In response to last night
Last night, Gina Raimondo, Democrat of Rhode Island won the Governor's election from Allan Fung and Robert Healey. Last night also, I saw some of the most vile comments be said, and comments like "We are fucked..." and other things. Then, even though I supported Gina Raimondo, people said "I'm leaving the state, this is bullshit". Here's my response to this whole Gina-hate: I am not completely sold on her either.
What I mean is this, and I will break it down using the facts one-by-one and interject my thoughts in some of the responses. (Note: I am using facts from their debate on wpri.com):
Paying back your debts(Namely 38 Studios)- My opinion: Bad Idea that 38 Studios was allowed to borrow from the state without a referendum, or something on the ballot), but I am for paying back your debts. Raimondo stated that she was for it where both Healey and Fung were against it. Once again, you want to get your ass out of debt Pay your debts!
Lowering the states Income tax- My opinion: It is better to have a surplus any day, than a deficit, if you don't think so, look at the debt clock for our nation. Yes, the tax is higher than my birthstate of Connecticut (6.5% for Connecticut to our 7%) but you also have to know that in Connecticut, and Massachusetts there are bottle deposit taxes on bottles, and also taxes on clothes. Gina Raimondo did not specify where both Healey and Fung both stated they opposed it.
Decreasing the Corporate tax- My opinion: Corporations should be held to the fire when they outsource overseas, move corporate headquarters out the United States, or even do underhanded things to cheat the country. After all, according to Citizen's United, "Corporations are people too, my friend." and therefore should be handled the same way as if a person defrauded the country, or pay their fair share here. Personally this is where Raimondo, Healey, Fung and I differ: Raimondo was unsure, while Fung and Healey both supported this. Further response: It is the Middle Class who are the consumers, and the Corporations who generate the products, no matter what industry that bring jobs. Let's not forget this point. I'd be protesting this matter if Raimondo acts like a true Corporate Democrat (one that supports the notion of listening to the Corporations rather than the constituents of Rhode Island, while toting a liberal or progressive base).
Increasing the minimum wage in Rhode Island- Currently, the State's minimum wage is 8.00 per hour, and I remember that when I came to Rhode Island it was 7.40 per hour. Let's face it, This is not a living wage. People at times have to scrape by with two or three jobs just so they can support themselves, let alone a family. Many other states have a minimum wage that is a living wage, and while Raimondo supports it, both Healey and Fung do not. Let's face facts, it's not teenagers living on this wage, it's adults that are living on it.
Licenses to undocumented immigrants- This is major: I know it's a hot button issue, but I have to say this: while I support giving amnesty to people who are undocumented already, we have to look nationally, and we definitely need to revisit this matter immediately. I have to say that if someone is coming from a country where if they were to be deported back to would cause them to be imprisoned or killed they should be granted asylum. As a father, I can only sympathize with those who are brought here illegally trying to save their child from a life of terror, and wish nothing more than prosperity for them, and their new found home. Gina supports this fully, I do not for people who want to abuse our public systems. I believe they are there for people to raise themselves out of and give back to the system.
Pension Reform Law- She agrees with making this happen, I don't, and others don't. This is one thing, out of the other points that have to be looked at, and talked about, and fought about and debated not just by politicians, but by regular people as well.
Instead of attacking my friends on facebook and their candidates or sending rants fueled by emotion, I just want to state this with facts. There were other facts that were there, some that were unclear or unsure of, but I just wanted to make a point.
In the words of many "If you don't vote, don't complain" and in the words of George Carlin, "If you vote , you have no right to complain." here's my take: If you vote without facts, and just emotions, you have no right to complain. The reason why I supported Gina Raimondo is because as a Progressive she was the one candidate that I saw had a view of Rhode Island that wasn't leaning towards the right. What do I mean? Let's look at Allan Fung's quote after winning the Republican Nomination for Rhode Island (paraphrasing): "Let's make Rhode Island a right to work state." What does this mean? Right to work means that unions who would collectively bargain in their jobs would have no power, and it's as Rhode Islanders are famous for saying in this market, "You get what you get." Does that work? No. All you have to do is look at Wisconsin, and their debacle with Scott Walker. Healey also leaned right, though admirably, he spent his own money to support his own candidacy.
As far as stating that you'd actually leave the state, that is your own prerogative. Me, personally, if a job opportunity arises, I would leave, but as far as the present time, Rhode Island is my home, and I, like anyone anywhere else will stay and hope that I can somehow have my influence be heard at the statehouse, and in the country. If I don't like what I hear from her, you better believe I'll be signing petitions, marching and protesting against things that affect people in this state. This country, let alone this state does not run on a remote control. We The People have a voice, whether it is through our voices, our taxpayer dollars, or our signatures. We collectively can have an impact on what they do on Smith Hill, and in Capital Hill, even though there are those voices that say "Our voices don't matter." That is a cop-out, it's a message to discourage us from the greater mission. If that is true, then civil rights would not exist for men and women of color and different sexual orientations in this state, there had to have been people to fight for these laws, and more importantly people that said time and time again that our voice will be heard and you will listen because We The People elected you there.
Lastly, some people say the two party system doesn't work. They're right. That's why I call myself Progressive rather than Democrat because Progressivism transcends Republican and Democrat. It was started by the early Republicans, and was stolen by Democrats as of late when Republicans went hard right. I know that there are some out there that are Progressive or Rooseveltian Progressives (Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican who became Progressive). If I see someone that is forward thinking, and look towards hearing what the people want, then I have to say that this is a person that I want running a political office, and correctly running government. There are many parties out there including the Green Party, The Moderate Party here in Rhode Island. One day, though, I hope that Rhode Island has it's own Progressive Party like in Vermont where Senator Bernie Sanders has.
I may be wrong on what I say here, but I had to say it, and this is America,and we are entitled to our own opinions, but it is important to not be so divisive. United We Stand, Divided We Fall after all.
