Smile

 

The other day I went downtown to run a few errands.  I went into the local coffee shop for a snack. I was only there for about  5 minutes, and when I came out, there was this cop writing out a parking  ticket.      

I said to him, 'Come on man, how about giving a retired person a break'?  He ignored me and continued writing the ticket. His insensitivity annoyed me, so I called him a   'Nazi.'

He glared at me  and then wrote out another ticket for having worn  tires. So I proceeded to  call him 'doughnut eating Gestapo.' He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first.

Then he wrote a third ticket when I called him a moron in blue.

This went on for about 20 minutes. The more I talked back to him the more tickets he wrote.

Personally, I didn't really care. I came downtown on the bus because gas prices are so high  and the car that he was putting the tickets on had one of those bumper  stickers  that said 'McCain in 08'.

I try to have a little fun each day now that I'm retired.  The doctor tells me that it's important to my health. 

Concerning the Kitsap Commissioner Race for District 2

The Kitsap Commissioner's race for District 2 parallels state and national GOP for dirty tricks. For Republicans these races are about power and promoting Republican ideology.

Local GOP campaign techniques are now modeled on Karl Rove and George Bush's bag of dirty tricks. We expected the GOP scandalous Dirty Tricks would eventually trickle down to the lowest common denominators, just not so soon.

In the face of national GOP failures, local Republicans like Tim Matthes want us to believe they have the answers, that they're different. They're not!

Using a letter writing campaign, Matthes', minions have very little truth to say. The GOP distracts, distorts, and destroys enemies with lies and deceptions. Republican sympathizers like Richard Brown demonstrated in his letter to the Port Orchard Independent (10/15/08) that he has mastered these techniques.

Brown said Garrido caused the economy to dive and businesses to leave, apparently in droves, during her time as Commissioner (1997 – 2000). Yet, with these incompetent and false claims he did not give a single source.

In truth, during Garrido's term Kitsapians experienced an average income increase of almost $5,000.00, (2000 Census, US Census Bureau), and unemployment dropped from 6.8 to 5.0 percent. (http://www.kitsapgov.com/das/budecodemo.pdf). Hmmmmmmm.

We need that kind of performance. We need Charlotte Garrido, a proven leader who gets things done.

 

Whoever controls the message controls the perceived reality. And perception is everything!

Virtually nothing happens in a political campaign except that it is designed to happen.

Straight Talk Express and Maverick, are efforts by John McCain's campaign to control his message and create a desired perception that he is the kind of politician who can be trusted to speak the truth about everything regardless of the consequence to his future political fortunes. In other words, McCain has and will have the best interests of all the people as his guiding principles at all times.

McCain has used his example as a former P.O.W. to create the perception that he will do what is right for the military, the service members, the veterans and national Defense policies because "he has been there and done that". It is an emotional issue and McCain's handlers are masters at manipulating emotions to form perceptions. Unfortunately, McCain's voting record and actions have shown that he does not perform as advertised. In an effort to control the perception that McCain is not pro military, veteran and service members, McCain repeatedly says over and over that he supports them. Repetition has been proven an effective tool in forming perception as shown by polls concerning McCain's stance on these issues.

Negative ads work when there is little time to compare the ad with the truth. But given too much time, the negative begins to pale because the shock has worn off (its old news) and people have continued on. But a little of the negative emotion remains in the subconscious. Therefore it is necessary to repeat the negative in new and fresh ways to maintain the negative emotion and heighten the negative which was left from before. And it may be necessary to add more negative ads to complete the task of perception change.

Going negative in defining the opponent is another way McCain tries to change the Obama perception. McCain has been spending so much time and money to connect Obama with Re. Wright and Ayers that he has wasted that time and money because most people have moved beyond Wright and Ayers. In McCain is spending resources going negative, he loses that time and money for other things.

That's why McCain isn't speaking to the issues of the day. That's why McCain isn't talking about the Financial Melt-Down of Wall Street, or the Wall Street Bail Out, or the affect this will have on middle class Americans on Main Street USA. He has spent that time and money trying to define how we perceive Obama. While wasting time and money in this effort, McCain has managed to change his own Brand, and that is the risk of perception manipulation.

Because McCain was so busy trying to define Obama, he did not spend enough time defining himself as a leader who can get a handle on the melt-down and save the economy and America. Meanwhile, his lackluster performance defined himself as someone out of touch with the issues and the people. McCain defined himself as unable to lead while Obama, in spite of the McCain efforts to paint him as otherwise, showed that he was not only capable of handling the issues, but that he also has the interest of the people at heart. McCain defined himself as someone who would do anything, say anything to win a campaign.

McCain's gamble has cost him dearly, and may cost him the election.

John McCain's Position on Gov't Regulations

I've been watching this whole Wall Street bail out, and I'm not happy about it. It seems that when the "big business" folks get into trouble the government is all for saving them. Yet, as we saw when the "average Joe" was going belly up and was unable to pay their mortgages, the boys in Washington said "Too bad." Doesn't that beat all? Washington is supposed to be "Government by the people, for the people" not "Government by big business, for big business." Unfortunately, with all the lobbyists on K Street buying up all the Congressmen and Senators they can get their claws into, the latter is the real case in Washington. It's business as usual in Washington. I think all they've done by bailing out these Fat Corporations is put-off the inevitable. There is no change if nothing changes. And I've heard it said the the definition of insanity is "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result." Well, nothings changing. Are you expecting a different result? So what to do? I know it would be hard on everybody, but I think we should let those companies that engaged in the predatory business practices should be forced to face the music. If you're going to dance, you've got to pay the piper. What's happening in this bail out is we-the-people are paying the piper for the fat cats. Again. Especially since those who were supposed to be protecting the people in Washington (Spearheaded by Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex) a John McCain advisor on finance) are the ones who wrote the de-regulatory laws that allowed the companies to get away with raping the country. It didn't start with the deregulation of finance companies. It started with advertising telling us we need to have this and we've got to have that, AND WE BELIEVED THEM. It's a crazy rat race. The workers try to get ahead (remember when there was only one bread winner in the home and someone was home taking care of the kids?) by working two or more jobs, and both people in a two adult home are working. That only works for a short while because when business sees that the consumer (that's us) has more money, they up their prices. Charge what the market will bear, and not a penny less. That's inflation and we go round and round. Then business changed the rules. 605,000 jobs lost through August this year alone. Why? Businesses are taking their manufacturing plants and service out of the country because third world people will work for pennies on the dollar. But those who are out of a job aren't finding a job financially equal to their old one. The result is the shrinking of the purchasing power of the dollar. I think we must all take responsibility for where we are. Business for their predatory practices and people for their inattention to their own finances. It's harder because we are inundated with advertising telling us we must have "our share" of the American dream. And we buy it. So, if we're going to let the small guy suffer the consequence of his decisions, WE MUST LET THE CORPORATE FAT CATS PAY THE CONSEQUENCE OF THEIR PREDATORY DECISIONS! The commentators keep telling us that the government bail out is going to turn everything around. Relax, they say, we're going to be alright. But I say we are just putting off the inevitable crash of the American and world economy. Get ready for new Hoover camps and inside out pockets like we saw during that depression. Get ready for the coming depression!

