You want real change?

If you want real change, you'll to start voting out Republicans and Democrats. They practice the same 'ole politics by the same 'ole people. Get rid of these guys, moderates included, and you'll have real change.

Just thinking aloud...

So, do you pray to God on Sunday? Yes, I'm sure you do. You do know that Sunday (or the Sabbath day) is His day off, right?

How would you like it if every one that prayed to your god prayed to you on your day off as well? That would be every Jew, every Christian, and every Muslim. That's a lot of wasted energy, because God surely isn't listening. It is His day off after all.

Well... Shit.

I really do think this country is no longer for the people.

While some of our elected officials may be for the people, the majority are not. I think the ones more for the people are the ones elected on municipal levels, county levels, and moreover, state levels. US Senators, and Representatives, and hell, even the President aren't for the people. Some of them may be, and I'm sure there is a few that really are for the people that elected them, but the rest are not. They're more concerned with their political agendas and the party loyalties most of them have.

It's sad really, that we all have been complacent to this. We sit back and complain when the politician's views don't mirror our own. We sure as hell don't protest or petition which is our right. At least, we don't protest at the levels we should. For instance, the former administration had the shittiest approval ratings since approval ratings were taken. What did people do? They sat back and disapproved. The amount of people that wanted Bush out of office probably wasn't much, but if they all decided to get together in DC right on the National Mall and protest, I'm sure it would have struck a certain chord with the people they'd have been protesting against.

God damn, we've become lazy when it comes to our government. Keywords: our government. Our government should be doing what the people want, not what they want. While this country may not be a pure democracy (it's a representative democracy), who do the people representing us think they represent? You say you elect a politician because you agree with them on the issues. Yeah, fuck that, few people really do it that way. You elect them because they're a Democrat or a Republican or whatever party you happen to support. Yeah, that's right is it not?

What Senators and Representatives need to do is go to their respective districts, find a big ass meeting hall, and listen. Fuckin' listen to the people and what they want to see happen. But with that happen? You can bet it never will. These politicians are in it for themselves, and their political party.

Hey guys! Guess what?!

So, here it is:

You know the fear of Socialism that is in close kinship with the Cold War fear of Communism? Yeah, you know that, you're smart people (well...). People in this country should realize that this country is as much Socialist as it is Capitalist.

All the public institutions. Public works, public parks, city/county/state/country infrastructure, fire, police, public schools, Social Security... In other words, anything funded by public tax money. Socialism. Simple as that. All this stuff we rely on on a daily basis. And no one complains. They only complain when there is talk of government takeovers of institutions we see as private entities (banks, as per today's current argument. But of course, there is the Federal Reserve, a national bank that supplies this country's money). Not that I don't complain myself, I just say that they should have let the banking system fail. This is supposed to be a capitalist nation after all. Even with all these public institutions. As a capitalist nation, the banks would have failed, and other banks would have grown to fill in the blanks.

In other words, The government of the United States of America is a Socialist government. The business world of the United States of America is Capitalist; the only Capitalist thing in this nation.

I've got an idea...

Y'all have no doubt heard about the bonuses paid to AIG execs, and possible bonuses paid through other companies that have received bailout funds. Billions of dollars of money all these people don't need at all. They failed their business, so they don't deserve a bonus. They haven't fixed their business, so they don't deserve a bonus. Instead of passing a bill that taxes it at ninety percent, pass a bill that makes them invest the bonus money in the arts. Turn these companies into the modern equivalent of the Medici family.

Don't make them invest in programs, because programs don't always directly put the money to good use. Make these execs use the money to commission artists, sculptors, architects, musicians, actors, and people from the whole realm of the arts to make stuff. Billions of dollars to people who want to get paid, making things to better our communities and lives.

It sounds like a good idea to me. And it makes more sense than a tax to me.

Cheney is an ass.

No one needs to say more.

I've always held most of the blame against Cheney anyways. I don't need to hear his King interview to see that he's the one I should blame for a lot of the stupidities of the last administration. I don't care if he's a Republican, that matters little.

