Blog 4: Seattle Protests

Back in 1999 riots broke out in Seattle over the WTO (World Trade Organization). A lot of people did not like this and thought they were mostly mad hippies that really did not know anything. After all, America was at a high point in the 90s and really did not care about this economic affairs. Looking back now, we can see that the 99 rioters had some very valid concerns that have affected use today.

I think if enough people are protesting to amass attention like they did in 1999 then there must be something worth looking into. The worst thing a people can do is ignore rebellion. People like Huxley always talked about a dystopian future where we willfully ignored the bad things because we could amuse our minds with distractions. Distractions like crappy reality tv shows (speaking of, the quality of Survivor has really gone down hill as of late), dumb internet pictures, and unfulfilling school work. This is a prime example of that happening. People actually try to raise concern for something, and most people ignore it or dismiss it by slapping on the label of "hippy," a word that has become almost derogatory in meaning. Why has hippy become a such a "no no" word all of a sudden? It was probably due to subtle in doctrine from the right-wing conservative, I wish America could return to the days of yore (the 60s) where being a hippy was something to be proud of amongst your comrades, it meant you were part of a movement man. Anyway, back to the matter at hand, the nation basically ignored the Seattle protesters like a mother in denial ignores her child as the father beats it. Now, 13 years later, we look at that child grown up into a broken teen. Addicted to foreign oil, and picking fights with everyone, our angsty little teen of a country is going to learn one way or another how to actually function, like the more mature Sweden or Switzerland. Weather through foreign invasion, internal revolution, or actual civil legislature (ha! Like that would ever happen), we, as a nation, are going to need drastic change. We need to listen to protestors, we need to find common ground among the people, we need a government that listen to the citizens, not citizens that listens to its government. Viva la revolucion!


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jontalton/2010369464_biztaltoncol29.html

Blog 3: Labor in Developing Countries

In 2011 President Obama passed some really good free trade agreements. They were with countries like Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Man professionals believe it will bring expanded trade, leading to higher wages and benefits for workers in these countries. Additionally they think it will help expand labor rights among these countries.

I think this could be really good if it actually works. We could see these developing countries finally becoming developed countries. This would cause lots of healthy competition for America. Additionally it might stop business from trying to outsource work to these countries, which could theoretically benefit American workers by providing more jobs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/28/opinion/free-trade-by-itself-can-lift-labor-standards-abroad.html

Blog #2 NAFTA

Carlos Salinas, Mexico's former president, said that free trade could only make things better, and would help to keep people from migrating from Mexico to America. Fifteen years later, and this assertion has found to be untrue. While Mexico has increased leaps and bounds in the export of goods, they are still "exporting" about a half a million people a year. Most experts say the blame lies with Mexican leaders, and not in NAFTA itself.

I think we should continue to keep free trade between the Mexico, America and Canada regardless of weather or not it has some negative consequences. I also think we should not really be worried about immigrants coming from Mexico to America, since this has been happening for years and will continue to do so. America is a melting pot, we should be welcoming the immigrants. Additionally I think Mexican leadership really needs to step up and help bring some order to Mexico, and help build a strong economy.



http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/business/worldbusiness/24peso.html?pagewanted=all

Labor Unions

Support for unions has declined in recent years. They were very popular when they first started during the recession. Big company bail outs for corporations like GM have saved tons of jobs, turning companies into something of heroes of the working man. Additionally the recession has added an even bigger gap between union loves and union haters.

I think that unions are over all a good thing. People should embrace them, because the working man needs a voice in the current corporation run economic landscape. Those that are not part of a union and do not like them should at least respect others' want for a Union. Stop the worker on worker hate!

Link: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2011/01/17/110117ta_talk_surowiecki

Bill in Congress

There is a bill currently in Congress that will change the Internet as we know it. Known as the Stop Online Piracy Act, it would grant corporations powers over copyrighted material they did not previously have. The bill would make it a felon to upload and post copyrighted clips. Where as previously corporations would send a letter to the company hosting the material and they would take it down, the bill would give them the power to request that the entire site be taken down. If it's not taken down, they can take the company to court.



I am against this bill with every fiber of my being. The Internet is a land of freedom, and should not be regulated. It is also the responsibility of the coperations to protect their own material. My tax dollars do not go toward the locks on jewelry shops, so it should not go to protect virtual goods as well. This is a truly draconian bill that is being passed.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/sopa-internet-censorship-online-piracy-house-hearing_n_1098255.html

Democrats

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-morgan/obama-must-explain-his-br_b_1020910.html

Obama's administration has presided over many attacks over marijuana politically, from various branches of the government. This is very problematical for voters because Obama had sworn to respect states laws regarding marijuana. One thing that has happened is that Federal prosecutors are threatening to arrest state employees for administering, medical marijuana even if its states law, which just harms the patient. Additionally the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms said that medical marijuana patients may not purchase firearms. The American people want to end the war on marijuana but the government keeps refusing.

In my opinion this is an awful thing that Obama is letting happen. He swore to do something and is now doing the exact opposite. How can anyone trust him again if he so easily goes against his word? Additionally these acts against medical marijuana users don't make any sense. Why don't medical marijuana patients have the right to defend themselves? This whole thing is disgraceful.

Republicans

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/26/nation/la-na-bachmann-20110626

Michele Bachmann is a Republican candidate from Minnesota. She is very strong on her stance against government aid. Despite this, her husband received $30,000 in aid for the counseling clinic he runs. Additionally the farm in Wisconsin that Bachmann is a partner of, got $260,000 from the government. She calls things like Obama's stimulus programs roots of Washington's "spending addiction."


I am very much against what Bachmann is doing. She is practicing hypocrisy in a form so pure that its a almost revolting. Bachmann is demonizing something that she capitalizes on. I hate how often this goes on in politics in general, not just with Republicans. I really hope the GOP comes to its senses and stop supporting this hypocrite.