Most of the American political debate centers on the two major parties – Democrats and Republicans. It’s easy to think that we should eliminate political parties altogether, but it would never work. Aristotle noted that humans are political animals and will always form associations based on common beliefs and experiences. Or more succinctly, we spend our time with people who see life the same way that we do. Contrary to common belief, the US Constitution does not require a two-party system, or any parties at all. They’re not even mentioned.
A brief description of the most common political parties in the US.
CONTINUE . . . .http://www.examiner.com/x-14931-Pittsburgh-Public-Policy-Examiner~y2009m11d22-Info-101--Political-parties
When the economy is crumbling and tens of millions of Americans risk death and long-term disability as a result of untreated disease or injury, somebody has to pick up the slack. In the quest for quick mega profits that can jack up the price of company stocks, big business took shortcuts that resulted into millions of Americans losing their jobs and with it their health insurance.
The jobless and uninsured Americans are legitimate taxpayers. Some of them exercised their constitutional right to vote the current leaders into office, they be Democrat, Republican or independent. These voters and taxpayers deserve to be protected and fought for by their elected officials. The government they elected should intervene on their behalf so that they are not left out of the banquet table when the national cake is being carved out.
Being without health insurance is a serious business. I bet those waving placards with angry words against the President have health insurance and they want to keep it that way. Who will speak for the uninsured? Is it criminal for government to ensure every citizen receives basic treatment for any health emergencies when in need? Or will the comptetition with government reduce the bacon from the breakfast menu of big business?
The recent fear of government take over of health services and by extension other businesses is ridiculous. It can only have fueled by corporate interests. People ought to take the long term view, the big picture of where America should be in 5-10 years' time.
Government should not be a spectator when its citizens are threatened by bankruptcies in the banking sector. In the same vein, goverment should not be a spectator but intervene to the extent necessary when the health of 15-20 percent of the citizenry is bankrupt.
Certainly not many of you follow the ongoings of cases where people try to take advantage of tax laws to benefit themselves because the law itself is murky. However, there is a case that is drawing much attention unto itself, because of the nature of the "supposed" crime.
A fellow citizen who thought himself smart saw a loophole in the way he could pay his employees. If he payed them with gold or silver, which has to still be recognized by our society as a legal form of payment, he could give them more for less. This worked in the way that the legal system binds the value of these metals, to the current standings on the market. However when tax time comes around you are only taxed on the "face" value of the metals, not the current value of the market.
Citation is here
http://www.lvrj.com/news/48145032.html
and here http://www.lvrj.com/news/46074037.html.
Now to do this is wrong...absolutely not, seeing as the law is clear on how it wll tax its citizens and what is legal in payment. However, the point they are trying to make, is that this is fraud ...tax fraud because the person doing the action is doing this on purpose to avoid paying taxes.
OF COURSE HE IS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GAVE AWAY OUR MONEY TO BIGGER CRIMINALS (GM, CHRYSLER) AND WE HAD NO SAY IN THIS!
So he is trying to save a few people from paying more money then they have to. If I get a slip saying I can not deduct a full amount of gas receipts on my business because technically the gas is also used for personal use, then send me a letter saying I can only report 80% or something likewise...dont bring me to jail because I did not quite know you could only declare a percentage.
They are trying to say he meant to avoid paying taxes, but then so was I when I declared 100% and not 80% of my gas receipts! This is a government that stone walls other investigations which could impact this one, on purpose because they do not want to give a chance to the defendant to have the upper hand. I am talking about an unlawful seizure by the FBI and IRS and the defendants home without proper warrants prepared, yet that case which was started before this one, has yet to see the light of day, and should that case rule that the seizure was unwarranted, then it would be thrown out of court, yet you can not discuss another case that has yet to be tried, therefor, it was a tactic to stone wall that is now leaving the defendant without any options.
He payed his employees with gold, the employees could have refused and he would have paid them cash, or cheque, but they accepted....so who is really at fault...the employer, employee or the goverment for not seeing that one law presided over another?
The government sees this action as a possible sore point where people will end up paying less taxes and the value of gold keep climbing, which BTW we have no real mines left in the US, all te gold mines are off this continent, we would end up being again stuck with foreign policies dictating our current economy!
I am signing out, however I think about Obama going off to jail because he gave as a gift to someone, a friend or family member, some gold coins and was found guilty of fraud. Can a gift be taxed, I don't know ....luckily I live in Canada!!!
Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis.
Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel.
Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question “CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER?”
Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround. (Excerpt from main website)
Please visit the official website for more information: http://www.flowthefilm.com
Click the Fullscreen Button for a larger version.
http://politicalpete.com/forum/index.php
http://politicalpete.com/
A decade after safety concerns were first raised by experts, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted public hearings on Diacetyl – a chemical widely used to flavor microwave popcorn. The public comment period ended on April 21st.
Recent studies show laboratory mice made to inhale diacetyl vapors for just three months developed lymphocytic bronchiolitis.
Popcorn producers are not required to label Diacetyl separately, and may list it under a general heading on labels as a flavoring ingredient.
Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy Director David Michaels says: “This is an example of a potentially toxic substance receiving GRAS (generally recognized as safe) designation without undergoing adequate testing. It’s also an example of how our key public health agencies rely on chemical manufacturers themselves to provide critical health effects data. Whether food additives, pesticides, or industrial chemicals, the public's health and safety should not rely solely on industry affirmations.”
OSHA Closes Hearing For Diacetyl RulemakingOSHA intends the term ``diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl'' to encompass other constituents of food flavorings containing diacetyl. In addition to information on diacetyl, OSHA seeks information on acetoin, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, furfural, and other compounds present in food flavorings that may cause or contribute to flavoring-related lung disease. OSHA is also interested in and seeks information about diacetyl present in substances other than food flavorings (e.g., naturally occurring diacetyl or diacetyl in fragrances) as well as substitutes used in place of diacetyl (e.g., diacetyl trimer). The information received in response to this document will assist the Agency in developing a proposed standard addressing occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl. The Comment period ended April 21, 2009. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-1125.htm
OSHA Closes Hearing For Diacetyl Rulemaking
OSHA intends the term ``diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl'' to encompass other constituents of food flavorings containing diacetyl. In addition to information on diacetyl, OSHA seeks information on acetoin, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, furfural, and other compounds present in food flavorings that may cause or contribute to flavoring-related lung disease. OSHA is also interested in and seeks information about diacetyl present in substances other than food flavorings (e.g., naturally occurring diacetyl or diacetyl in fragrances) as well as substitutes used in place of diacetyl (e.g., diacetyl trimer). The information received in response to this document will assist the Agency in developing a proposed standard addressing occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl. The Comment period ended April 21, 2009. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-1125.htm
Despite lawsuit verdicts in the millions, finding in favor of microwave popcorn factory workers and against Diacetyl, neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the Consumer Product Safety Commission have investigated.
In 2000, OSHA conducted several studies that confirmed the link between occupational exposure the artificial butter flavoring Diacetyl and lung diseases.
In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Diacetyl investigation findings were distributed privately to the popcorn industry.
In 2006, two labor unions petitioned the OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard on Diacetyl to protect workers in the food and flavorings industries. More than 42 scientists and public health experts signed a letter supporting the petition.
In 2007, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WT) Chair HELP Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, wrote to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, and CDC Director Julie Gerberding. They also wrote to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, asking for an Emergency Temporary Standard to protect workers from Diacetyl – an action supported by unions and manufacturers. No action has been taken.
In 2008, by a vote of 260 to 154, the US House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2693, the Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act. The vote demonstrates the widespread recognition that OSHA failed to protect workers and Congress needed to act. To date, the Senate has not acted.
California
In 2008, our State Senate passed SB 456: Diacetyl Toxic Substance Ban, a bill that bans diacetyl, a vapor used in the production of microwave popcorn, pancake syrup, cakes, candies, frozen foods, and other products that has been associated to lung illness. The bill currently sits in the Health Committee.
Similarly, scientists and consumer groups point to a much larger health problem posed by unlabeled genetically modified organisms, also permitted by the FDA to enter the food supply under the GRAS designation several years ago.
The OSHA contact for this Emergency Temporary Standard rulemaking (numbered RIN 1218-AC33) is Dorothy Dougherty, director of the Directorate of Standards and Guidance (202-693-1950, dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov).
Reader Note: Andrew Schneider, a two-time Pulitzer prize winning journalist broke this story several years ago. I recommend reading his reports for additional information.
Poenau
How do you deter an enemy who is willing to kill himself in order to kill you? You strike at something more important to him than his own life. Defining that will be easy for me. The next question is can America be as ruthless as our enemies?
The time has come to end the fruitless and unsustainable effort to search and destroy every cave in Afghanistan and bomb every campground in bordering Pakistan. It’s counterproductive anyway.
