Let's go local today, really local. Suppose you had a county library, where the branch libraries had been expanding, so that it has both the benefits of a county library system, and each branch also truly serves the community. Hard to believe around here, but it actually had happened.
Staff was paid well below the norm, especially in the non-reference positions, where in several of the branches the clerical staff was expected to take on reference duties with no increase of salary. Pages were paid less than they would have gotten at a fast food job. But most of the people who worked there LOVED libraries and that made it worth the financial sacrifice.
But that lovely library system suffered the financial catastrophe caused when the middle and lower class experience a serious economic downturn and the wealthy refuse to step up and contribute to the cost of government. State and local governments, in the pocket of the wealthy, continue to cut funding of government services, and staff is drastically cut through an interminable hiring freeze. The book budget is cut, some programs suffer, and library hours are trimmed.
Now we are Under New Management, and of course he has terrific credentials, and lots of wonderful ideas. For example, instead of having a book budget of 60% adult and 30% children, we reverse it! And we phase out material being "owned" by individual branches, so that items stay at whatever branch they get returned to, until they are requested at another branch, or returned to another branch, so that we have one big happy library system, and less so individual branches.
I know I don't like change much, so I ponder before I jump to conclusions. Here are the questions I have:
If you drastically change the distribution of adult/children's material, does that mean you increase the amount of children's materials, or decrease the amount of adult materials?
If most of the items go to the busiest branches, and stay there, how does that impact the communities?
I am concerned about making these incredible plans, while there is inadequate funding to continue to do well what's been done in the past.
The other concern I have can be broadened to the state and national levels, as each community suffers unemployment, and community services suffer due to drastic cuts in staff, and more people are unemployed and pay less taxes to the community, state and federal government....
Step one is providing the services you used to have, with the staff you need and at a living wage.
Focus on the smaller communities instead of trying to do more by getting bigger.
If your New Improved Director is having community meetings, you may want to go and ask him some of these questions, and more.
Save your library by speaking up. Libraries are NOT free. And in November, Vote for your Library.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
When You're Wrong, You're Wrong
This is tough. Alvin Greene, who I believe is trying really, really hard to look like he's running for US Senate, made an appearance today. He appeared about as close to the SC border as you can get and still be in SC. And unfortunately, he strayed from his jobs and schools mantra. Mr. Greene stated that he's against gay marriage, and supports the military's current don't ask, don't tell policy.
So he's for jobs and schools and against gays.... Hmm... Could be a republican... They say they're for jobs and schools, right?
Actually, it was probably that time of the month when his handlers told him he should show his face.
That still leaves us with -- Nooooo -- Demint. Can't do that either. But no vote is just what Demint is anticipating. Can you hear the republicans crow in November about the margin of votes that that corporate spokesman wins by?
But wait! There is another green candidate out there. Check out Tom Clements, and get after the SC Democratic Party to throw their support behind a legitimate candidate.
This one's too important to just ignore. And whether you vote for Greene or Clements, VOTE. We can't let Demint think he's won by a landslide.
And just maybe he won't win at all....
So he's for jobs and schools and against gays.... Hmm... Could be a republican... They say they're for jobs and schools, right?
Actually, it was probably that time of the month when his handlers told him he should show his face.
That still leaves us with -- Nooooo -- Demint. Can't do that either. But no vote is just what Demint is anticipating. Can you hear the republicans crow in November about the margin of votes that that corporate spokesman wins by?
But wait! There is another green candidate out there. Check out Tom Clements, and get after the SC Democratic Party to throw their support behind a legitimate candidate.
This one's too important to just ignore. And whether you vote for Greene or Clements, VOTE. We can't let Demint think he's won by a landslide.
And just maybe he won't win at all....
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Liberal Guilt: The Diet of the Corporate Conservative
Wonder why there is not more anger at the corporate conservatives for their cries of slash big government/tax cuts for the wealthy?
And what about the wrath of the tea-partyers, who weren't speaking out against the Insurance Industry but against the federal government's attempts to make the industry stop the rape of the consumer?
Why are middle-income republicans so quick (and loud) in criticizing "taxation" when their own taxes have gone down during this Democratic administration? And why anger at the poor, and not at the big corporations and the corporate conservatives in Congress that have caused and continue to fight for this deficit economy?
And here's the big one: why are Democrats, you and me and Congressional Democrats, and Barack Obama, not nailing the corporations and republicans for their lies, and for causing this monstrosity of a deficit?
Why are liberals afraid to be liberals is the question. Why are we afraid to say that the wealthy should be paying more taxes than the middle class? Why are we intimidated by accusations of wanting to spread the wealth?
When we liberals accept tax cuts, we feel guilty. When we take food stamps we feel like we are taking from the poor, as well as from the tax-payer (the honest citizen). That's right, we feel dishonest, taking something for nothing. Sick leave and vacation pay: something for nothing. Disability? Don't you feel guilty just thinking about taking money for an injury? How sick do you have to be to call in sick from work? And how about staying home sick when it's your kids, and not you, that is sick?
We've been listening to, yes, crap about how all us poor and middle class citizens are stealing from the wealthy since Ronald Reagan, who at least was personable when he said it. He was the story teller that invented the myth about how we, driving up to the welfare office in our limosine, are ripping off the truly hard-working people in this country.
Now, here's where the psychology of this thing has made it all so convoluted:
When someone says "The government shouldn't steal the hard-working American's income" what we hear is that we shouldn't be taking from the government, because then we would be stealing. And don't we all want to see ourselves as the "hard-working American"? And if we don't, aren't we guilty of shirking our responsibilities, to ourselves, to our children, and of course, to our country?
Which feeds in to Big Business, who sees raping the public, yes us, as their right. They don't feel obligated to pay a living wage, or even pay Americans. They don't believe it is their obligation to pave the roads, pay for teachers or police (or prisons), or even fund the military. They believe it is their right, in fact, to take tax dollars, and as many as they can get their republican congressional representatives to allot to them, without obligation, and just because they exist.
Big business no longer believes that their wealth comes from the middle and lower classes. They don't believe it is their obligation to spread it around. They don't need the consumer anymore, because the government will bail them out with subsidies. What they do need is politicians that will continue to fight for those subsidies and government contracts, while fighting to make sure that that wealth doesn't get wasted on the middle and lower classes.
And how do they do that?
Guilt.
And what about the wrath of the tea-partyers, who weren't speaking out against the Insurance Industry but against the federal government's attempts to make the industry stop the rape of the consumer?
Why are middle-income republicans so quick (and loud) in criticizing "taxation" when their own taxes have gone down during this Democratic administration? And why anger at the poor, and not at the big corporations and the corporate conservatives in Congress that have caused and continue to fight for this deficit economy?
And here's the big one: why are Democrats, you and me and Congressional Democrats, and Barack Obama, not nailing the corporations and republicans for their lies, and for causing this monstrosity of a deficit?
