It's report card day for what could only be described as a president not really acting presidential. He's more like an acrobat walking a high wire. Not afraid to fall, but afraid to look down at the memo addressing exactly how much money he's spending.The ghosts of us Reaganites are still waiting in the shadows. We have not gone away.
Because we know what is coming down the pike. We see it in Spain.
Six months ago Spain started spending like crazy and created a stimulus package. And now their knee-deep in red ink and have 20% unemployment. Translation: Unemployment is even higher than pre-stimulus package.
I see it going the same way with Globama. Like every newlywed couple, ugly things start to emerge after 100 days.
It's all so depressing. So I've decided to instead turn my sights to re-branding the Republican Reagan image. I'm hopeful that 4 years down the road, it will pay off. And perhaps we can change some of the liberal agenda that did us in this time around.So first, there is no such thing as pro-choice. How did Republicans allow liberals to coin that term? Pro-choice is really pro-abortion. Let's change the words, and then hopefully change the agenda.
And there are no green jobs. I could hope desperately for one, to no avail. If there are any which I think is a myth, they are are going to China or India anyhow. So what's the point of buying into it?
Smart cars are not really smart. When your navigating a snowstorm with one of those, you will desperately wish for a bulky SUV. Let's get real.
At least we have learned a few things from the first 100 days. Obama didn't mind scaring the beejesus out of Mayor Bloomberg and millions of New Yorkers. He just had to do an Air Force One photo-op. Kind of makes you wonder how prepared we are for another attack, when he's not even sure where one of his planes is.And we learned that healthcare has to take a backseat to the "agenda."
And that Globama has a special appreciation for the tiny country of Turkey, and their ability to get into the European Union.
We also found out that if another attack happens, we won't be allowed to find out about Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's plans for Los Angeles. Because we won't be able to waterboard him anymore.
I'm at a loss to think of anything else this experience has taught us. Oh well, bottoms up. Globama is so cool.
Lisa- I beg to differ on the Pro-Choice term. You probably haven't been there, but I have. And let me tell you- not only is it a choice, it is a very very very difficult one at that. I will not defend my decision because it was mine and mine alone. But there were major reasons at the time and I know that I made the right choice. I am not "pro-abortion"... I am not out there telling people to get one. Unlike the "pro-life" camp who is telling people not to. I support whatever decision one makes without judgement because it is very personal and no one else's business but the woman, and if in the picture, the man. I believe there is a religious term, Judge Not or something like that. I pulled the quote from the transcript of what he said so it can't be spun:
ReplyDeleteOBAMA: You know, the — my view on — on abortion, I think, has been very consistent. I think abortion is a moral issue and an ethical issue.
I think that those who are pro-choice make a mistake when they — if they suggest — and I don't want to create straw men here, but I think there are some who suggest that this is simply an issue about women's freedom and that there's no other considerations. I think, look, this is an issue that people have to wrestle with and families and individual women have to wrestle with.
The reason I'm pro-choice is because I don't think women take that — that position casually. I think that they struggle with these decisions each and every day. And I think they are in a better position to make these decisions ultimately than members of Congress or a president of the United States, in consultation with their families, with their doctors, with their clergy.
So — so that has been my consistent position. The other thing that I said consistently during the campaign is I would like to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies that result in women feeling compelled to get an abortion, or at least considering getting an abortion, particularly if we can reduce the number of teen pregnancies, which has started to spike up again.
And so I've got a task force within the Domestic Policy Council in the West Wing of the White House that is working with groups both in the pro-choice camp and in the pro-life camp, to see if we can arrive at some consensus on that.
Now, the Freedom of Choice Act is not highest legislative priority. I believe that women should have the right to choose. But I think that the most important thing we can do to tamp down some of the anger surrounding this issue is to focus on those areas that we can agree on. And that's — that's where I'm going to focus.
Just curious, has the thought ever crossed your mind that you've idealized Reagan and the Reagan era to the point of idolatry?
ReplyDeleteSeemingly, the man's reign was a utopia, where he could do no wrong, so I'm just curious. I'm getting flashes of archaeologists thousands of years down the line, digging up some Reaganite's stuff and discovering the cult religion of Reagan, who was, apparently a god who walked among us.
Yes, that was a bit sarcastic, but this is, seriously, the impression I get from your posts.
So, let's see...
I agree with Caps Fan on the 'Pro-Choice' term. We will never, ever be able to stop all abortions. If you outlaw it, by some bizarre twist of political fate? It will go on in back alleys, and women will die. Does it need to be reduced to the lowest possible number, oh, hells yes. Am I dancing in joy that we're sending tax dollars to fund abortion operations over seas? No. Not even a little. I don't want tax dollars going to abortions here, either.
So...what did people do up north before suvs? Didn't they drive little cars? Carefully? Or trucks, if they had them? Actually, I would think suvs would be somewhat problematic, as they're top heavy, and would flip over more easily if you skid on ice...but I live in the south, where this is not my problem, so I could be wrong.
