In his two most recent books, American Dynasty and Wealth and Democracy, Kevin Phillips has perhaps rightly earned the prestigious moniker of America’s premier analyst and critic. Now, in his new release, a doom and gloom tome some 480 pages long, Kevin Phillips assails three overlapping, growing, forces that threaten to rain on the parade of the American way of life. Actually, American Theocracy : The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century, at $26.95 retail is still a great value because it is really three books in one, with just enough threads woven between the very different but often interrelated fabrics to help illustrate the upcoming perfect storm.
Kevin Phillips, as a former Republican strategist and observer for over 30 years, has a keen sense of the current political and economic landscape. When contrasted against his commanding historical perspectives, the author is aptly able in his book to show how past world powers, from the Roman to the British empires, have faced and failed the same critical circumstances the United States currently faces at the beginning of the 21st century. American Theocracy demonstrates that essentially every world dominating power is lured by the sirens of global over-reach and ultimately falls into the traps of resource depletion, runaway debt and the wars of militant religion.
In Part I of American Theocracy, Kevin Phillips looks at the ramifications of our preocupation of oil, past and present. The book maintains that American supremacy was derived by our exploitation and effective use of a newly useable form of energy on the world stage. While other nations were trapped in their inertias of coal, wind and water infrastructures, America quickly realized the versatility of this black gold and leveraged a nation around it. In fact, with only roughly five percent of the world’s population, Americans still consume over 25 percent of the world’s oil. But supply of this precious resource has always been a concern. American Theocracy points to World War II especially, which was waged by Japan and Germany to secure their hold on this vital fossil fuel for modern economies. The book takes care to explain that America itself has been heavily involved in its own petro-imperialism over the last century. Moreover, the life blood of our economy is becoming more difficult to find and extract even as the world economies are demanding more. One little know fact in all of this, as other Middle East supplies are being exhausted, is that Iraq is the last large pool of oil on the planet. And all of this still virtually untapped, near the surface. American Theocracy describes how Iraq has never been able to pump much of its oil, with U.N. sanctions in the 90’s, war with Iran in the 80’s and so forth. With the thinly disguised cloak of spreading democracy and fighting terror, it is of little surprise, given our history of petro-imperialism in the Middle East, and the fact that there is an estimated one trillion dollars in estimated profits for the (American) companies who will pump it, that we found ourselves with troops in Iraq.
Complicating matters further, Part II of this book explores the unprecedented rise in evangelical religion and its surging influence in American politics, especially under the presidency of George W. Bush. Kevin Phillips believes Republicans view the world in apocalyptic terms and endeavor to shape domestic and foreign policy around fundamentalist religion. This undue influence of faith over fact, and religion over (prudent) reason has resulted in inept policies, which only serve to weaken our respect, prestige and effectiveness in the world. This zealous underpinning has put us on a collision course with much of Islam, swelling the ranks, ironically, of terrorists, not to mention many other miscalculations, putting us in peril of a self-fulfilling prophecy. American Theocracy describes how we are endangering our future, as virtually every war is fought over resources or religious ideology. We seem to be running out of the former and have an over abundance of the latter.
In Part III, American Theocracy contends what is the traditional hallmark of an overextended world power: over consumption and massive public and private debt. Huge trade deficits, trillions of dollars in national debt and financial speculation, made worse by the influence of big business and Wall Street on Washington only serve to exacerbate the problem. The Republican Party, once the icon of sound fiscal policy, has discarded its ideals by mortgaging our country’s financial health and future to the whim of other countries in order to fund and maintain our status quo around the world.
American Theocracy : The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century is not without its critics. Many feel Kevin Phillips is biased and bigoted in his view as he tackles the concerns he has for the Christian right and their influence in America today. Others may feel he is not always accurate in his facts. But this is to be expected by stirring the pot and necessarily not always being politically correct. Having said that in view of the import of the thesis presented in no way detracts nor dismisses these vital problems all Americans face.
