Dalit Representation in the LokPal Panel

April 23, 2011

By Padmini Arhant

The statement from the Lokpal committee undecided member Mr. Santosh Hegde on dalit representation that-

“Lokpal panel is five men panel with no room for such representation.  Such request made to derail Lokpal bill” is precisely required to be transcended with their inclusion in the highly politicized national cause.

Lokpal panel claimed to be premised on Mahatma Gandhi’s principles yet disenfranchising the society’s specific segment – the dalits unequivocally supported by Mahatma Gandhi in the crusade for social reform is contradictory to Gandhian philosophy of inclusiveness rather than exclusivity.

Further the committee need not be strictly restricted to five members considering the representation of a secular diverse society in every aspect.

The female member absence in the committee pronounces the gender alienation and therefore the recommendation of Mrs. Kiran Bedi, a dedicated social activist with relevant knowledge in the matter was made to reflect the contemporary society.

It is important for all concerned parties to prioritize national interest and set aside the personal and political differences for greater good.

The unique opportunity is available to exemplify the individual commitment to national service without heeding to distractions from sources against the phenomenal step to renew the image of a country that was established in moral and ethical governance.

Again it is earnestly hoped that Lokpal bill will be passed with overwhelming approval in the Parliament to begin a new chapter in history for the world’s largest democracy.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

 

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India – Anti-Corruption Bill By Indian Civil Society

April 22, 2011

By Padmini Arhant

Indian politics is not different from the rest of the world on issues like public dissatisfaction with bureaucracy, corruption and political scandals.

In fact politics without corruption is analogous to fish on the land with the permeating odor affecting the surroundings upon contact.

Indian society has been long dealing with corruption from top down in public and private sector.  The nation has developed immunity to the virus resistant to both prevention and cure.

India’s independence movement began with sentiments contained on the surface and underneath simmering frustration on the bondage endured in homeland from foreign oppression.

If not for the strong and courageous leadership of the nation’s founding father – Mahatma Gandhi and several committed freedom fighters,

Indian history would perhaps be similar to the nations struggling for political liberty in the twenty first century.

Subsequently complacency to corruption, nepotism and cronyism predominantly contributed to the status quo – tax evasions, embezzlement, money hoarded in Swiss bank accounts and tax havens, complicity to atrocity against humanity,

Notwithstanding systemic abuse of power benefitting the powerful, affluent and influential in the society with demography at the lower economic strata marginalized including lagging investments in infrastructure and green technology.

As previously mentioned, no political faction is “Sanctus Stephanus Protomartyr” given the erupting political scandals.

The prolonged investigations and judicial process are still underway with prime suspects committing suicide or fleeing town to avoid trials against them.

Invariably all political parties and governments slighted the citizens’ voices against corruption and requests to address the issue over four decades leading to the recent hunger strike by a seventy two year old citizen Anna Hazare – reportedly Mahatma Gandhi follower, a former soldier in the Indian Army then a community organizer and later became a social activist.

The senior citizen Anna Hazare claimed to have written to Prime Minister DR. Man Mohan Singh and the ruling Congress Party President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi earlier this year on the worsening corruption situation.  Mr. Anna Hazare confirmed there was no response from either political leader to the plea.

Mr. Anna Hazare launched his fasting in mid-April that soon galvanized into national rally demanding government attention to the overwhelming corruption charges and allegations against ruling as well as opposition political parties at the central and state levels.

Indian citizens gathered in large numbers seeking a committee with members representing the civil society and the legislators from the government to draft a bill against corruption through robust measures to curb the epidemic stalling progress in many frontiers,

Besides tarnishing the image of a great nation poised to lead the world in the most challenging era.

The government’s agitation in accepting the civil society proposition on the committee with fair representation on both sides was evident in the developments involving the panelists nominated by Mr. Anna Hazare.

If the government approach was to adopt a high moral ground in exemplifying the important legislation’s ethical efficacy then it would have been appropriate to begin with their members – the four prominent cabinet ministers as eminent legal minds albeit not without political baggage in their respective domain.

Congress Party has been inundated with numerous allegations from 2G-Spectrum scam, Commonwealth Games Funds misappropriation, bribery charges during vote of confidence in 2008 to the direct implications of the political alliance with DMK and the Chief Minister Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu.

