To a friend re: #occupy

Dunno why I was surprised to see such a massive concerted effort to shut this thing down recently. There was the 18 cities conspiring together to "protect the protestors" by tearing up and throwing away their ****. But the thing that really surprised me was the echo-chamber on the left and the right attacking with all the means at their disposal. The memes launched in the face of OWS was truly awe-inspiring and disgusting. I suppose it could be said that all sides smelled the end was near after the coordinated attack that took place, but the sinister side of me suspects it to be evidence that blue and red, left and right, the political machine operates at the behest of a very privileged few.




There has been everything in the meme department from #occupybandname to spouters from both slants talking about how this movement could have been different/better.



And what happened? WE DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE! We're not going to go anywhere. We're not going to stop connecting. We are building a grand and new dream for this nation, and yes, we do presume to speak for you. It's simple though, if you disagree with something, just come down to your local GA and add your voice to the cacophony that's currently sounding the end of subjugation. We appreciate your opinion.



"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." - FDR



He said that because fear drives people to do things they don't think about. It drives people to hate and rage at the things they don't understand. What America is beginning to understand is that we don't have a way out. There is no modern-day emperor coming to lead us from the ordeal of being. We must find a better way to be because the old way is dying, and threatening to take us with it.



You can't just lump us all together as "hippies" or "druggies" or "whatever-ies" and cast us out of your group. We are you. Just like you. And we need your help!

Occupying a Democracy

After reading the article titled "Democrats take swipes at Scott" in today's Palm Beach Post (Sunday, Oct 30, 2011), by George Bennett, I was reminded of a few meetings and events I attended in the past, and few few notes I made on them.

I met Mr. Mark Alan Seigel at a meeting of the Democratic Executive committee earlier this year. I attended the meeting mostly out of a burning desire to ensure reasonable voices were being heard in these meetings. Though I did nearly become a delegate, I chose to remain independent due to my perception of the limitations being a delegate would bring.

I am not a registered democrat because the national democratic party wooed me with their slick political agility. I am a registered democrat because I agree to the premise by which most of the members of the party view problems and values.

This premise seems rooted in the idea that every voice should be included (no matter how difficult a political opinion their inclusion may produce). And, since I believe that all humans are equal in worth/value/opinion/etc... the appeal appears obvious to me.

The article mentioned above contains a quote from Republican Party of Florida Chairman Larry Curry, who alluded to Democratic "control of the House and Senate," with an assertion that the party squandered it's time in power.

To take the bait on that line is to follow done a well-worn path of realpolitik that serves to take focus off of the real problems being created by men in the name of "the people."

Due to the Filibuster, no party has controlled the Senate without 60 senators in agreement, and, unlike Republicans, Democrats don't always vote together the same. Party loyalty doesn't prevent representatives from including themselves in the conversation of politics with the interest of their constituents in consideration (drawing no intentional comparisons).

I agree with Democratic party chairman Rod Smith, that Rick Scott is giving dems a heap of help with his policies and ever present background issues, but I also believe the party should do more to highlight the strawman that is this "Democrats controlled the House and Senate" argument, and remove it as a political football going forward.

The accomplishments of this country in the last 2 years are fairly impressive given where we were as the horrid 2008 bled economic tragedy into 1st quarter 2009. The stat that gripped me in late 2008 was the second month of 500,000+ jobs lost (almost exactly 3 years ago to date, Oct, 2008), and the visualization of the collapse of a system of production and distribution. From Nov, 2008 to Mar, 2009 the US economy lost an average of over 750,000 jobs a month (source), which made many many more people sit up and take notice.

President Obama, in early 2009, said that our economy would fall short by $1Trillion in demand by the spring of 2010. We settled on ~$850Billion in economic stimulus and another ~$400Billion in omnibus spending on internal projects and infrastructure, which effectively stopped the 2008 bleeding.

The measures to bring our economy back from the brink of total collapse, though, did not fix the problems created by years of weak government and deregulation... not to mention 2 wars held in such close fiscal check that Billions of taxpayer dollars were literally given away, or "went missing."

The irony, of course, is that the party "in charge" while all of this was happening absolutely opposed all the measures to address the grievous delapidation in our economic structure and regulatory framework, and do to this day.

I hope that many more people, at least in Florida, are starting to sense a similar view of our recent history, and I'd bet they know the futility of trying to hold tightly to the previous world order, who's very nature requires one group annihilate another every few decades. And these people will not want to see national parties arguing over who got everything right or wrong, and who is most to blame for the global shift in economic balance.

We are here now. We can't go back to 1998-99, and we still need to manage the greatest nation on the planet... the fairest portion of the Earth... like responsible adults.

The Republican talking point of restoring some lost values as the means of bringing back the prosperity of a dead system lack appeal for those interested in paving the way for the future. The focus of our debate should lie in this resolution and beyond.

The Story of a Coup

I was all set to sensationalize the story I've been pushing on a few forums online: the Florida Prison Privatization deal passed by the legislature, signed by the governor and rejected yesterday by a Leon county circuit judge.

In my zest for raising awareness and mistrust for the governor of this state, I'd constructed quite the lame novella about corruption and greed involved in trying to make Florida's prisons privately owned for-profit facilities. Reality, all sexed up. (But I digress)

The truth of the matter is, Geo Group is a private security company who specializes in prison systems, and is a subsidiary the larger Wackenhut corporation. You may know Wackenhut from the security guards at your local mall, which will give you the wrong impression of the company in many cases (no offense meant to ethical mall security guards).

Wackenhut was started in Florida in the 50's by 3 former FBI agents, and has grown into one of the largest private security firms in the world. It got a mention in Jeremy Scahill's book demonizing Blackwater a few years ago.

I read the story of the judge's ruling in my local newspaper, but I should back up a bit.

The sensationizing I've been doing online has been in following a certain aspect of this case, ie former DOC chief Ed Buss. The Palm Beach Post reported on his "resignation" last August, and Governor Scott's attempt to keep Mr Buss from being deposed in the privatization case.

And from there, the stories can get pretty wild. (extrapolations)

But rather than try to paint some silly portrait full of caracatures, I'd like to step back and view this within a global perspective. I just can't. This company will have the ability to decide the fate and livelyhood of an unfortunately sizeable number of Florida's citizens if privatization occurs. I reject this plan for reasons beyond simple greed and corruption, or even sensationalized stories about them.

There should be no private islands in this state where Floridians aren't in Florida any more than the citizens of this state should have the dictates of a private organization forcably impressed upon them in any way. It is our citizens who should decide and have direct oversight of the housing of those of us who cannot understand the proper ways to live within our structure of laws and rights.

So when I see things like:

Buss also said in his deposition that Cloid Schuler, a GEO representative whom Buss knew from Indiana, rented a room at the same extended-stay hotel where Buss lived when he first came to Tallahassee in February, something that surprised Buss, according to his testimony.

and:

When asked if he expeced Schuler to be at the same hotel, Buss said: "Not unless he wanted to meet me. ... I mean, I don't know that I'd stay in the same hotel, but I bet they could stay at better places, though."

it disappoints me, because it's yet another case where the stain of the governor's past clouds the debate on this serious issue for the state.

The story of the governor's involvement includes a campaign fund raiser named Billy Rubin, who went to work for Geo Group after the governor was elected. This leads one to believe that Mr Billy Rubin either became the tie, or forged the tie between the company and the governor's office. (Shouldn't Billy Rubin be a health care lobbyist?)

But again, rather than taking that tired old road of beating on a man with a bad reputation already, I'd rather focus on the meaning of the law after he and anyone else involved today is gone.

moar to come

(wikipedia cites are taken as a given)

Clear and Present Anger

The television is your enemy!

That's the lesson I learned from watching the character Howard Beale in the 1976 film "Network," who ranted nightly against the evils posed by the televisification (TM) of a new class of humanoids. Beale was referring to people who've gotten everything they know from "that box," the television.

Nowadays the box blares on about this war, or that war, or the other war... about this tragedy, or that tragedy, or the other tragedy, and most Americans simply change the channel, or switch the "tube" off. It seems that either we have faith that someone will step in to correct the woes of the world, or we're sure there's nothing any one of us can do to help out.

The box carrying on about bad news someplace else is easy to excuse away, or ignore. That's what's so troubling about the ramping up of Mexican Drug violence over the last few years. It is someplace else, but not. Murder rates in Mexico, and all crimes in general have escalated year after year, showing no signs of slowing down. And, with the proximity to the US as close as any someplace else can be, I've started to pay attention.

