Six years ago I wrote a book called Uncle Sam's Plantation . I wrote the book to tell my own story of what I saw living inside the welfare state and my own transformation out of it.
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I applaud Ms. Parker on such a well thought out and written analysis of what has been happening in our once great Republic as she so correctly stated starting with the "Economic Opportunity Act of 1964". She obviously is a very intelligent and informed citizen. Until we get more citizens like her going to the ballot box, I'm fearful we will all soon be living on the "plantation" in The United Socialist States of America (USSA), and it won't be in the "Massah's" house. We need citizens like Ms. Parker in public office, representatives with her mindset in Washington, instead of those who claim to be helping while passing legislation which does anything but! Wake up America!
THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE CALLED UNCLE TOMET!!! I GUESS THE 5.3 AMERICANS & RISING WHO ARE RECEIVING GOVERNMENT'S UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ASKED TO BE ON UNCLE SAM'S PLANTATION. I'M GOING TO FORWARD THIS ARTICLE ONTO THE AMERICANS WHO ARE RECEIVING GOVERNMENT'S UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING ON UNCLE SAM'S PLANTATION. AS THE OLD SAYING GOES, "TOMORROW IS NEVER PROMISE", BUT NOW IT'S "IF TOMORROW WILL I HAVE A JOB". IF YOU LOSE YOUR JOB TOMORROW ACCORDING THE ARTICLE YOU WILL BE ON UNCLE SAM'S PLANTATION!!!
How refreshing to hear someone speak so intelligently and just tell it like it is. Until each American accepts responsibility for themselves our country will always be buried in debt that will probably never be repaid. There is great pleasure in working hard to achieve and aquire the things you want without depending on the big hand of government to hand it to you.
Why can't more people think for themselves and see things as they really are? This intelligent woman has learned not to look at our new president as the "Savior" because of his skin color. I wish more blacks and whites as well could realize that he is leading us down the wrong path. If you look at other governments, Venezuela for example, we learn that the path of socialism can lead further down to communism. How far will we allow Mr. Obama to take us?
What a refreshing article. We DO need more young people with this young lady's vision and level headed thinking, no matter what race they may be. Thank You Ms Parker !
Star Parker (born 1956) is an American author. Parker is also an advocate and spokesperson for conservative causes, she holds an undergraduate degree in marketing.
Parker, an American woman, spent her teen and early adult years as an unemployed mother on welfare; she was arrested in her teens for shoplifting and has disclosed that she had four abortions.[1]
Parker became a conservative Christian and subsequently became a spokesperson for related political issues. She opposes the welfare system, claims that stable families and self-reliance are the best way to end poverty and opposes abortion. In 2007, Parker was a guest at the conservative Value Voters Summit.
Parker is the founder and president of the Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education. She is also a syndicated columnist for Scripps Howard News Service and the author of three books: White Ghetto : How Middle Class America Reflects Inner City Decay (2006), Uncle Sam's Plantation: How Big Government Enslaves America's Poor and What We Can Do About It (2003) and Pimps, Whores and Welfare Brats: From Welfare Cheat to Conservative Messenger (1998).
Parker appeared as co-host on the ABC daytime talk show The View on June 19, 2007.
Parker is currently a speaker for the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute's college campus lecture program.
I don't really get what you are trying to say #10. Are you agreeing with her column or not? Who cares if she is from around here? What does her having 4 abortions have to do with it? She brought herself out of the welfare system, and chose to not live her life taking a ride on the free gravy train. I commend her for that, and whatever she went through in life has helped to make her the person she is now! I only wish that more people would do the same. I go to work everyday and earn a living. So should others be allowed to not have to work for anything? Life isn't always fair it is what you make of your life that counts!
Well, I'm wondering if you should measure the alformentioned "caps" key and the "a" key from the top or the bottom. On my keyboard the top of the "caps" key is smaller than the bottom of it and at the bottom of the "caps" key to the bottom of the "a" key it is very close. I can't seem to get a accurate measurement of them with my ruler....let me try againAaAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAaaA....DAMN!
The article is very interesting. Yes we need to provide for ourselves and our families. I believe in working everyday and taking care of my family. My entire life I have watch my mother and even my father work their full time jobs and then get off work and go and clean houses and mow lawns and work in hay fields. Well one day my mother was laid off from her job and my father suspended from his job. My parents applied for foodstamps and we had meat in our house. Yes their are people who abuse the system, but what about those people that need a life line. Those people who just need help for just a little while? Poor people aren't the only people that want something for nothing or at a discount. I meet people everyday, that earn twice the money I earn and they are always trying to pay less or get it for free. How about those people that are employed and their employer offers insurance for their employees and the employee's family. The employee takes it out on themselves. They apply for Peachcare for their children. Isn't that the same thing? Aren't you abusing the system? If your employer offers you health insurance and you rather use Peachcare then you are not better than someone who applies for foodstamps, medicaid or tanf. Peachcare, foodstamp, medicaid, childcare assistance and tanf are all funded by the government. If you need help then apply that is what the programs are for. May God bless you all.
I am sure before we have that happen. "Good Folks" like you and Rush would actually put on a uniform and defend this country, instead of just complaining.
