Here’s the definition of the word “sugarcoat”: “make superficially attractive or acceptable.” I tried to listen to individual 1 as he FINALLY announced the covid-19 crisis is now a “national emergency” which opens up something like $50 BILLION ($150 per person) available to states who are fighting the virus – like Washington state where I live and where the virus is likely “centered” – we’ll know once they are able to test the people who may or may not have the virus. He just can’t resist giving himself credit, even in the face of universal condemnation as to his response to this crisis. Personally, I don’t think individual 1, even today, knows how serious the issues this pandemic may be causing “we the people” to face.

In Italy, which is the country many are suggesting the U.S. will be “following,” there are not enough hospital beds to care for the number of patients who need them. Being weeks “behind” in the testing process can allow a virus like this, according to the experts I’ve listened to, which is already well beyond what is known due to the lack of testing capability, to grow at a rate which can be exponential. Up until today, the “leaders” have been governors around the country, and it appears individual 1 has FINALLY figured out there’s a problem. I’m guessing it took the stock market to “tank” to get his attention. Listening to his “press conference” today, it’s apparent individual 1 “gets” the lack of testing capability is a problem – and, there appears to be many companies “gearing up” to try to catch up. The question remains: once many more people are tested what is the total of the problem. (To some degree I believe the reason our IMPEACHED so-called president doesn’t want the testing ramped up is because he thinks it will make him look bad.)

Now, Mike Pense is speaking and he’s lavishing praise on individual 1 for his great leadership in this crisis. (That’s me live reporting) This guy is worse than a lapdog! I’ve got to turn this off! Listening to Pense makes me hope individual 1 proves negative to the virus, despite NOT following the “social distancing” we’re all being encouraged to follow, because Pense turns me off even more – although, as I think about that, it almost seems impossible. I’m guessing Pense is ordered to pour compliments over our IMPEACHED so-called president before he’s given permission to speak in public, and, apparently, he willingly accedes.

It should be a surprise to no one our IMPEACHED so-called president thinks in terms of the “short term.” This was clear this past week as he repeatedly has been bashing Jerome Powell of the Federal Reserve for “not doing enough” to protect the stock market. This led to the Fed pumping $1.5 TRILLION into the market this past week, which only temporarily stopped the tanking market. (Did they just print it – they can’t come up with that kind of “cash” for “we the people”) Individual 1’s Oval Office speech last Wednesday caused the market to drop record amounts within the next 24 hours, causing him to give a press conference on Friday which spurred the market on a temporary upsurge. (He FINALLY declared this is an “emergency”) Of course, our IMPEACHED so-called president couldn’t leave “well enough alone” so he “tweeted” Friday’s upsurge as if the problem has been solved.

And, as I’ve stated in my previous few posts I’m learning how to follow the DOW “futures” – which are suggesting more upward pressure on Monday, but I’ve got news for our IMPEACHED so-called president; his short term “itis” isn’t going to solve this problem – meaning covid-19. Let me just give you a few examples of what I’m seeing just around where I live. My son works at one of the busiest restaurants in the city where we live and, today, he was sent home after – get this – 40 MINUTES! In Washington we have a $13 minimum wage (at least where we live) so I said to my son, at least you made gas money. I’m not sure how good that made him feel, but he understand what lies ahead – either hardly any work or, more likely, they’re going to temporarily close the restaurant – and, no work.

When you think about ALL sports leagues SHUT DOWN, people are not traveling – Delta reported today, I think I heard, laying off 40% of their workforce because people aren’t flying, people aren’t traveling, vacationing, movie theaters are closed, Disneyland is CLOSED!, and I could go on and on. “We the people” live in a consumer based economy and this is going to be really bad – as I said, short term moves will only, in the long run, make things worse. The stock market has a lot more losing to do and, it’s likely going to be much worse because of our IMPEACHED so-called president desperately trying to make himself look better than he deserves – and, what he deserves gets worse by the day.

At this point in time “we the people” shouldn’t be focused on the market, but on what we can do to try to keep the “curve” of this pandemic to be as “flat” as possible. (So far that doesn’t like likely, but thank God for the many governors around the country taking action) Of course, at this point in time we have no idea how many Americans have the virus – and, it is true reports suggest 80% of cases will be relatively mild – it’s the other 20% people are worried about – especially older people like me who have underlying medical issues who are the most vulnerable. My daughter’s a nurse and she’s really worried about me. I called her up and said, “I’m worried about you” – she’s on the front-line of the pandemic. She’s a hospice nurse and she’s dealing with many patients in nursing homes. I’m proud of her (she’s working really hard right now) and I’m praying she stays safe.

I listened to an economist from Harvard the other night and he suggested we are on the cusp of another depression, but almost certainly another “great recession.” I’ve been saying since day one of individual 1’s administration I have ZERO confidence he is capable of dealing with a crisis. Many beside myself have referred to him as UNFIT for office. Of course, he’s got a CULT following and it will take this to get worse than I want it to get in order for them to maybe rethink their loyalties – especially with outlets like Fox “news” still suggesting this pandemic is the result of the “liberal media” that wants to take down their IMPEACHED so-called president.

In individual 1’s press conference on Friday he claimed he saved “thousands of lives” by his actions to close the borders and then LIED about the FACT he closed the pandemic operation in the National Security Council which was started by President Obama after dealing with the Ebola crisis – which, by the way, was EXPERTLY dealt with. (His supporters actually believe him) He actually called the reporter (an African American woman) who asked the question “nasty” as he looked at Tony Fausti and tried to “pass the buck” to him for the BLUNDER he admitted to many months ago – because “I don’t like spending money on things that aren’t needed, we can get them back when we need them.” (Of course, then they turned that reporters mike off so she couldn’t ask a follow up question)

Actually, while I was writing the above words I had a news program on my computer and, sure enough, along came a person who seemed to verify the reason America has been so slow in providing testing (it’s still a MAJOR problem) is because individual 1 didn’t want the public to know how many people had the virus because he felt that made him look bad. Of course, like everything else with our IMPEACHED so-called president this short term thinking is leading to long term consequences – for, example, many business leaders are wondering how long it will take for our economy to recover once this epidemic is “on the other side?” We will undoubtedly, at a minimum, be in economic recession (we likely already are) for the rest of this year and, of course, there’s an election coming, so brace yourself for the barrage of incoming LIES coming from individual 1 and his sycophants.

Here’s the bottom line here, you can’t wish away a pandemic like this and if you attempt to do so, well, you only make it worse – as we are seeing “up close and personal.” I keep thinking, a few weeks ago republicans in the Senate, facing incontrovertible evidence that our IMPEACHED so-called president was continually putting his own self interest above that of the nation, had the opportunity to end this nightmare and chose to take the “chicken’s” way out. (Except, of course, for Mitt Romney) Of course, convicting individual 1 wouldn’t have stopped this pandemic, but maybe Pense would have done a better job – although, I’m not confident in that either – but, just sayin……… As they say, “He couldn’t do it any worse.”

To me, individual 1’s actions are making it crystal clear “we the people” should be taking a second look at Bernie Sanders before the democratic nominating process is over. If there was ever a better “advertisement” for the need for a universal health care system this should be it. And, I’ll say this again, I believe “Medicare for All” would be around HALF as expensive as the system we have with much better outcomes. To all those out there who think it would be “more expensive” – well, today, while driving home from Costco (without TP AGAIN :o) I had my xm radio on (as usual) and on came individual 1 – very happy because the Fed just announced they’re dropping rates AGAIN, now down to, well, ZERO. And, that’s not all!

Just last week they pumped $1.5 TRILLION into Wall Street to “prop the market up” and today they announced they have nearly ANOTHER trillion to pump in “the coming weeks” to buy up bad debt, essentially. This is the “American way” since the “Free market” economists in the mold of Milton Friedman gained a foothold several decades ago – and, that’s pile up more debt. And, apparently, if you’re one of those two big to fail banks you’re “good” no matter what. I believe I read today they are simply negating the “Dodd-Frank” legislation which was aimed at preventing another financial meltdown. I have to wonder, where is the 2.5 TRILLION coming from?

We have “free markets” until Wall Street needs the GOVERNMENT to “bail” them out. I have to assume we’re going to be piling up much more debt. And, of course I don’t know this for certain, but I’m guessing the House bill aimed at “Main Street” won’t have anywhere near two and a half TRILLION dollars in the bill. (Individual 1 wants to ROB the Social Security trust fund – which has already been borrowed – of nearly a TRILLION dollars and, hopefully, democrats won’t fall for it) The bottom line here is there’s going to be “hard sledding” ahead and piling on more debt and wishful thinking will likely just make it worse, in the long term.

The appropriate solution passed us by a few weeks ago – and, in my mind, every-time individual 1 gets in front of a microphone he’s just making another commercial for whoever ends up being the democratic nominee for November’s election. This upcoming recession is going to be severe at best and, as one economist I’ve already talked about said the other night, it could end up being a world wide DEPRESSION. I’ve seen reports the American economy is already in recession and it will be interesting to see how much DEBT individual 1 “throws” at this pandemic.

Early on, when “we the people” realized what a bumbling IDIOT he is – and, now I’m focusing on his response to this impending crisis – to brace yourself for a MOUNTAIN of lies – blaming EVERYONE but himself. Just the other day I heard him say with his own mouth he takes no responsibility for the HORRIBLE response by the federal government to this impending pandemic – despite months of warning. He even stood before the American people and LIED about dissolving the PANDEMIC team from the CDC – the team put in place by President Obama for just this type of occasion. And, he LIED about the response to the H1N1 flu by “Joe Biden” which tells you he knows what is lying ahead politically. (I guess we can be thankful he didn’t blame it on Hunter Biden!)

I’ll end with: Individual 1 is still going after Hillary Clinton as if he wants to put her in jail. The first thought which came to my mind when I read that this morning (I believe in the NY Times) “Be careful what you wish for.” Why? Well, there’s an old saying which I find to be a “truism,” and it says “What goes around comes around.” I’ve read Comey’s book, I’ve read McCabe’s book, I’ve read every book I can get my hands on which deals with the FBI’s “intervention” into the 2016 election (I believe Comey is why we’re talking about all of this – he’s the reason individual 1 is in office), not only regarding Mrs. Clinton but also regarding individual 1.

I’ve read Mueller’s report TWICE and, believe me, it’s a challenging read – but also very informative and, also, a bit scary – because it clearly exposes William Barr to be individual 1’s “Roy Cohn” (who, if you don’t know, was a DIRTY mob lawyer who died in disgrace of AIDS after being disbarred for unethical practices – he was Joseph McCarthy’s lawyer and that should say all you need to know – Oh yes, I’ve seen reports he was affiliated with Roger Stone as well). Now, I’m reading “DEEP STATE Trump, the FBI, and the Rule of Law” by James Stewart and I just finished “DARK TOWERS Deutche Bank, Donald Trump (that word was hard to write), and an epic trail of destruction” by David Enrich. Trust me, individual 1 will be facing WAY more than he can “throw” at Hillary Clinton once he’s out of office next year.

I’m not trying to be arrogant suggesting it’s going to happen for sure by next year, but I have to say he’s done such a TERRIBLE job regarding the covid-19 crisis that, to me, would be enough – although, as I said, his followers (the CULT) don’t believe he LIES to them so he’ll be LYING at an even more frequent pace (if that’s possible) – but, he’s going to be “leading” America into an economic disaster “area” in the coming months. And, so far, his solution is to try propping up Wall Street with more “liquidity.” That means, as I said, MOUNTAINS of debt. And, that’s NOT going to solve the problem – just make it worse for the “long term” for sure. But, as usual, I digress.

Getting back to individual 1’s legal liabilities once he’s out of office, well, you should read some of these books. First, I have to add, that in EVERY one of them – relating to the investigation of Mrs. Clinton – they point out the EVIDENCE is overwhelming that, while Mrs. Clinton was careless and made a mistake by having her own email server (just as the previous Sec. of State Colin Powell had – of course, as far as I know there’s never been an investigation of General Powell), there was nothing even suggesting there could be anything more than some kind of misdemeanor charge against her. Nothing which had much of a chance of “winning” in court based on years of previous rulings in areas relating to “negligence” with classified information – which didn’t appear to be what happened anyway to any extent suggesting an indictment.

On the other hand, individual 1 is ALREADY, well, individual 1 in the case against Michael Cohen for the campaign finance violations resulting from individual 1’s paying off two former mistresses to keep “we the people” from knowing about his illicit affairs (while his THIRD wife was delivering him his final – we all hope – child) prior to the 2016 election. Maybe, had we known about Stormy Daniels prior to the election Comey’s ill timed (and unwarranted) remarks 11 days before the election – which, by my observations changed the Five Thirty Eight polling averages by about 4 to 5 points in individual 1’s favor over the last two weeks prior to the election – especially in the “rust belt” states which unexpectedly gave him the electoral college “victory.” (With, of course, three MILLION less votes than Mrs. Clinton)

And, when you read all these books you realize there’s plenty more where those Southern District of New York FELONY charges against Cohen AND individual 1 came from. The state of New York is investigating his organization – some suggesting there could be a RICO charge (look it up) once he’s out of office – Mueller made it clear he was “memorializing” the evidence of OBSTRUCTION in his report in case “down the road” once individual 1 is no longer protected by the so-called “Office of Legal Counsel” memo which says a sitting president can’t be indicted should a prosecutor wish to “follow up.” (10 instances) Plus, there’s so much more. In “Dark Towers” – while, so far, individual 1 has prevented investigators from gaining records from Deutche bank, on the surface it appears to me, there’s a very good reason he’s trying to block this from happening.

It also appears there’s good reason for Deutche bank to fight along side individual 1 to prevent the investigators from gaining information on their “lending practices” with not only our IMPEACHED so-called president, but his son-in-law Jared Kushner – and, by extension his daughter Ivanka. In fact, there’s even evidence suggesting Don Jr. has some potential “sticky” issues with Deutche bank – apparently the ONLY bank willing to loan money to our – well, you know who I mean. The Russian money laundering schemes of Deutche bank (for which the fines nearly took the bank into default) seem to be very close to our IMPEACHED so-called president. The financing of his golf courses, for example, are, or should be, under scrutiny – especially after Eric, his 2nd son, admitted they were getting all the money they needed from Russia. There’s is speculation the Russians “guaranteed” at least some of the money individual 1 squeezed (and, I mean, squeezed) out of the bank.

You’ll remember, Vladimir Putin is and has been one of individual 1’s biggest “cheerleaders” and it should be interesting if one or more of individual 1’s Hotels “heads south” during this impending crisis. There seem to be plenty of moneyed interests willing to spend large amounts of money to stay in his properties – apparently seeking favor – but, even that could face a “downturn” over this covid-19 crisis. People aren’t eager to travel. For example, individual 1 has a loan of around $170 MILLION on the Old Post Office renovation in D.C. which, I believe is due in a couple years (or less) and he needs a LOT of business to make that place profitable – I read an average of $700 a night in the rooms. So, brace yourself for more than the lies. There’s likely to be some kind of bailout for the hotel industry in the not too distant future. Maybe he’s simply able to get his hands on that ZERO percent money being dished out by the Fed. Stay tuned!

