It's Time for Real Change

I think we've come to a point in our history where we are going to have to make a big decision.

For 30 years the corporatists and conservatives have run rough-shod over the middle and lower classes. I don't think any of us here will disagree. Where we disagree is when are we going to stop retreating into poverty and tyranny and stand and fight?

Sadly we have posters here that will argue that things aren't so bad and we can continue down the path for a little while longer. The child poverty rate is only 22%. This is the rational that I see used to justify the support of H. Clinton.

In 2008 people recognized that H. Clinton, the apparent “claimer of the throne”, would not provide the change we needed and a relatively unknown easily defeated her with the promise of change. Whether or not Obama wanted change and failed with his promises or he never was that hot about change is another debate. But here we are faced with the need for change and guess who is once again "the claimer of the throne".

The Democratic Party grassroots should have learned from 2008 and also 2000. In 2000 the DLC/Conservative Wing ran Gore which looked to many as a continuation of the status quo. Gore failed in 2000 and Clinton failed in 2008.

The American people are ready for change and Clinton v. Bush doesn't offer that change.

We need a candidate that is willing to take a chance and fight for change.  

The Government’s TPP Rhetoric (code for bullshit)

The definition of rhetoric is – “Language designed to have persuasive or impressive effect, but which is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content”. (www.oxforddictionaries.com/)

Or just a fancy way of saying “bullshit”. Rhetoric is very common in politics so it shouldn’t be surprising to find the government’s website that explains the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP choked full of it.
(https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/trans-pacific-partnership/tpp-chapter-chapter-negotiating-5)

This site is a tremendous example of empty rhetoric. Let’s look at some:

Pertaining to the environment:
“Specifically, in the TPP we are seeking:

Strong and enforceable environment obligations, subject to the same dispute settlement mechanism as other obligations in TPP;

Commitments to effectively enforce domestic environmental laws, including laws that implement multilateral environmental agreements, and commitments not to waive or derogate from the protections afforded in environmental laws for the purpose of encouraging trade or investment; “

Pertaining to Labor:

“Specifically, in the TPP we are seeking:

Requirements to adhere to fundamental labor rights as recognized by the International Labor Organization, as well as acceptable conditions of work, subject to the same dispute settlement mechanism as other obligations in TPP;

Rules that will ensure that TPP countries do not waive or derogate from labor laws in a manner that affects trade or investment, including in free trade zones, and that they take initiatives to discourage trade in goods produced by forced labor;”

This is empty rhetoric. It is “lacking in sincerity or meaningful content”

It does not say that the agreement will include any of these wonderful things, only that they will “seek” them.

Will they insist that these good things be included before it’s signed, HELL NO.

Let me know when you can assure me that the agreement will protect the environment, labor, and all of our concerns.

There are 63,000 structurally deficient bridges in the United States.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/24/1294382/-Scary-and-sad-There-are-63-000-structurally-deficient-bridges-in-the-U-S#

The expected cost to upgrade all of our bridges is about one trillion dollars.  While this is expensive, it won’t get any better by postponing repairs.  And if you are looking for funding, cut back on some of the multi-billion dollar defense bungles. 

Fixing our crumbling infrastructure would put a lot of Americans to work.  It would also increase the nation's security.

And it isn’t just our bridges that are vulnerable but also the nation’s electrical grid.  From a 2012 article in USA Today: 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/14/power-grid-vulnerable-terrorism/1704803/

“a long-delayed federal study Wednesday says the U.S. power grid is also vulnerable to terrorist attacks that could cause months of blackouts and billions in economic damages.”

This is because the grid is old, not secured, and without backup replacement parts.  

"Damn the TPP" - We can't say too much about the dangers of the TPP.

Here is my letter to my Senators. 

Those that have seen portions of the TPP say it is a very dangerous document. It is much more than a mere trade agreement. I shouldn't have to list all the ways that it will damage the 99%. I have yet to see ANYONE provide information to show otherwise. 

I wrote you before about this and you sent me a response full of rhetoric. You said it would help some industries in WA. I want to know HOW it will help people. Helping industries doesn't always trickle down to the people. And what are the costs? Is this "help" worth the price? You also included something about the government would train those that lose their jobs. Sounds like an admission that there will be job losses. And instead of those getting the benefits from the TPP paying for the damage, THE TAXPAYERS will be required to pay? The taxpayers will train those that will lose their jobs but for what work? If there are no jobs, what good does training do? 

The Fast Tracking this "Agreement" is a separate issue. It appears that the desire to "Fast Track" or ram the "Agreement" thru the Senate is because those pushing the bill (the major corporations), don't want the 99% to be able to see the bill in time to express their opinions to their ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES. Fast Track will not allow debate. How does that fit into a representative democracy? 

