Political Season 2012 - A Morning Musing.....

I think it is really important to understand that each of us lives in different "states" of existence. In California most of our important manufacturing jobs left by the 1990's due to the heavy burdens of taxations. Lowering taxes in 1981 (GANS Prop/Reaganomics) did NOT help its citizens. Nor did it do anything to help business remain manufacturing in California. It made mentally ill homeless, AND it did not improve spending. The only solution would have been for business to pony up, cut profits, maintain employee benefits, and stay. Tax INCENTIVES should have been in put in place - but not lowered. Government and business should have worked hand in hand for the benefit of all. The "people" need help to sustain and maintain independents in society. They ALWAYS have. We do not survive well WITHOUT interdependency. Look for yourself - look at history - it has never been any other way. "No man is an island." - John Donne. Now CA sits on the brink of bankruptcy as a state. Education is a mess. 2,000,000 Angelenos live in poverty and there is still no manufacturing. I want to point this out because CA is a large state with a huge diversity in population and demands. It can never be really conservative BECAUSE of the diversity. It HAD a HUGE middle class that is now failing because unemployment. Huge amounts of cheap outsourced goods are outsourced. (ever try to buy something MADE in CA?!) Only the distributors are located here now. Other states, where I travel are "stratisfied" (distinct classes still in place between rich and poor.) CA had this strong middle class once upon a time that surpassed most other states and was very attractive. Not only the weather caused people to "go west." They came for economic opportunity and the prosperity that was offered. Now healthcare is a mess, and WE really need reform desperately. Californian's ARE looking to the government to bring business back, underwrite health care "ensurances" and more. You don't think business is going to come back on its own do you? Don't make a mistake in thinking people are lazy at their hearts. They just see no way out, and are now hanging on to whatever is offered because they are pessimistic about the future. So - if you don't think it should come from the government....and you don't think it should come through business through the form of taxation....and think its people have no resources left to contribute....then REALLY? what you have left is simply a dog eat dog mentality where it becomes survival of the fittest....We revert to the days of Serfdom and the Feudal Ages. If we have anything to learn over the past post WW2 generations is that turning our back on ethical & moral behavior in business,and the need to make EVERYONE accountable towards common economic goals - instead of a "I'm in this for myself future" would have made us better off today. If you can't see the corruption in Capitalism, look at these two things - the arbitrary relief given to business and not to the people of America. My investments in the stock market are taxed at a low rate. Why is that? The stock market is really not as much a place for me to invest in business and ideas (because the best businesses and ideas in which I've invested have been taken bankrupt) but rather its a "speculation game." All the investment options are gambling games. So why isn't it taxed more? Take a look at business losses....I can carry them forward for THREE YEARS. God, please tell my why I can't carry my $40,000 hip surgery/Dental expense for three years?! Why do I only get THIS year. Remember the days when banks gave 18% on your interest?! I think the year was 1981. Now what do I get.... POINT "0" "1" percent? Really? Yet the banks are CHARGING 25% when we borrow. Tell, me please, what KIND of economics is that?! It is the banks making sure they "get theirs" no matter WHAT is happening to the little guy. The fees they charge and the rackets they establish to take your money is pathetic. So tell me...do you think business has a conscious? IF you believe that "corporations ARE people" where is their conscious?! Where is their ability to share in the devastation wiping out the backbone of this country - the middle class! It IS really time for us to stop the insidious politicking - the HATEFUL and untrue, more over RIDICULOUS-insulting-to our-intelligence advertising. It is time for us to work across the isle to put Americans back to work. To ask business to provide benefits that leverage stability among those who WANT TO WORK and ask government to tax INCENTIVES not REDUCTIONS. And for REFORMS. Whether it be health or social security. DEMAND this of your elected officials. Stop allowing them to be bullied by lobbyists and stop allowing them to ignore their constituency - THE PEOPLE of their districts. And for God sakes, please stop buying cheap foreign outsourced goods. Buy American. Start a business and employ Americans. It really begins with you. It is YOU that really has the power. USE IT.

"A New Way of Seeing" is overrated.

