Under intense economic pressures, increased Mid-Eastern turmoil, and general uncertainty regarding "change" around the world, there has been the first of what I see to be many governmental collapses.
According to the Associated Press, the government of Iceland has collapsed.
The world economic downturn led Iceland to banking failures, and an eventual nationalization of the banks - the same proposal being floated by the new American President, Obama. Unemployment has soared, the value of the Krone has plummeted, and commodity prices have skyrocketed - leaving the people of Iceland with no faith in their government - and eventual emergency elections required to begin rebuilding the country.
This comes just a week into Obama's Presidency - a term that is going to be marred with similar occurrences - after intelligence reports indicated that Mexico is on the brink of a Civil War and governmental collapse, the Canadian government was reported in December to be on the verge of collapse, and Obama's Treasury Secretary is at a dangerous risk of inciting retaliation from China on controversial comments regarding currency - causing the US dollar to plummet into obscurity.
What is more troubling on the home front is that Obama is requesting $1 Trillion in "bailout" moneys from Congress - which means removing $1 Trillion from the economy (our pocket books) in order to redistribute elsewhere... of course, if his proposal indicates an additional loan from a foreign investor, it is going to be a tough sell to the American People that taking an additional loan equivalent to 1/10 of our ENTIRE debt from an ideological enemy is a good idea at all. In America, gas prices are on the rise, unemployment is on the rise, and we are witness to rising costs of commodities... There is talk of governmental collapse on the northern and southern borders possibly requiring US military intervention in Mexico... States of the Union are locked in financial crises due to large governments who continue to spend beyond their means, and are appealing to the Federal Government for bail-out, effectively eliminating the sovereignty and personal responsibility... Obama is penning Executive Orders which will put further strain on the ailing auto industry, regarding carbon emissions as enemy number one - though this is scientifically incorrect, as carbon dioxide saturation is already complete and only absorbs heat logarithmically, thus is not the driving cause behind climate change (which occurs NATURALLY) - the earth is about to plummet into a cataclysmic ice age, more on that later... and finally, uncertainty in the United States is leading the citizenry to prepare for the worst, at a time when the government is ready to step in and forcefully interfere with free citizens - creating an atmosphere of unrest and increased tensions...
Ultimately, the collapse of Iceland's government is the modern day equivalent of the canary in the mine shaft... What it indicates is not good - what it means may not necessarily be clear, but the evidence above of the recipe for world governmental collapse seems overwhelming...
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Axis of Oil - OPEC, Russia, Mexico, Norway
OPEC is attempting to push cartel nations into cutting production by 2.5 million barrels of oil a day, led by anti-American countries of Iran and Venezuela.
The reason? Oil prices have fallen to about $70 per barrel, taking money out of the hands of the producers. Money that they are using to build an offensive capability unprecedented in their regions.
OPEC is also urging Russia, Mexico, and Norway to join forces in an attempt to crush the gluttonous American nation who has become completely dependent on them for survival...
Almost like Rome and her dependence on Egypt for grain during the fall of the Republic...
OPEC and the other axis of oil countries are not alone... they have help from within the United States. The "Socialist" Party (i.e. the Democrats) leadership of Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Obama, etc. have delayed oil exploration expansion, a key bridge to developing energy independence in the United States. Their lust for power is matched only by their ignorance on domestic issues, such as energy, as a key to basic survivability of not just the nation, but the states which make it up. Free energy exploration has been denied, and the Untied States has become more and more dependent on her enemies for fuel. A nation that cannot fuel itself, and cannot feed itself, cannot defend itself... and as such, cannot be free.
If OPEC and the Axis of Oil puts the squeeze on the US, there will be a cry for war, similar to the battle cry of the Japanese toward the US when we cut their oil imports at the beginning of WWII. In this case, we are the land of the rising sun (though I would argue that it is very much setting). The leaders of the nation will bring us into a true war for oil...
The Federal government, and the Democratic Party have become so out of touch with reality that it puts the very existence of a free people in the Americas at risk. The Republican party is not doing much better - having become a mostly war mongering party, blindly "supporting troops" without thought to constitutionality of their cause - and in doing so, and by not leaving well enough alone with Russia, we have turned a valued ally into an enemy.
