GOVERNMENT VIOLENCE ...

Usually when we think of government violence we think of war. War against a real or imagined enemy where property is destroyed and combatants are injured and killed. But our federal government uses a subtle form of violence to insure citizens follow government rules and pay for government and it's services. Homeland Security, IRS Agents, Treasury Department, ATF Officers,  and other employees of many agencies carry guns to display and use violence to get their orders obeyed.

All the laws, regulations, and taxes are predicated upon the governments right to use force in getting things done. At an airport if you refuse groping from a TSA agent you'll be forced into a private room. There you will be questioned and probed by as many agents as it takes to render you properly groped or debriefed. If you smoke or enjoy an over sized big gulp in some places you may be fined. If you refuse to pay the fine you will be summoned to court, there you will be ordered to pay the fine or face imprisonment. If you refuse to pay some or all of your taxes for religious, moral, or ethical reasons you will be levied penalties to pay in addition to the taxes. If you continue to refuse payment you will go to jail.

Since voters elect the government representatives who theoretically manage the bureaucrats we the people indirectly allow the government to use violence.  However, in the real world of businesses and workers if a worker refuses to perform a lawful and legal part of his or her job they are usually sent home and lose their  income. It takes a major incident for an employer to seek the imprisonment of an employee. Maintaining discipline and following the rules in our schools, workplaces, churches, and marketplaces is usually accomplished without a heavy reliance on the threat of physical violence.

These days we are witnessing more and more government violence. When a government drone murders someone without a fair trial it's violence of the highest order. When a partisan government official or agency taps phone or Internet communications of an opposing political group it's a "force" of violence. When government illegally snoops on real and imagined enemies in the press it's a quiet violence which leaves all citizens a little less free. It is not a good sign of our future that our governments are growing in employees, payrolls, and agencies faster then our free market economy.

Will more and more government be good for the citizens ?  Is there a limit to the bullying and violence "we the people" will endure from our government ?

VETERANS (ABOMINATION) ADMINISTRATION

A recent news report indicated a backlog of claims to the Veterans Administration of 800 000 cases. Unfortunately, this is just the latest case of a decades long failure by another federal agency to fulfill it's core mission.  While there may be thousands of dedicated employees and managers at the VA, the problem is a mountain of regulations, partisan politics, and career bureaucrats and administrators who prosper in a world of red tape.

My father returned from his horrible war experiences a disabled ninety pound veteran with extreme anxiety issues and the scars of every tropical disease imaginable. I witnessed and helped in his lifetime administrative battle with the Veterans Administration to get compensation for his afflictions. He was shuttled from hospital to hospital, required to provide documents that had been destroyed at a military records depot, and forced to complete endless forms and questionnaires.  During what should have been his prime earning years he suffered nervous spells and service related illnesses which limited his ability to excel and maximize his earnings.  Finally, after nearly forty years and with the intervention of congressional biggies and sympathetic doctors he received a 100 % disability rating from the Veterans Administration. With this stipend and his modest retirement he was able to live out his life in dignity and comfort. Why did it take this giant government bureau so long to conclude what was obvious in 1945 ?  The tragedy is why an obviously shattered man had to spend the best years of his life fighting with his government to earn a fair settlement for his sacrifices and services.

Today we have Wounded Warriors and many other fine privately run organizations assisting disabled and unemployed veterans. In addition to their humanitarian intentions, these splendid agencies deliver important aid the Veterans Administration cannot provide in a timely manner.

The mission of the Veterans Administration is massive and probably gamed by some unscrupulous individuals seeking to get something for nothing.  However, in the long view of it's history, the record of this government agency has been miserable. How can private run organizations dedicate larger portion of their donations and revenues to their veteran clients and get faster results then the Veterans Administration ?

Based on the delivery of medical care and assistance from the Veterans Administration, God help us when the federal government assumes greater control of our healthcare under Obamacare !  

TIME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPEACHMENT ....

When we were children we were taught to be accountable for our mistakes. We were often punished because of the lies and not necessarily because of the original poor behavior or action.

Nowadays, when oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico occur,  its the corporate CEO who takes full responsibility and directs the payment of fines and penalties. When a naval ship runs aground,  the ships captain is held responsible and usually dismissed or demoted. When a sports team wins or loses its the coach that gets accolades or a pink slip. These true leaders would never blame an underling for their groups error or point out one player for the teams victory or loss.  Also, true leaders would be cooperative, truthful, and timely in recounting the reasons for their failure or success.