John McCain Used to be Maverick, but Now . . .

Truth Or Consequences

I’m thinking about Political tricks and spins, and the more I think, the angrier I get. I’m not angry at the Political Parties. I’m angry with my self. There have been tons of indications concerning the propaganda movement toward totalitarianistic methodology.

What do I mean by that?

Simple really. For example, back in the late sixties, Republicans realized that if you control the message, you control the government. To that end they have been keen on using publicists, public relations moguls, bought press, advertising executives and ad men. The whole gamut.

They used the folk, some willingly, some bought, some coerced, to begin putting out the news, Republican style. They bought reporters, newspapers, radio stations and jockeys, television stations and cable networks. The created foundations and groups and political action committees, and realistic sounding organizations having to do with science, economics, social habits of Americans, and on and on.

Whenever a story was needed, the Republicans had someone write it up and place it with their people to be printed, read, broadcast, reported on and the like. It looked so real, who would even begin to think it was phony Republican propaganda to begin with?

Not very many people saw through the fog.

But interestingly enough, the Republicans were so proud of their work they began to brag about it in interviews, in books, in news stories and magazine articles, etc. You get the picture.

As a one time Journalism major, I was taught (albeit around 1976) that the press is a sacred thing, entrusted to journalist by the founding fathers (remember free press and free speech?) to use on behalf of the people for the people. As a forum for discussion and public debate. As a means of keeping the people informed of matters truthful and conscientious.

I think the founding fathers would vomit on the “rags” of today!

We were taught that a story required validation by two real and credible sources. Validation doesn’t happen because a scientist says there is “no global warming” or “global warming is a hoax” if that scientist (though he or she is a legitimate scientist) is being paid to present their views by any one who has a vested interest in there being no global warming. THAT IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. Unfortunately it happens all the time. An because that scientist seems legitimate, we are either confused or agree with this “official”, or go away out of frustration. How can we make informed decisions in this manner? Anything that fell into this category was called “Yellow Journalism”.

This is the topic of this blog. It doesn’t matter if the offender is Red or Blue, I hope to expose as much of this activity as possible. Not a “watch” project as to whether or not something is truthful, but to expose the phony story based on who’s paying for it, or the research, or who has released the report, op ed, scientific report, white paper, et al.

It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it, so it might as well be The Incredible Link.

Iraqi War Report

As I listened to Ambassador Crocker report to Congress, he made big point of the damage it would cause in human suffering, economic calamity, and the political ramifications in the area, if the United States should pull out of Iraq, and I am left wondering what the hell was this administration thinking when they took on the task of empire building in the first place?

It is quite a bit late for the Administration to be making this admission publicly. Dick Cheney made similar statements concerning Bush 41’s decision not to continue into Iraq after Hussein invading Kuwait in 1990.

It is particularly disarming and alarming that the President of the United States, leader of the free world, and his entire Administration, would fabricate reasons to usurp a legal government, solely for His personal agenda.

I am equally alarmed that members of the House and Senate rolled silently onto their backs and exposed their soft underbellies, and out of fear of appearing weak, fully supported Bush II’s plan to invade a sovereign county.

Where was the moral majority then? Where were the leaders of the country? Where were the American people? Why were the vast majority of people in this nation silent? This silence was the same as signing a blank check for Bush and his cronies. Bush and his cronies created such an atmosphere of fear that almost everyone (thinking that the surely the President would only speak the truth) believed in his assessment and his proposed remedy for the “smoking gun in the form of a (nuclear) mushroom cloud”. We have been hoodwinked in the style of the greatest Con Men of the past and present.

It is a sad state of affairs that the people we have elected to represent us in Washington D.C., do not do their jobs and verify for themselves, the case the President made to go to war. I would never have believed this error in our system could even have existed. That governing has become so complex that our representatives do not even have the time to read the proposals that come before the body before they a called to vote yea or nay. How can this ever be called representation of the people?

I participated in the public gatherings showing that we were not in favor of going to war in Iraq. Now, as a retired military person, I am not a pacifist. I believe in protecting our county. I don’t believe in getting rid of our nuclear weapons because I believe that there are those in the world who mean us harm. We must be prepared. We must be ready. But, I do not believe in toppling governments because it is expedient to the US to create countries willing to be allies in an area where there were none. I know the invasion was not that simple, and that there were ulterior motives such as oil. BUT THESE POLICIES MAKE US THE EQUAL OF OTHER EMPIRE BUILDERS SUCH AS GERMANY AND JAPAN. WE WERE NEITHER RIGHT NOR JUST IN OUR ILLEGAL ACTIONS.

I am ashamed of our actions as world citizens. I am ashamed that politicians have become gutless and leaderless hacks that have only their own reelection as their incentive, not representing the people. I am ashamed that our two party system as become so polarized that it has become virtually impossible to compromise positions in order to create laws for the people, not for big business or party needs.

I believe that if our elected officials don’t begin to truly battle for that which is best for the people, one of two things will happen; first, the people will put a stop to the current government and perhaps vote to make changes that make impossible the current state of our political system, and second, this country will dissolve into nothingness.

When will we get it together?

Democrat Grassroots Program for 2008

Date: July 30, 2007

TO: Dedicated Democratic Leaders

FROM: Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD),Chairman Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) RE: Growing the Democratic Majority in Congress EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 2008 election is already in full swing and our candidates are hard at work across the country, campaigning for their vision of America’s future. They are meeting voters, mobilizing activists, and fighting for early support. And the stakes could not be higher. Will the Democratic Party stay on offense and finish the job we began in 2006 by taking back the White House and strengthening our majorities in Congress?

Or will the Republican Party, funded by powerful special interests, fight back and hold the White House while taking back one or both houses of Congress? The answer to these questions will depend on what we do together right now. If you have had enough of the lack of accountability, massive corruption and failed policies of the Bush Administration, then join with me and hundreds-of-thousands of your fellow Democrats in the most important campaign in a generation. Together we can make lasting change for America. This Victory in 2008 memorandum lays out “Phase I” of our strategy – building on our momentum from 2006 and setting the stage for an even bigger victory in 2008. This is our plan for building on what we started in 2006 and finishing the job in 2008. I urge you to review this plan for victory and then join with me and your fellow Democrats and support the DCCC today. We will finish the job in 2008, but only with your support. Please consider rushing a generous donation of $20, $25 or even $50 to the DCCC right now. Your gift will be put to work immediately, helping to implement our Victory in 2008 Campaign Plan. The only way we can finish the job in 2008 is with your support. Together we can make lasting change for America.

