The potentially damning report from Robert Mueller regarding the behavior of our so-called president, individual 1, is set to come out tomorrow. The “liberal media” (along with, I’m sure, outlets like Fox “news” – ie “Trump TV”) are teetering on the edge of their collective seats wondering “what’s in the report” and how much will Attorney General Barr “HIDE?” It’s been reported members of the present and past “White House” are “anxious” about whether or not they will be identified as “telling the truth” to Mueller – and, thereby, drawing the ire of individual 1 who will then begin referring to them as “rats.” Then there’s individual 1 himself who apparently – despite declaring himself fully exonerated based on the “summary” of the report issued by Attorney General Barr (who, by the way, seems to be volunteering for a very dark place in American history as individual 1’s “Roy Cohn”) – feels uneasy himself resulting in, according to his TV attorney Rudy (I have no conscience) Giuliani, a 35 page counter report to what is expected to come from Mueller.

Kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it? The FACT individual 1’s sycophants are preparing a counter to Mueller’s report. To me that suggests they either know something “we the people” don’t know, or they’ve been debriefing those who have given testimony to Mueller, or worse yet – Barr has given them a preview of either what’s in the report or the report itself. Regardless, it’s easy to surmise individual 1 is preparing his venomous response to the report and anyone who may have had the audacity to tell Mueller the truth.

Of course, that’s one thing individual 1 has absolutely NO connection to – the TRUTH. I’ve grown tired of watching the cable “news” on TV and so don’t watch it much, but last night I succumbed to the temptation and watched Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC’s “Last Word.” As most people know there are many in the news business keeping track of “ALL” of individual 1’s LIES and, according to O’Donnell yesterday, in the New York Times, there was an article about ALL of individual 1’s LIES about 9/11 – and, there are many, including his incredulous LIE that he saw “thousands of Muslims cheering as the Twin Towers came down.” What the Times missed, according to O’Donnell, was the most egregious LIE he’s told about 9/11 and maybe the most egregious of ALL his THOUSANDS of LIES.

During the campaign individual 1 claimed on two occasions (and, I actually remember this and remember O’Donnell, at the time, calling individual 1 out on these DISGUSTING LIES) that he lost “a couple hundred friends” as the Twin Towers came down – saying this in a debate in front of the entire nation – this was the first time he LIED about his personal connection to 9/11. O’Donnell correctly pointed out he was LYING so the next time he LIED he modified is and said “I lost many, many friends” in the 9/11 tragedy – again with O’Donnell on MSNBC pointing out this was another egregious LIE. According to last night’s show on MSNBC individual 1 has not repeated that LIE again, but O’Donnell’s point was that the New York Times didn’t include what O’Donnell believes is the WORST LIE of them all. O’Donnell pointed out individual 1 was not seen at ANY of the post 9/11 memorial services and, then he added, individual 1 likely doesn’t have “many, many friends. Who knows, but the LIES were during the campaign and unfortunately, the other candidates didn’t have what it takes to call him on all the LYING. (individual 1 actually got away with “labeling” Ted Cruz as “Lying Ted.” Wow!)

As we all wait for the Mueller report I keep thinking we shouldn’t have to wait for it to get individual 1 out of office and into the courtrooms where he belongs – investigating his questionable business which is likely as corrupt as his so-called administration. These two LIES were used in the campaign to make his unsuspecting voters believe individual 1 has some sense of loss from 9/11 – only because it came up during one of the “debates” and he simply showed his willingness to LIE under any circumstances – believing his supporters don’t care. (and, maybe they don’t) This all just reminded me that he paid hush money to keep his alleged illicit affairs from coming out right before the election and right after the “Access Hollywood” tape – and, in the court documents where he became an “unindicted co-conspirator” to Michael Cohen’s conviction for the hush money scheme, it was said “the scheme was ‘to affect the outcome of the election.'” To me, that in itself should be impeachable behavior. (Imagine republicans had this been President Obama paying off women to affect the outcome of an election)

Then, there’s all the Russia stuff. Whether Mueller found enough evidence to connect individual 1 or his sycophants directly with the Russians, I personally don’t need that. Starting with his “request” for the Russians to “find the missing emails” and progressing to his strange behavior in regards to Vladimir Putin – I don’t need to see any more than I’ve already seen. And, of course, we know individual 1’s campaign was “willing” to get the help of the Russians based on the now infamous “June 9, 2016 meeting in Trump Tower” (or should I say individual 1 Tower?) whether that rose to the level of provable “conspiracy” doesn’t matter to me when it comes to impeachment because, of course, we KNOW individual 1 dictated the LYING memo attempting to HIDE the reality of the meeting. If that’s not OBSTRUCTION it’s certainly LYING directly to the American people – I don’t believe impeachment requires a provable CRIME. And, of course, individual 1’s disgusting behavior at the “summit” in Helsinki where he literally threw our intelligence community “under the bus” as he chose to “take Putin’s word for it” when Putin denied the Russians interfered in the election. To me, that may have been the most disgusting performance of ANY American president in history! That alone was impeachable from my perspective!

And, whether or not William Barr believes a president can commit obstruction, I believe individual 1 committed “obstruction in plain sight” repeatedly during the nearly two years of the investigation. As one of his sycophants in the House said one day, “If you’re innocent, act like it.” Well, of course, individual 1 has NEVER acted like an “innocent man” on one day since he took the OATH to “defend the constitution” – an oath, of course, we all know means absolutely NOTHING to him. Again, I personally don’t need William Barr to decide for me whether or not I believe individual 1 OBSTRUCTED the Mueller investigation. He was busy doing everything he could to OBSTRUCT and undermine whatever the final report says from day one. Again, for me, whether it rose to a level of criminal behavior or not, (I believe it did) it was behavior that should NEVER come from someone in the office of president of the United States. I believe the House of Representatives has an obligation to begin an IMPEACHMENT investigation – and, in that investigation the ENTIRE Mueller report should be made public.

And, witness tampering? OMG! I remember thinking individual 1 was acting like the head of a mafia family well over a year ago – but, when he referred to Michael Cohen as a “rat,” and then, in a Fox “news” interview said, “I don’t like flippers, flipping should be illegal.” All I could think of, at the time, was “Are you kidding me?” There’s the proof – the guys a mafia boss. I’ve read numerous books which have suggested individual 1 is in deep with the Russian Mafiya and that he regularly did business in New York with the mafia. Of course, that isn’t mentioned much by our “liberal media” but maybe that’s why so many people in Washington D.C. seem to be afraid of individual 1. And, finally, he’s got his “Roy Cohn” in William Barr. (Barr is an example of why it’s so important for democrats to re-take control of the Senate and for “we the people” somehow to urge the good people of Kentucky to vote Mitch McConnell into the history books – even people in Kentucky must be smart enough to figure out the damage McConnell is doing to our great nation)

Barr is using legal “double speak” in order to prevent “we the people” from seeing much of the report – we know this ahead of time – because he COULD avoid redacting the Grand Jury material simply by going before a judge and getting permission to give that information to the public along with whatever he chooses to “expose.” Granted there are “ongoing investigations” which should be protected, but Barr SHOULD publish as MUCH of the report as he possibly can. Obviously – and, remember the report is not out so I’m making a prediction – he’s going to HIDE as much of the report as he possibly can. At he bare minimum “we the people” should see the entire summaries written by Mueller in regard to the various sections of the report.

Here’s the reality for “we the people.” The 2020 election NOW becomes the MOST important election – certainly in my lifetime and possibly – EVER. Yes, I said the 2018 election was the most important election of my lifetime and it was – and, I’ve been thanking God ever since because “we the people” would be “screwed” had the democrats not retaken the House in that election. Sadly, as I predicted before the election, they (democrats) will likely avoid the “noise” an impeachment inquiry would create, so 2020 NOW becomes historically important. Individual 1 pictures himself as the American version of Vladimir Putin and it’s up to “we the people” to say “Not in my house!”

Over the course of the past 2+ years I’ve stated more than once I don’t (and didn’t) need the Mueller report to believe individual 1 SHOULD be impeached. My only hesitation has always been that Mike Pense is what’s “on deck.” Pense has proven himself to be a disgusting sycophant who seems willing to overlook much of what SHOULD repulse him if he’s truly a Christian. Just the LYING should be something which disgusts him, but the other behavior? Yikes! And, for years I’ve pointed out my reluctance to have faith in the democrats to do what’s right and not be defined by the direction of the “wind.” They don’t appear to have the nerve to initiate an impeachment inquiry – which, I believe, would allow ALL of the Mueller report to be made public.

Final Thought: It will take a dysfunctional democratic party to come up with a candidate who can defeat individual 1 in the 2020 election. To me, it’s kind of embarrassing the number of democrats who are lining up to take him on. And, I’ll likely have much to say about the process of finding the right candidate in due time – so far, I’ve only ruled ONE of them out. Kirsten Gillibrand was the senator who ran Al Franken from the Senate – there’s no way I will support her in the unlikely event she would be the nominee. I respect the “Me too” movement and agree that women have been treated badly over the years – but, when someone is accused of something as Franken was, he/she should have the ability to defend themselves. You can’t just automatically take the “word” of accusers in today’s political climate. Many of them have an agenda – as likely is the case recently with Joe Biden. When women are saying they didn’t like the way someone hugged them, that should not be considered sexual harassment. Just express that something makes you uncomfortable and men like Biden and Franken would apologize and change their habits. And, the picture of Franken, at the time a comedian, which was publicized, to me, was blown way out of proportion by people like Gillibrand. I’m just sayin………..

I keep pondering my thoughts in regard to the “Mueller Investigation” and Attorney General Barr’s apparent attempt to keep as much of it as possible from the public and, so far, haven’t gotten past the point of “I want to see and read it.” Apparently, Barr’s so-called “memo” has drawn the ire of members of Mueller’s team who had “lock jaw” in regard to “leaks” for the entire time of the investigation. It appears the “leaking” has started, apparently in an attempt to let Mr. Barr know he won’t be able to hide the report for much longer. Of course, the 2018 election was the “firewall” for “we the people” because I actually TRUST the democrats in the House to MAKE SURE “we the people” get to see the report – whether it vindicates individual 1 or not. Before jumping to conclusions, remember the reality is that, all along, it was correctly reported Mueller would honor the Justice Department guidelines “a sitting president can NOT be indicted.”

So, Mueller indicting individual 1 – despite the Southern District of New York identifying him as an “unindicted co-conspirator” to Michael Cohen’s hush money scheme to hide individual 1’s alleged illicit affairs from the voters just prior to the 2016 election – very possibly allowing him to “win” (With nearly 3 MILLION fewer votes than his opponent – a girl) – was never a possibility. If you can’t tell, for me, it doesn’t much matter what’s in Mueller’s report, although I definitely want to read it, because individual 1 has proven himself “impeachable” on so many other accounts which would not be in Mueller’s report that I just long for the day when “we the people” are spared from another day calling him our so-called president. (Be it the hush money scheme, the Russian interference on his behalf, or James Comey’s inexplicable announcement 11 days before the election – individual 1 will ALWAYS be considered an illegitimate so-called president)

That all being said, what has motivated me to write today is just watching individual 1 continue to act as if the laws of this land do not apply to him. He just fired his Director of Homeland Security (and, by the way, “good riddance”) because he’s blaming her for the “crisis at the border.” He’s ordering all sorts of illegal actions by his surrogates in regard to his obsession with demeaning immigrants – people fleeing violence, famine, and who knows what else – from Central and South American countries which are sadly riddled with turmoil. He’s ordering the border closed, he’s ordering people to refuse to honor the rights of legitimate asylum seekers, and it appears he’s determined to restart his disgusting and shameful “child separation” policy. This is a policy “we the people” are being FORCED to be a part of and, in my view, we’re OBLIGATED to OBJECT in any way possible.

That brings me to my thought for the day. Individual 1 reminds me of the sixth grade students I taught for the last third of my working life. They pushed their “boundaries” until they were taught where the limits were – what I used to say to the younger teachers was the students were expecting us (teachers) to teach them what was OK and what was not OK. In individual 1’s case it’s clear the republicans in Congress will tolerate his lawbreaking no matter what and he ignores the laws which are SUPPOSED to set the “boundaries.” And, of course, his personal “attorney general,” William Barr, is proving to be another in the long line of republican enablers allowing individual 1 to continue thumbing his nose at our legal system.