But why bring up the constitution - it is merely an historical document which laid the groundwork for the "Constitutional Socialist Democracy" which was birthed in 2008.
America is under siege. The enemies created by the authoritarian colonistic policies of the last 20 years have learned the lessons of political influence - and they are bearing them down upon the US. These are enemies, both foreign and domestic - and they are well versed in hatred of liberty! In response, the consumers of the Untied States are confused - running blindly to support regime change - which is really societal change to socialism. Meanwhile, the Russians are getting their just dessert - payback for the 1989 collapse of their Socialist Union; the Iranians are laughing all the way to the bank, as payback for the Shah. The One World capitalist government is collapsing, and the stage is being set for a One World Socialist take-over. You know it is coming when the GOP president is to the left of Hugo Chavez on economic issues... and the Democratic Candidate for presidency is already making appointments to discuss terms of surrender with the same. With a Socialist America, liberty throughout the world fails, giving birth to the age of worldwide authoritarian control - or continued conflicts for control.
All the while, the Federal Government is contemplating ANOTHER stimulus give-a-way. Another check, bought on credit. Another Trillion dollars towards a national debt... a nation that knows no more bounds... a nation whose treasury is being raped and pillaged by leaders, corrupt maggots all, blood lusting for continued and permanent power. Another solid marker along the highway of socialist reform in the United States.
Arm yourselves.
And understand the meaning of these words:
The reason? Oil prices have fallen to about $70 per barrel, taking money out of the hands of the producers. Money that they are using to build an offensive capability unprecedented in their regions.
OPEC is also urging Russia, Mexico, and Norway to join forces in an attempt to crush the gluttonous American nation who has become completely dependent on them for survival...
Almost like Rome and her dependence on Egypt for grain during the fall of the Republic...
OPEC and the other axis of oil countries are not alone... they have help from within the United States. The "Socialist" Party (i.e. the Democrats) leadership of Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Obama, etc. have delayed oil exploration expansion, a key bridge to developing energy independence in the United States. Their lust for power is matched only by their ignorance on domestic issues, such as energy, as a key to basic survivability of not just the nation, but the states which make it up. Free energy exploration has been denied, and the Untied States has become more and more dependent on her enemies for fuel. A nation that cannot fuel itself, and cannot feed itself, cannot defend itself... and as such, cannot be free.If OPEC and the Axis of Oil puts the squeeze on the US, there will be a cry for war, similar to the battle cry of the Japanese toward the US when we cut their oil imports at the beginning of WWII. In this case, we are the land of the rising sun (though I would argue that it is very much setting). The leaders of the nation will bring us into a true war for oil...
The Federal government, and the Democratic Party have become so out of touch with reality that it puts the very existence of a free people in the Americas at risk. The Republican party is not doing much better - having become a mostly war mongering party, blindly "supporting troops" without thought to constitutionality of their cause - and in doing so, and by not leaving well enough alone with Russia, we have turned a valued ally into an enemy.
But why bring up the constitution - it is merely an historical document which laid the groundwork for the "Constitutional Socialist Democracy" which was birthed in 2008.
America is under siege. The enemies created by the authoritarian colonistic policies of the last 20 years have learned the lessons of political influence - and they are bearing them down upon the US. These are enemies, both foreign and domestic - and they are well versed in hatred of liberty! In response, the consumers of the Untied States are confused - running blindly to support regime change - which is really societal change to socialism. Meanwhile, the Russians are getting their just dessert - payback for the 1989 collapse of their Socialist Union; the Iranians are laughing all the way to the bank, as payback for the Shah. The One World capitalist government is collapsing, and the stage is being set for a One World Socialist take-over. You know it is coming when the GOP president is to the left of Hugo Chavez on economic issues... and the Democratic Candidate for presidency is already making appointments to discuss terms of surrender with the same. With a Socialist America, liberty throughout the world fails, giving birth to the age of worldwide authoritarian control - or continued conflicts for control.
