The battle is now.
It had been brewing with every Tea party, every GOP fundraiser, and every billionaire backed think tank spin job that culminated in the Republicans’ fiction-fueled takeover of the House.
President Obama has stretched his politically sensitive neck rightward in conciliation. In swift order he deftly diverted any hint of blame for the Arizona massacre on right wing fervor, he wooed, even wowed, big business at the US Chamber of Commerce. He even went so far as to sacrifice the poor (proposing to cut $2.5 billion from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) on the altar of bi-partisan compromise.
All to no avail.
It is time for him to straighten up and fly left-- fast, hard and unyieldingly left, until we center our course in the manner of Dwight David Eisenhower, the last great Republican president, who heartily embraced government’s role in creating the vaunted--yet now quickly shrinking-- American middle class.
Job-killing Republicans have drawn a sophomoric line in the sand, calling for $60 billion in spending cuts over the next 7 months that would destroy 600,000 jobs, crush poor and middle class Americans and gut regulatory oversight. Not only would they defund protection of our air, land and water by thwarting the EPA, incredibly—but not surprisingly given that they are bought and paid for by Wall Street—they would cut the Security and Exchange Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Commodity Future Trading Commission, the very agencies responsible for protecting us from the runaway greed and corruption that caused our recent economic collapse.
President Obama must not budge, not one nickel should be cut from programs for those most in need. Agencies that protect our welfare must be sufficiently funded. Job training, health care, housing, legal aid, global hunger relief, renewable energy, and National Public Radio must all be preserved, if not strengthened.
There can be no compromise on any of this. If this means a government shutdown—and no social security check for mom, or unemployment for cousin Bob, or tuition for sis, or surgery for Aunt Millie, or food for millions who depend on food stamps—then, in the words of Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner, “so be it.”
It is time to bring this conflict to a head. Enough with Republicans’ bogus concern for deficits. They had not a whit of concern in running a Clinton surplus into a historic multi-trillion dollar deficit when Bush was president and they controlled both houses of Congress. The spending over the last two years was essential to prevent an even worse Depression after a collapse that had it roots in the corruption -laden policies of the Republicans while they were running up the deficit.
They may truly believe that their way—i.e. passive government, extreme wealth concentration at the top, anything goes for the powerful—is what is best for America. But history has utterly disproven that premise beginning with the 1929 crash and ensuing Depression and our recent turmoil, again brought on by Republican incentivized greed and corruption combined with government de-regulation.
That Americans not in the top tax brackets seem so willing to return power to Republicans, who crashed their economy, slashed their wealth and smashed their world standing, is a cry for leadership. Instead of aiding and abetting their fraud, President Obama must with every speech, every meeting and every appearance teach the fact-based truths of history. Better that we learn from our past, than suffer anew the retched realities of wayward Republicanism.
Richard Dawahare 2/25/11
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Frankfort Infested with E-COAL-I!
There’s an E-Coal-I outbreak in Frankfort! The power brokers for the profit seekers in the EYE, COAL and usurious INTEREST industries have infested state government. Power Brokers “A” are those wanting favorable legislation and who therefore employ legions of lobbyists and lavish generous dollars to Power Brokers “B”, the legislators with the power to write the laws the way “A” wants them. Unfortunately too many legislators take the money and give their allegiance more to industry-donors than to the constituency they are supposed to represent: we, the people and the land on which we live. They are to do all they can to protect and promote the “common wealth” of our Commonwealth.
Collectively, the current mechanizations of the optometry, coal and payday lending lobbies provide a textbook example of the failures of our current political system, both here and in Washington, a failure which is and has been destroying our democracy and in the long term will destroy our nation.
It is not that there are two sides to each story, there are. Yet it is our legislators’ job to look at the facts, and weigh all the consequences, pro and con, of action or as the case may be, inaction. They are to do their own research and not just take what the big money lobbyists throw at them. They then must study issues coldly and objectively—like James Bond—then do what is best for the people and the greater public interest. They are, in short, supposed to lead and to do so in a way that reflects our highest values, chief among them truth, justice, compassion, and the Golden Rule.
But too often, and on these three issues, they have fallen short:
The OPTOMETRISTS:
The problem here is that Frankfort is rushing through the agenda desired and paid for by the Kentucky Optometric Association, which made more than $400,000 in contributions to the campaigns of 137 out of 138 legislatures and to Governor Beshear’s re-election campaign. The optometrists want to be allowed to perform certain surgical procedures and prescribe drugs, arguing that it will provide better service, particularly to rural patients who have less access to ophthalmologists. On the merits the half of the equation allowing for the prescription of certain medications seems appropriate—Kentucky is one of few states that does not allow it.
