“…be sure your sin will find you out.” –Numbers 32:23

Vakay The Ultimate Ditto Head

It wasn’t but a few weeks ago Lynn Vakay, an outspoken evangelical, school teacher and Headquarters Director of Santa Clarita Republican Party, was pointing her righteous finger of judgement at the Obama White house for an address which hadn’t been given yet. She was so upset at our President for his very true statement that America is not just a Christian nation, but a nation of many religions. Say what you will about the President’s thanksgiving address, but at least it wasn’t plagiarized. Which is something that Lynn Vakay can not claim about her latest political rant entitled “We should heed Madison’s advice, not Harry Reid’s”, published in the Dec 18 issue of the Signal. She attempted to pass off an almost word for word lifted copy of Gary Wolfram’s Nov 30th editorial entitled “James Madison vs. Harry Reid” published on humanevents.com.

Click Here to See Two Articles Side By Side

What is Plagiarism

My other Column About Lynn Vakay

Slate Article – Why Biden’s plagiarism shouldn’t be forgotten

SCVTalk.com Post about Vakay

After spending a few hour to analyze Mrs. Vakay’s knock-off next to Gary Wolfram’s original, I figured she wrote about 4 or 5 sentences of her own drivel to make it serve her purpose.  My favorite part is where she inserts an almost identical story of her Grandmother in the hospital, in place of Mr. Wolfram’s Mother-in-Law in a nursing home story.  I do love her one of her only original thoughts, “How many people go to see their doctor when they really don’t need to just because their “insurance” or Medicare is paying for it? This is a huge problem.”, Hey Vakay, it is called a check up, people do it make sure they don’t get sick and die.

How many people go to see their doctor when they really don’t need to just because their “insurance” or Medicare is paying for it? This is a huge problem.

Vakay's Plagerized Column

Vakay / Wolfran Breakdown

Wolfram's Original Column

My question is how is Mrs. Vakay in a leadership position if she is unable to put together he own original thoughts? How many other opinion columns has she passed off as her own? I wonder what Mrs. Vakay would do if one of her students turned in blatantly plagiarized work? Would they get a failing grade or perhaps an A. It seems Mrs. Vakay’s character has been exposed. This reminds me of what my mother use to tell me growing up, be sure your sin will find you out.

UPDATE

It appear Mrs. Vakay is also one of the “grass roots” leader for Meg Whitman’s 2010 campaign for Governor of California.  I think they should reconsider that appointment.  Click Here

Meg Whitman 
Announces 
Statewide Grassroots Leaders

“Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.” — George Bernard Shaw

How Much More Is America Going To Take?

ISMS, ISMS Everywhere!

There have been a lot of big scary words  thrown around the last few months everything from SOCIALISM!, COMMUNISM!, MARXIST!, FASCISM!  YIKES!  Those are some scary “ISMS”!  The Reality is most Americans couldn’t explain the difference  between these “ISMS” if their life depended on it, which I guess explains why these fringe groups accuse our president of being them all, even though they are contradictory philosophies!  But that doesn’t matter because we know one thing… WE HATE ALL THOS “ISMS” and love CapitalISM and free marketISM!  So Turn off the brains and SHOUT!  Oh and paint big red letters on poster boards!

Shhhhh!  Don’t tell these people, all americans are all secret socialists!  With Our Police Departments, Fire Departments, Public Highways & Roads, Postal Service, City Governments, Public Education, Public Libraries, Parks, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, HUD, Unemployment Insurance, Education Grants, Business Grants, Minimum Wage, Graduated Income Tax, Disability, Public Utilities, Science Grants, Labor Unions.  I could keep going, but in America Socialism seems like something people aspire too!  When you reach 65 years of old, you are eligible for Social Security and Medicare!  So I guess, Socialism is a reward for surviving till 65 years in the United States.