As my elected representative, I am still pretending that we still have a representative democracy, please explain to me how the TPP will help the 99% of this country. And as a separate issue, please explain how the Fast Track fits into our representative democracy. And, if I might, please limit the rhetoric.

We in the 99% have few tools to fight the Ruling Oligarchy. We must get our elected representatives on our side. Please take the time to write your senators. 
Your letter doesn't have to be long, simply, "Damn the TPP" would do. 

Find your Senator here: https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm 

We must continue to fight

Sen Sanders Says No to TPP – Why Do Conservatives Say Yes?

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, currently being written by major international corporations, appears to be very damaging to the 99%.  Parts have been revealed to Congress and parts have been leaked.  The majority, most likely the worst parts, have been kept secret. The President and the Oligarchy want to Fast Track this so-called "agreement" thru the Senate without allowing debate.  Here are a few of Senator Bernie Sanders concerns:

1. TPP will allow corporations to outsource even more jobs overseas.

2. U.S. sovereignty will be undermined by giving corporations the right to challenge our laws before international tribunals.       

 3. Wages, benefits, and collective bargaining will be threatened.    

4. Our ability to protect the environment will be undermined.

5. Food Safety Standards will be threatened.    

6. Buy America laws could come to an end.      

7. Prescription drug prices will increase, access to life saving drugs will decrease, and the profits of drug companies will go up.        

8. Wall Street would benefit at the expense of everyone else.           

9. The TPP would reward authoritarian regimes like Vietnam that systematically violate human rights.           

10. The TPP has no expiration date, making it virtually impossible to repeal.  

Yes Virginia, Torture Does Work

Torture has been used effectively for centuries so why do liberals claim it doesn’t work?  Well typical of liberals they are a bit picky; specifically meaning that torture doesn’t work to obtain meaningful intelligence.  But of course, we all know that, even the blackest-hearted conservative knows.  So why is torture so popular with despots?  Let’s look at the different reasons for torturing humans:

1. Cheney and The Torturers (on their off hours they play at the Triple Door in Seattle) quickly rounded up over a hundred suspects in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and commenced torturing them. They weren’t too picky who got included in the round up because one purpose of the round up was to show the public that they were actively pursuing those responsible for the attack.  And the torture can be effective in weeding out suspects, or at least getting some confessions, giving the impression of success.

2.  As the Torture Report clearly shows, Cheney had people tortured, not to gain worthwhile intelligence, but to get information that could be used to justify their vision of invading Iraq.  The Torturers were ordered to continue with the torture until they got information that connected al Qaeda to Saddam Hussein.  They actually never succeeded in getting that information. 

3.  Torture is used to terrorize the enemy attempting to scare the enemy into capitulating.  Actually it’s really not that effective, seems it usually bolsters an enemies resolve.

4.  Torture is used by people in power because they can.  Some have psychopathic tendencies while others just get off on the power.  I would say this probably applies to Cheney and some of his guys.

5.  But the most effective use for torture is for leaders to control their own populations.  Arbitrarily torturing members of the public is very effective for getting cooperation and capitulation and has been used for centuries. 

I hope this clears up some questions.  Just don’t ask who Virginia is? 

Damn the Release of the Torture Report

Now we, as a nation, have to look at it square in the eyes.  No more denial, we tortured some folks.  Sorry Mr. President but we brutally tortured many people, many innocent people and for what?  

Now we must decide who we are as a nation.  Now we must admit we are not the world’s “Good Guys”.  We, all of us, are responsible for this horrendous blight on our national soul.  We all stood by as a cabal took control of our government.  They manipulated our election process and had it authorized by a corrupted Supreme Court.  This coup was accomplished without any noticeable resistance from our elected representatives.  Many representatives approved and most of the rest acquiesced.  Few spoke out.  

The public isn’t without blame but having been treated as lemmings for decades they/we went right off the cliff like good little authoritarians.  

The “News” Media, or more like the propaganda arm of the new Reich, instead of fulfilling their democratic function of keeping our government honest, put on a parade for the new Reich, willing shills for the new Corporatism, or dare I use the “F” word, Fascism?  Now I know you’re saying to yourself, no, no not in my America.  I vote therefore I am free.  But “Fascism is like a fog that comes in the night, which you will not see until the mourning(sic) light, …” *   “Fascism is capitalism in decay” Vladimir Lenin and our capitalism is definitely in decay.

If you still are hiding in your denial bubble, I suggest you read:  They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45, by Milton Mayer, if you haven’t already.

So what will we do about it?  We will growl and shake our heads and then scoot off to catch that sale on imported backscratchers at Walmart.  We are a country of authoritarians that blindly support our leaders and rationalize away clear violations of our Constitution.  And there are far too many of us that, not only accept the yoke of corporate slavery, but outwardly are antagonistic toward those that are fighting the creeping fog of fascism.

*I don’t have a source this quote.