Barr is appearing to be willing to allow himself a dark place in the American history books right next to individual 1 and Benedict Arnold. Today, aside from his blocking “we the people” from seeing the Mueller report, Barr “added on” by confirming his willingness to see the Affordable Care Act overturned in the courts. (Theoretically, as the Attorney General, he should be ordering the Justice Department to defend the Act as it is the LAW, but he sounded today as if he was talking to “Fox and Friends” in his response to questioning about why he’s taking the side of the plaintiffs in the judicial attack against the law – with MILLIONS’ health insurance at risk)

The question then becomes: is there a point where the democrats say “enough already” and publicly let “we the people” understand they “get” the gravity of the attack on our nation by the “right wing” of the republican party? They need to let us understand the presidential (and, that of his republican sycophants) lawbreaking is unacceptable and will be met with appropriate accountability and they SHOULD open an impeachment inquiry without concern for whether the Senate would “convict” or not. I believe individual 1 will continue his arrogant abuse of our legal system until he’s STOPPED and held accountable. So, if he can’t be indicted, the ONLY apparent remedy for his pushing the limits of every law he doesn’t like is IMPEACHMENT!

One thing which was apparent with the BULLIES who happened into the sixth grade (very similar to individual 1) was they needed to be “hit back” to get them to stop. In individual 1’s case, the “hit” needs to come from our Justice system – whether it be via Congress and their obligation for oversight and impeachment proceedings – and from “we the people” in an increased push for the “resistance” making it clear November of 2020 will be a bad month for individual 1 with a clear understanding there will be no “pardon” for him once “out the door.” For example, it needs to be clear the charges awaiting him in the SDNY will be charges he’ll have the right to defend himself from – likely, along with other charges as well, including, by some accounts a RICO charge.

Individual 1 has been crowing as if he’s been totally exonerated since the day Mr. Barr sent out his now infamous “memo” – the one where he made the “executive decision” to clear individual 1 of OBSTRUCTION charges. Of course, “we the people” watched OBSTRUCTION in “plain sight” all the way through the investigation and, as I stated above, we’ve all been aware of Mueller’s intention to honor the Justice Department memo restricting an indictment of a sitting president. So, we have a president making even MORE absurd comments in regard to the report, we have an attorney general appearing to be willing to BLOCK substantial amounts of the report, and we’ve even got Vladimir Putin chiming in that the report was a sham. (Of course, that should EVEN piss off the republicans if they hadn’t completely lost their connection to their oaths of office and, the more I think about it, their MINDS.)

Democrats MUST do whatever it takes to get this report made public and, in my view, Robert Mueller has an obligation to speak out. There were NO leaks during the time of the report, but the report has been concluded and the American people NEED to see the FULL report. Certainly, at a minimum, the Congress SHOULD see the entire report and from what I’ve heard there’s absolutely NO justification for Barr to keep the unredacted report from Congress. We started seeing Mueller’s underlings “leaking” last week after seeing Barr’s summary and feeling as if he was “spinning” the report inappropriately. Of course, after watching individual 1 over the previous few years, none of this should be surprising.

What is surprising to me is the complicity in the republican party. We’ve been watching the republican party “tilt” farther and farther to the “right” over the previous 40 years and they’ve had a “mission” to create what was referred to be Karl Rove as the “permanent republican ‘majority.'” They had the makings of it in 2000 with Bush/Cheney and they screwed up in a plethora of ways – not the least of which were the fiascos in Iraq and Afghanistan along with the bludgeoning of the economy culminating in the “great recession.” However, these republicans just wont go away – as the saying goes – they keep coming back like a bad…………. (fill in the blanks) and, they latched on to the RACIST “tea party” as a backlash to our first Black president, leading to individual 1 as their “leader.”

I certainly felt even the republican party had enough morality to distance themselves from individual 1, but, while most of my predictions on this site have borne out, that one, well, I missed it badly. If you remember, after the Access Hollywood tape was made public one republican “leader” after another claimed they wanted nothing to do with individual 1. But, true to form, they virtually ALL proved themselves to be all about the power and not at ALL about their so-called “family values.” In fact, as the last two years have unfolded, I’ve come to believe individual 1 is the PERFECT “leader” for these republicans. He has ABSOLUTELY no moral compass, when his lips are moving he’s LYING, and he appears to have no conscience – so, for republicans who care about nothing except gaining and KEEPING power individual 1 is the perfect occupant of the “White House.”

While I clearly remember my frustration in watching GW Bush and Dick Cheney arrogantly breaking laws I’ve almost come to the point where I actually miss them. Individual 1 makes even Dick Cheney look like an amateur when it comes to arrogance toward the laws and his disregard and disgust of the constitution. Clearly individual 1 is an autocrat wannabee and he’s worthy of the disgust of Americans who have any respect for our nation’s laws, her history, the “norms” which have been established over the previous 200+ years, our fundamental institutions, our media, our intelligence community, and, essentially, the basic beliefs which have “made America great.” The most shocking part of all this is the willingness of the republican party to say “this is OK.”

With the help of right wing media outlets like Fox “news” and Breitbart MILLIONS of Americans have been brainwashed into, essentially, supporting people who would turn America into something resembling Russia – and, we’re getting closer every time republicans do another “tax cut for the rich” and individual 1 gets away with breaking another law. In essence there’s now a bunch of “oligarchs” in America and then the rest of us. Thankfully, many of us in the “middle Class” still have a decent “standard of life” – but, the group at the bottom is widening as the wealth of the country accumulates into the “hands” of a few at the “top.” My father was in the military in WW II and I’m a “baby boomer” so I had a bit of a connection to the aftermath of the war and I experienced Viet Nam during my high school and college years. (I tried to enlist in the Marine PLC in 1967 only to “flunk” my physical) My point is I can remember many people in the 50’s and 60’s having a “we” mentality and a sense of patriotism which emanated from this sense of “community.” We were proud of how Americans came together to stop the Nazi’s in WW II.

The transition of America to a “me” society began, in my view during the 70’s and was put on the “front page” during the Reagan years. That’s when shareholders became more important than workers and when the republican party figured out they could pilfer TRILLIONS from American taxpayers in the guise of “trickle down” economics. America is now $20+ TRILLION in debt and MOST of it comes as the result of republican tax scams which started with Reagan and became totally OBSCENE with Bush/Cheney and now individual 1. Just as individual 1’s OBSTRUCTION has been in “plain sight,” this pilfering of American taxpayers has been in plain sight. The American people are OBLIGATED to stand up against this unprecedented power grab and vote individual 1 and his republican sycophants OUT of office! The necessity of voting individual 1 (and his republican sycophants) out of office is the ACTUAL requirement to “make America great again!”

Final Thought: I “finished” this post after William Barr’s first day of testimony before the House and prior to his (disgusting) testimony in front of the Senate. It became clear today that individual 1 has successfully put his own lawyer officially in charge of America’s legal system. I think listening to some of Barr’s comments today almost made me throw up. As I’ve said for years, this version of the republican party needs to be voted into the history books. The BRAZEN arrogance is almost beyond belief. Today, Barr exposed himself as an individual 1 sycophant as opposed to the nation’s number one defender of the constitution. He even made one (very strange) response to a question about the opioid crisis by making a seemingly un-solicited “call” for the “WALL” individual 1 is willing to upend our constitution over. Barr showed himself to be willing to put himself into, as I stated above, the most SHAMEFUL parts of future American history books.

“We the people” are being given a front row seat to individual 1’s demonstration of how a mafia boss works – and, showing us why it’s so important that our investigative bodies are allowed to do their jobs. Today, Barr seemed to imply he’s “on the team” with individual 1, Giuliani, Fox “news,” the so-called “Freedom Caucus” in the House, and other right wing media outlets in an attempt to undermine the credibility of our Justice Department. Just as individual 1 has put people in charge of other departments with the apparent objective of destroying them, so, it appears, he’s found a willing – again – sycophant, in Barr to cause as many people in America to believe any investigation of our so-called president is a “witch hunt.”

Today, individual 1 gave a demonstration of “projection” for the ages when he made accusations toward members of the FBI which MIRROR his own actions, almost to a tee! He used words like treason and coup d’ etat in describing the actions of the FBI – after being energized by the reckless words of Barr. Stay tuned! I’ve said many times before, this is a WAR for the HEART and SOUL of America and it’s NEVER been more clear than today!

I don’t even know where to start these days. “We the people” have a so-called president who’s such a LIAR that every day it’s another embarrassment. Of course, no matter the subject we’re going to hear “no collusion, no collusion.” Of course, there was “collusion” (treason) with, at a minimum, some members of individual 1’s campaign because we KNOW individual 1 Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Mannafort ALL met with a group of Russians who were unambiguously offering “incriminating evidence” on Hillary Clinton directly from the Russian government. Just the meeting was “collusion” and, in fact, when offered this “evidence” individual 1 Jr. replied, “If it’s what you say, I love it.” Of course, anyone without their head in the sand KNOWS individual 1 KNEW about this meeting, and, in fact, announced just prior to it that he would have this “incriminating evidence” (or words to that affect) in a “major speech Maybe Monday.”

I keep listening to pundits pondering which democrat could beat individual 1 in 2020. Every time I hear that I have to wonder who thinks “we the people” are completely stupid MORE, the pundits or individual 1 himself. When 56% of Americans, in the polls I’ve seen, say there’s NO WAY they would EVER vote for individual 1 you have to believe there’s a significant group of people either in individual 1’s campaign OR pundits on TV who believe the democrats can screw up anything. Maybe they’re counting on someone like Howard Schultz to massage their own ego to the tune of pulling enough “centrist” voters away from the democrats to allow individual 1’s 35% of the population who are faithful to be enough.

And, of course, anyone who’s paid the slightest attention to politics in America over the past 40 years knows that republicans will do anything to win an election and they’ll be busy “behind the scenes” on the 2020 election just as they have in EVERY election I can remember going back to Richard Nixon (with the possible exception of Gerald Ford in 1976. Then, there’s the issue of democrats. As I’ve said many times on this site over the years (and verbally before I started writing) democrats have proven to be unable to actually defend their own beliefs – if the “political winds” are blowing in the wrong direction. This is why many, including myself, have complained about democrats needing a spine.

Of course, the republicans, under individual 1, have made the democrats look like Ninja Warriors in the courage category – but, the reality we face is the democrats WILL NOT show courage in the face of a classically CORRUPT so-called president and republicans will continue to cower at the threat of a nasty tweet. I’m reading lots of books and I’m thinking maybe I should be reading about how “empires” fall. It appears completely possible to me that a Congress full of tepid legislators could be the undoing of America’s reign as the world’s major “super power.” Vladimir Putin is succeeding in “plain sight” – and, our so-called “liberal media” seems oblivious to what is going on – not just in America, but all across Europe. It’s almost as if people have forgotten what our fathers and grandfathers (and mothers) fought for in WW II.

Maybe worse yet, now that the Mueller report has been given to the Justice Department and individual 1’s Attorney General is doing whatever he can to make sure “we the people” don’t see anymore of it than what he wishes us to see. The result of the Attorney General’s “4 page summary” has been individual 1 giving “we the people” another MASSIVE “tweet storm” claiming “total exoneration” and continuing with the “no collusion, no obstruction” propaganda scheme. Of course, if you were paying attention you KNOW there was a credible case for a charge of OBSTRUCTION – it was OBSTRUCTION in broad daylight.

Can you imagine republicans putting up with the level of OBSTRUCTION openly spoken, tweeted, etc. by individual 1 had it come from Barack Obama? The republicans have backed themselves into the “I’m afraid of individual 1” corner which is likely to have a lasting effect on the republican party. But, as they say, “Only in America” – it’s also likely the democrats will shy away from their constitutional duty to “oversee” the executive when the executive is out of control. Yes, I do understand Nancy Pelosi’s “point” that without “bipartisan” agreement on the “high crimes and misdemeanors” of individual 1, well, impeachment will only be an exercise in the House – and, due to political expediency they (democrats) aren’t going there.

Yes, this is just like back in 2006 – in fact, I even heard Pelosi herself just a week or so ago make the parallel – democrats were elected in 2006 to end the Iraq fiasco and to hold GW Bush and Dick Cheney accountable for TORTURE – and they chose political expediency. That will likely be the case again. Democrats fear turning individual 1 into some kind of martyr figure prior to the 2020 election and I’m with them on feeling the IMPORTANCE of getting individual 1 out of office as soon as possible. The DAMAGE is mounting! And, Fast!