Final Thought: My son is a “gamer” (and, he’s very good – beyond my ability to comprehend) and he plays online video games with people all around the world. He is always telling me about how people in other countries are suggesting “we the people” are – well, STUPID. Not only because so many believe the OBVIOUS lying coming from our IMPEACHED so-called president (are you getting my disgust?) but, today he told me of a conversation he had with a young man in Sweden who was getting images of the run on the store shelves in the U.S. This young man was telling my son his parents would NEVER allow him to eat the kind of food he was seeing on the store shelves – what was left there anyway. Like all the stuff with too much sugar in it.

Today, when my son got to work at the restaurant there were four people eating. They had already sent home virtually the entire staff – he didn’t even clock in (not even gas money today). This really is going to be bad. I don’t think you can turn off a consumer based economy for a couple months and not “feel the pain.” – even by BORROWING frantically. I do hope the House bill which will be in the Senate once they all return – hopefully, this coming week – will quickly help these workers, including my son. He says MOST of them are “paycheck to paycheck” and already are in “trouble” financially, because they’re all getting the hours cut – significantly. I’ll be interested to actually see the bill which is produced – I know there was republican input so I’m guessing the bill is not as strong as it could or should be – there will likely be limits on the unemployment benefits which leave some workers in the lurch – I hope not – I hope I’m wrong!

I logged into Yahoo Finance.com as I often do to get an idea of how the stock market is doing and there was an article which suggested individual 1 was “failing” – right under that link was a link to another article which was titled “Markets are giving Individual 1 (of course, they used his actual surname) an “F” – and I decided to read a few of the “comments” in the section following the article. The first thing I noticed was the members of the CULT which continues to support this IMPEACHED so-called president were regurgitating the propaganda coming from the “White House” which has made the covid-19 crisis potentially much much worse. That is, it’s the media’s fault for the stock market’s plunge, or it’s just another form of the flu, or……… Well, I stopped reading.

The coronavirus (covid-19) is NOT the fault of individual 1. The misinformation coming from our IMPEACHED so-called president IS, obviously, his fault. It’s making this crisis worse, and, in my view, it should surprise no one. Many Americans, not just me but MILLIONS of others, have been pointing out our IMPEACHED so-called president is UNFIT for the job he holds for over three years now. It was a couple months ago when individual 1’s score card of documented LIES exceeded 16,000 and his lack of credibility becomes a serious problem at a time like this.

I listened today to a health provider who is in a position to understand what is happening who suggested there is the potential for upwards of 200,000 people who could need treatment in ICU beds in a hospital and there are, right now, 90,000 of those beds available nation wide, but MOST of them are regularly full. He suggested Italy is facing this reality and it’s almost as if those who are availed of the ICU treatment are the lucky ones as if the beds are distributed by “lottery.” Of course, what happens to the others, the ones who don’t get the needed treatment? Despite what our IMPEACHED so-called president has said, this is not “the flu.”

So, now that even members of the right wing in America are beginning to realize government has a role to play in our society, what is our government likely to do? Well, I surely don’t know, but I was not surprised to hear our IMPEACHED so-called president propose canceling all “payroll taxes” for the rest of the year. Of course, that might sound good to a few people, but, to me, it’s nothing more than one more right wing attack on Social Security and Medicare. It’s like taking hundreds of BILLIONS out of the Social Security trust fund, which the government has already borrowed. If you’ve been paying any attention at all, you already know individual 1’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year includes massive cuts to what republicans refer to as “entitlements.”

Here’s the dictionary’s definition of “entitlement” – “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.” Well, I’m collecting Social Security BENEFITS and, the reality is, I started paying into Social Security back when I was in high school in 1963. I worked for 50 years before I finally retired. To me, Social Security is not an “entitlement” it’s an “earned benefit” – just like a retirement policy in the work place. For most people their Social Security BENEFIT is not enough to retire on over and above basic necessities, but I know a lot of people who are very thankful for their Social Security benefit. (I believe you have to pay into the system for something like 10 years to be eligible. The more you pay in, the more you get back out.) And, republicans really don’t like Social Security DISABILITY benefits because, well, they apparently believe they are an “entitlement.”

Well, all I know about that is my niece receives Social Security disability and it’s a good thing it was available for her. She was in the Air Force for several years (I believe about 10 years) as an air traffic controller and was discharged because she developed an inner ear issue (it’s called meniere’s disease) where it was dangerous for her even to carry her babies around the house as she would fall. The Air Force refused to call this issue (which resulted from the head sets they wear doing their jobs and the effect whatever goes through those head phones has on the ear) the result of her job and refused to provide her any disability despite the FACT she’s 100% disabled. The process of gaining disability via Social Security took, I believe, close to two years, and required significant proof of the disability. My point: Social Security disability isn’t something which is randomly approved for Americans. My niece, in my view, SHOULD have disability from her service in the Air Force, but, well…………………

So, today, with the “right hand” our government was funding Wall Street with $1.5 TRILLION in relief for companies who have been affected by this sudden downturn (the most sudden downturn in history from what I understand) and, with the “left hand” are attempting to FOOL “we the people” into financing relief for those on “Main Street” by attacking the Social Security trust fund. I believe the “Fed” simply “printed” the money it rushed to the Wall Street gamblers and, apparently, is unable to do the same thing for “we the people.” I certainly hope democrats in Congress see through this charade. It will be a major disappointment to people like me if they allow this TERRIBLE idea, coming from individual 1, to gain any traction. In fact, in my view, he should be further publicly exposed for his INCOMPETENCE by even suggesting it! (This reminds me of those who claim republican “capitalize” their gains and “socialize” their losses)

I took a trip to the store today and it was very busy, much more so than usual, with people clearly stocking up on supplies. The lady at the check-stand said people were buying virtually ALL the TOILET paper they had in stock. There was no hand sanitizer on the shelves, and basic staples seemed to be “getting thin.” I saw pictures of the streets in Italy and they are barren. I heard one report of a cook at a fancy restaurant which had been closed down distributing the food they had in stock to himself and the other employees in light of the reality it would spoil before they were back to work and, on the way home, he chose to walk around on one of the deserted streets and he was fined 60 euros. People are realizing, it could happen here.

This virus apparently spreads exponentially and can be quite deadly to people like me who are above 70 and have other issues. (I’ve been battling arthritis for 40+ years and know many of the medications reduce your immunity system which can allow you to be one of the really sick ones if you get the virus) Well, there’s a shortage of test kits so when you go out in public you really don’t know if you’ve been exposed. For example, today as I was walking into the store there was an elderly woman pushing her cart toward the parking lot who started coughing repeatedly (right onto the handle of her cart without covering her mouth) and then stopping to kind of rest herself on the cart as if being short of breath. No one, including me, wanted to get close to her.

I wasn’t the only person who noticed. I said a quick prayer for her (not knowing her name – and, in all honesty, not wanting to know her name) and went into the store. Unusual for me, I grabbed one of the sanitary wipes at the entrance and wiped off the handle of my cart – not knowing if that would make any difference if someone affected by the virus had it prior to me. (I believe the virus only survives on a hard surface for a couple of hours) From what I’ve heard over the past couple of days, it’s incumbent on ALL of “we the people” to follow the steps necessary to minimize the spread of this virus. I told my wife today I’m expecting our son, who works at a normally very busy restaurant, to be laid off within the next few days. They don’t have much business (as of yesterday).

Last night I watched as much of individual 1’s address from the Oval Office as I could stomach – the more he tries to BLAME others for issues he believes makes HIM look bad, or give himself FALSE “credit,” the more I just can’t bring myself to give him ANY semblance of respect – and, then, today I watched Bernie Sanders give a speech as to what he believes needs to happen to address this issue going forward. Watching Bernie all I could think of was I was watching someone who was acting “presidential” and, I hoped more people were watching him. If there was any reason to understand the importance of what he’s been “pushing” for years, it SHOULD be this “crisis.”

The sad reality there are, as he said, 87 MILLION Americans who are not insured or under-insured very well could make this crisis much bigger. Sanders clearly believes government works best from the “bottom up.” He is proposing NO ONE be burdened with the medical costs of the testing or treatment from this disease, should the get it. He’s proposing people like my son don’t lose their income because the business they work for has been shut down or impacted. He even referenced people who depend on tips for their livelihood should receive unemployment benefits the equal of their pay with a maximum of something like $1100 per week or $60,000 per year. To me, these are the people government should be intervening on their behalf in a situation like this.

Actually, because I’ve admitted many times here I don’t understand the workings of the stock market (although, I predicted a significant “fall” over two months ago. Just sayin……) I have no problem with the “Fed” finding $1.5 TRILLION for Wall Street (although, I have to admit, that’s a lot of money to just have sitting around for when our IMPEACHED so-called president starts yelling at you to “do something”) it will just really BUG me (I could think of other words to use here) if the Congress agrees they need to get the money to bail out those at the bottom from the Social Security trust fund. And, make no mistake, by stopping the collection of the payroll taxes for the rest of the year, that is a significant “hit” to that fund and will simply accelerate the republicans in their effort to undermine Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

I’ve come to the point where I don’t trust republicans when things are going well, but when times are like this I REALLY don’t trust them. Only ONE of them had the courage to do what they ALL knew was “what’s right” in the IMPEACHMENT trial of individual 1. (And, if you don’t know, he got the moniker “individual 1” by committing two FELONIES with his lawyer Michael Cohen who’s sitting in prison as I write this partially for those FELONIES – individual 1 can’t be charged because, well, he’s a our IMPEACHED so-called president) So, why would “we the people” expect them to do “what’s right” during this crisis. Let’s “hold on to our seats” and just see if they try to plunder that Social Security trust fund. If the democrats want to win in November, for sure, they won’t allow it and they’ll make sure EVERYONE understands what it would mean to drop those payroll taxes for the rest of the year!

Final Thought: OK, I think it should be clear to ANYONE it’s not helpful to have a narcissistic pathological LIAR in the “White House” in the midst of a serious crisis. And, it CAN be said, this crisis did originate in China, it’s just that the response by individual 1 actually made the situation worse to a level which is not quantifiable. Tonight, as I was pondering some of the BLUNDERS of this IMPEACHED so-called president I was reminded he actually suggested building his STUPID wall would help protect “we the people” from the covid-19 crisis. The more I think about that comment I just want to suggest “That says it all.”

One more thing: It would cost less to the Federal Government to simply refund a couple thousand dollars to EVERY taxpayer than the $1.5 TRILLION they managed to come up with almost instantaneously for Wall Street the other day. I’m, in all honesty, concerned about the amount of DEBT we’d be incurring – but, the reality is, if “we the people” are heading toward a severe recession/depression as many economists are now predicting – the national debt is going to be taking a “hit.” This, to me, is why giving away a couple TRILLION dollars two years ago to people who didn’t need it was a colossal blunder – despite the demands of the republican donors. But, at this point in time, as “they” say, “it is what it is.” We have an opportunity to begin the needed corrections to all this in November.

I’ve pointed this out many times here: “I’m not an economist.” That always is what I’m thinking when one or more of my predictions comes true. Of course, I’m talking about the stock market and it’s recent downturn which I (kind of) predicted. I mentioned, in my experience as an observer, (I haven’t owned a stock for well over 10 years) when the market starts experiencing significant “ups and downs” (not like what’s been happening in the past two weeks) “hold on to your hats.” Meaning, when the strong moves are happening, from my experience, they will eventually head “south.” This is when national leadership is critical!

I also postulated my personal opinion the stock market appeared to me to be a “house built on sand.” Without actually knowing for sure I suggested much of what was pushing the market to record highs was the availability of money at near ZERO interest rates. I had recently read a book by Rachel Maddow titled “Blow Out” focused on the oil industry and much of the book looked at the history of a couple shale oil companies operating out of Oklahoma City which were operating on massive amounts of debt – one of them, Chesapeake Oil. Today, as the market is down over 1000 points on the DOW once again, I checked on Chesapeake Oil and its stock price was about 14 CENTS per share. Soon, likely to be “no more.”

I looked at a couple of other oil companies and their stock prices were heading “south” at significant rates, likely the result of what appears to me the Saudi’s purposefully attempting to destroy the American shale oil business by flooding the world oil market pushing the prices below what it costs to produce this shale oil. On the surface, the Saudi’s actions were the result of a dispute with the Russians over the shrinking demand for oil around the world – apparently due to the covid-19 “crisis” – but, to me, it shows the frailty of American businesses operating with too much “leverage.” For us dummies that means too much debt.

I’ve also suggested many of the traders on Wall Street are financing their trading with this almost “free” money. My guess is their thinking is they can make well more than 1.5% on their stock trades so “why not?” Well, maybe the recent tanking of the market is a good reason to answer that question “why not?” Again, I’m just guessing, but if you’re making large trades using borrowed money this drop of over 6000 points must at least make you nervous. I listen to “experts” suggest (as they have for as long as I can remember) if you’re “long” in the market you have nothing to worry about. (People like Warren Buffet are probably buying right now)

The only thing that makes sense to me is there are many people who AREN’T “long” in the market. They’re the “gamblers” who are buying and selling huge amounts of stocks on a daily basis – looking for the slightest gains to make money – sometimes MOUNTAINS of money. But, as the saying goes, “what goes up, must come down.” (Of course, I also read “The Big Short” many years ago – about the 2008 crisis – and, I’m sure there are “short sellers” out there who are very happy right now) This all is why I refer to Wall Street as nothing more than a glorified gambling casino. Yes, I know that’s the view of someone who knows virtually nothing about how the market works – but, it just appears to me, too many of the traders are not “long” in the market.

The reason I’m pointing this out is because I’ve NEVER considered Wall Street to be what should be the gauge of the health of our economy. For example, I don’t see where Wall Street is more important than Main Street. However, since the first day he was in office individual 1 has been bragging that he’s “created” the “greatest economy in the history of this country.” Well, from the standpoint of the people on “Main Street” I don’t know they think this is the “greatest economy ever.” For example, Americans are FINALLY wising up to the republican habit of giving HUGE ($ TRILLIONS) tax cuts to their donors – the so-called “top %1. Of course, that helps Wall Street, but Main Street “not so much.” (And, by the way, he didn’t create this strong economy)

I listened to Bernie Sanders today, the likely “loser” in the battle for the democratic nomination for president with Joe Biden, as he pointed out the list of questions he’s going to ask Biden in their debate this coming weekend. (With no audience because of the covid-19 scare) Sanders reminded me of why I voted for him (he’s got a good chance to win my state – Washington – once all the votes are counted) as he brought up the issues with health care, minimum wage, college and trade school debt, affordability, and accessibility, Climate Change, mass incarceration, racism, and other key issues that are important to me and many others.