Why is it socialism if our gov. takes tax money to help people through the hardest economic times most of us have ever lived through. Social Security is an insurance program, the government felt "entitled" to deduct it. I think they're "entitled" to give it back when the time comes. Nobody likes welfare cheets. You could cut off your nose to spite your face but that would be stupid too. Do you really want to see old people and children eating out of trash cans and getting turned away from hospitals. We have been blessed incredible in this country. If we stop squandering our treasure and letting people rob us to fight wars and rebuild countries and insist on enough power to destroy the earth umpteen times over of course we end up like this. America has been acting like a spoiled child screaming give me some more. America is finally getting it's priorities straight. See to it that our children get fed and educated. Level the field for American workers. Get rid of corrupt politicans who try to make you live your life in fear of terror and paying your taxes. Most people that scream the loudest about their tax dollars are the ones who can't bare to let them go. They want America for free. Until we pick up our people that are suffering we need to shut up and stay home.
I guess the author was not saying she was on Uncle Sam's plantation back in 1996. Be careful what you say and do because as you many of you know jobs are not promise and you might be the one applying for government assistance at your local unemployment office and local department of family children services. A word to the wise, never talk and look down on people because you might be the one that will be down with them and according to the author you will be on Uncle Sam's plantation.
I agree that there may be a cultural mindset going on amoung certain American subgroups when it comes to government funded support programs. What this young lady failed to say is that the program was there when she needed it and it worked for her because the program provided for her the resources to later be able to provide for herself. She is obviously educated. Not very many on some of these programs have that going for them. I think she should become the poster child for its success and not turn around and burn down the bridge that lead her across those troubled waters.
I see this article as a lesson on what an American citizen knows is the great thing about this country.
That the opportunities are there if one accepts them- education, the chance to step out and rise above the situation one was born into, the knowledge that there is a safety net here in this great country of ours in the event of a job loss through no fault of our own, and the ability and the right to go wherever we want in this nation to practice our religion, do our day's work, or further our education.
Ms. Parker is an example of America at it's best.
Well Ms Parker it appears that all Republicans have selective memories. You have learned to parrot all of the specious nonsense that all cnnservatives seem to parrot. President Johnson's war on poverty though not perfect did in fact lower the poverty rates among African-Americans. As a matter of real history and not history that is contrived by you and others, African American poverty rates made steady declines starting during World War II. Those declines stopped during the 1980's under President Ronald Reagan a Republican. Ironic because it was during a time of unprecedented economic growth for the country. Capitalism at its finest. The poverty rate among African Americans began to decline again under Bill Clinton, the scourge of Republicans and the last president to leave office with a surplus (believe it or not the president before Clinton who left the office with a surplus was another socialist probably in your mind Lyndon Johnson. The same Johnson that helped start Uncle Sam's plantation). What you have written is old and tired. Do any of you have any original thoughts or are you unique because you are able to repeat the same nonsense as many Caucasian conservatives.
Read a book, read government journals published by the NPO that will spell out the data that will either coroborate or disprove what you are saying. Oh my bad, you get all of your information from a guy that flunked out of college his sophomore year Rush Limbaugh, the intellectual giant of the Republican Party.
Hey pal, maybe you need to see the whole picture. Johnson's also gave us Vietnam. Maybe you forgot what that did for us. He also gave us Affirmative Action. Even black Americans today are coming out against this policy. My take is that the best person for the job should get the job...period. Did black people get passed over for a job that they were more qualified for? Absolutely. Do you think it happens today? Absolutely. Do you think whites get passed over for blacks? Absolutely. None of this is should happen. Ethics tells me I don't want to work for a company where such takes place.
Capitalism built this country. Without capitalism most of us wouldn't have a job at all, except for government jobs. We all see what pillars of success they are...NOT!
The thing with government surplus is that it's not their money. Its money that the gov't took from us, they didn't need it, but no, you aren't getting it back because it's theirs now. IT'S OUR MONEY! Yes, we all get upset when someone, anyone, takes our money. You should too. What if someone went into your wallet and took a hundred bucks out of it, just because? Tell me you wouldn't be pissed.
Lose the race card. It's not working. I find 'Caucasian conservatives' offensive. Lest you forget Michael Steele, the chair of the Republican party. Or Herman Cain, who ran against Isakson for US Senate. Or Alan Keyes. All Black. All conservative. All Republican. Isn't State Rep. Willie Talton, of Warner Robins, a Republican? And black. Its not just for 'Caucasians,' since you are being so formal. You are welcome to join too.
And I don't listen to Rush, Hannity or Boortz. I don't need to. I have a front row seat. So do you.
good comment two cents! now hugo is probably been sitting for hours pre-writing his response to you all while he's realizing that he too is seeing that the hope and changy thingy isnt all what it was cracked up to be!
Well two cents worth, I don't believe I would be welcome in the Republican Party as it is now constituted. Too many conservatives believe if they put a black or female face on outdated policies then minorities or females will embrace those policies. This simpleminded approach is bound to fail. The Republican party is too xenophobic in a nation as diverse as ours to be taken seriously.
As to capitalism, it is better than any economic system that exists today. However, when a political party comes to power, and is not the party of all the people, we all lose. Egalitarianism and capitalism are not compatible. Economic development in depressed areas are needed to rein in some of the pathologies that have infected many communities and railing about affirmative action (which has never been as prevalent as conservatives have presented it but it gets people like you all worked up) and other issues cannot replace sound policies that promote economic development in depressed areas.
