Ablogination

Just a few issues now on which I would like to offer some comments for reflection.

1 - the so-called 'Freedom of Choice Act' (i.e. FOCA). This was a bill, during 2004 and in 2007, that was introduced in both the US House of Representatives and in the US Senate. Previous versions of essentially the same bill had been introduced before in 1989 and 1993. To date, no such bill has been introduced BY ANYBODY in the 111th Congress. While still a Senator, President Obama was indeed ONE (just one!) of the "co-sponsors" to the 2007 version of the bill. During a press conference this past April, President Obama explained that the passage of the Freedom Of Choice Act was NOT a "legislative priority".

This issue will never be completely resolved as the differences of opinion are too sincerely diametrically opposed to each other. I have some friends whose opinions regarding 'pro-choice' will NEVER coincide with mine. So we talk about other topics. Dwelling on the 'conflict' is too divisive and non-productive. Not to mention a complete waste of time! It is much more productive to concentrate rather on ways to reduce the need for the number of so-called abortion-related medical procedures and to decide on which issues of reproductive health there exist agreements among the different points of view. (On the other hand, misleading inflammatory rhetoric should always be confronted in order to demonstrate that the pro-choice people are not afraid of the anti-choice crowd no matter what they do - I just 'had' to add that little 'editorial' comment for philosophical reasons.)

2 - the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (i.e. EFCA). The way it works now, an employee wanting to have a union representing him or her has to obtain blank cards from an existing union. If 30% or more of the total work force sign their cards, the employer MAY decide to hold a 'secret ballot election' in order to determine if the union will represent the workers in the future.

The employer CAN currently legally refuse to grant a 'secret ballot election' and insist upon a 'public' election (and CAN INTIMIDATE or PUNISH workers campaigning during an election or even DISMISS employees openly desiring union representation. Employers don't always do so. BUT some have. THIS IS THE SIGNIFICANT POINT!)

Naturally, if the majority of workers do successfully vote that they want union representation, the NLRB (i.e. National Labor Relations Board) will "certify" the election. An election CANNOT be certified if the majority of workers do not vote for union representation.

If the EFCA is passed, employers will no longer be able to choose whether or not a 'secret ballot election' will occur. That decision will no longer be one made by the employer. Instead, the employees will have the right to decide if a 'secret ballot vote' for union representation occurs. This prospect for freedom terrifies some employers. Some of them choose to perceive unions as dangers to their absolute power. Consequently, some corporations are spending millions in distorting the realities of the bill in attempts to frighten Americans - American workers, the American public, and Congress.

Now, certain people will want to project their personal feelings about unions in general onto the EFCA bill. Obviously, some unions in the past have not been 'good' examples. On the other hand, some unions have accomplished a great deal of 'good' - especially in the nearby coal mining areas of Kentucky & Virginia. It is not a black & white issue. It is a 'gray' issue.

Whether or not a union achieves 'good' results or, instead, results that are not so 'good' is a matter for the workers to decide and to control. Workers, I believe, should have the freedom to control their own destiny. EFCA will grant workers that freedom. The days of economic servitude to multi-national corporations should be terminated and laid to rest with the rest of the relics of the past.

I trust that workers have the intelligence to make the choices which are correct for them. I suppose some people may have valid points (valid to them) in not wanting workers to have such freedom, but I don't understand the rationales for their points. It's all based on perspectives, I reckon. And confidence in the workers to know what's best for themselves without outside interference. Some have confidence - some don't.

3 - President Obama was voted into office by the majority of Americans last November. He has confronted a myriad of problems - problems of which he created not a one. I have not always been in agreement with some of his decisions these past six months. And I don't have his patience in dealing with some of the country's ills. I would enjoy seeing a 'quick cure' for the nations illnesses. But wanting to see something that doesn't exist is an exercise in futility - no matter how much I 'want' it. There is no quick cure for America's illnesses.

I believe that certain representatives of the last administration are nothing more than war criminals and that they consequently deserve prosecution for what they did. This prospect of justice (or retribution - whatever) is not going to happen because it would unnecessarily detract from all of the other problems requiring attention - problems like the economy which affect real people every day. Justice can wait for the historians, I reckon. But maybe someday, huh? Justice can occur in many ways.

The justification of the war in Iraq was deliberately based on falsehoods and ulterior motives of certain representatives of the past political administration and some multi-national corporations who gained to profit - some of which continue to profit. But American military personnel are there now and consequently deserve nothing less than unquestionable suppport. All of the time! Unequivocal support until the current administration can rectify the situation satisfactorily. A problem that simply cannot be resolved 'overnight' or suspectedly even this year or next.

And then there are the countries of Afghanistan & Pakistan. What a mess! And Pakistan has nuclear warheads. What a potential for a bigger mess.

And there are terrorists in these countries who oppose Americans without reality-based reasons. And there are fanatical extremists living in America who oppose American principles - religious fundamentalists, white supremicists, dogmatic ideologues. The list goes on and on. And hate groups are openly flaunting their disregard for the philosphies of equality on which America is based - with the unapologetic support from certain politicians. Dealing with them obviously requires so much patience.

We can witness daily 'backseat driving' by second guessing political pundits and seditious loudmouths receiving millions of dollars a year as they inflame the masses with their malicious and distorted pronunciations while all the while certain old & tired elements of society attempt to selfishly guarantee their profit at the expense of the majority of Americans - especially the middle class and the so-called working poor. Justice for these American workers is not going to happen anytime soon either. No justice, no peace! It's not just something to chant at rallies, ya know.

Worthwhile ideals take time to materialize, huh? These ideals will not magically just 'happen' during President Obama's 1st term. Progress takes time. Unrealistic expectations for efforts during merely a few years will obviously be doomed - especially when you consider how many years some of the illnesses of America have existed. But at least, the ideals are now finally being vocalized.

Actions to support some of these ideals have begun at least. These actions will frighten some people who have grown accustomed to the status quo. Change is often disconcerting - even if the changes offer beneficial results. Courage in confronting these fears and supporting the country as the citizens and some of it political leaders, like President Obama, work to overcome the country's sicknesses will require a great deal of energy and perseverence. But the end result will be worth all of the labor involved - not for us personally perhaps but for successive generations. These future generations will not have their freedom unless we defeat the 'forces of tyranny' today - forces resisting all change no matter what the necessary reasons for constructive change may be - changes which promise a better tomorrow and a more healthy America in the 21st Century.