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Opinion
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- Written by: Deb Baumann
Everywhere the AEI staffers looked, they saw evidence of free-market fundamentalism. They were impressed by the OWS camp's order. They were impressed by its water filtration system. They were impressed by the "can-do spirit" and abundance of entrepreneurship.
The AEI's conclusion? The OWS protestors are actually “conservatives, they just don’t know it.”
I’d like to suggest a different conclusion: Perhaps the AEI should re-examine its own preconceptions of “liberal.”
For the past 50 years, a fierce war of indoctrination has been waged in this country, with corporate media forces in print, TV and radio focused on a single aim: to divide the American people, and to keep them divided.
Because, divided we fall.
Divided, we are helpless to resist the one percent's relentless hijacking of our government and our economy.
People like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity are richly paid because of their talent for dividing the American people, for their skill at pushing the buttons that makes certain segments of the 99 percent hate other segments of the 99 percent.
Fox “News” is a propaganda machine devoted to dividing the people, and keeping them divided.
Occupy Wall Street is striking a chord because it is uniting people across the political spectrum. The prospect of such unity is the worst nightmare for Corporate USA and its subsidiary, the US Congress.
OWS has reinvigorated the “Move Your Money” movement, with people across the USA closing their Big Bank accounts and moving their deposits to local banks and credit unions. There is a nationwide Occupy Bailed Out Banks day this Saturday, Nov. 5.
Since I've enjoyed free checking, free checks, and fee-less, friendly services at small banks for 20 years, I was shocked when I read an article today about the Big Bank push for customer fee-hikes in 2012.
I was stunned to learn about the monthly fees that big-bank customers apparently pay on a regular basis, just for the “privilege” of banking.
So let me get this straight: Costumers deposit their hard-earned cash into Big Banks, which in turn use that money for the purpose of creating profit for Wall Street CEO's, and the Big Bank charges ever-increasing fees to those customers for this “privilege” … ? And people pay these fees? Are people crazy?
If you have savings or checking accounts with one of the Big Six, you are paying way too much. Consider moving your money to a locally owned bank or to a credit union. You will enjoy better service at a lower cost. And keeping your money local means you are investing in your own local economy. It’s a win-win!
To learn more about move-your-money and Occupy events near you, google www.OccupyTogether.org and search on your town’s name.
Deb Baumann lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Randy Ridgel
Those who were coherent enough to state their purpose announced that they wanted the government to take the wealth from capitalist fat cats and spread it around.
In that endeavor they have a strong ally in the White House; that’s what President Obama declared to “Joe the plumber” should be done. Furthermore, with his “stimulus” and “jobs,” he’s earnestly tried that.
What’s more, there is historical precedence that it can be successful: With the Soviet revolution in 1917, the capitalist fat cats disappeared into exile right on schedule. They were replaced with government fat cats. The remainder of the population lived in misery for 70 years but, by golly, they did get rid of those capitalist fat cats.
What surprises me is OWS missing an opportunity to support not only their president, but another kindred spirit, Al Gore, who has been trying to bring down global warming capitalists for years.
According to Al, manmade global warming is settled science needing no further discussion. Therefore the record October snow storm in the East didn’t happen; it’s a figment of the imagination of deniers.
Since the OWS campers are faithful believers, I don’t see why they accepted arctic tents and expensive thermal gear to protect them from a frigid snowstorm in October, one that just couldn’t happen if Gore is right.
However, it is reasonable that they accepted such gear from fat cats, obviously capitalists. That was spreading the wealth. In addition, other fat cats provided gourmet food from nearby restaurants – the kind of food, normally, only fat cats eat.
All was well until the local homeless people, being of sound body, if not mind, abandoned their sidewalk cardboard boxes and newspaper blankets, and moved in to share the wealth that the OWS had accumulated from capitalist fat cats. OWS went ape. That was too much; capitalist fat cats sharing fat cat wealth with OWS folks was one thing, but OWS sharing wealth with homeless bums was another.
After all, it was their wealth; they earned it by demonstrating in the park, and they saw no reason to share it with those who didn’t earn it. I understand that part; I’m just surprised that they do.
