Supreme Court Ruling on Campaign Finance and Impact on American Politics

January 24, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The world is impressively coalescing to alleviate the Haitian population plight from the 7.0 earthquake followed by a 6.0 aftershock that hit the Caribbean nation. A spectacular performance by the benevolent Hollywood in the telethon to raise hope for Haiti should enhance the rescue operation.

Meanwhile, Washington D.C, the political capital, where the members of Congress make decisions on issues affecting approximately three hundred million American and estimated five billion lives around the globe, experienced even a greater seismic activity and an aftershock that deserves undivided attention and immediate action.

On Tuesday, January 19, 2010, the people of Massachusetts elected their State legislator Scott Brown, the republican candidate to represent their interests in the United States Senate.

Opposition is necessary to maintain checks and balances in a democracy. It’s effective when the opposing members engage constructively with valuable input in legislative matter benefiting the electorate, i.e. the people and steer the nation towards a progressive path.

Instead, politics primarily focus on destructive course aimed at bringing down the incumbent administration and the majority in power besides misleading the electorate to be dissatisfied with the power in the highest office, viz. the President.

The opposition is further emboldened through the political means such as filibuster and the news media aiding them with false propaganda, distorted views and vitriolic attacks blaring on the radio airwaves and mainstream television network.

Unfortunately, there is no bar on the opposition’s motive seeking political vengeance to regain the lost regency. The reference is suitably applied to the republican members and the selective communication media accompanied by the print press columnists ever at their disposal and,

Not precluding their powerful allies in the judiciary branch to launch snipers, witnessed in the recent Supreme Court 5-4 decision on January 21, 2010 that allows the Corporations to hijack democracy.

The newly elected Massachusetts Senator’s arrival boosts the republican minority from the existing forty to forty-one members empowering them with the filibuster right.

It’s relevant to highlight that the Senator-elect was chosen by the Republican party to strengthen the “Nay” votes to consistently derail the democrats effort to relieve the American people from the economic woes.

As expected, the Senator-elect pledged to vote against health care, climate bill and legislations designed to revive the economy.

Filibuster is a favorite tactic of the minority to subvert the majority actions in legislative affairs, available to all political representatives. However, it’s widely adopted by the republican members to protest legislations put forth by their opposition, i.e. the democrats from moving forward, thereby creating a ceaseless gridlock in legislative process.

The Senate votes crucial in the final passage of the bill in Congress often exert authority on the legislative content and framework rendering the legislation a mere formality rather than a meaningful legislative act that would safeguard the immediate and long term national interests.

It’s evident in the health care reform that has been subject to filibuster threats from the conservatives i.e. democrat, independent and the republican party to appease the Corporate sponsors.

Similar response received during President Obama’s economic stimulus package when the republican members’ unanimously abstained from voting with a warning to anticipate more obstruction on issues like the finance reform, energy, environment…otherwise, everything related to improve the ‘average’ American lives.

Republican members have continuously displayed partisanship since the dawn of the Obama Presidency. The South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint vowed to stall the health care reform claiming,

“It would break President Barack Obama. Perhaps it might be his waterloo.”

That’s not all from the SC Senator. The Christmas security issue with the Nigerian bomber on the Delta airline should be attributed to Senator DeMint’s partisan politics for blocking the appointment of TSA chief over republican alleged TSA unionization.

When the incident takes place, the Republican Regent, the former Vice President Dick Cheney and the propaganda news channel blame the President and the democrats as being too “soft on national security,”befitting the metaphor,

“They want their cake and eat it too.”

Incidentally, Osama Bin Laden proudly claiming notoriety for the Nigerian bomber attempt to wreak terror in the sky.

Same critics conveniently discard the former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Vice President Dick Cheney’s blunder prompting a credibility factor… to set the terror mastermind Osama Bin Laden free in Tora Bora, Afghanistan.

So much for being the ‘veterans’ on national security.

The voters’ disappointment confirmed in the latest poll on the Massachusetts default victory to Republican candidate Scott Brown and the ‘controversial’ news network message reverberated in the electorate’s reason.

“There is too much government involvement aka government monopoly rather than having the businesses and individuals deal with the crisis.”

When in fact, the crisis is created by the Corporations in the finance, health care and energy industry by indulging in speculative trading and gorging practices all along.

From Reaganomics to Bush philosophy, the economic policy that gave the free market a free pass through deregulation and generous tax cuts to wealthy corporations and individuals with skyrocketing defense spending on two simultaneous wars led the economy and the global financial market to a near free fall.

Now, when President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress is elected to clean up the mess inherited from the Republican owned Bush-Cheney disastrous Presidency, the Republican legislators unabashedly resort to cheap political stunts to sabotage every legislation, instead of cooperating and resolving their manufactured crises.

For instance, the long overdue financial reform involving tax levy against the banks, originally rewarded by the Bush-Cheney republican administration in 2008 via TARP bailout is reportedly characterized by the radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh as racial profiling of the ‘Jewish,’ bank executives.

Reports also suggest the republican legislators, not surprisingly preparing to torpedo the finance reform that will essentially protect the ‘average’ American consumers from financial fraud in credit card and mortgage transactions, an epidemic hurting millions of Americans in addition to contributing to the credit crunch in the economy.

The republican legislator reportedly confessed that the agenda is to seclude President Obama from gaining any political score as he conceded it would be a sure political winner considering the public outrage against wall street.

It must be clear to the electorate from coast to coast that the Republican administration and the republican Congress members fail to stand up for the people electing them to power.

They empathize with the big corporations and the wealthiest in the society hiring them to represent their specific profiteering goals at the expense of the average American workers.

The Supreme court decision enables the Corporations to cherry pick the representative to deliver the desirable corporate results on every issue, not withstanding the religious organizations inevitably forging their religious belief on women and gay community.

For any rational political observers, the shameful conduct by the Republican ratio whether minority or majority is all too familiar as the tradition maintained from the Carter Presidency with Iranian hostage crisis and later the Clinton Presidency, resulting in the government shut down by the former Speaker Newt Gingrich.

