I can’t bring myself to imagine that the American public could ever elect someone like Mitt Romney as president and it’s even harder to imagine, after what republicans did to this nation in the years of the Bush/Cheney regime, them gaining control of both houses of Congress – REALLY, can the American voting public actually be that stupid? (this morning, while driving around, I heard a tape of people being interviewed at a “tea party” rally – essentially, racism and uninformed ignorance at it’s highest and at it’s ugliest – and, I thought, “the sad reality is that it is possible”)  Well, I won’t allow myself to believe this is even potential reality until it actually happens, but the truth is the republicans have a BILLION (the estimate I heard this morning is over $3 BILLION) or more dollars to spend on fabricated advertising (remember, their mantra is the end justifies the means, and the lies are pouring out at a record pace – even for American politics) and they’ve got a “ground game” designed not to get out the vote, but to prevent as many “left leaning” voters as possible (by some estimates as high as 5 MILLION) from casting their ballots.  It really is a clever scheme and there’s not much “we the people” will be able to do about it should they “pull this off.”

The last few days I’ve been wondering how, with such a dearth of candidates on the republican side, President Obama could find himself in a position where this is even a possibility – and, remember the 2000 and 2004 elections – in both instances Bush/Cheney “winning” through skullduggery as opposed to the ballot box (and, yes, if there’s any republicans reading this post – I “get” that Bush got a majority of the votes in 2004, but the evidence STRONGLY suggests that he DIDN’T win Ohio – which would have given the election to Kerry via the electoral “map”)?  Well, the truth is that I’ve been writing since almost the day Obama took office about how many of his decisions were “turning off” the people who so actively supported him;  believing in “the change we can believe in” or “Change has come to America.”  Pardon me, but Tim Geithner wasn’t “change,” Larry Summers wasn’t “change,” and Rahm Emmanuel?  Are you kidding me – he’s the epitome of the “backroom politician” the “Washington insider.”  The lobbying industry wasn’t restricted – it has flourished.  And, I’ll disagree with Mike Pappentonio that Eric Holder is the worst Attorney General EVER, but only because he follows Alberto Gonzales – he of the two days of purgering himself in front of Congress on national TV – but Holder’s record has left many a liberal wondering if he doesn’t believe in the Nixon theory of justice?  If the president (or any other prominent politician or business person) does it, it MUST be legal!

Now we’ve got the republican candidate for president advocating a return into Iraq, I’m sure bombing Iran, and advancing the Bush/Cheney formula for destabilizing the Middle East (and the rest of the world) exponentially.  The words come flying out of Romney’s mouth, seemingly intended to fire up the neocons on the “right” in America – with little or no interest as to how they’re interpreted internationally.  Seriously, the guy is a buffoon, but he’s seemingly got a chance because so many on the “left” are so turned off by the whole process (and, as I’ve been saying for almost 4 years now – there’s a significant portion of America who just can’t handle a person of color in the “White House.”). I’m beginning to think that many liberals are thinking the fastest way to get to a point where we are actually addressing the pressing issues of the day is to elect Romney so we can get the impending disaster with the economy over with – hopefully, hastening the day when we are actually FORCED to deal with issues like Climate Change, Peak Oil, Water shortages (of course, a Romney victory virtually assures us that the large aquifer in middle America will become contaminated by the Keystone pipeline –  which will do NOTHING for America’s dependence on foreign oil, but will almost certainly continue the degradation of our environment), and income inequality – to name a few.

One of the scariest realities of this upcoming election for me, no matter who wins, is that our broadcast media has evolved to the point where it’s synonymous with prostitution.  Seriously, when you think about it, what motivation do the media outlets have to legitimately report on this campaign?  It’s in their TOTAL financial interest for this to be a “horse race” whether it is or not.  Do you really think all those “moneyed interests” would be funneling in dollars by the truckload – to people like Karl Rove or organizations like the Chamber of Commerce or “Freedom Works” – so that they can FLOOD the airwaves in “battleground states” with expensive advertising if this election was a runaway? In my own state (Washington) we have a Koch brothers funded Scott Walker clone running for governor and it was reported today that the largest newspaper in the state is running full page adds for this right wing anti-union candidate free gratis.  Honestly, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.  The republicans are apparently correct in believing that the voting public is totally ignorant as to what is happening.  It’s like a SUCKER PUNCH that could affect this nation for generations (I don’t see how, for example, Citizens United will get overturned with a republican victory in this election – that Supreme Court decision could go down in history as the turning point in America that allowed the undermining of our republic.

