Nafta Wal Mart The Human condition

Written by: Ray Guillory on Oct 27, 2007 9:26 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Florida

WALMART

I try to be a law abiding citizen, but sometimes I just feel like sticking it to the man. When I think about the whole corporate culture of Wal-Mart, it makes me want to shoplift a computer and return it for a refund. Wal Mart buys most of its products from our leading world competitors, countries and companies with labor practices we would never tolerate on our own shores, companies with policies that have not been tolerated in the U.S. in over a hundred years. When wal mart allows itself to purchase a $2 shirt made by child labor, who is paid far less than what anyone would call a substandard wage , how can US companies compete. I know Clinton passed Nafta and other trade agreements that made trade with these companies easier, that was a good thing.

The only way to increase the quality of lfe for these people, is to trade with more modern nations. The key is to press for reform in this part of the world. Reforms that will raise thier standrds, closer to our standard of living. IF PEOPLE IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES HAD A STANDARD OF LIVING LIKE OURS ,IMAGINE THE NEW MARKET FOR OUR GOODS AND SERVICES. Sure cost in the short term would rise for American consumers, but with returning revenue and foriegn purchasing of our products, the increase in personal wealth should quickly out pace cost. American jobs would also stay in America.


One good example for you, Grain. In the United States we produce an abundance of grain, wheat, rice, and corn. We produce so much of these commodities that we tax payers , through federal programs, pay farmers not to produce them. We still end up with so much left over  the federal government, with taxpayer money, buys a portion of the crop. Why, to keep prices up, so we pay three ways. We pay first not to have it produced, we pay to buy the over production, and then we as consumers buy the product at artifical prices. The solution is to open up markets in other countries. The problem is they cannot afford it. The U.S. government actually either discounts the supply and sells it to them , or gives it away in foriegn aid. If the people in these areas made a descent wage, if they had a descent standars of living, they could afford to just purchase the grain at a fair market value. The result would be, we would pay less in taxes, we would pay less for grain, they would eat ,and I would sleep better without seeing starving children on T.V.

So when you see that cheap shirt at wal mart, think about what it really cost you and millons of other people.


The logical answer to the prblem is for our Congress to pass a law that states That no product can be sold in the United States, that was produced by a company that would not meet U.S. labor laws.

Nafta Wal Mart The Huamn condition

Written by: Ray Guillory on Oct 27, 2007 9:25 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Florida

WALMART

I try to be a law abiding citizen, but sometimes I just feel like sticking it to the man. When I think about the whole corporate culture of Wal-Mart, it makes me want to shoplift a computer and return it for a refund. Wal Mart buys most of its products from our leading world competitors, countries and companies with labor practices we would never tolerate on our own shores, companies with policies that have not been tolerated in the U.S. in over a hundred years. When wal mart allows itself to purchase a $2 shirt made by child labor, who is paid far less than what anyone would call a substandard wage , how can US companies compete. I know Clinton passed Nafta and other trade agreements that made trade with these companies easier, that was a good thing.

The only way to increase the quality of lfe for these people, is to trade with more modern nations. The key is to press for reform in this part of the world. Reforms that will raise thier standrds, closer to our standard of living. IF PEOPLE IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES HAD A STANDARD OF LIVING LIKE OURS ,IMAGINE THE NEW MARKET FOR OUR GOODS AND SERVICES. Sure cost in the short term would rise for American consumers, but with returning revenue and foriegn purchasing of our products, the increase in personal wealth should quickly out pace cost. American jobs would also stay in America.


One good example for you, Grain. In the United States we produce an abundance of grain, wheat, rice, and corn. We produce so much of these commodities that we tax payers , through federal programs, pay farmers not to produce them. We still end up with so much left over  the federal government, with taxpayer money, buys a portion of the crop. Why, to keep prices up, so we pay three ways. We pay first not to have it produced, we pay to buy the over production, and then we as consumers buy the product at artifical prices. The solution is to open up markets in other countries. The problem is they cannot afford it. The U.S. government actually either discounts the supply and sells it to them , or gives it away in foriegn aid. If the people in these areas made a descent wage, if they had a descent standars of living, they could afford to just purchase the grain at a fair market value. The result would be, we would pay less in taxes, we would pay less for grain, they would eat ,and I would sleep better without seeing starving children on T.V.

