Introduction:
To The American People is a series about speeches and essays I have written about the condition and state of America, from my own perspective. I don't pertain to know everything about politics, or the truth in general. What I can do is share with everyone what I know in my heart as true and just. This first speech is something I wrote several years ago when Bush was in office. I feel that the words in this speech still hold truth about our society even today. I hope you take something away from this that adds to your perspective on the path our country is taking.
First of all, I would like to say power to the people. To the people who cannot afford to take time off work to speak out. To those who fear to stand up and be counted. To those we've lost in the struggle through death or ignorance. We are the heartbeat of America.
Now, before I start this speech, let me say that the troubles in America have no color. This is not a meddling with black people problem, or a middle America problem. It is a middle class problem. It is an undereducated middle school problem. It is an underdeveloped inner city problem which leads to a poor, destitute, and listless people problem.
Some people think that the answer is a simple as exposing the problem, but we've been exposing the problem for decades and it has done next to nothing. Nothing but the deaths of the era's prophets. Government's answer to liberal change is conservative violence. Romans killed Jesus for radical thinking, Martin Luther King Jr. was killed for radical thinking, and so was Malcolm X and Huey P. Newton. The Kennedy's were killed for their support of radical thinking. All to teach us that radical thinking is dangerous. And they are right! Our minds are dangerous to them because of their potential to change the world. Our minds see that America's problems are only half the problem.
The indifference in America that perpetuates stereotypical views. That is the other half of the equation. The "Poor People Are Lazy" stereotype. The "Minorities Are Criminals" stereotype. Most importantly, the "People In America Have No Power" stereotype. Since the last time people got together to overcome injustice, we ourselves have sit idly by too long whole injustice overcomes us again. Our forefathers rose up and said "We wont take it anymore!" Now is the time to be heard again!
Today is a new day in the new year for new change. Personally, my New Year's resolution was to start a New Year's Revolution to stop the political pollution that plagues our society. It's time to rid ourselves of the purchased politicians, the cronies in the White House, and the underbelly of corruption that kills poor people nationwide and abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan. War is easy behind a desk, but it is hard to fight in the trenches, both in the desert and the homeland. Right now, we are losing the War in Iraq as well as the War on Equality.
The working class is only as valuable as the number of zeroes on their paychecks to the American Government. So we as a people must ban together to help one another as brothers to rebuild this nation by the people and for the people once again! We refuse to let our society be led like cattle to graze on the falsehoods and lies perpetuated by the powers that be!
The American Government is over 200 years old, still an infant in the eyes of the world. Still an infant in the eyes of the people as well. In regards to equal treatment of Native Americans, the equality of African Americans, the suffrage of women, and the ongoing struggles of the poor, minority, and middle class families from the past to today, the government has never been able to clean up it's own mess. Since this infant, this child had it's hands on the working class parent's hard earned money, it's been buying new toys to play with instead of taking care of it's responsibilities. Meanwhile, the mess we live in remains. There are only two solutions to this problem: Either make the kid clean it up, or do it for him.
For decades, America continues to collect new weapons to "protect" us, but still outfits troops with cheap and outdated armor. They explore the depths of outer space for aliens, but neglect the people who actually like it here by leaving them impoverished. They would rather buy guns for your children to kill before they buy books for them to learn. The time to depend on our congressman, senator, and other officials is over! It is time to reclaim the power of our forefathers gave to us in the constitution, Bill of Rights, and Amendments. It is time for Americans to TAKE BACK AMERICA!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Unversal Health Scare
Online today, I searched Google to attempt to find a Republican plan for Heath Care. Believe it or not, I found one(read for yourself: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/GOPHealthPlan_061709.pdf?tag=contentMain;contentBody). It's a simple, four-page PDF document that doesn't offer a massive revamp of the health care system, but a modest remodel of the system already in place. Instead of single payer plans, they offer tax cuts and rebates for families and offer extended family coverage to under-25 year old kids. In addition, they offer discounts for those who are lower income and of lower classes.
