capitalisthippie.net

So, I will admit that I am pleased with the outcome of the Presidential election and I hope Obama delivers.  However, the more I pay attention to politics, the more I realize that our elected officials VERY RARELY represent my points of view OR the views of the vast majority of my friends and acquaintances.

It just makes me wonder, how is it that our electoral process so frequently results in representation by people who have only a handful of views that are aligned with what me and most of the people I know believe.  Here is an example of issues for which the vast majority of our representatives do not reflect my views or the views of most people I know:

1. Legalization of Weed for Recreational Use - Most people I talk to are totally for legalizing pot, and yet it seems that none of our senators or other “representatives” share this widely accepted view.

2. Peace - Even Barack Obama wants to expand our presence in Afghanistan.  Yeah, he opposed the war in Iraq, but will not take a firm no war stance.  Maybe I am naive but I want representation that uses war ONLY as a last resort.

3. Animal Rights - This is low on every politican’s list of priorities and yet it seems like such a glaring “civil rights” issue to me.  California just passed a law allowing animals the basic right to stand, turn around in their cages and otherwise be provided with bare minimum living conditions.  I can’t understand for a second why this is not at the top of a national agenda.  And, I think that most people would agree with this, and yet there is no focus on it from our politicians.

4. Signficantly Stronger Investment in Public Education - Find me a person who does not think the schools should have bigger budgets and better standards.  I would be hard pressed to say that Education wouldn’t be at the top of everyone’s list of priorities for their children.  Yet, there is very little focus on this from the people who “represent” us.

Quite frankly, I pay a shitload of taxes.  For once, I would like to see some people in goverment who share any of these opinions, which seem to resonate with the majority of the country.

-Joey Flores
The Capitalist Hippie Complex
www.CapitalistHippie.com
www.Myspace.com/thechc

So, the Big Three from Detroit fly to Washington in private jets to explain why they need the American people to cut them a $25 Billion check to save their failing companies.  They thought nothing of the signal they would send about their inability to sacrifice their own comfort in their quest.  That I know of, none of them offered to take salary reductions or otherwise make any personal sacrifice for a near decade of blunders estimating the direction of the market.

In 1974, Tower of Power, my 2nd favorite funk band, released the song “Only So Much Oil in the Ground”.  After 34 years of time that American companies could have spent preparing for fuel shortages and other extremely predicatable market conditions, gas prices soar and Ford and GM are stuck making more Hummers and other gas-guzzling pieces of shit than ever.  Every dipshit in America is caught with their pants down driving an SUV that plummets in value and then trying to sell them at huge losses.

Meanwhile, Exxon Mobile breaks profit records quarter after quarter after quarter.

Well, I tell you what…the gas is getting low in my Nissan Hybrid and I need a fucking bailout.  Despite having paid massive taxes last year, I still owe another $5,000 and it looks like over $3,000 of that is going to pay for BIG TIME CROOKS on Wall Street and BIG TIME MORONS in Detroit, who over-extended themselves on bad fucking loans or big fucking trucks and are now claiming that we need to save ourselves from this financial crisis.  Meanwhile, our air quality has suffered at their hands, as have our foreclosed families and everyone inbetween.

Where is MY FUCKING BAILOUT?

You don’t see me asking for money stepping freshly off of a private jet.  You won’t see me getting my bailout check and running straight to my $440,000 spa retreat with my bankrupted compadres.

This is bullshit. As a result, we are pre-releasing our single, Brainwash for Profit off of our upcoming album.

>>Listen to BRAINWASH FOR PROFIT Here<<

There are still a few expected tweaks but we are sick and fucking tired of this shit and there has never been a better time to get the word out through music.

If you like this song, please let us know, comment here, and forward it to everyone you can and tell them to join our ranks.  Get the word out.  These crooks won’t stop until they have every last dollar.  And, if you hate this as much as I do, stop supporting these fucking companies whenever possible.

Peace.

-Joey Flores
The Capitalist Hippie Complex
www.CapitalistHippie.com
www.Myspace.com/thechc

Today activists distributed millions of copies of a fake New York Times newspaper, filled with articles declaring that seemingly impossible social and political initiatives had been pushed through for the betterment of America. I was reading some comments on this bit of news and saw that many people thought it was some sort of lame joke, trying to pass itself off as The Onion.

I don’t think any of these people realized that the intent was to bring to light what the news would really look like if we actually started making major, radical and positive change. It was intended to discuss the impact of these changes if they were to happen and make a stark contrast between that world and the twisted one we live in now.

For those of you who did not see it, you should check it out: http://www.nytimes-se.com

-Joey Flores
The Capitalist Hippie Complex
www.CapitalistHippie.com
www.Myspace.com/thechc

It has been a busy week, for both myself and the country.  People came out in record numbers last Tuesday and voted into office the first African American President of the United States.  It is truly remarkable and I can honestly say that I was never certain I would see the day.

