Monday, February 27, 2006

Clearing Things Up

Let's just get one thing straight before I continue with this project...

Everything I say is well thought out and designed for a purpose, a purpose that perhaps you do not understand, likely do not agree with, and, or think is not worth merit. Unfortunately, herein lies the truth. You do not think it is worth merit, you do not agree with it, you do not understand it. It is not my place to make you do anything. I am simply speaking my mind about a plethora of different subjects, life, politics, religion, and so forth. I am not stupid. I know that in the present state of this world, many of the things I say seem unlikely. However, just because something is a longshot does not make it worth less, or any less likely to happen. Things either happen or they don't. There is no in between. You can only make a prediction on whether or not they will based on the past and present, not the future. The problem is that predictions are for the future, not the past or the present. For things to change as they need to change much change is needed, enough change to change what change change changed. I am a believer in the impossible, and sometimes it will happen. (1918. 1918. 1918.) Even when the past and the present tell us otherwise, sometimes the future holds a suprise or two, or three, or eleventy, if you pardon my wordplay.

Hopefully you follow me. Hopefully I've cleared up a couple of misconceptions. If not, oh well, I can't force you to understand my point of view.

-Fly Free Forever

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Life Experience

There are two fundamental types of feeling, regardless of what psychology will tell you. There are those that make you feel warm inside, like you want to get up and shout something to the world (and if you're Tom Cruise, you just might). And, there are those that make you feel empty, like a lead weight has pulled you down through your feet. They come in different degrees, and sometimes it is almost impossible to differentiate between them.

I can't speak for others, but seeing as though we are all fundamentally the same, the experience will be similar for everyone.

Ever have a day where everything seems to be on the up and up? Where time and space mold to your command. The very fabric of the universe seems to be bending in your favor.

Fate. Some use that word to describe illogical occurrences. On your way to the mall, you have a blow-out and skid into a telephone pole. When you come to you see the face of a person you haven't seen since high school looking down at you from above the ambulance stretcher. You are stabilized, heal right up, and reconnect with someone you never thought or dreamt of seeing again. You get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. Fate.

I don't see things as fate in the ususal sense. I believe that the path you follow in life is not cut for you. I believe that one is like a ball rolling down an inclined chute. So long as you keep to the straight and narrow, you coast along at a fairly rapid pace. Then again, if you choose to veer off course and climb the embankment, you're going to slow down a bit. If you slow down enough and go off course enough, then maybe just maybe the chute will move a little in that direction and your path will change.

Using my own life experience I can illustrate. My high school used "block scheduling." Basically the same thing that all colleges use, I had four classes up until the new year, and four new ones after that till the end of the year. I went into it rather blase about the whole school thing, as I suppose most people are most years. I rocked the boat; I veered off course. In doing so I met up with people I would not have even thought to have otherwise. I had the time of my life, it was quite possibly the most fun I'd ever had in my entire life. Actually, I'm positive it was. I was able to get an entirely new look at myself, at my life, at life in general.

And then the term ended. I didn't have classes with these people, I had never met them outside of school. They weren't, after all, my "group". I don't know why I cared. I really didn't like my "group" anyways. If ever I hated something I did, perhaps that is a contender. There were two thousand students in my school, yet there wasn't a week I didn't still see them, even then. In the hall, at lunch, something like that. And I was contented to feed off that and went no further.

Graduation. And then I was gone. But even then, in a city of 55,000 I still found my way to them, in passing of course. It didn't help that many of them were a year younger than me, and therefore were still in school for another month. Or that others still moved on to college, across the state, across the country. Even after all that time, we kept up appearances, we kept bumping into one another.

Is this fate? In the general sense, I don't think so. It's my choice, and theirs too. But I think that though the straight and narrow seems usually to be the "easy way" for you needn't slow down or fight momentum, maybe the course was already corrected. Which ever the case, fate or not, I know that certain paths in life make me and others try to break me. I don't know which one this is supposed to be, but I've enjoyed it immensely. Even with the millions of people in this nation, and the hundreds or thousands of miles between us, I still have faith, and sometimes even look out over my shoulder, just in case they happen to be following behind.

