George Dubya Obama?

Barack Obama promised us change. Since implementing his health care plan, I’ve struggled to see any change between this administration and the previous one. Obama has increased troops and the financial commitment to Afghanistan, still has troops in Iraq, has continued the expensive “war” on marijuana, extended the unpatriotic Patriot Act and has done nothing about Guantanamo Bay. Now, he has started a war with Libya without Congressional approval.

In medical school, they have the Hippocratic Oath. In a president’s oath of office, he swears to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” We might start referring to the presidential oath as the Hypocritical Oath. Check out this quote:

“The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”

That was then-Senator Obama back in 2007, responding in the Boston Globe to a question about under what circumstances a president would have the authority to bomb Iran without first seeking authorization from Congress. How is Libya an actual or imminent threat to us, unless it has something to do with (gasp) oil? Republican Congressman Ron Paul explained on CNN that while it may be a noble gesture, it is unconstitutional.

What is really interesting is that many Democrats have failed to rally behind Obama. Dennis Kucinich, on RT.com, even called it an impeachable offense.

Our poor track record in the Middle East should cause us to beware unintended consequences, but here we go opposing Gaddafi when we really aren’t certain whom we are supporting. Never mind the fact that we can’t afford a third war. What’s another billion or two when you are broke? Our elected officials have an easy time spending our money and don’t seem to have a problem sending our brave young soldiers to die even when we aren’t under attack.

It felt like an appropriate time to wear one of my favorite political t-shirts today, one that shows an elephant behind a donkey mask and a donkey behind an elephant mask and asks, "You Call This a Choice?"

I keep expecting Obama to pull off his mask revealing he is actually George W. Bush. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Where is the change?

Marijuana Re-Legalization Requires Joint Effort

The Liberty Underground Show, which promotes Libertarian views, recently sent an e-mail to every elected official in the Florida State House and State Senate, asking:

 1. Do you support allowing the citizens of Florida to vote on Medical Marijuana?

 2. If not please explain why?

The supplemental information provided many excellent reasons not just for allowing Floridians to vote on medical marijuana, but for the overall re-legalization of pot.

I asked show host Alex Snitker, a 2010 candidate for Florida senator, if going directly after re-legalization of pot would make more sense than targeting only medical marijuana. He replied in an e-mail "completely understand where you are coming from but we have to push the bills that are up there. This one will work if we focus on it. One step at a time." 

There are, however, major problems with that approach. A worker who is legally using medical marijuana can still be fired from their job if they fail a drug test, even if they aren't "high" at work. The DEA can still raid medical marijuana growers as it just did in Montana.

Re-legalization proponents and medical marijuana supporters must work together. Although support is mounting for ending the costly war on pot, the opposition remains formidable. It includes those in the business of arresting, jailing, testing and treating. The tobacco and alcohol industries work hard to keep pot illegal because they perceive it as competition, as does the pharmaceutical industry. Chemical, plastics, timber and fuel companies all oppose the legalization of hemp. The federal government does not allow independent testing of marijuana, the testing it does allow studies possible harmful effects and completely ignores the potential medical benefits. Its anti-pot propaganda, which has often portrayed myths as facts, has been extremely effective. Or has it? 

FBI figures reveal more than 850,000 people were arrested for marijuana violations in 2009, nearly 90% of them were charged with possession only. 
Despite prohibition, studies have shown marijuana use is on the rise with more than 16 million Americans smoking it each month.


So, maybe another question should be posed to our elected officials- How can you "just say no" to re-legalizing marijuana?

Retailers- Greedy or Needy?

When you walk into many retail stores, it is next to impossible to find anyone to offer you assistance. Those employees you do see have that ‘deer in the headlights’ look because they are frantically attempting to do the jobs that once required two or three employees to complete. It is hard to understand why retailers appear understaffed, considering the Labor Department says the unemployment rate dropped again last month. That's refreshing news for our economy, especially after viewing the unemployment growth the past few years on the map below.



We should keep in mind their numbers reflect the amount of people requesting unemployment benefits. The actual percentage of unemployed Americans is much higher than the 8.9% cited by the Labor Department.

Increased hiring was seen in manufacturing, construction, transportation and government agencies. That was certainly related to an increase in spending, as retailers reported increased sales in the wake of the best holiday shopping season since 2006.

While the decreasing unemployment rate is positive, economists suggest retailers that cut their payrolls during the past few years need to begin hiring again in order for our country to continue climbing out of this economic mess. However, as MarketWatch recently reported, retailers appear to be lagging behind other industries in hiring. That is not unusual this time of year because typically when the holiday season ends, business slows. However, retailers reported revenue gains for February.

Why aren't they increasing payroll hours? Is it greed or caution? One valid argument often heard is the government is imposing too many taxes and regulations on businesses. However, retailers need a strong economy to flourish, and that isn’t going to reach maximum potential until they loosen the purse strings on their payrolls. What a great public relations opportunity for a bold major retailer to be the first to step up and proclaim, “we are leading the way in hiring, creating more jobs because it will help the American economy, although it may cut into our profits initially it is the patriotic thing to do.”

In the retail business world, can patriotism trump greed?

When Harry Met Censorship

Harry Belafonte is best known as a calypso singer. Did you see the movie "Beetle Juice?" It featured a memorable scene in which a group of friends seated at a table involuntarily began singing along to "The Banana Boat Song," which many refer to as "Day-O." That is Harry Belafonte's music.

Harry Belafonte's message is more about politics, and is especially focused on America's foreign policy and civil liberties, about which he has been very outspoken for years. There is a new documentary, Sing Your Song, which details his life and his work. Belafonte once expressed his concern about censorship with a memorable quote, "You can cage the singer, but not the song." It is such a great quote, I decided to paraphrase Belafonte in naming my blog. Like Belafonte, I am greatly concerned about protecting our civil liberties. People who wish to violate our Constitutional rights often ask, "why should you worry if you have nothing to hide?" You'll hear that question when it comes to full-body searches at airports, unwarranted sneak and peek break-ins of citizens' homes by government agents, or random drug tests in our workplaces.

I wonder why the same people who use that defense feel it doesn't apply when it comes to WikiLeaks? They say it is perfectly alright for little Susie the retail clerk to lose her job because a random drug test revealed she smoked a joint once last month, but it is off limits for an elected official's illegal actions to be revealed. Do WikiLeaks' opponents wish Richard Nixon's crimes had gone unreported and unpunished? Are we better off knowing the types of things Salon.com points out are the most important in its 10 Most Important WikiLeaks Revelations? I wonder if WikiLeaks would even be relevant if our media was not dropping the ball on performing its job as government watchdog.

My blog will not be limited to questions of censorship or freedom of the press. I simply wish to point out some issues that might warrant discussion and closer scrutiny. And, if it also makes people jump up and sing "Day-O" then that is fine, too.