Showing posts with label veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label veterans. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

NEARING THE TIPPING PONT

   America is nearing the tipping point, also called the point of no return, and if things don't change soon, then it will be too late.

   The disparity between the have and have nots is wider than ever, and all the indicators point to this imbalance continuing for the foreseeable future.

   There has always existed multiple economic classes in America, but beginning with the industrial revolution, the opportunities for the multitudes to realize true financial success in their own lifetime was made possible for the first time in history.

   With that opportunity the American middle class grew to be a massive financial powerhouse, everyday workers being able to afford multitudes of products that were once only attainable by the wealthiest among us.

   The beginning of the 20th century saw the elite robber barons of the day controlling all the financial resources, thereby keeping a stranglehold on any opportunity for others.

   Starting with Teddy Roosevelt's dismantling of corporate trusts and monopolies, and government legislation reigning in the abusive tactics of Corporations, along with the founding of trade unions,  the American middle class began to grow and thrive.

   During the 1920's Wall street was an unregulated entity, and as such it was manipulated by the elite for their own self enriching purposes, and just as it has done numerous times since then, the unsustainable bubble burst.

   The incredibly irresponsible practices of the day came back to annihilate not only the American economy, but the economies of virtually the entire planet.

   Along with the rest of the world, the United States was plunged into a horrible financial depression for the next decade, people had no money to purchase goods, so manufacturers laid off their workers, which created a vicious downward cycle of chain events.

   At this same time, European countries were also suffering the effects of worldwide financial collapse, but one European country in particular was also being financially strangled by other nations.

   After Germany lost World War 1, it was forced to pay restitution to France and Great Britain, since 1918 those nations had been siphoning off every asset in Germany, which kept the German economy in ruins.

   The absolute economic chaos experienced by the German people was directly responsible for the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party, and eventually World War 2.

    Ironically, WW2 was the catalyst that propelled America out of the great depression, along with the need for weapons and supplies, came the need for workers to make those items.

   After WW2 ended, America had become a mega economic giant, with the end of arms production American industries were now tasked with producing goods needed throughout the world, goods that Europe and other countries were unable to produce because their infrastructures had been destroyed.

   American industry also saw tens of millions of its own country men now with the financial ability to buy their products, along with government housing loans and the G.I. bill for veterans, Americas economy soared.

   Throughout the next few decades the American middle class grew and prospered, and as it did, so did our nation.

   But in the last few decades, something else has occurred, the middle class has been shrinking, corporations have automated production, thereby needing fewer workers, and the workers it does still require are more and more doing those jobs in places like China and India.

   The once mighty industrial American machine seems to have been parceled out to parts of the world where workers are one notch above slave status.

   With the absolutely reckless policies of the George W. Bush administration, along with 2 very expensive wars, America has been put in debt up to her neck and beyond.

   Add to that huge tax cuts on the wealthy, and mass deregulation of  banking and industry, deregulation by the way that created the unbelievably massive implosion of the housing market, and you get to where we are today.

   What we have is a GOP that is acting like a spoiled child that can't have its way, it refuses to even vote on jobs bills, or bills for infrastructure rebuilding, the GOP is more than willing to let this nation go down in flames for its corporate masters cause.

   The GOP claims that there are more people receiving some type of government assistance today than ever before, that may be the only true thing they have said in years, but they fail to add that it is because of their failed policies, and their complete allegiance to corporations, and the elite 1%  that created that situation.

   As the middle class evaporates, as the rich get richer, as the poor get poorer, America will find itself with countless millions of its citizens who find that they have nothing left to lose, and people with nothing to lose are willing to do extreme things.

   So take note GOP and the elite 1%, you have pushed the people of America to the edge, the same people who facilitated your rise to success, can also bring you down, and it won't be as pleasant of a trip, its time to stop your greed and self centered behavior.

