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Pop Quiz #1

hey AD,

thanx for AD-ing this. (heh)

my statement of “hopefully you all answered Y…” meant that then you would be in agreement with me on these generalized questions. NOT THAT THEY ARE RIGHT, OR THAT I AM RIGHT. no, no. i never claim to be right, but only to have an opinion. so, for ease of reviewing the responses that came in, the more ‘Y’s I saw would mean the more people were in agreement with my views on those topics.

a review of the results in this thread are as such:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
y y n y y n y y n n y n y x
y y n y y n y y n n y n y x
y y y y y n y y n y y y y y
y y y y y x y y n n n n y x
y y y y y y y y n y n y y y
y y y y n n y y n n y y y y
so, 9, 6, 11, 12, and 3 (in that order)received significant opposition to my view.

THAT MEANS TO ME, THAT TOPICS 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 13 ARE SLAM DUNKS. so those things would be what I’d tackle first in trying to make change. get the ball rolling with the stuff everyone agrees on. when the change provides results, it increases group cohesion, and then increases open-mindedness for discussing the remaining topics. right?

9. so, the primary N from everyone was on Q9.
EVERYONE HERE LOVES THE CIA? that blows my mind. i think the CIA is evil and should be torn down to the foundation. they DO NOT work for us. they work for the people who are HAPPY with the state of our economy. those who profit from our desperation and misery. the REAL controlling forces of america. i don’t like those people, and i don’t like their militia which is the CIA. covert investigation and intelligence is critical in 21st c. but the CIA has NEVER helped us in this. THEY COULDN’T STOP A PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSINATION IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, OR THE FOLLOWING ASSASSINATION OF HIS KILLER, THEY COULDN’T STOP THE 9-11 ATTACKS, and almost everything else they have their hands in is ILLEGAL and costing taxpayers billions. the SS of the US should be eradicated. that’s my opinion,based on their performance record. it’s not a right or wrong answer.

6. the next major discrepancy was Q6. this also boggles my mind. i thought we’re all in agreement in the “progressive mindset” (ha, i mock us) that Bernanke, Geithner, Paulson, Greenspan, and the rest of their ilk were the devil! The cabal of banks is tied through the FED. This agency charges us to print our own money! Half of our deficit, which people are so upset about, is interest “owed” to the FED. why should we be paying interest on printing our own money? this is a total scam. JFK knew it, and when he tried to stop it by issuing silver certs, suddenly he died and the certs were immediately recalled by LBJ (who authorized the assassination…but that’s another story).

the FED is the primary problem with our economy. they do not regulate jack. they do what is in their own best interest. and we can see that G-S, Citi, etc. have interests which are NOT IN ALIGN with ours.

THIS IS FUN, FOLKS. thank you VERY MUCH for participating in my thread. i do not get to discuss this stuff conversationally much at all. i really appreciate your replies, and your contributions on POV.

Tj

» Posted By tyler-durden On November 12, 2009 @ 12:11 pm

thanx for chiming in, G and E!

let’s discuss some of the N’s.
3. what i was proposing in the question, though i may not have been clear enough, is that the way campaign finance could work to be most fair for all, is that only individuals may contribute, and they may only contribute a reasonable amount, like $1000 (for example’s sake). To get more money, a candidate must get more individuals to support them. This should empower candidates without rich friends, but that represent a larger chunk of the public.

So, a candidate with 10 rich supporters donating the max gets $10k. A candidate with 100 supporters donating ~$100 each also gets $10k. (example only)

6. the FED does not do what it was created to do. instead it empowers the banks to manipulate the world economy. the FED should never have been created. it is unconstitutional. for more info on this, i’d think a good resource would be Ron Paul’s site. I suggest him only because he’s one of the more well known critics of the FED.

9. E! calling me naive? for shame. the question did not say stop spying. it said eliminate an agency. a corrupt agency which causes more trouble than good. they do not represent america, they represent the elite’s secret agenda. the productive function of the CIA should be moved to the FBI and the NSA. the unproductive stuff should CEASE. no more covert wars. no more secret assassination attempts that cost us more later.

