The Gap

We have all seen it in our news feed or maybe you read about it somewhere on the internet. You might have heard it in class, or this could be your first time. Regardless of how we found out, it is becoming common knowledge that one percent of our nation's populous holds more than 35 percent of its wealth. This video will explain more.
After watching this video, it seems obvious that there is a real problem in this country. The gap between the rich and super rich is astounding, let alone the one between them and people that fall in our class, the bottom ninety percent. I say this under the grand assumption that nobody of millionaire status would ever find themselves lost in Community College. I would also assume that they have better things to do than read my blog, but I guess I will have to keep an eye on the comment section.
I would like to take a walk down memory lane and search the annals of history for a similar scenario, for we all know that history repeats. I can see myself now in World History, freshman year of high school. During the late 18th century, the country of France was facing great turmoil. After years of heavy taxing and misrepresentation, the common people of France were at wit's end. In a last-ditch effort to keep his head, the King was to propose new, unprecedented taxes on the nobles.
Now I am not here to offer a full synopsis on the downfall of the French government, or how the bourgeoisie played into their own demise by hording all of the nation's assets. This knowledge is best left for professors to disperse in the lecture hall. The important lesson here is how France ripped itself apart for bread and spare change. After years, decades of poverty, the people rose up against a small group that claimed "Money equals power, so we are better you. Nanny-nanny boo-boo!"
"Revolution!" was the cry as the streets burned and many lost their lives. That centuries-old government was destroyed because it failed to adapt to the needs of the people. We can see this again in our own history. We fought a tyrant who claimed sovereignty from across the ocean, another bloody war for the sake of freedom from slavery through taxation. We proposed a new government built on independent states led by one central power to regulate and keep fair trade. Alas, we began this journey with the spec of hypocrisy in our eye, as the white man built this great country on the backs of the negro. Therefore, this abomination was doomed for failure before it began. The one man who attempted to correct this moral oversight was shot in the head by an assassin.
Although Abraham Lincoln was able to free the black slaves, the rest of the nation was certain to follow them back into the stockades. With the innovation of central banking, the American public was forced into a system where they could no longer live independently. In addition to controlling the distribution of wealth, the wealthy can now also set its value, and insider trade secrets helped to skyrocket their little clique over the top. Even though this is in direct conflict with the common good, being what is best for the most, it seems as though no one is willing to do anything about it. We have our TV and we have our Internet, and we find comfort in our small modern conveniences. We let it distract us from the truth. The truth is that there are people all over America who went to bed hungry last night on the ground outside. We drive past and look down on the less fortunate as we assume it must be their own fault.
"He must be lazy," or " She is too fat to be starving." Do we blame the corporations for mass firings and outsourcing jobs? Do we blame fast food for being the cheapest source with the dollar menu? Do we blame the government for poor allocation of funds? I'm sure there are some like minded individuals out there, but as a whole we blame the individual for circumstance. We do not take into account that we only get 25 percent of the pie to split up amongst roughly 280 million people.

A bloody revolution doesn't seem like a real solution. It may have short term benefits, but in the long run things will remain as they were. New players will become rich and take over the reins, the only difference being at the name. If I suggest any form of socialism, people would lose their minds. Taking from the rich and giving it to the needy so they might also have a chance. From early childhood we learned how to share with our friends. Messages like "sharing is caring," and even the tale of Robin Hood. I ask you, where is the practice behind what we preach? Is it sleeping on the street corner while we send young men off to kill and die in the sand?
So I will not say socialism, though I believe I have a solution. It stands to reason that with so many making due with so little, the majority living from less than 40,000 annually, that no one man could possibly require more than 20 million dollars in order to live comfortably. If we set a cap on individual net worth, the resulting economic stimulation may quite possibly save this country. If we took the excess from those few who live in it, our streets could be free from the homeless in minutes. I won't lead the revolution, myself being far too cynical to believe it would actually work. Not because it can't, but because they won't let it. The only way to make this change would be a nationwide unity. We are all caught up in the squabbles over abortion, gay marriage, and marijuana legalization. This is how you divide a nation. Wake Up America! The revolution is nigh.

NObamaCare!

Today's assignment dictates that I write a critique of some sort over an opinionated article. This being the case, and in light of the recent government shutdown over Obamacare, it seems I have no choice but to weigh in on the issue. After extensive searching, I have finally found an article to evaluate. This little bit about government control by John Hayward seems to be heavily rooted in the belief that Barack Obama will only use this healthcare system to exhibit control over the 99%.

Found on Redstate.com, a right wing Republican haven for fear mongering under the guise of political information, this article attacks the President's policies over healthcare and claims that the imposition of these new policies will only lead to the destruction of our freedoms and our new emperor's complete control. It seems that the author's intended audience is anyone who is afraid of the impending police state set to terrorize the streets of this “great” nation. He is urging “independent” citizens to join in the fight against the coming terror of universal healthcare. This is an attempt like many others to grab those who are on the fence.

John Hayward is a political writer who focuses on the agenda for the Republican party. According to his bio, he started out as a frequent commenter on other political topics until he decided to make a career of it. As far as credibility is concerned, I assume it to be right up there with any other nameless internet blogger. I don't know the man personally, but he seems to put out a lot of content and has a decent conservative, Fox News type list of endorsements, such as fellow right-wing-nut Rush Limbaugh. I would definitely take what he says with a grain of salt.

Throughout this article, Mr. Hayward makes his argument against Obamacare by claiming that this will only lead to more government control. It is stated that in the future, spending cuts taken from teachers, police and firemen, will instead come from the healthcare budget. This will be enforced by higher taxes on lower and middle class people already struggling to make it by with exorbitant premiums. A tax on those refusing healthcare is also brought up in point of demonizing this new aid. Many issues are addressed in order to gain momentum against this law.

Since the author has chosen to use no real evidence or provide any external links to these claims, the reader must make the choice to research or buy in. Sadly, most will just agree and look no further. I on the other hand happen to be a critical thinker and have decided to check at least two other sources. According to Obamacarefacts.com, the suggested taxes will only be 1% annual taxable income for anyone choosing not to participate. There is an option to decline coverage, based on low income or even religious preference that will not incur the tax. Most of the revenue is reportedly set to come from taxing medical practitioners and institutions, as well as medicine manufacturers and even tanning salons. All in all it doesn't sound too bad.

I myself will not be participating in Obamacare. I don't go to the hospital for anything, and if I die then it's just my time. I also plan on not paying the tax. This doesn't mean I think it is a bad idea. The medical field in this country has turned into one of the biggest profiteering ventures anyone has ever had the capability of taking on. I think that it is time for doctors and hospitals alike to start giving back what they have been taking for so long. Don't take my word for it, do the research and judge for yourself.

Government Shutdown! Oh no!

Hello readers! I wish that I were writing to you under better circumstances, but our nation is apparently on the verge of destruction! Just kidding about that, but we really might be shutting down soon. Wait! What? Why you ask? Well I'm not sure exactly, but this article can tell you more about it. Bazinga!
CNN reports that the government might shut down soon due to budget issues. The Republicans in the House keep trying to cut down Obama-care for the new budget, and the Democrat controlled Senate won't let it pass. Will the GoP get their way? Probably not, but we will see.
If you're like me then your education is dependent on government funding. If the government decides to stop paying, I will no longer be able to afford college and forced back into the workplace. I know I am not the only one who would be screwed, we would see many new faces on street corners, begging for money to buy a burger. Read the article and find out for yourself just what shennannigans are going down on Capitol Hill.