I had a lot of people ask me if I was upset after President Barack Obama's first mid-term elections. For those who are curious: no, I'm not mad. I'm not even irritated. Why should I be? I mean, look, the one piece of legislation that the Republicans wanted to defeat (so they say) is health care. Well, the Republicans didn't win back Congress to even attempt to make it happen. The Democrats still control the Senate and they aren't going to vote to defeat a bill they voted to create. It makes no sense.
Still, the Republican pundits continue to beat the drum of repeal in hopes it will raise money heading into 2012. Think about it logically. They would need a majority of the votes in the Senate to even push it through. Then, they would need 2/3's of Congress to override it when Obama vetoes it. I'm telling you, it's not there. Health care is here to stay. Deal with it. It's a wonderful piece of legislation that is about 55 years too late (if not longer).
I wasn't surprised by the election for a couple of reasons. First, it's called history. When Democrats took over control of the country I said the next election will even out Congress. How did I know this? History. Since WWII the party who takes control of Congress when a new president enters office always loses some of it during the first mid-terms. The history rule USED to pertain to the president's first and second mid-terms, but President Clinton changed all that when he kicked Republican ass all over the country back in 1998.
The second reason (and I believe this is the reason for the first point) is people like to see their Congress work together. Will this happen? Probably not with the "Just Say No" Republicans controlling their end of the deal. They have to want to be teachable and get things done. Even when Bush and the Republicans had total control of Congress, there were several moments where Democrats sat down and hammered out legislation. Republicans have to be willing.
Let's face it, we all know Republicans and Democrats in our life. We have family members from both parties and we work with members of both parties. Every single day we get things done even though we don't agree.
Another thing pundits seem to be beating these days is the idea of repealing health care. After this supposed "uprising of the right" the second thing nobody gets right is health care itself. I met a newspaper reporter the other day who has written 25 columns about the health care debate and he admitted to me he hasn't actually read the bill that was passed into law. "Who has time?" was his little tag line. Um...I did. I know several people who are way busier than this guy who did. It doesn't take that long if you know how to read. Maybe that's his problem. Maybe I shouldn't judge him.
Here's my question back to the pundits. If Americans overwhelmingly felt the health care bill was bad, then why did Democrats keep control of Congress? This is all I heard for the past year is how bad this bill is (when half of the people saying it either haven't read it or can't interpret it correctly)and how much people hate it. Well if Americans hate it so much, why did they not put people in office who could repeal it? Has anybody bothered asking that question?
Here's what happened. While Democrats were busy shaping a historic piece of legislation, the Republican political machine was busy winning the public debate. I remember the day the vote happened I had several friends post "pages" of the health care bill that didn't exist. They literally said this and that is on page 53. When I looked at that page, there was nothing like it on the page. This means they were simply soldiers for the Republican Machine (knowingly or unknowingly) and spreading the hate and anger. It was the Karl Rove Fear Factor all over again. Republicans still want us to be afraid...of everything.
I have news for the Republicans, I voted for change and for hope. I still haven't lost sight of either. I applaud the president and Congress for rising above all the rhetoric and passing such a piece of legislation. Already we can see the benefits of it. You can no longer be turned down for coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Children can stay on their parents insurance plans until they are 25. Plenty of time for them to graduate college. You're right, these things are HORRIBLE!
What will 2012 hold? I have no idea. I do have theories. Right now, if the economy stays like it is heading into 2012, it will likely be a white wash for Republicans. If the economy gets better, then Obama and Company have a real fighting chance to keep their jobs. I still think Obama will get re-elected. Why? Because I've never seen a president keep his campaign promises as much as this one has and lose the next election. Think about it. When he said he was going to change the health care system, thousands of people applauded. So, he changed it. When he said he was going to push bank reform through, thousands of people screamed "Yes, We Can." And he did it.
