America....the Great?

The 10th anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks just passed and everyone all over has a aura about them.  Talking about how wonderful our country is and how much they love their country.  You'll see proud Americans cheering as the national anthem is sung with pride all over T.V. and YouTube.  What does it mean to be proud of your country?  Is America really a "great and wonderful nation"?  I was born in this country but I'm also first a generation Mexican-American, yet for some reason seeing all these "proud Americans" gives me a sick feeling in my stomach.  I know it sounds very Un-American and I hate to say it but I don't feel as proud to be American as these people whooping and hollering on T.V. seem to be.

What makes America a great nation?  I tried googling it and found several pages.  Every single page talks about how great America is for business, entertainment, sports etc...  Is that what defines being a great nation?  Big businesses and corporations can make big money here.  Hollywood makes the best damn movies seen all over the world.  Athletes can make millions by playing pro sports.  This is what makes our country great?  

I've had it in my head that what should make a country great is defined by how the country treats it's citizens.  Their education, poverty level, culture, over all health...etc.  I look at my life looking to see how America has benefited my specific life.  I went to a private school K-5th grade...that was all my parents hard earned money that did that.  I did go to public school 6th grade through high school, which is paid out of my parents property taxes, with some help.  I went to college and a large University, paid in full by my parents, myself and husband.  The only time I asked for government help was when I was pregnant with my son.  We didn't have health insurance, I wasn't working and we were barely making it on my husbands income.  My sister-in-law made me apply.  It was the worst feeling ever needing to apply for public aid.  I kept feeling I was taking something away from someone else.  There were more people in more need than me and as soon as I got a full time job with benefits, thanks to a friends referral, I stopped getting the help.  Everything my family has, has been earned with hard work, sweat and tears.  It was not given to us.

Perhaps it is all about perspective.  For those who can afford health care and a great education for their children this is indeed a great nation.  They do not feel the impact of the failed economy.  Those families have the world as their playground and do not know what it is like to suffer or be hungry. They are even above the laws imposed on every one else, they can afford really good attorneys after all.

From what I can tell, for the rest of us America has one of the worst school systems in the world.  Our health care is just about as bad.  Many citizens live in poverty.  A small percent of wealthy citizens control most of the nations money. We have a small percent of the worlds population but the highest that are in prisons.  Our history started with righteousness and genocide.  Racism, bigotry and intolerance is thriving.  Hate and violence is defended by religious text.  As big corporations make millions and billions in profits every year while we have starving children and people losing their homes.  If politicians have their way we will become a very segregated country where education and our freedom will differ all over the country.  I will say that we are one of the safest countries in the world, but quite frankly I attribute that to the fact that we only have two neighbors and we are half way around the world from countries that hate us.  Laws are made to suppress and imprison as many people as possible to give the illusion of safety to the wealthy and naive.

I used to think America was a great nation but now after all that it's doing to separate my family, kill the economy, eliminate the middle class, and imprison minorities...sorry if I don't feel so patriotic. 

Rare Visitors

We got some visitors at my dads house.  Let's just say they're related somehow and depending on what the future holds, I'll reveal how they're related.  They...let's call them Kit and Kat...came over during the day on a Friday.  It just so happens I was there because of some crazy stomach virus, my brother was there because he had the day off and my sister-in-law was there cuz she needed to use the computer.  Everyone was there, my parents, us and Cairo.  I'm not sure that they wanted to see us all considering the timing but we were all there none the less,on the defensive and speculations were flying like bees in a flower garden.

"What do you think they want?"

"You think they want money"

"It's just weird after all this time"

"It's just them two?"

"Maybe someone died?"

It turned out to be a pleasant experience....until we got into politics AND religion.  I could tell that both were very Christian but I was not quite sure what branch they fell under.   Still don't know but I smelled fundi and I didn't like it.

Let me make it clear, I'm all about tolerance and productive dialogue.  I have no problem with sharing notes and comments and being all peaceful but as long as I don't try to convert you and you don't try to convert me, we'll get along just dandy!  These ladies were not into converting but they were into some weird stuff, in my opinion.  We started with politics....generally agreeing with each other I'd say about 80-90% of the time but then the comment was made how children should be allowed to pray in school when they wanted to and that the word "God" should be kept in the pledge of allegiance and part of the oath people need to take in court.

I believe in God, but that doesn't mean every one does.  Plus, my views of God may be very different than others and I'm ok with that.  I'm not ok, on the other hand, with people telling me what view of God I should have and that Religion needs to part of our government.  Sorry, but I agree with the separation of church and state.  No religion has any right to mess with our laws and our laws has no business messing with peoples right to their own faith.

Needless to say the discussion got heated.   They stated how it's because of Jesus Christ that we have Easter and Christmas.  (really?  It's not because Christians made up holidays around pagan holidays to easily convert pagans to Christianity?) What blew mind was when one said "I know some people with money and they're Jewish, you know not even American"....WTH???  Not only were they ignorant of other religions but I was surprised at the their ignorance of their own religion.  It was at this point that I decided to shut my mouth because I knew there would be a lynching.  Then one said, you should never talk about religion or politics at  a party.  Over all we peacefully said our good byes with hugs, but I'd be surprised if they came around again any time soon.  The whole time everyone else watched, it was me and them and even though my dad tried to get into the conversation his knowledge is narrow and limited and kept him on the side lines.

Looking back I think I should have said what I thought, like" you can be Jewish and American! Jesus was a Jew!"  "Those holidays have pagan roots and have nothing to do with Jesus!"  "If I knew I was going to die tomorrow I would not become wicked and go on a killing spree!" Yes, the last thing they said was God doesn't let us know when we're going to die because if he did we'd all give in to our wickedness and sin then ask for forgiveness the day before.

