An Open Mind

A blind person with an open mind sees far more clearly than a sighted person with a closed mind. 

How? How did this happen?

Donald Trump enters 2106 presidential race as a Republican.

Donald Trump Surges to 2nd Place in New Hampshire!

WHY? Why did this happen?

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nine people were killed in a shooting at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday night, the Charleston Police Department confirmed at news conference early Thursday.


A prayer vigil near the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church early Thursday. Credit David Goldman/Associated Press

One more is the end of the world...

So, I'm sitting here working on my novel when I read an article on how the production of nitrates, or more specifically, now synthesizing ammonia, known as the Haber-Bosch process, shaped the subsequent course of world history. i.e., enabling, through increased food production, world population to quadruple from 1.6 billion to 6.4 billion in the 20th Century. Then, I began to wonder what if we had too many people. How many can the world hold before the weight is too great, and one more will cause the earth to began plummeting or soaring, or whatever it will be called, into a different place in space, maybe another solar system. What if you or I are identified as the one who has to go, and then, it begs the question, where would we go? I hope it isn't me, and I hope I don't have to pick the departing one, like a terrestrial Sophie's Choice, because it might have to be you.  

Tell Us Why

We want to know what you are going to attempt to accomplish, if elected, you know, all the stuff you promise while campaigning, AND WE WANT TO KNOW WHY IT HASN'T HAPPENED.  Who or what got in the way. If you promise a bridge, tell us why it hasn't been built; if you promise peace in The Middle East, what went wrong; if you promise to bring out troops home, why aren't they here? We want to know!

Infrastructure Superfund

If we don't permanently fix this country's infrastructure, people will be killed by collapsing bridges and tunnels, failing rail, highway, and airport runways, and widespread utility disasters. This can not be accomplished without tax revenues, and individuals simply can not support the amounts required. It has to come from corporate tax surcharges; an across the board percentage of taxable income. This is what a leader will need to support; he/she will need to have the ability to fight big money, the corporate lobby, and corporate owned politicians. If not, vote for someone who can... and will.

People, not Power

I really is that simple. Elected representatives must commit to represent people, not big money power... and the only way that is going to happen if you do your part. Vote for someone who is going to fight like hell for you; vote for someone who will be tough enough and principled enough to fight big money interests. And, stay involved. Politics doesn't end on election day.

Is Citizens United a problem?

Almost daily, I receive an e-mail asking me to vote against CU, and on occasion, I have. But, is CU the problem? Unlimited CU money elects politicians; however, big money controls politics, so does it really matter if it puts politicians into power? If money controls politicians in power, as most think it does; it seems to me how they get to D.C. is immaterial. So maybe supporters of CU aren't so smart after all. To reiterate: let's say I'm big, bad Corporation X. Let's also say I spend ten million dollars (by the way, about like me coughing up a nickle) getting my congressional pals to vote my way. Why then, should I spend another ten million to buy their ticket to the game? Hmmm.

I love Monarch butterflies.

Will Dow Chemical's new toxic cocktail, Enlist Duo perpetuate the chemical assault on milkweed that monarch butterflies need to survive? If it does, it needs to be stopped. I love Monarch butterflies.
There are web sites where you can register your objections to continuing use of the chemical.

For Barbara Kingsolver fans, her Flight Behavior fiction novel is a great read. As well, there are hundreds of other non-fiction Monarch butterfly books,

Today, I supported a national paid sick days standard by using the link below. I do not know if the 43 million Americans without paid sick days is an accurate number, but I guess it is a lot. Also, I don't know how abuses are tracked and corrected. We often seem to be our own worst enemies when it comes to what seem to be helpful social programs.  I also do not know why Republicans are against this legislation. Comments, pro and con, Thanks.

Will you add your name to say you support a national paid sick days standard?

Internet Access

Fast, affordable internet access for all, regardless of location. Support the Municipal Broadband Act.