In fact, he's done such a great job the Republicans are still talking about things they have been talking about (and doing nothing about) for the last 20 years. They say he is raising taxes. Yes, he is, on the rich. You know what I've learned about the really wealthy in this country? They don't care about taxes. They honestly don't care. Why do they not care? Because they know how to make more. They simply use it as a tool to get the people they want elected. That's the truth. Nothing will hold a true blue rich person back. Absolutely nothing. Not you, not me, not even a President of the United States.
So the next time you see/read one of these pundits talk about how bad things are, just remember, hope is still alive. You have the power to change your life today. You have the power to make a difference. You just have to act instead of bitch!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Those Annoying Brown People
It's been a while since you've heard from me. I apologize. My life has been time-consuming lately. I had to take two college algebra classes and a statistics class. Needless to say I had to focus on them in order to keep my GPA high. I'm going to try to get back into the fray.
I've sat by and watched as Arizona passed an Anti-Immigration Law. Here's an interesting fact about Republicans. They have introduced and passed more bills in this country (70%) with the word "anti" in the title. This is very telling to me. When they don't like something they just create laws against it instead of figuring out a way of working with the change that is happening. This doesn't surprise me.
I understand the frustration of anyone who works and lives in this country illegally. They avoid taxes, they live under the radar, and they don't tend to do much mingling. In short, they keep to themselves and we have no idea how they think or feel. To that I say big deal. They do what we all want to do and we hate them for it?
Still, this blog isn't going to be about why it's OK to be illegal in this country. Instead, I'm going to show another alternative to deal with this "problem." It's pretty simple. It shows compassion, and it allows this country to grow.
1. The thing that bothers me the most in this discussion is the law was originally created to go after "illegal" immigrants. It never once said anything about the people who bring the illegals into the country or the people who employ them. In fact, when the rumors of racism were flying, many Arizonians pointed this out and they went back and added the law to punish those who employ or bring in illegals. That was a very telling sign of who they are targeting. It wasn't about illegal or legal. It was about the people with brown skin. They don't like them, so they are going after them. When faced with the logic that white people are hiring them, they go back and change it so critics can't play the racism card. It's ridiculous and very see-through.
2. What is it about immigrants in Arizona Americas hates anyway? Is it their hard work ethic? Is it the fact they are very family-oriented? Is it the fact they will work their ass off to do anything possible to provide for their loved ones? Is it because they don't speak English? I thought Republicans were all about hard work and providing for your family? Don't they trumpet both causes on a regular basis? And please don't get me started on Americans who can't speak English properly. If that truly was a pre-requisite for living here, our population would be cut in half overnight.
3. America was built through immigration--even illegal immigration! I love it when people tell me they are tired of hearing this argument. Are you tired of hearing the truth? That's like saying you are tired of breathing air. My relatives came over on a boat and, let me spare you the research, chances are your relatives came over on a boat or some other form of migration. Many ideas shaped this country. Many different cultures shaped this country. I refuse to run from it now.
4. If this is about the legality of these people and not about race or culture, then I ask why are they currently trying to target their children who were born here and are legal? That is the next step in Arizona. They want to make the children of illegal immigrants illegal as well, despite the fact they were born on American soil. I believe this is in blatant disregard of the United States Constitution, but why let that stop a bunch of people trying to flush out "the element?" Trust me, this is not about legality. It is about race and culture.
So what is the answer? What would I do if I were in charge of solving this problem? Instead of shipping illegal immigrants back to wherever, why not work harder to make them all legal? Think about it. When we opened Ellis Island to immigrants we gave them a time period to become an American citizen. They were given a card and an opportunity to find work. In essence, they were given a chance. Look what they did with it!
I have zero problem with hard-working people entering this country. I have zero problem with people trying to escape horrible conditions in order to make a better life for their family. If the issue truly is the illegal part of the equation, then the solution is simple--allow them to become legal. The problem is, many of us suspect it has nothing to do with the illegal part, but the immigrant part. More importantly the color or culture of the immigrants. Instead of being against a group of people, why not stand up and allow them a chance to continue building this country? It worked for our families, let it work for others.
