Several years ago when Richard Blumenthal was Connecticut's Attorney General, the joke used to be "Where is the most dangerous spot in Connecticut?" The punch line was "Between Blumenthal and a TV camera".
I think we can update that joke now to "Where is the most dangerous spot in Washington DC?". And the punch line will have to be "between Senator Blumenthal and Senator Murphy and a TV camera"
As I sit here thinking about the July 4th holiday coming up this week, I am pretty confident that the nation we are today is a far cry from what our founders envisioned. We are supposed to be a "representative Democracy", but sadly I think very few of the people we elect actually represent us.
Yes, Washington DC is a mess, I don't think anyone can deny that. That mess did not start on January 20th with the Inauguration of Donald Trump, it has been a mess for years, if not decades.
I don't think our elected officials comprehend that they were elected to represent US! They have lost sight of why they are there. We don't elect "parties". We elect individuals, and the business of partisan politics is killing this country. So many issues are stuck in a partisan quagmire, instead of being based in what is best for us, the citizens.
Congress is elected to set the laws that are supposed to guide a "nation of laws. So why aren't they doing it? Did Congress only realize that after a new President came into office on January 20th that our immigration laws are broken? The same with our tax laws and Healthcare laws?
Is it wrong for an Administration to choose to enforce laws that are on the books and have been ignored for many years?
Instead of running for the TV cameras, maybe, just maybe, the officials we elect to represent us should be coming together and coming up with a compromise to introduce and pass laws that actually work for and not hurt the people they are supposed to represent.
Instead of running to the Sunday morning talk shows with your soundbites, show some leadership and come up with workable solutions. What works with the Affordable Care Act and come up with a consensus as to what is wrong and fix it. Look at what is wrong with immigration and fix it so that people who actually want to eventually be productive American citizens have a workable pathway to get there.
How about a period of amnesty for people who are here illegally? A 1 year period to get into the Federal system and come out of the shadows. If you aren't in the process after 1 year, all bets are off and deportation is a likely end, but at least give people the chance to get started. 30 years in the US illegally doesn't indicate to me a desire to be a citizen, but at least they should be offered the option before being deported
Passing legislation for the people may not help someones political career, but maybe it might help the same people who put their trust in you when they elected you.
I have received two e-mails this past week from the Congressman who is supposed to represent me telling me how he needed my help to assist him in getting the job done as he tries to do his job in Washington. And that help was requested in the form of a donation to his campaign. WHY? Is the salary he makes not enough to accomplish his job? Is his healthcare in danger of cancellation if I don't send a "contribution".
We need to start electing people that actually want to represent us and not climb to the next rung on their ladder of political aspirations.
Fight the tough fights when they need to be fought, but also be willing to show some real leadership and represent us when it is so sorely needed. It is what our founding fathers expected when they put their own lives on the line to "build a more prefect Union". And we are far from perfect right about now.
Kevin, you're so naive. The US was born in compromise, sin and ignorance. We would have been a more civilized land under British rule. Allowing slavery is just one such compromise. Big money ruled from almost the beginning but certainly picked up much strength during the late 19th century. Big business owns America and big business isn't giving up the control. I don't love this country. I love my neighbor's. I love my family. I love my fellow man. But this country? Please, these celebrations with ceremonial bombs lighting up the evening sky and made in Asia, are are the narcotic of the government and big business. Make the people think they are free and they will behave themselves. Give them service jobs after big business won the right to offshore every stinkin product all in the name of lower prices while the blue collar worker making living wages, now works two to three jobs to afford the cheaper goods. Ya baby.
ReplyDeleteJust live with the fact that you are an indentured servant. An enjoy your We The Almost People blog. But isn't it a great country that you can say what you want. Just watch out becaus someone will soon be watching you.
Happy July Fourth.
As someone of Irish heritage, I doubt very much we would be better under English rule. And as far as being watched, I wouldn't doubt it already
ReplyDelete6:19 pm I imagine as I read your ignorant rant about this country not being free that you look like sloth from the goonies, the next time you think this country is not free I beg of you to travel to North Korea and steal a political sign, see how that works out for you.
ReplyDeleteAmerica isn't free. Its a fact. Sorry.
ReplyDelete3:13 leave MY beloved country! You show no ownership or loyalty to her, Your lower than whale turds! Leave and go somewhere better! Make your name public and I'll pay for your moving truck!
ReplyDelete6:23pm
ReplyDeleteWe are a Sanctuary City, you can't say things like that
Brookman.... 6:19 is right about one thing.. The United States is owned by (((Big Business))).
ReplyDelete@6:23
ReplyDeleteListen pal, I was born in this country. I don't like where it has gone through much of my long life. If you don't like me opinions, you leave, jerk.
Kevin, and btw, hey, history is more complicated that black and white. Ok, England isn't perfect in a historical context. I sided with the IRA after Bloody Sunday so you don't need to give me a history lesson. But history is more complicated then suggesting that the Irish were mistreated therefor, England is evil. We all have blood on our hands. Well, everyone except the First People's and the African slaves.
