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Experiment and Excrement (New)

I want this and I want that
And I don't give a damn
If the country goes to hell
As long as I get my ham

I'm third generation on welfare
you said you'd care for me
I can't make it on my own
You've made it plain to see

Insanity is expecting different results
From the same old experiment
And so we'll try it just once more
To our own detriment

Break the companies 'cause they're too rich
They are evil don't you know
Because all my socialist friends
Say that this is so

Did you expect that they'd absorb
Insurance at thirty hours?
Didn't you even realize
That altruism always sours?

What would be the normal course
When faced with such as that?
Cutting hours or cutting workers,
And all your plans go splat.

Why is it every thing you do
A fail at logical thought
You say you want to help the poor,
But more misery is all you've bought.

All plans have consequences
When you fail to think
For if you don't think it through
You take us to the brink

Emotion based plans and schemes
lead to long time pains
Logical thought and sound advice
Will pay many dividends

We warned, but you failed to listen
You voted for the same old thing
And now you're starting to see
The breaking of an overloaded spring

Insanity is expecting different results
From the same tired experiment
When you cast logic to the wind
You end up in excrement

Review Request (Direction): 
What did you think of my title?
Last few words: 
I know I will catch it for this, but it's my opinion and like rectums, everyone has one. :)
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Comments

enjoyable interesting read thanks

enjoyable interesting read thanks

I appreciate it. :)

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Even if I didn't know you this theme would be easily
transparent, although you didn't use any political jargon
other than the word "voted".
Do you know any third generation welfare recipients?
I'm not saying there aren't any, but I've never met one.

I'm not sure what the answers are for our country but
I am sure that we'll not find them in people that cater to
the rich and powerful, the problem is none of them can
be trusted not to cave in.

A lot to think about here Rett, thanks for posting.

Yes, I know plenty. Many of whom from the mid 60's whose children have grown up on welfare and their children with very few even bothering to finish high school or trying to get work. Their parents were on it, they were on it and now their children. I am active with my church in helping the poor and it sickens me to see them manage to get their alcohol and cigarettes while their kids go hungry or without proper clothing, see them active in gangs, etc.. Yes, some families I have known for 30 and 40 years, but never really knew them. alcohol, drugs, etc and still collecting welfare and aid from various charities.

Look around. Spend a little time at the offices, etc... plus one of my sister in laws works for the government helping those that need it and those that could work and don't make her so mad, yet the government still doles out the money, the food stamps, etc which they trade for cash to buy their drugs and alcohol and tobacco.

Anyway, I appreciate the comments/questions always my friend.

BTW, Richard, those rich and powerful top 5% pat 40% of the income tax in this country and provide myriad jobs . Are there crooks in there, of course, just like there are in those who live off the government. Did you know those making, according to government records, between 1 and 1.5 million a year pay higher tax rates that those making less than that, while those making less than 30 thousand pay none? and those making over 2 million, pay a slightly lesser (about 1% than those in the 1-1.5 million range. Do you think that is fair? How about those that make 6 figure salaries operating non profit charities? Do you know the United states spends over 61 thousand dollars per family of 4 on welfare per year and yet they are still below the poverty level? 61 K a year per family of 4 and they remain below poverty level. Do you know why? Because of government inefficiencies! A little gets siphoned off here and there by those who are soooo anxious to help. Considering there are over 17 million below poverty level, we are spending more on welfare per year than we are on the military, or on Medicare, or even on social security. Is that the fault of the rich or is that the fault of our government?

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

I want to share some numbers I found early
this morning ...

Number of Americans on Welfare

• Blog > Geography > United States > Number of Americans on Welfare |

How many Americans are on welfare?

Around 50.1 million.

In September 2009, around 4 million Americans were served by a state cash-assistance or welfare program, more than 37 million received federal food stamps and about 9.1 million received unemployment benefits. If treated as exclusive numbers, there would be a total of 50.1 million Americans who received federal aid in September 2009. This data is based on a report published in USA today in January 2010.
This fact is verified on : February 23, 2010. All facts are verified every 6 month after the last modification.

I'm not sure how that is going to paste, I'm hoping it's legible.

It would seem that the numbers coincide with what you are saying,
that there are many Americans on the "welfare system". Now my
question is, do you actually believe that there are that many lazy
people just here to live off of the government or do you think there
just might be something wrong.

Around 30yrs ago, the corporations here made a conscious
decision. Because of the high cost of wages, insurance and
stringent safety regulations, they weren't making enough money.
To stay in America and make a living, or move to other parts
of the world and make a killing. History proves this.
They all blamed it on the American worker, because at one time
wages met the cost of living (or at least the majority did). They
blamed the worker much like so many blame the people now,
they were wrong then and now.
Our government allowed the corporations to move to other
countries and still trade here. Do you think those guys on
top couldn't see the repercussions down the road? How many
pockets were lined there and continue to be I wonder. All at the
cost of Americans and their families ...

I don't hold myself by any political side, I'm on the side of
the people and none of them are or this wouldn't have been
allowed or someone would be trying to fix it instead of putting
the blame on the guy out there trying to make ends meet and
feed a family. It's time !!!

with all due respect (and that is quite a lot Rett)

Richard

Very good, Richard! You see the dilemma we're in. More and more government, less and less ability. When you over regulate business (it needs some) then you get less profit, less jobs and less companies. We also now have the highest corporate income tax in the world and that hurts. We have myriad "safety nets" to the point that no one wants to take responsibility for their own actions and welfare, they want to rely on the government and the result of this is that we are now a consumer nation and not a manufacturing one. When government interferes (as in this recession) it does more harm than good. The market resets itself during a recession or depression. Wages drop temporarily (unless artificially propped up buy the government) and recovery is quick then wages start increasing again and the standard of living goes up. With government interference, the market cannot reset itself and the recession lingers and recovery is very slow. FDR proved than during the great depression. Everytime that government did not or just very lightly interfered, it recovered much quicker.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

If this country is a consumer nation it isn't because
of safety regulations, government intervention, or
people not taking responsibility (although our court
system is one big ol flawed puppy) it's definitely
because of corporate greed, the all mighty buck.
At one time there was a monopoly regulation, what
ever happened to it? That was before Walmart took
over with their 8500 stores worldwide, 2500 here in
the states. Now there is very little chance for a small
business owner of any kind of store to turn a profit. If
that isn't a monopoly what is?

