Sunday, August 31, 2008

Political Earthquake

Wolf Blitzer came up with an interesting side effect of Hurricane Gustav: Political Earthquake indeed!

It is interesting how the RNC is coming across like they have a high regard for individuals. It sounds great, of course, but I wonder! My prior post points out their "high regard" for the rights of individual people, as well as their "high regard" for the First Amendment.

I guess time will tell.

(Once again, I must emphasize my compassion for those who are, or may be adversely affected by Hurricane Gustav, as well as Tropical Storm Hanna).

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Is there a Police State forming prior to RCN Convention?

I'm starting to see disturbing articles, having to do with police raids, prior to next Monday's RNC Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Read these for yourselves with an open mind (there are links within that article). This particular article hit me because I remember Food Not Bombs in San Francisco, back around 2002 or so, where their only "crime" was passing sandwiches out to the homeless population in San Francisco, which, at that time, was severe enough to get some of them arrested. (See inside Wikipedia article for details on prior confrontations between them and the police).

Instant Karma for the extremist "Social Conservatives"?

A short while back, a group of right wing kooks -- sorry -- a "family friendly" socially conservative agency came up with a publicity stunt they thought would "divinely" disrupt Obama's acceptance speech in Denver last Thursday.

First off, I want to stress that my heart is with those who might be adversely affected by Hurricane Gustav. However, it occurs to me that, if there is divine intervention, it might be more interested in what those who are behind that previously mentioned "social agency" are up to.

There's a phrase that's heard so often, it may have gone to cliche status: As ye sow, so shall ye reap. If so, it's a shame, because it makes so much sense.

There's a variation I've also heard: "Be careful what you ask for, it might come your way in ways you never could have dreamed of".

Friday, August 29, 2008

More Insight into the Green Libertarian Party

At this point, I'm content with "going in the right direction". If Obama/Biden wins this election, I believe we are at least on the right track.

What really irked me in 2000 was the suggestion by Ralph Nader that "the Democrats and the Republicans were the same". Not in the least, as the last 8 years should have taught us.

Yes, both of these parties are tarnished by special interests and it's sometimes hard to find their core. But that core is certainly there! I believe I'd remembered Nader chiding Gore because he wasn't going fast enough on environmental issues. But, if he had been elected in 2000, at least the environmental controls we had in place would have likely stayed, rather than being chipped at, whittled down, and otherwise torn apart by the Bush/Cheney team.

The turning point that got me active now in Politics was when Bush vetoed the SCHIP bill at the same time he was demanding (yes, almost like a child) the funds for the Iraq war without any strings attached to them.

I jumped into action at that point, getting active with MoveOn and calling my representatives.

The problem actually came out in the "talking points" on the "conservative" side: They stated that they did not want a new tax, even one on cigarettes. (I believe I heard rhetoric like, "a tax on the weak", or some such). But I had a great answer to that, which didn't get to congress fast enough for them to reconsider overriding the veto: Couldn't we start looking at, say a tax on cigarettes as a "user fee"? Who clogs up the hospitals? Don't people who voluntarily harm their own body by smoking make up a good portion of those who need the health care services? So why are they complaining about an increase in the tax rate on those Cigarettes, to be used for health care in general (or, in this case, for health care for children that fall through other cracks)?

So the idea is that people who are likely to be harming their own body, which would then need health care, would pay a higher tax on what it is that they are doing.

This could also start the conversation going on the Libertarian side of the equation. Allow, but tax, with the idea that those who are wishing to undertake risky behavior are mainly the ones who are paying for the services they would need when things go wrong.

Comments, anybody?

Anybody can comment, by the way, but I moderate what gets onto this BLOG due to the huge issue of irrelevant, off topic, abusive, and/or commercial advertising garbage that I see in so many otherwise intelligent BLOG sites.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

I Completely Support Barack Obama and Joe Biden

The Democratic convention is now over. Absolutely rousing speech by Barrack Obama.

The next step is to elect this team.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Democratic Convention, first night

I know that "every good BLOG'er" attends these conventions, even to the point of there being a special place for them. But I am quite new to this, and am thus happy to "attend" this convention in the comfort of my own apartment via mainly MSNBC.

So far, I've seen good speaches by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Ted Kennedy (a surprisingly good speach, based on the medical challenges he is going through right now).

My position, based on this new Political Party I am starting: I see a lot more potential for "Green" shining through Barack Obama as president than I do with John McCain. (In fact, I would consider a McCain presidency to be a disaster, from the point of view of the Green party). I also see potential for influencing the democratic party to get greener.

As for the Libertarian part of this party, I'm content to take my time and develop that part. (As well as to watch the John Paul contingent at the Republican convention, giving him my moral support).

The next highlight of the Democratic convention is, of course, Michelle Obama.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

I guess I was too late after all.

Joe Biden it is. Not a bad pick, in my opinion.

Dream Ticket?

I don't suppose it's too late to put Ron Paul in as a Vice Presidential pick for Obama, right?