ProgressOhio

If our democracy is sacred, why is politics such a dirty word?

Because power trumps principle, and fear buys votes. 

It’s a sad truth.  Power corrupts.  Not overtly, but in a seeping quiet shadow of dimming light. Most folks of influence begin with a pure heart, but they quickly learn the efficacy of the art of hate.  

The Attack ads we endure prior to each election are beyond shameful.  Political media “experts” spend millions of dollars, crafting demonic images of their opponents.  They Photoshop faces in dark shadow, play ominous music, use devilish voice-overs, and twist even the most innocent statements into apocalyptic terms.  No one likes these tactics.  Candidates hate them as much as the voters. But the fact is they work.  Psychologist Carl Jung taught “fear is the greatest of all motivators.”  People will move away from what they fear much faster than they will reach out for what the desire.   Its human nature and the power elite knows it.  

We must fight the fear.  We must reject the cries for hate used to buy our votes.  

Religious institutions also have a long sordid history of using hate and persecution to grow their membership, fill their coffers, and wield political power.  Powerful preachers use the pulpit to strike fear in our hearts, crying “The End is Near!” It might be the end of the church, the end of our way of life, the end of biblical prophesy, or even aliens riding by on comets.   The “What” we are to fear constantly changes, but the message remains the same. They know if we buy into this perception of attack, we will join their ranks and fight. And when we do, they remain on their thrones.  

Here in Ohio folks are all in a stew over illegal immigration these days.  Excuse me?  When I walk down the street I see nothing but white folks in Dockers pushing strollers to the mall.  If not for the giant propaganda machine of the far-right-elite-power-structure, this would be a non issue in this part of the country.  It is a function of fabricated hysteria designed to buy votes with the currency of fear and hate.  Why can’t people see that? 

Lady Liberty is a symbol and beacon of light to the world.  She represents all that is good and right in the structure of our government. She represents the ideal that a melting pot of people made up of different cultures and religions can in fact, live together in peace and harmony.

What a beautiful concept.

This principle is our gift to the world, and the standard we must learn to live by.   But alas, we struggle.  With each generation, we lose sight of the lessons of the past. With each decade we face the same old prejudices again and again.

Saturdays Dispatch featured an editorial by yours truely.  I am pleased as punch to see The Dispatch publish progressive opinion.  If you get the chance, thank them.

 And for those of you who missed it, heres the complete text:

 George F. Will’s editorial of Monday June 11, “Fearing the facts, Democrats shun their usual rhetoric on the economy” was a real humdinger.  He tossed around numbers like a half-drunk poly-sci student trying to impress a bunch of girls in a bar.

 Well.  I may be “just a middle class mom” but I know a shell game when I see one.  His hoodwinking punditry for Bush-enomics omits one tiny little detail.  The fact is our federal government reported a 214 billion dollar deficit last year compared to the $236 billion dollar surplus we had when Clinton left office.

By comparing the borrowing habits of the two parties over the years, it is clear the big spenders in Washington are the Republicans. During the past half century, Republican presidents have increased the national debt an average of 9.7% per year while Democrat presidents have kept their spending to a tight fisted 3.2% per year.  Republicans consistently out borrow and out spend Democrats three to one, while telling us they are doing just the opposite. 

 

Will sarcastically mimics his critic’s complaints that “wealth is not being distributed in accordance with the laws of God or Nature or liberalism or something.”  When the fact is, GOP control makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.  Will doesn’t think we should care about that.  The truth is during the Clinton administration more middle class Americans became millionaires than at any other time in our countries history.  That’s the American Dream folks, and what we should be voting for.

 

Clinton did this while reducing our debt by $114 billion dollars during his term.  He had a straight forward, down home policy on money management.  If you cut taxes, you make a corresponding spending cut - Pay as you go.  The same way I manage my budget at home.  In my house we don’t spend more than we earn.  Period.  I don’t go on million dollar shopping sprees like a con man with a credit card, and then explain it by saying I am boosting our family net worth by passing the bill off on my kids.  That’s crazy.  This Republican policy of Paris Hilton money management is nothing but supply side voodoo for the rich.  It will leave our children with massive debt and destroy the middle class.  It is not a legacy I am willing to live with, and neither should you.

