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Introducing We Have POWER Now

In my time as a blogger, I've been primarily writing about sports. Which is fine. But, I've never blogged, really blogged, about something meaningful. That changes today. Today, I'm proud to introduce We Have POWER Now, a grassroots organization dedicated to reducing the national debt and investing in our future. Click here and here for much more info.

We Have POWER Now was born out of an idea from a few friends: we're fed up by the way the deficit is going to affect the millennial generation (18-29). We didn't want impossibly high taxes and a lower quality of life. And if we weren't going to do something about it, who was?

So, we researched policies, and came up with ones that will reduce the debt to an acceptable level by 2018, and keep it sustainable through 2030. It's needed. Our future is in peril. We need to change it.

And that's what we're doing. So click on the link above. Read it, ask questions, tell friends. This could be huge.

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What Is Patriotism?

What is patriotism? Is it a pin in on your suit coat? Is it a flag waiving outside your house? Is it serving in our military, or in public office?

In reality, patriotism is none of those things. Patriotism is not words sung in an anthem, words written on a page, or clothes worn. Patriotism is not the duties we perform, or the places and people we serve. Patriotism is not an outward display of affection.

Patriotism is what we make it. If we are all to be considered patriots, then how, as individuals, can there be just one form of patriotism? There isn't. Patriotism is what we consider right, how we can best honor this nation.

Patriotism can be singing the national anthem proudly. It can be a USA! USA! USA! Chant at a sporting event.

Patriotism has never, and will never, be defined by a strict paradigm of nationalism. Patriotism has never, and will never, be mandatory. It has never been an obligation.

Rather, patriotism is the moments that make us so. For me, it's the 2001 World Series, when George W. Bush threw out the first pitch shortly after 9/11, and the crowd was chanting USA! And Bush threw a perfect strike. For me, it's when Barack Obama was elected President, and it reaffirmed my belief that anything is possible. For me, it's allowing my father's family to emigrate from Cuba and start a life that is not bound by a Communist rule, but instead by freedom.

We are not defined by the things we wear on our jacket, or the flag on our lawn, but by the things we do, the actions that make us believe once again in a free nation. And thus, patriotism is truly defined by the actions we take to show our love and give back to our nation. It can be big or small. It can have short or lasting meaning. But all of us show patriotism in our own way.

America is a country of individuals made into one. We may all live under the same blanket of freedom, but the way in which we use it is up to us. We may sing the same national anthem, but we are free to sing it as loudly or as quietly as we want. Patriotism is not a set of rules, but the actions we take. Patriotism is not a pin on our coat, but a feeling in our hearts. We are free to show our patriotism how we please, and anyone who criticizes our view of and our outward display of patriotism is being decidedly unpatriotic. There is no right way to be patriotic. There is no wrong way. There is only "your" way. And that way is the most patriotic of all.

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Abortion And Government

I'm Pro-Choice. There. I said it. I think that if a woman wants an abortion, she should have the ability to get one. If she doesn't, then she should be able to do that as well. In my mind, abortion is not a political issue. It's an individual issue.

But, it is a political issue. A big political issue. It can be the breaking point for a voter. My mom always says that she can't support a pro-life candidate, regardless of their other political positions. And, to be a Pro-Choice liberal in a very conservative state is like being the devil. Might as well run for the hills than run for office.

Because religion is a huge part of American daily life, and American government (even though it's not supposed to) candidates will have to talk about abortion. As a pretty non-religious person, I can't grasp the notion of abortion as a religious issue, although I certainly respect it. If abortion goes against your religion, you have every right to believe that.

But, if you're in government, you can't believe that. Government, by the very Constitution that set it up, cannot be involved in religious decisions. And if abortion is a religious decision, it can't be involved in that either.

We can't throw it away as an issue. It's contentious. The media loves it. It fosters debate, and even better, it fosters hate. We're a nation addicted to hateful debate, as sad as it is. Abortion brings out the hatred in people.

If the government is serious about the Constitution, it will leave abortion alone, at least as a religious issue. If there's a politician who wants more funding for safe sex practices and education, and abortion clinics to help those who choose to have one, then by all means. But elections should not and cannot be decided by someone's stance on abortion.

We have freedom of religion in this country. We can practice whatever religion we want. We can choose not to practice religion. We have the choice. But, in government, we don't. Every one has to be religious, whatever religion that might be. We have to believe in a higher God. We have to believe that God sent us here to make these political decisions, and it was his presence that got us here.

As a cultural Jew, I'm not religious. I'm not sure if there is a higher God. I don't live my life based on the word of God. I live my life based on what feels right, and what makes me happy. And, if I were in a policy making role, I would base my policy decisions on what's best for my constituents. Not what God told me.

