Maureen Dowd’s clueless white gaze: What’s really behind the “Selma” backlash

Maureen Dowd’s clueless white gaze: What’s really behind the “Selma” backlash

                                                         Maya Angelou Tribute

                                 The caged bird has taken flight to sing the songs 
                                 That celebrated our personal and country's history
                                 Amidst the Olympian muses who inspired her.

                                 Her music remains strong and resonant in our hearts
                                 Edged by the mezzo range and  rhythm of her voice
                                 Soaring to the beat of a roaring river coming to a gentle stop
                                 At the ocean's shore.

                                 She showed us how to dance and feel the pulse of living and dying
                                 With dignity and courage in the most challenging times of our lives.
                                 We thank her that she did spend quality time with us 
                                  And left us a vibrant legacy of multicolored mornings for all times.

Wisdom Takes a Hike in Congress

    So much confusion, fear and anxiety have been created by the Republican majority in the House of Representatives' unwillingness to compromise on a balanced debt reduction package that would include tax reform as well revenue creation to complement the trillions of dollars in cuts from entitlements and other government services offered by Mr. Obama which directly affect the Middle and Working classes. The impact on the billionaires would be closer to two billion dollars only.  Why is this minor sacrifice for billionaires such a bone of contention?  They are already sitting on trillions of dollars they won't invest in job creation waiting out a guarantee that their greed for obscene profits remains untouched.
     One thing is certain.  The Republican Majority will play a game of chicken clear to the end on the matter of raising the debt ceiling to make sure their next election or re-election is properly financed by their very wealthy constituency.  They are not willing to do the right thing for the country as their own allegiance is to winning their next election. One has to wonder what Mr Boehner means when he refers to "the American people." It becomes increasingly clear that the Republicans in Congress are committed to plutocracy not democracy. Otherwise, why are they so unwilling to produce a debt reduction package long term that would give this country a stable financial template for at least ten years and will allow both businesses and government services to map a smart course for the future of the country and our children.
     Given the extent of Congressional irresponsibility in something as serious and potentially devastating as the U.S.'s default on its debt, the American people should require that their congressmen be held to the same accountability that other jobs require.  We, the American people, pay them to do a job well and responsibly.  Therefore, they should be subject to job evaluations and paid in accordance to whether they do the job or not, just like the rest of us.  NO PASSAGE OF A LONG TERM BALANCED DEBT REDUCTION PACKAGE, NO PAY. THE TREASURY SHOULD HOLD PAYING THEIR CHECKS AND OTHER PERKS AND TAKE AWAY THEIR OTHER PRIVILEGES. 
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