Many people (including myself) have referred to the list of candidates for the 2016 republican nomination for president as the “clown car.”  Well, I was just reading an article about how two top staffers for Dr. Ben Carson had resigned and, in the article, it mentioned that in the last quarter of the year Dr. Carson has raised $23 MILLION all the while as his campaign is headed for the “dumps.” (That’s my characterization)  My first thought as I was reading this article was that Dr. Carson (and, I’m sure, most of the other members of the “Clown Car”) is/are “laughing all the way to the bank.”

Now, as a non-political candidate, I’m not sure what he will do with all this cash – what I am sure is that he’s not going to refund it to the supposed 600,000 donors out there who sent it to him.  It’s hard for me to get the amazement out of my head that there are apparently 600,000 Americans willing to send money to someone like Carson as he portrays himself as a qualified candidate for the office of the president.  I want to say, “Are you kidding me?”  Then I remember John McCain choosing Sarah Palin to be “a heartbeat from the presidency” – had he won and something happened to him – AND, a large percentage of the republican “base” hit a TEN on the excitement meter.  It’s hard for me to imagine how that many Americans can assume you can just pull someone out of a family dialogue (argument?) regarding politics and they would be qualified to hold the highest office in the land.  I guess Ronald Reagan has succeeded in convincing the American public that government “is the problem.”

The list of republican “leaders” who have a difficult time putting a complete sentence together is beginning to seem endless.  In Carson’s case, I’m sure he’s a renowned brain surgeon, but as I listened to him, I came to the conclusion he was no more qualified to be president than I am – and, honestly, that’s a scary thought!  I’m trying to force myself to listen to the members of the so-called “clown car” and it’s got beyond discouraging – it’s to the point of downright embarrassing!  (The thought of one of them actually winning is frightening) I’d love for the people of this nation who are encouraging this stuff to realize “the world is watching.”

I’m guessing that many of the supporters in the rallies for people like Carson are simply angry citizens who don’t understand why things have gone in such a “southward” direction in their lifetimes.  Many are probably in the 40 – 50 year old range and they became adults around the time Reagan got elected back in 1980.  I’ve written about the travesty of the “Reagan revolution,” but I’m thinking now it will have to be the historians to fully quantify the DAMAGE that has resulted from the “me first” thinking which was (and is still being) embedded in the minds of so many Americans.  I can’t tell you how many working class Americans I’ve talked to over the past 20 or so years who, on the one hand, vote for republicans and then, without any knowledge of how republicans have promoted anti-worker policies while enabling America’s elite to “rob” the taxpayers almost blind, blame democrats (and, for the past 7 years President Obama) for the failures of our government.  (I’ve written many times regarding the sophistication of the republican (brainwashing) propaganda scheme – taken right from the “playbook” of Joseph Goebbels, head of Nazi propaganda – why our “liberal media refuses to disclose this reality is beyond me)

I mean, for the most amazing example of how ridiculous things have become in this nation, all you have to do is look back to the Bush/Cheney regime.  (In essence, today’s “clown car” are promoting an identical philosophy)  GW Bush and Dick Cheney took a $250 BILLION surplus and turned it into a $500 BILLION deficit in the space of about 4 years. (That’s NOT my “opinion” – you can look it up)  And, that doesn’t even count the TRILLIONS they spent on two wars that they “charged” and never put “on the books.”  (One of the first things President Obama did was put the cost of the wars “on the books” and, of course, this led to republicans blaming him for the deficits he INHERITED)  Bush/Cheney essentially RUINED America’s standing in the world by authorizing (openly) TORTURE and by encouraging economic “freedoms” for Wall Street that led to the so-called “Great Recession” – causing the $700 BILLION TARP bailout (that “we the taxpayers” will probably NEVER know how much it really cost) – where Bush/Cheney and Henry Paulsen abandoned their “free market” philosophy just long enough to enrich their brethren on Wall Street – the very people who risked the world’s economy for the sake of some pretty fancy “profits.”  Of course, that fiasco (the Great Recession) affected the entire world because our financial “experts” were selling their financial garbage to any country’s financiers who could be convinced our rating agencies were actually operating under some kind of regulated honor bound system.  (If you don’t know this, republicans HATE regulations – regulations seem to get in the way of their ability to SCREW people)

And, of course, Bush/Cheney gave us the present political “tensions” with ISIL and the like via their unprovoked INVASION of a sovereign nation in Iraq, circa 2003.  Kind of makes you wonder where they get off criticizing Russia, for example, when Russia “invaded” Ukraine.  I can only imagine how people around the world react when they hear American politicians criticizing foreign governments for encroaching on the sovereign rights of others.  Evidently, it’s the old “do as I say, not as I do” philosophy.  I’m assuming there are still many in the American public who believe the people in other nations around the world are STUPID.  Ironically it was the present front-runner of the “clown car,” Donald Trump, who I’ve heard, more than once, refer to the America voting public as “stupid,” and I’m beginning to believe he’s got a point – especially for the republican base – which is supporting him (and others like Carson).  The reason I’m bringing up the Bush/Cheney regime again is because it only took two years and republican voters were acting as if Bush/Cheney caused no harm.  In 2010 we got a fresh “bunch” of republicans (the “Tea Partiers”) who were even more “out there” than Bush/Cheney.

Trying to get back to my point, it’s just hard for me to imagine what is going on with the republican party in America.  Honestly, you don’t have to be an expert on political science to understand that people like Ben Carson (and Sarah Palin and Donald Trump and, I could go on) are not qualified to be the president of the United States.  I mean, just think of Sarah Palin with the keys to the “box” or whatever it is that sets off the nuclear devices.  Yikes!!!  Or, Ben Carson??  Seriously, Donald Trump or Ted Cruz????  These people can’t have a “debate” on actual issues that matter to changing the direction of this nation because they don’t understand how the government functions – do we want them deciding whether or not it’s time for a cataclysmic war?  (Palin famously said, in reference to a question regarding her credentials in foreign policy, “I can see Russia from my porch.”)

Sadly, this push toward the “right” (which allows fringe candidates like Dr. Carson and Ms. Palin to become relevant) has dragged the entire debate to the “right.”  I’ve been pointing out for years that, in my view, the democratic party suffers from the inability to defend their own basic principles – sometimes I’ve used the terminology – spineless.  They’ve kind of just acquiesced in what many like me consider a battle for the heart and soul of our nation.  My email inbox is constantly flooded by requests for donations from democrats (many whom I have no idea who they are and how they got my email address) who tell me I should support them because they aren’t republicans – essentially.  Fear the republicans, or “fear the Koch brothers.” I can see that many Americans don’t find the alternative to republicans very palatable.  In the recent mid-term elections democrats around the country weren’t even able to defend their own policy decisions and basic platform.  It almost seemed to me that President Obama’s own party didn’t have the GUTS to FIGHT for the policies he was pushing and they were supposedly behind.  So, the problem here is twofold, and, unfortunately, “we the people” only have two practical choices when it comes to choosing our leaders.

The one person soliciting money from me who bases his requests on his own political philosophy and his proposals for solving problems is Bernie Sanders – and, from what I’m gathering, he’s considered a “left wing” fringe candidate.  I’ve been following politics in America for over 50 years and Bernie seems very grounded and practical to me.  I’m just pointing this out because, as I see it, there really is an alternative to all of this.  I’m guessing Bernie is an independent because he is unable to associate himself with a party whose leaders don’t have the conviction to fight for their own beliefs.  Again, I’m guessing, but I believe Bernie is running as a democrat for the very reason that he’s “practical.”  He doesn’t want to enable a right wing republican to win because of a “third party” campaign that would bludgeon the democratic “base.”  So, he will win or lose in the democratic primary season.  I appreciate and respect that.

I’m a “baby boomer” who graduated from high school about the time of the Gulf of Tonkin resolution circa Viet Nam.  Bernie Sanders, as I just stated, doesn’t seem “left wing” to me.  He seems practical and traditional based on the values that permeated America after the New Deal of FDR and the Great Society gains of Lyndon Johnson.  In between those two came 8 years of Dwight Eisenhower – a republican who would be considered a leftist by republicans today – who was responsible for his share of creating the great middle class in America that emerged after WW II,  “We the people” are the government that so many republicans complain about and our government is what we all depend on to maintain the traditions that made us great.  And, that government – from the 1930’s until Reagan’s election in 1980 was what I call a “we” government.  It took the “bottom up” approach to managing the economy and the people. Basically, the “platform” of Mr. Sanders.

Reagan’s election changed all that and has turned America into a “me first” society.  And, that’s the only way I can figure out that people like Ben Carson and Sarah Palin (and the others) have managed to “grab their fifteen minutes of fame.”  Reagan convinced a large segment of our population that government is the problem and,it seems, if you can just get a spot on the stage in the republican political world simply berating government and espousing cliche’s like “I want to take our country back” or I want to “make America great again”  you will get HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of donations, like in the case of Dr. Carson.

Anyone who knows anything about American politics has known right from the start that Dr. Carson has NO CHANCE to become the president of the United States.  However, when I saw the number of $23 MILLION in just the past 3 months, I have to think he’s more than a brilliant brain surgeon.  I’m guessing he’s going to make WAY more money running for president than when he was a practicing doctor.  What Sarah Palin did was take her turn from obscurity and turn it into TENS OF MILLIONS of dollars which I have to believe is the secret motivation of many of those on the “clown car.”  There seems to be a willing “host” for these people in the form of Fox “news” and, that’s another issue I could write about endlessly.  They (Fox) have succeeded in turning a significant portion of America’s population into “haters.”  As a father and grandfather, that is probably, to me, the worst part of all of this.  The “right wing” media – meaning Fox along with the radical “talkers” like Limbaugh, Beck, and all the wannabes like Lars Larsen who are willing to participate in this despicable propaganda scheme (obviously, they’re making a lot of money in the process) that is turning good Americans against each other by spewing lies and deceptive innuendo are the main culprits in destroying the foundation of this country.  People like Carson, Palin, etc. are simply, in my mind, the “water carriers.”

There are multiple forces who are attempting to actually turn the freedoms so many of us in America take for granted into the mechanism that turns us back to the days of the “Robber Barons.”  Unfortunately, in my view, many of those who’ve chosen to “believe” the propaganda coming from Fox, Limbaugh, and the others don’t even know what the “Robber Baron” era was.  They’ve been convinced that the very government that has given them so many privileges is the enemy of the people.  Obviously, there is plenty of room for improvement when it comes to the government, but I believe history will show that much of that need has been created since the day Reagan moved into the White House.

I find it discouraging to read the comment sections on blogs where “right wing” commenters are referring to “liberals” in stereotypical ways – often referring to liberals as “stupid.”  The one I read tonight was filled with hateful comments about “liberals” and equating them to the government as if they (and the government) are the enemy – and, noticeably, I have to add that the writing was so bad it was hard to read.  In fact, I’m pretty sure the fact that I’m a 6th grade teacher made it easier to decipher the meaning of many of the comments because it was obvious (from the invented spellings, etc.) that many calling “liberals” stupid should maybe take a look in the mirror.  I’m only pointing this out because it was apparent that many of the commenters were regurgitating information they were “fed” by the “right wing” propaganda machine but they were lacking in the ability to express their thoughts cogently. (And, unfortunately, the disparaging commenting seems to go both ways – it’s as if those whose philosophy is “divide and conquer” are winning)

From what I can tell, the members of the “clown car” – including Dr. Carson – are using this paranoia towards our government that has been “drilled” into the minds of so many working class people who don’t understand why their way of life is “crumbling” and encouraging them on where they can place the blame, as a means for Carson (and the others) to further their own personal wealth.  (the old “the end justifies the means” theory)  It will be interesting to see what happens as, one by one, the republican “aspirants” fall by the wayside – what they do with their “campaign chests,” and if anyone even checks.  It has been reported that Sarah Palin has “paved the way” as to how to turn a failed political campaign into massive personal wealth, and I have to believe Dr. Carson and many of these other republican “hopefuls” have the same intention.  Here’s the political reality in America since the days of Reagan; when republicans win the American people lose!  I have my issues with the democrats, but I look forward to the day when “we the people” wake up to the fact that the republicans and their benefactors are (and have been since the 80’s) pilfering the taxpayers of this nation for untold TRILLIONS of dollars! (all while they’ve got “we the people” arguing over insignificant “stuff” so we’ll continue failing to notice)  Maybe then “we the people” will correct the problem by voting them out of office en masse!  In the meantime, as I said earlier, the “players” in the “plan,” like Dr. Carson, are “laughing all the way to the bank.”

