A question was asked on Wednesday on Democracy Now…“Why should the government not be able to hold records, when, as they say, they’re only looking at them if they have specific intelligence to go after criminal activity?”
The answer is… it’s not about criminal activity. If it were, there’s plenty of ‘intelligence to go after criminal activity’ regarding Wall Street malfeasance, Deepwater Horizon negligence in the Gulf oil spill, Freedom Chemicals carelessness in the West Virginia chemical spill, West Fertilizer’s recklessness in the Texas explosion… (need I go on?) It is about what the wants of the corporate heads of these companies. NSA spying is another tool in their arsenal to target their perceived enemies. It is evident that the government is not for and of the people but rather for and of the monied.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Obamacare in CBO Report
The Congressional Budget Office has released a report which projects the national budget until 2024. Many reporters and Republican lawmakers have misinterpreted its findings to claim Obamacare is a ‘job killer’. Considering the ~30 votes to repeal Obamacare in the Republican led House, this is not surprising. But aside from the swipe at Obamacare, this is also an opportunity to justify low wage jobs. One reason for the high competition for jobs is the need to stay at unrewarding positions to maintain health insurance; this drives down wages. When workers can choose to not work a low wage job for health insurance, there is pressure on employers to increase wages. Whose interests are served by Republicans and most media types again?
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
What do they care?
There’s a new study out predicting a ‘surge in homeless deaths’. That is unless these are policy changes. Call me cynical but what do politicians care about dead homeless people? Or regular voter for that matter?
They persuaded American voters to wage ‘war’ on terror, drugs and crime to justify funneling huge amounts of taxpayer funds (and future taxpayer funds) into corporate contractors and subcontractor supplied ‘war’ goods and services (with over-inflated, non-competitive contracts at that). Then they talked us into real conflict with the lie of Saddam Hussein’s ‘weapons of mass destruction’. They sweet talk the impressionable youth of this country into fighting a distant war against a nation whose oil fields are highly coveted by American corporations. And in this conflict, corporate contractors and subcontractor supplied ‘war’ goods and services through over-inflated, non-competitive contracts.
We now have major military and veterans related problems in sexual assaults, domestic violence, PTSD and other mental health issues, homelessness and health care and pension benefits. But politicians aren’t concerned about these issues; they answer to corporate contractors and subcontractors who’ve already got what they asked for.
Our ‘so called’ recovery is leaving many under if not unemployed but politicians aren’t concerned about these issues; they answer to corporations and Wall Street who’ve already got what they asked for and pocketed and stashed all the proceeds.
Our environment is falling prey to polluting corporations which spill oil all over the Gulf of Mexico and Prince William Sound. And chemical explosions in West, Texas and spills in West Virginia. And our food… E.coli contaminated chicken can’t be recalled and antibiotic resistant bacteria riddle our food supply due to unrestrained non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in our food supply. But politicians aren’t concerned about these issues; they answer to anti-regulation corporations who’ve already got what they asked for.
Our gun policy allows and arguably condones the shooting of unarmed innocents in all manner of locations and circumstances: schools, movie theaters, sidewalks… But politicians aren’t concerned about these issues; they answer to gun producing corporations who’ve already got what they asked for.
So yes, call me cynical. I don’t see any prospect of positive policy change in the near future.
They persuaded American voters to wage ‘war’ on terror, drugs and crime to justify funneling huge amounts of taxpayer funds (and future taxpayer funds) into corporate contractors and subcontractor supplied ‘war’ goods and services (with over-inflated, non-competitive contracts at that). Then they talked us into real conflict with the lie of Saddam Hussein’s ‘weapons of mass destruction’. They sweet talk the impressionable youth of this country into fighting a distant war against a nation whose oil fields are highly coveted by American corporations. And in this conflict, corporate contractors and subcontractor supplied ‘war’ goods and services through over-inflated, non-competitive contracts.
We now have major military and veterans related problems in sexual assaults, domestic violence, PTSD and other mental health issues, homelessness and health care and pension benefits. But politicians aren’t concerned about these issues; they answer to corporate contractors and subcontractors who’ve already got what they asked for.
