This is tax day. I knew I wanted to submit something on this most hated of all days. But as I began to formulate some different thoughts on taxes, I found myself unable to come up with a single theme to describe my feelings on the subject. You see, I'm generally not one to grumble and groan about taxes. I see the government as having a very real and important function. Therefore, I have always reasoned that paying taxes is the way we ensure that needed services are there for me, and there for those who have not had my advantages in life. It is the price we pay for living in this country, with all its greatness. Fundamentally I believe that America has some great qualities, and that being a citizen here offers some wonderful opportunities. But I'm not blind to the entrenched problems with this country either. I'm not one who believes America is the best it can be; so I'm not a "love it or leave it" kind of guy. And, that's what leads me to some conflicts on the tax issue.
At the risk of rambling incoherently, I will try to sort out the conflict by talking about some items I like about taxes, and some items that just plain piss me off. I start with the premise that just about everybody wants to hang on to their money. It's not just taxes either- I hate paying for insurance, and gasoline, and food, and my garbage collection and water, and satellite TV, and electricity, and everything. But I pay for those things because I get something for it. Truthfully, I know I get something for the taxes I pay too. Only a mindless fool would argue that we don't get anything for our taxes. On every level of government we get something. We get national defence. We get an interstate highway system. We get safer products in every commodity we buy. We get regulations that protect our money (usually) in banking systems. We get currency that you can use anywhere. We get courts and systems of justice. We get care for our veterans. We get help to attend college. Our seniors get the dignity of social security so they don't die in poverty as they once did; and they get health care. Our farmers get supports to offset the price of food. Government protects our lives and property with police and fire departments. We get safe modes of transportation. We have clean water. Our kids go to schools. The list is practically endless, but I think you get the point.
Most of us take these things for granted. But I often think about what I would pay for these things if I had to buy them myself. Just for fun I called a local private high school- the biggest one in town. I learned that the tuition for one child to attend for one year of high school is over $9800.00. (my property taxes don't come close to that amount) I see the value of a government that spreads the burden. I wonder what we would say if each of us had to pay-as-we-go to build roads, sewage treatment plants, dams or parks. I would hate to have to personally pay someone to ensure my meat and vegetables were safe to eat. But let the government fail to maintain those things and somebody gets hurt- we will sue there ass but good.
In spite of what the tea party says, we are paying the lowest tax rates in many years. I used to pay around 18% federal tax rate. This year my tax rate is 14%. But everybody hates to pay. I hope we can ignore the feelings for a minute and really think about why we hate to pay taxes. Over the years we have been indoctrinated to hate "Big Government". I think that might be a misplaced hatred. Of course government is bigger- the country is bigger. There are 60 million more us than twenty years ago- dah! We have been growing at about 9.6 % every ten years. So let's get off the "big government" jag and talk about what really bugs us. It's BAD Government. Big is not necessarily bad- but bad is really terrible.
This brings me to the part of taxes that angers me. I hate that our tax code is so unfair. Big corporations have a high tax rate- but it doesn't matter because they don't pay it! Do some research on this and you'll find the biggest companies with the most profits actually get big refunds. They don't pay taxes! Rich people have had enormous tax gifts in the last ten years.The difference between them and us- we don't have lobbyists convincing congress to give us tax breaks. There are 35,000 lobbyists in Washington D.C. Those lobbyists are getting what they pay for. That's Bad Government!
I hate that so much of our budget goes to the military. We are in two useless, futile, and expensive wars that only serve corporate interests. Do we really believe we're fighting these wars to keep Iraq and Afghanistan from conquering us? The U.S. spends as much on its military as the rest of the world combined! And half the rest of the world are our allies. This isn't about defending America's freedom- it's highly evolved corporate welfare. That money could be used in so many better ways. That's Bad Government!
I hate that our government has lost it's way. It no longer serves the people. It serves the rich. There is no more statesmanship- only ideologues who will say anything. A Senator will lie on the floor of the Senate- then say his lie "wasn't intended to be factual".The idea of a loyal opposition has given way to those who say "if don't agree with me-you're not a good American". Then wasteful, fruitless political bickering degrades us all. That's Bad Government!
Unfortunately the "bad government" list could go on and on too. But we don't get to have everything the way we want it to be. There is good and bad in all of this. The Different Thought here is that we do get a great deal for our tax payments. Even the parts of government that are bad do not outweigh the fact that we are one people, and we must all work and pay taxes to ensure the general welfare, as our constitution directs us. Thanks for looking in.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Elton John and Us.
About the time I was coming out of high school, the radio jocks were starting to play a new artist from Great Britain. I had been to my share of high school dances with live music, but music wasn't a big deal to me then. I went to a small Catholic school that didn't have a music department. I also had a couple of somewhat uptight parents- no music department there either.
