Guardians of Privilege

Remember the Grand Old Party? (GOP) Well, they have morphed into Guardians of Privilege. They no longer represent the people who vote for them. They answer to the money people and do their bidding in Congress. 

Bill Moyers recently wrote about it in, "Dividing the Spoils". http://billmoyers.com/2014/11/21/dividing-spoils/

This is a great read about money and politics. "Today, gifts to politicians that were once called graft or bribes are called contributions. The Supreme Court has granted corporations the rights our founders reserved for people, and told those corporations they can give just about anything they want to elect politicians favorable to their interests. "

They aren't giving this money out of the goodness of their hearts either! Consider this: "From 2007 to 2012, the two hundred most politically active corporations in the United States spent almost $6 billion for lobbying and campaign contributions. And they received more than $4 trillion in US government contracts and other forms of assistance."

As expected, military contractors lead the list of contract recipients with the finance sector not far behind. What can we do about this mess? First watch the video of Lawrence Lessing and Zephyr Teachout:  http://vimeo.com/112467851 Then get mad as hell and start contacting your representatives in Congress.

What Has Happened to the GOP?

I was outraged when I read that the editor of the National Review, Rich Lowery, suggested that Speaker Boehner request the president's State of the Union Address in writing and tell him he isn't welcome in the House Chamber.  http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/11/26/republican-lawmakers-consider-banning-pres-obama-from-delivering-state-of-the-union/

Since the beginning of our history as a country, the sitting president has given a State of the Union (SOTU) address to Congress. Now, some GOP are suggesting not allowing President Obama to deliver the annual address next January. I couldn't believe it when I read it but it seems to be true. They call him King Obama and find any way possible to demean him. http://www.salon.com/2014/11/25/wingnuts_plot_pathetic_new_ways_to_pester_obama_dont_let_him_give_a_state_of_the_union/

Is it too much to ask our elected representatives to stop acting like spoiled brats and work together for the good of the country? As usual, if you ever read this far, I am going to ask that you consider letting your elected representatives know how you feel and what you'd like them to focus their efforts on in the next Congress. You can reach them at senate.gov and house.gov.

Let's be Thankful

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. I don't know about you, but, I'm glad I woke up in my cozy bed in the United States of America. Our country may not be perfect, but, it's still a pretty good place to live. I have a nice home, good roads, great schools and hospitals nearby. I know that I didn't build that.

Remember when President Obama said, "You didn't build that!" and right wing heads exploded? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKjPI6no5ng Later, Elizabeth Warren said basically the same message:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-P-CoSNYaI

We have so much to be thankful for in America. And we have a lot of work to do. As long as we have homeless veterans and children going to bed hungry while Wall Street traders are raking in billions, we have a problem.

Let's commit ourselves to action to right the wrongs in America and continue to work to make this country a place that works for all. Happy Thanksgiving!

Life Isn't Fair and People Don't Act Right

Have you noticed that life isn't fair and people don't act right? We cry foul and have fits, but, eventually we come to see this truth. Does that mean we should stop trying to achieve fairness? Does that mean WE shouldn't try to act right? Of course not! When we see unfairness in our world, we need to find legitimate ways to address it. The problem often becomes which issue do we want to address. If it affects us directly, then that is usually our cause. Unfairness that doesn't directly affect us just isn't such a big deal.

I saw a definition of privilege:  "Privilege is when you don't think something is a problem because it isn't a problem to you personally."  Let us now confront our privilege. Just because we haven't been raped, that doesn't mean we shouldn't stand up for victims' rights. Just because our unarmed child hasn't been killed by police, that doesn't mean we should look the other way and not speak out. Just because they aren't fracking in our neighborhood, that doesn't mean we should stand by and watch it happen to others.

We have voices. We can speak up when we see evil and injustice. It is #TimeToAct Contact the people you have elected to represent you and let them know how you feel on important issues. It is your right and it is your responsibility.

