For middle class families, getting their children through college is full of peril. Most families in the middle class already have both parents working to support the family. Why not make it easier for their children to get an education? That's what our President has proposed. If a young person is willing to work hard and focus on school, then they will be able to get their first two years of college paid for under his plan. As expected, GOP heads exploded at the outrage. How can we pay for it? Why should they get something so important for free? Because the reality is that income inequality is getting worse and education is one way to address access to higher income. That's pretty simple, isn't it? So remember that when you hear all the out cry over the President's plan. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/us/politics/obama-proposes-free-community-college-education-for-some-students.html?_r=0
Here's is a great pdf to share that makes the case for getting a higher education: http://www.usc.edu/dept/chepa/IDApays/resources/education_important.pdf
Other industrialized countries have made this a priority and we should, too.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism is the antithesis of freedom. Most religions have factions that we call extremist. They place restrictions on their members. But not all of them encourage violence as a methodology for dealing with dissent. When any religion begins to limit the freedoms we enjoy in society, then that religion becomes the enemy of society.
When any group tries to shut us up, then our best response is to speak louder! These religious fundamentalists have a war against modern times. And they use lethal force in their war. They kill those who dare to oppose them. Here's a good read on the subject: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/monkeymind/2015/01/a-small-rant-about-religious-fundamentalism.html
Our freedom is at stake here. Will society allow religious fundamentalism to dictate to us?
Let us stand up together to support our freedoms. Vote out GOP fundamentalists before they destroy our country.
When any group tries to shut us up, then our best response is to speak louder! These religious fundamentalists have a war against modern times. And they use lethal force in their war. They kill those who dare to oppose them. Here's a good read on the subject: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/monkeymind/2015/01/a-small-rant-about-religious-fundamentalism.html
Our freedom is at stake here. Will society allow religious fundamentalism to dictate to us?
Let us stand up together to support our freedoms. Vote out GOP fundamentalists before they destroy our country.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Rules are Boring - Who Needs Rules?
In a civil society, rules are a necessary tool. We cannot conduct any business without a few rules of conduct. Manners are simply rules of behavior we are taught that guide us in social situations. In today's world we still use Robert's Rules to guide us in conducting our meetings. Why? Isn't that boring and passe'? Who needs it? We do!
You see Robert's Rules has four guiding principles:
Justice and courtesy for all
Doing only one thing at a time
The majority rules
The minority has a right to be heard. http://toastmastersdivisiong.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/are-you-familiar-with-roberts-rules-of-order/
I, personally, believe that EVERY meeting of individuals would be better if we all agreed to follow a common set of rules to guide our behavior. Take a look at this document prepared for Cornell University Faculty meetings: http://theuniversityfaculty.cornell.edu/meetings/RobertsRulesSimplified.pdf
Now, imagine how nice it would be if we all followed this protocol.
"Guiding Principle:
Everyone has the right to participate in discussion if they wish, before anyone may speak a
second time.
Everyone has the right to know what is going on at all times.
Only urgent matters may interrupt a speaker.
Only one thing (motion) can be discussed at a time."
You see Robert's Rules has four guiding principles:
Justice and courtesy for all
Doing only one thing at a time
The majority rules
The minority has a right to be heard. http://toastmastersdivisiong.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/are-you-familiar-with-roberts-rules-of-order/
I, personally, believe that EVERY meeting of individuals would be better if we all agreed to follow a common set of rules to guide our behavior. Take a look at this document prepared for Cornell University Faculty meetings: http://theuniversityfaculty.cornell.edu/meetings/RobertsRulesSimplified.pdf
Now, imagine how nice it would be if we all followed this protocol.
"Guiding Principle:
Everyone has the right to participate in discussion if they wish, before anyone may speak a
second time.
Everyone has the right to know what is going on at all times.
Only urgent matters may interrupt a speaker.
Only one thing (motion) can be discussed at a time."
Whenever we have a group of people gathered together for a common task, we need an agreed upon set of rules and people who are adept in understanding and applying them to the task at hand.
Let's Talk Campaign Finance Reform
Getting money out of politics is a noble goal but is it realistic? The recent Cromnibus is an example of what we can expect from Congress. Does anyone seriously think that they want limits on campaign contributions? Back in September of 2014, the Senate actually did try to overturn the Citizens United decision. Fifty-four Senators voted in favor of a constitutional amendment to do just that.(Democrats and Independents) But forty-two Senators, all Republicans, voted no effectively filibustering the measure. http://www.thenation.com/blog/181590/senate-tried-overturn-citizens-united-today-guess-what-stopped-them#
Now that we have Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate, we won't be seeing any efforts to reform campaign contributions. One writer suggests that real reform is unlikely in Congress but may have a chance at the state level. Paul Blumenthal reports in Huffington Post on those state level initiatives. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/20/campaign-finance-reform-states_n_6357182.html
There are also several citizen led efforts that you might want to look at and support. Clean up Washington is a grassroots campaign by Public Citizen, a national public interest organization. You can research more about them here: http://www.citizen.org/Page.aspx?pid=183
Another group to look at is Americans for Campaign Finance Reform. They have joined up with Fund for the Republic and have this website: https://www.issueone.org/ Their united effort's goal is to fix the problem of money in politics.
