After reading the news this morning on Huffington Post, I wonder when the politicians will come to their senses and act like adults. Now the Republicans in the House are letting the Tea Party reps take over the debt ceiling negotiations. This is surely going backwards. Their proposals are even more extreme than those of John Boehner and Eric Cantor.
I think we should just have an up or down vote on raising the debt ceiling and forget about extreme cuts to valuable programs. If they want to cut then cut the earmarks which still exist and Mitch McConnell is one of the worst offenders.
Both parties in Washington are acting in their own best interest and not thinking about the people who will get hurt by the cuts being proposed. When will they realize that getting out of Afghanistan and Iraq will save billions of dollars? But no, they will allow people to be thrown out on the streets and out of their homes before they will cut the war machine. They will take away food from children and mothers and close planned parenthood centers before they will raise taxes on the richest 2% of Americans.
I haven't heard of them cutting their salaries or benefits and closing their gym and giving up their classy dining hall. Let them suffer along with the rest of us. This situation is totally disgusting and appalling. Let's raise our voices and make them be heard. Call the White House and your senators and representatives today and tell them enough is enough!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
To Maintain a Republic by David Bromwich
David Bromwich is a Professor of Literature at Yale University. His article posted on Huffington Post today, which is below, touched me and made me realize that even 150 years ago Abraham Lincoln saw the problems of unnecessary wars and also the "policies of aggrandizement and intemperate self-interest" that certainly exist today. The question for me is how do we change the course we are on?
"July 4, 1861 -- exactly a hundred and fifty years ago -- witnessed the reading aloud, on the floor of Congress, of Abraham Lincoln's Message to Congress in Special Session.
The circumstantial appeal of Lincoln's message turned on his defense of the Union against the threat posed by secession, and that is the part most people have in mind when they recall the most famous words of the address: "This is essentially a People's contest." Lincoln was speaking for democracy. He was also speaking for a Union, popular in character and progressive in direction, as the heart of all future hopes for democracy.
Another part of the Special Message matters more to us today. For Lincoln saw
an unresolvable tension between the constitution of a democratic republic and
the policies of aggrandizement and intemperate self-interest that lead from the
manners of freedom to the slavish love of power. He spoke of the difference
between the work of establishing a constitutional republic and the longer task
of maintaining it. But maintaining it against what? Lincoln's answer was always
the same: against the internal pressure of greed, and the external pressure of
war. The predicament of the country in 1861, he said, "forces us to ask: 'Is
there, in all republics, this inherent, and fatal weakness? Must a government,
of necessity, be too strong for the liberties of its own people, or too weak to
maintain its own existence?'"
We are now ten years into a policy shared by two successive administrations
to plant a new understanding of the spirit of the laws in America. That policy
has pretended there is a "trade-off" between liberty and security, and that in
a time of crisis, security ought to have the upper hand. The Cheney-Bush and
Obama administrations have accustomed us to laws and language concerned
above all with the "protection" of citizens -- as if there were something higher
or more worth protecting than the liberty that is guaranteed by our laws and
the framework of laws, the Constitution.
Today, as in Lincoln's day, we are involved in "a struggle for maintaining
...that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate
the condition of men -- to lift artificial weights from all shoulders -- to clear
the paths of laudable pursuit for all -- to afford all, an unfettered start, and
a fair chance, in the race of life." Yet the main peril in that struggle today
comes not from any foreign power capable of destroying us from without, but the
lapse of thought and faith that threatens us now from within. We are divided
between two parties: one that thinks government should be used for nothing but
wars, another that thinks government should be used for wars (whether justified
or not) in order to prove the value of government for other purposes as well.
Over the past decade we have taken many long steps across the divide that
separates a republic from an empire. The recovery of our proper ground depends
on our seeing again the rightness of Lincoln's recoil from wars that are not
wars of necessity. The words of his Special Message leave an incitement, too,
by listing the goods he valued above the new forms of power and luxury that war
can add to life. Elevating the condition of men. Lifting artificial weights from
all shoulders. Clearing the paths of laudable pursuit for all. By doing this at
home, we offer an example to those who would try it abroad. As Lincoln said in
other words in other places, that is the only honest way for a democracy to
advance the cause of democracy."
