Arithmetic

Here's an emailed blurb about campaign finance that I found quite insightful and to the point (kind of scary too!). Full disclosure - it came from the Obama campaign.

Sheldon Adelson, the conservative billionaire Las Vegas casino owner, has pledged to give up to $100 million -- whatever it takes -- to defeat Barack Obama.

We know it's not out of love for Mitt Romney, so why part with so much money? As President Clinton reminded us last week, sometimes the answer is as simple as arithmetic.

So let's do the math: According to a new report from the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Adelson could see up to $2 billion in savings under Mitt Romney's tax plan versus the President's plan. That's how much Romney's policies would favor millionaires and billionaires.

If Mitt Romney wins -- $2 billion more for Adelson. If Barack Obama wins, millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share.

It's a highly cynical but straightforward calculation

Deep Patriotism

"Deep patriots don't just sing the song, 'America the Beautiful' and then go home. We actually stick around to defend America’s beauty -- from the oil spillers, the clear-cutters and the mountaintop removers. Deep patriots don't just visit the Statue of Liberty and send a postcard home to grandma. We defend the principles upon which that great monument was founded -- 'give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.'"

-Van Jones

A Thought provoking quote for today. Excellent in reclaiming patriotic symbols in service of valuing the collective investment required to sustain both "America the Beautiful" and "America the melting pot".

Also made me think about "Slow Patriotism" (a la Slow Food, Slow Money . . .) - that the investment required is a long-term investment not a quick-fix.

Interesting in reading more from Rebuild the Dream . . . click here