As it turns out, a huge part of the power Mexican drug gangs wield is purchased with the profits of the sale of one particularly useful and popular "drug" called Marijuana. Estimated profits of the sale of Marijuana account for up to 50 to 60% of these organizations' total profits, which are in turn responsible for as many as 40,000 deaths in the last 5 years.

In this age of economic uncertainty over deficits and debts on a nation level, the US would be hard pressed to provide the kinds of resources to assist the situation, not to mention the lack of political will to put Americans in harms way on yet another front.

One suggestion, rather than fighting another war, was made during California's prop19 debate, in support of the measure to legalize the recreational use of Marijuana. It was made clear at that time (2010) that the revenues from the Marijuana sales were on par with those of other, more illicit substances.

This, in my opinion, is where one person can focus their efforts to make a change, and support the stabilization of our nearest neighbor to the south. As it stands, not only do 16 states already allow a monitored form of legalization, but cartels are actually using our own lands to grow the "drug" as well.

Upon hearing that Marijuana is one of, if not the leading monetary contributor to the violence that just recently claimed 52 lives, indiscriminately torched in a Monterrey casino... that the drug is not only legal in parts of the US, but grown here by these perpetrators, makes me as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore.

If you feel as mad as hell about these atrocities that are currently threatening the security of both Mexico and the US... if you agree with former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda, find out how you can help the effort to stem the flow of US dollars to people who kill with impunity. The brave can call their state or federal representatives. Others, check out NORML.org, or just write a blog or term/research paper like this one (or better). The more the word is spread, the more it will be heeded.

Who's OK with Default?

Today, I heard someone on The Diane Rehm Show refer to an interesting statistic regarding the debt ceiling debates. The guest said that 22 Republicans voted against raising the debt ceiling, including 2 Representatives from the State of Florida. Wondering just why someone would be so adamant about not acting to protect the "Full Faith and Credit of the United States of America," led me to consider the debate differently.

Why not default? What's it going to hurt?

In a short article by The Motley Fool, republished online by MSNBC.COM, fallout from a US default would likely include higher interest rates all around, higher commodity prices and the extension of 0 credit to the nation's 308,000,000 people. With these ramifications looming heavy on the American people, the thought of what they actually mean sheds a bit of light on the decision of the aformentioned 22 Representatives.

Since we're reminded daily about the fact that most individual Americans are in debt up to their eyeballs, raising interest rates would mean that those fiscally responsible people who've worked out their family's budget would see a stark change in the expense side of those equations. And, while this seems obvious, the prospect is actually difficult to come to grips with due largely to the huge task of reworking the house books.

With the vastness and darkness of the future this change represents, people tend to adopt a wait and see approach to the shifting sands, rather than beginning to plan for the horror the downside represents... All except for the 22 GOPer's and (presumably) those they represent.

So, why is it that these people would not be concerned about a rise in loan and credit card payments due to increased interest rate? One can only assume they have no, or little debt. I don't know this to be the case, but I wonder if the people represented by these 22 individuals share in the good fortune of owing so little that increases in interest rates don't concern them.

Next on the big scary default prediction list, higher commodity prices, also raises interesting and important questions about the represented. Of the general list of commodities there are too many products and industries to choose from in order to make a valid point, so I'll focus on just 2: Gas and Food.

Rather than search all over the world (wide web) for statistics on prices and production, the previous question begs a reintroduction of this one as well. The availability of gas and food determines the prices (along with a few other variables), so it seems the people least concerned about an increase in commodity prices would be those who already own the commodities, or the means to produce them. Off the top of my head I'd say land-owners, farming corporations and the oil and gas industry, but again, these are just hypotheticals (mostly).

Of the 196,000,000 drivers in the US, and 308,000,000 eaters, what percentage own the commodities they consume, or the means to produce them. Frankly, I don't know yet, but it seems a worthy question.

What I do know (or feel safe in assuming) is that they (the people who own the commodities and/or means of production) aren't housed neatly in 22 Congressional Districts. Just who are the people who lived and work in, say, Florida's 14th Congressional District, or Ohio's 4th Congressional District? And do they own a bunch of food and gas?

I'm guessing probably not, but the comfort to not fear these increases must mean something.

I'd continue on about the unavailability of credit, but even fairly well-off people haven't been able to get personal credit for a while. I wonder, though, if these hypothetical people who have no debt, and own all the food and gas in America, really worry about credit availability anyways.

So, to sum it all up, rather than be concerned about how these 22 Congressional Republicans could possibly be ok with our country going in to default for the first time ever, I'm more curious about the people living within their districts. It seems to me, unless they actually do hold 0 debt and own all the commodities, they'd be screwed just like all the rest of us living from paycheck to paycheck... even with an 8 month buffer.

The curiosity of the thing is what gets me motivated. Fortunately, the bill passed and the debtocalipse was averted. But, maybe we should be looking into these sort of anomalies just to make sure everything's on the up and up, or that we don't have entire Congressional Districts asleep at the wheel. After all, it's all available to be known today.

The Divinity of Truthiness

With the Nation-wide debate over the debt ceiling and the economy at large raging across the country, I figured I'd put my two cents in while it's still worth, well, two cents.

It's seems it's been the job of pundits and "experts" on ideological teams to classify exactly who is at fault during this debate, and who is the champion of "right reason" (right as in correct). The line of victims and perpetrators has been laid out, and depending on your personal world view, you have a clean path drawn for your fingers to point to villains and poor innocents alike. It's become so easy to tell who you root for and who you despise that we're collectively tottering on the edge of a cliff, feeling perfectly justified in our righteous indignation for "those" who are causing the problems.

So, what do we do when everyone's right and the problem still exists? Re-adjust our thinking and support people with real ideas for solving these finite problems? Nope... We turn to divinity!

Governors all over our country are meeting with religious leaders and calling for days of prayer for intervention in the debacle that men created by fooling the trusting majority, who counted on these "leaders" to keep us from having to make that ethereal 911 call. But with so many factions and entities to choose from, which agent of the divine do we pick for our heavenly national audit?

Well, of course there's Jesus and the big man in the sky (ala Zeus/Jupiter), his half-brother Mohamed, or the Hebrew father of them both, Yahweh... er Abraham maybe. We could lean east and pick one of the many Hindu gods or goddesses, but just who would be best suited?

Since, by the extreme percentages, around 135M people world-wide would physically assault someone for the words they speak about these entities, it's worth realizing, regardless of your personal beliefs, all these expressions, these apparitions, these deities, these examples of divinity... all these gods have power. People have proven themselves again and again fully capable of killing and/or being killed in the names of the divine.

Bearing this in mind, I propose a new suggestion. Actually, a very old suggestion. Ma'at. 

Ma'at "was the Ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice." In the grand scheme of things, a little Ma'at could go quite a long way. This deity is depicted wearing the "feather of truth" in her headband, and basically called things like they actually were.

If you dance near a cliff (to continue a metaphor), Ma'at says there's a chance you'll fall off. If you smoke cigarettes (which I sometimes do, sadly), Ma'at says there's a chance you'll get cancer or emphysema. If you do something that increases your risk of calamity, Ma'at says there's a chance you'll experience just such a calamity, and rightfully so. That is the way the universe works.

Now I know that very few people even know the name Ma'at today, but that wasn't always the case. The whole Egyptian empire (millions of people) knew her well for nearly six thousand years. Even with this day's population, on an individual basis, I'd bet as many people have channelled Ma'at through time as have any other idealized figure.

Based solely on the concept, though, it's hard to argue that having our society focus on the truth of our situation, thereby marginalizing the spurious sales pitches, wouldn't be a good thing.

The facts as I understand them are these. Around 3M Americans over the past 30 or so years have set a system in place whereby they make extremely vast sums of money, largely at the expense of people who don't know what they are doing. They made sure no one knew what they were doing so well that many of them couldn't help in the current fiscal situation if they wanted to... which most don't.

The giant wealth factory that is America has been shaped and shifted to funnel the results of the average person's lifetime straight back to those 3M Americans. All the value. All the worth. All the savings and security oozes ever so unnoticeably from the embattled to the jackals who've spent so much time and effort making permanent changes to the rules of the house. (Duh, winning)

I call them jackals, but they're really just people taking advantage of the board they set up for as long as they can. More the problem now, and what could use the benevolent help of the Ancient Egyptian goddess of truth, are the pitch-men selected for there ability to talk for hours and not say anything. Our politicians.

