Collective Consciousness: The Demise of American Independence

By Mildred Robertson

As Americans, we pride ourselves on our independence. We see ourselves as individualistic, self-motivating and self-sustaining.

Don’t believe the hype.

In reality, we are more like the “Star Trek” character whose group consciousness swallowed up everything it encountered. American values grew from a stubborn individuality, but we have devolved into “the Borg”; a hive-minded collection of drones who internalize and regurgitate predetermined directives for which we will fight, kill or die, no matter how absurd or bereft of fact.  

Case in point—the right-wing attack on the president’s citizenship. This baseless, futile exercise consumed countless news, radio, TV, webcasts, tabloid and magazine pages. While most thinking people dismissed this controversy as the distraction it was, “the hive” internalized and replicated it, wasting valuable time that could have been used to discuss meaningful government reform.

This mindless dash toward the next political, social or economic issue is facilitated by the media. Once heralded as the fourth leg of government and the people’s watchdog, the media now stumble over each other to be the first to report rather than the first to research and inform. Like reality TV, they hunt for the highest ratings with little regard for the public’s need for unbiased facts to make informed decisions.

Whether we label ourselves liberal or conservative, we have allowed ourselves to be subject to the constant guidance of self-proclaimed spokespersons who determine what is right and wrong, not just on an individual basis, but for an entire nation.

We tune into “Morning Joe”, the “Ed Show”, “Fox News” or Rush Limbaugh to receive our cues. We find out whom to hate, who to trust, for whom to vote, who to oppose. The “hive” lets us know whether we are doing well, or whether we are struggling. It tells us whether to buy stock or divest. It lets us know whether we will be supporting President Obama, or whether the Republicans will overtake him. They tell us who will win an election before a single vote is cast.

The “collective consciousness” not only facilitates the sharing of thoughts, but also the ability to adapt with great speed to defensive tactics for any supposed danger. And then it tells us how to respond to these perceived threats.

During this election cycle, we find our mailboxes, email and phone lines inundated with propaganda from the party of our choosing if we are Republican or Democrat, and from both if we are Independent. Our opponents are painted as scoundrels and thieves; our candidates are pictured as compassionate and impassioned.

It is time we disconnect from the hive and question the source of our information. We must demand less rhetoric and more fact and discern fact from fiction—truth from lies. Only by disconnecting from the group-think that has overtaken our nation can we recapture the true American spirit of independence.

The “Borg” would say ‘resistance is futile.’ But resistance is the only sane thing to do. Only by resisting this hive mentality can we be worthy of self governance.

Voting Rights, Election Process, Partisan Politics, Straight-Party Voting

 Confusing the Election Process

By: Mildred Robertson

 

If you vote a straight party ticket in North Carolina, and you think you’ve voted for your presidential choice, you are wrong! Voting straight party includes everything BUT the presidential and vice presidential candidate.

When asked to clarify straight party voting in North Carolina, the State Board of Elections responded: 

“If a voter casts a vote for a straight‑party ticket, that vote shall be counted for all the candidates of that party, other than those for President and Vice President, in the partisan ballot items on that official ballot except as otherwise provided in this subdivision.”

Kind of confusing, right!  It appears to me to be a misnomer. One would think “straight party” would refer to ALL the candidates in a particular party, not just those other than the President and Vice President.  

One also would imagine that the State Board of Elections would clearly word the explanation and state that there actually is no straight party ticket in the North Carolina election process. They should just say that voters must ALWAYS select a presidential and vice presidential candidate, even if their intention is to vote for members of only one party.

Of course, politicians probably like this process. That gives them the opportunity to distance themselves from the top of the ticket if they think it might pull them down. But the fact is that many voters think that voting “straight party” includes the presidential and vice presidential candidate. These individuals, therefore, unknowingly are denied their right to cast their vote for the highest office in the land.

The voting process should be as simple as possible. These kinds of politically motivated processes appear to me to be contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.  The ultimate outcome of the vote should reflect the voter’s true intention, not an outcome based upon the possible misinterpretation of the process. Citizens should not have to interpret the voting process. It should be clear and straight-forward – just like a straight-party ticket should include the entire party.

Brain-Draining Reality TV Shows

By Mildred Robertson

Okay, last night as I was sitting in the living room working on the computer, my daughter and her friend were watching “Love and Hip Hop-Atlanta.” My attention turned from my freelance work to the dramedy unfolding on the screen. I would be lying to say this was the first time I watched it. But disgusted with the Paris’, Kims’, Evelyns’, Kendras’, Snookis’ of the world, and the list could go on; I vowed to watch only legitimate entertainment that had some redeeming social value and did not include girl fights, alcohol abuse and indiscriminate sex.

But, alas, Stevie J decided to invite Joselyn to his couples counseling session with Mimi.

Really?

