Category: Passion

What is a Moderate? In modern American politics the political spectrum can serve a wide ‘variety’ of viewpoint. That is a debatable topic in and of itself. Considering the US political spectrum to be wide would be a mistake; however, our main focus is on the American moderates.

Being one of the most crucial voting blocks – and one of the most important group of voters in political election – the point where politicians and candidates for public office, will commonly make their policies to appeal to somewhat their party – as well as parts of the other side – in a effort to appeal to moderates. This used to be the case, and was one of the main founding blocks for some of the most important pieces of legislation – passed collaboratively – with bipartisan support. Compromises on each end. However, at what point did ‘moderates’ – detrimentally affect several hundreds of thousands of Americans in a modern sense. At what count, in modern America, can you still be a moderate. Wether it be a moderate Democrat, Moderate Republican, or Centrist. To what extent is it ‘okay’ to be a moderate, and still maintain your values.

With the rise of extremism on both sides of the US American political system, the ‘extreme right’ – dominated by Former President Trump, as well as other US Senators & Representatives – and the ‘extreme left’, dominated by progressives such as Senator Bernie Sanders or Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – more and more people are turning to these figures in politics because they want drastic change, in each respective party – and each envision a different form of ‘America’. Following the 2020 election, with President Joe Biden’s victory, Democrats took control of the Senate with a 50/50 chamber – [51/50 with the inclusion of Vice President Kamala Harris] – as well as the House of Representatives with a larger Democratic majority. In theory, passing legislation should be relatively simple. With the two branches of government, responsible for passing and signing of legislation – in control by the same party – a lot more should be able to be accomplished right? At least, that would make sense. A little bit too much sense for the US Congress. However, this is not inherently a bad thing.

Although the Senate has a majority in the Democrats favor, Senator Manchin from Virginia along side Senator Sinema from Arizona  – have been the main crucial deciding votes in large pieces of legislation. Such as the Build Back better plan – which passed the US House with Bipartisan support. If either one of them, or any other Democratic senator votes No on this peice of legislation – or any peice of legislation passed up from the US House, then it would fail to reach the presidents desk for signing or veto respectfully.  This has seen, in modern america – several pieces of legislation or regulations fail to pass US Congress. Specifically due to special interests groups, such as large Oil companies, large pharmeceutical companies, amongst others – practically buying politicians votes to prevent regulations, increased taxes on them, or any other form of action that could impact their corporation either monetarily or influence wise respectfully. This is commonly done by moderates, who’s seats in office are contentious, and could go either way. In order to appeal and serve their constituents they typically find a more ‘moderate’ solution or form of the legislation – until they are satisfied.

However, Moderates in Congress – like now – have played some of the most important parts in US government in the past. For example, moderates – who could have gone either way – passing reform laws, wether it be the Abolition of Slavery, Granting of Citizenship, amongst other pieces of legislation. Moderates have been able to control the lasting impacts of American government, and the American people in general. Wether its a positive or negative is entirely up to the perception of the people.

Do you believe that Moderates, in Modern America do a detriment to the American people by going against party backed pieces of legislation – If so, how come. If not, how so. How about the moderate Voting block, by maintaining yourself as a ‘Moderate’ – in a time of  polarization and political extremism,  –  what kind of message does that send?