INTRODUCTION

We need your support now in order to mount a strong offense. To protect and expand our Majority in 2008, we need to mobilize voters, get our message out, and counter the vicious attacks and distortions already being fired from the Karl Rove spin machine. Our plan for expanding our Majority consists of four fundamental steps:

Putting Republicans on the defensive

1. Aggressively targeting ethically-challenged Republican incumbents
2. Continue our work bringing change and accountability to Washington
3. Strongly supporting our Democratic candidates

We also need to continue reminding the American people of the progress that we’ve made in only six short months in the Majority. Within the first 100 days of Congress, House Democrats passed a minimum wage increase, approved sweeping ethics reform, authorized new stem cell research, and held more than150 oversight hearings — more than the Republicans did in 12 years. As proud as we are of these accomplishments, I can assure you that it's just the beginning. With six years of failed and disastrous policy from the Bush Administration, it will take a stronger Majority and a Democrat in the White House to repair the damage and put our country back on track. In order for us to win the White House and increase our Majority, the DCCC is going to need your dedicated and sustained support. You are the base of our Party and the foundation of victory. Your immediate help is critical to the success of our plan to move America forward.

STEP 1: PUTTING REPUBLICANS ON THE DEFENSIVE

The best way to keep the Republicans on defense is for Democrats to build an early and aggressive offense. That is exactly what we have done so far and we intend to keep it that way. We are aggressively targeting Republican-held seats where the right Democrat can win in 2008. To make sure that we succeed, the DCCC is expanding the playing field by recruiting strong candidates in competitive districts focusing on four key areas:

1. Districts where Republicans won by less than 10% in 2006;
2. Seats where the Republican incumbent plans to retire;
3. Districts held by ethically challenged Republican incumbents; and,
4. Republican-held seats in districts that John Kerry won in 2004.

Targeting vulnerable Republicans early accomplishes two key objectives:

1. It expands the number of seats that Democrats have a chance to pick up, giving our party critical momentum, energy, and resources nationwide; and
2. It forces the Republicans to spend their limited resources defending their vulnerable seats instead of using those funds to attack Democrats.

In 2008, Democrats will compete in all 32 districts where Republicans won with less than 10% in 2006. And, as the graph above shows, there were proportionately more Republican seats that were held onto with smaller vote margins then Democrats, making them prime targets for a Democratic pick-up. This is only the beginning. In 2008 the national playing field will be even bigger. Democrats will be on the offensive, playing district by district across the country.

STEP 2: TARGETING ETHICALLY CHALLENGED MEMBERS

The 2006 Elections proved that trust and accountability matter a great deal. In 2006, years of Republican corruption and abuse of power was exposed. And these elections showed that Democrats could win in Republican districts where an ethically-challenged incumbent was on the ballot. As we continue to uncover the Republicans’ culture of corruption in 2007, Democrats are holding Republicans accountable. Over the course of the past few months we have watched these headlines hit the newspapers:

“Arizona GOP Rep. Rick Renzi steps down from all committees after FBI raid” (AP, 4/24/07)

“Rep. Doolittle resigns panel seat after FBI raids home…” (Chicago Sun-Times, 4/20/07)

“FBI asking Tom Feeney about trip with Abramoff” (St. Petersburg Times, 4/24/07)

Make no mistake about it: Democrats are committed to holding Republicans’ feet to the fire by exposing corruption and recruiting the strongest possible challengers to sweep them out of office. STEP 3: ACCOUNTABILITY Last November, Democrats promised to give the Bush Administration and the Republicans in Washington something they desperately tried to avoid for six years – accountability. Since taking control in January, we have delivered on that pledge. Democrats have left no stone unturned and brought unprecedented accountability to Washington. We ended the President’s blank check to wage an endless war in Iraq. But that was just the beginning. We have held more than 150 oversight hearings to expose the Bush Administration’s failed policies - from the disastrous planning and execution of the war in Iraq to Hurricane Katrina to the Justice Department’s politically motivated firing of some of our best U.S. Attorneys. Democrats have also brought new accountability to Washington. We restored fiscal responsibility to our budget and passed one of the strongest lobbying reform packages in history. Thanks to your help, we have placed the Republicans on notice that Democrats will not stop working for a better America that improves people’s lives and is once again respected around the world. STEP 4: SUPPORTING OUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES Democrats have a strong record of defending tough incumbent seats. Democrats have lost only six incumbent seats since 1996, three of which we’ve already regained. The DCCC is setting up a mentor program to dispatch battle-tested elected members to help newly recruited candidates battle their opponents. The new class of Democrats are battle tested and heading into 2008 with a better command of what it takes to win. Many ran tough races and, thanks to our Majority standing in Congress, now have a solid record of accomplishments to take back to their constituents. We cannot afford to take any chances. That is why we have set aggressive goals for each of our new members to help ensure they get their campaigns off and running early:

• Outreach programs: In order to build the best local grassroots networks, the DCCC is asking new Members to put together outreach and volunteer programs in their home districts. Members will be required to build and execute a rigorous house party and grassroots plan with the goal of identifying 1,000 volunteers.
• Online networks: Since the support of Internet organizations was a vital part of the Democratic success in 2006, we will continue to develop our online presence on behalf of our Democrats, seeking to involve at least 30,000 new supporters via e-mail and Webbased outreach.
• Rapid Response Network: We have established a special network (and a fund to support it) that hits back hard when Republicans spin the facts to distort the truth. We have set a goal to recruit 500,000 activists dedicated to ensuring that the truth –not Republican spin – is getting through to the media and to voters.

People and grassroots participation count, but our candidates will not win if they don’t have financial resources to get their messages out through the media and fight back hard when attacked by Karl Rove’s hatchet men and their allies on right-wing talk radio and in other media. Early success with fundraising will give pause to Republican challengers and help us recruit strong Democrats to take on Republicans in open seat races or in soft Republican-held districts.

CONCLUSION: GOOD POLICY IS GOOD POLITICS Sustaining our Majority requires more than good candidates and well-funded strategies. We have to prove why a Democratic Majority is worth fighting for. What we’ve achieved so far in 2007 not only offers the clearest picture yet of the difference between a Republican-led Congress and a Democratic one, but it is the strongest argument for keeping the Democrats in power. As Speaker Pelosi says, Democrats are committed to improving lives, creating opportunities and providing a helping hand when needed. We Democrats intend to wage a smart, aggressive campaign to expand our majority in both Houses of Congress — and we intend to win the White House too. Our success depends on three key things:

1. Getting an early start – which we have done;
2. Having a plan of action;
3. Winning the early support of concerned people like you.

