United States of America (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’ve been dreading this election season because of the state of our country’s politics. These days I don’t know where I live anymore; the country certainly doesn’t feel like the same United States of America. Republicans want to cut way back on social programs that service the disenfranchised and on public education while steadfastly refusing to eliminate the tax breaks created by President George Bush that were set to expire 2 years ago. Hell no to marginal tax increases that will only affect the top 1% of the wealthy in our land. Who are these people?
This commentary published in my daily newspaper is a rant on just one piece of the puzzle. Feel free to comment.
actthreedotnet 
I saw a guy named Michael Porter on Fareed Zakaria’s excellent Sunday show, GPS. Porter is associated with the Harvard Business School and just completed some research (including surveying 10,000 HBS alumni who are now business leaders) showing that American business (as in BIG) is starting to mitigate for improvement in infrastructure, K-12 ed, and better healthcare as a way of ensuring American competitiveness. By mitigate I mean contribute to, pay into, develop structures for, etc.
Not out of the goodness of their corporate hearts, but because if the 99% fail, it’ll hurt business. Okay, a few of them are probably patriotic. Anyway, I don’t frankly care what their motivations are; SOMEBODY needs to step forward and kick the Legislative and Exec branches in the ASS. HARD. And I lack the clout to do so.
I believe that many in the Hispanic/Latino coutmnimy are mislead by believing that a particular political party is interested in our needs. Until now the only people who have cared about our needs for immigration reform have been individuals (both from the left and the right). We cannot as a coutmnimy of believers throw our support to one particular party that gives lip service to Hispanics in the elections, but once in power do absolutely nothing to help the immigrant coutmnimy. Neither Obama nor McCain are interested at this moment to do anything about immigration. Unfortunately, until Hispanics become a more relevant political force in America we will continue to get empty promises from both the left and the right!
Thanks Lynne. I tape Fareed’s show but haven’t yet watched it. Yay!
Sounds like more tax and spend rhetoric. The nation needs smarter government. It needs more people that have personal responsibility and self-reliance.
If people want something, then they should work for it. The government should ensure fair play and clear the trail. This is easy to do and does not cost much money.
Censorship is evil.
I’m a dinosaur. I voted locally and nationally. I studied the issues and platforms. I examined my conscience. My innocence began to erode with Nixon. W took what was left. When Obama was elected (my husband and I considered deseg meetings a date and We Shall Overcome our song) I thought, Maybe? Could it be? Will my grandsons inherit not disaster but hope?
Now, I don’t know. Part of me wants to circle the wagons and fight. The other part wants to give up and move to Canada. No, that’s too close – the Galapagos. Nothing but reptiles and Gooney Birds! Wait, that’s the USA.
What to do?
I think the President’s done an admirable job considering the mess he was handed when he took office and considering the obstructionist House he faces every day.
I must say, considering on the outcome of this next election, we’re considering Canada too. I don’t recognize America anymore.
Thanks for being on point and on taegrt!
I just read your commentary on the supreme court decision. I remember sitting in a restaurant with a good and smart friend. He told me about Citizen’s United having been announced that morning. I was sick to my stomach.
I would love the have a smart government but education has slipped so badly I worry about whether we are smart enough to elect a smart government. I have no failth in corporations helping out citizens on education of health problems. I do have faith in corporations supporting bug public works projects for there is profit to be had.
Please don’t move to Canada. I don’t want to be here by myself and be the only one who thinks about this left around. I admit I have thought about where to run to.
I appreciate your commentary and that the News Sentinel put it out there. Thansk too for providing a place to talk abotu it and see what others have to say.