The key issues facing our nation now and beyond are: Unemployment, Manufacturing Jobs, Deficit and Debt, Illegal Immigration, Abortion, Homosexuality, Declining morality by our elected officials, Campaign Financing, Pakistan, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Uprising in the Middle East, Turmoil in Africa, inevitable conflict with Iran and North Korea, and growing friction with China.
Unemployment:
Unemployment will be reduced when the cockamamie NAFTA philosophy is tossed. High Unemployment will go away when our Manufacturing Jobs return. Unemployment will be reduced when corporations off shoring manufacturing and Technology Jobs to India and China are taxed as opposed to receiving incentives. Nothing less will stop the hemorrhage of jobs. Unemployment is a sore. Applying a band-aid in the form of stimulus initiatives as was the approach of the previous Administration will not heal this huge sore.
A tax cut for the Affluent to get limited employment benefits for the poor was unconscionable. It is fine to be rich and all right to want to be rich. Unfortunately, no country has ever stayed rich when the number of people in poverty increase. A quick check is look at Haiti. Meaningful tax cuts must include poor people.
Until recently, the Republican leaders were making a lot of noise but the truth is they had no new ideas. Running for President was just a resume builder and honorable mention in the History books. The current Tax cuts did not produce any significant new Jobs. In fact, we have lost more jobs since. The unemployment rate of 10.0 percent is evidence of that. There is no indication whether by Inductive or Deductive reasoning that current Tax cuts will enable the creation of significant new jobs. If current Tax cuts have not created jobs specifically between 2008 and 2016, then what is the reasoning behind this great expectation. I fail to see the Harvest in that idea and the American people are hungry for a resolution. Fortunately, we have a President who understands that Country and Empire will only be great if there is a manufacturing base. A base that has to be supported and strong.
Manufacturing Jobs:
Bring back our Manufacturing sector. The loss of Manufacturing Jobs is the basis for our economic woes. Those jobs were sent off shore. The loss of Manufacturing Jobs created displaced workers who cannot pay their mortgages or purchase goods and services. To suggest that the workers most of whom have a High School Diploma and between the age of 50 and 70 should now go to Community Colleges and re-train is adding insult to injury. It is also undemocratic because you are taking their choice away.
There was a time when just about everything was made in the USA. Now nothing or very little is. What can we do about that, you say? Simply refuse to purchase the merchandise. Personally, if the merchandise is not made in the Western Hemisphere, I do not buy it. Yes, I actively read the labels to see where the product was manufactured.
Finally, we have a President who understands that Country and Empire will only be great if there is a manufacturing base. A base that has to be supported and strong.
Deficit and Debt:
Politicians have demonstrated that the Deficit is less important than Tax cuts. Tax cuts for the affluent is more important than helping fellow Americans in need. Quite candidly, politicians talking about deficit and the size thereof is a façade. It is merely tongue and cheek chatter because they created the deficit. The deficit be damned, we the politicians are obligated to repay our campaign contributors. Some politicians are human Leopards. They cannot change their spots. The voters are not important. Their pledge to America is a charade. I thought that if you ran for public office the understanding was you were making a pledge to serve the people.
Since the financial crisis of 2008, Deficit and Debt is affecting Local, and State governments. The fact is, individuals, Cities, Sates, Country, and the World is on a deficit to Debt path. Quite candidly, with the exception of China a country manufacturing things, one could argue that all countries are in one of two categories – Declared or Undeclared Debt.
The impact of Deficit to Debt on individuals is a bottomless pit of continued high unemployment, Foreclosures, astronomical credit card debt, and the increasing inability of decent human beings to afford necessities. At the same time, Local and State governments are increasing taxes but reducing the quality of services and contribution to Education. States that are in the Declared Debt category are CT, NY, OH, and CA. Others will declare soon.
