2008 Election results!! Congrats Michigan!! During this election I voted strictly based on a degree of moderate politics. I choose not to vote for a single republican or democrat. I voted strictly independant and although my votes may have been "wasted" on the politicians I pursued, I gotta say I was proud that my votes on both proposals passed.
Prop 1 was the bill to legalize medical marijuana. Many people say this bill will lead them to legalize marijuana outright, then open up a pandora's box that will allow other drugs to be legalized. I say, "so fuckin' what?" The decriminalization of street drugs would reduce violent crime by nearly 60%. I don't necessarily condone selling heroin and crack in your neighborhood supermarkets but I think by decriminalizing them you're giving the police an option to turn a blindeye and focus on the "Protect and Serve" slogan that they claim to uphold. Mandatory minimum sentences for drug possessions are purely a means to violate human rights.
By keeping drugs illegal we are giving criminals more power. Is little Johnny gonna drop out of school in the 10th grade to sell weed if he's not turning a ridiculously high profit? Probably not. If Marijuana was available at stores then he might as well be going to Sam's club and stocking up on Bubble Yum, because he's gonna have the same margin of profit. Right wingers try to make the point that legalizing drugs will create more addicts. I believe this to be false as well. I have studied countless hours on addiction, I myself am addicted to alcohol. I've spent a month in in-patient rehab, 2 years going to AA meetings, group therapy with alcohol counselors. The same fact remains within all of these circles. There is no higher percentage of people with chemical dependancy now than there was 10, 20, 50, or 100 years ago. 1 out of every 9 people are predisposed to addictive behavior whether it be to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, etc. And that's way it will remain. Legalization of drugs is safer for our communities, it's better for our economy, and it takes the power away from crime lords and and violent smugglers.
During the prohibition era, Al Capone was the richest and most powerful man on the planet and organized crime was at an all time high. After prohibition was relenquished, Capone was just another thug. Did our country go to hell in a handbasket during this period? No, in fact it's probably looked at as the golden age of our countries' history. We'll be just fine with legal pot and decriminalized hard drugs. If the government was really corcerned with people's safety on the issue of drugs, cigarettes would have been made illegal long ago.
Now as far as proposal 2 goes...I have been a staunch supporter of stem cell research for years. I voted yes on this proposal to further expand the research to find cures for many ailments. Mainly diabetes, because my dad has diabetes and I know it's something that will affect me years down the road. I will say however, if I was on the fence about this issue, I probably would have voted "No". They simply had a much better ad campaign on tv. I felt that the "Yes" supporters merely preyed on people's sympathies and did little to describe the facts of their proposal. Whereas the "No" crew did a very good job illustrating the higher taxes that could be enforced on Michigan's citizens, and went on to also describe the other avenues to stem cells that would exclude the usage of human embryos. They also avoided the hellfire and brimstone approach that I was almost positive would be the primary deterant of their ad campaign. One of the ads that did have me laughing was the one that showed all these huge corporations that would use this bill to begin human cloning, even though there is a stipultion within the ammendmant that denies any action of cloning.
Personally, I have nothing against cloning. Ask yourselves this, would the world really be any worse off if there were 2000 more Scarlett Johansson's walking the earth? Probably not. Boom!! Case closed. It would also help us answer the nature vs. nurture debate once and for all. But that is for another blog I will write in the near future.
Overall I have to say I was much more optimistic about this country, and our states' future after this election than I was in 2000 or 2004. I think Obama will do well for our economy and right now that's the main thing. I know that people get bent out of shape about all the small issues but if you look at the history of any country, after the economy is back on the rise, all those little things seem to fall into place.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Election 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The state of Michigan: Marijuana and Stem Cell showdown
Ok so I've established that I'm neither voting for McCain nor Obama. I'll probably write Ron Paul in and hope that many other people do the same. The larger the percentage for a non republican or democrat, the better off we'll be. So if people like Paul, Nader, and Leiberman can successfully steal 15% or more votes from the 2 main parties I think we may finally have a shot to get some moderation and rational thought in Washington.