You can’t throw a rock without hitting a Republican that would love to make the claim that  America is the BEST country on the planet!  YET not be able to explain WHY they believe AMERICA is the best, besides WE SAY SO?  They have been fed and dare I say INDOCTRINATED to believe that everything America does is always right and justified!  We are always the good guys!  DAMN! Anyone that would criticize this great nation and find ways that America could possibly be better is Nation.  This got me thinking what really makes a country great?  Is it the Wars they Fight?  The Type of Government they have?  How they Treat their enemies?  The Freedoms they provide?  The Countries they Help?  The Opportunities they provide?  Is it the legacy they will be remembered for?

What about the Quality of Life they Provide?

So does America have the best Health Care?[*]  Well most Americans know the answer to that question, we are somewhere around 37 in the world and dropping.  But what is with the claim by the conservatives like Glenn Beck that say leaders from other country come here for medical care?  Well he is right, 30 of the top 50 best hospitals in the world are in the U.S, to go even futher the top 6 in the world are all in the U.S.![*]  So we have the best hospital facilities, doctors, nurses in the world, yet we allow 120 people die every day from not having proper health care?  How does that make us the best?  Does any middle class family benefit from knowing that the rich and elite in our country have the advantage of getting taken care of by the best hospitals in the world, while most of us go to small Kaiser Clinic where we need to fight for any specialist care?  NO!

Ok so America doesn’t have the best Health Care, we have some awesome hospitals only most of America have no access to them.  But what about our quality of life, obviously we have capitalism and our quality of life is better then everyone else RIGHT?  Actually NO, We are 13th overall in quality of life, Norway has the best quality of life in the world.[*]  I guess, I am just confused about what gives us the right to make the claim, We are the best country in the world?  We are like the school yard bully that will beat you up if you don’t say we are the BEST!  I think it is just arrogant propaganda without any substance!  I saw and example of this last week after I attended an amazing Pearl Jam concert at the Gibson Amphitheater here in Los Angeles.  I was waiting for the crowd to disperse when I heard a couple start talking to the two guys who sat in front of me.  They asked them where they were from and one of the guys said, Canada.  The Woman replies by saying “I am Sorry!”  My jaw hit the floor!, I couldn’t help but, pipe up!  I said, “Are you kidding me?  Canada has the 4th best quality of life in the world, America should be more like Canada”.  I apologized to the guys for the arrogant American!

Ok so America doesn’t have the best Quality of Life or Health Care, but surely we great because of Democracy right?  Maybe Not..

Welcome To The Plutonomy Machine

What is a Plutonomy?  Well Let’s let Citigroup explain it.

“Our whole plutonomy thesis is based on the idea that the rich will keep getting richer. This thesis is not without its risks. For example, a policy error leading to asset deflation, would likely damage plutonomy. Furthermore, the rising wealth gap between the rich and poor will probably at some point lead to a political backlash.Whilst the rich are getting a greater share of the wealth, and the poor a lesser share, political enfrachisement remains as was – one person, one vote (in the plutonomies). At some point it is likely that labor will fight back against the rising profit share of the rich and there will be a political backlash against the rising wealth of the rich. This could be felt through higher taxation (on the rich or indirectly though higher corporate taxes/regulation) or through trying to protect indigenous laborers, in a push-back on globalization – either anti-immigration, or protectionism.We don’t see this happening yet, though there are signs of rising political tensions.” - Secret Citigroup Memo March 5 2006

I have attached a letter put out by Citigroup, which was featured in the Michael Moore Documentary Capitalism: A Love Story.  These “leaked” letters were only sent to the Citigroup “elite”, and boast that America has turned from a Democracy into a Plutonomy.  What is a Plutonomy?  It is a return the Guilded Age where the Robber Barrons ruled the country.  Where the Rich Get Richer and the Poor get Poorer. These letters basically lay out how a society could be stupid enough to allow this type of system to continue and exam other failed Plutonomies and how they can continue to preserve this system in America!

Perhaps one reason that societies allow plutonomy, is because enough of the electorate believe they have a chance of becoming a Plutonomy participant.  Why kill it off, if you can join it? In a sense this is the embodiment of the “American dream”. But if voters feel they cannot participate, they are more likely to divide up the wealth pie, rather than aspire to being truly rich.

