War of Words

It's been a minute since I've written about politics, but given the State of Union speech having happened this week, and the looming threat of another shutdown, it seemed like a good time to ramble on about some of my recent thoughts regarding the political climate around here. I think it prudent that I point out that I am an unapologetic liberal, and that's because I think the role of government is to create a fair and even playing field for all, to hold accountable those who seek to exploit others, and to help those who need assistance. A government is the body that makes the rules, and I believe those rules should be designed to protect the needs of the many and the greater good.

In that pursuit, there are certainly differences in policy as to how best achieve those results. And there are arguments that can be made for each approach. For example, you could argue that free markets, less regulation, and lower taxes benefit the greater good by providing more jobs and prosperity and you'd be able to find a wealth of data to both support and contradict that position. However, the problem with that approach is that it must come with ways to safeguard other interests. You can't have that position without putting into play other policies that ensure that those moves steer you to the desired results, instead of steering you toward runaway corporate greed, environmental disaster, and outsourcing. These are the kinds of debates that an open diplomatic system would have. But our current discourse has become so divided that any debate instantly becomes an attack, attacks become insults, and meanwhile, the men (and sadly, it is mostly men) behind the curtain continue to manipulate everything for their own benefit...with our money.

A good example of this was Trump's attempted appeal to compromise. He told us that our Congress needed to compromise, but only if it still gives him exactly what he wants...a wall, and no investigations in potential crimes. Yeah, that's not how compromise works. The result is that both sides dig in even deeper.  

Every day, we're seeing a new Democrat announce his or her intent of becoming president. Most seem to be embracing the positions that are widely popular among the party...even if they have held other views in the past. Now, I'm not saying that people can't change their opinion on a subject. I know that I have many times in my life. But I see way too many politicians adopting positions that are politically convenient. These are not the people who are going to be able to change things. Things get changed not by those who seek what is convenient, but by those who are passionate. And I think this is exactly why Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both excites those who agree with her and terrifies those who disagree. 

I'm going to use her to bring the discussion back around to discourse. She has been making sensible, reasoned arguments for things like money in politics, tax reform, and climate policy. And rather than discuss the policies, or attempt to refute her positions, those who oppose have taken simply to insulting her, insinuating that she isn't intelligent, or that she's too young doesn't know what she's talking about. 

It is up to all of us to examine issues, research them, consider them...not just listen to what the pundits want us to believe. Just because they keep saying there is a crisis on the border, just because they send troops there, doesn't mean it exists. And even it did, it doesn't mean a wall is a solution. There are no easy solutions to problems. Don't be fooled by them. Engage with open minds and open hearts and solutions are possible.

Americrisis

Today's stunning Op-Ed in the New York Times is troubling for so many reasons. First and foremost, it supports the claim that the sane majority has believed for two years, that we have a president completely unqualified and unable to perform the job. On a daily basis, we see an executive branch that continues to tear away at the foundations of our democracy and puts the person of the president before the good of the nation. 

But the article is troubling on another level, and that pertains to the potential of such an inside obstructionist agenda within the White House. This person is NOT helping, as he or she suggests. If he or she truly feel this way, then resign and speak out and speak loudly. Whether we like it or not, Donald Trump was elected president, not this unidentified person. The actions detailed in this Op-Ed are the kind that allow Trump to fuel his dictator rhetoric of a Deep State working against him and can be used as an excuse that the entirety of the government is corrupt and thwarting the will of the people and thereby gives him not other choice but to seize more power. This is how democracies become dictatorships. 

Dict(ator) Move

So I'd be neglect if I didn't comment on the news of the week. Our president fired the FBI director who was in the process of investigating his campaign, stating some excuse that nobody except his ignorant base would believe. Of course, it's since come out that the real reason was because the FBI wasn't doing enough to silence all this Russia intrigue. This was either the stupidest thing this very intelligently challenged President has done, or it's the first step toward his dictatorship.

Un-America

With all of the craziness that is currently going on in D.C., it's hard to decide where to focus efforts, anger, and frustration. But Trump's ban on refugees from seven Muslim countries, and the instituting of religion preference is perhaps the most UnAmerican act a President has ever taken, right alongside the WWII Japanese interment camps. Hiding behind this ridiculous notion of "extreme vetting" is the biggest joke, as if the U.S. currently grants refugee status without vetting. The idea of religious preference is completely against what this country was founded on. The idea that people fled where they were because of religious persecution is the reason we believe in the Freedom of Religion. 

And to make all of it worse, the people perpetrating these illegal actions are those who claim they love America more than others. They declare that liberals hate America. From what I see, we are the only ones who actually love the ideals that America is supposed to stand for!

Black Friday

A few hours ago, a completely incompetent, arrogant, and dangerous man was sworn in the be the leader of the Free World. Ironic considering he was granted that position through a campaign of exclusion, belittling, and information suppression. Anybody who is not concerned about what a Trump administration might do is naive at best. The dangers are very real and the consequences are far-reaching. Despite this, I will say that I hope that he does a fantastic job. I hope he doesn't necessarily believe the things he's said. I hope a few months on the job will humble him. I hope, I hope, I hope...though I have little faith.

