Elizabeth Warren, law professor and US Senate candidate, understands that the people on the top of our hierarchies are only there because everyone else is holding them up. She said:
"I hear all this, you know, 'Well, this is class warfare, this is whatever,'" Warren said. "No. There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own — nobody.
"You built a factory out there? Good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police-forces and fire-forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory — and hire someone to protect against this — because of the work the rest of us did.
"Now look, you built a factory and it turned into something terrific, or a great idea. God bless — keep a big hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is, you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along."
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/elizabeth-warren-on-class-warfare-there-is-nobody-who-got-rich-on-his-own-video.php?ref=fpb
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Civil Union for Angie and Brad?
In yesterday's Parade Magazine, Brad Pitt was quoted as saying the he and Angelina Jolie will get married when everyone can.
We would love to see Brad and Angie apply for a civil union - the only option open to many same-sex couples – to bring wide attention to the issue. The federal government would have to deal with how to tax their assets - as a couple or singles?
In France, many couples, including different-gender couples, choose civil unions over marriage.
We would love to see Brad and Angie apply for a civil union - the only option open to many same-sex couples – to bring wide attention to the issue. The federal government would have to deal with how to tax their assets - as a couple or singles?
In France, many couples, including different-gender couples, choose civil unions over marriage.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Inequality Brings Social Ills
Our local newspaper, the "Register-Guard," ran an op-ed today by Bob Doppelt entitled, "Ecological Woes Linked to Inequality." Mr. Doppelt posed the question: since the U.S. economy today is far larger than 30 years ago, where did all the money go? He answers that question when he points out that we have the greatest concentration of wealth at the top since the 1920's.
Mr. Doppelt presents data from the fabulous book, The Spirit Level, that links inequality to many ills found in the United States.
The good news is that, even though our hierarchies produce serious problems, each of us can help. Even when our country's problems seem overwhelming, we can create our families, workplaces, or communities to reduce inequality and therefore reduce the social, economic, and environmental problems that they cause. It's our collective efforts in ending hierarchies that will change the world.
http://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/26842450-47/inequality-economic-debt-percent-problems.html.csp
Mr. Doppelt presents data from the fabulous book, The Spirit Level, that links inequality to many ills found in the United States.
The good news is that, even though our hierarchies produce serious problems, each of us can help. Even when our country's problems seem overwhelming, we can create our families, workplaces, or communities to reduce inequality and therefore reduce the social, economic, and environmental problems that they cause. It's our collective efforts in ending hierarchies that will change the world.
http://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/26842450-47/inequality-economic-debt-percent-problems.html.csp
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Whose Advantage?
This was a good week to observe typical top-of-the-hierarchy responses to people in lower groups who dare to try to move outside their dictated roles or challenge the views of those on top. A nudge from lower groups to participate equally feels like a steam roller to those on top. Crumbs given to lower groups in a hierarchy is perceived as a mountain of advantages, even if the top has routinely and unceremoniously received multitudes more.
First example – Senator Tom Coburn cluelessly implied that being an African-American male gives you a big advantage in the United States. Coburn told a townhall meeting in Oklahoma that Obama’s views are “goofy and wrong,” and that the president wants to “create dependency” because “as an African-American male,” he had received “tremendous benefit” from government programs.
Then there's the "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, who recovered from his traditional slow start to qualify for the semifinals at the world championships in South Korea, the 14th best of all competitors. Initially the International Association of Athletics Federations had banned the multiple Paralympic gold medalist from able-bodied competition, saying the blades he wears gave him an unfair advantage. But in 2008, Pistorius was cleared to compete by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
These "advantage" statements by those on the top of hierarchies remind us of the case of golfer Casey Martin, who lives in our city of Eugene, Oregon. The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), along with the likes of golfing giants Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, argued that Martin would have an advantage if he used a cart. Martin has a disability, called Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, a degenerative disorder than causes his veins to rupture and fill the cavities around his tibia with blood which makes it impossible for him to walk the course. "I've missed four out of eight cuts and made $5,000 this year," he said, "so if there's an advantage, I'd like to know where it is." The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court who ruled in Casey's favor.
Read more:
African-American males:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/opinion/dowd-of-dystopias-and-alphas.htm
l?_r=1&ref=maureendowd
Pistorius:
http://www.registerguard.com/web/sports/26782275-41/pistorius-h
eat-semifinals-final-seconds.html.csp
Martin:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,128734,00.html#ixzz
1WXZiF3RA
First example – Senator Tom Coburn cluelessly implied that being an African-American male gives you a big advantage in the United States. Coburn told a townhall meeting in Oklahoma that Obama’s views are “goofy and wrong,” and that the president wants to “create dependency” because “as an African-American male,” he had received “tremendous benefit” from government programs.
