FREE ISN'T FREE

FREEDOM OR FREE?  DIALOGUE OR DEBATE?

This is the video shown at a recent Conservative Party Action Committee national event.  Of course it is a political message.  As you can seen it is drawing the topical battle-lines with a heavy emphasis against the Far Left Socialist side of the Democratic party with the radical stances of it's leaders, particularly those rising in popularity.

The fundamental difference boils down to the virtues of freedom and less government control versus the percieved benefits of more government control and the need to forego freedom for them.

The Left conflates "free" with "freedom." Their appeal is free health care, free college education and other ways in which government will provide you FREEdom.  The right recognizes that "free" is an illusion, and "free" removes freedom of choice and typically comes at an overall price to society that is higher than it would have been if market forces such as innovation, competition and entrepreneurship were given the freedom to operate.

... you might say that the consequences of "free" are outweighed by the benefits of "freedom."

Government has a role to play in either the Left's or the Right's model.  The way that role is defined is essentially what the fight between the Left side of the Democratic party and the Right side of the Republican party is all about.

The centrist or moderate perspective is to work together in order to find a workable compromise.  In simplest terms, the difference between the "far sides" and moderate Centrist is played out through  debate rather than a dialogue. The far sides seeks a win-lose outcome.  Moderate Centrist seek a win-win outcome.

In order to have a dialogue and a win-win outcome, both sides have to build trust and respect and let go of resentment and bitterness. The media loves a good fight!  And so they actively stir the pot and inflame feelings. And so do nearly all political ads.

Politics is a war of ideas but it is fought using the weapon of emotion, with fear being one of the most suitable.  Fear triggers and brings out reactions of anger and hostility.  Fear sells newspapers, or these days clicks. The media is as guilty as politicians, if not more so, of exploiting fear.

This is NOT to say that either side doesn't have legitimate fears.  But the paths to resolution could not be more different between an approach of respectful dialogue and debate!

The farther both political Parties move to their respective outer side, the more acrimonious the climate in this country will get.  It is difficult to say where that leads to. But one thing for sure, that is a more stressful and painful path.

THE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

WE ARE BETTER THAN TODAY

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FAIR, SMART AND NOT VINDICTIVE TAXES

The top 1% pay over 40% of taxes.  The top 5% pay ~60% of income taxes. Fair enough?

NOT Fair enough. Add in property, sales, and payroll taxes.

Still not fair enough? Add in PHILANTHROPY!

Still not fair enough? Keep this in mind too.
The wealth of the wealth was ALREADY taxed while it was being accumulated.  In addition, much of the rich's wealth is held in businesses and investments which provide substantial employment and also pay taxes. Plus the wealthy's luxury purchases generate substantial sales taxes that supports local economies and provides a very meaningful section of the economy with jobs that pay good wages.  Someone has to build and maintain their mansions and yachts.

Still not fair enough?  The President's tax and regulatory policies have produced the highest employment in history and the greatest wage growth in over a decade.

WHAT IS THE END GAME?
Punitive taxes and wealth distribution for what?  To spend more??

There are some taxes and spending that do make sense:
- Higher gas taxes to fund transportation improvements.
- A special limited tax on air travel to fund air traffic improvements.
- A tax on oil and natural gas production to fund ports and waterway improvements in a public-private partnership.
- A national sales tax on Internet transactions that is distributed to local governments based on collections geography.
- Closing loopholes on offshore revenues by wealthy who use offshore shelters.
- Tax credits for businesses that employ people with high risks for unemployment, such as ex-cons, training programs for people who did not finish high school.

WE HAVE TO BE SMART, NOT JEALOUS AND VINDICTIVE!
Our National Debt is such that any new tax revenues have to be spent and invested very wisely. Those tax revenues must be targeted in ways that expand the GDP, and increase the productivity of labor, business and government!  We need to start digging ourselves OUT OF DEBT, publicly, privately and even personally.

HIGH HOPES FOR PEACE

THE WORLD IS READY FOR BIG BOLD NEW APPROACH TO PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

The Trump Administration is starting to foreshadow the announcement of their Middle East Peace Plan in April.

It is surely no coincidence that Kushner chose the start of the month of Nissan on the Hebrew calendar.  Nissan is a month associated with miracles.  Expect to see other profound associations between the devine and the physical world in the design of the new plan. It is no coincidence that Kushner is now going around to Arab countries collecting "gold & silver" to build a better future in Israel for both the Palestinians and the Israelis.  Surely students of Torah can see my point.  There are practical physical things going on to prepare for a miracle. 

