Op Ed: Why Willing Workers, Dedicated Teachers, Became Neocon Targets

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Ever wonder why millions of hardworking Americans and faithful school teachers are constant targets of neocon attack, always accused of strong union-stance vs “honest taxpayers”?

These continued charges “falsely vilify working people” and “stem from a superficial understanding” of the realities involved, a number of national authorities now contend.

Simple reason: those two groups have always been among the most dedicated, solidly-contributing, child-rearing/occupied; and, always, most cooperative; of ALL American citizens.

That is, after all, the true “American Way.” It is their life-style, achieved only by hard, continuing effort, that has proven the potent power of our democracy. The very characteristics which guarantee that kind of true American life-style --contributing first to family and to community, AND CLEARLY THUS to country-- are what makes them most vulnerable.

That’s simple fact --well known to those manifold malign forces seeking to secure for themselves entirely unwarranted financial and power-position gains.

Those power-seeking actions --now well known efforts to take over and control governance at every level-- are clearly dependent upon continued apathy, bringing on lack of citizen understandings for democratic responsibilities. It is demanding effort --and resulting stress-and strain-- that makes those millions so easily vulnerable, due to apathy and inattention, unavoidably generated.

That’s why control of mainstream media, primarily print-press and major broadcast-channels, is among the most powerfully potent objectives of these malign forces.

All seeking rapid ways to build democratically damaging, consensus-destroying manipulation start first and foremost with our ostensible “free press”, chipping away relentlessly at its Constitutional responsibilities conferred by protection and profit proliferation.

That was why Thomas Jefferson warned us early on: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

He’d surely recall the “Boston Tea Party” and its participating living, breathing (and otherwise-human!) patriot-purveyors, provoked by selfish British-corporate contempt for the principle of “consent of the governed”.

“Tax our tea? NOT HARDLY!”, they said, and dumped the damned tea -- long before my favorite Western gun-slinger, but clearly in his dialectic. Jefferson would surely look askance today at “corporate campaign contributions” masquerading as “the humans-only right of free speech on political principles.”

Pragmatic is as pragmatic does. Jefferson would unhesitatingly apply obvious humans-only physical characteristics as demanded proof of right-to-speak politically. He’d then substitute the highly-familiar English concept of the corporation as ONLY “legal fiction, created and closely controlled by State-charter.”

Second solid reason: services to the working middle class, by far the largest group in our nation, stand alone as the largest expenditure “tax-paid costs” in our social, cultural working compact at the heart of American society. Among those larger-costs is that of the traditional common-school experience, long serving its intended function of unifying and strengthening every citizen.

That principle of shared early-learnings -- so fundamental to the true American Way --was well recognized from early Colonial days.

The Founders, in their prescient provision of our patterns, processes and protocol for truly democratic governance, emphasized that understanding in multiple ways, in both the Constitution and its essential Bill of Rights.

The same unification-and-strengthening affect is now immeasurably broadened and easily accessible to us all via Internet at home and digital-delivery to every school and every classroom. (Note this a-spelled “affect” differentiation! NOT a typo!)

Those malign forces, banding together from the early days of American history, have ALWAYS and systematically opposed each and every forward step in the unavoidable growth of function and force for our American way of governance.

“If it costs more, no matter the necessity, we will not allow it to happen” has been their operational objective now for decades --flying straight into the facts and the face of all modern economic, social and cultural research and development.

That stance is what substantially labels and unmistakably identifies the neocon fight-to-death political pattern --never fully developed with the demanding characteristics of all other modern political philosophies.

Depth and determination to “ALWAYS WIN, no matter WHAT the MEANS !!”, is what characterizes their constant, consummately-destructive demands.

THAT truth --now so surely seen as extremely consequential in our current credit and other financial areas so ferociously impacted-- is what has driven so many-more American millions to insightful understandings of what is truly at issue here-and-now: no less than the true “American Way” in this world.

That’s WHY the Bush-cabal and its few surrounding remnants of the GOP have sighted-in their giveaway guns against the UAW and teacher-union members --again!

These spasmatic neocons now can no longer ignore the clear progress of potent and powerful forces forced into the equation by their own failed consternations.

Those many malicious events have come home to roost right on the White House and Capitol entablature. Before those billions are even on-the-way, many malign voices are already joining in new demands to “kill the UAW” and “cut-again those too-powerful teachers’ unions”, free-riding on the taxpayer.

