Ideology Versus Party

Chairman Bill, William F. Buckley Jr., the founder of the conservative magazine The National Review and the once undisputed guru of American conservative thought, cautioned against any acceptance of a universal definition for conservatism.  It has been established over the years that the same can be said for liberalism, Libertarianism, Socialism Or any other…”ism.”  In reading any attempted definitions you will, in all probably, gain far greater insight into the author than you will the ideology.  

 Another key element to Buckley’s thinking cautioned against placing party before ideology.  He was quick to write and point out that the devils of deception were always lurking under party banners and to beware of those false gods.  He demonstrated a strong conviction to these principles when he ran as an independent in the New York City Mayoral election in 1965.  His brother James also ran as an independent winning a U.S. Senate seat in 1970.  Buckley could be as harsh with Republicans as he could be generous with lavish praise for Democrats.  He was committed to finding, what he believed, was the truth in these murkiest of waters. He made every effort to employ sound rational thought in combination with an ideological purity. 

Confident these teachings had taken hold and equally as confident they had been crafted into finely honed guidelines for political thought, you can imagine my surprise when recently asked if I was now a Democrat.   The inquiry came from an acquaintance of some forty years with whom I had lost contact.  Confusion had arisen from our conversation having reached a virtual standstill.  

 The question did however prompt thought and evaluation.   After reflection, I concluded I had not changed, but that the political landscape – political parties - and culture had changed, which may have been the primary cause for this obvious confusion.

 This self-examination first led me to realize it is impossible for me to embraced the philosophies and principles that define Republicans today for which, quite frankly, there is very limited sound rational.

 This clarification extended to Republicans like Ronald Reagan who stated; 

Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.”  As well as; “We are going to close the unproductive tax loopholes that allow some of the truly wealthy to avoid paying their fair share.  In theory some of those loopholes were understandable but in practice they sometimes make it possible for millionaires to pay nothing while a bus driver pays ten per cent of his salary and that’s crazy.” 

 

I pointed to Barry Goldwater who said; “you don’t have to be straight to be in the military; you just have to be able to shot straight.”  As well as; “I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in "A," "B," "C" and "D." Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me?” 

I reemphasized that proud Republican support was given to those like President Dwight David Eisenhower who believed; “Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history.  There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things…Their number is negligible and they are stupid.”  

Then, of course, there was Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen.  In 1964 Dirksen’s influence ended the senate filibuster holding up civil rights legislation thus paving the way for the bill’s passage.

 It also reminded me that Mr. Buckley, with the aid of other Republicans, were responsible for discrediting the John Birch Society.  The modern-day John Birch Society, now known as “The Tea Party,” is warmly embraced by the Republican Party.

None of these principles or ideals can be found within today’s GOP.  

Further contemplation led to the realization that Democratic Party evolution has redefined their priorities.  The corporate Democrat doctrine has supplanted the more than forty years of the humane Roosevelt, Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson doctrines, programs and priorities. 

 The transformation occurred with President Carter.  To strengthen the Democratic Party brand which was badly tarnished by the embarrassing defeat of George McGovern, President Carter politically positioned himself as a moderate Democrat.  This maneuver was orchestrated to escape the perception that Democrats were far left, extremist fanatics.    

 Large financial concerns within our country then began pouring vast sums of money into Democratic Party coffers. Carter Deregulated the airline and trucking industries.  Bill Clinton, with a single stroke of his pen, signed the “Gramm Leach Bliley Act” into law in 1999 which repealed the “Glass Steagall Act” and acted as the single most influential piece of deregulation in that it ushered in the great recession of 2008.  This gave great credence to Clinton’s pronouncement; “The era of big government is over.”   With these actions and this pronouncement, the poor, underprivileged, disadvantaged and middle-class lost their political influence. 

 Greed and corporate collectivism have paralyzed our country over the last forty years.  Our government has conspired in providing greater protections to a handful of very wealthy citizens who argue for the survival of the fittest.  This has been done at the expense of commitments to educate our children, provide for the elderly, the sick, the homeless and hungry - in a country that has the means to end it all.  This has not only been inhumane but stifled growth and the common good of the nation. 

 

Those who buy into liberal, conservative, Republican, Democratic and etc. labeling and propaganda, are far more interested in promoting a self-serving agenda than problem solving.  The objective of all these distinctions is to create voting blocs - classes of people.  These blocs all have the same aspects in common. They use fear and hatred to create mistrust of our fellow citizens – to unite through bitterness – to polarize us.  As such, they should be dismissed and ignored wherever they are put before us.  These labels are never a viable, rational argument in defining our difficulties nor can they ever suffice as rational arguments either in support of, or opposition to, initiatives and solutions for those maladies.  If we continue in this vein, we will most assuredly accomplish what Hitler, Russia and Bin Laden couldn’t.  We will destroy ourselves.