I HAVE HIGH HOPES . . .

I look forward to the announcement of the new plan for peace that Kushner has been working on.  It is likely to be a very different and exciting approach, with significant practical elements which create great opportunities for prosperity, a better quality of life and a fresh start.  It may be a brilliant new paradigm that finally alters the way we perceive the future for the two sides and how the Palestinians and Israelis can not only coexist but thrive together. 

If so, if the plan is as promising as I hope it will be for the Palestinians especially, it will cut the legs right out from underneath Hamas, and force Fatah's hand.  In the court of world public opinion, Hamas will lose it's leadership credibility and be fully exposed for the corrupt, destructive, hateful and lying organization it is.

The choice that the Palestinian people will have to make, between new leadership with a fresh new vision verses the failed Hamas and Fatah leadership, will be the greatest ultimate test of the Palestinians. 

What could be truly amazing is the reaction to the new plan by Israel's Middle eastern neighbors, particularly Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.  I would not be surprised to hear them enthusiastically support Kushner's bold plan in words and deeds.

I stand with Israel, but we all would be happy to see the Palestinian people living happy, peaceful and productive lives in harmony with the Israeli people. 

Time will tell. IT'S TIME!

NISSAN WILL ARRIVE SOON. LET'S ALL HOPE/PRAY FOR A MIRACLE.

PREDICTION OF POSSIBLE PLAN:
First a preface - With the Israeli election decided and Netanyahu serving another, and historic term, Bibi can take decisive actions to deal with the Palestinians that were not likely prior to the election.

In addition, with the Mueller investigation closed and no collusion found, let alone with the tables turning on the accuser's after Barr's accusations of spying, Trump is in the strongest position he has been in politically since being elected, even after losing the House.

The stage is set for Netanyahu and Trump to announce the long promised and highly anticipated Trump/Kushner Peace plan.

The big question is what will they be offering the Palestinians in exchange for peace.  Most of the attention has been on whether the offer of a two-state solution is still on the table.  I predict the centerpeace of the plan that Kushner has devised is a NEW ELECTION.  I'll explain.

I believe the deal will contain the following elements:

1. Israeli's IDF will re-enter Gaza in order to ensure a process whereby a fair election can be conducted by the Palestinians.

2. Very shortly a Palestinian opposition party and candidates will emerge to compete against Hamas and Fatah.  Israeli IDF forces will provide them protection against Hamas leaders who otherwise would "eliminate" them.

3. Such opposition candidates will have the backing of several Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and possibly Jordan.  I believe Kushner has been working on such arrangements over the last two years and the very recent visit of Egypt's President to meet privately with Trump was to finalize details for the Plan.

4. The USA and other Western allies, as well as perhaps even Russia, will support the new Palestinian party candidates.

5. Thanks to prior commitments of support from Arab countries and the USA*, the new leader will be able to make an incredibly rich and wonderful offer to the Palestinians. (E.g. new schools, new hospitals, jobs, greater freedom to move about, and peaceful coexistence with Israel.)

* The USA halted hundreds of millions in support for the U.N. and Abbas.  That money can be redirected to the new party and projects to help Palestinians if they win the election.

6. I do not have a strong sense of whether they will be offering actual Statehood, but I do believe the Palestinians will have greater freedom of governance. Plus, I would not be surprised if Egypt and Jordan contributed some territory for the Palestinians which will be added to the area in Gaza.  Perhaps at some point in the future if the Palestinians live up to conditions this territory can actually transfer to the Palestinian people and they will be able to form a new state.

Again, the point in all this is that the centerpiece of the peace plan is an ELECTION.  The Palestinians will be given the opportunity to chose their fate.

Hamas will run on it's record, which as we all know promises only greater pain and misery.  Or the Palestinians can make the only sensible choice - The NEW Plan.  And when the Palestinians choose the new party they are not only choosing a bright future, they will also be rejecting IRAN!!

In the process, the world will have no choice but to accept the United States and Israel's newest ally - the new Palestinian government!

This will be the deal of the century worthy of higher praise than the cheapened Nobel Peace Prize.

PLAIN AS THE BLACKFACE ON THEIR FACE

Here is an easy way to look at how far we've come as a Nation in terms of openness and tolerance.

Culture mirrors society. It reveals how a society thinks, it's attitudes and preferences, what's popular and what's important. It reflects who we are.

The broadest example of this are the most pervasive, or popular, cultural medium - Such as TV, movies and popular music.

