I’m just getting so tired of “stupid” when I’m listening or watching Americans who manage to find themselves part of our “liberal media.” Yesterday, as I often do when I’m driving around, I was listening to MSNBC and one conversation after another was about the SCOTUS overturning Roe v Wade. One (unnamed – I don’t know the name) person being interviewed by someone (don’t know that name either) was lamenting the Court’s decision and she (actually) said, “This is the fault of the Biden Administration, they let this happen.” Thus confirming that “stupid” is bipartisan.

Here’s the problem with that kind of thinking – especially when there’s NO pushback by whoever was interviewing this lady – that’s exactly what those who are funding the republican assault on our republic want people to think. We are teetering on becoming the fascist state people like my father fought in WW II to prevent from happening. And, my concern is people like this woman will either NOT vote or, worse, vote for republicans to get back at Joe Biden! Of course, this decision was “baked” into the court’s docket once Amy Coney Barrett was “crammed” onto the court because Ruth Bader Ginsburg couldn’t manage to live until the 2020 election – although, she tried valiantly to do so. Ms. Ginsburg knew exactly what would happen if she couldn’t last – and, it did.

But, the ramifications of the Supreme Court my children and grandchildren must live with for a generation go well beyond the overturning of Roe. Are progressives going to blame Biden each time another “right” is overruled? Of course, that would be “stupid.” I’ve referred to our Twice Impeached so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president as “individual 1” for a couple of years – I hate writing the name Donald Trump – but, obviously, America’s Justice Department doesn’t have the will to enforce our laws on a former president (and possibly his sycophants) so he’ll NEVER have to face justice for his role in the same FELONY which led to Michael Cohen going to PRISON for 3 years. So, I’m going to refer to our DISGRACED former president by his surname from hear on out. (I’ll probably forget occasionally)

And, I’m not necessarily going to blame Trump for the Court’s ruling on Roe despite him assuredly taking credit – but the decision has its roots well before Trump walked down the stairs at his god awful “Tower” in New York. This decision was “baked in” once Moscow Mitch “stole” a seat on the court from Merrick Garland – although, it’s reasonable to be perplexed by the inconsistency of the Senate confirmations of Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh and their so-called commitments to “stare decisis.” Yes, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh were critical parts of the decision to overturn Roe and they’re two of the three justices placed on the court by our DISGRACED former president. (That’s much easier to write)

This is exactly why so many evangelical “Christians” are rejoicing about the court’s decision and Trump’s role in it. (Of course, he IS taking credit for the ruling) So, why would anyone be blaming Joe Biden for “letting this happen.” In 2016 Hillary Clinton was running against Trump (and Russia and the FBI) and a majority of white women voted, inexpicably, for Trump – him, having ADMITTED to being a sexual pervert. These “Christians” made a “deal with the devil” because the “abortion” issue was the limit of their ability to think about politics – as if overturning Roe would stop abortions. So, my point is the people who “let this happen” (and who oppose this court’s egregious “legislating from the bench”) are all those “progressives” who sat out the 2016 election or voted for Trump or voted for one of the third party candidates allowing this two bit mob boss to become president.

Here’s why I (reluctantly) use the word “stupid” to characterize people like those mentioned above. Blaming Biden makes me think, as I said above, this woman will either FAIL to VOTE this November or will be SUCKERED into voting for a republican. There’s not a single republican in the Senate who voted to codify Roe when it was brought up for a vote a month or so back. The problem is there aren’t enough democrats in the Senate to get virtually ANYTHING of consequence done – so, why wouldn’t people (like the woman mentioned above) understand voting in MORE democrats is the ONLY hope people like her have. (Keep in mind, the abortion issue does not personally affect old people like me – other than grieving for our children and – mostly – grandchildren)

Democrats have been LOSING the messaging “battle” for as long back as I can remember. I’ve been pointing this out on this site for nearly 15 years. Democrats don’t understand – possibly STILL – what is going on in American politics – republicans surely do. This is a “war” for the heart and soul of this nation and we’re headed for the American version of apartheid if progressives fail to turn out in record numbers come November – presidential election numbers. (Which is highly unlikely – given the history of democratic apathy – in mid term elections) And, if the January 6th Select Committees public hearings AND (more than the Roe) Supreme Court decisions don’t get people’s attention, well, the foundation for republican CHEATING to win elections will have been “burnt in.”

I’ve lamented the timidity of Merrick Garland for over a year now and I don’t feel any more certain he will actually ENFORCE the existing laws without “fear or favor” regarding the INSURRECTION and the conspiracy by Trump and his “gang.” If AG Garland fails, then this nation will be unrecognizable. Trust me, indicting Trump will cause no more “division” to our nation than NOT indicting him – and, quite possibly a lot less. The results of well over 20 years of “manipulation” by a cabal of WEALTHY republicans – ie the “Koch brothers,” The DeVoss family, the Coors family, etc. etc. have been FUNDING a multitude of groups who’ve been working “from the bottom up” to create the situation where hard right republicans fill key places in one state after another. The group “ALEC” actually writes legislation for state legislatures all over the nation. And, of course, democrats act as if none of this is happening.

So, democrats don’t have much time to get their act together. And, of course, republicans know which democrats carry the most “weight” with the public, so – just as they did with Mrs. Clinton for 20+ years they are SMEARING anyone they consider a potential effective foe with MILLIONS in dirty money. As I’ve said here many times, with republicans the “end justifies the means.” Which is why Trump was so acceptable to the “base” – he’s the perfect leader – a pathological LYING two bit mob boss. And, of course, now you’ve got republican presidential wanabees all over the country trying to “out Trump” each other.

