Women, Wake Up!!

by Margarita Mercure Hibbs 

'When Jimmy Kimmel said, "This just wasn't Rick's year. 1954 is Rick Santorum's year." He is not kidding. The GOP wants to take women back to the 1950's and strip us of all our civic, healthcare/reproductive and labor rights!

Every woman's and Democratic organization better start hosting Voting Guide Open Houses with good hard copy articles, resourced charts and good training and candidate DVDs to go along with good food and drink to get them to understand the importance of voting. Too many of all voting age women are not even registered to vote!

Time to break out the template of presentations that Mary Kay Cosmetics uses. If they can sell makeup in an informal, cozy fashion in small groups of women 6-12, around a kitchen table or living room, then surely we can get them to see the importance of voting.  It is good to see Organizing for America doing something like this. Otherwise, women are going to find themselves without hard fought rights, freedoms and opportunity.'

I posted my opinion above and apparently a few men found it offensive. For this offense, I received two private messages telling me some very unpleasant things and another, quoted P.J. O'Rourke, of all people in the Conservative Realm, as an attempt to equate what a huge majority of women view as civil rights and freedoms, to "rations of slavery and human cattle"?! How charming?

After more than 1000 bills and proposed legislation in states and in the GOP Controlled House, if people really believe that Women do not have a legitimate reason to feel under attack, then this whole discussion is too ridiculous to even pursuit. Romney has stated along with his Extreme Right members of his party, that they have more than business, profits and a deficit on their agenda. Remember, he and his fellow Presidential hopefuls signed Pledges to "Personhood" and Grover Norquist.

Thanks to the many miles of video tape, we have a really good picture about what Romney intends to do from the perspective of his great expertise as a "Gordon Gecko" Corporate Raider with regards to the economy. Let us not forget, all the Chicken Hawk FOX Pundits ranting to push us into war with Iran, as if we don't know that this is nothing more than a craven pursuit for military industrial profits, at the expense of our sons' and daughters' lives.  While they hold down investment in rebuilding our own country and press for more and more tax breaks, they ask us to forget that tax revenue is our government's income.

Most of us women have to balance our household budgets every day and know that when we don't have enough income, we can't pay our bills.  When we don't take care of our credit rating, we have to pay more for our credit.  The GOP showed us that they are irresponsible in their spending when they are in control of the purse strings, especially if they own the White House, Congress and Senate and last year's Deficit Battle and the resulting S&P rating was proof of their ignorance or arrogance in managing our country's credit rating.

As women, many of us know quite well what that means and has meant to us from businessmen like Romney. You see, we don't hate wealth or wealthy people.  We hate greed that is bathed in craven indifference to the struggling, elderly, disabled and poor. We are working our asses off in a stark economy, that has been created and made worse by too many Corporate CEOs who focused on Profits to Shareholders and principals, over working people for the last 30 years.  Because of corporate types like Romney and Carly Fiorina, we have seen our manufacturing jobs shipped overseas for cheaper labor while demonizing organized Labor and walking away with Golden Parachutes; Wall Street Lobbyists bought our Congress and Senate to legislate in their favor, on taxes, trade and special access.

Do not insult our intelligence or frayed nerves by telling us that President Obama is a socialist, fascist or Nazi.  This is a Republic rooted in Democratic representation.  This is not a Dictatorship.  So as much as I want President Obama to be more liberal and progressive, he is not.  Sadly we are all too aware of how broken our government is now that some of the mega wealthy and Extreme Right are just plain greedy and don't want to pay their fair share of taxes.

The Extreme Right along with Wall Street, have also worked systematically to rig the lobbying, voting laws and the Courts while exploiting the many in our ranks through their faith communities.  They claim that the poor should know the dignity of work, as if the poor don't want to work.  They say that they represent Christ's greatest mandates; Feed the Poor, Clothe the Naked, Love One Another and then through hypocritical representatives such as Catholic Cardinal's threaten not to do these things because they oppose Birth Control coverage to their female employees.

It is an indisputable fact that the GOP has taken our country and economy to the very brink of more financial disaster, simply because they hate President Obama more than they love their country and their people.  He has been obstructed since the first day after the Inauguration.  There are miles and miles of documentation to prove this intent; "Our goal is to make sure that President Obama is a One Term President.  We will not compromise or collaborate on anything!  We want President Obama to fail!"

While raising children or not raising children, often working 2 or more jobs, we women have no intention of going back to Pre-Roe vs. Wade, simply because we are desperate to keep our jobs or businesses. But it is very clear that they also now think that we should not have access to birth control on the same par as men have to Viagra and Cialis, as part of a healthcare prescription plan. Nor will we let slip the attacks on Planned Parenthood. pay parity and redefinitions of Rape be changed to accommodate male chauvinism and control over our vaginas.  Birth Control is still the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

As you may have noticed, the "Marvelous Ryan Plan" includes a great many callous cuts to programs that help disabled, elderly, working families, poor women and children. For Romney and his GOP, sanctity for human life only applies to the babies in uteri. For the record, even though I happily acknowledge the many good fathers who raise their own children, you know very well, that it is the women who still do the majority of child rearing. If Romney and Ryan get their way, this will be all the harder.

If you are a woman or you love women and are not registered to vote, please register.  If you care about the War on Women and equal rights, please sign the petitions to support the Equal Rights Amendment http://equalrightsamendment.org/ and get involved in the National Organization for Women at http://www.now.org/ and We Are Woman at http://www.wearewoman.us/.  Contact your Congressman or woman and tell them how you feel about their actions and remind them that they work for us, not Corporate America.

When you’re Down and Out

By RF Schatten

Life sure is something! When you got it...you are the greatest thing in this whole “Wide World of Influence”; you're smart, handsome, a debonair man about town...how to make friends and influence people type of guy. The sweet smell of success is all around you...and, you can do absolutely nothing wrong (even, if you are the greatest schmuck on the face of this planet), and, above all, Lady Luck seems to be with you every minute of your life!

But! When you’re down and out…and, you really don't have it anymore…suddenly, you are Mr. Nobody; you were never that smart, you're really not that handsome after all, that debonair air smells more like the sweet smell of failure...you can't do anything right, people start to see that you…really are a schmuck!...and, you can't get that “Lady” to shine some luck on you, even for a lousy 30 seconds in the day. And, for that final kick in the ass! ...you can't even influence that guy at the corner, the one with the cardboard sign that reads “Help me, need money, God Bless You”...as he tries to take ‘your’ corner spot away from you! ...can't win for losing... Hey brother! Can you spare a dime?

The Chinese curse says: “May you live in interesting times”. Well! we definitely do live in ‘Interesting Times’. Life is really very tough these days; we see the increase of people; literally, begging in the streets, the homeless population has grown in this country...and, we're not in a Quieter and Gentler America anymore. When someone was down and out, the local community would rally around the person, or family, if that was the case...and lend them a helping hand. There was a kind of human respect back then, between people...whether you were rich, or poor, everyone helped each other ...Civility, Moral Values and Ethics…I believe it was called.

Values have pretty much gone down the drain. In today's America, local communities are not as quiet, usually bickering over issues, forgetting their past…and, with an exception now and then, ‘that’ helping hand is almost nonexistent ...also, people are not as gentle anymore. When they pass someone panhandling in the street, you can hear “Hey! Go get a job, you bum!”...could it be, that the reason for the panhandling in the first place, is, that the poor guy lost his job? ...and, maybe, just maybe…is unable to find another one? Or, you hear the comment “this guy is just looking for a buck to buy a drink, God Damn Wino!”

You got to have a little faith, and trust in people...be a little more Godly, and charitable. Is true that some people do take advantage, but, in general, most do not...don't penalize them…be gentler, America!

