Eight Commandment: THOU SHALT PROMOTE PEACE AND BE LOVED AGAIN
America must be taken off of a war footing. The high-alert status both at home and around the world is nothing more than highly destructive fear-mongering. It is used to promote a belligerent self-sabotaging approach to international relations. It's the product of a grossly delusional neocon imperialistic agenda which Americans don't support -- "exceptionalist" chest-beating which fills the coffers of the defense contractors but bankrupts the rest of us both financially and spiritually. We've meddled and bombed enough. It has accomplished nothing and created more problems and more enemies than we had before we decided that military force was the only way to deal with disagreements and crises in the world. It has also subjected the American people to unprecedented and unconstitutional levels of surveillance and a gross abrogation of our rights as citizens. Time to try peace and cooperation instead of threats and bullying.
Ninth Commandment: THOU SHALT RESPECT MOTHER EARTH
Enough silly arguing and tiptoeing around climate change. It's happening, it could destroy the human race. It will without a doubt reduce civilization to a shell of its former glory and sophistication. Let's get to work. Global warming and resource depletion represent the greatest threats to mankind in recorded history. Responsible use of resources and creation of sustainable sources of energy are not only necessary, but could be the greatest unifying force ever! Brainstorming and planning will create a monumental paradigm shift and the subsequent implementation of our collective ingenuity will create jobs and bring together behind a common purpose, a world which is torn by divisiveness, fear, suspicion, anger. Though time is quickly running out, the challenge of a planet in crisis doesn't have to end in total disaster. On the contrary, this could be a historic opportunity for a massive global initiative -- one of renewal and fellowship.
Tenth Commandment: THOU SHALT LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD
The rich and powerful have had a good run. The party is over. The wealthy should start paying back the country which gave birth to their monumental success. Inherited wealth does not give back to the community, the social and political environment that supported the accumulation of all that money. Tax it at 95% above $5 million. The heirs of the Koch brothers will just have to squeak by on their $5.2 billion. Capital gains? Capital gains is income. Tax it at the same rate as personal income. Speaking of which -- time to return to the progressive tax rates of the 60s and 70s. You know them. The ones which resulted in a thriving economy! Massive tax reform across the board is in order, closing of all loopholes, penalizing off-shoring of profits, and the complete elimination of corporate welfare. Do I hear screaming of 'SOCIALISM!' out there? Get a life! Yes, this is redistribution of wealth. It's been going on for thousands of years. It's what makes a functioning society possible.
I confess,
I'm not up to speed on my Bible studies. But I remember hearing at some
point, there were originally 20 commandments. I guess our good guy,
Moses, lost a tablet or two on his way down from the mountain.
I take this as meaning there's room on my list for even more. So let's come up with some ideas for Commandments 11 - 20. All reasonable and constructive ideas are welcome.
I'll bet there's a little Moses in everyone just hankering to bust out.
Come on. Go for it!
Let's make America great again!(Article changed on November 3, 2014 at 00:06)
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
5
4
4