When I got to college I began to discover and appreciate new things. I was exposed to new people from so many different places. They brought Elton John- and his music was a revelation to me. It struck me as very different from the rock music of the late 60's and very early 70's. So as a college kid I really came to be a fan. Lee and I would be together on Saturday nights, when we could, in the dorm rooms with friends. We would drink beer bought from the sidewalk distributors who would gladly buy beer for us, for a small gratuity. We would drink, laugh and learn about each other- all to the music of Elton John. He had only put out two albums by 1973, but I think we knew intuitively his unique sound was more than a passing rage.
By late 1974 Lee and I were married and had moved to Portland. Elton John was an absolute staple on the record player- yes, stone-aged (non-digital) stereo record players. The point is, that he wasn't just a flash in the pan and we bought every new album almost the moment it came out. We were working and going to school in Portland the second year of our marriage when the word came, like a shout from the heavens- Elton John was appearing in Portland. Seeing him IN PERSON would bring to fruition all of our fan-ness!
Ticket sales then were done in person. Elton John was huge by then, and acquiring tickets meant showing up the Coliseum box office, money in hand. So, I took the afternoon off and stood in line. Nervous times for sure, not knowing if I'd shown up early enough. But I got them! Elton John Live!
Conveniently, our first place was a small apartment right across Broadway street from the Coliseum. It was was meant to be. On show night we monitored the line from our window and went over when the doors opened. No assigned seating, which meant 14,000 of us rushed for the open seating. It was called "Festival Seating" then. Today, it would called attempted manslaughter.
The show was unbelievable. Young Elton John was beyond fantastic. He was all energy- unbelievable sound and musical genius. He was all sequined in silver and green to open- then feather boas and outlandish costuming throughout the night. He was at the keyboard- then suddenly off the piano bench and on top of the piano. Then, with elf-like quickness, he was at the edge of the stage exhorting his disciples, then back to his piano. The air was a haze of stage lighting and marijuana smoke. Everyone left exhausted and thrilled. That was 1975.
Over the years our lives changed and evolved, as life does. We moved, we had two children, we finished college, and began careers, we bought houses, because that's what most of us do. Elton John's music was always there in the background of now crowded and busy lives. He had his crowded period too-during the 80's he got on drugs, and we got on country music for a while. But normalcy returned and he began making more great music and we returned to our original tastes.
Now in our late 50's, we are kind of hard to buy for, when it comes to gift giving occasions. But we have two imaginative daughters. They must have heard that same shout from the heavens. Elton John was coming to Spokane- a birthday gift to both of us-two tickets to Elton John! What a great gift this was.
Things are a different now. No standing in line to buy tickets. A smart phone and smart daughters are all you need. No festival seating- reserved seats for a more reserved audience. But we were just as excited for this show as we had been 36 years earlier.
Last Friday night when Elton John took the stage, much was the same as it was in '75. He even began the show with the same song: Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. Lee grabbed my arm and said: "that is freaky", recalling the first time so vividly. But, a lot was different too. No feather boas or crazy eye wear-this time; an embroidered black waist coat with tails, tuxedo pants and sensible shoes. No half-handstands on the keyboard or high-flying gymnastics atop the piano. Elton John is now a man in his 60's. He has more weight on now. He has a somewhat doughy physique-the face is rounder- his middle thickened and portly. If you didn't know who he is, you'd say he has the look of a polite salesman, selling four hundred dollar suits at the Men's Warehouse. He seemed to me utterly human now, which made him somehow even more appealing. I could actually imagine myself in a conversation with him. I suppose that's because he is more mature now, as am I. Rock idols eventually become human- even the truly magnificent ones.
But his age, and ours caused no disappointment- quite the opposite really. His movements were done with an incredible economy of movement and energy, all of it now directed at the microphone and the keyboard. He doesn't jump around the stage and he doesn't need to exhort the crowd. His music is stamped on all of us for good. He plays with the same virtuoso talent he always had. To watch his hands on the giant TV screen was a treat we didn't have in '75, but formed a close-up view of real musical genius this time. He and his piano are virtually one being. Elton John is a treasure along with Bernie Taupin, his always present, but never seen poet and lyricist. Everyone there knew these songs by heart, except a few new ones he threw in. You know, the new ones were great too.
We left the show after nearly three hours of making new memories. Lee and I talked a lot about how these two events have provided bookends, of sorts, to our life so far. In the 36 years between shows almost all of our married life took place; our children were born and are now adults themselves, in their thirties with their own kids; jobs have become the careers we wished for. Our lives have settled down to a peaceful, pleasant time filled with the family and friends. We've never defined ourselves by pop culture or its heroes; but it was just plain cool to know Elton John is still there, as he has been the whole time. Thanks for looking in.