Ahhh so I get it, for one group of middle class mules you hold out the  “AMERICAN DREAM” carrot to keep the plutonomy cart moving and for the the other more religious middle class mules you hold out the “FAMILY VALUES” carrot!  It all suddenly becomes crystal clear!  American will put up with just about any abuse and even vote against their own interested, if you stuff them full of Hope that the hated abortions will be outlawed and Gays will never be able to marry, and for the other poor saps, make them think they have shot of being one of the Plutonomy participant!

“Countries and regions that are not plutonomies: Scandinavia, France, Germany, other continental Europe (except Italy), and Japan.”

Now for me, France sticks out the most in that group, because they have had several revolutions since we established our country.  These are the people America made fun of because they didn’t want to run into the quagmire that is the Iraq War.  Why was the French Government so afraid?  Because in France, the Government serves the people instead of the people serving their Government and it Plutonomy ruling class.  No massive bail outs for French Corporations, because their people would burn down their Parliament building!  In America, keeping the people afraid and getting them to believe you are the only one that can protect them is a lucrative political strategy!  I am beginning to think we need to change our national anthem from, “the home of brave”, to “the home of paranoid”.  Which doesn’t quite have the same ring, but rings much more true to reality.  So until America, quits wasting their votes on hot button topics which will never go away and demands that their government regardless of the political party quit selling them out the the Plutonomy Machine that is Wall Street and Big Biz, WE DESERVE THE GOVERNMENT WE GET!

Citigroup Oct 16 2005 Plutonomy Report Part 1

Citigroup – Mar 5 2006 – Plutonomy Report Part 2

Every two years the American politics industry fills the airwaves with the most virulent, scurrilous, wall-to-wall character assassination of nearly every political practitioner in the country – and then declares itself puzzled that America has lost trust in its politicians. ~Charles Krauthammer

Useful class if we had any Nazis or Communists in our country.

Now I am confused?  Who exactly are WE taking back America from and who are we giving it too Again? Irony of this Republican conference held last month, is they are only perpetuating the US vs THEM problem that is ripping the United States in two!  Is that their goal?  Is that why they are dreaming of a military coup to take the power away from the liberals?[*]  So if we can’t keep power through democracy, we will take power through a forced dictatorship!  Guess Newsmax didn’t have the rocks to stand by their guy John Perry’s craziness.[*]

My Question is, do the Republican honestly think moderates are going to be ok with their vigilante tactics to sink Health Care Reform? Republicans continue to run the same playbook of  their typical smoke screen tactics, with their Death Panels, Abortion, Communism smears!  Their only goal is to distract from the real pressing issues at hand!  Most intelligent people I meet regardless of their party affiliation agree health care reform is needed. Grandma Fran, who’s ass is permanently fixed to the couch when her favorite Fox News Blow Hard is yacking about the latest conspiracy theory, maybe sold! But most intelligent America are NOT SOLD on these theories, they may have some concerns as they did with Medicare, Social Security, ect! Real questions and concerns can’t be addressed because of the child like check out lane temper tantrums the republican are throwing. Glenn Beck should just get on the floor and start kicking and screaming… Oh wait

Was it any surprise when Republican finally admitted they just want to sink any health care reform yesterday? [*] This is probably the most honesty we have gotten from the Republican in a long, long time! Republicans have been “on tilt” since November! No Republican wants Health Care Reform, that would all but kill the Health Insurance industry! They would rather have a Public then have Health Care Reform.  WHAT YOU SAY?!?  But, I thought all the outrage was about the Public Option?  NOPE!  If common sense reforms, which most people would agree is needed where put into place Health Insurance would cease to be profitable!  They would no longer be able to deny coverage to the sick, which would greatly hurt their ability to be profitable!

Why did Insurance companies never go on the attack against the evils of socialism for the elderly?  Because Insurance Companies love Medicare,  WHY?  They don’t want to cover seniors anyway!  WIN WIN for them! Seniors cost to much to cover and they VOTE, they want them happy so they don’t make any waves for their people!

