TAX CUTS – NATIONAL PARKS – NAFTA – AND THE TRUMPELSTILTSKINS

As Forrest Gump once said “stupid is as stupid does” – problem is Trump is redefining the definition of stupid.

Take the proposed tax cut for instance, corporations will have their tax cut to fifteen percent as though this will somehow lead to a boom for the country when it is actually a ticking time bomb.

There are already so many tax loop holes for corporations they pay next to nothing and some nothing at all – has that stopped them from exporting jobs?

Absolutely not, and the reason isn’t taxation but cheap foreign labor with zero benefits, safety regulations, or accountability.

Additionally Trump and his ravening horde want to open up national parks and monuments to “development” i.e. raping the environment.

Well bring on it Swamp Thing as the protests, demonstrations, and judicial smack downs have been a drop in the bucket compared to what they will become.

The combined salaries of a married couple working for minimum wage in this land of plenty is right at or less than twenty four thousand a year , so on the surface this may look like a good deal for them, but that’s far from the reality when it comes to such a couple who won’t be able to afford healthcare or any kind of essential services for their children.

Try explaining that to the Trumpelstiltskins who predictably develop a case of narcolepsy when confronted with reality.

So in reality this “tax cut” for them is going to amount to a tax in itself if their child becomes sick or has to rely upon a school lunch program.

Trump, Republican politicians, and their agenda are the last gasping for breath of what has been an entrenched white privilege – they are desperate to maintain what they believe is their birthright and willing to go to any extreme and the major reason they have their head stuck up the ass of every corporation – a belief that wealth and wealth alone will forestall the inevitable.

In the midst of their denial they refuse to accept what their very eyes and ears tell them , that demographics are changing, that a growing number of white people and a new generation are rejecting the concept of privilege whether it be based on ethnicity, religion, or wealth – bad news for out of touch conservatives but good news for democracy.

NAFTA was the brainchild of Republicans, their response to corporate lobbyists, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that then president Clinton praised the legislation, said he would actively support and campaign for it – that it would lead to a boom in jobs.

Renegotiate NAFTA? Not a bad idea depending on the end result – even better if it is to remain intact with a cosmetic tweak or two is to levy a sufficient enough import duty on products made by American companies who have relocated overseas to make them bring jobs back to this country as the only workable solution.

If that were to be the case they’d probably attempt a coup d’etat.

But for such an import tariff to eventuate Republican pols would have to remove their head from their favorite place and come up for air – not likely to happen.

Politicians, Trump, and the wealthy enjoy a protective insulation the rest of us don’t, ultimately that is all they care about, and if and when the Trumpelstiltskins wake up they’re going to be shocked to find they aren’t in Kansas anymore.

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BREXIT

Being an indigenous person I am an advocate for sovereignty, and that includes the sovereignty of a nation like Britain – the below is a copy paste of a comment made in the link that accompanies this blog.

“Why is everything I read about the Brexit so negative? The economy is ruined, the young people’s future as Europeans is at stake, the currency is devalued, trade is threatened, immigration is threatened, ….stop. Just stop and realize NOTHING is going to be different. What, all these countries are right now radioing the captains of cargo ships laden with jeans and walkmans and telling them “OMG TURN AROUND AND COME BACK!!” The future of Great Britain is NOT contingent upon membership in the EU. There are positives and negatives to staying, there are positives and negatives in leaving but the sky is NOT falling!”

The EU long ago overstepped it’s original intent and mandate, it has become an out of touch juggernaut attempting to regulate every aspect of member nations while pushing corporate interests.

It’s long been my belief that Una Merkel of Germany has attempted to position herself as the guiding force and her personal agendas seem to be to establish a Fourth Reich with monetary interests being the new weapon of choice.

An elected government is required to represent the will of the people, those who elected them and those who in theory they are obliged to serve, admittedly that has become something of a novel idea among democracies throughout the world, that is the litmus test.

