Are you old enough to remember when those on the “right” referred to the “New Deal” and the subsequent direction of the democratic party as “creeping socialism?”  I can still vividly remember all the naysayers complaining about Medicare, Social Security, unemployment insurance, “welfare,” and on and on as if it was to be the end of the United States of America – when, in reality, these measures led to what may end up being the high point of this great republic’s history.  I’ve been writing on this blog now for about 4+ years and slowly – as I consume book after book exposing what’s REALLY going on with my government – my conception of “what’s wrong” is becoming clearer.  The truth, as I look inward, is that I’ve been a victim of the brainwashing our government has been putting out just as the rest of Americans who watch television, listen to the radio, read the newspapers, etc.  I, personally, have never had a problem with the word socialism and have always been a bit curious as to why our “liberal media” portrays the word with such a negative connotation.  What I’m finally coming to grips with is that the multinational corporations which are slowly taking over this great nation HATE socialism because it empowers the working class of people and limits the ability of the RICH to get RICHER!  In my mind, the REAL threat to the America I’m growing old in is CREEPING FASCISM!

I know many will consider such a “claim” as being preposterous, but I believe I can back the claim up with “facts” that make it difficult to come to any other conclusion.  As I’ve watched this nation I feel so connected to slowly unravel over the past 30+ years I’ve known something is drastically wrong, I’ve never doubted that its origin is in the republican party, but I’ve struggled to manage a sense of clarity in my mind which would allow me to grasp the reality of what’s happening.  I believe that reality is finally setting in and it’s not a “pretty sight.”  The more I learn combined with reminiscing over the political observations I’ve been focused on since the 60’s are making this “reality” much, much clearer.  The first thing I needed to do in order to gain this clarity was to stop thinking that “Fascism could never happen in America – we have a democracy.”  The next thing I needed to do was understand what fascism really is – when I think of fascism I could only muster the thought of Hitler’s Germany.  Well, the definition of fascism is: “a radical and authoritarian nationalist political ideology.  Fascists seek to organize a nation according to corporatist perspectives, values, and systems, including the political system and the economy.”  I’ve read several definitions of fascism and they all come back to a collaboration between corporations and government.

Before I go any further I must remind anyone reading here about my posts regarding the book “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet.  This book chronicles a secret “cache” of fundamentalist “Christians” who have been traveling over the globe since the days of FDR organizing “cells” of business leaders and political power brokers in a right wing push to repeal the legislation of the New Deal.  These people have grown exponentially since the 30’s, they have a firm grip on legislators in both houses of our Congress, and – most significantly to me – they structured their philosophy on that of Hitler and the Third Reich!  Now, if that doesn’t get your attention, I’m not sure what will – but, I’ll keep trying.  Jim DeMint, John Ensign, Tom Coburn, John Kyl, just to name a few of the members of this group.  They are the ones behind the “National Prayer Breakfast” which draws almost EVERY US politician who wants a national “stage” each year in Washington DC.  Their immense power is totally UNKNOWN to us “little people” and they are fully intent on keeping it that way.  How significant their “tentacles” are on this “creeping fascism” I’m seeing is not clear to me – but, reading that book helped me to see that there REALLY is an organized group planning to make Karl Rove’s “permanent republican ‘majority'” a reality.  But, I digress……….

Let’s go back to the days of Ronald Reagan for starters – because, that’s where I believe this “push” managed to get into “high gear.”  When you look with 20/20 hindsight to the statistics this doesn’t seem so far fetched.  Reagan took office after the budget deficit had been reduced by Jimmy Carter around 50% during his four years as president from about $70 BILLION to $35 BILLION – I’m going strictly by memory here, but I believe those figures are pretty accurate.  Of course, Reagan’s great BS Claim was that he was going to “reduce taxes and balance the budget!”  The ONLY time I ever agreed with a Bush was when George HW Bush called Reagan’s plan “voodoo economics.”  Of course, Reagan won – with the help of the republican dirty tricksters (I don’t think we’ll ever know the full extent of what went on in that campaign because Carter was weakened by the Iran Hostage crisis – but, Reagan was too “out there” to win without some shenanigans – including the candidacy of John Anderson which drew disheartened democrats away from Carter.  As a warning to liberals – Reagan was about as much a “fringe” candidate in the 70’s as Sarah Palin is today).  Since the day Ronald Reagan moved into the White House the middle class in America has been on a down hill slide and corporate POWER has been on the RISE.  Let me lay it out for you (I’m sure there are books out there that do this much better, as I’m working from memory, but I think you’ll get the point).

First, Reagan went right after the unions.  I’ll never forget watching him, on national TV, break the PATCO Union which was the bargaining agent for the Air Traffic Controllers.  At the time Reagan took office the United States’ workforce was approximately one third unionized.  The middle class in America was thriving.  Much of what happened during the Reagan years, as I look back, was very subtle – but, when putting it all together as part of this long term “movement” which was being spearheaded by the “Family,” it was also very calculated.  For example, the union busting – those in the Family and those on the “right” during the “New Deal” HATED the unions.  Ever since the day Reagan broke the Air Traffic Controllers the percentage of our workforce that is unionized has been dwindling – and, they’re still trying to defeat those unions which still exist (I’m in one of them – the teacher’s union – and proudly so).  As of this writing, I believe the total percentage of America’s workforce which is unionized has dropped to something less than 10%!  The republican party – in conjunction with groups such as the “Family” – have convinced America’s middle class (there’s where most of the votes are) to vote against their own self interest – as unions bargain for the rights of the workers themselves – ie America’s middle class!  Then the question becomes, “how did they manage to pull this off?” Getting millions of Americans to vote against their own self interest.

Have you ever listened to Rush Limbaugh?  Sean Hannity?  Glenn Beck?  Bill O’Reilly?  Michael Savage? (Weiner) Lars Larson?  John Boehner?  Mitch McConnell?  Sarah Palin?  John McCain? any of these right wing water carriers for whomever is providing the “message?”  These people are participating in one of the greatest brainwashing schemes, in my mind, the world has ever witnessed.  I’m sure people around the world are wondering what on earth is happening to the United States of America which just 30 short years ago was the “leader of the free world.”  Well, all you have to do is listen to some of these people – for just a few moments – and FACT CHECK what they’re “spewing” and you start to get a picture of “what’s going on.”  This “brainwashing” started during the Reagan years with Limbaugh.  Since that day we’ve been hearing the term “republican talking points” and not too many people have called them (the republicans) on what that (talking points) means.  George W Bush put it best when he said he had to say things “over and over again sort of to catapult the propaganda” which is what they’ve been up to for over 30 years. 

The other day I did a little experiment.  I happened to be driving during the day and heard a conversation Thom Hartmann had with a republican regarding the impending battle over the “tax cuts for the rich.”  (Hartmann, if you don’t know, is a “progressive talker” on the radio – and, this was prior to Obama “caving” on the issue)  The other person, I never knew his name, kept using the term “uncertainty” when referring to why republicans wanted the tax cuts extended.  His claim was that corporations weren’t hiring due to the “uncertainty” of not knowing if these cuts would be extended or not (has there been a lot of hiring since they were exteneded? I’m digressing again….).  Hartmann, to his credit, saw right through the guy and called him out on the ludicrousness of his claim – but, it all made sense to me about 5 hours later.  On my way home from work that evening I tuned into a couple “conservative” talk shows and heard the term “uncertainty” in regards to why the tax cuts needed to be extended from both sources.  Once home I turned on Fox “news” (I really hate doing that) and guess what term was coming out of EVERY mouth on their channel that evening?  Yup, you’re correct, UNCERTAINTY!  That’s a small example of what the republicans have been doing since the first day they put Limbaugh on the airwaves.  In the process they’ve managed to turn the words “liberal” and “socialism” into politically incorrect terms and they’ve convinced their unsuspecting audiences that the media is truly “liberal.”

Limbaugh reportedly makes $400 MILLION per year, Beck something approaching $100 MILLION, and who knows (or cares) how much the rest of them make – we, just know that they’re well paid to give the “message” to the unsuspecting public.  So, if you’re wondering (like I did for so long) why so many good Americans continually vote against their best interests – take a look at Fox and a listen to some of these right wing blow hards who have no sense of honor whatsoever.  Should this nation vote in an autocratic, corporatist regime all these people will continue to flourish – in fact, they’ll have even more reason to participate in the propaganda “machine” because they’ve proven that their wealth is more important than their conscience.  The frustration most Americans feel regarding our political leaders is that most of them are “corporatists.”  Well, with the direction we’ve taken in the last ten years, it’s becoming more and more difficult to imagine the process which will overcome that tendency.

But wait, there’s more.  These people – due to me not knowing for sure I’m going to say they’re PROBABLY the “Family” – seemingly have a grip on more than just the republicans.  Yes, much of the deregulation which was aimed at dismantling the “New Deal” originated during the Reagan presidency, yet voting in democrats hasn’t really helped all that much.  There were things I liked about Bill Clinton and he was surely much better in many ways than any republican alternative, but the bottom line is that it was during Clinton’s “watch” that NAFTA was enacted, the Glass Steagall act was repealed, and worst than everything else (in my view) the telecommunications act of 1996 was passed.   Combining that MAJOR blunder with the propaganda scheme being put into place by Limbaugh and the republicans, Clinton had “opened the door” for about 8 or 9 RIGHT WING corporations to take over about 90% of America’s so-called “liberal media.”  Just the FACT the republicans have spent so much time convincing America’s public that the media – which they control – is “liberal” simply goes to the sophistication of their scheme.  It’s like people such as Beck and Limbaugh calling President Obama a fascist – when it is them who are espousing the fascist principles.  Unfortunately, America’s voting public is still “unsuspecting” and many – maybe even most – still think people like Beck and Limbaugh (OK, you too Lars) are actually telling the truth – when, in reality, they’re closer to being like wind up dolls which have been pre-programmed from the “source.”  I realize this is getting involved, but I’m going to continue.  (I put this in bold in case you want to bookmark and come back later :o)

So, you have this “source” (probably the “Family”) leading the republicans in their takeover of the media (America’s fourth estate – the “free press” which was designed by the founders to keep our politicians “honest”) and then combine that with a planned takeover of the courts and hopefully you can see the same trouble on the “horizon” that I do.  Make no mistake that the “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision was NO ACCIDENT!  I have no doubt what the Bush “people” had in mind when they put John Roberts and Sam Alito on the Supreme Court.  When I think back to Alito’s disgusting response to President Obama’s (accurate) prediction that “Citizens United” would open the “floodgates” to foreign corporate money influencing our elections it makes me wonder if he can even visualize the damage he’s done to this great nation.  Both Roberts and Alito directly contradicted their sworn testimony before Congress when they participated in that decision which overturned 100 + years of American campaign law (talk about your legislating from the bench!) and further empowered the corporate interests which I’m essentially claiming are taking over our government – with the help of a select few participants in and around the congress of the United States.  It was bad enough to have a Supreme Court which felt at all comfortable determining the outcome of a presidential election – especially against the clear will of the people – but, this decision was the “icing on the cake.”  If “Citizens United” doesn’t get people’s attention, whatever it’s going to take might be too late (I guess that’s why I’m still writing).