Equal Access

Equal access – a term and phrase thrown around in american politics, something far to common. Equal access needs to be expanded in a plethora of topics. Things like Medicare – The American Health care system should have a variety of options – There should be a federally funded ‘free option’. Having a forced federally mandated ‘Medicare for all’ plan leads to a far to large tax hike in the middle class, damaging the groups of people we swear to protect, defend, and represent. Sure, we can sit here all day and lie – and say that we are going to tax the top 10 percent, or the top 1% of the top 10% – but in all reality that is going to only lead to a variety of issues. Corporations and massive companies will leave the United States, costing us thousands of jobs in the process. This just goes on further to harm the middle class of america – if those corporations choose to ‘stay’ in the US – they will just begin the process to leave the United States by opening plants or facilities in foreign nations, harming our infrastructure – they will begin to lower the wages of their workers in order to cover for any losses brought about through their taxation – or they will exploit the loopholes that politicians have put into place for such a long period of time. These loopholes exist due to lobbying on behalf of these massive corporations – we need not sit here and believe that they will not take those same tactics to exploit any system in the future. Law suit after law suit, evasion after evasion, lost worker after lost worker – taxing our Upper class just costs us in the long run, this is not to say that we cannot confront them on the issue. For example, implementing legislation that prevents the exploitation’s of workers – and having healthy and monitored working conditions. We need to ensure that oversea workers are given these same virtues to prevent the exploitation of children and migrants from across the globe. For the past decades – even century we have attempted being ‘humanitarian’ yet never actually do anything to strive towards that title in all of its truth. We do not even look out for our average american worker – Politicians simply just lie and lie to maintain their office. They care not for what actually affects you, the american people – but simply are more worried about making the next strategical move to get elected during the next run. They say whatever is popular for the time in order to garner the support of the people and then go on to do nothing and sit for 4 – 6 years respectfully. Inaction does more than action – Not in a positive way – innaction costs us innocent lives in war, costs us innocent lives in terrorists atacks, costs us innocent lives in epidemics and pandemics. We cannot tolerate inactions – we cannot tolerate representatives and senators that just sit in their office and do nothing. No matter the party, democrats or republicans, Green Party too. If they sit and do nothing with their political office then they should be removed. Hence the need for a checks and balances system. Politicans from all branches of governance, Municipal, State, and Federal must have a checks and balances system implemented. The presidential pension needs to be removed – this was introduced because a former president was bankrupt upon leaving office – the pention gifted by the presidential office is what then pulled him out of it – Payment for innaction. Or to cover your own personal debts should not be tolerated or exist – politicans serve the american people – not their own interests. To serve the american peoples interests in reference to health – we must address the fact that over half of the american population goes without adequate medication or procedures done due to the fact that they could not afford it. Why is it that we allow our own lives to be put at stake – simply because we may or may not be able to afford it. The life of every American needs to be valued, no matter their political views, wether they serve or not, black, brown, or upside down. Gay, straight, bi, or trans – Americans should not be turned away or denied medical care because they can not afford a ridiculous price set on health. If we establish a free market in medicine it will lead to competition being created with big pharmaceutical companies – eventually leading to the gradual decrease in cost of medication – The lower the price of the medication, balanced out with its effectivity and effects that must be monitored, regulated, and taxed – will be the successful company. Companies that choose to maintain high prices will be driven out of buisniness and will have no choice but to make their medications more cost effective for the american people. The American government should be able to give the choice to the american people wether or not they would like Free Medicare and treatment from some of the greatest doctors and hospitals in the world – or even if they want a privatized option. Both should coexist – So that the American people can have what we strive for – the freedom of choice. Deciding what we want to do for our own health – because not all private plans fit a single person, different people need different needs, Free american federally run Medicare wouldn’t fit every single person – some people need specific treatments which can be covered and handled by a free market privatized sector of Medicare. This will create a competitive market, driving the costs down for the american people – give the american people the freedom to decide what best fits them – without introducing a mass tax increase on just a specific class of people that would come to the detriment of American workers and middle class families. The workers make the corporations run – but with no corporations, companies, manufacturers – there will be no workers to have them run in the US.

 

