Just a few random thoughts:
The economy would not suffer quite as long if everyone would stop saying how bad the economy is and how it's going to get worse before it gets better. The more negative talk you advertise the more fearful and tight-wadded people get. Which is the exact opposite of what needs to happen. People need to continue spending in order to bring our economy back up on it's feet. I know it's tough to spend when jobs are continually getting cut. It is a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.
When people stop spending, companies suffer losses.
When companies suffer losses they cut jobs.
When people lose jobs they stop spending!
Sooo...people need to start spending again so the companies can return jobs and support peoples' spending!
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We finally have an African-American in the Oval Office. Great! It just goes to show that America is indeed made up of diverse races and cultures. It also goes to show that black people - particularly the ones who keep pushing for reconciliation for the sufferings of their ancestors - need to shut up and get to work. These people are the ones that cause the bad stereotype of blacks to carry on continuously. If these black people (remember - I'm talking about the ones who seek compensation for things they haven't suffered themselves) would stop pushing their issue and get to work like everyone else, than the stereotype would lessen. Gangs also procreate the negative stereotypes. Because there are alot of blacks in the poorer populaces, they tend to fall on gangs to support themselves. If gangs like these were eradicated and replaced by steady jobs for everyone - there would be less negativety toward blacks. But unfortunately that's asking ALOT! We all want to be happy - which usually means more money. A steady job doesn't mean a GOOD or High-Paying job. Therefore gangs will still be very attractive because of all the drug money.
The President just proves to everyone (blacks, whites and all other races) that it doesn't matter what color your skin is - with hard work and perseverance (and the right attitude) anyone can achieve their goals. This is America - land of opportunity - appreciate it and start acting like it is!
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Give Obama some breathing room. Everyone is jumping on his every word and action. This is to be somewhat expected since times are rough and everyone is looking for the ladder up. But for goodness sake! Give the guy some room to breathe and work! He is doing an excellent job under the conditions. We don't know every detail that goes on behind all the government doors. I think the few things he's managed to pass so quickly are quite commendable. They may not be exactly what we wished for, but they do seem to be a step in the right direction...so far.
Mind you, I am keeping a wary eye and ear open because there are certain things that can be deemed slightly scary. Like how the House passed a bill to tax those bonuses so quickly. The people need to be careful that we don't give our government too much power to control every little detail of our lives. Granted this particular time, they were acting on the general populace's reaction of disgruntlement and outrage, but what about next time? Will they disguise their intentions with the emotions of the people?
Obama has his heart in the right place. I just hope it's chained and locked there because we all know that the pressure from corporations, advisors and other government areas will be very hard to resist as well as blinding. Good luck to him!
Illegal = CriminalI know I have already posted about this issue before, but I find that I must bring it up again. It really pisses me off (no, it
infuriates me) when I see news about rallies of Illegal Immigrants demanding rights.
Illegals do not deserve the same rights as the real American Citizens. They are
NOT AMERICAN CITIZENS but rather, ILLEGAL which means they, or their parents (whomever entered the country illegally in the first place) broke our laws thereby making themselves CRIMINALS!!
If an American Citizen breaks a law and gets caught, do they get to stay with their family because they have kids? NO, they go to jail! It should be no different with Illegals. But we should not fill up our prisons, but rather send them back to their country of origin. We should also make an agreement with Mexico that when we deport Illegals, they should punish them. They should also put some preventative measures on their end to keep THEIR people from crossing the border illegally. If they do nothing...then we should fine Mexico for every Illegal that is caught.
Just because an Illegal lived here for 7 years (the allotted time to declare yourself a citizen)they should not be allowed to become a citizen, because they were here ILLEGALLY. If an American Citizen robs a bank but doesn't get caught until 7 years later, do they get pardoned? NO, they are prosecuted for the crime same as if they were caught the next day. The same policy should apply to Illegals. They broke the law by entering our country illegally and therefore should be punished for the crime no matter how many years later it is found out.
Our biggest problem with attacking this issue NOW, is that they have strength in numbers. Because of our lack of action in all these past years, we have allowed them to grow into the millions. And of course, our government, is intimidated by these large numbers. As well, American corporations see these millions as profit. Profit because they take jobs at wages lower than the average American Citizen would accept. Profit because these millions of Illegals pour millions of dollars into the economy that the average American (not having those jobs) doesn't have. So the big corporations don't want to get rid of them, but instead cater to them by putting teleprompts and documents in Spanish and allowing non-English speaking people take the jobs.
Why do we cater to them so? It's ridiculous! EVERYTHING is offered in English and Spanish now. Why? Early Immigrants who settled and FORMED this country in the first place were made to learn English! Why do we not require the same of the Illegals? People wanting to become American Citizens who follow the proper procedures (you know, LEGAL citizens) are made to learn English as well. WHY DO WE ALLOW ILLEGALS TO CONTINUE TO LIVE AND THRIVE HERE WITHOUT SPEAKING ENGLISH?!!!