Unfortunately, President Obama and his leading colleagues have a problem being accountable for their actions and mistakes. None of the elites within the administration seem to know anything about the current scandals or who might be responsible. They delay explanations and are slow to give details or name names. Their approach to questions is often arrogance, intimidation, and the attitude that they, the government, know best. Unlike Watergate and the Clinton Grope fiascos, the current outrages involve our basic constitutional rights and the lives of American citizens. Nixon lied about his knowledge of the unnecessary and stupid Watergate break in.  Clinton fibbed about his sexual misconduct with a young intern. Their greatest error involved the cover up of misbehavior. From Obama the American people have not gotten  good answers on Fast & Furious, Benghazi, the AP wiretapping, and the IRS targeting of Tea Party, Catholic, and Jewish 501 organizations.

Thus far President Obama, Secretary Holder and Clinton have not been truthful or cooperative in their comments and testimony.  Americans should not fear their government. However, todays agenda of scandals should add to our collective concern about the power and violence the federal government can use against unfavored citizens. We should be very concerned that the IRS will soon implement and enforce the financial part of  Obamacare. We should be wary of liberal ideologue Obama who cannot answer our need to know how our government can sell deadly weapons to Mexican thugs or allow the massacre of Americans in Benghazi. Also an administration which allows federal agencies to snoop on the AP or selectively delay tax exempt status for conservative groups is troubling.

If the leaders of our government cannot be accountable and truthful in a timely manner should they qualify for penalties, demotions, or impeachment ?

TEA PARTY I AM ...

In September of 2009 I marched in my first ever protest in Washington DC. It was a crowd heavily laden with baby boomers. For many it was an arduous walk down Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenue to the Capitol.  Posters, signs, and conversations with fellow marchers confirmed my reason for marching. The mood was anger over uncontrolled government spending, taxing, bureaucratic growth, and snooping into the lives and habits of citizens.  It was a legitimate and orderly protest,   we used trashcans,  left no litter, caused no mayhem and defaced no property.  In 2009 the boiling point was the then proposed plan known as Obama care.  However, it's wasn't just an anti Obama protest. Most presidents over the last sixty years have allowed uncontrolled growth of government agencies and overreach and their best intentions have floundered due to the inefficiency of government bureaucracies.

As the Reverend Wright famously proclaimed, "the chickens have come home to roost". The federal bigness and overlapping bureaucracies are now killing people and stripping us of our constitutional rights. Millions of Americans are simply fed up. Poor communication between federal policing agencies killed innocents in Boston, Benghazi, and Mexico.  Government big wigs always offer several trite excuses:
   
     a.  I wasn't aware of anything.
     b.  It is an active investigation and I cannot comment further.
     c.  I will appoint a blue ribbon committee.
     d.  It's all the fault of Bush, Cheney, and Rush Limbaugh.
     e.  The computer files on issues were accidentally deleted.

The real crisis for the Obama Administration has even pissed off the politically left.  Associated Press media types usually defend and protect their political favorites on the left.  Now, some mass media outlets and commentators are questioning the presidents motives and techniques in a number of questionable situations where truth and ethics seem stretched or abandoned. Also, the steady stream of hot scandals caused by  federal government errors are piling up faster then Carney can create cute excuses.  Nixon and Clinton flirted with impeachment, but the screw-ups of Obama will unfortunately be excused because of his skin color.

The current bundle of crisis es may get a few bureaucrats fired, ostracized, or jailed.  However, the political biggies will escape accountability.  I predict the root causes of  bloated government filled with  bumbling bureaucrats lead by bumbling leaders will continue in the short term. Maybe the elections in 2014 and 2016 will improve things or maybe lousy incumbents will be replaced by more lousy democrat and republican newbies.

The Tea Party is a leaderless movement which will not fill the halls of Congress because it lacks money. However, the Tea Party is a groundswell of Americans seeking major changes in the way the government conducts its business and treats its citizens. Despite the ridicule and inattention from the left, the Tea Party will survive and thrive. If the unacceptable status quo in politics and big government continues from the Kingdom of Washington, future demonstrations may result in citizens bearing more than protest signs.  Hopefully, the Department of Homeland Security doesn't buy up all the ammunition.

Ultimately, more citizens need to become aware and educated about our heritage and history so they can vote with more reason rather than emotion. Those who hate America should cast their fate and fortunes in the place they believe is a better place. The silent majority lives and thrives. The Tea Party and like minded groups and individuals will eventually produce better leaders and government practises.

