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Let's get serious: National and world issues for the
Presidential Campaign
By mickielynn on 2016-02-26 08:14:14
[caption id="attachment_8206" align="aligncenter" width="595"]
‘oh Paul Gottinger tx 8» Follow
PaulGottinger
Right now!! 1000s marching to protest in
Chicago.
1 ee
March 11, 2016 University of
Chicago Students protest Trump's appearance in their city and shut down his rally.[/caption] First let's get the (trumpeting)
elephant out of the room concerning the hate speech and racism, sexism, violent response to protesters, encouragement of
birther sentiments by those in his audience, about President Obama, glorification of torture, xenophobia and blatant
Islamophobia of the unbelievable front runner in the Republican Presidential primaries at this time. Why lead with Donald
Trump's behavior? It's simple -- he takes up so much room in the so-called debates and in the media -- who just love his
hostility and his empty but provocative statements. That leaves very little room for the important things that we need to
know about Presidential candidates if we are going to be able to choose a leader in an educated and informed way. The other
really frightening aspect of such speech and behavior is the encouragement that it gives to those who commit hate crimes
and violence against Muslims and who deny welcome to refugees fleeing the worst situation since WWII. In fact there is a
bipartisan campaign to call out such messages. This is important. If people of the United States can allow such fascism,
bigotry, racism and xenophobia to mesmerize them it damages our reputation in the rest of the world. [caption
id="attachment_8131" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
[caption
id="attachment 8 1 29" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
: +4 Syrian refugees, in the EU in
much better weather and less desperate times. photo by Sakis Mitroidis[/caption] Please choose a few issues of special
importance to you and exercise some serious engagement in your democracy and in the future of our country. Question the
candidates seriously and make your choice accordingly. This ain't no movie, no casual entertainment, no sporting event. A
tremendous amount is at stake for the next four years and beyond!
STO
MR. TRUMP:
ENDHATE SPEECH
: Veterans challenge
Islamophobia at Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, Elliot Adams with banner[/caption] [caption
id="attachment_8128" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
fs ae fF Nee aw Trump equals racist, photo
from Code Pink, December 2015[/caption] Now we've gotten that out of the way. The behavior of the other candidates,
while less blatant, demonstrates a lot of competition for the image of the "toughest", most supportive of more military
spending, most callous about refugees and immigrants. They push to repeal the affordable care act without any plan to
replace it. The name calling, as evidenced in last night's debate before the super Tuesday primaries was both juvenile and
disgraceful.
Embedded iframe at https://web.archive.org/web/202 10000000000/http://www.npr.org/player/embed/468186701/468199038
The Democratic debates have been somewhat better at discussing issues but they've also had their share of labeling, subtle
insults, and posturing, encouraged by the "moderators" and amplified by the media in place of real platform presentations.
Now to the issues of war and peace, economic justice and the will to challenge institutional racism, and real plans to
provide what the people of the US really need (which is NOT empty rhetoric, misdirection, authoritarianism, and
demagoguery.) As a member of Women Against War there are several issues that come to mind immediately for deeper
examination. The extrajudicial and indiscriminate use of weaponized drones to kill people. Increasing weapons sales to
countries that are violating human rights at home and killing civilians abroad. US justification for ever expanding use of
special forces, military bases and bombing campaigns all over the world, based on the Authorization of Military Force after
the September 11, 2001 attacks. Even though the President asked for a discussion about authorizing the "War against ISIS"
over a year ago nothing has yet been done. [caption id="attachment_8151" align="aligncenter" width="320"]
No more wars, Nevada Desert Experience. Shut Down Creech, spring of
2015[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8122" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
; : Beale AFB protest, with sign
Muslim Lives Matter and quilt of children killed by drone strikes[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8133"
r
align="aligncenter" width="225"] Yemen Needs Peace from Code Pink petition
campaign, 2015[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8132" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
SYRIA 3924140
SOMALIA —-350,000+
AFGHANISTAN «= 92.0007
PAKIST sa 59.000+
LIBYA ~~ > 28,193
YEMEN — ee. 7000+
ll Sg = BRHOF rn... Remember the Dead, SF Syria