What government regulations are you referring to here
that keep profit down, insurance (only after a certain number
of employees and then it is usually too costly these days for
the average american to have), on the job safety (come on,
this isn't the 1800's, people deserve a safe environment to work
in) ... I think it's all about wages and they have done nothing but
go down while the cost of living continues to rise.

You might consider the following.

We have the highest corporate income tax in the world.
Obamacare is now taxing:
A 3.8% surtax on "investment income" when your adjusted gross income is more than $200,000 ($250,000 for joint-filers). What is "investment income?" Dividends, interest, rent, capital gains, annuities, house sales, partnerships, etc. Taxes on dividends will rise from 15% to 18.8%--if Congress extends the Bush tax cuts. If Congress does not extend the Bush tax cuts, taxes on dividends will rise from 15% to a shocking 43.8%. (WSJ)
A 0.9% surtax on Medicare taxes for those making $200,000 or more ($250,000 joint). You already pay Medicare tax of 1.45%, and your employer pays another 1.45% for you (unless you're self-employed, in which case you pay the whole 2.9% yourself). Next year, your Medicare bill will be 2.35%. (WSJ)
Flexible Spending Account contributions will be capped at $2,500. Currently, there is no tax-related limit on how much you can set aside pre-tax to pay for medical expenses. Next year, there will be. If you have been socking away, say, $10,000 in your FSA to pay medical bills, you'll have to cut that to $2,500. (ATR.org)
The itemized-deduction hurdle for medical expenses is going up to 10% of adjusted gross income. Right now, any medical expenses over 7.5% of AGI are deductible. Next year, that hurdle will be 10%. (ATR.org)
The penalty on non-medical withdrawals from Healthcare Savings Accounts is now 20% instead of 10%. That's twice the penalty that applies to annuities, IRAs, and other tax-free vehicles. (ATR.org)
A tax of 10% on indoor tanning services. This has been in place for two years, since the summer of 2010. (ATR.org)
A 40% tax on "Cadillac Health Care Plans" starting in 2018.Those whose employers pay for all or most of comprehensive healthcare plans (costing $10,200 for an individual or $27,500 for families) will have to pay a 40% tax on the amount their employer pays. The 2018 start date is said to have been a gift to unions, which often have comprehensive plans. (ATR.org)
A"Medicine Cabinet Tax" that eliminates the ability to pay for over-the-counter medicines from a pre-tax Flexible Spending Account. This started in January 2011. (ATR.org)
A "penalty" tax for those who don't buy health insurance. This will phase in from 2014-2016. It will range from $695 per person to about $4,700 per person, depending on your income. (More details here.)
A tax on medical devices costing more than $100. Starting in 2013, medical device manufacturers will have to pay a 2.3% excise tax on medical equipment. This is expected to raise the cost of medical procedures.

You also might consider these.

Taxes that took effect in 2010:

1. Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals (Min$/immediate): $50,000 per hospital if they fail to meet new "community health assessment needs," "financial assistance," and "billing and collection" rules set by HHS. Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,961-1,971.

2. Codification of the “economic substance doctrine” (Tax hike of $4.5 billion). This provision allows the IRS to disallow completely-legal tax deductions and other legal tax-minimizing plans just because the IRS deems that the action lacks “substance” and is merely intended to reduce taxes owed. Bill: Reconciliation Act; Page: 108-113.

3. “Black liquor” tax hike (Tax hike of $23.6 billion). This is a tax increase on a type of bio-fuel. Bill: Reconciliation Act; Page: 105.

4. Tax on Innovator Drug Companies ($22.2 bil/Jan 2010): $2.3 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to share of sales made that year. Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,971-1,980.

5. Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tax Hike ($0.4 bil/Jan 2010): The special tax deduction in current law for Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies would only be allowed if 85 percent or more of premium revenues are spent on clinical services. Bill: PPACA; Page: 2,004.

6. Tax on Indoor Tanning Services ($2.7 billion/July 1, 2010): New 10 percent excise tax on Americans using indoor tanning salons. Bill: PPACA; Page: 2,397-2,399.

Taxes that took effect in 2011:

7. Medicine Cabinet Tax ($5 bil/Jan 2011): Americans no longer able to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin). Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,957-1,959.

8. HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike ($1.4 bil/Jan 2011): Increases additional tax on non-medical early withdrawals from an HSA from 10 to 20 percent, disadvantaging them relative to IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts, which remain at 10 percent. Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,959.

Taxes that took effect in 2012:

9. Employer Reporting of Insurance on W-2 (Min$/Jan 2012): Preamble to taxing health benefits on individual tax returns. Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,957.

Taxes that take effect in 2013:

10. Surtax on Investment Income ($123 billion/Jan. 2013): Creation of a new, 3.8 percent surtax on investment income earned in households making at least $250,000 ($200,000 single). This would result in the following top tax rates on investment income: Bill: Reconciliation Act; Page: 87-93.

Capital Gains Dividends Other*
2012 15% 15% 35%
2013+ 23.8% 43.4% 43.4%

*Other unearned income includes (for surtax purposes) gross income from interest, annuities, royalties, net rents, and passive income in partnerships and Subchapter-S corporations. It does not include municipal bond interest or life insurance proceeds, since those do not add to gross income. It does not include active trade or business income, fair market value sales of ownership in pass-through entities, or distributions from retirement plans. The 3.8% surtax does not apply to non-resident aliens.

