Hope After All

I ceased writing in my political blog in November 2016. I was done for, and depressed. I simply did not have the heart to go on with writing about politics. The election of Trump saw to that. It was as if his incredulous existence as commander-in-chief smashed all hope for the future.

Now that we are to be rid of the bombastic imbecile come January 2021, I feel moved to begin blogging again. While the damage Trump caused might take a long time to fix, just knowing he will soon be off the world stage (for all intents and purposes) is a great relief. The fact that he refuses to concede the election is no surprise. His lack of character predicted the behavior, frankly, as did his pre-election set-up of the results (the words "rigged" and "fake" come to mind).

However, some of the damage Trump caused during his presidency will not be reversible. There will be no recovery of life for those lost to the corona virus pandemic  because of Trump's incompetence and/or lack of insight or concern to inform the public sooner about its existence. There will be no recovery from the high stress over loss of income because of the pandemic. No job, no food, no roof over one's head, let alone health insurance to get help if sickness occurs. 

Meanwhile, our so-called leader emphasized the lack of need to wear a mask to protect others - going as far as to recommend consuming bleach to fight the virus instead - and ginning-up those with a violent propensity to continue on, to never give up the "game" even if it costs more American lives. 

The jubilation felt by me and millions of others when Joe Biden won the election was beyond describable. And, despite Trump's crass denials and refusal to concede, I think it's safe to say our long, horrible nightmare is just about over. 

His refusal to concede with grace and dignity as those have done before him merely reiterates my first impression of Trump. He is an incompetent fool who is determined to make a spectacle of himself right to the very end.

Off the Rails

Stephen King's 3am tweet sums up how I feel at the moment.

I can't even bear to watch the news, therefore my television is off and will remain so. I can't stand the sight or sound of the clown that is the new president-elect. He deserves as much respect as republicans gave President Obama these past eight years.

Now I fully understand why Europe and the rest of the world think Americans are stupid. I can't recall ever being in such a foul mood as I am now.

 

I can usually find the humor in any situation, but not this time.

DNC Speechifying

My favorite line from last night's Democratic National Convention:

"I'm a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one."

- Michael Bloomberg when referring to Donald Trump.

And of course President Obama's speech was eloquent, and spot-on.

"Ronald Reagan called America 'a shining city on a hill.' Donald Trump calls it 'a divided crime scene' that only he can fix. It doesn't matter to him that illegal immigration and the crime rate are as low as they've been in decades, because he's not offering any real solutions to those issues. He's just offering slogans, and he's offering fear. He's betting that if he scares enough people, he might score just enough votes to win this election. That is another bet that Donald Trump will lose. Because he's selling the American people short. We are not a fragile or frightful people. Our power doesn't come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order." Click here to read the speech in full.

Listening to and watching President Obama last night made me realize how much I'm going to miss him when he leaves office. His steady hand and rational focus are qualities mislaid long ago by those on the right side of the aisle.

RNC Heave Ho

I haven't been moved to make a blog entry in quite some time, obviously. Since my last post in 2014, both my parents passed away and I've also made a major move to a new home.

But after the conclusion of tonight's Republican National Convention, I was forced to express my opinion. How could I not after such a ridiculous debacle?

Every presidential election cycle, I listen to and/or watch both the Democrat and Republican conventions. I want to hear both sides. However, this year's RNC can be summed headlined in one sentence: "2016 Gag-Almighty Puke-Fest."

Trump is the biggest phony I've ever had to endure listening to, and his audience is comprised of what can only be described for the most part as rabid dogs who, while claiming to be Christians, chanted "lock her up" when Hillary Clinton was referenced even though she has never been convicted of any crimes. The alleged "crimes" have been perpetuated by right wing nuts for so long that their body-snatcher followers actually believe their merits despite the failure of multiple congressional inquiries - and millions of taxpayer dollars - to prove otherwise.

The time between now and the November election is going to seem like an eternity.

Two-Faced Fast Food

Back in 2012, I wrote a post about various reactions to President Obama's reelection: Distasteful Citizenry (11/09/12).

Included in the post was mention of certain fast food chains that became involved in the negative mix. In particular, the super-rich Papa John's founder who tried to blame the onset of Obamacare as the reason he could only insure one in three workers.

