Amerindia US Blog

There is a tendency to paint things as either black or white, meanwhile around the world the Occupy Movement and the 99% struggle to define what the problem is. Clearly capitalism and free markets have their benefits, and have been around from the dawn of human time. Three arrow heads bartered for an animal skin – and everybody goes home happy and better off.

In this simple ‘perfect market’, it works, and works well. But in scaling up, things have not gone so well. As in the video referenced at the end of these comments, industrialization has changed things in a major way. From a hunter-gatherer society, to primarily an agrarian one, the coming of industrialization has since catapulted world nations and markets into something different. Actual necessities are produced by a few, materialism of non-essentials has run rampant, and the ability to find useful work has become extraordinarily problematic. Although the world markets produce more to buy, paradoxically there is struggle to find work that will suffice to purchase even basic necessities. Some (well off) politicians have brushed off the problem as ‘envy’, but increasingly those who had been living, or anticipating an average, middle-class lifestyle, are now be struggling to get basic food and shelter.

There are heated arguments about welfare, socialism, and the role of government in providing basic care needs for its citizens in crisis. The argument has been going toward the direction that those who are not succeeding are just not trying hard enough to embrace capitalism as the total solution and make it work for them. Capitalism, an economic system, has been championed as the solution to social needs by those who profit – or feel that economic failure is universally a personal one. We think this is either ignorance, or self-interest guided thinking.

We in Amerindia feel that capitalism is an economic system – not a moral, political, or social solution by itself. The only thing that is becoming a consistent in this long running discussion is that the problem started about 40 years ago. We had had industrialization before then, but that is when capitalism began to split from being stakeholder capitalism to an unfettered, unmonitored, desocialized shareholder capitalism. At the time it was justified as a ‘trickle down’ benefit, resources began to be ever more concentrated with the few and ironically, Not distributed more equitably, particularly among the workers. Jobs have been outsourced to the cheapest labor available world-wide, eliminated by mechanization, or workers have been cheated out of pay, pensions, or other compensations. The capitalism that has been deified, has become corrupt.

Unfortunately, as in this clip, we do not see a quick or easy solution. However, identifying the true nature of the problem is a start. Capitalism needs to return, or become, a socially responsible capitalism.

Capitalism ‘nothing to do with responsibility’

The Queen of Amerindia

We worry that Americans are losing their most fundamental right to free speech and the right to non-violent public protest. I does seem that while US politicians criticize other nations for infringements on human rights, free speech, and a right to be heard in a democratic process, they ignore the voice of their own people.

Obama, your main campaign theme was “Change.” True, it’s been difficult given the congress that lobbyists are paying for, but someone needs to see that it’s really what the American people wanted and expected. The frustration with lack of change, with big interests still running the US government, why the people would feel unheard and angry.

I AM NOT MOVING – Short Film – Occupy Wall Street

Somehow Bill Gates seems to be a puppet-master influencing policy and “science” behind everything from education, to food (GMOs), to the environment. Too bad he doesn’t build universities, fund college tuition, etc., rather than to spend on “advocacy” and “policy” groups. It would seem no matter how philanthropically motivated Mr. Gates attempts to picture himself, his main goal is always one of mega control and influence. Somehow he’s gone from the tech business to being an authority – and major influence – on just about everything. Whatever he’s up to, he keeps himself in front of influence and policy making – and the cameras, and often has a significant monetary investment in it also (Mondanto, GMO).

