Today I wrote to Discovery Communication,

“I’m like to say I’m surprised that Discovery Communications, a company who frequently claims to be pro-environment, would choose to promote an anti-environment idiot like Sarah Palin, but we all know it’s just about the dollar bills for you. Pathetic. It will not be a difficult decision to drop your networks…”

They probably thought the opening “I’m” was a typo too…

TAX DAY, oh no…. since these crooked politicos do such a lousy job of spending our tax dollars, isn’t it our civic duty to give them as little of it as possible.

Finished up a ton o’ work last few days. Been on a good stretch last couple weeks really. Need to take a break soon, but it’s nice making nice $$$ for the ro…adtrip. Business expenses! Several new clients popping up here and there, couple of nice referrals too. Thanks to all!

Really getting a kick out of a few simple sites and affiliate programs that I’ve been dabbling with on the side. I’m crossing my fingers that my purely residual, do-nothing internet income will keep at a steady $1k+/month, and thanks to one recent project just starting to take hold, maybe even double that or more by the end of summer, if his product sales keep chugging nicely. Now, just need to duplicate it…

All clients are also super happy with new hosting packages, website page load speeds, etc. Been learning lots of new SEO tricks. Just last week, I had a website hit consistent first page on google (out of over a million) search results within 72 hours of domain registration, and within 24 hours of submitting sitemaps to search engines.

I have a couple of Chicago White Sox rookies renting out the house while they’re at Spring Training extended camp for a couple months.

Toss out the bums in Washington!

Bring the troops home now!

Just watched this amazing movie, definitely worth watching… asks a lot of big questions…

http://www.loosechange911.com

Watch this, each to understand.

My campaign manager advises me to hold off on releasing any official policy positions until we get ready to really get into it, though I do feel strongly about your concerns. I certainly don’t know it all, but I do know we have some of the smartest, most creative, and most open-minded people in the world living in this country.

Together, we need to (and easily can!) put America back on top by being the proof-positive role model for each other here in our country as well as for everyone else around the rest of the world. We need to set the brightly shining example of excellence in our every endeavor…. See More

Obviously, there are many more solutions to be discovered, but some of what is already known is rather simple, elegant, and clearly not impossible. We’re never going to get anywhere with our so-called leaders taking a fat paycheck and greasy handshakes just to sit around and argue about it.

Most of these seemingly insurmountable issues that our specific concerns focus around become moot as we move away from these archaic aristocratic power structures and evolve toward an economic democracy.

Despite all this public manipulation and polarization, I firmly believe in the compassion and will of the people to embrace the idea of consensus and representative self-government rather than simple back-and-forth majority rule that cannot accomplish anything significant, except self-corruption.

There is a better way. It won’t be easy at first, but it can’t be worse than it is now, and it will get easier. All we need to do is get it started.

I firmly believe in the power of individual and community determination toward the common greater good that will ultimately save this country, and truly free the people.

We live in a world of abundance, we must no longer suffer the politics of scarcity.

I think it’s time.

It gets tiring to hear all this talk of “socialism” which seems to be one of today’s big buzzwords. Socialism is such a broad, vague concept that is usually completely misunderstood thanks to the propaganda machines.

The fundamental ideas of Marx and Lenin, socialism is simply a reaction to the corruption of a capitalistic system that does notutilize resources to their maximum potential, and certainly not in the interests of the public.

Going by this definition alone, we are on our way to communism. But that doesn’t really mean anything either. All these pure political systems are more theoretical than actual, because all societies are not purely one thing or another.

For a much better understanding of the complex facets to the system, read Friedrich Engels fascinating book, “Socialism: Utopian and Scientific”, but even to Jane Q Public and Joe the Plumber, the rampant bureaucratization of our society is obvious and has been for decades.

The problem is that this inevitable growth of the bureaucracy in any capitalistic society will eventually require state intervention to better coordinate and regulate economic activity. We have many, many examples of this in our current dirigisme — and yes, the recent health care folly is a perfect example.

Like Karl Marx, I too firmly believe that capitalism is eventually a self-defeating system. But just as vague and broad a word as socialism is, capitalism covers a lot of ground too. There are many forms of the system, and thus the calendar to the eventual collapse of the system is variable, but the common bottom line is capital. Money, money, money, money… Greed is the direct opposite of generosity.

Furthermore, socialism is not the same thing as social services, such as police departments, fire departments, schools, infrastructure, and health care, especially when these services are not even close to purely social in nature, but usually profit-driven companies, or at the least, heavily “budget-conscious” social service enterprises. The bottom line for these services is also money.

Socialists of all types generally agree the unbalanced, even unfair, concentration of wealth and power among only a tiny percentage of a population is a result of the greater system of capitalism and its subsidiary systems of exploitation.