Notwithstanding the corruption cases dropped against the Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi in the Bofors Scandal by the Congress led government in 2009 and,

Closure of CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe in the criminal investigation against Mr. Quattrocchi per the Delhi High Court decision in March 2011 concluded after 250 crores Indian Rupees approximately $50 million expenditure in 25 years producing no result.

Likewise on the opposition front, the BJP protection to the Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa alleged dealings and the CM’s defiance in every respect reveals the impunity granted to members across the political spectrum.

The Congress Party President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s letter to Mr. Anna Hazare clarifying the disdain for smear campaign against the civil society panel,

Amid the Congress Party General Secretary Digvijaya Singh and the potential coalition partner Amar Singh relentless attacks against Lokpal committee members proved contradictory to the national party position rendering Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s statements disingenuous based on the reality.

It is well known that politics is served with selective memory and made obvious in Mr. Digvijaya Singh’s analogy of the Congress government’s former Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Mr. A. Raja – currently held in prison on 2G-Spectrum scandal in the remark against Lokpal committee representatives Mr. Shanti Bhusan and family.

Mr. Anna Hazare began the honorable mission against anti-corruption on the beleaguered victims behalf comprising the vast national majority.

The committee members notably Mr. Shanti Bhushan and his son Prashant Bhushan were nominated by Mr. Anna Hazare despite reservations within the support network on possible nepotism assertions from the groups against the bill.

Furthermore Mr. Anna Hazare previously insisted upon retaining the Bhushans for their legal expertise in parallel to the government’s delegates in the committee.

Now in the wake of controversies emanating from the incumbent party members and government officials’ concerted efforts against civil society panel,

Mr. Anna Hazare is reported to have distanced from his nominees Mr. Shanti Bhusan and Mr. Prashant Bhushan.

Since the legislation concerns the society posing imminent threat to the moral fabric of the nation known for noble Kings and in modern times the patriotic statesmen allegiance to truth, honesty and integrity,

It would be in national interest to select Lokpal (civil society) committee members subject to meeting the specific criteria on legal background i.e. specializing in ethical framework for the society at large combined with legislative procedures and constitutional law.

Mr. Shanti Bhushan and Mr. Prashant Bhushan could relieve the committee from their involvement and let the civil society proceed with the selection of the necessary emissaries in drafting the historic bill.

Social activists Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi deserve participation in the committee considering their knowledge, familiarity with social plight, dedication and unflinching determination to prevail in the national cause.

It is equally crucial to invite representation from the segments deemed outcasts viz. the dalits in the society.

The non-discriminatory bill aptly reflecting the compliance requirement regardless of political, economic and social stature with legal consequences is paramount to deter corruption and other prevalent crimes related to unethical conduct and immoral dealings costing taxpayers apart from draining national treasury.

Due diligence is necessary to ensure loopholes free legislation to prevent circumvention by authorities at the helm to the bottom.

India could set precedence in passing the monumental legislation and successfully implement the law for national good.

Congress Party and the government through finance minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee pledged to introduce the bill during the monsoon session and the conciliatory exchange is welcome.

The initial acknowledgment of the corrosive elements in the system is a refreshing start and devising methods for systematic elimination required to promote effective legislation.

Although democracy is vibrant with myriad views and opinions on the public matter, the objections from the government’s surrogates characterizing the civil society locally known as Lokpal as ‘anarchists’ and,

The spokespersons interpreting the citizens’ call for government reaction after waiting over forty three years as ‘impatience’ clearly demonstrates the polarity between the mainstream and the political establishment.

The apprehensions on civil society presenting the agenda is ironic in a democracy with the constitution set up to represent the government of the people, by the people and for the people – the recognition ominously missing in the present environment.

When the privileged and the political class could safeguard their prospects through active and passive input in the Parliamentary actions, it is rather prejudicial to question the ordinary citizens’ synonymous rights especially them experiencing the brunt of the widespread corruption in the society.

The government and the members against the anti-corruption bill are urged to refrain from mud slinging witnessed up until now for negativities hurt those harboring than the ones aimed at in the karmic and pragmatic sense.

It is sincerely hoped that the civil society would exercise sound reasoning and judgment in choosing the committee legal experts and the government on their part offer cooperation in constructing a formidable legislation and deliver the promise to eradicate corruption.