In partial summary, you should be able to see that “we the people” are facing a sophisticated propaganda “machine,” the “right wing” has garnered control of the media to the point where they’re convincing good Americans to vote against their own self interests, and the Supreme Court is tilted strongly to the “right” and has created a monstrosity in “Citizens United” which could give multinational corporations unlimited power in our future elections.  These people (whoever they are) have marginalized unions, have eliminated a large percentage of the “New Deal” regulations which prevented corporate overreach, they still HATE programs like Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, etc., and I haven’t even mentioned how they support the imperialistic and militaristic policies of the Bush doctrine and how they’ve so handsomely profited from America’s “war machine.”  Hopefully, you’re starting to get my “drift.”

Let me conclude by pointing out, from the prespective of I guess what you’d have to call the “Christian left,” the part of all this that really made it start to come together in my head was when I read about the “Family” – a fundamentalist “Christian” right wing group – who have been basing their philosophy on Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and other authoritarian figures since the demise of the Germans after WW II – and putting the name of Jesus on it.  These people call themselves Christians, but their actions go against everything I’ve learned since I committed my life to Jesus Christ.  Their idea of “free will” is them deciding on what is “free” and the rest of us going along – or else.  Instead of focusing on the poor they focus on the rich.  It’s almost as if the “poor” don’t matter.  I don’t know if you remember, but when George W Bush got the Military Commissions Act through Congress in 2006 – an act which included an attempt to end Habeas Corpus – he had the presumed “right” to determine at will that ANY American citizen was an “enemy combatant” and they could be locked up in a Guantanamo type prison presumably indefinitely.  Well, the Supreme Court did overturn the ABSURD revoking of the basic human right – Habeas Corpus – BUT not the Military Commissions Act itself.  Think about that!

It’s time to refresh you on the definition of fascism:  “a radical and authoritarian nationalist political ideology.  Fascists seek to organize a nation according to corporatist perspectives, values, and systems, including the political system and the economy.”   I believe I’ve shown that the push for the “permanent republican majority” is radical and authoritarian by inference.  To me, there is no doubt that the republicans are the vehicles for a scheme based on “corporatist perspectives, values, and systems,” and they are in the process of a long term project aimed at undermining our political system and economy.  For them, it’s all about POWER!  (and money) I always thought that it would be impossible for America to evolve into a fascist state until I looked closer at what the republican party’s been up to for the past 30+ years.  Is it too far fetched to think that Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and “The Family” could be part of a fascist conspiracy in America?  To me, the evidence strongly implies this is so!  If “We the People” continue to be complacent and take our democracy for granted, these people may very well succeed – that’s what the baby boomers who voted for the “tea party” will be leaving to their children and grandchildren!  Ughhhhh!!!

It will be interesting to see if the passing of the DADT repeal squelches all the disdain from the “left” aimed at President Obama.  To me, the next two years should be extremely interesting, if nothing else.  I took a quick peek at Paul Krugman’s blog today and got a glimpse at several issues, which are upcoming, and which continue my sense of “pause.”  Additionally, I just finished a book on the first 100 days of the Roosevelt administration during the Great Depression and it made me “long” for courageous leadership all the more.  The really interesting thing in reading that book was the parallels to what is happening today.  In my previous post I was reminded of the saying “Those who choose to ingnore history are destined to repeat it,” and repeating history is what contemporary politics feels like.  As far as President Obama is concerned, I really don’t know what to think.

 I stated in my last posting that I don’t believe I could vote for him again.  Then last evening I was pondering on the FACT that when Bill Clinton (another republican-lite democrat, in my view) left office – despite the repeal of Glass-Steagall, despite the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (which opened the door to the right wing takeover of the media), and despite the trade agreements such as NAFTA, there was a budget surplus of a quarter of a BILLION dollars/year with projections that our deficit could be wiped out in something like 10 years.  The US Supreme Court changed all that when they chose George W Bush as president in 2000.  The ensuing damage can’t be underestimated – it was HUGE!  Honestly, I’m still at a loss trying to figure out how “we the people” could allow our courts to decide who the president is – but, its now “water under the bridge.”  The question continually coming to my mind in my disenchantment with democrats is “what is the alternative?”

If you’re reading this I know you understand the Bush/Cheney “damage,” and the democratic “alternative” but, I’m going to relist some of it, just to make myself feel better and refresh my own memory as I draw out my thoughts for this evening (Plus, I firmly believe that people should be reminded of the REAL republican agenda as often as possible, because it appears to me there are a lot of Americans suffering from amnesia.  One of the things which “bugs” me the most about republicans is the right wing media either ignoring history or revising it – to the point where they’re again convincing America’s vulnerable voters that tax cuts create jobs and “deficits don’t matter”) Let’s start with the tax cuts.  Of course, this is still a raw spot for me – and, as stated in my last posting – possibly the final straw in my disappointment with Bush’s successor – whom I supported vigorously – when Obama “compromised” to extend them.  So, instead of something approaching a minimal deficit we’re looking at a MAJOR BATTLE over increasing the debt limit (in a couple of months) above FOURTEEN TRILLION DOLLARS and a possible stealth attack on Social Security! Ouchee!  And, I just have to slip this in – I believe this battle is going to lead to even more BAD “compromises” by President Obama.  Not only did the Bush administration push through massive tax cuts RIGHT OFF THE BAT after taking over the White House in 2001, but, they did it again a couple years later when Dick Cheney made one of his infamous quotes, “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.”  Somehow, ALL the republicans who went along with him then are now “singing” a different tune. (The deficit “matters” except when it comes to tax cuts!)

Of course, there’s a lot more.  Iraq and Afganistan are probably exponentially worse “sore spots” for me as I look back on the Bush administration (and now the Obama administration – if you want to try to understand why we’re probably going to be in both places indefinitely read Andrew Bacevich’s “Washington Rules” and Thomas Ricks “The Gamble”).  George W Bush envisioned himself as the “War President” – and, I believe it’s safe to say he was the WORST “War President” in the history of this great nation.  Talk about your deja vu’s all over again – that would be BOTH Iraq and Afganistan.  What’s worse for me in all of this, BOTH Bush and Cheney used their status and knowledge of the “system” to avoid service during the Viet Nam war – which was the Iraq or Afganistan of their era.  Neither one had the GUTS to fight in that war, but they didn’t hesitate to send thousands of young Americans to their deaths or dismemberment in these two senseless US adventures.  Yes, Afganistan was justified up to the point where Bush/Cheney proved that it was nothing more than a reason to invade Iraq (when they let bin Laden go) which they had been contemplating for several years prior to Bush moving into the White House.  Read Naomi Klein’s “Shock Doctrine” if you’d like to understand the twisted logic Bush/Cheney were relying on to “open the door” to their adventure in Iraq. 

Just try to imagine how different EVERYTHING in America would be right now had Bush/Cheney simply OK’d the capture of Osama bin Laden at Tora Bora within months of invading Afganistan and then bringing America’s troops home.  Of course, people like Cheney, Rumsfeld, Feith, and all the others who made HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars profiting from America’s folly in Iraq would not be too happy, but just think how much more “safe” America would be right now.  Instead, we have become the flashpoint recruiting tool of Al Qaeda and every other radical terrorist organization in the world, we empowered Iran, and we’ve basically turned the entire world against the United States.  Instead of making us more safe, Bush’s “war on terror” has made America EXTREMELY more vulnerable, is leading us toward national insolvency, and has spread our military so thin that should an actual emergency arise we could be in BIG TROUBLE.  Are we going to continue to rely on members of our armed services who’ve been deployed upwards of 7 or 8 – or more in some cases – times in the past 10 years to “keep us safe.”  Have you ever wondered how many of America’s troops – who are actively and dutifully following the orders of our GUTLESS civilian leaders – have PTSD?  I mean, how many times can you deploy to Iraq or Afgansistan without having MAJOR issues?  And, where is our so-called “liberal media” on all of this?  We hear virtually NOTHING regarding these two occupations anymore – as if they don’t exist.  Evidently, TAX CUTS are of more significance!

The saying FDR was probably most famous for was “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”  Well, the United States’ politicians have been exploiting fear for as long as I can remember, but since 9/11 – it’s been off the charts.  And, what is the result?  For starters, you’ve got the “Patriot Act” which opened the doors to surveillance abuses by Bush/Cheney et al and to Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and other rendition facilities which let to the blatant TORTURE authorized by Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and others in their administration.  I’ll never forget watching C-SPAN during the congressional testimony of John Yoo, the Bush lawyer who enabled TORTURE to be “legal,” when he responded to the question “Would burying someone alive and then digging them up be torture?” by saying, “it depends on the circumstances and whether or not they die.”  I couldn’t believe what I had heard, but after researching what was really going on in the name of my country, I realized this Yoo guy had a lot of influence on the destruction of America’s traditional values (I’m not so naive to think that the CIA hadn’t been involved in torture for years – and, I’m sure that’s the reason for the coverup of what happend at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, and elsewhere – but, just the same, it’s all “chilling”).  Somehow, I got the feeling that Bush, Cheney and the others – when learning that Khalid Sheik Mohammed was claustraphobic and afraid of bugs – felt that, after waterboarding him 183, times putting him in a “mini” sized casket filled with ants and bugs was sufficient retribution for 9/11.  So much, I guess, for the country I love, standing tall for the protection of human rights.  Bush/Cheney even went so far as to attempt a repeal of one of the most basic of human rights guarantees, Habeous Corpus. 

