Mr. Romney, Please explain...

This is a small part of the collection of WPA era murals painted on the inner walls of Coit tower in San Francisco - They represent the many different workers found in California... "It is the workers in the middle class that grow the economy..."

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I occasionally run into someone who says,” President Obama had his chance and he hasn’t solved our national problems – so I’m ready to give Romney a chance.”  This is a dangerous position because:

·  * It doesn’t recognize the complete mess that Obama inherited from George Bush.

·  * Doesn’t recognize how much progress has been made in the economy, jobs, housing, medical  care, foreign policy, women’s issues.

   * And it shows a lack of knowledge of  the harmful policies being proposed by Mr. Romney.

RR workers

Here are 5 policy areas which Mr. Romney has not clearly explained his plans  to the American people:

1.     In this week’s debate Governor Romney presented his latest tax proposal.  He said “I'll pick a number -  $25,000 of deductions and credits, and you can decide which ones to use."  

Here is what the Romney plan would do:(Data from the non partisan Tax Policy Center ): http://www.taxpolicycenter.org

*An average family in the top 1% would get a $104,563 tax cut,

*The average family in the middle 1/4  would get a $722 tax cut.

Librarian

     What would that mean for the average federal tax rate paid by different segments of the US population? 

·     *Taxes paid by the top 1% would drop by nearly one-fifth.

·     *The federal tax rate of the middle 1/4 would fall by 8%,

·      *The tax rate of the bottom 1/5 of the population would go up by about two-thirds.

Street workers - above and below ground

The clincher: The Tax Policy Center found that the proposal to cap deductions would not raise nearly enough money  to pay for Romney's proposed tax cuts. They show that his plan is mathematically impossible.  But it sure would be great for the top 1%!

Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/17/romneys-proposal-to-cap-deductions-would-not-pay-for-his-tax-cuts/?hp

Detains on Romney’s plan: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/17/1145665/-Understanding-Romney-s-Tax-Plan-Hint-0

Postal workers 

2.  It’s scary how much Romney’s over all plans compare to those of George Bush.

* They both offer over-all economic plans without full explanation of their details– saying “trust me”.   We all know how well Bush’s economic plan turned out.

* Bush actually offered a more fully developed domestic policy than Romney. Romney and Bush are using very similar words  to describe their economic policies toward China, South America, and growing  small business.

* There are differences. Romney’s plans do not include outreach policies like Bush’s ‘Compassionate Conservative’ message.  He has nothing like "No Child Left Behind", faith-based initiatives, or immigration reform.

* Neither Bush nor Romney nor the Republicans have supported organized labor in America, despite the evidence that strong unions lead to a strong middle class and a growing economy.

*Romney's  record is one of opposition to regulations that conflict with business making profits. Regulations on everything from food safety, to labor practices, to care of our environment,insurance rates would be in jeopardy.

*Romney  has not proven a record on protecting the environment or dealing with the growing reality of Global Climate Change.

*For all Romney says about China he says nothing about tax policies to give incentives to companies that grow jobs here in America v. moving operations to China.

Cattleman

3.  Health care: When ObamaCare is fully implemented it is projected to reduce the number of uninsured in every state, age group and income level.

Mitt  Romney's plan, according to a new report by The Commonwealth Fund, would repeal Obama Care.  Families with children, low, .and middle-income Americans would be hardest-hit.    With the Romney plan in place,
* about 72 million Americans will be without coverage.
* By 2022, according to the organization, an estimated 18 million kids under the age of 19 would be without insurance under Romney's plan.

Policeman

4. Women'sWomen's issues:  Romney spoke of his efforts to get 'binders full of women' – suitable to be part of his Massachusetts staff when he became governor.   In fact the Massachusetts Women's' Political Caucus created the binders of potential staff persons and left them on the desk of the new governor before the election was even  decided.

Additional positions regarding women's rights...

b.     He spoke of needing to adjust to the special needs of women to not work long hours because they needed to be home to cook dinner – In present day families both men and women have special scheduling needs, and often share child care responsibilities. – and both often have to be adaptable to the demands of their jobs.

c.     Romney also failed to give any answer to the pay equity question.  It is clear that he has never faced the reality of the “glass ceiling”.  Ask professional women! A pay gap and opportunity gap still blocks women from reaching their highest potential.

d.     Romney has been all over the map in his positions of women's health issues.  Most recently he is sounding almost middle of the road – But he and his party have made their positions clear on contraceptives, abortion, and a woman's' right to choose her own health care. He would defund Planned Parenthood.

