The more I read, the more I realize this right wing “cabal” that is threatening the very foundation America was built upon, is no recent phenomenon.  Of course, when reading about FDR, the Great Depression, and the New Deal, you can’t help but be exposed to the greedy, mean spirited, right wing corporate “leaders” who fought long and hard to prevent unions from collectively bargaining working conditions and wages, they fought to prevent the government from taking action to put Americans to work during the New Deal and beyond, they did everything they could to prevent equality for women, blacks, etc., they’ve tried to – for many years – undermine public education, and I could go on.  The re-emergence of this group – I guess you could equate the modern version with the so-called robber barons of the early 20th century – has turned me from being an independent voter to an ANTI republican voter – because, there is nary a whimper coming from the leadership of the republican party to all the hate mongering, the divisiveness, and the greed that seems to be at the forefront of republican policy as we proceed in the second decade of the 21st century.  It’s almost as if they want to take us back to the second decade of the 20th century.

Presently, I’m reading Jean Edward Smith’s biography of Dwight D Eisenhower “In War and Peace” and it is a great reminder to me that in my youth there were many republicans who people like me – generational “middle class” – could admire and support.  In fact, the more I read about Eisenhower, the more I appreciate what a decisive, brilliant president he was.  And, as I’m being reminded as I read this book, Eisenhower faced the same right wing thugs in his day – in his own republican party – as President Obama is facing today (with today’s republican party).  In fact, it was Eisenhower’s insistence on standing on principle that led him to form a coalition with the democrats, led by Lyndon Johnson in the Senate, that placed him in rarefied air as far as American presidents are concerned.  Just two of his accomplishments which were made without the support of many in his own party (mainly the right wing obstructionists) and which have been paying immeasurable benefits to all Americans ever since were the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Interstate Highway System across America.

Eisenhower laid the “seeds” that “sprouted” into the Civil Rights movement in the 60’s and he had the courage to stand firm against the anti communists headed by Joseph McCarthy.  The American middle class has been benefiting from Eisenhower’s courage ever since, and now we find ourselves almost being overwhelmed by the same people he managed to marginalize.  The reality seems to be that these right wing extremists JUST WONT GO AWAY!  And, they are very smart and over the years they’ve discovered how to manipulate public opinion to the point where they are now expert at this and, compared to the democrats, it’s like “men against boys.”  A good example of what I’m talking about is how the people behind this movement fully understand what the framers of the constitution intended and they’ve figured out how to “get around” their (the framer’s) intentions.  Take as an example the Supreme Court.  I’ve always considered the court to be an honorable place for people who might have “conservative” or “liberal” leanings, but ultimately they have the best interests or the general public in mind as they have interpreted the constitution over the years.  Not many people understood what was accomplished by the “right” when they got John Roberts and Sam Alito confirmed to the court.  That led the way to “Citizens United”- a boondoggle of a decision I’ve been writing about since the day it came down (I have to give credit to Thom Hartman – he was the only member of the media who understood the significance of this decision before it happened – and, sadly, ALL of his predictions are coming true).  In Mitt Romney’s famous words the court, in “Citizens United,”  determined that “corporations are people, my friend.”  (those were Romney’s exact words)  The decision stated that money is “free speech.”  Essentially, there are no limits on how much money a corporation may spend to influence the outcome of an election.  OUCHEE!!!!!

We’ve now had one complete election cycle (the 2010 midterms) and half another (the 2012 national election cycle) to see the effect of “Citizens United” on the very foundation on which our government was based.  It’s not hard to understand why republicans will not vote to challenge this decision and why democrats are FINALLY scurrying around trying to figure out how to counteract it.  The money is POURING in to those who would advocate for the large monied interests in America and beyond.  Yes, I said beyond – it’s beyond my imagination how anyone could fail to see that foreign interests how have a HUGE say in who is going to govern in this country that I love.  To me, it’s stupid to fail to see this as most large corporations in America are what you’d have to call “multinational” corporations.  They have HUGE interests overseas AND they have many shareholders from overseas and, in some cases, even though they’re “American corporations” they are OWNED by people from overseas.  Hopefully, you get my point.  And, even if that wasn’t the reality, to me it’s just as bad to be under the control of people like Charles and David Koch, Sheldon Adleson,  and other multi billionaires who have the ability to “invest” hundreds of MILLIONS into the election – overtly – in order to get the policy decisions they desire.