The trend is reversible. However, it has to be done constructively and not by politicians running around like chicken without heads spewing vitriol or seeking to take away the right of unions to engage in Collective Bargaining. Neither will it be resolved by recklessly slashing and eliminating programs that benefit citizens. Frankly, slashing and eliminating programs that benefit citizens could create the age-old condition of two wrongs does not make a right.
In this world climate of unrest and citizens demanding actual Democracy as opposed to lip service of the ideology, slashing and eliminating programs that benefit citizens could be a recipe for disaster. The recipe and the meal could be on exhibit at a State near you.
Illegal Immigration:
Illegal immigration is a Trojan horse with the sides exposed. In essence, it is transparent and the occupants are visible.
We cannot continue to ignore Illegal Immigration. Any consideration of Amnesty for individuals in country illegally is the equivalent of allowing an invasion. An invasion condones importing criminals, Terrorists, and foreign diseases. Changing current Immigration Laws to accommodate invaders will demonstrate disrespect for citizens, the children of fallen soldiers, and legal immigrants.
Employing illegal immigrants at low wages and ignoring unemployed citizens is wrong. Employing illegal immigrants at low wages is temporary and unsustainable. Think about it, are you doing the same job that your parents did? Do you seriously think that the children of illegal immigrants will? If not, then what.
The fact is illegal immigrants in low wage occupation will not affect you. However, your children and Great Grandchildren will be competing with the descendants of illegal immigrants in the workplace. Consistently, the 14th Amendment MUST be amended. The 14th Amendment where it allows for the preposterous Anchor baby must and can be revised otherwise it will ultimately disenfranchise children born of Legal Permanent residents, Naturalized, and Natural born citizens.
The simple required amendment to the 14th Amendment should read as follows:
You are a citizen if and only if your mother was a Legal Permanent resident or a Naturalized citizen, or a Natural born citizen prior to your conception.
Prior to your conception means that at the time of your birth and the gestation period is determined and concluded your mother must have valid proof that she was a Legal Permanent resident or a Naturalized citizen, or a Natural born citizen prior to the commencement of said gestation period.
In essence, if it is determined by the medical community that your mother gave birth to you in 9 months, your mother MUST have been a Legal Permanent resident or a Naturalized citizen, or a Natural born citizen for more than 9 months before the date of your birth.
Abortion:
I am in favor of abortion and the woman’s right to choose. However, I am not in favor of State sponsored abortion except in cases of Rape and Incest. Even then, I am only in favor of abortion before the end of the 1st Trimester. With experience as a Biochemistry major, there is no explanation for not knowing you are pregnant at some point in the first three months of pregnancy.
Homosexuality:
Homosexuality along with financial decline appears to be the curse of Empires. For the astute, who take the time to read the History books those two conditions were included in the demise of the Greek and Roman empires. Homosexuality has been integral to the demise of communities since the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The choice is yours, you can accept or not. Frankly, I do not believe the recent floods, Tornados, fires, earthquakes, and tidal waves are inexplicable or mere natural occurrences. The choice is yours, believe it or not.
Same sex marriage, right. It has a nice ring to it. Doesn’t it? I do not know about you but I grew up with the understanding, that marriage was the union between two people who had the potential to promote the maintenance and growth of the human race. Marriage was not intended to be the legitimization of fornication or the legalization of warped sexual orientation. You can do that through Civil unions or Common Law arrangements. Again, the choice is yours.
Personally, if I were still an undergraduate in college, marriage would not be a thought. Heterosexuals should stop getting married and establish relationships via commitment ceremonies. There are Attorneys available to draw up contracts or binding obligations. Heterosexuals do not need to be part of any institution that charge fees for licenses and higher taxes. Fees as revenue, is the only reason why local governments support same sex marriages.
Declining morality by our elected officials:
Social Media is beneath the standards that Politicians should maintain. When I was a child, Politicians would not consider much less participate in such trite, trivia, and frivolity. Congressman Weiner’s experience is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Congressman Weiner was the first of many who will have their reputation and integrity ruined by tweeting. Politics and Social media are at separate ends of the civics spectrum. You can try to mix oil and water if you wish but unless you are Winston Churchill with the intent to light a fire to destroy the Germans on High seas you will burn like Congressman Weiner.
