Showing posts with label capitalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label capitalism. Show all posts
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The Debt Ceiling
I do not understand how the U.S. can default on their loans, but if I have a student loan, I am penalized. Does this mean that we, as a country, have failed at Capitalism? We are being bad capitalists right now and the solution seems to be a government shutdown? That is written in the form of a question because this is how I understand it: we print our own currency and the US dollar is not backed by gold. Why can't more money simply be printed? As Americans, we have to undergo credit checks in order to receive employment. Wouldn't it be fair that the US government receives some form of punishment for being financially irresponsible? I also don't understand why the government shutdown merits the amount of media attention it has received because--from what I have heard, it has happened several times before!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
We Are All Racists
The other system. Being that we live in a capitalistic society, we are all capitalists and being that said country was founded on racism, we too, are all racists. Too many people still fear being called a racist and argue against being called one, but the reality of it all is: racist have and will always fare very well in The United States of America. I am reading the book, "The Warmth of Other Sons," by Isabel Wilkerson. It traces the migration of African-Americans from the South to the North, predominantly, and to the West. It reminds me of the power of racism.
Historically, divide and conquer was used with people of color: Asians versus Latinos, Latinos vs African-Americans and so on; but in the book, it mentioned the immigrants from Europe. These immigrants were not always welcomed in the U.S.--yes, the American Caucasians were racist against, them, too. Therefore, immigrants were in the racist system and the longer they remained in the system, the more respect they earned. I am never surprised by racism. I am shocked by the people who are not racist. It is hard to be in a system and recognize how it works but there are exceptional people who defy their environment and make changes in this world. I hope that we all are or become the exception, rather than the rule.
My hope for Obama was to be such a person because African-Americans only truly became citizens of the United States of America with the passing of the 15th Amendment in 1965 and yet he was voted by Americans to run the country. After the struggles of all American people, things remain the same: we are giving more freedoms to corporations--with all of their money, they are the real runners of the government-- women are still payed less of the weak dollar than men, and we are at war.
No one reads--except for you all, so... thanks. I have thought about giving up this blog and posting a blog with the herd (sheep) culture in mind where I have all of these cool clothes (aiding consumerism) and I take these pictures that highlight my figure and appeal to men (degrading myself and treating myself as a sex object) and then I get on Facebook, Twitter and every other social network to promote myself--shamelessly. That was a bad joke.
In my next life--and blog--I will be all boobs and butt, but until then, as always, I will be the black sheep.
Historically, divide and conquer was used with people of color: Asians versus Latinos, Latinos vs African-Americans and so on; but in the book, it mentioned the immigrants from Europe. These immigrants were not always welcomed in the U.S.--yes, the American Caucasians were racist against, them, too. Therefore, immigrants were in the racist system and the longer they remained in the system, the more respect they earned. I am never surprised by racism. I am shocked by the people who are not racist. It is hard to be in a system and recognize how it works but there are exceptional people who defy their environment and make changes in this world. I hope that we all are or become the exception, rather than the rule.
My hope for Obama was to be such a person because African-Americans only truly became citizens of the United States of America with the passing of the 15th Amendment in 1965 and yet he was voted by Americans to run the country. After the struggles of all American people, things remain the same: we are giving more freedoms to corporations--with all of their money, they are the real runners of the government-- women are still payed less of the weak dollar than men, and we are at war.
No one reads--except for you all, so... thanks. I have thought about giving up this blog and posting a blog with the herd (sheep) culture in mind where I have all of these cool clothes (aiding consumerism) and I take these pictures that highlight my figure and appeal to men (degrading myself and treating myself as a sex object) and then I get on Facebook, Twitter and every other social network to promote myself--shamelessly. That was a bad joke.
In my next life--and blog--I will be all boobs and butt, but until then, as always, I will be the black sheep.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
That Gray Area: How One Minute You're Hot and the Next, You're Not.
Growing up, I was plump. I cannot deny it because I have marks--stretch marks--that prove that I gained and lost weight very rapidly. It was strange to lose weight because people treated me as a new person. A friend once said that I have an inner fat girl and I think it is true. I also have the scars. Scars serve as a reminder to a lot of people.
Those who have served in a war or lived in an area that has seen the building or destruction of their land will probably have a better memory of what occurred. They carry physical or emotional scars. Scars are not the only way to remember. Those who are diligent will pay attention to what is happening, create a memory of it and reference back to it, if there is a need to do so.
I have had a passport since I was five. I lived outside of the U.S., overseas, and on several islands. I didn't have an issue with air travel until Lockerbie. I think the Lockerbie bombing was a story that stayed with me. My parent was in the military, and military people usually leave the news on t.v. Due to the redundancy, I saw the story several times and I became anxious about flying. I became anxious about everyone flying because, until then, I thought the only dangerous thing about a plane was that it could crash.