Bush and Cheney both admitted to warrantlessly wiretapping American citizens – and, the presumption is that it was done MANY times – but, of course, Obama in all his wisdom chose to “look forward instead of back” – so blatant felonious violations of the FISA law and our fourth amendment right to privacy have been compromised in the name of “keeping us safe.”  When Bush/Cheney were “called” on this illegal behavior they simply abused the “States Secrets Privilege” to prevent any court from investigating their wrongdoing and they lobbied congress (with Obama’s help, by the way) to indemnify the telecommunications companies who were complicit in their warrantless wiretaps.  When anyone objects to this illegal activity, those in charge (including Obama) pull out the “fear card.”  Now, we’ve gone so far as to enable Bush’s head of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, to make HIS major windfall by requiring x-ray machines at airports (of course, he’s the middleman collecting the “commission”) which will make sure you have absolutely NO secrets from the officials manning the screen.  We’ve traded our privacy for their profits based on fear – and, of course, a continued American military presence in virtually every location in the world.

I’m still angry about Dick Cheney walking away “scott free” after “outing a CIA agent.”  Presonally, I considered that one treason.  This man comes after those who “cross” him – in this case, it was the husband of a covert CIA agent – who was leading the secret investigation of Iran’s nuclear capability by the way – VICIOUSLY!  Joe Wilson (the husband) simply told the truth about a phony document claiming Sadam Hussein had purchased 500 tons of yellow cake uranium from Niger, a tiny African nation which Wilson had previously been an ambassador to and still had enough connections with to verify whether or not the claim was true (Bush/Cheney used this lie to imply Hussein had a nuclear program that endangered America – the infamous “mushroom cloud”).  The irony is that Wilson was sent to Niger at the request of someone coming from the Vice President’s office.  Evidently, they didn’t want him to make a report unless it coincided with the twisted logic Cheney was using to justify the invasion of Iraq.  The truth is that once 9/11 happened there was no way to stop the Bush/Cheney administration from invading Iraq.

The legacy of Bush/Cheney (along with Reagan and Bush the first) when it comes to the Justice Department is disgusting as well.  I’ve said this many times on this site that if the American people ever lose faith in the fairness of the Justice Department we are on our way to chaos.  During the Bush/Cheney regime new hires at the Justice Department were required to take loyalty oaths to the republican party – HIGHLY ILLEGAL – yet, never prosecuted.  Karl Rove, and others associated with the White House, were allowed to make republican propaganda presentations to various departments in our government, clear violations of law, without consequence.  Alberto Gonzales, the Attorney General himself, took the oath before congress and proceeded to perjure himself OVER and OVER again – likewise, without consequence.  Bush appointees on several occasions simply refused to answer subpoenas to congress – AGAIN with NO consequence – all of this, to me, very disgusting and undermining the premise that the United States is a “nation of laws and not men.”  This was all bad enough, but soon after President Obama took over it became clear that he also had no will to hold the lawbreakers of the Bush/Cheney administration to account for their actions – including Bush and Cheney themselves –  both of whom should have been impeached!  Obama apparently believes Nixon’s claim that “if the president does it, it must be legal.”  A GREAT hard earned victory won after Watergate was essentially thrown out the window with one CURIOUS decision by Barack Obama.

There’s more!  Getting back to my point about the Supreme Court choosing Bush/Cheney in the first place, here comes the rub as I ponder my EXTREME disappointment in President Obama.  The truth is that not all is bad – despite my disappointment in his pandering to the republican thugs – he did make two Supreme Court choices which I found extremely positive.  And, I think that when 2012 comes around, no matter how bad things are in the economy, or even if the two Bush (now Obama) wars are continuing – which I believe will be the case (I hope I’m wrong) – the difference between the Obama choices for the Supreme Court and anything a republican might choose would be strataspheric!  George W Bush chose both John Roberts and Sam Alito – and the result was “Citizens United” – in my mind, the worst Supreme Court decision of my lifetime.  If we end up with some kind of fascist corporatocracy – Citizens United will be the reason why and you can put it on the “lap” of Roberts and Alito – both of whom contradicted their confirmation testimony in making that decision.  And, there will be more nominations in the next six years – most probably for what’s left of the “liberal” side of the court.  If the republicans get a couple more “Alito’s” on that court – progressives in this country are SCREWED for a generation at least.  So, in my major disappointment with Obama – and my sense that I must keep reminding people about the misdeeds of the Bush administration so that the right wing media does not get away with “rewriting” history – practically speaking, it is likely that the only option to prevent a further deterioration of the Supreme Court in 2012 will be a vote for President Obama!

These past few days (the “lame duck” session of 2010) have been somewhat encouraging.  It actually felt as if Harry Reid was showing some spine as he forced the republicans to stay in session until they dealt with the 9/11 first responders legislation (which, in itself – their opposition to this – should render them as unworthy of governing in this nation – but, I guess, that’s a story for another evening) and the START treaty – which was equally as difficult to understand why republicans would oppose something so fundamental to our national security.  Listening to John Kyl complain about Reid “ruining his Christmas” was heartwarming to me – made me wonder if Kyl ever wonders how many Christmas’s he and his colleagues have ruined.  I hope that is a sign of things to come – I don’t really expect much in the next two years, but it would be nice to see democrats forcing the republicans to openly vote for or against policy which is supported by “we the people.”  If you remember, the “public option” had the support of 75% of the American public, but was never brought to a vote in the Senate – in my mind, the government should have STOPPED until that vote was publicly taken – let them have a real filibuster! 

I’m going to end this by saying I ABSOLUTELY don’t trust ANY republicans in congress (with the possible exception of Ron Paul – who I simply disagree with on many fronts) and, I’m nervous about Obama’s willingness to “cave”on important issues.  I see a full out attack on Social Security on the horizon (by republicans) – and, I hope to see the Harry Reid of the past couple weeks as opposed to the Harry Reid of the past two years (Reid is going to be a marked man now that the House is controlled by republicans) – otherwise this bastion of the Great American Middle Class could be in danger.  Remember, the republicans have been on a 70 year mission to dismantle the New Deal – and, they’re slowly and surely making progress.  They think much farther into the future than democrats.  I firmly believe they have their sights set on Social Security and Medicare – this tax cut deal was the most significant step in TOTALLY undermining the funding for the programs.  If the democrats don’t begin FIGHTING back in these next two years the republicans will succeed in their “mission.”  They HATE any social safety net unless it protects their big business interests.  I’ve said this many times – the real war being fought in America is right here at home and it’s for the heart and soul of this country.  I truly hope the few successes of the past two weeks don’t lull the democrats into a false sense of goodwill – because the republicans real goal still lies ahead!

In the 1970’s I considered myself a conservative independent.  I was opposed to Roe v Wade and to the deficit spending promoted by Richard Nixon.  Almost 40 years has passed and, while I still have my personal views on abortion, I keep them as my personal views.  I’ve watched the deficit over these years spiral out of control until this past week I watched President Obama sign a “tax cutting” law which puts nearly another TRILLION onto the already massive debt – with the as usual “we’ll get to this later” approach (I’m not certain even he knows what that means).  Today I read a column in the New York Times by Charles M Blow essentially calling those on the “far left” who are unhappy that Obama “caved” on tax cuts whiners” while then calling republicans “winners.”  This was further evidence to me that my conservative values are now considered the “far left” and too many in this nation have accepted the so-called “conservative” approach of these republicans (i.e. Limbaugh, Beck, Palin, Reagan, Bush, Cheney, etc.) as OK – apparently, including Mr. Blow.

He was referencing the disenchantment on the “left” with President Obama for his “compromise” over the “Bush tax cuts” (now the Obama tax cuts) in a manner suggesting that the country is only 20% “liberal.”  I get such a rush of angry thoughts in my mind when I read stuff from people who have access to the “multi-media” and claim to be spewing “facts” that it’s hard for me to keep my thoughts straight .  All of these labels people like Blow base their commentary on simply demonstrate to me how powerful the conservative media has become when even those who should see past it are sucked in.  Not only does Blow believe the disenchantment with President Obama’s decisionmaking comes from “liberals” but, I believe, so does President Obama himself. 

Here’s the question Blow poses which really got me going, “Is there a future for moderation, and especially conservatism, in the Democratic Party or is the party experiencing the beginnings of a purging akin to that seen on the right?”  Well, before I get to the next point of contention, I have to wonder what Blow means here by “conservatism.”  If we’re making a connection with the term conservative and republicans, I can’t help feel a bit of confusion over his implied connection with that term and democrats – I mean, how far to the right do these people think democrats need to move in order to make the republicans happy?  (and, why would that matter?)  Honestly, I don’t think I’m the only American who’s SICK and TIRED of a two party system which is indistinguishable!  I’m getting the distinct impression here that many, including Blow and Obama, TOTALLY misread the mandate of 2008.

But, he goes on to say, “I attribute much of this to the across-the-board, over-the-top scoffing by the ultraliberal, self-professed brains of the party. According to them, Obama must pay for abandoning his ‘progressive base.’ That’s funny because progressives, many of whom really wanted John Edwards to be the nominee in 2008, only constitute 20 percent of Democrats.”  (at least he didn’t use the republican term, “elitist” here)  Just as I felt Rahm Emanuel was talking to me when he referred to those on the “left” as “f___ing retards” I get the sense that my conservative views have evolved into “ultraliberal” from the perspective of people like Blow and he, presumably as with Obama, is lamenting the FACT that “liberals” don’t fall into lockstep with the “leader” like good republicans.

