Well, one could say the Senators are finally earning their pay as they stay in Washington over the weekend! Multiple things to discuss - the Rand Paul Amendment (regarding foreign policy). This amendment is to ensure that aid to Pakistan, Egypt, & Libya will be restricted immediately. This is mainly due to the unrest within the region and the stated nations do not hold the same values as the United States. Earlier today, Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) made a pleading case that the United States needs to "stop funding dictators" and to also allow the chance for the United States to take a lesson from the "Arab Spring" and the events surrounding the fallen dictators within the region. I find it interesting that Senator Paul would attempt to compare the "Arab Spring" to something the United States should endure. While the junior senator from Kentucky was talking about the various dictators using the aid on their family (by buying Bentleys, Ferraris, and other high-priced cars) instead of giving to the people, he also reminded the listeners that those citizens - I remember he named African countries in general - living off of of $2.00 USD a day. I guess I am a little confused by this: It is not okay to fund those that clearly have money and (abuse such allocations) while the working citizens get no results in a foreign nation; but, it is not okay to have the wealthiest of our citizens to pay a little more, because they clearly have money also, and provide services to the working & middle class within our own county's borders? Furthermore, how is it okay to give "tax breaks" or "tax incentives" (feel free to use whichever rhetorical term that most aligns with your political preference) to the very "American dictators" who were in charge of our financial system which is finally starting to get off life support?
I also find it interesting that even members of Senator Paul's own party are against this notion. On CNN's show: Erin Burrnett: Outfront, Ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee John McCain stated that this was a bad idea. He actually said that "these isolationist members of our party fail to look at history. In the [19]30s & 40s under Eisenhower, after World War II, because of our isolationist thought we suffered dearly for it. Whenever we attempt to return or conceive that isolationist idea without looking at history, we always come to a unfortunate ending."*
I really don't believe this amendment will pass, as it needs sixty votes. If anything, Senator Rand Paul may get 8 votes on his amendment (if that). Time will tell.
*I am certain I paraphrased his quote. Also, I was off the votes by two.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Fired Up & Ready to Go - DNC Aftermath
Well, I've had time to recover from all of the excitement of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. What a wonderful experience! I enjoyed seeing, and meeting, so many new people. I met so many amazing political figures; for example, I shared an elevator with General Wesley Clark (and met Congressman Kucinich)!!! The speeches were wonderful and very inspiring as well!
First things first, I was so honored to be apart of two historic caucuses! For the record, I did attend four caucuses: The Hispanic caucus, the Disabilities Caucus, the LGBT caucus, and the Women's Caucus (I also attended the Small Business Council). Each of these caucuses are important in one way or another to me. The only thing I can really say, regardless of your political affiliation -you should at least go to one convention. It is certainly a "wow" moment. I even got quoted in the StarTribune and appeared on MSNBC's Hardball With Chris Matthews! There is so much I could write about my time at the DNC, but I will try not to bore you too much with it.
In other news though, and I promise it isn't political, I'm taking a class at Western Carolina this semester. Furthermore, I have been accepted as a non-degree seeking student next semester which will allow me to take classes and figure out what I really want to get my Master's degree in regarding a field of study. I am still deciding whether it will be Public Administration or English with a concentration in Composition & Rhetoric. Speaking of Rhetoric, the class I am taking this semester is...Political Rhetoric! I love the class so far even though I'm not a fan of Immanuel Kant.
Okay, back to politics for a second. While I know that I wrote a blog entry supporting Hayden Rogers, I am really not sure if I can fully support him in the general election. The main reason is that he is a "blue dog" democrat and I am a "yellow dog" democrat. I know I certainly will NOT be voting for Mark Meadows (anyone who is endorsed by Rick Santorum will NEVER receive my vote). As for the governor's race....Walter Dalton all the way! I also hope Minnesota will vote No on their amendment; and, I hope Washington State will approve Referendum 74. Maine & Maryland will hopefully vote in favor of the LGBT community. With 50 days left, I will continue to campaign for all of the issues and causes that I believe and support.
By the way, it feels great to write a blog post and I really have to write more of them. Also, I'm the one waving in a white long-sleeve shirt and I think I am holding up four fingers chanting, "4 more years!"
First Lady Michelle Obama speaking at the Women's Caucus!
First things first, I was so honored to be apart of two historic caucuses! For the record, I did attend four caucuses: The Hispanic caucus, the Disabilities Caucus, the LGBT caucus, and the Women's Caucus (I also attended the Small Business Council). Each of these caucuses are important in one way or another to me. The only thing I can really say, regardless of your political affiliation -you should at least go to one convention. It is certainly a "wow" moment. I even got quoted in the StarTribune and appeared on MSNBC's Hardball With Chris Matthews! There is so much I could write about my time at the DNC, but I will try not to bore you too much with it.
In other news though, and I promise it isn't political, I'm taking a class at Western Carolina this semester. Furthermore, I have been accepted as a non-degree seeking student next semester which will allow me to take classes and figure out what I really want to get my Master's degree in regarding a field of study. I am still deciding whether it will be Public Administration or English with a concentration in Composition & Rhetoric. Speaking of Rhetoric, the class I am taking this semester is...Political Rhetoric! I love the class so far even though I'm not a fan of Immanuel Kant.
Okay, back to politics for a second. While I know that I wrote a blog entry supporting Hayden Rogers, I am really not sure if I can fully support him in the general election. The main reason is that he is a "blue dog" democrat and I am a "yellow dog" democrat. I know I certainly will NOT be voting for Mark Meadows (anyone who is endorsed by Rick Santorum will NEVER receive my vote). As for the governor's race....Walter Dalton all the way! I also hope Minnesota will vote No on their amendment; and, I hope Washington State will approve Referendum 74. Maine & Maryland will hopefully vote in favor of the LGBT community. With 50 days left, I will continue to campaign for all of the issues and causes that I believe and support.
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