12. if anyone believes in supply and demand, they should endorse this suggestion. a company that is killing our planet is killing US. it should simply stop. killing us slowly doesn’t make it ok because it’s slow. as these companies are shut down, competition that does not pollute will flourish. WE MUST STOP PANDERING TO THE IDEA THAT SOME THINGS ARE TOO BIG TO FIX.

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. – JFK.

» Posted By tyler-durden On November 12, 2009 @ 11:36 am

please read my “addendum”. i’d like to hear your (and everyone’s) response to my clarification/follow up.

thanx K!

» Posted By tyler-durden On November 12, 2009 @ 9:20 am

ADDENDUM TO THE QUIZ:

First, thank you all for the replies of participation. I appreciate your taking the time to discuss the issues I presented.

Secondly, I sense some frustration in the quiz. I did not intend this. When I wrote the article, my intent was just to toss a couple topics in a quick-fire type format, just to get a temperature check so to speak. I wanted us to view the questions as generalized.

It’s clear not everyone is on board with what I proposed by making all the questions appear to be a Y = right, N = wrong. The structure was only to make it easier for me to see the contrast in opinion.

Everyone has different opinions on every subject I touched on. OF COURSE. But, there are some things that a majority CAN agree on. And sometimes just a minor tweaking of the question can add to the majority agreement.

The purpose of this approach is to get the basic things that we all agree on done and out of the way; then we can fight over the stuff where there is no consensus.

A lot of people have the opinion right now that healthcare should not have been Obama’s first big battle. He instead should have tackled something that was equally important, but had much more support from a majority. This is kind of what I was searching for with this quiz. What are the things we are in majority agreement on.

I don’t like quizzes like these either. What I’d have preferred to do, and what I hope to include in my future website, is an interactive quiz. The questions will start out similarly, with two choices, but your answer will lead to a different question which eventually focuses on your more specific opinion about the topic. Sort of like those old “Choose your Adventure” books we read in grade school.

I have recently found a site called ning.com, which is a social network platform. It may allow me to build the site I want much faster. I am investigating this now.

To affect any change, we must work as a majority. The public’s strength is in its mass. So, to aggregate a majority, we must identify our commonalities. WHAT DO WE ALL AGREE ON. The more things we can identify which we all agree on, the tighter our bond as a group. So if I can find X amount of things that 75% of the population agrees on, then I have the basis for a very cohesive group. This group can then act together to effect REAL change. Not just campaign promise change.

So, when I asked my Y/N questions, with only two choices, I was hoping to solicit the most generalized answer.
example: I am against war. Y or N
Answer that without any other information. No if’s or but’s. Just, are you more or less in favor of the general concept of war?
I would hope the majority chooses Y, they are against war. If not, then I really am in the wrong country. THIS QUESTION DOES NOT ASK is war sometimes necessary, justified, etc. That’s a more specific question. To identify a majority group, which is the purpose, the questions must be general.

I hope this makes sense. I was not trying to pigeon hole anyone, just trying to see if just on planetpov, if there was a majority consensus on the dozen+ questions I asked above. If we at POV aren’t all in the same boat, then can we ever get into one boat as a nation?

» Posted By tyler-durden On November 12, 2009 @ 9:17 am

#5 there has to be a way to give all kids the opportunity of a equally reasonable education regardless of what state they live in. it’s not a kid’s fault they were born in S. Carolina or Louisiana. the success of our nation is very heavily dependent on the education of our children, and we clearly cannot rely on states to do what is right…since they don’t now. it must be addressed on a nationwide level, just like federal income tax and SSI.

#6 most of our problems are a result of unchecked capitalism. capitalism is a self destructive system by nature, like a snake eating it’s own tail. for it to maintain, it must be set in a yin-yang balance using the appropriate regulations.

however, the FED has been manipulating our economic policy without success for far too long. they create inflation, they manipulate rates, and they print money to excess as a means to shirk responsibility. they have proven themselves ineffective at providing relief to anyone but the highest elite.

reforming the CIA is akin to letting the banks restore the economy. they’re all corrupt. the FBI and NSA can do what we need in covert intelligence, with more transparency to the President and Congress.

