And if you're reading this, that should be your stance as well. If you have any worries about this historic economic failure, you're on the wrong side of this scam. No matter HOW hard "times" are, there are always those who still manage to prosper. It's ignorant to think there's no correlation between the two. The prosperous few are profiting as a direct result of the exploitation of the impoverished (and those naive enough to think there's actually a middle class in this country.) You're either IN or OUT.
Interestingly enough, you will never hear a politician of either of the two major PARTIES, refer to the POOR as just that, the poor. Their "enlightened language and superstitious wisdom," defines this demographic as the "under-privileged." UNDER-PRIVILEGED? This logic, subconsciously, makes them the OVER-PRIVILEGED. But no one would EVER fix their mouths to say it.
"...to be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships." W.E.B. DuBois, 1903.
In his "time," Dr. Dubois' statement here culminates from the aftermath of (the beginning of) the end of slavery. There is a lot to learn from the descendants of African-American Slaves. They've been going through, what's sadly about to happen to the large majority of white people in this country. And the large majority of these folks are the same ones who, TO THIS DAY, deny the existence of white privilege; and they, in no way, are responsible for the current oppression and exploitation of minorities (and in many cases, themselves.) If race plays ANY part in ANY decision you make, that's a problem.
To me, the danger in Racism is not seen in the extreme "skinhead" expression, but in the subtle psychological programming of denial. To disregard the psychological effects of being PROPERTY, being "freed," living under laws where enslavement is STILL a debate, and the history of legal exclusion, is irresponsible and intellectually dishonest. What must be admitted by all is that problems exist, changes are needed, and we are much stronger united.
If this bailout goes through, and the responsibility of paying for the $700 BILLION gambling debt of the same people who are writing the contract, it WILL unite the bottom 90% of our population. We will have no choice.
THE BOTTOM 90% is fundamentally a contradiction of terms. And that should send a message to those who still search for hope and wonder why they cannot be bailed out at the end of every month with just a couple hundred bucks. Just to keep the lights on and add meat to their meals.
How can SO MANY be SO WEAK?
The bottom line, here, is WEALTH. The main reason for the SILENT MAJORITY is the confusion(of) and exclusion(from) Capitalism, and finances in general. "Numbers" is a very complex (and intimidating) paradigm. The universe requires balance; and the success of capitalism is no different.
Those who control the incomprehensible wealth in this country are now asking us to help them out. I don't know about you, but I AIN'T GOT IT. 700 BILLION? Can't do it! Would if I Could! Your FICO's not high enough! After the background check, we the people have decided that it's not in OUR BEST INTEREST to grant you the loan. Not a good BUSINESS decision! We're going in a different direction...
Since we seem to be INVESTING $700 BILLION, I think we would like to invest it in US! Seems crazy, but we would like to see a RETURN, for once. I'd like to see something like this...
700B (money that we must have, right?) / (equally distributed to) 131M (taxpayers) = ( solves the problem by) 5,434 (being given to each of the voluntary investors.)
Investors? The investment goes directly TO BAIL OUT THE BANKS. But instead of the taxpayers being slaves to this "critically necessary" financial commitment, we will all now OWN the banks. Any moves being made by the banks we will know. How you ask? By that check you get in the mail every month.
If the Banks are gonna prosper as the result of this 700 BILLION dollars, then so should WE. The banks will undoubtedly come back, and when they do, let us get a little piece of the pie. This way, it won't hurt so much when you use this money to lend to MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATIONS who choose to use it overseas for jobs Americans used to do. Now if you choose to pay children in China $2/day, you have to split that amongst 131 million other investors.
John McCain has made it clear that he is no fan of the internet and uses it as a last resort. Like many other 70+ year-olds of all generations, past and future, change is very difficult. If not for the mere labor involved to keep pace mentally, the body demands much more attention in this period of life. Plus, it must be very difficult to think there's a better way when you've lived through your sacrifices to get to where you are. It would seem to be a sort of conflict of self-interest. Beyond comprehension for many, but time does pass you by and it's not a bad thing. It's different. A different and essential part of society.