Why are liberals afraid to be liberals is the question. Why are we afraid to say that the wealthy should be paying more taxes than the middle class? Why are we intimidated by accusations of wanting to spread the wealth?
When we liberals accept tax cuts, we feel guilty. When we take food stamps we feel like we are taking from the poor, as well as from the tax-payer (the honest citizen). That's right, we feel dishonest, taking something for nothing. Sick leave and vacation pay: something for nothing. Disability? Don't you feel guilty just thinking about taking money for an injury? How sick do you have to be to call in sick from work? And how about staying home sick when it's your kids, and not you, that is sick?
We've been listening to, yes, crap about how all us poor and middle class citizens are stealing from the wealthy since Ronald Reagan, who at least was personable when he said it. He was the story teller that invented the myth about how we, driving up to the welfare office in our limosine, are ripping off the truly hard-working people in this country.
Now, here's where the psychology of this thing has made it all so convoluted:
When someone says "The government shouldn't steal the hard-working American's income" what we hear is that we shouldn't be taking from the government, because then we would be stealing. And don't we all want to see ourselves as the "hard-working American"? And if we don't, aren't we guilty of shirking our responsibilities, to ourselves, to our children, and of course, to our country?
Which feeds in to Big Business, who sees raping the public, yes us, as their right. They don't feel obligated to pay a living wage, or even pay Americans. They don't believe it is their obligation to pave the roads, pay for teachers or police (or prisons), or even fund the military. They believe it is their right, in fact, to take tax dollars, and as many as they can get their republican congressional representatives to allot to them, without obligation, and just because they exist.
Big business no longer believes that their wealth comes from the middle and lower classes. They don't believe it is their obligation to spread it around. They don't need the consumer anymore, because the government will bail them out with subsidies. What they do need is politicians that will continue to fight for those subsidies and government contracts, while fighting to make sure that that wealth doesn't get wasted on the middle and lower classes.
And how do they do that?
Guilt.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Just Do It
Howard Zinn, famous for his People's History of the United States, died recently. I miss him enormously. So as we move into this election season, and it promises not to disappoint in triviality, misinformation and hate, I have been reading about the South. I read Blue Dixie by Bob Moser, which I highly recommend, the thesis of which is the South really is a progressive majority, just waiting for some Democrats to take notice. Oh, and also be progressive and not just imitation republicans.
I then discovered a book by Howard Zinn, called The Southern Mystique, which compiles three essays from 1959 to 1964, when Zinn was a young idealist teaching at Spellman College in Georgia. The essays describe in I-was-there detail the struggles for desegregation in Georgia. I was bowled over by the relevance of what Zinn was describing 45 years ago. Just insert "Hispanic", "gay", or "Moslem" and there they are, the same bigots making the same kinds of stupid statements, and throwing their weight around while whining about being victimized. And there's the Democratic administration, being cautious about making statements in support of the group that is being denied its rights for fear of offending the politicians on the other side that have absolutely no intention of compromising anyway.
I'm wondering about the Kennedys, Jack and Bobby, who refused to take a stand against the racism in Albany, Georgia, instead verbalizing support for the rights of the local communities and praise for law and order. Is it the youthful idealism that they have in common with Obama, that naive belief that if you expect good from people they will be good? Is it insecurity due to their young rise to power?
I want Barack Obama to read Zinn's words, and learn his lessons. You need to stand strong for the rights of the individual. You need to put your voice behind the laws of the Federal Government, and put the power of your presidency behind the law. Stop equivocating. We need a leader.
Because when gays have equal rights, when mosques can be built in any community, when Latinos are not harrassed for walking the streets of their towns, the fearmongers will go on to another topic, and we can go back to our lives, and those lives will be the better for the change.
Remember Change???
I then discovered a book by Howard Zinn, called The Southern Mystique, which compiles three essays from 1959 to 1964, when Zinn was a young idealist teaching at Spellman College in Georgia. The essays describe in I-was-there detail the struggles for desegregation in Georgia. I was bowled over by the relevance of what Zinn was describing 45 years ago. Just insert "Hispanic", "gay", or "Moslem" and there they are, the same bigots making the same kinds of stupid statements, and throwing their weight around while whining about being victimized. And there's the Democratic administration, being cautious about making statements in support of the group that is being denied its rights for fear of offending the politicians on the other side that have absolutely no intention of compromising anyway.
I'm wondering about the Kennedys, Jack and Bobby, who refused to take a stand against the racism in Albany, Georgia, instead verbalizing support for the rights of the local communities and praise for law and order. Is it the youthful idealism that they have in common with Obama, that naive belief that if you expect good from people they will be good? Is it insecurity due to their young rise to power?
I want Barack Obama to read Zinn's words, and learn his lessons. You need to stand strong for the rights of the individual. You need to put your voice behind the laws of the Federal Government, and put the power of your presidency behind the law. Stop equivocating. We need a leader.
Because when gays have equal rights, when mosques can be built in any community, when Latinos are not harrassed for walking the streets of their towns, the fearmongers will go on to another topic, and we can go back to our lives, and those lives will be the better for the change.
Remember Change???
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
When You Can't Get It Out of Your Head
The strangest thing happened today. In the middle of my day at work I began, for no apparent reason, to ruminate about the Demint quote from yesterday's blog.
This is the quote:
"It’s not healthy,” DeMint said. "I think the important thing is it’s not an embarrassment for our state and the Republican Party. We should consider the same people who nominated Alvin Greene, (Vincent) Sheheen and everybody else on that list.” (Greenwood, SC Index Journal)
This is wrong on so many levels my head spins. First of all, what's "not healthy?" And by healthy do you mean sick physically, emotionally disturbed, or are you just attempting to begin to project a feeling of "dis-ease" to your listeners?
We still don't know what "it" is when he goes on to say the "important thing is it's not an embarrassment.
If "it" means "Greene's nomination", what could be unhealthy about a candidate on a ballot winning a primary nomination? Because he then goes on to smear us (presumably) Democratic voters by saying "We should consider the same people who nominated Alvin Greene, Sheheen and everybody else on that list."
Okay, I'm still confused, but now I'm getting a little steamed. It seems that we the Democratic voters are being accused of possibly embarrassing (Demint's) state and the Republican party. And not only has (Demint's) state and the Republican party been lumped together, it seems that ALL the candidates -- "everybody else on that list" -- are interchangeable as well.
As I said yesterday, Demint's Jello-speak (no offense to Jello) has the effect of making one's eyes glaze over while being totally incapable of disagreeing with anything he says. Because it makes no sense.
So in the interest of "know thy enemy", pay attention to what Jim Demint says. He is above all an ad-man. It is his second nature to be disingenuous, to control people through vague but emotionally charged accusations.