All sorts of descriptions get tossed around when discussing this class of individuals. I prefer unscrupulous, but then I've known a few in my day.

They will brood for hours, days or even years in order to come up with a way to say that a yellow bucket is green... and they do it so well they convince half the country it is so.

And, as always, here's where the factioning comes in. Our national conversation goes from whether a bucket is yellow or green, or whether 3M Americans are now holding more wealth (without creating jobs) than some 290M other Americans, to whether or not two dudes should be able to get married, or whether anyone should pay any taxes at all!

Politicians have tried to make this a battle over ideology, but it's really not. It's a battle to control the public perception of "truth." The people with the money have hired a giant PR firm calling itself a political party to sell the American public on the idea that they're supposed to want to work until they die for two weeks vacation a year and a flat-screen.

My revolution in thought is simple. I don't want to work for a robber-baron or a central government. I just want to work the with people around me to make a stable and secure world for my children and all the children of the world to inherit. That starts in the void left by lust and greed. Rather than being greedy for a personal wealth, I'm eager for the well-being of everyone... after all, many hands make light work and we've got a job to do.

Identity and Reality

I have the suspicion that “getting on board” with a philosophy and “buying in,” literally, to show support has less to do with the money or time one spends involved with an activity, and more to do with the power of having real conscious men and women focusing on a better world. There could actually be a special pride ('spe-ci-al like species, not 'speh-shul, but I might be making that word up) in us that can charge forth out of the ruin of what has both never been, and always was the common goal. There's one planet. There's one species on the planet that has been able to illustrate their notions about the wobble with which our spinning rock revolves around the Sun daily, and there's value in that. We have acquired tremendous means of destruction to defend against the perpetual enemy of the future to no avail... we die anyway. What if we stop acting like our children will have a different world to live in than we have? What if we acknowledge reality instead... Primary Source Reality.

I say we stop making decisions that affect the one and only planet we all have to share into the future as though the realities of those choices are inconsequential. I say you who tell us lies for the sake of money should feel the shame of doing so only as long as it takes for you to tell the truth. I do not blame anyone for making poor choices. I will simply choose not to rely on that one source alone.

What is of utmost importance to my idea of the way I'll teach my daughter about life is not that if she were to try hard enough she could be absolutely perfect to everyone around her. What is of utmost importance is the fact that nothing anyone has ever tried, or ever will try has ever been a failure. Lives are never lived in vain, we just find more consistent expectations. Thomas Edison remarked that he hadn't failed a thousand times, but had “... successfully discovered a thousand ways to not make a light-bulb.” That is my philosophy of life experience as well. If I want a better world, I've got to live to my ideals within a broad reality. The only way the coming generation will have a chance at living in peace is if we truly believe that it will happen. Then we may more easily allow ourselves to openly and honestly discuss identity and reality. As long as glaring tribalism, or nationalism , or rugged individualism ignores the sameness of our planet's life systems, the relative ease with which one may understand much more fulfilling philosophies of life fades into that selfsame ignorance.

A shock to culture - "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

I've just finished reading "Outliers," by Malcolm Gladwell. To those of you who might read this and don't know me, I've been reading and writing for about 18 years, and have recently found a reason to believe in the idea of a better world. This book does a wonderful job of describing a balanced way with which to consider one's self on the road to the phenomenon of identity. It asks wonderfully specific questions, the likes of which would likely help steer our culture toward that better world. Since I don't think I can be any more appreciative (cynics you know I love ya), I'll place my spoiler alert here.

"Culture of Honor" was perhaps the most meaningful thing I've explored in my recent re-education. The idea that my status put me high on the social ladder (height notwithstanding) due to the importance in rural communities of my grandfather's and father's experience, profession and occupation as ministers of faith was not new to me, but it was very hard to permit myself to say.

Preachers taught sermons to crowds at church. Then they taught preaching to their family at home. It is a cerebral environment that lends itself easily to curiosity. So, the reason I haven't drank myself to death, become a raging drug addict, or otherwise broke the rules of life as I could understand them was not due to a fear of reprisal at the hands of an angry god... it was because I thought about the consequences of my actions. That's not to say I always took good care, but that's a detail.

The fact is, I have very little fear of speaking to crowds and it's not just because I'm terribly narcissistic. I grew up with the expectation of a life speaking to crowds. I have found a great deal of value in being able to do what most people fear more than death.

It seems that many of our opportunities in the pursuit of a better world could be served by understanding the stereotypical aspects of seeming individual circumstances. I'm writing this review not with the assumption of impressing anyone, but rather as a signal of value to those looking for a relevant resource along the way. This book should be much closer to the foundation of education, thereby relieving the constraints we apply to our creating a better world that have to do with our acquired culture.

Hate Crimes and the Fights of Yesterday

I was listening to a program on NPR about hate groups in America, today, which disturbed me with some realizations. The discussion focussed on racially charged, divisive rhetoric taking place in the halls of Congress, and from leaders like Texas Governor Rick Perry (who is openly threatening Sucession from the union). The sentiments expressed are the top of a chain of communication which is inciting hate crimes across the United States. Now, I no more want to legislate niceness, than I assume to control such a thing as hate. I just think we could stand to have more of a conversation about it. Sunshine being the best disinfectant and all.

I grew up in a small town, with a tradition of honoring our forefathers in all the ways they have been honorable. As recently as this year, the 'Sons of Confederate Veterans' placed a wreath on my 3rd-great-grandfather's grave. I mentioned to a friend of mine that I wasn't sure how I should feel about it, and the response I got was surprisingly wise. My friend said, "Be proud of your family. Just don't keep fighting old fights."

My question about the event was "why?" though. The people living today have no idea who my 3rd-great-grandfather was, or anything he might have done in the service of the Confederate States of America. I have no idea whether he was a hero who saved the lives of his company, or a stamp clerk at a military post office. I just know he came back home and raised the man who was grandfather to my grandfather.

I'm not offended in any way about my heritage, nor do I find it particularly offensive. I just know that times have changed. The things people believed about other people are different these days, and, knowing the character of my family through the years, I believe my 3rd-great-grandfather would most likely agree with my assessment of our place in the world. We are not at fault for the past. History doesn't chain our development, it gives us a foundation to grow forth from.

Which brings me to the people who commit "hate" crimes. This particular character I have in mind, is proud past the point of respect of his forefathers. He wishes to hold the glory of those years in his hands today. He finds little honor in the way he can provides for his life, and thus yearns for times and trials and moments of real purpose. He imagines stories whereby his grandfather's rag-tag group of "rebels" (which has its own appeal), fight their way to safety in defense of their family and home. Anyone who's seen the movie "The Outlaw Josie Wales," with Clint Eastwood knows these tales. But times today are different.

The people who benefit most from the division of this nation are pulling every string they have at their disposal to invigorate the cracks in the ties that bind us all together. Using my great-grandfather, and Mexican drug violence, and ridiculous stories about socialism to divide us, while using a quote from Thomas Jefferson, with which they have nothing else in common, as just call to arms. I've not been fooled into believing some crazy plan is being hatched which could not possibly exist without overt evidence of itself. We all really do have to learn to live together in this place, if we all want to continue to have this country.

It would be great for me to carve out my place... a country all my own, where everyone thinks what I think, and there is no hunger or disease. But these are the fantasies of a child... even an adult-aged child. All the realities of life must be allowed to be real in our minds.

I will admit I have had romantic thoughts of my great-great-great-grandfather's adventures, but I realize there is still a fight going on. There is a cold war raging between the people who think Columbus "Discovered the New World," and those who think he and a band of Spanish pirates swindled and killed the indigenous peoples of America and assumed control of their lands... and its ok to realize the truth.

So, remember this come November. There are some of us who read, relate our thoughts about events, and address concerns about our safety, stability and overall well-being... And, there are some who believe they are in this self-same romantic dream where Pluto is the ninth planet, and whatever else "they" say about the world is true.

When your neighbor says ignorant things, you have a mildly ignorant neighborhood. When the supposed "leaders" of the nation say ignorant things, you have an ignorant country. We must address this life as though we actually believe we are looking toward the future. Participating in stories based on ignorant, or misinformed pasts, will never provide the security I feel we deserve. When the string pullers can reach the highest offices in the land, the subsequent subjugation of huge sectors of the population can be called nothing less than endentured servitude... or serfdom.

There is no one person I can think of, who may presume to lord over the rest of us. The are several that are trying. This is still the story of America. The preservation of our family names depend on our ability to talk about everything, including uncomfortable moments in the true history of the world.

