Coulter Finds Out There Are Other Cultures Out There

The Ann Coulter Talking Doll

Pull The String And Watch Her Alienate The Rest Of The World!!

I found this article totally delicious. Coulter is just one more pundit that needs to expand her mind which is shut tighter than a cheese-eater's spincter. Our neighbors to the north are giving her a lesson in manners and it thrills me to the core. I want to break out into a chorus of "O Canada." Take this, you mouthy misanthrope! And thanks to The Huffington Post for the article. And, were I younger and still able, I would love to have Provost Francois Houle's babies.

Canadian University Warns Coulter To Watch Her Mouth

A Canadian university has forewarned Ann Coulter to be mindful of what she says when she speaks on its campus this week.

 

The National Post reports that University of Ottawa Academic Vice President and Provost Francois Houle e-mailed the controversial pundit on Friday. He wrote: "Our domestic laws, both provincial and federal, delineate freedom of expression (or "free speech") in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States. I therefore encourage you to educate yourself, if need be, as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here." He continued, "Promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges."

Houle also reminded Coulter of the strong Canadian tradition of "restraint, respect and consideration."

In response to Houle's e-mail, Coulter wrote on Big Government that she was "hoping for a fruit basket" from the university -- "not a threat to prosecute."

Coulter's visit also raised the ire of some students on campus. According to Macleans, University of Ottawa students started a "Ban Coulter from Campus" Facebook group and forbade signs advertising the talk from being posted in a main campus building.

Coulter, while known primarily for her barbs aimed at the Middle East, has been critical of Canada. She once said that Canadians "are lucky we allow them to exist on the same continent."

(I can't believe she said that. And we wonder where the term, "The Ugly American" comes from. *rw)

Can You Divorce Your Country?

It's well known by those that love me and those that don't that I have long marched to a different drummer. But the cadence and direction of my marches have changed over the years. I am more laid back, more self-sufficient and less prone to get my tender feelings hurt. But one thing has not changed and that is my deep and abiding conviction that one's religious beliefs or absence of same is one's own business and should not be forced on anyone else.

I grew up in the northwest corner of South Carolina. When someone from out of state moved to our lovely county of Spartanburg, the first question asked was not about one's profession or family. No. The first thing out of the mouths of the good people of Spartanburg was (and probably still is), "Where do you attend church?" Heaven (pun intended) help the poor person who answered, "I don't go to church." There are more churches in that part of the country than there are schools.

I have noticed the difference in the tone and tenor of our country as opposed to Canada and other western European nations. Our rigid, Puritanical heritage has left us socially stunted. We judge, we shame, we blame and we are as convinced as any Muslim that our religion is the only true one. We are more upset if an elected official has extra-marital sex than we are if one starts a senseless war. We are also arrogant in our dogged assumption that USA-style capitalistic democracy is the only way to go for the rest of the world.

True patriotism is NOT this blind. I am so glad that my husband and I are retiring to a very rural area where there is a lot of space between neighbors. I am tired of opening my door to see Mormon "missionaries" and Jehovah's Witness ladies with all their publications. Even our local public television station here in central FL has more than its share of religious programming. There are six, count 'em, six religious television stations on my satellite service. I can't move without seeing a church, an anti-choice bill board or license tag, or the little "Jesus fish" stuck on the back of a vehicle. I am tired of Confederate flags and "Bring Back Palin" bumper-stickers. I will leave the country if that reactionary nutbar is elected to any high office in our federal government.

I want a little refuge from the rampant hate, intolerance and ignorance that is our political and, unfortunately, spiritual atmosphere. Let's face it. The self-righteous right wing is going to do all in its power to undermine anything that anyone with a social conscience tries to accomplish. I am discouraged and ready to become a curmundgeonly hermit. I find all the interaction I need with my husband and my little dog. I am becoming less enamoured of a social life than ever before.

Nah. That's just a rant, brought about by a feeling of frustration and helplessness. I'll keep my friends and family. And I'll keep on commenting and voting and writing letters and maybe, just maybe, someone will listen.

What Would L. Ron Hubbard Do?

What in the world do the Haitian people need with a bunch of Scientology "ministers" being airlifted in by the good graces of John Travolta ? Talk about going from the ridiculous to the sublime. I get really peeved at people with their own agendas offering their questionable services to the devastated people of Haiti. With every article I read, the more peeved I become.