As for playing the race card, we seem to both play it quite well. I just don't use code words. I say caucasian but you hide behind words like affirmative action, handouts and other phrases instead of saying black people. I fail to see the difference.
The planned collapse of America
By Peter Chamberlin
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Dec 7, 2007, 00:38
There is no shortage of speculation about "why" our leaders are still adamantly planning for the destruction of Iran, in the face of overwhelming popular opposition, even though everyone except the neocons and their allies believes that America would not survive our own actions. An irrational attack is planned and apparently the decision has been chiseled in stone. It may be for Israel. It may be for oil. Maybe it is for world domination?
We are launching a nuclear world war to save us from ourselves. "We have found the enemy and he is us." --Pogo. We risk blowing the world apart, to avoid watching America slowly choke on its own excesses.
The government has known for decades that America is on a countdown to self-destruction. Among the elite it is common knowledge that our "global economy" must one day collapse from its own dead weight. In 1974 an intensive research project was undertaken by the Stanford Research Institute and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation for the Dept. of Education. Their final report was released as the Changing Images of Man. It was compiled by the SRI Center for the Study of Social Policy, Director Willis Harmon. This is a far-reaching investigation into how the basic nature of man might be changed. The Aquarian Conspiracy describes the implementation of their work in the real world.
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The most reassuring part of "Images" is that it confirms my own conclusions about our crisis, but it is also the most disturbing part, for it confirms my worst reservations about this time.
The object of the research was the development of a plausible vision of the future in which democratic methods survive, major problems are managed successfully if not resolved, and the unfolding of the human potential continues to expand. In other words, the postulation of a "desirable future" including feasible paths to its realization . . .
The government was looking forward to a very troubling future, trying to figure out the best path through it. The plan was to find ways to shape and mold mankind into a new cultural image, complete with new ideas and ideologies, even religious ones. The root of the problem was human nature, and solution was to reshape the competing forces of daily life, in order to forge a new image of a new human nature. The researchers were brutally honest in seeking all available knowledge pertaining to their research, and in assessing the current common image of man-on-earth.
The research revealed that there were a multitude of crises that were about to intersect in America's near future. Not the least of these converging catastrophes was a rapidly approaching breakdown of both American capitalism and democracy. The collapse was a natural result of globalism and monopoly capitalism. The basic greed that powers the system eroded the American political and economic structures, exposing the foundation of immorality and unfairness that amplifies the social unrest. The Stanford researchers clearly predicted that the American economy was destined to collapse from its own dead weight. The data also showed that that economic collapse was to be accompanied by disastrous social repercussions, such as rioting and upheaval, which would lead us into a "garrison state."
The thing about this research is that this work has confirmed that our economy based on parasitic capitalism, where the small elite sits atop the heap of men and gorges on their lifeblood, is destroying the social fabric of America. This system is based on a stacked deck, where the top elite always reap the profits that are made to rise to the top through the corporate profits-based system. The research confirmed that the growing inequities of such a system were ever increasing and with them, elevated social tensions. A system based on usury and putting everyone in the "poor house" is an economic order that is guaranteed to produce a democratic revolution, whenever the misery index of the armed populace exceeds the limits that they are willing to peacefully bear, without striking back at the source of their misery.
Changing Images of Man predicts an American economic collapse and a "garrison" (police) state," if the overwhelming inequities of our economic system are not corrected by powerful multinationals making more humane decisions. Alternatives to this doomsday scenario are discussed, all of which point to the need to devote all available resources towards transforming the image of man, changing man's nature, instead of altering the corrupted economic system which has brought America to this dire state. In this government study it was inappropriate to denounce the evil culprits behind all our troubles (who pull the strings on government itself), even though the task was to document and remedy the damage that they have done. Instead, they are cited as the hopeful "saviors," that we should look to for help and leadership. The hypocrisy of the hegemons! The authors admit that it is "utopian in 1974 to think of the multinational corporations as potentially among our most effective mechanisms for husbanding the earth's resources and optimizing their use for human benefit -- the current popular image of the corporation tends to be more that of the spoiler and the exploiter."
Instead of charging the people who are responsible for our situation (such as men like David Rockefeller), for manipulating our economy and our democracy to maximize their profits, the multi-national corporations and their owners were exalted as the potential saviors of mankind. Rockefeller and the elite have consistently taken steps to dominate the world by controlling people through "humanitarian" projects which, in the end, turn out to be profit mechanisms. The "green revolution" to spread corporate farming to the Third World has been the key to globalization's destabilizing of world labor markets, in order to create populations of "refugee workers," who are willing to go anywhere to find work for slave wages. This is the cause of the wave of illegal immigration into the US from Mexico. This is part of the proof that there are powerful individuals who are using their economic power to undermine nations in a long-term scheme to gain control of nations and multiply their profits.
Here David Rockefeller admits media collusion with his one world plans: "We are grateful to the Washington Post, the New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years. It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subjected to the light of publicity during those years. But now the world is more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supra-national sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries."
