THANKSGIVING

      A FEW DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING, GRANDMA ROSE, WAS BAKING PIES FOR THE BIG DAY WHEN TWO OF HER GRANDCHILDREN, SETH, AGE 11, AND PAIGE AGE 8, CAME BY FOR A SHORT VISIT. 

      “WHAT ARE YOU MAKING, NONNA?”, SETH ASKED, INQUISITIVELY.  “I’M BAKING PIES FOR THANKSGIVING, SHE REPLIED.   “WHAT’S THANKSGIVING”, PAIGE ASKED, “WELL!” GRANDMA SAID, “NEXT THURSDAY, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A DINNER HERE WITH NONNO, YOUR MOM AND DAD, AUNT CHRISTINE AND UNCLE RAY AND YOUR GRANDPARENTS, THE GREERS FROM ARKANSAS,  WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BIG TURKEY WITH STUFFING, MAYBE A HAM, CRANBERRY JELLY, SWEET POTATO PIE, ALONG WITH APPLE, PUMPKIN AND PECAN PIES, WHICH I AM MAKING NOW ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER FIXINGS.   THANKSGIVING IS A SPECIAL AMERICAN HOLIDAY AND FEAST ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.

      “OH, REPLIED THE CHILDREN,” THEN THANKSGIVING IS A SPECIAL MEAL WITH TURKEY AND THINGS, WE LOVE TURKEY.”     “YES,” GRANDMA SAID, “THANKSGIVING DAY IS SET ASIDE AS A DAY OF THANKS WITH A LOT OF FOOD, EVERY YEAR, AND A LOT MORE, TOO.    “ARE WE GOING TO GET PRESENTS, TOO, LIKE CHRISTMAS?    “WELL, NO, GRANDMA REPLIED, IT IS MORE LIKE GIVING PRESENTS AND GIVING THANKS.    “WHAT KIND OF PRESENTS DO WE GIVE, NONNA,” SETH ASKED.   “WELL, FIRST I MUST TELL YOU ABOUT OUR VERY FIRST THANKSGIVING.”      SETH, CONFIDENTLY REPLIED, “I REMEMBER THAT, IT WAS AT OUR HOME LAST YEAR AND GRAMMY AND GRAMPY CAME FROM ARKANSAS AND BROUGHT A GREAT BIG HAM!”    “YES, YOU ARE RIGHT, SETH, THEY DID COME LAST YEAR, BUT THE VERY FIRST THANKSGIVING, IN THE UNITED STATES WAS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO IN PLYMOUTH MASSACHUSETTS.”   

“OKAY, NONNA, DID YOU BAKE PIES FOR THAT THANKSGIVING, TOO?”  “NO”, SHE ANSWERED, “IT WAS SO LONG AGO I WAS NOT EVEN BORN YET”   “I SEE,” SETH SAID, TILTING HIS HEAD AND OBVIOUSLY LOOKING UTTERLY CONFUSED.    

      ON OCTOBER 12, 1492, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DISCOVERED AMERICA.   BUT HE NEVER SET FOOT IN AMERICA.   IN FACT, HE NEVER INTENDED TO DISCOVER AMERICA; HE WAS LOOKING FOR A SHORTCUT TO CHINA, AND BUMPED INTO THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS AND CUBA WITH HIS SHIPS, THE NINA, PINTA AND SANTA MARIA.    HE WAS WORKING FOR QUEEN ISABELLA AND KING FERDINAND OF SPAIN AT THE TIME.     IN THOSE DAYS MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS FLAT AND IF YOU SAILED YOUR SHIP TOO FAR, YOU WOULD DROP OF THE EARTH AND DISAPPEAR.    COLUMBUS, BEING A VERY SMART ITALIAN FROM GENOA ITALY CONVINCED THE QUEEN THAT THE WORLD WAS ROUND, LIKE A BIG BALL AND IF YOU SAILED IN ONE DIRECTION YOU WOULD RETURN TO WHERE YOU STARTED.    SHE AND COLUMBUS WERE THE ONLY TWO PERSONS IN THE WORLD THAT THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS ROUND.   EVEN TODAY, SOME PEOPLE THINK THE WORLD IS FLAT…THOSE SAME PEOPLE THINK THE MOON IS MADE OF CHEESE AND WE NEVER REALLY LANDED ASTRONAUTS ON THAT PIECE OF CHEESE, IN 1969.

     “IN LATE 1620, THE FIRST PERMANENT ENGLISH SETTLEMENT ARRIVED IN PLYMOUTH MASSACHUSETTS FROM ENGLAND IN A SHIP CALLED THE MAYFLOWER.    THEY LANDED IN THE LATE SUMMER LOOKING FOR A NEW LIFE WITH RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND THEY WERE CALLED PILGRIMS.    THEY NUMBERED ABOUT 100 HARDY MEN AND WOMEN AND SOME CHILDREN TOO.    THE MAYFLOWER DROPPED THEM OFF AND RETURNED TO ENGLAND FOR MORE SUPPLIES AND SETTLERS, THE LONG VOYAGE HAD DEPLETED THEIR FOOD SUPPLY CONSIDERABLY AND THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH FOOD TO LAST THE LONG AND COLD NEW ENGLAND WINTER.   THEY HAD ARRIVED INTO A WILDERNESS AND QUICKLY SET ABOUT TO BUILD SHELTERS FOR THE WINTER STAY.

      FORTUNATELY, THE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS WERE FRIENDLY BEING CURIOUS ABOUT THESE FULLY CLOTHED FOREIGNERS FROM ACROSS THE SEA.    THE INDIANS WERE SURPRISED TO SEE THEM BUILD PERMANENT STRUCTURES, COMPARED TO THE INDIAN’S ANIMAL SKIN TENTS SET UP WITH WOODEN POLES.    IT WAS OBVIOUS TO THEM THAT THESE PEOPLE INTENDED TO STAY.    THEY HAD LONG STICKS THAT BROUGHT FORTH FIRE TO KILL WILD GAME, BUT NONE OF THE BOWS AND ARROWS THE INDIANS USED.

     THESE FOREIGNERS HAD STRANGE IDEAS ABOUT THE LAND.   ONCE THEY BUILT HOMES AND OTHER STRUCTURES, THEY SURROUNDED THEM WITH FENCES TO KEEP ANIMALS AND PEOPLE OUT.    THEY MADE IT KNOWN TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS THAT THEY MUST NOT TRESPASS ON THEIR LAND.    THE NATIVE AMERICANS HOWEVER THOUGHT THE LAND AND WILD ANIMALS AND FISH, BELONGED TO EVERY ONE COLLECTIVELY AND NOT TO ANY ONE PERSON.    THE NATIVES LIVED AND WORKED AS A COMMUNITY, THEY HUNTED AND FISHED TOGETHER AND SHARED THE FOOD THEY OBTAINED FROM THEIR HARVEST FROM THE LAND AND SEA.    WHEN THE HUNTING WAS BAD OR THE LAND DID NOT PRODUCE MUCH HARVEST, OR THE SEA ENOUGH FISH, THEY SIMPLY PULLED DOWN THEIR TENTS AND POLES AND MOVED TO A BETTER LOCATION, LEAVING THE LAND TO RECOVER.

