FDR: On Monopoly threatening Liberty

Unhappy events abroad have retaught us two simple truths about the liberty of a democratic people.

The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is Fascism—ownership of Government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power.

The second truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if its business system does not provide employment and produce and distribute goods in such a way as to sustain an acceptable standard of living.

Both lessons hit home.

Among us today a concentration of private power without equal in history is growing.

This concentration is seriously impairing the economic effectiveness of private enterprise as a way of providing employment for labor and capital and as a way of assuring a more equitable distribution of income and earnings among the people of the nation as a whole.

~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt [FDR], Message to Congress on Curbing Monopolies, April 29, 1938

With thanks to a photo-lead from @The_Anti_Fox on Twitter. Read more at the American Presidency Project: Franklin D. Roosevelt: Message to Congress on Curbing Monopolies. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=15637#ixzz1pTJnso3L

"How do we change the world?"

"Change your heart, your life, your community, the system -- in that order."
~ Philip Berrigan's answer to Frank Kromkowski's question -- "How do we change the world?", 1976, Helena, Montana [wisdom hidden in a morning glory]

Compassion / Socialism quotation

“Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism.”
~ Hubert Humphrey

Via the awesome compassionate comedian commentator John Fugelsang on Facebook and Twitter and live Fridays on Stephanie Miller's radio show and Nicole Sandler's Thursday show (and his parents' awesome love story on NPR.)

GOP WA Representative Maureen Walsh Remarks on ESSB 6239

Republican Washington State Representative Maureen Walsh heartfully speaks about marriage equality. Rachel Maddow featured this touching speech on her Feb. 9th show: simple and powerful, an example of the personal as political.

Open Letter to Speaker Boehner

Re: Catholic Women use birth control per OUR consciences

There is NOTHING about birth control in the Bible. Male bishops should not be causing women to pay more for our birth control. Some of us need it for medical reasons and will be deprived too. Please don't side with men who have covered up pedophilia.

Thank you so much.

[Join me in writing Speaker John Boehner or call him at 202-225-0600]

Agribusiness Fights to Allow Children to Work in Manure Pits

Lee Fang was a guest on Thom Hartmann today. Republic Report is his new gig and we should be sure to check in on a regular basis. This article is but one fascinating example from the site: Agribusiness Fights to Allow Children to Work in Manure Pits. They are for getting the corrupting influence of money OUT of politics. More info also at United Republic and by following them on Twitter as @unitedrep.

Listen to 620 KPOJ

KPOJ is one of America's best progressive radio stations: Carl Wolfson in the Morning, Thom Hartmann, Norman Goldman, Mad as Hell in America, PLUS!

Listen to 620 KPOJ

"Vote Republican" by Roy Zimmerman

I wish all those even THINKING of voting Republican would listen to Roy Zimmerman's humorous modern political folk song. It was posted to YouTube in October of 2010 but is so appropriate to what is going on now politically. Do yourself a favor and watch and share this. Maybe we'll wake up enough people to stave off the Republicans in November.

FYI, you can follow Roy Zimmerman on both Facebook and Twitter. My thanks to radio host Norman Goldman for sharing this on his show and on Facebook.

Accentuating a healing positive

Facebook scrolls on, but today's status update / thought on a more positive year deserves more play:

Looking forward to the unfolding of the year. Breathing in life-giving air and exhaling the negative. Emphasizing the positive, what I wish to see expand. Recommitting my self to doing what I can to create a better self and a better world: it is all connected. Blessings one and all. And healing hugs...

10 things Republicans do to hurt Americans

10 things Republicans do to hurt Americans:

1. Bring Back “Pre-Existing Conditions”

2. Kick Grandma Off Medicare & Give Her a Coupon

3. Hand Over Cash to the Wealthy

4. Rip Away Workers’ Rights

5. Prevent You From Voting

6. Declare War on Women

7. Shove Gay Soldiers Back Into the Closet

8. Launch Assaults on Sesame Street and Lake Wobegon

9. Let Consumers Fend For Themselves

10. Increase Taxes for Middle Class Families.

-- Astutely listed by Dan Jacoby