Rockefeller writes on page 405 of his memoirs: "Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as 'internationalists' and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure - one world, if you will. If that is the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it." (Activists Go Face to Face With Evil As Rockefeller Confronted)
Everything that "Images" suggested to remedy shortcomings in the economic system was based on the assumption that men like this would acquire a new corporate benevolence, with CEOs gaining basic humanity. According to Rockefeller himself (who freely admits his efforts to replace America with a "one world" order), he has been working for the greater good of man, all along.
Their conclusions on American political shortcomings were that these would be tended to by the new improved humane politicians, sort of like Bush's "compassionate conservatives." Step 4 of their six-part strategy to "Bring About a Non-Catostrophic Transformation" -- "Encourage a politics of righteousness and a heightened sense of public responsibilities of the private sector . . . A politics of righteousness might have been laudable in any generation; it may be indispensable for safe passage through the times just ahead."
The report authors recognize the inevitability of the rising new image of man, describing it as a quasi-religious awakening within the collective mind of man, man's new human nature, relating it to the actual process of spiritual learning that has been going on within religions for thousands of years. They praise Freemasonry and the skills and disciplines inculcated within its members, speculating that their ways might be the key to shoring-up our free enterprise democratic society.
They developed a strategy to revitalize America's motivational images, symbols and institutions, outlining five separate approaches to the problem, describing the pluses and the pitfalls of each, according to their effects upon society. These approaches are defined as "restorative, simulative, manipulative, persuasive and facilitative." Restoration of crumbling icons works best in the early stages of societal transformation (revitalization cycle). The simulative strategy introduces new ideas, whenever the collapse of the old order becomes apparent. The manipulative strategy seeks to limit individual freedoms. Persuasive propaganda phase is to be coupled with proven mind control techniques, to keep down the social upheaval and shape the emerging image.
"No doubt existing consciousness-changing, behavior-shaping, subliminal persuasion, and other conditioning techniques could be used to accomplish some sort of transformation of sobering proportions (we ought to be able to be more effective than Nazi Germany). After previously citing Nazi reinvigoration of the Germanic icons and ideals."
The transforming revitalization process mirrors the psychiatric process of leading a patient through a psychotic break and the restructuring of his life, but on a national scale.
Once the transformation becomes apparent, social stability will become a problem, especially when society feels pushed by overextending the simulative stage. Actions taken to increase the polarization between "transformation enthusiasts and the conservatives" are called "constructive," except when it is desirable to take actions that "contribute to social cohesion." They were searching for the best path to bring about a controlled deconstruction of everything that "America" means and the reconstruction of a new improved vision of America. They are midwifes to the delivery of the "New World Order," as they go about the dirty business of guiding society through that predicted period of "friendly fascism."
The great anomaly is given as the great chasm between an efficiently functioning profit-driven capitalist society and the human needs and desires of that society which go unmet, so that "profits" can be taken. In fact, the "profit" really amounts to the bread that is taken from the poor. The inequities and the unfairness of the corporate system are causing the breakdown of American capitalism and American democracy. The American catastrophe is causing the breakdown of the world economy for the same reason, the basic inability of monopoly capitalism to meet the basic needs demanded by the world's people.
Bush's appointed task is to bully America through this turbulent period of upheaval, with as little disruption of corporate activity as possible. Government has taken the words of this study to heart, preparing a manipulative transformation, to divert or preempt the coming collapse of our nation with a massive war today. This is also one of the primary reasons for the coming world war, to serve as a prelude to American martial law. Instead of calling out the troops after the insurrection has begun, they plan to call out the troops first. If the American military is to forcefully control the homeland, including their own relatives, then the troops must first be convinced that the nation's survival depends upon their patriotic actions. This is why the world war against Iran has not started yet, because our National Guard must first be convinced that its duty is to put down the American rebellion which will surely accompany the bombing of Iran. The timing for their great takeover is crucial, if they want to move America past (through) the social unrest as quickly as possible.
Here are the "Elements of a Strategy for a Non-catastrophic Transition":
1. Promote awareness of the unavoidability of the transformation.
2. Foster construction of a guiding vision of a workable society built around the new image of man and new social paradigm.
3. Foster a period of experimentation and tolerance for diverse alternatives.
4. Encourage a politics of righteousness and a heightened sense of public responsibilities of the private sector . . . A politics of righteousness might have been laudable in any generation; it may be indispensable for safe passage through the times just ahead.
5. Promote systematic exploration of and foster education regarding man's inner life, his subjective experience.
6. Plan adequate social controls for the transition period while safeguarding against longer-term losses of freedom . . . Regulation and restraint of behavior will be necessary in order to hold the society together while it goes around a difficult corner.
There must be a new economics to deal with the "new scarcities." Arguing for corporate America to adopt a humanitarian aspect, the argument is made for an alternative "new socialism," where important sectors like energy might be nationalized for the good of the country, and greater pressure put upon corporations to mandate a sort of social awareness of employee needs, as much as shareholder profits.
"The appropriate question may be not so much how to bring about a transformation . . . but rather how to facilitate a non-catastrophic transformation." [page 195]
"Construct a guiding version of a workable society, built around a new positive image of humankind and corresponding vision of a suitable social paradigm. As the old order shows increasing signs of falling apart, some adequate vision of what may be simultaneously building is urgently needed for mobilization of constructive effort. The guiding vision has to include some way of providing for full and valued participation in the economic and social affairs of the community and society, especially for those who are physically and mentally able to contribute but find themselves in a state of unwilling idleness and deterioration of spirit."
