Discourse Around Food Security and American Politics

Well,
 I established this blog a long time ago. For those of you who had read my political views before, I am adding a new twist to my previous political observances. '

I have recently began a graduate program called Food Systems and Society. While many people initially think that my coursework is related to the food service industry, it is really a program geared toward social justice, especially the inalienable right to food.

In a country where forty percent of the food produced in this country is thrown away, there is really no reason why anyone in the United States should be hungry, or food insecure.

My friends (though few) who have been with me in the past, may know that I am basically socially liberal. I believe in the equal opportunity/access to food, as well as other resources, but for now, I will concentrate on food.

There is a Democratic struggle right now between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. As a Blue Representative, I was initially unsure of whom I should support. At first, Hillary seemed like the right choice, but upon examination, I have decided that Bernie is my guy.

He has named himself as a socialist democrat, which automatically sets people, especially the right, off. However, Bernie is geared toward affordable education, an equalized rate of pay, and equal access to health care. After all, he was one of the authors of "Obama Care."

I am not going to delve into the reasons why an attention to food justice and food equality is completely necessary, but the truth is that the American Dream of upward class mobility is being constantly threatened. People are beginning to think that they are resigned to their current economic situation and that there is no sense in working hard toward a better future.

The underrepresented in the political discourse is continuously unnoticed. The one percent, as Mitch Romney articulated have far too much influence and dictate the future of those unrepresented by mainstream politics.

No matter your political affiliation, an acknowledgement of the basic human right to food must be an obvious one. We all should have access to nutritionally sound food, no matter our economic situation. Are we not, as an enlightened nation able to appreciate our common need for food?

One week and counting

I began this blog as a venue to express my personal political opinions. Unfortunately, lately, because of a serious bout with depression, I haven't much felt like writing it, and for that I am regretful of.  The election is one week away and I can honestly say that I am shocked that this election is in such a precarious state.

On one hand, we have President Obama; a man of integrity, honor and intelligence who has worked so very hard for the past four years to help ensure gender equality, the availability of health care to all, killed Osama Bin Laden and brought this nation out of one of the worst financial crises that this country has ever seen.

On the other hand, we have Mitt Romney who deems himself a successful business person, yet the only real world practicum has been in buying troubled businesses, firing all of the middle men, exploiting the working stiffs, then selling it for a size able profit the leaving the companies to go bankrupt. If Mitt's mouth is moving, you can bet he's undoubtedly telling a lie or intentionally misleading people. He has been labeled as an "Etcha-sketch" as he has no problem with changing political positions on a dime. He threatens women's rights almost with the conviction of completely dismantling the Women's Suffrage Movement, attacking Roe vs. Wade, all the while maintaining a complete disregard for the middle class.

I recently heard something that really rang true for me. The argument stipulates that if the was not this intense hatred of Obama, then Romney would not have a chance. I can not help wonder from where this hatred stems? Is it racially based? If anything lends truth to that theory it is the whole "Birther" phenomenon, often touted by the likes of Donald Chump and other crazy right wing fanatics.

Additionally, we have Murdoch and his crazy views on rape and the conception of life. How is it that one can be OK with conceiving a child via rape and equally believe that a child conceived via  invetro fertilization is unnatural and wrong? Is this not the same party that believes that every life is a gift from God and yet Paul Ryan supports abolishing the opportunity to conceive a child in this manner.
On another note, the East Coast of the United States is being hammered by an act of nature and millions of people have lost power, been flooded, snowed in or just plain isolated as a result. Romney/Ryan see it fit to dismantle FEMA but who exactly do they think should pay for the billions of dollars of distraction left in hurricane Irene's wake? You? Me? Isn't the point of being a part of The United States of America is that we stand united? Willing to help our neighbors during the midst of chaos and destruction? Is that not what tax dollars are meant for?

During one of the debates, I responded to a local news anchor requesting opinions on how the debates  were going via Twitter. I innocently gave my perspective and received the following disparaging comments in return.

"You are too stupid to pull your head out of your ass to figure it out." I responded with a comment of how his comment lacked class and was then tweeted this " Screw classy crap! PC is killing everything about America. Classy? How about take the office of Presidency seriously?  Then, " try taking an economics course, business or international law class! If any Lib understood that, the US wouldn't be in this mess. I then questioned why he assumed I was uneducated, because clearly he did' and the final tweet was "First off, as a lib, can you honestly say that you LOVE working? Baby, I will go rounds with economics."