I have to tell you, it was like watching a train wreck where there were no survivors. For those of you who don’t know, Joselyn is the “jump off” who got pregnant with Stevie J’s child, and had an abortion at his prompting. She also is an artist with whom he works, and with whom he plans to continue to work, even though he says he wants to save his relationship with his long-time partner and mother of his child, Mimi.

Really??? 

You just can’t make this stuff up.

But here’s my point. Television producers have discovered a cash cow in this reality TV formula that doesn’t cost much to make, but brings in the big bucks. In the meantime, Americans have these ever-present images of bad boys and girls living outrageous lives, making horrible decisions and profiting from them. Unfortunately, too many of the young people who watch this stuff think its normal.

The louder, more obnoxious, more radical you are, the more TV time you get. Let’s take, for instance, "Basketball Wives".  The women on that show got confrontational, and the ratings spiked. The stars, and I use that term lightly, found that the more they fought, cussed and were sexually explicit, the more the camera focused upon them. They began to act so ugly that last season, while ratings were pretty good, public sentiment turned against them and they were on TV bemoaning the fact that the Reality TV show only portrayed their worst traits, overlooking the positive side of their personalities. You can’t have it both ways.

While the reality stars can’t have it both ways, neither can we, the watching public. My daughter would be furious at me for suggesting that we should work to eliminate or limit this kind of programming. “Mom, its just entertainment,” she would say. But should we be entertained by some of humanities most base inclinations? Should we revel in grown women leaping across a table to pummel one another, or young people indiscriminately mating with one another? Should we reward TV producers who create this drivel and give star status to those who act out these scenes?

My answer is “no.” It is my belief that this obsession with trash TV is pulling at our moral fiber and somehow, we have to stop it.

Now, before you First Amendment folks get all riled up, I don’t believe in censorship – at least not government censorship. We need to censor ourselves. We need to demand more of ourselves. Turn the blasted thing off. If not off, at least to another channel.

As long was we consume it, the television industry will shovel it to us. We deserve better programming. We should demand better programming.

The journey to that destination starts with your remote control – turn it off, tune it out. They will hear you, and they will respond.

Republicans Take Credit for Historic Graduation Rates

By Mildred Robertson

August 4, 2012

Recent figures released by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction indicate that, for the first time in our state’s history, 80.2% of North Carolina public high school students will graduate on time.

Oddly enough, Republicans are trying to take credit for this accomplishment after taking a sledgehammer to North Carolina’s nationally renowned education system during the last legislative session.

In a recent release they stated that this graduation rate was based upon the actions of the Republican General Assembly which passed crippling legislation that cut the NC DPI off at the knees. The Republican-led General Assembly made huge cuts in education that will negatively impact our school system for years to come.

Therein lies the irony. While it takes 13 years to matriculate through the system, the Republican spin mill is claiming that in one year, their draconian cuts have taken effect and resulted in a higher graduation rate. In fact, these accomplishments have occurred despite their actions.

It would be laughable if it were not so scary, because the truth will actually be told 13 years from now, unless North Carolinians step up to the plate and turn the tables on these radical conservatives. If North Carolinians do not take back their state house, they will remain captive to politicians willing to cut education and social services to the bone in false homage to fiscal conservatism.

North Carolina is recognized among the best places in America for businesses to locate in large part because of its historic commitment to public education. That could all be wiped away in less than a decade unless we return to the policies that positioned us to earn those accolades.

We can’t do that with politicians more interested in ideology than good governance. We can’t do that with leaders who will spin truth to support a lie. In their release they accused  Governor Perdue and Democrats of using the children of North Carolina as political pawns, when, in fact it is they who have engaged in such despicable conduct.

It is callous of the Republicans to fail to acknowledge the success of the North Carolina education system over the past decade to improve outcomes for our students. It is equally callous to remain unwavering in their crusade to dismantle this system, while taking credit for its success.  

Mayor Bloomberg, Leave My Breasts Alone!

By Mildred Robertson

In an ever-increasing crusade to legislate day-to-day living, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has determined that women should only breastfeed their babies. New York state health officials have joined the bandwagon, issuing regulations that limit “unnecessary” formula feeding for breastfed newborns.

WHAT! How condescending. How judgmental! How uninformed!

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in the benefits of breastfeeding, and breastfed both my children. But it was no easy task, especially as a working mother. I chose to make the sacrifice to breastfeed my children even though it was logistically challenging. The key word here is, “chose.” It was not something that some government suit told me that I had to do it. Even my husband felt that was a decision best made by me!

The level of arrogance displayed by Mayor Bloomberg and others like him is mind boggling. How dare they assume that they are better equipped than the everyday person to make intelligent lifestyle and health care choices? It is mind boggling.

I am all for sharing the benefits breastfeeding affords to both the mother and the infant. That is why I made my personal decision to breastfeed.