I really shouldn’t watch TV.  Today, after I got home from school (I’m a 6th grade teacher – semi retired) I foolishly turned on MSNBC when Chuck Todd was demonstrating, again, to me, that he plays a great pawn for the Obama haters and the right wing establishment.  Honestly, in the part of the show that really caught my eye – where they (Todd and the pundits he had on with him) were lamenting the Donald Trump “phenomenon” and all the ways it could destroy the republican party – I couldn’t help but be reminded of how Todd allowed himself in the 2014 election to be a pawn for Mitch McConnell (and, I have to say, I’m not sure if it was intentional or not).  Here he (and the others) were speculating on how the republicans could get rid of Trump without destroying their party – while, in my view, continuing the curious obsession the American media has with actually propping Trump up.

Really, that’s all I hear about when I force myself to catch a bit of “news.”  It’s Trump this, Trump that, and Trump, Trump, and Trump.  And, Mr. Trump is correct.  He doesn’t need to spend a penny on advertising – the cable networks are providing him with 24/7 FREE advertising.  Plus, I don’t see evidence that the very people who are lamenting his candidacy the most on TV “get” that they are playing into his hands.  Just as many of these same people have (correctly) pointed out that Trump is playing into the hands of the so-called “terrorists” with his offensive, racist, bigoted rhetoric.  It’s no wonder America is in such a state.  Traditionally, we were supposed to be able to “trust” the “fourth estate” – meaning the media, to provide information to the public.  These people are dead set on providing entertainment, and when they get sucked in, boy “Katie bar the door.”

I listened the other day to Bernie Sanders commenting on Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric along with sharing his experience regarding a visit he had with leaders of the African American community in Baltimore and suggesting how “we the people” might address the deplorable conditions many are enduring in America’s inner cities.  As I listened to Sanders all I could think was that his rhetoric was too sensible, too practical, and was aimed at actually beginning the process of helping America’s middle class and those in poverty (47 MILLION) address the need to change the direction of this country in a way that honors workers and focuses on restoration – not only of the middle and lower classes, but of the infrastructure that is the foundation of any strong society.  What Bernie is saying and proposing SHOULD be what is broadcast on all the news shows and news wires.  Not, the offensive rhetoric of Mr. Trump.  Yes, Trump is gaining “steam” – but, the sad reality, to me, is that the media who’s complaining about him is the source that’s propping him up!  If he was FORCED (like every other candidate) to pay for advertising to get his message out, we wouldn’t be forced to listen to this garbage.  Makes me wonder what the REAL motivation of the media pundits really is???

Of course, Todd couldn’t leave it at that.  He had to bring on a pundit to report on the testimony of the Secretary of Defense (I believe his name is Ash Carter) before a Senate committee this morning.  The only thing I know about that committee (I listened to about 20 minutes of the testimony) is that John McCain is on the committee.  I almost gagged listening to McCain essentially berating Mr. Carter because America has not placed “boots on the ground” back in Iraq and Syria.  Of course, if you’ve listened to McCain much, that would not be a surprise – and, it wouldn’t take much to point out that he gets (got) it wrong EVERY STEP OF THE WAY regarding the destabilizing of the Middle East.  McCain has a history of incompetence that goes all the way back to Viet Nam.  So, I have to wonder, why do people like Todd – and, in this instance MSNBC – continue to give McCain and his ilk “cover?”  Why do what they say have any credence?  As I forced myself to watch Todd comment on the situation in Syria it was no surprise to me that he gave one subliminal hint after another that our government policy is – well, he just shook his head in a non-verbal slam.

I’m convinced with people like McCain and Todd (and others – including Trump) being given this presumption of credibility our nation is destined to end up in another stupid phase of Bush/Cheney’s “endless war.”  Yes, our corporate behemoth and our war mongers will go to any length to make this happen.  It’s as if Osama bin Laden knew EXACTLY how America would react to 9/11 and people like Trump, McCain, and media personalities like Todd and outlets like MSNBC just continue to make his point.  Be very afraid!  To me, Chuck Todd is either a shill for the republicans or a stooge who has no idea how he’s being played.

Then there’s Chris Matthews – he comes on the same channel a bit later than Todd.  The frustrating thing to me about Matthews is that I know he should know better.  I’m just finishing a book written in the late 80’s by Hedrick Smith titled “The Power Game” in which Matthews is quoted repeatedly while he was a member of Tip O’Neil’s staff during the Reagan administration.  Additionally, I’m getting emails from Matthews wife who is running for Congress as a Democrat back in Virginia (or Maryland) which causes me alarm at some of the things I hear on his program.  The same day I’m referring here to Todd and his comments regarding Trump, well Matthews – and conceivably EVERY other member of the cable “media” – were “on” the same subject – for the entire length of their programs.  The part that was revealing to me as I tried to stomach as much of the Matthews program (called “Hardball”) as I could handle was when Matthews referred to, essentially, how entertaining the election cycle was going to be due to the “Trump phenomenon.”

Matthews, of course, was referring to all the “nuances” this Trump candidacy exposes regarding our political process and how it will (and is) affect(ing) the republican party.To him, it seems as if it’s entertainment and more viewers.  One of the pundits on his show (I can’t remember her name, but what I do remember is that she’s a writer for “The Nation” – a true liberal publication) was not amused by Matthews references to how Trump makes this next election cycle entertaining.  She clearly understands the ramifications this has on our nation and the importance of the next election and how we shouldn’t be focused on “entertainment” – especially in the broadcast “news” media.  Trump has been proven correct when he suggests the American voting public is “stupid.”  People like Matthews who have some level of a “bully pulpit” (I have no idea the level of his program’s viewership) should, in my view, be focused on the real issues and, from a true pundit’s point of view, how to best address them.  NOTHING Trump does or says is aimed at REALLY addressing America’s true issues – in fact, I believe it’s not hard to argue that Trump is making the solutions to our REAL issues more complex.

The thing that Trump is obviously good at is USING the media to generate excitement with the insignificant number of people who might be inclined to follow someone who has a racist, misogynist, anti-labor, demagogue, militarist message.  When you total it all up, I believe Trump has a following of around 10% (or so) of America’s voting public.  Why would we want to broadcast this as an exciting movement to our allies around the world at a time like this?  Honestly, there’s NO WAY it happens without the cooperation of our “liberal media.”  Clearly, Trump understands that sensationalism sells.  I’ve just focused on Todd and Matthews here, but there appears to be a long list of people trying to crowd into the line broadcasting nearly every word Trump spews at this point.  I had to turn the TV off the day I’m mentioning, but – on a so-called “news cast” – they were actually waiting for Trump to give a stump speech, somewhere in New Hampshire, and were going to broadcast it as if anything the man says is “news.”  This is all so unbelievable to me that I’m having a hard time accepting that it’s actually happening.  I keep thinking, is this simply a bad dream?

Of course, it would be the “family values,” “pro life,” “conservative,” republican party that would be the launching post for someone like Trump.  I mean the guy has screwed over who knows how many thousands of people in his multiple business BANKRUPTCIES, he’s on his third marriage (I’m not judging, I’m just “sayin”), he’s a casino owner (seriously, think about that one all you “Tea Partiers”), and he basically would be incompetent regarding how our government works! (OK, I realize that puts him in the same category as Reagan and GW Bush and many others – I’m sure my good friend, who I often have breakfast with on Saturdays would include Obama on that list)  He continues to generate “excitement” among the “base” with one outlandish (and racist) “proclamation” after another – seemingly, every time his “poll numbers” start to decline well, here comes another bombshell comment that we can count on people like Todd and Matthews parsing for days, and in some cases weeks.  This is all getting to the level of the absurd!

A couple weeks ago we had a HOME GROWN Christian TERRORIST shoot up a Planned Parenthood office in Colorado and, based on the “news” you would think it never happened.  A police officer (who was also a pastor), a Iraq war vet, and a young Mom were KILLED along with 9 people injured, and – basically – this act of terrorism managed to bypass our “liberal media.”  Of course, the massacre in San Bernadino has garnered the media’s attention – with the help of Trump’s anti-Muslim comments – 24/7.  I guess because this HOME GROWN TERRORIST was a Muslim, that made the San Bernadino murders more “newsworthy.”  Our media outlets have managed to get the FEAR FACTOR ginned up to bright red because of San Bernadino, but I certainly don’t remember the same results after Sandy Hook, or Umpqa Community College, or Virginia Tech, or – well, I could go on and on, because there’s been more mass shootings in America this year than days!  Yet, people like Todd and Matthews (and, of course, the Fox “news” people are worse along with just about every other broadcast outlet  – with the exception of Free Speech TV) would have us focused on San Bernadino (I don’t have to tell you the reason at this point – I hope) along with the racist comments of Donald Trump!

So, when I point out this nation (America) is on the “slippery slope” toward fascism, that’s what you should FEAR!  It really is time for the United States of America and her wannabe leaders to stop playing into the hands of terrorists around the world.  Also, it’s time “we the people” take a deep breath and realize how privileged we are and how the liberties granted us by our founders were hard fought and can only be given away – no one will take them away.  People like Trump and the other republicans running for the 2016 presidential nomination are like “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”  If we allow them to succeed America will be on its way to becoming a corporate dominated (I know, we’re almost there already) fascist state.  I would say to Chris Matthews, Donald Trump’s rhetoric is NOT entertaining, it is downright scary.  Many people have no idea what could lie ahead – and, in my view, that’s the role of our “liberal media” – not to be attempting to “be like Fox” – and, their laughable “fair and balanced” – and, not to be entertaining us (meaning “we the people”), but to be educating us to the real ramifications of what Trump (and the other republican candidates) represent.  As I said above, I’m not sure Chuck Todd understands how he’s being used by republicans, but I know for sure that Chris Matthews knows better!

America is thirsting for a change of direction that exposes the rip offs of the past 35+ years (remember, Ford pardoned Nixon, Bush 1 pardoned Reagan and the Iran/Contra bunch – which likely included himself, Clinton looked the other way regarding Bush’s role in Iran/Contra and Obama blocked ALL investigations of GW Bush/Cheney et al’s wrongdoing) and the sad reality is that America has become divided into the “haves” and the “have nots.”  Sadly (and predictably) the “haves” don’t seem to have any limits as to what they “want” (regarding sucking the wealth from the middle class) and the republicans (and some democrats) are willing to enable this behavior because they’ve been purchased by the very people who are destroying this nation.  Bernie Sanders is speaking DIRECTLY to the issues that have created this great economic inequality – but, you wouldn’t know it because, evidently he’s not very entertaining.  He’s also PULLING Hillary Clinton farther to the left – so, you’d think that if our media really is “liberal” they’d be at least covering something regarding Sanders and Clinton.  Our “liberal” media needs to wake up before it’s too late.  I can tell you with assurance, should people like Todd and Matthews (if that’s their goal) manage to prop up Trump or one of these other “clowns” (remember, the republican “field” for president has often been referred to as the “clown car”) to actually make it to the White House, the next few years WON’T be very entertaining!