[In a way, this time personified my pen name. It is my goal in life, one of them anyways, to be free of road blocks and manmade traps, to soar above this life in a rocket ship of my desire, to live fullest every day, to fly free forever.]

Let's Make a Deal

Okay, I'll make you a deal conservatives. If you change who you are, what you stand for, your goals, intentions, beliefs, and tendencies, I'll vote for you. You speak about uniting the country; here's your chance. You've got ten seconds.

[In the meantime... The Agnostic's Creed...

I do not believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I do not believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
(a man may have existed but he was not the son of God any more than I am)
who was not conceived by the Holy Spirit,
or born of the Virgin Mary,
(in the days of old, people found it to be disgraceful to have bastard children, so the conception was "immaculate")
suffered under Pontius Pilate, (lots of people did, why not)
was crucified, died, or was buried; (again, lots of people were)
he descended to the dead (people die).
On the third day he did not rise again; (no comment)
he did not ascend into heaven, (the Church trying to scare people into donating, sadly successfully)
he is not seated at the right hand of the Father (lefties do it better),
and he will not come again to judge the living and the dead (this is a pipe dream created by the church to make people believe that they should give them money. For shame.)

I do not believe in the Holy Spirit, (I believe in my own conscience)
or the holy catholic church, (pedophilia)
or the communion of saints, (elitist)
perhaps the forgiveness of sins, (I believe in forgiveness)
or the resurrection of the body, (when you're gone from this world, you are gone for good)
and possibly the life everlasting (we'll see).



That was at least ten seconds. Have your response? No? Oh well, can't say I didn't try. Too bad, I guess you don't want to be bipartisan. Very well. I'll see you in 2008.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

The Coming of a New Era

Everything in life is cyclical. Things go in and out of style, in and out of favor. So do people, so do organizations, so do governments. Unfortunately for the latter, there's rarely a chance were they can resume where they left off.

A common mistake people make is believing that the problem beings when the dip or rise from the present track occurs. However in actuality it begins when the slope of the line changes.

Though things are not doing bad at the turning point, they are doing less well. Therefore, when one does not turn a condition around, it is partially their fault for not being perceptive enough.

Now it is easy to see that bad conditions come out of good with no clear line dividing them (in most cases). Many times, one does not realize that things have gone bad until much after they began to. Likewise, the 1960's or 1970's, or any other decade does not begin on January 1st. It begins in the actions and movements that begin well before the ball drops and continue well after the next one does. It is only that the decade, or year, or era is defined as this because it was a prevalent theme throughout it.

With all that said, I'd like to say what I want to say.

Anyone who is optimistic about a certain trend is on the forefront of it's growth and anyone who is pessimistic about a trend is on the tail-end of a previous growth. You have Abolitionists and anti-Abolitionists, Whigs and Tories, Henry VIII and the Pope, VCR's and DVD players, Conservatives and Liberals, and so forth.

If you haven't guessed, I'm going to pick on Conservatives and Liberals. Conservatives by definition are people who like things they way they are or the way they used to be (reactionaries). Liberals are people who question present norms and push the barrier into new thought; some do it drastically (revolutionaries).

Now for my opinion. There have never been in the history of the world a conservative or reactionary who was widely respected. None. No one cares about someone who wants things to remain the way they are. They just aren't important in the context of history. William the Conquerer, Charlemagne, Constantine, Julius Caesar, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., etc. All of them had one thing in common. They all changed things, defied norms. All are remembered. Few know who Constantine's predecessor was; he didn't change anything. William the Conquerer's father didn't conquer nearly as much; he isn't remembered. The KKK members who protested the civil rights movement are not remembered. They are shunned with the likes of Hitler or Stalin. Martin Luther King Jr. is praised and revered.