I was, and continue to be offended by not only his tone, but in the idea that I am uneducated, hated to work and had no understanding of political policy, history or common sense. From my perspective, those series of tweets are just on example of the inherent intolerance that has been continually displayed by the GOP. I DO NOT VOTE ON ANY ISSUE OR CANDIDATE BASED SOLELY ON POLITICAL AFFILIATION. I research, contemplate and vote, just as I would hope any other red blooded American would do. I urge people to think for themselves and vote with conviction.

There's this quote from the Holocaust memorial located in the Rose Garden of Portland, Oregon that says this: OUR PRECIOUS LIFE RESTS NOT ON OUR ABILITY TO SEE WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT! ONE FROM ANOTHER! BUT RATHER ON OUR ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE WHAT MAKES US THE SAME? WHAT ULTIMATELY DEFINES US ISTHE MORAL STRENGTH TO BELIEVE IN OUR COMMON HUMANITY, AND TO ACT UPON THIS BELIEF.

What is right? What feels right?

Here is the deal: things have been rough, I have been very, very down. In this space and place, wondering if your path was right, is never a comfortable feeling. We are on the verge of an enormous political insurgance. Some douchebag made a video that was anti- Islam, however the timing in suspect. On September, 11,2012' a diplomat for the US and Afganistan was killed, including 4 others, one of which was an Oregon, retired military man. No matter the deaths, it is the same result. Anyone that has lost someone knows that pain.
I am not ignorant: I pay attention. Voting Romney is ABSOLUTELY the wrong vote.While his rhetoric and verbiage is confusing: it is meant to be. If it is vague and indecipherable then you , or, I, cannot attack it. There is a clear reason for the vagueness.
This man, and his running mate are running on fumes. There are ARE two signifigant issues: gay rights and abortion. In reality, what is Romney offering the average constituent? He believes that middle class is 200-250k household and we all know that is so inappropriate, it is not worth discussing.
Unfortunelately, we live, in the US in this vicious cycle; we want all of the amenities, but resist paying for it. Yes, I am a Democrat, but that is based on social, not fiscal policy. We, as a nation, have a huge responsibility, and YES, taxes suck, but our infrastucture depends on our dollars. Yes, there is government reform needed, but, this a government for the people by the people. Our current ignorance is unacceptable. Our parents and grandparents etc. came here for a reason: And it was NOTto have their voices ignored.
How many US citizens make upwards of 250k a year? Not the majority, that is for sure. I am disclosing very personal information here and now. I was 20 years old when I discovered that I was pregnant. My boyfriend at the time was very abusive and I could not, with good conscience put a child through that.  He was a drug dealer, highly manipulative, but that ,does not change MY decision to terminate my pregnancy. Please realize that this is something that i have shared with few. I am a Christian and  I know many of my family will condemn me. Does anyone think that making this world wide statement is easy? Well, it is not.
I own that choice. It was mine to make . I understand the it is unpopular, but I would like you to walk a mile through my sorted past, then tell me that what I CHOSE wad wrong.  The idea of being forever linked to an abusive drug dealer for the rest of  my and my child's life was too much.
For a long time I did not discuss this. I felt too ashamed, but I am NO longer ashamed. Romney wants to take that choice away and while I do not discount the value of human life, I respect the enormity of the commitment.
Whatever hour situation is, the option of not putting a child through the horrible events of your childhood is not right you should readily discard .,
If you had an idealic childhood, you are quite lucky. Most did not,me included. Form your own opinion, think what you will ,
It is never a decision taken lightly, by any woman.

Donald Trump? How about Donald Chump

Yesterday, I read that the phoniest millionaire poser, Donald Trump said that "President Obama was born in Kenya." I had heard through the grapevine that the "Birthers" had begun to fling their fallacy laced dung at the President because of the totally played out idea that President Obama was indeed NOT a United States citizen, I almost shrugged it off, but then I read that Donald Chump decided that it was his obligation to continue to spew that irrational nonsense all over again and I became completely annoyed and infuriated.
One thing that ALL politicians go through is a vetting process in which an inquiry is launched to seek out the most hidden truths, secrets or falsehoods. Let the record show that no such documentation that the Commander in Chief was not a United States Citizen. (Hawaii, though tropical, actually is a state within the United States.
So, this morning, a thought occurred to me: How many of our former POTUS had at least one parent who was not a nationally born American and strangely it turns out that seven of them fall into that category.