ReplyDeleteSo let!'s just bring out a couple of six packs and drink up. Because you and me and most others, unless we are corporate ownership, we are all the indentured servants of big business.
Can we agree on this?
As the political vitriol spews forth on blogs around the world from many who would cut off somebody else's freedom speech to protect their narrow-mindedness, we have to remember what the founders of this great nation did today. It has been many years. but I feel like the rule of the Governing Tyranny that has gripped this country is coming to an end. They just don't realize that the tide of truth, justice, and the American way will wash the effects of their failures away.
ReplyDelete-Semper
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
(due to the character limit, the oppressions and usurpations of the King (and other big government ideologues) will be in second post.
and finally part 3 - - One document had such powerful ideas - - how did we stray so far from them?
ReplyDeleteNor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
11:20 yes unfortunately you were born here, so was I. But since I love it and all you do is talk about how bad it is I insist you leave! That will leave the folks that love it behind with it, and you, off to who gives a shitville
ReplyDeleteDo we really need a 9/11 to pull us together? Because that's the last time I remember any sort of patriotism . YOU PEOPLE need to get your priorities straight. Does anyone else recall all the flags,kindness and generosity to one another,the anger we shared toward the terrorists . Now where divided cause Trump won? We're F#%KED UP as a nation
ReplyDeleteWe're not divided because Trump won. We're divided because Barack Obama completely divided the nation.
DeleteI don't recall people of different nations and beliefs being spit on and beaten on a regular basis, as is reported in ALL news outlets, when Obama was in office. Or George W. for that matter. I like Trump. He amuses me. But let's be responsible with our blame.
DeleteThis country has been a mess since it's beginning, centuries. How can people not know the terrorism this country has caused its own citizens. This government has been the only terrorist in this country. Look at all the people who have been murdered, for doing the right thing. ALL, of the wars, had nothing to do with our safety or freedom but for the sake of money and power for the few, that continues to brain hack us. There is a preponderance amount of evidence available for the seeker to learn the truth about this country, yet people continue to act like cattle, going to slaughter, we can hear them screaming, but we just keep on going as though the screaming does not affect us. Look at the disrespect our soldiers are getting. Look at the respect that Ali got. All I'm saying is those of you who are still asleep, they are coming for you as we speak. They have eliminated the middle-class and they have never worried about the poor. Welcome to my world. Yes, America, home of the rich and kill
ReplyDeletethe brave.
Amen, Sister. For those bold enough to learn what our elected officials truly represent I recommend "The Franklin Cover Up". It's not for the sheep, though. Definitely not for the sheep.
Delete@3:38
ReplyDeleteYou leave you little mongrel mutt. And leave in the ship with thr hole in the bottom, for good measure. And take your fellow lovers of an oppressive state with you. And one last thing, go to Mexico and drink the water.👮
12:45 am I'd love to meet you, words honestly can't explain how much I would, because I'd be willing to bet that only one of us would leave. It would be me. I just haven't decided yet whether or not I would make you dig your own hole.
DeleteThat Declaration of Independence is poorly written and largely inaccurate. The first sentence is a run-on sentence. It should be broken up.
ReplyDeleteWhen in the course of Human Events, it becomes necessary to dissolve the political bands which has connected them with another nation. These newly settled lands by white men from mostly England desire to now join other nationals in the world. It is our right under the Laws of Nature and our phoney made-up God who give us this right.
We hold these truth to be self evident, that all Caucasian men are created equal. This excludes the animals from Africa who we consider 5/8th of man, those savages who we originally met, and most certainly, women, we we need to sleep with in order to produce future generations.
I could go on but I think you get the message. We are deluded by past grand pronouncements. Grandstanding on patriotism and Liberty is like a narcotic that warms the soul of the fool. As an old Irish protest song goes:
Come gather 'round rebels and listen while I sing
The love of one's country, is a terrible thing
It banishes fear with the speed of a flame
And it makes you apart, of the patriot's game.
Yeah ok barbara jones, I'm sure fighting and beating the nazis had nothing to do with our country's safety. You mam are a complete and utter idiot bafoon
ReplyDelete6:22AM
ReplyDeleteHere's some facts;
Slavery was acceptable at that time.
Africans were sold into slavery by their own people.
White people ended Slavery in this Country
Muslims still practice slavery to this day.
WHITE people were the 1st slaves.
Here's some reading.
https://revisionisthistory.org/page1/page3/page3.html
http://www.ironbarkresources.com/slaves/index.html
http://www.africaresource.com/rasta/sesostris-the-great-the-egyptian-hercules/the-irish-slave-trade-forgotten-white-slaves/
@6:23
ReplyDeleteWow I'm a shakin' in my booties. Maybe I autta wear a pair of depends in case I crap in my pants upon your arrival. So is that the way you resolve bantering with words? Don't you realize that the art of the spoken insult goes back to ancient Greece? It was called theater. Hey, if you can't take the written heat, my I suggest that you leave the kitchen to the real cooks.
@11:15
I'm not sure how to answer you. I did have one response but Kevin wisely deleted it least it get too vicious.