Before I go on with this let me clarify one thing.  While Blow claims the “ultraliberals” claim Obama “must pay” for abandoning his liberal base, I for one have never said that.  What I’ve been saying since the first day I recognized Obama’s actions were not nearly going to meet his rhetoric is that there will be a steep price for him to pay for abandoning his “base” in the form of rejection at the polls.  “Progressives” like myself are really tired of voting for the democratic version of a corporatist republican.  And, for Blow to suggest his “base” is only 20% of the American electorate, I believe he’s “lying with statistics” as many in positions such as his do.  However, even if he’s correct, President Obama can’t lose 20% of his “base” and expect to be reelected.  And, I have to tell you (and Mr. Blow – who, by the way, I respect for all the columns of his I’ve read in the past – and here’s a link to the one I’ve referenced here) I believe the disenchantment with “our” president goes far past any lines you might draw between “liberal” and “conservative.”

I recently finished a book titled “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet which clarified some confusion in my mind as I’ve been struggling to understand the “why” of some of the decisions made by the government of “we the people.”  And, now I’m mostly through with a book on the first 100 days of FDR’s presidency and things are getting even more clear.  Before, I go on, I believe Mr. Blow and every other “leader” in Washington and the press should read “The Family” (there’s many other books out which expose the true motivations of our “leaders” – but, that’s a good one in my view) and then consider what FDR did for the middle class of this great nation before they start jumping on the republican “bandwagon.”  The republicans have been in a continual struggle to repeal the “New Deal” since the 1930’s despite the FACT it was instrumental in creating the greatest middle class in the history of the world.  The “corporatists” have gotten richer over the years, but apparently when the people at the bottom are better off they just don’t feel right.  As I’m reading more about what is the “real” American history, I’m discovering that GREED is certainly not a new phenomenom.  But, is should be no surprise to Blow or Obama when there is a backlash against our elected officials succumbing to GREED!

I’ve said this on many occasions, but I’ll say it again in the hopes that Mr. Blow might somehow miraculously happen upon this site (I’ll continue to wish for Obama to show up as well) – President Obama would never have been elected if the public suspected he was going to be what is now being referred to as “republican-lite.”  He wasn’t elected to pardon the illegal activity of George W Bush and Dick Cheney which he summarily, apparently without conscience, did.  Not only am I certain that the U.S. WILL torture again, I’m not certain that we’re not doing so now – evidently in ways not called “waterboarding.”  Obama wasn’t elected to pander to republicans for a few scraps, he was elected to CHANGE the culture of Washington – to make a STAND against the corruption that permeates the capital of the United States of America!  You don’t have to be “ultraliberal” to have expected that!

Not only has Obama failed to address the issue of warrantless wiretapping, I believe it’s still an issue.  Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”  Well, Osama bin Laden has seemingly proved Roosevelt profetic on that one.  And, the fearmongering continues – and, I for one am sick of it.  No one in Washington seems to want to understand why the United States has become the new Soviet Union.  We just seem to keep marching along as if the present course will last forever.  That is the exact same thinking that led to the bursting of the housing bubble with the economy.  It was the “ultraliberals” (I guess, although I really do hesitate to put myself into that category) who were warning about the inevitability of the crash of 2008.  It was the “ultraliberals” who warned about the pure folly of invading Iraq and abandoning the search for bin Laden.  It’s been the “ultraliberals” leading the fight to get our troops removed from the two intractable occupations of Iraq and Afganistan which the republicans (and, apparently Obama himself) seem willing to support indefinitely.  It has been the “ultraliberals” who have been warning about the deficit spending of republicans since the days of Ronald Reagan (I started during the days of Nixon).  And, it’s been the “ultraliberals” who’ve been at the forefront of the consternation over the “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision which is apparently going to be allowed to guide this nation’s elections for the foreseeable future.

I guess what I would ask Mr. Blow if I had the chance to do so in person would be “why are you continuing to marginalize the term liberal?”  When the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, and lightweights like Lars Larsen have been busy doing this for the past 30 years.  There is an underlying conspiracy attempting to “mold” this nation into something that has rejected the philosophy of the “New Deal” – which, in reality, was the driving force behind all of the MAJOR advancements benefitting the vast majority of America’s workforce in the 2oth century.  We now have roughly the same number of unemployed Americans as there were during the Great Depression – the percentage is less due to the increased population.  Plus, we have the same arguments coming from the “right” or conservative “base” as to why government should be benefitting the “rich” at the expense of the poor and why a social “safety net” is a bad idea.  Why, then, would you be surprised at a sizeable backlash to decisions favoring republicans and those who oppose a “new” New Deal?  Are we in America going to allow our “leaders” to just continually REFUSE to learn from history? (I believe those Americans who are paying close attention to what’s “going on” are NOT stupid – they’re disgusted)

I can tell you Mr. Blow – the republicans have learned from history, and learned it well.  They’ve conspired to turn the word “liberal” into a “dirty word.”  And, people like you and our president are helping to perpetuate this scheme.  There is a well financed PUSH to turn America to the radical “right” and now people like me who were considered moderate or conservative 40 years ago are being referred to as “ultraliberals.”  I can’t even believe we’ve allowed this to happen, but reality is reality.  The other day at my work I was talking about the disappointment with Obama’s “caving” on the Bush tax cuts with a fellow worker and she asked me “what can we do?”  To those of us who are apparently “ultraliberals” it doesn’t appear that we can do much.  I will continue writing – I have children and two beautiful grandchildren who all deserve more than we apparently, as a society, want to leave them – and, I will continue working with others to push a “progressive” agenda with our government which focuses on the needs of the many over the needs of a few.  Additionally, I’ll continue to challenge those who’ve been elected to be my “leaders” to suck up the courage to FIGHT against this conservative onslaught which is best understood by reading books like “The Family.”  This conservative conspiracy has been ongoing for 70+ years and when people like Barack Obama and Charles Blow buy into it, the problem becomes magnified.

As I’m reading more about the Great Depression and thinking about my coworker’s question, I’m bracing myself for a difficult next few years.  With leaders who appear timid to challenge the corporatists – who now have the Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision which will fund their propaganda – I believe there is “rough sledding” ahead.  I’m constantly reminded, as I observe the actions of my government leaders, of the saying, “Those who choose to ignore history, are destined to repeat it.”  We’ve seen that in both Afganistan and Iraq, circa Viet Nam – and, I believe we’re seeing it with the economy.  Keep in mind, the “crash” precipitating the “Great Depression” happened in 1929 and the Hoover administration spent four years doing virtually nothing to combat the devastation felt mostly by the blue collar workforce – all the while claiming that the “free market” would “fix” the problem.  Sound familiar?  My fear is that it will take an economic crash of similar proportions to wake people up to the same kind of double talk the people of America were hearing in the 1920’s which they’re hearing again in 2010.  I’ve read book after book – written by both “liberal” and “conservative” economists which parallel what happened then with what’s happening now.  My answer to my friend was that I’m afraid nothing much will change until we have a total collapse of the economy.

The TARP bailout put a “finger in the dike” to temporarily prevent a total economic meltdown.  However, the banks are right back at the same “gambling” that created the crisis in the first place, they continue to find creative ways to funnel the wealth of this great nation into their own hands, and congress continues to be controlled by republicans – even when they’re in the minority.  Citizen’s United is designed to change that (ie republicans in the minority) and if democrats can’t even muster the courage to make a stand on tax cuts for the wealthy while in the majority – or the need to reduce the national budget deficit – then, from my vantage point, the future looks dim (how are they going to do this from a minority position?).  I believe President Obama was (and continues to be) manipulated by the military regarding Afganistan and Iraq – with not one courageous decision designed to change the course set by Bush/Cheney – and, now he’s being manipulated by the republicans in congress regarding the economy (I heard him spewing the “trickle down” line today that these tax cuts will create millions of new jobs)  which will soon be controlled by republicans in the House.  I’m just wondering how bad does it have to get before President Obama begins listening to the “base” that brought him into office?  He seems more than willing to listen to the people who continue to villify him – which is a curious matter in its own right – but, what is he going to do when republicans go after Social Security and Medicare next year as they balk at raising the “debt ceiling?”  I don’t see any sign that either President Obama or the congress has ANY will to begin slashing the military budget which has continued its steady increase in Obama’s first two years- so where are the “tea party” influenced republicans going to cut? (remember, ALL spending bills originate in the House) – is the next place Obama “caves” going to be Social Security?  The worse part of all of this is that I started recklessly predicting our next republican presidential nominee would be Jeb Bush 18 months ago – based on Obama’s actions.  With every weak-kneed decision by “my” president, I feel that is more and more likely.  Another Bush, ughhhh! (Who else do they have? – you don’t seriously think they’re stupid enough to put Palin out there, do you?  The thought simply causes me to shudder!)

My final thought:  President Obama clearly believes he can remain president by pandering to republicans in an attempt to draw independent voters to his “camp.”  I’ve said this many times, I really do hope President Obama succeeds.  I simply don’t believe he can succeed by ignoring the “liberals” who were so intently involved in his election.  He’s correct, I believe, that they will not vote for republicans under any circumstance.  I believe the miscalculation is that they will vote for him under any circumstance.  I’ve voted in every major and minor election since 1968.  At this point, there’s no way I’ll vote for President Obama again.  And, if he continues on this present course and then throws “liberals” a “bone” toward the next election – I think that will be even more offensive.  Should we ever get a strong investagative media again, I believe Obama is vulnerable on several fronts.  I’m not convinced the TORTURING is continuing – although I’ve read reports which make we wonder – but, I’m pretty sure the NSA is still, to this day, “data mining” virtually every phone call and email that goes through the high tech centers created during the Bush administration – all in the name of “keeping us safe.”  Is America going to spend the rest of my lifetime pushing an imperialistic, militaristic foreign policy and then slowly violate constitutional guarantees to free speech and privacy – again – in the name of “keeping us safe?”  To me, this feels like fascism creeping in on a slow train to Washington DC!