To shed light on the irresponsible stance by the republican appointed justices in the Supreme court decision, on the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission matter, it’s a political favor returned to the party in minority not to mention the conservatism gone awry.

The decision has appropriately caused an enormous anxiety and concern among the citizens aware of the serious ramifications where the populace voice is suppressed by the Corporate power, an existing scenario exacerbated with the highest court interference in politics.

With the exception of two members, the majority republican party is jubilant at the assault on democracy by Supreme Court activist justices reflected in the minority leader Mitch McConnell greeting the message with a warm welcome.

Republican party and the conservative forces consider this opportunity an effortless return to power with an utter disregard for the people undermined in the undemocratic ruling.

Ironically, the Republican legislators declined to cast their vote for the democrat nominee, Justice Sonia Sotomayor targeting the decisions made by the then judge Sotomayor in the United States Court of Appeals as ‘political activism,’

Yet currently embracing the conservative justices’ activism on the Supreme Court decision as free speech protection for Corporations with them being the sole beneficiaries.

The abundant hypocrisy in the conservative policy worsens with time. It’s basically centered on subjugating fascism via corporatism in a democracy.

”The Supreme Court decision in the case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that a Title VII complaint must be filed within 180 days of the specific action that sets discriminatory pay, regardless of its ongoing and continuing discriminatory impact on the employee.”

Setbacks on women’s rights in the Supreme Court Decision extended in the Senate Bill on equal pay for equal work killed by the Senate Republicans via 56-42 votes on April 23, 2008 on the grounds that the legislation would trigger lawsuits from the affected parties i.e. the women in this case.

All of these events unequivocally reveal the ideology driven conservatism and their allegiance to Wall Street oppressing the main street regardless of economic conditions.

It’s not adequate to remain emotional on this extreme activism from the judicial bench by the republican justices, once believed to be corporate attorneys.

Citizens and Congress must take action to revoke the catastrophic trend originating from this radical conservative course and repeal the malevolent doctrine dominant in the judicial and legislative branch. A dangerous precedence that blatantly deprives citizen participation in the electoral process.

Citizens Action:

A constitutional amendment is urgently required to delineate “Corporations, Unions, religious institutions,” as intangible entities from the natural human material.

Therefore, the first amendment that guarantees free speech and human rights would not be applicable to the non-physical embodiments such as Corporations, Unions, religious institutions etc.,

The available websites for this particular action are:

http://www.movetoamend.org/ Corporations are not people and www.voteraction.org

Signing a petition per district and submitting to your local representative is also a place to start in stopping the unthinkable crime against democracy.

Whenever there is lack of accountability with guaranteed job security viz. the Supreme Court appointment, the abuse of power is impulsive more than prerogative.

Hence, reducing the lifetime tenure to a five-year term would be a pragmatic approach to deter extremism from the judicial branch.

Again, the citizens’ demand in this context would enforce the change for constitutional enactment and the urgency appears to have emanated from the conservative justices’ cavalier decision.

Remedy through Congress legislation:

Passing the law that would prohibit the participation of Corporations with federal and state contracts in political campaigns.

The proposal by the Illinois Democratic Senator Richard Durbin is also a constructive mechanism to minimize the corporate influence. Any one raising objection or voting against the proposal should be identified and voted out of power.

Voice of the people combined with action across the socio-economic spectrum as taxpayers, consumers, shareholders should counteract the abominable Supreme Court verdict.

Ideally, isolating corporations, unions and religious groups from the political sphere should be the American democracy’s objective.

Corporations should exclusively focus on economy by creating and protecting jobs for arguably their political intervention endangers democracy.

A message that should resonate among the electorate contrary to the conservative fear-mongering strategy about the government takeover of corporations and individual life.

In light of the conservative demolition of democratic values and principles, it’s the responsibility of the American electorate to view the status quo in broad perspective and rally behind President Barack Obama and the democratic Congress earnestly committed to resurrect the nation from the economic crisis, the Bush-Cheney republican legacy to American people.

Now is the time for the Populist movement i.e. peaceful and non-violent dissent to emerge preferably exploiting technology to protect democracy as the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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Massachusetts Senate Race Results

January 21, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Congratulations! To the Senator-elect Scott Brown for the victory in the Massachusetts special elections held on January 19, 2010.

Much credit was attributed to the Senator-elect Scott Brown’s political campaign, even though his campaign vigorously attacked the White House and the Democratic Congress policies.

Evidently, the political campaigns are effective with criticisms against the opponent rather than constructive ideas to ease the burden on the people, as noted throughout the republican victories in the past and the recent gubernatorial elections in New Jersey, Virginia and the Senate race in Massachusetts.

Somehow, the Republican strategy aimed at vilifying the opponent’s policies without any solutions to the average citizens’ problems, an illusive tactic continue to prevail in every election.

The Senator-elect Scott Brown vowed the following actions upon being elected to the U.S. Senate:

Voting against the trillion dollar health care reform – When in fact, the inaction in this respect is costing the nation exponentially and expected to exceed more than trillion dollars over the decade with an estimated 45,000 Americans dying every year.

Again, the Senator’s position maintained despite the current health care spending established to be affecting the national GDP, thereby contributing to the rising deficit, the anchored issue for the Republican Party.

Nay on the Climate Bill – It confirms the ideology that subverts the grim reality from the environmental degradation politicized for profit.

Not surprisingly, voting ‘Yes’ on the on-going warfare, that is draining the national economy juxtaposed to the contentious health care reform with the Senator-elect preference for investment in weaponry against saving lives.

These are just the beginning of the many obstacles in store with the continuing Republican partisanship in the Senate and the House that derails progress and deprives the nation of any prosperity.

Senator-elect Scott Brown appropriately stated during the election debate that the candidates were vying for the public seat previously held by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy for over four decades.