An amazing American legislative victory over this March 2010 weekend has earned a circle on every person’s calendar. Although it’s not officially law yet, an enormous step towards universal health care has been achieved. The House has officially passed the Health Care Reform. This piece of social legislation has been a newsworthy debate by every individual who has held title of American President since 1960 when the Great Society saw the passing of Medicare and Medicaid. Universal health care coverage is the goal. The house voted 219 – 212 in favour of an overhaul of the health care system being signed into law. The Democrats passed this bill without one single Republican vote.
The second bill that passed by the House on March 21 will be the bill to make adjustments to the current legislation such as lowering the taxes on high-value insurance plans and removing kickbacks like budget reconciliations. However, President Obama made a promise to continue with the consistency of some existing Federal laws of the Hyde Agreement that has been in place since 1976.
The goal of this new bill is to make the practice of medicine and health care providers more efficient. They would be rewarded on how well they treat patients instead of the current method of how much care they provide to individual patients. The bill would also make available health coverage to approximately 32 million legal Americans, increasing the number to 95% coverage from the current 83%.
Even in Canada where Medicare has existed in one form or another since 1968, you can fall victim to debt resulting in bad credit due to medical bills from a rejected insurance claim, for items not covered by Medicare. If you are in such a predicament, a private loan could assist with the consolidation of debt as well as to help rebuild bad credit as these financial institutions understand such situations and specialize in bad credit loans.
Albeit in the United States or in Canada, like any newly implemented law, it will take time to see positive results. During the first few years, most people will notice only minor changes. If you fall into the category of denied insurance or denied insurance claims due to pre-existing conditions, the good news is that the immediate changes are severe and are directed at those insurance company’s policies. The practice of denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions and dependent children under the age of 26 who cannot otherwise get healthcare, will allow them to remain covered under their parent’s policies. As well, adults with pre-existing conditions will be allowed to buy coverage with high-risk companies, an option that is not available now.
BHM Financial is one of the most trusted names in the Canadian car title loan industry and may be able to help build your credit in 2010. Visit our Bad Credit Loans website today, and breathe easier tomorrow!. Visit our blog for more articles about Bad Credit and Debt.
When our ancestors crossed the oceans to reach the new land, they brought with them not just their families and a few meager possessions. They brought with them their own unique languages, styles and traditions. One tradition nearly every woman from every country brought with her was her own unique quilting pattern, fabric and color preferences. Eventually those traditions, patterns and preferences melded together and evolved into a truly American style of quilt called patchwork.
Soon, commemorative patchwork quilts became a new tradition. Major life events, such as engagements, were memorialized with quilts. With westward expansion came the advent of the state quilt. Political affiliations, union preferences and even wars were memorialized through statement blankets. Before women’s suffrage gave women the right to vote in elections, their preferences were stated through fabric, needle and thread.
Through high times and low times, our nation’s history can be tracked through quilts. During war time, patchwork colors tended to be duller and fabric quality lower. During times of peace and prosperity fabrics were brighter, patterns more intricate, quality of fabrics higher and richer and variety of fabrics greater. During the Roaring 20’s fine linen and silks were used to make crazy quilts.
When the Great Depression stuck ten years later, old flour sacks became the only fabrics available for making quilts. During political strife, strong statements were made. When labor unions became legal in the United States, many women made use of red, white and blue fabrics to show their support. During times of war nearly all women used red, white and blue fabrics when they were available in order to show their patriotic pride, appreciation and support of our troops. Today that tradition is no different.
The Patchwork Heritage quilt brings back many old American traditions from bygone eras. The face of the quilt is comprised of 13 different fabrics in hues of red, white and blue which represent our 13 original colonies. The reverse of the quilt is a subdued creamy beige color and features lady liberty standing proudly in the background. President Barak Obama’s inaugural address is printed on the foreground, with the now famous words “we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness” highlighted prominently. The Patchwork Heritage quilt benefits charity through a buy one, give one program. To learn more, visit patchwork.
The Patchwork Heritage quilt is bringing back an old American tradition of commemorative quilting. Blanket America is a new charitable organization who is implementing an innovative new concept of giving: buy one, give one.
The American film industry has produced countless worldwide cinema classics since its humble beginnings. But perhaps no genre is better portrayed by American cinematic efforts than sports. In America, sports movies are made and released regularly. Classics such as Remeber the Titans, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, Summer Catch, Eight Men Out, Rudy, Brian’s Song, The Rookie, Major League, Miracle, Mighty Ducks, Pride of the Yankees and more, continue to excite audiences and attempt to satisfy America’s love affair with sports.
