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Rabbit Hole

Based on a Submission by BearCat
22 Apr 08


Have y'all in Tennessee's First Congressional District happened to notice our new Congressman (David Davis, Republican) seems to "just say NO" against lots of worthwhile things?

For example, this year, Rep. Davis has already voted . . .

NAY, 4/16/08 the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Collection Act (H.R. 2634) - to provide for greater responsibility in lending and expanded cancellation of debts owed to the United States and international financial institutions by low-income countries.

NAY, 3/14/08 amending FISA (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978) to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence.

NAY, 2/27/08 the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 (H.R. 5351) - to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation.

NAY, 1/17/08 the S-MINER Act (H.R. 2634) - to establish improved mandatory standards to protect miners during emergencies.

NAY, 1/17/08 the HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3524) - to reauthorize the HOPE VI program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing.

Thankfully, the negativity and a-ginnin' of Congressman Davis was useless. All five of these pieces of legislation got passed anyway by the U.S. Congress.

In fairness, it should be noted that Davis is in favor of something. For example, he voted YEA for having "plain language" in government documents (H.R. 3548), YEA for calling on the Government of China to end its crackdown in Tibet (H.R. 1077), and YEA to authorize ocean exploration and undersea research.

Just don't ask him to support helping distressed nations, restoring the Constitution, saving the environment, helping the poor and needy, or protecting vulernable workers.

You can track the voting records of any Senator or Congressman by visiting the site, Congress.org.

You can also subscribe to a free email to track the votes by your own Senators and Representatives at MegaVote.





by BearCat
18 Feb 08


Once, hundreds of years ago, there were Celtic bards who traveled around telling stories, singing songs. Whether these songs were true or not is subject to question.

What if—and this is a story, not by a wandering Celtic bard, but by a wondering person . . .

What if a country exists on another continent—let's just say Antarctica, and let's name the country Icebergia. The ruler of Icebergia is called "The Ice Man."

The Ice Man looks at the world and his eyes brighten when he sees the United States. Here is the perfect place for him to exert his macho-ism. After all, everyone knows the United States is manufacturing WMD at two tree locations—the Quercus site and the Populus site. The U.S. also has many prisons where it incarcerates its own citizens, even those who suffer from mental illnesses.

The current U.S. President, who succeeded his father, has turned the U.S. from a Democracy into a Dynastic Republic. And, in as much as he has no sons, his younger brother is waiting to become next in line. In addition, the current President is forcing his brand of fundamental religious beliefs on the whole populace.

"Aha!," says the Ice Man, "we will bomb them and get them back on the right track. They will be so happy to be rid of this religious fanatic and have their democracy back again. They will welcome us with open arms."

And so the bombs fall . . . on New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, killing many civilians, destroying water and sewer systems, electric systems, roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. There is no potable water, no electricity. Garbage piles up in the streets. Cholera spreads among the citizens.

Armed Icebergian soldiers patrol the streets, breaking into houses, raping wives and daughters, arresting or killing husbands and fathers who attempt to protect their women folk, sending citizens off to secret prisons. People are afraid to venture outside their homes.

In order to get information from U.S. citizens, the Icebergians arrest and torture anyone they believe might know some secrets. One of their favorite forms of torture is called "Ice-Boarding," in which portions of icebergs are melted to slush and get poured down the throats of those who just might know something of interest.

And through it all, the Icebergians wonder, "Why do they hate us?"

How would YOU feel?


EDITOR'S NOTE: "BearCat" is a fine Southern lady with a good heart, a keen mind, and a social conscience, who prefers to stay anonymous.




by Erik Plakanis
04 Jan 08


Lets face it. Our great nation has serious problems.

We are the world's leader in burying our heads in darkness over global climate change.

We invaded and occupied a sovereign nation, maybe by mistake (could've been a typo?—maybe Bush meant to invade IraN, not IraQ).

Our health care system delivers less health or care for all citizens as a nation than anywhere else in the developed world.

Our toys, dog food, and cosmetics are poisoned with Chinese lead, and our President thinks it's just fine to allow more arsenic in our drinking water.