Then there's the "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, who recovered from his traditional slow start to qualify for the semifinals at the world championships in South Korea, the 14th best of all competitors. Initially the International Association of Athletics Federations had banned the multiple Paralympic gold medalist from able-bodied competition, saying the blades he wears gave him an unfair advantage. But in 2008, Pistorius was cleared to compete by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
These "advantage" statements by those on the top of hierarchies remind us of the case of golfer Casey Martin, who lives in our city of Eugene, Oregon. The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), along with the likes of golfing giants Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, argued that Martin would have an advantage if he used a cart. Martin has a disability, called Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, a degenerative disorder than causes his veins to rupture and fill the cavities around his tibia with blood which makes it impossible for him to walk the course. "I've missed four out of eight cuts and made $5,000 this year," he said, "so if there's an advantage, I'd like to know where it is." The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court who ruled in Casey's favor.
Read more:
African-American males:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/opinion/dowd-of-dystopias-and-alphas.htm
l?_r=1&ref=maureendowd
Pistorius:
http://www.registerguard.com/web/sports/26782275-41/pistorius-h
eat-semifinals-final-seconds.html.csp
Martin:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,128734,00.html#ixzz
1WXZiF3RA
Monday, August 22, 2011
Depends on Who's Benefitting
Should the Congress let tax cuts expire? If you ask Republicans, it appears that their answer depends on if it's the rich or the poorest part of the population.
Many of the same Republicans who fought hard to keep the George W. Bush-era income tax cuts from expiring on schedule for the rich are now saying a "temporary" tax cut for lower income people should end as planned.
Rep. David Camp, R-Mich., chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, and a member of the House-Senate supercommittee tasked with finding new deficit cuts, says that tax reductions, "no matter how well-intended," will push the deficit higher. But he didn't worry about that when it concerned the wealthiest citizens, even though this constitutes a much bigger tax break for those citizens.
We think those Republicans are looking ridiculous and hope they look ridiculous to you also. But to them, they have likely convinced themselves that their wealth and power hierarchy is reasonable.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_REPUBLICANS_PAYROLL_TAX?SITE=OREUG&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-22-04-04-22
Many of the same Republicans who fought hard to keep the George W. Bush-era income tax cuts from expiring on schedule for the rich are now saying a "temporary" tax cut for lower income people should end as planned.
Rep. David Camp, R-Mich., chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, and a member of the House-Senate supercommittee tasked with finding new deficit cuts, says that tax reductions, "no matter how well-intended," will push the deficit higher. But he didn't worry about that when it concerned the wealthiest citizens, even though this constitutes a much bigger tax break for those citizens.
We think those Republicans are looking ridiculous and hope they look ridiculous to you also. But to them, they have likely convinced themselves that their wealth and power hierarchy is reasonable.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_REPUBLICANS_PAYROLL_TAX?SITE=OREUG&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-22-04-04-22
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Washington in Focus
The title of an article peaked our interest: Clueless in Washington. We're not so much into the context of the WBST article, but we love the title.
Lately, the hierarchies that make Washington clueless are especially difficult to ignore. You are probably as frustrated with, tired of, or bored by them as much as we are. But the good part is that they motivate us to try something different.
Now more than ever we need to focus on the liberating process that’s shown in the picture above, and on the cover of our book. In addition to our comments, we are willing to share your suggestions or experiences with turning your head and looking away from the clueless top for Life, Liberty, and Happiness. Stay tuned for more!
http://articles.wsbt.com/2011-08-08/democrats_29870469
Lately, the hierarchies that make Washington clueless are especially difficult to ignore. You are probably as frustrated with, tired of, or bored by them as much as we are. But the good part is that they motivate us to try something different.
Now more than ever we need to focus on the liberating process that’s shown in the picture above, and on the cover of our book. In addition to our comments, we are willing to share your suggestions or experiences with turning your head and looking away from the clueless top for Life, Liberty, and Happiness. Stay tuned for more!
http://articles.wsbt.com/2011-08-08/democrats_29870469
Monday, August 8, 2011
Christian and Moslem Terrorists
The term "Christian Terrorist" has ignited a debate in our country. Vocal Christians who have been quick to equate terrorism with Islam are outraged by anyone who links the word Christian with terrorism.
What would happen if these right-wing Christians were to ask their congregations for some self-reflection? Would they still say that their Muslims neighbors are as different from extremists as most of their own church members are different from Anders Behring Breivik of Norway?
Of course people who are on top of their religious hierarchy in the United States would have a hard time equating themselves to another religion. Since Norway does not have such a strong religious hierarchy with Christianity on top as in the United States, it makes sense that in Norway it would be much easier for them to see the analogy.
In our hometown on Murfreesboro, many Christians have made national news by trying to stop the construction a mosque. What would these Tennessee Christians think if Norwegians tried to stop the construction of a Christian church in their Nordic community stating the same objections?
What would happen if these right-wing Christians were to ask their congregations for some self-reflection? Would they still say that their Muslims neighbors are as different from extremists as most of their own church members are different from Anders Behring Breivik of Norway?
Of course people who are on top of their religious hierarchy in the United States would have a hard time equating themselves to another religion. Since Norway does not have such a strong religious hierarchy with Christianity on top as in the United States, it makes sense that in Norway it would be much easier for them to see the analogy.
In our hometown on Murfreesboro, many Christians have made national news by trying to stop the construction a mosque. What would these Tennessee Christians think if Norwegians tried to stop the construction of a Christian church in their Nordic community stating the same objections?
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