I've sat by and watched as Arizona passed an Anti-Immigration Law. Here's an interesting fact about Republicans. They have introduced and passed more bills in this country (70%) with the word "anti" in the title. This is very telling to me. When they don't like something they just create laws against it instead of figuring out a way of working with the change that is happening. This doesn't surprise me.
I understand the frustration of anyone who works and lives in this country illegally. They avoid taxes, they live under the radar, and they don't tend to do much mingling. In short, they keep to themselves and we have no idea how they think or feel. To that I say big deal. They do what we all want to do and we hate them for it?
Still, this blog isn't going to be about why it's OK to be illegal in this country. Instead, I'm going to show another alternative to deal with this "problem." It's pretty simple. It shows compassion, and it allows this country to grow.
1. The thing that bothers me the most in this discussion is the law was originally created to go after "illegal" immigrants. It never once said anything about the people who bring the illegals into the country or the people who employ them. In fact, when the rumors of racism were flying, many Arizonians pointed this out and they went back and added the law to punish those who employ or bring in illegals. That was a very telling sign of who they are targeting. It wasn't about illegal or legal. It was about the people with brown skin. They don't like them, so they are going after them. When faced with the logic that white people are hiring them, they go back and change it so critics can't play the racism card. It's ridiculous and very see-through.
2. What is it about immigrants in Arizona Americas hates anyway? Is it their hard work ethic? Is it the fact they are very family-oriented? Is it the fact they will work their ass off to do anything possible to provide for their loved ones? Is it because they don't speak English? I thought Republicans were all about hard work and providing for your family? Don't they trumpet both causes on a regular basis? And please don't get me started on Americans who can't speak English properly. If that truly was a pre-requisite for living here, our population would be cut in half overnight.
3. America was built through immigration--even illegal immigration! I love it when people tell me they are tired of hearing this argument. Are you tired of hearing the truth? That's like saying you are tired of breathing air. My relatives came over on a boat and, let me spare you the research, chances are your relatives came over on a boat or some other form of migration. Many ideas shaped this country. Many different cultures shaped this country. I refuse to run from it now.
4. If this is about the legality of these people and not about race or culture, then I ask why are they currently trying to target their children who were born here and are legal? That is the next step in Arizona. They want to make the children of illegal immigrants illegal as well, despite the fact they were born on American soil. I believe this is in blatant disregard of the United States Constitution, but why let that stop a bunch of people trying to flush out "the element?" Trust me, this is not about legality. It is about race and culture.
So what is the answer? What would I do if I were in charge of solving this problem? Instead of shipping illegal immigrants back to wherever, why not work harder to make them all legal? Think about it. When we opened Ellis Island to immigrants we gave them a time period to become an American citizen. They were given a card and an opportunity to find work. In essence, they were given a chance. Look what they did with it!
I have zero problem with hard-working people entering this country. I have zero problem with people trying to escape horrible conditions in order to make a better life for their family. If the issue truly is the illegal part of the equation, then the solution is simple--allow them to become legal. The problem is, many of us suspect it has nothing to do with the illegal part, but the immigrant part. More importantly the color or culture of the immigrants. Instead of being against a group of people, why not stand up and allow them a chance to continue building this country? It worked for our families, let it work for others.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
One Simple Message of Hope
It's been a while since I've posted anything. I apologize. I've been a bit busy. I started going back to college, which includes studying, reading, and proving to myself I'm smarter than I think. Still, I haven't strayed from my liberal roots one bit. This blog is a message to those who are doubting the president.
To The Republicans
I get it. I really do. You watched as your last president was crucified in the press, public opinion, and around the world. You found no solace. You had to live with what was being said because everybody agreed he was the worst two-term president in history.
It festered. You had to put up with it for eight years. Eight, long, grueling years. Now there's a Democratic president and the Dems control Congress. You've taken shots for eight years and you are unleashing your frustration. I can see through it very clearly. You're petrified that these semi-godless thinkers are ruining your country.