You're either giving Obama too much credit, or too little, depending. Do you really think that any President, ever, has known exactly where all their stuff was at every given second? That's why they have *staff*. Was this run by Obama personally, before hand? According to any story I can find, the answer is no. Do you think that a private corporation's president knows where all his company cars/vans/trucks/planes are at any given second? The answer is no, no they do not. They have people who are given those responsibilities. They have to trust that the people who work for them know what they are doing. And sometimes, that trust is misplaced.
Was the flyby a huge moment of fuckwittery? I don't think anyone will deny that. But I'm really curious as to how you lay the blame for it directly on Obama. Either he focuses on trying to fix the big problems, which I understand you're going to think he's doing wrong anyway, no matter what, or he personally handles all the minutia of everything that has to do with the government. Down to the last roll of toilet paper, so if something is messed up, we can, actually, lay the blame for the decision on him.
First, there is such a thing as green technology and jobs have can actually transform nations. It is about being at the foremost of innovation and science. You know why we don't have it in the U.S. because we believe someone is going to save us from the challenges of climate change. That and the fact that we don't have the brains to do it. We have squandered our intelligence for complaceny and dependence. Guess what the world is not going to save us especially when we can't save ourselves. Example: Denmark.
ReplyDeleteAfter 1973 Denmark decided to go green. "They decided to go instead for energy efficiency and renewable energy. [They] decided to use taxation, so energy was made relatively expensive and [therefore] people had an incentive to save and do things in their homes to make them more efficient...It was the result of political will." Additionally "since 1981 [their] economy has grown 70 percent while [their] energy consumption has kept almost flat all those years." "[Unemploment is less than two percent and Denmark's early emphasis on soalr and wind power, which not provide 16 percent of its total energy consumption, spawned a whole new export industry." Which means they are not dependent on foreign oil coming from dictatoric regimes. The point is that Denmark incentivized behavior to produce a pattern that in the long run was benefited the people. (Quotes from Thomas Friedman Hot, Flat, and Crowded).
Secondly, I was apalled that you would suggest torture is ok!. Torture is not and will never be ok no matter who is torturing who. We as human beings do not have the right to treat others in such a brutal and inhumane way. COUNTLESS studies and and research have shown that torturing others does not produce strategic intelligence---and there never is a ticking bomb scenario. If you want your troops to be treated accordingly then you must do the same. If not do not be suprised at the consequences.
Caps,
ReplyDelete"Judge not" it is often misrepresented (as you're trying to do here) to say that Jesus meant we could never say anything critical of anyone at any time for any reason. This is flat out incorrect. What this does NOT mean: It does not mean we are to suspend our critical faculties. It does not mean we are not to discern what is right or wrong in our lives or in the lives of others. Nor does it mean that no one is to sit as a judge in a legal setting.
I hate to argue with you, but teen pregnancy is down. What is up is single women over 20.
Also, I think it should be the states who decide, not the fedsas we now have.
And, if women wouldn't look at abortion as birth control, maybe those numbers would go down.
Lurker-
ReplyDeleteWhatever on the Judge not... I'm agnostic so, whatever... I don't read or study the bible, so if you're trying to slap me down, it didn't work. You still shouldn't judge me for things that have absolutely nothing in the universe to do with you.
All I know is that its a difficult choice while I agree SOME might use it as birth control, I am willing to bet money that I don't have that its not even close to most. For starters- it is expensive. Insurance, while covering good old Viagra, does not cover an abortion unless the mother's life is at risk. For another thing, it is time consuming and you feel like crap for days after both physically and mentally. Another reason is that it can be dangerous just going to a doctor who is willing to do this for you. I remember being 18 and going to Planned Parenthood for just an annual exam (I didn't have insurance, they were cheap). Some crazy chick jumped on and dented the hood of my car as I tried to leave afterwards, yelling at me the same old tired "prolife" crap that didn't even apply to me. I will admit- I hit the gas just a little.
The old argument of using it as BC is just stupid. And it should not be the states nor the feds- it should be the individuals.
Caps Fan,
ReplyDeleteWell first let me offer a HUGE apology because it's taken me FOREVER to reply and I absolutely loved and cherished your comment dear.
I love you and God loves you. You are absolutely forgiven. It is my sincere hope that this hasn't made you feel like you don't deserve to have a child dearest one, Sherri Shepherd did, and I'm happy she felt she could.
I could very well have been in your position, and certainly I don't know all the ins and outs of your unique position, but at 16 as you know, I took the morning after pill after a romp with a guy who gave me HPV.
I understand your position and do't blame you one bit for doing what you had to do. I know you have been punished both mentally and physically for it, and walahi I'm sorry if I was one of those Juno teen protestors outside Planned Parenthood that tried to hand you a brochure, God how I wanted PP torn down to the ground!