In the end, everything is moving towards change and historically, a majority of change has been in the forward, liberal, direction. Otherwise, we'd never have left the Stone Age, the sun would revolve around the Earth, and an invisible man that lives in the sky will forever be watching over us, watching every little thing we do, even when we jerk off. Fun thought isn't it.

Of course, there are those who would argue that I'm twisting the truth, that I'm being partisan (no shit), that I'm being unpatriotic by not conforming. Shame on you. The 1960's stand out as the epitome of rebellion against a norm. And guess what... It'll happen again. Sooner than you'd like too. And we'll win again. Just you wait and see. Our numbers are growing, our base strengthening, and there's nothing you can do about it. Everything is cyclical and the slope on your negative curve is lessening. Soon you'll see. Liberalism will rule again. And you won't even see it coming because it never left. The next fifty years are going to be fun, at least for us. Liberty, the root of liberalism, will fly free forever.

The tide is turning
As a new day dawns.
What was once yours
Will soon be gone.
It is time for the world to change
And that change is dire.
Like clockwork we come
Granting free speech, expression, and desire.
For all people of all races
Regardless of education, color, or creed,
We are uniters under a common thread,
Destroyers of your inhumanizing greed.

United we stand,
Divided you will fall.
Gone is the oppression of your rule.
A sexual liberation is upon us all.
Down cast is the Church,
It's numbers, how they've dwindled,
A new day is dawning,
It's fires have already kindled.
One of peace, love, and liberty.
Just as it was, shall it ever be.
Equality.
From sea to shining sea.

Monday, February 20, 2006

I'm not an angry person. I am not by nature vengeful, grudge-holding, or hurtful. I am however, cold and calculating, and I tend to get my way. I shrug people off when they get too close and I don't beat around the bush. If you don't like it, then too bad. It's not in my capacity to change. I am not crewel however and I don't intend to hurt anyone. I am very empathetic even if I appear apathetic. A lot of the time I take life in a third-person view, I see and experience it through others. If I knew why, I'd fix it. Likewise I pass through bouts of what would be described as clinical depression. But such is life, and it passes unacknowledged. I hide things, even from those closest to me. I don't drink to get drunk, I don't smoke anything, and I don't take unnecessary medications. If I have a headache I want to have it, discover why I have it, and cure the problem at it's source instead of treating symptoms. This is the way I am, methodical, meticulous, and calculating. The biggest secrets I keep discern why I am who and what I am. No one knows all of them, and few know any at all, even those I know best, friends or family. It's not because I don't trust some of them, it's that I do trust them, and value them too much. Am I insane? Most certainly, without a doubt. Does it matter? Not a bit. I would never kill myself. That thought never even enters my mind. It is a non-factor and nothing can change that. That codec is so buried inside my being that nothing can touch it. Nothing. No matter what happens. Nothing. Suicide is giving up. I don't give up. I am too stubborn, too methodical, calculative, and empathetic to do so. To live a long life is my greatest goal, based in a secret I've yet to speak of, but might eventually. It is my utmost desire to outlive everyone in my family. Everyone. I am not emotional. I don't like it when people cling. I don't like it when people get too close, yet that above all but all else is what I want. I am me. Just a person, any old person. Who are you?

Friday, February 17, 2006

Searching for Meaning: Heaven and Hell vs. Santa Claus

***Do not read this.***

Now that I've weeded out the easily manipulative, let's continue.

***Also do not read this if you are religious.***

Now that I have weeded out the easily offended, let's continue...

Or perhaps not if you're already angry and still reading, but I digress.


