The great charade is upon us! How soon we will wait in line as hearded sheep to elect the next shepherd. The next public servant or self servant? For far too long America has been living under the delusion that is this so called Democracy.
Every 2, 4, 6 years our senses are molested by the long reigning or new coming empty suit. We are told how much our participation matters. Without us the system is not, don’t laugh, legitimate.
If you truly want to participate, make a difference, send a message in this country pay the closest possible attention to the one thing every one listens to: where you spend your money. If we do not like the service at a restaurant we do not give them our business. If Gas Station A has gas even five cents cheaper than Gas Station B, guess who wins. Politicians are the living puppets for corporations. Corporations rely on an ignorant electorate and general public in order to maximize profits and push their agendas through the prestigious halls of government. The only conduit with which striking change, and I am not talking about some cute campaign slogan, will come in this country is when the masses vote with their collective wallet. Money is not the root of all evil, people are. It is a decision to do good or evil.
This writer finds himself in his mid-twenties and cannot understand how anyone with more than thirty years behind him or her has not killed themselves due to the constant manipulation. That’s a lie. I, like you, find solace and happiness in friends and family. But god damn-it! Naively I continue to hold on to ‘Give peace a chance’ and other nice sounding ideas in order to remain hopeful for the future. But why? Thousands of years of humans pillaging the earth, kings, dictators, democracies. Still the masses struggle. There are victories here and there. I will be on this planet fifty to sixty more years and so absolutely no reason why anything will get better for anyone.
And, no one is innocent. As Americans we like to piss and moan. I realize that is just about all I am doing here but give me some truth! We say the government is too secretive but none of us investigate or have the proper resources to do so. Infrastructure is shit but no one stops paying taxes to send a message. Corporate executives are too wealthy but no one stops buying. There are men, women, and children starving on the streets but who is playing on Monday night? We do not have enough money or space but we keep having kids and acquiring more stuff. The commercials are too long and subversive but we still need one thousand channels of nothing. The morning commute is too long and stressful but no one is ditching the car. Why should we care? The two parties are basically the same when you get right down to it but we still vote for them because it is patriotic and sometimes you need to play the game in order for things to get better in the future. Where is the future?
Some of us were dealt better life circumstance cards at birth. That is what we need to remember. This is or was all chance. Life. It could be you working for shit and trying to feed four kids. Or, it could be you who never worked a day in your life but has every worldly possession imaginable. So when you talk to that incumbent or challenger ask them how they will make the place more equitable for everyone. Not just Mr. Dick Head sitting in his penthouse office or Mrs. Eight Kids eating rice for weeks at a time but everyone.
12 August 2010
21 February 2010
A work in progress
To: Candidates for elected office
Hello,
We were wondering if you could answer some questions for us. We are tired of these human bodies filling sharp suits. The candidate travels around to various voting districts telling the numbers (lets face it, you do not really care about names and faces) everything they want to hear. Lower taxes? You got it! Help the middle class with real jobs? You got it! Health care reform? Piece of cake! Save the environment? Already on it! Crackdown on corporate abuse? Ahead of you! Little Johnny wants a traffic light at the busy intersection he crosses to go to school? God damnit! Little Johnny needs to be safe!
This exchange gets everyone in attendance juiced. Then, you travel around to several more districts. Make more promises. Then more. And more. And more. And, you get the picture. Then the smear campaign on Empty Suit Candidate B begins. Most of the Sheeple believe it because of your strong credentials, good looks, and likable personality. Empty Suit Candidate B responds with is own rebuttal commercials for Empty Suit Candidate A (you). This goes on for several months. The media talks about how dirty the campaign is getting. Both of you deny this, however. You have some small town hall type meetings. Laughs are had. Scripts are followed. Pictures with babies are above the fold. Now special interest mailings, commercials, robocalls, and door knockers flood the previous campaign that was of the people. These specially interested groups are seeking favorable legislation, tax cuts, and appearances at their events from you. A good portion of them have some of your friends working in fairly powerful positions. What a coincidence.