I’ve had my issues with President Obama over his 7+ years in the White House, but I’ve always wanted him to succeed.  I’m thankful he’s the president right now and neither Mitt Romney or John McCain managed to defeat him in either one of the last two presidential elections.  It’s like there’s “an adult in the room” regarding the mega issues facing America in today’s messed up world.  And, in my view, the most serious issues are not defeating ISIL, but instead defeating the RIGHT WING extremists in America who are pushing this nation closer and closer to a fascist state.

Many people I know think a person is crazy when the idea that America could become a fascist state is broached.  They think anyone comparing our leaders to those of past generations leading fascist governments (ie Mussolini or Hitler) are way off base.  However, I’ve been following the disintegration of the republican party since the days of Ronald Reagan and I’ve been reading book after book on what is REALLY happening in this nation, and the reality does not look good.  In previous posts I’ve given examples of the definition of fascism – mainly focusing on what I call the “Mussolini line” – which is the corporate/government partnership.  It’s hard to deny that America is trending dangerously in this direction already.  I started clamoring the warnings within days of the Supreme Court’s dangerous and divisive decision titled “Citizens’ United” – which was the work of Mitch McConnell and his “ilk.”  That happened around the time President Obama was elected and by now most “progressives” understand how very dangerous that decision is.

At a time when one of our two political parties is more focused on the “FAILURE” of our president than the SUCCESS of our nation, it’s hard for me to understand why so many in our nation, and more particularly in our “liberal media,” don’t understand the gravity of the problem.  As I watch the political scene while the republicans are “ginning” up hate and fear in an atmosphere where that’s EXACTLY what our so-called “enemy” would want them to be doing, I have to wonder if the person who’s got me more concerned about the U.S. devolving into a fascist state, Donald Trump, isn’t correct.  I’ve heard him claim on more than one occasions that “The American public is STUPID.”  Each time I’ve heard him say that, almost by the next day his poll numbers go UP!  Go figure.  He accused the voters of Iowa of being stupid (apparently because he had temporarily fallen to #2 in the polls at the time) and the next day his “numbers” were up.  (Of course, I only had to think of the lady Iowa elected to the Senate last year to realize he’s more than likely correct).

In my naive, optimistic heart, I can’t bring myself to believe the people who are supporting the “Tea Party” and Donald Trump really understand what they’re supporting.  I’ve got friends who, well, it’s been a couple years since our discussions, when I pointed out the racist nature of the “Tea Party”  and they were unable to understand this.  They consider themselves “conservatives” and somehow were identifying with the “Tea Party” with what I called “selective vetting.”  They were unable to connect all the racists signs and hate signs that appeared at all the anti-Obama “Tea Party” rallies – before President Obama had done more than take the oath of office – as racist induced.  I’m not sure what they’re thinking at this time (if you’ve ever had a conversation with someone who considers what they hear on Fox “news” as actually being “news” you know what I mean when I say it’s difficult to even have a conversation with them about politics) but Donald Trump is a bit less covert than the usual republican racist candidate.  (If you’re not old enough to remember, Ronald Reagan – the messiah to the right wing – [and, I’ll have a lot more to say about him on a soon to be posted rant – had his “kick off” to his presidential campaign – the first successful one] – in Philadelphia Mississippi – most of my “conservative” friends are still, to this day, unable to understand the significance and the imagery sent to racists of that choice for a political “launch pad.”   For a “counter example,” President Obama launched his campaign in Springfield Illinois at the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.)

Let’s consider Trump here for a bit – and, remember, something like a third of the “likely republican voters” are supporting him at this time, and the other “candidates” (are there really any candidates?) say they will support him should he manage to gain the nomination.  Trump started his campaign with a vicious attack on Mexican Americans and claiming he, if elected, will round up 11 MILLION “illegals” and deport them from the country.  (Of course, when asked how he will do this his answer is something along the lines of “it’s a secret,” or “I’m smart,” or – honestly – I’ve got no idea how he’s going to do this.)  He is also going to end (so he says – I’m really curious if “we the  people” will let him) “birthright citizenship” – meaning, if you’re born in America that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a citizen.  I’m really not sure what he means by that, but my suspicion would be he wants to maybe take away President Obama’s citizenship – as he’s been at the forefront of the so-called (and disgraceful) “birther” movement.  But, that’s not all!

Donald Trump, of “The Donald” as some refer to him, will “register” all the Muslims in America.  Not sure what he’s planning to do with this “registry” – but, is this even starting to remind you of anything?  Have you studied any recent world history?  Do you know anything about the Third Reich and the rise of Hitler in the 30’s and how he came to power?  I know it sounds far fetched – but, I’m just saying – if it looks like a duck, call it a duck!  And, how do you think he’ll get “rid” of ISIL?  If “we the people” should allow someone like this to even gain a nomination to our nation’s highest office what kind of message do you think this would send to the rest of the world?  We’re already in the process of destroying ALL the good will we EARNED through the defeat of Germany in the two “World Wars” – through the actions of previous republican presidents (ie – Reagan and GW Bush/Cheney) and the despicable rhetoric that permeates the present day republican campaign “trail.”  (It’s not just Trump)

Of course, while I’m writing this post I hear that now Trump has proposed blocking America’s border to ALL Muslim’s “until our leaders figure out what the hell is going on.” (or something along those lines)  I even heard him say (which, supposedly he later “backtracked” a bit – it that’s possible for Trump) that American citizens who worship the Muslim faith and who are traveling abroad should not be allowed back into the country.  Supposedly, he’s going to propose some kind of religious “test” for people going through customs who are legally coming into this country.  (Of course, Jeb Bush proposed something similar, only it was to let in the Christians!  What’s with these guys – do they really not understand what they’re proposing?)  And, what about the members of our military who are Muslims?  Will they be prevented from coming into the country from, say, fighting in the Middle East?  When discussing all this Trump even likened his thinking to the internment camps Japanese Americans (another part of our shameful history) were placed in during the second World War as being an option for Muslims.  You know, good enough for FDR, good enough for Donald Trump – I guess!

I’ve been pointing out for years that the American republican party and their “cohorts” (ie – Fox “news,” Rush Limbaugh – and his underlings – yes, I’m talking about you Lars Larsen – and, all the paid “pundits” who will espouse the so-called “talking points” for money) have been practicing Joseph Goebbels’ “Big Lie Theory” for years.  That is, if you publicly repeat a lie often enough (and in enough different settings) people will believe it’s the truth.  That’s how they’ve managed to turn the word “liberal,” for example, into a somewhat toxic word in the American political discourse (when EVERY good advance in our history, that benefits “we the people” has come from liberal activists).  They’ve succeeded in brainwashing the American public to believe that our corporate media (owned by right wing corporations almost entirely) is “liberal.”  Now, they’re hammering “we the people” that our president, Barrack Obama, is “weak,” while Donald Trump is “strong.”

When you put all this together, and you consider that Karl Rove, for years, has been proclaiming the forthcoming “permanent republican ‘majority,'” – I hope you can see where we’re going here.  I really don’t think the republican “establishment” will allow Donald Trump to gain the nomination (although a fitting conclusion to expelling him from the party would be he would run a “third party” campaign – wouldn’t that be interesting?) but, the reality is that the other “candidates” aren’t a whole lot better.  From my vantage point, these people (including the financiers who are doling out the “big bucks”) are quietly moving America in the direction of a fascist state.  Donald Trump’s despicable rhetoric is not the reason I’m saying this – although, he brings reality to light.  They’ve been surreptitiously leading us in this direction since the days of Ronald Reagan.  I believe that when Reagan talked about government being “the problem” it was because these people despise “democracy.”  They are on record as saying the fewer people who vote, the better they do.  Their attack on the right to vote has been endless.  They DON’T HATE government, they simply want to CONTROL it, lock, stock and barrel.  As I mentioned above, if it “talks like a duck, quacks like a duck, call it what it is – a duck!”  Donald Trump is simply exposing the republican’s plan to turn America into a fascist (corporate run) state!

If you’re a progressive, or even a moderate (or a rational republican) and you don’t rush to the polls to vote against this attack on the foundation of our nation in the next election, SHAME ON YOU!  I’ve said many times on this site – I’m not pro-democratic – it’s just that the republicans as they are presently constituted MUST GO!  We the people MUST vote as many of them out of office as possible.  And, we need to replace them with progressive minded public servants who are obligated to “we the people” and not the moneyed interests who have so terribly corrupted our present Congress.  And, this idea that every democrat or every republican vote in “lock step” with their party – is TRULY un-American!  That also, (and, by the way, that’s the creed of these republicans no matter who gets the nomination) is one of the things that originally got me visualizing 1930’s Germany (or Italy or Spain) when I heard about the “pledge.” (my own congressperson – a republican – was threatened with censorship for voting her conscience on five occasions out of over 500 votes!)

Every day people recognize how serious the problem is, they just have no idea how to solve it – it does seem impossible.  I’ll say it once more – the first step is to vote out as many republicans from Congress as possible and make sure none of these wack jobs running for their nomination for president in 2016 wins.  Then the job of “we the people will be to transform the Democratic party back into the progressive organization it was during the New Deal and the Great Society.  In other words, America’s middle class needs to stop getting snaffooed by right wing wedge issues and stop voting against their own best interests!  For those of you who were fooled years ago by Ronald Reagan, I’ll have a post soon that “tells it like it is” regarding the right wing’s “messiah.”  It was his election, in my view, that set the stage for the predicament that we now find ourselves.  It’s time to start talking about Reagan’s presidency TRUTHFULLY!

Have you ever heard of the phrase; “The tail is wagging the dog?”  Well, in reference to that and America’s present state of disequilibrium politically, I’m not sure who I blame more: the republican “candidates” for their presidential nomination (If you’re not thinking yet today, I put the word candidates in quotes because, to me, there isn’t ONE capable of actually handling the job of president) or the media which is giving these wack jobs a platform to spew their (mostly hateful) rhetoric.  And, for the sake of defending my own hypocrisy, I don’t hate any of them, I just can’t stand to listen to their inflammatory words which, every day, seem to make Osama bin Laden look like a prophet.

I mean, as I stated in one of my more recent rants, we’ve (Americans) been warned by previous (actual) statesmen (like JFK, FDR, Eisenhower, and others) that the only way we (America) can be “destroyed” (politically, and I suppose, economically) is if we destroy ourselves.  When you listen to people like Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, John Kasich, and the others I don’t see how you can’t understand that what they’re proposing is to “dump” our constitution, our history, and the Bill of Rights in order to save ourselves from the so-called terrorists.  If my point is not getting through to you, think of it this way:  They are suggesting that the American solution to terrorism is TERROR!  Like, “be afraid, be very afraid.”

