I am a SICKO!

I was one of the fortunate who was able to view a advanced screening of Michael Moore's SICKO! over the weekend, and I read a comment from another blog that asked a interesting question:

"Who are the SICKOS? Is it the insurance companies? Is it the drug companies? Is it the physicians? Is it the politicians that pander to them all?

After thinking about the question for a couple of minutes, I realized:
I AM THE SICKO!

Sure, there are more just like me. But I am the worst of the worst because I know better. I know that we allow ourselves to be brainwashed that we truly live in a THEM against US world. That the American way of life is the best possible way of life and you are a enemy of the state if you dispute this belief. Hell, a new poll just came out and said 41% of the American people still believe there’s a connection between Iraq and 9/11. Even in a world that now has instant communication via phone and Internet. Even in a world where sound and images can never be lost and forgotten in time due to YouTube, "the powers that be" is still able to keep the masses deaf, dumb, ignorant and afraid of reality. We, the American people, CONSISTENTLY vote and act against our own best interests. We allow abortion, gun rights, taxes, and gay marriage to weigh more on our political decisions and alliances than health care, livable income, education and the environment.
Today, THIS VERY MINUTE, both the Democrats and Republicans are allowing our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and strangers to fight and die in Iraq because they want to wait until September (or beyond) to call the “surge” failed, and this policy insane even though its obvious to the rest of the world now! We ALL know that we can make the necessary adjustments to save lives today, and that we could’ve made three years ago, and that we will be forced to make three months or three years from now. Yet, we won’t, and WHY?

A person in the film "SICKO!" stated the difference between the French and the Americans is: “The French government fear their People, while the American People fear their government.”

I tolerate a government that couldn't decipher a memo that read "Al-Qaeda is determined to attack inside of America." That oversight resulted in the lives of 3,000 Americans and counting. I tolerate a government that couldn't comprehend a briefing that stated "the levees may not hold" or watch a computer model of what would happen. That resulted in the lives of over 1,800 Americans and counting. I tolerate a government t led by Vice President Dick Cheney who (according to Think Progress) stated "...American military personnel involved in a civil war inside Iraq would literally be a quagmire" back in 1991 during the Gulf War. That reversal has resulted in the deaths of over 3,500 troops and well over 100,000 casualties on both sides and counting.

Tony Benn, former British politician, said it best: "If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to help people."

I tolerate a government that celebrate our triumphs, but pay lip service to our tragedies. And my response? Albert Einstein once defined insanity as "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I get upset, I get frustrated, I point my finger at the "bad guys", and type in a blog that no one will read. I'll go to bed at night with a clean conscience, and wake up and do it all over again tomorrow. Like most Americans, I am insane.

Therefore, I AM A SICKO!

What is Illegal Immigration to Me?

Is the Illegal Immigration Issue really that black and white? I see valid arguments, along with hypocrisy and spin on both sides.

To be honest, my "soft" original position was against Illegal Immigration. Like most Americans, I was upset when I watched the surveillance videos showing Mexican citizens illegally crossing the border in mass. In many cases, some of them was literally "breaking into" our country by attempting to drive a car through the border entrances, climb over fences, or perform their infamous "banzai charge".

I'm not a hypocrite on the issue. I'm sure if the roles were reversed, I would attempt to cross the border and seek a better quality of life for my loved ones and me as well. And I cannot deny the fact that technically, we're ALL illegal immigrants (except for the Africans who came as cargo), even though we have significantly altered history to reflect the myth that the Pilgrims "discovered and settled" in America instead of the factual "conquered and colonized". But this is America and I'm an American, history is just a thing of the past (until "blowback" occurs) and doesn't excuse illegal immigration in the present;-). Today's illegal immigrants are breaking the law. Bottom line, if a civilized society did not enforce its laws, then chaos would ensue and the society would collapse. My best analogy is that if I have a refrigerator full of food, and can afford to waste some of it, that doesn't give a starving person the right to break into my house and feed themselves. Those who are poor can't rob a bank, and those who are homeless can't "discover and settle" into the Playboy Mansion. The citizens of each nation have to respect the physical and invisible boundaries at all times.

Believe it or not, less than a year ago I was a Lou Dobbs Democrat even though I did not have a solid answer to do with the 12 million illegals that are already here. And believe it or not, the Clown Emperor himself, Bill O'Reilly, actually provided me with absolute clarity on this issue. He basically stated something to the effect of, "It is wrong to allow the Mexican immigrants into this country and profit from their labor, then send them back when we grow tired of their presence." To me, he was absolutely right. It is without question that there is this "understanding" between big business and illegal immigrants that if the "illegals" can clear the barriers to entry, there is a job waiting for them on the other side. This understanding is shared and practiced by many members of the Federal government, local governments, small businesses and individual citizens. It is morally and ethically wrong to knowingly allow this "understanding" to persist at the expense of the Mexican citizens that illegally cross our borders for a better way of life.