I wasn't born then, but I heard stories from my parents about the Great Depression...and the horrors imposed on people in those days. What was impressed on my mind the most, was…the existence of respect by everyone...the need work together, and to help each other; because then, survival was paramount...this country really pulled together, and got out of that deep mess of the 30s. It was a different era though, much more gentler times...if, we get into a deep depression today, in this era, in these times…how would we handle that mess?

Help Agencies, for the most part, do help...but not, to totally get you back on your feet. This is the system we live in today...the bureaucracy, that is meant to slow your progress towards self-sufficiency, and strap you down into the welfare estate forever...I worked in welfare once, and, like the case workers jokingly say: “Welfare, is like the ‘Hotel California’...you can always check out, but you can never leave”.

But…if you do manage to get back on your feet; and back on top...just watch all those friends, and family members, that you've not heard from in years...crawl out of the woodwork. “Hey buddy! I've been thinking about you, and decided that I ‘got’ to give you a call, how are you doing old pal?”...YEAH! SURE! But, hey! ...you’re back on top again, you’re not that schmuck anymore, and…you really are, that smooth, handsome, debonair guy after all. “Hey look!! I’m on top of the world, ma!!!!”

- 30 -

Decision Time: Progression vs. Regression

by RF Schatten

On Monday, April 26, 2010, I was talking to a friend about American Politics, and wrote the following: “The Conservative movement, is genuinely scared, because, from the beginning of time, the greatest evil to the Conservative Elitism, has been “Reform”...they don't want Reform, they don't want to change the Status Quo...it is a very real threat to their very own existence. And, when that happens, their only goal, is the resumption of power, which they controlled, for so many years. If Obama, is successful, and the American Progressive Movement take full control, Conservatism, would be out of favor for 30-40 years...and for that, they 'will' do, whatever it takes to avoid that scenario...even, at the cost, of taking the Nation down”.

This was just my personal thoughts...much before the Occupy Movement, before 99% became a household word, before anyone heard of Gene Sharp, before anyone knew of the disastrous GOP Debates, and the cast of characters embodying the political stage...all, making fools out of themselves...wanting that coveted GOP Party nomination.

What is scary about those thoughts, is that today, more than 2 years later, many Pundits and Scholars, are genuinely talking and writing...exactly...about the same thing; and, they don't know or care who the hell I am!!!

Today, the GOP is no longer the same Republican Party, you and I grew up with. Social Conservatism has taken a hold of the Republicans, to a point where closet hypocrisy on issues, and on personal matters is considered the norm...where Bigotry, Racism, Hatred, and Fear reigns supreme. Where the old party moderates, are allowing their beloved 'Party' to be taken over by Radical Conservatism...all becoming Political Whores, just because they are now faced with a 'black man' as President...something they only thought about in their nightmares. The only place for a Black person in the Republican Cocktail Party is as a domestic, that comes and goes out the back door...heaven forbid, actually having to share bread with them.

Today, the GOP is championing the cause of the 1%...among those, the 400 individuals in the United States today, that have more wealth, in combined Cash, Stock, and Property...than the assets of 155 Million Americans COMBINED!!! Their entire stance in the 2012 Elections is, on keeping that Elite 1% as rich as humanly possible. Money, Money, Money!!! and this year?? Reduce the Tax for the Rich, Increase the Tax to the Middle Class and the Poor, cut Medicare for the Elderly, eliminate Medicaid for the Poor, kill Social Security completely, as it stands today. Their war against Women, is the worst in this Nation's History, and their attack on Gays, Hispanic, Blacks, Jews, Muslims...all religions, that are not White Anglo-Saxon Protestant...the Elderly, the Environment, and Education. All this, threatens the very existence of our Nation's progress, made in over 200 years. Yet, the most important issue, I see in this campaign season, is the very sinister and dark side of today's GOP...as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said... “the GOP will do whatever it takes, to bring the downfall of Barack Obama, even if we have to bring the Country down with it”... “I will not help pass any legislation, till Barack Obama is out of Office”. So much for your “Loyal Opposition”.

What we are facing as a Nation, if the Republican Party wins, is a country controlled by the very few...does the family named “Koch”, ring in your thoughts? A Ruling Class Society, in a Theocratic Fascist Plutocracy. Sieg Heil!! This is true evil...I'm not bullshitting. As I said, the continuous movement towards the elimination of Public Education, Social Security, and Welfare, along with Medicaid and Medicare...Health Care in general!! The threat to Women Rights, and the intrusion into People's Private Lives...and finally, the changing of Laws around the Country...limiting People's Right to Vote. WE TRULY ARE IN A CLASS WARFARE...it's time to get serious, and Vote for a real future, with real progress...not to regress to the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s...or even worse, to Germany 1933-1945.

Today, because of giant Political blunders by the GOP, and their inability to respond positive in government...the United States, no longer gets the respect in the world, it once had...why? Greed, Racism, Bigotry...what else do you want to include. The most respected man in the world, at this moment is Barack Obama...in the US? Obama, just verrryyy slightly. The world is watching!!! act like what everyone expects of you, America!, don't get screwed!!

Actually, the Republicans are giving this country, the biggest screw job of this Nation's History...it's the Tea Party, who is giving the GOP the Blow Job...and since the GOP, in 2012, are all degenerates, who condemn others in Society, while really being Closet Social Liberals, they love the Tea Bags to continue giving them that Blow Job!...they get highly aroused by the more Sadistic Evil Minded Wing of Conservatism. It's their way of justifying, why they have moved from Moderate Conservatism to Extreme Right Wing Conservatism. They really do love, the Extreme Philosophy of Conservatism...but, cannot resist those Closet Interludes with Liberal Minded thoughts.

- 30 -

That Shining City...And The Ghetto Below

by RF Schatten

When Ronald Reagan's “Shining City On A Hill” hit the airwaves...everyone, suddenly felt so much confidence about what direction, we as a Nation, were headed. “It's Morning Again in America!”, his ads would say. Well...at least, some people did believe, that America was turning 'that' corner, where prosperity was just at your finger tips ...others, knew better. But, the general belief then, was that we...as a Nation, were indeed headed on that right path...to better and more prosperous times.

But, here in this Country, we live in a constant state of Political Metaphors...what the American public, didn't really understand was, that the prosperity...so romantically and eloquently stated...really applied to those who are prosperous...the economically advantaged. Trickle Down Economics!! Set an economic structure, that those in the loop, will be handsomely rewarded...whatever is left, will 'trickle' down to everyone else...but, apparently, that 'trickle'...went down just enough, to reward their friends. It was a matter of the Elitist rewarding the Elitist. Money does corrupt, and the more you have, the greedier you become...keep it for yourself, and if there's enough...pass it down to those you associate with...keep it all, among your circle of friends.

This country, is not that Shining City on a Hill...only an Illusion, brought to you, by those more fortunate. That Shining City, belongs only to them...no vacancy to those less fortunate.

Since the early 80s, the income inequality between the Upper Class and the Middle Class, has risen every single year. The Income Gap, now shows the greatest disparity ever, in the history of our Nation. The numbers are there...what is totally unbelievable and embarrassing, is that the United States of America, according to the CIA World Fact Book, ranks near the bottom, worldwide!!...in income inequality. The old Red, White, and Blue's gap between the Rich and the Poor is higher than The Ivory Coast, Cameroon,

Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen...and just ahead of Jamaica and Uganda. We rank 42^nd in inequality, compared to Tunisia who is 62^nd, Yemen, who is 76^th, and Egypt at 90^th. Forget England, Europe, and the rest of the Developed Countries...they are light years away from the US.

What does this means? I really don't think, I have to spell it out. The top one percent took home more than a fifth of all personal income in the U.S....that means, that a couple of dozen families in America, has more personal assets than 150 Million people...Combined!!! That, is just incredible! And now...in 2012, they don't think, that is enough. Their income tax rates are lower than much of the Middle Class...and they want them even lower. Fair Share??? They don't know the meaning. The war between the Uppers and the Middles, has escalated like never before...and Politicos, who already have their hands inside these peoples' pockets, are defending these poor, unappreciated souls. They are staging the most hate filled campaign in US History...establishing and protecting the rights 31,000 over the rights of 311Million people...creating, an American Apartheid...and trying to gain legal control in this Nation for this 1%...over 99% of the population.

