In the 2000 election campaign season, a former Republican candidate said that he would "Bring Honor, and Integrity back to the White House." The people who voted for him, some conservatives who saw the opportunity to remove liberals from government although the Clinton Administration was one of the most conservative since Regan. Others, Evangelical Christians who saw the chance at removing the promiscuous philanderer, Bill, from influence.
Aren't we all happy about that?
George W. Bush's administration has been characterized by scandal, after scandal. To enumerate them:
The White House Press Corps. 'invaded' by an unofficial reporter, who with no journalistic background eluded security review and entered the white house as a reporter - Jeff Gannon, someone let him in the back door in more ways than one - any one ever heard of Jack Ruby?
Or how about Alberto Gonzalez, remember him, the former Attorney General of the United States who said that torture of persons in the face of the threat of terrorism is acceptable even in the case of citizens whether the person(s) are proven to be terrorists or not.
How about the fact that as the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the land he was charged with perjury in an official investigation of firings which were politically based prior to his resignation in September of 2007. He still has yet to answer the congressional inquiry into these charges.
And how about that Harriet Miers, someone without any proven judiciary experience, or background in the adjudication of law nominated by a president who valued loyalty over ability with a history they shared going back to his days of an unsuccessful run for a Texas representatives seat in 1972.
What about that Scooter Libby, who under the direction of the Vice President, Richard "Dick" Cheney leaked information to the press about a C.I.A. operative Valerie Plame, defeating her covert position as a Intelligence operative because her husband expressed critisizm of the Bush Administration. This occurred after Bush declared such actions an act of treason, and so does the constitution.
Or how about Karl Rove, who still will not answer congressional subpeonas requiring testimony on the Gonzalez, and Libby incidents, and a few other things. Essentially he is in contempt of congress. The last people I remember doing that were doing Clinton's administration where for almost 7 of his 8 years in office he was being investigated. Individuals were incarcerated for contempt of congress/refusal to cooperate after refusing to give further testimony. These People, Rove, Miers, and Gonzalez have flat out refused...
And no one has locked them up...
Then the secrecy of the white house, and the few honest forthright people have been discredited, ridiculed, and debased from administration official statements, but all were loyal public servants, do your research, try Richard Clarke, Paul O'Neill, Scott McClellan, just to name a few, and how about the fact that Dick Cheney, never resigned from Halliburton as its Chief Executive Officer but took a leave of absence.
And why didn't old Dick know that in pursing contracts for the Iraqi reconstruction it might be considered a conflict of interests for him to recommend Halliburton, and its subsidiaries to receive multi-year multi-billion dollar contracts which by Pentagon policy was limited to one year, after which the bid was to be opened to competition. Corruption is in this company's culture, how should we expect any better?
So what is happening in our economic system is no surprise, and the fact that George W. Bush would bankrupt his own government, was illustrated years before when he ran his own companies into the financial ground. Research Arbusto Energy, Spectrum 7, and Harken Energy. All of these ventures, Bush had control of the direction each took, and each time needed to be bailed out.
George Soros, an investor in Spectrum 7 in an Article in the Sydney Morning Herald stated,
"we were buying political influence, I didn't know him, He [George W. Bush] was supposed to bring in the Gulf connection. But it didn't come to anything. We were buying political influence. That was it. He was not much of a businessman."
Wow, that's a revelation isn't it...
And so the economic vehicle drifts slowly off the road into the ditch of oblivion called, History repeating itself, as Bush once again is needing to be bailed out. This time he want's us to do it.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Financial Planning In These Strange Times
Investing is neither as difficult, nor as costly as some characterize, you don't need a Master of Finance degree, or necessarily a financial planner, but some basic principles. First, pay your self first. Always set money aside, if its nothing but a savings account, and $5 - put something away.
Second, anything that appreciates in value is worth owning, rent or lease anything that depreciates in value, and know when there is a difference. A person owning a home which is going up in value is not as well off as a person who owns a home which they rent. This is due to the cost associated with living in your own home, and market fluctuations if you decided to get out. Rentals, however, benefit from the tax exemptions provided by maintenance and management of the rental property. In bad market times, the property can still generate income, while acting as a tax break.