So, here’s the reality. Individual 1 will be our so-called president until (at least) January 20, 2021. No matter what we find in the Mueller report, once we actually are allowed to read it, I don’t see a scenario where republicans will vote to convict individual 1 should democrats “grow a pair” and actually hold impeachment hearings. At the bare minimum, there should be investigations into whether individual 1 SHOULD or should not be impeached – and, the hearings SHOULD be public. Individual 1 is an autocrat wannabee and republicans seem to be perfectly fine with that. In fact, all around the country, republicans are supporting “local” legislation aimed at suppressing the vote and blocking the free press among other “autocratic” agenda items today’s republican party are “OK” with.

I’m presently reading “One Nation After Trump” by EJ Dionne, Norman Ornstein, and Thomas Mann, and they make a strong attempt to identify individual 1’s “base” and to parse the data as to who on earth voted for the guy and why. Of course, in the book, they didn’t mention much as to the effect of the “Russian invasion” on those who chose to vote for individual 1, but the reality is there was a lot of LYING going on in the 2016 election – which is the NORM for republicans. Actually, maybe that is why individual 1 is so popular among those who continue to publicly proclaim they are republicans – he’s an incredibly arrogant LIAR!

One thing I found very interesting in the book was how the authors explained the effect of the so-called “tea party” on the republican party. They were careful to avoid the “broad brush” when describing the “tea party” but they also refused to ignore the REALITY that the “tea party” was the result of a black person (Obama) being elected to be our president. So, (this is my thought) when those “tea partiers” were proclaiming “we want our country back” – well, you know what they were really saying, don’t you. They really didn’t like having a president who was NOT white. And, while Dionne, Ornstein, and Mann only implied this, the “tea party” and the racists who made it up were the people who “catapulted” individual 1 toward the “White House.”

I bring this up because there’s really no chance those who are left standing in the republican party would EVER vote to convict individual 1 of ANYTHING while he’s still our so-called president. So, I “get” where Pelosi is coming from, but I also don’t have much confidence in the democratic party to actually coalesce around defeating him in 2020. It should be obvious to anyone who might read these words that it bothers me so many American politicians are afraid of a “would be” tyrant who’s managed to LIE and CHEAT himself into the “White House.”

Here’s the encouraging sign. There are some newcomers to Congress on the democratic side who don’t appear to be afraid to call themselves LIBERALS and who take their oath very seriously. Of course, it remains to be seen what a year or two in Washington DC will do to them and whether or not they can fight the urge to succumb to the trappings of CORRUPTION every member must deal with who ends up in our national legislature. Some of these young “newbies” have already ruffled a few “feathers” and I hope they keep “ruffling.”

I’m really tired of listening to individual 1 proclaiming he was “exonerated” by the Mueller report – my friend who is an avid support of his is now proclaiming the same thing – “we the people” need to see the entire report – unredacted. While there may not have been evidence of “collusion” I have to believe there was a mountain of other evidence which will not look good for our so-called president. Individual 1 is completely UNFIT to hold the highest office in the land and we’re seeing first hand the lasting DAMAGE which can be inflicted on “we the people” by a so-called president who uses his mafia boss instincts to lead our nation.

Aside from the obvious, having a morally CORRUPT person as our so-called president (and, by the way, in the book I mentioned, the authors have an interesting section on how the evangelical “Christian” community has embraced this “deplorable” person – a man who regularly violates virtually every core belief one would think they [should] have – but, ?) is leading to DAMAGE in so many other ways – ways “we the people” may not be aware of for years. It’s like he’s leading America off a cliff and too many Americans are willingly following! It’s become increasingly dangerous and it’s going to get more so – trust me, individual 1 is NO “commander in chief” and, it’s just a matter of time until he’s tested on the “world stage.”

Final Thought: Individual 1’s test may be fast approaching. I thought I heard, today that the Russians are putting troops into Venezuela to help prop up the failing government there!? This could get really dangerous and prime evidence Vladimir Putin has his sights set on a resurgent Russia. He’s put the right man into the “White House” to help him achieve his goal – all in plain sight as “we the people” sit by and helplessly watch.

There’s ample evidence “out there” for me to believe the Russian government is basically an organized crime syndicate with their “tentacles” slowly spreading around the globe. They are using “invisible” tools (cyber) to undermine their adversaries and is should be interesting to see how this venture into “the Americas” will sit with the individual 1 supporters. I can say this for certain, had this happened while Obama was president, republicans would have come unglued. Here’s another “test” to see how much courage they can muster.

Seems like an apology every time I write – sorry for publishing without editing first! (If you can’t tell, I write off the top of my head)

Here’s reality – when you find yourself constantly claiming, “I’m not a white supremacist” – well, you’re a white supremacist. When you find yourself constantly being forced to claim, “I’m not a racist,” well – you’re a racist. When you choose to claim “I’ve got the military, the police, and the ‘bikers for individual 1,’ and if something happens to me it will be very bad” as a way to gin up the right wing whack jobs and then one of them shoots up a couple mosques, well, you shouldn’t be surprised at the white supremacist questions – especially if you’re the so-called president of the United States. And, if you’ve been paying attention to individual 1 for any length of time you shouldn’t be surprised as he downplays the effect of the rise in domestic terrorists – including the whack job in Christchurch New Zealand who recently MURDERED 50 Muslims – while they were at Friday prayers – and who claimed allegiance to individual 1’s persona.

The question MILLIONS of Americans keep asking themselves (well, I keep asking myself this and I assume there are MILLIONS more asking themselves the same question) is when will the republican party decide enough already. Nancy Pelosi couldn’t have made it any clearer. Until the republicans “grow a pair” getting rid of individual 1 is “off the table.” And, sadly, she’s absolutely correct – despite the fact individual 1 SHOULD be impeached. There’s MORE than enough evidence in the public realm for the House of Representatives to impeach individual 1. Impeachment comes because of the so-called president committing “high crimes and misdemeanors.” But, sadly, we all know the republicans in the Senate don’t have the courage to follow through and convict him of what SHOULD be considered “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Let’s face it, there’s at least TWO felonies on the “books” already – which, apparently, for republicans aren’t “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Can you imagine if President Obama had been credibly accused of two felonies while he was in office? (Especially hiding an affair with a porn star?) Would republicans have been guilty of “lock jaw?” I seriously doubt it. And, it appears the first two FELONIES may be minor compared to what’s on the “horizon.” Let’s face it, individual 1 has been claiming the Mueller investigation is a “witch hunt” for a very particular reason. He certainly KNOWS what is going to be found. The investigation has now morphed into investigations by the Southern District of New York (where the first two felonies originated) and who knows where else. It appears the Mueller investigation may end up being the least of individual 1’s problems.

And, it seems likely his problems very well could morph into issues for his family. For starters, we KNOW both individual 1 Jr. and Jared Kushner were willing to “collude” with the Russians to get what many have referred to as “dirt” on Hillary Clinton AND, based on what I’ve read, many believe Junior LIED to Congress during testimony. Of course, that shouldn’t be surprising because the “first family” appear to have no compunction to LYING! On top of that, now we’re hearing about both Kushner and his wife, the so-called president’s daughter, have been using – brace yourself (and think “lock her up”) private email servers to transmit government “business.” Kushner, apparently, has been communicating with Mohammad bin Salmon (MBS) via something called “What’s App.” From what I’ve heard is this “App” is used by people who want to encrypt their communication, and, in Kushner’s case, HIDE his communications from “we the people.” Of course, Kushner and his wife, along with everyone else who works for the “White House” are “duty bound” to “commemorate” EVERY communication they have with ANYONE – for the government record.

I just finished reading “Threat” by Andrew McCabe (highly recommended) which, for the most part is a memoir of his career as an FBI agent. However, as might be expected, there was no way McCabe was not going to mention some of what individual 1 “aimed” at him (and his wife) and what the consequence of having a pathological LIAR as the “leader” of our nation is. McCabe explains how the Special Counsel investigation began – and, for the most part – it appears he was responsible for the “Mueller probe.” I suppose, in McCabe’s mind, that would be a fair response, coming from him, to the so-called president’s incredible attacks on him and many other career members of the FBI. As I’ve intimated before, the destruction of the intelligence community seems to be one of the main objectives of individual 1.

For me, reading books like McCabe’s, (and Comey’s) gets me beyond the frustration of witnessing an incompetent, boorish, narcissistic so-called president to being progressively more angry. I’ve written OVER and OVER again about the DAMAGE being done to America by individual 1 and I’ve predicted his place in history will be right next to Benedict Arnold. But, sadly, there’s a large swath of America who are OK with a criminal “running” our country. (or should I say “ruining?”) Of course, there’s a LARGER swath of Americans who have committed to NOT EVER voting for individual 1. The question, for me, is will the democrats find a way to “snatch defeat from the arms of victory?”

This is the challenge of my (our) lifetime when it comes to OUR government. The republicans are facing extinction if they continue to enable this mafia boss so-called president who is doing everything he can to upend the fundamental values of America. People who call themselves “conservatives” are supporting a man who is anything but a “conservative. I just started reading “One Nation After Trump” by E.J. Dionne Jr., Norman J. Ornstein, and Thomas E. Mann and they remind us of how the original “conservative” Edmund Burke defined “conservatism” as: “A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve.” As someone who believes in traditional American “values” – while understanding “the need to improve” – I’ve often considered myself a “conservative” – although, by most people, I’m a “flaming liberal.” However, it’s individual 1’s destruction of our traditional institutions and our relationship with our traditional allies which bothers (angers) me more than anything else. Individual 1 is NO conservative and he’s NO “Christian” and republicans are committed to going “down with the ship.”

Then there’s the democrats. I’ve been pointing out for years that the issue I have with democrats is they don’t have the “spine” to defend their own basic values. For example, even though I understand why Nancy Pelosi, at least for the time being, took impeachment “off the table,” I also understand I’m not the only American looking for “leaders” who aren’t afraid to do “the right thing” without regard to the political “winds.” From a pragmatic point of view, Ms. Pelosi is “right on.” But, just as George W Bush and Dick Cheney essentially got away with being WAR CRIMINALS because the authorized TORTURE, it appears individual 1 will, at least temporarily, get away with “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Individual 1 has been busy preparing the republican “base” not to believe a word in the Mueller report (unless, of course, if it vindicates him – prediction, if that happens, Mueller will again be a hero) and, clearly, no matter what is in Mueller’s report, if republicans haven’t had enough, the democrats will not move to impeach our so-called president. Politically pragmatic, honorably disgusting!

Unfortunately, America is full of people who seem almost illiterate when it comes to the United States government. It’s almost as if something like 40% of Americans are willing to accept pathological LYING and behavior that is embarrassing when you look at how it’s viewed internationally. It’s as if there’s a large swath of Americans who believe “we the people” are invulnerable and don’t understand what the potential consequences of our European allies deciding we’ve gone off the “deep end” causing them to unite in ways that end up isolating the U.S. Of course, it’s very likely that is exactly what individual 1 would want. I believe he sees an alliance of the U.S. with Russia as “the way to go.” In my mind, a person would have to have their head “in the sand” to fail to see individual 1’s bromance with Vladimir Putin. And, of course, it’s likely because of Putin that individual 1 is in the “White House.”

I know several people who are supporters, still, of individual 1 – despite KNOWING he’s an unindicted co-conspirator to TWO felonies – and they are “Christians.” When I talk to them I always come away thinking two things which cause them to blindly follow him – first, they ALWAYS watch Fox “news.” Secondly, while they don’t like to believe this themselves, I believe the abortion issue causes them to be republicans. They believe democrats willingly support ANY abortion, even when the fetus is already alive. I have to admit I don’t know what they’re talking about, but I always question how they can support a myriad of republican policies because of a single issue – with much of their argument based on, it appears to me, maybe comments by some individual or some conspiracy theory. And, trust me, there are many “liberals” like myself, who understand what an abortion is. As I tell my friends, I would NEVER be a part of that (except for the life of the mother, rape, incest, and the usual exceptions) personally, but I don’t feel I have the right to impose my beliefs on someone else. That actually feels a bit libertarian to me, but my libertarian friends have no problem imposing their beliefs on others when it comes to this issue.

