Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
100 K Meets Obama in St. Louis
The word here is "Breathtaking....."
As I keep mentioning in my blog, the Obama movement transcends mere politics.
It is a social,and maybe even a spiritual movement.
The goal: transform the mind, empower the person. The power of race and prejudice to hold us back grows weaker....
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Palin vs. Chair-Comedy Central
Shown above were John McCain's two leading candidates for vice presidency, Sarah Palin (Left) and Chair (Right). Many experts were surprised that McCain didn't choose Chair, as it has extensive diplomatic experience, having been present for over 25 international treaty negotiations.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Threat to the American Middle Class
The Democrats this year have put the precarious economic health of the American middle-class front and center of their agenda. Republicans, still are in denial that we have problems.
President Bush continues to press that the economy is strong and that it's the democrats who are painting a bleak economic picture. Republican Rep. Virginia Fox of North Carolina recently declared: "This is not a failed economy. We are not in recession. What a shame that Democrats want to talk down the economy."
This sort of naivete hits the vast majority of Americans straight in the gut. I consider myself part of the middle class as most of the people in the US do. Over the last 10 -20 years it has grown increasingly more difficult financially. Just look around you, the cost of a college education keeps sky-rocketing for unknown reasons, the cost of health-care advances at 15% increases year after year, more people are saddled with huge credit card and home equity debts and then there is the threat of $5 a gallon regular unleaded hovering just over the horizon.
The U.S. economy doubled in size between 1980 and 2007. It's not that all of the benefits of the just-past era went to those at the very top 1% (although a very substantial chunk did); millions upon millions of Americans prospered right along with the super-rich. Now one would think that doubling the size of the economy in almost 30 years would bring much added benefits to the vast majority of Americans in the middle class. However, you would be wrong.
Let's take a look at the way people pay for college education, where rocketing costs and the declining availability of federal grants have meant that most families can no longer pay as they go to send their kids to school, but must borrow. That's left parents more financially exposed. What that has meant is that after they graduate, most young people are saddled with debt and must make a beeline to the best-paying jobs to help defray the costs of college.
Twenty years ago, loans were used to pay about 15% of the tuition, room and board and fees that parents and students paid for college. Today, they account for fully one-third, according to the College Board. That figure is 33%, which is more than double what loans were used to pay (tuition, room and board etc.) 20 years ago.
Similar changes have occurred in health coverage, which costs more today and covers less. In just the last eight years, employees' average annual premium costs have more than doubled, from $1,600 to almost $3,300, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Now, ask yourself, has your income kept up accordingly? Has your income doubled the the last 8 years?
For the vast majority of Americans, economic hurdles have become steeper just as the compensation for the super-rich: CEOs, Hedge-Fund managers, business owners keep going up beyond imagination while paying less income tax than middle class Americans. The Democrats realize that this is a problem. The Republicans are all too happy to see the rich keep getting richer.
President Bush continues to press that the economy is strong and that it's the democrats who are painting a bleak economic picture. Republican Rep. Virginia Fox of North Carolina recently declared: "This is not a failed economy. We are not in recession. What a shame that Democrats want to talk down the economy."
This sort of naivete hits the vast majority of Americans straight in the gut. I consider myself part of the middle class as most of the people in the US do. Over the last 10 -20 years it has grown increasingly more difficult financially. Just look around you, the cost of a college education keeps sky-rocketing for unknown reasons, the cost of health-care advances at 15% increases year after year, more people are saddled with huge credit card and home equity debts and then there is the threat of $5 a gallon regular unleaded hovering just over the horizon.
The U.S. economy doubled in size between 1980 and 2007. It's not that all of the benefits of the just-past era went to those at the very top 1% (although a very substantial chunk did); millions upon millions of Americans prospered right along with the super-rich. Now one would think that doubling the size of the economy in almost 30 years would bring much added benefits to the vast majority of Americans in the middle class. However, you would be wrong.
Let's take a look at the way people pay for college education, where rocketing costs and the declining availability of federal grants have meant that most families can no longer pay as they go to send their kids to school, but must borrow. That's left parents more financially exposed. What that has meant is that after they graduate, most young people are saddled with debt and must make a beeline to the best-paying jobs to help defray the costs of college.
Twenty years ago, loans were used to pay about 15% of the tuition, room and board and fees that parents and students paid for college. Today, they account for fully one-third, according to the College Board. That figure is 33%, which is more than double what loans were used to pay (tuition, room and board etc.) 20 years ago.
Similar changes have occurred in health coverage, which costs more today and covers less. In just the last eight years, employees' average annual premium costs have more than doubled, from $1,600 to almost $3,300, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Now, ask yourself, has your income kept up accordingly? Has your income doubled the the last 8 years?
For the vast majority of Americans, economic hurdles have become steeper just as the compensation for the super-rich: CEOs, Hedge-Fund managers, business owners keep going up beyond imagination while paying less income tax than middle class Americans. The Democrats realize that this is a problem. The Republicans are all too happy to see the rich keep getting richer.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Hillary rises to the occasion
Saturday June 7, was a big day at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. At the center of the great hall Hillary officially endorsed Obama and suspended her campaign.
The whole event started almost 1 hour late in true Clinton fashion. I was at home and was able to watch the whole thing from my comfy couch. As she got into the middle of the speech, I was just struck by the raw emotion moving just underneath the surface. It seemed like a very very difficult speech to give. But it was the best speech that Hillary has given throughout the campaign. I honestly believe that had she found her voice, this voice, showed her nurturing side and exposed her relentless spirit at the beginning of the campaign, she may have ended up giving a very different speech.
But Hillary reminded her supporters of the futility of the "What-ifs":"When you hear people saying or think to yourself, "If only, or, "What if," I say, please, don't go there. Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward."
