Tag: Society

Opinion

America 4 sale?

The stories of our times include dark money allowed in our politics by a Supreme Court with many members appearing to be corrupted by the same phenomena. Money magically appears to pay bills for judicial relatives, supply large paychecks for spouses, purchase languishing real estate. America is in the lonely position among democracies of believing that money equals speech, but we take it a step further in not even wanting to know who is speaking, Dark money can come from inside and outside of our country and we will never know if the source wishes us good or ill. Americans increasingly do not trust institutions; mass media, social media, politicians, banks, etc. We are a country unmoored from the truth as corruption, and pursuit of money over civic duty dominate. We spend a lot of time talking about politicians who are symptoms rather than systems assaulting good citizenship. Americans are more ignorant, confused, and angry than ever due to institutional failures from public schools to news networks. Take a stand and act to hold organizations and individuals with power accountable. Use your rights to create a tide of righteousness that brings truth, hope, and justice.

Opinion

Is America flirting with fascism, or are the idiots taking over?

Jesus effectively told us ‘we will know the truth and the truth will set us free‘, but Republicans like Ron DeSantis and Glen Youngkin don’t want instruction in history based on truth. Why not? The Republican governors say that truthful history will hurt young white people’s feelings, but they say nothing about the feelings of African-American children. Truth and history are not about feelings; they help us to be strong and intelligent people. The same Republicans worried about feelings also attack people they call “Woke”, but they do not explain what they mean by this. Do they want American citizens to be “Sleep”, and if so why? Fascist do whatever they can to achieve power. The classic move of fascists is to pit people against each other while lying and claiming to be victims; their intent is to victimize others. The Republican leaders pushing fascism claim to be for freedom, but the only freedom they are concerned with is their own to abuse, harass, and threaten the other. Americans must be ready to choose in upcoming elections between dignity and respect for all, or power for some at the expense of others. The fascist Putin has been quoted as saying that he will “do anything for his friends and for his enemies the law.” Fascist in America will sell a similar message of law and order in the streets, but the crime wave will be in the halls of power. Research and act to preserve our republic.

Opinion

Fascism and the new Racism in America

America is still a country relying on truth as the bedrock of our republic but increasingly we are under attack by lies and selfishness. Ron DeSantis seems to be the replacement for Trump should he face conviction for his legion of alleged felonies. DeSantis pushes attacks on marginalized groups like Blacks while claiming to defend traditional values. He offers ideas like more power for police over civilians, and centralized state control of education. Everything would be routed and controlled by DeSantis and those he would pick to defend what Professor Eddie Glaude Jr has called the Big Lie of White Supremacy. Using tribalism to achieve strongman status is not a new trick. People like Trump and DeSantis love the poorly educated as they seek to achieve the power of a Putin so they can pillage and loot America. Truth has never been more important for the American republic to have a future. Research and act to protect the decency and dignity of American citizenship. President Biden and Democrats cannot save us on their own. We need two parties based (predominantly) on truth and integrity; not just Democrats. After the Trump assault on the law and democracy don’t buy the “both sides do it” lie. Republican practice lying and deception far more because they dupe the poor with tribalism while selling out to corporations and the wealthy. Vote Democrat until Republicans return to policies and ideas that put improving American society for all citizens first.

Opinion

Republican Book Bans

Republicans need to deal with the truth and stop their efforts to hide it so that some people feel comfortable. The truth is not about harassment or shame for groups of people but growth and improvement for all people. Republican states and legislatures should focus on creating conditions for growth and improvement; not maintaining advantage for the privileged at the expense of access to truth. Americans will have to stand up for traditional national and religious values while resisting the propaganda and myths of Republican tribal fascism. The battle for the soul of America is ongoing in today’s politics. Research the issues and vote Democrat!

Opinion

Warriors against Evil

A core characteristic of evil is the belief that what one person desires is more important than what others want. Putin and his followers in Russia believe that what they want matters more than what the people of Ukraine want. Ukrainian refugees who abuse persons of color also attempting to escape war are guilty of exhibiting the same characteristic. I am not saying the evil acts are the same. I want to point out and clarify that evil can easily exist in any human being. The way that we can fight evil is to be clear about what it is. Rabbi Hillel described the Old Testament as telling us to ‘treat others as we would wish to be treated’; but modern life is full of examples and prompts that lead us to diminish others to maximize ourselves. Prompts for evil can be subtle or overt; a real estate commercial with testimonials from customers who all happen to NOT be Black or Asian people (are they too different or not transact real estate?), A presidential candidate telling police to handle suspects roughly, a political party denying accountability for criminal behavior while constantly lying and then saying “both sides do it”, state legislatures reducing the rights of women to control their bodies. Jesus told us “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. Liars attack decency and reality because they want to set up a world that puts them at the top of a hierarchy with EVERYONE else diminished. Do not buy the fascist idea that your group or tribe will be elevated over others, ultimately liars play everyone else for pawns in their delusional pursuit of power. Real power comes from controlling ourselves, not stealing it from others. Demand the truth and hold liars who damage reality to undermine others and aggrandize themselves accountable. Having a decent world depends on us being warriors against evil in all of it’s forms.

