Chopin's Comments (1641)

“Your doctrinaire understanding of government and American society today appear to be based on textbook definitions. They have no resemblance to what's happening in the land and among the 300million people of USA.

For starters, your statement "A CEO can't force you to do anything at the threat of death...that is illegal." is factually false, and in direct conflict with reality on the ground in the current status of healthcare in America. The healthcare dynamics started with President Nixon's approval of the founding concept of the legal framework binding HMO's for profit to benefit his pal Henry Kaiser. In the context today, CEO of any of the large HMO's can and does set in stone the corporate operating rule that an accountant behind closed doors can routinely overrule the medical judgments of physicians and nurses. The framework of ruling sets in motion a dynamic that results in tens of million dollars in CEO benefits package in the midst of tens of thousands of insured subscribers being denied necessary medical treatments that directly result in their suffering and premature deaths. Is that not "ordering and forcing and profiting from, not just threatening, the deaths of tens of thousands of deaths every year of ordinary luckless Americans who trust in the promise of healthcare delivery by HMO's in USA?

Those are facts and reality on the ground. They don't come from textbooks or party manual of "talking points". Try to explain that, or SHUDDUB.”

“It would be interesting to read the evolution of your thinking in your passage through Obama's campaign, as one of millions of dedicated volunteers. Next time around, in 2012, i wonder what's going to happen as President Obama's lacklustre track record in governing weighs down on Democrats. Even more telling, when we trace the evolution of disillusionment, what's going to happen in 2010 to the narrow Democratic majority in Congress?”

“Governor Howard Dean has demonstrated AUDACITY repeatedly in his character and political career. Others talk and write about audacity.

Governor and physician Dr. Dean launched the first precedent-setting mass grassroots political campaign donations from thousands upon thousands of active small donors via internet literally overnight. That savvy and audacious campaigning broke the traditional mold of big campaign contributions from a narrow base of party insiders.

His second and even more ambitious and audacious "out of the box" strategic vision and campaigning was based on his "50 states across the board primary challenges" non-traditional approach. Conventional wisdom of traditional party insiders at the time dismissed and ridiculed that unconventional ambitious approach. "Limited party finances would not enable such audacious (foolhardy) approach." influential party insiders at that time maintained. It turned out his strategically correct and effective audacious approach was WILDLY SUCCESSFUL.

Other people may know Dr. Dean better from first-hand personal knowledge. But judging from objective evidence, I know an audacious leader when I see one. Dr. Howard Dean is the kind of audacious leader in thinking and actions that the progressive Democrats and Independents can rally around and support.”

“Young Alexander was once confronted with a problem of similar nature. As legend went, he was presented with the "Gordian knot" as test of problem-solving leadership abilities.
http://www.maa.org/devlin/devlin_9_01.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=alexander%27s+gordian+knot&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

. . . He did solve it, by drawing his sword and cutting it in half. Alexander fulfilled the oracle of the legend, and went on to become ruler of the GreekEmpire and the world known then as Asia.

The intricately interlocking problems of the American government and the imperial nation effectively have been incorporated into an intricate web of corporate owned and operated plutocracy. At this stage of imperial evolution, USA Inc. no longer resembles the original 13 BritishColonies that revolted and formed the new nation of USA by the founding fathers over 200years ago.

The present state of political, social, economic and governmental evolution of this "military-industrial-legislative-judicial complex" has evolved since President Dwight Eisenhower's warning in 1961 into an American "Gordian knot". A successful ruler of nation and leader of people will require philosophical vision, wisdom, moral fortitude, and above all, AUDACITY to cut through the conundrum of this modern American "Gordian knot".

If United States of America is to take control of its destiny, and solve this problem of national evolution as a FUNCTIONAL DEMOCRACY, the PEOPLE themselves will have to develop those characteristics to choose and bring forth such leaders, instead of just hoping for audacity.”

“Some smart constitutional scholars (like Barack Obama) should look into the constitutional legality of a made-up Senate filibustering rule and tradition, by which now a minority monopoly of ONE USsenator can and does exercise power to stop and derail Senate business for an indefinite amount of time. This is not "free speech". --- This is "hijacked speech", much like hostage taking for ransom politely masquerading as Congressional free speech.”