Yet it is an idea that has gained traction beginning with the people of Iceland who took their government back amidst the same corporate elitist predictions of doom and gloom.

Obama played his part for corporate interests in the not so veiled threat that Britain would find themselves sitting in the back of the bus when it came to trade deals with the U.S. – a shameless and equally baseless attempt to influence the Brexit vote.

What will be interesting and reflective of the banking and corporate interests is the pound of punitive flesh they most surely will attempt to extract in an effort to keep other nations within the fold.

Iceland survived and is better off now than it was, I believe inspite of all the Wall Street, EU, and banking industries cries and howling that the sky is falling Britain will as well.

It will take a little time for the dust to settle and there will be bumps along the road, there will be threats and warnings of dire consequences, perhaps even manipulated events meant to coerce but it is about much more than towing the line – to paraphrase it is about “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

Not only do I agree with the expressed sentiment in the above quote that journalists if not nuts demonstrate a supermarket rag magazine approach when it comes to “filler” and creating news ……. as well as blocking it.

Too bad the people of this nation haven’t the fortitude to demand a referendum and exit the wage suppressing, job exporting “trade deal” known as NAFTA – but then that would be bad for corporate profits and Wall Street wouldn’t it?

Or would it? As such entities always find a way to profit just as they did during the bail out a few years ago in this country after driving it into a financial crisis.

The people of Britain have spoken, now it is time for them to not only hold the line but to hold the feet of elected politicians to the fire.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/5-ways-brexit-could-be-good-for-the-united-states-155328701.html

POVERTY CONSPIRACY

In the blog Redistribution of Wealth I made the following statement and have been asked what I meant by it – how does poverty qualify as a conspiracy?

“No what we need to do is continue to reward the abusers, continue to wave the flag, focus on issues like guns, and seek to insure that the poor will indeed always be among us.”
“We need to focus on every harebrained meme about conspiracies that comes down the pike rather than focus on what may be the biggest conspiracy of all – poverty as a vehicle for profit.”

I don’t believe it’s any kind of stretch to say a trade deal like NAFTA that has led to untold thousands of jobs being exported and the loss of that money being distributed among the working class in this country is conspiratorial in nature.

Nor do I believe it is any kind of stretch to say that the exportation of jobs and income directly impacts the minimum wage keeping people either in poverty or on the border line.

Trade agreements such as this are by design, and the impact of that design goes beyond increasing the wealth of one percenters and corporations – they know it and everyone else does or should as well.

It is that very knowledge on the part of those who fashion, support, and vote into legislation such trade agreements that makes them conspiratorial, and by extension poverty and subsistence level wages a conspiracy.

To facilitate all of this are credit, pay day loans, and rent to own, that encourages people to spend beyond their means often just to pay a utility bill or put food on the table and becomes a vehicle that allows people to indenture themselves, and fools to talk about the efficacy of trickle down economics and jobs are created by the wealthy.

For every “poverty” program there exists a company or government contractor that’s cashing in whether it be a supplier for school lunches or a “free clinic” that procures their supplies from the same companies as everyone else – in a sense it’s all privatized regardless of who is footing the bill, and it isn’t the government that’s picking up the tab it’s the privatization of the tax payer with the financial benefits going to a select few.

When expenditures exceed income the national debt rises – something like six or seven trillion additional dollars during the current administrations tenure.

Has poverty been mitigated, has the minimum wage increased to a livable level, have infrastructure issues been addressed, has the number of foodstamp or public assistance recipients declined?

No, they have in fact increased – so where has the money gone to? What has the war on poverty accomplished other than to maintain it and continue to warehouse people?

Well in part it’s gone into the excess of a billion dollars a day to fund conflicts in foreign countries – it’s gone to the loss of revenue generated by trade deals and taxes or import duties levied against imports of manufactured products in other countries by American countries.

It’s gone to subsidizing the sugar industry in the Dominican Republic for more than the market value of the sugar they produce – and that is one lone example among many.

