Special Interest Groups, Lobbyists

When special interest groups or "lobbyists" use money, not philosophy or fact, as the measure for securing an agenda or policy, then the definition word should change from Lobbies to Bribery, If this is a true ism then our government is setting policies for our nation and peoples based almost entirely on bribery.

Here I issue a cry for help, HELP stem this greedy sin.

Feeling with the ability to think

I am a feeling animal with the ability to think, not the other way around.

why we do what we do

it is a mystery to me.

The war was not going well

Some one needs to expain when it is that a war does go well, because i can't seem to see when that is.

Health Care Reform

Let me as a small business owner (and artist) explain whats happening in the capitalist dominated insurance industry with untangle-able ties to our congressmen and woman.

1. To purchase a family plan of any value costs: 10,000.00

2. a person who earns 50,000.00 a year contributes through the employer and average of 10% of wages to Workman's comp, add another 2.5% for liability and you have about 6,000.00 going to the insurance industry, multiply that time 2 if both husband and wife work at that pay scale. The total to this point is: 10,000 + 6,000 + 6,000 = 22,000 to the insurance industry. not done yet.

3. The portion of home insurance car insurance and life insurance policies going towards extended care add up to approximately 50.00 + 50.00 for low end insurance policy, and 50.00 + 50.00 for the others, per month, = 200.00 x 12 = 2400.00 add that to the 22,000 and were now at 24,400.00 per year. not done yet.

4. now lets take and add the amount we currently pay in taxes which is going towards health care for those uninsured using the 50,000.00 dollar wage with 50% taxes, yes 50% remember your employer has a liability of 17%. 33 + 17 is 50% and you thought we weren't socialist already! o.k. out of 50% lets use a small number of 10% towards health care in some fashion or another be it medicare or coverage for the uninsured, 50% of 50,000.00 is 25,000 (yep, that's right) 10% of 25,000 is 2,500, X two wage earners is 5,000. Add 5,000 to the 24,400 and we have a whopping total of 29,400 per household earning 100,000. per year going to the health care system. This number is close to 1/3 of gross wages. or 1/2 of NET.

5. If you are wondering why the economy is floundering its because even Americans can no longer afford American wages which afford for a middle class culture. This is not do to excessive wages, it is due to a broken health care system which needs radical reform.

6. Remember the reason we carry insurance to the degree we due is as a precaution to catastrophic health issues which would cost more than a family could afford. so we go on paying these huge amounts in fear of losing everything. One last addition factor is 29,000 X 20 years paying into the system is: 580,000.00

7. NOW DO YOU KNOW WHY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS FIGHTING THIS!

8. If the American government can't make this work, and it has to be health care for everyone, totally new system, no more independent paying, if the government can't make this work than greed will be the downfall of our great nation because - America can no longer afford America.

Sincerely

Brian Morrison

I did not include to pay 10,000 out of pocket one must earn 13,000. I also did not include the State payroll taxes, the Town Taxes, the unemployment taxes, the road taxes(tolls), the gas taxes, the meals taxes, the taxes on purchased items. etc.

You see, we already are a Country taxed like a socialist country, NOW its time to see some return as individuals, lets start with health care and move on to higher education. I want to see a return for my investment, I want to see a lower cost for our products on the international and domestic fronts!

shot of day

There is a sense of urgency around the world, by those in need of power, and by those in need of order in which they may play a part. Who wins makes all the difference in the world.

harmony of line

after all. It has come to this.

Democrats vs Republicans

It is apparent to me during this time of great need politically, physically, with our foreign affairs, in fact with our entire system, which is now regrettably monitored and controlled by the Government, that the Republican party has no interest in becoming a team with the Democrats to save this great blend of democracy and capitalism. The Republicans are giving every indication they are not going to join in a group effort to fix the ills of the country, in fact it is looking as though they quietly are hoping for failure on the part of democrats and the policies they are implementing in this crash course for economic survival. The Republicans appear to be hoping for failure because, in the sick scheme of things, it is their hope that a failure translates to more votes and seats of power in future elections. The Republican party is continuing on a path whereby they tear down the walls of democracy in its very name.

Art painting life

I just want to say off line watch out for the one is not better approach to art, (or life). of course one can be better, better appreciated, better feeling, better color combinations, forms, lines. What is not better often is the time spent creating, that often is as precious for the flops or the hits. so, with that it mind, that creating time spent in mindful thought of how to better create a creation is the beautiful attribute to being human. Digest all we experience and pick the weeds to better nourish the fruit, KNOW the difference.

acrylic canvas pastel about 3' x 4'

Brian

Revelation

or Rapture

Looking forward

When Bank of America bought Merrill Lynch, did you stop in your tracks and say, "the biggest, strongest, smartest bank just became another broken, senseless, robbing institution which will only hasten the collapse of our current style of government and living". Well I did and I don't need to tell you, if we still have 1 1/2 more years of topsie turvie downward spiral, and this is taking place today. well, the carpet is about to be swept clean so to speak.
And another thing. now that the banks and other typical institutions have received the first second and third round of "bail-outs" and seem to have spent it all, yes all on bonus money. As we sit and watch this unfold, how can I not believe that this is anything but the largest heist in modern day history.
I believe we will pull out of this, I don't think it will make us stronger, but I am sure it will make us different.

(back to paying my bills, which I'm o.k. with.)
Brian

Dividing space

My description of being human in both psychological and physical being with regards to the soul with all we understand in science, math and faith. Visually speaking.