Medicare is a big part of a equitable approach to Medicare in the United States; however, Medicare is not the only overpriced and detrimental thing to working class Americans – but American ‘Public Education’. From Teachers needing to pay for their own supplies with no assistance what so ever in their purchases – their lower wages – to Public Universities charging over 60,000 a year for a education that everyone should be given a equal access too. American education should be granted to those who seek it – not making it free, as that would lead to a decrease of the prestige that comes with a Universities education. But to implement certain requirements in order to grant a free education. I.e. a 3.5 GPA or 3.3 GPA to grant free education / certain GPA’s and class ranges grant certain things for education. Wether it be free college – Free room and board – Assistance with textbooks etc. This kind of method was tested in New Mexico, and led to the increase of POC being able to enter university and complete their degrees. Hence decreasing the margin of payment inequities of POC and white people by around 10% in the first 4 years alone. With a 10% growth we can close the gap between payments and access to education by a massive margin. This creates a more competitive playing field in the workforce – breeds innovation – will lead to a more educated populous – and increased creativity in the United States. This helps our nation’s infrastructure – something that is desperately needed. With a more intellectual populous America’s industries will thrive – more companies will come about; more entrepreneurs will be able to create jobs for Hundreds of Thousands of Americans. We will pave the way for a more educated America – a better funded America – a more efficient America. That is one of the values I hold closest. It isn’t necessarily always about what one can do for oneself – for the people around you. But for the people you will never get to meet. We need to be willing as a populous to implement lasting change – to create a future built for Americans for the start. We need to be willing to plant the seed for a tree who’s shade we will never sit in. That is how we will grow in a society – knowing that we will implement things that will benefit those in the future, we cannot focus on our past development and expect to go to the future. It’s like driving a car in reverse and parking ever 4 years and expecting to move forward. We as a nation cannot believe that we are serving our people when the people in office sickly just work for themselves. The American people are over parties quarreling over simple issues like healthcare and education – they simply should have no major contrast. It is ridiculous as a nation – and I hate this slogan because it shouldn’t be able to fit this nation anymore – we should have worked past this point – but we need representatives, senators, and presidents that work for the people – not their own special interests.

 

We have progressed so far as a nation that we have become blind to key issues that the american people face. We refuse to face it because it hurts, because it offends us, because we’re blatantly ignorant to the fact that we are a Racist, Sexist, Xenophobic nation. But we have evolved such a ignorant Savior complex as a nation and it ‘justifies’ everything that we have done. From the enslavement of black Americans. From the abusing and exploitation of Mexican Americans in the United States. From the unequal opportunity and wage gaps given to women and how they are treated even when in positions of power, Sexist commentary – or unequal treatment. The Massacarring of Native Americans and removal of their tribal and spiritual lands. From the incarceration of Asian Americans in the United States. We block out much of american history because we wish to keep the people happy with the nation. To keep the american people – feeling ‘ok’ about the fact that we have done all these things. This kind of attitude has come to be a detriment to american society in general – why can we call ourselves the land of the free whilst ignoring the oppressive tactics we take in order to indoctrinate our citizens into what or how they think. Through history it ignores many of the atrocities that we have committed and there is not a single justification to it. Through the election of racist and sexist individuals who care for nothing other than just power and money. We the United States of america need to do better in offering equal access and oppurtunity to everyone who inhabits it. We live in a ‘socially acceptable’ society were women, whom may have even the same qualifications, training, and knowledge as a male – yet get paid less, and for some reason we think this Is socially acceptable. Why do we allow these things to carry out and happen. For every dollar that a white male makes the wage decreases by amounts of 10 – 20 cents, which individually may not seem like uhh – but nation wide it surmounts to a million in total. This is not something that the ‘greatest’ nation in the world can surmount and accept. It is disgusting that we even allow it to happen. Job occupations in Stem and  political office – are heavily sexist in regards to the fact that electibality and office is approached differently for different sex and counter parts. For some reason we seem that it ok, or ‘decent’ to judge ‘electability’ off the basis of sex. This isnt something that we should even be able to stomach as a society – we cannot call ourselves a great nation that works for the pointe if we cannot even simply meet the needs of the people. If we cannot meet the needs of our own people, our citizens, and inhabitants – we aren’t the land of oppurtunity. We are The land of selected power whom benefits only the top percentages of our society. It is unfathomable to simply think about – and we should no be able to tolerate it in any remote sense. How can we come to justify these things? We cannot – any of those who think we can are part of the selected and joint issue. We cannot go on not a day longer to think that these things are ok. It is not – will not – Ever be ok. Not Today, Not Yesterday, Not ever – will this nation, accept that. Equal opopuyrtunity should be given on this nation – and every nation on the face of this earth, and we need to work to achieve those things.

If you could, what amendment would you add to the United States Constitution?