But enough of the presidential election. This blog is dedicated to the 2 proposals we are currently being told to vote on in the state of Michigan. I would like to shed some light on what voting yes or no on these proposals would mean for us and they are probably the two issues I feel the most strongly about.
Proposal 1 is referred to as the "Michigan Medical Marijuana Act" It would allow patients suffering from debilitating ailments such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS to be granted the legal right to use and grow marijuana after being approved through the department of community health.
I am always amazed whenever I look at the death toll in the world from cigarrette related deaths in the millions and the marijuana death toll sitting strong at "0". Then realizing that marijuana is the one that we have deemed illegal. Scientists have been forced to run biased studies by the American government since the 60's to find proof that it is as dangerous as they say but the results have been so diluded that the arguments tend to fall flat. Marijuana is less deadly than most Americans diets. (and that's excluding fast food)
The real reason Marijuana is illegal in America has a great deal to do with the Mexican Drug Cartel and having a reason to pull over trucks full of Mexicans and send them back to Mexico. I guess this is a double edged sword for me considering I want America to take a harder stance against illegals but I also think Marijuana being criminalized is a travesty. I'm going to vote "Yes" on this proposal, not because I'm a pothead, but more because of common sense and less government control.
Prop 2 if voted yes upon, it would add an amendment to the constitution to expand the research endeavors for stem cells in Michigan. Stem cell usase has always been a passion of mine ever since I heard about them. I feel that they are the key to curing AIDS, Diabetes, Infertility, bad organs, etc. However the right to life crowd is against them mainly because of their old testament witch doctor mindset. They'd rather have human beings die painful deaths or live less than satisfactory lives than use human embryos that would be thrown in the trash regardless to help people. I mean the people who are opposed to this proposal call themselves the "Right to Lifers" but they are taking the right to life away from people that are dying.
I want to take this opportunity to reassure you that I'm not in favor of skinning babies alive, I simply think that if that little puddle of sperm and eggs can be a miracle for someone else, then it's better that we put that little puddle to use. If scientific advances find a way to turn that puddle of sperm and eggs into a living and breathing human being then I'd say that the Pro-lifers might actually have an argument. But if they are just going to be flushed down a toilet, then who's the pro-lifer now bitches?
The folks against this bill have also used bold-faced lies in their ads; saying that the Stem cell research would cost the state oodles of cash which is proposturus. If anything, this research will actually bring jobs to Michigan. The pro-life group publically admitted that they were full of shit and pulled the ad off the airwaves. This type of underhanded jibberish just shows how much they are lacking a logical leg to stand on. Once again illogical religious views are trying to trump cold hard facts.
Of course there is always the natural paranoia for some people in regards to human cloning and genetically altered mutant men, also the black market selling of human embryos for profit. Here's the ammendment in it's true form to hopefully put your worries to rest.
(1) Nothing in this section shall alter Michigan’s current prohibition on human cloning.
(2) To ensure that Michigan citizens have access to stem cell therapies and cures, and to ensure that physicians and researchers can conduct the most promising forms of medical research in this state, and that all such research is conducted safely and ethically, any research permitted under federal law on human embryos may be conducted in Michigan, subject to the requirements of federal law and only the following additional limitations and requirements:
(a) No stem cells may be taken from a human embryo more than fourteen days after cell division begins; provided, however, that time during which an embryo is frozen does not count against this fourteen day limit.
(b) The human embryos were created for the purpose of fertility treatment and, with voluntary and informed consent, documented in writing, the person seeking fertility treatment chose to donate the embryos for research; and
i. the embryos were in excess of the clinical need of the person seeking the fertility treatment and would otherwise be discarded unless they are used for research; or
ii. the embryos were not suitable for implantation and would otherwise be discarded unless they are used for research.
So there ya have it, a little bit of info on the proposals. It's a no-brainer for me to vote "YES" on both props. I'm not saying that you have no brain if you vote "NO" on either one of them...but it does make you stupid. Face!!!
So sick of politics.
Am I the only one that doesn't give a shit about this election? What's the point of democracy anyway? As long as we still have the electoral college, democracy doesn't fucking exsist!! The most votes don't win automatically. Look it up bitches.
