life and its ups and down

Took me 6 years ,but goal is done!

2018-04-15T08:40:00.002-07:00

I am at portland state

2015-12-26T09:41:00.001-08:00

https://www.gofundme.com/davidschool12

I have two years left at Portland State... Yes I doing great there . It is a great school. But I use some money to help out . Be part of help

back me up

2015-09-23T05:50:00.001-07:00

https://www.gofundme.com/davidschool12

School Help thank you

2015-02-26T06:51:00.001-08:00

I pick out my class for spring!!Biology , Oceanography, Math 95, I will be going class Monday and Wednesday 9am til 9pm. But the good news is almost done with PCC . That means I have my AA. Then I start Portland state 09/28/2015 For my BA. Then 2 years there and then off for my Master!!. I am On the deans list still!!!!!!
http://www.gofundme.com/schooldavid

gofund

2014-10-29T12:01:00.001-07:00

go funds

2014-10-29T10:00:00.001-07:00

http://www.gofundme.com/ggkqfs

I have a gofund me acct

2014-10-29T09:55:00.002-07:00

Please check out and pass along
gofundme.com/ggkqfs

well the days of old

2014-03-20T09:19:00.001-07:00

Well i can drink eat or play I did before . Old age is catching up to me. The hard part about eating right is when I have work or go camping. Other then that it is easy . Plan meals and choosing when to eat. Well I am not sure how this will play out because i am a type of person. Well my week I eating right and most days under 1500 cals. so not sure good bad . But I am going to play this right and only cheat once in while.

Went to see the Doc

2014-03-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

Well I went and the doc well the P.A. not a real doc. I ask about my diabetes he gave me the info I already knew. I ask him should I blood test he said no your only 6.7 on the A1C tests and your blood sugar on that test was 102. So you should be find for now. He said with out the test you might of not know for five years. I say ok so what do we do now. He said we can put you on meds if you like. Then ask well is I lose weight will that help and will that help keeping off meds. He maybe if you like try that way. I ask him what he do he said not take the meds and work out and lose some fat. Well I already chose that way so it work . Lost 5 pds. The fear of this is not death. Death does not bother I lived a life that no one could dream of or think of. I play and seen more then 90% world will ever see. I was hobo of life with a little bit money so I had fun. I have met amazing people in world some no one would ever met or want to get to know, But they should. I have love and live to the extreme. The fear is that it could take me piece my piece instead all at once. I fear piece mail that all I fear.

So that has been my week. I eating better and lost 5pds. eating a lot curry and fish and oat meal.

David Manifesto

2014-03-17T05:50:00.001-07:00

David Manifesto

What is the best way to determine truth? Is there a best way? Truth to me is not the same as truth to you. Look at gun control; one will say we need more guns to keep us safe. Others will say we need fewer guns to keep us safe. Both sides it is truth to them. This is why truth is perception of person idea of the truth. The only truth that we can all agree on is that we are born and then we die. For me truth is about what I believe and how I have been program by my genes and life to believe. The best way to determine truth is this, truth is something a person can touch, experience, feel, see or relate to. Determine truth is all relative to your programming.

Programming is huge part of what we know about the truth and what is real. Real is a word that means so much and nothing at all. The dictionary, says real means “being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verifiable existence”. This baffles me, because I think it is hard to say what is truly real. Is writing this paper, drinking my coffee, having the dog next to me or is a kiss real? To me yes it is. Can I truly verify they are real? No, because I could be living in a dream world or in the movie the Matrix. If I am living in either one of those, nothing is real. On the other hand, is it real? In my idea of what, real it would be even if I were living in the dream or the movie the Matrix. That all I would know so it would be real to me another example is schizophrenia, hear voices in their head. To them it is a reoccurring fact that they hear voices. To us we say the voices are not coming from real people, but to that person who has schizophrenia it is fact and real to them. The voices are as real as this paper to them. Schizophrenia can be compared to the evil spirit that control their understanding and determines what is real for them. Real is only related to our reality. It is what we are programmed to believe is real. To me what is real is what I think is real. If I can touch it, taste it, see it, feel it or understand it then it is real in my realm of reality is the only way I know what is real.

Reality is a funny thing, because everyone’s reality is different between existence and identity. The dictionary say this about existence “ the fact or stat of existing being” and says this about identity The collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognizable” . Existence every thing exist. A plant has existence. The plant itself existence, but has no self-perception to our knowledge. A person in a coma has existence, but no self-perception of theirself to our knowledge. I would have to say existence is being alive in one way or the other. People have many identities they have work, home, family, school, mother , father and ect. Their self-identities are different, then those other identities. The self is collection of them all and who you are when you are alone. Those other ones are real, but fake because we project those identities in to world so we can have some type a peace. Those are part of our identities and they are the ones that people judges us by. They are not our true identities. Our identities are how we see ourself. When we content all piece to the puzzle that makes the one person. That one person only is seen by that single person, no one else see the whole only the peace that make us up. Existence is just being there and identity is how we see our selves and other see us. But you need existence to have identity, and you identity can live after your death. One is just life there with no self the other is the perception and reality of our selves to other and to ourselves.

As we think of self we think is our life choice or predetermine. Well I would love to think we have choice in life, but I think our choice is predetermine. If we look at the University of Minnesota studies on twins separated at birth. The twins were reunited. They did not one another while growing up some come from same backgrounds, and others from different environments all together. They all had comparable traits and made comparable decisions. The studies might be anecdote but it does support the idea of life being out of our control. It is backing up that everything we do is predetermined. I do believe that life and the way we will do things is set us for us by our programming.

Programming also has to do with right or wrong, and the best way to distinguish this is find out what they would do with Gyges ring if they had it. Than talk about why they chose to do what they chose to do. Than we talk about why is it right to them. Then we talk about what is right for others. Is having a lot sex partner’s right? Is being gay, right? Is killing, right? If it is right, why? Then if it is wrong, why? Some people will say yes they are all right other would agree with some are right some would say they are all wrong. I think right from wrong is determine by the way people were programming by genetics and environment. When you ask some why is gay, wrong most come up with because the Bible says so. Then you get into why is the Bible and if it is do you follow all the laws in the Biblie. If they say yes, they do. I would go through the rules of Bible and see if they truly follow the Bible rules. I would bet 99% do not follow the rules of the Bible. Then I would ask if you only follow what you want to follow instead of the whole book. Then you are cherry picking the right and wrong. Why did you choose those rules instead of the others? This is what I would ask and how I would talk about what right and wrong. There laws made by the people that I disagree with that I try to follow, but right and wrong to me is how I feel about it I live by the gut.

