The Other Spill

While tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil continues to desecrate the Gulf of Mexico and wildlife along the coast, the question sorely needed to be repeatedly asked, Why hasn't there been a disaster plan in place after decades of offshore drilling? One would think in this technological age we would have the necessary technology in place in the event one of these disasters occurs. It's a collective failure of past and present oil companies and government agencies. However, President Obama continues to be the fall guy for all of it. At this point, I don't understand why we're continuing to solely rely on a company who has repeatedly failed with safety regulations and has purposely misled us all. I think former President Clinton's advice to bomb the well is a good one. How could it get any worse at this point? Why aren't we using the devices proven to suck up the oil on the water's surface instead of these booms that have proven to not be 100 percent effective along the wetlands and coasts?

With this oil spill's depressing ad nauseum live web cam video feeds, we have another spill to contain. This is one long overdue -- the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. As previously reported by a Conservative think tank, Rand Corporation, only 7 percent of military occupations have defeated terrorism. We are spending billions of tax dollars to private contractors who have used this occupation as a profit making venture. They've proven to be nearly stagnant in their reparations projects -- schools, water supply, utilities, etc. Finally, we see some good news. The majority of Americans in several polls across the board now oppose our occupation. Although this doesn't have the personal impact of a draft from Vietnam, I think it's high time people begin protesting in the streets to end this inflaming of extremism and extraordinary costs it has had on all of us.

This is one example of where I want President Obama to change course. Frankly, I'm critical of the Bush and Obama administrations on what they know about these contractors who have participated in a number of illegalities. Most notably, Eric Prince, founder of Blackwater (now Xe) should along with his upper management be at the forefront of these criminal prosecutions. Finally, one should investigate how these two administrations could possibly be linked as accessories.

I still support Obama and understand the harsh realities of obstruction set out by the Radical Right. However, I'm not one to make excuses for him when there are substantiated injustices occuring. Our occuaptions in Iraq and Afghanistan are glowing examples.

What else could be done to boost the economy?

1. The Far Right likes to pretend it has a monopoly on moral values. It's funny how the staunchest, self-proclaimed social conservative is caught for infidelity. So, marriage has a terrible track record in this country. With this said, I'll shift to a Libertarian view -- why not legalize prostitution and tax it? Can you imagine how many of these wealthy business elites would solicit these services and the returns that can go into our Treasury? Let's stop pretending we're so much more superior than the average mammals on this planet. Our biological urges take over. I commend all those who practice monogamy, and I'm no different in this approach. However, I also understand the reality of seeing so many who don't take their vows seriously.

2. Abolish the death penalty and legalize drugs. The city of San Antonio went bankrupt in 1992. It's no secret Texas is the death penalty capital of the world. It really shows how people's hearts are hardened and minds are numb to commit another murder. San Antonio's primary reason for bankruptcy was, you guessed it, death penalty appeals cases. Our jails are filled with convicts on death row for decades.

This country continues to spend billions a year on getting high. Yes, they're dangerous and have life-altering effects. However, tobacco continues to be the number 1 killer out there. Our jails are filled with non-violent offenders who pose no threat to others in society. One would think our priority would be rehabilitation and mental health service clinics, not more jail houses. It was criminal to see one community here in Georgia spend nearly half its annual budget on a new corrections facility. If this country legalizes marijuana like California is proposing and backed by its moderate Republican Governor, that's more revenue coming in.

3. O.k. The most pragmatic of the three here is quite simple. We need to place the tax burden back where it belongs -- the top 1 percent of this country's earners. There was a time when we had a strong middle class, but the decades have gone by and so has our collective bargaining empowerment. I don't think there's been a time in our history when corporations have been this powerful. So, implement the estate tax. This is millions that would be coming in. Second, provide tax incentives to companies who won't ship jobs overseas. Third, provide even more tax incentives to companies willing to develop alternative energy sources. Finally, forget the Tea Party's approach that we're being taxed to death. We're not. The tax rate was the lowest this past year since 1950. The problem -- costs have significantly increased and wages remain stagnant. Restructure the tax codes so the wealthiest are paying their fair share once again and shift the burden away from the lower and middle classes.