What will put the fear of America into terrorist masterminds and those who would follow their orders is simple and radical revenge. Masterminds have families: Cousins, brothers and fathers. Eliminate them. All at once, or one at a time, it works just as well. The ones who survive an initial “hunt” will go into hiding. Having some adult male relatives killed and the rest hiding out in caves will demoralize masterminds and their loved ones. You cannot work and support your women like that. You can’t make more baby masterminds that way. You cannot continue the blood line. The women and children will pressure them to stop their plotting and bombing.
People want to leave a familial legacy, and they can’t do that under those circumstances over the long term.
Should America do that? Yes. Do we have the “intestinal fortitude” and sustainable motivation? I don’t think so. But we should, and it shouldn’t take another terrorist attack to get us there.
For the last seven years the CIA has been kidnapping people from other nations and torturing them. Why not just go in there and quietly shoot them to death?
Frankly, by not killing women or children the way those terrorists routinely do, we can even claim the moral high ground.
Recent studies have shown that the PSA test is unreliable. The doctors now tell us that there is little to be done except doing a biopsy. I get one Wednesday.
The death rates from prostate cancer are the same as those from breast cancer, yet the government spends $700 for breast cancer research, for every $1 on prostate cancer.
Men's Health Network
Women Against Prostate Cancer (WAPC)
We need to give credit where credit is deserved: NAME this economic crisis after the man most responsible for it's creation.
$10 trillion deficit is what we had at the end of the Bush administration. In eight years, Bush more than DOUBLED all the indebtedness America had accrued in more than 200 years.
This is more than a talking point, this is a necessary reminder that should be made every day, so that the notoriously SHORT memories of Americans shall be stimulated on a regular basis.
..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
How to explain to Americans what it means to build a new and different future, not just a patched up version of the current mess we're in....
"The Stimulus Plan is too expensive...' says Governor Jindal....
Fine. But let's look at ONE government program that started out as a secret, narrow application of technology, and has now become ubiquitous in American society....
GPS
(read the FoxNews.com report for a brief history of GPS rollout....)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,499464,00.html
How many hundreds of millions, or billions went into developing this system for the exclusive use of the military? Was it expensive and narrowly focused on goals for a select few? Yes, definitely! Could the private sector have gotten this off the ground without the government leading the way..... not a chance...
And what about ARPA-net, back in the 1960's.... Did the business community have the wherewithal and resources to wire the country with the basic infrastructure that slowly (but surely) grew into the Internet of the late 1990's? Not a chance...
As PRESIDENT OBAMA so eloquently points out, government's job is not to get bigger, but to make America DO better. Businesses are in business to make money, not make infrastructure. If the robber barons of the 19th century had their way, none of the railroads would have used compatible equipment, tracks or technologies. Shipping rates and practices were ungoverned and set by whim, not market forces. Think of the PC industry in the 1980's and 90's, a different standard for almost every technology offering - all fostered by business interests with "narrow" goals and objectives..... and look what happened to most of them.
Only the federal government can manage and regulate a national policy to benefit of all.
TELL ME...what are you doing?
I pay my bills...paid off my house and can not sell it...moved because my x-spouse took our child to another state...was not made to bring him back after two years of lawyers, judges and court systems (even though the state had laws against and prohibiting children being moved out of their state)...I had to move to be closer, involved and remain to be an active parent for my child and our society benefiting from this action...faced with having to use some of my retirement/401k funds and pay taxes and penalties because I am not yet 59 and 1/2 years of age...will be penalized for paying off my car…will be penalized for paying off my house...will be penalized now for the actions of needing money to pay bills and do what citizens are supposed to do, but can't sell my house in this tough economy (loose money) and having to sell stocks/investments (loose money) because there is no plan for me, no bailout for me, no help for me...
you have PAID the RICH...PAID the RICHER...PAID the RICHEST
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY DOING...
what did you do...
what will you do...
what do you do?
CALL ME if you really care...I will give you the full story, painful details, hardships and sacrifices I have had to make...
the question is real...the question is important...the question must be answered...
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Many here got very good point of public school system not being challanged enough and government becoming "monopolist" in this matter.
Well, as educated overseas person I can point at many ups and downs; generally American education system has opinion of being far behind worldwide standards.
What I see the most challenging is the fact of public schools becoming socializing "pot" with all the cultural conflicts involved, instead of paying more attention to quality of knowledge delivery. Upbringing in most of families don't expose a young person to values and moral choices. Only financial stability seems to be imperative. There is weak communication between family and school officials. With this approach teachers/instructors/educators have mission impossible to be accomplished. I've witnessed myself arogance and total disrespect of many 3,4,5 graders, who simply refuse to improve their lifestyle.