Politics aside, what is really shows the shame of the United States, on the World Stage today is...The Arrogance towards those less fortunate...how they are publicly demeaning the poor, and the middle class...how someone like the Mayor of New York City, a Billionaire himself, put a ban on the donations and the feeding the Homeless, by the Food Banks in town...not allowing the homeless to be fed. His excuse is, that he needs to asses the Salt, Fat, and Fiber content, to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition and the amount of Salt intake...never mind, that they will probably die of starvation while every single item donated, is tested for the right amount of Calories, etc. It's like, if you are dying of thirst in the desert...and someone takes that precious bottle of water, and says, that it must be tested for chemicals before you can drink it!!

Another example, showing how unaware of reality, the Conservative American Elite is, and of the distance between them and everyone else: In an interview, Alan Dlugash, a partner at accounting firm Marks Paneth & Shron, made this comment, and I quote; “People who don’t have money don’t understand the stress...Could you imagine what it’s like to say I got three kids in private school, I have to think about pulling them out? How do you do that?” This, from a man who's a partner for a firm that specializes in financial planning for the wealthy. Oh! My God!! a millionaire cannot keep his kids in Private School, because his million dollar bonuses, have been cut 10% or 20%...now, he only has a 900 or 800 thousand dollar bonus...soon, he may have to apply for food stamps!! I don't have money, Alan...come down to my level, and I'll show you, what 'stress'...really is.

With the greed of the Oil Industry, raising Gas Prizes to an all time high...while making record profits. Greedy Bankers, making illegal foreclosures, and enough illegal transactions, to make the Mob, look legitimate...while all along, raking in Gigantic Bonuses. And Giant Corporations making giant profits, while making giant layoff. They all call themselves Job Creators, but continue to layoff employees. And they don't really care...they continue doing all this, right out in the open.

It's not just their treatment of the less fortunate...they could care less...it's the loss of dignity, and loss of pride, that this whole issue is about, for millions of people...the shaming of the unemployed...looked at as 'Bums' by the wealthy. Don't treat someone like that, because sooner or later, they will say; “Enough is Enough”

The shaming of America...people don't read history, anymore. And, as my favorite philosopher said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.

I really do feel sorry, for the Arrogance and the Ignorance of these Rich people...and how disconnected they really are, with the rest of America...very, very sad!

That Shining City on the Hill?? Yes, they do live there...while the rest of this Nation, lives right down below, in a sad giant Ghetto

The Moral And Political Decadence Of American Society

by RF Schatten

What the Hell is happening in America? Where has our Moral Values gone to? The United States, has always been seen throughout the World, as a leader...not just a leader in business, but a leader in Freedom and Moral Justice.

Today, we have sunk to a new low...our decline, in our Moral and Ethical standards, are seen, along with our decline in Business and Economy...as the cause in the decline of stature by the United States Of America, all around the World.

A 103 year old woman, Vita Lee, was Foreclosed...and was ordered to vacate her premises of 53 years. When the Police and the moving vans arrived, they saw her...and her 83 year old daughter (who takes care of her)...and decided that they will not obey the Eviction Order by Deutche Bank.

Enough is Enough!! With all the issues brought to our attention by the 99% Occupy Movement...people throughout the country are standing up to Big Banks, and demanding the long needed reforms, to make this Nation a more Fair Place to live.

Former Philadelphia Police Chief, Captain Ray Lewis was cuffed and detained for 17 hours for protesting with the 99% Occupy Wall Street Movement. A few months ago, the LAPD refused to move out the Occupy LA Movement from where they were...saying that it is officially illegal to be there, but will not forceably make them move. Things are changing little by little...but, it will take time. Occupy Activists, are still being forceably removed, around the country...confrontation was inevitable...specially where the local establishment has enough clout, where the wealthy business owners and bankers, have a monetary stake inside the pockets of the Politicos in City Hall.

But, things remain terribly wrong in this Country...not just the fact that a 103 year old is being booted out of her domicile of 53 years, by a filthy rich Bank...whose luxurious self-indulgence includes multi million dollar bonuses to its executives, probably for giving their best impression of Snitely Whiplash, with all these poor families....but the way people are behaving in all parts of Life in America.

On TV, Fox News criticizes the Poor, in a way never seen before, in my 64 years on this earth...saying they have the “Luxury” of owning a TV set, and even a Refrigerator. Statistics reveal that nearly every household (99.9 % according to the Heritage Foundation) classified as "poor" by the U.S. Census Bureau owns a Refrigerator...and that 98% of poor households in the U.S. (those with an income of about $22,000 for a family of four) own a Stove or Oven. They say the poor shouldn't whine...if they can afford to have Refrigerators and Stoves, they shouldn't be asking for help. I guess what Fox and Deutche Bank wants, is for the poor to live in the streets, and cook with a can of Sterno. Newt Gingrich has been quoted on saying, that Banks should repossess all homes, fix them up, sell them to developers, and use them to rent them back to the previous owners...and then, the GOP claims that the Left is causing a Class Warfare??????? It's a little hypocritical that the Rich are complaining about “Class Warfare”...more, as if what they really want is...a Ruling Class Society. Yes! There is a Class Warfare going on...and it's against the 99%.

What is even worse, is the relentless dehumanizing of the Poor and the Middle Class...their criticism applied to them by those who feel that American Elitism is good for America. The criticism of those on the unemployment line by Fox News, as bums, who should get back to work, rather than bum off the taxpayers...never mind, that they are unemployed because they lost their jobs...if they had a job...they would not be unemployed!!!!! Can America understand that??

In the category of “Dehumanization” also comes the disgusting review of those who feel that Medicine is just for those who can afford it...if you're sick and with an emergent need for Hospitalization? LET THEM DIE!!! is the answer from the GOP and Tea Party.

They cheer for “Death”...when a GOP candidate tells an audience, that he proudly holds the record for “Executions” in his State...everyone stood up and gave him a tremendous round of applause!! When Patti Davis saw the Debate, she said: "The moment that would have broken my father's heart was the moment when applause broke out at the mention of more than 200 executions ordered by Rick Perry in Texas. It was stunning and brought tears to my eyes. This is what we've come to? That we applaud at executions?"

Death is a form of Aphrodisiac to the GOP, Tea Party, and the 1%...maybe, they figure that if enough people die, they could control this Nation...and their hatred for Blacks, Women, Hispanics, people of all different origins...as long they are not White Anglo-Saxon, that is!!...and specially, Gays!!

“Gays cause Tornadoes” says Pam Olsen, Florida Co-Chair for Rick Perry...while Marcus and Michele Bachmann believes that they are sick savages. When a gay serviceman, Army Capt. Stephen Hill asked the question to the GOP Candidates in a debate...if they would reinstate the ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. Military...the audience, made up of Tea Party and GOP people booed him loudly!!...never mind that this same person, served in the front lines to preserve the Freedom, the very same Freedom, that they talk about so very often: “If You Love Your Freedom...thank a Vet” No one thanked Capt. Stephen Hill for their Freedom, and the chance for them to be there...and boo him.

Yes! We do live in a Decadent America...an America full of Hate towards their fellow man, because they may be less fortunate, and not have that fat bank account. A Racist America, where the Civil Rights Act means nothing, with suppression and voter disenfranchisement, on the rise. A Bigoted America...towards the Hispanics, the Jews, the Muslims, the Oriental...an America where only the White Anglo-Saxon race, is considered pure. I heard of Race “Purity” once before...in Germany 1933-1945. And finally, in an America, where rich corporations not only want to bypass their financial obligations with the IRS...but have polluters...high stake polluters who have been fined million and millions, while destroying our Environment...backing Politicos who will do whatever it takes to destroy all Environmental Laws...by simply having their Palms Greased. Their excuse? Science is not correct, and only God can make things happen...forget Global Warming...forget that the Environment in the United States goes to the dump...as long as the greedy rich can make another fast buck...let this Nation rot!!