Campaign finance reform is kind of like the weather, everyone talks about it but no one seems to do anything about it. Well, here is a start. If you don't like either of these groups, then find one you can support and do something this year.
Now that we have Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate, we won't be seeing any efforts to reform campaign contributions. One writer suggests that real reform is unlikely in Congress but may have a chance at the state level. Paul Blumenthal reports in Huffington Post on those state level initiatives. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/20/campaign-finance-reform-states_n_6357182.html
There are also several citizen led efforts that you might want to look at and support. Clean up Washington is a grassroots campaign by Public Citizen, a national public interest organization. You can research more about them here: http://www.citizen.org/Page.aspx?pid=183
Another group to look at is Americans for Campaign Finance Reform. They have joined up with Fund for the Republic and have this website: https://www.issueone.org/ Their united effort's goal is to fix the problem of money in politics.
Campaign finance reform is kind of like the weather, everyone talks about it but no one seems to do anything about it. Well, here is a start. If you don't like either of these groups, then find one you can support and do something this year.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
What Can We Do in 2015?
Gail Mountain, another editor on the Progressive Democrats Moving Forward, Not Back FaceBook page recently wrote an end of the year blog. In it she listed her top 10 resolutions for 2015. I thought it was so good that I want us to take another look at what Gail thinks is good for Progressive Democrats to work on this year.
Here are her 10 resolutions:
1. Stay focused on the Democratic Platform. http://www.democrats.org/democratic-national-platform
2. Remember that the GOP are NOT the Tea Party, which actually was a patriotic group from our history that stood up against taxation without representation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party
3. Because the GOP are so good at lying and cheating, we Democrats must WAKE UP and FIGHT BACK. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/03/02/96330/-Luntz-GOP-Playbook-Now-Readable-online-No-Downloads-Searchable-Text
4. Get everyone to GO TO THE SOURCE for information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ has amazing writers and facts that we Democrats can share on social media.
5. Let main stream media know when they are doing good job and give them feedback when they aren't.
6.Use Hashtags to capture the attention of our Democratic base. #immigration #waronwomen #racism
7.Never waste time on fools who only want to distract us from getting out the Democratic message.(trolls)
8. Stand by the U.S.Constitution http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
9. Walk away from the computer and http://zenhabits.net/3-ways-to-claim-your-life-back-how-to-step-away-from-your-computer/
10. Really, actually walk away from the computer more often. (Tip: set timer) http://www.thelawofattraction.com/step-away-from-the-pc-screen-50-things-to-do-that-dont-involve-your-computer/
I think Gail's resolutions are excellent, don't you? I hope this helps you think about how you can help this year to make sure we elect a DEMOCRAT for president in 2016. The actions we take this year will set the stage for victory in 2016.
Here are her 10 resolutions:
1. Stay focused on the Democratic Platform. http://www.democrats.org/democratic-national-platform
2. Remember that the GOP are NOT the Tea Party, which actually was a patriotic group from our history that stood up against taxation without representation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party
3. Because the GOP are so good at lying and cheating, we Democrats must WAKE UP and FIGHT BACK. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/03/02/96330/-Luntz-GOP-Playbook-Now-Readable-online-No-Downloads-Searchable-Text
4. Get everyone to GO TO THE SOURCE for information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ has amazing writers and facts that we Democrats can share on social media.
5. Let main stream media know when they are doing good job and give them feedback when they aren't.
6.Use Hashtags to capture the attention of our Democratic base. #immigration #waronwomen #racism
7.Never waste time on fools who only want to distract us from getting out the Democratic message.(trolls)
8. Stand by the U.S.Constitution http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
9. Walk away from the computer and http://zenhabits.net/3-ways-to-claim-your-life-back-how-to-step-away-from-your-computer/
10. Really, actually walk away from the computer more often. (Tip: set timer) http://www.thelawofattraction.com/step-away-from-the-pc-screen-50-things-to-do-that-dont-involve-your-computer/
I think Gail's resolutions are excellent, don't you? I hope this helps you think about how you can help this year to make sure we elect a DEMOCRAT for president in 2016. The actions we take this year will set the stage for victory in 2016.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Issues We Face in 2015 - Income Inequality
"Income inequality refers to the extent to which income is distributed in an uneven manner among a population. In the United States, income inequality, or the gap between the rich and everyone else, has been growing markedly, by every major statistical measure, for some 30 years." http://inequality.org/income-inequality/
How does this trend impact our society? There have always been rich and poor. If we could somehow re-distribute all the money equally, how long before we'd be back to rich and poor again? But, the problem now is that the entire system is rigged to make it very easy for the rich to get richer and very likely that the poor will get poorer. This inequality divides the races and separates people within races. It makes it harder for poor people to get an education and to break out of poverty. And it makes it easier for the rich to get everything they want. Here's a link that a friend shared with me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM&feature=youtu.be
If you take about 6 minutes to watch this, it will blow your mind. Then realize that it was done in 2012!