When I got to college I began to discover and appreciate new things. I was exposed to new people from so many different places. They brought Elton John- and his music was a revelation to me. It struck me as very different from the rock music of the late 60's and very early 70's. So as a college kid I really came to be a fan. Lee and I would be together on Saturday nights, when we could, in the dorm rooms with friends. We would drink beer bought from the sidewalk distributors who would gladly buy beer for us, for a small gratuity. We would drink, laugh and learn about each other- all to the music of Elton John. He had only put out two albums by 1973, but I think we knew intuitively his unique sound was more than a passing rage.
By late 1974 Lee and I were married and had moved to Portland. Elton John was an absolute staple on the record player- yes, stone-aged (non-digital) stereo record players. The point is, that he wasn't just a flash in the pan and we bought every new album almost the moment it came out. We were working and going to school in Portland the second year of our marriage when the word came, like a shout from the heavens- Elton John was appearing in Portland. Seeing him IN PERSON would bring to fruition all of our fan-ness!
Ticket sales then were done in person. Elton John was huge by then, and acquiring tickets meant showing up the Coliseum box office, money in hand. So, I took the afternoon off and stood in line. Nervous times for sure, not knowing if I'd shown up early enough. But I got them! Elton John Live!
Conveniently, our first place was a small apartment right across Broadway street from the Coliseum. It was was meant to be. On show night we monitored the line from our window and went over when the doors opened. No assigned seating, which meant 14,000 of us rushed for the open seating. It was called "Festival Seating" then. Today, it would called attempted manslaughter.
The show was unbelievable. Young Elton John was beyond fantastic. He was all energy- unbelievable sound and musical genius. He was all sequined in silver and green to open- then feather boas and outlandish costuming throughout the night. He was at the keyboard- then suddenly off the piano bench and on top of the piano. Then, with elf-like quickness, he was at the edge of the stage exhorting his disciples, then back to his piano. The air was a haze of stage lighting and marijuana smoke. Everyone left exhausted and thrilled. That was 1975.
Over the years our lives changed and evolved, as life does. We moved, we had two children, we finished college, and began careers, we bought houses, because that's what most of us do. Elton John's music was always there in the background of now crowded and busy lives. He had his crowded period too-during the 80's he got on drugs, and we got on country music for a while. But normalcy returned and he began making more great music and we returned to our original tastes.
Now in our late 50's, we are kind of hard to buy for, when it comes to gift giving occasions. But we have two imaginative daughters. They must have heard that same shout from the heavens. Elton John was coming to Spokane- a birthday gift to both of us-two tickets to Elton John! What a great gift this was.
Things are a different now. No standing in line to buy tickets. A smart phone and smart daughters are all you need. No festival seating- reserved seats for a more reserved audience. But we were just as excited for this show as we had been 36 years earlier.
Last Friday night when Elton John took the stage, much was the same as it was in '75. He even began the show with the same song: Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. Lee grabbed my arm and said: "that is freaky", recalling the first time so vividly. But, a lot was different too. No feather boas or crazy eye wear-this time; an embroidered black waist coat with tails, tuxedo pants and sensible shoes. No half-handstands on the keyboard or high-flying gymnastics atop the piano. Elton John is now a man in his 60's. He has more weight on now. He has a somewhat doughy physique-the face is rounder- his middle thickened and portly. If you didn't know who he is, you'd say he has the look of a polite salesman, selling four hundred dollar suits at the Men's Warehouse. He seemed to me utterly human now, which made him somehow even more appealing. I could actually imagine myself in a conversation with him. I suppose that's because he is more mature now, as am I. Rock idols eventually become human- even the truly magnificent ones.
But his age, and ours caused no disappointment- quite the opposite really. His movements were done with an incredible economy of movement and energy, all of it now directed at the microphone and the keyboard. He doesn't jump around the stage and he doesn't need to exhort the crowd. His music is stamped on all of us for good. He plays with the same virtuoso talent he always had. To watch his hands on the giant TV screen was a treat we didn't have in '75, but formed a close-up view of real musical genius this time. He and his piano are virtually one being. Elton John is a treasure along with Bernie Taupin, his always present, but never seen poet and lyricist. Everyone there knew these songs by heart, except a few new ones he threw in. You know, the new ones were great too.
We left the show after nearly three hours of making new memories. Lee and I talked a lot about how these two events have provided bookends, of sorts, to our life so far. In the 36 years between shows almost all of our married life took place; our children were born and are now adults themselves, in their thirties with their own kids; jobs have become the careers we wished for. Our lives have settled down to a peaceful, pleasant time filled with the family and friends. We've never defined ourselves by pop culture or its heroes; but it was just plain cool to know Elton John is still there, as he has been the whole time. Thanks for looking in.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Asking the Question
I have reason to be happy over a trend I've seen lately. Given the news of the week, you might think this is a strange time to be excited over the events occurring now. After all, we're on the razor's edge of a federal government shut-down; we are all fearing the worst from the disaster in Japan; there is a stalemate of sorts in Libya; and we are still lingering in the Great Recession. But I have taken heart- I am seeing the tide of public opinion turn away from the mantra of those who would just turn the country over to the corporations and the rich.