There is no Moral Decency in the GOP today...they are all Demagogues and Charlatans...political opportunists, with no Heart, no Soul...and no Values. We live in an America, that one side wants to control women's rights on reproduction, destroy the Latino Culture, by pitting Hispanics against each other...on immigration, prevent the Gay community from enacting their own values on marriage, and other issues, and the implementation of a Christian ideology throughout the nation...and a Christian Theocracy in government.

The Decadence of those who condemn the Left for their social promiscuity, and criminal attitudes of the poor...yet, are constantly being caught cheating on their spouses, picking up hookers, having sexual encounters with people of their own sex, getting caught scamming others, committing fraud...like Governor Rick Scott did, and stealing from the taxpayers...of course, when they get caught with their hands in the cookie jar, oh well!! “God told me he'll personally forgive me, if a stop fooling around with YouTube!!...Glory Hallelujah!! I'm Born Again!!

Why have we stooped down so low as a Nation? There may be many answers to that question...except, this time...all the equations come up the same: Inequality. Just like they say: 1% vs 99%. Those odds are not good to some folks. They were not good to France in 1799, they were not good to Russia in 1917...99 to 1 is never good, I just hope, someone in this country, learns their History Lessons...right, George Santayana?

Does Moral Values and Ethics mean anything anymore? When will we understand that we can achieve so much more, by working together than by working apart??

John Lennon once said: “Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one” Maybe some day...if we can just learn...America can attain that Utopian-like feeling, that all of the World has dreamed about...and once again, be #1.

Pope Santorum I...Oops!! I Mean President Santorum

by RF Schatten

I'm still a Catholic, and as a good Catholic Boy...like most of them...I'm still against the Vatican's rules...most of them...but, I do believe in Evolution, among other things. Rick Santorum doesn't have to believe in Evolution, that's his God given right...but, don't try to pass his Religious believes on everyone...specially his radical ideas about the Roman Catholic Church.

The entire "idea" for the creation of this Nation, is "Freedom"...not just Freedom Of Speech, but Freedom of Religion, too...the ability to practice whatever Religion you fucking want...without Government interference...that's why we have a Constitution, and a Declaration of Independence.

That means, "We, the People" are Independent to choose whatever we want to believe in. Policy positions based on the Bible, or on his own interpretations of Roman Catholic Theology, just proves the incompetence this fellow has, if he wants to become the leader of the free world...you have to base your thoughts and policy ideas, on real life...and whatever situation arises, that require the President to act. It's not based on your personal believes, but on what, realistically... has to be done.

When the Fathers of this Nation wrote "IN GOD WE TRUST"...they meant "GOD" as in a Deity, which can be interpreted by all Religions. Whether it's Jesus Christ, son of God, Jehovah, Elohim, Allah, El Shaddai, Ishvara, or whoever else...they're all "One" God. Khalil Gibran once said:"I love you when you bow in your Mosque, kneel in your Temple, pray in your Church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the Spirit". The word "God" is just a word...but, for the Social Conservative Christian Fundamentalists, their radical approach is to make "God" Jesus Christ, the official "Spiritual" leader, and the Christian laws, interpreted from the Bible, by them...as the Laws of the Land, by the US Government.

It's ironic that these people favor Crusading in the Middle East and elsewhere, to change these Theocratic Governments..."Leave Religion out of Politics, free the people, and make these countries DEMOCRATIC!!". The Right, wants to take religion out of Politics for the Muslims, but put religion into Politics, here in America. Very quietly, they truly want a Holy War against Islam...a Jihad. They want to relive the Crusades...but, at the end, who won those Crusades? And who Lost??

It's not just Rick Santorum, but the Christian Right too. The GOP, Tea Party, and the far Right, do have very much in common...they all know how to spell...HYPOCRISY!!!

TO ALL MY FRIENDS...I'M BACK!

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY HAS BEEN AN EXCITING PERIOD FOR OUR FAMILY...WE ARE CURRENTLY TRAVELING THE NATION, ON OUR QUEST TO OUR NEW HOME BASE...IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST.

TRAVELING IN OUR MOTORHOME, YOU CAN WELL SAY, IN POLITICAL PARLANCE...I'M GONE FISHING!!...AWAY FROM POLITICS FOR A LITTLE WHILE

 

AFTER A HIATUS OF 2 MONTHS, THE PERUSER WILL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH ARTICLES, STARTING MARCH 1ST

THANKS,

RF SCHATTEN

2011: The GOP Candidates' Year Of Living Stupid

 By RF Schatten

There were many good stories about Politics in 2011...some very sad, some very inspiring, some very, very serious, and others...well! others, very stupid and extremely funny!! Which brings me to the 2011 Class of Republican Presidential Candidates. This could have been a very serious matter, with very important issues that could make or brake a candidate, and elevate an individual to possibly become the next President of the United States...but, as the days, weeks, and months past by...and a marathon of GOP Presidential Debates ensued, you just couldn't help but feel, that this whole exercise of Democracy in action, has been one great giant... “put on”.

If you are a political junkie, or someone who just wants to be able to look at the issues and the the people who might someday be the Leaders of the Free World...you would stay tuned to the election cycle's Presidential Debates, by either or both Parties...debates by both sides before the Presidential Primaries, has become part of Americana.

2011 was no different...except, a funny thing happened on the way to the primaries. The Democratic Party, because being the Party in power...and a sitting President ready to take the challenge of all comers...didn't need to participate in that exercise. So, it was up to the GOP, to pick who was going to be their Candidate to challenge the President. And before you can blink, a slew of Candidates were declaring their intention...at least 4 of them, jumped into the race because “God told me to run”...obviously, God must have a sense of humor...since he is “Almighty”, and you're not suppose to question his word, he must have been fucking with the minds with 3 of them.

From the start, the field of Presidential wannabees appeared as if they were a casting call for a Cecil B. DeMille epic!! You had enough people exploring or declaring their candidacy, that the entire Roman Legion in Cleopatra, would look minuscule compared to this field!

In all seriousness...there was nothing serious about the 2011 GOP Class. In fact, they resembled not a class of political candidates, but a mix of the classes in “Welcome Back Kotter” and “Saved by the Bell”. What this “Class” resembles, is a Cast of Clowns, right out of a 3 Ring Circus, which is what many writers and commentators call it...I call it: “The Freak Show”!!

Trying to pick who to start with, is difficult, so I'll just start with the 1^st Clown Freak...and he was dressed for the part...orange face and all...Donald Trump. With “The Donald”, there was nothing really funny about him, except his artificial tan. The only semblance of fun he could be associated with, was that he “was” a joke. He said he could deal with any foreign power, by simply telling them; “This is what I'm going to do...and you better line up with me or else”. Not much for diplomacy, and apparently, not much for the GOP...he dropped out soon...he had a choice of running for President or continue his reality show, “The Apprentice”...the GOP pretty much said to him: “You're Fired!!” His excuse was, that he really never formally decided to run.

Next, was a speech in New Hampshire...by another very scholarly member of the Class of 2011...Michele Bachmann. This Lady, not only professes to be a college graduate...but someone who is extremely patriotic. During her speech, she mentions how proud she is, in being in the Cradle of the American Revolution...Concord, NH!! “That's Concord, Mass” said an old friend of mine, from my days in NH. She continued as if nothing happened. “That's Concord, Mass”...he continued, “This is Cancard, New Hammshaa” he said in your typical Upper New England accent. She thought they were smiling, because they liked her speech...they were really laughing, because they saw a Lady running for President, who knew American History, worse than my 12 year old grandson...BTW, he does know American History...better than her. So did the Teenage Girl, who wanted to debate her. Then came “that” moment in Iowa, as she mentioned how proud she was being in the hometown of that great American, John Wayne...she got part of the name right...except, it was, a not so great American...serial killer John Wayne Gacy. There are so many more stories on our Welfare Queen, but just, not enough space for all of them.