I do not subscribe to the expectations that our politicians should be Lilly white. However, while in office I expect your conduct to be beyond reproach.
Campaign Financing:
The political campaign process is flawed. Fund raising has eliminated the common person from participation in our Republic. The television Network media has kidnapped the Election process. Hence, the price or investment tag has become astronomical and well above the pay grade of most academically accomplished and capable citizens.
Money or the access to it has become the significant criteria. In addition, survival of character assassination is now the final frontier. Ability and love of country is irrelevant. Character assassination would have eliminated many of our Founding fathers from participation in our Republic. Jefferson with all his financial debt would not have a chance to run for President.
The political system has become Selective rather than Elective. Political incumbents with the help of the media have succeeded in persuading the electorate to believe in the nebulous concepts of Electability and Name recognition. Electability does not equate to performance. Voters are being fed ineptitude wrapped in Electability and Name recognition through advertisement.
It is flawed thinking to conclude that one candidate has more experience than the other to be President. No one has experience dealing with the evolving issues of the world. A candidate’s ability to deal with these issues can be determined during the campaign.
Candidates are now claiming to bring change to the Table, including change in the form of a woman or black. Given such an eventuality one would still be required to prove how good and for whom. The question is, will this change be effective in dealing with the key issues.
Because of the flawed political campaign process, No longer is every citizen born with the potential to become President of the USA. In fact, there is a greater potential that a child born in the USA will be a soldier, sent to a foreign country in defense of some cockamamie philosophy, and return in a body bag. The irony is a soldier fortunate to escape the ultimate sacrifice still has very little chance of being President of the USA because odds are he or she will not get noticed by the selection committee of the political parties. Even after risking their lives in defense of our nation, veterans are experiencing all kinds of challenges from Housing to Medical.
Pakistan:
The Government of Pakistan has all but abdicated its responsibility to rule. Benazir Bhutto is quaking in her grave. Pakistan is a volcano ready to erupt. Any attempt to refute the reality on the ground is simply denial.
Pakistan’s military assets are in danger of being confiscated. That is the objective of Taliban and Al-Qaeda extremists. I envision an abbreviated life for the current Pakistani government. NATO forces had better prepare for the impact of this eventuality. Power ill-gotten is not sustainable.
Monetary aid to Pakistan is a waste of money that can be better spent on our economic needs here at home. Charity begins at home.
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan:
Leaving Iraq was a mistake and hopefully we have a contingency plan to return. Iraq will not be stable anytime soon. The challenge will be how stable is unstable in Iraq. What levels of instability in Iraq will be acceptable? If Israel’s peaceful existence is threatened by Iraq’s instability, then what? Remember Iran borders Iraq.
Winning the war in Afghanistan is necessary. Comments to the contrary by Russian and international card-carrying members of the Truce society, is not an option. Since Genghis khan Truce has not worked in Afghanistan.
Action delayed will be resolution denied. NATO forces must cleanse the Swat valley and southeastern Afghanistan of Taliban and Al-Qaeda extremists to win this war. NATO forces must be relentless. NATO forces must cease conducting Police action. You cannot have a police call in the military before you create the trash. If NATO forces have forgotten how to create high-density debris, then they need to consult the World War II playbook.
This conflict will get unavoidably messy, but action delayed will be resolution denied. Multi-tasking is not a strong attribute of warfare. Forget about the civilian involvement and Journalist crowding the stage. Simply put you confront the enemy, defeat the enemy, and now how may we help. Perhaps we will but then again maybe we will not.
Uprising in the Middle East:
The Governments of the Arabic speaking countries in the Middle East will change. The question is change to what. Citizens have been suffering for decades and have finally arrived at the breaking point. History has shown that there is a limit to how much the human spirit will take. Even from the days of Anwar Sadat, there were signs that the Egyptians were not exactly “walking like an Egyptian”.