Let me tell you what I've seen. Over the last month or two I have seen Letters to the Editor in the local paper I have not seen before. I'm in a conservative town and the opinions I've seen lately are quite different from the norm. I've also seen the narrative change in other forms of media- the magazines- the radio talk- the water cooler talk. I've seen and heard people asking different questions and really challenging some old, tired assumptions. I think we all get a bit numb and worn down by the constant dumbing down of news and ceaseless mantras of silly politicians. I don't agree with Sarah Palin on anything- except this: "Lamestream Media". Actually, I don't agree with her reasons for calling it that either, but I do like the name. I guess it stands to reason the media is lame, because they are owned by large corporate interests too. Watch an interview with a leader and you'll see that our best "journalists" serve up softball questions and never ask a follow-up or even ask "why?". Pathetic, what we put up with.
But take heart at the what the people of this country are doing. People are expressing themselves in those letters and finally questioning whose interests are being served. People are showing up at rallies- just look at Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and our own state capital too. Big numbers of folks are coming out like we haven't seen in a long time. All these folks are asking the right question- finally!
-Republicans in Congress have just proposed a huge 10 year budget plan that cuts $6 trillion from domestic programs. It privatizes medicare and medicaid- cuts funds for environmental protection, eliminates a huge piece of college financial aid, reduces other education services- and on and on with cuts (too many to list) while giving rich people and corporations bigger tax breaks. How can this be right?
-Middle class people are making less and less in real wages, and have been for the last thirty years, while Congress continues to give $60 billion a year in tax credits to oil companies. How can this be right?
-The twenty biggest Hedge Fund managers in this country earned and average of over $1 billion in personal income last year and they are just the tip of the iceberg. Starting teacher pay in most states is around $30 thousand- and according to conservatives, teachers are the problem! How can this be right?
-G.E. our biggest corporation, and Exxon Mobil our most profitable corporation, are among thousands of firms that pay no federal taxes. How can this be right?
-With no slow down in world oil supply, the cost of gas at the pump has gone sky high- all due to Wall Street rich guys speculating on oil futures (i.e.betting on your misery). Expect record oil company profits; while the Republican House has voted to eliminate heating oil aid for the poor and the elderly. How can this be right?
-Many state governors and legislators are voting to eliminate worker bargaining rights. They start with the teachers who have somehow been made the bad guy, then move on. Last Week the Republican House voted to remove collective bargaining from aviation and Railroad workers. How can this be right?
-2% of our population owns 90% of our wealth- and the Republicans simply refuse to even talk about raising taxes on the richest people. A 3% tax hike on the wealthiest 2% of Americans would pay for half the deficit- but Congress won't even think about it. How can this be right?
I could go on and on with the list. But the good news is that the people are really seeing what's going on here; AND THEY ARE SPEAKING UP. We're not broke- we have just let the rich buy our politicians who make rules and laws that benefit their masters. All the injustices listed above are legal- but they aren't right! The different thought for today is to always ask the question: how can that be right? If enough of us keep asking and demand answers that make sence, we can liberate our counrty from the robber-barons of today. Thanks for looking in.
Let me tell you what I've seen. Over the last month or two I have seen Letters to the Editor in the local paper I have not seen before. I'm in a conservative town and the opinions I've seen lately are quite different from the norm. I've also seen the narrative change in other forms of media- the magazines- the radio talk- the water cooler talk. I've seen and heard people asking different questions and really challenging some old, tired assumptions. I think we all get a bit numb and worn down by the constant dumbing down of news and ceaseless mantras of silly politicians. I don't agree with Sarah Palin on anything- except this: "Lamestream Media". Actually, I don't agree with her reasons for calling it that either, but I do like the name. I guess it stands to reason the media is lame, because they are owned by large corporate interests too. Watch an interview with a leader and you'll see that our best "journalists" serve up softball questions and never ask a follow-up or even ask "why?". Pathetic, what we put up with.
But take heart at the what the people of this country are doing. People are expressing themselves in those letters and finally questioning whose interests are being served. People are showing up at rallies- just look at Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and our own state capital too. Big numbers of folks are coming out like we haven't seen in a long time. All these folks are asking the right question- finally!
-Republicans in Congress have just proposed a huge 10 year budget plan that cuts $6 trillion from domestic programs. It privatizes medicare and medicaid- cuts funds for environmental protection, eliminates a huge piece of college financial aid, reduces other education services- and on and on with cuts (too many to list) while giving rich people and corporations bigger tax breaks. How can this be right?
-Middle class people are making less and less in real wages, and have been for the last thirty years, while Congress continues to give $60 billion a year in tax credits to oil companies. How can this be right?
