I have no great remedies or solutions to the aforementioned crises I've written about in the previous four posts--just observations and comments.

In my opinion, democracy in the United States is in peril. We have become a totalitarian country. Corporations and Wall Street run our nation. Corporate media control what we read, watch and hear. But to listen to their rhetoric, they purport to cherish democracy, patriotism, and the Constitution. We live in a world of propaganda.

We were mislead into a war with Iraq. Large banks mislead millions of home owners and investors. It seems every "important" person that speaks to the public purposefully misrepresents or skews the truth.

Will Rogers was quoted as saying, "I only know what I read in the newspapers." Not much has changed. Unfortunately, what we read (watch and hear) is more propaganda.

In President Obama's speech to the nation (last night, June 22), we were led to believe the "war" in Afghanistan is all but over. Troops are being withdrawn, blah blah. But we will still be there in three years. More money down that rat hole.
Obama says we need to do this and that "right here in America". Sounds good, but "where's the beef?"

Don't get me wrong. I like President Obama. He's a personable, well-meaning, conscientious guy (and I love Michelle). He's certainly better than any Republican running for president. However, I think his "centrist", politically correct stance is not good for the future of our country.

When the union workers (including policemen, teachers, and firefighters) of Wisconsin stood up to the state legislature and governor, Obama stayed far away. Same in Ohio and Indiana. Who does our president and government back up (prop up?)? Not the working taxpayers, consumers, or communities (mayors asking for money). No. It's the large corporations, banks, Wall Street that get bailed out.

Obama is good at boosting morale as he roams factories, speaks to soldiers, visits tornado sights, etc. He hugs, consoles, and speaks words of encouragement to people and a nation with a dagger in its chest. "You'll be alright, hang in there". In his "Afghan" speech, he pulled the knife out a quarter of an inch. It's still in there, still bleeding. PULL THE DAMN THING OUT! STOP THE BLEEDING!

But our president is not the problem. We are. We are apathetic. Perhaps we feel helpless. The sense of hopelessness induces a kind of indifference. We allow those that care, the Tea Partiers, for example, to steal the show.

I'm a Democrat, but I'm ashamed of my party. We are weak and ineffectual. We are too "mainstream". We are little better than the Replublicans. We need to listen to the Ralph Naders, Michael Moores, David Guggenheims. We must stand up for our principles, forget compromise and wishy-washiness.

I say to you, Mr. President, stand up and fight. Speak out for gun control, abortion rights, gay marriage. Put your money where your mouth is: monetarily support solar/wind research/production, infrastructure, carbon emission reduction, etc. etc. All those things you say we should be doing (including bringing soldiers home), DO IT!!!

Perhaps if you, Mr. President, would think less about becoming re-elected (which I hope you will be), pandering to the public, and more about what really needs to be done to solve the problems of war, the economy, education, the environment, corporative dynasties, and all the rest, perhaps we just might be able to survive the mess we're in.

Am I being a pessimest? Not at all. Call me a concerned realist. It is America as it is, period.