I have been a Republican since I was 18. I am now 48, and in that time I have moved more towards the middle because of issues like the environment, but now I may change my party to None of the Above!In case anyone has not noticed, this Government is in shambles and the election this November will not change that. It will, in my opinion, only swing the pendulum in the same screwed up direction just with different people doing the swinging. What this country needs is our elected official to actually represent the American People, like it says in the Constitution, We the People.Republican Rep. Mark Foley is just the latest example of a Government and maybe a country gone crazy. Foley was the co-chair of the missing and exploited children's caucus yet he is exploiting the same children he is there to protect! This is not news to me as I have been divorced with a kid and I know all about a system and individuals that exploits children not for sex but for money.Next example, Global Warming. The Bush administration would like us all to believe that it is a myth and that we are in a cycle that happens every twelve thousand years. I can say as a fact that the greenhouse gases we release are affecting the earth. Anyone with common sense and no political agenda can see that truth. If it is all BS as the Bush administration would like you to believe, then why did they try to shut down NASA’s report on global warming?Iraq, Vietnam the sequel. Like a bad horror movie America is once again in a situation where the American People’s Children will be slaughtered by the Jason’s and Freddy’s of the world in a no win situation. Just as not everyone in the movie theater screams, “Don’t open that Door” we opened the door that lets loose the horrors of the world, and according to NIS, has increased the number of horrors we now face. It is time to tell the Iraq People good luck and if terrorists camps start forming we will be there to shove a missile down its throat no questions asked and by the way you owe the US $500 Billion (USD) in war reparations that we will TAKE in oil.The Republican “Contract” with America was a joke. As part of that, the Republicans contracted with America to reform the IRS and the tax system. Well they sure did reform the tax system, and if you own million dollars homes and have millions in the bank, you benefited. If you are like me, a working stiff, you paid the difference. This country needs a flat tax system that pays across the board into one pool. No more Federal, State and Local taxes, No more real estate taxes, no more occupational taxes, and by the way how is working a luxury? This pool would insure that that is ALL the money the Government has to work with. No more PORK $300 million dollar bridges, no more bridges to nowhere, and anyone who misuses these taxes should do life in jail with no parole. Better yet is what they are doing with our money, a war nobody wants, paying for abortions, using your money to spy on you, need I go on? On this issue alone, the thirteen colonies went to war to free us from British rule. Remember “NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRENTATION!” Do you feel represented? I know illegal immigrants are represented, but are you? The Jack Abramoff scandal proved who controls Washington. Maybe it is time once again for all Americans to all meet at Concord and reinstate the documents that started this country by force.Ok, if that is not enough, how about the nine knuckleheads on Mount Olympus who ruled that they have the right to take your home to build a shopping mall. That by itself should have had every American storming the gates at the White House and burning it to the ground.How about the Family in America? I love the anti-abortion people who think blowing up clinics will stop abortion. How about re-instating family morals and values into society? How about taking profit out of divorce by giving 50/50 to both parents? How about prosecuting Judges who use children to further agendas from the bench, Judges who are no better than pedophiles or child pornographers as all of them use children for their own agenda? How about bringing GOD back into society, not just as something we trust in money, but as part of what made this country so great? If you did all of this, abortion would take care of itself stupid!Hey, let’s beat and torture POW’s - woops - detainees (want to be politically correct here). Hell while we are at it, why not start hanging Blacks and gassing Jews. Why don’t we make the prisoners at our bases overseas march back across the oceans to prisons here in America. Just because people hanged at Nuremburg for doing the same thing, it must be ok for us to do it because we are America and we would never do anything wrong. That is why the Bush administration attached a line item to a bill absolving anyone who, in this administration, may have violated the Geneva Convention Articles for the Conduct of War. If they were doing what was right, then why do they need protection? Are Americans so dumb they can’t see this or just deny it. Well America, denial is not a river in Egypt!Does anyone