Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Discussion of the “Ownership Society”

I'm writing to express deep concerns about the direction our nation is headed, and to discuss President Bush's proposed "Ownership Society". I write with all do respect to our nation's leader, President George W. Bush.

The major obstacles impeding America’s system of democracy and capitalism from leading the world is its great disparity of wealth between the poor, working families, and the rich. Policy that bridge these gaps must be applied before the United States can not only lead militarily, but also economically. In addition we must adhere to policies that can be admired international.

What about those in our society that do not own anything? What about those that do not have the resources to own a home, business, health insurance, or a retirement plan. What about those that are not concerned with ownership, but with living, with simply surviving? The United States of America has millions of people in this “society”. They are too the President's constituents, and the presidency and its powers are not simply subject to the agendas of the Republican nor Democratic Parties. President Bush and Congress should make efforts to elevate ALL Americans to a point in which they can participate in this “Ownership Society”? If this is not their collective goal, then they are neglect to their duty to the American people.

There are two directions our country can move: forward or backward. The nation’s economic prosperity cannot progress if a segment of the population’s economic stability is not merely stagnant, but moving backwards. The measures implemented in 2000 which will continue passed 2009 that increased the financial foundation for the rich, and corporate America are over weighted favoring the already wealthy. They also show a lack of responsibility to and planning for domestic policy. These measures such as tax breaks during a recession, high unemployment, wars, and a sky rocketing national deficit show ignorance and an utter lack of compassion on crucial real & pressing money snatching matters affecting the majority of American citizens. The publics apathy and misseducation on these multiplicity of issues is expected, but it is the job of the White House and Congress to give them due attention. "Conservatives" overwhelmingly winning elections though out the nation is not a mandate endorsing a neglect to the responsibility to the pure national good.

Health Care is neither affordable, or accessible. In my opinion Health Care must be gradually converted into a public good. Only after this problem is solved do I believe the public will support efforts to re shape Social Security. How can we in good conscience allow for a corporation to gain at the expense of someone's life and livelihood? There is simply no reason that healthcare should cost what it does, prices are artificially inflated and must be readjusted and regulated. Health Care is not similar to making a bad financial decision. In most occasions health problems are matters out of our control. Yes, there should be room for profit, but also fair to the public. For Example: Most health plans are capped at $100,000. A major surgery and hospital stay can far exceed this amount. This is one of many matters that should be regulated upon insurance companies. Health Care is a right and is in the interest of all Americans. Comprehensive Health Care is a necessity which must be made accessible and attainable to all Americans. The vested interest in insurance companies to earn profit instead of saving lives, and promoting a good quality of life is borderline criminal. And the neglect of the nation’s leaders to correct this problem is pure incompetence.

There are fewer jobs. An Ownership Society CANNOT exist with this condition. The country must be 1) prospering , 2) have low unemployment, 3) and have good paying jobs available (especially if President Bush's Social Security reforms are enacted).

President Bush calls for education and hard work , but he allows for financial assistance (Pell Grants) to be decreased. This is in direct contradiction to his proclaimed goal to create an "Ownership Society". I ask you Mr. President, what society do those that own nothing belong too? I ask you Mr. President to what society do those that have no resources to own a home, business, health insurance belong too? And when you respond as you already have that the key is for them to get an education, I ask you why have Pell grants not been increased? And after these people follow your words and get an education, and at that point in time they only own a $40,000 student loan, I ask you where are the jobs? The jobs that Americans want; I have only heard you concerned with low paying jobs for immigrants from countries like Mexico that Americans do not want to do.

President Bush's foreign policy has created a world turned against us, and anxious of our unjustified actions. Russia has reestablished vestiges of a dictatorship. Europe is competing and humiliated us in an economic and cultural struggle. China is unaffected by our sanctions. North Korea and Iran can be expected to make progress towards nuclear armament for only reason, our unjustified invasion and incompetent intelligence. We are criticizing and alienating the United Nations, an ally as committed as Great Britain, simply because they desired to what is procedurally correct, humanitarian, justifiable and credible. The same standards we should never negate. And do we forget this organization is housed in New York City, and that we serve on its Security Council.