We move on to the god ol' Texas Cowboy...Gov. Rick Perry, the Oops! Guy of the Republican Party. First, he could only remember 2 of the 3 Depts of the Government that he wanted to “Cut”...he just couldn't remember the 3^rd...pretty sorry, when those 3 cuts is a major portion of his very own plan. He just couldn't remember his own plan!!! His only remark, when that happened, during a Debate, was...Oops!!!!!! Then came an interview in which he couldn't remember the name of the SCOTUS Justice that he was criticizing...you might call that, another Ooops moment. But the strangest and funniest moment for this man, was in New Hampshire...when he spoke, and appeared to act...oh well!, a little strange you might say. Bill Maher, commented that he once said, that what Rick Perry needed to do was to take some Magic Mushroom... “Well! I never expected him to take me literally”. He did look a little giddy...as they said back in the 60s and 70s; “He must have taken some Windowpane” Well Rick! OOPS!!!!!

There are so many, many moments. Herman “The Pizza Man” Cain, wanted to be President, but his knowledge of Government was not to Par...he didn't know much about the Constitution...when asked about a controversial Constitutional Amendment, which he wanted passed, he said; “As soon as this Amendment passes...I will signed it immediately”. By the way, Mr. Cain...you don't sign Constitutional Amendments, once they are ratified by the States, they become Law!!! And then came the moment of “Uzbecky Becky Becky Stan Stan” , which he said; don't know where it is, who cares. Well, Uzbekistan happens to be the country from which the US Military uses to send its weapons over to Afghanistan. “Well, since as President, I'll have people to do that...I don't need to know where it is. Let's just say, that Foreign Policy, would not have been his strength...now, Family Values? Cain ran as a very deeply religious man, with Morality and Family Values as his strength. Then came the scandals...women after women... “Never heard of them” he pretty much said, “well! maybe I did know that person, but I was never involved in technical issues like Lawyers and Lawsuit Settlements”. Then his mistress of 13 years, Ginger White, came out...oh!!!! I thought we were just friends?”. It turned out that Herman Cain, Deeply Religious Family Man, was just a dirty old philanderer.

There are many stories in this Naked City of Presidential Wannabees, and we cannot cover them all...so I'll end this with one more Candidate...actually, someone who still not a candidate...the Reality Show version of Michele Bachmann...Sarah Palin. Like Bachman, another not too serious student of American History, as we all found out that Paul Revere was signaling the British, that the Americans were waiting to get them??? Sarah!!! Paul Revere was warning the Americans that the British were coming, not to the British, that the Americans were coming!! But, she just Winked and Smiled, and went on her Merry way, without ever acknowledging her mistake. NOW!! the grand finish for the Hockey Mom...she said, if the GOP Convention becomes brokered, she might just decide to enter the competition!!...because she can beat Obama!!

So, I'll end this little tale of Stupids, with what could be the funniest thought of all. The only person, not acting ridiculous throughout these debates and campaign stumps, has been Jon Huntsman...the only Candidate who has remained a gentleman, and looking like a real statesman. Huntsman, may very well be the only candidate who can seriously give Barack Obama, a run for his money. But, because he is an Honorable, Decent, and Respected Human Being and Politician...he is in last place. He is not stupid, and since stupid is as stupid does...the Grand Old Tea Party, will pick the stupidest person they can find.

The Great Upheaval

By Lorenzo A. Cañizares



To understand what is meant by “The Great Upheaval” is important to provide some pertinent facts. We need to realize that there is a dichotomy amongst the American people in how we experience the reality around us. Regular common people that have been lucky enough not to have had to deal with losing a job or being discriminated because of race, gender, sexual preference or religion trying to understand what’s happening in America today, can become difficult especially if they have been mainly just paying attention to daily living.

As we are seeing, most states are going through an attempt to change the reality that Americans live in. Those with jobs, as teachers and state workers that might have been oblivious to the pain being suffered by those that have lost jobs and benefits in the private sector, are getting to know now how it feels. The people doing the deciding are ruthless in their disregard for the popular will or well-being. For example, Charles M. Blow mentions in his NYT column of 2/12/11 that Republicans in New Hampshire have filed bills to overturn the state’s same-sex marriage law, even though, according to a recent WMUR Granite State Poll, the state’s residents want to leave the law in place by a majority of more than 2 to 1. Who cares about being concerned about what constituents want?

The above example of disregard for the popular will is assisted by the corporate stranglehold that exists in our political life. The Supreme Court through their decision in Citizens United has opened the floodgates to corporate money overwhelming our democracy. Conservatives use a committed group of cadres that through the pretext of social issues push for economic policies that will benefit the Greedy Rich. The excuse of fiscal responsibility is widely used a justification to attain the political goals that the Greedy Rich are after. Notice, as in Wisconsin, dismantling of labor unions is the goal under the banner of fiscal responsibility while promoting tax cuts for the very wealthy, tax cuts that will deepen the deficit even further. As the headlines of the newspaper Roll Call said in its July 18 edition “Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell blasts deficit spending, urges extension of tax cuts.” The monies behind the Citizens United decision allow this utterly ridiculous statement to acquire political legitimacy! To make it a double dosage of hypocrisy, McConnell also considers defense spending to be sacrosanct.

The Democratic Party could have not been more compliant in the last Congress. We have seen Democrats watering down legislation one after another trying to gain the cooperation of Republicans. Take the Health Care bill as an example, the Democrats through compromise watered down the bill, but even that watered down bill that if implemented could have been a windfall for health insurance corporations is being rejected because the goal is to defeat Obama. Can anybody be so witless not to understand what Republicans are trying to do? After such a barrage of verbiage regarding jobs, jobs, jobs they are forcing the nation to revive the health care wars, all with the intent of defeating Obama in 2012, as McConnell has let us know to be the goal. Isn’t it coincidental that several Republican Governors have refused government monies to deal with infrastructure reforms that would have produced hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs throughout the country?

A major part of the “Great Upheaval” is what the lap-dogs of the Greedy Rich have been able to come up with just to make sure that we understand the power that they have over us. What’s more clear than what E.J. Montini, a widely read Arizona Republic columnist, description of Arizona’s Governor and Republican legislators as a “death panel” that has originally condemned 98 Arizonans to death because it’s not cost effective to provide them organ transplants. Two has already died. Republicans do run effective death panels!

But, nothing is a more clear indication of the “Great Upheaval” than what’s going on in Wisconsin. Governor Walker intent is to destroy the unions, to destroy what brought the American working class into the middle class, and to destroy the societal cushion that was the base of America’s prosperity. Governor Walker’s plan would limit collective bargaining for most state and local government employees to wages, leaving issues like benefits and work conditions to their respective employer’s whims. It would require workers to contribute more to their pensions and health care, limit wage increases to a cap based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and limit contracts to one year. It would require unions to take annual votes to maintain certification while also permitting workers to stop paying union dues.

These are just a few examples of what the Greedy Rich have done in their attempt to maximize profits coming their way. Notice we have not talked about wars, Wall Street, the Mortgage crisis, etc. But, we can be certain now that we have arrived to the point that those who don’t see it, is because they just don’t want to see it.

The “Great Upheaval” is about to unravel.

The New Fourth Reich

 By Darwin Phillips


I awakened this morning to a most informative and accurate portrayal of what we are indeed facing once again in this world of cycles, I must have nodded off last night with the TV on, as I woke up to Spencer Tracy and Burt Lancaster in "Judgement at Nuremberg".

