So many things are happening, it seems as if we can't really do much...

[rasputin1952]

We have a travesty of a law passed in AZ.

Oil spills that threaten the Gulf of Mexico.

Wars that have killed tens of thousands and drained the Treasury.

Corporations that have the morals of rabid wolverines.

A market out of control, and Federal Agencies that have been stripped of power and funds to deal with growing problems.


But I look around and I see Americans coming together to combat these and other problems. I've been on this earth for 58 years, I, like many of you have seen and been through times we've never thought we could get out from under. I recall men and women standing up to injustice, prepared to put it all on the line for others, so that they could live in peace under the mantle of equality. We've come a long way during the 58 years I've been here, and we have a long way to go.

I believe in American resiliency, I believe that inside almost all of us, we feel that every man, woman and child are born into a nation that honestly holds to the truth that we come into this world equally. When I look around, I see the haters and miscreants, just as we all do, but I also see them as small in number...they just get a lot of press. The Fred Phelps' of this nation are not what this nation is about, nor are the neo-nazis, the Klan, or any other group of misguided people; we outnumber them on the whole about 10,000/1, (in the case of Phelps, about 307 million to one), but we forget the collective power we have to effect change. We forget that this nation belongs to us, we allow others to press fear into us, and thereby they can control us.

Once again, the time has come to rise up as a nation and assert ourselves as the rightful owners of our country and our destiny. We must move forward, whether it be a step at a time, or in leaps and bounds. Republicans and Corporate America would like things to remain the same, or worse yet, go back to a time when it was the "norm" to not just kick people when they were down, but keep them down and crush them into dust.

We must demand, all of us, D/R/I that this nation take a stand against those who dell us out for their personal profit, using human beings as chattel, killing us in mines and on oil rigs. The practice of sending our military into harms way on spurious at best instigation. I was, and still am 100% of the mind to bring bin Laden to justice, but even bin laden cannot compare to what some of our own citizens in high places have done to this nation. The very people who decry the government are the first ones to come forward for a handout when their own practices have destroyed some aspect of business or destroyed a part of the ecosystem. If BP comes up with cash to clean up it's mess, I'll be the most shocked person in this country. A company that refuses to spend a few hundred thousand dollars to ensure spills will be taken care of quickly, is not about to spend billions to clean up a mess that should never have happened in the first place.

I believe we can rise up, we can make the make sure the rules are enforced, and place new rules and laws that will affect us for the better. But it takes fortitude and fearlessness. It takes a dedication this nation has risen to in the past, and the knowledge we can do it again.

No longer can be complacent, the challenge has been tossed into out faces, and regardless of political leaning, it is time to put an end to the practices that have come close to destroying our nation. This may sound sappy, but when I see our flag flying, I am reminded of what it truly stands for...Equality, Freedom, and Hope. We can never allow these things to far from our conscious thought, and we must stand to defend them whenever they are threatened. No fear...only forward movement. No remorse, only a goal. Once we stand up and face the tyranny of those who woulds create a new aristocracy, we will be back on track a s a nation. We are Americans, we can do anything when put our minds to it.

Thanks for reading my rant...and now, let's get together and take back our nation.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Well said, my dear raz...

I must say though, that it also takes leaders who will lead.

And as much as I love Obama, he is not doing as much as I hoped he would.

[opihimoimoi]

2. KnR....Obamaism should be taught

[tavalon]

5. Obamaism

What pray tell is that? I voted for the movement and thought I voted for a man. A liberal man. I was wrong. He isn't Bush by any means but neither is he liberal.

[WhiteTara]

9. when we create heroes, we only see what we want to see.

My candidate did not enter the race, so I was very objective about the candidate pack. As a delegate to the '07 and '08 California state party conventions, I got to see all the candidates up close and personal.

I watched Obama closely throughout the campaign and saw who sat on the podium behind him. Almost always it was the money men. Sometimes money women, but mostly, money men. There were many signs during his campaign that were overlooked because he has such charisma. When he walks in, the room lights up and he inhales the oxygen and everyone swoons. He is doing and being just what he said. He was out front with his beliefs before and when he wouldn't back down from Rick Warren, I knew that we would not have any input; and except for a peripheral way, he has totally ignored the wishes of his many bases. I thought I might pass out when he said he thought with his gut. For a minute I thought * was back (and not I do not miss him) I heard his gut saying "give me caviar!"

But do not misunderstand, I love our president and I so happy he's in our White House. He's pragmatic and looks at the long range and is able to give his attention to each item in front of him and change his "gears" quickly.

[daughter of liberty2]

3. Amen to that.

:applause:

[Kalun D]

4. Agree With Only One Addition

Republicans, Corporate Democrats, and Corporate America would like things to remain the same, or worse yet, go back to a time when it was the "norm" to not just kick people when they were down, but keep them down and crush them into dust.

We should do like they do in France, all the workers take to the streets and shut the country down until the bankers are put in prison.

[onethatcares]

6. well, I'm 58 soon to be 59 and

I'm thinking the Aztecs might have been right. Maybe the entire thing ends in two years and there's nothing we can do about it.
:shrug: :hide:

[Indi Guy]

7. I generally don't believe in accidents...

Just maybe (and I stress maybe) their are some who benefit from disasters which make the public continue going along with the status quo.

[Scuba]

8. Please run for office - you're spot on

[rasputin1952]

12. I've thought about it from time to time...

:hug:

[snagglepuss]

13. +1

[Horse with no Name]

10. Don't forget the anti-woman legislation passed in OK

I'm worn out.
I understand.

[Moderator]

11. There are so many things...

it is hard to keep track...there is one thing that these nasty legislative things have in common. Small groups of conservatives are pushing this stuff from outside the states in question...that alone, should make the citizens of each state enraged.

[snagglepuss]

14. Very well said,

You should consider running for office, you have the attitude required to be a leader.

[Turborama]

15. I second that motion.

Ras would have my vote.