Taking note of real people starting real change...
October 10, 2008
Good for John McCain
In spite the ugly innuendos and outright slander that has been spewing from the McCain camp towards Barak Obama, John McCain lived up to his old reputation as a straight-shooter today.When his audience admitted to fears about Obama's background, religion and associations - McCain cut the crazy talk short.
"I have to tell you, he (Obama) is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States," McCain said at a Minnesota town hall meeting.
This is a breath of fresh air.
October 7, 2008
Letter to Obama
The following is an open letter from StartChange.net readerHi folks,
I'm a life time Alaskan(26 years) father of two. My mother has lived here 30 years and is a dedicated and active supporter of the Obama campaign. I have almost decided that voting for Barack is the best thing for our country. Alaska hasn't been hit by the economic crisis that the Continental US has, but I, unlike the majority of this state, see the need for solutions now before it's too late.
What I need to hear in the next debate or two, is concrete proof that Obama can do even half the shit he says he can. I believe he wants to help fix America, but I need it rubbed in my face that he really has the power to do what needs to be done. Show me that voting for presidents is not just another card game in a casino. I don't want to gamble without knowing the odds are in my favor.
Here's another idea I'm supposed to send, in place of a stimulus check that people are gonna spend on drugs and alcohol anyway, or electronics that are built in some other country, how about natural disaster kits (less than $100.00 ea) for every tax paying citizen. We need them but won't put it together on our own even though we know we need to.
Show me you're the one who can, don't tell me why McCain can't. That will just scare me if the republicans fix another election.
Good luck guys ...
October 6, 2008
Tale of two rallys
I'm not kidding myself. Alaska's electorial votes will probably go for McCain/Palin. But it was encouraging to see that 1200+ people attended the Obama/Biden rally on the parkstrip at the same time only 300 or so people attended the rally for the other guys at the new Convention Center.
We had the better location - outside in the crisp golden autumn weather - where passersby could see us and join in.
We had the better speakers - Ethan Berkowitz for one, blew us away. They got a surprise visit from Todd Palin.
We had the better chant - "yes we can". They stuck with "drill baby drill".
And most importantly, we have the better candidates who are offering real solutions not discredited, worn out slogans.
October 3, 2008
Mountain Mama
It was with relief that we listened to Sarah Palin use complete sentences to articulate her ideology. I may be voting for Obama/Biden but I wanted Sarah to do Alaska proud in her first (and hopefully last) moment on the national stage. Recent interviews have left Alaskans cringing in embarrassment. We needed her to sound like a Governor at the very least.It was too bad that she chose to use a folksy trailer-trash slang to relate to "middle-class" Joe SixPack. Instead of sounding presidential, she insulted all of us who came from small towns and ethnic backgrounds.
If she had been able to address specifics rather than canned sound bites, her mountain-mama act could have put her into the category of Andrew Jackson or Abraham Lincoln; sharp minds wrapped in back country manners. Instead she repeated discredited lies and misrepresentations, ignoring both questions and responses to fill in the 90 minutes.
She didn't vomit on the stage or burst into tears but neither did she do anything to advance her agenda, ideology, gender, class or campaign. She offended me on every level with each complete sentence. I want substance not style, but she offered neither.
September 30, 2008
Bail out fall out
As you stock up on pinto beans and rice preparing for the global depression please remember those who can't plan ahead. Social service organizations such as food banks and homeless shelters are going to be challenged beyond anything seen since the dust bowl.
Even if the financial markets get their act together over the next few weeks, the stresses over the slowing economy and job losses are already hitting social service agencies.
Economic woes have a ripple effect throughout the social fabric of our lives. Child abuse soars as unemployment spikes. Foreclosures add hundreds of pets to shelters. Anticipated high cost of heating fuel will put elderly and fixed income neighbors at risk.
While you sock away your cash, 3 months of food and trade goods - remember to plan ahead to do good. Share what you have while you have it and when there is nothing left, share your time and talents. America's greatest strength is our generosity. Let's be prepared for that as well.
September 29, 2008
Hold Palin Accountable Rally
"Who'd ever think we'd miss Frank?"
