Weddings here, weddings there, everywhere a wedding November 24, 2004

Been away for a long time. So very busy.

First, the Dan and Lindy wedding website is up and running. It has information on events, directions, accommodations, stories, and pictures. Also, I recently added a countdown to the wedding day and a message board. Visit the site at…

http://www.wedding.kokopop.com/

In non-wedding news, Lindy and I just got back from a weekend trip to California. We went to a wedding (a friend of Lindy’s) on Saturday and spend the rest of the time with my brother Glen, my sister-in-law Katie, and their three sons, Ethan, Jared, and Matthew. We played, we laughed, we rode bikes, we had religious debates, and saw the Incredibles. Ethan, Jared, and Matthew are each so perfect in their own way. I had a great time and I miss them all already.

Whirlwinds and Weddings November 16, 2004

Today: Do my job, go to school, plan a wedding.

Tomorrow: Do my job, graduate, fulfill career ambitions, buy a house, create a new political party in New York.

So very busy. Here is an update:

The wedding is on! January 15, 2005, George Washington Manor. Go to http://wedding.kokopop.com for more information. The site is still being updated to be patient.

The Democrats have put a pro-life proponent as their leader in the Senate. Mr. Reid also sponsored a constitutional amendment that would have banned flag-burning. He is a junior Senator from Nevada, a state known for gamblers, prostitution, and corruption. And with this begins the downfall of the Democratic party.

Condoleezza Rice, as expert on foreign relations (specifically Soviet foreign relations (of course there is no more Soviet union) was made Secretary of State after Colin Powell resigned. Would Bush have won the election if Powell publicly said that he planned on resigning? Did anyone know about this and could have leaked it to the press during the election? Ms. Rice has the simple task of fulfilling Mr. Bush’s goals, such as peace in the Iraq, a new Palestinian state, the destruction of terrorism, and building meaning allies around the world. Of course Bush said he would do all this within one year,

And out soldiers killed more Iraqi insurgents. Of course, those insurgents aren’t fighting against Iraq, they are fighting against us. Why don’t we just leave them alone? They aren’t hurting anyone. What are our goals? And what happens why Iraq “democratically” chooses a radical as its leader. If “free” elections were held, do you think they would vote for a US puppet or some great religious leader?

And the last question is: Is there anything that come out of the US investigating how many billions Russia and France paid to Saddam Hessian through the corrupt oil for food program. What are we going to do, fine France? They will deny everything and it will just make for bad blood. Than again, we can’t just forget about it.

Hypocrisy in the Church of the 21st Century November 10, 2004

Here is the advice of great philosopher. His followers made him god and than forgot all of his earthy words.

“Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. “”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.”

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of god”

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches).”

“Judge not, that you be not judged.”

Just reading these words, what would this philosopher think of a person who earns millions of dollars, takes away programs for the poor, ignored the starving populations around the world, who hunts their enemy (promising their death as justice), and who starts wars.

If these words are true, I would like to be there when they are indeed judged.

This and that November 8, 2004

Here are some random thoughts, insights, and questions from the last few days.

I called the IRS hotline to try to find out a tax question. I had looked for my answer online and spent several hours over the past week doing so. The IRS seemed like my last resort. As it turned out, the phone was picked up very quickly after only two automated prompts. After explaining what I was looking for, I was transferred to an actual person who picked up right away. He had all my answers and even gave me the exact tax code reference when I asked. He was friendly, informative and efficient. Who would have guessed?

Why are US troops attacking Falluja. What is the rush, the insurgents aren’t hurting the locals, but not wait until the Iraqi army can handle this. Why occupy a city that doesn’t want us. If we are leaving pretty soon anyway, what is the point, what are our goals?

Planning a wedding is stressful, but all things can be worked out. I’m trying to remember that everyone has different priorities and different perspectives. Also, fundamental differences can not merge into one middle ground, instead compromise one thing for a separate thing seems to work. Maybe this can be the same in Politics, maybe the President should be a moral figurehead, and than we could have a Prime Minister to do the actual work.

Ever since I started this blog, I have written almost nothing in my next novel. I don’t think it is completely a coincidence.

