Friday, September 25, 2009

The Truth About ACORN

In the midst of our country’s most important piece of legislation, health care reform, the right wing quickly switches gears. Evidently all of the lies about death panels and such are not working, so “let’s just change the subject”. Right GOP? Their new agenda is to attack ACORN. A non-profit group that has signed up numerous low-income minority and young voters, and during this last historic election they registered 1.3 million voters. Of course the right wingers have never liked ACORN, or agencies like them, such as Project Vote or Demos, as these agencies are able to register voices that would more than likely not vote the “red” ticket. I guarantee if the majority of these voters were voting republican, we would never see these bogus stories in the media, suspicious of “voter fraud.”

In case you haven’t heard, the right wing is up in arms over a hand full of bogus voter registration forms. This sort of thing is common when registering voters and the law is that you must flag any forms that you find that look suspicious, and you must turn them in. In every suspicious case that was reported, ACORN was the one who originally discovered and called attention to the forms for further investigation….therefore, they followed the law! Furthermore, not a single reported instance, where bogus voter registrations were discovered, did that registration lead to ANYONE voting! All first time voters MUST provide their ID and risk jail if found to be fraudulent. In actuality, very few individuals intentionally fabricate a registration form and/or cast an illegal ballot. The point is, when a store turns in an employee for shoplifting, no one says the store is guilty of consumer fraud. So, why is ACORN receiving the wrap of voter fraud when they followed the law?

I find it interesting, and a little suspicious and sneaky on the GOP’s side, that they are so enraged over this non-subject with ACORN, with absolutely NO evidence of actual fraud. I guess if you can say something loud enough, then it must be true, right? As far as the GOP goes, fact is simply irrelevant. Does it take a genius to figure out that the GOP is targeting our less fortunate citizens time and time again? Sounds like voter suppression, and that sounds like voter fraud. The GOP is famous for trying to suppress voters they feel will not vote favorably for them. Laws such as the National Voters Registration Act, which offer voting registration with your license, license renewal and to those through low-income assistance programs such as Medicaid and food stamps, is ignored in many states. For example, in Florida, agencies are failing to help low-income voters register when they sign up for public assistance, which is required under the National Voters Registration Act. The GOP has an agenda, and their agenda is to win elections at any cost, and they are not looking out for American citizens while doing so. This could not be more evident than in our current health care reform debate.

I have attached a link to a story that Rachel Maddow did on this exact topic. Enough is enough already! No more taking time from the true important topics concerning our country’s future!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDxm--DyavI

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Open Letter to Texas Senators

This is an open letter to Texas Senators Hutchison and Cornyn from a concerned citizen and constituent:

Dear Senators,

I am very concerned about the statements being made by the republicans on health care. It is as if all of you are in lock step and refuse to budge. Let me tell you my take on this subject.

1. If the sales of insurance policies across state lines is such a good idea, why didn't the credit card rates fall when Congress exempted banks from state regulation? Instead of lowering rates, the consumers were charged more! The system became more corrupt, rather than being fixed.

2. The GOP always talks about TORT Reform. Were our insurance rates lowered after TORT Reform was passed in Texas? No, our rates did not go down! Instead, Texans are paying more than any other state for health insurance. Also, our rates are increasing faster than almost any other state.

Senators, these are only two of the republican mantras on health care. The other "excuses" are just as debatable. Rather than trying to answer all of the republican "ideas", let me try another tact. Ethics and Morality are the basics that are missing in the republican playbook. It is not ethical, nor moral, for people to be dying because of the lack of health care insurance. I am not telling you something you don't know....you have heard the stories. You have read the facts. You know that Texas ranks 50th in the number of people who are uninsured.

There are so many more facts I could write about, but you already know them. If those who died defending this country could talk.....do you think they would say that they are proud of the way we treat those without insurance and those who are under insured? Do you think they would be proud to know that the country they died for are letting loved ones suffer while the insurance industry CEOs and CFOS are pulling down tens of millions of dollars and more? Do you believe that these heroes would be heartened to hear Rep. Cantor tell a constituent, that if a loved one needs a life saving operation, there must be some type of program or charity that would help? Charity?!?! Forget charity!! It is time for you and the other responsible members of congress to stand up and say NO to your right wing base.

Sincerely,
Robert W. Tomlinson

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

"See You at the Poll" Movement

I did some research on the web to see if anyone was talking about this See You at the Poll rally, but I could not find a single site that had issue with this. So, maybe it’s just me, but I feel a little offended. For those of you who are not familiar, See You at the Poll (SYATP) started in the early 90’s in a small town in Texas. Every third Wednesday in September across America, students, teachers, and parents gather around the flag poll of their school to pray for the new school year ahead. I remember attending SYATP as a jr. high and high school student, and maybe it was just my own experience and a different time, but it was very innocent. We would gather at the poll and pray to God…not Jesus, Allah, or Buddha, but just a general termed God. Although this was more of Christian organized gathering, it seemed to be open to any, and all, walks of faith or non-faiths. It wasn’t exclusive. It was a time you felt joined together with your peers and your leaders to share in the same spirit of love and harmony as you prayed/hoped for a peaceful year.