The bottom line, in America, is that the white nationalists are MUCH more numerous than I had imagined – having lived through the Civil Rights fights back in the 60’s on up to the election of Barack Obama as president in 2008. That was a seminal moment for two reasons – the first African American president AND the birthing of the “Tea Party” consisting of a group of racists who were more than willing to align themselves with the “basket of deplorables” menitoned by Mrs. Clinton in the 2016 campaign AND virtually take over the republican party during the next six years. Trump was auditioning for the role of “leader” while he was “pushing” the “Birther” movement.

Now you have people like Tucker Carlson with a voice on Fox “news” spewing out the “replacement theory” garbage to keep this group of white nationalists riled up and pretending they’re “conservative Christians.” The focal point of this movement, of course, as it has been for decades upon decades is in the American South. This was made ABUNDANTLY clear as states like Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida were at the forefron of what is being called “Jim Crow 2.0” – an attempt to prevent African Americans and other “minority groups” from voting in numbers high enough to effect the result of elections.

Naturally, this movement is not ONLY in the South – I know people in the Northwest who espouse the same garbage. I have a former acquaintance (I tried to get him to come to his senses at the breakfast table over a few years) who actually (with his wife) adopted and raised three African Americans who refer to him as “Dad.” I seriously doubt he says the same things to them which he said to me and I’m sure he can’t picture himself as being “racist.” But, you know, I don’t go by the theory that “I know a Black person so I can’t be racist.” His “daughter” was receiving subsistance the last time I talked to him and he was angry about it – said she deserved to be on the street. To me, when you align yourself with “white nationailsts” you can’t have it both ways. This guy even said things to me which I, at the time, thought were perplexing that an educated adult could think that, and later learned were QAnon conspiracy garbage.

We became acquainted via our Church (at the time) and I (actually) enjoy having dialogue with people who disagree with me (most people I know do :o) – but, I draw the line when I start hearing racist garbage. The last time I corresponded with him he referred to himself as a “conservative Christian.” I don’t think he has any idea what the actual definition of “conservative” is and, to me, when you jump on the Trump “bandwagon” and become part of the CULT I have to question the sincerity of the “Christian” self characterization. And, yes, I’m fully aware of the Bible saying “judge not less you be judged.” I just don’t believe the Trump version of “Christianity” comports with what I’ve learned over the past 20+ years. (I’m pretty sure I’ve “digressed”)

My point is, whether my former acquaintance is “right” or I’m “right” when it comes to what is best for this nation, him and those in the CULT with him will likely VOTE in huge numbers this coming November (for a midterm) so if democrats don’t get their acts together – and FAST – they will disappoint once again. And, I’m not talking about running on all the wonderful things they’ve accomplished in Biden’s first two years. They better start MESSAGING on the true threats we are facing as a nation coming from republicans. I can point out a key reason to vote for democrats right off the top of my aging head.

In fact, democrats need to win EVERY election for the foreseeable future because the 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court could get WORSE if they lose the Senate OR the “White House” anytime soon. I can conceive of, for example, Clarence Thomas getting caught up in the conspiracy to overthrow our government culminating in the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION. At this point it’s CLEAR his wife, Ginni Thomas, was right in the middle of a SEDITIONS conspiracy along with Trump, Meadows, Giuliani, Bannon, and a bunch of others (including about 100 suckers in various states who were led to sign fraudulent elector documents – which is AGAINST the law). Do you actually believe he had no idea what his wife was doing? OMG – republicans believe “we the people” are STUPID – if we believe that!

As soon as republicans gain control of the Senate or “White House” we are THREATENED with another LYING Gorsuch or Kavanaugh or Alito to add to the bunch already there. Well, democrats SHOULD have understood this back when Mrs. Clinton was on the ballot, but, well, ………………. The next reason why democrats need to get MORE Senators and retain control of the House is so Biden can get his “Build Back Better” agenda through Congress – bypassing Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. They have both relished the role of being in the public spotlight due to their willingness to “torpedo” Biden’s agenda – but, they can become irrelevant with just TWO more Democratic Senators – although, it would be better to have four or five more.

The democrats are defending about half as many seats as the republicans in this “go round” when it comes to the Senate – so, the opportunity is there. I believe in both Pennsylvania and Ohio democrats have a great chance to “flip” the seats. However, there are democrats who are vulnerable – including one of my favorites – Raphael Warnock in Georgia. He’s running against Hershel Walker – who is possibly the WORST candidate for the Senate I’ve EVER seen, but Walker’s running as a republican with Trump’s blessing so if he can avoid ANY public speaking engagements – including debating Warnock – who knows, republicans elected Trump after all.

As I said when I started this rant, my concern regarding the upcoming election is the STUPID stuff I’ve heard coming from the mouths of people who SHOULD be voting for democrats. It’s NOT Biden’s fault Roe got overturned, for example. And, the high gas prices and inflation are the result, largely of the war in Ukraine and the bottlenecks in supply chains – PLUS the GREED of multi-national corporations headquartered in America who are making obscene profits while our people are struggling to get by. Many of these corporations are donating MILLIONS to the republicans who were/are involved in the INSURRECTION. (It, of course, is ongoing)

If democrats can’t convince enough voters that the future of our republic is on the ballot this November, then, well, Yikes! I’ve been saying this for years – unfortunately, those of us who recognize the danger of the republican party which has gone over the right wing “edge” HAVE to depend on democrats to stop them. Honestly, I’m not sure MOST democrats in Congress understand the gravity of the situation. So far, what I’ve seen is “politics as usual” from them – many accepting that republicans will gain control of the Congress come November. That’s the problem I’ve been lamenting for years – where is the FIGHT?

For all those wondering, like me, why there has been NO investigation of former president Donald Trump regarding the coup d’etat he orchestrated back on January 6th, 2021 there’s overwhelming evidence as to why this investigation SHOULD take (have already taken) place. In fact, Trump continues to be a THREAT to our democratic republic and the SOONER he’s spending time in court defending his actions the SOONER all of us are better off. The idea he could declare himself a candidate for president in the 2024 election as a way to head off an indictment makes my stomach crawl. AG Garland has given me no reason to believe he has the “guts” to indict a former president – even one who acts like a cheap mob boss. Until Trump is stopped he’ll continue to believe he’s above the law.

