Things you have to believe to be a Republican today (Polski)

It will be McCain vs. Hillary or Obama so it is time to start the hate email and web site exchanges right? :-)

Things you have to believe to be a Republican today:
Polska Werjsa

a. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of the environment, homosexuals, and Hillary.

b. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

c. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

d. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iran.

e. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

f. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

g. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

h. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

i. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism. HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

j. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

k. A president lying about an extra-marital affair is an impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

l. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

m. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving and military records are none of our business.

n. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

Voting

If I was still in Poland, I would have voted over this past weekend. (And it is too dam far to Chicago) Liberal party won yesterday over “assertive foreign policy and traditional Catholic values” and “skeptical approach to the European Union”.

“Civic Platform says it will repair Poland's strained ties with Germany and other EU neighbors. It also wants strong ties with the US but Mr Tusk has vowed to withdraw 900 Polish troops from the US-led coalition force in Iraq.” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7054912.stm)

Liberal opposition to “it is my way or the highway” (sounds kind of familiar to some other little cowboy’s speeches from the past?) won and turnout was the highest recorded in Poland since communism fell in 1989.

That reminds me of my old days in Poland. That’s when I voted first and last time. I remember how annoyed my corporal was (don’t remember his name) when he had to assist “kot” (cat – that’s how they called young soldiers during basic training), the only solider who expressed willingness and desire to go and vote. I voted for Lech Walesa of course at that time. (Want to get to know how the L. Walesa happened? Watch "Strike")

Here is the only picture I have where you can see his left shoulder. Wonder what he is doing today? He wasn’t a bad person. He did what was expected from him during basic training but deep down he was good, he treated us well although I probably would have not said that a few times when I had to clean the bathroom for the 5th time at 2 a.m., and often with a toothbrush … you know, the typical basic training things.

So good luck Poland. You need the money from Germany and France, and uncle George ... well, even the conservatives do not like him anymore (and don't ask the Turks ....) so don't expect much from here. Smart move going against those who do not like Europe. And good lesson I guess that as a young new member, perhaps a bit more conciliatory tone during EU debates would be ... smarter ... and also appropriate and tactful?

Just a thought? Treat your neighbors well, live and let live?

Life is too short day

I wish so very much I could put my thoughts together like him …

But I just can’t, I am not that talented. Most Americans should be required to watch him every day and jailed if they fail to do so. Maybe we would not be so brained washed as a nation. Oh boy, instead we watch some propaganda on Faux News ... go figure.

Soviet Communism vs. others

I am Polish and I lived in Poland from 1970 to 1993.

While taking an Economic Statecraft class at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, we have read Olson book Power & Prosperity: Outgrowing Communist and Capitalist Dictatorships accurately describes the major mechanism of what was happening in Poland, USRR and other Eastern European countries from roughly 1917 to 1990. Olson accurately points out the “Covert Collusion” and the very fact that the lack of ownership encouraged deterioration of ethic, which in turn started corruption and economical downfall.

People here in USA have, in general, very skewed picture of communism. On daily bases there was some form of competition, career struggles, etc. as the book describes. See the picture! I have never ever felt that scared in Poland! We have never had any drills like that!

A short story. My parents wanted to buy refrigerator. Mother had contact with the store (she new the salesperson there). Father and Mother stayed in line in front of the merchant stores beginning around 3 o’clock in the morning, before it opened. Without any authority present, people in line made a list and established self-imposed rules. When store opened, everybody was allowed to purchase one or two things. The People decided on that rule. They all wanted to buy something and not let the first few get everything. Since only two refrigerators came (some bureaucrat made the decision to produce only so many), the very first lucky two could buy them …unless of course through “contact” the manager of the store already sold one before the store open. Not all contacts were equal. And of course you had to know when the shipment was going to come to the merchant store to begging with – meaning, you better had “contacts” … and they sometimes did not come cheap. The next shipment could come next month or in 3 months, or who know when. How many refrigerators would come, perhaps none?

On the other hand we were all going to schools; my mother had a career as a teacher, my father worked as well. We all laughed, play without any fear. There were office politics just like there are here, people got promoted, went on vacations, they worked for promotions, were stressed, etc. – it was not one big prison with chicken wire around places and people waking in uniforms, sad and hungry.

Freedom? Who needs it if you have money? While inefficient, the story shows a system that in its core is the same. The rich buy 'contacts' and get what they want. Poor will not. The only better thing in capitalism is that ... you can decide that right in the open in the store, no need for inefficient under the table contacts (generally speaking about small things of course; if you want to buy a senator ... [in USA one has constitutional right to do so] you may want to do that not in an open so much)

Sincerely and respectfully,

Shamick Przemek Gaworski