     THAT FIRST WINTER WAS COLD AND THE PILGRIMS BECAME SICK FROM THE LACK OF FOOD AND THEY BEGAN TO DIE AND GO TO HEAVEN.   THE NATIVES SAW THEIR PLIGHT AND BEGAN BRINGING THEM CORN, POTATOES, CRANBERRIES AND DRIED FRUIT AND LOCAL NUTS, LIKE CHESTNUTS AND HAZELNUTS.      SOON, EVEN THE NATIVES WERE IN DANGER BUT THEY CONTINUED TO SHARE WHATEVER THEY HAD, SO THEY ALL COULD SURVIVE THE WINTER.    THE NATIVES GATHERED SHELLFISH, CLAMS, OYSTERS AND EVEN LOBSTERS, AND TAUGHT THE ENGLISH HOW AND WHERE TO FISH AND HUNT.    THE CHIEF OF THE NATIVES WAS CALLED MASSASOIT AND THAT WAS THE NAME OF THE TRIBE.   THE PILGRIMS WERE LED BY JOHN BRADFORD WHO LATER BECAME THE FIRST GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, A NAME TAKEN IN HONOR OF THE NATIVES.    THANKS TO THE HELP OF THE NATIVES MORE THAN HALF THE PILGRIMS SURVIVED THAT FIRST WINTER.

     THERE HAD BEEN OTHER EARLIER SETTLEMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.  THE SPANISH HAD SETTLED IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA IN THE EARLY 1500’S.    THE ENGLISH HAD STARTED A SETTLEMENT IN JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA, BUT THEY WERE TOO FAR AWAY TO CONTACT FOR HELP.” AND NO ONE REALLY KNEW WHERE THEY WERE.

      “WHY COULDN’T THEY CALL THEM ON THE TELEPHONE TO SEND HELP”, SETH ASKED.   “BECAUSE ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL HAD NOT INVENTED THE TELEPHONE YET.     THERE WAS NO TELEGRAPH, CELL PHONES OR WESTERN UNION EITHER, THEY WERE INVENTED MANY YEARS LATER” NONNA EXPLAINED.    “THERE WERE NO ROADS OR SHIPS TO GET THERE, NO TRAINS OR PLANES, EITHER. THESE INVENTIONS CAME MUCH LATER”.   YOU MUST REALIZE IT WAS LIKE GOING CAMPING IN THE WOODS FAR AWAY FROM ANYONE, THERE WAS NO RUNNING WATER IN THE LOG CABINS THEY BUILT, NO ELECTRICITY, AND NO BATHROOMS.    THEY NEEDED TO COLLECT WATER FROM THE STREAMS TO COOK, WASH, AND DRINK AND EVEN TAKE SPONGE BATHS.    THE ONLY SOURCE OF HEAT WAS THE FIREPLACE, WHICH WAS ALSO USED TO COOK IF YOU GATHERED ENOUGH WOOD TO BURN.    THERE WAS NO GAS HEAT OR FURNACES AND MOST HOMES HAD DIRT FLOORS.    THEY HAD CANDLES THEY MADE THEMSELVES FROM BEE’S WAX AND THREAD.    THERE WAS NO MATCHES OR LIGHTERS LIKE WE HAVE TODAY.    TO LIGHT A FIRE, YOU NEEDED TO BORROW HOT EMBERS FROM SOMEONE OR RUB TWO STICKS TOGETHER VIGOROUSLY ON SHAVINGS OR DRY GRASS OR COTTON.    THERE WAS NO INDOOR PLUMBING, NO BATHTUBS OR SHOWERS.    THE ONLY TOILETS WERE OUTSIDE, CALLED OUTHOUSES SO PEOPLE MADE DO UNTIL AND ENGLISHMAN NAMED CRAPPER INVENTED THE FLUSHING TOILET.

     IN THE SPRING, THE NATIVES TAUGHT THE PILGRIMS HOW TO PLANT CROPS. THERE WERE NO TRACTORS OR ROTOTILLERS IN THOSE DAYS, BUT THEY DID HAVE HORSE DRAWN PLOWS THAT WERE SHARED BY EVERYONE.   FIRST THEY HAD TO CLEAR THE LAND BY CUTTING DOWN THE TREES, WHICH THEY USED FOR BUILDING AND FUEL, THEY DUG OUT THE STUMPS ROOTS AND ROCKS, THEN FERTILIZED EACH SEED THEY PLANTED WITH FISH THEY COLLECTED FROM THE SEA.   THERE WAS NO HOSES TO USE FOR WATERING OR SPIGOTS OR SPRINKLERS WITH RUNNING WATER.    WHEN THE PLANTS NEEDED WATERING, THEY WOULD CARRY THE WATER IN WOODEN BUCKETS FROM RAIN BARRELS OR STREAMS AND HAND WATER EACH PLANT INDIVIDUALLY.

     BY THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT SUMMER THE MAYFLOWER RETURNED FROM ENGLAND WITH MORE SUPPLIES AND SETTLERS.    THEY BROUGHT MORE FOOD AND ANIMALS, CLAY POTS AND THE NEEDED STEEL TO MAKE NAILS, BOLTS, HORSESHOES AND COAL FOR THE BLACKSMITH’S FORGE.

THE ANIMALS CONSISTED OF CHICKENS A COUPLE OF COWS FOR MILKING AND A BULL, GOATS, SHEEP AND A COUPLE OF PIGS.   THE SHEEP WERE SHEARED OF THEIR WOOL AND SPUN BY THE WOMEN INTO NEEDED CLOTHES AND BLANKETS.   EVENTUALLY MORE ANIMALS AND BEASTS OF BURDEN LIKE HORSES AND OXEN ARRIVED TO HELP CARRY THE LOAD.

     YOU MUST REALIZE THAT IN THOSE DAYS, THERE WERE NO SUPERMARKETS, NO HOME DEPOTS, NO MCDONALDS OR BURGER KINGS.   THERE WERE NO KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKENS, PIZZA HUTS, NO DUNKIN DONUTS, NO RESTAURANTS OR BARS, SINCE THE PILGRIMS HAD BANNED ALL TYPES OF LIQUOR.    THERE WERE NO REFRIGERATORS OR FREEZERS TO STORE OR KEEP FOOD, MICROWAVES OR ELECTRIC TOASTERS.   THERE WERE A FEW ROOT CELLARS AND COMMUNITY STORAGE PLACES.   ICE, HAD TO BE CUT BY HAND FROM FROZEN PONDS IN WINTER AND STORED BETWEEN SAWDUST IN A GIANT PILE TO LAST FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME.   MOST EVERYONE WAS A FARMER BY NECESSITY FIRST AND FOREMOST, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE BEST WAY TO INSURE SURVIVAL AND HAVING ENOUGH FOOD FOR YOUR FAMILY.   MOST EVERYTHING HAD TO BE DRIED IN THE FALL SO THERE WOULD BE FOOD FOR THE WINTER.

      BY THE FALL OF 1621, THE PILGRIMS HAD BEEN RE-SUPPLIED, THEY HAD SUCCESSFULLY GROWN AND STORED THEIR OWN FOOD AND THANKS TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS, THEY HAD MANAGED TO HAVE THEIR SMALL COMMUNITY, SURVIVE.  THE PILGRIMS WERE SO JOYFUL AND GRATEFUL, THEY FELT AN OBLIGATION TO HAVE A THANKSGIVING DINNER TO CELEBRATE AND SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION TO EACH OTHER AND THE NATIVE AMERICANS.    THEY INVITED EVERYONE AND EACH COLLECTIVELY PREPARED A MEAL FIT FOR A KING.     THE NATIVE INDIANS ATTENDED AND BROUGHT ALONG THEIR PEACE PIPES, CONTAINING TOBACCO AN UNIQUELY AMERICAN INDIAN HABIT OF SMOKING.    THE PILGRIMS, NOT SURPRISINGLY, WERE OBLIGED TO SMOKE THE PEACE PIPES WITH THE NATIVES AND SO BEGAN ANOTHER BAD HABIT, WHICH SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD IN A FEW YEARS.    GENERATIONS LATER IT WAS LEARNED THAT THIS WAS THE CURSE PUT ON THE NEW AMERICANS BY THE INDIANS, UNWITTINGLY.