And, when I bring up the FACT republicans are constantly fighting “tooth and nail” to take federal support away from single Moms, child health care, early childhood education, food stamps, and on and on these supporters of individual 1 have no cogent response. This is bad, but, obviously, it gets worse. They support people stockpiling weapons and huge piles of ammo – the weapons used in one mass shooting after another – often causing tragic consequences to children in our schools (most recently, the tragedies are happening in places of worship). Much of this behavior is OK with the people, for example, carrying the tiki torches at Charlottesville. I don’t consider them “very fine people,” and the reality is Hillary Clinton was correct when she (foolishly – from a political standpoint) referred to them as the “deplorables.” Many of them are threatening violence if anything happens to individual 1.

I could go on for page upon page about the hypocrisy of the republicans who support this so-called president, but you get the idea. As far as I’m concerned, no matter what comes out on the “Mueller report,” individual 1 is NOT fit to be the president of the United States. Personally, again – no matter what Mueller finds – I believe the issue with the Russian interference in our system is ongoing. Vladimir Putin is quietly attempting to undermine EVERY Western “democracy” in order to re-constitute the “former Soviet Union.” Putin is using America’s open society against us in a way that is attempting to tear this nation apart. Putin not only recognizes the cultural divide in America but he’s expertly, very surreptitiously, exposing it. And, of course, at the very least, our so-called president is doing NOTHING to prevent this. In fact, it appears to me, the continuation of the Russian assault on our republic is part of the re-election plans of individual 1.

Final Thought: Keep in mind, it is his re-election that would possibly keep individual 1 out of jail. The issue at the Southern District of New York will be waiting for “individual 1” when he returns to Manhattan if it is within the time limits of the CRIMES he’s the unindicted co-conspirator on regarding to paying off women in order to influence the 2016 election. There will always be an asterisk next to individual 1’s name as the 45th president of the United States. As I’ve been finishing this post the Mueller report was finished and “handed off” to the Attorney General. The next week should be interesting.

As usual, my apologies for publishing without editing. Remember, I was a sixth grade teacher :o). Like many others, I’m anxious to hear what Mueller found in his investigation.

I just happened to be watching MSNBC when Judge Ellis in the Eastern District of Virginia gave Paul Mannafort an extremely light sentence in regard to ALL the charges he was convicted of by the prosecutors representing the Special Counsel. In the process, this judge actually said about Mannafort that other than these crimes (almost as if they are minor crimes) he has led a “blameless life.” Of course, many beside myself have already pointed out how absurd that comment by the judge was. This is the judge who, essentially, berated the prosecutors for even bringing charges against Mannafort suggesting the ONLY reason they did so was to get to individual 1. Of course, neither Mannafort nor individual 1 are “blameless” and their “crimes” may end up being among the WORST in the history of the United States of America.

Mannafort’s sentence is a prime example of why republicans like individual 1. He’s packing the courts with judges comporting the same mindset of Judge Ellis – apparently seeing SERIOUS white collar crime as minor crimes and feeling comfortable attacking prosecutors who go “by the book.” Mannafort’s lawyers, after the verdict, made the comment “there’s no ‘collusion’ from Mr. Mannafort” – of course, that despite Mannafort’s participation in the June 9, 2016 meeting in “individual 1” Tower where, along with Donald individual 1 Jr. and Jared Kushner Mannafort “colluded” with Russians in an attempt to get “dirt” on Hillary Clinton. Obviously, the comment from Mannafort’s lawyer was a plea for a pardon which seemed to be their “strategy” from the start.

If “we the people” had not already recognized the threat to the very foundation of America’s representative democracy coming from individual 1 this should be an eye opener. For example, as several former prosecutors pointed out, had Mannafort been brown or black and been convicted of selling some drugs he very likely would have received the recommended sentencing guidelines from this judge. And, really, for the judge to suggest Mannafort – who’s a THUG at best – when you learn what he was doing in places around the world, including Ukraine, along with the gravity of his STEALING from the American people (tax fraud) – is, other than these charges blameless, you have to wonder what’s going on behind the scenes with this judge. $$$??? Clearly, the swamp is not being drained!

And, for the judge to suggest “their was no collusion” – if, in fact he did, is absurd on it’s face as I pointed out above. Clearly, the individual 1 campaign had no compunction about getting help from the Russians. The question, really, is how much help did they get? At some point in time, “we the people” will find the answer to that question. I just hope I’m still breathing and able to comprehend information at that point. Sadly, our government has a tendency to “bury” some “stuff” into the archives for years after a president leaves office. (Subsequent to my starting this post I’ve learned it was in individual 1’s imagination that the judge said there was “no collusion” with Russia. Despite individual 1 claiming the judge exonerated him, it’s just another LIE to put on the pile of LIES he’s spoken since taking office.)

Some of individual 1’s “stuff” is going to be eye opening if it makes it to the public. Robert Mueller’s investigation may or may not conclude individual 1 conspired with the Russians in order to get himself “elected” (albeit with 3 MILLION less votes than Mrs. Clinton) but there’s likely to be a large pile of provable illegal activity by individual 1 and the organization he heads (and, I’m not talking about “running” America). The new Attorney General is likely to attempt keeping Mueller’s findings “under wrap” which, I believe, democrats in the House will find a way to get the findings out to the public. Additionally, the investigations in New York are likely, by most accounts from the “experts,” where the greatest danger lies for individual 1 (he’s already an unindicted co-conspirator to TWO felonies in the SDNY – Southern District of New York).

Regardless, most people who think as I do believe we’re already way past the point where our so-called president has committed a plethora of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” However, just as I had predicted (check the archives if you don’t believe me) the democrats are going to look the other way – unless IMPEACHMENT becomes a “no brainer.” Today, Nancy Pelosi, who I believe is a good Speaker (I never agree on everything with anyone), said, essentially, “impeachment is off the table” unless it’s so obvious that “it’s bipartisan.” She, as I have referred to in my previous posts even equated what’s happening right now to 2006 when people like myself wanted Bush/Cheney impeached for authorizing TORTURE. Most pundits don’t remember the level of outcry from those of us who aren’t’ afraid to call ourselves “liberals” in 2006. But, essentially, the democrats said the same thing, “if there’s not enough republicans to ‘convict’ in the Senate, they ‘why impeach?'”

Of course, the way I see it, if a so-called president has committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” the House of Representatives SHOULD, at a minimum, have a public investigation in regards to ALL the evidence of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” If the president has committed impeachable offenses, in my view, EVERY member of the House has taken an OATH to investigate and IMPEACH him/her – regardless of what will happen in the Senate. Clearly, Ms. Pelosi is concerned that impeaching individual 1 will inflame his “base” and make it more difficult to defeat him in 2020. I believe she is badly miscalculating “we the people” just as democrats did in 2006. I’ve said MANY times on this site – the challenge for democrats is to demonstrate they actually believe in the fundamental values they claim as their basic beliefs. If individual 1’s actions don’t violate their beliefs to the point of considering them “high crimes and misdemeanors” then “we the people” are truly in a bad way.

What Ms. Pelosi fully understands is the nature of individual 1’s “base.” If you watched those “very fine people” carrying tiki torches, wearing Nazi arm bands, holding both Nazi and Confederate flags and chanting things like “Jews will not replace us” at Charlottesville you then have a good idea of individual 1’s “base.” If you remember, none other than David Duke, after the Charlottesville incident, making it clear they were very appreciative of individual 1’s “very kind words,” you clearly know why the Speaker may be hesitant. Ms. Pelosi knows these people are very quietly, for those of us who don’t frequent their alt right websites, threatening “civil war” if individual 1 is impeached and they’re armed to the “hilt.” On that front, I certainly feel much better having Bob Barr in charge of the Justice Department instead of Jeff Sessions, but, the reality is there will likely be a violent reaction should individual 1 find his term in the “White House” shortened. And, many are suggesting this would include if he’s voted out in 2020.

Michael Cohen isn’t the only person I’ve heard suggesting individual 1 won’t willingly “move out” once he’s voted out. Of course, that very well may be because he’s likely to be facing, at a minimum TWO indictments for FELONIES relating to campaign finance violations – although, it appears to me the list of infractions is likely to grow like a chia pet grows hair between now and then. Of course, the likelihood his children will be facing legal issues as well grows by the day. For example, individual 1 Jr., by most accounts, is facing perjury charges based on his testimony to a couple Congressional committees. Plus if the individual 1organization is going to face “RICO” charges, as many contend, the “children” are in deep “doo doo.”

Of course, Pelosi isn’t alone in suggesting individual 1 “isn’t worth it” – in regard to the divisiveness impeachment would create. If you read James Comey’s book he almost suggests impeachment would be a “cop out” – that “we the people” put him in office (of course, that’s debatable – especially coming from Comey and his now infamous announcement about the Clinton emails 11 days prior to the election) and it’s up to us to VOTE him out of office. I have no doubt we will VOTE him out of office if he’s still in office two years from now, but it’s also important to re-establish that NO ONE is above the law.

I thought that was established during Watergate, but Reagan was let off the “hook” after Iran/Contra (as was George HW Bush) AND George W Bush AND Dick Cheney authorized WAR CRIMES (torture) and were allowed to walk away with NO consequences. (That’s without even mentioning LYING “we the people” into an ILLEGAL war, or TANKING our economy, among other issues) I always faulted President Obama for blocking ALL the investigations into the illegal activity of Bush/Cheney. (although, as I do with Pelosi, I like President Obama)

Nancy Pelosi is the necessary LEADER of the democratic party in the House of Representatives because she is a wily, experienced politician at a time when that is desperately needed – to offset the republican party that has no moral compass. That being said, there’s something very exciting happening. The “freshman” class of legislatures in the House democratic caucus are looking more and more to me to be an amazing group – despite all the right wing venom aimed at Rep. Ilhan Omar and the others not afraid to speak their minds – this group of young democrats are not afraid to actually sound like, well, democrats.

Yes, some of them will be facing issues (like Ms. Omar) because of the right wing’s ability to twist words in ways that continue the fear mongering which has been the republican “calling card” since the day Newt Gingrich decided the way for republicans to succeed was to OBSTRUCT, LIE, and cause the government to flounder – then blame the resulting quagmire on democrats. They’ve been doing this for over 30 years. However, several of these young democrats have shown me they aren’t afraid of the right wing fear mongering and they believe in their fundamental values enough to actually FIGHT for them. For example, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is more than willing to “throw” the right wing “fear” right back in their faces! These young democrats, in my view, are not going to back down when it comes to what I’ve referred to as the struggle for the heart and soul of America!

Final Thought: The more I see of Ms. Ocasio-Cortez the more I believe she’s going to be a “force” in the Congress for the foreseeable future. There’s another young lady who’s impressed me and her name is Katy Porter. Here’s the way I see it – and, keep in mind I’m 71 and have been following politics since the days of Dwight Eisenhower – I was a supporter of Robert Kennedy back in 1968 – the “men” have proven themselves to be unworthy of the honor of leading this nation in more situations than not – keep in mind, since Jimmy Carter Barack Obama is the ONLY president not facing a major scandal. (individual 1 is a scandal a day) 2018 has been described as the “year of the woman” and, if Ocasio-Cortez and Porter are examples of what is to come, I’m all for it. These women are impressive and it appears to me they’re not in Washington DC to “salt their own wagon” or are susceptible to the corruption which has permeated our Nation’s capital since the 1970’s – exacerbated by the Citizen’s United SCOTUS decision in 2010. I truly hope I’m correct!

“Liar, Liar, pants on fire,” that’s how Michael Cohen was described by one of the republicans on the House Oversight Committee while virtually every one of the rest of them found various ways to point out Mr. Cohen lied to Congress and, therefore, is a convicted LIAR. (Reminded me of the story in the Bible where Jesus says “let the man with no sin throw the first stone” when confronted with the woman accused of adultery) Not withstanding the integrity of these self serving republicans who stained themselves incredibly in their barrage of attacks on Mr. Cohen, presumably because there was no defense of what he was alleging in regards to individual 1. What stood out to me was, apparently, there is no defense. Otherwise, at least one of them would have said at least one sentence to defend individual 1, but, instead, it was all “liar, liar, pants on fire.” I found it somewhat similar to how they soiled themselves over Benghazi.

