1) They don’t want to pay more taxes for someone else to benefit.
2) They don’t want more government regulation ( said the Doctors )
3) Fear of government take over
4) and lastly, just plain misinformation about what the bill is.

After engaging in several arguments and trying hard to prove to people how wrong and misguided some of their perceptions were, I realized I was wrong.

Wrong to think that people shared my social interest, wrong to assume that we all want what’s best for the American people, and wrong to support a Bill that is not perfect.

For example, I honestly believed that it is ok for my taxes to increase if it means more people can have health insurance. However, few people, and I mean few, share in my vision.

Another example is people loudly proclaiming that they do not trust the government. They repeat over and over again their conviction that the government will ruin health care us all. But as I hear those proclamations, I can’t help but think about the current economic crisis caused by Wallstreet bankers, the rising health care cost powered by the for profit health care industry, and two wars championed by the same people who decry that the government cannot be trusted.

But even though I want to abandon my pursuit of “changing hearts and minds” and just leave people to their own judgement, I can’t let go of the fact that by opposing health care reform for its imperfection, we are validating and crowning the political right.

You see, even if I agree to disagree with you, I feel sick to my stomach knowing that by our inaction and gentleman agreement, we are emboldening the conservative movement. By not doing something based on the grounds that it is not perfection, we are handing the wingnuts a victory to further their agenda of racism and bigotry, conservative social agendas, and solidifying their illusion of power. (I say illusion here because what they perceive as power in their movement, is nothing more than lies and deception conjured up by their leaders — who are the very same people they think they are fighting against.)

Anyways. So that’s my argument to you. Even if you find it objectionable that we will raise taxes to cover the lazy, put more restrictions on our already stressed physicians, and giving the government too much control, you must remember that alternative is much much worse.

If you don’t follow politics, you probably don’t know what I am talking about and you are probably wondering why I am painting such a bleek image of the alternative. But there is so much craziness and histeria in the conservative movement, it would be hard to summarize it all here. Also, it would not be hard to for anyone to do a simple google search and prove my point. I really don’t even have to make that argument, the argument makes itself.

But you know what’s the most surprising revelation for me was? No one cares. As one of my buddy says, most people are centrist and really don’t support either side of this debate. They want to go about their normal lives and take things one step at a time. I guess that is also true.

Yes. You heard me. They want to fix our economy and decrease unemployment by giving everyone a tax break, especially the rich ones. Because you know why? When you are unemployed, and making $0.00, a 50% tax break will mean you make more money. Because less tax, means more money. Woo!!!

More money so you can pay for you own health care, your children’s education because we’re going to shut down all the schools, fix your car when you hit that pothole we can’t afford to fill, and purchase a gun to defend yourself when we let all the convicted felons out of prison.

And yes, the rich deserve a bigger tax break than your poor ass, because when rich people have more money, it will trickle down to your mud hut you ape. Just like how the Wallstreet elites big fat bonuses also made you richer.

Oh yea one more thing. All of our woes and economic troubles are because of those pesky immigrants. Damn those immigrants and their leeching babies. I know first-hand how horrible they are because I used to be one of them. You know, a foreigner. The kind who came to this country and lived on welfare, had free medical care, and crowded your schools and universities. Now I steal your job, and make more money than you!

It’s about Navy Seals who are in trouble for allegedly punching a “terrorist” in the stomach.

Anyways. They polled Sacramentans and the newscaster guessed that something like 90% of people were upset that the courts are putting these men on trial.

Ok… Maybe the transgression of Bush Administration has made me a bit cynical, but I think that we should hold everyone accountable for their actions, including the military.

I know some wingnut will come across this and accuse me of being un-American and un-Patriotic, but I will risk being called names to say that, as a country, we should always hold ourselves up to the highest standards.

There is a high probability that these men are completely innocent, but playing into people’s fear of terrorism and patriotism as an excuse to not question the actions of our military personnel makes us no better than our enemies.

It figures though. When I tried searching for this article, most of the write up on this story comes from Faux news and their associates.

Not only that, the messages in her commercials are extremely “partisan” — for lack of a better word. Now, if you read my other blog post, I am not a fan of bi-partian politics either, but attacking a person because they are not “conservative” enough, is like those people who attacked Obama because he was not “black” enough.

Her key points were something a long the lines of “Poizner did not vote for tax cuts”, “Poizner supported Al Gore”, “Poizner miss church last Sunday” (kidding on the last one). Well sheesh lady, maybe he had a good reason for making those choices? Can you tell me something concrete about the man, rather than trying to convince he’s the anti-Chris because he supported Al Gore? And for goodness sake, according to the news, you haven’t been politically active your entire adult life.