Third, don't be afraid to invest. The easiest, and most beneficial form of investment is an Individual Retirement Account. Usually a money market/mutual fund type account which allows you to defer your taxes until retirement through a traditional IRA, or pay taxes only on the interest itself over the length of investment in a Roth IRA, which reduces the amount of tax you will pay once retired.
Both of these IRA's allow you to diminish the amount of Adjusted Gross Income you use to calculate your taxable income when filing, but you must remain within the allowable annual limits, typically $4000/person, $8000/married couples and if you're 55 or older, you can double those amounts as a 'catch-up' period before retirement.
Stock market investment is also not difficult, look at what you use, you drive a GM made car, with NIKE sneakers you bought at MACY'S, and drink Coca-Cola, you already know what to buy, you just have to set up a brokerage account, with a discount broker, and watch the markets from time to time - and not become afraid of changes in the market.
Recently Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac both dipped down below $0.50 a share. Today they were trading above $1.20 a $200 purchase of Fannie Mae at its $0.35 low would have picked up 571 shares and would be worth $753 less than a week later. Freddie Mac, at its $0.25 low 800 shares, with a current share price $1.32 would net $1056 less than six days later.
Trust though, slow and steady investment, is the key, fear is the only thing which can prevent your benefiting from it.
Second, anything that appreciates in value is worth owning, rent or lease anything that depreciates in value, and know when there is a difference. A person owning a home which is going up in value is not as well off as a person who owns a home which they rent. This is due to the cost associated with living in your own home, and market fluctuations if you decided to get out. Rentals, however, benefit from the tax exemptions provided by maintenance and management of the rental property. In bad market times, the property can still generate income, while acting as a tax break.
Third, don't be afraid to invest. The easiest, and most beneficial form of investment is an Individual Retirement Account. Usually a money market/mutual fund type account which allows you to defer your taxes until retirement through a traditional IRA, or pay taxes only on the interest itself over the length of investment in a Roth IRA, which reduces the amount of tax you will pay once retired.
Both of these IRA's allow you to diminish the amount of Adjusted Gross Income you use to calculate your taxable income when filing, but you must remain within the allowable annual limits, typically $4000/person, $8000/married couples and if you're 55 or older, you can double those amounts as a 'catch-up' period before retirement.
Stock market investment is also not difficult, look at what you use, you drive a GM made car, with NIKE sneakers you bought at MACY'S, and drink Coca-Cola, you already know what to buy, you just have to set up a brokerage account, with a discount broker, and watch the markets from time to time - and not become afraid of changes in the market.
Recently Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac both dipped down below $0.50 a share. Today they were trading above $1.20 a $200 purchase of Fannie Mae at its $0.35 low would have picked up 571 shares and would be worth $753 less than a week later. Freddie Mac, at its $0.25 low 800 shares, with a current share price $1.32 would net $1056 less than six days later.
Trust though, slow and steady investment, is the key, fear is the only thing which can prevent your benefiting from it.
Fish in a Fishbowl Theory
If you haven't been following the financial issues which are facing our nation in recent days, let us really understand what is taking place here. Our nation stands on the brink of collapse. Now some would say to me that's impossible, no one would let that happen, and of course, the government will do something to prevent this.
Sorry folks, nothing is impossible, the leaders of our country opened the door for it to occur, and the government stood by and let it happen. When Ronald Regan moved the country towards deregulation of business his assumption was that those companies would invest in the American economy, and assist in creating innovation in science, technology, health research, medicine, and economics.
That isn't what happened. By 1987, the country experienced the first stock market crash in our modern times since the Securities and Exchange Commission was set up in 1933 to be a corporate watch dog assuring that no publicly traded company would achieve a monopoly, nor unduly influence market activity for specific gain. Basically, a referee to make sure everybody plays by rules.
By 1984, the Regan administration, along with congress acted swiftly and sweepingly against the need of the day to deregulate and reduce taxes on corporations to allow those companies greater control of their operations and to increase profits. This philosophy toward government oversight of private industry was believed to assist with bringing growth to the economy which would eventually filter or "trickle" down to the people on the bottom.
This did not occur. In fact, the "trickle-down" theory of this economic plan further divided people into classes, and where there was a wealth-gap between the rich, middle-class, and the poor, there became a chasm, the haves, and the have-nots.
