Tuesday, March 9
Saturday, March 6
If Congress had to behave like the rest of us.
I got the following as a forwarded message in my e-mail. The idea is popular if the vast number of people forwarding it is any indication. There is more to this proposal than just handing it around the net though.
Preface:
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that Congressmembers could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered...in all of its' forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ".
The downside to this idea would require the involvement of Congress, you know the people this would directly affect. It's very hard to get people to curtail their power and privledge on their own. This idea needs real power behind it to make Congress take notice. A campaign that used the threat of a public tax strike, revealing congress members finances and the biggest of all with holding votes are some suggestions.
I encourage everyone who believes in this idea to take real action. Don't just complain about inequality DO something about it. What the three branches of government don't realize is that there is a fourth branch - the people they rule over. We have the power to refuse them and we need to make it clear that our needs are not being met.
As in many cultures the rewards of power is that you don't have to live like the rest. Whether it's communism, democracy, socialism, republicanism, many political ideologies contain the concept of egalitarianism- that everyone is treated equal. Not anymore. What this amendment purposes is to return the balance of power to all. Remember, we entrust these people with our country, government and our lives, they owe us some respect for the gift.
Preface:
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that Congressmembers could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered...in all of its' forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ".
The downside to this idea would require the involvement of Congress, you know the people this would directly affect. It's very hard to get people to curtail their power and privledge on their own. This idea needs real power behind it to make Congress take notice. A campaign that used the threat of a public tax strike, revealing congress members finances and the biggest of all with holding votes are some suggestions.
I encourage everyone who believes in this idea to take real action. Don't just complain about inequality DO something about it. What the three branches of government don't realize is that there is a fourth branch - the people they rule over. We have the power to refuse them and we need to make it clear that our needs are not being met.
As in many cultures the rewards of power is that you don't have to live like the rest. Whether it's communism, democracy, socialism, republicanism, many political ideologies contain the concept of egalitarianism- that everyone is treated equal. Not anymore. What this amendment purposes is to return the balance of power to all. Remember, we entrust these people with our country, government and our lives, they owe us some respect for the gift.
Friday, March 5
File under- I wish I'd thought of this first.
I'm in the library on Friday as usual and looking at the new books being processed in tech service and spot " Ignore Everybody and 39 other keys to creativity" by Hugh MacLeod. He has a website and draws nifty little cartoons on the back of business cards. I read through the book 'cause it isn't very long but it's amusing and one of the things I wish I had thought of. Drawing little observations and thoughts on 2 by 3 and a half inch cards. Hmm.
He gives advice about being creative in bite size chapters (the book was expanded from his blog). He even has advice given to him by director Tim Burton. " Well, if you have the creative bug, it isn't ever going to go away. I'd get used to the idea of dealing with it."
More hmm. I'm still trying to figure out what this blog should be about and this annoying little book gets me thinking again. Arrgh, I have to lay down now.
He gives advice about being creative in bite size chapters (the book was expanded from his blog). He even has advice given to him by director Tim Burton. " Well, if you have the creative bug, it isn't ever going to go away. I'd get used to the idea of dealing with it."
More hmm. I'm still trying to figure out what this blog should be about and this annoying little book gets me thinking again. Arrgh, I have to lay down now.
Thursday, March 4
The Future of America part 2
Here's proof of what I was talking about in the previous post about saving our colleges and universities
The greatest product America has is higher education and our government is bent on destroying it because of incompentent spending. Congress approves a trillion for military action overseas without any protest, bails out banks for billions but can't seem to fund education or health care. If the government can't take care of it's citizens first, It is doomed to fail.
(CNN) -- A California movement protesting $1 billion in budget cuts to the state's university system appeared to have burgeoned into a nationwide demonstration on Thursday.
The greatest product America has is higher education and our government is bent on destroying it because of incompentent spending. Congress approves a trillion for military action overseas without any protest, bails out banks for billions but can't seem to fund education or health care. If the government can't take care of it's citizens first, It is doomed to fail.
Tuesday, March 2
The future of America
The past greatness of America productivity is over. We no longer lead the world in heavy manufacturing. We don’t produce the cars, fabric, or steel like we used to. Those industries were shipped overseas decades ago. America will be known for three thing: higher education, superior medical treatment and the vacation destination.
Jonathan Cole from Columbia University and author of “The Great American University” argues that universities need to be protected because they are the best resource we have. Indeed 17 of the top 20 universities in the world are here.
Medical treatment. We already have the best medicine money can buy. Not all of it is available to Americans but if you are a Saudi getting chemotherapy, a Japanese gangster in need of a liver transplant or a Russian Prime Minister with heart problems; this is the place for treatment if you have the financial resources.
Vacation destination. We have an abundance of national parks, reserves and open land that have not been exploited or overrun with development. The US provides a variety of natural wonders that are accessible to people like no where else. Throw in theme parks, tourist attractions and Las Vegas and we have a potent mix of reasons for people in over crowded and polluted countries to come here.
Jonathan Cole from Columbia University and author of “The Great American University” argues that universities need to be protected because they are the best resource we have. Indeed 17 of the top 20 universities in the world are here.
Medical treatment. We already have the best medicine money can buy. Not all of it is available to Americans but if you are a Saudi getting chemotherapy, a Japanese gangster in need of a liver transplant or a Russian Prime Minister with heart problems; this is the place for treatment if you have the financial resources.
Vacation destination. We have an abundance of national parks, reserves and open land that have not been exploited or overrun with development. The US provides a variety of natural wonders that are accessible to people like no where else. Throw in theme parks, tourist attractions and Las Vegas and we have a potent mix of reasons for people in over crowded and polluted countries to come here.
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