“Part 2 of 2

The irreversible process to replace the US$ as WorldReserveCurrency has already begun. When some coalition of nations announces their conversion to stop pricing oil in US$ sometime in nearfuture, it would trigger massive rapid drop in DollarCurrencyValue. Wars of international aggression tend to be triggered in tandem to financial + economic catastrophes, though disguised under pretext of "nationalsecurity". Those two developments would inextricably exacerbate each other.

If California in current climate deterioration is hit one hot summer with statewide conflagration of uncontainable fires, the already stressed state budget would be pushed beyond breaking point. Washington might be constrained by the federal budget deficit and unable to substantially help. That would feed widespread popular secessionist sentiments in California + western states (Oregon + Washington). These productive regional hightech manufacturing states would perceive more advantages to upgrade to sovereign national status to form regional economic + trade + investment partnerships, and downgrade ties with faraway WashingtonDC. Instead of being obligated for WashingtonDC's USnational debts, western states would be freed from issuing state IOU's to issuing sovereign national currency. Why not? California + western states are rich in people and natural resources.

It might be wise for people to ask themselves, not WHETHER this could happen, but WHEN this might happen.”

“Part 1 of 2

In the direction and speed this imperial nation is spiralling down, there's rational ground + strong possibility this nation could breakup, splinter off into many regional sovereign states on pragmatic economic, geographical, ethnocentric political cleavages, analogous to the RomanEmpire in its latter weakened stages splintering into eastern + western RomanEmpires --- eastern being ByzantineEmpire centered around Constantinople, and western continued being centered around Rome. It's no idle speculation. Here're some main reasons:--

1)UNSUSTAINABLE national debt ($12Trillion growing EXPONENTIALLY rapidly at $3.81Billion PERDAY=$1.4Trillion PERYEAR).
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
Few people feel responsible for it. This pervasive people's attitude is reflected in Congressional attitudes, and more crucially in FederalReserve centralbank's attitudes in loose credit policies and unrestrained moneyprinting. "It's Washington's problem." Inside the Beltway, it's NOBODY's problem.

2)Washington is proficient at two major malignancies --- creating perpetual wars, and creating unlimited national debts by printing unlimited quantities of paper Dollars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW0cBbNFalw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZA0qNsf4m0&feature=pyv&ad=3723781624&kw=peter%20schiff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n3g5lUgkWk&NR=1&feature=fvwp
"USA's balance of payments deficits is so strong and irreversible, that we must accept that at some future date there will be a run against the dollar, probably the kind of disorderly run that precipitates a global financial crisis." --- Dr. Paul Samuelson in 2005, (Nobel prize winner in economics)”

“Your sentiment would trigger and reflect other thoughtful people to think and look ahead, instead of reacting to news and events.”

“Call it "Philosopher Executive" instead of "imperial king". Philosopher because to lead and rule a nation of 300million individuals, a leader must have a well-developed and solidly ingrained coherent philosophy of life about human values, political goals and means, and live an exemplary life of a true democratizer, not a "machiavellian triangulator", or an "inspirational orator", as people have experienced so many lately, to their everlasting regrets. Executive because hisorher job is to formulate national agendas and execute policies in collaboration with Congress.

Kings are universally obsolete. "Imperial" character traits in individuals aswellas nations are deplorable --- it connotes aggression, force, exploitation, and subjugation --- in short, all the character traits that are ANTI-DEMOCRATIC in essence.

One such person that fits "Philosopher Executive" is Senator Bernie Sanders. Other excellent possibilities are Governor Howard Dean, Senators Russ Feingold and Claire McCaskill, and Congressman Dennis Kucinich. All of them have strong well-developed independent character traits.

Above every consideration, progressive Democrats and Independents must never NEVER repeat the philosophical + political misjudgments and strategic campaign mistakes of Ralph Nader, at least not more than twice in one lifetime.”

“You have a good point. I recall that "Senate filibuster" at one time in recent history meant the filibustering group of senators actually had to organize round-the-clock rotation of reading sessions, with cots brought in for napping in the senate chambers in between reading sessions. That ritual made it much less likely that some senators would risk losing sleep and damaging their own health.

The filibuster today is a farcical hangover from a useful tradition at some time in the distant past. It has totally lost its meaning and rational intent. Now it hands "majority rules" over to "minority rules". In the case of Sen. Lieberman, it has turned into a monopoly of one to set and frustrate the legitimate agenda of the senate majority to represent interests of the majority of American people.