Those two factors are what have shaped my ultimate position: "Secure the borders against future illegal immigration, but give amnesty to those law abiding illegal immigrants from who's labor we have benefited." I know that is a position that isn't often stated. I'm with the Republicans in the House who are against a "comprehensive reform" bill and want to secure the borders first. But I am with the Democrats in the Senate who wants to offer amnesty (or a path to citizenship as they call it) to those 12 million+ who are already here. But the devil is in my details.

If you ever question the policies and practices of a sitting American President, his (or her one day) will always ask "Do you think you can do better?" Well, I can't navigate the D.C. corridors like a political veteran, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn last night ;-) So I'll give it a shot, let the experts debate, and let history be the judge.

My Plan to Secure the Borders First:

Let's be realistic. The Mexico-U.S. border is approximately 1,951 miles. To build a true and effective physical barrier, it would be the equivalent rebuilding half of the Great Wall of China. Theoretically speaking, if we build a 10-foot wall, the "illegals" will build a 11-foot ladder. Even if it was feasible to build a physical barrier, it would be impossible to physically monitor all of it at all times to truly discourage and prevent breaches. I can go along with those in Congress who represent districts along the border that would like reinforced physical barriers placed along the border of large cities to reduce the flow of narcotics and criminals. But still, that is only a band-aid over a bullet wound. The last time I checked, we were losing the War Against Drugs 181-to-20 with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter. In my opinion, any person with sincere passion and effort can find their way over, around or under any physical barrier(s) we build. And there simply aren't enough law enforcement, military or civilian available to monitor it.

There is ONLY one true way to secure the border from this form (those looking for professional opportunities) of Mexican Illegal Immigration. YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE MAGNET. The magnet are those employers who are willing and able to hire illegal immigrants because of the guaranteed cheap labor. As many pundits point out, even if they do argue for increased wages, the employer can simply ignore them and threaten to have them deported if they don't behave. That, ladies and gentlemen, is CORPORATE SLAVERY IN THE 21st CENTURY. Haven't we all read this chapter of American history before? Just replace the Mexicans with Africans, and "low wages" with "no wages". But I digress.

Willie Sutton, a bank robber, was once asked this question: "Why did you rob banks?" His answer: "Because that's where the money was." I believe the "illegals" break into America because that's where the jobs are! If you restrict their access to jobs, they won't break into America.....at least for that reason. How do you restrict their access to jobs? First, You can start by enforcing the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Specifically the parts that penalize and criminalize the employers that employ illegal immigrants. I know it'll never happen as long as Corporate America finance politics, but it's what has to happen to "turn off the magnet". Second, create a tamper proof National ID card that will actually gives those employers who want to follow the law an effective tool to verify who is authorized to work in this country and who is not. I know the ACLU is going to attack me for supporting that idea, but I have "blind faith" that we can have a National ID program that won't turn us into a Communist state. Outside of assisting with employment verification, it can assist local law enforcement, national security, and prevent voter fraud on both sides. And before you start believing I want to restrict voting by supporting a ID to vote, please remember that I believe convicted felons who have served their time should be allowed to vote, and every state should allow authorized voters to register through election day as that statistically increases turnout.

My Plan to Assimilate the 12 Million Illegal Immigrants Here

After the opportunity is eliminated and the borders are "theoretically" secure, I would give every illegal immigrant employee and their employer 90-days to declare their status and decide whether they intend to remain in the United States or voluntarily return home at their own expense.  Those who will stay should go through the traditional immigration programs and process to become legal American citizens.  There some be some type of extended transitional program because I'm sure it will take extra effort to have them transition from the "shadow world" to the real world.  And that's basically it.  I told you that my plan was a real amnesty plan.  I wouldn't even call it amnesty because in legal terms, I believe that Corporate America engages in a form of "entrapment".  The intent of those Illegal Immigrants who broke into the country looking for a job didn't intend to break the law anymore than husband who breaks the speed limit to get his pregnant wife to the hospital.  