                 

WE NEED MORE "LEGAL" IMMIGRANTS

We need more immigrants because since Roe v. Wade we have lost nearly sixty million workers, voters, and taxpayers to abortion.  Also, according to a February 2013 ABC news report, US birthrates hit a historic low rate in 2011 and this trend will continue. Given low birthrates, later ages of marriage, the LGBT folks, and morning after pills for teenagers, the number of new Americans born each year will decrease in the future. Because people are living longer there are fewer working people to pay the taxes needed to support social security and other government programs.

Immigrants have always been the lifeblood of the American economy.  From the forced immigration of Africans through the 19th and 20th century rush of European and Asian immigrants our nation has always prospered from the labor of foreigners. And the immigrants over time, including the slaves, have worked their way from the lowest economic rungs of society to the middle class and beyond. It's part of our system and except for slavery it's been a successful system for the nation's economy and our "melting pot" of citizens.

We need more immigrants to keep the engine of our free market alive and well. Unfortunately because of political corruption too many illegal new comers have been allowed benefits from the federal government. Democrats favor the cheap labor of illegal immigrants and curry their favor to increase their voter base while ignoring existing immigration laws. Republicans also favor the cheap labor but question an open border and the ability of government to indefinitely pay  for new residents and their families.

While Congress and the President grapple with a new immigration bill or a re branding of old immigration policies the need for more immigrants is clear. Currently there are not enough legal citizens willing to do the hard work and pay taxes. Sadly, for too many Americans welfare fulfills their aspirations and economic need.  However, immigrants coming to America and willing to struggle and do the tough work will find the "American Dream" in their future.

Over America's short history immigrants have always provided the fresh energy, innovation, and genius to guide our great nation.  Seems our current challenge is to craft new immigration laws that respect our prospective new citizens and yet preserve our national treasury and sense of fairness to all Americans.

WHY I WENT TO VIETNAM

I went to Vietnam because my father, family, and I trusted our government. At twenty I didn't understand the domestic and international politics of the situation. I thought burning my draft card or rushing off to Canada were unpatriotic things to do.

My parents set an example of appropriate behavior when our nation called for their service in earlier times. In 1941 the United States responded to clear attacks at Pearl Harbor and the Nazis in a major way.  I went to Vietnam because, like my parents, and many other family members and friends it seemed the right and proper thing for a citizen to do and seemed an honorable family tradition.

In retrospect, Vietnam was a civil war and we were caught in a cruel crossfire. I slowly realized, President Johnson and his generals were more concerned with geopolitics and less with military victory. Congress never had the guts to make a formal declaration of war. When the Jane Fonda's, John Kerry's, and media turned against American soldiers in Vietnam our efforts became futile and the body bags multiplied. Nearly sixty thousand including eight women died in Vietnam. Two thirds of those killed were aged 22 or younger. We came home to jeers and at best an indifferent public. We did our duty, but were burdened by the shame of losing an unpopular war. Additionally, a few highly publicized war atrocities and a rise in drug use among soldiers detracted from the heroism and dedication to duty shown by the majority.

 Veterans of Vietnam are old men and women now.  However, we must proudly take our place with the veterans of other American wars as citizens who did our best we could.  Like our parents we loved our country and easily and bravely sprang to it's defense. Sadly from Vietnam, as from all our wars, too many of my generation made the ultimate sacrifice or came home physically or mentally brutalized. Finally, many decades past the "conflict" Vietnam veterans are receiving are receiving the respect which is due all military old timers. 

Our military should react with total hell fire when our teritory or national interests are savagely attacked. If Congress declares war,  the enemy is identified, and we have a clear mission in place it should be balls to the walls til victory. Sadly, the last war authorized by Congress was World War II and all military engagements since then have been caused by old politicians more interested in politics and their re elections than the young people they dispatch to war.

Never again should we fight under a Untied Nations banner (Korea - 50000 Americans killed) or enter a war without a clear declaration from our politicians. We should avoid engagement in foreign civil wars lacking a clear threat to our national security. We must always remember civil wars are the worst. Our Civil War was the deadliest war in our nations history.

Ultimately, we must wonder if our politicians really understand the business of war and proper use of the energies, talents, and lives of the young men and women in our military ?  After decades, has our government learned anything from Vietnam and the numerous "conflicts" and "policing actions" authorized by Congress or the President ? Considering the military lives lost and maimed bodies and minds since the last formal declaration of war in 1941 it seems our national politicos just don't give a damn.  