Here’s why I believe his actions will only get worse until he’s stopped. First, Trump was “let off the hook” by William Barr’s LIES regarding the Mueller report regarding the “Russia thing” – the initial CHEATING connected to Trump demonstrating his mantra is “win at all costs.” Mueller “memorialized” 10 potential instances of OBSTRUCTRION of Justice which, clearly, AG Garland has chosen not to pursue. (Mueller pointed out the “mountain” of evidence was left for a future time when Trump was no longer covered by the OLC “memo”) Mueller made it clear the only reason they didn’t consider indicting Trump was because of that OLC “memo” which “suggests” a sitting president cannot be indicted. In Trump’s first couple of years in office it seemed as if he was involved in CRIMINAL conduct on almost a daily basis. It was almost dizzying. Once Barr shielded him from Mueller’s report (I read it TWICE) Trump claimed (erroneoously) he was fully vindicated. Clearly, he felt emboldened to continue disregarding our system of LAWS.

Second, Trump was “acquitted” in his NEXT attempt at CHEATING – this time to “win” the 2020 election when the Senate refused to convict him of “Abuse of Power” and “Obstruction of Congress” after being IMPEACHED for attempting to “shake down” (extort) Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelensky – trying to force him to start an investigation of Joe Biden and his son Hunter. (and ILLEGALY putting a “hold” on already appropriated military support for Ukraine as Ukraine was fighting off a Russian “intrusion” into the Donbas region) Trump figured just the opening of an investigation would be enough to sideline Biden as his most likely opponent in the 2020 election. We all saw why he wanted to do this with the results of Biden turning him out of office. Of course, LOSING the election was not sufficient for Trump to quietly move out of town.

The third reason he MUST be indicted is because he orchestrated the attempted coup d’etat America is learning more about virtually every day after he LOST the 2020 election. The House “Select Committee on the January 6th INSURRECTION” has been making the “story” of what happened obvious to MILLIONS of Americans who are watching their hearings – which may go beyond the previously scheduled final hearing scheduled for 7/21/2022. The Committee, since the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, points out that more evidence continues to “pour in.” It appears the testimony of Ms. Hutchinson has caused numerous others to gain the courage to come forth.

This attempted coup d’etat resulted in IMPEACHMENT number two for Trump and, of course, once again, the republicans in the Senate refused to “convict” the now TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. (Trump holds the record for MOST impeachments – EVER) Although there were several republicans who voted to convict, there was NOT the two thirds necessary for conviction – which would have made the concerns about Trump running again a moot point. I will remember (and, my 74 year old memory isn’t good) to my dying day Moscow Mitch voting to acquit and, almost immediately, once the “trial” was over making Trump’s responsibility for the attack on the Capitol “clear as a bell.” All he had to do was vote to CONVICT and there would likely have been enough republicans to remove Trump from our political scene once and for all. But, once again, Trump felt emboldened by the cowardice of republicans in the Senate.

In fact, putting on a classic display of where “today’s” republican party stands we need look no further than the republican leader in the House, Kevin McCarthy. On January 6th, while the INSURRECTIONISTS were bashing Capitol Police officers with their flags (many with tips turning them into dangerous spears), McCarthy called Trump pleading for him to call off the mob – and, according to others who were there and/or were told of Trump’s response – “Well, Kevin, I guess these people care more about the election than you do” – it is understandable why McCarthy was so angry and why he made a speech in the following days blasting Trump and putting the BLAME for the INSURRECTION squarely on Trump’s “shoulders.” Of course, given another week to think about his prospects to be Speaker of the House someday, McCarthy was soon at Mar a Lago kissing Trump’s (large) ass and (presumably) asking for forgiveness in regards to his previous speech! The trip ended in a disgusting “photo op” essentially showing Trump’s power over republican members of Congress. Do you like your job? Then, kiss my ass!

So, does anyone wonder what’s next if Merrick Garland fails to PROSECUTE Trump for ALL of his ILLEGAL behavior? And, what would failure to do that mean for other future leaders who don’t respect our constitution? Each time Trump has pushed himself OVER any reasonable view of the “limits” of presidential behavior and then gotten a “get out of jail free card” he has just pushed the boundaries further. And, his sycophants in the right wing of the republican party all around the country are attempting to “fix” the election process so that the next time Trump (or another right wing republican) attempts a coup d’etat, he/ahe will be able to pull it off. (Should Trump manage to find a way back into the “White House” he’ll know how to just surround himself with “loyalists”)

Therefore, it’s incumbent on VOTERS – and, I’m talking about democrats, independents, and disaffected republicans – to come together to vote out republicans in every place possible across the nation. At this point, I believe it’s more important to vote AGAINST republicans until this THREAT to the fundamentals of our constitution has been aleviated – when, once again, we can debate “conservative vs liberal” policy decisions – with the belief ANY leader in our country will HONOR their OATH to the constitution. I believe Merrick Garland has found himself in a critical place in American History – he’s “on the spot” whether he likes it or not. He’s worried about the division caused by prosecuting Trump – but appears to be BLIND to the consequences of NOT prosecuting our TWICE IMPEACHED loser of a former president. (I often wonder why republicans haven’t tired of all the LOSING) Not prosecuting Trump will be far worse than prosecuting him! (Garland is showing signs which provide people like me a ray of hope, but, for heaven’s sake these CRIMES happened over 18 months ago.)

Furthermore, I find it almost offensive that Garland is allowing the DA in Fulton County Georgia’s investigation of Trump to be leading the most serious legal issue Trump’s facing. It appears Fani Willis, Fulton’s DA, is targeting ALL those Georgians who are part of a large CONSPIRACY to overthrow the results of the presidential election in Georgia along with some of Trump’s sycophants who participated in the scheme to “find 11,780 votes one more than we need.” If you haven’t had your head in the “sand” you know about Trump’s now infamous call to Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Secretary of State, where he attempted to INTIMIDATE Raffensperger to “find” the votes necessary to change the outcome of Georgia’s election.