Change does not just challenge seniors though. Many of the younger generations cannot keep up intellectually or technologically. Cell phones, computers, the innernets- ALL completely feared by many that think they can't understand. Amongst these folks, there are perfectly programmed Americans. Those who react on queue, when the flag is waved or someone threatens their gun rights, or someone yells "SMALLER GOVERNMET!"
Little do these folks know, the part of government that will be cut is the part that benefits them.
Unfortunately, the majority of the US population are these people. Fortunately, the majority don't vote and are completely apathetic. You only have to listen to them repeat what they hear on TV when you encounter them in public; you don't have to reap their ignorance through uneducated, misguided votes. And I mean MISGUIDED.
Keep the majority dumb, and aggressively manipulate them through propaganda-advertising. THE GREAT EXPERIMENT seems to be quite successful. The rich white majority (in their science coats), seems quite pleased observing the (rat race) of the American majority, while they navigate through the various dead ends (of the capitalistic maze). A land of laws with lawmakers who target the innocent, through their taught-ignorance.
Phone sales, mailers, spam, pop-ups all target the uneducated. As much as I love the internet, it is dangerous. And not so much because of "child predators." But consumer predators.
Banking deregulation, greed, and complex psychological manipulation techniques mixing with wage slavery, xenophobia, and exploitation have brought us to where we are now. And that is a place where MAIN STREET is left with the gambling debt of WALL STREET, with no options.
In 2005, the Wall Street-controlled Congress put into law,THE BANKRUPTCY PREVENTION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, that makes it, more times than not, unaffordable; nonetheless, merely impossible for Joe Citizen to file for bankruptcy protection. If not ethically-questionable enough that HALF of personal bankruptcies are the result of medical emergencies, we now see ourselves, just 3 years later, paying for the bankruptcies of the same financial institutions that lobbied for these laws.
Remember the childhood idiom "Sticks and Stones...?" I don't know its origin, but I know I've heard it my whole life. Many have. So much that you probably believe it, as I did until today. It's ignorant to think that our main communication tool, speech, doesn't hurt. Emotion brings out the worst in people. As much as emotions make us who we are, they also have the ability to completely transform us. Negative emotions are powerful and evil. So much so, that you can't keep them inside; they practically fight their way out.
In the past, before self-expressive arts, humanities and civics curriculums were "cut-back," we could at least vent this energy in a productive way. Now, we have WORDS. Not even SENTENCES.
I've been in the midst of many conversations of white men jokingly discussing being called crackers, honkeys, and the other funny names that have no history, and comparing it to blacks and nigga. There's no debate here.
A thought to ponder though is the fact that projected birth rates and future immigration of non-whites into the US will make this country a a True melting pot by 2042. As this happens, the fear that whites currently have inside will start showing more and more.
As they become the minority, these funny racial slurs aimed at them that can be easily disregarded and laughed-off will turn to the real names that historically define them. I wonder how whites will react to being called
SLAVE OWNERS, or OPPRESSORS, or LIARS, or, RAPISTS, or EUGENISTS, or KILLERS, or THIEVES, or RACISTS...
These descriptive words are not easy to ignore. And although not all white people are necessarily actively participating in anything that warrants this backlash, they will feel the effects. It's the inaction that will be balanced by the universe. And much like how these same whites are not currently reaping the benefits of white supremacy economically and deny its existence, they will unknowingly be the target of its end. The whites who put this in place are safe. They've created this system to amass the majority of the world's wealth and that will protect them. Mainly because they can become millionare-hermits.
Race is a topic that seems to make a lot of (white) people uneasy. From my experiences and provocations, there are definitely some "trends" amongst those who can't grasp the full scope of Racism. The following reasonings rattle off the tongues of deniers of Racism, and its socio-economical effects, with the confidence of answering a basic math problem. And just like singing your ABC's, there's no depth or room for debate. Absolute.
1. I treat everyone as an individual; I see no color.
2. "I" don't own slaves; "I" haven't benefitted from slavery.
3. When is an apology accepted?
4. Affirmative action takes jobs away from white people.
5. Black people and N*ggers/Chris Rock philosophy.
These are a few examples. The point is that the majority of this country is white people; W = 245M; B = 40M. A majority of THIS majority subscribe to one of the five brain stains above. To avoid redundancy, I won't explain why each of the above is nothing but a propaganda slogan. They are. If you believe any of the above are legitimate, I'd be happy to discuss.
