The weather has been incredible. I love spring. It's wonderful, regardless of whether or not it's a good thing that fair temperatures combined with PMS inspire me to spend money on myself-BAD! I keep telling myself I'm cut off and not allowed to buy anything more for at least a month, but I just can't seem to help myself lately. It would probably help if I didn't wander into merchandising establishments during my sunnyday lunch breaks. That's one thing about New York...it's hard not to spend your money when you got it. Luckily, it's also a city that can still be pleasant even when you're suffering a spell of brokeassedness as a result of financial mismanagement. A great ability to hold onto money isn't one of our strongest points in my family. We're excellent at spending it though. Next week I'm going to be extra good to make up for my recent transgressions. I'm taking the whole week off to study for my SAT (two weeks left! Aaaaaah!) and I'm going to live very cheaply while I do it. Commuting to Manhattan and eating lunch in midtown everyday gets pretty costly, so it'll be nice to stay home.
Warning. Even though this post seems to be about my banal spending habits, it will turn into a raving political post any second, so watch out! It sucks that money has to be an issue to all of us, but it's a part of life that we can't exactly ignore, so of course it seems important to learn to manage your money and take care to save some for the future. At my job I get good benefits, I'm happy to have health and dental insurance and paid vacations and sick days and 401k and all that good stuff. But there is still the likelihood for most of us that we will one day turn to our retirement savings and hopefully Social Security to keep us comfortably afloat in our old age. And who knows how long that could be? (If I keep smoking...) But truly, average life expectancy is only increasing. Many elderly in this country live on so very little. It's sad that the neediest individuals in our society are often the most neglected. It doesn't quite make sense. Anyway, I'm really, deeply, bothered by what's going on in our country right now, financially, and on so many other levels. Not that I am the most financially disciplined person in the world, but I'm not the government. If anything, I am one of the many consumers who help to fuel the Federal and State economy and I most definitely pay into Social Security like a mofo. It's a nice little deal, the way things work in the U.S. for those who are in a position to earn and spend. It's not so nice for those who aren't. And the way that I see Bush's policies, they give a hand to those who are already in the position to earn, spend and successfully invest, while crippling those who are already crippled. This is evident in his proposal to gut social security and to pass a bankruptcy bill that further fattens corporate giants and caters to the wealthy, while leaving already destitute Americans at an even greater disadvantage and without recourse. It's evident in his Medicare plan that doesn't help the elderly nearly as much as it helps the drug companies (while drug prices skyrocket to ungodly proportions, beating out the rate of inflation in the manner of a hare speeding easily past a pokey tortoise!)
I can't describe the horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach about everything that is going on right now.
There was an interesting article in the Washington Post recently about accountability in politics. Mostly, the article addressed the fact that politicians are so reluctant to hold their peers accountable for their actions. This trend is only slightly alarming, at the same time that its entirely predictable given what I see as a total decline of integrity in politics. I've noticed that since the political discords of my childhood such as the Iran Contra affair and the S&L scandal (and look who came back to give Bush a hand in 2004! Oliver "lies-through-his-teeth" North!), there hasn't been a great deal of heavy handedness when it comes to addressing a complete lack of ethics, except of course, in the case of Bill Clinton. Remember kids! Democrats are culpable for their mistakes, but Republicans are not! Very important to remember that. This is evidenced in the current situation with DeLay. When the republicans are tearing up democrats over "moral" issues, it's totally justified, but when democrats meekly declare their opposition to the greedy, scumsucking antics of a republican politician, it is suddenly a "smear campaign spawned from the democrat minority's desperation to regain power." If you're a republican, you aren't allowed to stand with the democrats on any issue. Meanwhile, I don't even know what a democrat is anymore, because half the democrats on Capitol Hill are really republicans. Rivalry has sucked the entire concept of rational thinking out of the picture and replaced it with the republicans ripping the ass out of the "democrats" on a daily basis and then crying foul the moment dems decide it's time to take action. There is no justice. Justice is fucking dead.
I see reports of ethical violations constantly here in New York and surrounding areas. City Council members, judges and politicians of all kinds seem to regularly be called into question for fraud, embezzling, accepting bribes, sexual misconduct...all the good stuff. Why, just today I saw a piece about Council Member Allan Jennings being "punished" for sexually harassing female coworkers (though of course, not fired because he's an elected official). The article said that it's the strongest penalty the City Council has ever placed on "one of its own."