The US Senate today is a farcical parady of its better past traditions. It declares no wars while major disastrous American wars rage for decades. It has entirely handed over control of the federal pursestring and meaningful control over the national debt ceiling over to a private central bank. . . .
It has effectively degenerated into an ignoble echo-chamber for a multimillionaires club fronting for thousands of multinational trillion dollar corporations expropriating the wealth of the American people and living off on their miseries.”

“The Senate is a millionnaires club. Most people know that. McCain, for instance, can't even remember how many country-estate houses he + Cindy McCain own. The number of Senators who truly represent the sentiments and true interests of ordinary Americans are less than fingers on two hands.”

“If the causal direct link between bonuses for this class of new American aristocracy and the unnecessary physical / financial / emotional suffering and premature deaths of tens of thousands to millions of innocent ordinary American people were made more graphic, these new Aristocrats would lose their ill-gotten fortunes and heads at the hands of the irate people. That's what caused and happened in the French Revolution of 1789. That's the tinderbox that could ignite a new American Revolution of 21st century.”

“Yes, let's see a new tougher-than-nails Nancy Pelosi.”

“When did the 300 million people of United States of America consent to let 100 millionaires in the US Senate in conference with 1000 lobbyists representing the interests of multinational trillion dollar corporations decide what is good for them? It's not always the case, but in the present healthcare debate, it would appear more logical that the 500 members of the House of Representatives would be in closer sympathy and synchronisation with the true best interests of 300 million Americans.”

“I understand your analysis and frustration. I share your frustration, but disagree with your belief in political "shock therapy". It's appropriate therapy if it's likely to work. My intuitive prognosis based on recent history is that it probably won't work as therapy givers intend it to work. We wishfully project riddance of "centrist Democrats" misguided by doctrine that collaboration with + sucking up to corporate CEO's who believe in and practice exploitation of middleworkingclass Americans for corporate enrichment. But it probably won't work. There's no evidence it would, but to the contrary:

The seminal political event of 1994 was transformation of HouseOfRepresentatives and sharp veer to right, based on Republicans' "ContractForAmerica". We know from hindsight wisdom the sharp veer to right in Congress was because promise of change advertised as "Contract FOR America" was masquerading the essential truth of "Contract ON America" --- to further accelerate the dismantling of American middleworkingclass and downgrading it to American serfdom. A different group of "centrist Democrats" might be installed, only to collaborate and suckup to the extreme doctrinaire religious right to get anything done. That's what Isee in history. The unanticipated "shock therapy" didn't work to reject or transform "Democratic Centrism" doctrine as intended.

Progressives should comeupwith another more credible means of transformation than "shock therapy". Isuggest the currentmovie "Invictus" (starring MorganFreeman) portraying an event and process of transformation of SouthAfrica inspired by SA President NelsonMandela might provide an inspirational clue and working model.”

“Hey, Markos, you look very young, but until you opened your mouth and explained your fact-based track record and position, I didn't have the impression that you could turn the verbal duel around and let the facts bite the fast-talking Chris Matthews in the rear. I like it.

In hindsight, you're absolutely correct. Chris is a fast glib talker, THAT'S ALL !.
He turns out to be judgmentally dead wrong on some humongously important issues, such as:--

As you alluded, he was dead wrong on cheerleading the War on Iraq.
He's DEAD WRONG on the important criterion for judging suitability for presidency. Recall his unforgettable glib words on a HardBall townhall interview during GWBush's first presidential campaign,
(paraphrasing) "This could be a president like a guy you would want to have a beer with." . . . as though that's a flash of inspirational wisdom.

I congratulate on your skillful verbal repartee (or well-aimed riposte, I like fencing) to take down a notch that glib empty pseudo-liberal, always fast-talking over everybody on the air, as though that's substitute for wisdom, intelligence, good judgment, or just plain good manners. Contrast his style and grasp of depth with Charlie Rose --- night and day !”

“Like your accurate analysis and strong sentiments. But, by "collaboration" between market providers, you might be thinking of "collusion" (which is illegal). But your analysis is quite clear.and to the point. Collusion might APPEAR to be driven by market competition, but in reality is hatched among corporate heads secretly behind closed doors so that nobody from the outside would have a clue or see through the apparent uniformity of prices and few choices among providers of goods and services.”

“Your suggestion that in a country of 300million people, a hotchpotch of thousands of loosely affiliated or unaffiliated self-motivated, self-regulated collection of well-intentioned physicians can have the political clout and purchasing power to compete and negotiate with pharmaceutical cartels with any success is SIMPLY NOT CREDIBLE.

