A Nation of Principle

Bosh! We are not a nation of principle.  Let’s see:

Duck Dynasty disses gay people, and black people. His red neck is showing clearly. He is held accountable for his nasty rhetoric and views. Then people dumber than stupid speak up on his behalf and all is well again. Don’t rile the masses; don’t interrupt your profits; do not ruffle feathers. A&E I am ashamed of you. Cracker Barrel, you continue to amaze me with your anti-gay stance and discrimination.

Help for the unemployed stuck in a downward spiral of a major re-calibrated economy is withdrawn by tea party politicians. They are afraid that there is an underclass that feels entitled to such benefits. Trouble is the tea party supporters helped create the dead end economy in the first place. So the causers are punishers, too. Guess they got caught up in the parent trap too long.

Balanced news reporting has gone the way of ratings. 'If people watch our tripe I guess we reported the right stuff.' No matter it isn't truthful or factual. Imagine that. We are now making news not reporting it.  Is this more fun?

Housing market responds to market needs.  Is that why homelessness is rampant? That elder housing is scarce? That working mothers in single parent households are losing their financial battle? That home vacancies are legion throughout the land? That mortgage apps go unanswered? That home auctions of foreclosed properties go begging? Market response? Where? When?

Interest rates are rising? Where? $3 trillion of excess cash is sloshing around in countless corporate accounts. They don’t want to lend. They don’t have the guts to take on the risk. So the cash just sits and depresses the interest rate market. Government policy didn't make this happen. Greed did in the investment banking industry, Wall Street, real estate industry, mortgage industry, etc. Greed.

There’s another estimated $7 trillion of American cash awash overseas waiting to be repatriated, but corporate America wants tax cuts to be made before they bring their excess earnings home. They made this money by exporting American jobs oversees to low wage markets. They made a killing. But they can’t make as much money on that money today unless they invest in America. They got tax breaks doing all of this. Now they want more breaks to bring the money home. Bosh!

Pope Francis reminds everyone that his church is all about pastoring its people. The tea party is disappointed. The republicans are disappointed. The African RC church is disappointed. The Pope is right. The church should be about pastor-ship. Not rules and dogma that don’t connect with real life. God loves each person unconditionally. Isn't this the New Testament message? The church became wealthy and greedy. And parental. It failed itself. Pope Francis is trying to save it.  Good for him. Strangely this is not American!

Infrastructure paid for by the American taxpayer is only for use by the wealthy and corporate power centers of the land. Surely the benefits will trickle down? Hardly. The meek paid and paid; and then get used. And the greedy always get theirs before and after taxes. Not the rest of us. I think we need to charge them rent for the infrastructure, don’t you?

Are you getting drift of a theme here? I’m thinking it has something to do with popular culture homing in on the lowest common denominator. Watch TV to see what I mean. Watch movie trailers to see what is being offered to the public. Watch newscasts to determine what they think the public wants to hear, is willing to believe, and will change their lives to live by.  It is the lowest common denominator.

If this is true, why do we worry about education? Why build good school houses? Why sweat to train better teachers when the product of their labors is a dumbed down society and social order? When will the nation of principle stand up and shake off the oppressors?

Give them time. Things are brewing. One can only hope it will occur in our lifetime.

January 3, 2013