Sanders correctly pointed out there’s a large segment of democratic voters whose MAIN issue is simply getting individual 1 out of office. And, as usual, they’re willing to give up on their fundamental beliefs (and, Sanders represents the closest to “New Deal” beliefs in my view), out of the FEAR of losing to individual 1. Operating in an atmosphere of FEAR, to me, very well could actually backfire. It’s certainly what has allowed America to become a country whose government is so corrupt that people from all “walks” are angry and turned off. The problem is, from my viewpoint, it’s the very FEAR which is permeating our society as I’m writing this which has resulted in this DEPLORABLE situation.

People like Vladimir Putin and the republicans who are working in concert with him (surreptitiously) are expert at fomenting misinformation in order to further the divide which is causing Americans to question their own values. However, if Mr. Sanders can get Biden to create an atmosphere of unity and come up with a plan to consider ALL the issues which are important to Senator Sanders AND his MILLIONS of supporters after defeating individual 1 I believe Biden can create a strong campaign which could include ALL of the voters who are setting records as far as turnout during the primaries and could put individual 1 out to pasture and, with him, Moscow Mitch. (There’s even a decent chance for Lindsey Graham to be defeated)

Many democrats have been saying for some time now individual 1 is a pathological LIAR and, tonight, our IMPEACHED so-called president gave an Oval Office address to the nation which was apparently supposed to calm the FEARS he’s helped create regarding covid-19. Well, as many have been reminded, while listening to individual 1, of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” – our IMPEACHED so-called president has a serious credibility problem. I checked the “futures” market today right before I left to pick up my grandson from school and take him to his Little League practice and individual 1’s address took place on my way home. Soon after I arrived home I checked the “futures” market again (It suggests where the market will open in the AM) and it was DOWN nearly 1000 MORE points.

Even individual 1’s Wall Street supporters understand our IMPEACHED so-called president is a LIAR and he has no security. Today, I watched the head doctor of the CDC in an abbreviated appearance before the House (it got called off suddenly, maybe because of what Dr. Fausti was saying) and he suggested, due to the way this has been handled (he was very diplomatic), there could be “MILLIONS” of cases in the United States before this is over. Not only do even the people of Wall Street understand individual 1 has NO credibility they’re also coming to grips with the effect of his LYING. Today, I checked Boeing shares and they had dropped over 40% at the point I checked – because airlines around the world are canceling orders by the droves.

My son works in a restaurant and, tonight, they were not busy at all. From what I’ve understood, people like my son very well could be facing layoffs because people aren’t going to be going out for dinner or lunch. Hotels are going to be losing vast amounts of money – and, remember, individual did NOT put his hotels into a trust when he took his “oath” of office and, I’m guessing he’s going to try to come up with some kind of financial relief for hotel owners – which, of course, would simply be MORE self dealing.

I keep thinking of all my Christian friends who claim individual 1 is in office by the grace of God and, I have to wonder, how are they explaining this coronavirus which, undoubtedly, is going to be the force which turns our economy into recession. I think there’s little doubt at this point in time America (and, likely, the world) will be in recession by the November election. It wouldn’t surprise me to see individual 1 start talking about putting off the election. I can only imagine what kind of reaction that will cause among “we the people” as more and more of us learn our IMPEACHED so-called president is incompetent – and, like everything else he does, he’s putting his own interests above the interests of “we the people.” From my standpoint, he can’t be gone soon enough!

I wrote recently of wanting to be a “fly on the wall” in the White House as it’s been reported individual 1 has great fears of catching covid-19 and, also, is having a personal meltdown in regard to the tanking of the stock market. Today, it was reported he was yelling insults aimed at the head of the Federal Reserve as if the Fed is the reason the market is tanking. He doesn’t seem to understand virtually EVERYTHING he does makes matters worse on Wall Street. It appears to me our IMPEACHED so-called president will be campaigning as having FINALLY done to the inheritance he got from President Obama what he did to the inheritance he got from his father. And, still his CULT will vote for him!

Final thought: Last night our IMPEACHED so-called president just confirmed what many beside myself have been concerned about should an actual crisis happen on his “watch.” I listened to the head of the World Health Organization, yesterday, as he declared the covid-19 virus to be a worldwide pandemic and he was lamenting the poor response coming from certain nations – I took it to mean, at least, the U.S. Of course, individual 1 has been making comments which contradict people involved in the battle to contain this virus from “day 1.” And, his address last night was a mitigated disaster. This morning, I was wondering how many republicans were second guessing their votes in the IMPEACHMENT trial a few weeks ago.

I don’t think very many people will be surprised to see individual 1 attempt to implement a plan aimed at his own properties (some are suggesting the reason flights from the UK and Ireland were not part of his “ban” announced last night to be because of his golf courses in those countries) as he’s proven to be all about himself FIRST and America next. I pointed out what the stock futures suggested as his address was happening and, sure enough, the markets opened to another “circuit breaker” this AM. Shortly thereafter the “Fed” inserted (from one account) over $1 TRILLION into the market in an attempt to mitigate the downward pressure (remember, individual 1 is BLAMING the head of the “Fed” for the downturn) and the DOW temporarily jumped about a 1000 points – only, to, by the time I’m writing this (around 3 EST) it’s back down around -2000 points for the day. The confidence factor appears to be low.

And, I’ll finish by pointing out what I’ve heard about attempts by the House to support those who may be losing their jobs or may not have access to affordable health care. I heard Nancy Pelosi (and other democrats) are negotiating with a team of republicans including the Treasury Secretary a “stimulus” plan which, from what I’ve heard, the Treasury Secretary is balking at because he believes it is an “entitlement.” This is typical republican response in any situation which involves helping those at the “bottom.” Of course, these objections are coming on the same day the Fed, as I just pointed out, has pumped over a TRILLION dollars into Wall Street. To me, this says it all and SHOULD get the attention of even members of individual 1’s CULT.

I have to say, this coronavirus crisis has made the issues important to Bernie Sanders and his supporters “as clear as a bell.” Our young people understand the issues with access to affordable health care, student loan debt, the expense of college education or trade schools, the Climate Crisis (probably should be #1 on this list), etc. better than most – because it affects them MORE than the rest of us. This present crisis just affirms what many of us have been saying for some time about how CORRUPT our government has become and how its focus is in the wrong direction. If this crisis doesn’t make these things clear I’m not sure what will! (Well, with the climate crisis maybe we need a city like Miami or Los Angeles under water to get people’s attention)

Well, it’s the night before the “NEXT” interesting week as the “coved-19” virus is expanding rapidly through one state after another. I happen to live in the “center” of the attack (Washington state) and, I believe, the number of CONFIRMED cases exceeded 500 as of today in America while our IMPEACHED so-called president is STILL claiming his administration’s actions dealing with this crisis is “perfect” and then, of course, he added “Just like my phone call with Ukraine was perfect.” Well, that says it all.

I just took a peek at the “DOW” futures which are suggesting the market is going to open around 1000 points down further from where it ended on Friday. The oil market is “tanking” and the price is going down to the point where America’s shale oil producers are going to be looking at prices below their cost of production. And, my understanding is many of the shale oil outfits are operating via low interest capital they’ve borrowed causing some of them to possibly be facing economic disaster. I’m guessing our IMPEACHED so-called president who denies Climate change and believes in fossil fuels will attempt to bail these operators out but the downward pressure on the stock market may very well continue – or increase!

Before all this started – meaning the stock market heading south – I had been “speculating” the market was like a house built on sand. With interest rates hovering between 0 and 1.5% over the past few years, I’ve surmised (again, I’m not an economist) the “big boys” have been borrowing money to invest because of these incredibly low rates. However, even when the rates are low, you have to pay the money back. (Unless, apparently, you’re our IMPEACHED so-called president – I’m presently reading “Dark Towers” by David Enrich which is about Deutche Bank and its relationship with individual 1 and all the loans he’s stiffed them on) Based on my observations over the years, I believe when the market starts to tank people who’ve borrowed too much will be forced to sell and, I think, this is how the downward pressure can “mushroom.”

I’ve been reading as much as I can about what is really happening in our government and our economy and, by many accounts, the “manufacturing sector” of America’s economy has been in a recession for months. (This was the sector individual 1 was going to “boost” with his “perfect” trade deals) Along has come the coved-19 virus which is making a world wide recession look possible if not probable and add to that a price war among the major oil producers around the world and you have the possibility of the exact situation I’ve been saying I hope “we the people” don’t have to deal with as long as individual 1 is at the “helm.”

I don’t believe I’m the only American who has NO confidence in the ability of our IMPEACHED so-called president to be able to manage a MAJOR economic crisis – which, it appears, may be on the horizon. Just in the time it’s taken me to write these first few paragraphs the “DOW” futures has dropped another 300 points suggesting it’s going to open somewhere around 5% lower Monday morning than it closed Friday afternoon. Who knows where it goes from there – again, I just observe and postulate – but, my instincts tell me this: “If I had borrowed a bunch of money on short term credit to buy stocks I’d be very nervous.”

What I’m concerned about is the possibility we could be going into another major financial crisis – it seems these things follow republican (so-called) presidents around. I would love to be a “fly on the wall” in the “White House” tonight (provided they don’t have a good fly swatter :o) based on all the books I’ve read which have documented the behavior of our IMPEACHED so-called president “when the going gets tough.” I’m guessing he’s having quite the fit and, tomorrow, (or this early morning) he’ll be lashing out and throwing BLAME around like baseball players throwing balls to warm up for the next game. Somehow, individual 1 will find a way to blame President Obama, Hillary Clinton, CNN, MSNBC, and maybe even James Comey for the sudden downturn in the economy. Most certainly, he’ll be upping the assault on Hunter Biden and his papa!

I’m going to turn in – I’ll finish this post later. If you’re reading this, please forgive my own narcissism (I’m not in the league of our IMPEACHED so-called president) because, in essence, I’m simply writing a personal diary. Getting my thoughts down on paper. It’s fun for me to go back and look at the times when I guessed right about things like the market or things relating to our IMPEACHED so-called president. I’m guessing this next week is going to be, as they say, a doozy. Individual 1’s complexion very possibly is going to be more ORANGE than normal. I’m beginning to feel this economic “slowdown” could be significant and we all need to “brace ourselves.”

I don’t ever remember trying to figure out what the DOW futures were saying, so it will be interesting how it plays out tomorrow. I’ve seen days where the market opened way down and then worked itself back up over the course of the day, I’m just feeling a bit uneasy that the “headwinds” maybe too strong at this point in time. We’ll see…………….

OK, it’s Monday evening after the 2000+ point sell off of the DOW today which was “hinted” by the futures I quoted last night. I’ve referred to what is going on with the stock market as a “roller coaster” so, we should be able to expect a jump upward tomorrow – and, as best as I can tell that’s what the “futures” are telling us – although the effect on the economy of the “oil war” emanating from Saudi Arabia’s flooding the market with oil resulting from a failure of negotiations with Russia to control the world’s oil supplies could potentially result in further downward pressure. Oh yes, there’s still the coved-19 virus! Just sayin……………..

Today I listened to a bit of individual 1 and it just reminded me we are being “led” by someone who is so INCOMPETENT it’s just baffling to understand how he could have”won” the last election – even though we all know he had 3 MILLION less votes than the girl he was running against. For three + years I’ve been wondering why so many Americans are failing to understand they have a mob boss as their IMPEACHED so-called president who has no idea how to run anything close to this government. He’s bankrupted 6 businesses over the previous three decades and, I’m guessing, once he’s out of office, his present business could be in a bit of trouble – as I’m learning about his debt to Deutche Bank in the latest book I’m reading, “Dark Towers,” which I mentioned above.

On many occasions I’ve pointed out the economy individual 1 inherited from President Obama is one “gift” he, as yet, has failed to destroy. He would have you believe the economy is still “strong” and the result of his “genius” – I believe he’s still using the term “perfect” while speaking from one side of his mouth and then, out of the other side of his mouth, saying the government is considering a payroll tax cut in order to “stimulate” that “perfect” economy – which, of course, wouldn’t need any “stimulus” if it really was perfect. Well, it doesn’t take an expert to realize the stock market doesn’t drop nearly 20% in less than two weeks in a “perfect” economy. (I’m reminded of John McCain suggesting “The economy is strong” as the bottom was falling out in 2008) We all know how that played out.

It seems as if individual 1 is constantly trying to outdo his nemesis, the aforementioned Barack Obama, either by writing executive orders to overturn any “success” of our previous president (the popular one) or but by simply making derisive comments about him and/or other of his so-called “enemies.” (really does remind me of Nixon) He (and his republican brethren) berated President Obama for the “stimulus” which saved us from the “Great Recession” and now our IMPEACHED so-called president is talking “stimulus.” He’s LIED from day one about the economy – taking credit for what President Obama bequeathed to him – and, I’m guessing, as it tanks – if it does – he’ll find a way to BLAME our former president for the downturn.

Well, it’s also been reported individual 1 is terrified of catching the coronavirus and I’m wondering which scenario worries him most – the possibility of a recession or catching the virus – when 80% of those who get it are only “mildly” affected – but BOTH of these issues, it seems to me, are (or should be) causing even some of individual 1’s CULT to realize his incompetence. The coronavirus (coved-19) is already showcasing this INCOMPETENCE and the duality of this virus and the oil “war” could send the world economy into a recession which will further showcase the incompetence of our IMPEACHED so-called president.

I still remember all the “free market” republicans – yes, the very people who would call Bernie Sanders a “Socialist” derisively – solving the financial crisis in 2008 with a very SOCIALIST solution – a government BAILOUT. We’re likely to see the same thing in this present instance – in fact, we’re already seeing signs of this by the pressure on the Fed to get interest rates down to ZERO once again and the government to “give money” (they emphasize it’s not a “bailout”) to the ailing industries, like the airlines – which will leave no more room to “stimulate” the economy via that route once we actually know the extent of the problem. Additionally, we’re hearing suggestions of “quantitative easing” – which, I interpret as flooding the markets with “easy money” – (again, I’m no economist, so I’m just postulating) and various forms of tax cuts. Inflation on the horizon???

Of course, NONE of these ideas will have much affect if Americans feel they have to stay in their homes except for emergencies (like basic shopping duties), stopping travel, and, in many cases, people losing their jobs – hopefully via temporary layoffs. I think individual 1 understands he WONT be able to campaign on the economy if the market doesn’t rebound and, if he can’t claim the economy is strong, his debate performances could be embarrassing. For example, it was reported the other day “manufacturing” has been in recession for several months and the airline industry is in a similar disastrous situation as they were following 9/11. Would he be campaigning on providing a HUGE tax scam to industries which now need more money?