The American Life League, in all their self-righteous regalia, are trying to keep a women's health organization out of Haiti. The health organization wants to be there for the thousands of Haitian women in their last trimester of pregnancy who need safe, clean deliveries. ALL, though, seems to think that they are just going there to offer abortions. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda and meanwhile people are getting sick and family members are searching for each other and who needs more trouble from these idiots?

Pat (Whack-Job) Robertson is pontificating about how the Haitians are suffering the wrath of God due to some pact he says they made with Satan. So it seems that Old Scratch has group deals that can include whole countries. Well, we all remember when Robertson predicted that Orlando would be plowed under by a hurricane because the city allowed the flying of Rainbow Flags for Gay Pride Week. Now he is using an entire nation to add flavor and color to his endless proselytizing.

People are not using their heads and others are just using these poor people, period. I have to wonder about the mental acuity of some individuals. Two churchy types from New Jersey flew to Haiti to "volunteer" and didn't have the slightest idea of what to do. They wound up stranded at the airport and just where did they think they were going to stay? People are sending packages that contain things these folks can't use. What does a Haitian need with a winter coat and a pair of high heels?

Food, medicine, shelter, clean water and comforting are the order of the day and that can best be provided by those with no self-serving agenda and with experience in disaster relief. The hospital ship has reached the Haitian port and nations are sending out their military relief units. We can give to the organizations that have proven to be legitimate such as the Red Cross and UNICEF, we can pray if that is our way, or just send warm thoughts of comfort and strength.

But let's leave our religions out of the mix and keep our political and social battles at home. And, for Pete's sake, leave the insane drivel of Hubbard's cult out of it.

Public Option, Socialism, and Taxes, Oh My!!

The right-wingers are pulling out all the stops to enlist the greedy, gullible and ignorant in their war against Obama and his policies. It has started to get ridiculous with phone surveys and mailers asking questions like "Do you consider yourself to be pro-life?" You can put that one up there with "Have you stopped beating your wife." They insist on yes or no answers and that is really playing to the dumb ass gallery. I am pro-choice.

I sent the last mailer back with a note..."I voted for Obama, I do not regret voting for Obama and I am in favor of the public option." The thing that gets me is that I really consider myself, as the title of this blog indicate, to be slightly left of center. In many ways, I am a moderate. As an example, I don't think that people should be allowed to enter the country illegally and avail themselves of public benefits. But I do think that all our citizens should have access to quality health care.

There is historical evidence which illustrates how extremist governments fail, some more quickly than others. Socialism, a very valid political philosophy, was taken to extremes in the old Soviet Union. Capitalism, another workable philosophy, has been taken to extremes by the far right and the past several Republican administrations. What people don't seem to realize is that neither is evil or perfect as they stand. But extremist capitalistic governments can disintegrate just as quickly and dramatically as extremist socialist governments. We are in the midst of just that kind of scenario in the US.

So, the idea here is that extremism is bad no matter what direction it takes. Medicine, which used to be a science and a higher calling is now an industry. HMO's, drug companies and medical supply companies are charging outrageous fees, inflating prices and witholding proper care from those who need it because of that sacred bottom line. Compassion and a desire to heal the sick seems to be absent on their priority lists.

If you look at nations that enjoy better standards of living and manage to stay out of the messy areas of trying to enforce their philosophies on other cultures, you will find something that the extremists on both ends want to keep hidden. The two philosophies can co-exist! WOW!

We already have socialistic structures in place in the US. We have free, public education, social security, workman's compensation, and more. These people who are screaming about the imagined horror of a public option and a real health care reform would be the first to raise a rumpus if that SSI check didn't arrive on time.

Capitalism is our energy and drive. It allows for us all a chance to improve our lot in life, individually and as a nation. Socialism is our national conscience. Even the most adamant right-wing conservative will piously agree with the New Testament admonitions to feed the hungry and tend to the ill. We are in the midst of a sea change in the US. It's either adapt or lose. Look up 'socialism' and read the definition If it isn't taken to extremes, it's not a bad thing. Capitalism, if taken to extremes is a recipe for disaster, revolution or worse. At this point, the far right has taken on a tinge of facism and hate and that worries me.
Think about it.