If America is as racist and intolerant of Blacks and gays as some politicians, media/news figures and even some athletes would have you to believe, it would be apparent in our Culture.

Guess what -- IT IS!!  Yup, if you look at TV shows and movies from the 60s, 70s, even the 80s it is pretty obvious who is missing -- Blacks and gays!!   NOT so today!  The contrast between when I grew up and today is enormous.

Half of America are Trump supporters. IF half of America were racists, bigots and homophobes, America would NOT look the way it does in popular culture today.

America has NEVER been more open and tolerant as it is today.  And yet, since Obama ran for President on a platform to "bring America together," the Democratic party platform has obsessed with racism, bigotry and homophobia.

STICK WITH WHAT WORKS ...
Perhaps the reason that the Democratic party is so obsessed with that message is because it helps Democratic politicians to win elections. It worked in 60s, the 70s and it worked for Obama!

Don't get me wrong, the Democratic Party has other political themes it works with as well.  Since Al Gore ran on the Presidential ticket with Bill Clinton 28 years ago, the theory that humans have to stop changing the climate is rather popular.  Socialism is hot too. But the all-time favorite go-to message of the Democratic Party still seems to be that they will address our nation of racists, bigots and homophobes.

Demographics turn elections, and in places like Chicago, Baltimore, Newark and NYC, that message finds an audiences who may find it extremely appealing.  But I ask you, is it because those cities are actually more racist and homophobic?  Or could there be other reasons why that message is appealing.  I believe it is the later. But that is different discussion.

The obsession, and the way certain Democratic leaders and media assert that Trump and his supporters are predominantly racists, bigots and homophobes is not just unfair. The worst part is how it has divided us.

America should be celebrating our accomplishments!  And when we do we come together.  But that image is woefully lacking in much of mainstream media. There have been many events and moments that have deserved greater attention.

During Black history month and on other occasions when we look back, we can celebrate how far we have come in building a Nation in which Black children can truly believe that if they study and work hard and make the better choices in life that they can rise as high as their G-d given talent and ability will take them!

Plus, NO gay man or woman has to be trapped in a closet of fear or humiliation.

They say one has to be taught to hate.  And it is true. And that is what some politicians and folks in the media are doing.  They have created a narrative that America is a hateful Nation.  And what is the natural reaction to someone who hates you and is trying to portray you in a terrible and false way?  To hate them back.

STOP THE HATE and division that we are promoting in America.  Let's all start to appreciate that America is the more free, open and tolerant than it has EVER BEEN!

THE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

Identity Twister

IRONY SWEET KARMA!  HE WANTED ATTENTION AND HE GOT IT.

THE WORLD IS OUT TO GET HIM.  THAT'S WHAT JUSSIE WANTED US TO BELIEVE, ISN'T IT. WELL NOW IT REALLY IS.

Jussie is a unique case. But he represents an all too common pattern. 

Because to Leftist Democrats and the Leftist media and Hollywood, victumhood is everything. Victumhood is virtuous. Victumhood elevates you to the top of the intersectionality hierarchy.  Victumhood grants you membership into a special identity-based club of those who are entitled to reparations in the form of celebrity and special opportunities. 

The Left has formulated a narrative which paints America as a Nation of homophobes, bigots, racists and xenophobes. This image forms the foundation, the platform, upon which the Left has built it's basis for political justification. 

The Democrats have imaged a world that their leaders must save us from.  The Party leaders and those competing for office are the heroes who say they will rescue the suffering victims. The greater the suffering the greater the hero who "must save us" - The more we need the courageous and righteous politician to fight our battle. 

The Right can't save us - OH NO - because Democrats want us to believe that Republicans and especially Conservatives are guilty of creating this world with so many victims and so much suffering.  Libertarians are just ridiculous because they think we don't need government to save us from practically anything.

In order for the hero to be legitimate they must truly understand the suffering of the victims.  They must acknowledge and accept the image of our country as a nation that is dominated by evil oppression. The hero can never emerge from the evil class of wealthy white privileged oppressors. And of course, they must be a Democrat!

In addition, the Left must never let us believe that Republican and Conservative ideas create a better world. The opportunities for advancement in life must never be perceived as coming from policies put forth by the Right. So today's fact of historically low Black and Hispanic unemployment is a disaster from a Democratic political perspective.

It doesn't matter that America's success is the envy of the world.  Ideals such as Capitalism, free markets and American Exceptionalism are the problem because there can never be justice in a world that doesn't distribute wealth. To Democrats, equality by definition equates to equality of results. So billionaires are as much proof of a country filled with injustice as people below the poverty line. 