But what about conduct that is less obvious in terms of its illegality, but still ethically wrong, through and through? There are so many examples of this in our current administration that I don't even know where to begin. We could start with Cheney's energy panel and Justice Scalia's loving safeguard over Cheney's right to nondisclosure. Or how about the awarding of defense contracts in Iraq that favored Cheney's former employer Halliburton and the fact that he has lied outright about having any involvement in it? What about the use of fabricated evidence to nudge us into an endless war? What about all of Rumsfeld's lies? Like the one he was caught telling on this video... The leaking of information regarding the identity of an undercover CIA agent? What about the attempts to merge the business of church with the business of state? Does that not violate our constitution? And why is lying okay if you're a politician, but not if you're Martha Stewart?
What about the fact that the Pentagon can't even goddamn well tell us just exactly HOW our BILLIONS of tax dollars have been spent on "general defense" in the past few years? Accountability? What the fuck is accountability? It sure as hell does not exist in Washington. Do you think there's a reason why they can't exactly tell us? Do you think that it's rather convenient that there is no "system in place by which to account for where each dollar was spent..."? Perhaps there would be no greater scandal than an accurate accounting of the dollars spent on the war in Iraq. Perhaps it would reveal the true extent of Halliburton's greed. Perhaps it would reveal how deeply we've been gouged. Perhaps it would expose the massive war profiteering and money mismanagement that has taken place under the rule of this administration, circumstances also known as: "How America has been robbed blind by a bevy of white collared bandits."
No, no. We can't make those accusations. We can't hold the people who are running our country accountable for what happens to it while it lies in their greedy hands! That's not fair! Apparently, in Washington, if you even try to take a stand against misconduct and ethical decay, you are shunned quicker than an Amish girl who's been impregnated by a city boy. But these politicians are fuckin rotten, my friends. Rotten to the core. And I just don't know what to do about it. It all seems so far beyond our control...Our fate is in the hands of very untrustworthy people.
Posted by Maria at April 21, 2005 07:58 PMAmen!
Posted by: Cupie at April 21, 2005 10:15 PMThat came out with a vengeance!
Posted by: Maria at April 21, 2005 10:59 PMYou don't bring a sack lunch to work?
There is nothing that surprises me nor even bothers me much about this administration or the government in general. I fully expect them to act like this. What I am bothered by is the fact that munge heads keep voting these scumbags into office.
Posted by: Pico at April 22, 2005 03:39 PMDarcie, no, I rarely take a sack lunch to work except once in a blue moon. I often bring breakfast to work so that I make sure I get that first meal of the day, since I try to wait until after two so that I can get the building discount at the deli downstairs. It's bad though. I need to be more vigilant about bringing my lunch. Since we moved to the new office things are so much more expensive. I used to eat my four dollar salad everyday. Damnit I miss that salad.
Pico, I agree. The most bothersome thing of all is how little people seem to care about what's going on. I was at an Earth day fair the other day and I saw these guys in suits walking by to curiously investigate, only to then proclaim, "oooh. It's all just a bunch of liberal shit." That made me really sad; that caring about the environment is just "liberal shit." I'm really disgusted with how more and more conservative I see people becoming everyday...it's frightening.
Posted by: Maria at April 23, 2005 11:56 PM"It's a nice little deal, the way things work in the U.S. for those who are in a position to earn and spend. It's not so nice for those who aren't. And the way that I see Bush's policies, they give a hand to those who are already in the position to earn, spend and successfully invest, while crippling those who are already crippled."
Bravo!
Capitalism is a two edged sword, as you have just described in terms. Although it's not just Bush, Inc. that have always had the winning cards in their hand. It could very well be every American that is forced to pay taxes and support the capitalist society for which we have all grown accustomed and accept. The beginning of our country wasn't born from such ideals, yet rebelled against such tyranny, regulations and currency at the beginning. Blinding to the public our country has since been mapped out over the many years, and from the secret planning of the rich/elite which capitalism survives/strives, the working class "gets by" and the poor die (Class wars have long been deminished - remember?). Along with many other millions of other world citizens & economies that suffer as the result of elitism and the capitalist agenda that every single American can't do without. Capitalism equals greed no matter how you slice it and unfortunatly for us all (as human beings), there is no getting around it now. So the next time you see a homeless citizen take a piss on the sidewalk or sleep with a cardboard blanket, think how capitalism helps them and yourself.
Maybe the next time you are wrapped around your warm blanket inside your house/apartment, you'll think of them and know that capitalism is hard at work for the masses around the world.
Posted by: dementia at April 26, 2005 05:16 AMPico & All,
How could you "fully expect them to act like this" and sit back and watch in your comfortable lazyboy? World War III (war on terrorism IS an ENDLESS war) has started and no one gives a shit or really realizes or even cares. It's sad really.
Is it just me? Or should I just sit back and watch death around the globe like every other programmed person in the western hemisphere?
Just nuke the fecking world because we're all apathetic drones with meaningless lives and care not about exsistence on Earth. Although, life on Mars is pretty interesting.
