20. October 2010 by admin.

I am not a politician nor am I running for office but I am sick and tired of the politicians and political groups who are simply lying to us during this political season.  All of these negative ads reinforce my belief that our nation needs to redesign its political process.  There are three things in particular that I would like to address.

First, let’s talk about the so-called “failed” stimulus program.  To begin with, the stimulus program was initiated during the Bush administration and simply continued under President Obama.  With this fact in place, you have to realize that it means that Democrats voted for a Republican president’s agenda to stimulate the economy.  The fact that a Democratic president continued his policies means that it was a good plan to begin with.Then let’s talk about the concept of the stimulus package having failed.  In fact every political party and most government organizations recognize that if the stimulus package had not been enacted, our economy would have suffered a depression instead of the severe recession that occurred.  Yes, every state in the union lost jobs, but the impact of the economic downturn would have been much more severe if the stimulus program had not been in place.And to all those politicians and political groups who claim only that jobs were lost, I ask you to look at all the construction jobs, and all the economic impact of these programs that were funded by stimulus funds.  The stimulus program did not fail.  It may not have been as successful as most people would have liked, but it did serve its purpose.

Second, let’s talk about healthcare.  I really hate all of these ads that make it sound as though health care is a bad thing.  The fact is, in my opinion, we did not go far enough toward improving health care for citizens in this country.  I also hate the fact that politicians and political groups are using the cost savings of $500 billion from Medicare as a cut to the program instead of the cost savings that it actually is.  The amount reflects the savings that result from the elimination of duplication of services and oversight that was necessary to pay for the healthcare program.  It is amazing to see mostly Republicans claiming that cost savings and efficiency are bad.And finally, all of the conversation about the increase to the federal debt has really pissed me off.  Let’s not forget it was a Republican administration that completely destroyed a budget surplus and sent us into this spiraling debt sinkhole.  The fact that the federal government has had to spend billions of dollars to forestall a collapse of our economy was not the fault of the people in power today, it was, in fact, a true test of their leadership in keeping this country from falling apart.

Unfortunately, I am afraid that most people in this country are going to listen to the negative ads and the negative campaigning and will make poor choices when they go to the polls this election season.  While I do tend to vote Democratic, of the 16 offices for which I voted, four were actually votes for the Republican candidate because I felt they were the better candidate.  The fact is that most Americans will not take a vote, they will simply see the party of the person they are voting for and choose them based on an affiliation that has little or no meaning.  It will be interesting to see in two years whether people have “buyer’s remorse” or not.  Just remember, you get what you vote for.

Posted in Freedom, Politics | No Comments »

6. October 2010 by admin.

I have been struggling lately with my response to the recent spate of suicides by gay teens and children. How do you approach a group of children who don’t have any other view of the world? I know that I have lived a charmed life, and that my experiences do not mirror those of most people. But to see these children giving themselves up fear and frustration is unacceptable.I remember how I felt after my first experience with another man. The euphoria and exhilaration were incredible.  As I walked back to my dorm room, I remember feeling as though I was on cloud nine. I can only imagine the utter desolation experienced by Tyler Clementi when he discovered that his moment of passion had been broadcast on the Internet.I cannot understand how people can think it’s all right to ridicule and humiliate people just for being themselves.

The wonderful initiative by writer and columnist Dan Savage, It Will Get Better, is an exceptional example of how people can come together to help teens and children in need find the resources to learn about what life is about.The bullying that goes on schools, the torment that some children have to go through a regular basis, makes me sick. It is never all right to tease or bully or torment someone simply because they are different. We need to teach our children that it is not right to disparage others.

I have to think that at least part of the reason this seems normal to us is the tone that is taken in political advertisements. We seem to accept negative advertising as the standard in politics these days. I find it amazing that we are willing to accept a politician based not on their philosophy and voting record but on the fact that their opponent is someone we would not want in office. The way I look at it, if you cannot tell me what you believe in and how you would vote if you are elected, and instead turn to bashing your opponent, then you do not deserve my vote. I just wish that most of the electorate would think that way as well.  So if it is acceptable in politics, why would it not be acceptable in life?

We are supposed to be the adults. What kind of sad example are we setting for the children? It’s about time we took responsibility for setting that example. If by being out and proud I can provide some example to kids who are trying to figure out who they are, then I will consider myself to be a success.If you are a parent, then it is your responsibility to help your child find their way into themselves. Help them find the resources they need to be comfortable with who they are. And if I can do any good with that please let me know how.

Posted in Personal, Gay | No Comments »