No, I really don't want to seek public office or serve as an elected official, for many reasons. First, it's a rich person's game and I'm not wealthy, nor would I waste money pandering to the electorate if I were. Second, I'm too thin skinned to take the criticism and rejection. I would be exploding with anger or bursting into tears at every turn. But most of all, I'm too much of a control freak. I would handle elected office like I handled parenting. "You will do as I say or else!" Don't think that would work too well in the legislature.
What I do want are a few simple things -- expectations that I don't think should be too difficult to fulfill.
First, I want my elected officials to be non-partisan. The needs of the nation and the people should come before any special interest or political affiliation. Unfortunately, our current crop of GOP senators, representatives, governors and state officials have made it clear that the future of their political party comes before the future of this country. Or, as noted in a recent blockbuster movie, they believe the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many. What they fail to realize is that if they continue with this line of thought, there will be no country left for the GOP to rule.
Next, I want these people to be open to all ideas, suggestions and possibilities. Typically, a special interest group or wealthy contributor gets in their ears, planting a singularly narrow idea that our politicians latch onto like a terrier with a bone. They should be open and willing to listen to ALL of their constituents, not just the ones with the most money or the biggest mouths.
Neither do I want them to fall so in love with their own ideas and voices that they hear nothing else (are you listening, John Boehner?). Too often, they spout rhetoric that is little more than meaningless blather. They no longer understand what they are supporting. They have said it for so long that it has to be true, right? Wrong! As an elected official, it is your duty to question and find out all information before throwing your support behind any issue.
And, I expect you to be intelligent enough to understand that a different point of view is not automatically wrong. It is simply another way of looking at something, and it is another opportunity to learn. That is why America is what it is -- a wonderfully diverse nation. To ignore that and to refuse to learn from it is, well it's just unAmerican. To dismiss another's opinion as wrong closes you off to understanding that person and what guides their beliefs. When you accept the challenges of opening yourself to at least hear what others believe, you expand yourself, your mind, your whole being. Refusing to acknowledge the opinions of others cloaks you in ignorance and limits your intelligence.
Finally, I want you to stay out of my bedroom, my doctor's office, my religion, my schools and libraries, my marriage and my family. Your job is to ensure that I have these things available to me but not what happens with them. You establish the basic framework by which our schools and medical services operate. You guarantee that all Americans have access to basic services and civil rights. When you begin dictating rules and regulations about personal aspects of my life, you have crossed into fascism. And the last time I looked, America was supposed to be a democracy.
We have a voice in America through our vote. (We put you in that office and we can take you out, to paraphrase the great Dr. Bill Cosby.) Once elected, however, you still need to listen to all of us. Becoming an elected official does not entitle you to set your own agenda, tie yourself to special interests, or pander to an elite group of supporters.
Americans want and need public servants, not politicians. You must decide which you want to be.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Who's Cookin' Monsters in the Kitchen?
I love to cook, but I'm not a chef by any means. Usually, I'll find a recipe that I like and tailor it to suit our tastes -- find some way to make it my own. For some strange reason, I started posting photos of my creations on my Facebook page. And I've been getting requests for the recipes. Problem is, I don't always remember what I did to create my version of a recipe. And God forbid I would actually know the amounts of something. I do everything to my taste or whatever I happen to have on hand. Nevertheless, I'm going to try to give you some idea of what went into two of my recent creations.
Texas Caviar (stolen from the former Peppercorns Deli in Marietta, OH)
1 can of white corn, drained
1 can of yellow corn, drained
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can of black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 bunch of green onions, sliced (you can use some of the tops if you want)
1 red bell pepper
A handful or bunch of fresh cilantro, finely chopped (add as much as you like -- we love this stuff!)
In a large bowl, mix all of the above together and set aside while you make the dressing. You may want to double the dressing mixture as it soaks into the beans as it sets.
1/2 c. olive oil (extra virgin)
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp ground cumin (we like a lot of this too)
1 tsp. chili powder
ground black pepper to taste
Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together and pour over the vegetables. Toss well and chill. Overnight is best. For a real kick, let each person add a little hot sauce to their serving. YUM!
Lemon Mint Shrimp with Rice
2-4 servings of rice (I'm lazy, I use Minute Rice)
1 can vegetable stock
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of that same lemon
1/2 c. olive oil
Ground black pepper
A bunch or handful of fresh mint
Some sliced fresh mushrooms
1 bag of medium shrimp, thawed
In a dutch oven or a deep skillet, put the olive oil, pepper, lemon zest and mint. Sweat over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Prepare the Minute Rice as directed, substituting stock and lemon juice for part of the water. Add mushrooms and shrimp to infused hot oil and increase the heat to medium. When the mushrooms have started to cook through, add the finished rice. Stir thoroughly and add salt or Mrs. Dash to suit your taste just before serving.