 In conclusion; Mr. Buckley’s influence and wisdom, while NOT universal, has left its impact on my thinking.  It is irrational to conclude that because someone is unable to find a home among Grover Norguist’s and Karl Rove’s merry band of GOP lunatics, that that someone must be a Democrat.  It would further be irrational to assume that because that same someone may have supported GOP candidates in the past that he would remain a lifelong Republican.  

Like Mr. Buckley, I hold to a strong set of believes and am committed to that ideology which is not enthusiastically embraced by either political party.  I therefore must conclude that I am a man with an ideology and without a party.  But then, as I was taught by a sage who I still greatly admire, that is one of those summits of wisdom which, in all probability, will be instrumental in sustaining and even possibly saving our Republic. 

An Enduring Legacy

   If anyone ever epitomized the American dream it was Elvis Aaron Presley.

He was born on January 8, 1935 in a dirt floor shack in Tupelo, Mississippi.  His twin brother, Jesse Garon, did not survive birth.  He grew up in Memphis Tennessee. 

The Presley’s lived in African-American neighborhoods. As such they were considered and thus treated like “poor white trash.”  This ugliness clearly prepared Elvis to meet his fate in life. 

Sam Phillips founded Sun records in Memphis.  He became aware of Elvis when he stopped by his studio and paid to record a song for his mother.  Phillips had been looking for a white performer who had the feel for the black sound of gospel and rhythm and blues.  He strongly believed there could be a very lucrative market for this black sound.  However, because bigotry had a strong influence on American culture in the 1950’s, he also knew the market could not be tapped unless he could find a white performer with an authentic feel for the sound and music.  Phillips was hoping that Presley would be that performer. 

To market Elvis and see how he would be received by audiences, Phillips paired him with Scotty Moore and Bill Black and sent them out on the road as the “Blue Moon Boys.” While the response to the group was favorable it wasn’t very profitable.  Phillips needed to make money with Elvis or breakoff their relationship. A successful record needed to be produced. 

A private Sun Studio session was scheduled.  After what seemed like endless hours of working with Elvis to get the sound Phillips needed, he beckoned Scotty Moore to join him in the hallway outside the studio.  He told Scotty he had enough.  He was going to inform Elvis he was calling it quits.  Scotty told him he thought that would be a mistake.  He further told Phillips that in working and traveling with Elvis there was no doubt he had something special to offer.  He could, on occasion, mesmerize an audience. 

While they were chatting, Elvis and Bill Black began very casually playing around with a song.  When Phillips heard what they were doing he quickly rushed back into the studio.  When Presley and Black saw him enter the studio they paused believing that Phillips would once again want to give them some direction.  He did not.  He told them to keep playing and doing exactly what they were doing so he could get it on tape.  The song they were toying with was “That’s All Right Mama.”  Phillips loved it.  It was recorded on July 5, 1954. 

Because the recorded sound was unmistakably black in origin, local disc jockeys refused to air it.   After two days of refusing to play it, Dewey Phillips (no relation to Sam) at WHBQ agreed to both play it and promote it before he aired it.  Dewey told Sam he would play it only once and that was all.  Air date was set for the evening of July 7, 1954.

The Pressley’s invited friends and neighbors to all gather around the family radio.  As Elvis heard the promotions and lead-ins being aired for the song, he became violently ill.  Upon returning from the bathroom, he announced he was going for a walk.  Elvis did not hear his very first record played on the radio for the first time. 

The song led to the telephone at the radio station ringing off the hook.  Dewey called Sam and said they had a hit and he wanted Elvis to join him in the studio for an on-air interview.  Elvis’ mother, Gladys, told Sam they would send him to the station as soon as he returned home.  After far longer than Sam’s patience could bear, he called again and pleaded with the family to find Elvis, explaining they were losing a golden opportunity.  Gladys then announced to the family she would go and get him.  Vernon, Elvis’ father, was surprised that she knew where he was located.  Elvis always went to the movies to calm himself when he was in turmoil.  Gladys knew this.

As they walked out of the movie theater Elvis looked up at an ominous sky and said; “There’s a storm comin’ our way mama.”  Gladys replied; “Yes – the likes of which few have ever known.” 

During the interview at the radio station Dewey asked Elvis what high school he attended.  The only purpose for the question was to subtly establish Presley’s race.  