So, today, our “scandal of the day” (and, I’m not kidding) is how individual 1, Jared Kushner, Kushner’s wife Ivanka Trump, and Kushner’s lawyer Abbe Lowell ALL lied about how Mr. Kushner got his security clearance. Individual 1 apparently over-ruled those who determine if someone is “fit” to receive America’s top secrets – you know, the “secrets” republicans were so concerned about when Hillary Clinton had an email server in her basement – because Kushner was determined to be a security risk – for some reason. Curiously, all those mentioned above, felt the need to LIE about this, even though individual 1 clearly has the “power” to do this. In fact, individual 1 even LIED about whether or not he knew he had this authority, even after he had already exercised it, according to all the reports I’ve read. I have to wonder if this is worse than Cohen LYING to Congress on behalf of individual 1 over a hotel project in Russia?

Should be interesting to listen to how Jim Jordan and all his minions respond to this. When someone like Kushner was recommended to be denied a security clearance by, even, the CIA, there’s got to be a serious problem. I’ve had a bad feeling about Mr. Kushner from day one of this so-called administration simply because this is classic nepotism. And, Ivanka a “senior advisor?” Are you kidding me? No one should be surprised at the incredible incompetence emanating from the “White House.”

Why is this a serious issue? Well, there’s much “out there” suggesting Kushner’s relationship with MBS (Mohammad bin Salman), for example, that suggests many ugly possibilities of how these two conspire in very ugly ways with significant tragic outcomes being the result. Of course, there’s Jamal Khashoggi meeting up with MBS’s bone saw and there’s the issue with Qatar (which, by the way, I believe at some point will be another “scandal of the day” when the truth about how the Qatari sovereign investment fund bailed out the Kushners at 666 Fifth Avenue) There are many other questions regarding Kushner family interests, financially, with foreign entities.

My point is there apparently are very good reasons Kushner was denied his security clearance and NO good reasons why individual 1, Kushner himself, Ivanka, and Abbe Lowell – Kushner’s attorney – are all LYING about it. But, of course, individual 1 LIES routinely about virtually EVERYTHING. That’s why it was so interesting watching all the republicans in the House Oversight Committee, and I mean EVERY one of them, attacking Cohen as a LIAR as their defense of individual 1. Not ONCE, did I hear one of them actually defend individual 1’s actions. What’s that phrase I used to hear on ESPN? COME ON MAN! Have they not seen the “running stats” that individual 1 has, up to this point in time, LIED something approaching 10,000 times – and piles on LIES at the rate of multiples of 10 each day!

As I’ve said many times, “we the people” are dealing with an “individual” who acts just like a mob boss as our so-called president. Every day there’s another layer to the PILE of scandals which SHOULD have put Mike Pense into the “White House” long ago. And, trust me, I’m not longing for the days where Pense has become our so-called president. Pense, from how I understand conspiracy, should be lawyered up as we all wait for Robert Mueller’s report. Pense has shown himself to be a willing stooge for individual 1 in a way that shows himself to have NO moral compass. I don’t believe, for example, that Michael Flynn “lied to the vice president.” To me, it’s absurd to think Flynn was offering sanction relief to the Russians without the knowledge of individual 1 and his so-called vice president. Additionally, as one example, Pense clearly participated in the cover-up of the reason why James Comey was fired. By my understanding of the law, each person who was read into the real reason and then helped cover it up is susceptible to being part of the conspiracy.

Pense is just one of many who, it seems, find themselves in a mess they likely didn’t anticipate when thinking about working at the “White House.” Democrats, on Monday of this week, sent letters to 81 individuals or groups seeking documents in a very focused plan to find out whether or not individual 1 should be impeached. Republicans chose to work to HIDE any wrongdoing by the administration during individual 1’s first two years in office and the democrats have a lot of ground to make up. Clearly, individual 1 will be shouting to the rooftops to cause his “base” to continue to believe this is a “witch hunt.” When he was making his first comments in reaction to these requests (which he’s likely to fight) we heard again, “there was no collusion, this is a witch hunt, it’s a disgrace.” Well, from my position, the DISGRACE is that “we the people” have a purported mob boss as our so-called president.

The sad reality is that one area where individual 1 was likely correct was when he said, “I could be walking down Fifth Avenue in New York and shoot someone and my supporters wouldn’t care.” Despite all that is clear (although if you allow yourself to watch Fox “news” you have no idea what’s really happened) many of individual 1’s supporters continue to support him. Many are filling out their tax forms, as I’m writing this, and discovering he LIED to them about the tax scam – and, they don’t care. Many have seen his promises about the trade deficit were foolhardy – and they don’t care. He’s an unindicted co-conspirator in two felonies – and, they don’t care. He’s LIED over 9000 times, often right to their faces – and, they don’t care. He’s shamed himself in the presence of both Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong un (just picture how republicans would have responded had President Obama done that) – and, they don’t care. I”m still wondering if they’ll care should it be proven he did conspire with the Russians to get elected. That will tell us a lot about America. Remember, many of those “very fine people” carrying tiki torches at Charlottesville were wearing Nazi armbands and chanting “Jews will not replace us.” NOTHING will cause them to “bail” from supporting individual 1.

I could go on and on, but the reality is that republicans care only about maintaining power and they actually like a “leader” who brazenly LIES in order to keep the “minions” in place. The incompetence doesn’t matter, the DAMAGE, both domestically and abroad, doesn’t matter – it’s all about maintaining power and appointing as many right wing judges as he can before he’s voted out of office in 2020. I have a good friend who’s a die hard individual 1 supporter and he’s already predicting individual 1 will pick one more Supreme Court Justice because he, and, apparently, those on the “right,” are hoping for Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death (or retirement). Mr friend, for what it’s worth, is very confident Judge Ginsburg’s seat on the bench is going to be “available” while individual 1 is still in office. Here’s going to be the irony which will really cause the “left” to go bonkers. Picture, if my friend is correct, Mitch McConnell, in individual 1’s final year in office, if a Supreme Court seat comes open – do you really believe he’ll keep that seat open as he did in Barack Obama’s final year? The court would be much different had Merrick Garland been confirmed, wouldn’t it? And, republicans wouldn’t like it.

Here’s the bottom line. Individual 1 is NOT going to stop LYING – I don’t think he’s capable of telling the truth. Michael Cohen’s testimony opened up several new areas where even more investigations will likely be opened – investigations into individual 1’s financial impropriety. Some reports suggest Mueller’s report is imminent, but, regardless, the investigations in the House are just beginning. One thing you can count on is that the democrats in the House of Representatives are going to get individual 1’s transgressions into the open. People like republican Devin Nunes, when he controlled the House Intelligence Committee, chose to actually be our so-called president’s “moat,” (using a term I learned reading Steven Brill’s book “Tailspin” – highly recommended, by the way) leaving a lot of “catch up” now that democrats control the committee.

The leaders of the democratic party are showing signs which point back to 2006 when America was openly TORTURING “enemy combatants” and the democrats chose NOT to consider impeachment to either GW Bush or Dick Cheney, both of whom had openly admitted to authorizing TORTURE (waterboarding) and BOTH said they’d do it again – leaving the impression that those at the “top” are NOT subject to the laws. According to my (democratic, at the time) representative the reason they didn’t consider impeachment was due to the reality there would be no conviction in the Senate. Well, circumstances appear to be the same, except that there are MANY first year representatives who are anxious to do what their oath calls for them to do – and, that’s to impeach a so-called president who’s committed, openly, “high crimes and misdemeanors.” In the case of individual 1, it’s simply CRIMES that have been committed. I guess what many of us are wondering is do actual CRIMES equate to “high crimes and misdemeanors?” If not, what does qualify?

Final Thought: This all makes me wonder if a MOB BOSS finds a way to LIE his/her way into the office of President of the United States does that matter to that person’s party? Apparently, in the present day republican party it’s irrelevant – as we saw in the Cohen hearings, where republicans showed NO interest in finding out the truth about individual 1’s organization – which, by the way, more and more people are now referring to as a potentially organized crime organization, which I’ve been doing for over a year. We’re hearing, more and more, people suggesting the Trump organization (should I say the individual 1 organization?) very well may be facing a RICO charge – and, that would suggest it’s a crime syndicate.

Of course, republicans impeached Bill Clinton because he LIED about his affair with Monica Lewinsky and, despite the efforts of Lindsay Graham to get the Senate to remove him from office, Clinton remained in office and, actually, was very popular when he left office. Apparently, today’s democratic leaders are apprehensive to do anything which would make individual 1 more popular, but, it seems to me, individual 1’s “high crimes” are much more significant to Clinton’s. And, the reality is that Clinton was actually managing the American economy and government – something, clearly, individual 1 is proving to be incompetent. And, the “beat goes on” ………………………………

There’s an old saying, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” I really have trouble stomaching anything coming from the republican party, but, if you’re paying attention to what’s going on with our government it can’t be helped. So, this week is the annual disgusting CPAC conference where conservatives get together and convince each other that all their LIES are not really lies at all, because if they continue repeating them, well, they’ll magically become true. Of course, for the past quarter of a century (yes, that’s correct) these republicans have been able to focus their “venom” on Hillary Clinton, as the most obvious example – showing their success is the result of negativity and creating targets for their strategy of fear mongering, a prime example of how they focus on character assassination as a routine strategy. And, of course, with Mrs. Clinton it worked because, with the help of the Russians and James Comey, we’ve got individual 1 as our so-called president.

Well, Hillary Clinton is no longer a viable target because she’s pretty much pulled herself out of the spotlight – of course, this doesn’t include individual 1’s venomous attacks when he’s doing his “no collusion” routine, (And, by the way, there may not have been collusion on individual 1’s part – we KNOW his son and son-in-law and his campaign manager “COLLUDED” because that’s part of the official record – if he’s innocent, all I can say is individual 1 is not acting like an innocent man) grouping her together with James Comey, Andrew McCabe (I’m reading his book), Barack Obama, and others he HATES on. So, those at CPAC now have to find a new “bogeyman” in order to keep their “uneducated voter” base in a state of constant fear and anger. I’m sure you’ve already figured out where I’m going with this.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will nicely fit into the republicans’ plan to keep their base living in fear of a socialist revolution that puts them all in gulags. (Maybe like the ones individual 1 says Kim Jong un doesn’t know much about in North Korea) These people who support individual 1, despite the mounting evidence he’s very possibly nothing more than a mob boss, will believe ANYTHING they are told to believe, and there’s a reason they are coveted as “uneducated voters.” First of all, they vote. Secondly, at least in the instances of the ones I know, they read very little or not at all – and, the ones who read, focus on the “fake books” that come from the world of Fox “news” and their “fake” journalists. So, republicans are in the process of proclaiming Ms. Ocasio-Cortez as the “face” of the democratic party and our so-called “liberal media” – this is my prediction – will fall for it. They’ll report it as it is so.

It’s true Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, at least in my view, is coming across as a potentially brilliant legislator, but the reality is she’s 29 years old and she’s got a lot to learn. I love her intensity and enthusiasm, but my concern is she’s putting herself in the position to be the leader of the democratic version of the republican’s so-called “freedom caucus” – the “tea party” republicans. The right wing “tea party” republicans are what brought us individual 1 and, personally, I’m not anxious for the “liberal” version. President Obama, despite how he was characterized by these CPAC LIARS is no flaming “liberal.” In fact, his “pragmatism” – while I understood why he made decisions he did (see the movie “42”), was one of the reasons I made predictions which actually came true during his two terms – predictions about people failing to vote and democrats losing ground in legislatures around the country and why. (see the archives if you want details)

While I love the diversity and enthusiasm in the new “class” of democrats in the House of representatives, the “real world” focus of democrats, long term, MUST be to make sure individual 1 gets the opportunity to defend himself in court after the 2020 election because he will no longer be protected from legal accountability by some outdated and ridiculous Justice Department Legal Counsel memo written 50 years ago which implies the president is above the law. To me, that’s absurd, and violates any common sense interpretation of our constitution. To me, President Obama’s most egregious mistake came shortly after he assumed office when he BLOCKED all investigations into the ILLEGAL activities authorized by GW Bush and his cohort Dick Cheney – both who admitted to being WAR CRIMINALS. If anyone in America should be held to account for violating our laws it SHOULD begin with the president. He/she takes an oath to defend the constitution and that oath should be a sacred one.

