Is there truly a cabal of wealthy people who secretly control America?

          This is an odd topic, although it is something that has been presenting itself to me more daily. Each day I watch news, read the paper, read on the Web or debate one person or another, it seems that this subject is slapping me in the face. The more I read, the more it seems I am being force fed garbage, something to keep me off the this elusive subject. The Internet is veritable smorgasbord  of conspiracy theories. The news and the papers are obviously controlled by the wealthy elite, so we only get the stories they want us to read. My ideas on the subject are in constant evolution and not 100% clear yet. I just want to present them, just to get them out and hopefully get some input from others. I also want some of these thoughts solid so I can always refer to it.

              I want to start with the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve is not controlled by the government, it is controlled by private bankers. Odd, right, one would assume that it was a government entity. For a period of time our dollar was backed by gold. That switched, I apologize  for being vague but I am not going in depth about this part, and money became backed essentially by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is made up out of thin air, it means nothing and comes from no where. That, you would think makes our dollar worthless, but it doesnt. Now every dollar that we borrow from the Federal Reserve, yes our government borrows money from private bankers, has to be payed back with interest. So every dollar created puts the United States further in debt to wealthy bankers. It creates a system of perpetual debt, leaving the super wealthy in control of our government.

            Let’s move to Citizens United next. This ruling by the Supreme Court allowed dark money to flood into our politics. Dark money is money that comes from unknown sources and cannot be accounted for. It also allowed individuals to contribute more to political campaigns and to be able to hide who it was contributed to. Let’s be very clear, this does not benefit the poor or middle class. I gave $15 to President Obama  in 2012 and $10 in 2008. There is a new bill Republican lawmakers are trying to pass that would triple the amount people could contribute without declaring any of it. Now interesting statistic I keep seeing is that 94% of candidates that raise the most money win. Now Congress had a 9% approval rating yet 94% were reelected. I hope you caught that anomaly as well. 9% approval is very very bad. Interestingly, just for example, the Koch Brothers contributed approximately $325 million, that is accounted for in the last election cycle. That is according to the Washington Post. Now how does that help the poor?

             Now to Voter I.D. laws. Who do voter i.d. laws affect? The poor of course! The rate of fraudulent voting of the sort Republicans are trying to stop is about .00002%. Does that really seem like something that would warrant this much action? Especially because Republicans have seemed reluctant to take any action at all. Why is this an issue? In 2008 when then Senator Barrack Obama was running for President, the poor overwhelmingly voted for him. His speeches motivated the country and helped assuage voter apathy. 93% of the African American vote went to President Obama and minorities  as a whole were generally in his corner. How can the wealthy elite keep their puppet in office if people vote? They cant. They had to do something, their lobbyist marched into our capital to manufacture a new issue. Voter fraud. By requiring I.D., people who live in inner cities and do not drive, nor have the finances to own a car could not vote. Unfortunately for the wealthy we were protected from poll taxes. But it didn’t end there, Republicans ended early voting or shortened it, closed polls early, created long lines by having less polls, machines switched votes from Democrat to Republican and they even used voter intimidation. In 2014, about 30% of the population or less voted. It seems they got their sheep back in the herd.

            Those are the big ones I wanted to cover. But here is more food for thought. The rolling back of part of the Civil Rights Act that helped protect minorities rights to vote in districts that have had past issues. Low wages and the decimation of Labor Unions. Unions were the middle classes great protector. The continual attempts to decimate the EPA. Saying the EPA makes it where business can’t compete because of regulations. The illegal foreclosures by banks, who paid a pittance of a fine and didn’t have to give the homes back. Bank executives getting bonuses while crashing the economy, destroying people’s pensions, 401 KS and decimating our workforce. No prosecution of any of these people who committed illegal acts, while our prisons are over crowded by poor people with Marijuana offenses. The complete control of the mass media, holding each to their own standards and showing a blatant avoidance of the truth. In fact, many tell outright lies more then they tell the truth, Fox News. The worse part of this is the absolute ignorance of so many Americans. The easiest way to make the middle class forget about the rich, is to make them hate the poor. We are so gullible.

          Is it a true conspiracy? Did I paint a clear enough picture? The answer to both, I don’t know. The idea is still coming together for me as I dig through more and more. It is a theory, but truth, not sure yet. This I will say. There is an eternal battle going on in America. At its root is income inequality, which is at its highest since the 1920s. The DOW Jones is setting records dailly, but we are only getting minimum wage jobs. Why? 95% of the wealth made over the last six years has gone to the top 5% of the population. Class warfare is undeniably one of the biggest issues in America. It seems as if the wealthy elite have clung to power for so long, that any perceived attempt to dislodge them from power will be met with fierce resistance. Even at the loss of our great country. Cabal or greedy men? They might be one in the same.

