Barack Obama, This Country, A Few Thoughts, and My Union Address!

[Ricky J. Fico]

For various reasons, I try to refrain from involving myself in politics or debate, I tend to look in from the outside and not cast too far an opinion on the matters of state. I often stay behind the scenes but sometimes I am compelled to enter the arena.

A simple philosophy of mine, perhaps one that will be engraved upon the tombstone - an epigraph: "Ricky J. Fico's pen pointed in the direction of the strongest wind while his compass pointed in the direction of serenity and world harmony!"

The debate continues and those who are still intent on accusing Barack Obama of an assortment of sordid ideas, hidden agendas, nefarious connections etc. I think it best to let time be the final judge.

I know we like to read between the lines, I always do; I tend to dig deeper than what is on the surface, simply my nature. I had been told on many occasions that I should have been an attorney. Yes, perhaps.

One of my favorite shows is Boston Legal and the character Alan Shore (played by James Spader) is one who I can truly relate to; he reminds me so much of myself. But then again, there are many in this world, in the real life, who I can relate to, who share with me some of the same ideals, the same philosophies, and yes, some of the same hopes.

And now, a glimpse of a reality that must align itself to such a higher matter of equity:

"Obama proposed that workers, many of whom are grappling with job losses and home foreclosures, be allowed to tap up to $10,000 of savings in their 401(k) or similar workplace-based retirement plan penalty-free in 2008 and 2009.

Withdrawals would still be subject to the usual federal and state income taxes. Under current law, workers can borrow up to half of the balance in their 401(k) or similar workplace-based retirement plan up to $50,000. In some cases, they can qualify for a hardship withdrawal, subject to taxes and early-distribution penalties. You can't borrow from an IRA, but you can take early withdrawals that will be taxed and penalized. Roth IRA contributions (but not earnings) can be withdrawn any time tax-free and penalty-free.

Obama's tax proposals would benefit mainly low- and middle-income Americans and would increase taxes on high-income taxpayers, defined as families with income of more than $250,000 ($200,000 for individuals), according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, in Washington, D.C. "

A great plan, one I fully endorse. To help the hard-working middle class who are struggling is a noble idea. To take a few more thousand dollars from those who make $250, 000+ will not put any necessary burden on these folks - they won't go hungry, they won't be on the streets. But many of their hard-working employees or former employees may, in fact, go hungry and end up on the streets. Show some compassion, so some citizenship. They helped you, nothing wrong with helping them.

Simple, so simple. One of my greatest pet peeves is greed! I stand to abolish it!

Nothing wrong with capitalism and I look up to many great capitalists who had made a fortune and in doing so, did not kick down another. I have high respect for the likes of Warren Buffet, Bill Gates... those who not only represent the epitome of the "capitalistic economic model" but who also used the model to help spread opportunity to a host of others who may not have had the chance at such opportunity otherwise.

Welfare is for those who are unable to help themselves - definitely not for those who are lazy or who believe in "living off the fat of the land."

But spreading opportunity to those who believe in family, who believe in hard work, who still harbor hopes of the American dream is another matter entirely and again, to use the capitalistic model to help spread these opportunities, I support wholeheartedly. If it requires one less $5000.00 bottle of Cognac, one less jaunt to Las Vegas, then so be it.

If I can give to others when my measly earnings while breaking my back still put me in the "below poverty" level I cannot empathize or shed a tear if the wealthy get a tax boost.

Spread the wealth (of this country) to those who inhabit it and who are bound by its constitution, common laws.

Yes, spread the wealth (of this country) to those who still trust the Lady upon the foundation whose beacon is held highly and proudly.

Spread the wealth (of this country) to those whose dreams still reside upon the stone:

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Yes, oh yes, spread the wealth of this great nation!

******

Another pet peeve of mine is laziness and for those who are lazy and expect a helping hand, I must stress emphatically: Get up and do all you can and disprove to me your laziness and show me a positive attitude and a willingness of helping thy self. And then your neighbors. A noble idea! One I will promote until I am denied another breath.

A simple philosophy of mine: "I will not deny another man's stand unless it's a stand that causes another good man to fall."

And now I present Community, a piece I wrote while sitting under a Weeping Willow, contemplating the universe in which I had become a resident, oh, not so very long ago!

A community is comprised of many components of diversity that form together a common bond of cohesion. Deviation from this cohesion, by an act of immorality or lawlessness is an act of conspiracy against the community. For a community to survive and prosper, there must be an organized effort to promote unity through its common laws and observances of these laws. A concerted effort to promote harmony in the community by disallowing unremitting or habitual breaches is in its intentions, to ensure safety and enjoyment of the community.

Although a community can prosper and enjoy the benefits that each of its members help to provide through diversity of ideas and diversity of spirit I do not think that a community can truly prosper when there are vast differences in morality. If one cannot distinguish right from wrong, there is a good chance that his or her errors would impede the combined efforts towards happiness in the community.

The “family unit” has become much more mobile in today’s society than in other societies. The implications of this mobility are such that the further development of our moral conscience is dependent on our adaptability to the extraneous circumstances that exist.

Fragmentation of the family, through divorce or less noble means, such as abandonment, drug abuse, alcoholism and other means of negligence has had a greater impact on our community than we may be willing to accept. Being able to adapt in a world where the fragments of disenchantment beg for reconciliation is an undertaking that we cannot ignore. We must not close our doors to the disenfranchised, because if we do, we would only help to perpetuate the illness that already exists. Since families are the main components of our communities, the break-up of families through flagrancy is a direct insult on the community, therefore hampering the progress of the community.

What I have witnessed as a flagrant disregard for each other, through the actions of gangs and the like, I can then realize the full implication of this fragmentation. It is a sad state of affairs when our potential to do well and contribute to our community is diminished by the acts of radical withdrawal. We have to reconsider the importance of our roles as members of a family, members of a larger family called community and the interactions that combined, provide a better world environment for all of us. It is a great commitment but one that would offer a more civilized world for our children to enjoy.”

Now, getting back to Barack Obama. He too, understands the importance of solidifying the family dynamic where parents (and grandparents) take more of a proactive role in their children's upbringing and in turn, the children take a more proactive role in solidifying their own futures.

One more thought of mine in closing: "I cannot cure the ills of the world but I will do all that I can not to contribute to them."

Ricky J. Fico 11/25/2008

[Lisa]

Excellent, Ricky! You surely can see beyond the fog! President Obama won't let us down, I have full faith in his abilities, his vision and he really is a compassionate man. I know you know this but it is sad that so may refuse to see this about him, they think he is another self-serving hypocrite. As you said, let time be the judge. Great writing once again, I am jealous. Not really but provide me some of your talent, now would you? Please, oh please and you know how I hate to beg for it!