I have a longing in my heart that can never be fulfilled. I wish for a restoration of innocence, a revisit to a time and place when I felt safe in the world, a time when I did not know the scope and breadth that evil can encompass. Every day when I think I have finally "heard it all," some new "breaking news" item assaults my sensibilities and makes me wonder if there is hope for the world. I have to keep re-inventing the ways in which I process the world so that I can even begin to understand it.
Last night's news was no different. Across the pond, a British soldier was simply walking down a street, minding his own business when he was run over by a car on the sidewalk. It was no mistake. The two thugs in the vehicle, one armed with a knife and one with a meat cleaver, ended his life. The reason? They believe that Muslims are targeted and they committed the murder as a warning and a retribution, "Praise be Allah."
Mr. Fred Rogers, the star of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, told his children viewers to always look for the helpers when any tragedy occurs. They will always be there. A woman riding a bus saw the victim on the ground and a man leaning over him. Having some medical training, she felt she could help and she jumped off the bus. She found herself face to face with the attackers, covered in blood from their violent crime. Yet, she calmly spoke with them perhaps buying time and sparing additional lives.
Before the widespread use of television, the Internet, smart phones and the like, we all led pretty dull lives. I speak for myself. There was church on Sunday, school during the week, potluck suppers at 4-H and Grange, farm chores and being responsible members of communities in which we all had each other's backs. Crime was rare. The biggest sensation, crime-wise, when I was growing up was the brutal slaying of a young woman, Sandra Valade, in Manchester, New Hampshire. A bloody view of the snowy crime scene was presented on the front page of the Union Leader newspaper, a paper I was never allowed to view. As it turned out, the man who was accused of the crime attended dances at my sister's all-girl Catholic high school. Everyone was shocked. He has served time for that murder and that of another Manchester resident for many years now.
In small towns, everyone knows everyone. When we first moved to one in the 1960s, there were the infamous "party lines." I believe our family used the same telephone line as 6 other families. It was a way to listen and snoop and find out the latest scoop without being detected, an early version of what would later be done by the government in the name of national security, I suppose.
With the constant bombardment of bad things happening to good people as well as the uncertainty of our own mortal lives, it is worth our time to consider the good in the world and those who step up to the plate to help whenever help is needed. Cheer can be found again in realizing that the overwhelming wish of most humans is to work hard, love our families and neighbors and cooperate to make this a safer and more pleasant world.
Every time we do something creative we are reaching for a quality that is God-like. We may plant a colorful garden, make an apron for someone, bake a cake, paint a picture, take a great photograph, or do a million and one things within our grasp to make ourselves and others happy and to feel a sense of accomplishment. Good works belong in the realm that emanates from the unseen universe, the one that can make the tiniest insect possible that we look at in wonder and consider the marvel of all that inhabits the natural world.
Always look for the helpers. Better yet, be a helper. To do so, first one must safeguard oneself from the users of the world, the despots, the computer hackers, those who would steal and bribe or stab one in the back, in a minute, and yes, those who would take your very life in the name of Allah, an entity they think of as "God." Blowing up people, slitting their throats, raping them, etc. - these are not acts related to any God I would want to know. I would rather be God-less than to serve a God of hatred. However, I am not an atheist. I continue to believe that there is a life hereafter. It fits my comfort zone and it is pleasing to think that all the pain in this life might have counted for something.
Be of good cheer! Living life fully and to the best of our ability is the ultimate weapon and the most satisfying revenge to those who would intrude on our psychological space with their outrageous manipulations, bullying and demands. Instead of their asking the world what has been done for them today, they should be asking the more pertinent question: what exactly have they done to contribute to the world. In the case of anarchists, I think you will find that they have lent precious little to the betterment of humankind. Look to the mountains and look to the helpers!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
A Reason to Smile
One thing about seniors is that they have a mind of their own and If one thinks they can be kept down... think again! Amy Covino interviewed a 70 year old woman in Epsom, New Hampshire this week. She has a riding lawnmower and for the last two years has moved a closed rest area that is not open due to lack of funding. She says that the tall grass there was making her "crazy" and that, after all, New Hampshire is a tourist state.