Till next time, I suppose.  

Local Rep BS

My local rep is a Republican, his name is Dan Lipinski.  For once I thought I'm going to contact this guy and voice my opinion about two things: 1. Drug Regulation and 2. Immigration

I sent two different notes on his handy dandy, send Lipiniski a message form found on his site.  The first was for drug regulation....I selected I wanted a response.  Minutes later I got a response:

"Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me regarding federal restrictions on the use of marijuana. I appreciate hearing your views on this issue.

As you may know, the federal government currently classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it currently has no accepted medical use in the United States, is highly addictive, and lacks required safety standards. In recent years, however, many have revisited the controversial subject of legalizing marijuana. Today, a number of states permit the medical use of marijuana, and more states are looking into adopting similar laws. In addition, several pieces of legislation have been introduced in the U.S. Congress seeking to legalize medical marijuana. These bills argue that marijuana use should not be under the jurisdiction of the federal government, and instead should be determined by individual state governments.

I believe we should certainly do more to help those suffering from devastating illnesses such as AIDS and cancer. However, I am reluctant to support the legalization of marijuana without stringent regulations on its distribution and use. Marijuana can be a harmful drug, especially when used by young people, and proper enforcement mechanisms would have to be enacted in any loosening of marijuana laws.

I understand your concerns and appreciate your insights. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future regarding this or any other matter of concern. Additionally, I invite you to visit my website at www.lipinski.house.gov to learn more about my work at home and in Washington as well as to sign up for E-newsletters.

Sincerely,

DANIEL W. LIPINSKI
Member of Congress"

In my second note, which described what my family is going through with immigration and all,  I stated that I would like for him to support immigration reform of course has not gotten a response.....Interesting.

I'm a pissed American

Back in the day when I was young and stupid I didn't care about what was going on in the world.  Heck, all I cared about was finishing school and going out with friends on the weekend.  Life changed that though.  Now the more I try to be informed the more I get pissed.   I had this image of the US as this great place where dreams come true and people do the right thing for the sake of justice for all.

Now, I realize that's not the case.  The people who are in power now and make decisions for the whole don't care about doing the right thing.  They only seem to care about the bottom line, not matter the costs no matter the causalities as long as they are on top that is how they vote.  Laws based on fears are unjust laws.  Laws based on ignorance are unjust laws.  How is it that this "great" and "wonderful" country has gotten to this very ugly place where it is more important to kill small business for the sake of large corporations?  How is it that it's ok to attack women and their decisions?  Why is it that lobbyists have more decision making power than the millions of Americans in this country?  What about taking care of "interests" in other countries makes more sense than taking care of our interests at home?  How is it that in this day and age we are still plagued with racism and religious intolerance?

All of this done while hiding behind the US Constitution, our founding fathers must be rolling in their graves and for what?  So that they can have the best of the best in the short time they have on this earth.  Let's face it, no one lives forever, laws are put in place so that the rich stay rich, they die and whomever is affected negatively by their horrible decisions will be left to suffer, well as long as they live life to the fullest who cares right?

The laws in this country are made to keep the lower classes low and the higher class rich.  They are made to keep minority voices quiet.  The more I see this, more crazies I see running for office the more I question how proud I am to be an American.  Dramatic change will come, I don't know if it will be a good thing or not but I do know who will be responsible in either case.  It will fall on those decision makes and the change will come from the majority.  The majority will either cease to exist or we will unite, rise and fight for positive change.  I'm rooting for positive change but at this point, anything can happen.

2012 Election Lumes

First off I'd like to say that I don't side with any particular political group.  I like to look into all candidates first and I vote for who agrees with mostly with me and my views.  This is now especially true because of recent events. 

Some months ago I stared to look up who had declared him or her self as a Presidential runner for 2012 and I looked them over.  I have to say that I was not impressed by many and the only one that had stood out.  His view on immigration, drugs, womens rights etc...were dead on with my own or at least closer than the others.  I remember thinking, damn if this guy wins things would really change around here, but I didn't think for some odd reason that he'd make it so I let it be.

As time went on the Latino vote has become a very hot topic.  The Latino vote as determined the presidency but with this huge hot topic of immigration raging on it's become of significant importance this time around.  Some say that we should not vote for Obama because he's fallen short of his promises on immigration, I agree but what's the alternative?  Sorry, but the alternatives are looking pretty bleak.  Some Republicans want to build up a wall similar to the wall of China between the US and Mexico.  Others are giving a green light to commit crimes against the undocumented, like rape. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm not saying that democrats are any better, ignoring immigration, continuing wars, ignoring drug reform, cutting taxes for the rich, but they don't seem so far off their rockers as these bozos.

Tonight the Republicans will be having their first "official" debate, amongst themselves.  Everyone's invited except for one, Gary Johnson.  There's controversy as to why he's being barred from CNN's hosted debate. Remember that one guy that I mentioned above?  Well that's him and he's a Republican. Apparently he's got a decent track record, he did good when he was Governor of New Mexico and his views align with my own.

My point is this.  Now that election season is lurking I think we should make an effort to think out side the box.  Look at every candidate regardless of party and vote for who we think is the best for us.  The republicans have a long list of wackos with few exceptions, the odds of the kind of republican that is going be on the final ballot does not look good.  I know the democrats are going to bring forward their top contender, my focus will be to make sure that the republican one is not of their majority wacko group.  Let's face it, elections don't always end how we want them.  For me, I'm going to focus on reducing the level of crazy on the Republican ballot, if there's an off chance that a Republican wins the presidency then hopefully we won't be turning the clock back to the 1800's.