Every time I tell myself that anyone of the democratic candidates will defeat individual 1 in a landslide I have to remind myself of the EXTREMES republicans will go to remain in power. And, of course, they are very unhappy with democrats presently controlling the House of Representatives and they’re busy attempting to LIE and CHEAT their way back into control of that body – PLUS, they face a similar challenge as to what democrats faced in the 2018 mid-term in regard to the Senate. Essentially there are two republican held Senate seats up for election in 2020 to every democratic seat. Individual 1 is historically unpopular, he’s likely to be IMPEACHED before 2020 begins (of course, we’re talking about democrats here – so, I suppose I shouldn’t use the term “likely” and, instead, should say “SHOULD BE”) and “progressives” (liberals, if you will) are FIRED up! It should be a “slam dunk” – correct???
Well, if you’ve been paying close attention to what’s been going on since Robert Mueller’s “report” was completed – nothing in America, at this point in our history, is a “slam dunk.” The brazenous, obfuscation, and outright willingness to LIE which has permeated the republican party to dimensions well beyond anything I’ve witnessed in the past five, or so, DECADES is chilling. Today, again, it was William Barr. This man, who, sadly, is America’s Attorney General, is wedging himself into the history books right between individual 1 and Benedict Arnold. Personally, I was never any kind of a “fan” of Barr’s, but I’ve listened to many former members of the Justice Department who claimed they wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt after he auditioned for his present job by claiming the president “can not commit OBSTRUCTION of Justice.” (I suppose, unless he/she is a democrat) Personally, I was NEVER fooled!
Barr is clearly proving to be individual 1’s “Roy Cohn” – which makes individual 1 exponentially more dangerous. While individual 1 comes across as a “sick puppy,” who has little knowledge of American history (ie – for one example – Frederick Douglass is on longer with us), and is clearly a pathological LIAR, a serial Narcissist (I made up the “serial” part in an attempt to convey the extreme nature of individual 1’s narcissism), a racist, a misogynist, and a xenophobe – he has an iron “grip” on the republican party and MOST republican legislatures actually act as if they’re in FEAR of being targeted by an individual 1 “tweet.” Some of these republicans are becoming disgusting in their own rights. The first name that comes to my mind is Lindsey Graham because I, now knowing better, once pictured him as the republican who would lead the sanity back into the republican party. Aint happenin………………..
Today was Barr’s day to further soil himself as he testified (LIED) in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee which is now “chaired” by Graham, himself. As an independent who’s had to claim an allegiance to the democratic party for several years now in online surveys because the republicans no longer offer an option to anyone who believes in what “made America great,” it grieves my heart listening to Graham these days – someone who I could, at one time, respect despite my differences. Him and John McCain seemed to be like “two peas from the same pod” but, obviously, that was a mirage. Obviously, thinking we can overcome the “partisan divide” at this point in time is a “fools errand.” President Obama frustrated people like me in his futile attempt to bring “bipartisanship” into the norm in Washington – as, it was earlier in my lifetime. Barr showed today why that “pipe dream” was/is “folly” and has clearly brought the threat of individual 1’s attack on our very basic institutions to the forefront making it definitely time for “all hands on deck.”
Here’s the first thing that came to my mind after listening to Barr LIE to Congress in ways that he can probably avoid a perjury charge due to the caginess of his obfuscation. The solution to all this is that it’s time for Robert Mueller to take his place as an American hero once again. Mueller MUST step forward ASAP and begin the process of “clearing the air.” America’s constitution has survived for well over 200 years and I can’t bring myself to believe that a thug like individual 1 will be the “mechanism” that destroys it. I believe people like Mueller will NOT allow that to happen. Over and over we’ve seen how individual 1 seems to cause people to “cower in their boots.” The latest example was Rod Rosenstein – who submitted about the strangest letter of resignation I’ve ever witnessed; kissing up to individual 1 after taking his wrath for two years. (Similar to how Mitch McConnell soiled himself at the “whim” of dear leader, among others – as if all these republicans are living in fear) I can’t bring myself to believe Robert Mueller will ever allow himself to fall into that category – if he does, we’re doomed.