It's time we wake up! We are like the proverbial frog, sitting in our warm tub, getting cooked before we realize what's happening. I saw this headline and article posted recently on Facebook:
How does this trend impact our society? There have always been rich and poor. If we could somehow re-distribute all the money equally, how long before we'd be back to rich and poor again? But, the problem now is that the entire system is rigged to make it very easy for the rich to get richer and very likely that the poor will get poorer. This inequality divides the races and separates people within races. It makes it harder for poor people to get an education and to break out of poverty. And it makes it easier for the rich to get everything they want. Here's a link that a friend shared with me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM&feature=youtu.be
If you take about 6 minutes to watch this, it will blow your mind. Then realize that it was done in 2012!
It's time we wake up! We are like the proverbial frog, sitting in our warm tub, getting cooked before we realize what's happening. I saw this headline and article posted recently on Facebook:
80 percent of U.S. adults face near-poverty, unemployment, survey finds http://www.cbsnews.com/news/80-percent-of-us-adults-face-near-poverty-unemployment-survey-
I remember thinking at the time, "Oh, no! That has to be wrong!" Yet, when I research it, I find that the data supports it. How can this be happening in our country? What can we do about it? Well, the first thing we must do is WAKE THE HELL UP! and WAKE UP OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!
After we WAKE UP, we ORGANIZE: http://inequality.org/t/organizing/
We EDUCATE ourselves. http://inequality.org/resources/ http://www.pewresearch.org/topics/income-inequality/
and we start to FIX the problem: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/preeti-vissa/fixing-income-inequality_b_5001075.html
And we don't fix it by teaching poor people how to live on less! That's ridiculous! Yet, I saw many articles that suggested just that. A Forbes article says the have nots must become the do somethings!
The Atlantic Monthly says to fix America's wealth inequality, just teach thrift, frugality, and savings!!!
The following article presents views that I would categorize as representing the Left and Right political views on income inequality and how to fix it or whether it can or should be fixed. http://financesonline.com/income-inequality-views-solutions-from-experts/
If you believe it is morally wrong for wealth to be so unfairly distributed and that this unfairness is at the root of many social issues our country faces; then, I strongly urge you to become politically active this year. I believe we MUST elect a Democratic president and return the Senate to Democratic leadership. We must gain seats in the House and in state legislatures across this land. Will you do something about it? Start locally, then in your state, and finally at the National level. Support Democrats and demand action.
Monday, January 5, 2015
A Lyin' Bully
I ran across an article by Molly Ivins in Mother Jones called, "A Lyin' Bully." It was published in 1995. It was about Rush Limbaugh. Ivins called him a lyin' bully who picks on dead people, little girls, and the homeless, none of which can fight back. You see, Ivins made her living making fun of politicians. But, she strongly objected to Limbaugh's type of political rhetoric. You can read the article here: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/1995/05/lyin-bully
I find it amazing that 20 yrs later we still have what Ivins decried as, "plain old nastiness in our political discussion." Indeed, it may even have gotten uglier. Like Ivins, I think we must take Limbaugh seriously. He has an audience that feeds on his vitriol. Limbaugh appeals to the lowest common denominator. He invites class hatred and feeds the racism that is barely under the surface in America today. For this reason alone, Rush Limbaugh is a dangerous force in American politics and HE MUST BE STOPPED.
There is ONE thing you can do to achieve that goal. Just stop buying anything from companies that advertise and support his show. Here is one article that lists some of his main advertisers: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/28/1353710/-10-Rush-Limbaugh-Sponsors-Every-Liberal-Should-Boycott# I agree that every Liberal should boycott these sponsors of Rush's hate machine. And I think you should let them know why you are stopping buying their products. Money is the only language they comprehend. Show them with your pocketbook that you find Limbaugh's program to be disgusting!
You can also support the #StopRUSH hashtag on Twitter. If we all work together, perhaps we can get this bombastic, dangerous fool off the air.
I find it amazing that 20 yrs later we still have what Ivins decried as, "plain old nastiness in our political discussion." Indeed, it may even have gotten uglier. Like Ivins, I think we must take Limbaugh seriously. He has an audience that feeds on his vitriol. Limbaugh appeals to the lowest common denominator. He invites class hatred and feeds the racism that is barely under the surface in America today. For this reason alone, Rush Limbaugh is a dangerous force in American politics and HE MUST BE STOPPED.
There is ONE thing you can do to achieve that goal. Just stop buying anything from companies that advertise and support his show. Here is one article that lists some of his main advertisers: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/28/1353710/-10-Rush-Limbaugh-Sponsors-Every-Liberal-Should-Boycott# I agree that every Liberal should boycott these sponsors of Rush's hate machine. And I think you should let them know why you are stopping buying their products. Money is the only language they comprehend. Show them with your pocketbook that you find Limbaugh's program to be disgusting!
You can also support the #StopRUSH hashtag on Twitter. If we all work together, perhaps we can get this bombastic, dangerous fool off the air.
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