We have seen ethical & moral deterioration within Congress and the White House. National policy under the Bush administration possesses an utter lack of respect for and disregard for universal human rights, military codes of ethics, and the policies of the Geneva Convention as indicative at Abu Grave & Guantanamo Bay Prisons. And also seen in House leaders changing rules of ethics to suit their self-interest and neglecting their duty to preserving the pure uncorrupt essence of American Democracy.

We are seeing a decrease in funding for social services while concurrently out of pocket expenses on all levels have increased. The average American citizen has less money and fewer savings.

The Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have drained the nation of resources and divided us ideologically. And now President Bush is requesting $80 Billion more to fund these wars. The justification for these wars has now been disproved and leaders from both parties allow for the White House to change its story and reasons for justification. The ends do not justify the means. President Bush claims to be a Christian, as I have been all my life. So I must ask where his compassion towards the poor in this country. Where is his compassion towards the workingmen, women, and families in our country? Where is his compassion to the human beings we imprison, allow to be “tortured” and assert they have no human rights. Where is his compassion to Innocent Iraqi citizens who are killed in their own homes because of our actions. In Iraq the death toll of civilians is 10 times greater than that of our soldiers and civilian contractors. Terrorism is growing exponentially and the White House, Department of State, Department of Defense, Congress, and the military forgets that a martyr is worth more than an American paycheck towards recruiting countless sympathizers to the causes against our nation. And this is simply the result of killing a true (“Muslim”) terrorist, what about the pure hatred created toward us because of the death of an innocent child. Do we forget that Christianity itself gets its strength from a martyr, in Jesus Christ? Where is your compassion for the streets of Afghanistan, dripping with heroin? And where is your faith towards the dead American soldiers who may have given their lives in vain? And where is there an increase in the area of domestic programs right here in America? And in what ways has President Bush's faith guiding and prevailed in these matters?

And the Recent Revelations in the Downing Street Memo/Minutes that British Prime Minister Tony Blair said was true, substantiating its claims that President George W. Bush knowingly fixed intelligence to promote the War in Iraq before September 11, 2001 brings heightened importance to my concerns..

This Ownership Society of President George W. Bush would leave millions of American citizens behind. The millions that are concerned with living, paying their bills, providing basic needs for their family and whom presently are not even capable of reaching his idea of "ownership". Those that have worked hard for and depend on Social Security. What will the White House and Congress do to decrease great economic disparities found in every segment of our nation? For example; clear economic disparities, cultural and structural restraints within the African American community? How can our nation’s leaders expect that the United States can prosper as whole if any segment is left behind. The working class will have no benefit from President Bush's plans of an “ownership society” and I predict these plans will further put our nation on a road to economic failure. For example: see the value of the dollar, see the trade deficit, see the national deficit, see the stock market, see the decrease in average household income, see the decline in average wages and salaries.

It is my hope that these issues will be brought to the forefront. That these plans for an "Ownership Society" will put forth aggressive programs to deal will economic disparities and enable all Americans willing and qualified to be able grasp the cornerstone to this “society“; an education. And with our nation's present economic situation I pray our nation’s leaders can assure that good paying jobs will be available, which is the foundation for this entire plan of an ownership society. However, this is only true if our President and government are sincere in their intentions and actions.

It is also my hope that we finally see an end to excuses, diverting the blame for mistakes and a renewed focus on the true needs of All Americans. The accountability for the state of our nation lies more with no one, but our President.

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death."
-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

-Anthony T. Brooks

Thursday, May 26, 2005

The U.S. Government is Playing Games with American Lives

The U.S. Government is Playing Games with American Lives

Until recently President George W. Bush and Congress were opposed to Stem Cell Research. This stance was taken simply to gain political support by good-hearted conservative citizens. How easily you conservatives are fooled and sell out your principles & integrity to corrupt political leaders. Now measures supporting Stem Cell Research have passed the House of Representatives. I didn’t know moral values could change so rapidly, from election cycle to election cycle according to Republicans.

Republicans also wanted to interfere in the matter of Terri Schaivo’s life. Which was a personal matter of the family, where government has no place.

And please don’t forget the disregard of President Bush and Congress for the lives of American soldiers lost in vain for this unjustified War in Iraq.

Monday, May 23, 2005

End the War in Iraq!

What About the Innocent Children?