Per such declaration, it’s incumbent on the Senator-elect to act in the best interest of the people who have now entrusted him with the power to elevate their economic status rather than the party that is primarily responsible for the monumental national and international crises.

Politics prompts candidates to promise many things on campaign trail. Again, the challenge lies in honoring those commitments that often leads to voter frustration granting victory by default to the opponent exploiting the voter dissatisfaction.

Time usually confirm the credibility of the campaign pledges made during elections with the verdict delivered accordingly in the future election and experienced repeatedly.

I sincerely hope that the newly elected Senator will pursue pragmatism over ideology in the legislative matter and resist partisanship on all issues concerning the electorate both in Massachusetts and across the nation.

I also extend my best wishes to the Senator-elect Scott Brown in performing the legislative duties in the United States Senate.

With the democratic candidate Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, I share the disappointment and accept the unfortunate outcome as the trial and tribulation in politics.

I wish the Attorney General Martha Coakley success in her endeavors.

The message for the democrats in power and the supporters lamenting the consecutive defeats is to rise to the occasion and accomplish the targeted goals defined during the 2008 Presidential election.

Thus far, the Republican winnings have been characterized as the ‘wake up’ call for the democrats. Initially it could be a ‘wake up’ call but sequentially it is a political mandate to recognize and implement the necessary actions or deal with the consequences.

As detailed earlier in the articles on the main issues:

Jobs, Housing, Health Care, and Energy Independence via green technology – It’s important to address these major aspects of American life.

Reducing unemployment by protecting and creating jobs in all sectors along with reviving the housing market is the immediate priority for which the present government was elected in the year 2008.

Similarly Health care and Green technology is a necessity and not a privilege.

Failure to pass the required reforms and legislations would be a further disaster for the party and the nation.

The various legislations such as health care, financial reform and climate bill…cannot be delayed for it would foment the public outrage already at its peak in the absence of

‘Hope and Change,’ promised but yet to be realized.

Another poignant element being the democratic Congress and administration adopting a ‘centrist,’ position for political expediency. It’s a major impediment in legislative matter and justifiably perceived by the democratic base as a betrayal and a deviation from the core democratic values.

Hence, the decisive ‘Progressives,’ are ideally suitable in fulfilling the commitments to the electorate and the party.

Moreover, slighting the Progressive majority across the nation will be a political suicide for the party and the ruling administration.

The former President George W. Bush was inappropriately called a ‘lame duck.’

Actually, the former President achieved the administration’s agenda with the ultimatum –

Either you’re with us or with the terrorists on warfare and,

In domestic policies, President George W. Bush was never inhibited to use the veto power and the Republican majority then turned minority, passed most legislations through reconciliation process ignoring the opposition party.

If it’s good for the goose, it’s good for the gander.

Nothing can crumble our resolve and we shall overcome not someday but beginning today.

The work has just begun and we will not rest until we are done regardless of the party ratio in the Senate and the House.

Rescue America from the filibuster rule and partisan politics to compete with China accelerating in economic growth at an enviable 10.7 percent in the fourth quarter.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Rescue America in the Massachusetts Election

January 19, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Massachusetts polls are about to close shortly. There is still time for rest of America to galvanize support for the democratic candidate, Massachusetts Attorney General, Martha Coakley running against the State Senator Scott Brown.

We are in a critical period dealing with a number of issues at the national front. As such, the gridlock in Washington primarily emanating from the Republican minority steadfast against national progress have been successful in blocking legislations focused on improving the average American living standards.

If Massachusetts sends yet another filibuster member to represent the Republican minority, that has demonstrated nothing but partisanship thus far, it would be an inevitable disaster for the country.

Therefore, please do everything in your power in outreaching the electorate in Massachusetts and request every eligible voter to go to the polls and secure their future by voting for the democratic candidate Martha Coakley.

Whatever the voter grievances are, it’s legitimate but the opportunities are much greater with the Democratic Party in resolving issues and I hope the democratic legislators recognize the voter frustration about the status quo and submit them to do everything right for the people and not the special interests representing the wealthy Corporations and individuals.

Every minute matters and every vote counts. Exploit technology by using text messaging, tweeting, blogging, emailing…however, and ensure that our great nation, the United States is rescued by not allowing Massachusetts fall into the Republican hands.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Massachusetts Special Elections – Senate Race Poll

January 19, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

In a shortwhile, the electorate in the great state of Massachusetts will be heading to the polls to cast their vote for the United States Senate representative.

This is no ordinary Senate representation, as the winner would replace the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the son of the nation’s most admired Kennedy family. The Kennedy’s generational service to the country is well known and particularly in the State of Massachusetts.

Since the contested Senate seat was previously represented by the United States’ most renowned and respected President John F. Kennedy followed by his youngest sibling Senator Edward M. Kennedy, it’s significant in terms of the Massachusetts electorate passing the torch to the ideal candidate now.

The choices are simple between the democratic candidate Martha Coakley, the Massachusetts Attorney General and the republican candidate Scott Brown, MA State Senator with night and day distinction in their credentials, achievements, policies and future commitments.

When comparing the two candidates’ profile and their political agenda, the democratic candidate Martha Coakley is by far the intelligent choice based on the party representation, pragmatic disposition rather than ideological resignation and clarity on all national issues as opposed to delusional perception of the real challenges in the average citizens’ life.

Massachusetts being the seat of intellect in many respects need not be elaborated on the dire consequences of fortifying the Republican Party representation through the election of the State Senator Scott Brown to the United States Senate.

Despite being the minority, the Republican Congress members in both the House and the Senate have exhibited nothing but partisanship throughout the legislative process and prioritized politics over people with utter disregard for the national interest.

The majority of the Republican Congress members serve as proxies for the Wall Street that is predominantly responsible for the burgeoning financial, housing and the overall economic calamity.

To make matters worse, the candidate Scott Brown has sworn allegiance to that effect even prior to being elected to the national office.

It’s a dangerous precedence…the prevalent culture having brought the great country on its knees with the Republican Party rejecting progress for the people electing them to the public office.

