Fire the Rich — Features — Utne Reader
The author here is indeed correct: the American Dream is under threat, as the wealthiest among us continue to use their greater influence to make the system benefit them, at the detriment of 95% of the rest of the population. If class warfare has been declared, is was declared long ago by the wealthy and not -- as too-opt alleged -- by working people who are trying to restore balance, fairness, and a chance at attaining the American Dream.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Are we fatally distracted by faulty political assumptions in this post-election period?
If we are going to renew the American Dream, and make progress towards it in the political realm, we need to keep our eye on the ball, and operate from a place of political reality. Our understanding of the needs and wants of the American people must be correct. When considering compromise positions, we must have a factual perception of where the parties involved stand. Unfortunately, in the most recent post-election environment, our politics are driven by significant misunderstandings that are keeping us from making desperately needed progress.
The following piece features two of these misunderstandings:
NationalJournal.com - The Cook Report: Hang On Tight - Friday, February 18, 2011
While the general analysis of it is interesting, there are two unfortunate assumptions which have been all too common in this recent post-election period.
1. That the focus of American's concerns is the budget deficit.
This is a misnomer, and revisionist history. All the polls both pre- and post- election revealed what Americans are really concerned about. And my personal experience talking to literally hundreds of voters over many weeks during the election can attest to it. People are concerned about jobs and the economy. Period. Health care and education are a distant second. Our wars and the budget are barely on the radar right now.
Now, we can certainly debate over whether this is what we should be most concerned about, but this conservative fantasy that somehow Americans are obsessed with cutting spending and balancing the budget asap has infected our media and public dialogue. On the contray, Americans want to see good jobs, and farbeit from anti-government on this issue, are closely divided on whether the stimulus even went far enough. We need to change the dialogue, guiding by a correct understanding of the real desires of the American people.
2. The Republicans are "good at cutting spending."
A conventional wisdom that has little basis in reality. One only has to look at the 8 years of the Bush administration for evidence to the contrary. And Republicans (generally) have never seen a defense program, a war, a corporate tax expenditure, a fossil fuel industry subsidy, or a highway funding project that they didn't like. We need to change our language to reflect reality. Only then can we have a real discussion regarding federal government expenditures and revenues, and how best to address the budget situation into the future. For while the budget problem needs to be addressed in the long term, the short-term emergency is an unacceptably high employment rate and declining real wages. This is a problem that left unattended will destroy the middle class, and our country with it. However, the good news is, if it is properly addressed, it will go a long ways to resolving the budget deficit, as the relatively good economic times of the mid and late '90s can attest.
The following piece features two of these misunderstandings:
NationalJournal.com - The Cook Report: Hang On Tight - Friday, February 18, 2011
While the general analysis of it is interesting, there are two unfortunate assumptions which have been all too common in this recent post-election period.
1. That the focus of American's concerns is the budget deficit.
This is a misnomer, and revisionist history. All the polls both pre- and post- election revealed what Americans are really concerned about. And my personal experience talking to literally hundreds of voters over many weeks during the election can attest to it. People are concerned about jobs and the economy. Period. Health care and education are a distant second. Our wars and the budget are barely on the radar right now.
Now, we can certainly debate over whether this is what we should be most concerned about, but this conservative fantasy that somehow Americans are obsessed with cutting spending and balancing the budget asap has infected our media and public dialogue. On the contray, Americans want to see good jobs, and farbeit from anti-government on this issue, are closely divided on whether the stimulus even went far enough. We need to change the dialogue, guiding by a correct understanding of the real desires of the American people.
2. The Republicans are "good at cutting spending."
A conventional wisdom that has little basis in reality. One only has to look at the 8 years of the Bush administration for evidence to the contrary. And Republicans (generally) have never seen a defense program, a war, a corporate tax expenditure, a fossil fuel industry subsidy, or a highway funding project that they didn't like. We need to change our language to reflect reality. Only then can we have a real discussion regarding federal government expenditures and revenues, and how best to address the budget situation into the future. For while the budget problem needs to be addressed in the long term, the short-term emergency is an unacceptably high employment rate and declining real wages. This is a problem that left unattended will destroy the middle class, and our country with it. However, the good news is, if it is properly addressed, it will go a long ways to resolving the budget deficit, as the relatively good economic times of the mid and late '90s can attest.
