As I continue to observe the political evolution in America I can’t help but think that Josheph Goebbels would be exceedingly proud of  today’s  republicans.  If you’re not clear on what that sentence is implying, Google Goebbels and you’ll find out how the Nazi’s came to power in the 1930’s.  Goebbels was the “architect” of the “big lie” theory of propaganda – so efficiently used by the republican party (who are in cahoots with the “Family” which I’ve referenced on previous posts – check the archive) – and it is based on the philosophy that if you repeat a lie often enough with enough voices the “masses” will believe it’s true.  Well, unless you’ve had your head in the sand, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  The republicans have been doing this since the reign of Ronald Reagan and the introduction of Rush Limbaugh in the 1980’s.  Limbaugh is even so arrogant as to call his listeners “ditto heads” and his listeners are so naive (or stupid – take your choice) to be OK with being “ditto heads.”  The republicans use the term “talking points” to “hide” what they’re doing from us unsuspecting citizens, but what they’re doing is effective for that reason – we’re unsuspecting.  By nature we want to trust our “leaders.”

 George W Bush, who I’m sure the “Family” – or whomever is behind this republican takeover of our nation – regrets choosing as president (and, remember, it wasn’t the American people who chose him) said it best when he said, “See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda.”  (astonishingly, he was speaking to high school students when he said this) Our so-called “liberal media” (this moniker “liberal media” another result of this very theory) never gave so much as a whimper to that quote – and, either they are now totally in cahoots with the “rascals” or they’re just not paying attention.

Compare Bush’s quote to one from Goebbels (especially if you think I’m “blowing smoke” here), “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”  All of this gets me to the reason I’ve decided to write today.  I opened my email this morning and one of the places which send information to me (because, for example, I have to give my email address when I do things like sign a petition to save Social Security, or for the public option, or more recently to show support for Gabriel Giffords) sent a notice that Keith Olberman did his last show yesterday January 21, 2011.  It didn’t take long to find out that he had been fired because MSNBC is being purchased by Comcast and they are part of the right wing conspiracy that is referenced in the above mentioned quotes.  To me (and, I rarely watch Olberman – or anyone else for that matter – anymore) this is the outrage that should get the attention of anyone – including the so-called “tea partiers” – who value freedom in this nation.

At the same “sit down” where I came across the information regarding Olberman, I saw another email which read as follows “The new Republican leaders in the House have received millions of dollars in contributions from banks, health insurers and other major business interests, which are pressing for broad reversals of Democratic policies that affect corporations, according to disclosure records and interviews.”  Really people, it’s not hard to put the pieces of the puzzle together – that is, the puzzle of what is happening to this great nation that I (and probably you) love.  There is a right wing FORCE which is STEALTH – that is, we can’t officially identify it – it’s “flying under the radar” – which is in the process of gaining a STRANGLEHOLD on the American government (all the while claiming to be anti-government) and it’s purpose is to drain this nation of as much of its wealth as possible before “we the people” catch on.  I’m convinced that many of the main CULPRITS have situated themselves in foreign locations so that once their plan is detected and the American public comes to their senses, these people will simply relocate with as much money and wealth as they can get their GREEDY hands on. 

So, if you need a refresher, go back and read the quote from Geobbels – the “right” wing in America is BLASTING us with propaganda which are PURE LIES over and over to the point where enough people are believing them that this is a HUGE problem.  And, what is the best way for them to continue their success – it’s to get rid of the dissent.  Are you getting my point?  Now, Keith Olberman – whom I admire, although (as with anyone) I’m not always in agreement with, was definitely one of the leading voices of dissent.  The thing I admired most about Olberman’s show was that he was critical of democrats (when necessary) as well as republicans.  The truth is that republicans don’t have a monopoly on politicians who’ve been bought and paid for by corporate America.  However, just one move like this is far more significant than just worrying about the loss of Keith Olberman from the airwaves.  It sends a LOUD message to EVERYONE else!

I listened the other day to Alan Grayson being interviewed on the radio.  If you don’t know who he is, he WAS – at least in my view – one of the most HONORABLE members of the House of Representatives – coming from a mostly republican district in Florida (the state where the voters – a large portion being retired persons – elected a governor who had to plead the “fifth” over 70 times in a trial where his corporation was fined almost 2 BILLION dollars for MEDICARE fraud – the largest Medicare FRAUD in America’s history – go figure) who was willing to stand up in Congress and challenge these liars and tell the TRUTH about health care and other issues of importance in today’s world (like unemployment, two intractable wars, etc.).  Grayson was defeated because the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision allowed unlimited corporate funds to be funneled into his district paying for DISHONEST advertising designed to quiet his voice of dissent – and they were SUCCESSFUL.  Now, Comcast has done the same thing by purchasing MSNBC and summarily FIRING Keith Olberman – quieting (hopefully, only temporarily) another voice of dissent.

What is Rachel Maddow to do now?  Is she going to continue to challenge the liars on the “right?”  Will Comcast simply fire her as well to gain a little more silence?  What about the “fat redhead” as he calls himself?  I don’t watch the “Ed Show” on MSNBC (mostly because I don’t watch hardly anything anymore), but what is Ed Schultz going to do? Will he continue calling out the republicans or will he “tone it down” in order to stay on the air?  Do you get my point?  The only legitimate reason for Comcast to FIRE Keith Olberman would have been if his ratings were down to the point where they were losing money with his show or if he made an inappropriate comment (you know, like one of the routine racist comments by Limbaugh or Beck).  The reality, the ratings for Olberman were BY FAR the highest ratings for MSNBC.  His show was the MAJOR challenge to all the PROPAGANDA coming from the “right.”  And, to make matters worse (for those of us who don’t want to live in a right wing corporatocracy) the competition he was “creeping up” on, Bill O’Reilly, is a “card carrying” member of the propaganda machine I’m referencing here.  He WAS the alternative voice!  These thugs don’t want ANY alternative voices!  Now, if that doesn’t give you “pause” well, I don’t know what to say for you.

Even if you listen to and watch (and somehow believe) people like O’Reilly, Limbaugh, Beck, and the others, you should understand the grave significance of Comcast’s move here.  This is CENSORSHIP pure and simple!  Do they have the legal right to do this?  Well, I don’t think anyone could argue against that.  In America, if you’ve got the money, you can do almost anything you want (I could write volumes on that topic alone) – but, the bottom line here is how much do “we the people” want to preserve the nation that emerged from World War II as the example of freedom and opportunity for the rest of the world?  To me, it’s almost as if the German’s failed to take over this land militarily during the war, but they (or people following their philosophy) have been busy since then in a prolonged conspiracy which is now bearing fruit.  And, if Comcast gets away with this DEPLORABLE move, well, all I can say is “hold onto your hats.”  The “you know what” is hitting the fan, and the results could go in any direction at this point.  In my mind, it should be the “tea party” themselves, if they really stand for what they claim to stand for, who would be leading the PROTEST against this move by Comcast.  Ideally, there should be a NATIONWIDE boycott of Comcast IMMEDIATELY!

Consider this situation from the other point of view.  Glenn Beck, due to something he said which was more RACIST than usual – I don’t even know what it was because I can’t bring myself to listen to the guy for more than a minute or so – lost over 100 sponsors to his program.  That, in itself, should put the program deeply in the red (I’ve seen it reported that his salary is something like 32 MILLION dollars) – but, the man is still on the air and has the freedom to say whatever he wants – including rhetoric which openly encourages violence against political leaders because he’s part of the “plan.”  Yes, you guessed it – Beck is one of the water carriers for the Goebbels like propaganda machine coming from the “right” while Olberman would represent the “dissent” which is “spewing” the “truth” that Goebbels (and the republicans) are so determined to quiet.

This is getting serious people!  I’ve been writing on this “blog” (honestly, I’m of that age that I really don’t know for sure if this is really a “blog” – hardly anyone “comments” on my posts) for around four years or so.  Since the U.S. invaded Iraq I’ve read over 50 books in an attempt to find that elusive “TRUTH” about what MY government is up to (it really is a bit depressing to find out)  and in the limited time I watch TV I can attest that KEITH OLBERMAN has come the closest BY FAR of any of the cable news commentators – who profess to be speaking about the “news” – to be concurring with what I’ve been reading.  I’ve read books written by people obviously with a left leaning perspective, a right leaning perspective, and many who profess to be “independent.”  As I teach my students (I’m a 6th grade teacher) to cross reference their sources (when I can get them to research something :o) I try to practice what I preach.  I don’t read the books written by the Beck’s, O’Reilly’s, and Palin’s of this world because I feel I already know what they’re going to say (remember, they say the same things over and over – it’s part of the plan) and the history books I read are written by historians, not politicians.  My point is that I do try to get multiple viewpoints on topics in order to gain better understanding myself – and, when I then listen to the “news” I have found Olberman to be the most intellectual and relevent.  To the “right” and their plan, that is a problem.  The best way to solve that problem is to do what Comcast did – and that’s to simply remove the voice from the air – which EXPOSES the bigger PROBLEM for those of us who don’t want to lose this great nation to the corporate interests who almost have a stranglehold on our government as I’m typing.

Well, what are we to do?  While I’m not sure what we can do, I do feel it’s time to do something.  Many “progressives” have fallen to the “sidelines” in their disappointment with the centrist approach to issues by President Obama.  I myself have been very disappointed in him – I was offended when Rham Emanuel (then his chief of staff) referred to liberals as “f___ing retards” and was allowed to get away with it.  There has been disappointment after disappointment with the Obama administration for me – not the least of which is the FACT we seem to be headed for indefinite occupations of BOTH Iraq and Afganistan.  Our president seems unwilling to “rock the boat” when he was elected to do just that.  He pardoned the misdeeds of his predecessor, he’s defending some of Bush/Cheney’s illegal activities in court, and the “tax cuts for the rich” are as good as “permanent.”  The republican party has remained in control of the agenda despite their minority position for the previous 4 years and now that they are moving toward majority positions – those of us who are “f___ing retards” are really in for more grief (I didn’t think it could get worse than Bush/Cheney – but, I’m definitely rethinking that position).  I’ve mentioned many times how, for example, Obama’s decision to “look forward and not back” will lead to the repeating of illegal activity that should have been STOPPED through investigations and prosecutions where appropriate once Obama took office and now the possible ramifications of pandering to these people has become even greater.  So, it’s time to act.  Of course, me going down to my courthouse and protesting Olberman’s dissmissal would be fruitless – and, I realize only (now it’s 200 – 400 people per day – wow!) a small number of people read this “blog,” but somehow a national movement needs to get underway.

I believe the first thing that needs to happen is that as many people as possible need to cancel their COMCAST service, ASAP!  And, they need to make sure that Comcast knows why they’re doing it.  There needs to be a protest to your (my) political representatives about this move on Comcast’s part – and the government needs to check their licensing regulations (is Comcast getting too big? Are they squelching dissent?) The part I can play is that I will no longer watch MSNBC.  Yes, that’s only one viewer and yes, that creates a problem for people like Maddow and Schultz – and, YES there are only a small number of “progressive” voices on the air – but, I for one will not watch a channel which is operated by a corporation who is openly promoting censorship.  The TRUTH is to me, by FIRING Keith Olberman, Comcast has taken the republican “buyin” of Joseph Goebbels’ Nazi philosophy, the “big lie” theory, public!  My hope is that “we the people” FINALLY do something to stop this!

I eagerly supported President Obama’s campaign to be the president of the United States in 2008 and the archives on this site explicitly show that I’ve had disappointment after disappointment with his administration which began with the choices he made for his senior advisors before the inauguration and became intense when he pardoned George W Bush and Dick Cheney (plus many others) for their illegal behavior in the eight years of the Bush administration.  I believe that mistake, on its own, has played a large part in the deterioration of civility in this nation as the line between those who face accountability in our system of laws has been (possibly) irretrievably blurred.  NO ONE in America should be above the law and when “we the people” aren’t completely SURE of that, it brings instability to the very foundation of this nation.

As Obama’s term has “matured” I’ve honestly come to the point where I’ve somewhat resented his rhetorical skills as just “hot air.”  I’ve tired of the speeches because I believe the actions and the words, in so many instances, have been dissonant.   I won’t belabor the point further, I just say this to preface the FACT that I was tremendously MOVED by Obama’s words at the memorial for the victims of Jared Loughner’s senseless murder rampage in Tuscon last week.  And, his speech provided me with a clear contrast between what we “have” and what we could “get” in the future, because I had read Sarah Palin’s words relating to her rebuttal of all the criticism to her inflammatory rhetoric right before I heard Obama speaking (I only heard the last portion of his eulogy – he was speaking about the little girl killed in the rampage).  The contrast caused me to feel a sense of thanks for our president’s seeming obsession with bridging “divides” which, at times, has driven me to MAJOR frustration.  On many occasions I’ve said, “I hope I’m wrong” in my criticism of this president, and I continue to feel that way.

So, let’s compare the two styles – and, before I “go there,” I read this morning that Palin is receiving “death threats” and I have to be clear that this, what I’ve termed “vile rhetoric,” is deplorable and unacceptable no matter who’s mouth it comes from.  While I want her to stop with the references to violence in her speeches and communication, we need to be clear that we ARE a nation of laws and not “men,” and threats to her are no different from threats to anyone else – UNACCEPTABLE!  I listened the other day to Rush Limbaugh (it’s really hard for me to do this) justifying right wing vitriol by using an obscure example of someone on the “left” doing the same thing.  Come on everyone, nothing reminds me more of the sixth graders I deal with than comments like that from Limbaugh – can we at least agree on that?  As a nation, we need to reject the rhetoric which gins up violence as well as the enablers of those who are putting it “out there.”  Civil debate over issues should be the 21st century approach to solving the many problems we face as a nation – a nation which is falling apart due to internal “fractures.”  I struggled to put up with the Bush administration for eight years, but never advocated violence to either George W or Dick Cheney, although I believe they – like anyone else – should have faced investigations for their questionable actions.  The truth is – we should examine the results of their decisions and learn from that as we go forward making future decisions.  It seems we, as a nation, keep repeating mistakes because our rhetoric is focused on division and power instead of issues and solutions, leading to an inexplicable disregard for the history which should be guiding our decisionmaking.

So, back to what Palin said and what Obama said.  As everyone who’s paying attention knows by now, Palin essentially attacked her attackers, unwilling to take any responsibility for the “crosshairs” over the legislative district of the victimized congresswoman which Palin had put on a website during the campaign.  In fact, Gabrielle Giffords, the congresswoman who was shot, even had mentioned at the time that she was uncomfortable with that depiction and said, “actions have consequences” hinting of what eventually was going to happen.  And, of course, to this point in time (and maybe never) we don’t know the motive of the shooter, but Palin – like Limbaugh and the rest of the right wing “water carriers” – refused to even consider there could be a connection between the inflammatory rhetoric and the upsurge in violence toward the “left” since Obama’s election.  It bothered me that Palin followed her usual routine of blaming the “liberal media” for the attacks against her vitriol, but the really unfortunate part of her “attack” was when she used the term “blood libel” to describe the actions of those who wish her to tone it down.

