Guest guest Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Sat nam!For those kundalini yogis who are Sikh and plan to vote, here's one voter guide (it's also educational for anyone interested in the way the world works, and the importance of political involvement):http://www.sikhcoalition.org/documents/SikhAmericanVoterGuide2008.pdfIf I may comment, I think these guides are both helpful and dangerous. Helpfully, they add information, and more information is always a good thing. That's an Aquarian benefit, actually - all that extra information. Our frontal lobes, if properly stimulated via meditation, can discern the wheat from the chaff.The dangerous thing is the low intelligence liberals have fretted about since the beginning of the Enlightenment (see Mason and Calhoun, e.g.). If the regular folks are going to be allowed to rule (by voting or by running for office), we have to be educated, not misinformed. And the questions in the Sikh voter guide offer no opposition: hate crime protections are presumed good, and the basic benefits of free markets or limited government, or the tradition of allowing the States, not the Federal Government, to manage crime, is ignored. For our Democracy (actually, ours is a limited constitutional republic, not a Democracy) to prosper, our People need to be informed.I understand we want extra punishment for those who commit harms based on exterior look, and it's superficially understandable to want to punish an employer who limits opportunities for the Different. But if one delves deeply into these subjects, a few problems arise. With Hate Crimes, what we're really talking about, broadly, are THOUGHT crimes - straight from Orwell. Let's keep crime simple, folks. There are two types of crime and two types only - harm and fraud. If the judge wants to add aggravating evidence in the sentencing phase, let him (or her). But let's not blindly trust Big Media, Big Academia, Big Interest Groups, Big Justice and whatever other FACTION is behind the theory of Hate Crimes. The idiot savages who shot Sikhs after 9/11 because the turban looked Arab, are not at risk of freedom for lack of Hate Crimes - every state tends to jail those who act like savages, so this is a non-issue.Second, the Constitution enumerates no Power, in Article One Section Eight (where the Federal Government's Powers are listed), to prosecute crime. It's a State issue, and thank god this is so. If Texas gets too fascist in crime control, Austinians can escape to New Mexico; when the Federal Government becomes a POLICE STATE (you mean it's not already?), to escape where does one go? Beware centralization of power!On threatening employers who discriminate, how about getting another job? Bad behavior like discrimination does more harm to the perpetrator than any law ever will. It's called REPUTATION, and once lost, it's never regained. (And regulations do so much Employers with open polices gain reputation, and Sikhs are happier there. The only barrier to more employment choices is boom-bust central bankism and job-killing (and Oligarchy-forming) regulations. (And haven't we read Llosa's study how Red Tape kills startup companies in Developing Countries worldwide?). Plus, the Constitution forbids laws that violate contracts, and forbids interference with property without due process. It's the employer's property, and the contract is between the employer and employee. If we want more job opportunities, the last thing we want is government limiting opportunities with their Costs.Finally, if one reads Patwant Singh's classic, "The Sikhs", we learn that this society was libertarian to the core, two hundred years before the middle class farmers of America dumped England off the East Coast in 1780. Apart from a "rule-making" body at the Akal Takt, and apart from meddling from the Muslim Ruler or their sycophantic Brahmans, the Sikhs had local rule by village elders, with a total free market for the farmers and merchants. The Sikhs became known as the Jews of India because, despite just 2% of the population, their freedom allowed such experimentation and innovation, until they captured 25% of the wealth. They even equalized women in terms of rights! The Sikh voter guide evinces no such ethic as the original Sikh culture of the 1600s.So, for whom will I vote? Probably no one, since to vote for the lesser of two evils is, arguably, not a good choice. Bob Barr, the Libertarian constitutionalist, perhaps. My man was Ron Paul, obviously. I actually was the guy on his Blimp last fall, broadcasting LIVE for Ron Paul Radio. But don't I like Obama as presidential material over McCain? My answer is Thomas Paine's praise of Americans in his '76 classic, "Common Sense": we don't worship leaders. That, he laughed, was a European disease. What Americans should worship is the idea of this country (even if hardly ever realized): LIBERTY (in yoga lingo, "mukunday" - liberation).So, my voter guide for everyone, even when it's not