Today, while watching the “liberal” (?) MSNBC I saw/heard a plethora of LIES coming from Donald Trump AND his right wing minions on segments from Fox “news” and “Newsmax” regarding all the “crime” (including “MURDER, rape, and other violent crimes”) committed by “illegal immigrants.” This has been going on since Trump came down the escalator back in 2015. And, to this day, I keep watching TV hosts/pundits acting puzzled by all the LYING. Not once, yet, have I heard one host/pundit point out the reason they keep doing it and the reason it keeps working which is because this scheme comes straight out of Mein Kampf by none other than Hitler himself – and it does work. As the saying goes, the ONLY way to stop it is with “sunlight.”

What’s it going to take for these TV anchors who are speaking to MILLIONS of Americans each day to actually tell “we the people” what’s happening. The INSURRECTION is continuing and, as we’ve witnessed in the previous couple of weeks, the accomplices are deeply embedded in the republican party as it exists today. Of course, it’s Trump in the spotlight, but, the depth of the depravity, when you look at defending our constitution comes from the “puppet masters” who are funding Trump and his sycophants. I’ve been following Charles Koch for YEARS (Read: “Sons of Witchita”) and he’s been funneling MILLIONS (likely BILLIONS) from his fortune to build his vision of a right wing “libertarian” society since the days back in the 80’s when his brother was the VP candidate on the libertarian “ticket.”

It’s not just the “Koch brothers” (David Koch has died so it’s just Charles now), but also a bevy of American Oligarchs who feel their right to unlimited fortunes at the expense of our tax system and the rights of “we the people” continues to, well, amaze me. I honestly NEVER thought this nation would devolve to this level, but as I Iisten to the Trump supporters, for example, saying they’re fine with Russia annexing Ukraine or saying they believe what Trump, or Tuckre Carlson, or Fox “news,” or “Newsmax,” or ???? (in the right wing “blogosphere”) is telling them is the truth just boggles my mind. I taught my sixth graders to be smarter than that.

18 MILLION migrants “coming from places with languages no one knows” flowing into America because of Joe Biden is so ludicrous it bothers me so many people take it “hook, line, and sinker.” Do they understand President Biden actually agreed to immigration legislation fashioned by one of the MOST conservative members of the Senate with “Moscow” Mitch participating in the negotiations – legislation which DIDN’T include key “progressive” objectives (ie Dreamers, etc.) and Trump torpedoed it because he wanted to have the “issue” for November and “red meat” for his cult followers? Of course not. That would require a bit of critical thinking.

I’ve repeatedly of late referred to these MAGA faithful as “willfully STUPID” and I really do wish I could come up with a better term, but they are the result of the misinformation campaign launched by Vladimir Putin (and others) along with our right wing media and Trump’s willingness to embrace all of it because – at present – Trump’s focus is staying out of jail due to his serial CRIMINAL conduct FINALLY catching up with him. Apparently, his minions don’t care. Where they go on the internet makes me shudder.

The rest of the world is watching as this incredible scene plays out where MILLIONS of so-called “conservative Christians” are backing someone who, if he hasn’t violated all of the “Ten Commandments” (they all want in our schools) it’s fewer than the ones he has violated – with impunity. Here’s the easy ones for me, Don’t LIE, Don’t CHEAT, Don’t commit ADULTERY, Don’t “covet” (covers several things Trumps seems to covet), and I’ll leave it at that. Personally, it was Jesus who convinced me to believe in Christianity and the best I can say is these (from my view, of course) “conservative Christians” have made a “deal with the devil.” (I won’t repeat Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew, but, go ahead, look it up) (OK, I know I’m not supposed to “judge” and I struggle with that one and “loving my neighbor” when my “neighbor” makes my skin crawl – I’m trying to work on it)

I’m not suggesting America is a “Christian nation,” because nothing could be further from the truth. America was designed to be a secular nation right from the start. It was clearly the wish of our “founders” that there would be “separation of Church and State.” Freedom of Religion is what this nation was founded on – the other way to look at that is “freedom from Religion” if that’s your choice. Sadly, there’s a group of “Christian nationalists” who think they can force their beliefs on “we the people.” To me, this is the opposite of the Christianity I believe in – where “we the people” actually have “free will” to determine our own beliefs on our own. And, it doesn’t take much imagination to understand their view is, well, un-American. (Is it any wonder the number of Americans who are turned off to Christianity continues to rise because of this?)