In other enlightenments, if you want to see what the media won't show you about the "war on terrorism" and really see the world from your lazyboy, keep your eye on this:
http://ogrish.com
Posted by: dementia at April 26, 2005 05:40 AMDementia,
I can sit back because I fully have lost just about all of my trust in humanity-at-large. Espeically in my fellow Americans. No matter how many energy as an individual that I put into caring about an issue, if the majority of people don't care, than there is nothing I can do about it. I could get pissed off, but I refuse to live my life in that frame of mind anymore. So now, I just put my head down and shake it when I see these millions of morons who allow our government to skip accountability day in and day out and continue to wreck havoc over the rest of the world. The United States will fall just like the Roman Empire did. Just like the Ottoman Empire did and just like the British Empire did. We are just as arrogant if not more arrogant, than all of those empires combined. The fall will be harder, but time and life will go on. A new form of economy and government will be born ou of it. Hopefully, next time, we will get it right. Instead of hording wealth, we will learn to advance and better humankind rather than hone our skills and knowledge of science to create the technology to kill en masse, other humans.
Posted by: Pico at April 26, 2005 11:02 AMDementia, it's not just you. The world is a horrifying place. But I don't think the most productive thing is to allow ourselves to be consumed by the idea that life is ugly, just because our very own existence is taking place in a minute corner of the world, tucked into our own unique circumstances amidst a civilization that is essentially a hell realm. It sounds like you are very distressed. Trust me, I'm distressed too. I do what I can and maybe I could do more, but you are definitely not the only one who sees that the human condition is an agonizing one. For me, it's one I can barely touch. For people in other parts of this city and other parts of this world, it's something they can't find a way to extricate themselves from. I wish I had the faith of St. Francis of Assisi or Ghandi, faith that would guide me in renouncing my own needs in a quest to help others who are suffering. But, regrettably, I am not that selfless. We cannot stop ALL of the suffering in this world. But we can do a lot as individuals to help some who are suffering and to fight tyranny. The most we can do is care and sieze on opportunities to make a positive difference. But those who have peace and prosperity can't beat up on themselves for being fortunate enough not to have been born into a tragic existence. What those people can do is earn it honestly, be compassionate, try to make a difference where they can and not vote for assholes like Bush...
You're right, I can only see much of the suffering in the world from my sofa (I don't own a Lay-Z-Boy, sorry! ;o), or if I leave my house and walk to the subway station. I really only have to go a half a block to see someone suffering from homelessness, hunger and/or drug addiction. But this war is so far away in the minds of most Americans. We just can't fathom the suffering that's going on in Iraq and other parts of the world where people are tortured and dying everyday. Some of us care enough to contemplate it and what we can do about it, while some of us block it out altogether. I think the desensitization of Americans by the media is a huge problem.
I don't watch much news on tv because it just makes me feel super hostile. I feel hostile when I read the newspaper too, but it's easier for me to digest the news when it's not being broadcast by some actor on television who appears to be talking to me like I'm a complete moron and doesn't want to tell me anything worth knowing.
If you perused my archives, you would find that I care a lot. My parents care a lot. My siblings care a lot. My dad and I were talking just the other day and we said "hey! That's five people! Five is better than one, any day." If you know five other people who think like you do and see the world like you do, then you have a team. And that's what we need against these assholes who are tearing apart the fabric of civilization with their greed and aggression. We need a serious team.
Posted by: Maria at April 26, 2005 11:37 AMPico, I have to disagree that the thing to do is hang your head. You should always hold your head high and fight with honor. Just using your freedom of speech to speak out against the bullshit that is going down, is fighting with some honor. You do not need a majority to be a voice of reason in a mad world. I always like to think of people who made a difference in the world, just by being one, incredibly powerful voice. People like Martin Luther King, Jr. People like Rosa Parks. The times when one incredibly powerful voice can make a difference are not gone. We have to keep striving for that. You can not ever expect things to improve if you claim defeat. Nothing has ever been accomplished by a person who gave up.
Posted by: Maria at April 26, 2005 11:46 AM"No matter how many energy as an individual that I put into caring about an issue, if the majority of people don't care, than there is nothing I can do about it".
It is not a matter of energy, it's a matter of ehtics my friend. Most American's don't know tooth from nail, but people like yourself and I might have a head on our shoulder's, because we question such things. Ethics are a serious subject that most American's have no clue about.
"but I refuse to live my life in that frame of mind anymore".
Is there some reason why you have decided to give up on humanity? As an individual? A friend of mine felt the same way, and suffocated himself to death with his own car. In my view, war, politics & religion is a FARCE. In my opinion it has been planned and mapped out, yet as an independent human being, your primitive motives compel a much broader aspect than apathy. Apathy is a taught/learned behaviour? Or is it human nature - you yourself decide? As a human citizen, this map that they have created for the future needs to be destroyed at any cost.
