Whose Dream Will Win

Ryan is obviously a fan of the Hunger Games, not the movie but the way of life. What Ryan did with his speech before the GOP Convention delegates was to frame the legitimate debate for this election. The question is this, “While rebounding our economy from the second worst financial crisis in our nation’s history, should this nation provide social programs to help those in need or not?” As Ryan repeatedly pointed out, the Republicans say no and the Democrats say yes. That is true and everything else should be about determining that answer. Romney/Ryan believe that we can improve the economy by continuing to grow the size of our military, cut taxes further for the rich, and eliminating all social programs at the federal level.


Obviously, I disagree. Growing up in a very poor part of the country, I recognize how destructive it would be for the people in Madison County and other areas if we were to eliminate the social safety net. The United States is the most powerful nation in the world and I believe there is no excuse for the levels of poverty in this nation. Without child nutrition programs are we really willing to tolerate millions of hungry children in our nation? Without low-income housing are we really ready to live with millions of homeless families living in abandoned cars and under bridges? Without Medicaid are we willing to allow millions of our handicapped and poor neighbor’s to live in misery for the lack of money to buy antibiotics or to visit a doctor? Without the minimum wage laws are we willing to watch millions of our most vulnerable neighbor’s work long, tough days and nights for a $1 an hour still unable to afford the American Dream? At a time when the job market is demanding the most educated workforce in our history are we really willing as a people to stand by as the doors to a better life are slammed in the faces of millions of our children because we won’t provide them with financial aid to go to college?

This election places the very question of what is the American Dream on the ballot. We either hold the course as we rebuild our economy and continue to protect those most vulnerable in our society through the use of humane social programs or we take a hard Right turn and eliminate those programs as the Republicans have vowed to do and force the next generation of Americans to live through a life of broken dreams and economic despair while the distant lights on yachts and in penthouses daily taunt the daydreams of our children and grandchildren. Somewhere in China and India will be families huddled around their TV sets as Buddhist and Hindu missionaries walk through the streets of America surrounded by throngs of dirty, hungry, forlorn children as an announcer tells their audience that for just the price of a cup of coffee a day, they could save the life of some poor American child. I’m curious whose dream will win come November.

The Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama, and Little Men

Frankly, and without surprise from those who know me, I feel the George W. Bush Administration was a disaster for our nation. BUT, following 9/11, I supported his rallying of the nation and the sending of the troops into Afghanistan. I even applauded his defense of Muslims when some wanted to blame all followers of Islam for the cowardly deeds of a few. It is possible to disagree with the policies of a President and not behave like a two year old child who simply adopts an opposite position on everything because they wish to be contrary.
The Nobel Committee has selected the President of the United States as their choice for the Nobel Peace Prize. They have explained that he was selected because of his having changed the tone of the conversation around the world. After having sunk to a low in the public opinion of our fellow nations on the Earth, the election of Barack Obama has once again returned United States to being the # 1 most admired nation in the world. For most Americans, regardless of their political allegiance, this should be a source of pride for our citizens. Unfortunately, the leadership of the Republican Party has allowed their zealotry to blind them to the well-being of the United States. Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Michael Steele are but a few of the GOP hatchet men that relish the fact that the United States did not win the Olympics and now feel the need to attack the Nobel Peace Prize as a meaningless event. The Chairman of the RNC, Michael Steele, sent out this e-mail message in response to the President of the United States receiving the honor.
"Dear Friend,I'm sure you've heard the news -- Barack Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It's a stunning, if not truly surprising, indication of just how meaningless a once honorable and respected award has become. What has President Obama actually accomplished? It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. Even the normally fawning media have expressed shock at the clearly political and unmerited award. But the Democrats clearly see it differently, with DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse stating "the Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists -- the Taliban and Hamas this morning -- in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize."Like most Americans, the DNC can't think of one achievement that the president has accomplished, so they resort to their predictable response and standard playbook of demonizing anyone who disagrees with them. First they call Americans concerned over health care "rabid extremists" and "angry mobs." Now, when challenged to answer the question of what the president has accomplished, Democrats are lashing out calling Republicans terrorists. That type of political rhetoric is shameful. Friend, the Democrats and their international leftist allies want America made subservient to the agenda of global redistribution and control. And truly patriotic Americans like you and our Republican Party are the only thing standing in their way. Help our Party spread the word about the Obama Democrats' dangerous naivete and power grab. Please support GOP elected officials as they work to hold the Democrats accountable to the American people for their failed policies and irresponsible rhetoric by making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to the Republican National Committee today. Your gift will also help support the recruitment and election of principled candidates who will defeat the Democrats in 2009 and 2010 and promote policies that put America first. Sincerely,Michael S. SteeleChairman, Republican National Committee P.S. Friend, President Obama's award of the Nobel Peace Prize puts the cart before the horse. Help us remind the Democrats that trendy slogans and international esteem don't create new jobs for Americans, reduce the national debt, or keep our country safer in a dangerous world by making asecure online contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to the RNC today. Thank you."
There is no denying, as the Republicans themselves admit that Obama's popularity around the world has significantly improved the perception of the United States around the globe and restored a sense of admiration and respect for our nation among the citizens of the planet. Yet, in a twist of logic that is truly mind-boggling, the leaders of the Republican Party claim that all of this is actually a bad thing for our country and that people need to give them money so they can expose the real Democratic Party as bad for the country.
They have obviously lost their minds? Of all of the things they could be complaining about with regard to the policies of the Democrats and Obama, the fact that our President wins this award is not one of them. It is an honor for our nation and our people. For the Republicans to complain about Obama receiving this honor makes them look petty and cheap and is not worthy of one of the two major parties in the United States of America. It is the kind of response I would expect from a third world petty tyrant angered that he was not in the spotlight. It is time for Michael Steele and the other Republicans to suck it up and behave as if they belonged in the public debate and were not here as a divine act of comedy.