The United Hates of America

The election is now two weeks behind us in the rear view mirror, but the effects of it loom on the horizon like a blazing light blinding the future for the next four years. I was too upset to write about it prior to now. I needed time to gather my thoughts, to digest the horror that we now face. In the days that followed, I held out hope that the man who had spent most of his life as a Democrat would soften his positions. I waited to see if the rhetoric of his campaign was simply a ploy to fool the "under educated" to cast their vote for him. I thought perhaps he would pick more moderate people to fill his cabinet. Unfortunately, we now have answers to all of those questions, and none of the answers are the ones I'd hoped for.

I'd been saying all during the election cycle that Trump wasn't running for President, he was running to become a dictator. His actions in the past two weeks only seem to support that theory. Not only has he chosen disgusting people to fill the top positions, but he continues to attack the basic beliefs of the Constitution. This past week, he made clear attacks on the free speech, the right protest, and the press. He continues to lash out at any person or organization that criticizes him. So what happens when a nation criticizes the inevitable horrible decisions he will make? What happens to our already fragile journalism when he "opens up the libel laws?" And what happens when the rash of hate crimes that followed his election continue and grow? What is his relation to Russia and the dangerous role they played in our democracy? How will Trump respond?

The problem with a Trump Presidency is that we have no idea what the answers to these questions will be. He is simply too unpredictable. And now he is the most powerful man in the world. I'm truly fearful for the future of our country and the institutions and principles that guide it. Beyond that, I'm fearful for the world and the environmental and military risks that it now faces. And I'm even more afraid that those who voted for him will continue to support him and lap up the bullshit he will continue to feed them.

Shame on You, America!

The other day, the New York Times released this video of supporters at Trump rallies across America during the course of his campaign of hate. It is a disgraceful display of ignorance, anger, and hatred that has no place in this country, let alone in our political dialogue.

By no means am I saying people need to back Hillary Clinton. I have my own issues with her, though I will vote her, even if only to keep that fascist out of the White House. However, there are other choices out there than voting for Trump. If you are thinking about voting for Trump, keep in mind that you will be aligning yourself with people like the ones in this video.

But even if he doesn't get elected, which I'm fairly confident that he won't, the cesspool of hatred that he has drudged up with continue to fester. His campaign has awakened a beast that will not be easily calmed. Even after he is defeated, there will be work for all of us to do in trying to enlighten our fellow Americans who are stuck in a backwards way of thinking.

The United Hates of America

Despite the fact that the political rhetoric in this country from both sides has tried for the better part of two decades to paint a picture of impeding doom if the other side were to take control, it was usually just bluster. However, the same rhetoric may in fact be true this election cycle. This is shaping up to perhaps be the most crucial election in the history of America. The reason I say this is because of the front runner of the Republican primaries. Though I've ceased to be amazed by the demagoguery spewing from his orange face, I continue to be surprised by the behavior on display at his political rallies, which are beginning to look more and more like those in Nazi Germany. And like Nazi Germany, his supporters are made up of ONE race. Donald Trump is rallying angry, ignorant white voters in a frightening way, appealing to their hatred and somehow convincing them that the progressive moves we've made as a nation away from such hatred is simply "political correctness." 

If elected, there is no way a President Trump, an unabashed bully, is going to listen to Congress. There is no reason to suggest he'd even obey the Constitutional law. This is a man who believes he is greater than any law as he sits above the rest of us in his golden tower (literally). Thankfully, I still have faith that the American people as a whole are smarter than the voters in the primaries have been, because I fear for a nation under the authority of a such a hateful megalomaniac. More than ever, we need God to bless America and rid of us the poison he spouts.

The Man Who Wants to Own the World

A few months ago when billionaire buffoon Donald Trump threw his hair piece into the running for President, it was all fun and games. No one took him seriously, especially when his announcement came with a statement referring to Mexicans as criminals and rapists. And for a while it was fun to listen to his idiotic ramblings and laugh at him and the morons who were attending his rallies. But over the past several weeks, the joke suddenly doesn't seem so funny anymore.

With each new outrageous thing he says, whether it's that we should kill the families of terrorists, or that we should ban Muslims, or that we need to shut off the internet in some way, his poll numbers simply go up and up and up. In typical demagogue fashion, he seems to be playing on people's fears and anger, stirring their hatred and using it to secure the support of masses of ignorant voters. What is even more frightening is that he doesn't seem to even understand the issues he's commenting on and his supports hardly seem to notice or care as they give standing ovations to his nonsense. 

In the past, we've often wondered how someone like Hitler got elected. It seemed an inconceivable mystery to me, until now, because we are currently witnessing how Hitler got elected. And just like Hitler, if this guy is elected, it won't end with four years. He's already shown that he doesn't respect Congress, not to mention anybody who disagrees with his bullshit. He's already talked about closing the borders, limiting the internet and free speech, and an intolerance for the press. I fear Donald Trump isn't running for President, he's running for Dictator. But I'm greatly confident this fascist won't win any election.