In The Beginning…

In the beginning, man created God. And in his image he created Him. And when man had learned to use his God as a power to control and exploit the fears of his brother’s and sisters, he looked upon his creation and decided it was good.

In later days, Jesus came out of the desert, and tried to show people the path to inner freedom, free from the slavery to a false god and it’s creators. The same church people who created this God, put Jesus on the cross to shut him up.

Now, as we stumble blindly into the apocalypse, Jesus has come back many times since, an archetype for a stubborn world that never learns. Each time, the Church, or King or council of elders, or right-wing political party, uses their influence and power to silence His voice. Before He can get people to listen. To wake up.

The ‘religious elite’ have learned their lesson about making martyrs though, so they no longer have public trials and executions of people for heresy and witchcraft. The modern church has evolved, and secular government has replaced many of the functions previously served by religion. Now they work together.

The faceless elite, churchy or not, now know it’s much easier to ruin reputations with baseless accusations, or imprison their critics for crimes they didn’t commit. Or for treason or terrorism.

Another Jesus silenced. The power struggle continues. With Them on top, because They control everything. Except our thoughts, though They are trying to do that too, using the mainstream and social media to spread propaganda.

The voice of the next Jesus may be crying in the wilderness already. Somewhere nearby, a ‘faithful Christian’ is planning to ‘shut that heretic up’, any way possible.

(Authors disclaimer: for any MAGA moron who might read this and think, I’m talking about Trump, you are wrong!)

This is not a Christian nation. It’s a nation in which you are free to be Christian.
For Now. Keep pushing this unconstitutional bullshit, forcing your beliefs upon the rest of  us at your own risk. Fuck around and find out how fast we start crucifying your hypocrite asses.

You Dirty Commies!

They want you to be afraid of Socialism and Communism because they would hurt the 1%. The ones who make the rules. Our owners, as George Carlin would say. Because the answer is simple. They would have to give up some of their wealth to make the system more fair.

They pulled a switch on us.
They took our legit fear of certain autocratic Communist and Socialist regimes, and turned it into a fear of communism and socialism. The Cold war fears of Russia, China, and Cuba, thanks to the valid threat of nuclear annihilation, became a fear of Communism and Socialism.

They told us to be afraid of corrupt autocratic governments that took away the rights of their citizens, who might lob nukes at us. They used those fears to make us afraid of the economic theories that attempt to redistribute wealth more evenly, and make things better for the common folks. Why?
For One Reason:
To protect their wealth, power and control.

But it’s not the appropriate-ism that was ever the problem with China or Russia. It was the autocratic part. The corruption. Because corrupt autocrats seek to limit freedoms and take away rights.

And the nukes. Don’t forget the nukes. We now know that Communists ALL want to nuke everything good.

Socialism and communism are actually about social justice. They are about ensuring basic needs for people as human rights. They are about freedom from hunger and disease. Equitable distribution of wealth and goods. For all people, not just the ones who can afford it. Nothing to fear from, unless you have WAY too much and you’re worried someone will take it away and give it to someone in need.

You could actually make a better case that Capitalism is humanity’s grand problem, because of the inherent inequality and exploitation. Greed without controls or conscience is a recipe for mass cruelty. Capitalism is out of control in America, and Congress is complicit.

They want you to be afraid of Socialism and Communism because they would hurt the 1%. The ones who make the rules. Our owners, as George Carlin would say. Because the answer is simple. They would have to give up some of their wealth to make the system more fair. And THEY are the insatiable rich, who thirst for more no matter how much they already have. Gluttony. Greed. Capitalism. All one in the same thing.

Democratic Socialism is just capitalism with a conscience. Let the rich get rich. AFTER the rest of us are out of poverty. AFTER everyone can see a doctor and not worry about the bill. The important things that everyone needs must be a available to all. Owned by all. Not profit centers for the rich and shameless.
You can still make a killing selling people shit they don’t need…after we guarantee that everyone has the shit they DO need. Science says if you end poverty, crime is virtually non-existent, while productivity and knowledge increase…along with happiness.