Inequality still persists in the land where all people are "created equal." Be it racial, gender, ethnic or any other form, if you look closely, we still have much to discuss.

What can one person do? Just share your thoughts as I have shared mine. I'm certainly not above being wrong, but I do feel justified in feeling how I feel. If I've said something you agree with, share this essay with someone else. We can make our world better. We just have to stop fighting old fights.

Lake Worth's Housing Program Proposal

In an effort to understand my community better, on January 11, 2010, I attended the CRA/City Commission meeting in Lake Worth, FL. The topic of the meeting was the allocation of some $600,000 in funds available from the County for city projects, a part of the federal stimulus package. Mayor Varela proposed a new housing program to combat the depreciation of the housing stock in the city. Many of the houses in Lake Worth have several code violations, and some are awaiting demolition.

The proposed housing program is not a program, as it were, just yet. There are 3 initiatives that could comprise a whole package. The program will be groomed over the next few months, and will have taken shape by July, when the funds are made available. The prospective initiatives are: 1) a residential rehab program, 2) an emergency rehab/demolition program, and/or 3) a 1st time home buyer program. The overall program will contain one or all of these individual programs based on the research gleaned over the next 6 months.

Since there has never been a program like this in Lake Worth, there will be several time-consuming steps to take to find out how the funds may best serve the community. There are existing programs within city including the Community Development Corporation, neighborhood associations and local businesses, and the Adopt-a-Family program of the Palm Beaches, which was actually started by 3 local women and a radio station. The difference in the proposed program is that the funding will issued to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) by the County, then to residents. In effect, the program is different because it is a government program which uses tax dollars repaid to the area for the stabilization of the city. Adding this measure sends a signal to all citizens that the City Commission finds the well being of the housing stock and rental percentages to be a consideration for the city government as well as community organizations.

Those who qualify include individuals making $31,000/year or less, and families of 4 making $64,000/year or less.

Concerns about the proposal came from Commissioner Maxwell, who pointed out that during the citizen proposal process for the funds, not one citizen proposed a new housing program. Several citizens present at the meeting echoed this concern as well as Maxwell's point that the goals of the plan are addressed through the previously mentioned community-driven programs.

Maxwell went on to say that he didn't “think we should be getting into the banking business,” and “I don't think we have the talent to implement a housing program.”

Commissioner Mulvehill, reading a CRA report, stated that several communities within the city have up to 70% rental rate. This means that the community is necessarily a temporary one, constantly changing with the businesses of the County.

City Manager Stanton added that the monies allocated, though not terribly much will find strength when they are leveraged with public funds, the rate of which could be as high as 7 or 8 to 1. It is, therefore, feasible that the city could find the effectiveness of the dollars added to the new program at 7 times the rate of investment.

As to the assessment that other programs exist within the city that share the same goals, Mayor Varela pointed out that since the city desperately needs a higher rate of ownership, additional programs to promote ownership is not a bad thing.

In theory, once the rate of ownership goes up, the rate of taxes collected will go up in turn. Increasing availability for middle class residents who are currently renting within the community will mean added security for the city, as well as increased property tax receipts. Currently, of around 12,600 properties in the city of Lake Worth, 1/3 of them produce no tax dollars, and 1/3 of them produce $100 or less.

The proposed housing program is an excellent way to signal to the citizens living in Lake Worth that the city government appreciates their living here, and would like to make it easier for them to stay. The current economic crisis affects everyone, but the city of Lake Worth is willing to take steps to make sure that the recovery of the area happens in a much more durable fashion than to simple allow developers to come in and scoop up all the property once the value drops to the level that demolition and redevelopment is the only answer.

Both Mayor Varela and City Manager Stanton tried to make it clear to the constituents present that this is a bold new move for the city that will not be quick or easy. The effort, however, will go a long way toward improving the lives of the people who consider themselves permanent residents of Lake Worth, and wish to see this community achieve the prominence that all our efforts can make possible.

The session yielded a motion that $125,000 be spent on a proposed gym renovation, $125,000 be spent on a traffic calming study, and $350,000 be spent on the new housing program. The motion passed unanimously, and the directive will be submitted to the county by January 22, 2010.

The average citizen living in Lake Worth can clearly see the degradation in the housing stock. There are homes in every district of the city that are condemned and/or set for demolition. I believe I represent a segment of people that is willing to do the work to make this place stable and secure going forward. If we are given the opportunity, we will take ownership of our city and be more capable of holding our city to a higher standard than what is possible today.

This city will see no such ownership if it sells the town to developers who will add more and more rental units to an already high market as it is. Why would someone care about the future of a town when they only consider themselves temporary residents?

This shift in policy by the city commission will create a reach back from the community as more people own, and even more look to own.

As for me personally, I was renting a place in Lake Worth so that I could pay off all my debts and move back to North Florida, where I already own land. I didn't expect to love living here, and Lake Worth is truly different from many of the other cities I've lived in during my time in South Florida. I believe this place can be great, and the steps taken by the city government in recent months has convinced me that many other people in town feel the same way.

Holy &^%$ it's everywhere!

It seems, on the subject of political issues, the most common quote I hear is, “Man, this health care thing is everywhere... you can't get away from it.” On every channel. Even on the little side-of-the-page ads online. Its like you can't help but pay attention.

The unfortunate part comes when you actually do decide to pay attention. This guy or that lady or some old dude is saying “that job-killing bill,” or “Most people... Americans... the majority of America wants...” and all the other clips of direction this or that person is leaning. “Comprehensive plan...” and “step-by-step approach,” or even “people are screaming 'don't pass this bill!'” I wonder just who in the hell they're talking about?

The fact is, this argument matters a great deal for the way you will see America develop. The big choices, and broken promises of the past have both conspired at this moment to form what will be the United States of America... or not.

We were used to the people on the evening news telling us who was doing this or that way off in Washington some where. Or at least somebody's dad knew a congressman that would explain what's happening with the things the police or some lawyer will eventually say is the law. Since our old sources aren't working well enough, we must find another way. I'm trying with these things that I write and post online.

I have a question for you... What kind of country do you see when you retire? We've had a mass-brainwash that has convinced sectors of at least the last 4 generations of Americans that life ends around 33, through whatever means. This thinking, or not thinking, must end as quickly as it can, just in case we actually want a world we're proud of once our days of working are over. Pull the shade off your idea of the future, and let's get our heads together. Start thinking about how you can affect your life, rather than having someone tell you how its going to be.

I've heard comment after comment from mostly Republican officials in the House of Representatives and Senate about what the majority of America “wants” or “screams for” or “will allow.” The fact is, the American people are trying to find something else on TV because they are so far removed from the idea they have a say! Republican representatives have no idea what the majority of America wants, they just say what they say is it.

“Stop telling the rest of the world what you think we want!!!”

The fact of the matter is, Republicans don't speak for the majority of America. Those American people picked someone else to listen to last November. America wasn't lost, or stolen. We weren't hijacked or confiscated or anything else that sounds like we're in distress because of the crazed fashion with which our leaders are moving this country forward.

I get up and go to work for around the same money, living in much the same fashion as I have for the past 6 or 7 years. I'm growing up the way I'm trying for, and my plans are shaped around the idea that Our Nation holds the history and strength that has made me proud to be from here. I am made painfully aware of the mistakes we, as a Country, are capable of, but that only stirs my desire for justice and tranquility even more.

I don't shout or scream with insane fear for the horrible future when I think about which domestic policy our government adopts. I weigh the pros and cons for myself. I judge this country by the rules we live by, as well as the ways we allow ourselves to live.

I'm afraid that we must unite even more significantly in the coming years in order to ensure that we can leave the trivial this or that's of Washington to itself again. Here's the argument: What do we as a country consider to be basic human rights? One side thinks we should use the government to ensure basic human rights. The other side thinks that government should not interfere with the everyday lives of the country (this means they believe that they shouldn't pay a lot of taxes).

Are all human beings created equal? It says so in the Declaration or Independence, even though it wasn't really true then. The fact that it wasn't true when it was suggested is terribly important because it shows the steps we have taken to get to where we are. We had to develop into the country we are, and we will continue to develop into the future. I have seen no finish line. Nothing in life has told any of us that it is over. We decide the future, and we must use our voices!

Anything and everything is available in many different formats all over the internet. The Whitehouse, Congress and Supreme Court all have websites, as well there are news clips on youtube, or full videos on CSPAN.org that will tell you virtually all aspects of everything that's going on. Every level from City to County to State to Federal, it's all available to you.