Elvis’ shaky legs, his quivering lip, his long sideburns, his unconventional style of dress and his African-American sounding music steeped in gospel and rhythm and blues, served to not only continue the loathing but spurred even greater scorn. 

Any negative feelings or ramifications that Elvis may have experienced from all of this hatred was never expressed publicly.

Elvis was the first American entertainer to gain overwhelming popularity despite unparalleled ridicule.  There could be no greater tribute to the man’s incredible talent and charisma.  

Elvis stood at the center of an American movement that could not be halted.  He was the leading force in spurring the music industry to far greater levels of creativity and imagination.  His impact went way beyond the music industry.  He permanently impacted American culture and society.  It was the Presley magic in large measure that provided black Americans with far greater access to mainstream America.  His influence as an entertainer continues to be unprecedented to this very day.  

His kindness and generosity are as legendary as his music legacy.  It was not uncommon for someone to be gifted a Presley possession if that someone simply complimented the possession.  Elvis was once angered when informed that Christmas traditions at Graceland would have to be altered.  Too many complete strangers had begun showing up at the Presley’s door for the elaborate gifts Elvis presented.  He finally agreed to the changes.

He overcame great storms of poverty and hatred to achieve worldwide admiration that very few Americans have ever known.    And while it is oh so sad that; “Elvis has left the building” we can rest assured that his music and all its precious memories, along with his remarkable influence, shall remain with us forever. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E48aMOVLgBY

Guns Remain An Exercise In Futility

The debate over solutions to curbing the epidemic gun violence that has gripped our nation has once again become predominate.  Will this new round of discussions result in any meaningful improvements or will it only suffice in strengthening the continuation of the status quo once again? 

 Let’s begin with those who oppose any new gun laws in curbing sales or distribution. 

 The December 21 statement by “National Rifle Association” Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, demands the solutions be framed and the debate be focused on two areas.  One reasonable but unrealistic and the other preposterous.

 He began by discussing the cultural decay that gives rise to the mental illness responsible for the atrocities.  His point was well taken in that all of the following define our current culture.

1.      A vastly diminished sense of spirituality

2.     A breakdown in respectful, dignified, civilized behavior

3.     A glorification of violence

4.    A huge proliferation and acceptance for the use of drugs – legal and illegal

5.     A once unimaginable divorce rate

6.    A breakdown in parenting and a cohesive family structure

7.     An acceptance of the refusal to hold people accountable for their behavior

In the latter portion of LaPierre’s statement, he proposes not a balanced approach with regards any restrictions on the sale and distribution of the weaponry responsible for the most efficient destruction of human life, but encouraged the use of more weapons and more bloodshed to solve the problem. Because his latter remarks were viewed by most as being disingenuous and outlandish, his credibility has been called into question.  Discrediting him as a responsible spokesman has further led to discrediting his entire message even though his opening remarks were valid.

From the gun control advocates we hear the argument that stricter gun laws should solve the problem in its entirety. 

Their focus is on greater numbers of gun laws.

1.      Limiting the size of ammunition clips

2.      Ending gun shows and private gun sales

3.      Ensuring background checks for emotional, physiological or criminal history precede all gun purchases. 

4.      The creation of a national gun owner data base

5.      Periodic license renewals to ensure existing requirements are being met at the time of renewal with updated background checks to assure no new threats have previously absent mental disorders.

The advocates believe these measures will result in saving some lives.  Maybe, yet we have no evidence that these measures can end spree shootings.  The Brady Bill has had virtually no effect in curbing the slaughter of American lives.  Our best hope of achieving that end requires reductions in the number of guns in distribution in America and strict restrictions on their availability.

   Urgency is essential here.     Unfortunately, cultural decline and mental illness - if it can even be abated at all - will take many years of study and reforms.  As for limiting and/or eliminating the weapons themselves??  Well…No one seems to be any real hurry there.  

Impossible Is Not the American Way

One key factor in today’s current American political climate is that the obstructionists who toil in the political arena universally state, with undyeable certainty, that to move forward is just, very simply, impossible. 

Nothing is more arduous in America than political change. It takes an inordinate amount of time requiring unparalleled endurance, persistence, emotional toughness, and persuasive, charismatic and intellectual expertise.

 

Leaders with these attributes have always been the foundation for change.  We wouldn’t have achieved a Civil Rights bill in 1964 without Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Without Franklin Delano Roosevelt we would not have Social Security.  Without Presidents Kennedy and Johnson both Medicare and Medicaid would have never has materialized.   

Through all the long dark days before the bright sunshine of success, we heard many say that while they may be good ideas they will never happen. 

