The leaders of the present day republican party are the true masters of DOUBLESPEAK!  I’ve been listening to this stuff for so long that it’s just become routine – I shake my head and wonder how anyone could be “taken in” by their schpeel and then I check my reality gauge and, sure enough, the American people – despite the catastrophic years of Bush/Cheney and the 30+ years of “trickle down [up] economics they’ve [republicans] foisted on the unsuspecting public – have elected republican majorities in both houses of Congress – EVEN after Afghanistan, Iraq, and the 2008 financial CRISIS.  Yikes!  And, worst yet, the moneyed interests who’ve made this all possible are poised to spend BILLIONS to “finish the job” of gaining a STRANGLEHOLD on the very government they profess to HATE!  Go figure.

For example, I’m sure somewhere in the “ideal” world there’s a place where you can – in the face of a (government) budget shortfall – “cut taxes and balance the budget.”  That fantasy began with the words spewed by Ronald Reagan and, evidently because he’s the republican “patron saint” they’ve been spewing them ever since – to this day – and, the reality is their economic “model” is responsible for a significantly disproportionate piece of the national debt they continue to rail against with the same LAME solution.  Cut the taxes for the rich and we’ll balance the budget (while under their breath they’re whispering “on the backs of you unsuspecting working stiffs out there who don’t know s@#t from shinola)

Then there’s the issue of health care.  They’ve spent enough time trying to repeal “The Affordable Care Act” AKA “Obamacare” to have solved many of our most pressing national problems.  However, there’s a catch to that one on multiple counts.  (and, of course, all the while attempting to convince us minions that they want us all to have access to “the best health care in the world.”)  First, they don’t want anything to do with “Obamacare” – and EVERYONE knows this – because they HATE the idea of someone who’s not WHITE in the White House getting credit for ANYTHING.  They wont tell you the concept for “Obamacare” came directly from the right wing Heritage Institute and was originally “rolled out” by none other than Mitt Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts.  I don’t know about you, but that in itself gave me a good picture of Romney’s disingenuous nature as he lobbied to repeal “Obamacare” had he been elected president in 2012.  These guys want Obama to FAIL on all accounts – no matter what the consequences to the rest of us.  (and, by the way, lately I’ve come to the conclusion that history will get this right when it looks back on the disgusting era of republican obstruction during Obama’s presidency – no matter what the right wing spin meisters might think.)

I saw the statistics today that 42,000 people in my home county (out of about 300,000) are getting health insurance under the state exchange while 700,000 people in my home state (Washington) are signed up through the exchange.  I honestly wonder how my local representative, Jaimie Herrera Beutler, justifies continually voting for these good people to be back without health insurance.

The second issue re: “Obamacare” where we’re hearing CONSTANT republican “doublespeak” has to do with their continued claims that it will be a “jobs killer” and will bankrupt the country.  Of course, the reality is almost diametrically the opposite.  The Affordable Care Act has been responsible for the creation of MANY (maybe MILLIONS, but certainly in the hundreds of thousands) jobs in America and, to boot, the cost of health care is rising more slowly than anytime in the past 20 years or so (maybe longer – I don’t do this as a job, so I’m not going to look up the actual stats – I’m just writing based on my aging memory).  Yesterday I heard – I think it was Rand Paul (as he was announcing his candidacy for president) – claim that President Obama is responsible for more debt than all other presidents combined!  (In the same speech – he’s a doctor – he said, “if elected, I’ll repeal EVERY WORD of ‘Obamacare'”)  This is the kind of DOUBLESPEAK I’m talking about – where the speaker assumes all of the listeners are IDIOTS!

The reality is that President Obama inherited an economy that was on the brink of depression, was shedding nearly 1 MILLION jobs per MONTH, had TWO (disastrous) wars being engaged in with 100% BORROWED funds (Bush/Cheney hid the cost of Afghanistan and Iraq “off the books”), Bush/Cheney/Paulson (the Treasury Secretary) had committed TRILLIONS to BAIL OUT their Wall Street benefactors who were guilty of gambling away the savings of MILLIONS of us “every day Americans,” and they – like their republican “ancestor” ie Reagan – had cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans so that the deficit they left for Obama (when you count the wars – which Obama did on his first day in the White House) – was something approaching 1.5 TRILLION in Obama’s first year.  And, of course, the republicans were blaming Obama for this deficit before he took the oath of office.  Unfortunately, it appears that there’s enough complete idiots in America’s voting public for them to get away with this.

Not only did Obama inherit this incredibly obtrusive budget deficit, but he also inherited a republican minority (at the time) that was committed to making sure that he FAILED.  I will never forget hearing Mitch McConnell saying PUBLICLY “our number one priority is to make sure Barack Obama is a one term president.”  Rush Limbaugh put it this way – “I hope Obama FAILS” – and, that’s clearly been the republican mantra since he won the 2008 election.  History will look favorably on President Obama on this subject because history takes FACTS into consideration.  Under Obama’s “watch” – despite these unprecedented levels of obstructionism (something like 500 or 600 FILIBUSTERS in the Senate) from republicans, the deficit has been cut at least in half, and by the time Obama’s out of office it should be approaching the territory where republicans will ratchet up their push for more tax cuts for America’s privileged sect.

Then there’s the issue of foreign policy – OMG!  The doublespeak gets hot and heavy – listening to republicans attempting to do whatever they can to prevent President Obama from completing some kind of peace initiative with Iran.  You know, the country our own war criminal president George W Bush labeled “The evil empire.”  Can you imagine what it looked like from their perspective as American soldiers were randomly ripping apart homes, imprisoning Iraqi civilians at will, uprooting something approaching half the country, killing hundreds of thousands of their people, authorizing torture in the name of collecting “actionable intelligence” for “who knows what,” trying to steal their oil and “privatize” their economy, and – all the while – calling them the “evil empire.”  OK, I know he called Iran “the evil empire” – but, for all intents and purposes, by toppling Saddam Hussein GW Bush/Dick Cheney/Donald Rumsfeld/Paul Wolfowitz/ and I could go on, united Iran with the Shiite majority in Iraq.  (and, of course, planted the “seeds” of what is now ISIS AKA ISIL)

47 republican senators sent (what I consider) a traitorous letter to the right wing Mullahs in Iran attempting to scuttle any agreement to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon before the framework of the agreement could be announced.  They simply wanted these Iranian radicals (kind of like themselves) to know that they could scuttle any agreement Obama might reach with them so, you know, why make an agreement in the first place.  And, of course, after this letter generated national outrage, all these senators claimed they were simply trying to help the president in the negotiations.  HA HA!  Unfortunately, the republican minions – who can’t seem to think in the “long run” – you know, like what if you elect a president who tries to negotiate a peace agreement in the future that democrats don’t like? – went along with this bogus claim “hook, line, and sinker.”  And, the so-called “liberal media” had this outrageous, unprecedented, OVER REACH by republicans in Congress in their “cross hairs” for a day or two and that was it.  Evidently, there will be no public backlash on any of these traitorous senators!  I still remember Chuck Todd of MSNBC announcing that the female challenger to Mitch McConnell in last year’s senate campaign was “disqualified” because she refused to publicly announce who she voted for in the previous presidential election (I’m sure you know that our elections are supposed to have “secret ballots”) yet I didn’t hear a word suggesting these senators should be disqualified for sending this letter to the so-called leaders of the “evil empire” in an attempt to undermine our own foreign policy.  Oh my, how far is this nation to fall before we all wake up to what’s happening?  (Several of the senators who signed that letter are now running for president – I’d like to call that ironic – but, knowing I can’t count on Chuck Todd to do this – I’ll say that each and every one of them should be considered DISQUALIFIED to be president as the result of signing that letter!

Every time something happens politically in America these days you see the taint of a republican party that is TOTALLY unified in their attempt to make sure our president FAILS!  This is so unthinkable to me that I have to wonder what has happened in this nation I love.  Honestly, as the days and years progressed during the Bush/Cheney era I realized how much I opposed their war mongering, their authorization of TORTURE, their working to benefit the wealthy and showing disdain for America’s middle class, their attacks on those who opposed their actions, etc. etc. – BUT, I always wanted them to succeed.  I want America to succeed.  I want America to live up to the ideals that made this nation the envy of and the leader of “the free world.”  In this age of technological miracles – which seem to be happening every day – it just seems impossible to me that we could have fallen this far.