I think it should be up to the states individually, and while I don't want you or anyone to have a back alley abortion, abortion goes against our Constitution and bill of Rights. I was sad that South Dakota didn't go further recently. We can never be as civilized as we wish to be, because abortion is still our gravest sin.
I can only imagine the pain you were in afterward sweetie. God I hope that somehow you mean this as a morning after pill style abortion, but not a partial birth, because I would feel so bad for you and the nightmares you might have. I have seen some video of babies sucked into a sink, and it's amazing that this is done in THIS nation.
I understand and respect your right to choose, but wish more girls would consider adoption.
Caps Fan, gosh I would love to work with you on some consensus. I hope I have in no way offended you, I pray that you have a baby someday and feel forgiven, just as a mother needing in vitro is prayed for.
What I am annoyed with right now is the Obama agenda to allow babies to be drowned, suffocated, left hungry in closets, if they survive a partial birth abortion. I also am vehemently opposed to giving tons of literature to other countries women about abortion.
I am not anti-birth control, and believe this is a choice. I personally don't like the side effects of the pill, and think missing periods on it is unhealthy. No matter what they say. But, this is a God-given right. Abortion however is not, because this is tampering with someone already formed. I definitely am willing to become El Salvador if it means making it rare. I wouldnt want a child born from an incestuous rape relationship, but like the lady in Austria who was impregnated 7 times by her dad, I would have the child and give him/her up for adoption.
I love you so dearly sweetie. I really hope I haven't offended you in any way. I understand how you felt, and can't imagine how you have suffered for that decision. The truth definitely sets you free, and I truly believe that you are forgiven. Oh sis, I hope you do have a baby someday and that this is not the reason you don't feel worthy of one. I love you SO dearly, call me anytime if you want to talk 512-788-1094
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI know the love of Reagan is a little out there. I would love to be buried at his library, and I think many agree with me. Laughing * Most Republicans don't have a lot of options and universally loved Reagan. He's in the top 10 presidents of all time list. Who do we have right now anyhow? Jack Kemp is dead, Palin sucks, and Bob Dole is busy with viagra :)....
I understand your pro-choice feelings. I was at 16 as well. But, what changed was church and Islam. Abortion is this country's gravest sin, and until it's over, we will never be the country we wish to be. It is not a Constitutional right. No serious scholar, including one disposed to agree with the Court's Roe V. Wade result, has argued that the framers of the Constitution intended to create such a right.
"Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born.” Ronald Reagan.
I don't mind husband's small Camry, but I don't see the need to drive a teeny-weeny Smart Car, in the middle of a Texas hurricane, or in the Minnesota snow. We shouldn't be forced to believe wholeheartedly in global warming when even good ole' Al Gore can't even use the name and changed it to climate change.
I don't get what's so fab about Obama. As Gregoire would say he's not a socialist, and he's also no conservative. He won't end the war like he promised, his administration had New Yorkers running for their lives and re-living 9-11, and he's more interested in photo-ops and i-pods for the queen then free healthcare. I think 100 days is more than enough to make some determinations. By now FDR had pushed through a flurry of Great Depression Bills. He was "batting 1000 in his first 100 days," as Donald Ritchie (senate historian) said.
Love you dear.
Revolutionary Spirit,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that you have a clear appreciation for Thomas Friedman, one of my VERY favorite op-ed columnists, and someone who has written extensively about 1973 Denmark.
But, recall that they did it because they were hit hardest by the Arab oil embargo. But, let's be honest sweet Revolutionary Spirit. First of all, they pay $10 a gallon in gas!!! Do we want to do that??? And they are taxed heavily for their "innovation." And don't forget how ugly their 1 out of every 3 wind turbines would look against the Medicine Bow mountains of Wyoming. Or the Joshua Trees of California.
I do think it's wonderful that they did the revolution, and that they've broken their dependence on foreign oil. I just don't know if their $10 gas which effectively makes less people drive, will work here. We need solutions, but everything in Austin is really far apart. It took 30 minutes to get to Dell and there wasn't a shuttle. We all had varied schedules so carpooling wasn't an option. We need options that don't totally diminish our way of life. I mean the Danish transportation system is safe and EXTENSIVE comparitively. (Thomas Friedman column ideas included).
Torture is not something I like, but if it forced Sheikh Mohammad to fess' up and we actually prevented another attack, I'm ok with a little waterboarding. I'm not okay with it for OUR citizens, but if you illegally want to come here, and commit the worst crime America's ever seen, I think waterboarding is a day in the park, compared to what I wish for you. Love you VERY dearly dear.
Lurker in Columbus,
ReplyDeleteThank you for these brilliant thoughts. I loved the abortion as a form of birth control, and making it up to the states. The Constitution does NOT defend the abortion right, and unlike "ill-suited" Souter and "Miss Leftist Guinea Pig" Ginsburg, I am a Constitutionalist who believes we should NOT legislate from the bench. If it ain't in the Constitution, it shouldn't be a law.
