The Golden Arple

I was watching a Noam Chomsky dvd tonight, where he gave two speeches and an interview session. Before I go on further, I have to make this comment about Noam Chomsky: he is incredible. Irregardless of whether you agree or disagree with his views, the way he presents his points is beautiful. His recall of facts and sources is very impressive. And he never appears to be flustered or caught of guard by the questions. Maybe he has been asked everything already, or maybe he just really knows everything in that particular area. Either way, we need more people like him who present their arguments and views calmly, without angry and hateful rhetoric.

Anyway, the movie, titled Noam Chomsky: Imperial Grand Strategy, is definitively food for thought. The things Chomsky discusses are not something American Public has much exposure too, unfortunately. I won’t discuss them in this post, but they did get me started on thinking about democracy and freedom, particularly our freedom in the United States.

We know we have a democracy, or at least that’s what the teachers and the politicians say. We vote for the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives. We vote for the Governor, for State Senators and State Representatives. Finally, we also vote for the Sheriff, County Secretaries, School Boards, County Commissioners, Mayors, and various other minor local positions. However, even though we might vote these politicians into office, they are not obligated to follow the majority opinion and can very much pursue their own agenda.

We do not vote for, on the other hand, Judges (that’s one out of three branches of government), Cabinet Members, and Military Personnel. We as the public, do not have control of the decisions regarding leadership decisions in the huge, multinational corporations.

Just some thought candy.

Comments | In: Random Musings | tags: america, democracy, democrat, election, republican.. | #

I saw a funny video on Real Clear Politics today, you can find it here, where Obama compares many things he’s trying to do to mopping.

A few quotes:

OBAMA: What I reject is when some folks say we should go back to the past policies when it was those very same policies that got us into this mess in the first place. (Applause.)

Another way of putting it is when, you know, I’m busy and Nancy busy with our mop cleaning up somebody else’s mess — we don’t want somebody sitting back saying, you’re not holding the mop the right way. (Applause.) Why don’t you grab a mop, why don’t you help clean up. (Applause.) You’re not mopping fast enough. (Laughter.) That’s a socialist mop. (Laughter and applause.) Grab a mop — let’s get to work.

I have to admit, the socialist mop bit got me.

Comments | In: Obama | tags: democrat, freedom, Obama, republican.. | #

There have been some good news in the last few days regarding the healthcare debate. Maine’s Republican Senator Olympia Snowe has stated that she will vote for the Healthcare Bill. She is not the only one. Another Republican Senator from Maine, Susan Collins, has also signaled that she might support the measure.

I am in favor of the healthcare overhaul. By no means do I think it is a perfect plan, it has many holes and faults. However, I believe it is an improvement, imperfect as it may be, of what we have currently in our country. I also understand that there are many people who disagree with the proposed health care overhaul.. who disagree very strongly and probably for valid reasons.

I am hopeful and excited not only because the reform is moving forward, but specifically because potentially two Republican Senators maybe break from their party on this. THIS IS HUGE. In a political landscape that has been dominated by smear campaigns and divisive politics, the fact that two legislatures are willing to do something that is viewed unfavorably by their party should be praised and celebrated. Every politician is talking about reaching across the aisle. Very few actually do so.

It’s an obvious sacrifice on the part of Sen. Snowe and Sen. Collins.. however, it’s a sacrifice I hoped for, expected, and appreciate.

Comments | In: healthcare overhaul | tags: bipartisanship, democrat, healthcare overhaul, Olympia Snowe, republican.. | #