I believe that our life is determine by our programming and everything we believe, true or not is because of our programming. We all live in a cave even if we do not think so. We all live by our perceptions and reality. Ourselves is how we identity and find ourselves. Also, help us justify our existence in this world. That also, leads to what is real. Real is only the idea we have in our heads. We think we find proof that what we believe is true, but it only is because it is what we want to believe in our life. It is our fabricated of reality and mutually perceived realities and our reality is lies that is our truth to us.

just found out I am a Diabetic

2014-03-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

before I start my spelling and grammar will suck. Becouse I just writing to write and not checking any of it.
I just got my A1C back and found our I am a diabetic. It was kind scary. I had a few friend who die from this. But they did not just die. It took them to the grave piece by piece. Which death does not bother me , but going to my death piece by piece was what scare me. But I not stress anymore . I see the doc this week to find out more info on what it is and what can be done. I read a lot of paper out there on diabetic. There is claim herbs help and some herbs fix it. I do not know. But I am going to try some. I change my eating habits. I going to start working out and eating high fiber and cut out all sugar beside fruit. I am not going to eat any fast food. also going to try these herps. This is what they are and what people say they help with.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Main uses: Easing nerve pain, lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 600 to 800 milligrams a day.

Called ALA for short, this vitamin-like substance neutralizes many types of free radicals. A build-up of free radicals, caused in part by high blood sugar, can lead to nerve damage and other problems. ALA may also help muscle cells take up blood sugar. In a German study, a team of scientists had 40 adults take either an ALA supplement or a placebo. At the end of the four-week study, the ALA group had improved their insulin sensitivity 27 percent. The placebo group showed no improvement. Other studies have shown a decrease in nerve pain, numbness, and burning.

Basil
Basil is popular in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes. In a study reported in the 2008 issue of "Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine," lead author Dr. M. Bhat found that basil can relieve postprandial hyperglycemia, an excessive rise in blood sugar after eating. Basil inhibited a-amylase, an enzyme in saliva that breaks down starches into sugars, and it inhibited glucosidases, enzymes in the pancreas and intestines that break down complex carbohydrates into sugar.

Billberry
Main use: Protecting the eyes and nerves Typical dosage: 80 to 120 milligrams two times per day of standardized bilberry extract.

This relative of the blueberry contains powerful antioxidants in its fruit and leaves. These antioxidants, called anthocyanidins, seem to help prevent damage to tiny blood vessels that can result in nerve pain and retinopathy (damage to the eye’s retina). Animal studies have also suggested that bilberry may lower blood sugar.

Bitter Melon
Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 50 to 100 milliliters (approximately 3 to 6 tablespoons) of the juice daily.

The aptly named bitter melon is thought to help cells use glucose more effectively and block sugar absorption in the intestine. When Philippine researchers had men and women take bitter melon in capsule form for three months, they had slight, but consistently, lower blood sugar than those taking a placebo. Gastrointestinal problems are possible side effects.

Bitter melon provides antioxidant benefits that may decrease the damaging effects of high glucose levels in diabetes, according to the Department of Biological Sciences, Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone. Lower levels of oxidation may protect nerves and prevent development of peripheral neuropathy. In the laboratory animal study, 30 days of supplementation with bitter melon increased antioxidant levels and decreased levels of harmful byproducts of oxidized lipids. Do not try herbal remedies without consulting your doctor first.

Cayenne
Cayenne is an effective topical pain reliever. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: the Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," herbalist David Hoffmann recommends a topical cream of 0.025 or 0.075 percent capsaicin, an active ingredient in cayenne, to treat the pain of diabetic neuropathy.

Chromium
Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 200 micrograms once daily.

This trace mineral is thought to enhance the action of insulin as well as being involved in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Some research shows that it helps normalize blood sugar — but only in people who are deficient in chromium.

Gamma-Linolenic Acid
Main use: Easing nerve pain Typical dosage: 270 to 540 milligrams once a day.

Gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, is a fatty acid found in evening primrose oil. Some research suggests that people with diabetes have lower than optimal levels of GLA, and studies have found that the supplement can reduce and prevent nerve pain associated with diabetes.

Ginseng
Ginseng has potent antidiabetic properties. In a study published in the 2009 issue of "Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine," Drs. J.Z. Luo and L. Luo found that the ginsenosides in ginseng work in two ways: they support beta cells in the pancreas, which produce and release insulin, and they reduce insulin resistance. The authors conclude that ginseng root directly affects the pancreas and increases insulin production.

Gymnema Sylvestre
Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 200 to 250 milligrams twice daily.

This plant’s Hindi name translates as “sugar destroyer,” and the plant is said to reduce the ability to detect sweetness. It’s regarded as one of the most powerful herbs for blood-sugar control. It may work by boosting the activity of enzymes that help cells use glucose or by stimulating the production of insulin. Though it hasn’t been studied extensively, it’s not known to cause serious side effects.

Magnesium
Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 250 to 350 milligrams once a day.

Magnesium deficiency is not uncommon in people with diabetes, and it can worsen high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Some studies suggest that supplementing with magnesium may improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels, but other studies have shown no benefit. Have your doctor check you for deficiency before supplementing with magnesium.

Fenugreek
Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 5 to 30 grams with each meal or 15 to 90 grams with one meal per day.

These seeds, used in Indian cooking, have been found to lower blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce high cholesterol, according to several animal and human studies. The effect may be partly due to the seeds’ high fiber content. The seeds also contain an amino acid that appears to boost the release of insulin. In one of the largest studies on fenugreek, 60 people who took 25 grams daily showed significant improvements in blood sugar control and post-meal spikes.

Garlic
Garlic acts against the oxidative stress and free-radical damage produced by high blood sugar. In the 2009 issue of "Nutrition Research and Practice," a report by lead author Dr. Y.M. Lee found that the antioxidants in garlic may prevent diabetic complications like heart and kidney disease. The researchers also found that aged black garlic has higher levels of antioxidants than regular garlic, with a greater potential for preventing diabetic complications.

Ginseng
Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 1 to 3 grams a day in capsule or tablet form, or 3 to 5 milliliters of tincture three times a day.

Known for its immune-boosting and disease-fighting benefits, this Chinese herb has several positive diabetes studies behind it. Researchers have found that ginseng slows carbohydrate absorption; increases cells’ ability to use glucose; and increases insulin secretion from the pancreas. A team from the University of Toronto has repeatedly demonstrated that ginseng capsules lower blood glucose 15 to 20 percent compared to placebo pills.

Prickly Pear Cactus
Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: If you eat it as a food, aim for 1⁄2 cup of cooked cactus fruit a day. Otherwise, follow label directions.

