Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> First, I'd ask this:  to anyone, actually.  What has the federal government
> done under Bush that has *directly* affected your life?

I am breathing dirtier air. I am paying more for gas and diesel fuel. I am 
paying less in federal income taxes. Shall I selfishly applaud the big Bush 
tax cut? I do not. The tax cut is already shown to be part of the economic 
disaster he has orchestrated.

Who can be against lower taxes? I can, when simultaneously there is not 
reduced government spending. This charade conservative has cut 
taxes--income--and increased government programs--spending.

> Exciting social and economic times are ahead, but only for those with an 
> ear to the ground and an eye on the horizon.  In that context, Bush is just a
> distraction, being swept along on the times same as us.

The economic times ahead will be more than exciting in the Chinese curse 
sense. For many, they will be desperate. Tell hungry children they should 
keep an eye on the horizon. Most of us will pay greater taxes to pay the 
interest on the debt. On the social front, many will spend much time 
grieving over those killed and maimed as a result of his actions. Children 
will grow up without fathers and mothers. We will all continue for decades 
to breathe dirtier air. The great middle class of America will wither as 
there are more rich people and many more poor people.

> The ticking time bomb of stock-pension-SS-investments(including real 
> estate) has still to be dealt with.

That dog won't hunt. It has long been established that Medicare is a 
greater danger to our national economy than Social Security, which, with 
minor adjustments, can continue indefinitely.

> I'm convinced more and more each day that he truly is Zephod Beeblebrox.

Beeblebrox Bush does have a nice ring to it. And Z[a]phod Beeblebrox the 
Nothingth fits nicely. But Bush has more than two heads. You are forgetting 
the one stuck in the sand.

>  With the Bush addiction (through some twelve step program) suppressed, 
> no mention of Bush, what do you have to say then?  Plenty, I'd hope. . .

You have not told us what you do beyond living a subsistence life.

> Instead, any instance of not feeding the beast that would devour us
> DOES do some good.  And being an example of a sane, peaceful life outside 
> of the bruhaha is far more valuable than yet another call or fax saying 
> "Hurray for our side."

Not enough. The many of us attempting to lead responsible lives are a spit 
spot in the splat sea. Single, exemplary lives can inspire if they are 
widely publicized but they rarely create political change. The political 
game is about power. We can have an effect through votes, two major kinds. 
First at the polls, and second, at the buying station. Just buying less 
does not starve the monster government beast. Buying with discrimination is 
the key. Buy only products from companies you wish to reward. Boycott those 
you feel are immoral, unethical, dangerous to people and the environment.

We must vote each day in as many ways as possible. One of my ways is to use 
the power of the Internet to argue against insane government policies and 
the insane people who propagate them. If my words ring true, some may vote 
differently. And that can create change.