All the while, the Federal Government is contemplating ANOTHER stimulus give-a-way. Another check, bought on credit. Another Trillion dollars towards a national debt... a nation that knows no more bounds... a nation whose treasury is being raped and pillaged by leaders, corrupt maggots all, blood lusting for continued and permanent power. Another solid marker along the highway of socialist reform in the United States.
Arm yourselves.
And understand the meaning of these words:
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of
patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
McCain and the Bail-Out
On July 17, 2007 I wrote a short article about John McCain's failure as his campaign seemingly fell apart. It was an article no more than two-three sentences that left me eating crow when his campaign rallied back to win the nomination. It was inspired by the following cartoon:
So now we are seeing the second crumbling of the McCain campaign - and I am left wondering if the strong finishing maverick has what it takes to turn it around?
As early voting is already underway in the battleground state of Ohio, it is necessary to look at McCain's failures and what he must do to turn them around NOW!
1. McCain saw his biggest bump when he picked Sarah Palin, but has spent the last month trying too hard to conform her to McCain Jr. What he needs to do is let the tiger out of her cage! Sarah Palin works best when she is allowed to lead - not when she is being micromanaged and shielded from being the hardball player that she naturally is. Hopefully tomorrow's debate will be the beginning of the Palin rally, and she will come out swinging against Joe Biden.
2. McCain has stayed negative. John's constant attacks of Obama are failing to succeed. This is a time when McCain needs to lay out his economic plan, his energy plan, his tax plan, etc. No more attack ads. Everyone knows WHO John McCain is, but he has failed to say what he stands to do - besides making the authors of earmark legislation famous... Unfortunately Earmarks are not the source of the problem right now!
3. Focus on leadership. John McCain gathered 60 votes in support of the failed bailout plan - there were 4 House votes originally - McCain brought over 60 additional. McCain has the ability to lead the party and the country - He just needs to do it in a way that is not supporting a growing government and bad policy!
4. Come out against Bush. McCain needs to run an ad, or give a speech that hits Bush hard on the size of government. He needs to say that bush was distracted from his role as a conservative leader, and caused the government to grow - and then lay out a plan to shrink the size and the authoritarian nature of this government. Bush has not campaigned for McCain, and endorses him only as a Republican - so why not send a Conservative/Libertarian message that enough is enough on government growth, and He is the only candidate pledging to reduce the size and spending of the government by ~25% in four years.
5. Buy a two minute spot before the Vice Presidential debate on all channels in which he can make a case for his presidency. Everyone is going to be watching the VP debate to see Palin perform, so this is the perfect time to catch the attention of America. He needs to spell out his plan, and lay it all on the line then. Early voting is already under way in some states, and Mail-in ballots are a week away in Colorado. Now is the time!
If John McCain is going to make a move, it needs to be done NOW. The general election is one month away, but a majority of ALL voting will be complete within the next two weeks. Americans have been encouraged to become a "mail-in" ballot country - what is more patriotic than staying home and voting in your pajamas? If McCain intends on finishing first, all cards need to be laid on the table, all bluffs need to be called, and he needs to go all-in... This is it, folks... all or nothing!
So now we are seeing the second crumbling of the McCain campaign - and I am left wondering if the strong finishing maverick has what it takes to turn it around?
As early voting is already underway in the battleground state of Ohio, it is necessary to look at McCain's failures and what he must do to turn them around NOW!
1. McCain saw his biggest bump when he picked Sarah Palin, but has spent the last month trying too hard to conform her to McCain Jr. What he needs to do is let the tiger out of her cage! Sarah Palin works best when she is allowed to lead - not when she is being micromanaged and shielded from being the hardball player that she naturally is. Hopefully tomorrow's debate will be the beginning of the Palin rally, and she will come out swinging against Joe Biden.
2. McCain has stayed negative. John's constant attacks of Obama are failing to succeed. This is a time when McCain needs to lay out his economic plan, his energy plan, his tax plan, etc. No more attack ads. Everyone knows WHO John McCain is, but he has failed to say what he stands to do - besides making the authors of earmark legislation famous... Unfortunately Earmarks are not the source of the problem right now!