The definition of “blood libels” is; “Blood libels are false and sensationalized allegations that a person or group engages in human sacrifice, often accompanied by the claim that the blood of the victims is used in various rituals and/or acts of cannibalism.” The alleged victims are often children – and this usually refers to accusations of Jews killing Christian children and using the blood in religious rituals.  Yes, on top of all the racist comments Palin has to live with, she now has a MAJOR anti-semitic comment to answer for as she pushes herself into the “ring” in the next presidential election.  2012 could really demonstrate where the American people are coming from – to me, this woman is unbelievable.  Yet, there she was sitting with an American flag pin on her lapel, and an America flag off her left shoulder as if she was giving a presidential address from the Oval Office.  Are you kidding me?  These people, whoever they are behind this woman’s political future, are about as arrogant as they come.  Despite all the money they’re going to be able to raise with the help of our Supreme Court and “Citizens United” she – and they – must remember that someone, somewhere is keeping track of all these blunders.  Do they really think they can gin up enough hate to give this woman a chance.  If so, I will have lived long enough to see the United States implode from the inside out.

Contrast Palin’s words with those of President Obama.  His words were thoughtful, they were the opposite of divisive, he avoided being judgemental TOTALLY, and he spoke specifically about his desire that the words people speak would be intended to promote healing instead of “wounds.”  He compared the innocent political ambition of the nine year old girl killed (Christina Green) to the ideal “climate” he would wish for America’s politcal debates.  I looked, and there in the front row of the auditorium (I believe it was the McHale Center on the University of Arizona’s campus) was Jan Brewer – the republican governor of Arizona who gained fame by signing the unconstitutional immigration bill in Arizona which has created so much division in a state that has many many residents of Latino descent.  Right behind her was John Kyl, the Arizona Republican Senator who has a history of some of the rhetoric which people are so tired of, and – essentially – Obama was in a heavily republican state as he spoke (oh yes, John McCain was there as well) to a heavily republican audience.  And, you wouldn’t expect a lot of applause during what amounted to a eulogy for 6 people, but the president’s words were so moving to the people in this auditorium that he was interupted several times by spontaneous applause – ending with an extended standing ovation that actually looked to me as if it embarrassed the president because he was not expecting that type of reaction.  (What I gathered from that was maybe republicans, when you get beyond all the “No’s,” want civilized debate on issues as well.)

Idealistically, the words Obama spoke that evening were words that we all should take to heart.  Yet, it wasn’t even 24 hours until reality swept in.  The Limbaughs and Palins of this world were quick to be on the attack, finding one lie after another to insert into the dialogue in a way to undermine any “good” that might come from Obama’s speach.  I’m not going to quote any of Limbaugh’s comments, you can easily find examples of what he was saying, but the FACT the right wing is obsessed with defeating President Obama – at the expense of this nation if necessary – was even more clear after this speech than it was before – and, it was REAL CLEAR before!  Here’s the problem I’m having with all of this.  As I’ve stated many times around here, it seems to me that our “leaders” simply ignore history – or they’re ignorant of it, which – to me falls into the category of when I get stopped for making an illegal turn by the police at an intersection where I believe it to be allowed – ignorance is no excuse – and, our history suggests that the republican party and/or “conservatives” in general have been fighting against government supporting social justice since the beginning of this nation.  These people are pulling out ALL the stops to make sure this BLACK president FAILS!  My point, the democratic leadership needs to address this straight up – quit “soft shoeing” the subject because it’s too controversial and seemingly being afraid that FOX will lead the backlash.  We need that backlash – we need to have this discussion – the American people need to be presented with the FACTS regarding our racial history!

I’ve read almost 50 non-fiction books since the point in time following the invasion of Iraq by Bush/Cheney that I realized I HAD to start speaking out – even in this small way (I have children and grandchildren).  To feel somewhat responsible for my words while speaking out, I decided I needed to re-educate myself about contemporary government, politics, AND American history.  I’m finding this REAL American history to be quite a bit different from the image I got while reading the textbooks while I was in school.  In fact, I’m just finishing Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book on the Roosevelts during World War II and one of the most significant things I’m learning from that book is the role Eleanor Roosevelt played in the challenge to “Jim Crow” during the war and the Civil Rights movement which followed the “New Deal.”  The more I read about American history, the more disgusted I get with the treatment of African Americans from the days of slavery right up to what is happening today.  In today’s world, the “conservative” politicians have learned to be much more subtle about their prejudices and how they manifest them – although their constituents are sometimes not nearly as subtle.  In the last few years I’ve learned about “code words” used to assure the racists that certain candidates are “on their side.”  Do you remember John McCain referring to Barack Obama during one of the debates as “that one?”  Well, what message do you think he was trying to send to all the voters out there who can’t stand the idea of a Black man as the Commander in Chief?  (I’m totally certain that McCain is one of those voters)

What’s really sick to me is how they also use the Bible to rile up “Christian Conservatives” to do and support things that are totally antithetical to the teachings of Jesus.  Yes, I realize there are those out there who manage to twist what He said into something virtually opposite of the TRUTH, but we’re all going to have to figure that out on “judgement day” for ourselves what that TRUTH is – that is, just because Ted Haggard, or James Dobson, or Chuck Colson, (or me for that matter) or anyone else makes a claim, doesn’t make it so – ultimately, none of us can justify our actions by blaming them on someone else’s interpretation of God’s Word.  In my case, I’m determined not to allow Palin or Beck or anyone else to convince me that Jesus was for the “rich” and that he was in favor of violence – I’ve read the Bible several times and that just isn’t the case!  It just makes me cringe when members of the “tea party” claim to be Christians while holding racist signs depicting our president as a monkey – and joking about it with their children (I’ve seen this exact thing more than once).  These same “Christians” have been bringing guns to political rallies and are at the forefront of the vile rhetoric which many think is destablizing this country.

These people are blaming President Obama for EVERYTHING that they perceive to be wrong – this is TOTALLY irrational.  It was George W Bush who lied us into the Iraq war and who abandoned the chase of Osama bin Laden in order to justify the Iraq War.  It was George W Bush who was instrumental in the warrantless wiretapping of American citizens and instigated the “Patriot” act along with the Military Commissions Act of 2006 which attempted to eliminate the right of Habeas Corpus – one of the most basic of human rights (yes, Obama has inexplicably sided with Bush on this one, but that’s a story for another day), and most importantly to most of the people who are HATING Obama, it was Bush/Cheney who led the calamatous economic policies which resulted in the loss of 8 MILLION jobs and what is being called the “Great Recession” and could still, in my view, become the “Great Depression #2.”  It was Dick Cheney who said, “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter” while helping to create the largest deficit in American history.  While I want our government to “live within its means” now is not the time to be worrying about the budget deficit – the government is the “spender of last resort” – but what is really RIDICULOUS are republicans blaming the deficit on President Obama.  You’d think that if our “liberal media” was really “liberal” they’d be pointing out the truth about deficits and how the economy really works.  It was Bush/Cheney who funneled TRILLIONS to Wall Street preventing them from feeling the impact of the deplorable decisions they were making during Bush’s reign which led to the collapse of the real estate market and the financial system as well.  TARP was a result of George W Bush’s economic policies and his treasury secretary Hank Paulsen not President Obama (in fact, Obama used the TARP “bailout” funds to save General Motors and Chrysler – and 3+ MILLION jobs).  OK, back to my point – there is no logical reason for all the HATE aimed at our president – except RACISM!  These conservatives, and their parents and grandparents, and great grandparents, have been doing this (racism) for generations.  Let’s quit pretending some other force is at work here.

After first listening to Palin and then to Obama, the contrast makes the above point even more clearly.  How could any American voter, with the exception of the totally partisan and loyal republican, choose Palin over Obama?  I’ve been, as stated above, very disappointed in President Obama on several occasions (he’s what I call republican-lite in his decisionmaking).  He’s been allowing himself to be pulled farther and farther to the “right” since his election, culminating in the “tax cut compromise” which I fear is the first breakthrough for the republicans in their 70 year quest to undermine Social Security.  Obama’s lack of will to fight back against the republican onslaught only encourages it to get worse (this brings me back to the “original sin” of pardoning Bush/Cheney – which was like a shot of adrenalin to republicans)  But, with all his reaching out to republicans, what other explanation can you come up with for people like Limbaugh, McConnell, Boehner, Palin, and others being willing to ignore the real needs of the struggling workforce in this country and instead have, as their STATED number ONE goal, the defeat of the president in 2012.  Everyone knows what the problem is, but no one wants to say it because being a racist is not “nice” in America anymore!

Reality tells me that Obama may continue to get “run over” in his “negotiations” with republicans as we move ahead – I’m just not sure he has the gumption to take a firm stand with them and they will keep pushing until he does (I hope it’s not too late if and when that happens) – but, on this one day, the constrast between Obama’s message of unity versus Palin’s message of DIVISION was abundantly clear!  It’s not my nature to “fall in line” and I will continue to monitor the decisions which are made by the leaders of this great nation and speak out.  And, I will try to practice what I preach to my sixth grade students and that is to explain the “why” regarding my conclusions.  I will also continue to hope that President Obama succeeds in creating an atmosphere of respectful debate over serious issues with the desire on BOTH sides to find the best solutions for the most people – while strictly upholding the rule of law.  Yet, I’ve spent almost 50 years following my instincts as I observe politics in America, and things don’t look promising to me.  Soon, I will be commenting again on the decisions of our president – and, those comments will be critical I’m afraid (once again, I hope I’m wrong) – but, as stated – on this one day – January 12, 2011, he came across as the type of leader which spurred me to feel a sense of hope during the 2008 campaign – and, I continue to wish nothing more than that he would succeed.

I really wanted to go to bed tonight, and it will probably take me a day or two to finish this rant – but, the events of the shooting in Tuscon, Arizona are still reverberating in my mind and the commentary is still coming from all directions (including here).  Tonight, what has motivated me to write AGAIN was reading a column in the New York Times by David Brooks (you can read it yourself by clicking here).  Brooks is the republican apologist who is at it again.  Now, I’m not claiming that I know anything about the motives of the “shooter” in the Arizona tragedy – but, I can tell you that it’s totally illogical to even attempt to place the blame totally on this guy’s mental health or lack thereof.  Yes, it may be true that he really is suffering from schizophrenia, but – no matter how Brooks wants to “spin” things – the vile republican (and “tea party”) rhetoric should be part of the “mainstream” media’s look at what happened.

Brooks writes his article in a way that attempts to place some kind of intellectual superiority on his knowledge of mental illness and what it’s doing to people in America.  He uses the fact (and, we don’t – and may never – know the true motives of the killer) that the evidence is still out when he makes the claim “We have a news media that is psychologically ill informed but politically inflamed, so it naturally leans toward political explanations. We have a news media with a strong distaste for Sarah Palin and the Tea Party movement, and this seemed like a golden opportunity to tarnish them.”  This is beyond ABSURD to me!  This is the same CRAP that I’ve been witnessing and listening to for the past 30+ years.  David Brooks, a Fox type columnist claiming that the media – which is dominated by Fox – “has a strong distaste for Sarah Palin.”  Let me just be clear about this – if the media had a strong “distaste” for Palin, she wouldn’t be the rising star of the republican party and “tea party” movement.  She has little of the intellect that his readers would have us believe Brooks possesses.  In the entirety of his argument, Brooks fails to mention that this MADMAN, Jared Loughner, committed, by all accounts, a premeditated MURDER – that is, he targeted Ms. Giffords at the additional expense of the crowd which had turned out to hear her.

I’m just wondering where Brooks thinks someone as mentally ill as the shooter in this instance got the idea that he should attempt to kill this particular congressperson?  He, like EVERYONE else I’ve seen on the “right,” are doing everything they can to dismiss all the rhetoric they’ve been SPEWING as having nothing to do with this violence or any of the other violent attacks on “liberal” targets since the election of Barack Obama (or going back generations in America for that matter).  Is it going to take an actual attack on Obama himself before these people wake up?  Or would we be listening to the same rationalizations if that happened?  These people make me sick.

Brooks actually makes my point for me when he says, “We have a segmented news media, so there is nobody in most newsrooms to stand apart from the prevailing assumptions. We have a news media market in which the rewards go to anybody who can stroke the audience’s pleasure buttons.”  The problem with his assumptions, in my view, is that he’s dismissing the FACT that 90% of the “liberal” news media is controlled by right wing corporations and that Fox is the “kingpin” that we’re all forced to deal with (a company owned by a right wing Australian and whose number one shareholder is a Saudi Prince who supported bin Laden prior to 9/11 – which seems to avoid Brooks’ attention as with the rest of the “liberal” media).  What he’s claiming – “there is nobody in most newsrooms to stand apart from the prevailing assumptions” is EXACTLY what has allowed this vitriol to continue unabated since Barack Obama became president.  Actually, if you’re old enough to remember, this is the identical CRAP that we were inundated with in the Bill Clinton years – and, the response from the “right” including Brooks’ column – is like deja vu all over again regarding the bombing in Oklahoma City.

When Brooks states, “We have a news media market in which the rewards go to anybody who can stroke the audience’s pleasure buttons” he’s doing the classic republican projectionist strategy – accusing the “other side” of exactly what his own brethren are doing.  Yes, that is EXACTLY what the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Michael Wiener, Lars Larsen, and the host of other “right wing” talkers have been doing for as long as I can remember.  (well, at least back into the 80’s when Limbaugh was thrust onto the scene – and, I’m sure before that, I just wasn’t paying as close attention)  These guys have been “stroking the audience’s buttons” for years.  They play to the “dark side” of the people they are assaulting with their propaganda, turning unsuspecting schizophrenics – or people with other mental illnesses – into political assassins.  Brooks actually also makes the argument for a national single payer health plan in America, albeit inadvertently, when he says, “If the evidence continues as it has, the obvious questions are these: How can we more aggressively treat mentally ill people who are becoming increasingly disruptive? How can we prevent them from getting guns? Do we need to make involuntary treatment easier for authorities to invoke?”  Let me just remind you that it’s the very people who think like Brooks who have prevented this nation from considering health care a “right” instead of a “privilege” – a privilege becoming available to less and less of the public including people like Jared Loughner, the KILLER in this case.  And, Brooks himself in this article is pointing our there are 4 MILLION mentally ill people in America!  How many of them do you think are getting treatment with over 50 MILLION Americans lacking health insurance?

The “right wing” is agressively “covering their tracks” and people like Brooks, who in his column states, “I have no love for Sarah Palin, and I like to think I’m committed to civil discourse. But the political opportunism occasioned by this tragedy has ranged from the completely irrelevant to the shamelessly irresponsible” are desperately attempting to keep the Palin candidacy on track – while trying to convince us, the unsuspecting public, otherwise.  Just as people like Mike Huckabee on the “right” have made comments that SHOULD disqualify them from being a national leader, Sarah Palin’s vile rhetoric and racist history should preclude her from consideration of any further public office by any person who believes in the public discourse that Brooks is apparently appealing for.  How can you “bash” political opportunism while defending the people who’ve taken political opportunism to new heights – when their words come back to haunt them.  David Brooks, stop making excuses for the expressions of violence and hate that have been coming from the republican party for the past several years.  Practice what you preach!  I’m still waiting for the first “conservative” to speak out against today’s republican agenda.