It occurred to me yesterday that belief in Heaven or Hell parallels the childhood notion of Santa Claus. Think about it. Children believe that there is a fat man in a red and white suit living at the North Pole. He has also apparently enslaved an army of little people, green suits and shoes with bells on them, a sign of their servitude. Under the direction of Santa, an old man who lets little children sit on his lap and photograph it for a fee, directs the creation of toys for all the good little boys and girls of the world, that he will on Christmas Day deliver to every child in the world (all three billion of them) while they sleep that night. Well, maybe not all of them, just the Christians and those who go along for the ride.

Of course, as we grow up, we realize that this is utterly impossible, despite the efforts of every Christmas movie in existence, some good, most not, that Santa Claus is not real. His sole non-religious purpose is to reward children for being good. Of course, you'll get presents anyways and any year where you don't get what you want, you suffer from some suedo-guilt trip wondering what you did to disappoint Santa in the past year. Regardless, the point is that we grow out of it.

However when it comes to the idea of Heaven and Hell, we continue to believe it for our whole lives. I know why too. It's a way to feel a part of something, to feel like no one is alone, in essence this is the whole reason for God, to feel loved. One cannot see Heaven or Hell while alive, and those who supposedly do get there, don't come back. So, my question is: How do we know what either is supposedly like? Or if either even exists?

Lots of children will argue with you as to whether or not Santa exists. They are so sure that he does, because it gives them a warm, accepted feeling. The same goes for Heaven and Hell. It just makes sense to create such places for dual reasons: One, it instructs people to be good. (Which is a nice thing, I suppose, though a litte arcane. Do we still have to brandish a whip to get people to be good?) And, two, people are social creatures by design and need to feel like they have a purpose, that their existence makes some sort of difference in the grand design. (Why there would be a grand design when the universe tends towards simplicity is beyond me.)

Personally, I'd rather die thinking that there was nothing after it and then be pleasantly surprised. Once someone is dead, their only shred left of existence is the impact crater that they left on the living. I would find it a final insult to my memory if my final beliefs (that there was something beyond life) did not actually come true. In this way, all that is left of me will be tarnished by what I was in life as it was concluded postmortem.

If there is an afterlife, then I'd still exist on some level and not care about the impact crater that I left behind, as I will still exist on a more tangible level. In this way, if my imprint was tarnished by a falsehood, I will still have my spirit, so my imprint will not be my final, only the end of a chapter of my existence.

The way I see it, Heaven and Hell are just like Santa Claus. They are falsehoods set before you in your childhood, in the case of Santa your literal childhood and in the case of Heaven and Hell your metaphorical childhood (your naivete of the afterlife). And, if I am to live beyond the celestial plane, then I'd rather it come as a surprise, than to have my final imprint tarnished forever with a lie spearheaded by the Church in an effort to maintain a control over the minds and hearts of man, to remain in power (they are a government after all). Maybe I am wrong. Maybe there is a Heaven and Hell. I'll wait to find out. And, when I do, I'd rather be surprised than indifferent. But until that day, I will assert that I do not need others support and I do not need to feel included. I am not petty.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Necessities for a Stable 21st Century Society

Let's face it, there are a couple of areas in our lives today, individually and the human race as a whole, that need some work.

First, minimum wage: This coincides with workers rights and in the long run will benefit businesses. After all, a worker who cannot afford to buy the product he/she makes, is wasteful in a business sense. If all people are able to buy what they are paid to make, then business will become much more stable and poverty will drop. Poverty, likewise, will be combated with a minimum wage, as well as human trafficking, and illegal immigration to name a few.

Create a clear and concise world-participative document that details the inalienable rights of all of mankind and the punishments for people (including world leaders) who discard these rules.

relegate cigarette smoking to designated non-public places preferably with good ventilation. Best case senario: restrict smoking to outdoors and only on property which one owns and not within twenty feet of a child. Smoking in confined places especially with other people present should present fines and counseling. The more inconvenient it becomes the easier it will be to get them to quit.

Make drunk driving a "one-strike and you're out" crime. Make it VERY clear what the punishment will be if one drinks and drives, even if no one is hurt. Don't sell alcohol at sporting events, or at any gathering where one has to drive afterwards.