So when you see that cheap shirt at wal mart, think about what it really cost you and millons of other people.


The logical answer to the prblem is for our Congress to pass a law that states That no product can be sold in the United States, that was produced by a company that would not meet U.S. labor laws.

Dems Do Good Deeds

Written by: Ray Guillory on Oct 23, 2007 1:43 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Dems Do Good Deeds

ARE YOU A DEMOCRAT, NOT A POLITICAN, A REAL DEMOCRAT? DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WE THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY. I want to start a group. Not a formal group. Just a lose association of caring people who believe in service to thier fellow man, and the ideals of true democracy. I have in the past run for office as a democrat. The funniest thing I encountered was people who wouldn't even talk to me once I said I was a Democrat. When I asked why,  thier reply was I hate Democrats. So I ask .Why ? They cannot answer. They do not know.

So I want people who are Democrats to wear a button that says DEMS DO GOOD DEEDS. Then go out and do good deeds.No one can say they hate you when you do good deeds.Wear the button to remind yourself to do good deeds, wear the button to remind others we do good deeds. Then when we approach someone they will see the button and relax thier attitudes.

We need to change our focus from merely political to more of a service organization. So that people can think of us like the elks, kiwanis or lions club, not just a liberal political party.

We have to change the perceptions that people have of us and our party,

If you are interested contact me at raygincajin@yahoo.com.

Join the Revolution, Sign the Constitution.

Written by: Ray Guillory on Sep 28, 2007 9:05 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Health Care for America Organizers

Every election is a mini revolution, every time you vote, you, in a big way keep alive the promise of our Founding Fathers. Remember the sacrifice they made, the small amount of time it takes to get informed and go the polls is so little in comparison.

I know it seems early in the season. It is still 2007, and the election is the end of 2008. Yet the republican has the position and benefits of incumbency. In order to beat him, I have to get at early. Get out the message earlier and more often. I cannot beat him in dollars, I have to beat him with Ideas. In 2008 we need to tell this rich Arkansas lawyer that Arkansas misses him more than we will.
  Our legislator needs to wake up. Insurance companies cannot regulate themselves. They are in business to make money, not make their customers happy, or offer us rate cuts.They only do that to make money, if they can make money without that cost, they will.
  We need Health Care reform in Florida. 30% of the population without insurance is outrageous. Those with insurance are going broke paying the premiums. We need to expand SChip. We need to vote out our congressman who voted against the expansion of SChip, and vote in people who believe that fixing the current state of health insurance is important to the citizens of Florida.
   We need elected officials who are not in the pocket of insurers, and developers. The influence of these two groups alone have nearly bankrupted our state, if not the moral judgment of our elected officials.
   We need you, the voters , the citizens, to stand up and say enough. If someone, in your area, isn't running for office who will stand up for you. RUN.
   You shouldn't have to be rich, with a bunch of rich friends, to run for office. Lets prove it. Lets take back Florida $5, $10, $15 at a time. There are more of us than the $500 donors. We can win. We have to, or we will have to find somewhere more affordable to live. Hopefully not Arkansas. Se my page show me some support. Rock the boat.
RAY  www.myspace.com/rayguillory

Join the Revolution, Sign the Constitution.

Written by: Ray Guillory on Sep 28, 2007 9:05 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Florida DFA

Every election is a mini revolution, every time you vote, you, in a big way keep alive the promise of our Founding Fathers. Remember the sacrifice they made, the small amount of time it takes to get informed and go the polls is so little in comparison.