If Alvin Greene's nomination to the U.S. Senate is "concerning" -- I assume Demint meant to say it concerns him, but in the interest of being all-inclusive wants all his listeners to be concerned, I say maybe he is right to be concerned. It may be that in November he'll be back to being an ad-man.
Alvin Greene
because he's
Better than Demint
Monday, August 23, 2010
When You Can't Figure Out What He's Saying...
Jim Demint actually had a campaign event over the weekend at a senior center in McCormick, South Carolina.
As I read about the event in the Greenwood, SC, Index Journal I found that my eyes were glazing over, and realized it is that particular form of hypnosis that only Demint can perform. It happens when what he says is such a mountain of word-jello that all you can say to it is, "What the...?"
Here's a quote:
"It’s not healthy,” DeMint said. "I think the important thing is it’s not an embarrassment for our state and the Republican Party. We should consider the same people who nominated Alvin Greene, (Vincent) Sheheen and everybody else on that list.”
Now I can't imagine that the man who stood on the Capitol steps and said that health care would be Obama's Waterloo could be worried about embarrassing South Carolina. That's all I can say about the above quote, because otherwise I have absolutely no idea what it means.
Here's a word of warning, though. Demint's Jello-speak works. He's a guy who, as they say down South, "cleans up real nice". He's an ad-man, and is a smooth talker. So when he strings words together, chances are he's going to have you nodding in agreement, but he won't have said a darn thing that makes sense. Which is why I can't even begin to get outraged about the above quote, much less try to analyse it.
I believe the only thing left to do with someone like Jim Demint, is vote him out of office.
Alvin Greene
because he's
Better than Demint
Sunday, August 22, 2010
No Excuses
Alvin Greene has been indicted on obscenity charges. The head of the South Carolina Democratic Party, Carol Fowler, is once again urging him to withdraw his name from the race, and he is once again refusing.
Are you wondering why? I am. Well, actually, I have a theory (as does everyone). I believe that Alvin Greene's nefarious backers have assured him that if he stays in the race and keeps a low profile, they will pay all his costs, and maybe even a bonus, you know, just like on Wall Street, for a job poorly done.
I may be wrong.
But wouldn't it be something if Greene woke up one day, and said, I can't take this anymore, and withdrew from the race.
But then what? Would Vic Rawl re-enter? To my mind, he doesn't have the fighting spirit that would be needed to even cause Demint to come home from campaigning for his other Corporate Conservative candidate friends around the country. I doubt that Demint would break a sweat over it.
Of course, the longer Greene stays in, the harder it would be for another candidate to step forward -- we don't have the deep pockets, and the friends with deep pockets, that Demint and his cronies have.
So maybe one day Alvin Greene will withdraw. But it's not going to make a lot of difference.
If we want to get rid of Jim Demint, we do it with Alvin Greene or without:
Are you wondering why? I am. Well, actually, I have a theory (as does everyone). I believe that Alvin Greene's nefarious backers have assured him that if he stays in the race and keeps a low profile, they will pay all his costs, and maybe even a bonus, you know, just like on Wall Street, for a job poorly done.
I may be wrong.
But wouldn't it be something if Greene woke up one day, and said, I can't take this anymore, and withdrew from the race.
But then what? Would Vic Rawl re-enter? To my mind, he doesn't have the fighting spirit that would be needed to even cause Demint to come home from campaigning for his other Corporate Conservative candidate friends around the country. I doubt that Demint would break a sweat over it.
Of course, the longer Greene stays in, the harder it would be for another candidate to step forward -- we don't have the deep pockets, and the friends with deep pockets, that Demint and his cronies have.
So maybe one day Alvin Greene will withdraw. But it's not going to make a lot of difference.
If we want to get rid of Jim Demint, we do it with Alvin Greene or without:
Alvin Greene
because he's
Better than Demint
Friday, August 20, 2010
Where in the World is Jim Demint?
You may be wondering where Jim Demint has been lately. Well, according to him, in an interview he gave to The Item, he is spending a lot of time in South Carolina, talking to the "real people" in his state. He says, "Folks want to vent, particularly businesses."
Now, that right there might be the problem. Jim Demint, who doesn't believe in the Supreme Court anyway, nonetheless believes that "businesses" are "real people". We all know he tends to confuse reality with Mayberry, and it seems that he's being so stubborn about what people want because he just isn't talking to any of us. Although he thinks he is.
Now, that right there might be the problem. Jim Demint, who doesn't believe in the Supreme Court anyway, nonetheless believes that "businesses" are "real people". We all know he tends to confuse reality with Mayberry, and it seems that he's being so stubborn about what people want because he just isn't talking to any of us. Although he thinks he is.
Take farm subsidies. Most of the over a billion dollars in farm subsidies goes to the few percent of top producing farms. This is why small farmers continue to hurt and drop out of existence, while "folks" like Wright County Eggs continue to grow and poison us with their blatant disregard for health and safety.
Yet Demint votes "yes" to these farm supports that only help the wealthy, while voting "no" to "big government" bills like Health Care Reform, that will allow us to insure our children till they are 26, and -- oh, no, stop that big government -- force insurers to insure us when we are sick!
Demint talks about "what we've done to the banking system", I guess meaning things like making credit card companies stop cheating us by raising interest on pre-existing debt. He continues to fight the good fight against regulation which will make sure Wall Street and the health insurance industry obey the law, and that BP and Wright County Eggs stop polluting and taking risks with our lives, for their fun and profit.
Demint talks about "what we've done to the banking system", I guess meaning things like making credit card companies stop cheating us by raising interest on pre-existing debt. He continues to fight the good fight against regulation which will make sure Wall Street and the health insurance industry obey the law, and that BP and Wright County Eggs stop polluting and taking risks with our lives, for their fun and profit.
And while Jim Demint claims to be spending all his time here talking to what he thinks are "real people", he admits that he is going to other parts of the country campaigning to get more like him elected and sent to Washington, because...
"If I keep getting outvoted, the people of South Carolina are not represented."
So PLEASE study Demint's voting record at Project Vote Smart, and don't confuse his Mayberry fantasy with the reality we all are suffering here in South Carolina. We don't need six more years of Jim Demint and his Corporate Conservative cronies blocking the government from doing its job of protecting us from people like him.
So PLEASE study Demint's voting record at Project Vote Smart, and don't confuse his Mayberry fantasy with the reality we all are suffering here in South Carolina. We don't need six more years of Jim Demint and his Corporate Conservative cronies blocking the government from doing its job of protecting us from people like him.
Alvin Greene
because he's
Better than Demint
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Where In the World Is Alvin Greene?
Haven't heard much from Alvin Greene. He hasn't answered either of my emails, one of which included a link to this blog, when I was still writing about him, but that's not unusual for a Democrat. They are usually too busy fighting the good fight to realize how important it is to acknowledge a potential voter and constituent who has actually contacted them.