Increased happiness goes a long way to solving social problems of all sorts. From shoplifting to school shooters. Happy people with their needs met (physical and psychological) don’t do that shit.

Yes, this is the picture I chose. #selfie

Authors Note: All opinions expressed here are just that: opinions. If you don’t like mine, I probably won’t like yours either. Let’s just nod, and walk away. Maybe come back with solutions instead of opinions. Because of the two, only solutions actually matter.

First Do No Harm

I’ve never understood why people want to become famous. Being famous means you can’t be yourself. You give up being ordinary. At least you used to. Ordinary people get pretty famous nowadays.

The Internet has changed the meaning of fame. You can have millions of followers (I don’t, but some people do) and still be pretty ordinary; obscure, in terms of the public eye.  You know…Including all those other people who are too good to Google. Too cool for TikTok.  For the rest of us, it’s sort of a golden age in a way. If you’re on the right apps, that is. If the Government doesn’t take them away because they’re afraid of the power we have.

What I want to know is where is the true music underground? The next breakout sound is out there, in some garage or dive bar. A bigger than life, but authentic scene. Where the music speaks the truth and the true seeds of destiny will spring. Not about the industry or money or fame. Music has the power to change. To change Us.

I’m a libertarian at heart. You don’t need a bunch of rules if you follow just one: first do no harm. When the industry is killing the product, the industry needs to change. The money is literally killing the music.

They will exploit us until we refuse to be exploited. Then they’ll find a new way to exploit us.

Happy 2024!

2023 has been a challenge. Now, with one day left, this difficult year is heading off into oblivion, to join up with the last few years before it, into an unpleasant haze of remembrance. The mostly dreary or forgotten days, punctuated by moments of great joy and hope, gratitude has been the glue that kept my world together.

Grateful. For the little, but important things. I am grateful for my family, and all of you guys, and for the good fortune to be here now. THIS Now.

The past and future only exist in our minds. They are not real, unless we give them the power to exist. The future does not arrive, it is created in the present tense. We choose our future by how we live NOW.

I choose a future forged of Gratitude, Hope, Kindness, and Love. Because I don’t want to see a future spawned of fear, hate, and greed. The present is evidence enough for me.

I think 2024 will matter. We can and must decide to put hate aside. #CancelHate. There’s NOTHING wrong with a culture that seeks to reject the mistakes of the past. Boycotting things that harm us isn’t a political plot, it’s just common sense. #CancelCulture is a buzz word used by politicians to divide us. Don’t buy the bull shit.

Instead, I hope we all begin to remember what it means to be hopeful again. Remember that being kind is more important than being rich. That someone who is different is an opportunity for growth, not someone to fear or hate. Being with people who are different from us is how we grow and learn.

We can decide to be better. Otherwise the haters win, and shit gets ugly.

Share if you agree. Or don’t. I’m not the boss of you. Peace.

Happy 2024!
~
May the future rise to meet your hopes
Your fears be on the run
May we meet again in better times
On this trip around the sun
May your life be filled with bigger joys
And sadness far from home
May the past forgive and heal your soul
On whatever roads you roam.
~

I’m Ending My Abusive Relationship with The Wealthy.

I think it’s time that the human race figures out, that progress for a few should never mean regress for some. If your success comes at another’s expense, it is not really success.
It’s abuse.
Abuse of human rights. Abuse of our shared resources. Abuse of power, for profit…and more power.
Call it Capitalism. Call it anything you want to, to justify it in your conscience. But I call them crimes against humanity, and only the wealthy and powerful are actually able to commit them. Uber Wealthy People. Big companies. Countries.
Because after all, who can actually hold them accountable?

Authors Note: All opinions expressed here are just that: opinions. If you don’t like mine, I probably won’t like yours either. Let’s just nod, and walk away. Maybe come back with solutions instead of opinions. Because of the two, only solutions actually matter.

Close To The Edge

America is on the edge. Many of the freedoms and the progress we’ve made toward civil rights are on the verge of being eliminated.

