BLAST FROM THE PAST: FACING THE TRUTH.- WHAT IS THE REALITY BEHIND THE OPPOSITION TO UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IN THE UNITED STATES?

Although I have covered this subject under the category of Ethics and Morality, this article covers an area that is distinct.  The bottom line is that there are individuals and/or groups in the U.S who do not want Affordable Health Insurance for everyone.  Basically, they are thinking of no one but themselves. 

They may state other reasons, but it only is to avoid admitting the truth publicly.  However, I would like to make it clear that any of the following are not to be considered 100% inclusive.  There are members, perhaps even a majority, who would reject the self-centered mind-set of those who are part of their group.

• Those with Health Care Plans that provide extensive coverage, beyond that of most regular plans.-  They consider their status as being among the elite, regardless of actual impact on society through their actions as an employee.  To them, there are the Haves and the Have Nots.
• Citizens who in the past were not covered.  This group includes those who are now covered because they became part of a protected group.  Since they suffered in the past, why should others not suffer as they did?
• Those who realize that with the addition of millions of newly insured Americans, that there might be a delay in receiving non-life threatening care.
• Since it's true that the new law will not affect everyone equally, why should it   be applied and financed by those who don't see any immediate benefit.

What really amazes me is the often blatant hypocrisy of many opponents of the new law.  "Why should I help fund a law I don't need," they shout to the heavens.  However, they conveniently forget;

• Grants and Scholarships.                
• Small Business Loans.                               
• Home Mortgage Loans.
• Flood and other disaster relief.
• Bailing out Financial Institutions,

      because of criminal and/or professional incompetence. 

Get the picture. All of the above are examples, among others, of Government Assistance to a select portion of the population.  I wonder how many opponents of Universal Health Care, or their family, can honestly say they have never turned to Government for aid in a time of need, or to rescue their High Incomes from a corrupt "Trusted Adviser."

There are practical reasons to support Universal Health Care, that will benefit the U.S in the long term.  I just hope that practical is never equated with moral.

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 10/10/2013)

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY. PT 4. BIGFOOT- SECTION 1.

What awaits us in the Deepest Parts of the Unexplored Forests of the Pacific Northwest ?

-  or maybe its the Mountains of Appalachia?

-  Could it be the Remote Back Roads of New England, New Jersey, or New York?

-  What about the Lands around the Great Lakes, and the Upper Mid-West?

Come to think of it, there is one Type of Cryptid that seems to have found a Home in every one of the 50 States in the U.S., and All the Provinces and Territories of Canada.

CRYPTID-  A LEGENDARY OR MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE WHOSE EXISTENCE HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN, OR EVEN REASONABLY POSTULATED BY EVIDENCE AVAILABLE FOR TESTING OR ANALYSIS.

Cryptozoology, is the one area where Evidence does not Have to meet any Kind of Scientific, or Critical Thinking Criteria.  So, that is where we find the continued insistence that such Improbable Creatures actually do exist.

The Number of Cryptids that are Promoted as Real by Cryptozoologists are Numerous, and are said to exist just about everywhere on Earth.  However, to begin with, Lets look at the Most Famous Example found on the NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT.  I am Referring to the Backwoods Beast known as BIGFOOT.

When Starting a Discussion about any possible living thing, particularly one that is Unlikely to Exist, the MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS TO ACTUALLY DEFINE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, AND WHAT WOULD CONSTITUTE VALID QUALIFYING EVIDENCE PROVING ITS REALITY.  

That is the First Problem, and it Points out something that will be a Detriment when Talking about any CRYPTID;

THAT WITH ONLY PURELY SUBJECTIVE TESTIMONY OFFERED AS THE "BEST EVIDENCE",  A PROPER DEFINITION IS NOT REASONABLY POSSIBLE.  IT CAN BE CHANGED EASILY, SINCE IT IS NOT BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF SCIENTIFIC THEORY.

That brings us to first IMPORTANT QUESTION-  WHEN SOMEONE WRITES OR TALKS ABOUT BIGFOOT...

... WHAT ARE THEY REFERENCING?

SEE SECTION 2.

FIRST PUBLISHED ON-  12/26/2014.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. ORGANIZED CRIME- WHAT IS IT, AND CAN IT BE STOPPED? PT 2.

When Talking About Organized Crime, at least as it is Categorized in the U.S. and Most Industrialized Countries in the World Today, we are Referring to a Recent Invention. 

How Man Governs,Goes to War,

Conducts Business etc., has changed over the Centuries, and so has the Strategy and Tactics that Enable One Person or Persons to Take what Another Has, Without Permission, Proper Recompense, and Negative Consequences. 

Of course Crime is more than just Theft, but Financial Windfalls are at the Heart of Virtually Every Unlawful Activity.  All Roads seem to Lead there.

But I'm getting Ahead of Myself, so Lets return to the History of Organized Crime.

(To be Abbreviated O.C in the Future.)

In the Broadest Dense, O.C has existed Throughout Recorded History. BANDITRY on Land, and PIRACY on the Water, have Targeted Civilizations from the Greco- Roman World to Imperial China, and the Infant Nation called the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  The Key?  Go where the Wealth is, or Plunder and Rob those Populations unable to stop you.

However, Modern Day Organized Crime differs from what we see in the Past, on Several Key Points;

-  There is Less Reliance on the Single Individual Leader, which Allows for the Continuation of Criminal Enterprises, with an Emphasis on Succession.

-  The Concept of MONEY LAUNDERING, WHICH MEANS USING PROCEEDS FROM CRIMINAL ACTS TO FUND LEGITIMATE/LEGAL ACTIVITIES, USUALLY IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR.

-  That it is Often More Beneficial to BRIBE, PAYOFF, OR CORRUPT LEGAL AUTHORITIES, INSTEAD OF FIGHTING THEM.

-  On a Regular Basis to Encourage and Reward the Rank and File for Services Rendered.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Date-  2/12/2015.

BLAST FROM THE PAST. WHAT PROGRESSIVES MUST LEARN. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF HATE: THE NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY.

Progressives, no matter where found, must understand, and not forget, that the REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT EXISTS TODAY IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PAST. THOSE WHO HAVE LED THE CHARGE TO NOMINATE DONALD TRUMP, ARE FROM A SMALL NUMBER OF EXTREMIST FACTIONS WHOSE RISE TO POWER WITHIN THE PARTY HAS BEEN DRAMATIC. IT HAS ALSO BEEN THE RESULT OF THE PARTIES INCREASING USE OF INTOLERANT AND HATE FILLED PROPAGANDA TO STIGMATIZE THE OPPOSITION, AND MISLEAD THE PUBLIC.

The Problem for the REPUBLICANS, was the Idea that these FACTIONS could be Utilized for the benefit of the Party as a whole, but controlled and prevented from attaining to much power and influence within the Parties Hierarchy. When needed they could be Mobilized for Money, Votes, Voices on Radio, Demonstrations, or any Party need that could not be satisfied Through Normal, Traditional, Intellectually Honest or Morally Commendable Channels.

These Factions Include Individuals who could be Described in the following ways:

-   RELIGIOUS ZEALOT.

-   RADICAL ISOLATIONIST.

-   ECONOMIC BIGOT.

-   ANTI- INTELLECTUALIST.

Now, they're Racists, Bigots, Homophobes, Xenophobes etc., , to be found in every walk off life. However, in the Republican Parties case, They now call the shots by setting Policy, and promoting certain Individuals as Candidates to Nominate for the Upcoming Election.

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 9/7/2016}