It’s gone to manipulations of Wall Street and the Banking industry – so a conspiracy to embed and maintain poverty? Yeah, I’d say so.

An impoverished working class desperate to get by will accept whatever wage is offered, something novelist John Steinbeck addressed in his epic The Grapes of Wrath, something Caesar Chavez and the UFW understood and fought against.

An understanding that led to the creation of Unions and child labor laws that conservatives now do everything in their power to undermine – again, if it looks a conspiracy, walks like one, and talks like one, then it most assuredly is.

https://rezinate.wordpress.com/2016/05/01/redistribution-of-wealth/

TRANSATLANTIC TRADE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP

 

To say that the Obama administrations legacy is one to celebrate rather than one of corporate patronage is the proverbial attempt to say there is little difference between GMOs and organic vegetables.

That isn’t to say a measure of good hasn’t been accomplished but rather it is examining the overall picture that places things in context.

A starting point could be the fact that the Obama campaign collected more super pac money than any other campaign in history – which by any metric translates to political indebtedness and cronyism.

A second consideration would be to look at the appointment of Goldman Sachs and former Wall Streeters to important positions in government – Payments on the accrued debt?

There is a long list of agendas and appointments that speak to a determined effort to steer the nation towards becoming a full blown and blatant corporatocracy.

Not least among these efforts is the promotion of TTIP, the Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership, that will have a more devastation impact than Nafta has.

The TTIP is singularly about globalization with corporations at the helm – it is about money, greed, control, and above all the power to steer the course of markets and nations.

It is about the continued disenfranchisement of the individual, national sovereignty, and anything even vaguely resembling the will of the people.

A Pandora’s box that once opened will release nothing but trouble and will in a number of ways further enslave the population of every nation signator.

TTIP isn’t about a “partnership” in the conventional sense, it’s about attempting to put lipstick on a pig and making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear that amounts to nothing more than a global criminal enterprise noted for crimes against the common good and humanity.

Protest never changes anything? Look at how TTIP has been derailed | Owen Jones | Opinion | The Guardian
www.theguardian.com

 

THE FAMILIAR COMFORT OF DYSFUNCTION

At least on the surface it seems like such an untenable position I’m hesitant it even address it, yet increasingly I’ve come to believe that inspite of the proclaimed indignation, anger, and general carping the majority of the electorate find a measure of comfort in the familiarity of current governmental and societal dysfunction.

That it’s better to stay with the pig in a poke than to actively pursue the change that is needed in this country.

If that is correct it speaks to two motivations, one being fear and the other complacency.

A fear that if the boat is rocked things will become worse or a complacency based on a belief that all is as it should be and both corporations and the government actually have our best interests at heart.

People want to believe, and often enough the mere desire to is sufficient to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the realities.

Politicians know this, for them it is axiomatic, and so they enage in a rheotric that facilitates this desire to believe, so much so I’ve actually heard individuals qualify this in saying they don’t take the campaign talking points as actually being what a politician will do or attempt to do.

That’s a wtf moment for me – you don’t actually believe them, which is to say you acknowledge or interpret that what they say are lies and yet will vote for them anyway?

Which in turn seems to substantiate the previously mentioned motivations – fear and or complacency. Seemingly untenable as I said but I’m hard pressed to think of a different explanation.

I suppose there could other possibilities like party allegiance come hell or high water or that casting a vote singularly on the grounds that a woman is running.

But in my estimation they too have a dysfunctional basis as gender in and of itself is far from being a qualification.

Change doesn’t occur overnight, especially when it comes to the political process.

It is incremental in nature – a path is chosen with x number of required steps.

Steps that would include the reinstatement of Glass Steagall and either a retooling of trade agreements like NAFTA that opened the gates to a tsunami of jobs and production leaving the country or the complete dismantling of it.

Medicare and SSI shouldn’t be attacked they should be fortified – when a conservative says the opposite ask them how many parents, grandparents, friends, or constituents do they have who have depend on both? Ask them if they’re willing to kick them under the bus?