However, as I continually try to analyze what has – and is – going wrong, I look at the “force” behind this incredible push to the “right” which has been happening since George W Bush took the oath of office.  I don’t think democrats understand (maybe I should say understood) how technological savvy the right wing forces have become.  With Charles and David Koch offering up HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of their massive accumulation of wealth, and many other “elite” American families that have so much wealth I don’t think people like me can even fathom their riches walking along side the Koch’s, along with republican legislators and governors all across America with their hands out willing to take this money it will take a MASSIVE populist push to turn back their efforts to turn America into a corporatocracy.  They are organized, they are smart, they are incredibly relentless (losing elections barely slows them down – they’ve got a plan and they’re “sticking to it”), and they are experts at getting around the “rules.”  With the help of Citizens United and a Supreme Court which is clearly “on board” with the Koch led right wing agenda, “we the people” had better “wake up” before it’s too late.

Unfortunately, for people like myself, the political solution to this problem lies with the democratic party – which has proven time and again over the past 15 years that they are not even able to defend their own foundational beliefs.  Just the other day I read that there’s enough democrats who support the republican traitors who sent the letter to Iran to allow them to override President Obama’s veto of their anticipated legislation voiding any agreement that may come from the negotiations with Iran.  You won’t see many of these democrats with the “stones” to put up the fight that will be necessary should republicans succeed in gaining the White House in 2016.  That will lead to a disaster which will keep this nation going in the wrong direction well past my lifetime.  Just imagine a Ted Cruz or Rand Paul or Scott Walker or – yikes! – ANOTHER Bush in the White House!  If the American people continue to fall for the republican “line” I believe it will take something like another depression to “wake them up.”  And honestly, while I’m continually railing against republicans and their push to the right, it’s the spineless democratic party which is allowing them to succeed!

There’s an old saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”  I can remember the campaign of Ronald Reagan as if it happened yesterday.  Jimmy Carter had reduced the budget deficit of Richard Nixon/Gerald Ford essentially in half – to something like $40 BILLION (as I remember off the top of my head) and Mr. Reagan came along with the “I’m going to reduce taxes and balance the budget” pledge. It sounded great (to all those people who don’t think rationally) and it turned out to be what the “people” in 1980 “wished for.”

Well, if you’re as old as I am and you’re honest about the REALITY of American politics (that is, not a Reagan worshiper) then you know we’ve been suffering from unsustainable DEFICIT spending and – thanks to the “reduced taxes” (mine, and probably yours haven’t been reduced) along with “privatization” of every thing the republicans can squander – a burgeoning issue with income inequality and mounting debt since the day Reagan took the oath of office.  Labor unions have been marginalized almost to extinction and those patriots who were supposed to “trickle down” their tax savings to us commoners are growing richer and richer at the expense of what was, at the time, the world’s greatest middle class.  We’ve minimized WELFARE to “the least of these” (in the words of Jesus Christ) and maximized it to the corporate interests who’ve bought our legislators all across America.  Yikes!

Now, the democrats (whom I consider, for the most part, spineless and timid) are not without blame in the scenario that we find ourselves in.  For example, while – at the time – I applauded the budget surplus of the Clinton administration (there was much about President Clinton I didn’t applaud) the harsh reality is that under his “watch” the trade deals, NAFTA and GATT, along with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 AND the repeal of Glass-Steagall Act all became a sad reality of the right wing PUSH to make the New Deal nothing more than a memory.  These “deals” all were the result of a democratic president attempting to make “the grand bargain” with a republican congress.  (sound familiar?)  And, they play a HUGE role in the mess we find ourselves in today – from climate crisis to the “too big to fail” crisis to the “where’s my liberal media?” crisis!

Back to the Reagan “revolution:” Along with the “trickle down economics” (which republicans are STILL attempting to cram down our collective throats) we got a push to end collective bargaining for working class folks, a push to eliminate environmental protections, and the push to privatize everything from our prison system to our military.  And, on top of all of that, the push to expand our “military industrial complex” has, in my view, led to the right wing philosophy of pushing for perpetual WAR.  That seems all too apparent as the present day republicans would rather “bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” (in the words of John McCain) than attempt to “negotiate” with what GW Bush so adroitly referred to as “The Evil Empire.”  (have you ever wondered how they (Iranians) view America?  You know, the nation that overthrew their democratically elected president in favor of the “Shah of Iran” (circa 1953) – all in the name of protecting our access to their OIL? – if you don’t remember the Shah – he could probably be compared to Saddam Hussein)

The Reagan administration funded Osama bin Laden as the Mujaheddin fought to repel the Russians from Afghanistan in the 1980’s, (yes, the very place WE’VE been imbedded since 9/11 – almost 14 years) they funded the infamous Saddam Hussein as Iraq and Iran were at war for a decade, (all the while secretly involved with Iran in the “Iran/Contra” affair – look it up – which was simply a continuation of America’s bullying of governments in our Southern Hemisphere), and they pushed our military budget to astronomically high levels as they attempted to “break” the Soviet Union (which would have collapsed under its own “weight”) – so, in other words, the Reagan administration laid the foundation for America’s seeming plunge into perpetual WAR – with the same “military industrial complex” that Dwight Eisenhower so presciently warned us about in the late 50’s.  This “military industrial complex” seemingly is now the bedrock of America’s economy.

Additionally, it was during the Reagan years that the sophisticated propaganda (brainwashing) strategy of the present day (right wing) republican party was born (or advanced – maybe I should give more credit to Richard Nixon for this malady) – that is, Rush Limbaugh and all the “talking heads” who’ve followed – people willing to say “whatever” if the money’s right.  In fact, I’m convinced that people who’ve been at it as long as or close to as long as Limbaugh (like the Fox “news” talkers, or others on the right wing airwaves) actually have evolved to the place that they believe the lies that are coming out of their mouths as they’re saying them.  They’ve twisted so many facts over the years that facts are no longer relevant.  It is simply results that matter. (Google Joseph Goebbels’ “big lie theory”)

In fact, this mentality (that only results matter) pretty much now permeates the entire spectrum of American society.  Workers are no longer the backbone of corporations – it is the stockholders and the executives that hold value.  As I started saying at the time of Reagan’s election – America changed from a “we” society to a “me” society during his time in office.  And, sadly, (to me, at least) I see many of my Christian friends as going along with this ultra capitalist trend.  (when, clearly, Jesus Christ was a socialist!)

Instead of cherishing the institutions which have, over the years, been “constructed” via the “commons” – that is, the common need via the common investment – since the days of Reagan these institutions have been under CONSTANT assault.  For example, we have a great system of highways and bridges, etc. that is declining and in need of significant repair along with a populace that needs an infusion of jobs – yet, our (republican) “leaders” in Congress seem to be fine with letting that part of our infrastructure crumble. Evidently, to them, this is not an investment worth making.  (those of us who are considered “mature” have reaped the benefit of this infrastructure for the past 50 years – don’t we have more of an obligation to our children and grand children than we’re showing?)

Our schools are in desperate need of upgrade in many parts of America.  Many of our inner cities present the opportunity to be rebuilt – both the infrastructure of the buildings and the lives of the people – yet, our leaders seem to be turning a “blind eye.”  We don’t want to deal with these issues because, to pay for it, we’d need to raise taxes on those at the top.  It’s almost as if they (our “leaders”) are saying, I’ve got mine – screw you!

And, the privatization:  Are you kidding me?  I could go on and on with this one.  For example, when our government is paying private contractors to pump the gas or cook the food for our troops who are in combat zones – please!  That makes no sense (especially when the contractors are being paid multiples of what the same job would be for military personnel).  Can you imagine being a “grunt” in Iraq getting paid “squat” while risking your life in the battle and having a $100/hr. contractor pumping your gas?   But the one that really BUGS me (OK, there’s a long list showing the stupidity of “privatization”), and I honestly DON’T understand how people can accept this, is the privatization of the PRISONS!  Think about that one.  If you – or a friend or relative – somehow found yourself in prison – would you want the incentive of the prison to keep you there INDEFINITELY?  There are people who committed the “crime” of smoking pot who are in prisons they may never get out of because the prison MAKES MONEY keeping them there.  Our penal system is in terrible need of “repair” but privatizing prisons is NOT the answer.

Lastly, I believe the divisiveness in America these days is largely the result of the mentality that went along with the “Reagan revolution.”  Ronald Reagan was the master at pitting one group against another for his (and the republicans) political advantage.  I will never forget him PUBLICLY reneging on a promise to the Air Traffic Controller’s Union and, on national TV no less, showing the rest of the business (and political) world how you BREAK a union.  He not only went after unions, he very surreptitiously made his case against Civil Rights (he was a master with the racist “code”), and he derided those in the “women’s movement.”  I bring all this up because the republican party is STILL full of remnants of the Reagan revolution and they’re using “wedge issues” to turn one American against another – all the while they are stealing us all blind.