Trump made several other calls to various Georgia officials with the same intention – INTIMIDATION – causing them to join the conspiracy to “steal” the election in their state for him. Those who participated in this endeavor for Trump included Senator Lindsey Graham and Rudy Giuliani, among others. Ms. Willis is even targeting ALL 16 of the Georgia republicans who signed a fraudulent document claiming they were the “real” electors from the state – a document which was sent to the National Archives and to the Senate as part of the scheme which led to the January 6th INSURRECTION at the Captiol building in Washington D.C. Trump’s culpibility is as obvious in this attempt to defraud the voters of the state of Georgia as it is in the attempted coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021, to overthrow the naional election. Garland and the Justice Department SHOULD be leading this investigation as well!

I’m an old man with who knows how many years left on this (warming) planet, but I’ve been paying attention to politics since the days my Mom and Dad were arguing about Stevenson vs. Eisenhower back in the 1950’s. I was sent home from High School on November 22, 1963, the day JFK was assassinated (possibly with CIA complicity) and I watched RFK get murdered on TV after a primary “win” in California prior to the 1968 presidential election. The list goes on and on of political stuff I’ve witnessed, but I’ve NEVER seen anything like the THREAT to our nation caused by Trump and the extreme right – led by (of course) Trump, himself, and a plethora of white nationalist groups – essentially domestic terrorists – and, I fear that is what is causing the procrastination from AG Garland in regards to Trump’s OBVIOUS guilt in the lead up to the attemtped COUP and the day of the INSURRECTION itself. There’s a seemingly endless series of LAWS Trump has violated and Garland SHOULD be indicting him for. Just the thought Trump might, once again, INTIMIDATE his way out of accountability is depressing.

Final Thought: I’ve got a “bucket list” which, sadly, seems to be getting shorter due to my age related incapacity. One of the main parts of the list – shooting my age in golf – may have already passed me by due to medical issues which the insurance industry doesn’t seem to consider serious enough to support the diagnoses of the doctors involved. Many of my peers are perishing or have perished so I’m thankful every day when I wake up in the morning to one more day. Therefore, the number one thing on my bucket list, assuming my golfing days are over, is to live long enough to see Trump CONVICTED of his criminal behavior and sentenced to a fair number of years in prison – likely the rest of his life based on the fact he’s older than me and the list of crimes seems endless. (This all reminds me of “Watergate” – to which I was also “glued” to the hearings [Black and White TV back then] with the hope that Nixon’s criminal behavior would be exposed) Of Course, it was!

The January 6th Committee has PROVED beyond any reasonable person’s doubt Trump’s “intent” as he led a large conspiracy to overthrow a “free and fair election” – something right out of the Putin handbook. And, you might ask, why is he still adamant in claiming “the election was stolen” when he clearly KNOWS otherwise? Well, Trump is cunning, if nothing else and he’s fully AWARE of his criminal exposure. Further evidence of this is his looming announcement he’s running for president again this fall. He’s trying to head off any Justice Department indictment – although, as we saw with the Clinton investigation over emails – everytime I think back to that I shudder – do you remember all the “lock her up” chants led by Trump and his sycophants? – running for president doesn’t fall into the purvue of the OLC “memo” which prevents a SITTING president from indictment. Trump appears to be in “deep doo doo!”

And, I have to add: think of all the potential witnesses against Trump when you consider who might be caught up in this CONSPIRACY to overthrow the government. I’ll list the ones I can think of off the top of my head: John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark, Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Mark Meadows, Ron Johnson, Mo Brooks, Ginni Thomas, Andy Biggs, Ali Alexander, Steve Bannon, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Green, Peter Navarro, Matt Gaetz, all the “alternate electors,” and, I’m sure, others. I’ll end this with the definition of a CONSPIRACY: “Conspiracy is governed by statute in federal courts and most state coursts. Before its Codification in state and federal statutes, the crime of conspiracy was simply an agreement to engage in an unlawful act with the intent to carry out the act. Federal statutes, and many state statutes, now require not only agreement and intent but also the commission of an Overt Act in furtherance of the agreement. If you would like more info on conspiracy, clidk HERE. Bingo! All those people mentioned above were involved in the scheme which was “unfolded” on January 6th, 2021. Sitting members of Congress and the WIFE of a Supreme Court Justice. Wow!

Now, it’s all up to the Justice Department and, in the end, Merrick Garland. There’s a bunch of “naughty” republicans who deserve to be TARGETS of an official investigation of SEDITION ending in indictments galore! We’re going to see the size of Garland’s “Balls” in the next few months!

Many Americans are wondering, “How did we get in this predicament?” as the tilt toward fascism continues. Well, I’ll attempt to consolidate much of what I’ve been writing about for the past 15 years and thinking about for much longer. To me, this all started in 1971 with the somewhat infamous “Powell memo” from soon to be (at the time) Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell laying the groundwork for the corporate takeover of America at the expense of America’s blue collar working class (and, in reality, her upper middle class at the time, as well).

Powell’s ideas were kind of “officially” put in place with the election of Ronald Reagan and the disastrous “trickle down economics scheme” which was unleashed on “we the people” in the early 1980’s. To me, that was the height of America’s great “middle class.” We’ve seen the superiority of the right wing’s message machine ever since as Reagan convinced enough Americans he was going to “cut your taxes and balance the budget.” Of course, the only time the budget’s been balanced since Reagan was when the Clinton administration created a quarter TRILLION surplus toward the end of their time in office. (After a tax increase) Sadly, Clinton’s presonal “failings” simply added fuel to that right wing “message machine” leading to the GW Bush/Dick Cheney regime and more of Reagan’s absurd promises.