But he also hasn't taken advantage of the national stage, people who love to highlight the underdog, and believe me, Alvin Greene is the underdog of all underdogs. His publicity organization, who were to provide their services pro bono, have also been silent. Couldn't even find them on the internet to thank them for taking up this fight.
Apparently he has turned up at a meeting of the State Democratic Party, but nearly had to be dragged up to the podium, at which time he had no prepared remarks.
Now, I don't believe Greene is dumb, as some do. He may not be a genius, but jeez, have you taken a look at our Senate lately?
My first impressions about Greene were that he was a Republican set-up. Slipped $10,000 to get his name on the primary ballot against a legitimate candidate. And then, with the help of the Neanderthal primary voting rules in this fair state, which allow us all to vote for the least appealing of the opposing party's candidates, and no doubt some plain old poll-booth tinkering, voila! The mysterious Alvin Greene, with the added bonus of Jon Stewart getting to thank South Carolina once again for our comedic flair, this time for the stupidity of its voters.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-june-14-2010/alvin-greene-wins-south-carolina-primary
But, you know, Jim Demint is really despicable. So I decided to take a long, hard look at Alvin Greene. Since that wasn't possible, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. That story goes like this:
A young, naive but idealistic young man saves every penny he earns while in the military (while also bucking some military authority, also because of his ideals), so he can help his friends and neighbors back home, and yes, his country, by running for office.
You don't have to be terribly astute politically to know how bad Jim Demint has been for South Carolina, so, encouraged by his church and family, he took that nest egg and used it to run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. And, because Vic Rawl, also running on a shoestring despite his long list of credentials, had a name that begins with "R", Greene was able to walk away with his name on the ballot for November.
Hard to believe, isn't it?
Yes, I have to admit, it is harder to believe than Greene being a shill for the republicans, and understanding that he needs to try, but not too hard, so that it will seem like he is really running for office.
Meanwhile, Jim Demint doesn't even have to give the appearance of running a campaign, which frees him up to use his substantial PAC dollars to help elect other radical extremist right-wing fanatics to office across the country.
So, let me just conclude with this:
Don't let Demint's thugs get away with this. Vote for Alvin Greene in November.
Because, regardless of how it came about,
But he also hasn't taken advantage of the national stage, people who love to highlight the underdog, and believe me, Alvin Greene is the underdog of all underdogs. His publicity organization, who were to provide their services pro bono, have also been silent. Couldn't even find them on the internet to thank them for taking up this fight.
Apparently he has turned up at a meeting of the State Democratic Party, but nearly had to be dragged up to the podium, at which time he had no prepared remarks.
Now, I don't believe Greene is dumb, as some do. He may not be a genius, but jeez, have you taken a look at our Senate lately?
My first impressions about Greene were that he was a Republican set-up. Slipped $10,000 to get his name on the primary ballot against a legitimate candidate. And then, with the help of the Neanderthal primary voting rules in this fair state, which allow us all to vote for the least appealing of the opposing party's candidates, and no doubt some plain old poll-booth tinkering, voila! The mysterious Alvin Greene, with the added bonus of Jon Stewart getting to thank South Carolina once again for our comedic flair, this time for the stupidity of its voters.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-june-14-2010/alvin-greene-wins-south-carolina-primary
But, you know, Jim Demint is really despicable. So I decided to take a long, hard look at Alvin Greene. Since that wasn't possible, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. That story goes like this:
A young, naive but idealistic young man saves every penny he earns while in the military (while also bucking some military authority, also because of his ideals), so he can help his friends and neighbors back home, and yes, his country, by running for office.
You don't have to be terribly astute politically to know how bad Jim Demint has been for South Carolina, so, encouraged by his church and family, he took that nest egg and used it to run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. And, because Vic Rawl, also running on a shoestring despite his long list of credentials, had a name that begins with "R", Greene was able to walk away with his name on the ballot for November.
Hard to believe, isn't it?
Yes, I have to admit, it is harder to believe than Greene being a shill for the republicans, and understanding that he needs to try, but not too hard, so that it will seem like he is really running for office.
Meanwhile, Jim Demint doesn't even have to give the appearance of running a campaign, which frees him up to use his substantial PAC dollars to help elect other radical extremist right-wing fanatics to office across the country.
So, let me just conclude with this:
Don't let Demint's thugs get away with this. Vote for Alvin Greene in November.
Because, regardless of how it came about,
Alvin Greene
because he's
Better than Demint!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Why High Unemployment Is Good
If no one was benefitting from high unemployment, it wouldn't be happening.
So who's benefitting?
We have been listening to blowhards like Boehner, Demint and the other Corporate Conservatives in Congress talk about how people are staying unemployed BY CHOICE, and if the government would stop feeding and clothing them, they would go out and, damn it, get jobs!
But who in this country, today, are really getting the handouts? Wall Street, certainly, and the insurance industry with the watered down health care bill. Don't forget big agribusiness, those folks that are forcing the small farmers out of business, while feeding off the federal government.
Here's the food chain:
The corporate giants feed the lobbyists, who feed their senators and representatives, who circle right back and feed the corporations.
Feeling left out?
If you are a small business owner and believe for one minute that John Boehner and Jim Demint are talking about helping YOU when they block health care bills and unemployment extensions and yes, money to the states you live and do business in for road projects and teachers, guess again.
If you are a small business owner you know that the people in your neighborhood need jobs that pay a living wage and affordable housing, and good schools for their children, and for your children. The money that would do that in this wealthy country is held by a few and they are protected by, yes, folks like John Boehner and Jim Demint.
Who make sure that the government doesn't have the funding to regulate those big businesses, nor the taxes from those fat cats to send to the states and small businesses to get us back on our feet.
Because when we profit, big business gets a little bit smaller. And so would the fortunes of Boehner and Demint.
So who's benefitting?
We have been listening to blowhards like Boehner, Demint and the other Corporate Conservatives in Congress talk about how people are staying unemployed BY CHOICE, and if the government would stop feeding and clothing them, they would go out and, damn it, get jobs!
But who in this country, today, are really getting the handouts? Wall Street, certainly, and the insurance industry with the watered down health care bill. Don't forget big agribusiness, those folks that are forcing the small farmers out of business, while feeding off the federal government.
Here's the food chain:
The corporate giants feed the lobbyists, who feed their senators and representatives, who circle right back and feed the corporations.
Feeling left out?
If you are a small business owner and believe for one minute that John Boehner and Jim Demint are talking about helping YOU when they block health care bills and unemployment extensions and yes, money to the states you live and do business in for road projects and teachers, guess again.
If you are a small business owner you know that the people in your neighborhood need jobs that pay a living wage and affordable housing, and good schools for their children, and for your children. The money that would do that in this wealthy country is held by a few and they are protected by, yes, folks like John Boehner and Jim Demint.