Adding more members to such destructive force is oxymoron.

With respect to the policies that are critical to the Massachusetts electorate such as the economy, education, health care, energy, environment and international crisis, the Republican members’ consistent response has been grand standing instead of constructive thinking in resolving the monumental problems created by the Republican owned Bush-Cheney administration and the Republican Congress members.

Therefore, it’s incumbent on the democrat and independent including the disenchanted republican voters to cast their vote for substance and not style considering it’s a national senate race and not a “cosmopolitan,” fashion contest with millions of lives at stake in the Senate decision making process.

Democracy is a privilege in the contemporary world with an alarming population deprived of freedom that grants the voting right to elect a representative to the political office through free and fair election.

Squandering the rare yet cherished opportunity by electing a candidate like the State Senator Scott Brown whose voting decisions on national issues are lacking in diligence and vision would be a colossal failure in rationality.

Senator Scott Brown, not surprisingly has not offered any strategies desperately required for the expeditious economic recovery anticipated by the citizens in the state of Massachusetts and across the nation.

I stand by President Barack Obama, the Democratic Party including the Independent representatives in the Congress and urge the Massachusetts electorate to go to the polls in record numbers and cast their ballot in favor of the Attorney General Martha Coakley and grant the candidate a decisive victory appropriately fitting the departed long-term Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s political image.

Massachusetts is a blue state and cannot afford to become the red state signifying the danger zone.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

The Mighty Deception – Focus on Politics and Economy

January 9, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

January 19, 2010 marks the first anniversary for the Presidency of Barack Obama. The columnist from the leading national news organization chided the right and the left political factions in the article, the excerpts listed below.

“In a world of ideological sniping, Obama can’t win.”

By Richard Cohen, Washington Post, January 5, 2010

“Last month, no American soldiers were killed in Iraq. Last month, the unemployment rate dipped a bit, the stock market ended the year up, the financial system did not crater, Detroit’s Big Three began to get a pulse – and yet a consensus started to form that Barack Obama, who is either responsible for or merely presided over all this good stuff, is a failure.

On the left, the president is being pummeled for health care legislation that does not include a public option and has not dispatched insurance executives to Guantanamo. On the right, he is being pummeled for socializing the economy, establishing death panels and allowing maniacal Nigerians to load their Calvins with boom-boom and fly into peaceful Detroit. It’s a cartoon.

Any way you measure the polls, Obama did not have a good year.

In foreign policy, Obama has sorely disappointed his fans on the left for escalating the war in Afghanistan and on the right for not escalating it enough…

He has not brought peace to the Middle East.

Obama could be a great president. He has already achieved much – possibly saving the country from financial ruin, salvaging the auto industry, getting some sort of health care reform. Possibly, possibly.

Yet, his numbers sink as his achievements rise. He is the Johnny Appleseed of cognitive dissonance, so utterly detached that when he wins it seems to be only for himself. Pollsters measure him but poets have described him.

William Butler Yeats got it down years ago: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”

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Perspective: By Padmini Arhant

The author’s hyperbolic characterization of the left position particularly with the dispatching of the insurance executives to Guantanamo and the article concluding with the quotation ‘the worst are full of passionate intensity,’ suggests the print media eternal love fest with any incumbent administration.

As such, democracy is under siege with the legislations merely passed and mostly stalled at the Corporations’ will, aided by their representatives’ inaction in the Senate and the House. It’s further exacerbated with the established print and mainstream media presenting the figures but not the facts thereby joining the elitists against the populists.

Therefore, it’s essential to place things in perspective for a fair analysis.

Iraq war without casualties in the past month is great news. However, the reason behind that is adopting the “left position” to scale down the troop level and make a firm commitment for troop withdrawal, a diametrically opposite decision by the administration on Afghanistan. Despite the reality, the pledge towards peace and non-violence is characterized as “ideological sniping” rather than pragmatic stance.

The dip in the unemployment rate and the rise in stock market are welcome. Nevertheless, the national unemployment and the states’ joblessness is still in double digit with the middle class dropping to the poorer category and the poor driven to being food stamps dependents.

Stock market performance is directly related to the real and projected industry earnings. Since, the health care reform unarguably in favor of the health care industry in the absence of robust competition such as the government insurance program, the health industry stocks skyrocketed at the confirmation of the public option eliminated from the debate.

In other areas, the defense stocks always thrive rain or shine with the U.S perpetual engagement in warfare. The exception to the genuine growth is the technology sector boosting the figures and again with the drastic employment cuts to survive global competition.

It’s indeed a relief that the financial sector did not crater with the infusion of trillion dollars that has surely benefited the Wall Street more than the main street still being defrauded with no aggressive financial regulations in sight including the oversight demanding accountability on the massive taxpayer bailouts.

Detroit’s big three began to get a pulse – yet the State of Michigan ranks the highest in unemployment rate with an average 15.8 percent described as the worst annual rate in “at least 40 years,” and disproportionately greater among the African American as well as other minority groups.

It’s true that the Obama presidency salvaged the financial and auto industry from ruin and currently involved in the health care reform. Although, the salvation of these sectors were carried out to protect jobs, stimulate the economy by unleashing the liquidity in the financial market while reining in on the foreclosures through affordable lending programs, the progress has been either too slow or in many instances absolutely non-existent due to the bailout beneficiaries’ usual business tactics.

Meanwhile, the financial institution such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives are back in action with the same modus operandi i.e. extravagant bonuses for extraordinary failures in the sub-prime mortgage debacle that initiated the free fall of the economy into the ditch.

In the health care reform as cited above, the proof of the pudding relies on the economic impact of the remaining uninsured millions other than the 30 millions predicted to be covered under the exclusively private proposal. Other issues, like raising taxes on health care plan opted by the work force in lieu of employment benefits are a matter that will weigh in on the cost factor determined by the supply and demand free market elements.

“Some things never changes,” regardless of the power in the White House or the Congress is evident in the past year evaluation.