It is not that "Mabel" did not seek the approval of state officials before embarking on this clean-up effort of a previously useful roadside attraction. She reportedly called the governor's office a number of times. Gary Clifford who is in charge of the Department of Transportation, District 5, that includes Epsom voiced his concerns that there could be liability issues were she to get hurt or cause damage to a passing car.
Mabel is undaunted. She asks what they will do with her. Will they put her in jail? The reporter quipped that perhaps she is a "serial mower."
When the government falls short in providing what is needed, it is commendable when private citizens try to fill in the blanks. She should get a "citizen of the year" award for trying to keep this state "New Hampshire, the Beautiful." If you have not noticed yet, there seem to be a rash of criminals lately who deserve far more attention than an elderly lady who is just trying to help. The weak excuses seem like a ruse.
If we want to continue to attract tourists to our fair state, it would be best to reopen and maintain those roadside picnic/pit stops. In the meantime and amid all of the other dire news this week, I was happy to see this little story covered on WMUR-TV. After all, "all politics is local" according to the late Tip O'Neill.
It is not that "Mabel" did not seek the approval of state officials before embarking on this clean-up effort of a previously useful roadside attraction. She reportedly called the governor's office a number of times. Gary Clifford who is in charge of the Department of Transportation, District 5, that includes Epsom voiced his concerns that there could be liability issues were she to get hurt or cause damage to a passing car.
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| Old-Fashioned Multi-flora Rose in our NH yard. Photo by James Cummings |
Mabel is undaunted. She asks what they will do with her. Will they put her in jail? The reporter quipped that perhaps she is a "serial mower."
When the government falls short in providing what is needed, it is commendable when private citizens try to fill in the blanks. She should get a "citizen of the year" award for trying to keep this state "New Hampshire, the Beautiful." If you have not noticed yet, there seem to be a rash of criminals lately who deserve far more attention than an elderly lady who is just trying to help. The weak excuses seem like a ruse.
If we want to continue to attract tourists to our fair state, it would be best to reopen and maintain those roadside picnic/pit stops. In the meantime and amid all of the other dire news this week, I was happy to see this little story covered on WMUR-TV. After all, "all politics is local" according to the late Tip O'Neill.
Monday, May 20, 2013
The Game of Uproar and Those Who Play it Well
First, let me begin with a personal story. One morning I received a call from someone who said that she was in the hospital, having suffered a heart attack in the middle of the night. The second call indicated that she might have also had a stroke. The third call shared that she was going blind and the doctor did not know why. Subsequent calls revealed that this individual had neither experienced a heart nor a stroke and, even though the ambulance had picked her up at her residence, she claimed that she was "homeless" and furthermore, she state she was not leaving the hospital until they found her a place to stay. She added that she carries a loaded gun in her purse. At least that part of the story is true. Weeks later, she had been assigned a new living space by the Housing Authority and she is laughing her butt off that she picked up the eyeglasses of one of the health care workers, "by mistake," and that is why she thought she was going blind! In retrospect, it all seems like a big joke to her but she achieved her end goal of moving to a different housing unit.
Unfortunately, some people live their lives, making it up as they go along, pretending to know more than they know, claiming to have advanced educational degrees when their education was actually minimal and eventually, getting their own way based on lies and false claims. The person in question, the Queen of Uproar, has left a trail of broken hearts. Yet, her behavior results in a satisfactory outcome for herself often enough that she cannot seem to quit. Maybe she cannot win the war of life but she can carve a few notches on her belt for short term victories.
I see a similar course of events being played out right now in politics, in all of these pseudo-scandals that amount to nothing. Any sane person can see clearly in each case exactly what happened. What a waste of time and money, looking for scandal where none exists! As was noted by one TV commentator, one will not find President Obama with "his hand in the cookie jar" or cheating on his wife. The next best thing is to go after his surrogates and then blame Obama for not knowing what administrative agencies were doing, as if he is psychic. Alternately, they blame him or his underlings for not having acted fast enough. All silly talk. Yet, the word "Impeach" continues to roll off the lips of people like Michele Bachmann and Rand Paul, two senators of the same ilk whom most in the country regard unfavorably.