Upholding transparency and accountability is a key factor with a unique opportunity for the government to utilize the event by allowing the committee meeting to take place in public view via live broadcast.

Good Luck! To civil society and political leaderships in the social as well as political reform victory.

Thank you.

 

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Easter Meals for Wounded Troops and Their Families

April 20, 2011

From:  Padmini Arhant

Please reach out to the service men and women in need of support with your affordable donations.

Their dire situation is a stark reminder to care for the wounded and the vulnerable in the society.

Unfortunately their plight is slighted in the political standoff over budget disagreement with certain corporations like GE and the CEO Jeffrey Immelt maximizing their gains through tax evasions while the average Americans are targeted in the federal spending cuts – demonstrating the misplaced priority.

The message from the non-profit organization elaborates the different payment methods and distribution towards the humanitarian cause.

Let us not forget those who pledge their lives for the nation and the citizens.

Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Emergency Easter Meals Project

 

Help provide Easter meals for our wounded troops and their families

This Easter Season many more disabled servicemen are desperate to feed their families.

Take Paul Thurman, for example, who appears at right along with his family. After Paul was brain-damaged by a roadside bomb in Iraq, his wife had to resort to selling her blood plasma to buy food.

And Army Private Dexter F, who was wounded in Iraq, called the Coalition, pleading,

“We are running out of food, the phone bill needs to be paid and the lights were turned off this week.”

As you know, the Coalition has made a commitment to help brave but broken heroes like Paul and Dexter and others who have been severely burned, blinded, paralyzed and even brain-damaged in Afghanistan or Iraq. But we can’t do it without generous, patriotic Coalition supporters like you.

So please make a generous, tax-deductible gift right now to the Coalition’sEmergency Easter Meals Project. Your gift will help feed our wounded heroes and thank them for the painful sacrifices they’ve made while serving our country.

————————————

When you donate, we will also send an Easter THANK YOU and GET WELL card (shown, right) to a serviceman or woman severely wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq in your name. You can also send a greeting card to a disabled service member without donating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Hydrofracking – Endangering Life and Environment

April 19, 2011

By Padmini Arhant

Despite oil spills, mining accidents, gas and nuclear power plant leakages proved catastrophic to life on planet, the exploration continues in defiance of environment laws further endangering lives and livelihoods.

Congressional Democrats investigation revealed the drilling process known as hydrofracking i.e. hydraulic fracking – an operation carried out by the oil and gas industry injecting toxic chemicals into underground bedrocks to extract petroleum and gas is a direct threat to the natural sources of drinking water.

The findings also suggest that the water contamination from the several million gallons of heavily concentrated hazardous chemicals used in the wells is a serious health concern and portends major risks for residents in more than thirteen states across the nation.

Oil companies’ discreet policies and reluctance in complete public disclosure on the chemicals poured in substantial volumes is a greater challenge in identifying the exact chemical compounds presenting an imminent danger to life.

The hydrofracking companies hired by the energy industry are evidently in violation of the safe drinking water act due to the pervasive carcinogenic effects from the harmful agents such as benzene and lead in massive quantities for fossil fuel production.

Democrat lawmakers’ report is an awakening for setting rigorous standards calling for ban on hydrofracking given the devastating impact on water supply and the residue settlements on the wastewater treatment plant for redistribution into the rivers.

With the BP oil spill anniversary on April 20, 2011 it is poignant to recall the irreparable damages caused by the biggest environment disaster yet to be contained in various fronts and,

The subsequent permits issued by the federal agency not to mention the moratorium on offshore drilling lifted even prior to addressing the environmental and economic losses from the negligence as well as delayed action in plugging the hole.

As for the energy industry assuming responsibility in preventing environment degradation –

Unfortunately prolific investments are made in maintaining the status quo and any political efforts in passing legislation successfully derailed through representatives against environment preservation.

These impediments combined with persistent environment abuse prevalent in the exploration techniques contribute to pollution thereby increasing health problems.

Hydofracking is obviously detrimental to health and environment.

The elimination of such dangerous methods is essential to safeguard life and only possible through mass intervention seeking legislative prohibition along with granting authority to EPA in monitoring the abandonment of drilling to sustain purity in natural elements like water.