If they don’t like a healthcare system that provides services to all regardless of income or ethnicity and say it’s all about family values and taking care of ones own ask them if they or everyday working people have the financial ability to do so?

When they go on about the evil of a tuition free college education ask them if they believe only the best and the brightest seek a higher education or have the ability to afford one?

I seriously doubt the rank and file conservative working class are any better off than others – they have to contend with the same oppressed wages, the same exportation or jobs, and the same financial uncertainties and burdens – yet the familiar comfort of dysfunction is acceptable as long as it’s wrapped in a layer of guns, immigration, ISIS, and the flag.

It’s like being offered the choice of losing an arm or leg, choosing one, and then chanting USA, USA, USA.

America, the land of political savants? I don’t think so, more of a naivete staggering in proportions.

EXTREMES AND “THE AMERICAN DREAM”

The history of humankind during any part of it’s progression has never been void of
contrasts – the most flagrant being that between the poor and the wealthy.

The American Dream was an ideal predicated on the middle class, the ability to in the least ascend the ladder from poverty to the comparative haven of financial stability, a dream threatened by the decline of the middle class and the upward flow of wealth, power, and influence to a minute percentage of the population and corporations.

Every advantage is given to this demographic, every trade agreement fashioned to facilitate a growing class separation, every tax code enacted with an eye to enhancing the position they hold.

To deviate from this abnormal norm is to be portrayed as an extremist, a radical, a threat to the very foundations of society, but what are the true extremes?

Is it extreme that minimum wages keep a person or family in poverty while corporate CEOs make ten of millions of dollars?

Is it an extreme that health related costs are higher in this country than elsewhere?

Is it an extreme that access to and the quality of education is predicated upon money?

Is it an extreme interpretation to claim anyone, any business, is too big to fail and therefore must be subsidized by taxpayers while government turns a blind prosecutorial eye to criminal activities?

Is it extreme to protest a system of inequity and injustice?

How extreme is it to export jobs and production so the wealthy can become even more wealthy?

How extreme is it that the highest court in the land rules that corporations have unfettered access to influence election outcomes with money, or elders on social security are denied a minimal cost of living increase?

If you believe such things are the stuff of dreams and opportunity then don’t vote for change, vote for more of the same, vote the party line and nothing else.

https://www.yahoo.com/politics/bernie-sanders-once-made-an-incredible-155604738.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy9_fsL6uS8

SYRIAN AND AMERICAN REALITIES

I

Inspite of what Obama had to say as recently as a few days before the bombings in Paris ISIS is not contained – that is at least unless he’s attempting to create a “new regime” when it comes to word definitions just as he did when it comes to the law.

Accepting Syrian refugees is the hot topic button now as it should be for a variety of reasons.

Among those reasons is the potential for terrorists to gain entry. I can’t say how likely that is but it seems an avenue to me while conservatives will play it up and liberals will play it down.

I’m completely in favor of any humanitarian effort to assist Syrian or any other refugees form the Middle East and with the number of states proclaiming they will not accept any it will become an exercise in state’s rights versus those of the federal government.

This is a tailor made issue for conservatives at what can only viewed as an opportune time for them with upcoming elections – and they’re going to make the most of it.

Realities will be sacrificed in the upcoming related discussion, both sides will go to extremes to justify their positions.

This president is so intent on finishing his term without a major event as to appear completely inept – it was only a few months ago he characterized ISIS as the jv squad, now just days ago he announced they were contained.

Contained? Far from it with a growing number of people joining their ranks and a global expansion of their ability to strike.

An ability that emboldens them to announce the U.S. will be targeted.

No ones wants more “boots on the ground” but if ISIS does strike the U.S. the outcry will be no different than it was after 911 and ground troops will be sent.

It seems to me a pre emptive effort is what is needed as America’s allies look to the U.S. to take a more active role – something more than funneling millions of dollars to programs to train and arm a countries population to fight and then announce the sum total was an active force of five and yes it wasn’t working.