      TODAY, WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS; WE HAVE THE TRADITIONAL MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE IN NEW YORK WHILE MOST OF THE CHILDREN AND US WATCH IT ON TELEVISION.   WE ALSO CELEBRATE THE DAY BY WATCHING A TRADITIONAL FOOTBALL GAME IN EVERY CITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN THE MORNING.

      WE EACH LIKE TO SPEND THANKSGIVING WITH OUR FAMILY, IF POSSIBLE.    SOME MEMBERS COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO COLLECTIVELY GATHER AS A FAMILY TO CELEBRATE THE TRUE MEANING OF THE DAY, TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD AND TO EACH OTHER FOR THE HELP AND BLESSINGS GIVEN US DURING THE YEAR.    IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FOR OUR SURVIVAL, LIKE THE PILGRIMS DID.    THANKSGIVING IS ALSO AN EXAMPLE OF OUR DEDICATION TO OUR FAMILY AND OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.     THIS DAY IS ANOTHER REMINDER FOR US TO ENCOURAGE AND FOSTER THE GIFT OF CHARITY AND CONCERN FOR THOSE LESS FORTUNATE; TO HELP LIFT THEIR SPIRITS AND HOPE, WHILE OUR CHARITY LIFTS OUR SPIRITS IN RETURN.     BY PERFORMING THE SMALLEST DEED, BY SHARING THE SMALLEST MEAL, WE DEMONSTRATE OUR EQUALITY AND CONCERN FOR OUR FELLOW AMERICANS.

    THANKSGIVING WAS NOT MEANT TO BE A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY, BUT IT GIVES EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THEIR RELIGIOUS AND FAMILY TEACHINGS OF LOVE, COMPASSION CHARITY AND FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS ON THAT DAY AND EVERY DAY.     IT IS A DAY OF SHARING WITH OTHERS AND OF THE UNITY WITH OTHERS IN THE SAME WAY OUR PILGRIM FOREFATHERS SHOWED THEIR GRATITUDE AND GAVE THEIR THANKS TO THOSE NATIVE AMERICANS FOR HELPING THEM AS STRANGERS AND FOREIGNERS TO AMERICA, AT A TIME OF NEED.

     SO, CHILDREN, NOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THANKSGIVING”?    THE CHILDREN, SETH AND PAIGE, JUST STOOD THERE, PUZZLED AND TIRED OF THE LONG EXPLANATION BY NONNA.    FINALLY, SETH, WHO IS NEVER AT A LOSS FOR WORDS, REPLIED, “SO, WHEN DO WE EAT THE PIES, NONNA?”

     AND SO, EVEN TODAY, AS WE GIVE THANKS ON THANKSGIVING, AND WORRY ABOUT OUR JOBS OUR FUTURE AND OUR COUNTRY, WE GIVE THANKS FOR HAVING EACH OTHER TO SHARE THE JOY OF THE DAY WITH THE HOPE AND PERSEVERANCE THAT WE WILL MEET AGAIN NEXT YEAR A LITTLE BETTER OFF THAN WE ARE TODAY, WITH A COUNTRY THAT PULLS TOGETHER AT THE TASK BEFORE US, WITH THE DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED, AS WE MUST.

NOVEMBER 27, 2008.

NONNO JOSEPH E. MARINO, SR.

THE RETURNING SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN FROM WAR

     NOVEMBER 11, OF EACH YEAR IS VETERANS DAY, A DAY SET ASIDE TO HONOR ALL OUR VETERANS.   BUT OUR DUTY TO VETERANS, AS AMERICANS, SHOULD NOT STOP THERE.    IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. 

     WE HAVE HAD SIX YEARS OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.   OUR SERVICE PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE DUTIFULLY SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES, THEIR LIVING ROUTINE AND ECONOMIC LIFE FOR THEIR COUNTRY.    FIVE THOUSAND HAVE BEEN KILLED AND MORE THAN 25,000 WOUNDED, SOME SO SERIOUSLY, THEY ARE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES.     SOME HAVE MENTAL INJURIES AND HAVE BECOME HOMELESS.     HOW CAN WE AMERICANS ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN?   BUT THE SADDEST PART OF THEIR JOURNEY WILL BE TO COME HOME TO A COUNTRY IN RECESSION, WITH MANY OF THEIR FORMER JOBS ELIMINATED AND THE PROSPECT OF GOOD JOBS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN.    SOME SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ROTATED FOR THREE OR FOUR TOURS OF DUTY IN IRAQ UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE OF WAR, THAT WOULD TAX, EVEN THE BRAVEST AND MOST DEDICATED SOLDIER.

      THESE MEN AND WOMEN DESERVE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING THIS COUNTRY HAS TO REWARD THEM FOR THEIR JOB WELL DONE AND THEIR MISSION ACCOMPLISHED UNDER THE WORSE OF ODDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.   THIS COUNTRY MUST WELCOME THEM HOME AS THE HEROS EACH OF THEM ARE.    A SIMPLE MARCHING BAND WELCOME, A PARADE AND TIP OF THE HAT IS A GOOD START, BUT IT SHOULD NOT END THERE.    THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION MUST INTERVIEW EACH RETURNING SERVICE PERSON INDIVIDUALLY AND SATISFY THEIR NEEDS TO SETTLE BACK INTO THEIR LIVES A LITTLE BETTER THAN WHEN THEY LEFT.    THAT IS THE LEAST REWARD THAT SHOULD AWAIT THEM ON THEIR RETURN.    

     AS A RETURNING VETERAN OF WORLD WAR II, AFTER THREE YEARS OF DUTY MOST OF IT OVERSEAS, WE WERE MET AT THE PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO WITH A MARCHING BAND AND A CROWD OF CURIOUS DOCKWORKERS MORE INTERESTED IN THEIR CHORES THAN US 5000 SEASONED SOLDIERS WHO HAD JUST ABOUT CIRCUMVENTED THE GLOBE TO FIGHT THE ENEMY IN EUROPE AND THE PACIFIC.    WE DISEMBARKED, ENDURED THE INDIGNITY OF BEING TOLD AS A GROUP THAT NOW, WITH THE WAR OVER, WE MUST STOP OUR KILLING HABITS AND START ACTING LIKE “HUMAN BEINGS.”     I PERSONALLY WAS TRICKED OUT OF MY RIGHTS TO CLAIM A DISABILITY PAYMENT FOR MY INJURIES SUFFERED IN THE SERVICE, BUT THANK GOD I NEVER NEEDED THIS BLOOD MONEY FOR SUPPORT.    I HAVE POINTED OUT THESE SIMPLE ENCOUNTERS AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE MISTREATMENT WE ENDURED, IN THE HOPE IT WILL NOT BE INFLICTED ON THESE RETURNING HEROS.