I urge you to join us at the DCCC with a generous contribution. Just complete the enclosed form and return it promptly to me. I will make sure that you get ongoing updates and information as the campaign progresses. Thank you in advance for your support and participation. The most effective place for your financial support right now is not in a Democratic primary campaign — which pits Democrat against Democrat — but here, at the DCCC, where we work for all Democrats to sustain and expand the Majority we must have to govern on your behalf.

Liberal Means Progressive

What is a Liberal?

Do you have to be “Liberal” to be a Democrat? Do you have to be a “Democrat” to be Liberal? In other words, are Democrat and Liberal synonymous?

Republican Operatives are constantly trying to define what it means to be Democrat. They would have America believe that Democrats are Liberal and that Liberal is extremely bad for America. Of course under the current Republican Operative definition, being anything but hard core Right-Wing is bad for America. I want to make it clear – Republicans have not cornered the “Market” on being Right.

Sure Democrats have their share of radical members. But the Republicans are currently being led by Radical Operatives whose agenda is power and wealth.

Republican Operatives would have us believe that Democrats are in favor of abortions. That couldn’t be further from the truth. It's a lie. Democrats are in favor of a women’s right to make a choice, according to her health, psychology, economic condition, marital status, and social beliefs, about what is right for herself.

Republican Operatives are not going to care for unwanted children. They are not lining up to adopt the unwanted children in America. Especially not minority children, or children with birth defects of physical or mental conditions. In addition, they scream loud about the “cycle of Welfare.” They believe that many poor and minorities would rather be stuck in the Cycle than get a job and support themselves. It’s really not that simple, and anti-abortion solves absolutely nothing. In fact, some Right Wing Operatives believe that abortion would end the “Cycle of Welfare” they are so concerned about. But that is erroneous as well.

Republicans, they say, don’t want abortion and they don’t want welfare. They talk today about the "Politics of Compassion" in which churches are supposed to “tithe” enough money to take care of all the social ills of American. There are two problems with this idea; first, the government should be taking care of its people, not churches, and second, churches often require a conversion to their theology and religion in order to benefit from their social programs. Churches are, by definition, in the business of converting souls. This ideology does not allow the poor, who would be dependent on churches under this sorry idea, to have a choice of beliefs. That is not freedom under any definition, and this is “The Land of the Free," isn't it?

Radical Republican Operatives would have us believe Democrat Liberals are not strong on American Defense. Another lie. Just as many Democrats as Republicans voted to authorize Bush to take us to war. Democrats like Republicans were fooled by Republican Right-Wing neo-conservative lies, distortions, misrepresentations and contrived false evidence. Both parties were sorely afraid to appear unwilling to defend the nation after 9/11.Both parties neglected the evidence and sound reasoning. But the point is, Democrats were ready to defend our nation every bit as much as Republicans.

Republican Operatives would have us believe that Democrat Liberals do not support business. Lie. Democrats support businesses. But the fact demonstrated repeatedly by history, is that many businesses no longer support America. These companies support the bottom line; the profit margin. These companies have moved jobs to other nations to save a buck. They have moved factories and offices to foreign nations to save a buck. They chose the cheapest means to achieve their ends in order to raise their profits. These businesses have demonstrated a lack of interest in the ecological damage and destruction they wreak upon the land and its people for the sake of cash. They have sought through lobbyists to destroy labor unions, reduce benefits for employees, reduce retirement programs, reduce health care expenditures by laying the burden on their employees. They have sought through lobby efforts to use the capital in retirement funds for business opportunities, risking, and losing in some cases, entire retirement saving employees had worked a lifetime to save. Money they were counting on for a better life after retirement.

This Radical Republican Administration has demonstrated a complete abandonment of the people by allowing energy companies to write the Energy Policy for this Administration, with no regard for the people or the land. We’re paying outrageous and exorbitant amounts for gasoline while petroleum companies rack up their highest earnings ever. This Republican Administration has done nothing to protect the people. Republican Operatives would have you believe that Democrat Liberals increase taxes and spend more than Republicans do. Yet over the past seven years, Republicans have cut taxes for the wealthiest two percent of the country, they have increased spending in all facets of government, and authorized huge increases in size of government agencies that spy on us, the American people. Republicans, by cutting taxes for the wealthy, have placed higher tax burdens on the poor, because someone has to pay the cost of running the country. If the wealthy are not bearing that cost in proportion to their earnings, the poor and middle class are left to carry the bags of the wealthy, again. This policy has left the Nation more than four trillion dollars in debt.

A close scrutiny of what many Republicans support shows Big Business over the people. For example, scrutiny of the Medicare program shows that Republicans support what the Big Pharmaceutical Companies want –

• No negotiating the price of medication.
• Continuation of the current policy, even though Americans could save money by changing the current policy.
• Medicare is so bad that the elderly have to purchase Medicare Gap Insurance.

Close scrutiny of what Big Business wants shows they support –

• Illegal Aliens who invade America with immunity because they will work for less wages.
• Republicans say they only take the jobs Americans don’t want to do, but the truth is they take the jobs Americans wont do for the same wage paid to illegal aliens.
• Tax incentives paid to companies that hire over seas rather than here in America. Are these jobs Americans wont do? No, Americans used to do these jobs, but employers find it cheaper to hire over seas.

And those who support these Big Businesses support the same thing. A little scrutiny goes a long way. While you’re mulling this over, why not take in a movie, say, “Sicko”. Business needs to be supported, but workers need to be protected from the “bottom line”.

Liberal doesn’t mean weak, permissive, pro-abortion, anti-family, anti-morals, anti-business, pro-welfare, or anti-anything-Republican.

Liberal means Progressive!

We’re people who aren’t satisfied with doing things the way we used to do things just because that’s the way we always did them. We’re open to change. We’re tolerant of diversity in all facets of life. We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people regardless of race, origin, religion, or sexual preference. We believe that all people are created equal, and that means all people must have equal opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That means equal access to medical care. That means equal access to the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of the government. We believe in real Fairness and Balance, not rhetoric. We believe we are stewards of the earth, and we should leave it better than we found it so it will be here for all generation to come. We believe that those we select to represent us must have a higher standard of ethics than the average citizen. We believe in these things. Many Republicans believe these things too. That’s called the Center. Not Left, not Right, but the Center. The average American. We also believe that regardless of political affiliation, the key thing we are tasked to work with each other for the betterment of all people.

It’s about doing the right thing, and voting for those who do.

Beware and Be Prepared for Radical Republican Media Blitzes

As Democrats, we must be informed, not only in our own candidates and issues, but also what is happening in the Republican camp. Note that all Republicans are evil or bad. They are not. But there is a group that came into power with Snoot Gingrich. These folks have little or no conscience. They lie; create phony evidence to promote their causes. They smear opponents with lies, half-truths and made up BS. The Radical Republican objective is to eradicate, kill, or destroy, not just push their opponents aside.