Produce warehouseman

5. Foreign Policy;

a.   "Gov. Romney also wants to spend $2 trillion on additional military programs, even though the military's not asking for them."  While the Obama budget calls for shrinking the size of the Army and Marines by 100,000 troops, Romney proposes adding 100,000.  What does he have in mind?

b.   A recent poll by the Washington Post finds:

Obama holds
* a 14 point edge over Romney on who is more trusted to handle terrorism 53-39.
* Among independents it’s 51-43;
* among moderates it’s 62-32.
Obama holds a 10 point edge on which candidate would do a better job handling an unexpected major crisis, 52-42.
*Among independents, that’s 51-43;
*among moderates it’s 60-33.
*Obama holds a five point edge on who is trusted to handle international affairs, 49-44.    *A recent Fox News poll found that only 37 percent of voters think the Obama administration has not been supportive enough of Israel,
*versus 42 percent who say it’s been about right (and another 10 percent who say it’s been too supportive.

Source: Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/mitt-romneys-weakness-on-foreign-policy/2012/10/01/0a388438-0bd5-11e2-bb5e-492c0d30bff6_blog.html

Longshore man waiting to load ships

c.    Romney suggests that we should arm the Syrian rebels.  This stand on Syria  don’t take into account the possible destabilizing effects of sending U.S. arms into the middle east. U.S.'s involvement could increase tensions between Sunni and Shiite  and help Assad’s claims that foreign elements are supporting the rebels.  Recent reports show that arms coming from other mid east countries to the rebels often end up in the hands of extremists.

Lunch stand workers

6.  There are many other issues – but you get the flavor of  differences from these 5 examples.  Before you vote do your homework – educate yourself – go beyond the hype of sound bytes and paid political announcements.  Know what you are voting for!

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Policy differences between Obama and Romney

Artwork this week is from the Smithsonian US History Museum Collection , Washington DC - they present the lives of Average Americans..

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After months of rhetoric and "paid political announcements", our presidential elections are drawing near.  The policy differences of the two candidates for the office of President, have become clear.

Lets play a guessing game – can you identify which candidate holds which position?  To play the game put a checkmark by all the items with which you agree.

Economy – One candidate wants to repeal tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000/yr. and would lower taxes on the manufacturing industry.  He would provide short term stimulus spending and provide tax cuts to grow the economy. He would cut spending and raise taxes on the wealthy to reduce the deficit. His focus would be on growing the middle class to benefit the economy for all. 

  The other candidate wants Bush era tax cuts to become permanent. He would lower all corporate tax cuts to 25% and reduce taxes and regulations to encourage business.  He would cut government spending by 5% to reduce the national deficit. His focus would be on providing benefits for big business, banking, and those with higher income ( the 1%)

Healthcare:  One candidate supports the 2010 healthcare overhaul bill that calls for patient protection to allowing coverage for pre-existing conditions, and would not permit insurers to cancel policies when patients get sick.  Individuals would be required to buy health insurance or pay a fine.  The other candidate created a similar healthcare plan in Mass. but believes it's not appropriate for all of USA and wants to repeal “Obamacare”. He proposes encouraging individuals to purchase their own health insurance rather than via employers, and allowing insurance across state lines.  The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that eliminating “Obama care” would increase the federal budget deficit by an estimated $109 billion between 2013 and 2022.  (See reference below)

Immigration: One candidate supports offering a path to legalization for illegal immigrants that includes learning English & paying fines; toughens penalties for hiring illegal immigrants.  He has supported maintaining the fence along the Mexican border. He issued an exec order to not deport certain undocumented immigrants.  The second candidate would make English the official language of the US and "turn off the magnets like tuition breaks or other breaks that draw people into this country illegally".

Reproductive Rights: One candidate supports the health care reform law insurance plan that required coverage to provide contraception, (churches, synagogues, excluded).  He supports the concept that a women’s reproductive rights are between the woman and her doctor – no government intervention.    The second would sign a repeal of the health-care law, and thus eliminate the guarantees of contraceptive coverage. He also supports eliminating federal funding of Planned Parenthood because some affiliates provide abortions (though not with federal money). #2 also supports state having the right to pass laws that determine women’s access to contraception and abortion. 

Iraq:  One candidate opposed invasion of Iraq from the beginning; has opposed troop increase; ended military operations in Iran, following the previously negotiated Bush timeline. He agreed to troops moved into Afghanistan and to the Iranian border to improve stability in the region. The other candidate says that keeping the U.S. in Iraq is the best option for minimizing casualties and maintaining a democratic government in Iraq.