"July 4, 1861 -- exactly a hundred and fifty years ago -- witnessed the reading aloud, on the floor of Congress, of Abraham Lincoln's Message to Congress in Special Session.
The circumstantial appeal of Lincoln's message turned on his defense of the Union against the threat posed by secession, and that is the part most people have in mind when they recall the most famous words of the address: "This is essentially a People's contest." Lincoln was speaking for democracy. He was also speaking for a Union, popular in character and progressive in direction, as the heart of all future hopes for democracy.
Another part of the Special Message matters more to us today. For Lincoln saw
an unresolvable tension between the constitution of a democratic republic and
the policies of aggrandizement and intemperate self-interest that lead from the
manners of freedom to the slavish love of power. He spoke of the difference
between the work of establishing a constitutional republic and the longer task
of maintaining it. But maintaining it against what? Lincoln's answer was always
the same: against the internal pressure of greed, and the external pressure of
war. The predicament of the country in 1861, he said, "forces us to ask: 'Is
there, in all republics, this inherent, and fatal weakness? Must a government,
of necessity, be too strong for the liberties of its own people, or too weak to
maintain its own existence?'"
We are now ten years into a policy shared by two successive administrations
to plant a new understanding of the spirit of the laws in America. That policy
has pretended there is a "trade-off" between liberty and security, and that in
a time of crisis, security ought to have the upper hand. The Cheney-Bush and
Obama administrations have accustomed us to laws and language concerned
above all with the "protection" of citizens -- as if there were something higher
or more worth protecting than the liberty that is guaranteed by our laws and
the framework of laws, the Constitution.
Today, as in Lincoln's day, we are involved in "a struggle for maintaining
...that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate
the condition of men -- to lift artificial weights from all shoulders -- to clear
the paths of laudable pursuit for all -- to afford all, an unfettered start, and
a fair chance, in the race of life." Yet the main peril in that struggle today
comes not from any foreign power capable of destroying us from without, but the
lapse of thought and faith that threatens us now from within. We are divided
between two parties: one that thinks government should be used for nothing but
wars, another that thinks government should be used for wars (whether justified
or not) in order to prove the value of government for other purposes as well.
Over the past decade we have taken many long steps across the divide that
separates a republic from an empire. The recovery of our proper ground depends
on our seeing again the rightness of Lincoln's recoil from wars that are not
wars of necessity. The words of his Special Message leave an incitement, too,
by listing the goods he valued above the new forms of power and luxury that war
can add to life. Elevating the condition of men. Lifting artificial weights from
all shoulders. Clearing the paths of laudable pursuit for all. By doing this at
home, we offer an example to those who would try it abroad. As Lincoln said in
other words in other places, that is the only honest way for a democracy to
advance the cause of democracy."
Monday, June 13, 2011
Have You Had Enough???
I have! Why does the media make such a big thing about politicians and their peccadilloes? We already know so many of them are corrupt and obviously sick! I do not need to know all the details about Anthony Weiner's penis, Arnold Schwarzenegger's love child, John Edward's secret affair, Jim Vitter's madam scandal, Mark Sanford's affair and on and on. Then we have to listen to the Casey Anthony story. Do you know how many children are killed each day and no one cares? We focus too much on the lives of celebrities and athletes as though they are the most important people in the world when often they are just a bunch of overpaid egomaniacs who set very poor examples for our children.
In my opinion there are so many more important things going on like the failing economy and why isn't Congress focusing on jobs instead of trying to get rid of Medicare and privatize Social Security? Why don't we hear more about the foreclosure issues and how many service men and women are facing foreclosure on their homes while they are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Let's talk about the citizen's deep unrest with continuing the war in Afghanistan and throwing away money that could be used to create jobs here in America.
I am deeply disappointed in Weiner as he was one person who spoke out against what was wrong and seemed to care about the people. I sure hope someone takes his place in speaking out. Was he over the top sometimes? Yes, but that is often what it takes to get the point across. That being said I am still stating that we do not need to know the gory details and I sure wish we could make the press realize that most of us do not care about these issues but about the greater issues that need to be focused on.
