Sacrificial America

Many states are currently facing a tremendous budget shortfall. According to the Business Insider, California is in the midst of a $15 million dollar budget deficit. As it turns out, voters are not interested in either cutting services or increasing taxes. They are willing to cut pay to politicians, which I am totally on board with. Unfortunately, that is little more than symbolic. The heart of their budget shortage requires some sacrifices; sacrifices that Californians (and Americans on the whole) are unwilling to make.

We live in the midst of a entitlement society. Your friend and neighbor is entitled to anything and everything they feel they deserve; whether they truly have earned it or not. A flunky working at a cashier will purchase the same $10,000 electronics package as the self-sacrificing construction contractor. How is this possible? It's the credit revolution, idiot. Yes, the wide world of complex financial packages has generated a credit system that allows somebody to make a significant purchase on credit seemingly without consequence. Don't get me wrong, financial institutions deserve a large part of the blame here too, but consumers have bought SUVs, HDTVs, boats, kitchen renovations, and more using the credit. And now Congress has instituted a bill to protect consumers from credit; credit cards specifically. Perhaps protection is needed, but protection without consequence is absurd. The standard for credit issuance should be increased, and the liberalism with which credit cards are distributed should be curbed. But no, politicians have painstakingly stamped a bill that gives credit card holders an even longer leash.

The result of all this credit is one bubble after another; mesobubbles. As consumers default on credit, creditors lose money. As creditors lose money, financial markets tighten; the gorging rivers of pretend money disappear. Now, solid and real money is needed to finance projects, services, day to day business, etc. This money is not available, however. We have spent it looking for more pretend money. While Madoff works on his next Ponzi scheme, the bills start coming due. American infrastructure crumbles, and the money is not there. The American education system flails without support, and the money is not there. Prisons overflow with inmates, and the money is not there. Well, the solution is not another bailout. We are on the verge of a "bailout bubble" at this point (Why does China keep financing these bubbles?). Instead, the solution is another war. By declaring war on a ridiculously inferior country without thinking, we can distract the American constituency into supporting a cause. We will send prisoners from the overflowing prisons to fight this war for us. For instance, it seems reasonable to send a convicted heroin addict to the middle of an opiate field in Afghanastan. It is almost assured that the American public will make sacrifices to support this war, which will give everybody a warm, fuzzy feeling all over. American sacrifice; what a concept...

The country is going broke

Every day, the president and congress are throwing more and more money out the window. Money is going to corporations, special interest groups and congress' special projects.

At the same time people are losing their jobs and taking pay cuts. So there is less money being paid in as taxes.

Enough is enough already. Its time to let some companies fail and others take steps to improve their product, quality or service so that they can survive.

All the government is is doing is piling debt onto the next generation(s).

Let's Get Serious

The Democratic and Republican tickets have been finalized.  Now, we see vice presidential candidates.  Are these vice presidential candidates truly representative of America, or are they also political pundits merely along for the ride?  Does Sara Palin or Joe Biden have anything in common with Mrs. and Mr. American?

The Green Party made huge waves in a past presidential election.  Let's take a look at where they are now!  Cynthia McKinney is the Green Party candidate for president.  Cynthia is a former Democratic Representative from Georgia.  When nominated, McKinney declared, "I am asking you to vote your conscience, vote your dreams, vote your future, vote Green."  According to the Green Party website:

"Resolutely anti-war and anti-imperialist, firmly committed to defending individual liberties and determined to hold the outgoing president and vice president to account – as a member of the House in 2006, McKinney introduced the first articles of impeachment against President Bush – McKinney is an ardent advocate for national health care, expanded education spending and energy policies that emphasize mass transportation and conservation rather than rewarding oil-company profiteering."

The Green Party choice represents a strong anti-war platform, and they suggest that national security means no imperialism, stronger economic viability for the least wealthy Americans, and true equality for all American citizens.  The Green Party looks to make big changes in Environmental Policy.  Changes that would reverse the current approach that pits special interests against environmental sustainability.  It does not seem that McKinney would appoint somebody from the oil industry to lead the EPA.

Learn more about the Green Party choice for the 2008 presidential election:

http://votetruth08.com/

The Indendepents in Minnesota

One of the "bigger" and more well known of the small parties is the Independence Party. In Minnesota there is a rather nasty senate race going on between the Democrats and Republicans. Yet, another reason to look to the smaller parties and see that there are alternatives. The following individuals are seeking the Independence Party's endorsement in the Sept. 18th primary:

Stephen Williams (who received the IP endorsement)

Kurt Michael Anderson

Dean Barkley

Bill Dahn

Darryl Stanton

Jack Uldrich

Doug Williams

America has more than two choices!

Numerous other parties compete seemingly unnoticed. In 2008, the following parties will present presidential candidates:

Democratic Party
Republican Party
Libertarian Party (http://www.lp.org/)
Constitution Party (http://www.constitutionparty.com/)
Green Party (http://www.gp.org/)

Other parties that failed to gain enough support to offer a competitive presidential candidate include:

Independence Party (http://www.independencepartyofamerica.com/)
Moderate Party (www.modparty.net/)
Party for Socialism and Liberation (pslweb.org/)
Centrist Party (www.uscentrist.org/)
America First Party (www.americafirstparty.org/)
Modern Whig Party (www.whigs.us/)

And my favorite, the Marijuana Party (www.pot-party.com/marijuan.htm).

All kidding aside, why is this country dominated by two parties? I suspect that there are more than two perspectives in American politics and American society. While some parties may lack the organization or credentials to vie, the national press has nonetheless impotently neglected the messages of alternative parties.

It is time to begin an honest, open discussion in America. It is time for Americans to talk candidly. It is time for Americans to become desensitized, and for Americans to stop taking offense to harmless discussion. It is time for Americans to stop sacrificing realty for political correctness. It is time for America to grow up and act like a mature part of the world community. This requires coverage of all perspectives and all parties.

Politics As We See It

So the press is not quite "honest" with its coverage of politics. Do you hear much about the green party? No!!! We don't think that's fair. So here we go - we are starting this blog to show all viewpoints, good and bad.