Behind Grass-Roots School Advocacy, Bill Gates

Bill Gates Backs Genetically Modified Food Research

After the last several years of watching the moves of the US legislative and executive branch, we have decided that we must step back from our diplomatic ties with the US in Washington, in spite of Obama being elected president. Unfortunately, regardless of the good and wise intentions of millions of Americans, too many of its leaders, so many in elected positions, and those in US agencies, are dismantling a once great country. Those who who would speak out against it – privately, in public, and in many important documentaries, have been ignored, punished, or have just not been able to turn the tide of the far Right, the Tea Party types who have co-opted the Republican party.
It seems the Conservative Right will do anything for its own expediency, including lie, misrepresent, or completely cross itself. One idiotic case in point: There was a brief call to make it possible for a non US-born person to qualify for president (when they wanted to run Arnold Schwarzenegger), yet Arizona has just passed a law demanding that to run for president, one must prove birth in the US. Go figure. It’s no longer about what’s good for the nation, or democracy. It’s about what’s expedient to those few who want the last word in political and economic power, and will do anything to serve that self interest. These are fewer laws to assist the citizens or the welfare of the nation. There are moves to “legalize” the illegal – the power grab for the few – a true corruption of the meaning of democratic government.
On the eve of the 150th Anniversary of the US Civil War, it would seem that the war that was lost is being re-fought, and newly won. The issue of slavery has been overcome, but not states rights. It would seem that the large conservative element in the US, complete with biblical rhetoric, is prevailing in both the conservative states, and through its influence in the central government. It seeks no less than a complete break of the social contract with US citizens.
The New Republican Landscape
This is an open warfare, using the US federal budget to first limit funding, as it moves steadily forward by dismantling social safety nets, especially for the poor, health care, education, health care for women especially, and so many other services that provide the “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness” promised to US citizens. Even the public park system is under siege. Everything is moving toward the private sector, and US parks are more vulnerable than ever to drilling, deforesting, mining, or any other endeavor that will benefit a private profit culture, rather than the public interest and welfare.
Regulatory agencies have been gutted and marginalized. Food and drug safety is bought and paid for by Big Agra and Big Pharma. “FDA approved” is nothing more than a stamp of approval by the company that manufactures it, and the US food production system is protected by ever less inspection and more cover up. Even the educational system has fallen under the influence of this corruption, from science to finance. We in Amerindia feel that the most corrupting educational institutions in the US are Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. There is no room to go into all the detail here, but we feel that Obama’s promise of “Change” has been held back by his time at Harvard (not wherever he was born), and that advice and influence from those educated and connected by these institutions has been a major contributor in the steady march down hill, deregulating and pillaging along the way, for the last 30-40 years, starting with the Saint of Conservatives, Ronald Regan.
Not only has the US messed its own bed, it has been an increasing menace and destabilizing influence around the world. We would recommend these documentaries for an in-depth look at how much damage has been done, how, and why:
Inside Job
It’s interesting to note that not one single person involved in the financial collapsed the global financial world has gone to jail. Quite obviously, there is no intention hold anyone instigating and profiting from this disaster accountable:
Alan Grayson: Is Anyone Minding the Store at the Federal Reserve?
Since the global economic collapse, regulation of financial services has increased in every developed nation except the US, where it continues with the status quo of the years since Ronald Regan. What’s more the banks have actually grown even larger by consolidation, hence, “too big to fail”, and ready to receive another bail out at US taxpayer expense should they run into trouble with their unregulated practices. However, we do note that One person has gone to jail – a would-be home owner who signed a falsified mortgage agreement. Not the bank, the executives, the lender, the agent – but the person who was told “it’s OK, everyone is doing it” – which they were.
As far as the food industry, we recommend Food, Inc. Monsanto and other giant food conglomerates continue to be the driving political force in our food industry, which values profit over the health and welfare of farm animals and crops, and the health of the American food consumer.
Food, Inc.
We feel the US should be prevented from ever going to war anywhere in the world. Its post war disaster in Iraq has destabilized that region and affected the price of oil and food everywhere on the planet. If the US has trouble with Iran, it made it worse by what it’s done in Iraq, and continues not to address there in reconstruction. The history and national heritage of a 7,000 year old nation has been lost, while a people who tentatively appreciated the US for removing a dictator, are now suffering far worse as a lawless nation in shambles, and see refugees leaving without hope of rebuilding a free and democratic society.
We recommend this documentary for the details:
No End In Sight
While we have every admiration for the men and women in uniform of the US, we do not appreciate what they have been asked to do “in defense of their country.” We see instead ignorance, mismanagement, and profit by the ever increasing use of contractors in the military. And we have a deep unease about how much of the US military and civilian top management erodes the very human rights it claims it fights to defend:
Abu Ghraib
Guantanamo Bay
Bradly Manning
US citizens are losing their homes, their jobs, and their social supports. The US now has the distinction of having the widest gap between rich and poor of any developed nation. They are increasingly losing their right to see what is going on, as their society becomes ever less transparent, ever more run by sound bites, misrepresentations, and downright lies. And the most fundamental rights of equality before the law, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, the right to be held innocent until proven guilty, and the right to a timely trial with proper representation are eroding. At first it was explained away as necessary to deal with “terrorists”, but now it has moved to the treatment of a US citizen. This is explained away as “military” being under a different set of rules than civilian. What’s next?