My healthcare professional outlined ALL the options available to me, and the benefits and drawbacks of each.  I was given the information I needed to make the decision I thought best for me and my children. There is no place in this kind of decisions for government to insert itself. No one outside the family unit should have any but educational input into such issues.

Mayor Bloomberg should be able to find plenty to do without intruding in the personal, private healthcare decisions of New York’s mothers and their children.

A Liberal Who Thinks Chick-fil-A Owner has the Right to His Beliefs!

By Mildred Robertson

It is troubling that pundits and politicos have chosen to participate in attacking Chick-fil-A owner and COO Dan Cathy for his belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. That may sound like some Tea Party rhetoric, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, I am a die-hard Progressive who believes in equal rights, human dignity and the American way.

Just as gay couples and those who support gay marriage have a right to choose their lifestyle and to live it in peace without discrimination from society or government intervention, so does Mr. Cathy. His assertion that, for him, marriage is between one man and one woman may offend some who believe differently, but it is his right to believe it.

Now, if we were talking about a ban on hiring gays, or mistreating gays who were in his employ or who patronize his restaurant, we would be having a different conversation. But there appears to be no evidence to support that assumption.

This is a devout man who has publicly lived a life that he believes honors God and his commandments as he understands them. The many Sundays I have passed a darkened Chick-fil-A (quietly wishing for a sandwich) I have been impressed that he would give up revenue to honor his beliefs. It is a huge testament to his commitment to his faith. I respect that. There are far too many of us who talk the talk, but do not walk the walk.

I also understand the reaction of the gay community when it says it does not want to patronize a company that does not respect them or their lifestyle. If a business is not in step with community attitudes and values, then, generaly, their cash register will reflect that fact.  I do not, however, understand government entities that would threaten to block the location of his business in their community or who would deny him necessary licenses or building permits. I see nothing in our Constitution that supports that position.

America was founded upon the premise that each of us could hold and practice our own belief system as long as those practices do not infringe on the rights of others. While his beliefs may offend some, they do not infringe upon anyone’s rights.

I staunchly support the right of individuals to make their own lifestyle choices. That includes Mr. Cathy. If you so choose, stop buying his chicken. Otherwise, leave the man alone.

"You Didn't Build That"-- What Obama REALLY said!

By Mildred Robertson

Okay, the GOP is at again. They have taken some positive comments from the President, and distorted them to create a false campaign that alleges that Barack Obama is un-American, and does not give credit to hard-working Americans who have created businesses across this country, and provided the engine for its economic growth. 

The heart of GOP ad campaign against the President uses his own words to indict him.

But it is all a lie.

The ad insinuates that Obama tells American entrepreneurs that they are not responsible for the companies they and their forefathers built.

Again, a lie!

What Obama is actually referring to is the infrastructure essential for business growth in this country; infrastructure that is primarily funded by the government. That means structures such as roads, bridges, and railways, essential to moving merchandise and transacting business; support services such as police, firefighters, and the military necessary to keep us safe and ensure our ability to safely transact business; government entities that help to support interstate and international commerce. These assets all create a climate where businesses can thrive.

It is disingenuous of the GOP to distort these words to insinuate that the President does not support hard-working Americans, or understand their contribution to our economy and our society.

We cannot sit idly by and allow the distortion of truth to prevail. If you don't support President Obama because of his policies, fine! But let those decisions be based on fact.

The fact is his policies:

•  helped keep the nation's economy from going off a cliff; avoiding an even greater recession
• saved the auto industry
•  ensured that millions of Americans will have access to affordable healthcare
•  rid the world of Osama Bin Laden
• established a credit card bill of rights
• expanded loan programs for small businesses
• extended the Bush tax cuts for lower income
• closed the “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug plan
• require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions
• give tax credits to those who need help to pay health premiu
• require large employers to contribute to a national health plan
• require children to have health insurance coverage
• expand eligibility for Medicaid
• require health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care
• reinstate an executive order to hire an additional 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years.
• fully fund the Veterans Administration
• fully fund the Violence Against Women Act
• began removing combat brigades from Iraq
• make U.S. military aid to Pakistan conditional on anti-terror efforts
• seek verifiable reductions in nuclear stockpiles
• recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession
• reduce subsidies to private student lenders and protect student borrowers
• increase funding for national parks and forests
• expand Pell grants for low-income students
• rebuild schools in New Orleans
• create new financial regulations
• ban lobbyist gifts to executive employees
• create a “universal” health care bill
• create new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud
• raise fuel economy standards
• invest in all types of alternative energy
• invest in public transportation
• double federal spending for research on clean fuels
• increase funding for the Environmental Protection Agency
• extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits

And this is just a short list of his accomplishments! Research them for your self. At the end of that research, if you think he is not the best choice for America, then vote for someone else. But please don't make your decision based on lies and misleading facts by the GOP.

Our future is too important for it to be based upon a lie!