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One world - Earth One people - Humanity
Everything else about us is fashioned and controlled by the Happenstance of Birth.
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One world - Earth One people - Humanity Everything else about us is fashioned and controlled by the Happenstance of Birth. |
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In Pursuit of the American Dream Religious Fundamentalism, the Barrier to World Peace
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July 19, 2007 Recently I listened to a speech by one of my favorite Senators, Byron Dorgan D-ND. He was angry at what he described as the incompetence of the current administration. It made me angry, too - at Senator Dorgan. The truth is that this administration, since its ordination by the Supreme Court, has not made a single mistake. Not one! When each and every decision promotes the intended goal, none can be called mistakes. In the case of this administration every decision has furthered one of the following objectives. 1. Divide the populace on issues having extreme emotional impact, thereby ensuring their full attention on those issues. 2. Destroy the people’s confidence in the federal government. Make them believe that the government can not or will not do anything to help those in need. 3. Elevate the strength of corporations and pure capitalists, those who truly own the corporations, at the expense of all wage earners. 4. Eliminate the provisions in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights which allow the people to protect themselves from government abuses. 5. Elevate the president’s role as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to that of the Commander in Chief of Everything by neutering the Legislative Branch of government and subverting the Supreme Court. Why do these things? The only rational conclusion is that it is an attempt to neuter the worlds first and strongest government “of the people.” Our representative government, our system of laws, is the greatest obstacle to the power and growth of multinational corporations and, in essence, the creation by those corporations of a world wide indentured working class. In fact, it may be the only obstacle. Consider the enactment of “free trade” agreements – which transfer power to corporations, blur national borders and move jobs to countries with cheap labor. Consider the actions which have drained the national treasury: an unnecessary tax rebate, an unnecessary war, unnecessary tax relief for high profit industries, unnecessary tax reductions for the super rich, and the movement of as many government jobs as possible to the private sector. Come on America, wake up! First the corporations took over the news media most watched by those who labor with their hands. Now the most respected news outlet for those who labor with their minds is being purchased by the same people. Some might flippantly ask “so what?” Those who ask that question are willing participants in their own destruction. President Bush says thinking is hard work. On that point he’s right. Thinking is so hard, in fact, that far too many folks would rather do anything than sit down and ask themselves “Why do I believe this?” As a result, they are likely to follow any leader with a sound byte slogan that’s easy to feel in their gut rather than to engage their minds to try to understand the full and far reaching impact of their momentary gratifications. Now I think you know why I’m angry at Senator Dorgan. I’m angry at him for the same reason I’m angry at other people I respect, such as Paul Krugman, Keith Olbermann, Bill Moyers, and every other pundit who dwells on the emotional issue of the moment and fails to link them all in a way that the people of this country can understand. Which Senators, pundits, journalists, or others with a large audience will begin to open the eyes of the people to the collapse of our nation of laws? It will certainly take more than a few of them. Think about it. There are three editorials in the New York Times this morning: Vetoing Children’s Health, Power Without Limits and FEMA Runs for Cover. As presented these are three unrelated issues. They are not unrelated, but which media outlet will say it? Probably none. The administration’s machine is ready to unleash caustic ridicule the instant the case is made. The feigned laughter over some “grand conspiracy” is the weapon aimed at anyone who would make the point. Before an article hit the streets the entire right wing media – main stream press, radical web sites, right wing talk radio and every republican pundit – would attack with the same phrase. Probably something like “Grand conspiracy? Get the rubber room ready”, or “Grand conspiracy? What did that idiot have for breakfast?” You get the picture. Today we are still a nation “of the people”, but not “by the people,” it is increasingly “by the rich” (a person has to be rich to run for office) and not “for the people,” it is “for the corporations.” The truth of this is seen in who has benefited by legislation in the past six years. It’s long past time for people to wake up and pay attention, but it’s not yet too late. But, if we don’t, this country will be in the sewer, people will be dying of sewer gas and the exit will be locked. When we see something that strikes us as contrary to the constitution we must tell our legislators, tell the editor of our local paper, tell our friends. But absolutely let someone know we see it. Disinfecting daylight may be a worn phrase but it’s still true that hidden agendas wither in the light of day. We must get over the idea that political parties are sports teams that require fervent, unthinking support. We must question what our political leaders are doing. Think about it. OK, it’s hard work, but think anyway. Exercise is a good thing. By the way, it isn’t just happening here. No right wing government wants it’s people to think. While Americans are known for chatting about the weather, the French are notorious for discussing politics. Another article in the New York Times this morning is titled, New Leaders Warn Pensive French of the Drawback of Thinking Too Much. This is the new French government’s advice to it’s citizens who are pensive about new tax cuts for the wealthy. A thinking populace is a danger to the goals of multinational corporations and the super rich in any country with a representative government. Finally, don’t take my word for anything. Just think about it.
May 2, 2007 Does anyone really learn from history? By January 1215 the anger toward King John had reached the boiling point. The king had stretched his army too thin in France, spent more of England’s wealth than his barons would tolerate, and his administration of justice was seen as arbitrary and inconsistent. The barons demanded that King John adhere to a list of liberties which they called the Articles of the Barons. Having made no progress by May, the barons took up arms and captured London. On June 10, 1215 in a clearing by the Thames called Runnymeade, the barons met with King John and extracted his concession to their demands. The list of liberties was later called the Magna Charta, and led to parliamentary rule in England. By early 1776, the anger toward King George had reached the boiling point. The king had conducted a losing war and raised exorbitant taxes, he passed laws without input from the people, and his administration of justice was arbitrary and inconsistent. By June a group of wealthy landowners and statesmen met to draft articles of independence. On July 4 the Declaration of Independence was officially signed, and led to the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. It is early 2007, and the anger toward President Bush is growing. The president has engaged the country in a fruitless foreign war, is capriciously spending the wealth of future generations, and has flagrantly disregarded the constitution and the rule of law. However, this time the oppressor is the product of the barons. They controlled and spread the propaganda that got him elected. This time the result has been new proclamations, not expanding, but limiting individual rights and liberties. Today the champions of the people are still insufficient in number and strength to curtail the obstinate irresponsibility of this president. As we wait for January 2009, and the instillation of more champions and a new president, this president continues to wage war in direct opposition to the majority will of the people. Unless and until a sufficient number of Senators and Representatives change their positions and come to the aid of the people, we have no choice but to wait. Unfortunately, between now and then, for far too many American troops, the twenty long months will be more than a lifetime. We need more champions now. Every Senator and Representative who didn’t vote for the Bill sent to the president yesterday needs to receive a phone call, fax or email to let them know the disgust the American people feel for their unwavering obedience to this president. Some will say it’s hopeless, it’s a dream to think anything will change. Maybe so. But it’s a hope worth hoping and a dream worth dreaming. More importantly, actions can turn the hopes and dreams into reality.
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