Clean air and safe drinking water are fundamental requirements for survival and adversely affected by untested and unverifiable applications depleting the vital reserves in the quest for energy fuel.

Affordable alternative energy from solar, wind, water and biofuel are the best hope to meet the growing energy demands across the globe besides providing healthy living conditions for all inhabitants.

Finally sparing Mother Earth from systemic assaults on air, land and water would guarantee the desirable results in promoting life, abundance growth and fair distribution of resources among the nations currently deprived from such access.

Ending hydrofracking and offshore drilling would be choosing to save life over greed driven profits.

Thank you.

 

Padmini Arhant

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Planned Parenthood, Medicare and Medicaid – The Average Americans’ Life Support

April 17, 2011

By Padmini Arhant

The 2012 budget disagreement in the Hill continues with the Republican majority in the House having passed the proposal to cut $4.4 trillion deficits over the next decade.

Medicare and Medicaid along with funding for the Title X program that provides millions of vulnerable women with family planning, cancer screening and other vital preventative services is currently targeted in the attempt to display fiscal responsibility.

The intention to reduce deficit by $4.4 trillion is praiseworthy but again not at the ordinary citizens’ plight as they are already marginalized in the political system run by the empire representing the tax evading corporations and,

The military industrial complex determined to prolong occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq…with the recent report on Iraq revealing the plan for permanent U.S and coalition troops deployment in the oil rich nation.

Likewise the White House position on raising the debt limit ceiling to accommodate disproportionate military spending through expansive operations in Islamic countries for strategic and economic interests alongside complicity with corporations exporting American taxpayers funded jobs exemplified in the appointment of such corporation to lead the White House Council on Jobs and competitiveness is contradictory to the stated objective.

If the House Speaker John Boehner and the White House were to slash the alarming defense expenditure with troops withdrawal from the nations in the process of being declared indefinite battle zones and,

Pledge towards tax reform evidently favoring corporations like General Electric with the removal of the CEO Jeffrey Immelt from the controversial post in acknowledgment of public petition seeking the GE CEO resignation,

Then the legislative and the executive branches’ crusade could perhaps benefit the mainstream rather than the corporate donors with the base covered in all three government branches.

The cooperation between the Republican members and the White House last year during the Bush tax cuts extension legislation contributing to rising deficit and,

Now the similarities in the debt escalation by the Republican House representatives’ action depriving women, children, veterans and seniors from health care with Medicare and Medicaid elimination,

While the White House calling for higher debt caps inevitably burden the lower and middle income families considering their mutual allegiance to special interests reflected in the generous tax exemptions to the super rich and corporate financiers.

Congressional members opposed to women’s health particularly in their determination to defund Planned Parenthood are alienating the women electorate for ideological reasons and precisely not the change desired by the demography at the lower economic strata.

Reiterating the fact that such polarization within society undermines sovereignty with serious political repercussions for the women’s health opponents and the party.

The real commitment from the White House and the Republican lawmakers would come to light upon prioritizing people over the conglomerate controlling the economic management, foreign policy and warfare.

Thus far the status quo confirms the Bush-Cheney legacy continuation in honoring Bush tax cuts extension, Osama Bin Laden mystery unresolved for perpetual warfare, foreign policy enabling dictatorships to prevail through behind the scenes negotiations with their descendants allowing stalemate against revolutions victory in the people led political uprising in Middle East and North Africa –

Such developments epitomize the corporate and military industrial complex governance overriding democracy.

Therefore the funding restraint on the citizens’ life support – Planned Parenthood, Medicare and Medicaid proves the individual members and leaderships’ misplaced efforts on debt reduction.

Instead the legislative and executive branch consensus on tax revenues successfully circumvented by the corporations and substantial military spending in the sprawling operations around the world should be the bone of contention to signify functional democracy.

With tax payments from corporations obviously not received due to inherent loopholes and deficiencies besides winding up military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq alone would resolve the burgeoning deficit crisis.

Unfortunately the solidarity between the executive and legislative branch in this regard is successfully secured by the corporate sponsors – the perennial winners in the declining democratic system.

Public dissent against Congressional and White House ties with Wall Street at main street peril is necessary to bring about the hope and change reviving republic rule in a democracy.

Failure to heed to citizens’ plea to alleviate and not exacerbate their suffering would be termination of their term in office – as witnessed in 2008 and 2010 elections.