People like me are EXPECTING the democrats to FIGHT for the soul of this nation. This idea that LYING is simply routine coming from politicians and others (like Barr) in Washington and, therefore, is acceptable, MUST be stopped in a dramatic fashion. That means Barr SHOULD face accountability for his LIES in front of Congress (I do remember GW Bush’s Attorney General LYING repeatedly to Congress with no accountability so …….. the dems had the House back then as well) and individual 1 MUST face accountability for not only ALL the LYING but ALL the rest of it as well. If individual 1 doesn’t face LEGAL jeopardy and, yes, I’m talking about JAIL, then our system is not proving itself to be able to live up to the standards put forth by our founding fathers. We are definitely in a CONSTITUTIONAL crisis and the outcome won’t be clear until individual 1 is forced to “face the music” for his disdain directed at the constitution and the LEGAL framework ensuing from it.
How many times have you heard he phrase “We are a nation of laws and not men” over the years? I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count it by using them and my hair is thinning so…………… Here’s the reality: individual 1 is making a strong push to lay the groundwork to change that part of our foundation – he believes we are a nation that depends on HIM and no one else. If you just put a little thought to it, you can see the incredible danger in that. He’s NOT the solution to our problems, WE are the solution and it’s time for “we the people” to put an end to this nightmare. And, as I stated above, the challenge will be daunting – for a number of reasons.
Maybe the biggest part of the challenge will be individual 1’s claim that he’s responsible for a good economy if the recovery which started in 2009 and has been on a straight line upward (if you can picture a graph) since continues. I, personally, believe it’s going to face a “downturn” in the next year (which, somehow, republicans will blame on democrats) but, to me, it matters NOT what’s going on with the economy, individual 1 is a lawless thug and he’s destroying the fabric of America – for the “long haul.” And, in regard to the economy, as republicans always do (at least since the days of Reagan), they pour “gas” on the “fire” because they are always indebted to their “investors” – the wealthy “donor class.” That’s why they passed a serious tax scam – while the economy was already booming (Thanks to Obama, Geitner, and others) – the traditional republican short term thinking at the expense of the long term.
So, while individual 1 will be spouting about how he created this booming economy (of course, just one of THOUSANDS of LIES) we won’t hear a “peep” out of republicans about the mounting national debt which was made much worse by the tax scam. President Obama and his administration had reduced the annual deficit from the $1.5 TRILLION (yes, TRILLION and that’s per year!) he inherited from the LAST republican administration to around $400 BILLION per year when he left office – and, it was on a straight line downward trajectory – just like the economy was on a straight line trajectory upward. Well, it’s true that during individual 1’s time in office that upward trajectory has continued in regard to the economy in general, BUT the downward trajectory of the deficit has taken a HUGE turn in the other direction.
The annual deficit is projected to be over $800 BILLION this year (Fiscal 2019) and is expected to exceed one TRILLION dollars in 2020. The tax scam was essentially a SCAM to funnel taxpayer dollars into the pocketbooks of the wealthiest Americans along with corporations which were already HOARDING trillions in cash. Somehow, in my mind, that’s a recipe for long term disaster – maybe inflation or, worse yet, another “Great Recession” – which, if it happens under individual 1’s “watch” I, personally, have NO confidence in the ability of him or those around him to figure out how to “stem the tide.” Again, regardless of where the economy is when it comes to the 2020 election it is imperative he be voted out of office by “we the people.” That is the ultimate “check” on an administrator who abuses his power and disregards our constitution and the legal system it birthed.
One question I will be asking any democratic candidate i will be considering giving my support is “Are you going to hold these republican lawbreakers accountable after the election.” One reason I believe individual 1 is threatening to “jail” Ms. Clinton, Comey, McCabe, and the others is because he believes his threats will prevent them (and democrats) from going after him post election in 2021. It’s as if he’s getting them “on the record” as stating this would be the work of a “Banana republic” and getting them to state, again, “on the record,” that is not how it’s done in America, traditionally over the years. (Obama, for example, “looked forward instead of back” in regard to the ILLEGAL activity of the Bush/Cheney regime – a decision which certainly contributed to the rise of individual 1 – republicans view democrats as “scardy cats”) In essence, he’s laying the groundwork for his own defense – down the road – using their own words.