time to vote, is to read the daily blogs, every day, at:http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/http://www.rense.com/http://www.prisonplanet.com/or my blog, at http://dcflow.gaia.com/blogBlessings,Amar Atma Sikh Coalition Publishes Pioneering Sikh Voter Guide Find Out Where Candidates Stand on Sikh Issues Click Here to Read the Sikh Amercian Voter Guide for 2008 October 28, 2008 - It is exactly one week before the long awaited 2008 Presidential election in the United States. As an American citizen, do you have the information you need to know in the voting booth? Read the Sikh Coalition's Voter Guide for Sikh Americans to find answers to questions that weren't asked in the debates. In a groundbreaking effort for our community, the Sikh Coalition this year convinced U.S. presidential candidates to respond to a questionnaire about Sikh concerns. Historically, this is the first time that candidates have felt compelled to speak directly to Sikh American voters. It is a mark of the Sikh community's increasing political and voting power in the United States. The Sikh Coalition's Sikh American Voter Guide includes information about how and where to vote on Election Day, summaries of proposed laws that affect Sikh interests, and the presidential candidates' answers to our questionnaire. Of the 13 candidates running for president of the United States, a total of five responded to the Coalition's questionnaire - including one of the two major party candidates. Due to the Sikh Coalition's 501©(3) status, the Sikh Coalition does not endorse any specific political candidate. We cannot give you advice about whom you should vote for. We are a non-partisan, tax-exempt organization. Our candidate questionnaire was provided to both the major party candidates in November 2007. Since then, the Sikh Coalition has provided all candidates multiple and repeated opportunities to answer its questionnaire. Our Voter Guide reflects the answers of the candidates who responded to our questionnaire. Just as the Gurus left the care of the Sikh quam to the Khalsa Panth, the future of America is now up to its people to decide. As Sikh Americans, you must make your voice heard by casting your vote. Review this guide, read through the candidates' websites and make an informed decision. Do your part and VOTE on November 4th! The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that works for the realization of civil and human rights for all people. The Coalition serves as a resource on Sikhs and Sikh concerns for government, organizations and individuals. The Sikh Coalition relies on your tax-deductible financial support to sustain its initiatives and broaden its services. In addition to supporting the Sikh Coalition directly, we encourage you to use matching donation programs offered by many employers. The Sikh Coalition is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. Thank you for your support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Thank you Amar Atma for your pre-election political thoughts, a sincere and informative contribution. While I may agree with a few basic libertarian views, I take exception with at least a couple you mentioned: " the basic benefits of free markets or limited government. " Even Alan Greenspan recently admitted in testimony before Congress that he overlooked a " flaw " in his embrace of the wonderfulness of free markets: the ability to police themselves. Hence, without government interference (actually with government encourangement through willful inaction) we have our present economic mess. This was no unforseen accident. Some people railed against the creation of Social Security, some against Medicare. ( " big government " ; " socialism " ) But really, where would we be without them? Everyone for themselves, the ownership society? In reality, there will never be " free markets " , there will only be a moving line of government regulation, a line that moves according to the willingness of government to protect the middle class. And as far as " states rights " , wasn't that a justification given to protect slavery? Sincerely, with Blessings, Dan Coma Mahan Deva Singh PS ~ I'll be HAPPILY voting for Barack Obama!!! (FOR the middle class, FOR the environment, FOR nurturing international alliances, FOR liberal supreme court justices, FOR the right of workers to form unions) I invite everyone to close your eyes, take a few slow deep breaths while you focus on your heart chakra, and vote your conscience. Kundalini-Yoga , " Charles D. Frohman " <cfroh wrote: > > Sat nam! > > For those kundalini yogis who are Sikh and plan to vote, here's one voter guide (it's also educational for anyone interested in the way the world works, and the importance of political involvement): > > http://www.sikhcoalition.org/documents/SikhAmericanVoterGuide2008.pdf > > If I may comment, I think these guides are both helpful and dangerous. Helpfully, they add information, and more information