I remember all the “young republicans” in the colleges back then (the 1980’s) who are now the backbone of the party.  A lot of rhetoric about “my money” when discussing taxes and “my rights” and my this and my that.  And, of course, the republican party has swung so far to the right of Reagan in today’s America that even Reagan himself would be considered liberal today.  However, they (republican politicians) continue to use his name to keep those republican voters who simply rely on Fox or other right wing propaganda outlets for their “information” “in line.”

It’s a sorry state of affairs in America these days and we’re close to being put into what I always thought would be and would remain “uncharted territory.”  If the republicans succeed with their “permanent republican majority” in 2016 – that is, control of the congress, the courts, the White House, and the press – it will simply be a matter of time until “all hell breaks loose.”  I keep thinking to myself that “we the people” get what we deserve when we vote in our leaders.  However, the corporate interests which have corrupted our government to unimaginable levels over the last 30+ years and have already committed BILLIONS to the 2016 election are so out of control, that it’s just a matter of time until there is a populist backlash.  It’s just that the more control “we the people” give to the monied interests who are behind “Citizens United,” the assault on Voting Rights, trickle UP economics, perpetual WAR, privatization, the “liberal media,” and “religious freedom,”  the more difficult it will be to overcome.  (and I haven’t even mentioned Climate denial – which will be a more serious issue EVERY year going forward)  I keep wondering: “Will it take another Great Depression for America to wake up to the folly of this republican push to the “right?”

Maybe if they nominate someone like Ted Cruz for the White House, that will be enough to get people’s attention.  I’ve been predicting for years, almost since President Obama took office, that they will nominate Jeb Bush.  I hope I’m wrong, because he would simply be a more covert “water carrier” for those with the money who are “pulling the strings.”   I’ll end by saying it would be helpful if Democrats would stop throwing their weight behind corporate minions and give “we the people” an actual CHOICE when we go to the polls!  Find some LIBERALS with BACKBONE to run for the open Senate seats and the White House.  That just might get the attention of MILLIONS of discouraged American voters!

This morning as I was driving around I listened to an interesting conversation on “Media Matters Radio” regarding the outrageous, and outright LYING of Bill O’Reilly which has been in the “news” for the past week or so – following O’Reilly’s condescending remarks toward the now disgraced Brian Williams due to Williams’ lies being exposed.  Much of what I heard revolved around the different responses to their “lead” anchors being caught in outright lies between NBC news and Fox “news.”  And, I “get” the need for the conversation and the outrage (which, for me has been ongoing without this exposure) toward Fox as they scurry around trying to “paper over” the FACT that these O’Reilly lies have been brought into the “light of day.”

What I didn’t hear in the discussion (I only was able to listen to about 30 minutes of it) was a reference to the Fox “mantra” of following – pretty much to a tee – the Joseph Goebbels “Big Lie Theory” which was the propaganda scheme used during the rise of the Third Reich in Germany during the 1930’s.  O’Reilly, and the rest of the “journalists” on Fox “news,” lie all the time.  The station (which SHOULD be named “GOP TV”) is the brainchild of Roger Ailes – dirty trickster circa Richard Nixon – and, it is an integral part in the right wing movement in America to essentially make our constitution nothing more than a piece of paper.  They’ve been “brainwashing” their audience for decades now and they’ve succeeded in turning good working Americans against each other through their constant promotion of divisiveness and HATE.  The other day I managed to watch for a few minutes (here and there) to discover the day’s “key derogatory term” and it was “liberal this” and “liberal that” constantly on a day when they were attempting to defend the right wing of Congress for threatening to shut down Homeland Security over the immigration issue – and, the President’s action in the face of their inaction.  (I also think they were defending O’Reilly on that particular day – hence the attack on “liberals” – as if only liberals would challenge him)

This CRAP has been going on for years and it will continue to be a blight on this nation until  “we the people” wake up to the FACT we are being subjected to a CONSTANT barrage of lies that are intended to do exactly what they’re doing – pit one good American against another.  Liberal v (true) conservative.  (And, if you don’t “get” the parentheses around “true” read some of my previous posts – I, in NO WAY, consider the leaders of the republican party “true” conservatives.  In my mind, they are greedy, racist, selfish, wackos who have gained POWER due to the unlimited funding of the “invisible” group of benefactors [I usually call them “puppet masters”] which are now publicly identified as the “Koch Brothers” and their network)

I have some really good friends who are smart and good people who are not able to see what has happened to their republican party.  They’ve been lifelong members (or supporters) and they continue to believe that people like O’Reilly and Sean Hannity are telling them the truth.  When I give them factual support of my positions (during out political dialogue – and, by the way, despite the fact we don’t see things the same, we can have great and productive discussions) their response is never about the facts, it’s always about the messenger.  (And, I’ve learned, you can find a lot of stuff about people on the internet :o)  That is the “strategy” that has been put forth by the republican party since the days before Ronald Reagan.  It’s all based on personal attacks – and, unfortunately, the TRUTH is not one of the requirements in these attacks.  I still remember the “Willy Horton” adds coming from the campaign of the first President Bush and, of course, his son did him one better with the “Swift Boating” of John Kerry in 2004.  Unfortunately, this stuff is very effective.

While I think it’s great that this discussion of Bill O’Reilly’s integrity (or lack of integrity) is in the forefront of the present “news” cycle, I wish it would lead to the necessity of the bigger discussion regarding the propaganda scheme the republicans have been using since the days of Reagan.  I don’t believe O’Reilly’s going anywhere – Fox will not “suspend” him as NBC did to Williams (I hope I’m wrong – but, certainly don’t expect to be) just like Clear Channel does nothing to stop Rush Limbaugh who’s been spewing LIES and HATE for the last 30 years.  Make no mistake about this – O’Reilly, Limbaugh, Hannity, and the many others who are willing to say whatever they’re told to say by the people with all the money – these people are an integral part in the so-called “permanent republican majority” that is the “dream” of Karl Rove, the Koch Brothers, and others who want America to be a fascist oligarchy (ie – a corporate/government partnership).  People like O’Reilly make these outrageous public comments that do not even resemble the TRUTH because they are so used to LYING that they get to the point where they actually believe their own lies.  (see the reference below to pathological lying) Therefore, they can look you in the face and defend themselves.

For example, although I haven’t listened to O’Reilly lately, it would not surprise me if he’s actually defending himself to this day.  One of the LIES, as I heard it this morning, related to O’Reilly claiming he saved a cameraman “with bullets flying by their heads” during the Falklands War off the coast of Argentina in the 1980’s.  He wasn’t in the Falklands and the only thing I’ve read he’s famous for during that time is being sent home by his employer (CBS news) for endangering his cameraman by insisting the cameraman turn on the lights of his camera against the company directive – for the cameraman’s safety! He also has claimed he was “outside the door” when George de Mohrenschildt (CIA operative who befriended Lee Harvey Oswald) killed himself.  He wrote this in his book and claimed it on the air – However, O’Reilly was in Dallas Texas at the time of the suicide.  If you read the book “Family of Secrets” (about the Bush clan and their connections to the CIA – among other information) there’s no mention of O’Reilly being at the residence at the time of de Mohrenschildt’s alleged suicide  in this book – which tells more about de Mohrenschildt than any other source I’ve read.  Honestly, I believe if one were to parse and research an untold number of comments coming from O’Reilly this LYING would not be surprising – or unusual.  And, I’m guessing that his (and Roger Ailes) defense against those who believe he should face accountability – especially since he, himself, suggested such in regards to Williams, will be that he’s being attacked by “liberals.”

So, back to my main point.  I really wish this would lead to the discussion that seems to me to be the one that is necessary.  What is the agenda of Fox “news.”  Obviously, at least in my view, they are not a “news” outlet.  They are the chief arm of the GOP propaganda “machine” that has been brainwashing unsuspecting Americans since the days of Ronald Reagan.  As I remember it, Limbaugh came on the scene somewhere during the middle of Reagan’s administration (my initial turnoff to him was when he compared himself to God) and Fox wasn’t far behind.  They’ve succeeded in turning the word “liberal” into something with a negative connotation with many of their viewers/listeners and they’ve succeeded in turning good Americans against each other over “wedge issues” that are irrelevant to most people’s daily lives.  And, they’ve played an integral part in allowing people like Karl Rove, Charles and David Koch, Ailes, and others to push a right wing agenda that actually turns people against the government that they, themselves, desperately want to have COMPLETE control over.

