Rational Nation USA

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Cultural and political attitudes have created a division within our nation today that if unabated will result in tremendous social unrest and eventual violent upheaval. In short the American stage is being set for revolutionary change. Change that will determine whether our democratic republic stands or falls. Whether economic opportunity expands or shrinks. Whether we see another 200 years of growth or becomes a 2nd or 3rd world nation. Political decisions the people of America choose to embrace today will determine the course of our future for better or for worse. To place blame exclusively on one political party or the other of course only succeeds in widening the already wide chasm existing between the two. Yet that is precisely what self serving politicians and the news media, particularly certain cable networks endeavor to accomplish everyday in America. Current day American politics is deeply steeped in the divide and conquer mental...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Orlando Sentinel - Screaming in pain with a ruptured spleen that would have to be removed in an emergency surgery, Robert Liese cried out for medical attention 35 times in a downtown Orlando holding cell. He was laying on the ground with his hands and feet bound. Despite an Orlando police officer hearing Liese's pleas for help, he was ignored for nearly two hours. For their actions, or lack of actions, Orlando police Officer Peter Delio and Sgt. William Faulkner were fired from the department on Wednesday. The incident unfolded on Aug. 12, 2014, when Liese, 41, was arrested along Orange Avenue for allegedly not paying a $60 bar tab and taken to a substation on Washington Avenue. An apparently drunk and handcuffed Liese broke a glass window on a cell door after he banged his head on it. Delio walked into the cell and allegedly kneed Liese in the abdomen so hard that it ruptured his spleen. Faulkner also did not respond to Li...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth I happened to run across the following list while surfing the net this afternoon. So, being in an inquisitive mind stopped to read it and give a few moments thought to each and every one of the twenty five items. Can't say I agree in total but there is much that I do. Given the current mood of the combined GOP, particularly the tea party, neo con, and religious fundamentalist wing I thought it would be fun to run this post without comment moderation for a day. Perhaps thoughtful, reasonable, intelligent, and rational republicans will stop by and posit intelligent comments as to why they disagree (or agree) with certain or all items on the list. Have fun and please keep it clean... 25 Reasons Why I’m Thankful That I’m Not a Republican (in no particular order) : I respect the civil rights of all Americans, not just those I choose to agree with. I understand basic economics that consumer demand creates jobs, not tax breaks. I know...

If Western countries want to disprove the dire forecasts of Karl Marx, we must think creatively about how to make the middle class more prosperous and secure Capitalism is arguably the economic system that has created opportunity for millions, created the greatest wealth of any economic system devised, created the largest middle class ever known to humankind, and improved the quality of life for millions. Even Karl Marx acknowledged that capitalism was the most productive and best economic force (system)designed up his time in history. Marx also realized that unless the power of capitalism was harnessed and driven to provide growth, security, and benefits for the society as a whole (think successful and growing middle class)at some point in the history of capitalism it would collapse, a result of its own blindness. In other words if capitalism was driven by greed, its focus being to create enormous wealth for the benefit of a miniscule percentage of society, while keeping wages an...

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Pope = Christian, Catholic, Democratic Socialist. His positions against intolerance, greed, polarization, lack of concern for the planets eco system, and income disparity does not threaten an enlightened capitalism. But capitalism continued on its present trajectory certainly poses a threat to itself.  Reading conservative commentary and listening to conservative rhetoric, as well as reading fringe rightwing weblogs that have been trashing Pope Francis for being, in their myopic view a Marxist and a commie, has convinced that there are indeed large numbers on the right who have lost their ability to think and reason. It is impossible for the thinking women and man to gasp the thought process of those folks because of the absurdity of it all. Another reasoned commentary on this subject can be found HERE . UPDATE : For an example CHECK THIS OUT .

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth THE HILL - Sen. Ted Cruz is gearing up for another showdown with Republican leaders in Congress. The presidential candidate, a conservative Republican from Texas, is deploying arguments similar to those he used two years ago in rallying Tea Party lawmakers to block a government funding measure. Back then, the focus was on ObamaCare. Now, it’s on Planned Parenthood. Cruz has invited House conservatives to meet in his Dirksen Building office while ratcheting up criticism of GOP leaders in recent days. Cruz’s message is simple and a repeat of 2013’s: President Obama and the Democrats will deserve blame for a shutdown, not Republicans. “President Obama’s position is that if Congress funds 100 percent government that he will nonetheless veto funding for the government, unless Congress also gives $500 million to Planned Parenthood,” Cruz told reporters, noting the group is not part of the government and under investigation. “That is a radic...