allow discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, sexual preference, (or any others I may have overlooked), would not call it a “Marriage.” Thus, one is a civil union while the other is a marriage. Both are equal under the state law.
Problem solved, solution applied and let’s get on with serious problems. . .What was that? You say, “What about religious gays that want to marry in a church?”
That’s between you and the church! Don’t get the state involved. It doesn’t belong there!
That’s As I see it. . .
I recently sent the following to friends and relatives. It created quite a stir among non-Barack supporters. So I thought I would share it with as many people as I could. Sorry I've been gone for awhile.
I want to change the world.
So I ask myself, “How do I do that?” I want the world to be peaceful. I want the world to be tolerant of each other. I want the world to empathize. “How do I do that?”
Well, if I had the power, I could make the world leaders meet and agree on a plan to get along. Make them compromise on issues that everyone can live with. And I don’t mean to just “tolerate” but to really live! Get along!
But I don’t have that power. I barely control the world I live in with bills and obligations. I don’t hear from my children as often as I would like. Taxes on my house keep going up. They haven’t fixed the street I live on in a long time. How can I change the world?
I listened to the promises of the presidential candidates. I’m no fool. I know that neither of them can do everything they want. But I did hear the same kind of desire I have, “I want to change the world.”
I’ve lived long enough to know that this election, in my country, can have the biggest impact on the future more than any election I have ever voted in before. Why? It will decide if “we the people” want to keep giving our power to the wealthy or take back our country. We can only do that if we put in power people who will listen to us, the people, and not to the wealthy.
We have lived in a great experiment since 1980. The promise of wealth will trickle down to all if we just let the wealthy have their way. Well, they have had their way. And now we find that “we the people” have to come to their aid and “bail them out.” I guess that promise didn’t work out so well.
It’s time to take another approach. Let the people rule! Tax the wealthy! Give the revenues to the state and let the state pay for the debt, the streets, the sick, the poor, the destitute and maybe even fix my street.
We, the people, cannot continue to pay the greatest share of taxes and let the wealthy take the greatest share of profits and wealth. We just can’t let it continue!
I’m voting for Democracy! I’m voting for Barack Obama! I hope you do too.
Householder
Tax Payer
60 Year old soon-to-retire fed up with the status quo of rich getting richer and we the people inheriting deeper debt.
I want to change the world.
So I ask myself, “How do I do that?” I want the world to be peaceful. I want the world to be tolerant of each other. I want the world to empathize. “How do I do that?”
Well, if I had the power, I could make the world leaders meet and agree on a plan to get along. Make them compromise on issues that everyone can live with. And I don’t mean to just “tolerate” but to really live! Get along!
But I don’t have that power. I barely control the world I live in with bills and obligations. I don’t hear from my children as often as I would like. Taxes on my house keep going up. They haven’t fixed the street I live on in a long time. How can I change the world?
I listened to the promises of the presidential candidates. I’m no fool. I know that neither of them can do everything they want. But I did hear the same kind of desire I have, “I want to change the world.”
I’ve lived long enough to know that this election, in my country, can have the biggest impact on the future more than any election I have ever voted in before. Why? It will decide if “we the people” want to keep giving our power to the wealthy or take back our country. We can only do that if we put in power people who will listen to us, the people, and not to the wealthy.
We have lived in a great experiment since 1980. The promise of wealth will trickle down to all if we just let the wealthy have their way. Well, they have had their way. And now we find that “we the people” have to come to their aid and “bail them out.” I guess that promise didn’t work out so well.
It’s time to take another approach. Let the people rule! Tax the wealthy! Give the revenues to the state and let the state pay for the debt, the streets, the sick, the poor, the destitute and maybe even fix my street.
We, the people, cannot continue to pay the greatest share of taxes and let the wealthy take the greatest share of profits and wealth. We just can’t let it continue!
I’m voting for Democracy! I’m voting for Barack Obama! I hope you do too.
Householder
Tax Payer
60 Year old soon-to-retire fed up with the status quo of rich getting richer and we the people inheriting deeper debt.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
THE AMERICAN WAY
I believe we are at a defining moment of choice in America. We, the voters, the people, must decide if we want a Me or We Society. I believe that is the simplest way to describe the choice before us.