Our Nations founding fathers – worked collectively in order to write a series of documents. After hours on end of deliberation, representatives of several colonial states – compromises – and commissions – our Nations constitution emerged – with it a ‘prosperous nation.’ That is, because our founding fathers set forth the ground works to function effectively. Well, one would come to believe that, especially when taught under the rose colored lenses that is ‘US history’ in our Public School’s government backed, special interest created textbooks. But the truth is – our founding fathers where far from creating a ideal constitution. Whether it be – leaving out freedom for ‘all men’ – or leaving out the women’s right to vote – several fundamental changes have been made to the constitution, via amendments in order to improve our nation, or in some instances – make a effort to ‘improve’ the constitution – which then leads to detrimental effects – to the point where the amendment is cancelled out by another. Such as prohibition in the United States.

Recently, the American public and younger generations such as Millennials and Gen z, are becoming more and more involved in the political process – in so – has sparked discussion regarding our nations political process. If I could add one constitutional amendment, to the United States Constitution – I would add the following.

‘As Government must only be a position of public service and not financial enrichment – every member of congress shall henceforth and in perpetuity receive no more compensation in any form, from any source during the tenure of their term than a yearly salary equal to the annual median income of the citizens of the state  that they represent.’

To often we see highly unqualified and uneducated candidates hold political office. Such as conspiracy theorists – who believe the Parkland School Shooting, resulting in the death of 17 high-school students, is a hoax and was staged in order to increase public sentiment on gun reform, a ‘politician’ who verbally berates survivors, of said shooting – for her own campaign. We also see candidates who simply run, do nothing or the bare minimum for their constituents, and they enrich themselves through political office by receiving money from special interests groups.

This amendment has been discussed by several people – and reached public audiences through the internet and public forum – In so, several flaws had been pointed out – in return several subsections or ‘edits’ have been proposed. As any amendment is not perfect, it comes with subsections. Consider the following:

Section 2: In order to ensure equitable access to the electoral process, all political campaigns for federal office will be publicly and equally funded and may not make use of any additional funding from any private source.

(This subsection exists for the purpose of equitable elections, time and time again we see good candidates get driven out of the election, or chances at nomination, due to the other candidates receiving Super PACS from several groups or special interests groups. If campaigns are publicly and equally funded – then each campaign has a level competitive ground – how the campaign chooses to use said funding is up to each candidate respectfully – adding another strategic aspect to running to political office. Further requiring the collective competence of not only the candidate, but their strategist.)

Section 3: To Curtail the acceptance of any additional funding from a private source – if a incumbent or running candidate does accept any additional funding outside of public funding – their campaign is to be terminated, and removed from the ballot. Should a elected official receive additional funding from any private source – their term in public office will be forfeited – and a emergency election will take place to replace their seat. The Independent financial oversight department will be responsible for monitoring the funding of political representatives. 

(This subsection, highlights the consequences of breaking the federal procedures for those seeking or holding political office. Those who enrich themselves – through passing legislation that would benefit them or their ‘interests’ such as lighter restrictions on Big Pharmaceutical companies – or Big Oil Companies – should have no say in the political office. The United States is not, and should not be permitted to be controlled by large corporations. Politicians do not serve Chevron or Shell oil companies, they Do not serve Tech Giants, they Do not Serve pharmaceutical corporations – they represent and serve their constituents. They represent the American populous – that is their job – if they are incapable of serving their constituents, they should not hold political office. )

Section 4: All Members of congress, their spouses, and their dependents shall be afforded the use of government living accommodations during the tenure of their terms. In addition to receiving a supplemental monthly basic allowance for subsistence equal to that granted to enlisted members of the United States Military. 

(This subsection, could use editing or reformatting. This is to account to the fact that representatives in US Congress have to essentially own two living places, their homes in the states that they live in and represent. As well as a house, or other form of residential area in Washington D.C. – Which, with politicians who do not drastically benefit from special interests – find it difficult to afford two residential living areas. If this amendment where to pass congress, highly unlikely (This can be addressed later), Politicians would make subjectively less – so providing housing in the D.C. Area would curtail the need to seek out additional funding from other groups in order to afford the extra residential area. This reduces the need or motivation for corrupting political officials. A proposal in regards to housing would be the following:

Edit: Each State government, may have a building in Washington DC [or area] dedicated to their representatives in Congress. These buildings, owned by state governments, should be used for housing, and extra offices for their political officials in the District of Colombia.

