Showing up is key!

In Govt 170 and 180 classes we have talked about how California and the country for that matter listens to old people because the vote is mass amounts. Why doesn't Medicare or social security get cut or reshaped in any way? It's because when any elected official mentions it all the old people start moaning and groaning but the AARP lobby group moans and groans on a larger scale.

Voting is key and understanding what the options are is just as important. The idea that one vote doesn't make a difference is right when it is thought about in context of how much time it takes to learn about all the issues versus the actual effect on an individuals personal everyday life. If millions of people decide that their vote doesn't matter then turn out tends to be lower. In the California 2008 general election 60% of eligible voter turned out to vote for President compared to 1996 which was at 52%, according to Dr. Michael McDonald CA voter turnout results.
Voter turnout had not been that high in California since the 1960s. In California it is important to participate in voting because to pass anything of serious importance such as raising taxes the legislation needs 2/3 majority to pass in the state house and senate, something that is extremely hard to get. So the next step is to get it passes as an initiative and this is something that goes to the voters. In California's next state election cycles there might be a tax initiative on the ballot from Jerry Brown. Click here for a link to an article about a tax hike for education 

The United State is voter driven and for the most part the voters opinions matter. In the Federalist #10, James Madison called it a fragmented national institution, which means that the government is broken into: the House, Senate, President and Supreme Court. The selection process of the House is selected by the people, the Senate by the legislature, President by the electoral college and the Supreme Court is appointed. So who is in office is important and it starts with the citizen voter.

This fragmented institution is also in place so no single office has a majority of the power. The terms are different so that passions of the moment and common impulse don't dictate. The House serves 2 years and unlimited terms, Senate is 6 years and unlimited terms, President serves 4 years and 2 term limit and the Supreme Court serves for life. The Senate also rotates election cycles every 2 years but only 1/3 of the chambers is up for election at one point.

Citizen's opinions do matter and they have the ability to let them be heard by casting a ballot.

In the wake of the Occupy movements we have witnessed that people are fed up with the status quo. They are gathering in parks and city squares all over the world and I hope they all line up to vote on election day. Teach-ins on the issues to inform the public about what is going on in their state. For those of us in California out state  government is structured after the national government.

Recommended reading: Federalist Papers #10 and #51, Google them they are available online for free.

US Government rules where the US money flows

SPOLIER ALERT: This is all opinion

If you have paid attention to the news in the last year or so revolutions are at the top of the list. They may not be reported as much but they are there all over the world. Arab spring was big in the news with 16 protests/occupations/revolutions going on and it was hard to not notice. The one I want to pick out of the bunch has connections with the current Occupy Wall Street occupation and every other occupy occupation in the world. Egypt to me draws parallels to the Occupy movements going on because what the US Government said basically set the tone of enforcement. The army took the side of the people, which was so moving but the United States Government also took the side of the people in Egypt who were occupying Tahrir Square. Many American's I knew were pleasantly surprised, who else but the US would back a movement for equality and free speech. I was never happier to be an American but this changed when the Occupy Wall Street movement started.

As with many other people I was shocked to see the OWS protestors being dragged, beaten, pepper sprayed all for peacefully assembling in opposition to big business and the government in cahoots with each other. Now I can't blame the government and big business as most American's were not paying any attention, they system was unchecked so it grew like mold in a moist and dark place. The past few years I have grown frustrated because I knew that they were not paying attention and when I wanted to talk politics with friends or friendly strangers their smile would turn upside down into a frown. "Politics doesn't effect me so I really don't care," or variations was a common statement but that is another story. The point of that little rant was to show that when people didn't pay attention and would peacefully assemble, like at "hippie hill" in San Fransisco, CA to play bongo drums and other musical instruments it wasn't much trouble. They stayed away from the business man and the business man stayed away from them but now that common American is all up in their business exposing the unfair practices and it's not appreciated to much. So this time when citizens are protesting unfair business practices their freedom of speech is trying to be taken away by the enforcement from government paid employee's a.k.a the police. Though it is easy to blame them and many are, at first I think they are thinking that this job puts money in their pocket and food on the table for their families but they need to get away from this thinking. Anyways back to my point.

The US Government backed the people's movement in Egypt and the military sided with the people, very moving but I think that a main reason why the Egyptian military took the side of the people was because their paychecks probably came from the US. I say this because the US Government funded, not sure if they still do, but funded the Egyptian military with US$1.3 billion a year1. To me this goes hand in hand with what the police are doing in the US right now, they are following the orders of their boss and they are doing what American's are taught to do, look after themselves. That is the American Dream right? To be the best at your job, beat everyone to the top and don't look back. These police are doing just that, looking after their family and not looking after the best interest of the people. Now how can this be fixed because it is a pain in the ass when people complain and don't offer a solution.

Well I will say that I don't have an immediate solution but I did learn something with my four-years in the military. That was a solider/sailor/airperson does not have to follow a direct order if they feel it to be unlawful. I would hope that there is some similar rule in the police force. If the officers feel that what they are doing is unconstitutional why can't they just say so? Is there fear of retaliation by other officers or that their job will be on the line? I can't say for sure but I am sure there is a common bond with police officers and they say to stand in solidarity with each other. My solution would be that police officers need to stand up for themselves and do not fear being fired. So what if your fellow police officers don't like you and your boss is pissed at your, welcome to a common workplace. At least your have your pride and haven't sold your soul to financial greed.

The police officers and politician's are claiming to holding up the rule of law but right now it seems to be more like an iron fist. It is my hope that the police see that they are breaking down the fabric of our constitution and backing the politicians that are using them as pawns.

In my city of Sacramento a lot of police show up to Cesar Chavez park to arrest people who are standing up for themselves. Police officers are pulled away from their regular beats to come and assist, in riot gear, to arrest people who are assembling peacefully while real crimes are being committed. I think it's just to prove a point but I am not sure what positive impact their point is.

So money rules all as we all pretty much know and the government has the ability to throw a lot of it down the drain while the rest suffer. I just hope the US society can make something work before it's to late.

Sources
1. Egypt's military gets paid by the US Government