11. Hike in Medicare Payroll Tax ($86.8 bil/Jan 2013): Current law and changes:

First $200,000
($250,000 Married)
Employer/Employee All Remaining Wages
Employer/Employee
Current Law 1.45%/1.45%
2.9% self-employed 1.45%/1.45%
2.9% self-employed
Obamacare Tax Hike 1.45%/1.45%
2.9% self-employed 1.45%/2.35%
3.8% self-employed

Bill: PPACA, Reconciliation Act; Page: 2000-2003; 87-93

12. Tax on Medical Device Manufacturers ($20 bil/Jan 2013): Medical device manufacturers employ 360,000 people in 6000 plants across the country. This law imposes a new 2.3% excise tax. Exempts items retailing for <$100. Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,980-1,986

13. Raise "Haircut" for Medical Itemized Deduction from 7.5% to 10% of AGI ($15.2 bil/Jan 2013): Currently, those facing high medical expenses are allowed a deduction for medical expenses to the extent that those expenses exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI). The new provision imposes a threshold of 10 percent of AGI. Waived for 65+ taxpayers in 2013-2016 only. Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,994-1,995

14. Flexible Spending Account Cap – aka “Special Needs Kids Tax” ($13 bil/Jan 2013): Imposes cap on FSAs of $2500 (now unlimited). Indexed to inflation after 2013. There is one group of FSA owners for whom this new cap will be particularly cruel and onerous: parents of special needs children. There are thousands of families with special needs children in the United States, and many of them use FSAs to pay for special needs education. Tuition rates at one leading school that teaches special needs children in Washington, D.C. (National Child Research Center) can easily exceed $14,000 per year. Under tax rules, FSA dollars can be used to pay for this type of special needs education. Bill: PPACA; Page: 2,388-2,389

15. Elimination of tax deduction for employer-provided retirement Rx drug coverage in coordination with Medicare Part D ($4.5 bil/Jan 2013) Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,994

16. $500,000 Annual Executive Compensation Limit for Health Insurance Executives ($0.6 bil/Jan 2013). Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,995-2,000

Taxes that take effect in 2014:

17. Individual Mandate Excise Tax (Jan 2014): Starting in 2014, anyone not buying “qualifying” health insurance must pay an income surtax according to the higher of the following

1 Adult 2 Adults 3+ Adults
2014 1% AGI/$95 1% AGI/$190 1% AGI/$285
2015 2% AGI/$325 2% AGI/$650 2% AGI/$975
2016 + 2.5% AGI/$695 2.5% AGI/$1390 2.5% AGI/$2085

Exemptions for religious objectors, undocumented immigrants, prisoners, those earning less than the poverty line, members of Indian tribes, and hardship cases (determined by HHS).Bill: PPACA; Page: 317-337

18. Employer Mandate Tax (Jan 2014): If an employer does not offer health coverage, and at least one employee qualifies for a health tax credit, the employer must pay an additional non-deductible tax of $2000 for all full-time employees. Applies to all employers with 50 or more employees. If any employee actually receives coverage through the exchange, the penalty on the employer for that employee rises to $3000. If the employer requires a waiting period to enroll in coverage of 30-60 days, there is a $400 tax per employee ($600 if the period is 60 days or longer).Bill: PPACA; Page: 345-346

Combined score of individual and employer mandate tax penalty: $65 billion/10 years

19. Tax on Health Insurers ($60.1 bil/Jan 2014): Annual tax on the industry imposed relative to health insurance premiums collected that year. Phases in gradually until 2018. Fully-imposed on firms with $50 million in profits. Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,986-1,993

Taxes that take effect in 2018:

20. Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans ($32 bil/Jan 2018): Starting in 2018, new 40 percent excise tax on “Cadillac” health insurance plans ($10,200 single/$27,500 family). Higher threshold ($11,500 single/$29,450 family) for early retirees and high-risk professions. CPI +1 percentage point indexed. Bill: PPACA; Page: 1,941-1,956

It amazes me how greedy people are. They want to watch someone work hard, get ahead and then take their money from them. Envy and greed are rampant the last few years. It is phenomenal. No one owes me anything but what I earn. As the costs of business increase and taxes and regulations increase it is getting harder for everyone. Now small business also has to fill out forms and report on any sale or any item purchased of 600.00 or more. You do also if you sell more than 600.00 in a garage sale. YOU do the paperwork, they get the benefit
.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

we should be concerned with a petty thing like meter here, but it could use some attention. I'm guessing that you won't get much response to the content of your poem. There are those of us that look upon the condition of this country and government and see where you are coming from, but can't see a way out from under the repercussions that cutting so many off from welfare programs would bring. What would the children of those who are cut off do? They haven't done anything wrong. Are we to let them starve, go without medical treatment or housing? I'm not saying that things shouldn't change, but that it will be a long and troubled road that will lead to reduced welfare rolls. You are right about those third generation welfare recipients, they take it as their unalterable right to be taken care of by the government. Not all, but a good majority. But, that is they way they are being raised. It is time to take steps to educate them differently. ~ Gee

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

And I appreciate your mentioning it Geezer.

No, we cannot just cut it off, but we can get away from some of the programs that are showing no results. The best way to help these people the actually need the help is to quit over regulating business and let them start making money. When business makes money, investment and growth happens. When investment and growth happens then hiring start. The biggest detriment right now is both Over regulation (some is needed) and that monstrous 2000 page document called the affordable Care Act or Obamacare. The myriad taxes and funding that hurt business, hurt the middle class and virtually stop job growth. The part that really irks me is people can't afford insurance from these companies they claim is ripping everyone off, so now they will have to buy insurance they can't afford from those same companies by law or face a fine and/or jail time (where you get free medical care) and that makes it okay. Logic fail. If you don't buy the recommended coverage, you get taxed. If you buy more than the recommended, you get taxed. If you don't buy any, you get taxed. Make sense to you?