Section 5: Any Work related expenses incurred by a member of Congress during the tenure of their term may be submitted for reimbursement – pending approval by a Bipartisan financial oversight department.

This amendment proposal – focuses on curtailing corruption on US Politicians through the acceptance of large sums of money from special interests groups. There are more comprehensive plans against Corruption in general, a entire bill, that will likely not pass through the congress that benefits from it. Which can be found online.

A amendment, with the aim to curtail the enrichment of public officials, would struggle to pass through the congress of which benefits from amendment like this not existing. This is one of several reasons why the US congress and the two Major Parties – Democrats and Republicans – benefit from US Extremism / Polarization. Which we can dive deeper into in a future analysis. So long as Republican voters, dislike Democrats, simply because of their party, and Vice Versa, then holding congressmembers accountable would be unimaginable. This is why.

In Article 5 of the United States Constitution, There is a provision for state government to be propose constitutional amendments TO congress rather than BY Congress. If the legislatures of Two Thirds of the States (34 out of 50) submit applications proposing a amendment to the constitution then Congress is legally obligated to hold a Article V convention of states to consider the amendment. If Three Quarter of the States (38 out of 50) [Four States Needing to join in, or ‘flip’] then vote to Ratify the proposed amendment – it would bypass the authority of Congress and go into effect.

Although not successful yet, it has been attempted. For Historical context: 1969, 33 States submitted applications proposing an amendment intended to overturn Supreme Court Rulings related to the drawing of electoral districts – just barely missing the required 34 state threshold.  Again in 1983 – 32 States had submitted applications proposing a balanced budget amendment to the United States – once again, missing the 34 state threshold.

This provision allows for the general public – regardless of party – to hold their elected officials accountable by any means. If the general public organizes, and creates sufficient momentum across the United States to end political greed & corruption, a grass roots movement, and pressures their state legislatures to submit applications for this amendment – then it can pass. If not, we can continue the broken cycle of American politics – and continue to have less and less say in Federal legislature – and allow for our representatives and senators to be bought out by special interests groups. We will never advance as a nation – we will only remain bickering – going back and forth – moving a inch forward – and jumping a foot back. It is the responsibility of the governed to hold accountable those who govern them.

What constitutional amendment would you add? What are your thoughts on this amendment? What are some primary issues you see in American Politics today?

Voter suppression laws and regulations across the US are detrimental and destructive to our own American Process. Barring people from voting and making it harder for people to vote is something we should have left behind hundreds of years ago.

It is disgusting that it still goes on today to achieve a increase in a parties increased power. A seize for power shouldn’t be the driving force behind someone’s election – Someone’s election process shouldn’t be done on the sole basis of Racist, sexist, and unethical forms of gaining power. It is a mal representation of the American people – it creates a polarized congress and senate. Voter suppression can take many forms and still exists to this day. For example many elections are run off the basis of closing polling locations early in communities where it predominately consists of people of color which are typically democratic leaning // Making the instructions for voting more complex to read (whilst adding unnecessary information / leaving out crucial information / using double meaning words which may lead to confusion) // last of a plethora of examples of voter suppression can be moving drop boxes away from communities that are predominately of those of color or allowing for voter intimidation to take place, i.e. 2020 election, Trump Supporters standing outside of voting poll locations. These things should not be met with just a slap on the wrist. A bad review, a complaint. There needs to be serious charges on those who commit these crimes or that aid in the legislative process that allows for voter suppression laws to exist and be updated.

One blatant example of voter suppression that is evident is Gerrymandering districts across the United States which leads to splitting democratic votes or ‘bubbles’ of population to have a smaller size of democratic citizens compared to a republican dominate region to sway the vote and representatives to evidently go to that gerrymandered districts – Republican representatives. In the span of decades we can allow for the reshaping of these lines to create a equal election strategy etc. etc.