However, the provision allowing surgery—no matter how limited—is inappropriate and downright dangerous. The current accreditation system that has served us well insures that those who wield a knife or laser on our bodies are doctors who have undergone the requisite training and board certification. This time honored system should not be discarded lightly, if a t all. Indeed most states do not allow optometrists to do such surgeries.
Yet the bill has breezed through the House Licenses and Occupation Committee and will get a full House vote on Friday. You can be 100% sure that had those donations not been made there would be no movement at all on this matter, which is certainly not at the top of the list of items the legislature could and should be addressing on the people’s behalf.
COAL:
I get that coal is important—indeed I owe my life to it (my grandparents would not have immigrated to Eastern Kentucky if not for the coal boom in the late 19th/early 20thcentury). But mountaintop removal, unsafe mining practices and operations that run afoul of federal law must be stopped. The coal barons have had their way forever, now finally the Obama administration is re-asserting the federal government’s rightful regulatory role, which governor Beshear is doing all he can to obstruct.
Additionally, two bills have been submitted that have no chance of succeeding and if passed will only result in potentially millions in legal fees. Both seek to prohibit the federal government from enforcing its laws in the Kentucky. House Bill 421 exempts coal mining from the federal Clean Water Act and other EPA regulation if the coal is used inside Kentucky and does not cross state lines (but 20% of mine sediment goes into rivers that flows outside Kentucky which makes all mining subject to federal regulation) and Senate Joint Resolution 99, which declares that Kentucky should be a "sanctuary state" for the coal industry, free from "the overreaching regulatory power" of the EPA.
We fought the civil war to establish for ALL TIME the Constitutional principle of federal supremacy, and thank God for it, so that we are protected from the excesses of self-proclaimed fiefdoms who want nothing more than to do what they want the way they want to do it. Kentucky legislators who try to turn the clock back and who want to de-regulate the most hazardous industry around are violating their public trust.
PAYDAY LENDERS
Unbelievably HB 182, which would have capped yearly interest rates on pay day lenders at 36%, died in the House Banking and Insurance Committee. Those voting against the bill say that many poor people have no other access to emergency funds and that the payday industry employs 2000 people.
However, these lenders now charge what amounts to 400% annual interest. This is truly unconscionable and simply unbelievable in a supposedly “Bible Belt” state that is surely aware of the famous ancient screeds against usury. With interest rates as low as they are now, I would say 36% is approaching usury much less 400%. There is no justification for it whatsoever and the fact that our legislature lets it continue is an outrage.
The problem here, again, is twofold. The first is the undue influence of contributions from the industry. The second and perhaps more lethal problem is the failure of lawmakers to follow those high values of a just and righteous society.
Values matter. Individually, they are the indispensible guideposts to living a just, meaningful and rewarding life. On a societal level high values are the keystone upon which strong, equitable societies are built and are sustained. Every step away from these values chinks the foundation of our democracy, and thereby weakens it. If we fail to do justice, if we fail to follow truth, and if we fail to legislate with mercy, compassion and love (the Golden Rule) we imperil our future.
Richard F. Dawahare 2/19/11
Collectively, the current mechanizations of the optometry, coal and payday lending lobbies provide a textbook example of the failures of our current political system, both here and in Washington, a failure which is and has been destroying our democracy and in the long term will destroy our nation.
It is not that there are two sides to each story, there are. Yet it is our legislators’ job to look at the facts, and weigh all the consequences, pro and con, of action or as the case may be, inaction. They are to do their own research and not just take what the big money lobbyists throw at them. They then must study issues coldly and objectively—like James Bond—then do what is best for the people and the greater public interest. They are, in short, supposed to lead and to do so in a way that reflects our highest values, chief among them truth, justice, compassion, and the Golden Rule.
But too often, and on these three issues, they have fallen short:
The OPTOMETRISTS:
The problem here is that Frankfort is rushing through the agenda desired and paid for by the Kentucky Optometric Association, which made more than $400,000 in contributions to the campaigns of 137 out of 138 legislatures and to Governor Beshear’s re-election campaign. The optometrists want to be allowed to perform certain surgical procedures and prescribe drugs, arguing that it will provide better service, particularly to rural patients who have less access to ophthalmologists. On the merits the half of the equation allowing for the prescription of certain medications seems appropriate—Kentucky is one of few states that does not allow it.