I say the Democrats are on the right path with regard to health care... If I'm wrong, read and develop an argument against this legislation and bring it! I have heard no Republican Representative in either body make anything that seems like a just and fair argument against this reform, and I've damn sure have been watching!

The consequences of a presidential address to eighth-graders

Recently, Pres. Obama announced he would be addressing students returning to school from their summer break. Spokespeople said that the president wanted to address students in a general manner in order to encourage their education. For reasons which are unclear, some people reacted by inventing a sinister motivation, then objecting to the speech under their false pretense.

The idea that Pres. Obama was attempting to indoctrinate America's youth with his rhetoric should be labeled exactly what it is: a terrible false accusation. I agree, however, that any time someone constructs a speech, they indicate and must refer to their philosophy. This is what made reviewing Pres. George H. W. Bush's address to the eighth grade class at Alice Deal Jr. High School, back in 1991 terribly enlightening.

Though overall it was clear Bush's message was meant to be inspirational, his worldview (and the worldview of the majority of the voting public) set clear boundaries and definitions for success that were out of touch with the way our country was growing.

The roughly 15 minute speech (available at http://www.cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/09/04/HP/A/22807/US+Presidents+Address+Students.aspx ) paints a picture of the president's expectation. His stated goal in his direction of efforts was a 90% graduation rate by 2000. He attempted to make the students responsible for reaching his expectation by defining success. According to Pres. Bush, if you go to school, get good grades, and graduate college, you'll have fulfilled your dreams and be successful. Your life will be better than those goof-offs who “chicken out” and let the “bad people” take over schools... all of whom end up with “dead-end jobs” and/or on drugs, and “running the streets.”

President Bush said, “if someone goofs off today, are they cool? Are they still cool years from now when they're stuck in some dead-end job?” The idea behind this question indicates the conservative philosophy that constructs unrealistic ideas of success. Bush estimates that success is the balance between only two dynamics. In other words, the president divided the children into “winners” and “losers,” which begs the question of his own attempt at indoctrination: Is it correct to assume a “winners” and “losers” posture about the lives of a generation? I have neither won, nor lost, and I do not live my life as though I must live up to some one's expectation of a “winner.” We all have our experiences, and living through tough times is not an example of us being “losers.”

Bush's decree that being a dropout is equal to failing at life leaves no room for the reality of life in the 21st century. I suggest that it is not we who failed President Bush in his attempt to see a 90% graduation rate, but rather his philosophy did not lend itself to the realities of life outside what he was willing to experience or understand. Meaning, his ideological standard wasn't in touch with the direction the world was going to go.

It is in this time that we must make more earnest efforts to view things the way that they actually are. We must make progress in a fashion that makes sense for the future. We should set realistic goals for the future, and strive to achieve them over time, rather than dictate to everyone the wishes of a few of us.

In-depth experience and the ability to translate this experience in a manner which sufficiently demonstrates the aspects of it, will serve to aid the consciousness of humanity. All aspects may be made available to the individual, who may judge the value of a potential experience absent of prohibitive opinion, which may lack credibility or merit due to ignorance of experiential data. Attempting to limit the curiosity of a potential experience by demonstrating percieved character flaws within the individuals who partake in an activity, rather than addressing the merits of the experience itself, is ineffective and misguided. This means that it is inappropriate for someone to tell someone else that some action is "wrong" if they have neither experience in the matter, nor logical understanding of it.

Bush spoke about dead-end jobs and drug users as loathsome parcels of an intolerable existence. Now that these terms are regular aspects of the American lexicon, it appears the former president was either less than motivational, or insufficient in his direction.

We are forced to deal with people of all walks of life. Molding the nation into one ideologial box is not realistic. A strategy for the peaceful existence of all people must consider the characteristics and sensibilities of all people. Some find solace in the ways of the past, while others look to newer or more diverse ways of life. Neither philosophy is wrong, so it would behoove us to stop trying to vanquish either one.

The Game is Up

I believe most people in the US are not thinking about what's happening to the US as the whole, but rather they are supporting their local way of life. The ways in which common people live regularly doesn't require they know or care much about even the next County, let alone the next State. The size and happenstance of development of the United States has now left us in a different country from the one even 15 years ago, though each region has remained roughly the same the entire time.

Rather than deny that this country is evolving, or hopelessly cling to the ignorance of the past (meaning that we understand each other much better now thanks to the improvement in communication), Americans, if we wish for that to mean something, need to figure out exactly what being an American means. What is it that we want to represent?

I grew up in Florida. I've never lived in any other state. That must either say something about me or Florida. I've lived in North Florida, in the northwest panhandle, and in South Florida, in the city that is the I95 corridor. If you've never been to Florida, might not know these places seem like different states. My South Florida side, in its kindest form, says North Florida is more rural, while my North Florida side says once you pass Orlando, you cross into New Jersey. While that may be crass, it at least indicates a difference in the available ways of life between the two regions.

For all the idiosyncrasies represented in these populations, a general respect for human life and happiness is reflected in both societies. In fact, it's been my experience that most people from anywhere in the world share that same philosophy. We don't immediately disagree upon meeting people, unless there's something overtly objectionable about their appearance. We may, however, be divided.

If you average six hours of television a day for 16 or so years, you develop a sense for the means by which common people are divided. I'm not saying I recommend it, but the development and the voice or tenor of the nation when approached on the broad scale of trivia is eerily discernible.

On average, I think America took the Bush administration exactly for what it was. The power of the shady politician was unleashed for eight years. People regularly talked about it, it was joked about on TV, and many many people became utterly exacerbated and left the conversation. People gave up and said, “well that's the government for you.” It is to these people, the silent majority, I say this:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Is the future of this nation really that easy to ignore? Are we really so caught up in the trivial events of the day, that we will allow ourselves to be tended sheep to a power-drunk sociopathic shepherd? I don't just want to change the shepherd, I want us to stop acting like sheep. A very thoughtful person once said, “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.” Understand, you don't teach sheep to fish.

In the past month, I've read the town charter for the town I live in (posted online), and the Constitution of the United States (also posted online). I have familiarized myself with the fundamentals of governance in my town and country.

I wish nothing more than for the stability of my town and my country for the sake of my family, and the baby I have on the way. I have a longer future to consider, and I want her to be able to say her father tried to make a difference. Her father knew people don't often listen, but also knew if we speak together, we tend to stop shouting at each other.

We can't let ourselves get caught up in which side is going to win, but rather decide it is all of us who should win and throw the sides in the video games where they belong. If an idea is the best idea, then it should be supported as the best idea, and any other idea should have a concrete merit, lest it only be an obstacle to our collective progress.

(If the idea of collective progress is in any way to be misconstrued, then I should clarify. Universal collective progress for mankind is required in the philosophy of government regardless of the region, town or country... If not, then regrettable decisions may be made, even by people who love other people.)

The Bush administration made itself available to criticism on a number of issues, criticism met the Obama administration at the door. With nothing less than the future stability of this country at stake, it is obscene that people play sour grapes politics with efforts so vital as healthcare and carbon cap and trade. To ignore the scientific data that supports the idea of changing a flawed way of living, because of the way one makes money is indelibly reminiscent of classical hubris.

If a farm boy from Sneads, Florida can think up that line, and an urban-esc Lake Worth, Florida man can type it, I'd bet we can get a few people to consider reasonable alternatives to stifling the future with problems we see today. It just takes a little getting in touch with our inner patriot. I love this country, and I love the state of Florida... and I want it to look right when my daughter arrives.

I don't know all the right ways, but I've got a few good ideas and am willing to share them in an effort to make all of this world safer and more secure ( and I do assume that is possible). I don't see my value as a human and my ability to reason as properties that I should hoard or use with like-abled peers without regard for the rest of humanity. I'm interested in the well-being of this State, Country and Planet, and am offering my opinion in the hopes for that” more perfect union.”

Let's play health!

Today, we're experiencing what I consider a healthy debate on the business of Healthcare in America. With so many sides involved in the argument, the details tend to become unclear. There is a growing rift between the system of healthcare and the business of healthcare. Initial finger-pointing, the immediate response, has now given way to an intensely detailed discussion of the facts concerning the state of health in the US, or perhaps more appropriately, how healthy we are as a nation. However, with each side armed with suggestive reports and similar opinion-delivery-systems, it is easy to see how the average person could be led out or even exclude themselves from the debate.