Are we just going to sit back on our asses until they outnumber us? Then what? If we give them equal rights as American Citizens, they eventually (due to their sheer numbers) vote in sypathetic political leaders who could end up declaring Spanish our official language (yes this wouldn't happen for many many more years but we have to act now to stop it). Then what happens to America? It becomes a NEW Mexico! What will we do then? Migrate to Canada? Do you think Canada would appreciate millions of Americans taking up residence in their country? Do you think they'd bow down and cater to us? I don't think so.
Now let me note that I'm not saying that Illegals should be treated unfairly. I am merely pointing out that they are in fact breaking American laws by coming into our country illegally and not filing the proper paperwork and following the proper procedures. If they were to do this, then fine, they deserve to stay. But when they break our laws and sneak into our country, take up residence, expect everyone have a translator so they don't have to learn English on the fly, get welfare or food stamps, get free health insurance because they are lower income, etc. etc. they do not deserve the American Citizen freedom. They should be treated like criminals. And we happen to treat our criminals pretty damn nice too. So NO complaining you Illegals! You are criminals and need to go back to where you belong until you can come in through the PROPER PROCEDURES...AND that includes LEARNING ENGLISH!!
Freedom of Speech; Loss of Freedom
We Americans are allowing our government to control matters that are far too insignificant to be in their issues. This is a frightening thing, because if we continue to allow the government to interfere with all our trivial matters, we will eventually lose our all of our freedoms altogether.
One of the best examples is when it comes to Freedom of Speech. As Americans we are given the right to speak freely...that's part of our constitutional rights. However, as Americans, we are
also given the freedom to take offense at anything that is said. This is where our problems begin.
We already have begun removing any an all religious or even remotely alluded religious speeches, phrases or activities from our public schools. We have seen cases where people move to remove religious artifacts from public places. Why? Because there are non-religious people, or people who do not practice the religion that these things represent, that see these things and take offense at them being in their sight, hearing, or speech. They argue that it is not right to push the religion on those who do not believe. So I ask...is it also not right to push to have it removed? as that is pushing THEIR belief that it doesn't belong. To either push religion or not push religion are both pushing one belief upon the other faction. Who has the right to push what belief upon another person? Either way you are offending someone. And this sort of paradox is found everytime the issue of Freedom of Speech arises.
One person makes a statement that another person finds slanderous in some way. A protest is issued and suddenly the person who made the statement is in the wrong. Why? because the 2nd person's feelings were hurt by their words? Oh boo-hoo! Cry to your friends and family, but don't make it public issue! Our society is falling apart plenty fast on its own WITHOUT having such trivial things made into huge escapades! If we ban the right to say certain things, phrases or words everytime someone is offended by them, what does that leave us? NOTHING! How can you possibly communicate well, when you can't even express what you feel? And do you know what happens when you can't communicate? Things start falling apart REAL fast!!
Face it people, if you live in America you need to understand that citizens here have the right to speak their feelings, their mind and their beliefs. You also have the right to choose what beliefs to believe in...so don't force others to bend to your desires and be restrained from saying what's in their hearts and minds just because you don't think they're right. You have the right to say what you will too you know. So speak your rebuttal and move on with your life! You don't have to change everybody else's way of life for what you believe in...because then all you're doing...is exactly what you are saying they are doing...pushing something on someone unwilling. You also have the right to sue them in a civil suit. Which I find rather ridiculous too. I can't believe how many idiotic cases are won these days. Have we become such a greedy, lazy, and stupid nation that we cannot see beyond our own noses? Are we all so blindly fighting for what we want, that we don't realize that we ALL have the same rights? We ALL have the same right to believe in something different, to speak how we will?
Grow up people! Yes you can take offense, but NO you shouldn't make everyone have to stop saying what they want to say!!!
Labels: american, constitution, freedom, rights, speech
Leave Mel Gibson AloneThe media is giving this guy way too much negative attention. Everyone is all hyped up on the idea that Mel may be anti-Semitic. But I have a few points:
1) If he is, he has his
right to be, after all he's an American Citizen.
2) When he is not inebriated he is not known to make anti-Semitic remarks in public.
3) His movie "Passion of the Christ" does not prove that he himself is anti-Semitic. For goodness sake people! It portrays a time when the majority of society (The Romans)
WERE anti-Semitic. That does
not mean that Mel Gibson is! I think he did an excellent job portraying the events in detail. People today don't realize just how horrific those times were. They weren't civilized like us back then...think about it, they
enjoyed watching people get tortured and crucified!
