Oblivious Americans; Complicit Media

A lot of people think that America has had it good, with no mass epidemics and no mass inflation and no invasions and no police state, because ... well, just *because*. They get to thinking that things like the FDA and the Constitution are in the way. They aren't told that America has been so stable BECAUSE of the FDA, the Constitution, etc.

Here's an example of what they say: "We don't need to protect women's reproductive rights and prenatal care, because women aren't having trouble in childbirth and in birthing babies at all." But that's BECAUSE women's care and prenatal care have been provided for.

Here's another: "If government regulated less, then businesses would have better-quality products." These magical-thinkers aren't told that businesses have good-quality products BECAUSE of governmental regulation.

Another: "We don't need social safety nets: people do FINE when they retire." Yeah - that's because they *have* social safety nets. People can't use logic or reasoning, and the Media is not pointing out the logic behind governmental regulation and policies.

Today's American Political Choices

I am not an Obamabot, but:

1) Withholding votes from Democrats will make the media and politicians believe that the electorate is moving to the right.

2) You don't have to vote *for* Democrats: just vote *against* Republicans in a way that makes sense per (1) above.

3) Continue to work to change the Democratic party by getting good candidates into office at the local level.

4) Keep pushing for campaign finance reform and a fairness doctrine.

Taxes and fees that poor people who don't pay federal income tax still pay

Medicare Tax
State Income Tax
Local income Tax
School District Earned Income Tax

State Unemployment Insurance Tax

Social Security
Disability
Sales tax
Property tax (as part of rent)
Gasoline tax
Tolls
Phone tax
Cable TV tax
Internet Provider tax
Electric utility tax
Natural gas tax
Heating oil tax
Vehicle title tax
Vehicle registration tax
Pet license tax
Cigarette tax
Alcohol Tax
Debit card feesCredit card interest

Taxes on airline, bus, train, and movie tickets