The structural problems with healthcare in America reminds me of another business that has struggled it's way back to relevance after many errors in judgment. The game of baseball... or rather, the business of baseball. I'm sure correlations may exist to many other businesses, and some may be more closely related, but baseball serves as a clear litmus for the effort to improve relevance in businesses dealing with public dollars. Common people pay for the relevance of baseball and healthcare alike.

The owners of baseball vary from media conglomerates and corporations to individual franchise owners (did you know Nintendo owns the Seattle Mariners?). All have a stake in the well-being of the league, since they, as owners, seek the reward of all that comes with having the team they own be winners.

The owners of healthcare tend to be a much more varied list of doctors, practitioners, hospitals nurse-residential-and-social assistance providers, and insurance companies. The definition of the job description of these "owner" entities varies widely based on their section of the business. The difficulty in this area is that the "league" that is the healthcare sector in America doesn't seem to have a clear objective.

Business managers in baseball (GMs) manage the hierarchy of decisions and talents that produce the bottom line profits for the owners. Both the GM and the owner have a vested interest in the team's well-being as well as that of the league in general, so that profit may be maximized as fans show support for "their" team.

Business managers in healthcare (HMOs) manage the hierarchy of doctors and other care providers to produce bottom line profits for the owners also. This is where a breakdown occurs with the baseball metaphor, because the fans (or patients) are so far removed from the discussion, where team decisions are public knowledge.

Club managers in baseball are responsible for holding teams accountable for the fans. Managers must reconcile the business needs of the GM, as well as deciding on strategy and motivating the players to reach their goal. In this case, political influence, while present, doesn't hide the fact that there are good club managers and temporary club managers (as well as good and temp GMs).

Club managers in healthcare are the office administrators and various chiefs of staff that keep the balance of revenue and expenditure so that the providers can focus on the business of making the patients more healthy.

Baseball players are the talent by which the game is made more interesting, and therefore viable as a business. Players decide their level of commitment, also, and deal directly with the fans, and reporters to the fans - who judge their performance, as well as the performance of the club as a whole - thereby directly affecting the relevance of the league. In essence, the fans and players make the game... the business decides how it will be presented.

Healthcare players, or talent, are the people who apply the knowledge they seek or sought with great effort from systems of education designed (hopefully) to produce the best doctor, practitioner, nurse, etc... which makes the contribution of the patient more justified. After all, if Joe down the street could offer the same care, we'd be the healthiest nation in the world (which we are not). The healthcare providers are the show, and business decides how it will be presented (or accessed).

And finally we reach my level... the common person's level... the fan level. Fans are the people who support the industry through financial contributions in the form of tickets sales, merchandising and ad dollars, and local taxes for updated facilities, by which the team they support may succeed to the benefit of everyone involved in the venture. The "win, win" nature of fan support makes it the single biggest contributor of long term success for any team.

The common person's level when it comes to healthcare is that of the patient. Patients support the industry though payment of insurance premiums, co-pays and doctor, clinic or hospital fees. The primary means of support, though, comes from benefit packages offered by employers. Employers pay the lion's share of healthcare premiums, and represent the single biggest account for the industry. The reason people support the current industry is that they seldom see the money that's spent in their name, and they fear that something might go wrong with their bodies that would require a medical professional to "fix" them.

The another disconnect in the baseball/healthcare metaphor is that I know a helluva lot more people that would rather go to a ballgame that a doctor's office. The perpetuated stigma that clinics and hospitals are bad or sick places has brought to a head the argument over the importance between healthcare and the business of healthcare in America. The fan principle still applies though. The common person's level of involvement directly reflects the judgement of the resulting product. Before you take a side and argue one of the points of view available, ask yourself just how healthy do you want to be? Is medicine a "fix," or a "process?"

Baseball teams are forced to adjust constantly in many different areas in order to stay relevant to the fans. In a nation that ranks 45th in the world in life expectancy, how relevant is health?

Health and Patriotism

On July 29, 2009 The Palm Beach Post ran an article on page 6A by Dr. Charles Krauthammer, entitled "Why Obamacare is sinking," which was Dr. Krauthammer's response to the President's plan to provide nationwide Healthcare, and the incorporation of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report on the cost of the initial bill from the House of Representatives.

The view of the article appears to be an historical look at the end of "Obamacare" and what brought about its demise. It begins with the author calling the President of the United States "the master rhetoritician," thus implying that the debate is merely insincere political banter. As I recall, President Obama made a thorough speech about Healthcare reform in which he said that people who are discussing the fate of this sector of the economy and America's future need to understand that the Healthcare system is the biggest problem related to the stagnation of our economy and must be fixed this year. The President said, "Make no mistake, Healthcare reform will happen... and it will happen this year."

Rhetoric means that the speaker is using words merely for the sake of their oratory value, and cares only about the way in which they say things... not that the person is saying something in support of their own belief. Thusly, Dr. Krauthammer believes that the President of the United States plans to talk about reforming Healthcare in convincing and grand order, though he does not truly wish the best system be available to the people of the United States of America, all of which he represents.

Dr. Krauthammer was apparently spurred to action by the release of the CBO report that says House Bill 3200 increases "cost in the range of $1 trillion plus," and based on this, the man who was elected President of the United States has been revealed as a "master rhetoritician." Since the specifics on how that money will be allocated, and the cost savings from revamping our Healthcare system (which ranks 37th in the world and is more than 15% of GDP) have yet to be determined, it seems a bit premature to call the effort to reform Healthcare sunk just yet… especially since we've only taken the first step toward working on it. Of course deciding to spend money costs more money, but we haven't even been able to consider what we're getting yet.

C-SPAN coverage of Senate Committee meetings in each of the 5 committees show that both Republicans and Democrats are considering all the possibilities in an effort to create a completely new system that will work for the majority of Americans (roughly 98%). The US Senate is in no way considering adopting a Healthcare system established by any other country, as their systems were established based on each individual country's circumstance. If the talk on Capital Hill consisted of a series of Senators discussing which country we were going to borrow a system of Healthcare from, I think Americans would see that their representatives lacked the capabilities for such a task. No, Americans from all areas of the country are considering many if not all aspects of what this legislation will mean, and those who suggest otherwise might better be called "rhetoriticians." Senators are working though their fall breaks in committee to get this done.

I disagree with the rather smug analysis that the effort to reform Healthcare is merely political rhetoric. As a common American, I realize that if I get Healthcare coverage guaranteed by the government to be affordable, I am then untethered by one of the most important parts of the necessity of work. People don't stay where they work all their lives anymore, and companies realize they are better served by that fact. Your average person stays in their career for less than 5 years today, where it was 25-35 years in recent history.

It would be a tremendous relief to know I may leave a workplace once I am able to see my usefulness wane, without the worry of losing my Healthcare coverage or paying through the nose for COBRA. Often times people must work until they die (quite literally) to have Healthcare for themselves and their family. Someone telling me there might be a way for me to not share that fate has my undivided attention. Those who tell me I shouldn't want this security are out of touch with my reality. I am starting out in life (32yo), and I won't choose to live in a manner I can clearly see isn't working.

Dr. Krauthammer says "Didn't Obama promise a new politics that puts people over special interests? Sure. And now he promises expanded, portable, secure, higher-quality medical care -- at lower cost! The only thing he hasn't promised is to extirpate evil from the human heart. That legislation will be introduced next week. (6A)"

1) Obama is speaking as clearly and forthrightly as I have ever seen a President speak, using pointed addresses on TV, the Internet, and in town-hall meetings about a subject of tremendous importance to me (one of the 200,000,000 workers in America making less that $58,000/yr). The President is setting goals, and leaving a clear path of accountability for the betterment of health for all Americans. I never thought I would qualify as a special interest group to President Obama, but I'm honored.

2) Americans like me need a Healthcare system that is expanded, portable, secure, of higher-quality and at a lower cost. If I can keep track of 100 or more people on a social networking site, why can't doctors keep track of 10,000 or more patients on a medical networking site? (Or even allow people to be able to access their own medical records online so that their history isn't lost or delayed if they move)

3) Though it may not be possible to remove or cleanse the human heart of evil, it is possible and quite necessary to create a new Healthcare system that works for most (if not all) Americans this year. It seems that this process would help to extirpate the evil of privately owned corporations and insurance companies keeping quality Healthcare from the average American.