It’s funny - before the election, all I could think about was that I wanted Obama to win due to the inspirational nature of his speaking, the majority of his political beliefs, and a hidden hope that he is even more radical than the moderates believe, which would be alright with me.  However, the night of the election, all I could think about was how amazing it was that Americans, after all of these years of discrimination, came out in record numbers to elect our first black President.  It was ubelievably moving.  I was blessed to be in New York, sharing it with millions of strangers who responded as if we were all long time friends.  We toasted with everyone, hugged perfect strangers and smiled from the announcement until this very moment.

Lastly, I will say this.  I thought John McCain’s speech that night was beyond inspirational.  The man is truly an American hero, whether I believe in his policies or not.  And, on that night, he put Counrty First as he came out and spoke about unity, support, and about the unprecedented events of the evening.  I think he helped to remind people that, if we are to succeed, we must do it together, regardless of race, political affiliation or any other social classes.  That night was the first time that I truly saw McCain as a great man and felt very inspired by him.

I look forward to the change that Barack brings to America, both through his beliefs and through what an African American President means for the progress of our country.  As a Mexican American, though privileged as I may have been in my life, I am grateful for the progress we have made for all minorities and all of the activists, leaders and voters who have helped to continue moving America forward.  Let us all continue.

Written on Sunday…

For the first time in my life, and possibly the last, this year is a chance to vote for someone who I actually want to be our President. Sure, voting has been important in the past and, as was the case with the Bush/Kerry election, I certainly wanted to do anything I could to stop George Bush from being re-elected. But this year, it’s not about voting for the lesser of two evils. I actually want to see if Barack Obama is what he says he is and, perhaps, finally have a leader I can be proud of.

That is why it is a complete cluster-fuck that I waited until the morning of my flight to NYC to go submit my early vote, ultimately resulting in my failure to do so. I woke up at 6AM, packed for my flight and drove 40 minutes to Norwalk, the only place in Los Angeles county where you can vote early. I arrived to find a line that wrapped around almost the entire municipal building. People with umbrellas, lawn chairs and a serious committment to democracy stood waiting to vote. When I asked one of the volunteers if that was the voting line, he told me it was and that he estimates about a 4 hour wait if I get in line now. Unfortunately, I had only 1.5 hours before I would have to leave for the airport.

After all of this political ranting, discussion, paying attention to news and researching a handful of issues that are most important to me, I am now one of the minority of Americans who has, by default, exercised his right not to vote. I do not get to help the animals in California by voting Yes for Prop 2. I do not get to keep marriage legal for everyone by voting No on Prop 8. I do not get to vote for Barack Obama, hopefully our first ever Black President, even after donating several hundred dollars to the cause. And, when my kids ask who I voted for in this historical election, I will have to tell them to go to their rooms.

And so, I sit here at the airport and all I can do is cross my fingers and hope that America comes out swinging on Tuesday. I will be in NYC when the results come in and, hopefully, will be celebrating with the next most progressive demographic in the country, behind my winning-ass fellow Californians. Until then, I am inspired by the mile-long line I saw in LA County this morning and am glad that so many people are not the collosal dipshit that I am.

Get out and rock the vote, people.

So, I sat here tonight, forgetful of Republican and Democrat initiatives…and I watched 42 minutes of Obama speaking just after Bill Clinton introduction.  And, here’s what I came away with.

Many people call Obama a liar.  Many people link Obama to others who make radical statements, and it terrifies them.  They use words like Socialism, Communism and terrorist, with fear and hatred.

I understand.  Every ideological position has outlandish aspects that defy everything that seems natural to us and association with these radical ideals are horrifying.  Why?  Because virtually nothing idealistic works in practical application.  Capitalism, something that I despise in its purist form, brings out the worst in people.  You cannot look at the current economic situation and defend on every level the free market.  Similarly, I heard a poet last night claim he was a Communist and support his theories, not through the practical application of Communism, but by citing the short-comings of Capitalism, which are vast.  And, most average people in communist societies will agree that they are not setup to succeed and communism is a failed system when applied in what can be its only true form - far from the ideoligocal communist manifesto.

And so, I sit listening to an Obama speech, after having heard many speeches by McCain, Palin, Obama, and a million other pundits.  Frankly, they use many of the same words.  But what I hear differently, and what brings me to the edge of my emotional seat, is not the words used or the party affiliation.  I block out the pleads from people to believe that everything these “enemies” or “pals of terrorists” would have me believe, and I listen to the words, and I believe that, at his core, Obama believes what I believe.  Whether he lies or not, he says what I believe.  McCain may be honest, but he is honestly disheartening.

Rich people do not let their money “trickle down”.  They are smart, invest it, earn more, and keep it for their children.  This sounds great, if you are a rich person’s kid, but 99% of people are not, and 99% of people are hurting right now.  Rich people understand taxes, or they hire people that do, and they pay less.  These people do not need tax cuts, and they do not spend the money they save from taxes, they save it.  I have never received money from rich people who saved on their taxesm through any channel.

Most of all, I read blogs and articles and hear reports everyday of the divisiveness of this country, and I loathe it.  Tonight I listened to a speech that did not call on me to fear the economic policies of a party or candidate.  I heard someone tell me why they believed that I deserve representation in government, not one who helps business succeed at the expense of regular people, but one who makes rich people and rich companies pay their fair share so that ordinary people can make that extra push and get somewhere in life.