Unlike Republicans, Obama takes a steady hand at governance. He refuses to play the Game of Uproar. It is a distraction when Republicans engage in it but a good diversion for themselves as they are otherwise good for nothing. Obama has prided himself on running a White House that is "transparent." I applaud him for releasing the ACTUAL e-mails that were transmitted at the time of the Benghazi incident, even though one of those was completely changed and then exploited for political purposes by the right wingnuts. When it comes to matters of the C.I.A., an historically-secretive branch of Intelligence, then information is not as forthcoming, nor should it be, if details would compromise our ongoing tactics to combat terrorism.
The real terrorists are not all located in a foreign country. They are in our midst, receiving top salaries and health benefits, being interviewed daily as to their misguided opinions and whenever there is a chance to legislate something good for the American people, they do all in their power to filibuster a bill or vote it down. All this is done in the name of politics: Republican politics. Whenever one wants to understand Republicans and how they think, look for the money.
Why did they vote down background checks for gun procurement? Less money for gun manufacturers and pressure from gun lobbies like the NRA. Why did they not approve a higher minimum wage? That would cut into the profits of the millions that mega-corporations are making? Why will they not approve certain nominees for Cabinet positions? Again, money is at the root of these decisions. Republicans stand for big business because that is where they gather the most dollars for their campaign coffers. That is why they also so enjoy the "Game of Uproar!" They hope to again "lead" our fair nation. Good luck with that!
Unfortunately, some people live their lives, making it up as they go along, pretending to know more than they know, claiming to have advanced educational degrees when their education was actually minimal and eventually, getting their own way based on lies and false claims. The person in question, the Queen of Uproar, has left a trail of broken hearts. Yet, her behavior results in a satisfactory outcome for herself often enough that she cannot seem to quit. Maybe she cannot win the war of life but she can carve a few notches on her belt for short term victories.
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| A taste of Washington, D.C. circa 1963/1964. I am standing (in the middle) of this 8th grade NH delegation to the National 4-H Congress. |
I see a similar course of events being played out right now in politics, in all of these pseudo-scandals that amount to nothing. Any sane person can see clearly in each case exactly what happened. What a waste of time and money, looking for scandal where none exists! As was noted by one TV commentator, one will not find President Obama with "his hand in the cookie jar" or cheating on his wife. The next best thing is to go after his surrogates and then blame Obama for not knowing what administrative agencies were doing, as if he is psychic. Alternately, they blame him or his underlings for not having acted fast enough. All silly talk. Yet, the word "Impeach" continues to roll off the lips of people like Michele Bachmann and Rand Paul, two senators of the same ilk whom most in the country regard unfavorably.
Unlike Republicans, Obama takes a steady hand at governance. He refuses to play the Game of Uproar. It is a distraction when Republicans engage in it but a good diversion for themselves as they are otherwise good for nothing. Obama has prided himself on running a White House that is "transparent." I applaud him for releasing the ACTUAL e-mails that were transmitted at the time of the Benghazi incident, even though one of those was completely changed and then exploited for political purposes by the right wingnuts. When it comes to matters of the C.I.A., an historically-secretive branch of Intelligence, then information is not as forthcoming, nor should it be, if details would compromise our ongoing tactics to combat terrorism.
The real terrorists are not all located in a foreign country. They are in our midst, receiving top salaries and health benefits, being interviewed daily as to their misguided opinions and whenever there is a chance to legislate something good for the American people, they do all in their power to filibuster a bill or vote it down. All this is done in the name of politics: Republican politics. Whenever one wants to understand Republicans and how they think, look for the money.
Why did they vote down background checks for gun procurement? Less money for gun manufacturers and pressure from gun lobbies like the NRA. Why did they not approve a higher minimum wage? That would cut into the profits of the millions that mega-corporations are making? Why will they not approve certain nominees for Cabinet positions? Again, money is at the root of these decisions. Republicans stand for big business because that is where they gather the most dollars for their campaign coffers. That is why they also so enjoy the "Game of Uproar!" They hope to again "lead" our fair nation. Good luck with that!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Just Where are the Welfare Queens?
While I am not an expert on welfare requirements, which probably vary from state to state anyhow, with all of the talk about NOT giving welfare to those "Illegal Aliens," I thought I would look up some of the regulations for New Hampshire. This is what I learned. There are a number of categories, one of them being "Financial Assistance to Needy Families," and that has a 60 month lifetime limit for benefits.