If the kind of practical Health Reform were to happen, Insurance companies would cry for a public option!  They don’t want to be forced to cover sick people!  The Republicans want everyone to believe the public option is about covering lazy free loaders on welfare.  While abuses are unavoidable with any program is a reality, just look at TARP!  This is about covering sick people in our country which Insurance companies do not want to cover anyway!   I guess they should have tried harder not to get cancer. YIKES!  I guess Alan Grayson had a point since Republican said they would oppose health care regardless of whether you met their demands!  Yikes again!

This is going to push the Democrats to go reconciliation if they can’t get the 60 filibuster proof vote.  I think if Democrats get a Health Care reform bill through, they ensure more defeats in future election for the Republicans.  They are leaderless, factioned beyond reconciliation, with the extreme right hijacking the party and under mining the main base of the party.  This conference is an act of desperation and should be called, taking back our party and finding a leader conference.

The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work and then they get elected and prove it. ~P.J. O’Rourke

Glenn Beck Laughing all the way to the Bank

I can’t help but laugh when I look at the fiasco that is Glenn Beck.  The stuff he tells the public or insinuates is just insane and hilarious at the same time, it would be even more  hilarious if his viewers didn’t actually take everything he says as gospel truth.  Liberals hate him and are pulling out their hair, Right Wing Conspiracy theories tune into get the latest conspiracy marble rolling around that Mormon coconut of his.  And I must admit, I have been caught up at times with the Stop Glenn Beck Boycott campaign put on by Color of Change, which has successfully pulled 64 advertisers.  Which is costing FOX NEWS $500,000 a week in advertising, leaving Beck with sponsors like “Cash for Gold”. Yet Beck lives to cough out another conspiracy theory.  I believe this week it is , Fluoride in the drinking water to control our minds and makes us more easy to control!  RISE UP AMERICA!  LOL

Now it is easy to go and say Glenn Beck is a moron and needs to be stopped.  But you have to respect the guy.  A few savvy moves from his publicist’s Matthew Hiltzik founder of “Strategic communications” and what do you know, Glenn Beck made 23 million dollars the last 12 months. No wonder he went from saying our health care is the worst, to saying America has the best Health Care in the world. FOLLOW THE MONEY BABY! 23 million buys allot of Health Care doesn’t it, not that cheap socialist type either, we are talking Dick Cheney Halliburton Exec health care. When you see that, Glenn Beck doesn’t seem like that much an idiot any more does he. He has made more in a month then most people will see in a decade!

But is this really surprising? Rush had his “hay day” under the Clinton Administration, telling all his faithful listeners how Clinton destroyed America that day.  You really think Rush was sad to see the Republican lose in 2008?  Why do you think he says the things he says,  because getting a rise out of people makes for good no GREAT radio.  If another radio station or website talks about how Rush just said that, we should bring back segregation, do you really think that hurts his ratings?  NOPE!  It helps his ratings and ratings sell advertising!  Ensuring that the Rush Limbaughs and Glenn Beck’s aren’t going very far.  Color of Change may succeed is getting Beck pulled from Fox, but Beck will bounce back some where else.  Honestly, Rush probably hates the fact that Glenn Beck is stealing his thunder!  They have been having a full fledge “Douche Off” since January 20th, getting more and more extreme.  Which is making conservative leaders see Glenn Beck and Rush as huge liabilities to the Party’s political future, as they are undermining the conservative base and make the conservatives appear extreme.  This does nothing but push the fence sitters and moderates to look to the other side or a third party option.

So how is Glenn Beck punkin’ America?  Well Matthew Hiltzik is the key to the whole thing!

