A Case for Democratic Socialism

What is socialism? So many pundits on TV, particularly Fox think that they understand socialism. They irresponsibly spew their ideas of what socialism is, and unfortunately their viewers blindly follow along.

The basic idea of socialism is a government democratically elected, that represents its people, but with no economic competition. The bottom line in socialism is the well-being of everyone, not just those who can afford being well. In socialism (on paper) there is one economic class, everyone is equal and everyone has an equal voice. The government protects its people from exploitation and everyone gets the same resources, like schools, everyone has access to health care, and nobody has to worry about putting food on the table.

Capitalism has one major benefit in my opinion and that is the unfettered competition pushes people to do better and achieve more. I can see how capitalism fuels the race to come up with new and improved medical advancements and fuel efficient cars and such.

However capitalism leads to extreme exploitation of people because the bottom line in capitalism is monetary profit. All decisions are made based on whether or not said decision will make a buck even at the expense of their neighbor. For example, although medical advances are needed and vital, the price we pay for say some prescription medicine is upwards of hundreds of dollars a month, and cat scans and MRI’s cost over a thousand dollars for each time they are operated! Why? Because the insurance companies, and hospitals are more concerned with making profit than making people healthy. Another price we pay for capitalism is the demise of small local business. There was a bookstore store that was in business for decades in North Hollywood called Dutton’s Books. In 2004 they went out of business because they could no longer compete with the Barnes & Nobles, Amazons, and Borders of the world. Another example is all the small farmers that went out of business because it’s cheaper to import tomatoes, or asparagus because of NAFTA. I could go on and on.

I prefer socialism because a socialist government takes care of the vast majority of the people. I say vast majority because obviously the extremely rich people (5% of the US population) would be better off in a capitalist society.

We need a government that has our backs. We need a government that cares just as much as the homeless bum down the street from me, the single mom, and the small business owner as it does about its next campaign contributor.

We have a president in the White House now that agrees that his next campaign contributor is just as important if not less important than the Hurricane Katrina victim still living FEMA trailer. We have a majority in Congress lead by Nancy Pelosi who also would rather spend billions of dollars fixing the health care system so that everyone in the country has equal access to health care instead of having spent it in a bogus war in Iraq. I praise representatives Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Bob Filner, the entire Progressive Caucus in the House, but I hope that they can just take advantage of their majority and if needed, ram through needed reforms that would benefit the unconnected and average person. President Obama’s heart is in the right place, but the Republican pundits are distracting the public and the media from the important issues.

We had eight years of extreme capitalism and we ended up with a totally unnecessary war, a recession almost as bad as the great depression and a ridiculously high number of people without healthcare.

When we have leaders who are really taking care of us, instead of protesting them and calling them “socialist” in order to bring back all the Cold War era fear, we should give them a chance. The Democrats gave Bush a chance when they authorized the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, when they passed the Supplemental bills funding the wars and when they passed the “No Child Left Behind.” But now, the Republicans rejected President Obama’s economic recovery act and now they are fighting health care reforms tooth and nail. Their behavior is irresponsible and dangerous. We must not let them control the debate and win the hearts and minds of most Americans.

Socialism hinges on one major factor: that the government officials themselves are not corrupt. One thing I realized is that evil cannot be eradicated. We can fight the war on terror and the war on drugs for the next 10,000 years and we still wouldn’t win. Therefore no government is perfect. In capitalism, greed and selfishness can be proudly and openly displayed by our leaders. I guess that’s why all those tea party Fox addicts are staunch capitalist. They don’t care about anyone but themselves and it’s refreshing to have leaders who represent their selfish ideals. I am so happy that we have some progressive Democrats in positions of power because at least for these two years, they can pass legislation that helps the majority of the people of this country, folks we have neglected far too long.

We live in a capitalist country and that will never change. But we have some leaders who believe in the philosophy and ideals of socialism in that they believe that all people regardless of race or class deserve an equal chance at a happy and healthy life. Why can’t we all be open minded and give them a chance?

How do I Love thee, President Obama

Tonight President Obama is speaking the truth. Tonight he is setting the record straight. Health Insurance should be affordable, and every American should be covered, including the poor, the sick and the rich.

Insurance Companies have gotten away with charging ridiculous rates for premiums, denying services for those covered and paying their bills, and with paying their executives tens of millions of dollars. Every cent insurance companies saves by denying coverage like Nataline Sarkisyan's liver transplant, goes into the pockets of those companies' executive's pay.

Finally we have a President who has our backs. He cares more about the average, hard working Americans who have fallen on hard times more than the money that's being shoved in his pocket by insurance company lobbyists. We need someone whose number one priority is the welfare of the citizens of this country and it seems as though Obama is that person. He is smart and he cares about the underdog; he cares about me; he cares about my mom; he cares about my friends.