___
We are all adults here so stop acting like fucking children. Watching most elected officials perform the business of, don't laugh, the people is like watching two factions of young boys in a sandbox argue about who is in possession of the superior play dump truck. Yes, riveting and beneficial for all. You get elected. You get acclimated. That is if you have not already been the for thirty years because term limits are a terrible idea. Why would we want diverse elected officials who bring new ideas and new enthusiasm to office when we can have all these elite white guys peddling to whatever group is going to contribute the most paper to your [re]election campaign?
___
We are no better off today than we were 20, 30, 40 years ago. Sure, ideas have altered slightly and the U.S. has meddled in more worldly business and accumulated much for debt for the grandkids of our grandkids to pay off all in the name of peace and patriotism, but lets not talk about that. The poor are even more poor. The rich are even more rich. The middle class is almost non existent. And we have picked up another category of people to be suckered, the working poor. When is the political rhetoric going to stop and when is the visionary leadership going to begin eliminating the classification of 'poor'?
We realize in order for there to be a population perceived as successful (read: in possession of truckloads of money) there must be a population that is unsuccessful (read: not qualified to drive that truckload of money). But, yes, let us pretend for a minute we actually care. Give us one good god damn reason why any child in this country should go hungry? Should be homeless? Should be uneducated? Should be straight out of the womb destined for failure because the unapologetic government they happen to be beholden to does not give a shit about them. It is going to take a change of culture and you must lead the way.
Signed,
The Sheeple
Hello,
We were wondering if you could answer some questions for us. We are tired of these human bodies filling sharp suits. The candidate travels around to various voting districts telling the numbers (lets face it, you do not really care about names and faces) everything they want to hear. Lower taxes? You got it! Help the middle class with real jobs? You got it! Health care reform? Piece of cake! Save the environment? Already on it! Crackdown on corporate abuse? Ahead of you! Little Johnny wants a traffic light at the busy intersection he crosses to go to school? God damnit! Little Johnny needs to be safe!
This exchange gets everyone in attendance juiced. Then, you travel around to several more districts. Make more promises. Then more. And more. And more. And, you get the picture. Then the smear campaign on Empty Suit Candidate B begins. Most of the Sheeple believe it because of your strong credentials, good looks, and likable personality. Empty Suit Candidate B responds with is own rebuttal commercials for Empty Suit Candidate A (you). This goes on for several months. The media talks about how dirty the campaign is getting. Both of you deny this, however. You have some small town hall type meetings. Laughs are had. Scripts are followed. Pictures with babies are above the fold. Now special interest mailings, commercials, robocalls, and door knockers flood the previous campaign that was of the people. These specially interested groups are seeking favorable legislation, tax cuts, and appearances at their events from you. A good portion of them have some of your friends working in fairly powerful positions. What a coincidence.
___
We are all adults here so stop acting like fucking children. Watching most elected officials perform the business of, don't laugh, the people is like watching two factions of young boys in a sandbox argue about who is in possession of the superior play dump truck. Yes, riveting and beneficial for all. You get elected. You get acclimated. That is if you have not already been the for thirty years because term limits are a terrible idea. Why would we want diverse elected officials who bring new ideas and new enthusiasm to office when we can have all these elite white guys peddling to whatever group is going to contribute the most paper to your [re]election campaign?
___
We are no better off today than we were 20, 30, 40 years ago. Sure, ideas have altered slightly and the U.S. has meddled in more worldly business and accumulated much for debt for the grandkids of our grandkids to pay off all in the name of peace and patriotism, but lets not talk about that. The poor are even more poor. The rich are even more rich. The middle class is almost non existent. And we have picked up another category of people to be suckered, the working poor. When is the political rhetoric going to stop and when is the visionary leadership going to begin eliminating the classification of 'poor'?