It’s like a cancer.  By my thinking the cancer started 35+ years ago when somehow the American people were fooled into believing Ronald Reagan’s promise that he could “cut taxes and balance the budget.”  It sounded great to enough people for Reagan to gain the White House.  And, Reagan was so congenial that the American people fell in love with him (well, for at least a few years anyway) allowing his surrogates to do untold damage to the foundation of our government – which Reagan portrayed as the enemy.  (and, a quick poly sci 101 reminder; WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT) In 2001 along came GW Bush and Dick Cheney (and others – many from the Reagan surrogates) and the cancer started spreading to the point where it got out of control by the time they left Washington DC “with their tales between their legs.” (Say what you will about Bill Clinton – and, I could say a lot – but, during his two terms in the White House it was like the cancer started to be controlled with the possibility of being cured – and, I’m talking about the economy and America’s “standing” in the world)

Not only did Bush/Cheney put the Reagan “trickle down” (I call it trickle up for obvious reasons) theory on steroids, but George W imagined himself as the tough guy “war president.”  Yikes!!!  And, we’ve (not only the American people, but the rest of the world) been suffering the consequences ever since.  (Just the thought of what Bush/Cheney did should cause anyone even thinking of voting for one of these republican “candidates” to shudder)  I suppose you could lay the blame for the “Bush Doctrine” – which led to the invasion of Iraq – and, subsequently to the destabilizing of the Middle East – at the “feet” of the Project for a New American Century.  (you can “google” the name or find info by clicking here or here)  However, any way you look at it, to me, the idea that we should trust anyone who thinks even REMOTELY as Bush/Cheney did is insanity.  (I know you’ve heard the definition of insanity – doing the same thing and expecting different results)  Today, as I listened to the commentary of the situation in Europe (France) and North Africa (Mali) I just kept getting the image in my mind of the dog chasing its tail.  I guess you could call it a “catch 22” or a vicious cycle.  It’s like we’re expending MORE and MORE energy and getting NOWHERE!

When George W Bush was chosen by the Supreme Court as president (remember, he was never officially elected – both elections were achieved via rigged voting practices and voting machines – Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004), once I recovered from Al Gore’s decision to not fight for the MILLIONS of people who had voted him into the office of the president, I chose to support President Bush (albeit reluctantly).  I’m not one to want my president to FAIL.  That’s because I love this country and I’ve always wanted it to succeed – despite the MANY issues that require repentance that could be laid at the feet of the U.S. Government.  When Bush decided to invade a sovereign nation (which had not attacked us – the first time in our history any president had the audacity to do so) I felt he had gone too far and I started speaking out against the policies of my own president.  I never lost sight of the fact that my hope was he would change the policy – although, I’m realizing more and more, once the Bush/Cheney regime removed Saddam Hussein with no idea of what to do next (do you remember Cheney predicting we would be received as “liberators?”) was when the “cancer” started to metastasize.

It was the de-Baathafication of Iraq which laid the groundwork for the present day group calling itself “The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” or, as referred to by others either as ISIS or ISIL.  Essentially, ISIL is part of the Sunni vs Shia “battle” that’s been raging for thousands of years.  (and, if you believe the Bible, will continue until the return of Christ)  The more I read about this area of the world the more I realize the Bush Doctrine (via the Project for a New American Century – made up of the leaders of America’s conservative movement) was founded on ignorance.  Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Wolfowitz and all the others (whose “thirst” for oil superseded whatever common sense they may have had), I believe, failed to even consider the “side-effects” of their invasion of Iraq.  And, now we’ve got the same people attacking President Obama as he tries to figure a way out of this mess without making it even worse.

When I listen to the rhetoric of today’s republican “leaders” I’m reminded of GW Bush when he used the phrase “Bring it on” in reference to the Iraqi insurgents (who, by the way, today make up the majority of ISIS) – like we’re going to somehow kill them all.  Donald Trump would “bomb the hell out of them and then get a general like Patton to go in and take all their oil.”  (sound familiar?) Ben Carson said, …… well, I don’t understand what he said, it makes no sense – the only thing I got from reading what he said (and, listening a couple times) is that he’s more clueless than most of the republican “candidates.”  He did agree, however, with Trump that we simply take their oil from them!  (he makes it sound so easy – isn’t that what Bush/Cheney originally planned to do?)  Ted Cruz suggests we “bomb Iraq and Syria back to the Stone Age” and, of course, that we “fix the border.”  Marco Rubio essentially says the same thing as Cruz but adds that he would put ground forces into Iraq and Syria and enforce a “no fly” zone in Syria.  (by the way, as I was listening to one of Rubio’s speeches I couldn’t help but think of the old saying; “You’re so full of s@#t your eyes are brown.”  I’m not sure that he doesn’t repulse me more than the others)  I’ll let you find Jeb Bush’s “plan” – suffice it to say that he’s a Bush and he was a signatory to “The Project for a New American Century.”

So, we have a president (who’ll be president for another year) trying to find a way to stem the tide in Iraq/Syria (and, now other places as well) and, we’ve got a bunch of “wing-nut” republican wannabe presidential candidates (I’m presuming several are simply the Sarah Palin type who saw how she cashed in on her 15 minutes of fame and are attempting to do likewise – prepare yourself for more ghost written books) spewing anti Muslim hate speech as if no one’s listening.  And, we’ve got a media that (probably actually) believes it is “fair and balanced” allowing these people to broadcast their hate world wide as if it’s really what America thinks.  And, we the people have to wait until next November to have a chance to TOTALLY repudiate this type of thinking. And, trust me on this one, the “liberal media” will get sucked in by these people in their attempt to continue causing Americans to “tune in.”  When I can stomach TV I watch MSNBC (supposedly the “liberal” station) and they seem to be falling all over themselves trying to make these republican “hopefuls” look reputable – evidently, to make the 2016 campaign more exciting.

In the meantime, it’s like these republican candidates are “throwing gas on the fire” in regards to ginning up what appears to me to be two bases.  First is their own right wing base of religious zealots here in America and secondly the right wing religious zealots in Iraq and Syria (ie ISIS).  So, who knows, with the help of our 24 hour media cycle we could encourage 2016 to be a record year of terrorist attacks. (and, by the way, Jeb Bush, in his interview where he suggested only Christian refugees be admitted to the United States claimed there are no Christian terrorists – I honestly have to say, I wish he was correct on that piece of ignorance – does anyone remember Tim McVeigh?, for starters)

I guess I’ll end this by reminding you that the number one agenda for republicans is (and has been for 7 long years) that President Obama FAILS.  So, of course, I wouldn’t expect them to follow the great American tradition of supporting our leaders in times of international crisis – but I totally agree with our president when he reminds these wing nuts – “The world is watching” and their words are damaging our nation in the eyes of the rest of the world.  A quick reminder:  the “global” world – ie economy, etc. – we find ourselves in is largely the result of the “conservative” movement and their push for “free trade,” globalization, etc.  As our republican “leaders” are attempting to block our borders from Syrian refugees (fleeing the conflict resulting from our invasion of Iraq) Germany is taking in one MILLION. (we’re balking at ten thousand)  As the mess in Iraq and Syria (exacerbated in the first place by Bush/Cheney placing American troops “on the ground” in Iraq) gets worse, it should be no surprise that republicans are pushing for more troops “on the ground.”

As an afterword: First, as I’ve stated many times on this site, I’m a (liberal) Christian – but, I have to add one more thing (and, I’m not making this up).  Jeb Bush was (apparently) asked to comment on Donald Trump’s plan to round up 11 million “illegals” and deport them to who knows where.  He commented that he was in agreement, “except for the Christians.”  I don’t even know what to say!

I recently finished reading “Who Stole the American Dream” by Hedrick Smith (in my view, a “must” read for anyone struggling to understand why America is headed toward second class status) which motivated me to read “The Power Game” by the same author another great book that I’ve nearly finished.  One of the main points I’ve pulled from these books is the role the so-called “liberal media” is playing in the demise of our nation – or, maybe a better way to put it is how the (mostly) republican party has learned to PLAY the media in order to manipulate public opinion.  If you’ve read many of my posts on this site it won’t be “news” to you when I talk about the propaganda scheme of the republican party – which, to me, dangerously resembles the “Big Lie Theory” of Joseph Goebbels in Nazi Germany during the rise of the Third Reich.  It just adds a bit to my frustration, watching this nation spiral in a downward direction, as I read confirmation of the focus the republican party has been putting on manipulating the media since the days of Ronald Reagan (and before).  And, I guess, I have to add that the democrats just don’t seem to be very good at this and still don’t seem to “get it,” regarding the implications of this media manipulation.

What caused me today to think even more about how the media is getting “jobbed” in America, I was listening on the radio to MSNBC on my way home from work today and realized that the terrorist group “ISIL” (or ISIS or The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or whatever they’re called) have learned how this works and they’re doing essentially the same thing.  Their focus is to spread “terror” and our media is almost like a willing partner, from what I can tell.  What has evolved into a 24 hour “news cycle” requires “news” – well – or whatever whoever’s “running the show” decides is “news.”  If there’s not “real” news, it must, evidently, be created – at all hours of the day.  So, for example, ISIL has been publishing “propaganda videos” which I would have little to no interest in, except our media outlets are falling all over themselves trying to be the “first” to report on the latest one.  Today, what I remember about the broadcast I was listening to, they said there have been videos published for 8 straight days.  Well, that will ensure that who knows how many people will attempt to find them.  And, it will apparently assure that “we the people” are “very afraid.”  Because, at the same time, MSNBC has repeatedly pointed out that over 80% of us are expecting a “major terrorist attack” at any moment.  It seems to me, the “terrorists” have “we the people” figured out really well.  They’re spreading “terror” and we seem to be “willing buyers.”  Yikes!!!!

I find all sorts of ironies in all of this.  Let’s start with all the right wing zealots in America who’ve been railing against our government for the past – well – as many years as I can remember.  OK, I guess I am “beating a dead horse,” but the lord of these people, the aforementioned Ronald Reagan began the scenario where “government is the problem not the solution.”  I’ve been watching from the sidelines for years as people in America with this “bent” have been pushing for “less government,” “lower taxes,” (especially on the well off) and, they’ve been ceaselessly attacking President Obama since before he took the oath of office – having agreed to the unenviable job of trying to un-mess the MESS created by GW Bush/Dick Cheney (Bush/Cheney lowered taxes and BORROWED Trillions to ignite this mess). Of course, now their (republicans) complaint is that “government” (presumably meaning President Obama) isn’t doing enough to fight ISIL.  It’s called the “I want it both ways” syndrome!

These people ignore ALL the accomplishments of the Obama administration (many, directly benefiting them) while BLAMING EVERYTHING they can think of that may or may not be going well on our President.  Even if it’s going well, they will tell you it isn’t.  If it isn’t going well, Yikes! here comes another congressional investigation!  They are able to create crisis out of thin air – and, of course, once President Obama has successfully “solved” a problem, we never hear about it again.  Need an example?  Do you remember the Ebola scare?  President Obama was aggressive in addressing the issue and was constantly assuring the American public it was not a problem we should fear.  He sent troops and others to Africa to help the people there combat the crisis.

And, now the crisis has been essentially removed from people’s minds.  Yet, I haven’t heard ONE republican giving President Obama credit for the “adult in the room” manner in which he showed leadership during that crisis.  We had republican governors (yes, Mr. Christie, you’re one of them) doing incredibly STUPID stuff in reaction to the “crisis” and escalating the situation with their normal manner of doing “business;” FEAR!  Now that (internal) terrorists have hit France, the FEAR MONGERS are out in force again – and, who would you think would be leading the “charge?”  Well, let’s let the republican “leaders” form a line. (and, I have to add, having pointed out often how many democrats are totally spineless, you’ll see a fair number of them, fearful of the very media I’m writing about, falling in line – and, as usual, they’re ALWAYS at the end of the line)  It’s like the leaders of ISIL couldn’t ask for more.

Yet with candidates like Donald Trump, Christie, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, and the others, our republicans are constantly giving them “more.”  The racist rhetoric that comes out of these people seems to be endless.  Evidently, they’re not paying attention to the reports which indicate they are like a walking recruiting team for the terrorists.  Trump (I honestly wake up every day thinking the reality of his political success is simply a bad dream) probably creates a new terrorist every time he broaches the subject of Muslims.  You see, the people around the world are actually paying attention to our political process.

