hmmm

Whole Foods….

John Mackey is an idiot. I wanted to use harsher words however in the interest of fair play; I will call him a genius and the rest of you….fools!

Whole Foods has been around for a while, (if you want to find out how long…drop John Mackey an email, he’ll be more than happy to respond.) here in Southern California, you’re not a proper Liberal if you don’t shop at Whole Foods. I’m not kidding. Go to your local Whole Foods and just look around you. You have the richest jet-setter to your poorest hippe-wannabe, buying outrageously expensive food that you can get cheaper elsewhere. Yes I know, how do we know it’s organic, we’ll you don’t know what your buying is truly organic. When companies like Dole, are lobbying for the government to lower their parameters for can be considered “organic”, one has to really question what you’re spending your hard earned cash on.

So when a blow hard like Mackey who showed some testicular fortitude and actually attached his name to the proposal the insurance companies drafted form him, you have to wonder what the hell is he (Mackey) thinking.

What he is thinking is: I’ve got the whole foods market covered. If you notice, we build Whole Foods stores in the most affluent and gentrified neighborhoods, I don’t give a shit about healthcare reform; I’ve got all the money I’ll need. I’ve got some Republican dollars; most importantly I’ve got Liberal dollars ha ha. They think they’re saving the world shopping at Whole Foods, nah; they’re putting a new pool in my house…which was built with immigrant labor. I feed them left over Mac & cheese. So fuck you, you’re still gonna shop at my stores and half of you won’t blink an eye, because we have you so well trained.

He’s right you know. I for one will be boycotting Whole Foods, and it will easy too, I’ll actually be saving money by not shopping there. Win-win for me!

What will you do?

AP

Election 2008

 

                 

                   The elections are near, less than a week away, and one can feel the excitement and the anxiety. It’s palpable especially here in Southern California, if it wasn’t for the rising unemployment, high gas prices (although recently it’s been down to 2.90) and overall disaffection for the current administration, judging by all the Obama posters and stickers, one would think the election was already over, the winner it would seem obvious. However anyone who has rudimentary 5^th grade knowledge of U.S. history knows that this country was founded less on happy idealistic principals, of an honest exchange of religious ideas and rooted in more in commerce and new market mentality. A brief history lesson…..

The Spanish were here first and they understood right away what had to be done. Raze the population, handcuff the indigenous population with religion/fear and come away rich, entitled and with the help of the Catholic Church, completely guilt free. Honestly I can’t say I blame them, the deal does sound pretty sweet to ignore. The English and French had a go at it too, they ventured into the America’s, and pissed around a bit, however their real challenge lay in Africa. I don’t know just how rich and entitled they came away from there, but somehow I don’t think it was quite as lucrative as the Spanish Conquest. As a conqueror myself, I can tell you that the one thing to always get in the way of a proper sacking of a region, is the local population. The Spanish had uprisings throughout Latin America, The Brits had the movie Shaka Zulu, and the French, well moving on.

 

Enter the early American Pioneers

Thus an uneasy truce was to be established, with the new settlers and the new and strange surroundings. So it was pledged, let us live together, let us tame the land, escape religious persecution and if things get too weird or too hot, and if we can’t break the back of the local Indigenous population, we can always import the labor. (Uprisings after all are dangerous and expensive) From where many asked, well from Africa of course, the Dutch have been doing it for ages.  Why shouldn’t we as well? Besides Africans don’t seem to mind, in fact some tribes have agreements with the Dutch East India Company. This of course is nonsense. This does make a small albeit somewhat relevant point, Capitalism no matter the age or lack of resources, will find a way to survive and thrive, almost like a virus if left unchecked. The anticipation of potential gains can corrupt any moral fabric or religious mindset. This was as was the case for many developing countries of the time, the normal way to do business. Slowly but surely and after several revolts in colonial territories, starting with Denmark in 1792, Europe began abolishing the slave trade. Can you guess what country founded in the freedoms of man; was the last country to abolish slavery? Yes you guessed it; the 13^th amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, on Dec 6 1865 was passed finally ending slavery. Keep in mind that we were in the ass end of the Civil War. But the fun for blacks held in bondage, this was just the begining, while the rest of the world evolved to some degree.

