After listening to people like Shanneen Barron, as she talked with CNN Affiliate KMGH-TV in Denver, I was forced to question what America has come to.  Barron was quoted as saying, about President Obama’s desire to speak to American school children, that “thinking about my kids in school having to listen to that [President Obama talking about education] just really upsets me. I’m an American. They are Americans, and I don’t feel that’s OK. I feel very scared to be in this country with our leadership right now.”

I’d be willing to bet that Barron considers herself a patriot, while parents like me sit back and wonder, even though I may not agree with what Obama is saying, doesn’t he deserve the right to address and share the ideas he believes will make this country better?  If you’re truly scared to be in this country I would encourage you to leave.  Maybe you’d be more comfortable in China or Korea?  Maybe your kids would value their education more if they had to worry about war and genocide while living in Darfur?  No, I suspect that there is a reason you will continue living in your comfortable home in comfortable America where you don’t really have to be afraid that one day you will lose the freedom that you value so much.

Frankly, the US, as a country, has lost many of the things that I value as an American, which includes our integrity, and Barron, I encourage you to sit down and examine what you value in this world and make sure that you’re willing to sacrifice the freedoms that we Americans hold so dear as you continue to press your conservative beliefs on your family while shutting out any ideas that don’t mirror your own.

When people like Barron and Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer start preaching their own conservative agendas I’m forced to ask, what happened to respect and personal dignity – if you don’t like what he’s saying, fine, help your children understand differently or put them in a private school that supports your ideals, but don’t use your 15 minutes on the soapbox as a way to disparage someone that is making an effort to improve a country that needs a lot of improving.  America’s education system is lacking and we’re losing our competitive edge at an alarming rate.  If that bothers you as much as it does me, take your 15 minutes and talk about ways to improve the system – not why you’re afraid.  Your fear, to me, makes you sound stupid, and this talk is about education.

Greer’s comments, especially coming from a party chairman, were so disrespectful that I’m forced to directly question his patriotism, too.  He said, “As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology.  The idea that schoolchildren across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans … is not only infuriating but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.”  (Didn’t the majority of Americans vote for President Obama and his beliefs?)

First, Mr. Greer, your children are not being forced to watch the President do or say anything – they’re being given the opportunity.  They have this opportunity because this is a free country.  You obviously know and value that freedom as it is the same freedom that allows you to voice your personal dissent without risk of punishment.  If you choose to shelter your children and share with them only your own conservative agenda, (because obviously Bush’s agenda was so successful) you have that right, but you’re not the President, and until you are I encourage you to present your own personal agenda on its merits and not by disparaging Obama.  If you have something better, start there, or run for president yourself and then you can say whatever the hell you want.  And, you know what, I’m an American, I will listen and be respectful, even if I don’t like it.

Finally, so that it’s not missed, the president of the National Parent Teacher Association (an organization that I normally don’t agree with), Charles Saylors, seems to agree with my view that “The president of the United States, regardless of political affiliation, should be able to have a presentation and have a pep talk, if you will, to America’s students.”

And with Saylors’ thought I will get off my own personal soapbox and ask only that every American consider what they value most in this country.  Because, frankly, it is those personal freedoms that make America unique and without them the choice of president and education would be lost completely.

Ranter

Will Rod Blagojevich receive his just due?

It has taken four months for the indictments to come down, and if any of them are true, and I suspect they all are, it’s not a day too soon.  That’s right, I’m talking about former Governor Rod Blagojevich who is now being charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and lying to federal agents. The government is seeking forfeiture of $188,370 from Blagojevich and will try to take his Ravenswood Manor home in Chicago if needed.

And to think, this started with everyone thinking his pay-to-play effort to sell President Obama’s vacated seat on the US Senate.  Now it seems like that’s the least of his crimes, and considering his elected status, that’s pretty bad.  What bothers me most is that of all the groups that should self govern – politicians appear least willing to look at their own and ask the hard questions.  Rod Blagojevich should be publicly stoned by anyone that cast their vote, and those that stood with him, knowing of his crimes, should be right there with him.

Unfortunately, it appears that things like this are happening more and more frequently now, and it’s unconscionable to me that the American public just lets this happen.  Looking at Obama’s efforts to fill his cabinet should offer another example – how many politicians aren’t paying their taxes while the average, middle-class American struggles to pay their taxes, their mortgage, put food on the table, and keep their children educated.  It’s a tough time and unfortunately it’s not equally tough for all.