Despite all the report's shortcomings and its hypocrisy, it does make some sound observations about what is needed for our immediate survival. We should take it as a guide to what our government knows about the coming mega-crisis and a template to help us see what changes we could make if there were truly a new economy, a new social contract, a new American state. For it is obvious to all those who take the time to look, that we are headed into period of national freefall, when American society plunges head first, into a dark abyss of uncertainty, as the old order passes away, and the New World Order rushes in to fill the void.
We are seeing the planned collapse of America, coming down the road we are on. What are we going to do to get our nation off that highway to hell?
Some of us who have been alive some years longer than Ms. Parker can only say "Some people do not know where their bread is buttered." Those of us who have been here since the 1940s can attest to the fact that government programs for education, welfare, and affirmative action have helped to lift this nation from a sad state into one where opportunity exists for every one who is willing to make the effort. Perhaps Ms. Parker suffers from the common ailment of the converted who detest the past once it has been overcome and cast away. Each of us needs to claim our past and remember where we came from. And as for the republican party, how any person of color can be there is just bizarre.
I gathered from this article that she is trying to tell us that we might have to "visit" the plantation, but we do have to set up "permanent" residence there. I don't think anyone really feels ill toward those who really need assistance, but when they become so satisfied with the handout programs that they are content to just stay there and allow the government to continue their support. As for being a Republican, her message makes me proud to be one.
My hat is off to Hugo and Louie. You both sound like smart people to me. I hear so many comments that are mearly racisim cloked in politics. It don't matter what ship brought you here. We are Americans and we need to fight for this country now, here at the home front. Some times the enemy walks among you. People like Rush and Coulter have become wealthy spreading hate and not giving a damn what the reality is as long as they have an audience. The sad part is, they do have an audience. They proudly proclaim that they hope Obama fails. They hope America fails because their party failed. I hope America triumphs because it is the greatest Country ever. I do not agree with the saying "America, right or wrong." When there is something wrong you must try to make it better. Still, I'd prefer to be blown to smitherines by bin Laden himself than hand over my ability to think to the likes of Limbaugh.
Hey two-bits whorth,
Who wrote that history book that told you Johnson gave us Vietnam? I get the feeling you aint from around here. Maybe you're from Texas. I here it's like a whole 'nother country.
Prior to the Johnson administration we were just 'advisors' in Vietnam. U.S. combat troops weren't sent in until Johnson assumed the presidency. Maybe that's what I should've said. I've never been to Texas; I'm right here in Barnesville.
Getting back to Hugo's response: I don't feel the Republican party is trying to put any face on itself. Look at Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana. Or the Governator, Arnold Schwartzenegger, who's married into the Democratic royal family. There was talk several years ago of amending the Constitution to allow him to run for president. And again, Alan Keyes, Herman Cain, Michael Steele. These are all well educated, and most importantly, informed people, who have made their own choices as to which party to align themselves with, and it seems, so has Ms Parker. I say this because you referred to 'caucasian conservatives.' Historically the party has been largely white, but with the times that is changing. As far as the race card, you played it, not me. Your first post especially sounds racial to me. I mentioned affirmative action only because it was a Johnson policy that was unfair for the reasons I outlined above. I wouldn't call it 'railing', just stating facts. I never said anything about handouts or other so called 'code words.' But since you mentioned it, we both know white and black people that receive them. Race is not an issue to me; never has been and never will. Everyone has value. Your posts are appreciated and welcomed, as I feel it is always good to hear the other side of the story, so we can all weigh the inputs and make informed choices.
#23 You did not listen to Limbaugh speech or you would realize he was saying that he hoped Obama's plans would fail and since we are headed in a very dangerous direction, in my opinion, I too hope they fail. I agree that the enemy walks among us, but we don't see eye to eye on who the real enemy is. I think the American people have been had by the present administration and this host of questionable people who make up his cabinet. I do agree that we need to fight for this country now before we become party to a group that we really don't want to belong to.
Don't really agree with you on the national defense issue but you make good points on the issue of fear mongering and outright lieing by some of our elected and appointed officals. I mean if we can put a tax cheat in head position of collecting taxes then anything goes in washington dc. I do however there are far better ways of taking care of our old and young that are in need and instead of spending 70% of the money to administrate the 30% that goes to the people. That is thru churchs and other non-profit orgs and volunteers. they are far more accountable and effecient at doing this. they can provide what a family needs instead of just a check, throwing money at it does make it go away. washington, dc is so far removed from the needs of the people. a face, a hand to shake or an ear to listen goes a long way to help the the family or person but washington dc doesn't provide that in an any manner.
I agree with Ms Parker and wish there were more young people that knew the issues and the TRUE cost of these 'pie in the sky' promises (i.e. health care, welfare, uncontrolled immigration). Wouldn't it be great if we all had unlimited accounts where we never ran out of money? REALITY: just like individuals, the gov't cannot pay the checks their writing and America is going bankrupt. We have sold ourselves to liberal agendas and foreign aid and in return, we are hated and our liberties trampled. I see parents sit back on welfare with no pride in themselves and drug/alcohol abuse is rampant along with child abuse/neglect. The majority of young people in our nation have given up hope -- when Obama abused their trust and fed them his socialist bullsh*t. The US needs to get back to our roots - WAKE UP and quit drinking the koolaid.