remember that over 95% of the American public supported the removal of illegal immigrants and killing the sale of the ports to foreign governments? Hazelton, PA decided, by voting, that all illegal immigrants need to be removed from the city and then to reduce the tax dollars needed to support them. The Bush Administration is fighting them as well as trying to backdoor the sale of our ports to a foreign government or company. Now there is a Government that hears its people, NOT! President Bush’s base only cares that they have someone to cut their grass and work in their sweat shops. Cut your own damn grass and make your own cloths!Almost forgot Katrina. Did you know that the Canadian Mounted Police, the Mounties’, horses and all made it to New Orleans before our Government did? If I were the people of the Gulf, I would secede from the Union. You would be better off and safer. You could keep your tax dollars local and not have to support nonsense that will leave you high and dry, pardon the pun, as FEMA is now and will forever be a joke. Proof of that pudding is that Homeland Security, who is the head of the FEMA snake, approved the sale of ports to foreign Governments and STILL does not check more than 10% of what goes through the port.Another point, where the hell did all of the money go? Did I see anyone explain or go to jail for what happened? Did I even see one person, except Mike Brown, held accountable? I have only touched on the highlights of the past few years so far, but I think you get the point.What truly gets me is that all of this occurs because 300 million, excuse me 289 million as 11 million are illegal, dummies trade trinkets for freedom. We allow this nonsense because we are afraid that we will loose our homes and cars and job. Well, if Americans band together NO ONE can take anything from us. Your jobs are being shipped overseas everyday. Take time from you reality TV shows and fight for what is right, what America stands for because if you don’t, they will get your house, your car and all of your wealth, maybe not from you, maybe not from your children, but from your grandchildren. They have time on their side, we don’t.This November not only vote incumbents out, both Democrat and Republican, but go down and in no uncertain terms let your elected officials know that if this nonsense does not stop, not only will you vote them out next election, you will drag them into an alley and beat the living crap out of them. Maybe then, things will change, as every American should be an alibi for court to every other American until this Government once again represents the People of the United States of America.
I have fired the first shot across the Government bow with my weapon of choice, the pen. Every American needs to do the same by writing, phoning, and going in person to our representatives. If we Americans grow a spine, we can not only change the course we are on, but restore this country to it former glory, make it 100% safe and once again have the greatest nation on earth.
How about bringing GOD back into society, not just as something we trust in money, but as part of what made this country so great?
"God" had nothing to do with making this country great. However, the religious right -- and there quest for a "Christian society" -- has had everything to do with the implementation of and the current, on-going destruction of our once great, secular-based nation.
We need less of - actually, none of "God" in our society and more reason, rationality and common sense - not superstition, dogma, and the credence that mystical beings ostensibly watch over us with a ubiquitous eye from the supposed ether that charlatans and demagogues can use to exploit and subjugate the blind and misguided.
Placing "God" at the front of the table as the cure to "immorality" is akin to placing Poseidon in charge of the Hurricane center to watch over and warn us of threats from the sea. Both are steep in questionable judgment and deep in foolish dogma.
Man has created many gods that befitted him and then destroyed those same gods; casting these once inerrant deities onto the scrap heap of history when "God" no longer proved useful or sustainable.
Whether it is Islam, Christianity, Communism or imaginary alien invasions, human beings can always be brought to rally about a conflict-ridden cause with the simple tools of a symbolic flag and a book of faith.
It's time for faith to be forgotten as ancient lore and the "movement of raison d'être" to become the new bedrock or human morality and decency.
by
Frank J. Ranelli (66 articles, 143 quicklinks, 29 diaries, 378 comments)
on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 6:03:16 PM
The basis of what God represents, Love, Peace and so on is the basis for any moral and civilized society. The lack of it is what has destroyed our nation. While I agree with you about religion and the paths that the "right" have taken, those are mans choices to warp and twist trligion into fighting words.
I can tell you there is a God from personal experience. Hope you don't realize that fact when you are standing before him.