Of course, as is often the case, Rod’s statement claims innocence.

“I’m saddened and hurt, but I am not surprised by the indictment,” Rod Blagojevich said in a statement. “I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name. I would ask the good people of Illinois to wait for the trial and afford me the presumption of innocence that they would give to all their friends and neighbors.”

But don’t all the guilty cry foul when arrested and indicted?

Ranter

The reason that I even bring this up today is concern about where the Obama campaign is looking for cabinet members, because for all their promise of change it’s hard to see how this administration is going to be all that different then the ones before it.  It’s like a political musical chairs, except your party affiliation and not the music determines whether you sit or stand.  I was really hoping that Obama would bring in new blood and forget the old guard.  Bring in people that can solve the problems without the red-tape, affiliations, and history.  Bring in business-people, educators, students, and people that want to solve the problems without regard for their personal well-being or financial stakes.

I know that Warren Buffet is always out there being talked about, because of his success in business, and yet he and Ross Perot have never really been given a chance to do anything more than share their opinions.  Why wouldn’t you bring in someone like Oprah, Bill Gates, Paul Allen, or any other person that has showed they know what it takes to succeed, know how to handle the pressure of the media, and can act without consideration for what others think?  Change the rules, Obama, show us what change you plan on bringing and how you’re going to be different.  Because, if you can’t, I have to imagine that your term in office is going to be a footnote of four years and the nation is going to be the biggest loser.

Ranter

One article I read quoted some idiot man saying, “God says marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman.”  What?  Are you kidding?  Come on people – I don’t care what your religious convictions are, God didn’t write the bible and if he’s talking to you, I have a jacket I’d like you to put on.  Marriage, as we’re talking about it today, is a civil and judicial process, and accordingly it has nothing to do with church, God, or your beliefs.  Separation of Church and State, remember?

These Catholic and Mormon churches have a captive audience to preach to every week, and I’m wondering how they feel about the homosexuals in their midst and congregations.  Are these people less worthy of savior and God, to the point where they should be treated differently?  I believe most preists would say “No, they’re equally worthy, but…  It’s that “but” that’s disconcerting to me, beause it’s really saying that everything in the preceding statement is untrue – and that’s how the churches are coming across.  Mormons believe that polygamy is an acceptable practice, ultimately creating a significantly larger problem for the people and finances of this country – why is that any more okay?  Marriage is between a man and a woman and another woman and another woman.  Yeah, I think I remember seeing that in the bible, too.

This is about civil rights – it’s no different than women’s rights, the rights of blacks, or the rights that we, as a country, afford to foreigners in our country.  It’s time for us, as a race of people, to stand up for equality regardless of our differences and stop hiding behind religion, heritage or the bible when we don’t like something.

Ranter

Frankly, I’ve often thought of this as a double-edged sword.  Taxes are important for the government services that we want (demand) and yet almost everyone I know, at one time or another, complains about how much they pay in taxes.  What I never hear people complaining about is how those tax dollars are being spent.  Very few average, Joe six-pack Americans scream as loudly about waste, pork-barrel spending, and economics as they do about how much they’re paying into the system.  Stop that waste and it’s likely that taxes wouldn’t have to increase.

At the same time, our two main candidates have significantly different tax plans, and depending on who you believe Obama could significantly raise taxes for a significant number of people and small businesses.  The Republicans are up in arms about this potential increase, although that they’re not saying is that this is simply a 2% adjustment in the tax bracked for people making more than $250,000 annually – 2% of $250,000, with no deducations, is exactly $5,000.  Shitty problem to have, but I’d think those people can bear it.  Especially considering that most of the people we’re talking about are making well over $250,000 annually before deductions.

So, yes, I believe that Obama will raise taxes on the people that can afford it most.  McCain on the other hand will horde his money and protect the rich from having to open their wallets.  McCain actually favors tax cuts for corporate income tax and capital gains.  At the same time, it’s hard to believe, with his legacy, that McCain won’t take strides to bring spending in line with revenues and reduce the amount of waste and pork-barrel spending out there.  Obama just doesn’t have a track record – although it’s likely that he will make the same efforts.

At the end of today – only time will tell.

Ranter

I know, I know, it’s not quite that simple when it comes to presidential elections, and most people that vote have an opinion – polls be dammed – but some of the undecided voters and people confused about other issues… – will the polls bias their decision?  I think so.  What do you think?

Ranter