People said Cheney and Bush protected our country. They didn't protect our country. You can't protect against an enemy you can't directly fight (a lesson from the Vietcong, and all other guerrilla forces throughout history). Also one can't protect against an enemy driven by ideological and religious means (which are both outside of our country, and within it). This country doesn't need the security that Cheney proposes, because ultimately, it's counterproductive and ends up creating more enemies from both outside the country, and inside of it. These people he consents to torture will not give up the information that we want because they see what they do as an honor, and look upon us with hatred. It's sad, really, that we have these kinds of enemies. Hell, that anyone has these kind of enemies.

Also, I think Cheney belongs in jail, or simply tortured with the same things he wants other people to be tortured with. A lot of people say, "Well on what charges can we charge him on?" How about perjury? That's a crime. Perjury to the American people. His former employers. Also, crimes against humanity, how about that one? I bet if you investigate the Bush administration as a whole, you'll find that there's a paper somewhere out there that has Cheney signature approving the torture methods used. Ooo, war crimes is another. He talked Bush into pushing for the invasion of a sovereign nation. And a couple hundred thousand Iraqis have been killed for no real reason. I mean, the reason still remains that Saddam Hussein was in charge of a dangerous nation. Yeah, dangerous to who? I think only dangerous to the Iraqi people. It's not our job to do either, get rid of tyrannical despots. There's a leader complacent to genocide in the Sudan, but that's right, the West doesn't really care all that much what happens in Africa. We like to 'express concern' and 'exert pressure' on those people, not invade. That's only reserved for the Middle East, and countries who had little to do with the reason why we're over there now.

Hell, Pakistan is the most dangerous of the countries over there now in terms of tolerance. They allowed the Taliban too much freedom (counter-intuitive). Now, I'm all for letting the Taliban be assholes, because it's not our job to impose our views on them. It seems that our country is so right, that is has to go to war to prove it. Woodrow Wilson would be ashamed. He said something like our country is so right that we have no need to fight to prove it so. At this point, our country is half-right, and we still have no reason to fight to prove it so.

Just a thought...

Don't you think we're too easy on our criminals?

I'm not talking about the 'weekend criminals' that commit their crimes, serve their sentence, and don't (necessarily) commit more crimes when they finish their sentence. I'm talking about the hardcore re-offenders. The criminals that get out a parole and start right back up in their life of crime. The escapees, the gang bangers who feel as if they have a special loyalty to their gang, serial rapists (sex offenders), chronic criminals basically. The people that are in and out of jail.

These people really don't deserve to be anywhere but dead. They're a cancerous growth in a civilized society. The whole 'three strikes' deal shouldn't end with a life sentence, but with a death sentence. What's the point of a criminal that repeatedly commits crimes to waste our tax dollars in prison, and most likely commit crimes while within prison? Just shoot them a couple times in the head and dump them into an unmarked grave. Problem solved. They do not need to be alive. Rehabilitation only works on the people that show genuine remorse, and work in prison programs that do something good.

I've always believed that rapists should be killed (not turned into a eunuch, they always find other ways to rape). They rarely are rehabilitated, and if they're dead, that can't re-offend. Shoot them a couple times in the head and dump them in an unmarked grave. Problem solved.

Murderers that continue to murder in prison should be killed as well. They're doing somewhat of a service, whacking criminals already in prison. But they usually don't whack the right criminals, so shoot them in the head a couple times and dump them in an unmarked grave. Problem solved.

Criminals that keep going in and out of the system, death. They do nothing but muck the system up and waste valuable time and tax money. Shot them a couple times in the head and dump them in an unmarked grave. Problem solved.

Convicts with draconian sentences, you know, those sentences that consist of several life terms and three death sentences? And those criminals that have solitary for life sentences? Yeah, if they aren't working in prison creating something useful for society, but committing more crimes, death. Shoot them a couple times in the head and dump them in an unmarked grave. Problem solved.

