or unable to work. One such coworker posted this as her status this morning on FB.

2 Thessalonians 3:10
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

I hadn't realized that "work" was viewed in the bible as so tied to "eating/surviving" ... that this seems to be the heart of the arguments against any sort of assistance.

Its made me realize that in trying to bridge some understanding about others views/arguments for or against policies, that part of the problem for me is not being able to see or understand the others fundamental belief when it is so very different from my own. I also think I am "getting" now what is meant by the phrase "Christian Nation". Its not so much a belief in a particular god as it as a collection of fundamental beliefs ("working" = "eating" .. among many others) that need to be codified in laws and policies to reflect this belief system.

There are many times I do indeed feel like a "Stranger in a Strange Land" (a nod to Heinlein). I think my own belief in the intent of a socially constructed system such as outlined in the Constitution, which, counter to some folks interpretation, seemed to place such a high priority (its the 1st one!!) on the separation of government and religion keeps me from wrapping my head around a religious belief system being reflected in a governing belief system.

Seems the only way to come to agreement on issues is to understand the underlying beliefs and then seek some sort of compromise or new agreement. However, the discourse is not like that ... discussion and really coming to understand doesn't seem to exist in governing talk ... and nor even at the pundit level ...

Not sure where I am going with this at the moment ... just thoughts that hit me this morning ...

AP INVESTIGATION: Army charity hoards millions
By JEFF DONN AP National Writer © 2009 The Associated Press
Feb. 22, 2009, 2:10PM

FORT BLISS, Texas — As soldiers stream home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the biggest charity inside the U.S. military has been stockpiling tens of millions of dollars meant to help put returning fighters back on their feet, an Associated Press investigation shows.

Between 2003 and 2007 — as many military families dealt with long war deployments and increased numbers of home foreclosures — Army Emergency Relief grew into a $345 million behemoth. During those years, the charity packed away $117 million into its own reserves while spending just $64 million on direct aid, according to an AP analysis of its tax records.

Tax-exempt and legally separate from the military, AER projects a facade of independence but really operates under close Army control. The massive nonprofit — funded predominantly by troops — allows superiors to squeeze soldiers for contributions; forces struggling soldiers to repay loans — sometimes delaying transfers and promotions; and too often violates its own rules by rewarding donors, such as giving free passes from physical training, the AP found.

...

Instead of giving money away, though, the Army charity lent out 91 percent of its emergency aid during the period 2003-2007. For accounting purposes, the loans, dispensed interest-free, are counted as expenses only when they are not paid back. During that same five-year period, the smaller Navy and Air Force charities both put far more of their own resources into aid than reserves. The Air Force charity kept $24 million in reserves while dispensing $56 million in total aid, which includes grants, scholarships and loans not repaid. The Navy charity put $32 million into reserves and gave out $49 million in total aid.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nat...

I've been watching, reading, listening ... and having deep contemplations about all the Democratic candidates.

I will vote for the Democratic nominee .. whomever that maybe ... as I feel any of them will do a far better job than any republican nominee as president.

However ... I will be working for and supporting John Edwards through to the convention (and beyond hopefully).

It's not been an easy decision. As a New Yorker, Hillary Clinton has represented NY well ... upstate and western NY has received more attention under Clinton than has been given in a long time. Many parts of NY are socially liberal and fiscally conservative and Clinton seems a very good fit with that ... she does represent her constituents well. On a personal note, I find her very intelligent and a great role model for women -- a greatly admire her work and efforts in regards to women's rights and those of children and families. Also as a feminist ... it does conflict me that I cannot fully support her now as a presidential nominee. I don't feel now is the time for her ... perhaps it was in the past or the future yet. I sense that her policies and plans currently do not have the change that I see as needed now. And change is what is definitely needed now.

