SOME THINGS THAT TORQUE MY CONVERTER
I don't presume to think that anything I say in my blog will change anything or cause anyone to have a "gee whiz" moment. I only know that when I write some of the things I out into my blog, at least I feel better and I guess that will have to be enough. So without further delay here are some of the ducks nibbling at my ankles lately.
UNION BUSTING: I am not a big union guy. I spent 20 years in the Army and another 20 in US Civil Service so I never had much contact with union type things. I am, on the other hand, pretty cognizant of the rather fantastic historic saga that finally enabled American workers to speak with one voice on matters that actually wound up benefitting us all. Does anyone think that a 40 hour work week would have been the invention of management? How about minimum wage legislation? Child labor laws? Workplace safety? Health care? Pensions? Vacations? Do anyone really believe management was always in favor of any or all of these benefits? Probably not. I also know that votes taken in the dark of night without due representation are an anethema to democracy and undermine and weaken our core structures. The type of votes being foisted upon voters on issues concerning unions are typical of votes taken by banana republic tin nickel dictators. If the people are gathering at your doorstep to protest your actions, then as a leader, you need to reappraise the route you are taking. The South seceded from the Union based on exactly this type of backroom voting and not based upon the universal wishes of the people. How would we react if the next "vote" targeted anyone who did not make a certain amount of money or own real estate? How about a "vote" concerning anyone who belongs to any group opposing pro-life issue or who seek sane gun control procedures? Would we lose our right of access to college scholarships, pension benefits, or Federal health care. That's how Mr. Hitler targeted any opposition groups. "Vote" to cut off their benefits.
TEN COMMANDMENTS IN SCHOOLS: A few schools in my neck of the world have begun to "encourage" efforts to post the Christian Ten Commandments in schools. So far wiser heads have prevailed especially when they learn just how much the lawsuit will cost them. Now the kids are posting them on their lockers claiming it is their right to do so since the locker and the school belong to them and staging demonstrations during classroom hours. First and foremost they are most certainly wrong on a number of fronts. First and foremost, the Christian scripture enjoins its followers to pray alone and quietly so that their worship is not an excuse to flaunt their flaunt piousness. Nothing quiet and silent about walking around the school grounds carrying posters when they should be taking advantage of the taxes I paid to give them a good education. I want my money back. Next, they want what they refer to as the Ten Commandments posted in schools in violation of Federal Law. Actually the so called Ten Commandments as we know them never existed. There were actually over 600 "Commandments" given to Moses by the Diety ranging is matters of health, slavery, marriage, forbidden foods, taboo customs, and just lots and lots of things many of which are still followed by very Orthodox Jews. The whiley and sneaky Christians whittle those hundreds down to ten easy to follow rules only three or four of which are actually against civil law the remainder being faith based only. If you're going to post the Commandments of the Pentateuch at least have the courtesy to post them all. There is the issue of who actually owns the school and its properties and who actually has "rights." The courts have fallen clearly on the side of the school and its property belonging to the taxpaying citizenery. Not many high school teeny boppers qualify as citizens having not yet reached 18 and therefore they don't really exist in the eyes of the law. Their lockers are not their private property as evidenced by any drug shakedown that might go on in the hallways where they will find their lockers opened and searched. Finally, how about simple courtesy for your fellow students and school cadre who may not believe as you do and do not wish to have your beliefs shoved into their face. I don't like NASCAR but I don't post signs in my yard telling everyone. I don't like the British Government much either but again no signs in my yard and no bumper stickers. Maybe our kids should concern themselves more with clean air and water but again do it on your own time and not on my taxpayer time.
TAX DISPARITIES: I won't harp much on this one since the data is actually there for anyone to see unless being a sheep has blinded you to what is going on anywhere else except the sheep butt in front of you. If not taxing the wealthy is a sure road to economic prosperity how come the six separate tax breaks the wealthy received under Bush II resulted in a collapse of the US economy and 10+ unemployment rates? Why is that people making $70K and below pay well over 80% of the taxes while over 90% of the actual wealth of this nation is held by less than 3% of the population who rarely pay any taxes at all? Why is that Congress wants to cut out NPR, Federal funded scholarships, health care, EPA issues, programs for the less fortunate etc. while awarding $700B in tax cuts to the wealthy? Shame on us!!!
ABORTION RIGHTS: First and foremost it is the law of the land. That should be the end of it. However, if the Conservatives wing of the American populace want to ignore the real issues that we face in this country to sermonize their beliefs (see a couple of paragraphs above), then at least have a woman do the sermonizing. Abortion is not a male issue anymore than prostate disease is a female issue. Yet, I ask you when was the last time you saw a woman deeply involved in the whole abortion issue. When Mitch McConnell or John Boehner begin having menstrual cramps then they will have earned the right to discuss female procreation issues.
MUSLIM HEARINGS IN CONGRESS: What the heck does Rep. King think he is doing? I had almost forgotten how to spell Joseph McCarthy and up pops this old IRA supporting clown from New York. I know that is there are any Muslims in America who have become disaffected, King's (et. al) hearing should suffice to tip them over the line to a full blown threat. I have Muslim friends, but then I have conservative friend as well, so I am pretty open to differing thoughts and logic trails. I can assure you that what King is doing has no respectable goal and will only foment hatred and mistrust and make us worse for the exercise. Like I said, I had almost forgotten how to spell old Joe McCarthy's name.