I read Rachel Maddow’s book “Blow Out” a couple months ago and I’ve loaned it out (and, by the way, I thought it was one of the best books I’ve read in the past several years) so I don’t remember much of it, but what I do remember is her documenting the oil shale industry in America and how these businesses seem to be operating – which is on borrowed money. So, this big drop in oil prices very likely puts the price of oil well below these shale operators cost of producing it. It won’t take long, based on what I remember reading, for many of these “oilmen” to be in serious financial jeopardy – because, they’ve to repay the loans they use to operate on. This could be a serious “hit” to America’s economy.

I took an online class from Paul Krugman and discovered I’m in the category of many people who like to write – well, similar to some of the people Mr. Krugman reads and his critique of them sent a message to me. Often times when I write I don’t have a clear purpose or objective or argument. For example, I’m sitting here thinking “Is my argument we’re heading into a recession?” or “Is my argument that individual 1 is incompetent in dealing with both the coved-19 crisis and the economy?” Or “is it both?”

It’s late, I’ll be back! I’m guessing the market jumps up tomorrow and the wild swings will continue for the next (possibly) several months. The question will be on the forefront at all times will be how much further DAMAGE can individual 1’s administration inflict on “we the people?” I’ve been asking that question for almost three years now and trying to speculate – and wondering what would happen if there arose an actual crisis? Well, it appears we’ll find out. I’m going to edit this post tomorrow and, hopefully, publish it. And, the beat goes on!!!

Final Thought: When you’re watching individual 1 standing in the Centers for Disease Control in front of the Scientists who are actually on the front lines of fighting this coved-19 virus and LYING; the look on the faces of the Doctors he’s standing with kind of says it all. If you haven’t seen the video of our IMPEACHED so-called president calling the testing perfect, “like the phone call was perfect,” while these doctors are rolling their eyes you should see it. It’s ANOTHER embarrassing example of this IMPEACHED so-called president.

If you remember, when Steve Bannon was individual 1’s top adviser (and, by the way, the smartest, in my view – I say that despite my disgust for Bannon), he pointed out the goal of their administration was the “deconstructing of the administrative state.” Well, while “we the people” have been “chasing out tails” trying to keep up with one scandal after another coming from individual 1 – him brazenly TAUNTING the republicans in Congress to draw the line – which they’re afraid to do – his administration has been succeeding at this “deconstruction.”

These people HATE government (other than their ability to STEAL as much taxpayer money as possible before “we the people” figure out what they’re “up to”) and one part of the government they’ve succeeded in “deconstructing” is the HHS (Human Health Services) – which would include the CDC and, therefore, the section of HHS which deals with potential pandemics. It’s as if EVERYTHING they’re doing is absolutely the WRONG thing for our federal government to be doing in the face of this type of crisis. Individual 1 and his sycophants have NO ability to anticipate the issues which are possible and when crises arise, their incompetence just gets further exposed! Yikes!!!

As many women (and, also me) were lamenting, today, Elizabeth Warren dropping out of the democratic presidential nominating process and what it means for a woman becoming president. I was watching Joy Ann Reid on “The Last Word” on MSNBC and she made an historically prescient comment on the history of women in politics over the history of this nation – comparing it, in a way, to slavery and racism. As I was listening to her, it caused me to think of one part of America I’ve always appreciated plus it’s also often the part of my frustration, and that is what’s called “the melting pot.”

While there’s no dispute as to how our “founders” considered African Americans as 3/5 of a human being when the constitution was written it was until a couple decades into the 20th century until women had the right to vote. I still remember growing up living in a family with four kids and a Mom who didn’t work, UNTIL my parents were divorced and then the only work my Mom could find was minimum wage jobs despite the FACT she was brilliantly smart. She had not worked from the day of her marriage until the day of her divorce and the jobs she was able to find, I now understand, were demeaning to her. This was when I started to understand the obstacles women in our society face on many fronts.

Of course, my father knew the judge and got a very favorable child support “package” and my siblings and I then grew up in what was clearly semi poverty – although we didn’t understand that. I got a paper route, my brother picked berries and we worked during high school because, well, that’s just what we had to do if we wanted any spending money, if we wanted to be able to drive a car (I bought a 1950 Ford for $50), and if we wanted our family to be able to eat and pay our bills. (I played sports and worked around 30 hours a week during my last two years of high school)

One of the reasons I’ve become so ANTI republican – despite always considering myself an “independent” – is because of how I’ve interpreted their treatment of women. While I was not a Bill Clinton supporter when he originally got elected, it really bothered me watching republicans going after his wife Hillary – almost from the day he took the oath of office. I became a (somewhat) Clinton supporter when he (along with Al Gore) proposed a budget which was designed to reduce the HUGE deficits he “inherited” as he took the “reins” of the government.

Additionally, I was encouraged when I saw the Clinton’s attempting to pass a “national health care” plan – which, OF COURSE, was all the republicans needed to put their DIRTY tricks (aka Roger Stone, Rick Wilson, et al) in motion – the 25 year attacks on Mrs. Clinton began at that point in time and, of course, there was no national health care plan. However, Clinton (and Gore) did succeed in turning the HUGE deficits they “inherited” from Reagan and HW Bush into SURPLUSES which they passed on to GW Bush and Dick Cheney. (Thanks to the Supreme Court) Sadly, Clinton’s human weakness led to his IMPEACHMENT and, for people like me, a sense of disgust based on his personal behavior. When Clinton left office I had learned to appreciate Mrs. Clinton intellectually and I really liked that the national debt was being reduced despite my disgust toward her husband’s behavior with women.

Well, as Bush/Cheney turned that surplus into the HUGE deficits which have been common place in the republican party since the days of Richard Nixon and had been progressively put on “steroids” through, first, the Reagan administration, then HW Bush, and, of course, Bush/Cheney who were the first to jack the deficit above a TRILLION dollars per year only to be potentially outdone by individual 1 as he’s already DOUBLED what he “inherited” from President Obama – there was (and continues to be) a republican assault on Hillary Clinton even though she’s now out of politics. I now believed they realized she had the potential to “break the glass ceiling” from the first days of the Clinton administration and their attacks were and are ruthless. Are they still suggesting “A women’s place is in the home?”

I still remember a leading member of the republican party – part of the so-called “Freedom Caucus” – pointing out, in a rare republican moment of honesty, that the Benghazi hearings were simply designed to damage Mrs. Clinton’s approval ratings – and, as he said, they were very successful in doing so. He said this as if to be bragging while the TV cameras were on. Of course, I have no doubt that member of Congress (If I remember correctly his last name was McCarthy) was reprimanded by the “leaders” who NEVER want their members to actually tell the TRUTH when in front of the cameras!

Well, 25 years of constant attacks coming from the republican party (with considerable help from the Russians in 2015 and 2016) had succeeded in turning Hillary Clinton’s “favorables” upside down to the point where she was every bit as “unpopular” by the time of the 2016 election as the MOST unpopular IMPEACHED so-called president in history, individual 1. Of course, with the help of the Russians, James Comey, and, of course, poor planning on the campaign trail, Hillary Clinton failed to become the first woman president despite gaining nearly THREE MILLION more votes than individual 1 (who had also succeeded in hiding disclosure of TWO affairs he had while his present wife was having and then raising his latest son, Barren – hiding them ILLEGALLY right before the election).

So, today as Senator Warren was dropping out of the nominating process for the democratic nomination for president there are women all across the nation (I have two very proficient daughters and two grand daughters) who are disappointed and feeling like “another four years” until there’s another chance. I’m one who has said, from the start, whoever the democrats nominate for president is the person I’ll be voting for. However, as someone who supported Bernie Sanders back in 2016, I have to say in any other year with any other “opponent” in the election, I’d be terribly disappointed to have the nominating process pared down to two “old white guys” in their late 70’s. I’m almost 73 and there are days when I can’t remember if I washed my hair as I get out of the shower.

I’ve been saying since this process started I believe Elizabeth Warren was the smartest candidate in the field. She actually made proposals for solving the issues she believes in. First, and foremost, of course is “medicare for all” – which, in essence is the “single payer” health care system MOST people have wanted for as long as I can remember. Republicans have ALWAYS succeeded in blocking any attempt at pulling this off – starting all the way back with FDR. Senator Warren lost “steam” in the nominating process when she failed to do a good job of explaining how she would pay for her health care plan. I wish I could have been her adviser at that point in time, because, to me, this idea is a “no brainer” – which is becoming more apparent as America shows the weakness in our health care industry as the coronavirus spreads.

To me, and I don’t have all the data to back this up, it just makes sense – “Medicare for all” would be something like HALF the cost of what we have for health care in America with much better outcomes. And, for all those “union bargained health plans” so many people, including Joe Biden, want to protect, Medicare would be much less expensive and would save these workers hundreds of dollars each month! Would there be an increase in taxes? Yes, of course there would – no one’s suggesting this would be FREE health care. It’s just the “taxes” people who HAVE a health care plan would be far less than the premiums they now pay which are NOT considered as “taxes.” Well, why not do you ask?

The health insurance for profit industry in America – which, on its face does NOT make sense, health care for profit, but I digress – has BILLIONS to spend in order to keep the American public believing “Medicare for all” is too expensive – because, if “we the people” finally come to our senses that industry is going to be hanging by a (supplemental) thread – depending on how the system would be “built.” One of my daughters has a significant small business with over 100 employees which receive health care as a benefit. This “benefit” costs the business $1200 EACH month for EACH employee. If “we the people” chose to change the system to a single payer “Medicare for all” system that cost to the business would be about half what they’re paying. The company and the employees could bargain on the difference.

For example, if the employees taxes were increased by, say, $600 or $700 per month to pay for their insurance benefits – which would be BETTER than what they have – but their compensation could be increased by OVER the amount of the increase in their “tax increase” – which, in my view should look better to both the employees and to my daughter’s business. I can see a scenario where they both come out ahead. So, yes there would be a “tax increase” to pay for a “Medicare for all” – it’s just the only people who would REALLY have a tax increase would be the people who don’t have any health insurance. Of course, the taxes to pay for this would be progressive – so minimum wage workers would pay much less in taxes for this than those making Middle Class and above wages – something like how Social Security and Medicare taxes now work. This wouldn’t be that hard for the experts in the field to figure out.

It’s just that for years the American political system has operated via fear mongering. I remember listening to Senator Warren pointing this out and basing her campaign on the idea it’s time for “we the people” to stop FEARING what we know is the best course of action going forward. It’s not “healthy” for America to have almost 100 MILLION people being either uninsured our under insured. In a situation like the impending crisis (it’s a crisis in my state already – I live in Washington state) the HUGE number of people who can’t afford to go to the doctor when they get sick is likely to make this crisis far worse than it would otherwise be. And, there’s many other reasons we should stop allowing FEAR to guide our decision making as we choose our leaders.

The richest country in the history of the world SHOULD be able to invest in her youth, SHOULD be able to invest in her people who need retraining, and SHOULD be able to INVEST in the infrastructure which is what made this the richest country in the first place. Clearly, in that regard “we the people” are falling behind the rest of the world and it was Elizabeth Warren making the BEST ideas which were actually potential solutions to the problems which are dragging this nation downward toward third world status. Obviously, at this point in time, the 2020 election will be one mid 70’s white man vs. a mid 70’s white man with the democrats so focused on DEFEATING individual 1 it’s obvious FEAR is a major part of the nominating process.

And, of course, I fully understand how this is playing out, because my number one goal in this election also is that individual 1 would LOSE! I believe there are MILLIONS of Americans who want to see a woman FINALLY become president, but in this election defeating individual 1 “trumps” all! (That’s the only circumstance where I can bring myself to write that word) I believe whoever the democrat ends up being once he is in office – assuming democrats can win back control of the Senate (and, by the way, Moscow Mitch is vulnerable in his own race in Kentucky – more about that on another day) – the direction of the country will swing more toward government working from the “bottom up.” The solutions suggested by Senator Warren can certainly be introduced no matter who is the president. So, we’ll see………… Again, job #1 is BEAT individual 1!

At the beginning of this rant I mentioned America’s “melting pot” as something I’ve always appreciated and lamented at the same time. While in many ways I consider this a strength – the diversity of our nation – it also seems to be the source of much of the racism, sexism, and other “isms” which are causing such a divide across the country. We need a leader who is going to try to draw this diversity together as a strength and to condemn the portion of this diversity which is contributing to all the HATE we see not only “online” but also on “Main Street.” Sadly, from my observations, much of the HATE turning Americans against each other is coming from the “white” segment of that “melting pot.” (Of course, HATE can be “bipartisan”) People who seem to think this is “their country” because they are white seem to be disproportionately part of the “HATE” scene. I could provide a history lesson here, but my point is we need to get back to the point where we DEMAND this diversity be the strength it should be. And, personally, I’ve come to the conclusion we need MORE women in leadership positions in Washington DC to make that happen.

The 2018 “class” of “rookies” in the House of Representatives was full of an incredible group of women who, every time I hear one of them speak, makes me feel better about the future of our country. My hope is that whoever wins between Sanders and Biden for the job of replacing individual 1 as president chooses someone like Stacy Abrams of Georgia as a running mate. I will be shocked if a younger, brilliant woman is NOT on the “ticket” with whoever gains the nomination. I, personally, believe a Biden/Abrams “ticket” would be hard to beat. I’m a 73 year old white American who’s ready for MORE women at the highest levels of our government! Just sayin………

Final Thought: I’ve written about the republicans and their sycophants – ie people like Rush Limbaugh on the radio airwaves and Sean Hannity on Fox “news” – plus the outlets like Fox, Breitbart, and Sinclair Broadcasting – adopting “The Big Lie Theory” of the Third Reich back in 1930’s Germany. That is – if you tell a LIE over and over to people, eventually they will start believing it’s true. The republicans send their pundits out with “talking points” which include the exact same “key words” so that their audience hears the LIE repeatedly coming from differing sources – so, “It must be true.”

Well, fortunately, their have been scorekeepers on the MOUNTAIN of LIES coming from the mouth of individual 1 to the point where virtually EVERYONE knows he’s a LIAR (Of course, I believe his LYING is pathological – but, that’s just my “instinct” to borrow one of his words). In the past couple of weeks this all has reminded me of “The boy who cried wolf.” Eventually, people stop listening. Individual 1 is NOW in the midst of a crisis which could topple his re-election chances and more and more people are simply shaking their heads as he LIES about the coronavirus and it’s potential devastation to our people and our economy. Only the most gullible believe a word that comes from his mouth.

