David Javier Solis

Please Donate Today

2011-12-14T15:50:00.000-05:00

Martin Luther King Jr. once said "Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. "

In the bible, Proverbs 22:9 states "He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor."

Buddha once said "Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little."

Gandhi once stated "Poverty is the worst form of violence."

The great Greek poet Aesop once said "No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."

And Finally, Mother Teresa once said "At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done."

We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.'

Hungry not only for bread -- but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing -- but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks -- but homeless because of rejection."

I've realized these past months that all too often, people become preoccupied with their own sense of identity and uplifting, all while taking for granted the uplifting of others less fortunate. I, myself, have been guilty of this and realize now that as a person and as a Christian, It's time I carry out on engaging in deeds that make me a Christian, an American, and a Man.

We all have our obligations to carry out; regardless of faith, citizenship or affiliation. Before all else, we are all HUMAN. Please, I ask you all to please contribute whatever little you may have to the needy. Let us evaluate who we are and carry out our inherent tasks as people. Thank you.

It's Time,

David.

"With Your Faith"

2011-11-22T23:28:00.000-05:00

Have a little faith in me, you need to know my dreams.

Despite the slow timing, it's better than it seems.

I've thought my life through, beside me, you can stand.

If only you promise I'll have your faith, your full faith in me as a man.

I need you to believe in me, when the rest of the world won't..

.. and when all else has doubted me, promise me you don't.

You see, I'm a man of aspirations, my dreams are of the day;

and I need your full faith in me to not let me sleep my dreams away.

I need to know you're there, with nothing there to hide.

Not to follow, nor to lead, but as my woman, be beside.

I need the up's to keep me afloat, the down's to keep me humble.

I need you to be my rock when the rest of the world crumbles.

When I'm hurting, I need you to notice, cause as a man, I can't show it.

For reasons I can't express, I still need you there to know it.

Your full faith as my woman, and when it comes to the heart of it;

I don't ask to be your world, I just ask to be a part of it.

I come with strengths, I come with flaws; I am merely just a man.

But with your faith, I can take on the world.. With Your Faith, I Can Stand.

"I Dream"

2011-11-22T23:16:00.000-05:00

Experience has taught me much, the good and bad I've seen.

To make the good, better and the bad, good; for these reasons alone, I Dream.

I dream when there is no air to breathe, or a sky to see.

I dream when I'm just 1 step away from finding the best in me.

I dream when I am content, I dream when I am upset.

I dream when I rejoice in achievement and dream when full regret.

I dream because of all things in life, my dreams cannot be taken.

I dream because when all seems lost, in my dreams, I am never forsaken.

You see, I've never had much, but many dreams; I've had.

I've had dreams that were so good that I've needed so bad.

I've learned you can exist or you can live; as confusing as it may seem...

... I've learned that while the world is sleeping, it's better to lay and dream.

"Take Me As I Am"

2011-11-22T23:09:00.000-05:00

Take me as I am, a man with many flaws.

A man that loves unconditionally, a man that loves without cause.

A man that loves far too much, a man who cannot hate.

I am what I am, I say what I say, despite what it may create.

I think too much and feel even more; tell me, who should I be?

When my greatest friend and my greatest foe are both found within me?

I say too much and I'm too honest; how do I tell you what's true,

when lying to you hurts me, and telling you the truth hurts you?

When you get mad, I won't react; In anger, I become weak.

In anger I might say things I wish I did not speak.

... And so I don't speak, because I refuse to let my guard down,

but when I don't speak, you think I don't care; tell me what I do now.

You despise me when I'm with you and miss me when I'm away.

You couldn't stand me yesterday, but you say you love me today.

Take me as I am, and as in the years we've both been through...

Take me as the Flawed Man who loves too much and is sitting here waiting for you.

"What More Do We Really Need?"

2011-11-22T23:01:00.000-05:00

Tell me you're with me, through thick and through thin.

Because I can never replace the love that I'm in.

We've been up, we've been down; always hand in hand.

For years we've wondered, "How much more can we stand?"

So just when we think we can't bear these pains anymore,

I just want to remind you, love; we've been down this road before.

Yes, we said we can't make it, and yes we've said we need help,

yet despite the struggle and uncertainty, look at how far we've dealt.

In case you forgot, I Love You; Now and Forever More.

In all the struggles that we've endured, we should never forget what they're for.

The times are going so fast, and it's hard to keep up to speed.

but If I got YOU, and you got ME; what more do we really need?

I'm Just Now Seeing...

2011-11-21T23:05:00.000-05:00

... What if I've been so fixated on my career, I've forgotten about what really matters in my everyday life?

What if I've been so preoccupied with the people I'm supposed to meet that I forgot about the people I've already met?

What if I put myself before my family and broke my promise to them?

What if, in my pursuit of who I am to BECOME, I've forgotten who I AM?

Taking a Few Steps Back...
David.

Interesting Political Comics

2011-10-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

Sometimes a picture with a caption can make for so much more conversation than an article, and remember; I don't own ANY of these. Leave the lawyers at home, people. Enjoy.

To Imagery,
David.

Moammar Gaddafi Is No More...

2011-10-20T22:56:00.002-04:00

After months of rebellion and assaults, Moammar Gaddafi has finally met his fate and was killed Thursday by gunshot wounds. Libya's revolution has reached a milestone that guarantees the liberation of the people after decades of Gaddafi's rule. New questions arise though:

What will Libya transform into?
If Libya becomes an Islamic state, will NATO intervene again?
Will the killing of Gaddafi result in an increased hostility among the Arab populations currently living in dictatorships?

Short and simple, what are your thoughts on not only Libya's future, but the region's future?

- David.

Occupy Wall Street: Precursor to a Revolution or A Leftist Tea Party?

2011-10-13T17:54:00.000-04:00

In the past few weeks, a small group of protesters on Wall Street have caught the attention of the mainstream media. In what was originally a small gathering of people protesting economic inequality and the greed on Wall Street, the protest has spread to several major cities and towns throughout the United States. The protest in New York City has also rekindled a number of questions concerning economic inequality, class warfare and the Obama Administration's ability (or inability) to take on the demands of the Occupy Wall Street protesters.

Some see the protesters as the precursors to civil disorder and revolution..

Some see the protesters as naive liberal unemployed Americans..

Some see the protesters as the Left's answer for the Tea Party Movement..

Me? I'm glad to see Americans are gathering in the thousands to protest our government.. PERIOD. I don't care if you're protesting the atrocities from the Bush administration or the Obama Administration's inability to handle the economy and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The fact that Americans are coming together to oppose failed and flawed policies of our government, present and past; I'm relieved to see that Democracy is in fact, at work. This protest highlights an important aspect of our nation, that is that the government is failing in it's role as portrayed in the American adage that it must work "In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union."

Wall Street Firms haven't quite been the most constructive of institutions, both before the 2008 financial collapse and after. Most are very apprehensive of the regulations being proposed and those already passed after the collapse. For this reason, I believe the protests are sparking much needed discussion between regular people, government regulators and wall street firms. The reactions from all will determine how much progress or mayhem is to be brought on by these protests.

I will admit though, I have several concerns with this protest; many of which I share with the Tea Party Movement as well. I'm concerned that this protest will enrage the poor and middle class against the wealthy and vice versa. My biggest concern is that these two protests will polarize the country and its policies at a time when unity is desperately needed. Many people will genuinely believe this era is one which became a time of the rich vs. the poor. Between the unemployed and the ultra wealthy, a national crisis could hurt the middle class the most. I feel that should this spiral into a dispute of "Occupy Wall Street vs. Tea Party Movement", more crises are to arise and the messages of both protests stand to be watered down.

My other concern is that Occupy Wall Street will become a political tool for the left as the Tea Party Movement is a tool for the right. It's clear that far right policies haven't fixed the economy in the 8 years under Bush and the far left policies of the Obama administration are only making matters worse. I feel that not enough Americans are gathering to just admit "The Republicans AND Democrats got this all wrong; Therefore I won't vote for either of them." Not enough discussion has been made (yet) of doing the impossible: Creating a major third political party. Recently, Moveon.org and Labor Unions decided to endorse and take part in the occupy wall street protests. This is reminiscent of when right-wing organizations and companies decided to take part in the tea party movement protests. Once outside money and influence is injected in these protests, the message is hampered and the protests become politically polarized; something that hasn't worked for us as a nation.

My hope is admittedly, a long shot... That the Tea Party Movement and Occupy Wall Street protests decide to combine their demands and efforts in a way that compromises their own ideals yet contributes and creates a movement that unites the country and institutionally reforms the flawed policies and programs within our government and public policy.

Below is a video I found VERY interesting and informative. Please watch the whole video and give me feedback on how you interpret this man's message and ideas.

In Hopes of A Greater Democracy...

- David.

America's Debt; MY take on it...

2011-08-03T19:13:00.000-04:00

Recently, Congress decided to increase the debt limit the U.S. government is allowed to possess. At more then 14 trillion dollars, Congress increased the debt limit by more then 2 trillion dollars. In return, Congressional Republicans were guaranteed budget cuts by the trillions. Amongst the political wrangling and bickering, it seems though that we've forgotten the significant reasons for debating debt limits and debt limit increases.

While Congress was busy debating what should be cut from the budget, how much of an increase was necessary and what programs were hands on and off, the discussion shifted away from what I think was the biggest question: How do we avoid future debt limit increases in the future?

For anyone who's confused about this whole topic and why it's so important to our economy, politics and way of life, I'll be sure to explain all the complex details in short, comprehensible ways in a later post. In the meantime, What do some of you suggest we cut out of the budget?

Military funding?
Welfare?
College loan funding?
Obamacare?
Social security?
Medicare/Medicaid?

- Keeping discussion fresh,
David.

Where Are We Headed As A Community?

2011-07-06T12:21:00.000-04:00

Lately, the news and media has given us less and less reason to have faith in our sense of community and identity. Matters such as the debt ceiling, our trade deficit, our unemployment rates, our decline in educational advantages, three wars being waged and increase in prices on EVERYTHING (most notably Gas) has our community feeling overwhelmed. We struggle to get by everyday and since so many people are living check to check and day by day, we have a hard time believing we can make not only ourselves better as individuals, but even more difficult, ourselves better as a community. Now I'm not going to have you sit here and read a to-do list I made for our world; I simply want to know what YOU believe as an individual our community needs, lacks, and has too much of.

Trying to get the talking started,

David.

If I Knew THEN What I Know NOW...

2011-04-29T12:22:00.000-04:00

Last Night, I finished my last undergraduate class I'll ever take and realized that as fast as I came is as fast as I'm leaving. I never realized the extent of everything I'd see these past four years and the significance of all my experiences. There have been up's and down's; though far mores up's then down's. FAR MORE. I wish I could say it wasn't over but it is. There's a time for everything and I'm moving on to the next chapter in my life. I can say though, there are things I wish I either knew well in advance of college, or things I did in college.

1. ENGAGE PROFESSORS : None of us are perfect in EVERY part of our curriculum and I wish I really understood the amount of help and insight professors and teaching assistants could provide. I wasn't at first fond of the idea of attending meetings I wasn't required to go to but after a number of difficult classes, I've realized that the best answers sometimes can't be found in a textbook. Some answers and material just needs to be explained by an actual person who can sit down and talk it through with you.

2. SCHOLARSHIPS : Unless you're on a free to college (not most of us), we could never have too many money from scholarships. Although a substantial amount of money was given to me in grants and scholarships, I never realized the extent of how much free money for school there was out in the world until I was already in college. Also, I was one of the many people who went through college with the idea that after high school, there weren't many more new scholarships that could be attained. WRONG. Big mistake on my part and unfortunately, I'll be paying for it (No pun intended)...

Moving Right along..

3. NETWORKING: I was lucky enough to appreciate the value of networking way before college yet was not anticipating the extent it would have on not only my academic life, but my career. I will say I've done a substantial amount of networking in college, yet wish I did even more considering just how competitive it is out there "in the real world" (a phrase I DETEST, by the way). Bottom line is the timeless saying remains more true than ever in today's world: "It's not about WHAT you know; It's about WHO you know."

For anyone graduating, these things might be a tad too late for you as they are for me. But for anyone who can still take advantage of more college years to come, do so. Remember how fast your first year of college was?

... It doesn't get any slower.

Time Flies and just when you feel like you're catching up, it gets faster.

To The Years,
- David.

My First Blog Poem

2011-03-23T00:36:00.000-04:00

As I was rummaging through my old papers, I came across a few poems I wrote last summer (just to see if I still had it in me!) I was a little rusty after so many years, but I tried! haha, I figure I'll put a few up that some people might be able to relate to.

"You've been hurt, battered and bruised; left out on your own.

You entrusted him with all you had, now you're all alone.

You had your heart broken and it still has not healed

Tell me this, tell me now; how do you really feel?

Do you see your life with another, or is your life just you?

When another man steps to the plate, tell me; what will you do?

Is one man at fault for another man's neglect?

You think with your mind but love with your heart; which one will you protect?

Will animosity run your life or will you live life by fear?

Are you scared of love and getting hurt; are you scared of tears?

To love is to be helpless; are you scared of trust?