A classic favorite among sports and cinema fans is Remember the Titans. The movie stars Denzell Washington and tells the story of racism in sports and American in the 1960’s. The film features great supporting acting and a soundtrack that will leave you humming the songs from the movie for weeks on end! The film was produced and distributed by Disney Pictures and continues to be considered a classic among American sports movies, especially football films. Remember the Titans is a sports based football movie that every cinema and sports fan must watch in their lifetime!
Of all the sports played in America, baseball has the most movies by far. Most of the classic sports films like Angels in the Outfield and Pride of the Yankees are about baseball and the great players who have played the game. Most baseball movies are comedies and focus on the goofiness of the game and its players. One great example of this is the Major League franchise of films which focus on the last place Cleveland Indians and later, focus on a minor league team.
If you are just now starting to watch these great American sports films, I recommend you start with Remember the Titans and Pride of the Yankees. These are two excellent and award winning films and will be sure to satisfy you’re sports appetite.
SUBSCRIBE!!! To be a Witness 4 JESUS/YAHUSHUA paid heavy price 4 you, HE chose to die in our place on the Cross 4 our sins, guilt and shame. YES! He has Triumphed over the power of death. Get your free gift of Salvation This, I know bec I met HIM! in 1990, before then, I believed no God Hi, My Name is David, I am a business man YAHUSHUA healed me from deadly back pain in 2007 If none of GOD/Heaven is real, I wouldnt waste my time I have encountered Heaven & Hell so I testify I am a witness to the Truth & nothing but the Truth I love everyone & I care about u WOW! HE is for real, The Son of GOD, if u get to know HIM, then Youll worship Glorious Jesus like me When I was little, I questioned myself, who made the universe & people? Now I know, There is Almighty GOD who created the Universe And everything in it HE is AMAZING & AWESOME!!! Get your free Forgiveness TODAY & be set free from fear of death I testify HIS LOVE cast all fears & hurts & wipe away all tears Do u fear death? What ru gonna do about it? and emptiness? How would u going to fill ur emptiness? I, too was empty, I tried to fill it up with the things of the world but more I try to fill it up, more I felt empty in my heart Even Michael Jackson was empty & Miserable inside, what it is good for a man to gain whole world And lose his own soul Emptiness brought sins to my life & Sin led to guilt & guilt brought me shame I realized I was born as a sinner, very capable to do good & evil Good News is Therere no …
Health Care System Needs Reform, Not a Government Takeover
Believe it or not, America boasts some of the world’s best doctors, the most advanced health care system, and the most technically superior resources in the world, bar none. Those who travel globally and have gotten sick know that their first choice for treatment would be in the U.S. Though heatlh care in America is, more expensive thanany other country, many of the worlds wealthiest come to the U.S for surgical procedures and complex care, because it holds a worldwide reputation for the gold standard in health care.
To examine the complex health care issue, a small research study was conducted from randomly selected doctors in mdnationwide.org’s best doctors database. We ask 50 top doctors, located in different states and who practice different specialty fields, ” Is a universal health care plan good for America?” Forty-eight of these doctors essentially responded that it was a “bad idea” that would have negative mpacts on the quality of our nation’s health care.
Social Engineering Your Health Care
One of the greatest mis-conceptions some people have relied on with regard to the health care debate is that, given a universal health care system, every person in the U.S. would receive the highest quality health care – the kind our nation is renowned for and that we currently receive. However, unlike some public amenities, health care is not a collective public service like police and fire protection services, therefore the Government cannot provide the same quality of health care to everyone, because not all physicians are equally good orthopaedic surgeons, internists, neurosurgeons, etc, in the same way that not all individuals in need of health care are equally good patients.
As an analogy – stay with me – when you design a software program, there are many elements that are coded on the back-end, and used to manipulate certain aspects of the software program, that your average “John Doe” who uses the software(the end user) does not understand or utilize, nor do they care about these elements. Certain aspects of the program are coded, so that when one uses that portion of the program, other elements of the program are manipulated and automatically follow the present or next command.
