What do I want out of the next election?
I was talking to a friend the other day and he felt everyone should have a chance to excel in the world but everyone should get it the way he did, by earning it. Who could disagree with that? This is America, you get what you earn. Heck, I earned my place too, right?
I went to an almost all white schools in good part of town with an exceptional school district. I got three meals a day, lived in a very nice neighborhood with heating and air conditioning and had lights to do homework by at night. I had mentors to look up to who were in some way successful and teachers who were encouraging - for the most part. There were a lot of parents involved in the school and PTA as most women did not work. For my part, I had to focus on getting grades, doing my paper route, playing the sport of the season and not getting beat up by the school bully.
Let's compare that to students from many inner city schools today.
Most come from families that have been shattered by crime, drugs and lack of jobs. An extremely high percentage of minority men are involved in our criminal justice system. Instead of a school bully there are now gangs that terrorise schools and neighborhoods. Drive by shootings are common place and it is common for victims to be innocent by standers. Many of the children don't eat properly and live in homes that are not fit for habitation. Single parent homes, normally the mother, are the norm and Mom works several jobs. Teachers, badly paid, teach in schools that are run down with out proper teaching materials.
While I was in college I did an internship in an inner-city school. The teachers were forced to leave the school right after school was out so that it could be padlocked, they were not allowed in until right before school started the next morning. The School District could not guarantee their safety any other way. The teachers were dedicated and comitted but were limited, some of them had tried to visit students homes but the areas were not safe at night.
The students in these schools focus on survival.
So, we all earn our way.
Frankly, I'm not even sure that you can compare these two worlds. I'm to old to believe in Santa Clause but if I could hope for one thing it would be that during the next election we elect someone who has vision and hope that our country can be a place of equal opportunity.
Talk, know the issues and vote.
http://democrat.meetup.com/858/
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Social Distortions of the Christian Right
This is in reference to Star Parker's assertion in “Social Distortion” that the Christian Right has it right on marriage and family and some how those living in poverty have it wrong on family values. It is time to shred the veil of piety and superiority and take a good look in the mirror. The data from studies, including Christian George Barna, indicate that the divorce rate among conservative Christians is higher than other faith groups, Catholics being the lowest among Christians. Also, the data demonstrating that there is no moral difference between those who say they are “born again” and those who say they are not accumulates year after year. The fact is that the Religious Right tends to be white and middle to upper-middle class and come from families of similar economic status. This means their family failures may not result in abject poverty. Everyone has a right to believe what they want to when it comes to religion but don’t use faith to justify your position in life that is largely determined by who your parents are and similarly relegate those sinners to the ranks of the poor.
In our country the rich grow richer by the day while the rest of us hope to keep treading water in an outsourced economy. Social mobility in the United States ranks among the lowest compared to other industrial nations - the American Dream is becoming just that, a dream.
I would submit to you that poverty is not a moral condition to be judged; it is a moral problem for the rest of us to solve.
In our country the rich grow richer by the day while the rest of us hope to keep treading water in an outsourced economy. Social mobility in the United States ranks among the lowest compared to other industrial nations - the American Dream is becoming just that, a dream.
I would submit to you that poverty is not a moral condition to be judged; it is a moral problem for the rest of us to solve.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Texas Electricity Rates and Air Polution
More news about our State government here in Texas.
A front page article in the Dallas Morning News today states that "Texas spews more greenhouse gases than any other state in the nation - and by a wide margin." The reason is simple, we burn a lot of coal to generate electrical power. And, Governor Perry wants to build an additional 16 coal burning power plants around DFW.
According to the American Lung Association the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth are some of the most ozone-polluted areas in the Nation. Ozone is a severe respiratory irritant that can aggravate asthma and cause other respiratory problems, including permanent lung damage. It is particularly bad for children.
There is a bright side to this, the article states that coal is popular as a fuel because it is so cheap. So, all the other states can eat our dust, at least those down wind, while we save a ton of money on electricity. Finally, I can stop turning my lights off when I leave the room.
Unfortunately, the Federal Government keeps track of these kinds of things and their studies show this isn't the case. It turns out that Texans pay some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. What? How can this be? Our Governor is promoting coal burning electrical generation plants and the Legislature is OK with it. They support endangering our children's and our health so that we can have cheap energy. Don't we have a government that can REGULATE THE POWER COMPANIES?
Evidently not.
Now we know why utilities in Texas are being acquired, there are not any other states where the utility companies can charge what ever they choose, as long as they don't appear greedy. Robber barons never had it so good.
When asked what the Governor and Legislature do in Texas we appear to have a very short list: stamp the word God on anything that doesn't move and betray the public trust.
But we can add a lot of other items to the list. The Texas Governor and Legislators:
A front page article in the Dallas Morning News today states that "Texas spews more greenhouse gases than any other state in the nation - and by a wide margin." The reason is simple, we burn a lot of coal to generate electrical power. And, Governor Perry wants to build an additional 16 coal burning power plants around DFW.
According to the American Lung Association the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth are some of the most ozone-polluted areas in the Nation. Ozone is a severe respiratory irritant that can aggravate asthma and cause other respiratory problems, including permanent lung damage. It is particularly bad for children.
There is a bright side to this, the article states that coal is popular as a fuel because it is so cheap. So, all the other states can eat our dust, at least those down wind, while we save a ton of money on electricity. Finally, I can stop turning my lights off when I leave the room.
Unfortunately, the Federal Government keeps track of these kinds of things and their studies show this isn't the case. It turns out that Texans pay some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. What? How can this be? Our Governor is promoting coal burning electrical generation plants and the Legislature is OK with it. They support endangering our children's and our health so that we can have cheap energy. Don't we have a government that can REGULATE THE POWER COMPANIES?
Evidently not.