I am tired of being afraid of terrorists.  I am tired of being afraid of policies.  I am tired of thinking poorly of my fellow citizens in red states, swing states and other geo-politically labeled states.  I love America.  But I don’t love America above all else.  I love America LIKE all else.  I love America like I love Israel, and Japan, the only other countries I have seen and appreciated the beauty of in person.  I love America like Mexico, the land of my grandfather.  I love America because of Jazz and our amazing film industry, and heavy metal and the Sacramento Kings.  I am TIRED of fear politics and divisiveness. I am ready for change, and I watched a candidate tonight that proposed this change while sticking to the issues and showing respect to the other party.

I am not saying that the Obama campaign has not been tough on McCain.  What I do know is, as much as he can, while still being smart about trying to win the election, Obama has tried to stick to a straight forward campaign of better policies and plans that are committed to helping people like me and my friends.  If McCain was interested in helping people like me, or creating a unified environment of trust and cooperation, I WOULD be open to voting for him, but I have not seen that.  I am not a Democrat, but I am voting for Barack Obama.  It has nothing to do with “spreading the wealth”.  It has to do with wanting a unified country and a leader who understands the central needs of people and community.  I want a leader who inspires, not divides for the sake of the vote, and induces threats at their rallies.  I want someone who organizes communities, not committees.  One who builds relationships, not pipelines.  One who engages with international threats and understands everyone’s needs, not alienates and cuts off the ties of negotiation.  I want someone who believes that hard work moves this economy, because it does.  Bring back American companies.  Bring back American values, of freedom and choice, not restriction and corruption.  Bring back peace, love, and the REAL American dream - success after hard work.

Good luck to us all on November 4th. 

–Joey Flores

The Capitalist Hippie Complex
www.CapitalistHippie.com
http://www.myspace.com/thechc

Lately I have been paying more attention to blogs, as it seems to be one place where you can find interesting news that you can’t find anywhere else.  The only problem is, just as frequently I find slanted reporting (a la Fox News), racism and partisanship.

Admittedly, bloggers cannot be held to the same level of credibility as mainstream press should be.  It’s just a shame that neither outlet can be relied upon for accurate and comprehensive information.  Not to mention, it just seems that they all talk about the same exact shit.  For God’s sake, can’t anyone here uncover a story worth reading about?

Brainwash for Profit
by The Capitalist Hippie Complex

Verse I

Corporate America - the land of corruption
Of forest destruction, Hummer combustion
All about the dollar, not the towns you’re crushin,
Never bout the nuclear waste you’re dumpin,
Gotta beat the Germans, the Japs and Russians
Gotta be the best, no interruptions

We live in the land of the… nothing is free
You and me, controlled by fear and TV
They gotta do research and see
How to make us brainwashed by three
From products made by GE
To the propagods at Disney
They’ve got ya wrapped around the digit
You better go buy that widget

Sex sells everything, run and get it

Chorus

Brainwash for profit
Chemicals and rockets
Money in their pockets
You can try but you can’t stop it

Verse II

Gotta get outta this corporate trap
Addicted to Pepsi, Coke and Crack
They want you to sit at home
Medicate, sedate your dome
Watch commercials all alone
Distracted, short attention, stoned
Look at models, you would bone
Look at cars with shiny chrome
Look at all the cash you’ve blown
So you could be a corporate clone

Drive nice cars, dress well too
Excuse us while we dictate you,
Ignore us while we kill the earth
Environment? How much is it worth?
Everything is just pros and cons
Pro-destruction, nature’s gone
Fuck the schools, we need more bombs
Vote your party, just stay calm
Prozack, Klonopin, whatcha on?
Your whole life stored on CD-ROM
Commercials are just one big con
That’s why this is Babylon

Verse III

Brainwash for profit, Money in their pocket
You think you can stop it?
You gotta gun? You better cock it
Corporations are just like weapons
Kill anything they think threatens
Things like free speech and hippie functions
Laugh about it at corporate luncheons
Board room talk about destruction
Buy the products, now you’re sucked in
This machine is just too massive
Americans, you’re just too passive

Sorry that we can’t answer journalistic questions unless we restrict people and use our sound bites.  I guess we are better off using canned lines at road rallies.

Oops, we’re sorry that our canned lines at rallies have repeatedly incited violent threats and racist remarks from our crowds.

Oh yeah, and sorry that we said that these violent and ignorant crowds are the most American parts of the country.  Although, we aren’t sure whether we’re apologizing for the implication about other “less-American” parts of the country or for the implication that being racist and violent is a core American value.

And, on that note, sorry that our peers have said any congress people who disagree with our views are also anti-American, even if those views go against the very thread of the Constitution.

But we won’t apologize for the views themselves, because we will just change the Constitution to avoid that issue in the future.

Oh, and we’re sorry that Colin Powell is now backing Obama but we’ll just have to agree to disagree, with this great patriot who may very well be the most respected military figure of the 21st century.

But, and sorry to say, what does he know?

–Joey Flores

The Capitalist Hippie Complex
www.CapitalistHippie.com
http://www.myspace.com/thechc