It's really too bad that this most basic fact is lost on some of our Justices, and I'm SO disappointed that Souter is retiring. VERY scary!
I love you so dearly sweetie. I will email you and also post tomorrow.
Caps Fan,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you bore a heavy burden and paid a heavy price for it. I can't even imagine the pain you felt, an the emotional pain that you still battle everyday. And I also HATED my Planned Parenthood morning pill givers, so I can't IMAGINE them helping me abort. I would feel so alone, not to mention how clinical looking and bare bones PP looks when you walk in. I felt bad dealing with some of the illegal immigrant gals, and so it's impossible to fathom being around them in a moment like THAT!!! I love you so much sweetie and hope you are well. Thank you for sharing your story. We all love you, and I pray I haven't offended dear. Love you endlessly.
I have to say I was disappointed with your responses. First, we are just as dependent on oil as the Danish were and our twisted relationships with certain so-called Muslim states, cough cough Saudi you know who. But here is the reality--why do we think that 10 dollars a gallon is alot to pay? Do we feel entitled to a certain economic lifestyle at the expense of others? The tax for innovation was not really that--it was a tax for incentivizing behavior is done all the time. The U.S. incentivizes us to buy cars, houses, and other actions so that we "benefit" from them but the truth is that the government just wants another reason to direct us in their interest, what they feel is important. Why shouldn't the government feel climate change and technology is? Because it has been made into a political issue when it isn't. That is what this "democracy" does best--purposely polarize.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I cannot understand how you say it is ok to torture others but not our citizens? When that individual has illegally invaded our land and planned a attack. Haven't we illegally invaded hundreds of nations? The CIA, FBI, etc etc to carry out missions and plant dictatorships--to kill and rape and control--all of it planned. Wouldn't that make us a terrorist? By your logic then we should be tortured.
The underlying idea is that we--the United States feels entitled--that we can do anything and everything we please. But we cannot. We cannot treat others as subhuman and expect the world to protect us and preserve us. To treat us as human beings. Do you know what its like to be tortured? No. I do not but I think that those that have been tortured in the name of US dominance and security can never and will never be human again--they have slipped through the cracks because of people who think its ok to separate the world into this group and that group of people.
At the end of the day the worst crimes we have committed. It is not a matter of opinion but fact. Look at the historical record. This is exactly why our power is declining. The beast has eaten its very nature and its time to implode.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I believe you have either misread or simply chosen to spin what I wrote. I don't really feel much like getting into a debate with you because frankly, its never worth it.
But let me just say that I do not regret my decision. And I only felt like crap for a few days. I have never wanted children, ever. I still don't. Having a pseudo stepchild is totally enough for me. I do NOT have nightmares, and frankly the ONLY reason I think about it is because I fight so hard to keep the RIGHT of choice for American women, and for women all over the world.
I do not ask nor desire forgiveness, I am agnostic so the whole God thing means nothing to me. I have not been punished for this choice, I speak openly to promote the Right of choice. Nowhere in the Consitution nor the Declaration of Independence does it say anything whatsoever about abortion. Never has, never will. Please take a moment to read them, they are beautiful documents but still they don't mention it at all.
The issue at Planned Parenthood was strictly that of the protester jumping on my car. She did not hand me anything- she JUMPED ON MY CAR!!!!!! The people INSIDE PP were fabulous. They were kind and helpful and understanding.
I would say that abortion should be the least of this country's concerns, given the ecomomy and the crap going on in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, since these people in the Anti Choice camp won't leave it alone, I find myself having to keep fighting for the rights of women. I will continue to promote choice- not abortion but CHOICE.
And by the way- most birth control pills do not make you miss your period. There are a couple out there that do but most don't.
So I am going to stop now, but I ask that you turn off the spin machine and actually educate yourself before talking about stuff.
Generally speaking, I enjoy your blog, I suppose this one I should stay away from because its clearly too right wing for me.
I do support you in your sitch with the asshat husband so I hope you won't keep me out of that loop
Lisa,
ReplyDelete"I know the love of Reagan is a little out there. I would love to be buried at his library, and I think many agree with me."
It is a little out there, dear. :) But I love ya anyway.
"Most Republicans don't have a lot of options and universally loved Reagan."
Sooo...you're saying there haven't been a lot of really good Republican presidents? *lol*
"I understand your pro-choice feelings. I was at 16 as well. But, what changed was church and Islam. Abortion is this country's gravest sin, and until it's over, we will never be the country we wish to be. It is not a Constitutional right. No serious scholar, including one disposed to agree with the Court's Roe V. Wade result, has argued that the framers of the Constitution intended to create such a right."