3. Focus on leadership. John McCain gathered 60 votes in support of the failed bailout plan - there were 4 House votes originally - McCain brought over 60 additional. McCain has the ability to lead the party and the country - He just needs to do it in a way that is not supporting a growing government and bad policy!
4. Come out against Bush. McCain needs to run an ad, or give a speech that hits Bush hard on the size of government. He needs to say that bush was distracted from his role as a conservative leader, and caused the government to grow - and then lay out a plan to shrink the size and the authoritarian nature of this government. Bush has not campaigned for McCain, and endorses him only as a Republican - so why not send a Conservative/Libertarian message that enough is enough on government growth, and He is the only candidate pledging to reduce the size and spending of the government by ~25% in four years.
5. Buy a two minute spot before the Vice Presidential debate on all channels in which he can make a case for his presidency. Everyone is going to be watching the VP debate to see Palin perform, so this is the perfect time to catch the attention of America. He needs to spell out his plan, and lay it all on the line then. Early voting is already under way in some states, and Mail-in ballots are a week away in Colorado. Now is the time!
If John McCain is going to make a move, it needs to be done NOW. The general election is one month away, but a majority of ALL voting will be complete within the next two weeks. Americans have been encouraged to become a "mail-in" ballot country - what is more patriotic than staying home and voting in your pajamas? If McCain intends on finishing first, all cards need to be laid on the table, all bluffs need to be called, and he needs to go all-in... This is it, folks... all or nothing!
Monday, September 29, 2008
How a Republic becomes an Empire - ROME v. US
Beginning October 1st, this WEDNESDAY, the US Army will assign The 3rd Infantry’s 1st Brigade Combat Team on ACTIVE DUTY inside the United States - dubbing it "Consequence Management Response Force" operating in the United States - operating out of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.
This combat brigade has spent 35 of the last 60 months operating in heavy combat in Iraq - now they are being stationed as part of an active combat operation within the United States.
Though this is not the first time an active operation has taken place within the borders of US proper, this is the first time that an unprecedented active and permanent deployment of US combat troops has been deployed in the United States.
I cannot help but recall the early days of the Roman Empire, when defending the Republic was the mantra of those in command, however Rome became a place of martial law and eventually an Empire under the Caesar's. Roman law stated that no Roman Army could cross the Rubicon River - Yet, when Julius Caesar marched his army south and into Rome, a new age began in which Rome ceased to be a Republic and set the stage for the Roman Empire.
Yet, Caesar's deployment of combat troops to Rome was not the only act that ended the Republic - it was Caesar's bribery of the troops, the citizens, and the wealthy with gold from Rome's treasury. These payments came as goodwill signs that Caesar was intent on ruling on behalf of the people - yet the Civil Wars that ensued ensured the death of the Roman Republic.
Parallel to the United States in the new century... After the attacks of September 11th, Homeland Security was created, giving rise to the day-to-day existence of authoritarian government officials in our daily lives. This is the sign of the unrest of the nation - just as the unrest existed with the growing concerns in Ancient Rome when Pompey and Julius broke their friendship. The United States handed out a $600 per person payment from "the treasury" to show a sign of goodwill to the Plebs - just as Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar did on many occasion to ensure domestic jubulance. The United States Federal Government has taken an authoritarian stance towards the states, and the citizens, now stationing active combat troops inside the United States and tramping on state's rights - just as Julius Caesar stationed troops inside of the city walls of Rome, as well as throughout the countryside, instituting martial law and military authoritarianism.
Conspiracy Theory or not? There are now too many coincidences for a conservative libertarian like myself to ignore. Without discrediting myself, I want to take a moment and question the intentions of this United States Government.
1. Presidential Directive 51 - In order to maintain an "Enduring Constitutional Government", the President has the sole power (where it used to take an act of congress) to take over all functions of the government in the event of a "catastrophic event" to provide "leadership visible to the nation and the world". This gives the President absolute power to mandate certain operations to ensure "stability" as he sees fit.