While many people seem to think we’re heading to a more socialist society, this is exactly what the “leaders” want us to think, because then we won’t realize we’re actually stuck with this poisoned plutarchy that is trying to swing the balance of our economy from the free “market” structure we strive for, to more the “command” structure they strive to implement.

Freedom is a fickle lady. Once she goes, it’s too late to get her back, though if somehow you do find her again, she will never be the same.

Rise Up America

And so starts another tragic day in America… yes, the 2,400-page “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” passed, but I challenge any and all of these corrupt crooks who voted for or against this law to prove, or at least simply affirm in front of the nation, that they had even read it, or any significant part of… it.

Having studied politics for the past 20 years, I clearly see this is certainly one of the scariest things to happen in my lifetime… if you think this “law” is a positive step in the right direction of health care reform, you are sadly misinformed, despite whatever propaganda you may have heard and believe.

I completely support health care and health care reform, but this “law”
is not only unconstitutional, it is a disgrace to Americans and yet
another fleecing of the people.

Read it for yourself at the following link… But, “it’s 2,400 pages and completely confusing,” you say. (That’s the point…)

HEALTH CARE REFORM

my pal Ned responds–

I really don’t understand what you mean Ray. I am familiar with the one component that’s “unconstitutional” but I clearly don’t know why this is the worst thing to ever happen in your lifetime. I came to understand that beyond the pork, it did make bad insurance practices illegal. Nixon started the whole “less care-more money” thing and this was an effort to change a very unfair system. Details aside, why is that bad?

When I think of health care in America, I remember the awful time I took my younger sister to the emergency room. She was maybe 19 or 20, and thanks to my mother’s job, had what was considered to be pretty darn good insurance. Blue Cross, Blue Shield, or something like that.

We were at the ER because my sister was having extreme breathing difficulties, literally choking and gasping, eyes bulging, neck swollen, throat closed. Was it a bee sting, allergy attack, severe bronchitis infection? I had no idea, she didn’t know what was happening but why we weren’t getting any service. We were scared. I really thought that was it for her.

When we’d arrived at the ER, we signed in and were directed to sit in the near- empty waiting room. Wait we did. Two and a half hours later, after me asking the front desk clerk many, many times when we might receive any type of medical attention, my sister’s throat swelling finally ebbed, and we departed the ER after never even being evaluated whatsoever. I was furious, but happy my sister survived. … See More

Several weeks later, those hospital billing department prickos tried to collect the deductible for her hospital visit.

Unbelievable… But don’t even get me started on my other hospital visits.

Here’s a bit more perspective on American medical “care” — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lKUwBCIBzA

Sure the video is the extreme example, but if you think the whole idea of “less care, more money” is bad now, how do think this contrived and deliberate shortage of physicians in this country is going to handle 30+ million more patients?

The US “health” care system is so sick and bloated, that according to the WHO, we barely make the top 40 when it comes to ranking the quality of health care worldwide. We pay infinitely more for sub-standard care. Our system is failing miserably. It’s expensive and ineffective. It’s little wonder there was and still is great public interest in fixing this broken leg our nation stands on.

But instead of any real health care reform, this govt has decided to basically give a “bail-out” to yet another corrupted failing aristocratic system… Yes, to legally require 30+ million new customers to utilize one of the govt’s biggest sources of greasy handshakes, is clearly a bail-out, and perhaps even bribery.

Furthermore, considering how the AMA, hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc. are in cahoots with Uncle Sam, it’s not much of a stretch to see the obvious bribery of public officials. Some think their actions could even be considered treason.

I think the Congress is way overstepping it’s constitutional mandates by demanding you purchase what is basically a consumer product, and at the same time, severely violating it’s lawful duty. I believe most of these “health care” companies need to be officially reprimanded/sanctioned, and every single one of these corrupt political officials needs to be impeached. Now.

Our constitution is in shambles, our country is in shambles, our people are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and as it sits, our immediate future is mighty bleak.

The reason I mark this events as “one of the scariest” political event in my lifetime, is in big part the congressional power grab, but more with the crazy polarization going on in this country. I’m sad to report our national discourse has never been more embarrassing. I fear the worst is yet to come.

And if you haven’t realized it yet, this polarization tactic is simply an artificial and deliberate effort to keep the current power structures. The “leaders” of both of these political parties have no interest in helping the American people gain more liberties or means to pursue more happiness, and they’ve certainly proven their zero interest in accomplishing anything significant.

If you really don’t think these are some of the slimiest people on the planet, interested not in the public good but only in themselves, you only have to think about all the millions these senators already have, and despite this current economic situation, and so many people suffering in so many ways, consider how these crooked congressman just voted themselves yet another $5,000+/year raise.

Throw the bums out of office!

Only through working together, and reaching consensus, will we the people accomplish anything. Only through focused, smart, hard work can we make our country great again. Only through the power of the collective will of the people can we stop these evil tyrants from seizing any more power. Only through tireless steadfast resistance will we keep America from going past that point of no return.