I would ask Dr. Krauthammer (and anyone else with an interest in stopping me from getting security for my health and the health of my family) to claim who they actually represent, for it is not me or anyone I know. If anyone could convince the majority of people to be against this process by discussing the specifics, then we would not be talking about it. If Dr. Krauthammer is trying to convince me that because the CBO says that a bill that authorizes spending money on Healthcare is going to cost money, and that fact is reason enough for me to not want the security that this reform will afford the future of the nation I love, then he is sorely mistaken. I am aware of the discussion beyond persuasion from insignificant reports bent to try to mean something politically.

America, and the World, is changing. We are all vastly more aware of each other regardless of our location or walks of life. If our elected officials and "leaders" are unable to foster the security we demand for future generations, then perhaps they should remove themselves from the conversation, lest they be removed. The use of scare tactics will not dissuade me from wanting something I can see is best for my country going forward.
A patriot stands up to discuss the best direction of the country. A tyrant tries to prevent such thoughts. Where do you fit in?

I meant to save the world, but I got distracted: A Common Perspective

I've just read "Common Sense," by Thomas Paine for the first time. I realized by his efforts what I believe I am meant to do if my goals are correct. Paine joined the conversation others were having about either rejoining the British Empire or fighting for independence... That was his context. His perspective however was forward-focussed (progressive) which is what I believe we all need to understand better.

It is fascinating to note that the last line of the essay's appendix is a warning against religion in the role of politics or government. If he could see the danger 233 years ago, how can we not today just because we use the term "value issue" instead of religion? After all, we are still having the same problems (and in some cases worse). "Value-issue" politics implies that legislation can somehow reach people inside their heads in the place where they make decisions, and that certain individuals among us can know the best way for all of us to think. As there is no one "God's" laws on the books, who among us wants our thoughts controlled by anyone else?! It seems sad to me that the question was addressed so long ago, but the debate shows that it is still not even understood today; and that power still corrupts us and war is made to seem logical. Power sends soldiers to war for the security of itself. Defense has been important in the past just as it is today for the security of this very debate, but the powerful have been hard-pressed to make the majority of the population of the world believe that the Iraq war measures up to defense, or even the ideals of the American Revolution. That statement is meant with all due respect to the soldiers and complete contempt for the orchestrators. It is abhorrent when one considers the scope in which presumably "powerful people" impose their will on the rest of us... and I didn't even consider that was what was going on at the time, or that it may still be happening.

I also believe that Paine's casual mention of Hemp on page 46 as it referred to cordage (making ropes and sails for ships) is a clear indication that all the properties for which the plant is renowned by those who know it intimately today, were evident properties to those who knew it in 1776. Perhaps its time to ask ourselves some real questions about what we "know", and show appreciation for the respect Paine seems to have had for such a helpful and versatile plant... you could pay your taxes with Hemp up until a few generations ago (says the drug free non-hippie).

That said, I believe we should exclude that which other people think we ought to do or not from the realm of what we are all made to do by the laws we create. The freedom from personal persecution will come at the expense of traditions it seems, though this need not be a bloody transition or revolution. If we consider what we learn from every endeavor (positive and negative) as a tool for making a better future, we may better understand the range or humanity. It is not for one person to say what another may wish to do after all, only what they are allowed to do. When we think about our place as founders of the future, the relationship with which we consider everything we know must be ever-changing, as we continue to learn.

Personal liberties are not the concern of the state because we don't use the law to tell people what they can do, only the scope of what they can not. Ideal situations for individuals continue to evolve with the changing world. It is not so that the world will not change because of adherence to the traditions of one or a few perspectives. It is a mistake to deny that the world is continually changing, or that it is going to continually change as we face new endeavors, as well as learn from our mistakes. In fact, to say it is unnatural and unrealistic that we will progress is ignorant and dangerous for the very survival of the species.

The decision that a person may or may not make for themselves is not in the control of anyone else... it is free will. In other words, freedom is: not searching approval from anyone that does not have useful information about a certain subject before one makes their decision to act. One example of this is the issue of abortion. Regardless of popular opinion, for some people, it is just going to happen. No one hopes to make that kind of decision, and it need not be an issue for general public debate. I agree that education on such subjects is the manner by which humanity is served best, but if people weren't allowed to know it was happening, there would be no ill will.

In that vein, before I insist on asking "what gives you the right to do anything," I would say "you have the right to do anything as long as you realize your personal reality is not the reason everyone and everything else exists. The world will go on just fine without you. In fact, humanity is not the singularity of existence. This is a significant change in perspective I feel we need as a species.

I read "Common Sense" in about six hours, using a dictionary and two highlighters... one to applaud with, and one with which to question. I consider it good fortune that one ran out of ink because it made me realize that I should study (or question) even the things I applaud. I highlighted nearly the whole pamphlet. I had to read each paragraph 3 or 4 times, and I still plan to re-read it. I'm not embarrassed to say that I have a learning disability that requires I do this in order to understand what Paine is trying to say... I'd rather focus on understanding. People are often held down by their embarrassment, but I say fuck all that. I have the ability to gain more knowledge, and now that I realize that fact, I may become more knowledgeable. When I stopped thinking that everything useful has already been thought or done, I gained a healthy sense of wonder. That's what it is to grow I suppose.

I want a wonderful, knowledgeable world, and nothing anyone could give me would make that not so. I believe it is ok to want and hope for the best for the world, and I'm sending that ideal out considering 233 years from now. My concern for my love of humanity may not be oppressed from me, though I must admit I may be made out to be a liar to those that don't know me. Suffice it to say, I want nothing from you except perhaps compassion and good will.

Once we learn to live with an unselfish future perspective, perhaps we will make better decisions. Perhaps we can at last find a way to accept peace and appreciation for each other today. It is absolutely necessary to point out that humanity may be 100000-300000 years old in its current form. Considering that to be so, and Paine's argument a primary example, the ideal of non-traditionally biased reason has existed in our conversation in a relative blink of an eye (or less). For thousands of years we've had culture and tradition all over the Earth. One tradition devaluing the nature and ideals of another has led to much of our history being erased. How can we learn from our mistakes if we are afraid to admit we make them?

There was a unifying principle for a small group of humans 233 years ago, just as there is a unifying principle for all humans today and beyond. The difference maker is that we need not be the individual tribes of Earth when it comes to common sense. We are the one tribe of humans we know of, and Earth is home to all of us. We may have differences in traditional practice, but our commonality is undeniable regardless of what ignorance insists. Each and every one of our perspectives is important to posterity for the statement of who we are and have been, as well as who we will be.

When we secure a home (or guaranteed sanctuary), we can learn a better way to interact without fear. We all need to be secure, or fear will continue to drive us to conquer and subdue each other.

If certain people are comfortable spending their time in the employ of others, or by the rewards if affords, then so be it unto them. Personally, I would rather spend my time as I see fit, not be constrained by the deadlines of other people's importance, but finding my own. Thereby, I must create a personal system that affords me the knowledge of the fruit of my efforts. I want to know the goal before I begin to work, and I want to know that the work will cease once my requirement is fulfilled. In my "free time" I may then decide how I wish to contribute to humanity and the survival of the species... which is the only thing I can think of that has always been important outside individual desires. It is only under a pure and unadulterated law that I may produce independent of government or tradition. This is a must for freedom for all.

The thought of who I am and what I feel good or bad about is exclusive to me. No government or tradition will make me believe what I don't believe (spoken like a true agnostic preacher's son who has been both a registered Democrat and Republican). My thoughts can not be regulated, only persuaded. I reserve the right to say whatever I wish, and I alone am the judge of my time. This idea of freedom need not be supplied by a God or King. We keep learning.

I am moved by all my senses, and no one may presume to tell me anything more than their perspective on sensing, which can never be my own. However, I believe we can come together under one way of relating, though our traditions be different. I don't need to have any one's experience to be able to understand their perspective if I am allowed the context with which they feel. Countries, likewise, need not regulate each other's traditions so long as humanity is served into the future safely and on the founding principle of knowledge.

By the logic of learning from the past, I never again want to use credit, though I may have to. From both a personal and national perspective, that is a lesson that is valuable for posterity. Credit is the means by which others control my time. Controlling my time is exerting power over me. Time, after all, is the only lasting commodity. Money is not power... nor is religion or government... controlling other people's time is power (which money, religion and government do quite well). If I can take back the control of my time, I take back the power of my life. I may direct the future as I see fit, and worry not about the wants of others in my actions. This is freedom! I haven't been able to accomplish it yet, and no one who can help me seems to want to do so. Powerful people, obviously, don't want to lose their power. For some, the process of maintaining other people's power is how they choose to spend their time, as they are attracted by the prospect... though they need not necessarily be concerned with the well being of those they control. This is immoral power.