 I found it really interesting to be reading the Op-Ed of the New York Times and seeing Paul Krugman pointing out the folly of President Obama’s “tax deal” with Mitch McConnell and the republicans while the title of the next column by David Brooks (conservative columnist) appeared to be applauding it (I write “appeared” because I just can’t bring myself to read much of David Brooks anymore).  My first thought:  The republicans don’t have much to choose from for a presidential candidate in 2012 – maybe they could get Obama to switch parties.  Of course, I’m saying that in jest, but I’m honestly feeling that the way things are playing out, Obama will be a long shot to represent the democrats.  The disappointment with him, from the left, is reaching new heights seemingly each day.  I’ve been trying to point out the “error of his ways” for almost two years now – prefacing almost every rant with “I’m hope I’m wrong” – and, almost every prediction is proving true.  The most devastating one was that “liberals” would not vote in the previous election.  They (we) are simply tired of the “same old same old” and, that is precisely what Obama is offering – apparently unaware of this himself.

As I drive around I listen to “progressive” talk radio as much as I can tolerate it.  This past week I’ve been listening to Obama’s de facto “cheerleader” Randi Rhodes rationalizing each and every decision he’s made in an attempt to help us “liberals” “get it.”  “We have to do this or the sky will fall” – well, that’s not the exact words, but that’s the same kind of logic which has forced one bad decision out of Washington DC after another.  Personally, I’ve had enough of that kind of logic – and, in fact, coming from the people I supported in 2008 makes it all the worse.  The truth is, NO, President Obama did not need to negotiate with the “hostage takers” – ie the republicans – over extending the “Bush tax cuts for the rich.”  The line had been drawn in the sand LONG AGO over that one – and, it didn’t take more than stupidity on the democratic congress by not bringing this to a vote prior to the election and a president willing to do anything to make it look as if something’s getting done in our government – to cave in to another disastrous republican “demand.”

This nation is hemorrhaging debt at a rate that is making everyone’s head swim, yet this latest “deal” – from the republicans who based their recent retaking of the House on lowering the debt and the president who’s “debt commission” just finished their work – will add close to another TRILLION in just the next two years.  Additionally, if there’s anyone out there who think’s this “deal” doesn’t fit EXACTLY into the long range plans of the republicans, well, I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell to you.  I’ve taken only a superficial look at the published details of the “compromise” and I can see numerous “holes” from the democratic perspective and a HUGE “light at the end of the tunnel” from the perspective of the republicans.  To put it mildly, I’m not that impressed with President Obama’s long range thinking on this “deal.”

I’m a sixth grade school teacher (in my “day job”) and have learned over the years that you don’t negotiate with bullies.  And, the republican party is dominated by political bullies.  This is nothing new and the Obama administration for some reason decided that by “reaching out” to these bullies “bipartisanship” would be the order of the day in our government.  Pishaw!  Even I could figure that one out.  You don’t get bullies to “relent” through negotiation.  The American people didn’t put Barack Obama in office to negotiate with these republicans and their contemporaries, he was elected to CHANGE the entire culture of Washington.  I “get” that Obama sees that as an atmosphere of cooperation, but you don’t just get to that point by wishing for it.  You DO have to draw some lines in the sand – and President Obama has failed to do that on occasion after occasion (starting with the no investigations of Bush/Cheney which I won’t get into this time more than to say that was the first MAJOR blunder!)

I realize President Obama, along with his supporters like Rhodes, believe he’s accomplishing much in his term in office.  They will point out the stimulus bill, the health care “overhaul,” the regulations of Wall Street to name a few of the legislative accomplishments.  What they don’t understand is that the general “climate” has changed hardly at all and the republicans are still essentially running the government – despite their minority position in congress.  (all of the Obama “accomplishments were far less than they could have been had Obama chosen to fight the republicans instead of placate them – I still don’t think he understands how much support he’s lost by pandering to the GOP) 

Rhodes will tell you that the republicans can’t “govern” (and, I wouldn’t disagree with that) and that they’re simply all about “power.” (I also TOTALLY agree with that)  However, with that as a given, why are we (“liberals”) constantly standing on the “sidelines” – our support apparently being taken for granted – while “our” president is constantly kissing up to and negotiating with the “enemy.”  And, if you don’t believe the republicans are the “enemy” then you’re probably either wealthy or you’ve been listening to Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Lars Larsen, and the other propagandists from the “right.”  If President Obama can’t make a stand on the issue of tax cuts for the “rich” at this point in America’s history, when is he going to make a stand?  Additionally, I find it stupid for a president to put himself in a position where his own party is forced to vote his “compromise” down.  Why would you negotiate with the other side without consulting your own side?  He’s been assuming those who voted him in will support him since day one of this administration.  I, personally, pointed out right from the start that I’m not going to be blindly loyal.

A couple posts ago I wrote that if President Obama “caves” on the tax cuts “I’m done.”  At this point in time I certainly feel “done.”  But, at the same time I still have that hope that the president will somehow understand what is happening to him and us as he continues what I’m sure he sees as an earnest effort to move our government forward.  In the process he seems to be almost oblivious to the FACT that the publicly stated number one goal of the republicans is that President Obama be a one term president.  EVERYTHING they do is calculated to destroy his presidency – and, it appears, they are quite good at what they’re trying to accomplish.  It’s almost to me as if it’s a “men against boys” scenario developing.  I really hate to put the republicans in the “men” category there, but they will obviously do anything they can to undermine this president.  Let’s take a look at a few of the “holes,” as I see them, with Obama’s latest foopah.

Let’s take scenario number one – suppose the economy gets a bit better in the next two years.  The republicans will continue their ridiculous claim that the ONLY thing that stimulates the economy is tax cuts (I’m sure that if they take back the White House in 2012, deficits will no longer matter – AGAIN – either).  Additionally, the proposed extension of the tax cuts is for 24 months, but the unemployment extension is for 13 months and it doesn’t include the so-called 99ers – people who’ve been out of work for over two years.  So, in essence, we’re just putting off the inevitable for the more recent unemployed and our president has  accepted the demise of the 2 MILLION 99ers as of today which will grow to something approaching 4 MILLION by the end of next year.  Is the next step for the Obama administration to go along with the likes of Sharron Angle or Jim DeMint and claim that the unemployed are “lazy?”  The reality that I see is the tax cuts will ultimately be made “permanent” which is a key component of the republican long term strategy to undermine Social Security and Medicare.  I believe when it comes to these items, Obama and the democrats are always one step behind the republicans – and the republicans are DROOLING at the thought of getting their hands on the social security trust fund and TOTALLY privatizing Medicare.  I’m convinced their plan is to succeed in this before the American public figure out what they’re up to, and by then it will be too late to stop them.

Scenario number two – suppose the economy doens’t get any better or gets worse.  We’ll be listening to the republicans blasting Obama for the raging debt for the entirity of the next election cycle and the democrats won’t be able to fight back because they will have been the party in power when these tax cuts were extended – which, if you haven’t heard – will raise the debt 900 BILLION over the NEXT two years.  Once they vote in this compromise, they are no longer be the “Bush tax cuts” they become the Obama tax cuts.  And, if I understand the proposal correctly it includes a cut in payroll taxes for social security and a nice tax exemption for inheritance taxes.  Maybe in the next election we’ll have ALL the candidates arguing for more tax cuts.  Pretty soon the republican position will be no taxes at all – just have the government print whatever money it needs to function and the rest of us will fight over the scraps.

There’s more scenarios – how about this one?  Say the economy is stimulated by the extension of unemployment insurance for the next 13 months and things pick up a bit.  That will get us to the election year.  Do you really think the republicans will extend these benefits  again next year when they have the tax cuts locked in for another year after that and they can make them permanent by winning in 2012?  If the unemployment insurance is as “stimulative” as the democrats and Obama claim, then the republicans will simply allow it to expire prior to the next election year assuming that the economy will then head downward and increasing the likelihood their MAIN OBJECTIVE, Obama being a one term president, will be achieved (the republicans are counting on the “low information voters” to come through for them again on this scenario – along with the “liberal media” and Fox).  It’s as if President Obama is helping them with this scenario.

Here’s my favorite scenario.  Suppose the democrats in congress FINALLY make a principled stand on something and vote the entire mess down.  Force all the tax cuts to expire including MINE!  Force the next congress to address the needs of then MILLIONS of American middle class families who will be paying for some of the services they’re receiving now free gratus.  For example, there’s been a tiny percentage of our population fighting in Afganistan and Iraq for nearly 10 years now.  I keep driving around seeing cars with “right wing” bumper stickers all over them along with “support our troops” signs.  Do they really believe “supporting our troops” means sending them endless times into the quagmires of Iraq and Afganistan?  I honestly find myself flipping some of these people off.  “We the people” have been asked to make nary a minute of sacrifice since these “war” efforts began.  We’ve borrowed every cent spent on the “wars” and we’ve turned our backs on the wounded soldiers as they return home deja vu Viet Nam all over again.  End the tax cuts for EVERYONE – that will eliminate the argument for giving tax relief to the “rich” who don’t need it and pay for at least part of our war machine.

Maybe if we were paying for the occupations of Iraq and Afganistan the American public would  actually “support our troops” by bringing them home.  Seriously, we’re absolutely going broke as a nation, our economy is in a shambles, and yet we’re still continuing our attempt at policing the entire world.  Find me one republican who will argue for decreasing the defense budget of the United States (OK, Ron Paul is a republican :o).  Find me a republican (or democrat for that matter) who would be in favor of a miniscule tax on Wall Street transactions (like .25 cents/transaction) and I’ll show you a politician who has a rare sense of accountability when talking about acutally balancing our budget and holding those responsible for our present downturn to face up to their actions.  I suggested a gas tax once Obama took the oath of office – with the money going to repair the infrastructure of this nation which is falling apart.  It is a provable FACT that China is going to pass us by – and soon – at the rate we’re going as far as investing in and improving their nation’s infrastructure.  A gas tax would encourage people to use less gass – therefore encouraging alternative means of transportation – and no one can argue that we don’t have a pressing need to repair our bridges and roads – or build new alternative forms of transportation.  We’re even buying our sources of green energy (windmills and solar panels) from foreign nations instead of producing them ourselves.  If the government wants to provide tax incentives to business, it should be in those areas to give us a fighting chance at avoiding slippage into second class status.