We highly regret the scenes of perhaps well intentioned, patriotic citizens who cover their hearts and sing US praises in “God Bless America.” But it’s done to interfere with open debate, the fundamental cornerstone, the most essential element of enduring democracy. Do they understand how they are being manipulated, how they are being “had” by those who benefit by the power they give them?

We hereby withdraw our diplomatic relationship with the US central Washington government, although we do welcome and support a relationship with many US representatives and officials, for example, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. We do realize there are many good people and organizations trying to fight an uphill battle with Washington. Also, we will continue to have ambassadors to Seattle, San Francisco, and New England (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and New York).

We will also continue to respect and continue relations with all indigenous peoples living on reservations or within the US population. We leave this entry with this message from Russell Means:
Russell Means: Welcome to the Reservation

The Queen of Amerindia

We Ain’t Got Time To Bleed. It’s Time for the Revolution.

“You control our world. You’ve poisoned the air we breathe, contaminated the water we drink, and copyrighted the food we eat. We fight in your wars, die for your causes, and sacrifice our freedoms to protect you. You’ve liquidated our savings, destroyed our middle class, and used our tax dollars to bailout your unending greed. We are slaves to your corporations, zombies to your airwaves, servants to your decadence. You’ve stolen our elections, assassinated our leaders, and abolished our basic rights as human beings. You own our property, shipped away our jobs, and shredded our unions. You’ve profited off of disaster, destabilized our currencies, and raised our cost of living. You’ve monopolized our freedom, stripped away our education, and have almost extinguished our flame. We are hit…we are bleeding…but we ain’t got time to bleed. We will bring the giants to their knees and you will witness our revolution! ”

-Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, April 12, 2011

4 Ways we’re still fighting the Civil War

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

You don’t have to tour a battlefield to understand the Civil War. Look at today’s headlines. As the nation commemorates the 150th anniversary of its deadliest war this week, some historians say we’re still fighting over some of the same issues that fueled the Civil War.

“There are all of these weird parallels,” says Stephanie McCurry, author of “Confederate Reckoning,” a new book that examines why Southerners seceded and its effect on Southern women and slaves.

“When you hear charges today that the federal government is overreaching, and the idea that the Constitution recognized us as a league of sovereign states — these were all part of the secessionist charges in 1860,” she says.

One of the biggest debates during the Civil War was how far should governments go in dictating our lives. We still debate those politics.
–William Blair, Civil War historian
———————————————
We think the above article makes a good point that is becoming more evident as the Budget Crisis continues. First the US broke into “Red States” and “Blue States”, which is a step beyond describing differences of opinion expressed through political party lines. There are definite regional differences that due bear considerable ideological similarities with a civil war fought 150 years ago. It appears not to be over, but rather back in the throes of it.

States rights have surfaced as a major example. Democracy, and the will of the majority is not acceptable. The conservative regions have not mounted an attack directly on blacks, but have tried a more subtle attack on race through immigration policy. And while the conservatives could accept the taxation (for now) to provide some funds for Medicaid, it’s distribution would be at the discretion of the individuals of a state through their governor, not the federal government. An example of this is the fight over funding of Planned Parenthood and women’s health. Unfortunately, this is will impact the poor far more than those who are well off and can pay for any service they want. There is a deep rooted sense of ‘worthiness’ that the conservatives would like to reserve for themselves, rather than national democratic sentiment.

Indeed, there is demonizing, biblical rhetoric, and a call to be left alone to make local decisions that are local (state), rather than federal. For all the talk of compromising, there is a disturbing disappearance of the political center. The US would seem not so much in a financial debate, as a deep rooted ideological one that continues to separate the country in a way parallel to the war fought 150 years ago.

This was written after the First World War, but seems equally relevant to the current federal vs. states’ rights and theological ideological war being fought in the US today.

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

“THE SECOND COMING

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds.

The darkness drops again but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?”