Who make sure that the government doesn't have the funding to regulate those big businesses, nor the taxes from those fat cats to send to the states and small businesses to get us back on our feet.
Because when we profit, big business gets a little bit smaller. And so would the fortunes of Boehner and Demint.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
My Right to Tell You What to Do
Be careful, America. Be careful that when you decide you have the right to curtail my behavior, someone else is going to decide they have the right to curtail yours.
People who were perfectly, self-righteously contect to dictate what a woman could or could not do within her own body, were appalled when the government stepped in and tried, nearly successfully, to tell Michael Schiavo that he was not allowed to end his family's suffering by ending his wife's unconscious existence on life support.
Some in the anti-abortion movement believe that trying to save that unsentient fetus justifies murder. Some in the catholic church believe it is murder whenever an egg is not fertilized.
Where do you draw the line? Is it the same place I would draw the line? Prescott Bush, granddaddy of W., was founding member of planned parenthood, outraging catholics. His grandson, the smaller Bush, believes that unborn life is more valuable than it is once born.
Where do you draw the line? The Taliban believe that girls should be covered so as not to entice men. And that education is for males only, and should be dictated by Taliban religious beliefs. And they believe that dousing a girl in acid on her way to school is justified, and keeps her from sinning.
Where do you draw the line?
Be careful of self-righteous legislators like Jim Demint, because he believes that God has given him the right to dictate how we live.
Is that really what you want? And what happens when his line is different than yours?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
A Bright Face for a Dirty Process
I first heard the expression "increased productivity" during the Reagan years. That was when the capitalists who were taking over government promised us they would unzip and let it "trickle down" on the middle class.
Clinton, who wanted the big guys to like him, continued to espouse economic policies that "increased productivity", but that red flag began to wave with a vengeance when the smaller Bush reigned.
Increased productivity sounds like a grand thing to want to have. Who doesn't want to be productive? Who doesn't want more of it?
Well, as we have all come to find out, increased productivity means a lot fewer of us doing a lot more work for a lot less, less money, fewer benefits.
Bigger profits for the trickle down guys, who continue to let it stream all over us.
Now they want the few of us remaining to work for more years, for less money and benefits, so we can get too little Social Security too late in life to enjoy it.
I just turned 59, had to reduce my work to part-time because all that increased productivity left me with injuries that would get worse if I continued to work full-time, but might get better if I did less of it. And I'm hoping my little nest egg holds out till I turn 62, because I doubt that I'll hold out to 66.
And now I'm learning that folks like Jim Demint and John Boehner think we need to start acting more like adults and work a few more years, so that they and their corporate friends can keep all their cash for a nice comfy retirement, and not even give up a penny of their fortunes after they die.
Is this an ugly country? Or are we going to elect real progressive democrats that will protect us from those who plan to keep unemployment high while we who are lucky enough to have jobs hope we live long enough to enjoy retirement?
Time for the corporate conservatives in congress to stop living off the working poor and middle classes. Time to vote folks like Demint and Boehner out of office.
Enough increased productivity!
Clinton, who wanted the big guys to like him, continued to espouse economic policies that "increased productivity", but that red flag began to wave with a vengeance when the smaller Bush reigned.
Increased productivity sounds like a grand thing to want to have. Who doesn't want to be productive? Who doesn't want more of it?
Well, as we have all come to find out, increased productivity means a lot fewer of us doing a lot more work for a lot less, less money, fewer benefits.
Bigger profits for the trickle down guys, who continue to let it stream all over us.
Now they want the few of us remaining to work for more years, for less money and benefits, so we can get too little Social Security too late in life to enjoy it.
I just turned 59, had to reduce my work to part-time because all that increased productivity left me with injuries that would get worse if I continued to work full-time, but might get better if I did less of it. And I'm hoping my little nest egg holds out till I turn 62, because I doubt that I'll hold out to 66.
And now I'm learning that folks like Jim Demint and John Boehner think we need to start acting more like adults and work a few more years, so that they and their corporate friends can keep all their cash for a nice comfy retirement, and not even give up a penny of their fortunes after they die.
Is this an ugly country? Or are we going to elect real progressive democrats that will protect us from those who plan to keep unemployment high while we who are lucky enough to have jobs hope we live long enough to enjoy retirement?
Time for the corporate conservatives in congress to stop living off the working poor and middle classes. Time to vote folks like Demint and Boehner out of office.
Enough increased productivity!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Bargain Government
I spent nearly all my savings a year and a half ago when my A/C broke down. It had been costing me from $200 to $1600 a year on repairs for the nine years I had been living here. The new A/C cost $5,000. At the time, I was taking home $1,300 a MONTH for my full-time position with Charleston County, SC.
But I figured I would have peace of mind for a couple of years.
Not so. My A/C died a few weeks ago, which should not have happened. A faulty part was replaced, which was under warrantee. The cost: $157. Apparently, half that was to get the guy out here, and the other half was his hour of labor.
Not that I don't appreciate it. But I am one of many who are struggling to make ends meet at real jobs that really underpay, if you are basing the salary on the cost of living.
Jim Demint and the other corporate conservatives that are grinding our government to a halt don't have a clue what it is like to have to decide whether to repair the car or the leaking roof, and how long it is feasible to put up with the pain in your tooth or another body part, in the hope that it will magically go away, because you just can't afford it.
I laugh when I'm told I can pay the bill in installments. Like I'm going to be able to find the money if it's in smaller piles?
It infuriates me to hear Demint and Boehner and all the rest of those high living prostitutes talking about lowering the debt, when what they are really doing is trying to force us to pay more to private corporations than what the government does on a shoestring.
And about that shoestring. When the government doesn't work right, it's because it doesn't have the funds to do the jobs that they need to do. Blame the regulators? How about giving them adequate staff to guard the henhouse? Amtrak not running efficiently? Let's put some money into it, and see what can be done. And oh, the schools! Not enough teachers, classes too large, and we have to listen to those congressional creeps call a bill with emergency funding for teachers' salaries a bailout for the teachers union!
And then complain that government isn't working!
Well, it's still the best bargain in town, but if someone doesn't step up and pay their fair share, the town isn't going to be much of a place to live.
But I figured I would have peace of mind for a couple of years.
Not so. My A/C died a few weeks ago, which should not have happened. A faulty part was replaced, which was under warrantee. The cost: $157. Apparently, half that was to get the guy out here, and the other half was his hour of labor.
Not that I don't appreciate it. But I am one of many who are struggling to make ends meet at real jobs that really underpay, if you are basing the salary on the cost of living.
Jim Demint and the other corporate conservatives that are grinding our government to a halt don't have a clue what it is like to have to decide whether to repair the car or the leaking roof, and how long it is feasible to put up with the pain in your tooth or another body part, in the hope that it will magically go away, because you just can't afford it.