   If the tipping point is crossed, then it will be you elite that will be responsible for it, and you will most certainly be held accountable



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Friday, July 26, 2013

NOW LET'S SEE SOME REAL AMERICAN HEROES

   I've posted douchebags, traitors, and most the most hated people, now allow me to present to you some of the most admirable, commendable, and heroic people in America, past and present, the kind of American role models we need more of.

















The voters that waited in line for hours to show the GOP that they will not be suppressed


















George Washington Carver















The freedom riders
















President Abraham Lincoln
















President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt











Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.













The American service

man and woman












 

President Barack Obama







     







      
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Sunday, May 26, 2013

To Those Who Gave All For America, Thank You

   Memorial day is a time that all Americans reflect back on those men and women who have sacrificed themselves in the service to us and our great nation. I can think of no thing more honorable or special to write about than a tribute to the heroes of America.

   In the 18th century we fought America's first war, the War of Independence. America was born from that unlikely success we enjoyed way back then, when states didn't exist yet, only colonies loosely united. But even back 237 years ago when its people were being treated with contempt and disdain, those early Americans rose up and went forth in the face of overwhelming odds to defend this land and its people against the tyranny being imposed on it by a ruler an ocean away.

   Thousands gave their lives way back then so that their children and their childrens children would be able to live in a land of freedom. We had forefathers who had the insight and wisdom to provide us with a road map for democracy, the Constitution and the Bill of rights, perhaps the most important documents ever written. Those revolutionary soldiers set the standard of what Americas military would become, a proud professional force whose courage and honor could not be surpassed, and whose strength on the field of battle would become legendary.

   In the first half of the 19th century the military proved it's abilities in two major conflicts, the war of 1812 and the Mexican American war. In 1861 our great nation faced its worst nightmare, a civil war. The American civil war threatened to tear the United States apart forever, and although it began as a war for states rights, its ultimate cause would be for the enforcement of that which is written in our Constitution, that "all men are created equal."

   The civil war succeeded in putting right a situation that shamed America, abolishing slavery. The civil war cost over 600,000 American lives, by far more than all other wars combined to that point in time, but it also brought a new beginning to these still United States of America. We ended the 19th century with the Spanish American war, where we established our military reach virtually around the world. Early in the 20th century America was quickly becoming an industrial giant and its influence in world affairs growing. Beginning in 1914 European nations entered war with each other that would eventually draw in most of the world.

   Although The United States attempted to keep itself isolated from the conflict, we too were drawn into battle. By having our brave fighting men entering what was called the "war to end all wars", the gridlock was broken and the Americans and their allies were the victors in what would be known as World War I. This was a turning point for Americas military, we had gone abroad in the defense of other nations right to freedom.

   Twenty one years later the European nations again found themselves at war with each other, and we again attempted to stay removed from their conflict. However over the next 2 years it was becoming more and more apparent that the only way this new war would end with the worlds freedom intact would be for the United States to once again enter the fray. While our nation was debating on whether or not to become involved, the decision was made for us on December 7, 1941. That day Japan attacked our Pacific fleet in Pearl harbor and decimated our battleships, it had also attacked our military bases throughout the Pacific. The next day we declared war on Japan, a short time later Japans allies, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.

   Once again the entire world was at war with each other, and once again the brave men and women of America stood up and took their place in the defense of freedom. For four years the might of the American military fought battles worldwide and in 1945 became the victors over tyranny. That massive war cost over half a million American lives, lives sacrificed on foreign soil in the name of freedom. Just 5 years later we again found ourselves engulfed in a conflict in Korea that would claim thousands of American lives. In the 1960's and 70's the Vietnam war would cost over 50,000 brave Americans their lives.

    Through the 1980's and 90's Americas military answered the call to battle and did their duty without question. Here in the 21st century Americas fighting men and women have again been sent to foreign lands and again have given their all while representing this nation. All throughout the history of our great nation the bravery and honor of the men and women of Americas military have gone unquestioned, and their integrity and strength are unequaled in the world today.