I know it seems early in the season. It is still 2007, and the election is the end of 2008. Yet the republican has the position and benefits of incumbency. In order to beat him, I have to get at early. Get out the message earlier and more often. I cannot beat him in dollars, I have to beat him with Ideas. In 2008 we need to tell this rich Arkansas lawyer that Arkansas misses him more than we will.
  Our legislator needs to wake up. Insurance companies cannot regulate themselves. They are in business to make money, not make their customers happy, or offer us rate cuts.They only do that to make money, if they can make money without that cost, they will.
  We need Health Care reform in Florida. 30% of the population without insurance is outrageous. Those with insurance are going broke paying the premiums. We need to expand SChip. We need to vote out our congressman who voted against the expansion of SChip, and vote in people who believe that fixing the current state of health insurance is important to the citizens of Florida.
   We need elected officials who are not in the pocket of insurers, and developers. The influence of these two groups alone have nearly bankrupted our state, if not the moral judgment of our elected officials.
   We need you, the voters , the citizens, to stand up and say enough. If someone, in your area, isn't running for office who will stand up for you. RUN.
   You shouldn't have to be rich, with a bunch of rich friends, to run for office. Lets prove it. Lets take back Florida $5, $10, $15 at a time. There are more of us than the $500 donors. We can win. We have to, or we will have to find somewhere more affordable to live. Hopefully not Arkansas. Se my page show me some support. Rock the boat.
RAY  www.myspace.com/rayguillory

Join the Revolution, Sign the Constitution.

Written by: Ray Guillory on Sep 28, 2007 9:02 PM EDT

Every election is a mini revolution, every time you vote, you, in a big way keep alive the promise of our Founding Fathers. Remember the sacrifice they made, the small amount of time it takes to get informed and go the polls is so little in comparison.

I know it seems early in the season. It is still 2007, and the election is the end of 2008. Yet the republican has the position and benefits of incumbency. In order to beat him, I have to get at early. Get out the message earlier and more often. I cannot beat him in dollars, I have to beat him with Ideas. In 2008 we need to tell this rich Arkansas lawyer that Arkansas misses him more than we will.
  Our legislator needs to wake up. Insurance companies cannot regulate themselves. They are in business to make money, not make their customers happy, or offer us rate cuts.They only do that to make money, if they can make money without that cost, they will.
  We need Health Care reform in Florida. 30% of the population without insurance is outrageous. Those with insurance are going broke paying the premiums. We need to expand SChip. We need to vote out our congressman who voted against the expansion of SChip, and vote in people who believe that fixing the current state of health insurance is important to the citizens of Florida.
   We need elected officials who are not in the pocket of insurers, and developers. The influence of these two groups alone have nearly bankrupted our state, if not the moral judgment of our elected officials.
   We need you, the voters , the citizens, to stand up and say enough. If someone, in your area, isn't running for office who will stand up for you. RUN.
   You shouldn't have to be rich, with a bunch of rich friends, to run for office. Lets prove it. Lets take back Florida $5, $10, $15 at a time. There are more of us than the $500 donors. We can win. We have to, or we will have to find somewhere more affordable to live. Hopefully not Arkansas. Se my page show me some support. Rock the boat.
RAY  www.myspace.com/rayguillory

What is the Difference, Immigration?

Written by: Ray Guillory on Aug 27, 2007 1:30 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Florida

Immigration

Back in the 80's , when I was in middle school, my class watched a movie about East Germans who suffered under the oppression of a political and economicaly harsh authoritarian regime. In the movie the Hero, a loving father, decides that his family must fllee to West Gemany , for freedom and a chance for a better life. I don't remember all the specifics of thier escape. some of the family didn't make it, the father died. Those who did were greeted on th eother side as couragous heros, and watching the movie, I couldn't help believing that they where heroic. To risk everything you have, including life itself, for a chance at being free, to live a better life . No one then accused them of being criminals, though surely they broke East German law. No one condemned them, or the actions, in West Germany, they where praised and welcomed.

American Politicians of all colors, condoned this, and other such events. If these people, in search of better lifes, hoping fro freedom, people who would risk all despite the prevailing law of thier homeland ,where to be commended, then why do we now condemn so many as criminal for the same actions. If I lived in conditions similar to what most people live with in South America, and Mexico,I would leave for a better life, for myself, and my family. If the U.S, became like East Germany I would hop the wall to Canada .Am I a criminal, no. How can you criminalize the desire to make your life better, how do you criminalize the burning desire of humanity to be free.