Since then, Gaddafi was labeled a criminal. From what I understand, he paid billions and then he was the world's friend again--thanks to the United Nations--until recently. I do not understand the complexity of another country's politics. But, on behalf of American politics, I did not understand how we forgave so easily. Once again, I must consider Capitalism and then it makes sense.
Gaddafi was such a good friend, that American celebrities: Beyonce Knowles, Usher and Mariah Carey, believed it was all right to accept a substantial amount of money from Gaddafi for their performances. This is that gray area: Gaddafi is no longer a friend and the money has been asked or ordered to be returned.
How swiftly one turns his back on a friend. I have tried to keep all of the political relationships in memory because the gray area comes about so quickly. Rumsfeld is shaking hands with Saddam Hussein and then they are enemies; Gaddafi was somewhat exonerated and now he is a criminal again.
The only gray area is that his criminal activity should not have been forgiven. Relationships change, good people can change into bad people and the truth can be concealed. However, when there is a wrong--and it is clearly a wrong-- for the most part, the issue will be black and white.
I have yet to understand how world leaders and political figures are star struck by celebrities. It seems that in order to meet Obama, I have to be Justin Bieber or any of the other celebrities that appeal to The First Family. Isn't it strange that Usher, Beyonce and Mariah were hanging out with Gaddafi? Or that Hugo Chavez met with supermodel Naomi Campbell? It seems to be the trend in politics and I am not a faddist.
That is why it helps to be beautiful and talented--or just beautiful because Kim Kardashian's appearance fee is enormous. Wouldn't it be strange if Obama were meeting with the cast of the Jersey Shore instead of the public? Especially the political science majors, law students, economists, social scientists, etc. That seems more likely than anyone in politics meeting or listening to me. That is also why education is a lie. Governor Schwarzenegger understood how powerful fame is and he used it to gain political office--despite having a business degree.
Be famous, be beautiful and then-- and only then-- can you meet with the political leaders of the entire world.
I am sure that the protesters in Wisconsin could meet with the political leaders if the Green Bay Packers were to join their rallies.
Those who have served in a war or lived in an area that has seen the building or destruction of their land will probably have a better memory of what occurred. They carry physical or emotional scars. Scars are not the only way to remember. Those who are diligent will pay attention to what is happening, create a memory of it and reference back to it, if there is a need to do so.
I have had a passport since I was five. I lived outside of the U.S., overseas, and on several islands. I didn't have an issue with air travel until Lockerbie. I think the Lockerbie bombing was a story that stayed with me. My parent was in the military, and military people usually leave the news on t.v. Due to the redundancy, I saw the story several times and I became anxious about flying. I became anxious about everyone flying because, until then, I thought the only dangerous thing about a plane was that it could crash.
Since then, Gaddafi was labeled a criminal. From what I understand, he paid billions and then he was the world's friend again--thanks to the United Nations--until recently. I do not understand the complexity of another country's politics. But, on behalf of American politics, I did not understand how we forgave so easily. Once again, I must consider Capitalism and then it makes sense.
Gaddafi was such a good friend, that American celebrities: Beyonce Knowles, Usher and Mariah Carey, believed it was all right to accept a substantial amount of money from Gaddafi for their performances. This is that gray area: Gaddafi is no longer a friend and the money has been asked or ordered to be returned.
How swiftly one turns his back on a friend. I have tried to keep all of the political relationships in memory because the gray area comes about so quickly. Rumsfeld is shaking hands with Saddam Hussein and then they are enemies; Gaddafi was somewhat exonerated and now he is a criminal again.
The only gray area is that his criminal activity should not have been forgiven. Relationships change, good people can change into bad people and the truth can be concealed. However, when there is a wrong--and it is clearly a wrong-- for the most part, the issue will be black and white.
I have yet to understand how world leaders and political figures are star struck by celebrities. It seems that in order to meet Obama, I have to be Justin Bieber or any of the other celebrities that appeal to The First Family. Isn't it strange that Usher, Beyonce and Mariah were hanging out with Gaddafi? Or that Hugo Chavez met with supermodel Naomi Campbell? It seems to be the trend in politics and I am not a faddist.
That is why it helps to be beautiful and talented--or just beautiful because Kim Kardashian's appearance fee is enormous. Wouldn't it be strange if Obama were meeting with the cast of the Jersey Shore instead of the public? Especially the political science majors, law students, economists, social scientists, etc. That seems more likely than anyone in politics meeting or listening to me. That is also why education is a lie. Governor Schwarzenegger understood how powerful fame is and he used it to gain political office--despite having a business degree.
Be famous, be beautiful and then-- and only then-- can you meet with the political leaders of the entire world.