However, pizza man is now selling one of his Utah condos for $17.9 million.

• Papa John's founder lists ski home for $17.99 million making it the most expensive condo ever listed in Utah

Am I the only one to see the hypocrisy? I don't think so. Some of the comments following the Daily Mail article read as follows:

• His pizza is a degradation to pizza. This is the guy who cut employees hours so he wouldn't have to provide healthcare. Typical right winger. A GREEDY JOKE! (Orlando, Florida).
• I hear he has to sell so he can afford the ACA mandate for his subordinates. People, don't buy pizza from the chains. Support your mom and pops or make it yourself. Pizza doesn't cost $20!!!! (Albuquerque, NM).
• My guess is he doesn't eat his own pizza if his properties look like that... (California).
• Bottom line is this: he doesn't make a single dollar without all the workers slaving away for min wage and tips in his Pizzerias and driving to make deliveries 24/7. I am all for making good money, but this is just gross American mega consumption at its worst. They should all go on strike. (Boston).
• You know what's funny - their pizza SUCKS! Who buys that garbage? (Boston).

I quite agree…

More of the Same

I know it's been months since I've posted a blog entry, but I haven't been moved to do so in all that time. Although I'm abreast of the news on a daily basis (listening to MSNBC in the background as I work), I've had zero interest in the typical gamut of news stories which relate to "politics as usual."

Is it any wonder I'm disgusted with the American political arena? The nuts just keep talking:

• Congressman: The Wife Is To Voluntarily Submit To Her Husband
• Mike Huckabee: Democrats Want Women To Believe They Cannot Control Their Libido
• Republicans believe rich people just work harder. So how do they explain these statistics?
• Republicans to the Poor: "You Built That!"

I have to admit following the unfolding scandals(s) in New Jersey as I watch Rachel Maddow nearly every night. Widespread corruption seems to follow those who think they are above the rest, which is another reason I'm disgusted with the governing body in Washington D.C. and politicians in general.

Thumbs & Whine

Watching the news these days is an utter bore. I'm fed up with the ongoing right-wing whine about Obamacare and their fruitless efforts to squelch it. In short, our lawmakers are sitting around with their thumbs up their asses and not doing the jobs we elected them to do. If I hear one more belligerent republican state "the majority of American people don't want Obamacare" I'm going to reach into the television and strangle them. They do not speak for me, or millions of other Americans who are in dire need of decent healthcare.

To that end, I read the following bit this morning:

• A Small Business Response to Obamacare

To quote some of the article as it was displayed in Shelf Awareness:

On his blog, Jarek Steele, co-owner of Left Bank Books, St. Louis, Missouri offered a "small business response to Obamacare" noting that the indie bookstore "pays 100% of our full-time employees' health insurance premium. I'll also let you in on another secret - by the end of this year, my bookstore will have paid $270,550 over the past five years for health insurance. Our group is (obviously) small; an average of 12 people are enrolled. Each bookseller's premium averages out to about $415 per month. We each have a $5,000 deductible.

"The message being blasted from the rooftops of opponents of Obamacare this week is that those figures I just gave you are precisely why Obamacare is unfair, that it will put a burden on individuals and small businesses like mine and force us to increase what we spend on healthcare. They don't want you to know that many small businesses like mine actually think that having health insurance is an important aspect of having a functional, happier, healthier, more productive employee. This small business in the reddest of all red states - count me in."

As for the daily news, every time I hear mention of healthcare on CNN or MSNBC the television goes mute or the channel is quickly changed. I'm simply disgusted by our lawmakers and their inability to do an honest day's work, and I'm tired of hearing about it.

Back to Basics

I gained a modicum of respect for Chris Christie during Hurricane Sandy and the aftermath, but I should have known better:

• How Chris Christie's Plan To Replace Senator Lautenberg Will Waste Millions In Taxpayer Dollars

I suppose he just can't help himself. True colors will out.

Bits About Benghazi

Good stuff from Daily Kos:

• Forget everything you think you know about Benghazi ... here is THE definitive timeline

• GOP BS Fail: Benghazi White House Emails were Doctored

• Will nothing stop shameless Dick Cheney from his incessant jabbering about Benghazi?