Likewise, once a universal health care plan is implemented in America and its massive infrastructure is shaped, private insurance companies will slowly disappear, and as a result, eventually patients will automatically be forced to utilize the government’s universal health care plan. As part of such a system, patients will be known as numbers rather than patients, because such a massive government program would provide compensation incentive based on care provided, patients would become “numbers,” rather than “patients.”
In addition, for cost savings reasons, every bit of health information, including your own, will be analyzed, and stored by the Government. What are the consequences? If you’re a senior citizen and need a kneereplacement at the age of 70, the government may determine that you’re to old and it’s not worth the investment cost, therefore instead of surgery, you may be given medication for the rest of your life at a substantial cost savings to the government, and at a high quality of life price to you.
Solutions:
Fixing the current U.S. health care system might require that we;
1. Encourage prevention and early diagnosis of chronic conditions and management.
2. Completely reform existing government health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
3. Forgive medical school debt for those willing to practice primary care in under-served areas.
4. Improve access to care, provide small businesses and the self-employed with tax credits, not penalties for providing health care.
5. Encourage innovation in medical records management to reduce costs.
6. Require tort reform in medical malpractice judgments to lower the cost of providing care.
7. Keep what isn’t broken-research shows 80% of Americans are happy with their current insurance, therefore, why completely dismantle it?
8. Reimburse physicians for their services.
9. Innovate a system in which Medicare fraud is dramatically decreased.
Devil In the Details
Socialized medicine means:
1. Loss of private practice options, reduced pay for physicians, overwhelming numbers of patients, and increasing burn-out may reduce the number of doctors pursuing the profession.
2. Patient confidentiality will need to be compromised, since centralized health care information will be maintained by the government and it’s databases.
3. Healthy people who take care of themselves will pay for the burden of those with unhealthy lifestyles, such as those who smoke, are obese, etc.
4. Patients lose the incentive to stay healthy or aren’t likely to take efforts to curb their prescription drug costs because health care is free and the system can easily be abused.
5. The U.S. Government will need to call the shots about important health decisions dictating what procedures are best for you, rather than those decisions being made by your doctor(s), which will result in poor individualized patient care.
6. Tax rates will rise substantially-universal health care is not free since citizens are required to pay for it in the form of taxes.
7. Your freedom of choice will be restricted as to which doctor is best for you and your family.
8. Like all public programs, government bureaucracy, even in the form of health care, does not promote healthy competition that reduces costs based on demand. What’s more, accountability is limited to the budgetary resources available to police such a system.
9. Medicare is subsidized by private insurers to the tune of billions of dollars, therefore if you take them out of the equation, add a trillion dollars or more to the current trillion dollar- plus cost estimates.
10. Currently, the government loses an estimated $ 30 billion a year due to Medicare fraud. Therefore, what makes anyone think that this same government will be able to run & operate a universal health care system that is resistant to fraud and save money while doing so?.
The American soil is one that has generated many revelations. One of them is the American Shopper. He is a human being who just loves to shop. Hence, since the time shops came into being, an American has always preferred to include shopping as one of the essential activities during his leisure time.
The online shopping scenario from the American standpoint is quite a spectacle for anyone with its myriad of websites with some dealing in the core process of online shopping while some being involved in the associated processes of online shopping. Shopping USA this term by itself means nothing but when looked in light of the prevalence of online shopping, becomes one of the identities of the American shopper.
One of the types of websites that are currently operating in USA is one that deals in the process of giving essential information to the customer related to shopping. However, the present situation sees their enhanced versions being present that not only give advanced information but also give various other useful information as well.
One of the good examples of this type of a website is www.usunlocked.com. This is a website that allows the shopper to shop online but also gives information pertaining to things like the best shopping websites. For the shopper, there is a well categorised section of products along with the added benefits in terms of payment too. These benefits include things like being able to easily fill in a well defined shipping form for the product.
Hence, Shopping in America has been given a new picture with the entry of online shopping. This has led to new businesses being formed in the form of shopping websites and the customers being benefited with the feature of dynamic options.
The customer is, therefore, given one of the most revolutionary assets in the domain of online shopping. This asset has turned out to be the path-breaking moment in the history of USA specially in terms of its culture of shopping.
