"You can run, but you can't hide", goes the old saying when things get tough. As gas prices soar, the stock market sinks, the middle east simmers in civil wars, and our government is threatening to shut down due to the budget crisis, don't you sometimes feel you need a vacation from it all? I've heard several say they simply refuse to watch their t.v. or read the newspapers any longer---too depressing and stressful. But do we dare turn our backs, close our eyes, and stick our heads in the sand? Well, it's tempting--- one wants to take a slow boat to China---uh, make that a fast plane to Tahiti or anywhere peaceful and cheap. No, forget Tahiti or even Hawaii--plane fares are rising along with the price of gas. How about Mexico, fun, warm and close by? Can you say drug cartels who take no prisoners---with no respect for the law? Yes, the resorts are quite safe, but who wants to support a country that can't afford its own citizens a decent living and continues to be intimidated by drug thugs? Well, at least we're not in Libya, where Ghadaffi seems to be winning the war against his own people quite handily by shooting them dead in the streets. Too bad we can't help them out, but that would seem over bearing and pushy, unless we can convince others to join us. Never mind that what they're fighting for is freedom, that it would be in our best interests to help bring that about, and that this dictator is out of oontrol, cruel, and sympathizes with terrorists. Our president and his administration have a different world view, which is that we should not appear to be the boss of the world. Obama's done a good job along those lines, as fewer and fewer people think of us that way---we're getting down right mediocre, unenviable---and unthreatening.Isn't that the way to be popular---not stand out so much, be nothing exceptional or special ---go along, to get along? Of course, that could mean we're now thought of as weak, indecisive, and vulnerable--- but oh well, perhaps that's the price of humility and being just one of the gang, instead of a confident leader. Let China do it for awhile. I'm sure they'll be happy to contribute to financially solving world problems and help other countries build their democracies. And it's doubtful they'll care whether the world loves them.
But before you hop on that plane, keep reading----vacuums are always filled---perhaps if it isn't China, it will be a one global government takeover---hm-m-m, haven't we heard this phrase before? It's been mentioned frequently by some very respected politician, as if they know it's inevitable. There are those who wish exactly that and those who think there are power brokers behind the scenes shaping such a world even now, as we naively stand by, thinking that all will work out eventually with or without our help. It is said that those in power count on most us not being truly informed, except for tiny bits of information which we are fed by Washington and the media---they are called "talking points" or news "bytes" and speeches are dumbed down to fit those quickie time slots of our attention. It's not that they think we are stupid or uneducated, it's that they think most of us don't take the time to delve deeper or care enough to stand up for our beliefs---after all, isn't it all "just politics" and the politicians' job to worry about the price of corn? And speaking of corn, did you know that now, by Obama's decree, and lobbied heavily by the EPA, all gasoline must have at least 15% ethanol in it? This means we get less mileage and higher gas prices---strange, but true--and not found on the front page or heard on t.v. much--nobody's complaining, because few people seem to know.
Another cause for worry and the worst case scenario is one that's floating around, but not spoken of much--too ridiculous and not at all conducive to polite, non controversial conversation---it's name is Shariah law, and is what some, not all, devout Muslims wish for not only in this country, but world wide. It is an Islamic faith based type of government in which everyone would adhere to very strict Islamic doctrinal laws, such as execution by stoning and the repression of women. Unlikely? Perhaps, but not all law and government power groups become so by noisy and violent arrival. Some come softly and stealthily, while no one suspects or conceives of the possibility. Does Nazi Germany come to mind?
And on a different and much more disturbing note, as this is being written, there is a congressional hearing being held in Washington D.C. regarding the danger of extreme Muslim Jihadist infiltration into our country via the radicalization of Muslims in America. Representative Peter King is leading this hearing, and is mostly being portrayed by the media as prejudiced and biased against all Muslims. That is probably no more true of Mr. King, than it is of the average American. We are a fair minded people, who welcome all faiths, cultures and ethnic groups, but we are also concerned about our security and perhaps this very real and present danger. The other issue is how long it has taken us to have the fortitude (or permission?) to even voice such a concern,as Mr. King brings. Right or wrong, he should have the right to offer it up for discussion and dismissal, or have it recognized as a serious concern. Kudos to Rep. King for courage. May we all weigh the facts with balance, tolerance, and fairness.