That doesn't happen. Too often, policy and political decisions are made by the guiding voice of a higher God. If you believe in a higher God, that's fine. But, it's not fine in a political arena. There's a reason there's a separation of church and state. And politicians close that gap every day.

But what can we do about it? No one can tell a religious man to stop believing. And if you live your life based on the word of God, you're going to legislate on the word of God too. It's human nature.

That's why eliminating abortion from political debate is so important. Politicians don't have to focus on the number one issue for religious voters. If we don't meddle in a woman's private decision, then chances are we don't mix religion with politics in other places. We don't decide if there should be more stimulus based on religion. And with abortion out of the political equation, we don't have to.

If you want an abortion, get one. If you don't believe in abortions, don't get one. It's as simple as that. This is not a governmental issue. It's an individual issue. And the more religion creeps into our politics, the more it spreads like wildfire.

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The Politics of Oil

Everyone wants to end the BP oil spill, stop the oil from gushing, and get to cleaning up the Gulf. Having oil gush out doesn't help anybody--Republican or Democrat.

The problem with the oil spill (besides, of course, the massive economic and environmental damage) is what happens next. Republicans keep chanting "Drill, baby, drill!", while Democrats are sitting quietly in the corner chanting, well, what exactly are they chanting?

The oil spill is a crisis. As Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel says, "Never let a crisis go to waste". This is a crisis gone to waste.

While Republicans are winning the message battle yet again, the Democrats have a chance to win the policy battle--a much more important battle in the long run. Proposals of wind, solar and geothermal energy can be passed now.

This is not a climate change issue. It's a "Holy shit the Gulf is filled with oil, and these sources of energy don't spill like this" issue. Bill Maher put it best when he said: "You know what happens when a windmill falls into the water? A splash." This has to be portrayed as a safety issue. We don't have to deal with costly cleanups with wind, solar and geothermal.

If we are to mitigate the effects of climate change, then we can't use climate change. Climate change is a hoax, remember? We have to push safety and economic growth. Put the 10% unemployed to work by setting up wind farms, harvesting solar and geothermal energy, outfitting homes for energy efficiency and more. This horrible oil spill has a chance to change the world.

But, as we've seen so far, that hasn't happened. We're worried more about hitting BP hard, making it look like the government is the knight in shining armor, and BP is the bad guy. Which is true. Except that's not what matters. People know BP fucked up. People know that the government couldn't do much about it. It's not rocket science. There's no conspiracy here. People know that BP, right now, is a fucked up company that doesn't have a fucking clue how to stop an oil spill. We're not that stupid.

But, the government seems to think we are. Instead of leveling with us and saying that this is the time for clean energy economy, because we can be the world leaders in this, put people to work at jobs in America, and prevent costly and life-altering spills like this one, they're more concerned with putting their boot on the throat of BP. BP is going to pay for this spill. Every cent. You really expect BP to dodge a bullet here? Please. This isn't the time to show muscle. It's the time to get serious. It's the time to get wind, solar and geothermal energy. The words climate change do not have to be mentioned. People are scared about climate change. But, they're not scared about stopping spills and getting our economy moving.

The time is now. Convert to wind, solar and geothermal energy. Get our economy moving. Get our necks out from the iron fist of oil companies and oil producing nations. And, in the process, work to mitigate the effects of climate change. It's a win-win. Let's just hope the people in charge see it that way.

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We Are The Obstructors

IN an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) came out with a policy idea that, which seems like a first for Republicans, is a good idea.
Boehner proposed raising the retirement age for Social Security to 70:

"Ensuring there's enough money to pay for the war will require reforming the country's entitlement system, Boehner said. He said he'd favor increasing the Social Security retirement age to 70 for people who have at least 20 years until retirement, tying cost-of-living increases to the consumer price index rather than wage inflation and limiting payments to those who need them."

Raising the retirement age to 70 does a couple of things. One, it keeps Social Security solvent for the foreseeable future. Two, it limits the impact it has on our deficit. It's a credible policy idea that should be gaining serious consideration among lawmakers.

But, of course, it's not. Hours after that interview was published, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee came out with a fundraising goal: Raise $61,713 by tomorrow at midnight to help beat the GOP. The caption egging people on: Don't Let Boehner Raise The Retirement Age!

John Boehner is a politician, whose only motive seems to be to destroy President Obama. He is the villain in every movie. But, villains don't ever have good ideas. There's always something that backfires, and the hero comes in to save the day. John Boehner seems to fit the role of the villain. He has bombastic statements:

"Right now, we've got more Americans engaged in their government than at any time in our history. There's a political rebellion brewing, and I don't think we've seen anything like it since 1776."