As lastly, I wanted to clarify my position on the future of New York State. I do not believe or promote that New York should in any way violate any laws against the United States. The goal of my fledgling organization is to “allow the people of New York State to vote on a legitimate referendum calling for the creation of a independent nation within the boarders of New York.” I am not saying what we should do after this vote or if it should be acted on in any way. All I am doing is promoting a referendum, which I believe in clearly protected by the first amendment.

I am considering calling my fledgling organization, “Progressive Nation”, what do you think? Any other suggestions?

Taxation without Representation November 5, 2004

Not only does New York only have two Senators even though they are more people in New York that the total population of 16 smaller states (who get a total of 32 Senators), but New York only gets 8o cents on the dollar of Federal Taxes. For every buck we pay, the Federal government gives 20% of that to other states. So I was wondering, who did the states who are paying more towards Federal taxes than they receive, vote for? Could it be that all the States with sweetheart deals voted for Bush? Let’s see, here are some statistics from the Census Bureau; Tax Foundation’s “State-by-State Tax Burden Allocation.

Of the top 13 states are get the least federal assistance as a proportion of what they pay, 11 of the, voted for Kerry. New Jersey has the worst ratio in the country, while New York is 10th.

Of the top 13 states that pay the least amount of Federal Taxes and get the most, 12 of them went for Bush. New Mexico and Alaska both voted for Bush and each gets almost twice as much money as their paid.

I will try and get the full chart on-line somewhere so you can see how ridiculous this is. The States that voted for Bush are taking advantage of the system and as long as they get just as much power in the Senate as the more populous states, they will continue to steal from them.

“In 2002, the last year for which data are available, New Yorkers sent $65.9 billion in federal taxes to Washington, and yet the federal government sent only $54.5 billion back, according to the mayor’s office. In one year, more than $11 billion was sucked out of New York”.

$11 Billion is a lot, we deserve it since we earned it.

I see no other way. November 3, 2004

It is the day after. Nothing has changed. This country is now capable of electing a president based solely on morals and faith. I am not proud of this or the actions of my fellow citizens. I am saddened, but that is no solution. I am angry, but that is no solution. I want change, but wanting is reactionary.

As I described the two basic ideologies permeating this country in a previous post, I now belief that the faith-based one will continue to grow and spread throughout this country. Supreme Court Justices will be appointed, wars will be fought, faith will replace evaluation. And this government is supposed to be represented me, and it does better than any other country in the world, but that is not enough.

The only solution is that a new country be formed, starting with New York state and invited any other who wish to join. A new country which will be responsive to the needs of the people. A country self-sufficient to provide for its defense, provide education, provide social services, and provide reasonable laws, freedom of expression, and civil rights.

Over the next year, I will see if this is a feasible idea. I have no intention of starting a civil war, instead I am suggesting a new political party with a single goal. Once party members gain control of the state Senate and Assembly, as well as the Governor’s office, than a referendum will be voted on by the people of New York. If accepted, New Yorkers will no longer be required to pay taxes to the United States and will provide all the necessary services of an independent nation to it’s citizens. If the United States government does not recognize this new country, that they will have to send troops. If the United States truly believes in Democracy than I say that must allow the will of the people to be accepted.

I see no other way.

I see no other way.

It is the day after. Nothing has changed. This country is now capable of electing a president based solely on morals and faith. I am not proud of this or the actions of my fellow citizens. I am saddened, but that is no solution. I am angry, but that is no solution. I want change, but wanting is reactionary.

As I described the two basic ideologies permeating this country in a previous post, I now belief that the faith-based one will continue to grow and spread throughout this country. Supreme Court Justices will be appointed, wars will be fought, faith will replace evaluation. And this government is supposed to be represented me, and it does better than any other country in the world, but that is not enough.

The only solution is that a new country be formed, starting with New York state and invited any other who wish to join. A new country which will be responsive to the needs of the people. A country self-sufficient to provide for its defense, provide education, provide social services, and provide reasonable laws, freedom of expression, and civil rights.

Over the next year, I will see if this is a feasible idea. I have no intention of starting a civil war, instead I am suggesting a new political party with a single goal. Once party members gain control of the state Senate and Assembly, as well as the Governor’s office, than a referendum will be voted on by the people of New York. If accepted, New Yorkers will no longer be required to pay taxes to the United States and will provide all the necessary services of an independent nation to it’s citizens. If the United States government does not recognize this new country, that they will have to send troops. If the United States truly believes in Democracy than I say that must allow the will of the people to be accepted.