the industries polluting at the highest levels can be replaced. there is a more ecologically friendly alternative to most everything. there is not enough incentive to change. pull the plug on what we don’t need, and the alternatives will start popping up like dandelions. what incentive does industry have to clean up if they’re allowed to pay to pollute? we have to draw a line in the sand. the longer we wait, the more there is to clean up.

the technologies exist. they just aren’t being mainstreamed, because there is no incentive. it must be forced. i don’t think govt. should heavily subsidize new solutions, but i do think they should place restrictions where curtailing is necessary.

i don’t know what a “progressive” is. definitions change with every user in any context.

what i DO know is that right is right. the things that are right, fair, and reasonable, as specified by our Constitution, or as inherently known as human rights, must be preserved and developed. practicality is relative. if it is a necessity, even if unpractical, it must occur. you just have to find the way to do it.

» Posted By tyler-durden On November 5, 2009 @ 8:59 am

the CIA is corrupt beyond repair in its current state. combined with the lack of interdept. cooperation, it is a weak link in our govt, to susceptible to corruption. too many secrets. the FBI and NSA can do what we need the CIA to do. and what we don’t need the CIA to do anymore, should be stopped.

term limits with a…let’s say 3/4 majority to extend, are what will keep a politician working for the people that vote. i’d say, give them all 5 yr terms, with an option to referendum a recall every year.

the purpose being “you get five years, unless you screw up so bad we have to pull you out. after 5 yrs, if 75% of your constituents like you, you stay another 5 yrs.”

what is unfair about that?

pollution needs to be cut way back. we must stop sh!tting in our own beds. businesses must no longer be allowed to buy the right to pollute.

» Posted By tyler-durden On November 5, 2009 @ 8:42 am

8 of 15? that scores you a 53. let’s see if we can improve your score.

#2. Y w/ conditions. ok, we pay them a more appropriate salary if that’s their full time job. sounds reasonable.

#3 taxes pay for campaigns? why? why should public money be given to people you don’t endorse? if a candidate is worthy, they should raise their own funds, just like obama did. but the difference is, no one citizen should have a “louder” voice than another. you and i have the same max contribution. if a candidate needs more money, then they need to get more supporters.

#5 the problem with private schools is people with the resources to pay for private schools, also feel they should be exempt from paying public school taxes. this is wrong. you live in a community, you are required to support your community’s school system. that said, i am ok with private schools.

#6 the FED has too much power. they charge us to print our own money. they have no accountability. the people who run it are able to manipulate policy which directly fattens their wallets. it is a hotbed of corruption and fraud.

#9. the CIA is a secret organization with an agenda that is not in the best interest of the US. the NSA and FBI can do intelligence. we don’t need private wars waged for big industries that pay off politicians.

#10 i do not see any money from the tarp doing any good. a record number of banks have failed, the banks that crashed us with derivatives and hedges are still business as usual, and the damned troubled assets, which is what the program is named for, is still on the books of the banks! they didn’t use the money as it was intended. they used it as a lifeline to pull themselves out from drowning, while they left everyone else in the water. take it all back now.

#11. if a politician is that good, the majority can vote to keep them. but it has to be a more significant majority, not just half. politicians need to be rotated out to avoid complacency and corruption.

#12 impact on the economy? the rate at which we are poisoning ourselves with toxic pollutants is costing us more than what we gain by keeping toxic industries going. EVERYTHING has a green friendly alternative. currently there is not enough incentive to switch. the fastest way is to pull the plug. why do we have to wait until they’re selling us “bottled air” like they sell us bottled water?

#13 my point with LED is that consumer grade fluorescents are only just now hitting mainstream, and they are already obsolete technology. LED is much more efficient. all lights need to be swapped immediately. it would cut our power demand significantly.

#14. we are running out of water. most corps are ok with this, because they’ll just charge more. restricted supply = profit. but it also = screwing the public. desalination plants create drinking water from the ocean, and the salts can be used for storing solar energy. these programs will create zillions of jobs.

we can’t just decrease demand. we must also increase supply. as we do each of these, we must also improve efficiency. this is the only way to survive with a reasonable standard of living for the majority, not just the elite.