is always a good thing. That's an Aquarian benefit, actually - all that extra information. Our frontal lobes, if properly stimulated via meditation, can discern the wheat from the chaff. > > The dangerous thing is the low intelligence liberals have fretted about since the beginning of the Enlightenment (see Mason and Calhoun, e.g.). If the regular folks are going to be allowed to rule (by voting or by running for office), we have to be educated, not misinformed. And the questions in the Sikh voter guide offer no opposition: hate crime protections are presumed good, and the basic benefits of free markets or limited government, or the tradition of allowing the States, not the Federal Government, to manage crime, is ignored. For our Democracy (actually, ours is a limited constitutional republic, not a Democracy) to prosper, our People need to be informed. > > I understand we want extra punishment for those who commit harms based on exterior look, and it's superficially understandable to want to punish an employer who limits opportunities for the Different. But if one delves deeply into these subjects, a few problems arise. With Hate Crimes, what we're really talking about, broadly, are THOUGHT crimes - straight from Orwell. Let's keep crime simple, folks. There are two types of crime and two types only - harm and fraud. If the judge wants to add aggravating evidence in the sentencing phase, let him (or her). But let's not blindly trust Big Media, Big Academia, Big Interest Groups, Big Justice and whatever other FACTION is behind the theory of Hate Crimes. The idiot savages who shot Sikhs after 9/11 because the turban looked Arab, are not at risk of freedom for lack of Hate Crimes - every state tends to jail those who act like savages, so this is a non-issue. > > Second, the Constitution enumerates no Power, in Article One Section Eight (where the Federal Government's Powers are listed), to prosecute crime. It's a State issue, and thank god this is so. If Texas gets too fascist in crime control, Austinians can escape to New Mexico; when the Federal Government becomes a POLICE STATE (you mean it's not already?), to escape where does one go? Beware centralization of power! > > On threatening employers who discriminate, how about getting another job? Bad behavior like discrimination does more harm to the perpetrator than any law ever will. It's called REPUTATION, and once lost, it's never regained. (And regulations do so much Employers with open polices gain reputation, and Sikhs are happier there. The only barrier to more employment choices is boom-bust central bankism and job-killing (and Oligarchy-forming) regulations. (And haven't we read Llosa's study how Red Tape kills startup companies in Developing Countries worldwide?). Plus, the Constitution forbids laws that violate contracts, and forbids interference with property without due process. It's the employer's property, and the contract is between the employer and employee. If we want more job opportunities, the last thing we want is government limiting opportunities with their Costs. > > Finally, if one reads Patwant Singh's classic, " The Sikhs " , we learn that this society was libertarian to the core, two hundred years before the middle class farmers of America dumped England off the East Coast in 1780. Apart from a " rule-making " body at the Akal Takt, and apart from meddling from the Muslim Ruler or their sycophantic Brahmans, the Sikhs had local rule by village elders, with a total free market for the farmers and merchants. The Sikhs became known as the Jews of India because, despite just 2% of the population, their freedom allowed such experimentation and innovation, until they captured 25% of the wealth. They even equalized women in terms of rights! The Sikh voter guide evinces no such ethic as the original Sikh culture of the 1600s. > > So, for whom will I vote? Probably no one, since to vote for the lesser of two evils is, arguably, not a good choice. Bob Barr, the Libertarian constitutionalist, perhaps. My man was Ron Paul, obviously. I actually was the guy on his Blimp last fall, broadcasting LIVE for Ron Paul Radio. > > But don't I like Obama as presidential material over McCain? My answer is Thomas Paine's praise of Americans in his '76 classic, " Common Sense " : we don't worship leaders. That, he laughed, was a European disease. What Americans should worship is the idea of this country (even if hardly ever realized): LIBERTY (in yoga lingo, " mukunday " - liberation). > > So, my voter guide for everyone, even when it's not time to vote, is to read the daily blogs, every day, at: > > http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/ > http://www.rense.com/ > http://www.prisonplanet.com/ > > or my blog, at http://dcflow.gaia.com/blog > > Blessings, > Amar Atma Sikh Coalition Publishes Pioneering Sikh Voter Guide > > Find Out Where Candidates Stand on Sikh Issues > > Click Here to Read the Sikh Amercian Voter Guide for 2008 > > October 28, 2008 - It is exactly one week before the long awaited 2008 Presidential election in the United States. As an American citizen, do you have the information you need to know in the voting booth? > > Read the Sikh Coalition's Voter Guide for Sikh Americans to find answers to questions that weren't asked in the debates. > > In a groundbreaking effort for our community, the Sikh Coalition this year convinced U.S. presidential candidates to respond to a questionnaire about Sikh concerns. > > Historically, this is the first time that candidates have felt compelled to speak directly to Sikh American voters. It is a mark of the Sikh community's increasing political and voting power in the United States. > > The Sikh Coalition's Sikh American Voter Guide includes information about how and where to vote on Election Day, summaries of proposed laws that affect Sikh interests, and the presidential candidates' answers to our questionnaire. Of the 13 candidates running for president of the United States, a total of five responded to the Coalition's questionnaire - including one of the two major party candidates. > > Due to the Sikh Coalition's 501©(3) status, the Sikh Coalition does not endorse any specific political candidate. We cannot give you advice about whom you should vote for. We are a non-partisan, tax- exempt organization. > > Our candidate questionnaire was provided to both the major party candidates in November 2007. Since then, the Sikh Coalition has provided all candidates multiple and repeated opportunities to answer its questionnaire. Our Voter Guide reflects the answers of the candidates who responded to our questionnaire. > > Just as the Gurus left the care of the Sikh quam to the Khalsa Panth, the future of America is now up to its people to decide. As Sikh Americans, you must make your voice heard by casting your vote. > > Review this guide, read through the candidates' websites and make an informed decision. > > Do your part and VOTE on November 4th! > > ________________________________ > > The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that works for the realization of civil and human rights for all people. The Coalition serves as a resource on Sikhs and Sikh concerns for government, organizations and individuals. > > The Sikh Coalition relies on your tax-deductible financial support to sustain its initiatives and broaden its services. In addition to supporting the Sikh Coalition directly, we encourage you to use matching donation programs offered by many employers. The Sikh Coalition is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. Thank you for your support. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Please note- " free market " was a joke in this instance. Lenders were forced by law to loan to people who were poor risks, and Fannie and Freddie were perceived by investors to have govenment backing (which it turns out they did). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Just to clarify one point I made below, regardng " states rights. " I in no way implied anyone's support for slavery! I only gave one example of " states rights " being used in the past as an argument against the federal government " interfering " (translation: attempting to rectify obviously unjust circumstances). Other examples: segregation, voting rights, unequal education. I thank God that the federal government did step in to protect citizens, rather than expect people (some poor and powerless) to pick up and move to a better state. I am reminded of the old 3HO song, " all for one, one for all, the good Lord loves to see us that way...yeah! " Blessings, Dan Coma Mahan Deva Singh Kundalini-Yoga , " Dan Coma " <dcoma wrote: > > Thank you Amar Atma for your pre-election political thoughts, a > sincere and informative contribution. While I may agree with a few > basic libertarian views, I take exception with at least a couple you > mentioned: " the basic benefits of free markets or limited > government. " Even Alan Greenspan recently admitted in testimony > before Congress that he overlooked a " flaw " in his embrace > of the wonderfulness of free markets: the ability to police > themselves. Hence, without government interference (actually with > government encourangement through willful inaction) we have our > present economic mess. This was no unforseen accident. > > Some people railed against the creation of Social Security, some > against Medicare. ( " big government " ; " socialism " ) But really, where > would we be without them? Everyone for themselves, the ownership > society? In reality, there will never be " free markets " , there will > only be a moving line of government regulation, a line that moves > according to the willingness of government to protect the middle > class. > > And as far as " states rights " , wasn't that a justification given to > protect slavery? > > Sincerely, with Blessings, > Dan Coma > Mahan Deva Singh > > PS ~ I'll be HAPPILY voting for