These past few months have been very eye opening, to say the least. It has been troubling to see the amount of anger, and frustration in the town hall meetings. Many, many people simply do not trust our government, and rightly so, given the past years. The tragedy of that is we now have a man in the Oval Office who wants to make it work, and is running into a brick wall trying to do so. Add to that the shadow government of lobbies, and special interests, and the blatantly irresponsible antics of media such as Fox News, and it's indeed a wonder that there is still some semblance of civility left. I've got to believe the rest of the world is now looking at our wonderful country with a mixture of amusement, and horror.
We NEED substantial health care reform. We NEED to quit these two wars that we have already spent too much time, treasure, and precious lives in. We NEED to tell the lobbies, and special interests, that the top priority in these coming months, and years will be the people's business, and then tell most of those shadowy rascals to get out of Washington DC. It really, I guess, is a control issue. Who really controls our Government ? I'm almost afraid to hear the truth on that one. But dear Mr. President....give it a try. Tell it like it really is, because I'm afraid the results will not be worth a damm if you don't.
I think we are going to have to get used to the idea that the impervious gluttons at AIG and other such reputable outfits are going to keep their money. It's in the contract, can't break it, even though unabashed greed has been exposed. They wave these contracts in our faces and say that we mustn't break the contract, it would not be moral.
Ok, let's accept that line of ....call it what you choose. Now is the time for us to write some new contracts, in the interest of the people, pertaining to these very companies, the whole lot of them, who have been in the business of fleecing the American people, you, and me, and everyone we know. To those with maxed out cards....freeze purchases for now. At the same time, lower the interest rates these people are paying by at least 20%. As for the rest, lower mortgage payments, lower interest rates, by at least the same rate. It is a moral thing to do, just tell them this is how it's going to be. Because, in the end, it is not the AIG's of the world who are going to get us out of this mess, it is we Americans, and, indeed, the people of the world, who are ultimately going to save their sorry....call it what you choose. Breathing room, that's all we need, breathing room. "Come Senators and Congressmen, please the call". Just DO it. The time is now.
I'm pretty sure America is watching with extreme interest, as the Congress mulls over the Obama proposals. It is obvious that the President is trying to achieve dialog, and results, in an expedient manner. Is Congress interested in the same thing? The last few days indicate they are not, they want to make our President sweat, perhaps get a black eye, or a bloody nose. All this, while the American dream continues to turn into a nightmare for thousands, if not millions, daily. This is not a time for petty politics, it is time for action. Congress...America is watching you.
We will also be watching with interest if another bill shows up on the floor concerning your seemingly annual, or bi-annual pay raises. You seem to be the model of efficiency whenever a bill like that shows up...why not now? Get with the program, people are losing their homes; and if they continue to do so, you will soon be losing your parking places. Quit parking...start working!!
You can feel the excitement building up as the inauguration of Barack Obama edges ever closer. Washington D.C. looks better than it ever has, truly American, the crowds of people show every color, every hue in the spectrum. It is almost like the night before xmas, with the anticipation. And, in that spirit, I have a bit of a wish list.
I want us to get out of Iraq, responsibly. I would like to see a re-distribution of the nation's wealth, no more gluttony allowed for the filthy rich. I would like to see a vast improvement in mass transit, especially in cities of more than 100,000. Health Care...free for every American citizen...period. Increase our taxes if you must, but no more forms, no more HMO's, no more health services for profit. Make it a law that any new car produced in America must get at least 35-40 miles to the gallon. Pay our teachers more money, and give them the tools to make our educational system the envy of the world. Serve the people, and not the special interests, and lobbies. In fact, kick them out of town if you can, unless they too can prove that they are also serving the people, and not just their own exclusive group.
Above all else, I pray that Barack Obama continues to walk in righteousness, and shows the world what it can achieve. Tomorrow should be an awesome day.
People Get Ready, there's a Train a-coming
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith, to hear the diesels humming
You don't need no ticket, you just thank the lord
People get ready, there's a train to Jordan
Picking up passengers, coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board them
There's hope for all, among those loved the most
There ain't no room, for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind, just to save his own
Have pity on those, whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place, against the kingdom's throne.
Been humming that song all day. It's called People Get Ready, and I'm not really sure who wrote it, but I think Curtis Mayfield did.
Haven't been in here for a while. A week or so after the election I thought this site was going to close...I see that it hasn't. Here is hoping all of you have a great Holiday season, as we get closer and closer to the reality of Barack Obama in the Oval Office as the President of the United States. What in the world is Sean Hannity going to do on January 20th? My guess is he will barricade himself in his office, don his gestapo outfit, and listen to old Third Reich music, as the tears roll down his face.
Another thing, that shoe throwing incident in Baghdad. I actually felt some sorrow for our President, as he deftly dodged that pair of size 10 shoes coming his way. After all, he is our President, for the next 30+ days. But the thing that made me chuckle(over and over), was hearing the news people explaining (over and over) that the throwing of one's shoes is a sign of exreme disrespect in the Iraqi culture. Is that to say that in some cultures, you know, cultures not yet discovered by National Geographic, the throwing of shoes is a sign of affection ? Oh well, live and learn.