Fact is there will not be any peace in the Middle East between Israel and the Arab countries anytime soon. The sad truth is the only solution for peace between the Israeli and the Palestinians maybe to split the land. I consider this option because Lord Balfour promised Israel and the Palestinians the same parcel of Land in 1951. The only problem is, Israel will consider that option but the Palestinians may not be interested. How do we resolve this impasse, only God knows?
People in the Middle East have evolved through the days of Monarchy, and Military rule. Now it is time for the development of interim Governments, and the building and completion of a democratic path forward that will transform countries into Civilian rule supported by military for security.
Uprising in the Middle East will have a good ending for the United States and the international community. The people in the Middle East, now know that the international community is on their side based on our show of support for their cause. This will change their thinking about Americans. No regime in the Middle East will be immune from the uprising fervor. As long as we Americans show our human side, we will change the hearts and minds of the Arabic people. The people now know that Americans get it. We know that they do not want reforms but rather change. We know that they want change now, starting with the departure of Autocracy and Military rule.
Turmoil in Africa:
The Libyan uprising was but a small portion of Turmoil on the African Continent. I stress continent for the benefit of politicians who probably still believe Africa is a country. The Sudan, South Africa, Tunisia, Botswana, Liberia, Somalia, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast are countries with issues that must be resolved sooner than later and there are others.
Fact is most of the politicians have no idea where these countries are or anything about the History of these Nations. Therefore, it is not likely that they have or will ever have any constructive approach to resolutions.
Inevitable conflict with Iran and North Korea:
Silence is golden but also revealing. Iran has not given up their quest to destroy Israel, quite the contrary.
Iran is unfinished business. Thanks very much to the worst President in my lifetime, the honorable Jimmy Carter. The Iranian regime is not going away. Wishing on a star or burying your head in the sand like an Ostrich will not resolve the issue. Anyone who thought that Iran was building nuclear plants for Energy purposes is in denial. If the international community fails to act, then Israel will. It is not if but when and how will Israel act. The Iranian regime will be monitoring.
North Korea is a run-away child running wild in search of attention, which undoubtedly becomes a distraction from more important matters as Afghanistan and the need to respond to Piracy off the coast of Somalia. North Korea has decided that it will defiantly stomp its missiles until wants are met. The only problem is, those wants have not been articulated publicly to the world community. The public assumption is that they would like to be a Nuclear power, which unless they are able to win the sub-plot to World War III they will not or should not be allowed to achieve.
Frankly, I think we should render the Armistice of 1953 null and void, restart the Korean War, and soundly defeat the crackpot regime for the last time. The scenario reminds me of a Nursery Rhyme with a little bit of a twist. Some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it in the pot 63 years old. That maybe a harsh analysis but my first impression is usually right and only incorrect if I rethink. The civilized world may have to revise the map of the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea will strike against South Korea militarily, it is more likely than not. North Korea will open a Pandora’s Box whose lid would have been best kept closed. However, the occurrence, which appears inevitable, will serve, as a reminder to the world community, that Action delayed is resolution denied.
The growing friction with China:
Did you know that the Chinese are stockpiling oil and buying up any interest in fossil fuel, in countries such as Burma and on the African continent? Did you hear that the Chinese are building some military looking facility in Brazil? Did you hear that the Architect who built the Twin Towers is building “The World Financial Center” in China? A significant number of our manufacturing and Technology Jobs were off shored to China and corporations are receiving tax incentives for their valor.
Will your politician have the ability to review, articulate, and engender a constructive response. Surely, you do not suppose that all the above are mere coincidence. If you do, then let me remind you that there is no such thing as coincidence.
The key issues facing our nation now and beyond are: Unemployment, Manufacturing Jobs, Deficit and Debt, Illegal Immigration, Abortion, Homosexuality, Declining morality by our elected officials, Campaign Financing, Pakistan, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Uprising in the Middle East, Turmoil in Africa, inevitable conflict with Iran and North Korea, and growing friction with China.
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