Republicans are busy trying to convince their followers this virus is some kind of scheme concocted by democrats to, in the words of individual 1 Jr., “Stop all the winning.” I’m not sure what he means about all the winning, unless he’s talking about getting judges confirmed, but, well, “whatever.” I think most thinking Americans aren’t buying the republican conspiracy theories. They’ve (republicans) been busy trying to spin the “Russia thing” using talking points right out of the Kremlin and, no doubt, if Biden gets the nomination Hunter Biden will take the place of Hillary Clinton in the republican attack machine. But, they aren’t going to be able to LIE the coronavirus into something it’s not.

Of course, it may calm down soon – of course, I hope it does because I’m located very close to what is being called “ground zero” in regard to the virus “attack” on America (I think the death toll in Washington is 13 as I’m writing this) – but, individual 1’s INCOMPETENCE has been on full display as this “crisis” has been unfolding. His refusal to listen to scientists should concern every American because the Climate Crisis SHOULD be a focus of America’s government and, under this IMPEACHED so-called president it’s just on his list of “hoax’s” – along with this virus.

As all of this continues to unfold, I would be very pleased to see our “liberal media” actually expose these republicans for using the propaganda strategy of the Nazi’s of the 1930’s. Yes, it works, but, at the same time it’s DEPLORABLE. We’ve come to the point in America where there are two “sides” and people on one side don’t believe what the people on the other side are saying. In one instance because the people on one side have a foundation of beliefs based on LIES and, those people have been “programmed” to not believe what they are seeing and hearing “from the other side.” I’m not suggesting EVERYTHING you hear from “progressives” is true – fact checking should be routine for all of us – but, what I am suggesting is “The Big Lie Theory” is the strategy of ONLY one side of this divide!

If you’ve had any question in your mind about the foundation of the Wall Street stock exchange the last couple of days should give you a good idea of why there’s such a difference between Wall Street and “Main Street.” On the “corona virus fears” the market plummeted about 1800 points in two days (between 6 or 7%). Recently, I’ve written about my concern with people judging the economy based on “Wall Street” and, I believe, this sudden drop of almost 2000 points shows what I’ve been relating. Basically, I guess, my point is I believe the “DOW” is a “house” built on “sand.” Of course, I’ve admitted my opinions are based solely on observations from afar, but, it appears to me, there are many investors who are BORROWING “cheap” money and trying to earn more GAMBLING it on stocks than they have to pay in interest.

For really wealthy people, I believe, the interest rates aren’t much higher than zero – maybe something like 1.5%. So, you know, “why not?” As our so-called president said to communities of color back in 2016 “what have you got to lose?” Well, apparently, a lot – because you see this “sheep mentality” where panic sets in rather quickly. That’s the only way I can understand sudden drops like we’ve seen for the past couple of days. Today, at the close, the market (DOW) started to edge back up – which tells me, the “day traders” are ready to “jump” back in. I’m guessing, short of some more news on the coronavirus, the market will go back up tomorrow. Of course, if there really is a danger with this virus, the news should be about how individual 1 is (NOT) dealing with this crisis. If it becomes a “pandemic” we’re NOT in “good hands.”

Well, I wrote all that on Tuesday and it’s now Friday and another 2500 points off the DOW on Wall Street. I guess all it took was for individual 1 to give a news conference to “reassure” the American people about the coronavirus and, well, down we go! Apparently, his reassurance didn’t do much for the traders on Wall Street. However, the Fed did respond by assuring investors they would “do what’s necessary to protect the economy.” (Obviously, the Fed views the “economy” as Wall Street just like our IMPEACHED so-called president. On the second half of the day on Friday of the week which caused some of the orange on individual 1’s face to smear, the market recovered several hundred points (on the DOW) after the announcement that interest rates would be lowered even FARTHER!

That was last Friday and it’s now Monday, and sure as shootin, the market made a significant recovery today, again, thanks to the Fed saying, essentially, they’ll “pump” whatever they need to pump into the economy to assure the market recovers. I’m not so sure that does anything for the foundation of “sand” this market seems to have been built on in the last year – but, we’ll see. The “coronavirus scare” is apparently what caused the huge drop last week and, it seems to me, if there’s really going to be a negative affect on the economy from the virus that would be in the next couple of months. At that time we’ll find out of it’s soon to be “recession time.”

Personally, I believe a recession is in the future if for no other reason than this “expansion” is in it’s 10th or 11th year. We’re due – and I would just prefer that individual 1 would have to defend his economic policies while trying to pull “we the people” out of a recession before the election and not after, should he “win.” (Likely with a few MILLION less votes than the democrat) I believe the reason his orange color is smearing is because he is nervous about the prospect of campaigning with the economy in recession – although, he’ll have no problem blaming the democrats and his cult will no doubt believe him. It’s everyone else I’m thinking about.

And, today I read where the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case where republicans are attempting to FINALLY destroy the Affordable Care Act (AKA “Obamacare”) which would affect the insurability of 80 MILLION Americans with “pre-existing” conditions and would eliminate the insurance for another 20 MILLION. They’ve managed to get the Court to agree to hear the case after the election (in 2021) – but, I’m guessing democrats won’t (or at least SHOULDN’T) have too much trouble making this a MAJOR campaign issue. I’m not sure if it’s too late to stop this attempt to make health care an EVEN larger issue in America, but, in the end, it could speed up the process of a “single payer alternative” should the republicans succeed in court.

To me, this is a great reason why democrats need to stop fighting amongst themselves and agree to a UNITED front in the election this November. I have to say, I got to the point of disgust listening, for example, to Pete Buttigeig talking about Bernie Sanders as if he was some kind of pariah. And, Amy Klobuchar – as if people in the Midwest don’t want everyone in America to have health care or don’t want college to be affordable (or free). I was part of a national poll tonight and I answered the question as to who I would vote for in November as, well, any democrat (in this poll they listed Sanders, Biden, and Bloomberg).

I’ve been pointing out for years, the issue I have with the democratic party is their unwillingness to defend their own fundamental beliefs – and, I’m talking about the beliefs that put them in power for 40+ years after FDR. While there were a couple republican presidents thrown in (and, to me, Eisenhower was “acceptable” and Nixon “much better than what “we have today”) the Congress was pretty much controlled by democrats. Now, it’s true the “Southern Democrats” of back then, are today’s right wing republicans and many of “yesteryear’s” republicans are now democrats – but, the reality is there was 35 years of progressive legislation from the 1930’s to the 1970’s which created privileges too many Americans have taken for granted – to the point where much of it is going away. And, I’ve always said, it’s much easier to give up your rights than it is to get them back!

I’m going to take a break – tomorrow is “Super Tuesday” and, hopefully, I’ll finish this rant shortly thereafter. It should be interesting. Bernie could have the nomination “sewed up,” Biden could be “back,” and, hopefully Bloomberg will be throwing his money at one or the other of them. With both Bloomberg and Tom Steyer promising to support “whoever” is the nominee – that would be the result of the VOTING – I think democrats have a great opportunity to not only get rid of individual 1 but to take back control of the Senate. It’s going to be a WAR and I hope they’re up for it – as I’ve said, their unwillingness to defend their own most basic beliefs is what has got us to this point in time – and, it’s time for democrats to reclaim their roll as the party of Middle Class, the working class, progressives, liberals, people who believe in telling the truth, people who aren’t AFRAID of fear mongers or bullies, or however you want to say it!

Well, it’s the Wednesday after “Super Tuesday” and all the “moderate” democrats are sighing a breath of relief with Joe Biden as the latest version of “The comeback kid.” I didn’t watch the returns last night, but I was driving around this morning and it sounded as if the delegate counts between Biden and Sanders is about even where most “pundits” thought Bernie would be on his way to the nomination as of today. Now, it appears, Mr. Biden has an inside “track” to the nomination with virtually all of the candidates who’ve dropped out throwing their support his way – most importantly, the man with all the money – Michael Bloomberg.

I’ve been saying all along I don’t care who the democratic primary voters choose, that’s who I’m voting for in November. It sounds as if I’m FAR from alone – as, according to the people I listened to this morning as I drove around, something like 85% of yesterday’s RECORD number of voters, when “exit polled” said they were going to vote for whoever wins the nomination. That’s a good sign! It will be good if this nomination is settled prior to the convention so democrats can work on uniting for the big PUSH to defeat individual 1 this November.

Of course, the republicans are already in “panic mode” – similar to when Biden originally “threw his hat into the ring” last April. Individual 1 has been IMPEACHED once for his reaction to his FEAR of running against Biden, it appears he wants to do so again – although, I think, this time he’ll rely more on his sycophants. The other thing of note I heard as I drove around today was Senator Johnson from Wisconsin (The state which gave us Joe McCarthy and the John Birch Society for those of you too young to remember) is going to open “hearings” on Barisma. Of course, Barisma is a company in Ukraine – so, why do you think republicans would want to “investigate” it? Does this remind you of Benghazi? Honestly, it’s all they got! You can’t run on a tax scam which ballooned the deficit by more than double, right wing judges, and an assault on environmental protections via executive order. (Of course, republicans “rail” against executive orders when there’s a democrat in the “White House”)

Final Thought: I’ve been lobbying for MSNBC to get rid of Chris Matthews for several years now and they FINALLY did it. I long ago stopped watching him except on rare occasions and, tonight, apparently, he came on the air, said “goodbye,” and that was it. After a commercial break, he was gone. I have to say, the democrats have a much better chance of winning in November without him on the air making excuses for right wing wack jobs and excoriating Bernie Sanders – doing the same kind of things he did in 2016 – creating this false equivalency between Sanders and individual 1. Obviously, some of the damage has been done, but, hopefully, MSNBC can find someone who actually represents the “progressives” among us – who have far fewer “representatives” on the airwaves than those supporting individual 1 or “the status quo.”

For example, I like to watch disaffected republicans like Nicole Wallace on their airwaves, but she is clearly in the “status quo” lane – “pining” for the days of President Obama. To me, that’s going backward and having the media outlet considered by many to be the “liberal” alternative to Fox beginning to line up behind Joe Biden, as if Sanders can’t beat individual 1 – despite what the polls ALL say – is frustrating to say the least. Now, if MSNBC could find their way to expunge Chuck Todd from their station, in my mind, we’d be headed in the right direction. When people who’ve been watching what has played out in America over the past 40 years are (finally) saying, “This is a WAR for the heart and soul of this nation” we don’t need “pundits” suggesting to “liberals” and “progressives” that someone like Sanders, who, to me, represents what a democrat was when I was young back in the 60’s – NOT some radical – a man who’s FIGHTING for the single payer health care system republicans have succeeded in blocking – to the point where we have a BLOATED – for profit – health care system which is twice as expensive as it should be with results putting us somewhere in the 30’s compared to the rest of the world – he shouldn’t be considered “radical.”

I guess, in America, being honest – as Sanders is when he describes himself as a democratic socialist – is out of the mainstream. Well, it’s time it was BACK in the mainstream and having Matthews off the air will make that challenge just a bit less daunting. Now, we wait to see who NBC puts in that time slot. Remember, with these media outlets – including the so-called “liberal” ones – “it’s all about the Benjamin’s.” I’ll give individual 1 credit for saying the truth in one instance – the media doesn’t want him to lose because they’re making a HUGE haul with him as our IMPEACHED so-called president.

I have to add this: The stock market has been going up and down like a yo yo the past few days. I remember saying this back around the time I started writing and putting it on this site. When the market is having these wild swings – “fasten your seat-belt.” It feels to me as if we may be looking at a serious slide to the “south.” Of course, as I’ve said, I’m no economist and I just observe from the outside, but from my perspective, when this major moves up and down are happening they are caused by the greediest of the Wall Street investors and my sense tells me they’re trying to squeeze as much out of the market as they can on the way down. Yes, I understand I have no idea what I’m talking about – it’s just my intuition that in the past when these swings have happened they are followed by a significant “downturn.” We’ll see! As the saying goes, “Time will tell.”

I’m very tired so my apologies if this rant doesn’t make any sense. It took about a week to finish!

I find it quite interesting listening to the pundits on MSNBC, which is supposed to be an actual part of the so-called “liberal media,” as they act almost as if in a state of panic at the idea Bernie Sanders very well may be the democratic nominee after WINNING his third primary in a row. (OK, Buttigieg got a couple more delegates in Iowa) Today, I listened to Chris Matthews lament the possibility of Sanders as if he can’t beat individual 1. This is what I’ve been lamenting for years – the democrats operate in an atmosphere ruled by FEAR. Personally, I’ve been saying for almost a year now, “whoever the democrats nominate in 2020 is the person I’ll vote for in the general election.” If the people decide they want Sanders, I’m all in. Obviously, what “we the people” need to worry about is people on the Cable TV airwaves acting like Matthews.

These people do have an affect on the opinions of those in their audiences. I still remember MSNBC giving individual 1 MASSIVE amounts of free advertising and it was Matthews, himself, who helped to create the false equivalency between individual 1 and Hillary Clinton – helping to “normalize” individual 1. Well, are they going to be subconsciously working to individual 1’s benefit again? If they help push the right wing “talking points” that Sanders is a “socialist” they will be helping to keep individual 1 in the “White House” for another four years. (Plus, I’ll lose another bet!)

So, is Sanders some kind of radical “Socialist?” Honestly, these people on MSNBC need to educate themselves. Sanders is no more of a “Socialist” than FDR was a “Socialist.” He calls himself a “democratic Socialist” which is similar to what I’ve called myself for 30+ years. In some ways I’m very conservative, like when you talk about traditional American cultural values, plus I’ve always wanted to see politicians who were fiscally responsible. But, more importantly to me, I believe politics should work from the “bottom up.” In my early years I played basketball and I remember when I got to college I felt the team was no better than the person on the end of the bench (Occasionally, that was me). Every person on the TEAM was important.

I’ve always looked at government in the same way. I’ve NEVER understood how “we the people” could continue to support “Supply Side Economics” (ie trickle down – to me trickle up) where our national debt has BALLOONED as a result of one “tax cut for the rich” after another. Since the days of Reagan – which is when this “trickle up” policy was first implemented – we’ve seen the debt SOAR and the Middle Class stagnate. And, worse than that, for today’s young Americans there’s a serious issue with access to College education, access to housing, access to health care, and access to well paying jobs. I find it maddening when I listen to people like Matthews act like addressing these issues is “radical.” Just as FDR wasn’t a “Socialist” when he initiated Social Security (although republicans are still fighting it) neither was LBJ when Medicare was implemented. What are these pundits thinking?

I think Mr. Sanders has done a poor job of explaining the “cost” of “Medicare for all” while the reality is Medicare for all would cost far less than what we have now. And, when I went to college back in the 1960’s (my first time) it (college) was almost free – I believe each quarter the tuition was around $100. The college I went to didn’t have athletic scholarships so I had to borrow money to get through (2 years – I went to a Jr. College my first two years which was even cheaper) and, after I finished I owed $3000. To me, in the wealthiest nation in the world, it’s shameful the amount of debt someone like me would have if I was going to college now.