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

ever wrong! I guess it just goes to show, that if it doesn't really affect a person directly, it doesn't get the attention it deserves. The economy affects everyone, big and small. It doesn't matter what you call the method of government and it's regulation of said economy, greed is the motivating force. Unions and taxes killed this town. Schenectady used to be the home to almost thirty-thousand jobs at G.E. About ten or twelve thousand at American Locomotive, not to mention another few thousand in other manufacturing sites here. Now G.E. has maybe three thousand, ALCO none, and there are about ten thousand less jobs here from other companies leaving.The unions kept asking for more, until the companies started leaving, then they taxed the rest of them to make up for the short-fall and drove them out of town too. We all know what happens then. The supporting companies fail, the services that derive from the business [like suppliers, vendors, and the places that are supported by the jobs, stores, gas-stations, diners and markets leave or fail and then the people either leave or go on social-services. I have no problem with a company or individual, making money but when it is done in such a way that it destroys families and communities, then it is time to regulate! Greed and corruption play a part in every facet of our lives.
When the founding fathers of this country wrote up and designed the Constitution and the parts that people played, they did not intend for Senators and Congressmen/women, to make it a life-time occupation! They were supposed to serve a term or two, then go back to civilian life. Now they are so used to being able to vote themselves pay-raises, have free medical, and retire with huge chunks of cash and privilages, that they don't ever want to leave! The CEOs that manage the companies have gotten so used to having their six-figure salaries and the privilages that are afforded them that they don't want to lose! Now for a little secret! The reason that they dcon't care about us, the common folk, is that they are not affected by us and what we do, because there is always someone who will buy their products no matter what the cost. ~ Gee

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

No one talks about the high six figure salaries of union bosses or the high salaries of Congressmen or Senators or that the average pay of high level government Union emplyees is 2-3 times what the average private sector worker is yet we are supporting them while they sit around and play games and watch porn or play cards when they are supposed to be working.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

I understand your attraction to the thrusting virility of Capitalism and I know you could think better if you tried.

Rampant Capitalism only bequeaths power and wealth on the owners, the 'trickle down effect' is a total lie. If you have any compassion as a Conservative (which is a rare thing) you would admit that un-checked corporate capitalism is a force for slavery.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

To you since you neither understand or are affected by this. Socialism and it's many forms (Communism, Fascism, etc.) has been responsible for almost one half of the deaths in human history and that was in the 20th century alone.

Would you rather have trickle down wealth or Trickle UP poverty?

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

And again you are mistaking all forms of totalitarianism for Communism. Fascism is more defined by fanatical nationalism. While I don't want to appear anti-American, I would not like to look middle-eastern anywhere in America at the moment. Really, get over the McCarthyist bit.

You have mentioned to me Westen socialist democracies that are in recession at the moment, but they and many others have done and will do well again. The ebb and flow of Friedman based economics is not science, it leaves the fates of people to nothing more predictable than the weather. The only thing totally predictable is that there will always be recessions in laissez faire economies. Greed peaks then bottoms out.

I really only want to say that Capitalism breeds greed and power and needs to be controlled, if not overthrown. Just like any system that focusses power too much.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

No problem on the cheap shot. As for Fascism, it is and was an offshoot of Communism and as a matter of fact they were allies until the Fascists decided they didn't want to share. There were only three main difference between Communism and Fascism. The racist element, the nationalism which was my countre where communism was all countries and the fact that the fascists allowed nominal ownership of property as long as they manufactured what they were told, sold to who they were told and sold at the amount they were told, otherwise the business was confiscated.

Both work on central planning and central control instead of free market.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Before I make a comment on your poem I want to look up a few numbers and such I want it to be an educated answer, ill be back tomorrow its after 2am I shall return

regards JC

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

and what Richard said too!

You once said to me Rett that people perceive Conservatives as uncaring and heartless. Well du'uh!
Capitalism only provides profits for owners and shareholders. It has no intrinsic goodness, or badness, just a rapacious need to grow. Which is usually at the expense of humanity, as the most flexible cost factor.

America may have been built on slavery, but it could adapt to humanity if corporations were denied the obscenity of having human rights. Unaccountability creates sociopathy.!

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

Answer one simple question. Have you ever made a living wage working for a poor person?

On the slavery issue, I will say one thing only and let you research the rest. America wasn't the only, or even the largest slave nation and people make up corporations.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

A lot of wealth has been built on slavery, that doesn't make slavery right.

You always shy away from the corporation issue. I have known good caring capitalist companies, but never corporations. Really, it is a big difference. Take the time and download for free and watch "The Corporation". It is a multi award winning documentary, intelligent and well researched.
http://www.thecorporation.com/

Corporations are not human beings and because there is no accountability they automatically tend towards sociopathy.

Profit does not trickle down unless it is taxed or forced to.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

I am enjoying the discussion and I honestly appreciate it. We all have different views and that is good. I am an odd bird for someone who writes poetry. I am a conservative (for which I make no apologies) and that is unusual. I care a lot for people and will help anyone that truly needs help, but they must show a willingness to try. I am not a radical environmentalist, but believe in using common sense on the environment like recycling and many other things. I am a fair person or try to be and was once a liberal until I found out that liberalism hurts more than helps .(My opinion only)

I knew I would catch it with this poem, but it also leads to good things.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Yes, as we have discussed elsewhere, America has a different historical base to the concepts of Capitalism, Labour and Welfare, but we are all humans and frankly I think your country could learn to relax a bit. It is such a shame some of your Unions got corrupted and got in bed with organised crime, but it's not the way it has to be.