In my opinion there are so many more important things going on like the failing economy and why isn't Congress focusing on jobs instead of trying to get rid of Medicare and privatize Social Security? Why don't we hear more about the foreclosure issues and how many service men and women are facing foreclosure on their homes while they are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Let's talk about the citizen's deep unrest with continuing the war in Afghanistan and throwing away money that could be used to create jobs here in America.
I am deeply disappointed in Weiner as he was one person who spoke out against what was wrong and seemed to care about the people. I sure hope someone takes his place in speaking out. Was he over the top sometimes? Yes, but that is often what it takes to get the point across. That being said I am still stating that we do not need to know the gory details and I sure wish we could make the press realize that most of us do not care about these issues but about the greater issues that need to be focused on.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The Stupidist Thing!!!
Tonight on the evening news on Channel 6, WCSH, one of the lead stories was about the Department of Marine Resources laying off the two scientists being laid off. These two have the responsibility of testing the coastal waters for half the State of Maine. This is what keeps our clam flats and other shellfish safe. This is nor just about money but about food safety. It is also about an industry that could go under if the flats are closed due to lack of testing as required by the federal government.
We all have heard about the illnesses caused by people eating shellfish contaminated by Red Tide. There is also pollution of other types caused by us, the people, who use the resources in a negligent way. There are also other bacteria that can make people sick and wipe out a natural resource.
We have been reading and hearing about the ecoli outbreak that began in Germany. It is the height of stupidity to cut positions that ensure the safety of our food and that protects a profitable industry.
I drive by construction sites and see a half dozen workers just standing around doing nothing at our expense yet we cut what I consider to be a vital job.
Wake Up Augusta and remember who you work for and make sure that our food and businesses are protected.
We all have heard about the illnesses caused by people eating shellfish contaminated by Red Tide. There is also pollution of other types caused by us, the people, who use the resources in a negligent way. There are also other bacteria that can make people sick and wipe out a natural resource.
We have been reading and hearing about the ecoli outbreak that began in Germany. It is the height of stupidity to cut positions that ensure the safety of our food and that protects a profitable industry.
I drive by construction sites and see a half dozen workers just standing around doing nothing at our expense yet we cut what I consider to be a vital job.
Wake Up Augusta and remember who you work for and make sure that our food and businesses are protected.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Sluggish Economy
I find it utterly amazing that the Republicans think they have an issue to campaign on since the economy is not rebounding as we had hoped. I say Boehner, Where are the jobs? The Congress and the President have given huge tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans in the excuse that they (the wealthy) would be creating the jobs, Obviously that has not happened.
They have also voted to keep giving the oil companies big subsidies while the consumer is paying for it at the pump AND with their tax dollars. Food prices are rising yet they are cutting monies for food stamps and many families are now dependent on those and food pantries to feed their families.
When will the Republicans admit that they got us into this mess by putting us into two wars and allowing the banks and Wall Street to be corrupt. They squandered a nice surplus and put us into this deficit.
When will the mainstream media begin to make them be accountable for their actions. Now I realize that the Obama administration carries some responsibility in all of this but when you look at job growth and growth in the economy it is a complete change for the better from the Bush administration.
Unfortunately the mainstream media is too focused on every sex scandal they can find to pay attention to what is really happening in this country. There are few good journalists who really look into the truth any more.
As I have posted before Congress really does not care about the people but about collecting the most money from some big lobbyist or corporation so they can get reelected to continue the corruption that now exits. And then they say trust us to do what is right! Well, not me! I don't trust them at all.
They have also voted to keep giving the oil companies big subsidies while the consumer is paying for it at the pump AND with their tax dollars. Food prices are rising yet they are cutting monies for food stamps and many families are now dependent on those and food pantries to feed their families.
When will the Republicans admit that they got us into this mess by putting us into two wars and allowing the banks and Wall Street to be corrupt. They squandered a nice surplus and put us into this deficit.
When will the mainstream media begin to make them be accountable for their actions. Now I realize that the Obama administration carries some responsibility in all of this but when you look at job growth and growth in the economy it is a complete change for the better from the Bush administration.
Unfortunately the mainstream media is too focused on every sex scandal they can find to pay attention to what is really happening in this country. There are few good journalists who really look into the truth any more.