It would be unwise to under estimate electorates’ disappointment in the ‘more of the same’ iimplemented as the promised change.

Hence the incumbent administration and legislative members’ campaign promise delivery to the people without deflecting from the required course is paramount for national progress.

Power is effective in the empowerment of powerless and not aiding the established powerful forces in the shadow government.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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United States – Budget Deal Prevents Government Shutdown

April 9, 2011

By Padmini Arhant

Congressional members under the leaderships of the House Speaker John Boehner, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and minority leader Mitch McConnell passed the budget providing federal funding to last until Thursday April 14, 2011 that averted the government shut down.

The stopgap measure allows government functionality and further time to complete the required tasks i.e. federal funding for the remaining year and the fiscal year 2012 budget approval.

Budget deal is claimed to have achieved $78 billion savings against deficit reduction without social issues holding up the legislation and the political gridlock serving none except news discussion.

As stated earlier the debt reduction is necessary but not at the vulnerable population expense.

The other areas consuming significant proportion of spending with negative returns are to be targeted rather than aiming at life saving programs and essential investments guaranteed to boost economic growth in the immediate and long term future.

The negotiation methods leading to a general consensus on the budget could be emulated in the coming week to avoid any delay or threats to government operation.

The elected representatives to public office bear greater responsibility to diligently engage in meaningful debates and reconcile the differences for a desirable outcome in legislative matter.

Again disagreements for political reasons are detrimental to national interest with an inevitable electoral backlash common in a democracy.

Identifying the unreasonable and unaffordable causes effectively benefitting all could facilitate better environment in public policy engagement.

Although every elected official is inclined to serve their respective constituency and political party,

The national legislation especially fiscal management is always contentious and requires rationality as well as balanced approach resisting political appeasement for universal benefit.

Every American is part of the society. Therefore health, education, jobs, housing and environment problems experienced as individuals or communities has ripple effects.

Poignantly denying funding for Planned Parenthood involved in women’s health care and wellness contributes to the national health care costs overriding deficit containment.

The Republican lawmakers and conservative democrats opposed to Title 10 related to funding for Planned Parenthood are requested to focus on the wide range of health benefits received by women in lower income category that otherwise could deprive them from healthy living standards not to mention the economic liabilities exceeding the fund provision for preventive care.

Such unnecessary opposition is deflective from the objective to reduce national debt.

Besides the political position could generate gender bias perception usually reflected in the electoral outcome.

Change promised on the campaign trail could be realized upon cooperation, acknowledgment of issues in the broader sense and sincere commitment to serve the people and nation at large.

Working in harmony could alleviate partisanship attributed to legislation failure.

Adopting a strategy to exchange ideas and recommendations at various levels to improve American lives while leaving behind the political ideology found in the legislation blockade would enhance performance and fix the broken system in Washington.

Nonetheless the renewed teamwork displayed in the budget agreement is commendable.

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, The White House Staff, Congressional leaderships and members’ perseverance in this regard is greatly appreciated.

Hopefully similar actions will prevail in the week ahead becoming the new resolution rejecting obsolete practices in Washington politics.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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United States – Budget Impasse and Possible Government Shutdown

April 7, 2011

By Padmini Arhant

United States is confronted with many contentious issues.

The disagreement on federal spending, funding for the rest of this year, the deficit, and the FY 2012 budget constitutes the highlight of the political standoff.

There is no doubt that deficit is a major concern not only for the elected officials but also the mainstream taxpayers especially the average citizens forced with tax burden and drastic spending cuts directly affecting vital programs such as health, education and environment protection.

Republican members have always maintained that balancing a budget means targeting essential services to the vulnerable members i.e. children health, youth population dependent on educational grants, senior citizens and veteran affairs without due consideration for the reverse impact on the net output.

Meanwhile, the tax breaks to the wealthiest including estate tax exemption passed during the Bush tax cuts extension in 2010 combined with disproportionate defense expenditure on the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which were never even budgeted prior to engagement are contradictory to their objective in containing deficit.

The White House fiscal year 2012 budget and the 2011 federal spending is also based on drastic cuts in domestic discretionary spending expected to cause significant pain in states with budget crisis.

Again the Pentagon spending and corporate tax evasions have not drawn the White House and the conservatives’ attention in the crucial debate.