People with death sentences. Get the fucking thing over with. If they're sentenced to death, don't let them sit on death row for ten or twenty years. Don't try and abolish the death penalty, what the fuck are you thinking? It's the best thing going for dealing with criminals. Kill them the same day as their sentencing, really, just shoot them in the head a couple times and dump them in an unmarked grave. Problem solved.

And you might think this is a little cruel... No. It is not, it's efficient. Also, if these people are innocent, I'm pretty sure an innocent man never stops fighting his sentencing, unless they're lazy and what not. I will gladly allow people to fight their sentences because they know that they're innocent. It helps get the police on the ball and capture the right guy. Which they need to get better at doing, seeing as one innocent man sent to jail is one too many.

Also, you know the Bernard Madoff type? Yeah, those kind of criminals, rich bastards who swindle, they deserve life in an eight by ten cell with a toilet, table, and bed. That's what a rich criminal who does what Madoff and other like him did deserve.

Anyways, you want an idea that'll stop crime levels real quick? Look to the Spanish Inquisition. Reinstate the brilliant torture devices they used, and crime levels will drop real quick. Because I believe that all criminals deserve punishment for being complete assholes. The US Constitution protects against cruel and unusual punishments (probably because of the Spanish Inquisition), but if you make these punishments usual, and use the ones that fit the crime, then they won't be cruel. And in turn, crime levels will drop, because the Spanish came up with some mean shit during their Inquisition. If that mean shit were to be used to punish criminals these days, criminals would see that crime really doesn't pay, because if you get caught, there's a nice torture device on the other end of the system. Crime will drop, because people do not want to be tortured.

But that might just make criminals better at committing their special crimes. So the death penalty is the best we have going. If they get caught, and get convicted decisively, they get killed. No more criminal committing his special crime. Problem solved. I think Stalin would have liked this. After all, he said, “Death solves all problems - no man, no problem.”

Death is not cruel, death is not unusual, death is something everyone has to face at one time or another.

You wanna know what a buzzkill is? Just after I posted this up, Gov. Bill Richardson signed a bill that repealed New Mexico's death penalty. Fucking hell...

Here's one more thing:

No cussing week

The connection between intelligence and use of profanity. Yes, dumb people use profanity, but some of the smartest people I've ever met use profanity 'like a sailor.' This connection has always been invalid to me.

Also, I think (though I could be wrong) that this kid is asking people to voluntarily inhibit their right to free speech. This desensitizes people to when people are really trying to inhibit their rights.

Either way, I'm all for the kid's goals of unity and awareness, but this is one of the last things on my list in the way of unity and working together, down below setting my own house on fire.

Also, the word 'cuss' is really, really irritating to me.

How is this wasteful?

So the Republicans have released a list of what they call wasteful spending. Now, I agree on some, but here's commentary on all of them:

(I got this one off CNN.com, by the way).

• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.

I don't see this as too bad, but I still think coal is an outdated power source myself. We shouldn't be investing in a coal plant, but research to find that alternative fuel that could finally replace these deficient fossil fuels. Just change this to 'Two billion to the person who finds the miracle solution."

• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.

Movies are a part of revenue and job creation. Takes a lot of people to work on a movie. I don't see how this, a tax break that Republicans all so love, would be wasteful...

• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.

Truthfully, this can be considered a part of national security. Lots of people still get their information from radios, but the television is another useful tool to get information to people who need it. If that goes away, what happens then?

• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).

This can be viewed either way. Ice breakers break ice for research purposes, and to make shipping lanes (and because it's fun). If it helps them make a shipping lane through ice more efficiently, then why not? 88 million may be a bit much, but this could be needed, or it couldn't. It's teetering, really.

• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.

Just no. There's enough buildings for them to occupy, no need to give them nearly 448 million to build a new one. Cut it by two thirds and let them retrofit an existing building to fit their purpose and needs.

• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.

Wow, I agree, that is wasteful... Ever hear of Value Village people?