#RapeCulture

If you are a feminist or care about one, then the recent Rolling Stone Magazine's article about #rapecultue is a must read.  http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-20141119?page=2

All week, I've read Bill Cosby defenders question why his accusers haven't come forward before now. After you read the Rolling Stone article, you might understand. Here are a couple recent articles about Cosby:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/business/media/calling-out-bill-cosbys-media-enablers-including-myself.html?_r=0

http://www.salon.com/2014/11/24/new_bill_cosby_accuser_we_may_be_looking_at_america%E2%80%99s_greatest_serial_rapist/

As long as women are discouraged from reporting instances of sexual assault; as long as society is more concerned about the rights of the "alleged" rapist than it is about the one who is "alleging" the assault, we will have situations like these.

Now, I ask you, given the statements on record made by Republicans, which party do you think will work to protect women's rights? Which party supported the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) If you remember, 138 House GOP voted against the act and several of them went on to lie to their constituents that they had voted for it. President Obama signed the re-authorization on March 7, 2013.

People on the Left regardless of pet issue are needed to unite with the Democratic party to advance issues that are important to our country. The GOP would have us fighting each other and forming third parties because that would ease their path to the White House. If #RapeCulture is an issue that you care about, I strongly encourage you to get with your local Democratic party chapter and work to elect Democrats.

Can We Get Money Out of Politics?

Everyone says that we must get money out of politics. There are political action committees (PACs) set up to try. The Democrats in the United States Senate tried to get a bill to a vote in September to overturn the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court. It failed to get any support from Republicans. Now, they are in control of both houses in Congress. Therefore, it is highly doubtful that they will attempt to change the status quo.

So, what can we do about it? Bill Moyers has a few ideas. In fact, he has eight suggestions. First, is amend the Constitution. If you like that idea, you can go to movetoamend.org/actions and sign up to help.

Next, Moyers suggests Represent.us which is an organization promoting a broad anti-corruption legislation that would place limits on lobbying, political contributions, and PACs.

Another idea is to promote other acts that would promote public financing of political campaigns. One is the Fair Elections Now act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/269 and the other is the Grassroots Democracy act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/268 Obviously, both of these will die when the 114th Congress takes over in January 2015, but, they could be re-introduced then.

You can also join Lawrence Lessing at http://www.nhrebellion.org/ to take a walk across New Hampshire to focus attention on money in politics.

In 2014, over one million activists requested that the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) make corporations political campaign contributions more transparent. You can join that movement and continue to pressure on the SEC to act.  http://www.truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/sec-inundated-by-one-million-requests-for-corporate-campaign-contribution-disclosures/18858-sec-inundated-by-one-million-requests-for-corporate-campaign-contribution-disclosures

Three other options are also discussed in this article:  http://billmoyers.com/2014/11/21/8-ways-get-money-politics/#.VHCVrKrfuUE.twitter

So there you have some choices. Will you take action or merely complain endlessly on how corrupt our systems has become? Choice is yours. I hope you chose action.

They Couldn't See The Forest For The Trees

The Republican party missed an opportunity to make history but they "couldn't see the forest for the trees." From the beginning of Barack Obama's history-making inauguration, the leaders of the GOP have chosen a different agenda.

If they hadn't been so blinded by their hate, they might have instead worked with the Obama administration. But, compromise was a dirty word in their lexicon. They met that first evening of Obama's presidency and chose the strategy of obstruction.

They weren't even subtle about it. They announced their goal to make him a one term president. Whenever President Obama took any action by adjusting policy, the GOP jumped before the cameras and told the American people they were going to sue him. They held endless hearings trying in vain to pin something on him to discredit his legacy.

Even when they did attempt bipartisan action on budget or immigration, the money men behind the obstruction plan would not allow them to finalize it.

The question in my mind is this:  How long are the American people going to put up with this? We can and should demand our representatives chart a different course.  Will you be part of the change or part of the problem. Doing nothing will make you part of the problem.

The least you can do is contact your representatives in Congress. senate.gov house.gov

But you can do more. You can attend public meetings and get involved at the grassroots level. You can work to support a candidate who shares your views on the future of America. It isn't too late!