You know there are other beautiful women, so are you afraid of lust?

What is it you're scared of and why is it you run?

Is it because you Hate Love from the harm one man has done?

I see your lessons learned, and you say you will not bend

but tell me this, tell me now.. When will you love again?"

In my attempts to get my poetry swag back!
- David.

The State of Hip Hop in 2011: Has it Come Out The Coma?

2011-03-01T12:57:00.000-05:00

Hip Hop Is Back!

Why do I say this, some might ask. The reason I say this is because while there are still several rappers and artists who do not deserve the radio air play or the financial success given to them, it is becoming more and more apparent that the mainstream Hip Hop audience has become sick of the trend that came about from what I call, snap-rap. "Crunk" rap is becoming less and less played on the radio airwaves. Ringtone Rappers are becoming decreasingly popular and as a result, are putting out less music and receiving less airtime. It's fair to say, I think they got the hint. They Suck.

What do you folks think, Is Hip Hop back on the come up and out of it's Coma, or do you disagree and say either it was never in a "coma" or it still hasn't recovered from the slump in recent years?

Hip Hop Forever,

- David

The Falling Dominos in the Middle East.

2011-02-28T20:44:00.000-05:00

First Tunisia.
Then Egypt.
Now the oppressive regimes of Libya and Bahrain are battling for their tyrannical holds on power against their own citizens.

Moammar Gadhafi appears to be the next domino to fall in a line of decades-long dictators who've refused to loosen his grip on power within his respective nation. It appears that the longer the dictator has been in power (in Gadhafi's case, close to 40 years), the less willing they are to accept changes to the status quos' they've imposed and developed. After Gadhafi is kicked out of power, which he WILL be based on news reports and the atrocities he's committed over the past weeks, Libya will be faced with the difficult task Tunisia and Egypt have encountered. The question of rebuilding and reform will fall upon the nation of Libya and as is often the case, the youth will have more say in the fate of their country; both short term and long term. With so many protests going on in the region, it begs the question:

Who's Next To Go?

Best Wishes To The Youth of The World,
- David

Julian Assange: Our Necessary and Contemporary Dark Knight

2010-12-06T16:27:00.000-05:00

When our government discourages the public from reading something, we have reason to be suspicious.

When one man's organization takes the task of whistleblower that media outlets like CNN and Fox News refuse to do, we must be worried.

When Democratic governments around the world collaborate to shun, cover-up and silence one man's work and free speech, we need not apologize for our curiosity.

When political leaders call someone a terrorist, despite that person never causing any violence or responsible for anyone's harm, we need to see through the fog.

When the media and the government demonize one man and his efforts to speak out on ANYTHING, we must ask “Why?”

Julian Assange is 2010's Dark Knight for the simple fact that he has taken on the spoiler role to the many secrets governments around the world possess. Governments like England, France, Spain, Australia, the United States and other Democratic governments are making attempts to minimize Assange's reach to the internet community and taking steps to prevent people from reading the leaked documents Assange has released. I find this disturbing considering the extent of how international governments are working together in order to silence one man and the secrets he possesses. Keep in mind Assange's documents aren't entirely military secrets. According to reports, banks and major corporations are aware that Julian Assange has thousands of documents concerning their ways of business; most likely cases of corruption, fraud and other illegal practices they are afraid of being revealed to the public and stockholders.

I worry Julian Assange's necessary 'evil' will be silenced due to international pressure and organized attempts to keep the secrets from reaching the public. Ask yourselves.. Why do the governments and businesses want to keep the secrets concealed so bad? What exactly are they afraid of?

Ron Paul recently came out in support of Julian Assange and said “When truth becomes treason, we're in trouble.”

I hope you all agree.

Timeless Democracy,

David Javier Solis

Good Point, Ron Paul.

2010-11-20T13:48:00.000-05:00

Ron Paul, while not someone I always agree with, is someone I'm always impressed with. His ability to raise questions very few are willing to raise is a trait I believe more politicians should possess. Here are a set of questions he rhetorically asked to Congress on February 12th, 2009 that I believe we can all ask ourselves, as citizens and as students.

What if we wake up one day and realize that the terrorist threat is a predictable consequence of our meddling in the affairs of others?

What if propping up repressive regimes in the Middle East endangers both the United States and Israel?

What if occupying countries like Iraq and Afghanistan - and bombing Pakistan - is directly related to the hatred directed toward us and has nothing to do with being free and prosperous?

What if someday it dawns on us that losing over 5,000 American military personnel in the Middle East since 9/11 is not a fair trade-off for the loss of nearly 3,000 American citizens, no matter how many Iraqi, Pakistani, and Afghan people are killed or displaced?

What if we finally decide that torture, even if called "enhanced interrogation techniques," is self-destructive and produces no useful information - and that contracting it out to a third world nation is just as evil?

What if it is finally realized that war and military spending is always destructive to the economy?

What if all wartime spending is paid for through the deceitful and evil process of inflating and borrowing?

What if we finally see that wartime conditions always undermine personal liberty?

What if conservatives, who preach small government, wake up and realize that our interventionist foreign policy provides the greatest incentive to expand the government?

What if conservatives understood once again that their only logical position is to reject military intervention and managing an empire throughout the world?

What if the American people woke up and understood that the official reasons for going to war are almost always based on lies and promoted by war propaganda in order to serve special interests?

What if we as a nation came to realize that the quest for empire eventually destroys all great nations?

What if Obama has no intention of leaving Iraq?

What if a military draft is being planned for the wars that will spread if our foreign policy is not changed?

What if the American people learn the truth: that our foreign policy has nothing to do with national security and that it never changes from one administration to the next?

What if war and preparation for war is a racket serving the special interests?

What if President Obama is completely wrong about Afghanistan and it turns out worse than Iraq and Vietnam put together?

What if Christianity actually teaches peace and not preventive wars of aggression?

What if diplomacy is found to be superior to bombs and bribes in protecting America?

What happens if my concerns are completely unfounded - nothing!

What happens if my concerns are justified and ignored - nothing good!

Kiva: Where You Can REALLY Make a Difference

2010-11-16T21:21:00.000-05:00

Most of us wonder what charity we can contribute to and which charity can contribute the most to those who need it. I asked myself this question for years and made up my mind after I spoke with my economic development professor. Organizations like the Red Cross, March of Dimes, ACS, Salvation Army, and other charitable organizations do a great job in helping out towards the causes they stand for. The problem with these types of organizations though, is we often do not see our donation make a particular difference and while we know the donations given to these charities make a major difference in the causes they work for, the lack of visible results can sometimes discourage a prospective donor from contributing. With Kiva, donors can see their contributions at work and even have their contributions returned to them after they've served their purpose and paid back.

We know families throughout the world are struggling to find adequate work and many are struggling to even feed their families. Through Kiva, we can contribute a small loan to families in need throughout the world (including the United States) and as opposed to other aid programs, these contributions often allow the borrower to become self-dependent and not rely on future donations to get by. Secondly, the contributions are paid back to us, the lenders.

Whether your passion is economic development, universal education, health care, human rights, medical causes or other social awareness causes, I truly believe organizations like Kiva provide opportunities to contribute to all these areas. Think about what you would look for in a charity and take Kiva into consideration.

Trying to make the world a better place then I found it,
- David.

Investment In The Next Generation

2010-11-16T16:47:00.001-05:00

Improving the American Economy has been the focus of all political talk for years now, yet we've failed to understand that without first enhancing the American workforce, we can do very to little to retain our Economic advantages and edge in the global economy. I believe it's time to bring education reform to the attention of everyone from students, parents, school boards, state governments, non-profit organizations and most importantly, Congress. For too long, our American government has recklessly spent trillions of dollars that gave back to America very little in return, and the one issue that can most significantly improve the state of our country and economy is being ignored. There should be nothing political about educating the students of our country and in education reform, partisanship and political bickering will only hurt OUR generation and the next to come. If fixing the economy is the number one issue among all Americans and American institutions, why then, do we ignore education reform? We must all realize that we cannot have one without the other.

For tomorrow's America,

- David.

The Meaning of Faith

2010-10-12T22:12:00.000-04:00

WHAT IS FAITH?

"complete trust or confidence in someone or something"

I often struggled with the term, 'faith'; not because I did not have trust and confidence or believe in a higher being but because I did not know how to interact with that higher being. I struggled with the idea that you can acquire strength from a belief you never could've had without it. One of the greatest assets in human nature is the idea that we are stronger than what we hold within ourselves. Here's a few quotes on what some people believed was faith and how they felt about it. Hope this clarifies the meaning of Faith for those who aren't quite so sure as I was. Enjoy

A FAITH that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted.
- Adrian Rogers

FAITH, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ.
- A. W. Tozer

FAITH is different from proof; the latter is human, the former is a Gift from God.
- Blaise Pascal

A FAITH to live by, a self to live with, and a purpose to live for.
- Bob Harrington

FAITH is the art of holding on to things your reason once accepted, despite your changing moods.
- C. S. Lewis

Obedience is the fruit of FAITH.
- Christina Rossetti

FAITH is building on what you know is here, so you can reach what you know is there.
- Cullen Hightower

FAITH is the refusal to panic.
- David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

FAITH makes all things possible… love makes all things easy.
- Dwight L. Moody

The key to FAITH is what we are willing to sacrifice to obtain it.
- Elder Cloward

If you desire FAITH, then you have FAITH enough.
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

FAITH is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.
- Elton Trueblood

Flatter not thyself in thy FAITH in God if thou hast not charity for thy neighbour.
- Francis Quarles

There are no miracles for those that have no FAITH in them.
- French Proverb

The beginning of anxiety is the end of FAITH, and the beginning of true FAITH is the end of anxiety.
- George E. Mueller

To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. FAITH means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.
-Gilbert K. Chesterton

FAITH is a higher faculty than reason.
- Henry Christopher Bailey

The smallest seed of FAITH is better than the largest fruit of happiness.
- Henry David Thoreau

FAITHless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.
- J. R. R. Tolkien

FAITH is not believing God for the inevitable but for the impossible.
- SoulSupply

Patience in the present, FAITH in the future, and joy in the doing.
- George Perera

The greatest act of FAITH is when a man understands he is not God.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

FAITH has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.
- Saint Thomas Acquinas

FAITH is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this FAITH is to see what we believe.
- St. Augustine

Vision looks inwards and becomes duty. Vision looks outwards and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upwards and becomes FAITH.
- Stephen S. Wise

You can judge the quality of their FAITH from the way they behave. Discipline is an index to doctrine.
- Tertullian

The errors of FAITH are better than the best thoughts of unbelief.
- Thomas Russell

Painting is a FAITH, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion.
- Vincent Van Gogh

It’s not dying for FAITH that’s so hard, it’s living up to it.
- William M. Thackeray

When you put FAITH, hope and love together, you can raise positive kids in a negative world.
- Zig Ziglar

Gotta learn to live with regrets.

2010-10-09T16:13:00.001-04:00

"On the rise to the top, many drop, don't forget;
In order to survive, gotta learn to live with regrets"

Jay-Z couldn't have said it any better.

Throughout the world we live in, we see the results of someone's success. We fail to acknowledge though, that their success often coexists with that person's mistakes and regrets. When it comes to a person's ability to learn and experience new things, we fear the idea of things like rejection, failure or shortcoming. We're scared that whatever we decide to do with our lives, we'll ultimately regret what we did or didn't do. Regret can sometimes instill a sense of opportunity within us though. If it weren't for regret, how do we learn from our mistakes?

We'll all make mistakes. We'll all have regrets. Some regrets minor; some major. This much is true. My biggest point is this..

Don't go through life petrified of what you may one day regret.

If mistakes make us better, regrets keep us humble.

- David

P.S. I'm Backkk.

Jim Crow Laws: 2010 Latino Edition

2010-08-10T15:32:00.001-04:00

Recently, the country has seen a number of laws introduced to state and federal government which attempt to aggressively address the controversial subject of illegal immigration. We've seen lawmakers call for enforcing existing immigration laws and pass state laws that give state officers the same federal jurisdiction federal officers possess so for example, since immigration to the United States is a federal issue, state officers have no jurisdiction in enforcing immigration law. With the recent downturn in the economy, we've seen Americans and government once again scapegoat immigrants as being the culprit for high unemployment, crime and ballooning budget deficit. History shows time after time after time again immigrants will forever be demonized in times of economic hardships and embraced in times of economic expansion. Don't believe me? Read an American history book, pal.

- Take citizenship rights away from U.S. Born children of undocumented immigrants.
- Repeal the 14th amendment.
- Deny educational rights to the children of undocumented immigrants.
- Make "immigrant status" a probable cause for profiling (aka Racial profiling)
- Deny undocumented immigrants the ability to purchase insurance.

There are certain inalienable rights in our world; some would argue though, that education, health-care and social equality are not some of them. We've seen society scapegoat the most exploited groups for centuries. The fact is that our country hasn't seen this much emphasis on a person or group of people's legal status since the days of slavery. Once slavery was abolished, the super elite convinced Americans to hate runaway slaves. Now that formal segregation has been done away with, mainstream America is now being taught to despise "illegals" who illegally left their lands in search of better life (sound familiar?)