» Posted By tyler-durden On November 5, 2009 @ 8:35 am

The Liberal Media

who owns the media?

who prints the text books?

who owns the radio stations?

who owns the television stations?

who owns the major print outlets?

there should be no surprise that the media HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE AGENDA OF THEIR OWNERS. it has ALWAYS been this way.

in the past, it was more subtle. now it’s flagrant.

Short of Bill Moyers, possibly Rachel Maddow, I cannot think of any other person in the journalism industry with any integrity.

These days, if you want truth, you must seek it out, and trumpet it like a paperboy on the corner. While we still have neutral internet, do your best. They will stifle this voice soon as well.

» Posted By tyler-durden On November 4, 2009 @ 1:29 pm

Arianna Jumps 40,000 Sharks

this situation she created with her op-ed has triggered two thoughts in my mind.

1) the VP of the USA doesn’t resign because there’s a difference of opinion on policy. that’s absurd. Maybe Palin would quit, but that’s not how it should be done. It shouldn’t even be a consideration.

2) who can take anything Ms. Huff says seriously, when her website’s headlines are as sensationalist as a tabloid rag in the grocery store?

truth is truth, and if she endorses it, i will agree with her. but when she starts talking out of her arse to be sensationalist, i must step away. she’s just another talking head. only with consistency of righteousness for the sake of America does one earn any credibility. there’s only a few these days. (thanx, Bill Moyers!)

» Posted By tyler-durden On October 16, 2009 @ 9:19 am

Journalistic Integrity: IS the truth really out there?

WOW.

THIS IS A MUST VIEW.

i am at a loss for words for a moment. ok, it passed. (ha)

the colonel in this series of videos is simply brilliant. he clearly understands the reality of modern politics.

WATCH THIS SERIES OF6 VIDEOS. THE LAST 4 MINUTES ARE ESPECIALLY POWERFUL.

thanx Ad, for posting this within my article. it’s an excellent supplement.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 17, 2009 @ 10:36 am

you are absolutely right. many people tell me to watch Olbermann because they believe my views sound similar to his.

but I am not a democrat. I am not a person who identifies with a particular SIDE, a particular TEAM, that exists SIMPLY TO BE THE ANTITHESIS OF ANOTHER SIDE. it is not a right vs. left argument to me. IT IS RIGHT VS. WRONG.

when anyone, from any party, is wrong, i will point it out. correctness is not an inherent liberal attribute.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 15, 2009 @ 12:50 pm

and yet i hold govt. responsible. rather than fining the howard stern brigade for obscenities, they should be creating STANDARDS for electronic news gathering. i want CLEAR DEFINITION OF TERMS, so we know a NEWS show contains facts and is objective, and shows that do not meet the qualifications must be called “entertainment magazines” or something similar.

shows that are completely subjective should be required to air a disclaimer at the beginning that states they are editorial opinion shows, not representations of truth or fact as required to be considered a ‘NEWS’ show.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 15, 2009 @ 12:40 pm

No News Is Good News

lately my perspective is to tell people that they’re wrong on HP, and tell them WHY here on POV. they’re the up-n-coming pool of political social networking, so we have to keep our feet in the water and make occasional waves to keep the rest in check. but lately i tell people that if they want truth, to step over to the VIP hot tub and hang out for a while.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 15, 2009 @ 12:57 pm

thank you for posting this Stewart clip. I’ve never seen it. Mr. Stewart is one of the few media personalities that has his head screwed on straight. I wish we could somehow empower him to do more. He is a perfect example of what is wrong with our country as a whole.

Of all the people in broadcast journalism, it is the guy from a COMEDY show that exhibits the most integrity. The one voice, which should be the most repeated and respected because of its content and tenor, is in fact discounted right from the beginning because of its framing within a comedy show. Instead, the public gives credibility to propaganda gushers like Limblow and Insannity, because their shows are framed as news commentary.

Mr. Stewart and his counterpart, Mr. Colbert have provided a much needed anchor for me, as I have become more politically active. They provide the balance to offset the ignorance and lies I wade through each day while trying to enlighten people to the truth of current affairs.

The only other voice in the media I have found to be a source of truth is Mr. Bill Moyers. I think I’ll post today with some critical links.

thanx, AD

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 15, 2009 @ 6:40 am

9/11: honor thyself, America

and you sir, are 100% right as well.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 11, 2009 @ 12:12 pm

9/11 Plus 8 = ?