However, the provision allowing surgery—no matter how limited—is inappropriate and downright dangerous. The current accreditation system that has served us well insures that those who wield a knife or laser on our bodies are doctors who have undergone the requisite training and board certification. This time honored system should not be discarded lightly, if a t all. Indeed most states do not allow optometrists to do such surgeries.
Yet the bill has breezed through the House Licenses and Occupation Committee and will get a full House vote on Friday. You can be 100% sure that had those donations not been made there would be no movement at all on this matter, which is certainly not at the top of the list of items the legislature could and should be addressing on the people’s behalf.
COAL:
I get that coal is important—indeed I owe my life to it (my grandparents would not have immigrated to Eastern Kentucky if not for the coal boom in the late 19th/early 20thcentury). But mountaintop removal, unsafe mining practices and operations that run afoul of federal law must be stopped. The coal barons have had their way forever, now finally the Obama administration is re-asserting the federal government’s rightful regulatory role, which governor Beshear is doing all he can to obstruct.
Additionally, two bills have been submitted that have no chance of succeeding and if passed will only result in potentially millions in legal fees. Both seek to prohibit the federal government from enforcing its laws in the Kentucky. House Bill 421 exempts coal mining from the federal Clean Water Act and other EPA regulation if the coal is used inside Kentucky and does not cross state lines (but 20% of mine sediment goes into rivers that flows outside Kentucky which makes all mining subject to federal regulation) and Senate Joint Resolution 99, which declares that Kentucky should be a "sanctuary state" for the coal industry, free from "the overreaching regulatory power" of the EPA.
We fought the civil war to establish for ALL TIME the Constitutional principle of federal supremacy, and thank God for it, so that we are protected from the excesses of self-proclaimed fiefdoms who want nothing more than to do what they want the way they want to do it. Kentucky legislators who try to turn the clock back and who want to de-regulate the most hazardous industry around are violating their public trust.
PAYDAY LENDERS
Unbelievably HB 182, which would have capped yearly interest rates on pay day lenders at 36%, died in the House Banking and Insurance Committee. Those voting against the bill say that many poor people have no other access to emergency funds and that the payday industry employs 2000 people.
However, these lenders now charge what amounts to 400% annual interest. This is truly unconscionable and simply unbelievable in a supposedly “Bible Belt” state that is surely aware of the famous ancient screeds against usury. With interest rates as low as they are now, I would say 36% is approaching usury much less 400%. There is no justification for it whatsoever and the fact that our legislature lets it continue is an outrage.
The problem here, again, is twofold. The first is the undue influence of contributions from the industry. The second and perhaps more lethal problem is the failure of lawmakers to follow those high values of a just and righteous society.
Values matter. Individually, they are the indispensible guideposts to living a just, meaningful and rewarding life. On a societal level high values are the keystone upon which strong, equitable societies are built and are sustained. Every step away from these values chinks the foundation of our democracy, and thereby weakens it. If we fail to do justice, if we fail to follow truth, and if we fail to legislate with mercy, compassion and love (the Golden Rule) we imperil our future.
Richard F. Dawahare 2/19/11
Friday, February 11, 2011
The greatest democratic event in my lifetime
The Egyptian revolution that finally culminated in today’s historic resignation of President Hosni Mubarak’s is the world’s most hopeful event since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Gandhi must be crying tears of joy, right along with Washington, Adams and Jefferson (throw in Jacques Rousseau and John Locke as well).
Egyptians of all stripes (except the top 1% or so who enjoyed the riches and spoils of being a Mubarak crony) followed the lead of young, educated and heretofore hopeless Egyptians to demand a change, to demand a voice in their own governance.
It was righteous, it was peaceful, it was respectful, it was relentless and as a result it was successful.
For the first time EVER, one of the world’s oldest civilizations is on the cusp of democratic self-government. The people have always been lorded over by Pharaohs and foreigners. For over 400 years they were captive to the Ottoman sultanates, then the British from 1914 to 1952, and finally by their own home grown dictators, beginning with Gamal Nassar and ending with Mubarak.
For now, it is time to rejoice. We can forget for the moment whether a real democracy will arise, whether the military will support it and most importantly, whether the people will ultimately see the improvement in actual life prospects that fueled their courageous stand for change.