Of course, Slavery and immigration have their distinct differences, yet the principles of leaving one place to find better life in another is fundamental. When we talk about the logistics and resources to maintain current immigration policy, opponents of comprehensive immigration reform say that we must enforce current law. Funny thing though, is when they rant and rave about how government isn't handling the immigration issue effectively, aren't the immigration laws in place now the problem to begin with? We need immigration policy that is both comprehensive and enforceable. Can we make all undocumented immigrants legal citizens? No. Can we deport all undocumented immigrants back to their countries of origin? No. Can we be realistic and find middle ground; deport all convicted violent criminals who are in the country illegally and legalize the millions of families who peacefully live under the shadows American society; that sounds far more realistic.

Some spew hatred and mask it with their concern for their country... but as we all know..

When all else fails, "Patriotism is a bigot's last resort"

Whose country are you protecting, I ask. Yours or ours?

Stop the Hate,
David J. Solis

P.S. I expect this post to get a lot of heated feedback. I encourage it. Thanks.

Slow Jam Throwbacks for us 80's Babies!

2010-07-21T23:38:00.001-04:00

Good ol' times! Enjoy the jams!

There Is No Such Thing As 'The Real World'

2010-07-15T15:40:00.000-04:00

"I just found out there's no such thing as the real world, just a lie you've got to rise above."

I graduate in May. This is it; the time in my life I worked so hard to get to and to my advantage (or possible disadvantage), there's plenty left to do in my last 2 semesters in college. After I do all that needs to be done, some have told me that I need to prepare myself for the 'real world' and everything that comes along with it. I've never sat down with anyone and had an entire conversation on why the term 'real world' holds no value for me. Here goes.

I came into college in the summer of 2007 and since then, my biggest focus was enhancing my resume and gaining every experience possible. I've got a few things under my belt now that 3 full years in college have passed. Everything I've learned are important beliefs, changes, habits, knowledge and experiences that all make me who I am. When I finally graduate and find my first post-graduate job, that won't be the first milestone of mine into what people keep telling me would be the 'real world'. As far as I'm concerned, the life I've lived up to this point isn't fake. It hasn't been artificially made by anyone other than myself. Granted, I don't have a family of children and wife of my own, I don't have a mortgage to pay. I don't even have a car of my own. With all this said, am I defined by my possessions and liabilities? I've lived a life up to this point that's taught me things in classes that I'll bring out with me throughout my life but even more significantly, I've learned things in life that classes could never teach me. I recognize what goes on; I've seen debt, poverty, struggles, violence, discrimination, prejudice.. I know what's real and I know what's false.

The life I've lived, the places I've been, the people I've met, the things I've seen and the knowledge I know are all real. There is nothing false about what I've experienced. There are always mistakes, misconceptions and accidents that happen but if someone takes these lessons and personally learns from them, well then they are made useful and therefore true.

Some say I haven't entered the real world until I have my own house to pay for, my own bills to pay, my own children to raise and my own marriage to maintain. Really? Those will determine the beginning of my real life and my entry into 'the real world'?

To wrap up how I really feel about that one phrase, I say this...

Your world is what you make it.

My world is more than all of that. Shouldn't yours be too?

Living life,
- David Javier Solis

Henrok: Unrivaled Talent in Hip Hop Production

2010-06-30T16:45:00.000-04:00

"Hip Hop is a Vehicle" - Talib Kwali

When it comes to talent, we're told to give credit where credit is due. This is the credit that's due. Henrique Marques III aka Henrok is someone I've grown up with since 4th grade of elementary school. I can honestly say that music has always been his life, his ambition, his drive. Nas, KRS-One, Dr. Dre, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan, The Lox, Jay-Z, N.W.A., The Firm, Eminem and Big Pun were all on blast when it came to Henrok's music selection. From memorizing the lyrics to knowing the track lists of hip-hop albums, Henrok is everything a true Hip-Hop artist is supposed to be.

Since middle school, Henrok has made productions and tracks that would surprise and impress the most experienced Hip Hop artists and producers. Randomly, I've described to him what I want a beat to sound like and almost instinctively, there it was...

And I don't even rap.

Henrok is someone you'd go to for a hip-hop question, a suggestion for lyrics, a tip in productions or just to talk about music with. Encompassing the old school melodies with 90's hip hop beats into contemporary beats with an old school sound to it puts true hip hop fans into a nostalgic state of mind. Not to mention he ain't too shabby on the mic. Take a listen for yourself:

When looking for a instrumental production, I'd recommend no one else. When asking for someone to collabo with, I'd suggest no one else. When you say underrated and productions in the same sentence, Think Henrok. Anyone he's worked with can attest to his ambition and skill. Take a listen to the radio then listen to Henrok's productions; it's like Sterling Silver to 24K.

When it comes to talent on the productions, with the lyricism and just an overall knowledge in TRUE Hip Hop; I've heard no better. Henrok; this one's for you, fam. Get 'em.

Giving Credit Where It's Truly Due,

- David Javier Solis

No Idea's Original

2010-06-28T14:36:00.000-04:00

Here's a quote that wrapped up what I think is one of the most encompassing saying's I've ever read. Lemme know what you think.

"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery—celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to.”

"I Think They Call This 'Venting'"

2010-06-23T01:57:00.000-04:00

In the past few weeks, I've been asked what I'm going to do next in my career. I was asked when I'm gonna have my first child. I've been asked when I'm going to get married to my girlfriend of almost 6 years. I've been asked if I'm going to open a business and if I am, when? I've been asked who my true friends are. I've been asked if I regret going to college and not the military as I had intended in high school. I've come to a realization that for the first time in a long time, I've got more questions than answers and I haven't had the time to step back and compose myself on what to do NEXT. I never anticipated how much I need to figure out in such a short period of time. Just when I think I've got space and time to myself; I end up feeling like I got all the eyes of the world on me with everyone asking themselves what my next move in life is going to be.

All this on top of making good on the promises I've made in my life. Getting to UConn, I made a promise to my family and myself that I'd do what it takes to progress out of everything we've seen and been through. I promised my girlfriend I'd give her the time, effort and patience the relationship deserves after so much time and energy spent on it. I promised my closest friends that college wouldn't change me, DC wouldn't change me, money wouldn't change me but after all that I've seen, learned and experienced after high school, would they blame me if I did? I'm confused on how to keep certain things about me intact while transforming parts of my whole mentality and personality. I promised my family the world and now I'm stuck wondering.. How do I give it to them?

I've come to realize that I've had wrong impressions of people; unfortunately, that's a good and bad thing.. I thought I knew people and I always considered myself a person with good judgmental ability of others. I've realized that there's really no such thing. People have surprised me in the past few months in ways I didn't imagine them doing. Some shocked me with their good sense of character and ability where I had to admit to myself that they were better people than I assumed. Others though, just couldn't have shocked me more with their inability to think, judge or even speak. Some of my closest friends unfortunately have showed me their true colors and while I won't just up and stop talking to them; it's a shame how you think you know one particular person so well. Maybe it's the distance, maybe it's the time of the year, maybe they're changing. Hell, maybe I'm changing...

I know I ain't the only person in the world who's sitting at the computer thinking to themselves, "Damn, life's passing me by".

Venting,
David

Back From My 2 Month Bloggin' Hiatus!

2010-06-11T18:15:00.000-04:00

These past two months have been my catch-up months in my life from being away at school for so long; now that I'm home and got myself on solid ground with everything, I finally got time to do writing that I actually enjoy. I feel like I gotta change a few things with the blog and format it in a way that helps me write more frequent than before and make feedback a lot more easy for the viewers (you). Promise I'll keep posting on the topics, issues and subjects yall' wanna talk about.

- D.

By The Way; how many of you can relate to the random picture? Haha!

What We Need In Immigration Reform

2010-04-08T18:22:00.000-04:00

When immigration reform happens (hopefully sooner than later), there are a set of things I feel we're going to need to make sure the reform sets policies in place that make immigration to the United States under control and sustainable while also respecting the immigrants and their families this reform stands to affect most. Unless you hate the fact that there are immigrants in this country that don't look like they came from Europe, I think we can all agree that we need to fix this broken immigration system and create one which reflects the 21st century society we live in today.

1. Accept reality

We can't deport all the undocumented residents in the United States. It's unfeasible, unrealistic, impossible and unintelligent. Displacing over 12 million people from one country will devastate local economies and communities; not to mention the actual families themselves. Last time that many people were kicked out from their homes and communities was during during the holocaust and uhh.. That didn't go too well. Even the most ardent anti-immigrant opponent must realize mass deportation is not an option. As soon as we have consensus about this in both society and Congress, we're already making headway and progress.

2. Secure the Borders

Like the way I put borderS and not just border? We've got the technology to detect movements over all sorts of terrain; let's put some of that to use in order to alleviate some of the pressures border patrol officers are facing. We've got a great amount of undocumented residents in the United States and in order to first implement something like a guest worker program or amnesty, we need to be able to adequately monitor who comes in and out of the country. I wonder if anybody's mad I think we should secure the border with Canada..

3. Create Guest worker/Path to citizenship program

The millions of undocumented workers in the United States are not here to spite the government; the majority of them are here to give their families and children a better life than the ones they would have in their country of origin. They did in fact violate American immigration laws and as a result, should be accountable for things like back taxes, citizenship process fees and a number of other expenses as a way to make things fair for all residents of the United States; legal and illegal. Undocumented immigrants with a violent criminal record who are hiding in the country should be deported immediately. After this is done, the program should allocate resources for these first generation immigrants to learn English and not naively think they can fluently learn to speak, read and write English by themselves within a short period of time.

There are always complications with programs like these and like we've seen in 1986; nothing in government bureaucracy works as it was designed to entirely do. That does not change the importance of what immigration reform has on so many communities found in the country. With no reform, families stand to be torn apart and social inequalities between immigrants and non-immigrants will continue to be the status quo. There are some in our nation that don't want to see immigration reform because it would threaten the status quo that works just fine for them. Some can't stand the idea of bilingual citizens with an embrace for their non-American culture. The idea of empowering disadvantaged minorities; especially undocumented ones, threatens their sense of security and power they find in their own societies. As a democratic nation of immigrants, it is vital we give this issue the attention and caution it deserves. Without immigration reform, we will be condoning the inequalities that exist in immigrant communities, hurt the American economy and not live up to the standards of the world's greatest nation of Immigrants.

You promised, Obama.

- David Solis

3 Reasons I'm reluctant about the Tea Party

2010-03-19T03:20:00.000-04:00

Enter 2008... People are pissed off about George Bush, the economy, the wars and everything else. Out of this frustration, a political climate is set for atypical politicians that don't come off as average lawmakers and voila, Barack Obama is elected president based off his popularity and themes of change and hope. He supported large hundreds of billions of dollar in initiatives such as the bailout and the stimulus package. Upon his election, his first major domestic agenda he decided to work on was health care. Not too long after, a little something called the Tea Party Movement emerged due to the growing unpopularity and outrage against these matters Obama had passed and attempting to pass in health care reform; something that may or may not happen this weekend. While I share a few of the organization's political and fiscal statements, here's why I'm very reluctant to engage myself with the organization and its cause...

1. No room for moderates

It's no secret that Tea Party organization members despise anything that isn't completely conservative. There goes my support from the organization based on my views on immigration, education and climate change. Despite my pro-life stance, fiscal conservative views and small-government-works-best-mentality, I'm not sure they'd reconcile with me on my ideas of universal access to education and comprehensible amnesty or my belief that the Earth is warming from human carbon emissions.

2. Audience connection

I was in Washington D.C. for the September 12th Tea Party protests at the Capitol. No; really, I was there in the crowd with some of the interns I was staying in DC with. What a sight. I liked all the "don't tread on me" flags; I can connect to that message about telling the government to back off. I'll tell you this though, I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was a dark-skinned young moderate Hispanic man in an audience full of white middle-aged conservative men with their wives and infant children. There was little to no diversity found in this audience. The Tea Party movement makes frequent statements on why their views are best for the people of the country, yet the organization is hardly a snapshot of the very American people they claim to represent. I'd need to see more diversity within the organization before I can feel they are an embodiment of what is truly best for the country.

3. "Birthers"

I'm not a fan of Barack Obama and this administration, but for some people to question Barack Obama's religion, place of birth or national allegiance is pretty low; even to me. First, that's his business and if his policies are horrible, they're simply bad ideological stances; nothing more. I sense a hint of xenophobia in the Tea Party Movement as I'm sure many of us do as well. To question these things show a sense of insecurity in trusting someone based on what social groups they belong to. I'm huge on Martin Luther King Jr's dream where he believed a man should be judged by his character; not his color. I don't have to disguise my dislike of the current administration behind claims of the president's background; I judge and criticize him by his character and his methodologies as President.

Again, I believe that small government works best. I believe government has become too big. I believe government should take far more responsibility in how it spends tax dollars. I believe that much of Obama's agenda are rooted in socialism. I also believe lobbying in government has led to forms of corporatism in our government system and economy. Do I believe the Tea Party Movement represents the American nation and its best interests? Ehh.. I'm not yet convinced.