Create a mass public transportation system akin to highways, but consisting of high-effiancy subway lines. Keep everything underground and tear up old highways. Use this new open land for farming or in less desirable terrain, for housing. For anything that is not usable, plant trees and be done with it.

Eliminate our dependency on fossil fuels through a combination of nuclear, wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, hydrogen, and biomass power. As such, pass sanctions against businesses who refuse to follow in suit.

Make a rape sentence a life sentence. Make a molestation sentence a life sentence. Make it CLEAR what will happen to people who sexually assault other people.

Federally subsidize all public schools and healthcare, allowing local installations (states, cities, etc.) have the final word on where money is spent. This money comes from tax dollars. Create incentives for states and local authorities when they save money.

Limit the amount of money an executive can be paid to 25-35 times that of the lowest paid worker. All other money goes to the profit margin and benefits stock holders.

Create a uniform set of laws for like crimes, so that no matter what state one is in, they are punished equally.

Remove ethnic divisions from census and other public forms.

From each according to their ability, to each according to their need. No exceptions. People must be a profitable member of society as best as they can be. In return they should be able to expect an education, healthcare, and elderly care.

Monday, February 13, 2006

My Authoritarian Quotient

(Corporate Quotient + Government Control Quotient + Government-Corporation Partnership Bonus + Religion bonus)/[(People + 0.5%)^(Number of Executives / Total Population) * Proximity] = Authoritarian Quotient

Where the Corporate Quotient (a) = total workforce (b) / number of executives (c)

and the Government Control Quotient (d) = Republican Sum (e) / (Democrat Sum (f) - Independent Sum (g) )

where the Republican Sum (e) = total number of republicans in Congress (h) + 10 for a republican president (i) + 5 for each conservative judge (j) + 15 bonus for holding a majority in Congress (k) + 5 bonus for holding a majority in the SJC (m)

where the Democrat Sum (f) = total number of democrats in Congress (n) + 10 for a democrat president (o) + 5 for each liberal judge (p) + 15 bonus for holding a majority in Congress (q) + 5 bonus for holding a majority in the SJC (r)

where the Independent Sum (s) = the number of Independents in Congress (and if so the SJC and the presidency) (t) + the percent of votes received by an Independent in the last presidential election (u).

and where the Government-Corporation quotient (v) = the Republican Sum (e) - the number of monopolies broken up in the last presidential term (w)

and the Religion Bonus (x) = (number of people practicing a religion (y) / total adult population of the United States) (z) + 1/10th of the Republican Sum

and People (!)= the population of the United States at the last census (@) + 0.5% to the power of the number of executives (c) / the total adult population (z)

and Proximity (#) = the average population density of the country ($)


That is to say:

Authoritarian Quotient = (a+d+v+x) / (!#)


or


Authoritarian Quotient = {(b/c)+(h+10i+5j+15k+5m)/[(n+10o+5p+15q+5r)-(t+u)]+h+10i+5j+15k+5m-w+[y/z+1/10(h+10i+5j+15k+5m)]}/[@ + 0.5@^(c/z) * $]



Explanation:

The larger this number is the more authoritarian this country is. The greater the fraction the more libertarian this country is. 1+ is Authoritarian. 0-0.5 is Libertarian. 0.5-1 is middle of the road. Try it sometime, logically it should work. Let's see if in real life it does. I'll give it a shot when I've got time.

Thursday, February 9, 2006

When It Comes to Sex

Let's talk about sex for a minute. What the hell is so wrong about sex? You wouldn't be here if not for sex. Your parents have had, will have, may right now be having sex, so have your grandparents and their parents before them. Back and back, to the beginning of time, we have all had sex. And, I'm all for sex. But some people believe that sex for reasons other than children is wrong, that it is immoral or against God's plan. Retracting... Some people believe that premarital sex is wrong, that it is immoral, against God's plan. Or that homosexual sex is immoral, blasphemous. There are people who believe that the world is too loose with sex today. There are people who believe that the world isn't loose enough with sex today. There are people who don't know what to think about sex. There are people who've never had sex and who's sole purpose for dating is to have sex. There are people who have had sex, many a time frequently, and want to have more. There are people who've had sex once or twice, or a hundred times who don't want to have sex again.