I laugh when I'm told I can pay the bill in installments. Like I'm going to be able to find the money if it's in smaller piles?
It infuriates me to hear Demint and Boehner and all the rest of those high living prostitutes talking about lowering the debt, when what they are really doing is trying to force us to pay more to private corporations than what the government does on a shoestring.
And about that shoestring. When the government doesn't work right, it's because it doesn't have the funds to do the jobs that they need to do. Blame the regulators? How about giving them adequate staff to guard the henhouse? Amtrak not running efficiently? Let's put some money into it, and see what can be done. And oh, the schools! Not enough teachers, classes too large, and we have to listen to those congressional creeps call a bill with emergency funding for teachers' salaries a bailout for the teachers union!
And then complain that government isn't working!
Well, it's still the best bargain in town, but if someone doesn't step up and pay their fair share, the town isn't going to be much of a place to live.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Everyone Has a Bad Day
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is one of my favorite people. He is witty, and I believe, attempts to answer questions honestly, and respects the people who day after day hurl questions at him, hoping to get an answer that will make news, if not make Gibbs' day.
But just as with flight attendants, even White House Press Secretaries have an occasional bad day.
Call it a consequence of the dog days of summer.
But Gibbs' controversial attack on the left needs to be examined by the White House, because it represents an attitude that has caused Obama's supporters on the left concern for awhile.
We understood the Wall Street bailout, coming during the changing of the administration, but we wondered why this literally golden opportunity to curb the wild extravagances of salaries and risk-taking was passed up.
When our President, who we thought was horrified by the abuses in Iraq and Afganistan, from prisoner abuse to Halliburton's bilking of the government, did not step up to demand a thorough investigation, we were dumbfounded.
And when Barack Obama did not stand up and use his bully pulpit to demand a public option, but allowed Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to struggle for months in the fight against one of the ugliest Republican Congressional blocks ever, we began to be infuriated.
And then our President, who we believed in with our hearts and souls, told us that we needed to be more willing to accept compromise.
I hate hearing the poll numbers. Yet I understand them. I too distrust the Congress, but like many Americans, it is because attempts to compromise have resulted in ever more inaction, in a time where not just action, but dramatic action, is demanded.
And I too, if asked, would have to say I am disappointed in President Obama's performance. When he has stood up against his opposition, he has had some amazing accomplishments. But the opposition is ferocious. And uncompromising. And we need a leader who will be consistent in his support for the goals and values he declared in his campaign.
So, no, I don't get my critical attitude from Olbermann or Maddow. It comes from the same place Obama got his critical values, the ones that made him want to run for office and effect change. Our ideals were once the same, and the White House needs to get back in touch with that.
And Robert, if you do that, I will forgive you your bad day.
But just as with flight attendants, even White House Press Secretaries have an occasional bad day.
Call it a consequence of the dog days of summer.
But Gibbs' controversial attack on the left needs to be examined by the White House, because it represents an attitude that has caused Obama's supporters on the left concern for awhile.
We understood the Wall Street bailout, coming during the changing of the administration, but we wondered why this literally golden opportunity to curb the wild extravagances of salaries and risk-taking was passed up.
When our President, who we thought was horrified by the abuses in Iraq and Afganistan, from prisoner abuse to Halliburton's bilking of the government, did not step up to demand a thorough investigation, we were dumbfounded.
And when Barack Obama did not stand up and use his bully pulpit to demand a public option, but allowed Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to struggle for months in the fight against one of the ugliest Republican Congressional blocks ever, we began to be infuriated.
And then our President, who we believed in with our hearts and souls, told us that we needed to be more willing to accept compromise.
I hate hearing the poll numbers. Yet I understand them. I too distrust the Congress, but like many Americans, it is because attempts to compromise have resulted in ever more inaction, in a time where not just action, but dramatic action, is demanded.
And I too, if asked, would have to say I am disappointed in President Obama's performance. When he has stood up against his opposition, he has had some amazing accomplishments. But the opposition is ferocious. And uncompromising. And we need a leader who will be consistent in his support for the goals and values he declared in his campaign.
So, no, I don't get my critical attitude from Olbermann or Maddow. It comes from the same place Obama got his critical values, the ones that made him want to run for office and effect change. Our ideals were once the same, and the White House needs to get back in touch with that.
And Robert, if you do that, I will forgive you your bad day.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Is He Blushing?
There was John Boehner on Meet the Press, all orange with rage or tanning salon, saying, "It's time for the American people to have an adult conversation about the problems that we face."
Wow. I felt so... chastised. Like, "Go to your room, American people, and don't come out until you can have an adult conversation about the problems that we face."
Because, after all, we the American people have had it too easy for too long.
We've been staying out too late working, no, not just one job but we go and have two jobs and leave our kids in front of the t.v. Unless we don't have a job, which is just being lazy, because we want to live off those big unemployment bucks.
And we eat all that junk food, instead of making the grown-up decisions, like fresh veggies or gas in the car. And not going to the doctor just because we don't have health care, and even if we did have health care we wouldn't want to spend money on that boring deductible and those dumb co-pays.
And not getting enough exercise, either, standing around all day behind that counter at Wal-Mart, when we should be...
...out on the golf course with John Boehner.
And no, he's not blushing. The man doesn't know enough to be ashamed.
Monday, August 9, 2010
...But What Does It Mean?
Unbelievable! The poll numbers are out, and with no money to run a campaign, Alvin Greene is showing 20%!
That nasty "liberal" media is going to make this sound like something bad.
But what is really going on is that 20% of the people polled think Jim Demint is so bad that they would vote for a young man with absolutely no experience.
Forget about the devil you know. Better yet, let's vote the devil we know out of office in November.
That nasty "liberal" media is going to make this sound like something bad.
But what is really going on is that 20% of the people polled think Jim Demint is so bad that they would vote for a young man with absolutely no experience.
Forget about the devil you know. Better yet, let's vote the devil we know out of office in November.
Alvin Greene
because he's
Better than Demint!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Demint's Social Security
Jim Demint thinks we need to increase the age of retirement. I imagine that, like Donald Rumsfeld who didn't think making someone stand on their feet all day was torture, Jim Demint can't conceive that some of us are just hoping to make it to the current retirement age, which is scheduled to start creeping upwards in a few years anyway.
I believe Jim Demint loves his job, and can't even imagine not working. I'll bet he goes to work even when he has the sniffles, and probably even when his kids have the sniffles.
Jim Demint probably works harder during his vacations than George W. Bush did, and so why should any of us complain about doing those odds and ends repair jobs that have been piling up those 50 weeks we've been working?
Jim Demint doesn't whine. Except about whiners. You know, like those people who are collecting all those unemployment handouts, instead of just getting up and getting a job. People who can't get health insurance because they're already sick, and expect the government to make insurance companies, for God's sake, insure them. People whose college tuition has gone up again and have to drop out of school -- hey, why should the government subsidize your education?