I’m going to end this with one final quote from Brooks’ article claiming, “In short, the evidence before us suggests that Loughner was locked in a world far removed from politics as we normally understand it.”  For argument’s sake, let’s accept that premise.  I believe that the politics which most “pundits” are pointing to as they desperately try to understand such a senseless act are politics “far removed from politics as we normally understand it.”  That is precisely my point – we’ve ALL (well, now I have to backtrack a bit due to what happened and say most of us) filtered the absurd out of the speeches of people like Palin and the broadcasts of people like Limbaugh, Beck and the others.  But, as Brooks himself points out, the 1% of mentally ill people in the U.S. who are capable of violence totals 40,000!  That’s a pretty large audience for people like Palin and the others (and, believe me, when vitriol comes from the “left” it’s just as bad!) to be addressing.  And as Jared Loughner proved, it only takes one “crazy” to “hear” things the wrong way and we end up with another tragedy. 

 I’m not suggesting there wouldn’t be tragedies if this type of rhetoric didn’t happen, but we could then dispense with all this discussion and try to get to the real root of the problem – and, I believe, the occurences would be much less frequent.  I listened to a guy who has a radio program called “NorMan GoldMan” on the way home from work tonight and he made a valid point that I think is cause for thought – when condemning the reaction of the “left” as Brooks has done.  What would the reaction have been had it been a republican congressperson shot, or if the shooter had been a Muslim?  The bottom line here, in my view, is that people like David Brooks need to stop defending vile public rhetoric simply because it comes from conservatives! 

All I can say is “What is wrong with this country I love?” (The United States of America)  Yesterday I read in horror about the Congresswoman from Arizona, Gabrielle Giffords, Democrat, who was senselessly shot through her brain by a madman who also killed 6 other people and wounded more than 10 at a gathering where Giffords was listening to her constituents outside a Safeway store in Tuscon Arizona.  The sad reality is that for many of us “liberals” we’ve been saying it’s just a matter of time before the vile rhetoric coming from the “right” causes some nutjob to “go off.”  Of course, this isn’t the first crazy result of all the ginning up of the so-called right wing “base” – a guard was shot at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, another “radical” flew a plane into an IRS building (which actually received the blessing of many on the “right”), and there have been other incidents – this, however, is the most profound example of the Limbaugh, Beck, O’Reilly, Palin (and others) effect on this great nation.

I’m going to give some examples to back up my contention that these right wing thugs – who are already backpedalling from their disgusting rhetoric – are out of control, and – as I’ve been saying since President Obama took over the White House – when are the democrats going to stand up and say ENOUGH already?!!!!  In this incident a sitting District Judge was murdered, one of the aides to the Congresswoman was murdered, three elderly citizens were murdered, and a little 3rd grade girl was MURDERED!  I feel compelled to remind anyone who reads this what people like John McCain, Sarah Palin, Sharon Angle, Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly, and these “tea party” fanatics have been spewing out of their collective mouths.  For some reason it appears they believe “freedom of speech” has no consequences.  I don’t know if Sarah Palin posting a picture of Congresswoman Gifford’s district on her website with the image of the crosshairs of a rifle scope supreimposed over it bothered anyone when it happened – but, it certainly should now.  (The districts right next to this one were “targeted” by Palin as well)  Sarah Palin is a disgrace to the political dialogue of this great nation, she’s an illegitimate national leader thrust upon us by that pathetic OLD MAN John McCain in his desperate attempt to prevent Barack Obama from winning the White House.  And, I doubt that our “liberal media” will hardly mention what Palin had done – despite the FACT Giffords is lying in a hospital fighting for her life – and probably, even if she survives, destined to be a shadow of her former self.  I am praying for a miracle from God that her wounds would somehow be totally healed and that the other victims would survive this deplorable act.

Before I get back to Palin (I’m having a difficult time controlling my disgust and anger – hence, this “rant” will probably be more disjointed than usual) – I read the comments from the guy who founded the “tea party,” Jason Phillips who immediately started urging his tea party supporters to “blame liberals for the attack on centrist Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona.”  This is the same guy who founded the “tea party” convention where Sarah Palin famously said, “America is ready for another revolution” to a standing ovation.  This is the same guy who supported Sharron Angle – as did the republican party, Fox “news,” Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, and others who claimed that if they don’t win at the ballot box “we still have our second amendment rights” – again insinuating revolution.  Phillips, in an incredible lack of compassion and defensive selfishness, went on to say to his followers, “The left is coming and will hit us hard on this. We need to push back harder with the simple truth. The shooter was a liberal lunatic. Emphasis on both words.”  No matter what the motive of the “shooter,” this thug showed where he’s coming from.  The judge who was MURDERED was a “leftist,” The Sheriff at the scene was a “leftist,” as was Giffords according to this unconscienable human being Phillips.  All I can say, I hope that “we the people” aren’t going to put up with these thugs for the next two years.  Let’s hope there are enough decent people in the republican side of congress to put an end to this “tea party” movement NOW!  The RACIST signs and threats at their rallies weren’t enough, but this should be!

Back to Palin.  The woman should be disqualified from this day forward.  The list of her abominations just goes on and on – yet, because Fox has no principles whatever, they continue to push her into the spotlight she’s TOTALLY incapable of handling.  I mean the woman was mayor of a town the size of the little suburb I grew up in and governor of a state the size of the University of Washington (population wise).  Plus, she quit her job as governor half way through her term to cash in on her notoriety – thanks to McCain.  Not what you’d call your dedicated public servant.  Palin has a history with the Alaskan Successionist movement which is connected to the overtly racist John Birch Society.  I still remember listening in horror during the 2008 presidential campaign when Palin ginned up her crowd to the point they were yelling things like “Kill him” in reference to now President Obama with nary a whimper coming from Palin’s mouth to stop the vitriol.  In fact, Palin has a history of making statements that range from stupid to really offensive to vile which eventually she has to retract – just as she’s now attempting to do regarding the “crosshairs.”  Honestly, this reminds me of Bill O’Reilly attempting to avoid any blame in the MURDER of doctor Tiller who was one of the only doctors in the nation who was willing to perform “late term abortions” – almost exclusively on fetuses which were already dead for the purpose of saving the mother’s life.  O’Reilly incessently referred to the doctor as the “baby killer” (when the truth was far different – I had to look beyond “Fox” to find what was really happening with this doctor) and then he tried to back away from his vile rhetoric once the doctor was dead.  These people all work with the same “modus operendi.”

Aside from the udder dishonesty of Palin’s claims that Barack Obama was everything from a communist to a socialist to a fascist during the campaign to her claims about the “death panels” during the health care debate and all the other misinformation she spews there is overwhelming evidence that she (and the tea party she is the torch bearer for) is an out and out racist.  The above referenced  remarks going unheeded were just one in a number of examples of Palin having no boundaries when she campaigns – for example during the campaign she was in Iowa and didn’t miss a beat as someone in the crowd yelled “N___er” while she was speaking and telling unbelievable lies that were totally ungrounded in facts.  She herself has referred to Obama as a terrorist, helped spawn the “birther” movement, and has inferred he’s a Muslim (although, that really shouldn’t matter in the “land of the free” should it?)  She was a natural to lead the “tea party” and her divisiveness has gone way past the president – hence the references to violence toward people such as Giffords and other democrats in the recently completed campaign.

I don’t know if you’ve ever listened to people like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly, Michael Savage(Wiener), Lars Larsen, and the republicans who are in concert with them – the other day I read a quote from a person who was affiliated with George W Bush who said, “We thought Fox “news” worked for us, we never realized we work for them.”  That’s the most profound statement I’ve heard coming from the mouth of a republican since I read the last Kevin Phillips book.  The republican politicians answer to the likes of Limbaugh and the rest – and, whoever is supplying the “talking points” they all are willing to regurgitate to the unsuspecting public.  But, it seems to me it’s long past time for the GOVERNMENT these people hate – yet want to control – to call an end to all this.  We need to find out if “free speech” is “unlimited” on OUR airwaves – both radio and television.  There really was a time in America when the level of civility was a lot higher.  Yes, there has been and there will always be the “fringe,” but it wasn’t that many years ago when there were much higher standards as to what was said on the airwaves of “we the people.”  Remember, companies like Fox are LICENSED.  There are supposed to be rules for them to follow – and, it seems to me, it’s time that covert groups like the “Family,” “Blackwater,” and others are publicly exposed – including the mega churches that are part of this hatred somehow claiming to be acting in the name of Christ.

And, this goes much deeper than  Palin and the “talking heads” of the “tea party” and the republican party.  There’s a large group of successful, wealthy Americans affiliated with the “Family” which I’ve written about recently (you can check the archives) who are part of this right wing conspiracy to take over power in America by any means possible.  The one example that comes right to my mind was when I heard Chuck Norris of Walker Texas Ranger fame calling for succession from the union and saying he was interested in becoming “President of Texas.”  He went on to claim that if Obama was elected there were “thousands of cells” throughout America who would prevent Obama from taking our guns – or something along those lines – I’m working from memory here – I couldn’t believe this when I heard it, might have been on Glenn Beck’s tv show.  Yet, I’ve heard about all these right wing cells from many other sources – so I believe the time is right to take these people seriously.  Norris was a strong supporter of Mike Huckabee who is one of the Fox “news” republican presidential candidates of 2012 and, who said nothing (at least that I heard) condemning Norris’ provocative remarks.

I’m going to conclude by saying that the American public need to rise up and reject the “tea party” movement, the republican party as it presently exists, and politicians (from any party) who rely on hate speeches and lies to gain power.  As I’ve said many times on this site, 35 years ago I considered myself a conservative.  I’m the type of person who just keeps “chugging” along and I haven’t changed my views that much – I am willing, at this point however, to accept that abortion is an issue which I certainly don’t have all the answers for – and, it’s not my place to condemn anyone on that or any other issue that is part of a civil debate – but, I still feel as if I should be considered a conservative – balance the budget and keep traditional values (of course, now we have to determine what they are – because the traditional values of the “tea party” are different from the ones I’m talking about).  Yet, the national debate has been PUSHED so far to the “right” in the last 30 years that I’m now considered a “liberal.” (and, proudly so at this moment in time)  When I listen to Mr. Phillips of the “tea party” call Barack Obama a “leftist” and Gabrielle Giffords a “leftist” – it becomes clear that these terms have become totally convoluted.  The “tea party” only has a forum because of the influence of “Citizens United.”  It’s time for the American public to refuse to support ANY sponsors of tv or radio personalities who spew hate along with the politicians for whom they’re doing the bidding.

Have you heard the old saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same?”  Well, I keep thinking of that saying as I’m reading through a second book on the Roosevelt administration, this one depicting the years of World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin.  What is becoming more certain to me, as I continue my obsessive reading, is that the wave of corporate GREED which is permeating America at present is nothing new.  My formative years were in the 50’s and 60’s when the blue collar working man/woman (mostly men) had a much stronger standing in American society.  And, at the time, it seemed as if the “system” was geared to make it so.  I have to say that the more I read about Roosevelt and the New Deal – it WAS how it seemed.  Shortly after graduating from high school I went to work in the local Boise Cascade paper mill making $3.19 per hour.  In those days that was a good living wage.  While I don’t have evidence in front of me to back it up, it was claimed at the time that the CEO of the company made about 40 times what the workers were making (which would have been around $100 Grand per year).  As I look back maybe that was the salary of the Plant manager – but, over time I think I’ve learned to think in 21st century mode where we’ve universally accepted the “right”of executives to make in the multiples of MILLIONS and, in some instances, more than a BILLION – PER YEAR! (hundreds if not thousands more than the “workers”) Just as they were prior to Roosevelt moving into the White House, things are terribly “out of whack” in today’s America and I’m hoping the years from WW II until Ronald Reagan won the White House won’t end up being America’s “golden years.”

I’ve been writing for MANY months about how, in my view, the most significant WAR America is “fighting” right now is the internal war at home for the very soul of this nation.  (Do you find it strange that we’ve got to analyze the importance of the DIFFERENT wars our country is engaged in?  Have you ever asked, “how many wars can we fight at once?)  Almost every person I work with in my workplace has a Master’s Degree from some university – so, I think it would be safe to call them “educated.”  However, they’re educated to be educators and they are terribly committed to what they’re doing and very busy doing it – but, many not paying close attention to politics – hence, when I ask them to explain to me what “Citizen’s United” is, one by one they have no idea what I’m talking about.  That is exactly what the corporatists who are in the process of taking over this great nation want (that’s precisely why I’ve previously used the term “creeping fascism” to describe what I’m seeing on our political front).  They’ve been working hard to create just this situation for years.  I thought the election of President Obama would stem the tide – which is why I so vocally supported him – but Obama has, in my view, committed BLUNDER after BLUNDER since the day he won the election as he is seemingly failing to see the problem – or, the other explanation would be he’s in the “camp” of the corporatists” (yes, I did see this coming prior to his inauguration -but, unfortunately AFTER the election).

Most of the people I work with (I’m a middle school teacher) don’t even want to talk about politics.  On the rare occasion I can get someone to strike up a conversation, I often can’t believe what comes out of their lips.  While we’re busy teaching students to cross check their resources as they research topics, evidently we ourselves are too busy to do so.  Too many of my associates are watching the cable news networks and believing the sound bites aimed at brainwashing them into thinking all is well (some, unbelievably to me, still believe Limbaugh and Beck are telling the truth).  And, I fully understand that due to all the books I’ve been consuming I’m personally getting very strong opinions about several topics which should (in my view) be of interest to all American adults who vote – but, I believe that we have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to educate ourselves as to what is REALLY going on with our government and the corporations who are attempting to abscond with it – and create the atmosphere for a dialogue designed to preserve our nation.  A dialogue based on reality and not on lies.

One of the ironies I’m feeling these days is, despite my significant disagreement with many of their positions, I believe the so-called “tea party” is thinking along the same lines I am.  I believe their disgust is “rooted” in similar frustrations to my own – the “backroom” dealing in Washington, the wasteful spending, the lack of integrity of our government officials, the antiquated rules protecting special interests, etc.  The reason I was so turned off by this “tea party” was because of all the racist signs carried at their events AND the FACT that people like Dick Armey and Glenn Beck are the “catalyst” of their movement while mostly hiding in the background.  That is, they are being “pushed” and funded by the very corporatist elite that I am opposed to.  It would be interesting to have a dialogue with some of them – but, I don’t think they even realize who the very people are behind the funding of their movement.  (There’s no getting around, for example, that I am diametrically opposed – fundamentally – to people like Rand Paul.  Just the same, it would be interesting to dialogue with him and others)

Even during the second World War, the “progressives” in America had to “fight” the corporate “heads” who were attempting to overly PROFIT off of the “War to end all Wars.”  (or was that the first World War?)  It took FOUR years of catastrophe in America plus a world war to pave the way for the “New Deal” and evidently, we’re going to have to experience “deja vu all over again” to swing the “pendulum” back in the New Deal’s direction.  I guess I waver back and forth between anger at the voting public for allowing itself to be brainwashed by the so-called “liberal media” and disgust with the republicans who are CRAMMING the corporatist agenda of the Wall Street Elites down our throats.  The truth is that as I’m gaining a concrete understanding of what is really happening (now that’s dangerous – to even think one is beginning to understand anything that is going on in today’s world) I have to admit that the republicans are very good at what they’re doing.  They’re taking their propaganda lessons right out of the “playbook” of Joseph Goebbels – none other than the propaganda “head” of Hitler’s Third Reich.  This certainly gets my “attention,” but, evidently, it’s not enough to get the attention of any “liberal media” outlets – because we’re still getting an increase in the pro Sarah Palin media blitz. (can you even imagine that?)