WE NEED TO GUARD AGAINST THE TREATMENT OUR BRAVE SERVICEMEN AND RECEIVED AGAIN UPON THEIR RETURN FROM KOREA AND ESPECIALLY VIETNAM WHEN THE SERVICEMEN WE TREATED AS WAR CRIMINALS INSTEAD OF HEROS, MERELY FOLLOWING ORDERS.    THOSE SCARS HAVE NEVER HEALED OR LEFT THEM.    ALL THOSE MEN DESERVED BETTER FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE.

     THINGS WILL BE BAD ENOUGH EMOTIONALLY FOR THE RETURNING SERVICE PEOPLE, LET’S ASSURE THEM NOW, BY PREPARING OURSELVES FOR THEIR RETURN, AND BY TREATING EACH OF THEM AS THE HEROES THEY ARE.     THEY ARE ENTITLED TO THE BEST JOBS THAT FIT THEIR TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE, PROVIDING THEM WITH THE RIGHTS TO AN EDUCATION THEY LOST AND OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE BETTER THAN WHEN THEY LEFT, TO SERVE US WHILE SACRIFICING THEIR ALL FOR US.    THAT IS THE LEAST WE MUST DO FOR OUR RETURNING SERVICE MEN AND SERVICE WOMEN ALONG WITH THOSE VETERANS WHO SERVED OR WERE WOUNDED AND RETURNED TO CIVILIAN LIFE.    THEY DESERVE OUR CONSTANT SUPPORT AND ATTENTION, LEST WE FORGET THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE ON OUR BEHALF AND THEIR GRATEFUL COUNTRY, SO WE MAY CONTINUE TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.

     LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE HALLOWEEN, PRESIDENT BUSH AND HIS GANG OF CORPORATE THIEVES PULLED OFF THE GREATEST ROBBERY OF THE US TREASURY EVER SPOOKED ON CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.    YOU WONDER WHY CONGRESS IS HELD TO THE LOWEST ESTEEM EVER RECORDED IN HISTORY, IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE GREEDY AND THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE STUPID AND WILL NOT NOTICE.

      WHEN SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, PAULSON, A FORMER C.E.O. OF GOLDMAN SACHS, PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THE NATIONS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WERE IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE DUE TO THE BAD LOANS, CHIEFLY IN THE MORTGAGE FIELD.     HE REQUESTED THE NEED FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED 750 BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT TO KEEP THESE CREDIT SOURCES OPEN AND OPERATING TO HELP THE SAGGING ECONOMY.   CONGRESS QUICKLY COMPLIED WHILE ADDING A FEW BILLION DOLLARS OF PORK BARREL PROJECTS OF THEIR OWN TO SWEETEN THE PIE FOR THEIR VOTE OF APPROVAL.    

      WHAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DID NOT KNOW WAS THE USUAL BANK AND LENDING INSTITUTION LOBBYISTS WERE ALREADY SPREADING THE JOY OF POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND TO BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES TO INSURE THE PASSAGE OF THIS RIP-OFF.    THIS, IN ESSENCE, IS THE PURPOSE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT.   THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCEEDING AT THIS BIDDING PROCESS FOR SOME YEARS NOW, BUT ONLY RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN INCREASED TEN FOLD DUE, MAINLY TO THEIR SUCCESS IN LURING CONGRESSMEN WITH GOLD AND RICHES.    THE CONGRESSMEN CALL IT POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR EXPENSIVE CAMPAIGNS EVERY TWO YEARS FOR THEIR RE-ELECTION.    I CALL IT, JUST WHAT IT IS, A BRIBE FOR THE CONGRESSMAN’S VOTE.    HOW CAN CONGRESS JUSTIFY THIS VOTE WHEN 75 % OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WAS AGAINST IT?    THE OTHER 25% WHO WERE IN FAVOR WERE TOLD, IT WOULD BE USED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO BUY UP THOSE BAD LOANS AND MORTGAGES TO RELIEVE THOSE IN DEFAULT TO HELP STEM THE TIDE OF FORECLOSURES AND STABILIZE THE CREDIT AND FORECLOSURE MARKET.    INSTEAD, RECENTLY, SECRETARY PAULSON ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAD CHANGED HIS MIND AND INSTEAD HE PLANS TO BUY UP SOME OF THE STOCK OF THESE BANKS TO STABILIZE NET WORTH.     SINCE WHEN, IS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IN THE BANK BUSINESS OR ANY BUSINESS FOR THAT MATTER?  IT ALL SOUND LIKE SOCIALISM.     FIRST OF ALL, IN THEIR HASTE, CONGRESS IN VOTING APPROVAL FOR SPENDING 750 BILLION DOLLARS OF MONEY THEY DID NOT HAVE IN THE TREASURY, THEY ALSO GAVE SECRETARY PAULSON UNFRETTED DISCRETION TO SPEND THIS UNHEARD OF HUGE SUM, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE HE DEEMED NECESSARY.   THAT WAS ALSO UNPRECEDENTED AND OBVIOUSLY WRONG.   IN MY OPINION THE AUTHORIZATION IS VOID BECAUSE IT IS NOT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND AN UNAUTHORIZED DELEGATION OF LEGISLATIVE POWER TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

     NOW, JUST A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE AUTO INDUSTRY IS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF CONGRESS WITH MEETINGS WITH SPEAKER PELOSI AND SENATE PRESIDENT REID, LOOKING FOR BAILOUTS AND GIFTS, LIKE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.    CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT-ELECT, OBAMA, ARE LISTENING, SYMPATHETIC AND PLANNING A BAILOUT FOR THEM ALSO.    THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS, MONEY-GRABBING, PLOY OF THE CENTURY, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY ON THE HOOK, AS GUARANTORS FOR ABOUT TWELVE MILLION DEFAULTED FANNIE MAE AND FREDDY MAC MORTGAGES.   I ESTIMATE THIS WILL COST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT 6 TRILLION DOLLARS FROM OUR TREASURY, WHICH IT WILL NEED TO BORROW, ADDING INTEREST PAYMENTS TO THE ALREADY TEN TRILLION DOLLAR DEBT, ON WHICH WE ARE ALREADY PAYING INTEREST, CHIEFLY BECAUSE OF THE COST OF THE TWO WARS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.

     IN THE MEANTIME, OUR ECONOMY IS FALLING APART WITH UNEMPLOYMENT RISING AND RETAIL SALES AT NEAR ZERO.  

     THE PROBLEM WITH THESE BAILOUTS IS THAT THEY DO NOT ATTACK THE CAUSE BUT THROW MONEY AT THE EFFECT, OF THE PROBLEM, INSTEAD, WHICH ONLY POSTPONES OR DELAYS THE EFFECT OF THE CAUSE.    IF WE WERE TO ATTACK TO CAUSE, WE SHOULD ELIMINATE THE EFFECT.   THIS SOUNDS LIKE A PLAY ON WORDS BUT IT IS THE RIGHT PLAY TO GET TO A SOLUTION OF ANY PROBLEM.  STOPGAP SOLUTIONS NEVER WORK AND NEVER WILL WORK, THEY ONLY COMPOUND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE, AND IN TIME THE CAUSE GETS WORSE LIKE AN UNTREATED CANCER. 

      PROOF, IS IN THE RESULT OF THE LAST TWO STIMULUS PACKAGES PASSED BY CONGRESS SINCE 2002, THEY DID NOTHING TO HELP THE ECONOMY WHILE THE PROBLEM FESTERED.   NOW PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA WANTS ANOTHER STIMULUS PACKAGE AS ONE OF HIS FIRST SOLUTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC CRISES.    CONGRESS WILL PROBABLY APPROVE THIS PLAN, BUT IT WILL BE JUST ANOTHER MISTAKE AND FALSE START FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA.    HE MAY MAKE A FEW TEMPORARY FRIENDS HAPPY BUT THE ECONOMY WILL EVENTUALLY COLLAPSE AS IT IS DOOMED AND DESTINED, IF THE CAUSES ARE NOT CORRECTED.   