Let us look at the many reasons for celebration:
1) This was peaceful—the violence only coming when Mubarak’s hired hands tried to derail the protests.
2) This was not a fundamentalist/extremist fueled movement. No, it was instead the cries of a peoples who have lived in a virtual prison ever since Mubarak took power, subject to constant martial law, arrest for no reason, a government totally unresponsive to their needs, with wealth evermore concentrated in the hands of the corrupt few. They had no hope, no future and no justice and wanted only what we enjoy here—which today’s technology makes apparent to them on a 24/7 basis.
3) The movement had nothing to do with Israel. Indeed there were no anti-Israeli protests. There is no reason to believe that continued peaceful relations won’t continue (however, they will certainly be more likely to seek true justice for the Palestinians).
4) The military was superb, letting the demonstrations unfold without instigating violence, without impeding them, and often helping them with overt acts of kindness.
5) President Obama quickly and rightly called for peaceful and meaningful change, surely and squarely siding with the Egyptian democracy seekers, which surely helped make this historic event happen.
You want to know the kicker: This unbelievably Nirvanic event happened 21 years to the day that Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Freedom is our fate.
God (Allah) is great!
Richard F. Dawahare 2/11/11
Egyptians of all stripes (except the top 1% or so who enjoyed the riches and spoils of being a Mubarak crony) followed the lead of young, educated and heretofore hopeless Egyptians to demand a change, to demand a voice in their own governance.
It was righteous, it was peaceful, it was respectful, it was relentless and as a result it was successful.
For the first time EVER, one of the world’s oldest civilizations is on the cusp of democratic self-government. The people have always been lorded over by Pharaohs and foreigners. For over 400 years they were captive to the Ottoman sultanates, then the British from 1914 to 1952, and finally by their own home grown dictators, beginning with Gamal Nassar and ending with Mubarak.
For now, it is time to rejoice. We can forget for the moment whether a real democracy will arise, whether the military will support it and most importantly, whether the people will ultimately see the improvement in actual life prospects that fueled their courageous stand for change.
Let us look at the many reasons for celebration:
1) This was peaceful—the violence only coming when Mubarak’s hired hands tried to derail the protests.
2) This was not a fundamentalist/extremist fueled movement. No, it was instead the cries of a peoples who have lived in a virtual prison ever since Mubarak took power, subject to constant martial law, arrest for no reason, a government totally unresponsive to their needs, with wealth evermore concentrated in the hands of the corrupt few. They had no hope, no future and no justice and wanted only what we enjoy here—which today’s technology makes apparent to them on a 24/7 basis.
3) The movement had nothing to do with Israel. Indeed there were no anti-Israeli protests. There is no reason to believe that continued peaceful relations won’t continue (however, they will certainly be more likely to seek true justice for the Palestinians).
4) The military was superb, letting the demonstrations unfold without instigating violence, without impeding them, and often helping them with overt acts of kindness.
5) President Obama quickly and rightly called for peaceful and meaningful change, surely and squarely siding with the Egyptian democracy seekers, which surely helped make this historic event happen.
You want to know the kicker: This unbelievably Nirvanic event happened 21 years to the day that Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Freedom is our fate.
God (Allah) is great!
Richard F. Dawahare 2/11/11
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Power of Empathy
Republican Senate President David Williams did something that runs directly counter to his conservative core: he spoke in favor of a statewide smoking ban. “Having set with my father and heard his last gasp because he was a 30 year smoker…I don’t think second smoking and smoking is a joke, it is a workplace (safety) issue…” Senator Williams said at the Kentucky Press Association gubernatorial candidate forum.
Diehard conservative ideologues are fuming, yet Mr. Williams’ own experience with his father undoubtedly opened his heart to the toll of tobacco addiction and by extension the harm to others through secondhand smoke. Mr. Williams’ direct exposure to suffering arouses within him the desire to put the welfare of people ahead of rigid ideology.
Most importantly, the cause (banning smoking in public places) would be no less worthy had Senator Williams not had this exposure. If his father had never smoked it is quite possible that Williams would have joined his conservative brethren in opposing the use of government in this way, putting the ideology of small, limited government ahead of the public interest. The cause would remain as just and necessary as it is now, but without his support. Instead, his empathy enables him to see the folly of inaction.