And so, as we enter springtime, when there is a thirst for peace and good will--- let us stay vigilant and present in the moment---even as we may wish to escape. As we watch our representatives refuse to seriously tackle the national budget, including our president,it is hard to think positively. Does anybody have what it takes to confront and solve unpopular issues? Enter Scott Walker, the governor of Wisconsin. Here's a man with uncommon valor, no matter whether you agree with him or not. He took a look at the state budget and decided that the unions had to kick in a little more and give up their collective bargaining rights or everyone was going to suffer with massive layoffs and higher taxes. By the way, this did not include the right to bargain for salaries, as was so infrequently reported by the press. Last night, in spite of the Democrat Senators' ploy to refuse to vote on this issue, the bill was passed by the Republicans. Amazing and laudable in this day of government shut-down threats, due to weak Washington officials who so far have only come up to a 65 billion reduction to our 14 trillion and growing deficit, and don't have the courage to do anything other than fight among themselves, like children instead of the wise and brave men and women we hoped they would be.
What to do about all the unrest and unpleasantness? Leave for greener pastures? Tune out? There are no greener pastures---we're as green as it gets, and some would say greener. Stay tuned in, read all sides of the issues, but don't believe everything you read, and keep the faith. This is the season of hope, and there is always that---but hope can only float for so long. Get involved, contact your local and national representatives, and dare to speak your mind---the dialogue of a nation depends on all of us talking, and must not be filled with only those bold enough to be heard. Take that slow boat to where ever, but bring along your Ipad---you'll need it to keep up, and keep up we must, or we may get left behind, as those who lead will assume we don't know or care to take the time to get involved---and we do, don't we??
Here's an idea---instead of grousing about the high price of gas, we could start with more voices demanding domestic oil drilling---then watch the price of gas go down, airline fares will follow, and even the civil wars in the middle east may be affected as they see we are not going to be so dependent on their oil,thereby allowing us to be more pure in our diplomatic connections with them. What a difference one bold action can make---are there any more Scott Walkers out there? Yes, I believe there are---they come from us,the people who elect them and give them voice--- but only if they hear yours first, loud and clear. Did I hear a t.v. click on-- or off??
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Peter King, the once radical pro-terrorist IRA Irish Catholic, can see issues only in black and white, but is at the same time a prime example of extreme conversion syndrome. Once the best friend of a Muslim consituency, he now has turned his back on both them and fellow Irish Catholics and come out as an Islamophobe of the lowest order. We had our McCarthy in the 1950s, but Peter King could make his antics look like child's play if given the chance.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching some of the hearings on t.v. re this issue, it is clear that little will come of it---it's too hot too handle,and unfortunately was spun to look like a discriminatory action against the whole Muslim community, when in fact it was only to bring attention to the fact that radicalization is going on here, and perhaps a higher level of awareness would be appropriate.Problem is how to stop it without singling out a particular group, and that's not acceptable---so we live and perhaps die with the consequences of our tolerance and repulsion of prejudice against anyone, even our sometimes invisible enemy. And perhaps that is the price we pay for our freedom loving country.
ReplyDeleteBut let's be fair--and be sure we are just as tolerant of those who politically disagree with us, such as Rep. King, as we are for those we choose to defend. Labeling Mr. King an Islamaphobe is in itself an example biased intolerance. The word itself is too general and offensive because it implies without specific proof that anyone who questions anybody or the actions of anyone who is of Muslim Islamic faith for any reason is automatically phobic, not balanced or correct in their thinking--another words, it's a cheap shot.
Good point.
ReplyDeleteThe most alarming thing in America today is the systematic erosion of the middle class: The middle class slipping into poverty and the redistribution of wealth upward. As the old saying goes, the rich are getting richer and the poor getting poorer (and the middle class disappearing). This is not accidental, but the result of deliberate government policies that, since 1981, have favored the rich; and the result of the power of the wealthy during and between elections to maintain and add to their enormous winnings.
ReplyDeleteThe other side of the argument is of, course, that redistribution of wealth, as you seem to be espousing is not without its flaws either---how would you propose to even the playing field? It seems it has been tried many times--socialism or whatever you wish to call it, is an ideal that has never worked as well as our system, even with its flaws. Isn't the problem that the playing field will always hold players who are better than others---and though the game needs a team effort, the better players will always get paid more? You can force more even compensation, but you will be playing against human nature---and then it becomes not a fair game anymore, but a fixed one. then it's "game over"--we'll all just be marching to the piper's tune--the government. If you think unions are the answer, perhaps so, but they too, must learn to curb their greed and lust for power, and that correction appears to be happening now.
