My View
Let's put all of this nonsense aside and get down to real issues with some real proposed solutions that we can live with. The austere changes that the extreme right has called for will only increase the misery of those who are already suffering. How about some incentives that will bring jobs back to the US from overseas, where they were sent during the free trade sell outs in the '90s? How about some kind of sanction put on companies who put their 'Headquarters' in one room in places where they are not taxed, when the real HQ is right here in the US?
Healthcare? Why is the far right so against healthcare that's affordable for the working class and the poor? You have given motivation for highly profitable companies like Verizon and AT&T to cut medical benefits that were hard won over the years, claiming that they can't be competitive because they cost too much. Meanwhile, they continue to rake in record profits. Why is the extreme right so against having them offer healthcare as a condition of doing business? If you can think of a better healthcare plan, then please do, instead of crying about the other party's plan.
We need real solutions to the real world issues that plague this country and, in fact, the world. I've seen a lot of finger pointing, and name calling. A lot of 'This man is out of touch'. A lot of "I'll create jobs", but not a lot of how. It sounds a lot like Nixon's 'Secret Plan' to end the Vietnam war back in '68. He had no plan. Neither do any of these candidates have a plan to stimulate the economy.
Now, to the call for the killing of Claire McCaskill by the radical tea party activist, Scott Boston. I saw this last night and I was dumbfounded! How can anyone in American politics blithely call for the killing of a sitting Senator.... or anyone, for that matter? Is there no decency left in this America that I grew up in and love? Are there no laws against this? I know there is if you make a statement like that against the president, but shouldn't the laws also apply for anyone. This sickens me. It takes the politics of hate too far. What bothers me even more is that not one Tea Party member, or any conservative stood up and condemned this man for what he said. As a matter of fact, when I wrote a comment under the article about how I felt about this, I received a comment back stating that I should note that it stated it was one activist, not a group of activists. Does this really matter? It only takes one crazy person with a gun to take down a citizen or a leader of the free world. Don't make excuses, join me in condemning any statements like this from the left or right. If we can't agree on anything else, we should be able to agree on this. Come on, America, Wake Up, before someone else gets killed in the name of ideology.
Very thought provoking, John. I wish more Americans could/would research and read up on their congress people and senators. To me, they are the true future of this country and either party.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Amy. I just had the worst case of writers block since I started this, but the McCaskill thing really got me going. The person that tried to make the comment less than it was, Is an actual friend of mine on the far right.
DeleteYou are right. If people actually researched who they were voting for, instead of just going by campaign blurbs and speeches, we would have a better Congress and Senate. Perhaps even less of the deviate class that seems to have infiltrated the whole government. Thanks again.
John
I agree with so much here, John and, for me, looking ahead to making the best choice is like looking into a fog bank.
ReplyDeleteAll the political rhetoric aside, we know what we've had for the past few years, can this nation survive four more years of uncertaintity with more of the same leadership or someone new? For millions of concerned U.S. citizens, the fear is almost paralyzing and, as you said, how many will be influenced by those blurbs and speeches, failing to research necessary facts to make their decision?
The next few months will be one hell of a ride, for sure!
I agree. I, as I have said, did not vote for Obama. I think that he's a very nice man. I also do not think that he was ready for the job, which is why I didn't vote for him in the first place. I keep looking for some sign of the economy springing to life, but for every hope, there seems to be some bad news that follows it up. Is Romney the man? Who knows? I am just tired of people using all these masked terms when describing the president, when what they really want to say is,"I can't believe the n..... won!" That really bothers me. Perhaps, if he had been a Senator, or preferably a Governor for a couple of years, Obama would have been a good administrator. He was good for National Defense, but at best mediocre on domestic policies. Bush was bad, Obama just followed his lead. Now, it's up to whoever takes over for the next four years, to get things done. We have an infrastructure, started by a brilliant Republican General turned President, and continued by two Democrats, that is crumbling and needs to be upgraded and maintained. It's time to get America going again, and that's a good starting point. I don't care what Party the guy is from, or the color of his skin. I just want it done.
DeleteObama's step into the Presidency was historical but a double-edged sword because of his color. I think that he was put on a pedestal, kind of the Great Black Hope for his supporters. For his non-supporters, a scapegoat, people intent on challenging his every decision and ridiculing his mistakes.
DeleteObama should have racked-up more time in the political arena before setting his sights on the White House; he came into the Presidency ice cold and has been somewhat of a puppet dancing on the strings pulled by his seasoned advisors. I completely agree with you here.
You and I lived through Camelot, the Kennedy era but the rumblings in the background about this drinking/womanizing family of Irish politicos were overshadowed by the mystique that surrounded them. We wanted to believe and ignored those who hated, even feared their strength.
In my opinion, Colin Powell would have been a remarkable President had he not had what he called "a lack of passion for politics". He might have significantly changed the jaded outlook from so many on seeing color first, before capability.
As I said before, we know what we've had and, right now, it's a crap shoot as to what we may get in November. This country cannot survive with one more, "learn as you go" President.
I agree with you about Powell. He struck a natural balance between strict conservatism and an absolute need to improve things. One event stood out in my mind: He was on Meet the Press, and one of his handlers did not like a question that Tim Russert asked. She pulled the plug. General Powell got very angry and went back on the air, saying that he did not know what had happened and he answered the question. A man of integrity and honor, who also was an able administrator. Obama would have been better served if he was a Governor, not a freshman Senator. I am sure that his intentions were good, but good intentions are just not enough.
DeleteAnyway, Hang in there, hon, this bad political ride has been going on for 12 years or more, and it's not over yet. It's time that the radicals on both sides, the Limbaughs on the Right and the Bill Mahers on the extreme left, let the more moderate members of both sides come together for the greater good of this country. We cannot solve anything, being as sharply divided and filled with hate, as these last elections have been.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete