Immanual Kant was a philosopher who lived during the 1600's in a place called Konigsburg, Germany. He lived his entire life of eighty years in the same home, only traveling to lecture daily at the university after getting his degrees there. Why do I mention this rather myopic gentleman of old, who lacked anything near what anyone might consider significant enough life experience to discuss how life is lived on this planet? I mention him because often genius transcends normal logic and process. Kant proposed many things about life and remains discussed and considered seriously to this day for almost all of them. The one thing I bring up here is the one about the substantial difference between the phenomenal world and the 'real' world. I taught about his ideas back in anthro, when I was a professor, and well before those brothers got together and used this theory to frame a movie called 'The Matrix.'
The real world is the world that encounters us all the time but is so harsh and ugly that we convert it into a place that is more livable. The ability of human beings to perform this operation is probably the one single thing that distinguishes us from all other animals on the planet. I used to use simple examples, with my students, to illustrate the difference between these two places. For example; the phenomenal world is the one inside of our houses. The wall board, wall paper, paint, rugs, etc. are there to not only provide shelter from the real world outside but to transport us to a more ambient and esthetic place. Right behind the wall board is all the detritus of construction plus mouse droppings and dead insect larva. We don't see it and we make believe these things are not there. Outside it is snowing and blowing hard, but inside it is toasty aqnd warm while we talk on the phone to someone on the other side of the planet. We don't even have a clue as to how our voice gets to that place or how that person's voice gets back to us. A physicist could explain it but we would not even understand his or her explanation. The real world as opposed to our made up one.
The same thing is true of our communication complex. We use 'phenomenal' elements to get through life comfortably, instead of speaking 'real' things. We tell people that we are fine, that we are happy, that we are successful, that they are attractive and not overweight at all. We say we have money and the future looks bright when we are just about broke with no seeming future at all. We use deception and phenomenal elements to stay alive and then live in any comfort with those around us.
While we do these things and say these things we deny that we are doing and saying them. We use deception because it promotes our survival potential and sometimes lessons the survival potential of those around us. We lie. All the time. And we always proclaim that we are telling the truth. That we are not a liar. And we suffer guilt over this. Not because other people believe our lies but because we know, in our heart of hearts, that we are lying all the time. And, because of this, we believe the lies of many others. It would, at first, seem illogical to believe the lies. But, you see, we are taught from birth that people should not lie, no matter what. Quite common today, in verbal expression in this society, is the saying "just tell me the truth. I don't care what you did or might have done." We are forced to project such a front of truth to the world that we buy into the belief system that is impressed upon us. It is a sin and terrible to lie. And in this teaching lies the rub. We believe the teaching, that lying is bad. But we lie. So, we end up believing that we are bad. And we attempt to believe that others we encounter are not lying. We are really the only one lying all the time. There are certain exceptions. This happens when someone around us is found to have lied about something, and the evidence is right there in front of everyone. We jump all over that person with righteous indignation. Our vengeance upon this 'liar' is harsh and our punishment even harsher. But, in truth, we take that attitude and extract that punishment to illustrate the fact, and enlarge upon it, that we are a truth-teller, compared to that wretch. We cover.
We see obvious lies on the television all the time now. The television has changed everything because it has exposed so much as lying and the products of lying. Slowly, ever so slowly, it is changing us by bringing out the fact that almost everything is a lie. Almost all spoken words are spoken to influence activity, to induce action by using verbal deception.
The hair resoration ads are all lies. Only Rogain has ever been known to work and it does not work very well.
The male enhancement ads are all lies. You are as big as you are ever going to be.
The male performance (sex) ads are mostly lies. The ones that do work do not work the way they claim they work and there is no loving, smiling, trusting woman at your side (as you get older) just hoping that you will be able to perform better in bed that night.
The political ads were mostly all lies, on both sides. McCain's were bigger but not better.
And on and on. The televisions producers even got a bill passed years ago that allowed for the lies. They are not responsible for any of the lying. The movie stars and other people in the ads and shows are not responsible either. Nobody is responsible. The phenomenal world is legalized and declared to be the real world.
And so we have our country's leaders. They are lying so badly that the obviousness is hitting us right in the pocketbook daily now. Each day is worse and it is not going to change for awhile. None of this mess was caused by bad investing or bundling or any of that. Hedge funds and Derivatives are lying machines of big money. It has all been about baffling us with the phenomenal while they held off reality. Now reality is creeping toward us. We need to understand that we have been lied to and then act. We must first understand the real world before we can use our phenomenal powers to make it more livable and comfortable. The President, the Congress, and even the Supreme Court all work at the 'pleasure of the American People.'
They can all be impeached and thrown out. And they can all be prosecuted. And all of them, and their 'private' supporters, contractors and executives, can be hounded for the money they have stolen from all of us. If we only understand that the phenomenal world is one which we created and the real one is the one that God gave us the ability to change and control. But first, before we do any of that or understand anything at all, we must look at things and then distinguish what is 'phenomenal' and what is 'real.'
When intelligent Libertarians examine Barack Obama they see his high intelligence and intellect as an asset for rational thinking. Combined this with his background as a civil rights lawyer and constitutional law professor who's favorable to voluntary, free community organization, and who as a Senator, took a daring stand against the Iraq War -- it becomes easy to see that Barack Obama is more "libertarian" than not.
A general definition of a libertarian is: "A libertarian is a person who upholds the principles of individual liberty, smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom."
Barack Obama's background favors many principles held by libertarians and Libertarian Party members.
Obama has the "libertarian" advantage over McCain (or Bob Barr for that matter):
-OBAMA Upholds the principals of individual liberty:
Advantage, Obama. For libertarians, Obama's heart seems to be in the right place overall.Here are some of the principals of individual liberty which Obama supports and John McCain does NOT:
-OBAMA Wants smaller government:
Advantage, Obama. Obama's favorable to withdrawl and ending the Iraq [war] occupation saving taxpayers $100 billion+ in war spending. McCain talks a good game on against earmarks and other wasteful spending. But, as Bleeding Heartland points out, the cost of earmarks in 2007 was about $17 billion. The cost of the Iraq war, which McCain wants to both continue and expand, is about $165 billion. And earmarks don't breed new government programs that destroy our civil liberties.-OBAMA Supports lower taxes:
Advantage, Obama wants to lower taxes for MORE people (about 90-95% of taxpayers) that is everyone making less than $200,000 but raise taxes for those making over $250,000. McCain wants to lower taxes for the rich, and lower them less than Obama for the middle class. A hybrid plan would be nice, but unless you are in the "millonaire bracket" Obama's tax plan favors more people overall than McCain and one of McCain's top advisers recently said that, if elected, McCain plans to raise taxes too. (Historical Reminder: Republican George Bush Sr. said, "Read my Lips - No New Taxes" but eventually raised taxes after he was elected.)-OBAMA Wants more personal freedom:
Advantage, Obama. Only one major candidate is pro-choice, against a ban on flag burning and wants to soften drug laws and reduce the use of mandatory minimum sentences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c
Whew, what a week. Every American man, woman and child suddently got handed a $2,333 bill for the bailout of WallStreet. Don't believe me? You do the math. Divide the estimated $700B needed to buy up all the bad mortgage debt and divide it by the total population of the United States (~300M). This debt is in addition to the already $9.6 TRILLION of debt. The United States of America is a nation maxing out our credit cards. THIS MUST STOP!We need to restore our nation to one that produces more than it consumes. We need to increase and retain our nation's wealth versus exporting it to nations around the world. We need to employ more of our citizens to build what the world needs. We need to be energy independent selling the world our technology enabling them to be energy independent. We need to provide every American with affordable health care which is second to none and selling these medical advances to other nations. We need to reinvigorate our education system insuring that our children are being taught what they need in the new economy not just studying to take a test.I know that this all seems very overwhelming but "The journey of a 1000 miles begins with one step" - chinese proverb. We must all take the first step by getting involved. NO ONE is going to do this for us. We must elect politicians who are committed to REAL change. Change that will put us back on the road to financial prosperity and security.
Being Mr. Nice Guy is a form of violence to yourself and others, and an escape from a fully lived life. It takes you on a journey from the false choice of being either a depressed doormat, or an aggressive bully, to an effective, enlightened assertion of yourself.
Golda Meir once said: "Quit being so humble; you're not that great."
All above taken from Don't Be Real, Be Nice - Author Kelly Bryson, APC Books www.languageofcomassion.com
Does persuasion and being nice be the same thing? I think not! Stop worrying about being so nice. Take inventory of your needs. Ask for them. Ask your friends and family to vote for Barack, for you.
71 Days to Go!
Even though it may not look like it or feel like it, you are making progress.
Continue working towards progress instead of perfection.
Nothing or no no one is perfect.
Just keep taking steps.
Keep making those phone calls.
Continue following your plan.
Remain focused on your goal.
Do what you have to do right now to get to the next level.
Complete every task.
Keep every promise and commitment.
Don't look back.
Let no one weaken your walk of faith and determination.
Remain teachable.
Place yourself in a blessing position by associating with people on-the-grow.
Talk with teachers.
Walk with winners.
Climb with champions.
Study successful people.
Something great is about to happen for you!
Start giving thanks right now before you can even see the outward manisfestation of your prayers and desires.
Everything you do from this day forward will take you further away or closer to your potential for successful living.
-by Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor, Motivational Speaker & Author
This was an interesting article and even more interesting responses. I must say that I favor a few comments from the link. I will post them here. What do you think? And how do you feel? Why don't we see more mistakes McCain makes on television? Why are they not reporting his flaws?
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/obama_campaign_hits_mccain_ira.php
Some of my favorite comments from the above link...
A press release won't do. Voters aren't reporters. They need a response ad.
Here's my suggestion:
1. "John McCain thinks he can mislead you with dishonorable attacks while Barack Obama is away meeting with America's allies." 2. "What John McCain isn't telling you is that he has repeatedly voted against funding for our soldiers and veterans. He even voted against the new GI Bill that would help our brave men and women train for new jobs."3. "And while Obama was attending full committee hearings on the war in Afghanistan, John McCain skipped every single one of his hearings to campaign for president."4. "After eight years of dishonesty, it's time for some real straight talk. Barack Obama has a plan to work together with our commanders on the ground to get our troops home by 2010. He's leading the way forward on Afghanistan, believing we need to end the distractions and take the fight to Al Qaeda's own backyard."5. "John McCain only wants to continue with the policies of George W. Bush. Is it any wonder why he doesn't want to tell it straight?"[cue footage of McCain and Bush hugging]
2. "What John McCain isn't telling you is that he has repeatedly voted against funding for our soldiers and veterans. He even voted against the new GI Bill that would help our brave men and women train for new jobs."
3. "And while Obama was attending full committee hearings on the war in Afghanistan, John McCain skipped every single one of his hearings to campaign for president."
4. "After eight years of dishonesty, it's time for some real straight talk. Barack Obama has a plan to work together with our commanders on the ground to get our troops home by 2010. He's leading the way forward on Afghanistan, believing we need to end the distractions and take the fight to Al Qaeda's own backyard."
5. "John McCain only wants to continue with the policies of George W. Bush. Is it any wonder why he doesn't want to tell it straight?"[cue footage of McCain and Bush hugging]
The corresponding points:1) McCain is dishonorable, a mis-leader, maybe even cowardly.2) McCain is a hypocrite, doesn't care about veterans and he doesn't think about the economy they're returning to.3) McCain is a hypocrite and blindly ambitious, while Obama is responsible and engaged.4) Obama is the real straight-talker, he's got plans and wants to kick bin Laden's ass.5) McCain isn't honest, he wants to be just like Bush, he doesn't talk straight, he might even be a little fruity for him.
If I had his job, I'd do a point-by-point takedown of the ad.1. Barack Obama has attended multiple Foreign Relations Committee hearings on Afganistan, while John McCain was absent for every single one.2. He was in Iraq 2 years ago.3. John McCain also voted against funding when it was attached to a timetable for withdrawal.4. Obama's consistent, unflinching position: "1-2 brigades per month, 16 months."5. John McCain voted against funding our veterans medical care. He also opposed the new GI bill and failed to even show up to vote on it.
Can't wait for the Obama attack ads which will use "social security is a disgrace" and America is a "nation of whiners" and we are in a "mental recession".
I actually don't think that that McCain attack ad is that good. It definitely could have been far worse. I actually think that it is a little wimpy.
How to communicate to someone supporting Hillary (passively supporting her) the difference between a president who is a "fighter" and one who is a "leader"...???...and last night, speaking with LisaC from It's the Arts Stupid, she said if she had one word to describe Barack she would call him a "healer"...
If you've got a clear vision of "Barack in One Word" I would like to record it and podcast it. You can call one of my voicemails and leave your statement. Don't just call and leave one word, but give your One Word and then please explain.
Call 415-723-3339 to leave a 1-2 minute statement. Call 206-666-5910 if the other line is busy or if you need to talk a bit more. The 206 voicemail has a welcome message for another project, but it's me and I will get your voicemail.
[What follows are talking points for Barack in support of FOCUS '08. If you want a prettier hard-copy, please feel free to write to me at the e-mail addesss at the end.]
The proposition - FOCUS '08:
“Every man, woman and child in the United States should have access to adequate food, clothing, housing and healthcare."
The Rationale
No politician likes to be told upon whom they need to focus their attention, and how. It betrays weakness. I’m assuming you’re [Barack] as different as you say.
The demographic battleground in this election may well be the white working male – the ‘once upon a time’ Reagan Democrats. Reagan lured them with an appeal to their pride and patriotism. You need to appeal to the same pride, but to a different sense of duty.
Many are today scared of losing what they have. Of joining the millions of already working poor. They fear losing their jobs, their homes, but most of all their dignity. And there is the rub.
As much as they worry about rising food and gas prices, they are too proud to ask for help; to be considered part of any grand plan for the poor. So, you can’t openly offer them a helping hand.
Instead, you should ask of them that they be the ones to offer the helping hand to those of their neighbors who are already working poor. This gives them the opportunity to be selfless. Yet, see that there is a safety net for them too, if they should falter.
Whereas Bush takes their fear, and turns it into anger and envy and revenge, you allow them to be truly courageous, and change that fear into a determination to help themselves and their neighbors.
I call it A New FOCUS.
When you come to North Carolina, you are not going to be able to avoid the subject of poverty – not in John Edward’s backyard. FOCUS offers you a way of addressing the fears of working people, without telling them what they already know – they might be about to join the ranks of the working poor.
What follows is not so much a speech, as a series of possible talking points, to flesh out these preliminary thoughts.
“A New FOCUS”: Taking Care of America’s Family Values
1) A Safe and Strong America
I [that would be you, Barack] want a safe and strong America.
I don’t mean one like the Republicans want.
I want an America where every man, woman and child feels safe.
There are a lot of scared people in our country at the moment.
Scared of losing their job or their home. Scared of not being able to feed their children because of rising food prices. Or buy gas. Or put their clothes on their children’s backs, and pay to keep them healthy and strong.
There are millions of our friends and neighbors who already live in that nightmare. Working families who struggle every day with dignity and grace, but still fail to make ends meet.
You may be one of those brave folk. Or you may know of one. Or more. Indeed, and perhaps more to the point, you may be scared that you will be next.
This is not good enough. Our citizens. You. Your friends, your neighbors. Our servicemen fighting bravely abroad. Their families who remain at home. Our firefighters. Our teachers. Our friends who keep the lights on, the water running, and serve us at the gas station and the convenience store. All of us, we deserve better than this.
We all deserve the right to feel safe. To feel secure. To know that there is an adequate safety net if we should stumble for a moment.
And we politicians need to find the strength and willpower in ourselves to help you help yourselves and your friends and neighbors.
And it’s not just down to we politicians.
You know the hardest thing is to ask for help. To have the strength to ask for help. To have the inner courage to set aside false pride, and admit to oneself that one needs help. To have the courage to ask for it – so as to keep you and your family safe.
Now, I know a thing or two about asking for help. Some xxxxxxxx million of you have responded generously to my request for help with this peoples’ campaign of ours to make change a reality for all working Americans.
That takes almost as much strength – the willingness to respond. When you are facing difficulties of your own. To set those to one side. Recognize that there may be those of your friends or neighbors whose need for a helping hand is greater. That takes generosity of spirit, and true strength.
Helping them, without the need for them having to ask; without the need for a government program; or a political slogan. Just helping because it’s the decent thing to do. That takes real strength.
And here I don’t mean strength like some do. I don’t mean taking fear, and turning it into anger, and calling it patriotism. I don’t mean taking frustration, turning it into envy, and calling it duty. I mean real strength.
Real men don’t get angry. They get busy. They don’t find easy targets to attack. They do the truly difficult thing. The selfless thing. The less glamorous thing. They stay at home, and take care of business.
They take care of their families. And then they take care of their neighborhoods. And then they help to take care of the less fortunate around the country. That’s what real men do.
Now, our country can help. We politicians can help.
We can find the strength to speak the truth, to take bold action and to hold out a helping hand – not a handout; a helping hand. Offer all working folk, not a tax break – just a decent break.
The working people of America – ordinary folk, like you and me – we are proud.
We want to be able to look after our own.
We won’t beg. And we shouldn’t be made to.
I can’t promise to fix all the problems that are causing so much pain and fear today. Although I will address them if you give me the chance.
But I can pledge to you today that my Administration will live by the proposition that every man, woman and child in the United States should feel safe.
It’s central theme is that every man, woman and child in the United States of America will have access to adequate food, clothing, housing and healthcare.
2) What is Too Much to Ask?
Let me begin by telling you how I [that would be me, Geoff] came to FOCUS.
For two years, I lived with a working girl, let’s call her Toni, and her three children, who were 8, 5 and 2 years old.
We lived in Seneca, South Carolina, ironically the birthplace of John Edwards. Toni’s parents still live near Charlotte, North Carolina.
Toni lived every day in a cocktail of emotional and physical pain. Her husband of 10 years left her after promising that once he had finished college he would stay at home and look after the kids while she completed her degree in computing.
Never happened. Instead, two weeks after her third child was born, her husband upped and left her and the kids. He then spent 5 years trying to take the children away from her.
Toni went back to work, as the manager of a video department in her local supermarket. Her body had a chemical reaction to child-bearing that left her in so much pain that there would be days when I would find her hunched over on the floor of her department, labeling videos, the tears running down her face.
But Toni never, ever gave up.
She bore the pain. She fought for her kids. And won. She struggled at work. Against supervisors for whom disability and family commitment were one-line jokes, not rights guaranteed by American law.
I wondered so many times why she never gave up. If there would ever be a moment when she thought that this was all too much to ask.
And then, on a quiet Saturday evening, I’d peek in and see her singing gently to her 2-year old, as she washed him in the bathtub. I’d laugh as she yelled at the other two to stop fighting in the front room.
And I realized, with stunning clarity, that nothing would ever be too much to ask of this working parent. Everything was worth the struggle, if it meant that she had these few moments each week with her children.
So, what is too much to ask of each of us?
Toni is the strongest and bravest person I know. Braver than me. I didn’t have the strength to stay with her. That honor resides with her new husband, who works 2 to 3 jobs to try to help Toni make ends meet.
Toni is too brave, too proud to ask for her help. But I’ll ask for her. And for the millions of other working families who struggle with pride to make the world safe for their kids.
What is too much to ask? What is too much to ask to keep Toni and her husband and children, and every man, woman and child in America, safe and secure? Free from fear?
Of course, the naysayers will jump up and down and declaim that this will cost money.
Let’s be honest. Of course it will cost money.
If anyone out there knows of a way to guarantee that each of our citizens has the basic necessities of life without it costing money then I [Barack] will guarantee that person a job in my new Administration.