You are maligning the wrong segment of society. Progressive Democrats are some of the most motivated, most vigilant and most knowledgeable people you can come across. Name a few sources that you have read or dealt with, then people would know whom you are really talking about. You are mischaracterising the whole issue and lots of other things as well.”

“Your logic and facts are well stated. Your situation is probably multiplied many million times, as many as the infamous scandalous list of endless "pre-existing conditions" in the insurance cartel's medical accounting encyclopedia. Your and others' individual situations confirm what Dr. Dean is saying.

Those well-meaning and sincere Senators like Rockefeller and Harkin who dismiss or ridicule his judgment do not share his well-reasoned explanations nor credit his victorious "50states primaries" political judgment. That will be a costly mistake on their parts, as the Senate bill proceeds through its bizantine labyrinth twists and turns, controlled and directed at every turn by the insurance and pharmaceutical cartels' thousands of lobbyists.”

“There's magic in audacity. 1994 congressional upset in "Contract for America" proved it.

There's only disappointment in enfeebled one-term presidency for a weak-kneed leadership wasting the enormous hope and unprecedented mandate from the vast majority of American people.”

“We agree on goals + objectives of major healthcare reform?
1)Universal coverage without "preexisting condition" exception.
2)Price (Cost) capping + government participating in open competition

We agree on "HippocraticOath" minimum standard --- reforms should DO NO HARM.

We disagree on strategic implementation. "Aye, there's the rub."
Ayetrust medical ethics and moral judgment of DoctorDean, --- he's demonstrated longstanding wide acceptance in Vermont as physician + multiterm governor (5x2yearterms).

Furthermore, I have confidence in Dean's political intuition and strategic thinking and judgment. He might be politically inept in streetsmarts, letting himself be ridiculed for his famous "primal yell". BUT, he doggedly advocated and implemented the victorious "50states primary challenges", when most savvy major Democratic insider like Clinton and Rob Emanuel dismissed that successful strategy and ridiculed him for his judgment and doggedness. History confirms in hindsight that Dr.HowardDean, politicalstrategist + physician was absolutely brilliantly righton in strategy and goal.

He extends his strategicvision + goal forward to healthcare + 2010ElectionPolitics. Why 2010ElectionPolitics? Because if watereddown mushy "healthcare reform" doesn't deliver tangible + visible improvements to vast majority of people from startinggate in first year, there'll be inevitable falloff of disillusioned Independents + progressiveDemocrats + politicalFirstTimers, Democrats in Senate + House may have trouble holding onto slim majority. Republican strategists understand that dynamic. Repubs + corporatecartels are therefore working overtime to ensure it would happen, through public perceived disappointment over delivery of "healthcare reforms".

A bad "halfloaf reform" is "figleaf healthcare", and probable ticket to minority backseats in Congress, and enfeebled oneterm”

“Shame and infamy. The 'ol boys network are too clever for their own good.”

“Term limits won't take hold in the US Senate, not unless you resolve the preponderant advantages of seniority in the all-important committee chairman assignments.”

“Senator Joe Lieberman has already quietly and cleverly worked out his exit strategy from the Senate when the inevitable firestorm of people's indignation and protest at his chinanigans would break out when he comes up for re-election in 2012. He would be following the brazen precedent of Representative Billy Tauzin. (In 2005, on the day after he slinked out the revolving backdoor of the House of Representatives, Tauzin waltzed right in through the frontdoor of the pharmaceutical lobbyist firm Pharma's big office down K-street, with a quantum jump in salary and bonus package. In Washington, crimes against the people really do pay handsomely : - )

Connecticut's state economy is heavily dominated by insurance corporations. It's a reasonable educated guess that Lieberman's brazen in-your-face anti-democratic antics are a reflection that he already has personal assurances of an attractive workable personal "plan-B" for life after the Senate.”

“Ads are most effective when they are paradies of the truth that make people pay attention, laugh, and think. Psychologists and neuro-scientists say that when the human brain senses a feeling of well-being through laughter, an extra dose of neuro-chemical endorphins is released in the brain (?) that enhances the feeling of well-being, and the learning process (perception of the truth in the joke) is reinforced at the same time. So, don't knock the silly comic relief. It serves a useful purpose -- it makes people laugh, talk about it, and remember it fondly. It works.”