Besides the fact that we have the right to question our government and speak out against it, this is pretty much sums it up (even though we don't always live up to this ideal, there's no where else quite like us):
Sun coming up over New York City
School bus driver in a traffic jam
Starin' at the faces in her rearview mirror
Looking at the promise of the Promised Land
One kid dreams of fame and fortune
One kid helps pay the rent
One could end up going to prison
One just might be president
Sun going down on an La. freeway
Newlyweds in the back of a limousine
A welder's son and a banker's daughter
All they want is everything
She came out here to be an actress
He was the singer in a band
They just might go back to Oklahoma
And talk about the stars they could have been
-Brooks and Dunn
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
OK, maybe I did want to be a LITTLE academic...
In true, patriotic style, a word from our founders:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
I don't think our government needs to be thrown off just yet, but I'd like to point out:
The founders didn't advocate getting rid of government, they asked for (and created) DIFFERENT government. Note the phrases "it is the right of the people to abolish it and to institue a new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness" and "throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security".
The purpose of government is to ensure safety and security for EVERYONE. Not just the lucky, the affluent or the cultural majority.
Suck it, Glenn Beck.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
I don't think our government needs to be thrown off just yet, but I'd like to point out:
The founders didn't advocate getting rid of government, they asked for (and created) DIFFERENT government. Note the phrases "it is the right of the people to abolish it and to institue a new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness" and "throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security".
The purpose of government is to ensure safety and security for EVERYONE. Not just the lucky, the affluent or the cultural majority.
Suck it, Glenn Beck.
Thoughts on health care legislation
I feel the need to state my thoughts on today's historic health care legislation, so that some day, when I am old, I can look back and remember what I was thinking!
I can't really be bothered to write something more academic and analytical about the bill, so I'll just share my basic thoughts based on what I know.
First off, just to be above board, I believe in a large social safety net. I am not defensive or shy about this. One might even call me a socialist, and that's fine. I believe government has a critical role to play in making sure that people in the minority (in any way), people who are oppressed (in any way) and people who have less power than others are protected and valued. I believe this is a fundamental core of what it means to be an American. We need nationalized health care to make sure this happens, but I'm not sure that's valued for enough Americans to make it happen.
The "controversy" over this bill has very little to do with its contents. I would love to see a world where everyone got together and decided what would be most cost effective and healthy for our society, and set up a plan based on that, but that isn't possible right now. Currently, we have a polarized society where we have lost our ability to hear different ideas and learn from each other. I find this truly tragic (recommend the book: The Big Sort for more on this). People's quasi-religious (and actually religious) ideas on the left and right make compromise nearly impossible, and true learning and research difficult as well. This takes us in a scary direction. We need to talk to people and LISTEN to people who think differently. We cannot afford the arrogance of knowing we are right. Even when we are right.
This bill is a result of people smashing together parts of different ideas that can be passed and tolerated, not what is best for our country. I do, however, believe that this is a tiny step in the right direction and gives me hope that perhaps we can go farther in the future.
I'm not comfortable with requiring people to buy health insurance without providing a public option (removing the profit motive and helping to bring cost down).
As I said, I believe in a social safety net. A big one. My personal opinion is that it is impossible to interact with anyone who is different from you and not believe in a large social safety net. I don't think a person who has truly opened their eyes to the world can believe that if you just work hard enough, good things happen. If you believe in God, God smiles on you and makes life easy. These things just are not true. There is a lot of luck and privilege involved, and this is very hard to admit. I know just how hard it is. Working hard is important, but it isn't enough. Community must help as well.
However, the benefit to recognizing that there is inequity in society is that you can actually pull your head out of the sand and do something! I'd like to see us have the balls to tackle insurance companies and everyone else who needlessly profits from our ridiculous system. I am NOT suggesting that we take money away from doctors, that's just ridiculous. They go to school forever, have a stressful and often thankless job and are highly committed to their fellow humans.
I look at Western Europe (Europe! Oh no! How unpatriotic!) and see a society that does not tolerate people not having health care or education, period. They are willing to pay higher taxes to make this happen. This is an oversimplification, but the point is that here in the US we are much more individualistic. I don't like this about our culture, it doesn't fit me, but there it is.
A word about Europe. I know about Europe. I lived there two years and have spent a lot of time there. There are many things I love about it and about the culture (that's another story). THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME UNPATRIOTIC. Wow, does it ever piss me off when someone thinks that because there are things I don't like about my culture that I want to change my citizenship. That is just ridiculous. Questioning government and culture is at the very heart of what it means to be an American, and there are so, so many things I love about the US. I could no more change my citizenship than I could stop being a woman. Theoretically possible, but absolutely not going to happen.