I've asked many Republicans why they hate Obama. They usually respond with the usual Fox News verbiage: "He's a tax and spend liberal." Let's analyze this for a second.
Fact: He did sign into law a stimulus bill to help save jobs. This is spending of taxpayer dollars. Other than that, what else you got?
This is what cracks me up about Republicans. They LOVE to point a finger and yell "tax and spend" as if they have NEVER in the history of mankind EVER taxed and spent anything! It makes me laugh out loud. Republicans controlled the Congress and the White House for six out of the eight years Bush was in office. What was the result? Anyone? Anyone? Taxes went up (especially for the middle and lower classes) and they spent over $10 TRILLION dollars. Oh yeah, but Repubs overlook that little indiscretion. The only taxes that went down were for the top one percent of Americans. These were the actual results of the Bush Tax Cuts which were trumpeted all over Fox News as being the Ronald Reagan move of the new century. What did it do? The same exact thing Reagan's economy did. It sent us spiraling downward into a recession. In fact, the last three Republican presidents have left office with a recession on their hands. The last Dem left with a SURPLUS! Yet, all Dems do is tax and spend? Sigh. It gets old. And it's not factual.
To The Progressives
I get it. I really do. You're frustrated. You spent money, time, energy, and a TON of talking to help get Obama elected. You thought you finally had a true Progressive thinker in office. In turn, you feel he has let you down. He is committing to a war in Afghanistan, the public option did not make it through Congress, and you want him to end the assault on gay marriage bans.
My friends, I feel the same way about all of these issues. I am frustrated the public option died a quick death. I think it is the only way to protect Americans from the greedy slime that is the health care industry.
I have mixed feelings about the war in Afghanistan. I felt very strongly it was where we should've been all along instead of wasting our time in Iraq. Now that we have committed fully to the region, I wonder if it is too late to find the bastard Bin Laden and bring him out of his rat hole. Sorry, friends, but I still believe in justice and that asshole needs to be found. It's why I will never be a true Progressive. I do see a purpose for war or war-like actions.
As for the rest of the complaints, all I will say is the man has been in office for one year. He still has time. Relax.
To The Conservatives
I get it. I really do. You're scared shitless of a black guy in office. Do you ever notice conservatives call every Democrat in office the "number one liberal in America?" Can they all really be number one? They called Obama this when he entered office even though NOBODY had ever heard of the guy. Can you be anonymous AND the number one liberal? Is that even possible?
I will congratulate the conservatives on killing the public option. I realize your goal was to kill the health care reform bill, but I still think you can take credit for whittling down a bill that was very strong in the beginning. You were organized, focused, and ran the best smear campaign I've seen since Dukakis ran for president in the 80s. So what if death panels aren't true? What's a little lie between constituents when it comes to killing health care reform?
You filled town meeting after town meeting in an effort to smear the "Communist Obama" and his "Socialist agenda." I even asked a few of you why Socialism was bad. I have to admit your answers killed me. Most of you said because it will kill democracy. Really? Socialism is an economic system, you morons. It has nothing to do with voting. This is why more money on education is needed.
I also want to thank you for all the entertaining bumper stickers and shirts you guys wear. It feeds into your paranoia perfectly. I asked one guy why he hated Obama. His answer: "He's taking away my guns and my money." I then asked which law he signed that took away his guns. His answer: "I don't know. I just know he's going to." PERFECT! Let's hate a guy for something you think he might possibly do at some point in time. That makes total sense! I bet this same guy has an autographed copy of Sarah Palin's book.
For the record, the only bill Obama has signed into law involving guns was one expanding the rights of federal and state agencies to use guns in public parks. That's right, the evil, gun-taking, Negro EXPANDED the use of guns! Sigh. Get a life, conservatives. You still have so much to learn.