This economic theory led to black monday in October 1987, where institutional and wealthy junk-bond investors divested themselves of the market, taking profits in proxy businesses (ones that existed in name only, now illegal), and absconding with record profits, names like Ivan Boeski, and Michael Milkken may come to mind. These people took advantage of the markets by cashing in at a peak of value, and selling large quantities of shares, causing a trend in the market so extreme, that the market was shut down early to prevent a crash.
Now we come to this again, slightly more than 20 years later, here we go again. As of today, banks around the world are willing to loan the U.S. money to assist in the bailout, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, and others are offering to help. Sounds a lot like we've become a third world nation. We have.
Under the neglectful eye of former CEOs, and Chairmen of the same corporations which have raided the American economy, realizing record profits in a time where war, economic insolvency, and unchecked corporatism have found their way into our free market.
Ultimately the fish in the fishbowl does not know where he stands, just his condition, and his environment. When the water runs out, even slowly, he realizes there is decreasingly less room to move and, eventually, less air to breathe.
Sorry folks, nothing is impossible, the leaders of our country opened the door for it to occur, and the government stood by and let it happen. When Ronald Regan moved the country towards deregulation of business his assumption was that those companies would invest in the American economy, and assist in creating innovation in science, technology, health research, medicine, and economics.
That isn't what happened. By 1987, the country experienced the first stock market crash in our modern times since the Securities and Exchange Commission was set up in 1933 to be a corporate watch dog assuring that no publicly traded company would achieve a monopoly, nor unduly influence market activity for specific gain. Basically, a referee to make sure everybody plays by rules.
By 1984, the Regan administration, along with congress acted swiftly and sweepingly against the need of the day to deregulate and reduce taxes on corporations to allow those companies greater control of their operations and to increase profits. This philosophy toward government oversight of private industry was believed to assist with bringing growth to the economy which would eventually filter or "trickle" down to the people on the bottom.
This did not occur. In fact, the "trickle-down" theory of this economic plan further divided people into classes, and where there was a wealth-gap between the rich, middle-class, and the poor, there became a chasm, the haves, and the have-nots.
This economic theory led to black monday in October 1987, where institutional and wealthy junk-bond investors divested themselves of the market, taking profits in proxy businesses (ones that existed in name only, now illegal), and absconding with record profits, names like Ivan Boeski, and Michael Milkken may come to mind. These people took advantage of the markets by cashing in at a peak of value, and selling large quantities of shares, causing a trend in the market so extreme, that the market was shut down early to prevent a crash.
Now we come to this again, slightly more than 20 years later, here we go again. As of today, banks around the world are willing to loan the U.S. money to assist in the bailout, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, and others are offering to help. Sounds a lot like we've become a third world nation. We have.
Under the neglectful eye of former CEOs, and Chairmen of the same corporations which have raided the American economy, realizing record profits in a time where war, economic insolvency, and unchecked corporatism have found their way into our free market.
Ultimately the fish in the fishbowl does not know where he stands, just his condition, and his environment. When the water runs out, even slowly, he realizes there is decreasingly less room to move and, eventually, less air to breathe.
He Who Travels In The Dark Is Bound To Fall Into A Ditch...
I might be one of the few people who have been following the problems occurring in the financial markets, as it is with many things in life, the circumstances of the markets, are intertwined intimately with other aspects of our economic system. On the simplest level, when the cost of diesel fuel goes up, so goes the price of goods as the fuel for the trucks, and ships which carry those goods. The higher the cost of transport, the higher the cost of the goods themselves. Simple, right?
Okay now that the economics lesson is over, if you spend all the money you make, and do not pay any bills in your house you will fall behind in your obligations. Then if you borrow money to pay those obligations you had the money for each month, you will continually fall behind by a factor equivalent to the logarithmic function of...
Okay, forgive me - the debt gets really big real quick.
Because what essentially happens is that your debt is growing exponentially, by spending what you've earned, then borrowing more to pay your existing obligations. There is no savings, or reserve. Essentially this is what has caused our financial markets to melt down like an ice cream cone in a blast furnace.
By our government failing to invest in its economy by assisting with job growth, research and development, construction, and education it has opened the door to financial bankruptcy. How? do you ask, again simple. When the government failed to invest in national growth, partly by collecting revenue through appropriate taxation of its citizens, and business' and closely monitored regulation of business practices within the U.S. while leaving borrowing unchecked by pouring money into a police action (Iraq/Afghanistan) which put money into some of those same corporations it increased inflation here at home, while failing to place that same borrowed money into the national economy - but sent it out of the country.