New Fracking Bill being introduced will eliminate hazardous chemicals loophole.

                   As any normal person knows Fracking is very contreversial. Fracking is well known for polluting natural water and land areas. There are at least 23 known carcinogens used in the Fracking process and 5% of all wells fail immediately. The failure is caused by a leak in the concrete. The Natural Gas Drilling Industry refuses to recognize any of this. They are also not required to list the chemicals used because of an exemption in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa) and U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Ca.) introduced a bill to end the chemical exemption. The Closing Loopholes and Ending Arbitrary and Needless Evasion Regulations Act (CLEANER) takes aim at eliminating the hazardous waste exemption. The Bill currently has 43 co-sponsors, all Democrats. The Bill faces an uphill battle because of the Republican majority in the House.

The RCRA was amended to exempt waste from the production and development of oil, natural gas and geothermal waste. This has allowed the Fracking Industry to run amuck. They have destroyed whole habitats, as well as families drinking water in everyone of the 34 states they are currently drilling in. Republicans have defended the Natural Gas Drilling Industry high and low. They have gone so far as trying to remove the Federal EPA from their state. They have knowingly lied to the press, releasing contaminated water tests to homeowners and telling the press that there was no pollution.

The industry has spent millions of dollars on lobbying. Governor Tom Corbett (R-Pa) has recieved about $1.5 million dollars from the Natural Gas Drilling Industry. When a lawmaker recieves that much money from an industry, how can they be expected to make the correct decisions for the people. I thought it was illegal to recieve money from a business that you would make legislation for. Conflict of Interest. But for now the Fracking Industry has a free pass to pollute our water and destroy our environment. It is good knowing someone is trying to hold them accountable.

This isn’t my grandparents America.

                 Our grandparents would not recognize the America we live in. The Government has let the people down now more than ever. Fracking is causing pollution to water and air across the country and Natural Gas Drillers are not being held responsible.

Because of an exemption in the Clean Water Act, Natural Gas Drilling Companies don’t have to report the chemicals they use. The Federal EPA does not control what happens in states, that is left mainly to the states EPA. Across the country the EPA was pressured to stop their investigations. Corporate money has shown its true hold on our government in the Fracking issue.

President Obama, who I am an ardent supporter of has done nothing for these Americans who are suffering. Democrats have done little more and Republicans share more of the guilt than any party. The lack of action from the Obama administration really bothers me. I know Democrats are not perfect, I have said so on many occasions. But this is an issue they should be perfect on. To let a government agency like the EPA be shutdown by corporate interests is inherently wrong.

The people have lost their voice in many cases. We lost it to lobbyist throwing money at Legislators and then pulling their puppet strings. The people don’t control our government, large entities like the Koch Brothers, ALEC, NRA and Exxon Mobile seem to control our everyday life. The Supreme Court exacerbated this problem with their Citizens United decisions. Corporations have the rights of people, but don’t get punished like the people when they break the law. The corporations have had their thumb on our head long enough. It is time for this to change.

Governor Corbett has to defend another pro-business law.

                Governor Tom Corbett is yet again defending another of his Bills. Several of his Bills, which helped make up his conservative agenda, have been found unconstitutional or dismissed by the Commonwealth Court. This time it is his Gas Royalty Bill. Another pro-business Bill from a man who refuses to tax Natural Gas Drilling Companies and gave businesses another $310 million tax break in his new budget. While at the same time cutting funds from Education and Health Care.

Critics of the Bill contend that it undermines landowners negotiating rights. It gives an unfair advantage to Natural Gas Drilling Companies. Many landowners in Pennsylvania have negotiated drilling contracts so companies can get at the Marcellus Shale.

The Bill enjoyed overwhelming support from the Republicans who control the Pennsylvania legislature. Democrats fought against, but like many issues they have fought against the Republican majority will dismiss Constitutional rules to get what they want. Corbett signed the Bill without public comment. Corbett believes the law enhances the efficiency of oil and gad drilling. He also says the Bill will limit environmental damage and protect landowner rights. Governor Corbett said fracking doesn’t cause pollution, in fact the EPA stopped investigating it. That is odd he mentions pollution.

This law like most of Corbett’s other proposed laws, is pro-business. Corbett uses rhetoric to disguise them as helping people. This is designed specifically to help drilling companies get at all of the Marcellus Shale natural gas. The Fracking process which is used to bore horizontally underground that extend thousands of feet from the vertical well bore. This law allows them to cross property lines as well. Fracking is widely known for causing environmental pollution, as well as making people sick. There are at least 23 known carcinogens in the fluid used to Frack. Why isn’t the EPA investigating Fracking Companies and chemicals? Could it be lobbying companies have bought off the top levels of government?

