North Africa | Be a Seed for Change

The Political climate in the country is sort of reflecting the current weather, which has been violent at times, frequently changing agitated by furious thunder or uproar and commotion… just like what is happening from everyone involved in the Paul Ryan Plan, which includes ending Medicare, as we know it

“The tempest in my mind/Doth from my senses takes all feeling” (Shakespeare).

As Senate Democrats go back to work for the People Republicans continue to act recklessly and create mayhem on both the State and Federal levels. The facts are becoming clear which Political Party will be considered on the right side of history by all the efforts they have shown trying to vote for and implement legislation that would change the way immigration, insurance, wall street, climate change, and jobs which were mishandled and or neglected by the last guy and his republican crew in office.

The current issue mishandled by this crew of Republicans in Congress, among others is the Paul Ryan Budget Plan. The Republican Party pushed it, backed it as if it was the best thing in the world though the particulars were not clear. Fortunately, a Democratic member of Congress challenged the content, structure and announced that the plan would not only make the Bush Bonus dollars permanent, had a health care mandate , a voucher system, probably end Medicaid as well. I don’t know about you but the lack of detail in this Budget Plan given by Republicans before and during their break just proved the Ryan Plan is was not what they say it is. In an attempt to hide or assume no one would actually read “the Plan” which was portrayed by Ryan and his crew as a matter of little or no importance like a tempest in a teapot. It is obvious in reality this plan has created a great big disturbance and or uproar in the Democratic Party but Republican constituents are feeling the betrayal and it is not just Seniors. The plan, aside from the other ill-advised requirements or stipulations listed on this plan is set to affect those 55 and under once considered no big thing quickly moved into something else.

The saying that keeps coming to mind is “a tempest in a teapot”, which is how I felt Republicans were acting. Now, well now that tempest has definitely turned into a storm and has raged out of control. The tempestuous relationship between the Democratic Party and Republicans has promoted violent behaviour by some, emotional responses by all in a time when both sides of the aisle need to come together to create and pass laws. Instead, the party of no has done whatever can do to ruin the President which is being done off the backs of the Middle Class let alone snatch whatever help is left for the working class and the poor. I have news for Republicans and it is that even your constituents are beginning to see the light though i won’t hold my breath i am expecting and demanding that the Democratic Party stand up an out for We the People and help continue that path toward the 21st Century by supporting Barack Obama efforts for a 2nd term.

Other News …. CSPAN

Obama to Meet with Israeli Prime Minister – http://c-span.org/Events/Obama-to-Meet-with-Israeli-Prime-Minister/10737421660/

AFL-CIO President to Address Unions and 2012 Campaign – http://c-span.org/Events/AFL-CIO-President-to-Address-Unions-and-2012-Campaign/10737421671/

Report: Pakistan In Need of Reform

Stability and development at risk – http://c-span.org/Events/Report-Pakistan-In-Need-of-Reform/10737421672/

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). http://c-span.org/Events/Medical-Update-on-Rep-Gabrielle-Giffords-D-AZ/10737421663/

A moment of Opportunity -the Middle East as a “historic opportunity in Mid East and North Africa.” http://c-span.org/Events/Obama-Outlines-United-States-Mideast-Policy/10737421632/

President Obama Addresses Women’s Leadership Forum – http://c-span.org/Events/President-Obama-Addresses-Women39s-Leadership-Forum/10737421662/

Obama Letter to Boehner: Blocking Property of Senior Officials of the Government of Syria – http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/18/text-letter-blocking-property-senior-officials-government-syria

“We stand with the people of Egypt in their demand for freedom and basic rights, an end to the crackdown and internet blackout, and immediate democratic reform. We call on our governments to join us in our solidarity with the Egyptian people.”

Massive pro-democracy protests are spreading quickly across Egypt. Protesters are bravely speaking out against a repressive regime that has ruled the country for more than 30 years. The protesters are demanding the right to free speech, an end to government corruption and brutality, and free and fair elections.1

Today we’re joining an international grassroots movement to send a message of solidarity via radio and television to the people of Egypt and the Arab world.

So far, the protests have been overwhelmingly non-violent but the Egyptian government is cracking down hard. They have already arrested nearly a thousand protesters, declared a nationwide curfew, and cut off the internet.2 The regional media is one of our last ways to reach out to the people of Egypt.

So we’re joining with our friends at Avaaz.org—an international MoveOn-style organization—to build a massive wave of support from people around the world to stand in solidarity with non-violent protesters in Egypt.

Avaaz will be spreading the statement of solidarity via radio and television across North Africa and the Middle East, where the Egyptian people can hear it

You can join by signing the solidarity statement here: http://pol.moveon.org/

We enjoy the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly in this country, and we ought to use them to support others who hope for the same freedoms.

We must support those in Egypt who are choosing to stand up for democracy. The response by the Egyptian government has been needlessly brutal so far. Security forces are firing at protesters with live ammunition, beating people on the streets, and cutting off nearly every means of communication in an effort to maintain control and suppress the calls for democracy.

The situation on the ground is volatile and our hope is to support those in Egypt who are choosing peaceful protest as the means by which to push for change.

Our show of support could help not only bring newfound freedom to Egypt but possibly catalyze a chain reaction of reform across the Middle East unlike anything we’ve seen since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Last week the people of Tunisia peacefully deposed a long-ruling dictator, inspiring the people of Egypt to stand up. Now, calls for reform are spreading to other countries including Yemen, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Right now our voices, in a show of unwavering solidarity with people non-violently calling for change, could potentially help bring fundamental human rights and democracy to millions of people. Add your name to the global statement of solidarity to be broadcast by radio here:

http://pol.moveon.org/

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Robin, Duncan, Peter, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1.”Egyptians’ Fury Has Smoldered Beneath the Surface for Decades,” The New York Times, January 28, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205899&id=25944-17809870-tD9p82x&t=5

2. “Egyptian military deploys in Cairo under curfew,” MSNBC, January 28, 2010

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205898&id=25944-17809870-tD9p82x&t=6