Right before I announced my intention to run for The Ohio House of Representatives in 2008, I had the honor of meeting John and Annie Glenn.

They are true American Treasures.

Annie gave me the best advice ever:

"Keep your hands clean dear." She said in a grandmotherly voice.

"Oh yes Maam. You dont have to worry about that with me. Im as honest as the day is long."

"I know that Kelley. What I mean is wash your hands. When you are campaigning, you shake so many peoples hands. Its easy to catch the flu. You cant win an election if you are home sick in bed."

LOL!

The best down home political advice ever!

In Mondays Dispatch, Washington Post Columnist George F. Will wrote a scathing editorial denouncing democratic economic policy.  He tells us the economy did not grow during early part of the Bush presidency because "He inherited the debris of the 1990's irrational exuberances."  He goes on to throw out all sorts of numbers to solidify his position that Democrats are "economic hypochondriacs" while defending the wisdom of Bushonomics.

I politely beg to differ.

Below is the article I sent to The Columbus Dispatch in response. Feel free to forward or share as you see fit:  

The Paris Hilton School of Economic Policy 

George F. Will’s editorial of Monday June 11, “Fearing the facts, Democrats shun their usual rhetoric on the economy” was a real humdinger.  He tossed around numbers like a half-drunk poly-sci student trying to impress a bunch of girls in a bar. 

Well.  I may be “just a middle class mom” but I know a shell game when I see one.  His hoodwinking punditry for Bush-enomics omits one tiny little detail.  The fact is our federal government reported a 214 billion dollar deficit last year compared to the $236 billion dollar surplus we had when Clinton left office.   

By comparing the borrowing habits of the two parties over the years, it is clear the big spenders in Washington are the Republicans. During the past half century, Republican presidents have increased the national debt an average of 9.7% per year while Democrat presidents have kept their spending to a tight fisted 3.2% per year.  Republicans consistently out borrow and out spend Democrats three to one, while telling us they are doing just the opposite.   

Will sarcastically mimics his critic’s complaints that “wealth is not being distributed in accordance with the laws of God or Nature or liberalism or something.”  When the fact is, GOP control makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.  Will doesn’t think we should care about that.  The truth is during the Clinton administration more middle class Americans became millionaires than at any other time in our countries history.  That’s the American Dream folks, and what we should be voting for. 

Clinton did this while reducing our debt by $114 billion dollars during his term.  He had a straight forward, down home policy on money management.  If you cut taxes, you make a corresponding spending cut - Pay as you go.  The same way I manage my budget at home. 

In my house we don’t spend more than we earn.  Period.  I don’t go on million dollar shopping sprees like a con man with a credit card, and then explain it by saying I am boosting our family net worth by passing the bill off on my kids.  That’s crazy.  This Republican policy of Paris Hilton money management is nothing but supply side voodoo for the rich.  It will leave our children with massive debt and destroy the middle class. 

It is not a legacy I am willing to live with, and neither should you.  

Mrs. Kelley L. Wenzlaff

Powell, Ohio

www.momforthehouse.com

Inspired by the book, The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering, a group of women from Ohio State University organized a world wide gathering, which will take place on Mothers day, this Sunday at 1pm, (your local time.)

They are asking people to gather in parks, or gardens, or quiet areas of contemplation, and simply stand in silence for five short minutes of Prayer or Meditation.

I will serve as hostess for the gathering at Highbanks Metro Park, in Delaware County, Ohio. You are invited, and welcome to bring your friends. This event is open to all.

The idea is threefold:

1) To inspire people to believe they can actually help shape their world.

2) To meet others and begin taking action.

(Remember my old adage: Action Plus Intent Equals Miracles...AIM!)

3) To tell those who make public Policy that they should stop seeing themselves as politicians and instead act as guardians for our children, our grandchildren, and the seven generations beyond.

