Why the USA is no longer "the greatest" country in the world






Are you with me?

Religion's Experience of God:

 

  I would say that the big three are based on "books" written by men under the claim of being inspired by god.  I don't judge anyone's beliefs about god since I understand them to be experience based.  I think we can agree that human beings do not experience anything in the same way.  Like the poem, "The Elephant and the Blind Men".....each touches a different part and describes what he feels: ie. one touches the side and says the elephant is like a wall.  The "holy books" of religion are descriptions of human experiences of the intangible force we call "god".  My own life experiences have taught me to trust my internal experience over anyone else's experience.  And while I may find verses in the holy books that reinforce my experience, I don't need a religion or it's holy book to define me or mine.  There is a verse in the Christian bible (Letters of John) which helps me tell others about my experience and that is:  "God is love, and he (she) who abides in love abides in God and God in him (her)"   I believe that these books as you said so clearly were written for men by men.  I think religions and their practices give men the assurance that their experience is real.  I think women, in general, experience on an intuitive level (why there are so many women among the religious mystics) and why the rubrics etc., invented by men hold little attraction for women.  Many years ago, the idea of "god is dead" presented a real problem (I believe) for the traditional believer of any religion.  It wasn't so much that god was dead but that god needs to be described by the experiences of many people through time.  God is an evolving concept so those religious people who deny evolution are denying (in my opinion) the presence of god at the heart of the universe.  It's a concept that is no longer rigid or fixed and that can be experienced by any of us without making it a challenge to anyone's beliefs.  Find god or not....it doesn't matter.  What matters is how you live your life inside the reality of your experience.

When politicians are consistently lying to the American People (and yes I know they all lie at some time or the other).  It is up to people like you, reporting on the facts and what is true and what isn't to make sure we know who is lying.  Why?  Have you ever heard of a little thing called Propaganda?  Propaganda would never achieve the perfection of deception without the "press".  "Repeating a lie or many lies over and over until they are believed" is the DEFINITION of Propaganda.  And the best way for that to happen is with the assistance of all forms of what we call "the press".  Mr. Bush's lies are a perfect example...he may have led the country down the garden path, but he couldn't have done it without all of you.  I remember a few who tried to make it clear that there were some problems with his administrations "stories" but not enough of you took the time to INVESTIGATE.  And I think we are right in holding you all accountable for allowing the American people to be PROPAGANDIZED!

Are you with us Chuck Todd?

Child of the 60's

You might find this surprising...I don't!  I am definitely a child of the 60's according to a test I took online:

You are a liberal minded, progressive, and caring person. You believe in love. You appreciate the dynamic days of the 1960s, when people truly wanted to change the world. You believe in justice and equality for all. You can't rest until everyone in the world is treated fairly. You are willing to stand firm for what you believe in, even if no one else is standing with you.

Religious Persecution

Religions of all kinds have been the basis for wars, some against others and at times wars WITH each other. Do I believe people should suffer because they are of one religion or another---I do not, but religion itself is the source of persecution that many have not forgotten and so on it goes. I wonder what would happen if people decided they did not need religion, that they did not need to be organized to follow the teachings of god, already written on their hearts, that they did not need to build churches or mosques or temples or condemn others because they did not participate in the TRUE religion's practices and beliefs? What would happen? I know, the world would finally be at peace because true believers everywhere would recognize the truth in the other that they sought to condemn solely because of their religion. The Muslims you see today are the PICTURE of Christians 600+ years ago. And all true believers believe in the proof of the "Martyr's death" described by Greek philosophers before the time of Christ. The prized believer of any religion is the martyr willing to give his or her life for what they believe and of course the others are happy to oblige them! It's an endless tale of suffering and woe with rewards deferred until after death. Without the need of religions to dominate the world scene what would we have---PEACE, finally peace. So don't tell me about persecution when I know that Christians, Muslims and Jews all look upon it as the PROOF of their righteousness. I was part of the Christian religion until I finally figured out that I didn't need it or the problems it was continually causing for ITSELF. My studies brought me to the truth and indeed the truth has set me free. Many of the teachings of Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth are good for your soul if you follow them rather than try to harangue others with the teachings ABOUT Jesus, which seem to be more important to many Christians I know today. How does it make you feel about your faith that many of your brothers and sisters in faith are dying daily, supposedly just because of what they believe. Does it make you feel better about your faith? Does it make you think that you are a member of the true faith and those doing the killing are monsters? This is the story of religions throughout history---killing those who are not of the true faith in god...go back as far as you can and you will see that this is the real truth about religion and persecution and maybe you will start to understand that you don't need religion to be in touch with god or to live a good life.

The ACA and what it means for us

The ACA and what it means for us:

Today, (December 1, 2013) In the Tampa Tribune came vindication in the form of an article by Nobel Prize-winning Economist, Paul Krugman. Small victories through Medicare and the ACA reducing costs by reducing what we are being charged and many other small victories that will help make Healthcare affordable for all. But one point he made was one that my former doctor failed to make to me because I knew better. Doctors who are upset with some of the most dramatic changes are upset because the "fee for service" model is being lost to them. It was a way that doctors have been making money hand over fist since the late 70's and 80's. Some are extremely upset with this turn of events (one was once one of my doctors) and are trying to make it sound like they will not be able to make a living under the new laws When the real problem is not just making a living but making a huge profit by multiplying the services provided (whether they are needed or not). I was told ...by one doctor that this would lead to doctors abandoning their practices here (retiring or moving somewhere else--I wanted to ask where but when the doctor is treating you, you don't get testy if you understand what I'm saying.) He told me that doctors would now be held accountable for patients who did not take care of themselves (implied "diabetics like me"). This is what is REALLY happening: "Medicare (&ACA) is also encouraging a shift from fee-for-service in which doctors and hospitals' get paid by the procedure to 'accountable care' in which health organizations get rewarded (not penalized) for OVERALL success in improving care while CONTROLING COSTS" It's time to learn the truth and tell the truth even when someone in authority tries to bang you over the head with lies!

Congress For the People?

Congress is, was and always will be Self-Serving. We elect them to do what is best for the country and they end up doing what is best for themselves, their pet companies or which ever lobbyist gives them the best deal (lobbying used to be a crime too--it was called bribery--but Congress took care of that!). They have been working overtime to repeal Obamacare because starting January 1 of next year, they will no longer have Federal Health insurance. They will be required to go through the exchanges like everyone else---but you know they won't do that, they are all very wealthy and some belong among the super-rich (which makes me wonder why we pay them at all)--no, they will buy their own private insurance (maybe some have it already). Privatization is only good for one class of people--the class that can afford the finer things in life while the rest of us have to scrounge for crumbs from their tables. In this country, socialism is touted as evil. People still fear Communism. But what we do have they overlook or pretend is what is great about this country--what do we have? We have a Fascist state, we are only lacking a dictator who will abandon the Constitution. Fascism, according to Mussolini, is another word for Corporatism. And we already worship at the feet of Corporations. How soon will it be before we accept their appointed representative as our Fearless Leader?