As an "indiviual" how can you just stand by and let war, rape & genocide happen again (and again) within the mask of religion & politics without saying your voice? I forgot, you relax in your numbed state of lazyboy...
No matter where you are from, or what race you belong (for which they created), this elite power will crush individuality, free thinking and the like. I've seen it first hand in small communities and big cities!
But to act as if ignorance is bliss, IS the worst kind of blatent ignorance & acceptence THEY want and need!
It is the voice of the people and actions that will set us free from now on. As long as we can...
Read. And then read somemore.
We are all citizens of this Earth. Those in power don't see it that way and never will. Rebel.
Maria, Pico & the lot...
I agree with your words, yet I have my knowledge just as you do.
I am merely trying to open minds to free thought. I did not want to create havoc. So I apologize if it ever came down to it or would in the future.
I just want the human people to think freely and openly without restriction, aggression or oppression.
People, opinions, individuality, positivity, thought, ideas, etc. etc. Can never be restricted or censored at any cost. Remember!
Posted by: dementia at April 28, 2005 05:12 AMBTW, I am an American.
Posted by: dementia at April 28, 2005 05:18 AM"We are just as arrogant if not more arrogant, than all of those empires combined. The fall will be harder, but time and life will go on. A new form of economy and government will be born ou of it. Hopefully, next time, we will get it right. Instead of hording wealth, we will learn to advance and better humankind rather than hone our skills and knowledge of science to create the technology to kill en masse, other humans."
In doctrine, that is bascially the truth. A man-made book tells us what to do? Yet why should we (as human beings) sit back and let this happen? Do you actually believe this forced doctrine as truth? Do you actually believe in the Bible, which man created, set you free at the end of days?
Who is to really tell you the truth about the twin towers collapse? Then at the same time, say that Moses split the seas? Where is heaven or hell?
Not one human being knows the exact truth.
Posted by: dementia at April 28, 2005 05:31 AMdementia, the only thing that's bothering me about what you're saying is the way that you're saying it: with an air of superiority. I agree that it would be ideal if Americans on the whole would start thinking more freely. You and Pico are both right in implying that many Americans are asleep. But at least a quarter of us are awake, and another quarter want to be awake, but have a hard time shaking off all the brainwashing. I tend to believe that the other half have completely surrendered to the brainwashing and have no awareness of their brainless-useless-ness. However, dementia, that is not who you are dealing with here.
I think it's slightly presumptuous to assume that those who you're addressing, "[Me], Pico and the lot," are somehow less enlightened then you on these subjects and that it is your ordained duty to clue us in on this thing that you alone have discovered, this thing called "compassion, humanity and rebellion against tyranny." I beg you to dismount the high horse and join us here on the level, rather than addressing us as this group who you have come to annoint with your superior knowledge. As I said, please review my archives before you address ME in that way. I have pride in one thing, and that is my ability to think for myself which came from being born and raised by a pair of radical and ingenious free thinkers. Likewise, your comments where you snearingly refer to lay-z-boys betray a lack of respect for people that you don't know beyond this comment thread and don't really have a right to judge. For such a "free thinker," you are certainly a victim of cliches and not at all afraid to make snap judgments about others!
Attitude goes a long way. Your ideas are palatable, but the tone...not so much. Best to come correct when you really don't know the people that you're talking to.
Posted by: Maria at April 28, 2005 12:09 PM"I can sit back because I fully have lost just about all of my trust in humanity-at-large. Espeically in my fellow Americans." Sorry for the inconvenience and the lazy-boy remark, yet I am the victim of cliches?
Maria, by no means was I speaking from upon a higher horse nor within any air of superiority and I apologize if my demeanor of text came across as such. I agree that 'most' people are "asleep" and cannot (will not) recognize what is happening right before their very eyes. Or worse, could care less and sit back and watch. I just find it very sad and hopeless, which is something that is in dire need to be addressed. Yet.
Those at the feeding table are still only those who can afford to be at the table.
And with "Pico & the lot" statement(s), "I agree with your words, yet I have my knowledge just as you do. I am merely trying to open minds to free thought. I did not want to create havoc. So I apologize if it ever came down to it or would in the future." From what I've read I know you and your users are of a sect, yet the rest was meant as an affirmant to the rest of the world at large along with the users & visitors here and abroad.
I agree with all who have commented, which is why I joined in on the issue at hand within this thread on many levels, yet we all have our differences and beliefs.
One thing that we can all agree on is peace, love and happiness.
Posted by: dementia at May 3, 2005 04:01 AMHello, very nice page, keep on. Greetings from C.A..
Posted by: Cathy at June 1, 2005 06:28 PM