I’ve come to the place where I don’t trust the polls, I don’t trust the voting process in my own country.  It’s a known FACT that many of the voting machines (in strategic places) are owned by republican controlled corporations and they’re easily HACKED.  The number of reported instances where voters voted for one candidate and the machine tallied a vote for the opponent are too numerous for me.  In Ohio we KNOW that the shenanigans are continuing – fewer voting machines in urban (democratic) districts, restrictions on early voting, illegal and confusing directions for voter registration rules, misleading advertising with scare tactics aimed at suppressing the vote, and I could go on.  Let’s suffice it to say – AGAIN – the republican mantra is “the end justifies the means.”  Power any way possible.  And, should they pull this off, all people like me will be whiners and not “patriotic.”  (I still remember the 8 long years of Bush/Cheney).

So, what is the solution?  All I can do here is report on what I’m doing.  First and foremost, I’m encouraging everyone who wishes to discuss politics to reject the republican party OUTRIGHT until the moderates such as Colin Powell are back in the forefront.  There are a few republicans speaking out now about “their” party – which they recognize is no longer “their” party – and, I totally respect that.  There really was a day when both sides could work out solutions to problems in a bipartisan fashion.  I spent an hour and a half calling to support the democratic candidate for governor in Washington (being opposed by the aforementioned Koch brothers puppet) and I’m supporting the candidates for congress who I believe to be true progressives.  I don’t have much money, so it goes out in 20 to 25 dollar amounts to people like Elizabeth Warren, Sherrod Brown, Allan Grayson, and organizations like Act Blue and Moveon.org.  And, then as I guess what you’d have to call a member of the Christian “left,” I’m praying that America rejects the candidacy of two men (Romney/Ryan) who are the best representatives of WHAT IS WRONG with America I’ve ever seen (in my lifetime) make it to the top of a national ticket.

While I was listening to the comments of the “tea partiers” who were ranting against Obama (mostly with racist innuendo) I realized that many of the speakers were part of the 47% who Romney railed against as he was attempting to get multimillionaires to unload parts of their fortunes into his campaign coffers.  It hit me once again that the racial bias of these people is stronger than their awareness of their own self interest.  Honestly, their racist attitudes makes me want Obama to be reelected EVEN MORE.  I want my grandchildren to grow up into a nation that is purging itself of the racial hatred that has plagued it for the past 200+ years.  And, it’s the rest of us who have to make this a reality, because just as Jackie Robinson had to “take it” as he broke the “color barrier” in sports during my early childhood years, Obama can’t come out “swinging” on this issue – because these very racists will accuse him of “playing the race card” if he calls them on their despicable behavior – from the outright slurs of the “tea party” to the “code words” bountied about by Romney, Ryan, and their closest supporters as they attempt to “feed” their “base.”  Believe me, they fully UNDERSTAND the sentiments of their supporters – even though they will never say so in public.

Finally, my intention, should Obama prevail and be reelected, is to continue to “push” him and our other leaders to have the courage to FIGHT for the progressive values that made this nation great in the first place.  It has NEVER been the right wing “conservative” forces who have moved America forward – it has ALWAYS been liberals (often times radicals) who have shed the blood and toil necessary to overcome the obstacle of fighting BIG MONEY and their selfish interests as you look back on our history.  The more I read, the more I feel that people like Romney, Rove, Norquist, Limbaugh, Hannity, McConnell, Boehner, and other “conservatives” are attempting to take us back to the “Gilded Age” when corporations had a free hand in regard to how they dealt with their workers, the environment, and their obligations to “the commons.”  People like the Koch brothers don’t want government giving them any “obligations.”