Tax cuts? Rebates? Discounts? Sounds like the same FAILED policies that You-Know-Who was passing years ago. However, that's to be expected from a party that cannot learn from it's mistakes. Since the September 11th attacks, Republicans have been running on "Fear and Smear" tactics to scare the populous into submission. Attacked, they use "Shame and Blame" tactics to play the victim and attempt to reverse responsibility through outright lies or fabrication and misrepresentation of facts.
No more.
No more will the majority remain silent on the apparent lies told by self-serving politicians. The Republicans, now out of power and apparent options, can now feel the cold sting of truth numbing away their hot, bile-filled falsehoods. So now they are in scramble mode to salvage any chance of winning an election in 2012, and they will throw away the well-being of the very people to do it. They will put their remaining faithful on the chopping block just to prove the Democrats as ineffective. Why? To protect their interests, to protect their power, and protect their corporate friends.
Those of you of the conservative persuasion will not believe me. They will see me as false, they will brand me a liar because I do not hold the same values as them. I do not watch the same news, listen to the same talk show, or think the same thoughts. However, my concern extends to all men, which is why I tell them not to fear this new government more than the old one. I would petition all to be cautious, because we are who the government should fear. We should not fear our government, no matter who is in charge.
That said, the people who would tell you Obama is going to kill your parents or grandparents, that he is going to make people drop their insurance are lying to you. The cost will not increase under single payer health care, because we are already paying so much under the current plan due to the amount of health care being defaulted on right now. And guess who pays that cost the hospitals cannot? You.
Here is Obama's health care plan(http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf). It's a little longer, but worth at least reading. It is imperative that we as a people educate ourselves. Don't take Obama's word for it. Don't take the Democrat's word for it, don't take the Republican's word for it. Don't even take my word for it. Find facts for yourself, come to your own conclusion. Read, research, review, and then decide. Remember we are the gatekeepers of this country. 400+ years ago the forefathers of this country fed the tree of liberty the blood of the tyrants and traitors. Those who would put the needs of themselves above the need of the masses are traitors. Those who abuse the power given to them by the people to serve themselves are tyrants.
And when they forget who they serve, it is time to water the Tree of Liberty.
Tax cuts? Rebates? Discounts? Sounds like the same FAILED policies that You-Know-Who was passing years ago. However, that's to be expected from a party that cannot learn from it's mistakes. Since the September 11th attacks, Republicans have been running on "Fear and Smear" tactics to scare the populous into submission. Attacked, they use "Shame and Blame" tactics to play the victim and attempt to reverse responsibility through outright lies or fabrication and misrepresentation of facts.
No more.
No more will the majority remain silent on the apparent lies told by self-serving politicians. The Republicans, now out of power and apparent options, can now feel the cold sting of truth numbing away their hot, bile-filled falsehoods. So now they are in scramble mode to salvage any chance of winning an election in 2012, and they will throw away the well-being of the very people to do it. They will put their remaining faithful on the chopping block just to prove the Democrats as ineffective. Why? To protect their interests, to protect their power, and protect their corporate friends.
Those of you of the conservative persuasion will not believe me. They will see me as false, they will brand me a liar because I do not hold the same values as them. I do not watch the same news, listen to the same talk show, or think the same thoughts. However, my concern extends to all men, which is why I tell them not to fear this new government more than the old one. I would petition all to be cautious, because we are who the government should fear. We should not fear our government, no matter who is in charge.
That said, the people who would tell you Obama is going to kill your parents or grandparents, that he is going to make people drop their insurance are lying to you. The cost will not increase under single payer health care, because we are already paying so much under the current plan due to the amount of health care being defaulted on right now. And guess who pays that cost the hospitals cannot? You.
Here is Obama's health care plan(http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf). It's a little longer, but worth at least reading. It is imperative that we as a people educate ourselves. Don't take Obama's word for it. Don't take the Democrat's word for it, don't take the Republican's word for it. Don't even take my word for it. Find facts for yourself, come to your own conclusion. Read, research, review, and then decide. Remember we are the gatekeepers of this country. 400+ years ago the forefathers of this country fed the tree of liberty the blood of the tyrants and traitors. Those who would put the needs of themselves above the need of the masses are traitors. Those who abuse the power given to them by the people to serve themselves are tyrants.