“Why must we do to the people of Iraq, what Osama Bin Laden did to us?” Last week I saw another typical picture of a car bomb in Iraq. What disturbed me the most was the half dozen children standing around this recently exploded car. Can we not govern and bring order to this area as effectively as the Former Dictator Saddam Hussan? What we have done in Iraq is a shame. Bring our troops home, Now!

We do have a responsibility in Iraq. But at what cost of our continued mistakes. We are "fucking up terribly there.

We need an exit strategy that brings our troops home but still caries out our responsibility in Iraq. Maybe we should continue to provide financial support to efforts in Iraq and also support the U.N. to lead the efforts to form a Democratic Iraq.

I see this like you own a business and you have an employee that continues to make mistakes. You give them many chances, but they continue to mess up. At what point do you decide to let this employee go. When will the American people decide to separate ourselves from this disaster.

Also, on a personal note: I am Christian and we have a phrase we use in our churches referring to someone’s "blood being on your hands". As Americans how can WE sit back at let innocent people; children be killed. Their blood is on our hands

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Fix the Economy!!!

Fix the Economy of The United States of America before it Burst.

There is only one policy we should apply when addressing the possible economic disaster facing our country.

Balance the Budget.

Premise: We cannot begin to pay down the National Deficit before the Budget is balanced.

How? For the President and the Republican led Congress to stop abusing their power and responsibility over tax payer dollars in the National Budget & Tax Code, and to make a budget that is right & balanced for ALL Americans.

Plan and simple.


-Anthony Brooks

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Where is our Nation headed?

A Message to Christians & Our Churches.

What would Jesus do, lets say if he were the President of the United States of America? Would he carry out a similar agenda to that of President George W. Bush and the Republicans? The Bible says that Christians are a “peculiar people”. How dare we give our allegiance to anyone but our lord and savior, our allegiance certainly in my opinion does not belong to the Republican nor the Democratic parties.

Haven’t we made enough mistakes in Iraq. We were wrong for invading Iraq, we killed and are killing innocent Iraqi citizens. We are disrespecting their culture. Because President George W. Bush mislead us or is incompetent in the area of commanding a military the lives of thousands of our men and women have been and will continue to be lost. We have not captured or killed Osama Bin Laden, and why have we diverted resources from this true War on Terror? Why aren’t our troops properly trained on interacting with the people of Iraq and Afghanistan? Why are we not respecting their culture while we claim to be bringing them Democracy. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa should be leading the efforts in building Democracy in Iraq not President George W. Bush. Bush’s policy in his own words is “bring it on”. Nelson’s advise to our president is “democracy can not be forced, it must be home grown”. True words of wisdom from a truly great leader. Bring our troops home, Now!

President Bush has had success in only one area, which I support in the Faith Based Initiatives (FBCI). But my Christian brothers & sisters I believe some of us have been fooled. Republicans have crossed boundaries and taking advantage of our kindness, generosity, and frankly the financial needs of our churches. But the true Christian Church can not be bought. Those of you whose names were once written in the Lambs Book of Life may find it erased because you turned the other cheek while innocent lives across the globe are becoming casualties of war, and while domestic needs like jobs, homeland security, Social Security, & Health Care are being neglected at home. Please follow the Holy Spirit, the example of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of our God and not give the respect of these our sacred Trinity to a businessman and politician in George W. Bush, who may very well be the first fool.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Republicans are Fiscally Irresponsible.

Republicans are in fact not more fiscally responsible in government. This is a myth. Republicans are the party of deficit spending, and big government not Democrats. I have provide facts to support my claims. What is the contrast in my opinion:

Democratic policy yes probably would support mild raises in taxes to promote programs such as affordable and quality Health Care for people in all income levels or making budgetary decrease in areas like the Dept. of Defense to increase funding in other Domestic programs like more police officers on our streets.

Republican policy would decrease taxes unproportionally for people in upper income brackets and businesses, while increasing deficit spending in areas like Defense. It would cut and decrease funding for important not just controversial programs. It would increase the number of government employees in the military, pursue costly wars, and therefore the long term liabilities associated with these commitments. It would neglect domestic programs in the hope that private sector would fill the gaps.


Here is a recent quote from President Bush. It appears he is planning to push for another tax cut for the rich.