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Who will take heed, or just keep on taking.
Press it. It is your friend.
Star Parker (born 1956) is an American author. Parker is also an advocate and spokesperson for conservative causes, she holds an undergraduate degree in marketing.
Parker, an American woman, spent her teen and early adult years as an unemployed mother on welfare; she was arrested in her teens for shoplifting and has disclosed that she had four abortions.[1]
Parker became a conservative Christian and subsequently became a spokesperson for related political issues. She opposes the welfare system, claims that stable families and self-reliance are the best way to end poverty and opposes abortion. In 2007, Parker was a guest at the conservative Value Voters Summit.
Parker is the founder and president of the Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education. She is also a syndicated columnist for Scripps Howard News Service and the author of three books: White Ghetto : How Middle Class America Reflects Inner City Decay (2006), Uncle Sam's Plantation: How Big Government Enslaves America's Poor and What We Can Do About It (2003) and Pimps, Whores and Welfare Brats: From Welfare Cheat to Conservative Messenger (1998).
Parker appeared as co-host on the ABC daytime talk show The View on June 19, 2007.
Parker is currently a speaker for the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute's college campus lecture program.
That the opportunities are there if one accepts them- education, the chance to step out and rise above the situation one was born into, the knowledge that there is a safety net here in this great country of ours in the event of a job loss through no fault of our own, and the ability and the right to go wherever we want in this nation to practice our religion, do our day's work, or further our education.
Ms. Parker is an example of America at it's best.
Read a book, read government journals published by the NPO that will spell out the data that will either coroborate or disprove what you are saying. Oh my bad, you get all of your information from a guy that flunked out of college his sophomore year Rush Limbaugh, the intellectual giant of the Republican Party.
Capitalism built this country. Without capitalism most of us wouldn't have a job at all, except for government jobs. We all see what pillars of success they are...NOT!
The thing with government surplus is that it's not their money. Its money that the gov't took from us, they didn't need it, but no, you aren't getting it back because it's theirs now. IT'S OUR MONEY! Yes, we all get upset when someone, anyone, takes our money. You should too. What if someone went into your wallet and took a hundred bucks out of it, just because? Tell me you wouldn't be pissed.
Lose the race card. It's not working. I find 'Caucasian conservatives' offensive. Lest you forget Michael Steele, the chair of the Republican party. Or Herman Cain, who ran against Isakson for US Senate. Or Alan Keyes. All Black. All conservative. All Republican. Isn't State Rep. Willie Talton, of Warner Robins, a Republican? And black. Its not just for 'Caucasians,' since you are being so formal. You are welcome to join too.
And I don't listen to Rush, Hannity or Boortz. I don't need to. I have a front row seat. So do you.
As to capitalism, it is better than any economic system that exists today. However, when a political party comes to power, and is not the party of all the people, we all lose. Egalitarianism and capitalism are not compatible. Economic development in depressed areas are needed to rein in some of the pathologies that have infected many communities and railing about affirmative action (which has never been as prevalent as conservatives have presented it but it gets people like you all worked up) and other issues cannot replace sound policies that promote economic development in depressed areas.
As for playing the race card, we seem to both play it quite well. I just don't use code words. I say caucasian but you hide behind words like affirmative action, handouts and other phrases instead of saying black people. I fail to see the difference.
By Peter Chamberlin
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Dec 7, 2007, 00:38
There is no shortage of speculation about "why" our leaders are still adamantly planning for the destruction of Iran, in the face of overwhelming popular opposition, even though everyone except the neocons and their allies believes that America would not survive our own actions. An irrational attack is planned and apparently the decision has been chiseled in stone. It may be for Israel. It may be for oil. Maybe it is for world domination?
We are launching a nuclear world war to save us from ourselves. "We have found the enemy and he is us." --Pogo. We risk blowing the world apart, to avoid watching America slowly choke on its own excesses.
The government has known for decades that America is on a countdown to self-destruction. Among the elite it is common knowledge that our "global economy" must one day collapse from its own dead weight. In 1974 an intensive research project was undertaken by the Stanford Research Institute and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation for the Dept. of Education. Their final report was released as the Changing Images of Man. It was compiled by the SRI Center for the Study of Social Policy, Director Willis Harmon. This is a far-reaching investigation into how the basic nature of man might be changed. The Aquarian Conspiracy describes the implementation of their work in the real world.
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The most reassuring part of "Images" is that it confirms my own conclusions about our crisis, but it is also the most disturbing part, for it confirms my worst reservations about this time.
The object of the research was the development of a plausible vision of the future in which democratic methods survive, major problems are managed successfully if not resolved, and the unfolding of the human potential continues to expand. In other words, the postulation of a "desirable future" including feasible paths to its realization . . .