Now we know why utilities in Texas are being acquired, there are not any other states where the utility companies can charge what ever they choose, as long as they don't appear greedy. Robber barons never had it so good.
When asked what the Governor and Legislature do in Texas we appear to have a very short list: stamp the word God on anything that doesn't move and betray the public trust.
But we can add a lot of other items to the list. The Texas Governor and Legislators:
- do NOT properly regulate power companies, thereby endangering citizens health.
- do NOT work to ensure that our children that are at risk are protected. With the budget cuts Texas can't even identify those at risk.
- do NOT adequately fund public schools.
- do NOT ensure that our elderly are protected as they get older and become more vulnerable.
- do NOT protect the environment.
- do NOT guarantee our transportation infrastructure will remain part of the public trust.
- do NOT represent the PEOPLE of Texas.
Texans, ask yourselves if it isn't time for a change. The Republicans don't share our values, they just say they do. For me, that isn't good enough, I want a government that will work for me and my family. Right now they don't work for any of us - except those that have and,
"To those that have more will be given." This appears to be the one verse in the Bible they take to heart.
Join the Democrats and let's take back our government.
http://democrat.meetup.com/858/
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Where has all the money gone?
Why should you vote?
Question: What do the following states have in common?
1 Alaska, 2 Virginia, 3 Maryland, 4 New Mexico, 5 Hawaii, 6 North Dakota, 7 Wyoming, 8 Connecticut, 9 Alabama, 10 South Dakota, 11 West Virginia, 12 Massachusetts, 13 Maine, 14 Montana, 15 Missouri, 16 Tennessee, 17 Mississippi, 18 Kentucky, 19 Pennsylvania, 20 Rhode Island, 21 Oklahoma, 22 New York, 23 Vermont, 24 Arizona, 25 Louisiana, 26 Washington, 27 South Carolina, 28 Arkansas, 29 Florida, 30 Kansas, 31 Nebraska, 32 Iowa, 33 Colorado, 34 California, 35 North Carolina, 36 Idaho, 37 Ohio, 38 New Jersey, 39 Delaware
Answer: Every single one of these States got more money per person in Federal funds than Texas did in 2004.
Now you know why Texas doesn't have any money for roads, except for toll roads sold to Spain, schools, child services or, elder care. These are fundamentals of a society and we Texans are shouldering an unnecessary burden. Texas ranks number 23 in tax burden per person and number 40 total Federal spend. For every dollar we send to Washington we get back only 98 cents. Compare that to New Mexico at $1.91 or Alaska at $1.80 returned for every dollar spent.
When you vote send a messsage.
Democrats believe that our children are our future and a good education for all is fundamental to a strong society. We also believe that those that are most vulnerable should be protected from abuse, our kids and older Texans certainly need those protections and the government needs the power to guarantee them.
Don't let our elected public officials continue to play us for fools. When you vote send a message, vote Democratic.
Question: What do the following states have in common?
1 Alaska, 2 Virginia, 3 Maryland, 4 New Mexico, 5 Hawaii, 6 North Dakota, 7 Wyoming, 8 Connecticut, 9 Alabama, 10 South Dakota, 11 West Virginia, 12 Massachusetts, 13 Maine, 14 Montana, 15 Missouri, 16 Tennessee, 17 Mississippi, 18 Kentucky, 19 Pennsylvania, 20 Rhode Island, 21 Oklahoma, 22 New York, 23 Vermont, 24 Arizona, 25 Louisiana, 26 Washington, 27 South Carolina, 28 Arkansas, 29 Florida, 30 Kansas, 31 Nebraska, 32 Iowa, 33 Colorado, 34 California, 35 North Carolina, 36 Idaho, 37 Ohio, 38 New Jersey, 39 Delaware
Answer: Every single one of these States got more money per person in Federal funds than Texas did in 2004.
Now you know why Texas doesn't have any money for roads, except for toll roads sold to Spain, schools, child services or, elder care. These are fundamentals of a society and we Texans are shouldering an unnecessary burden. Texas ranks number 23 in tax burden per person and number 40 total Federal spend. For every dollar we send to Washington we get back only 98 cents. Compare that to New Mexico at $1.91 or Alaska at $1.80 returned for every dollar spent.
When you vote send a messsage.
Democrats believe that our children are our future and a good education for all is fundamental to a strong society. We also believe that those that are most vulnerable should be protected from abuse, our kids and older Texans certainly need those protections and the government needs the power to guarantee them.
Don't let our elected public officials continue to play us for fools. When you vote send a message, vote Democratic.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day Message
As I get older Memorial Day becomes more important to me. When I was young it was a time when schools were out for the summer and public pools opened. Growing up as a child of the 60's and 70's Memorial Day became wrapped around my feelings for the Vietnam War, Nixon and the draft.
Serving in the military gave me another perspective, that of men who choose to follow orders, not because the cause is just or the order well intentioned, those decisions belong to others. These men serve a higher cause, the protection of the United States, it's Constitution and the form of government it establishes.
Our military is made up of men and women willing to sacrafice their life to ensure that, right or wrong, our government will be here for another generation. Generation after generation trying to make America and the world a better place.
Memorial Day is a time to remember the men and women who paid the ultimite price to give us this opportunity. Without such men the world would be a much poorer place.
Rick Morey
Serving in the military gave me another perspective, that of men who choose to follow orders, not because the cause is just or the order well intentioned, those decisions belong to others. These men serve a higher cause, the protection of the United States, it's Constitution and the form of government it establishes.
Our military is made up of men and women willing to sacrafice their life to ensure that, right or wrong, our government will be here for another generation. Generation after generation trying to make America and the world a better place.
Memorial Day is a time to remember the men and women who paid the ultimite price to give us this opportunity. Without such men the world would be a much poorer place.
Rick Morey
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