Hey Barry
Great speech yesterday - brought tears to my eyes, lotta tears.
At the same time you gave us hope for the future with your talk about Christina Taylor Green and Daniel Hernandez.
While we have children and young adults like these, we have a bright future.
Also, I am reminded that the tragedy or a very similar one was inevitable and will probably be repeated.
There are a couple of reasons that these tragedies will happen again.
First, our gun laws are quite simply insane. The RICH folks who sell death on our streets have corrupted Congress and the state legislatures so that they are unable to pass laws that will stop the killing.
The best tribute to Christina's memory will be effective gun control.
Second, our mental health care is ineffective. Insurance companies fight to deny coverage for mental issues because treating mentally ill people is expensive.
I believe that your health insurance program extends coverage for mental issues.
As a tribute to both Christina and Daniel, please do not let that coverage be deleted.
And, as difficult as these two issues are, they are just the tip of the societal malaise iceberg which exists in the U S of A. You can get a handle on that iceberg by reading Daniel Parenti on 'DIRTY TRUTHS' here: http://www.michaelparenti.org/HiddenHolocaust.html
We have a lot of work to do Barry.
Lotta work.
Your pal,
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Political Vitriol and Death
Hey Barry:
The recent shooting in Tucson causes me to pray for the victims and families; and, to reflect on our political discourse in general.
As far as I am aware, there is no causal link established at this time between national politics and the shootings, but lots of folks have commented on the seeming lack of civility in our discussion today.
As historical background, politics in the US of A have been even more overheated, personal and vitriolic in the past. It is a tradition. Our rhetoric today pales in comparison with historical campaigns.
For example, John Quincy Adams was in a nasty fight with Andrew Jackson that involved name calling and the respective families. It was not pretty. And, recall that we even had a Civil War about politics. In that light, today's 'excesses' can appear mild.
But, the world is different now, and we are less tolerant.
And, there are a lot of whack jobs with access to firepower that was unimagined in the 18th and 19th centuries. So, perhaps a little civility can be a good thing.
I confess to some past excesses in this space. They spring from a frustration about issues which seem critical but appear to be ignored. And, today's REPS have mastered the art of unpleasant politics while the today's DEMS have seemed tame. But, it is not for me to balance the scales.
It is my considered opinion that the most critical issue affecting our national security today is an accumulation of wealth and power in too few hands unbalanced by patriotism or control.
It is not about the people who collect the wealth and power - it is the accumulation itself. Our system guarantees that some will collect wealth and power and that those people will exercise that power to the detriment of the national interest. There are only two things which can mitigate that inevitability: first, the generous instincts of the possessors; second, national government policies which actively attempt to reduce its influence.
Our continuing failure to limit the pernicious effects of wealth concentrations is harbringing the decline of our country's fairness, influence and power.
On top of that, those with power have a vested interest in preventing amelioration of their power. They also possess the means and will to prevent any effective limits on themselves.
That leaves the rest of us dependent on their conscience and good wishes. I for one do not rely on the charitable impulses of a plutocratic class.
It is time for the national goverment to take a stand on this issue and assert control over the great fortunes.
That's you Barry.
Your pal,
The recent shooting in Tucson causes me to pray for the victims and families; and, to reflect on our political discourse in general.
As far as I am aware, there is no causal link established at this time between national politics and the shootings, but lots of folks have commented on the seeming lack of civility in our discussion today.
As historical background, politics in the US of A have been even more overheated, personal and vitriolic in the past. It is a tradition. Our rhetoric today pales in comparison with historical campaigns.
For example, John Quincy Adams was in a nasty fight with Andrew Jackson that involved name calling and the respective families. It was not pretty. And, recall that we even had a Civil War about politics. In that light, today's 'excesses' can appear mild.
But, the world is different now, and we are less tolerant.
And, there are a lot of whack jobs with access to firepower that was unimagined in the 18th and 19th centuries. So, perhaps a little civility can be a good thing.
I confess to some past excesses in this space. They spring from a frustration about issues which seem critical but appear to be ignored. And, today's REPS have mastered the art of unpleasant politics while the today's DEMS have seemed tame. But, it is not for me to balance the scales.
It is my considered opinion that the most critical issue affecting our national security today is an accumulation of wealth and power in too few hands unbalanced by patriotism or control.
It is not about the people who collect the wealth and power - it is the accumulation itself. Our system guarantees that some will collect wealth and power and that those people will exercise that power to the detriment of the national interest. There are only two things which can mitigate that inevitability: first, the generous instincts of the possessors; second, national government policies which actively attempt to reduce its influence.
Our continuing failure to limit the pernicious effects of wealth concentrations is harbringing the decline of our country's fairness, influence and power.
On top of that, those with power have a vested interest in preventing amelioration of their power. They also possess the means and will to prevent any effective limits on themselves.
That leaves the rest of us dependent on their conscience and good wishes. I for one do not rely on the charitable impulses of a plutocratic class.
It is time for the national goverment to take a stand on this issue and assert control over the great fortunes.
That's you Barry.
Your pal,
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