And, individual 1 is even into making it worse. I read the other day that in his recent budget proposal individual 1 is even attempting to take away the debt forgiveness for those who work in low socioeconomic areas where, for example if you’re a teacher like I was, you’re working with children of generational poverty. The way it is now, after a certain number of years, your school loan is forgiven. I can tell you from personal experience, it’s challenging to work in schools with students living in poverty but those students are every bit as important to our society as students in more affluent areas. It takes, however, a certain type of teacher to thrive in that environment. I witnessed countless numbers of “new” teachers who couldn’t “survive” in “my” school (you’re correct, it wasn’t really “my” school :o) get jobs in schools in more affluent areas and thrive. What I’m saying is I believe providing school loan forgiveness to teachers (or people in other areas of service to low socioeconomic areas) is an INVESTMENT in our future which is well founded.

And, when I get around people who don’t understand the value to “we the people” of having some kind of national health insurance plan I just want to say “don’t get me started.” I mean the reasons why this makes total sense are numerous and causes me to just shake my head when I listen to people like Matthews (and others on MSNBC – which is what I watch when I choose to watch cable TV “news”) act like they FEAR a policy providing health care to EVERYONE. Based on what is happening right now with the coronavirus “scare” there are likely MILLIONS of Americans who won’t even go to the doctor to check out their symptoms after beginning to feel sick until the affect of the virus is WORSE and many others have been exposed. This virus is making it even MORE clear as to the danger of having an incompetent thug as our IMPEACHED so-called president. The consequences very well could be much wider than most people understand.

For example, just the other day I wrote about how I felt Wall Street was at a “high” which is the result of individual 1 intimidating the Fed into “pumping” money into our system despite those at the top already being FLUSH with cash. That leads to rich people borrowing money at low interest rates to invest in stocks putting the picture in my mind of our IMPEACHED so-called president with a tire pump frantically pumping up a balloon (which represents Wall Street). Well, the balloon appears to be losing a bit of air as I’m writing this and I can guarantee you individual 1 will be (frantically) blaming democrats, the media, and anyone else he decides to LIE about to his “adoring” base. I listened this morning to a man in New Hampshire suggest he’s supporting individual 1 because “My 401K is way up.”

Sadly, that’s the mindset of many Americans. Of course, this man has no idea why his “401K is way up” and, I have to wonder what he’s thinking as the Market (and, likely his 401K) has dropped OVER 10% in less than three days. Personally, I continue to wonder why so many Americans don’t seem to care their IMPEACHED so-called president is a pathological LIAR, they don’t seem to care that he’s an avowed racist, they don’t seem to care that he has no idea how to manage the America economy (other than “pumping” up Wall Street), they don’t seem to care about having an IMPEACHED so-called president who chose Vladimir Putin over our intelligence community – and what that ultimately means to ALL of us, They don’t seem to care their IMPEACHED so-called president turned on our allies, the Kurds, who helped reduce ISIS to an afterthought allowing the Turks to massacre those Kurds who couldn’t flee THEIR homeland.

If you’ve been around here you know I could go on and on with examples why it’s so difficult to understand why so many Americans support such a “deplorable” human being as individual 1 – who, now, is being referred to as a mob boss by MANY more than just me. It tells us a lot about so many Americans when we listen to someone – a blue collar worker – like the man in New Hampshire who was willing to overlook ALL the reasons any person with a moral compass would NEVER support someone like our IMPEACHED so-called president because their 401K “is way up.” Aside from the issues I mentioned above that someone would have to “not care about” in order to support this IMPEACHED so-called president, I also have to wonder if these people care about the $1 TRILLION+ deficit which resulted from the “tax scam” that funneled TRILLIONS to the top “1%” of America. (And, by the way, the REAL reason these 401K’s are “way up” is President Obama and those in his administration who created the recovery from the last republican president)

Maybe this issue with the coronavirus “scare” will get their attention when they realize their IMPEACHED so-called president cares more about how that virus is affecting his “pumped up” stock market than what is required to prepare for a possible pandemic. Now, I certainly hope the virus doesn’t become a serious issue in America (I’m in the category most susceptible to severe cases – old people), but I believe people like the guy in New Hampshire who seems to think his 401K defines the success of our “leaders” will, indirectly, be the reason individual 1 continues to brush off serious preparations for this possible crisis, or any other. Reports are he’s fuming about the stock market plunge instead of working to help FIGHT this virus which is spreading around the world.

I had suggested when the stock market “bubble” actually bursts, it’s going WAY down and will expose the fragility of this economy – which, in the manufacturing sector, is already in recession. I doubt this coronavirus scare will trigger this, although it’s possible, but it seems to me when he decided to push through the “tax scam” individual 1 took an economy which was on sound “footing” and put it on a foundation of “sand.” Our IMPEACHED so-called president is banking on the recession “waiting” until after the election which caused me “pause” in a couple ways. First, I don’t believe individual 1 or his economic advisers have any idea what to do once the economy (which he “inherited” from President Obama) goes into recession – especially if, as republicans usually do, he creates a severe recession. There’s no room to lower interest rates virtually any further than they have them during this expansion. (That’s NOT “forward” thinking)

Secondly, I believe our IMPEACHED so-called president cares more about the “optics” than the reality on the “ground.” I believe he’ll be clamoring for the Fed to pump even more money into Wall Street. As opposed to aggressively dealing with the potential of this virus turning into a pandemic on American soil, I believe individual 1 will be focused on somehow “fixing” the stock market. And, based on my intuition about the market BEFORE the coronavirus, I think it’s possible this pandemic simply speeds up the recession which was on the “edge” to begin with. And, as I’ve said here many times, I have NO confidence individual 1 will have any clue about how to deal with a recession other than to berate – and BLAME – the Fed. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to hear our IMPEACHED so-called president blaming President Obama for this downturn in the market! Yikes!!! Stay tuned!!!

Final Thought: When I started this post a few days ago, the DOW stock market average had dropped a “bit,” but since then it’s gone down almost 4000 points which maybe will start getting the attention of people like the person I mentioned above who is basing his vote on his 401K. I have to wonder how people like that don’t remember that it was Obama who actually started the market on it’s “journey” into record territory. I’ve written about when I decided I wanted nothing to do with Wall Street, but I have followed it fairly close over the past 30+ years, just the same. When you watch it, I believe you just get a “feel” for when it’s going to head in the other direction. That’s the feeling I had prior to the coronavirus scare – which, to me, the market was already on such weak “footing” that it wasn’t going to take much to turn it “south.”

This drop of about 4000 on the DOW (as I’m writing this) is nothing more than a “reality check” to a market which had been “pumped up” with too much borrowed money. Now, I’ve also said I am NO economist, but it seems to me borrowing money to buy stocks creates risks most of us don’t understand. In fact, I’m wondering if people who just took a “hit” are in a more precarious position based on money they borrowed. I was watching a discussion of economists this morning on Yahoo Finance.com and a couple investors were saying “It’s time for the Fed to step in” in relation to the market which is nearing what, I presume, would be considered “free fall” territory. Of course, that would be real bad, especially with an IMPEACHED so-called president whose been called a f*cking moron by two of his former cabinet officials – while they were still in office. Is the coronavirus going to be what FINALLY exposes individual 1’s supporters, not to the disease, but to the reality of the incompetence of this IMPEACHED so-called president.

Oh yes, I have to add: Last night I heard a piece which was aired on Fox “news” in an interview with the deplorable first son of our IMPEACHED so-called president where Don Jr. said: (something like) “The democrats are hoping the coronavirus kills millions of Americans in order to stop all our ‘winning.'” That was a jaw dropper for me – in the “how STUPID is this?” column. Yikes!!!!! Is it really that hard to understand why America is so divided? (Just add remarks like that from Don Jr. to what the Russians are doing – and, of course, his IMPEACHED dad)

It’s hard to imagine, to me, how “we the people” could have allowed this country to devolve to where it sits today with, what appears to be, a mob boss in the “White House” with a cult-like following that seems way too similar to what happened in 1930’s Germany. While we survived that scare back during WW II, it remains to be seen how we do with the present “scare.” Case in point, I’m writing in late February, about 9 months before “we the people” have the opportunity to end this NIGHTMARE at the polls, and it was reported tonight that last week the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) sent a surrogate to report to the House Intelligence Committee about the reality the Russians are AGAIN “interfering” on individual 1’s behalf ALREADY as we prepare for the 2020 election. Furthermore, as I’ve predicted already, the Russians are attempting to intervene in the democratic primaries to cause confusion and frustration with America’s voting public – a brazen attempt to skew the results in a way favorable to individual 1.

And, I, personally, don’t think it’s just the Russians – I believe individual 1’s campaign is busy with their own misinformation campaign (Just listen to one of his rallies) and, additionally, I believe they are attempting to infiltrate and undermine the democratic nominating process. Individual 1 is a CHEATER, pure and simple. It’s as if the Russians have worked as the mentors for individual 1’s campaign staffers. Are they working in tandem? Well, they covered it up well during the 2016 campaign and seem to believe they can do it again.

But, getting back to tonight’s news, where the intelligence community verified the worst fears of people like me, the results were totally predictable. Individual 1 FIRED the DNI and appointed a totally unqualified sycophant as the “temporary” replacement – therefore, no Senate confirmation process – and, they reassigned the actual CIA agent who gave the presentation to the Committee – and, by the way, from the reports I’ve heard so far, the republicans on the Committee received this NEWS with a “ho hum.” Yikes! Why were these people fired? Well, have you been paying attention to individual 1’s “revenge tour?” (Susan Collins?) They told the TRUTH! Just try to imagine yourself working in our intelligence community right now!

I’ve said this many times to this point, but if “we the people” don’t vote this thug out of the “White House” we deserve what we end up with – it’s just that so many Americans are either not informed, MISINFORMED, apathetic, or just don’t care leading to individual 1 maintaining an “approval rating” which stays somewhere between 40% and 45% depending on the poll and the moment in time. I believe this is why so many democrats believe Mike Bloomberg is the best candidate to take down individual 1 because he can mount such a sophisticated media assault on our so-called president. My belief is (and, I hope I’m correct) Bloomberg can use his money whether he’s the candidate or not – to support the eventual goal which is to defeat individual 1. And, Tom Steyer (who I MUCH prefer to Bloomberg if democrats must rely on a BILLIONAIRE to win back the “White House”) hopefully will chip in his share as well – in fact, with Steyer, there’s no question, he’s been doing this for YEARS! I guess you would call this fighting fire with fire. (There’s only so much space on the airwaves – it appears the media outlets have, again, got what they wanted – they’re going to haul in a boatload of money in this year’s election!)

It bothers me when democrats attack “Billionaires” because, personally, I have no problem with someone who has a lot of money. To me, it depends on what they do with their money which matters – and, at this point in America’s history where we have an authoritarian (mob like boss) attempting to undermine the very constitution we all depend on – we need EVERY Billionaire to join the FIGHT to preserve this nation as a country based on the rule of law – the belief we “are a nation of laws and not men.” (That’s what allowed them to get where they are) Yes, there are a plethora of really rich Americans who want to see individual 1 remain in the “White House” because they cherish their wealth more than fealty to our constitution. However, in my view, they don’t have a full grasp on history and what portends nations who continue to create wealth disparity where the bottom continues to grow and the top continues to shrink. (I relation to the bottom, of course the top is increasing, but not close to how the “bottom” is increasing – picture a pyramid in your mind)

That would be the exact “formula” taught by philosophers like Karl Marx when they predicted about how capitalism destroys itself from the inside out. (My phraseology – it’s been many years since I studied Marx when I was in college – the first time :o) America’s “experiment” with self rule has worked for well over 200 years and EVERY time we’ve come to a place such as this in our History “we the people” have come out stronger on the “other side.” My sense of optimism tells me that is what will happen in this CRISIS, but I’m hoping it happens with individual 1 getting the opportunity to defend himself in court come February of next year and the process of IMPEACHING him – at the polls – is peaceful. Should he win, I may not live long enough to see the “other side.” I have a granddaughter who’s in High School and is genuinely afraid of what lies ahead.

Not only does she fear what “could be” should individual 1 “win” again (with Putin’s help AGAIN), but the issue of Climate Change seems to be on the “back burner” as democratic candidates fight amongst themselves for the nomination. Personally, my hope is these candidates can remind themselves of who their focus should be on – individual 1 – and less on each other during their debates. Although, I have to admit I was happy to see Elizabeth Warren, who I consider the smartest of the candidates running for the democratic nomination, a bit feisty in the Nevada debate. I guess it took Bloomberg on the stage to get her “going.” What I don’t like is listening to pundits using the “traditional” fear tactics to suggest whoever the democratic primary voters pick won’t be able to beat individual 1 unless it’s someone like Bloomberg. Here’s what democrats need to win: UNITY!

The FACT the Russians are “at it again” – we all knew this was happening – in fact, if you watched Robert Mueller testify after he published his report (which, by the way, I read twice – I recommend EVERY American read it) you saw him say they were “at it as we speak” and then added “They’re going to do the same thing in the 2020 election” (or words to that effect). This isn’t a surprise, what is a surprise is the brazenous of individual 1 and the silence coming from our Congress. Not only in relation to these revelations about the Russians, but also to his BRAZEN OBSTRUCTION of our Judicial system – REPEATEDLY. Once individual 1 got his “Roy Cohn” in charge of the Justice Department, “we the people” were one step closer to an autocracy. I’ve said here many times I consider William Barr to be almost as DANGEROUS as individual 1 himself. Barr not only allows this OBSTRUCTION, he actually ENCOURAGES it! Wow!!!

Barr was the one who “cut off the legs” of Mueller’s report the very day it was published with a 4 page “memo” packed full of LIES. (What else would you expect from someone in individual 1’s “orbit”) Barr has been leading the “charge” to “investigate the investigators” despite an IG report confirming the Russian Investigation was initiated on solid “grounds.” The IG (Inspector General of the Justice Department) claimed there were issues with the Carter Page FISA process (and, by the way, by that time, Page was not even a part of individual 1’s campaign – he had been a suspected “useful idiot” of the Russians for years) but, the actual “Russia investigation” was well predicated. So, now Barr is INTERFERING with the prosecutions emanating from the Mueller investigation, most notably, the Roger Stone case and, likely, Michael Flynn.

Barr is like a “toady” for individual 1 but seems oblivious to what he’s doing to his own reputation and that of the Justice Department. Today, the judge in the Stone case gave a BLISTERING rebuke of individual 1 and, by extension, Mr. Barr as she gave Stone a sentence of 40 months in prison – far less than what was originally recommended. But, Stone is pushing for a “new trial” and should he fail in getting one, by all accounts, individual 1 has been emboldened enough (did you read that Susan Collins?) to actually pardon Stone before he spends one day in prison. This is NOT going to end well.