Along with this mind state, we also must factor in the portrayal of people of color on the idiot box. ESPECIALLY black men. The result of this repetition of scary black and brown men is a fear and prejudice towards them. This is fact. And intentional.
Take this mindset, fear, and prejudice and apply it to our presidential race. McCain is so soft-spoken and Alzheimer-like and he's telling his base (old, rich, white men) that Obama is ATTACKING Gov Palin. With any knowledge of the complexities of how white men historically juggled the interactions of black women, white women, and black men, you will know that white men have a guilt and a fear. Subconsciously guarding against reaping what was sown through how they treated black women, white men feel overly-obligated to protect white women from black men.
This race seems to me like a reality show, "American Prejudice." And that includes the exploitation of Gov Palin. Remember, you don't have to consciously agree with what's going on to be a part of it. Even if you deny it, it's taking place. You HAVE to make a conscious effort to NOT agree with it.
It's bigger than YOU. It's a system, a way of life, just as much as Capitalism.
Is it just a coincidence that John McCain's ancestors OWNED slaves, "had" sharecroppers, and he supported S. African Apartheid, and couldn't recognize the importance of MLK holiday? To say Race has no influence on Politics is, dare I say, UNAMERICAN.
Trickle-down economics? It works; next topic! Hey! Wait just a minute. Got a home, tryna stay in it.
I'm asking YOU. You defer to him. Always on hold. Comin' out my skin.
I need a loan, Opportunities to save. Wanna work me to my grave. What you say's not how you behave.
Don't wanna record-setting bank account. Food, clothing, shelter, and what amounts To Life, Liberty, and Pursuit Of Happiness. Just need a little loot.
I don't know if the conservatives of this country just started praying late or what, but they must have PRAYED really strong and hard because the rain is coming! Hurricane Gustav is being predicted to make KATRINA look like the tear that fell from Dick Cheney's face when he first learned his daughter CHOSE to be a Lesbian. Also has the chance to be the most destructive natural disaster the World has ever seen. The most interesting part of God's answer to this prayer is (S)He picked the date like no other God. (SLAVE) LABOR DAY!
Although VERY important, suppose the total disregard of the poor/working poor by the Republicans is less relevant when compared to the fact that these rains are coming just in time for the RNC. And even more surprising than the flooding and possible total destruction of the Gulf Coast we will watch safely from our living rooms is that these rains pervertly prayed for by the conservatives is gonna FORCE them to THINK ABOUT SOMETHING OTHER THAN $$$!
Now I hope that some of my conservative brothers and sisters expand their awareness through the WORK and service that will result from being a part of the perilous struggle many will have when these rains cross our Universal borders. And I also hope this expands the awareness of US who see what the conservatives lack and focus more on that than what WE could improve on. This storm needs to be a wakeup call for EVERYONE on many different levels.
We, as the people of this government of OURS, have to accept this 2-party system is a myth, failure, and against the very things the majority have in common. Although I'm currently supporting Obama, it's not because I think he's gonna save the world, this country, or even our broken democracy. Democrats and Republicans both have something in common that separates them from the common human interest, and that's that they're rich. As much as we like to think people remember where they come from, the fact of the matter is that the SYSTEM rewards them to forget.
The hope I have in Barack can't be found in any Politics Handbook or resume. It's the fact that he is a great LEADER and MOTIVATOR. If you listen to him speak, you hear the inclusiveness and call to action. He admits that it's about US. He's understands that HE'S NOTHING without US. Although he's questioned for his experience on an executive level, it cannot be denied that the communication skills he possesses are backed up by plenty of experience. We need a leader that knows how to MOTIVATE THE HOPELESS. Not a leader with war experience, especially when you're experience is from behind enemy lines.
The other hope of mine I have for Obama is that just by his being a minority, it inspires those that have been victim of the father figures conspired upon them by Slavery, The War on Drugs, and a propaganda war by the media, that THEY CAN BE PRESIDENT. Or at least better than most of the other portrayals they see of those who look like them. I also hope it inspires the conservative, white, rural, seniors (and their descendants) when they see a person of color running this country, and to a large extent the world, and not just as the robbers, rapists, and all-around scary THINGS they see in the NEWS everyday.