Ideological rants from talk show hosts won’t put clothes on backs, food in bellies, stop foreclosures or bring down the cost of gas.
Only money will do that.
And public money – your money. I will never forget that each and every dollar that government spends is a dollar that has come out of your pocket, the product of your daily sweat.
Your tax dollars have to lead the way.
Do you know that an increase in tax of 1% across the board – that is, 1% on every tax, from income tax, to corporation tax, to capital gains tax – 1% would raise some $200 billion a year.
$200 billion that we could use to begin the job of offering a helping hand to Toni, and all the working people like her, who currently live in fear in this, the richest country the world has ever known.
Is 1% really too much to ask to keep working families safe? Our friends’ families? Our neighbors’ families?
We can find the money to rebuild a country half a world away. Are we really saying that we can’t find the money to rebuild our own country?
Is this really too much to ask?
There are those who will claim that this is all 'their' fault. As if working families caused the housing crisis. As if working families caused jobs to move overseas. As if working families caused gas and food prices to rise. The Social Security fund to fall. The dollar to collapse.
C’mon. Government did this. And government has to lead the way in finding the answer. We can not and we will not pass the buck.
And anyway, enough of this finger-pointing and blame. I’m so tired of being told there’s only so much we can do – when ‘so much’ is so often just not enough; just too little.
We are a people of boundless generosity and unlimited vision and possibility. We overflow with optimism and hope. We have allowed ourselves for too long to be sold a bill of goods. We have for too long bought into the message of despair and pessimism.
I’m tired of a government that tells us it’s ok to have an economic policy based on greed; a social policy based on envy; and a foreign policy based on hatred and revenge.
Other politicians may tell you that we can be better. I say that we are better, right now [oops, back to being you, Barack, again!].
In my travels around America I have seen only warmth and generosity and hope towards all the people of this land.
I don’t think there is one caring American who would say that this is too much to ask.
3) What has Happened to Honor?
My [Geoff’s] Aunt in Grand Rapids, Michigan just died at the age of 84, after a 26-year battle with breast cancer.
Every day of her life, she was a practicing liberal, Democratic, Catholic. But ‘liberal’ in the old tradition. Before the Republicans made it a cuss word.
‘Liberal’ in the sense that she was brought up to believe that you cared and you gave back, without needing a political slogan or a government program to prod you. She gave because it was the decent thing to do.
What has happened to that sense of decency? That sense of duty and honor? When you do something because it is right; not because it brings you material reward or political kudos?
When we didn’t allow a bigot or a talking head to convince us that it’s all too much to ask, or that everything is doom and gloom?
We seem to have forgotten words like: honor, loyalty, responsibility.
We do terrible things, because we can, and because we can get away with them. Where is the self-control? Where is the little voice inside each of us saying, this is just plain wrong? There is a better way. It’s not too much to ask.
We do things to gain an advantage. For profit. For personal gain. For political gain.
So, we lie, we spin, we torture, we break our own rules. For that extra advantage. And we convince ourselves that’s it’s ok. Because of that extra advantage.
We do it for today. And we let tomorrow take care of itself. Without realizing that we have mortgaged all the financial 'tomorrows' of our kids and their kids. And we have held their consciences to ransom.
Yet, when that 'tomorrow' finally comes, we feel bad about ourselves. And we’ve been feeling bad about ourselves for a long time.
It’s time to start doing the right things. Just because they are the right things to do.
It’s time to start feeling good about ourselves. It’s time to cast away the doom merchants and say, it’s not too much to ask.
We see a friend or a neighbor in pain – someone like Toni – but we don’t help. We are still tempted to listen to the mean voice that says, ‘this is all pennies out of your pocket.’
It’s time to stop listening to that voice, and to start again to listen to the voice of our conscience – the voice of my Aunt – speaking, the voice that says, ‘it’s not too much to ask.’
To all those sensible voices that talk of ‘ the common good’ and ‘social responsibility.’
We have become a country of division and exclusion. When we are, in fact, a people that naturally includes.
That is the basis on which this great country was founded. That we welcome the poor and the huddled masses from other countries, and we include them in our society.