David Durenberger is a Former Minnesota U.S. Senator.  Since leaving office he has established himself as a very credible authority on the American system of health care with particular focus on all its all its drawbacks.  In a Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) interview he was asked what we need to do to address the shortcomings and why we don’t have such a program?  Durenberger responded by saying we do have such a program.  It is the Veterans Administration (VA) health care program.  This was followed by the query as to why don’t simply adopt that model to overcome our health care shortcomings.  Durenberger responded by saying that would be politically impossible to achieve.  Nothing can be done – Status Quo maintained. 

One of the arguments surrounding solutions to end the American gun carnage is that it is so complex and so multi-faceted there is little or nothing that can be done.  With the exception of band-aid type proposals it is politically impossible to accomplish.  Nothing can be done – Status Quo maintained. 

For more than two decades the Pentagon has been unable to complete a financial audit.  The Pentagon remains the only government agency that has yet to pass an audit which is classified as a "Disclaimer of Opinion" (the auditor didn't get enough accounting records to form an assessment).  It has been stated time and again that because the pentagon budget is now so huge, complex and multi-layered that it is impossible to get an accurate accounting.  Nothing can be done – Status Quo maintained.  The Forever war crowd can continue dancing in the streets.  

Let’s be clear on one thing.  The concept of impossible has never led to achievement only failure.  And – Let’s be VERY clear that that runs contrary to the American experience and spirt. 

We didn’t win two world wars by believing it was impossible.

We didn’t find a polio vaccine by believing it was impossible.

We didn’t create labor unions by believing it was impossible.

We didn’t enact civil rights legislation by believing it was impossible.

We didn’t end the Vietnam war by believing it was impossible.

We didn’t land on the moon by believing it was impossible. 

This was an America where we believed nothing – ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - was impossible.  We still live in that country. 

Today we have a black president.  Gay Americans will finally have their grievances heard by the Supreme Court this year.  Both were once heralded as being impossible. 

It is time to start thinking only in terms of what must be accomplished, along with a fervent commitment to that success.  We can’t afford the destructive concept of impossible to find any room within our thought process – our collective wisdom. 

Those who use the argument that it will never be achieved are defeatists.  By their very nature they nurture a level of strength in determination for the success they oppose.  Embracing their logic relegates us to “Ground Hog Day” riddled with déjà vu.  For them the perfect appropriate and practical time to act will never materialize.  It will never materialize because they refuse to support those who are committed to progress and rational solutions – those who possess the skills, motivation. commitment and appeal necessary to sell their vision and know how to leverage a mandate in securing the necessary changes and legislation.  

We have ignored gun violence and done nothing for the last 18 years.  Every other industrialized nation on earth offers universal health care to its citizens.  The Pentagon is riddled with a massive amount of waste, fraud and financial mismanagement because we make it possible.  Impossible not only stifles our initiatives but even more damning, kills our propensity to dream that spawn creativity while blinding us to what we can and MUST achieve.

Silence Propels Despicable Contrivance

              

During this past election cycle we were inundated with JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! And MORE JOBS!!!  Yet not one word was devoted to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). 

In 2005 the Postal Service had no debt.  In 2006 legislation was passed and signed into law by President George W. Bush that required the U.S. Postal Service to prefund their benefit programs for the next seventy-five (75) years within an astonishing ten-year time frame. That required the Post Office to begin making annual payments of $5.5 billion dollars to meet this new requirement.  This and this alone, has forced the USPS into the very real threat of insolvency.  The USPS has now exceeded its federal debt limit and is currently in the red to the tune of $15.9 billion. 

To stop the bleeding the Postal Master General has stated that 3,700 postal branches would have to eventually be closed which would eliminate 200,000 postal jobs. 

In an attempt to stave off this calamity, the senate has passed legislation that would return $11 billion in over payments from the benefit funds (the amount needed to make the benefit funds whole versus the 75 year requirement) to the Post Office.  That would leave the USPS with a remaining debt of $4.9 billion which could easily be managed through increased postal rates and modernization through an increase in services offered.  In effect, all these jobs could be saved and all the problems solved without spending one nickel of taxpayer money – which is exactly the same taxpayer amount spent in support of the Post Office last year – ZERO.  Crisis averted, right?  But Wait! “Houston, we have a problem.” 

Thus far the House of Representatives has failed to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.  Failure by the House to pass the Senate bill and put it on the president’s desk before the end of December will result in the immediate closure of 260 offices and place 35,000 workers on unemployment with the very real threat of jeopardizing up to as many as 100,000 jobs.         