Those same malignant forces that formed the false values version of Reaganomics --now understood by a large and growing consensus of informed persons to be the beginnings of our current catastrophes-- have been constantly at work over the past thirty years.

It is the combination of “supply-side” theory; first written (perhaps “upside-down”?) on a cabal dinner napkin, with union-smashing “kill all opposition” action which has reduced the American middle class to its frustrating current fury.

The original attack on growing union strength was the death --by President Reagan’s rapid smashing-- of the air-traffic/controllers’ union. That was both key-and-signal for the corporate onslaughts begun then and still continuing today. (See previous Op Eds for details, citations, quotes, examples and further documentation.)

The facts of that fallacious set of foolishly oversimplified failed dogmas and truisms, tailored cannily to seem sensible “new economics” propositions, have become more and eeirily clear in continuing years.

The largest, most painful impacts are imposed on our shrinking conscience via new consequences nearly every day, in ways becoming widely known by millions as never before.

That’s WHAT is now driving and protecting the incoming Obama Administration until up to force, with time-and-patience as its weapons. He understands and appreciates the true democratic principle of “Only ONE President at any time.”

So he has been at work for more than a year, we now learn, readying this peaceful, democratic transition, with solid, sensible, sensitive and rational/reasonable action-plans for the very first 100 days of his still incoming Administration.

That’s WHY all thinking and sensitive Americans -- now better informed of the realities explicit in our current unmistakable “on the edge” economy and culture-- are “not only willing, but eager and strong in demanding transformative change-now.”

That’s WHY President-Elect Obama won with large mandate muscle/power presented to him by American voters in our “transformative Nov. 4 choice for change national election.” Watch closely for what will follow. But don’t stop there, either: What CAN happen demands your thinking participation, as well as your time-and-patience tolerance.

Let your voice be heard: In public, in private, with Congress, with your elected representatives in our own Legislature.

DIY is a damned good American tradition, now surely applying in our formative opportunity for fundamental change NOW.

Reader’s Note: More than 30 Internet, national-source, other references and writer’s files were consulted for this Op-Ed. Quotes are shortened, condensed, summarized for space restrictions here. Source-and-references list and quotes-verbatim are available on request to Editor with full ID, street and e-mail address.

Henry Clay Ruark is the one of, if not the most experienced, working reporter in the state of Oregon, and possibly the entire Northwest. Hank has been at it since the 1930's, working as a newspaper staff writer, reporter and photographer for organizations on the east coast like the Bangor Maine Daily News.
Today he writes Op-Ed's for Salem-News.com with words that deliver his message with much consideration for the youngest, underprivileged and otherwise unrepresented people.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Henry Ruark January 18, 2009 2:37 pm (Pacific time)

Anon: Yrs of 1/5 7:55 pm was answered, but comment got lost somehow.
I informed you I (and Tim, too) DO check every possible link we can find. I did so for yours-then, and wrote about it then, too.
We seek links to build true sharing here among all, and if we get tough re comments there is nothing personal possible since we do NOT know, nor can we pursue to find out, anything about YOU...we react only to what is supplied in your words.
We value participation but suggest cogitation-first, rather than after, since it cuts off much inanity self-recognized; and we try to practice same-thing ourselves, too, with some success, or business would fold !!

Henry Ruark January 6, 2009 8:38 am (Pacific time)

To all: For intriguing conflict of views, seed Harumph Comment and my response under Feudalist Op Ed current elsewhere in this issue.

Henry Ruark January 6, 2009 10:49 am (Pacific time)

To all: For extremely relevant Comments and responses, see Op Ed above titled FASCISM FEEDS. You will be glad you took the opportunity to do so.