If you really believe America is not susceptible to a fascist regime – look beyond the surface of what’s going on in today’s politics.  And, if you believe, as republicans would have you, that it is the democrats who are the problem – look up the phrase “political projection” – the republican operatives are expert at this AND they have used the “Big Lie Theory” to expertly subvert the minds of many good well meaning Americans plus (and expertly, I might add – they are very good at this) a majority of state governments and they’ve got their sights set squarely on the White House in 2016 (to go along with their control of the courts, the Congress, and the so-called “liberal media”).  With the help of “Citizens United,” the gutting of the voting rights act, UNLIMITED funding, and other covert strategies (along with democratic ineptitude) – they just might succeed.  And, for those of us who don’t believe “liberal” is a dirty word, the consequences could be catastrophic.  These people have even convinced their base that it’s “liberals” who are threatening their constitutional rights – they truly believe the “end justifies the means,” and their goal is a stranglehold on the major institutions in America.  I’ll finish by saying again, Bill O’Reilly’s lies are nothing new, let’s discuss the “Big Lie Theory” that is the driving force behind Fox “news.” (GOP TV)  Lets discuss the TRUTH about what a corporate/government partnership really is.

Facts about pathological liars: Pathological liars often confuse truth and falsehoods and, during a structured interview, are inconsistent in their responses. Pathological liars may believe their lies are the truth. Pathological liars are intelligent, manipulative and may be self-centered. It is unknown if pathological lying is controllable by the individual. It is possible that a pathological liar may believe his lies to the point that he is delusional.

I guess I continue listening to MSNBC as I drive around (on my Sirious XM car radio) because I keep hoping that at some point there will be a journalistic push to actually “tell it like it is.”  Of course, I end up listening to Chris Matthews (I’ve written before about this frustration) and, while I don’t end up (most of the time) shutting it off like I have to do with the right wing “talkers,” the frustration is almost worse because I believe Matthews “knows better.”  People like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity or, to a lessor degree, people like Lars Larsen are simply “pimping” for the “invisible” (not so much anymore with the “outing” of Charles and David Koch) “puppet masters” who dictate what they are going to say.  Matthews, on the other hand, in my mind is simply more focused on entertainment than real information – thereby playing into the hands of those on the “right” who will spend BILLIONS in 2016 to complete what Karl Rove calls the “permanent republican ‘majority.'”

Most people I know – even if they’re “ditto heads” have some idea of the motivation of Limbaugh and the other right wing “shock jocks.”  The effect of Matthews (and people like him – who are considered on the “left” by many) is much more surreptitious.  For example, today on my way home from whatever I was doing I tuned into “Hardball” – the MSNBC program that Matthews has which is right in prime time in the East.  Of course, the first thing he was ranting about (as he’s often to do) was ISIL and questioning why we can’t simply exterminate them.  (I always get the “hint” he thinks Obama should simply bomb them to “smithereens” as if that would be easy to do) Then, what really set me off today, was the ensuing discussion about the “front runners” for the 2016 republican presidential nomination.  According to Matthews that would be Jeb Bush and Scott Walker.  He may or may not be correct on that “front,” but what caught my attention – and, confirms things I’ve “alleged” about Matthews in the past – was his contention that he wants a “contested” presidential race in 2016.  I take that – and as I listen to him I believe he’ll work toward that end – as him wanting something that brings an audience to his program with little regard to the consequences of what happens to America if Rove’s “dream” comes true.  (I also gathered, by his lack of discussion regarding Walker, that his “pick” to make 2016 a “contest” is Jeb Bush – yikes!)

In the past, I’ve written about how Chuck Todd, another of the political “experts” on NBC/MSNBC, allows himself to be used by politicians – seemingly unknowingly.  In Todd’s case, what made it worse for me was his mega-blunder was a boon for Mitch McConnell.  To me, no one who thinks as a progressive should be doing anything but exposing McConnell for all the reasons he should be “disqualified” to be a U.S. Senator instead of helping him in his re-election bid.  So today, Matthews started talking about Jeb Bush – with, I’ll give him some credit for a few pointed “questions” Bush will face in the upcoming primary season and campaign should “we the people” be subjected to another Bush in the 2016 election, the hint he wants Bush to be the “man.”  What really bothered me was Matthews left me with the impression that he would be looking to find a strategy to present Bush in a way that would make the election “competitive” – because, that’s what “the people want.”

Well, I’ve got news for Mr. Matthews – I believe there is a growing number of Americans who DON’T want to see Rove’s dream come true.  And, even more who don’t want another Bush.  Let me give you a few reasons:  first, the Supreme Court (which deplorably anointed Jeb’s brother president in 2000) is already on a “collision course” with being the WORST court in American history – ie “Citizens United” (the decision which OVERTURNED 100 years of attempts to keep corporate influence out of politics) along with the McCutcheon decision which further opened the “floodgates” to rich people buying politicians (America’s Congress is ALREADY CORRUPT to the CORE) – plus the GUTTING of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (allowing numerous voter suppression antics by republicans seemingly within days of the decision) just to name a few of their decisions TAILORED for the so-called one percent.  Should republicans “finish the job” (that is control of the Courts, the Congress, the Presidency, and the media) – simply from the standpoint of the Supreme Court – the damage will last for at least another generation!

Then, when you take into consideration that the Koch’s have already PUBLICLY announced their intention to spend UPWARDS of a BILLION dollars to buy the next president, all you have to do is look at their “agenda” to get an idea of what to expect if they pull this off.  For starters, Koch Industries has a “track record” as one of the LARGEST POLLUTERS in America.  Instead of “cleaning up their act” their solution to the “problem” is to eliminate the EPA.  If you’re as old as I am you remember that the EPA came into existence during the term of Richard Nixon (one of the main reasons why “conservatives” hated him) and it has helped to “clean up” major portions of America.  Nixon would be a liberal compared to these people!  I still remember, as a child back in the late 1950’s, being driven across country by my parents and driving through a town in Indiana where there were signs next to a river which said “don’t throw burning material into the river, it will catch on fire.”  While we have a long way to go in cleaning up our environment, I believe it can be said we’ve come a long way since those days.  The Kochs want to “turn back the clock” and get rid of the EPA.

The Koch’s (and their supporters) are at the head of the list of “climate change” deniers – and, it won’t take many presidential terms with people following their lead to get us dangerously close to (or past) the “point of no return” in relation to our need to reduce the effect of fossil fuels on our atmosphere.  Read Naomi Klein’s “This Changes Everything” if you need a bit more input on this subject.

Then there is the New Deal – or, I should say, what is still left of it.  The Koch’s, and the people who they are affiliated with, HATE  the New Deal – they’ve been ranting against it since the days of FDR (well, now we’re talking about Charles and David’s Dad – and those who formed the John Birch Society back during the Eisenhower years – they actually referred to Eisenhower as a “communist sympathizer”).  They’ve managed to “chip away” at many of the breakthroughs of the New Deal and winning the White House in 2016 could very well “finish the job.”

These people are so far to the “right” that they managed only one percent of the vote when David Koch ran against Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election. (he ran as the VP candidate on the Libertarian “ticket”)  And, if you’ve been paying attention – their philosophy is that if they are supporting you (ie Senator or Representative in the House) you will vote with their interests EVERY time!  My representative is a young lady (who I pretty much disagree with, but I like and respect) who is a republican and she voted against the “flow” on either 5 or 6 votes (meaning she has a something resembling a conscience) out of over 500 votes and the local GOP is in the process of CENSURING her!  You read that correctly, 5 or 6 votes out of OVER 500 with democrats and she’ll probably get “primaried” in the next election come 2016.  (I was talking to a Christian friend of mine the other day and he looked a bit disbelieving when I mentioned the term fascism in relation to the Kochs and their agenda, but they act like tyrants!)

The Koch forces started off the new legislative session by showing their allegiance to Charles and David for all the money the two brothers have “invested” in our “tea party” run Congress.  This should be a HUGE “wake-up call” to all “progressive” Americans – but, with people like Matthews in position to be the voice – it more than likely “aint gonna happen!”  The republicans started the session by going after Social Security (trust me, they HATE Social Security) – and, they did it in the typical “MEAN SPIRITED” way republicans do things these days – with complete contempt for what Jesus Christ referred to as “the least of these.”  The republicans are attempting (and may succeed) to CUT the benefits of disabled recipients of Social Security benefits by 20% – and, in the process, apparently trying to pit disabled Americans against elderly Americans (the category I happen to fall into).  With the exception of actual Social Security support groups (Social Security Works, etc.) and the likes of LIBERAL Congressional members like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren (along with a few others) taking up the fight, you would hardly know this is happening.  People like Matthews are more interested in manipulating a “contest” for 2016 – than “fighting the good fight.”