Was Mitt Romney speaking for those Republicans who control the US House Of Representatives when he was preaching JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! And MORE JOBS!!!  And if so, why aren’t they acting on this crucial Senate legislation to save these Post Office jobs?

With the stronger mandate Democrats received in the last election, why are we not hearing from President Obama, Senator Harry Reid and Representative Nancy Pelosi on the crucial necessity of repealing this totally unwarranted and insane 75 year mandate to prefund postal benefits that needlessly threatens all these JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!

This despicable contrivance demands public accountability fueled by public outrage, yet the sound of JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! And MORE JOBS!!! - has instead been replaced with the sound of silence.

Despicable Apathy Fuels Destructive Law

The misconceptions surrounding the United States Postal Service (USPS) are, to say the least, mindboggling.  

Let’s begin with the fact that not a nickel of taxpayer money funds the USPS.  The USPS is a self-sustaining agency and always has been.  The only time government funds would ever find their way into Post Office coffers would be in the event the USPS would need to borrow money to cover a deficit.

Because laws do not allow the USPS to borrow from any private or outside sources, that money would come to them from the Treasury Department; which is, once again, MANDATED BY LAW.  

Existing laws also place a limit on how much the Post Office may borrow.  The current limit is $15 billion.  The current Post Office deficit is $15.9 billion.  So, the Post Office has now lost its operational safety net and faces a painful end unless further action is taken. 

To deal with this harsh reality the Postal Master General has stated that 3,700 postal branches would have to eventually be closed which would eliminate 200,000 postal jobs.  Additional considerations include the continued closings of distribution centers and the suspension of Saturday deliveries.

 All of these measures are nothing more than applying a band aid to a bullet wound unless congress repeals the insane 2006 legislative mandate placed on the USPS requiring them to fully fund their benefit programs for seventy-five (75) years within a ridiculous ten-year time frame.  This forced the USPS to make yearly contributions of $5.5 billion dollars to meet this new requirement. This demand is the sole reason the Post Office has a financial crisis.  

 Add to all of this the following:

1.     Previous to the 2006 legislative mandate the USPS had incurred absolutely no debt.  In 2005 they closed their fiscal year in the black.

2.   While the Post Office has struggled with debt in the past, records reveal they were raising their rates roughly every three years to cover existing deficits accrued over that period of time.  They were sailing along in greased grooves.

 3.   With the advent of inter-net email, bill paying by electronic means and additional competition, the Post Office was forced into more frequent rate increases in recent years.  These increases allowed them to comfortably manage their financial burden while successfully competing until the 2006 legislation began crippling them.

 4.   Roughly 25% of U-P-S and Fed Ex deliveries are actually made by the post office.  These deliveries are in mostly rural areas where it is not profitable for U-P-S and Fed Ex to deliver and are, of course, areas that the Post Office services. 

 5.    Should the Post Office go belly-up it will most assuredly result in much higher delivery rates to create the now absent levels of profitability for U-P-S and Fed Ex.  This will not only create a greater financial burden for millions of individual Americans but will place an even greater financial burden on small and many medium sized businesses in our country.

6.   It is this Post Office presence in the market place that drives and fuels lower costs across the board for all deliveries by all the delivery services.

Should we lose the Post Office we will needlessly lose hundreds of thousands of Americans jobs.  We will needlessly lose competitive, reasonable delivery rates.  We will needlessly lose many of the services we enjoy and take for granted today.  But most sadly of all, we will needlessly lose a precious national resource source of traditional communication – losses due in large measure to a national apathy fueled by misconceptions.

 Was Mitt Romney speaking for Republicans when he was preaching JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! And MORE JOBS!!!  If so, why isn’t his GOP brethren appalled at the prospect of the elimination of 200,000 postal jobs.   

Where are the Democrats??  With the stronger mandate Democrats received in the last election, why are we not hearing from President Obama, Senator Harry Reid and Representative Nancy Pelosi on this despicable contrivance surrounding the insane 75-year mandate to prefund postal benefits.

This despicable contrivance demands public accountability fueled by public outrage, yet the sound of JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! And MORE JOBS!!! - has instead been replaced with the sound of silence.

 It is time for Americans to speak out.   If ever there was a time or an issue that screamed at us to EMAIL or CALL OUR PRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS, CALL A TALK SHOW, CONTACT ALL THE MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS, WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR - to get involved, this is both the time and the issue.  It is time to remind our politicians and the news media that we are a fair and just people.  It is time to make it clear that all this destructive manipulation WILL NOT STAND!  It is time, to be sure, for all to heed the words of Henri-Frederic Amiel; “Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.”