Hatred, bigotry, political polarization, and distrust are huge problems that must be solved if we are to remain a democracy. We need all people to fix it. Extremism in on the rise and increasing in Texas. The writer provides possible ways of fighting extremism and ending hatred.
Details why writer is proud to be an American and details his American heroes. Democracy functions with civility and truth and being a Democrat/Progressive for the writer means many different things.
The average temperature across the U.S. in July 2023 was 2.1 degrees above normal, “with July 2023 ranking as the 11th-hottest July in the 129-year climate record.” NOAA also said that “July 3, 4 and 5 all consecutively broke records as the Earth’s hottest day since scientists began recording in 1979.” Despite warming temperatures, “Leading energy companies are intent on…expanding fossil fuel production and insisting that there is no alternative. While governments will need to lead the way to making significant adjustments to mitigate climate change, we can all make personal changes to reduce our environmental impact.
The United States is playing Russian Roulette with our debt and our fiscal future. The current national debt is a whopping $32 trillion, almost 100% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We must raise revenue from 19% to 21% of GDP by eliminating most deductions, exclusions, preferences, and credits. We must bring spending down (currently 23% of GDP) to revenue over the next 10 years by freezing domestic and defense spending, reforming healthcare, and putting Social Security on a solid footing by reducing benefits to the top 25% of earners.
Vote at home is also called vote by mail or absentee voting. It is increasing throughout the United States because it is a great way to improve voter turnout and reduce election costs. Texas scores among the lowest in voter-friendly policies. Expanding mail in and absentee voting would be a great way to improve voter turnout, strengthen our election security, and secure our democracy for future generations.
In his January, 1941 message to Congress, President Franklin Roosevelt ended his speech by explaining the concept of four freedoms. We had not entered World War II with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor some ten months away. Today we continue to be tested both here and around the world to defend freedom. FDR’s message still rings true. The freedom of speech and worship, and from want and fear represent an ideal for humanity to realize. It is time to end extremism. It is time to replace hatred with kindness.
Current bills in the Texas Legislature continue the inherent unfairness, poverty, racism and social disorder in our nation. Senate Bill (SB) 18, currently before the Texas Legislature, would abolish tenure in an effort to intimidate college educators to teach what folks in Austin want. House Bill (HB) 1804 would censor classroom lessons and ban books from schools and libraries, many of them about the experiences of people of color and LGBTQ folks. Bills like SB 8, which would steal money from our public schools to fund private school vouchers, is also a sad example of efforts to censor free speech. Students should receive a truthful education and access to books that reflect the diversity of our state and country. We simply do not have a level playing field but a nation where the “Rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” To make the “American Dream” real for everyone we must help the poorest among us to have access to decent housing, proper nutrition, and most of all quality education for the young.
School vouchers will divert your tax money into private schools and subsidize wealthier people sending their kids to elitist schools. We need to be aware that attempts to defund public schools are trying to happen!
The bi-partisan CHIPS and Science Act is an extremely important piece of legislation that aims, among other things, to bring microchip manufacturing back to the U.S.. We must position ourselves to be ready for this as it comes our way.
According to NASA, the Earth is warming up! We need to invest and explore new technologies that may help us to keep the Earth from warming too much.