However, today it doesn’t seem to be quite so sincere or innocent. Right Wing Politics and Christianity have become so intertwined, that you definitely feel the hidden agenda behind SYATP. It almost feels like more of a demonstration. I received a long e-mail from the PTO president at my son’s school, inviting all Christian parents and students to attend SYATP this Wednesday to display “radical obedience” to Jesus.

Are we desiring to see a mighty move of God on our children's schools? Are we pursuing God passionately? Are we serious about radical obedience? Are we determined to get rid of anything and everything that dishonors God and ready to challenge our friends to do the same?” Quote from the e-mail

This just feels like a right wing fundamentalist movement of finding a voice in numbers, weeding out those that don’t believe the same, and to one day redefine public school. We already know that right wing fundamentalists want to establish prayer and (Christian) religious education in our public schools. This SYATP feels more and more like movement of bullies making a statement that “you must believe as I do, or you’re simply not worthy and your voice doesn’t count” all the while standing on tax payer property, holding hands in a circle around our nation’s flag (in a display to intimidate all of those that do not think/believe the same) and to make others feel that America only belongs to the Christians. Coming across this scene as an “outsider” could make anybody feel as though their country were taken hostage. This would not be condoned by any other religious organization and definitely not by non-believers….do you see the double standard? What ever happened to “Do unto others as you would have done unto you”?

Thursday, September 17, 2009

What's Good Enough for Iraq, Isn't Good Enough for America

Quick thought,

Why is it that as we were/are helping to build Iraq, one of the things our country set in place was universal health care for Iraqis? Why is universal health care good enough for Iraq, but not for Americans? There's a thought to ponder on over your morning cereal...

The United States Was Not Founded on Christianity

I recieved this forward through my e-mail a few weeks back:


"Missouri teacher's letter to Obama, wow!

This Missouri teacher certainly says it all about Obama. I doubt Obama will be sending Ms Lyday a Christmas card. Folks, This just about says it all, and I admire the teacher who wrote it. Even if you voted for the our current President, you surely are beginning to have doubts about for whom, and what he stands.

April 17, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington , DC 20500


Mr. Obama:

I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally. You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America . You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth. I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century? Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this? Your bowing to the k ing of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king > of Saudi Arabia . You don't show Great Britain , our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you! You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey . You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What s the matter with you? I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you. You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it. What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in20automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't! Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now. I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country. Sincerely,

Every real American P.S. I rarely ask that emails be 'passed around'...PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR EMAIL LIST...it's past time f or all. Americans to wake up!

Ms Kathleen Lyday Fourth Grade Teacher Grandview Elementary School

11470 Hwy. C Hillsboro , MO 63050

(636) 944-3291 Phone (636) 944-3870 Fax "

Granted, this was written several months ago, but it's still worth a comment! First of all, let's get the first thing straight, several sites including snoopes.com, find that this teacher did not write this. It was actually traced back to a conservative blogger....surprise, surprise. They seem to be famous for glazing over true fact. Second of all, this "letter" is littered with biased OPINIONS, that the majority of Americans do not share, and frankly I find VERY offensive! What I really found amazing is that this person got so worked up about Obama saying that this is a country of many faiths. Wow...what a rash and controversial statement. And by the way, he is speaking truth! We are a country without a national religion! This county was founded on the right to believe, or not to believe, in whatever each citizen so chooses. I'm sure our fore fathers would roll over in their graves if they could hear that this is "a Christian Nation!" They fought, struggled and died so that we could have the freedom of religion, and not a national religion like the one they left behind in England. And, if by Christian foundation you mean its principles involving human rights. (But then, I don't know of any major religion that doesn't include basic moral guidelines such as love and respect at its center. And there are those who will claim that Islam does not, they are the same ones who have not bothered to explore that religion beyond their preconceived notions.)

Christian extremists operate under the delusion that Christianity is the first and/or only religion to subscribe to such principles. It's that lack of humility that turns many off, and it looks as though this statistic is growing. Even if we could agree that religion is the foundation of our system...which brand? And this bit about the country being founded upon Judeo-Christian ethics...precisely which ones were these? Certainly in neither the Declaration nor the Constitution (the Constitution does not even mention the word "God" in its text, and the Declaration contains ONE reference each to "nature's God," the "Creator" and "Divine Providence"). Sorry, the fact that we make generic references to God in the pledge and on our money is not good enough. And even if it is true that more people profess the Catholic or Protestant faith, or some strain thereof, than any other in this country, it does not then follow that this is a Christian nation.