Let’s be no less inclusive of those who already live in our country.
No-one should be left behind. Not one man, woman or child. There should be a safe home for everyone in our country. We deserve no less.
It’s not a question of whether it’s too much to ask. The question is how much is too little to deliver.
It’s not so much that we need change, as we need a return to America’s true values.
Values based on social conscience and selfless good works.
Warmth and generosity that flow from the American heart, and the wisdom and intelligence of its working people.
Good deeds that are undertaken by good people – with a little helping hand from our tax dollars. Because it's not too much to ask.
4) Where are the Real Men?
[FOCUS arose out of a series of programs we did on our local community radio (WCOM 103.5FM Carrboro/Chapel Hill), following the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina, in 2005. One of the questions posed to me was, how do you sell FOCUS to working stiffs who think it’s ok to vote Republican because George Bush is a ‘real man’ who straps on his boots and brings the oil home? This was my response. Like most of what I offer, it’s blunt.]
FOCUS: How to sell it
To whom are we selling “A New Reality” and FOCUS? First, to Merlot Democrats, who need to re-learn three things:
· The Democratic Party is supposed to represent the interest of ordinary Americans, who, more and more, are also America’s working poor.
· America’s working poor do not always want the same things that enlightened and educated 'Merlot' Democrats think they should want.
· The Democratic Party should, once again, become a Party of listeners.
Once that hurdle is negotiated, we need to focus our attention on winning back NASCAR Democrats, who are the working backbone of America – they keep the shop running.
My view is that you sell “A New Reality” and FOCUS both as tough love and as the ‘Real Deal.’
Bush Democrats think real men, real heroes go down to the VFW on a Friday night, down a few beers, and sing along with Toby Keith as he knocks the stuffing out of a few Arabs.
A ‘real’ Democrat would stand up and say that real men, real heroes stay home on a Friday night and take care of business.
They don’t steal their wife’s rent money, or skip out on child support. They take care of business. They buy the food. They help around the house. They give their hard-working wives a break.
They offer a helping hand to the guy down the street who’s fallen on hard times. They help the neighborhood, by looking after the environment. They take responsibility for their lives, their families, their neighborhood and their country.
The Marine motto is that no-one is ever left behind. Bush stole it for his education program. Democrats should take it back, and make it their war-cry for 2008 – in a Democratic America, no-one will be left behind. FOCUS should be the first shot in that battle.
It is being reported that 2005 will see the single largest leap in State revenues from tax since 1990 – some 7.2%. Already, Governors are talking tax cuts. This is nonsense.
1990 was the herald of the coming economic expansion. If we are about to undergo another economic growth period, then Democrats need to develop sufficient guts to say: enough of cuts; we will use that extra revenue to ‘invest’ in people in America.
That was the message that Tony Blair used in Great Britain to overturn 18 years of tax-cutting Conservatives. He had to promise that there would never be any tax increases, but that spending cuts and increasing tax revenues would be used to invest in people.
I think Democrats should take the Robert Kennedy approach, and go one further. They should say, irrespective of any increase in tax revenues, they would increase the rate of taxation, on both individuals and corporations, across the board, by 1% a year, for the four years of a Presidential administration.
America’s working poor, NASCAR Democrats do not want a tax break; they just want a decent break. They don’t want a hand-out; they merely ask for a helping hand. It’s not too much too ask.
We are the richest country the world has ever known. We have also regularly proven ourselves to be the most generous nation the world has ever known. If ever there was a time to rise, once again, to that challenge, it is now.
America’s people deserve more than an economic policy based on greed, a social policy based on hatred, and a foreign policy based on revenge.
It is time for the government to take care of its real business; for corporations to take care of real people; and for the people to take care of their real responsibilities.
That’s how you sell “A New Reality.” That’s how you sell FOCUS.
One final point: Rahm Emmanuel, the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has predicted that it is highly unlikely that Democrats will regain control of Congress any time soon. There are simply not enough marginal Republican seats ups for grabs.
Change will come, therefore, only with a change in the White House. And Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain are looking more formidable than anything the Democrats have to offer – at least with their existing message.