The ripe fruit of this cactus has been shown in some small studies to lower blood sugar levels. You may be able to find the fruit in your grocery store, but if not, look for it as a juice or powder at health food stores. Researchers speculate that the fruit may possibly lower blood sugar because it contains components that work similarly to insulin. The fruit is also high in fiber.

Now I am going these with eating and working and see what happens. Once in while I will write about this to blow off steam.

None of us our alone in this I think if we all work together we can all beat this together. I am 37 year man dealing this for first time it is hard , but I have never lost nore will I lose this. Well as said in past and i say no it is what it is. Now what you do with is up to you. That how I am dealing with this. I ready for fight I have great family that has my back . Also thank Obama for Obamacare with out I would never found and most like if I did it be to late fix. Now I can fix this. Well I let go for today and check every 30 day to see what post. I also post many other thing. What I am doing in school and food and so on. This blog all about me and put what I want it

death

2014-01-21T20:34:00.002-08:00

David P. Dixon

Philosophy 201:Being & Knowing

CRN 15167

Instructor Stockton

Word count 886.

Bundle theory and Soul theory

The bundle theory is that we are body mix with parts that work together as one. There is no separate part from the body that makes you. With the bundle theory, you cannot live separate from your body. Then you look at the soul theory is that you have your body and your soul. They are separate parts. With the soul theory, you can live without your body. The soul theory is a better looking theory then the bundle theory. It makes you think there is more after death then there is. For most people I would have to say that is very important to think that way. Because people want not to fear death and if they live on thru the soul then they do not die. It is a nice thought.

I have mixed feeling about the two theories. Bundle theory is the closer to what I think than the soul theory, because it makes more sense to me then the other, but I also do not agree with it all the way. I believe that we do live on, but not in an after life. I believe are genetics that we passed to our descendant’s are what keeps us living. I do not believe we truly die until our genetics die. I believe our genetics help make us who we are.

I believe that in this life genetics help define us. They give us the tools that we need to make it in this life. I believe genetics help us deal with situations in life. Then because of the situation we learn from them to react better then the first time things happen. I think in life genetics give us the skill to learn and live. I believe I am who I am because of my ancestors and experience in life. With only one, I would not be who I am today. I think both makes me who I am. Idea, I am my mother and father and their mothers and fathers, but different because of the life I have lived. My past is not the same as their pasts. Our experience is what make of different from our mother or father, but we are still them. Why do I think this is right? I look at sheep dogs their genetics get pass down to be sheep dogs by instincts. Even if no humans were around, dogs would still be guarding sheep because of their genetics. That is part of why I think genetics plays a bigger role in our life’s then most will think. I believe in the theory of nature over nurture. I look at my son, I see my father in him, and some of the way he acts reminds me of my father. He never spent time with my father to pick up those acts. To me it had to be passed down through genetics. That is why I think who we are because of two things what pass down to us and what happens to us.

I believe when we die we are recycled back into earth. I think the bugs and water help decompose us to feed the earth and the creatures and plants of earth. I believe that death is a very importation part of the circle of life. I do not think there is an afterlife or more to come when you die. I believe heaven and hell are here on earth and how we live. I believe that you are here on earth to help earth survive and the circle of life to work. I think this because what I read and talk to people about. I think this deal with every thing living on this earth is to help earth work. I believe our gift for helping earth keep living is life and that we get to pass part us down to the next generation and that group pass us alone to the next generation and so on. I think that the gift we get for death and feeding the circle of life. Is the life we live now, which in itself is amazing, and I love the life I have lived good, the bad ,all of it. I look back and I am so thankful for everything. I could be wrong or right who knows.

Is it possible to know at this point? No, I think there is no way to find which is right or wrong. Nor do I really think most people want to know if there wrong. People fear death as it is. If they could be, proven wrong on their ideas, who would know how they would react to it. Even if they were proven right how would that change them? I wonder. I do wonder if there will every be away to find out who is right and who is wrong. I would love to know if the bundle or soul theory or my theory was right. However, that has to do with search for the truth and wanting to know. It would not bother me one way the other on who was right. However, I would love to know. However, I do not fear death I embrace it.

University Place Hotel worst place to ever stay.

2014-01-19T20:19:00.002-08:00

Does not even rate a star. they charge me for room. Then charge me again for the room already pay for. Then I check on the date that I paid up to and they charge me again! the rooms had no wireless internet. The floor were dirty and room was not clean when I check in. I posting photo of the room on my faceBook. It was the worst hotel i have ever stay in. This place stay away unless you like a nightmare like i had. I told them and all they say was sorry we will fix might take week on your money. this is room I stay in

money.

Gilgamesh paper

2014-01-13T06:18:00.002-08:00

David P. Dixon

Humanities CRN 15246

Gilgamesh

01/11/14

Gilgamesh

The story of Gilgamesh hints that man it self needed to find ways to explain things in the universe that they could not otherwise explain. The way Mesopotamians explained what they could not was by using gods. They thought gods most of cause everything good or bad for example floods and love. Mesopotamians prayed to gods to help them in their life. They seem to use gods to produce hope. If something bad happening or like Gilgamesh who took, what he wanted and no one could stop him. They prayed to the gods for help. They cling to gods for hope and by using gods for hope Mesopotamians were controlled by their hope which the hope was base on gods. In the story of Gilgamesh, you can see this come to light. People prayed that he would change, and they tell the story about how Gilgamesh got help from the gods

The gods answered their prays on Gilgamesh by seeding a friend to him. Then that friend dies and Gilgamesh had to face his mortality. Then he went on ajourney forever-lasting life, and then found out he could not reach everlasting life he has to face his mortality. When he faced his mortality, he changed his life. He became a good leader. I equate this to the story we all live. When we are young, we fight and search out power and sex, but as we get older, and we face mortality, we change. When we face mortality, we start looking at our life and what we have done. Then we start changing into manhood, instead of staying as a child. This story could be all about boyhood for all of us and how we grow into manhood.

The story is familiar in many ways. You have this story in the Bible in the stories of Moses and Noah and so on, that you can compare this writing to and movies like Hercules. However, where it is most familiar to me is not the stories I have read, but the life I have lived. When I was boy like most boys, we thought were ten foot tall and bulletproof boys thought we are gods. We lack the idea of death. Therefore, we act as if we will live forever. In addition, as teenage boys, we tried to be the leader of the pack and we used bad ways and good ways to be the top dog. In addition, we tried to use sex as power like dogs do to one another and if we find someone trying to be top dog we try to shoot them down anyway we can good or bad. Then as we get older, and face death. Then we start search for more meaning of life. We search we have to fight battles inside our self like the Bull in Gilgamesh. These battles help us grow. I would say the story is more like a coming of age in life and realizing what matters. It about how we all change as we grow. I think Gilgamesh was child and this is his story on grow in to manhood.