The Queen of Amerindia

As in our recent posts, we feel this is yet another instance that makes our point. Disparity of wealth, power, and justice. There are guilty individuals in a variety of situations. But punishment and the application of “justice” seems more problematic than a solution. Instead it points out the unequal hand of justice, that one cannot depend on a uniform rule of law. Who is guilty, who is responsible, and who will be blamed too often seems to be politically motivated, rather than a democratic application of laws, particularly when it comes to systemic issues.

This is about Russia, but we see much of the same in the US, and use this as some reflection on the handling of Bradley Manning. The US military recruits individuals like Manning, selling them and their families on the idea that they will be part of “something bigger than themselves” – often appealing to those who may be naive or need to fulfill esteem, leave the back door wide open for trouble (unconscionable lack of security in this case) – and then blame the individual. Manning may go to jail for the rest of his life; but too many generals are taking jobs in the military-industrial complex. It’s a set up for resentment. The individual will pay a price, but the system that created will go on, and the history of these incidents will repeat themselves.

The comments by these Russians are telling, about their system – and we think much in the US too.

From the BBC and readers’ comments:

“Khodorkovsky verdict: Views from Russia

Former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been found guilty of embezzlement at his second trial in Moscow.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky awaiting today’s verdict in the Moscow court Khodorkovsky will appeal against the verdict, his lawyers say

Khodorkovsky is already serving an eight-year sentence for fraud and tax evasion from his 2005 trial. His supporters maintain the case against him is politically motivated.

BBC Russian and BBC News website readers in Russia have been sending in their reaction to the verdict and what it means for the country.

“It is not a bad thing he is in jail. But it is a bad thing others like him are not Sergei M, St Petersburg”

“I totally agree with the guilty verdict. Khodorkovsky’s supporters want the worst for Russia. I don’t understand why Khodorkovsky should have had the privilege of producing oil (which should belong to the nation), making huge profits from it and then pulling fraudulent schemes to make those profits even bigger. Those rich people can never have enough. Vadim, Moscow”

“We shouldn’t fool ourselves, Khodorkovsky is no saint. But then most Russian businessmen, or at least the oligarchs, who started out in business in the 1990s, could be jailed on the same grounds. So this verdict to me is yet another proof of the fact that there is no justice in Russia, the courts have become a tool to be manipulated by the powers that be. As for Russia’s image, a country where there is no rule of law, it is not very attractive for investors. Mikhalych, Moscow”

“It is not a bad thing that Khodorkovsky is in jail. But it is a bad thing that others like him are not in jail. Sergei M, St Petersburg”

“There is no rule of law in Russia. But will this guilty verdict affect Russia’s image abroad? I don’t think so. The west is continuing to court Russia’s duumvirate [President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin]. Svetlana Terskaya, Kandalaksha, Murmansk Region”

“I had expected this verdict. It symbolizes the strained relations between the authorities and business. Business knows what the authorities can do to it and will not contest their decisions. As for Russia’s image, nothing will happen to it. Thanks to PR, Russia can project an image it chooses to project to the West. Vladimir Okhota, Perm”

“I consider Khodorkovsky a victim of political repression. If he is guilty, he is no more guilty than other politicians and businessmen in Russia. Law should be the same for everyone. Yevgeny, St Petersburg”

“For me this is the final disappointment. Hope, of which Russian patriot Mikhail Khodorkovsky spoke, has been extinguished. I want to learn a foreign language and leave Russia as soon as possible. And take my family with me. Ivan, St Petersburg”

“It’s a verdict on Putin, not on Khodorkovsky. For Russia this means there’s no lawful way to protect yourself against Putin and his huge pyramid. Unfortunately this opens too many law-breaking ways. If people can’t find protection in courts, they have to protect themselves on their own. Interestingly enough, no single Russian media has this news. No media is left uncontrolled. Alexander Lazarev, Troitsk”

“The verdict is not a surprise for me but still I have been very upset and angry. Even for me who is not sophisticated in jurisprudence it is clear that this court has little to do with law and the prosecution is politically motivated. For Russia this is likely to mean more years of lack of political and economic competition, lawlessness and corruption growth. Igor Alyoshin, Novosibirsk”

“I’d set Khodorkovsky free whether he is to blame or not. Really, he has had enough spending behind bars, seven-plus years. I fully support the expression “a thief belongs in prison”, but the question is why all other tycoons-cum-thieves are still free and happy? It is no secret that so-called oligarchs in Russia have become rich through stealing, all kind of embezzlement or patronage of the powers that be. All they plus those who initiated the rapacious privatization here in Russia should have been put in prisoner’s box next to Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. Alex, Moscow”