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.

This one is genius. It does two things, helps economic growth. You're putting 600 million into whichever car company you choose, and you're killing emissions from big clunky vehicles they already use.

• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.

Prevent disease, die from it. Natural selection works much better at getting rid of disease. Just because people are stupid doesn't mean we should help them with their gonorrhea.

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.

Create jobs, I bet you. Rural waste is the same as city waste. It needs to be moved and sent out, though I really don't think 1.4 billion is enough for all the ruralness here in America. So yeah.

• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.

As well, creates jobs. Or at least maintains them (along with the sewer system all those Republicans shit into). I don't see why you would try and get rid of this. I want a Republican senator to go without a working sewer system for a month and see how they like it.

• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.

This is trademark Republican asshattery. The Smithsonian is an institution to further the learning of people. It just seems so Republican to try and kill learning centers and arts.

• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.

I'm sure there's a lot of jobs that'll be created to take this census report. If it's going to overrun, why not tackle it now instead of wait? Doesn't seem right to me to put shit like this off until the last minute.

• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."

I think people should just die from their smoking and leave it at that. But if you insist on putting in anti-smoking junk, you actually kill a lot of people's livelihoods. Especially the tobacco farmers.

• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.

As I said before, trademark Republican asshattery.

• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.

They should have a bake sale in my opinion. But this is like the census thing, if we put this kind of thing off, what happens?

• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.

We fucked them up enough, so I figure this is the least we could do for them.

• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.

I think the people who get flooded should build their houses on higher ground. Flood plains were meant for farming in civilization, not living on. But yeah, this is one of those things that could create jobs. A lot of money is needed to fix levee systems and the like, and a lot of people (and dirt). Also, this is nowhere near enough.

• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.

I don't think many places have canals here in the US, there's very few of them. Even so, I still don't think 10 million would be enough to do anything about them if they were found to be in danger. Which they probably are.

• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.

Why not? Fucking Republicans. This could stimulate a part of the economy that needs some stimulation in my opinion. Fuck off you fucking Republicans.

• $500 million for state and local fire stations.

If this is taken out, I hope their houses burn down due to lack of funding. But this isn't enough obviously.

• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.

Usually the forest burns, then regrows. I see little point in this one. Though I don't know what exactly they'd do with the money.

• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.

I need this. You probably need this. Anyone without a job needs this. Especially the ones without job experience. The Republicans need to learn that people need activity funding, and job finding funding. Because people with money, will spend the money, therefore stimulating economy. Though it all really depends on what will be done with the little funding here.

• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.

Tell them to renovate the way they raise money. Have a bake sale. I know this is a needed institution, but what does it say when their building needs renovation? Tooooooo late.

• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.

Hmmm, this can be good or bad. It might help stimulate a small portion of the economy, but it might not. Either way, this one can stay or go.

• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.

Who says this is wasteful? It might be a bit much, if they haven't taken bids for it yet, but it does have a point. If this is taken out they can just charge more for healthcare.

• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

'Paid volunteers.' That's a great phrase. I figure if you have money, you will spend money, therefore stimulating whichever part of the economy they wish to stimulate.

• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

Lolz, the VA already shits on veterans, they don't need "energy efficiency initiatives." Though they might, I don't know. You be the judge.

• $850 million for Amtrak.

I didn't know Amtrak was in any trouble. But yeah, it doesn't seem useful to me because I don't know what the money would go towards. But if they really need it, by all means, let the rail industry thrive.

• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.

Yes, lets do that. I figure we can take lead out of gasoline, why not paint as well? I think they should ask the Chinese government for a little help on this one.

• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.

Yeah, it could stimulate the construction industry which is hurting, but they can be trained at the other existing facilities.

• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.

Yes, upgrade your computers because one day it may matter. I wonder what would happen if their system went offline....

• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
Not enough. This really should be added to the 600 million for government hybrid vehicles. It could work.

Yeah, that's my two bits.