I worked in management most of my life. My ancestors and family worked with their hands in factories or fields. Perhaps that’s why my convictions and political philosophy support the working man and the less fortunate. Those convictions were solidified during the civil rights movement and since then the struggle for equality for all, regardless of race or gender.
I have written columns for many years and been an elected official. I have always placed truth based on factual evidence as paramount in any position I have taken. I won’t lie to myself. I recognize that among the many I fight for are some crooks who cheat the system. It’s like some rich folks who pay no taxes. That’s no reason to turn my back on all the unfortunate. Is it not true that among all men and women are those who are unworthy?
Today, more than at any time during the time I have lived on this earth,I believe we have a disproportionate share of people who place their accumulation of money and worldly goods above the welfare of the nation. These people are unworthy of our respect. They have little respect for the truth or facts. Their disdain for the oppressed is based on untruths. Such as; “The unemployed don’t want to work. They’re all lazy.”
Wisconsin Republican Congressman Paul Ryan is a prime example of a modern day right wing Robin Hood in reverse. He takes from the poor and gives to the rich. Just check his proposed federal budget. His comment that inner city men don’t want to work is ridiculous. They line up thousands at a time for a few available jobs.
His attitude is typical of the Tea Party. They deny the truth and dismiss all facts that don’t agree with their twisted beliefs. That accounts for their callous attitude and downright hatred for the poor. They make false accusations about many things, especially the poor, working women, the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s birthplace, and the president in general.
This was written by Asley Alman, Huffington Post, on March 10, 2014: “Americans for Prosperity, backed by the Koch brothers, is running Obamacare attack ads featuring a cancer patient who claims her treatments are “unaffordable” under the new health care law. Julia Bonstra says in the ad that she was diagnosed with leukemia five years ago, and her health care plan was canceled when Obamacare went into effect. “ Now the out- of -pocket costs are so high, it’s unaffordable. The Detroit News reports before her plan was canceled, Boonstra was paying a $1,100 monthly premium. That’s $13,200 a year, without adding out-of-pocket expenses like co-pays and prescription drugs. But under her new plan, the Blue Cross Premier Gold, Boonstra’s premiums are down to $571 a month, and out-of-pocket costs are capped at $5,100. That’s a maximum annual expense of $11,952 a year.” According to The Detroit News. Boonstra wouldn’t accept that her new coverage is cheaper than her old. “I personally don’t believe that,” Boonstra said.
Incredibly she dismisses facts she is clearly aware of, or she can’t do math. There is no reason to doubt the News.
For some time I have been receiving emails from a local Tea Party advocate. He dismisses all facts that disagree with his beliefs. It can be midnight and dark as coal outside, but if he believes it is daytime and the sun is shinning, that becomes the fact. “ If I think it’s the truth, it must be the truth, because nothing else can be the truth,” That’s his philosophy.
His emails are always replete with foul and vulgar language, personal attacks and denial of facts. I will withhold his name. I sent him a graph from the Department of Labor, published in the Wall Street Journal, illustrating private sector employment increases under Obama. What followed was a very typical response, although cleaner than most. Most I wouldn’t dare print. Here’s his response, the capitalization is his: “You idiot liberals are still using Obama’s fuzzy math and Fabricated Propagandized Bull Crap Lies to feed an uneducated liberal base. Educated American voters can see through your fabricated propaganda. Wake up Glen, and pull your head out of your rectum!”
He can’t handle the truth.
His emails can be threatening. Most demean the president in the foulest manner. Many are openly racists. I’m fearful many Tea Party folks are like him. He always signs his name followed by Vietnam Veteran and True Patriot. I thank him for his service in Nam and pray for him.
Glen McAdoo, a Fallon resident, can be contacted at glynn@phonewave.net.