A true multinational force has to be a part of that strategy – a force that will strike, strike hard with a devastating effect and not quit until it is over.

Obama can tap dance around in the hopes of not tainting the legacy he
is attempting to create as his presidency winds down but increasingly
events are going to demand something more.

Obama may be the so called Commander in Chief but he isn’t a military
strategists by any stretch of the imagination, and if he seeks the advice
of the military he may be well advised to actually listen to them and put
political considerations aside. He needs to listen to the voice of allies
as well.

A hard look is necessary when it comes to immigration – it hasn’t gone
well in Germany with the rival factions in refugee camps, rapes, various
crimes, and the political upheaval it’s caused.

There needs to be an comprehensive scrutiny of applicants and the immediate deportation of those who are involved in such activities.

Deportation? This country has never hesitated to deport Mafia members
or other law breakers so why should it be any different for other non
resident criminals?

If we are as a nation to take in refugees we need to do so in such a way that they don’t encounter the same violence they are fleeing from.

We need to assure they can make a decent living and lead a decent life,
not stack them in human warehousing complexes and consign them to a second rate life of public assistance and dependency.

Anything less is a feel good farce and a balance must be struck between
attending to the needs of refugees and those of this country who are
warehoused, marginalized, embedded in poverty, dependency, and struggle to overcome a lack of opportunity.

If money is an issue related to that then get real about making corporations and one percenters pony up rather than legislating tax laws and policies that offer loop hole after loop hole.

I don’t believe an entire nation of people can be condemned across the board due to the actions of religious extremists, those who argue that point if they are Christians must then condemn all Christians for the same reasons as Christianity has it’s own history of terrorism.

People have a reasonable expectation of and right to excellence in leadership, something that’s far from the case and will remain so until such a time they  will no longer accept anything less…. a nation in dire need of being saved from the drones and trolls of blind party allegiance, from cults of personality, and the unrelenting grasp of corporations.

As individuals we are held to account at our place of work, with credit finances, any form of debt, and general behavior – if a reason exists why it shouldn’t be the same for politicians and government then I’d like someone to enumerate them.

What is often overlooked when it comes to immigration is that it increases competition for jobs and effectively maintains a starvation level minimum wage.

The more people there are competing for available jobs the more it becomes an employers market – corporations love that.

A solution I believe is to redirect the “nation building” in other countries to this one – to create good paying jobs by bringing back manufacturing with an equitable minimum wage and public works projects under the aegis of reinstituted  programs like the WPA and CCC of the Depression era.

The creation of good paying jobs would reduce welfare roles, increase consumer demand which would then be met by increased production, and directly impact the economy in a positive way – not to mention empowering people.

Every time the issue of increasing the minimum wage arises conservatives fall all over themselves claiming it reduces jobs – that’s an outright lie that fails to be substantiated by any credible study or statistics and clearly demonstrates the only thing they give a damn about is serving their corporate one percenter sugar daddys.

On the other hand when it comes to immigration I don’t believe the liberal talking points are exactly completely above board, I believe there exists an understanding that it will increase their base and pay dividends during elections and they’ve got their own corporate interests who love low wages and a lack of benefits.

In the final analysis these things are the face of politics, balance and a
middle ground that addresses issues in a sane an equitable manner in as much as they can be doesn’t seem to be part of the equation and the result is the divisive mess this country finds itself it.

I believe major issues facing any nation should be put to a national referendum allowing the people access and a voice in the decision making process, if not then at least in my opinion it cannot be said to be truly representative of the will of the people.

If the repeal of Glass Steagall, NAFTA, or even recent Supreme Court decisions had been put to that test I seriously doubt the country wouldn’t be better off than it is.

The majority of Syrian refugees are women, children, and the elderly, whether this country or any country will turn their back on them will be a defining moment, but the needs of the impoverished and disenfranchised of a countries own cannot be overlooked if the word humanitarian is to be any part of the narrative.