Thursday, October 28, 2010

Political views... Opinions... Food for thought


Photo of a Photo / NS / 2008

I have been backing off politics, big time - and practicing [much easier on my PTSD...] my photo, photoart and video skills. 

Still, it would be remiss for me, after trying so hard to learn about the political realm and participate [to the degree that I have been able] in same, not to say anything...

So here goes:

I believe all candidates for political office should have at least a Bachelors Degree.

I believe all candidates for political office should be given a battery of psychological tests, including tests designed to pinpoint tendencies towards egocentrism and sociopathy.

I believe "Separation of Church and State" is an absolute "must" and that religious views [and greenbacks (slip-sliding either way...)] should play absolutely no part in political debates, advertizements, etc.

I believe the cost of campaigning should be radically cut back and that lobbyists should only be able to plead thier cause (s) on paper that is NOT green [meaning, by written request only...].

I believe citizen funded elections [with about a $50 dollar cap per person] are the appropriate and ethical way to go - and that the popular vote [rather than the electoral vote] should be the dominant decider.

I believe term limits [4 years] should be put in place for all candidates at all levels.


Photo of an old "Jack and the Beanstalk" Children's Book Cover / NS

I believe any corporation that sends jobs overseas should be penalized [financially and heavily] for doing so.

I believe taxation is way out of line - and that the very wealthy - along with the corporate giants - should pay much higher taxes than those in the middle and working class.

I believe a LOT more financial resources [as gleaned from taxation] should be invested in the women (safety, empowerment, child care subsidies, education, "equal justice under the law", etc)  and the children (basic needs, child safety, education, etc.)  of our nation.

I believe that perpetrators of violent crimes against other human beings should be held fully accountable [serious sentences, no plea bargaining, no early release, etc.] for thier crimes.

I believe perpetrators of serious "white collar" crimes [those that involve thousands to millions of dollars...] should be treated the same!

I believe all institutions that deal with the housing and/or education of those that are in a vulnerable position or otherwise in need should do extensive background checks on thier employees [who should have a college degree in a related field] and thier clients [so that the most appropriate placements can be made.]

I believe we should minimize our interference in other nations and maximize our ability to defend ourselves here on the homefront.


Photo from 2009 UC Domestic Violence Awareness Event

I believe the greatest "weapon of mass destruction" is family violence, including domestic violence - child abuse - and child sexual abuse (which should be treated, by the legal system, no different than any comparible street crime...).

I believe that we should be concerned with what is happening on THIS continent - and that if you haven't seen the movie "Backyard" (about femicide in Mexico) - you should do so!

I believe that the Medicare program should be left alone - that the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan should be just ONE plan - not a smorgasboard of confusion - and I believe that Medicare recipients should be eligible though some means for free QUALITY dental care, hearing aids and vision care.

I believe the "Federal Poverty Line" should be adjusted upwards and brought into the 21st Century.

I believe that the mimimum wage should be replaced by a "living wage."


Photo / NS / 2008

I believe that our streets should be SAFE - and that the funding for the rehabilitation for violent offenders should be utilized (instead) --- to help the victims of crimes, the elderly and the (non-violent offenders...) "needy."

I believe "hate speech" should be recognized [and penalized] as such whether it comes from the mouth of a street kid, a gang member, a politician, a religious leader or televangelist.

I believe there should be set time limits [much shorter than whatever might be in place now...] for how long a debate [whether political or legal] is allowed to go on before a vote is called for.

I believe fingerprinting, psychological evaluations and lie detector tests - administered by qualified professionals that have NO stake in the results - should be a routine requirement for all of those seeking to enter into the political arena.

Fall Photoart from Around the Town of Ulster and City of Kingston... Ulster County New York


Robert Post Park


Robert Post Park II


Robert Post Park III


Robert Post Park IV


View from the Bridge Near Eddyville


Kingston Point Beach


Kingston Point Beach II


On the Road


Bridge Over the Hudson


On the Road II


Kingston Point Beach III

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Pigs and Chickens... Suess... A Sunny October Day...


Interesting pic, if you think about it - with the big pig front and center -
and the chickens in the background...

An anology for life?

Dr. Suess might think so, but he would still try to make the chickens happy : )


The trees are in full color (some having lost leaves) right now. 

Enjoy!

1st Pic by TS, Modified by NS / 2nd Pic by NS

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Just Pics... Some old... some new... by NS


Photo of a Photo


Yep!  Football is On!



Pic from 08


Missing:  One Blue Monster...

                                                 
                                                                        It is what it is.

[Feeding the Birds; gyspiechild; You Tube]