Head of ALEC in Texas created model legislation for Rick Perry’s 20 week abortion ban.

                Texas State Rep. Jodie Laubenberg (R) filed the State Legislature’s first attempt to ban abortions after 20 weeks. It is called the Preborn Pain Act, which is strongly supported by Governor Rick Perry. The Bill alledges that substantial medical evidence recognizing that an unborn child is capable of experiencing pain by not later than 20 weeks after fertilization.

While the facts clearly dispute this strongly held Republican opinion. In fact the American Medical Association has concluded that evidence regarding the capacity for fetal pain is limited but indicates fetal perception of pain is unlikely before the third trimester.

The Bill provides an exception for the life of the pregnant women. But only if the person is in physical danger. An abortion may not be provided if there is a claim or diagnosis that the woman will engage in conduct that may result in her death or irreversible physical impairment of a bodily function. It also changes the language of the Texas Health Code. It would require physicians to report the probable post fertilization age of the unborn child, rather than the period of gestation. This is part of the States new Big Brother style requirements.

20 week abortion bans are Republicans way of taking choice out of the equation, as well as a way to nake abortions inaccessible to women in very bad situations. A lot of women seeking late term abortions are in abusive relationships. Sometimes it is women who wanted the pregnancy but suffered severe personal problems that makes the prospect of having a child untenable. Others are addicted to drugs. There are many different reasons, that is why it is their choice.

Rep. Laubenberg is the Texas state chair of ALEC. They are a hyper-conservative non-profit lobbying group that drafts model bills and provides them to lawmakers. Some of the goals of ALEC model legislation are dismantling Medicaid, protecting big business from the EPA and stregthening Stand Your Ground Laws nationwide. ALEC is in very good standing with the NRA. ALEC has also been tied to the Voter I.D. Laws and Privatizing Public Education.

Recently during a special session called by Governor Rick Perry, the Texas Republicans tried to force this Bill down the peoples throats. They were halted by Democrat Wendy Davis and her 13 hour Filibuster. Also by the people who were chanting against the Bill. They called it the Peoples Filibuster. The Bill needed to be signed by midnight, but was signed at 12:03, which effectively stopped the Bill. Although Republicans tried to change the time to force the passage of the Bill, but they got caught. Republicans said that it wasn’t over and they were right. Governor Rick Perry called another special session. He says the hell with the will of the people.

New Gas Drilling Legislation on Governor Corbetts desk weakens negotiating rights for landowners.

            New Oil and Gas Drilling Legislation seriously weakens landowners negotiating rights with Fracking Companies. The National Association of Royalty Owners said last minute changes to a Senate Bill would allow drilling companies to use decades old mineral leases to force current landowners to accept Marcellus Shale drilling under their property.

Trevor Walczack, Vice President of the association’s Pennsylvania chapter, said Corbett shouldn’t sign the bill. Although his group normally favors oil and gas drilling. Unfortunately Governor Corbett’s history suggests he will side with Natural Gas Drilling Companies, he has sided with corporations more often than not. Walczak said the bill would ultimately be similar to forced pooling. A drilling company can force some landowners to accept drilling if many of the surrounding households have agreed.

The Legislation would apply to people with existing oil or gas leases. Heirs to leases signed many years sgo for traditional drilling would be forced to accept fracking. Which can extend under neighbors lands and the neighbor would be forced to accept Fracking on their land as well. Fracking has led to a Natural Gas boom in Pennsylvania and millions of dollars in royalties for leaseholders.

Pollution caused by Fracking has been well documented in States that have had Fracking for several years. Water from a faucet catching on fire, cancer clusters, headaches among many other symptoms from the pollution. The EPA does not have clearance to check the chemicals used for Fracking. But samples taken have shown at least 23 known carcinogens. Governor Corbett has basically let these Natural Gas Drilling companies to drill in Pennsylvania tax free. Republicans and Democrats in the State House and Senate have been at odds about Fracking for quite some time. It figures our Pennsylvania lawmakers would try to take away citizens negotiation rights. Why not pollute and make billions while not paying a dime? That is where this is headed.

Why does the GOP hate the EPA?

             Republicans hate the EPA, they say that it is President Obamas way to destroy private enterprise. As the Republican nominee for president, Mitt Romney, ran on an I hate the EPA agenda. He said that it was conpletely out of control. The EPA was created by a Republican.