And when they forget who they serve, it is time to water the Tree of Liberty.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Death By Cannibis: The History & Legality of Marijuana On A World Scale
Throughout human history, even dating as far back as 3rd Millennium BC(or the "Bronze Age"), Cannabis(a.k.a. Marijuana as it has become commonly known) has been consumed through rituals by Romanians, Hindus, and various other cultures and even modern-day religions. Christians and Muslims alike previously used it for sacraments in ancient times. Today it's one of the largest cash crops in the United States, grossing in the neighborhood of 36 billion dollars in revenue. In a recession-based economy in which the farming industry is failing, why is such a relatively harmless and profitable plant with built-in user base still considered illegal?
In various cases, religions that were once users of cannabis led the stopping of consumption. This is speculated to have began in the Middle Ages for different reasons for different regions. Cannabis had various uses from the recreational uses of today to medicine to the hemp material being used as rope for ships. A great deal of literature came from Europe about the use and consumption from all over the world in the forms of diaries, journals, and publicized reports. Sometimes this let to misconceptions about the drug itself. At the time, it was thought to be extremely similar to Opium, which was also widely used at the time and becoming known for it's addictive qualities. There was also cases of hemp being used in Satanic rituals, which didn't do much to bolster the drug's image in an increasingly religious society.
Muslim law did not prohibit consumption of Hashish(which is basically dried Marijuana) until some period between the 12Th and 14Th centuries after varying degrees of public resistance, and even then they allowed it's use for medicinal purposes. By 1484, Pope Innocent VIII banned the used of cannabis in support of the Spanish Inquisition against Arabs. Other intoxicants that were banned from use due to religious reasons are also hops(used for beer) and coffee(banned by both Islamic and Christian faiths) among others.
Prohibition did not gain popularity in America until the turn of the 20Th Century, before then it was a popular resource for ropes, sails, clothes, and medicinal purposes. However after the Mexican Revolution of 1910 Mexicans immigrated to America and recreational use became popularized soon after. By the mid-1930's there was Marijuana regulation in every state. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which taxed commercial dealers of Marijuana and had heavy fines and jail time penalties for those who did not pay. By 1951, there was mandatory sentencing for possession of Cannabis. Although Marujuana laws have softened since the 1970's it still remains a Schedule I drug, placed with Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, and Methamphetamine as having "high potential for abuse, no medical use, and not safe to use under medical supervision". Since then, 13 states have created laws that allow Cannabis for medicinal purposes only. However, Congress does not acknowledge the state laws, instead stating that it has the right to ban Cannabis even for medicinal use(Gonzales vs. Raich, 2005).
As of today, Marijuana is confirmed as completely legal in only 1 country: India. It's regulated by the government and is still considered a sacrament. It is currently the only country that allows unregulated use of the drug and is exempt to the Single Convention Treaty that outlaws Marijuana in most of the modern world. The only other 2 confirmed countries that allow regulated use of the drug are The Netherlands and Pakistan. At least 13 other countries have confirmed it decriminalized for personal use purposes. Most of the world still considers it illegal and punishable by fines and imprisonment. In the countries Antigua and Barbuda(Large quantities), Kuwait(Sale and cultivation), Malaysia(Possession over 200 Grams), Saudi Arabia(Dealing/Smuggling large amounts; becoming rare to execute), Somalia, Thailand(Selling only), Singapore(over 17 Ounces), Indonesia, Bali, and possibly other countries you can actually be executed for Marijuana. In fact, over 200 people have been executed in Malaysia for drug offenses since 1974.
I fail to understand how the punishment fits the crime, in any of these cases. America has it's own problems with prison overcrowding, jailing otherwise law-abiding citizens, and wasting federal money on a law that most clearly have ceased to care about. Yet, other countries have taken things to new extreme. Are these laws in place to protect the people, or subjugate them? Drug crimes are not irredeemable sins; they are not on par with killing innocents or committing war crimes. The need for people to die due for possessing drug is beyond subhuman. Often these sentences are handed out with no remorse for the soon-to-be-executed. Where is the human compassion for our fellow man? Buried under antiquated laws and barbaric traditions? The U.N. is trying to get moratoriums for some of these countries to stop these senseless executions, but I'm sure there are many too stubborn to budge. Even then, it seems the only lives Marijuana will be responsible for taking are from those who weren't under it's influence at the time. Perhaps the truth to Reefer Madness isn't stemming from those who use it at all, but from the ones who persecute those who seem to enjoy using it.
