Long lost America

Our freedoms are being taken away one at a time. Lets not forget what we have to do to fly anywhere these days. The travel regulations have spread to the trains and busses as well. Taxes are the least of our worries here these days. The costs of goods and services has risen substantially and that money ends up in big energy corporations which in turn gets passed on to the politicians. The freedom of speech is still here, but the freedom for others to report what they really say is closely regulated by the FCC. Basically the 5th amendment is regulated by the government. Wait until they close the borders to Mexico and Canada. By 2008 there will be fewer people as well as products coming from other countries into our own. As a result those countries are also going to close their borders to us. This will again cause a substantial increase in the cost of other goods and services. The government runs itself just like the big corporations that pay them. It is only looking for more ways to put money in it's own pocket and disguise by cleverly saying that they are protecting our freedom. It's sad, but true.

I hear you. And I both agree and disagree with some of what you say. My biggest pet peeve is all this we have the power to vote and yet we really dont stuff. Did you know that there are people in the senate and in the house that make six figure a year incomes to vote on issues on behalf of the american voters? Yes. We pay them to vote in our behalf. To be our voices in congress, so that the "little people" get heard. What is wrong with this picture? As americans we all have a voice. The problem is we address it to the wrong people. If you disagree with the policies, procedures, bills and laws at anytime you need to voice your opinion to your mayor, your senator, and your congressman.. and nowdays its easier than ever to send them email.. As an American you have both the right, and the ability to know what issues are before the senate and congress and know what is getting voted on, and you have a right to cast your vote as well. I am not dogging you for your opinions. I agree with them. But I know that we can sit around all day and whine and complain to our neighbors and nothing will change. Therefore, I propose you take your complaints to your senator, and your congressman. I propose that you closely follow whats on the floor to be voted on and you send your senator you vote on the issues at hand. You vote may not make a difference, but it will be heard.. If enough people jump on the bandwagon, then the vote will go back to the "little people" instead of those six figure a year voters that claim to be voting our interests.

I'm not an American, nor do I live in the States, but I have noticed what you are talking about. YIKES!!! I'm glad I'm in Canada!

the votes live where the big money is!Clif. for one and I never got the electorial votes at all they should count everyone by hand .I never felt like my vote counted when is came to thos electorial vote. Had a freind get hit by an illigal mexican and they found him back in Mexico but he didnt own the car it was owned by another illigal so with all the hospital bils and therapy the family went thru are having to pay out of pocket.

it's hard to define what the american government are turning america into. on the one hand it is communist internally. but on the other it's fashist and elitist with their attitude to forign policy. it is definately not the people of america, and no one should blame them. americans are very good people, theres no doubt about that. but they are the only people that can bring change to their country.

The politicians make far too much money to be swayed to vote one way or another. You either vote for what your party is in favor for or you do not get elected to office. Even in the primary elections the politicians are doing everything they can to discredit those who are running against them instead of telling the people of America how they are going to handle the real issues that face our country.

Um what's your problem with using a carseat for children? Frankly I'm glad that's a law. Some people are too selfish and stupid to put their kid in them. I don't care about the people but I care about their kids. No carseat/seat blet then they're not safe. Who cares if that's "telling you what to do in your own car" I mean.. you care about the safty of your children do you not? Get off it.

nice,i aGREE that giving away ones own labor just for a city official in the form of taxex esp when they do not make your life easier would suck! that said it is sad that more and mroe americans are going disenchanted with their politicians .but with the direction that the u.s is headed in thats not suprising.