I had much to do, but was captivated by the incredible cast of actors and actresses as well as the subject matter, as I watched it became blazingly clear that we are yet again deeply ensconced in the trials and tribulations of that era, in other words what was happening then is again happening now, much the same as the correlation between our War in Iraq and the Police Action that was Vietnam, It became very clear that the Nazi's of that day are here among us yet today, just as the great inspiring words of Martin Luther King, the Kennedy's, and many others survive in the hearts and minds of our people, the evil insanity of a Hitler does as well for others, we must not forget the reality of Yin and Yang, and for every action there is a reaction, Hitler is not dead !...he never died in the minds of people that subscribe to that train of thought.

I have just over 500 friends on Face Book, and I do consider each and every one of them a friend, as most of us have conversed for quite a while, and my new friends seem every bit as committed to saving this Country as do any of us, I do not do this very often but I would urge every one of you to rent, download or otherwise watch this movie, those of you that have seen it in the past, I would urge you all to see it again, it will illuminate a great deal of what is going on today 62 years later !

99 Nazis were sentenced to life, not one of them completed that sentence and some survive I'm sure, what's important here is that I began to see correlations between the Nazi mind and those that conspire against America today...nothing has changed when one takes a hard unbiased look at what the neo-conservative branch of our Government is trying so desperately to accomplish, it is abundantly clear that they have simply expanded a deep hatred for minorities to the entire middle class and the poor, to them we are all JEWS and must be exterminated, the tactics are all the very same although slightly more polished in their presentation, but make no mistake, this is all still about World Domination by the Wealthy, the Corporations, the Banks, and the new Reich !!! from this point forward I have to see the so-called "YOUNG GUNS" the "HOUSE REPUBLICANS" and all of their backers and supporters as the New Nazis of the Fourth Reich.

Everything in our existence is cyclical, there truly is nothing new under the Sun, what has been will be, and what is, shall be repeated...what we need to do is awaken and see the reality for what it is, Please get the movie and see if what it portrays hits you the same as it did me !!!...when I see The John Boehners, Mitch McConnells, Paul Ryans, Dick Armeys of this present world I can't help but see them in SS Uniforms, long Black Boots and a Swastika emblazoned or their chest, yelling zieg heil !!! the difference I see however is that this group of Nazis is by no means as intellectually astute as those that Hitler commanded, they are fragmented and ill advised, but make no mistake about how dangerous they are or can be !!!

The President should never assent to any of their demands as they have made their case blisteringly clear, and we should engage and fight them at every turn, and especially with the VOTE !!!

Why Being Catholic, Necessary Doesn't Mean You Have To Donate To Them

BY RUTH C. SCHATTEN

My husband and I have been married for 36 years; we have 6 children and 7.5 grandchildren. After moving from New Hampshire we realized that we had lost our Citizenship papers, and the kids’ Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, and any document, such as our marriage licenses and well, basically, we lost any documents that we owned. We did not worry for the kids were born here in the USA. So they were covered, plus the school records had a copy of the documents that were needed for them to transfer here.

One of our children had a baby in New Hampshire, we ordered the baby’s Social Security Cards and his Birth Certificate, BUT! His mother’s papers were lost and she was born in California. Birth Certificates from California take 6 months to get to you. She needed a job to be able to maintain the baby. She was old enough to get a Driver’s License. She needed her Birth Certificate, she needed her Social Security Card, and she needed a Florida ID Card to be able to work.

We decided to go to the States’ Driver’s License Bureau for a week and spoke to everyone we could. After a week, one of the officers felt sorry for her and gave her the Driver’s License. She told us that if we used her name, she would loose her job.

Years later, our finances went out the window and we decided to ask the State for my husband’s Citizenship Certificate (it’s a very long story about his Citizenship situation). According to the website, Homeland Security (www. Dhs.gov/ index.shtm) they would help you get your papers if you send them a notarized paper stating that you don’t have the money to pay their fees. And send them a copy of any paper such as the food stamps qualification notice. By the time that we decided to move on this…for we thought that living in a society that helped each other, the decision to apply for the Citizenship papers was going to be easy and in good order…we were in bad straights.

A tree had fallen on the roof of the mobile home where we lived. We had a big porch so we placed tents there so that we could have a sort of roof over our head. Besides, the county does not allow anyone to live in tents that can be seen from the street, and our neighbors would call code, animal control, and any thing that they could because we were not “Americans”. So, for one year, we tried anything and everything that we could to earn money for the family, we could not afford electricity and the trailer was bad enough that it would be a fire hazard to turn the electricity on. So, my son and my husband decided to go and walk 2 miles to a big intersection and panhandle, beg for money with a sign. Most people were wonderful but others would call them winos and would not help. We did find good neighbors and good friends out of the deal, but we did not want to have to beg, we wanted to go out there and make a decent living!

We started by getting our computers out, and sending letters out to our Governor, our US Representatives, and our Senators. The governor ignored us completely, the representative, ignored us also. Rep. Grayson’s people called us but they ultimately turned their backs on us. (The one and only time that I have voted Republican, was against Grayson). If he could not help a DEMOCRATIC family in need, what good was he? He did Vote for him, though. We were about to give up, when Senator Bill Nelson’s people called us and through them, my husband was able to get his Citizenship and consequently his Social Security benefits.

In between this time, the family needed to eat, and needed to get gasoline for the generator and little things like health care. Neither one of us had a family that could help us. My father is 97 years old and he needs the help himself.

We decided to go out there and ask for help to different agencies that help people in need. I figured that they would be there to help us so that I could get my Citizenship papers and could go out there and work.

I went to a place called Brother’s Keeper. Part of a Catholic Church, in Downtown Ocala. A Mr. Stephens asked me to come into his office.  He wanted me to explain why, being a Catholic, I was not going to church, so stupid me told him what we were going through. If we did not have money for food, how could we get enough money to go to church? He asked about my grandson, who was living with us. Intrusive questions! And proceeded to give me a lecture on why people like us needed to go out and FIND help instead of sitting in his office and asking for things to be given to them for free. Furthermore, he was going to call Children and Family, so that they could go and take my grandson away from lazy good for nothings like us.

The Children and Family people were in my land at 8 AM the next day to take our grandson away from us. Why am I telling you all this?

Well, what goes around comes around and people. Today I found a brown paper bag from Brother’s Keeper in my newspaper asking people to give them things for FREE! They want your donations so that they can help people like me, for the holidays.

According to their rules, they don’t help anyone that is younger then 62 with food. That they make you feel like the shit, they think you are? Of course they do!! The Parish is made up of the Catholic Elite of the County…and it’s not my fault, that where I live, is part of that Parish. The other Parishes won’t help you…unless you are a member of that Parish.

You know what I say to all this? I am the 99% and I don’t give donations to a church that caters to the 1%! Won’t you join me in this?

Send an email to this church and let them know why the 99% does not give them donations! If they want donations, they better go out there and help the unemployed, the senior citizens, and the families that need the help!

Email: oeu@ocalafl.org

In God, Who Do We Trust?

By RF Schatten

Not too long ago, I was going into a supermarket...when suddenly, walking through the parking lot, I noticed a bumper sticker that read: “He Belongs To Us...Keep God In America”

I'm looking at this, and I couldn't stop thinking, how we have gotten, as a Nation, to this point in American History? Who are we, to claim “God” for ourselves?...as he were a product, a commodity.

It has become a sorry state, in which we invoke the name of God, for any reason whatsoever, and specially by Politicos who try to use it, for their greedy self-gains...it's just wrong and shameful, period!

Never in my life, have I seen the use of “God” so much as part of our Political Discourse. Politicians throw the word “God” for anything, specially the Fear of God to grab the minds of the citizenry. The most blasphemous thing a man can do.

There is so much hypocrisy today...the 2012 GOP list of candidates comes to mind. Here we have, at least 3 candidates, who preach GOD, as if he were a Political Talking Point....and the hypocrisy used by them, and all the Tea Party and GOP, these days. All 3 candidates, are running because they all say: “God told me to run”. Somewhere along the line, if God really told them to run...at least 2 them are either lying or really do not understand God. The almighty, can only anoint one person!!

