Sunday, August 29, 2004

Enslaved By a Free Society...

As an American, I am entitled to freedom, liberty, and opportunity. These are the privileges of being an American…am I not right? At first thought this statement seems almost silly to make. In the United States of America, all citizens have these privileges and rights. If one wants a concise listing of our American rights, they can go read the Constitution of the United States of America and find them all…a pretty good list.

“So what,” you might ask, and this is what I will answer.

I have been studying American history lately and when being refreshed of the condition of the slaves and poor in the south, both pre and post civil war, I have come to ponder some conditions, which existed then and still continue to exist today.

After the civil war ended the slaves were given their freedom and with the 14th & 15th amendments came their right to vote (male that is). Troops were moved in from the Republican North to enact reconstruction of the Democratic South. Not much happened other than occupation and a change in titles and conditions. The Democrat elite still ran the south and not much came of reconstruction. In an effort to protect their empires, the elitist in the south devised ways to keep the republican freedmen (former slaves) from voting. They would require literacy exams, grandfather clauses based on land ownership by their grandfather (at the time no freedman had a grandfather who owned land as they were either slaves or were still in Africa), and any other bogus reason to keep the freedman (freed by the Republican North), from voting as it was inevitable for them to vote the party ticket of those who freed them.

The Freedmen and poor white’s still had their leash though. Instead of being property they were now free, but became indebted to the elite. With sharecropping, they were allowed to farm a piece of land, but had to give the largest part of the profits to the landowner. They were free, but had never been shown how to get out of their cage.

Today, things are so very different. We all have our rights and opportunities. Color is of no issue, unless you happen to be a white male and encounter affirmative action. We all have the same opportunities and freedoms, and the elitist has been brought down to a common level.

While it is true that we have to pay taxes for who knows what, we are a free society living in a state of liberty and justice. We are all taxed on our incomes at a fair rate, unless we happen to be rich, then we are taxed at a “fairer” rate. We all have the same opportunities, if we can afford them, and we all can be what we want to be, if we can once again afford it.

In reality, not much has changed. While it is true that if the situation is right, we can all get a good education, have nice houses and cars, but do we truly have freedom and liberty. Just as the Freedmen were free, they were allowed to possess homes (barely livable though), and work property at their choice, they also had to pay more than their fair share to the landowner. The feed and seed was sold to them at unfair rates, and if they had a bad year they still had to pay it back. Debt would inevitably stack from year from year and they once again found themselves in bondage of financial debt to the elite; sound very familiar in my life right now.
I got what education I could afford, went into debt to finance my house and cars. The house needs repair so out comes a second mortgage. Cars wear out and need replacing which means more debt will be added on. Accidents happen and ability to work soon follows and the state allows money back (that I have paid in) at a rate that doesn’t come close to covering my losses.

In order for our nation to function, we need to pay taxes, which I agree with. But, are they of any real benefit to my family and me. Yes I want to drive on paved roads and have military and police protection, but I also do not believe the administrators of such agencies should become rich from the proceeds of our taxes. The upper middle class along with the rich will fight for government support of such issues as the arts and such, but what about the majority of us who are simply trying to get by.

If a select group wants to support such an agency, then it is they who should fund it, not the ones who are losing what they have. We don’t need to support anything until we can support ourselves. Taxes such as this should be optional for the taxpayer, not mandated.

We are represented by those who are not in our class or struggles and truly have no idea what we want or need. They cry culture why we cry shelter. Many of us live in a rent situation at rates that would easily buy a home, but with credit like it is, many cannot acquire the right credit to purchase. Also due to out of sight rent, we cannot save enough to buy a home outright.

Can we boycott, yes, but where will we live? Maybe we could stay with our relatives who have no room for us in their rented housing till we save enough for what we need. For those of us who have been allowed the credit to rent housing on the premise of purchasing, Shall we walk out and find a cheaper way to exist? Not likely as we are probably paying less than rent, but tack that insurance back in and we too are trapped.

So, in all this, I find that we are very much like the Freedmen in better living conditions. Our elite master has become the banking and finance institutions. A few people controlling the masses who are at liberty to continually toil themselves into ever increasing debt. We can do whatever we want as long as we can afford it. We can also continue to live in conditions less than what we strive for, as long as we continue to support the elitist company store.

We as those in debt and bondage need to find a way to separate ourselves from this downward spiral of ever-increasing debt through the banking and finance corporations. We need to bring value back to currency and away from the credit card system. We need to find a system, which allows our hard work to count for more than what the elite allows. We need to get smart and find a way to take what should rightly be ours back. We are trading our liberty for debt and bondage.

Anyway, these are some of my thoughts for today. Hopefully will post more ideas about ways to regain our liberty.

Until next time!



Sunday, August 01, 2004

Hey! I Pay My Taxes, thank you....

You know, I am an American and I do believe in paying my taxes! I do not cheat on my returns and go strictly by the books because I do believe that as an American, I am obligated to do so in order to keep my freedom. It is nothing less than my part.

The part of other's it would seem would be that they are somehow deserving freedom and deem it ok to find every shortcut and "white" cheat possible to get out of paying their "fair" share. Not only do they not feel bad about it, but to the contrary, they boast of their prowess as if they are a jump ahead of it all. Most of these "associates" of mine are self proclaimed liberal democrats, to which I clam to belong to neither camp and vote purely based on the person and their credibility....Nothing more or less. These same people can do nothing but criticize the people holding office if they might be republican and rant about how the current administration is ruining the whole system. When President Bush announced that people would be getting an extra return, all these people raised the dust and proclaimed he would sink the nation, but when the checks showed up, they were in line with me at Wal-Mart spending the money with a smile. Either you are for, or you are against. I personally believe if these shining democrat citizens would quite cheating their beloved nation out of taxes, the issues of an "extra" return would not have been a need.