Any resident can apply for Food Stamps. The applicant and/or the household can hold no more than $2,000 to $3,000 in bank resources. The person must be a resident of the state and have an income of $14,079 dollars or less. If two people occupy the household, then the annual income limit is $18,941 and there is a graduated income scale beyond that, depending on the number of household residents.
If a person is between 18 and 50, there is a work requirement. Eighty hours must be worked per month and that can include volunteer work at an agency or work training at a community college.
With all of these requirements in place for bonafide residents of the state who must provide credentials that prove that fact and also a bank number to which funds can be automatically transferred, is it any wonder that I question what seems to be a myth - that of "illegals" cleaning up on the welfare system.
If there are problems with people taking advantage of the system, then it seems as though it should be up to the states to enact new laws or enforce the regulations already on the books.
In the meantime, all of this talk of "anchor babies" and such (people coming across the border to "drop" their spawn so that they cannot be thrown out of the country) - all that amounts to is hate talk and a kind of reprehensible stereotyping. Just when I thought it likely that every good Republican had by now gotten the memo from Reince Prebus to go lightly on the words "illegal" and "alien," it seems some folks were out to lunch when that missive arrived.
That is okay. Really it is. Republicans keep digging themselves a deeper and deeper hole, making it unlikely that they will secure true leadership positions in Washington any time soon. In the meantime, I am on the lookout for all these Welfare Queens who pull up to the grocery store in their luxury cars that us mere mortals can only dream about owning. So far, no one is showing up.
Then again, we are in horse race season and these dames have probably donned their finest flowery hat to watch the Kentucky Derby or Preakness. I wouldn't put it past them, these slippery and elusive characters who give true welfare mommas a bad name. Their day will come. I heard of one sighting in Arizona: a Guatemalan woman who collected $1200 dollars in food stamps for one month. Just wait 'til Gov. Jan Brewer gets wind of this situation! Too bad the story is probably fabricated!
Any resident can apply for Food Stamps. The applicant and/or the household can hold no more than $2,000 to $3,000 in bank resources. The person must be a resident of the state and have an income of $14,079 dollars or less. If two people occupy the household, then the annual income limit is $18,941 and there is a graduated income scale beyond that, depending on the number of household residents.
If a person is between 18 and 50, there is a work requirement. Eighty hours must be worked per month and that can include volunteer work at an agency or work training at a community college.
With all of these requirements in place for bonafide residents of the state who must provide credentials that prove that fact and also a bank number to which funds can be automatically transferred, is it any wonder that I question what seems to be a myth - that of "illegals" cleaning up on the welfare system.
If there are problems with people taking advantage of the system, then it seems as though it should be up to the states to enact new laws or enforce the regulations already on the books.
In the meantime, all of this talk of "anchor babies" and such (people coming across the border to "drop" their spawn so that they cannot be thrown out of the country) - all that amounts to is hate talk and a kind of reprehensible stereotyping. Just when I thought it likely that every good Republican had by now gotten the memo from Reince Prebus to go lightly on the words "illegal" and "alien," it seems some folks were out to lunch when that missive arrived.
That is okay. Really it is. Republicans keep digging themselves a deeper and deeper hole, making it unlikely that they will secure true leadership positions in Washington any time soon. In the meantime, I am on the lookout for all these Welfare Queens who pull up to the grocery store in their luxury cars that us mere mortals can only dream about owning. So far, no one is showing up.
Then again, we are in horse race season and these dames have probably donned their finest flowery hat to watch the Kentucky Derby or Preakness. I wouldn't put it past them, these slippery and elusive characters who give true welfare mommas a bad name. Their day will come. I heard of one sighting in Arizona: a Guatemalan woman who collected $1200 dollars in food stamps for one month. Just wait 'til Gov. Jan Brewer gets wind of this situation! Too bad the story is probably fabricated!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Strange Week in Washington
When I was a kid, my mother had an expression that she used to describe other children who were acting up. She would say that they were "doing a toe dance." That thought comes to mind this week as I watch all of the foolishness of Republican legislators who continue to cry "Chicken Little, the sky is falling, the sky is falling" on a perfectly sunny Spring day. They keep looking for scandals, keep trying their best to pin some misdoings on President Obama, his cabinet appointees or members of his administration. There have been ridiculous calls for impeachment from the very people who aspire for the highest office of the land (and will never see it because of their own misguided thoughts and politics).