      MY NEXT ARTICLE WILL IDENTIFY THE CAUSES THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, WHICH CONGRESS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECOGNIZE AND CORRECT BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN THEIR RE-ELECTION AND PAYOFFS FROM LOBBYISTS FOR THE MONEY FOR THEIR SLUSH FUNDS.

      FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE BEEN WARNING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THEIR BIGGEST ENEMY IS NOT THE TERRORISTS OR N. KOREA OR IRAN, BUT CONGRESS, BECAUSE OF ITS FAILURE TO ADDRESS THE URGENT PROBLEMS WITH OUR ECONOMY AND DOMESTIC PROBLEMS LIKE HEALTH CARE DRUG PRICES, GAS PRICES AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY SHORTFALL.     I RECOMMENDED THAT THEY NOT HAVE, RE-ELECTED THEIR CONGRESSMEN.    MY WORDS HAVE FALLEN ON DEAF EARS AND NOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL SUFFER THE RESULT OF THEIR FAILURE TO TAKE ACTION WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE.   THROWING OUT THE REPUBLICANS WAS NOT THE ANSWER.  WE MUST THROW ALL THE BUMS AND THIEVES OUT, OR WE MUST STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RESULTS.    EITHER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT, THESE DAYS, OR SOON THEY WILL NOT HAVE A GOVERNMENT.     ALTHOUGH, UNDER OUR REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT, WE ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO ACT FOR US, THE WHOLE SYSTEM BREAKS DOWN WHEN OUR REPRESENTATIVES ONLY REPRESENT THEIR SELF-INTERESTS AND POLITICAL PARTY, AS THEY HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS, AND NOT ALL THEIR CONSTITUENTS.  ALL THIS CAN ONLY SUGGEST THEY THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE STUPID.

November 5, 2008

The Honorable Barack Obama

US Senate and President Elect

713 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC  20510-1305

Dear President Elect, Barack Obama:

       In your acceptance speech and many other times, you spoke of this country as containing not blue or red states but the United States.  You also said you will listen and represent every American whether we voted for you or not.  In addition you stated that we must work together as Americans to solve the many problems now facing this nation with people suffering.  

      For too long, congress has been deadlocked on most legislation, because of the constant bickering between the two political parties, and the fact most senators and representatives vote through party loyalty rather than what is best for the country.  It is no wonder the popularity of congress is lower than that of President Bush at the present time.  It is time we all start acting like Americans and not members of any political party.        

      If you really desire to bring change and success to the way this country operates and bring hope to Americans, you must start with congress, the bedlam of political power.  I propose the following:

1.    Seat all members of congress in both branches alphabetically and not by political affiliation with democrats on the left and republican on the right.  This action would be more inducive for members to work together, since they are sitting together.

2.    While in session members of both parties and all speakers, should be forbidden from mentioning any political party.  In other words, a person’s party affiliation is left at the entrance door.

3.    Congress should work a five-day week, like all American workers, especially during these economic times that need the immediate attention of congress.  Speaker Pelosi did initiate a five-day week in 2006 when she became the speaker of the house, but soon abandoned this schedule.

     If we remove party affiliation from the operation of our government, we may all act for what is best for our country in this dire time of need.  This action will be the first step in uniting our country, since we must start first with the operation of the government and the machinery that is vested with the legislative authority to solve many of our present problems.

    You might say, this is the province of the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the senate, but if you publicly announce this request of them, I doubt if they will not oblige.  These small, but important gestures will send the message you truly wish to unite this divided country and quickly solve them with the cooperation of congress. 

       Just in passing, I am an 84 year old, a WWII veteran, retired attorney, born and raised in the shadow of Harvard and a former Florida supporter of Hillary Clinton, who voted for John McCain but accept you proudly as my 44th president of the U.S.A.

      In any event, I offer my congratulations and best wishes as our new President with the hope you will act swiftly to aid this faltering economy, which I realize is your first priority.

Respectfully yours, 

Joseph E. Marino, Sr.

MESSAGE:    “NOW IS THE TIME TO KEEP YOUR PROMISES”.

DEAR PRESIDENT ELECT, BARACK OBAMA:

       IN YOUR ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AND MANY OTHER TIMES, YOU SPOKE OF THIS COUNTRY AS CONTAINING NOT BLUE OR RED STATES BUT THE UNITED STATES.     YOU ALSO SAID YOU WILL LISTEN AND REPRESENT EVERY AMERICAN WHETHER WE VOTED FOR YOU OR NOT.    IN ADDITION YOU STATED THAT WE MUST WORK TOGETHER AS AMERICAN TO SOLVE THE MANY PROBLEMS NOW FACING THIS NATION WITH PEOPLE SUFFERING.    

      FOR TOO LONG, CONGRESS HAS BEEN DEADLOCKED ON MOST LEGISLATION, BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT BICKERING BETWEEN THE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES, AND THE FACT MOST SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES VOTE THROUGH PARTY LOYALTY RATHER THAN WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COUNTRY.    IT IS NO WONDER THE POPULARITY OF CONGRESS IS LOWER THAN THAT OF PRESIDENT BUSH AT THE PRESENT TIME.    IT IS TIME WE ALL START ACTING LIKE AMERICANS AND NOT MEMBERS OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY.        

      IF YOU REALLY DESIRE TO BRING CHANGE AND SUCCESS TO THE WAY THIS COUNTRY OPERATES AND BRING HOPE TO AMERICANS, YOU MUST START WITH CONGRESS, THE BEDLAM OF POLITICAL POWER.    THEREFORE, I PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING:

1.    SEAT ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN BOTH BRANCHES ALPHABETICALLY AND NOT BY POLITICAL AFFILIATION WITH DEMOCRATS ON THE LEFT AND REPUBLICAN ON THE RIGHT.     THIS ACTION WOULD BE MORE INDUCIVE FOR MEMBERS TO WORK TOGETHER, SINCE THEY ARE SITTING TOGETHER.

2.    WHILE IN SESSION MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES AND ALL SPEAKERS, SHOULD BE FORBIDDEN FROM MENTIONING ANY POLITICAL PARTY.    IN OTHER WORDS, A PERSONS PARTY AFFILIATION IS LEFT AT THE ENTRANCE DOOR.

     IF WE REMOVE PARTY AFFILIATION FROM THE OPERATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT, WE MAY ALL ACT FOR WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR COUNTRY IN THIS DIRE TIME OF NEED.   THIS ACTION WILL BE THE FIRST STEP IN UNITING OUR COUNTRY, SINCE WE MUST START FIRST WITH THE OPERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MACHINERY THAT IS VESTED WITH THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO SOLVE MANY OF OUR PRESENT PROBLEMS.

    YOU MIGHT SAY, THIS IS THE PROVINCE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, BUT IF YOU PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE THIS REQUEST OF THEM, I DOUBT IF THEY WILL NOT OBLIGE.    THIS SMALL, BUT IMPORTANT GESTURE, WILL SEND THE MESSAGE YOU TRULY WISH TO UNITE THIS DIVIDED COUNTRY.  

