Maryland passed legislation which will give its residents paid sick leave, beginning in 30 days. Maryland becomes the ninth state to take similar action.

Depending on the poll you read, America ranks between 14^th and 20^th in ‘quality of life’ throughout the world. Income inequality is a serious problem which has been completely ignored by Trump and his Republican cronies. The United States is the only developed nation with such a ridiculously low federal minimum wage, without free healthcare for all, paid family leave, and guaranteed paid vacations.

Maryland took a step by recognizing that no one would resent paying taxes if that money came back to them in some fashion. But it wasn’t easy. After the legislature passed the bill, Republican Governor, Larry Hogan, vetoed the law. The Democratic led Senate voted 30-17 to override the veto; one vote more than required. Hogan claimed that passing the bill would ‘hurt businesses,’ and potentially ‘invade the privacy of workers.’ In other words, he supported profit before people, adhering to the Republican line.

For decades Republicans have voted to increase the Pentagon’s budget, knowing that 50 percent of their yearly allotment goes to waste. Then they turn to the people and tell us that there is no money for badly needed social programs including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Here’s one huge example. From its planning stages more than two decades ago until now the F-35 Joint Strike Force fighter has been the poster child for military failure. Designed to be a ‘one fits all’ solution for each branch of the military and multiple foreign nations, it was immediately slammed by the Marine Corps because it was unable to satisfy its specific requirements.

Each F-35 will cost approximately $100 million. Since the program began, the need for constant redesigning of the aircraft, and associated cost overruns has cost American taxpayers $406.5 billion.

Not enough to convince you. I live in Northern Nevada. To our north and west, in California, there is a warehouse filled with Bradley Tanks gathering dust. I’m not making this up, they remain in construction to this day. There are warehouses filled with obsolete ammunition across the nation, and no one knows what to do with them.

The next time Republicans tell you that there is no money for programs to assist low-income and impoverished Americans, it is fair to tell them that they are “full of s**t.”

Any member of our federal government who refuses to place the American people first is worthless, and should be sent home.

Please help me spread the truth; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

SOURCE

Photo courtesy of Maryland GovPics

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