Sadly, however, they missed their chance to live frugally and spread their own wealth, just as the Obamas and the Gores do to demonstrate their beliefs.
Randy Ridgel lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: David Gebhard
We do not mind paying taxes, we do not mind living small while the fat cats live large; but to pay more taxes while our schools lack funding, to pay a higher tax rate than billionaires, while we cannot afford to send our kids to college, is outrageous.
To continue on this path, we are establishing a permanent aristocracy in this country. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have pledged half their fortune to philanthropy, but that does not excuse the class war the rich are waging against us.
Why should corporations be able to write off all or most of their taxes, while earning record profits? Why are we letting the rich dictate the tax code?
Oh, they are paying for our legislator’s campaign funds. We allowed the Republicans to stack the Supreme Court with conservatives, now there are no limits on campaign contributions.
We are following in the footsteps of the Roman Empire, we are rotting from within. Greed has our upper class squeezing the middle class into the lower class, by laying the cost of our government on them.
One cannot juice a turnip, or tax the lower class, so the only class left is the middle class, but soon there will no longer be any and we will be like Europe used to be, or as Marie Antoinette said, “Let them eat cake.”
We know what happened after that, people get tired of the inequity, and the lack of opportunity for their children. No hope means desperation sets in and anything can happen. People will feed their families, clothe and house them as well.
Class mobility requires education, and we are pricing the middle class out of the university system. As we starve our kindergarten through grade 12, ensure that equal opportunity is a “will o wisp.”
When you think on the tent cities, think of them as representing those of us who sit and watch, while our socioeconomic status drops.
Our standard of living drops. Our children’s future drops. Our expectations are dropping unless our legislature wakes up and becomes our representatives again. Servant of the people used to mean something good.
Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Kory Reynolds
This was an amazing event and credit must be given where credit is due.
Twenty teen drivers participated in the event and because of all those involved the teens are better drivers.
Thanks first of all to California Highway Patrol Chief Stephen Bell and Lt. Greg Baarts for pointing me to NASA.
To Will Faules and Jerry Kunzman, who worked with me to bring this event to Lake County, thank you for bringing your great organization to our community.
Chuck Holder, thanks to you and your staff for the use of your parking lot to hold the event. You are truly a community-oriented business man.
Eric Wheaton, thank you for helping promote the event, getting scholarships and for your instruction during the event. I enjoyed working with you.
Thank you to the schools that allowed us to come and speak about the clinic – Upper Lake High School, Clear Lake High School, Kelseyville High School and Middletown High School.
Thanks to our local media, especially Mandy Feder, Elizabeth Larson and Denise Rockenstein for promoting this event for our young drivers.
Damon Trimble, thank you for giving up your time with set up and take down and the skid pad.
Keith Stottsberry and Stotts Trucking, thank you for watering down the skid pad and spending the day with us.
Thank you, Doug Grider, Lakeport Public Works Department, for sweeping the loose gravel off the course.
To Ken Wells and the Lakeport Fire Department, thank you for being there, and what you do everyday.
Thank you to the Lakeport Kiwanis for two scholarships and Willits Kiwanis Immediate Past President Carl Gallups for a scholarship.
And to the incredible NASA staff – Scott Smith, Bob Herr, Darsie Evens, Brad Bowles, Sarah Zwain, Hans Dinse, Joe Sesto, Andy West, Tim Bringman and Bruce Brower – thank you all for a great day.
To St. Peter's Church and Karen Renteria, thank you so much for all the tables and chairs.
Thank you to the Clear Lake High School Girls Basketball program for preparing a great lunch – Rick Gabehart, Jim Kennedy, Joe Wind, Julie Reynolds, Amy Wind, Yesenia Lopes, Coree Alexander and JoJo Augustine.
Thank you everyone. This event was better than I ever imagined and the improvement I saw in the drivers as they proceeded through the day was amazing.
I sincerely hope that we can continue this event and continue to help teens become better drivers and save lives.
Kory Reynolds is an officer with the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office in Kelseyville, Calif.