John Boehner stood there, seriously confessing to the press and anyone else who would listen that he thinks someone should do jail time. It is unclear as to whom he believes should serve the time or what crime(s) was committed. Like dogs fighting over a bone, the G.O.P. grabs onto any possible scandal and the "biggies" weigh in on the issue (whichever issue has risen to the surface at the moment). At least for a while, they have something to harp on until indisputable facts come to the forefront that cannot be denied.
Republicans will probably want to back from the Benghazi story although there may be a few die-hards that do not get the memo that the White House had no involvement in politicizing the event but from the get-go, Republicans certainly took a clear stand beginning with Romney's condemnation of the president.
Well, we are all pretty tired of do-nothing, know-nothing, Commie-behind-every-bush politician but let me tell you some good things that are happening. In spite of Washington and not because of it, Spring arrived in New Hampshire bringing sunshine, birds and the opportunity to again garden. The economy is picking up and the president has succeeded in reducing the national deficit by an extra two billion dollars. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was given a proper Muslim burial in an unmarked grave in a Muslim cemetery in Virginia proving that in this country we DO respect life, even the lives of people whose souls have gone astray.
Lindsey Graham distinguished himself this week by referring to Mexico as a "hell-hole." In return, Martin Bashir, an emigrant from England and a show host for MSNBC, intimated that people like him (Graham) are perhaps "a-holes." Not much seems to be happening on the Immigration Reform bill, so hot have been the Republicans on the potential chance to bring down the president. Try as they may, he is beyond reproach and they are just wasting their time! But try they must. The losers do not have much else going for them. They were poor losers in the last election and apparently, are racists to boot.
The biggest scandal this week was, no doubt, the misreporting by ABC News about the Benghazi incident. They provided quoted material that was not from any known source and misstated what was said in the released e-mails from the White House/CIA etc. The non-news was picked up by all the major stations and cable news and repeated verbatim when, in reality, it was not true. They have not apologized for the error. And... so it goes.
When will Congress actually get back to governing? How about "never"? How does "never" work for you? If you do not like that answer, make your opinion known with your vote in the 2014 election. Your vote counts especially at a time when various municipalities, states, etc. are actively trying to deny you the right to vote. You do not have to be terribly involved in politics to make a difference. It all starts with your vote!
John Boehner stood there, seriously confessing to the press and anyone else who would listen that he thinks someone should do jail time. It is unclear as to whom he believes should serve the time or what crime(s) was committed. Like dogs fighting over a bone, the G.O.P. grabs onto any possible scandal and the "biggies" weigh in on the issue (whichever issue has risen to the surface at the moment). At least for a while, they have something to harp on until indisputable facts come to the forefront that cannot be denied.
Republicans will probably want to back from the Benghazi story although there may be a few die-hards that do not get the memo that the White House had no involvement in politicizing the event but from the get-go, Republicans certainly took a clear stand beginning with Romney's condemnation of the president.
Well, we are all pretty tired of do-nothing, know-nothing, Commie-behind-every-bush politician but let me tell you some good things that are happening. In spite of Washington and not because of it, Spring arrived in New Hampshire bringing sunshine, birds and the opportunity to again garden. The economy is picking up and the president has succeeded in reducing the national deficit by an extra two billion dollars. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was given a proper Muslim burial in an unmarked grave in a Muslim cemetery in Virginia proving that in this country we DO respect life, even the lives of people whose souls have gone astray.
Lindsey Graham distinguished himself this week by referring to Mexico as a "hell-hole." In return, Martin Bashir, an emigrant from England and a show host for MSNBC, intimated that people like him (Graham) are perhaps "a-holes." Not much seems to be happening on the Immigration Reform bill, so hot have been the Republicans on the potential chance to bring down the president. Try as they may, he is beyond reproach and they are just wasting their time! But try they must. The losers do not have much else going for them. They were poor losers in the last election and apparently, are racists to boot.