Teddy..You Either Loved Him or Hated Him

It seems that no one was indifferent to him. Some were ambivalent when he took the low road from Chappaquiddick, but he never stopped being a voice for those of us with a leftward bent. Ted Kennedy, then married to Joan, pressed my hand for a brief second at a rally for the ERA, way back when. He was so young and had already lost three older brothers..one to war and two to the bullets of cowards. Like the rest of his remarkable clan, he kept on keeping on.

Whatever your feelings were for Senator Kennedy, you cannot deny that he left his mark. Whatever anyone, including me, might have thought about his personal life, he was steadfast in supporting the efforts that I also supported. Though he didn't know me, I thought of him as an ally. Kennedy was the Senate's dominant liberal and one of its "legendary dealmakers," per MSNBC. He came to be respected on both sides of the aisle.

His own words stand in tribute and encouragement; "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die,"

(1980 Dem Convention Speech)

So long, Camelot.

The Sky Is Falling

This seems to be the newest in a long line of the ultra-conservatives scare-tactic modus operandii. Why anyone would consider Sarah Palin's comments worthy of repeating, I don't have a clue. I won't have to worry about the GOP grooming her for the presidency. She would make a fool out of herself on the first campaign outing. But she joins the "Death Panel" scream team as some kind of party totem. Now, along with the dumbness of the Birthers, we have the inane alarmists of the Death Panel-ers. Ye Gawd, will it never end?

As a senior citizen, myself, I can see several good things for those of us on fixed and lower incomes in the president's ideas. True, it needs a bit of polishing, but that is they way of all things. The far right has not been successful, so far, with its dire warnings of "socialism," so they drag out the old fear tactics. This is how the Equal Rights Amendment was defeated..with specious and inane specters of unisex bathrooms and the death of marriage as an institution and jobs being stolen from the more worthy "menfolk."

If the Chicken Little followers would just sit down, use their brains and read the entire thing, they would find nothing in there about deciding against treating the elderly as a way of saving money. But then, things can be twisted and gnarled by the "proof texters" until they are unrecognizable. This is like the ultra-self-righteous using out-of-context Bible verses to try to prove their points.

That the attacks by the Birthers and the Death Panelers smacks of racist maneuverings goes without saying. It's a lot easier to get the non-thinkers to fall in line if the target of the rumor-mongering is a mixed-race chief executive. As much as I would like to believe Maya Angelou when she said that we had finally "grown up" as a nation, I fear we have a ways to go yet. This is still a horribly, Puritanically rigid and racist nation. I often want to weep for all of us.

And, our bi-partisan system is no longer a balancing one. It has become, and, in fact, has been, for a long time, an adversarial, confusing and vicious one. In every culture where there has been a big gap between the haves and the have-nots, there has been an ultimate revolution. This is what scares the most conservative of the GOP since they and their meal-tickets are the "haves." We have long sacrificed our founding values in the name of capitalism and at the expense of our social conscience. We already have socialism in place with free public education and Social Security. A little bit more socialism might not put money in the fat cats' pockets, but is sure wouldn't hurt our country's image or esteem. Why can't we be the land of opportunity AND compassion?

Ooops, I think I just dislodged a piece of the sky!

Who Cares About A "Honeymoon?"

The media is doing its usual gloom and doom "reporting," with guesses on how long President Obama's so-called "honeymoon period" will last. I'm not worried about his approval ratings. I am just trying to support him in a thankless and unbelievably momentous undertaking. He inherited a total mess.

Rush Limbaugh, a ranting redneck disguised as an "expert" pundit, has voiced the hope that our President fails in his undertakings. Well, Mr. Limbaugh, you had better pray that doesn't happen.

What causes such hate? And, why do so many people listen to it and agree with it. I think this is another case of the "dumbing down" of American. So many people don't want to read, to listen and to think for themselves. These folks would rather have intolerant, fundie preachers and right wing, arrogant reactionaries TELL them what to think. That is such a shame. With the election of Barack Obama, I felt that our nation, as a whole, had taken a leap forward in our social, political and personal development. I now have to realize that there are many that didn't take that leap with the rest of us and are going to do all they can to pull us back.

My husband's boss is one such person. He admitted he doesn't read the newspaper or much of anything else. Yet he came into work, yesterday, ranting that Obama was going to "make the USA spend billions of dollars to pay for abortions in other countries." He obviously has not read the "Global Gag Rule" or understood what it is all about. He also spouted off about "socialized medicine" being "one step towards (insert shudder here) communism!" Funny, isn't it, that Canada and the UK haven't gone that way and they have had social healthcare in force for many years?