Then there’s the Keystone XL pipeline – a pipeline that will cross America’s heartland, intersecting about 110 miles of the Ogalalla aquifer, and deliver MILLIONS of barrels of the DIRTIEST oil on the planet (the tar sands oil that originates in Alberta Canada) to refineries in Texas from which the oil will be shipped to China, India, and other countries around the world – but, with virtually none of the oil intended for America.  The Kochs stand to profit in excess of $100 MILLION from this pipeline and “we the people” will be left to clean up the mess – which is a byproduct that is apparently dirtier than the oil itself.  The enduring value of this pipeline in terms of permanent jobs (republicans are calling it a Jobs bill – of course, it’s the FIRST “jobs bill” since the Tea Party took over the House in 2010) will be around 35 to 40 PERMANENT jobs.  All this to create mountains of pollution around the Texas refineries and THREATEN the water supply of untold MILLIONS of Americans from South Dakota to Texas itself.  The very FACT this is one of the first bills of this Congress shows how deep the CORRUPTION of our Congress really is – yet, people like Matthews give us hardly a whimper on the subject.  It’s more important to him that we have a “contested” election two years from now – when the reality is that until this version of the republican party is put away into the history books America will continue the steady decline she’s been on since the Reagan Administration gave us “trickle down” economics and anti-government fervor.

Finally, Matthews was struggling to accept that the ISIL crisis that he so often rants about is a direct result of the Bush/Cheney administration.  While he kind of brought up the question of how will Jeb confront the issue of his brother he certainly didn’t take the same tact that his buddy Chuck Todd took with McConnell’s opponent in the Kentucky Senatorial election – declaring her “disqualified” because she didn’t want to disclose who she voted for (obviously, the McConnell forces were attempting to get a sound bite with her saying she voted for President Obama in a state where Obama is NOT popular).  I don’t expect to hear Matthews (or Todd for that matter) say that Jeb Bush is DISQUALIFIED because he was responsible for the election of his brother by suppressing an untold number of votes in Florida during the 2000 presidential election (by rigging voting machines, hanging chads, etc.) or giving an HONEST appraisal of the HORRIFIC consequences of the Iraq invasion (or the ineptitude of the invasion of Afghanistan) and Jeb’s role in the Project for a New American Century – the group which was lobbying for the invasion before Bush/Cheney took the oath of office.  That might minimize the chances of a “contest” in 2016, because even Matthews understands the rest of the republican “hopefuls” are kind of like a circus sideshow!

I could go on and on about my frustration with people like Chris Matthews (and other journalists who should “know better” – and, I realize maybe the problem is that I’m attempting [or hoping] people like Matthews would act as journalists) who seem to be OK with the republicans completing their goal of what would be generously called an oligarchy and could harshly be called a Mussolini type fascist government (that is – a corporate/government partnership) if it raises ratings for their shows.  Instead of acting like the “muck rakers” of the early 20th century – who were responsible for uncovering what was ostensibly a similar “partnership” as the Koch’s and their “ilk” are pursuing – we are stuck with people who want to see a “contest” with no regard to the potential consequences.  Fox “news” has succeeded in imbedding the “concept” of “fair and balanced” into the “mainstream” of what is transported across the airwaves (While, being the engine for the GOP propaganda “machine”) as “news” and, in the process, has turned the focus of American journalism away from speaking Truth.  In the process, in my view, we’ve ended up with people like Chris Matthews more focused on ratings than on reporting the TRUTH.  The Koch’s have BILLIONS to spend on manipulating the minds of unsuspecting Americans – which they’ll do with an unending barrage of TV adds that have NO relation to the truth – they don’t need people like Chris Matthews helping them succeed!

As I’ve mentioned before on previous posts I’m reading “The Bully Pulpit” by Doris Kearns Goodwin which is focused on the administrations (and lives) of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.  I recommend the book (Goodwin also authored “A Team of Rivals” about the administration of Abraham Lincoln among others).  What’s probably the most interesting about this book are the parallels from the so-called “Gilded Age” or the age of the “Robber Barons” to today’s America.  A couple of my recent posts are focused on the now infamous “Koch Brothers” who seem to be cronies to the likes of JP Morgan and JD Rockefeller and there’s much more in this book that makes the reader think of today’s “current events.”

For example, (I’m getting toward the end of the book) at some point near the end of Roosevelt’s administration and the first year or two of Taft’s administration Congress passed the “Tillman Act” (this was in 1907 toward the end of Roosevelt’s terms in office) and the “Federal Corrupt Practices Act” (this was passed in 1910 during the 2nd year of Taft’s administration) with both pieces of legislation aimed at curbing the influence of corporate money in federal elections and creating limits and disclosure on contributions.  What is so interesting to me is, as I look back on American politics since the Supreme Court appointed GW Bush as president in 2000, watching the roll back of reforms (such as these two) by the right wing “machine” that has flourished since 9/11.  This movement initially gained serious momentum and has progressively evolved in America since the election of Ronald Reagan.  In essence, the Bush appointees to the Supreme Court – Chief Justice Roberts and Judge Samuel Alito – were the driving force behind “Citizens United” – the Supreme Court decision (debacle) which overturned the Roosevelt and Taft accomplishments (along with another 100 years of Congress trying to regulate money in politics).  Click HERE if you’d like to read more about these two laws (well, former laws :o(

The ultimate irony here is that these laws were designed to prevent EXACTLY what is presently transpiring in America – and, that is a corporate/government partnership.  (The definition, ultimately for this “partnership” – over time – becomes fascism)  If you’ve been paying any kind of attention to the past few election cycles in America you can see the incredible influence of the money now being thrown at political leaders by the “boatload.”  Just last week it was announced that the Kochs (and their brethren) are planning to spend $900 MILLION to buy (and “own”) the next President.  And, if you think I’m kidding, just look at the obvious evidence from the 2014 mid term elections.  Republicans gained control of both houses of Congress and, wouldn’t you know it, the FIRST item on their agenda was to repay the Koch’s by passing a bill authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline.  And, to the dismay of many “liberals” like me, our so-called “liberal media” didn’t seem to notice the obscene connection.  I mean, this is the MOST obvious form of political payback – BLATANT – that I can imagine.  I mentioned the other day that I wasn’t surprised to hear Joni Ernst – one of the “Tea Party” beneficiaries of mounds of Koch money which even she admitted made her candidacy possible – when giving the response (? – it didn’t seem like a “response” to me) to President Obama’s State of the Union Address making a pitch for the Keystone pipeline instead of talking about ALL the other issues facing Americans.  The Keystone pipeline will not benefit more than a few Americans, it is a MAJOR threat to our environment, and ALL the oil (and dirty byproducts) will be shipped abroad (everything goes overseas but the pollution associated with gathering and refining the tar sands).

These politicians who will follow the wishes of the “puppet masters” are, to me, nothing more than political prostitutes.  And, as I’ve mentioned before many times on this site, I feel the same way about a large percentage of people who come off implying to the American public that they are journalists.  I’m not talking about the radio talk hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, and lessor characters like Lars Larsen – because they’re more like entertainers.  However, they’re doing the same thing – they’re SAYING things they are told to say by the puppet masters, whoever they are, for the money.  They are part of the Goebbels like propaganda scheme that’s been republican policy for over 30 years (and, obviously, it’s working)  I’m really talking about people like the Sean Hannity’s and Bill O’Reilly’s who work for a network that calls itself a “news” network.  If you haven’t figured this out yet, Fox “news” should be called “GOP news.”  Unfortunately, I know way too many adults who actually believe they get “fair and balanced” information from Fox.  They are almost impossible to dialogue with because the false information has been DRILLED into their brains by this effective propaganda scheme –  a “scheme” that also seems to avoid the “eye” of others in the “mainstream” media.  This is what earlier politicians (FDR and JFK) were warning us about when they cautioned us about the “war” from within.  (Now that I’ve said this, I have to admit that I rarely watch any network “news” anymore – because, it almost always turns out to be “tainted” – no matter where it comes from –  although I do like Al Sharpton).