This is a huge factor how the class in handled every day. Separately from it, there is a meritoric part. As European In 2 grade I had to have a geographic general knowledge of the whole world, in 4th I was familiar with not just European or Asian history, but also American one. High school usually introduces everyone to detailed aspect of the ones mentioned above. College level expects students to have wide and detailed knowledge together in general and expertise area.
Every school system has different demands depending how culturaly diversified the country is and this can be considered as very tricky in country like US. First of all, it is a melting pot of different and many times, far apart from each other, cultures. Idea of nationalized versus solely state based educational system is a second concern. Small countries usually don't have problem with establishing scheme, USA is a land of divisions and many differences.
What I see as a shame is bringing people to this country with extensive knowledge and well-rounded individuals who don't get enough credits for their professional past. These are the ones who can bring a lot to the table by educating and coaching others -instead American institutions waste lots of time by sending this 'ready force' back to schools. Reason: no adaptation to US system, although better quality education of foreign candidates....
This needs to change if country full of opportunities like America needs to sustain its existence, according to one's words "country without history and well educated nation is doomed to collapse"
I am a 31 year old student, full-time worker and gay. I cannot seem to make ends meet most months especially when mishaps take place. I am working hard for a degree that will allow me to serve my country to the best of my ability. However, my country does not seem to care about me.
I voted for Obama/ Biden in hopes for change. All I have seen are the same ole Washington cronies being announced to fill cabinet places. I have watched this ticket vote for a stimulus plan that would have worked better if the money would have been invested into the infrastructure of this country to create more jobs. This ticket simply gave a man a fish to eat for a day instead of teaching the man to fish so he could eat for a lifetime.
I truly want change but in order to change, we have to implement it, not pretend we believe in it. I want to believe in this man, and I know he holds the weight of the world on his shoulders, but you cannot change Washington by implementing failed packages and politicians of the past.
I am a homosexual. According to my government I have no more rights than my cat or dog. I want that to change. I want a tax break, I want to claim head of household, because I am! I want to marry, and have legal rights to my partner. After All, someone fought extremely hard for this man of color to even be able to be nominated for president!
Senator Dodd went rogue and inserted some crazy stuff into the new law, so the President will need to be creative. Perhaps we are looking for HEROES to run our troubled banks. A lot of wealthy patriots have made great financial sacrifices to serve in the Obama Administration. Like-minded people who don’t want to go through the vetting process and insane pubic humiliation of being outed on every little tax related or other embarrassment can now serve their country without becoming federal employees but while still consenting to be paid wages not all that far above that.
THE BRIEFING ROOM • THE BLOG Thursday, February 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Apply for a job
We're happy to announce that the jobs application feature is now live on WhiteHouse.gov. The Jobs Application feature enables people everywhere to apply to be considered for a political appointment in President Obama's Administration. You can get to it by clicking on the "Jobs" link at the very bottom of each of the pages on WhiteHouse.gov. That link will take you to a page which tells you a little bit more about the application process, with a a button at the bottom marked, "Begin Application Form." That’s where you fill out your information, upload a resume, and tell us what kinds of positions you’re interested in. But a quick heads up – you have to complete the application in one session, and it’s going to take you about 15 minutes to do it. So before you start, you might want to print the Paper Application, gather up the information you’ll need, then sign back in. We’re looking to fill several thousand politically appointed positions in the Executive Branch. We’re already interviewing for many of the upper level positions, but will be reviewing applications and making decisions on appointments over the next few months. Remember, the WhiteHouse.gov jobs application is just for politically appointed positions in the Executive Branch of the government. These are positions that serve at the pleasure of the President and so are by definition temporary, not permanent. We have received more than 350,000 applications to date for several thousand positions; the selection process is very competitive and rigorous. For more information on these types of appointments, click on the Executive Branch link on the "Our Government" page of WhiteHouse.gov, or check out the Plum Book. (We also encourage you to look at the many thousands of permanent career positions with the government. Go to USAJobs.gov for more information and to fill out an application.) If you already submitted an application to Change.gov, you don’t need to submit a new one. All applications from Change.gov have been brought into the White House applicant database and are currently being used to search for candidates. A number of people have asked whether they can update an application. If you want to modify an application you submitted to Change.gov or WhiteHouse.gov, you will need to submit a brand new application to WhiteHouse.gov. The security requirements of the White House technology environment will not permit applicants to retrieve and modify already-submitted applications. If you have skills and a desire for public service, check out the WhiteHouse.gov jobs pageUSAJobs.gov (career positions) and tell us about yourself.
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