I believe years ago some of the egregious acts of our government – ie, the invasion of Iraq, for one – were considered as being in opposition to the will of the American people.  However, people around the world are seeing that someone spewing racist hate like Donald Trump is actually the front-runner – in the republican nomination for President for God’s sake!  Trust me, this doesn’t make us look good.  Trump has pointedly belittled Mexicans, Muslims, and today he suggested that something like 80% of all whites who are murdered in America are killed by Blacks!  I’m not making this up (Maybe MSNBC is, but I’m pretty sure I heard “The Donald” verify it in his own voice).  He also said he saw, with his own eyes – on TV – “Thousands and thousands of Muslims in New Jersey cheering as the World Trade Center came down.”  Trump has been credited with something on the order of 15 or 16 “Pants on Fire” LIES by some media outlet that actually fact checks these people, but that doesn’t seem to bother the republican brethren who are lining up to support him. (I remind you again of Joseph Goebbels – just take a quick tour of 1930’s history when you’re looking at the Trump “movement.”)

Here’s the American reality for people of the Muslim faith.  When they see an attack like the one in Paris they know the recriminations are coming.  They know they’re going to have to listen to the race baiting on our “news” media and they know they’re going to be stereotyped.  Honestly, I don’t remember the same reaction when Tim McVeigh killed more Americans in Oklahoma City a few years back than were killed in Paris and McVeigh was acting as an anti-government right wing Christian terrorist.  He (and his cohorts in crime) were labeled criminals – as well they should have been.  They didn’t represent me (I’m a Christian) just like the criminals who killed the people in Paris don’t represent all the Muslims around the world.  For anyone who’s paying attention, ISIL is killing far more Arabs than they are people in the “West.”  Seriously, they don’t need the encouragement they’re getting from people like Trump and the others running for the republican nomination for president (or anyone else with a national “platform” for that matter).

So, getting back to my earlier point that the people leading the charge to support Trump or Carson or Rubio or “fill in the blank” (I even heard today, the so-called Republican “establishment” is longing for Mitt Romney) actually hate government – yet, at the same time they are expecting the government they hate to “keep them safe.” (Although, it seems to me there are people in the republican party who are longing for us to get “hit” again, kind of as a counterbalance to the FACT that Bush/Cheney were in charge during 9/11)  They want to cut government spending to the bone, they’re constantly railing against the deficit, yet they’re willing to spend “whatever” in the fight against “terror” by encouraging another all out war.  (First, how do you fight “terror?” Certainly not by encouraging FEAR wouldn’t you think?  And, secondly, how did the all out war work out last time?  OK, that was rhetorical – we created ISIL) None of this makes any sense!

Here’s another point that seems a bit ironic (or scary or disgusting – I’m searching for the right word) to me.  There’s a list kept by the FBI and other law enforcement personnel across America – I believe it’s called the “Terrorist Watch List” – where law enforcement is following the actions of (I think) around 2000 suspected (possible) home grown “terrorists.”  Americans who may have been “radicalized” and are considered possible “lone wolf” – I’ll use my term – criminals.  What’s interesting (and disgusting – I decided I now know the word I was searching for above) is that there’s NO RESTRICTION on the ability of ANY of these people to purchase weapons in America.  They can cross state lines and purchase, presumably, assault weapons indiscriminately with no background check, no anything.  This, of course, is the result of the right wing’s REFUSAL to consider any restrictions on “gun laws” in America as a violation of our (phantom) 2nd Amendment rights.  Everyone knows, republican politicians live in fear of retribution from the NRA should they cast ONE vote contrary to their absurd FIGHT against ANY restrictions on people’s right to purchase weapons.  Yet, these same people will be at the front of the line blaming President Obama (and, most certainly Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders – depending on which one is the likely democratic nominee) should one of these “homegrown terrorists” attempt to become famous.

And, believe me when I say, that (becoming famous) could be a motivator for one of these people who may be thinking of committing some horrible act of violence.  Back to our “liberal media” that, in my view, is getting played by the republicans (even on MSNBC it’s a rare day when you hear anything from the mouths of Clinton or Sanders – Trump is correct when he says he doesn’t need to advertise – our media is giving him all the advertising he needs – and FREE OF CHARGE!) and the terrorists running the propaganda campaign for ISIL.  They (the media) have focused so much on the one “terrorist” who escaped in Paris, naming him, and calling him “the number 1 fugitive in the world” – that I don’t think they’re taking the time to ponder what might be the unintended consequences of trying to keep us informed 24 hours per day to his whereabouts – as if that, in itself, would make us feel safer.  I think it makes the reporters feel important – but, I really don’t see where it makes anyone safer. (and, it probably makes it even more difficult for the authorities to actually catch the man) Personally, I can imagine someone committing a horrific crime simply for the notoriety.

I could go on, but I’m sure by now you catch my “drift.”  I just keep wondering when (and if) “we the people” will be able to be served by a media that is truly focused on responsibly reporting “news” and not allowing itself to be “played” by either of the political parties  or others, like ISIL. Today’s reality is that the experts at this are the republicans with ISIL’s “media experts” close behind.  Obviously, people around the world are paying attention To what’s happening in America (our right wing “leaders” are even afraid to allow the Syrian refugees – which we are largely responsible for creating – into our country after an extremely intense “vetting” process) and now we don’t even seem to need the government to issue “terror alerts.”  With the “liberal media’s” help, the American people have learned to be afraid, be “very afraid.”  I could give you the statistics of all the ways THOUSANDS more Americans are killed EVERY year than via terrorist attacks – despite how tragically awful those attacks are/were – but, that wouldn’t calm the American public down – because the FEAR MONGERS are winning, and therefore, the terrorists are accomplishing their goal.

There’s an old saying: “Be careful what you wish for.”  Well, Republicans, after the Mitt Romney fiasco of 2012, came to the conclusion they were not “conservative enough.”  In the meantime you’ve had Fox “news” and people like Rush Limbaugh ginning up their base of government haters (and, liberal haters, immigrant haters, LBGT haters, women haters, minority haters, etc. etc.) and now you have a group of candidates commonly referred to (by those in the “mainstream” of American politics) as the “clown car.”  There isn’t one of their candidates who will be able to make a credible candidate for president.  However, that minor detail hasn’t derailed them in the past – I will explain.

Then there’s the saying: “Those who ignore history are destined to repeat it.”  Enter: the Democrats.  A reminder: Ronald Reagan was a fringe candidate in 1980 who had failed in bids for the Republican nomination for a decade and a half prior to gaining the nomination in 1980.  Reagan was imminently unqualified to be President – although he was a great spokesperson for what I’ve been referring to as the “invisible cabal” for years – that is, the wealthy benefactors of republican candidates who choose to stay in the background.  Then, in 2000, we got George W Bush, another republican who was like a figure head – being manipulated by this cabal and their surrogates like Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld – the group calling themselves the “project for a new American century.”  This group was connected at the wallet with the above mentioned cabal (that, I believe, history will at some point identify).

Reagan won the election in 1980 by taking advantage of a democratic party in disunity and by promoting John Anderson, a liberal republican, to head off the independent voters and democrats who couldn’t vote for Reagan, but who also were disenchanted with Jimmy Carter.  (Of course, Reagan’s surrogates were busy making sure the hostages being held in Tehran Iran were not released until after the election.  Someday, that “dirty trick” – in the words of republican operatives circa Richard Nixon – will also be on the historical record).  Additionally, anyone who’s paid attention knows that George W Bush commandeered the election from Al Gore by “stealing” the electoral votes in Florida with the help of his brother (I still can’t believe he got away with that one) and the Secretary of State (Kathleen Harris) in Florida.  Rigged voting machines and using the Supreme Court to prevent a recount of all the defective paper ballots allowed GW to gain the White House.  (I still am disappointed that Gore didn’t put up more of a FIGHT to gain the Presidency that “we the people” elected him to – the only saving grace is that Joseph Lieberman never became Vice President).

One more thing, GW Bush defeated John Kerry in 2004 via rigged voting machines – this time in Ohio – again with the help of a republican Secretary of State who was also acting as Bush’s campaign manager for that state.  Kerry, like Gore before him, failed miserably in FIGHTING for the election that he almost certainly won.

I’m giving this little history lesson to caution democrats who are using terms like “clown car” to describe the republican hopefuls. (although, I totally understand where that comes from – these people are – well, let me put it this way, I can’t imagine ANY of them becoming president of the United States – and, having their “finger on the trigger.”  Yikes – is the best word that comes to my mind.  However, back to my earlier thoughts:  democrats had better not underestimate the so-called “clown car” – because that invisible “cabal” I often write about has BILLIONS of dollars aimed at the next election and the perfect candidate for them is a blundering idiot who can’t make a complete sentence (AKA GW Bush) who will be easily manipulated.  Considering the amount of money these people have AND the FACT that they have laid out a “ground game” I’m not even sure the democrats understand which is designed to WIN no matter what (ie, “the end justifies the means.”) it would behoove democrats to take this next election VERY seriously!

Let me explain: look back at the past few years; first the Supreme Court named a president and then gave us the Citizens United decision which opened the flood gates to money flowing into politics from who knows where.  To me, there’s little doubt that foreign money is having a HUGE influence on our political scene. Then there’s the obvious reality that, with the help of the Supreme Court, republicans have eviscerated the Voting Rights Act and are employing voter suppression strategies all across America (yes, that means not just in the South).  The “covert” reality has to do with the electronic voting machines which, from what I’ve heard will generate something in the neighborhood of 80% of the vote in 2016.  These machines are manufactured from corporations run (and owned) by republican operatives (some are even owned in part, so I’ve heard, by Mitt Romney) and they are easily “hacked.”  The reports of machines “lighting up” the wrong name have been “out there” since the GW Bush “robbery” of 2000, yet we hear little about this.  It would not surprise me to hear stories of people pressing the button for Sanders or Clinton and seeing Trump or Cruz on the screen (actually, it could happen more surreptitiously, like where you wouldn’t even see the switch – does anyone besides me wonder how, in the recent gubernatorial election in Kentucky the candidate who polled well below his rival won in a landslide??  Virtually, all votes on electric voting machines with NO “paper trail?”)

And, given the FACT, that neither Al Gore nor John Kerry chose to FIGHT this reality, you can see that the democrats are potential “sitting ducks” for another stolen election.  Many will sit back and call stuff like I’m writing tonight “conspiracy theory” and go to the polls in 2016 thinking that in America we have free and fair elections.  The possible end result will be the completion of Karl Rove’s dream of “The permanent republican ‘majority.'”

Every day I spend most of my time, when checking my email, deleting a plethora of emails coming from candidates constantly asking me for money.  I read as many as I have the stomach for and the conclusion I come up with is that the leadership of the democratic party is no match for the “invisible cabal” guiding the republican “ship.”  If democrats get too full of themselves due to the dearth of qualified republican candidates, we could end up with a Donald Trump or a Ted Cruz or one of the other “wack jobs” on the republican stage as president.  Honestly, I couldn’t believe the democrats held their last debate on a Saturday night.  To me, that’s enough to FIRE whoever is in charge of their campaign strategy.