Once these folks are aware of the power they possess, we must have ORGANIZATION in place to harbor this inspiration into action and TRUE CHANGE. THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER! As in 3rd-party; and not that the 3rd party is THE answer. But with the acceptance of a third party, will come a 4th, 5th, 6th...and more overall involvement. America boasts of its freedoms and voting rights, but ranks last in participation amongst the Western World.
ALL of us will be called upon to act in the near future. It's time to find the CHANGE we're looking for in ourselves.
Nothing's amusin' When the solution's revolution. Pollution's turnin' us to mutants, Vodka-drunk like Putin.
My business ain't mine no more. Cross-eyed looks, using cash at the store. Swipe the card, fill up with lard. Nevermind the who's, why's, and what-for's.
What do we think is in store? For all of us, not just the poor. It's finally caught up; overlooking corrupt Politicians, statisticians, and physicians...now you got multiple prescriptions.
Freedom's just a word to us. Missed our chance to hop on that bus. Apathy's a gateway drug. Have you thinkin' how to get out of the hole you just dug.
5:35 PM - HANOI HILTON: Humility, Humanity, & Hilarity
Category: Life
I've been waiting and wondering when and why Senator McCain was gonna use this most dirty of political tricks. This trick of playing with the emotions of the DUMB/NUMB majority of this country. By exploiting himself and the others that sacrificed in the same manner for longer times. But last weekend, he officially let the cat out of the bag that he is going to use this to win votes. His record, his experience, his service...in general though...no specifics.
Not to downplay his courage and sacrifice (too much), but in terms as that qualifying him as President, that's simple-NOT A CHANCE. I agree with General Wesley Clark.
For example, McCain recently has said that "he knows how to win a war." Based on what? The Vietnam War, as far as I know, is the lone war that the US doesn't mind to admit it's lost. And since he has decided to open the topic of his POW experiences, let's take an honest look at them. 6 years is a long time, no doubt. But it's Smurf pellets compared to the 100 years he's willing to commit towards American Iraqi occupation. Even for those who mistakenly use the logic that his being tortured for 6 years gives him the knowledge to "win a war," a higher-ranking POW in the same camp, Wes Shierman says that "he couldn't really win any battles, but he was a good resister, an honorable one."
I'd be curious to know a better place to measure one's True character than the cliff of life, that must have been Hoa Lo, and continue today in Guantanamo Bay, Abu Graib, and many,many more too secret to have names. And that is how his former brother in arms remembers him. Add to that McCain's recent statements "in the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations," which either is another "senior moment" or total disregard of the circumstances of our CURRENT illegal war.
Bottom 5% of educational peers, maverick, outcast, crashed 5 planes, intellectually inept- the list goes on and on. He doesn't deny any of it.
The Republicans have given us Ronald Reagan, a former actor, who must have been suffering from Alzheimer's while serving to not see the CIA funding a war in Central America by flooding our inner cites with Cocaine, more specifically Crack. Or was it genius to look the other way because of Nancy's "Just Say No" bullshit, and the twisted, oppressive, racist WAR ON DRUGS. Then there's George H W Bush. Just Google George Herbert Walker. Then GW Bush, with his drug and alcohol problems, poor academic performance, and stubborn disregard of everything common-sensical. And we want more Republic leadership, why?
Wouldn't it be a relief, or a change, to have a president that could actually understand the problems and work through them to get to the root of these problems. In my opinion, a white male will never get to the roots of any of the problems that lead to many of these "wars" on this or that.
Obama will not solve this country's problems by any means, but let's not hold intelligence against him. We already tried that "have a beer with him" approach. How'd that work out? I guess we'll see in the coming decades (hopefully).
2008 seems to be just flying by. Seems odd to me that it has been over a year since my Day of Action and 9/15/08 will be one year since I marched down Pennsylvania Ave., with tens of thousands of others, to exercise our rights, express our discontent, and demand impeachment. I must admit that progress has been made in regards to restoring Habeas Corpus. As good as progress is, the problem isn't fixed. And, in my opinion, Impeachment is more important now than ever.