In fact, it was the Bush/Cheney “victory” which was a precursor of things to come. (The motivator to all my writing) I’ll go to my grave believing Al Gore won Florida in the 2000 election which would have made him the winner (along with his “victory” in the “popular vote”). This was the first time the Supreme Court showed “inklings” of what it has transpired to over the past few days – absurd decisions on guns, abortion, climate, and “religion” – in the space of one working week. The 2000 Court got away with determining the outcome of the 2000 election and Gore accepted his defeat like a true “gentleman” – much to my chagrine. (Although, looking back, there was little he could have done – but, to me this was the first time I became aware of the Court’s untenable POWER.

This was followed by the Court showing its “legislating from the bench” prowess with the so-called “Citizen’s United” (v Clinton) decision (and soon to follow another one which I can’t remember off the top of my 74 year old head) unleashing MOUNTAINS of corporate money into our elections surreptitiously – opening the door to foreign money in our politics. I don’t think I’ll live long enough to forget watching Sam Alito shaking his head as if to disagree when, in President Obama’s first (I think) State of the Union address he pointed out this decision opened the floodgates to foreign (and corporate) money into our elections. (This was the decision leading to Mitt Romney’s famous “corporations are people my friends” statement and it also showed what an IDIOT Alito apparently is)

The court continued it’s right wing assault on America’s progress post WW II when it began the process of “gutting” the Voting Rights Act of 1965. First section 5 (which started the massive number of voter suppression bills now turning into laws aimed at curtailing the numbers of people of color – and other democratic leaning voters – from exercising their right to vote. Next came Section 2 and then obscene decisions regarding gerrymandering – with an obvious “bent” toward supporting “conservatives.”

I point this out because I believe this assault on our nation’s foundation began with that Powell memo and has been running “under the radar” ever since. The wealthy family interests like the “Koch Brothers,” The DeVoss family, the Coors family and others banded together to form alliances designed to undermine the aforementioned progress following WW II and they’ve been working on a sophisticated plan (compared to the democrats) since. I still remember David Koch (now deceased) running for Vice President on the libertarian “ticket” in 1980 (I believe) and getting about ONE percent of the vote. The thing about the Koch’s – they don’t give up. They’ve been building this alliance with other wealthy families since – forming groups like ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) and other grassroots alliances filling our state and local governments with right wing zealots. (Slowly engulfing our political process)

In the meantime, democrats have acted as if they have no idea what is happening to the heartland – seemingly oblivious to the “culture wars” they are losing BIGTIME. America has now evolved to a point where corporate interests, in essence, control the Congress and the messaging. There are some upstart democrats who cause me to have some hope democrats can figure this out before it’s too late – although, I fear November of this year (2022) could be determinate as to whether they figure it out in time.

Republicans have been winning the messaging “wars” ever since the 1970’s and the Powell memo (to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – I believe – it’s easy to find online – if interested click HERE) and my FEAR is that it’s not changing – although, the brazenous of the recent Court decisions give me pause for hope – women, for example, make up over half the country. (Are they going to VOTE?) The other “current events” which SHOULD help democrats to “turn the tide” on the messaging front are the hearings of the Select Committee on the January 6th INSURRECTION which are exposing the CORRUPTION of the republican party to those who choose to pay attention.

To me, this CORRUPTION is a direct result of SCOTUS decisions mentioned above – along with the passive democratic party which has shied away from holding republican leaders accountable for their lawlessness. (It only gets progressively worse each time the signal is sent “the president is above the law.” – Reagan and H W Bush were up to their eyeballs in Iran/Contra and GW Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld et al admitted to authorizing TORTURE with no accountability – and, of course, Trump is exponentially WORSE) I believe Trump STILL believes he’ll avoid accountability for Sedition because his choices for the Supreme Court will protect him. Will Americans VOTE this November based on the threat of the Court or will they be sidetracked by the issue of inflation?

In my lifetime there are two people I look to for guidance as I try to understand economics – which underlies virtually ALL the problems “we the people” are facing and they are Paul Krugman and Robert Reich. My thoughts above are simply the observations I’ve made over my lifetime as a “baby boomer” (who is concerned with the America we’re leaving our children and grandchildren) and both Krugman and Reich have me convinced the obscene actions of corporate America (actually, virtually ALL the main offenders are “multi-national corporations”) stashing their obscene PROFITS overseas to avoid American taxes while ripping off their American customers – especially, in this time of war, the fossil fuel corporations. (Mr. Reich explains this really well – he exposes the problems and provides potentilal solutions – and his writings are easily accessible online)

Actually, I believe I’ve been witnessing the CORRUPTION of these multi-national coporations since – well, the days of Reagan. Sadly, I believe “we the people” have grown to accept this CORRUPTION as simply the “way it is” – with nothing we can do about it. Of course, I’ve been writing (now) for about 15 years lamenting that the democratic party doesn’t appear to have the courage of their own convictions in fighting this CORRUPTION- and, that they are the ONLY realistic option for “we the people” in voting this (ever more) right wing republican party into the history books. For example, these obscene profits coming (to) from the oil companies is nothing new – like a lot of what is happening with corporations in general. Somehow, many Americans are (believing and) blaming democrats for this!

Lately, much of what I’ve been thinking (and writing) about is how the “circular firing squad” of the democratic party the most depressing part of all this – democrats attacking democrats – especially democrats attacking Joe Biden. I keep wondering, “what the hell were they expecting.” Biden faces the thinnest of “majorities” in Congress yet has managed to get TWO significant pieces of legislation passed and signed into law. The “American Rescue Plan” helped pull America out of the COVID-19 “abiss” with $1.9 TRILLION aimed at the middle class or those in economic danger. Additionally, the so-called “bipartisan infrastructure plan” is a “first step” in fixing the sagging infrastructure in America – which needs much more to bring it up to “world class” standards. A record number of jobs have been created in Biden’s first 18 months in office.

