4 posts tagged “government”

We have ALL seen it before.  A group protests the ruling political party's policies and the participants are deemed dangerous to the Country, the President and even themselves.  The most recent victims of the anti-protest rhetoric are the participants of T.E.A. Party demonstrations.  From Nancy Pelosi to CNN - participants were mocked, demeaned, belittled, and even declared dangerous.   The evil "neo-con" word was thrown around too - even though some of the protestors were liberal democrats.  I won't even go into the amount of times that people attempted to race bait participants.  During the Bush years, anti-war and liberal protestors were declared dangerous and unamerican.  The Right declared these protestors to be commies, radicals, unamerican, unpatriotic and even terrorists!

Why can't Americans see that, no matter what side of the political fence you are on - protesting is a staple of a democracy, a republic and the USA?  These protestors are involved in their country and its governance that supercedes most Americans.  Their participation surpasses that of ANY elected official (to include St Bush and St Obama) because they are doing it for something more than wealth, money, power or fame.

I don't care what the person is protesting, they are doing so because they want to make the nation better.  They are doing it out of a love for their country.  They are protesting because they want to make a difference.   Unlike politicians and talking heads - they generally don't seek fame and glory.  They aren't paid.   They aren't rich.   They are there on their dime. 

So, maybe we can all sit back and respect that thes people are true Americans that are actively involved in the way that it runs rather than calling them names.

President Barack Obama excited me when he declared that his administration would be a "no-lobbyist" zone.  It established a sense of integrity in him and his administration.  Unfortunately, in his first week in office, he broke that rule with the nomination of Bill Lynn, a former Raytheon employee/defense industry lobbyist, to the office of Deputy Secretary of Defense.

Now, in my wanderings, I found that many people are confused by what a lobbyist does, so let me explain.   A lobbyist is an individual that uses the contacts, relationships they have built, influence and money for a client to get favorable legislation and/or spending passed in government.   Now, the clients can be anybody - non-profit organizations, charities, issue oriented collectives, and commercial entities.  Basically - they are the people that get Congress to act.

In the case of Bill Lynn, he is a commercial lobbyist for Raytheon.   If you don't know who Raytheon is, they are the defense company that was awarded a 3 BILLION dollar contract in December to sell/implement/manage the American Patriot missile system to the United Arab Emirates in December '08.  This is the man that made their governmental contracts a reality.  Now, Obama wants him to help hand out those contracts as the deputy secretary of defense.  

Can you say conflict of interest?   Can you say preferential treatment?

Obama criticized other politicians for doing this very thing - he was supposed to be above handing out jobs to lobbyists who paid were beholden to companies.   For me, this knocks his claims of a "new kind of government" to an all-time low.   Had he not promised me a better, more honest government, I would not even care about the nomination.  It would be just another lobbyist getting a job.  However, Obama SWORE he would be different.  He set the rules but broke them the first day.

So where is the change that I can "believe" in?  Right now, I only see hypocrisy.

Like it or not - the change of our governmental seat happens today in just a few short hours.  No matter who you voted for in the Primaries and the General Election - today is the day we welcome a new President and say goodbye to Bush. 

Today is a day of promise, hope and positive contemplation.   Today is a day that we have a President that has made no mistakes while in Office.  Today is the day that we have a President that has committed no crimes or acts of moral ambiguity.  Today is the day that we will see people across the country celebrate our President, our Government and our nation.  Today is the day that we will see people proclaim their national pride.  Today is a day that America will see the ultimate racial glass ceiling broken.  Today is the day that most people will look to Obama and see a man that has the potential to do a good job.

I say that this will be the best day of his Presidency not because I expect him to be horrendous President.  I say it because this is the first day of a term of office that will face challenges.  Before he leaves office he will be required to change his own policies.  He will be required to mitigate the damages of a bad decision.  He will be required to compromise on his agenda.  He will be required breaks campaign promises.  He will have to face scrutiny for military, economic and policy decisions. 

So today President Barack H Obama should enjoy himself.   This term of office will not get any better than the celebrations of hope today.

I am so sick of people in this country complaining about the way our government runs.  Nearly every person you meet has a complaint, yet when it comes to voting time on 30% of americans vote.  What the hell?!?!?!?  How dare you complain if you were too lazy on election day to drag your carcas to to vote at your local voting station?  Why should anybody listen to you when you chose to ignore the best way to voice your dissent? 

If you choose not to vote - you lose the right to bitch about the people in office. 

Sorry folks but America is advanced citizenship.  You actually have to put an effort into it.  You have to be involved.  You have to try to participate.   You have to get out and vote!  Americans have a responsibility to themselves and their country to actually be a part of the system.

If you want to vote Republican - do it.   Thats your buisness and its your vote.  If you want to vote democrat - do it!  Libertarian - fine.  Green - go for it. Uncle Joe's clam digging party - have at it!  JUST FREAKING VOTE!!!!