“We've also got to make sure that we continue to reduce regulation. I think an important -- I know an important initiative that we're going to be coming forth with here probably in the fall is tax reform. I was amazed by the report the other day that there is some $330 billion a year that goes unpaid by American taxpayers. It's a phenomenal amount of money. To me, it screams for making the tax system easier to understand, more fair and to make sure that people pay their taxes -- "more fair" means pay what you owe. - George W. Bush “http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20...20050428-9.html


The Republican led government is also neglecting a responsibility to provide adequate Health & Psychological care to soldiers and veterans. Below is a quote from a American Veterans.

“The Administration’s budget request, as well as the congressional Majority request submitted by both the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, provides virtually flat-line funding for veterans’ health care. The measures recommended by the Administration and congressional majority will force veterans out of the system. According to actual VA projections, 1.1 million enrolled veterans would be pushed out of the system due to the enrollment fee and new drug charges. -AMVETS”http://www.congress.org/congressorg/webret...alertid=7196841

Below are some highlights from the 2006 U.S. Budget
Defense Budget 419.3 Billion (41% Increase, China is 2nd at $30 Billion)
Iraq War 81.9 Billion per year
Health & Human Services (Medicaid, Medicare 10% Decrease) 67.2 Billion
Education $56 Billion
Homeland Security 34.2 Billion
Veteran Affairs 33.4 Billion

The Tax Cuts Cost us $120 Billion A Year
SSI Trust Fund will be Exhausted in 2041. Needed for Solvency $4 Trillion
Right Now the Deficit Is $600 Billion per year/ $8 Trillion Total

Do you still believe Republicans or at least President George W. Bush is pursuing fiscally responsible policy for the American people?

Monday, May 02, 2005

Official Proceedings to Impeach President George W. Bush

Republican President George W. Bush has destroyed the economic prosperity, deficit decreases, and the Social Security Surplus created by President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

And when President Bush says Democrats don’t have a plan for Social Security look at what Clinton did. Keep it simple, keep the program solvent, Social Security does not need to be complicated, corrupted nor put at risk in the private sector. I don’t even see how if Congress and the President are doing their jobs why this program is not self sustainable. Our country has $300 Billion for Wars that we are loosing and we can’t pay for Medicaid and Social Security! And why did we never have a gas problem with 8 years of Democratic President Clinton but now gas prices have doubled within one year of George Bush being reelected? How can we as Americans continue to allow for someone to lead us who out right lies. I saw Bush say last year that he did not want to privatize Social Security. Come on, something is wrong here. In addition this Government Led by Bush & Cheney wont even move to provide proper Health Care services for veterans and soldiers, do you believe they will do this for all Americans? Hell No. What are the Republicans doing with our money?

Who the heck says that Republicans are more fiscally responsible? That’s a bunch of B.S. Look at the facts: Bush has done nothing to address the national deficit. We're spending more on the Wars than on needed domestic programs. We can no longer afford the War on Terrorism because of the War in Iraq. In his first term Bush cut taxes for the rich, which reduced the amount of funds coming into the government. Now on April 29th 2005 Bush gave a press conference where he continued to push fiscally irresponsible Private Accounts and another tax cut for the rich.

I do think its time to begin an official process of impeaching our president, seriously.
If President Bush and Dick Cheney want to run our nation like a corporation, than so be it. Its time to change management.

Currently I know of 1 credible movement to remove President George W. Bush from office. Please let me know if you know of others. In my opinion impeachment efforts should be centralized. 100’s of fractured movements will make no progress.

Ramsey Clarke, Former U.S. Attorney General
http://www.votetoimpeach.org/

Even if you are a talking in tongues, tobacco chewing Republican cowboy you must come to the realization that enough is enough, George Bush is not pursuing an agenda that is good for our nation. If you have to work for a living you must be concerned with the direction our nation is headed. Put aside what party you belong too and do what’s right for our nation and your family. How much more can you and your family afford of these fiscally irresponsible policies? Judge a man by his actions, not his words. Bush talks the good talk but look at the agenda he is pushing. That’s all I have to say; I need more coffee.

Please take the time to write a letter and mail it to your Senator telling them you do not have confidence in President George W. Bush and would support measures to impeach him.

You can find contact information on your Senator at:
http://www.senate.gov/ or by calling (202) 224-3121

or simply by mailing: Office of Senator (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510