The Queen

How to move from a lost environment to a renewed environment, climate, and society. Save 20″ to see this worth every second video.
Willie Smits restores a rainforest

Regarding our comments on leadership in our last post: a Pew Poll shows that US citizen’s trust in their leadership in government and institutions “has plummeted to a near-historic low.” We do know that there are bright spots and good leaders, but unfortunately they are too few, and in a democracy, it is critical to have a full quorum of good leaders. We need leaders who see themselves as responsible to the people who elect them, and those who are immune to selling their votes behind closed doors.

We think our comments on lack of good leadership was timely, and is supported by this poll.
Pew Poll: Trust in Government His Near-Historic Low

The Queen of Amerindia

We have commented on many issues as US administrations have come and gone, and as the world of nations elbow their way into, or fall away from, the progress of nations into the contemporary world. But our comments quickly become dated, so we leave specifics and details for another time. Our comment for today is that we need, everywhere, more responsible, grown up leaders. We need leaders who see beyond their own gain, and instead work for a Sustainable Good that they can leave behind. We need this from all the princes, presidents, CEOs, and other leaders of our time.

We wonder why the promises of a healthy, civilized society do not materialize as promised. More is not better, false science betrays, cures can become an ill begotten cause, choice becomes confusion, complexity obscures, and money purchases opinion, understanding, and leadership. As the world seems to shrink, we struggle with world problems that continue to be bigger than we are. Economy, politics, agriculture, environment, water – on a world scale much is not well. Hunger, poverty, disease, human rights, war, inequality – band aid solutions, token attempts, and even some very good and well intentioned ideas too, are not enough to stem the march into problems we can identify. And there is an angst that we no longer have another place, another neighborhood, another country – another earth, that we can escape to.

We see a fundamental issue that many leaders are as a child, or adolescent. First a child feels only for himself, then hopefully grows to understand the rights, feelings, and needs of others. Then comes adolescence, full of energy and drive, but still full of self. And adolescence is known for taking risks, a sense of invulnerability, and often not making the connection with future consequences.

But we hear “How could I have known?”, “I must have been wrong [ for 30 years]“, “there were no such memos – we had no idea”, “I don’t remember”, “we actually didn’t understand what derivatives were”, “I don’t know where the money went”, “the research proved it was safe”, “the data was flawed”, “unsubstantiated fears”, “it’s safe for humans”, “it was pilot error”, “we have no idea where the contamination came from”, “it’s the fault of the media for making it public”, “it’s technically legal”, and on and on. This sounds like the infamous “the dog ate my homework.” In other words, I’m not responsible for what happened, even though I’m in charge, and I don’t expect there to be consequences. Adolescent thinking.

This is true now with unimaginable Greed. The thought that one can take any amount, endlessly, regardless of the methods, that no one will catch on, I can bully my way out if they do, that I can buy the important things, it will make me all powerful and popular [forever], and there will be no consequence I can’t get out of. Adolescent.

It would seem to us that much of our problems are created by those who have not achieved full maturity.

Companies and kings, leaders of all kinds, many cannot think what their actions will get them in the long term. They do not see that power and wealth, no matter what you think it gets you now, you will not have it always. It will not buy you trust and true friends; it may get you compliance but with fear, not respect; true loyalty is not for sale . You will get sick, you will get old. Whatever you took from this world, no thing will leave it with you.

We need leaders who can live not at the expense of others, who are not afraid of transparency, who are ready to be accountable, and understand that our value is a measure of what we give, not what we have taken. We need the people to be fully informed of the whole truth, and to be strong and wise enough to demand the rightful behavior of leaders who guide our life on this planet, and life for the next generation.

The Queen of Amerindia

The run for the US presidency is always on. We would guess it is on most potential candidate’s minds by the time he/she is in high school. For US presidential elections one must start with (1) looks (2) the right spouse to fit the job (3) a photogenic family (4) a huge cash box (5) connections.
The rest is all about creating the right image. Now that things are heating up after all the focus on the new Health Bill, eyes turn toward potential candidates for the ‘12 race facing Obama.