TODAY'S NEWS OR NONSENSE ?

Last year three major news stories headlined on American TV, radio, newspapers, and Internet sites for weeks.

First, a jury delivered a guilty verdict for killer Jodi Arias. Next, more revelations about a Cleveland man named Castro and the atrocities committed against three young women in his neighborhood. Finally, live congressional testimony was delivered by the Benghazi whistle blowers; Hicks, Nordstrom, and Thompson.

The good news is justice may be delivered to a horrible Arizona murderess. Also, good news that the ongoing nightmare for three young Ohio women ended with their captor locked away in jail and soon dead by his own design. These two stories received breathless coverage on most television networks, many newspapers, and numerous Internet social media sites. The bad news, in my opinion,  is the scant coverage given the Benghazi whistle blowers. While initial television coverage came from Fox News, C Span, a few internet places and talker radio hosts, there was barely a whisper from most newspapers and the major A-B-C networks.

A few questions we need to ponder.

From an historic standpoint which of the three stories most effect the stability and future of the American brand ?  Are media businesses turning more to sensationalism and farther away from journalism ? Are executives in the news industry more interested in selling ads, and fulfilling an agenda of politically correct causes then objective news reporting ? Is the media too cozy and protective of our progressive president and his administration ?

Has the liberal media a template to protect Obama from criticism, punish anyone critical of him or democrats, and crown Hillary Clinton the next US President ?  Is today's federal government, as ruled by the left media and Obama regime, all about total control of the nation's direction ? Do they seek to destroy any dissent ?  Has our nation come under the control of poorly educated and informed voters manipulated and encouraged by liberal politicians and media moguls ?        

- PASSIONS - PILLS - PRAYERS

Phases of life in the key of "p" if you please.

PASSIONS - Fun activities performed in the early times of our lives. The phase when our youthful pleasures are never quenched. The great phase when superb sex, boundless energy, friends, huge platters of rich food, good smokes, and copious servings of alcohol and drugs grace our lives.

PILLS - The middle time of life when our passions begin to dull and fade in climaxes and endurance. The time when our physicians begin prescribing pills to keep some things up and other things down. Medications become the unfulfilled hope of better days. The uncomfortable period when our best attempts to revive the passions of youth end in total exhaustion or embarrassment.

PRAYERS - A constant quiet activity we adopt during our senior years. The time when we beg God to allow us the tiny joy of at least remembering our past pleasures and how to open the damn pill bottles.

It's OK as we traverse the Final Lap to revel in the dark humor of our frailty.

 

ARE OUR BASIC FREEDOMS BEING ELIMINATED ?

Not too long ago a third rate NBA player revealed his gayness. From the President to every media talking head the news was universally celebrated. Chris Broussard, an ESPN talkie, broadcast his opinion that gayness was a sin against the God of his religious convictions. In an instant, ESPN called his comments "a distraction" and followed the political correct agenda that a gay basketballer demonstrated "diversity". Broussard was forced to amend his comments. Also, does a racial slur by Paula Deen spoken twenty years ago justify her universal condemnation ? Why was Phil Robertson subjected to so much criticism for expressing his fundamental religious views of marriage and gayness ? Are our first amendment rights only in play if we say "politically correct" things ? Are the witnesses to the governments Benghazi debacle being denied their rights of free speech ?

Next,  the Homeland Security Department is buying tons of ammunition while President Obama and his supporters propose more and more restrictive gun laws. Somehow the very clear wording of the second amendment, "... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed " is being ignored by a lot of political and media leaders.  How many crooks give a damn about obeying gun laws, or any laws ? What is the real reason our current federal regime wants to restrict the legal ownership of firearms and sufficient stores of ammunition ?

Agencies of the federal government can now track your every word on practically any computer, telephone, or other electronic device. As the technology advances, drones, conventional and infrared cameras can watch every move made by every citizen. Implanted chips may soon identify every human being, their location or medical condition(s). Are these scientific advances good ?  Do these initiatives take away your fourth amendment right,  "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches ..." ?

Seems as we allow the federal government to gain more power our individuality shrinks and some of our constitutional rights are diminished. Perhaps we could learn a lot listening to survivors of the Holocaust or escapees immigrants from Cuba, North Korea or Venezuela .