Let’s just briefly look at what that might mean.  Charles and David Koch are worth collectively something north of $50 BILLION and they run a corporate conglomerate that has a revenue stream above $100 BILLION annually.  Additionally, they come from the farthest reaches of the right wing.  Their father was a founding member of the John Birch Society – a group that I had hoped had gone away after all the Civil Rights battles of the 60’s.  However, having a black president seems to have a lot of people coming out from under their hiding places in a way this country hasn’t seen for a long long time – if ever.  The John Birch Society was among a group that accused Eisenhower of being a “communist sympathizer.”  They were overt racists and were opposed to every good measure that became part of American society as a result of the New Deal of FDR and the administrations which followed – all, reaffirming the value and importance of a strong middle class.  They were able to come out from under their rocks once Ronald Reagan won the “White House” and they’ve been building momentum ever since for the so-called “permanent republican majority.”  They figured out the way to do this is to get a stranglehold on one party in our two party system, figure out how to gain power, and then DESTROY the system!

So far, it’s been hard to keep up with these people because it’s been easy to think they are still in the “margins.”  However, in my view, they’re one election away from possibly having the American public “where the hair’s short” for a generation.  If they are able to turn the money advantage into a return to the “White House” (I put that in quotes because I’m sure you can understand that, to them, it’s a literal term – and having President Obama living there is almost more than they can handle) and more control of congress, it’s going to be hard to get them out.  They will then control ALL three branches of government (the framer’s wanted to make this virtually impossible – but they didn’t envision political hacks like Roberts, Alito, and Scalia who are unashamed republicans who are willing to “fall in line” as the saying goes) plus, what most people fail to realize, they have control of the “liberal media.”  In fact, that Americans mostly believe we have a liberal media is a testament to the propaganda ability of this group that is behind the scenes orchestrating Romney’s campaign, the “tea party,” and the information “we the people” are privy to.

To me, the most significant reason to vote for President Obama in November is the Supreme Court.  These are appointments for life, and the “Citizens United” decision made it clear as a blue sky that more political right wing hacks on that court means a tougher battle in restoring the middle class as the driving force in this nation.  Scott Walker put the strategy well that republicans are using to pull this “heist” of our nation’s government off:  he was quoted as saying “divide and conquer”  in Wisconsin would allow his right wing agenda to trump those who favor worker’s rights, etc.  I still remember in 2008 how Obama was vilified for pointing out how republicans were using “wedge issues” to get middle class people to vote against their own self interests.  I see it all the time as a Christian who regularly attends church services.  The republicans have convinced America’s conservative Christian community that they’re the “pro life” party and they’ve used the abortion issue for years to cause people to vote for politicians who they should despise.  I’m not interested in getting into that discussion here, only to point out that the republicans, far more than the democrats, are willing to say anything that gets them into power – the end justifies the means.  And, they walk in “lockstep” which, to me, is the clearest sign that the party has degenerated to the point where they’re all simply mouthpieces (paid mouthpieces) for this invisible cabal that I feel is so close to achieving their goal of having  and iron tight grip on America’s political system and government.

Why is the Supreme Court so important?  Well, just the other day they decided that a law in Montana (which had been law for somewhere around 100 years) which forbid corporations from participating in their local and state elections  was unconstitutional.  The court evidently was saying that “Citizens United” is the law of the land and no state may challenge it.  The most interesting part of this decision to me is the FACT that the members of the court have had almost four years to see the effect “Citizens United” is having on our electoral process and they decided to take it one step further.  Evidently, the members of the court are buying into the idea of a corporate/government partnership.  I’ve written several times about how this is fundamental definition of fascism.  I’ve been writing since Obama’s election that we’re in a WAR for the heart and soul of America and the only defense “we the people” have at this time to fight back is the democratic party and President Obama.  I believe the gravity of the situation is FINALLY setting in with America’s “progressive” leaders – I just hope it’s not too late.  “Citizens United” has given the people who’ve been railing against the New Deal since the first day FDR was elected a “light at the end of the tunnel.”  The first step in reversing “Citizens United” is refusing to vote for another republican until that decision has been overturned. If Mitt Romney is somehow elected president (remember, with all the money and the voter suppression which is going on as I write this, it’s a distinct possibility) the Supreme Court will anti working class for at least a generation!  Despite all the wishy washy statements we’ve heard over the years, seemingly in conflict with himself, one thing is clear about Romney:  He’ll do whatever he’s told to do by this “invisible” cabal.