As confused as America, as a whole, seems to be right now, the majority will still proudly (and blindly) rant and rave about being a CHRISTIAN NATION. So to my Christian brothers and sisters, I ask you to take the following events into account. This year, God has taken 2 of the greatest, funniest American comedians EVER - Carlin and Mac. Shoot, even the Iraqi government has quit joking around this year. With that being said, could we not take this as divine intervention? God wants us to start taking life seriously.
To my non-Christian brothers and sisters and those who care about facts, we have to stop "giving passes." We can't continue to let the ignorant, apathetic majority of this country send us to our makers. We must educate our fellow citizens. That's our responsibility. We must also hold our representatives ACCOUNTABLE. If we continue along this same path of helplessness, our only security will come from the government. GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, without the people , leaves the government.
Many Americans are just "sick of Bush." This is an emotional reaction. The mere fact of his absence from office will not fix the problems he's caused. He's put many laws in place that are contrary to true American Values. Not to mention the laws he's broken, and in some cases, the combination of the two. For example, disregarding the FISA requirements of warrants (up to 48 hours after the tap), and then when brought to light , somehow gets immunity for himself and the Corporations that helped him break the law. On top of that, he pretty much spit on government protocol and "checks and balances."
It's irresponsible for us, as citizens, to coast through the rest of this year, distracted by the campaign of the next president, and not hold GW Bush accountable for his disrespect of the Office of President, Constitution, and our reputation as a country.
Both candidates are licking their chops for a chance to be the most powerful leader in the history of the world. We're setting the precedent NOW. If the president in 2030 "wiretaps citizens to keep them safe," he will be doing so based on actions by American citizens in 2001-2008. And people wanna talk about personal responsibility...
Wine. Dine. Intertwine. Time after time, continually blurring the line. Designed not by bloodlines of mine. Please opine: Pork rind or prime swine?
Play all day, no need to pay Lay men. Men lay at the total dismay Of they who wanna sell, but not harvest the hay. One day we will just say no way. Till that day...
My mind will just grind Till that day goes astray. Used to be a dime for a lime. May not pay with delay.
A sign of the times, While they so just go pray. Enjoy your freedom, just stay away. But continue paying US when it's YOUR payday.
There's an unexplainable level of pride involved in representing your country on foreign soil. If you've ever traveled outside of these borders of ours, you've felt it to an extent. But REPRESENTING/SERVING the country, wearing USA on your uniform- whether military, sport, or business- everyday is entirely different. People are curious and definitely have their own opinions of what Americans are. Quite interesting indeed, some of them. As tourists, many may disregard the effects they have on the American image and reputation. We pay for that, but many more don't care or refuse to realize the reality of the WORLD. Then there's those who proactively volunteer to represent the image of America to others around the world.
There's the obvious multi-national corporation ambassadors, soldiers, and athletes (and mercenary armies). I'd like to focus on the soldiers and athletes.
People seemed to be surprised that W is in China right now, representin'. Not me; I don't think he has much of a choice. For one, he only has a short-list of countries from which to choose and not land behind bars; and 2, CHINA OWNS US. He should write a personal check while he's there because they put him right in his place as soon as he hit the ground. Basically saying to mind his own business in regards to his criticism of their human rights violations.
Mr. Bush says he wants to keep the politics out of this visit. I guess he's on vacation too (on our buck.) He's representing the government of the US, me and you.
The American athletes will proudly compete in the name of America. They will perform to levels we've never witnessed. World records. The air will be a big factor unfortunately. But the swimmers and hoopers will be sportin' GOLD in the end.
Let's remember these icons are people too. They have the kind of determination most of us only dream about, but they're human. And there has to be some sort of awkwardness or embarrassment when they speak with athletes from different countries. And think of the Iraqis. We shouldn't be there, especially Bush, if the Iraqis cannot compete.
This is going to be the most surveilled Olympics ever, and the media is going to be just as interesting as any race, game, or competition. Pay attention because some of what you see, and are disgusted with, is happening here and will continue to increasingly resemble the Chinese system of REEDUCATION THROUGH REFORM.
WE, THE PEOPLE HAVE A DEBT TO PAY. AND WE OWE IT TO CHINA. HOPEFULLY, WE WIN A LOT OF GOLD BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY WON'T TAKE OUR DOLLARS.
