Have you had enough of the empty promises, rhetoric, platitudes and politics as usual whenever our nation faces any obstacle/challenge, be it real? and/or, perceived? Whenever there is an act of terror, whether within the United States or anywhere else, around the world, politicians, news commentators, and know-it-alls, individuals, seem to feel the need to articulate their theories, and/or blame and complain about something, or someone! When there are important issues, such as health care, immigration, tax policies or defense of the middle class, and the search for common ground and a meeting of minds, people from all sides of the political spectrum, voice their theory. , which fits perfectly, within your personal/political agenda, beliefs and self-interest. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, review and discuss 5 relevant examples of this behavior and why, as articulated in the film, Red, “I’m sick and tired, and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
1. Gun Safety: In our nation, the number of people shot by firearms averages about 25 times more than in any other nation in the world. Whether it’s mass shootings or individual ones, isn’t it time we stopped listening to all the prayers and wishes, and began to witness viable actions and solutions. We have heard politicians, who for years have avoided taking any position, blame things like mental illness and video games for these events. However. in Japan, where video games are designed and played, far more than in the US, there are significantly fewer incidents and deaths. We’ve all heard someone say, guns don’t kill people. People do. However, isn’t the reality, people, with guns, do harm, and if they didn’t have these assault weapons, committing a mass shooting would be much more difficult! How many incidents must occur and how many more innocent people must die before responsible and responsive action is taken? Are you tired of people claiming that they are protecting their Second Amendment rights, when, in reality, the right to bear arms passage was referring to the rights of states, to have their own militias, to protect themselves against adversaries foreign? How dare they ignore that, matching the guns of the 1770s, which fired one round and took at least 90 seconds to reload, with the guns of today? Responsible gun owners should be able to keep their guns, but since we have car and driver’s licences, why don’t we, for the guns and their owners? When you get your driver’s license, you must pass a written and driving test, so why not have that, for guns, too? A realistic waiting period should also be imposed to ensure that the convicted, suspects and those with mental illness/specific threats. Isn’t this the minimum we should require to protect the lives of Americans?
2. Health care: Many times we talk about rights, but isn’t the most important thing to be able to enjoy a happy, healthy, waste-free life, etc.? Is health and quality medical care a right or a privilege? Why should prescription drugs cost so much more here than elsewhere? Why not have laws that restrict manufacturers from charging prices much higher than those charged in other countries? Shouldn’t we be looking at everything from delivery, costs, quality, alternatives, welfare, malpractice claims, and issues that a thorough review should be able to resolve fairly and equitably?
3. Immigration: With the exception of Native Americans, everyone’s heritage can be traced back to immigrating to this country! While we must have a secure border, this does not mean that we must violate basic human rights, which have always made the United States a great example to the rest of the world.
4. Fiscal policy: The trickle down economy has never worked in the US When President Reagan tried it out, in the 1980s, a couple of years later he was forced to suggest taxing Social Security benefits for the first time. President Trump’s so-called tax reform, passed in 2017, mainly benefited the richest people and large corporations, although Trump promoted it, as a great reform, for our middle class. We need a sensible approach, where our progressive tax system is focused and the middle class begins to enjoy the true American Dream!
5. Standing up, for the middle class: America is based on eliminating any elitist sense and/or approach and focusing on the fairest approach and system possible!
Wake up, America, and demand some sanity, in the way we are governed! If we don’t face – up, the reality of Climate Change, and taking care of our environment, we will be abandoning, our requirement, leaving the next generation, in the best possible position!