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Published Brownsville Herald February 10, 2008

When incarcerated by illness one gets a lot of free time to observe and consider. Some of the more important appliances to sanity are the radio and television as they just keeps pumping the information at you.
If you have an avid interest in the political landscape, after a while even the entertainment shows take on a relationship.
Of late I have had a bunch of time to “observe and consider” and instead of bringing clarity the result has been more questions.
On the national front there appears to be a kind of revolution building that demands a change in how the government is perceived and administered; sort of a loud “I am not going to take it any more”.
The most obvious is Presidential Candidate Dr. Ron Paul’s passionate and growing support for his freedom message of smaller less intrusive government that is also shared by Candidate Huckabee such as a more literal interpretation of the Constitution, less intrusion by the government in the daily life, less or no use of imminent domain, the importance of second amendment rights, health freedom, fulfilling the promises to our veterans that were called to protect us, as well as many other freedoms that are being forced upon us because “we the people” are viewed as victims of one thing or another, by the elites as incapable of making decisions for ourselves.
The people seem to be saying: I am responsible for the education of my children and I don’t want the federal government mandating what is to be taught and how. People also want “Congress or the Courts not to make any laws respecting religion” and quit advancing the religion of the state. People also want to be able to make decisions for themselves about there own health. If the government becomes the provider, we can expect laws like one recently suggested hat would prohibit obese folks from eating at fast food restaurants.
Other candidates have also taken positions that sound similar but are shrouded in other rhetoric.
Some really revolutionary circumstances that are appearing in this election season, are due to the fact that two representatives of previously perceived victim classes are now considered qualified for the position of the President of the United States. We now have a candidate who just happens to be black and one that happens to be a woman on the scene and both have demonstrated sufficient qualities to secure that most important position in our land. It also appears to be likelihood that one or both will occupy those highest positions. It surely appears that the list of victims may change and the issues of race and gender relations will change substantially, regardless of the election outcome.
Unfortunately in most races even though one politician or other talks about fixing Social Security, smaller government spending, less dependence on lobbyists, no earmark spending, they still promise more and more government support / intrusion for each of us. The purpose of these “benefits” is to make us more dependent on the politico and thereby guarantee that he will be able to be the “masta”. The only answer would be to ensure a regular change of at least one group of legislatures, preferably the House of Representatives. The first step might be to take away the retirement system so that even Congress would have to depend on Social Security. Perhaps a limit of two terms might become a reality and social security would certainly be improved.
It still seems that the Republocrats or Demopublicans have yet to change; they continue to say anything to get themselves elected.
Consider if you will the issue of the economy. Some are saying that there is a recession because a lot of folks are unemployed. The traditional employment figures indicate a low employment rate so they take the numbers from a segment of the population to capture those not looking for employment. How many of the unemployed are baby boomers just retiring (because their 401Ks now have value more are) or folks working the grey economy to avoid government interference?
Could it be that the rhetoric of economic problems are just precipitating a lack of confidence that becomes a self actualizing circumstance. Perhaps, like some of the peso devaluations in Mexico, the idea of a downturn is based mostly on confidence.
The issue goes on to focus on certain states as having weak economies and it is to be expected as each has their own problems created by the politicos in that state. In Michigan there seems to be manufacturing businesses that have not evolved with the needs of the customer and the prices that are to be paid. How many new Ford or GM vehicles have kept up technically with the needs of “We the people”. Were they first with fuel efficient cars and trucks? Why did Toyota move its manufacturing to the U.S. and capture the formerly Michigan market? Could it be efficiency, and quality of product?
In California for instance the taxes and ridiculous spending have chased the tax base out of the state. I know of numerous Companies that have moved aggressively to Texas and Nevada to avoid the government interference and confiscatory taxes.
While the above are rather simple answers and certainly not complete they are true and provide the basis of the problems. The good thing is the injured folks do have a place to go to find a better life; they can come to Texas.
I urge everyone to take this election season seriously and not only listen to the promises but ask yourself what will it cost to do that and who will pay? Everything costs something – a loss of more freedom, perhaps.

1. matt callahan says:

   March 15, 2008 at 8:31 am

   Yes, the television and radio are relentless with their version of the truth. And I believe, that is the issue. Even with the advantages of the computer/internet age, the average American does not take time to truly investigate the truth. They allow themselve to believe those 5 second sound bites and be persuaded by them.

   If you believe everything provided by the “out of control” media, you may think that America is a horriable place and we are doomed.

   Yet, it is still the best country to live in to provide a home and support for your family. Outside, a few European countries, we are the only country that provides the opportunity to do or become what we want to be.

   The challenge is to care and take action. People need to take time investigate data, participate in local organizations, and make your opinion heard. To date that is still the most valuabe right we have in this country.

   The governments will not change unless, “we the people” change and take action!!!!

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