Keeping it 100,
David Javier Solis

Why We Need College Direct Lending

2010-03-12T16:15:00.000-05:00

News just recently came out that the Democrats are looking to cram college loan reform in with health care reform through reconciliation. I'm not sure what they intend to put in their package but here's why I think Direct Lending should be included, if anything.

1. Gets rid of the middle man

There's nothing that the banks do with student loans that the department of education can't. If we're going to have these bureaucracies and major departments, it's essential that they work for the people and people only. Banks charge "low" interest rates that the government subsidizes and with these interest payments out of the way, that's extra billions of dollars down the road to either help reduce the deficit or fund other essential programs.

2. Loan repayments are based on proportion

After we graduate college, we're required to make payments 6 months upon our graduation. The problem with this is that often, many college graduates have not yet established steady full time jobs. This was especially seen in the past few years due to the recession. As opposed to paying fixed rates, direct lending allows for proportionate rates of repayment that make it more flexible for recent graduates and helps reduce the financial burden college can have on students.

3. Fiscally responsible

If we can save money in the tens of billions that would've otherwise gone to banks, why not?

4. Increase in Pell grants

Education, like many other essential parts of our life, is not free. In fact, its very expensive and with the increase in its costs, it's only reasonable to believe that we need a system that works better for its students. Increasing pell grants is necessary, given the extent of the financial situation taking place. Pell grants have helped students across the country afford a college education and with an increase in the amounts of pell grants and its value, more wouldn't hurt!

6 economy stimulators

2010-03-08T13:41:00.016-05:00

Enough playing politics; the stimulus didn't work to the extent it was designed to work, I think we can all agree on that, can't we? I'm thinking of a few things that might actually help put the economy back on track that involves changing a few things around in a number of places in our society. Let me know what you think.

1. Financial incentives and subsidies to bring outsourced jobs back home

Business is business and while most American corporations would love to stay in the U.S and hire American workers, it has become increasingly difficult to do so and enjoy their large profits, in result of international trade treaties and globalization. In the eyes of many, business in the U.S. has become increasingly unfriendly with more and more tax increases being foreseen for both major corporations and small businesses. Let's reverse that trend and give things like tax breaks, worker tax credits and government subsidies for certain industries that wouldn't otherwise expand their workforce in the United States.

2. Reform Criminal Justice policy

A major chunk of the billions of dollars we spend incarcerating non-violent prisoners is due to drug crimes. With drug addiction playing a major part of this staggering statistic, we need to realize many of these drug offenders are absolutely able to become rehabilitated and with sufficient resources, rampant drug use and drug crimes can become dramatically decreased. That is of course, with sufficient resources.

3. Legalize Marijuana

With reasonable regulation and laws, marijuana has the potential to become a multibillion dollar industry. You put a lot of revenue out of the hands of the major gangs and cartels and what you get in return is substantial business revenue.

4. Reward Education

Higher Education is no longer something that's just desirable; it's becoming more and more necessary in a competitive world market that demands more knowledge. If unemployment is rampant, part of that problem, although not all of it, may have to do with the levels of education employers are seeking or desire. Many of the jobs leaving the states are ones requiring college educated-workers who are willing to work cheaper than American college educated workers. Why not have deductions, credits and financial aid for parents who can't afford to put their child in daycare, homeowners who can't afford to go to school and pay mortgage, business owners who find it difficult to leave their business temporarily for school and other extenuating circumstances.

5. Health care reform

I'm no expert on health care but if you do the math, lower costs = lower premiums and lower costs would lower government payouts to physicians. That would result in a lower deficit. Get SOMETHING done, Congress.

6. Expand services of the Small Business Association

Government should be very business friendly and provide an increased amount of useful resources for future and current small business owners. This could mean anything from counseling, consulting, expertise and other services that every business owner in the country can enjoy; free of charge.

WARNING: HIGH POSSIBILITY OF NOSTALGIA IN THIS POST!! ENJOY!

2010-02-20T03:23:00.004-05:00

Every time I go home and see my nieces and nephew watching nickelodeon, I realize.. today's Nick shows really are horrible.. So.. Let's go down memory lane, shall we?

(I don't pretend to own ANY of these videos.. Don't sue me, Viacom. Thanks)

Blog Improvements??

2010-02-16T22:55:00.006-05:00

I'm slightly getting bored with the format of my blog; I need to change things up on it. So lemme see:

- I'll put more pictures up
- I'll include my twitter mini-feed on it
- I'll network with more bloggers; including some of you guys reading this
- I'll change the background and layout
- I'll add comment boxes directly under the articles so you don't gotta open any screens
- Add a general feedback comment box
- Record and Leave videos
- Include and discuss more topics outside of politics like I originally said I would
- Start a weekly internet radio discussion on air (Ustream, Maybe?)
- Interview people on random things

What are some other things as an audience might keep you coming back to Davidjaviersolis.blogspot.com ??

Thoughts please, people!

Always adapting,
David Javier Solis

Questions for the World to ponder

2010-02-04T10:22:00.007-05:00

In class, history is a topic of which I enjoy learning more and more about. Those of you who know me; Politics is my passion. Politics is local; and while many of us reading this dislike political discussions and conversations, these conversations matter. Here's a few questions that I have asked myself recently that maybe some of you might want to put :

1. Does the U.N. work for what it's designed to do?
2. Does going into politics require you to get your hands dirty?
3. Is it time for a third major political party in the U.S.?
4. Where does our education stand in comparison to the rest of the developed world?
5. Is political correctness what some call 'intellectual tyranny'?
6. Will my generation see a third world war?
7. What will be the U.S. stance be on the war on drugs in the next few decades?
8. What's the difference between federal rights and constitutional rights?
9. Over the next 50 years, will Puerto Rico still be a commonwealth?
10. Will we ever switch over to a popular vote system as opposed to an electoral college system?
11. Will we see Congressional reapportionment (e.g. more Representatives added to congress)
12. Will the American right to bear arms be gradually taken away over the next few decades?
13. Will the undocumented immigrants in the U.S. one day see amnesty or mass deported?
14. Is education, tax, health and governing reform going to take place during this decade?
15. Has post-racist America become a 'classist' America? (i.e. has class bias replaced race bias?)

Bored in class,
David Javier Solis

People Over Politics, Mark Boughton? (Part 1)

2010-02-02T23:46:00.004-05:00

I've lived in Danbury, CT for a good 20 years... I've seen the places, I've met the people, I've visited the landmarks, I've talked to the local leaders; including Mark Boughton a number of times. I've never left with a good impression of him or anything he's had to say. He's made the claim that he puts "people over politics". My friends, he's lying. He'll tell you to look at his record and ask the people themselves who live in Danbury and they'll tell you how great of a mayor he's been. He, Mr. Boughton, likes to say and/or believe that he is responsible for the success of Danbury as a city. He couldn't be more wrong. My greatest fear is that the true Mark Boughton will be so hidden behind the political smokescreen, people will genuinely believe his claims and not hear the truth of what type of mayor he has been for our city. Some of us here in Connecticut are upset with the conditions of our state as we should all be. I'll tell you one thing though.. You think things are bad now? I'm not sure Boughton's the shot in the arm our state needs now or in the coming years. More to come in the following days.

Principles before Party,
- David Javier Solis

Our Education Has Failed Us.

2010-01-04T02:23:00.004-05:00

"Do good in school"
"Get good grades"
"Listen to your teachers"
"Read your books"

We have all been failed by our educational system. We have all been taught poison; intellectual poison that kills off innovation, poison that does away with originality and confuses conformity with ingenuity. As children, we possessed the skill of challenging all that was said to be true with questions and more often than not, rebellion. To challenge what you were taught was not tolerated and to ensure you never challenge authority or ideology again, you were punished.. Punished for thinking on your own and punished for having the audacity to criticize what you were being taught.

Our education has crippled our youth and maimed the legs of which our generation is to stand. We are taught to do well on standardized tests by regurgitating what we've memorized instead of expanding on material we've genuinely analyzed. We've been taught to believe that in order to succeed, we must often adhere to failed policies. The nature of our society is being hijacked by ideological tyrants who can't stand the idea of different world views and perspectives. Liberalism and Conservatism have condemned outside thinkers. Under the guise of "open-mindedness", the brains of these very liberals fall out their heads. On the other side of the same token, traditional conservatives cling to their obsolete and outdated ideas. These two, when placed within the education system, force us; students present and students past, to pick our poison.

In our education system, we are too concerned with our intellectual, social and political games of tug of war, we forget the very reasons for education's existence.

Our professors have meant well. Our teachers have taught. Our instructors have instructed. Yet somewhere between the formulation of educational curriculum and its very implementation, our nation has lost sight of what really matters: innovation. We've forgotten the fundamentals of an everchanging nation amongst a world of everchanging circumstances. We have fallen from our pedestal and in our attempts to climb our way back, we have confused ourselves into believing intellectual conformity with being synonymous to educational ingenuity.

Our educational system has failed us. It's become reliant on statistical rates and percentages. It's commercialized all that is involved and learned in education and hampered our minds with mere promises of 'financial success' and yet the most academically "educated" men and women in the country are often the very same perpetrators of ill-conceived and counter-effective financial, social and political disasters!

The "educated" in Wall Street have shamelessly run our economy to shambles.

The "educated" in our medical companies do away with medical innovation in exchange for profitability.

The "educated" in Capitol Hill have had their loyalties purchased away in the interests of being reelected.

The "educated" in healthcare companies insure that they make the most profit providing the least amount of healthcare.

When we say "We're all dealt a different set of cards", we forget to ask.. "Who's the dealer?"

Mere ideas give birth to change. Change is not something found on slogans. Change is not found in our pockets.

To change, we must adapt. To Adapt is to Sustain.

- David Javier Solis

"An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them how to make a life."

Trying to figure out twitter: HELP!

2010-01-02T03:58:00.006-05:00

A few months back, I got on the twitter bandwagon and decided I'd see what the big fuss is about. At this point, I'm not overly impressed with it; not because I don't think it has its potential.. I just don't know how to use it for what it's worth. Apparently it helps with networking but being on Facebook for so long, I'm not really sure Twitter can do anything that Facebook can't. Twitter's apparently something that you update regularly to let the world know what you're doing and 'tweets' are frequently updated so that depending on what words you use in your tweet, people can find what you're saying about a particular thing. I don't really understand what Retweet is all about but from what I've heard, apparently it's "rude" to make someone else's tweet your own and to give them credit for it; you "retweet"... I want to network. I want to interact with people all around the world and talk about issues I'm interested in and while I know Twitter can help me with all that, it's not very beginner-friendly; at least not to me. Someone out there... Explain to me please how to make Twitter work for me.. Work with me; I'm a noob, sorry.

- David Javier Solis

P.S. "Follow me" at DavidJSolis

My 2010 New Years Resolutions

2009-12-31T01:01:00.005-05:00

I'm never the type to pledge a brand new me at the beginning of every year. Instead, I think it's more appropriate to reflect on what's taken place over the year and draw from it to learn what worked and what didn't work. This year, like any year, teaches us a number of things about the world we live in, our peers and ourselves. Here's what I think I need to pay more attention to come 2010:

More Networking - I've learned more about networking than I've ever realized this year. I never knew how important networking is in this world; both in the social world and in the professional world. This upcoming year, I hope to meet more and more influential people that shape who I will become over the years. It's not what you know... It's who you know..

Career Plans - Everyone knows what they ultimately WANT to become; it's the road in getting there that should be more and more emphasized by us all. I want to become an expert in constitutional law; now I've got to focus on getting to graduate school to get a doctorate in constitutional law. I want to eventually run for office; now I've got to figure out how to get experience in campaigning and understanding the dynamics of what currently works for our political system and criticizing and doing away with what doesn't. I want to run a business; now I've got to make my business plans for 2010-2011.

Nicaragua - I've missed Nicaragua and it's been years since I've gone to visit my family there. The beaches, the people, the culture, the food, the weather; everything. Last time I went, I was in 11th grade. I turn 21 in May and it'd be great if I could visit Nicaragua to soak in everything I missed when I went in the past. I've always wanted to look into doing non-profit work there and like anywhere in the world, there's plenty of work to be done.

Time away with the Family - it's one thing to be at home with the family but it's much different to be away and have little to worry about. Like so many people out there, our family hasn't been able to afford a REAL vacation for quite some time... Some time spent with the family away from our troubles would serve us all well.

See; I'm a man of simple taste. I don't ask for or need much. I don't make a long extensive list of new years resolutions with cut off dates 52 weeks later. Lists of things to get done in just one year might not work well. At our age, we shouldn't talk about who we're going to become over the next year; we should already be who we want ourselves to be right now. If you tell yourself you're going to go under a renewal over the next year because it's your new years resolution to; chances are you won't. A new year of course brings forth new things in life, new people and new ideas. Best of luck over the next year to us all and Happy New Years.