So, what’s the “same” you might ask?  Relating to my original observation.  Well, if you do a little research as to the America in the early 1930’s you would find the same divided nation with the representatives of America’s corporate culture grounded in the republican party and the “liberals” in the democratic party.  Unfortunately, as I see it, for us today the true “liberals” are all but gone.  Despite how he is portrayed in the Fox run media, Barack Obama is far from a liberal.  The best I can come up with is he’s a “pragmatist,” although – as I’ve said on this site several times – the term that comes to mind is “republican lite.”  The combative nature of FDR – yes, he was a master politician as well – but, he was more than willing to FIGHT the corporate interests who were bludgeoning America’s treasury then  – just as the same interests are doing so now.  With all the history for our “leaders” to “bone up on” it’s hard for me to understand how we can allow this to happen again.  And, this time it’s more frightening because, I believe, the republicans are bound and determined to get a “hold” on the government which will be much more difficult to remove this time.  Remember, in 1932 Roosevelt didn’t have to overcome “Citizen’s United” and the enormous amount of power the unlimited corporate wealth could unleash on the unsuspecting public.  I mean, just in the first “installment” of the ruling’s effect the republicans were able to convince the electorate that President Obama was the “culprit” responsible for the huge budget deficit.  They were also able to convince the public Obama was the reason for the high unemployment figures (they were even successful in “pinning” the TARP bailout orchestrated by Hank Paulsen, George W Bush, and THEMSELVES on Obama).  This simply shows the power of the television in concert with unlimited access to corporate funds.

Are we going to have to go through another full blown depression for the general public to figure this out?  Are the democrats going to be able to come up with an alternative to Obama if he doesn’t get his act together?  Did he “blow it” in his first two years by allowing the republicans to get back up and “running” by failing to provide ANY accountability for their past misdeeds?  (Do you really think they’re going to return the favor in the next two years?  Does anyone besides me remember what the republican congress was doing during the Clinton years?)  I continually wonder how far the republicans are willing to go in their seemingly unending quest to provide corporate welfare for their “customers,” and how timid the democrats are going to be going forward based on the FACT that they are going to have to FIGHT for what they believe in at some point in time.  I’m sure what is making many democrats nervous is the effectiveness the republicans have shown in going after the REAL liberals in congress.  Alan Grayson was defeated by Citizen’s United money, Russ Feingold – in my view one of the few GOOD senators – was inexplicably defeated (again, the only reasonable explanation would be Citizen’s United money), and republicans will try to remove Dennis Kuchinich – certainly one of the most principled democrats in America – through redistricting.  Believe me, these republicans have a game plan, and up to this point the democrats are no match.

In the 1920’s and early 1930’s America was teetering on the edge of becoming a fuedalistic society.  That is, a society that is divided between the “rich” and the “poor.”  I realize that is an oversimplification, but my point is that the republicans are pushing us toward a society that is totally controlled by the “haves.”  Evidently, they believe in fuedalism.  The problem with this approach, of course, is that there are too many “have nots” in such a “plan” and the only possible outcome of that approach, ultimately, is discord and violence.  So, you think I’m nuts?  Well, just take a quick “peek” at the reality of America’s political spectrum of 2011.  We just finished an election cycle where the large (unexposed) corporate interests spent upwards of a BILLION dollars to influence the voters in a MID TERM election (can you imagine the onslaught in 2012?).  There were candidates all over the country who were willing to spend MILLIONS (hundreds of millions in Meg Whitman’s case) in order to gain “jobs” that pay in the hundreds of thousands/year – that they were TOTALLY unqualified for.  Honestly, that’s hard to explain rationally to me.  In the case of Rick Scott, Florida’s new governor, (I’m not sure how many millions of his own money he spent to gain office, but it was obscene) he was able to convince a state LOADED with Medicare recipients to vote for the CEO of the corporation which committed the GREATEST Medicare FRAUD in the history of the United States – almost $2 BILLION worth of FRAUD – to run their state.  Now, if that doesn’t give you a clear idea of the power of Citizen’s United I don’t know what will – evidently, his opponent was either inept at politics or simply didn’t have the funds to compete – Scott should be behind bars instead of running the state of Florida!  Do you remember the role Florida’s governor played in the election of George W Bush?  Believe me, the republicans are getting their “ducks in a row.”  (they are much more proactive than democrats – despite the fact they are so devious)

In the early 1930’s 15+ MILLION Americans were out of work (the population of America at the time was 130 million), unions were under attack, and the republicans were espousing the “free market.”  Well, I’m sure you “get” where I’m going with this – today OVER 15 MILLION are out of work (we don’t know how many because so many are no longer “statistics” – for example, it is known there are between 3 and 4 MILLION “99ers” – if you don’t know what that means, Google it) and something like 19 MILLION Americans are “underemployed” – meaning part time, working at a job they are overqualified for, two or more jobs, etc. (a few weeks ago my wife and I went to a local “Shari’s” for dinner and the guy bussing the tables was a person who had previously owned his own business which had failed due to the bad economy)  And, to be certain, I’ve been in many “transitional” periods in my own life – it happens, but the question is – who’s side is the government on when times are tough? (actually, at all times)  I honestly believe the republican party believes giving money to corporations is not welfare – but, giving assistance to people in need is.

In the 1930’s republicans fought programs like Social Security, unemployment insurance, food aid, worker’s rights, civil rights for minorities, women’s rights, farm subsidies, child work laws, and anything that was part of the “New Deal” tooth and nail.  Well, they’re still fighting these battles, long after the middle class of America have accepted the New Deal as the “real deal” in America.  The republicans are carrying the bidding of Wall Street today just as they did in the 30’s – and, unfortunately, the democrats have swung so far to the right that their opposition to these republican obominations are diminishing – seemingly as my keyboard types out this rant.  Today, the republicans are much more sophisticated in their attacks on, for example, Social Security.  In President Obama’s recent capitualtion on the “Bush Tax Cuts” – ughhh! – he set himself up for the “real” battle which will happen in the next couple of months.  Evidently, President Obama in his obsession with being bipartisan, is going to “negotiate” with these republicans for the next couple of years.  I really wish (and, actually still hope) he would have taken a cue from Roosevelt and realized he was going to have to defeat them instead of negotiate with them.  Think about this – what do you think they are going to want (besides a “pound of flesh”) when it comes time for them to “shut down the government” over the debt ceiling in the next month or two?  And, is Obama going to say he gave in on privatizing Social Security in order to keep the government from being shut down?  Who’s going to blink?

President Obama has already, in my view, set himself up to be working from a position of weakness when he agreed to the 2% cut in Social Security withholdings from “155 Million Workers” paychecks.  He’s spouting the republican mantra – tax cuts create jobs.  This is more than disturbing.  It’s as if we don’t have a politician in America who’s willing to tell the people it’s time for sacrifice.  We’ve got two wars going on at the same time (which are bankrupting the nation by themselves), both of which are major BLUNDERS, and still our politicians want us to keep on keeping on – without any sense of accepting the responsibility of what our leaders are doing.  What are they afraid of?  I guess, the answer to that is the response of all the Limbaugh’s, Beck’s, and Fox “news” types out there and the money behind Citizen’s United.

No, I don’t have all the answers, but what I do know is that “trickle down” economics don’t work and have turned the “leader of the free world” into a laughing stock – I suppose America’s “empire” had to crack at some point.  In the 1930’s the “free market” nonsense was overcome by the New Deal and America became prosperous when she pulled together during the war and put aside all the “partisan bickering” which still existed up until then.  From the end of WW II until Reagan took office, America enjoyed the greatest middle class boom in the history of the world.  Since the “free market” came back into vogue, that middle class has been steadily dwindling.  Before the New Deal there was no “work week,” there were no safety nets for the unemployed and poor, there was no help for the elderly, there were no child labor laws, and Jim Crow was the rule of the land.  Democrats have fought for all these things and need to continue doing so.  Another irony:  republicans are constantly claiming “God is on our side,” while pushing policies for the “rich.”  Just tonight I was reading in in Galatians where Paul in reference to his ministry to the Gentiles, supported by “the pillars” (Peter, John, and James – verse 10) said, “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor.”  Jesus said, “What you do for the least of these, you do for me” – these republican who claim to be following Jesus are hypocrites!

I will end this by reminding anyone interested that many states in America still hold elections using electronic voting machines that have proven to be easily hacked with no means of accurately checking the results.  This was the case in Ohio in 2004, Florida in 2000, and in the primary of South Carolina’s senate race in 2010 – just to mention a few examples.  All of the companies which produce these machines are affiliated with republicans.  This is a disgrace which is, just like Iraq and Afganistan, no longer “front page news.”  I see it as part of the republican plan.  Just a couple of key states where they can assure themselves victory in 2012 will fulfill their dream of the “permanent republican majority.”  The more we allow them to be entrenched the more difficult it will be to get them out – I really think most people still are not using their imaginations as to the power of Citizens United and the FACT republicans have a stranglehold on our media and the courts (not just the Supreme Court, but the lower courts as well).  I still remember marching in the streets against Viet Nam.  It appears it’s going to come to that again.  I believe it is the responsibility of the “baby boomers” to stand up and put a halt to this corporate takeover of our nation.  Until we reverse this mentality that providing welfare for corporations is “free market economics,” the United States is headed for second class status.

Note:  I didn’t mention the impending (well, actually it’s been going on for decades – but, the intensity is going to increase dramatically) republican assault on unions – I’ll save that for another time.  But, while I’m thinking about it – here’s some republican logic.  The other day I heard a republican operative (I don’t know his name) saying that public employees unions should be broken because teachers, police officers, and firemen are making too much money and have too many benefits compared to the rest of America.  Not to give any credence to the claim – the thing that really got to me was the inference that they’ve reduced millions of people’s incomes already – but, they’re having trouble with unions – so break the unions so that we can continue to the “race to the bottom” for America’s workforce.  When I hear people like this (he was on Fox – a day when I was able to force myself to watch a few minutes) who are affiliated with the republican party I wonder when is the America public going to wake up.  Just two years after Bush/Cheney virtually had ruined the economy of this nation – not to mention our standing in the world – and American voters put these republican thugs back in charge of the tax writing House of Representatives – how STUPID are we going to get?

Are you old enough to remember when those on the “right” referred to the “New Deal” and the subsequent direction of the democratic party as “creeping socialism?”  I can still vividly remember all the naysayers complaining about Medicare, Social Security, unemployment insurance, “welfare,” and on and on as if it was to be the end of the United States of America – when, in reality, these measures led to what may end up being the high point of this great republic’s history.  I’ve been writing on this blog now for about 4+ years and slowly – as I consume book after book exposing what’s REALLY going on with my government – my conception of “what’s wrong” is becoming clearer.  The truth, as I look inward, is that I’ve been a victim of the brainwashing our government has been putting out just as the rest of Americans who watch television, listen to the radio, read the newspapers, etc.  I, personally, have never had a problem with the word socialism and have always been a bit curious as to why our “liberal media” portrays the word with such a negative connotation.  What I’m finally coming to grips with is that the multinational corporations which are slowly taking over this great nation HATE socialism because it empowers the working class of people and limits the ability of the RICH to get RICHER!  In my mind, the REAL threat to the America I’m growing old in is CREEPING FASCISM!

I know many will consider such a “claim” as being preposterous, but I believe I can back the claim up with “facts” that make it difficult to come to any other conclusion.  As I’ve watched this nation I feel so connected to slowly unravel over the past 30+ years I’ve known something is drastically wrong, I’ve never doubted that its origin is in the republican party, but I’ve struggled to manage a sense of clarity in my mind which would allow me to grasp the reality of what’s happening.  I believe that reality is finally setting in and it’s not a “pretty sight.”  The more I learn combined with reminiscing over the political observations I’ve been focused on since the 60’s are making this “reality” much, much clearer.  The first thing I needed to do in order to gain this clarity was to stop thinking that “Fascism could never happen in America – we have a democracy.”  The next thing I needed to do was understand what fascism really is – when I think of fascism I could only muster the thought of Hitler’s Germany.  Well, the definition of fascism is: “a radical and authoritarian nationalist political ideology.  Fascists seek to organize a nation according to corporatist perspectives, values, and systems, including the political system and the economy.”  I’ve read several definitions of fascism and they all come back to a collaboration between corporations and government.

Before I go any further I must remind anyone reading here about my posts regarding the book “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet.  This book chronicles a secret “cache” of fundamentalist “Christians” who have been traveling over the globe since the days of FDR organizing “cells” of business leaders and political power brokers in a right wing push to repeal the legislation of the New Deal.  These people have grown exponentially since the 30’s, they have a firm grip on legislators in both houses of our Congress, and – most significantly to me – they structured their philosophy on that of Hitler and the Third Reich!  Now, if that doesn’t get your attention, I’m not sure what will – but, I’ll keep trying.  Jim DeMint, John Ensign, Tom Coburn, John Kyl, just to name a few of the members of this group.  They are the ones behind the “National Prayer Breakfast” which draws almost EVERY US politician who wants a national “stage” each year in Washington DC.  Their immense power is totally UNKNOWN to us “little people” and they are fully intent on keeping it that way.  How significant their “tentacles” are on this “creeping fascism” I’m seeing is not clear to me – but, reading that book helped me to see that there REALLY is an organized group planning to make Karl Rove’s “permanent republican ‘majority'” a reality.  But, I digress……….

Let’s go back to the days of Ronald Reagan for starters – because, that’s where I believe this “push” managed to get into “high gear.”  When you look with 20/20 hindsight to the statistics this doesn’t seem so far fetched.  Reagan took office after the budget deficit had been reduced by Jimmy Carter around 50% during his four years as president from about $70 BILLION to $35 BILLION – I’m going strictly by memory here, but I believe those figures are pretty accurate.  Of course, Reagan’s great BS Claim was that he was going to “reduce taxes and balance the budget!”  The ONLY time I ever agreed with a Bush was when George HW Bush called Reagan’s plan “voodoo economics.”  Of course, Reagan won – with the help of the republican dirty tricksters (I don’t think we’ll ever know the full extent of what went on in that campaign because Carter was weakened by the Iran Hostage crisis – but, Reagan was too “out there” to win without some shenanigans – including the candidacy of John Anderson which drew disheartened democrats away from Carter.  As a warning to liberals – Reagan was about as much a “fringe” candidate in the 70’s as Sarah Palin is today).  Since the day Ronald Reagan moved into the White House the middle class in America has been on a down hill slide and corporate POWER has been on the RISE.  Let me lay it out for you (I’m sure there are books out there that do this much better, as I’m working from memory, but I think you’ll get the point).

First, Reagan went right after the unions.  I’ll never forget watching him, on national TV, break the PATCO Union which was the bargaining agent for the Air Traffic Controllers.  At the time Reagan took office the United States’ workforce was approximately one third unionized.  The middle class in America was thriving.  Much of what happened during the Reagan years, as I look back, was very subtle – but, when putting it all together as part of this long term “movement” which was being spearheaded by the “Family,” it was also very calculated.  For example, the union busting – those in the Family and those on the “right” during the “New Deal” HATED the unions.  Ever since the day Reagan broke the Air Traffic Controllers the percentage of our workforce that is unionized has been dwindling – and, they’re still trying to defeat those unions which still exist (I’m in one of them – the teacher’s union – and proudly so).  As of this writing, I believe the total percentage of America’s workforce which is unionized has dropped to something less than 10%!  The republican party – in conjunction with groups such as the “Family” – have convinced America’s middle class (there’s where most of the votes are) to vote against their own self interest – as unions bargain for the rights of the workers themselves – ie America’s middle class!  Then the question becomes, “how did they manage to pull this off?” Getting millions of Americans to vote against their own self interest.