Historically, the speed at which an open pluralistic society shuts down is amazingly fast. It easy to think, oh that will never happen here, but some think it already has. Some think it’s inevitable for our country to completely fall apart. At the least, I think we are well on our way to driving off the cliff. Either way, we must make an immediate major detour from this dangerous road we’re driving now.

In case you’re too busy watching American Idol or Grey’s Anatomy or whatever other stupid shit out there to keep you dumb and distracted, this country is truly on the verge of collapse daily.

With the horrific erosion of our individual and collective liberties we’ve seen in the last few decades, it’s time for our leaders to become much more interested in the common good, it’s time for our people to stop supporting dimwit, short-sighted politicians pandering to the money groups, and instead truly be forward-thinking representatives in the interest for and of the people.

It’s time to kick all these millionaire bums right out of Congress.

It’s time for commoner folks to take back this country.

Ray Bangs in 2012

the following was response to above from my amigo Ned–

I appreciate your take on this Ray – I do – but this legislation wasn’t about healthcare properly, but about access to healthcare. My mother is a very high-end nurse that was hired away into the insurance industry. She has fantastic perspective on this and I can tell you that your concerns about bedside care delivery are far scarier than you realize. As such, she cared directly for her mother and uncle in her house since the hospitals would have killed them far sooner, probably to make or save money.

As for the state of affairs, you’re spot on, but I think it’s somewhat unfair to call out this bill as a pure example of the corruption up top. I actually think this was a step in the right direction to counter a great deal of the ridiculous profit taking by a few overly profitable industries. Take for example ancient Chinese medicine: you pay the Doctor when you are well and not at all when you are sick. Would he not then take an actual interest in your long term health? Insurance companies are jaugernauts and they already didn’t care about us – has everyone already forgotten that you “had to have insurance” before all this? I think they have because nothing has really changed, it’s simply become law. I suppose that makes it more real, but the state of HC as it evolved from the insurance companies methods is absolutely no better than any alternative. If we’re below the top 40, it’s 100% our insurance system to blame and this bill intended to change that.

Either way, this bill is of course going to have pork in it – they all do. I’m hoping that the inclusion of 32 million more Americans into the HC system might actually correct some of the problems with HC application based purely on need. How else would it change otherwise? Because it’s a good idea?

Ned, Thanks again for your comments, and it’s obvious that you are concerned about the welfare of people not receiving proper health care. Me too.

Me personally, I have never in my life received any kind of decent quality health care in the United States whether or not I had insurance. Every single one of my emergency room, clinic, or hospital visits has been farcical, extremely expensive in both time and money, and in the end, ineffective and infuriating.

Personally, I think this whole corrupt system is a disgrace…. See More

Of course, some people receive decent quality health care once in a while and they are surely grateful for it, but that is certainly not the norm, going by simply the overall condition of our country. Likewise, just knowing my own experiences, I can only imagine how awful “health care” must be for some folks.

The sad fact is that the only people receiving consistent, exceptional health care are the wealthy.

For the rest of us, the United States ranks #37 on the WHO ranking on the quality of health care, behind Andorra, Malta, Oman, and Dominica to name a few of the three dozen countries better than us. Ironically, most Americans likely cannot even locate any of these places on the globe, let alone believe they have better health care.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is not primarily about “access to health care” but rather access to health insurance. Although many people believe these are both the same thing, they clearly are not.

Insurance is simply a bet to cover your loss when you lose something. In the realm of health, it’s a damn safe bet for the insurance companies to take, where (hopefully after many, many premium payments along with matching subsidies from the govt), you’re going to lose your health and get sick.

Of course, that’s when you start seeing the procedural denial of benefits or even the complete rescission of your health insurance policy, when you’re too sick to do anything about it. And when you do get really, really sick, they’re banking on you dying quickly and cheaply. As your mother’s experiences clearly shows, our health insurance and health care system is basically just a bait-n-switch skim-scam.

In this so called health care “reform”, why not simply eliminate these crooked middlemen, why not simply eliminate the insurance companies?

We all know the four-word answer to that: money, money, money, money

And did you happen to notice how that magic number “$900 billion” popped up again. Please don’t think this is coincidence.

By subsidizing these crooked aristocratic systems, we just make the problems worse in the long run, no matter what minimal, temporary improvements we may think we see, or the crooked cronies say we see. It’s a good ol’ fashioned hoodwinking.

The integrity of our country’s “leaders” is an embarrassment to me, most of my fellow Americans, and to the rest of the world. We the people need to take a stand.

finally worked up the heart to watch “The Cove” – basically a snuff film about the Japanese town of Taiji, and the thousands of dolphins that are murdered there every year…. very highly recommended, though you may likely get physically ill from this documentary film…