the new low information voter

Is this the way we want our country to go because if voters don't begin to pay attention, this is exactly the way our country will go... up in smoke.

By now, I'm sure everyone is aware of the wildfires that raged through Texas last year, where approximately 27,976 fires burned 3,959,040 acres across the state, destroying 2,862 homes and 2,700 other structures.

According to information posted on Huffington Post, not only were firefighters fighting massive fires, they were also fighting for basic firefighting necessities... like hoses, protective gear and fuel for their vehicles. Even now, Texas Forest Service's funding has gone from $117.7 million in the 2010-2011 budget years to $83 million in the 2012-2013 budget years...  a figure that does not even begin to pay for the level of destruction created by this year's wildfire, much less address the needs of firefighters in  future years. During the past fire season, two firefighters lost their lives fighting fires. The first was Gregory M. Simmons who died battling a 3,000-acre blaze. Then in the same month, firefighter Elias Jaquez died after sustaining injuries while fighting a blaze in April. Two civilians also lost their lives in a firestorm in September, 2011 during a wildfire considered the worst Texas fire to date.

Ironically, the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters was one organization that endorsed Rick Perry in his reelection bid last year. I wonder... would they have endorsed him had the election happened this, or next year?

Rick Perry... the name sends shivers up my spine as I think back to his failed bid to be the Republican nominee in 2012's presidential election. As Texas governor during this tragic fire season, he was a dismal failure. Even as he was requesting disaster relief from the federal government, his critics were noting how his budget cuts led directly to death and destruction in Texas. And by the way, this was the same governor advocating for secession from the union a few years ago.

What is it they say... pay attention!

image: NASA image photographed from the International Space Station on September 6, 2011. Smoke plumes are clearly visible to the east of Austin; to the north of Houston; to the north-west of Lake Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend Reservoir; and to the west of Shreveport, Louisiana. Diffuse smoke is moving offshore into the Gulf of Mexico at image bottom.

reaching for stars

Somewhere in the current election cycle, with accusations running rampant, we've forgotten about the most important aspect... what is ultimately best for all Americans... not just the 1% who are currently doing quite well (actually, extremely well), thanks to policies of the last 30-some years... but everyone in America.

The questions we should be asking... is this really the best we can do for our children, or our country... are sadly missing from the discussion. Instead, fingers are pointed at immigrants... or gays... or women... for all the ills currently plaguing this nation.

I think it's time to get back to basics, because we do need to bring jobs back to the states, and stop the bickering amongst ourselves.

As I look at those who've tossed their hat into the ring... the current crop of Republicans vying for the opportunity to take on Obama, I have yet to see one candidate up to the challenge! I see nothing presented by any of the would-be candidates that would put this country first... would encourage the best from the upcoming graduating classes... unless it's to put self first, above everything and everyone else.

We need to stop this "Me First" attitude that seems to have permeated our society and our political process. It used to be that politicians ran for office because they were interested in making a better society for all... Now, it would appear that no one of substance wants to run because self above all seems to be the driving force in politics. It appears that the crop of candidates on the Republican slate are more interested in selling books, or themselves as potential speakers, but not making a better country for the rest of America.

A while back, I had a conversation with a well-educated young woman who felt let down by our current president and felt that Ronald Reagan was a much better president on policy issues than Barack Obama. While I could appreciate how disappointed she felt, I disagreed profoundly with the notion that Reagan was a better president in any respect.

However, to a degree, I share her disappointment because, while many promises were made, only a few have been kept. Although we could argue about the reasons for this, the facts are irrefutable.

The DOMA [Defense of Marriage Act] still affords only a man and a woman all the rights and privileges of marriage, shutting out many who would like to share the benefits but because they are gay or lesbian, marriage is currently not an option. And while we celebrate the ending of DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) policies in the military, this was only a small step. Other countries have scoffed at our policies around treatment of gays for years, yet our conservative bent persists. I wonder why this is... 

This discussion will be further investigated in future posts...