I still take heart that many of my brother and sister Americans have passed the stage when they see the Red Menace behind every bush and don't trust anyone who is different from them without first examining the issue. Maybe, just maybe, one day the people who are like my husband's boss, will either join in or die out.

He Said It All

He told the truth about the problems this nation faces. He challenged us to help him find solutions and to be a part of the answer.

Though gentle, he chastised those who wanted the status quo and lusted after power and riches at the expense of our national conscience and environment. He decried the image of the arrogant, ugly American in the vision of the world.

Thank you, Mr. President. I hope and pray that your words will be heeded and that this country can pull together in our time of need.

You said it all.

Bye, Bye Cheney!!

A New York Daily News columnist has said something that I have been wanting to say for a while; that it will be a relief to get Dick Cheney out of the picture.

Mike Lupica's piece on the lame duck VP was right on the money. Never has there been anyone that close to the presidency that shouldn't have been. His influence was bloated past what that of the second-in-line should have. His machinations were evil and his defense of the policies of the last eight years are egotistical, arrogant and really "out there."

It really boggles the mind that this person still thinks that his and Bush's policies were right. I can only breathe a sigh of relief that he is on the way out. I think he knew better than to pursue the presidency in the last election. The GOP would have been defeated in greater numbers than they were. Having Cheney in the oval office would have been like having the coyote preside over the rabbit hutch.

I am thrilled that we are seeing the last of this manipulative, self-seeking, arrogant politician. He will never, as Bush will never, have the title of "Statesman." Neither of them has the integrity or the true best interests of the country at heart. Like most far-right wingers, they mouthed platitudes and religious rhetoric, but they looked out for themselves and their cronies and the masses, ie., the rest of us, could go hang. Self-righteous in their assumed "moral" stances, they sinned just as greatly, if not more so, than their predecessor. Hey, it's OK to lie in order to profit from the deaths of thousands in a war, but sexual peccadilloes are impeachable offenses? Someone explain that one to me.

We are well rid of the outgoing administration. Dubya is dumb but arrogant. Cheney, God/dess help us, is cagey, scheming and arrogant. I wonder how we lived through it and how we are going to live through their "legacy?" They are like the bad guests. The intruded, outstayed their welcome, expected to be treated like royalty and left the place a mess.

We have a lot of cleaning up to do.

Get Over It, Already!

All righty, now, short and sweet. The court seems to have made their decision and it is time for these people who are going out of their way to try to block our legally elected, 44th president from taking office to back down and let things be. I knew that there were going to be any number of bigots, fear-mongers, far-right-wing nutbars and sour grapers doing their thing after the election, but this is getting ridiculous. It's mighty darn funny that they didn't bring this up with equal vigor when the campaign was in full swing. No, they wait until the man is elected to try to push their accusations of lack of proper citizenship on the part of President-Elect Obama into the courts. These are frivolous charges and frivolous lawsuits that were bound to fail, but these buggers had to try. The misinformation being spread all over the Internet is the usual, baseless spam and hoax idiocy that has plagued the 'net since it became generally available. The problem is that, on the unregulated Internet, anyone can say anything about anyone and get away with it. It becomes the province of the slandered to disprove what the slanderers CAN'T prove. What a world. Let's hope this one, shot down by our Supreme Court, dies a natural, quiet death.