I’m one who is very likely to be in agreement with most of what Ms Ocasio-Cortez is espousing, and I hope she continues to be enthusiastic and intense in how she handles her job – I just hope those with more experience can help make sure she understands she’s one of 435 members of the House of Representatives and, while it’s clear the “conservatives” are targeting her and are going to be vilifying her that just means she MUST be diligent in how she portrays herself. For example, I was driving home today from taking my grandson to school and heard a report that Ms Ocasio-Cortez was “threatening” democrats who “vote with republicans” ? (I didn’t get many details) with a primary opponent. That, if it’s true, of course, is a classic “tea party” tactic. Over the years I’ve watched many times where democrats have proven to me one thing they’re really good at is “snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.” That CAN’T happen in 2020!

The reality of American politics is that the 2020 election, like any American election, will ultimately be decided by how those in the “center” vote – mainly those who portray themselves like me as “independents.” Now, there’s a significant majority of Americans, something like 54% who have said they will NEVER vote for individual 1 – which should make it impossible for him to win another term (if he’s even running in 2020). However, I’ve watched over the years as republicans will do ANYTHING to win an election (except base their campaigns on the merits of their agenda – truthfully) and, they will find a way to make individual 1 competitive – in 2016 it was the Russians interfering on individual 1’s behalf and James Comey, incredibly, intervening on individual 1’s behalf 11 days before the election. It was like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

In 2020 there’s already the possibility that billionaire Howard Schultz will attempt to peal off enough centrist voters from the democrats to make the 40% of America which doesn’t care that individual 1 might have conspired with the Russians to win, who don’t care how many women he’s had affairs with while his wife was pregnant with his latest son – and, that he paid ILLEGAL hush money to so his “uneducated voters” wouldn’t know about it prior to the election – or how many women are accusing him of sexual assault, they don’t care about how much money he’s laundered for the Russians or Saudi’s or who knows who else, they don’t care about how many LIES he’s said, many right to their faces, they don’t care that he’s a racist – in fact, for a large segment of his “base” that’s why they’ll be in the streets if he’s impeached, to them,it’s his number one asset, they could care less about his bankruptcies and all the people he’s “stiffed” over the years, and, sadly, they don’t care about all the DAMAGE he’s doing to America both short and long term both domestically and abroad – reams upon reams will be written about the DAMAGE once he’s gone, but, in the mean time………………………

Even people like Schultz appear to be afraid of Ms Ocasio-Cortez, and I really don’t understand why. It’s “we the people” who have the power to determine who our leaders are and, obviously, in New York, the people chose this young lady who appears to be quite brilliant. But, should anyone really be quaking in fear of her? I heard a “conservative” this morning, I don’t remember his name, using the name Joseph Stalin in characterizing Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. I can’t remember all the things he said she wants to take away – but, two of them were “pickup trucks and hamburgers.” Honestly, I had to laugh when I listened to it, but then I reminded myself that these right wing “talkers” are focused on continuing the BRAINWASHING they’ve been “applying” to their “uneducated voters” for the past 50 years and they convince themselves to believe their own LIES. It may not be “death panels” this time, but I guarantee you the fear mongering is just beginning.

And, the likelihood our “liberal media” exposes it for what it is – well, to me – is quite low. The last thing they want to see is a non competitive presidential election – there’s BILLIONS at stake in all the advertising revenue – on which they depend. Even MSNBC, in 2016 went out of their way to “normalize” individual 1 and they created so many false equivalencies it caused me to get indigestion – which doesn’t happen to me often. Like we’re all watching individual 1 being “played” on the international stage by people who shouldn’t even be on that stage – like Kim Jong un – we have to watch our “liberal media” being played by individual 1 – manipulating the media is one thing he’s actually good at. And, when one time I heard him say in a speech that the media wants him in office because they’re making a “haul” (my characterization of what he said, but you should get the point) it was a point in time where I had to agree with him.

So, republicans are going to push Ms. Ocasio-Cortez right to the forefront and, while seasoned democrats likely won’t be so quick to do so, I believe the media will easily get sucked in and she’ll be on the cover of magazines and the topic of many news stories. Republicans will use her to scare the “hell” out of their “uneducated voters” – because it works. It’s going to be “socialism this, socialism that” for the next two years. And, when you think of it, the bottom line is republicans don’t want EVERY American to have access to quality health care, they want the minimum wage to remain – inflation adjusted – to be lower than it was in the late 1960’s, they don’t want our infrastructure brought up to code unless we can do it without the wealthy paying more taxes, they don’t believe climate change is “real” despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, and, the only way they will care one iota about the national debt or the annual deficit is if there’s a democrat in the “White House.”

And, that’s the thing individual 1 fears the MOST! A democrat in the “White House.” Of course, that would mean he would no longer be in the “White House” and, therefore, no longer protected from that ridiculous “memo” of 50 years ago which seems to be protecting him from indictment. I woke today thinking maybe today there wouldn’t be another individual 1 SCANDAL. Of course, that was hopeful thinking. We’re all numb to the scandal a day which has been ongoing for over two years. Individual 1 is brazenly arrogant, seemingly daring the democrats to impeach him. Of course, he knows the republicans fear him enough to guarantee he won’t be removed from office. Yes, there was another “scandal” today, right on cue, that individual 1 allegedly interfered with the proposed merger between AT&T (I’m not a fan) and Time Warner (which includes CNN) leading Kellyanne Conway’s husband to say it was an “impeachable offense.” Just another day in the neighborhood, and when individual 1 returns to Manhattan there very well could be a plethora of indictments waiting for him. He’ll no longer be able to hide behind that stupid memo!

Final Thought: As I said above, I’m reading Andrew McCabe’s book “Threat” which is very interesting and a good read. I’ve only read about a fourth of the book and he hasn’t gotten much into individual 1 at this point, but combining what he’s explaining with much of the other “stuff” I’m learning, I believe individual 1 very well could be looking at what’s called a RICO charge once out of office. This would validate my suggestions he comes across as a mob boss – which became apparent to me over a year ago. So, not only are we quite possibly going to be referring to republicans as the party which elected a mafia boss to be our so-called president, but worst yet, as the evidence continued to mount, they kept supporting him. As if having the power is more important than the integrity of our democratic republic. More important than our constitution. This is clearly why I’ve been lobbying for republicans to become a part of American history – in the section presently occupied by Benedict Arnold!

Presently I’m reading “TAILSPIN The People and Forces Behind America’s Fifty-Year Fall – and Those Fighting to Reverse it” by Steven Brill and, as I’m going through the book my hope that “progressives” (ie “liberals”) will FIGHT to help PUSH BACK against the right wing forces which have essentially done to America what people like Mitt Romney would do to the businesses they would “buy” (take over) and then pilfer the assets of the business before shutting it down while walking away with millions and leaving the workers in the lurch. This is what the right wing “puppet masters” – those who’ve been surreptitiously calling the “shots” for a Congress that has become incredibly CORRUPT – and, by the way, virtually anyone paying attention knows this – have been doing while democrats have been unsuccessful – at best, and, to a degree in some “quarters” complicit – in fighting back.

Brill lays out a sobering look at what has taken America from “the leader of the free world” (in the post WW II years) to a nation rapidly devolving toward third world status. It’s like we’ve (Americans) all been brainwashed to get the hair on our backs to stand on end when anyone suggests America’s not the greatest country in the world. I was thinking about this book as I drove through the drive through at the post office the other day and, as I was about to leave their premises, there was a homeless lady lying on the ground next to a little dog, a shopping cart with, apparently, her belongings, and a sign which read “hungry.” She wasn’t soliciting money, but I couldn’t help but asking if she needed some (really a dumb question) and she got up and I gave her the change in the cup-holder in my car. As I drove away I almost started to get tears in my eyes and I couldn’t help but think about Brill’s book and how it points out “we the people” haven’t been consciously “fighting” poverty since the 1970’s.

The sad reality is “we the people” haven’t invested in our people or our infrastructure over the period of the previous 50 years and the results of the failure to do so is growing more critical by the day. While I often find myself thinking the “election” (with three MILLION less votes than his opponent) of individual 1 may cause some of these critical issues to FINALLY become addressed, I realize the forces that put individual 1 into the “White House” have UNLIMITED funds and will not allow “we the people” to turn America’s focus to the “common good” without a huge FIGHT and, over the years, they’ve proven themselves to be all about the money and very successful at turning one American against another. Their GREED is insatiable. Of course, if you’ve been paying attention at all you know I’m talking about people like the now infamous “Koch brothers” who will open their checkbooks wide to fight what’s being called the “green new deal.” And, the Koch’s have a plethora of peers who also have unlimited funds in their check books and have been fighting against things like Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment insurance, etc. (Essentially, the New Deal) since the days following WW II.

Here’s some of America’s present reality: There are people living under bridges almost every where you go – people which it appears are in situations which no one seems able to find solutions for – often times it breaks my heart looking at some of the people who seem so desperately pathetic – for lack of a more creative vocabulary on my part – whatever has led them to this “outcome” it just seems a sad situation that is “un-American” – at least in my idealistic viewpoint. (As in regards to people like the lady I mentioned above) Additionally, close to 50% of Americans are living under the poverty level with around 7 MILLION living on what Brill referred to as “$2 a day.” I was a sixth grade teacher and, every year, I witnessed more and more students who got their food from the “free and reduced” school lunch program. “We the people” are NOT investing in our young people – including the reality that even the most advantageous, to a degree, are struggling to get a higher education.

America spends well more than virtually EVERY other advanced Western nation on health care with outcomes which place “her” near the bottom of even nations which, to me, seem incredible. At one point, I read the childbirth mortality rate in America ranked right below that of Cuba. For my ENTIRE life I’ve witnessed republicans BLOCKING any chance “we the people” have EVER had of creating a national health care policy. They blocked this during FDR’s time in office, during Truman’s time in office, (thankfully) LBJ managed to get Medicare and Medicaid passed (Ronald Reagan predicted Medicare would destroy the nation via “socialism”), clearly they blocked Clinton’s attempt to create a national health insurance policy and they spent BILLIONS trying to block “Obamacare” (The Affordable Care Act) – and, they’re still trying to destroy the Affordable Care Act – presumably OK with another 20 – 30 MILLION Americans without health insurance.

As it is, even with “Obamacare” (what’s left of it) there’s tens of Millions of Americans with no health insurance. We are the ONLY “advanced” country in the world in this predicament. Republicans are already playing the Socialism “card” as the new “liberal wave” of democrats are proposing “Medicare for all.” By my calculations “Medicare for all” would be cheaper than what we presently have, it’s just that Medicare (I know, because it’s now my health insurance) covers only 80% of your medical expenses (which, obviously, is much better for those without health insurance). Just as I have a supplemental policy to help cover the 20% Medicare doesn’t cover, others would have the option to do the same, therefore continuing the need for private health insurers. One reason some might not want “Medicare for all” is because Medicare puts a cap on charges that can be onerous for people without health insurance. If you remember, even some democrats helped block the “public option” when “Obamacare” was in the works – so, it’s easy to see how the health insurance lobby and pharmaceutical lobby will spend BILLIONS to block ANY attempt at universal health care. It’s undeniable that hospitals, doctors, and the pharmaceutical industry, among others, won’t want Medicare for all because it focuses on controlling the massive increases in medical expenses in America.

Then there’s America’s infrastructure. In short, America is crumbling at her “knees.” Every where you look (drive) highways are full of pot holes and are in danger of major disasters. Thousands of bridges are at the point where they could collapse at any moment. We’re not investing in the proper maintenance of these bridges and highways nor are we showing any willingness to invest in the NEW infrastructure necessary to keep America up with the rest of the world which, countries who are making these investments in virtually all the areas where America is faltering. Aside from our roads and bridges, we have schools falling down, we’ve got an electrical grid which is teetering on becoming a national security threat, and much more. Estimates coming from Engineers and others “in the know” estimate the United States needs to invest “north” of $2 TRILLION to bring the infrastructure up to “code.”