ReplyDeleteThe "correction" of the labor unions had already been done before Gov. Walker of Wisconsin got involved. Union membership has been steadily falling over the last 30 years to 8% today. Walker and friends is trying to finish off the unions, so no voice for labor will remain. Perfection is never attained. It's always push and pull all the way along. But today the wealthy have the upper hand, and it's scary how much money and power they control. I wish there were room on this blog to explain just how extreme the imbalance has become, but people will have to do some of their own research. The facts are there for those who dig a little. BTW: "Socialism" is a scare word that's unnecessary. Neither of us wants that, but we don't want pure capitalism either. When there's relative balance, a mixed economy works best.
ReplyDeleteDear Reader---It's obvious we have a fundamental difference here---but tell me how this better balance and mixed economy would work---and most importantly, show me a country where it has worked well and is better than our own, which in spite of flaws, ups and downs, has been the envy of the world for quite a long time. the middle class will remain as long as there are jobs and ever increasing taxes that do not drain away their earnings. Jobs will come back when the people who create them will once again have faith that it's worthwhile to hire and produce again---supply and demand. It is not, in my opinion, the unions who are saving the middle class---they may have made it impossible in come cases for employers to hire and maintain a workforce---and people are beginning to realize this--Indiana and New Jersey, for example, who did not have the extreme push backs that Wisc. is still experiencing. Fairness and balance? Yes, but not at the expense of breaking the bank--or changing a system that may need tweaking from time to time, but not complete over hauling. All of this rather pales in the face of Japan's tragic events, and the realization that we're all sort of humpty dumptys, so subject to unexpected cataclysmic natural disasters that can turn our world upside down in a flash---and all that's left is us and our ingenuity to put it back together again---some will do it better than others, and we'll be glad to pay them accordingly.
ReplyDeleteOurs has been a mixed economy, so just look around you. A more balanced mix existed during the Eisenhower administration, but it's still mixed today. Some things are done better by government while others are done very well by the private sector. Social Security and highway building are best done by government, for example, while cell phones and automobiles are best built by private interests. The "complete overhauling" is today being attempted by the far right, tipping the scales in favor of the rich and against the working man and woman to an extent our country hasn't experienced since the 19th century. Scott Walker and his ilk are not just "tweaking" the system. They're attempting to destroy it.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you do if you were Scott Walker, elected governor of a state that is dead broke? Do you not think it possible that he is only working with the options he has available, which is to ask the union members to pay just a little more towards their own benefits and not be able to make demands that will hamstring the already broken budget---should he tax everybody to keep things going---or just the few rich, which would not be enough? Your ideals are idealistic, but your logic seems bitter and illogical towards many people who may be rich but shouldn't be punished for being so. Why do you think the far right is "tipping the scales towards the rich and against the working man and woman"? If you mean asking "the rich" to pay even more taxes than they currently pay, in some cases almost 40-50 percent, they may feel that's sufficient. I really don't hear much talk of class envy from the middle class in this country with the exception of politicians who seem to want to stir those feelings to advance their own agendas. Most people just want opportunity to work and excell---they want the chance to do well via education and a healthy economy. They do not want to be given other people's money---not the American dream or way. It just doesn't make sense that the right is trying to destroy the working people--the right is not just populated by rich folks---look around you and read the stats. They simply have a different view point from yours. Viva la difference, though---we all keep each other honest. Not to say, there isn't room for improvement---not a perfect world or country.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you'd have a new blog topic by now, but I'm content to jump into this chain, too. I don't know where you got that the rich pay 40 to 50 percent. I thought it was 35, but maybe your figures reflect all taxes, not just income tax, right? Yes, Walker should be asking the rich to pay their fair share. People in general, including the middle class--the diminshing middle class--don't comprehend the enormous amount of wealth captured by the several top percent, which could easily stem the budget crisis of Wisconsin. The situation has been exacerbated by the diminishing income of the middle class, who, therefore, end up paying less taxes. On collective bargaining: workers are not asking for other people's money when they ask for a living wage/benefits, their share of the company's profits. And remember, the public employees' union in Wisconsin had already conceded Walker's cuts for this year. It was the collective bargaining element that brought the people into the streets. As for the demographics of the right, the Republican party has been taken hostage by millionaires and billionaires who have the wherewithall to put their spin on wedge issues having little to do with the real interests of unsuspecting workers. BTW: Walker's statute, scheduled to go into effect next week, has been held up by the courts as unconstitutional, for the way it was rushed through the process. It will probably not become law this year anyway. Meanwhile, a recall movement is afoot. Viva la difference and keeping one another honest! Thanks for a stimulating blog!
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