If any of those American based corporations which established offices in-country overseas, it prevents the U.S. government from being able to collect taxes against those monies. Thus, a company operating on government paid funds, which essentially pays no taxes on the profit. Also, this is why individuals can go overseas and pay no taxes on any thing earned out of this country cause essentially, it is money which is not domestically earned.
WOW!!!
See how simple this is. We're screwed, cause the same people who came up with this scheme of allowing the market to regulate itself caused the ENRON debacle, and the culture of corruption which exists is because the Federal Government relaxed rules on corporate practices such that they could inflate profits by misreporting (lying) about there earnings and obligations.
See how simple that was. We're really screwed. Cause the people who are calling for the bailout are the same people in government, and our corporations whose position was that people whose homes were foreclosed on deserved what they got because they should have been more careful.
But now, we, the taxpayer, is supposed to believe that suddenly the government has gotten a conscience. By bailing us (the foreclosed mortgage customer) out with the corporations who corrupted the market to begin with. This is a bit strange, wouldn't it seem that they should've been more careful also?
No, no, I'm probably thinking too much about what's going on, and should go shopping, or something...
But I don't have any money to do it with...
Oh, and to end this posting, it is possible to save our economy by the president signing an Executive order declaring a moratorium on any foreclosures initiated within the last 2 years. That those whose homes are recently under foreclosure are to be given a minimum of six months to begin to catch up payments while offering tax incentive to mortgage companies who will maintain those mortgages and exhaust all options in policy and even some creative ones to ensure people stay in their homes.
Those whose homes have been foreclosed and sold should receive a debt pardon from the financial institutions, the debts to be purchased by the government (as under the current plan) and a tax credit for two years. Also, they are to be considered eligible for home guarantees on the purchase of a new home, which by the guaraThese same people will be given first opportunity to find employment in public
works projects which will assist those people who've lost their homes in the catastrophes of hurricane Ike in Texas, the Tornadoes in Idaho, and complete the rebuilding of New Orleans.
And finally, the government will draw down its troops in the mid-east, turning to diplomatic relations with all parties, fundamentalist and orthodox in those areas to insure a dialog is open and progressive to the respect of their desire to be left alone, and ours to be at peace.
Then turning those monies thrown to those conflicts into massive public works projects for energy independence here in our own country, even borrowing technology from Brazil, who has been using sugar cane to refine fuel for more than 20 years, a renewable, clean resource.
But hell, what do I know - Roosevelt did it, and brought a country out of the depression.
Okay now that the economics lesson is over, if you spend all the money you make, and do not pay any bills in your house you will fall behind in your obligations. Then if you borrow money to pay those obligations you had the money for each month, you will continually fall behind by a factor equivalent to the logarithmic function of...
Okay, forgive me - the debt gets really big real quick.
Because what essentially happens is that your debt is growing exponentially, by spending what you've earned, then borrowing more to pay your existing obligations. There is no savings, or reserve. Essentially this is what has caused our financial markets to melt down like an ice cream cone in a blast furnace.
By our government failing to invest in its economy by assisting with job growth, research and development, construction, and education it has opened the door to financial bankruptcy. How? do you ask, again simple. When the government failed to invest in national growth, partly by collecting revenue through appropriate taxation of its citizens, and business' and closely monitored regulation of business practices within the U.S. while leaving borrowing unchecked by pouring money into a police action (Iraq/Afghanistan) which put money into some of those same corporations it increased inflation here at home, while failing to place that same borrowed money into the national economy - but sent it out of the country.
If any of those American based corporations which established offices in-country overseas, it prevents the U.S. government from being able to collect taxes against those monies. Thus, a company operating on government paid funds, which essentially pays no taxes on the profit. Also, this is why individuals can go overseas and pay no taxes on any thing earned out of this country cause essentially, it is money which is not domestically earned.
WOW!!!
See how simple this is. We're screwed, cause the same people who came up with this scheme of allowing the market to regulate itself caused the ENRON debacle, and the culture of corruption which exists is because the Federal Government relaxed rules on corporate practices such that they could inflate profits by misreporting (lying) about there earnings and obligations.