In terms of the employer, I don't believe they should have to pay a fine because they will be penalized by having to pay legal working wages.  I'm sure that once the law took effect, many of the companies would start "liquidating" staff.  The problem with any potential amnesty program is that there would be a requirement to increase their wages because it is driving down the wages of other low income workers within the same industries.  This may be a VERY DIFFICULT challenge to navigate because most employers may start liquidating the minute they smell a provision to bring the wages of illegal immigrants up to par with legal citizens.  So you risk having a amnesty bill that legalizes potentially millions of displaced workers who may not be able to find suitable unemployment because of their lack of education and failure to prove job history.  A federal welfare-to-work program would have so little support that it wouldn't be feasible.  This is where, as President of the United States, I would have to defer to my smarter staff. ;-)

Bottom line, I believe the "guest worker program" that Bush and some Democrats are proposing is worse than the current policy of doing nothing.  We would only go one small step beyond Corporate Slavery and create a Federally-sponsored under-class.  There would be rich, middle class, poor and guest worker poor.  That would be the polar opposite of the CEO pay issue where they are paid too much in relation to their company's performance.  The company would save millions of dollars over time while the "guest workers" would make a little more than minimum wage.  Like I said, I've read this story before and I know how it will end.  Sooner or later, they will get tired of the exploitation and fight for equal rights.  Even under the current system this is bound to happen.  The U.S. will be a minority-majority country by 2050 and I doubt legal Mexican citizens would continue to allow the exploitation of their sisters and brothers when they will have the physical numbers to do something about it.  The current Immigration plan being pushed is only another Bush administration "surge", it is not a solution.   

Who are The Forgotten Forty?

The Forgotten Forty is the 40% of the U.S. population that:

- Represents a indiscriminate collection of Teens, Middle Easterners, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and underprivileged White people.

- Is too poor to be heard, but too rich to be exploited.

- Never gets a call from the Associated Press, NBC News, Zogby, or Gallup to ask our opinion for one of their polls.

- Never have our television viewing habits rated by Nielsen.

- Makes more than minimum wage, but not nearly enough to be affected by an Estate (Death) Tax.

- Use the number in our checking and savings accounts to judge the economy instead of Dow Jones and the S&P 500.

- Know we can do a better job than "W" and the cowardly Democratic Party.

- Could never exploit, compromise, and corrupt themselves to the extent necessary in order to raise enough money to win elected office.

- Has a monopoly on common sense.

- Generally play by the rules and only want our piece of the pie, only to find our piece always have a large chunk bitten out of it.

- Has acted as a witness to history, but is ready to rise and start making it.

- Won't/can't get ahead at the expense of others.

- Always vote our best interests, but always receive representation that only serve the special interests.

- Go to college for an average of 5 years, and spend 10 years paying back the loans.

- Never receives equal value from insurance what we pay into it.

- Wants to be healthy, but can't afford healthy foods and adequate health care.

- Have good jobs, but our salary/wage never matches the rising costs of living.

- Would be better parents, but have to spend more time at work then at home.

- Never has a "promotional code" when we purchase something online.

- Tolerate the "powers that be" that talk AT us instead of TO us.

- Keep the Capitalist Machine at full power as we always try to take two steps forward even when we are dragged two steps back.

- Just want to live and let live.

- Would sacrifice the most to keep this experiment called the "United States of America" alive.

The Forgotten Forty is 40% of this nation that is forgotten, dismissed, or just flat out ignored.

The Forgotten Forty still sleeps in the American Dream.

But The Forgotten Forty is about to wake up!

Who is Mister Anderson?

Who is Mister Anderson?

In this world, we love to categorize and sub-categorize everything and everyone. It's not enough to be a human. You must be labeled down to the finite so you can be properly filed.....and then.....forgotten.

I no longer care how or where I am filed because like the millions of others who share my "demographic", we will be left and locked in cold storage. A place so cold, a place so dark, that even "time" cannot escape. (Wow, that was deep! ;-) So without further delay.....

(***TAKE A DEEP BREATH***)

I am: a single, non-white, 18-34 year old, progressive libertarian, registered Independent, pro-all religions, non-religious myself, fact-based, middle-class, middle America, military veteran, in shape, unhealthy, uninsured, kinda introverted, no kids, high-school education, some college, no criminal background, professional - other, pro-war, anti-Iraq War, pro-choice, pro-death penalty, pro-assisted suicide, pro-stem cell research, anti-cloning, pro-free market, anti-irresponsible free trade, pro-evolution, pro-gay rights, pro-affirmative action, anti-reparations, pro-gun, anti-lethal ammunition, pro-Hip Hop, anti-lifestyle rap, pro-English as the U.S. official language, pro-secure our borders first, anti-punish the illegal immigrants already here, pro-effective social programs, anti-large government, pro-National ID card, pro-felons allowed to vote, pro-ID card to vote, anti-health care for-profit, anti-eliminating private health care, anti-media for-profit, pro-free education K-graduate school for all U.S. citizens who earn it, anti-electoral college, anti-political correctness, pro-porn, anti-partisan, pro-collective good, born in America, male.

I am a pissed off member of the Forgotten Forty.