Secondly, we never have a candidate worth voting for. Obama or McCain? Who gives a cock? They both have less integrity than the turkey sandwich I just ate. These two cheese-dicks kiss so much corporate ass and special interest groups asses it's sickening. By the time they are elected, they are already millions of dollars in the hole to all the corporations that helped get them elected. Therefore the needs of the people, or "mob" as we are referred to in the constitution get thrown on the backburner and forgotten. That's just politics I suppose. The most qualified people never get into office, because it's a money game. People like McCain, Obama, Hil-dog Clinton, and Mit Romney get all the money for their pandering and cock stroking of the money makers. "Big Oil, pharmeceutical drugs, NRA, pro-life, pro-choice groups." Corporations unfortunately come first in politics. People with integrity like Ron Paul and Ralph Nader tell the corporations to go fuck themselves. Therefore, even though they would be better for our country, they don't have the cash machine backing them.
We need to trash the 2 party system if we want America to be great again. Republicans and Democrats will continue to run this country into the ground with their back room dealings with the companies that are keeping americans from the life that their ancestors fought for. Stop sending me mail for Obama or McCain. Voting for a republican or a democrat is the same as saying that you hate your country. Lets get some balance and logical thought back in the American political landscape.
Vote independant, or vote with your heart, vote for your needs and your families needs. Don't simply vote for the same party you've been voting for your entire life without even hearing the issues first.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The cancer that is: Illegal Immigration
Obviously the issue of illegal immigration is a huge topic for discussion in America today, and it should be. It's pretty apparent that the politicians in Washington aren't gonna do a damn thing about it. I'm sorry that the quality of life isn't great in Mexico, but why should America be forced to bear the burden for Mexico's corruption? I'm all in favor of America looking out for ourselves, which we haven't done recently. With debacles like Vietnam, the Iraq War, and Bosnia I thought we would have stopped trying to help everybody else while we denied ourselves the glory that America can accomplish for her own citizens. I personally have friends on both sides of this argument. My liberal friends are too afraid to be labeled as racists to oppose illegal aliens. My friends that lean to the right are absolutely opposed to immigration in any form. The "right-leaning" friends seem to be in direct contrast to the right-wing politicians in Washington. I suppose the fact that the hispanic voting block in America is huge and anyone that wants to stand a chance at getting elected needs those votes. Also I suppose it could be because the majority of those politicians are getting their campaign contributions from large corporations. These are the same corporations that are benefitting from the fact that these illegals are working for low-as-dirt wages. Which brings me to my first point.
--"Illegal aliens are not doing jobs that Americans wont do." Americans do the same jobs as anyone else. The reason that Mexicans are taking so many jobs from Americans is because they can afford to do them for less than minimum wage. The CEO's end up with an extra 50 million per year in take home pay, but middle class American families cannot survive on minimum wage or less. However, if you're Mexican and you work in America for 6 months out of the year and spend the other 6 months in Mexico, you could live like a king. That's taking money out of our already fragile economy and giving it to Mexico. Why should we be letting a country that so openly hates us, steal away so much of our money and jobs?
--Work is not necessarily the only reason illegals come to America: For many illegals, America is seen as a land of opportunity. Not to work hard and live the American dream, but more to find loopholes and exploit them. 33% of our prison population is illegals from Mexico. Just think about how enormous of a number that is. You gotta figure in America there are so many different categories of people. (Caucasian, African American, Asian, Native American, Latino) then you have all those categories broken down into sub categories such as (born here, immigrant, illegal alien) and a friggin' THIRD of our prison population are Mexican illegals. That's where stats cease to be mere numbers and should be more like a slap upside the head from a 200 pound gorilla. Wake up!!