Otherwise – General Electric, America’s largest corporation having made ($14.2B) $14,200,000,000 in profits last year paid $0 in taxes — that’s right, zero dollars in taxes.

Further GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt ensured his compensation doubled and then diligently concentrated on imposing severe concessions in wages and benefits against 15,000 workers.

Ironically Jeffrey Immelt is the Chair of President Barack Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness – the coveted status for any Corporate Executive to be in the realm of policy making at the executive branch.

People grievance in this regard is justified – Mr. Immelt assisted his company to evade taxes on its mega profits and subsequent to securing personal compensation double has been pursuing the workers to accept pay cuts – signifying the culture in the corporate dominant political systems.

Citizens petition seeking CEO Jeffrey Immelt to step down and President Barack Obama for Mr. Immelt’s resignation is yet to be obliged much to public frustration.

CEO Jeffrey Immelt position as the Chair of the White House council is evidently in conflict of interest and therefore honoring citizens’ call to quit from the controversial post would be a dignified decision in a democratic setting.

Perhaps the lawmakers’ favoring austerity on the middle and low income America could review their overwhelming generosity in tax breaks facilitating certain corporations and the super rich executives to defraud the current taxation law.

Congressional Democrats particularly the progressives being the only hope for average Americans are hamstrung in their efforts to prevent the intense attacks against the working class.

Social security – the guaranteed safety net for the baby boomers and retirees is another misplaced political maneuver in the fiscal mismanagement.

The latest stopgap measure passed in the House by Republican majority providing a mere week funding instead of the remaining year reflects the lack of seriousness to perform the services pledged on the campaign trail.

Balanced approach and clear rationale is required to overcome the political gridlock contributing to possible government shutdown likely to exacerbate the situation rather than resolving for national benefit.

Congressional members from both parties are urged to set aside their respective political differences and earnestly involve in fruitful discussions to exemplify their commitment to the American electorate.

Representatives are elected to run the government efficiently and not dedicate to the closure for political appeasement.

Besides the House Speaker John Boehner in the tearful moment upon being elected the Republican leader declared the victory as the strong message from the American people to “change course.”

It is poignant to remind the esteemed Speaker John Boehner on the promises made at the emotional hour.

Republican Congressman John Boehner’s statements were:

“The people’s priorities will be our priorities. The people’s agenda will be our agenda.

This is our Pledge to America; this is our pledge to you!

Let’s start right now by recognizing this is not a time for celebration. This is a time to roll up our sleeves and go to work. We can celebrate when small businesses are creating jobs again.”

The status quo could be attributed to politics served more with rhetoric than actions and as for changing direction – it is worth travelling down memory lane when the then Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich successfully led the Government shut down under the former Democratic President Bill Clinton.

Experimenting old ways for new results might yield self-satisfaction and in this instance to national detriment.

However prolonging the stalemate only confirms the reluctance to ‘Change’ despite the relevance in political stagnancy.

Promoting inaction is not the solution to the burgeoning problem and,

Political leaderships arriving at a consensus through middle ground without marginalizing those struggling to make ends meet or the demography striving hard to revive the economy is instrumental in leading the nation forward.

Spending cuts are vital in the areas that are redundant and destructive to humanity like incessant warfare as well as incentives to energy behemoths indulging in environmental damage.

Contrarily the spending reductions are invariably focused on life saving and prospective investments.

Hence the two substantial avenues to address the federal spending, balancing the budget and deficit control – essentially fiscal responsibility are:

Containing military expenditure with a definitive exit strategy on Iraq, Afghanistan and military bases around the world.

Tax reform to close tax evasion loopholes and tax structure review for fair assessments.

Additionally eliminating wasteful spending i.e. earmarks with the exception of infrastructure improvement in the congressional districts or uplifting social standards producing business and community growth opportunities benefitting all are viable for a meaningful breakthrough in the budget dispute.

It is time to deliver and not deliberate on the government functionality through collective reconciliation of the fiscal matter.

Hopefully all parties will rise to the occasion by recognizing their individual obligation to public and national service without alienating the issues for political purpose.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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Message to Iman Al-Obeidi – Beacon Light of Libya

April 6, 2011

From: Padmini Arhant

Dear Iman Al-Obeidi,

Your courage and love for your country is witnessed with great admiration not to mention the attention around the world.