Shopping in USA is, therefore, witnessing a new change in the overall perception of the customer and also of the retailer. This is a feature that has been taking the feature of high visibility with every passing day.
Travel related costs are expected to increase above the usual inflationary rise in America during 2008. This will potentially mean flights to and from the country and travel services such as car hire could increase by an average of 4% whereas the predicted inflationary increase is expected to fall at around 2.3%.
High oil prices mean that many travel related industries could be hit by an increase next year. The cost of air fares will most probably increase to factor this in and with already tight restrictions on the number of seats for sale things may get worse.
Many UK tourists will consider car hire during their holiday in America and it is definitely recommended if you want to see the sights and make the most out of your time – wherever you intend to stay.
In a report released by American Express the potential rise on the cost of car rental was listed as 4% although there has been some differing in opinion over this figure. The National Business Travel association of America consider 5-7% to be perhaps a more accurate figure.
So how does this affect you – the British tourist, well for starters you will find that arranging car hire upon arrival at the airport or within you resort could be between 4-7% more costly as a result.
The cost to fill up you tank will of course become more expensive with the expected and continuing rise on the base price of oil.
There are some ways you can cut the cost of your car hire this year – for starters pre-booking can save you from having to pay over inflated Airport hire car rates. You should also consider making use of one of the many travel related comparison sites. You will usually find they compare car rentals and allow you to choose from a variety of companies and packages to suit your needs and hopefully save you some money in the long run.
Picture yourself engaged in a delicious meal and exhilarating conversation at an outdoor gathering with your new, beautiful wrought iron or teak patio furniture at the center of it all. The elegance and comfort of your outdoor furniture sets the stage for a long and satisfying evening with your family or friends. Look no further because the American Shopping Network has what you are looking for, for next years outdoor patio season. The American Shopping Network will also offer Free Shipping on all products as well as hundreds of Next Day Shipping furniture products for those in a hurry. Especially for the holidays!
Now, in affilitation with International Caravan Inc., ASN Stores will offer a huge new line of outdoor patio furniture, everything from wicker furniture to wrought iron furniture. Perfect for your deck, lawn or garden. ASN will also be bringing you a new line of indoor ottomans,trunks,chaise lounges,and papasans as well to ensure you find exactly what your looking for.
In addition to outdoor dining sets, ASN Stores will also offer a fine selection of picnic tables, porch swings, patio chairs, garden benches, and gliders. You will also find a beautiful variety of Adirondack Outdoor Patio Furniture. Finally, our wooden planters, potting benches, arbors, and trellises will provide that special finishing touch to your garden or patio.
ICI (Vice President) Ali Shaban promises a new look from Caravan Outdoor for the 2010 Outdoor Furniture Season. “We are very excited to finally join in with the American Shopping Network and we look forward to a long lasting and colorful relationship starting in 2010,” Ali Shaban quoted last week.
In addition to this affiliation will be the introduction of a new line of patio cushion manufacturing from Blazing Needle Designs. Blazing Needles is one of America’s top cushion manufacturer’s and will unleash a new line coming May of 2010. Blazing Needles Designs, with over 20 years of business experience, is equipped with some of the most knowledgable seamstresses and designers in the business. And together with International Caravan, the 2010 furniture season should be something that retail consumers and vendors will not want to miss.
The American Shopping Network is a obviously a name that you can trust, and is anxious to unveil their new 2010 fashion line that you will not want to miss. Outdoor patio living fashion is changing, and ASN Stores will be the company for 2010 to bring you the home decor you need at the most reasonable price. ASN Stores is proud to be opening 4 new home decor websites by mid summer and will continue to flourish retail consumers with the most unique and fashionable outdoor and indoor home decor.
So unleash your new home decor season with a company that you can trust and rely on. The American Shopping Network, “Where America Shops.” And be sure to look out for their new line of indoor and outdoor furniture for 2010, which will be brought to you thanks to International Caravan Inc. All ICI Products will be available at all ASN online stores.
Jonathan Moyer
eFurniture Chronicle
This Article is Provided by the eFurniture Chronicle. For more information about International Caravan Furniture Contact them at 800-569-0801.