Help out and pass around

2013-12-15T08:24:00.001-08:00

shop

2013-12-10T10:16:00.001-08:00

http://youtu.be/iJxPzbHstuM

Shop where it matters to you

2013-12-10T10:14:00.001-08:00

http://youtu.be/iJxPzbHstuM

Speech 2 for class. com 111

2013-11-21T11:02:00.001-08:00

speech for class

2013-11-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

http://youtu.be/A_eXwxo8BGE

Why we need to fight for our rights

2013-08-14T09:39:00.001-07:00

David Dixon

First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the socialists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me

.by Rev. Martin Niemoller (1937).

Do you think it is right to take away rights to protect the populace? Do you really trust our government not to hurt us, if they do take away our rights to protect the populace? Some of you would say it is OK to take some of our rights away. Some will say it is not a big deal. Just like now the government is “mining” our emails, phone calls, and text messages. I have heard a lot of people say: “What does it matter, I have nothing to hide”? That is true for most of us; we have nothing to hide at this point in our lives. I would have to agree that it may not matter, but you never know what they are looking for that could make you a victim of the mining, and could turn into abuse of authority.

If you are reading this thinking government would not abuse their authority, someone would stop them. I am sure people said that in history many times. Let’s look at one particular time in history and see what happened. I am going to talk about the “Alien and Sedition Acts signed into law by President John Adams in 1798 and lasted to 1802” (www.loc.go). This law took away freedom of the press and also took away the right to protest in the U.S. During this time people did not have right to criticize the government or the laws. If the people or the newspapers or even the politicians criticized the law or the government they would be tossed in jail. The most famous person jailed during this time was Representative Matthew Lyon of Vermont. His letter criticized President Adams' "unbounded thirst for ridiculous pomp, foolish adulation, and self avarice" caused him to be imprisoned.(USHistory) There was also 20 reporters jailed during this time(USHistory). This law was violation of the First Amendment. This law was put into effect because fear of war with France. It was to keep people safe. It seems they use keeping people safe as a way to take away your rights all the time. I know what could be thinking that was a long time ago. It would not happen again today.

Well there are many stories like this in the U.S. history, but let’s jump forward to the 20^th Century. Approximately a 60 days after the horrifying bombing of “Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941”(http://www.pearlharboroahu.com) President Franklin Roosevelt on February 19, 1942 sign a Executive Order 9066” (archives.gov). This order allowed for anyone who the government thought were dangerous to the national security of the U.S. could be incarcerated without due process which is a violation of the 14^th Amendment. At this time in history people thought it was acceptable, because it was to safeguard the populace and keep us safe and sound. The majority of the citizens trusted the government to do the correct thing by the U.S. citizens. Well like always the U.S. government did not. “The government incarcerated more than 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry.”(PBS) Germans and Italians were also incarcerated.(http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/enemy-aliens-overview.html) The sad part is this was the second occasion for German people who were U.S. citizen to be incarcerated. Government imprisoned them in War World I also. This is what happens when the populace gives permission for the government to have too much power, and a group of people will always pay the consequences every time. Now you would think that we would have learned, but no there is still more to come.

The next thing was in 1950, Congress passed the “McCarran Internal Security Act, which required that all “subversives” in the United States submit to government supervision”. ( http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-mccarthy) “President Truman vetoed the Act—he said it “would make a mockery of our Bill of Rights”—but a Congressional majority overrode his veto.)http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-mccarthy). President Truman was right, it did make a mockery of the Bill Of Rights. Those laws helped to establish the black list and help start “McCarthyism. McCarthyism is:

1.the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, especially of pro-Communist activity, in many instances unsupported by proof or based on slight, doubtful, or irrelevant evidence.

2.the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism”. ( http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mccarthyism). McCarthy used unconstitutional investigative techniques to persecute U.S. citizens. This was another sinister time in our history. It was brought on the terror of pro-Communist activity, and we the people let them do this to us as we always have, because of safety. We believed in them and trusted the government like every other time. We let them take these rights away because of fear; to make sure we stay safe. At this point I am still wondering if you believe that you can trust our government to do the correct thing? Do you still believe it is OK to take our rights away from us for the safety of the nation? Well if it is a no, now is the time to stand up and fight the Patriot Act of 2001. If yes, you still believe you can trust the leadership, and you believe in the Patriot Act, let’s compare it to another Act in time and history.

I want compare the Patriot Act to the 1933, German Enabling Act. But also as I do this I want you to look back and think of the facts above and see if any of them sound like the Patriot Act too. Now let’s look at these Acts. On “27, February 1933, the German Parliament (Reichstag) burned. Although it is widely believed the Nazis started the fire, they successfully blamed it on the Communists. On 23 March 1933, the Enabling Act was enacted as a defensive measure against acts of violence that could endanger the state.” (http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) That was the start of the Act. Now let’s look at the start of the Patriot Act. ”Only 45 days after 9-11, the Patriot Act was enacted as a security measure”.( http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) Now you look at that and you see they were both enacted to safeguard the populace, that was the rationale they used. Let’s look at the next element to see if the investigation went similar for us as it did for Germany. Hitler refused any request to investigate the Reichstag fire. Why would he do that? Would we do the same thing well yes “Bush refused any request to investigate the government role and actions from 9- 11”.( http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) It makes you consider why would they not want to know for sure every that happen. I would want to know.

Well let’s charge on to the next part. Who gets the power because of the bill? “The Enabling Act gave the Executive Branch of German Government the right to make the laws without review of the Reichstag.” (http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) So it changed the power structure and Reichstag had no oversight of the Executive faction. Well in U.S. we would for sure have people keeping the faction in check that has power. However, the U.S. Patriot Act gives “the Executive Branch of government the ability to create its own processes and procedures for how it will behave. As well, the Act removes any oversight processes from the other two branches of the government (http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca). That does not appear to be correct to me. Does that really seem right to you? Ok let’s see that has the power in both bills. I think it might shock you. Hitler received “dictatorial powers for four years. He could introduce of alter laws without Parliamentary review, comment and approval. Elections were no longer needed. Hitler was the Fuhrer”.( http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) Now for us there is a little difference, but it could lead to one leader with having absolute power here. “The rule of law tells us that no man is above the law -- and as an extension of that principle -- that no executive will be able to act unchecked by our legal system. The Patriot Act puts unchecked power in the hands of the USA President without the usual checks and balances to constrain individual power.” (http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) Are you getting scared now about the power we have given to our government, it terrifies me. Now our bill does expire, but President Obama signed the Patriot Act back into law. So we cannot just blame President Bush. Let’s look the civil liberties it took away from both people. This part is what was taken from the German people: “suspended, including (1) freedoms of speech, press and assembly, (2) freedom from invasion of privacy, and (3) freedom from house search without warrant. The federal government was given complete control over all the state governments. They allowed the death penalty in more cases, such as treason.” (http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) This is what was taken from the U.S. people: “Power to Secretary of State to define and designate groups as terrorists, and as such, detain indefinitely. As well, police can search confidential records (e.g., health, education). Removed freedoms such as freedom of expression, freedom of the press, right to assemble, and protection against unlawful search and police action”. (http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) That is what we let the leaders take from us, because of fear. Sorry I do not trust them to do the right thing by our people just like Germans should not of trusted Hitler to do the right thing.