I'm talking about a politics of believing in human goodness and potential. I really believe in that and it's so sad that conservative politics denies it.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

Conservatism embraces human goodness and potential, perhaps too much so for we continuously fight for it. The Unions are 100% Democrat these days and thus they get away with murder. They really don't give a darn about the worker, all they care about is the money and power. A most recent example is Hostess (which also supported the Democrats) Instead of allowing or urging their members to take an 8% pay cut and allow the company to get back on it's feet they have put 18,500 people out of work for their greed. They are not only in bed with organized crime, they are in bed with the politician, most of which are Democrats. They use their money they have gotten from their workers to promote and get politicians elected irregarless of who their workers support. These politician in turn give them sweetheart deals paid off the back of the American people both union and non union and in turn the unions then make sure they get these politician voted back in and the cycle continues. Another good example is GM. The unions were not the only reason they went broke, but they were very instrumental in it and what do the politicians do? No union workers get their benefits taken away while the union keeps theirs. The stockholders lose and the unions get control of the company which they will eventually run into the ground again.
The only person that really has an interest in taking care of you, is you.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

No government except for a police force and army..
oh, and totally atheist.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

I am not a Randist, but I embrace a lot of her ideas. She lived through the other ideas and knew them well. No, we need government, but we don't need a bloated overbearing controlling government that has it's finger in everything you do or say. Just as we need to help those who truly need help we need to toss those that are capable and just won't do out the door. Welfare is supposed to be for the needed and not a career choice. A person who creates something and makes money is not evil. That person has worked for it, created it, developed it and deserves whatever he/she can get for it without someone telling them "At some point you have made enough money." I do not envy the rich. I do not think they owe me anything except what I have earned. That is all there is to it. If they want to voluntarily give something, then I will take it, but they don't owe me any part of their hard earned money I did not earn. I do not believe in redistribution of wealth. That is outright theft. At least the mugger in the alley doesn't pretend he is doing what he is doing to help someone else. In that regard, he is more honest than most of government and most of the liberals.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

I am a liberal its my choice but in saying that I understand peoples right to choice, I had to look up our employment rate as at the last release of the unemployment rate our country has 5.4 percent of our population (22,620,600). Our government has many and varied schemes going to get people back into the work force for the unemployed its mandatory to participate in the schemes or face being kicked off their payment, our young mothers are paid to stay at home with their children till the age of five and then its again mandatory they rejoin the workforce

In the last few years under a labour government our health system has been changed and crippled all in one fell swoop, we either have beds with no patients ? or patients without beds or the nursing staff to take care of them ... Our Prime Minister is an embarrassment a red headed moron with no idea how the average australian is living or struggling in this case, she runs around the world telling all and sundry how well we are doing .. the rich are doing really well, the rich are getting richer and the poor are dying waiting for hospital beds or operations or just plain hungry because they cant afford their power bills

in the last four years we have gone from paying an average 400 dollars her quarter for our power, we are now paying close to 1000 its criminal .....and I can tell you its affected how we live our lives, we find more and more that we entertain ourselves at home, I worked my whole life until I became ill, we will never be well off since my illness its been a struggle but we get by, while our power loving red headed Idoit ruins our country, another Idiot abroad

I didnt think your poem was silly in the least I understand where your coming from I just hope they get it right before more people are put at jeopardy

just thought you may like to see it from my perspective

sincerely Jayne-Chloe

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

What I keep trying to tell Jess is that Liberal progressives over here in the states are different than there. We have over $61 thousand dollars a year per family of four below the poverty level and still they are below the poverty level. We spend more on Welfare than on military (which everyone gripes about) or on Social Security for the elderly or on Medicare for the elderly. It has gotten ridiculous. A mother comes out ahead if she only makes 29 thousand a year working part time because with government help she can pull in with benefits over 50 thousand while a person making 62-64 thousand doesn't pull in any more than that net.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Its a very different system than here people on social security(i have been one) dont get anything close to that its around 20,000 per single but that obviously changes when its a married situation its much less than double ..

I fail to see how people getting 61,000 per year can say they live in poverty ... im just shaking my head here

sincerely Jayne-Chloe

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

They don't get it here either. Most of that 61 thousand is taken up by government overhead. That is what is spent on them, not what they get. It's ridiculous. Look for your prices to keep increasing. Here our president despite all evidence to the contrary is set on adding even more taxes to business for the so called "Global Warming", I means "Global Climate Change". Every time they are proven wrong they change the name of it and try it again and all it amounts to is a drain on already strained economies and a power grab.

As for living in poverty, we are promoting it. The more people dependent on the government, the more secure a voting block they have to keep them in power. John Kennedy said when he was inaugurated "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." These days it is "To hell with the country, what free stuff are you going to give me for my vote."

It is sad.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Redistribution of wealth is exactly what the current
unchecked state of Capitalism has led to, one percent
of this country now holds more wealth than the bottom
ninety percent combined. I don't envy the rich either, never
wanted anymore than I earned and frankly neither does anyone
else, but that includes that one percent. I'm sure the majority of
which has never even seen a hard day's work let alone had one.
I don't understand why it's so hard to see for so many. My parents,
grandparents and most of the 1930's to 40's generation were able
to buy houses and actually keep them. Most worked the same job
their whole lives, retired with health benefits and were looked upon
by the companies as valued employees. During my working career
it all changed. People are no longer valued, they are all treated like
a throw away bottle, used up and set out. It all happened when the
big companies started moving out of America, now even American
cars aren't made here, why is it so hard to see. This one percent are
not patriotic, and to top it all off they are spending their money elsewhere,
while continuing to take all they can from the majority of Americans.
We are not Liberals, Conservatives, Republicans or Democrats ...
We are Americans that need to stand together and fix the current state
of our dying economy, before it's too late.

Because the wealthy are not going to spend or invest when they don't have a clue what else this government is going to hit them with. Capitalism is not the problem, government and their crony capitalism is. It has become a state controlled capitalism where they pick and choose which companies they will favor and which one they want to fail or refuse to help and thus we have the laws stating which companies are too big to fail. That is not capitalism.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

a movie portrayal of the most honest based president
our American Cousins have produced!

I think that Mr Lincoln was one of the most articulate men
Ive read in a long time..And that for his handling of the conflict
within his own country possibly during one of its more wealthiest
periods was amazing! That he upheld the founding fathers virtues
of the American constitution less then a mere hundred years before
rather then take control of the power the states had as a a foundling
power country during this time was a statement on his beliefes based
on the Original book, (the Bible and God)

They had the southern states in their control completely with the surrender
of General Lee and could have assumed the role of great total leader but did
not....Of course as he was taking his suportive and great wife to a theatre
for relaxation and rest the traitor terrorist Booth was waiting...