[Oops. Remember, this was written in 2005. Mind you, I didn’t do too badly on the John McCain prediction!]
These ideas flow from my thoughts on FOCUS On Poverty 2008. But you can’t enroll working people into the concept by scaring them with the specter of their own possibly impending poverty. Instead, better to appeal to their sense of duty and honor. Hence, the morph into ‘A New FOCUS’.
You can find more at:
www.focusonpoverty.blogspot.com
www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/483881699 (to sign the Petition)
http://197491.spreadshirt.com (for the stylish T-shirts!)
And you can contact me at: 200 Barnes Street, Apt. B-18Carrboro, North Carolina 27510 (919)923-0096
geoffgilson@hotmail.com
http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Show/audio/5268
about why she is doing Interview4Obama...what she hopes to accomplish...and what happens when women talk in-depth and in real voice time...
As of today, Real Clear Politics (RCP) is reporting the popular vote estimates in the four caucus states that have not released the actual voter breakdowns from the original caucuses.
Iowa, Nevada, Washington and Maine release total voter counts for their caucuses (or close estimates), but do not release what each candidate receives, just percentages of delegates chosen and/or hard caucus delegate counts.
I've been in email contact for about 1 week with the folks at RCP about trying to show a more accurate computation of the popular votes for Obama and Clinton (since Clinton is thinking about using an argument for Popular Vote to sway Super Delegates if she can get a win in PA and if she would win in a revote in Michigan and Florida primaries).
And now, today, RCP has published on their site their estimates!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_vote_count.html
Including these estimates - it now givs Obama an 813,747 lead over Clinton in the popular vote.
YES WE CAN!
Barack Obama is real and for real! We need a person in office who cares about people, little people like you and I. When Obama speaks, he is speaking to you and I, to the people. He is not speaking to big money, big investors, he is speaking to you and I and he is real.
It may seem like there is plenty of time, that we don't have to spread the word now, it can wait. But it can't wait! The time is now! Tell the people you know about Obama, email friends, family, aquaintances! Do it today! Don't wait!
We need this change for you and I. We need this change for our children and our grandchildren!
We need Obama!
Thank you to the Biography Channel for re-showing the episode of "Life and Times", the subject was Barack Obama...the human being...Barack Obama...the community organizer...Barack Obama...the politician...Barack Obama...the family man...Barack Obama...the complete package. Thank you to Towers Productions for creating and editing a moving audio/visual presentation which introduced a person, Barack Obama and allowed people within his personal and professional life to offer perspective on his and our motivations in the pursuit of re-building the nation. The 44 minutes long television show helped me to understand his quest. I appreciate the latitiude the editors offered in exhibiting chronological facts for the first 33 minutes of the show. Then for the transition from public servant in-the-community to public servant in the spotlight (hotseat) or exhibition, the voice-over narration showed how his formative years rings true in the call he issues to the public for working together mutually for the greater good. I appreciate that the producers of the TV show and ultimately the executives at A&E Network (and whatever corporate entity owns that media outlet) just listed the facts and did not attempt to sensationalize any particular negative / or / positive attribute or past experience. The mention of questionable recreational activites with substances during early college years in Los Angeles was granted a brief and mature perspective from years gone by...down the road...way back in the review mirror. I recognize Barack Obama as a human being and as with all humans...it is not my place to judge other people. But as an American citizen I have the right to vote. I also have the right to contribute financially, spiritually, morally and thru effort in the political cause of my choice within the laws of these United States of America.
The television show explained how candidate, Senator Barack Obama recognized the place of law in society and decided to pursue an excellent education in the law. The love of his wife for the true man is endearing and meaningful. The love of the man for his family is remarkable and true. The evidence is indisputable.
I encourage use of this TV episode of "Life and Times" that was produced in year 2005. I encourage readers to consider it as a reference work. Thank you to the many people who worked at Towers Productions on that show...about 40 people were listed in the credits.
Let's see if he's for real.
And, let's see how this blog platform works. Feels like it's built on WordPress to me. And I can post to the world or to any "group" I belong to.