Next?

Right-Wing Diatribe

This is so utterly tiresome…

Does the right-wing think if they repeat the word BENGHAZI often enough it will in itself create a scandal? Come on, already!

• Embassy Staff Undercut Whistleblower Testimony on Benghazi

Where was GOP outrage when Bush lied in order to engage the war in Iraq, where more than 4,000 Americans were killed? Another sticky point they have conveniently forgotten is their partisan blockage of increasing funds for security in American embassies.

While right-wing "action" in Congress is pathetic yet typically hypocritical, their obvious attempts to point scandal in Hillary Clinton's direction merely shows their deep fear she will wipe the floor with them if she decides to run for president in 2016.

In essence, the GOP has no credible alternatives. Chris Christie might have a chance in 2016, but not if he's pitted against Hillary Clinton.

Sunday Smile

This is just too funny…

Donald Trump launches Twitter tirade against Jon Stewart after comedian jokes about mogul's secret birth name

I nearly fell out of my chair from laughing after reading the article.

I had to share it!

House of Cowards

The failure and cowardice of the Senate yesterday is just another example of their unfitness to conduct the nation's business. These men and women are not serving their constituents as they were elected to do, but rather serving their own careers and self-interests. Being a congressperson or Senator is not supposed to be a path to advance one's own agenda or financial well-being. They are meant to serve the people, plain and simple. Where do they get off going against the wishes of the people?

It reminds me of election night last year. Even to the last minute, right-wing media was blissfully unaware of shifting demographics and values in the United States. Their denial and anger at the election results merely emphasized how out of touch with the people they really are. And so it continues.

Hopefully all of them pay a heavy price at the next election. Despite their collective belief that the American masses are comprised of fools and idiots, we are onto them.

And we won't forget their cowardice when it comes time to cast our ballots again.

Warped Huckster

The selection of decent talk radio programs in my area is decidedly right-wing, which is an immediate turnoff. The only show near to being rational and objective is – believe it or not – Geraldo Rivera's weekday broadcasts.

However, the other day I happened to be stuck in a drive-through line at a convenience store. I turned on the radio and began listening to former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee's rather repulsive jabber. He was going on about homeless people receiving cell phones subsidized by the government (aka "Obama phones"), commiserating with a caller when she declared homeless shelters in New York City were indeed passing out free cell phones to the indigent.

I don't know whether it was my timing, or if the actual content of his typical weekday show is gleefully mocking of the poor and homeless, but this is what I heard (the wording paraphrased from my memory, but I'm sure you’ll get the drift):

I hope homeless people who receive cell phones spend all their free minutes dodging marketing ads. Wouldn't it be great if they got calls from insurance companies fishing for homeowners? Poetic justice, indeed!

Hmmm. Might not the homeless use cell phones to schedule job interviews, or contact family members worried about their well-being? Did Huckabee consider his joke wouldn't be funny to those who lost perfectly good homes – and livelihoods – because of the Republican-Bush-rotted economy?

What the hell kind of Christian is former Baptist minister Huckabee?

Well Said

Very true when you think about it:

A few more related quotes by Voltaire:

• The art of government is to make two-thirds of a nation pay all it possibly can pay for the benefit of the other third.

• In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another.

• Tyrants have always some slight shade of virtue; they support the laws before destroying them.

Go to Brainy Quotes for more from Voltaire (and others).

Differing Definitions

It's all how you look at it…

Most people on food stamps would rather not be doing so. Does the right-wing honestly think people enjoy the loss of dignity and self-respect?

I've been in both places, so I already know the answer. However, it's the complete lack of humanity from the so-called Christian right-wing that churns my disgust the most.

Chosen Among Us

It's as obvious as the elephant in the room. Just because he accepted disaster aid for New Jersey – and showed his appreciation to President Obama - Chris Christie is persona non-grata within his own party.

• GOP tent not big enough for Chris Christie, says CPAC chair

It says a lot about the GOP as a whole. If they won't even accept one of their own just for doing the job he was elected to do, how on earth can they convince people they are ready to open the door for minorities, the poor and the otherwise socially marginalized?