Have you ever listened to Rush Limbaugh?  Sean Hannity?  Glenn Beck?  Bill O’Reilly?  Michael Savage? (Weiner) Lars Larson?  John Boehner?  Mitch McConnell?  Sarah Palin?  John McCain? any of these right wing water carriers for whomever is providing the “message?”  These people are participating in one of the greatest brainwashing schemes, in my mind, the world has ever witnessed.  I’m sure people around the world are wondering what on earth is happening to the United States of America which just 30 short years ago was the “leader of the free world.”  Well, all you have to do is listen to some of these people – for just a few moments – and FACT CHECK what they’re “spewing” and you start to get a picture of “what’s going on.”  This “brainwashing” started during the Reagan years with Limbaugh.  Since that day we’ve been hearing the term “republican talking points” and not too many people have called them (the republicans) on what that (talking points) means.  George W Bush put it best when he said he had to say things “over and over again sort of to catapult the propaganda” which is what they’ve been up to for over 30 years. 

The other day I did a little experiment.  I happened to be driving during the day and heard a conversation Thom Hartmann had with a republican regarding the impending battle over the “tax cuts for the rich.”  (Hartmann, if you don’t know, is a “progressive talker” on the radio – and, this was prior to Obama “caving” on the issue)  The other person, I never knew his name, kept using the term “uncertainty” when referring to why republicans wanted the tax cuts extended.  His claim was that corporations weren’t hiring due to the “uncertainty” of not knowing if these cuts would be extended or not (has there been a lot of hiring since they were exteneded? I’m digressing again….).  Hartmann, to his credit, saw right through the guy and called him out on the ludicrousness of his claim – but, it all made sense to me about 5 hours later.  On my way home from work that evening I tuned into a couple “conservative” talk shows and heard the term “uncertainty” in regards to why the tax cuts needed to be extended from both sources.  Once home I turned on Fox “news” (I really hate doing that) and guess what term was coming out of EVERY mouth on their channel that evening?  Yup, you’re correct, UNCERTAINTY!  That’s a small example of what the republicans have been doing since the first day they put Limbaugh on the airwaves.  In the process they’ve managed to turn the words “liberal” and “socialism” into politically incorrect terms and they’ve convinced their unsuspecting audiences that the media is truly “liberal.”

Limbaugh reportedly makes $400 MILLION per year, Beck something approaching $100 MILLION, and who knows (or cares) how much the rest of them make – we, just know that they’re well paid to give the “message” to the unsuspecting public.  So, if you’re wondering (like I did for so long) why so many good Americans continually vote against their best interests – take a look at Fox and a listen to some of these right wing blow hards who have no sense of honor whatsoever.  Should this nation vote in an autocratic, corporatist regime all these people will continue to flourish – in fact, they’ll have even more reason to participate in the propaganda “machine” because they’ve proven that their wealth is more important than their conscience.  The frustration most Americans feel regarding our political leaders is that most of them are “corporatists.”  Well, with the direction we’ve taken in the last ten years, it’s becoming more and more difficult to imagine the process which will overcome that tendency.

But wait, there’s more.  These people – due to me not knowing for sure I’m going to say they’re PROBABLY the “Family” – seemingly have a grip on more than just the republicans.  Yes, much of the deregulation which was aimed at dismantling the “New Deal” originated during the Reagan presidency, yet voting in democrats hasn’t really helped all that much.  There were things I liked about Bill Clinton and he was surely much better in many ways than any republican alternative, but the bottom line is that it was during Clinton’s “watch” that NAFTA was enacted, the Glass Steagall act was repealed, and worst than everything else (in my view) the telecommunications act of 1996 was passed.   Combining that MAJOR blunder with the propaganda scheme being put into place by Limbaugh and the republicans, Clinton had “opened the door” for about 8 or 9 RIGHT WING corporations to take over about 90% of America’s so-called “liberal media.”  Just the FACT the republicans have spent so much time convincing America’s public that the media – which they control – is “liberal” simply goes to the sophistication of their scheme.  It’s like people such as Beck and Limbaugh calling President Obama a fascist – when it is them who are espousing the fascist principles.  Unfortunately, America’s voting public is still “unsuspecting” and many – maybe even most – still think people like Beck and Limbaugh (OK, you too Lars) are actually telling the truth – when, in reality, they’re closer to being like wind up dolls which have been pre-programmed from the “source.”  I realize this is getting involved, but I’m going to continue.  (I put this in bold in case you want to bookmark and come back later :o)

So, you have this “source” (probably the “Family”) leading the republicans in their takeover of the media (America’s fourth estate – the “free press” which was designed by the founders to keep our politicians “honest”) and then combine that with a planned takeover of the courts and hopefully you can see the same trouble on the “horizon” that I do.  Make no mistake that the “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision was NO ACCIDENT!  I have no doubt what the Bush “people” had in mind when they put John Roberts and Sam Alito on the Supreme Court.  When I think back to Alito’s disgusting response to President Obama’s (accurate) prediction that “Citizens United” would open the “floodgates” to foreign corporate money influencing our elections it makes me wonder if he can even visualize the damage he’s done to this great nation.  Both Roberts and Alito directly contradicted their sworn testimony before Congress when they participated in that decision which overturned 100 + years of American campaign law (talk about your legislating from the bench!) and further empowered the corporate interests which I’m essentially claiming are taking over our government – with the help of a select few participants in and around the congress of the United States.  It was bad enough to have a Supreme Court which felt at all comfortable determining the outcome of a presidential election – especially against the clear will of the people – but, this decision was the “icing on the cake.”  If “Citizens United” doesn’t get people’s attention, whatever it’s going to take might be too late (I guess that’s why I’m still writing).

In partial summary, you should be able to see that “we the people” are facing a sophisticated propaganda “machine,” the “right wing” has garnered control of the media to the point where they’re convincing good Americans to vote against their own self interests, and the Supreme Court is tilted strongly to the “right” and has created a monstrosity in “Citizens United” which could give multinational corporations unlimited power in our future elections.  These people (whoever they are) have marginalized unions, have eliminated a large percentage of the “New Deal” regulations which prevented corporate overreach, they still HATE programs like Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, etc., and I haven’t even mentioned how they support the imperialistic and militaristic policies of the Bush doctrine and how they’ve so handsomely profited from America’s “war machine.”  Hopefully, you’re starting to get my “drift.”

Let me conclude by pointing out, from the prespective of I guess what you’d have to call the “Christian left,” the part of all this that really made it start to come together in my head was when I read about the “Family” – a fundamentalist “Christian” right wing group – who have been basing their philosophy on Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and other authoritarian figures since the demise of the Germans after WW II – and putting the name of Jesus on it.  These people call themselves Christians, but their actions go against everything I’ve learned since I committed my life to Jesus Christ.  Their idea of “free will” is them deciding on what is “free” and the rest of us going along – or else.  Instead of focusing on the poor they focus on the rich.  It’s almost as if the “poor” don’t matter.  I don’t know if you remember, but when George W Bush got the Military Commissions Act through Congress in 2006 – an act which included an attempt to end Habeas Corpus – he had the presumed “right” to determine at will that ANY American citizen was an “enemy combatant” and they could be locked up in a Guantanamo type prison presumably indefinitely.  Well, the Supreme Court did overturn the ABSURD revoking of the basic human right – Habeas Corpus – BUT not the Military Commissions Act itself.  Think about that!

It’s time to refresh you on the definition of fascism:  “a radical and authoritarian nationalist political ideology.  Fascists seek to organize a nation according to corporatist perspectives, values, and systems, including the political system and the economy.”   I believe I’ve shown that the push for the “permanent republican majority” is radical and authoritarian by inference.  To me, there is no doubt that the republicans are the vehicles for a scheme based on “corporatist perspectives, values, and systems,” and they are in the process of a long term project aimed at undermining our political system and economy.  For them, it’s all about POWER!  (and money) I always thought that it would be impossible for America to evolve into a fascist state until I looked closer at what the republican party’s been up to for the past 30+ years.  Is it too far fetched to think that Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and “The Family” could be part of a fascist conspiracy in America?  To me, the evidence strongly implies this is so!  If “We the People” continue to be complacent and take our democracy for granted, these people may very well succeed – that’s what the baby boomers who voted for the “tea party” will be leaving to their children and grandchildren!  Ughhhhh!!!

It will be interesting to see if the passing of the DADT repeal squelches all the disdain from the “left” aimed at President Obama.  To me, the next two years should be extremely interesting, if nothing else.  I took a quick peek at Paul Krugman’s blog today and got a glimpse at several issues, which are upcoming, and which continue my sense of “pause.”  Additionally, I just finished a book on the first 100 days of the Roosevelt administration during the Great Depression and it made me “long” for courageous leadership all the more.  The really interesting thing in reading that book was the parallels to what is happening today.  In my previous post I was reminded of the saying “Those who choose to ingnore history are destined to repeat it,” and repeating history is what contemporary politics feels like.  As far as President Obama is concerned, I really don’t know what to think.

 I stated in my last posting that I don’t believe I could vote for him again.  Then last evening I was pondering on the FACT that when Bill Clinton (another republican-lite democrat, in my view) left office – despite the repeal of Glass-Steagall, despite the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (which opened the door to the right wing takeover of the media), and despite the trade agreements such as NAFTA, there was a budget surplus of a quarter of a BILLION dollars/year with projections that our deficit could be wiped out in something like 10 years.  The US Supreme Court changed all that when they chose George W Bush as president in 2000.  The ensuing damage can’t be underestimated – it was HUGE!  Honestly, I’m still at a loss trying to figure out how “we the people” could allow our courts to decide who the president is – but, its now “water under the bridge.”  The question continually coming to my mind in my disenchantment with democrats is “what is the alternative?”

If you’re reading this I know you understand the Bush/Cheney “damage,” and the democratic “alternative” but, I’m going to relist some of it, just to make myself feel better and refresh my own memory as I draw out my thoughts for this evening (Plus, I firmly believe that people should be reminded of the REAL republican agenda as often as possible, because it appears to me there are a lot of Americans suffering from amnesia.  One of the things which “bugs” me the most about republicans is the right wing media either ignoring history or revising it – to the point where they’re again convincing America’s vulnerable voters that tax cuts create jobs and “deficits don’t matter”) Let’s start with the tax cuts.  Of course, this is still a raw spot for me – and, as stated in my last posting – possibly the final straw in my disappointment with Bush’s successor – whom I supported vigorously – when Obama “compromised” to extend them.  So, instead of something approaching a minimal deficit we’re looking at a MAJOR BATTLE over increasing the debt limit (in a couple of months) above FOURTEEN TRILLION DOLLARS and a possible stealth attack on Social Security! Ouchee!  And, I just have to slip this in – I believe this battle is going to lead to even more BAD “compromises” by President Obama.  Not only did the Bush administration push through massive tax cuts RIGHT OFF THE BAT after taking over the White House in 2001, but, they did it again a couple years later when Dick Cheney made one of his infamous quotes, “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.”  Somehow, ALL the republicans who went along with him then are now “singing” a different tune. (The deficit “matters” except when it comes to tax cuts!)

Of course, there’s a lot more.  Iraq and Afganistan are probably exponentially worse “sore spots” for me as I look back on the Bush administration (and now the Obama administration – if you want to try to understand why we’re probably going to be in both places indefinitely read Andrew Bacevich’s “Washington Rules” and Thomas Ricks “The Gamble”).  George W Bush envisioned himself as the “War President” – and, I believe it’s safe to say he was the WORST “War President” in the history of this great nation.  Talk about your deja vu’s all over again – that would be BOTH Iraq and Afganistan.  What’s worse for me in all of this, BOTH Bush and Cheney used their status and knowledge of the “system” to avoid service during the Viet Nam war – which was the Iraq or Afganistan of their era.  Neither one had the GUTS to fight in that war, but they didn’t hesitate to send thousands of young Americans to their deaths or dismemberment in these two senseless US adventures.  Yes, Afganistan was justified up to the point where Bush/Cheney proved that it was nothing more than a reason to invade Iraq (when they let bin Laden go) which they had been contemplating for several years prior to Bush moving into the White House.  Read Naomi Klein’s “Shock Doctrine” if you’d like to understand the twisted logic Bush/Cheney were relying on to “open the door” to their adventure in Iraq. 

Just try to imagine how different EVERYTHING in America would be right now had Bush/Cheney simply OK’d the capture of Osama bin Laden at Tora Bora within months of invading Afganistan and then bringing America’s troops home.  Of course, people like Cheney, Rumsfeld, Feith, and all the others who made HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars profiting from America’s folly in Iraq would not be too happy, but just think how much more “safe” America would be right now.  Instead, we have become the flashpoint recruiting tool of Al Qaeda and every other radical terrorist organization in the world, we empowered Iran, and we’ve basically turned the entire world against the United States.  Instead of making us more safe, Bush’s “war on terror” has made America EXTREMELY more vulnerable, is leading us toward national insolvency, and has spread our military so thin that should an actual emergency arise we could be in BIG TROUBLE.  Are we going to continue to rely on members of our armed services who’ve been deployed upwards of 7 or 8 – or more in some cases – times in the past 10 years to “keep us safe.”  Have you ever wondered how many of America’s troops – who are actively and dutifully following the orders of our GUTLESS civilian leaders – have PTSD?  I mean, how many times can you deploy to Iraq or Afgansistan without having MAJOR issues?  And, where is our so-called “liberal media” on all of this?  We hear virtually NOTHING regarding these two occupations anymore – as if they don’t exist.  Evidently, TAX CUTS are of more significance!

The saying FDR was probably most famous for was “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”  Well, the United States’ politicians have been exploiting fear for as long as I can remember, but since 9/11 – it’s been off the charts.  And, what is the result?  For starters, you’ve got the “Patriot Act” which opened the doors to surveillance abuses by Bush/Cheney et al and to Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and other rendition facilities which let to the blatant TORTURE authorized by Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and others in their administration.  I’ll never forget watching C-SPAN during the congressional testimony of John Yoo, the Bush lawyer who enabled TORTURE to be “legal,” when he responded to the question “Would burying someone alive and then digging them up be torture?” by saying, “it depends on the circumstances and whether or not they die.”  I couldn’t believe what I had heard, but after researching what was really going on in the name of my country, I realized this Yoo guy had a lot of influence on the destruction of America’s traditional values (I’m not so naive to think that the CIA hadn’t been involved in torture for years – and, I’m sure that’s the reason for the coverup of what happend at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, and elsewhere – but, just the same, it’s all “chilling”).  Somehow, I got the feeling that Bush, Cheney and the others – when learning that Khalid Sheik Mohammed was claustraphobic and afraid of bugs – felt that, after waterboarding him 183, times putting him in a “mini” sized casket filled with ants and bugs was sufficient retribution for 9/11.  So much, I guess, for the country I love, standing tall for the protection of human rights.  Bush/Cheney even went so far as to attempt a repeal of one of the most basic of human rights guarantees, Habeous Corpus. 