There two more things I want show you. “The Act permitted the arrest and imprisonment of 4,000 communists and 40,000 members of the opposition. First German concentration camp built.” (http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) That was start of millions being killed. Now in the U.S a similar situation is occurring. “Attorney General can detain or deport suspected terrorists without a crime committed. Hundreds of suspected terrorists were arrested.” (http://fcweb.limestone.on.ca) Guantanamo Bay houses about 100 suspected terrorists there could be more or less no one knows for sure. I bet we will find out years later the crimes the government has commit on U.S. People. But the scariest part of all this is just like the Germans the US President can use the army to enforce all those laws. Now that you read all the info, the man who push the Patriot Act in 2001 was President Bush. He said this while he had the power “If this were a dictatorship it would be a heck of a lot easier... as long as I'm the dictator. Hehehe.”() That scares me!

Now I know what you are thinking after all this, it is just emails. I have nothing to hide. Well I have nothing to hide on my emails too not even sexy picture of me, that I know they want see. They would find out my life is pretty boring and mundane. They find out I go to school and work and that is about it and at this point in my life I have no life. But they have no right! They have no right to know that! I find it very sad we do not see that. It’s a violation of our rights and yes; I know it does not seem like a big deal. But think about this how many people died to give you the rights that you have and how many died now and in the past to let you keep those constitutional rights? That is something to think about the blood of our people who have been killed or mangled or psychologically messed up just to fight to protect our civil liberties.

The sad part all we have to do to safeguard our civil liberties is fight with our voice and fight with our votes or some of us can fight with money. We do not have to risk our lives to preserve our rights that so many have shed their blood for. Do we not owe those people? I think we do, I think it a dishonor, to their memory and what they sacrifice, for us, to let the government take even the smallest rights away for any reason. A great man, Benjamin Franklin said this, and I believe with 100% of my heart and soul, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety” That to me is one the best sayings in the world! I am going to leave you with a poem.

  ”First they came for the Muslims, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Muslim. Then they came to detain immigrants indefinitely solely upon the certification of the Attorney General, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an immigrant. Then they came to eavesdrop on suspects consulting with their attorneys, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a suspect. Then they came to prosecute non-citizens before secret military commissions, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a non-citizen. Then they came to enter homes and offices for unannounced "sneak and peek" searches, and I didn't speak up because I had nothing to hide. Then they came to reinstate Cointelpro and resume the infiltration and surveillance of domestic religious and political groups, and I didn't speak up because I had stopped participating in any groups. Then they came for anyone who objected to government policy because it aided the terrorists and gave ammunition to America's enemies, and I didn't speak up because...... I didn't speak up.   Then they came for me....... and by that time no one was left to speak up.” (Stephen Rohde, a constitutional lawyer and President of the ACLU of Southern California. Adapted from the original by Rev. Martin Niemoller (1937).)

paper

2013-07-31T12:55:00.001-07:00

Dixon MERCHANT MARINE

MERCHANT MARINE – Celtae

CHORUS: We're the Merchant Marine and we sail across the sea

As the U-Boats' torpedoes hunt for hulls that they can breach.

We will brave the rugged ocean. Blistering winds test our devotion,

But we'll keep steaming 'til our cargo's on the beach.

1. We arrived in Halifax with all we owned upon our backs,

For we knew a brave man's duty was to labour for the fight,

But it takes more than bravery to survive killers you can't see.

Those bastard wolf-packs hunt by day and strike by night.

2. We have barely any weapons; every day our lives are threatened,

And if we die, the Navy sends no pension to our wives.

Winter on the North Atlantic is hellish, cold, and frantic,

For the sea alone's a challenge to survive.

CHORUS

3. In the war of Hitler's visions, the Allies would get no provisions,

'Cause the war was his decision, sinking ships not built to fight.

The finest liners of our day are now painted battle-grey,

4. Now it's true we had protection, two destroyers in our section,

Three frigates, two corvettes to ship our fifty through the waves.

One destroyer's now debris, both corvettes lost under the sea,

And her sister ship's an underwater grave.

CHORUS

5. Now we mourn our fallen brothers, pray to God there'll be no others

Blown to bits by diving demons deep below,

For the carnage and the thunder that sucked those good boys under

Happens daily, and we've three more days to go.

MERCHANT MARINE – Celtae

I became a United States Merchant Marine in April of 2005 so I could go work on the Pride Of America, the first U.S. flagship built in 50 years for the cruise industry. To be on a U.S. flagged ship you had to be a United States Merchant Marine. For me to become United States Merchant Marine I had to go to a school in Piney Point, Maryland called The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship (“SHLSS” or “School”) to get my preparation for the United States Merchant Marine. While I was learning the skills to survive on the unsympathetic and beautiful oceans of the world I also learned there is a lot more to the Merchant marines then just transport of merchandise from place to place or cruise ships. There was more to them then just a career at sea. I found out they have along and honorably and courageous history that most people do not know about. The more I looked in to the merchant marines the more I was surprise, with what they do and have done for the populace of the world. I am also astonished of how long they have been around in the world. That is when I comprehended that I actually knew very miniature about the merchant marines. Then I started looking for more information on merchant marines. I wanted to know how long they have been around and how important they were to the world.

I discover that without merchant marines what we know today would not be they help map the world. They have been around scents the first days of traded across the waters of this world. They were the people who traded merchandise and shipped others peoples merchandise to all parts of the world. In their movements across the waters they met knew community and got to know new cultures. Also, they help make these country’s greater The Greeks, Roman, and they did it by trade, which brought wealth and knowledge to the people. They transfer goods during peacetime and wartime to all parts of the world and in all parts of time in history.

