The "picture of the day" is a collage of some of my favorite public figures over time, many of them Democrats. How many can you match-up or name? FDR, Truman, Churchill, Sam Ervin, Luther Hodges, Kerr Scott, Rich Preyer, I. Beverly Lake, Dan Moore, Jackie Robinson, Jim Hunt, George Wallace, Doc Watson, Billy Graham, Joe Bryan, JFK, Charles Kuralt, Frank Porter Graham, Gov. Holshouser, Gen. Westmoreland, Bob Hope, Terry Sanford. My, the influence.Friday, February 25, 2011
A Few of Great Influence
The "picture of the day" is a collage of some of my favorite public figures over time, many of them Democrats. How many can you match-up or name? FDR, Truman, Churchill, Sam Ervin, Luther Hodges, Kerr Scott, Rich Preyer, I. Beverly Lake, Dan Moore, Jackie Robinson, Jim Hunt, George Wallace, Doc Watson, Billy Graham, Joe Bryan, JFK, Charles Kuralt, Frank Porter Graham, Gov. Holshouser, Gen. Westmoreland, Bob Hope, Terry Sanford. My, the influence.
Let's Wake Up - It's Not the Unions
The current assault on public employee labor unions has, of course, been exposed for what it is. It has nothing to do with balancing state budgets or reducing government spending. It is about power, as Paul Krugman has pointed out.
Krugman says, " In principle, every American has an equal say in our process. In practice, some of us are more equal than others. Billionaires can field armies of lobbyists; they can finance think tanks that put the desired spin on policy issues; they can funnel cash to politicians with sympathetic views (Koch brothers, for example). On paper, we're a one-person-one-vote nation; in reality, we're more than a bit of an oligarchy, in which a handful of wealthy people dominate. Given this reality, it is important to have institutions that can act as counterweights to the power of big money. Unions are one of the most important of these institutions."
Former Labor Secretary and Labor Economist Robert Reich says, "As long a Democrats refuse the talk about the build-up of wealth and income of the top level, and refuse to push increasing the top marginal tax rate on the super wealthy so they pay their fair share, Republicans will continue to convince people that it's all about big government and unions. The truth that must be told is that government spending has little to do with high unemployment, declining wages, falling home prices, and all the other horribles that have come to haunt most Americans."
"The reason the economy continues to be lousy for most Americans", Reich says, "is that so much income and wealth has been going to the very top that the vast majority no longer has the purchasing power to lift the economy out of it's doldrums. Average Americans aren't buying cars, aren't buying homes, aren't going to the malls. The richest 5 % are back in the stores, but a strong recovery cannot be built on the purchases of the richest 5%."
The truth is that as income and wealth have risen to the top, so has political power. Governor Walker's conversation with the hoax caller in which he "spilled the beans" about his real intent was very telling. The super rich have been using their billions to hoodwink the public, corrupt politics, and enlarge their oversized fortunes. They are bankrolling Republicans who want you to think that unions and government spending is the problem. Let's wake up.
Krugman says, " In principle, every American has an equal say in our process. In practice, some of us are more equal than others. Billionaires can field armies of lobbyists; they can finance think tanks that put the desired spin on policy issues; they can funnel cash to politicians with sympathetic views (Koch brothers, for example). On paper, we're a one-person-one-vote nation; in reality, we're more than a bit of an oligarchy, in which a handful of wealthy people dominate. Given this reality, it is important to have institutions that can act as counterweights to the power of big money. Unions are one of the most important of these institutions."
Former Labor Secretary and Labor Economist Robert Reich says, "As long a Democrats refuse the talk about the build-up of wealth and income of the top level, and refuse to push increasing the top marginal tax rate on the super wealthy so they pay their fair share, Republicans will continue to convince people that it's all about big government and unions. The truth that must be told is that government spending has little to do with high unemployment, declining wages, falling home prices, and all the other horribles that have come to haunt most Americans."
"The reason the economy continues to be lousy for most Americans", Reich says, "is that so much income and wealth has been going to the very top that the vast majority no longer has the purchasing power to lift the economy out of it's doldrums. Average Americans aren't buying cars, aren't buying homes, aren't going to the malls. The richest 5 % are back in the stores, but a strong recovery cannot be built on the purchases of the richest 5%."
The truth is that as income and wealth have risen to the top, so has political power. Governor Walker's conversation with the hoax caller in which he "spilled the beans" about his real intent was very telling. The super rich have been using their billions to hoodwink the public, corrupt politics, and enlarge their oversized fortunes. They are bankrolling Republicans who want you to think that unions and government spending is the problem. Let's wake up.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Fox News All-Star Lineup
Recent surveys have shown Fox News guilty of spreading misinformation. They are deliberately disguising false information as news. No surprise here. The news business has become an entertainment industry. Be careful of what you consume in the name of journalism and factual news. My graphic artist friend Tracy Knauss captures the situation nicely in his piece above.
Caribbean Collage
This is collage of photos from three Caribbean trips over the years. I have been blessed with good jobs, a good wife, and great times.
Deep Sea Fishing in Hawaii
This is a great memory from marlin fishing off the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. I am with Dick Schapp, Emmy winning ABC News sports journalist and author. It was quite a time.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Willie Nelson Plays An Old One
This one puts a smile on your face. The old timers were sometimes a mess.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Franklin D. Roosevelt in His Own Words
Listening to this FDR clip is a well spent 3 minutes. Talk about a beacon of hope, directness, leadership, moving a nation forward in a time of despair.......that's FDR. This clip captures the mood of the times. FDR went on to win the 1936 election against GOP candidate Alfred Landon with 60% of the popular vote and by carrying 46 of the 48 states. They said if the campaign had gone on another month FDR with have carried Canada.
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