                President Obama is destroying private enterprises. Although the stock market remained over 15,000 for the third consecutive days. Before this the stock market was never over 15,000, not once. If he us using the EPA to destroy private enterprises, he really sucks at it. Tom Delay, called the EPA the Gestapo of the government. It has been one of the major claw-hooks the government maintains on the back of our constituents.

             The Republicans new way to stop from confirming an EPA director seems to be by questioning them.into submission. President Obama has nominated Gina Mccarthy has been nominated. Senate can ask all the questions it likes, do its due diligence. They can ask questions in person or in writing. The nominees write their answers back.

              Republicans asked Michael Leavitt 22 questions, Democrats 283. Republicans asked Stephen Johnson 49 questions, Democrats 181. Those are both Bush nominees. Republicans asked Lisa Jackson 118 questions, Democrats 39. Gina McCarthy, President Obama’s new choice was asked 41 questions by Democrats and a whopping 1,079. There are subquestions in the questions, she received 123 pages if questions from Senator Vitter.

            The 8 Republican Senators on the Environment and Public Works Committee, led by ranking member Senator David Vitter, boycotted a committee meeting. They did so in protest of what they called Ms. Mccarthy ‘s unresponsive answers to more than 1,000 questions about EPA policies and practices. She has answered all 1,079 questions.

              Of course this is just another Republican ploy to protect their corporate sponsors. Democrats need to begin treating Republicans the same way. I heard Rush Limbaugh say that Republicans do not play politics, it is always Democrats and Dictator Obama. Keep inflaming the hate and then we can have companies throw chemical tainted waste into our waterways.

            

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Is Fracking a necessary evil in Pennsylvania?

           Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is the propagation of a fracture in a rock layer by pressurized fluids. Induced hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracturing, is a technique used to release petroleum, natural gas (including shale gas, tight gas & coal seam gas) or other substances for extraction. It is widely used in the midwest, as well as in the Marcellus Shale line on the east coast.

            There are more than 600 chemicals involved in natural gas production & they are often left unclassified by companies. Some of the chemicals found seem harmless, such as water, sand, salt & citric acid. But there others that are quite dangerous. BTEX compounds, benzene, toluene, xylene & ethylbenzene wich are found in gasoline & are known human carcinegines. Diesel fuel contains toxic constituents, including BTEX compounds. Lead which is listed as a hazardous air pollutant by the Clean Air Act & a contaminent in the Safe Drinking Water Act. Hydrogen flouride which is listed as an air pollutant in the Clean Air Act, as well as absorption of any kind of a substantial amount will cause death. Naphthalene which is listed as a hazardous air pollutant in the Clean Air Act. Sulfuric acid which is corrosive to all body tissue. Crystalline silica which is harmful if inhaled, as well as a known cancer causer. Formaldehyde which is another known human carcinegen.

           The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has taken quite a bit of criticism for providing what critics see as incomplete water quality test results to owners who are concerned about pollution from nearby fracking operations. The Pa. DEP has filed a claim air pollution has gone down because of fracking . Marcellus Drilling News recieved a copy of official numbers filed by the Pa DEP to the EPA. While aur pollution has gone down statewide, the numbers show that areas with alot of Marcellus Shale drilling  air pollution numbers have gone up.

              The Pa. DEP has blamed much of the water pollution on pre-existing conditions. Federal regulators generally do not get involved in state procedures. The Pa. DEP has recently been accused of purposely ignoring portions of its own drinking water testing results that may have demonstrated toxic metals linked with fracking. The DEP also prevented field officers from issueing contamination determination letters directly to residents, having all such letters sent to the head office in Harris burg first.

              While the midwest seems to have more occurrences of pollution of peoples drinking water than Pa., it shoukd also be said that they were fracking out there longer. There are instances of cancer, unexplained illnesses, higher than normal chemical levels in urine & tap water catching on fire. What has been noticed on the east coast is difficulty breathing when entering homes, there have also been legions found with little explanation for them. They have found Phenol levels as high as 34 in urine, where there should be none. But as of now the data is incoclusive for possible diseases or death in Pa.

            With alk this in mind pkease remember in 2010, there were 783 natural gas drilling companies in Pa. 80% of thosr companies paid ZERO taxes & others were allowed to claim under the much lower personal income tax. These natural gas drilling companies said they paid $1 billion in taxes, where in truth they paid less than $80 million. Our esteemed Govener Corbett recieved over $1 million sibce govener & ovet $300,000 while Attorney General.

           It seems to me money buys you freedom to poison people in Pa. Our government protection doesnt exist. Those near these drilling facilities should contact federal regulators & plead for help. Or possibly ban together & do so. Just another reason for Pa. to vote Corbett out. Lets get rid of this dirty man.

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