And, if you look at the candidates begging for our votes in 2008, they look less like .45 caliber bullets and more like duds or blanks.

Times are tough. All these problems can be depressing. But to get change, we must act.

Suppose there is one change, one piece of legislation that—if implemented today—would have a major positive impact on every one of these problems? One change that would set America on a new course and revitalize our democracy? Can you guess what it is? . . . MY ANSWER: Take the money out of politics.

Sound too simple? Too radical? What does campaign money have to do with failures in health care, dangerous climate change, or hapless misguided invasions? Well, let's hear the thoughts of someone with plenty of first-hand experience inside real-world politics: retired U.S. Senator Howard H. Baker.

A couple of years ago, Senator Baker spoke in Knoxville at a Clean Air Summit. He reflected on his work on the Clean Air Act. He told how, back then, Congressmen and Senators of both parties would identify a problem, then work together for a solution. What was common then was real debate on the floor of the House and Senate about real strategies and courses of action. New legislation was enacted and true change actually occurred.

Baker said that, today, this bi-partisan process is not happening. What changed? The gushing influx of big money has corrupted the political process.

Today, all federally-elected officials must raise a sky-high pile of money to get elected, and keep raising higher piles for re-election campaigns. So, our elected representatives spend most of their time staying "candidates" and fund-raisers.

This imbalance has two bad results. First, no meaningful debate takes place in the House or Senate. Congressmen show up on the floor to utter sound bites, then head off to another fund-raiser. Most Congressmen do not actively draft legislation. We're lucky if one of their staffers reads a bill for them, before the Congressmen picks "yea" or "nay."

When someone asked Dennis Kucinich why he voted against the Patriot Act, he replied, "Because I actually read it." So, who really writes many of the bills passed today? . . . lobbyists and special-interest groups.

The second effect is that the core value of democracy—of "one person one vote"—is being sabotaged. When your elected official needs millions of dollars, just to stay in office, who is most likely to catch their ear (and vote)? Would it be . . . you? Or, maybe: The person, industry or special interest who ponies up tens of thousands of dollars? Won't the big moneybags people have much heavier clout than you, a concerned citizen?

In America today, money does buy votes. Usually, the candidate who spends the most money gets elected. These influences—the continuous campaign train and addiction to outside cash—join each other in a toxic handshake. The result is: The people sitting in Washington no longer represent "We the People"; they represent "It the Money." The money sings; the politicians listen and dance.

Today's dark jungle of money corruption is new—on a much greater scale—and not how it's always been.

It took 200 years in the United States, until 1976, for campaign spending at the Federal level to reach $500 million. It only took 8 more years to go, in 1984, from $500 million to $1 billion. By the year 2000, Federal campaign spending had crossed $3 billion dollars. And the campaigns of 2008 will very likely exceed that amount.

Money's influence has distorted and damaged our political process. Today, a candidate is less likely to enters politics with noble ideas about serving the American People. More likely, today's candidate enters politics with well-oiled connections and close industry ties which allow them to raise their cash stake quickly for a No-Limit Hold-'Em political campaign.

It's no secret why our government routinely hangs out a "Do Not Disturb" sign when everyday citizens (like you and me), or a devastated city (like New Orleans), or a dying planet (like Earth) calls out for help. Our interests just aren't money-rich or powerful enough to help anyone get re-elected.

So, what can we all do?

Start by getting informed and involving others. Many groups are now working for serious campaign finance reform. For example, Americans for Campaign Reform has a campaign to inform citizens that if elections for all seats in the House and Senate, plus White House were totally publicly funded, it would cost each American just six dollars.

If nothing changes, the powers-that-be in Washington will keep working in the shadows with their wealthy contributors. They will keep preventing our government from negotiating better drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. They will keep giving billions in windfall tax credits to big oil companies. They will keep redefining "acceptable" levels of arsenic in our drinking water. They will do everything that is wrong about "the best democracy money can buy."

Things must change. We must act. Follow the money, and you'll find the breadcrumbs along a pathway towards real change.

Copyright © 2008
by EdgyBear