I have travelled to America and know many Americans personally who come
north to our Canada to live as they are allowed six months of the year
and as a status native with some documentation I could live in America and
savour the texture and metropolis of the amazing cities such as New York

There is poeverty and much racism everywhere
(ie the fellow irish brothers and sisters) (the abos who are still struggling for
their rights on their indigenous island) etc

But there is also Poetry and the voice of creative artists who speak
valiantely about their country
Their love of their homeland
that stretchs beyond its border to keep its people the best of their ablilities
and to free tyranny and oppose vicious dicatorships throughout history

Capitalism gives the free man the right to rise up
without crippling conditions governing his thoughts
on religion
creativity
self expression
and right to bear arms

Thank You!

Capitalism has freed more people from poverty than any other ism has ever done.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

I consider myself a moderate and am registered as an Independent. But in the U.S. at this time even moderates are harangued by the extreme left wing. And the extreme left wingers have taken over the democrat party to its detriment just as the extreme right wingers have now taken over the republican.
The source of most of the economic woes here is directly tied to extremism on both sides. The chest thumpers on both sides are so busy pressing their idealogical agendas that they've neglected the things which need to be done and which history has proven work.

Since the democrats have controlled the spending since the middle of Bush's last term it is time they are forced to own this quagmire. Increasing taxes have Never aided an economic recovery. Increasing the size of government and the number of regulations imposed by political appointees doesn't aid recovery. SOCIALISM DOES NOT WORK. Don't believe this? Then please explain what is happening in Europe right now. There comes a point when socialists run out of other people's money to redistribute in order to buy votes.

Now there are those who bemoan the loss of jobs to off shoring. I do also. But one must consider Why these jobs left here. Perhaps a small part is due to labor costs. And let's define Real labor costs. Labor costs are not just the amount of money a worker receives. They are wages+benefits+taxes+unemployment insurance+cost of imposed regulations. When added up the non-wage component is actually almost equal to the wages.Don't believe this? Just ask the owners of Hostess.But even so the cost of hiring here is pretty much offset by the high productivity of the American worker. So why leave?

Perhaps having the highest corporate tax rates in the world. And an EPA which has run amok.As soon as any company meets EPA standards (usually at very high cost) The EPA ups the standards. Don't believe this? Ask the coal burning utility companies which are being forced to close down due to New regulations.Ask the coal miners whose jobs are disappearing even as coal becomes cleaner due to advances in technology.

Now on to welfare.Yes Virginia there Are 3 generation welfare families. And its a trap that's hard to escape from.With the present economic mess companies aren't doing much hiring.But one method to help people on welfare become self dependent would be to require them to work for the checks they receive.Doing so would cause them to look around and maybe think "Damn if I have to work anyway why not work where I can make more than enough to just get by?"It would instill a sense of pride in accomplishment. Also these workers could be trained and used in rebuilding infrastructure. They might have to start out as highway or metro cleaning crews until they learn a trade but at least they'd contribute.

We must also address the fact that the government is bribing unwed mothers to have more children by increasing their payments each time they pop another child out. The solution to this is simple. As long as they're on welfare, women should be required to have Norplant birth control .This is a temporary thing which can easily be removed once a woman becomes self sufficient.

Now don't get me wrong. There Are people wo are not able to support themselves due to various factors. Not their fault. But not ours either. These people should not be discarded but there must be a limit to charity.
Emperor Barak the First just refuses to see reality. No wonder, as he is a product of the welfare state and thus actually believes government is the source of all good.He was born then abandoned to his grandmother who then received taxpayer money for raising him. He went to college (what you want to bet on scholorship reserved for "oppressed minorities"). Then he went to "work" for a bunch of socialists whose job was to tell people which lies to tell to get even more taxpayer money. Then he was elected Senator........we all know how hard They work lol.
Well, enough of this rant. We are getting exactly the government and country which the majority voted for. God help us as nobody else will.........................stan

notice how Rett's 1639 word reply was readable (if mostly irrelevant to non-Americans)?

Organise your thoughts, insert paragraph breaks. I am interested in your thoughts if you could make them coherent.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

I am used to using indentations to signify paragreph breaks. But indents don't transfer here. Guess I'll need to use line breaks instead as "word walls" are a pain. And why should my thoughts be more coherent than my poetry LMAO..........stan

were as coherent as your poetry, and most especially vice versa, I would bow before you! Master of the the craft!

Thanks for making this more readable, oh, and by the way, I disagree. You Americans still have a McCarthyist hangover and no concept of how social reform really improves society. Come live with me in Aussie, a country with a proud socialist tradition and a strong economy, or any of several European countries that can make the same claim. You Americans manage to stuff up the simplest concepts for good.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

There are some aspects of socialism with which I agree. Social security retirement benefits for example. Benefits for those unable to work (Disability). Limited unemployment benefits.

The problem here is that too many are allowed to play the system. I personally know of people who receive disability checks because "they can't work because being told to do something is too stressful" "my back hurts too much to work (but not too much to play golf and deer hunt when the urge hits)". It's also amazing how many people who can't find work suddenly Do just as their unemployment benefits run out.

You are correcr. We've gone too far and screwed it up. 16 trillion dollars........heading toward 20 trillion..........stan

You have a grasp on it. I wish others could see it, but they can't. They blindly follow their economic ways without a thought in their head.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

As much as I disagree with most of what you say, and as much as this poem was pretty woefully written (I'm sure you'll admit) you have provoked the best stream of discourse in ages. The variety of ideas is fascinating!

Fuckin' good job, bro

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

Yes, the poem is horribly written and needs a lot of work, but it is getting the results I hoped for. The discourse is very interesting and very welcome.

The two of us have had some doozies in the past. LOL

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

beamed live via the magic of wires..cables...satellites..
to the modern flat screen hung on a wall
Ive lived long enough to see all this!!
will wonders never cease!!

television on a wall!!!

some things never get old in this old cats mind!!

Im pretty sure at one point in his speech he mentioned
nationailzm in his speech and Poetry...
I will have to go check this out again..