Final Thoughts
To my fellow Democrats, Independents, and Progressives, I say you are missing the point if you think Obama is doing a bad job. Again I will say I am not in love with the man as much as I thought I would be, but I can't deny he has done some really fantastic things while in office. First, the health care reform bill did pass Congress. This is NOT a small feat. So it didn't have a public option. Big deal. It doesn't go into effect until 2013. There is still time to reform the reform bill.
Look at it this way. This bill overhauls one-sixth of our national economy. Do you seriously think this was easy? Besides, it still covers over 30 million more Americans who have been refused coverage or can't afford coverage. It also tells the health care industry they can't refuse anybody based on pre-existing conditions. ALL OF THESE ARE GREAT THINGS!!!
I also want to take a minute to tell my fellow Dems and Progressive friends you should look in the mirror a bit when you talk about the public option dying. How many rallies on health care reform did you attend? How many groups did you organize to attend rallies in favor of the public option at town hall meetings? If your answer is zero, then you are just as guilty for it failing. I attended three. I spoke up. I stated my position. I can tell you, without a doubt. I was in the minority at every one of them. The conservatives won the argument because they showed up. Can you say the same?
Here is the message of hope I was referring to in the blog title. Obama is one person. One human being. He stood in front of you and demanded a call for action. What did you do? Me? I acted. I made calls, I attended rallies, I went to town hall meetings. In short, I heard the call. He can't do it by himself. He was asking for your help even after he was elected. This, my friends, is the greatest message I have heard from a president since I've been alive. Why? He knows he can't do it without you. He's all but admitting it. It's incredibly humble!!
I remember watching history unfold on my TV screen as Obama won the presidency. I remember him saying over and over again, "Yes We Can." Have we already, as a country, forgotten the "we" part of his slogan? One person can't do it for you. You have to want it as bad as you say you do! Get off your asses and act or stop complaining. Those are your options as I see them.
To The Republicans
I get it. I really do. You watched as your last president was crucified in the press, public opinion, and around the world. You found no solace. You had to live with what was being said because everybody agreed he was the worst two-term president in history.
It festered. You had to put up with it for eight years. Eight, long, grueling years. Now there's a Democratic president and the Dems control Congress. You've taken shots for eight years and you are unleashing your frustration. I can see through it very clearly. You're petrified that these semi-godless thinkers are ruining your country.
I've asked many Republicans why they hate Obama. They usually respond with the usual Fox News verbiage: "He's a tax and spend liberal." Let's analyze this for a second.
Fact: He did sign into law a stimulus bill to help save jobs. This is spending of taxpayer dollars. Other than that, what else you got?
This is what cracks me up about Republicans. They LOVE to point a finger and yell "tax and spend" as if they have NEVER in the history of mankind EVER taxed and spent anything! It makes me laugh out loud. Republicans controlled the Congress and the White House for six out of the eight years Bush was in office. What was the result? Anyone? Anyone? Taxes went up (especially for the middle and lower classes) and they spent over $10 TRILLION dollars. Oh yeah, but Repubs overlook that little indiscretion. The only taxes that went down were for the top one percent of Americans. These were the actual results of the Bush Tax Cuts which were trumpeted all over Fox News as being the Ronald Reagan move of the new century. What did it do? The same exact thing Reagan's economy did. It sent us spiraling downward into a recession. In fact, the last three Republican presidents have left office with a recession on their hands. The last Dem left with a SURPLUS! Yet, all Dems do is tax and spend? Sigh. It gets old. And it's not factual.
To The Progressives
I get it. I really do. You're frustrated. You spent money, time, energy, and a TON of talking to help get Obama elected. You thought you finally had a true Progressive thinker in office. In turn, you feel he has let you down. He is committing to a war in Afghanistan, the public option did not make it through Congress, and you want him to end the assault on gay marriage bans.
My friends, I feel the same way about all of these issues. I am frustrated the public option died a quick death. I think it is the only way to protect Americans from the greedy slime that is the health care industry.