Sure we must protect our borders in the face of the war being waged against us by our enemies. Yes we must limit the growth of our nation in relation to the resources we have, but we must also realize that as we take on the role of police, and watchdog of the world, we must also shoulder the responsibilty to help enrich and free the lives of countless people around the world that are denied what we deem basic rights. Until nations like those in South America, where immigrants flock from poverty, raise themselves up, or nations, where immigrants run from oppression, open themselves up, we will have millons running over our borders

If the man down the street beats his wife and she runs to your door, do you just cut her off, say to yourself, It is not my problem, Shut you doors and draw your blinds. Your wrong, it is, it is your neighboorhood. What if nothing is done today, and tommorow he shoots her down in the street, in front of your children, is it then your problem. We need to start looking at the world as we look at our own community.. It is smaller than ever and shrinking everyday, The violence, oppression , and poverty we used to be able to ignore, will soon be knocking at our door.

A Plan In Florida

Written by: Ray Guillory on Aug 27, 2007 1:30 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Florida DFA

How can we fix Florida's Health

With almost half of Florida's working population being without healthcare coverage, something must be done. Almost 38% of working class people have no access to workplace policies. Most have been uninsured for up to 3 yrs. .

In 2005, Florida families that did have private health insurance paid an extra $1313 more, due to the cost of the uninsured. That is 5 million families, paying more than $5 billon dollars. $2.9 billon worth of medical expenses were paid by the state and private insurance companies for the uninsured. Overall more insured people means less expensive medicine. People with insurance will get cheaper preventative care, instead of waiting to get seriously ill, costing state programs less, and creating less of an impact on all medical resources.

I propose that the state create a non profit insurance company. With premiums being based on ability to pay. I would propose that premiums be a percentage, 1%, of after tax income. Say if a family of four has an after tax income of $42,000 a year they could pay $420 per person a year, or $1680 for all four, for full coverage, $35 monthly per person or $140 for all four, with a .1% co-pay per visit or $42 for regular doctor visits, and checkups. With the average annual pay of the uninsured of $ 22,000 , or $220 in yearly payments, with 3.1 million participants would generate $682 million in funds. With a clientele of 3.1 million people the state could also negotiate prescription drug prices for it's clients. Ease of use could be provided by work place enrollment, and pay roll deductions. The program would be voluntary ,already insured people may pick up the program as a supplement to current policies.

With the state wide insurance program, the price of private insurance policy premiums could be reduced, with the benefit of more affordable private insurance, even with some portion of policy assessments being held over to help fund the program.

Private insurers make a profit off of family policies that cost on the average of $3000 yearly even with $1300 going to pay the cost of the uninsured. That means they provide coverage and cost for $1700 and still make billions in profit. A non profit state program could do it for an annual average of $880 per family, plus co pays .

We can no longer afford not to.

Ray Guillory

Written by: Ray Guillory on Aug 2, 2007 8:21 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Panhandle Democrats

               I have prefiled to run for the Florida House of Representatives in Dist .3 You can check out my Information at www.myspace.com/rayguillory . I would be intwerested in hearing any advice anyone has to offfer.       About me:
    Are you worried about the quality of education in our state, do you wonder how you will afford to pay for your childs college tuition. Do you worry that even with an education, the only employment opportunities are low wage retail and service jobs? Can you afford healthcare, or time off work, if you, or a loved one gets ill? Do sky rocketing real estate prices and property taxes keep you from the American dream of home ownership? Has your homeowners insurance tripled? These are the issues that average people worry about, These are the issues I think about everyday,Shouldn't our representative think like we do? The concerns of our government shouild not just be the concerns of Big Money Buissness, Real Estate Tycoons, and Rich Lawyers, but the concerns of many common people. We need one of us . Raymond "RAY" Guillory ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I support the working people of Florida. We Have gotten the rotten end of government wheeling and dealing for far too long. We should expect more, for less, from our Government. We give alot and get too little. The system needs to be streamlined, the endless waste of money and resources has to stop. People need jobs, People need health care, People need an education, we all need safer streets. When elected, these values are what I will fight for in Tallahassee.         

                                  Political Advertisement paid for and approved by

                                                             Ray Guillory Democrat,

                                                      for Florida State House Dist. 3

Ray Guillory

Written by: Ray Guillory on Aug 2, 2007 8:18 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Panhandle Democrats

               I have prefiled to run for the Florida House of Representatives in Dist .3 You can check out my Information at www.myspace.com/rayguillory . I would be intwerested in hearing any advice anyone has to offfer.                

                                 Raymond Guillory