I feel a bit awkward pushing for democrats – I grew up as an independent – but the thought of one of these republicans as president makes me sick to my stomach.  What would that mean to those of us who are moderates to liberals?  I’ll tell you, if this next year isn’t enough to motivate you to get involved in the process I don’t think it will ever happen.  My son may be correct when he says that we need to elect Donald Trump to fast forward us to a disaster large enough to get our full attention.  I’m just worried as to the size of the disaster.  Will it take another Great Depression to get “we the people” to understand where these republicans want to take us?  I’m afraid it could be worse than that.  When I hear candidates suggest we bomb Syria “back to the Stone Age” I honestly get a bit on edge.

I’m a semi-retired sixth grade teacher and some of the reasoning of my sixth graders reminds me of the level of discourse when I listen to people like Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, or Marco Rubio (plus most of the others) present their solutions to problems in speeches and the republican “debates.”  Donald Trump will defeat China (and, presumably Russia and every other adversary on the planet) by “negotiating.”  Seriously!  When asked to elaborate, Trump thoughtfully explains, “I’m good at negotiating.”  He’s proud to let us all know he’s “smart” and our leaders are “stupid.”  I guess that’s good enough for 40% of the republican “base.”  I don’t even know how to present what Ben Carson says – his political reasoning is evidently pre-sixth grade thinking. Ted Cruz is the sixth grade bully who’s going to bomb Syria “back to the Stone Age” – but fearful of allowing Syrian refugees into this country.  Mario Rubio is the student who has an answer for everything – it’s just that the answer is different depending on who is his audience.  I wouldn’t want any of these people as the principal of my school, let alone president of the United States.

Well, this idea among republicans (I believe it’s major proponent was Rush Limbaugh – I’m just sayin) that they lost in 2012 because they weren’t conservative enough has a bunch of politicians running as if they’re going to jump off the right wing cliff!  I believe the worst part out of all of this is that our media is fomenting these people because it’s good entertainment – and, the rest of the world is watching.  I’m sure people around the world are wondering, what the hell has happened to America?  Since 9/11 we’ve been getting eaten alive – from the inside out – by FEAR.  And, the right wing politicians have been pushing an agenda of fear successfully since that tragic date.  Bush/Cheney had their fear colors – ie “terror alerts” which they could heighten right before election day – and, it worked.  I stated back then, it’s much easier for “we the people” to give up our liberties than to get them back.  Based on what I’m hearing as I listen to my satellite radio while driving around and watching what I can stomach of TV “news,” it won’t be long and a majority of Americans will be encouraging the NSA to be spying on our phone calls and emails.  Piece by piece we’ll be surrendering our bill of rights in order to “keep us safe” – just like Bush/Cheney invaded Iraq to “keep us safe.”  And, while all this right wing bloviating is going on democrats are “debating” on a Saturday night.

It will be our entertainment based media that will ultimately be what takes down our nation as those of us old enough to be called “baby boomers” knew it.  I go to work every day and notice that most people are busy just living out their lives.  By presenting Donald Trump constantly on one channel after another, the media is making him into what many who are simply noticing the sound bites or the headlines as a credible candidate.  (Trump is correct when he says he doesn’t have to make adds, the media is constantly giving him free add time) The same for Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Rubio, and the rest of them.  I’m sure that somewhere in the republican party there is actually someone with qualifications that would be traditionally acceptable for the presidency – but, in today’s conservative world, that in itself would automatically disqualify that person.  I don’t consider the republican candidates “conservatives” – to me, they are right wing zealots – giving them something in common with the leaders of ISIL.  I guess my final question would be:  Are right wing zealots “conservative” enough for the invisible leaders of today’s republican party? (people like Limbaugh and his ilk)

I’ll say it again, be careful what you wish for!

Today, I listened to an interview (on Fox “news”) with Jeb Bush (I really shouldn’t expose myself to Fox – I’m a grown adult and know what to expect – I guess I just want to keep up on their propaganda scheme) where Bush had the AUDACITY to accuse our president Barack Obama of getting us “bogged down” in the Middle East.  In addition, he pandered to the Fox “hosts” who were leading him on in their quest to ensure that the United States closes its doors to the Syrian refugees (that, essentially, are the long term result of his brother’s STUPIDITY in invading Iraq some 12+ years ago).  Honestly, I’m getting beyond sick of listening to these people, but as the “stakes” are increasing and the need for the American public to stand behind our leadership increases, I guess all I can hope for is that Fox gets their satellite projectors (or whatever it is they use to spread their venom) hit by lightning.

I’ve said many times on this site that Dick Cheney (or anyone closely involved with the Bush/Cheney regime) should not be allowed a platform on national TV to spew their toxic obstructive criticism of the president who’s got the un-enviable task of cleaning up the mess left behind by Bush/Cheney et al.  It really doesn’t matter what President Obama does or says, anyone affiliated with the republican party (yes, the same group that accused people like me who cautioned against invading Iraq as “un-patriotic”) will take the other side.  While I “get” that’s part of the American “landscape” I just find it almost unbelievable that any “news” outlet could let a Bush accuse anyone of (other than GW Bush/Dick Cheney et al) getting us “bogged down” in the Middle East!  Have these people not been paying attention???? It was George W Bush and Dick Cheney who got us STUCK in this terrible situation!  We’ve been in this “spot” since Bush/Cheney invaded Afghanistan and shortly thereafter took their eyes off the “prize” (Osama bin Laden) and shifted their focus to the oil fields of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

The other day I heard Donald Trump (the apparent “front runner” for these same republicans regarding the 2016 presidential nomination) accuse the American public of being “STUPID.” Well, if Jeb Bush gets away with this latest absurd accusation toward President Obama, then I guess I’m going to have to agree with Mr. Trump on something (which, in itself, is hard for me to stomach).  OMG – does this man (Jeb Bush) really believe he’s qualified to get us out of the quagmire his brother (with the likely manipulation of Dick Cheney) got us into?  Keep in mind, he’s got the same advisers (to an extent) that were responsible for much of the damage done to America and the rest of the world by his brother.  PPPPPPPLEASE, give me a break!!  If you’re reading this, do something – call your congress person or something – the local republican office and tell them to get this guy to SHUT UP!  The actual terrorists are listening!

The reality is (it should be obvious to just about anyone right now) that the problem is getting worse instead of better.  The policies of the United States of America have been a disaster for the past 15 years (probably longer – but, I’ll leave that argument for another day).  I’ve written about my view of the failings of President Obama many times – he SHOULD have allowed the investigations (and likely prosecutions) of the Bush administration regarding the WAR CRIMES committed in ALL OF OUR names during the Iraq (and Afghanistan) fiascos!  The world would have breathed a sigh of relief had “we the people” made a public repudiation of the invasion of a sovereign nation under false pretenses along with the TORTURE and war profiteering and on and on.  That didn’t happen, but it is ridiculous to accuse President Obama of getting us “bogged down” in this civil war.  I would suggest that President Obama has failed to completely remove himself from the so-called “Bush doctrine” which has led to the unrest in Libya and now Syria.  I don’t understand where we have the right to determine (or maybe a better term is dictate) the make-up of the countries in the Middle East.  But it wasn’t Obama who got us into this mess!

Obviously, it is their oil that makes the region so important to America (and many others) – but, in my view, our leaders have continually shown a lack of understanding of the age old “rift” between the different sects in the region.  And, the impression the Americans left in the region when you study what the American tactics were after the over throw of Hussein were, well, let me put it this way – I don’t think we befriended many Iraqi’s – as our troops were barging into their homes and hauling away suspected “enemy combatants” to Abu Ghraib – to be TORTURED for “actionable intelligence” that didn’t exist.  The harsh reality is that the group ISIS (or ISIL as President Obama and others refer to them – or the Islamic State which is how they refer to themselves) was created by the Bush/Cheney regime.  In fact, I believe the founding of ISIS was the day Paul Bremer “debaathified” Iraq by FIRING all the government employees under Saddam Hussein along with his military.  Bush/Cheney showed an incredible ignorance regarding the Sunni Shia rivalry and I’m not sure we’ve learned much since. (In fact, brother Jeb suggested we “rehire” the Arabs we “hired” during the infamous “surge” to help solve the present problem.  I’m no expert – OK, quit laughing, but I believe you’ll find most of those people as members of ISIS)

Obviously, I’ll say it again, just in case you haven’t been listening, I’m not an expert myself, but I have to believe the problems in the region won’t be solved by killing everyone.  If you listen to our republican brethren, you might believe otherwise.  Just like Donald Trump believes (OK, do you really think he’s sincere?) he can somehow round up 11 or 12 MILLION immigrants in America and ship them back to who knows where, when I listen to some of these republican front runners it almost sounds as if they see the solution to the present day problem (and, again, it’s the problem created by themselves) is to somehow “eliminate” all the Muslims.  Well, maybe today one of them said it’s OK to let the “Christian” Muslims – wait, that can’t be possible can it?  They must have said, the Christians in the area are OK, we just need to kill all the Muslims.

OK, I know what you’re thinking.  And, you’re correct.  They were talking about taking in refugees (when referencing Christians) who are fleeing the area because ISIS is brutally killing – well, it must be Muslims, because many of the refugees fleeing to Europe are definitely Muslims.  Of course, many of America’s leaders are balking at us taking ANY of these refugees because one of them might be a terrorist.  But, then I thought I heard Mr. Bush (the aforementioned Jeb) say that if the refugees are Christians than we can take them in.  I took that to mean that Christians can’t be terrorists.  I guess we can all rest easy now. (by the way, I’m not knocking Christians, I am one myself, I just have a hard time stomaching this republican rhetoric)

Isn’t this just the “new America” – the melting pot nation that has been built on immigrants to create a disastrous situation (ie the Syrian conflict in the Middle East ie ISIS) and then turn our backs on the resulting FLOOD of people fleeing the situation in fear of their lives.  I have to believe that we have been acting almost EXACTLY as Osama bin Laden imagined when he schemed up 9/11.  I still remember as a child (a LONG time ago) hearing recordings of FDR as he said, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”  Evidently, bin Laden understood American history better than most of us – like when Abraham Lincoln (the first republican president) said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”  Well, it appears to me that fear is ruling the day in Washington DC among many of our “leaders.”  And, while President Obama seems to be, at least, “the adult in the room” when it comes to our leadership in dealing with the recurrent crises that seem to be “ruling the day,” one thing “we the people” can seemingly count on is a media that specializes in fear mongering and “leaders” who willingly take the “bait,” with the result being we are “destroying ourselves.”

Republicans (and, again, I remind you they, via Bush/Cheney et al, gave us the present mess) are falling all over themselves proclaiming that we should not allow Syrian refugees into our country (unless, of course, as stated above, they are Christians) despite the FACT these refugees are fleeing the very forces created by our government (circa Bush/Cheney – I have to keep reminding of that, just in case you are one of the Americans referenced by Donald Trump above – I’ll let you figure that one out for yourself).  Politicians like Jeb Bush are patronizing the republican “base” that has proven over the past seven years that EVERYTHING is (including, believe it or not, the TARP bailouts, the deficit handed down by Bush/Cheney, obviously these “wars,” etc. – all pre Obama’s inauguration) President Obama’s fault.  It’s impossible to have an adult conversation across party lines in America because the republicans ONLY want President Obama to FAIL.  They, apparently, could care less about America and Americans.  OK, I “get” that – I mean it’s been the “order of the day” for 7 long years now.  But, honestly, it’s beyond the pail when I have to listen to Jeb Bush accuse Obama of getting us “bogged down” in the Middle East.  How can any serious media outlet allow him to make that claim? (You don’t have to remind me, I know that Fox is not a serious media outlet – but in a time of war, wouldn’t you think even they could get beyond wanting our president to FAIL?)