       JUST IN PASSING, I AM AN 84 YEAR OLD MALE, A WWII VETERAN, RETIRED ATTORNEY, BORN AND RAISED IN THE SHADOW OF HARVARD AND A FORMER FLORIDA SUPPORTER OF HILLARY CLINTON, WHO VOTED FOR JOHN MCCAIN BUT ACCEPT YOU PROUDLY AS MY 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.A.

      IN ANY EVENT, I OFFER MY CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES AS OUR NEW PRESIDENT WITH THE HOPE YOU WILL ACT SWIFTLY TO AID THIS FALTERING ECONOMY, WHICH I REALIZE IS YOUR FIRST PRIORITY.

      FOR THOSE OF US THAT DID NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA, WE MUST ACCEPT HIM AS OUR NEW PRESIDENT COME, JANUARY 20, 2009.      THE CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT IS OVER AND WE MUST STOP THE CRITICISM AND COMPLAINTS AND CONCENTRATE ON HOW, BARACK OBAMA, AND THE NEW CONGRESS CAN BEST SOLVE THE PRESENT ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE CRIPPLING OUR COUNTRY.     WE MUST PUT ASIDE OUR PARTY AND NON-PARTY AFFILIATIONS AND LOYALTIES AND DO WHAT WE CAN AS AMERICANS TO HELP OUR COUNTRY AND OUR PEOPLE.    OF COURSE WE EXPECT OBAMA AND THE DEMOCRATS TO DO THE SAME THING, ESPECIALLY SINCE PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA HAS PROMISED US HOPE AND CHANGE IF HE WAS ELECTED, WHILE EXPRESSING THE DESIRE TO UNITE THE COUNTRY AS THE “UNITED STATES AND NOT “RED” OR “BLUE” STATES.      SOON, WE SHALL FIND OUT IF THIS WAS THE USUAL POLITICAL RHETORIC, OR A GENUINE INTENT.

      I, FOR ONE, AM CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO WORK TOGETHER, AS AMERICANS, TO GET THE JOB DONE.     THE SOLUTIONS MUST COME FROM EVERYONE WORKING TOWARD THE SAME GOAL AND NOT FROM THE POLITICAL PARTY WHOM HAS THE MOST VOTES TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED.     CONGRESS HAS BEEN DAMNED AND HELD IN DISREPUTE FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS BECAUSE OF ITS INABILITY TO GET THE JOB DONE, UNLESS ONE PARTY IS IN THE MAJORITY, WHILE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUFFER FROM INACTION.

      NOVEMBER 4, 2008, IS ELECTION DAY AND IT CANNOT COME TOO SOON FOR US AMERICANS.     WE HAVE BEEN BARRAGED WITH CANDIDATES AND SLOGANS THRU A PRIMARY AND TWO POLITICAL PARTY CONVENTIONS, WITH A MYRIAD OF WISTFUL CANDIDATES, MOST OF WHOM WE CANNOT REMEMBER TODAY.     THE END RESULT, WITH A CANDIDATE FROM EACH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY, RESULTED FROM SUCH A NASTY PRIMARY FIGHT, THAT NO ONE WAS REALLY HAPPY WITH THE CANDIDATES SELECTED.     SINCE THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS, WE HAVE BEEN HAMMERED WITH E-MAILS, TELEPHONE CALLS, BELL RINGERS AND T V APPEARANCES AND MOSTLY NEGATIVE ADS TO THE POINT WE ARE TURNING OFF THE TV AND REFUSING TO ANSWER THE TELEPHONE WHILE DELETING THE E-MAILS WITHOUT EVEN THE THOUGHT OF READING THEM.  ONE THING I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT NEITHER MAJOR CANDIDATE HAS USED THE NEWSPAPERS TO PLACE ADS AND I KNOW WHY.   ASIDE FROM THE LACK OF ENOUGH READERSHIPS, MOST DEMOCRATIC VOTERS CANNOT READ AND MOST REPUBLICAN VOTERS WANT TO BE CALLED PERSONALLY BEFORE THEY COMMIT TO VOTE FOR ANYONE.   IT SEEMS T V ADS ARE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SINCE THEY PLAY TO A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE, SITTING THERE LISTENING AND TOO LAZY TO FLIP THE CHANNEL.    

     I MUST COMPLIMENT BOTH OF THE MAJOR CANDIDATES, MCCAIN AND OBAMA AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND EFFORTS AND SACRIFICE DURING THIS LONG AND GRUELING CAMPAIGN.   MOST HAVE BEEN IN A WHIRLWIND OF TOURS AND GATHERINGS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, SPOUTING THEIR PLATFORMS AND SOLUTIONS IF ELECTED.  

     THE SORRY PART IS THAT, ONE WILL WIN AND THE OTHER WILL LOSE IN THE END.   MAYBE, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS HAD IT RIGHT WHEN THE CONSTITUTION WAS FIRST ENACTED IN 1787 BECAUSE, BEFORE THE PASSING OF THE 12^TH AMENDMENT IN 1804, THE PERSON WITH THE MOST ELECTORAL VOTES WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT WHILE THE PERSON WITH THE SECOND HIGHEST VOTES WAS ELECTED AS VICE-PRESIDENT.    THEREFORE, THE TWO HIGHEST VOTE GETTERS WERE AUTOMATICALLY ELECTED TO THE TWO HIGHEST POSITIONS IN THE GOVERNMENT.   SINCE THEN, EACH CANDIDATE HAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SELECTING THEIR CHOICE FOR VICE PRESIDENT AND THEY RUN TOGETHER ON THE POLITICAL TICKET.    USUALLY THE VICE-PRESIDENT IS ASSIGNED TO A BUILDING NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE WHERE HE/SHE WAITS OR HOPES FOR THE PRESIDENT TO DIE, SO HE/SHE MAY TAKE OVER.    IT IS FOR THAT REASON THAT, USUALLY THE PRESIDENT HAS NO USE FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE/SHE CERTAINLY REMINDS HIM OF THAT FACT AND INWARDLY RESENTS HIM SELF/HER SELF AS THE HARBORER OF DEATH.

     I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR AT A RECENT INTERVIEW THAT OBAMA WAS ASKED IF MCCAIN COULD BE USED BY OBAMA IF HE BECAME THE PRESIDENT.   OBAMA RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND SAID WITH THE EXPERTISE OF MCCAIN IN FOREIGN POLICY AND HIS ABILITY TO WORK WITH MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES HE WOULD CONSIDER MCCAIN AN ASSET TO THE ADMINISTRATION.    WHEN MCCAIN WAS ASKED THE SAME QUESTION REGARDING OBAMA, MCCAIN ANSWERED TRUTHFULLY THAT WITH OBAMA’S INEXPERIENCE AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE IN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICY, THERE WAS NO JOB FOR WHICH OBAMA MIGHT QUALIFY, IN ANY EVENT HIS CHOICE OF SARAH PALIN AS HIS VICE-PRESIDENT, BEING A WOMAN, COULD SERVE HIM IN MANY OTHER WAYS.

      AS I LISTENED TO THOSE TWO MAJOR CANDIDATES, PROMISING WHAT THEY INTENDED TO DO IF AND WHEN ELECTED, I WAS INSULTED BECAUSE I REALIZED AS SITTING U. S. SENATORS EACH HAD THE PRESENT POWER TO FILE LEGISLATION TO SOLVE THE PRESSING PROBLEMS THEY PROMISED TO CURE ALL YEAR LONG AS THEY RAN FOR OFFICE.    WHY HAD THEY NOT ACTED THEN?     OBVIOUSLY, IT IS BECAUSE EACH NEVER INTENDED TO FOLLOW THRU WITH THEIR PROMISES ONCE ELECTED.

