dazzledbylight
Blue Crack Supplier
well it's finally here
(oh and plaese forgive any typos I miss )
I don't spend much time here in FYM so I don't know IF any you are planning to do that.
In case there is'nt anybody feel free to use any of my thoughts on anyone you know that's IS doing that. Sometimes it's what a person says, and sometimes itsalso how they say what they are sayng.
This is here I'm coming from.
I have been basically a liberal/progrssive all my life. I was raised that way. Having gone through a fair amount of life... i on occasions stop to think.... "could they be right...." on issue _______ .
But no; nothing has really changed my mind with examining either my own expereinces, expereinces of people I know, and the many things I'ver heard, and read about in various aspects of life here in The USA and around The World. In some ways I've even become more liberal etc.
I also have been a semi-activist (I know of many people who've done way more than me) in various single issues which I often can tie together, and in Local & Presiential
Campaigns. I've been at it for about 40 years. I started young!
Do I get cynical? Sometimes. Do I sometimes despair. Oh, yeah. But i've have expereinced some important good stuff being done by various politians early on, activists and people who became active - to so far stay in those frames of mind permannently.
Why do I think you should go out and vote.
There SO many things riding on this election! This is like another extremely major nexus in American & World History.
(Elecion 2008 was another)
Let's start with this.
Those of your who have in your immediate, extended family or friends; people using, or very soon to use for both the natural ongoing of life, or through more unfortunate circumstances (longer term job loss, disabilities etc) Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Food Stamps (and maybe something I haven't thought of) -- while none of these programs is perfect ARE they, are you glad they have them?
If the Republicans get control of The House of Reperesentives- they are going to do their very best to curtail these Programs, and get rid of them. Through several turns of Repulbicans in the White House /or having control of both Congression Houses the Medicare and Medicaid programs have been cut, either in serives covered, or amoints of money alotted.
Newt Gingrich said in the 1980's they wanted Medicare to "wither on the vine". The more right-wing Republicans of which now the GOP is almost solely made of - they are gunning for these programs all over again. Some of them never stopped from the moment each of these came into existance (starting with FDR). How would the people you care do with much less or without? Could you hlep out them out 9n very close relationships)?
Another more general look at Gonvernment. I think it was Grover Norquist who said (a close paraphrase) "we want to shrink The Goverment so much that we can drown it in the bathtub".
In the Constitiution it says "for the General Wealfare of The People".
What does that constitute? Beisdes protecting the popoulus from war--
to me it speaks major of deccent housing, SAFE water to drink, air to breath, food to eat, basic health care, infrastructure, and a good education (in safe, comfortable buildings), and a (
If we're drowning The Government I don't think we're going to be getting the above.
When we pool our resources we are then able to create these things above that we couldn't on our own.
"Taxes are what we pay for a Civilization"... I don't remember who said this. In the 50's and up to the late 70's the tax rates were higher for the highest incomes- and we had agrowing, thriving Middle Class - AND the tax rate were way higher! At one point they has been 90%. They were reduced to around 50%, and still things were going along well, but it started to drop into the 30's % range THAT's when monies for much of the things above really started to diminsh! And the top 2% of Americans are currently complaining because the rate is being asked to go from 34% to 37%.
Not only funding troubles- when you either ignore passed laws, or don't fund programs at the Federal Level yet all The States are odered to comply (like -no child left behind), or you cut the number of regulators/ inspefctors to oversee the various safety concerns - then HOW CAN Government work well? Think of that horrific evnet with the bridge that collapsed. Direct result of the above practices by Republicans ( and probaly some Conservative Democrats).
Then The Republicans say (after all this mess happens), "Goverment doesn't work!".
For those of you who are luckly enough to be working only one at least deccent or better job and doing pretty to quite well... are you happy you have a weekend? If your place of work is gnerally safe and comfortable- this makes you feel good?
All these conditions were brought to you by the sweat, blood and even deaths of Union Organizers and Union Members back in the ealry 1900's (maybe ealier here & trhere).
Things statted to go downhill when President Reagan arrived on the scene. Breaking the Air Controllers' Union was the begining of the diminisment of Unions in this ccountry.
Finally... l this is directed more at liberals who are doing well financially, abke to be comfortable in your home, etc, but are very frustrated, angry at President Obama.
It'd be wonderful if he would do all the things we liberal/progressivesw want - like at least the Public Option, if not Single Payer outright! Some he may never do becuase he can also be a Centrist in some areas.