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Michael Morris (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 300 comments)
on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 7:29:23 PM
I cannot stand before that which I do not accept, nor can you provide any evidence to the contrary. If you could, then it would not be called “faith”, but instead “fact.” Fact is, love, peace and civility are not requisite or found in only “believers.” As a humanist and an atheist, I am still capable of – and demonstrate daily – that these traits are human qualities that are very achievable without piety or divinity.
Peace.
Frank J. Ranelli, Associate Editor
by
Frank J. Ranelli (66 articles, 143 quicklinks, 29 diaries, 378 comments)
on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 11:33:10 PM
However profound, magical, and mystical your eloquence about the universe is written; it still offers no proof, no empirical evidence, and lacks sound logic – only fluency of speech, nothing more. The bulk of your supernatural ruminations about the universe is spurious and lacks any application of reliable science.
However, I concur that humans are “barely awake”, though not barely awake about God. Most of us are sleepwalking in denial through an age of enlightened science that provides us with answers grounded in reason and facts, not blind faith in dubious deities in the sky.
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Frank J. Ranelli (66 articles, 143 quicklinks, 29 diaries, 378 comments)
on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 11:22:08 PM
Omigawd, MM, lord knows I don't want to argue with you, because you've written an excellent piece, and I crack you up.
But a few magic words about god brings to mind a thousand, million questions starting with...which god should we bring back into our culture/society?
The Christian god? The Muslim god? The Jewish god with the unpronouncable name, because his name is not to be spoken? Flora? Loki? Odin? Thor? Minerva? Zeus? Hera? Luna? Isis? Osiris? Quetzalcoatl?
Poseidon might be most appropriate, because rumor has it that we all sprang from the primordial ooze at the bottom of the sea in and around the volcanic smokers.
Neat place to come from. It's gorgeous down there. Fascinating tube worms that look more like gorgeous flowers than something you'd bait a hook with, or slitherings things that plow up the earth to make planting easier. It's full of an infinite number of creatures living in harmony when they aren't eating each other for dinner.
Maybe Pandora would be appropriate, because whenever god is invoked all kinds of trouble springs up.
How about Niobe? We all come into the world crying.
The list goes on forever. How to choose? Which to choose? I feel like a grown-up in a do-nut shop.
Inevitably god and religion go hand and foot-in-mouth together, which raises even more questions and woes.
I've always favored the golden rule god.
SS
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Sandy Sand (143 articles, 0 quicklinks, 196 diaries, 1381 comments)
on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 8:46:03 PM
Your astute observation about “which god” is most appropriate and well said. Therefore, you might also enjoy reading another essay of mine, One Nation Under "Whose God is it Anyway?"
by
Frank J. Ranelli (66 articles, 143 quicklinks, 29 diaries, 378 comments)
on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 11:07:23 PM
right here in Salt Lake City! In fact, give me your address and I'll send a couple of nice dressed missionaries--there is only one kind of missionary, you know--to come banging on your door.
Oh, dang! I forgot the Jehovah Witnesses!
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Daniel Geery (26 articles, 58 quicklinks, 121 diaries, 690 comments)
on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 9:28:45 AM
...ashamed to be identified with the bullet-heads that supported the fascists. But the shame only comes form "looking" bad... therefore "call myself," ashamed of your "image," not any kind of change of heart or mind. Example:
It is time to tell the Iraq People good luck and if terrorists camps start forming we will be there to shove a missile down its throat no questions asked and by the way you owe the US $500 Billion (USD) in war reparations that we will TAKE in oil.
You still believe in "terrorists." You want people who were never any threat to you whatsoever to "pay" for the feel-good footbal-game entertainment YOU endorsed because iyou thought t made you look "tough" and "patriotic." Similar to the way you beat the "god" drum because you think it makes you look ethical. To your credit, sir, you are far ahead of your me-first goodie-goodie grab-bag "fellow travelers." Why?