See how simple that was. We're really screwed. Cause the people who are calling for the bailout are the same people in government, and our corporations whose position was that people whose homes were foreclosed on deserved what they got because they should have been more careful.
But now, we, the taxpayer, is supposed to believe that suddenly the government has gotten a conscience. By bailing us (the foreclosed mortgage customer) out with the corporations who corrupted the market to begin with. This is a bit strange, wouldn't it seem that they should've been more careful also?
No, no, I'm probably thinking too much about what's going on, and should go shopping, or something...
But I don't have any money to do it with...
Oh, and to end this posting, it is possible to save our economy by the president signing an Executive order declaring a moratorium on any foreclosures initiated within the last 2 years. That those whose homes are recently under foreclosure are to be given a minimum of six months to begin to catch up payments while offering tax incentive to mortgage companies who will maintain those mortgages and exhaust all options in policy and even some creative ones to ensure people stay in their homes.
Those whose homes have been foreclosed and sold should receive a debt pardon from the financial institutions, the debts to be purchased by the government (as under the current plan) and a tax credit for two years. Also, they are to be considered eligible for home guarantees on the purchase of a new home, which by the guaraThese same people will be given first opportunity to find employment in public
works projects which will assist those people who've lost their homes in the catastrophes of hurricane Ike in Texas, the Tornadoes in Idaho, and complete the rebuilding of New Orleans.
And finally, the government will draw down its troops in the mid-east, turning to diplomatic relations with all parties, fundamentalist and orthodox in those areas to insure a dialog is open and progressive to the respect of their desire to be left alone, and ours to be at peace.
Then turning those monies thrown to those conflicts into massive public works projects for energy independence here in our own country, even borrowing technology from Brazil, who has been using sugar cane to refine fuel for more than 20 years, a renewable, clean resource.
But hell, what do I know - Roosevelt did it, and brought a country out of the depression.
The Blame Game
Recently, in the news, you've probably seen coverage of the $700 Billion bailout of the American
What do you mean you didn't know?
It's true, technically, the tax cuts of the last eight years have not collected any money to provide services. No, what they've been doing is to eliminate taxes for the wealthiest of earners, and erode the corporate taxes on net profits to the point of collecting a negligible amount of monies in order to operate. The rest of those monies are distributed to community based groups to provide the services that the government would otherwise sponsor.
And as for major spending, that's borrowed money from The Federal Reserve Bank. Owned by a consortium of global banks in no less than twelve other countries. So essentially, the stimulus payments, the money for the Iraq and Afghani war efforts - BORROWED. The $700 Billion - BORROWED.
Now here is where things get really sticky, the markets began to reflect the shift in the dollars' value, based on increased costs, due to inflation, without any increase in revenues to subsidize programs the government borrowed money, but spent it elsewhere.
When more money is in our economic system, the dollar actually loses its value in two ways. First, the greater the number of dollars available, the greater the costs of items will be simply because more money is available, this is known as inflation. While, simultaneously, the increase in available currency means an increase in the debt on interest to the national debt on borrowed (newly printed) money thus eroding its intrinsic value. It's a vicious cycle.
But like a circulatory system with a cut artery money started to spray out of the system, not to return, receiving tax breaks and bolstering profits. Corporations moving out of the country, unchecked spending on foreign interests utilizing our currency (Iraq significantly), and the refusal to hedge that spending or curtail corporate profits on business operating outside of national borders. While starting projects in our own country to strengthen our infrastructure, and enhance the financial position of the individual earner was completely disregarded. Pity...
Lets look back. When George W. said he would bring dignity and honor back to the White House, is this what he meant? That the country would be so close to bankruptcy that even the gas stations in some areas of the nation couldn't keep fuel cause they couldn't afford to pay the price of the supplier?
That a $700 Billion (with a B) bailout of those same corporations which made their investments in the
economies of other nations, were ready to fold right here in the U.S. whose officers escaping severance packages that looked like the gross national product of some small nations.
This is sick. Charity does begin at home, when the headlines read "Record Foreclosures" a few months ago, the same people who said those people don't need help because they got themselves into this mess, they should get themselves out...That's right - that was George W. who made that statement, and so many politicians, and large corporations agreed.
That was until George W. realized that we the tax payers, yes those people are the only ones who can bail his buddies out. Cause you know if Wall Street Fails, Main Street Fails. Damn that's funny.