Barack Obama!!! (FOR the middle > class, FOR the environment, FOR nurturing international alliances, > FOR liberal supreme court justices, FOR the right of workers to form > unions) I invite everyone to close your eyes, take a few slow deep > breaths while you focus on your heart chakra, and vote your > conscience. > > Kundalini-Yoga , " Charles D. Frohman " > <cfroh@> wrote: > > > > Sat nam! > > > > For those kundalini yogis who are Sikh and plan to vote, here's one > voter guide (it's also educational for anyone interested in the way > the world works, and the importance of political involvement): > > > > > http://www.sikhcoalition.org/documents/SikhAmericanVoterGuide2008.pdf > > > > If I may comment, I think these guides are both helpful and > dangerous. Helpfully, they add information, and more information is > always a good thing. That's an Aquarian benefit, actually - all that > extra information. Our frontal lobes, if properly stimulated via > meditation, can discern the wheat from the chaff. > > > > The dangerous thing is the low intelligence liberals have fretted > about since the beginning of the Enlightenment (see Mason and > Calhoun, e.g.). If the regular folks are going to be allowed to rule > (by voting or by running for office), we have to be educated, not > misinformed. And the questions in the Sikh voter guide offer no > opposition: hate crime protections are presumed good, and the basic > benefits of free markets or limited government, or the tradition of > allowing the States, not the Federal Government, to manage crime, is > ignored. For our Democracy (actually, ours is a limited > constitutional republic, not a Democracy) to prosper, our People need > to be informed. > > > > I understand we want extra punishment for those who commit harms > based on exterior look, and it's superficially understandable to want > to punish an employer who limits opportunities for the Different. > But if one delves deeply into these subjects, a few problems arise. > With Hate Crimes, what we're really talking about, broadly, are > THOUGHT crimes - straight from Orwell. Let's keep crime simple, > folks. There are two types of crime and two types only - harm and > fraud. If the judge wants to add aggravating evidence in the > sentencing phase, let him (or her). But let's not blindly trust Big > Media, Big Academia, Big Interest Groups, Big Justice and whatever > other FACTION is behind the theory of Hate Crimes. The idiot savages > who shot Sikhs after 9/11 because the turban looked Arab, are not at > risk of freedom for lack of Hate Crimes - every state tends to jail > those who act like savages, so this is a non-issue. > > > > Second, the Constitution enumerates no Power, in Article One > Section Eight (where the Federal Government's Powers are listed), to > prosecute crime. It's a State issue, and thank god this is so. If > Texas gets too fascist in crime control, Austinians can escape to New > Mexico; when the Federal Government becomes a POLICE STATE (you mean > it's not already?), to escape where does one go? Beware > centralization of power! > > > > On threatening employers who discriminate, how about getting > another job? Bad behavior like discrimination does more harm to the > perpetrator than any law ever will. It's called REPUTATION, and once > lost, it's never regained. (And regulations do so much Employers > with open polices gain reputation, and Sikhs are happier there. The > only barrier to more employment choices is boom-bust central bankism > and job-killing (and Oligarchy-forming) regulations. (And haven't we > read Llosa's study how Red Tape kills startup companies in Developing > Countries worldwide?). Plus, the Constitution forbids laws that > violate contracts, and forbids interference with property without due > process. It's the employer's property, and the contract is between > the employer and employee. If we want more job opportunities, the > last thing we want is government limiting opportunities with their > Costs. > > > > Finally, if one reads Patwant Singh's classic, " The Sikhs " , we > learn that this society was libertarian to the core, two hundred > years before the middle class farmers of America dumped England off > the East Coast in 1780. Apart from a " rule-making " body at the Akal > Takt, and apart from meddling from the Muslim Ruler or their > sycophantic Brahmans, the Sikhs had local rule by village elders, > with a total free market for the farmers and merchants. The Sikhs > became known as the Jews of India because, despite just 2% of the > population, their freedom allowed such experimentation and > innovation, until they captured 25% of the wealth. They even > equalized women in terms of rights! The Sikh voter guide evinces no > such ethic as the original Sikh culture of the 1600s. > > > > So, for whom will I vote? Probably no one, since to vote for the > lesser of two evils is, arguably, not a good choice. Bob Barr, the > Libertarian constitutionalist, perhaps. My