Barack Obama seems to philosophically have some good ideas .. but hasn't articulated them very well for me ... particularly in some areas of particular interest to me (education, economics, foreign policy). I just don't see the details and substance that I think are needed for me to be able to heartily support him. I will admit also some hesitation regarding some of the faith comments and the conflict that seems to exist regarding his support for GLBT rights. Its not a definitive issue but it does have an influence in my decision.

Dennis Kucinich has a number of my more leftist views ... but it seems to me that he often misses the forest because of the trees. I am concerned that while he does see and get what problems and issues there really are .. I am not so sure you has the means or understanding of making a change that will actually happen. I think he is a powerful and needed voice in the Democratic Party ... I feel he needs to work within his powers to make real change. I would like to see the state of Ohio elect him as a senator .. and see how he can effect change in that way. That's just my take though.

I very much respect Joe Biden and Chris Dodd ... and think and hope that a new Democratic administration would have a place for them to contribute to making changes. I think Biden would incredible in foreign policy positions and Dodd would be incredible in domestic policy positions.

Unfortunately .. I am not as well versed on Bill Richardson as I'd like to be ... but again .. as with Biden and Dodd .. I hope he too have some role in a new government ... and perhaps in time I could know more of him, his views, his actions, and philosophy.

John Edwards though seems to hit on some of the issues that are "major" to me and has articulated a plan and vision that I believe represents a good/better direction ... and while he is described as the "populist" candidate .. I also have a sense of "hope" as well .. that things will change and improve under his leadership. In particular I very much like his positions and plans (very important) in regards to:

* corporations
* education
* foreign policy
* economics and poverty
* civil rights
* health care
* environment

I could and probably will say more about each of those in the future in my journal.

Okay .. wanted to share .. or perhaps more so just wanted to articulate for myself .. my thinking. I had not contributed to any candidate for the nomination so far ... but did so this weekend to John Edward's campaign (and in a manner he could receive the matching funds as well). Now to continue to support and work for his nomination ....

Thanks.

One of my worst memories of the campaign of 1999-2000 was all the blustering that there was no difference between Gore and Bush. I remember the Rage Against the Machine's video pushing that meme. Many people bought it. Many voted for Nader because of it. It added to the compounding problem of frickin' election fraud ...

I am hearing it again ... crys that the current crowd of Democratic candidates is no different ... same as it ever was. Its going to happen again ... same meme will be pushed, many "democrats" believe it already.

7 years later ... I can't begin to ever imagine that any Democrat would ever pull any the shit that this administraton has. I can't imagine any of them would have gotten our Supreme Court to look as sorry as it does now. I can't imagine our international standing to be in such a shambles from a hyped occupation, from pissing on the Geneva conventions, from pushing a neo-con agenda. I can't imagine schools would be as fucked up now as they are -- NCLB has pushed back education at least 25 years. I can't imagine that the people of NOLA would have been left .. and continued to be left .. in the sad frickin' situation they are still in. I can't imagine abstinence education and intelligent design would have the same standing in education as sex education and the theory of evolution. I can't imagine that basic frickin' rights of Americans would be dangling so tenuously ... one marital law declaration away from falling away.

But .. its not surprising that its all being believed ... that there is no difference. The Press sucks at being truthful, investigative, informative, fair. And whether we like it or not .. that is how people find out about things.

I hear many bitch that ... "oh, American's don't care about politics, they are just fed from the media, they are stupid, they are sheep." I hate those laments. Most of those "stupid sheep" work 9+ hours a day and have families to care for and other issues and worries to deal with daily ... and deal with deep personal and familial and community crap everyday .. and gee, all you smart appointed sheperds out there ... they don't have the luxury of hours of sitting on a computer reading and debating every nuance of every frickin' issue and event .. big or small or local or global. But let's castigate them anyway ... obviously they don't care and are worthless and all those other things ...

Democrats ... even those who are currently campaigning for the nomination ... have done more for me, for my family than they ever have done against me ... are more aligned with any belief I have than any Republican in the last 40 years.

I just hope the votes aren't splintered again ... the rage noise seems to drown out too much. I really can't take another year of this ...