Bush and Cheney both admitted to warrantlessly wiretapping American citizens – and, the presumption is that it was done MANY times – but, of course, Obama in all his wisdom chose to “look forward instead of back” – so blatant felonious violations of the FISA law and our fourth amendment right to privacy have been compromised in the name of “keeping us safe.”  When Bush/Cheney were “called” on this illegal behavior they simply abused the “States Secrets Privilege” to prevent any court from investigating their wrongdoing and they lobbied congress (with Obama’s help, by the way) to indemnify the telecommunications companies who were complicit in their warrantless wiretaps.  When anyone objects to this illegal activity, those in charge (including Obama) pull out the “fear card.”  Now, we’ve gone so far as to enable Bush’s head of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, to make HIS major windfall by requiring x-ray machines at airports (of course, he’s the middleman collecting the “commission”) which will make sure you have absolutely NO secrets from the officials manning the screen.  We’ve traded our privacy for their profits based on fear – and, of course, a continued American military presence in virtually every location in the world.

I’m still angry about Dick Cheney walking away “scott free” after “outing a CIA agent.”  Presonally, I considered that one treason.  This man comes after those who “cross” him – in this case, it was the husband of a covert CIA agent – who was leading the secret investigation of Iran’s nuclear capability by the way – VICIOUSLY!  Joe Wilson (the husband) simply told the truth about a phony document claiming Sadam Hussein had purchased 500 tons of yellow cake uranium from Niger, a tiny African nation which Wilson had previously been an ambassador to and still had enough connections with to verify whether or not the claim was true (Bush/Cheney used this lie to imply Hussein had a nuclear program that endangered America – the infamous “mushroom cloud”).  The irony is that Wilson was sent to Niger at the request of someone coming from the Vice President’s office.  Evidently, they didn’t want him to make a report unless it coincided with the twisted logic Cheney was using to justify the invasion of Iraq.  The truth is that once 9/11 happened there was no way to stop the Bush/Cheney administration from invading Iraq.

The legacy of Bush/Cheney (along with Reagan and Bush the first) when it comes to the Justice Department is disgusting as well.  I’ve said this many times on this site that if the American people ever lose faith in the fairness of the Justice Department we are on our way to chaos.  During the Bush/Cheney regime new hires at the Justice Department were required to take loyalty oaths to the republican party – HIGHLY ILLEGAL – yet, never prosecuted.  Karl Rove, and others associated with the White House, were allowed to make republican propaganda presentations to various departments in our government, clear violations of law, without consequence.  Alberto Gonzales, the Attorney General himself, took the oath before congress and proceeded to perjure himself OVER and OVER again – likewise, without consequence.  Bush appointees on several occasions simply refused to answer subpoenas to congress – AGAIN with NO consequence – all of this, to me, very disgusting and undermining the premise that the United States is a “nation of laws and not men.”  This was all bad enough, but soon after President Obama took over it became clear that he also had no will to hold the lawbreakers of the Bush/Cheney administration to account for their actions – including Bush and Cheney themselves –  both of whom should have been impeached!  Obama apparently believes Nixon’s claim that “if the president does it, it must be legal.”  A GREAT hard earned victory won after Watergate was essentially thrown out the window with one CURIOUS decision by Barack Obama.

There’s more!  Getting back to my point about the Supreme Court choosing Bush/Cheney in the first place, here comes the rub as I ponder my EXTREME disappointment in President Obama.  The truth is that not all is bad – despite my disappointment in his pandering to the republican thugs – he did make two Supreme Court choices which I found extremely positive.  And, I think that when 2012 comes around, no matter how bad things are in the economy, or even if the two Bush (now Obama) wars are continuing – which I believe will be the case (I hope I’m wrong) – the difference between the Obama choices for the Supreme Court and anything a republican might choose would be strataspheric!  George W Bush chose both John Roberts and Sam Alito – and the result was “Citizens United” – in my mind, the worst Supreme Court decision of my lifetime.  If we end up with some kind of fascist corporatocracy – Citizens United will be the reason why and you can put it on the “lap” of Roberts and Alito – both of whom contradicted their confirmation testimony in making that decision.  And, there will be more nominations in the next six years – most probably for what’s left of the “liberal” side of the court.  If the republicans get a couple more “Alito’s” on that court – progressives in this country are SCREWED for a generation at least.  So, in my major disappointment with Obama – and my sense that I must keep reminding people about the misdeeds of the Bush administration so that the right wing media does not get away with “rewriting” history – practically speaking, it is likely that the only option to prevent a further deterioration of the Supreme Court in 2012 will be a vote for President Obama!

These past few days (the “lame duck” session of 2010) have been somewhat encouraging.  It actually felt as if Harry Reid was showing some spine as he forced the republicans to stay in session until they dealt with the 9/11 first responders legislation (which, in itself – their opposition to this – should render them as unworthy of governing in this nation – but, I guess, that’s a story for another evening) and the START treaty – which was equally as difficult to understand why republicans would oppose something so fundamental to our national security.  Listening to John Kyl complain about Reid “ruining his Christmas” was heartwarming to me – made me wonder if Kyl ever wonders how many Christmas’s he and his colleagues have ruined.  I hope that is a sign of things to come – I don’t really expect much in the next two years, but it would be nice to see democrats forcing the republicans to openly vote for or against policy which is supported by “we the people.”  If you remember, the “public option” had the support of 75% of the American public, but was never brought to a vote in the Senate – in my mind, the government should have STOPPED until that vote was publicly taken – let them have a real filibuster! 

I’m going to end this by saying I ABSOLUTELY don’t trust ANY republicans in congress (with the possible exception of Ron Paul – who I simply disagree with on many fronts) and, I’m nervous about Obama’s willingness to “cave”on important issues.  I see a full out attack on Social Security on the horizon (by republicans) – and, I hope to see the Harry Reid of the past couple weeks as opposed to the Harry Reid of the past two years (Reid is going to be a marked man now that the House is controlled by republicans) – otherwise this bastion of the Great American Middle Class could be in danger.  Remember, the republicans have been on a 70 year mission to dismantle the New Deal – and, they’re slowly and surely making progress.  They think much farther into the future than democrats.  I firmly believe they have their sights set on Social Security and Medicare – this tax cut deal was the most significant step in TOTALLY undermining the funding for the programs.  If the democrats don’t begin FIGHTING back in these next two years the republicans will succeed in their “mission.”  They HATE any social safety net unless it protects their big business interests.  I’ve said this many times – the real war being fought in America is right here at home and it’s for the heart and soul of this country.  I truly hope the few successes of the past two weeks don’t lull the democrats into a false sense of goodwill – because the republicans real goal still lies ahead!

In the 1970’s I considered myself a conservative independent.  I was opposed to Roe v Wade and to the deficit spending promoted by Richard Nixon.  Almost 40 years has passed and, while I still have my personal views on abortion, I keep them as my personal views.  I’ve watched the deficit over these years spiral out of control until this past week I watched President Obama sign a “tax cutting” law which puts nearly another TRILLION onto the already massive debt – with the as usual “we’ll get to this later” approach (I’m not certain even he knows what that means).  Today I read a column in the New York Times by Charles M Blow essentially calling those on the “far left” who are unhappy that Obama “caved” on tax cuts whiners” while then calling republicans “winners.”  This was further evidence to me that my conservative values are now considered the “far left” and too many in this nation have accepted the so-called “conservative” approach of these republicans (i.e. Limbaugh, Beck, Palin, Reagan, Bush, Cheney, etc.) as OK – apparently, including Mr. Blow.

He was referencing the disenchantment on the “left” with President Obama for his “compromise” over the “Bush tax cuts” (now the Obama tax cuts) in a manner suggesting that the country is only 20% “liberal.”  I get such a rush of angry thoughts in my mind when I read stuff from people who have access to the “multi-media” and claim to be spewing “facts” that it’s hard for me to keep my thoughts straight .  All of these labels people like Blow base their commentary on simply demonstrate to me how powerful the conservative media has become when even those who should see past it are sucked in.  Not only does Blow believe the disenchantment with President Obama’s decisionmaking comes from “liberals” but, I believe, so does President Obama himself. 

Here’s the question Blow poses which really got me going, “Is there a future for moderation, and especially conservatism, in the Democratic Party or is the party experiencing the beginnings of a purging akin to that seen on the right?”  Well, before I get to the next point of contention, I have to wonder what Blow means here by “conservatism.”  If we’re making a connection with the term conservative and republicans, I can’t help feel a bit of confusion over his implied connection with that term and democrats – I mean, how far to the right do these people think democrats need to move in order to make the republicans happy?  (and, why would that matter?)  Honestly, I don’t think I’m the only American who’s SICK and TIRED of a two party system which is indistinguishable!  I’m getting the distinct impression here that many, including Blow and Obama, TOTALLY misread the mandate of 2008.

But, he goes on to say, “I attribute much of this to the across-the-board, over-the-top scoffing by the ultraliberal, self-professed brains of the party. According to them, Obama must pay for abandoning his ‘progressive base.’ That’s funny because progressives, many of whom really wanted John Edwards to be the nominee in 2008, only constitute 20 percent of Democrats.”  (at least he didn’t use the republican term, “elitist” here)  Just as I felt Rahm Emanuel was talking to me when he referred to those on the “left” as “f___ing retards” I get the sense that my conservative views have evolved into “ultraliberal” from the perspective of people like Blow and he, presumably as with Obama, is lamenting the FACT that “liberals” don’t fall into lockstep with the “leader” like good republicans.

Before I go on with this let me clarify one thing.  While Blow claims the “ultraliberals” claim Obama “must pay” for abandoning his liberal base, I for one have never said that.  What I’ve been saying since the first day I recognized Obama’s actions were not nearly going to meet his rhetoric is that there will be a steep price for him to pay for abandoning his “base” in the form of rejection at the polls.  “Progressives” like myself are really tired of voting for the democratic version of a corporatist republican.  And, for Blow to suggest his “base” is only 20% of the American electorate, I believe he’s “lying with statistics” as many in positions such as his do.  However, even if he’s correct, President Obama can’t lose 20% of his “base” and expect to be reelected.  And, I have to tell you (and Mr. Blow – who, by the way, I respect for all the columns of his I’ve read in the past – and here’s a link to the one I’ve referenced here) I believe the disenchantment with “our” president goes far past any lines you might draw between “liberal” and “conservative.”

I recently finished a book titled “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet which clarified some confusion in my mind as I’ve been struggling to understand the “why” of some of the decisions made by the government of “we the people.”  And, now I’m mostly through with a book on the first 100 days of FDR’s presidency and things are getting even more clear.  Before, I go on, I believe Mr. Blow and every other “leader” in Washington and the press should read “The Family” (there’s many other books out which expose the true motivations of our “leaders” – but, that’s a good one in my view) and then consider what FDR did for the middle class of this great nation before they start jumping on the republican “bandwagon.”  The republicans have been in a continual struggle to repeal the “New Deal” since the 1930’s despite the FACT it was instrumental in creating the greatest middle class in the history of the world.  The “corporatists” have gotten richer over the years, but apparently when the people at the bottom are better off they just don’t feel right.  As I’m reading more about what is the “real” American history, I’m discovering that GREED is certainly not a new phenomenom.  But, is should be no surprise to Blow or Obama when there is a backlash against our elected officials succumbing to GREED!

I’ve said this on many occasions, but I’ll say it again in the hopes that Mr. Blow might somehow miraculously happen upon this site (I’ll continue to wish for Obama to show up as well) – President Obama would never have been elected if the public suspected he was going to be what is now being referred to as “republican-lite.”  He wasn’t elected to pardon the illegal activity of George W Bush and Dick Cheney which he summarily, apparently without conscience, did.  Not only am I certain that the U.S. WILL torture again, I’m not certain that we’re not doing so now – evidently in ways not called “waterboarding.”  Obama wasn’t elected to pander to republicans for a few scraps, he was elected to CHANGE the culture of Washington – to make a STAND against the corruption that permeates the capital of the United States of America!  You don’t have to be “ultraliberal” to have expected that!

Not only has Obama failed to address the issue of warrantless wiretapping, I believe it’s still an issue.  Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”  Well, Osama bin Laden has seemingly proved Roosevelt profetic on that one.  And, the fearmongering continues – and, I for one am sick of it.  No one in Washington seems to want to understand why the United States has become the new Soviet Union.  We just seem to keep marching along as if the present course will last forever.  That is the exact same thinking that led to the bursting of the housing bubble with the economy.  It was the “ultraliberals” (I guess, although I really do hesitate to put myself into that category) who were warning about the inevitability of the crash of 2008.  It was the “ultraliberals” who warned about the pure folly of invading Iraq and abandoning the search for bin Laden.  It’s been the “ultraliberals” leading the fight to get our troops removed from the two intractable occupations of Iraq and Afganistan which the republicans (and, apparently Obama himself) seem willing to support indefinitely.  It has been the “ultraliberals” who have been warning about the deficit spending of republicans since the days of Ronald Reagan (I started during the days of Nixon).  And, it’s been the “ultraliberals” who’ve been at the forefront of the consternation over the “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision which is apparently going to be allowed to guide this nation’s elections for the foreseeable future.

I guess what I would ask Mr. Blow if I had the chance to do so in person would be “why are you continuing to marginalize the term liberal?”  When the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, and lightweights like Lars Larsen have been busy doing this for the past 30 years.  There is an underlying conspiracy attempting to “mold” this nation into something that has rejected the philosophy of the “New Deal” – which, in reality, was the driving force behind all of the MAJOR advancements benefitting the vast majority of America’s workforce in the 2oth century.  We now have roughly the same number of unemployed Americans as there were during the Great Depression – the percentage is less due to the increased population.  Plus, we have the same arguments coming from the “right” or conservative “base” as to why government should be benefitting the “rich” at the expense of the poor and why a social “safety net” is a bad idea.  Why, then, would you be surprised at a sizeable backlash to decisions favoring republicans and those who oppose a “new” New Deal?  Are we in America going to allow our “leaders” to just continually REFUSE to learn from history? (I believe those Americans who are paying close attention to what’s “going on” are NOT stupid – they’re disgusted)

I can tell you Mr. Blow – the republicans have learned from history, and learned it well.  They’ve conspired to turn the word “liberal” into a “dirty word.”  And, people like you and our president are helping to perpetuate this scheme.  There is a well financed PUSH to turn America to the radical “right” and now people like me who were considered moderate or conservative 40 years ago are being referred to as “ultraliberals.”  I can’t even believe we’ve allowed this to happen, but reality is reality.  The other day at my work I was talking about the disappointment with Obama’s “caving” on the Bush tax cuts with a fellow worker and she asked me “what can we do?”  To those of us who are apparently “ultraliberals” it doesn’t appear that we can do much.  I will continue writing – I have children and two beautiful grandchildren who all deserve more than we apparently, as a society, want to leave them – and, I will continue working with others to push a “progressive” agenda with our government which focuses on the needs of the many over the needs of a few.  Additionally, I’ll continue to challenge those who’ve been elected to be my “leaders” to suck up the courage to FIGHT against this conservative onslaught which is best understood by reading books like “The Family.”  This conservative conspiracy has been ongoing for 70+ years and when people like Barack Obama and Charles Blow buy into it, the problem becomes magnified.