It’s been 43 years since President Lyndon Johnson, successfully negotiated the civil rights bill into law. When I say negotiated, I mean just that, he cajoled, manipulated, and threatened everyone who wasn’t supporting the bill. Bear in mind that a lot of the votes needed to pass this bill was being rejected not just by Republicans, but mainly Southern Democrats. Yes Democrats, the heroes, the vanguards in this time of change. Yes we are all better for it. I’m not afraid to say it, but I wonder if Jack Kennedy had the political muscle to have accomplished this monumental achievement. Of course with LBJ in his corner, the point is a non issue, although one has to wonder if LBJ would have been properly motivated enough to get the votes needed. As President he could make promises, pardon a few things and would have yielded enough power to come down on those who defied him. As V.P. he may or may not have, again moot point.

The Point: America was so openly racist in that era, that Europeans call everything prior to 1965 as America’s Apartied. It was and in many ways it continues to be. The difference now is many people who secretly feel the nasty itch to discriminate, now keep it to themselves. Whereas in the mid 1950’s you might have had a congressman who shared your view, and he would do anything to uphold that peculiar tradition, just ask Gov. George Wallace. A big football fan, he later asked for forgiveness. The thought of rooting for a darky was too much, but football takes precedence over most things. So he relented.

I would almost prefer the open-ness that whites had from 1865-1965, this way at least we could get an accurate poll count as to who is voting for whom? The white old guy or the fresh faced black guy. I know many will argue that things have changed, in fact changed so much, that there is a black guy sitting on the Supreme Court (pubis not included) and now the Democratic party of the U.S. has selected Sen. Barack Obama as nominee for President of the U.S. I agree some bizarre things have happened as of late, but I also remember Hurricane Katrina, and the aftermath of that mess. The issue of race was never in doubt, as American’s not in Baghdad or Kabul, were dying in American streets in a major American city. Where was FEMA (ass scratching) Red Cross (gambling) The Bush Administration (asleep/hammered behind the wheel)? A chocolate city indeed, the fact that Mayor Ray Nagin got so much heat for saying “This is a chocolate city” made me laugh and want to slot myself. Because it was and treated as such, FEMA trailer anyone? Keep in mind Hurricane Katrina happened not in 1868 or 1953 this happened on OUR watch 2005. The calls of racism were way too obvious and rampant, so what did the government do? What it does best and arguably the best move…..it relied on the generosity of the American people. Besides we fight the wars that make other men rich, why not act as janitor too. Not our finest hour. So the capos in the Bush organization did what they do best, escalated their efforts in Iraq. People with a semi firm grasp on American history, past the 10^th grade may see a familiar pattern here.

 

So now it is late October 2008, after eight grueling years for the Bush organization, and for those of us who actually take the time to read, it is time to turn the page on one of the most embarrassing, self destructive, corrupt, blood letting and shameless eras in American history (Actually I shouldn’t be too hasty there just might be an epilogue that could take another 4 years to read). Organized crime will look back on these eight years and study it as a grand masterpiece of manipulation and cosmic capital gains. The best part, no jail time for any of the heavy hitters and those that snitched are so discredited that no one cares….Brilliant!

So now it comes down to two men, no really gives a shit about the independents, they are the tiny mammals in the primordial soup of politics, trying to survive the age of dinosaurs. Soon little guys, but not right now. Sen. John McCain a war veteran who overcame obstacles, including but not limited to, 2000 Bush team, the Keating 5 scandal, The Vietcong, old age and Sarah “The Babe” Palin. On the other side we have Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who has overcome, skin color, absentee father, Harvard Law Review, smoking, Hillary and Bill Clinton, undecided idiots and his middle name. So who will win? I honestly don’t know, and that’s the point to this article. I thought for sure that John Kerry had it in the bag, but I underestimated the stupidity of the American voter. Sarah Palin said in a recent interview, that one of the biggest obstacles to her team was the Bush Syndicate. Now I know that many Republicans, especially younger Republicans are more than a little embarrassed with the current administration and have no problem with that statement. However there exists a 30-180 year old demographic who vote Republican sometimes twice in the same election, who may have issue with that statement. These same people refer to Nixon as simply misunderstood and LBJ as the only Democrat worth a damn. Is this an advantage or disadvantage for Obama? All I know is that right now, depending on the trends this could be one of the largest voter turnouts since……ever!