"Lipstick can't hide lips that lie"
"The Witch Doctor told her what to do"
"Palin: A bridge to deception"
"Is the truth endangered?"
"Get the McCain wolf pack out of Alaska" (flip side) "Aerial wolf hunting is legal now -- isn't it?"
Sarah Palin gave up her governorship to run for VP. Instead of doing it constitutionally - the McCain camp just put some PR and legal hacks in our executive office. Alaskans are justifiably furious and over 2000 of us showed up on a perfect Autumn Saturday to share that anger and have a great time! Click here to see some of our photos
September 26, 2008
CEO Compensation
Consider our economy as a game of Jenga. Each brick is stacked to build a strong solid tower and each player has to remove one brick at a time without creating a collapse. Our economy has been played in the same way. Each brick is an aspect needed to build the tower: employers, investors, employees, suppliers, speculators, brokers, consultants, regulators and so on.The way the government and investors have played the game they have started by pulling out the regulation bricks, the US worker bricks, the employee compensation brick - the foundation bricks and now the tower looks like it's going down fast.
The part of this crisis that is really griping me is that we (ordinary Americans) saw this coming and that no one in authority or power was going to do anything to keep the game going longer. A few spoil sports played so aggresively that they ruined it for everyone.
Today, Washington Mutual failed and had to be bought out by Morgan Chase. CEO Alan Fishman is leaving with an $18 MILLION dollar golden parachute after only a few WEEKS on the job.
In other countries, CEO salaries are capped at a multiple of the average employee's salary. Better - bonuses are tied to success, not failure. If we in the US started saying that top officials could only make 10 (or 20 - pick a number) times the average salary we might see some changes.
From a self-centered point of view - it wouldn't behoove the CEO to send out manufacturing jobs to slave labor in the 3rd world if their own salary is based on a multiple of 20 cents a day. Couple this concept with tax breaks for creating new manufacturing jobs in the states you'll see an economy ready and eager to grow.
September 25, 2008
Another Bail Out?
The track record of rushed emergency legislation over the past 8 years has left many of us with a deep suspicion that the currently proposed Wall Street bail out will actually accelerate a potential Great Depression. While the players are different this time around, the pattern sure looks the same.President Bush tells the Congress that if we don't act now the sky will fall. Congress blusters and holds rushed hearings. A blank check is written and we've signed away our children's future.
We went through this and ended up in a unending war in Iraq. Are we really going to do it again for an economic crisis?
Remember though, that this time we've already spent $300 Billion in bailouts this year. Now they want $700 Billion more. To start.
Remember that this time, the money is going to be given to Paulson's complete and sole control. He can hire anyone he wants - including the guys that got us into this mess as his team.
Remember that this bill has no oversight. They'll be outside all regulatory, legal and legislative oversight. If they F-up, there are NO consequences to them - only to us. (How many of these guys own homes outside the US?)
Over the past few days I've heard so many Congressmen and women say "I don't like this but what else can we do?" That just doesn't sound right.
Media economists that I've always respected such as Jim Kramer are on board with this. Kramer is very clear that he thinks we'll end up in a barter economy type Great Depression if the bail out doesn't happen soon. For real? I don't think I buy that.
Certainly the way the economy works will be different - maybe better if we get rid of the complications. This might be the single only way to take back the country from the big multi-national evildoing baddies.
I've sent my Congressman and Senators a letter from VoteNoBailout.org. I hope you do as well.
http://www.votenobailout.org/
September 24, 2008
The biggest election fraud of all....
Considering what's going on in Washington it's hard to say if it will be the bail out or another phony military threat but there is a real threat that our own government is plotting to suspend our constitution as early as October 5th.
OPERATION GARDEN PLOTThe US military is planning for civil disturbance here at home. Since posse comitatus has been suspended, active duty military can take action on US soil against US Citizens.