EXCELLENT OP-ED, SIR. I GIVE 10 STARS.

all of your points are sadly true.

and i too am glad we no longer live in the grip of fear. fear not instilled by “terrorists”, but BY OUR OWN GOVERNMENT.

I thank President Obama for returning that peace of mind to me, and many like me.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 11, 2009 @ 11:17 am

You can gouge me with overdraft fees, but please don’t give me health insurance!

i have always hated banks. worse than lawyers and dentists. not only do they profit from simply “holding” our money, they bite the very hand that feeds with their ridiculous fees. and for some reason, the majority of america is too complacent to do anything about it. i cannot believe how many people still bank with BoA. they have continually proven themselves to be the most devious institution in the retail banking industry.

i am with a small credit union. i lucked out in getting in, as my then-employer was contracted with them for providing used cars for their loan program. it has one branch. it has no atm’s. it is only open 9-4, m-f and closed on lunch. it is most certainly the most inconvenient bank i can imagine. but i love them. they have never charged me a ridiculous fee. $5 if i overdraft? i deserve that slap on the wrist, ok. it’s not $30! they have provided all of my loans, worked with me when i was unemployed, and overcome any issue when i have called to speak with them about it.

get with a credit union as soon as you can. they deserve our support, and we deserve the quality service they provide.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 11, 2009 @ 12:32 pm

It’s time: I need YOU, WE need US

THIS IS A GOOD THING. i have signed it.

reading this? you should too.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 10, 2009 @ 1:24 pm

no kidding. it’s interesting how certain things come to the forefront and find popularity. before today, i never heard of actblue.com. seems they’re raking in money for this guy Miller. But they bill themselves as a democratic candidate fund raising entity. I WILL NOT AFFILIATE WITH A PARTY. too many people hold allegiance to “team names” even if their team has morphed into something they don’t actually represent. a perfect example of this is that foolish young McCain girl. she states she holds a bunch of “liberal” values while maintaining the title “conservative”. those words mean nothing to me. i believe in right and wrong. those are the two parties today, and i’m in the former.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 10, 2009 @ 1:22 pm

one thing i thought about that declaration. not “you’re lying”, but “you lie”.

isn’t that how you’d talk to your dog? it’s quite derogatory to express it that way. it’s certainly reveals something about how he feels about our President.

the comments i’ve read from congress members quoted indicates no one has ever shouted out in a speech to heckle the president before.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 10, 2009 @ 12:25 pm

my reply to you is above as a general reply. doh!

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 10, 2009 @ 12:22 pm

Ad, your site is excellent, and I promote it every day when i comment on other sites. Of course, i only suggest it to people i recognize as rational thinkers.

i am very glad to have an opportunity to express myself here, and thank you for it. This site, as well as the attitude and actions of the public, who clearly want more from govt. than what we’re receiving, have motivated me to create a new site.

I would be very happy to affiliate with this site, as I believe we share the same goals. America can be a great nation when we stick to our core values and beliefs. Everyone remembers how we came together as a nation on 9/11/01. We will tap that inner righteousness again to restore our nation. I’m not looking for socialism, I don’t want equal for everyone. But I do want FAIR, and that’s possible in a democracy, not a corporatist oligarchy.

thanx Ad!

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 10, 2009 @ 12:22 pm

until WE take over. KQ, i’m tired of the facade. We both know that career politicians only care about keeping that seat of power, so the money will keep flowing in. We know secretly, they’re all republicans. They’re all elitists who look upon the public as a herd of ignorant sheep. We’re expendable. CEOs see us as a line-item expense.

I’m done turning a blind eye to the greed, and I’m done complaining. It’s time to ACT. WE THE PEOPLE can do this. Everyone knows SOMEone who would be a trustworthy political candidate. Someone who will take office for a little while, work together to write the laws necessary to clean up govt., and then go back to their regular lives. I would do it; I suspect YOU would do it too.