Anonymous January 5, 2009 7:55 pm (Pacific time)

i read links before posting here. I did not know what to do. someone named tim king said do not post links, and then henry says post links. I dont understand. It seems as tho, nobody cares. I have seen posts where henry says he doesnt hae time to read links, then he asks for links. I suppose, that if the link agrees with you, or if the link is 2 sentences long that is ok? I dont understnad the rules. Then, henry labels me, then etc. this is ridiculous. here is link in regards to education.. but guess what? tim will say dont post links, and henry will say he doesnt have the time? I have been reading these posts for months, and I do have more than a 5 minute attention span. here is the link... sorry Tim..and sorry Henry because I know you dont have the time to do links even though you ask for them.. yeesh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1kgSlLawyQ

Anonymous January 5, 2009 5:12 pm (Pacific time)

why not tax israel? we give them hundreds of billions of dollars of our taxes? and obama supports this. Here is why: American / Isreali Dual Citizens in the American Government Attorney General - Michael Mukasey Head of Homeland Security - Michael Chertoff Chairman Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board - Richard Perle Deputy Defense Secretary (Former) - Paul Wolfowitz Under Secretary of Defense - Douglas Feith National Security Council Advisor - Elliott Abrams Vice President Dick Cheney’s Chief of Staff (Former) - “Scooter” Libby White House Deputy Chief of Staff - Joshua Bolten Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs - Marc Grossman Director of Policy Planning at the State Department - Richard Haass U.S. Trade Representative (Cabinet-level Position) - Robert Zoellick Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board - James Schlesinger UN Representative (Former) - John Bolton Under Secretary for Arms Control - David Wurmser Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board - Eliot Cohen Senior Advisor to the President - Steve Goldsmith Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary - Christopher Gersten Assistant Secretary of State - Lincoln Bloomfield Deputy Assistant to the President - Jay Lefkowitz White House Political Director - Ken Melman National Security Study Group - Edward Luttwak Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board - Kenneth Adelman Defense Intelligence Agency Analyst (Former) - Lawrence (Larry) Franklin National Security Council Advisor - Robert Satloff President Export-Import Bank U.S. - Mel Sembler Deputy Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families - Christopher Gersten Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Public Affairs - Mark Weinberger White House Speechwriter - David Frum White House Spokesman (Former) - Ari Fleischer Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board - Henry Kissinger Deputy Secretary of Commerce - Samuel Bodman Under Secretary of State for Management - Bonnie Cohen Director of Foreign Service Institute - Ruth Davis

Anonymous January 5, 2009 5:08 pm (Pacific time)

signing off for awhile until time shows truth. Obama's stimulas plan, gives about 500 dollars per person. That is enough to keep their electricity on for a couple of months. What we need:
Smaller government. Production that other countries will buy,, and quit printing money that leads to inflation. We need a smaller government and to quit tying to dominate the world. Because, as we do, the U.S. suffers tremendously.
None of which obama is willing to do. There is your proof of a world government. Bring the American people down so bad, they beg the government to save them, even tho it is the government who caused it. No, I am not going to give links, be a man and go look it up your self.
The U.S. has no money. They will either print it, or borrow it. But, countries who use to lend it, are not doing it any more, and printing leads to inflation. Which means, the $500, will buy nothing.
I am sorry, I cant send links to 2 plus 2 equals four. It is common sense.
I will send one more message before leaving you alone to your world that does not exist, and how badly you turned my words around when i first began..

Tim King: First of all, you use no name so I don't know who you are. I think it is odd when you guys talk about "smaller government". Isn't that what Bush was suppsoed to bring us? I guess when your party is gone as far south as the GOP, anything can be expected. When Bush gave a measely little tax cut, $500 was it? Everyone hailed it as "wonderful news". In the end I think we are measurably better off as Bush was strictly a detriment to the American way of life and an enemy of freedom. Certain people just can't deal with the fact that we elected a black man to the Oval Office and they will keep belching up all kinds of false criticisms. I'm not totally sold on Obama but he represents a whole bunch of important ideas and he can only help after what the GOP has done to this country over the last several years.

Anonymous January 5, 2009 4:06 pm (Pacific time)

Wow henry.. I thought I made it very clear that I was NOT part of the 10-20 million by saying I was learning through research. Just sharing what was out in the world.. I should have also said tho, the 10-20 million I mentioned, all talk about non-violence, but, if government starts violence on peaceful people, they wont go to concentration camps because they believe in the Constitution. And I specifically said ' for me, I would run for the hills. Which, any common sense person would realize, running away, is not fighting. yeesh. Hmmm. you labled me, even though my words said different. what is interesting, is that i dont need to send a link to prove it, its on THIS page! :-) And yes, obama has all the nuclear bombs, and all the cameras, and the laws to read peoples emails, he will own the media etc, and has the military and police and governors, and weapons. I understand that. It looks as though the government will stifle any type of dissent. If only the british in 1776 had all this technology and weapons huh? :-) p.s...nobody sends me links for me to find info, i go search it out myself. I use common sense, I use my wits, and my God given intelligence. Anyway, thks for labeling me a terrorist, when all I was doing was sharing things I have learned. Sorry I dont live up to YOUR expecations. Sounds like I need to go to a different forum where people talk, listen and share. I thought I would try this one out, but obviously I chose wrong.