Lets take these 3 Godly people, one at a time. First and foremost, you have one guy, who even sings in his Church's Choir, but has a little problem with his Libido...as much as he denies it, too many people are coming out, accusing him of sexual misconduct...one has even come out in public, on TV, and given her name...it turns out, that this joker...is just a Dirty Old Man. The second Gunslinger, is so religious and fair minded, that his hunting lodge is called “Niggerhead Ranch”...very Christian of him, isn't it? And this is a man, who had a Religious Rally with 30,000 people, and led them in Prayer; “Lord, you are the source of every good thing,” he bowed his head, closed his eyes and leaned into a microphone at Reliant Stadium. “You are our only hope, and we stand before you today in awe of your power and in gratitude for your blessings, and humility for our sins. Father, our heart breaks for America”, like I said, he's a very religious guy!! The third candidate, is known by Politico.com as the “Welfare Queen” ...this “Lady”, attacks the welfare system, and attacks Federal Subsidies on Farming, attacks Medicaid, while all along, accepting over $251,973.00 in Farm Subsidies for her Farm between 1995 and 2006 , accepted Welfare Checks for her Foster Children Program...that's $70,000.00 a year (according to the State Welfare Dept. for the Town of Stillwater...her residence) for each Child, that's 70K per pop for 20something kids. Accepted $137,000 in Medicaid reimbursements for her husband Marcus' Gay Therapy Clinic. Accepted a $417,000 federally subsidized loan from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help purchase a luxury house, a 5,200-square-foot home on a golf course. This while she was trying to dismantle the two big Mortgage Giants. A truly, very Godly human being.

Then, after all these super human bundles of Christian Kindness, we come to everyone else...unbelievable what you might here these days from these kind, righteous, and very religious Christians.

It's just unbelievable to hear what comes out from today's Christian Conservative Movement... “Let them Die!!, Let them Die!!” was the shouts from the audience at a GOP Debate, when a question was put to the candidates, asking what should a person without Healthcare Insurance do, if he is very sick, and in danger of dying. In another debate, Rick Perry was adulating himself, for his tremendous record of Texas Executions...the crowd had a huge roar of approval...they really must enjoy seeing people die?? At yet, in another debate, a question from a Gay serviceman, who is actively serving in a combat zone, brought a huge round of Boos from the audience...all because he was Gay! Never mind, that he was in a war, defending the freedom...of exactly those, who were booing him. This is all totally despicable, and so Un-Christian, so Un-Godly!

Today, we're seeing people talk about God, being everything! Any fault about the Economy, about Jobs, about Society and its Social Classes, about the environment...is the fault of either Obama, or the Democrats, or the Poor, or the sick, or the homeless...because it was God's way of punishing everyone because these people exist...or because God is punishing us because Obama got elected. The earthquakes, twisters, hurricanes? It's God's way of punishing us for electing Obama. Personally, this is totally sick!!...from the minds of very sick and despicable people.

It's amazing, how so many people who call themselves Christians, can support these Charlatans, who profess to do what they do, because “God told me to”. These are the worst of the worst...using Christianity to drive their megalomaniacal ambitions, while using fanatical ignorance, to reach its followers, and divide this Nation.

The Eight Beatitudes of Jesus Christ are:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

“The Corporal Works of Mercy”...are:

1. Feed The Hungry
2. Give Drink To The Thirsty
3. Clothes The Naked
4. Shelter The Homeless
5. Comfort The Imprisoned
6. Visit The Sick
7. Bury The Dead

I don't need to give you all the references, but for the record, this is from:

the Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

Above, is totally contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ, as taught by the Tea Party Nation and the Conservative American Christian Evangelicals...and their belief in the elimination of the Welfare System for the poor, eliminating Healthcare for those in financial despair, the dismantling of Social Security for the Elderly, along with Medicare. Why would they act so Non Christ-Like, with their actions and thoughts?...why would they want to push these ideals on me, and at least 200,000,000 million other Americans? Preaching Hatred, Bigotry, and Racism...while Praising the Lord.

We are in the mist of Social Class Warfare in America...and GOD...has been, and will be, in the center of all Political Talking Points. The Right, wants make God, part of the American Right Wing Establishment...they want God, all for themselves. They are perpetrating all this evil, with the use of Fox News...and all of News Corporation, as their very own Propaganda Machine...to convince the Nation, as well as the World, that whatever they do is right, because “God” is on their side.

My question is; “Who do we trust”? Jesus, according to the Bible, and the Gospel of St. Matthew? Or Jesus, according to the Gospel of Perry, Bachmann, Cain, and all the rest of the Tea Party, GOP, Pat Robertson, and Jimmy Swaggart?

By RF Schatten

Not too long ago, I was going into a supermarket...when suddenly, walking through the parking lot, I noticed a bumper sticker that read: “He Belongs To Us...Keep God In America”

I'm looking at this, and I couldn't stop thinking, how we have gotten, as a Nation, to this point in American History? Who are we, to claim “God” for ourselves?...as he were a product, a commodity.

It has become a sorry state, in which we invoke the name of God, for any reason whatsoever, and specially by Politicos who try to use it, for their greedy self-gains...it's just wrong and shameful, period!

Never in my life, have I seen the use of “God” so much as part of our Political Discourse. Politicians throw the word “God” for anything, specially the Fear of God to grab the minds of the citizenry. The most blasphemous thing a man can do.

There is so much hypocrisy today...the 2012 GOP list of candidates comes to mind. Here we have, at least 3 candidates, who preach GOD, as if he were a Political Talking Point....and the hypocrisy used by them, and all the Tea Party and GOP, these days. All 3 candidates, are running because they all say: “God told me to run”. Somewhere along the line, if God really told them to run...at least 2 them are either lying or really do not understand God. The almighty, can only anoint one person!!

Lets take these 3 Godly people, one at a time. First and foremost, you have one guy, who even sings in his Church's Choir, but has a little problem with his Libido...as much as he denies it, too many people are coming out, accusing him of sexual misconduct...one has even come out in public, on TV, and given her name...it turns out, that this joker...is just a Dirty Old Man. The second Gunslinger, is so religious and fair minded, that his hunting lodge is called “Niggerhead Ranch”...very Christian of him, isn't it? And this is a man, who had a Religious Rally with 30,000 people, and led them in Prayer; “Lord, you are the source of every good thing,” he bowed his head, closed his eyes and leaned into a microphone at Reliant Stadium. “You are our only hope, and we stand before you today in awe of your power and in gratitude for your blessings, and humility for our sins. Father, our heart breaks for America”, like I said, he's a very religious guy!! The third candidate, is known by Politico.com as the “Welfare Queen” ...this “Lady”, attacks the welfare system, and attacks Federal Subsidies on Farming, attacks Medicaid, while all along, accepting over $251,973.00 in Farm Subsidies for her Farm between 1995 and 2006 , accepted Welfare Checks for her Foster Children Program...that's $70,000.00 a year (according to the State Welfare Dept. for the Town of Stillwater...her residence) for each Child, that's 70K per pop for 20something kids. Accepted $137,000 in Medicaid reimbursements for her husband Marcus' Gay Therapy Clinic. Accepted a $417,000 federally subsidized loan from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help purchase a luxury house, a 5,200-square-foot home on a golf course. This while she was trying to dismantle the two big Mortgage Giants. A truly, very Godly human being.

Then, after all these super human bundles of Christian Kindness, we come to everyone else...unbelievable what you might here these days from these kind, righteous, and very religious Christians.