I see no other way.

Election Day and the future of the "United" States. November 2, 2004

Today is the big day. Election Day. The day when the United States is supposed to lead by example. Our leaders say that we want to spread the democracy throughout the world, but our democracy has come down to a few days a year for most of the population. George Bush contends that democracy is enough to make a country flourish, that it will lead to equal rights, free speech, and other wonderful things that this country enjoys. But in reality, modern democracy (many call it a republic) is about elected an official to make the decision for you and nothing more. Those leader can give rights or take them away will equal legitimacy.

Today this country is choosing the their most important official, their President, based on ideology. This is significantly different than when Presidents were chosen because of their success, looks, policies, name, experience, wisdom, or anything else that has to do an actual individual. This election is not about George Bush and John Kerry, it is about being faith-based or not. George Bush represents an ideology long engrained in American culture, but that had been diminishing from American politics. George Bush represents the belief that men are more than just the sum of the facts, that god plays an active role in the life of those men, and those chosen as the leaders of men are not to be challenged. John Kerry represents the status quo, representing what American politics and culture has been progressive towards over the last 100 years. It is a belief that are responsible for themselves and for each other, that evaluating information can lead to the choices that are most likely to achieve goals, that leaders act in the best interest of the people and are responsive to and accountable for their actions.

That is what I see when I look at this election; however, the media has made it much more difficult to see clearly. The war on Iraq, terrorism, the economy, gay marriage, international relations, the deficit, all of these are tangible things that can be changed or fixed over time. However, an ideological change is different. If Kerry wins, this country will continue down the road it has been on for 250 years; however, if Bush win that road will be diverted. A Bush win changes what American is a fundamental way.

Regardless, the fact that the election is so close means many Americans are willing to make that change. But the true test for that will be if Kerry wins, who the republicans will pick in years. If they choose another faith-based candidate than we will know that this country will not be able to continue on a single path. A country cannot succeed if its people do not want the same things. Two ideologies, two geographic regions, two histories, two values, two economies. Can you look into the future; do you see what I see?

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In the comments section, make your predictions for what you think is going to happen today, tomorrow, next year, next century (as it relates to this election). It should record your time and than we can see if we were right or not.

Election Day and the future of the "United" States.

Today is the big day. Election Day. The day when the United States is supposed to lead by example. Our leaders say that we want to spread the democracy throughout the world, but our democracy has come down to a few days a year for most of the population. George Bush contends that democracy is enough to make a country flourish, that it will lead to equal rights, free speech, and other wonderful things that this country enjoys. But in reality, modern democracy (many call it a republic) is about elected an official to make the decision for you and nothing more. Those leader can give rights or take them away will equal legitimacy.

Today this country is choosing the their most important official, their President, based on ideology. This is significantly different than when Presidents were chosen because of their success, looks, policies, name, experience, wisdom, or anything else that has to do an actual individual. This election is not about George Bush and John Kerry, it is about being faith-based or not. George Bush represents an ideology long engrained in American culture, but that had been diminishing from American politics. George Bush represents the belief that men are more than just the sum of the facts, that god plays an active role in the life of those men, and those chosen as the leaders of men are not to be challenged. John Kerry represents the status quo, representing what American politics and culture has been progressive towards over the last 100 years. It is a belief that are responsible for themselves and for each other, that evaluating information can lead to the choices that are most likely to achieve goals, that leaders act in the best interest of the people and are responsive to and accountable for their actions.

That is what I see when I look at this election; however, the media has made it much more difficult to see clearly. The war on Iraq, terrorism, the economy, gay marriage, international relations, the deficit, all of these are tangible things that can be changed or fixed over time. However, an ideological change is different. If Kerry wins, this country will continue down the road it has been on for 250 years; however, if Bush win that road will be diverted. A Bush win changes what American is a fundamental way.

Regardless, the fact that the election is so close means many Americans are willing to make that change. But the true test for that will be if Kerry wins, who the republicans will pick in years. If they choose another faith-based candidate than we will know that this country will not be able to continue on a single path. A country cannot succeed if its people do not want the same things. Two ideologies, two geographic regions, two histories, two values, two economies. Can you look into the future; do you see what I see?

—————————-

In the comments section, make your predictions for what you think is going to happen today, tomorrow, next year, next century (as it relates to this election). It should record your time and than we can see if we were right or not.