Upholding Its Values

The US was founded on principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness with a strong emphasis on justice and equality.  While we have made great strides in our own country to make our society a better place for all, it's time the United States practiced what it preaches in foreign countries which it wields a strong influence in.

The United States is well known throughout the world for having a singular form of government and being founded on principles of justice.  But as the US is invading other countries with seemingly no thought to the consequences, locals can get irritated.  Some, more irritated than others.

The US has often acted in the name of "justice", but some of the irritation in the world, often in the Middle East, is justified.  We must be better with the way we form relations with other peoples, not merely blasting aside people who don't agree with us.  Being trigger happy on top of a flaming gunpowder casket is not a wise idea.  If we hold true to our values all around the world, truly preaching and practicing peace, justice, and equality, our credibility would go up, and we would not be hated as much.

Even if we take these actions, some will still hate us.  This may only be natural.  At least though, we can make the effort to improve our image around the globe.  We can really bring peace to other people's lives.  We can moderate conflicts instead of creating new ones.  We can take the lead in making the world a better, safer place for humankind.

Entitlement Reform is Needed

Paul Ryan has recenlty proposed an overhaul of Medicare that would significantly change the program.  While his version of the solution is not ideal, it certainly is bold and brings up the issue of entitlement reform.

Medicare and other programs will soon get too expensive for the government to keep paying for.  As a result, the debt will continue to go up if spending is not slashed.  We must now open a debate on the programs that we hold dear.  It feels so good to have so many programs, but at the same time, government cannot always sustain it.  We must look to ways we can streamline cost for entitlements, cutting out waste, then discussing alternative cutting measures.

Paul Ryan's budget is only the first step towards the process.  His solution is not the best, nor should it be adopted, but a discussion must ensue on what we really want from our healthcare and what we really want from or entitlement programs.

Reform Needed to Spur Economy

The middle class is reeling after a long recession, which is still not over.  In order to facilitate recovery, we must have a middle class tax break in order to help families cope with the economic downturn.  Seeing as the middle class is often hurt he most in a recession like this, they should get the tax break, not the wealthiest Americans, who can afford it.  Cutting taxes for the rich in a time where we have extreme debt is not prudent or logical.

In addition, we need to make it easier for people to start small businesses.  Encourage lending and venture capital, as well as tax breaks for America's smallest companies, which help drive struggling local economies forward as large corporations are sending jobs overseas.  renewed economic reform is critical as we aim to rid ourselves of the bonds of this recession.

The Time For Peace is NOW

Amid the Arab Spring protests in the Middle East, conflict has spread to Israel and Palestine.  In these times of change, no time is better for these sides to make amends and live at peace.

Both of these groups, Palestinians and Israelis, are proud peoples who stand up for what they believe in.  While this is to be commended, we must also understand that peace in the region does significantly depend on resolution to this conflict.  People are being slaughtered on both sides, and the people do not deserve to be subjugated to such inhumane violence.  

So let both sides lay down arms and make peace.  We do not need or want prolonged conflict after decades of struggle.  Too much blood has already been spilled for one spring.  Let peace reign and the times explode into a wonderful summer, were everyone can live without threat of destruction.

A Global Picture

We live in a world that is connected more strongly as time goes by.  We have a world economy, vast communications systems, and networks of people that span continents.  Many complex factors govern how this global network work, many of which we cannot understand or comprehend.  As the world grows more complex, governments (and people) must be careful of what they do.  Actions today can not just have an effect in one area tomorrow, but the whole world.  While this has been true for quite some time, this principle is becoming more and more relevant as online social tools bring us closer together.  We need to understand the workings of the world if we are to persevere in our pursuits.  This is not necessarily in foreign countries.  We need to understand the complex workings of our own country in order to instigate an economic recovery.  As we have said before, problems are much more complicated that they seem at first.  The sooner we all realize this, especially those in Washington, the sooner we can make the changes need to make our country and the world a better place for us all.  Keeping in mind the changes that will result from our action everywhere, on everyone will help us decide what to do.  Actions mean consequences.  Let's hope we make the right actions.