He has plans, too. He wants to repeal the health care reform package. He wants the Republicans to take over the house. He wants the Republicans to take over the White House.

No one likes to deal with a villain. They're egotistical. They think they know it all. And they don't realize the flaws in their plan. Boehner doesn't seem to realize that repealing legislation that's a)gaining in popularity with Americans and b)has crucial provisions that will cause an uproar if repealed, will be the political death of him. He's the villain. It's the classic case.

But, maybe this case isn't so classic. Maybe Boehner is ready to switch sides. This policy suggestion is a good start. Maybe Boehner realizes that this villain he's playing isn't getting him anywhere.

The Democrats are calling his bluff. They think he's lying. But, for the first time, the leader of the Republican Party has a viable and credible policy solution, and Democrats are ignoring it.

This is the time to get something done. This isn't a bipartisan nation. Yeah, we talk up bipartisanship, but right now, it's bipartisanshit. Nothing gets done with both parties involved. It takes scratching and clawing from the majority to peel off a few Republicans.

But this, this is one of those moments where bipartisanship is possible. Where the two parties can come together and propose and pass something that makes sense. In an era where bipartisanship is nothing more than lip service, this is an opportunity for real action.

Yet, the Democrats don't see it. They're wasting the only chance they have for a bipartisan solution for a bipartisan problem. It makes sense. And yet, in many ways, the Democrats are just like Boehner's Republicans: Obstructors.

Yes, We Are The Obstructors, born to fight, born to disagree, and born to do nothing. Yes, We Are The Obstructors, made to ignore each other, made to belittle, and made to do nothing. Yes, We Are The Obstructors. And that's a bipartisan problem.

If we are to move forward as a nation, if we are to come out of this fiscal crisis, if we are to lower unemployment, if we are to reduce our deficit, if we are to come up with a reasonable solution for climate change, if we are to do these things, it has to be bipartisan. The Democrats don't have the votes to do it alone.

If we are to move forward as a nation, we will have to put aside petty grievances. If we are to move forward as a nation, we will have to realize that it serves no one to belittle the other. Yes, Democrats can disagree with Republicans, but their ideas are important too, and unless we as a nation want to get things done, then we have to listen.

If we are to move forward as a nation, we will have to realize that finding a common ground, to compromise is better than the alternative. There is no go it alone strategy. There is a "we're in this shithole together, and we gotta get out it together"

But, that will never happen. Boehner's social security proposal isn't going anywhere. The Democrats won't let it. Maybe he was bluffing. Maybe this olive branch was fake. But, what if it was real? What if this was a change? What if things were finally going to be different? Then we just fucked it up.

We live in a culture where this is accepted, hell, even encouraged. Disagreement is American. No. Compromise is American. Finding common ground is American. Respecting each other's differences is American. Respecting each other is American. That's how we move forward as nation. With some basic common decency.

We Are The Obstructors. Born to hate. Made to block things from happening. It has a catchy ring, doesn't it?

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Defending The Role of The President

IT seems nowadays that everyone is mad at President Obama. It's his fault that unemployment continues to float around 10%. It's his fault that the BP is still spilling oil.

The problem is, it's not really his fault. The role of the President, roughly defined, is to be the Commander-in-Chief, Head of State, sign legislation, make sure legislation is carried out effectively, nominate people for roles in federal government, and give a State of the Union. That's pretty much it.

Granted, the President is the face of America, and it's going to be his ass on the line no matter what. But, we have to re-define who we blame in political decisions.

Obama cannot introduce or pass legislation to reduce unemployment. He can shape the type of legislation, but he cannot cast a vote. It may his policies, but if they aren't getting enacted, it's not his fault.

Obama cannot stop the oil flow. I mean, he could put his body in front of it, but that seems ill-conceived. Obama can use the bully bull pit to pressure BP into making their response better, but he can't be responsible for the oil spill. Obama can shape legislation to ensure all the federal government's resources deployed are paid by BP, but he can't ensure passage.

The problem with today's hyper-active media is that it's easier to blame the President. He's in charge. But, equal amount of blame has to be on Congress and the Senate. The President's role is limited, by design. He can only do so much. The Congress and Senate have more power. It's their asses on the line. They're the ones who make policy, and ultimately pass legislation. The President just enforces it.

But, Obama will never get a break. No one's going to blame the Congressman from an obscure district in Vermont for the unemployment rate. They're going to blame Obama for not doing enough arm twisting to get the votes. Obama can only do so much. He can promote change, but it's up to lawmakers to make it so. He can order BP to stop the spill, but only BP can stop it. He can promote policies to reduce unemployment, but only lawmakers can enact it. The role of the President is limited, by design. The media's criticism on it should be limited as well.

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