Now the real point (awfully long lead in) I have several Republican friends who vote are intelligent, articulate and genuinely nice people. They agree the last 8 years haven’t been spot on, however they will still vote McCain; he’s their guy after all. Until recently they loved the brilliance of his campaign, distance away from Bush, up the maverick attitude, include a hot babe and presto…President of the U.S. At the time (McCain campaign slight nose dive as of late, too many gaffes to name) I thought it would certainly appeal to younger voters, and the undecided. The thinking is, you still vote within the party lines and you wont feel too bad about it on Nov 5. He is still maverick enough not to be another Bush and maybe inject new blood into the antiquated Republican Party. After all didn’t McCain cross the aisle and joined Sen. Ted Kennedy to try and pass a comprehensive Immigration Bill that was ultimately defeated? It’s funny because we haven’t heard anything about immigration as of late.

 

Obama of course is for change, and that resonates with many, especially here in Southern California. In fact many here believe he can walk on water, they also think that on Nov 5 (I know the election is on the 4^th) he’ll magically appear on the mount of olives or the rose garden, and with his powers, change defaulted sub-prime mortgages, into stimulus checks for everyone. We’ll see, the economy is in the toilet, unemployment is rising, my SUV has no gas and im starting to wonder if Canada is as lame as they say. A President Obama will have many obstacles to overcome, not unlike President Jimmy Carter remember him? He was America’s ideal President; he fought corruption, did not court favors in congress and refused to play partisan politics. He was energy minded, honest, incorruptible and consequently a one term president.

 

Finally my point: My Republican friends told me right before I left Las Vegas; that no matter how many Obama signs, no matter the rallies and the promises by minorities to vote. At the end of the day, this country was not founded on all men created equal, and justice for all. This country was founded on the backs of slaves and the exploitation of indigenous populations. For all intents and purposes the real declaration of independence occurred in 1965, with the civil rights bill. Now a mere 43 years later, we are witnessing a monumental event in our history. Many say this isn’t about race, my Republican friends admit that if the Dems had chosen a white nominee, this election would be over. They choose not to underestimate the latent racism in this country. They must figure, like most others of their ilk, that no matter what, this country is not going to elect a black man for President. On Election Day, the undecided will vote not by the issues, but with their consciences.

 

For them they are not ready for change, they need another 43 years to think about it. To be honest I wouldn’t be surprised. Oct 27 the ATF busted a neo Nazi fringe group of good ole boys, planning to assassinate Sen. Obama, and then there was the false report that a young white girl working for the McCain campaign was attacked by a large black man, who assaulted her and then carved a B on her cheek. The McCain camp has not, as of press time released a statement. This election has everything to do with change and race. For a country established in the separation of church and state, fundamental Christians still impede scientific progress(stem cell research) equality (gay marriage) and maybe abortion. Can these fundamentalists turn the other cheek? I wonder and so do all the pundits; this is why no one can get a proper count on voting trends, of course only time will tell. My concern isn’t with the racists in this country, we know that if they could read they wouldn’t vote anyway, but there are many out there who can read and write. In fact we may work for them, or clean their houses, these are the one’s I’m cautious about. And never underestimate the craftiness of the Republican Party. Chris Rock made a joke, that Obama does not understand the game; he still thinks that getting the majority of the votes means anything. Good one, we all did in 2000. As much as I believe in the ideals, the written words of the Declaration of Independence, I still think this country is a few generations away from living up to the ideals of this country. As long as we have black Americans dying in the streets of major American cities while news helicopters hover above, the richest country in the world and its citizens have no health care and Latino’s who are striving for a good life, actually living the American dream are denied entrance and hunted like dogs in the desert, we still haven’t figured it out. If they hunted Bin Laden like they are hunting Jose and his 14 kids, they would have found him. Has anyone checked the local Home Depot’s, those are usually a hot bed of terrorist activity.Arrested development isn’t a good show cancelled to soon; it’s the state of this country. So on November 4^th what are you gonna do about it? I’m voting for the black guy, I don’t mind a little change……..