I keep hearing that it is very important to demonstrate a “New Way of Seeing” in one’s art to be relevant. I would take that issue to task. That is simply NOT how historically movements in art have been written. Yes, somebody does create an important break from the status quo, but then, other artists must recognize that value and subscribe to that vision, and create the “movement.” For example, Cezanne was considered the “Father of Modern Art” (and a few other things) so that means that HE was the one credited with breaking away from the status quo, and everyone else (his cronies) went along with the idea. THEY did not create the new way of seeing....only HE did. And they followed in tow. I think, for the bulk of us artists, if we attach ourselves to a contemporary movement - that would be sufficient. And if you do something entirely renegade? Chances are you will be considered just that - renegade - and lost in time.

Revising History

I thought we were liberated. I thought this was The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave? REALLY?
How is it that it looks more like we are mind controlled and cowards in 2011 when we are driven to perform acts of censorship on great pieces of literature? I am referring to the "N" word from Mark Twain's great work Huckleberry Finn. I am disappointed that we are not up in arms over something so revolting as a rewriting to a American Literature.

It is appalling that the word "Nigger" - I am not going to whitewash this, (no pun intended) is being replaced with the word "slave." I am dumbfounded that artists and writers - of all walks, are not outraged that a historic piece of literature is being REVISED to be made "APPROPRIATE."

What is next? Putting clothes on Botticelli's Venus for school kids? Removing curriculum of World War ll Jews from having been gassed at Auschwitz? Pretending Indigenous Americans weren't killed in genocide by the Spaniards and Americans? Being in denial that Slavery didn't exist at all?! Why are we burying that which brings discussion? We are opening the door to removing the unpalatable and suppressing the distasteful....in other words, CENSORSHIP.

What is the justification to rewrite Mark Twain? Is it that the word is too harsh a term? That children shouldn't "hear" or "see" or "read" or "understand" the degradation of African Americans and how violent and cruel is our history as Americans? Is it to remove a modicum of guilt existing today? Is it so children won't be made aware that an awful blemish existed in our gene pool? Is it because we are embarrassed?

There is no good excuse to ever rewrite the literature as it was written; to pretend it is something else. A quotation comes to mind: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' (George Santayana, 1905)

If the material is not age appropriate in its original form than DON'T MAKE CHILDREN READ UNTIL IT IS. It is that simple. Give them other literature. But don't rewrite Mark Twain to suit political agendas. This is censorship in a hideous disguise.

In the end, I shake my head. Age inappropriate? Are these the same kids that are playing violent, sexual, edgy video games, exposed to everything on the internet and T.V. (which I sometimes close my eyes because it is so explicit!) When South Park could say "shit" on TV and cable could use the "F" word, as a culture - we "got over it." Children are streetwise at young ages today. What can possibly be wrong about teaching children about the revolting parts of our past and providing them with some truth? When is a lie appropriate?

Tolerance (or "Intolerance?")

I went to bed last night entirely disturbed at the growing intolerance in the USA. I grew up during a period of intense civil rights action. I literally watched Watts burn. I watched segregation, desegregation, gender inequality in my work place, anti-semitism, communist nuclear fear, volumes of bigotry, fear and hatred of OTHERS. From the time I was a little girl, I ALWAYS hated this.

I volunteered for peace making; between my parents when they fought, at school when there were civil rights action committees, and on the internet when I see wicked posts in the guise of PATRIOTISM. I BARF and then comment.
Dear God, what is wrong with people?

The answer to that is FEAR.

Just when the world has become a truly WONDERFUL place for some of us who can travel to communist countries, FRIEND people to whose countries we can't travel to, but can learn about; a HUGE seemingly insurmountable challenge of HATRED and FEAR has presented itself. Obama being called a Marxist? (people go read the works of those radicals that ain't Obama), fear of a house of worship being built in the USA for a religion being libeled with bigotry and mistrust? Whites still live in fear of blacks, Christians still dislike Jews (with the exception that they seem to unite to thwart Islam - the new kid on the block) and everyone wants to conspire for invented conspiracy ideas against their government! (people: take a good humanities class to clear up your lack of understanding on European History).

The single common element is FEAR. Why do we always have to come to the party dressed in a costume of fear? What is wrong with coming to the party dressed in an outfit of REASON, EDUCATION, PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE?

