States Wrongs

I have come to believe that the concept of States' Rights is one which must be put to rest, and the rights of the states subsumed to the rights of the Federation. If not, we will inevitably and unalterably be led to a Balkanization of the United States, which will result in our inability to move forward or perform any action other than to stand in place and tear at each other.

While States' Rights have validity as a Constitutional construct, in fact we must acknowledge that the increased mobility of our citizens demands equity of treatment across the nation's internal borders. Unless we allow the federal government to take precedence in all matters concerning providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare and securing the blessings of liberty, we will have only an imperfect union, as her citizens are repeatedly caught in a web of conflicting laws.

To speak plainly: the individual states must not be allowed the authority to abridge human rights, including those protected rights of race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, and religious conviction. They must not be permitted to deny the citizens of one state the health care available to the citizens of another state. They must not be permitted to constrain a citizenry from obtaining decent education for its young people by refusing to fund it. The health and well being of our citizens affects everyone of us and is not a trivial matter to be used as a poker chip in political bargaining.

I believe it is the purpose of government to protect and nurture the neediest of her citizens as tenderly as a parent does a child. Just as a loving parent responds most warmly to the neediest child, so must the government work to protect and heal those citizens who are in want, poor health or any sort of trouble. We can no longer tolerate a federal government that ignores the needs of the people, and we can no longer leave these urgent needs to unwilling, unable or inadequate state governments.

New poem

This is so far untitled; I just can't think of a fitting one. But my priest's sermon inspired me today. This is to whoever you think it is; but I wrote it for one who has carried my heart very tenderly for 40 years.

I was walking out of
the valley of the shadow of death;
I was walking out of
the thick mud and dark cloud of the slough of despond;
and it was hard.
But dimly ahead,
I saw him waiting
with his hand on the gate latch,
ready to welcome me back
to the bright path.

Hellooooooooo Congress!

Here are the things important to me:

1. Enough to eat for all Americans

2. Productive work for any American who wants a job

3. Minimum wages that allow 1 person to support a family of four

4. Universal single-payer health care

5. A return of the dream that allows a family to imagine owning a home, sending the kids to college.

6. Universal internet access

Here are the things I despise:

1. Subsidies for tobacco, corn, oil, banking

2. Corporations being regarded as people

3. Legalized tax evasion by corporations and rich individuals

4. Congress playing politics while the country bleeds

5. Foreign wars that consume and destroy our children and our wealth

6. Becoming a country of servers instead of movers and shakers, makers and doers

These are the things I can do without:

1. 24-hour news coverage

2. Political posturing on both sides

3. Being lied to by my government

4. Women in politics being represented by idiots

5. More cheap crap from China

6. Divisiveness.

Do you have anything to add? Feel free.