Olbermann: Bush administration lies like a discount department store

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And the winner….

by Aaron Buckley

We just elected a black man as president of this United States tonight,
which is not only historic but refreshing and heartfelt when viewed
from where this country was only 40 years ago. We would all agree that
America is not perfect – no country is – but with New Hampshire being
as independent as it is (their next in line to vote – in 5 days), then
South Carolina (heavy black populous), then Nevada (undecided labor
groups leaning toward Obama), I don’t see how “President Obama” can be
avoided. And, if Edwards loses in his home state of South Carolina
(looking in the early polls like he will), and he drops out, his
support will then be pushed toward Obama. Edwards supporters not
liking the moderate, standard issue, big corporation backing, Clinton.

That said, there are good things to say about all of them, but some
have more bad things than the others … in my opinion. Point is, the
Democratic voters in Iowa tonight more than doubled the Republican
outing in a state which voted for Bush in 2004. If that is any
indication of how the nation feels (and we will find out soon, with
other states voting), then the Democratic nominee seems likely to take
the White House in 2008, this time, with more historic significance
than this country has ever witnessed.

Stay tuned. Vote.

AB

Fox “News” Vs. WWE

By Aaron Buckley

Actually, I only have one observation about Fox and the WWF, and that is that Fox is the WWF of the news industry. They look good, sound good too. They’re selling their game well by making all the right grunts, performing flips and full-nelsons, and even at times drawing blood! But in the end, after falling for it for some years, you finally grow up and realize that it’s all been staged. Only on this stage, you also realize that there are actual victims. These victims are you and we, the American people. The WWF sells entertainment. Fox sells entertainment too, and adds misinformation, fear and propaganda. Needless to say, sometimes more is not better.

Fun Fox Lies and Propaganda

By Aaron Buckley 

Well not really fun, but I’m just trying to take some of the bite out of Faux News, and show you that maybe we shouldn’t take these guys and blond gals so seriously. Seriously, have you noticed, all the females on Fox – surrounded by all the white males – are of the blond persuasion. But I digress.
So let’s start with a big-whig of the Fox distortion machine – Bill O’Reilly. Bill, I mean, Mr. O’Reilly quite frankly has too many lies and distortions throughout his run as a “journalist” to list on our little website. However, here are a couple doozies for ya (and as always, please feel free to google along with me). On April 27, 2004, on his “O’Reilly Factor” show, O’Reilly reported, while lambasting a Canadian representative, that Canada could be hurt by a U.S. boycott. He told the representative that just as the French were hurt by our boycott, as reported in The Paris Business Review, that the Canadians could be hurt as well if they didn’t comply with U.S. wishes. Turns out (surprise surprise) that there is no such thing as a publication called The Paris Business Review, and O’Reilly had also made up the part about the French being hurt by any U.S. boycott. That in fact, the U.S. had increased trade with the French. A more detailed account is listed here. http://mediamatters.org/items/200405020006
Now I know you Fox viewers out there like to discount MediaMatters and other outlets that don’t coincide with your wishes to believe in the propaganda that the Bush administration enjoys pushing, and that you enjoy listening to. But this is only because Fox, and others like Limbaugh, tell you not to believe in what these outlets are reporting. Well, a challenge. If you don’t like what they’re reporting, or what I’m writing, then use MediaMatters’ own information and see if you can discount what their saying. Search on google, search on Lexis-Nexis, use your own key words and phrases. You will not be able to discount their information, so why do you continually insist on believing in entities (Fox) that lead you down the wrong path, and clearly have utter disrespect for your intelligence?
Another O’Reilly lie? Well OK, but just one more, because as I said, there are just too many to list. Condoleezza Rice was testifying before various members of the Senate for her confirmation hearings. Barbara Boxer was questioning Ms. Rice about the truthfulness of which the administration took us to war. In a response to a caller on his radio program, O’Reilly told the listener that she was wrong, that Ms. Rice had not said please don’t question my “respect for the truth”, but instead had said, please don”t question my “respect for the troops“. Now, ordinarily I would say, OK, no big deal, O’Reilly may not have heard the testimony correctly. But here’s proof that O’Reilly knows when he’s lying and still does nothing to correct himself: A week later, to another caller, he said the same thing, “respect for the troops“. Rather than correcting his mistake, O’Reilly perpetuated his lie. I don’t mind that he made a minor gaff, that I can forgive. What I can’t forgive is keeping the lie alive. Three callers in total attempted to correct his mistake, O’Reilly has many people working for him who surely pointed out the error, but yet a week later he insists on sticking to his original lie.
There are so many other times in which O’Reilly has lied, distorted, and even endangered the lives of others (particularly when he falsely accused a judge – that had previously ruled against O’Reilly in court – that the judge had sided with a child molester by releasing him). I realize that my article is getting long, however, so if anyone wishes, I’d be glad to point out more lies and hypocrisies by not only O’Reilly, but also Sean Hannity, Brit Hume, Anne Coulter, Bill Bennett, and many other of the Fox legionnaire. Oops, sorry Fox viewers, “legionnaire” probably sounds a little too French for comfort.

