When asked by the ABC anchor if she was qualified to be President, Palin responded with great certainty that she was indeed qualified. I have admired many great leaders over the years who when faced with great tasks and responsibilities were humbled and invoked the help of God. These leaders often had spent many years dealing with the complexities of the tax code, health policy, the environment, foreign policy, national defense, Social Security, and other issues, but they knew that they were not prepared to handle these issues without the help of others and the Lord.
But Palin comes from an Assemblies of God Third Wave pentecostal movement that trains spiritual warriors ready to do battle.
There is a time for war and power, but there is also a time for diplomacy, international respect and understanding, a time to listen and be sensitive to pains, beliefs, history, and desires of peoples who are quite different than us. Diplomacy is a fine and often quiet art. FDR worked hard keeping together a very diverse alliance in World War II. Nixon opened the door to China with the help of brilliant, quiet diplomacy led by Kissenger. Bush senior built a large international coilition before he went to war against Iraq. Carter and Clinton spent a lot of time studying and listening before they brought together the leaders in the Israeli mess. Obama is a brilliant man but part of his smarts is that he is ready to listen to experts and foreign peoples.
America has been the strongest when it has listened to others and worked with them. WWII and the Cold War were won by the efforts of many nations. We are the richest and strongest nation now, but soon China and India will challenge us. Russia is coming back with its oil and gas sales. The European Union has great wealth and power. We owe foreign nations hundreds of billions of dollars, perhaps trillions, in various ways. What if they start calling in these debts? We are no longer the largest manufacturing nation, our schools have fallen behind in science, math, and technology. We need to understand and work with others.
We are a land of liberty, but liberty and democracy works only when there is respect for each other. As long as we feel we can launch pre-emptive wars when we choose, no other nation or even we ourselves can feel secure. As long as we feel like we can freely invade Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, and who else tomorrow, as long as we are the world's biggest bully, we are not standing for liberty and freedom, but conformity and obedience.
We do not need spiritual warriors but peoples and leaders who exemplify the love, forgiveness, compassion, and respect our Lord exemplified.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
McCain and Palin on Abortion
When asked by a prominent preacher when life begins, McCain quickly replied "at conception." If that is true, than a woman using a birth control pill that prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus is a murderer. And the doctor, the pharmacist, and everyone else involved in the production and distribution of these pills could also be co-conspirators. If anyone performs an abortion, he or she is a murderer by this logic. McCain used to be pro-life, or at least allowed it if the mother's wife is endangered or this was a case of rape or incest. He apparently has changed his thinking in order to get conservative support. He says he will appoint Supreme Court judges who are "strict constructionists," persons who oppose abortion. On Oprah's show he said that Roe v. Wade was a bad decision by the Supreme Court.
Palin is opposed to abortion, even if it is a case of rape or incest. If McCain tempers his position, changes his mind again, she will still be just a 7o some year old heart's beat away from the Presidency.
Before the Supreme Court legalized abortion, I worked with gang kids in Chicago for a couple of years. One of the things I did was visit with them in their homes. The kids in the gang joked that "William's" dad was a doctor. I tried to visit him in a slum apartment house. He would not let me in the apartment door. I saw that a woman was laying on the kitchen table. That's how abortions were handled back then. Abortions will still take place if the Supreme Court changes its mind, and most will be in places like that. A person who is raped finds her life being put at risk again if she gets an abortion. And then she could face criminal prosecution.
In my 40 years of experience of counselling families, decisions on abortions were heart-rending experiences for all involved. A young girl or any woman who has been raped should have some say in whether she carries this fetus or not.
Palin is opposed to abortion, even if it is a case of rape or incest. If McCain tempers his position, changes his mind again, she will still be just a 7o some year old heart's beat away from the Presidency.
Before the Supreme Court legalized abortion, I worked with gang kids in Chicago for a couple of years. One of the things I did was visit with them in their homes. The kids in the gang joked that "William's" dad was a doctor. I tried to visit him in a slum apartment house. He would not let me in the apartment door. I saw that a woman was laying on the kitchen table. That's how abortions were handled back then. Abortions will still take place if the Supreme Court changes its mind, and most will be in places like that. A person who is raped finds her life being put at risk again if she gets an abortion. And then she could face criminal prosecution.
In my 40 years of experience of counselling families, decisions on abortions were heart-rending experiences for all involved. A young girl or any woman who has been raped should have some say in whether she carries this fetus or not.