- David Javier Solis

Home

2009-12-26T13:22:00.004-05:00

So I've taken a hiatus from blogging for a while since I've come back home and haven't really reflected on what's gone on with me lately. To wrap most of it in a nutshell though, I'm back from D.C. and now trying to figure out my next thing step in my career. I'm looking into law school, grad school and opening a small business. Besides that, I guess I've really just been enjoying my time here at home with my family; the people that I enjoy spending time with most. With New Years coming up, I gotta figure out what 2010 has for me and what I hope to get out of the next year. New Years resolutions don't really do much for me like for most people. Hope Christmas went well for everyone. Take care and Happy New Years.

- David

Back to the Drawing Board

2009-12-08T23:06:00.005-05:00

I came to Washington, D.C. with my own set of ideas and while some have changed and some have been reinforced, I find it a great privilege to base much of the political awareness I possess on my experience here in this city and on Capitol Hill. I've taken courses that dealt with the workings of Congress, the functioning of interest group politics, urban issues and the role of arts in a democratic society. These courses have taught me the details of how our political systems work and though there is much more to learn about our political world, I can't begin to express the value of the insight and knowledge I've attained in the course of 4 months.

I've seen much of what Washington D.C. offers; whether in museums, monuments or in the Congressional offices I've worked in through my internship. Retrospectively, I can look back and say to myself that although I could've done a few things differently (i.e. seen more of the D.C. nightlife), I truly believe I've done much of what I came into D.C. to do. I've learned much of what I've wanted to learn and have come to the conclusion that there is yet more to learn. In a professional environment like Capitol Hill, the more you know, both socially and intellectually, the better your prospects down the road are. Networking has been major for me and sure; I don't have a long list of names of people I can call for a favor, but I'm comfortable with the extent of networking I've done in D.C; whether it was speaking to ambassadors, field experts, legislative assistants or members of Congress.

I love this city. I'll miss this city.

In a matter of 4 months, I've taken in an invaluable amount of information and knowledge. Nowhere else in the world would I have been granted the opportunities I was granted here. Washington D.C...

I've had a 'to do' list since high school...

Capitol Hill was the last on that list.

Time for a new List..

Back to the Drawing Board.

On the Rise,
David Javier Solis

End of a chapter; start of a new one

2009-11-21T00:44:00.004-05:00

On December 18th, 2009; I'll be concluding my time here in Washington DC. It feels like yesterday that I just got here and here I am wrapping up my internship. Time flies when you're learning and having fun. I've learned a good chunk of what the political process looks like and while I have so much more to learn, I feel it's only appropriate I take time to acknowledge what I've learned.. Come December 19th. Here's a little bit of what I've seen firsthand; some good, some bad and some ugly:
- The influence of special interests
- The benefits of seniority
- The pros and cons of not legislating along party lines
- The myths from the realities of representation in Congress
- The norms in Congress concerning ethics
- The methods which work and don't work for constituents and their issues
- Constituency outreach
- Office Organization
- Prejudice
- The way wealth can determine someone's outlook on the world
- Compromises in politics

I'll have plenty to talk about once the internship is over; trust me when I say there's no shortage of material I'd be discussing. Come Spring semester, I'll have to get back to the drawing board though and chart out my next bigger move; HOW can I top my experience here? Good Question; I'll get back to you when I've got an answer.

Patiently waiting,
David Javier Solis

Business is Booming.

2009-11-16T00:16:00.006-05:00

This is my junior year of my undergraduate college years. Spring Semester of 2010 is coming up and I've yet to decide what I want to do post-college. I can go into the workforce, I can stay in school, I can go for Teach For America or I can do something I've always wanted to do: start a business. Each has their own set of drawbacks but I've never been someone who was too concerned about risk. More often then not, the fear of risk and failure keeps us from maximizing our potential. I've always thought life was too short to worry about what we can or can't do. In order to be a man of rewards, I've got to take risks in order to accumulate those rewards. I have to be able to look at a situation and remind myself that I can put a lot on the table but get even more in return. I personally don't feel it appropriate to live my life with an obsession on what CAN go wrong when in reality, I get what I put in. I'll pay the price for what I want to gain in life. We live in a world of opportunity and I'd go against everything I believe in if I don't jump on every opportunity I possibly can. Of course, I've got to be careful of collapsing under the weight of my own goals; but that's the last thing on my mind. I've got PLENTY of ideas that need to just materialize into results. I'm sure I can go forward with at least ONE and make decent earnings from it. Don't believe me? I'd encourage you to watch me do so.

On the rise,
David Javier Solis

"Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." - Hebrews 10:35

100 Things to do before I pass

2009-11-12T22:15:00.003-05:00

Life is short, so each day I tell myself the saying "Carpe Diem". Time in this world is never promised, so I figured I'd compile a list of things I want to do before I Pass. Let me know what you all think. I'd urge everyone reading this to come up with their own individual lists for the sake of it. Of course my list is incomplete but I thought 100 things is enough for one list. Don't limit yourself either; I've learned in life, dreams accompanied by hard work become reality. Life is for dreamers, anyway.

1. Buy a house
2. Travel to every continent
3. Go hot-air ballooning
4. Build a school
5. Adopt a child
6. Produce an album
7. Write a hit record
8. Publish a best selling autobiography
9. Run for office
10. HOLD an office seat for my career
11. Get a doctorate in constitutional law
12. Become a teacher
13. Raise my family with everything I never had
14. Attend all my children's school events
15. Take my loved ones on a shopping spree
16. Assemble a major rally for a cause
17. Make my family tree dating back to my great great grandparents
18. Design my home with my wife
19. Throw a dream wedding for my wife
20. Start a record label
21. Personally fund an entire museum
22. Get a speech to a crowd of 100,000 strong
23. Personally get a pair of Air Forces designed for me
24. Learn to paint
25. Publish an editorial in a major newspaper
26. Establish a 3rd major political party
27. Start a clothing line
28. Start a film production company
29. Serve on an interesting court case in jury
30. Study abroad
31. Volunteer at St. Jude's
32. Do Humanitarian work overseas
33. Head the efforts of a successful city renewal initiative
34. Learn to play piano
35. Hit one million views with my blog
36. Spend a whole day taking pictures everywhere with a top class camera
37. Go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef
38. Be an actor for a film
39. Get baptized in the Jordan River
40. Be my own Boss
41. Stay out partying til the sun comes up
42. Party in Rio for Carnival
43. Be in Times Square for New Years
44. Drive and visit every state in the country
45. Drive the autobahn in a Ferrari and do 150!
46. Enjoy my career so much, I never work a day in my life
47. Grow a HUGE garden
48. Win big in Vegas
49. Go deep sea fishing
50. Learn to bartend
51. Run and FINISH a marathon
52. Learn to fly a plane
53. Figure out the mechanics of a car
54. Invent something of good use
55. BECOME COMPLETELY DEBT FREE
56. Always remember the difference between concern and worry and never do the latter
57. Fly in a helicopter over the New York City Skyline at night
58. Skydive
59. Go horseback riding through the countryside (no brokeback!)
60. Ride an elephant in Africa or India
61. Volunteer with an indigenous people
62. Climb to the summit of a mountain
63. Go on a safari
64. Buy a boat and learn to sail
65. Spend a day in the jungle
66. Attend Latin American music festivals
67. See Che Guevara's birthplace; since I can't see his burial place because no one knows there that is!
68. Smoke a real Cuban Cohiba Cigar
69. Bury a time capsule
70. Witness a miracle
71. Have a long conversation with a beggar
72. Own a gun collection
73. Hunt, prepare and cook an animal myself
74. See the northern lights
75. Build my own comfortable and sturdy furniture
76. Be hypnotized
77. Look at the planets and stars through a powerful telescope
78. Go on a roadtrip with no destination
79. Buy every video game I want
80. BEAT every video game I have
81. Sip margaritas at a tropical beach and have no worries
82. Learn to photoshop
83. Give a wad of money to a homeless mother with children
84. Spend a week on an isolated island with the wife
85. Be on the cover of all major newspapers
86. Be the best kind of friend/husband/son/father/colleague to everyone I know
87. Inspire someone who's inspired me
88. Find a church I can settle in
89. Watch my children fall asleep every night I possibly can
90. Develop my own video game
91. Create a best selling app
92. Build a house and unconditionally give it to someone in need
93. Bring good Hip Hop Back
94. Host exquisite events for various causes
95. See my Grand-children graduate college
96. Walk my daughter down the aisle
97. Teach my son the meaning of hard work like my father taught me
98. NEVER forget where I come from
99. Change your life.
100. Change the world.

Thank You All

2009-11-09T17:59:00.003-05:00

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13744323

I want to first thank everyone who's stuck beside me through the past few years; even more importantly, the people that have stuck beside me for nearly my entire life like my family and my friends I've known since elementary school. At 8:00 this morning, I woke up to a phone call informing me of the piece the Danbury News Times released about my internship with Congress in DC and have been receiving congratulations from everyone through Facebook and text messages. Thank you all again. I'm sure you know how important it is for someone to have the support of family, friends and colleagues and I want to make sure I convey my gratitude to everyone for everything. I've been here in DC for about 2 months now and while I wish I could blog all my thoughts and events away, they really are keeping me busy down here; both academically and professionally. Again, thank you all for everything. In about 5 weeks, my internship will be over and I'll be heading back to Danbury for winter break than back to UConn for Spring Semester. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again and catching up on time lost. See you all soon.

- David Javier Solis

Hopelessness in Poverty

2009-10-24T22:07:00.004-04:00

I was speaking with a colleague the other day on the issue of poverty and what can be done to curtail the devastating effects of it. Unfortunately, he like so many different groups of people believes that there can be nothing done for those in poverty because 'they' want to be like that. Upon hearing this, I was shocked to realize that there are people out there like this but kept my composure. I asked them what measures should be taken and they went on to say "there's nothing you can do; they want to be like that." Growing up in the environment they were referring to, I can genuinely say there is nothing desirable about that type of life.

Unfortunately, I feel that there are too many people in this society who not just condone the status quo, but in fact support and embrace policies which leave certain inequalities as they exist today. This needs to change and it's up to our generation to fulfill the dreams of our ancestors and past leaders in their attempts to rid society of poverty. If we tell ourselves we can't do it; nothing productive will get done and we'll forever turn a cold shoulder to those on the streets and the families living in poverty. We'll never progress our communities if we tell ourselves we can't.

We don't need giveaway programs. We need programs that help the impoverished fend for themselves and initiatives that get them back on their feet so they can stand for themselves. Billions of dollars are spent on costs associated with poverty every year; why doesn't it make sense to allocate these funds and expenses on programs that lift these families; some born into poverty, some not. Let's stop pointing fingers. Let's stop pretending the issue doesn't exist. Most importantly, let's stop telling ourselves in our communities that there's nothing we can do about it. There are far too many families without a voice depending on those of us privileged enough to do something about it.

PLEASE READ: Stop The Violence; RIP #6

2009-10-19T23:37:00.003-04:00

Over the weekend, my school community was dealt an emotional blow by the loss of Jasper Howard; slain by a violent stabbing during an altercation. There was no need for the loss of life, no need for the violence and no need for the mourning going on back on campus now. The closest friends and teammates of Jasper Howard's will never forget the day they found out their friend's life was taken away. Even throughout the University of Connecticut, the student body will always remember how they felt after the news of the Jasper Howard's death. This has affected me in a number of ways and although I did not know Jasper personally, I know his closest friends and mourn the loss of his life and what that means for his unborn child and family back home. Had I not been here in Washington D.C on an internship, I would most likely have been at this WISAO party; as I had frequently done in previous years. Although I'm grateful I was nowhere around for that altercation, I will never forget that morning. One of my best friends had called me early Sunday morning to tell me Jasper had passed away. What really hit hard for me was that my best friend was a teammate of Jasper's and when he had called me, he was clearly shaken and distressed over the loss of his teammate. This killing could have been avoided and the need for violence; fatal violence at that, was unwarranted and unnecessary.

If we are to progress in society; how can we hold within ourselves such hatred for our fellow man? If we are to progress as a people, we must value the meaning and sanctity of life; not end it. Everyone on this Earth have people who love and care for them and it's imperative that we never forget that. My heart goes out to the closest friends, teammates and family of Jasper Howard's. Most of all, my heart goes out to his unborn child who will unfortunately live their lives without their father by their side to raise them, protect them, love them and watch them grow.

Anyone reading this, if there's anything to take from this, it's this; Love One Another. Regardless of your faith, religion or creed, it can be said that we were put on this Earth to live amongst each other in harmony. Never take your friends and loved ones for granted; no one forecasts the day they leave this world and while he is in a better place where we all hope to one day be, let us live our lives to better the world we live in now. Best of wishes to all. My Prayers and condolences to all.

- David Javier Solis

A Timeless Speech in 'The Great Dictator'

2009-10-17T23:17:00.007-04:00

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to be an emperor. That's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible - Jew, Gentile - black man - white.

We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness - not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there's room for everyone and the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone.

The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls - has barricaded the world with hate - has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in man - cries for universal brotherhood - for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world - millions of despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me, I say: 'Do not despair.' The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed - the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.

Soldiers! Don't give yourselves to brutes - men who despise you and enslave you - who regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Who drill you - diet you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don't give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts. You don't hate, only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural!

