7% solutions

Some of my conservative brethren feel that liberal minded people spend too much time pointing out the problems with this country. Libs get called "whiners" for pointing out the loss of manufacturing jobs, health benefits, and retirement pensions while golden parachutes for CEOs have sky rocketed over the past eight years. Excuse me?! There are numerous media sources and mouthpieces that extol our virtues at nauseum. The whole" you're a great American" crowd. Those who pat themselves on the back for something they had nothing to do with. (grammar exception) Most weren't alive during WWII, so they don't know what it's like to sacrifice during a time of war only how to shop and run up a credit card. These supposed "great Americans" enjoy the fruits of those who came before them, the seeds of American success were planted by slaves, (an extremely cost effective labor force allowing for untold wealth to be created for the owners.) In later years it was protectionist policies not "free market capitalism" like Friedman and the neo-cons would lead you to believe, that was responsible for our country's to rise to Super Power status. Then when war was unavoidable, our grand parents and great grand parents sacrificed and put country first in order to win these wars. Scrap metal drives, entire manufacturing plants converted to produce armaments for our military. Gas rationing, food rationing, true sacrifice for the good of the country. After 9/11 we were told that the best way for the American citizen to fight back was to go on vacation and buy SUV's. That'll show 'em!

Yeah, we're "great Americans" alright, because of the luck of the draw. It's more a case of having won the geographical birth lottery than actual accomplishment. There are those who have truly done exceptional things, bravery in the field of battle, teachers who have gone above and beyond, civil servants who have truly helped their fellow man. But for the most part, putting in 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, some 50 weeks a year is admirable, but c'mon!!! Does that truly make someone great? What about the goat herder in Afghanistan with 5 or 6 kids who barely earns enough scratch to feed his family. . . or the sweat shop teen who puts in 12 to 16 hours a day for pennies are they not "great"? They have neither the opportunity nor the funds to improve their lives. So please can we stop with the "great American" moniker and just call these callers and talk show hosts what they really are? "lucky Americans."

So, yellow ribbon magnet, plastic flag (made in China) waving, gas guzzling SUV driving American . . . I'm going to offer up 7 solutions for 7 of today's problems.

1. Illegal immigration: This is an easy one. Levy a huge fine or put the employer in jail. This will save the tax payer millions in INS wages and transportation. When an illegal alien can no longer find work, they'll go home.

2. Terrorism: Two part answer A) Good old fashioned police work. Terrorism is a tactic, it can not be defeated militarily, nor can it be done away with completely. However, nearly all of the thwarted terrorist plots have been due to good police work.
B) Alternative sources of energy. As long as our military industrial complex occupy lands in the the middle east, and as long as we are sending trillions of dollars to places that not only launder money for the terrorists but, actually help fund them we can not expect a decrease in terrorism.

3. Health Care: First of all Congress and Senate representatives are to receive a mandatory cut in pay. If the Airline pilots can do it so can these politicians. Oh, I figure $65.00 grand a year aught to do it. Also, they will have to pay for their own health care. We'll have free national care within a year.

4. Capital Punishment: Abolished. With so many convictions being overturned due to DNA evidence. With those wrongfully imprisoned innocent people being released from prison, how can any reasonable person not see the potential for an irreversable mistake?

5. Abortion: Women's decision: No man has a say. I would hope that they would only be performed during the first trimester. However, I'm a man so . . . If your belief is that it is murder, then don't have one. Religious morales should never be forced upon others who do not share that same belief.

6. Same Sex Marriage: ( see the last sentence of #5) "This neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket" What do I care? I think gay folks should be allowed to experience the same hell that straight folks have to endure.

7. Failure to use a turn signal: Re invoke the death penalty.

DaG Out