In short, there are a lot of opinions about sex and a lot of reasons why people say what they say and believe what they believe about sex. As a person, I cannot describe sex without my own personal biases, for if I could described another's view adequately, then it would have to be my view in the first place. Not only with sex, but with most if not all issues that we debate today, one only knows best their own views. That said, I can only give my own views. And here they are:

Sex is a completely natural and extremely expressive act. It is a way in which to experience with someone else something which cannot be fully achieved or appreciated alone.

There are two types of sex: sex for pleasure and sex for emotional attachment.

Sex for pleasure foregoes a bond between any two specific people. Partners become just a vessel for achieving a high watermark, the fulfillment of potential sexual pleasure. Most of the time these people don't have emotional attachment to one another and many times don't ever have sex again. Case and point, the one-night-stand or "hooking up" at a party, bar, or like establishment. It is done for pleasure not emotional fulfillment.

Sex for emotional attachment is sex for the purpose of "becoming one" with the one you love. In short, this type of sex is "relationship sex." Some believe that this is the most fulfilling type of sex, that it is sex that bonds two persons on a level beyond that of the physical world. Of course, this holds true for those searching for a bond beyond the physical world. One looking for pleasure would likewise say that their version is just as fulfilling, if not more.

Of course, there is debate on what types of sex are natural or unnatural, against God's will. Sex is defined as penetration of a sex organ into something else on another's body. Of course this sex organ could be a strap-on and the something else could be any number of places (typically, oral, anal, and vaginal) on a subject of either gender. Aside from definitions, we as a society decide which types are acceptable and which are not. I have my opinion and you have yours and there's nothing wrong with having opinions (in my opinion) just so long as one's opinions does not hurt others or oneself. I believe that there is nothing wrong with any type of sexual activity, that all have their merits and drawbacks and all have their dangers. When done carefully, all sex acts can be both a pleasurable and emotionally bonding experience.

There are those who believe that there are some types of sex that are wrong, immoral, or against God's will. Primarily I have to say that if God truly didn't want something to happen, He/She/It/Etc. could have and would have stopped it a long time ago. If God is perfect then God does not make mistakes, does not have accidents. Therefore, I believe that God has no problem with any kinds of sex involving consenting and understanding participants. Personally, I think that the whole world would be better if we all had more protected sex. But that's just me.

As to the claim that sex can be wrong or immoral, I'm certain that if God in God's infinite wisdom does not find it immoral, then we as imperfect people should strive for the same.

I believe that sex is fun. It is a way to live and to express yourself, that we should not limit consenting and understanding participants from engaging in any type of sex that they prefer. Personally, being straight, I find certain types of sex more appealing than others, both on a physical and emotional level, but I don't see why anyone should be allowed to tell people what they should be attracted too. Of course, that is just my opinion.

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

One Nation Divided

I figured since I've launched unwilling-dystopia 2.0 that I should explain my choosing for the title.

We as Americans are part of a nation where each and every citizen is (supposed) to be allowed to agree with or disagree with political bodies without fear of reprisal. Because of this, we are one nation divided amongst ourselves. Except for a few short instances, we as Americans have chosen to proclaim our differences in the most vocal ways possible and as members of this country it is our right to do so.

Of course, there are things you can't say, because they are harmful to others. Slander is illegal, for good cause. As is libel. You can't yell bomb on an airplane and expect to get away with it, and for good reason too.

