In the past few months, I have abandoned completely my old conventions, media sources, talk radio programs and routine thought. I'm going through my notions, beliefs and bias with a fine tooth comb, which has cause somewhat of a political identity crisis. But I must, however uncomfortable it makes me, search for the truth. Especially when life presents us with potentially generation changing events.
I'm tired of the platitudes presented in our media, both as it relates to politics and entertainment. I have zero affinity for what is rousing, comfortable or sensational to believe. I am simply truth searching. In saying that, I enjoy reading
The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand, a pioneer country like the U.S. in many ways has a unique and much more objective scope and world view. They don't have the same levels of bias, pandering and far throws of the spectrum leaning absurdity seen by American and other media outlets.
What is so unique about New Zealand? What puts them in their rare position as a first world, innovative and information savvy society? It's difficult to say for sure, but I believe it has a good deal to do with their independent spirit, founding principles, economy and tax structure .
New Zealand's history parallels that of America. Disputes with natives, trade, power struggles between Britain and France. After the great depression, radical socialist reform sprouted with the rise of "The Labor Party" to a full pendulum swing by the 1980's to free market economics, touting a deregulated financial market and removal of controls over foreign exchange. Wikipedia mentions: "Subsidies to many industries, notably agriculture, were removed or significantly reduced, as was tariff protection. The marginal tax rate was halved over a number of years from 66% to 33%; this was paid for by the introduction of a tax on goods and services (GST) initially at 10%, later 12.5%, and a surtax on superannuation, which had been made universal from age 60 by the previous government."
These changes propelled New Zealand to a seat in the global economy. However, with the massive deregulation, a shift occurred from an industrially driven economy to a financially driven driven economy which caused job loss and a strong divide between haves and havenots. The country has made a shift in the past 15 years. Having an economy driven by a heavy and powerful service sector grossing 68.8% of the GDP.
New Zealand has lighter taxes, more economic freedom and is considered one of the most free market capitalist economies on earth. New Zealanders enjoy a high level of life satisfaction (the highest as rated in 2007) and it has gone from the lowest per capita income of a developed country in 1982 to one comparable to countries in Southern Europe in 2009.
Enough of all this for now, my real reason for writing this blog is to feature
this article. An example I consider to be an informative and reliable look at Obama's "rules of engagement" as well as directly connecting the dots of what can only be called RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM to people who should rightly be called TERRORISTS.
I have found that truth is so muddled here in the U.S. that there are few truly objective voices/sources judging each action and event individually. (Of course that is difficult to do in the throes of political passion) Many of us develop our biases and adjust our thoughts and actions to align with those without ever playing devils advocate with ourselves. The Kiwis (New Zealanders) seem to somehow posses the ability to report and think objectively more so than other media sources.
The point of all this is; if you are not afraid to challenge yourself and possibly shake your own notions... then fact check, seek alternative sources and seriously contemplate issues. You will be much closer to the truth of a matter. I'm positive noone ever gets the whole truth all the time, but you get much less following one thoughtless path.
The truth, often lies somewhere in the scattered bits of the foggy middle ground. Saying that, I'd like to clarify that I am not using "middle ground" in the conventional "compromising" sense. There is effort and thought required to find truth. Amidst shock jocks, liberal journalist Obama worshipers, over enthusiastic Palin promoting Fox anchors, our plastic faced aloof congress and angry hordes of citizens on both sides we witness mostly stupefied puppets, scooting around like pawns maneuvered by forces and motives none have objectively examined. Forces which have little real interest in those whom they manipulate.
