Don’t petition the White House, Use Change.org

Nov 18, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

Secessionists. I first want to say thank you for finally learning something from history. The last time so many desired to rid themselves of a tyrannical president they declared war on the Union. Thus, your use of a peaceful means through petitions on the White House’s site is commendable. Furthermore, each state now finds themselves represented by a petition and signatures from people possibly wanting to secede from the United States. Texas leads the way with more than 100,000 people asking the White House to address the issue. This is the same state governed by Rick Perry who drummed up his base of supporters with calls for seceding prior to his Republican bid for President. The irony seemed lost on him. Governor Perry is obviously not a viable option to lead the cause. He hardly put up a fight against a weak group seeking his party’s nomination. I also question...

The Country Moved to the Left Last Night

Nov 7, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

The whole campaign season did not just depend upon the presidential race that finally came to an end last night. Yes, the country voted clearly to give Barack Obama another four years in the White House. He received more than 50 percent of the vote and won handily in the electoral college. Yet, it is what happened down the ballot that shows the nation’s move toward progressive values. It appears that Democrats will pick up a couple seats in the lower chamber but the real change happened on the senatorial level. Voters said no way to Republicans Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock after they attempted to scapegoat women and downplay the trauma of rape and sexual abuse. Furthermore, women won in Massachusetts, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Wisconsin for their first terms. All four of them will be more progressive legislators than their predecessors. In Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin will be the...

Republicans, Rape, Life, and Control of Women

Oct 24, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

During last night’s Indiana Senate debate the Republican candidate, Richard Mourdock, did more than stick his foot in his mouth. I believe life begins at conception. The only exception I have for to have an abortion is in the case of the life of the mother. I struggled with myself for a long time but I came to realize life is that gift from God, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape. It is something that God intended to happen. Mourdock joined a club made exclusively of Republicans but a club that seems to be growing as the November election nears. Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh made a reprehensible comment about exceptions for the life of the mother following his debate. “There is no such exception. With modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance.” Complete crap as this woman explains. Of course who can forget Missouri...

Reviewing: Rebooting the American Dream

Book Review / politics

Jan 28, 2011 Aaron Krager No Comments

Thom Hartmann is a noted progressive radio personality and if you have listened to his show you know he is well versed on the issues facing our country. This was one of the reasons I was excited to pick up his latest book aimed at getting our country back on the right track. The basis of the book is eleven ideas that if implemented should help the middle class find their footing again in this troubled economy.

Hartmann rails against big corporations, big banks and the conservative minded Congress (Democrat and Republican alike) for all but abandoning the middle class and the working poor. While doing that he details the historical successes of his ideas to bring the country forward in the 21st century. Some of the ideas include raises taxes back to pre-Reagan era, expanding Medicare to cover everyone, expanding access to education including lower costs of undergraduate programs, as well as ending corporate personhood.

My one possible critique is the harshness Hartmann carries out during his chapter regarding immigration. He does not believe progressives should side with amnesty or work towards citizenship programs. He strongly believes in punishing companies that employ illegal immigrants (agree with that) but he states that progressives have bought into this conservative idea of a pathway towards citizenship. I can understand his argument, which mostly follows economical reasoning, but he conveniently leaves out the human rights issue. Some progressives believe that no human being can be illegal. He does not touch on this opinion.

For the most part the book is merely red meat for progressives. One of two things will happen: you will eat it up or find yourself disappointed because you already know this stuff. Hartmann lays out the ideas and the reason effectively but I was left without any motivation to actually carry them out. The hope or encouragement is left out of the writing and leaves me wanting something else at the end.

There is little doubt the American Dream needs a good rebooting. Unfortunately it is not as simple as holding down the power button to start over. It takes a lot of time, effort and money for causes to succeed. All of this is in the face of corporate interests that have a lot more of all three ingredients.