Monthly Archives: February 2023

Political, Random Thoughts, Thought of the day

You, Your Opinions, and Your Voice Matter.

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Everyone’s voice is important, every person’s opinion counts in this world. There are many out there that try to make you feel unimportant and insignificant but do not allow them to succeed in doing such things. Learn to speak your mind, but do so with respect for others. If you are the type of person that can not speak up alone, then find like-minded people to help you to get your message and voice heard. As they always say, there is strength in numbers.

Unfortunately, you will occasionally run across bullies in life that want to suppress you out of fear of you and your message and abilities. Most of the time people bully others out of fear of either being bullied themselves or to prevent others from succeeding or surpassing them. But if enough like-minded people join together it becomes harder for the bully to accomplish their goals through intimidation.

Fear can be beneficial, but if you allow it to control you then it is something of a roadblock. Fear is there to prevent you from being seriously harmed by a predator or severe catastrophe. But sometimes we allow fear to keep us from stepping up or speaking up and even worse sometimes we allow our fear to keep us from living and enjoying our lives. So do not let fear control you, speak your mind and live your life to the fullest.

It takes every voice to make a choir sound good, it takes every one of us to make this world better. Many want you to believe that they know what is good for you and that your opinion means nothing. They are not motivated so much by your well-being as much as they are by their greed and lust for power in the end. Sure some may have good intentions but a great number of them are all about being in control and monopolizing wealth.

This is why we need more people to speak up and stand up for all of us, the common people. Write those congressmen/congresswomen and get them to do the job we voted them in to do. They are there to protect and serve us citizens more so than to play to the base of just their political part and spew out rhetoric. We need to also stand up against the powers of big business, big pharma, and their greed.

It is quite disturbing how much more U.S. citizens have to pay for prescription drugs compared to other countries and how many advertisements from pharmaceutical companies we have to endure on television and radio nowadays. They can afford to blast advertisements every 15 minutes on television but yet they claim they have to keep their drug prices high due to research costs. Sounds a bit fishy to me lol.

Well, get out there and let your opinions be known and get your voices heard. Think for yourself and don’t follow anyone or anything blindly.

Ray Barbier

Political, Random Thoughts, Thought of the day

Modern News Companies and Politicalization

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Is it just me or is every news channel on Cable, satellite, and the internet focused on making every news broadcast political even when the subject is not? They show you the news and information they provide through their political lens. Many of them accuse the politicians of stoking the flames of the political divide when in truth some of the news outlets do more pushing on politicization and that does not help in reducing the political divide in our nation.

Being a middle-of-the-road kind of person when it comes to politics, I am not going to focus on which political position may be right or wrong but more on the fact that politicization of every opinion and most news on the various mediums does nothing but further the political divide and causes nothing but unrest and even violence in the end. Politicians and News Media outlets are only partially to blame, a good part of the blame falls on us, the citizens and viewers.

We spend way too much time glued to our electronic devices watching the news station that best suits our political views and we lose focus on the fact that regardless of our political party we back or our political views, we all are citizens and fellow residents of this great nation. We should be more focused on working together to fix the problems we face here in the U.S. and on finding ways to come up with compromises on the most politically divisive issues.

It is called the United States because we all agreed to work together for the betterment of everyone regardless of political affiliation, race, religion, or sex. We the people means everyone, not just one elite group or only one class of people etc. So let’s get to work on closing these political divides and find compromise on the issues we may all not agree on one way or another.

I myself have chosen to turn off all news from cable, newspapers, and the internet. I only watch the local news for the headlines and weather now. Still a small bit of political bias and opinion but far less than the other media platforms. I prefer to form my own opinions and come to my own conclusions than follow those of others blindly. Free thinking is the cornerstone of a healthy mind and a good worldview.

Take opinions of others with a grain of salt, think for yourself, and always verify any and all sources of information my friends.

Ray Barbier

Family, friends, Poems and Writings, Random Thoughts, Thought of the day

Life is short so we need to embrace life and love full-heartedly

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As we age, most of us face times when we feel as if we are burdens on others, that we are not wanted, needed, or loved. This is pretty normal I believe, we tend to value our own worth by the actions, reactions, and words of others. As much as we all know that we shouldn’t rely on others to establish our self-worth, we still do to a degree. So when life gets hectic, overwhelming,, and full of distractions, those we love don’t always show us attention, and become irritable and stressed. We sometimes get the end of all the stressors in our loved ones’ lives, they unintentionally unload all the frustrations and stress on us.