She rose to the occasion and 'stepped up' to put the party first. Her most heartfelt urging to her supporters: "The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States." That was probably one of the toughest lines to deliver.
Later on she went on to say, "And that's exactly what we're going to do, by ensuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on January 20, 2009", was a direct and unequivocal statement of support.
This one speech had all the elements of greatness. It was inspiring in the midst of utter loss. It was hopeful in that democratic ideals and causes still live on. And it brought the first step of closure on a historic journey to advance the causes of race and gender in America.
Although one speech, however moving, will not heal the wounds repeatedly cut open again and again these past many months it is a start in the process of mourning, realization and hopefully reconciliation for the party. It is a daunting task no doubt. But if Democrats want to see progress in bringing the troops home earlier, progress in universal health care and a dramatic shift from the 8 years of the Bush mess, they have no choice but to make nice and make up. Otherwise......
The whole event started almost 1 hour late in true Clinton fashion. I was at home and was able to watch the whole thing from my comfy couch. As she got into the middle of the speech, I was just struck by the raw emotion moving just underneath the surface. It seemed like a very very difficult speech to give. But it was the best speech that Hillary has given throughout the campaign. I honestly believe that had she found her voice, this voice, showed her nurturing side and exposed her relentless spirit at the beginning of the campaign, she may have ended up giving a very different speech.
But Hillary reminded her supporters of the futility of the "What-ifs":"When you hear people saying or think to yourself, "If only, or, "What if," I say, please, don't go there. Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward."
She rose to the occasion and 'stepped up' to put the party first. Her most heartfelt urging to her supporters: "The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States." That was probably one of the toughest lines to deliver.
Later on she went on to say, "And that's exactly what we're going to do, by ensuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on January 20, 2009", was a direct and unequivocal statement of support.
This one speech had all the elements of greatness. It was inspiring in the midst of utter loss. It was hopeful in that democratic ideals and causes still live on. And it brought the first step of closure on a historic journey to advance the causes of race and gender in America.
Although one speech, however moving, will not heal the wounds repeatedly cut open again and again these past many months it is a start in the process of mourning, realization and hopefully reconciliation for the party. It is a daunting task no doubt. But if Democrats want to see progress in bringing the troops home earlier, progress in universal health care and a dramatic shift from the 8 years of the Bush mess, they have no choice but to make nice and make up. Otherwise......
Friday, June 6, 2008
A Big step for Barack.. A Bigger step for all people of color
My mom told me story this week about what happened at school. A little black kid came running up to her all excited. He told her, "My daddy said that I can be president when I grow up" and walked away all smiling.
This was a big week. Barack Obama made history by becoming the first 'person of color', non-white, minority, mixed race, multi-racial etc...etc..presidential candidate of a major party. On many levels, he has already won. He has taken all of us a step higher in the human evolutionary process by getting us all closer to a post-racial America. Now the big question is: are we there yet? The answer is NO. America is not yet at a post racial state. Many folks out there will still not vote for a 'person of color' for just that reason. But the statement this week gives a great indicator to all the world that we are moving in the right direction.
Whether Obama or McCain wins in November is anyone's guess. But what happened this week will reverberate for years, decades to come. Obama has broken through the white line of power that for 232 years ruled this country. I, myself, a minority, Asian really reflected on this change. I somehow felt more 'comfortable' to be in America. Not, just comfortable I would say, but more of a sense that I belong here, that I can more help affect this country even though I am not white.
The single most compelling achievement that Obama has helped deliver to all of Americans, immigrants etc... this week is the realistic message, that anyone, even from a poor, broken, mixed race background can rise to the highest levels and have an impact on the whole rest of us. It is a message that despite how the deck is stacked against us in the beginning, America can give each of us a chance to re-invent and re-make ourselves and be somebody.
This was a big week. Barack Obama made history by becoming the first 'person of color', non-white, minority, mixed race, multi-racial etc...etc..presidential candidate of a major party. On many levels, he has already won. He has taken all of us a step higher in the human evolutionary process by getting us all closer to a post-racial America. Now the big question is: are we there yet? The answer is NO. America is not yet at a post racial state. Many folks out there will still not vote for a 'person of color' for just that reason. But the statement this week gives a great indicator to all the world that we are moving in the right direction.
Whether Obama or McCain wins in November is anyone's guess. But what happened this week will reverberate for years, decades to come. Obama has broken through the white line of power that for 232 years ruled this country. I, myself, a minority, Asian really reflected on this change. I somehow felt more 'comfortable' to be in America. Not, just comfortable I would say, but more of a sense that I belong here, that I can more help affect this country even though I am not white.
The single most compelling achievement that Obama has helped deliver to all of Americans, immigrants etc... this week is the realistic message, that anyone, even from a poor, broken, mixed race background can rise to the highest levels and have an impact on the whole rest of us. It is a message that despite how the deck is stacked against us in the beginning, America can give each of us a chance to re-invent and re-make ourselves and be somebody.
Hell hath no fury......
No one is angrier than a woman who has been rejected in love.
Many people attribute this saying to William Shakespeare. However, this proverb is adapted from a line in the play The Mourning Bride, by William Congreve, an English author of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The complete quotes is, "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned/ Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned." And this, in a nutshell, for the Democratic party is one big problem.
Allow me do some more psycho-analysis:
And such the 'love' that Hillary has so desperately sought from the Democratic party goes unrequited.
Wikipedia describes Unrequited love as love that is not reciprocated, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired. The beloved may not even be aware of this person's deep feelings for them. This can lead to feelings such as depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, and rapid mood swings between depression and euphoria.
Need more be said?
Friday, March 28, 2008
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