Finally Some Good News for Congressional Democrats

There is some good news for Democrats this week. Gallup polling is revealing a six-point lead in what is called the generic preference. This means more people prefer to vote for the Democrat in their district than the Republican if the election were held now.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/141440/Democrats-Jump-Six-Point-Lead-Generic-Ballot.aspx

Owe Money -- Get a "Go to Jail Card"

A major Minnesota newspaper details a significant increase in arrests and incarceration for people who owe money on credit cards and to other businesses. While it seems that in most cases these debts have been outstanding for some time, the use of law enforcement to arrest and jail people is increasing. This at a time of widespread economic hardship.

The practice of jailing people for owing money is reprehensible, Draconian, medieval, barbaric. It should be stopped at once. What kind of country are we, when we jail people for owing what are often small amounts of money. If there are persons who willfully ignore their debts, a process of warnings should be developed and enacted into law. One suggestion is for persons to be allowed to fill out forms for garnishing wages at the time of arrest and prior to any jailing. Putting a person in jail in many cases only delays the repayment of the debt.

Shame on these heartless companies for jerking police around and getting them to do their bidding in this manner!

Secret Operations Threaten to Overshadow Elected Government

Here you will find a short article about a new Washington Post series on the vast intelligence-gathering network which has grown up after the attacks of September 2001. While much of this has been reported in one way or another by the alternative press over the years, this new series appears to gather a fairly extensive overview of information. This secretive operation is so hidden that no one knows for sure how much money is being spent. But the simple fact that 850,000 Americans have top secret clearances, according to this article indicates the huge size of this operation. To say this is not appropriate in a democracy is an understatement! Protect America, sure, but this is not the way to do it.



http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/press-release/wpo_washington-post-investigates-
the-intelligence-world-responsible-for-america-s-safety-1048978.html

What Gives the IMF the Right?

Immediately after the election of 2004 (results of which were officially contested on the floor of Congress), G. W. Bush began a campaign to partially privatize Social Security. His effort was strongly opposed and ultimately failed miserably.

Now comes word that an unelected body of bureaucrats wants to reduce Americans' hard-earned Social Security benefits. The article referenced below tells well of the putrid nature of the IMF's culpability regarding our continuing financial crisis.

This latest effort to undermine Americans' security must be fought with the same vigor as the fight against Bush's plan of a half decade ago. Indeed this effort must be fought with the same vigor as a foreign invasion albeit with different means.



http://www.truth-out.org/the-attack-real-black-helicopter-gang-the-imf-is-coming-your-social-security61291

Media Effectively Barred from Oil Spill Special Zones

This referenced article tells about what amounts to a ban on photos and eye-witness reports of oil spill containment efforts in the Gulf. At least that is what is reported here.

Where, in fact, is the sense of crisis at this time? What can we expect in the next weeks or months before the so-called rescue wells are in operation? It is critical that the media have access to these areas so we the people will know just what is going on.


http://fubarandgrill.org/node/97

Let Us Remember the Founders

As we come to the 234th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, let us remember those who had such an elevated and beautiful vision of what America could be. This would be a land of opportunity, purpose and equality. Although these goals would be under continuous development in the decades ahead, it was these persons and no others which set us on our course to freedom and justice. Men like Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Monroe, James Madison, George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Patrick Henry, supported by "wives behind the throne," led the fight through their courage and eloquence.

I am reposting the link to some photos of "our founders" who recently appeared to voice their opinion on current matters of importance. Indeed, the fight for human dignity is by no means over. The forces of privilege and tyranny, often wearing the clothes of opportunity and advantage, are still very much with us. This week-end is as good a time as any to reflect on our Founding Fathers and Mothers and just how much of a sacrifice they made for us. May we be up to their sacrifice.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/42735292@N06/sets/72157624268930937/show/