Young People Taking Action in Society, Leaders Heed an Important Warning:

Young people have finally found their voice.

All across the world, young people eager for change are taking to the streets and are the real agents of change in global society.  Young people played a great role in the election of President Obama, but this movement is more than that.  In the Middle East, where people under 30 constitute around one third of the population, revolts, revolutions, and demonstrations are commonplace.

A special note to leaders: if you want to stay in power, make reforms and empower young people.  Make sure they have a role in society.  Make sure the have jobs, and education, and a future.  An angry population of twenty somethings is a force to be reckoned with, and leaders who do not heed this warning may soon see the short end of the stick.

Next Step in Middle East Policy

The United States must now step up its efforts to make peace in the Middle East.  This is a fractious area, with many socioeconomic groups.  The US must start to clean up its image by helping new governments on the path to democracy.  It will not be easy, and the will be obstacles, but this is better than the fight-and-replace model we have in Afghanistan and Iraq.  At least now the propel are motivated for change.  That energy needs to be harnessed for good.

Power for the People

A tragedy of despotism is occurring as we blog.  In places like Syria and Libya, leaders abuse and kill their own people in order to increase their power and authority.  This, we can all realize, is wrong.  What we need to do, as members of this nation, or any nation, is to encourage our government to increase the pressure on these nations to reform and change their ways.  Let not this generation be remembered as the one that condoned this murder.  We need to stand up and support the movement for free and fair elections, and governments of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

Energy Independence is Needed to Free Ourselves From Foreign Energy

We must pursue alternative energy resources in order to achieve energy independence.  We must reduce our consumption of oil and coal and turn to renewable.  We can structure our economy on this, for if the US is not a producer of green energy, it will have to be a buyer.  That would be very harmful to our economy in the future.  We can build a powerful energy economy on green energy.  Large producers of oil can control prices and reap the benefits.  We can do the same, with green energy, right here in the US.

Also, regarding biofuels:  we should not use our precious corn supplies to make biofuels.  Instead, we should try to expand cellulosic and other types of ethanol.  It is much more efficient and it is not food, so we will not run the risk of shortages.  It can even be made using the husks of the corn, something that would normally be thrown out.  That way, food prices will be low for farmers can get money for their garbage.  We can use that garbage as part of our energy future.  

Investing in energy will require an upfront cost, spending cuts can cover that, but we can get it back in the future by selling energy and technology to other nations. We must pursue solar, hydrogen-fuel cell, and wind energy futures as well. 

It is time to phase out oil and coal and usher in new, more efficient forms of energy.  One method could be a tax break for people who own cars that have over 35 miles to the gallon.  This way, along with the tax hikes, there will be some tax cuts.  Hopefully, more people will take advantage of this and get a car with a tax break and therefore save money by going green.

Oil Companies must also pay their fair share in taxes.  We must not let oil companies go off free when they do not produce fuel that is sustainable or beneficial to the environment.  We need to push energy companies to reform their practices, encouraging investment in clean and sustainable technologies.  

Break Free From Conventionalism. Be your Own Self.

There is an extreme tragedy in government today.  It seems that no matter how much arguing, discussion, and "bipartisanship" that goes on in Washington, the major parties still cannot agree on solutions.  They remain united against or for different measures, regardless of what the American people, or even at times their own districts, believe is right for the country.

Instead of having a strong alliance and loyalty to party, we should instead have loyalty to our country.  If we put aside what our party (or some other special group's) interests, we can get more done.  We are all individuals, individuals with great ideas.  In order to have all those ideas spread and nurtured, congressmen need to not always conform with their party.  The same should be for everyone.  Instead of rubber stamping the party doctrine, we need to have open minds, listen to, and discuss people's own individual ideas.

The same goes for us too.  Do not simply agree with whatever we have to say.  Come up with your own ideas.  Voting for a party or even a candidate based on a single or handful of issues is not prudent.  Let everyone's ideas and opinions come out into the open.  We daresay that with less people conforming to their party ideas, we might come up with some better solutions.