I have mixed feelings about the war in Afghanistan. I felt very strongly it was where we should've been all along instead of wasting our time in Iraq. Now that we have committed fully to the region, I wonder if it is too late to find the bastard Bin Laden and bring him out of his rat hole. Sorry, friends, but I still believe in justice and that asshole needs to be found. It's why I will never be a true Progressive. I do see a purpose for war or war-like actions.
As for the rest of the complaints, all I will say is the man has been in office for one year. He still has time. Relax.
To The Conservatives
I get it. I really do. You're scared shitless of a black guy in office. Do you ever notice conservatives call every Democrat in office the "number one liberal in America?" Can they all really be number one? They called Obama this when he entered office even though NOBODY had ever heard of the guy. Can you be anonymous AND the number one liberal? Is that even possible?
I will congratulate the conservatives on killing the public option. I realize your goal was to kill the health care reform bill, but I still think you can take credit for whittling down a bill that was very strong in the beginning. You were organized, focused, and ran the best smear campaign I've seen since Dukakis ran for president in the 80s. So what if death panels aren't true? What's a little lie between constituents when it comes to killing health care reform?
You filled town meeting after town meeting in an effort to smear the "Communist Obama" and his "Socialist agenda." I even asked a few of you why Socialism was bad. I have to admit your answers killed me. Most of you said because it will kill democracy. Really? Socialism is an economic system, you morons. It has nothing to do with voting. This is why more money on education is needed.
I also want to thank you for all the entertaining bumper stickers and shirts you guys wear. It feeds into your paranoia perfectly. I asked one guy why he hated Obama. His answer: "He's taking away my guns and my money." I then asked which law he signed that took away his guns. His answer: "I don't know. I just know he's going to." PERFECT! Let's hate a guy for something you think he might possibly do at some point in time. That makes total sense! I bet this same guy has an autographed copy of Sarah Palin's book.
For the record, the only bill Obama has signed into law involving guns was one expanding the rights of federal and state agencies to use guns in public parks. That's right, the evil, gun-taking, Negro EXPANDED the use of guns! Sigh. Get a life, conservatives. You still have so much to learn.
Final Thoughts
To my fellow Democrats, Independents, and Progressives, I say you are missing the point if you think Obama is doing a bad job. Again I will say I am not in love with the man as much as I thought I would be, but I can't deny he has done some really fantastic things while in office. First, the health care reform bill did pass Congress. This is NOT a small feat. So it didn't have a public option. Big deal. It doesn't go into effect until 2013. There is still time to reform the reform bill.
Look at it this way. This bill overhauls one-sixth of our national economy. Do you seriously think this was easy? Besides, it still covers over 30 million more Americans who have been refused coverage or can't afford coverage. It also tells the health care industry they can't refuse anybody based on pre-existing conditions. ALL OF THESE ARE GREAT THINGS!!!
I also want to take a minute to tell my fellow Dems and Progressive friends you should look in the mirror a bit when you talk about the public option dying. How many rallies on health care reform did you attend? How many groups did you organize to attend rallies in favor of the public option at town hall meetings? If your answer is zero, then you are just as guilty for it failing. I attended three. I spoke up. I stated my position. I can tell you, without a doubt. I was in the minority at every one of them. The conservatives won the argument because they showed up. Can you say the same?
Here is the message of hope I was referring to in the blog title. Obama is one person. One human being. He stood in front of you and demanded a call for action. What did you do? Me? I acted. I made calls, I attended rallies, I went to town hall meetings. In short, I heard the call. He can't do it by himself. He was asking for your help even after he was elected. This, my friends, is the greatest message I have heard from a president since I've been alive. Why? He knows he can't do it without you. He's all but admitting it. It's incredibly humble!!
I remember watching history unfold on my TV screen as Obama won the presidency. I remember him saying over and over again, "Yes We Can." Have we already, as a country, forgotten the "we" part of his slogan? One person can't do it for you. You have to want it as bad as you say you do! Get off your asses and act or stop complaining. Those are your options as I see them.
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