We realize in order for there to be a population perceived as successful (read: in possession of truckloads of money) there must be a population that is unsuccessful (read: not qualified to drive that truckload of money). But, yes, let us pretend for a minute we actually care. Give us one good god damn reason why any child in this country should go hungry? Should be homeless? Should be uneducated? Should be straight out of the womb destined for failure because the unapologetic government they happen to be beholden to does not give a shit about them. It is going to take a change of culture and you must lead the way.
Signed,
The Sheeple
11 September 2009
Fuck Decorum
By this time everyone has heard about Representative Joe Wilson shouting at President Obama during his speech on Wednesday, September 9. I say good for him. No, I do not agree with his viewpoints but it is about time a politician starts acting like a real person instead of the special interest machines that most of them are.
There stands the most powerful man in the world surrounded by 535 of his colleagues and hundreds of other guests and government folk. The individuals surrounded by elaborate decorations, dressed in expensive suits and dresses, with no name individuals protecting those very expensive suits and dressses. "We're here to talk about health care....to come to a consenses that decent health care is not a privelege but a right....no American should go uncovered because they cannot afford health insurance....I am determined to be the last President to tackle this issue." Fuck that, this President and this congress are as much in the pockets of special interest organizations as previous administrations have been.
It is time for our representatives and even ourselves to get off of our god damn ivory towers and admit the only reason we do not have health care for every American is 1. because we do not care about strangers and 2. because we are lazy. Yeah, I do not really want my money paying to take care of someone that never really took care of themselves in the first place but it is the right thing to do. I would rather have my money going to save lives than throw people in prison to rot or sent to foreign lands to protect my freedom by killing others I have never met nor have they ever posed a threat to me.
Get fucking real and get it done right. Thousands have died because we are all too proud to admit we care more about making money than saving lives.
For quite some time I have been considering submitting a piece regarding the "health care debate" that is occurring right now. I have been tardy in my submission because of the amount of coverage out there concerning this topic, most of it irrelevant. I write in support of H.R. 676 written by Congressmen Conyers and Kucinich with support from our own representatives Congresswoman Moore and Congresswoman Baldwin. This bill is appropriately titled “United States National Health Insurance Act (or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act).” Interesting something like this is not already a law considering we live in the "finest country in the world." Would it not make sense for a country that is supposedly a pillar of democracy, hope, and love that all its citizens have reasonable and affordable health coverage? For a country united by ideas such as truth, freedom, and justice there has been nothing but misrepresentations of the truth, debate by those with enough influence (money), and thousands upon thousands of unnecessary deaths because we are too full of ourselves in that the free and open market must flourish with private health insurance robberies and murders.
On 27 July 2009 conservative columnist Bill Kristol admitted on The Daily Show the U.S. government is already running a very effective health care system for those in government and those in the military. This was surprising to hear from him but the real blockbuster came when he stated the American public is not worthy of the same quality of health insurance that our brothers and sisters in the military receive. Apparently to be worthy of taking care of one's self, running around with a bulls eye on your back for a few tours overseas is a prerequisite. If we have a system in place to take care of those in the military why would this system not be satisfactory for the American public? And please, keep your cleverly veiled opinions about making private health insurance companies more money to yourself.
Are you satisfied with your police protection? What about fire protection? Public education? Interstate Highways? Department of Motor Vehicle? State and National Forests? The list goes on and on. Why is there not an outspoken movement to privatize the aforementioned? Why are they so different than health insurance? Are we all communists or socialists, as the conservative right would like us all to believe? Or do we not argue with those services because they are for the greater good of our communities? I would like to believe so.
As a young professional I stand with the unfortunate millions that go without health insurance because of the cost. Because I choose to work in the social services field I make just enough money a month to squeeze by paying my necessary bills. Day in and day out millions work for others and go without health insurance because of a calling to make a difference in the world instead of simply chasing paychecks. No, these people are not soldiers but there is more than one way to serve ones country.