Friday, February 11, 2011
The People of Egypt Have Taugh Us Something About Liberty & Democracy
The People of Egypt Have Done It! They Have Driven Mubarak Out! | Common Dreams
They have indeed done it. And it is more than just a victory for themselves. In doing so, they teach us an important lesson about liberty and democracy. These are lessons which should inform and inspire. There are in fact 4 important lessons which we as Americans should take to heart as we consider how view the world, how we act here at home, and how we fulfill the American Dream:
1. The Nature of Arab & Muslim Societies & Cultures
For some time -- and especially after 9/11 -- our media, entertainment, and culture has generally portrayed Muslim and Arabic peoples and cultures in a negative light, as extremists and terrorists. It is emphasized on a daily basis by political pudits and in action movies. It was evident in the comments of news reporters in their analysis of the days recent events, in their words of surprise that the demonstrators had not erupted into violence rebellion.
Now, the people have Egypt, in a profound and powerful way, have demonstrated the inappropriateness of those comments, the inaccuracy of those words, the offensiveness of those images, and the untruth in those portrayals. (Hopefully it will bring to light a history that stands in contrast to the negative characterizations: http://www.davidswanson.org/content/nonviolent-activism-middle-eastern ). They have shown not just incredible courage and resilience, but restraint and savvy. In fact, their movement has not only done us one better in terms of rejecting violence, but also in effectiveness.
2. The Nature of Leadership & Democracy
From almost the beginning, media also kept looking for a leader for this movement. Oft heard was the refrain "there is yet to be a face of this movement." On the contrary, there was a face. Or rather, a multitude of faces. They have shown not only the possibility, but the power and benefit, of movements which are democratic and decentralized, leaderful and not simply led. Their power was in their number and their commitment, and not simply in the speeches of visages of a single individual.
3. The Power of Nonviolence
Over and over again, we demonstrate how we believe that political change against oppressive regimes and illigimate dictators is accomplished through clash of arms and military force. It was a message that our country's "leaders" repeated ad nauseum as we invaded Iraq, and continue to do so as we continue the war in Afghanistan. But as the nonviolence revolutions demonstrated in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union two decades ago -- and Gandhi before them in India -- the Egyptian people remind us of the power of nonviolent action to effect real change. And it is change much preferable to that which comes from war, as we compare the dignity and hope of recent days in Egypt with the death and destruction of recent years in Iraq and Afghanistan. In truth, this contrast shows that the idea that real peace can come from war, that democracy can come from the decision of the few to invade, that justice can come from unjust conflict, is a big lie.
4. The Power of the People
We look to leaders and military might as the impetus and force for change. That, when the true power lies within ourselves as citizens. The people of Egypt reminds us how there is nothing that the people cannot accomplish if they unite together, with courage and determination, organized and committed.
*******
These are the lessons for us. The only question is: will we heed them? Will our elected officials do so? I have real hope that the American people will be inspired. Unfortunately, I have less faith in our elected "leaders." It begins with the policies that lead us to (once again) support self-aggrandizing oppressive dictators and brutish police forces using American-made tear gas. It continues with the belated and hesitant support of the protestors by our government, the ongoing billions to a military that stood by and watched peaceful demonstrators were killed by molotov cocktails, and the government support for a Patriot Act that commits into law some of the very trappings of tyranny that we decry in the Egyptian authoritarian rule (http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/02/11-2).
We are now faced with a choice: are we going to be on the side of independent peoples striving for justice, liberty, opportunity, democracy, and self-determination, or are we going be compelled by militarism, fear, nativism, empire, and selfishness. Are we going to be guided by the values of the American Dream, or the perverse American Nightmare that threatens to destroy us.