• Andrew Jackson
• Thomas Jefferson (my favorite past president)
• James Buchanan
• Chester Arthur
• Woodrow Wilson
• Herbert Hoover
• Barack Obama (my personal favorite)

We have had 44 POTUS and the truth is that according to the ration, 16% of our past and present Presidents fall into that realm. The REAL only difference is that Barack Obama is black. Now, I understand that in the early days of the U.S. that the circumstances were a bit different; we were a nation of immigrants, so of course some of the founding fathers and other early presidents were the product of immigrant parents. There has even been speculation that Chester Arthur was actually a Canadian as his father was a Canadian citizen and resident.

I recently posted my opinion on Facebook and was immediately met with the assertion that the "Birther" propaganda was not racially fueled. I am the last person that would like to see race play such a huge part on the political stage, but I can not help but disagree. If it was NOT racially fueled, then why during the '08 campaign did the GOP and the Tea Party people consistently call President Obama Barack Hussein Obama. IT was just another ploy of misinformation used to confuse voters and assert the idea that President Obama was a Muslim and not an American.

The GOP is threatened by the hope and inspiration that Barack Obama brought to the down trodden American people. The GOP is a party of fear mongering politician who not only focus on the negative but capitalize on the lingering fear of terrorism and the memories of 911. The allegiance now formed between Donald Chump and Mitt Wrongmy is just another example of how out of touch the GOP has become. I think the GOP should abandon all attempts at discrediting the legitimacy of our President's right to serve and focus on what is actually important. Stop making it about race and religious creed and stick to the issues that are actually of some importance. . . . .there must be at least a few more pressing issues facing the United States and it's constituents.

Get over it! Barack Hussein Obama was made in the USA and I am damn proud of it!

Feckless?

The Webster's dictionary defines the word "feckless" as 1.Weak, Ineffective and 2.Worthless, Irresponsible. I am really not trying to give a vocabulary lesson here, but have been bothered by the context in which this adjective was recently used.  I watched the President's Public Address last Super Tuesday and one of journalists in attendance quoted Mitt Romney as saying that "President Obama is the most feckless President since Jimmy Carter.
First of all, Why does he have to burn Jimmy Carter? I don't see Mitt Romney out building houses for Habitat For Humanity, and I am guessing that he also doesn't transport his pets on top of his Thule like camping gear.  (maybe Mitt doesn't like that "wet dog" smell) and second and most importantly: Calling President Obama feckless is a total lie in so many ways it is unbelievable that Mitt Romney could even conceivably make that statement without laughing.
So, in response to the component of "feckless" in which Ineffective is alluded to:

A SAMPLE OF CAMPAIGN PROMISES KEPT BY PRESIDENT OBAMA:

