What the hell?

The American people have allowed themselves to fall into the hands of the Lawyers. One of the fundamental rules of human existence is Responsibility. Another is Common Sense.

For example... An 11 year old sneaks out of his house while the parents are entertaining guests, climbs on a neighbor's roof and falls, breaking both legs. At one point in time, the neighbor would have rushed out, called 911 and the parents, consoled the kid and waited for the cavalry. The kid would have gone to the hospital and been surrounded by friends, family, neighbors and well-wishers. He would have gotten out with a couple of casts and a wheelchair, met a pretty girl in school who wanted to walk with him between classes and help him out with daily activities. They would have been happy friends, started dating in high-school and college, become engaged and had a wonderful wedding.

Nowadays, the irresponsible parents will rush over, camera in hand, to document the stack of wood next to the house which allowed the snot-nosed punk brat to climb up on the roof. Then they will call their friend's lawyer buddy who dealt with something similar recently. By the time the ambulance arrives, the lawyer will have already filed suit against the neighbor and his Homeowners Insurance policy. The Insurance company will fight it tooth and nail for weeks or months, and finally settle out of court for an undisclosed amount. Meanwhile, the stress will have destroyed the neighbor's marriage, which in turn causes him to accidentally drive his car off a bridge while blinded by the tears from sobbing inconsolably. The Homeowners Insurance carrier will sue his Life Insurance carrier for the costs incurred in the legal proceedings. The ex-wife will get nothing from the Life Insurance. Then, little Timmy gets out of the hospital with a couple of casts and a $200,000 trust fund payable at 18, which he will spend by 21 on hookers, booze, drugs, and fast cars which he will crash. Meanwhile the ex-wife/widow sells the house for less than market value and moves in with her mother in a trailer home in Boca.

What the hell happened to the American Dream... to good sense and good parenting... to understanding... and to individual responsibility? Have we lost them?

Comment at me people...

The people have lost...

Let me explain this carefully.

This country was founded with the concept that the people were in control. The government was created to serve the people. The people were supposed to have the power of control, civil disobedience, and protestation - by armed resistance and the formation of an organized militia if neccesary. The Bill of Rights was engineered to protect this singular concept of POWER TO THE PEOPLE.

I am not suggesting you pick up your gun and go form a militia - all of you camo-wearing redneck NRA idiots should take note. BUT, the fact is that those Constitutional rights have been eroded by the lack of education, understanding, and interest of the general population.

Everyone... including Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and the rest of the architects of American democracy... knew that this was going to be an imperfect system. It was just better than what they'd had at the time. BUT they did try to instill some Common Sense into the equation. They fought and bled for the right of the People to assemble, demonstrate, speak, write, publish, pray, petition, and live well - within certain limitations.

The people of this country have lost the right to...

Ride a bike or a motorcycle without a helmet.
(Insurance Lobby)
Drive a car without a seatbelt in use.
(Insurance Lobby)
Speak freely about any subject.
(Various Special Interest Groups)
Not be tortured.
(Prez Bush and Plutocracy)
Be given a fair and speedy trial.
(Prez Bush and Plutocracy)
Organize and assemble.
(Anti-Union Big-Business Coalitions)
Not be searched without a warrant.
(Prez Bush and Plutocracy)
Not be detained without due cause.
(Prez Bush and Plutocracy)
Write critically of government and businesses without censorship.
(Big-Biz-controlled Media Conglomerates)

I could go on for hours.
But I won't.

Pay attention to the laws, bills, and politics that are being created, THINK about their ramifications, and act accordingly. This is what the country was founded on.

Question your leaders and remember that they answer to you.

If you survived this post, please feel free to comment...

Buy a beer for a soldier...

Now... please understand, I'm not a rabid flag-waving "Patriot". I don't support the current administration, or the military action it has taken in the name of the American people.

But, I am a consummate beer-drinker and a strong supporter of the poor bastards who have been sent to Iraq by W... aka "The Decider". It's unfortunate that this issue has divided the country, but I think that a celebratory toast to the low and middle income fighting youth of our country is definitely in order.

As such, the link below looks like one of the greatest social concepts of all time. As far as I'm concerned, if you are stuck in a scorchingly hot and powder-burned foreign country fighting for the (thick) wallets of the blue-blooded political aristocracy back home, you ought to be able to drink yourself silly whilst there.

Go buy a beer for a soldier. http://www.sixpacksforsoldiers.com/

For what it's worth... I'd love to have someone convince me that the conflict in Iraq is worth the deaths and drama.

I will moderate any comments from people who doesn't use logic and facts, and people who can't spell-check, use english, and punctuate.