I'm afraid I wasn't really clear, for which I apologise. I agree with CF on the *term* pro-choice. They have a perfect right to that term. The opposition, Pro Life, has the right, and obligation to point out that the 'choice' is murder or life. I firmly believe that life begins at conception, and abortion is killing that life. It's wrong. I also, and I know this is somewhat contradictory, don't think that making abortion illegal is the answer. If we do that, it will still go on, in worse conditions, and more people will die. I don't know what the solution is, to be honest.
I also tend to find it somewhat ironic that "Jane Roe", who let this particular genie out of the bottle, later became religious (I *think* she's Catholic, but I can't recall for certain) and is now a Pro Life advocate.
"Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born.” Ronald Reagan.
Perfectly true.
"...but I don't see the need to drive a teeny-weeny Smart Car, in the middle of a Texas hurricane, or in the Minnesota snow. We shouldn't be forced to believe wholeheartedly in global warming when even good ole' Al Gore can't even use the name and changed it to climate change."
You know, I drive an SUV because of hurricane season and the flooding that we experience. If I didn't have the SUV, I'd have a little truck. It's practical. However, I would also love for us to be able end our dependence on oil. I'm not sold on global warming, the planet goes through phases of temperature. However, oil is a finite resource. Eventually, we're going to run out. I want them to focus on finding an alternative power source before that happens.
"I don't get what's so fab about Obama."
I don't think Obama's all that fab, really. I'm all for criticising our leaders, it's one of the shiny and special things about being an American. We can do that. However, too many people, including yourself, seem to focus on little nitpicky things, which have nothing to do with campaign promises or policy. By all means, if you want to do a post about him not ending the Iraq war, or anything like that, go for it! That's a legitimate complaint.
Torture, which isn't something I addressed before: As someone else said, we can't torture prisoners and then cry foul when other countries do the same. And, under torture, a person will say *anything* to make it stop. They'll lie. So...it's defensive value is really, really questionable.
By the way Lisa- I just remembered I forgot to point out one other thing based on your statement: "I understand your pro-choice feelings. I was at 16 as well."
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly from Brandy's blog a while back, I am older than you- by a lot... (i.e NOT 16!!! far from it) and when Reagan was in office I wasn't even old enough to know what was going on. So I don't get your Reagan fanaticism...
Revolutionary Nature,
ReplyDeleteAs much as it would be nice to pay $10 in a gasoline tax, we know that many of us just won't do it. Perhaps, it is at the expense of others, but how can someone like me on unemployment, fit it into the budget. I like the idea of green jobs, and following the Danes, but it's so irresponsible when you consider where we are today. We need to fix this medicare/social security nightmare for the Gen X and Y'ers. It's unfair that the geezers are getting 2/3 more in healthcare than they paid into the system. We are so fiscally irresponsible that it seems like considering a huge project like this, would really be wrong at a time like this. We are a borrower nation, and until that changes sweet friend, we will have so many problems. China is paying our rent. Climate change and getting rid of our dependence is so important. But, I think it was more important before this economic meltdown. Now, we have to struggle just to figure out how to borrow less, and save more as a nation. It is really a sad day in this country.
Those that have been tortured can never be human again, and God help us if we've tortured someone innocent. At the same time, other countries do this everyday to our people, we've heard endless accounts about how bad Middle Eastern countries are to their own kind. Look at Hama, the Islamic Jihad in Egypt, they've all been tortured. Syrian, Egyptian, Turkish prisons are some of the very worst. We have blood on our hands, and we've violated the Geneva Convention. Absolutely. I think this torture should be reserved only for someone on the level of Mohammed Atta.
I do agree that it's weakening our grip as a superpower. However, for me that grip is more weakened by routine abortion, and especially, our problem of being a borrowing nation with terrible K-12 education, abyssmal math, and no one saving a thing. We are destroying the future of our young people. For every dollar we spend on a young person, We SPEND 6 DOLLARS ON AN OLD GUY. That is just INSANE!!!
And I'm SOOOO mad about it. I heard yesterday that old people are getting 2/3 more in Medicare than they ever paid into the system through their taxes. I hate old people now :)
Love you so much sweet friend. I adore your opinions!
Caps Fan,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that I misunderstood your story. I actually had no idea that you were agnostic or that you didn't want kids based on nothing related to this. I think this was my misconceptions that it seems almost unnatural to me not to want kids. So I figured somehow, that this was related to your situation with the abortion.
Oh gosh I'm sorry sweet friend. I really wanted to make you feel better, and had no idea that you were ok with it all, and way past it. I shouldn't have assumed anything, and just asked you first.
I am glad you are okay with it, but personally speaking, I feel the desire to fight for your baby and any other. I want a baby, and would have given almost anything to have one. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights value the right to live, and our courts disagree with murder. Which is what an abortion is. I personally think you have to repent for something like this in order to be forgiven.
"Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born.” Ronald Reagan
You are always welcome at any of my blogs. I am really sorry that this girl jumped on your car. And I'm glad that the PP technicians were nice, but find it sad that their sweetness is more important to others than sucking a child into a sink.