Rebuilding America’s infrastructure is not only a critical challenge, but it’s a source of MILLIONS of good paying new jobs. Additionally, it provides the opportunity for America to modernize in areas which republicans seem to have blinders for – and, that’s the core of the “green new deal.” For example, in my household, we’re driving electric cars and we installed solar panels on the rooftop of our property. Our solar panels are producing in excess of 10,000 Kilowatts of electricity per year. And, incentives created by our state (our governor, who actively supports this, Jay Inslee, is soon to announce his candidacy for president) made the solar panels possible. Those panels will be producing electricity for decades beyond the years of the state incentive (And, there was a federal incentive via President Obama). Our state also has incentives to encourage people to buy electric vehicles. All of the things referred to as “the green new deal” are POSSIBLE as long as “we the people” don’t allow the special interests (the Koch brothers, for example) to scare us into thinking it’s not possible.

And, it’s those who continue to SCARE Americans against what amounts to progressive changes which will benefit MILLIONS of Americans which will be, likely, the greatest stumbling block to making the changes our nation so desperately needs. Those who oppose these changes are the very people who’ve become known as the “top 1%” and have become very comfortable with close to 40 years of tax policy which has made them richer and has exacerbated the increasing problem of income inequality. Once we get beyond the political BS coming from the “conservatives” – who are yelling “socialism, socialism” as they always do to stop progress, America will be re-energized. Seeing the modernization of the infrastructure, knowing people can go to the doctor when they’re sick, and watching more and more working class Americans with good paying jobs will spread the “American spirit” through “we the people” once again.

As Brill states in his book (I really recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand how we got to this place) the hope is that it won’t take more bridges collapsing on the cars driving over them to force this issue to the forefront of America’s agenda. Unlike individual 1’s wall, this issue with infrastructure IS a national emergency. If you remember the bridge which collapsed a few years ago in Minnesota, a bridge which was known to be in desperate need of repair or replacement, it took a relatively short time to replace it once it collapsed. Brill’s hope is that “we the people” won’t allow our “leaders” (my quotes) to wait until bridges collapse before we make the investment to replace or repair them. (The same goes for the roads, the electric grid, the internet infrastructure, schools, etc.)

Sadly, nothing is likely to get accomplished while individual 1 is our so-called president. There seems to be no time for actually “governing.” The new batch of democrats in the House have pledged to produce an infrastructure bill (among other needed legislation) but the general consensus is that anything they pass in the House will NEVER get through the Senate. My son, who is much more astute regarding our electrical infrastructure – especially related to internet capability – keeps pointing out to me the United States is woefully behind the other nations around the world. People like me have been brainwashed to believe America is the “leader” in most areas which are important, but he continues to point out the reality. And, people like Bernie Sanders are always pointing out how far we’re behind when it comes to health care and investment in our own people.

As I stated above, the cost of higher education in the United States has gotten to the point where more and more people of average (or less) means are being “shut out.” (Similarly to how the cost of housing is contributing to the homeless problem in America – another issue which is not getting the attention it deserves) When I went to college (the first time) back in the 1960’s the cost of tuition was around $100 per term. When I went back to school 25 years later (in the early 90’s) one semester was around $3000, just for tuition. Each semester of graduate school was $10,000 – again, just for tuition. This is why so many young people have been “saddled” with huge debt once they graduate from college – in many cases making it impossible to afford housing, depending on where they live, once they find a job.

Many balk at Bernie’s suggestion that college tuition should be FREE, but this would be an investment in our own people. To me, the idea of accepting a situation where young people start their lives with massive debt is obscene. (And, by the way, Brill deals with what he calls the meritocracy which has emerged in America in the past 50 years which is a very interesting concept I had never thought about) I believe it’s Denmark where young people are actually PAID to go to college. Whether it’s traditional college or other forms of advanced training, America is LOSING a huge amount of productivity with MILLIONS of people needing training to fill the HUGE amount of jobs going unfilled because people are not qualified to do them.

Final Thought: Today I was watching the testimony of Michael Cohen and I was further convinced it’s time republicans be voted into the dust bins of history. And, Jim Jordan – a man who ALLEGEDLY looked the other way in regard to accusations of sexual abuse while he was a wrestling coach at Ohio State University – is shameful in his dishonest attempt to prevent the TRUTH about individual 1 to be part of the public record – at least for the “uneducated voters” individual 1 (and presumably Jordan) – rely on for their positions in our government. As expected, from the republicans the Cohen hearing was all about Cohen – they don’t have the slightest bit of curiosity in regard to the allegations against Trump – some of the allegations are not really allegations because we can presume “individual 1” wouldn’t have been identified as “individual 1” by the Southern District of New York if they didn’t have evidence to support that he actually DIRECTED the “hush money” payments to two women right before the “election.”

While it’s clear Cohen has been a “thug” while working for individual 1 it’s also clear that individual 1 closely resembles the organized crime boss I’ve been pointing out since a few months after he became our so-called president. What’s not so clear to me, is why virtually EVERY republican is able to fail to even have a curiosity about whom they’ve chosen to “hitch their wagon.” I can’t quantify the number of times I’ve wondered how republicans would respond to individual 1’s many actions should they have been committed by – say – Barack Obama? It was beyond ironic that, today, during the Cohen testimony republicans focused on Cohen as a LIAR. Apparently, they’ve failed to notice individual 1 has LIED over 9000 times since Vladimir Putin helped him to become our so-called president. And, some of them need to take a close look into a mirror!

Republicans feel comfortable supporting a so-called president who takes the word of Vladimir Putin over our intelligence agency (yesterday, Jordan soiled himself while attacking the FBI in very politically partisan terms). Additionally, he takes the word of Mohamed bin Salmon over our intelligence community and now, unbelievably, the word of arguably the most vicious dictator in the world, Kim Jong un. This all is unbelievable to someone like me – how could “we the people” “elect” (with three MILLION fewer votes than his opponent) this seeming mob boss as our so-called president?

I just finished reading a short article about how more and more Americans are becoming angry as they file their taxes and learn individual 1’s “Middle Class tax cut” was NO tax cut for them. The AVERAGE American is getting a refund close to 10% less than expected based on previous years. And, of course, individual 1’s lackeys have a way of explaining this that – well – we could expect ONLY them would find palatable. They’re suggesting people should be happy because they got more in their weekly or monthly paychecks so that they weren’t “banking” money with the federal government. So, in essence, that paltry increase you got each week was, in effect, a prorated “advance” on your annual refund.

In other words, as many besides myself have been trying to explain, individual 1’s tax scam was EXACTLY that – a SCAM! In fact, those of us in the solid Middle Class will likely be paying MORE in taxes (My wife and I – she’s a part time teacher and I’m a retired teacher) because we fall in that dreaded $75,000 area where taxes are likely going UP. But, the reality for MOST in the Middle Class is they’re NOT going down. Yes, for those in the upper echelon, the taxes went WAY down. It was estimated via the sources I could find that individual 1, himself, would save in the tens of MILLIONS from the tax scam. People like Sheldon Adelson saved in the HUNDREDS of Millions and the Koch Brothers (and their peers) likely saved in the BILLIONS. (Adelson was “able” to send $30 MILLION back to the “coffers” of republican candidates as his “thank you” for the tax scam)

And, that’s not to mention the corporations – who were hoarding well north of a TRILLION when the law was passed – who are using the scam to buy back stock by the truck loads – therefore, increasing their corporations’ share value and, thus, the compensation of the top executives. Pure and simple, it’s a wonderfully orchestrated SCAM that “we the people” will understand, hopefully, at some point in time. I mean, this CRAP has been going on since the days of Reagan and republicans will keep doing it until “we the people” force them to stop – which won’t happen until “conservatives” start voting these corrupt thugs out of office by the droves.

I mean, republicans made no secret as to why they were passing this horrific legislation from the “get go.” Their DONORS were demanding it. They were EXPECTING a return on the BILLIONS “invested” in PURCHASING “the best Congress money can buy.” Keep in mind, the tax scam is STILL the only significant piece of legislation enacted since individual 1 took the oath of office. The FACT this scam will increase the national debt in the TRILLIONS is inconsequential to all these republicans who were complaining about “deficits” during President Obama’s administration – which reduced the $1.5 TRILLION annual deficit they inherited from the Bush/Cheney regime to around $400 BILLION as Obama left office – and, the deficit was on a trajectory which was headed to zero.

Of course, while individual 1 has been fully willing to take credit for an economy which he’s done little to affect – save for the tax scam which will take that deficit republicans were so willing to complain about – the Bush/Cheney deficits during Obama’s term – right back up to the levels Obama inherited. And, of course, not a “peep” from republicans – all of a sudden they’re back to the days when Dick Cheney said “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.” What’s somewhat depressing, at this point as I think of my children and grandchildren, the DAMAGE being done by virtually EVERYTHING individual 1 does is having an extremely negative effect on America’s standing around the world – at least in the eyes of our traditional allies.

This past weekend individual 1’s top “lapdog,” Mike Pense, gave a speech at a security conference in Europe which included America’s traditional NATO allies and when he mentioned individual 1’s name – and waited for the “applause” – the room became silent. One of the persons who was in the room said, “you could hear a pin drop.” That SILENCE says it all in regard to what individual 1 is doing to America’s standing in the world. And, that’s on top of the DAMAGE he’s doing domestically. Republicans, what the hell is wrong with you? Individual 1 is either deranged or he really is a mob boss.

For the entire two years of individual 1’s time in the “White House” I’ve been writing about the DAMAGE individual 1 was likely to inflict on “we the people” and pondering as to how much would it take before republicans turn on him. The reality is, save for the next election, individual 1 will remain in office until republicans come to their senses. The question before us is will they decide “enough” before their party is totally destroyed. The white nationalists who make up a significant portion of individual 1’s base are nothing more than a group of extremists who, for some reason, republicans welcomed in “with open arms” after the election of Barack Obama. Now, they’re like a tick on a dog’s neck – that’s difficult to get rid of. However, if you don’t get rid of it, the DAMAGE could ultimately be fatal. (And, trust me, these “white nationalists” are NOT “very fine people” and will erupt in violence should individual 1 get what he deserves.)

Now, the reality of how the tax scam is going to affect the pocket books of every day Americans, many among those who so foolishly decided to vote for individual 1, is going to cause more and more people to take a second “look” at all of individual 1’s LIES. We’ve seen, for two years, a group of “media outlets” (more like propaganda outlets) giving credence to all of the LIES as if they’re actually the truth. I’ve pointed out numerous times on this site that this LYING is classic “Big Lie Theory” strategy from the Third Reich back in 1930’s Germany. The parallels between individual 1 and the leader of the Third Reich are startling when you compare the two. That’s one of my major complaints in regard to our “liberal media” – they fail to point out these similarities and educate “we the people” that individual 1 appears to be using Nazi strategies in pushing his agenda (whatever it actually is).

There’s got to be a reason why individual 1 NEVER says a bad word about Vladimir Putin and seems to be pushing Putin’s agenda right from the “White House.” There is an abundance of evidence that individual 1 is a Putin “puppet.” If you remember, a while back individual 1 made remarks from the Oval Office about Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan which were totally FALSE and were a direct parallel to the rewriting of history being done by Putin, himself. It was clear, the only place individual 1 could have gotten the information he was putting forth had to come from some kind of conversation with Putin.

This past weekend Andrew McCabe was interviewed on (I believe) CBS and he explained about another situation where individual 1 took the word of Putin over the intelligence he was being given by our intelligence community in an intelligence briefing. In this instance, the issue of North Korea’s ICBM’s and whether or not they had the capability to reach the United States. Individual 1 actually told the intelligence experts to their faces, “I believe Putin.” Of course, those of us paying attention will never forget individual 1’s comments at the summit in Helsinki where individual 1 also claimed he believed Putin over our intelligence community.

Can you imagine how republicans would have responded had a democratic president done these things? America’s republican party has become cowards above all the other stuff that made them intolerable to anyone but the white nationalists or the very wealthy – or, of course, those people who’ve been republicans forever without thinking what that means. I mean, speaking of North Korea, can you imagine how republicans would have responded had President Obama said, “I love chairman Kim. He’s written great letters to me.” OMG!

For me, ideally, republicans recognizing individual 1 is like a mob boss who has a “mountain” of circumstantial evidence suggesting he’s either a “witting or unwitting” agent of the Russians, who was likely in office because of the Russian interference in the 2016 election would be enough for them to stop acting like sycophants. I understand if individual 1 is impeached and then removed from office Mike Pense would be next and I’m likely not the only American who cringes at that thought. (In addition to the “white nationalists” erupting in violence) Which means this DAMAGE I’m always talking about will continue until January of 2021 and whoever follows is going to have an incredible mess to clean up.

