Is the Internet destroying politics?

I'm a political junkie. My father was involved in regional politics when I was a kid, and I just grew to love it. I'm my father's son, I guess. But my interest in politics has always been from the sidelines for the most part. It wasn't until Bush became our President, (the son, not the father), that I became somewhat more active. I participated in protests against the PATRIOT Act, and the Iraq war before it started. I became a Dean follower in 2004. And that's when I started having this feeling of hopelessness that turned into despair when Kerry won the nomination, and lost his bid for the White House.

I didn't watch the news again until 2006.

This year, I've noticed a similar scenario playing out. I am excited and invigorated by a few candidates that I feel actually want to change our political system for the better. For the Democrats I'm hoping for Barack Obama to win. But for a favored candidate, I'm eying Ron Paul.

The changes Paul wants to make to our Federal Government are so extreme, that I find myself in awe that I am considering supporting him. And as a democrat it's strange to think about supporting a Republican. But for me, at least until Obama beats Hillary, I have no other choice. I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. Period. So I split my support, and my money, between Paul and Obama.

But this is what worries me. Not about Ron Paul, but about internet supporters like me for any of the candidates. I'm excited because Paul is saying what we want to hear, and what we know needs to be done to our government--at least to some extent. But as we all know deep in our hearts, his chances of winning the nomination are slim to none--which, some say, is why he's willing to say the things he says. But with his failure grows our despair. Undoubtedly a candidate we cannot support will win the nomination. A candidate that doesn't see the dread and despair of the population with politics as usual. For me, that candidate is Hillary.

So I lose faith in politics. As I'm sure thousands of others will as well. It's our own fault. I'm to blame as well. For as much as I support a candidate on the internet, and through my small $25 donations, it doesn't translate into "real world" success. I don't know why, or how even to change that. In the meantime, I lose, my candidate loses, and our country loses.

A Fascist World

There are a lot of things going on in this world right now which scare most people. So much that it's hard to grasp what is actually happening. Most people have no idea, or they would be incredibly scared; more than they are now. We are on course for a fascist world.

And here's how.

Let's take each issue facing us to day one by one and figure out the different positions. I will start with Health care.

Health insurance is expensive. So much so, that most people can't afford it, or it takes a large chunk of their income. Luckily, most working people are employed by companies who can afford health insurance for its employees. Thereby making the burden on the employee much less than if they had to pay for it themselves.

There is a push right now for "Universal" health care, which is run by the government, ensuring that all citizens of the US have health care coverage. This sounds like a great thing, that a country is rich enough to take care of its citizens. So why would people be opposed to it? Let's figure that out.

First off, if you work for a company that provides health insurance, you don't need the government to provide it. But now you are dependent on your job. Without a job, you lose your insurance. You're on your own. So you need your job for more than just to put food on your table and a roof over your head. You need to stay an employee of a company that has health insurance. If the government gives you health care for free, then you lose an incentive to work for a company. One of their shackles is broken.

In other words, Universal healthcare is a threat to the power and control of corporations. If it is successfully blocked from happening, then it is a sure sign of corporate influence over our government, and so a sign of fascism.

So does that mean that any candidate who pushes for universal healthcare is a fascist? Well no, but if you look at some proposals out there, you can tell which ones take corporate interests to heart, and which ones take human interests above anything else.

I'll post more fascism in our government later...

WWIII on the march

This week there has been a steady drum beat of alignment of forces marching up to World War III. Putin has said that an attack on Iran is an attack on Russia, thereby aligning his country against the US (http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/IJ26Ak06.html). We are once again foes with Russia.

Then today I see a story about a leaked plan from Cheney on how the war with Iran should start. First, Israel sends missiles into Iran to attack their supposed nuclear sites. Sound familiar? They just did this with Syria! The plan goes on, that when Iran retaliates and strikes Israel, the US will step in to defend its allie. This is fuckin rediculous! Read it: (http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/66157). And now, the next step in the game is that Russia will support Iran with god knows what! Troops? Weapons? Long-range strikes against the US homeland?

Why are we doing this? What possible benefit is there for this world?

Fucking Christ! Will someone PLEASE stop Bush & Cheney!!

Folsom Dam Memorial

So I was on Digg this morning and saw a post for the latest Onion video news story. I nearly spewed coffee on my monitor as it played....


Preemptive Memorial Honors Future Victims Of Imminent Dam Disaster

If you don't know, (and why would you), I grew up in Folsom. And my parents were involved in city politics, including my dad used to be Mayor. So this video especially hit home (on my funny bone)! :)

And another great video from them: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/poll_bullshit_is_most_important

WTF Hillary???

Let me first say that my political dreams match up pretty closely to Dennis Kucinich's platform. However, I'm supporting Obama in the Democratic primaries. Just so you know where I'm coming from... It's not that I don't like Kucinich. It's just that....well, we can't always achieve our dreams. Sometimes we have to settle for what is achievable. Not that Obama is settling. I think he'll be one of our greatest Presidents. Am I such a dreamer?

But WTF is Hillary doing? She just said she would not take an attack on Iran off the table, and that we must prevent them from going nuclear at all costs! WTF?? She also said earlier in the primaries that a nuclear strike was not ruled out! I'm sorry.. Did the alien parasite that infects George W. Bush just spread to Hillary Clinton? I mean I was at a total loss why she voted to name the Iranian Republican Guard a terrorist organization. That basically gives George W. the power to attack Iran under his authorization in 2001 to fight the war on "terror"... But now, just in case Bush doesn't follow through, Hillary is saying that she might!? WTF???

How does she have support of so many of these Democrats who were so anti-war in 2006?? Now she's saying she'll be as tough as Dubya, and everyone is like "Yeah! You go grrl!!"

I'm disappointed. I thought we had grown as an electorate. I thought we'd grown as a nation to realize our mistakes of aggression. Am I the minority who thinks we should follow a policy of avoiding war at all costs? My dream of the 21st century is for international peace and unity. For mankind to better itself, and embrace our differences. Not attack people on them. Maybe I should stick to dreaming....

Introductions

Welcome, welcome! I'm Jason. This is my 2nd blog attempt (outside of myspace anyway). I used to have another blogger blog, never posted more than about 2 posts. That was like 2 years ago though. Now it's different! I swear....

So I'm 32, live in San Diego, and am a web developer during the day. Currently I am working with a team to build our website www.enspired.com. It's a website for people looking to learn something fun, like how to play the guitar, or dance. We have LOTS of teachers around the US who are looking for students, and they post a lot of instructional videos to our site. You should definitely check it out!

I don't have a whole lot of "free" time in my life right now. Most of it is spent with either my boyfriend, or at work. When I do have time to myself, I usually am on the internet reading Digg, or maybe playing Wii. Sometimes, when it's nice out, I'll go down to the beach.

My main interests in life are music and politics. Both have been major parts of my life since I was a kid. I find national politics to be both completely fascinating, and utterly depressing. But I can't get enough of it. Obama 2008!!

Music is life. There's not a day goes by that music isn't playing in my ears. I am a sound engineer, although not really by trade much anymore. I studied it in school and got degrees in recording arts and music industry. I went on the Vans Warped Tour in 2005 & 2006 as the FOH engineer and stage manager for the Ernie Ball stage. It was a blast!! One of the best experiences of my life. But the music business is changing a lot these days, and there's not a whole lot of money in it. Especially as an engineer. And I didn't want to be on the road for the rest of my life. So now I do web development. Something that I've been doing since about 1997.

Well, that's me in a nut shell. I will try to post more on here as the days and months continue on. So welcome! And I hope you enjoyed reading post #1!