There’s plenty of areas that people on the “left” can agree with the “tea party” movement – but, the “tea partiers” have chosen to align themselves with the republican party.  It will be interesting to see the clash they will have once the new congress is in session.  President Obama would be far better off letting these “Bush tax cuts,” ALL OF THEM, expire as they were originally intended and “call” the republicans on their obstructive behavior.  Get the battle underway RIGHT NOW!  Force the next congress to “show their true colors” and lets, as a nation, get on with the “pain” that is inevitable.  I feel like our president is trying to prevent us from having to experience a more severe economic downturn – but, it’s just a matter of time the way we’re going.  And, just like many of us were predicting disaster in Iraq, we were predicting disaster in the housing market (for several years once the sub-prime mortgages hit full swing), we’re predicting disaster with Social Security and Medicare if the democrats don’t wise up.  Yes, Social Security is solvent for the next 30+ years, but it could be solvent forever with a few “tweaks.” (simply raising the income level where people pay the “tax” would do the trick) Plus, Medicare should be adequately funded and available to all Americans – the sooner we get to that situation the better off we’ll all be.

If President Obama sets these republicans up to get ahold of the Social Security trust fund through this continued “caving” to their ridiculous plundering of our economy he will be remembered as a failed president – no matter what he accomplishes.  The republicans are up to NO GOOD and the sooner Obama realizes that the better off we all are.  When they talk about getting their “country back” it’s an issue of color – no doubt in my mind.  President Obama has a large contingent of “liberals” literally chomping at the bit to support him once he realizes the real war for this nation is the one “within.”  I don’t know if it’s too late for him, but I certainly hope not.  He’s allowed himself to be manipulated by the Generals (Afganistan and Iraq) and the republicans who consider him a pushover.  It grieves me to write that, but it’s time for Obama to become the leader we thought we were voting for.  And, if he decides the task is too daunting (I can see that as a possibility) then I believe he’ll be proceeding (as he has been) with a lot of “liberals” remaining on the sidelines.

I want to conclude with a final thought – In 2006 democrats were voted in to stop the Iraq war – it’s still going on, they couldn’t muster the courage.  Nancy Pelosi took “impeachment off the table” and then after the 2008 election Barack Obama chose to “look forward instead of back” ignoring the crimes Bush and Cheney should have been impeached for.  Additionally, Obama who was elected to change the “culture” of Washington DC surrounded himself by the very types of people the voters were tired of and he’s been negotiating with the “enemy” (GOP) ever since.  How can it be a surprise to anyone – let alone Obama himself and his supporters – that he’s lost the support of his “base.”  When Rahm Emanuel called me (and other liberals) “f___ing retards” I knew what lay ahead.  Now, it’s Obama himself expressing his displeasure with “liberals” as idealistic – as he negotiates away the “store” with little to NO “fight.”  None of that is what I personally voted for!  I look forward to the day when America has a leader capable of challenging her people to pull themselves together – and make the sacrifices necessary – to restore the fabric of this nation.  We can’t do that without dealing with the misdeeds of the past and we can’t do that by continuing to allow Washington to be the most corrupt national capital in the world.  Congress can’t be expected to “fix” itself without strong leadership from the White House – and, at the present time, I don’t see that happening soon.  Just the fact that people like David Brooks are showing support for Obama should help to put this all into perspective.  (you can read his article by clicking here) Brooks would have us believe the republicans are innocent and Obama’s building consensus with people who want to destroy him is mindful.  I’m sure Brooks understands the best way to ensure Obama is a one term president is to encourage him to continue on this present republican-lite path!

I remain hopeful, although my hope is “teetering” as I write, that the Obama administration will realign itself with the actual positions taken – or at least something more representative of them – during the campaign of 2008.  I believe I’m far from the only person who’s feeling a bit betrayed by the “centrist” to “right” leaning actions of Barack Obama since taking office.  Some of his actions, and the actions of his surrogates – that can only be explained from the perspective that Obama’s providing the direction – are VERY disconcerting.  I concluded my last posting by posing the question as to whether or not I’m the only one out there wondering why Eric Holder – and, by extension, Barack Obama – chose to ignore the transgressions of Bush/Cheney and other prominent republicans while then “going after” agressively Julian Assange of “Wiki Leaks.com” for disclosing information that is TRUTHFUL about the diplomatic history of the United States.

It appears that America and her allies are going after Assange with “both barrels.”  Now, I’m not suggesting that the man didn’t commit a crime in Sweden or Switzerland or wherever it’s alleged, but the coincidence of the charges and then the unified effort of the U.S. and her allies to block Assange’s site is curious at best from my perspective.  (Anybody else out in cyberspace remember Daniel Ellsburg?) I’ve only seen parts of what was published, but everything so far only confirmed information I had found elsewhere.  Before I get to my main point tonight, I believe it’s time for the American public to stop deluding themselves about their government.  And, this episode simply confirms the INTENSITY of the United States government to prevent its citizens from knowing the TRUTH about what they’ve been up to.  This is not just for the years of Bush/Cheney – this is for the past 40 – 50 years.  Again, this information is “out there” – you just have to look a bit harder to find it – the Wiki Leaks website is apparently attempting to make things easier for anyone who has come to the conclusion they want to educate themselves about the American government – and it’s relations with other nations around the world.

As I’ve been sharing the past few posts, I just finished “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet and I’m almost finished with “Washington Rules” by Andrew Bacevich plus I’ve read “Blackwater” by Jeremy Skahill and “The Shock Doctrine” by Naomi Klein – just to name of few of the books which are available for anyone who wants to get a better idea of what America’s leaders have been doing since WW II.  It is sobering to say the least.  Somehow, I had convinced myself (still pretty naive at 63+ years old) that then Senator Obama would be someone willing to take on the “Washington Rules” – my definition, not Bacevich’s – and, I’ve continually been “brought down to earth” almost since the day Obama was sworn into office.  Yes, Obama has pushed for some progressive legislation, but he has continually failed to make the changes to the political “climate” and “structure” in Washington that I had expected and which he could have done despite all the republican filibusters.  He is now on the verge of becoming a president who is considered a major failure – despite people like Randi Rhodes continually attempting to convince people of ALL the “wonderful” things he’s done.  I’m more concerned with what he’s NOT done along with his actual support of the “Washington Rules” in too many instances which will come back to haunt democrats (and the American public) potentially in the years to come.

I feel like I’ve been witnessing politicians seeking short term gain at the expense of long term stability for as long as I can remember.  Jimmy Carter made proposals which had a vision to the future and he’s still being ridiculed for that – so, maybe that is why we don’t see forward thinking from our “leaders.”  But, it seems to me that all they would have to do is take a good hard look at America’s circumstances to see that virtually ALL phases of our government are “out of whack.”  So, why then would we continue to depend on the same group of people for solutions when they’ve proven incapable of anything more than protecting their own self interests?  I use the “Wiki Leaks” example because I believe it gives a clear view of how skewed our government has become. 

One of the “promises” Obama made which resonated with me was the “promise” of transparency.  I’m not even sure if the president himself understands at this point how “betrayed” the public feels about that one.  (This is the kind of issue that people like Rhodes – and presumably the president’s supporters inside the White House – just don’t “get”)  The secret negotiations and “backroom deals” during the health care debate really undercut the president’s position on transparency – not to mention his weak negotiating skills which led to the premature abandonment of the “public option.”   We’re hearing the same kind of paranoia about “leaks” we heard during the Bush years and now this “panic” over exposed documents which do nothing more than tell the truth about diplomatic relations among nations the US is affiliated with.  And, don’t get me wrong here – because, I don’t know even close to the full extent of these disclosures – but when I read the other day how the administration is worried about people who could be put in danger or how the United States’ “prestige” in the world was being damaged and how bad that is – I couldn’t help but think about the issues where Obama and Holder chose to ignore issues that, in my view, suprecede the Wiki Leaks exponentially.  This it true American Hypocrisy at its best.

I’ve been over this many times on this site, but “here we go again.”  If America’s prestige around the world and the safety of those representing our interests is so important, then why was there NO INVESTIGATIONS and PROSECUTIONS where warranted regarding Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Gonzales/Rove/Addington/Yoo/Bybee/Feith and the others involved in the criminal activity during the eight long years of the George W Bush administration?  More recently, why was Eric Cantor allowed to VIOLATE the Logan Act – committing what to me was an act of TREASON – by undercutting Obama’s adminstration in any future negotiations with Israel – a CLEAR FELONY?  I couldn’t understand any of that at the time – and I do feel BETRAYED by Barack Obama in all of this and I feel “we the people” have been terribly WEAKENED by Obama’s apparently thoughtless (or gutless?) decision on these matters – but, then to take such an interest in Assange.  Again, how hypocritical will we get?  I’m not saying Assange shouldn’t be prosecuted, I’m just wondering what this does to our system of justice to set an example that prosecuting criminal behavior through subjective decisionmaking as to who commits the crime is done at the whim of the White House.  Think about that.  To me, the LONG TERM effect of that kind of precedent will far outweigh the effect of many of the BLUNDEROUS decisions of George W Bush and Dick Cheney.  And Barack Obama’s timid response to the alleged crimes of the Bush/Cheney regime is what re-energized the republicans in the first place.  How bad was that response?  I started predicting over two years ago that the republicans will be, thanks to GW’s pardon, considering the nomination of another Bush (Jeb) in 2012 – and, the way Obama’s going about his job, the public may be willing to accept that – UGHHH!