It's just unbelievable to hear what comes out from today's Christian Conservative Movement... “Let them Die!!, Let them Die!!” was the shouts from the audience at a GOP Debate, when a question was put to the candidates, asking what should a person without Healthcare Insurance do, if he is very sick, and in danger of dying. In another debate, Rick Perry was adulating himself, for his tremendous record of Texas Executions...the crowd had a huge roar of approval...they really must enjoy seeing people die?? At yet, in another debate, a question from a Gay serviceman, who is actively serving in a combat zone, brought a huge round of Boos from the audience...all because he was Gay! Never mind, that he was in a war, defending the freedom...of exactly those, who were booing him. This is all totally despicable, and so Un-Christian, so Un-Godly!

Today, we're seeing people talk about God, being everything! Any fault about the Economy, about Jobs, about Society and its Social Classes, about the environment...is the fault of either Obama, or the Democrats, or the Poor, or the sick, or the homeless...because it was God's way of punishing everyone because these people exist...or because God is punishing us because Obama got elected. The earthquakes, twisters, hurricanes? It's God's way of punishing us for electing Obama. Personally, this is totally sick!!...from the minds of very sick and despicable people.

It's amazing, how so many people who call themselves Christians, can support these Charlatans, who profess to do what they do, because “God told me to”. These are the worst of the worst...using Christianity to drive their megalomaniacal ambitions, while using fanatical ignorance, to reach its followers, and divide this Nation.

The Eight Beatitudes of Jesus Christ are:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

“The Corporal Works of Mercy”...are:

1. Feed The Hungry
2. Give Drink To The Thirsty
3. Clothes The Naked
4. Shelter The Homeless
5. Comfort The Imprisoned
6. Visit The Sick
7. Bury The Dead

I don't need to give you all the references, but for the record, this is from:

the Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

Above, is totally contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ, as taught by the Tea Party Nation and the Conservative American Christian Evangelicals...and their belief in the elimination of the Welfare System for the poor, eliminating Healthcare for those in financial despair, the dismantling of Social Security for the Elderly, along with Medicare. Why would they act so Non Christ-Like, with their actions and thoughts?...why would they want to push these ideals on me, and at least 200,000,000 million other Americans? Preaching Hatred, Bigotry, and Racism...while Praising the Lord.

We are in the mist of Social Class Warfare in America...and GOD...has been, and will be, in the center of all Political Talking Points. The Right, wants make God, part of the American Right Wing Establishment...they want God, all for themselves. They are perpetrating all this evil, with the use of Fox News...and all of News Corporation, as their very own Propaganda Machine...to convince the Nation, as well as the World, that whatever they do is right, because “God” is on their side.

My question is; “Who do we trust”? Jesus, according to the Bible, and the Gospel of St. Matthew? Or Jesus, according to the Gospel of Perry, Bachmann, Cain, and all the rest of the Tea Party, GOP, Pat Robertson, and Jimmy Swaggart?

The 2011 Occupy Movement: 60s All Grown Up

 By RF Schatten

Very amazing things are happening in Wall Street, Chicago, LA, Oakland, Detroit, Boston, and other cities around the Country...and around the Globe. I would call the Occupy Movement...The 60s all grown up. They are succeeding where they couldn't in the 60s. Don't take me wrong! the 60s movement won their battles...but not before so much divisiveness in the Country. They stopped the war, the civil rights was vindicated, when LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act...and, to an extent, the Women Rights movement won too. US Society, as well as World Society, has been shaped, by what happened in the 60s.

Today, all those issues are part of the establishment's conventional wisdom. It changed the way American Society is defined today. The Anti-Establishment, grows up...and becomes the Establishment. All this, really brings Hope, to the Progressive and Liberal Movements in America.

We all know, what the Protests are all about, and the reasons for it...what is amazing, the way it has mushroomed throughout the United States, with Occupy groups in every major city in the Country, and spreading though tiny towns in every state. General Strikes are being planned throughout the Nation, Unions are joining in, the Middle Class and the Poor have never related so much, ever before...and it's not just in America...the entire World, now has Occupy in every major City. This has become a World Movement. All with the same significant issue...the disproportion of wealth. How 1%-2% of the wealth...controls the 98%-99% of the population. We all have the same problems, no matter where you're from.

The Occupy Movement, will get those changes they want, in time....but, it will not happen immediately. Now, why are they getting the country, so much...behind them??? Two reasons...they are not resorting to violence, as in the 60s...they are using their heads...the violence is being perpetrated on them, this time!!...that is one thing that has the Citizenry behind them...you will have the sit-ins, etc...the hard core Activists handle that. Activism in protest, whether is the Red or the Blue...is part of the process. Second, in the 60s, the Middle Class...the Hard Hats, followed the Drumbeat of the Republicans...today, that Drumbeat is going down the Democrats' path.

To me, there is no doubt that the 60's movement has grown up...much more organized, which is kind of funny, since in the 60s, they where very well organized by the different groups of those days. Today, in the Occupy Movement, there is no central organization...everyone finds a way to get things done, with virtually, no leadership. It truly is people from all different kinds of lifestyles, working together, for the same goals. The best example, was in Zuccotti Park, when they literally got on their hands and knees, and scrubbed down with soap and water, the entire park...its sidewalks, walkways, benches, etc. They have acted completely responsible for every action, they've taken.

And every time, Law Enforcement gets their little dirty hands on it, every time someone goes to jail...the Movement doubles!! You would think, that they would just ignore it, and let it die down. It won't...they will continue, the Police will continue.

Activism has always been part of demonstrations and protests. Civil Disobedience, has always been the proper and peaceful means to fight for your cause...and now, it is being used once again. Is it wrong for the use of Civil Disobedience? Of course not!! It was used by Ghandhi, it was used by King, it was used by all the 60s movements, it has been used in protests around the world since. This process, has always been scorned by the Right...”blame everything on the Hippies!” was their battle cry...the dirty hippies, free love, dope!! Use the Commie or Socialist label...that always works. Today, the Right, is beginning to revert back to their only attack...”It's Socialism”...even FOX News commentators are saying that the Occupy Movement is Socialist inspired and run by socialists, trying to make America, a Socialist Country. All the Free Sex, the Drugs, public urination...every excuse to put the People there, down, as nobody...”go out and get a job!!” is the cry of the Right. Some are even saying that the movement is being run by Terrorists, and one crazy character of the Tea Party is calling the movement, a part of Muslim Jihad, and run by the “Muslim Brotherhood”. When you don't have positive responses about present circumstances, always fall back to your standard response. What the Grand Old Tea Party doesn't understand, and why so many have started following the Movement everyday, is that...the Socialism bit, and the Drug bit, and the free sex bit, is too old...40-45 years too old. The truth, things are so straight, in the up and up, that Bill Maher...went to an Occupy rally, and was not offered some Pot: “I was totally offended” he said.

Right now, the Dems, Liberals and Progressives, seem to have the upper hand on the whole situation. Who is better? I don't know, I really don't...but, the GOP really needs a leader, who will bring the Mainstream of the Party back...which has been turned off by the Tea Party. As its stands, the GOP internally has more problems now, than they ever had before...and if the Tea Party manages to get control of the GOP Platform in 2012, they will gain control of the Party...and it will mean the end, of the GOP as we know it! Why is Obama favored by almost every Pundit, Republican and Democrat alike? forget the polls...that doesn't mean anything till June or July of 2012. Obama, like him or hate him...looks Presidential and articulate, which he is...the GOP has nobody from this collective group of characters, that can go up on him, except Jon Huntsman...but, Huntsman is too liberal in their minds, and not Christian enough...as Mormons are called by the Right Wing; “Cultists”? Huntsman, is the only candidate they have, that looks Presidential, is articulate, is a bonafide Statesman

(as former Ambassador to China), has true moral character, and is a decent and honorable man...that's why he is near last, in every poll taken by the GOP...it goes with the territory!

The Occupy Movement has grown up, since the Radical 60s. Not as radical, and definitely more Prudent...and Honorable. It has grown beyond, what anybody ever expected...and it just keeps growing by the day...and now worldwide. This Movement cannot be stopped, it's just...”Too Big To Fail”.   Oh yes!! They have grown up!!