What The Ignorant and The Biased Will Believe

Hubby's boss was back on the Obama rumors tack, yesterday. Now he is claiming that Obama refuses to reveal his birth certificate because he is not a US citizen. That goes along with the rumor that his middle name is Mohammad (it happens to be Hussein and that didn't hurt him). I like the in-depth rebuttal from Snopes which provides a picture of that contested certificate. In any event, anyone with any brains at all knows that one must provide proof of citizenship in order to run for any national office, senate, congress or executive. The really funny part is that McCain was also born in Hawaii while his father was on active duty and his certificate looks just like Obama's. Here is the paperwork in question. What really bothers me is not so much that such a specious and hateful rumor would get started, but that people are so dumbed-down that they believe it! These are the same people that stated that the Equal Rights Amendment would take jobs away from men and lead to unisex bathrooms. These are the same people who believe that anyone with an African or middle eastern name must be an Islamic Fundamentalist Terrorist. Hubby's boss actually believes that Obama is part of a "sleeper cell" for that faction. The ultra-conservative just cannot seem to back away from the tactics of spreading fear and slinging mud and delving into matters of personal lives that are none of their business. It worries me that this kind of hate-mongering and misinformation from these bombastic, conservative talk-show talking heads is going to light some wing-nut's fuse and then we would have a real problem. To Rush and all his wannabe buddies on the radio talk circuit, it's time for you to do what the rest of us have done for the past eight, horrible years. SUCK IT UP!! I gave Dubya my support during 9/11 even though I was against everything he stood for. Now, it's your turn. Give our new commander-in-chief your support and the benefit of the doubt and quit spreading malice and the vitriol of the defeated. The election is over, Obama won and he won handily. That should tell you guys something. If I had the power to do anything I wanted, I would remove this kind of viciousness from the airwaves, altogether. I know it smacks of censorship and I don't like that any more than any other moderate liberal. But this hate is almost of the pornographic level. I'd rather hear porn than hate if I had my druthers. At least sex has some relation to love. It's like I can tolerate sexuality in the media and entertainment fields until they try to justify child porn. There's a limit and that's where the term "moderate" comes in. Well, there are limits in character assassination based on lies, innuendos and outright fantasy. We are tired of having our leaders chosen by the ignorant, who will believe anything the fear mongers say, and the haters and the users. Back off and ponder your sins, Oh, Limbaughs of the airwaves.

Don't It Turn My Red State Blue

Ah, the color map that all the talking heads referred to as the election unfolded changed a bit. Now the Florida Republicans are wondering what in the Hell happened to turn this traditionally red state a bright, patriot blue. Well, DUH!

I think the next thing that Florida, especially Tallahassee, needs to watch out for is the backlash against the poor financial planning, the fact that the developers and real estate management companies have these legilators in their hip pockets and the fact that we are really dragging behind in education among other things. As I have said many times on my other blog, Motherhood Deleted, the adoption industry in this state and the CPS are also among the most corrupt and unfair in the nation. People don't like to put up with that kind of crap for very long. It's about time that the buckle of the Bible Belt, the deep south and other areas that are home to intolerance and ignorance, learned that we've been mad as Hell for 8 years and we aren't going to take it anymore.

Most of us voted for hope and for change. Some of us were still voting from fear but not the same kind of intolerance and gloom that is shouted from the fundie pulpits. We were staving off the specter of the, so-called, Moral Majority and their push to embed their doctrine into the law of our land. I know that was one of my biggest fears. Watch out, Florida..gay rights is next.

Ever since that self-righteous entity came into being and started being courted by the reactionary right wing of the Republican party, I have shivered in my boots at what could come of this partnership if they were allowed to have their way. "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood is one vision of this awful possibility. The results of this election give us, in every state, a chance at retaining the precious and necessary separation of church and state. Florida just needs to suck it up and get with the program.

Paradise could do with some cool blue. It's hot, sticky, buggy, tacky, overcrowded with rude people and the self-entitled elite and whoever laid out the roads system was on something pretty potent during the planning stages. There are only three seasons, "Not As Hot," "Hotter" and "Gasping For Air." Those who have jobs down here are fortunate. Those who are able to keep their homes are even more fortunate.

Well, at least gas dropped to $1.89. But, I have a feeling that the next tourist season will, as usual, see a rise in that area.

So come to Florida, all you touri$t$. Pay $50 for a tee shirt and ride up and down strip-center lined avenues. You might want to get here, though, before this entire state is coast-to-coast concrete.

Waiter, There's a Church In My State

Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If anyone has forgotten their world history to the point that they can't understand all the implications of this part of the First Amendment to the Constitution, we can take a little walk down memory lane.

In Europe, prior to the colonization of the American continent and for years, thereafter, state religions were a fact of life. In some countries, the clergy carried as much and, in some cases, more, authority than the monarchy. The church, mostly the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, were involved in the making of laws, the decisions to make wars, and the education of the young. Moreover, they had the right to persecute those who either held other religious beliefs, were agnostic, atheistic or of a scientific or humanist bent. In one of the most horrendous chapters of European history, the Catholic clerics were given free rein to torment and torture so-called "heretics" and to put them to death. NO minority religion, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Protestantism or any other belief was tolerated by either the church or the governing bodies. These were the Spanish and Italian Inquisitions, an era that should have taught the civilized world a lesson about separation of church and state.

