Amerika

I've refrained from any comments on the ol' blog about revolution, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and related matters because I feel ill-informed to do so.

It's sad to watch the video of Egypt, to see these people fighting for what they desperately wanted but didn't have, even as elected officials in various American states are moving to reduce the rights of individual and the last few organizations that exist to work on their behalf.

It's sad to consider the heroism of the two Libyan fighter pilots who refused to bomb civilians, altering their lives forever.  Did they leave families and friends behind in this ethical act?  Meanwhile, in America, we're led to believe that politicians who would enact corporate welfare for businesses profiting  off American consumers and workers, while decrying budget shortfalls.  And the solution?  Dismantle labor unions, with a first step of removing collective bargaining rights.

This is not an issue that anyone outside of Fox News and the radio loud mouths can paint as liberal/democrat/ vs conservative/republican vs /libertarian/green/etc.  This is an American issue.

Now, before you assume this perspective is reserves to a big ol' Lib like yours truly, go ask your favorite fire-station staff how they feel.  Ask a few teachers.  Organized Labor --Unions-- does what our politicians have found not worthy of their time: acting on behalf of the common working person.  Is it perfect?  Is reform needed?  Do we need to tighten our belts in lean times?  All questions that may be answered without removing anyones rights or dismantling the system.

But the irksome thing about republican pretenders to Conservative ideals (some of which I share) is their obsequious refusal to hold corporate America to the same standard that they'll hold your kid's teacher or the firefighters who will show up to server and protect if your house is on fire.

These folks, they aren't just suggesting a tightening of belts, but a reduction of rights.

Once the State takes away rights, you don't get them back.

And make no mistake: your republican representatives are acting here on behalf of the State to reduce the rights of individuals and their representation in the form of the unions.  Small Gov'ment, indeed.  Don't accept this in the name of budgetary needs.  These politicians understood, better than you and I, that they worked to create this situation when they refused federal funding and gave tax breaks to those who don't need them.  And now guess who gets to foot the bill, essentially, for this bit of social engineering?  Yep.

It is Anti-American to reduce the rights of the individual or their representatives.

I don't know much about politics.  But I know bullshit well enough.