These “news” people, or pundits, or actors (like Hannity and O’Reilly) are allowing (I should probably say “helping”) the corporate assault on America that is threatening the very foundation of our republic.  They are all about the money.  And, they’re obviously valuable to their sources because they’re getting a lot of money!  I read somewhere a couple years ago that Limbaugh was making $400 MILLION per year – yikes!  That considering there’s a HUGE abandonment of his show by major sponsors due to his repeatedly making racist and/or misogynist comments, not to mention all the “pants on fire” lies he’s been held to account for over the years.  So, what does that tell us?  Well, to me it says that Limbaugh keeping his “ditto heads” in line is worth it to whomever is giving him access to so many major channels in America – so, they’ll pay the “freight” whether he’s got corporate sponsors or not.  He’s said stuff WAY MORE offensive than Don Imus did when Imus was essentially removed from the airwaves – but, Limbaugh is keeping a large audience in line – voting right wing republican no matter what those right wing policies do to his audience.  The audiences of Limbaugh and Fox “news” are reported to be the most misinformed Americans!

So, we’ve got corrupted politicians doing the bidding of their corporate benefactors and a media that is more interested in ratings than true investigative journalism and the result is people like Charles and David Koch are being very successful in their attempt to take us (America) back to the Gilded Age.  What’s the scariest to me in all of this is that the two “bastions” that “we the people” would want to be able to count on to give us a defense against this corporate overreach would be the Courts and the media.  Well, the Supreme Court has shown clearly where it stands with “Citizens United” and, more recently, the “McCutcheon” decision which helped to open the “spigot” of money wealthy Americans are willing to spend to buy our political leaders even wider.  Additionally, the Court GUTTED the 1965 Voting Rights Act – by some accounts enabling right wing governors (and Secretary’s of State) across the nation to impose voting suppression laws that will disenfranchise 5 MILLION plus voters – and, I’ll give you three guesses (and the first two don’t count) who most of those voters would be voting for. (or what color their skin is – a quick addendum here – I HIGHLY recommend the movie “Selma” if you’re interested in getting a better view of what the Court did in gutting section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act)  You can count on this court favoring corporate interests at the expense of “the least of these” (in the words of Jesus Christ) for the foreseeable future. (Roberts and Alito will be there for MANY years to come! ugh!!!)

In “The Bully Pulpit” the role of investigative reporting is made very clear.  Much of the “progressive” agenda that Roosevelt (and Taft) was able to enact was the result of the public being “informed” about the TRUE dealings with, what at the time was called, the “trusts.”  Others referred to the political powers as the “machine” – does that remind you of anything?  Today we’ve got the “too big to fail (or jail)” banks in Wall Street that control a massive amount of America’s wealth, less than 1% of the American public owning a HUGE majority of the nation’s assets, people (and groups) that are focused on their self-interest (like the Koch’s, the Walton’s, numerous multinational corporations, etc.) “investing” in our politicians, too many politicians willing to accept the “investment,” and a media that seems intent on “looking the other way.”  EVERYONE I know who has any interest in politics is sickened by the OBVIOUS level of CORRUPTION in our nation’s capital.  Yet “we the people” are feeling less and less able to do ANYTHING about this – explaining why 63% of Americans boycotted the last election.

When the “liberals” in the broadcast media are people like Chris Matthews and Chuck Todd – well, to me, it’s kind of depressing.  (I’m getting pretty old, I know things will turn at some point, I’m just hoping to be able to witness it when it happens)  Todd is the one who bothers me the most.  Over the times I’ve watched him he seems to come off as if he believes himself to be an expert political observer.  To me, Chuck Todd is the perfect “pigeon” for those on the “right” attempting to manipulate the media.  I focus on Todd because I thought he played a significant role in helping republicans gain control of the Senate in the 2014 election – even to the point where he allowed himself to be part of Mitch McConnell’s campaign attack on McConnell’s opponent.  Todd characterized McConnell’s opponent as “unqualified” because she wouldn’t share her vote in the previous Presidential election (you know, the vote that is supposed to be on a “secret ballot”) yet he FAILED to mention the MYRIAD reasons why it was ACTUALLY McConnell who should have been unqualified.  I don’t know if people like Todd are afraid of powerful “leaders” coming after them or simply LAZY in their reporting.  But, to me, his actions make him “unqualified” to be a “moderator” on national TV.

I’ve written a few posts about Matthews – who knows better – but, can’t seem to resist “lifting up” republican wacko’s with the idea that it will make for interesting “Hardball” episodes.  Not evidently understanding the damage this nation will endure if one happens to succeed with the help of the BILLIONS that will be spent convincing America that the republican “wacko” is “for the people” and reporters who fail to REPORT the TRUTH about his/her candidacy.  (for example, no one seemingly wants to use the term “racist” in regard to why republicans continue their HATE barrage against Barack Obama whose administration has led to massive income for many of their benefactors – like the Koch’s who’ve gained BILLIONS during Obama’s terms in office – these attacks seemingly being limitless and needing no factual basis)  I still remember one of Matthews’ “shoot from the hip” rants, essentially lambasting President Obama, at the beginning of the Ebola “crisis.”  Of course, as it turns out, our president was ahead of EVERYONE else. He made thoughtful, calculated decisions that have gone a long way in helping to curb the outbreak, and yet I haven’t heard ONE PERSON who attacked him, admit that they were wrong and he was right.  Unfortunately, that’s the way our system works!  And, Matthews ends up as a tool of the Obama “haters” every time he thoughtlessly makes a “gut reaction” to a “crisis.”  He did this during the VA “crisis” – insisting that someone be blamed (not mentioning – or researching – the culpability of a Congress which refuses to fund the VA) and essentially challenging Obama’s leadership – with the result being General Shinseki (a great friend of Veterans) being forced to resign and – still today – a crisis not resolved because the REAL problem (today as then) is a Congress that says with their mouths “support our troops” and then with the “purse string” says “FU” to our troops – by underfunding VA Hospitals and medical staffing.  Evidently, issues like this are only “interesting” to people like Matthews when Fox or their ilk feel as if they can use them to attack the President.

In my view, what we need is another Roosevelt type president – and, I don’t see one on the horizon without a change in our “fourth estate” – the media.  Theodore Roosevelt gained prominence with the help of media reporters who were willing to “uncover” the damage being done to the average Americans by the greedy corporate “masters” at the turn of the 19th Century into the 20th.  In 21st Century America we seem to be reliving a similar scenario, but this time, the “masters” have apparently studied HISTORY more thoroughly than the progressives – and, if “we the people” don’t get a wake up call before 2016’s election, the damage could last well into this century.  The America that we leave to our children and grandchildren won’t resemble what our parents and grandparents fought so hard to leave to us! (I’m speaking from the perspective of a “baby boomer”)

Presently, I’m reading “The Bully Pulpit” by Doris Kearns Goodwin about the emergence of Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the progressive journalism that led to the beginnings of progressive change in America circa 1900.  This is a very interesting and well written book which reinforces my thoughts of how eerily today’s politics mirror those of what is often referred to as the Gilded age or the age of the “Robber Barons.”  As I read about John D Rockefeller I can’t help but think of the most recent book I’ve read (“Sons of Wichita”) focused on the infamous “Koch Brothers” – and, especially Charles Koch.  The reality:  this period of greed and selfishness in the upper echelons of American society today is NOTHING NEW!

When Roosevelt assumed the presidency (President McKinley was assassinated) in 1901 there was a consolidated industrial situation in America where a few corporations (and their “bosses”) held almost unlimited power in America.  Additionally, the “Robber Barons” – ie the mirror image of today’s CEO’s – were “buying” the politicians in ways that perpetuated the struggle of the middle and lower classes of American citizens (sound familiar?).  What is really interesting (to me) is the parallel of the media then and now.  The “mainstream” media seemed to be too timid to TRUTHFULLY investigate the corruption that is inevitable when corporate interests are heavily “investing” in America’s politicians.  Once Roosevelt was in the White House (and, by the way, the “conservatives” in the republican party were doing everything they could to prevent him from getting there – that, ironically, is how he became the Vice President) it was a small group of TRULY investigative reporters who helped turn the tide of the nation’s “public opinion” in a way that allowed Roosevelt to push through some of his “progressive” agenda.