Having access to unquestioned health coverage should not be a question of money or class or privilege. It should be a right for all. I urge you to fight for your right to survive by supporting H.R. 676. Write your representatives and let them know they still work for their constituents, not private business interests.
There stands the most powerful man in the world surrounded by 535 of his colleagues and hundreds of other guests and government folk. The individuals surrounded by elaborate decorations, dressed in expensive suits and dresses, with no name individuals protecting those very expensive suits and dressses. "We're here to talk about health care....to come to a consenses that decent health care is not a privelege but a right....no American should go uncovered because they cannot afford health insurance....I am determined to be the last President to tackle this issue." Fuck that, this President and this congress are as much in the pockets of special interest organizations as previous administrations have been.
It is time for our representatives and even ourselves to get off of our god damn ivory towers and admit the only reason we do not have health care for every American is 1. because we do not care about strangers and 2. because we are lazy. Yeah, I do not really want my money paying to take care of someone that never really took care of themselves in the first place but it is the right thing to do. I would rather have my money going to save lives than throw people in prison to rot or sent to foreign lands to protect my freedom by killing others I have never met nor have they ever posed a threat to me.
Get fucking real and get it done right. Thousands have died because we are all too proud to admit we care more about making money than saving lives.
For quite some time I have been considering submitting a piece regarding the "health care debate" that is occurring right now. I have been tardy in my submission because of the amount of coverage out there concerning this topic, most of it irrelevant. I write in support of H.R. 676 written by Congressmen Conyers and Kucinich with support from our own representatives Congresswoman Moore and Congresswoman Baldwin. This bill is appropriately titled “United States National Health Insurance Act (or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act).” Interesting something like this is not already a law considering we live in the "finest country in the world." Would it not make sense for a country that is supposedly a pillar of democracy, hope, and love that all its citizens have reasonable and affordable health coverage? For a country united by ideas such as truth, freedom, and justice there has been nothing but misrepresentations of the truth, debate by those with enough influence (money), and thousands upon thousands of unnecessary deaths because we are too full of ourselves in that the free and open market must flourish with private health insurance robberies and murders.
On 27 July 2009 conservative columnist Bill Kristol admitted on The Daily Show the U.S. government is already running a very effective health care system for those in government and those in the military. This was surprising to hear from him but the real blockbuster came when he stated the American public is not worthy of the same quality of health insurance that our brothers and sisters in the military receive. Apparently to be worthy of taking care of one's self, running around with a bulls eye on your back for a few tours overseas is a prerequisite. If we have a system in place to take care of those in the military why would this system not be satisfactory for the American public? And please, keep your cleverly veiled opinions about making private health insurance companies more money to yourself.
Are you satisfied with your police protection? What about fire protection? Public education? Interstate Highways? Department of Motor Vehicle? State and National Forests? The list goes on and on. Why is there not an outspoken movement to privatize the aforementioned? Why are they so different than health insurance? Are we all communists or socialists, as the conservative right would like us all to believe? Or do we not argue with those services because they are for the greater good of our communities? I would like to believe so.
As a young professional I stand with the unfortunate millions that go without health insurance because of the cost. Because I choose to work in the social services field I make just enough money a month to squeeze by paying my necessary bills. Day in and day out millions work for others and go without health insurance because of a calling to make a difference in the world instead of simply chasing paychecks. No, these people are not soldiers but there is more than one way to serve ones country.
Having access to unquestioned health coverage should not be a question of money or class or privilege. It should be a right for all. I urge you to fight for your right to survive by supporting H.R. 676. Write your representatives and let them know they still work for their constituents, not private business interests.
23 July 2009
The most dangerous man, to any government, is the man that is able to think things out for himself
Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, and intolerable
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8198824470106638208
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8198824470106638208
29 May 2009
Torturing Democracy
Watch this doc. Sick. Your contempt for Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Yoo, and Gonzalez will go through the roof. And, if you do not already have extreme contempt for the aforementioned you're a fucking moron.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/05292009/profile.html
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