For example: I was watching an interview on MSNBC Hardball’s Chris Mathews with Kate Obenshain during which she berated Hillary Clinton. Obenshain was listed as a member of the radical Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute (CBLPI). I decided to research Obenshain and CBLPI to see why she would speak so negatively about Hillary Clinton, and also state that she would “never vote for a Democrat”. Well, the first thing I noted on the CBLPI website was a story written by Miriam Grossman, MD, in which Dr.(?) Grossman states that “Media Mum on Oral Sex and Throat Cancer Risk Among Kids”. I could not believe my eyes. Oral sex is now being blamed for throat cancer among CHILDREN?

Grossman also has her op-ed piece on The Media Research Center website, which is nothing short of a Republican Propaganda Machine. L. Brent Bozell III is president of the MRC as well as the Parents Television Council, and the Conservative Communications Center.

To learn more about Bozell, see his Biography at: http://www.mrc.org/bios/lbb/welcome.asp

A taste of the Media Research Center’s work can be found at:http://www.mrc.org/archive/realitycheck/welcome.asp and the website illustrates the total Radical Right Wing Propaganda machine for what it is.

In checking out the entire story which was on the CBLPI website at http://www.cblpi.org/resources/article.cfm?ID=165. Now, I’m not one to give up so easily, and seeing that Dr. Grossman is connected with CNSNews.com, I thought I should see where that leads, and at the bottom of their homepage I found Dr. Grossman’s story under “Commentary”.

(It should be noted that Miriam Grossman is a senior fellow with the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute, and therefore does her part to further their agenda.)

Other great stories listed on CNSNews.com were:

• Measuring the Troop Surge's Success
• Allen Maps Path to Energy Independence
• $70 Million for Climate Change 'Resilience'
• Abortion Raises Crime Rates, Economist Says
• Israeli Paper Accused of Inventing Pullout Plan
• CAIR Sees 'Islamophobia' Behind Terrorist Claims
• Israeli Conflict More Than Just Politics, Author Says
• Pakistan's President May Declare State of Emergency
• Speeding Motorists in Britain Could Face DNA Checks
• Democratic Candidates Make Their Pitch to Union Workers
• Environmental Activists Want Congressional Hearings on Fluoride
• Homosexual Group Blasts Settlement Involving 'Ex-Gay' School Flyer

Just look at these titles! Could these stories be anything less than Right Wing BS Propaganda. It makes me wonder “Who could read and believe this tripe?” I don’t know anyone personally, but I know there are hundreds of thousands of people who do just that. They’re the same people who listen to Rush Limbaugh (and other Right Wing Radio Spewers) and believe everything they say. They’re the same people who watch Fox Noise (News), especially Bill O’Reilly (Oh’really), Hannity and Combs and all the rest of that Right Wing BS flinging machine They’re the same ones who watch Tucker Carlson and believe he knows what he’s saying (he is actually the Master of Spin, being trained in debate). The truly sad thing is, I believe Carlson knows the truth, he just enjoys the spin and like so many Republicans, doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process. None of these radio personalities and TV “Political Pundits” bother to check for the minimum journalistic requirement of responsibility – there needs to be two people to collaborate a story. They don’t seem to even to check the basic voracity of truth in what they say. They just spit out whatever they are told by the Republican Propaganda and Spin Machine. For these folks, truth is optional.

July 02 NBC’s Queen of GreenHosts ‘Live Earth’ Today News Anchor Ann Curry Has History of Sappy Promotion of Celebrity Environmentalists

June 11 TV’s Paltry, Left-Leaning Immigration News MRC Study: After Celebrating Immigration Bill’s Debut, ABC, CBS and NBC Mostly Ignored the Debate

May 15 The Media Before the War: Facts vs. Liberal Mythology For Months Prior to Start of Iraq War, Big Media Highlighted Anti-War Arguments, Doubted Bush Administration Claims

May 07 The Two Debates: MSNBC’s Liberal Agenda MSNBC’s Matthews Emphasizes Liberal Questions at GOP Debate: Is Bill Clinton Good for America?

April 19 Morning TV’s One-Sided Climate Crusade Study: ABC, CBS and NBC Push Global Warming Alarmism, Purge Skeptics and Hide Economic Costs

March 23 Ten Years Ago, Subpoenas Drew TV Yawns When Team Clinton Was Subpoenaed, Reporters Found “Hard-Charging Partisans” Wasting Tax Money

March 14 Mass Amnesia Over Mass Clinton Firings ABC, CBS, CNN, FNC, NBC Morning Interviews With Gonzales All Skip “March Massacre” of 1993

February 22 NBC IGNORES JOHN EDWARDS’ CHRISTIAN-BASHING BLOGGERS NBC’S VIEIRA CONFRONTS EDWARDS WITH LEFT-WING COMPLAINT ABOUT HIS 2002 WAR VOTE, BUT NEVER MENTIONS BLOGGER-GATE

January 31 “Peace Surge” Trumps Abortion Protest Big Three Networks Gloss Over Pro-Life March, But Send Excited Reporters to Boost Anti-War Rally

January 11 TV’s Pre-Emptive War Against Iraq “Surge” Before Iraq Plan Unveiled, Reporters Said It Was Unpopular, Wouldn’t Work & War Was “Lost Cause”

January 05 Ten Years of Matt Lauer’s Liberal Bias Today Co-host Has Rued America’s War On Terror, Pushed Gun Control and Touted Clinton’s Greatness

My point in all of this is that while Republicans scream about the liberal media bias, the fact of the matter is that anyone who does not fully support the Radical Republican Media Bias are Liberal Media. The problem with all of this should be evident by now. We as Democrats and moderate or liberal Independents must not only know what we believe in and how to speak to those beliefs, but we must fearlessly research what the Republican Media Machine is saying and be able to expose the machine for what it is – lies, deceit, and made up hooey designed to promote the cause of the Radical Republicans and the Big Businesses that support them.

Beware, be aware, be informed, BE ACTIVE!

Don't Let Bush Rewrite History

We forget the lessons of our past. Even worse, those in power rewrite the history to suit their own needs and agendas.

There was much discussion around 1763 concerning the methodical, step by step, usurping of liberty and rights of the people by those in power. So much so that John Dickenson said in 1768 “These unspeakable calamities come not from dust, come not causeless.” And furthers asks “Ought not the people therefore to watch? to observe facts? to search into causes? to investigate designs?"

Concerning these things, Gordon S. Wood wrote in his book Creation of the American Republic, “And as their search into the causes for what was happening proceeded, the otherwise inexplicable series of events increasingly seemed to be but pieces of a grand design, nothing less than, in Jefferson’s Words, ‘a deliberate, systematical plan of reducing us to slavery’.”