The biggest scandal this week was, no doubt, the misreporting by ABC News about the Benghazi incident. They provided quoted material that was not from any known source and misstated what was said in the released e-mails from the White House/CIA etc. The non-news was picked up by all the major stations and cable news and repeated verbatim when, in reality, it was not true. They have not apologized for the error. And... so it goes.
When will Congress actually get back to governing? How about "never"? How does "never" work for you? If you do not like that answer, make your opinion known with your vote in the 2014 election. Your vote counts especially at a time when various municipalities, states, etc. are actively trying to deny you the right to vote. You do not have to be terribly involved in politics to make a difference. It all starts with your vote!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Mountains out of Mole Hills
At present, Republicans are having a feeding frenzy or at least, they are trying to do so. Three so-called "scandals" surfaced this week. One was a repeat performance of faux grief and distress by Republicans over the Benghazi situation. If anyone is to blame, could it be them? After all, for two years running they voted down the appropriation of additional money for security at embassies and diplomatic outposts around the world.
The flurry has been over e-mails between the CIA, the State Department, General Petraeus and low-level White House workers. These e-mails were made available months ago to members of Congress. At the time of the first Senate hearings, Sen. McCain was too busy giving his opinions in front of a camera to actually attend the hearing to learn more about the truth of what happened. This past week, it seems that the existence of these shared e-mails was NEWS to speaker John Boehner. The fight has been the same as what it had been, a criticism over the way in which U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice portrayed what happened at Benghazi on (5) Sunday talk shows. Let's move on folks. Nothing new here! No conspiracy, no cover-up, nothing more to know except that ABC misquoted e-mails based on faulty notes of one of their reporters! Oops! Apology needed!
The second scandal is low level IRS officials giving added scrutiny to applicants for tax exempt 401 (c) (4) status. The result was that one left-leaning group was denied that status. The extra reviews were often targeted for certain key words in the titles of the groups such as "tea party." The right is going nuts and Boehner is calling for someone to serve jail time, a complete over-reaction as it is not clear that any crime was committed. Congress will probably waste the taxpayers money with more of a witch hunt on this matter. The president asked for the resignation of the Acting Commissioner (who most likely had no prior knowledge). Additional terminations are likely.
The third problem that has come to light is the procurement of phone numbers accessed by AP Reporters. It seems rather strange that Republicans are hollering about this situation when it (again) is them who refused to pass a bill that would protect reporters from this kind of scrutiny/snooping.
All of these scandals amount to a tempest in a teapot! They are a total distraction from moving ahead and working out more pressing problems that Americans face. They are a diversion and perhaps we can even call them entertainment for certain politicians. I hope that 2014 seems many of these losers voted out of office.
In other news, the story about Ariel Castro and his four victims has become a footnote on the MSNBC TV screen. He is in jail, sleeping and looking in the mirror. His attorney tells the public that he is not a "monster." Could have fooled me! The descriptions of abuse that I have read are horrific and yet, he will not be able to claim to be insane. He wrote a note in 2004 that shows clearly that he knew what he was doing but was compulsive and did not know how to stop. I keep asking, "Where is the outrage?" This story was big news for a day or two. The public has a short attention span but that does not make his crimes against these women any less horrifying.
Where is the outrage for the men and women of the military who are raped and sometimes put into prostitution rings? There is a lot in this country for which to have true surprise and anger!
Within any life, we have to sort out the mountains from the mole hills and decide which battles are worth fighting and which ones we should leave in peace. As I look at the Congress, many of them seem to have histrionic personality disorder: a need for constant drama and hyperbole, a wish to control the masses via fear, manipulation and misleading as well as having a penchant to misrepresent the truth. I am always happy to hear certain Senators and Representatives who can still separate fact from fiction. Like fresh mountain air, they give me hope for the future.
The flurry has been over e-mails between the CIA, the State Department, General Petraeus and low-level White House workers. These e-mails were made available months ago to members of Congress. At the time of the first Senate hearings, Sen. McCain was too busy giving his opinions in front of a camera to actually attend the hearing to learn more about the truth of what happened. This past week, it seems that the existence of these shared e-mails was NEWS to speaker John Boehner. The fight has been the same as what it had been, a criticism over the way in which U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice portrayed what happened at Benghazi on (5) Sunday talk shows. Let's move on folks. Nothing new here! No conspiracy, no cover-up, nothing more to know except that ABC misquoted e-mails based on faulty notes of one of their reporters! Oops! Apology needed!