I am glad that women feel the right to choose, but it's not a right I want. I can promise that I would have my dad's baby if I was raped by him, and give him/her up for adoption, because I'd be worried about being sucked into a sink in hell, unless I repented in this life.
I love you so much sweet sister. Though we believe differently, you have been so dear. I pray that you continue your campaign for choice because the 1st amendment gives you that right dear. I can never imagine your decision, but am glad that you have had a happy life. You are always welcome to any of my blogs.
Amber,
ReplyDeleteThere haven't been many good Republican presidents, and only 19 in total. Ike was wonderful and successful, Clavin Coolidge was big business, Teddy Roosevelt was great with natl parks. But from 1950 on, it's been all Reagan dear.
Look at some of the duds. The Bushies, Ford, Nixon, Hoover, Harding, and Taft.
It's not that they don't have a right to that term. Actually, the point I didn't do a good job of making, is that pro-choice is an AWESOME term. I mean the dems are rocking it, by changing the issue that way. Republicans desperately need to emulate some of their expertise, and just overall excitement. That is actually the point I wanted to make.
But, pro-choice is not the right word. Pro-abortion, pro-murder is more fitting. Pro-choice, doesn't encompass both the mom AND baby, who has no say. But certainly we are aware that there is fetal pain.
There really is no good solution. The genie is out of the bottle so to speak, and we almost have to decide now whether to risk mom's life by allowing back-alley abortion, or do it safely and kill baby.
I just think it's horrible either way, but it does seem like this grieveous sin prevents us from being the real democracy we can be.
I totally agree about the oil issue. I want to end our dependence. Having a Petroleum engineer ex taught me if nothing else, how finite oil is.
I think part of my issue is that the same people who want us to get out there with our Smart Cars like Pelosi, also fly in their hulking private jets. Perhaps, my anti-smart car stance is a reaction to that. I wouldn't mind a Prius, but find the Smart Cars to be downright scary. I thought Mazda Miatas were like little death traps :)
I agree that torture could create false confessions. But, what if we didn't do anything to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed? They could have blown up all of Los Angeles, and destroyed Beverly Hills at the veyr least.
I'll be interested to see what Obama does next. He seems pretty press-friendly, but if he's going to be a true FDR or LBJ, he better get moving. FDR had enacted tons of legislation in the first 100 days. We really need his help right now. If he's a true left wing "radical" I'd like to see him really get going on this social security/medicare issue. Our old people who are Republican get tons more medicare than they paid in. 2/3 more in fact. A lady who makes $500,000 a year is getting free government healthcare/medicare. And our young, are the ones in poverty. Something is wrong, the geezers are stealing our lives.
I love you sweetie!
Caps Fan,
ReplyDeleteI'm 30 and my fascination certainly started early. I was VERY interested at the age of 6 in history and pursued it in my degree path, which gave me even more insight into Reagan.
My Granddaddy was ALWAYS talking about Reagan when I was a child. While other kids were playing with Care Bears, they were telling me how I could get involved. He and my Grandma were Goldwater supporters who worked for that campaign, and taught me VERY early about being political.
My family in general is more interested in politics than the normal family. As a teen, I was certainly a Clinton fan. I was also a Hillary supporter who went with some of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Reagan conservatives this time around, because I hated Obama's non-ambitious healthcare plan compared to Hillary, REALLY hated Obama's idea that we could just TALK to any foreign dictator without pre-conditions, wanted a female VP or President, was afraid since Obama said we could consider invading Pakistan under him, trusted the Clinton's more than Obama to get us out of Iraq in one piece, and loved McCain's military background, and love military families in general.
My love for politics started very early. Reagan as a child always seemed like such a good man, I felt he was a hero. I love you dearly sweetie.
“As much as it would be nice to pay $10 in a gasoline tax, we know that many of us just won’t do it.”
ReplyDeleteAsk yourself and any reading this blog-why not? Is it that sense of entitlement and arrogance that feeds our vices? It is that we feel we have inherited a throne of never-ending prosperity? Well, let me tell you all wicked things decay from the inside out and we are no different. We are decaying faster than we can change and adapt. Our differences or the perceived ones are not really about climate change or any other movement. It’s about a lifestyle-what we choice to do an individual actors on a national and global stage. Are you going to become a fraud for the whole world to mock?
You say: “perhaps, it is at the expense of others, but how can someone like me on unemployment, fit it into the budget.” Let’s be real: in the United States you have unemployment benefits and a welfare system to support in times of need. You also have a college degree and a past history of work experience. You also have a family who can help you. You are a United States citizen you are not living in an undeveloped nation. Here is a statistic of poverty:
“A 2006 study by the Labor Ministry found that one fifth of the [Iraqi] population-2 million families-live below the poverty line, defined as having income of less than a dollar a day.”*
Ask that Iraqi individual who is living in a state of warfare, who may struggle to have access to basic necessities, which may or may have an education, to pay $10 a gallon. Ask them if they think lessening our dependence is a burden as their children starve? I think you could afford it. How many times on your blog have you gone out to a restaurant? It would add up.