Soldiers! Don't fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the seventeenth chapter of St Luke, it is written the kingdom of God is within man not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people, have the power - the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful - to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy - let us use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world - a decent world that will give men a chance to work - that will give youth a future and old age a security.

By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfil that promise. They never will! Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfil that promise! Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason - a world where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness. Soldiers, in the name of democracy, let us unite!

Sources: 'My Autobiography' by Charles Chaplin and 'The Great Dictator' on Fox video

Concerns on congress

2009-10-10T15:50:00.001-04:00

Washington D.C. has been an experience all its own. I've learned in a short two months that in order to enter the world of politics and hold prestige, networking is key. If one hopes to make a ripple in the political ocean, one must know the fundamentals of what it takes and who to get there with. I've seen that the senate is not so much a chamber of 100 individual mentalities; it is a handful of allegiances. The House of Representatives is a chamber where 435 representatives come together and engage in groupthink; ideas are brought forward and succeed depending on how much the rest of the body of representatives stand to gain from passing it. It is not true that congress is a place full of representatives who don't care. There are a few people who just happen to care much more than the next guy. Congress is a forum where great ideas can become diluted with greed, watered down through procedure and tainted by the interests of a few. Some justify this by pointing out these actions as being democratic processes. While this may be true, there is no saying certain ways and means of congress cannot be changed. The obstacle with doing so, is that congress itself, dictates what congress can and can't do. There are checks and balances yet congress, since its inception, maintains an atmosphere where unethical actions are not only permissible; they are sometimes encouraged in the pursuit of partisan politics. This fact should in effect, serve as a rebuttal to the 'democratic process' legitimization of what happens in congress. Again, this does not go to say all members of congress are illegitimate and unsuitable for representation; they have, for the most part, demonstrated that they can advocate on behalf of the causes they believe. Let's just hope that these causes are honorable ones.

Our Nation's Priorities

2009-10-08T22:57:00.006-04:00

When we look all around ourselves in this country, we see groups of people and communities that we don't always belong to. That's the beauty of diversity. When we read and hear certain opinions of different people, we sometimes feel that we can never agree with the ideas they value. When we look to our friends, we wonder why they act the way they do and say things they do. That's the one thing about our society that makes it so unique; we have groups of people from all avenues of life, all levels of education and backgrounds. We are in the struggle of finding ourselves. We know who we are as individuals, we know who we are as racial groups... but do we know who we are as a people? One might say, "We're Americans". While that might be true, the struggle in our quest for a universal identity is that we have in our minds this idea that the label 'American' means one entity; we're not one single entity and we're not one united people with one uniform set of values and principles. To some, family is the overlying number one valuable thing in their lives; to others, it might be their educations or their careers. Each of these things encompasses its own set of things to maintain and with different people holding different priorities, there is much to be debated over. A $1,000,000 dollar grant to a poor rural town is not at the first thing many people think about. Likewise, violence in the urban communities isn't something many people would initially want to address head on. These issues which affect the most isolated groups of people are the ones which aren't thoroughly discussed in all areas of the nation. We seldomly read or hear the stories about the other side's struggle. In our country, we give too much power to the phrase 'Out of sight, out of mind'. We know that which we can see and that with which we're familiar. Who you know that starved today in America? Who do you know that got evicted today? in America? Who have you talked to today that has more than enough intelligence to succeed in college but can't because they can't afford it? These are injustices to those in society. Anytime you succeed, anytime you do well, anytime you achieve an aspiration; know that there is always someone who less fortunate than yourself. What if it was you?

Open and Enjoy, my fellow 80's Babies!

2009-10-03T12:52:00.010-04:00

My blog is becoming too uptight for a lot of people who don't necessarily enjoy politics like I do. So what I'm doing is compiling a whole batch of songs that take us 80's babies back. Way Back. BACK INTO TIME. Good music is getting harder to find nowadays so I got a lil bit of everything for yall. Every now and then I'll make compilations of more of these throwbacks over time. Hit me up on the comments to let me know what you all think; hope you all enjoy!

P.S. I don't own ANY of these videos, folks. Please don't sue me. Thanks.

LL Cool J - Loungin

G Dep - Let's get it

DMX - How's it going down

Mary J. Blige - Mary Jane

Sammie - I like it

Soul 4 Real - Candy Rain

Bel Biv Devoe - Poison

Montell Jordan - This is how we do it

Nelly - Ride with me

Method Man & Mary J. Blige

Wu Tang Clan - M.E.T.H.O.D. Man

Dru Hill - How Deep is your Love

Ginuwine - Pony

Next - Too Close

Wayne Wonder - No letting go

Ja Rule Ft. Vita & Lil Mo - Put it on me

Jay-Z Ft. Amil & Ja Rule

Fabolous - Can't Deny It

Cam'Ron - Hey Ma

Cynthia - Dream boy, Dream Girl

Tupac - How Do You Want it

Outhere Brothers - Boom Boom Boom

Blackstreet - No Diggity

Q-Tip - Vibrant Thing

Inoj - My Boo

Limp Bizkit - Nookie

Life on Capitol Hill

2009-09-28T13:03:00.004-04:00

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 3 days out of the week where I see firsthand what the political process is all about. Since September 8th, I've been fortunate enough to work on a congressman's staff here in Washington, D.C. I see the congressman everyday and although we haven't yet had a heart to heart, I've seen enough to give me impressions about the office, but I'm choosing to talk about all that sometime in January. For now, I'll talk about what I see on a daily basis outside of just the office I work.

Sincerity

Call me naive or fickle, but I can truthfully say that I believe these people I see everyday are very involved and hope to change the world we live in; contrary to what many people might believe as living for the status quo. The people I speak with don't come off to me as wanting to keep the world the same. Some people may look at our U.S. Capitol with scorn because they believe the people in power aren't trying to get anything done and quite frankly, I've seen otherwise. Yes, some people may not agree with these ideas, but there are a diverse set of ideas nonetheless and to say that no one on Capitol Hill cares is a misconception. Again, I haven't met everyone on congress but I've met and spoken with enough people to get the impression that people typically care for the condition of society and the country. The fact that everyone has their own set of concerns for the community is an indication to me of that. There are a few things I have reservations about but again, I'll talk about that come January.

Expertise

The people here on Capitol Hill are, needless to say, very intelligent and it's something I'm glad I'm able to be a part of. Unlike casual conversations between people, there is a wide amount of competence shown in people here and if you just like to hear the sound of your voice, Washington D.C. is not the city for you. You will be called out and made a fool out of. I enjoy being challenged through debate here and even if I'm wrong about something, I value the conversation's ability to better shape my own ideas. If you're the person who shows more intellect in the debate, let it reinforce you. If you're the one on the wrong end of the spectrum time after time, maybe it's time to revamp the way in which you view politics. The fact alone that I can change someone's whole perspective about something means more to me than just the title that comes along with working for a congressional office

Networking

Everyday I go to work, I am surrounded by people who will one day contribute significantly to the political process; either as lobbyists, legislative directors, representatives, senators or chief of staff's. In one way or another, the group of people I speak with frequently are either already in a prestigious spot or are well on their way to becoming that. There's a quote that goes by "It's not what you know, it's who you know." I give great respect to that and because of it, I make sure I never burn bridges with anyone and take it upon myself to really make an impression on everyone that lasts and serves as a positive way of allowing them to open up. In the world of politics, it's all about who you know and how they can help you with whatever you're trying to pursue; sometimes this can serve to the advantage of corruption and greed. More often than not though, it's a matter of resources and knowledge. In politics, You don't have to be a cronie to maintain a form of friendship with people in power; it's a matter of what you do with that ability that makes all the difference.

I wish I could put this all in one summary but I've been here about a month and I can't compile all I've learned in one sitting so I hope you're looking forward to coming back and reading more about what it is I do and what things I've seen, learned, despised, loved, ridiculed and complimented here on Capitol Hill. Here are a few things I've eventually get around to talking about:

- Racism on Capitol Hill
- Impact of money (Greed and Corruption)
- How lobbyists can affect political process
- 'Average Joes' involved in politics
- Capitol Receptions
- Background of ppl I see everyday
- Conversations I've had with big name people
- Constituencies and their opinions
- Congressional hearings + what you see (or don't see)
- Impressions on the Hill
- Institutions surrounding congress

The Start of Something Truly Remarkable

2009-09-20T16:36:00.017-04:00

August 30^th, 2009; the start of something truly remarkable. I came to here to Washington D.C. with my girlfriend, two parents , youngest sister, niece and nephew. We drove in my mother’s Nissan Quest and even with that size, I’m sure my family thought it was pretty crammed in the back. Regardless, we were here and after about 6 and a half hours, we finally got into the city of politics. I remember the look on my mother’s face as we drove into the city and saw the poverty. Coming from civil-war era Nicaragua, I was surprised to see the reaction on her face and I knew in her head that the poverty really made an impression on her; negative as it may have been. “David, this is worse than Nicaragua” she said to me. I just laughed and shrugged it off believing in my head that she was just exaggerating and not yet able to come to terms with the fact that this city was where I’d spend the next 4 months of my life. After seeing the poverty stretch on and on, it hit me like I ran into a brick wall; all these agents of “advocacy” and “representatives” in this city of Washington D.C., and no one here to stand for the men in the cardboard boxes or the families in the rundown buildings. This city radiates opportunity and power and yet no one seems to mind the lack of opportunity or power among the communities we saw on our way up. And I thought MY poverty was bad growing up; these people truly were the ‘have-nots’ in this country. They had NOTHING but clothes on their backs and their families by their side.

I figured that we leave Thursday night so that we get to D.C. Friday morning and have plenty of time to sleep and tour the city come Friday night. My parents weren’t major fans of the city on Friday so they opted to just stay in the hotel and watch after the girls and my nephew in the hotel pool. It was a beautiful hotel, I must say; far more illustrious than what we’re used to. The area the hotel was in wasn’t bad; it was in downtown D.C. and one or two blocks from Chinatown so there was plenty to do and see. My girlfriend Jeanelle and I got dressed to go site see. Little did I know that this night would bring me motivation I’d never experienced and inspiration I’d never known. There was something glorious about everything I saw that night; the lights, the buildings, the Potomac, the statues, the memorials, the nightlife; everything gave off an aura that I had only vaguely imagined in the past. I was like a child in a toystore; I wanted to see everything. Everything was much more beautiful than in the textbooks. Photos didn’t do them justice.

Come Saturday morning, we were up and out. My parents had realized that this part of the city wasn’t all that bad; it was actually beautiful and exemplified a side of American culture that they had never known in Danbury, Connecticut. My nephew, Isaiah was a grumpy little one that day, he didn’t want to do ANY walking and had we brought a stroller, no doubt in my mind he would’ve been in it all day. We saw the Lincoln memorial which really made an impression on my mother and I. Those words written in stone had me thinking all day and reinforced the idea of liberty. I couldn’t make out an impression from my father; he tends to keep his thoughts to himself and as great of an impression he might have attained from the Lincoln memorial; he kept it all in his head and just decided to soak it in and keep it in. My sister Sheyla, even at 13, was too young to understand the significance of political figures like Abraham Lincoln and the significance of historical events like the civil war or slavery. Even today, I’m not sure what went through her head. She has an imagination all her own. My niece Natalya on the other hand, enjoyed it and marveled at just how big the Lincoln Memorial was.

From there, we went to the Vietnam Memorial. Of all memorials I had seen on this day, none came close to how much of an impact the Vietnam Memorial made on me. I got there and as we were walking up, it hadn’t looked very large in size but as we got closer, we saw how big this was becoming and what really blew my whole family away was how we worked our way from the outside in and realized how big the wall was and how small the names were. The small sized names bothered me; not because they were small but because even at its size, it needed a large space to get all the names of the men and women who died. These weren’t just names or casualties of war; these were real people with real lives and real families that they left behind; never to live or see again. An old teacher of mine that I kept in touch with had a roommate who passed away during the Vietnam war. He told me once that ever since he passed, he felt guilty over his death. I wasn’t sure if he had his closure but I wanted to do something for him since I was in the area and visiting the memorial myself. Jeanelle told me that the park rangers give out Vietnam Memorial letter-headed papers and graphite for visitors to sketch over the names of the fallen men. I found the man’s name on the wall. Thomas Carothers. I never knew the man; I’ve never even seen a picture of him or a story about him. I just know this man, Thomas Carothers, existed and people like Mr. Scalzo truly missed him and remember him to this day. I sketched the name and gave it to Jeanelle to give to Mr. Scalzo for me.

After the Vietnam Memorial, we all walked around the city for a little while just seeing what we came across. We eventually got to the Air and Space museum. Now my child-like fascination with the city on Friday night was nothing compared to my father’s fascination and admiration for what he saw there. This wasn’t a family event for him; he wasted no time and ran off without us to see all the planes, spaceships and machinery the museum had to offer. He didn’t want to take any pictures of us but he was quick to ask us to take a picture of him with the Apollo module or a spy plane behind him. What a nerd. When I told him I found out there were flight simulators in the museum, he ran like we didn’t have 2 hours before the museum closed. I decided I’d fly and he’d control the turrets. That day, I realized I have no business even thinking I could become a pilot. I flew horrible. It was fun until my dad kept going back and forth about how he would have done better. I stood my ground and told him I’d pay for us to do it again and we’d switch places. So we did and needless to say, he did worse than me. Of course he wouldn’t admit it though, we’re talking about my father here.