Such is the power of empathy. We see over and over again the progress in our world borne of simple human empathy. FDR’s polio humbled and sensitized him to the sufferings of all humans, no matter the source. It made him see that collective action through the United States government could improve the lives of the aged, the infirm, the disabled and the unemployed—the poor in body, mind and spirit.
Dick Cheney’s having a lesbian daughter surely inspires his support for gay marriage. Closer to home, my good friend Mike Digiuro, father of slain UK player Trent Digiuro, may be conservative politically, but it his personal tragedy that enlightens his understanding of the need to take guns used in crimes off the street.
Empathy, the figurative “putting ourselves in the shoes of another” leads to more understanding and takes us closer to truth. That truth helps dispel the fears and falsities of our previously hard held ideals and leads to progress, not only for ourselves, but when experienced on a universal scale, for the world as a whole.
This begs two further questions. First, on what other issues might we adjust our viewpoint based on personal experience? Perhaps we know a good friend who, try as they might, cannot get a job and whose unemployment benefits expired. Might we then ask Congress to extend them? Maybe you lose your health insurance and suffer an illness for which you can’t get treatment. Surely then the wisdom of a single payer, universal health care system to replace the for-profit private insurance middle man would come shining through.
And maybe as you toured Egypt you met a commoner yearning to be free from the tyranny of a dictatorship kept in power by the country you call home. Might you feel at least a little uneasy about American policies that sometimes contradict our own foundational values of freedom and democracy?
The second question is this: why must any of us wait for a personal experience? Why not, in the interest of reaching a higher truth and a better understanding, force ourselves to imagine being in the opposite position? No matter the issue, would we not come nearer the truth and thus do more justice by actively imagining ourselves as “the other?”
Feel the suffering. Then see the relief that a people united in truth, and with faith in its values, can bring. David Williams did and we may all breathe easier because of it.
Richard F. Dawahare 2/10/11
Diehard conservative ideologues are fuming, yet Mr. Williams’ own experience with his father undoubtedly opened his heart to the toll of tobacco addiction and by extension the harm to others through secondhand smoke. Mr. Williams’ direct exposure to suffering arouses within him the desire to put the welfare of people ahead of rigid ideology.
Most importantly, the cause (banning smoking in public places) would be no less worthy had Senator Williams not had this exposure. If his father had never smoked it is quite possible that Williams would have joined his conservative brethren in opposing the use of government in this way, putting the ideology of small, limited government ahead of the public interest. The cause would remain as just and necessary as it is now, but without his support. Instead, his empathy enables him to see the folly of inaction.
Such is the power of empathy. We see over and over again the progress in our world borne of simple human empathy. FDR’s polio humbled and sensitized him to the sufferings of all humans, no matter the source. It made him see that collective action through the United States government could improve the lives of the aged, the infirm, the disabled and the unemployed—the poor in body, mind and spirit.
Dick Cheney’s having a lesbian daughter surely inspires his support for gay marriage. Closer to home, my good friend Mike Digiuro, father of slain UK player Trent Digiuro, may be conservative politically, but it his personal tragedy that enlightens his understanding of the need to take guns used in crimes off the street.
Empathy, the figurative “putting ourselves in the shoes of another” leads to more understanding and takes us closer to truth. That truth helps dispel the fears and falsities of our previously hard held ideals and leads to progress, not only for ourselves, but when experienced on a universal scale, for the world as a whole.
This begs two further questions. First, on what other issues might we adjust our viewpoint based on personal experience? Perhaps we know a good friend who, try as they might, cannot get a job and whose unemployment benefits expired. Might we then ask Congress to extend them? Maybe you lose your health insurance and suffer an illness for which you can’t get treatment. Surely then the wisdom of a single payer, universal health care system to replace the for-profit private insurance middle man would come shining through.
And maybe as you toured Egypt you met a commoner yearning to be free from the tyranny of a dictatorship kept in power by the country you call home. Might you feel at least a little uneasy about American policies that sometimes contradict our own foundational values of freedom and democracy?
The second question is this: why must any of us wait for a personal experience? Why not, in the interest of reaching a higher truth and a better understanding, force ourselves to imagine being in the opposite position? No matter the issue, would we not come nearer the truth and thus do more justice by actively imagining ourselves as “the other?”
Feel the suffering. Then see the relief that a people united in truth, and with faith in its values, can bring. David Williams did and we may all breathe easier because of it.
Richard F. Dawahare 2/10/11
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