Because they were among the persecuted, a small, Protestant sect called the Puritans emigrated to the "new world" and set up a colony in which they could practice their religion, freely. These Puritans were to form the basis for much of the fundamentalist religion that spread throughout the nation as the country was formed. Unfortunately, the Puritans immediately began, upon founding their colony, to do to others exactly what was done to them and that was to establish Puritanism as the only "true" religion.

The idea of separation of church and state embodied in the First Amendment was a very good idea on the part of our founding fathers. Most of them, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, were basically Theists. They believed in a Supreme Being but in no particular doctrine or dogma. It is plain to see that freedom OF religion also, by implication, then, guards our right to freedom FROM religion. Christianity is NOT the "official state religion" of the United States Of America.

That is not to say that there are not hordes of pious, "true believers" who think it should be and who think that their doctrine, their interpretation of scripture and their dogma should be the law of the land. These folks are the ones who whine that the Ten Commandments (a Judaic system of religious law) should be allowed to be posted in government buildings, who push Christian school prayer on non-Christian students and who stand out in front of women's clinics shouting hate and hellfire at the women and staff who enter.

Ever since its inception, they have battled against Roe v Wade and a woman's right to choose. And, now that it looks like they have received a set-back in that area, they are getting louder and more annoying than ever. The operative word here is CHOICE. If your religious beliefs prohibit termination of a pregnancy, then don't do it. It's as simple as that. But you good old boy, patriarchal pastors and pulpit pounders need to keep your noses OUT of what I, my daughters, my granddaughter, my great-granddaugter and all other women not of your spiritual persuasion do with their bodies.

Churches are ubiquitous in the USA. They are on every street corner. Some are magnificent edifices, some are picturesque, rustic and sweet. Some are modern, some are traditional and they all serve an important purpose for the individual who chooses one of those churches for their own. There, they are free to practice the religion of their choice with no government intrusion or persecution. People are christened, baptized, married and buried within the tenets of these churches. They are a part of life and to be cherished.

BUT, they have no business in the halls of government. Those two things, religion and government, are separate entities for a very good reason. No one religion should have the power to dictate belief to the masses and no government should be telling its citizens what to believe when it comes to spiritual matters. We've gotten away from that simple truth in many ways, but, with luck and the right kind of leadership, maybe we can find our way back to the Bill of Rights and really understand what it all means. Idealistic thinking, for sure, but it is my ferverent hope that we can do this thing and make it stick.

Oh, and as I understand it, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) have one state, Utah, in their pocket. Let's not let them have the other 49.

What Is Socialism and Why Are We So Afraid Of It?