I have many personal 1st hand stories of why we need health care reform. One of my closest friends was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 24 and died at the age of 26. His first doctor fucked up and didn't get diagnoses correct which caused a terrible ripple effect leading to liver cancer and then death. He was 26. His health insurance was getting so expensive that our employer asked him to quit. He had to pay all his medical expenses out of pocket. Luckily his family was able to pay.

My parents closed their business and moved to Virginia. My mom was insured by Kaiser in California and she was paying her bills on time. Once she moved to Virginia she had to apply separately for coverage in Virginia's Kaiser. Virginia's Kaiser rejected her because she has a pre-existing conditions. United Health Care also rejected her because of her pre-existing condition. Why the hell would Virginia's Kaiser reject her if California's accepted her?

We need a government health care option for people like my mom. Middle class, hard working people who need to have their backs covered.

It's time for the lies from the right to cease. People need to open their eyes, stop being selfish and see how our government is helping the majority of the people and we need to give President Obama's health bill a chance.

[This doesn't mean I'm not upset about Obama's policy on Armenia and his not saying Armenian Genocide on April 24th like he promised before he got elected.]

A love letter to the Armenian Youth Federation

I was twelve when my mom first dropped me off at my first AYF Badanegan (Juniors for you East Coasters) meeting. It was after school on a Friday. My mom took my brother Hovig and I to Ferrahian Armenian school in Los Angeles and our first meeting was a song practice for an upcoming song competition among all the badanegan chapters in Southern California. The two vareeches (adult leaders) were Ungerouhee Madlen Aslanian and Unger Mardig. I remember Unger Mardig telling my mom that this wasn’t the best meeting to start with, but my mom insisted. My brother and I got in place and began to mouth words to a song we didn’t know.

Much to your surprise we went back the following week to our next meeting. My mother took us every Friday to our meetings. We were in the Arapo Chapter (for kids ages 8-12 I believe.)

Ungerouhee Madlen and Unger Mardig were the first two authoritative figures (outside of my parents) that I actually liked. I did like some of my teachers (I was a major brat to some other teachers), but this relationship was different.

From my first days in AYF, I always felt that I was treated as an equal. At our weekly meetings we discussed the history of Armenia’s political struggles, the current situation in Armenia, which had just recently gained independence, and we learned about Kharabagh and our present day heroes fighting for our lands.

And AYF wasn’t all lectures all the time. As “badanees” (members) we were empowered to elect our own executive body, run meetings according to Robert’s parliamentary rules, choose a committee to serve on, come up with ideas for activities and events and actually implement those ideas. AYF was the first place I learned that I had a voice, a vote, as well as the power and the capability to do something positive for my community. This empowerment lighted a flame inside of me which later turned into an out of control wildfire of hope, activism and political passion that continues to this day.

In a sentence: AYF made me who I am today.

When a kid has leaders in his or her life who treat them equally, who listen and who take what the child has to say seriously, nothing but good will come from that child. The AYF and its leaders, in my case, Ungerouhee Madlen, Unger Mardig and later Ungerouhee Tamar Abkarian and Unger Raffi were those adults in my life. I gained the confidence in my beliefs and actions I never would have had, had I not been a member of the AYF.

Also the AYF was MY community. It was a space as a teenage and young adult where I could contribute to the preservation of our history and culture. It was a space where I was give the room and encouragement to grow. As I look back now I see the innumerable value in having a separate space in which to grow, separate from your family and school. An added bonus was that in that process I made lifelong friends, like Kris Demirjian and Dikran Aslanian, who I still love to this day: 17 years later! There are kids who were born that are almost adults now in the time that I have had these friends in my life! Since I’m giving shout outs, I can’t continue my love letter without also recognizing other trailblazers who helped me and many others grow like Tamar Abkarian, Ara Khatchadourian, Stepan Haytayan, Kevork Kawedjian and Aram Mozian to name just a few.

I am now 29 years old. I worked for a United States Congressman at age 23. I worked at the Capitol of the United States of America, steps from the Capitol dome you see on the Sunday morning political talk shows, and had occasion to advise the Congressman on a number of important issues. That’s huge!

When I first got to Washington DC, I already understood how things worked because I learned parliamentary procedures as a member of the AYF. For example during our meetings someone would say “Loosapanagan harts ooneem,” and in Congress they say “Point of clarification please.” I didn’t have to ask anyone what that meant when I first heard that said on the floor of the House of Representatives.

I just had my first child. He’s a boy and his name is Van. When Van was born I realized the only Armenian songs I knew were heghapoghagan songs. I sang them in hushed tones to get Van to sleep. I wonder if he understood the words “meyain zenkov gah hayots pergootiun” if he would have fallen asleep so soundly. Knowing these songs has led me to learn the stories for which these songs were written and will provide a vehicle for me to teach my son about these stories.

Being an AYF member instilled a pride, a faith and an understanding of our nation and our people that I turn to everyday to be me. I wanted to write this article to recognize the AYF’s contribution to my life, and I hope to encourage at least one young person to join. One thing I know for sure is that I can never give back to the community what I have gained from AYF…but I will spend the rest of my life trying.

