Tag: civil rights

Opinion

The US senate may control the fate of the republic

Joe Manchin, Krysten Sinema and any other waffling Democrats need to make sure that they recognize the gravity of the moment. The Human Infrastructure bill and a strong version of the For the People Act need to pass the senate by any means possible. If the senate cannot confront the climate crisis, voting rights, holding Trump insurrectionists accountable, immigration, and civil rights we may be in for dictatorship. Republicans have shown they are unafraid of accountability from voters with their consistent outrageous statements and actions. This is not the time to try and change the spots on the leopard with talk of bipartisanship at all costs. This is the time to act decisively to protect democracy, decency, and human dignity. Research and act to defend your values, and I hope the evil of white supremacy is not at the top of your list.

Opinion

Infrastructure 1.0

The US Senate passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, but the House of Representatives will not pass it until the For the People Act is presented for their vote as well. I think that Speaker Pelosi is right to take this stand because the bulk of climate crisis legislation is in the second bill. Climate Crisis is receiving a lot of attention because we are running out of time to preserve a future for human civilization as we know it. The For the People Act addresses social and scientific crisis that threaten to destroy our society. It is not socialism for our government to focus resources and energy to address existential threats. Private enterprise will be the dominate vehicle for meeting the critical challenges that we face, but government must represent people’s hope for a better society and future.

Opinion

Staying the course

Under President Biden’s leadership the United States is starting to heal and strengthen, but Republican victory in the 2022 congressional races can reverse that quickly. America is nowhere close to being out of danger. Until insurrectionists are held accountable and the truth informs the majority of American decisions; we face new horrors. Some politicians talk of bipartisanship at a time when one party (Republicans) is trying to create a one party state or autocracy. The pandemics (COVID, climate crisis, tribalism, increasing autocratic power, etc.) assaulting America and the world are not going away, only determined American leadership provides the best outcomes. The wisdom of the crowd comes out when the people have access to the truth; this has been America’s strength. Research and act to protect the vote for yourself and all citizens

Opinion

The sun will come out tomorrow

The drive for American leadership in the energy revolution is strengthening. and will grow stronger, thanks to a government/private-industry partnership. Building infrastructure and middle class resiliency will create a dynamic society working to solve huge problems (COVID19, healthcare, voting rights, equality, Climate Crisis to name a few) with truth and science. Healthcare, energy, cyber, educational, and human infrastructure are required for America to remain a robust world leader. The sun will continue to rise and heat this planet whether we do our part and protect a human-friendly atmosphere, or not. Research and act with urgency to protect truth, science, and a future for the human race.

Opinion

Manchin and Sinema

Senators Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema are openly asking us to believe that they cannot recognize that America is in crisis. They feel the filibuster as it now exists is more important than the votes of citizens. The Republican threat to voting rights and vote counting is a crisis for our system of government. As politicians and “leaders” if Manchin and Sinema cannot recognize a system in crisis there is a problem. The problem is the electorate that allows these two senators [and any others that agree with them] to be considered representatives of their will. Call your representatives and let them know that you support HR-1 and HR-4 as non-negotiable bills to be passed into law. If citizens are not electing our representatives we are no longer a republic. Research and act to protect your future and that of your posterity.

Opinion

Richard Branson shows us how we should be

Richard Branson is a wealthy man who continually seeks growth and new experiences as he tries to make the most of his life. Too many Americans lazily spread lies and attack fellow citizens in pathetic attempts to gain power as they diminish others. These people seek power to minimize and disrespect others to continue the lie of white supremacy. The first casualty of war is the truth and by that measure we may be in for a second civil war. I hope that the majority of Americans recognize the great evil seeking power and live up to their better selves. We must reject QAnon, Trumpism, and Republican liars claiming Trump won. We must reject those who do not believe in the right to vote for all citizens, have the votes counted, and the majority of votes represent the will of the people in running our government. Research and act to save our republic.

Opinion

Juneteenth is a big deal

President Biden signed the bill into law creating a new federal holiday to recognize the end of legal slavery in the United States. The Juneteenth Federal holiday is a big deal. It is not the reparations that are owed to African-American citizens targeted for disrespect mixed with social and economic warfare; but it is something. America has benefited from free labor, underpayment, and theft targeting Black people. The truth must come out before justice can be strengthened in America. Sadly an American political party (Republicans), and a percentage of citizens are fine with lying and injustice targeting their fellow citizens. How this all turns out is yet to be determined. Research and act to make the moral arc of the universe bend towards justice!

Opinion

It all starts with voting rights

Where does the authority to govern come from? The people authorize the government with their vote. If American citizens are restricted from voting the government does not have the consent of the governed. The greed and corruption of power hungry Republicans threaten the country’s existence as a republic. Research the issues of our time and stand up for democratic values by using every right you currently have as a citizen.

Opinion

Right to life?

There is a constant debate in America about the right to life and the Supreme Court will be taking up the issue again. People claim that there is a right to life and it should be protected; but the same people do not support healthcare for all. An impoverished person could be forced to have children, and those same children could later die due to lack of healthcare or COVID caused by a science denying “right to lifer”. Why aren’t people who are passionate about the “right to life” not passionate about preserving the lives of the living? Do the concerns for life of the “conservative religious” end when a person is born? It seems like this is the case for the “right to life” voters. Republicans and people claiming to be conservative have trouble with ethics and details. Maybe this is why they consistently use emotional appeals to sell their ideas. The house of cards that calls itself “conservative” has gotten away with a lot in the recent past; the continued success of this unstable political movement threatens our future.

Opinion

Rosa Parks to Darnella Frazier; the struggle continues

Rosa Parks was a person who didn’t seek fame, but did not shrink from doing her part in the struggle for civil rights. After Mrs. Parks stood up for the civil rights of African-Americans on public transportation she was economically targeted, and had to leave Birmingham, Alabama. Darnella Frazier was not looking for recognition either, but she did the right thing when she saw evil. She held up a mirror not just to police behavior, but to America and what we allow in our public servants. Derek Chauvin would probably have gotten away with murder if Darnella had not stood up to his evil. With Darnella leading the way the Minneapolis community defined itself as people who would not tolerate clear evil. The struggle between those who will allow evil to triumph as long as it leaves them comfortable, and those who will not make a deal with the devil goes on. Hopefully new laws will protect decency for everyone and diminish opportunities for evil, but as the quote says “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty/“