Friday, April 21, 2017

My Rant-Our Government


I wasn't sure what to do about my blog. Because since the presidential election. I have been very upset, angry, etc. I wanted to add one other passion on my book blog, under rants. My rants about social justice, civil liberties, democracy, and the election. I never thought to put this on my blog until the other day. Thank goodness I had the blog designer add rant to my book blog. 

I am not going to go on and on about Trump and the election as the list can go pretty long. Instead I am not going backward, but forward to be optimistic that our situation will get better in government. 

Here I will be posting about social justice, feminism, our diversity in our country which makes our country special.

Thank you for stopping by.






Thursday, April 20, 2017

Bernie Sanders: Our Revolution





Our Revolution

By Bernie Sanders
My copy


”A great nation is judged not by how many millionaires and billionaires it has, or by the size of its military budget. It is not judged by the greed of its largest corporations. It is judged by how well it treats its weakest and most vulnerable citizens. A truly great nation is one that is filled with compassion and solidarity.”

I was impressed by the man before he was running as the democrat in the presidential race. I am more impressed by the man after I read his book. This man is who he says he is, for the" average Joe". He is how he appears. Humble, and talks to us, the people, not at us.
                                                           

Bernie Sander's book, Our Revolution is what he started during the presidential race. He hopes that the book will empower young adults to become more involved and aware what is going on in the political process in government. 

The book is in two parts. He's biography, and his ideas and policy. One thing I did get was how wealth is influencing our constitution, and the political process. The wealthy buy our government officials.How much wealth is dividing our corporation to bigger, and bigger. Eating up the middle class. What's interesting is our media decides what is talked about and shown on TV. They are the big conglomerates. That is what makes the companies bigger. Owning 12 different television station influences what is exposed or not on CNN, CBS. 

The one thing Republicans don't like big government. Well if the government and companies did the right thing. The government wouldn't have to regulate companies for clean air, clean water, etc. 

The book is very easy to read. The author, Bernie Sanders is humble and down to earth. While you are reading you feel like you are having a conversation across the kitchen table drinking coffee. Each chapter discusses the change he wants to make in America. 

Defeating Oligarchy, Decline of the Middle Class, Ending a Rigged Economy, Heath Care for All, Higher Education Affordable, Climate Change, Criminal Justice Reform, Immigration Reform, Corporate Media.

I don't agree with everything he said. Some of the issues that Bernie brought up I would like to see change. I doubt change overnight. I am hopefully that some changes will be made.  You can't sit back and let the government take over. With out our say. Finally, one man reached out to us, the American people. 
He believes that it can happen at our local districts first- at the grassroots. This is where change will happen.

Have you noticed the old guard in Congress or the House of Representatives. Most of them are the old established order. It is time for change! That does include Senator Sanders. We need new blood in our government. Our constitution is in jeopardy. We need new blood to continue on our revolution.

President Trump running in the race opened my eyes. I didn't care about politics, or our government. I took it for granted that issues will stay constant. I always listened to others rather than opening my eyes.  Something does have to happen to change corporate America and the wealthy. We just have to look at 2020. 

Our Revolution is very easy to read. But, the book was getting a bit winded after awhile. I don't think he needed to be too descriptive. Over all I was glad I read, Our Revolution.


The Cigar Factory: Book Club






The Cigar Factory
Michele Moore






When I first read the back cover of the book. It reminded me of the Triangle Factory Fire. It does have similarities. But, it does have much more. It is worth the read and won't disappoint.

If you like to read stories about social justice, black issues, and are a feminist. I think you would like this book.  With what going on in our country. It is worth the read. It reminds us how much has changed. Hopefully our country will go back to "normalcy".

White against Black. Working conditions of both classes in the Cigar Factory in Charleston,SC. When White and Black come together for the  common good. Equal pay for everyone. Better working conditions. Non-segregated bathrooms. Sexual harrassement by the upper management.  I can't say, I enjoyed. But my eyes opened by the oppression of black workers vs. white. What it was like working and living in the south. Working conditions in the south for  Black, vs. White workers.Living and working during the war, unions. Etc, etc, etc.

If you like books on social justice, historical fiction. I would recommend highly.