-The twenty biggest Hedge Fund managers in this country earned and average of over $1 billion in personal income last year and they are just the tip of the iceberg. Starting teacher pay in most states is around $30 thousand- and according to conservatives, teachers are the problem! How can this be right?
-G.E. our biggest corporation, and Exxon Mobil our most profitable corporation, are among thousands of firms that pay no federal taxes. How can this be right?
-With no slow down in world oil supply, the cost of gas at the pump has gone sky high- all due to Wall Street rich guys speculating on oil futures (i.e.betting on your misery). Expect record oil company profits; while the Republican House has voted to eliminate heating oil aid for the poor and the elderly. How can this be right?
-Many state governors and legislators are voting to eliminate worker bargaining rights. They start with the teachers who have somehow been made the bad guy, then move on. Last Week the Republican House voted to remove collective bargaining from aviation and Railroad workers. How can this be right?
-2% of our population owns 90% of our wealth- and the Republicans simply refuse to even talk about raising taxes on the richest people. A 3% tax hike on the wealthiest 2% of Americans would pay for half the deficit- but Congress won't even think about it. How can this be right?
I could go on and on with the list. But the good news is that the people are really seeing what's going on here; AND THEY ARE SPEAKING UP. We're not broke- we have just let the rich buy our politicians who make rules and laws that benefit their masters. All the injustices listed above are legal- but they aren't right! The different thought for today is to always ask the question: how can that be right? If enough of us keep asking and demand answers that make sence, we can liberate our counrty from the robber-barons of today. Thanks for looking in.
Monday, April 4, 2011
What Moves Me
I was talking to a friend the other day who suggested that I ought to write an article in this blog that's humorous. I have written humor before. So the last few days I've been searching for somethings to write that would illustrate the lighter side. Know what? I couldn't just come up with funny stuff. That got me thinking that maybe, just maybe I've gotten a little obsessed with the political aspects of the world lately and it's keeping me from seeing the lighter side of things.
I thought about that for a while and really tried to figure this out. To my delight, I finally came to the conclusion that I haven't lost my sense of humor. I know because, upon reflection, I believe I'm enjoying my family and friends now more than any other time of my life. I cherish and enjoy the people closest to me so much, and that gives me a great deal of happiness. I certainly haven't stopped laughing or joking with them. In fact, I think it's happening even more. Whew! that's a relief.
Now, about these articles. I've written about the issues of human rights, unwed mothers, financial injustices, CEO pay, and poverty. I've shared photos of human suffering from another era. Admittedly these are pretty serious items, and to read my articles you must know I'm unabashedly progressive in my thinking. So, for now, I've chosen to write about the things that stir my passions and cause me to think more about the issues of our day. Funny stuff will come when it strikes me. I know there are those who get these articles, who hold very different views from mine. Politics and religion are often said to be topics not discussed in polite company-people can get very emotional and not discuss things nicely. At the same time these are are issues that shape our lives- so I am compelled to write about these issues because they will determine the kind of life my grandchildren will lead. I could never rest knowing I wasn't an informed voter-or an involved citizen, should our culture turn cruelly against tomorrow's adults.
Several times in the course of this blog I've said we're at a cultural crossroad. I think these are the most volatile times of change in 50 years. There are two very distinct camps forming. From my perspective, one camp consists of the poor and the working class; while the other camp is the made up of the corporations and the rich. The first camp is much larger -98% of us; and the other camp (2%) - is much richer than the first. These are the two roads our country will choose from. I write, and others write because I fear that if we don't, the rich will simply impose their will with the money and power they have; and the middle class will be lost forever. My grandchildren and yours will likely be in that 98%. I will continue to bring you facts and opinion. If I don't change some minds that's OK. But I do want you to continue reading and please think hard about the decisions being made today. No matter what side you're on- tell our leaders what you want- go to a rally- call your senators and representatives. If you don't, some one else will. We live in an age where Different Thoughts are the currency in the market place of ideas: so spend your currency. Thanks for looking in.
I thought about that for a while and really tried to figure this out. To my delight, I finally came to the conclusion that I haven't lost my sense of humor. I know because, upon reflection, I believe I'm enjoying my family and friends now more than any other time of my life. I cherish and enjoy the people closest to me so much, and that gives me a great deal of happiness. I certainly haven't stopped laughing or joking with them. In fact, I think it's happening even more. Whew! that's a relief.
Now, about these articles. I've written about the issues of human rights, unwed mothers, financial injustices, CEO pay, and poverty. I've shared photos of human suffering from another era. Admittedly these are pretty serious items, and to read my articles you must know I'm unabashedly progressive in my thinking. So, for now, I've chosen to write about the things that stir my passions and cause me to think more about the issues of our day. Funny stuff will come when it strikes me. I know there are those who get these articles, who hold very different views from mine. Politics and religion are often said to be topics not discussed in polite company-people can get very emotional and not discuss things nicely. At the same time these are are issues that shape our lives- so I am compelled to write about these issues because they will determine the kind of life my grandchildren will lead. I could never rest knowing I wasn't an informed voter-or an involved citizen, should our culture turn cruelly against tomorrow's adults.