Operation Garden Plot in essence says: If any civil disturbance by a resistance group, religious organization, or other persons considered to be non-conformist takes place, under Appendix 3 to Annex B of Plan 55-2 hereby gives all Federal forces total power over the situation if local and state authorities cannot put down said dissenters. Tax protesters, militia groups, religious cults, and general anti-government dissenters are defined as Disruptive Elements. This calls for the deadly force to be used against any extremist or dissident perpetrating any and all forms of civil disorder. http://cryptome.org/garden-plot.htmMaybe we won't notice. The following Reuters article hints at how the administration is going to do it...
http://www.uhuh.com/control/garden.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Garden_Plot
http://newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd394.htm
The mainstream (corporate) media isn't going to cover this story but I suggest that we make sure every American knows that when they protest they won't be facing local police forces - they'll be up against the same troops that just came back from the middle east. Make sure you share this with anyone you know that still believes in the Constitution.
U.S. Won't Delay November Elections, Official SaysNot convinced? A google search of the subject shows several website that have been pulled, deleted or not available. Even the Google cached page has disappeared. The rest of the world knows about this...
Tue Jul 13, 2004 05:48 PM ET
By Andy Sullivan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will not cancel or suspend the presidential election this November in the event of a terror attack or other catastrophic event, the government's top elections official said on Tuesday. Individual states may suspend or reschedule elections if disaster strikes, but that would not change voting in other states, said DeForest Soaries, chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
Full article: http://osdir.com/ml/ballistichelmet.heads/2004-07/msg00073.html
If you care more about our country than about celebrity news take a minute to do your own reading and then let your friends, family and neighbors know what's going on!September 16, 2008
US To Declare October Economic Emergency, Suspend Elections
By: Sorcha Faal, and as reported to her Western Subscribers (translated from Spanish)
The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) is reporting in the Kremlin today that the Bank of England has received from the United States Federal Reserve Bank a notice that President Bush is preparing to declare an Economic Emergency during the week of October 5th and will further announce that the American Presidential election due to be held on November 4th will be indefinitely suspended. Sorcha goes on to point out: "Russian Military Analysts commenting on these reports state that though it is unlikely that the American President can suspend US elections solely on the basis of an Economic Emergency alone, it is entirely probable that he could do so should their Nation suffer another 9/11 type attack, and which they cryptically observe could place as early as September 22nd as American Military Forces begin to conduct their World-Wide tests of their new nuclear alert system as they conduct another test of their so-called Star Wars Missile Defense System."
Full Article: http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/index1141.htm
September 12, 2008
Voting FOR someone
It's exciting that this year, we have a chance to vote for a candidate that actually tells us what he plans to do to fix the problems that both sides know exist. Unlike his opponent, Barak Obama has laid out a comprehensive strategy, dealing with issues from the economy to education to seniors and social security. If McCain has such plans, he isn't telling us what they are.
I'm going to take a few paragraphs a day over then next week to tell you why I am voting FOR Barak Obama. I hope you go to BarakObama.com and find out where he stands on your issue. I know you'll be happy to see that he doesn't just parrot the problem but actually explains the solution.
Economy
Obama's website lays out a solid plan for improving the totality of our economy including:- Jumpstart the Economy
- Provide Middle Class Americans Tax Relief
- Trade
- Job Creation
- Support Small Business
- Labor
- Protect Homeownership and Crack Down on Mortgage Fraud
- Address Predatory Credit Card Practices
- Reform Bankruptcy Laws
- Work/Family Balance
We all know that as individuals we are responsible for how much we spend and on what. But in the last 8 years the major banks and credit card companies have been allowed to change the terms of our contracts and screw us into bankruptcy. Obama's plan is explict in how it will reform the usury practices that have (in my opinion) criminally indentured millions of Americans to banks that are no better than loan-sharks.
Two items on his Income Tax Relief package stand out for me. First is the $1000 tax cut for middle/working class families. That's me and most of you. Over 80% of the people in the country will see this tax cut. The second that I really want to see is simplifying the way we file our taxes. It's insane that we have to go to a tax preparer to file our taxes every single year. It's crazy that if I call the IRS twice for the same question I'll get two different answers. Simplifying the tax forms so that millions of Americans will be able to do their taxes in less than five minutes is going to make all our lives better.
I encourage you to follow the links and learn more about the part of the economy that most affects your life and see who tells you the truth about what they are really going to do.
TOMORROW: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY & GOVERNMENT SPENDING