My husband's poor boss is still broken-hearted about the election results. He walks around with a hang-dog expression on his face, muttering inaccuracies about socialism and communism and the ruination of the "American Way of Life." Of course, this man is Rush Limbaugh's number one fan. What he doesn't seem to understand is that many countries, mostly western European nations and even Canada, with Democratic political systems have some level of socialism in their governmental programs. Even WE do. Why do you think they call it "Social" Security? Then there is free primary education, school lunch and breakfast programs, etc., etc. Socialism and Communism are not the same thing. In any event, the past four years and the current economic disaster shows what happens when pure Capitalism runs amok. All you have to do is look at the growing gap between the wealthy and the average citizen and watch those ex-CEO's riding their golden parachutes to self-serving, fiscal safety to see that there must be some kind of balance. "Trickle down" only works if the money is released by the big businesses in order to make it down the "trickle" path. It's not working. The following quote was taken from "The Heartland Project: Simple Truths For A Shameful Time." "Socialism is not a political system, it's a way of distributing goods and services. At their ideal implementation, socialism and laissez faire capitalism will be identical as everyone will produce exactly what's needed for exactly who needs it. "Socialism is liberal. More people (preferably everyone) have some say in how the economy works. Democracy is liberal. More people (preferably everyone) have some say in how the government works. "Democracy," said Marx, "is the road to socialism." He was wrong about how economics and politics interact, but he did see their similar underpinnings. Communism is conservative. Fewer and fewer people (preferably just the Party Secretary) have any say in how the economy works. Republicans are conservative. Fewer and fewer people (preferably just people controlling the Party figurehead) have any say in how the government works. The conservatives in the US are in the same position as the communists in the 30s, and for the same reason: Their revolutions failed spectacularly but they refuse to admit what went wrong. A common mistake is to confuse Socialism, the economic system, with Communism, the political system. Communists are "socialist" in the same way that Republicans are "compassionate conservatives". That is, they give lip service to ideals they have no intention of practicing." It seems that what so many fear is nothing more than the adoption by our nation of a social conscience that reaches out to those who truly need the help rather than padding the pockets of big-business political contributors and cronies. I am not ashamed or afraid to say that I believe we could use a little socialism in our political mix. For those of you who benefit from labor and professional unions...hey, that's socialism on a smaller scale. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but I would be willing to bet that few to none of you have secret rooms where the flag bearing the hammer and sickle is hanging on the wall. We have drug companies and medical equipment manufacturers, HMO's, PPO's and primary health insurance companies all getting richer and richer from the suffering of the sick. Some of those sick people cannot afford insurance of any sort. Some get by with Medicare and state Medicaid programs. Many are uninsured children and families with limited income. Many more are senior citizens (I'm one) who are increasing in numbers and in need of health services. Yet we have that ridiculous "doughnut hole" stipulation in our Medicare, Part D coverage and most of the drugs we depend on are too expensive for us to afford. Many of us are getting our prescriptions through Canada, drugs that are manufactured in India and may not be as effective as the ones we get here in the US. My husband has Crohn's, we both have arthritis and I am pre-diabetic. Where does this leave us? Hubby reached his doughnut hole early in the year. Luckily, right now, all my drugs are either inexpensive or generic, but, at my age, that could change. So, from the viewpoint of the seniors, the poor and the disenfranchised, socialised medicine or "universal health care" doesn't sound like a bad thing. Think about it. And, as Mr. Marx, in the picture at the top of this post is saying, "Peace, Y'all."

NY Daily News..Palin Not Welcomed

The New York Daily News carried a very telling story on Sarah Palin's reception, or lack of a warm one at the GOP Governor's gathering, here in FL. It would seem that her fellow Republicans are not all on the good ship "Palin in 2012" as much of the media would have us believe. The article states that she received the "cold shoulder" and it certainly looks like it, here.

This is one issue where I am counting on the good sense of all the voters in our nation, conservative, moderate or liberal. The time has certainly come for a female Commander-In-Chief, in eight years, perhaps, but, Dear Goddess, NOT this one!I really have a problem with the rumors and the idea that this is something that should even be addressed at this time. Let's give our 44th President a chance before we start looking four years down the line.

I have a number of issues with Palin, not the least of which is her lack of intelligent information and experience and her knee-jerk conservatism, but the biggest one is her itch to continue giving political clout to the Religious Right. As an evangelical of the fundamentalist variety, she would definitely hit Roe v Wade, birth control, services for the poor and minorities, gay rights....ad infinitum. This is NOT the American way.

Our constitution guarantees freedom of religion which, by implication, also guarantees freedom FROM religion. It also guarantees separation of church and state, a constitutional promise that has been played with in a fast and loose manner for the past eight, long, hard, horrible years. Now, I don't care if you are "born again," main-stream Protestant, traditional Catholic or any other brand. If it is good for you, the good FOR you. But your doctrine and dogma has NO place in our national halls of government and in our laws.

Religion deals with morals and the idea/promise of an afterlife and is a private matter for all Americans, or it should be. Laws deal with ETHICS and human rights and that is where the dividing line is, for me. Bush stepped over that line and so would the likes of Barbie "Moose killer" Palin. For this reason, I have started this blog...to be one voice that refuses to let someone else's theology determine my rights and to, please Goddess, keep the White House safe from the "Duh!" factor.

I have another blog that is all about the effects on mothers of loss to adoption and the injustices of a bygone era. This blog is to address the injustices of THIS current era against any and all citizens. Our economy is in the toilet, our children and grandchildren are in the Middle East being used as human targets just to keep the oil flowing and Uncle Sugar is still strutting around, acting like the Ugly American. We have a lot of work to do and I don't envy President-Elect Obama his position. He is taking over the helm at one of the most critical points in our history. I hope he gets the support of all Americans as well as our prayers or thoughts of strength and hope.

And for Goddess' Sake, get this odious woman out of the limelight!