Define Elitism

We all presume Elitist persons to be arrogant, haughty, and condescending to everyday people.
I believe that we first should ask through what lens do we view, or by what criteria do we evaluate Elitism.
What standards do we have for this definition? If we are concerned with unarmed truth, and understand that unarmed truth is allowing suffering to speak. And unconditional love, understanding justice is what love looks like in public. what suffering voices did we hear in our debates and what kinds of concerns were manifest in our discussions in not just the questions, but also the answers.

Random Thoughts

American Airlines canceled 1000 flights to inspect the planes. Apparently they sort of neglected maintenance. So why is it that people are inspected much more thoroughly in the air travel process? I will tell you why. If a person blows up a plane, then there is a failure in the war on terrorism. But if a plane blows up on its own, it is just the market self regulating.

Oil is at a record high. Projections are at $4.00 per gallon this summer. If I got to pay $4.00 per gallon, then those little televisions in the pump have to show porn. That way I know I am not the only one getting screwed.

Madonna has a new album called "Hard Candy" I have seen the album artwork/cover. Someone needs to tell her there is a 3 decade limit on dressing like a whore.

Hillary Clinton has another 3 AM phone call ad. This one about the economic crisis. Is she running for President or Switchboard Operator at the White House? I think McCain can answer the call then. He will already be up trying to pee.

Music Tax?

There is currently a proposal (by Warner Music) to add a mandatory tax of $5.00 to all the Internet Service Providers, hence, charged to consumers. This tax is for the sole purpose to pay the music industry for all their "lost" revenue from piracy. This is not the first time th e Music Industry has attempted to use government to guarantee their revenue streams.

I take serious exception to this so called "tax" I don't think it is right for all internet users to pay for something only some people will do. Some argue that it is similar to people paying property tax of which a portion goes to schools and those having no children. Paying road tax for roads some may never drive on. They say we have to pay for something that everyone likes or uses.

How brainwashed have you people become to think that subsidisation of private industry is indistinguishable from a functioning society paying our fair share for that society as a whole. This is not a proposed tax to benefit our children's education nor build roads to transport groceries to a store. It is to be used to prop up the rapidly decaying model of a business plan that has shown itself to be fundamentally flawed. As a citizen of the United States of America, I do not feel obligated to pay a "tax" to support a private industry. And let me add that it is not some kind of crucial private industry such as the Prescription Drug industry...it is for Entertainment Companies.

And while we are on that vein, let me press upon you some other thoughts:

Many of the statesmen in government also sit on the boards of some of the most profitable companies in the world and made a case for war , went to war and created a new market with their war, then bar their competitors from the aftermath. Then they come back and speak evangelically about free markets, when it is really a vast protectionist racket. When their companies are awarded $2.3 billion contracts and their stock prices jump 145%...these aren't subtle facts. It is not only our right to question our leaders, it is our responsibility. We should expose, and shame and indite and possibly convict those in this illegal, immoral ideology.

Our government is being hollowed out and being turned into an ATM for big corporations.

I don't think all corporations are evil. I own a Frigidaire, but it is not subsidized by the government nor does it kill people. Unless there is something about refrigerators of which I am unaware.

Bailouts, Not Mergers

Bear Stearns. It is being called a buyout or merger with JP Morgan Chase. JP Morgan is said to have bought out Bear Stearns since they took a header.

But not really. the Fed is backing that with $29 billion to guarantee solvency of those mortgages. This is a bailout. Just like the Savings & Loan bailouts and the bailout of Chrysler in the 80s. Not to mention the bailouts of the Airlines after 9/11. It keeps the clients in tact, but not the employees, investors, etc. Pensions, we don't need no stinking pensions. Those people who lost their jobs can buy Rachel Ray's new cookbook for the bankrupt, "70 Ways to Fix Alpo and Love It"

This is the way I see it. Big Business LOVES to tout "The Free Market" when profits are rolling in, but they seem to want to socialize losses.