Our ‘so called’ recovery is leaving many under if not unemployed but politicians aren’t concerned about these issues; they answer to corporations and Wall Street who’ve already got what they asked for and pocketed and stashed all the proceeds.
Our environment is falling prey to polluting corporations which spill oil all over the Gulf of Mexico and Prince William Sound. And chemical explosions in West, Texas and spills in West Virginia. And our food… E.coli contaminated chicken can’t be recalled and antibiotic resistant bacteria riddle our food supply due to unrestrained non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in our food supply. But politicians aren’t concerned about these issues; they answer to anti-regulation corporations who’ve already got what they asked for.
Our gun policy allows and arguably condones the shooting of unarmed innocents in all manner of locations and circumstances: schools, movie theaters, sidewalks… But politicians aren’t concerned about these issues; they answer to gun producing corporations who’ve already got what they asked for.
So yes, call me cynical. I don’t see any prospect of positive policy change in the near future.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
The legality of secret laws
It’s been made clear from information provided by Edward Snowden that the U.S. government (G.W.Bush and Obama administrations) circumvents the Constitution by utilizing secret laws and secret interpretations (rules and regulatory outgrowths) of various laws to breach the civil liberties of anyone with a digital footprint (American or otherwise). My question is… Are secret laws Constitutional? If yes, it is time to amend the Constitution to outlaw secret laws.
Friday, December 13, 2013
'Santa and Jesus are white'
Megyn Kelly of Fox News is positive that Santa Claus and Jesus are/were white… There is obvious tribal identity in play here in so far as Ms. Kelly is able to relate to these cultural figures on racial commonality. It is clear, that to her, an other-than-white Santa Claus or Jesus could never have attained the status of Santa Claus or Jesus. I was wondering where her tribal identity picks up with regards to class… Is the economic and social class Santa Claus and Jesus known? Would it not be possible for either to be homeless beggars? Slaves? Field hands? What were the class and social conditions of ‘whites’ at the times of Santa Claus and Jesus? If the Northern European whites of 0-400 CE were more culturally backwards than their Middle Eastern contemporaries, would she still insist on a white Santa Claus and Jesus?
This also speaks to the human condition of America today in that the Republican ideology as portrayed by Fox News is highly degradative of any class or race (and sex) they cannot personally identify with. [Anti-headstart funding, anti-raise of minimum wage, anti-labor union rights, anti-abortion/contraception, anti-Obamacare, anti-immigration, anti-gay marriage, anti-Social Security benefit increase…] This at the same time they claim to be Christians and faithful followers of his teachings.
Historically, the probability is high that Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas) was either a Turk or Greek (see here and here) and Jesus, a Galilean Jew.
This also speaks to the human condition of America today in that the Republican ideology as portrayed by Fox News is highly degradative of any class or race (and sex) they cannot personally identify with. [Anti-headstart funding, anti-raise of minimum wage, anti-labor union rights, anti-abortion/contraception, anti-Obamacare, anti-immigration, anti-gay marriage, anti-Social Security benefit increase…] This at the same time they claim to be Christians and faithful followers of his teachings.
Historically, the probability is high that Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas) was either a Turk or Greek (see here and here) and Jesus, a Galilean Jew.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Some contrasts...
A gun owner argument: gun control ‘punishes’ of gun owners who have done nothing wrong.
To play off of ‘guns don't kill people, people kill people.’…
-Drugs don’t make junkies, people make junkies…
Drug control laws ‘punish’ junkies who have done nothing wrong?
-Texting doesn’t kill people, cars kill people…
Anti-texting-while-driving laws ‘punish’ drivers who haven’t injured anyone when texting and driving?
***
The internet has brought about revolutionary changes in the media industry (news/music/video… TV and movie viewing) to the extent that it is unclear what the new paradigms in these fields will or can be. With the effects of global climate change quite literally in the air we breath, where is the energy revolution we so desperately need?
***
After being caught plagiarizing by Rachel Maddow (see here and here), Sen. Rand Paul expressed his regret that he could not duel his opponent (here and here).