Republicans Mock Obama
At the Republican convention, McCain said he respects Obama but his henchmen(women) showed Obama no respect as they mocked him. It reminded me of how white people used to mock Negroes in slavery and later, particularly if they seemed to get "uppity," if they were seeking to be better than a Negro should be. A Republican congressman from Georgia, Lynn Westmoreland, indeed called the Obamas uppity. It reminded me of how the Jewish leaders mocked and scoffed at Jesus as he hung on the cross.
One incident of mocking was curious. The former mayor of New York and the governor of Alaska both mocked Obama for being a community organizer in Chicago. In the large cities, poor neighborhoods are often ignored if they do not get organized. They organize to help solve their own problems, they may organize Neighborhood Watches, tutoring and after school programs for children, cleanup and perhaps heighborhood gardens, etc. As they get some self confidence, the people together can petition local, state, and federal governments and private groups for help. Community organizers play a vital role in this work, helping get better schools, police protection, and improvements to public works and streets. Obama after college, instead of continuing his education or taking a high paying job that his Ivy League education could have made possible, went to the South side of Chicago to an area with high unemployment and helped the people there to help themselves. He did not go to war and get caught and sent to a prisoner of war camp, but he did sacrifice significant career moves to go and serve the poor. It is not always true that those who are escaping poverty go back to help those who are poor too. He must have been crazy to do this, according to these good Republicans who loudly mocked and scoffed at him. These Republicans in their fancy suits and outfits are leaders in their communities, many were congressmen, senators, state officials, prominent businessmen, etc. and they scoffed at and mocked this young Black man who wanted to help others.
The scoffing attitude could easily have discouraged some young blacks or others who were poor, but dreamed of being able to run for president someday or being able to be a success someday or who wanted to be able to help the poor too. Are the good Republican leaders going to be scoffing at them to their face or behind their backs or on national television because they are "uppity" or caring.
One incident of mocking was curious. The former mayor of New York and the governor of Alaska both mocked Obama for being a community organizer in Chicago. In the large cities, poor neighborhoods are often ignored if they do not get organized. They organize to help solve their own problems, they may organize Neighborhood Watches, tutoring and after school programs for children, cleanup and perhaps heighborhood gardens, etc. As they get some self confidence, the people together can petition local, state, and federal governments and private groups for help. Community organizers play a vital role in this work, helping get better schools, police protection, and improvements to public works and streets. Obama after college, instead of continuing his education or taking a high paying job that his Ivy League education could have made possible, went to the South side of Chicago to an area with high unemployment and helped the people there to help themselves. He did not go to war and get caught and sent to a prisoner of war camp, but he did sacrifice significant career moves to go and serve the poor. It is not always true that those who are escaping poverty go back to help those who are poor too. He must have been crazy to do this, according to these good Republicans who loudly mocked and scoffed at him. These Republicans in their fancy suits and outfits are leaders in their communities, many were congressmen, senators, state officials, prominent businessmen, etc. and they scoffed at and mocked this young Black man who wanted to help others.
The scoffing attitude could easily have discouraged some young blacks or others who were poor, but dreamed of being able to run for president someday or being able to be a success someday or who wanted to be able to help the poor too. Are the good Republican leaders going to be scoffing at them to their face or behind their backs or on national television because they are "uppity" or caring.
Ohio Casino a Bad Deal
Ohio will likely see another gambling issue on its November ballot. The new one has been described as the worst attempt yet to bring casinos to the state. This one is an amendment to the state constitution that was basically written by one man, Lyle Berman of Minnesota, and his lawyers for his benefit. He is a casino owner and he helps manage 5 Indian casinos. He would have an 80% interest in this casino. He wants to set up a monopoly for himself, have his be the one non-Indian casino in the state. If this proves to be a bad deal for the state later, it is written into the constitution and can not easily be changed. This amendment exempts him from local zoning laws, some liquor controls, and several taxes.
The amendment requires him to pay 27% of his profits to the counties, 2% to help gambling addicts, and 1% extra to Clinton County where the casino would be. However, if an Indian casino comes into the state, his taxes fall to only 2-3% of his profits. Federal law prohibits an Indian casino from having a higher level of gambling than is in the state at the time it comes. Now an Indian casino could have bingo. But if Berman brings in slot machines and other games, the Indians could set up casinos and offer what he has. The Shawnee are already negoitiating options to buy in 4 areas of the state. He would be happy to help manage the Indian casinos too.
When Pennsylvania was considering casinos, the governor sat down with propective casino owners and negoitiated an agreement that gave the state 50% of the profits. Ohio will need that if these casinos come in. In Indiana, they had to increase the highway patrol budget by $65 million dollars to deal with the increase of crime in the areas where riverboat casinos opened. In Mississippi, crime rates doubled in the areas where the casinos came. Casinos attract con men, thieves, and prostitutes. A survey of gambling addicts showed that 65% resorted to crime to feed their habit.