      IN ADDITION, EACH CANDIDATE VOTED FOR THE BAILOUT OF THE VERY BANKS AND LENDING INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE CAUSED THIS CREDIT BREAKDOWN, WHILE GIVING THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY PAULSON A FORMER CEO OF   GOLDMAN-SACHS, ONE OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE BAILOUT A CARTE BLANCH ON HOW TO HAND OUT 750 BILLION DOLLARS THE TREASURY DOES NOT HAVE AND WHICH WE WILL BE PAYING OFF FOR THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS, THE MONEY, IN THE OPINION OF THE AVERAGE AMERICAN WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SPENT TO BAIL OUT THE TEN MILLION OWNERS OF HOMES WITH PREDATORY LOANS THAT ARE IN DEFAULT AND LOSING THEIR HOMES AS A RESULT FOR THE LAST TWO OR MORE YEARS, WITHOUT HELP OR ACTION.

      WITH JOBS CONTINUALLY GOING OVERSEAS, THE OIL AND TRADE DEFICIT ARE BANKRUPTING OUR COUNTRY WHILE CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENT AND NEITHER PRESIDENTAL CANDIDATES MOVE TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE SAGGING ECONOMY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS ALSO.    IT IS NO SMALL WONDER THAT WHOMEVER IS ELECTED PRESIDENT WILL HAVE A PROBLEM ON HIS HANDS SIMILAR TO WHAT ROOSEVELT WAS CONFRONTED WITH WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE IN 1932.    IT TOOK HIM ABOUT 8 YEARS TO GET US OUT OF THAT DEPRESSION AND IT TOOK A WAR TO DO IT.    IN OUR CASE THE WARS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ HAVE ALREADY DRAINED OUR CREDIT AND DOLLARS TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 10 TRILLION DOLLARS TO DATE, THERE IS NO MONEY LEFT TO FIX ANYTHING, LET ALONE THE BILLIONS PLANNED BY OBAMA TO GIVE EACH FAMILY 500 DOLLARS TO HELP THEM OUT.     THIS SUM IS, AT BEST, USED TO PAY A MONTH’S MORTGAGE OR RENT OR FOOD AND IS A TEMPORARY MEASURE WHILE WE NEED PERMANENT SOLUTIONS, INSTEAD.

     UNLESS THE NEXT PRESIDENT COMMENCES A CRASH PROGRAM FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WE WILL STILL BE PRISONERS OF THE OIL CARTELS IN THE U. S. AND NEAR EAST.   AT THE SAME TIME WE NEED A CONCENTRATED INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN TO FIX OUR DETERIORATING BRIDGES AND ROADS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.      

THE FORECLOSURE OF THE DEFAULTED HOME LOAN MUST BE STOPPED BY ARRANGING A PLAN FOR EACH HOMEOWNER TO STAY IN THEIR HOME AND PAY AS MUCH AS THEY CAN AFFORD FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE ECONOMY IMPROVES.    MOST MORTGAGES MUST BE REDUCED TO NO HIGHER THAN MARKET VALUE.    THE 500 BILLION LEFT FROM THE BAILOUT SHOULD BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.    THIS ACTION WILL STOP THE DECLINE OF HOME VALUES AND HELP THE ECONOMY RECOVER.

    OUR VERY FIRST GOAL IS TO FIND WAYS TO PUT THE UNEMPLOYED WORKERS BACK TO WORK SO THAY CAN SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES AND PAY THE TAXES NEEDED TO RUN THIS COUNTRY.    IT IS TIME FOR THE WORKER’S UNIONS TO COME TO THE AID OF THE WORKERS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE UNIONS FOR THE LAST 70 YEARS.    IT IS ALSO TIME FOR THE UNIONS AND MANAGEMENT TO WORK TOGETHER TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE.     A PROFIT SHARING PLAN MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE MIX TO GIVE THE WORKERS THE INCENTIVE TO JOIN IN THE PROBLEM OF COMPETITION.

    WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RISING, IT IS TIME TO SEND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HOME SO AMERICANS CAN FILL THESE JOBS.    ALL WORK VISAS MUST BE CANCELLED ON 90 DAYS NOTICE AND THE JOBS FILLED BY AMERICANS, EVEN IF THEY NEED TO BE TRAINED FOR THEM.   ALL WORK BY AMERICAN CORPORATIONS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM OUTSOURCING.   

     FREE TRADE SHOULD BE REPLACED BY, BALANCED TRADE, TO END THE TRADE DEFICIT AND BRING JOBS TO AMERICAN WORKERS.   CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES SHOULD BUY THE SAME AMOUNT OF GOODS AS IT SELLS TO US.

      WE MUST WITHDRAW OUR TROOPS FROM IRAQ AS SOON AS IT IS SAFELY POSSIBLE.    WE HAVE WON THAT FIGHT AND NEED TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO AFGHANISTAN TO STOP THE TALIBAN AND TERRORISTS THERE.    IT IS TIME FOR IRAQ TO DEFEND ITSELF.   

    ALL IN ALL, I WORRY FOR THE PERSON THAT WINS THE ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT; BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS HE FACES FIXING THE ECONOMY.    HE IS GOING TO BE PUT TO THE TEST WITH IMPATIENT AMERICANS WHO WANT SOLUTIONS NOT EXCUSES.     THE REAL WINNER MAY BE THE LOSER BECAUSE, ALL HE HAS TO DO AFTER THE ELECTION IS TO GO HOME, LICK HIS WOUNDS AND BE GRATEFUL HE WAS NOT ELECTED.

      FOR THE LAST ONE HUNDRED YEARS THE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE ALTERNATELY CONTROLLED OUR POLITICAL PROCESS AND OUR GOVERNMENT.   THE RESULT IS NOW BICKERING AND STALEMATE IN CONGRESS, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN ALL OUR PRESSING PROBLEMS BEING LEFT, UNRESOLVED TO THE POINT WE ARE IN A CRISES.   

      LIKE UNIONS AND OTHER PEOPLE ORGANIZATIONS THESE ENTITIES CAN BE EFFECTIVE WHEN NEEDED TO UNITE PEOPLE IN GOOD CAUSES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE GROUP.

      THIS UNITED PROCESS, LIKE THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES, HAS PROVEN SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE AND POLITICS SINCE THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR OF 1776, THROUGH WARS AND IN TIMES OF PEACE.   THIS IS WHAT OUR DEMOCRACY IS ALL ABOUT.  IT IS “WE, THE PEOPLE…” WORKING IN A VOTING MAJORITY, THAT GETS THE JOB DONE AND THE PROBLEMS SOLVED.

      OUR FOUNDING FATHERS NEVER CONSIDERED THAT POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN OUR GOVERNMENT.    THE FACT IS THAT THERE IS NO MENTION OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTIONS AND THAT WAS DELIBERATE.    IN FACT, OURFIRST PRESIDENT, GEORGE WASHINGTON REFERRED TO THEM AT HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS UPON LEAVING OFFICE, MAKING A FIRM WARNING OF THE DANGER OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND THEIR TENDENCY TO CONTROL THE OPERATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT.

      SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR II, POLITICS HAS CONSUMED THIS NATION AND ITS PEOPLE.    THE ADVENT OF RADIO AND THEN TELEVISION IN THE LATE 1940’S, BROUGHT, THE OPERATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT ESPECIALLY CONGRESS INTO OUR HOMES, AS IF WE WERE PRESENT, FOR ALL OF US TO SEE AND OBSERVE.   LIKE THE SOAPS AND DRAMAS, AND THE DAILY NEWS, IT DREW US INTO THE PROCESS WITH INTEREST AND PARTISIPATION AT A DISTANCE.

      UNFORTUNATELY, EITHER POLITICAL PARTY WHO BY THAT TIME HAD ALREADY HAD A STRONG STRANGLEHOLD ON THE OPERATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT ALSO DREW US IN.

      CONGRESS HAD ALREADY SEATED THEIR MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR POLITICAL PARTIES, THE DEMOCRATS ON THE LEFT AND THE REPUBLICAN ON THE RIGHT, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE WERE CHOSEN BY THE MAJORITY OF THE POLITICAL PARTY IN POWER AS WERE THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF ALL THE SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES.   AS A RESULT, THE OPERATION OF OUR TWO LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT ARE EFEECTIVELY CONTROLLED BY THE POLITICAL PARTY ON THE MAJORITY.    THIS ARRANGEMENT TENDS TO ACCENTUATE THE INTEREST AND AIMS OF THE

PARTY AND NOT THE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THEY ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT.   SOMEHOW THE TERM “WE THE PEOPLE….” HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH, “WE THE PARTY IN POWER.”

      THE RESULTING CONSEQUENCE HAS BEEN THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, USUALLY VOTE ALONG PARTY LINES TO SHOW UNITY WITH THE PARTY, RATHER THAN WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COUNTRY AND IT’S PEOPLE.   THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN AMPLY DEMONSTRATED OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, WHILE A SAGGING ECONOMY AND THE TROUBLING COST, IN MEN AND MATERIAL IN AN NEVER ENDING WAR HAS FORCED US INTO A DEFICIT SPENDING MODE, YEAR AFTER YEAR, THAT WEAKENS OUR DOLLAR AND PURCHASING POWER TO THE POINT WE ARE SUFFERING FINANCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY.    WE ARE ALSO LEAVING OUR DEBTS FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO BEAR AND PAY OFF.   

      THEIR RESPECTIVE POLITICAL PARTIES, TO THE POINT THEY HAVE VIRTUALLY BECOME BEHOLDEN AND PRISONERS OF THEIR POLITICAL PARTIES, HAVE ALSO AIDED CONGRESSMEN FINANCIALLY AND POLITICALLY.

       WITH ONE OR THE OTHER PARTY IN CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNMENT, YOU CAN READILY SEE THE RESULTING STALEMATE IN CONGRESS AND THE LACK OF COOPERATION AND COMPROMISE TO SETTLE AND RESOVE MOST OF OUR PRESSING PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS.

      FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS AMERICANS HAVE BECOME SO DISENCHANTED WITH BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES THAT THEY HAVE BECOME INDEPENDENT VOTERS.    THIS YEAR, THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS OUTNUMBER THE RANKS OF EITHER POLITICAL PARTY AND THE NUMBER IS ON THE INCREASE.   IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THESE INDEPENDENT VOTERS WILL DECIDE THE OUTCOME OF THE 2008 ELECTION AND NOT EITHER POLITICAL PARTY.

      THAT SITUATION BRINGS US TO THE TWO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, REPUBLICAN, JOHN MCCAIN AND DEMOCRAT BARACK OBAMA.    JOHN MCCAIN, THE MAVERICK INDEPENDENT THINKER AND DOER ALTHOUGH NOMINATED BY MOST REPUBLICANS THAT DON’T EVEN LIKE HIM, HE WON BECAUSE OF THE OVERWELMING VOTE OF OUR INDEPENENT VOTERS.   THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO HIM BECAUSE OF HIS EXPERIENCE AND INDEPENDENCE TO WORK WITH BOTH PARTY MEMBERS TO HELP SOLVE THE SUCCESFUL END OF THE WAR AND THE ECONOMIC CRISIS WE FACE.

      OBAMA, ON THE OTHER HAND A STAUNCH DEMOCRAT PARTY MAN, AS WELL AS HIS RUNNING MATE, JOE BIDEN, ARE SURROUNDED AND EMBRACED BY MOSTLY LOYAL OLD WORN OUT DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEMBERS AND LOYALISTS BENT ON WINNING THE PRESIDENCY AFTER EIGHT YEARS IN THE SIDELINES.    HIS WIFE, A VERY TALENTED SPEAKER IS STILL CARRYING THE TORCH FOR MOST BLACKS THAT WANT TO BLAME US WHITES FOR ALL THEIR PROBLEMS, AND JUST CAN’T GET OVER IT, IN SPITE OF FIFTY YEARS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WHEN BLACKS GOT PREFERENCE OVER WHITES.    NOW THEY ARE PROMISED REPARATIONS BY THE OBAMAS ONCE HE IS ELECTED PRESIDENT.   OF COURSE, IF ANY ONE DESERVES REPARATIONS IT IS THE INDIANS FROM WHOM WE TOOK THEIR FREEDOM AND THEIR LAND FROM AND WHO DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AS INDIANS.

      UNFORTUNATELY, THE HARD FOUGHT DEMOCRATIC NOMINATING CAMPAIGN PRODUCED A STRONG AND LASTING SPLIT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BETWEEN THE OBAMA AND CLINTON SUPPORTERS THAT WILL NEVER HEAL.    THE DISENFRANCHISING OF THE VOTES IN MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA AND THE D.N.C. RULES COMMITTEE’S VOTE TO GRAND ONE HALF THE VOTERS TO HILLARY CLINTON THAT SHE WAS ENTITLED TO IN THE FIRST PLACE, ADDED FUEL TO THE FIRE OF CRITICISM OF OBAMA.  HIS REFUSAL, DURING THE CAMPAIGN, TO BE MAGNAMIMOUS AND HELP HEAL THE SPLIT AND INSTEAD IT HAS BEEN BROADENED SO MUCH THAT 27% OF THE CLINTON SUPPORTERS WILL NOW VOTE FOR MCCAIN IN PROTEST.    TRY AS SHE CAN, SHE CANNOT COMMAND OR CONTROL THESE VOTERS SINCE THEY ARE NOT BEHOLDEN TO ANY PARTY BUT ARE BASICALLY VERY INDEPENDENT VOTERS WHO HAPPEN TO VOTE FOR CLINTON AS THEIR STRONG CHOICE AND NOW FEEL CHEATED.    JIM CAFFERTY ON CNN CALLS US IDIOTS WHEN HE IS THE IDIOT TO THINK WE MARCH TO ANYONE’S DRUMBEAT, BUT OUR OWN.   HE AND THE LIBERAL MEDIA HAVE CHOSEN OBAMA AND NOW THEY ARE STUCK WITH HIM IN THE MURKY WATERS OF POLITICS AS USUAL.    THE ONLY CHANGE OBAMA CAN MUSTER IS TO CHANGE HIS PANTS IN THE MORNING WHILE THE ONLY HOPE HE BRINGS IS THAT HIS WIFE DOES NOT TAKE HIS PANTS AWAY FROM HIM AND WEAR THEM HERSELF IF HE BECOMES PRESIDENT.

     THE POWER OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES IS WANING LIKE A LIT CANDLE IN THE WIND AND IT WILL EXTINGUISH ITSELF, AS SURELY AS ALL CANDLES ARE DESTINED TO BURN OUT.

Remember to vote on Tuesday, November 4th.