As I’m reading more about the Great Depression and thinking about my coworker’s question, I’m bracing myself for a difficult next few years.  With leaders who appear timid to challenge the corporatists – who now have the Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision which will fund their propaganda – I believe there is “rough sledding” ahead.  I’m constantly reminded, as I observe the actions of my government leaders, of the saying, “Those who choose to ignore history, are destined to repeat it.”  We’ve seen that in both Afganistan and Iraq, circa Viet Nam – and, I believe we’re seeing it with the economy.  Keep in mind, the “crash” precipitating the “Great Depression” happened in 1929 and the Hoover administration spent four years doing virtually nothing to combat the devastation felt mostly by the blue collar workforce – all the while claiming that the “free market” would “fix” the problem.  Sound familiar?  My fear is that it will take an economic crash of similar proportions to wake people up to the same kind of double talk the people of America were hearing in the 1920’s which they’re hearing again in 2010.  I’ve read book after book – written by both “liberal” and “conservative” economists which parallel what happened then with what’s happening now.  My answer to my friend was that I’m afraid nothing much will change until we have a total collapse of the economy.

The TARP bailout put a “finger in the dike” to temporarily prevent a total economic meltdown.  However, the banks are right back at the same “gambling” that created the crisis in the first place, they continue to find creative ways to funnel the wealth of this great nation into their own hands, and congress continues to be controlled by republicans – even when they’re in the minority.  Citizen’s United is designed to change that (ie republicans in the minority) and if democrats can’t even muster the courage to make a stand on tax cuts for the wealthy while in the majority – or the need to reduce the national budget deficit – then, from my vantage point, the future looks dim (how are they going to do this from a minority position?).  I believe President Obama was (and continues to be) manipulated by the military regarding Afganistan and Iraq – with not one courageous decision designed to change the course set by Bush/Cheney – and, now he’s being manipulated by the republicans in congress regarding the economy (I heard him spewing the “trickle down” line today that these tax cuts will create millions of new jobs)  which will soon be controlled by republicans in the House.  I’m just wondering how bad does it have to get before President Obama begins listening to the “base” that brought him into office?  He seems more than willing to listen to the people who continue to villify him – which is a curious matter in its own right – but, what is he going to do when republicans go after Social Security and Medicare next year as they balk at raising the “debt ceiling?”  I don’t see any sign that either President Obama or the congress has ANY will to begin slashing the military budget which has continued its steady increase in Obama’s first two years- so where are the “tea party” influenced republicans going to cut? (remember, ALL spending bills originate in the House) – is the next place Obama “caves” going to be Social Security?  The worse part of all of this is that I started recklessly predicting our next republican presidential nominee would be Jeb Bush 18 months ago – based on Obama’s actions.  With every weak-kneed decision by “my” president, I feel that is more and more likely.  Another Bush, ughhhh! (Who else do they have? – you don’t seriously think they’re stupid enough to put Palin out there, do you?  The thought simply causes me to shudder!)

My final thought:  President Obama clearly believes he can remain president by pandering to republicans in an attempt to draw independent voters to his “camp.”  I’ve said this many times, I really do hope President Obama succeeds.  I simply don’t believe he can succeed by ignoring the “liberals” who were so intently involved in his election.  He’s correct, I believe, that they will not vote for republicans under any circumstance.  I believe the miscalculation is that they will vote for him under any circumstance.  I’ve voted in every major and minor election since 1968.  At this point, there’s no way I’ll vote for President Obama again.  And, if he continues on this present course and then throws “liberals” a “bone” toward the next election – I think that will be even more offensive.  Should we ever get a strong investagative media again, I believe Obama is vulnerable on several fronts.  I’m not convinced the TORTURING is continuing – although I’ve read reports which make we wonder – but, I’m pretty sure the NSA is still, to this day, “data mining” virtually every phone call and email that goes through the high tech centers created during the Bush administration – all in the name of “keeping us safe.”  Is America going to spend the rest of my lifetime pushing an imperialistic, militaristic foreign policy and then slowly violate constitutional guarantees to free speech and privacy – again – in the name of “keeping us safe?”  To me, this feels like fascism creeping in on a slow train to Washington DC!

 I found it really interesting to be reading the Op-Ed of the New York Times and seeing Paul Krugman pointing out the folly of President Obama’s “tax deal” with Mitch McConnell and the republicans while the title of the next column by David Brooks (conservative columnist) appeared to be applauding it (I write “appeared” because I just can’t bring myself to read much of David Brooks anymore).  My first thought:  The republicans don’t have much to choose from for a presidential candidate in 2012 – maybe they could get Obama to switch parties.  Of course, I’m saying that in jest, but I’m honestly feeling that the way things are playing out, Obama will be a long shot to represent the democrats.  The disappointment with him, from the left, is reaching new heights seemingly each day.  I’ve been trying to point out the “error of his ways” for almost two years now – prefacing almost every rant with “I’m hope I’m wrong” – and, almost every prediction is proving true.  The most devastating one was that “liberals” would not vote in the previous election.  They (we) are simply tired of the “same old same old” and, that is precisely what Obama is offering – apparently unaware of this himself.

As I drive around I listen to “progressive” talk radio as much as I can tolerate it.  This past week I’ve been listening to Obama’s de facto “cheerleader” Randi Rhodes rationalizing each and every decision he’s made in an attempt to help us “liberals” “get it.”  “We have to do this or the sky will fall” – well, that’s not the exact words, but that’s the same kind of logic which has forced one bad decision out of Washington DC after another.  Personally, I’ve had enough of that kind of logic – and, in fact, coming from the people I supported in 2008 makes it all the worse.  The truth is, NO, President Obama did not need to negotiate with the “hostage takers” – ie the republicans – over extending the “Bush tax cuts for the rich.”  The line had been drawn in the sand LONG AGO over that one – and, it didn’t take more than stupidity on the democratic congress by not bringing this to a vote prior to the election and a president willing to do anything to make it look as if something’s getting done in our government – to cave in to another disastrous republican “demand.”

This nation is hemorrhaging debt at a rate that is making everyone’s head swim, yet this latest “deal” – from the republicans who based their recent retaking of the House on lowering the debt and the president who’s “debt commission” just finished their work – will add close to another TRILLION in just the next two years.  Additionally, if there’s anyone out there who think’s this “deal” doesn’t fit EXACTLY into the long range plans of the republicans, well, I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell to you.  I’ve taken only a superficial look at the published details of the “compromise” and I can see numerous “holes” from the democratic perspective and a HUGE “light at the end of the tunnel” from the perspective of the republicans.  To put it mildly, I’m not that impressed with President Obama’s long range thinking on this “deal.”

I’m a sixth grade school teacher (in my “day job”) and have learned over the years that you don’t negotiate with bullies.  And, the republican party is dominated by political bullies.  This is nothing new and the Obama administration for some reason decided that by “reaching out” to these bullies “bipartisanship” would be the order of the day in our government.  Pishaw!  Even I could figure that one out.  You don’t get bullies to “relent” through negotiation.  The American people didn’t put Barack Obama in office to negotiate with these republicans and their contemporaries, he was elected to CHANGE the entire culture of Washington.  I “get” that Obama sees that as an atmosphere of cooperation, but you don’t just get to that point by wishing for it.  You DO have to draw some lines in the sand – and President Obama has failed to do that on occasion after occasion (starting with the no investigations of Bush/Cheney which I won’t get into this time more than to say that was the first MAJOR blunder!)

I realize President Obama, along with his supporters like Rhodes, believe he’s accomplishing much in his term in office.  They will point out the stimulus bill, the health care “overhaul,” the regulations of Wall Street to name a few of the legislative accomplishments.  What they don’t understand is that the general “climate” has changed hardly at all and the republicans are still essentially running the government – despite their minority position in congress.  (all of the Obama “accomplishments were far less than they could have been had Obama chosen to fight the republicans instead of placate them – I still don’t think he understands how much support he’s lost by pandering to the GOP) 

Rhodes will tell you that the republicans can’t “govern” (and, I wouldn’t disagree with that) and that they’re simply all about “power.” (I also TOTALLY agree with that)  However, with that as a given, why are we (“liberals”) constantly standing on the “sidelines” – our support apparently being taken for granted – while “our” president is constantly kissing up to and negotiating with the “enemy.”  And, if you don’t believe the republicans are the “enemy” then you’re probably either wealthy or you’ve been listening to Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Lars Larsen, and the other propagandists from the “right.”  If President Obama can’t make a stand on the issue of tax cuts for the “rich” at this point in America’s history, when is he going to make a stand?  Additionally, I find it stupid for a president to put himself in a position where his own party is forced to vote his “compromise” down.  Why would you negotiate with the other side without consulting your own side?  He’s been assuming those who voted him in will support him since day one of this administration.  I, personally, pointed out right from the start that I’m not going to be blindly loyal.

A couple posts ago I wrote that if President Obama “caves” on the tax cuts “I’m done.”  At this point in time I certainly feel “done.”  But, at the same time I still have that hope that the president will somehow understand what is happening to him and us as he continues what I’m sure he sees as an earnest effort to move our government forward.  In the process he seems to be almost oblivious to the FACT that the publicly stated number one goal of the republicans is that President Obama be a one term president.  EVERYTHING they do is calculated to destroy his presidency – and, it appears, they are quite good at what they’re trying to accomplish.  It’s almost to me as if it’s a “men against boys” scenario developing.  I really hate to put the republicans in the “men” category there, but they will obviously do anything they can to undermine this president.  Let’s take a look at a few of the “holes,” as I see them, with Obama’s latest foopah.

Let’s take scenario number one – suppose the economy gets a bit better in the next two years.  The republicans will continue their ridiculous claim that the ONLY thing that stimulates the economy is tax cuts (I’m sure that if they take back the White House in 2012, deficits will no longer matter – AGAIN – either).  Additionally, the proposed extension of the tax cuts is for 24 months, but the unemployment extension is for 13 months and it doesn’t include the so-called 99ers – people who’ve been out of work for over two years.  So, in essence, we’re just putting off the inevitable for the more recent unemployed and our president has  accepted the demise of the 2 MILLION 99ers as of today which will grow to something approaching 4 MILLION by the end of next year.  Is the next step for the Obama administration to go along with the likes of Sharron Angle or Jim DeMint and claim that the unemployed are “lazy?”  The reality that I see is the tax cuts will ultimately be made “permanent” which is a key component of the republican long term strategy to undermine Social Security and Medicare.  I believe when it comes to these items, Obama and the democrats are always one step behind the republicans – and the republicans are DROOLING at the thought of getting their hands on the social security trust fund and TOTALLY privatizing Medicare.  I’m convinced their plan is to succeed in this before the American public figure out what they’re up to, and by then it will be too late to stop them.

Scenario number two – suppose the economy doens’t get any better or gets worse.  We’ll be listening to the republicans blasting Obama for the raging debt for the entirity of the next election cycle and the democrats won’t be able to fight back because they will have been the party in power when these tax cuts were extended – which, if you haven’t heard – will raise the debt 900 BILLION over the NEXT two years.  Once they vote in this compromise, they are no longer be the “Bush tax cuts” they become the Obama tax cuts.  And, if I understand the proposal correctly it includes a cut in payroll taxes for social security and a nice tax exemption for inheritance taxes.  Maybe in the next election we’ll have ALL the candidates arguing for more tax cuts.  Pretty soon the republican position will be no taxes at all – just have the government print whatever money it needs to function and the rest of us will fight over the scraps.

There’s more scenarios – how about this one?  Say the economy is stimulated by the extension of unemployment insurance for the next 13 months and things pick up a bit.  That will get us to the election year.  Do you really think the republicans will extend these benefits  again next year when they have the tax cuts locked in for another year after that and they can make them permanent by winning in 2012?  If the unemployment insurance is as “stimulative” as the democrats and Obama claim, then the republicans will simply allow it to expire prior to the next election year assuming that the economy will then head downward and increasing the likelihood their MAIN OBJECTIVE, Obama being a one term president, will be achieved (the republicans are counting on the “low information voters” to come through for them again on this scenario – along with the “liberal media” and Fox).  It’s as if President Obama is helping them with this scenario.

Here’s my favorite scenario.  Suppose the democrats in congress FINALLY make a principled stand on something and vote the entire mess down.  Force all the tax cuts to expire including MINE!  Force the next congress to address the needs of then MILLIONS of American middle class families who will be paying for some of the services they’re receiving now free gratus.  For example, there’s been a tiny percentage of our population fighting in Afganistan and Iraq for nearly 10 years now.  I keep driving around seeing cars with “right wing” bumper stickers all over them along with “support our troops” signs.  Do they really believe “supporting our troops” means sending them endless times into the quagmires of Iraq and Afganistan?  I honestly find myself flipping some of these people off.  “We the people” have been asked to make nary a minute of sacrifice since these “war” efforts began.  We’ve borrowed every cent spent on the “wars” and we’ve turned our backs on the wounded soldiers as they return home deja vu Viet Nam all over again.  End the tax cuts for EVERYONE – that will eliminate the argument for giving tax relief to the “rich” who don’t need it and pay for at least part of our war machine.

Maybe if we were paying for the occupations of Iraq and Afganistan the American public would  actually “support our troops” by bringing them home.  Seriously, we’re absolutely going broke as a nation, our economy is in a shambles, and yet we’re still continuing our attempt at policing the entire world.  Find me one republican who will argue for decreasing the defense budget of the United States (OK, Ron Paul is a republican :o).  Find me a republican (or democrat for that matter) who would be in favor of a miniscule tax on Wall Street transactions (like .25 cents/transaction) and I’ll show you a politician who has a rare sense of accountability when talking about acutally balancing our budget and holding those responsible for our present downturn to face up to their actions.  I suggested a gas tax once Obama took the oath of office – with the money going to repair the infrastructure of this nation which is falling apart.  It is a provable FACT that China is going to pass us by – and soon – at the rate we’re going as far as investing in and improving their nation’s infrastructure.  A gas tax would encourage people to use less gass – therefore encouraging alternative means of transportation – and no one can argue that we don’t have a pressing need to repair our bridges and roads – or build new alternative forms of transportation.  We’re even buying our sources of green energy (windmills and solar panels) from foreign nations instead of producing them ourselves.  If the government wants to provide tax incentives to business, it should be in those areas to give us a fighting chance at avoiding slippage into second class status.

There’s plenty of areas that people on the “left” can agree with the “tea party” movement – but, the “tea partiers” have chosen to align themselves with the republican party.  It will be interesting to see the clash they will have once the new congress is in session.  President Obama would be far better off letting these “Bush tax cuts,” ALL OF THEM, expire as they were originally intended and “call” the republicans on their obstructive behavior.  Get the battle underway RIGHT NOW!  Force the next congress to “show their true colors” and lets, as a nation, get on with the “pain” that is inevitable.  I feel like our president is trying to prevent us from having to experience a more severe economic downturn – but, it’s just a matter of time the way we’re going.  And, just like many of us were predicting disaster in Iraq, we were predicting disaster in the housing market (for several years once the sub-prime mortgages hit full swing), we’re predicting disaster with Social Security and Medicare if the democrats don’t wise up.  Yes, Social Security is solvent for the next 30+ years, but it could be solvent forever with a few “tweaks.” (simply raising the income level where people pay the “tax” would do the trick) Plus, Medicare should be adequately funded and available to all Americans – the sooner we get to that situation the better off we’ll all be.