They have indeed done it. And it is more than just a victory for themselves. In doing so, they teach us an important lesson about liberty and democracy. These are lessons which should inform and inspire. There are in fact 4 important lessons which we as Americans should take to heart as we consider how view the world, how we act here at home, and how we fulfill the American Dream:
1. The Nature of Arab & Muslim Societies & Cultures
For some time -- and especially after 9/11 -- our media, entertainment, and culture has generally portrayed Muslim and Arabic peoples and cultures in a negative light, as extremists and terrorists. It is emphasized on a daily basis by political pudits and in action movies. It was evident in the comments of news reporters in their analysis of the days recent events, in their words of surprise that the demonstrators had not erupted into violence rebellion.
Now, the people have Egypt, in a profound and powerful way, have demonstrated the inappropriateness of those comments, the inaccuracy of those words, the offensiveness of those images, and the untruth in those portrayals. (Hopefully it will bring to light a history that stands in contrast to the negative characterizations: http://www.davidswanson.org/content/nonviolent-activism-middle-eastern ). They have shown not just incredible courage and resilience, but restraint and savvy. In fact, their movement has not only done us one better in terms of rejecting violence, but also in effectiveness.
2. The Nature of Leadership & Democracy
From almost the beginning, media also kept looking for a leader for this movement. Oft heard was the refrain "there is yet to be a face of this movement." On the contrary, there was a face. Or rather, a multitude of faces. They have shown not only the possibility, but the power and benefit, of movements which are democratic and decentralized, leaderful and not simply led. Their power was in their number and their commitment, and not simply in the speeches of visages of a single individual.
3. The Power of Nonviolence
Over and over again, we demonstrate how we believe that political change against oppressive regimes and illigimate dictators is accomplished through clash of arms and military force. It was a message that our country's "leaders" repeated ad nauseum as we invaded Iraq, and continue to do so as we continue the war in Afghanistan. But as the nonviolence revolutions demonstrated in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union two decades ago -- and Gandhi before them in India -- the Egyptian people remind us of the power of nonviolent action to effect real change. And it is change much preferable to that which comes from war, as we compare the dignity and hope of recent days in Egypt with the death and destruction of recent years in Iraq and Afghanistan. In truth, this contrast shows that the idea that real peace can come from war, that democracy can come from the decision of the few to invade, that justice can come from unjust conflict, is a big lie.
4. The Power of the People
We look to leaders and military might as the impetus and force for change. That, when the true power lies within ourselves as citizens. The people of Egypt reminds us how there is nothing that the people cannot accomplish if they unite together, with courage and determination, organized and committed.
*******
These are the lessons for us. The only question is: will we heed them? Will our elected officials do so? I have real hope that the American people will be inspired. Unfortunately, I have less faith in our elected "leaders." It begins with the policies that lead us to (once again) support self-aggrandizing oppressive dictators and brutish police forces using American-made tear gas. It continues with the belated and hesitant support of the protestors by our government, the ongoing billions to a military that stood by and watched peaceful demonstrators were killed by molotov cocktails, and the government support for a Patriot Act that commits into law some of the very trappings of tyranny that we decry in the Egyptian authoritarian rule (http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/02/11-2).
We are now faced with a choice: are we going to be on the side of independent peoples striving for justice, liberty, opportunity, democracy, and self-determination, or are we going be compelled by militarism, fear, nativism, empire, and selfishness. Are we going to be guided by the values of the American Dream, or the perverse American Nightmare that threatens to destroy us.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wind Power: A Preferable Alternative
I have grown increasingly weary over time of the ignorant opposition to wind power in this state (and country). The following letter to the editor provoked me to finally send my own:
Wind farms, other boondoggles a burden on Ohio's economy | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Mansfield News Journal
Dear Editor:
Subject: Wind Power: A Preferable Alternative
The letter entitled "Wind farms, other boondoggles a burden on Ohio's economy," which appeared in the January 24, 2001 edition, made several unsubstantiated claims. While all energy sources have some negative effects, alternatives such as wind power must be compared to conventional sources. In Ohio, this means coal. Such an evaluation shows that wind power wins on all counts.