The second scandal is low level IRS officials giving added scrutiny to applicants for tax exempt 401 (c) (4) status. The result was that one left-leaning group was denied that status. The extra reviews were often targeted for certain key words in the titles of the groups such as "tea party." The right is going nuts and Boehner is calling for someone to serve jail time, a complete over-reaction as it is not clear that any crime was committed. Congress will probably waste the taxpayers money with more of a witch hunt on this matter. The president asked for the resignation of the Acting Commissioner (who most likely had no prior knowledge). Additional terminations are likely.
The third problem that has come to light is the procurement of phone numbers accessed by AP Reporters. It seems rather strange that Republicans are hollering about this situation when it (again) is them who refused to pass a bill that would protect reporters from this kind of scrutiny/snooping.
All of these scandals amount to a tempest in a teapot! They are a total distraction from moving ahead and working out more pressing problems that Americans face. They are a diversion and perhaps we can even call them entertainment for certain politicians. I hope that 2014 seems many of these losers voted out of office.
In other news, the story about Ariel Castro and his four victims has become a footnote on the MSNBC TV screen. He is in jail, sleeping and looking in the mirror. His attorney tells the public that he is not a "monster." Could have fooled me! The descriptions of abuse that I have read are horrific and yet, he will not be able to claim to be insane. He wrote a note in 2004 that shows clearly that he knew what he was doing but was compulsive and did not know how to stop. I keep asking, "Where is the outrage?" This story was big news for a day or two. The public has a short attention span but that does not make his crimes against these women any less horrifying.
Where is the outrage for the men and women of the military who are raped and sometimes put into prostitution rings? There is a lot in this country for which to have true surprise and anger!
Within any life, we have to sort out the mountains from the mole hills and decide which battles are worth fighting and which ones we should leave in peace. As I look at the Congress, many of them seem to have histrionic personality disorder: a need for constant drama and hyperbole, a wish to control the masses via fear, manipulation and misleading as well as having a penchant to misrepresent the truth. I am always happy to hear certain Senators and Representatives who can still separate fact from fiction. Like fresh mountain air, they give me hope for the future.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Attempts to Create a Permanent Sub-Class
The writing has been on the wall for some time now. I am not one for conspiracy theories but it seems more and more apparent that there is a concerted effort underway in America to create a permanent sub-class of people who will serve to only make the rich more wealthy while the rank and file workers suffers and barely subsists on wages paid. I will list some of the reasons that bring me to this conclusion.
1. Congress has failed to pass an increase in the minimum wage. One economist has stated publicly that minimum wage should be $22 dollars per hour if the rate of pay is to keep up with even the current rate of inflation.
2. An amendment to the current Immigration bill that is being considered calls for an immigrant to earn a median income of $47,000 dollars per year before he/she could be considered for citizen status. That proposal failed to garner support.
3. A trend is underway to paint Latinos as an inferior group of people who lack intelligence due to intrinsic genetics qualities. Jason Richwine, a Harvard Ph.D. holder, concludes that Latinos/Hispanics are just not too bright and that is unlikely to change in the next generation or the next. I guess, in his opinion, there is no "fix" for "stupid." He mistakes the willingness to work at unsavory jobs, without complaint, for a quality of buffoonery on the part of workers. He could not be more wrong! In fact, his conclusions regarding eugenics remind me a lot of Hitler and his attempt to do genetic engineering in the hope of creating a superior people.
4. One legislator, I forget who, said that we should limit the types of jobs immigrant can take. It is okay if they are chaffeurs, gardeners, waiters/waitresses, or engage in other low-paying jobs. The idea is to limit upward mobility, use this population of new immigrants because they are needy, and in my opinion, create a permanent sub-class that continues to serve the rich, will not threat to unionize or speak out for fair wages, so determined they are to stay in this country.
5. Demands are that immigrants speak fluent English. I can bet that 99% of members of Congress speak no other language fluently. Among languages, English is a very difficult one to learn even for the most willing soul! If fluent English is a necessity for citizenship status, then Congress should stop trying to cut Education and the Department of Education and should be encouraging, by incentives, a new influx of trained ESL teachers. (ESL means "English as a Second Language").
From what I can see, the only reason Immigration is on the table at all, again, is the stated goal of the Republican party chairman, Reince Prebus, that the party become more inclusive of minorities, Latinos in particular. The party has made a few stabs at attracting Latinos, some of the efforts laughable as when candidate Romney reportedly smeared his skin with lotion that provides an instant tan, before speaking to a Univision audience. The report was believable as Romney's skin looked "streaky." Others, who are not necessarily bilingual and do not speak Spanish well, have tried to address potential voters in their own language. Yes, education is needed and not always on the part of new immigrants.
We shall see how this Immigration Bill plays out. It will probably not take much to tick off the Republicans and have them take their balls and bat and go home, calling for another recess because, as you know, they are SO overworked. I see no hope for the bill and in fact, I hope it does not pass. It will be stilted and flawed and ineffective and will not address the real concerns of anyone. It will only reflect the selfish greed of those who are crafting this piece of legislation, another example of "take all and give nothing." There is no common sense left in the halls of Congress. Do not get your hopes up for legislation that will benefit Americans in any way. The upper crust is who is being served.
1. Congress has failed to pass an increase in the minimum wage. One economist has stated publicly that minimum wage should be $22 dollars per hour if the rate of pay is to keep up with even the current rate of inflation.
2. An amendment to the current Immigration bill that is being considered calls for an immigrant to earn a median income of $47,000 dollars per year before he/she could be considered for citizen status. That proposal failed to garner support.
3. A trend is underway to paint Latinos as an inferior group of people who lack intelligence due to intrinsic genetics qualities. Jason Richwine, a Harvard Ph.D. holder, concludes that Latinos/Hispanics are just not too bright and that is unlikely to change in the next generation or the next. I guess, in his opinion, there is no "fix" for "stupid." He mistakes the willingness to work at unsavory jobs, without complaint, for a quality of buffoonery on the part of workers. He could not be more wrong! In fact, his conclusions regarding eugenics remind me a lot of Hitler and his attempt to do genetic engineering in the hope of creating a superior people.
4. One legislator, I forget who, said that we should limit the types of jobs immigrant can take. It is okay if they are chaffeurs, gardeners, waiters/waitresses, or engage in other low-paying jobs. The idea is to limit upward mobility, use this population of new immigrants because they are needy, and in my opinion, create a permanent sub-class that continues to serve the rich, will not threat to unionize or speak out for fair wages, so determined they are to stay in this country.
5. Demands are that immigrants speak fluent English. I can bet that 99% of members of Congress speak no other language fluently. Among languages, English is a very difficult one to learn even for the most willing soul! If fluent English is a necessity for citizenship status, then Congress should stop trying to cut Education and the Department of Education and should be encouraging, by incentives, a new influx of trained ESL teachers. (ESL means "English as a Second Language").
From what I can see, the only reason Immigration is on the table at all, again, is the stated goal of the Republican party chairman, Reince Prebus, that the party become more inclusive of minorities, Latinos in particular. The party has made a few stabs at attracting Latinos, some of the efforts laughable as when candidate Romney reportedly smeared his skin with lotion that provides an instant tan, before speaking to a Univision audience. The report was believable as Romney's skin looked "streaky." Others, who are not necessarily bilingual and do not speak Spanish well, have tried to address potential voters in their own language. Yes, education is needed and not always on the part of new immigrants.
We shall see how this Immigration Bill plays out. It will probably not take much to tick off the Republicans and have them take their balls and bat and go home, calling for another recess because, as you know, they are SO overworked. I see no hope for the bill and in fact, I hope it does not pass. It will be stilted and flawed and ineffective and will not address the real concerns of anyone. It will only reflect the selfish greed of those who are crafting this piece of legislation, another example of "take all and give nothing." There is no common sense left in the halls of Congress. Do not get your hopes up for legislation that will benefit Americans in any way. The upper crust is who is being served.
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