This can lead us to believe that we are no longer loved, wanted, or needed in their lives. We must remember that everyone has stress and life can be challenging for us all. We need to put away our insecurities and help our loved ones. Once we are able to stop worrying over if they do or don’t love us or need us etc., then we can work on helping them through the turbulence that life loves to throw at us all. We love them, and more than likely they love us as well, they chose to be with us in the beginning or are our blood relatives and will continue to be by our side.

Wasting so much time and energy worrying about if you are loved, wanted, or if someone sees you as a burden is pointless. Instead, we should use all that time and energy on making life easier and happier for everyone involved. Love is supposed to be a shared experience, unconditional and selfless. Though it may occasionally dip and sway off track it should always return to its course. I say just love the person you love with all your heart and let the rest take care of itself, don’t waste your precious time on worry or doubts. Life is short so we need to embrace life and love full-heartedly.

Ray Barbier

creative commons, Thought of the day

Equality, Capitalism, and Social Programs.

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Equality refers to the idea that all individuals should have equal opportunities and rights, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, etc. Capitalism is an economic system where the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit. Social programs refer to government initiatives aimed at providing support and assistance to individuals and communities in need, such as health care, education, and unemployment benefits.

The relationship between equality, capitalism and social programs can be complex and sometimes conflicting. Capitalism is often criticized for perpetuating inequality, as those with more resources and wealth tend to have greater opportunities and advantages. On the other hand, social programs aim to address inequality and provide support to those in need, but they can also be seen as a threat to capitalism by some who view them as government intervention in the market.

Ultimately, the balance between equality, capitalism, and social programs is a political and societal question that can vary greatly depending on cultural, historical, and ideological factors.

Democratic Republics and Equality

A democratic republic is a form of government where power is held by elected representatives and the system of government is based on democratic principles. Equality, as I mentioned earlier, refers to the idea that all individuals should have equal opportunities and rights, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.

In a democratic republic, the principles of equality and democracy are often seen as intertwined and essential to the functioning of the system. The idea is that by having equal representation and equal voting rights, the government can better serve the needs and interests of all citizens.

However, the reality of equality in a democratic republic can be more complex. Issues such as unequal access to education, healthcare, and voting rights can still exist, and there may be groups that face systemic barriers to equal representation and equal treatment under the law. As a result, ongoing efforts to address and rectify these inequalities are often a central focus of democratic republics.

Democratic Republics and Capitalism

A democratic republic is a form of government where power is held by elected representatives and the system of government is based on democratic principles. Capitalism, as I mentioned earlier, is an economic system where the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit.

In a democratic republic with a capitalist economy, the government typically plays a role in regulating the economy and ensuring fair competition, while also protecting the rights of individuals and businesses. The democratic process allows citizens to have a say in these regulations and protections through their elected representatives.

However, the relationship between a democratic republic and capitalism can also be complex and sometimes conflicting. The pursuit of profit in a capitalist system can lead to economic inequality, which can undermine the principles of equality and democracy in a democratic republic. Additionally, regulations and protections put in place by the government to address these inequalities can sometimes be seen as interference in the market and can be opposed by those who prioritize capitalism.

Ultimately, the balance between a democratic republic and capitalism is a political and societal question that can vary greatly depending on cultural, historical, and ideological factors.

Democratic Republics and Social Programs

A democratic republic is a form of government where power is held by elected representatives and the system of government is based on democratic principles. Social programs, as I mentioned earlier, are government initiatives aimed at providing support and assistance to individuals and communities in need, such as health care, education, and unemployment benefits.

In a democratic republic, social programs can be seen as a crucial component of ensuring equal opportunities and promoting the well-being of all citizens. Through the democratic process, citizens can have a say in the creation and implementation of these programs, and elected representatives can be held accountable for their impact.

However, the funding and sustainability of social programs can also be a point of contention in a democratic republic. Some may view social programs as necessary investments in the well-being of society, while others may see them as burdensome and unnecessary government spending. The balance between these views can vary greatly depending on cultural, historical, and ideological factors.

Ultimately, the relationship between a democratic republic and social programs is complex and shaped by a variety of factors, including political and economic conditions, public opinion, and the priorities of elected officials and the citizens they represent.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the relationship between democratic republics, capitalism, and social programs is complex and multifaceted. While these systems and principles can be seen as essential components of a functioning society, they can also be in conflict with one another.

Equality is often seen as a fundamental principle of democratic republics, but it can be undermined by the pursuit of profit in a capitalist system. Social programs aim to address these inequalities, but they can also be seen as a threat to capitalism and a burden on the economy.

Balancing these competing interests and ensuring that all citizens have equal opportunities and protections is a continuous challenge in a democratic republic with a capitalist economy. The role of government and the interplay between these systems will continue to be a subject of political and societal debates, shaped by cultural, historical, and ideological factors.