Over the last few years, he’s had to fend off the rumors surrounding Couric’s tumultous tenure as anchor of the CBS Evening News, and it was Hiltzik who did damage control for Alec Baldwin after a voicemail of him verbally assaulting his daughter became an internet sensation in April 2007. In 2007, he also repped Imus after the shock jock was accused of making racist remarks. *

So Matthew Hiltzik is no stranger to controversy!  In fact controversy more often then not helps careers.  Look at Palin and David Letterman.  Letterman had great ratings, and Palin kept herself in the public eye.  So this entire interview is nothing but a publicity stunt put on by Matthew Hiltzik for two of his best clients, Glenn Beck and Katie Couric!  As of writing this blog,  the interview hasn’t aired yet, but one only needs to look at the teaser for the interview to see what is going on,  he says McCain would have been worst for America then President Obama.  This of course has conservative personality up in arms now! [Example]  More publicity for Glenn Beck which mean more books, more magazine covers and more overall demand.  He is on the cover of TIME for cryin’ out loud!

So let’s keep things in perspective with Glenn Beck.  He isn’t a dummy.  If you want him to go away, Ignore him.

Ultimately Liberals should be happy because Glenn Beck is helping the 2010 elections by getting all the crazies worked up.  Another year of this stuff and people will be so sick of their crazy aunt forwarding them every misinformed piece of propaganda they can find…

Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule – and both commonly succeed, and are right. ~H.L. Mencken, 1956

Working Together For A Better America

300 million people in the U.S. and most people are completely lost as to what the Real Threat to America is. You talk to a Democrat they will say Republicans, You talk to a Republican and they will say Democrat, You ask a Libertarian and they will laugh and say both even though they typically drink from the same cup of tea as Republicans. The Real threat to America is distrust of other Americans. Republican don’t trust Democrat, and Democrats don’t trust Republicans. The problem with this is the answer to our problem isn’t going to be solved by only Republican or only Democrats.

Take Health Care the hot button issue of the hour, which everyone knows about unless you have been living under a rock. While most intelligent people agree that our Health Care system is broken. We disagree with how to fix it. Democrats want to fine people that don’t have insurance, which I disagree with it. Republican haven’t really brought any solutions but you have to be blind, deaf and dumb to not know what their issue is, the Evils of Socialism! I admire Obama’s almost naive optimism that the Town Hall meetings would go well, and people would some how stop reading crazy uncle benny’s health care socialism, death panel emails! Then there was Glenn Beck who despite his own negative experiences and small crusade against the horrible health care system that wouldn’t give the president of GE good care, all off sudden changes his tune once he arrives at the Fair and Balanced folks at Fox. I think no one sums up and exposes Glenn Beck’s hypocrisy like comedian Jon Stewart.

People trust what Glenn Beck says, but my question is why? Does he really care about people or their health care? He changed his tune just a few month after going from the almost unwatched Headline News to the blatantly conservative high ratings Fox News. Instantly becomes one of their most flamboyant and charismatic news hosts. A great career move, he has made millions from his sweet heart deal with fox and all the books he has pedaled. Why should he care about your health care, when he has millions to make sure his family is taken care of.

Why would anyone at fox risk their job by giving people the facts about health care? Has Anyone on Fox even read the latest American Journal of Public Health report on our nations health care? The one that said 45,000 adults die every year due to health care or lack there of, that is one ever 12 MINUTES! But information like this gets lost in the static of Death Panel talks, and Government funded Health care scares, talk of Socialism and Nazi regime.

People act like the 45,000 people dying a year only affect the opposite party or the poor lazy people. Why would someone wait till their family member is being denied health care before they did something? By that time, it is too late.  Imagine the horror some people are going to feel when they realize they fought the thing that might have saved their loved ones life?  Are you going to care then about your political party?  Will Glenn Beck or any other Anti-health Care Reform person be there to give you the money for the operation that Aetna is denying payment on? We know the answer to that question.

So What Is The Real Threat to America? In short, It is Americans, and to be more specific Americans that are so loyal to either major political party that they are willing to campaign against their own interest.  Republican’s need to stop only bringing criticism and lies with the intent to sinking health care reform, and come to the table with alternatives.  American’s need to DEMAND cooperation, that doesn’t mean the Democrats or Republicans get their way.  It means we find some common ground, put our thinking caps on…  and solve the problem.  Fighting and Tearing down the other side doesn’t make America stronger, it only weakens the foundation that our society sets on.

So with the first blog of hopefully many, I call on people to demand Republican and Democrates work together for a better AMERICA!