Jim Demint did not come from wealth. And here he is, with a good job with health care, vacation, and retirement pay. He really believes that if he could do it, anybody can.
I believe that, too. I believe that if the voters of South Carolina are tired of having Jim Demint whittle away the programs that protect us and our families, we can elect Alvin Greene, and he will get us back on our feet.
And give Jim Demint an early retirement.
I believe Jim Demint loves his job, and can't even imagine not working. I'll bet he goes to work even when he has the sniffles, and probably even when his kids have the sniffles.
Jim Demint probably works harder during his vacations than George W. Bush did, and so why should any of us complain about doing those odds and ends repair jobs that have been piling up those 50 weeks we've been working?
Jim Demint doesn't whine. Except about whiners. You know, like those people who are collecting all those unemployment handouts, instead of just getting up and getting a job. People who can't get health insurance because they're already sick, and expect the government to make insurance companies, for God's sake, insure them. People whose college tuition has gone up again and have to drop out of school -- hey, why should the government subsidize your education?
Jim Demint did not come from wealth. And here he is, with a good job with health care, vacation, and retirement pay. He really believes that if he could do it, anybody can.
I believe that, too. I believe that if the voters of South Carolina are tired of having Jim Demint whittle away the programs that protect us and our families, we can elect Alvin Greene, and he will get us back on our feet.
And give Jim Demint an early retirement.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Cost of Free Speech
Isn't the internet wonderful? You can be rich or poor...
Let me start that again.
All you need to get on the internet is a little know-how, and a library with internet...
No, that doesn't work so well either these days.
If you can afford a computer, and if you can afford an internet hook-up, then you can get online and go anywhere.
But that may not be true for long, either.
Telecom companies have been lobbying, and lobbying hard, for the ability to control access to web sites, much like cable and satellite t.v. Big bucks if they get away with it.
But we have had a couple of decades now of not just free interstate internet, but of truly interplanetary internet. We are horrified at countries like Iran and China that seek to control that freedom.
So who would we trust to control our internet connection?
That's right, big business. Cable companies like Comcast that make you pay $60 and up a month for 8,000 cable channels, only 3 of which you will ever use. Corporations like AT&T and Verizon, who can't even give us reliable cell phone signal, but charge a premium and we should be thankful for that.
And even though we should know by now that bigger isn't better, we are going to allow our legislators to sit by while the telecom industry grows even more mammoth, swallowing and merging until, like the health insurance industry and Wall Street banks, they are really just one behemoth -- no competition, no bargains, no rights.
What they will do for us, besides make us pay for what was once free, is control who we can connect to, by allowing us easy connections to those who pay up, and slow or no connections for all those others.
This terrifies and infuriates. Why don't we know better? Why do we keep allowing our government to let these behemoths control the quality of our lives. At stake right now is the true freedom to speak and reach out on the internet that we now enjoy.
Here in South Carolina, in the rural area where I live, I have a land line. Like a third world country, I have no cell phone reception, so I have been helpless as my phone bill has gone up and up, and unable to afford a cell phone and a land line. The cost of cell phone service is outrageous, and could be much cheaper, but without regulation, we are at the mercy of the telecom giants.
Feeble attempts to provide free wireless accessibility over large areas in this country are easily defeated by corporate lobbyists.
We need people in Congress to stop voting for their corporate sponsors. Their corporate friends are in it for profit, and power. And so are so many members of congress.
We need to vote out the powerful, who are backed by the greedy. We need to send Jim Demint back to his ad agency, where we don't have to buy what he tries to sell.
Support Alvin Greene:
www.alvingreeneforussenator.com
Let me start that again.
All you need to get on the internet is a little know-how, and a library with internet...
No, that doesn't work so well either these days.
If you can afford a computer, and if you can afford an internet hook-up, then you can get online and go anywhere.
But that may not be true for long, either.
Telecom companies have been lobbying, and lobbying hard, for the ability to control access to web sites, much like cable and satellite t.v. Big bucks if they get away with it.
But we have had a couple of decades now of not just free interstate internet, but of truly interplanetary internet. We are horrified at countries like Iran and China that seek to control that freedom.
So who would we trust to control our internet connection?
That's right, big business. Cable companies like Comcast that make you pay $60 and up a month for 8,000 cable channels, only 3 of which you will ever use. Corporations like AT&T and Verizon, who can't even give us reliable cell phone signal, but charge a premium and we should be thankful for that.
And even though we should know by now that bigger isn't better, we are going to allow our legislators to sit by while the telecom industry grows even more mammoth, swallowing and merging until, like the health insurance industry and Wall Street banks, they are really just one behemoth -- no competition, no bargains, no rights.
What they will do for us, besides make us pay for what was once free, is control who we can connect to, by allowing us easy connections to those who pay up, and slow or no connections for all those others.
This terrifies and infuriates. Why don't we know better? Why do we keep allowing our government to let these behemoths control the quality of our lives. At stake right now is the true freedom to speak and reach out on the internet that we now enjoy.
Here in South Carolina, in the rural area where I live, I have a land line. Like a third world country, I have no cell phone reception, so I have been helpless as my phone bill has gone up and up, and unable to afford a cell phone and a land line. The cost of cell phone service is outrageous, and could be much cheaper, but without regulation, we are at the mercy of the telecom giants.
Feeble attempts to provide free wireless accessibility over large areas in this country are easily defeated by corporate lobbyists.
We need people in Congress to stop voting for their corporate sponsors. Their corporate friends are in it for profit, and power. And so are so many members of congress.
We need to vote out the powerful, who are backed by the greedy. We need to send Jim Demint back to his ad agency, where we don't have to buy what he tries to sell.
Support Alvin Greene:
www.alvingreeneforussenator.com
Friday, August 6, 2010
Let's Talk
It seems that here in South Carolina, when democrats get together, the question of what to do about Alvin Greene rears its ugly head.
Isn't that great? We democrats do love to talk, argue, debate, discuss, weigh options, and even disagree.
You won't see us showing a united front against the opposition. Look at the health care "debate", and by the way, remember the "public option"?
I am even enjoying the one democrat in the senate who routinely votes with the opposition, so, for example, a really easy vote like the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court ended up with 63 yeas and that one darned democrat voting no. You know who I'm talking about, you poor lost soul.
Alvin Greene is ever so much more complicated than Elena Kagan. Somebody -- a nobody -- from Nowhere, SC, beats the sorrowful looking but highly experienced Vic Rawl in the primary. And does he have issues! Unemployed, a questionable pornography charge, some issues with authority during his military service.