As I see it, this is another form of Wayne LaPierre’s statement: ‘The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.’; in other words, might makes right. ( I presume Rand Paul casts himself as the ‘good guy’ in this ‘duel’.)
The problem for Sen. Paul (and his Party and their financial backers) is… we all know otherwise.
To play off of ‘guns don't kill people, people kill people.’…
-Drugs don’t make junkies, people make junkies…
Drug control laws ‘punish’ junkies who have done nothing wrong?
-Texting doesn’t kill people, cars kill people…
Anti-texting-while-driving laws ‘punish’ drivers who haven’t injured anyone when texting and driving?
***
The internet has brought about revolutionary changes in the media industry (news/music/video… TV and movie viewing) to the extent that it is unclear what the new paradigms in these fields will or can be. With the effects of global climate change quite literally in the air we breath, where is the energy revolution we so desperately need?
***
After being caught plagiarizing by Rachel Maddow (see here and here), Sen. Rand Paul expressed his regret that he could not duel his opponent (here and here).
As I see it, this is another form of Wayne LaPierre’s statement: ‘The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.’; in other words, might makes right. ( I presume Rand Paul casts himself as the ‘good guy’ in this ‘duel’.)
The problem for Sen. Paul (and his Party and their financial backers) is… we all know otherwise.
We need (an) opposition party(ies)
The worst part of the dysfunctional Republican Party in our two-party system is we’ve lost a true opposition party. Aside from Republican efforts to obstruct the Affordable Care Act, much of the conflict between the Democrats and Republicans is manufactured conflict for dramatic effect. After all, conflict = drama = ratings for news media.
The fact is… there are no significant difference between the two parties on economic or foreign policy issues (Benghazi is a manufactured conflict to discredit then Secretary of State Hilary Clinton). And a few differences on social issues (differences: women’s rights, voting rights, LGBT rights; similar: immigration policy, drug policy, education reform, prison/crime policy).
This nation faces many problems whose scale range from local school board controversies to threats of global economic and ecological collapse. We have the tools and resources and fortitude to confront these problems. What we don’t have are political leaders and worst, because they share the same position on these issues, our politicians actively construct legal means to obstruct attempts by political outsiders to advance these causes. It’s time to demand more of our political leaders.
As an end note, laws are easily circumvented:
-regulatory rules can interpret/re-interpret laws to the benefit of various interests (can essentially nullify the intent of the law).
-by budgeting insufficient funds to properly operate a regulatory agency
---
A very short list of issues which would hugely benefit from proper debate from multiple positions:
Financial industry reform
Healthcare reform which addresses rising costs
Immigration
Energy policy, especially relevant to ecological effects
Civil liberties of Americans (NSA spying; voting rights)
Whistleblower protection (including journalists)
Tax policy (including industry subsidies)
Regulatory reform (currently: industry insiders write the rules)
The fact is… there are no significant difference between the two parties on economic or foreign policy issues (Benghazi is a manufactured conflict to discredit then Secretary of State Hilary Clinton). And a few differences on social issues (differences: women’s rights, voting rights, LGBT rights; similar: immigration policy, drug policy, education reform, prison/crime policy).
This nation faces many problems whose scale range from local school board controversies to threats of global economic and ecological collapse. We have the tools and resources and fortitude to confront these problems. What we don’t have are political leaders and worst, because they share the same position on these issues, our politicians actively construct legal means to obstruct attempts by political outsiders to advance these causes. It’s time to demand more of our political leaders.
As an end note, laws are easily circumvented:
-regulatory rules can interpret/re-interpret laws to the benefit of various interests (can essentially nullify the intent of the law).
-by budgeting insufficient funds to properly operate a regulatory agency
---
A very short list of issues which would hugely benefit from proper debate from multiple positions:
Financial industry reform
Healthcare reform which addresses rising costs
Immigration
Energy policy, especially relevant to ecological effects
Civil liberties of Americans (NSA spying; voting rights)
Whistleblower protection (including journalists)
Tax policy (including industry subsidies)
Regulatory reform (currently: industry insiders write the rules)
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