Why? Tea Baggers Mulling

I am currently in the state of mulling. won't be long. Well the issues seem complex, but in most cases have great simplicity.

Tea Baggers. They believe they have a precedent in the Boston Tea Party. You know, "no taxation without representation", no voting rights etc. Doesn't seem to fit, but the American "right to protest" does fit. I believe the basic problem for the "baggers" is the changing hue of America. If you have a racial bias and many people do no matter what their hue then somewhere deep inside and for some on the very surface is a fear of loss of place. White people are rapidly becoming a minority in this country. But make no mistake, an organized minority can rule in a democracy. The far right , ultra conservative wing of the Republican Party has done rather well in recent years, until the rise of Barak Obama. He of course represents a variety of hues and thus represents the future and the racial fears have been stirred as never before.

Check the the Tea Bagger rallies, they appear to be 100% white. And this is proof of their intent and believe it is intended. Racial fear can it be overcome? Yes, the great mixed hue hope is Barak Obama, but I must tell you I go on line every day with slight apprehension. Can he survive? Another question

Why? Mitch Holthus

Mitch, Mabel Leonard -

Why? Ask Why? repeat for Mitch Holthus

I remember 58 years ago very well. Well in truth not that well, but I do remember Mabel Leonard, my 7th grade teacher. She was probably in her 50s, gray hair and on the surface nothing extraordinary. But I remember distinctly the feeling of excitement in learning. It was the questions. I remember she asked questions to teach. It captured me. I became eager to learn. it was a life lesson. Years later when it came my turn to teach I always used questions. Have you ever seen an entire classroom on the edge of their seats, all focused, all paying close attention, all eager to join in. I have, all the time, through using questions. The greatest questioner of all was Socrates. It is very simple, questions engage the brain, they stimulate the brain. By the way there are no bad questions, no how shall I say-"less than smart questions" You see when you ask questions, you foster questions. the excitement of learning is contagious and FUN! Mitch, I'm a Smith Center graduate(1958) and taught in Pratt for 38 years

another repeat why? left vs right

left vs right, democrat vs republican , liberal vs conservative, non-noble vs noble. This conflict goes back to the beginning. I call it the haves vs the have nots. It is the rich vs the poor, business owners vs workers and so on.

Today's liberals are now calling themselves progressives because the word liberal has been attacked for so long by the haves. Today's haves are very noble-like, check out the castles that some people live in. well not literally castles, but literally mansions.

So what is the real issue? If the haves are richer and thus much more powerful, how can the have nots get anything. Of course the answer is through democracy. The have nots greatly outnumber the haves and currently the democrats are seeking a greater share of the wealth through government. Is that wrong?

I find the Kennedy family interesting. They are a part of the new rich or new nobility and have had a long standing empathy with the have nots. They believe as many do that the rich have an obligation to their fellow man.

I believe that government can both hurt and help people. People do need help but they will also take advantage. Historically the haves have ruled, but violent revolutions and later peaceful revolution through the voting booth have allowed the have nots access to becoming a have.

In the end the haves fear democracy and seek to control it and would kill it if they could. Long live democracy! If it lasts long enough it may kill itself. I hope not. Why?