Crying

I have never had a radio news story make me cry before this morning, but I could not contain my tears while listening to the KGO810 report on housing evictions in the bay area. They were following sheriffs who's sole job has become evictions, which they must execute with alarming frequency. In fact, they estimate 100 per week and rising. Their job is thankless and heart wrenching, but they cannot allow themselves to feel the human feelings of compassion and understanding because they are there at behest of the bank - an entity which is not human & is, therefore, not subject to human feelings. It does not matter whether or not these individuals are to blame for their current situation because they signed a loan agreement that they could not afford; they are now paying the ultimate price. And where will they go, the officers do not know. Some will likely relocate with family members or to a local family homeless shelter - if they have openings. Many of them will find it difficult to find a place to rent due to their foreclosure history. The worst, however, is the people for whom hope is lost and they cannot fathom going on, like the man who the officers found had committed suicide in his living room rather than face his impending eviction.

My question is, how have we come to this? How have we as a nation moved so far from basic human compassion and hope that we the people silenly slip into the abyss while the government that is suppose to be by & for us holds up and defends those same entities that are leaving us to bleed out on the battlefield? I have no answer, only a dream of change and a slight kernel of hope that things may improve.

Stop the witch-hunting of Nancy Pelosi

I have been watching CSPAN quite a bit today and I am utterly appalled over the negative stance being taken by House Republicans against Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I watched her entire speech and I found NOTHING partisan or poisoning about her speech. On the contrary, she reminded me of the reasons why I am grateful that she became Speaker of the House. She was a loud voice speaking up for the needs and concerns of the American people. The reality is that we are a month from an election where EVERY member of the House of Representatives (with the exception of the few who are retiring) will be campaigning for reelection. One-third of the Senate seats are up for reelection. This bill was so unpopular with constituants, does anyone really think that they would risk their political career on a bill that was hastily put together and backed by a government who's economic policys have been more inept that a kindergartener's? I don't believe it. In fact, this bill recieved a yea vote from less than 40% of Republicans and 60% of House Democrats! Among Representatives with highly contested seats, yea voting was 15% for Republicans and 25% for Democrats. For a full view fo the voting record check out: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/09/swing-district-congressmen-doomed.html

In addition, the American Government is currently almost ten trillion dollars in debt!!! The blank check handed to the Executive Branch by Congress has been grossly abused by this administration. For the party of fiscal conservitivism, they sure like to spend a lot! How could they honestly believe that we the people would just hand them a blank check again? This reason is precisely why we are a REPUBLIC not a democracy or a dictatorship. I believe that this could be a turning point in American Government where Congress can assert it back and bring a balance of power back to our government. I hope that it is so.