No. 4: Extend child tax credits and marriage-penalty fixes
No. 16: Increase minority access to capital
No. 33: Establish a credit card bill of rights
No. 36: Expand loan programs for small businesses
No. 37: Extend the Bush tax cuts for lower incomes
No. 38: Extend the Bush tax cuts for those making less than $250,000 (couples) or $200,000 (single)
No. 48: Close the “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug plan
No. 51: Require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions
No. 53: Give tax credits to those who need help to pay health premiums
No. 55: Require large employers to contribute to a national health plan
No. 56: Require children to have health insurance coverage
No. 57: Expand eligibility for Medicaid
No. 58: Expand eligibility for State Children’s Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)
No. 63: Require health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care
No. 65: Establish an independent health institute to provide accurate and objective information
No. 69: In non-competitive markets, force insurers to pay out a reasonable share of their premiums for patient care
No. 70: Eliminate the higher subsidies to Medicare Advantage plans
No. 93: Reinstate executive order to hire an additional 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years.
No. 105: Increase the Veterans Administration budget to recruit and retain more mental health
No. 109: Fully fund the Veterans Administration
No. 113: Expand the Veterans Administration’s number of “centers of excellence” in specialty care
No. 121: Fully fund the Violence Against Women Act
No. 125: Direct military leaders to end war in Iraq
No. 126: Begin removing combat brigades from Iraq
No. 132: No permanent bases in Iraq
No. 161: End the abuse of supplemental budgets for war
No. 167: Make U.S. military aid to Pakistan conditional on anti-terror efforts
No. 172: Open “America Houses” in Islamic cities around the globe
No. 182: Allocate Homeland Security funding according to risk
No. 195: Seek verifiable reductions in nuclear stockpiles
No. 196: Extend monitoring and verification provisions of the START I Treaty
No. 197: Stand down nuclear forces to be reduced under the Moscow Treaty
No. 215: Create a rapid response fund for emerging democracies
No. 222: Grant Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba
No. 225: Establish an Energy Partnership for the Americas
No. 229: Expand the Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers
No. 239: Release presidential records
No. 241: Require new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliation or contributions.
No. 244: Provide affordable, high-quality child care
No. 247: Recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession
No. 259: Reduce subsidies to private student lenders and protect student borrowers
No. 269: Increase funding for national parks and forests
No. 275: Expand Pell grants for low-income students
No. 290: Push for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors
No. 293: Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy
No. 315: Establish ‘Promise Neighborhoods’ for areas of concentrated poverty
No. 359: Rebuild schools in New Orleans
No. 371: Fund a major expansion of AmeriCorps
No. 411: Work to overturn Ledbetter vs. Goodyear
No. 422: Create new financial regulations
No. 427: Ban lobbyist gifts to executive employees
No. 433: Sign a “universal” health care bill
No. 435: Create new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud
No. 449: Raise fuel economy standards
No. 458: Invest in all types of alternative energy
No. 483: Invest in public transportation
No. 495: Double federal spending for research on clean fuels
No. 500: Increase funding for the Environmental Protection Agency
No. 507: Extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits
No. 513: Reverse restrictions on stem cell research

Is that a lot? Damn! I am still proud of the ONE New Year's Resolution that I have kept up from 08!

Weak

One doesn't rise within the Democratic Party from obscurity to become the leader of the most powerful country in the world in such a short amount of time by being "Weak." I would say that takes fortitude, diligence, hard work, strength, stamina, courage, audacity; frankly the list could go on and on. A word that is the antithesis of all of those words is "Weak." Granted, the example I am using to argue my point is from before his presidency, however "Weak" (in this instance) is intrinsic to one's character, and character is not easily changed. And one doesn't keep that many campaign promises by being weak or passive.

Worthless

Just to get my mind around it, Mitt Romney said that President Obama has an absence of value as a president. After eight long and torturous years under the George W administration, what this country needed was hope. It was the promise of change along with extreme intelligence and wit, that caused people to elect him as president. It was the reason that I teared up on election night when it was decided. It is the reason I spent eight long hours waiting to hear him speak at the Kitzhaber rally and why I volunteered for his campaign. Gauging by his list of accomplishments listed above, I think that attributing the word "worthless" to our President is insulting and naive. Plus he killed Osama Bin Laden so there!

Irresponsible

There are many examples of how responsible he has proven to be, but none greater than that of being responsible with human life. Remember that victory banner that George W stood in front of on an aircraft carrier proclaiming that we had won the war in Irag, well it turns out that we didn't! I know, shocking. Obama ended the war in Iraq, he pulled troops out and sent them home. A war that served no purpose other than an ego boost was ended and countless lives were saved because of that. There is nothing irresponsible about that call.

So, Mr. Romney, I hate to say it is a liar and a mere mouthpiece for the GOP agenda. The average Joe (except Joe the Plumber) can not relate to The GOP any longer. They alienate people and make blatant falsehoods while spinning the rhetoric so thick that it is impossible to understand. 

President Obama is an extremely effective President. Just sayin'. 

And the GOP winner is. . . . It is a trick question, if you are in the GOP there is no winner.