There ARE trustworthy people out there. We must identify them, and publicize them in their district or state so that other rational people like us can vote for them when the time comes. THIS CAN BE DONE. I believe enough people are fed up and ready to act as well. I want the proposed website to create the structure, so that the public can focus their action effectively. Identify the bad ones and make them known. Identify great replacements and get them into office. Then the second phase will come into play: democratic, public creation of bills via internet poll.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 10, 2009 @ 12:16 pm

Latest Shuttle Mission to Hubble Yields New Moments of Zen

thx for posting these, KQ.

when i look at astronomical phenomena like these, i immediately think of how small we are. we really are running around on this minuscule ball of dirt like ants. it’s sad that we are the only species that really has a concept of the bigger picture, yet we still, as a whole, waste our time pursuing power, trying to control each other, and wasting what little time we have to exist.

it makes me sad that even in the 21st c. we are no closer to civility than when humanity took its first steps on this planet.

i am glad that at least some of us can look away from the madness for a little while, to gaze upon the heavens and renew our hope.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 10, 2009 @ 11:34 am

Keep Hope Alive and As a Public Plan

profit must be taken out of the equation in paying for health care. THAT MONEY must go to offset the expense. NO ONE SHOULD BE MAKING PROFITS FROM DENYING HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

the CEO pay and bonuses, the shareholder dividends, etc. ALL WILL BE REDIRECTED BACK TO THE SYSTEM.

pay the doctors and hospital staff appropriately, pay the administration appropriately; provide a state of the art infrastructure, and then monitor it for maximum efficiency.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 6, 2009 @ 3:16 pm

imho:
1. it appears the repubs are pushing for a “triggered” plan. if rates don’t come down, a public option will be executed. THIS IS BOGUS. leaving the ins. co’s to control their own costs simply means they will be testing how much they can get away with before the hammer drops.

2. the public option MUST be included at this stage of reform. the fact that we are not simply expanding medicare enrollment to ALL CITIZENS right now is already enough of a concession to insurance co’s. no one HAS to choose a p.o., but those who are sick of their insurance currently SHOULD be offered a way out.

3. we obviously must wait until something final is actually offered. but obama’s lack of transparency is overwhelming. we don’t know anything about what is being decided for us. fear based speculation is in excess.

our representative govt should be what balances the power between the people of this nation and the corporatocracy which is attempting to take over our govt. right now. they have infiltrated and we must push them back out. if the public option is not included, i will then know that obama will NEVER stand firmly on the side of the people of this nation.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 6, 2009 @ 2:36 pm

I love ya’ back, Mr. President

i will be the sour apple in this bunch. my disappointment with President O is great. he CLEARLY is intelligent enough to see what needs to be done to restore our nation. so far, his pursuit of this restoration has been lack-luster.

i understand, and completely acknowledge that he is a single person in a sea of backstabbers and double agents that is DC politics. However, the bills which he has signed into law have continually left out the meat and passed only the side veggies and dressing. this is why people are crying over their lack of “change”.

the nation that voted for Obama wanted an immediate cessation of the tyranny allowed by corporate deregulation in EVERY industry. i have never paid so many fees in my life. my apt. complex even charges me a fee – to charge me their fees! WTF?

i wanted caps on usurious interest rates in my cc reform. it was left out. i wanted the “cramdown” measure so more people could keep their homes from being foreclosed. that was left out. i wanted transparency on the TARP money, which i have not seen. i wanted GM to be completely retooled as an alt fuel vehicle maker before China takes our auto industry. i want credit freed up to keep smaller banks from going under, but instead they’re being absorbed by the “too big to fails”.

a few months ago, the gay population was screaming over O’s lack of action on the issues crucial to them. i remember him inviting some critical LGBT people to the WH and suddenly the screaming hushed. IS OBAMA SOME GREAT CHESS PLAYER, HOLDING OUT HIS BEST MOVES FOR LATER? well if so, he needs to invite a few of the progressives to his table and let us know that everything’s gonna work out later if we’re patient.

i’m tired of this feeling that i’m standing at the bus stop in the rain, watching the bus cruise right by me, and wondering if the bus driver plans to pick me up on the way back, or if he’s going to leave me here stranded.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 6, 2009 @ 3:07 pm

Is Our Children Learning?

it’s nice to see everyone here accepts the reality of the influence of racism in the criticism of obama’s administration. people want to focus their anger at him, even when the source of their frustration is elsewhere.