If you could take back your time, then what would you decide to do? I've only recently been able to consider it the question because I've learned to turn the TV off and think for myself. TV allows a few people to decide what a vast number of others 1) do with their time, and 2)what they think based on who watches what. A small group steals the conversation form the rest of us. For a long period of time, I spent more time watching television than any other venture required of my day. It is true from my perspective that the quality of information available was better in the past, but even then there was a barrage of advertising. Now, it seems, it is all advertising and self-admittedly so! Now they're allowing commercial-free shows on the internet and DVRs because the shows themselves are the advertising, and may have been all along. (I am aware that I am selling my idea as well, but remember I don't want anyone to pay me just for joining the conversation.) The salesmen we all are saw this transition coming. Information is packaged and sold just like every other commodity. Just look at the way in which Americans get there news... It is digested by biased regurgitaters then spewed forth with the label of "acceptable" truth.

It is obvious that social networking sites are a huge step for interaction. People can keep up with every intimate or personal thought people wish to share. Dissension to tradition has it's roots here for now, though the system has its corruption and limits. For now, it seems that truth has a bit of an outlet, and those of us who wish to continue the species by removing our hindrances on posterity are hopeful. I will use these sites with the understanding that representation must reflect what people are willing to say and believe both in reality and online.

The government of Iran was exposed by the sharing of truth. Change may rear itself in that country now, whereas in the past all those protesters would have been silenced by now, just like Tiananmen Square 25 years ago (look it up if you don't know... some rough shit happened). There is no doubt that bad shit is going down in Iran right now, and we can either let their representative to the world (a one voice government) tell us everything is fine, or we can remember the names of everyone involved on both sides in case freedom is about to find a voice, or corruption reaches those people believe in. The pain they are experiencing now has been the unfortunate cost of revolution everywhere and I feel strong and passionate hope for the well being of my brothers and sisters in humanity and their future generations. It seems important to note that their government can only give the impression that it can crush their movement by killing individuals. It is tragically possible for a while, but not forever. Truth can not be made to not exist, it may only be hidden for a while.

I'm sure in 1775 it seemed that one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who believed in a conviction so strong as someone like Thomas Paine, who in the very nature of writing his article, knew it meant certain and immediate death if people didn't believe in what he had to say. People under duress live towards their ideals, and that is what I intend to do.

I'm not telling anyone what they should intend to do, I'm telling you how I'm doing it. I don't presume to be a leader or an idiot any more than I presume to know the "right" way. As far as I know there is no one "right" way. I'm only interested in truth. There is no individual failure if a positive aspect of humanity emerges in our lifetime. We can literally decide to stand up and take responsibility for the future good of the planet now, and of this I believe any God imagined or imaginable would surely appreciate our efforts to not destroy their creation. We all are, after all, merely parts of that make up this planet. The planet, and life for that matter, will surely go on long after we've shuffled off, as it were.

We are a part of a system of life on this planet and we should respect that in a conscious and consistent manner. We are actually having an argument with ourselves that we might not be hurting the planet. How could we even suggest we might not be hurting the planet? We're still individual tribes at cold and hot war with each other, what makes us thing we're not carrying that thought over into killing the planet? We're killing everything... We silence our opposition... Its the thing we're best at... and it must stop immediately. We've got to put the brakes on regardless of what the salesmen say. The attitude that we know everything that needs to be known must end, and soon. Remember, whatever doesn't lead to life as a practice leads to extinction by default. We must desist before its too late and we're all dead and no one's family moves on...regardless of perceived power. (See Maya, Rome, Egypt, etc.)

On page 32 Paine writes, "I rejected the... Pharaoh of England for ever... with the pretended title of FATHER..." No where is this sentiment of a pretend father more evident that in politics... There system of power works with the distraction of advertising and tradition so much that the two are hardly distinguishable. I fully understand why many or most of us have been led out of the discussion only to be fed by the polar opposites of the same commercial magnet. We have too much distraction allowed at us to focus on what we really want or need. Its not that our parents are bad parents, and the world is a bad world... many of them don't understand it or agree with it either. People are good in the way they know how to be, but the network of political grease smooths for tradition and commerce and sludges for real life. This is just a road-block based on the power available to people who realize we're not looking, so why don't we look?

Now, at least for me, there is a new way to feel good about myself, and I'm motivated by it so much that I hardly think of anything but expressing it. There is a new way for me to be a father and it is not stuck in the traditions of those who have been fathers. We need to keep useful information, of course, but not by using mixed messages that cloud the truth with intermittent bullshit. If we can clearly see that one way we act is leading us down the path to extinction as a species, we can turn our children's heads toward a way to make us last a bit longer into the future.

I have this to say to believer of every apocalyptical tradition... weren't we all supposed to die in 2000? Remember the serious discussion and fright leading to runs on batteries and canned goods, and other mass hysteria surrounding our obvious lust for the "end of days" because we left off 2 digits on our computer programs? People said that "the entire race of man is getting brought down by the folly of ignorance at last!" as though it were in the public consciousness that it was bound to happen some time. This really happened here. No amount of assurance was enough "cuz the nukes are all gonna launch off" and "your car ain't gonna work cuz the computer inside the engine is gonna shut down." This is the ultimate means by which we allow ourselves to be controlled.

Wouldn't it be nice if we started thinking that we might just make it somehow. We did go a few hundred-thousand years already. All generations die individually, but the species lives on. By thinking that we're going to be wiped out, aren't we allowing ourselves to wipe us all out? What if we put our feet back on the ground and do the work its going to take to ensure our species lasts as long as we possibly can? We are problem solvers after all. We just need to get over this self-loathing spiritual war with ourselves that seems centered on our inability to consider that we are just another species of animal on Planet Earth. Its an unrealistic expectation to try to lord over this planet any longer when we start to see that we are obviously not capable. We are not the deciders. There is nothing wrong with learning how to participate in life without feeling that we are the cause and effect. My passion for my lineage certainly drives me, and I want my opportunity to live forever if it exists within them, but that bit of selfishness is naturally excusable so long as I don't attempt to limit the possibility of others. Existence is no sprint after all. I only wish to improve humanity's chances out of kinship... and if you go back 50 generations we're all related.

I don't feel as though I am at a level to be lived up to at this point, and I may never be. I hoped to be surpassed by my child in every way I can imagine, save malice. I'm not hiding my ignorance any longer, only asking for a little patience for (and from) us all. I'm trying for better without forgetting my limits. This message is me saying "I'm trying it this way, what do you think?"

I am going at this life and ideal with the ultimate of hope and intent. I'm trying my absolute best to not get suckered or to sucker myself into a bad decision. I have life to consider now. I have lived only as though I was going to be dead because no one who is supposed to understand that subject could give me any peace. I don't want to be dead anymore, and I'm not curious about making it happen any sooner than it needs to. I not only want to live, but I want to keep my brain crisp and clear for as long as possible. I mean, I just got used to using this mind for more than recreation -- and dealing with the expense of it. Now that I know why I ought to live, I've got a lot of work to do. I've got a lot to learn.

Change, after all, isn't just a black man in the Whitehouse, and Barrack Obama is only a symptom of the change that is sweeping the world. People world wide are through with the bullshitting. People are standing up. This change is a real change of context that realizes that things change, but nature remains. Change has nothing to do with trivia... Please ignore trivia... The things that have mattered for life throughout all species, civilizations and human traditions are food, water and shelter. Once that becomes the perminant first step, our time will again be ours, and we may represent ourselves!

I've just looked down at the picture of Thomas Paine on the book cover and winked and said "I appreciate it, buddy," and I really do. My very next thought was, "if that's what it means to be revered, I'll take it." I understand how little I've done to be revered, but that's ok. There are very few good reasons for any of us to be known by the rest. Unfortunately money captures and corrupts good intentions because we've been set up to believe "it" is what is important (after religion). Well, I'm not doing it! Any of it! Time is the utmost property to understand, and the utmost commodity to appreciate.

I'm putting this thought out there for no other reason than I just want to join the conversation of humanity. I believe a rarely spoken understanding exists between us, and flairs up occaisionally so we may indicate to each other what we all feel is right and natural, but our voice falls under the hum of our constant commerce propped up by tradition. Forget my name if you must, but never forget that this idea lives in all of us, and has through millions of years of wanting to be alive! I may be wrong about a lot now, but my day aint over yet. I can learn. I can grow. And I choose to spend my "free time" learning to discuss life with you. What's your plan?