I am fond of saying that "No one has a monopoly on stupidity" (or dishonesty or deviousness or ...) when it comes to politics and political systems. One needs a system that can survive and grow inspite (or despite?) of dishonest people who
get into politics to serve their own ends and essentially steal from the public trough. I also say that no one system has a monopoly on ingeniousness ... people are very smart and if we let them, will find solutions to almost any problem, just let them be. Hearing the Democrats and the Republicans gives me pause - not a single candidate has excited me on the possibilities they could bring - some on the Republican side
do have good ideas on the economy while the Democrats seem intent on initiating or prolonging the class warfare while enriching themselves (Watch what Bill Clinton is doing - despicable indeed).
I am frankly terrified of the intertwining of religion in politics (or of politics in religion). I heard a conversation Terri Gross of NPR's Fresh Air have with Randall Balmer who has written a book titled "God in the White House" - and he told this story of someone yelling "Let go of my God" to the person(s) moving the Ten Commandments Stone Monument at the Alabama Supreme Court after Judge Myron Thompson of the Court of Appeal in Atlanta ordered it's removal - Balmer remarked that it was ironic that someone would tell about their "God" when
one of the commandments is about not worshipping some craven image.
That Mitt Romney had to give a speech on his religion/faith was also alarming - Have we not learned anything at all? That when he did give the speech, he refused to acknowledge any of the sins of the Mormon Church - their acknowledgement of multiple wives for the male for many, many years as the "way to heaven"
and blatant racist attitudes towards people with dark skin color and deferring to Biblical passages. Now we watch many in the Democratic side remind people that Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein (reminding everyone that his father was a Muslim).
The viciousness in faith/religion is unacceptable to me - in any form - smacks of gross hypocrisy and undermines the relation among peoples. That such viciousness is not limited to Christianity (in any form), Judaism or Islam is irrelevant to me. I have heard such vicious sentiments expressed by Hindus also. Even Buddhists
who claim to follow peace among all and such, have expressed sentiments that make my skin crawl (Christopher Hitchens writes about many such issues).
For a country like ours that many consider a "Christian" country, what the "Christians" are doing is abominable when it comes to many, many issues ... Apparently, many are content with attending church, socializing and expressing platitudes about the "poor and the hungry and the ..." and go on to express
distasteful thoughts and ideas. No one wants to see people walk into our country and do whatever they want - violate our laws and get away with it. Most people see illegal immigration that way - but that's simply wrong. ILlegal immigration is truly a
response to our economy and what the consumers/people demand. If people want cheap labor - for taking care of their houses, their businesses, their family - and they cannot find locals who can do it for the price they are offering, word gets through to others who are willing to do such jobs for the price they can get - AND they pay into the social security system and taxes and all that. The overwhelming majority of ILlegal immigrants are simply here because their services are required - and yes
they do seek better economic opportunities.
My admiration for the Wall Street Journal started with their uncompromising stand on the issue of immigration in general - and how they view our country - as that magnet for humanity everywhere. Our department now subscribes to the Wall Street Journal and my students read it. Oh, their opinion pages are now open for free.
The rapid economic growth in India is starting to sow seeds of discontent among the ones that are too lazy to work or are simply jealous of others who are succeeding. Economic growth has apparently been demanding productive workers and apparently many in the "lower caste" communities have grabbed to the economic life lines and are doing very very well and the "upper caste" Brahmins/others
are envious of the ones that are doing well - the Wall Street Journal has had many stories of atrocities - even murders. These may be called "caste-warfare" or whatever, but what drives them is simple jealousy - and it is abominable indeed. Politicians in India are only too eager to exploit such situations to get
elected.
The Republicans in the US will appeal to some/many of their "conservative" base using divisive language - while forgetting that many who would like to vote for them are scared of what they may do - when in office. The Democrats seem always intent on igniting class warfare and growing government at the expense of everyone
"Do not worry, Big Government is here to help you". When asked about Barack Obama's win in South Carolina, Bill Clinton invoked the name of Jesse Jackson who won there in 1980/84 because Jackson was/is black and hated by most whites. It confirmed for me what I had always believed about the Clintons - they are
fundamentally rotten to the core and their racist outlook on life/people is showing. It seemed to have surprised some Democrats, but not for ones that have followed the Clintonian approaches during their years in office.
I have not seen or heard a true Libertarian, yet. John McCain does give me some confidence that he will know how to deal with external enemies and he will not be cavalier with the lives of soldiers as Cheney, the VP seems to be, manytimes. For all the talk about national defense, this current president and his administration has treated the soldiers poorly by not giving them the resources they deserve, while sending them into dangerous areas.
Hillary Clinton and John Edwards makes me want to move to another friendly country - Oh, say like "North Korea" or "Albania" or "Communist Soviet Union" (yea, they give me the willies for sure). Barack Obama is smart, intelligent - and seems open to new ideas - though his policies/what he talks about are not all that different
from what Clinton/Edwards talks about. It is painful to see Bill, the womanizer/philanderer/liar/despicable human play the race card against Obama.
I'd run for office - except, they will say "He is a Hindu who believes in the sacred cow and terrorizes other castes and does not want to solve the hunger problem in India by simply letting people eat meat" (or some such drivel). And I'd get hopping mad and punch someone in their face and that would end my campaign.
OK, I'll run for office when I decide I am truly insane and devoid of any human sentiments or decide to abandon all sense of rationality.
Till then, I'll simply change/mold young minds, one at a time - and I have one very young, near and dear to me.
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