And, that’s based on what we know now. For example, the likelihood our economy takes a “fall” which could be extreme (I don’t believe individual 1 would know how to react to a significant downturn in the economy) by 2020 is semi alarming and, in my mind, is almost certain. Also, in regard to issues relating to foreign policy, the potential for disaster seem to be looming large. The “silence” mentioned above when Pense was giving greetings from “number 45” to our traditional allies in NATO shows a PROBLEM which could take a decade to “fix.” Our traditional allies are likely NOT to trust these “uneducated voters” individual 1 says he “loves.” (Just as he loves Kim Jong un)

I keep wondering what it will take to get those who support individual 1 to realize what a threat he is to our own country and I believe that until it reaches their wallets/pocket books nothing will change. Maybe that will be the benefit of the tax scam despite it will soon push the annual deficit above a TRILLION dollars per year. It appears the wallets/pocket books of individual 1’s “uneducated” supporters are now being affected by the tax scam and not in a way they were expecting. Will this cause them to “wake up?” Who knows – what we do know is the longer individual 1 is in office the more DAMAGE “we the people” will be faced with “cleaning up” once he’s gone.

Yesterday I watched, as much as my stomach could handle, of individual 1 giving an impromptu press briefing outside the “White House” where he announced he was declaring a national emergency in order to redirect funding from other sources to build his “wall.” This, of course, is the same wall individual 1 promised Mexico would “pay for” literally HUNDREDS of times during his 2016 campaign. (The more I think about this, maybe he should have tried to get Russia to pay for it) As with most of what individual 1 does, this “move” is likely to come back to haunt republicans as much, or more, than the usual fallback from individual 1’s actions. For example, the tax scam backlash is building “steam” as more and more people file their taxes and realize they must not be part of the top 1% – because, either their refund is smaller, or like me, they’re paying more. In the case of this “national emergency” over a fictitious “wall” which will NEVER be built, republicans could be facing another “blue wave” – this time in the Senate – in the 2020 election cycle.

Here’s what is likely to happen. Nancy Pelosi, who appears to be playing individual 1 like he’s a cheap fiddle, will initiate a vote in the House declaring opposition to this “emergency” and, by doing so, will FORCE a vote in the Senate on the same resolution. I believe it’s called a “resolution of disapproval” (or something to that effect) and it’s “privileged” meaning McConnell CAN’T block a vote in the Senate. The resolution needs only a majority to pass in the Senate and then, of course, individual 1 can veto it. Here’s “rub #1” for the republicans. In 2020 the tables will be turned on the election in the Senate. Republicans will be defending 20 or more seats in 2020 and several of them are vulnerable WITHOUT this “wall” nonsense. Pelosi is going to FORCE them to make a vote on the RECORD which will potentially cost several of them their jobs – one way or the other.

Here’s what I mean. In the republican party you’re expected to act like you’re part of a herd of sheep. If you vote against the wishes of the “money changers” who are (like “puppet masters”) pulling the strings as if behind the curtain where we found the Wizard of Oz, you’re going to get primaried and the flow of money will stop and you’ll be out. If you continue to support individual 1 the money will continue to flow and individual 1 won’t put out a nasty “tweet” giving you a nickname, but “we the people” could very well throw you out via the ballot box. My point is that individual 1 is putting a number of republicans in an awkward spot and you have to believe, at least privately, they’re mumbling things about individual 1 which resemble many of the comments we’ve heard from his former associates. I believe individual 1’s “popularity” will continue to decline right up to the next election and his “base” will more and more see him just as members of his inner circle who are around him for any length of time see him.

Like Rex Tillerson calling him a “moron” according to most outlets I’ve heard or read. Of course that was eventually “edited” to confirm Tillerson actually called individual 1 a “f@#king moron.” Individual 1 has been referred to as an IDIOT by many people – including MOST of the people I know personally – the most significant of which I would say was James Mattis, our former Secretary of Defense. I mean, when you’re talking about someone with the keys to the nuclear arsenal you don’t really want the person most directly standing between individual 1 and that “briefcase” (or whatever it is that hold’s individual 1’s “button”) to be referring to the “boss” as an IDIOT.

John Kelly, who proved himself to be every bit the deplorable of individual 1, himself, when he worked as the “White House” Chief of Staff – remember his tirade against the African American member of Florida’s Congressional delegation which exposed Kelly as the same type of misogynist and racist as his boss (Kelly included LIES about President Obama in the tirade evidently just for “good measure”) – well, Kelly was right there with individual 1 for over a year and he too allegedly referred to the “boss” as an “IDIOT.”

Well, why it surprised me, at the time of each instance, to hear the way the three men who were supposedly going to keep the administration “afloat” calling individual 1 names ranging from MORON to IDIOT – it didn’t surprise me as much as what I heard yesterday from none other than the main perpetrator of the longest government shutdown in United States history – you know who I’m talking about, one of individual 1’s top advisors – Ann Coulter, in response to individual 1’s incredible show of ignorance as he took reporters’ questions while standing in front of the “White House” and declaring a “national emergency” over the “wall Mexico will pay for,” when she lamented “the only emergency we have is that individual 1 (I believe she referred to him as “our president”) is an IDIOT.” Now, while Tillerson, Kelly, and Mattis calling him an IDIOT, might have bothered him, I’m guessing hearing it from Coulter pissed him off the most.

I mean she had just talked individual 1 into sabotaging his own poll numbers by estimates ranging in the 15% range and causing BILLIONS in damage to the GDP while leaving about a MILLION government contractors scrambling to pay their bills and seeing no relief in sight as individual 1 even went so far as to make sure those contractors would not receive any compensation for the time he screwed them out of work. Of course, this is classic individual 1 if you’ve read anything about his history of STIFFING workers AND banks and who knows who else – likely anyone he could. Stiffing these government contractors would be “par for the course” in individual 1’s “world” – pun intended.

Individual 1 doesn’t want his FINANCES investigated because he knows what the investigators are going to find. While he just stiffed workers that perform tasks like doing laundry for government agencies, when it comes to money, individual 1 does his own LAUNDRY – I hope you get my “drift.” As Mueller takes a close look at individual 1’s history with the Russian mafiya and whatever they call the Saudi money changers, I believe the crimes of Paul Mannafort and Michael Cohen will look like child’s play. Individual 1 is likely causing serious discussions inside the Justice Department regarding to the Office of Legal Counsel memo of some 50 years ago stating a sitting president can’t be indicted. Keep in mind, it’s not a law – just “guidance” which has been followed since the Watergate era. Of course, prosecutors have NEVER had a so-called president willing to arrogantly put himself above the law anywhere close to individual 1.

It’s been NO secret during all these investigations why individual 1 can’t get GOOD legal representation – he’s STIFFED too many lawyers over the years. He uses their services and then forces them to sue him to collect their fees – and, ultimately, in many cases they settle for something less than was originally agreed upon or NOTHING if he files bankruptcy. He can’t get banks to loan him money because he’s likely going to find a way to NOT pay it back – remember individual 1 has gone through 6 or 7 bankruptcies and now he’s threatening to take “we the people” to the next one – and, sadly, virtually every republican in Congress is willing to “go along for the ride.” That’s why I really like what Ms Pelosi is doing – forcing republicans to vote on taking money from areas like disaster relief, or defense spending, or Food Stamps, or who knows – wherever he thinks he can pull it off – thus putting a yea or nay vote ON THE RECORD. It will only take four republican “defectors” to force individual 1 to veto the resolution and, I believe, political advertisements are already being planned from this issue. (And, it’s not republicans doing the planning, if you get my drift)

And, here’s the real “rub” facing all these sheep oriented republicans – no matter how they vote, this “emergency” is likely headed for the “dust bin” of history once it gets into the courts – which should be, well, almost NOW. The lawsuits are likely to be coming from all kinds of different directions forcing a legal battle which will likely still be ongoing during the 2020 campaign. Individual 1 continues to give democrats all the “ammunition” they need to defeat him if he manages to remain in office long enough to run again in 2020. Personally, I’m forcing myself to believe there’s enough republicans in Congress to be unwilling to support a so-called president who conspired with Russians to get elected that maybe individual 1 will be primaried. So far, however, I’ve been shocked over and over at the willingness of republicans to come along side someone who violates almost EVERYTHING they supposedly ONCE stood for. (Of course, I’ve been writing for years about how their so-called “principles” are nothing more than hot air coming from their mouths)

So, either way, republicans will LOSE on this issue individual 1 has presented them with. Close to 70% of Americans oppose building a “wall” on the Southern border (except, maybe, in some places where it makes sense – but, NOT the entire border) and, when individual 1 starts threatening to move money that would have benefited “them,” more people are going to be taking notice. Yes, there’s about a third of Americans who’ve allowed themselves to be BRAINWASHED by outlets like Fox “news,” Breitbart, and other right wing outlets, along with talking heads like Rush Limbaugh, Coulter, and others in the right wing message machine. However, the other two thirds of America seems to be solidifying against this BRAZEN attempt to turn America into an Neo-Nazi autocracy in real time.

This is what has been referred to as the “permanent republican ‘majority'” since the days of Bush/Cheney and operatives like Karl Rove. People like Paul Mannafort and Roger Stone have always lurked in the background – willing to do whatever it takes to create that situation where right wing republicans control ALL the branches of government, thus making impotent the framers idea of “checks and balances.” They had the “makings” of this plan with Bush/Cheney – Cheney being the ideal perpetrator of this plan – but GW Bush frequently had difficulty putting a complete sentence together (sound familiar), the traditional republican assault on our deficit and national debt got the usual results – getting the attention of “we the people,” and, sure enough, due to Bush/Cheney incompetence, the democrats were voted back into control of Congress during the 2006 election.

I believe Ann Coulter (and, many others willing to sell out America for MONEY) thought individual 1 the perfect “stooge” to finally bring their dream of what would amount to a republican coup de tat via the ballot box in America – because all they needed was for individual 1 to sign the bills they would put on his desk, keep his mouth shut, and break his “twitter” finger. Of course, I believe even the republicans who gained control of the government in 2016 didn’t realize how incompetent THEY, themselves, were. They managed only ONE bill of any consequence and that was the tax scam which is already coming back to haunt them. Additionally, individual 1 has shown himself to be unwilling to simply play golf until it’s time to sign a bill and his narcissism is such that he’s obsessed with finding the spotlight – EVERY day! So, now Coulter (and, there’s probably others who haven’t been caught on camera or don’t use “twitter”) is referring to individual 1 as an IDIOT. (They’re correct!)

It was hard for me to watch individual 1’s press briefing yesterday and also find myself doing something I thought was impossible – and, that’s being in total agreement with Coulter. Of course, I didn’t need what happened yesterday to cause me to believe our so-called president’s an IDIOT, but, how can I best put this? It was a start. :o) I have to believe the nasty Coulter “tweets” have already started (I don’t do ANY social media so call this an “educated guess”) and individual 1 will be saying things like “I hardly know her” or “I don’t know who she is.” What people need to understand is when you allow yourself to be sucked into the world of individual 1 you’re living in the absurd. What we all witnessed yesterday at individual 1’s press briefing was embarrassing (he’s the so-called president), frightening (he’s got his “button”), and sickening (he’s got two more years unless republicans decide to try to save their party). Keep in mind, the video of that “incredible” performance by individual 1 went around the world.

Final Thought: I’ve got to add one more “woe” individual 1 gave to the republicans who are soon going to be in a place where they either support our constitution and a rational view of the “rule of law” or they go all in for individual 1 (who’d likely already be a felon save for the aforementioned Justice Department “memo” written 50 years ago) who would turn on them in an instant if it worked in his favor. Shortly after stating his intention to declare a national emergency in order to redirect funds toward his “wall” (that’s NEVER going to be built and everyone KNOWS this) individual 1 made it clear this is no emergency. As he often does (likely why Coulter referred to him as an IDIOT) it only took individual 1 a few minutes to actually SAY he’s doing this for entirely political reasons and it’s NO emergency. As some pundits correctly pointed out, he just gave the lawyers filing the lawsuits the first sentence in their briefs. Our so-called president really is an IDIOT! Take Ann Coulter’s word for it!