I’ve predicted this several other times on this site, but when Trump loses in November (how many LOSSES would that make?) and the indictments he’s facing become more real to him, I expect him to fire up his plane and head for somewhere which doesn’t have an extradiction treaty with the U.S. (The first thought which comes to mind is, of course, Russia – maybe in the same building as Edward Snowden.) I did read today that it would be New York law he be remanded into custody – as a “flight risk” should he be found guilty of the election interference case there – sometimes referred to as the “hush money” case. (He’s accused of paying more than just “Stormy Daniels” hush money)

Here’s my number one hope at this point in time (although, it does make me a bit sad Trump’s coup d’etat trial isn’t starting today) and that is, somehow, the House of Representatives manages to overcome the OBSTRUCTION of “Moscow Mike” (is it fair to give that moniker to two republicans?) and PASS the legislation giving military AID to Ukraine. The bill also includes aid to Israel which I hope can be extended with conditions requiring the Israeli’s to agree to a CEASE FIRE allowing humanitarian aid into GAZA for the Palestinians who are facing FAMINE – with children facing long lasting/permanent damage from their lack of food and water. It’s time for President Biden to internalize Bibi Netanyahu could give a s@#t what he thinks. Netanyahu is going to be working for Trump’s return to the “White House” period – full stop! Just like in 2016 and 2020. (Allowing Putin to take Ukraine will put Mike Johnson in the history books next to Neville Chamberlain.)

America has one foot in the “pool” of autocracy already. Our corporations have too much power – many have “lost their way” (they really do/should have responsibility to the “commons” – after all, that’s where they get their “charter”) For example, just recently Elon Musk was “stripped” of his $56 BILLION dollar “payday” by a Delaware Court (where Tesla is “chartered”) because, well, the judge agreed with a shareholder finding $56 BILLION as a bit excessive. America’s oligarchs like Musk can’t seem to have enough money. (President Biden favors taxing BILLIONAIRES “fairly” prompting Musk – and others – to meet with Trump, presumably seeking even MORE tax breaks should “we the people” be STUPID enough vote Trump back into the Oval Office once again.)

We criticize Russia for all their “oligarchs” while America is littered with them – something like 4000 BILLIONAIRES – and, they funnel BILLIONS into politics (thanks to the SCOTUS) via the Citizens United decision of 2010 which is the epitome (or was) of legislating from the bench. I say “was” because the Roberts Court – full of judges who, in their confirmation hearings railed against “legislating from the bench” – have turned it into common practice. They claim to be “textualists” and/or “originalists” EXCEPT in cases where that doesn’t meet their pre-ordained beliefs or those of the BILLIONAIRES who are responsible for their place on the court. (Or, in the case of Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, their “sugar daddies” paying for their “summer vacations.”)

It’s no wonder so many Americans are turned off by the realities of our political system – and, I include the SCOTUS in that – especially younger Americans. Here’s the reality, if there’s going to be a CHANGE it will be up to these younger Americans to VOTE in record numbers to make it happen. And, the cruel IRONY in all this is if they want to VOTE for a candidate who stands for what SHOULD be important to them, they’ll have to VOTE for the oldest candidate for president in our history. Additionally, they’ll VOTE for democrats up and down the ticket even if they don’t particularly feel compelled to do so – because they’ll be voting AGAINST republicans. Biden needs a Congress with MORE democrats – both in the Senate AND in the House to be able to accomplish “stuff” that’s in the interest of these young Americans.

As I usually do, I’m going to “tick off” (off the top of my memory deficient head) a few of the reasons Biden SHOULD appeal to these young Americans. The first one, to me, would be the CLIMATE crisis. Trump and republicans believe that is a “hoax.” (kind of like all of Trump’s criminal conduct) The major Hurricanes, the earthquakes, the flooding, the tornadoes, the wildfires – all of which keep getting more severe – don’t register with republicans. One of Trumps’ first actions – as “Day 1 dictator” – according to his claims, will be to eliminate the clean energy incentives in the “Inflation Reduction Act.” I need to get my next electric car before next November – just in case.