Cause just a little while ago, the common person didn't mean much - we were on our own. And the corporations could do no wrong. What's also funny is that this is the same note that the Bush Administration, and a Republican congress entered office under.
While the glut of corporate greed, and the failure of the legislative and executive branches to exercise their right to regulate a healthy commerce we the people hold these truths to be self evident, that all voters don't mean as much as Bush's friends, and financial supporters.
But thank God no one is dishonoring the White House...
Yeah right! economic system by the government. Interesting don't you think? That is considering the fact that the government itself has not been collecting any revenue in almost 6 years.
What do you mean you didn't know?
It's true, technically, the tax cuts of the last eight years have not collected any money to provide services. No, what they've been doing is to eliminate taxes for the wealthiest of earners, and erode the corporate taxes on net profits to the point of collecting a negligible amount of monies in order to operate. The rest of those monies are distributed to community based groups to provide the services that the government would otherwise sponsor.
And as for major spending, that's borrowed money from The Federal Reserve Bank. Owned by a consortium of global banks in no less than twelve other countries. So essentially, the stimulus payments, the money for the Iraq and Afghani war efforts - BORROWED. The $700 Billion - BORROWED.
Now here is where things get really sticky, the markets began to reflect the shift in the dollars' value, based on increased costs, due to inflation, without any increase in revenues to subsidize programs the government borrowed money, but spent it elsewhere.
When more money is in our economic system, the dollar actually loses its value in two ways. First, the greater the number of dollars available, the greater the costs of items will be simply because more money is available, this is known as inflation. While, simultaneously, the increase in available currency means an increase in the debt on interest to the national debt on borrowed (newly printed) money thus eroding its intrinsic value. It's a vicious cycle.
But like a circulatory system with a cut artery money started to spray out of the system, not to return, receiving tax breaks and bolstering profits. Corporations moving out of the country, unchecked spending on foreign interests utilizing our currency (Iraq significantly), and the refusal to hedge that spending or curtail corporate profits on business operating outside of national borders. While starting projects in our own country to strengthen our infrastructure, and enhance the financial position of the individual earner was completely disregarded. Pity...
Lets look back. When George W. said he would bring dignity and honor back to the White House, is this what he meant? That the country would be so close to bankruptcy that even the gas stations in some areas of the nation couldn't keep fuel cause they couldn't afford to pay the price of the supplier?
That a $700 Billion (with a B) bailout of those same corporations which made their investments in the
economies of other nations, were ready to fold right here in the U.S. whose officers escaping severance packages that looked like the gross national product of some small nations.
This is sick. Charity does begin at home, when the headlines read "Record Foreclosures" a few months ago, the same people who said those people don't need help because they got themselves into this mess, they should get themselves out...That's right - that was George W. who made that statement, and so many politicians, and large corporations agreed.
That was until George W. realized that we the tax payers, yes those people are the only ones who can bail his buddies out. Cause you know if Wall Street Fails, Main Street Fails. Damn that's funny.
Cause just a little while ago, the common person didn't mean much - we were on our own. And the corporations could do no wrong. What's also funny is that this is the same note that the Bush Administration, and a Republican congress entered office under.
While the glut of corporate greed, and the failure of the legislative and executive branches to exercise their right to regulate a healthy commerce we the people hold these truths to be self evident, that all voters don't mean as much as Bush's friends, and financial supporters.
But thank God no one is dishonoring the White House...
Yeah right! economic system by the government. Interesting don't you think? That is considering the fact that the government itself has not been collecting any revenue in almost 6 years.
A Changing World
In recent months we've all come to see a new face on the political scene, of course, Sarah Palin.
Did some think I would say Barack Obama?
Well, I can understand that. Yet Barack has been in politics for quite some time. He, beyond becoming a U.S. Senator for his Illinois congressional district was also a state senator, a candidate for the House of Representatives, and a community organizer, a person who by their profession doesn't know when to quit. Many of the reasons which Obama became a community organizer had everything to do with a period which we all grew up in.
Yes, us, the thirty-somethings born in the early seventies when in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee...need I go on, were still experiencing de-facto segregation in hiring, education, justice, and society at large. Nineteen seventy one, when I was born, the school system in Virginia had just opened after ten years of being closed because public officials in that state refused to allow Blacks and Whites to attend school together.
Amazing isn't it?