It’s true that the Koch’s provide support for charities – it’s just that they don’t want the federal government interfering in how they distribute ANY of their “income.”  The problem I have with their attitude is that it puts them in the category of those who want to “take” without giving their fair share back. The “commons” (ie roads, schools, police, firefighters, social workers, etc. etc.) benefits everyone and it is reasonable to “get” that they (Charles and David Koch) receive more benefit from the “commons” than us average “folk.”  Instead of trying to destroy government they should, in my view, be trying to work with the rest of us to make it better.  (Remember, the republican mantra is to bankrupt our government by reducing it to a size that can be “flushed down a bathtub drain” or something along those lines)  As I try to teach my sixth grade students that they should explore multiple viewpoints when drawing conclusions about what they believe, I look forward to the day when our government can function on that principle.  I just don’t think it’s possible under today’s republican leadership.  And, I fully realize my “hopes” that people like the Kochs would work to make government better are impossible under Obama, because the reality is they come from the John Birch Society crowd and are leading the charge of the racists “among us.”

I believe President Obama is smart enough to have realized by now where he went wrong in his first term (of course, I don’t expect him to agree with “liberals” on every issue) and I believe during his second term those of us who believe in the principals of FDR’s “New Deal” have an opportunity to PUSH Obama and the democratic leadership to restore some of the basic principles of America that have eroded since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980.  The areas I believe need to be addressed I think will be supported by a large majority of Americans – despite the republican opposition.  Single payer health care – seriously, why would we want a FOR PROFIT health system – that’s part of the Reagan legacy that’s undermining our country – republicans continue their push to privatize EVERYTHING.  Elimination – or strict controls – on lobbying in Washington DC (and elsewhere).  Break up the “too big to fail” banking conglomerates.  Close down the Cayman Island, Bermuda, Swiss Bank loopholes in our tax system and stop encouraging companies to move their factories overseas.  Cut the military budget and get out of Afghanistan – start spending money to help educate and feed people in need.  REPEAL CITIZENS UNITED.  Investigate those in our military or CIA who were/are committing torture – including those who authorized it (ie Bush/Cheney – better late than never).  Investigate Hank Paulsen/Goldman Sachs and the TARP bailout – with accountability to those who are recklessly GAMBLING with the money of our retirees.

I could go on and on – but, I don’t think you’d get much opposition to ANY of those proposals.  The American election of 2012 ultimately will decide the near term conflict between unbridled corporate power and the rights of “we the people!”  Seriously, it’s time to determine if people like the Koch brothers are going to set the agenda in this great nation.  How much do “we the people” value the privileges we’ve been enjoying since our parents and grandparents shed their blood to cement the social contract of the New Deal into the lifestyles of average Americans?

Republicans are like the itch that just won’t quit.  Really, I need some benedryll!  This “go round’s” puppets are Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, but those pulling the strings are the same thugs that forced the miserable years of the Bush/Cheney administration on the unsuspecting American public.  And, I say that with special emphasis on the Cheney part!  (In so many ways, GW Bush reminds me of Mitt Romney)  The big question for the upcoming election in my mind is that are we, the American voting public, as stupid as the republicans believe we are.  I mean, I think they should be embarrassed to put out two candidates with the issues of Romney and Ryan.  But, evidently, the Citizens United Supreme Court decision (and their control of the court – remember Bush v Gore 2000) allows them to feel as if the candidate is unimportant.  Those behind the scenes (such as Karl Rove, the Chamber of Commerce, the Koch’s, etc.) must believe their MOUNTAINS of money will be the deciding force in the upcoming election.

