OK, if you’ve read my previous post you’ll know I’m one who predicted the democrats would “cave” on the so-called “government shutdown” and, of course, they did.  So, now we’re in that stage where republicans and democrats are attempting to make themselves look to be the “winners.”  It’s true the democrats achieved getting the CHIP program funded for six years as they “kicked the can down the road.” AGAIN!  The budget SHOULD have been approved last October and, as usual, our dysfunctional Congress continues to operate on “CR’s” (Continuing Resolutions which temporarily keep the government funded).  As the saying goes, “Is this any way to operate a government?”  As they argue over who was the “winner,” as usual, “we the people” are the losers.

Of course, “liberals” (* please see disclaimer at the end of this post) like myself are not happy with the democrats.  AGAIN!  In my last post I made a caveat that said, “I hope I’m wrong.”  I still hope I’m wrong – but, I’m not one to trust Mitch McConnell (or Trump or the rest of the republicans – especially in the House).  I wrote it was unconscionable that republicans were attempting to get their budget passed by holding the CHIP program as the “hostage.”  Essentially, it was if you want the “CHIP” program (the Children’s Health Insurance Program which provides insurance for 9 million children and many pregnant moms) the cost will be DACA.  (The “Dreamers” – meaning the Americans brought here by their parents when they were very young – this is the ONLY country they’ve known for all practical purposes.  These kids trusted the government to pass the “Dream Act” as they identified themselves following promises republicans evidently are willing to break.).  This just confirms what most of us know about where the republicans stand on moral issues like these.  I’m not the only “liberal” who believes no DACA NO deal!

Well, now the CHIP issue is “off the table” – it’s been funded.  Maybe this is the only way democrats even had a chance to get what “we the people” want in this deal.  Based on the latest polls I’ve read 87% of Americans want the DACA recipients to receive permanent status as Americans and a similar number support CHIP.  I’ve written before, as a Middle School teacher for over 20 years, I had many students who are now likely integral parts of the DACA issue.  Many of them are the most memorable students I ever had the privilege to teach.  In my mind, they are every much American as myself (and, my family IMMIGRATED to America in the 1600’s).  This should NOT be an issue which would hold up anything – it should get passed on a “clean” bill – PERIOD!  But, I can say this, on February 8th, Democrats would be wise to make a stand at that point – because, it’s unlikely “we the people” can trust Mitch McConnell!  If the DACA “kids” end up facing deportation, it better not be because the Democrats “caved.”

I’ve spent years wondering if the “leaders” of the democratic party understand there’s a WAR going on for the “heart and soul” of this nation???  Were they watching last weekend as MILLIONS of women (and men) were marching in the streets around the globe in protest to what Trump and the republicans stand for?  Do they understand they COULD be the mechanism that funnels that energy into America’s politics? Something I often find myself wondering about.  Those who were in the streets are not looking for some timid politicians to be the leaders of this nation.  The “white nationalists” who are represented in Congress by the so-called “tea party” won’t be overcome by politicians who are afraid to stand for their fundamental beliefs – and, the Americans who will ultimately decide whether “we the people” will stand on the principles originally laid out by FDR (and, by the way, his great wife Eleonor) or will we succumb to Trump and the philosophy of authoritarians like Hitler, Stalin, Putin, etc.  It’s a stark choice that, as a “baby boomer” I can’t even believe we’re being forced to make.  But, thank God for the “women’s march!”

There is a WAVE coming in 2018 and, by default, it appears to me that democrats are going to be the beneficiaries – but, the next few weeks will determine much as to how excited those pushing the “wave” will be regarding the democratic party.  I can anticipate a lot of inner turmoil in the party if “leaders” bail on the DACA “kids.”  Could there be a third party?  Could people run as independents?  I don’t know.  What I do know is that “liberals” are getting fed up with the direction of this nation and they’re “not going to take it anymore.”  I personally don’t believe the media understands the enormity of the issues.  Look at the people in these marches.  Likely, many of them wouldn’t be on the list of “liberals” in any polling they may end up getting caught into.  If democrats are smart, they’ll harness this energy and work to recruit as many working class people as they can into their “fold.”

As I’ve said many times here, it’s just a matter of time for the LYING to catch up with the republicans.  This past weekend, the “vice LIAR” was in Israel LYING straight to the troops there that “a minority in the Senate was preventing them from being paid,” and, “the president and the vice president will do everything they can to make sure you’re all paid.” (or something of the sort – to a noticeable “smattering” of applause.)  I had to wonder if they (the troops) knew he was LYING?  I had to wonder if they knew that – should any military checks fail to be written it wasn’t due to a “minority” in the Senate – unless you consider Mitch McConnell a “minority” – but TOTALLY due to McConnell BLOCKING a proposal to make sure they were paid no matter what?  When your vice president willingly LIES directly to the troops and presents himself as a self righteous “Christian” do you believe, as I do, that this charade has gone on long enough?