I listened to one former Justice Department lawyer, tonight, explain there’s something like – well actually I forget – it was MANY thousands of prisoners in America’s jails and he listed the 11 individual 1 chose to pardon. Rod Blagojevitch was accused of CRIMES very similar to what individual 1 was impeached for – and, there seemed to be a “message” with each pardon. Trust me, the recipients were mostly white collar rich people who were pardoned. Evidently, there was one person of color pardoned at the request of Kim Kardashian? What the…………………

Clearly, the rule of law means NOTHING to individual 1. He’s the classic mob boss. He’s truly trying to be like Vladimir Putin. Shame on “we the people” if we allow him to continue on this vendetta on our system of government. The news tonight SHOULD get the attention of EVERY American, but, when it’s reported the republicans listening to the Intelligence report were NOT outraged, to me, says it all. (Apparently, they – Devin Nunes et al – went immediately to individual 1 to “tattle”) This problem is bigger than individual 1 – it’s the ENTIRE republican party. People across America need to flock to the polls in record numbers to vote every republican we can out of office. I’m fine with “conservative” v “liberal” dialogue – but, these people are NOT conservatives. They portray themselves as such because there’s so many Americans who either watch Fox “news” or just don’t read, or worse yet, don’t care. Individual 1 and his sycophants, at a minimum, are neo Nazi’s! What’s the saying? “Come on man!”

And, of course as I’ve said here many times, those of us in America who consider ourselves “progressives” or – for shame – “liberals,” we have to depend on the democratic party to push this authoritarian mob boss out of the “White House.” In addition, and make no mistake, we are dependent on the so-called “liberal media” – which, apparently, is MSNBC and CNN (I don’t watch CNN but my daughter does and suggests they provide REAL information – to get individual 1 and the rest of this version of the republican party into the History books. And, that is a tall mountain to climb. The democrats are tripping all over each other as TOO many decide it’s their “time to shine” and they end up arguing amongst themselves instead of putting ALL their focus on individual 1 and allowing “we the people” to choose the BEST candidate. If the democrats running for president don’t remind you of the republicans in 2016, well, to me, it’s “deja vu all over again.”

So now, at this point in time, it’s appearing Bernie Sanders is very close to “claiming” the nomination and, oh my, listening to the pundits would be humorous if this wasn’t such a serious situation. As I said above, the formula for success for democrats is EASY to figure out – it’s UNITY. Well, Sanders claims to be a “democratic socialist” – which, to me, puts him right next to FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt (one of my all time favorite Americans), and the others who put the “New Deal” together back during the “Great Depression,” along with JFK and LBJ. (That, to me, is good company. Apparently back then democrats referred to their leaders by their initials :o) Sanders is NOT a “socialist” along the lines of a Marxist – although, you can “bet your bottom dollar” that’s how individual 1 and Vladimir Putin will portray him. If democrats UNITE it won’t matter what individual 1 or Putin have to say. I.E. “There’s more of us than there are of them.”

A couple of times, now, while listening to MSNBC as I’m driving around I’ve heard Steve Schmidt, who is often a guest on their network, portray Bernie as someone who wants to take health care away from 150 MILLION Americans – and, no one – so far – has challenged him on that absurd statement. In fact, today I heard Susan Del Percio make the same (ABSURD) statement, again, with no “blow back.” Both Schmidt and Del Percio are what I call disaffected republicans and, I believe, it’s important to hear their points of view, but not without a response when what they say is absurd and it’s like they’re spewing republican talking points. I’ve said this many times – “We the people” have been the recipients of fear mongering for decades – it’s time to quit allowing this garbage to rule the day.

Bernie Sanders is a LIBERAL, pure and simple. And, he’s not taking health care away from anyone – should he succeed in passing “Medicare for all” legislation. At that point in time EVERYONE in America would have health care as a RIGHT! I really find it hard to understand how people like Schmidt and Del Percio (and trust me, MILLIONS more) find it “radical” to think everyone in America deserves health care. Republicans have been fighting this since the days of FDR – pure and simple, the reason there are something close to 90 MILLION Americans without health insurance is because of republicans. (And, of course, Joe Lieberman – ie the so-called public option when the ACA was enacted – Lieberman “torpedoed” it)

Personally, my ONLY concern with Bernie Sanders is he’s 78 years old and he just had a heart attack. Therefore, his choice for Vice President will be of paramount importance should he become the nominee. All these democrats who are acting like the sky is falling because Bernie has emerged from the first three primaries as the front runner, in my view, need to shut up. I love James Carville, but I really wish he’d shut up and just allow the voters to decide who they want and then get 110% behind whoever that may be.

I’ve already said here, if, for some reason, democratic primary voters start running scared and choose Michael Bloomberg – despite the more I see of him the more I believe he’d be a terrible candidate to run against individual 1 – I will vote for him. Whoever the voters choose! UNITY!!! I’ve been polled several times and my first two choices (after Cory Booker dropped out) have been Elizabeth Warren and Tom Steyer. Personally, I don’t think democratic voters, for instance, understand what Steyer’s been doing – I guess behind the scenes – for, at least, the past 10 years. I discovered him when he initiated the IMPEACHMENT movement in the first year of individual 1’s term in office. And, I’ve said here many times, I, personally, consider Senator Warren as the smartest candidate in the field.

So, what we’re up against – I’m speaking of “we the people” – is another election where (at least) the Russians will be surreptitiously working to re-elect individual 1 who, I believe according to what I’ve read about how the Russians operate, they consider a “useful idiot.” Of course, many Americans – including many who have worked for him – simply consider him to be an “idiot.” Of course, it was made public that Rex Tillerson AND James Mattis both referred to him – on separate occasions – as a “fucking moron.” I, personally, try not to use that kind of language, but this has been confirmed in multiple books I’ve read. Right now I’m reading “A VERY STABLE GENIUS Individual 1’s Testing of America” by Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig (Of course, in the title they use our so-called president’s real name, I just can’t force myself to write it) and the book makes it clear (as did many other books I’ve read) the “White House” has received a “tongue lashing” of “F bombs” since individual 1 moved in.

Of course, I’m not suggesting a candidate for president should have a moral test based on their use of expletives, but I am suggesting a so-called president who is referred to by those who have worked with him/her as some form of “idiot” following adjectives which are considered “words you can’t say on TV is a problem – a MAJOR problem. Leaders around the world are on the edge of their “seats” awaiting the “verdict” from November’s election. America’s spiral “downward” will accelerate if “we the people” are so STUPID as to keep this thug in office. The only people enjoying what is happening in America – a country bitterly divided – is Russia, because they’ve been sowing the division. Putin is succeeding in “making Russia great again” at the expense of “we the people.” He’s sowing this division throughout the Western world and, under normal circumstances, it would be America standing up to him. He’s using our open society against us in an attempt to destroy the “American experiment!” Yikes!!!

The reports of the Russians “interfering again” also suggested, as I had predicted, they are involved in attempting to manipulate the democratic primary process in Bernie’s favor. I don’t do Facebook, but apparently Social Media in general and Facebook in particular is where the Russians focus their ATTACK. It was reported the Russians are working to help Bernie get the nomination, just as they did back in 2016 – at the time it was reported (at least in Mueller’s report) because of Putin’s hatred of Mrs. Clinton. To what degree the Russians manage to get “involved” this year remains to be seen – and, if individual 1 “wins” again, we’ll likely NEVER know what the Russians were “up to.”

I have to wonder if the Russian’s support for Bernie is because they believe they can help undermine his candidacy with their deluge of misinformation prior to the election to help individual 1. Remember, and I believe via this inference, the Russians have the same Facebook data which was “mined” by Cambridge Analytica back in 2016. That involves 87 MILLION Americans. Look out in 2020! They also have CA’s analysis of that data. If you use Facebook, trust me, between the Russians and individual 1’s digital media support staff you’re going to be BLASTED with a strategically mounted “mountain of LIES.” And, with people like Steve Schmidt and Susan Del Percio among other “moderates” adding to the LIES, it could create the “perfect storm” for individual 1 to “win” again.

That being said, I have a son who is 30. He’s NEVER voted before and has NEVER shown an inclination to want to vote. The other day he said to me, “I might even go register to vote, I want to vote for Bernie.” Well, the primary ballots were sitting on our kitchen table and I said to him, “You are registered and there’s a primary ballot right here.” (He registered when he was 18 and had just never bothered to vote. In our state, Washington, the governor is trying to get more people voting instead of less – like in, for example, Georgia, or Wisconsin, or Pennsylvania, or etc.) He grabbed the ballot and, hopefully, he’ll vote in the primary election. And, he’s excited to vote for Bernie and tells me EVERY one in his peer group feels the same way.

Final Thought: I’ve said from the beginning of the process on this election where “we the people” have the opportunity to do what the Republican Senate refused to do and that, of course, is to REMOVE individual 1 from office. This question almost comes down to the idea of do you want to be like the “New Deal” vision of America or the “Russia” vision of America. We’ve allowed this country to merge too close to the Russian version – rule by oligarchy. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in particular are saying “ENOUGH.” They want to push back, they want to focus the investment of this country’s great wealth on her people and not on the corporations who continue to pillage the taxpayers.

It’s a simple question, “Which vision do you want?” And, the answer should be obvious, but as has been stated by many much smarter than me, too many Americans have been brainwashed into voting against their own self interests – by the likes of Fox “news,” online outlets like Breitbart.com, and radio air-wave bloviators like Rush Limbaugh. There’s been a focused ATTACK on “we the people” by the wealthy few in America using the strategy of the Nazi’s – “The Big Lie Theory” – for the past 40+ years. It all goes back to the so-called “Powell memo” in the early 1970’s when America’s wealthy elite decided they had had “enough” of the “New Deal.”

The ATTACK on ordinary Americans has come largely from republicans, but the democrats have never seemed to understand the FIGHT “we the people” were in. Slowly democrats were drawn toward the “right” until now someone like Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren is considered “radical” by the pundits – when, in reality, they’re not radical at all. If you liked John F. Kennedy, or Franklin Roosevelt you should have NO fear of either Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren!

I have to admit, I’m really getting tired of “chasing my tail,” which is what I call trying to keep up with individual 1’s scandalous behavior. But, at the same time, as a citizen who has been blessed with the right to VOTE, I feel an obligation to continue working to understand what is going on with the government which is, ultimately, accountable to “we the people.” Individual 1 is busy with what I’ve always called the republican “wet dream” and that is their “permanent republican ‘majority.'” Of course, republicans know better than MOST Americans they will NEVER again represent a “majority” of “us” – so, they have to do it their way. Which I’ve been attempting to point out for years requires CHEATING. I’ve always wondered when “we the people” are going to “wise up” to their scheme, but NOW I’ve got another thought which keeps running across my mind. I’ll get to it!

Individual 1, who was denigrated by many of the republicans who are now his sycophants, has the personality which, republicans figured out soon after he “won” the election, to actually pull this off. GW Bush was in the position, also, to do this – republicans had the “White House,” control of the Supreme Court, and both Houses of Congress – but, his incompetence led to President Obama. The difference between Bush and individual 1 is Bush had respect for the constitution at a much higher level than our so-called president. Bush lacked individual 1’s brazenous by a “country mile.” Republicans now view individual 1’s pathological LYING as an asset!

President Obama “fixed” the mess he inherited from Bush/Cheney – and, make no mistake, it was a REAL mess. Not only were there TWO fiasco’s going on (Iraq and Afghanistan) – wars which had been terribly mismanaged, were the result of neo-con philosophy, were unwinnable, and had been funded “off the books” – but the economy, in general, was teetering on the brink of another Great Depression. Thanks to Obama and his economic advisers (and, by the way, almost NO republicans) the “recovery” which is ongoing started with the stimulus package passed in 2009 – a package which was too small, again, because of republicans like Moscow Mitch.

This leads me to my thoughts for today (and, likely, the next few days). I, long ago, decided I didn’t want anything to do with Wall Street. I sold my stocks, fortunately, when the market was at its peak in 2007 and then watched as the DOW went from 14,000 in 2007 down to about 6,500 shortly after President Obama took office. I remember being tempted to jump back in when it was at 6,500 but that was when I decided Wall Street is a glorified gambling casino so I’ve just kept what little amount of money I have in savings. Of course, that was a bad economic choice as the DOW is now approaching 30,000 although I’m at peace just observing from afar. In an effort to keep myself somewhat educated on economic affairs, I continue to follow the market and, in the process, a few individual stocks. (What I try NOT to do is make economic observations regarding the economy as good or bad based on the stock market.)

As someone who has placed solar panels on the roofs of my outbuildings and who drives a Chevrolet Volt (I rarely buy gas) plus my wife drives a totally electric Nissan Leaf, I follow solar stocks and companies like Tesla. Recently, if you haven’t been paying attention, the stock market has been “surging” upward. While it’s true the unemployment numbers are low, the issue with “income inequality” continues to cause America’s Middle Class to, at best, stagnate and likely, recede. I keep thinking, virtually EVERY day, “Is this the day the market is going to “crash” and start its downward trend into a “bear market?” Yet, every day, it seems to be up, up, up. Today, for example, Tesla jumped almost 10% to over $900 – despite still NEVER producing a profit across one year’s time-frame.

So, I keep trying to figure out what is going on and, it’s starting to sink in. I believe I finally have to point my finger at individual 1. If you’ve read any of my posts over the past three years you know I’ve stated many times this economy, which individual 1 “inherited” from Obama, is the one thing he’s inherited in his life which he hasn’t destroyed. At the same time, I pointed out when the tax “scam” was passed, doing a major tax cut when the economy was already “heating up” and when the recipients of the money ALREADY had TRILLIONS in cash, made no sense. (Other than republican “donors” demanding a “return on their investment.”) I thought inflation could heat up and and the deficit would BALLOON.

Well, I was correct on the deficit but inflation continues about the same. So, I’m getting a good dose of reality, that I’m no economist – despite taking an online “Master Class” from Paul Krugman. However, my feeling about the Market – which is how too many people judge the economy, in my view, is still there’s a “crash” a coming. In my mind, I get this picture of individual 1 with a tire pump hooked to a balloon and pumping as fast as he can. The balloon, of course, represents the DOW and, as they say, “the rich are getting richer” with every “pump.” The amounts of money being accumulated by the “titans” of Wall Street is unimaginable to someone like me. For example, today Elon Musk’s net worth went up BILLIONS. Tomorrow???

in my effort to figure out how this could be happening with an economy producing MILLIONS of homeless people because they can’t afford to pay the rents on even low end apartments I try to allow logic to guide my thinking. Well, I did a minimal amount of research and feel comfortable with my belief individual 1 has succeeded in intimidating the head of the Federal Reserve Bank to keep the “loose money” era going – despite those at the top “swimming” in cash. My “gut” tells me this balloon, at some point, is going to burst and it’s going to be a big “explosion” when it happens. I almost hope it happens before the start of this year’s election voting because I believe whoever wins in November will be facing the bursting balloon soon after the election is over. Not only do I want individual 1 to have to face the voters if the economy “crashes,” I don’t trust him or his sycophants to have a clue how to fix it when it does. (Which, of course, is inevitable)

Another example of what makes no sense to me would be interest rates. I looked the other day and 30 year mortgage rates are almost as low as I’ve ever seen them. That’s a good thing for people buying homes and refinancing their homes, but it also allows for home values to be too high for those at the “bottom.” It’s what has led to rents at levels where many people can’t afford to even rent an apartment. These artificially low interest rates are great for those rich Wall Street executives who can borrow money at extremely low rates and then buy stocks like Tesla or Amazon or Apple or Google or one of the other stocks which seem to just keep going up. Tesla has gone from 185 to over 900 in less than six months. My limited understanding of economics tells me lowering interest rates is an effective tool to fight off an economic downturn, which should be saved for that time.