I am certain that nothing less than absolute proof will convince us that the Administrative Branch of our current government has slowly, methodically, step by step, has begun and continues the process of exchanging the rule of law to the rule of big business.

Let us look at the facts as are publicly known:

The actions Administration has been plotting, methodical and hidden from the people, the Congress, and the Judiciary, until the actions become public and policy. There is no oversight being conducted.

• Case in point – the creation of the Energy Policy by Dick Cheney with the help of his friends in Energy Big Business. It has been said that the Energy Lobbyist wrote the bill themselves.
• Proven to be injurious to the US and the world.
• Case in point – Denying Global warming as a scientific fact.
• Proven to be wrong. Proven to be injurious to the US and the world.
• Case in point – The decision to invade Iraq made prior to 9/11.
• Proven to be bad foreign policy.
• Case in point – After 9/11, blaming Iraq with ties to Al Qaeda and involvement in 9/11.
• Proven not only to be wrong, but fabricated by the Bush/Cheney Administration in an effort to convince the American people to go to war.
• Case in point – Declaring that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and posed an imminent threat to the United States of America.
• Proven not only to be wrong, but fabricated by the Bush/Cheney Administration in an effort to convince the American people to go to war.
• Case in point – Announcing the sale of yellow cake uranium to Iraq by Niger.
• Proven to be fabricated, and knowingly used in the State of the Union Address by Bush to further his call to war.
• Case in point – After Joe Wilson wrote an OpEd piece exposing the lie about yellow cake uranium, his wife, CIA Operative Valerie Plame, was maliciously exposed by the White House in an effort to punish Joe Wilson.
• Proven to be true and exposes the length to which this administration is willing to go in order to silence and punish those who stand against it, even in truth. It was the motivation for this malicious act and the Bush/Cheney involvement that Scooter Libby was hiding when he committed purjury and obstructed justice, not his involvment in exposing Valerie Plame.
• Case in point – Using the fear they created (Bush, Cheney, et al) demanded the creation of laws that violate our rights as Americans
• Proven – Bush can declare anyone an enemy combatant and deny that person’s right to a fair, speedy trial by their peers.
• Proven – Any individual can be sent to a "secret internment camp" for enemy combatants with no hope of speaking to legal counsel and no hope of release, even though no “formal charges” are ever brought against you.
• Proven – The definition of torture has been changed so that as long as the interrogator does not cause permanent damage to organs, anything goes.
• Case in point – Creating new programs for positive press, but never intending to fund them. Proven – No child Left Behind. They even stole the name from someone else.
• Case in point – Snooping and spying on the American People
• Proven – The CIA, FBI and NSA have all acknowledged they have illegally spied on the American people.
• Case in point - Stay lowal to Bush/Cheney and they will protect you.
• Proven - Gonzales lied and obstructed his way through hearings concerning the politization of the hirings and firings of US Attorneys and, so far, nothing has happened to him. Scooter took the fall concerning the Valerie Plame incident and Bush commutted his sentence, reducing jail time to be served to zero days. Since Bush did not outright pardon Libby, Scooter can claim the "Fifth" during future trials and congressional hearings because his case is still before the court. Hmmm.

This list goes on ad infinitum.

The Administration believes as long as it moves in small, hidden and unseen steps they can move the entire country into the new and illegal system they are creating. It will no longer be a country for the People, but for the rich. Yhey concieve and carry out their deceitful deeds with out over sight claiming Executive Privilege.

When will it have gone too far? Who will look out for the poor and politically weak when we have let them get away with it?

When are the American people going to call for an end to this regime of neo-con capitalist pigs that care not for the people? but only the almighty dollar. And a last note, thanks to the efforts of the New Republican Party, the dollar is no longer as Almighty as it once was.

How sad we have let come this far.

An Uneventful Fourth of July

I attended two Fourth of July parties. I visited with old friends and new friends and had a pretty good time. The second party was on the hill in Port Orchard just above the fireworks barge. Talk about a view! That's where I took this picture.

The only thing missing was any conversation (and that includes from me) concerning our wonderful nation and the the condition it's been put in by a ruling Republican party with an agenda and a minority Democratic party that stood silently by while the country was hijacked.

If I remember correctly it was Ben Franklin, who, when asked "What have you given us?" replied, "A republic, if you can keep it" or words of similar meaning.

I'm wondering, now that we Democrats have the simple marjority in both Houses, what are we going to do to keep it? I hope our senators and congressmen/women show us something spectacular. That's why we voted for them. And that's why we'll vote for them again, or not.

Conservatives and UFOs

Why do so many radio stations that carry · Bill O’Reilly · Sean Hannity · Glenn Beck · Rush Limbaugh · Dave Ramsey · The Drudge Report · Michael Savage · Jerry Doyle And their ilk, also carry Coast to Coast AM with George Noory Which deals with UFO's, strange occurrences, life after death, and other unexplained (and often unexplicable) phenomena. Hmmmm. Interesting. And, oh, by the way, "unexplicable" should be spelled "inexplicable". Wrong like so many things . . .

Posturing, Posturing, Posturing

If you ask a McDonald's Restaraunt owner what are the three most important considerations when opening a new store, she will tell you "Location, Location, Location!" The political version of merchandising is "Posture, Posture, Posture!"

The President has postured himself as now being willing to make certain changes and conditions conducive to bipartisanism. For example, Bush's firing of Rumsfeld demonstrated that he now get's the idea that the Nation is not the least bit pleased with his Iraq policies and all that goes with them.

Speaker Elect Pelosi has been posturing as a bipartisan leader. She is posturing herself as a Speaker who will not seek the impeachment of Bush, nor wisely seek an immediate exodus out of Iraq. Collin Powell said it best when he said, "You break it, you fix it." As a Nation we're stuck with this mess.

Republicans are posturing themselves as humble. After six years of locking the Democrats out, they are now eager to reach across the aisle.

Democrats are posturing themselves as now having power, but willing to share that power in a bipartisan effort to get some things accomplished for the Nation.

So far there has been talk, talk, talk, and posture, posture, posture. This is all well and good but it doesn't mean a damn thing, yet. America is eagerly waiting to see if the words and postures we see in Washington are going to translate into real bipartisan action on the issues that matter to the people.

I'm hoping it's not all rhetoric, but the elected acting with the integrity expected of men and women who hold office!

We're cheering for you Washington. Make us proud!

Pelosi and Dems Call for New Direction

Speaker Elect Pelosi has been pushing the Democrat’s Plan for the future “A New Direction For America”. It seems the Republican Party’s claim that the Dems have no plan has clearly been political spin designed to scare voters into voting for the GOP. It didn’t work. So what do the Dems have in mind? I’ve copied a couple of things including the Six Priorities for ‘06. Take a look:

---

Democrats believe that America needs –
and Americans deserve –
a New Direction that provides
security, prosperity,
and opportunity for all.
House Democrats, 109th Congress
With integrity, civility and fiscal
discipline, our New Direction for
America will use commonsense
principles to address the aspirations
and fulfill the hopes and dreams of all
Americans. That is our promise to the
American people.