The Christian right is trying to rewrite the history of the United States as part of its campaign to force its religion on others. They try to depict the founding fathers as Christians who wanted the United States to be a Christian nation, with laws that favored Christians and Christianity.
This is untrue. The early presidents and patriots were generally Deists or Unitarians, believing in some form of impersonal Providence but rejecting the divinity of Jesus and the absurdities of the Old and New testaments. Examples:

George Washington never declared he was a Christian, but championed the cause of freedom of religion. He was called an Agnostic.

John Adams (who was quite ambivalent about his own religion) It was during Adam's administration that the Senate ratified the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which states in Article XI that "the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion." He was a Unitarian.

Abigail Adams, wife to John Adams, wrote the following: "when will Mankind be convinced that true Religion is from the Heart, between Man and his creator, and not the imposition of Man or creeds and tests?" John Adams also found the Catholic religion rather distasteful, but I imagine bringing that point up would only serve to muddle the religious right's arguments within this issue.
She was also Unitarian.

Thomas Jefferson was a Unitarian, and believed that the Unitarian beliefs would be very common in the U.S. He referred to the Bible as nonsense.

James Madison - Not a religious person. "Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for noble enterprise."

Ethan Allen - Commander and a Deist, inspired congress to pursue a war of independence, "Jesus Christ was not God as evidence from his own words."

Ben Franklin - Deist

I could go on and on. Knowledge is power. Going on with the assumption that this nation was founded on Christianity, and ignoring true fact, is absurd! And, I wouldn't want this to be a Christian Nation as it is suppressive. We already see this suppression vividly through the fundamentalist right wing. I think that Abagail Adams said it right, and it's worth repeating "When will Mankind be convinced that true Religion is from the Heart, between Man and his creator, and not the imposition of Man or creeds and tests?"

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

"Billionaires for Wealthcare"

The "Billionaires for Wealthcare" marched with the teabaggers Saturday in an effort to mock them. Actually, I see as an effort to present obvious facts and to point out the ridiculousness of the right wing plight. If you have 6 minutes, click on the link and watch the video. I find it amusing, and a little pathetic as the protesters can't figure out that they are being mocked! Goes to show you the mentality!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHVwrCzRUX0

& here's another, shorter video. Rachel Maddow presents the music video version of the "Billionairs for Wealthcare" This is great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NDzA7nChB4

Enjoy!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Who's The Real Liar?

As Senator Wilson shouts, “you lie!” at the president during his congressional address, the rest of the right wing party falls in step with the childish call, “liar, liar pants on fire!” Are these the people that want to “take back America?” Do they think they are on the playground yanking a young girl’s pig-tails, or have they realized they’ve been elected to the American government and that they are now supposed to be adults making important decisions for our country’s future? You know, if you want respect, you first have to earn it. And if you want respect, you must first give it, at least to the office that President Obama holds.

Never in the eight years that Bush reigned did you ever hear a democrat heckle him during a speech, and if anything, Bush rightly would have earned the title Liar. I have to wonder, what in the world did President Obama ever do to “earn” the title of liar? You may disagree with his politics (which I find even ridiculous as he has worked tirelessly for bi-partisanship) but when has he EVER lied to the American people? Did he lie to us about WMDs in Iraq? Did he bring us into a needless war in Iraq and lie about their link to 9/11? Did he lie to Americans about the real cost of the wars? Did he lie to the American public about not torturing prisoners at Gitmo? Did he lie about 80% of the detainees at Gitmo being involved in terrorist movements? Did he lie about illegally wire-tapping the American citizens? Did he mysteriously finagle not one but two elections? Did he lie about “being caught off guard” when the levees failed in New Orleans? Did he lie about “keeping us safe from terrorists” all the while knowing that 9/11 happened on his watch? Is Obama the one who ignored the nuclear build-up in North Korea and Iran? Is Obama the one that made horrible energy policies that led to record gas and oil prices? Is Obama the one responsible for the record deficit and the worst recession since the depression? Is Obama the one that failed on education with “no child left behind?” No! This all happened under Bush, hence, if anyone ever deserved the title of liar, it would be him. Through all of that, we still were able to give Bush respect because of at least the office he held. The hypocrisy here is thick, don’t you think? Where in the world was Senator Wilson when Bush embarrassingly fumbled through every speech and bold-faced lied to us? Guess he was quietly holding on to Bush’s coat tails as his pockets, and his party’s pockets, were continuously filled by lobbyist! It doesn’t really matter what Obama says, or does. The right-wingers are just in love with opposition at every corner. They have no intention of working together for the betterment of this country!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Health Care Rally



































