Perhaps I am just more politically aware this election, but those are my early observations and the campaign season hasn’t even begun yet… Well, good thing I don’t watch TV that often..

Anyways, I am writing you today to let you know that you should stop this conciliatory, team effort, bullshit. The idea of working together sounds great, and stupid people love it because it makes it seem like you care about them, and that they are being heard. But the reality is, people are stupid, and it is your job to basically protect them from themselves.

I am tired of hearing about WallStreet bonuses, tea parties, homophobia, death panels, warrantless wiretaps, torture, pro-life, illegal immigration, etc, etc, etc…

I know you are to blame for many of these atrocities, and continuing many of Bush’s agenda, but shit man, at this point I don’t really care where you stand, I just wish you’d do something.

Stop playing footsies with the Congress and just kick some ass already. If I disagree with you, I’ll protest or vote against you. But sitting around waiting for you to make a “collaborative” effort happen is extremely annoying.

Listen dude. I don’t agree with you on my things, but I know one thing for sure. I hate the way Republican party is ruining America. And your democratic buddies are just as bad. Can you please get off this “team work” bullshit and do something?

Although I am astonished by the irony of this situation, a friend reminded me that it is important for us to maintain our moral authority even (especially) in times of great burden.

However, after watching some MSNBC specials on the prison culture, it makes me question why we can’t be more efficient with the way we manage our prison system. For example, it seems to me that prison is nothing more than a “Linkedin” for criminals. Its a place for them to meet other criminals, organize into gangs, and make connections even educated professionals like myself would be jealous of.

Perhaps this is the reason why recidivism rates are so high, and so many experts agree that prisons do not work in reforming offenders.

Some possible ways to solve this problem:

1) Do not allow prionsers with known gang affiliations to hang out as a gang on the prison yard.
2) Force prisoners to work with their known rivals and mix ethnic races.
3) Ship prisoners to other far away locations where they cannot hook up with other members of their group.
4) Rotate prison yard time to reduce chances of meeting other like minded individuals.

I don’t think any of these suggestions are unreasonable. Just ways to mitigate negative social networking.

In the movie, the main character is tasked with figuring out why the crops are not growing. He finds out that crops are not growing because people have been watering their crops with Gatorade. He convinced them to stop using Gatorade and use water instead. But in an ironic twist of events, their switch from Gatorade to water causes the Gatorade company to go out of business, making thousands of people lose their jobs. The people got upset and rioted against the main character.

In Detroit, they are building inferior vehicles that are not selling, and the people who buys these vehicles can’t afford to drive them because of the high oil prices. The obvious solution is to stop investing in these outdated technologies and start looking into vehicles that uses alternative energy. But of course, this move could mean thousands of people will be out of a job. What do you think they will do?

Funny.

Specifically, there have been a lot of complaints about the lack of transparencies in how the bailout money will be spent.

It’s like taking your car to a mechanic. You have no idea what’s wrong with it, or how to fix it, all you know is that it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg. So you pray to dear God that the mechanic doesn’t lie to your face and steal all your money.

Our government is a shady car mechanic. You pay the son of a b1tch to do his job, and all you get is him telling you there are more problems that will require more money to fix….

Well at least I got myself a No on 8 yard sign, which I will display proudly on the lawn here in West Sacramento, an area populated with Yes on ‘Hate’ signs.

That brings me to another issue. How come there are thousands of Yes on Hate signs popping up like weed, but it is so dang hard to even find a No on Hate sign? Shouldn’t there be an effort to put out more signs to show our support?

The real jewel in my volunteering experience came when I went to Jamba Juice to get my parking ticket validated on my way home. One of the JJ employee was dressed in a cheerleader’s costume ( with huge jugs ). A black guy came in, laughed, and said “Thank God, Yes on 8″.

The irony of this event kills me. Here is a black man, who’s ancestors were victims of the same hate crimes not too long ago, dishing out his own prejudice and hatred to people different than him. Oh, the circle of life is complete…

They first came for the communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up.
-Martin Niemoeller

To me, this issue is even more important than the presidential election. Choosing a presidential candidate is like choosing between different flavors of ice-cream. Granted, you could end up with a really shitty flavor ( George Bush ) and get sick eating it. But defending equality for all people is equivalent to defending someone against a bully. If you don’t have the courage to do it, no one else will… And one day, it will be you who need to be defended.
So, whether you are gay, straight, or i’ll stick with my right-hand kinda person, you have to stand up for equality.
To make sure that I am not just all talk, I will contact my local field office and ask to volunteer.