Please remember – your plight along with thousands of martyrs to free Libya will not be in vain.

Your ordeal is shared among the compassionate fellow humans across the globe and those responsible for innocent civilians suffering will be brought to justice.

More poignantly they will be ousted from power regardless of their maneuver to prolong oppression.

Injustice endured by you and other patriots serve as testimony to tolerance reflected in complacency and complicity to a large extent revealed in the latest developments.

Otherwise the request to shut down the communication media used by Muammar Gaddafi and servitudes for false propaganda would not have been slighted combined with expediting arrest warrant for trial in the International Criminal Court dismissed as ‘not interested in prosecution.’

Such reactions suggestive of the strong alliance between the so-called democratic powers and dictatorships for economic interests.

However the same actions were diligently carried out in toppling the democratic government in Lebanon demonstrating the U.S and allies’ discriminatory foreign policy.

People power can no longer be suppressed throughout the world on a wide range of issues.

As stated on numerous occasions – the governments run by the global empire are on the brink of collapse adversely affecting the dictatorial powers relying on false assurance.

Therefore the leaderships in the Middle East and elsewhere are reminded to refrain from use of violence and abuse against pro-democracy movement in the respective nations.

Furthermore they are also advised not to under estimate the revolutions’ resolve to prevail in the quest for political freedom and fairness in the society.

Muammar Gaddafi and loyalists too have daughters, sisters, wives and mother in their lives.

Yet the inhumane treatment of Iman Al-Obeidi and several young captives confirm the lack of respect for life particularly women targeted as inferior and vulnerable members by the tyrannical force and their supporters.

Iman Al-Obeidi and all other hostages’ immediate and unconditional release ending in family reunion are paramount to avert cataclysmic events for the authoritarian powers and descendants.

The Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and family departure is quintessential to represent the meaningful political transformation and the western powers’ have an opportunity to prove their commitment in this regard beginning with Iman Al-Obeidi and many victims release from Gaddafi aides’ custody.

Hence the government under Muammar Gaddafi leadership has less than twenty-four hours to free the honorable daughter of Libya Iman Al-Obeidi and every other citizen held in detention.

Failure to act including external interventions as occurred previously would exacerbate the political crisis and the imminent fall of the defiant authorities.

Iman Al-Obeidi and other persecuted citizens are requested to remain strong for you will not only see the daylight,

Indeed cherished as the beacon light in Libyan liberation cause.

Peace to you and your family with a bright future on the horizon.

Thank you.

Best Regards

Padmini Arhant

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Libya – The End Game

April 4, 2011

By Padmini Arhant

Middle East uprisings are evolving into prolonged violent crackdowns.

Libya has been in the center stage allowing the dictatorship to negotiate with the western democratic powers.

The reports on events such as secret talks between the heir apparent Saif al-Islam Gaddafi aides and U.K. foreign ministry on the Libyan leadership substitution rather than regime change with people choice is the fundamental cause for the frustration witnessed in the regional demonstrations.

Further, the defectors and the next of kin from the declining dictatorial powers viz. Libya and Egypt are granted asylum in the United Kingdom revealing the strong relationship maintained with the unpopular leaderships.

The United States refusal to recognize the National Transitional Council in Benghazi, Libya based on “We don’t know who they are,” is a weak and disingenuous argument considering –

The White House admission of CIA operatives on the ground along with MI5 surveillance of not only the Libyan opposition but also the entire pro-democracy movement in the region.

Despite rigorous monitoring the United States and United Kingdom might refute information about the people represented revolutions,

Nonetheless the ordinary citizens from all walks of life in these societies have risked their lives to openly plead through western media for recognition.

The world witnessed their ally Muammar Gaddafi and the clan brutality in the genocide against civilians and army personnel rejecting the shoot at sight order confirming the leaderships’ true characteristics and utter disregard for life in general.

Libyan massacre through aerial bombings and ground assault since political unrest epitomizes Muammar Gaddafi and the descendants’ ruthlessness to remain in power with the oligarchy complicity in the decadent power survival.

Muammar Gaddafi and the dynasty having exemplified unparalleled monstrosity arguably is the ultimate threat to humanity compared with any groups suspected by the western powers in their procrastination to legitimize the republic appointed National Transitional Council awaiting opportunity to lead the revolution.