This might be another of my “digressions” – I’m just being “up front” – but, is Mike Pense going to go down in the history of vice presidents in the same category as Trump?  I’ve predicted Trump will end up along side Benedict Arnold (and, by the way, as I’ve predicted, the evidence is MOUNTING that the Russians are STILL interfering in our political process – working toward skewing people’s minds come the 2018 election) and, I’m not sure if Pense is just a LIAR or is he involved in the COLLUSION?  I believe some of Pense’s LIES have opened himself up to possibly being entangled in the OBSTRUCTION – like when he covered up for Trump when Comey was fired by purposely LYING to various members of the media.  When he witnessed crimes and did not report them (and, that goes for several members of the “White House” staff).  Watching Pense, this past weekend, LYING directly to our troops made my stomach curl.  I’m not sure I wouldn’t prefer Trump! (I can’t believe I just wrote that)

Here’s the bottom line of this past weekend.  I’m happy the CHIP program is now funded for six years – of course, was there ever a thought that even these mean spirited republicans could take health care away from 9 MILLION kids and their pregnant moms?  We’ve now got another three weeks to wonder whether the “Dreamers” will get what they deserve – which is permanent legal status and a “pathway to citizenship?”  Somehow, I feel another “shutdown,” or threat thereof, is soon to be on the horizon and we’ll be doing this all over again.  Fortunately, the CHIP program won’t be part of that negotiation, but republicans clearly believe they can force democrats to vote for things they are diametrically opposed to in order to get the “Dream Act” their base is expecting.  The republicans will push for a “wall” (and, Mexico WONT pay for it), they’ll push for immigration policies that belie America as a “nation of immigrants.” And, I believe, there’s even more “method to their madness.”

Do you remember the “Russia thing?”  Well, that’s still the most unnerving reality “we the people” are facing.  Is it possible republicans are making as much chaos in DC as they can to take “we the people’s” attention off of Robert Mueller’s investigation while they’re planning a full throated attack on the FBI in the intelligence community?  I know I’m very concerned for the “Dreamers” but it will be terrible if all the stuff going on right now takes our attention off the FACT the Russians are INVADING our nation via cyber networks and our government is seemingly oblivious to all this.  It would be terrible if republicans succeeded in undermining the investigation into the “Russia thing” OR, possibly more importantly, undermining the confidence of the American people in our Justice Department.

It’s the belief and trust in our Justice Department as apolitical that is the backbone of the American form of self government.  Since the days of Reagan I’ve seen more and more people refer to the government as if it’s the “enemy.”  This attack is coming from people who seem to be OK with some form of authoritarian system that doesn’t even resemble what was put in place by our “founding fathers.”  As of this writing “we the people” have the ability to “fix” this problem in November, if not before.  Does it feel to anyone else there are republicans who would like to prevent us from the ability to vote republicans into the “history books?”  I have to say there are republicans I’m OK with – despite the reality I don’t like how they vote.  The best example is Jeff Flake – and, of course, he’ll be one of the republicans who don’t survive what’s going on because he knows he can’t even win a primary without selling himself out to the Trump supporters.  I’m disappointed he doesn’t try – but, apparently, he sees the “writing on the wall.”

The “Russia thing” is probably, in the “long haul” more important than the “Dreamer” issue for democrats to make a stand over – but, the reality is that there really is a WAR going on in America – internally – that surpasses anything I can remember in my lifetime and both issues require diligence and courage.  When Trump was elected I believed his immoral and potentially illegal behavior would cause him to face accountability by the end of his first year in office.  What I wasn’t understanding was the number of right wing republicans in Congress who would put their power ahead of their country.  I couldn’t have imagined there were republicans in Congress who would allow the Russians to intervene in our electoral process as LIARS and fearmongers.  If they succeed, we’re in BIG trouble.  Every day that passes and republicans continue to show themselves as possible traitors the “stakes” seem to be rising.

Do they actually believe they can succeed?  Do they think they can stop the “Russia thing?”  (And, by that I mean the investigation into Trump – not the Russian invasion of our country)  Why are the Russians still allowed to produce the ACTUAL “fake news” one year after Trump’s “election?”  It really is time for democrats to MAKE SURE “we the people” understand they are up for the FIGHT.  Reportedly, Devin Nunes is about to release the “memo” he’s been working on “behind closed doors” where he’s going to “cherry pick” classified information he forced the FBI to provide in order for him to undermine the FBI itself and Mueller in particular.  Is there a democrat (aside from Diane Feinstein) who will, in response to Nunes, publish the entire information Nunes is parsing to make his dishonest point?  The next month should be interesting.  I keep telling my son – “keep watching, this is important American history, happening right before our eyes.”

• Final Thought:  I mentioned above about a disclaimer regarding the word “liberal.”  I always considered myself a “conservative socialist.”  I’ve been pining for a “balanced budget” since the days of Nixon – when he suggested the national debt was nothing more than a mortgagee on a home.  I’ve always wanted the “mortgage” to be paid off, or at least paid down.  Clearly today’s “conservatives” think almost 180 degrees from that.  I’ve believed in the “tradition” which created the world’s greatest middle class – emanating from the “New Deal” today’s republicans are hell bent on repealing.  To me, Social Security and Medicare should be “untouchable.”  Today’s “conservatives” are trying to undermine each (plus Medicaid).  I believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ – read the “beatitudes.”  Additionally, He said, “What you do to the least of these you do to Me, what you do for the least of these you do for Me.”  I could go on, but today’s “conservatives,” in my view, have “muddied” the meaning of these words in a way to allow themselves to turn America into a third world dictatorship.  I hope “we the people” don’t fall for this, and, I for one, will fight this intrusion on our democracy/republic to the bitter end – if necessary!