I am not going to defend Alvin Greene, but I can't say that I know any more about the porn charge or military service than I knew about ACORN or Shirley Sherrod until there was some thorough and unbiased investigation. And I'll bet we all know someone who had a hard time with authority in the military. For that matter, we once elected a president who we heard didn't even hardly show up for his National Guard duty.
But even with his issues, Alvin Greene wants to help the people of South Carolina with unemployment and our sad education system.
So let's keep arguing and debating, but on November 2, let's send a message to Jim Demint and his corporate cronies in the Senate. Let's tell them that we aren't going to let their united front bash our democracy any more.
Isn't that great? We democrats do love to talk, argue, debate, discuss, weigh options, and even disagree.
You won't see us showing a united front against the opposition. Look at the health care "debate", and by the way, remember the "public option"?
I am even enjoying the one democrat in the senate who routinely votes with the opposition, so, for example, a really easy vote like the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court ended up with 63 yeas and that one darned democrat voting no. You know who I'm talking about, you poor lost soul.
Alvin Greene is ever so much more complicated than Elena Kagan. Somebody -- a nobody -- from Nowhere, SC, beats the sorrowful looking but highly experienced Vic Rawl in the primary. And does he have issues! Unemployed, a questionable pornography charge, some issues with authority during his military service.
I am not going to defend Alvin Greene, but I can't say that I know any more about the porn charge or military service than I knew about ACORN or Shirley Sherrod until there was some thorough and unbiased investigation. And I'll bet we all know someone who had a hard time with authority in the military. For that matter, we once elected a president who we heard didn't even hardly show up for his National Guard duty.
But even with his issues, Alvin Greene wants to help the people of South Carolina with unemployment and our sad education system.
So let's keep arguing and debating, but on November 2, let's send a message to Jim Demint and his corporate cronies in the Senate. Let's tell them that we aren't going to let their united front bash our democracy any more.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
What's in a "Tic"?
If you watch too much C-Span and other political news shows, yes, including the Daily Show, you'll have noticed what word-smiths those republicans are. Not only do they come up with clever twists of phrases ("death panels") ("death tax"), but they change words to subtly change their import.
All of a sudden, in a news week, 50 gazillion republicans/tea partiers are using the same phrase. And no other. For days and weeks last summer we heard about "death panels". To the point where it got a bit scary. Not the phrase, but the echo.
Last year at some point it became annoyingly apparent that those old word-meisters have decided that using the word "democrat" instead of "democratic" (as in "democrat party" -- ouch) gave it just an uglier sound. The rationale as I understand it is that it takes away the implication that democrats are, well, democratic.
A few weeks ago I even heard a DEMOCRAT refer to the "democrat party" and I cried. Are we so easily manipulated?
There is a rather nice history of the mis-appellation at:
http://mediamatters.org/research/200608160005
However important or un- you might feel this hatcheting of the adjective "democratic", the fact is, it is grammatically incorrect. But, as usual, we in the DemocratIC party feel that manipulating words, or even defending our own words, is just petty. But words are not petty; words incite feelings, about ourselves and our lives. And the "republic party" knows it.
So y'all that use democrat to describe someone who is in fact, democratic, are either being manipulative or ignorant. So cut it out.
And don't forget, a vote for Alvin Greene is a vote against Jim Demint, the corporate candidate.
All of a sudden, in a news week, 50 gazillion republicans/tea partiers are using the same phrase. And no other. For days and weeks last summer we heard about "death panels". To the point where it got a bit scary. Not the phrase, but the echo.
Last year at some point it became annoyingly apparent that those old word-meisters have decided that using the word "democrat" instead of "democratic" (as in "democrat party" -- ouch) gave it just an uglier sound. The rationale as I understand it is that it takes away the implication that democrats are, well, democratic.
A few weeks ago I even heard a DEMOCRAT refer to the "democrat party" and I cried. Are we so easily manipulated?
There is a rather nice history of the mis-appellation at:
http://mediamatters.org/research/200608160005
However important or un- you might feel this hatcheting of the adjective "democratic", the fact is, it is grammatically incorrect. But, as usual, we in the DemocratIC party feel that manipulating words, or even defending our own words, is just petty. But words are not petty; words incite feelings, about ourselves and our lives. And the "republic party" knows it.
So y'all that use democrat to describe someone who is in fact, democratic, are either being manipulative or ignorant. So cut it out.
And don't forget, a vote for Alvin Greene is a vote against Jim Demint, the corporate candidate.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Quelle Surprise
I just read that Jim Demint and his buddy Sam Brownback are planning to filibuster all legislation until they get a chance to vote no to Dr. Donald Berwick, President Obama's recent recess appointee.
Well pardon me if I am not stunned. Jim Demint, the hero of corporate conservatives, wants the chance to question Dr. Berwick, so he can then vote no, or wait, maybe he will vote no to a vote....
And you know he will have lots of company. That great republican frat house on Capitol Hill will have a few more months of pranks before the next election. And I can't believe that the voters will allow him and his fellow frat boys to spend another two years stalling important and much needed legislation.
At this point, even people who tend not to follow politics, because they are, you know, too busy trying to earn a living, or just to save their homes and maybe even their lives, are surely tired of the ridiculous double-talk -- and don't forget the silly charts -- that are just part and parcel of republicans listening to themselves tell lies and dirty jokes.
It was Jim Demint that went on record to say that health care would be Obama's Waterloo. Well, when they take Obama health care down, there are going to be an awful lot of us who will lose. Sons and daughters will once again no longer be on family plans, the poor and unemployed once again will be unable to obtain health care, and the health insurance industry will again be able to be the "death panels" that say no to the sick and dying.
So fight to take down Jim Demint and his corporate cronies. Support Alvin Greene's fight to get to the Senate:
www.alvingreeneforussenator.com
Well pardon me if I am not stunned. Jim Demint, the hero of corporate conservatives, wants the chance to question Dr. Berwick, so he can then vote no, or wait, maybe he will vote no to a vote....
And you know he will have lots of company. That great republican frat house on Capitol Hill will have a few more months of pranks before the next election. And I can't believe that the voters will allow him and his fellow frat boys to spend another two years stalling important and much needed legislation.
At this point, even people who tend not to follow politics, because they are, you know, too busy trying to earn a living, or just to save their homes and maybe even their lives, are surely tired of the ridiculous double-talk -- and don't forget the silly charts -- that are just part and parcel of republicans listening to themselves tell lies and dirty jokes.
It was Jim Demint that went on record to say that health care would be Obama's Waterloo. Well, when they take Obama health care down, there are going to be an awful lot of us who will lose. Sons and daughters will once again no longer be on family plans, the poor and unemployed once again will be unable to obtain health care, and the health insurance industry will again be able to be the "death panels" that say no to the sick and dying.
So fight to take down Jim Demint and his corporate cronies. Support Alvin Greene's fight to get to the Senate:
www.alvingreeneforussenator.com
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