It is clearly indicative of the irony in the leading western democracies – the United States and the United Kingdom willingness to conduct meetings with the regime while the revolutionary council members are sidelined exacerbating the citizens’ plight in the forty-two years of oppression.

In the combat zone, the recent casualties suffered from NATO attack against Libyan opposition position impending investigation is yet another compounding factor generating a perception of misplaced coalition with the regime more emboldened from the setbacks on the population front.

The dictatorships defiance to reconcile terms with reality and the hope of being salvaged by the powerful liaison will not come to fruition due to the imminent regime collapse evident in the fractured government under Muammar Gaddafi.

Besides the global empire allies in Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan…attention to the developments in the democratic systems is vital to realize the people power impact on the prominent leaderships defeated in the respective political actions viz.

Canada – The government led by the Prime Minister Stephen Harper brought down by no-confidence vote in the Parliament on March 26, 2011 with opposition strengthening ties to remove the failed leadership from power.

Germany – The German Chancellor Angela Merkel was delivered a humiliating loss in a poignant regional election on March 27, 2011 over nuclear policy reviving the Green party resurgence.

These are phenomenal evolutions in the inevitable new beginning on the horizon.

Attempts to evade or circumvent the long overdue political transformation would precipitate the natural course resulting in the rapid expulsion of forces responsible for the status quo.

Hence the authoritarian leaderships relying on the influential alliance to suppress the public demand for the cessation of power are reminded to acknowledge the revolutions resolve to implement the desirable change through republic governance.

The dynasties and demagoguery era is nearing end with the meaningful democracy pledged to national interest unlike the prevalent self and special interest succeeding in republic empowerment.

Again the reforms offered in the wake of mass protest are unauthentic considering the exchanges within the establishment.

People involved in seeking political freedom are requested not to relent and accept superficial or hypothetical proposals meant to benefit the puppet governments run by the international nexus organization.

Libya and other oppressive leaderships using violence against own people cannot sustain power irrespective of the western efforts to extend the political crises by default predominantly for economic and strategic advantages in the oil rich nations.

Any genuine resolution to Libyan warfare would comprise legitimizing the citizens’ council thereby denouncing the existing autocracy and expediting Muammar Gaddafi, family and associates’ departure.

On the contrary the deliberations and discreet dialogues with the preferred nominee Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi implicated for Libyan bloodshed confirms the western democratic powers’ paradoxical maneuver.

Striking deals with repressive regimes involved in the slaughter is anything but democratic.

The hypocritical stance in providing refuge and recourse to belligerent leaderships sharing identical traits with terror masterminds especially in killing innocent civilians is noteworthy.

Muammar Gaddafi and the loyalists never had credibility among the people persecuted over several decades.

Launching successors from Gaddafi family or the cabinet would be resistance to real democracy by the democratic powers lacking in transparency and accountability on the domestic and foreign policy contributing to human suffering.

Libyan revolution persistence in the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi is necessary for true liberation and honoring martyrdom across the nation to free Libya.

Wishing the people of Libya triumph over tyranny.

Peace, progress and prosperity to Libyan patriots.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, International Politics | Leave a Comment 

India Wins the World Cup Cricket 2011

April 2, 2011

By Padmini Arhant

Heartfelt Congratulations! To Indian Cricket team for a spectacular victory in the riveting game with billion fanfares cheering the Indian troop on the battle ground against formidable Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan team impressively challenged the Indian side that contributed to earning the prestigious title.

The incredible performance from the Indian batsmen particularly Gautam Gambhir assuming responsibility at the critical position joined by the Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and later Yuvraj Singh led India to the anticipated victory.

Gautam Gambhir and others deserve due recognition with an award for their commitment that guaranteed the end result.

Team efforts from India and Sri Lanka made the grand finale a historic moment to prove the respective caliber in the most popular sport revered by the people across the Indian sub-continent.

The Indian team demonstrated resolve in rising to the occasion and delivered their promise by winning the most coveted trophy.

It is Dusserah for India – a festival time rejoicing the glorious triumph in the hard fought final match.

Indian Cricket team makes India proud in winning the World Cup Championship.

Best Wishes to Sri Lanka in their future endeavor and India for continuous success in every frontier.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, Sports | Leave a Comment 

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