These liberals mostly without knowing, support art endowments (whatever happened to starving artist.....There's plenty of starving carpenters, taxi-cab drivers and factory workers out there...How about that starving office worker or wait person?). They support Planned parenthood and abortion (which I don't believe in because it is my right....And no, I do not shoot doctor's and yell at pregnant teenagers as I do respect their liberty as an individual and if my belief system is right, God will deal with them....I don't have to). They support the homosexual agenda in the one's sexuality should determine one's status and rights. All the while they are supporting this notion through their choice of politics and cheating the system, they are leaving me and others like me, to pay up. They will talk about, harass and heckle the "weird" artist, "promiscuous" teen or homosexual, and Heaven help you if you need any sort of assistance from the welfare system (they are referred to as leeches), yet, the politics they are proclaiming pushes forward that, which as it would appear, supports exactly what they hate.

On the other hand, my taxes go to support public schools which are failing miserably so we homeschool. That's right! We homeschool and still pay taxes in for the public school....Do we receive any tax credit for not adding to the tax system's list of beneficiaries? No....We are Americans and pay our share. While discussing the public school system, it is important to know that anyone who utilizes them, is basically on Welfare! The public school child is being given an education by the taxes collected from the citizens, you and me.
I also am paying an "artist" to mold manure or pose nude for all the world to see...Did we ask to see this....No, but we did pay for it! Was there a national campaign conducted among the "tax-payers", not "tax-cheaters", which would allow us to choose our selection of the artist that should be funded? That's ok though, it is all part of me being a citizen in good standing.
What about that pregnant teen/unwed mother? Did I get them pregnant? Don't think so....Do I believe the teen should be taken up by planned parenthood so they can get an abortion? No I don't. How about the homosexual, should they be afforded the honor of being married? No, marriage is for a man and women, and they should come up with their own institution....It's all a matter of definition. As far as rights that would shadow marriage, I say go ahead....That way we can all be unfairly taxed if we are married or committed to a partner. I would think they would be better of financially if they left things alone. If they are worried about who has control of the others possessions if one should die, then make out a will....Simple enough.

By now, one would probably think I really hold a fair amount of contention for the pregnant teen/unwed mother, artist that receives endowments, or homosexual, (I probably would from what I have written so far). The truth is that while I do not support any of these individuals and their cost to me financially through taxes, I do have compassion for them. The are just like me, flesh and blood, have the same needs for survival, and are a part of the human race. I have fed and financed at various times (when able) these very people. It is my right not to have to support them through my taxes, and even let them know how I feel, just as they have the same right to not accept my help (not happened yet), and not support my choices and style of life. It is not my right to not help them when their lives are in some sort of peril. As a part of a free society and the human race, one who follows the lead of Jesus Christ (who did he turn away in need), it is my duty, honor and obligation to help those who suffer. If I am to be able to love myself and family, then I must also love what we are, and thus have to love and care for society in general. Yes, I have worked with, cared for and helped those who would seem to be hated by the ones whose politics support them.

I personally believe that everything should be tolled. If I am to drive on a certain hiway, then I should pay for it as I use it. Give me an itemized list of everything our taxes go for and let me pay for that which I know I will use. Give me an automatic tag which would keep a record of services I had utilized (the technology is there) and figure my taxes from there on in. If it ends up that I have utilized planned parenthood, then I pay, if not, then no pay.

This whole issue has come down to a point that charity leaves a bruise (scarlet letter) on those who need it. It also has taken charity from what it once was, people caring for people, and turned it into a governmental department and tax write-off.

I would think that a better system would be one that left charity to society and allowed participants to receive and give as able. There is nothing wrong with charity, but people should be the core of it. If you need my help....Just ask, but never take it by force as the government is now doing. I will give you so much more if you simply ask than if you demand.

My own convictions would have to state that I am an American citizen and I support legitimate taxation. I do not support hypocrisy on the part of the cheaters though. Make them pay so I can pay less.
I also believe that if our culture is allowed release from illegitimate taxation, we will require less from our government in support; might just turn out that we can actually take care of ourselves. I believe that the individual must stand somewhat accountable for their actions. We all mess up from time to time, but why is it that my mistakes are never ones that allow me to collect money from the rest of society?

I proclaim to be neither Republican or Democrat as I do not believe either has an adequate answer to the questions of our culture. I believe Presidents are Puppet's and their corporate puppetmaster's are in control of their "big" moves. Congress is a society within itself where the participants are trying to shape a culture they are severely removed from. I see our society as one who is lazy and seeks every shortcut they can find, as they shirk personal responsibility. If our govenment is to be one that is ran for and by the people, then people need to speak up, show up, and stank up for their vision of America and how it should be. I also never vote a party ticket, but rather judge the candidates by their past record, past history, and future potential. Liar's and cheater's can be found out quite easily these days on the internet, but how many people actually know the full portrait of the person they are voting for? The media has their own agenda and should be disregarded for lack of credibility (go to the governmental sites and read up before you pick which horse to place "your" money on.

I know this letter sounds a bit tart, but, I am a little upset from hearing so much about politicians who have no struggles, yet are allowed to determine my fate and taxation. Like the crying Indian said (I can say that because I am Native American), "Don't tell me how to walk until you have walked a mile in my shoes....." I am quite comfortabe speaking boldly because I can back up my claims and observations. I encourage all to become a part of the system rather than being subject to it.

Till next time....