The night came to an end and before I knew it, Sunday morning was here and it was time that I finally moved into my apartment. It went by fast. Too fast. I didn’t get a chance to put my thoughts together and come to the realization that this was going to be home for 4 months. Regardless, as soon as everything was put into the apartment, that was that; we said our goodbyes, good lucks, see ya soon’s, and love you’s. That moment, although I had not known it at the time, was the moment I had waited for my whole life. I’d been waiting for this my whole life. My dreams had become my reality. The American Dream is alive; maybe not alive and well, but alive nonetheless and I am living testament to that. I’ve worked so hard to get here to have this opportunity. My parents have worked endlessly to grant me opportunity and I’ve worked tirelessly to make something of myself and get my foot in the door. Now that I had done just that, I thought to myself, “Now What?” August 30^th,2009; The start of something truly remarkable.

Can we sustain?

2009-09-12T13:24:00.002-04:00

We are in a time of political, social and economic turmoil. That much is clear. What is more evident is the need and demand for a resolution to the problems which we are dealt. Forget the political affiliation one poses; an effective idea is neither blue nor red. If we want to fix our issues in this country, we must first LISTEN. Someone once told me that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. Sometimes you must speak in support of the very policies being proposed; sometimes you must speak out against the lies being fed to the people. Before you decide to speak though, it is imperative that one listens. Don't just hear what your opposition has to say; Listen to what they have to say.

We come to a point in the maze called politics where we decide which path leads to a dead end and which leads us to the way out. With that being said, we need a way out of our deficit and debt. The problem with this predicament is the one solution comes with it's own complex set of details. Here's an idea folks; why don't we offset the tax cuts with spending cuts? If we're going to stimulate the economy, why don't we spend hundreds of billions of dollars in helping the American families with their debts and mortgages as opposed to writing off the "toxic assets" of the banks? This way, these very families wouldn't have the anxiety of wondering if they can afford a home or say, healthcare. Healthcare as we all know, is the major theme in this great city of Washington D.C. If it's not the intentions of the government to overhaul healthcare and nationalize the industry, let's talk about making health care cheaper. Here's some simple math:

Public Option + Tort Reform + Right to purchase health insurance across state lines =
CHEAPER HEALTHCARE

There it is Folks. I just solved the American mystery of effective healthcare reform.

Some of you might say "Oh no, what about the unfair advantage government is going to have in a public option" or "Gee golly, that means I can't sue my doctor for 100 million dollars if there's tort reform". Guess what? Too Bad.

Some of these companies can make it through depressions and recessions; they'll be fine. These trial lawyers won't be out of a job either; they'll survive. These opposing barriers to Universally accessible healthcare in the United States is the reason for the millions of families medical and financial hardships.

A few paragraphs up I mentioned the deficit and the national debt. First; let's stop making money out of thin air through the Federal Reserve. We CANNOT spend our way to profit; I don't care WHAT the Keynesian theory says. Second; let's stop borrowing money from foreign countries for the time being; it's as if we're spending away our national sovereignty and American way of living.

In conclusion, our country should be very careful of becoming the very thing we've passionately condemned; a feckless nation.

- David Javier Solis

The Woes of my Republican Party

2009-09-02T22:06:00.006-04:00

What has my Republican Party of Lincoln become and where do we go from here?

Since the birth of this independent country in 1776, our political system has primarily been a two party system which puts both factions at odds with each other in all forms of debates; some social, some political, and some for just the sake of bickering. In a little more than two centuries, our nation has made strides that even our forefathers may have not foreseen. We've made history with various forms of movements that gave the people more power in their hands. We've developed a country that understands national sovereignty in the hands of the people works best; the problem with this though is that we've had far too difficult of a time distinguishing who is part of the American people.

The Democratic party does an effective job in bringing in young voters, college-educated voters, minority voters, catholic voters, union voters and other categories. For my Republican party unfortunately, these voters are typically Democrat-leaning and the numbers will only rise in the future as the minority population goes up, college-education enrollment goes up and various other group populations skyrocket. It's no secret that the recent election in 2008 exposed the not just the weaknesses of my party, but its flaws and mistakes it's accumulated over the past few decades. We abandoned the fundamentals that brought us to the national spotlight in the 18th century. Unfortunately, our party of Reagan and Lincoln is no longer with us and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Politics is an ugly sport; and like all ugly sports, one must prevail and one must falter. My party has done too much of the latter for the past few years and there is reasoning behind it. I'd like to address just a few of the many reasons why this is so and present what I feel may serve as solutions, difficult as they may be, to my party's predicament.

'Rich White Man's Party'
This belief is the one major barrier to keeping minority groups from voting for several Republican officials. Unfortunately, sincere and selfless Republican officials don't even get acknowledged due to the generalizations made by Republicans past who have not quite embraced the movements of minorities in the past (i.e. Civil Rights and Immigrant protests). While this does not mean all republicans opposed these movements; too many did and failed to acknowledge the future predicaments. The fact of the matter is that most African Americans and Hispanics identify themselves as a group to be more traditional and associate many of their beliefs towards family values and more conservative-minded; something that would typically be an asset and advantage for my Republican party but is canceled out by the grim history of the party towards these two groups. While it is true a Republican president won the civil war and was much of the reason for the emancipation of the slaves, the dire history of the Republican party in the south during the civil rights does away with that. While it is also true that Ronald Reagan signed an amnesty program in the 80's which legalized several undocumented immigrants, the racist remarks and demonizing of the Hispanic community (whether intentional or not, it happened) in the past few years completely erases some of that Hispanic support in states like Florida. My party has come off as too offensive, insensitive and xenophobic in the past few decades and that must change in order to make progress in the future of a nation whose identity is changing. This issue can't be shelved or tabled to be dealt with in the future; that time is now and I urge any Republican who happens to be reading this to acknowledge the mistakes and misconceptions made and created over the past few years. We need to act because the democrats know the situation of the everchanging country and they've jumped on that quite effectively as shown in the statistics of the past election

'Party of Bush'
It's as simple as understanding that Bush was no great president by any means and although there are some things he deserves credit for, it's important to just move on from the Bush era and get back to the drawing board. We need another Reagan revolution where people come to the polls excited to keep a Republican in power. The party of Newt Gingrich, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan were far different in comparison to the Party of Bush. Let's move on and get to work on portraying the message of accountability and modernity to America. We need innovation and while it may be true that some of the Republican values should stay intact, some need to be done away with and some need to be revamped. Again, we've seen that the past few years and in terms of survival, we must represent the needs and interests of the changing constituency in America.

'Too many oximorons'
Why can't a Republican be both a Republican and progressive? These two things do not need to mean two different things. To be progressive means to obviously make progress in society and the communities; is it so difficult for our Republican representatives to exemplify that and confidently say they do just that?

'Fiscal Conservatism'
The best Republican political victories happened when we ran on a fiscally conservative platform and held that as the message of our entering power over the Democrats. The country appreciates responsibility in our economy and the expenditures of tax money so we must keep true to our platform unlike the years of Bush.

'Focus more on State Rights'
Americans all around the country are infuriated with the increasing size of federal governments; even in blue states is this seen. We must put back more power in the hands of the states and run with that because this is what many concerned Americans are looking for. Federal bureaucracy is growing FAST and as seen in recent poll numbers, this isn't quite a blessing for the majority of Americans.

First Day of DC

2009-08-30T21:33:00.002-04:00

This weekend, I had arrived in Washington D.C., and just as I expected, it's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen. This being the first time I've ever been here, going down Pennsylvania Ave had me like a little kid in a toystore; I wanted to see everything. I settled into an apartment not far at all from Capitol Hill so getting to work isn't going to be a problem. Now I'm just in the middle of doing the class readings and writing out all the thank you letters. With nothing much more to talk about, I figure I'll just leave it at that; I have a lot ahead of me.

The thing(s) Obama is doing RIGHT

2009-08-22T20:27:00.002-04:00

I know I give this administration a lot of criticism, I think it's only right that after all of it, I give credit where credit is due.

Addressing the need for Health Care Reform

Since 1994, we haven't seen a president so determined to reform health care in this country and make it more accessible for Americans. While I frequently criticize the Democratic party's plans to overhaul health care and put it in the hands of government bureaucrats who determine what is best for individual citizens, I applaud Obama's intentions on reforming health care. Taking over the health care industry is the worst possible scenario to fix the problem with insurance coverage among Americans and while Obama is unfortunately siding on the less-reasonable and credible option, (a "public option), he does in fact, mean well and it shows in his speeches and determination to pass some form of legislation. While it may be too early to decide if Obama has some hidden liberal agenda, his concern for the uninsured sounds genuine.

So yeah. That's basically it. Sorry for anyone who expected any more; its no secret I'm no fan of this administration's methodologies. Let me know what you like about this administration.

Where to go

2009-08-19T22:56:00.002-04:00

Since I'm leaving next weekend, I'm not sure where I should make sure I visit while I'm in D.C. A lot of you have been there; unfortunately, I've never been there so I know NOTHING about where to go. So tell me; What places do you recommend (clubs, restaurants, landmarks, monuments, schools, etc)?

Days Til' D.C.

2009-08-15T18:36:00.003-04:00

In about 13 days from today, I'll be in D.C. starting the experience of a lifetime; an experience I had only dreamt about before reaching college. I'll be interning on Capitol Hill and taking classes there. It'll be unlike anything I've ever taken part in and I get to work in politics hands-on. I get to enter the U.S. capitol at one of the most interesting times in American history and see the very processes our legislators must work through in order to make some form of progress (hopefully). I'm going to D.C. optimistic about the political knowledge I'll attain over the next 4 months. I'm thrilled about the prospects of networking with all sorts of different people; people who will make all the difference for me and my future with public policy. I have no false illusions about what to expect; I will in fact, come back to Danbury, Connecticut (and UConn) a different person with a set of different beliefs. Some of my beliefs I go to D.C. with will only be reinforced; others will change. No matter what though, I promise myself, my friends, my family and anyone reading this; I won't forget where it is I come from and who helped me get to anywhere I go in life. I promise.

What Happened to Hip Hop?

2009-08-06T15:39:00.004-04:00

I'm an 80's baby. 1989; but nevertheless; an 80's baby. So growing up in the 90's, I was fortunate enough to grow up listening to quality good hip hop. There was Nas, Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie, The Lox, Fabolous, Mobb Deep, Big Pun, D-Block, DMX, Eminem, Fat Joe, Common and MANY MANY MORE. Some of these rappers went away and just left, some abandoned their whole style in exchange for a more commercial style. Very few rappers today though, rhyme and write about truth. Few of them write about things that aren't superficial like money, cars, 'hoes' or jewelry. There's little to no originality on the radio anymore and my belief is that the corporate heads want everything to sound the same. This way, it saves them the difficulty in looking for the next great rapper and allows them to take someone with little skill and use them at their disposal. This might mean auto-tuning their voice or giving them corny lyrics to rap out. Either way, the very genre that once embraced MC's for being original now looks down whoever has something different to bring to the table.

The Hip Hop Audience is partly to blame as well. Had it not been for us or our friends downloading say for example, ringtones from soulja boy; the big executives might not have had the leeway in forcing garbage rap down our throats. I've spoken with various DJ's who work with the radio; DJ Big Man of Hartford's Hot 93.7 being one of them a few months ago; and he had mentioned that the reason for the influx of bad hip hop was due to the corporate heads dictating what is played on the radio and taking away that role and duty from the DJ's themselves. I understand the job of an executive is to put out what is profitable, but distributing new hip hop music is what the job of being a DJ is all about. The roles of a DJ and an executive should be co-dependent and in cooperation with each other. Unfortunately, it's become so difficult to be a DJ in today's mainstream radio; the executives choke off their individualities and pull the rug from right under them in regard to determining what is played over the airwaves.

Some of you who read this might say to yourself "the souths on top; get over it" and I would like to say it's not a north-south thing for it. It's a matter of what's coming out on the radio and making sure what gets airplay is what is most satisfying and not a matter of what is easiest to produce. Hip Hop has begun to sound all the same; so much so that I question whether this new form of auto-tuning, snapping, choppin n' screwing or anything else all takes on a whole new genre. Hip Hop is meant to inspire, to uplift, to entertain, to dance to, to listen to, and most importantly, In my eyes; it's meant to preserve. If Hip Hop stays on the road it's on today, it'll get lost along the way and lose its meaning. It's pretty sad when you realize that great and phenomenal rappers are more and more seldomly made. Look at the dozens of legendary rappers who came out of the 80's, then 90's.. Yet With the first decade of the 2000's drawing near an end, we may only be able to name a handful of great rappers who emerged in this decade.

It's Hip Hop, People. Save It
Save the Music.

- David Javier Solis

An interesting video on the federal reserve

2009-07-29T17:13:00.003-04:00

While I'm not sure I agree with everything in this documentary, I can say that it brings up various intriguing facts and points. Have a peep and let me know what your impressions are.

