Friday, December 25, 2009
Remember
But lately watching as events unfold like the economic distress served to us by a broken system of government that continues to ignore the needs and the will of the people resulting in escalating debt, the theft of our 401s & 403s , loss of jobs and home foreclosures that may leave many people with little reason to celebrate.
Our government seems like it is run by corporations as our representatives show more concern for protecting them as opposed to protecting us from them.
The investment bankers are invited to dictate banking laws & regulations.
The energy companies are allowed to pollute and plunder our environment with no repercussions.
A morally corrupt health care insurance system is given a seat at the bargaining table along with Big Pharma to dictate policy that will protect their profit while sacrificing a basic human right to health care.
As our representatives continue to vote 'yes' and fund wars to feed a bloated military industrial complex. All these endeavors feed profit motivated greed at the expense of the base, us, we the people, the taxpayers.
In his farewell speech to the nation Eisenhower warned us of the potential threat of a military industrial complex.
"A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction...
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together."
Before Eisenhower's warning FDR's radio address to the nation suggested a second Bill of Rights, an Economic Bill of Rights be implemented.
"It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people—whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth—is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.
This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights—among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.
As our nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.
We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.” People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.
In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.
Among these are:
The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation; The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
The right of every family to a decent home;
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
America’s own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens."
We have to remember or else "those that cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. "
Our Congress & Senate have struggled and lost to corporate interests and the lobbys over real health care reform. At the same time they managed to approve more money for more war.
Any questions?
Hope you all can find time to enjoy the holidays.
Remember 'peace on earth, goodwill towards men'.