Here are a couple other links:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1013043mackris16.html Please be warned, this portion of Smokinggun.com contains transcripts of a taped conversation in which O’Reilly made lood sexual remarks to a former Fox colleague.
And just for fun: http://www.sweetjesusihatebilloreilly.com/

Give me your tired, your hungry

Op-Ed by Aprieto

These words were inscribed on the statue of liberty more than 100 years ago, when the French brought over the statue in 1886. Recent events notwithstanding, the issue over illegal immigration and immigration in general has always been a sore spot in America. We tend to be two-faced over the matter. This should be nothing new to whites and non whites in this country. The United States has always thrived on cheap labor, as whole we are addicted to it not as much as our oil addiction but very close. If you need proof open your history books and look between: “Industrial Revolution” and “The Civil War”; the little subsection in between the two? That’s where our cheapest labor at the time was coming from. There were no guest worker programs yet in place.
When the railroads were built we of course depended on the Irish and Chinese to do the hard work. Charming phrases such as: “Not a Chinaman’s chance” was introduced to our ever growing vernacular. As the railroads were for the most part completed, the Chinese Exclusion Act was initiated and so long Chinamen! Some settled in California and that’s how we have Chinatown in San Francisco as well as every major city in America,, popular spots now, back then, not so much. Right around this time between 1850 and 1880 the Mexican migrant worker was deemed a necessary part of the bustling harvest season in the southwest part of the United States. Increased expansion of cattle farms and heightened fruit production in California had made the migrants popular. Now the funny thing about Mexicans is that until 1849, California and major parts of the southwest including but not limited to Arizona and New Mexico were all parts of Mexico, until our Manifest Destiny burned out the Mexicans and the remaining Native American Indians.
The Mexican Revolution of 1910 left Mexico destabilized and woefully unable to produce a decent quality of life for it’s citizens; Mexican farms were producing far less. Survival was now the issue of the day and with WWI engulfing Europe, the United States once again needed help. Agencies in Mexico began recruiting workers for industrial and agricultural work in the U.S. Complaints of abuse and inhumane conditions from Mexican’s working in the U.S. led the Carranza Government to adopt the first de facto Bracero Program. This was the first such program between the two countries. Fast forward to 1924 and the Border Patrol was created to detain any Mexican working in the U.S. without a contract of employment, the term “Illegal Alien” was introduced.
There is no disputing that the Mexican migrant has contributed to our economy and prosperity, and our treatment of them seems not humane but purely as a labor tool. When the great depression hit the U.S., Mexicans were once again ousted and told not to come back unless we have a major problem and we need them again. “You come back and you’re considered an outlaw or an illegal”.
In 1939 the Nazi’s got crazy and invaded Poland, a few years later in 1941 the Japanese (former fruit workers themselves) bombed Pearl Harbor. Thus in 1942 the controversial Bracero Treaty is enacted. 4 million now legal Mexicans walked over to work the fields. Does anyone else see a developing pattern here?
The Bracero Treaty contracted agricultural workers who flocked to the northern border altering the socio-economic areas of Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas. Anyone want to guess what “El Paso” means? The Bracero Treaty was by no means the be all and end all of a valid and effective immigration policy; the program was rife with humanitarian abuses. After WWII with G.I.’s coming home from the war, the need for Mexican workers diminished and by 1947 the Emergency Farm Labor Service was actively trying to quell imported Mexican labor. The advent of the mechanical cotton harvester by the 1960’s secured the end of the Bracero Treaty.
Present day-
There is an estimated 11 million illegal aliens in this country. Not only from Mexico, there are many from China, Central America, South America and the rest of the world. You can travel to almost any place in the United States except maybe Alaska and find some poor wretch slinging tamales on some corner. The news lately has been covering the back forth debate on the issue of immigrants. I still find it funny that Hispanics and blacks are still considered “minorities”. Here in Nevada the second largest population next to Hispanics is Filipino’s; so what constitutes a minority? It’s certainly not a numbers issue.
They don’t even speak fucking English!
