Blame the Taxes, Blame the Govt, but don't take responsibilty? Nah

Got an email (below) which inspired a response.  The response comes first, then the email.

Friends,


Basically I'm ok with taxes. I don't love them, but ... It's the fact we spend more than 1/2 on wars and violence that hurts. And the fact that the USA spends more on our military than *all* countries on Earth combined should have all of us concerned.

If tax money was required to be spent on social programs (include Medicare & social security) & public works, and not on all the fantastical corporate subsidies and 'incentives' for corporations to employ us, and all those guns/missiles/nukes/bombs manufacturers getting public funding, I doubt most folks would be upset about taxes.

The issue is not taxes. The issue is what the govt spends our tax money on.

> Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

No. We are all in this together. If our leadership is sinking the ship, do you blame the captain as the ship sinks, or do you say "we need a new captain, the ship is sinking" and take action?

We are adults in 2011. If the middle east can get rid of their corrupt regimes, if the former colonies can shake off their foreign enslavement, can't we do something about our situation?

Martin Luther King Jr and Gandhi both explain the process clearly.

Peace & Love,
rekzkarz
(re: Email below)
-----------------------------------
> 545 PEOPLE-By Charlie Reese
> Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then
> campaign against them..
> Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are
> against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
>
> Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and
> high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
>
> You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.
> You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.
> The House of Representatives does.
> You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
> You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
> You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
> 100 senators, 435 in the House, 1 President, and 9 Supreme Court justices
> equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally,
> morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague
> this country.
> I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was
> created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty
> to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but PRIVATE, central
> bank.
> I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They
> have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a
> congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if
> they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the
> power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is
> the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
> Those 543 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what
> they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of
> party.
> What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount
> of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood
> up and criticized the President for creating deficits..... The President can
> only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
> The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole
> responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving
> appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He
> is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the
> President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it,
> they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
> It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545
> people who stand convicted - by present facts - of incompetence and
> irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not
> traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth
> that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must
> follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
>
> If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
> If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red ..
> If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want
> them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...
> If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan
> not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
> There are no insoluble government problems.
> Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire
> and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they
> can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from
> whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the
> belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy,"
> "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an
> oath to do.
> Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
> They, and they alone, have the power..
> They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their
> bosses.
> Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...
> We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
> Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.
> What you do with this article now that you have read it......... Is up to you.

---------------------
> This might be funny if it weren't so true.
> Be sure to read all the way to the end:
> Tax his land,
> Tax his bed,
> Tax the table,
> At which he's fed.
> Tax his tractor,
> Tax his mule,
> Teach him taxes
> Are the rule.
> Tax his work,
> Tax his pay,
> He works for peanuts anyway!
> Tax his cow,
> Tax his goat,
> Tax his pants,
> Tax his coat.
> Tax his ties,
> Tax his shirt,
> Tax his work,
> Tax his dirt.
> Tax his tobacco,
> Tax his drink,
> Tax him if he
> Tries to think.
> Tax his cigars,
> Tax his beers,
> If he cries
> Tax his tears.
> Tax his car,
> Tax his gas,
> Find other ways
> To tax his ass.
> Tax all he has
> Then let him know
> That you won't be done
> Till he has no dough.
> When he screams and hollers;
> Then tax him some more,
> Tax him till
> He's good and sore.
> Then tax his coffin,
> Tax his grave,
> Tax the sod in
> Which he's laid...
> Put these words
> Upon his tomb,
> Taxes drove me
> to my doom...'
> When he's gone,
> Do not relax,
> Its time to apply
> The inheritance tax..
> Accounts Receivable Tax
> Building Permit Tax
> CDL license Tax
> Cigarette Tax
> Corporate Income Tax
> Dog License Tax
> Excise Taxes
> Federal Income Tax
> Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
> Fishing License Tax
> Food License Tax
> Fuel Permit Tax
> Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
> Gross Receipts Tax
> Hunting License Tax
> Inheritance Tax
> Inventory Tax
> IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
> Liquor Tax
> Luxury Taxes
> Marriage License Tax
> Medicare Tax
> Personal Property Tax
> Property Tax
> Real Estate Tax
> Service Charge Tax
> Social Security Tax
> Road Usage Tax
> Recreational Vehicle Tax
> Sales Tax
> School Tax
> State Income Tax
> State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
> Telephone Federal Excise Tax
> Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
> Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
> Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
> Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
> Telephone State and Local Tax
> Telephone Usage Charge Tax
> Utility Taxes
> Vehicle License Registration Tax
> Vehicle Sales Tax
> Watercraft Registration Tax
> Well Permit Tax
> Workers Compensation Tax
> STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, &
> our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no
> national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed
> home to raise the kids.