Merchant marines are in every country today and move all the supplies that across any body of water and also people to one place or another. They work the rivers and our oceans. In ways merchant marines are the truckers of the water, but the water is more treacherous then the roadways. The ocean is a dangerous place and she can bring down any ship anytime she wants to. Sailor refer to ocean as women, because the exquisiteness of her and she is as dangerous as a women. She can be tranquil and sweat and glide you through the sea, or she can bring any man down on their knees and in gulf them so they never make it home. Just like women a sailor would say. Women can bring the strongest man down or boost them up. That why they call the ocean a women and sailor love the ocean like women. She is the mistress to all married men who sail the seven seas. So even during peacetime they have to deal with extreme risk to make sure peoples merchandise gets where it needs to go. Beside the hazarders of the ocean they also have pirates to deal with and yes there are still pirates out there. People would think there are no pirates on the sea, but there are and seems like they’re always will be. They still do it even with these risks in shipping during peacetime, but it is important for us with out them there would be no traded with other countries. If we did not have any trade, our economy would fail. That not even the most important thing the merchant marines do. The most critical time for the merchant marines is wartime and how they assistance us.

Wartimes are the hardest of all times for the community of the merchant marines. Beside the pirates, and the demanding living conditions on the ships, and how merciless the ocean can be. They have to deal with enemies out to sink them every minute of the day. Country during wartime tries to demolish the supply line of the nation they’re combating. Well the country supply lines are the merchant marines. They’re the ones that deliver the supplies to the troops and also are the troop carriers. That means they were the number one targets in every war. If you can take all the merchant marines ship down from the other side, then the other side could not get their supplies or troops to combat zone and you will be triumphant. People can look at world war one and two and see how the enemies of the United States targeted the merchant marines.

Throughout War World One America alone lost 197 ships and 629 United States Merchant Marine. (American Merchant Marine at War) That not even are allies merchant marines that just ours. That is a lot of ships. “The Germanys had Unrestricted Submarine Warfare was biting - in February 1917, 470,000 tons of ships had been Ed Geer and Geer's Country sunk. By April it had risen to 837,000 tons.”(HistoryLearningSite.co.uk). Now during this time United States Merchant Marine were not a fraction of the U.S. military which meant they did not get any benefits from the military like the other braches of the arm forces did. Their widows did not receive benefits of any kind from the military. These men risk their lives against all probability to make sure our troops got where they needed to be, and received the supplies they required to keep us free. These men and their wife’s I believe deserve a gigantic thank you. Now you would think after loosing all those men and not getting recognize by United States and letting the entire widow struggle to survive with out assist. You think they would not help out in the next war.

Well the next war came like it always does, and the merchant marines did assistance like they always have, and still at this point in time they still did not get recognize by United States. That means if they died or got wounded they were on their own. Just like the first world war, but the men of the United States Merchant Marine still came out and did their part in World War Two. To my amazement while they were doing their part in War World Two to keep us free, they lost a lot of United States Merchant Marine fact they lost more then any other group “Merchant Marine death rate was 1 in 26, the highest rate among the services in World War II” (Mike Francis). That is just ours not even are allies. To me that it dumbfounded they would not be giving the benefit. Just shocking! Why would they not give to them? No one really gave them a reason. They just kept saying no.

I find it shocking because they were under military law (Ed Geer and Geer's Country). That means anything they did wrong they could face a corp. marshal, but they still were not giving military benefits. The heartbreaking part is the men who were taken as P.O.W or even if their ships were sunk at sea their salaries stop at that point. Until they could get back to work on another United States Merchant Marine ship they were with out pay. Where other braches got paid as P.O.W and even if there ships were sunk they still got paid. Even with all that danger and with knowing all the facts that they had to face. The fact that if they died there wife’s would not get anything and or if they became a P.O.W. the wife’s would not get any money. Then you have to wonder why these men kept going out to sea over and over to make sure the other branches of the arm forces got what they needed. It was because they were patriots. I think about going out to sea to help my country at time war and my country not helping my family or me after everything I would have done. To me that just not right. I would still do it but, I would still think it is wrong.

These men and women of World War Two braved the open oceans knowing the odds were against them. They knew they had very little protection and also some of the ships were not made for crossing the ocean. They knew there were wolf packs (German submarine groups) hunting them the minute they left port. They knew they might not return, but they wanted to-do there part in the war. Just like in song I put up top. Those are the dangers they had to deal with. They had face death every second of the day and have the courage to keep going, and they did throughout the war. I am thinking that they should have been giving the benefits like the other branches of the Arm force. I think there is no question on how importation they were to the war effort.

President Roosevelt agrees and wanted more to be done for the Merchant Maries. One of his address to Congress he said this. “Third, in the event of a war in which the United States itself might be engaged. American flagships are obviously needed not only for naval auxiliaries, but also for the maintenance of reasonable and necessary commercial intercourse with other Nations. We should remember lessons learned in the last war.” (John woolly) The sad part he died before he could change anything for the men and women of the Merchant Maries. With the death of President Roosevelt seem like the chances of the merchants maries getting recognized by the United States would never happen. But President Reagan did get the merchants maries part veterans’ benefits. They got health benefits only. At least it was something. I think they needed more and should have benefits the hole time. I mean why would we let any of are veterans go without? It amazes me that we would not give the United States Merchant Marine the benefit that they needed. I am even shock that more people do not know about them and what they did for us in World war 1 and 2.

I would have to say after everything I read about the United States Merchant Marine that they are one of the most valuable assets the United States have, and they have not been treated that way at all. I think we should really look at them and see what we can do, to tell their story and get them the benefits they rightfully earn in world war two and in every war. United States Merchant Marine are not asking for any military benefit in peace time. They are only asking during wartime. I think we should give them that. I think if they are taking as P.O.W. or their ships sick they should still get pay and the windows should get paid to. I think after learning everything I have about the United States Merchant Marine I have come with a deeper respect for them.

Greece

2013-07-24T07:59:00.001-07:00

Greece the Dark Ages

After the movie Perfect Storm, the phrase became a metaphor for situations that join together to make the perfect storm. I think that is what happened in Greece. I feel the perfect storm hit the Greek society. They did not see it coming and when it happened there was nothing they could do but change. I think it took them a long time to realize that change had to happened. I think when you look at all theories it was not just one situation was all of them that created the perfect storm for the fall into the Dark Ages.

Greece fell into the Dark Ages after the Mycenaen palace state collapse. There are many theories as to why the collapse happened and why it sent the Greeks into the Dark Ages. Was it one problem or was there more than one? Various people as have theorized that war or civil unrest or famine caused the down fall. With these theories as to what brought the Dark Age people have to wonder what was the major cause of it. Also, the result of the Dark Age brought us democracy. Did democracy help pull Greece out from the Dark Age? We have to look at all these theories to see if it was one or all of them that brought the Greeks to the Dark Ages. I think that not just one but it all lead to the Dark Ages.