-A Seeker Of Truth.
In various cases, religions that were once users of cannabis led the stopping of consumption. This is speculated to have began in the Middle Ages for different reasons for different regions. Cannabis had various uses from the recreational uses of today to medicine to the hemp material being used as rope for ships. A great deal of literature came from Europe about the use and consumption from all over the world in the forms of diaries, journals, and publicized reports. Sometimes this let to misconceptions about the drug itself. At the time, it was thought to be extremely similar to Opium, which was also widely used at the time and becoming known for it's addictive qualities. There was also cases of hemp being used in Satanic rituals, which didn't do much to bolster the drug's image in an increasingly religious society.
Muslim law did not prohibit consumption of Hashish(which is basically dried Marijuana) until some period between the 12Th and 14Th centuries after varying degrees of public resistance, and even then they allowed it's use for medicinal purposes. By 1484, Pope Innocent VIII banned the used of cannabis in support of the Spanish Inquisition against Arabs. Other intoxicants that were banned from use due to religious reasons are also hops(used for beer) and coffee(banned by both Islamic and Christian faiths) among others.
Prohibition did not gain popularity in America until the turn of the 20Th Century, before then it was a popular resource for ropes, sails, clothes, and medicinal purposes. However after the Mexican Revolution of 1910 Mexicans immigrated to America and recreational use became popularized soon after. By the mid-1930's there was Marijuana regulation in every state. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which taxed commercial dealers of Marijuana and had heavy fines and jail time penalties for those who did not pay. By 1951, there was mandatory sentencing for possession of Cannabis. Although Marujuana laws have softened since the 1970's it still remains a Schedule I drug, placed with Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, and Methamphetamine as having "high potential for abuse, no medical use, and not safe to use under medical supervision". Since then, 13 states have created laws that allow Cannabis for medicinal purposes only. However, Congress does not acknowledge the state laws, instead stating that it has the right to ban Cannabis even for medicinal use(Gonzales vs. Raich, 2005).
As of today, Marijuana is confirmed as completely legal in only 1 country: India. It's regulated by the government and is still considered a sacrament. It is currently the only country that allows unregulated use of the drug and is exempt to the Single Convention Treaty that outlaws Marijuana in most of the modern world. The only other 2 confirmed countries that allow regulated use of the drug are The Netherlands and Pakistan. At least 13 other countries have confirmed it decriminalized for personal use purposes. Most of the world still considers it illegal and punishable by fines and imprisonment. In the countries Antigua and Barbuda(Large quantities), Kuwait(Sale and cultivation), Malaysia(Possession over 200 Grams), Saudi Arabia(Dealing/Smuggling large amounts; becoming rare to execute), Somalia, Thailand(Selling only), Singapore(over 17 Ounces), Indonesia, Bali, and possibly other countries you can actually be executed for Marijuana. In fact, over 200 people have been executed in Malaysia for drug offenses since 1974.
I fail to understand how the punishment fits the crime, in any of these cases. America has it's own problems with prison overcrowding, jailing otherwise law-abiding citizens, and wasting federal money on a law that most clearly have ceased to care about. Yet, other countries have taken things to new extreme. Are these laws in place to protect the people, or subjugate them? Drug crimes are not irredeemable sins; they are not on par with killing innocents or committing war crimes. The need for people to die due for possessing drug is beyond subhuman. Often these sentences are handed out with no remorse for the soon-to-be-executed. Where is the human compassion for our fellow man? Buried under antiquated laws and barbaric traditions? The U.N. is trying to get moratoriums for some of these countries to stop these senseless executions, but I'm sure there are many too stubborn to budge. Even then, it seems the only lives Marijuana will be responsible for taking are from those who weren't under it's influence at the time. Perhaps the truth to Reefer Madness isn't stemming from those who use it at all, but from the ones who persecute those who seem to enjoy using it.
-A Seeker Of Truth.
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