What should have happened?  Well, let’s for the sake of brevity accept that stopping Assange is appropriate (although, I’m in favor of the American people knowing what their government is doing and I’m in no way taking a position on that) – there is no doubt in my mind that Obama and Holder essentially PARDONING George W Bush, Dick Cheney, and all the others who participated in criminal behavior – ARROGANTLY – while Bush/Cheney “reigned” did all the damage and then some that Obama, Holder, Clinton, and the others in Obama’s adminstration seem to want to “pin” on the “Wiki Leaks” people.  I don’t see how anyone could claim that WikiLeaks has damaged the prestige of the United States more than Bush/Cheney circa 2001-2008.  It’s not just that our president and vice president at the time ADMITTED on national TV that they authorized TORTURE (and, they’ve since repeated their “confessions” several times and BOTH of them said they’d do it again!  Therefore, do you really think that if a republican wins the White House in 2012 that America will not torture – simply because Barack Obama said we won’t TORTURE anymore?  PLLLEEEAAAASE!) it’s that there’s a WHOLE BUNCH more!!!

I’ll get off the TORTURE part of my rant after reminding you that (don’t believe me, read “The Ballad of Abu Ghraib”) so-called “enemy combatants” – not convicted of anything – were MURDERED at Abu Ghraib and at GITMO.  There is documented evidence to support murders at each facility and that’s not to mention what went on at all the “rendition” “outlets” the U.S. had around the world – where the TORTURING could be done by our “allies.”  Then there’s the multiple reports of “enemy combatants” herded into enclosed vans in Afganistan – with the U.S. paying a “ransom” for the “intelligence” used to justify the capture – and carting the prisoners to various “rendition” sites in vehicles with no air vents while the temperature outside was in the triple digits – leaving scores of these “enemy combatants” DEAD ON ARRIVAL from suffocation.  None of this deplorable stuff managed to find the front pages of our “liberal media” because, evidently the American government is still trying to brainwash her public into believing we have high moral standards when it comes to human rights!

Of course, the two “occupations” which are still raging on after almost 10 years for Afganistan and 8 years for Iraq have managed to work their way to the back pages of our “liberal media” because evidently two DISASTROUS military blunders which are bankrupting our nation and STILL leading to death and severe mental and physical damage to our troops – while OBVIOUSLY putting our nation at risk with an OVER BURDENED military – don’t seem to be of much interest to Obama/Holder either.  That is – there’s no interest in the DISHONEST manner in which BOTH military adventures were prosecuted and the fraud committed by the “contractors” and their “no bid” contracts.  President Obama doesn’t like anyone to compare either occupation to Viet Nam – I say you can make a strong case that BOTH of them are similar to Viet Nam – maybe even worse.  Has this not damaged our prestige FAR greater than anything WikiLeaks might do?  Are Obama and Holder trying to ensure the American public don’t find out the TRUTH about these two FIASCOS?  It seems to me that the actions of Obama and Holder in this matter are hurting American prestige more than WikiLeaks ever could as well.

Then the suggestion was made that the information divulged by WikiLeaks created danger for certain Americans (and associates) doing foreign duty.  Well, let me remind you that Dick Cheney (more than likely with the full knowledge – and possibly consent of GW) outed a covert CIA agent who was, ironically, charged (in her job) with gaining secret information on the capability of the Iranians to build a nuclear weapon.  Her husband had written an Op-Ed for the New York Times exposing the Bush/Cheney LIE that Saddam Hussein had obtained 500 tons of yellow cake uranium from Niger in Africa – the claim which led to the famous statement by GW Bush in the State of the Union address, “The British Government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa” followed by Condoleeza Rice saying, “The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly Saddam can acquire nuclear weapons.  But we don’t want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud” – leading the American public to infer that Iraq was a nuclear threat to the United States.  Valerie Plame Wilson’s husband Joe, a former ambassador to Niger (and former republican), traveled to Niger and proved the document Bush/Cheney used to support their claim was a forgery.  In response to Wilson’s “outing” their LIE Cheney and company decided to “out” Plame (Wilson) – who had a network of associates set up around the world for the purpose of gathering information about Iran’s nuclear program.  We have no idea how many CIA operatives were put in danger from Plame (Wilson) becoming a public figure but, I think you can see that Obama/Holder chose to “look the other way” for this transgression and are NOW agressively pursuing Assange.  I really do find that curious.

There’s more!  The Bush administration routinely REFUSED to answer subpoenas issued by Congress, they blocked court proceedings through abuse of the “States Secrets privilege,” they TOTALLY politicized the Justice Department – going so far as to require a loyalty oath to the republican party for new hires (that’s clearly illegal – not to mention the long term damage to the nation having partisan U.S. attorneys), and they targeted political “foes” with fabricated prosecutions.  Karl Rove even managed to prevent a political opponent in Alabama, Don Siegelman, from running for re-election as governor by having political cronies prosecute him on trumped up charges where he actually was jailed (that is a whole story on its own merits – google seigelman if you’re interested).  This country will not stand if the Justice Department loses credibility with the public (which is why I’m so disappointed in Holder).  There should have been investigations of Rove, Alberto Gonzales (do you remember him LYING profusely before Congress with nary a whimper once Holder took over the department – despite Gonzales committing unquestioned PERJURY)

How about all the illegal warrantless wiretapping?  Now we’re talking about felonius violations of Americans’ constitutional rights.  The FISA law was put into place after the actions of the last OVERTLY criminal republican administration of Richard Nixon.  It took a lot of work to get that law in place and it was a comforting thought that my government couldn’t “eavesdrop” on the conversations of her citizens without “probable cause” and a warrant.  George W Bush/Dick Cheney very ARROGANTLY changed all that – and, by their INACTIONS once in office Barack Obama and Eric Holder essentially endorsed the lawbreaking.  In fact, my first “red flag” with Obama was when he voted for the Telecoms in the FISA legislation during the campaign – after he had already defeated Hillary Clinton, so it was too late for people like me to change our votes – despite his speeches which I felt were contrary to that vote.  I actually wrote an extended letter to him at the time and got a reponse that “guaranteed” he would “fix” the legislation once in office.  I’m honestly not convinced to this day that Obama’s NSA is not doing the same “data mining” Bush’s was – knowingly and condoning it.

We have private armies in various places around the world randomly killing civilians while on America’s payroll, 29 miners in West Virginia and 11 Oil Rig workers in the Gulf of Mexico are dead due to lax oversight from federal agencies during the Bush/Cheney reign – and, we’re going after Assange for exposing our government for what it apparently is.  If you put all of this together, I hope you can agree that the Obama administration needs to get its head on straight.  This continual lack of gumption in regard to leadership and the chasm between republicans and democrats is leading America into an abiss.  Whether those of us on the left like it or not, we are depending on Barack Obama to lead the fight against the corporate takeover of our government backed by the republican party.  In my mind, Obama and Holder should be prosecuting Bush/Cheney et al instead of Julian Assange.  It was the Bush administration which damaged the prestige of America and put many lives at risk.  Isn’t it about time we, as Americans, stopped allowing our government to find scapegoats for the TRUTH about their actions?

As I shared in my previous post I recently finished reading “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet which was an “eye opening” book, to say the least.  Now, I’m well into “Washington Rules” by Andrew J. Bacevich which is popping my eyes even open WIDER!  Much of what has been bothering me since I started reading everything I could get my hands on regarding the “wars” in Iraq and Afganistan along with the other “doings” perpetrated by the government of the country I love is becoming a bit less foggy.  I’ve been railing against some “invisible force” which apparently lies behind the republican “talking heads,” the “tea party,” and – unfortunately, too many of the opposing democrats.  I noticed almost from the beginning of the Obama administration that the fundamentals of our government were changing very little if at all after his election.  I didn’t understand how “the change we can believe in” could be orchestrated by the very same individuals (or their compatriots) who had created what appeared to me to be the worst set of circumstances this country faced since the Great Depression (and considering the “occupations” of Iraq and Afganistan which have become out of favor with the public dialogue – maybe worse than the 1930’s – the jury is still out on that one).

This is not to say that I don’t believe President Obama means well – for me, the jury’s still out on that one.  I want to be totally naive and just assume he meant everything he said during the campaign, but the is obviously ………well, naive.  I mean, there have already been many HUGE issues which would tend to imply that our president was just very eloquently telling us on the “left” what we wanted to hear.  OK, I can live with that – that’s been American politics since before I started voting (my awareness of politics that is) and probably for a LOT longer.  However, the cynicism is continuing to rise among those I feel aligned with and it’s not as if we feel a sense of relief at this piont having Obama as president.  When George W Bush and Dick Cheney were president we knew pretty much what we were getting.  I watched (and listened) in disbelief as Bush/Cheney gutted America’s treasury for starters, then stretched America’s military to the breaking point (all on borrowed money – all the while asking the rest of us to “keep shopping”), and let our economy into an abiss that may take decades to recover from.  Both Bush and Cheney admitted on national TV to authorizing TORTURE, their underlings refused to honor congressional subpoenas, Cheney outed a CIA agent in retrobution for her husband telling the truth about Iraq, Bush/Cheney/Rove undermined the integrity of the Justice Department, and the Bush/Cheney regime authorized multiple (we don’t know how many because of the lack of investigation) violations of the FISA laws against warrantless wiretapping of American citizens.  Bush and Cheney used presidential signing statements and the “States Secret Privilege” to get around accountability for their arrogant disregard for the will of the congress and the American people.  All of it was astonishing, but none of it was surprising!