Of course, individual 1 is already an unindicted co-conspirator to two felonies and there’s likely more charges coming his way and his family’s way “down the pike.” (Remember, Mueller “passed off” something in the neighborhood of 12 additional cases at the end of his investigation and I’d, personally, be surprised if individual 1 Jr. and/or Jared Kushner weren’t the target of at least one of them) I’m presently reading “Kushner, Inc.” by Vicky Ward (as I anxiously await the Mueller report – my next “read”) and it would surprise me MORE if there were NO charges aimed at Kushner than if there were charges. As I’m reading this book I’m beginning to think he may be more “slimy” than his father-in-law – if that’s possible. They’re certainly “cut from the same cloth.”
To me, there’s an obvious reason why individual 1, with the help of his “Roy Cohn,” (Barr) has increased the attacks on Mueller and is attempting to BLOCK any information – via either document or personal witness – from testifying at the House investigations. (They will even attempt to prevent Mueller from testifying) Not only do they want to prevent the TRUTH from permeating the Fox “news,” Breitbart, Rush Limbaugh et al, “firewall” in regards to individual 1’s OBSTRUCTION (which, as far as I’m concerned, Barr is now part of) but, I believe, they’re “laying the groundwork” to challenge the potential charges individual 1’s family members may be facing. This is classic, from what I’ve read, as to how mob families FIGHT the justice system while they constantly are dodging liability for their illegal actions. Ultimately, people like individual 1 come to believe the laws are intended to be applied to others (like “immigrants”). They need unscrupulous lawyers to succeed – ie William Barr!
Final Thought: One of the saddest parts of this entire “saga” is watching what being associated with individual 1 does to people. You can go down the list: Sean Spicer will be forever soiled by his willingness to LIE for this man – and, in Sarah Sander’s case add an exponent. I, personally, will NEVER forget listening to individual 1’s cabinet “pledging allegiance” to him on camera – and the one that really sticks out was Reince Priebus PATHETICALLY thanking individual 1 for the “honor” of being able to LIE for him. And, of course, the most recent example was Rod Rosenstein – someone who COULD have walked away from this with his head held high and, instead, chose to place himself in the “gutter” right next to the person who degraded him for almost two years by essentially thanking him for the degradation. Go figure! And, of course, Barr – who many respected lawyers thought just might be an “honest broker” when it came time to release the result of Mueller’s investigation and, instead, chose the LYING and obfuscating in a not at all subtle – but, sadly, it appears, successful – attempt to guide the public’s perception away from the TRUTH of what Mueller actually found.
Of course, as in almost all LIES, the TRUTH will eventually come out, it’s just a matter of time and, in this instance, much depends on the ability of democrats in Congress to actually uphold their duty to the constitution to bring out the TRUTH prior to the eventuality it all makes it into the history books. Which leads me to what COULD end up being the actual SADDEST part in all of this.
There are reports I’ve heard – based on various “polls” – that the American public, ie “we the people,” don’t care about the Mueller report. As someone whose father was in the Army during WW II, whose grandfathers struggled to support their families (and neighborhoods) during the “Great Depression,” who grew up listening to his (mine) parents discussing “Eisenhower or Stevenson,” who graduated from high school around the time of the Gulf of Tonkin resolution and would have gone to Viet Nam save for an injured knee (no bone spurs), it truly grieves my heart that these reports MIGHT even be correct. And the reality, from those who I see and talk to in my “everyday life,” is that hardly anyone gets their information anywhere but from the cable “news” outlets. This is an atmosphere that makes it possible for a demigod to come along and try to convince “we the people” he’s the solution. I’ll say it again, WE are the solution and the first step in saving America from this right wing assault which began in 1980 with the election of Ronald Reagan is to vote individual 1, along with as many of his republican enablers as possible, out of office and into the history books in November 2020. (I’ve been writing about the need to vote out republicans for many years – prior to individual 1)
Even if democrats do the right thing and hold impeachment hearings, it will be up to “we the people” to provide the ultimate “check” our founders put into the constitution to prevent what has happened from getting worse – because, if we fail to remove individual 1 in 2020 America will become unrecognizable. It’s clear that the DAMAGE caused by individual 1 will permeate for years after he’s gone, but getting him out of office “sooner rather than later” – after watching Barr the other day and contemplating how that enables individual 1 even more than what the republican party has done – is of an imperative I NEVER expected to feel in my lifetime! “We the people” came through in 2018 – we need to do so in a more resounding fashion in 2020!
I guess I should have said “Final Thoughts.” :o)