The Wall Street traditions continue with the financial, health care, communications and energy industries dictating terms and conditions in defiance of the free market fundamentals.

Among them are:

Demanding bailouts and refusing to be subject to scrutiny,

Legislations drafted to promote obscene profits at the expense of exhausted taxpayers and exploited consumers eventually driving the economy to the cliff and,

Last but not the least the communications industry, Comcast resisting government intervention in the monopoly of the diverse media, such as the takeover of NBC and sister networks along with the national communications service and AT&T barring competition in the deal with Apple computers in the Smart Phone – iPhone subscription services and more.

With respect to green jobs creation, the notion is ideal and it would invigorate the battered economy, provided the energy giants do not railroad the budding entrepreneurs vital to expand the sector for community access and local job opportunities.

It’s clear that the ideological sniping from the left or the right is ineffective with the administrations in power succumbing to Wall Street pressure on all issues.

There is one thing to expect loyalty from the supporters through lavish praise and flattery that would simply qualify as cronyism in the backdrop of ‘business as usual’ environment. Another aspect where the actual situation in people’s life has not changed in terms of retaining jobs, homes and the health care proposal entirely entrusted under private care responsible for the status quo.

My silence is not necessarily my disappearance into the oblivion. Any suggestions and requests made thus far in both domestic and foreign policies have been slighted even though they are decisively in favor of the struggling populace at home and abroad. Perhaps, that might be the cause for the utter disregard of opinions and ideas offered upon several political figures’ insistence to participate in the legislative process.

For instance, my request towards transparency and accountability promised during the election campaign by the Obama candidacy has deviated to closed chamber discussion with lobbyists and party members notably in the health care legislation, financial regulations and climate bill negotiations.

I’ve been urging that the oversight committee (if it exists!) hold the financial sector accountable for the bailouts and demand they comply with their end of the bargain in facilitating the credit flow and lending practices crucial to energize the stagnant economy, is largely ignored.

Likewise, the stimulus packages passed under both Bush and Obama administrations viz. TARP money $700 billion in 2008 and $787 billion in 2009 respectively has substantial amounts in cash that has not been invested vigorously to protect or create jobs in the manufacturing sector and public projects i.e. infrastructure maintenance, green technology etc.

I’m still awaiting on the logical reasoning behind withholding the vast stimulus funds for purpose other than the economic recovery via housing market revival, job growth and tax credits to small businesses and medium corporations who are forced to minimize overheads through job cuts.

In addition, the Congress passed relief funds for meager $75 billion to deal with the housing market particularly to decelerate foreclosures, is reportedly served with an acute amount of approximately $2.3million and not billion. Further, it’s reported that the treasury secretary Timothy Geithner’s explanation was “the funds held in reserve to rescue financial institutions from the housing market downturns.”

I emphasized on the required urgent action during the Bush administration bailout activities in resurrecting the Glass-Steagall Act and the long overdue aggressive financial regulations to prevent the precipitous decline of the financial assets hurting the average citizens. Not surprisingly, it received no attention.

Now, it appears that the recently passed House bill on the financial reform has incorporated some of the rigorous policies instead of the comprehensive GS Act possibly anticipating the standard revolt from the Senate.

Not all is lost but there are serious grievances among the general public that are justified with the families facing economic difficulties and it’s appropriately revealed during the November 2009, gubernatorial and congressional elections.

Considering the facts, should one remain complicit to the prevalent camaraderie between Wall Street and Washington in spite of the culture corroding the systems and bankrupting small businesses and ordinary individuals in the society?

My specific role is to represent the people i.e. the humanity at the domestic and international fronts. The task is to work for the general mass and common good to restore democracy, peace and harmony, social justice and freedom, the basic right of all living beings.

Unfortunately, the guidance on foreign policy has been deliberately dismissed by selective entities with a cavalier approach to humanitarian crisis affecting millions of innocent lives. There will be in-depth discussion in this context to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding the international crises.

Washington functions on the dogma that “Those who try to please all, pleases none.” The irony in the legislators’ action is the public interest invariably marginalized over the personal and special interests in the appeasement trend.

Hope and Change is yet to be experienced and possible with a paradigm shift that recognizes alleviating people’s plight as the primary goal in public service.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Message to the President and Congress

December 25, 2009

From: Padmini Arhant

Hon. President Barack Obama

Dear Mr. President,

Congratulations! On the health care bill victory.

My compliments to the members in the United States Senate in passing the historic legislation, even though I have reservations about the main content, details presented in the earlier article.

I sincerely hope that the people of this great nation will not be let down in the final deal.

It’s a monumental feat and the people have every reason to expect the best outcome favoring the mass across the spectrum and not merely the industries that are primarily responsible for the status quo.

Moreover, the expectations among the people are fair considering the fact that many of them shared their pain and agony from the flawed system.

I trust the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will merge their political ingenuity and power to deliver the long awaited meaningful “Health Care Reform” to benefit the republic in the present and the future.

Again, free market without real competition has led to the brink of disaster and conventional wisdom dictates that experimenting failed methods for new results lead to frustration and disappointment.

Since health care is a major component of the economic structure directly affecting the national GDP, it’s absolutely necessary to have a robust policy to curb the spiraling costs prevalent in the health care management. It’s not achievable without the government run insurance program, the public option.

Changing the old ways is never easy. As you know, it’s possible through hope and perseverance.

I reciprocate the season’s greetings and wish you and your family joy and happiness always.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Successful New Year to the members of the White House,
The Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

The Mighty Deception – War and Politics

December 9, 2009

By Padmini Arhant

The West Point address delivered by President Barack Obama on the troops surge resonate the message from the former President George W. Bush then amassing support for troop expansion in Iraq. Therefore, it is no surprise and not hard to figure out the source providing the material.

Since invasion, Afghan war is presented as the war of ‘necessity’ against the Iraq war of ‘choice.’ Indisputably, on September 11, 2001 there were over three thousand lives mercilessly and willfully murdered through pre-meditated, callous act apparently by the terror organization Al-Qaida but seemingly masterminded by the alleged real terror, the Cabal wreaking havoc on the planet thus far.