Post Palin-Biden Debate

Well I have to say I dislike Palin a little less after last night. Although she was seriously annoying at times, I did appreciate it when about 10-15 minutes before the debate ended, she stopped attacking Obama/Biden and began talking about their agenda.

I was also happy to see after the debate was over how cordial they were to each other. I know I know I wanted Biden to be hard on Palin and I still think he could have taken some easy shots to show her lack of experience I think he was very well composed and he didn't need to take any shots at her. He came off much better prepared and more comfortable with the whole situation than she did, which proves that he is more than capable of the office; much more than she is.

I give them both mad props for last night.

Joe Biden: please rip Sarah Palin a new one

Oh my goodness I am giddy with excitement for the debate on Thursday between the Vice Presidential candidates. I hope for Americans sake that Biden rips Palin a new one.

Biden should treat her the exact same as he would if she was a man. I remember one thing clearly, when Biden questioned Condi Rice about the Iraq war a few years ago during a Senate committee hearing and he leaned over his desk and yelled at her with the angriest face I have ever seen, because she was pushing for a war that his son was going to have to go fight.

Biden's son is in the military too for those folks who don't know. You probably don't know because Biden isn't trying to use his son's service in the military as a talking point to get more votes. In fact Biden's son is the Attorney General of Delaware and if Biden becomes VP, the governor of Delaware was going to appoint his son to the Senate seat but he can't because his son is getting ready to be deployed to the Middle East.

Also what is the McCain campaign trying to hide by preventing Sarah Palin from answering questions from reporters off the cuff? The night after the first debate between McCain and Obama, Biden was on many news shows discussing the debate and Palin was notably absent/silent. If the McCain campaign doesn't have enough confidence in Palin's ability to answer questions from the Press that she hasn't preped for, than how the hell can they have trust in her to be Vice President?!

This election is absolutely critical and McCain, instead of listening to his instincts and going with his first choice for VP Joe Lieberman, or even his second choice Tom Ridge, he decided to play the game and pick a candidate he hardly knows and clearly doesn't trust in order to pick off women voters.

What is so puzzling to me is that Palin cares for woman just as much as she cares about democrats...which is very little. She doesn't support equal pay for woman, and she doesn't support a woman's right to choose. Ok fine I'll give her the whole choice thing but how can anyone in this day in age not support legislation that would mandate that women get paid the same amount of money men do in their jobs?

Also now that I'm a mom I can't tell you how hard juggling your old life with your new life. I'm not going to judge her for accepting the nomination for VP, despite the fact that she has a brand new baby with special needs and a teenage daughter who is pregnant. However, there are a few extremely clear points that need to be stated here:
1. She has chosen Country first (over her family)
2. Abstinence only programs clearly haven't worked
3. She is totally irresponsible for having sex with her husband at age 42 without birth control, having already had 4 kids, and knowing the risk of having a Down Syndrome baby is huge.

Just because she can give a good speech and she's pretty, she shouldn't be seen as a good leader. I hope Biden rips her a new one.

The CRASH of the US as we know it

Wow. So as if a new mom isn't busy enough, I can't help but take a moment and write what I feel and think about this bailout and the House of Representatives voting against it.

Wow. Wow. This could either be a horrible thing or a good thing. Because the bill lost by only 20 votes, the Democrats can go back and write a better bill and get 20 more Dems to support it and pass it. The Republicans who voted for this bill will still vote for it because they obviously understand the dire consequence of not passing a bill, so I don't think too many of the 66 Republicans would jump off a new bill. If the Democrats can get enough votes for a better bill, this will turn out to be a good thing. What will make this bill better? Transparency, making sure that Wall St. finds a way to pay the Treasury back and REGULATIONS on these rules that allowed for these horrible sub-prime loans to be handed out.

Now if nothing happens, if we can't get a bill passed, the stock market could very well crash, everyone who has money in stocks even a tiny bit of your retirement fund, we will all lose it. Also international markets are suffering and if nothing is done, the whole world is going to get kicked in the nuts, not just our country.

This promises to be a major major world catastrophe and it is such a shame that Republicans in their reign of power from 1992 to 2006 paved the way for this catastrophe by deregulating the rules on banks and creating an anarchic capitalism which destroyed the country's credit and currency.

Now, if Barack Obama wins, he has to deal with this horrible mess and he will have to put his priorities of helping Americans on hold until this situation is solved.

We're basically screwed! The blame lies squarely on the House Republicans of 2008 and everyone who has ever voted in favor of de-regulating the banks. The House Republican leaders came out in favor of the bailout, however they urged their members to vote their conscience, basically giving them the green light to vote against the bill. Well, they ran the green light and now they are blaming the Democrats.

Guess what? Americans are not stupid and they are going to see right through the Republicans and vote for change. If they don't they're fucking idiots and deserve to be homeless.