We are amused by Romney. He’s in the run, and we expect a lot from his hairdresser and whoever picks out his sweaters. But we hadn’t heard the one about his dog strapped to the roof of his car while going on vacation. It will be hard undoing the bad press on that one.
Potential Republican Contenders against Obama in ‘12

The Queen of Amerindia

“We didn’t truly know the dangers of the market, because it was a dark market,” says Brooksley Born, the head of an obscure federal regulatory agency — the Commodity Futures Trading Commission [CFTC] — who not only warned of the potential for economic meltdown in the late 1990s, but also tried to convince the country’s key economic powerbrokers to take actions that could have helped avert the crisis. “They were totally opposed to it,” Born says. “That puzzled me. What was it that was in this market that had to be hidden?”

At the time Brooksley Born was trying to propose regulation it is estimated that 594 Trillion in OTC derivatives were being sold in “black box” markets. “Black box” means no regulation, and actually no recording of who is selling what to whom. There were derivatives, derivatives of derivatives, and derivatives of derivatives of derivatives being sold. And neither the individuals selling, or the buyers, understood what a derivative really was.

A derivative is, as best we can understand, a form of “insurance” that is in essence a form of betting. A simple example is that one could take out insurance on an neighbor’s house, without the owner’s knowledge. And then one could bet against it – sell it short (because of hidden knowledge of its real worth) – in essence, set fire to your neighbor’s house, and then collect the insurance.

Also, derivatives were (are) sold in such secret, that the buyers didn’t (don’t) know how many people have bought the same derivative. So there might be several buyers wanting to collect on a single derivative, while there is only enough to pay one. The complex mathematics of determining a derivative creates a kind of imaginary financial product, with no real money to pay anything.

Derivatives have payed up to 40% profit to the black box buyers. Since the time of Ronald Regan, who elevated Alan Greenspan to Chairman of the Federal Reserve, this market has been growing. Those that got in, sold, and then got out, got the money. The rest of it is a large vacuum with no real money to cover the crisis. Sound like the crash of 1929, with no real money and runs on the bank? We think, yes.

But Brooksley Born knew, warned, tried to stop it, but was defeated by the powers in Washington. Even after this meltdown, the financial lobbyists in Washington are still winning. Regulatory proposals have been written up, but are stalled. The time to move on shutting down further money drain is passing.

US citizens could be asked to poney up yet more money for the unregulated securities and derivative black box deals that go bad, since all this stuff is “too big to fail.” And they will get the apology of having to live in hard times, but not much else. We used to write about and believed that our biggest problem was the players in oil. At least that was one issue that we could see. But the financial games now being played, on a national and worldwide scale that boggles the mind – and brings down whole countries – is what worries us most at this time.

Without transparency and regulation, money that should go to the people who earned it, will continue down the black box hole. How much more financial blood can the average American donate. We are very, very worried to think.

This is a 55 minute program by Frontline of PBS see “The Warning.” After seeing this, we may not understand the mathematics of derivatives, but we do understand the problem. Obama, can you overcome the financial lobbyists and lift up your country?
Frontline: The Warning

The Queen of Amerindia

A bit more about Democracy. In a democracy, the people are sovereign. Is that (liberal) populist? – we think so. We also think that the terms “activist” and “socialism” have been unfairly demonized in too much of the US consciousness. Many fellow countries that we count as friends are socialist, and in their commitment to the welfare of their people, they are doing reasonably well.

Somehow the old Cold War opposition to Communism, as an economic system, is still feeding into the term Socialism. And to avoid the now ancient specter of (socialist) Communism “nowhere else in history, have so many [US citizens] voted against their own interests.”

The divide between rich and poor in the US continues to grow. Developing nations bring more of their citizens into a middle class, while in the US the middle class is ever more hard pressed, and dwindles. And help for the Poor, as they are defined, is based on a 40 year old calculation that isn’t updated for fear it will break the bank.

United States people, remember that you, in a Democracy, are sovereign. In Amerindia, we have a monarchy that speaks in the person of we, with the understanding and intent that we, the leader, is representative of, and obliged to, all of the people. Here leaders are sovereign to the people, and people sovereign to their leaders.

