Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Congress Of What?

The true champion of justice, if he intends to survive even for a short time, must necessarily confine himself to private life and leave politics alone.

Socrates
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I often wonder if there is any nation on Earth for a good man to live in where the government isn't destroying it's own country. I also wonder why anyone would want to get into politics considering how corrupt it is. Even if it is not overtly corrupt with bribes, inequities and influence buying and selling. It is covertly corrupt by the fact that few politicians understand what life is like for the average citizen.

Now we have a nation where politicians can be bought by big corporations. There is nothing new about that, it is that it used to be covert corruption but now the court has put it out into the open as legal practice.

The government is considering digging into Social Security benefits for older Americans thus creating hardships and, in some cases, homelessness. Are their eyes only on government expenditures or on their absurd fear of Socialism? Whatever umbrella their action may sit under it is "government against the people."

I think I would be ashamed to be a Congressman right now. That such measures are even being considered at any time is rabid, bile spitting injustice. What happened to common sense?

The government wastes money on wars we can't win, overfunded useless programs and
Congressmen's extracurricular activities. Greedy Big Business wastes money buying Congressmen to protect their greed. Who doesn't waste money? Last week I bought a quart of apple juice, an expenditure I can't afford.

If they cut back on my Social Security benefits I won't be able to pay my rent, along with thousands of other seniors, and that's a fact. The government will say "move." And who is going to pay for that?

The biggest, fiercest injustice in the land is the irresponsability of Congress and it's failure to face facts. They tell us what the American people want without asking the American people. The last time I was asked what I want by the government was 9 years ago when I had the option to have money taken out of my Social Security to pay for more Medicare.

My quiet, solitary protest is for Congress to stop wasting our money, stop the wealthy corporations from gouging us and not paying their fair share of taxes, stop funding useless programs, put the money to work for the nation. Spend it on improved education for our young, including better teacher's salaries, taking care of the unemployed and underemployed, strengthen the US Postal Service so it doesn't go out of business, and, for mercies sake, continue to provide for us older citizens who for years have voted, paid taxes, obeyed the laws and given our lives working for one American industry or another.

Dana Bate
The Vagabond

6 comments:

Big Mark 243 said...

This is too sobering for words. Especially when I feel that my service to the country should have meant that at least when I need help, it would be there.

I share your worries.

pacifica62 said...

Amen to that db. I do not live in your country, but as an outsider looking in I see many of the same things that you have described. Like some kind of rabid insanity. For those of you who have a vote, exercise it with caution and make your politicians earn your vote and become accountable. Everything seems to be in such a mess. Governments prey on the most vulnerable and the ones who can least afford to do with less money. I often wonder how these politicians are able to sleep at night, but what do they care.

Valerie said...

I share in your protest, Dana.

I also worry as I am disabled and depend on social security and Medicare. It's a scary time in history.

Thank you for writing this. xox

Beth said...

Excellent, Dana. Although there are some who are talking about getting into Social Security, I think that's not an option for a lot of our legislators. I know that my Congressman is against that.

Politics is a nasty business, but I don't see it changing anytime soon. We have to work within the system that we have and be informed, savvy voters. Unfortunately, far too many are dazzled by trivialities rather than substantive policies. I guess we can just keep on keeping on and trying to help others understand that it is in their best interest, and the country's best interest, to pay attention and vote smart.

Ken Riches said...

If there are changes, it will be for future generations, not for current people on SS. Rest easy friend.

Nance said...

The drumbeat of threats against Social Security, the states' financial solvency, etc., all begin to sound like justifications for both the left and the right to let tax cuts expire and to raise new taxes. The tax increases are a must--only timing and targets are up for grabs.

If Soc Sec benefits are actually cut for current recipients and those nearing retirement, there'll be an uprising on both the left and the right that will make tax hikes look like a walk in the park. And the entire Boomer generation will cut back their spending even further. That will hurt recovery hugely.

The only route I see is a combination of phased-in tax increases and phased-in, tiered benefit programs (including Social Security benefit changes) for those employed in both the public and private sectors. Anything sudden or wholesale is liable to topple this delicately balanced recovery.

But first, the drumbeats of doom! Everybody's got to be good and scared before these measures would be accepted.