   To the countless number of those American heroes who gave their lives, and the families that lost them, we owe our undying gratitude and thanks, for without their great sacrifices we would not have a United States of America, and the world would be a much different place. So be grateful everyday, but be especially grateful today, and say a prayer of thanks to the ones who made freedom possible for us all. May God bless America, and the brave men and women who protect it every day.   

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

It's Time To Start Treating Our Veterans Right

   If I'm walking down the street and witness four or five younger guys harassing and being physical with an elderly lady or man, I know that I would intervene and somehow get them to stop their atrocious behavior. If I saw a man beating a woman I again would attempt to prevent it from continuing. If a child was being mauled by two or three dogs I wouldn't hesitate to rescue that child.

   These three scenarios I've just listed have a common theme, in all of them my intervention has the very likely possibility that even if I were to be successful in halting the violence being dispensed, that I would soon discover that the violence hadn't stopped, it just changed it's focus point to me instead. Nobody wants to be put into a situation like that, where you know it's your moral duty to help the victim involved at the same time you're realizing that you could be the next victim yourself.

   That is called putting yourself in harms way. If you happen to be the victim being rescued then whoever that person doing the rescuing is in your eyes a true hero and surely has your eternal gratitude and good wishes. There is no real difference between what I have just described and that which the men and women of our military do every day.

   These soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines put themselves in harms way for us every time we ask them to. They intercede on our behalf to face and combat the forces that wish us and our nation harm. These brave people are no less heroic than the ones who personally rescue you. With the war in Iraq declared ended and the war in Afghanistan winding down we are beginning to have large numbers of military personnel returning home, some of these heroes have suffered terrible physical damage and should be treated to only the best medical care that can be found.

   But there remains many, many more that are suffering wounds that aren't visible to the naked eye, they are being tortured by the things they have witnessed, and the things one needs to do in war. Things that we cannot bear to think about are the things these people live with in their memories every single day.

    When I watched the tragedy of the Sandy Hook shootings unfold on the news all I could do was cry. Every time I saw anything about that horrible event my heart would break and my tears would flow. To this day it causes me pain to just think of the suffering being endured by the loved ones of those young victims.

    How much more so for those on the front lines in war, the slaughter of thousands of innocents who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The enemy our troops fought were very willing to kill and maim their own people for any opportunity with which to also kill Americans.

   Would you want to see the results of a car bomb going off in a busy market place? Seeing arms, legs, and heads lying around you that only moments earlier had been attached to women, children, and babies. God forbid us from ever having to view that scene, and yet, that is what many of our returning military were subjected to all the time. These things have a mental effect on anybody and they do take their toll in time.


   You aren't going to hear anyone saying that they're having problems because they witnessed a bus load of people getting ripped apart by an I.E.D., or that they can't shake the guilt of having to shoot a 9 year old suicide bomber running toward them.They don't talk about these things, they keep them inside because they know how horrible they sound.

    We as a nation have an obligation to these heroes that have gone into harms way on our behalf, we owe them a debt of gratitude so large that it is unlikely we could ever fulfill it. But instead of coming home and finding themselves the recipients of all that a grateful country can give, the only things they experience are the chaotic mismanagement of disability claims, the chronic unemployment problem, and the slashing of funding for veterans programs.

    Shame on us! Shame on us all! Our countries leaders who seemed to have no problems with sending these people into harms way now seem to have trouble delivering what was promised to these brave Americans.

   It would appear as though the Congressmen and Senators of the United States of America feel that their priorities are best suited in the continued squabbling and bickering being performed for the last four years instead of doing the job we sent them to do, looking out for the welfare of the American public. This bullshit has to stop, it's bad enough that we civilians have to endure the repercussions of our legislators partisanship nightmare, but subjecting our returning veterans to it's collateral fallout is an outrage that none of us should tolerate.

    Whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent makes absolutely no difference, we are all Americans and as such it is our duty to insure that we do right by our military vets. Giving anything less than the very best possible to these people is unacceptable and we need to tell those representing us in Washington that if they are incapable of doing so, then we will gladly replace them.

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