The biggest fear of those in power is to lose power. Of course, George Washington stepped down after two terms of his own free will. It just goes too show us that he was an exceptional and humble man. For the most part however, politicians like power, as does most everyone. And, a funny little thing happens when one sect of society or one group believes itself to be in a firm grasp of the majority, they make the minority opinion seem wrong, silly, impractical, pompous, vague, unstable, laughable, and immoral.

All of the sudden, opposing opinion is "ill-timed" or "insensitive". Anything that the party believes is the law of the land and anything said out against it will be seen as (in this country) unpatriotic. "You are not supporting your country," they say. "You have no pride in your nation." Then, all of the sudden, you are the bad guy. You are the enemy. If you don't like what they have to say, you must say nothing at all. There is no debate; our will is complete; our word is final. We are the majority; we are in charge; they voted for us; you do not matter. This is the way of things.

If democracy is majority rule and minority acceptance, then put me down for something else. If I was ever in charge, I'd redefine democracy. To me democracy is majority rule and minority challenge. It is politics at it's finest, where all sides debate issues and come to a compromise.

In a country where one rules all, ideas, in this case protectionism, are labeled as defeatist, that someone who believes in these concepts are weak and stupid. Let me tell you about a person who believed that "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world..." He was our first president.

[To further concrete his credibility he also said: "...Avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty." and "...Cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible...avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt....it is essential that you...bear in mind, that towards the payments of debts there must be Revenue, that to have Revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised, which are not...inconvenient and unpleasant..."]

He realized of course that a fledgling country is not safe on the world stage and indeed until WWII we remained very isolationist. But now, because members of our political process have an ear turned towards the special interests of overseas groups and conglomerate organizations, we are pressed into international situations. When these people might benefit economically from a war or conflict, we are told to fight for our country, in essence, to make those in power stronger and wealthier.

Republicans controlled Congress during the mid-20th century because if you were Democrat during this time, you were tossed aside, because they couldn't fight Communism the way Republican war hawks could. Though in the end, economic sanctions have worked when properly enacted by Democratic presidents, in Cuba, post-WWI Germany, post-WWII Japan, and others.

Protectionism = defeatism? Let's break down the word protectionism. It's root is "protect". To protect means to keep safe. Defeatism means to be defeated. Any way you swing it, safe does not equal defeated, rather quite the opposite. Of course, they are careful in choosing a word to describe protectionism. Defeatism is "un-manly" and weak. One with a defeatist attitude is doomed to failure. How many times must I ask why this even becomes a player in politics. It seems that some people need to have their egos deflated. Americans are not better than anyone else, we only have it better than many others.

Then they say that protectionism does not work. Actually, protectionism does not fail if one actually follows the definition correctly. To protect one's country they must provide job opportunities for every citizen. Products bought by it's citizens must be made in the country and those that make them must be able to afford them. Americans must travel abroad to learn. They must have an incentive to bring this knowledge back home with them. They will further succeed if they export goods to other countries. And, most importantly, maintain an education system second-to-none in the world. Then protectionism will work, as it did for 170 years.

Either that or we must force the rest of the world to be equal by our set standards (of course, still prosecuting homosexuals) and to enact labor laws, workers rights, and most importantly a minimum wage. Having such, products will not cost less for manufacturers if assembled in other countries. This is the path set before the Republican Party today. To succeed in strengthening this country they must control the rest of the world.

Personally, I believe that instead of pushing change off on other people, that it is time that we ourselves change, that to accomplish our goals we step back from traditional rules of I came, I saw, I conquered, and work internally to accomplish our goals. Liberals believe that the change must come from within.

Furthermore, I for one believe that until one path or another is followed through to completion, that we will remain one nation bitterly divided.

Unwilling-Dystopia 2.0

So, yeah, I've decided to remake the site to better tailor it to what I was speaking about. The black background was too drab anyways. Hopefully, I'll post something soon, 'cause we all know how much you people like to argue with me.

Peace,
FlyFreeForever.