I have to admit, I’m one who wants Tesla to succeed, but that kind of a “jump,” I believe, is more the result of the “easy money” situation on Wall Street than in Tesla’s economic success (although, they have been doing better). The question becomes, in my mind, how much “air” can individual 1 pump into that “balloon?” I don’t think the interest rates can go much lower – which, of course, takes that “strategy” (lowering them) off the table when the “balloon” bursts. I suppose the Fed can continue “pumping” more money into the system – but, I still have to believe when the bubble (balloon) bursts, it’s going to be historic.

If this happens before November, the American people will see the incompetence of individual 1 and his republican sycophants up close. In my lifetime I’ve never seen republicans show they can “fix” a bad economy, but they’re really good at taking a wrecking ball to a strong economy. Between now and November we’ll hear individual 1 constantly “crowing” this is the best economy in the history of the country – which is just another of his 16,000+ mountain of LIES. If it crashes prior to the election, I can guarantee you he’ll be blaming democrats, including President Obama – on that, you can be assured.

And, while we’re all focused on individual 1’s “revenge tour” demonstrating to people like Susan Collins what he ACTUALLY learned in the IMPEACHMENT “trial” individual 1 and his rich sycophants will be funneling as much of America’s wealth as they can into their private “coffers.” Our so-called president keeps “we the people” aghast, almost daily, on his relentless assault on the constitution and the institutions of our government in a manner which makes it almost impossible to process, intellectually, all the DAMAGE being created to the fundamental “norms” of our government – and, almost impossible to ignore. Remember, the constitution is just a document which works as long as those who pledge to “defend and protect” it, actually believe in its sanctity. Obviously, individual 1 is not one who takes that oath seriously.

While I was busy trying to figure out why the stock market seems to be getting “pumped” to an artificially high level (That’s just my instincts speaking) individual 1 has been busy pardoning some of his loyal sycophants in a manner FAR beyond anything I’ve ever seen – in a manner which makes me feel it may be time for a new constitutional amendment reeling in that power. Honestly, I’m expecting individual 1 to pardon HIMSELF right before he leaves office (along with other family members over any future indictments – what the heck, you never know unless you try, right?)

As I’m writing this, he’s acting as though it’s just a matter of time until he pardons Roger Stone and Michael Flynn and, who knows, maybe Paul Manafort. Of course, he WON’T pardon Micheal Cohen or Rick Gates – both also his former associates but, in his words, “rats.” I guess when our founders put the pardon power into the constitution they just couldn’t imagine a (so-called) president like individual 1. Or was it, they couldn’t imagine a Senate like this republican led Senate who would enable someone like our so-called president. The IMPEACHMENT section in the constitution, it seems to me, was put there SPECIFICALLY in case we ever allowed a (so-called) president like individual 1 to gain power. Our founders trusted our Congress to do their jobs! Which brings me to that other thought I mentioned above.

Can a (so-called) president be IMPEACHED twice? Is there any limit on the number of times a (so-called) president can be IMPEACHED? To me, what individual 1 has done to Ukraine was unthinkable. It was outright EXTORTION – which, I believe, is a CRIME for those who claimed he shouldn’t have been convicted because the House managers didn’t accuse him of committing a crime – but, whatever. He OBSTRUCTED Justice, by some accounts, during the Mueller investigation – which was “whitewashed” by William Barr and now he’s clearly OBSTRUCTING Justice again! I can’t stop thinking of Susan Collins claiming “he’s learned his lesson.” I believe the only lesson he’s learned is republicans live in FEAR of him!

I checked my pocket version of the constitution again and I believe there is no restriction on the number of times a (so-called) president can be IMPEACHED. Individual 1 has been committing potentially IMPEACHABLE acts by the “bucket load” since the day he LIED about his “oath” to the constitution. I certainly don’t expect the House to IMPEACH him again this year, but it would be nice if they would broach the subject publicly. Just as individual 1 is publicly proclaiming he could intercede in Judicial prosecutions “If I want to” I’d like to see the House point out they have the right to IMPEACH our so-called president again. They have the power to give the Senate more opportunity to get this right. That MIGHT be the only way to cause individual 1 to put the “brakes” on this “revenge tour.” Just sayin…………….

Final Thought: What happens to a person who is accused of a crime, goes to court and receives an acquittal and then goes out and starts committing crimes again? Well, I think the answer is obvious – he or she gets INDICTED (for a president wold be IMPEACHED) again! I believe House democrats are leaving it up to “we the people” to “IMPEACH” individual 1, and, I get it – but he can do a LOT of DAMAGE between now and January 20, 2021!

BTW – withholding the aid to Ukraine was also ILLEGAL. And, I heard today individual 1, as part of his “revenge tour,” fired the person who OK’ed the aid – i.e. cleared it of the obstacles Ukraine had to prove (pass) in order to get the aid released – like them (Ukraine) fighting “corruption.” Once the aid was “cleared” it became ILLEGAL to withhold it without giving Congress the reason why – which DIDN’T happen! My next post will point out some of the other victims of his “revenge tour” – of course, with “we the people” being the ultimate victims!

Do you actually know what people are talking about when they use the term “banana republic?” Well, here it is – according to “Forbes” – “In banana republics, high government officials ….. pressure other officials to carry out vendettas against political enemies and to defend their friends against harsh treatment by judicial institutions.” The ….. was the reference to Lt. Colonel Vindman and Roger Stone in reference to their (Forbes”) “definition” of a banana republic. This article, in “Forbes” of all places (certainly a surprise to me) came across as a “heads up” to what individual 1 is doing to this nation MOST of us love. The article went on, in great detail, to point out how individual 1’s attacks on his opponents with a weaponized Justice Department led by a sycophantic Attorney General and a supportive group of cowardly republicans in Congress are the recipe for America descending into “banana republic” territory.

Yes, there’s a significant segment of America (I believe they’ve been sucked into a CULT) who don’t care about what is being done and are not concerned about the weaponizing of the Justice Department. Apparently because “They’re not coming after me.” (And, they’re likely certain democrats would never do this) That was what many said in Germany in 1929! However, just the FACT the article I referred to above was in “Forbes” tells me the resistance is WIDE and it’s growing. I feel “we the people” are being challenged as to whether we are willing to FIGHT for what our country has stood for over the previous 230+ years. This is getting more “uncomfortable” by the day, and “we the people” are relying on people who are “inside” the government to stand up for what is right.

Individual 1 is doing what tyrants do – and, after his “acquittal” by the COWARDS in the republican caucus in the Senate – he feels emboldened and now he’s further making it clear anyone who comes across as criticizing him is going to face his wrath – which very well may include an “investigation” by William Barr. His (Their) actions are designed to leave a “chill” over those in the government who could possibly be the next whistle blower. For the career public servants it’s keep your head down and your mouth shut or you’re looking for a new job. And, these people are not highly paid and likely NEED to keep their jobs – plus, they’re important to “we the people” because what they do is valuable – they’re public “servants” – if you don’t know what that means, look it up! I’m guessing even Susan Collins understands our so-called president hasn’t “learned his lesson.” But, you won’t hear her say that, because she’s AFRAID!

Personally, with all this talk about America “bending” toward becoming a “banana republic,” I would respectfully disagree (although, I do see how the “definition” of “banana republic” mentioned above “fits”). To me, what individual 1 is attempting to do in America is very similar to what Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pulled off in Turkey – and, that would be turning a democratic republic into a dictatorship. Of course, to pull that off, individual 1 will have to go one step further than weaponizing the Justice Department – he’ll have to increase his WAR on the “free press.” It should be interesting to watch how individual 1 goes about that process. Intimidation is his routine manner of achieving his “ends.” Well, is individual 1, through Mr. Barr, going to start arresting members of the media – like, for example, some of the “hosts” of shows on MSNBC or CNN? (I, personally, don’t watch CNN, but you don’t have to in order to understand individual 1 would like to shut CNN down)

Our so-called president operates by sending a “chill” over his intended “target” by going after a vulnerable, “weak” link. (Traditional BULLY 101) For example, he may identify a journalist who doesn’t have a strong following and go after him/her – maybe causing him/her to be arrested for some “trumped” (It’s really hard for me to write that word, even in that context) up charge. The purpose having nothing to do with that particular journalist, but to send a “message” to all the other “investigative” journalists who might be “digging up dirt” on him. This will be a “test” of the solidarity of our “free press” – not only testing those who are part of it, but testing those of us who rely on it from the outside.

That’s how “tin pot” dictators work. That’s how Erdogan managed to put his “iron grip” on Turkey, that’s how Putin has reversed Russia’s attempt to join the “Western World,” and the list goes on. Will individual 1 be able to pull this off in America? Well, as I’ve said, there’s a significant section of the population who, I believe, would support it. I believe individual 1 thinks he’s already prepared the courts for any challenges “we the people” might make toward his power grab. Which brings up another interesting point – how “we the people” are going to respond at another critical point in America’s “time.”

Part of what led the term “banana republic” to become in the discussion of late has been individual 1’s assault on the Justice Department via the sentencing of Roger Stone. Well, later this week the judge in that case will have to make a decision. If she gives Stone the “recommended” sentence, the one which William Barr had rescinded, things should get interesting really fast. Will this cause individual 1 to simply do what you know he wants to do and that’s pardon Mr. Stone? Will he “go after” the judge in some kind of way? (Remember, the judge has a lifetime appointment) What will Mr. Barr do? Will he appeal a decision his prosecutors actually won? Wouldn’t that be interesting?

William Barr has turned the Justice Department, essentially, upside down. In the last day or so there have been THOUSANDS of former Justice Department employees who have called for Barr to resign, along with several members of Congress. I’ve heard members of the House using the “I” word on Barr – which seems appropriate to me – he seemed to LIE in his confirmation hearing and he LIED about the Mueller report and he it appears he continues LYING for our so-called president (of course, he’s really good at it, so you would never be able to “prove it”) as he helps with the “revenge tour.” How much is enough with these people? (OK, if you don’t know what the “I” word is, it’s, of course, “IMPEACHMENT”) I’ve felt for years, the one thing which holds this republic together is the people’s belief the Justice Department is at least, to a large degree, fair. I get that if you’re a Black person, that would be a “loaded subject.”

I’m taking an online “class” from Paul Krugman, I’m trying to better educate myself regarding economics, and, in the section on “writing,” (Krugman is a very distinguished economics professor) he says his main criticism of much of the writing he reads on the internet is the frequency (my phrasing) where there’s no “argument.” I believe I probably fall in that category more often than not, because – for starters, this “blog” is my place to vent, kind of like a diary – and, secondly, I just (too often) don’t think in terms of the singular piece I’m writing. My ARGUMENT, by and large, is the importance of “we the people” voting republicans (and, of course, individual 1) out of office.

Often times, when I think about it, a “rant” of mine will consist mostly of the reasons I believe they should be “gone.” I used to teach my 6th graders, “You can’t assume your audience understands what you’re thinking – you’ve got to write it down.” Well, I know what I’m thinking, but if you’re reading this and wondering what my point is, well, that’s it. I believe you should vote AGAINST individual 1 and any other republican on the ballot. (With the exception of Justin Amosh – who’s now an independent, because he read Mueller’s report and he’s HONEST – two disqualifiers for republicans!

My reasons seem to be my attempt at trying to keep up with the scandals, which leaves me feeling as if, sometimes, I’m “chasing my tail.” But, tonight, the (latest) “reason” I believe individual 1 MUST “go” and there SHOULD be another IMPEACHMENT has to do with William Barr. I’ll say it once more, when the Justice Department is undermined by a “Roy Cohn” as the Attorney General, America is in trouble! And, my argument isn’t that America is in trouble, it’s that “we the people” MUST vote individual 1 and his republican sycophants (at least as many as we can) out of office in November. We need to use the privilege our “Founders” gave us to save this republic. That’s the RIGHT to VOTE!

Final Thought: I’ve been pointing out for several weeks now I believe republicans, surreptitiously, will be “interfering” in the democratic nominating process. The republicans, seemingly, would love it if Bernie Sanders was the nominee with a divided democratic party “staggering” out of a “brokered” convention. Trust me, the republicans are much more sophisticated than democrats when it comes to technology – like, for example, the misinformation campaigns on social media – plus, republicans don’t think twice about LYING and/or CHEATING. I realized their propensity to believe “the end justifies the means” back during the Romney/Obama campaign. (I wonder why it took me so long to figure this out)

Just the idea there were something like 30 democrats who believed they were the person best to take on our so-called president has set up the possibility of a “brokered convention.” The “writing has been on the wall” from the start of this campaign and we’ll pretty much know if that’s the likely outcome in a couple weeks – remember, “Super Tuesday” is the first week in March, just three days after the South Carolina primary – this all seems like, almost, a setup for Michael Bloomberg who’s been throwing money at the Super Tuesday states while the rest of the democrats have been fighting over 2% of the delegates in Iowa and New Hampshire – two states which do NOT represent the demographics of this country. Apparently, democrats like to make things difficult on themselves.

The only good news, to me, is the large segment of the population who are committed to “anything but individual 1.” Our so-called president is the least popular president in history and, I believe, he’s going to keep “losing” support as his “revenge tour” expands. I think there are even republicans who don’t like it when a president attacks purple heart recipients for showing even more courage than they did in battle – ie Lt. Colonel Vindman. I also believe, individual 1’s budget proposal with BILLIONS in cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid might not even go over well with some of his supporters in key “rust belt” states. Should he succeed in overturning “Obamacare” – which he’s trying to do in court as I’m writing this – he could lose even more support.

His supporters might not abandon him if he “shoots someone on Fifth Avenue” but I’m not sure how they’ll respond when he takes their or their children’s or their parent’s health care away. I believe even many republicans want “universal healthcare” and, when they see the numbers going the wrong way, well, it should be interesting! Stay tuned……………..

Please forgive me – I”m publishing this “rant” without re-reading it – sorry for the “foopahs”