STOP the status quo

partisan bias

brendan2325 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:35:54 +0000

The United States political system claims to welcome varying political parties and intermittent points of view. I call bullshit. We have been relegated to a two party system, whereby two nearly identical political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, hold all the weight in creating legislation which its citizens must abide by. With the exception of one member in Congress, who considers himself a Socialist Democrat (Bernie Sanders, I-VT), our political leaders more or less maintain the status quo by virtue of never allowing the mere possibility of change whatsoever. It’s always welcomed for individuals such as Ralph Nader to throw themselves into the mix as a presidential candidate, but let’s be real, the American public have been indoctrinated to believe that either a Republican or a Democrat will emerge victorious. Two factors can be blamed on this – money and mass media. Yes, that’s right, yet again I’m pointing my finger at the two evils most responsible for the ills within this country – greed and television. We have reached a pinnacle in which these two mitigating factors hold the most weight in our political system.

The major issue of this ridiculous thing we call the two party system underscores the single greatest problem within our government. There exists an abundance of more than just Democratic and Republican candidates in any local, state, or federal election. With the plethora of parties involved in any given election, the end result is always the same – a Republican or a Democrat garnering the votes needed to hold office. This is where money plays a significant role. Both aforementioned parties elicit disproportionate amounts of fiscal contributions from independent individuals and big business that aim to finance their campaigns. Deprived of such monetary contributions, the ‘insignificant’ parties are not able to secure the necessary voters required to participate in televised appearances such as debates, talk shows, news interviews, and campaign advertisements. Without this crucial media coverage, one cannot hope to remain competitive and win an election.

Although this process is unjust and unfair in and of itself and in no way can be representative of a democratic system, it doesn’t even compare to the encroachments partaken by the two major political parties responsible for serving to benefit their rich campaign contributors. In an effort to amass the approval of the corporations that fund their campaigns, the two parties are forced to cultivate a favorable view of a greedy, capitalistic disposition. In essence, the absurdly wealthy continue to play the largest role in deciding elections. How can this be looked at as representative of the majority?

Both parties see it as essential that they pander to the wants and needs of the top tier of wealth within our society. As soon as they lose the support of the wealthy, they can kiss their political aspirations goodbye. Obviously, there must only be one winner in every election. So, even as one of the major parties loses an election, the other remains and has thus guaranteed the tiniest percentage of the population (the rich) in absolute control over our legislative process. The left leaning Democrat differs ever so slightly from their right leaning Republican counterpart, but they both maintain identical spheres of influence within their pro-corporate policies.

In the end, when the dust has settled, we are left with a puppet nation whose strings are pulled by the richest of the rich. The two-party system will never represent the greater good of this country. The richest person in this country has one vote, and the poorest individual has one vote. A collective will and uniting force against the upper class must happen. Let’s end this charade now.

american consumerism=shameful spending

brendan2325 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:55:59 +0000

I have never been a big fan of the pace at which technological advancements have accelerated and have thus made it impossible for most ordinary people to keep up. Obviously there are exceptions to everything. In this case, my contempt for commercials provides the exception. I am beholden with gratitude towards the advent of digital video recorders. With this brilliant invention I have been able to completely eliminate ‘channel surfing’ out of my television watching endeavors as well as not being subjected to dreadful commercials of which I hold so much disdain for. Where does this antipathy come from? Read on.

Commercials portray joyful individuals sporting the most recent high-priced fashion trends while driving their environmentally irresponsible Sport Utility Vehicles into the drive-thrus of reprehensible fast-food chains. This form of advertising preys upon the feeble minded who appear to have no idea what is going on. What is tacitly assumed in viewing these commercials is that without these goods one has absolutely zero chance of attaining the level of joy so effortlessly experienced by the people they are watching. Don’t allow yourselves to be sucked into this vacuum of bullshit. You might think that the advertising I’m speaking of doesn’t apply to you. Trust me, it does. You just aren’t aware of it.

By nature, I am no doubt a minimalist. I only purchase what I absolutely need and even then I am regretful of the price I opted to pay for said item. I don’t expect everyone to adopt my self-proclaimed responsible spending habits. All I can hope for is a certain level of awareness by my fellow consumers.

Presently, American consumerism has hit a magnitude wherein we are led to believe that a particular product has the ability to alleviate any and all negative feelings we have in our lives. Individuals are goaded into not having to carry the extra burden of recognizing the issues in their lives, but rather to go out and spend money on an unnecessary item that will make their problems go away. We must all realize that whatever product is thrown at us has its very own generic substitute. The difference is that the generic items don’t hire a slew of overpaid advertisers and airtime in an effort to shove their goods down our throats.

Without ownership of the chic new clothes and accompanying accessories, one is led to falsely believe that an unfavorable judgment amongst their peers is soon to follow. Brainwashed people hold firm onto the belief that the material goods they own and flaunt are no doubt an accurate depiction of who they are as a person. This mentality is pathetic. It does nothing but lessen the value of one’s self while supporting the business practices of corporate vultures and the questionable methods they use in order to sell you their shit.

The next time a clever advertising spot or commercial entices you, try and remember exactly who you are and who it is you are giving your hard earned money to. Buy only what you need. And if you don’t need it….be mindful of the businesses you choose to support. Shop locally if you absolutely must.

combat vs. unity

brendan2325 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:56:18 +0000

My country characterizes itself to its citizens as the greatest country on Earth. It depicts itself to those who reside within its borders as the protector of freedom and democracy towards every other country. This has now led us into Iraq and Afghanistan, lest we forget every occupation in the past. To name the most glaring examples: Guatemala, Vietnam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Grenada, Nicaragua, Chile, Cuba, Honduras, the Philippines, Iran, and Panama.

Even though my government touts each and every occupation under a captivating name (Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Desert Storm, etc.), it must not be ignored that the truth of the matter is that these are utilizations of military force that have one common goal: deliberate and monetary acquisition. This is unfortunately never mentioned in mainstream media for fear of appearing unpatriotic. What is failed to be reported on and brought to the attention of most unbeknownst Americans is that a high level of manipulation is occurring.

Here’s the truth: The U.S. equipped weaponry, guidance and instruction, and fiscal reinforcement to Afghanistan as well as Iraq. Democracy? I don’t think so. Overthrowing a democratically elected ruler only to replace them with a U.S. puppet dictator? All for the sake of greed and at the expense of vast amounts of innocent human life. Let’s also not forget the role America feels it must play in serving as a WMD bully with regard to setting preposterous regulations on other countries’ aspirations in achieving nuclear artillery achievement. This only begins to scratch the surface of what is happening behind the closed doors of our government. Believe it.

These painful truths are hidden and masked on a daily basis by who we trust to be reporting the news to us in an unbiased manner. Instead I sit here frustrated that the propaganda force-fed to us is swallowed up and accepted as reality. It is shameful that in a country that regards itself as the benchmark for a free society, ideas such as those I have expressed are met with notions of being unpatriotic and dishonorable. Our government, with the help of mass media, continues to disguise its intentions while casting a veil upon its own nuclear supremacy. I’m sick and tired and I’m ashamed to live in a country who acts as the world bully. The truth must be sought. Future generations are the ones at risk of never knowing what it’s like to live in a free nation. Now is the time to unite. How, you ask? Stay tuned.