“We are so fiscally irresponsible that it seems like considering a huge project like this, would really be wrong at a time like this.”
I disagree. This is the perfect time to be creative in the face of immense struggle. This is the time to change our behavior or face the consequences. What this is really about is American imperialism because ‘A never-ending accumulation of property must be based on a never-ending accumulation of power.’ Hannah Arendt. You may say we are not an empire but this quote describes it perfectly: “Hiding sway in not one but several regions of pivotal geopolitical importance, disdaining the legitimacy of political economic principles other than its own, declaring the existing order to be sacrosanct, asserting unquestioned military supremacy with a globally deployed force configured not for self-defense but for coercion: these are the actions of a nation engaged in the governance of empire.” *
So what do empires thrive on? Power. Power is based on the access to scare resources and economic means. The problem is that our economic philosophy and the medium of unregulated free trade to achieve brutal ends. It is our economic philosophy that allows us to whore ourselves out to the world and the highest bidder. Can we fault the Chinese and others for buying our debt? No.
If others did not buy our debt, if we couldn’t subject others to our violence then the: “United States would right now be a prime candidate for structural adjustment... We are living beyond our means, we have massive and constantly growing foreign debts, a gigantic currency account deficit, and a government doing anything about it….the IMF would be at our doorstep telling us to create a recession, get the foreign accounts back in balance, consume less, invest more, and save more. But since the United States is the United States, we don’t have such a thing happening. If it is not good medicine for us, then why is it such good medicine for everyone else?”*
Why do we presume to rule the world? We are Rome but soon that will end because we have failed. The British used to say the sun would never set and it did in grand fashion.
As for torture. If you have a moral code and uphold that code then you can never make exceptions. If you make the exception to torture this evil person then you have become corrupted and just as evil as Mohammed Atta. You are worse because you had the chance to show the world how you treat another human being: one who has committed grave crimes. Instead, you partake of the cup and approved evil. Then you wonder about Middle Eastern countries? Especially since Egypt happens to be an ally? Remember violent resistance takes two to construct: us and the other.
As someone who is or was a Christian: they tortured Jesus would you have tortured him if others did because he was a threat to your Jewish kingdom?
Abortion is not the problem: we are.
We are destroying a democracy, we are destroying the globe and humanity. Know that the "The worst crimes were dared by a few, willed by more, and tolerated by all." Tacitus, Roman historian.
*A Game As Old As Empire The Secret World of Economic Hit Men and the Web of Global Corruption. Edited by Steven Hiatt.
Revolutionary Spirit,
ReplyDeleteNo doubt we are decaying. Our country is on the verge of losing not only the #1 spot, but also superpower status dearest RS. I was NOT happy when we were so threatened by the Japanese, that we screwed over their yen, and they went back into the abyss. They were a legitimate contender, and I wish they had made it. In the 1980's it looked as though they would.
I have to admit that as much as I would hate it, I would be able to afford the gas tax. But, I do have to wonder RS, would an old geezer? Right now the old are sucking our money dry in this country with medicare they don't even deserve. RS, there won't even be enough for OUR parents to survive on. Some of these geezers getting free healthcare made $500,000 a year. Good luck telling these cheap skates to foot the gas tax burden....
We should be in an epic battle of survival of the fittest right now. We actually are, but it's easier to play hide and seek with it. And honestly, Japan should have topped us long ago. Instead, we'e sitting here asking China to pay our rent, and indeed we can't fault them. We have to thank them, and admit that they impressed at the Olympics, even if you couldn't always see the venues through the smog.
Despite some of their woes like pollution and fish ponds with tons of "medicine" to grow big fish, no bigger than a rain drop, (!) they are well on their way to being #1. And you know what RS?
China totally deserves it.
We are the problem Revolutionary Spirit. And perhaps we DO need some major FDR style ideas right now to curb the tide. If you live in the U.S. you have to know just how bad it's become. We are killing ourselves. Some of these jobs will NEVER come back.
I'm not sure the answer is massive taxation on an already burdened mass of citizens though.
If you ask me the problem can be summed up in a nice tight bow.
1) Illegal immigration and the funneling of state funds to "anchor babies," a.k.a. their families back home, and their parents.
2) Denial about the issue of environmental collapse and rising temps in the 1990's.
3) The awfulness of our parents and Grandparents quite honestly. They have left us no Nest egg. Our parents were better off. They MAY have something to look forward to.
Tell a college student like me to only be able to find a $12 an hour job because she didn't go to medical school, get a master's, or become a teacher. Tell her that she owes $30,000 in student loans because her parents didn't save enough for college. Then tell her that she's going to have to work for the rest of her life....literally. That there will be NO SSI, no medicare....Tell her that, and let's see if she's already given up....yes she has!