Letter to Representatives & Senator re: budget attack

I emailed Representative Garamendi (thru his website), Senator Feinstein (thru her website), and Senator Boxer (thru her site),

Dear Representative/ Senator,


I am very disappointed in the Democratic Party, but the current inability to defend Social Security & Medicare because of this Wall Street manufactured financial crisis takes the cake.


We don't want these things cut. We need Democrats to stand up for the people of the country.


If the Democrats cannot or will not represent the *CORE ISSUES* of the party, then please open up the discourse so 3rd Parties can have a chance to participate in our government.


We must have representation and defense from predatory groups and organizations who seek to damage the country irreparably.  These groups *are not* foreign terrorists, by the way, which are generally poor small groups. These groups are here in the USA, they possess a lot of money, power, and organization -- and the Democrats don't discuss them because they get money from them just like Republicans.

We need freedom of speech in the USA, and it must be in the congress as well. Please be bold and speak clearly and truthfully about the corruption in Washington and how our Democracy is being sold off (very cheaply) to PAC's and corporations and the ultrawealthy.


Thank you.


(my name)

rekzkarz.com

On Government - audio rant

Another track done for "Audio REvolt"! Sweet

ON GOVERNMENT - rekzrantz 12-16-2009 by REkzkaRZ
I uploaded it to http://SoundCloud.com/rekzkarz

LYRICS are below. (Music is better)

ON GOVERNMENT

I, rekzkarz, a citizen of United States of America, so declare a desire to regain my freedom and protect my natural rights as a living being.

We as human beings share the following rights: the right to food, water, shelter, general safety, and the pursuit of spiritual, emotional, and economic success.

My God is not your God, nor is your God mine. If you have a faith, feel free to use it. If you do not have one, so be it.

My pleasures may not match your pleasures. Grant me my pursuits if no one is hurt. I grant you the same. Should I opt to use a different drug than you, if no one is hurt it can not be a crime. If only I am hurt, please try to help, but do not punish me for my vice.

My acts which harm no-one are not a crime. I claim my rights to live as I will, harming no-one, without punishment by a moralistic, judgemental Government.

I demand the right to choose where my tax dollars go. I have the right to decide, in a democracy, whether my tax dollars go to children or to the war machine.

Lastly, I choose to reclaim parts of my language stolen by propaganda, corporations, and television.

The Department of Defense, I call you The Department of War.
PeaceKeepers, I call you Soldiers.
Our 2 Party Democracy, I call you an Oligarchy or Republic -- until our Government is changed.
Our Founding Fathers, I call you wealthy white slave owners, rulers, and businessmen.

Democrat, I call you the Wealthy Moderate Party.
Republican, I call you the Business, Weath, and Pro War Party.
Pro-Choice, I call you Pro-Female.
Pro-Life Movement, I call you Movement to Defend the Unborn.

The government of this country has choices about which heritage to pursue:

Many Governments of the past have been characterized by despotic tyrants, cruel rulers who are above the laws and rule downwards, using nationalism to steer the masses, forcing obediance, and requiring blind loyalty.

More modern Governments seek to be enlightened, seeing themselves as granted an opportunity to serve their fellow people. These Governments are not above the law nor any fellow citizen, and they seek to form laws to protect rights of everyday people. These governments encourage people to be knowledgable, capable, and self-aware.

Citizens of these countries freely question, may disagree with authority, and have institutions to examine difficult issues -- to get redress. The loyalty these governments create stems from self-love and pride in national character.

Should you, USA Government, return to the mistaken road of dicatatorial rule, your power-mongering will be your undoing.

President Bush & his chronies abused their power, harshly damaged the country, expanded the deployment of the military across the globe without adequately proving the provocation's source, and as such they should all be put on trial and impeached of any benefits they are due.

These few completely abused a system which is growing in the other direction, more towards freedom.

It is upon us, the citizenry, to defend our freedoms.
It is upon the Government, to defend our rights -- without ruining the lives of other free peoples.

California Government Contacts 2007

Congress.org -- excellent site for Elected Officials Contact info

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
Email Web Form

Mayor Gavin Newsom
City Hall, Room 200
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 554-6141
TDD: (415) 252-3107
Fax: (415) 554-6160
Email: gavin.newsom@sfgov.org

Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
TTY/TDD: (202) 224-2501
OR
United States Senate
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
Or call (415) 393-0707
Fax (415) 393-0710
Email Web Form


Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3553
San Francisco
1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 403-0100
(415) 956-6701 fax
Email Web Form

Representative Nancy Pelosi
2371 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0508
Phone: (202) 225-4965
Fax: (202) 225-8259
OR
450 Golden Gate Ave., Burton Fed. Bldg.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 556-4862
Fax: (415) 861-1670
http://www.house.gov/pelosi
E-mail: sf.nancy@mail.house.gov