Immigration Reform: Mexico Border Fence Is America’s Latest Overreaction

The only way millions of undocumented immigrants will get a chance at citizenship is if we appease the paranoid, delusional and conspiracy consumed minds of many conservatives. The last thing many of these conservatives want to do is grant amnesty to the “illegals.” Of course these are human beings looking for a better life, but they crossed the border illegally, which according to conservatives, is the most heinous crime a person can commit other than being gay.

• • •

What Can Denmark Teach Us About Ourselves?

On The Huffington Post, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders asks (“What Can We Learn From Denmark?“). But I think a better question is: What can Denmark teach us about ourselves? — Senator Sanders talks about the town hall meetings he attended with Danish Ambassador Peter Taksoe-Jensen. During those meetings, people learned about the major differences in quality of life of the average person in Denmark compared to the average person in the United States.

• • •

Boston Marathon Explosions And Modern Society

I don’t have any special insights or exclusive information regarding the two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon today, but what I can say is this — we are not living in a more violent time. We are not witnessing a societal free fall of morals and values. The human race is not degenerating into a vengeful, hateful species with no hope for the future. Chance are this was the work of one person, but I’ll leave that for the authorities to sort out. Even if it was the work of more than one person, they do not represent the rest of us.

• • •

Exxon – When A Company Is This Large, Freedom Takes A Backseat

ExxonMobil - photo by waltarrrrrDoes anybody really believe it’s healthy for capitalism, and more importantly democracy, when one company hauls in a net income of over $40 billion a year? And do you think a company this large, with that much money and power to throw around is not going to disrupt freedom, liberty and civil rights if it suits the interests of the company? And do you think a company this large will not influence government policy, legislation and even local law enforcement? This is not conspiracy theory territory, it’s a simple truth that when you combine human beings with incredibly profitable businesses, you end up with an endless thirst for power.

• • •

MHP: Corporate Welfare Queens, And The America They Hold Hostage

I was glad to see today’s Melissa Harris-Perry (MHP) show focus on the real takers in society, big corporations and their obscenely rich executives. As Americans gather with family today with plates overflowing (as Americans do on just about any holiday), we should remember that tens of millions of Americans rely on food stamps for their next meal.

• • •

Poll: When It Comes To Drones, Most Americans Say ‘Fight Them Over There’

A new Gallup poll shows a strong majority of Americans (65%) support drone “airstrikes in other countries against suspected terrorists.” President George W. Bush was wrong about a lot of things, but he tapped into a sentiment that many Americans feel (right or wrong), that they would rather take out perceived enemies on foreign soil. Bush famously said we would fight the terrorist “over there” so we don’t have to fight them “over here.” And who wouldn’t want their enemies vanquished in some far away land, out of sight, out of mind? As for collateral damage — well, we are at war, right? A one-state war against a tactic, not a nation or an army, but that’s just semantics, right?

• • •

Iraq War: 42 Percent Of Americans Like Being Lied To

Ten years have passed since the start of the Iraq war. In that time, thousands of U.S. service members died, and potentially hundreds of thousands of Iraqi citizens lost their lives. In this decade of war, tens of thousands of Iraq war veterans have suffered physical and mental disabilities, and many will continue to deal with these issues for the rest of their lives. A war of choice, based on a lie, has now cost us over $2 trillion. And the cost is only going to continue to rise with the medical needs of Iraq war veterans for many more decades to come.

• • •