I heard this comment last week while I was reviewing a lame club here in Las Vegas. The comment came from two men who were drunk and sounded as they themselves had a tenuous grasp on the language. “They come here steal our jobs, commit crimes and don’t have to answer to anyone”. This additional comment is nothing new I’ve heard it many times. I don’t agree with it and I doubt many do. The question I have for him and anyone else who poses that question is what jobs? The Stockbroker position or Salesman position? so what about the illegals who actually pay into social security but cannot collect in the end? Yeah thats sounds good. Nien, immigrants do the jobs no one else wants to do, and they do it well! I dont ever recall seeing many whites lining up to pick fruit. They accept poor paying jobs because lets face it they are here illegally, yet the jobs pay a whole lot more than Mexican jobs. They live their lives in constant suspicion afraid to leave their houses for fear of being rounded up like a criminal and sent back to whatever hell they were escaping. Let’s not mention the kids born in the U.S. to illegal parents. What happens when mom and dad get kicked over the border? I do agree with some arguments, specifically that immigrants should try their best to assimilate more into mainstream America by learning English why? Well for one thing it helps the non-immigrants (the ones who have been here over 3 generations and forgotten their own immigrant roots) to ease out of the xenophobia that still grips individuals and this country as a whole. There is a great article on Slate.com revolving around the Minutemen Project and their scary ordeals. Having to read signs in Spanish and seeing brown people in their neighborhood. Scary stuff indeed! I also read about a desperate housewife who had to go into a Wal-mart, only to be confronted with the reality that alot of the faces were brown…not the comforting white faces that have kept property values above water. The other good reason to learn English; it would help the immigrant maneuver more effectively in our strictly English only tolerated society(they can tell the Wal-mart lady and Wal-fart to fuck themselves and dont talk to me if i scare you that much).
Although I do still laugh when I hear comments about learning English and once again let me state: Everyone who comes here should learn English. Just like I would try and learn Japanese if I ever went to Japan; the last thing I want to do is hang around other Americans in a foreign country. Getting shot or booing American’s abroad is becoming more and more a past-time, and if I still didn’t know Japanese when trip time came around…I would still go! Let’s not forget our favorite places to visit when we go to major melting pot cities for example, San Francisco’s Chinatown or New York’s Little Italy. I’m pretty sure those subsections were not known for their eagerness to assimilate to the then current standard. So if any Minutemen or Minutewomen read this: Don’t go to these places!! If darker skin, slanty eyes and smelly Middle Eastern people scare you…these cities would be the ultimate nightmare! I’ll give American’s credit when they discriminate they’ve crossed the board pretty well, but the darker the skin the harsher and longer the discrimination endures. It then transforms into hate rather than an off color remark. When the Italians came over by the boatload, they got pushed around and received the nickname: WOPS. WOPS by the way means: With Out Papers just in case you didn’t know. We all know the history of the Mafia and subsequent organized crime stigma that closed minded people associate the Italian race with. The Irish were kicked around by the English in Europe, when they immigrated to the U.S. they dealt with more discrimination. They too had criminal roots and until recently a terrorist association, specifically with the IRA. Let’s be honest the IRA has done some fundraising here in America with Irish-American sympathizers. Can you imagine a genuine terrorist organization in Mexico supported by Mexican-Americans?
Recently I heard some idiot on Fox News (no it wasn’t O’Reilly)complaining about the recent mass demonstrations in major cities throughout the U.S. in connection with the Immigration reform bill that by the way as of 4/7/06 was blocked. This moron stated his dissatisfaction at witnessing Mexican flags being waved at the rallies and not so many American flags. His fear and that of the Minutemen is rooted somewhere between Invaders from Mars and attack of the 50ft feminist. This kind of simple, low forehead mentality is what’s wrong with this country. You figured that by now most of these simple minded cretins would have died off, they are a by product of a terrible time. These same people are afraid of the invasion of the U.S. by Juan and his 50 cousins but don’t have a problem shopping at Wal-Mart, where American’s of all colors are being put out of work.
If anything good has happened in this whole mess it’s this: The massive demonstrations that captivated the country by the sheer number of people and the speed to which so many mobilized; Is the confirmation and validity of the Hispanic/American presence in this country. My mother is an Immigrant and she did not steal nor commit crimes when she got here with little English. She is proud of her heritage; she did not come here via a tunnel or in the trunk of a car. She did the next best most logical thing…..she married a Puerto Rican!