Here’s another way to look at this.  We’ve got two virtual KNOW NOTHINGS in the field of foreign policy now running around the country making stupid statements regarding President Obama, exactly at a time when the nation needs to show solidarity behind our president and those representing this country abroad, and seemingly trying to make matters worse.  The “Democracy” these republicans were so vociferous in supporting as they unseated Saddam Hussein and destabilized the middle east (and world for that matter) in their quest for more oil profits is showing its growing pains in the surrounding nations and, as with every other incident that has happened in the world since 2009 (except the positive ones) Romney, Ryan, and the rest of the republican party is BLAMING President Obama for all that goes awry!  Now, if you just take one moment to think about how absurd that is, then another moment to think about what that does to the U.S.’s image in the world (can you imagine how those in other places are wondering how people like Romney/Ryan/Boehner/McConnell etc. could possibly be “leaders” of the leader of the “free world?”), and then look back at the previous 3+ years and honestly consider the number of times the republicans have BLOCKED any progressive legislation from having a chance – you should be able to get the picture here.

Nothing the republicans do has anything to do with what’s best for the United States of America.  It’s ALL ABOUT what’s best for their “focus group” (the so-called 1%) AND regaining POWER.  It’s been less than 4 years since the republicans led the Wall Street elite’s plundering of our economy to the tune of several TRILLION dollars – and, they now expect “we the people” to put them back in charge by proposing the same OLD recipe for their GREED.  More tax breaks for millionaires and BILLIONAIRES – and, this time they’ll fix the tax code so that us “little people” can have more fairness (figure out what losing your mortgage deduction will do to your “bottom line”).  It’s just that Romney/Ryan are adding the caveat that they are pawns of the neocons behind the “Project for a New American Century”- ie, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Dick Armey, Richard Perle, and a host of other right wing war mongers – virtually none of which actually ever wore a uniform in the military service to the United States.  The “talking points” coming from Romney/Ryan are like a bad dream from a broken record.  We’ve heard them all before – whether it’s about plundering our tax base for American’s wealthy (in their estimation it’s allowing the rich to “keep their” money) or liberating some unfortunate country which hates Israel and – this is important – has HUGE reserves of oil.  Romney/Ryan’s “cross-hairs:”  Iran!  These people are nuts – AND – they’re bound and determined to PROVE they can overcome all the obstacles our founders put into the constitution to prevent FACTIONS such as theirs from EVER gaining a STRANGLEHOLD on our government.  George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and the others were trying to save us from these neocons over 200 years ago.  Lets just hope and pray the original constitution’s intent holds up!

Romney’s recent “gaffe” – actually, for once telling the truth – where he commented on the now famous 47% of Americans who are evidently freeloaders living off the government dole – really tells it all.  It should, in reality, GUARANTEE that this man is UNFIT to lead America, but with all their Citizens United might – I have no doubt the republicans and Romney will march on with their arrogant lies aimed at suffocating the 47% (and the rest of the so-called 99%) with the right wing power grab which has been in the works since the days of Ronald Reagan.  I tried to watch the first presidential debate, but just as when I try to take in Fox “news,” or listen to the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Lars Larsen, I quickly get sick to my stomach hearing all the lies (republican “talking points” – right out of the Goebbels Nazi propaganda “playbook” – don’t believe me?  Just listen to several of the “talkers” on the same day – you’ll hear the same message with the same words coming out of their mouths – ie the big lie theory)  with no apparent mechanism (well, except for those of us who check out things on the “Internets” – one site, I think it was the Daily Kos, listed something like 27 lies coming from Romney’s mouth in 38 minutes of the debate) to rebut them.  I’ve always had a lot of respect for Jim Lehrer, and maybe how he moderated that debate was what he should have done, but in the parts I watched Mitt Romney was acting like a bully and Lehrer seemed defenseless.  I was able to IMMEDIATELY see holes in what he was saying and he was violating his “time” (I’m sure Obama probably did the same at other points in the debate) but, that’s not what caused me to almost “gag.”  For a man who’s been “promising” to “repeal Obamacare” as the first thing he does upon becoming president (I’m not sure he can even do that without the consent of congress) his defense of “his plan” which was implemented in Massachusetts while he was governor seemed to me a total contradiction (of course, that’s what Romney’s becoming famous for – all the contradictions – some people say there’s not an issue of which he hasn’t claimed to be on both sides)