We the People can decide to be a Me Society by voting and putting into office the conservative philosophy of big business and every man for himself. Or we can vote in Progressives who believe that a successful society works together, a We Society. Progressives believe that government works best when it works for all the people and regulates corporations for the benefit of its workers, stock owners and the consuming public.
Look what conservatives have brought to this country in the last seven years; deregulation that allows contaminated food, toothpaste, toys and a devaluation of the dollar; jobs being exported at an alarming rate; a doubling of the National Debt and tax breaks for the top 1%.
Choose the conservative way and there will be more of that. Choose the progressive way and it will start to turn around. It will take time to undo the damage done but it will start and gradually a strong middle class will establish itself again.
I am encouraged by the strong turn out of voters in the Democratic primaries. So far they have almost doubled the Republican turn out. It is a sign that Americans, the People, have had enough of “Rich man rule.”
My concern now is for the future, both immediate and long term. We must reverse the deficit spending, end the Occupation of Iraq, raise taxes on the rich, give the poor and middle class a tax break and pass legislation that reestablishes regulations on corporations.
But that will be only a start. We the People must keep watch so these Me Philosophy, power hungry, war-mongering conservatives don’t assert control some time in the future. There is a tendency for the People to become lax and loose attention, eventually allowing the conservative shallow promise of “tax breaks” to cloud their minds.
How will you vote? Me or We.
I believe we are at a defining moment of choice in America. We, the voters, the people, must decide if we want a Me or We Society. I believe that is the simplest way to describe the choice before us.
We the People can decide to be a Me Society by voting and putting into office the conservative philosophy of big business and every man for himself. Or we can vote in Progressives who believe that a successful society works together, a We Society. Progressives believe that government works best when it works for all the people and regulates corporations for the benefit of its workers, stock owners and the consuming public.
Look what conservatives have brought to this country in the last seven years; deregulation that allows contaminated food, toothpaste, toys and a devaluation of the dollar; jobs being exported at an alarming rate; a doubling of the National Debt and tax breaks for the top 1%.
Choose the conservative way and there will be more of that. Choose the progressive way and it will start to turn around. It will take time to undo the damage done but it will start and gradually a strong middle class will establish itself again.
I am encouraged by the strong turn out of voters in the Democratic primaries. So far they have almost doubled the Republican turn out. It is a sign that Americans, the People, have had enough of “Rich man rule.”
My concern now is for the future, both immediate and long term. We must reverse the deficit spending, end the Occupation of Iraq, raise taxes on the rich, give the poor and middle class a tax break and pass legislation that reestablishes regulations on corporations.
But that will be only a start. We the People must keep watch so these Me Philosophy, power hungry, war-mongering conservatives don’t assert control some time in the future. There is a tendency for the People to become lax and loose attention, eventually allowing the conservative shallow promise of “tax breaks” to cloud their minds.
How will you vote? Me or We.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
I’M ABOUT TO GIVE UP, AMERICA . . .
There are so many things happening in the news today and over the last three months that I wonder if Americans are watching and, more importantly, listening. Republicans (which may be an unfair way of describing ALL the people in the administration) are trying desperately to do several things: make the Democrats look bad or stupid, make the Iraq OCCUPATION look successful and make the Congress look ineffective.
First: The Democratic Party is the official name of the Democrats. So when you hear any Republican or the president refer to the “democrat party,” they are being purposely disrespectful. No matter how much you (both the individual and group “you”) disagree with someone or a group’s opinion, showing enough respect to address them by their proper name is considered proper decorum. Republicans are being deliberately disrespectful. If you ask why, it is because their opinion poll revealed that the term democrat polled as less positive than Democratic.
Second: The Iraq occupation is referred to as the “Iraq War” solely for the purpose of gaining (or appealing to) patriotic feelings that we, the nation, are at war! The reality is that the war was over when “Mission Accomplished” was declared. We, the Americans, as represented by the American military, had vanquished Iraq. The obvious next step was to find the “weapons of mass destruction” that we could never find; and still have not found.
Third; Republicans are obstructionists! Remember when they accused Democrats of being obstructionists? And all because the Democrats didn’t want to allow the blanket acceptance of right wing judges? What did the Republicans do then? They threatened the “Nuclear Option” of removing the rule allowing filibusters from the senate rules. Have you heard the Democrats propose anything like that? Of course not! The Republicans are truly obstructing governing by majority by not allowing the Democrats to complete motions and laws that would put an end to this “Dictatorship” of Bush!