Rich Millison January 5, 2009 10:04 am (Pacific time)

Great article Henry. So anyone know what percentage of teachers are conservatives? They use to be the majority. Wasn't the No Child Left Behind essentially Ted Kennedy's legislation/bill? I'm for all states to have a right to work law thereby ending compulsory unionism. Why should you have to join a union to get a job? How about the secret ballot for unions, for if they know how you vote, wouldn't reasonable people worry about retaliation? Government's job is to support equal opprotunity rather than an equality of outcome. Currently Speaker of the House Pelosi is writing new house rules that will stifle all debate for those who want to debate future bills or offer amendments, which is a defacto dictaitorship. At a 9% approval rating, where does she get off doing this? Maybe one should start practicing the "goose-step?" Simply put taxpayers want to see results in our schools and from our elected officials. If one looks back in time, say 30 plus years schools have been failing our students compared to previous test results measuring performance. At the same time of this decline we have had a steady erosion of accountibility for teacher quality because of union roadblocks to review and measure teacher performance. My prediction is that in the future perfomance standards will continue to drop, only that these standards will be lowered so as to make it look like improvements are being made. To see this happen, just review how our students measure up to other countries, and even to our students who are not in the public school system. Please be aware that most politicans and even current public teachers (who can afford it) put their children in private schools. I don't know what the solution is, but there are templates available from decades ago that may be used and moderated to improve what's happening now. But to blame our current problems on some specific group is naive or maybe something else.

Henry Ruark January 5, 2009 9:33 am (Pacific time)

Anon et al: Do you sell prognostication in the open market, sir ? Yours is entirely personal view with nothing to solidify its guesstimates of unknown future. Most readers here are entirely capable of making up own minds,given fact-supported information and insights. Where's your fact support ? "World control" has been traditional and longtime fascist-fear/generator used prolifically by those who wish to gain precisely that control for themselves. Your "internet research offers us no links, no checkable fact, no supporting authority other than your own words. "10-20 million", "highly trained", "preparing civil war" reveals certain-sure political philosophy and unconscionable determination to "WIN by ANY MEANS !" --surely the very antithesis of open, honest, democratic dialog. AND probably our greatest internal danger, reflected in yours-here. We stand warned, sir, and are just as ready as your gang and just as determined, too, with huge larger force: The same one Lincoln recognized as "OF the people, FOR the people, BY the people" --which is why we fought the Civil War to kill off and remedy the major driving force behind the group you represent. The Nov. 4 mandate should tell you and yours something, and even perhaps save you the deadly circumstance into which you seem to be leading us all. Where's "the fair American Way to give the man his fair shot" which even the most determined sometime/conservatives now see as demanded for 21st Century progress for this nation. In short: Put up your facts or accept unavoidable label for your kind.

Anonymous January 5, 2009 8:55 am (Pacific time)

I agree with the neo-con agenda written. But, the new administration will follow the path that has been laid out by previous presidents. You can see it clearly by who obama has appointed, more fighting in the middle east, gun restrictions etc. I wondered why obama was pushing the stimulus plan so vigorously. I understand now. 1. bail out states will give federal government more control over state decisions, similar to what lincoln did. 2. obama says, private firms will finance the construction projects. he does not say who the private investors are, but learned people know it is foreign investors. outrageously high toll charges coming to a town near you? 3.We are coming closer and closer to world government. Its obvious, and obama is taking the lead. End of the Constitution, and facist leaders running the world is the goal. 4. Thru my internet research, I am finding that there are 10-20 million that are NOT blinded my obama's charm and see his horrific agenda. That number is growing. Many are highly trained and preparing. civil war anyone? I'll be running for the hills. :-) I hope you are right about obama, but I highly doubt it given the facts.

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Op Ed: Why Willing Workers,
Dedicated Teachers,
Became Neocon Targets

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