The facts are there was war, civil unrest, and famine. The rich were doing ok but the poor were getting worse. The government and growth of the city became stagnant. Immigrants stopped coming to be part of the Greek cities.

The palace system was set up for the elite class and the warriors of that time. It was not for the people. In this system the poor worked the fields and brought food to the palaces. This system also had the poor beable to take out loans to support their selves. These loans were not good ones, because if they could not pay them back they became slaves to the people who loaned them money. This system had a lot people becoming slaves that were once free men. By making men slaves they became malcontent with their lives. That leads people to change where they’re in their lives. This system was set up fail and it did. My theory all of the situations brought on the perfect storm.

The storm that ended the Bronze Age started with slavery of the Greek people. The second factor was drought. The drought came to the land and without rain there was a lack of food. The people of Greece were going hungry, but they still had to feed the elite group of people. With hunger growing more with every passing mouth people got tried of feeding the palace people. The people in mass numbers chose to move to the mountains for better lives. The ones that stayed in the cities found hardship. They had to work harder to supply the elite and the soldiers with food. With hunger growing in Greece, so did the discontentment of the people. That discontentment brought civil unrest to Greece.

With civil unrest of its populace, Greece was starting down the path of the Dark Ages. The people started stealing and rebelling against the structure that was in place. With people rebelling and food becoming more scarce people had to leave to find other resources of food. People working against the system left the cities open for invaders to come in and steal provisions. The Sea People were one of those groups who used the civil unrest to their advantage. They joined in with the people of Greece to plunder the cities of Greece. With the ransacking of the cities and people stealing food for their selves, and the Sea People stealing food as well and anything they could get their hands on this harmed Greece. This lead to the soldiers running short on provisions so they had to go out and obtain work to feed their selves so they left Greece. Then with Territorial Army leaving Greece it left it vulnerable to assault by other groups.

With less people to protect Greece from rebels and intruders and also, with no real security and lack of resources, emigrants discontinued coming to the cities of Greece. The trade market also slowed down. Then the people of Greece started having fewer offspring. With the population slowing down and the financial system slowing down too, Greece was pushed into stagnation and fell into the Dark Ages. One thing could make a nation plummet, but I assume they had the perfect storm. Everything from oppression, greed, environment, and outside powers lead to the fall of Greece.

With the fall into the Dark Ages the leader of Greece had to find a way to pull out of those tough times. With the people in the cities turn on the cities they lived in and the wealthy losing their prosperity they had to find a way to get back control. With this they figured the way to get control was to let the people have a say. The people having a say and making them a part of government-helped Greece get back in control of its citizens. Greece used the iron to help them gain money. This helped the poor gain money and build for themselves. With the people having a say and the Iron Age coming about Greece developed a middle class.

The middle class growing in Greece and also the citizens become part of the armed forces helped Greece recover from the Dark Age. I do believe if they did not modify the way palace people believe and make the people a part of the administration they would have been in the Dark Age till another nation came in and took control. I believe democracy came as a need for the citizens of Greece and think people in power realized that.

Analyzing what I have read and looking at the theories I have come to the conclusion why Greece fell into Dark Ages. I think it was because of drought, slavery, greed, and war. I think their situation created the perfect storm. I also think that’s what forced them into having a democracy and other places did not follow because they did not experience what the Greeks did. Otherwise I think democracy would spread everywhere at that time.

Apple macbook pro worst product to have buy a pc.

2013-06-17T23:12:00.001-07:00

I got a mac book pro . It less then a year old. I had to have hard drive replaced and then the apple mail app does not work after that. I take in and they say that how it goes. I said it been less then year and the laptop keeps breaking. They said all they can do is fix it. I like why not replace. Well they said they only can do that after 14 days so i am stuck with the lap top in the shop all the time. Now i know how apple works it all about you getting and being stuck with it. If your going help be ready for it to crash on you. I will never by apple again that 15 up grades on my phone that will not go to them. Also at least 4 more laptops that will go to pc. and instead of i pads it will be pc products. now if i can talk other in to it . It will show them that they have todo a better job. I can not deal with someone in sales telling me that how it is!!!i hope u buy pc.

love

2013-06-11T10:42:00.001-07:00

Professor, McDonald

Writing 121

David Dixon

Love in not enough

I love you! I want to marry you! You’re my life and soul! Those words and feeling are the most amazing words and feelings that a person will have in their life. Some of you already know that feeling, and some of you will find out how it feels. Love is one of the most powerful feelings that a person can have. It can bring the strongest person in the world to their knees and make them a little crying baby or happy as child getting their first candy. Love will make a person act in ways that people would call crazy.

Shakespeare tried to define love in this poem: “Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle’s compass come: Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved (Shakespeare, William). Even this great writer could only come close to the definition of love. I want you to think about love if you would as you read this paper. I would like your heart to read this paper not your head. I want you to imagine what I am going to tell as if you in these story. I want you to think what would you feel and what would you do. Also would you ever want anyone to feel that way in his or her life: your kids, mother, father, friend, or anyone in world.

Now with that all being said, I am going to give you a scenario. You’re in Florida with person you love with all your heart and soul. They are the sun, the ocean, everything beautiful in your life. You are looking and thinking how you could not live without them. Then at that moment they collapse and you catch them in your arms. You have no clue why they collapsed. You are scared! You are holding them and you don’t know how to help them. Someone calls 911 for you because the only thing you can do is focus on holding them and looking into their eyes as they are going in and out of consciousness. You are feeling helpless inside. You’re lost! Then the ambulance shows up. You feel that it could be OK. You are thinking that they will take care of the person you love.

You get into the ambulance and head to hospital. You are holding their hand and telling them everything will be OK. You will be next to them and when they awake you promise them you’d be there. Your heart is throbbing in excruciating pain. Now you arrive at the hospital. They take your love in and you go to front desk to give them all the information they need. Then you ask if they can tell you what is going on and if you can go in and see your love one. You know you want to hold them. The person at the front desk tells you “no, you cannot get any information and you cannot go into see them”. They tell you that you are not recognized as their immediate family. At this point you are lost because you cannot find out any information and cannot go into see your love. Your heart drops so far down that you do not know if you can live. Then when you think there can be no pain worse then this, you find out your love and soul has died and was calling for you right before they passed away. Close your eyes and take a second to think about how you feel. Then think about if you were watching your child having to deal with this right in front of your eyes and you can do nothing to help, but watch them be torn in pieces and get their heart ripped out of their chest. Do you think this has happened, and after reading this would you want anyone to go through this in life?