Iran:  Candidate #1 chooses to engage in direct diplomacy; tighten economic sanctions with international cooperation; military option not off the table. He believes in working closely with our NATO allies in forming our Iran policy – with the expressed focus on preventing the developing of a nuclear weapon in Iran.  Candidate #2: Military option is not off the table.

Global Warming and Environment:       “One” supports a mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions. Delay the decision on northern leg of Keystone XL pipeline due to environmental concerns. Recognizes the relationship between permitting increased CO2 in the atmosphere and global climate change.   “Two” opposes cap and trade legislation. Supports Keystone XL pipeline. Exporting carbon emissions to China hurts US and planet. (Aug 2007), $20 billion package for energy research & new car technology.  His party has not been on record for accepting global climate change and its causes. Note: To learn more about Cap and trade: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/understanding-cap-and-trade)

Position on Abortion:  One candidate  supports the Roe v. Wade decision; criticized Supreme Court decision that upheld ban on partial-birth abortions.  He supports the concept that women’s reproductive rights are between the woman and her doctor – no government intervention. The other candidate opposes Roe v. Wade; believes states should be allowed to ban abortions, 1994: Supported abortion rights but personally opposed, No punishment for women who have partial birth abortions, change of heart in 2005 when preparing to run for President.   The party of #2 has advocated for no exception in the abortion law in cases of rape or incest... To learn more about Row v. Wade visit this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade

Have you identified a pattern of your own positions? 

Of course the first candidate in each case is Obama, and the second Romney

Myself – I believe earnestly in an America with a strong middle class. An America that supports its public schools, makes medical available for all, respects the right of all people to make their own health decisions.  Recognizes and deals with the massive problems of global climate change and pollution of our air and water. I have had enough of selfish interest groups watching out for themselves and saying, “Let the middle class and the poor take care of themselves...”

So the choice will be for each of us Americans.

1.     Make sure you are registered and make plans to vote.

2.     Second - go beyond all the hype and expensive ad campaigns and learn about the issues.

3.  Get involved - work in your community to make sure that everyone has the right to vote and the support they need to get to the polls!

If you found this blog of interest – pass on this url address  to a friend:  http://johnzlatnik.blogspot.com
Two brief must see videos:
1.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/08/mitt-romney-debates-himself-video_n_1949414.html
2.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfXvFAeHVo

My research sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/opinion/a-debate-with-clarity-and-fervor.html?_r=0

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2012/0825/Obama-vs.-Romney-101-5-differences-on-women-s-issues/Health-care

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57479021-503544/cbo-health-care-repeal-would-cost-$109-billion/

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Barack_Obama_vs_Mitt_Romney

Part Two – Syrian Journal

My camera was broken by the time I reached Syria so the only photos I have are distorted .  For this blog I added Google images 

In my long ago travels in Syria I found the local people to be friendly and willing to help me as a young American travelling through their land.  I was invited into homes and had meals purchased for me, and many who helped me on my way by providing directions.  Today, when I read the daily news and hear of the death and destruction in Syria it gives me such great sadness…. Also, how ironic that I wrote my last blog only a few days before the burning of my beloved Souk el Zarb.  This was a UN World Heritage site severely damaged by the flames of war.   Here is what BBC had to say about the fire: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19775530

As I read my last blog and this one it seems very strange to hear my words as a 21 year old come back to me … for me it’s a great reason for keeping journals.  My journal has in fact become a time capsule to the way I thought and acted at that time in my life.

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There is one thing about staying in hostels – I meet such a variety of people and then we travel our different ways – only to meet again in another hostel later on.  I had a fine ‘homecoming’ with several friends that first morning in Damascus as we shared a breakfast of bread, honey, dates, and little glasses of hot red tea... I went to the American Express office to pick up my mail from home.   As I sat in a teashop reading my mail, another ‘hosteller’ stopped by and we later went  to the Jordanian embassy to get travel visas.

Street scene in Damascus

 Much of the day was spent in catching up with the news of my travel friends and taking it a little easy from the busy last several days.  I met some older Germans who seemed like sad people to me – a travel weary older man and younger woman who had ‘wandering’ for all the years since the war crushed Germany... they had been around the world twice – they would stop and work enough to make a little money to live on and then off again... Modern day gypsies... it made me realize that one could become stuck in this life of being a ‘hosteller’.