the ignorance of this nation is increasing dramatically. the vicious cycle of h.s. dropout – unexpected pregnancy – children raised in poverty to become h.s. dropouts has had a few cycles over the last two decades. the nation is filled with people who cannot think rationally for themselves; but rather are trained that the television is their source of “truth”. of course, the educated know this is hardly the case.

education reform is absolutely crucial to restoring our nation. otherwise, we truly are destined for banana republic status. the rich will be in their gated communities while the rest of us fight over trans fats and hi-fructose corn syrup.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 6, 2009 @ 2:51 pm

Partisanship: Are you on the RIGHT side?

thx, KQ! i believe it was YOUR comments which brought me to participate in this site, so kudos right back at ya.

the last question i posed, “do we have a right to eat” is a question i ask to people that say we don’t have a right to healthcare because it’s not in the Constitution. It’s a good, blunt question that slices the onion right in half, so you can get to the core without arguing through the layers that debaters may use.

i believe we do have a right to eat. i don’t believe that any individual or entity can hoard every single source of food and deny your existence. same with air, or water; as a human on this earth, you have as much right to the resources as anyone else. i also believe the Constitution includes this under the category of “life”. if you can’t eat, you certainly can’t live.

you also cannot live without medical care. i believe the prime reason we don’t target hospitals or anything with a large red “plus sign” on it, during war time. it may be a geneva convention mandate on paper, but in practice it is a basic human moray to not target the injured or ill.

but for-profit health insurance has mutilated this once common sensibility. not only do they prey on the ill, they do whatever they can to isolate and abandon the ill. and they have somehow brainwashed a portion of the nation to believe that it’s ok because the profit margin justifies it. this is wrong.

medical care, like the opportunity to eat, is a human right, just as is freedom of choice. in the 21st century, we have the technology to create and maintain a global community that provides this. it simply is a matter of removing GREED from the equation. less ME think; more WE think.

some people will still provide a hungry man food. some will not, with the belief that they’re not giving someone “a free ride”. same with health care. this is why a republic creates a govt., so that the majority can ensure the right thing is done: feed the starving, treat the ill.

there are certain basic needs to maintain our right to life. food, shelter, healthcare. these things are human rights, and a modern society should use its govt to implement the most efficient system to provide these basic needs to everyone, at the least cost to everyone.

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 6, 2009 @ 2:19 pm

i agree, there are definitely a lot of “greys”. greys require discussion, education, insight, until a consensus can be reached, and a majority can endorse one particular shade of grey. with greys, not everyone can be accomodated. this is true.

but there are plenty of things which are black and white. when only FACTS are used to explain these things; no spin, no myth, no absolute lies, the majority will reach the same conclusion of white vs. black. i thought my example was a good one: “bad touch”. we teach our kids what “bad touch” is, and there is NEVER a time when “bad touch” is good. this is a black and white concept.

this concept can be applied in economics, politics, etc. is there ever a time when it’s ok for a vendor to “put his thumb on the scale”? heck no. is there ever a time when a police officer should administer vigilante justice? heck no. this is what i was referring to. there are plenty of things that we should be able to agree on regardless of ideology. AND THAT WAS THE POINT OF THE VIDEO. EVERYTHING in that video should be accepted as righteous to all free human beings. i don’t want to enslave, or be enslaved, and no one has a right to enslave me, as i have no right to enslave anyone else. this is black and white.

i DO NOT believe a single payer system is an absolute right. i DO believe that in today’s modern society, the technology exists such that every human should have access to competent health care, and that no human should be afraid of not being able to obtain necessary health care, regardless of cost or one’s social status.

now, i do believe that a single payer system is one of the most efficient ways to provide this health care to all. is there a better way? possibly, and if so, then i want THAT ONE. i simply want whatever is most efficient and most effective for providing a society’s NEEDS, as well as it’s rights.

i’m disappointed none of the comments thus far have addressed the video. someone sent it to me, and i thought it was simple yet honest. much like that pure truth from an innocent child I referred to in my article.

i pose this question, in response to your denial of a right to a single payer system. do you have a right to eat?

» Posted By tyler-durden On September 4, 2009 @ 4:13 pm