Are you listening America? Are you watching your rights slip away? Are you listening to the spin of Republican rhetoric and realizing how much they are lying to you, subverting our government “by the people” and turning it into a Fascists State of Corporatists?
If you don’t wake up soon; get involved soon; speak out soon; we will loose this country!
There are so many things happening in the news today and over the last three months that I wonder if Americans are watching and, more importantly, listening. Republicans (which may be an unfair way of describing ALL the people in the administration) are trying desperately to do several things: make the Democrats look bad or stupid, make the Iraq OCCUPATION look successful and make the Congress look ineffective.
First: The Democratic Party is the official name of the Democrats. So when you hear any Republican or the president refer to the “democrat party,” they are being purposely disrespectful. No matter how much you (both the individual and group “you”) disagree with someone or a group’s opinion, showing enough respect to address them by their proper name is considered proper decorum. Republicans are being deliberately disrespectful. If you ask why, it is because their opinion poll revealed that the term democrat polled as less positive than Democratic.
Second: The Iraq occupation is referred to as the “Iraq War” solely for the purpose of gaining (or appealing to) patriotic feelings that we, the nation, are at war! The reality is that the war was over when “Mission Accomplished” was declared. We, the Americans, as represented by the American military, had vanquished Iraq. The obvious next step was to find the “weapons of mass destruction” that we could never find; and still have not found.
Third; Republicans are obstructionists! Remember when they accused Democrats of being obstructionists? And all because the Democrats didn’t want to allow the blanket acceptance of right wing judges? What did the Republicans do then? They threatened the “Nuclear Option” of removing the rule allowing filibusters from the senate rules. Have you heard the Democrats propose anything like that? Of course not! The Republicans are truly obstructing governing by majority by not allowing the Democrats to complete motions and laws that would put an end to this “Dictatorship” of Bush!
Are you listening America? Are you watching your rights slip away? Are you listening to the spin of Republican rhetoric and realizing how much they are lying to you, subverting our government “by the people” and turning it into a Fascists State of Corporatists?
If you don’t wake up soon; get involved soon; speak out soon; we will loose this country!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
DOES RESIGNATION TRUMP TRUTH?
Within the Bush administration, many loyal servers of George Bush have left. The most recent are Alberto Gonzales and Karl Rove. Both George and Karl are two of the most sought after witnesses in Congress. Congress is trying to get to the bottom of the attorney firings done for political reasons. All “roads” seem to lead to the White House and to Karl Rove, Roberto Gonzales and George Bush.
Does their resignation allow the investigations to just stop? Should they?
Every person who has resigned so far has put an end to the concern about their performance while they held the office. It was a magic eraser, making all the official interest go away. If that has been the history, will it be the same with Roberto and Karl?
Our society “seems” to want to put unimportant things behind us. By unimportant, I mean things no longer pressing, in the news or seemingly of done with. My fear is that if Democrats in Congress continue with investigations about warrant less wiretapping, torture, ignoring the Geneva Convention, going to war with intelligence fixed around the desire; then the people will tire and just want the problem to go away. That is my concern.
If you should feel that way, think about this. What precedent has been set for the future? Also ask this question: If a Democrat were President, would the Republicans want the same policies? Remember how they were when Clinton was president?
A greater principal is involved. That principal deals with respect for the Constitution, being a nation of laws, and a check and balance system of democracy with the three branches of government.
If you DON”T believe in the three branch system with oversight, then go back to you video games and TV. If you do, WRITE your congressman and senators. Tell them how you feel. Remember! They work for us in the this country.
Within the Bush administration, many loyal servers of George Bush have left. The most recent are Alberto Gonzales and Karl Rove. Both George and Karl are two of the most sought after witnesses in Congress. Congress is trying to get to the bottom of the attorney firings done for political reasons. All “roads” seem to lead to the White House and to Karl Rove, Roberto Gonzales and George Bush.
Does their resignation allow the investigations to just stop? Should they?
Every person who has resigned so far has put an end to the concern about their performance while they held the office. It was a magic eraser, making all the official interest go away. If that has been the history, will it be the same with Roberto and Karl?