There was a magazine titled “McClure’s” which had a stable of reporters who were uncovering the misdeeds of the banks, the railroads, the steel industry, the meat packing industry, and other “conglomerates” who were ruthlessly profiting off the American public with little to no sense of responsibility to the public which supplied their “customers.”  Sound familiar???  Well, regarding the profiteering that is going on today – the true investigative reporting in 21st century America seems to be happening on the fringes of the so-called “liberal media.”  (for example, Greg Palast, whom I consider the BEST investigative reporter “out there” works via the BBC – despite the FACT he’s American thru and thru) The powerful “conservative” political strategists have learned much over the years as they are attempting to push America back in a way to repeal 100 years of progressive vision.  “We the people” are in desperate need of a “McClure’s” today that reaches a high percentage of middle class American voters.  (The “Nation” magazine is attempting to fill that void, but I don’t believe their circulation is enough to make a difference).

Take for example the Supreme Court decision called “Citizens United.”  I’ve been railing about this decision since the day it was enacted (thanks to Thom Hartman, a “liberal” talk radio host, who was explaining the ramifications of this decision long before it occurred) and it is both bothering and sobering to me that MOST of the people I know have never heard of “Citizens United.”  (and, most of these acquaintances of mine would be considered “educated” Americans) The problem with that is that, as I occasionally watch “news” on TV, it is a rare occasion when commentators “connect” the HUGE influx of money into American politics with Citizens United.  Not only are MOUNTAINS of this money coming from wealthy Americans, but an untold amount is coming from Foreigners with a vested interest in our politics.  (we’ll never know how much of the money is from foreigners, because it’s “secret” – ugh!)  I will always remember Sam Alito (one of the guilty judges on the “Roberts Court”) shaking his head as if to say “no, no” during President Obama’s State of the Union speech (I think it was in 2010) when he called the court out for this terrible judicial overreach – judicial activism at its “finest” – just what Alito and Chief Justice Roberts promised not to engage in during their confirmation hearings!  Now, “we the people” are forced to live with the results of their “overreach” until, God willing, the American people will support an amendment to the constitution to overturn their activism.  Example:  it’s now being reported that the “Koch Brothers” are committed to spending $900 MILLION in the 2016 presidential election to complete the process of what they (and Karl Rove) envision as a “permanent republican ‘majority.'”

Of course, the republicans don’t hold a “majority” in America – in fact, they have a “base” that consists of about 1/3 of the voting populace.  However, what they’re counting on, and they are presently proving works, is that when you control the media (the message) and you can afford to “buy” the politicians, it is very difficult for “we the people” to fight back.  Once they gain the White House, along with the courts, the Congress, and control of the media they will be able to convince much of America’s unsuspecting public that, for instance, repealing the minimum wage will “create jobs.”  Instead of making the Affordable Care Act better, they will attempt to repeal it.  They will make a direct assault on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and numerous other government programs they consider “socialism.”  They will work to either diminish the power of or defund government agencies that regulate business, food, the environment, and who knows what else?  The Koch brothers are libertarians who agree with the republican mantra to shrink government to the size where it can be flushed down the bathroom drain.

What else do the Koch brothers want?  Well, let me give you an example that clearly shows how this process of buying politicians works – this one is “right up front” – yet, you don’t see the media “up in arms” as they should be by such BLATANT political prostitution.  Yes, I’m talking about the Keystone XL pipeline.  This pipeline will move the Alberta tar sands “oil” from Canada to Texas so that it can be refined and the oil and its (incredibly dirty) byproducts can be shipped to places like China and India – NONE of the oil is going to American markets!  And, how do the Koch brothers fit in?  Well, they stand to profit to the tune of at least $100 MILLION once the pipeline is completed (my guess is that the $100 MILLION amount is quite conservative) and, if you’ve been paying attention, the politicians they’ve “bought” moved legislation for this pipeline “to the front of the line” in the just enacted Congressional session.  Before they did virtually ANYTHING else, they gave the Koch’s a message saying “thanks” for the HUNDREDS of MILLIONS already spent – and the “even more” on the horizon!  It’s really SICKENING to me to watch this happen, but, I haven’t seen much commentary pointing out to “we the people” the reality.  (you have to actively research, read books by actual investigative reporters or academics to get what I consider more accurate information – although, as I used to teach my students – check multiple sources!)

Did you watch Joni Ernst give the republican response to President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union speech?  Joni Ernst is a newly elected Senator from Iowa (shame on you if you live in Iowa and voted for this woman) and she is famous for bragging about castrating pigs as she launched her campaign for the US Senate.  Under most circumstances, a candidate such as Ernst would be on the fringe and would have no chance for success.  However, the “tea party” philosophy of the Koch’s is that they can “buy’ ANY seat in the House or the Senate with enough money.  Ernst herself is on record as giving thanks to the Koch brothers for funding her campaign and making her “win” possible.  How else did she give thanks?  Well, if you were listening to her “rebuttal” speech (it really wasn’t much of a rebuttal) almost the first word out of her mouth was Keystone XL pipeline (of course she – as with all republicans I’ve heard – won’t mention the Koch’s interest when “selling” the pipeline).  She pointed out this legislation was at the forefront of the republican “jobs” agenda.  And, of course, every other republican pushing this legislation is calling it a “jobs bill.”  (the legislation is now on a direct course for President Obama’s VETO pen)

What republicans (including Ernst) won’t tell you is that almost all the “jobs” created by this pipeline will be temporary (hopefully, the pipeline will NEVER be constructed – and the Canadians can process their own oil in Alberta) with only around 35 – 40 “permanent” jobs once it is completed.  They also won’t tell you the INCREDIBLE risk to America’s MAIN source of water that would be posed by this pipeline.  They’ve moved the course of the proposed pipeline so that it will “only” cross about 110 MILES of the Ogallala aquifer – the main source of water extending from South Dakota to West Texas.  The results of a pipeline spill (and, believe me, there’s MANY MORE pipeline spills from existing pipelines than “we the people” will ever know about – because, unless it’s local or HUGE – it’s not reported) could be catastrophic to untold MILLIONS of Americans living in the “heartland” of the nation.  Even those Midwest republicans who seem to blindly support “their” party would be affected by a spill.  “Worst case scenario” reports vary, but even accepting the most cautious report, a Keystone pipeline spill that would penetrate this Aquifer would lead to a national disaster of untold proportions.  So, my question to any republican would be, “Is this risk worth 40 permanent jobs?”  Of course as they would parse together some rebuttal you’d never hear them mention the Koch brothers and their money.

If you’re not familiar with Charles and David Koch you might wonder “how much money are we talking about?”  (and, keep in mind, both brothers are in their 70’s, one has terminal cancer, and both seem to be willing to unload some BILLIONS in order to achieve their John Birch Society, Libertarian dream of deconstructing the advances of the “progressives” of the Teddy Roosevelt years and the “New Deal” of the (hated) Franklin Roosevelt years, along with the similarly “hated” civil rights breakthrough’s of the LBJ years (if you haven’t seen the movie “Selma” I wholeheartedly recommend it!).  In fact these people thought Dwight Eisenhower was a communist sympathizer and Nixon even worst for the EPA and the breakthrough with China.  The Kochs are each “worth” a reported $50 BILLION (so, the $900 MILLION “investment” in our next president represents a “drop in the bucket”) and Koch Industries brings in a robust $115 BILLION in revenue each year (and counting).  In fact, ironically, their business has grown almost exponentially under President Obama – can you think of why they HATE him so?  The Keystone XL pipeline represents only a small part of the “Koch agenda” – it’s simply  the “receipt” proving republicans have been “bought.”  Should they succeed in buying the next president, we’ll then see the entire agenda – and, my prediction is that MOST Americans won’t like what they see!  The problem is that it will be most difficult to stop them once that has happened – the time to stop the Koch agenda is BEFORE 2016 – more and more people need to understand that if you’re not willing to FIGHT for something (like your rights) you will ultimately lose it/them!

Are the American people as stupid as the republican party assumes they are?  As much as I hate to answer that question in the affirmative, I don’t know what else to say. (Well, actually, I can conjure up another possibility which I will reveal below) Today, on my way home from church I did my “usual” as I purchased a Sunday paper for my wife.  And, knowing the local paper is controlled by a right wing family it didn’t surprise me to see the headline: “GOP focus: cut deficit and don’t do stupid stuff.”  Now, this would be comical if I wasn’t certain that most of the people who purchase this week’s Sunday paper won’t put much thought into that headline.  In fact, I believe most will be regurgitating the “inference” that republicans are focused on cutting the deficit and they will have no idea why the reference to “stupid stuff.”