SIX FOR ‘06 - PRIORITIES FOR ALL AMERICANS, NOT JUST THE PRIVILEGED FEW

REAL SECURITY - AT HOME AND OVERSEAS

Reclaim American leadership with a tough, smart plan to transform failed Bush Administration policies in Iraq, the Middle East and around the world. Require the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country and begin the phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq in 2006. Double the size of Special Forces to destroy Osama Bin Laden and terrorist networks like al Qaeda. Rebuild a state-of-the-art military capable of projecting power wherever necessary. Implement the bipartisan 9/11 Commission proposal to secure America’s borders and ports and screen 100% of containers. Fully man, train, and equip our National Guard and our police, firefighters and other first responders. Honor our commitments to our veterans.

PROSPERITY - BETTER AMERICAN JOBS, BETTER PAY

Prohibit the Congressional pay raise until the nation’s minimum wage is raised. End tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs overseas.

OPPORTUNITY - COLLEGE ACCESS FOR ALL

Make college tuition deductible from taxes, permanently. Cut student loan interest rates. Expand Pell Grants.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE - LOWER GAS PRICES

Free America from dependence on foreign oil and create a cleaner environment with initiatives for energy-efficient technologies and domestic alternatives such as bio-fuels. End tax giveaways to Big Oil companies and enact tough laws to stop price gouging.

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE - LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE

Fix the Medicare prescription drug benefit by putting seniors first by negotiating lower drug prices and ending wasteful giveaways to drug companies and HMOs. Promote stem cell research that offers real hope to millions of American families who suffer from devastating diseases.

RETIREMENT SECURITY AND DIGNITY

Stop any plan to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part. Enact real pension reform to protect employees’ financial security from CEO corruption and mismanagement, including abuse of the bankruptcy laws. Expand personal savings incentives.

---

To be fair, the New Direction Plan is 31 pages in total. You can find it here:

New Direction

Also important to all Americans is the fact that the Dems are promising Bipartisan efforts to bring about this New Direction. It all looks good. Combine all this with the immediate changes in the Whitehouse, and there seems to be hope for the Nation.

I hope all parties can remember – WE’LL BE WATCHING!

"Bush's Brain" Can't Do Math

I listened to National Public Radio last week as Karl Rove was being interviewed at "Radio Day" held under a large tent on the Whitehouse grounds. Among other things, Rove said:

• "Politics is a complex equation."
• "I'm looking at 68 polls a week. You may be looking at 4."
• "I'm looking at all the races. I'm looking at all these and they add up to a Republican House and a Republican Senate."
• "You may end up with different math, but you're entitled to your math and I'm entitled to the math."

After yesterday's election, the results show a very different end than what Rove's math predicted. I'm suspecting all of Rove's rhetoric was spin, or he just doesn't get the New Math.

Admittedly, Rove has planned some brilliant politics and election schemes. However, just like in the movie when someone says "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain," the curiosity of the Nation becomes too great and we look behind that curtain. We've seen lies, spin, partial truths, bait and switch, and smoke and mirrors about everything from reasons to go to war in Iraq, how things are going in Iraq, to congress abdicating power to the President, and on, and on, and on. The Nation has sensed that our leaders are simply no longer trustworthy. To that end, the Nation spoke in a unified and loud voice at the ballot box. NO MORE. No longer will the people be satisfied with dishonest, mean and angry leaders who do not have the best interests of the Nation at heart. No longer will the people be satisfied with business as usual in Washington D.C.. No longer will the people be satisfied with laws written by Corporate America. No longer will the people be satisfied with "Stay The Course". It's time for the change we have voted for. It's not a "new start", it's a lateral shift in thinking. The Nation can't start over because we have a set of National circumstances that must be dealt with.

• Unaffordable Health Insurance
• Rising costs of College tuition
• Prescription drugs without pharmaceutical bidding and competition
• The war in Iraq
• The war in Afghanistan
• Proper equipment and gear for our military
• The lobby scandals
• The Culture of Corruption
• An unbalanced budget and Pork Barrel spending
• Unfair tax breaks for the wealthy and corporate America
• A polarized nation
• and more

So, what's the answer? BIPARTISAN ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE NATION! It's time for open and honest debate concerning the state of the Nation with all effort being put forth to work for the best interests of the Nation. America and be well again! America can regain the international respect we once held with utmost care. During World War II when comic books created such heroes as Superman, we heard a lot about Truth, Justice and the American Way. I think, as corny as it sounds, it is time we got back to that kind of sincere, heartfelt and humbling work, seeking

TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY!

VOTE

VOTE TODAY

GO OUT AND VOTE

It's easy to tell from my Blog that I am a Liberal. Proud of it. This year (and usually) that means I vote Democrat because they are the progressive party. It's been the progressives that have brought us powerful change for the future, while strongly maintaining human rights, and a purposeful drive to care for the poor.

To me Republicans have, especially of late with the Bush fiasco, been for

• tax cuts for the rich,
• diminishing civil rights for the people,
• privatization of government programs that have worked for years, such as Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and the like (creating profiteering opportunities for businesses)
• nation building (Iraq and Afghanistan, neither of which are stable), and
• creating a state similar to that which we have read about in Orwell's "1984" and Huxley's "Pala Island". Welcome Big Brother!

We are on the verge of losing life AND LIBERTY as we have known it. The pursuit of life, liberty and happiness can only be afforded by the middleclass and up, and the middleclass is quickly losing its footing. Government is on the verge of becoming the true "Big Brother" and the masses are becoming unnecessary.

• We don't need huge numbers of people for the military.
• We don't need huge numbers of people for manufacturing.
• We don't need huge numbers of people for farming.

Computerization, robotics, and efficient machines have taken more jobs than we can count. Jobs outsourcing and illegal aliens have taken a further toll. With nothing but a paradigm in economic theory, the rich won't need people much at all. I suggest that with the globalization of business, that paradigm in economic thinking is already beginning to happen.

The rich believe they are carrying the weight of the poor. They are carrying the weight of the financial responsibilities of the Nation. Their taxes are paying the bulk of the bills of the Nation. In other words, it is their financial power and their dollars that are carrying us. Now, since there is no longer a need for huge numbers of people, and since there is an exponential growth of the population, the very wealthy are worried that the world system will blow up, and they will "lose it all". In my opinion, I don't believe either political party is concerned with this coming change. With all this power, I repeat here a saying I first heard in 1970 from Bill King:

ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY

Of course, these are only my musings. They may be wrong - BUT, they may be right. Just like the Tylenol commercial says

Stop. Think.