I was at a rally for health care yesterday, Sept. 2nd, in front of Houston's City Hall. There were about 1,300 people there, with a hand full yelling against health care. It amazed me to see that the ones who were against the health care reform, were the ones that STILL believed in the lies their party told them. They had signs saying that abortions would be paid for out of the proposed health care and that death panels did in fact exist. Must I say thing again? Not one federal penny would be spent on an abortion. Not even private insurances will pay for abortions unless the mother's health is at risk. And, there is no such thing as a death panel...unless of course you were a prisoner at Gitmo under the Bush administration and endured never ending water boarding, electric shock, starvation, thirst, shackle and suspension, and beatings. No, this reform is here to help the American people. We've waited long enough. We call ourselves the best nation in the world, but we aren't taking care of our people. 28 other industrialized nations are ahead of us. We're the only modern country who doesn't believe that health care is a right! It's TIME to change that! The rally last night was a great example of people ready for change! Congressman Al Green was the final speaker of the night, and he gave one of the best speeches in history! He left with the words that he had the great honor of going to the hill to vote in honor of our voice! Our voices are loud and clear, and CHANGE is here!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

When Hate Becomes Rationalized

The power of belief in anything, political, religious... CAN become poisonous. It can make you feel superior in that you feel that you are right and everyone else is wrong. Hate and violence can become justified in this state of mind. The fundamentalist right wing has demonstrated this very well through the years, but even more so recently. I was sent this very disturbing sermon given by Pastor Steven Anderson. He is a pastor at Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, AZ. Sunday, August 16, 2009, Anderson preached that Barrack Obama should die! Chris Broughton, the man who brought an assault rifle and a handgun to one of Obama's events recently, was also in attendance to this hateful anti-Obama sermon. Anderson preached a lengthy sermon about how God doesn’t love everyone. He said that God hates murderers, rapists, those that reject Jesus being the son of God, abortion doctors, gays, and so on. He said that God not only hates the sin, but hates the sinner as well. “I hate Barrack Obama the person!” Anderson yells at his congregation, but then also adds that he is “preaching this out of love.” He used numerous examples from the book of Psalms to describe his point. He used scripture taken from the Old Testament to justify hating Obama and yelling over and over again that Obama should die. He said that he prays from one of the verses from Psalms, that God would “break (Obama’s) teeth”, and make him melt like a slug when salt is poured. He does say that he hopes Obama dies of natural causes as he would not like to see him turned into a martyr.

WHAT!?! Are church goes supposed to leave church hate filled? I always thought that church was to be uplifting, inspirational, and that one would leave in love and in peace. This sermon is so far from the intention of church that it’s pathetic!

Anderson uses books from the Old Testament to back up his agenda of hate. Must I point out that he’s using the Torah, the Jewish book to back up his Christian values? And, needless to say that he took scripture out of context, and “God” is not the one credited for writing Psalms. People like David, Moses, King Solomon, and other authors are the ones credited for these words. So, in truth, these words come from man, not God. (In actuality, I haven’t come across one single verse in the Bible that was actually written by God, but that’s a whole other blog)
The true “Christian Book” lies in the New Testament. This is the book in which Christians are supposed to be living in, otherwise you would live in constant confusion and would banter back and forth between the two testaments. One book talks about revenge, while the other talks about turning the other cheek. One book talks about a God who hates all who do wrong, and another that says love thy neighbor as thy self. The New Testament is the book that strives for peace, love, understanding. Although, this too should not be taken literally as these books were written for the time period, and in many instances, years/decades/centuries after events occurred.

I’m sure you can use the Bible, or any religious book for that matter, to justify hate and violence and to back up one’s agenda. But, if it doesn’t come from love and peace, then it doesn’t come from God, or a higher being.

While I’m on the subject, I have to wonder what Barrack Obama has done that makes him so "evil" and worth Anderson’s one hour sermon on his death and destruction. Is it that Obama discontinued torture that the Bush administration allowed for nearly 8 years? Is it Obama’s steps to create a cleaner environment for us to live and breathe, and to preserve what we are on the road to spoiling? Is it Obama’s selflessness to want to provide each citizen with the right to health care? Is it Obama's steady movements of bringing us out of our economic recession? Is it Obama’s lack of expertise in each patients life and health that he has given the choice of an abortion to a woman and her doctor, as they are the only ones that understand the circumstances surrounding the unique and agonizing decision? I don’t see any evil intentions here. Sounds like Barrack Obama's intentions are coming from a place of love, peace, and justice! We are all entitled to our own opinions, but it doesn't give the right for out right violent hate, especially within a church!


Here’s the link to Anderson’s sermon. I’m sure Fox News won’t consider Pastor Steve Anderson “America hating” as they labeled Pastor Jeremiah Wright.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/pastor_of_gun-toter_at_obama_event_day_before_even.php