What has not been acknowledged until date is the deliberate negligence of the forewarnings and intelligence reports raising red flag on the imminent threat in American soil prior to the September 11 attack with no one being brought to justice including Osama Bin Laden. Any trials that have been conducted up until now are focused on the terrorists carrying out the heinous crime without even considering probing the conspirators in the modus operandi signifying the entire show is nothing but a charade.

Let the world not forget that the White House under President George W. Bush personally ensured the safe departure of Osama Bin Laden’s immediate and extended family members upon the terror striking the WTC and other U.S. interests during 9/11. It’s well documented and available on the video.

Despite numerous testimonials and facts presented ‘in your face’ manner, the powerful entities reining in on democracy through mass media, columnists representing the ‘reputable’ news organizations and the legislative body continue to suppress the truth behind the worst atrocity ever to take place on this planet. Plainly spoken, the justice system hijacked presumably by the secret society, the illuminati.

In fact, what these spokespersons and the silent spectators do not realize is, masquerading sinister depicts complicity to the diabolicalness evidenced in the September 11 attack. Furthermore, the cynical majority against the concerned minority share the moral and ethical degradation of the criminal epicenter.

Regardless, justice will be served in the ‘Land of the Free, Home of the Brave,’ the United States, by bringing all the perpetrators responsible for the cold blooded murder of their own citizens and scores of other innocent lives in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The predecessors of this nation, President Dwight Eisenhower and President John F. Kennedy have courageously exposed the secret society activities and alerted the American public to come forward and challenge the unconstitutional dominance in all affairs particularly the perpetual warfare. Both Presidents have expressed their serious concerns against the undemocratic events clichéd in the past eight years with simultaneous wars, economic and energy crises eventually contributing to the unsustainable environmental disaster.

The operators’ strategy explicitly detailed by the various reliable sources viz. “the insiders,” is indeed an artful masterpiece. It’s based on creating a monumental catastrophe such as September 11,2001 followed by a reaction in the form of ‘Islamaphobia’ and solutions derived through waging endless wars in regions unconquerable leading to random imprisonments at Guantanamo Bay, Bagram and Abu Ghraib prisons,

Notwithstanding the abhorrent techniques such as water boarding, torture, extraordinary renditions, kidnapping of targeted civilians exclusively of Muslim descent from foreign locations as potential suspects, denial of Habeas corpus cited in the case U.S. vs. Sami Al Arian…

The Virginia federal prosecutor along with the U.S. Justice department under Atty. General John Ashcroft relentlessly pursued the South Florida University Professor Sam Al Arian, the Islamophobia victim after being acquitted by the jury on all twenty accounts clawed back into the vicious dragnet during the dark ages of the notorious Bush–Cheney administration.

The American professor is still a political prisoner having been subject to the draconian policies and the family put through a horrendous ordeal from the blatant discriminatory practices against the Muslim population to conceal the organizational vile activities in the name of democracy.

If the United States judicial system is based upon the constitution protecting every citizen whether native or naturalized, then the Professor Sam Al Arian deemed not guilty by the jury in the first trial should be acquitted of all politically motivated false charges including the deportation order and released immediately for reunion with his family.

Other extremes such as hiring private contractors like the infamous ‘Blackwater,’aka Xe Services LLC not only abusing our own service members especially the female personnel but also the civilian population in the occupied regions as noted in Iraq, Afghanistan and other war zones around the world.

In terms of constitutional breach against the citizens of the United States, the hyperbolic color-coded security threat constantly surfaced throughout the Bush-Cheney era and helped the administration win the second term in the national elections to pursue extended global terror.

The ‘war on terror’ enabled the establishment of the Patriot Act that led to the unlawful apprehension, humiliation and harassment of South East Asians and Middle Eastern travelers at the U.S. airports and most notably FISA, the illegal wiretapping otherwise eavesdropping on private citizens’ personal communications under the pretext of national security which essentially is the ‘Cabals’ insecurity.

Under the Obama administration, the Bush-Cheney Patriot Act is followed through to confirm the legitimacy of the tactically implemented ‘war on terror,’ in spite of the imminent ‘change’ promised on the campaign trail.

Unfortunately, again similar policy embraced now to prolong the military occupation in Afghanistan with a possibility to strike Iran under the exaggerated nuclear threat from the Islamic Republic incapable of producing the nuclear weapons required to challenge the nuclear-armed Israel and the strongest ally, the United States.

Given the pre-existing propaganda about “Iran positioned to attack Israel resulting in a nuclear holocaust anytime now,” the alarming information circulated to substantiate the devious plans behind the World War III.

It’s vital for the American and the international community to realize that Afghanistan is the preferred location for the military industrial complex, even though they reaffirmed the terror networks convergence in Pakistan. The reason being, the MIC true intention for the massive troop buildup is to utilize Afghanistan as the strategic base to launch attack against Iran that would conclusively pre-empt the World War III. Another factor is the MIC denied access by Iraq, the initial location selected as the launching base against another Islamic, poignantly the Shiite dominant Iran.

More dangerously, the war counsel represented by the U.S. Secretary of State and the Defense Secretary visibly promoting Afghan troops increase will soon exert pressure on the Obama administration and the Congress into participating in the brewing grand worldwide conflict.

Since the unveiling of the military industrial complex and the oligarchs ‘dubious scheme likely to be scorned by the ‘veteran’ pundits and experts in the respective fields,

I would like to remind the world that, prior to the swearing in of the Obama Presidency, the Vice President Joe Biden dropped the ball during the political fund raising event in Seattle, WA,on October 2008:

Biden to Supporters: “Gird Your Loins”, For the Next President …

“20 Oct 2008 … “Mark my words,” the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the …
Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the
mettle of this guy. …. Vice president Joe Biden asks can humans be microchipped
. …. They are just waiting for chaos to bring order, their NWO. … Test
Obama’s mettle?”