2. Telephone Tapping Infrastructure - Since 9/11, the US government has been conducting a surveillance of telephone conversations in search of intelligence regarding terrorism in the United States. This tapping debate was led by the battle cry "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" - regardless of the implications to civil liberties. One thing that was not also considered was the building of the infrastructure to tap the general public. Now the infrastructure exists to listen to, and record every conversation via telephone services - less Blackberry because Canada refuses to cooperate with tapping.
3. Inflation and Distraction - The value of the US dollar has decreased by 96% since the inception of the Federal Reserve, the Federal Debt has gone from $0 to nearly $10 Trillion in the same amount of time (and has continued to increase an average of $2.32 billion per day since September 28, 2007!) , and the Federal Government is making no plans to stop spending (especially under Obama). The taxpayers of the United States seems not too concerned about this debt, as we have been cultured into a "credit" state of mind, and distracted by commercialism and reality TV constantly demanding that we "watch and vote" - as if it made some sort of a difference in the world! The burden of the debt is over $30,000 per US citizen - more than a years pay for most Americans. Such a burden forces the citizenry into a state of "constant work" in order to survive - thus removing the mind of the masses.
4. Digital Television Infrastructure - Beginning Feb 2009 all televisions will be on a digital signal, allowing interactive information sharing between the TV and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This allows, initially, an exact tracking of what each TV is watching - trends, stations, etc... even volume information may be available as digital TVs are asked to deliver certain information to the Federal Agency. In the future, as Orwellian as it may seem, Televisions may be constructed with a voice and/or picture recording device (so you can webcam on your tv) - however, those cameras would also be able to be activated through a digital signal - thus monitoring conversations of every household in America.
5. Intersection Cameras - National Surveillance is already underway. I challenge my readers to go to any Colorado intersection and NOT see a camera. I am not just talking about the Red Light Ticket Cams - I am talking about "traffic cameras" used for general surveillance of motorists. Every minute of every day these cameras are active - and it is not much of a jump to suppose that these cameras can be networked or operated by a federal/national agency. Add to those cameras the ATM cameras across the nation, and other cameras hardwired to the net, and tie in facial recognition technology (I got scanned at the Denver Airport two weeks ago by a facial recognition booth on my way to security) and the government can track you anywhere at any time.
6. FEMA camps - As a part of REX 84 (Readiness Exercise 1984), in which the Federal Government has planned for the mass arrest and detention of US citizens in the case of civil unrest, the FEMA camps are those mass detention centers. This Link provides a list of the FEMA camp locations - including the refurbished Trinidad Camp in Colorado where German and Italian Americans were detained during WWII and the Canon City Japanese internment camp. Don't forget about the corresponding FEMA Coffins - now this may be conspiracy theorist garbage, but I have to question the existence of millions of coffin liners popping up near the FEMA camps.
7. Active Deployment of Combat Troops - The deployment of combat troops for the purpose of putting down civil unrest within the United States is the last reality of the Authoritarian Society in which we now find ourselves.
Call me crazy, or a Conspiracy Theorist, or call me a realist and a patriot for questioning the actions taken by the Federal Government. As we move further toward a nationalized marketplace and a Federal Authoritarian government, I am left contemplating the words of the late Benjamin Franklin: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both"
What ARE the intentions of the US government?
I don't want to have the children of tomorrow's generation look back on this time and ask "Why didn't anybody do anything?"
This combat brigade has spent 35 of the last 60 months operating in heavy combat in Iraq - now they are being stationed as part of an active combat operation within the United States.
Though this is not the first time an active operation has taken place within the borders of US proper, this is the first time that an unprecedented active and permanent deployment of US combat troops has been deployed in the United States.
I cannot help but recall the early days of the Roman Empire, when defending the Republic was the mantra of those in command, however Rome became a place of martial law and eventually an Empire under the Caesar's. Roman law stated that no Roman Army could cross the Rubicon River - Yet, when Julius Caesar marched his army south and into Rome, a new age began in which Rome ceased to be a Republic and set the stage for the Roman Empire.