I like the comments on this Poem
I like the NORPLANT drug anti fertility
idea and I like the Work idea for your cheque
the unions wouldnt care for this

and elsewhere the illegals are doing a great job
but still a great idea

For men they could just get their testes snipped
or tied in a knot>> what works to keep men from
making babies ...condoms yes...but for govement
regulated stuff..

I think we should be implanted with chips myself
and for those that behaved and followed the order
they get five stars of rewards!! like a box of cheesies
or something....I like WATKINS cheesies myself
or maybe a flak vest for ones home defense system

illegal people could live in the canyons of the west
and in the old towns around Nevada
that house thats still standing from the old nuke tests
just needs some chimney work
and only gives off a bit of radiation now

(All of this is parody!! of course....poverty is real I saw it
moving through the states...tbey just shifted the work force
to a cheaper state...like another country...Like the old
miner days for iron and coal in the thirties...See Dylan and Guthrie
great poets!!)

people want to buy a shirt thats ten dollars
not forty
So it falls apart in a year
rather then the well made one that lasts
to the next generation

the five dollar peanut butter made with ten per cent
real peanuts then the Original brand name stuff
for nine fifty

The world gets to me
some days...
but I like that poets are keeping an eye on it

Thanks Poets!!

I am thoroughly enjoying this.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

I thank my Aunty who was living in New York, during the 40's and 50's
Just after the war ended she would send us a parcel from America.
It didn't matter who was in power in any part of the world to us at that time.
We had food rationing at the time and bless her she sent us a tin of Ham (not Spam) each year and dried fruit plus other things I can't remember now.
But it was America looking after others that is the thing, they had the resources then to do so.
The world is in recession and I am so sorry for the world as the rich are getting richer and they are leaving the poor way behind.
Your country needs, as ours does a kick up the ass..
Use the technology that is there to produce things for the people, not bloody hand games that you cannot eat, or that will give you a headache, not cure one.
Give the nation good food, and a place to stay, also a health service that will look after the ones that are ill and to plan for those that will need the service later.
What the hell is wrong with the world, have you seen those ass holes at their banquets, where they choose a country to go to in luxury, just to decide who they starve next.
All most people want is a good home for their families and a job and money enough to buy the food.
Cars can run on many things other than Oil, electronics can enhance life not make our children armchair Killers.
But as all things there is NO way that the people you vote in each time are going to be brave and make a world that we can live in,
Yours Ian.T

PS;- For Steve, I have a TV on the wall the centre of which is 5 feet 8 inches off the floor it helps my bad neck, but is at the hight of the bulls eye in darts so maybe when I see those ass holes on there I should throw darts at them LOL My tiny pad is two bedroom and around 540 square feet so floor space is a premium lol.
You all have a great life and I hope that all of you become happy with the things you have, and need for nothing..

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

I know what you mean. We have a president and his wife that spends a lot of time on vacations and hudreds of thousands of dollars at a time. I remember my mom and dad talking about sending packages to Britain after the war and how good they felt that they could help out because of the devastation there.

We have a government that stops our drilling for oil and then Gives loans to Brazillian Soros owned company to drlll. That floods thousands of acres of farm land to save a town from flooding, then buys up a lot of the land and sells to the Soros empire and instead of giving a contract for a light airplane for the military to Hawker Beechcraft, an American company, they once again give it to a Soros Owned Brazillian aircraft company and none of this presidents supporters thinks that is strange. They bow to the eco terrorist and the prime farming country in the San Joaquin Valley in Callifornia is devastated putting over 30,000 farmers and farm workers out of business and on welfare because of a 2 inch fish called a smelt. They shut off the water instead of finding a workable solution. Me I would make those screaming about the fish either come up with a workable plan at their expense or Shut up.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

They are actually working on televisions which will be Painted on the wall. Just what the world needs lol. We have endured much worse than emperor Barak and we'll get past this idiot and his cohorts also. I just hope the right man for the times will appear. ..............stan

Oh, I see now, if the government capitalizes on where the
money is, that isn't capitalism, it is thievery. And it is !!!

Just like the thievery that goes on every day to the common
man. In the past 20yrs, groceries, power, insurance, housing,
gasoline have all tripled in cost, yet wages have not. In fact,
most people that were making a fair wage at one time preforming
some kind of manual labor have had to change jobs to lesser paying
jobs, some for as much as half the pay (or more). Cost triples, and
that is fair market capitalism? Even though the number of people using,
buying and needing has at least doubled (in most areas, more in some).
Medical costs have gone up by ten times, yet there are more people,
and we have to buy medicines, which have skyrocketed, all in the name
of fair market capitalism ...

I don't pretend to know what the answer for all of this is, but I do know
that bowing down to so called fair market capitalism isn't working, our
nation is fast going down.

Please do some more research my friend. When the price of fuel goes up, the price of everything goes up. I am not saying that some corporations are not at fault, but the government is also complicit is rising costs as are unions. Do you actually think fast food joints can afford to pay workers 15 dollars an hour and survive?

Are you willing to pay 8 bucks for a hamburger and 5 dollars for an order of fries?

What do you expect the price of fuel to do when regulations are passed that keep us from drilling. The only reason the price is coming down lately is private land production and fracking which the government is trying to stop. Did putting seat belts in cars drop the cost of you insurance? Did putting air bags in them cut the cost of your insurance? Did putting anti lock brakes in? How about traction control? It upped the prices you have to pay for vehicles, but regulations and other taxes along with regulating which companies you can buy from in any given state kept prices up.

Free market capitalism means competition and competition means lower prices. We do not have free market capitalism any more, Richard.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

That's exactly what I'm saying, there is no fair market
anymore. And no, I don't expect fast food joints to pay
15per hour, but I also think the cost of living should reflect
the strained economy, and prices for the necessities of
living come down.

I thought that seat belts, air bags, anti-lock braking systems
would drop rates, in reality they should have but not in this
un-fair market.

I know our government is in cahoots with the corporations,
it doesn't take a genius to see that. They lobbied for the fair
trade act for years and got it, and now our economy is just
about to hit rock bottom. Our government doesn't care about
the common man, hasn't for a long time. Follow the money,
that's where the problem lies.

