Red, Brown & Blue

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Our long-term goal is to create a higher-level conversation in the political sphere, comprised of equal parts reason, compassion, determination, and foresight. Ultimately, Red Brown and Blue would like to start or shape positive ideas that resonate nationally and globally. We think the more people who read our work, the more people will join the conversation and help us all move forward in a positive direction. You can help by pointing us out to your friends, family, and coworkers. If you like our essays, please email them to your contacts and share our links across your social networks. In order to get people to talk about important issues, sometimes we need to be the one among our friends who starts talking.

Red Brown and Blue examines issues affecting the people of the United States, the causes of those issues, and changes that could be made to improve the lives of the people impacted. Here on the site, we deliver articles of new, original thought to the conversation several times a week. But did you know that we collect stories from around the web generated by news outlets, creative thinkers,and progressive organizations that may be of interest to RBB followers? Those like-minded pieces can come to you by following us on Twitter @RedBrownandBlue and by liking our page onFacebook.

Talk to you soon!

Merry Christmas from RBB!

It’s Christmas time! The season of giving and goodwill is upon us, and the politicians in our nation’s capitol could definitely stand an injection of both. Boehner and Cantor should exchange the lumps of coal they’ll certainly receive for a few sprigs of mistletoe, snuggle up together next to a fireplace, and release all of the tensions that have turned them into such intransigent Scrooges. Get Mitch McConnell in on that action, too. Nobody should be alone at Christmas. Obama needs to recall the promises made in 2008 and find the Christmas spirit to deliver on the issues on which he’s since wavered before he finds himself stuck on Santa’s naughty list. And the Republican contenders should all get together for a big crazy Christmas party where everybody gets loose enough to be friendly and stop bickering for a few hours. Have it at Rick Perry’s place. He’s got plenty of room. Continue reading “Merry Christmas from RBB!” »

Economic Strength and Responsibility

The discussion surrounding the financial health of the United States and what must be done to rectify our economic struggle spends a lot of time in the news cycle. Deficit spending and government waste frequently get the blame for economic strife when, in fact, other factors weigh more heavily on the soft state of U.S. money. Trade imbalances, job exportation, unfunded military campaigns, and political opposition to tax revenues all play a significant part in the stress on our economy. A progressive and carefully planned policy of economic strength and responsibility could address these issues and reverse the declining power of the dollar both in the U.S. and abroad. Continue reading “Economic Strength and Responsibility” »

Congress to Kids: Drop Dead

The following appeared originally on December 17, 2011 at Appetite for Profit, the website of Michelle Simon. Ms. Simon focuses on the food industry and the influence big business exerts on our diet. Please visit AppetiteForProfit.com to read her blog, see other published work, or buy her book.

Last month, when Congress declared pizza a vegetable, it was hard to believe things could get much worse. But never underestimate politicians’ ability to put corporate interests ahead of children’s health. In the massive budget bill just passed, Congress stuck in language to require the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a cost/benefit analysis before finalizing a report that would provide the food industry with science-based nutrition guidelines for marketing to children. Experts from four federal agencies put heads together, and for the past two years have tried to complete its charge (which ironically, came from Congress in the first place) amidst powerful industry push-back. Continue reading “Congress to Kids: Drop Dead” »

The Bill of Rights

I want to talk about the Bill of Rights this holiday season. Why, you ask? What in Concha’s kitchen does the Bill of Rights have to do with the holiday season when everyone is out and about “malling” each other (or perhaps it’s “mauling” each other) over the latest smart phone, gaming console (even though there are probably two or three back home already), must-have outfit, or perfume? Why be such a buzz killer when everybody or just about everybody is out stressing over spending money they don’t have? Who cares if most Americans don’t know what the Bill of Rights are? Aren’t they just some words on paper that some old, dead, white dudes wrote a long time ago? Continue reading “The Bill of Rights” »

Know Your Vote: The Republicans

With the clock ticking toward Election Day 2012, Red Brown and Blue will further its aim of increasing political education and involvement by examining the political parties, their candidates, and how closely their platforms align with progressive ideology.

As half of the two-party domination of the U.S. political system, the Republicans should be very familiar to all. The previous resident of the White House, the current leaders of the House of Representatives, and the stars of 2011′s favorite reality television programming (the Republican debate series) all fall into the Republican Party ranks. Like Spy vs. Spy, the Republicans and Democrats engage in unending competition for political control of our nation, one-upping each other for the appearance of leadership but frequently locked in stalemate. Continue reading “Know Your Vote: The Republicans” »