The Queen of Amerindia

In the US, and the rest of the world economy it seems, corruption and mismanagement are running rampant. It would be much to cover the entire scope of this topic, but in short, it would seem that there is a fundamental lack of transparency, greed and self interest that knows no bounds, and astonishing little attempt at regulation. The “solution” seems to point out the worst offenders, and hand out fines or punish with an increase in taxes. We Amerindians are quite frankly baffled by this limp slap on the wrist, and surprised that it’s not obvious that the cost of any punitive measure will be passed on to those who are paying too heavy a bill already.

We feel that it might help, even if governments don’t, if people get together with their own solutions. The main idea is to keep money from reaching the pockets of big interests in the first place.

1. One way is to focus on buying locally. Besides cutting the energy footprint of purchases, many middle men payments will be eliminated, as well as the insane super payments to corporate giant leaders.

2. Invest in farm shares or local markets. Or at least patronize them. Again, this eliminates the middle man price increase, and cuts into the control that giants like agra business (ConAgra) have over what we eat, what we know about what we eat, and what we pay for the privilege of ingesting food products that are often less nourishing than the over-packaging that they are delivered in.

3. Social Lending. This can be avoiding large banks (like the ones too big to fail) in favor of small local banks, co-ops, credit unions, and even person to person lending with no banks involved.

We think that of course there are many other ways that could be suggested. But the basic idea is not to punish big corporations, but to think carefully about what we need to buy, where we keep and manage our money – and keep it close. In other words, don’t let it get to the big interests whenever there is another option.

The Queen of Amerindia

We have been living in relative peace and prosperity on our Island Nation of Amerindia during the Bush years and our temporary secession from the US that resulted from his election. Bad presidents happen. But democracy allows for this, and one hopes, has ways to grow wiser in popular knowledge, revise it’s thinking, and move on to better attending the needs of its citizens.

We supported Obama, and had great hopes. We saw an intelligent speaker who spoke of bold visions for Change. But after a year in office, we are much disappointed. We won’t go on into the details, and in any event, we are glad to see a black man as president so we can get that much out of the way.

However, it is now clear that what runs the US, and much elsewhere in the world, are The Big Corporations and Their Money. It would seem that almost any election is eventually about what Corporate Interest will benefit. We had hoped that, since Obama was elected with the money of the populace, not the corporations, that things would change. But they haven’t. Democracy continues its spiral into the ground, and we don’t see effective choices in elections. When the elected get to Washington, Washington gets to the elected.

As a result, we have decided to again declare our Nation of Amerindia to be separate from the US. We cannot risk a return while Corporate Influence rules the United States. We will continue living with our benevolent monarchy of Amerindia. The only other option we would consider is an annexation to Vermont (as long as they have Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy).

The Queen of Amerindia

We have not commented on our Amerindia blog for some time. The reason is that there has been an overwhelming number of issues that are in the tank for the American people. To cover it all has seemed impossible, and sad.

What’s happened to this once great country? The answers would seem to be corruption, greed, and incompetence. While these attributes exist in many industries (like pharmaceuticals), they are most centered in Washington, so many of our elected officials, and government agencies (like the FDA).

Having said that, we must mention that there are a some really sincere politicians who are fighting an uphill battle to do a good job (go Bernie Sanders, VT!) – but there are too few, and the electorate isn’t giving them enough credit and the support they deserve in their battle to improve America.

The Queen of Amerindia

Maybe Americans are catching on. I hope so. Don’t believe the Bush fix for Social Security.

Social Security was created during “hard times” as a safety net for future “hard times.” Now we are told that we are coming up on the baby boomer generation retiring and there won’t be enough to go around because, after all, this is “hard times.”

The very rich have never had to worry about what they pay into social security or what they get out of it; that amount of money isn’t even on their radar screen. Where social security does make a difference is for the poor – and the middle class. Let’s say that again – for the middle class.

What is the middle class usually up to? Paying a mortgage on a house, putting kids through college, saving, and hopefully being able to have a bit of well earned fun. There is a lot of caretaking going on – for kids, parents, and grandparents.

Social security is surely a benefit to the poor, but it is equally essential for the middle class. The way to find that out is to become disabled, be a child without parental support, be a caretaker who has a sporadic work history, or lose your job for a significant portion of your working life.

Yes, Social Security helps the poor. But very significantly, it keeps the middle class from entering the ranks of the poor. Since Social Security has been implemented, the number of older women in poverty has dropped by 30%.