I know I still owe some people a recipe for caramel apple cake. Coming soon, I promise.
Texas Caviar (stolen from the former Peppercorns Deli in Marietta, OH)
1 can of white corn, drained
1 can of yellow corn, drained
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can of black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 bunch of green onions, sliced (you can use some of the tops if you want)
1 red bell pepper
A handful or bunch of fresh cilantro, finely chopped (add as much as you like -- we love this stuff!)
In a large bowl, mix all of the above together and set aside while you make the dressing. You may want to double the dressing mixture as it soaks into the beans as it sets.
1/2 c. olive oil (extra virgin)
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp ground cumin (we like a lot of this too)
1 tsp. chili powder
ground black pepper to taste
Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together and pour over the vegetables. Toss well and chill. Overnight is best. For a real kick, let each person add a little hot sauce to their serving. YUM!
Lemon Mint Shrimp with Rice
2-4 servings of rice (I'm lazy, I use Minute Rice)
1 can vegetable stock
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of that same lemon
1/2 c. olive oil
Ground black pepper
A bunch or handful of fresh mint
Some sliced fresh mushrooms
1 bag of medium shrimp, thawed
In a dutch oven or a deep skillet, put the olive oil, pepper, lemon zest and mint. Sweat over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Prepare the Minute Rice as directed, substituting stock and lemon juice for part of the water. Add mushrooms and shrimp to infused hot oil and increase the heat to medium. When the mushrooms have started to cook through, add the finished rice. Stir thoroughly and add salt or Mrs. Dash to suit your taste just before serving.
I know I still owe some people a recipe for caramel apple cake. Coming soon, I promise.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
You Don't Need A Weatherman to Know Which Way The Wind Blows
I recently read a comment claiming people who think and believe as I do were "socialist Democrats." Yes, I am and I'm damn proud to be one. It means I care for people more than corporations. And people are what make up this nation.
As I thought about this, I had to wonder. If I am a socialist Democrat, what does that make Republicans? Thanks to information from a good friend (and fellow liberal), I quickly found the answer in an analysis by political scientist, Dr. Laurence Britt. Read his 14 Points of Fascism and decide for yourself who, or what, they remind you of.
14 POINTS OF FASCISM
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism
From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights
The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause
The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism
Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.
5. Rampant sexism
Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.
6. A controlled mass media
Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.
7. Obsession with national security
Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together
Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.
9. Power of corporations protected
Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated
Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts
Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment
Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption
Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.
14. Fraudulent elections
Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.
NOTE: The above 14 Points was written in 2004 by Dr. Laurence Britt, a political scientist. Dr. Britt studied the fascist regimes of: Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile).
Does any of this sound familiar to you? It does to me. It frighteningly resembles the current Republican/right wing/conservative agenda in this country. And as the people of Germany, Italy, Spain, Indonesia and Chile all discovered, fascism is far worse than socialism. (And for the record and so the small-minded will understand, socialism IS NOT communism.)
As I thought about this, I had to wonder. If I am a socialist Democrat, what does that make Republicans? Thanks to information from a good friend (and fellow liberal), I quickly found the answer in an analysis by political scientist, Dr. Laurence Britt. Read his 14 Points of Fascism and decide for yourself who, or what, they remind you of.
14 POINTS OF FASCISM
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism
From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights
The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause
The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism
Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.
5. Rampant sexism
Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.
6. A controlled mass media
Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.
7. Obsession with national security
Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together
Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.
9. Power of corporations protected
Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated
Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts
Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment
Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption
Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.
14. Fraudulent elections
Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.
NOTE: The above 14 Points was written in 2004 by Dr. Laurence Britt, a political scientist. Dr. Britt studied the fascist regimes of: Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile).
Does any of this sound familiar to you? It does to me. It frighteningly resembles the current Republican/right wing/conservative agenda in this country. And as the people of Germany, Italy, Spain, Indonesia and Chile all discovered, fascism is far worse than socialism. (And for the record and so the small-minded will understand, socialism IS NOT communism.)
So where does all of this lead? It's time for those of us who believe in equality and civil rights and that our government should of, by and most of all, for the people to speak up. LOUDLY. Proclaim to anyone who can hear us that there are better answers than what is being foisted upon us by our politicians and a small group that has stolen the bully pulpit.
And if you are ever call a "socialist Democrat", remind that person that it sure as hell beats being a "fascist Republican".
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