Interestingly, some columnists laud the President’s leadership mettle for standing up against the anti-war democratic base rather than the supreme force dictating the world with a cleverly camouflaged stagecraft that is designed for profitable war games at the expense of death and destruction of countless innocent lives, case in evidence being the September 11, 2001.

How difficult is it to comprehend that it ‘s politically astute to represent the ‘Powerful’ than the ‘Powerless?’

Afghanistan mission is sometimes portrayed as nation building and other times a specific task to eliminate Al-Qaida about 100 or less members against the combined U.S., NATO & Afghan forces estimated around 150,000 possessing modern artillery, aerial raids via drones and every conceivable intelligence resources at their disposal. With Afghan Taliban, re-negotiation is claimed to be considered by letting them join the foreign troops in fighting against the rebels opposed to the corrupt Karzai government reinstated by none other than the illicit foreign power through intrusion.

To gain domestic support for the bizarre yet calculated war expedition, some journalists and certain media are being used for verbal and visual hypnosis to brainwash the American taxpayers footing the military extravaganza.

Nuclear threat is the new wave fear mongering to orchestrate aggressions in the vulnerable regions like the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian sub-continent clearly mindful of the dire consequences from the nuclear confrontation. Pakistan developed into a terror haven by the architects of the global terrorism that serves the interest of the conglomerate to maneuver political upheavals in the Islamic nation with an overwhelming population in abject poverty.

Widespread terrorism is beneficial to perennial military incursion in the Islamic countries, the nerve center of the geopolitics. The successful hate campaign against Islam as the religion and the systemic abuse of the Muslim population in the wake of ‘global terror’ cannot be underestimated.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5346480.stm

Pope’s speech stirs Muslim anger

Muslim religious leaders have accused Pope Benedict XVI of quoting anti-Islamic remarks during a speech at a German university this week.

Questioning the concept of holy war, he quoted a 14th-Century Christian emperor who said Muhammad had brought the world only “evil and inhuman” things.”

Afghan War – Troop Surge in Comparison with Iraq War – Troop Increase

Another explanation provided in President Obama’s speech for the prolonged Afghan war was the distraction by the Iraq war in 2003 suggesting it diminished the progress made from 2001 to 2003. For the war proponents, the phenomenal casualties suffered by the Afghan civilians and the U.S./NATO combats deaths are a consequential warfare tragedy cowardly described by the former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as a ‘collateral damage.’

Simultaneously, the Iraq adventure launched through immense manipulation and contrived theories while ignoring the worldwide dissent proclaimed as a victory. When in reality, the Iraq war is still in progress with bombings and explosions taking place at the present time and the Iraqi parliament struggling to gain support to hold national elections in January and reportedly postponed to March 2010.

The Iraq war conducted in a Machiavellian approach has produced the world’s largest war widows, orphans and significant number of combat veterans wounded with both physiological and psychological damage, not to mention the tarnished image of the United States from the Guantanamo Bay, Bagram prison and Abu Ghraib images flashed around the world.

According to recent reports, Taliban is the shadow government easily undermining the beleaguered Karzai administration riddled with corruption charges from the beginning leaving the only option for the Afghan people – ‘Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.’ Hence, they are more inclined to accept the Taliban as the lesser of the two evils.

The illuminati agenda for the NWO progresses while Afghanistan regresses to the stone age under Taliban.

At the end of the day, if corruption is synonymous to Karzai government,

What do we call Washington?

In light of the hard core facts and evidences, it’s clear the cataclysmic terror attack on September 11,2001 ought to be investigated and the criminals regardless of hierarchy and affiliations brought to justice in due respect for the 9/11 victims and the innocent lives lost in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

During the Presidential campaign in 2008, the candidates from both parties laid out their precise plan to capture the world’s most wanted ‘Osama Bin Laden.’ Senator John McCain stated that

“I will follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell” ….

Perhaps, that fallacy is now the prophecy for the cohort behind the September 11, 2001 horror and the despicable humanitarian crime ever to be committed in the modern civilization. It would be a matter for the Supreme Court as the highest order and legal authority in the land of justice to preside over the judicial process to honor and safeguard the United States Constitution grossly violated since the dawn of the twenty first century.

This would be the real test for the legal guardians obligatory to the great nation, the United States founded on the fundamentally sacred principles that guarantees freedom, civil liberties and justice for all.

Please remember that silence and abstinence embolden injustice and violence.

The topic discussion will continue with special attention on the political aspect.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

The Reality of the Afghan and Iraq War – Myth Behind the Troop Surge

December 4, 2009

By Padmini Arhant

I urge every reader of this article to view the contents of the preceding article published under the title ‘Global Terrorism – 9/11 and Osama Bin Laden Revelations,’ International Politics, on this website www.padminiarhant.com,

The adapted articles and segments substantiates the fact that 9/11 attack could have been prevented at all costs and the terror leader Osama Bin Laden apprehended during many opportunities presented time and again.

Further, the recent statement from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirming that the former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Gen. Tommy Franks failure to execute the order to capture Osama Bin Laden within the armed forces grasp is conveniently evaded by the authorities.

Even though many credible sources have come forward and testified before Congress to this effect, neither 9/11 commission nor the members of Congress pursued any investigation against those responsible for the neglect up until now.

Subsequent to 9/11, the Afghan war was waged with the unanimous support from all around. It’s been nine years since the incursion and the conservative death toll in this war alone as per:
————————————————————————————————–
1. SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA.ORG

List of civilian casualties of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

The War in Afghanistan (2001–present) has caused the deaths of thousands of Afghan civilians directly from insurgent and foreign military action, as well as the deaths of possibly tens of thousands of Afghan civilians indirectly as a consequence of displacement, starvation, disease, exposure, lack of medical treatment, crime and lawlessness resulting from the war.

The war, launched by the United States as “Operation Enduring Freedom” in 2001, began with an initial air campaign that almost immediately prompted concerns over the number of Afghan civilians being killed[1] as well as international protests.