Several times in the course of this blog I've said we're at a cultural crossroad. I think these are the most volatile times of change in 50 years. There are two very distinct camps forming. From my perspective, one camp consists of the poor and the working class; while the other camp is the made up of the corporations and the rich. The first camp is much larger -98% of us; and the other camp (2%) - is much richer than the first. These are the two roads our country will choose from. I write, and others write because I fear that if we don't, the rich will simply impose their will with the money and power they have; and the middle class will be lost forever. My grandchildren and yours will likely be in that 98%. I will continue to bring you facts and opinion. If I don't change some minds that's OK. But I do want you to continue reading and please think hard about the decisions being made today. No matter what side you're on- tell our leaders what you want- go to a rally- call your senators and representatives. If you don't, some one else will. We live in an age where Different Thoughts are the currency in the market place of ideas: so spend your currency. Thanks for looking in.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Lange and Guthrie
 |
| These are the photographs of Dorothea Lange. Throughout her life as a photographer, she captured the images of the downtrodden and the disenfranchised. Her photographs of the victims of the Great Depression helped move the country towards programs to help the poor and regenerate the spirit of a nation. Following the Depression she moved her camera to document the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the discrimination against African Americans in the 1950's and the fight for justice anywhere she saw people struggling. She was one of America's most accomplished photographers- she was a warrior who used her art to move the conscience of a nation. I often wonder what images Dorothea Lange would make to depict today's injustices. I have selected only a small sample of her work. I hope you will investigate further on your own. |
Near the relief office-I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
Is this land still for you and me?
(final verse)
Woody Guthrie- "This Land is Your Land"
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
We Need a New Song at the Ball Game
After the attacks on our people on 9-11-01, all our major sporting events not only include our National Anthem, they included Irving Berlin's patriotic music: "God Bless America" or Bates/Ward's "America the Beautiful".We sing them at most big events- and just before "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch. These are great songs, they inspire national pride and cohesiveness. I don't take anything away from this classic bit of Americana. But there is another song we ought to consider. It too is a classic bit of American culture. It was written in the wake of the Great Depression, by a man who traveled the dusty back roads of America. He lived with the real people of our country. I'm referring to Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land".
Music historians tell us that Guthrie wrote this song in direct response to "God Bless America". Guthrie believed that Berlin's lyrics were "nationalistic-complacent-exclusionary and unrealistic". Guthrie's travels and experiences taught him that America was in the hands of the privileged, and the country rightfully "was made for you and me".
Gutherie is our most important Folk Music writer because he was able to capture, in music, the spirit of a country that has the highest ideals, but often falls short in living up to them. His music isn't all glory and flag waving, proudly proclaiming the favor of God. His music and its message is about the real struggle of common people- the folk. That is, after all, the essence of "folk' music. His music, and the work of others like photographer Dorothea Lange, resonate in the soul of a people-and change minds. I hope you'll research the life of Gutherie and look at the photographic work of Dorothea Lange. You will recognize her iconic photos of the Great Depression, just as you know the music and "folk" spirit of Woody Guthrie. Their contributions to the American culture actually changed policies and lives.
It is so unfortunate that we seem to be re-living the events of Great Depression. The rich and powerful accumulated too much wealth at the expense of the working class back then as they are now. They inflated their own holdings fraudulently as they do now; and when the bubble broke it was the "folk" who suffered then as now. High unemployment doesn't touch the top 2%- it hits the middle class and the poor the hardest now, as it did then.
It is no wonder we never see musicians writing songs that glorify credit swap derivatives; or songs that celebrate the wonder of investment bankers; or tell of our cultural enrichment at out-sourcing jobs; or Wall Street bonuses; or our greatness because we have removed collective bargaining rights from teachers. Those songs will NEVER be written- because we know deep in our collective heart that the things we are seeing now (as a reaction to fear) do not lift us as a people. They don't give us hope- they embed cynicism and they will eventually diminish us and send our national spirit back to the dust bowl days of the Depression. Our parents and grandparents, and their ancestors fought the robber-barons of their day for social and economic justice. We can not stand by while greed has us fighting that same battle again. We're better than that.
What would it feel like if we rose from our seats in the middle of the seventh and sang "This Land is Your Land"? What would it do for our national spirit to sing the populist anthem Guthrie gave us-the one that says "this land belongs to you and me"? I'd sing that song. That's my Different Thought for today. Thanks for looking in.
Music historians tell us that Guthrie wrote this song in direct response to "God Bless America". Guthrie believed that Berlin's lyrics were "nationalistic-complacent-exclusionary and unrealistic". Guthrie's travels and experiences taught him that America was in the hands of the privileged, and the country rightfully "was made for you and me".