If you’re a woman I find it hard to believe you’ll vote for a republican – where (mostly) republican MEN are threatening FURTHER attacks on women’s health care. A national abortion ban, a ban on birth control, a ban on IVF (In vitro fertilization) and who knows what else. I’ve always said, “if you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one.” (I paid for an “abortion” about 50 years ago because my wife was having a miscarriage – devastating at the time – but it allowed her to have two healthy daughters later on. In Texas she would have had to go into Sepsis to get medical healthcare today – and, very possibly at the cost of future pregnancies – assuming she survived)

I taught Middle School for 25 years and never had an occasion to experience a shooting in my school – although our students were constantly trained what to do if there was an “intruder alert” in the school. There were a few instances where we were “locked down” because of issues in the neighborhood, but never a shooting in the school. That said, today’s children are fully aware of the dangers of gun violence and many of them suffer from anxiety preventing them from even go to school – wondering if “today will be the day.” I say all this because Joe Biden is lobbying Congress for an assault weapons ban (He was involved in passing one years ago which was allowed to expire by GW Bush) and I have to believe a large majority of young people would agree with him on that PLUS other sensible “gun safety” laws. It’s true, you can’t put “toothpaste back in the tube” but you have to start somewhere.

President Biden is attempting to “forgive” BILLIONS in student loan debt, but republicans are doing everything they can to block his efforts. A good example of the republican hypocrisy would be Marjorie Taylor Greene objecting to ANY forgiveness of student loan debt while she ACCEPTED a couple hundred thousand dollars in PPP loans during the pandemic – loans which were not required to be paid back. The amounts President Biden wants to “forgive” in student loan debt is between $10,000 and $20,000 depending on the student’s circumstances. The Biden administration wants to make “higher education” more affordable and fully support K-12 education. In addition, they understand the importance of “early education.” It’s painfully clear a large segment of our electorate is uneducated.

I believe I wrote enough above (or hope I did) to convince ANY young person who reads this to understand the importance of the Supreme Court. If – God help us – Trump would somehow find a way to CHEAT his way back into the “White House” he will replace Thomas and Alito on the Court with younger more radical Justices who will have lifetime appointments. That would be a national disaster more devastating than the one we’re presently experiencing. Just picture, for example, Aileen Cannon as a Supreme Court justice. Yikes!!! Hillary Clinton “lost” (with 3 MILLION more votes than Trump) back in 2016 because of “progressives” who either didn’t vote or who voted for a third party candidate. (The same “trick” republicans used to get GW Bush elected back in 2000) Trump financiers are also financing the candidacy of RFK Jr. and, once again, Jill Stein. Please don’t fall for it. A vote for either of them is like a vote for Trump. This election is President Biden or Trump. That’s it – full stop!

Final Thought: I grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s and clearly remember the attempts to desegregate schools in America. (The schools I went to had NO persons of color until I was in eighth grade and I remember only one African American student at that school and my High School was “lilly white.” I say this because I remember the fight by African Americans – led by MLK – for the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act back in the 1960’s. The Voting Rights Act was approved when I was a senior in High School (1965). I remember seeing “Bloody Sunday” on the CBS news and not really understanding why it was happening – just that it was “shocking.” And, I wasn’t attuned to politics enough to understand the fight for Voting Rights. (It never dawned on me there were people who were denied the right to vote – back then the voting age was 21)

I was never around a “person of color” until I began playing basketball in college. I was embarrassed at my first reaction to having “Black” teammates. I’m thankful to say over the years I’ve had MANY African American friends – one of whom I consider the BEST friend I ever had (he’s now in heaven). I say all this because, to me, the issues of CIVIL RIGHTS and VOTING RIGHTS are paramount reasons why “we the people” SHOULD be voting against republicans. They clearly believe in “white supremacy” – beliefs which make my skin crawl thinking they could succeed unless young people VOTE against them in massive numbers. For heaven’s sake, the republican nominee for governor in North Carolina is a Holocaust denier AND believes women shouldn’t have the right to vote! I’m not kidding!

Obviously, the corruption goes way beyond Trump – I almost believe his sycophants are worse – but, it’s CRITICAL Trump gets to face juries of his peers in the four INDICTMENTS he’s facing with the 91 FELONY “counts.” It’s looking like he will have to LOSE in November to have that “opportunity.” Just imagine the message we would be sending to the rest of the world if “we the people” fall for his schtick once again. The world will become unrecognizable. Republicans fear him. It appears to me Merrick Garland fears him. He uses our “open society” against us as he’s consolidating POWER. (Just as Putin uses it against us as he spreads mis/disinformation – i.e. “active measures”)

If you’re reading this far, make sure you’re registered to VOTE (remember republicans are purging voters in every state – especially “swing states”) and talk to your friends and family. If Americans want to keep their republic it will require them to participate in the VOTING process – Benjamin Franklin famously said, we “have a republic, if we can keep it.” America’s young people have the POWER to change this country for the better! I’m praying they choose to do so! Stay tuned……