There are other successes as well – BUT, because of Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema’s recalcitrance the “Build Back Better” bill was NOT passed (and, likely, even a watered down version won’t be passed) AND bills to protect Voting Rights and the rights of WOMEN to control their own bodies became IMPOSSIBLE to pass. The downward trajectory of President Biden’s “approval” numbers began with the pullout of troops from Afghanistan – reported as a fiasco – as if there was any other option. In reality, getting over 120,000 Afghans out of the country along with our final number of troops was something to cheer. However, even outlets like MSNBC reported the pullout of troops as a disaster because of those Afghans who couldn’t make it ouit. I said it at the time, all these people complaining weren’t around when troops came home from Viet Nam – a much worse “disaster” than Afghanistan.

These democrats who continue to complain about President Biden seem to have nearly as short a memory as those who are not democrats and who actually favor republicans – after what has taken place over the previous 7 years – highlighted by the four years of the Trump administration. Republicans are seemingly ALL experts at projection which is why, lately, I’ve heard them calling democrats fascists. (as they deflect) Obviously, they “trust” their supporters to have NO idea what constitutes a fascist – but, the actual reality “we the people” face if democrats continue arguing amongst themselves – missing the MAIN point of this upcoming mid-term election – very well could be the makings of a fascist takeover of our nation’s government. (And, trust me, that won’t be because democrats win in the mid terms)

My father was in the U.S, Army during WW II as America prevented Hitler’s attempt to spread his FASCIST hate all across Europe and into (the then) Soviet Union. Even then, there were many Americans who had enabled Hitler and supported him BUT most Americans participated in the FIGHT to stop Hitler’s fascist regime. I find it ironic that a low level organized criminal – a second tier immigrant like Trump, might be the source of America becoming a fascist state. This is unthinkable to me, but as I watch the democrats “circular firing squad” it becomes clear this could be the result of republicans’ sophisticated control of our “mainstream media.”

Here’s what democrats SHOULD be “pounding” to their potential VOTERS over and over again. “As we go forward ANY time republicans gain control of the Senate the result will be either NO judges confirmed to the various federal courts if there’s a democrat president or MORE right wing judges if, somehow, “we the people” vote another republican into the ‘White House.'”

Additionally, democrats should be POUNDING it into people’s minds about what is being uncovered by the Select Committee to investigate January 6th, 2021 – the INCREDIBLE CORRUPTION which has permeated the entire republican party – and, democrats should be defining to “we the people” what a FASCIST actually is – by showing instances like the so-called “unite the right” march in Charlottesville where Trump said, “There’s good people on both sides.” Photos of the Nazi swastikas on the arms of many of those marchers who were chanting “Jews will not replace us.” Also, the Nazi references on the clothing of MANY of the INSURRECTIONISTS on January 6th, 2021. Just listening to the flow of LIES – via the “Big Lie Theory” adopted by republicans from the Nazi’s of the Third Reich SHOULD also be enough.

To me, these two realities are much more important than the issues of inflation and high gas prices (a major contributor of inflation). Of course, the source of this inflation seems to go right over the heads of most Americans – and, sadly, many members of the “liberal media.” There’s a WAR going on in Ukraine and President Biden has done a GREAT job pulling NATO together in a unified stand against Vladimir Putin and supporting Ukraine in an attempt to head off the possibility of WW III. Americans SHOULD be supporting Biden in all of this! That, along with the recovery from the pandemic which has exacerbated supply chain issues are at the root of the issue of inflation. It will come to pass, but electing republicans in November may be more than our democratic republic can withstand.

So, it seems that how we got here has been what many are calling a “slow motion coup d’etat” starting way back in 1971. To me, it’s evident our “liberal media” either doesn’t “get” this, or they are willfully complicit. It seems complicated, on the surface, but, in actuality, to me, it’s simple – the republican party won’t be satisfied until they have TOTAL control of “we the people” – that is, our most sacred “rights.” This Supreme Court is going to be there for long after I’m “pushing up daisies” and democrats better get busy educating voters on what the CRITICAL issues are right away. I’ve been saying “this upcoming election is the most important election in my lifetime” since Trump gained the “Oval Office.” Well, until this court somehow gets mitigated, I believe EVERY election going forward will be “the most important of our lifetimes.”

Are democrats up for this? Well, if they continue attacking each other the republicans will have them right where they want them. Just maybe they’ll learn from the “Lincoln Project” how to run a campaign AGAINST republicans. I’ve been saying now for around 20 years (about 15 here) there’s a WAR going on for the heart and soul of America and, sadly, I’ve questioned whether the democratic party actually even understands this. Somehow, they had better figure this out – and soon – because if republicans get control of Congress – and, then in 2024 are able to “win” back the “White House” (picture them succeeding at what Trump failed) – America could be in for one of the darkest periods in her history.

Final Thought: I read about the 10 year old girl who was raped in Ohio and had to travel to Indiana to get an abortion and, at the time, republicans made a HUGE show claiming this was a “made up story” – as if that kind of thing doesn’t happen in America. Well, of course, the story was very TRUE and, yet, yoiu won’t hear the talking heads on Fox “news” or in the other republican leaning media outlets admitting they were WRONG and apologizing for misleading their audiences. The stories of little girls being FORCED to give birth are going to be routine now that Roe v Wade was overturned.

I’m not someone who “believes” in abortion – I believe it’s not my “call.” This is the epitome of MEN going to extreme lengths to gain CONTROL of the women in our country. If this issue alone doesn’t motivate a MAJORITY of Americans to start the process of voting republicans out of office I’m not sure if any issue can. Of course, the “gun” issue is right behind the issue of abortion. Why on earth are ASSAULT weapons legal in America. Claiming the 2nd amendment gives people the right to own AR-15’s is absurd. The idea gun ownership cannot be regulated is just as absurd – the 2nd amendment does not block regulating guns. These two issues alone SHOULD motivate “progressives” to go to the polls in EVERY election for the foreseeable future.