--Another common loophole is our Welfare system. Up to 42 percent of illegals are on welfare. That's America helping law breakers for not doing anything but sit on their asses and steal from us. People are branded as racist if they suggest that dependency on welfare had become a way of life in inner cities, or that an extremely liberal welfare system was contributing to the family breakdown and juvenile delinquency urban areas. If nothing is ever expected of you, and things are handed to you free of cost for your entire life why would you want to aspire to actually do something for yourself? I'm against lifetime welfare for U.S. born Americans so you can imagine how pissed I get when 42% of illegals are getting it. Welfare should only be available for American citizens and even they should only get it for 6 months per every 3 years. If we actually force some of the dregs of our society to contribute to our economy instead of mooching off it, they would be better off and so would the economy. Households headed by illegal aliens imposed more than $26.3 billion in costs on the federal government in 2002 and paid only $15 billion in taxes, creating a net fiscal deficit of almost $11.4 billion, or $3,100 per illegal household. That's not peanuts!!
--The guest worker program is not the answer to helping Americans: Let's just pretend for a minute that the morons are right when they say, "Mexicans are only doing the jobs that americans won't do." Like their aren't U.S. born Americans that pick lettuce or mow lawns. Give me a break!! Well it turns out that people involved with the guest worker program are being granted H-1B visas that allow them to apply for many great jobs that any American would want. Accountants, Administrators, Programmers, computer scientists, Various engineers, Technicians, Research Associates, Lawyers, Tax Analysts, Teachers, Nurses, Med-Techs, Pharmacists Dental Assistants, Architects, and Day Care to name a few. Every time an alien gets hired in to one of these jobs, it's taking it away from an American citizen. That includes screwing over the the American-born Latino population. This is not a "race" thing, which is what the pro-illegal activists are turning it into. It's a "country thing" and as American citizens it's important for us to want what's best for our country. In March 2003, the American Engineering Association reported that the US high tech sector lost 560,000 jobs between January 2001 and December 2002. It is worthwhile to note that during the same period companies sponsored more H1B and other "temporary" visas than the numbers of jobs lost. Obviously, there could not have been a shortage but employers simply wanted cheaper labor.
--The word "illegal" means it's against the law. Just because you think it's right doesn't change the fact that it's illegal. I think they should legalize marijuana, that doesn't mean I shouldn't be prosecuted if I'm caught with weed on my person.
--Illegal aliens bring Americans Third World Momentum. That includes crime, drugs and diseases. Sooner or later, every American community and millions of Americans will be affected as we allow three million illegal aliens breaching our borders annually without regard to their health, criminal background or drug expansion endeavors.
--In 2003, 77 border state hospitals spiraled into bankruptcy. This is because of the millions of people showing up to hospitals without insurance. 65% of whom were illegal aliens.
--In five years, 16,000 cases of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis breached the Mexican border. In three years, 7,000 cases of leprosy (Hansen's Disease) arrived with immigrants from India, Brazil and the Caribbean. Tens of thousands of cases of hepatitis A transplanted into America. Another South American disease, affecting 14 million and killing 50,000 annually, Chagas Disease, a parasite that attacks the heart and other organs, invades U.S. borders in the bodies of the unchecked illegal aliens.
--The problem of illegal aliens and identity theft: Behind many of the nation’s millions of undocumented workers are someone else's documents. To get a job, illegal immigrants need a Social Security number, and they often borrow one. It's estimated that about 100 thousand or more Americans are sharing their identities with immigrants and don't even know it. If somebody uses your number to get a credit card or car loan, the nation's credit bureau creates a new credit file instead of telling you about it. Just imagine what someone could do to things such as your credit score if they had your identity and there were permanent repercussions for them.
--95% of Mexicans are Catholic. Do we really need any more Catholics? Not really, people that have 12 children because they believe condoms are evil, and people that call someone like the Pope infallible because he wears a funny hat aren't gonna do much for our quality of life as Americans. Over population is gonna be a huge problem in this country with all the Mexicans pouring in here and trying to have as many kids as possible. With this overpopulation comes the cost of America's identity. I don't want Spanish to become a mandatory language in this country.
-- The academic quality of US citizens is dropping because of immigrants. Especially when you consider 66% of Mexican immigrants are high school dropouts and only 4% go on to finish college. Mexican immigration has increased the number of dropouts in the U.S. workforce by 11 percent. Which basically dilutes the quality of product.