Because you might be capable of feeling shame.
Congratulations.
by
waldopaper (11 articles, 3 quicklinks, 24 diaries, 426 comments)
on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 12:37:06 AM
I want to correct something...I don't beat the God drum. Like most spritual people in this nation, I have realized that our spritual "leaders" have lead the flock astray from "the word". Money and power tend to do that. Sound like an administration we know?
Also, I have traveled the middle east. They are no more terrorists than you and I are. All they want to do is feed thier familys and enjoy life. Next thing you know, the dinner table expodes and your family is dead and you get the pleasure of holding them in your arms. You would become a terrorist to. Want proof......
After 911 how many innocent Muslim Americans were attacked? Look up the stories.
We are NO BETTER because we are American, we just think we are!
The true only solution to the "worlds" problems is to talk and compromise. Otherwise might as well just take on the whole world. Hitlter tried it, how did that work out for him?
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Michael Morris (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 300 comments)
on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 8:17:19 AM
All this talk about God took us right of the mark now didn't it.
Man's misplaced belief in something that can't be proven should stand as a monument to his stupidity and downfall. But, again, that's beside the point when it comes to good sound government. Because basically government should be about providing security, health care, education and providing for those that can't take care of themselves, I'd be happy with sound competent civil servants and managers. God, can then, for all that I care take care of the rest and leave me the hell alone - along with the rest of the God fearing people.
And if we want this government to start acting like one it's going to take more than letter writing, phone calls and visiting offices, not unless we take pitch-forks, torches and some rope when we do. This so-called government is way beyond trying to reform it through polite normal channels. As Thomas Jefferson said, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Well, it's way past time we stood-up to the tyrants, because if we don't, I can tell you this for certain, your pen is inadequate against Blackwater's mercenaries and your God seems to be busy talking to the wrong people.
So, excuse me, I feel for your disillusionment with our current state, and my only wonder is what it took you so long to see the light, but I'm not impressed with your anger or your Melba-toast method of dealing with it. It's not called "a call to pens", it's called " a call to arms" and it's way past due.
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Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1428 comments)
on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 1:05:55 AM
hey, what if the "TURRORISTS" believe in "god," too? i mean, they do, right? i mean...if all the names of god are man's doing, and there is only one, what about the fact that our wars and theirs are both justified by this same "god"? if that's the case, maybe he wants us all to die! wow. revelation. i'm feeling real divine suddenly.
by
Nezua (42 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 93 comments)
on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 2:46:44 AM
All of you have proven my point, except Sandy...LOL!
What I have found interesting with this article is that first, it did not format right...lol...but mainly that there are many REAL problems that are touched on in the article and the ONLY one discussed in detail was GOD.
I am a spritual person who was brought up cathloic, and like most have seen that our leaders are more concerned with the collection plate than the state of the world. They have strayed, and therefore thier flocks have strayed from what was the mission.
The excuse we use to fight in the world, on both sides, is religion in thinking that my God is better than thier God. Truth is God is God, not your God, not thier God, but all of humanity's God. What that means to each of us is up to the individual, that is the beauty of CHOICE. But fighting like to school children because of God is hypocritical of everyone.
Love and understanding does not kill children, bomb and bullets do. Compassion does not let people starve when we have the means to feed them, greed does. Injustice can not be found when morals and ethics are standing upright. When the qualitys of "God" are in a society, the things the word God stands for permeate the society. When those qualitys are not present, you have what we have now, people are more worried that they may have to live under a flag that represents "God" though acts of compassion and understanding, than a flag that supports through thier direct actions or failure to act, children murdered, money stolen, lies are told as truths and power and greed are goals to be gotten at any cost. This is not what makes a country great.
Wealth and power do not make a country great. Lie and courrption do not make a country great. What makes a county great is the people and if those people as a whole would you invite into your home. As a nation, nobody wants us at the dinner table anymore.
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Michael Morris (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 300 comments)
on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 8:57:30 AM
