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 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.
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.
There are many ways, from economical to technical, to help fight against climate change! Read more inside to get a quick overview of some of the possible ideas.
While some strides have been made, the United States needs to take more action on Climate Change. Renewable energy may be the key to our future.
In Texas, voter suppression is alive and well. It takes the form of extreme gerrymandering, over-the-top ID requirements, and some of the most restrictive voter registration rules in the country.