Gutherie is our most important Folk Music writer because he was able to capture, in music, the spirit of a country that has the highest ideals, but often falls short in living up to them. His music isn't all glory and flag waving, proudly proclaiming the favor of God. His music and its message is about the real struggle of common people- the folk. That is, after all, the essence of "folk' music. His music, and the work of others like photographer Dorothea Lange, resonate in the soul of a people-and change minds. I hope you'll research the life of Gutherie and look at the photographic work of Dorothea Lange. You will recognize her iconic photos of the Great Depression, just as you know the music and "folk" spirit of Woody Guthrie. Their contributions to the American culture actually changed policies and lives.
It is so unfortunate that we seem to be re-living the events of Great Depression. The rich and powerful accumulated too much wealth at the expense of the working class back then as they are now. They inflated their own holdings fraudulently as they do now; and when the bubble broke it was the "folk" who suffered then as now. High unemployment doesn't touch the top 2%- it hits the middle class and the poor the hardest now, as it did then.
It is no wonder we never see musicians writing songs that glorify credit swap derivatives; or songs that celebrate the wonder of investment bankers; or tell of our cultural enrichment at out-sourcing jobs; or Wall Street bonuses; or our greatness because we have removed collective bargaining rights from teachers. Those songs will NEVER be written- because we know deep in our collective heart that the things we are seeing now (as a reaction to fear) do not lift us as a people. They don't give us hope- they embed cynicism and they will eventually diminish us and send our national spirit back to the dust bowl days of the Depression. Our parents and grandparents, and their ancestors fought the robber-barons of their day for social and economic justice. We can not stand by while greed has us fighting that same battle again. We're better than that.
What would it feel like if we rose from our seats in the middle of the seventh and sang "This Land is Your Land"? What would it do for our national spirit to sing the populist anthem Guthrie gave us-the one that says "this land belongs to you and me"? I'd sing that song. That's my Different Thought for today. Thanks for looking in.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Matthew 25:31-46
This passage in the New Testament of the Bible is of considerable importance these days. For those who can't readily conjure it in your memory, let me recap. I might add first, that this story from the Bible is only told in Matthew's Gospel. It does not appear in any of the other major Gospels. Of course, it's been translated into several versions-but the essence is the same, in spite of some changes in the wording. I'll do my best to be true to the underlying story.
In this Chapter of Matthew, Jesus speaks to his followers and instructs them on the way to achieve a place in heaven. He says that when God comes back to earth to select those who will be in heaven, he will separate them like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The test for what group you will be in depends on how you did the following things: He says, "I was hungry and you fed me- I was naked and you clothed me-I was in prison and you comforted me- I was sick and you cared for me". As the story goes, the followers were a bit upset knowing they had never seen Jesus in need like this. They questioned Jesus asking, "when did we see you hungry and not feed you? see you naked and not cloth you?-see you in prison and not comfort you, or see you sick and not care for you?" Then Jesus said: " Truly I tell you, as you did for the least of these my brethren, you did for me." Following verses go on to say that those who did NOT do for "the least of them" will suffer eternal punishment.
By way of full disclosure: I do not practice any religion. I'm not promoting religion by discussing this Biblical parable here. I was raised in a devout Catholic family and was educated in Catholic Schools. Though I don't practice a religion now, I recognize that some religions can contain some very important lessons that are good for mankind and have applications in civil, humane behavior. The story above is one of those. There is debate about this passage. The question is whether the clear message pertains only to ones personal life or whether it applies in a much broader societal way? Not being a biblical scholar- I can't say for sure.
I am, however, moved to think of how our leaders behave in light of this parable; and how we as a people hold our leaders to principals we claim to believe in. Believe me, the very last thing I want is for our government to be a theocracy- guided by the rules of one or more religions. But the next-to-last thing I want is government leadership (at any level of government) elected based on fraud, deception and hypocrisy. Somehow, we have allowed religion to be a huge factor in the selection of our leadership, and today's politicians play this to the hilt. This is particularly true of the very right-wing conservatives seeking elected office. They make a point of telling us over and over of their Christian beliefs and how it influences their lives and their politics. They call them "values". To be fair, some Democrats do it too. But consider Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachman, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour and the others who will seek your vote. Each of these politicians wear their Christian religion on their sleeves (or lapels buttons) then govern in the exact opposite direction- that is, forsaking the "least of our brethren".
In America "the least of these" are the poor and the working poor. In 2009 43.6 million Americans lived in poverty. 1 in 5 of our children are poor. 60 million of us do not have access to health care. Poverty and lack of health care are continuing to grow. Aren't these the very people Matthew's Gospel talks about? Yet the conservative mantra is: CUT! CUT! CUT!. Cut education, cut social security (that protects our seniors from living in poverty) cut medical programs for children, cut wages, cut family planning for the poor, cut social programs for the poor and the disabled- cut it all!- Except the military, of course. And by all means don't tax the rich. Our elected officials continue to give the corporations and the rich more and more tax breaks.