Alot of peope don't know that whole lot of bills at least 200 have been passed by The House of Representtives (and that maybe a low figure) BUT been thrawted by The US Senate! Back in JFK's & LBJ's time there were around 68 Democrats in The Senate. Now some were the Blue Dog types with those Presidents couldn't always count on. But they could sometimes count on Moderate to Liberal Republicans. Where are those now? Almost gone, or gone! There are also appointemnts The Senate is stil holding up as well.
If we do lose the House of Representtives - there is at least one (has been quoted) Repulbican who will jump in right off with Impeachment Hearings on President Obama. DO you really want that Circus to start up again?
The President said - just as FDR said to his supporters - "make me, push me".
Change as much as we'd love it, wish, need it to be "Right Now (NAO)!" doesn't always, often doesn't happen that way. We stand on the shoulders of others who have (sport metaphor) advanced the fooball down the field.
Are you REALLY willing to let more things/situartions, sructures go to "hell in a handbasket". Becuase a lot of the people thatg would most effected immediately or soon after deopeneding on what The Republicans could pull off -- won't be you (maye you way down the line).
They''ll be the kind of people I mentioned at the top, plus the Working Class, the Working Poor.
You may be willing for this downward spiral to probaly happen if the Republicans gain a hand- but most of these other people didn't sign up for you "sitting it out" campaign. They will be the unwilling pssilbe vicctims of The Change We DON'T Want!
If you hold the basic values of all the Major Relgions, people who call themselves Spiritual (I do), or believe in good Ethics - which are compassion, mercy, justice, caring for "the least of these", .... how CAN you NOT vote -
even if it is for a rather imperfect Democrat vs the better in my [our?] opinion becuase the (in general) choice is Another Republican.
Change, as I said, we doesn't usually happen at the speed we want -- give Presidnet Obama more of the backing and, time he needs! We can do more over time. But we need the time now.
There are increasing amounts of Liberal/Progressive organizations, think tanks, web sites etc to help elect more Liberals/Progressvies but the Republicans aftger Goldwater's defeat -- have had a long headstart! Lets keep it going! Let's not slide back into a Republican miasma!
As a old song from (yeah) the 60's goes let's "keep on pushing " . And one mo' " ...ain't no one gonna turn us around". Let's go out and VOTE!
(oh and plaese forgive any typos I miss )
I don't spend much time here in FYM so I don't know IF any you are planning to do that.
In case there is'nt anybody feel free to use any of my thoughts on anyone you know that's IS doing that. Sometimes it's what a person says, and sometimes itsalso how they say what they are sayng.
This is here I'm coming from.
I have been basically a liberal/progrssive all my life. I was raised that way. Having gone through a fair amount of life... i on occasions stop to think.... "could they be right...." on issue _______ .
But no; nothing has really changed my mind with examining either my own expereinces, expereinces of people I know, and the many things I'ver heard, and read about in various aspects of life here in The USA and around The World. In some ways I've even become more liberal etc.
I also have been a semi-activist (I know of many people who've done way more than me) in various single issues which I often can tie together, and in Local & Presiential
Campaigns. I've been at it for about 40 years. I started young!
Do I get cynical? Sometimes. Do I sometimes despair. Oh, yeah. But i've have expereinced some important good stuff being done by various politians early on, activists and people who became active - to so far stay in those frames of mind permannently.
Why do I think you should go out and vote.
There SO many things riding on this election! This is like another extremely major nexus in American & World History.
(Elecion 2008 was another)
Let's start with this.
Those of your who have in your immediate, extended family or friends; people using, or very soon to use for both the natural ongoing of life, or through more unfortunate circumstances (longer term job loss, disabilities etc) Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Food Stamps (and maybe something I haven't thought of) -- while none of these programs is perfect ARE they, are you glad they have them?
If the Republicans get control of The House of Reperesentives- they are going to do their very best to curtail these Programs, and get rid of them. Through several turns of Repulbicans in the White House /or having control of both Congression Houses the Medicare and Medicaid programs have been cut, either in serives covered, or amoints of money alotted.
Newt Gingrich said in the 1980's they wanted Medicare to "wither on the vine". The more right-wing Republicans of which now the GOP is almost solely made of - they are gunning for these programs all over again. Some of them never stopped from the moment each of these came into existance (starting with FDR). How would the people you care do with much less or without? Could you hlep out them out 9n very close relationships)?
Another more general look at Gonvernment. I think it was Grover Norquist who said (a close paraphrase) "we want to shrink The Goverment so much that we can drown it in the bathtub".
In the Constitiution it says "for the General Wealfare of The People".