The government was looking forward to a very troubling future, trying to figure out the best path through it. The plan was to find ways to shape and mold mankind into a new cultural image, complete with new ideas and ideologies, even religious ones. The root of the problem was human nature, and solution was to reshape the competing forces of daily life, in order to forge a new image of a new human nature. The researchers were brutally honest in seeking all available knowledge pertaining to their research, and in assessing the current common image of man-on-earth.
The research revealed that there were a multitude of crises that were about to intersect in America's near future. Not the least of these converging catastrophes was a rapidly approaching breakdown of both American capitalism and democracy. The collapse was a natural result of globalism and monopoly capitalism. The basic greed that powers the system eroded the American political and economic structures, exposing the foundation of immorality and unfairness that amplifies the social unrest. The Stanford researchers clearly predicted that the American economy was destined to collapse from its own dead weight. The data also showed that that economic collapse was to be accompanied by disastrous social repercussions, such as rioting and upheaval, which would lead us into a "garrison state."
The thing about this research is that this work has confirmed that our economy based on parasitic capitalism, where the small elite sits atop the heap of men and gorges on their lifeblood, is destroying the social fabric of America. This system is based on a stacked deck, where the top elite always reap the profits that are made to rise to the top through the corporate profits-based system. The research confirmed that the growing inequities of such a system were ever increasing and with them, elevated social tensions. A system based on usury and putting everyone in the "poor house" is an economic order that is guaranteed to produce a democratic revolution, whenever the misery index of the armed populace exceeds the limits that they are willing to peacefully bear, without striking back at the source of their misery.
Changing Images of Man predicts an American economic collapse and a "garrison" (police) state," if the overwhelming inequities of our economic system are not corrected by powerful multinationals making more humane decisions. Alternatives to this doomsday scenario are discussed, all of which point to the need to devote all available resources towards transforming the image of man, changing man's nature, instead of altering the corrupted economic system which has brought America to this dire state. In this government study it was inappropriate to denounce the evil culprits behind all our troubles (who pull the strings on government itself), even though the task was to document and remedy the damage that they have done. Instead, they are cited as the hopeful "saviors," that we should look to for help and leadership. The hypocrisy of the hegemons! The authors admit that it is "utopian in 1974 to think of the multinational corporations as potentially among our most effective mechanisms for husbanding the earth's resources and optimizing their use for human benefit -- the current popular image of the corporation tends to be more that of the spoiler and the exploiter."
Instead of charging the people who are responsible for our situation (such as men like David Rockefeller), for manipulating our economy and our democracy to maximize their profits, the multi-national corporations and their owners were exalted as the potential saviors of mankind. Rockefeller and the elite have consistently taken steps to dominate the world by controlling people through "humanitarian" projects which, in the end, turn out to be profit mechanisms. The "green revolution" to spread corporate farming to the Third World has been the key to globalization's destabilizing of world labor markets, in order to create populations of "refugee workers," who are willing to go anywhere to find work for slave wages. This is the cause of the wave of illegal immigration into the US from Mexico. This is part of the proof that there are powerful individuals who are using their economic power to undermine nations in a long-term scheme to gain control of nations and multiply their profits.
Here David Rockefeller admits media collusion with his one world plans: "We are grateful to the Washington Post, the New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years. It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subjected to the light of publicity during those years. But now the world is more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supra-national sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries."
Rockefeller writes on page 405 of his memoirs: "Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as 'internationalists' and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure - one world, if you will. If that is the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it." (Activists Go Face to Face With Evil As Rockefeller Confronted)
Everything that "Images" suggested to remedy shortcomings in the economic system was based on the assumption that men like this would acquire a new corporate benevolence, with CEOs gaining basic humanity. According to Rockefeller himself (who freely admits his efforts to replace America with a "one world" order), he has been working for the greater good of man, all along.
Their conclusions on American political shortcomings were that these would be tended to by the new improved humane politicians, sort of like Bush's "compassionate conservatives." Step 4 of their six-part strategy to "Bring About a Non-Catostrophic Transformation" -- "Encourage a politics of righteousness and a heightened sense of public responsibilities of the private sector . . . A politics of righteousness might have been laudable in any generation; it may be indispensable for safe passage through the times just ahead."
The report authors recognize the inevitability of the rising new image of man, describing it as a quasi-religious awakening within the collective mind of man, man's new human nature, relating it to the actual process of spiritual learning that has been going on within religions for thousands of years. They praise Freemasonry and the skills and disciplines inculcated within its members, speculating that their ways might be the key to shoring-up our free enterprise democratic society.
They developed a strategy to revitalize America's motivational images, symbols and institutions, outlining five separate approaches to the problem, describing the pluses and the pitfalls of each, according to their effects upon society. These approaches are defined as "restorative, simulative, manipulative, persuasive and facilitative." Restoration of crumbling icons works best in the early stages of societal transformation (revitalization cycle). The simulative strategy introduces new ideas, whenever the collapse of the old order becomes apparent. The manipulative strategy seeks to limit individual freedoms. Persuasive propaganda phase is to be coupled with proven mind control techniques, to keep down the social upheaval and shape the emerging image.
"No doubt existing consciousness-changing, behavior-shaping, subliminal persuasion, and other conditioning techniques could be used to accomplish some sort of transformation of sobering proportions (we ought to be able to be more effective than Nazi Germany). After previously citing Nazi reinvigoration of the Germanic icons and ideals."