The political commentary is a little mind numbing right now to say the least. For the GOP candidate for the 2012 election there is no clear cut choice. It comes down to Mitt Romney, (puke) Rick Santorum (double puke) or Newt Gingrich (puke fest 2012.) The GOP is as discombobulated now as ever. We have Rush Limbaugh calling women who want contraception covered by their insurance sluts and prostitutes,  but Viagra being covered seems to be a non-issue. I really wonder if they are doing this on purpose? How can one party be so totally out of touch with the reality of America? The total scope of the GOP has missed the mark. . . . is this really the crem de la crem of the GOP? These guys? Really?These three numb nuts is the best that the Republicans have to offer? Newt (the epitome of family values) Gingrich clearly has no chance in winning enough delegates to run as the GOP candidate so it really comes down to Mitt(my family defected to Mexico in order to practice polygamy)Rpmney of Rick(I am fucking crazy) Santorum. I wonder where on Earth has Sarah Palin gone? Doesn't her name just bring you back to simpler times? I am beginning to believe that the GOP really does not want it's name on the cluster fuck that George W left us. .Let's just let the Democrats figure that rubix cube of disasters out, we will just sit on the sidelines, make passive aggressive moves in Congress and wait until 2016, then ATTACK! Unless the GOP somehow figures out a way to pull their head out of their asses anytime soon and figure out how the "Average American" thinks then it is unlikely that they will find a candidate that really resonates with the country.

Taking Liberty for Granted

When my husband and I were invited to dinner by our Bosnian neighbors I appreciated the invitation, but did not know what to expect in terms of commonalities and conversation as we had always exchanged pleasantries and were cordial, you know, neighborly. We had watched their cat while they were away, they had watched ours while we were away, but that had been the extent of the relationship. That was, until my husband shared the task of rebuilding our shared fence..
Upon completion, the invitation for dinner was extended by Vladamir's wife, Maria. So, with a bottle of wine, we went  and as we sat outside on their covered patio, we ate, drank and talked. Before dinner, I glanced down at the glass patio table which was adorned with fine china and crystal glasses. It seemed a bit overboard for a casual dinner. I remember thinking how similar their china looked to the pattern that Jeff and I had selected as our wedding china, which was only used for very special occasions.
While we ate, I inquired about the china and Vladamir commented on how one should enjoy the things they have when they have it. A bit puzzled I contemplated the comment, then he expanded.
The Family Cingel (our neighbors) immigrated to the United States in 1993 after fleeing Bosnia during the Bosnian War. They were forced to leave their home in the middle of the night and left every single possession behind; other than what they could carry out in a backpack. They had left their photos, their clothes and other personal items behind for freedom, which included the wedding china bought for them by their best friend. "Now," Vladamir said "we appreciate what we have and use it when we can."
My neighbors now are citizens, own a home, have stable jobs, contribute to society and have wonderful, civil serving children. They are kind and generous people, people that I am proud to call friends and a great representation of an exemplary U.S. citizen.
Over the last twelve months I have come across similar stories. Stories of immigrants turned U.S. citizens. People who left the confines of their inherent nation just to become citizens of the United States of America.
Those who know me, know  that I volunteer for the 2012 Obama campaig; for which,  I make countless phone calls to former Obama supporters and on Sunday, I called Ron, a name on my call sheet,  twice, as my first call went to voice mail so I tried again later.
Which brings me to today. While watching television tonight after a long day of work, my Democratic Party designated phone rang and when I answered I knew not what to expect on the other end. On the other end was Ron who was returning a call that he thought was attributed to a Craigslist ad that he posted. I explained to Ron the reason for my call,  and our conversation made an otherwise frustrating day amazing and rewarding.
I learned that Ron came to the US for school and fell in love with this country. He attended Cornell University and gained a PHD and subsequently employment here. He became a citizen in 1994. He married and had two American born citizens who are now in law and medical school. Later, his mother immigrated and became a citizen at the age of 65 years! Ron said it was the proudest moment of his life.
He is a proud American citizen and supports our President. He believes the problems that face Obama are the product of a past administration. He still supports the President and believes in American government.
These stories of people impassioned by the American Dream and have seen it realized, makes me cherish what it means to be an American, no matter what the political view. We have an amazing country and should never take our liberties for granted.
It is a truly wonderful privilege being a citizen of the United States. We should be grateful for our opportunities and realize that it is the difference in opinion that keeps us free.