4) He was under the influence! Granted often people blurt out things that they really feel, but are too afraid to say, but that does give us the right to crucify him. After all, as point #2 states, when not under the influence, he is a model citizen. We should not take to heart comments that are made when someone is not in their normal state of mind.
5) How many average Americans can say that they
NEVER made statements when under the influence, that they later regretted? Heck, even NOT under the influence humans have the tendency to say things they don't really want to say out loud.
He made a public apology and so what if he didn't specifically take back the anti-Semitic statements, he also hasn't declared publicly by words or actions that he is.
Pull Our Troops Out of IraqI understand that as one of the most powerful countries in the world we feel the responsibility to help the lesser populaces, but why is it so absolutely necessary for us to remain in the country for so long?
Ok, we may have caused some mess with invading the country and bombing it to bits. But the war was not one-sided. We were attacked and bombed as well, therefore it wasn't only us, but the country's own people who contributed to the destruction of the cities. As well, even now as we try to help them establish a democratic government we continue to be attacked by citizens.
I think the American people feel that we have given more than our share of assistance and need to get our troops out of there and stop the unnecessary loss of American lives. We have given them guidance and training, have established the roots of the democratic government, and we can continue to provide relief assistance as well as
VOLUNTEER re-building assistance with our troops safely at home.
The American military presence just perpetuates the citizens' anger, fear and confusion and gives them a target to focus all this on. The sooner we get ourselves out of there the sooner the country can right itself, in its own way, on its own terms. Middle Easterners don't think kindly upon us and I don't blame them. We are strangers in their country. Their customs and beliefs are far different from ours. I'm sure they are thinking "Why should we listen to these people who know nothing of us and our ways?" We think their ways are strange and they think we're looking down on them. If we take our presence out, the citizens will be able to relax better and turn toward rebuilding their country. With the American presence, I'm sure they continue to feel threatened and helpless. Whereas if we allow them to have their country back, they can attend to matters with a free heart.
Besides, America has its own problems here at home. Shouldn't we be taking care of ourselves before we divide our strength up to other countries?
Illegal Immigrants and the U.S. EconomyAmericans complain constantly that Illegals take away all the jobs at cheap wages leaving the rest of us fighting for the few good jobs out there, and struggling to keep a comfortable lifestyle. Many of us are not asking for outrageous wages, we just want enough to keep our families comfortable and be able to afford what we need, such as houses, cars, appliances and the like. Big businesses feel that the Illegals help them make more profit because they do work for low wages. The government in turn, is then dissuaded by the Big businesses to do anything harsh with the Illegals because the Big businesses profits transfer more money to the government pockets.
So, let's take a hypothetical look at how the economy would fare if we went with the way the Average American would like to have it:
If there were no Illegals, or at least only a small margin of what is currently here, Big Businesses would have to hire Americans for most of the jobs. This would mean wages would need to be higher than minimum, and benefits would have to hefty. At first this looks like a big cut to the Big Businesses. BUT, realize that when Americans are being paid a comfortable wage, and don't need to worry so much about the benefits for their families, they are able to afford what they need. That is they can buy a home, a car, appliances, life insurance, car insurance (yes it's mandatory by law in most states, but have you seen the rates?), clothes, etc.
PLUS, they not only can afford what they need, relieving them of this day to day worry, but they can also afford what they don't need. Meaning the economy will be fed millions, no, billions of dollars through entertainment, accessories and extra appliances, extra cars, vacation homes/condos, vacations - including cruises, plane flights, hotels, cars, parks and restaurants. In other words the Americans who are being paid good wages will in turn put that well-earned money back into the American Economy.
That means even though Big Business have to pay out to keep their employees, they will receive larger profits in turn because those same employees will
spend that earned money on Big Businesses' products and services.
Doesn't it sound logical? It's something to think about isn't it?
A Law that Needs Changing: Automatic Citizenship because you're Born HereThis is the reason why so many millions of Illegals are rising up and demanding to stay here, because they have family, that is, children who were born here and therefore are automatic U.S. citizens and discluded from deportation. This law creates the discord due to the separation of families with Illegal parents and Legal children.
There are real instances where this law applies, and probably why it was created, such as when a Legal Immigrant has yet to finish their 7 years of residency and officially become a US citizen. But as far as Illegals go, this law SHOULD NOT APPLY!!!
If a pregnant woman manages to cross the border and just happens to give birth to her child on U.S. soil that very day, why does that give her child the right to US citizenship? She was
ILLEGAL!A child born in the U.S. should only be given the automatic citizenship if it can be proven that the parents, or at least the mother, entered the country legally. That means they had all the proper Visas and permissions when they arrived here and were accounted for by the proper departments. The law needs to be adjusted to reflect this reasoning!