Let's consider birds: fossil fuel based electricity causes many times more fatalities than wind farms per gigawatt hour. Even with more turbines, many times more birds are killed by each of automobiles, electric lines, hunting, cats, and even windows! (I'm sure the letter author would not advocate getting rid of cars to protect birds.) As for other environmental and health costs, while wind power is negligible, coal mining and burning contaminates water with mercury, destroys wildlife habitat, scars the landscape, puts harmful particulates into the air, and causes global warming. Worse, coal power has terrible health effects, including contributing to childhood asthma and causing estimated thousands of premature deaths each year. In terms of noise and appearance, wind turbines are much more benign and beautiful than dirty, ugly, loud, smoke-belching and smelly coal fired plants. With regard to space: wind farms also serve as agricultural farms. Meanwhile, coal mines destroy the land and produce toxic water ponds, while coal plants harm the livability of the areas surrounding them for miles. Addressing cost, wind power easily achieves parity with coal (or is cheaper!) if all the social, environmental, and health costs are factored in. Finally, conventional sources have are the unreliability of variable fuel costs, and plants shut down occasionally without notice. As a result, reserves are and will be integrated into any system with. In addition, no one is advocating depending totally on wind power: a mix of renewable sources are necessary.
Wind power may not be perfect, but an honest and fact-based assessment clearly shows that it is far preferable than the main alternative of coal. Farbeit from hurting Ohio's economy, wind power is an essential element if we are to ensure the clean and cost-effective energy sources on which a prosperous future depends.
Nathan Ruggles
Cincinnati (formerly of Akron)
Wind farms, other boondoggles a burden on Ohio's economy | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Mansfield News Journal
Dear Editor:
Subject: Wind Power: A Preferable Alternative
The letter entitled "Wind farms, other boondoggles a burden on Ohio's economy," which appeared in the January 24, 2001 edition, made several unsubstantiated claims. While all energy sources have some negative effects, alternatives such as wind power must be compared to conventional sources. In Ohio, this means coal. Such an evaluation shows that wind power wins on all counts.
Let's consider birds: fossil fuel based electricity causes many times more fatalities than wind farms per gigawatt hour. Even with more turbines, many times more birds are killed by each of automobiles, electric lines, hunting, cats, and even windows! (I'm sure the letter author would not advocate getting rid of cars to protect birds.) As for other environmental and health costs, while wind power is negligible, coal mining and burning contaminates water with mercury, destroys wildlife habitat, scars the landscape, puts harmful particulates into the air, and causes global warming. Worse, coal power has terrible health effects, including contributing to childhood asthma and causing estimated thousands of premature deaths each year. In terms of noise and appearance, wind turbines are much more benign and beautiful than dirty, ugly, loud, smoke-belching and smelly coal fired plants. With regard to space: wind farms also serve as agricultural farms. Meanwhile, coal mines destroy the land and produce toxic water ponds, while coal plants harm the livability of the areas surrounding them for miles. Addressing cost, wind power easily achieves parity with coal (or is cheaper!) if all the social, environmental, and health costs are factored in. Finally, conventional sources have are the unreliability of variable fuel costs, and plants shut down occasionally without notice. As a result, reserves are and will be integrated into any system with. In addition, no one is advocating depending totally on wind power: a mix of renewable sources are necessary.
Wind power may not be perfect, but an honest and fact-based assessment clearly shows that it is far preferable than the main alternative of coal. Farbeit from hurting Ohio's economy, wind power is an essential element if we are to ensure the clean and cost-effective energy sources on which a prosperous future depends.
Nathan Ruggles
Cincinnati (formerly of Akron)
Friday, December 17, 2010
So Much Accomplished!
More funding for endless wars. Check.
Escalation of Afghan War. Check.
Taking military cuts off the table for deficit reduction. Check.
Inability to pass arms treaties. Check.
Closed-door meetings in the White House with CEOs. Check.
Taxpayer funding for massive giveaway to health insurance companies. Check.
Billions for banks (and not Americans threatened by foreclosure). Check.
Billions for corporations (and not small businesses and workers). Check.
Free trade agreements (that benefit corporations at the expense of workers and small business). Check.
Continued tax cuts for the well-to-do. Check.
