It's been a while since I posted. I will need to start with Day 8 of 30 Days of CD's.
Today I listened to The Creole Choir of Cuba, Tande-La. What a fun CD! This was recorded at the Real World studios, which happens to be Peter Gabriel's company. Everywhere I go, I look for Real World CD's now.
I found this CD at a thrift store today. I was joyous at the treasure found, but amazed that someone would give this CD away.
The cover attracted my attention. I found the music to be as colorful and flavorful as the art work.
Take a look and listen for yourself!
Politics as Usual?
There seems to be an explosion of political discussion these days. It has made me think once again about hypocrisy. Why do we allow politicians to continue to bend the truth, lie, talk out of both sides of their mouth, talk the talk but not walk the walk? Why are the facts so easily swept under the rug? Why do we continue to allow the casting of stones when those who have cast the stones are criminal as well?
I also must ask, why are we not creating standards that politicians need to adhere to and if they stray, they will get fired? Why is it that their positions do not require background checks when other government positions do? Why are their resumes not public knowledge? Why are we not trying to find the best candidates based on their backgrounds and experience? If we were to hire someone for a position at a company, wouldn't we want to find the best person for the job based on their credentials and their character?
Why is it that a company that is run the same way as our government would be dead and gone due to bad management, but we allow our government to continue on without making the necessary changes?
Why is it that if the government is playing with our money that we do not have a say about how they play with it?
Why is it if it is our money and we elect them, that we do not have a say about their salaries and benefits?
Why aren't we demanding that Congress change its elitist ways? Seriously, they are supposed to be working for the people, not against the people.
Why do these politicians cave to special interest?
Most of the answers to these questions are fairly straight forward. Congress has become greedy for money and power and their decisions mainly stem from this greed. The majority don't care about the majority of the people. They only want to become wealthy and then to help themselves remain wealthy while the rest of the country sinks.
The big corporations are in it with them. They don't care either about the majority of people, which is made obvious with slim to none benefit packages, atrocious customer service, jumping through hoops for insurance claims, and pharmaceuticals that make us as sick or at risk for health issues (like death) that are worse than the initial problem.
However, and this is the big however, it is partly our faults. We let this country get out of touch since we have been out of touch. The majority does not spend time becoming aware enough not to spend their money at businesses that take advantage of their employees, their customers, and of the tax system. We have become lazy and ineffective with our money (and if money talks, this is a problem).
We have become lazy when it comes to being aware of the facts behind all the political smoke and mirrors. The media is mostly biased and political commercials are not subject to the same laws and regulations that advertising for products follow.
We are not looking at the backgrounds of the politicians to find out where they truly stand. There are websites that give the details on their voting records and some keep track of their statements in the media. The truth is out there, but we need to spend some time to find it.
Why aren't more people voting? If all the people that could vote would vote, we wouldn't be in this mess.
It truly is up to us to stop all the hypocrisy. It is up to us to vote with our money and purchase from businesses that care about people. It is up to us to vote every time there is a chance to vote so the wrong people do not get elected. It is up to us to keep asking why and then to do something about it by writing to our Congress and inundate them with messages so things will change. It is up to us to do the fact finding and background checks so we are aware of the records of politicians and corporations.
Our system is broken, but in order to fix it, we need to stop breaking it by not being actively involved. If the majority would start being actively involved, we will get our country back on track.
Until next time,
-SDF :O)