Yet, Caesar's deployment of combat troops to Rome was not the only act that ended the Republic - it was Caesar's bribery of the troops, the citizens, and the wealthy with gold from Rome's treasury. These payments came as goodwill signs that Caesar was intent on ruling on behalf of the people - yet the Civil Wars that ensued ensured the death of the Roman Republic.
Parallel to the United States in the new century... After the attacks of September 11th, Homeland Security was created, giving rise to the day-to-day existence of authoritarian government officials in our daily lives. This is the sign of the unrest of the nation - just as the unrest existed with the growing concerns in Ancient Rome when Pompey and Julius broke their friendship. The United States handed out a $600 per person payment from "the treasury" to show a sign of goodwill to the Plebs - just as Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar did on many occasion to ensure domestic jubulance. The United States Federal Government has taken an authoritarian stance towards the states, and the citizens, now stationing active combat troops inside the United States and tramping on state's rights - just as Julius Caesar stationed troops inside of the city walls of Rome, as well as throughout the countryside, instituting martial law and military authoritarianism.
Conspiracy Theory or not? There are now too many coincidences for a conservative libertarian like myself to ignore. Without discrediting myself, I want to take a moment and question the intentions of this United States Government.
1. Presidential Directive 51 - In order to maintain an "Enduring Constitutional Government", the President has the sole power (where it used to take an act of congress) to take over all functions of the government in the event of a "catastrophic event" to provide "leadership visible to the nation and the world". This gives the President absolute power to mandate certain operations to ensure "stability" as he sees fit.
2. Telephone Tapping Infrastructure - Since 9/11, the US government has been conducting a surveillance of telephone conversations in search of intelligence regarding terrorism in the United States. This tapping debate was led by the battle cry "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" - regardless of the implications to civil liberties. One thing that was not also considered was the building of the infrastructure to tap the general public. Now the infrastructure exists to listen to, and record every conversation via telephone services - less Blackberry because Canada refuses to cooperate with tapping.
3. Inflation and Distraction - The value of the US dollar has decreased by 96% since the inception of the Federal Reserve, the Federal Debt has gone from $0 to nearly $10 Trillion in the same amount of time (and has continued to increase an average of $2.32 billion per day since September 28, 2007!) , and the Federal Government is making no plans to stop spending (especially under Obama). The taxpayers of the United States seems not too concerned about this debt, as we have been cultured into a "credit" state of mind, and distracted by commercialism and reality TV constantly demanding that we "watch and vote" - as if it made some sort of a difference in the world! The burden of the debt is over $30,000 per US citizen - more than a years pay for most Americans. Such a burden forces the citizenry into a state of "constant work" in order to survive - thus removing the mind of the masses.
4. Digital Television Infrastructure - Beginning Feb 2009 all televisions will be on a digital signal, allowing interactive information sharing between the TV and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This allows, initially, an exact tracking of what each TV is watching - trends, stations, etc... even volume information may be available as digital TVs are asked to deliver certain information to the Federal Agency. In the future, as Orwellian as it may seem, Televisions may be constructed with a voice and/or picture recording device (so you can webcam on your tv) - however, those cameras would also be able to be activated through a digital signal - thus monitoring conversations of every household in America.
5. Intersection Cameras - National Surveillance is already underway. I challenge my readers to go to any Colorado intersection and NOT see a camera. I am not just talking about the Red Light Ticket Cams - I am talking about "traffic cameras" used for general surveillance of motorists. Every minute of every day these cameras are active - and it is not much of a jump to suppose that these cameras can be networked or operated by a federal/national agency. Add to those cameras the ATM cameras across the nation, and other cameras hardwired to the net, and tie in facial recognition technology (I got scanned at the Denver Airport two weeks ago by a facial recognition booth on my way to security) and the government can track you anywhere at any time.
6. FEMA camps - As a part of REX 84 (Readiness Exercise 1984), in which the Federal Government has planned for the mass arrest and detention of US citizens in the case of civil unrest, the FEMA camps are those mass detention centers. This Link provides a list of the FEMA camp locations - including the refurbished Trinidad Camp in Colorado where German and Italian Americans were detained during WWII and the Canon City Japanese internment camp. Don't forget about the corresponding FEMA Coffins - now this may be conspiracy theorist garbage, but I have to question the existence of millions of coffin liners popping up near the FEMA camps.