It takes a little work to research the candidates and the causes, but it is so necessary. Our FUTURE depends on our willingness to do it. I recommend that you start with the National Party websites, then look at neutral "watchdog" websites (if you don't have Internet access - try the library, it's free). So DO IT, THEN GO OUT AND VOTE. Of course I hope you'll vote with me. Still, the point is VOTE. Get involved. It's your future too.

Kerry is a Red Herring - Get Back To The Facts

C’mon GOP, give us a break! John Kerry in his press conference on Monday made reference to the fact that the educated elites don’t join the volunteer military, but the poor - middle class, join the service for several reasons. Of course Kerry’s real point was that Bush was just a "C" student (so we’ve been getting a "C" Administration). As a former Navy Recruiter (Three years) and as an administrator at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS - where kids go to join the military) here’s how I believe the military gets kids to join up: The advertising promises a great life with tons of friends with lots of things to do. When I viewed Army of One at http://www.army-one.com I’m struck by the pictures which appears to be clearly aimed at minorities. These guys look more like Gansta Rappers than successful college students. Of course the biggest indicator of who is targeted for recruitment is where the recruiters go.

1. Recruiters are assigned high schoolsRecruiters are given the scores of the ASVAB test (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), a test which is used by the military to determine which jobs the potential recruit is qualified for.
2. Recruiters do not recruit on college campus. (because these people have a chance for a future other than Iraq).
3. The Marine Corps is famous for telling applicants that once they have tested, the are obligated to join the Corps.
4. Many recruiters will result to coercion if it’s plain it will work.
5. A huge number of recruiters lie to prospects about what they’ll get:

• What job they'll get

  Where they’ll be assigned

  What military life is like

  Anything that will move the prospect to take the ASVAB test and join.

Recruiters are taught sales techniques because they have to sell kids on the idea of joining. All recruiters use psychology to get prospects to apply.

• "Aren’t you patriotic?"
• "Do you want the terrorists in America killing your mom, dad, sister, brother, etc?"
• "Aren’t you man enough?"
• "You’re a wussy if you don’t join."

And as a side note, everyone should be aware that Recruiting Duty can make or break a military career. Just as in any sales job, quotas are key. Make or beat your quota and you're a hero - for that month, because there is a new-month-a-comin'. It doesn't end there. The military is key about "flavors" (races) though the official stance is that they are not. The pressure is astronomical to succeed. It's no wonder that many recruiters succumb to lying - at least "white lies" to make it.

Further, Kerry didn’t say the people in the military are stupid or dumb. He said the people, at least most of them, used the military to get the money together to get to college with the GI Bill. Let’s look at the ROTC program. Again, people are getting four years of college paid for AND they're getting paid at an E-5 level. Almost no one who has the cash to go to college uses these programs. One other thing that Kerry is aware of that most Americans are not aware of s that the Army offers large bonuses for prospects to take certain jobs. So, why all these things if the people joining the militaryLet’s take a look at where recruiters are working by financially defined areas. From National Priorities we find the following:The comparison between 2004 and 2005 indicates that upper-middle and high-income neighborhoods have fallen in representation from 2005. In other words, wealthier neighborhoods are less represented in 2005 than they were in 2004. All neighborhoods with median household incomes between $30,000 to $54,999 increased in proportion. All neighborhoods with median household incomes $55,000 or more decreased. Taken together, the entire range from $55,000 and above became more under-represented. Keep in mind the latest reports are that interest rates for college loans are getting higher and higher, scholarships are getting tighter and tighter. It’s getting worse - not better. As these conditions worsen, the GI Bill looks better and better.Don’t get me wrong. I believe in a strong military. I’m retired military. I believe in security and protecting America. I’m not in favor of the GOP lying about why kids join the military. If college was easy to pay for, the GI Bill would be worthless. But it’s a prime reason for joining the military. Everyone wants to get ahead. And after all, that’s what America is all about.

Why a Strong Economy Means Nothing to the Poor and Middle Class

Concerning the current state of discretionary cash for the American Middle Class: Sept. 9 - There were over 1.6 million bankruptcy filings last year, up 7.4 percent from the previous year. And according to a new book, more people will end up in bankruptcy this year than will suffer a heart attack, than will be diagnosed with cancer or graduate from college, and it’s not who you would think. Elizabeth Warren is a Harvard law professor and bankruptcy expert and discusses these findings in her new book “The Two-Income Trap: Why Middle-Class Mothers and Fathers Are Going Broke.” She discusses the book on “Today.” Read an excerpt here: MSNBC.com

It just keeps getting worse. Warren says in her book “The Two-Income Trap is thick with irony. Middle-class mothers went into the workforce in a calculated effort to give their families an economic edge. Instead, millions of them are now in the workplace just so their families can break even. At a time when women are getting college diplomas and entering the workforce in record numbers, their families are in more financial trouble than ever.” If it’s this bad for the Middle Class with college degrees under their belts, what’s it like for the desperately poor. Food banks, DSHS, welfare, and other programs are targets for the GOP cutting block. Bush and the GOP says to let the Faith-Based programs pick up the slack, but Faith Based programs rely almost exclusively on donations from Middle Class folks, who are tightening their belts because the current economy is not friendly the those on the lower half of the economic ladder. President Carter used the Misery Index (unemployment + interest rate) to illustrate how bad things were for Middle Class America in order to mobilize people to get out and vote. Regan used it, and Bush points to it today to show hoe good things are. It’s true that the index is down to about 7.4 percent, but the index has never taken into account how much discretionary cash is left in the purses of the middles class. We already know that there is virtually no discretionary cash in the pockets of the poor. The squeeze that Elizabeth Warren writes about is a fact that the GOP doesn’t want you to know about. Right now the discretionary income is about $2,400.00 less than last year, and the trend is for even less discretionary cash in the future. The AP said this: “Bush does not fare as well under a new version of the “Misery Index,” created by Kerry strategists, that measures seven indicators they say are a better indication of middle class welfare — the prices of gasoline, health care and college tuition, the number of jobs, median family income, personal bankruptcies and homeownership.” See the entire story at http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5270959/ Top 20% of Americans and Corporations receiving the benefit of this economy. So the rich get richer and he poor get poorer.

1. The gap between the Upper Class and the Lower Class gets bigger.
2. The number of Middle Class Americans is dwindling away.
3. The on-the-ground forces for the security and safety of the Nation falls on the shoulders of the Middle Class and the Poor, yet Bush has sought over and over to reduce the benefits of the Veterans that have paid the price for freedom.

The message is clear. The GOP doesn’t give a damn about anything Middle Class or Poor, except how to glean their votes from their cold, hopeless hearts and minds.