--The fact that foreigners can enter our country so effortlessly is scary when thought of in aspects of terrorists. Al-Quaeda could enter America through the same path that the Mexicans take. There needs to be National Guardsmen on our border instead of fighting in some bullshit war across the seas.
--Mexico is NOT a poor country. By sending its teeming masses to our country, the Mexican economy keeps on rising. Mexico has more resources per square mile than the U.S. and plenty of money to take care of its own people. Why should the U.S. taxpayers of this country facilitate Mexico's corruption?
--Mexico is hypocritical: If I were to go into Mexico with no proof of ID and started getting welfare and other "gifts for being lazy" Odds are, I wouldn't simply be deported, I would probably be killed. I can't believe that the Mexican government is calling for the heads of the 2 border patrol agents that shot a drug smuggler in the buttocks who was running drugs into America. The bad part is that the border patrol agents are now in prison and the drug smuggler who was found with 743 pounds of Marijuana was granted immunity. L-A-M-E!!
--Every immigrant that is granted citizenship should have to pass an English exam: The language barrier is a big deal. After watching the movie "Babel" I realized just how many problems can arise without being able to communicate with others. It might sound mean, but I get pissed when I walk into a store or restaurant and the associate that I deal with can't understand me and vice-versa. All I wanna know is that you're at least gonna try to learn English. If you want to live in this country then you should have to embrace our culture.
It's pretty apparent after 7 years with President George W. Douche he is going to continue to turn a deaf ear to all the important issues in America. I doubt if any of the Democratic contenders will do anything about illegal immigrants when they get into office. So basically this blog is all for nothing other than to solidify the fact that 70% of Americans are against illegal aliens and the United States government doesn't do the things that it's citizens ask of it. Here's some stats in closing from NumbersUSA.com to illustrate the financial aspects of illegal immigrants.
>Taxes: Mass immigration costs taxpayers some $87 billion each year. Giving amnesty would nearly triple the already massive federal deficit.
> Schools: Taxpayers fork over some $7 billion each year so illegal alien students can attend public schools.
> Social Security: New proposals to pay retirement benefits to Mexican citizens who worked illegally in the U.S. could cost the cash-strapped Social Security system as much as $345 billion - money that SHOULD be used to pay the benefits WE have been promised.
> Language Barriers: According to economists, poor English skills among foreign-born residents cost more than $75 billion a year in lost productivity, wages, tax revenue and unemployment compensation.
> The Job Market: An estimated 1.8 million American workers are displaced from their jobs every year by mass immigration. Because mass immigration drives down wages, U.S. workers lose an estimated $133 billion a year as a result of open borders.
> Health Care: Mass immigration costs Medicare and Medicaid a whopping $20 billion each year, while federally mandated health care for illegal aliens cost U.S. taxpayers as much as $2 billion annually.
> Welfare: Mass immigration is producing a subculture of government dependents that are nearly twice as likely to be on welfare. Benefits for recent immigrants cost taxpayers an estimated $75 billion each year. (That doesn't include the money they put back in from taxes, but it's still nearly a 12 Billion dollar drain on the economy annually.)
> $ Exported: Mexicans living & working in U.S., sent $12.4 billion to their homeland in the first 9 months of 2004, according to the Bank of Mexico.
> Net Cost: Between 1997 & 2006, the projected total net cost to taxpayers for immigration will be $866 billion.
> Influx: Immigration from 1925-1965 averaged 178,000 per year. As of 2003, we’re taking in approximately 1.1 million legal immigrants & up to 700,000 illegal aliens annually. In 2004, the Border Patrol estimates that 3 million illegal aliens entered the U.S.
> Population: Currently, we have 294 million people, but because of today’s mass immigration, 420 million is projected by 2050.
> Crime: The cost of locking up illegal aliens in CA alone is $1.4 billion a year. These are hard core criminal convicted of gang-related crimes, murder, robbery, drug-trafficking and sex offenses. These undesirable criminal aliens blend in with illegal day laborers and others violating our borders.