Because Bush has cut taxes for the very rich and congress has been spending the nest egg that the middle class has been paying into, the Bush changes for Social Security will create the great divide – the very few very rich, and an increasing number of the middle class that joins the poor.

What Bush proposes for private accounts (2% of income) will amount to very little. One wonders what the big argument is over when there are already 401ks, Keogh Plans, and IRA accounts. If you have the money, you can already invest it as you see fit. However, if you lose your job just as the kids enter college, you could be in a different situation. If you are a single parent (half the population is divorced), you make $26,000/year and you have two kids, you aren’t investing much of anything.
But Social Security as it is will make a difference when you retire. Bush’s 2% won’t.

To have any kind of savings, you will have to be paying in every year over a long time. Plenty of situations come up for middle income Americans when circumstances interrupt that. And what about this 8% yearly increase? The times, and maybe that includes the financial times, they are a changin’. How much of “privitized” money is going to administrative fees? And who is going to get those fees?

Privitization isn’t going to help the situation. It will increase the national debt tremendously. And middle income Americans will be paying for it – the same middle income Americans who have the privitization option. But where’s the savings if you’re paying off that national debt while supporting your parents who’s Social Security benefits have been cut to the point that you have to support them? You’re going to be paying more in general, will have reduced retirement benefits when you get there, and I’ll bet you’ll have more financially marginal people in your family to support on that minimal privitized Social Security account.

Bush wants privitization not because this amount is going to improve the lot of middle income Americans. He wants private accounts so he can hand yet more money to his already very rich friends who will be “managing” it for you. I doubt they will feel financially sympathetic toward the significantly increased number of poor. They’ll already have want they wanted: the money siphoned off privitized accounts.

The Queen of Amerindia

Dear American Jesus, you’ve anointed us with oil,
And we’re grateful for this blessing as we fight on foreign soil.

You’re steadfast in your mission, making war without a fear
That the truth will have us question what you said to bring us here.

Now it’s the military mothers who are sinners in our land
For no child of theirs’ will die to buy your wartime business plan.

Your disciples, ah you have them, and you have your Judas too
But he’s turned upon the people and his pledge has gone to you.

Our elections will continue to be bought and sold by those
Whose pocketbooks buy favor where the wealthy donor goes.

We watch as nature vanishes, healthy waters disappear
But for Raptures does it matter when the end is surely near?

As leadership by gospel spreads across our nation’s land
We’re more divided than united, since this Jesus took command.

Received in Amerindia from a US citizen. This poem may be freely copied and distributed in any form. – The Queen of Amerindia

The Founding Fathers of the new nation of the United States were uniquely wise in their understanding of the failings of the systems of government that had gone before. They recognized that a state must be flexible, changing, and able to withstand the imperfections of individuals who govern. The creators of its constitution knew the endless lessons of grief that so many states and cultures had visited upon themselves and others.

Religious men themselves, they recognized the imperative of separation of church and state. The government of the many, by the many, must be able to learn, change, grow wiser, and embrace tolerance. Where the practice of democracy may not have been perfect, the vision of democracy was clear to its creators.

In the interest of unity – and immediate survival – a nation that was born allowing the institution of slavery was not one of universal democracy. The founding fathers left this chapter purposely blank, knowing that it would take time and cultural growth to correct this injustice. They left their conduct as servants of the state as a guide for future generations.

It is not a perfect democracy where any of its citizens do not have the vote or equal status before the law. Where women, minorities or any other disenfranchised citizens are waiting their turn for an equal voice there is a forming democracy – not a mature one.

Therefore, “democracy”? and “freedom’? are relative, not absolute terms. They are labels on a skeleton system of governance that is only meaningfully defined by the tolerance, wisdom and compassion of its citizens.

Democracy is mature and good only when those who make laws and enforce actions would willingly walk in the shoes of those to whom these laws and actions are applied.

We would add corruption to the blights of a democracy. A wise voice (Eisenhower) warned of the military-industrial complex. If money, greed, and dishonesty buy and sell officials and agencies of government, there is a democracy only in name, not in substance.

We of Amerindia are concerned that what is called “democracy”? is turning back the tide of tolerance, compassion and a truly caring state. In its place grows a rigid doctrine of righteousness and exclusion. We wonder what family is “vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,” what rough beast slouches its way through Bethlehem, and on toward an intolerant democracy.

The Queen of Amerindia