man was Ron Paul, > obviously. I actually was the guy on his Blimp last fall, > broadcasting LIVE for Ron Paul Radio. > > > > But don't I like Obama as presidential material over McCain? My > answer is Thomas Paine's praise of Americans in his '76 > classic, " Common Sense " : we don't worship leaders. That, he > laughed, was a European disease. What Americans should worship is > the idea of this country (even if hardly ever realized): LIBERTY (in > yoga lingo, " mukunday " - liberation). > > > > So, my voter guide for everyone, even when it's not time to vote, > is to read the daily blogs, every day, at: > > > > http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/ > > http://www.rense.com/ > > http://www.prisonplanet.com/ > > > > or my blog, at http://dcflow.gaia.com/blog > > > > Blessings, > > Amar Atma > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Sikh Coalition Publishes Pioneering Sikh Voter Guide > > > > Find Out Where Candidates Stand on Sikh Issues > > > > Click Here to Read the Sikh Amercian Voter Guide for 2008 > > > > October 28, 2008 - It is exactly one week before the long awaited > 2008 Presidential election in the United States. As an American > citizen, do you have the information you need to know in the voting > booth? > > > > Read the Sikh Coalition's Voter Guide for Sikh Americans to find > answers to questions that weren't asked in the debates. > > > > In a groundbreaking effort for our community, the Sikh Coalition > this year convinced U.S. presidential candidates to respond to a > questionnaire about Sikh concerns. > > > > Historically, this is the first time that candidates have felt > compelled to speak directly to Sikh American voters. It is a mark of > the Sikh community's increasing political and voting power in the > United States. > > > > The Sikh Coalition's Sikh American Voter Guide includes information > about how and where to vote on Election Day, summaries of proposed > laws that affect Sikh interests, and the presidential candidates' > answers to our questionnaire. Of the 13 candidates running for > president of the United States, a total of five responded to the > Coalition's questionnaire - including one of the two major party > candidates. > > > > Due to the Sikh Coalition's 501©(3) status, the Sikh Coalition > does not endorse any specific political candidate. We cannot give you > advice about whom you should vote for. We are a non-partisan, tax- > exempt organization. > > > > Our candidate questionnaire was provided to both the major party > candidates in November 2007. Since then, the Sikh Coalition has > provided all candidates multiple and repeated opportunities to answer > its questionnaire. Our Voter Guide reflects the answers of the > candidates who responded to our questionnaire. > > > > Just as the Gurus left the care of the Sikh quam to the Khalsa > Panth, the future of America is now up to its people to decide. As > Sikh Americans, you must make your voice heard by casting your vote. > > > > Review this guide, read through the candidates' websites and make > an informed decision. > > > > Do your part and VOTE on November 4th! > > > > ________________________________ > > > > The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that works for > the realization of civil and human rights for all people. The > Coalition serves as a resource on Sikhs and Sikh concerns for > government, organizations and individuals. > > > > The Sikh Coalition relies on your tax-deductible financial support > to sustain its initiatives and broaden its services. In addition to > supporting the Sikh Coalition directly, we encourage you to use > matching donation programs offered by many employers. The Sikh > Coalition is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. Thank you for your > support. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Well, as a pacifist and civil right advocate, as well as being against corporate involvement in the elections, politics and government, I think it's very important for US intellectuals to read this article. http://www.uruknet.info/?p=m48374 & hd= & size=1 & l=e " The Elections and the Responsibility of the Intellectual to Speak Truth to Power /or/ Twelve Reasons to Reject Obama and Support Nader or McKinney " I feel that my vote is like a prayer. No prayer can ever be wasted... And that a prayer for Obama includes a prayer for more war, and enlarging the military role, whereby a vote for Ralph Nader is a conscious prayer for peace. If you want to learn a little more about where he stands on the military issues, watch this short video: Also, hear a very brief (more structured) outline of his policies on NewsHour PBS Interview: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/video/blog/2008/10/ralph_nader_for_president.h\ tml That's my two cents... I also will vote with a clean conscience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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