Essentially within OUR lifetimes we have gone from racism to a realization. We do exist, and have a specific political, socio-economic presence which must be recognized in the nation, and cannot be denied. Oh yes, how does this have anything to do with Sarah Palin?
I'm getting there. In the symbolism of Jesse Jackson running for the Democratic Nomination in '84, and '88 and Geraldine Ferraro (remember her) as Michael Dukakis' Vice Presidential running mate we've made some truly great strides in terms of Race and Gender.
Society questions whether or not Affirmative Action should continue when, Obama, a civil rights attorney, Constitutional Law Professor, Graduate of Columbia University, Harvard Law School, and former President of the Harvard Law Review could be qualified enough to compete against McCain.
McCain, who has never filed a job application, a 72 year old son of an Admiral, whose grandfather was an Admiral which guaranteed his entrance into the U.S. Military Academy at Annapolis. Where, he graduated 5th from the bottom of his class of 400. And, by his own admission was never 'good at' following too many rules. While flying he found himself in trouble a few times realizing procedures he was supposed to follow were the same failed to pay attention to in flight school. This attitude is eventually what got him shot down, and taken prisoner in Vietnam.
And he's going to solve America's Energy and Economic crisis?
The Devil's in the details ain't it?
After leaving combat service, went to work as the Naval Liason to the Pentagon. Yes, a Go-For, you know, when someone needs something "Go For this...Go For That..." In 1981 a co-worker, and a sitting Senator encouraged McCain to run for a seat in the senate in '82, which he did. He was also involved in a financial scandal in 1989, an investigation of the Keating Five. Five Senators who were charged with improperly aiding an officer of The Lincoln Savings and Loan, Charles Keating, during a congressional investigation, which he was one of two later cleared of charges.
Sarah Palin, has a degree in journalism, was a former local sports reporter in Alaska, and was known as Barracuda on her high school basketball team... Right...
She decided to enter politics when she did not like what her towns mayor might do with the sales tax the city collected. And after two terms ran for Governer of Alaska, as a Born Again Christian (God-Bless), Antiabortion, anti-sex education, anti-gun control and Hockey mom... Right...
Recently, Gov. Palin also mentioned that Barack has never lifted a finger to help anyone during a speech given in Iowa. While she is currently refusing to cooperate with an investigation in abusing her authority in the firing of a public safety official in her state, it looks like she is not too good at following rules eh?
Almost 40 years after the assasination of Martin Luther King, some still question affirmative action. In a time when Latino/Hispanic population growth is expected to out pace other ethic groups in America by the year 2042. Blacks/African-Americans control over 40 billion dollars in personal income in this country, larger than the gross national product of some smaller nations. I say 'yes.'
Without Affirmative action, John McCain who is past retirement, and is eligible for medicare, and Sarah Palin, a White Woman, with a working class husband, five kids and a liberal arts background (no offense) wouldn't be eligible for the employment which they are so earnestly seeking under the ethics policies they would have apply to everyone but them. Both have been under investigation, one currently refusing to cooperate, the other, cleared of charges. Doesn't look too good on the ol' resumė
So we should be proud that the sacrifices of Malcom, Martin, the NAACP, SCLC, SNCC, Medgar Evers, The Freedom Riders, The three little Black girls who died in the church bombings in Alabama, Emmett Till, Soujourner Truth (the women's sufferage movement as well as emancipation), and so very many others will benefit John McCain, and Sarah Palin who other wise would fall to the margins of society.
And As for Sarah Palin, I'm sorry ladies, she ain't it. Because it appears that John McCain, the Maverick, decided to forget that though there were many who would vote for Hillary Clinton, you can't just replace one Woman with another, and expect people to really believe what you're offering is sincere. Sorry Sarah, you ain't no Hillary Clinton. And As for John McCain - Sir, you are no Barack Obama.
When you go to the polls this November 4th, don't forget the vote you cast is not just yours, its for all those who died in the mission of attaining it for you. Remember them, and godspeed.
Did some think I would say Barack Obama?
Well, I can understand that. Yet Barack has been in politics for quite some time. He, beyond becoming a U.S. Senator for his Illinois congressional district was also a state senator, a candidate for the House of Representatives, and a community organizer, a person who by their profession doesn't know when to quit. Many of the reasons which Obama became a community organizer had everything to do with a period which we all grew up in.