This is the richest country in the world. We still have the strongest economy and the greatest wealth in the world, yet we continue to allow the "least of us" to suffer while corporations and the rich continue to build wealth. They ship money and jobs to other countries and take advantage of the American worker all to enrich themselves. The privileged few own our political system and they rarely pay their fair share. I don't really care about their so-called religious values, but I resent the idea that many conservatives will convince you to vote for them because of their religious values. I don't resent the religion- I resent those who lie to us about their real values and intentions, while boasting about their religious values.
As long as I'm quoting Jesus, allow me to mention that it was Jesus who said: It will be harder for a rich man to attain heaven that it would be to pass a camel through the eye of a needle. Whether it comes from religious values or an innate sense of justice and social conscience-or our Constitution itself: now is the time to stand up and demand that our leaders (and those who would be our leaders) act on behalf of the people by providing for "the general welfare". We cannot be great if we do not have policies and purposes that protect all our people, not just the privileged few. If not your God, then at least history will judge us on how treat "the least of our brethren".
In this Chapter of Matthew, Jesus speaks to his followers and instructs them on the way to achieve a place in heaven. He says that when God comes back to earth to select those who will be in heaven, he will separate them like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The test for what group you will be in depends on how you did the following things: He says, "I was hungry and you fed me- I was naked and you clothed me-I was in prison and you comforted me- I was sick and you cared for me". As the story goes, the followers were a bit upset knowing they had never seen Jesus in need like this. They questioned Jesus asking, "when did we see you hungry and not feed you? see you naked and not cloth you?-see you in prison and not comfort you, or see you sick and not care for you?" Then Jesus said: " Truly I tell you, as you did for the least of these my brethren, you did for me." Following verses go on to say that those who did NOT do for "the least of them" will suffer eternal punishment.
By way of full disclosure: I do not practice any religion. I'm not promoting religion by discussing this Biblical parable here. I was raised in a devout Catholic family and was educated in Catholic Schools. Though I don't practice a religion now, I recognize that some religions can contain some very important lessons that are good for mankind and have applications in civil, humane behavior. The story above is one of those. There is debate about this passage. The question is whether the clear message pertains only to ones personal life or whether it applies in a much broader societal way? Not being a biblical scholar- I can't say for sure.
I am, however, moved to think of how our leaders behave in light of this parable; and how we as a people hold our leaders to principals we claim to believe in. Believe me, the very last thing I want is for our government to be a theocracy- guided by the rules of one or more religions. But the next-to-last thing I want is government leadership (at any level of government) elected based on fraud, deception and hypocrisy. Somehow, we have allowed religion to be a huge factor in the selection of our leadership, and today's politicians play this to the hilt. This is particularly true of the very right-wing conservatives seeking elected office. They make a point of telling us over and over of their Christian beliefs and how it influences their lives and their politics. They call them "values". To be fair, some Democrats do it too. But consider Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachman, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour and the others who will seek your vote. Each of these politicians wear their Christian religion on their sleeves (or lapels buttons) then govern in the exact opposite direction- that is, forsaking the "least of our brethren".
In America "the least of these" are the poor and the working poor. In 2009 43.6 million Americans lived in poverty. 1 in 5 of our children are poor. 60 million of us do not have access to health care. Poverty and lack of health care are continuing to grow. Aren't these the very people Matthew's Gospel talks about? Yet the conservative mantra is: CUT! CUT! CUT!. Cut education, cut social security (that protects our seniors from living in poverty) cut medical programs for children, cut wages, cut family planning for the poor, cut social programs for the poor and the disabled- cut it all!- Except the military, of course. And by all means don't tax the rich. Our elected officials continue to give the corporations and the rich more and more tax breaks.
This is the richest country in the world. We still have the strongest economy and the greatest wealth in the world, yet we continue to allow the "least of us" to suffer while corporations and the rich continue to build wealth. They ship money and jobs to other countries and take advantage of the American worker all to enrich themselves. The privileged few own our political system and they rarely pay their fair share. I don't really care about their so-called religious values, but I resent the idea that many conservatives will convince you to vote for them because of their religious values. I don't resent the religion- I resent those who lie to us about their real values and intentions, while boasting about their religious values.
As long as I'm quoting Jesus, allow me to mention that it was Jesus who said: It will be harder for a rich man to attain heaven that it would be to pass a camel through the eye of a needle. Whether it comes from religious values or an innate sense of justice and social conscience-or our Constitution itself: now is the time to stand up and demand that our leaders (and those who would be our leaders) act on behalf of the people by providing for "the general welfare". We cannot be great if we do not have policies and purposes that protect all our people, not just the privileged few. If not your God, then at least history will judge us on how treat "the least of our brethren".
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