————————————————————————————–

2. Source: http://www.unknownnews.net/casualties.html

About 251 times as many people have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq than in the ghastly attacks of September 11, 2001. More than 108 times as many people have been killed in these wars and occupations than in all terrorist attacks in the world from 1993-2004. The 2004 report showed terrorism at an all-time high, and after numerous experts suggested that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were fueling the increase, subsequent reports have remained classified.
——————————————————————————————
3. Source: http://cursor.org/stories/civilian_deaths.htm

Professor Marc W. Herold, Ph.D., M.B.A., B.Sc. Departments of Economics and Women’s Studies, McConnell Hall, Whittemore School of Business & Economics, University of New Hampshire.

A Dossier on Civilian Victims of United States’ Aerial Bombing of Afghanistan:

“What causes the documented high level of civilian casualties — 3,000 – 3,400 [October 7, 2001 thru March 2002] civilian deaths — in the U.S. air war upon Afghanistan? The explanation is the apparent willingness of U.S. military strategists to fire missiles into and drop bombs upon, heavily populated areas of Afghanistan.

But, the critical element remains the very low value put upon Afghan civilian lives by U.S. military planners and the political elite, as clearly revealed by U.S. willingness to bomb heavily populated regions. Current Afghan civilian lives must and will be sacrificed in order to [possibly] protect future American lives.”
————————————————————————————————–
Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

A Thanksgiving Message – A Sense of Gratitude

November 25, 2009

By Padmini Arhant

Message to President Barack Obama

Hon. President Barack Obama

Dear Mr. President,

After careful consideration, I would like to convey the withdrawal of my support to your administration based on your recent policy decisions on many issues.

I am not a politician. Although I’m privileged to have lived in different democratic countries and had many opportunities to participate in politics, I didn’t have any affinity for it mainly because:

The political environment is often dominant with “staying in power” that provides the means to fame and fortune rather than the sincere dedication to serve the people by taking political risks against the will of the establishments controlling the government in the systems disguised as democracy.

As stated earlier to you and the American public, I had a formal invitation from the former President George W. Bush and the office of the Vice President Dick Cheney to join their team to promote their agendas. Being guided by my strong principles and convictions with respect to peace, non-violence, fairness, freedom and equal opportunities for all human beings, I declined their offer as the past administration’s ideology was not only in contrast to my belief but also proved detrimental to any kind of progress.

Besides, as expected in politics, I cannot be a ‘Cheerleader’ of hawkish policies for political correctness and vehemently opposed to being an ‘attack dog’ for the powerful.

Your candidacy in the 2008 Presidential campaign with the ‘hope and change’ message indicated that hope could become a reality through positive change in Washington. Accordingly, I got involved voluntarily in the beginning and mandatorily later on to support your campaign, despite several requests and overtures from your democratic and republican opponents to rally behind them.

In response to the wild rumors and assertions about my ‘alleged’ financial gain then, during your political campaign, or, for that matter, now, I wish to set the record straight for the skeptics and the critics: I was never paid a dime in any form or method throughout the campaign up until now.

Conversely, as you well know that I have been contributing through donations to your campaign and the Democratic Party all along, while trying to maintain my livelihood on a modest income.

Meanwhile, there have been attacks, innuendoes and insinuations against me more so from the feminist “liberal” columnist representing the New England daily failing to meet the journalistic standard of remanding the elitist women with political clout and capital to tasks on important issues like foreign policy and health care reform in the public arena.

Unlike the various administrative appointments that have taken place through political bargaining and deal exchange; I continued my unconditional free service during the campaign and after the commencement of your administration until date regardless of the experience qualifying the expression being ‘thrown under the bus’ on many occasions not to mention the sleep deprivation with maximum three hours sleep in the past two years.

In terms of plain gratitude from the beneficiary of the historic Presidency, I had the honor of receiving DR. King’s sermon that could be perceived in many different ways depending on the deliverer’s intentions implied in the message.

“If you want to be important — wonderful. If you want to be recognized — wonderful. If you want to be great — wonderful. But, recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s a new definition of greatness.”

In my view, DR. King is the inspirational force who compelled the disheartened spirits to submit themselves to achieving greatness through service to humanity and strive hard to transform the status quo. Alternatively, in a spiritual sense the interpretation of ‘the greatest among you’ leads to the only entity Almighty God and his love amply reflected in the creations, the indomitable service to mankind.

Nevertheless, I’ll continue to exercise my right guaranteed to me in the first amendment, and remain steadfast with my commitment to the highest commandment to promote peace, progress and prosperity for all.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

Response to Vice President Al Gore and DCCC Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen

November 19, 2009

By Padmini Arhant

Dear Mr. Vice President and Rep. Van Hollen,

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your request. However, the required information sent on priority basis should be available prior to the deadline.

Enclosed please find the contribution and the survey completed with specific targets vital for immediate economic recovery and national progress.

I appreciate your kind remarks and the invitation to participate in the legislative affairs. I pledge my support to defend the policies benefiting the people of the United States of America as well as the global citizens.

Furthermore, I consider it’s really important for the incumbent and the prospective legislators to make a firm commitment to serve the people electing them to office and not become the proxies for the special interests. I reiterate the fact that despite millions of dollars in investments towards any political campaigns, the ultimate power lies with the electorate in a democracy.

I stand beside President Barack Obama and the Congress to serve the nation and humanity in urgent need of action on many fronts outlined in the 2009 Priority Issues Survey.

Constructive criticisms against strategies detrimental to national and global interest help the administration and legislators focus on delivering the promises to the American public and the international community at large. I urge the honorable members in public service to regard them as my deep concerns for our great nation undermined in the past eight years and the partisanship prevalent among the conservative factions in the Capitol Hill.

Rest assured my primary goal is to ensure the Obama Presidency is a phenomenal success in addition to the responsibility to promote international cause through freedom, democracy and peace for all.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

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