4) No one saving, and a very sick and evil group of creditors, which looted "treasure" from the masses through insane interest fees. Even if you made your monthly payment, the fees kept climbing.
5) People getting houses who had NO right to, no funds to pay for them.
6) Allowing abortion to continue unadulterated.
We are Rome and Rome is burning. In danger of being sacked.
I definitely would not have tortured Jesus, but if he was a threat to the Kingdom, if he had taken down the Towers, sadly we'd have no choice. There is no comparison though between the Jesus we knew and Atta.
I also agree about our moral code. But, I have to say, we did uphold the code routinely, well after the Slaves and Indian debacles, but we mostly did in the last century. But, no one else wants to play by our rules sweet RS. No one.
Not Europe, not the Soviets, not the Middle East. It hasn't been working to play by the rules sweetie. Much as it hasn't worked to "stimulate" the economy with massive spending. I'm not sure what the solution is, we certainly don't like to torture.
But at the end of the day, how else can we "keep our enemy closer."
Love you lots. Excellent Thoughts!
You make a generalization when you say that the “old are sucking our money dry in this country with Medicare they don’t even deserve.”
ReplyDeleteWhile there may be a portion of the population who makes 500,000 and receives Medicare (which sounds suspect to me) there are two points to consider. First, this is the system we have. Just as every legal citizen pays into Social Security regardless of their income they must receive that money even if they don’t need it. Second, you are not considering the entire sample-only the gross stories that the media highlights. Why doesn’t the media give you these statistics?
According to U.S. Census Bureau:
The percentage of people covered by private health insurance was 67.5 percent, down from 67.9 percent in 2006 (Figure 7). The percentage of people covered by employment-based health insurance decreased to 59.3 in 2007 from 59.7 percent in 2006. The number of people covered by employment-based health insurance, 177.4 million, was not statistically different from 2006.”
“The percentage of people covered by government health insurance programs increased to 27.8 percent in 2007, from 27.0 percent in 2006. The percentage and number of people covered by Medicaid increased to 13.2 percent and 39.6 million in 2007, up from 12.9 percent and 38.3 million in 2006.” (2008 report).
I personally know an elderly man who needs Medicare and does not have substantial income coming in. These ‘old geezers’ are fathers, uncles, and brothers to someone. If you feel they are sucking everything up why not eliminate them? Make it easier for our parents and our generation? Well, guess what that is inhumane and getting rid of the ‘old geezers’ is not going to solve the problem. The problem is partisan politics and that we live in a democracy that was inherently flawed from day one. It was never about the common man—so these programs, such as Medicare and Social Security, which were ‘set’ up to appease particular populations during specific time periods was never meant to be truly social welfare. These social welfare programs were just propaganda—they were never meant to take care of the unfortunate or even add to social mobility. It does not exist in the United States.
Its interesting that you mention that some of our jobs will never come back? Is that a reference to outsourcing? Globalization is not new, outsourcing is not new. It is not the problem.
Nothing infuriates me more than this immigration debate. First, of all this country was founded by a bunch of immigrants. We are all come from immigrant ancestors except for the Native Americans and the Mexicans who land we stole. Those immigrants do jobs that we would never do, send money back to not just their families and parents, but support whole countries’ economies! Look at what it has done for India! Remittances is a huge deal and you need to Google it.
My country (yes, I consider it country) is still a fucking US colony! I am a US citizen but I still get asked if Puerto Ricans are.
Again, the other day Obama mentioned student loan reform and Congress was in arms! Obama might as well asked them to fly to Afghanistan and personally fight on the front-lines or eat feces for the rest of their lives. It is the elite of this country that allows the poor to stay poor. You can thank your democrats and republicans. You can thank yourself for voting year after the same and thinking you were doing your civic duty. You were not doing your civic duty. You are just a statistic.
As for credit cards or other loans, yes corporations are evil (and should say no-we can’t give you the loan or the house) but at the flip side you, as an individual, are responsible for your debt. No one is.
All I am going to say about abortion is it isn’t the problem. Women are the problem. Women need to stop thinking “oh, I can fuck this man and that man” or “we can be in a relationship lets be on a pill” and then get pregnant and not accept responsibility. They can say that oh I never wanted children or it’s not the right type. The sexual revolution is overrated and women need to get over themselves. Abortion should only be reserved for rape, incest, and medical purposes.
I will not speak on this conversation of torture again because I CANNOT believe that anyone believes in torture. I refuse to. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi did not believe in keeping enemies close, they believed in loving your enemies. So what with that said. What rules? What moral code? The United States has an old testament God complex and no prophet can save us.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2987535946644608661&hl=en
ReplyDeleteCopy and paste into browser. Name of documentary:Taxi to the Darkside. You should rent to get the full version.