Yes, us, the thirty-somethings born in the early seventies when in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee...need I go on, were still experiencing de-facto segregation in hiring, education, justice, and society at large. Nineteen seventy one, when I was born, the school system in Virginia had just opened after ten years of being closed because public officials in that state refused to allow Blacks and Whites to attend school together.
Amazing isn't it?
Essentially within OUR lifetimes we have gone from racism to a realization. We do exist, and have a specific political, socio-economic presence which must be recognized in the nation, and cannot be denied. Oh yes, how does this have anything to do with Sarah Palin?
I'm getting there. In the symbolism of Jesse Jackson running for the Democratic Nomination in '84, and '88 and Geraldine Ferraro (remember her) as Michael Dukakis' Vice Presidential running mate we've made some truly great strides in terms of Race and Gender.
Society questions whether or not Affirmative Action should continue when, Obama, a civil rights attorney, Constitutional Law Professor, Graduate of Columbia University, Harvard Law School, and former President of the Harvard Law Review could be qualified enough to compete against McCain.
McCain, who has never filed a job application, a 72 year old son of an Admiral, whose grandfather was an Admiral which guaranteed his entrance into the U.S. Military Academy at Annapolis. Where, he graduated 5th from the bottom of his class of 400. And, by his own admission was never 'good at' following too many rules. While flying he found himself in trouble a few times realizing procedures he was supposed to follow were the same failed to pay attention to in flight school. This attitude is eventually what got him shot down, and taken prisoner in Vietnam.
And he's going to solve America's Energy and Economic crisis?
The Devil's in the details ain't it?
After leaving combat service, went to work as the Naval Liason to the Pentagon. Yes, a Go-For, you know, when someone needs something "Go For this...Go For That..." In 1981 a co-worker, and a sitting Senator encouraged McCain to run for a seat in the senate in '82, which he did. He was also involved in a financial scandal in 1989, an investigation of the Keating Five. Five Senators who were charged with improperly aiding an officer of The Lincoln Savings and Loan, Charles Keating, during a congressional investigation, which he was one of two later cleared of charges.
Sarah Palin, has a degree in journalism, was a former local sports reporter in Alaska, and was known as Barracuda on her high school basketball team... Right...
She decided to enter politics when she did not like what her towns mayor might do with the sales tax the city collected. And after two terms ran for Governer of Alaska, as a Born Again Christian (God-Bless), Antiabortion, anti-sex education, anti-gun control and Hockey mom... Right...
Recently, Gov. Palin also mentioned that Barack has never lifted a finger to help anyone during a speech given in Iowa. While she is currently refusing to cooperate with an investigation in abusing her authority in the firing of a public safety official in her state, it looks like she is not too good at following rules eh?
Almost 40 years after the assasination of Martin Luther King, some still question affirmative action. In a time when Latino/Hispanic population growth is expected to out pace other ethic groups in America by the year 2042. Blacks/African-Americans control over 40 billion dollars in personal income in this country, larger than the gross national product of some smaller nations. I say 'yes.'
Without Affirmative action, John McCain who is past retirement, and is eligible for medicare, and Sarah Palin, a White Woman, with a working class husband, five kids and a liberal arts background (no offense) wouldn't be eligible for the employment which they are so earnestly seeking under the ethics policies they would have apply to everyone but them. Both have been under investigation, one currently refusing to cooperate, the other, cleared of charges. Doesn't look too good on the ol' resumė
So we should be proud that the sacrifices of Malcom, Martin, the NAACP, SCLC, SNCC, Medgar Evers, The Freedom Riders, The three little Black girls who died in the church bombings in Alabama, Emmett Till, Soujourner Truth (the women's sufferage movement as well as emancipation), and so very many others will benefit John McCain, and Sarah Palin who other wise would fall to the margins of society.
And As for Sarah Palin, I'm sorry ladies, she ain't it. Because it appears that John McCain, the Maverick, decided to forget that though there were many who would vote for Hillary Clinton, you can't just replace one Woman with another, and expect people to really believe what you're offering is sincere. Sorry Sarah, you ain't no Hillary Clinton. And As for John McCain - Sir, you are no Barack Obama.
When you go to the polls this November 4th, don't forget the vote you cast is not just yours, its for all those who died in the mission of attaining it for you. Remember them, and godspeed.
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