Thoughts on the Economy

By Aaron Buckley                 

             The Righties are going to say that the economy is going well because unemployment is at something like 4.7% (which is good), and that 250k jobs were created last month (which is good). All polls show that the average middle-class American is not pleased with the economy, and that all the tax breaks (4 of them now) have gone primarily to the top 1% of the population, while a real pittance has been doled out to those at the bottom of the economic scale. The top 1% has recieved 40% of the tax money, while 99% of the population recieved 60%. So, in actuality, we poor reches did recieve more of the tax cut money, however, since there are many more of us than the rich, we individually recieved much less. Also, we have to pay it back in other forms, through higher college tuition, higher costs for health insurance, higher premiums for housing, and much more hidden costs. All the while, these tax breaks for the rich also mean that our children will eventually have to pay it back in the end (Isn’t it the right-wing that likes to pass themselves off as the moral ones who care about our children?) In addition, our tax breaks mean that we are putting our national debt into the hands of the Chinese and India. All of this occurring during a time of war! This has never happened in our (or any other civilized nation’s) history – giving tax cuts in a time of war.

250k jobs – that was the low end of the average job increase each month during the Clinton administration, but these Republicans act as if they’re doing us a favor. The US population grows at a rate of 150k each month. That means that you have to create 150k jobs each month just to keep pace. 250k is one of the highest job creations for the Bush administration.
But a theory of mine: The Right likes to say how entrepreneurship is up higher than it’s every been before. That may be true. But the reason that may be so, is because the conservatives policies have shipped so many jobs over seas to India and China. The US people, therefore, don’t have a choice. They get fired, for example, from their GM jobs (30k were recently cut at GM) and now have no choice but to find another job. In other words, there are so few good jobs to be had – because they’ve all been shipped – that now they have to create their own, often at much lower pay, with no benefits, much longer hours worked, and with no security. An entrepreneur would be lucky if he succeeds with his new taco stand, restaurant, real estate agency, or whatever, and now he’s in debt for years to come. And if all else fails, they can’t file for bankruptcy because the Republicans in Congress have cut off those avenues through legislation. It’s a never ending and hard process it seems, and we the people are the ones who must suffer through it.

Enviromental Concerns

by Aaron Buckley 

We believe that there is absolutely no doubt that our world has been negatively effected by man made activities of the past 150 years. You could refute this claim, but then we would just accuse you of having a political agenda. The overwhelming scientific evidence supports claims that industrialized pollution has created a hole in the ozone (which heats up the planet), made our air sickly to breath (which causes more illness, especially in children and elderly), injected our farmland with inorganic chemicals (making land inoperable to grow future crops, poisoning our food supply), and seen mercury levels in fish rise so astronomically in the past few years, that every US state in the union has deemed levels too unsafe to eat. This is an area of political concern that we believe the traditional right (hunters and fisherman), traditional left (hikers, campers, and general tree-huggers), and the middle (those with children who have asthma, and simply want clean air to breath) can all come together. There are many outside issues that could be discussed here (ANWR, costs of health care rising, The Kyoto Treaty, CAFE standards). But the simple point is this: Man has indeed forced the evolutionary swing of environmental change to happen much more quickly and dramatically, and our current administration (lead by people formerly and currently involved with oil industries) is only hurting our undeniably dirty situation.