I truly believe in the constitution and the 1st amendment that gives us the freedom of speech.  But can’t we just make a law for the Bush family?  That no one in that family can accuse the president of this?  He’s spent 7 years trying to undo an apparently undo-able mess created by GW and Dick (sounds like a comedy duo – would be funny except think of all they did) – at the very least he should be expected to SHUT UP on this particular subject until or if the American people are, as Donald Trump implied, STUPID – and, put another Bush in the White House.  Can you really imagine Jeb Bush trying to get us out of this mess???  He’d probably hire a Cheney to help him. What a depressing thought!  (I’ll end by saying: think of all the republican “hopefuls” on their “debate” stage – who would you trust with this problem?  Yikes!!!)

If you’ve spent much time on this site it would not surprise you to hear me say that the present “makeup” of the republican party pretty much repulses me.  The United States is spiraling toward second class status and the republicans are doing everything they can to impede the workings of our government in a way that allows themselves to cement POWER via a constant ATTACK on anyone in leadership who represents the democratic party.  They clearly stated their number one goal as President Obama was inaugurated; and it was his FAILURE.  They’ve done everything they possibly can to OBSTRUCT every initiative Obama would support.  That is, if he’s “for it” they are automatically “against it.”

Take for example the Affordable Care Act, popularly referred to as “Obamacare.”  The basic structure of this legislation comes right out of the Heritage Foundation (a right wing “think tank”) and mirrors the plan put forth in Massachusetts by none other than Mitt Romney when he was the governor there.  Of course, even Romney – when he was running against President Obama in 2012 – bought into repealing “Obamacare” despite him being the proponent of a similar plan in Massachusetts.  The Reason?: Of course, the reason is that no republican can succeed without pandering to the puppet masters (ie Koch Brothers, Rush Limbaugh, Fox “news,”).  As I’ve stated many times here, the republicans are following the propaganda scheme of Joseph Goebbels – “The Big Lie Theory” – that if you repeat a lie often enough people will believe it’s true.  This theory has proven so successful in America that, apparently, the American people accept that their politicians are partisan liars without the slightest bit of impunity.  Yuck!!!

(For the record, I’m not a great fan of “Obamacare” myself.  I would definitely support “Medicare for all” – you know, the Medicare republicans are busy trying to destroy – so, I’m not holding my breath in anticipation.  Even if they would work with the other side to “fix” Obamacare, I would consider a miracle had happened.  Do you remember the “public option?” Republicans – along with Joseph Lieberman – made sure the private insurance companies didn’t have to compete with “that” – you know, a government program that actually works)

So, the reason for these thoughts today is that, on my way home from work, I listened in to the republican prosecution of Hillary Clinton regarding the attack on the American State Department compound in Benghazi, Libya in 2012 where Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others were killed by Libyan terrorists.  This charade reminds me of the endless Whitewater hearings during the Clinton administration when Mrs. Clinton’s husband was president.  Obviously, the republicans fear Mrs. Clinton regarding her candidacy for president in 2016 and they’ve been on the attack for at least two years now.  This partisan WASTE of taxpayer money makes me sick to my stomach.  As the representative from my home state (Washington) pointed out, accurately, there wasn’t close to this level of scrutiny on the 9/11 terrorist  attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. (Dick Cheney was too busy “convincing” GW Bush to destabilize the world by invading the sovereign nation of Iraq)

Again, if you’ve been around here much lately, you know that I’m a fan (I’ve sent him money) of Bernie Sanders.  I believe the New Deal of the Roosevelt administration planted the “seeds” for the greatest middle class in the history of the world.  It’s the same middle class which has been constantly “pruned” by the right wing republicans who’ve been (masterfully) gaining more and more of a stranglehold on this government they supposedly hate since the 1970’s.  To me, Hillary Clinton is not the person I would get excited to support for president.  However, as I watch these hearings I’m gaining more respect for her and I get the sense that if the republicans are going to this extent to defeat her, I need to reconsider supporting her.  Clearly, it’s the republicans – in the present make-up of the party (there was a day when I could respect many republicans – like Eisenhower, Dirksen, Rockefeller, Javits, and others) – that have to go if “we the people” are going to reclaim the fundamental values of this nation that so many, today, take for granted (and, don’t have a clue as to what happened to create them.  For example, the 40 hour work week, child labor laws, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, minimum wages, workplace safety, food safety, environmental safety, etc. etc.).

The reality of what the republicans are doing is virtually guaranteeing that Hillary Clinton will be the democratic nominee for president in 2016.  I’ve been thinking, are they doing this on purpose?  Are they afraid of Bernie Sanders? (I would think they’d be trying to help him get the nomination so they could lambaste a “communist.”)  Are these guys so stupid that in their zealous attempt to discredit Mrs. Clinton they turn her into a national hero?  Obviously, she showed a complex understanding of the workings of our government as this committee forced her to explain some reality to them that someone like me thought they would be aware of themselves based on their standing in government.  Obviously, for example, several of the members of the republican side of the committee had little expertise on the workings of the State Department and other important aspects of government.

As I’m pondering all this, I can’t keep the thoughts of republican reality from my head – not only are they propping up Mrs. Clinton their “base” is propping up Donald Trump and Ben Carson.  My thoughts on that “reality:” Are you kidding me?  Donald Trump as President?  Ben Carson as President?  Yikes!!!  Do these people really think that America is so “great” that the rest of the world doesn’t see what is happening here?  Maybe the republicans WANT another “Great Depression” – I keep thinking that the “invisible puppet masters” would probably be able to profit even more off a great disaster like that.  Maybe they are so angry with President Obama because he managed somehow to “head off” that type of disaster following the debacle of the Bush/Cheney regime that they’re attempting to push someone worst than Bush/Cheney on us.  George W Bush was so incompetent as President you would think they’d try to find someone who could actually govern – at least that’s my thinking.  (apologies to my good friend who continues to believe GW to be a good man who was blindsided – my term – by Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld – which, to an extent, I agree with) However, I, myself, might be totally caught up in the “trap” they’ve been setting for all of us – all along.

Could it be that those pulling the strings behind the scene have been wishing an economic national disaster on the rest of us all along.  (ie – Trump or Carson for President????)  Clearly, they’re targeting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, the minimum wage, environmental protections, worker safety laws, food safety laws, and, I’m sure, many other aspects of the New Deal “thinkers.” I do find it odd that they argue for their “tax cuts for the wealthy” by claiming that “entitlements” are “out of control.”  (for example, claiming Social Security is the cause of the burgeoning deficit problem)  You NEVER hear them arguing that our defense department – which receives a budget that surpasses the defense budgets of the rest of the world COMBINED – is the budget issue that is out of control and, the more we spend on it, the less “safe” we get.  ‘

Of course, you wouldn’t hear them making that argument, because the plundering of our taxpayers is largely connected to the largess of the defense department’s seemingly unlimited budget.  When’s the last time you heard our congress complaining about money intended for WAR?  Food stamps are causing us to go broke and our HUGE cost overruns on military equipment that is outdated and not even wanted by the military has nothing to do with the problem, if you listen to these people.  Should “things” continue on the present course the American economy will be bankrupted and “we the people” will still be arguing whether it was caused by abortion, LGBT rights, Social Security, Medicare, President Obama, Hillary (and Bill) Clinton, democrats, gun laws, – I’ll be arguing it’s the republicans – and who knows who or what other “wedgies” will be blamed.  All the while those who have “bought” people like the Representatives who created the charade of the Benghazi inquisition are “laughing all the way to the bank.” (I’m not even convinced that the recipients of the money doled out by the invisible “cabal” I often refer to, even know what the REAL agenda is or who the real perpetrators are)

I have a good friend who is a lifelong voting republican with libertarian philosophical views who I have breakfast with most weekends.  He’s a “right wing” Christian and I’m a “liberal” Christian.  We have some interesting discussions and we see things from almost polar opposite directions (except for Jesus).  However, we always have a great dialogue and we learn from each others different perspective.  In fact, this morning I’m pretty sure I heard him say he may have to vote for Bernie Sanders (:o).  In our discussion we talked about the frustration that our “leaders” are unable to have constructive dialogue (similar to our own – it is, we believe, therefore possible) resulting in positive leadership – that would include COMPROMISE.  Both of us are deeply concerned about the nation we are leaving to our children and grandchildren.

I believe it took the emergence of Donald Trump as the republican “front runner” to get my friend to understand why I’ve been calling for the repeal of the present day republican party for years now.  When you consider that reality (Trump – or Carson for that matter – or, really, any of their candidates) with things like the Benghazi fiasco, the present state of WAR in the Middle East (and beyond – thanks to Cheney/Rumsfeld and the “neo-cons”), and the CONSTANT obstruction and dismantling of government by the “right wing,” it’s easy to see why republicans like my friend are reconsidering their allegiance. I have to add here that there’s no way my friend would vote for Hillary Clinton, so it was interesting how he reacted when I claimed that it could be that the Benghazi committee will be responsible for electing Hillary Clinton as president.  (From what I have been able to tell, since that hearing her poll numbers have gone way up – instead of their stated goal of knocking them down)

As I’ve tried to point out numerously on this website, I “get” what the republicans are up to and why they’re doing it.  They are obstructing EVERYTHING that might make President Obama look good and, conversely, make the government work better for “we the people” as they’ve been doing since, at least as far as I can remember, back when Newt Gingrich laid out “obstruction” as the strategy necessary for republicans to gain power in the congress during the 1980’s.  Obviously, there’s a large segment of the American public who either haven’t figured this out or who actually look at it differently than those that think as I.  The reality, from my eyes, is that “stuff” (using the words of Jeb Bush) is “happening” that has never been a part of the political “landscape” until the recent emergence of the so-called “Tea Party” – which is nothing more than the extension – via surrogates – of the well funded agenda put forth by people like the infamous Koch brothers (Charles and David Koch) and others who believe in a twisted form of “free market” philosophy which allows unfettered plundering of our national wealth by a select few – commonly referred to as the “top 1%.” (although this group consists of significantly less than 1% of our population)  To me, the “Tea Party” is just a natural “extension” of those who helped Gingrich “back in the day” – it’s just that this group keeps merging closer and closer to the absolute extreme right.

Essentially, all of this would (and, I think the proponents view it this way) make for good political theater if it wasn’t such a dangerous self-serving strategy.  And, their strategy is very effective – especially since they have a network of business interests which have permeated the political scene right down to the neighborhood precincts.  In a lot of ways I have to admire the political skill of this group despite my TOTAL belief that they are undermining the basic premise that America was founded on and are dead set on destroying our government as those of us commonly referred to as “baby boomers” know it.  When I think about how all this is “going down” I often get to a place where I just accept that in America we get what we deserve, and if “we the people” continue to allow this obstruction to happen without rebelling against it (at the ballot box) then we deserve the consequences.  In fact, we’re well into experiencing the consequences.  For example, the middle (or working) class of America has been stagnant economically since the days of Ronald Reagan.  We’ve seen the budget deficit soar EVERY time they (the republicans) impose another “tax cut” on the wealthiest among us – while waiting anxiously for that boost to the economy (from the “trickle down” effect) that NEVER comes.  Then, with the significant help of the very middle class that’s getting destroyed, “we the people” (inexplicably from my standpoint) vote the “bums” back in.