The sad part is that it has happened, but worse their children could not see their dying mother: “Woman sues Miami hospital after being denied visitation of partner”

(Sun-Sentinel). I do not think that anyone would want people to suffer like that. It is hard for me to believe somebody would be that cruel to let that happen. Would you have the heart to deny them to their face and see their pain? How about if was your child? Then would you have heart to tell them no? Well when you vote no on marriage equality that is what you are doing. You are telling them that their pain does not matter. Oh by the way the Miami couple was lesbian.

People will give the Bible as the reason for saying no. Ask yourself what part of the Bible says it is wrong. Some people will come up with Leviticus, which is Old Testament law, and says nothing of women with women only with men. If you want to go by Old Testament law then why do you not follow all the laws from the Old Testament? Is it because it does not fit your life? Or you think the laws are wrong? Do you think they are out dated? If you do not follow all the old laws but just one, is that right? I would call that cherry picking only what you want to follow. Is that right? Well I will not be able to answer that for you, but you should for yourself.

Also ask yourself what was marriage before today? Again people will say the Bible or history defines marriage as a man and women. If you read the history of marriage it has changed many times over the years. It depends what year you go back to as to what marriage is. Women were bought and sold like livestock. You could not marry outside your race. The Bible supports those laws too. Bible also supported slavery. Wikipedia says this “Marriage can be recognized by a state, an organization, a religious authority, a tribal group, a local community or peers. It is often viewed as a contract”(Wikipedia). So as you can see marriage is viewed differently by everyone. There is one thing out of the Bible that everyone should look at the same.

Jesus did not once say being gay was wrong. He did say in John 8:7 “and as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her”.” (Bible Hub). What do you think he meant by that? I think he meant not to judge anyone unless they are without sin. I do not know anyone without sin. That means we should not judge anyone whatsoever. That is what Jesus would want. He wants everyone to watch after one another and love one another. He was against hate of any kind. So if you really love Jesus be more like him.

unions

2013-06-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

Professor, McDonald

Writing 121

David Dixon

Union

One of the great leaders of our time said it best about unions: “The American Labor Movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public interest. It is, and has been, good for all America.”(John F. Kennedy). President Kennedy was right Unions are devoted to the public interest. They wanted working people to have a say in their working conditions. Unions want the working people to get fair pay and a safe place to work.

Modern unions started out small in America in the 19^th Century. Between 1955 and 1960 membership peaked (Wikipedia). The unions only worked inside their own cities at one time. Then they learned that if they joined all the unions as one big union they would have more power to fight for labors’ rights. Unions transformed the workers to the middleclass of today. I saw the difference working non-union and union houses. After working non-union house and to a union house I saw how the workers were treated better in a union house. In the union houses they paid almost double my non-union wages. Plus they gave health benefits. Unions protect the union people from termination with out just cause. On the other corporations want none these just profit.

Corporations want to make profit at all cost. “Generally speaking, major corporations prefer minimal pay and benefits for workers, a largely uncritical and powerless workforce and minimal taxes, as well as unlimited power for themselves, which they can then employ to influence elections and maximize profits”. (William Astore) Corporations want to make profit at all cost. That is their main goal. They do not like unions and do not want them. They say unions hurt job creation. They say unions are only out for themselves. Unions will take your dues and do nothing for you. This is the propaganda, corporations put out there to get you to think unions are bad.

The propaganda has worked for the most part, unions are weaker now then they have been scent the 60s. The weakening of the unions also weakens the middle class (see graph below). They are tied in to one. To destroy unions is to destroy the middle class. If you look at the start when unions slowly started to lose power in 1980s the wages started to slow down and not match inflation. The charts below show how weaken the union has affect Americans. The heights of union powered wages were much higher then inflation. In 1980 when the unions started to weaken, inflation started catch up to the middle class wages.

This chart compares the growth of inflation (red line) and real wages (blue line).Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

October 18, 2012)

Now inflation has passed the middle class wages because of the weaken of the unions. If you compare the two charts they match wages to inflation and the decline of the union membership. In 1980s Reagan push the war on Unions.

If Reagan did not push the war on the unions in the 1980s our wages would still be higher than inflation. Reagan really pushed the war on the unions. He was on the side of corporations. He pushed for laws that hurt labor and unions. He also crushed the air traffic controls union. “Reagan's anti-labor policy: He attempted to lower the minimum wage for younger workers, ease the child labor and anti-sweatshop laws, tax fringe benefits, and cut back job-training programs for the unemployed. He tried to replace thousands of federal employees with temporary workers who would not have civil service or union protections.”(Dick Meister) Reagan was the key to weakening the unions. Today corporations are trying to finish the job, Reagan was key player in, by using propaganda.

Corporations will say they outsource jobs because of unions and that’s why they’re moving out of America. Well there is some truth to that, but not the whole truth. Corporations move out of the US because they get tax breaks to leave the US.

Corporations also went to countries without unions. People are thinking well if we did not have unions, corporations would have stayed. Well, there is little truth to that too. If we did not have unions and they could pay 24 cents an hour, work people in unsafe working conditions, and work 10 to 15 hours a day; yes they would stay. You are thinking I am wrong. Well, let just look at Bangladesh. “Bangladesh offers the global garment industry something unique: Millions of workers who quickly churn out huge amounts of well-made underwear, jeans and T-shirts for the lowest wages in the world.” (ANNE D'INNOCENZIO). They only make 24 cents an hour. They work in unsafe conditions. That is the wages and the conditions we would have to work in to get those jobs back here in the US. I do not think we, as people would work like that today. Also if you even look at states that have laws to weaken unions like right to work you will see they have less pay.

If you look at the poorest states, 7 of them are right-to-work states. “The data on wages tell a fairly clear story. Of the top 10 states in per capita income in 2011, seven were not right-to work states. Of the bottom 10 states with the lowest per capital income, seven were right to work states.”(John Gallagher). The unions have very little power or none at all in those 7 poorest right-to-work states. That’s what happens when you weaken the unions. The wages do not keep up with inflation and corporations can pay you less.

When you look at unions look at them as good for the people. “They were made by the people for the people”(bill of rights). There here to make sure people get what people deserve. If we do not support them we will lose more of what we have. We have to stand with them as they stand with us. If you look back history you can find all the great leaders supporting unions. I will leave you with a Quote. Pope Paul VI:

The important role of union organizations must be admitted: their object is the representation of the various categories of workers, their lawful collaboration in the economic advance of society, and the development of the sense of their responsibility for the realization of the common good.