As I pointed out in previous posts – those democrats blaming President Biden for the Supreme Court overturning Roe is pure idiocy. I even suggested many of them might be part of the large segment of democrats who didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton back in 2016. That is when it became clear Roe v Wade was likely going to be overturned – Trump’s legacy will be that of an organized CRIMINAL but his three appointees to the court will be doing their damage for a generation! (And, for evangelical Christians that makes their “deal with the devil” worth it) (Remember, rights are easier LOST than regained!) Stay tuned………………..

I was reading an article in the Washington Post by Dana Milbank which reminded me of a term which I’ve been wanting to use in describing the incredibly thoughtless attacks being directed at President Biden by, you guessed it, DEMOCRATS! Now, I have to add, I’ve NEVER “joined” the democratic party although for the past 30 or so years I’ve found myself regularly voting AGAINST republicans. If you believe the reporting coming from the so-called “liberal media” you’d think democrats have control of legislation coming out of Washington DC. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. To me, the result of this “mis-reporting” has led to what Milbank referred to as a “circular firing squad” – the term which has been on the tip of my almost 75 year old tongue – which I couldn’t manage to remember.

Milbank made several good and prescient points in his opinion piece titled “Give Biden a Break” which you can read, if you’re so inclined, by clicking HERE. I’m not going to get into details of what Milbank wrote other than to say I agree with his premise. I’ve stated here before that I was NOT a “Biden supporter” when he began his campaign, but I’ve come to appreciate, in my view, he’s the perfect president for the times we’re dealing with. The FIRST (and main) reason I’ve adopted that attitude is because he was probably the ONLY democrat who could have defeated Trump, which was “mission number one” in the 2020 election.

Of course, true to form, the democrats do seem to have trouble “walking and chewing gum at the same time” which came through “loud and clear” when they failed to win seats which SHOULD have been winnable in various races in both the House and Senate. The Biden election simply showed that MOST Americans were fed up with Trump and his cosa nostra type administration – even though the MOB references didn’t really appear too often in the “mainstream” media until the evidence of Trump’s cavalier disdain for our constitution and system of laws began to show itself as the House Select Committee on January 6th began to roll out some of the MASSIVE trove of evidence of the CRIMES committed by our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president and his sycomphants during the public hearings – which STILL have a long way to go.

Now you have large portions of America wondering why the Justice Department hasn’t stepped in to put a stop to the LAWBREAKING of an ex president – which includes SCAMMING hundreds of MILLIONS of dollars from his unsuspecting flock of “ditto heads” – telling them the money was intended to help him “fight (non existent) voter fraud” but funneling the money, instead, into his personal political campaign “war chest.” The non-existent political fund was titled “Official Election Defense Fund. Of course, just as he LIED to cause his “ditto heads” to storm the Capitol Building in D.C. he LIED about the existence of the fund. Instead, he’s allegedly been “pocketing” the money. (After all, the man has a lot of financial liabilities to attend to)

So, for people like me, getting RID of Trump was object number one in 2020. Now, what democrats SHOULD be focused on is providing President Biden with a significant INCREASE in the number of democrats in the Senate while – AT THE SAME TIME – focusing on keeping a majority in the House. The issues which they can RUN on are clear – ANY time in the coming decades when republicans control the Senate, for example, means it will be near impossible for President Biden to fill empty court openings – most importantly, the Supreme Court. And, this would go for whoever follows in Biden’s “footsteps” WHENEVER he leaves office. For all those people complaining about Biden’s lack of an aggressive response, for example, to the oveturning of Roe v Wade I have to say, “Take just a moment to think!”

These would be the same people who found that Hillary Clinton wasn’t worthy of their vote back in 2016. Well, that was the decision that led to the Dobbs decision overturning Roe. And, with a 50/50 split in the Senate – which includes Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema – there’s really NOTHING Biden can do – other than what he’s attempting, which are (will be) executive orders which either won’t stand up in court or which can simply be discarded as soon as another republican gains the “Oval Office.” And, to me, someone who pays fairly close attention to political news, EVERYTHING I’ve heard coming from President Biden’s mouth seems appropriate. For those who don’t like being reminded of the importance of VOTING I would say, “The republicans have you right where they want you!”

I’ve listened to endless complaints about the price of gas and inflation as the reasons “progressives” are disenchanted with President Biden. My first thought when listening to or reading these complaints is, again, “Give it some thought!” Neither the inflation nor the price of gas (being too high for some) is Biden’s fault. We live in a multi-national economy whether we like it or not and the efforts by Biden and his democratic predessors ALWAYS encounter the obstacle of “Moscow Mitch” when trying to mitigate these problems. I originally thought that Moniker fit Mitch McConnell to a “tee” after I had learned of the Russian money and influence intertwined into his campaign coffers – but, of late, I’ve been feeling McConnell is doing the “bidding” of Vladimir Putin – who is bound and determined to see America’s 240 year “experiment” with self government come “crashing down.” Every effort by the Biden administration (and democrats in Congress) to mitigate (with a longer term outlook) the root causes of inflation, for example, are BLOCKED by McConnell in the Senate via the outdated filibuster.

Once again, the ONLY solution to this problem, in my view, is providing Biden with MORE democratic Senators while maintaining democratic control of the House. This SHOULD be a singular message of democrats – yet, as usual, they’re “fighting amongst themselves” – the perfect antidote to what is needed to VOTE republicans into the history books. To me, and I’ve been paying attention to politics since the days of Dwight Eisenhower, Biden is the MOST progressive president – based on his political philosohy (ie “Buld Back Better”) – since the days of LBJ and the “Great Society.” As I remember Johnson’s time in office – a legacy virtually destroyed by the Viet Nam “war” – we got the “birth” of Medicare, we saw the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – monumental legislation moving this nation closer to her ideals. (And, there was more – as Johnson wanted to fight the “War on Poverty.”