First thing Monday morning I went first to the bakery to buy bread for the day, then went to see the famous gardens of Damascus There I was stopped by a group of armed soldiers who demanded to see my journal and passport – My journal really seemed to concern them and they passed it back and forth – even though none of them could read English.  After a delay they allowed me to continue.

Loungers

All through the city there are groups of armed troops, and occasional armored cars with machine guns pointed to the sky, also large guns being pulled in the streets.  Later as I walked more through the city, I saw whole streets blocked off, and parks appeared to be made into battle ready encampments – tents, machine gun placements, armored cars – sitting, waiting, helmets... Once more my journal was taken from me and examined and my passport was checked and rechecked... I found later that there had been a revolt in Baghdad with some people killed – everything was in complete lockdown.  When we woke the next morning we were advised not to leave the hostel because there had been a “bloodless coup” overnight here in Damascus.  It appears that the army general kicked out the Bath party  (very conservative) everyone in the city was on edge. Later that day in the afternoon I went with friends to explore the souk (market district) but it was not as extensive as Souk el Zarb in Aleppo.  I found an inlaid wood chess board and some hand crafted leather goods.  Damascus was satisfying – the city was grand and it was good to reconnect with friends.

Market 

(Next entry)  When I reached the time limit for my stay in Damascus I woke early to catch a bus for Jordan.  The one I expected had broken down so I had to wait until 10:30.  This proved to be a dolmish  (communal taxi) that charged 10 Lira – ($2.75) for the trip into Amman Jordan – that was expensive but my only choice.  And it didn’t leave until 11:30. The driver stood outside his car shouting – “Amman” “Amman” until he had collected enough people to fill the dolmish.  As I waited, seated on a bench, a Syrian army guy came over to me and grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me up – holding on to me, he pulled his long dagger with a curved blade and held it up menacingly.  Then his face changed from anger to laughter and he walked away.  Was he just kidding with me?  Was he trying to scare me?  Was he trying to say he didn’t like Americans?  I guess I’ll never know.  Its funny but I didn’t feel very threatened by him because there were a lot of people standing right there waiting for buses.

building - Damascus

The group of us that finally started the trip to Amman was the driver, a man in the back seat and his two young wives. Also joining us were an older Arab man and his wife and two children.  The back seat I shared with a young Arab and a very old woman.  The young Arab was constantly ordering the two young women about  - for example they peeled his fruit for him. It was quite jolly with everyone sharing fruit and bread as we went along.

Some people spoke English and explain to me that the Baathist government is Iraq fell first, then two days later the army in Syria revolted and the Baathist’s were also defeated... so nobody knew what the response of the loyalists would be,

Syria has a few rivers - and when its possible they have built water wheels - mostly to run flour mills.

To hear a recording  of the water wheel sound click here: http://www.sonicwonders.org/?p=1133

As we neared the Syrian border   we began to encounter large detachments of the Syrian army – 4 large units – each with troops, artillery, tanks, and supply trucks... Here was an entire army on the move!   I found later that it was all very convoluted... the revote in Amman, We arrived in Amman late.  First things first – I was starving without much to eat all day – so I found a street food stall that was selling something wrapped up in newspaper – they had put together a collection of meat slices on a spit and had a hot bed of coals to cook the outside meat.  Then they sliced off the toasted meat on the outside and wrapped it in pida bread with tomatoes, cucumber, turnip pickle,  and yogurt sauce. It was love at first taste.   They call it Shawarma!

Sharwama

 I walked into the first hotel that looked ‘acceptable’ it was clean and cheap – the rooms were for 4 people – but I had it to myself.  A young Palestinian who spoke good English decided to educate me on the issue of Israel – He said, “Look we lived in Sprain (the Moors) for over 300 years – do we get it back just because we ask for it? – Why should the Jews get the best land in the Middle East – so easily? He continued, "I lived right over the border in East Palestine and from the top of my hill I can look over and see my old house. But I cant even go back to visit my home."

My hotel turned out to be an experience – the hotel owner had raised all the internal wall of the hotel only 3/4 the way to the ceiling – the result was that you could hear each new arrival, each cough, or sneeze, or restless sleeper.  I had a breakfast of date, bread, and tea ... and set off to see the city... 

Note added 10/5/12: At the time this was written I had been traveling for 3 months... and I would continue traveling for an additional 2 months... so this is one slice out of my Hosteling adventures - perhaps over time I will add more ...

Street in Amman - old town

If you are confused about our weather thick here: http://www.examiner.com/article/el-nino-realities-and-myths

If you enjoyed this blog you can recommend it to a friend by sending this url: http://johnzlatnik.blogspot.com