Daily Ghion Water ~ The Ghion Journal

The theme of today is “We the People”. The more society become a cult of personality, the more we take on a herd mentality. It never ends well for a herd society that lets wolves be their shepherds. This Daily Ghion Water is thus dedicated to us, the common folk, who are the foundation of this great nation. Here are news and notes from independent journalists and non-corporate voices from around the world.

What About Us

The system does not need to hire millions of us to do a day’s work for a day’s pay any more. Part of the money that formerly went to wages now goes onto Wall Street and the global financial markets. So does part of the money that funded the social safety nets, public education, mental health, infrastructure and many other services. The rest goes into the military- and prison-industrial complexes, militarization of the police, and suppression of our democratic rights, all of which is aimed at protecting the sky-high pile of money and private property in the hands of the 1 percent. The tax bill is the latest assault on a working class that the ruling class no longer needs, and a desperate effort by the billionaires to maintain their profits. [from People’s Tribune]

We Too Are Immigrants

Every U.S. citizen needs to recognize and accept the truth about U.S. history. Stop with the bogus “this is our country—go home” arguments. Enough with the “illegal” talk. Remember: Every U.S. citizen who is not a Native American or a descendant of slaves had ancestors who immigrated to America. Every U.S. citizen who is not a Native American is living on stolen land. Think about that when you’re standing for the national anthem or listening to Woody Guthrie. [from Eric Ortiz of Truthdig]

State of the People

I knew hardship while I was sleeping on 800 thread count sheets, I also knew hardship when I was sleeping on concretes. I say this in the spirit of solidarity; from people mired below the poverty line to white collar workers—unless you are a billionaire or have the influence to dictate policies—we are all in this together. Our fates are intertwined; as a family struggles in the South Side of Chicago, eventually families in the affluent parts of town will feel the heat of insolvency and economic anxieties too. [from Ghion Journal]

Censoring Citizen Journalists

Though challenges created by escalating censorship are frighteningly real, the age of independent media is not at an end. As Suzie Dawson noted, an increasing number of anti-establishment voices are diversifying the platforms on which they post content. Essentially, one hopes that as even Facebook admits it will push users away through the implementation of their latest draconian policies, the news which is most dangerous to the plutocratic class will not be silenced. Instead of being cut down, we will spread to every platform that exists out of the establishment’s reach, embodied by the archetypal Obi-Wan Kenobi. [from Elizabeth Vos of Disobedient Media]

Politics and Situational Morality

The more rank-and-file Democrats have been forced to find a way to get okay with the idea of warmongering neocon presidents, the more they’re going to get okay with Bush. And this is why members of the so-called “Resistance” would rather spend time drawing pictures of Robert Mueller riding on a sharkthan on trying to curb Trump’s Orwellian surveillance powers and unconstitutional war powers: those are Bush’s policies, and Democrats have been forced to gaslight themselves into falling in love with Bush. [from Caitlin Johnstone]

Keeping Robert Parry

Inactive citizens underwrite the Republicans’ vicious agenda as these mean-spirited folks take food stamps and health care from poor kids and their parents, give tax breaks to fat cats, stupidly prefer kill-power to diplomacy, and ignore climate disasters even as these disasters are right now crashing around us and around the world. Don’t complain, non-voters and vote-and-run voters. You’re complicit with the “Republican base.” There is something despicable about non-voting and vote-and-run citizens. The Book of Revelations trashes their ilk in language our bravest pundits would timidly eschew. [from Consortium News]

Consider this Heal Talk

This Day in History

1835 - A man with two pistols misfires at President Andrew Jackson at the White House. Andrew Jackson was the last president to pay off the debt of the United States. If you look through the pages of American history, you will find the oddest “quirk”. Every president who spoke against bankers and tried to reign in the influence of corporate interests has either been assassinated or had an attempt on his life. The ones who kowtow to Wall Street get rewarded handsomely (see also Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump et al).

Quote of the Day

“It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Profiled This Day

Today’s profile picture is dedicated to all working mothers throughout the world. It is hard enough holding down a 9-5 job and dealing with the stresses of work, but to go home after and take care of a household requires superhuman strength. Yet mothers do this on a regular basis. I’ve often said that I prefer our next president to be a working mother at Hardee’s than a rich and famous politician who knows nothing about the struggles the vast majority of Americans go through. Thank you to all working mothers, whether your job is in an office, in a fast food restaurant or you work full time as a stay at home mom, your efforts are rarely thanked but always appreciated. Society would do well to emulate your loving care and be more like you.

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