7. Active Deployment of Combat Troops - The deployment of combat troops for the purpose of putting down civil unrest within the United States is the last reality of the Authoritarian Society in which we now find ourselves.
Call me crazy, or a Conspiracy Theorist, or call me a realist and a patriot for questioning the actions taken by the Federal Government. As we move further toward a nationalized marketplace and a Federal Authoritarian government, I am left contemplating the words of the late Benjamin Franklin: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both"
What ARE the intentions of the US government?
I don't want to have the children of tomorrow's generation look back on this time and ask "Why didn't anybody do anything?"
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Blogging on my Birthday / The Importance of Labor Day
I hope everyone had a safe Labor Day holiday, and took a minute to give thanks to the men and women who labored before us to build this wonderful nation in which we live.And this brings me to my topic today. Our generation is that of lazy, spoiled, self-righteous, little bastards... As a whole, we are more concerned with hip-hop, Hilton, and hand-helds than we are about giving thanks and living up to the expectations of our founders. We live in a generation where everything was given to us... even the impoverished, there was always someone offering something. The infrastructure was in place, public transportation existed, cable television, Nintendo, AAA roadside, electricity, microwave ovens, fast food, Starbucks, playboy, Internet, cell phones, CNN, etc, etc...
There was never any REAL struggle to "get" in our generation... Our biggest decision growing up was $0.49 hamburgers or nuggets in our McDonald's Happy Meal...
We forget that not too long ago there was no Happy Meal... actually, every meal was a happy meal... because there was food enough for everyone to eat, even the parents... It was not long ago that the only way into town was a stroll down a dirt road, highways did not exist... hell, CARS did not exist... or if they did, it was rare to actually own on. Skyscrapers were things of fiction, child labor was rampant in the industrial cities, food in the US was scarce, jobs were even more so...
And it was in those conditions, without power or running water, that the backbone of America was built. Men and women labored to provide the United States the tools necessary to grow into a world leader (we were not always on top). The coasts were connected by highway, then freeway. Towns turned into Cities as metropolitan centers sprang up across the nation... Men and women worked 40, 50, 60 floors above the ground without adequate safety equipment (because if you complained your job went to the next guy in line willing to shut up and work to feed his family)... Bridges spanned seemingly impossible gaps, bringing potential to once remote areas across the nation. Raging rivers were dammed, giving power to the nation. Telephones and Radios were invented, followed by television... Blood, sweat, suffering, and pride... The core of the US, creating a nation... And my hat goes off to everyone who has come before us.
Now, we are on a different path... Corrupt leaders wasting millions, billions of dollars wasted on "compassion" over progress... Cities destroyed by storms left as ghost towns because this generation lacks the backbone to work when the yoke is heavy on our backs... It is easier to move and look for a handout in another location. Instead of low cost, high quality work because of pride in our jobs...we get lowest bidder/matching quality...
Houses are defunct, roads are falling into disrepair, bridges are collapsing, dams are aging, power plants are at maximum capacity and at age, hundred year old steam pipes are erupting beneath city streets... the very pipes laid by our laboring founders.
What it took the Roman Empire hundreds of years to accomplish, we did in decades... and what it took the Romans nearly a thousand years to squander... well, we have done in a much shorter timeline.
From infrastructure, to our way of life... it is all connected. When we create a society incapable of supporting itself, of rebuilding in the wake of disaster, or lacking insight and innovation... well, you get a crumbled infrastructure, a corrupt ruling class, and a culture that ceases to exist.
So in observation of this holiday (and my birthday), don't look at it as a day to "hurry on in for the huge sale"... In fact, don't even take a day off... you don't deserve it... none of us do! You should, instead, gather the family and take a tour of an historical building... ask questions on the tour about the laborers, the architecture, and how in a time of horse and buggy such a feat was accomplished. We should give money to the historical societies locally... preserving what our government won't. And write an editorial to your local big city post echoing these same concerns...