However, they have plenty of room for the likes of Todd Akin, proponent of the magiclady parts theory, or wannabe senator Richard Mourdock, who believes rape babies are a gift from God – not to mention top right-wing nut jobs such as Palin and Trump.

Swiss Equity

How I wish the United States had a similar measure:

• Switzerland Clamps Down Hard on Executive Pay

From Think Progress: Voters in Switzerland overwhelmingly approved new measures to clamp down on executive pay. Under the approved referendum — which means that the new provisions will be added to the Swiss constitution — shareholders will have the ability to veto executive pay packages, so-called "golden parachutes" will be outlawed, and executives who defy the rules could see jail time.

In a semi-related story, the New York Times reports that Corporate Profits Have Risen Almost 20 Times Faster Than Workers' Incomes Since 2008.

House of Dipsticks

I hope voters remember the behavior of their representatives when the next election rolls around.

• How Looming Budget Cuts Will Hurt GOP Leadership's Home States

However, in the case of certain states (you know who you are), hatred of President Obama exceeds all common decency, concern for fellow human beings and is devoid of any recognizable form of patriotism. Our governing bodies, specifically the GOP-controlled House of Representatives, are a major global embarrassment. They make the USA look like a nation of dipsticks.

I sincerely hope Boehner and McConnell are the first two kicked to the curb.

Steady Hand at the Wheel

Great speech!

• Obama challenges GOP at State of the Union

The quality I most admire about President Obama is his natural ability of speaking rationally even in the face of an absurdly hateful and resentful Congress. His calm and steady hand is a great reassurance to those of us who view the GOP as out of touch and beyond reason.

Fixing the Vote

They can't win major elections on the basis of their candidates or political messages – take a look at gerrymandering and their attempts to block the vote – so now the GOP wants to tinker with the Electoral College:

Changing the rules, not the party

From First Read: Republicans are looking to improve their standing in time for the next presidential election. They want to do a better job reaching out to Latinos, they want to soften their tone when it comes to social issues, and they want to narrow their techno operation gap with Democrats. But here's another way you might not have heard: Some Republicans are looking to change the Electoral College system in battleground states that Democrats have won in the last two cycles. As the Washington Post reports, Republicans in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia - all controlled at the state level (in some form or fashion) by the GOP - have proposed awarding their Electoral College votes by congressional district instead of the winner-take-all approach used by every state except for two (Maine and Nebraska).

Grand Theft Election: How Republicans Plan to Rig Electoral College & Steal White House

From the Center for American Progress: The Republican Plan would reallocate electoral votes so that a maximum of two electoral votes would go to the overall winner of several key blue states. The lion's share of the state's electors would then be allocated one by one to the presidential candidate who won each individual congressional district.

There were a few lone voices of reason amongst the right-wing, however:

GOP Florida House Speaker Blasts Plan To Rig Electoral College

According to Think Progress: Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford (R) poured cold water on a Republican plan to rig the Electoral College that is being considered in a number of states to all but ensure that the next president will be a Republican. "To me, that's like saying in a football game, 'We should have only three quarters, because we were winning after three quarters and the beat us in the fourth," Weatherford, a Republican, told the Herald/Times. "I don't think we need to change the rules of the game, I think we need to get better."

Fellow Republican leader, Senate President Don Gaetz, wasn't favorable to the plan either. He said he would prefer a more progressive proposal: abolishing the Electoral College and replacing it with a national popular vote. Said Gaetz: "The farmer standing in his field in North Dakota should be just as important as the factory worker in Ohio."

Whatever happened to the party of Lincoln? Instead of entering into politics for the best of possible reasons – representing their constituents comes to mind as a priority – they lie, cheat and steal their way into office. Is it any wonder many of us look upon the right-wing as a collective group of unhinged fanatics? They are hell-bent on imposing their antiquated social edicts on everyone, taking away freedom of choice in most instances and then dismissing the relevance of the growing population and ever-changing demographics of America.

And why don't reasonable big-name Republicans point out the dishonesty? NJ Governor Chris Christie comes to mind, as does John McCain to a lesser extent (although he has lost much of his credibility in recent years).

Or have they all gone over to the dark side?