Opinion

Is Cable TV worth the price?

A lot of people are shifting to streaming services to save money which suggests that cable television prices are too high. The other possibility is that streaming services (both free and paid) are increasing in value and quality. Most people do not watch a lot of TV because doing so can cause you to sit more which is bad for your health. We are creatures of habit who create bubbles that reinforce our preconceptions about the world; TV is a part of that bubble. Part of growing is having the resources and security to take risks. If you can reduce your cable bill and seize control of both your finances and what is being presented to you about the world; do it. People who are active in their lives are happier. Look at your budget and determine if your resource allocation for television is worthy of the cost. The small step of taking control of a piece of your life could become a habit, leading to greater peace, balance, happiness, and success.

Opinion

Are more Americans losing their moral compass?

Donald Trump won the 2016 election with a minority of the vote and a majority of the electoral college. Republicans are looking to 2022 to win a majority of gerrymandered districts to take over the House of Representatives (and state legislatures) despite not investigating or holding accountable any Trump followers for insurrection, criminality, or corruption. Elections have not taken place yet, but many political experts believe the Republican Party that has displayed no morality or accountability, will be placed in a position of power in America. Rewarding criminality, corruption, lies, and threats are evidence of evil and/or immorality. The questions for citizens of America is why are you allowing Republicans to continue on their path of inequity? What do supporters of Republicans believe they will get out of their bargain with the devil? For a person who is mentally capable to say they are unaware of the threat to decency or the constitution posed by Republicans is absurd. The truth would have to be in Evolutionary biology which is on the other side of morality; I want more for me and mine. Evolutionary biologists say that when things don’t make sense from a moral standpoint look to evolutionary biology; I seek an advantage is the short version. World War II and the Holocaust was the result of the last period of nations becoming amoral or immoral in their politics. Research, act, and vote your values to build a better world.

Opinion

Is America based on fear?

Is the American way of life based on fear of poverty and failure? For many people born into the right families poverty is not a possibility, but for others it is a daily threat. America is rated low for social mobility because the rich get richer and the rest remain anxious. No healthcare, universal pre-school, family leave for essential workers (or people in the gig economy) in our country. Many Americans live with the threat of missing a few checks leading to homelessness and poverty. Most school-aged children before the Biden tax plan lived in poverty. America is reputedly the richest country in the world but desperation is everywhere. Untreated mental illness leads the headlines on a daily basis. Are we going to do anything about the death and mayhem that are regular features of American life? Research, vote, and act to build a better future.

Opinion

To fight Tribalism be decent, be honest

Tribalism seems to be on the rise in America. Threats and assaults against Jewish people, Asian people, and other identifiable groups like African Americans have increased. Many people cite the election of Trump as a marker in the rise of hate. Hopefully the election of 2020 will mark the beginning of a decline in tribalism, but hope is not a strategy. We must all act to fight the evils of racism, tribalism, selfishness, greed, and envy. To paraphrase John Lewis ‘if you see something, say something. Stand up against what is wrong.’ All of our futures and lives are at stake.

Opinion

The problem with WAIC

White American Inferiority/Insecurity Complex (WAIC) is a problem for everyone because it keeps all people from reaching their potential. Fearful people whether they are Black or White are not able to reach their potential. People who externalize their negative emotions create victims and tragic headlines in random ways. Fear builds and spreads like a virus that weakens trust between people, but also in institutions. Building a more perfect union in our country will require confronting difficult truths like the systemic abuses of civil and human rights that the Woke movement addresses. America will either move to increase freedom or decrease it depending on the wisdom and knowledge of our citizens. Fear and hatred (for the self first and then others) pushes people toward foolish and destructive outcomes. It is frightening that the majority of whites voted for Trump, but more of this group moved away from this malevolent political force than any other group. There is hope in America. If Americans can identify and confront liars and lies consistently we will honor all of the sacrifices made for this republic.