Tax cuts on the estate tax on millionaires. Check.
Continued tax cuts for the wealthy. Check.
Still more tax breaks for the wealthiest with their investment income. Check.
No climate change legislation. Check.
No immigration reform and more funding for border guards. Check.
Boy, they got a lot done in two years! At least the minority in Congress got scraps from the table on health care, unemployment, and tax breaks for the neediest. Don't worry, things will get better once Dems get the Congressional majority and we get McCain out of office.
Oh, wait a minute....
Escalation of Afghan War. Check.
Taking military cuts off the table for deficit reduction. Check.
Inability to pass arms treaties. Check.
Closed-door meetings in the White House with CEOs. Check.
Taxpayer funding for massive giveaway to health insurance companies. Check.
Billions for banks (and not Americans threatened by foreclosure). Check.
Billions for corporations (and not small businesses and workers). Check.
Free trade agreements (that benefit corporations at the expense of workers and small business). Check.
Continued tax cuts for the well-to-do. Check.
Tax cuts on the estate tax on millionaires. Check.
Continued tax cuts for the wealthy. Check.
Still more tax breaks for the wealthiest with their investment income. Check.
No climate change legislation. Check.
No immigration reform and more funding for border guards. Check.
Boy, they got a lot done in two years! At least the minority in Congress got scraps from the table on health care, unemployment, and tax breaks for the neediest. Don't worry, things will get better once Dems get the Congressional majority and we get McCain out of office.
Oh, wait a minute....
Saturday, December 4, 2010
America needs trains.
Chinese Passenger Train Tops 300 MPH During Test Run : The Two-Way : NPR
We need more affordable, reliable, safe, clean transportation in this country. Trains offer us all of the above, compared to both cars and planes, which are relatively dirty, expensive, unsafe, and unreliable. (To those who say trains are unreliable in this country, I say: they do it well in Europe, while cars will always be plagued by traffic jams, accidents, and breakdowns, while planes are now saddled with security.)
Attaining the American Dream requires affordability, especially in this day and age with a disrupted and unreliable economy, declining competitiveness via other countries, and higher unemployment. Trains (especially when combined with good public transit in cities) offers this to us. It is more sustainable both as individuals and as a society. We then have more time and resources to pursue our American Dreams....
We need more affordable, reliable, safe, clean transportation in this country. Trains offer us all of the above, compared to both cars and planes, which are relatively dirty, expensive, unsafe, and unreliable. (To those who say trains are unreliable in this country, I say: they do it well in Europe, while cars will always be plagued by traffic jams, accidents, and breakdowns, while planes are now saddled with security.)
Attaining the American Dream requires affordability, especially in this day and age with a disrupted and unreliable economy, declining competitiveness via other countries, and higher unemployment. Trains (especially when combined with good public transit in cities) offers this to us. It is more sustainable both as individuals and as a society. We then have more time and resources to pursue our American Dreams....
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Voter Fraud Myth
Voter fraud would be a real threat to our democracy. That is, if it existed.
The truth is, it hardly exists at all (let alone systemically, as some would have us believe with their accusations towards those of us who worked to register voters in our with ACORN.)
This piece nicely sums us the facts and the argument:
Why would anyone commit voter fraud? - By Christopher Beam - Slate Magazine
Debunking any myths about voter fraud helps to pave the way towards good reforms like universal voter registration, something truly worth our time, attention, and efforts if we truly care about ensuring fair, secure, and genuinely democratic elections in this country. It would be a real step towards strengthening American democracy....and securing the American Dream.
The truth is, it hardly exists at all (let alone systemically, as some would have us believe with their accusations towards those of us who worked to register voters in our with ACORN.)
This piece nicely sums us the facts and the argument:
Why would anyone commit voter fraud? - By Christopher Beam - Slate Magazine
Debunking any myths about voter fraud helps to pave the way towards good reforms like universal voter registration, something truly worth our time, attention, and efforts if we truly care about ensuring fair, secure, and genuinely democratic elections in this country. It would be a real step towards strengthening American democracy....and securing the American Dream.
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