It takes so much energy to live in hate and fear....of ourselves. If one travels to places of other cultures, one understands that all of humanity is basically the same, the fringe is radical, and governmental institutions are in the business of fear mongering and power grabbing. But the masses - are generally just looking to get through life's daily challenges, survive and create a sense of community and welfare. But, when the masses lose their focus and their tolerance, they are waylaid into a world of destruction, loss of balance, hate, degradation of welfare, mistrust and less than productive living. We are only increasing our burdens by living in a world of fear and hate.

I offer these truisms: "Love thy fellowman," "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "he ain't heavy, he's my brother (The Hollies)," and "let it begin with me."

I am reminded of these words in salutation,
"Peace Brother"

Enjoy a day filled with LOVE not hate, it will dispel your fear.

LSU Chalk Trip

This isn't your Mother's Capitalism!

I had to ask "why can't I buy good quality substantial underwear these days?!" As I wandered in to Victoria Secrets (next to Bath and Body Works - original destination) I figured save some time and go get some underwear. NOT.

I have shopped VS for 30 years. I can't believe it! For that reason alone I should not stop in. My experience represents a case in point. (It could as well be JC Penny's if you'd prefer the visuals.)

The fabric was "nothingness" and I'm not saying that in a good way. There was nothing to it. (NO. Not that way, either!) Thirty years ago the fabrics were thick and when you ran it between your fingers there was something to feel. And, when you washed it, it held up, over time. I still have some of it... (I will probably never wear in this lifetime), but it certainly points out the quality differences. I walk into another store Kohl's and I walk out because I am bombarded by cheap, one season, thin, synthetic yucky options.

Where did the quality go? I decided after much thought, that my Mother's Capitalism was that of opportunity for buyers and sellers. Remember that "value added" thing? Glasses at gas station, blue chip stamps, thicker cottons, heavier fabrics, beautiful cashmere's? Those were all post war scenarios of how merchandisers and retailers sought your business by advertising MORE QUALITY for the money.

What is the difference today? Clearly, MORE CHEAP goods for the money. All capitalists can do these days is offer you quantity. Quality vs. Quantity. Because the consumer can be lured with that concept. Capitalists are fighting for survival and consumers are fighting for survival. And, everyone is forgetting to keep their eye on the ball. The solution is not cheaper and cheaper goods. If we support this type of system we are corrupting capitalism and our own quality of life. My advice is to rethink our values. Stand with some integrity for QUALITY. Open our mouthes and tell the market what we REALLY want and stand with some integrity behind quality products. You don't NEED EVERYTHING. Like Cheryl Crow says the point is not to have what you want, but to "want what you have." I asked myself yesterday...I can't buy good underwear anymore. Is this really the price of freedom and the Free Market System?! Compare that to the Communism of thirty years ago, where they used to have minimal variety and crappy selections....that makes me really stop and think!

Undermining the Artists' Industry

I hope this doesn't turn into a rant. But, there is no way around this. I wish civic groups would quit asking artists to do things without financial compensation! God, how it lowers the industry of the Arts and works diametrically opposed to artists earning a living. If artists weren't so desperate to do their art forms and would act in concert with each other under some kind of alliance and business standard, they wouldn't allow themselves to be abused and financially swindled.

Come on people! art in public areas needs to be funded and real artists paid. There needs to be standards; there needs to be a sense of professionalism. Banners, transformer boxes, contests, parking awnings, billboards, all the solicitations that are being made by Art Commissions and civic groups to "convince" artists that they are receiving an equitable exchange: A wolf in sheep's clothing! It is nothing more than giving something away for free which should be paid. Sometimes the results are only example's of "self expression" and certainly NOT skilled artwork!

And what happens to the INDUSTRY of the Artist?! It is in fact buried and becoming non existent. Remember that old saying "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" (my Mom used to use that one for discussing gender relations and the appropriate behavior needed to secure a marriage). Guess what? it has just as much relevance when trying to earn a living as an artist!

It would be a different story if artists weren't scrambling for $$$ and doing free work to start. Why don't these groups go ask architects or engineers or skilled paid labor or art students to do these things? Why are they expecting REAL artists to do something that undermines the word ARTIST? There are appropriate places to ask for free work, but not to the Artist who already must give everything before compensation.

Appealing to artists innate insecurities in society - is terribly without ethics.
And further undermining them as an industry is even worse.