Another Example of Voter suppression are the new set of laws predominantly common in southern states – not ‘red states’ – but ‘voter Supression states.’ Voters In Florida, Georgia, and Texas face new restrictive laws when it comes to voting, decreased voter ballot drop boxes, decreased polling stations, a more difficult processs to just vote in general. If that wasn’t enough – new ‘voter bills’ passed in each respective state do share a couple of things in common. For example – you are not permitted to distribute food or water to those waiting in line to vote, you can be charged with a misdemeanor and or arrested if doing so. What issue does this rise? Let’s analyze the strategic hold these subsections allow for. With the decrease of polling locations and drop boxes – ‘coincidentally’ (Strategically removed) – in neighborhoods which are predominately habited by POC, typically Democratic leaning voters, then they have to drive a longer distance just to vote. Keep in mind – with increased restrictions on voting by mail – it forces more and more people to have less of a option when it comes to making the excessively long trip just to be able to participate in their nations election system. These communities are already underfunded – in education, infrastructure, and social programs – how many of those citizens own a vehicle. Now let’s Assume they do own a vehicle, they make it to their polling location in a predominately white, or predominately Republican neighborhood. Although illegal, voter intimidation occurs. In the 2020 election, the former president of the United States, President Donald J. Trump – had called on his supporters to be ‚patriotic poll watchers‘ – several obliged to their orders and set up tables and demonstrations outside polling locations. Typically these are dispersed; however, way to often are they allowed to continue their ‚poll watching‘. In Miami – police officers wore ‚MAGA‘ attire – consequentially after public back lash they where discharged. How many instances go unreported, how many instances are just brushed off. Now, Aside from the voter intimidation from the increased police presence, opposition ‚poll watchers‘ creating social pressure, and in some instances immigration officer presence – how many POC end up leaving out of a rational fear that something bad may happen – even if they are doing nothing wrong. You may think to yourself, well if your doing nothing wrong you shouldn‘t worry – however time and time again we see POC get wrongfully arrested, beaten, and even killed for INSANE offenses, like Running or walking outside – or Standing in a hallway. Point being, even when doing nothing ‚wrong‘ many POC experience a anxious feeling when surrounding by those who are a part of a system which wrongfully treats them, wether it be a unaccountable police force, or immigration officers, etc. Ok… well that must be the end of the stressing behind voter supression right? Of course not – why would it be? After that long drive, walk, or bus ride – in the line experiencing several forms of voter intimidation – you are standing outside in excessively long lines due to the decreased polling locations – you are in the sun belt. What would be nice? Food or water – considering you can be standing outside for several hours at a time, well of course not. It is unlawful to provide those in line with food or water, this is just another effort to have people leave polling locations, have less people vote, and then by the time they return the line may have been cut off for the respective polling location – laws like these are ridiculous – oppressive – but the people just allow it to happen.

If we allow for these things to continue to happen as they have been allowed to happen with little to nothing done about it then we will just continue the endless cycle of in advancement. Create the notion – that it is ok to cheat out elections and present  inaccurate representation of the United States that is evident in the United States House of Representatives.  Why do we stand for it? Why don’t we do enough about it? Why isn’t there enough discussion surrounding about it? These are some of the question I pose to myself and that I pose to you. What is out there that you can do to bring about mass registration of voters – to drive up turn out for elections – to create a system that accurately represents the United States and its citizens. This is the United States of America – there is nothing we cannot do when we are working together. The House of Representatives is a body of elected officials that represent their districts in their respective states – if those districts were Gerry mannered to the point where it reached the point that large populations of democrats and republicans are underrepresented across the United States then effectively the idea of democracy and freedom of ‘choice’ is just a lie to the American people. If we cannot elect officials with trust and accurately – then American democracy has failed the US.

For some more information you can check out the following:

The racist history of voter suppression laws

 

My passions are broad and cover a variety of topics – such as Politics, History, Space exploration, Gymnastics, and analyzing Social norms in their respective time periods. When it comes to blogging, what I can write about the most revolves around the Following: History,  Policy Analysis, Election Patterns, Voter Suppression tactics, Analyzing the decline and rise of extremism, Propaganda, special interests groups, foreign affairs, Ideological trends, Campaign tactics, etc. These topics are, in my opinion, detrimentally important to analyzing and being able to understand our modern political climate, as well as to help us get a understanding on where our nation is going.