Our society “seems” to want to put unimportant things behind us. By unimportant, I mean things no longer pressing, in the news or seemingly of done with. My fear is that if Democrats in Congress continue with investigations about warrant less wiretapping, torture, ignoring the Geneva Convention, going to war with intelligence fixed around the desire; then the people will tire and just want the problem to go away. That is my concern.
If you should feel that way, think about this. What precedent has been set for the future? Also ask this question: If a Democrat were President, would the Republicans want the same policies? Remember how they were when Clinton was president?
A greater principal is involved. That principal deals with respect for the Constitution, being a nation of laws, and a check and balance system of democracy with the three branches of government.
If you DON”T believe in the three branch system with oversight, then go back to you video games and TV. If you do, WRITE your congressman and senators. Tell them how you feel. Remember! They work for us in the this country.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESS
Bush is a bully. He’s a bully on the people’s “playground” of congress. Bush has ignored the Constitution he swore to uphold. Bush considers himself above the law. He has dedicated followers, Cheney, Gonzales, Harriet Meyers, and a great many young, dedicated, (however delusional), interns, a few generals and a great many fellow neo-cons. Bush threatens and gets his way because no one is willing to stand up to him and endure the criticism of the Republican “Spin Machine.” Many representatives talk a tough line, but when called upon to stand up, make excuses and give in. We, the people, have had enough!
We are an orderly people. We are a nation ruled by laws, not kings. We ARE the government. As Lincoln said, “…a government of the people, by the people and for the people.” When our representatives stray from the course we want, we must act. We the people, will elect a whole new set of representatives who will do our bidding. We, the people, will not allow a sect of idealistic power to rule us!
Act now! IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY! Or we will surely replace all of you!
It takes only one to stand up and start because a bully cowers in fear when challenged. Bush has yet to be seriously challenged. If any one of you, the congress, will stand up despite the political incriminations from the right wing spin meisters, begin the investigations for impeachment and let the truth come out, We, the people, will be served!
The truth is: bush has spied on Americans without judicial oversight and admitted it, misled the American people into pre-emptive war against a country that did no harm to us, destroying the middle class with tax breaks for the rich, and has taken over the judiciary system.
When one person stands, suddenly many others have the courage to stand with them. Then the bully looses his courage, his friends and his power.
Congressman or Congresswoman, you could be the one to stand up! Start impeachment hearings. Impeach Bush and Cheney! These people have done so much damage and harm to our country, our Constitution and our image in the world. If you can’t be the one, be one of those who stand together.
Speak truth to power!
Bush is a bully. He’s a bully on the people’s “playground” of congress. Bush has ignored the Constitution he swore to uphold. Bush considers himself above the law. He has dedicated followers, Cheney, Gonzales, Harriet Meyers, and a great many young, dedicated, (however delusional), interns, a few generals and a great many fellow neo-cons. Bush threatens and gets his way because no one is willing to stand up to him and endure the criticism of the Republican “Spin Machine.” Many representatives talk a tough line, but when called upon to stand up, make excuses and give in. We, the people, have had enough!
We are an orderly people. We are a nation ruled by laws, not kings. We ARE the government. As Lincoln said, “…a government of the people, by the people and for the people.” When our representatives stray from the course we want, we must act. We the people, will elect a whole new set of representatives who will do our bidding. We, the people, will not allow a sect of idealistic power to rule us!
Act now! IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY! Or we will surely replace all of you!
It takes only one to stand up and start because a bully cowers in fear when challenged. Bush has yet to be seriously challenged. If any one of you, the congress, will stand up despite the political incriminations from the right wing spin meisters, begin the investigations for impeachment and let the truth come out, We, the people, will be served!
The truth is: bush has spied on Americans without judicial oversight and admitted it, misled the American people into pre-emptive war against a country that did no harm to us, destroying the middle class with tax breaks for the rich, and has taken over the judiciary system.
When one person stands, suddenly many others have the courage to stand with them. Then the bully looses his courage, his friends and his power.
Congressman or Congresswoman, you could be the one to stand up! Start impeachment hearings. Impeach Bush and Cheney! These people have done so much damage and harm to our country, our Constitution and our image in the world. If you can’t be the one, be one of those who stand together.
Speak truth to power!
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