If President Obama sets these republicans up to get ahold of the Social Security trust fund through this continued “caving” to their ridiculous plundering of our economy he will be remembered as a failed president – no matter what he accomplishes.  The republicans are up to NO GOOD and the sooner Obama realizes that the better off we all are.  When they talk about getting their “country back” it’s an issue of color – no doubt in my mind.  President Obama has a large contingent of “liberals” literally chomping at the bit to support him once he realizes the real war for this nation is the one “within.”  I don’t know if it’s too late for him, but I certainly hope not.  He’s allowed himself to be manipulated by the Generals (Afganistan and Iraq) and the republicans who consider him a pushover.  It grieves me to write that, but it’s time for Obama to become the leader we thought we were voting for.  And, if he decides the task is too daunting (I can see that as a possibility) then I believe he’ll be proceeding (as he has been) with a lot of “liberals” remaining on the sidelines.

I want to conclude with a final thought – In 2006 democrats were voted in to stop the Iraq war – it’s still going on, they couldn’t muster the courage.  Nancy Pelosi took “impeachment off the table” and then after the 2008 election Barack Obama chose to “look forward instead of back” ignoring the crimes Bush and Cheney should have been impeached for.  Additionally, Obama who was elected to change the “culture” of Washington DC surrounded himself by the very types of people the voters were tired of and he’s been negotiating with the “enemy” (GOP) ever since.  How can it be a surprise to anyone – let alone Obama himself and his supporters – that he’s lost the support of his “base.”  When Rahm Emanuel called me (and other liberals) “f___ing retards” I knew what lay ahead.  Now, it’s Obama himself expressing his displeasure with “liberals” as idealistic – as he negotiates away the “store” with little to NO “fight.”  None of that is what I personally voted for!  I look forward to the day when America has a leader capable of challenging her people to pull themselves together – and make the sacrifices necessary – to restore the fabric of this nation.  We can’t do that without dealing with the misdeeds of the past and we can’t do that by continuing to allow Washington to be the most corrupt national capital in the world.  Congress can’t be expected to “fix” itself without strong leadership from the White House – and, at the present time, I don’t see that happening soon.  Just the fact that people like David Brooks are showing support for Obama should help to put this all into perspective.  (you can read his article by clicking here) Brooks would have us believe the republicans are innocent and Obama’s building consensus with people who want to destroy him is mindful.  I’m sure Brooks understands the best way to ensure Obama is a one term president is to encourage him to continue on this present republican-lite path!

I remain hopeful, although my hope is “teetering” as I write, that the Obama administration will realign itself with the actual positions taken – or at least something more representative of them – during the campaign of 2008.  I believe I’m far from the only person who’s feeling a bit betrayed by the “centrist” to “right” leaning actions of Barack Obama since taking office.  Some of his actions, and the actions of his surrogates – that can only be explained from the perspective that Obama’s providing the direction – are VERY disconcerting.  I concluded my last posting by posing the question as to whether or not I’m the only one out there wondering why Eric Holder – and, by extension, Barack Obama – chose to ignore the transgressions of Bush/Cheney and other prominent republicans while then “going after” agressively Julian Assange of “Wiki Leaks.com” for disclosing information that is TRUTHFUL about the diplomatic history of the United States.

It appears that America and her allies are going after Assange with “both barrels.”  Now, I’m not suggesting that the man didn’t commit a crime in Sweden or Switzerland or wherever it’s alleged, but the coincidence of the charges and then the unified effort of the U.S. and her allies to block Assange’s site is curious at best from my perspective.  (Anybody else out in cyberspace remember Daniel Ellsburg?) I’ve only seen parts of what was published, but everything so far only confirmed information I had found elsewhere.  Before I get to my main point tonight, I believe it’s time for the American public to stop deluding themselves about their government.  And, this episode simply confirms the INTENSITY of the United States government to prevent its citizens from knowing the TRUTH about what they’ve been up to.  This is not just for the years of Bush/Cheney – this is for the past 40 – 50 years.  Again, this information is “out there” – you just have to look a bit harder to find it – the Wiki Leaks website is apparently attempting to make things easier for anyone who has come to the conclusion they want to educate themselves about the American government – and it’s relations with other nations around the world.

As I’ve been sharing the past few posts, I just finished “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet and I’m almost finished with “Washington Rules” by Andrew Bacevich plus I’ve read “Blackwater” by Jeremy Skahill and “The Shock Doctrine” by Naomi Klein – just to name of few of the books which are available for anyone who wants to get a better idea of what America’s leaders have been doing since WW II.  It is sobering to say the least.  Somehow, I had convinced myself (still pretty naive at 63+ years old) that then Senator Obama would be someone willing to take on the “Washington Rules” – my definition, not Bacevich’s – and, I’ve continually been “brought down to earth” almost since the day Obama was sworn into office.  Yes, Obama has pushed for some progressive legislation, but he has continually failed to make the changes to the political “climate” and “structure” in Washington that I had expected and which he could have done despite all the republican filibusters.  He is now on the verge of becoming a president who is considered a major failure – despite people like Randi Rhodes continually attempting to convince people of ALL the “wonderful” things he’s done.  I’m more concerned with what he’s NOT done along with his actual support of the “Washington Rules” in too many instances which will come back to haunt democrats (and the American public) potentially in the years to come.

I feel like I’ve been witnessing politicians seeking short term gain at the expense of long term stability for as long as I can remember.  Jimmy Carter made proposals which had a vision to the future and he’s still being ridiculed for that – so, maybe that is why we don’t see forward thinking from our “leaders.”  But, it seems to me that all they would have to do is take a good hard look at America’s circumstances to see that virtually ALL phases of our government are “out of whack.”  So, why then would we continue to depend on the same group of people for solutions when they’ve proven incapable of anything more than protecting their own self interests?  I use the “Wiki Leaks” example because I believe it gives a clear view of how skewed our government has become. 

One of the “promises” Obama made which resonated with me was the “promise” of transparency.  I’m not even sure if the president himself understands at this point how “betrayed” the public feels about that one.  (This is the kind of issue that people like Rhodes – and presumably the president’s supporters inside the White House – just don’t “get”)  The secret negotiations and “backroom deals” during the health care debate really undercut the president’s position on transparency – not to mention his weak negotiating skills which led to the premature abandonment of the “public option.”   We’re hearing the same kind of paranoia about “leaks” we heard during the Bush years and now this “panic” over exposed documents which do nothing more than tell the truth about diplomatic relations among nations the US is affiliated with.  And, don’t get me wrong here – because, I don’t know even close to the full extent of these disclosures – but when I read the other day how the administration is worried about people who could be put in danger or how the United States’ “prestige” in the world was being damaged and how bad that is – I couldn’t help but think about the issues where Obama and Holder chose to ignore issues that, in my view, suprecede the Wiki Leaks exponentially.  This it true American Hypocrisy at its best.

I’ve been over this many times on this site, but “here we go again.”  If America’s prestige around the world and the safety of those representing our interests is so important, then why was there NO INVESTIGATIONS and PROSECUTIONS where warranted regarding Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Gonzales/Rove/Addington/Yoo/Bybee/Feith and the others involved in the criminal activity during the eight long years of the George W Bush administration?  More recently, why was Eric Cantor allowed to VIOLATE the Logan Act – committing what to me was an act of TREASON – by undercutting Obama’s adminstration in any future negotiations with Israel – a CLEAR FELONY?  I couldn’t understand any of that at the time – and I do feel BETRAYED by Barack Obama in all of this and I feel “we the people” have been terribly WEAKENED by Obama’s apparently thoughtless (or gutless?) decision on these matters – but, then to take such an interest in Assange.  Again, how hypocritical will we get?  I’m not saying Assange shouldn’t be prosecuted, I’m just wondering what this does to our system of justice to set an example that prosecuting criminal behavior through subjective decisionmaking as to who commits the crime is done at the whim of the White House.  Think about that.  To me, the LONG TERM effect of that kind of precedent will far outweigh the effect of many of the BLUNDEROUS decisions of George W Bush and Dick Cheney.  And Barack Obama’s timid response to the alleged crimes of the Bush/Cheney regime is what re-energized the republicans in the first place.  How bad was that response?  I started predicting over two years ago that the republicans will be, thanks to GW’s pardon, considering the nomination of another Bush (Jeb) in 2012 – and, the way Obama’s going about his job, the public may be willing to accept that – UGHHH!

What should have happened?  Well, let’s for the sake of brevity accept that stopping Assange is appropriate (although, I’m in favor of the American people knowing what their government is doing and I’m in no way taking a position on that) – there is no doubt in my mind that Obama and Holder essentially PARDONING George W Bush, Dick Cheney, and all the others who participated in criminal behavior – ARROGANTLY – while Bush/Cheney “reigned” did all the damage and then some that Obama, Holder, Clinton, and the others in Obama’s adminstration seem to want to “pin” on the “Wiki Leaks” people.  I don’t see how anyone could claim that WikiLeaks has damaged the prestige of the United States more than Bush/Cheney circa 2001-2008.  It’s not just that our president and vice president at the time ADMITTED on national TV that they authorized TORTURE (and, they’ve since repeated their “confessions” several times and BOTH of them said they’d do it again!  Therefore, do you really think that if a republican wins the White House in 2012 that America will not torture – simply because Barack Obama said we won’t TORTURE anymore?  PLLLEEEAAAASE!) it’s that there’s a WHOLE BUNCH more!!!

I’ll get off the TORTURE part of my rant after reminding you that (don’t believe me, read “The Ballad of Abu Ghraib”) so-called “enemy combatants” – not convicted of anything – were MURDERED at Abu Ghraib and at GITMO.  There is documented evidence to support murders at each facility and that’s not to mention what went on at all the “rendition” “outlets” the U.S. had around the world – where the TORTURING could be done by our “allies.”  Then there’s the multiple reports of “enemy combatants” herded into enclosed vans in Afganistan – with the U.S. paying a “ransom” for the “intelligence” used to justify the capture – and carting the prisoners to various “rendition” sites in vehicles with no air vents while the temperature outside was in the triple digits – leaving scores of these “enemy combatants” DEAD ON ARRIVAL from suffocation.  None of this deplorable stuff managed to find the front pages of our “liberal media” because, evidently the American government is still trying to brainwash her public into believing we have high moral standards when it comes to human rights!

Of course, the two “occupations” which are still raging on after almost 10 years for Afganistan and 8 years for Iraq have managed to work their way to the back pages of our “liberal media” because evidently two DISASTROUS military blunders which are bankrupting our nation and STILL leading to death and severe mental and physical damage to our troops – while OBVIOUSLY putting our nation at risk with an OVER BURDENED military – don’t seem to be of much interest to Obama/Holder either.  That is – there’s no interest in the DISHONEST manner in which BOTH military adventures were prosecuted and the fraud committed by the “contractors” and their “no bid” contracts.  President Obama doesn’t like anyone to compare either occupation to Viet Nam – I say you can make a strong case that BOTH of them are similar to Viet Nam – maybe even worse.  Has this not damaged our prestige FAR greater than anything WikiLeaks might do?  Are Obama and Holder trying to ensure the American public don’t find out the TRUTH about these two FIASCOS?  It seems to me that the actions of Obama and Holder in this matter are hurting American prestige more than WikiLeaks ever could as well.

Then the suggestion was made that the information divulged by WikiLeaks created danger for certain Americans (and associates) doing foreign duty.  Well, let me remind you that Dick Cheney (more than likely with the full knowledge – and possibly consent of GW) outed a covert CIA agent who was, ironically, charged (in her job) with gaining secret information on the capability of the Iranians to build a nuclear weapon.  Her husband had written an Op-Ed for the New York Times exposing the Bush/Cheney LIE that Saddam Hussein had obtained 500 tons of yellow cake uranium from Niger in Africa – the claim which led to the famous statement by GW Bush in the State of the Union address, “The British Government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa” followed by Condoleeza Rice saying, “The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly Saddam can acquire nuclear weapons.  But we don’t want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud” – leading the American public to infer that Iraq was a nuclear threat to the United States.  Valerie Plame Wilson’s husband Joe, a former ambassador to Niger (and former republican), traveled to Niger and proved the document Bush/Cheney used to support their claim was a forgery.  In response to Wilson’s “outing” their LIE Cheney and company decided to “out” Plame (Wilson) – who had a network of associates set up around the world for the purpose of gathering information about Iran’s nuclear program.  We have no idea how many CIA operatives were put in danger from Plame (Wilson) becoming a public figure but, I think you can see that Obama/Holder chose to “look the other way” for this transgression and are NOW agressively pursuing Assange.  I really do find that curious.

There’s more!  The Bush administration routinely REFUSED to answer subpoenas issued by Congress, they blocked court proceedings through abuse of the “States Secrets privilege,” they TOTALLY politicized the Justice Department – going so far as to require a loyalty oath to the republican party for new hires (that’s clearly illegal – not to mention the long term damage to the nation having partisan U.S. attorneys), and they targeted political “foes” with fabricated prosecutions.  Karl Rove even managed to prevent a political opponent in Alabama, Don Siegelman, from running for re-election as governor by having political cronies prosecute him on trumped up charges where he actually was jailed (that is a whole story on its own merits – google seigelman if you’re interested).  This country will not stand if the Justice Department loses credibility with the public (which is why I’m so disappointed in Holder).  There should have been investigations of Rove, Alberto Gonzales (do you remember him LYING profusely before Congress with nary a whimper once Holder took over the department – despite Gonzales committing unquestioned PERJURY)

How about all the illegal warrantless wiretapping?  Now we’re talking about felonius violations of Americans’ constitutional rights.  The FISA law was put into place after the actions of the last OVERTLY criminal republican administration of Richard Nixon.  It took a lot of work to get that law in place and it was a comforting thought that my government couldn’t “eavesdrop” on the conversations of her citizens without “probable cause” and a warrant.  George W Bush/Dick Cheney very ARROGANTLY changed all that – and, by their INACTIONS once in office Barack Obama and Eric Holder essentially endorsed the lawbreaking.  In fact, my first “red flag” with Obama was when he voted for the Telecoms in the FISA legislation during the campaign – after he had already defeated Hillary Clinton, so it was too late for people like me to change our votes – despite his speeches which I felt were contrary to that vote.  I actually wrote an extended letter to him at the time and got a reponse that “guaranteed” he would “fix” the legislation once in office.  I’m honestly not convinced to this day that Obama’s NSA is not doing the same “data mining” Bush’s was – knowingly and condoning it.

We have private armies in various places around the world randomly killing civilians while on America’s payroll, 29 miners in West Virginia and 11 Oil Rig workers in the Gulf of Mexico are dead due to lax oversight from federal agencies during the Bush/Cheney reign – and, we’re going after Assange for exposing our government for what it apparently is.  If you put all of this together, I hope you can agree that the Obama administration needs to get its head on straight.  This continual lack of gumption in regard to leadership and the chasm between republicans and democrats is leading America into an abiss.  Whether those of us on the left like it or not, we are depending on Barack Obama to lead the fight against the corporate takeover of our government backed by the republican party.  In my mind, Obama and Holder should be prosecuting Bush/Cheney et al instead of Julian Assange.  It was the Bush administration which damaged the prestige of America and put many lives at risk.  Isn’t it about time we, as Americans, stopped allowing our government to find scapegoats for the TRUTH about their actions?