This warped understanding of economics, the power of competition and the nature of human behavior explains part of the appeal of Socialism. It was inevitable that the Democratic move to the Left would end up on the doorstep of Socialism.

The game of politics for the Left is like a game of "Identity Twister" with the winner, the most viable and worthy candidate, being the one who touches the most "Intersectionality dots." But instead of the real game of Twister by Milton Bradley where the dots are the colored plastic spots on the rubber mat you lay down to play that game, in the game of "Identity Twister" that I am making up, the dots represent victims of racism, bigotry and homophobia, xenophobia, class, etc.

There is just one very big problem with all this.  The Foundation upon which the Democratic platform is built is only as strong as the narrative is that they want us to believe. Therefore, the Democratic Party needs victims. They need evidence that our Nation is filled with racists, bigots, homophobes and xenophobes. And they need those evil people to not just exist in the privacy of their own thoughts - they need those evil doers to be doing evil. 

The Democrats need visible acts of oppression to justify their heroes who must rise up to meet and defeat the antagonist, who is of course, a white Supremacist Republican wearing a red #MAGA hat. Just ask Nick Sandmann, the Christian junior high school student.

What Democrats love and admire most of all is when the victim shows the courage to stand up to their oppressor. That makes sense since human nature is to love the survivors and the fallen martyrs. American's are famous for rooting for the underdog.

Victims validate and perpetuate the Leftist narrative. Victims are so prized and rewarded by the Democratic Party and the Leftist media that some sick Leftist are willing to fake it - to act the part.  Enter Jussie Smollett.  There are hundreds of little Jussie's.

THE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

If We Hate the Artist We Miss the Point

IF WE HATE THE ARTIST WE MISS THE POINT.  IF WE LOVE THE ART, WE MAY MISS IT TOO.

My point is that there is an aspect to Jim Carrey's art that transcends his message.

Jim Carrey (JC) says his art is "his way of dealing with the NIGHTMARE of life under the Trump presidency in a civilized fashion."

JC is a rare talent. While I don't agree with his point of view, he is brilliant and his art is pretty amazing.  But as I see it, the most important thing about Carrey's art is that he needs to do it at all.

Carrey is expressing a deep emotional trauma.  He is the quintessential artist who needs to release his complex feelings through his art in order to process and cope with them. He "has to" do his art or he would go insane.  Or he IS insane and he uses his art in order to claw his way back. But either way, that is not the most important point either. That is actually a classic artistic process.  Think Vincent Van Gogh.

The most important message about JC's art is in my opinion, that JC represents the cultural reaction to the phenomenon that IS Trump and Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Artists traditionally capture the human psyche and express it through their art.  Their sentiments may be highly personal, but artists often tap into a more popular subject. When that subject is a relatable trauma, the artist "treats" their audience in a somewhat clinical sense through their art. Such is the "power of art."

Sometimes in history a large part of society or even an entire country can experience a shared traumatic experience, such as a war or a revolution. When this happens, artists invariably capture it and process it in various medium such as on canvas, books, poetry, music and even cartoons, for example Captain America and Superman.  JC's art is very "cartoonish."

Society can experience a trauma from significant transformation from one "AGE" to another. For example, the legend or lore of Paul Henry captured America's psyche regarding the industrial revolution and the spread of mass transportation with the railroad, and Paul Bunyon did the same regarding deforestation. The movie the Matrix speaks to the fantasies and fears of AI and Virtual Reality.

JC's art is the artistic manifestation of one of the political/cultural phenomenons of our day, Trump Derangement Syndrome. Which in turn is the clash of multiple political ideologies.

Carrey has the guts to admit he is having a a difficult time coping. There are many who do not know we have a problem. To those in denial the problem exists outside of us - in Trump, his base, his supporters, Republicans.  But the problem exists in us. The problem is our inability to cope with our differences.  The problem is our inability to have respectful and meaningful dialogue with the "enemy."

Tragically, there are those with powerful influence that don't want us to cope. They don't seek resolutions - to the contrary!  They profit off our discord. They exploit our anger. They revel in our rage. They add to and stir the pot of our emotions and make sure that there is just enough heat to keep them simmering.  They feed us the drug of our addiction. They are literally in the business of promoting, fostering and maintaining our "nightmare," to put it as JC did.  That nightmare has a name - Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Who are the "THEY" I keep referring to?  They are certain people in the news media, and many partisan politicians. They truly are "the enemy of the American people."