As I have posted before Congress really does not care about the people but about collecting the most money from some big lobbyist or corporation so they can get reelected to continue the corruption that now exits. And then they say trust us to do what is right! Well, not me! I don't trust them at all.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
"YOU GONNA EAT THAT?"
That title comes from an article on Huffington Post which talks about the Republican's plan to cut millions from domestic and foreign food programs. They are showing once again that they do not care about the people. They profess to be Christians but I have yet to find a TRUE Christian who would deny the poor and hungry food which is the very basic need to survive.
Believe me John Boehner, Paul Ryan, et al will not go hungry. They are living high off the hog on our tax dollars. How many of the Republicans are denying their own constituents food! Do they want to see children go to bed at night hungry? Too many of them already do. We should be fixing this problem not adding to it.
From the Huffington Post article Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said the GOP budget "rolls back years of progress.This budget threatens the health and security of American families, while asking the most of low-income seniors and the most vulnerable among us," she said.
Where do our Maine Senators stand on this issue? There are plenty of Mainers who are hungry and struggling to survive. Try and find out how they feel as their offices never give out their position before they vote. The stock answer is, "The Senator has not made a public statement on this issue." So we have no knowledge of how they will vote. But let's keep calling and emailing them and hope that they will finally hear our voices.
Believe me John Boehner, Paul Ryan, et al will not go hungry. They are living high off the hog on our tax dollars. How many of the Republicans are denying their own constituents food! Do they want to see children go to bed at night hungry? Too many of them already do. We should be fixing this problem not adding to it.
From the Huffington Post article Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said the GOP budget "rolls back years of progress.This budget threatens the health and security of American families, while asking the most of low-income seniors and the most vulnerable among us," she said.
Where do our Maine Senators stand on this issue? There are plenty of Mainers who are hungry and struggling to survive. Try and find out how they feel as their offices never give out their position before they vote. The stock answer is, "The Senator has not made a public statement on this issue." So we have no knowledge of how they will vote. But let's keep calling and emailing them and hope that they will finally hear our voices.
Friday, April 22, 2011
This is Incredible and Unbelievable
I am having trouble believing that our government is so stupid as to give Pakistan 85 small drone aircraft plus 3 billion dollars in military aid. This with our own infrastructure falling apart, people going to bed (if they even have a bed) hungry and then cutting essential programs here in this country.
I am beginning to wonder if President Obama is a republican in disguise. He certainly does not stand hard for the beliefs of the Democratic Party. He is not listening to the people as all the polls show that the majority of Americans support neither his nor Paul Ryan's budget. He is caught up trying to compete with the Republicans when there is so much need here.
But to get back to the issue of Pakistan, we need to remember that their government is almost as corrupt as that of Karzai in Afghanistan and yet we continue to pour money and equipment into both countries. I don't understand how we can continue to be sucked into giving more. All that results in more innocent citizens getting killed by our troops or our missiles and more of our young men and women getting killed.
When will our elected officials wake up and realize that these wars are killing our economy as well as hurting our own people?
At least Howard Dean has changed his mind on the wars and is urging withdrawal as soon as possible. Maybe he can have some influence on the President. As far as I am concerned Howard Dean should have been asked to serve in the cabinet as Secretary of Health and Human Services. But the Obama administration has ignored a very important voice.
I am beginning to wonder if President Obama is a republican in disguise. He certainly does not stand hard for the beliefs of the Democratic Party. He is not listening to the people as all the polls show that the majority of Americans support neither his nor Paul Ryan's budget. He is caught up trying to compete with the Republicans when there is so much need here.
But to get back to the issue of Pakistan, we need to remember that their government is almost as corrupt as that of Karzai in Afghanistan and yet we continue to pour money and equipment into both countries. I don't understand how we can continue to be sucked into giving more. All that results in more innocent citizens getting killed by our troops or our missiles and more of our young men and women getting killed.
When will our elected officials wake up and realize that these wars are killing our economy as well as hurting our own people?
At least Howard Dean has changed his mind on the wars and is urging withdrawal as soon as possible. Maybe he can have some influence on the President. As far as I am concerned Howard Dean should have been asked to serve in the cabinet as Secretary of Health and Human Services. But the Obama administration has ignored a very important voice.
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