The transforming revitalization process mirrors the psychiatric process of leading a patient through a psychotic break and the restructuring of his life, but on a national scale.
Once the transformation becomes apparent, social stability will become a problem, especially when society feels pushed by overextending the simulative stage. Actions taken to increase the polarization between "transformation enthusiasts and the conservatives" are called "constructive," except when it is desirable to take actions that "contribute to social cohesion." They were searching for the best path to bring about a controlled deconstruction of everything that "America" means and the reconstruction of a new improved vision of America. They are midwifes to the delivery of the "New World Order," as they go about the dirty business of guiding society through that predicted period of "friendly fascism."
The great anomaly is given as the great chasm between an efficiently functioning profit-driven capitalist society and the human needs and desires of that society which go unmet, so that "profits" can be taken. In fact, the "profit" really amounts to the bread that is taken from the poor. The inequities and the unfairness of the corporate system are causing the breakdown of American capitalism and American democracy. The American catastrophe is causing the breakdown of the world economy for the same reason, the basic inability of monopoly capitalism to meet the basic needs demanded by the world's people.
Bush's appointed task is to bully America through this turbulent period of upheaval, with as little disruption of corporate activity as possible. Government has taken the words of this study to heart, preparing a manipulative transformation, to divert or preempt the coming collapse of our nation with a massive war today. This is also one of the primary reasons for the coming world war, to serve as a prelude to American martial law. Instead of calling out the troops after the insurrection has begun, they plan to call out the troops first. If the American military is to forcefully control the homeland, including their own relatives, then the troops must first be convinced that the nation's survival depends upon their patriotic actions. This is why the world war against Iran has not started yet, because our National Guard must first be convinced that its duty is to put down the American rebellion which will surely accompany the bombing of Iran. The timing for their great takeover is crucial, if they want to move America past (through) the social unrest as quickly as possible.
Here are the "Elements of a Strategy for a Non-catastrophic Transition":
1. Promote awareness of the unavoidability of the transformation.
2. Foster construction of a guiding vision of a workable society built around the new image of man and new social paradigm.
3. Foster a period of experimentation and tolerance for diverse alternatives.
4. Encourage a politics of righteousness and a heightened sense of public responsibilities of the private sector . . . A politics of righteousness might have been laudable in any generation; it may be indispensable for safe passage through the times just ahead.
5. Promote systematic exploration of and foster education regarding man's inner life, his subjective experience.
6. Plan adequate social controls for the transition period while safeguarding against longer-term losses of freedom . . . Regulation and restraint of behavior will be necessary in order to hold the society together while it goes around a difficult corner.
There must be a new economics to deal with the "new scarcities." Arguing for corporate America to adopt a humanitarian aspect, the argument is made for an alternative "new socialism," where important sectors like energy might be nationalized for the good of the country, and greater pressure put upon corporations to mandate a sort of social awareness of employee needs, as much as shareholder profits.
"The appropriate question may be not so much how to bring about a transformation . . . but rather how to facilitate a non-catastrophic transformation." [page 195]
"Construct a guiding version of a workable society, built around a new positive image of humankind and corresponding vision of a suitable social paradigm. As the old order shows increasing signs of falling apart, some adequate vision of what may be simultaneously building is urgently needed for mobilization of constructive effort. The guiding vision has to include some way of providing for full and valued participation in the economic and social affairs of the community and society, especially for those who are physically and mentally able to contribute but find themselves in a state of unwilling idleness and deterioration of spirit."
Despite all the report's shortcomings and its hypocrisy, it does make some sound observations about what is needed for our immediate survival. We should take it as a guide to what our government knows about the coming mega-crisis and a template to help us see what changes we could make if there were truly a new economy, a new social contract, a new American state. For it is obvious to all those who take the time to look, that we are headed into period of national freefall, when American society plunges head first, into a dark abyss of uncertainty, as the old order passes away, and the New World Order rushes in to fill the void.
We are seeing the planned collapse of America, coming down the road we are on. What are we going to do to get our nation off that highway to hell?
Who wrote that history book that told you Johnson gave us Vietnam? I get the feeling you aint from around here. Maybe you're from Texas. I here it's like a whole 'nother country.
Getting back to Hugo's response: I don't feel the Republican party is trying to put any face on itself. Look at Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana. Or the Governator, Arnold Schwartzenegger, who's married into the Democratic royal family. There was talk several years ago of amending the Constitution to allow him to run for president. And again, Alan Keyes, Herman Cain, Michael Steele. These are all well educated, and most importantly, informed people, who have made their own choices as to which party to align themselves with, and it seems, so has Ms Parker. I say this because you referred to 'caucasian conservatives.' Historically the party has been largely white, but with the times that is changing. As far as the race card, you played it, not me. Your first post especially sounds racial to me. I mentioned affirmative action only because it was a Johnson policy that was unfair for the reasons I outlined above. I wouldn't call it 'railing', just stating facts. I never said anything about handouts or other so called 'code words.' But since you mentioned it, we both know white and black people that receive them. Race is not an issue to me; never has been and never will. Everyone has value. Your posts are appreciated and welcomed, as I feel it is always good to hear the other side of the story, so we can all weigh the inputs and make informed choices.