What does that constitute? Beisdes protecting the popoulus from war--
to me it speaks major of deccent housing, SAFE water to drink, air to breath, food to eat, basic health care, infrastructure, and a good education (in safe, comfortable buildings), and a (
Teddy Roosevelt - a Republican supported this!
) "living wage" (and he believed in vacations for all workers, as well!) to afford the things above, and for women the right to control their reproductive lives ( which ultimately affects everyone in some way or another). If we're drowning The Government I don't think we're going to be getting the above.
When we pool our resources we are then able to create these things above that we couldn't on our own.
"Taxes are what we pay for a Civilization"... I don't remember who said this. In the 50's and up to the late 70's the tax rates were higher for the highest incomes- and we had agrowing, thriving Middle Class - AND the tax rate were way higher! At one point they has been 90%. They were reduced to around 50%, and still things were going along well, but it started to drop into the 30's % range THAT's when monies for much of the things above really started to diminsh! And the top 2% of Americans are currently complaining because the rate is being asked to go from 34% to 37%.
Not only funding troubles- when you either ignore passed laws, or don't fund programs at the Federal Level yet all The States are odered to comply (like -no child left behind), or you cut the number of regulators/ inspefctors to oversee the various safety concerns - then HOW CAN Government work well? Think of that horrific evnet with the bridge that collapsed. Direct result of the above practices by Republicans ( and probaly some Conservative Democrats).
Then The Republicans say (after all this mess happens), "Goverment doesn't work!".
For those of you who are luckly enough to be working only one at least deccent or better job and doing pretty to quite well... are you happy you have a weekend? If your place of work is gnerally safe and comfortable- this makes you feel good?
All these conditions were brought to you by the sweat, blood and even deaths of Union Organizers and Union Members back in the ealry 1900's (maybe ealier here & trhere).
Things statted to go downhill when President Reagan arrived on the scene. Breaking the Air Controllers' Union was the begining of the diminisment of Unions in this ccountry.
Finally... l this is directed more at liberals who are doing well financially, abke to be comfortable in your home, etc, but are very frustrated, angry at President Obama.
It'd be wonderful if he would do all the things we liberal/progressivesw want - like at least the Public Option, if not Single Payer outright! Some he may never do becuase he can also be a Centrist in some areas.
Alot of peope don't know that whole lot of bills at least 200 have been passed by The House of Representtives (and that maybe a low figure) BUT been thrawted by The US Senate! Back in JFK's & LBJ's time there were around 68 Democrats in The Senate. Now some were the Blue Dog types with those Presidents couldn't always count on. But they could sometimes count on Moderate to Liberal Republicans. Where are those now? Almost gone, or gone! There are also appointemnts The Senate is stil holding up as well.
If we do lose the House of Representtives - there is at least one (has been quoted) Repulbican who will jump in right off with Impeachment Hearings on President Obama. DO you really want that Circus to start up again?
The President said - just as FDR said to his supporters - "make me, push me".
Change as much as we'd love it, wish, need it to be "Right Now (NAO)!" doesn't always, often doesn't happen that way. We stand on the shoulders of others who have (sport metaphor) advanced the fooball down the field.
Are you REALLY willing to let more things/situartions, sructures go to "hell in a handbasket". Becuase a lot of the people thatg would most effected immediately or soon after deopeneding on what The Republicans could pull off -- won't be you (maye you way down the line).
They''ll be the kind of people I mentioned at the top, plus the Working Class, the Working Poor.
You may be willing for this downward spiral to probaly happen if the Republicans gain a hand- but most of these other people didn't sign up for you "sitting it out" campaign. They will be the unwilling pssilbe vicctims of The Change We DON'T Want!
If you hold the basic values of all the Major Relgions, people who call themselves Spiritual (I do), or believe in good Ethics - which are compassion, mercy, justice, caring for "the least of these", .... how CAN you NOT vote -
even if it is for a rather imperfect Democrat vs the better in my [our?] opinion becuase the (in general) choice is Another Republican.
Change, as I said, we doesn't usually happen at the speed we want -- give Presidnet Obama more of the backing and, time he needs! We can do more over time. But we need the time now.
There are increasing amounts of Liberal/Progressive organizations, think tanks, web sites etc to help elect more Liberals/Progressvies but the Republicans aftger Goldwater's defeat -- have had a long headstart! Lets keep it going! Let's not slide back into a Republican miasma!
As a old song from (yeah) the 60's goes let's "keep on pushing " . And one mo' " ...ain't no one gonna turn us around". Let's go out and VOTE!