I’m not trying to scare anybody, but the time for business as usual is over. Thanks to greed, lies and partisan politics, the Rights of Americans have been abused and degraded. Police shoot at unarmed citizens because they are afraid. That should tell you something about the climate on the streets of America…if you’ve been living in a box and haven’t seen it for yourself already. Violence is everywhere. The System is Failing. Shit is breaking down, and things may get ugly.

It’s actually good news, if you can look past the painful present into a better, more equitable future for All. But the truth is, things usually have to break really badly, before they get fixed in America. Slightly broken just won’t do in the USA.

The bad news is that first, people will get hurt. Innocent people, who did nothing except try to live their lives. The assholes of the world will get a little richer and more powerful, and some people will die. Acceptable losses they’ll say. I don’t agree.

At some point though, people will get sick of the same old rich people fucking over everyone else. People will reach their breaking point, and demand better, and I think we’re very close to that precipice. But in America, things have to get REALLY BAD before that happens. Unless it affects people directly, let’s face it: We Americans just don’t give a fuck.

I know. Some of us do. If you’ve read this far, you probably do. I know I do. But so many intelligent, kind, and generous Americans avoid politics completely. Because by and large, American politics is a disgusting abuse of the public trust, legalized bribery at the highest levels, leaving the average voter relegated to just a number to be manipulated, based on race, religion and zip code. I get it, and I don’t blame them for not wanting to dirty their hands.

But we’ve ALL consented to being treated this way, either tacitly by not voting, or actively by voting, but not demanding better choices. They get away with it because we let them. They will keep taking, abusing our trust, until our vote means less than nothing, if we let them.

Here’s why: Government shouldn’t be done by career politicians, a privileged class of elite liars, skilled in wordcraft (most of them). It should be volunteers, who serve their country briefly, and then return to private life. Doctors. Teachers. Sanitation engineers. Artists. Secretaries. Bartenders. People who know about living in America and who want to make the best choices for Americans.

But more importantly, government should serve the people. All the people. Not just the ones who can afford to influence the politicians with their ‘donations’.

That can only happen if the millions of smart, caring, non-voting citizens, decide to get involved in ‘politics’, and use their voices…and their votes…to demand better.

Demand term limits
Demand money out of politics
Demand demilitarized police
Demand equal rights
Demand an end to the corporate oligarchy
Demand better choices
Demand transparency
Demand Truth
Demand Democracy

Get informed. Get involved.
Vote. November 8th.
Do it. Just fucking do it.
We can be part of a bigger solution, not the same shit different day DC dog and pony show they think is fooling us. We’re not idiots.

Authors Note: All opinions expressed here are just that: opinions. If you don’t like mine, I probably won’t like yours either. Let’s just nod, and walk away. Maybe come back with solutions instead of opinions. Because of the two, only solutions actually matter.

Democracy Matters.

They say your vote matters. This year it really may. Across the country, election deniers are running for offices that can affect the outcome of future elections. If they are elected, they could change the results of elections, despite the will of the voters. It’s clear they are willing to lie and to cheat in order to win, because they know that their policies are so unpopular they couldn’t win any other way. It’s a disgrace to America.

Look. You and I both know it. The American political system is fully corrupt. Lobbying is legalized bribery. The GOP may be the first party to have abused it to the point of absolute lawlessness, based on lies about the election. But for years, both parties have conspired together to exploit and manipulate The People.

Our economy is essentially a ‘caste system’ that allows the elite to profit no matter what, while the average American gets a smaller and smaller piece of the pie. They tell you anyone can make it, but only a few actually do. Corporation shareholder meetings and the Federal Reserve Bank decide our futures, not our votes.

Yet so many of us just accept the shitty system, as our future grows bleaker. So many folks don’t even bother to vote. Nothing changes until The People Demand Change. Peacefully. Sans insurrection.

We need to do a LOT to fix our political system. But, without fair elections, we won’t be able to do anything, and all of us but the wealthiest will be completely voiceless about our futures.

Register. Vote. November 8th, 2022. If you’re not sure who to choose, vote Democrat. Democrats at least will let you choose your shitty future from your shitty choices.