Again, all this would simply be just good political theater if not for the “unintended consequences” – which are never considered, seemingly, by anyone who’s got access to the “bully pulpit” or the “mainstream media.”  Here’s the thought bugging me today.  I’m listening to how we’ve got international issues with China making aggressive actions in the South China Sea and Russia pushing their “weight” around in Syria – seemingly daring the U.S. to make some kind of bold move that would threaten an even larger WAR footprint around the globe for America.  I started pointing out the inevitability of all this all the way back when President Bush lied us into Iraq while continuing an endless and ill defined “war” in Afghanistan.  That is, Bush/Cheney pushed our military to the limits and President Obama has been unable to “reel” it in.  And, with both Russia and China being fully aware of the republicans in our country violating the long standing tradition that the political obstruction stops at the nation’s borders, these two nations are sensing an opportunity to “test” America’s will for more conflict.  One thing you can be sure of is that before any decisions will be made by the Obama administration the republicans in power will make it clear that they oppose WHATEVER our president chooses to do and they will publicly make sure both the Chinese and the Russians are reminded that our nation is not even capable, no matter the circumstances, of unity.

To me, these people (the republican leaders who are foisting this political obstruction on “we the people”) are borderline treasonous.  Just as many of them would have been totally comfortable with pushing America into default, economically, I believe they have no qualms about pushing us into an extension of what has become “permanent war” resulting from the actions of the Bush/Cheney regime against, well, whoever.  I listened to a member of the so-called “freedom caucus” in the House of Representatives (this is the Tea Party extremists) complain that, evidently, John Boehner negotiated an extension of the debt limit prior to his leaving the House and I’m certain this person was disappointed that they were unable to drive this country into default as a ransom for their right wing political and economic demands – the rest of us be dammed if we disagree with them (and, keep in mind, this is a minority wing of the republican party that has power because people like the Koch’s are providing them unlimited funding – the rest of the republican party is TOTALLY in fear of this caucus – it’s both incredible and disgusting). And this same caucus, while creating a scenario that emboldens the Chinese and the Russians will be the first in line to encourage some kind of (crazy) military conflict with them.  Honestly, the rest of us had better wake up before it’s too late.  Even my “conservative” friends who vote republican in their sleep have children and grandchildren they should be thinking about.

This will go on until WE THE PEOPLE put an end to it – and, the only way to do this (peacefully) is at the ballot box.  In America we have that great privilege – but, unfortunately, most of our people refuse to practice it.  The last midterm election had a turnout south of 35%.  That is shameful.  It’s also part of the republican “plan.”  I’ve heard many republican leaders pointing out that the fewer the number of voters the better their chances.  And, if you haven’t been paying attention, republicans have been busy across the nation making it more difficult for people who would be likely to vote democratic to actually go to the polls.  Republicans complain about “voter fraud” when the only voter fraud is their organized plan to exclude people from voting – or having their votes counted.  George W Bush “won” the presidency two times via fraudulent voting practices.  In 2000 he clearly won the election because his brother (who’s now running for president) was the governor of Florida and managed to purge an untold number of ballots (do you remember the “hanging chad?”) along with a Supreme Court which essentially refused to allow all the votes to be counted.  In 2004 Bush “won” with the help of an Ohio Secretary of State who was also his state campaign manager and, not only rigged the voting machines, but made it exceedingly difficult for minority voters (and others tending democratic) to be able to get to the polls.

The worst part for me is that you have to dig under the surface of the “news” to find out something even close to what actually happened.  Republicans have pushed through legislation that has effectively reduced competition in America (despite all the “free market” claims) to the point where our choices are increasingly limited.  For example, I’ve got ONE choice if I want to have internet in my home (maybe two if I considered satellite), I’ve got two choices for TV, and – to my main point – the “mainstream media” has been “consolidated” down to information coming from a very few sources – dwindling more and more as time goes by.  I believe there are about 9 (right wing) corporations that control over 95% of our “liberal” media.  Is it any wonder “we the people” have no idea what’s going on?  And, this media empire is expert at creating “news” that turns well meaning Americans against each other.  As long as we’re arguing about issues like “gay marriage” the (under the surface) plundering of our economy by this wealthy cabal will continue.  I’m just bracing myself because I’m beginning to realize that the republicans in the so-called “freedom caucus” will stop at nothing to get their way.  They have proven that the default of our national economy means no more to them than a “bargaining chip.”  (those reading this who are “conservative, just think how that will affect you – is totally tanking our economy worth it to you to get your “wedge issue” that a majority of Americans disagree with you on?)  I have to wonder: Is the “freedom caucus” willing to undermine our foreign policy to the point of encouraging war with China and/or Russia?  As I said before, I really hope “we the people” wake up.

(Last night I finally heard a republican speaking some kind of language I could understand.  John Kasich of Ohio – the governor – stood in front of a microphone and called the republican party out.  I’ve been waiting for someone like him to do this for, well let me just say a long time, to “tell it (somewhat) like it is! BUT, make no mistake, Mr. Kasich has played his part in the republicans screwing up America – I’m certainly not suggesting he be the next president!!!  He’s as anti-union and anti-women as they come.  Maybe this will be the start of the republican party defeating itself from within) Update: If you saw the “debate” it was clear Kasich made his rant simply to separate himself from the rest of the wackos and garner some attention.  I could only stomach so much of their bantering back and forth – and, of course blaming all their ills on either the media and/or Hillary Clinton.  No one even approached what has been termed in the past as “presidential.”

On my way to work today I happened to be listening to MSNBC (which is apparently the new destination of Brian Williams) as they were patching in to a news conference being held by House Republicans – really, no idea what the intention was – as, starting with John Boehner and then a line of representatives I only know are part of the republican caucus, they one by one hammered on President Obama (what else is new???) for his threatened veto of a defense appropriations bill that was initially, at least by Boehner, represented as a boost in funding for our troops – those in “harms way” and those at home, including veterans in need of health care at VA hospitals.  Honestly, it sounded so bad that one would think President Obama just has it out for our troops.

However, when one of the members (of the House) said, what I’m sure they were later told was too much to say in public, that among the reasons they were pleading with President Obama to actually sign the bill, was because it would defund Planned Parenthood AND “Obamacare” while, at the same time, accusing Obama of, for the first time in American history, vetoing a defense authorization bill for “political reasons.”  As I listened, all I could manage to think was – first, are these people serious? and second, they must actually believe the American people are completely stupid.  Then, as I did a mind reality check, I was reminded (in my mind) that our “liberal media” has been letting these people get away with this kind of disingenuous dishonesty for the past 30+ years.  And, sure enough, not a word of criticism from Williams or his “guest” pundits about the absurdity of this “press conference.”

America has been on a downward spiral that has been fueled by an organized effort from the business community to destroy the power of the middle class since before the days of Ronald Reagan (although, I’ve been contending for years that Reagan’s election was the “tipping point” in showing the right wing “conservatives” how to turn good hard working Americans against each other through the masterful use of wedge issues and a willingness to adopt the “end justifies the means” strategy used by power brokers throughout human history.  The scariest (and most offensive) part of all this, to me, is how “we the people” have allowed our media to be hijacked by multi-national “conservative” corporate interests who have convinced enough unsuspecting Americans that our media is “liberal” while they’re using it to brainwash a large segment of the population so that corrupt congressional “members” can “get away” with what Boehner and his minions did today.  You could tell by the sound of their voices that several of them were simply repeating “the company line” as they stammered through their part of the charade.

If you haven’t picked up on my “drift” yet, well think of what the chances are that President Obama will agree to defund “Obamacare” (or Planned Parenthood, for that matter) as the ransom for getting republicans to pass a “bipartisan” defense appropriation bill.  This is exactly why I’ve been saying for years now that this republican party – as presently constituted – needs to go.  I realized they have gerrymandered many districts to the point that Donald Duck could run and get elected as long as he quacks republican when asked for his party affiliation – but, there are enough opportunities for Democrats to re-take the House (and the Senate – and, by the way, I’m no Democrat – I’m only acting like one because these republicans are doing everything they can to destroy our government – and, in the process turn this great nation into something resembling a third world country) and begin the process of reshaping this nation in a way that resembles what those of us who are “baby boomers” were privileged to enjoy in our formative years – the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.  If we don’t figure this out SOON and turn the so-called “pendulum” toward the left, what we leave to our children and grandchildren will be shameful.

Those my age – I’m approaching 70 – have spent our lifetimes benefiting from the fight for workers rights, the fight for civil rights, the fight for basic human rights, not to mention all the infrastructure that was the result of the New Deal, the Eisenhower years, and the Great Society – roads, dams, schools, the post office network, plus an easily affordable education with college accessibility, and I could go on and on.  In 1970 approximately 33% of America’s workforce was unionized and blue collar workers could raise a family and send their kids to college.  The tradition in America was that the “elders” were leaving a better place for their children and grandchildren.  Not so much anymore.  Unfortunately, in my view, many of those who are standing in the way of much needed rebuilding and reform are my peers who’ve benefited so much from what transpired in the 30’s and 40’s.  In their defense, they have been the victims of a sophisticated propaganda scheme (right out of the “rule book” of Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda chief in Nazi Germany) that has been brainwashing them most of their lives, but certainly with a focused intensity  from this right wing “push” since the days of President Reagan.

Things that were part of the fringe extreme when I was younger are pushing their way toward the “mainstream” with the help of people like Rush Limbaugh and organizations like Fox “news.”  Of course, in neither instance do you receive anything that resembles “news” – but the reality is that this morning I was listening to what many consider the “hedge” to Fox, MSNBC, and I see them as essentially doing the same thing with a little bit different “bent.”  The reality this morning was that anyone listening (or watching) Williams could easily come away with the idea that President Obama is “against our troops” by vetoing (which I’m sure he will and I certainly hope he does) the defense authorization bill.  Not a single word was mentioned by any of the “pundits” about the absurdity being presented.  And, at least while I was listening, not a single “reporter” at the scene questioned the republicans on that point.  You would think there’d be at least one who would ask a question something along the lines of “how many times and how many ways have you attempted to defund “Obamacare?”

I recently finished reading “Who Stole the American Dream?” by Hedrick Smith (I HIGHLY recommend this book) that lays out in great detail how we got to this dangerous place in our history.  I’ll be writing more on that book soon, but suffice it to say that what we’re seeing today is the culmination of a strategy that was initiated in 1972 by a future Supreme Court Justice (Lewis Powell) when he wrote a memo to the Chamber of Commerce giving a pathway for business interests to overtake the labor movement and gain a stranglehold on political power in the United States.  Essentially, since that memo was written, we’ve seen what has morphed into today’s dangerous spread between those at the “top” and those at the bottom.  As predicted by Marx when he was analyzing the natural demise of capitalism, the numbers at the top is continually getting smaller while the numbers at the bottom continue to grow – in the last few years almost exponentially.  And, of course, that would explain the shrinking middle class that seems to be the topic on more and more people’s minds of late when there’s a discussion about American politics.

Here’s the almost depressing reality of what I listened to today.  “We the people” have no other choice but to rely on our media to act as the “fourth estate” – as outlined by the founders of our nation.  By allowing the corporate conglomerates to gain a stranglehold on the information presented to “we the people” (and, make no mistake, President Clinton is the one who signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which allowed this to happen) the American people are losing their ability to make cogent well thought out decisions as we decide who will govern us.  I look forward to the day when America’s leaders represent Main Street instead of Wall Street.  Unfortunately, I believe the first step in this process is a clear repudiation of the republican party.  I “get” that so many Americans are turned off by the democratic party who don’t seem to have the spines to defend their own fundamental policies.  In 2014 democrats acted as if President Obama was their opposition.  Obviously, they should have run defending his record and their fundamental beliefs.  Once voters send the needed message to republicans, they need to turn their frustration directly at the democrats.  America’s political folly is creating a generation of young people who actually believe government can’t work and who are so turned off by the whole mess that they won’t participate.  Trust me, they are smart enough to understand how STUPID today’s “press conference” was – that is, those who are still paying any attention to how our country functions politically.