Gambling addiction is one of the worst addictions, worse than alcoholism. I remember one family that lived in a very poor walkup apartment while the husband traveled every evening to race tracks and other gambling places. I've known families where the husband lost the family farm in a poker game.
Gambling preys on the poor. In Michigan, persons with incomes under $15,000 spent twice as much per visit to a casino as did persons with incomes of $30,000 or more. Of the customers, 60% had incomes under $25,000. In Detroit, gambling addiction rates tripled when the casinos came.
Berman promises thousands of jobs. Most jobs in restaurants, hotels, and casinos are low wage. The skilled workers would be brought in from Los Vegas.
The amendment requires him to pay 27% of his profits to the counties, 2% to help gambling addicts, and 1% extra to Clinton County where the casino would be. However, if an Indian casino comes into the state, his taxes fall to only 2-3% of his profits. Federal law prohibits an Indian casino from having a higher level of gambling than is in the state at the time it comes. Now an Indian casino could have bingo. But if Berman brings in slot machines and other games, the Indians could set up casinos and offer what he has. The Shawnee are already negoitiating options to buy in 4 areas of the state. He would be happy to help manage the Indian casinos too.
When Pennsylvania was considering casinos, the governor sat down with propective casino owners and negoitiated an agreement that gave the state 50% of the profits. Ohio will need that if these casinos come in. In Indiana, they had to increase the highway patrol budget by $65 million dollars to deal with the increase of crime in the areas where riverboat casinos opened. In Mississippi, crime rates doubled in the areas where the casinos came. Casinos attract con men, thieves, and prostitutes. A survey of gambling addicts showed that 65% resorted to crime to feed their habit.
Gambling addiction is one of the worst addictions, worse than alcoholism. I remember one family that lived in a very poor walkup apartment while the husband traveled every evening to race tracks and other gambling places. I've known families where the husband lost the family farm in a poker game.
Gambling preys on the poor. In Michigan, persons with incomes under $15,000 spent twice as much per visit to a casino as did persons with incomes of $30,000 or more. Of the customers, 60% had incomes under $25,000. In Detroit, gambling addiction rates tripled when the casinos came.
Berman promises thousands of jobs. Most jobs in restaurants, hotels, and casinos are low wage. The skilled workers would be brought in from Los Vegas.
Get the government off my back
At the Republican convention, loud cheers went up when a speaker said we need to get the government off our backs. That has been the philosophy of much of this administration and its appointees to the EPA, CDC, etc., etc. We see the results with global warming, automobile mileage requirements, "drill, baby, drill."
That philosophy is now going to cost you and I and our grandchildren $100 billion as we have to bail out Freddie Mac and Fannie Mac. Banks were giving mortgages to people they encouraged to lie about their income. Banks sold mortgages with "teaser" variable rate mortgages that would go up in two years and the buyers can not pay the real rates. Banks issued mortgages where the buyer was paying only the interest. Experts were telling us this would spell disaster but our regulators wanted to get government off our backs. Now the bailout will cost up to $100 billion or perhaps even more. Mutual funds, pension funds, and individuals who invested in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mac or in some of these lousy mortgages are now losing billions more.
My father was what he called a "professional pest." He was an auditor for a state. He checked to make sure businesses paid their unemployment compensation tax and registered their employees. His job was to be sure that when someone was laid off, there was help for them. One businessman tried to get him "off his back" by choking him, but a very distinguished businessman said dad was fair and tried to help out the businesses. There are good "pests" who can help prevent disasters for families and for the economy.
That philosophy is now going to cost you and I and our grandchildren $100 billion as we have to bail out Freddie Mac and Fannie Mac. Banks were giving mortgages to people they encouraged to lie about their income. Banks sold mortgages with "teaser" variable rate mortgages that would go up in two years and the buyers can not pay the real rates. Banks issued mortgages where the buyer was paying only the interest. Experts were telling us this would spell disaster but our regulators wanted to get government off our backs. Now the bailout will cost up to $100 billion or perhaps even more. Mutual funds, pension funds, and individuals who invested in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mac or in some of these lousy mortgages are now losing billions more.
My father was what he called a "professional pest." He was an auditor for a state. He checked to make sure businesses paid their unemployment compensation tax and registered their employees. His job was to be sure that when someone was laid off, there was help for them. One businessman tried to get him "off his back" by choking him, but a very distinguished businessman said dad was fair and tried to help out the businesses. There are good "pests" who can help prevent disasters for families and for the economy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)