Some of the idiosyncrocies of what you are saying are very well covered in the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. It's probably been awhile since you took note of the words chosen by our founding fathers so I will refresh your memory. We the people of the United States in order to perform a more pefect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the comment defense, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States. July 4th, 1778. The words in all caps are my doing to point out what the govt does is to promote our general welfare, which, I believe the laws made concerning the use of seat belts. I see no reason why anyone would think that it was to promote big busines. The commercial aspect is only fulfilled as pertains to our general welfare and not because of economics. Communisim as outlined by Marx and Engels is a utopia that is impossible and impractical in this day and age. Man is not programmed to go along with the program. He seeks competition to improve himself and his environment. Can you imagine a world where every does something just becuase they are told to and those that are not able to for whatever reason reap the same rewards as the rest. It looks good on paper but the closest you will find that exemplifies this idea/ideal of communision (with a small c to show non-political) is the Catholic Church. Many priests and nuns live in a communistic environment. I cannot comment on the product=insurance because I have not lived in the US for some time. As for profitting from it....there are big companies profitting from medicine but we still continue to take them because we need them. The people get voted into office because very few of the population of the US do not take careful notice of the issues of each candidate or are not interested in their political believes be it liberal or conservative. We in the United States have the priviledge of telling our representatives in Washington how they should vote. They represent us and we have a say in how they vote on any issue presented in both houses of Congress. We the people individuall can help to change the Constitition or the opinions of our representatives. All we have to do is voice our opinions and let them know how we feel....especially when it is against the view of the congressman. It is much easier today because of the internet. It is free...no phone calls, no postage stamps, no telegrams. You must remember that they are where they are because we voted for them. Now it is up to let all members of Congress know how we feel. If we don't tell them then they have no way of knowing. You are probably asking how is my phone call or email going to make a change. The answer is simple.....AT THE POLLS. If any of our representatives see what the majority of their consitituent want then they in effect follow the will of the people because in the next elections they will be out in the street looking for jobs just like the rest of us. It is perhaps not unfair to criticize the votes in Congress if we sit back and do nothing to change their opinion. We pay them to represent us but by the same token we have the obligation to let them know what we feel about it. Hearing nothing they will cast their vote as they see fit...preferably in favor of the people but in many instances it is not. Remember some years ago when one woman had the courage to single handedly change the Constitution so that her "atheist" children were not obligated to pray in public school. It can be done. So now what all Americans should do is re-read or read, as the case may be, the Declaration of Independence of the United States and the Constitution of the United States before they start laying ALL the blame on the political leaders. In order for them to lead they must have followers and if the followers start pulling away then there is "trouble in paradise" and they better start changing they ways and their tune if they want to stay where they are. END OF SERMON.

I will have to disagree with you that we are heading toward Communism not even close. I'm glad they make people buy insurance for cars. If the others don't have it I do and am covered. I was reared ended and well the other person wasn't insured but I was and things worked out. It's not only mexicans that are illegal so you could of said never been hit by an illegal race didn't have to enter anywhere in the discussion. Not all city workers are lazy...I'm born and raised in the US and well yes we have our problems but everywhere you go you will find problems. Not happy in the US even if born and raised here. smiles move you have that freedom to leave.

I totally agree and we have also lost our moral issues on top of everything else. It's a two fold issue though. Since people have forgotten how to work together with compassion and parents have forgotten how to be parents. Is why we have some of these rules in place. Don't forget the occupational tax that people have to pay atleast here. Its the privilage to work tax. Hey I would rather stay home so why tax me on working it's not a choice if you want to survive.

I think you're right. America has kind of taken a turn for the worst. What concerns me the most is outsourcing and the greed of American corporations. Thousands of jobs are lost every year so that CEO's can be paid millions a year. There is a widening gap between the rich and the poor and America is no longer a land of opportunity. It's too late to change it now. Politicans have no control over it. It's too profitable for businesses. I'm wondering what people are going to do for jobs in the next 10-20 years and how an economy whose only jobs are in the service sector can sustain itself.

The United States is changing. It is going in a new direction and I am not sure what direction that is but we do still have the right to vote. By voting, we can still make a difference. We can insure that people get into office that have the same values as we do. We can begin by the local election and all the way up to the National office. That is one right that has not yet been taken away.

While I agree with most of what you said, you are off base ni saying we are headed towards a communist state. For starters, you must not understand that communism is an economic structure not a social one. Secondly, communism actually promotes empowering the people and capping the power of the wealthy.

Our jobs were sold over seas by the signing of Nafta when Regan and Bush I was in office. They downsize jobs and lay of people with no place for them to go, Your not hired by your experince and know how or even your degree, it is who you know and not what your know. Freedom of speech is a joke, and our founding father's would be appalled at the political correctness agenda and tell everyone to get ready for another revolutionary war.

Don't forget the 'swimmers' that give birth minutes after getting here so we can support their kids. I love people and when they want to come to America to better their lives,that's awsome! When done legally,that is. The illegals don't have ss numbers,so they are in line every Friday to cash the check, while I struggle every day to make the rent payment on time. That's the bitter bile laced pill I have a hard time swallowing. Lela

It's all restrictly business and ratings

America introduced democracy to many many countries of the world and it is sad to see what's happening to the democracy in the US right now based on the posted observations. The way you describe it, it is already starting to lose its meaning. I wonder what is the main reason behind. I remember a quotation I read somewhere that Greece is the cradle of democracy but unfortunately democracy in Greece is still in the cradle. Is America facing the same problem and is moving backward. Are there possible solutions to reverse the trend?

It's very true what you just said, because the country is run by politicians and not by the people for the people, politicians have a lot of interests and they don't care about the good of the nation. Do you agree with me judysims? Only run by intrests and the nedd for money, a sad thing.

Don't forget the 'swimmers' that give birth minutes after getting here so we can support their kids. I love people and when they want to come to America to better their lives,that's awsome! When done legally,that is. The illegals don't have ss numbers,so they are in line every Friday to cash the check, while I struggle every day to make the rent payment on time. That's the bitter bile laced pill I have a hard time swallowing. Lela