John F. Kennedy, In a speech at the White House, 1962
I've been chewing over my posts, as well as the posts of others. Even lost a little sleep over it. Being a committed American, it is my duty, and a small price to pay. The questions just kept piling up.
Just what can we do to ensure that as many of us as possible still have the opportunity to achieve, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (as defined by those much smarter than I)?
What can we do to ensure that our laws apply to everyone? That laws are enforced for everyone. That law once again becomes the business of our Legislature rather than our Executive Branch.
What can we do to make our Justice Department enforce our laws.
And a series of questions about our patriotism.
When did war become Patriotic? How did support of the troops evolve into they can go to a war but we won't take care of them when they get home?
When did paying your fair share turn into: I have better accountants than you do so I don't have to pay anything? Where is the old fashioned shame? When did cheating on your taxes turn into "Ooooh I got a good loophole here." When did taxing work become the main source of funding, and taxing wealth un-American?
Does anyone remember when it was considered impolite to talk about how much money you made? And rude when your wealth was ostentatiously displayed in the faces of the less well off? Remember when greed was a vice? Didn't we just loathe Mr. Potter in 'It's a Wonderful Life'? And now, now, he's the hero? Maybe you should watch that movie one more time..
There used to be places for the homless, the abandoned mentally ill. The orphaned, the destitute, the sick and vunerable. Was there too little profit in it?
Over here, on the left, (the commons) we have always been willing to go more than half way to the right (the capitalists). Can you give me examples of the capitalists moving even an inch toward the commons?
How did, "We can do it" turn into "We won't pay for it?"
Don't we want old people to be taken care of no matter how the end of their lives turn out?
Don't we want children to be safe, secure, and educated?
Don't we want all those foolish lefty things like national parks, and beautiful bridges, smooth roads, and food safety? Good water? Good land to farm? Good products to be made, right here in America?
Don't we want health care? When did health insurance become health care?
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).