Here is the press Release from the organizers at StandingWomen.org:

<strong>Women Take Stand for Better World </strong>
Group Urges Women to Rise in Global Silence at 1 p.m., May 13

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and as we prepare to celebrate the mothers in our lives we often neglect to recognize the most important mother of all: Mother Earth. On Sunday, May 13 at 1 p.m., thousands of people around the globe will stand together in silence for five minutes in local parks, schools, churches and other gathering places to promote a better world for future generations. The result will be a 24-hour wave of standing to motivate and invigorate others to realize the dream of a better world for all.

The event was conceived by a group of women associated with The Ohio State University. Through their individual travels, they learned that many women have similar concerns about the direction the world is moving in. Inspired by a story written by Sharon Mehdi of Ashland, Oregon, The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering, collectively they decided that it was time to take a stand to make a difference. “We will be standing for the world’s children, grandchildren, and the seven generations beyond them,” says Deb Ballam, one of the event’s originators. “We dream of a better future for all of the world’s children.”

Mehdi, who will be standing with her townsfolk in Ashland, said “It was the women of Ashland who made sure the Grandmother Story got out to the world, and it is the women of Ohio who are bringing it to life. I am filled with gratitude, hope, and awe.”

Shinoda Bolen, a best-selling author shared the Grandmother Story with the Ohio women during a visit to Columbus last fall, and will be standing in the San Francisco Bay area. “Standing in silence with others with the intention of making a difference,” says Bolen, “creates a feeling of peace inside that silently ripples out.”

<strong>The event is not limited only to women</strong>, however, and many men have expressed excitement in participating. For the last three weeks, Julian Koss of Sarasota, Florida has actively promoted the event in his state. “We’re all obligated to leave for our children and the ‘seven generations to follow’ a better world,” says Koss.

By standing for a moment of silence, participants will recognize the importance for all of the children of the world of issues such as safe drinking water, clean air, food for all to eat, access to basic education, adequate health care and safety from violence.

While the event originated in Ohio, it has become international in scope. The event’s website and promotional materials have been translated into 20 languages to attract participation in this global event. To further promote international participation, thousand of postcards promoting the event were recently distributed at the United Nations’ annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women.
Standing sites in all 50 U.S. states and around the globe are listed on the website and range from large-scale groups of a thousand or more to individual standings. Participants have the option of attending one of the gatherings listed or starting their own. More information on the event including standing sites, promotional materials and registration can be found at www.standingwomen.org

Women do not need anything else to feel guilty about. Guilt is a driving force for most women. Mothers feel guilty when they stay at home with their kids, because they are not earning an income. They feel guilty when they depend on their husbands for support. They feel guilty when the take that full time job because they end up too tired to put their full energy into their kids, their husbands, and their homes.

Women worry all the time about looking their best, not so much for themselves, but for others. They want to be gourmet chefs, choosing healthy fresh organic foods to put on the table in style, but generally, then find themselves heating up some frozen concoction they found on sale in the grocery store. Either that or they grab a McMeal to eat in the car while playing the role of soccer-mom-taxi-driver.

Women feel guilt more times per day than adolescent boys think about sex, and folks, that’s a lot!

So it is not surprising that Leslie Bennett’s new book “The Feminine Mistake” is creating a roar of controversy with devoted stay at home moms. But before they dismiss her as the devils advocate, they would be wise to take a relaxing Calgon bath, and curl up with this remarkable eye opening book.

Bennett’s point is not to condemn the stay at home mom for her choice to nurture her children. Rather, it is a book of research and facts on the economics of motherhood which lets these women know exactly what they are in for.

The research compiled for The Feminine Mistake makes it clear that women who opt out of the workforce to stay at home with their children are making a definitive and quantifiable economic choice with long term ramifications.

A press release from Hyperion publishing states:

THE FEMINIST MISTAKE explains how when women give up careers, the loss in income has a cascading impact on medical benefits, retirement funds and other long-time financial needs. And sadly, Bennetts exposes how the much-vaunted concept of the on-ramp -- the track for talented women to rejoin the workforce following some years at home-- does not exist. Women are finding out too late that motherhood and community service too often still does not translate in HR departments as viable skills.

There is a solution to this problem that will make women stand up and cheer; One that has been sitting right under our noses for over two decades...