I am sure that the protesters in Wisconsin could meet with the political leaders if the Green Bay Packers were to join their rallies.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Save the banks, kill the schools.
I sometimes forget where I am. I am in the system: capitalism, and I am probably the worst capitalist. I grew up in a lot of different countries with different systems and I was able to understand their systems, for the most part, a lot better than I understand capitalism. This is the reason behind the military member and their families moving so frequently because supposedly, if not moved, their loyalty will remain with that specific general, country, etc and they will adopt that ideology. Once again, it is rooted in history. I love being American. The Americans that I know are very tolerant of different cultures, religions and ideas. The best part about capitalism is that artists can profit from their work. I cannot stress the importance of the arts. I think critically about most song lyrics, visual arts--television and advertisements, and musical compositions. One thing that I fail to understand, however, is how to think like a true capitalist--money-centric. I am still building on that.
Being in a capitalistic society, it should have been immediately apparent that the bail out money would go to the banks, instead of the schools, but I have always believed in doing the right thing, and that seemed very wrong to me.
Kanye West, who obviously gets it, wrote in his song, "Power": "the system's broken, the schools closed, the prisons open," and that is the most succinct way to describe what is happening. America's incarceration rate is so high that we have private prisons. That, in my opinion, is probably one of the worst ideas in the history of this country because it is an incentive to incarcerate people. How else would the prison profit? Whenever "overcrowding" is stated as the reason for Lindsay Lohan and other celebrities' reduced sentence time, I have a suggestion: utilize the private prisons! In a private prison, "the more the merrier!" Imagine if those private prisons were instead homeless shelters, orphanages, or shelters for victims of domestic violence. That is how I imagine things, but this is capitalism and private prisons are good for business. I still believe that criminals should receive a reasonable sentence and rehabilitation services, but profiting from prisoners seems like a conflict of interest.
Congratulations, Lindsay! I dedicate so many blog entries to you. I do truly hope that she gets help, though, and every other addict in the world because it is the rehabilitated that can help the current and future addicts. I do believe that she received special treatment and that is my major disagreement. A wrong will always be a wrong. There is no justifiable reason that some have been prosecuted for lesser crimes and she has received such lenient sentencing.
I have known people that have been to prison. I used to be very closed-minded about a lot of issues, and then, through a self-imposed exposure therapy, I opened myself to many different ideas and people. What I learned was that the only way that most people discover someone has been to prison is through a background check, job application, or disclosure. The better looking someone is, e.g., Lindsay Lohan, the less likely it is that one will suspect that they have been to prison. Hollywood employs known prisoners regularly and it is one of the best paying industries in the country. I wonder if their applications ever have a check box for if the applicant has been to prison or been found guilty of a misdemeanor. . . Save the arts, or the arts may save a prisoner. Ironic.
Being in a capitalistic society, it should have been immediately apparent that the bail out money would go to the banks, instead of the schools, but I have always believed in doing the right thing, and that seemed very wrong to me.
Kanye West, who obviously gets it, wrote in his song, "Power": "the system's broken, the schools closed, the prisons open," and that is the most succinct way to describe what is happening. America's incarceration rate is so high that we have private prisons. That, in my opinion, is probably one of the worst ideas in the history of this country because it is an incentive to incarcerate people. How else would the prison profit? Whenever "overcrowding" is stated as the reason for Lindsay Lohan and other celebrities' reduced sentence time, I have a suggestion: utilize the private prisons! In a private prison, "the more the merrier!" Imagine if those private prisons were instead homeless shelters, orphanages, or shelters for victims of domestic violence. That is how I imagine things, but this is capitalism and private prisons are good for business. I still believe that criminals should receive a reasonable sentence and rehabilitation services, but profiting from prisoners seems like a conflict of interest.
Congratulations, Lindsay! I dedicate so many blog entries to you. I do truly hope that she gets help, though, and every other addict in the world because it is the rehabilitated that can help the current and future addicts. I do believe that she received special treatment and that is my major disagreement. A wrong will always be a wrong. There is no justifiable reason that some have been prosecuted for lesser crimes and she has received such lenient sentencing.
I have known people that have been to prison. I used to be very closed-minded about a lot of issues, and then, through a self-imposed exposure therapy, I opened myself to many different ideas and people. What I learned was that the only way that most people discover someone has been to prison is through a background check, job application, or disclosure. The better looking someone is, e.g., Lindsay Lohan, the less likely it is that one will suspect that they have been to prison. Hollywood employs known prisoners regularly and it is one of the best paying industries in the country. I wonder if their applications ever have a check box for if the applicant has been to prison or been found guilty of a misdemeanor. . . Save the arts, or the arts may save a prisoner. Ironic.
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