To me, it’s just the height of arrogance that a man like Romney would be running for this office in the first place.  A recent report I read listed his “holdings” in the Cayman Islands at 137 different business investments.  You don’t have to do much research to figure out why any American would locate their business or their investments in places like the Caymans – and, keep in mind Romney’s got Swiss bank accounts and business investments located in Bermuda as well – and, probably elsewhere.  The MAIN reason businesses locate in these places is to avoid regulation and TAXES.  Now, I’m not suggesting any of what Romney’s doing is illegal (although I’ve read several books suggesting that the “rules” are “pushed” in almost all of these “setups” and the IRS just doesn’t have enough manpower to adequately police it – not to mention that many of the holders of these accounts are large donors to that great congress of ours which has been virtually bought and paid for by the 1% of which most of the rest of us are getting REALLY tired) – what I am suggesting is that it’s hard for me to understand why any working class American would vote for someone who doesn’t believe in this nation enough to invest their money right here at home!  I “get” how all this works, I just don’t “get” how “we the people” would want someone like Romney – a direct representative of the very people who almost destroyed our economy in 2008 to “run” this country – it makes NO SENSE at all to me.

I read the biography of Steve Jobs and I’ve had the pleasure of hosting teachers from China in a student exchange program over the past few years (both myself and my wife are school teachers).  The teachers come from one of the cities hosting the factory (I believe it’s called Fox Com) where Apple makes their iPhones and iPads.   Recently I read where Apple is hoarding something approaching 100 BILLION dollars over seas – unwilling to return this money to the United States until they can do so without paying taxes.  I’m pointing this out because I believe Apple’s mentality and Romney’s are quite similar.  And, to me, it’s totally outrageous.  Apple is ABUSING the Chinese workers (some of the stories are horrific) and making HUGE profits by assembling their products with what almost amounts to slave labor and then shipping their products to the United States and selling them.  The Chinese teachers and students were purchasing Apple products here because the products are cheaper here than in the very town where they are assembled!  After all this – and Apple has made obscene profits – they still want to avoid taxes on the money that should be reinvested in America (actually, they should have to treat their workers better in China first and foremost AND be willing to pay American taxes to support the country which allowed for their success in the first place).  I’m sure if we had the “TRUTH” about Romney’s Cayman Islands business accounts we would see some parallels – albeit a bit smaller – to Apple’s arrogant greed.  Again, not illegal – but, why would “we the people” want our leaders coming from this mindset?

I will end this by saying that I believe the very things that turn my stomach about Mitt Romney are what makes him valuable to the puppeteers of the republican party.  He will say whatever he’s told to say.  He will give any audience what they want to hear.  Last year I heard a quote from a leading republican insider, I believe it was Grover Norquist, when addressing republican donors concerned about what at the time was a dreadful group of candidates for the republican nomination for president, and he said “All we need is someone to sign the legislation we get through congress.”  Of course, the plan is to have control of both houses of congress, the White House, and the courts. (the secret part of the plan is that the so-called “liberal media” is controlled by right wing corporations – so, they’ve already got the “4th estate,”  they’ll NEVER tell us that)  That plan appears to be unraveling, but even in my state (Washington) – considered a “liberal” state, the Koch brothers recently “funneled in” over $4 MILLION in an attempt to get a “Scott Walker clone” into the governorship of the state of Washington.  Will it work?  Well, in our state, that’s a lot of money and it will allow the republicans to buy up most of the available advertisement time on the TV’s.  Nationally, people like Karl Rove, the Chamber of Commerce, and Dick Armey (with “Freedom Works”) are expected to spend upwards of a BILLION dollars on stealth advertising designed to get republicans elected by any means possible.  We’ve seen the repeated LYING by both Romney and Ryan at the top (OK, most will concede that the lying is bipartisan – it’s just that I’ve never seen it as blatant as with these republicans) and I don’t expect anything different from those down the “food chain.”  It really is time for “we the people” to put an end to this version of the republican party.  The way to do that is at the ballot box in November! Failure to do so could lead to a disaster which can best be described as a revisiting of the 1920’s!