demonstration 2015 from "World Cant Wait"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8119" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
a Anti-drone vigil in Albany,
September 17, 2014, photo by Mabel Leon|[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8150" align="aligncenter" width="400"]
2016 banner for Shut Down Creech, March 27 through April
2, 2016[/caption] You may say that the campaigning leading up to the Presidential nominations is different from the party
platforms and specifics that may come later. To some extent that's true. But we can't choose candidates if we don't know
anything about their plans and priorities. Another case in point is the choices being made in the FY2016 budget and what
they represent. Here I'm speaking of the not the mandatory portion. This year the military
is being allotted 54% of that budget. It still needs to be considered and voted on by Congress, but where do the candidates
stand? [caption id="attachment_8113" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
President's Proposed $1.15 Trillion
Discretionary Spending Budget
(FY 2016)
Social Security, :
Science Transportation
pos Pe $31 billion - 3% $27.4 billion - 2%
$31.4 billion - 3% Food & Agnculture
$13.3 billion - 1%
Intemational Affairs
$41.6 billion - 4%
Energy &
Environment
$41.6 billion - 4%
Medicare & Health
$60.6 billion - 5%
Military
Government $625.2 billion - 54%
$66.2 billion - 6%
Veterans’ Benefits
$70.5 billion - 6%
Housing &
Community
$72.2 billion - 6%
Education
$74.1 billion - 6%
PRIORITIE nationalpriorities.org
Source: OMG, Natianal Prianties Project Budget pie chart for the
discretionary budget, from National Priorities.org
[caption id="attachment_8130"
Put PEOPLE FIRST
MILITARY =
60%
of Discretionary
Spending
PUSH BACK
MILITARY SPENDING
align="aligncenter" width="464"] Push back against
military spending, artist Lillian Moats, from Humanize Not Militarize poster project from AFSC[/caption] Two other very
important issues that impact the core of our democracy and on which the United States Congress is currently obstructing
efforts to move forward are the need to close Guantanamo Bay prison and to move the 91 remaining prisoners to safe and
humane places, releasing those who have been cleared . And the need to confirm a new Supreme Court Justice and many
nominees for appeals court justices so that we can have a functioning and credible judicial system. [caption
id="attachment_8127" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
gitmo museum The Price of
Freedom[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8120" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
a llr tht SSS
Close Guantanamo vigil April 2013, photo by
SHUT DOW DRONES
BRING OUR WAR DOLLARS HOME!
CODEPINK.ORG
Rambledove[/caption] Then
there is the whole set of loopholes that make it possible for corporate interests and even foreign interests to pour money into
electoral campaigns and to influence legislators directly with lobbying money. That just exacerbates the growing economic
inequality and further movement of money to the richest most powerful people in our country. What are specific plans for
candidates to address this issue? Currently there's a struggle within our government between the forces who support more
military attacks, proxy wars, and increasing arming of various factions in the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and
Libya versus those who want to use diplomatic means to obtain ceasefires and political settlements. Where do the
candidates stand on these issues? [caption id="attachment_8118" align="aligncenter" width="400"]
According to Israel,
my bike is a mobile
missile launching pod
“Israelis are fighting for
the status quo,
Palestinians are fighting
for their freedom”
> Amira Hass
Journalist, Haaretz
> Jewish Voice
LY \ for Peace
ad
Iustine « Equality « Dignity
ae |
Stop killing kids in Palestine, photo by Alice Brody[/caption]
caption id="attachment_8123" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Iranian parliamentary election
, February 26, 2015, Iranian Women support a reform candidate.[/caption] Here at home there are countless issues including
climate change solutions and access to health care,. I'd just like to highlight two that have received much attention this year.
First the Black Lives Matter campaign that continues to address institutional racism in law enforcement and in all of our
institutions. This has the potential to move us forward on racial justice and equal access. It's very present and effective.
Most importantly it is led by young people of color.
: (Aue SAVCDu e need a workable plan for dealing with
immigrants, stopping the separation of families and recognizing the vital needs for safety and security of all people in the
United States while also increasing the pace and numbers of refugees granted asylum in the United States. [caption
id="attachment_8143"” align="aligncenter" width="600"]
|) ae
: February 13, 2016, Grannies
Embrace Refugees. Spread love not hate. Photo by Jeanne Finley[/caption]