Biden’t proposed “Build Back Better” legislation, which was first pared back by both Manchin and Sinema (by half) before they BLOCKED it (although there were 50 republicans who also voted to BLOCK it) – was based on the philosophy of “Bottom up Middle out.” This legislation was aimed right at the American people who needed it – single Moms (and Moms in general), children, young people aspiring to gain a higher education, and on and on – INVESTMENTS in the American people starting from the “bottom up.” To me, that SHOULD be the purpose of the federal government – aside from Judicial and Security issues – legislation aimed at the “Commons.” This is what happened during Eisenhower’s time in the “Oval Office,” it happened during JFK’s and LBJ’s time in office only to face years of a “right wing” backlash to INVESTING in our people beginning with the election of Ronald Reagan.

Actually, the idea of INVESTING in America’s infrastructure and her PEOPLE goes back to the days of FDR and the “New Deal.” To this day, you still hear of republicans complaining about the “New Deal” which was the fundamental source of the great American Middle Class which flourished until Reagan took the oath of office. I’m not going into the details here of why I believe Reagan was the pivotal point in “modern” American History leading to the discontent among her people which exists today – I’ve done so adnauseam in the Archives – I will simply say republicans have become expert at causing “we the people” to argue amongst ourselves over cultural issues which have little to do with what should be the focus of government. And, in this “light,” the saddest part, to me, would be “progressives” talking themselves out of what would actually lead to solutions to their issues.

Republicans succeeded in defeating Hillary Clinton in 2016 leading to the THREE judges who made the difference in the Dobbs decision to overturn Roe. Once again, it’s NOT Joe Biden’s fault – that was going to happen whether Biden defeated Trump or not. “Progressives” want to see democrats do something legislatively to “codify” Roe – but, that’s IMPOSSIBLE under the present structure of the Senate. So, does it make sense for them to be BLAMING President Biden? (Honestly, I have to wonder how many of those doing the complaining failed to vote for Mrs. Clinton in 2016) Once again, the SOLUTION will require MORE democratic Senators – and that would include Senators willing to either remove the filibuster all together or to “carve out” and exception for women’s health care. (For that matter, also an exception for VOTING RIGHTS)

Thinking about all of this (and more) is what had me searching my brain for the term “circular firing squad” – which seems to be all too appropriate in describing what’s going on in the democratic “message machine” these days. Watching this all play out – to me – is extremely frustrating – because it seems too obvious that just a little thought by some key people could lead to a UNIFIED democratic response to the “slow motion coup d’etat” going on in America – from the republican party – as I’m typing this. What is necessary seems so OBVIOUS to me I find myself, as I have for years, shaking my head at the “big tent” party those of us who shudder at the idea of this right wing, white nationalist republican party gaining power once again. Do American “progressives” really have such a short attention span they can’t remember the reign of Trump?

OMG – my instincts tell me, if “we the people” allow this to happen we DESERVE what we get. Another of my “pet peeves” – when it comes to the “circular firing squad” has to do with Biden’s decision to pull “we the people” out of Afghanistan. I’m still wondering, “what the hell were people expecting” when President Biden was faced with the choice of pulling the troops out based on an agreement made by Trump or putting in another SURGE of American troops to block the progress of the Taliban which resulted from Trump’s agreement. (I have to add, I agreed with Trump, the troops should come home) There was NO “smooth” way to make this withdrawal. (As I said earlier re: Reagan – I’ve explained this on numerous “rants” in the Archives) Too many Americans are either too young to remember the withdrawal from Viet Nam or weren’t paying attention back them – but, the bottom line is there’s no “smooth” way to exit a war you’ve LOST.

The PROOF America’s “adventure” in Afghanistan was futile was the speed with which the Afghan troops “dropped their weapons” in the face of the Taliban offensive. To me, Biden did the right thing in ending America’s FIASCO in Afghanistan and, instead of complaining about the Afghans who wanted to leave and weren’t able to do so, the focus SHOULD have been on the over 120 THOUSAND Afghans who were evacuated along with the last of the American troops. That was WAY BETTER than what happened in Viet Nam when the American troops were brought home. Sometimes I think to myself, republicans don’t need to make “attack ads” against their democratic foes – the democrats do it for them. Again, thanks to Dana Milbank for reminding me of the term “circular firiing squad.”

Final Thought: The issues which could be included in this “rant” seem almost endless. As a former teacher in a high poverty public (Middle) School I find all the attacks on our public education system and the dedicated teachers who work hard to educate America’s children offensive. Why aren’t democrats fighting back HARDER on issues such as “Critical Race theory?” for example. I spent the last 23 years of my working life teaching sixth graders and I never heard that term – nor knew what it meant – until this past couple of years. I’m still not totally sure what it means. My guess is the fight against “CRT” somewhat mirrors the so-called “lost cause” which permeated (permeates?) America’s South post the Civil War.

Are we not supposed, now, to teach our children the TRUTH when they’re studying American history? Are we worried that the TRUTH will make students (especially white students) uncomfortable? My experience tells me being “uncomfortable” can lead to some amazing LEARNING experiences. I grew up reading text books which HID the TRUTH about the issue of racism in America and I felt a sense of relief everytime I learned MORE about our TRUE history. It’s NOTHING to fear – the purpose of studying HISTORY is to prevent repeating the same mistakes which came before “us.”

To me, this SHOULD be an easy issue which to find UNISON among “progressives” in the messaging designed to motivate more people (especially young people) to participate in their privilege of VOTING this November. Democrats will need an overwhelming response to overcome some of the voting restrictions republicans have passed in the past 18 months. This is NO time for the “circular firing squad.” The FAULT here, and in almost EVERY issue, lies with the republican party. The UNIFIED message SHOULD be focused on the importance of voting them out of office. (As many as possible)