The competition has been squashed, with companies like Walmart
in the mix a Mom and Pop's store hasn't got a chance. The bad thing
is we have all allowed this by buying there because they had better
prices, virtually shot ourselves in the foot with our own buying power.

Capitalism today isn't working, it has gone astray from what it should
be, and continues to work for only the super rich ... and as long as people
defend it, it will not change.

Thanks Rett, I've really enjoyed this conversation !!!

Crony capitalism and Fascism is our biggest problem today. Wonderful views expressed by everyone.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Capitalism is the worst system ever developed.........except all others. The problems right now are pretty well based on letting the government choose which companies will win and which will lose. Emperor Barack has Stated that it's his intent to drive up the prices of fossil fuels to the point that alternate energy sources will become competitive. Hence he removed over one million additional acres of federal lands from being tapped for energy production. He has stood aside and allowed the EPA (which is run entirely by appointees, not elected people) to close down coal generating plants. Not because they failed to meet standards, but because they failed to meet New standards which have just been implimented.

He then lent billions to solar companies without determining their ability to repay. Then he failed to confront China for dumping photovaltics on the market and thus Ensured the failure of domestic solar companies.

The emperor has introduced by exutive decree 1000s of new regulation since his most recent election.

Well, I hope the fools who elected this would be king are still pleased with him when they're facing double digit inflation (due to executive decree that is buying uo 40 Billion dollars a month of shaky securities) and paying 5 doolars for gas and 40% more for electricity. ALL HAIL THE NAKED EMPEROR..............stan

Not sure how Obama is to blame for our failing economy,
which has been on a downhill slide for the past 30yrs, a direct
repercussion of capitalism at work. I know you remember all
the cotton mills in the south closing down, but clothes never
one time stopped coming to the stores.

And by the way, Obama is definitely a better choice than the
land shark that was running against him. The one thing that
the one percent can't control, the ninety percent can still vote.

You are still blaming capitalism. It is not capitalism that is at fault. It has raised more people from poverty than any other ism. The problem State run capitalism.

Tell me which of these you disagree with?

. We demand the struggle against those whose activities
are injurious to the general interest.
2. The state is responsible for the reconstruction of our national education program,
3. We demand education at the expense of the state for outstanding children
4. We demand the state be charged with providing opportunity for a livilihood for the citizens
5. The first obligation of the citizens is to work for the benefit of all
6. Personal enrichment through war must be designated a crime against the people
7. We demand the nationalization of all associated industries (trusts)
8. We demand a division of the profits of all heavy industries
9. We demand a large scale expansion of old age health care and welfare
10, We demand immediate communalization of warehouses
11. We demand a provision of law for the expropriation of land and prevention of speculation in land
12. The state is to care for elevating national health
13. We demand legal opposition to known lies and their promulgation through the press
14. We demand freedom of religion so long as the state determines its excercize does not endanger the nation
15. For the execution of all this we demand the formation of a strong central power: unlimited power of the central government over the whole nation,

That was the Nazi Party platform that Hitler got elected on. Everything on there with only a couple of iffy things is what we are facing today. Liberalism supports these.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

We cry for our ways that have dragged the world down.
We cry for our inability to act, that we can recover our ways
There are two things we can all do.
Either keep crying as a voice in the wilderness.
Or speak out where it will change things for the better.
This has always been our choice but we have Mob rule in the world where we vote not for the best but for what the one next to us is doing..
We have lost the ability to think of better things where we can make our voice carry to make things better.
I hope that in the future, for our children's sake, we forget which party a person represents, and Vote for the person that does the job of bringing us to a better world.
And it's only Saturday, maybe I am practising for tomorrow lol
Yours as always Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

To paraphrase John Kennedy once more....(not exact) "We need to discard Republican and Democrat and do what is right".

I have been fighting the battle by speaking out and fighting it since I was stupid enough to vote for Jimmy Carter. As Winston Churchill and others have said. "If at 20 you are not a Democrat, you have no heart, if at 30 you are not a conservative, you have no brain."

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

When Castro and Guevara were raising back country support in Cuba, if they asked the natives if they wanted to be Communist, they said 'no, no, no' but when they asked if they would like the feudal landlords removed, property for everyone and free health and education, they won. And despite many years of capitalist trade embargos, creating poverty in Cuba, every citizen is proud to have education and health.

Exactly the same holds true now. Capitalism has become feudal capitalism. Excuse the eternal truth but the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

Talk to the actual people who live there and look at the hospitals that aren't the tourist hospital. If it is so great, why do they risk life and limb to get over here on rafts and other things that if they make it then they have had a miracle. Also, a tax is now going to be levied on them since all the other communist nations that were supporting them have withdrawn their money.

You are just trading one set of feudal Lords for another set. No difference.

As for Guevara he was a murdering coward that that is the end all, be all as he is concerned.

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

All you say is true. I just tend to think things through to the logical conclusion. We already have 11 states where their are more on government assistance than those working. It is unsustainable. As more and more states get into this predicament, then the quality of everyone's life goes down. The poor will suffer worse as taxes go up and more and more people see it is futile to work because you cannot get ahead. Why work if it gets you nowhere?

As for the KKK part, I am surprised I haven't seen that come up along with the Myth of Southern Democrats and Republicans changing sides. LOL

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

Thank you for your eloquent comment, and for sharing your own
personal side of our economy. It's so good to see such logic coming
from a young person, gives one hope !!!

thanks

I think you are quite correct. The poem as far as technique is very insufficient and rather lousy in execution. LOL

Respectfully,
Rett
"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. " Ben Franklin

author comment

we have shows up here that show the life of our American Neighbours Eh!
Like SWAMP PEOPLE and DUCK BROTHERS and MOONSHINERS
and BILLY THE EXTERMINATOR
I think we have CANADIAN PICKERS..not sure what else..
come to think of it...The two old farts that do the picking are interesting
A Buckskin jacket and cowboy hat long hair

hmm we do look like this..
ENjoy the shows
must run make kid help with lunch for school

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