That all being said, I’ve gone off endlessly about how I fail to understand why the Obama administration took NO ACTION against Bush and company – not even from a “truth commission” standpoint to uncover all the wrongs committed during the eight years they controlled the White House.  Unfortunately, after reading these two books the “picture” is getting a bit clearer – by inference – because NOBODY even wants to talk about all this – and, in this case I’m talking about the Obama administration.  Remember, Rahm Emanuel’s response to people like me was to call us “f___ing retards.”  I remember at the time pointing out the day will come when people will realize who the “retard” really was.  I don’t think there’s any doubt that Emanuel left Washington DC with “his tail between his legs.”  So, then I’m hoping that President Obama realized he had “hitched his wagon” to a Washington insider who could be considered a “thug” almost as much as the republicans.  But, watching what has happened since the mid-term elections has me on “pause” again.  Is this president going to endlessly make a fool of himself kissing up to republicans?  When will he realize that the only way to deal with these people is through confrontation.  All of the “distractions” Obama was trying to avoid by pardoning Bush/Cheney are INEVITABLE!  Either our president puts up the “fight” virtually EVERYONE on the left is waiting for, or we all (those of us calling ourselves liberals, progressives, or whatever) lose.  (and, by lose, I mean we’ll have to regroup and plan for THE “fight” at another day with another leader – BECAUSE  unfortunately, you MUST have a leader to carry out the necessary “fight”)

So, then the question becomes; why is our president and the democratic party so reluctant to take on the republicans?  Have they all been bought and sold?  After reading “The Family” I’m inclined to believe that enough of them have been “bought and sold” that the answer to that last question is a resoundingly DISGUSTING yes!  You really need to read the book, but essentially an (originally) small group of fundamentalist Christians who were philosophically aligned with people like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Mussolini, and other authoritarian figures began infiltrating the anti New Deal factions of our government and business community since the first days of Roosevelt’s era.  These people – although remaining in “secret” for most of the time since then – have a discoverable history of racism (some of their original foreign “connections” were refugees of Hitler’s Third Reich), anti union ism (big time), anti anything that propelled the American Middle Class to be the envy of the entire world.  They work behind the scenes and in small “cells” which are scattered all over America and the rest of the world.  In fact, as I shared in my previous post, one of there “recruits” was Suharno of Indonesia – with NO REGARD for the FACT he was a MASS MURDERER in his own country – with the blood of at least HALF A MILLION people on his hands.  They admired his authoritarian skill – to the point of actually inviting him to Washington to “hob nob” with their political connections.

There is also a discoverable association with the “Family” and the American CIA and the CIA’s involvement in the overthrow of democratically elected governments in South America and elsewhere.  Salvadore Allende was overthrown in Chile by a CIA backed coup resulting in the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet who was a murdering thug – killing untold thousands of his own people to retain power with the support of the United States and the “Family” which, by that time was thoroughly entrenched in encouraging America’s exploitation of one country after another in the name of “fighting communism.”  These people were undoubtedly involved in the overthrow of the democratically elected Mohammad Mossadegh in Iran for the dreaded Shah of Iran who was ultimately thrown out during Jimmy Carter’s presidency leading up to the hostage crisis leading to Carter’s undoing (and, unfortunately Reagan’s doings!).  They orchestrated a coup in Guatemala which, true to form, ousted a democratically elected government in favor of giving control of the government to a military junta which was more in “favor” with the US.  This crap has been going on since the inception of the CIA in the early fifties and the “Family” has been, secretly, right in the thick of it all along the way.

Why (and how) is all this happening (has it been happening)?  Well, the simple explanation to me is that the multi-national corporations which were overtly “controlled” with regulations after the first Great Depression (do you think I’m anticipating something?) were able to virtually ignore the regulations imposed after the 1929 “Crash” or “work around them” in their global search for MORE AND MORE profits!  It was oil in Iran, copper in Chile, and who knows what in all the other places where America’s secret “enforcers” were manipulating events in order to allow her corporate interests to rob  country after country of its national treasures.  Why else would we care who the Guatemalan’s or the Chilean’s would elect as governments?  Why were we unhappy with the FACT they were ELECTING governments?  Was there some unwritten code somewhere that they had to elect governments that we approved?  Well, unfortunately, I believe the answer to that question is another resounding YES! 

Prior to the “Great Depression” corporate greed and profit motives were out of control – very similarly to what is happening today.  I keep thinking about how, according to most accounts, Hank Paulsen “headed off” another Great Depression with the TARP bailout – how, people said we had learned from the last depression how to avoid the next one – which may or may not prove to be true.  But, the ironic part of that “theory” to me is that I believe the corporations learned how to head off the retaliatory regulating when their greed got so out of control that it “melted” the entire economy so that – instead of taking 50 years to reverse the effects of the next “New Deal” their plan, all along, was to undermine EVERYTHING Obama, or whoever was elected in 2008, attempted to do and therefore face only a four year struggle in which to regain power and continue their pillaging of the American Treasury.  This time (2008 as opposed to 1929), they have control of the media and the Supreme Court – a very nicely thought out plan – and, based on the midterm elections – it looks to me as if their plan may work (that, of course, is an admission that the American public is willingly uninformed).  Members of the “Family” have been calculating on a “Nazi-like” electorate voting in a democratically elected dictatorship for years(Rove’s “permanent republican majority”) – and, I believe that now they feel they can see the “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Back to our democrats who, for those of us who are seeing this disaster on the horizon, we are forced to depend on to change the direction of the “ship,” I ask myself again (and often each day) why are they allowing this to happen?  Well, the truth is that there are democrats living in the “C” street house (home of the “Family” members of congress – Ben Nelson of Nebraska is one I know about), there are an unknown (to me) number of democrats participating in the “Family’s” “prayer cells,” and it seems as if every politician who wishes the national stage MUST participate in the “national prayer breakfast” (whether innocently or not – they are then in “cahoots” with the “Family”).  The “Family” is connected to MANY MAJOR corporate heads who are funneling money to the politicians and their agenda is very republican like.  I’m just saying that the lack of will to “fight” the republican agenda on the part of democrats is UNBELIEVABLE to me.

As I’m writing this, there is a looming “showdown” on capital hill.  The republicans are willing to stop EVERYTHING – including an extension of unemployment benefits for the so-called “99ers” who’ve been out of work for over two years unless the democrats “cave” on their “Bush tax cuts for the rich.”  Meaning, the republicans don’t want the tax cuts for those making over $250,000 to revert to the same levels they were at under Bill Clinton (39% as opposed to 35%) – which means another $700 BILLION of debt over the next decade.  The republicans are balking on spending $18 BILLION for unemployed workers who are simply hanging on by their fingertips to their homes and what dignity they have left.  This is so UN AMERICAN to me that I can’t even believe it’s happening.  But, you have to keep in mind, the republicans are secretly supported and “pushed” by members of the “Family,” and these people opposed unemployment benefits in the 30’s when they were first proposed.  They opposed the formation of labor unions and have been trying to eliminate them ever since.  They are opposed to Social Security (in fact, they’re trying to get their grimy hands on the Social Security trust fund as I’m typing this – have been for years) and Medicare – their (the republicans with “Family” support) Medicare bill during the Bush/Cheney era was designed to ultimately “break” Medicare – they HATE all government run programs.  Hense, we have private contractors almost fighting our wars at this point – think about that one carefully!  Here’s my fear – Obama and the democrats are going to cave on the tax cuts – Obama thinking he will finally have bipartisanship will be writing his own political obituary should he do so.  We will be in for two years that will be worse than the last two years of Bush/Cheney.

I’m going to end this tirade by questioning, AGAIN, how I’m struggling to understand why President Obama is having such a difficult time processing all of this.  Every which way he turns he’s being undercut by republicans – yet, he continues “reaching out.”  I read “Obama’s Wars” by Bob Woodward and it’s very clear that even the top Generals in America’s Military are playing politics with out president.  They backed him into a corner on both Iraq and Afganistan – and, considering the weakness of the economy and the battle over health care reform, I believe Obama took the easy way out on these wars.  No American president has been willing to “take on” the “military industrial complex” in my lifetime, and I guess President Obama won’t be the first.  It’s like we are military JUNKIES and, as a nation, we’re willing to spend whatever it takes to make us feel as if we have enough fire power to incinerate the world many times over to express our “manhood.”  I honestly thought that, at the very least, when Obama took office the military decisions would be “out of the box” – but, as it turned out, the generals prevailed.  It would take a lot of courage to say no to someone like David Patreaus because he’s been cannonized by the likes of Fox “news” and other right wing media types – but, in reading Woodward’s book you can see him for the manipulating and ambitious person that he is (it wouldn’t surprise me to see him running for the republican nomination in 2012).  Endless wars benefit in a HUGE financial way the very people the “Family” are affiliated with, and those people send hundreds of MILLIONS to our congressional “leaders” in order to maintain the “status qu0.”  It will take “leaders” free of this financial indebtedness to the CEO’s and other wealthy business people and world leaders who fund the “Family” to reverse this right wing onslaught of our govenrment.  Two years ago I thought then President Elect Obama was the man for the job, but as we approach 2011 I have my serious doubts.  I can’t help but wonder whether or not the “Family” has infiltrated Obama’s White House and that’s why he’s constantly kissing up to republicans.  The “Family” has been “eating away” at the fundamental core of America since the days of the New Deal and, why democrats can’t see that is beyond me.  The right wing of the republican party (which includes “The Family”) is trying to create an “Us and them” society!  (And, for those of you over 65 out there who voted for “tea partiers” and republicans in the last election – just wait until these people get ahold of your Social Security trust fund! – that’s looming on the horizon)

 Word of the Week: “uncertainty”  – A classic example of the republicans Nazi – like propaganda machine.  I’ve heard at least half a dozen republican pundits spewing the EXACT same line regarding the “uncertainty” which is causing business to hold onto their TRILLIONS of profits instead of hiring new workers.  What is this “uncertainty” in regards to?  EXTENDING THE “BUSH TAX CUTS”

One More Thing:  Am I the only one who finds it interesting that Eric Holder, America’s Attorney General who reminds me of the lion in the Wizard of Oz, couldn’t manage the guts to investigate George W Bush and Dick Cheney (et al) – BOTH admittedly authorizing TORTURE – or Eric Cantor who PUBLICLY violated the Logan Act (an act of treason and a felony) when he assured the Prime Minister of Israel that “the republicans have his back” in any dispute with the Obama administration – yet, he’s publicly and openly “investigating” the “WIKI LEAKS” which simply tell the truth about what our government has been up to lately?