Anyway, I'm glad we've done something. It's not enough, but it's a good start. We need to keep working on this, and keep working towards social justice in every arena. We have a long way to go, but in our country, we can do it.
I can't really be bothered to write something more academic and analytical about the bill, so I'll just share my basic thoughts based on what I know.
First off, just to be above board, I believe in a large social safety net. I am not defensive or shy about this. One might even call me a socialist, and that's fine. I believe government has a critical role to play in making sure that people in the minority (in any way), people who are oppressed (in any way) and people who have less power than others are protected and valued. I believe this is a fundamental core of what it means to be an American. We need nationalized health care to make sure this happens, but I'm not sure that's valued for enough Americans to make it happen.
The "controversy" over this bill has very little to do with its contents. I would love to see a world where everyone got together and decided what would be most cost effective and healthy for our society, and set up a plan based on that, but that isn't possible right now. Currently, we have a polarized society where we have lost our ability to hear different ideas and learn from each other. I find this truly tragic (recommend the book: The Big Sort for more on this). People's quasi-religious (and actually religious) ideas on the left and right make compromise nearly impossible, and true learning and research difficult as well. This takes us in a scary direction. We need to talk to people and LISTEN to people who think differently. We cannot afford the arrogance of knowing we are right. Even when we are right.
This bill is a result of people smashing together parts of different ideas that can be passed and tolerated, not what is best for our country. I do, however, believe that this is a tiny step in the right direction and gives me hope that perhaps we can go farther in the future.
I'm not comfortable with requiring people to buy health insurance without providing a public option (removing the profit motive and helping to bring cost down).
As I said, I believe in a social safety net. A big one. My personal opinion is that it is impossible to interact with anyone who is different from you and not believe in a large social safety net. I don't think a person who has truly opened their eyes to the world can believe that if you just work hard enough, good things happen. If you believe in God, God smiles on you and makes life easy. These things just are not true. There is a lot of luck and privilege involved, and this is very hard to admit. I know just how hard it is. Working hard is important, but it isn't enough. Community must help as well.
However, the benefit to recognizing that there is inequity in society is that you can actually pull your head out of the sand and do something! I'd like to see us have the balls to tackle insurance companies and everyone else who needlessly profits from our ridiculous system. I am NOT suggesting that we take money away from doctors, that's just ridiculous. They go to school forever, have a stressful and often thankless job and are highly committed to their fellow humans.
I look at Western Europe (Europe! Oh no! How unpatriotic!) and see a society that does not tolerate people not having health care or education, period. They are willing to pay higher taxes to make this happen. This is an oversimplification, but the point is that here in the US we are much more individualistic. I don't like this about our culture, it doesn't fit me, but there it is.
A word about Europe. I know about Europe. I lived there two years and have spent a lot of time there. There are many things I love about it and about the culture (that's another story). THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME UNPATRIOTIC. Wow, does it ever piss me off when someone thinks that because there are things I don't like about my culture that I want to change my citizenship. That is just ridiculous. Questioning government and culture is at the very heart of what it means to be an American, and there are so, so many things I love about the US. I could no more change my citizenship than I could stop being a woman. Theoretically possible, but absolutely not going to happen.
Anyway, I'm glad we've done something. It's not enough, but it's a good start. We need to keep working on this, and keep working towards social justice in every arena. We have a long way to go, but in our country, we can do it.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Oops, Camera went swimming!
On Saturday Jay and I went to the Olympic Coast...the rocky and remote part, involving hiking through awesomely epic mud! Good times.
Sadly, after taking great pics and romping on the sand and rocks, camera flew from pocket in mid flight from one rock to another. Oops.
Jay valiantly rescued it after a pretty impressive fishing expedition in at least three feet of swirling water between to rocks, but the media card compartment got knocked open and the card was gone, so sad.
Luckily, Jay had his camera, which is the good camera and he did not carry it while jumping on rocks. I'll put up some of those photos when I get them from him (hopefully he'll be done editing them this century!).
Sadly, after taking great pics and romping on the sand and rocks, camera flew from pocket in mid flight from one rock to another. Oops.
Jay valiantly rescued it after a pretty impressive fishing expedition in at least three feet of swirling water between to rocks, but the media card compartment got knocked open and the card was gone, so sad.
Luckily, Jay had his camera, which is the good camera and he did not carry it while jumping on rocks. I'll put up some of those photos when I get them from him (hopefully he'll be done editing them this century!).
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Still learning to ski
I'm still learning to ski...I really don't know how! But, when it's flat I can do ok. Beautiful day in a beautiful place with wonderful people! We had a great weekend with Allison and Greg and the skiing was a bonus too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