Different new ideas for our generation

2009-07-22T22:27:00.008-04:00

Is it just me, or has our government been repeating the same ideas around with different terminology?? In my honest opinion, people become indifferent and unconcerned with politics because it is so often the same ideas being said and same results (or lack of results) taking place. People never want to partake in something with little to no effective and substantial results. So before I go on with what I feel are just a very few fresh ideas that could serve as effective programs or legislation, I'd like to state that they are in fact, just IDEAS. I haven't done much research to know the specific details on things like costs and political maneuvering. Remember Folks, Mere Ideas; but it is ideas themselves that make innovation and renewal possible.

Universal Secondary Education/Vocation Fund
- We're no longer the only superpower nation with a strong and healthy economy.. We need to invest not just in the sustainability of our economy, but in the future and careers of our citizens right here at home. I don't believe in any more involuntary taxes for small businesses, corporations or the private American taxpayer. However, why not make a program where the taxpayer chooses by their own free will to allocate a small portion of their income towards college funds for their children? In addition to the money that's being saved, why not let the govt set up a program that gives an accrual of interest to encourage the parents to set up the college funds in the first place?

Further incentives for teachers and skilled workers to work in U.S.
- We just don't have enough teachers, engineers, nurses, mathematicians and other skilled workers. The reason for this is because gradually over time, it's become more and more difficult to sustain a family and comfortable lifestyle in the United States; on top of my advocating for more tax breaks, why don't we give further incentives for students in our universities who agree to stay in the United States to practice their careers?

Constitutional Amendment to keep balanced budget
- A trillion dollars, Obama? Really? Time to keep our presidents and congresses in check.

Increasing Dropout age to 18
- You can't buy over the counter drugs or get a tattoo unless you're 18; but you can drop out of high school at 16?? Think about that, folks.

Funding Adult Stem Cell Research
- Apparently this field has promises for the future in biotechnology so in order to avoid controversy from both sides, let's go with what's far less intrusive; adult stem cell research where adults donate their stem cells without the controversial usage of conception.

Legalize Marijuana
- Decriminalize it. Legalize it. Regulate it. Tax it.

Get rid of the IRS
- We did fine without it in the past; we'll be fine without it now. Hundreds of billions of dollars of waste.

Let Congress take responsibility of coin minting
- Take that privilege from the Federal Reserve and give congress back it's responsibility to mint our currency themselves and not to a conglomerate private central bank.

Rose in the Concrete

2009-07-19T13:30:00.004-04:00

Dwelling on my years past since my childhood, I've come to a point in the road we call life where I look back and reminisce. I look at what's become of me and I acknowledge the blessings I've never known were there. What makes this so interesting for me though, is that I'm one among many who share a similar story to mine; coincidentally, you may be one of them. My parents came from an impoverished nation amidst war and poverty. They came here for better lives not just for themselves but more importantly for their children. This is in fact, what they've given my four sisters and I. I was fortunate enough to be born in a country of opportunity and education. This does not mean though, that I did not get to see poverty on a day to day basis growing up. I did not live the most comfortable lifestyle yet I cannot hate the very poverty I felt I was in; for it made me humble and modest. Too many people my age have become obsessed with tangible possessions instead of what can belong to one's soul. We live to live comfortably; not to live in excess. I myself, sometimes forget what my parents did for me; they came here for my life to be better. This is why I appreciate my education; because it alone will take me places I've never thought possible. Education is something not many of my friends have the opportunity of possessing and everyday I wish they at least had the choice of having it. A quality education has become too difficult to attain for so many people and I cannot forget that those very people are some of my friends I've grown up with. I know the perils that come with living in poverty all too well and live to seize the day each morning I awake. I live for a happy life among all things and hope you do the same as well. In one month, I'll be in Washington D.C. taking part in what is to become the most significant step in my career since my first day of college. After that, I hope to go to the U.K. next summer to study abroad. These two events are but a few I hope to partake in before I attempt to become what I've always dreamed of becoming; a U.S. Senator for those who are curious. My life has taken me down many roads of which I knew nothing of; through paths I've never known. I've had my ups and I've had my downs; as I'm sure you have as well, but if I can say one thing, it's This: that you never forget where you come from. Remember that it is your roots that are the reason you stand.

- David Javier Solis

Foreign aid to Africa

2009-07-16T14:21:00.002-04:00

Here's a video I found on foreign aid I thought was interesting.

Quotes on Revolution

2009-07-13T23:08:00.003-04:00

A few quotes that I thought deserved attention:

Every generation needs a new revolution.
Thomas Jefferson

It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.
Henry Ford

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
John F. Kennedy

The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.
Che Guevara

In a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the end.
Alexis de Tocqueville

The seed of revolution is repression.
Woodrow Wilson

The American Revolution was a beginning, not a consummation.
Woodrow Wilson

No real social change has ever been brought about without a revolution... revolution is but thought carried into action.
Emma Goldman

The revolution has always been in the hands of the young. The young always inherit the revolution.
Huey Newton

The only way to support a revolution is to make your own.
Abbie Hoffman

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
JOHN BRADSHAW

When does revolution become necessary?

2009-07-13T21:06:00.008-04:00

What are we to make of revolutionary statements from prominent leaders in world history? Are we to disregard what was said decades or even hundreds of years ago? I, among millions of others of people, believe history is meant to teach each generation what arises when certain events go unnoticed and the people become more and more indifferent to the issues of their time. It seems as though the world never quite learns the lessons of generations past and in a cycle of decay, we fall victim to systemic methods of quelling and silencing dissent. Every society is unique and when government officials feel invincible in the political arena, this alone is cause for concern. What many people may not take into is the fact that silence alone can sometimes be the root of struggle and conflict.

Organizations all around the country exist purely on the premise of being a safeguard for the constitution. The overlying problem with this though is that each of these organizations develop individual interpretations of the constitution and like congress, good ideas die in the midst of political disputes. When our government politicians are less concerned with their constituents' needs and more concerned with political fundraising for re-election, the role of being a legislator in a democratic republic becomes construed and forgotten. Just to clarify, I feel that all too often, legislators (incumbents especially) forget what they were elected to do and instead, only worry about what it takes to win an election. Winning elections and maintaining the interests of the constituency aren't always synonymous in American politics. Elections alone are no remedy for preventing a usurpation of our rights from the government. We need grassroots activism where people don't sit idly hoping for actual change and instead stand for what they believe in. We always say we believe in the first amendment; but how often exactly do we use it? We always say we want a balanced budget and responsible government spending but how often do we show up at the building doorsteps demanding it? We always call for more education funds but how often we do storm the districts office demanding it? Imagine a world where the government held bake sales to fundraise for war and schools were given money without question.

Our priorities have fallen out of wack and we've forgotten the very liberties we say our nation embodies. Visualize a society where the ruling class were genuinely fearful of repercussions for corruption and foul play. Visualize a nation where All who complained about the system had done something as simple as voting. Visualize a system where parties debated accordingly by issues and what needed to be done for the American people; even more, the people of the world. I refuse to believe we have become sheep; Sheep cannot take action. Yet it is apparent that as government becomes bigger in scale, so does the submissiveness among the very people it is designed to serve. We must always keep our governments at bay and on edge in fear of removal of power; it keeps them busy at work for us and us only.

What went wrong?

2009-07-12T20:51:00.003-04:00

Whatever happened to the days when people used to question anything in the same sentence of 'government programs'? This past election, it was said time and time again; "The people don't care about the size of the government; so long as it works." Of course, we'd all hope that any government we elect would be able to honor, protect and serve its citizens to its fullest extent. This does not mean however, that we should expect government to do for us what we can do for ourselves. Do we need health care reform? Absolutely. Do we need help from our lawmakers that help homeowners all around the country keep their homes? Without a doubt. There's little disagreement when these questions are posed but the proposals differ and unfortunately, the ideas are run to the ground. There's little to no bipartisanship on many of the major issues in the political arena.

Health care; or in my eyes, sick care, is one of them. Both parties agree not enough Americans possess this, yet when the time comes to around to propose new methods of making it more accessible to Americans, it goes from being a noble cause and turns into political bickering. We see it today. Democrats propose federally mandated health care plans that require every American family purchase a health care plan. The problem with this is that telling the sick to purchase a mandated health care plan makes as much sense as telling those in poverty to purchase food. All too often, being sick and being in poverty come hand in hand which only makes federally mandated health care plans that much more complicated and difficult. Coming into the election, I sided with Obama's idea that all children should be required by law to possess health care insurance. Unfortunately, his advisers sidetracked him into another mandate that will do much more harm than good once implemented. If we want to reform health care, let's take the issue to the health care providers themselves and force them to lower prices or risk litigation for price gauging (something that should have been done to the oil companies). We can lower the costs of health care and we can provide tax credits for American families to purchase them. However, the last thing this country needs to be doing is creating another entitlement government program. Look at medicare and social security.. We all know how well the government bureaucracy runs THESE programs..

In terms of homeowners and the prevaling threat of foreclosure among so many millions of them, the government must take action now not by bank bailouts, but by homeowner bailouts. I'm not suggesting the government pay off the debts of millions of Americans (although it'd make much more sense than paying off the debts of private banks), but I am saying that there should be government protection besides bankruptcy for these homeowners. There should be criminal probes being undertaken by the federal government on the banks who used predatory tactics to entice homeowners they knew could not afford the loans. Although I do believe many Americans had faults of their own for taking out an unaffordable home loan, the everyday threat of bankruptcy and foreclosure is far too excessive. I believe that hundreds of billions of dollars should have been better used in a homeowners bailout program that did policies such as a temporary moratorium on national home foreclosures (a proposal Hillary Clinton championed) or more effective government programs that deferred mortgage payments for substantial time periods while families got back on solid ground. There's no reason for the astronomical foreclosure rates going on around the country.

- David Solis

On Education

2009-07-09T20:28:00.000-04:00

In the midst of war, government reforms and other vast programs being undertaken by the federal government; we've yet to focus on the one most important asset of our nation: the Youth. Repeatedly it's been asked; why does our government always have money for war but when it comes time for more funds for education, it becomes a matter of debate and bureaucracy? It doesn't take long for money to reach the weapons industry but for some reason, schools have to go through an unnecessary hassle of begging and pleading with the state for more funds. We can't just point a finger at our legislators and ask them what they're doing about education in Washington D.C. without asking ourselves the question of how they got there in the first place. Us. We refuse to take responsibility as united citizens to work together in order to further educate our youth. These very young children and young adults of today are tomorrow's leaders and while schools hold bake sales to acquire funds to maintain their schools, other industries are eating out of taxpayers hands. We need to re-evaluate our priorities as a nation, a society and as a people. While I do not suggest that the government overhaul the education system and nationalize all universities, why not make college education more accessible to those who strive for it but can't quite afford it? Federal and state loans aren't enough; we know not all of our country's citizens are willing to attend 4 year universities but we must make other vocations and job training programs possible for our country's youth. By no means am I an expert on education so if I give anyone the impression that I think I know even enough about the education system, I apologize for making such a distorted impression. This much I know though; our education system has failed us. Our ancestors, forefathers and parents all demonstrated throughout history the importance of an education; Let us come together and acknowledge the importance of education reform so that one day, the Youth can say without fear, reluctance or hesitation, "I can make it".

- David Solis

Is this Change?

2009-07-08T18:02:00.004-04:00

Here we are, nearly 6 months into President Obama's presidency and while I told myself I would give our new president a few months to show what he can do, I am truthfully dissatisfied and upset with the policies he's chosen to undertake as a president who won on the premise of 'change'. I ask this: what change have we seen to our country since January 20th, 2009? In regard to the budget, it's become a matter of disregard to the administration. There are no plans to balance the budget and little to no indications that this is even a goal of Obama's cabinet. The administration and their economic 'experts' promised unemployment would not reach 10%; promise broken. They promised more regard towards prisoners of war and due process rights; promise broken. They promised a revival in the economy; promise broken. While Obama's predecessor is responsible for much of the condition of the country, we cannot allow ourselves to avoid pointing a finger at Obama's administration and keeping them unaccountable for their campaign promises. This is Obama's presidency and instead of having an administration which works for the American people, we've seen the ultra-wealthy and influential lobby groups take over. During his campaign, Obama demonizd these very people; now it seems they're in bed with them. Working in cahoots, can we confide in a president who takes our tax money towards companies "too big to fail"? Aren't we all too big to fail? Nevertheless, we have seen change in 6 months. We've seen the economy worsen; even AFTER the bailouts, the "stimulus package" and numerous other policies this adminstration promised would revive and give the economy a jolt. Instead of saving jobs, we've seen our country post historic unemployment numbers. Many of these many workers confided in Obama's promise that their jobs are in better hands under his administration and its policies. Now the administration openly admits there will be new, expensive taxes placed upon businesses; not including the new "health care reform" that the administration is coming up with. Makes me wonder.. When the economy is in bad shape, why spend money we don't have? Why bailout the banks who helped create this crisis in the first place? Why tread on the downtrodden?

THOUGHTS PLEASE, FOLKS.

- David Solis