And most importantly, put down your Venti-double-Mocha from Starbucks and ask yourself one question: What would I be willing to do to ensure a successful future for this country... What would I sacrifice to feed my family... or What have I taken for granted lately?
Introspection is the only way to know the self, to know your capabilities, to know your true worth... Look inside yourself... look inside the nation's self... What do you see, and what would you change?
God Bless!
Friday, June 29, 2007
What is most important to you: Declaration of Independence or the US Constitution?
In an attempt to better understand the way that we citizens view the role of government and the role of a citizen of the United States, I have (over)simplified my analysis into one simple question:
What founding document do you hold nearest to your heart: The Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution of the United States?
As such, I plan to use this same concept/question in my CNN/YouTube video question to the Republican Candidates for the September 23rd debate.
Perhaps I should explain why this question matters to me... and should to you.
One who holds the Constitution closer to his heart puts more of an emphasis on the structure of government, the necessity of government, and the hope that a government can exist as a part of the citizenry. All good things.
One who holds the Declaration of Independence closer to his heart, as a government official, tends to have a fear of the "Overbearing" government, and as such, understands that it is the citizenry who rules the government... not the other way around. Again... good things.
The difference between the two, in my oversimplified analysis, is that a government official who fears the people legislates with a lighter touch than one who envisions that the government, as an entity separate from the citizenry, rules the people.
I, for one, in the spirit of Patrick Henry (give me liberty or give me death) agree that there should be less power in the federal government, and as such, live and die by the D.O.I. - a general "Up Yours" to a government that does not represent the people
Have I oversimplified? If so, let me know... Which document do you hold dearest... and how do you perceive the difference between the two?
What founding document do you hold nearest to your heart: The Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution of the United States?
As such, I plan to use this same concept/question in my CNN/YouTube video question to the Republican Candidates for the September 23rd debate.
Perhaps I should explain why this question matters to me... and should to you.
One who holds the Constitution closer to his heart puts more of an emphasis on the structure of government, the necessity of government, and the hope that a government can exist as a part of the citizenry. All good things.
One who holds the Declaration of Independence closer to his heart, as a government official, tends to have a fear of the "Overbearing" government, and as such, understands that it is the citizenry who rules the government... not the other way around. Again... good things.
The difference between the two, in my oversimplified analysis, is that a government official who fears the people legislates with a lighter touch than one who envisions that the government, as an entity separate from the citizenry, rules the people.
I, for one, in the spirit of Patrick Henry (give me liberty or give me death) agree that there should be less power in the federal government, and as such, live and die by the D.O.I. - a general "Up Yours" to a government that does not represent the people
Have I oversimplified? If so, let me know... Which document do you hold dearest... and how do you perceive the difference between the two?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Lame Duck Government?
With the executive and legislative branches of the government both polling in the 25% - 29% approval rating, it is very hard for me to understand how anything they are doing now is relevant?!?
I am not anti-Bush... but here we have a lame duck president with less than two years with which to save face on his presidential legacy. The media and growing lack of support for ongoing operations in Iraq have nailed that as the major legacy... However, it would seem that in an attempt to make the much needed positive headline, Bush is forgetting the tax-cuts that stopped the economic slowdown of the early millenia. So then I have to ask, why, dear president, are we trying to push through unpopular legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to be a lower-than-working class of society, with little to no hope of climbing the rungs of the ladder out of poverty any sooner than three generations???
Oh, that's right. Corporate America needs a cheap labor force. Is that why my execs make tens of millions of dollars a year, and the laborers, such as myself, are left working extended shifts in the midst of understaffing and budget cuts?
And the legislative branch... oh, where do I begin? After a sweeping November election by the Democratic Party, promising to usher in a new era of open government... well, that idea flew right out the window!
So it seems like there are an equal amount of ethics issues on both sides of the aisle - and we are in need of some across the board government reform. That is not to say that we need to change the laws limiting... blah blah blah... rather, the corrupt individuals who are running us down the fast track to Hades need to step out of the way, and give some fresh new minds the reigns.
It is about time for the lame duck government to listen to the will of the people... That is, the Citizens of the US...
Don't get me started on the judicial branch!
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