This follows the line of the latest in the GOP propaganda scheme as they’ve switched gears from blaming the bad economy on President Obama’s “failed policy” to taking credit for what appears to be the success Timothy Geithner (and others in Obama’s administration) predicted when the original “stimulus” was passed in 2009.  They pointed out that the recovery would be slow and, especially, the jobless recovery would pick up gradually over the next 4 or 5 years (which would bring us to NOW).  Of course, anyone who’s paid any attention at all to American politics over the previous 6 years knows the republicans are HELL BENT on destroying the Obama administration – EVERYTHING he is for, they are against.  They will give him credit for NOTHING!  And, through all this President Obama seems to be moving on an “even keel” and he’s even progressed to the point where he’s showing some combativeness regarding this republican OBSTRUCTION.  (arguably, the worst obstruction in American history)

So, now their focus is on reducing the deficit?!  YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!  I’m sure there won’t be ANY acknowledgement that the deficit has been more than halved since Obama took office – despite all the republican opposition.  How convenient, to wait until the American people are actually beginning to realize that things are looking up to throw their arms into the air, start jumping up and down, and claiming:  “Look, we’ve reduced the deficit!” (and, I might add, that once they’ve assumed control of Congress – if things take a turn for the worst – I GUARANTEE you it will be Obama’s fault!) These are the same people who continue to run Dick Cheney onto GOP TV (Fox “news”) to defend TORTURE (claiming he would authorize it again) – the man who, as George W Bush’s Vice President (many say he was the most powerful Vice President in US history) claimed: “Ronald Reagan proved deficits don’t matter,” and, arguably, is as responsible as anyone for the ballooning deficits of the Bush/Cheney regime.  Evidently, deficits only matter when there’s a democrat in the White House.

Again, are “we the people” that stupid that we’re going to continue to listen to these people?  I get the newspaper’s headline.  Clearly, it’s time for the GOP to attempt to take credit for the reduced deficit (it’s been cut by something approaching $900 BILLION – from $1.4 TRILLION in Bush/Cheney’s last budget – the one inherited by President Obama to a projected $500 BILLION this year) because that’s how they do things.  They are not good at governing (just check the record of the Bush/Cheney years) but they are experts at OBSTRUCTING and OBFUSCATING.  The American people appear to be willing suckers for the republican schtick, it’s just that what they are REALLY “up to” is going to be EXTREMELY difficult to recover from once the general public “catches on.”

I just finished reading “Sons of Wichita” – a biography of the Koch family (ie the infamous “Koch Brothers”) and one of their great frustrations with the reality that they have to use the republican party as the “carriers” necessary to force their right wing (libertarian) agenda on the unsuspecting public has been all the “stupid stuff” (as referenced in my local paper’s headline) coming from republican surrogates.  Now, this shouldn’t be too surprising when you look at the reality that their “main men” (well, some women too) comprise people like Ted Cruz, Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Joni Ernst, Rick Perry, Louie Gohmert, and so many others in the so-called “Tea Party” movement.  People who have referenced things like “legitimate rape,” (Tod Aiken) and “even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen” (Rick Santorum and others) have made it more difficult for the Koch’s (and their network of “invisible” benefactors) to accomplish their goal of fulfilling Grover Norquist’s pledge to “reduce government to the size where it can be flushed down the bathroom drain.”

I’ve been suggesting for years there is an “invisible cabal” of wealthy people pushing the republican party farther and farther to the “right” and, over the previous 4 or 5 years the “Koch Brothers” have lost their anonymity – although, many of the benefactors in their network remain mostly “invisible.”  However, their agenda is “right out front” for all (who care) to see, and it really is a bit scary. (Unless, I suppose, you’re one of the benefactors – who appear to be people who are totally overcome by GREED!)  Take for example, the new republican congress which is soon to have total control of the legislative branch of the federal government (and, by the way, this “Koch empire” has meticulously and brilliantly – I hate to give them that – gained a foothold of control in a majority of state legislatures and governorships across America).  What will be their first activity?  Something designed to move “we the people” forward?  Something that would benefit a great majority of Americans?  If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge………….. (you know the rest)

The first actions of the new republican congress will be to pass a bill authorizing the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Now, for those of you that yawn and go, “ya what?”  Well, just take a moment to think about why this would be the republicans first action.  Before, I get to the “benefits” of this pipeline (which will be carrying the DIRTIEST form of petroleum) ponder this:  The Koch Brothers – the two guys most responsible for the FLOOD of “dark money” that has spurred the republicans into their new-found Senate majority – stand to profit by $100 MILLION (based on reports I’ve read) from this pipeline.  Republicans will claim it’s a “job creator.”  What they won’t tell you is that in the long run it will create about 50 (or less) permanent jobs.  Of the few thousand temporary jobs it will create – as it’s built – many are already there – meaning, people will simply be relocated while this pipeline is under construction.

Republicans will also claim, “we need the oil to push down oil prices.”  Well, that one should be a simple one to answer – shouldn’t it, based on the FACT that oil prices have dropped in half over the previous 6 months and are at their lowest level in almost 10 years.  Fuel efficient automobiles, solar power, wind generation, electric cars, etc. is what will (actually is) bring oil prices down.  Using less oil is the best solution to the oil crisis.  And, presently (and ironically) under President Obama’s “watch” America has become (again) the world’s largest oil producer helping to push prices down and supplies up.  Now, I “get” that President Obama probably had little to do with the present price of oil, but, if you’re going to blame the Bush/Cheney deficits on him – because it’s “under his watch” then you’ve got to give credit for what happens that’s positive “under his watch.”  I’m sure the republicans will figure a way to take credit for the drop in oil prices as well as the reduced deficit as mentioned above.

Finally, to “hammer” home my point – that I believe the republicans believe the American people are stupid – this Keystone XL Pipeline won’t even create oil that is sold in the American market.  What it will create is a toxic waste that “we the people” are left to deal with, dirty oil that is sold to places like China and India, and the potential to pollute the Ogallala aquifer in the heartland of America from which untold MILLIONS draw their water – including a significant number of farmers in the Midwest. (click HERE if you want to read more about the aquifer and the danger posed by the XL pipeline)  Obviously, republicans believe the American public won’t care about their push to create another $100 MILLION for the brothers Koch – I hope they’re wrong, but they did just “win” the midterm election.  (call me a cynic, but it does bother me that only 36% of America’s voters exercise their great privilege)

I’ll end by saying, the democratic party hasn’t given many of us “liberals” much to shout about in recent years.  I’ve personally been frustrated (over and over) by their apparent lack of courage to stand for their own convictions.  For example, in 2006 Democrats were voted into control of Congress because “we the people” wanted an end to the Iraq “war.”  Well, not only did the war not end, but a “surge” was the result.  The war profiteering was not investigated, the TORTURE was not investigated (until recently), and the CRIMES of Bush/Cheney et al were not investigated.  Jump ahead to 2015 and it will be the democrats those of us who oppose this “dirty oil” pipeline (the oil originates in Canada – why don’t they refine it and deal with the waste up there?) must depend on to stop the project and PROTECT the precious water supply of those in the Midwest.  Maybe the abuses of this “right wing” cabal haven’t gotten severe enough to “get people’s attention” – I just worry when the time comes that people realize what the Koch’s and their surrogates are up to the damage will be hard to reverse.  Personally, I don’t believe the American people are “stupid.”  I believe the American people are victims of a sophisticated propaganda/brainwashing scheme that is designed to return the USA to the Gilded Age.  (Read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “The Bully Pulpit”)

I just finished reading “Sons of Wichita” (How the Koch Brothers became America’s most powerful and private dynasty) by Daniel Schulman and hope this book becomes required reading for America’s voting public – whether you support their right wing agenda or, like me, feel as if they are the cause of a lot of what’s WRONG in our nation as I’m writing this post.  The book gives a thorough look into the Koch family and shows how people who control massive amounts of wealth can use that wealth in ways that are hard to comprehend for most of us who fall into the category of “we the people.”

I’ve been writing for years about what I call the “invisible cabal” of moneyed Americans who have been pushing both the republican party (and with it the democratic party) along with the political dialogue in America farther and farther to the right.  In my mind, this right leaning “tilt” began in earnest when Ronald Reagan managed to gain “admittance” to the White House in the election of 1980 vs. Jimmy Carter – and ironically, the libertarian party which featured David Koch as their Vice Presidential candidate.  Back then, the Libertarians managed something along the lines of 1% of the vote.  However, as becomes painfully (from my perspective) clear as you read this book, the Kochs have never allowed themselves to be discouraged by losing an election – evidence to that which is obvious as you consider their reaction to President Obama’s re-election in 2012.  That loss only temporarily discouraged them – instead of accepting that loss, they just ramped up their efforts to buy (and control) our nation’s government which led to the republicans winning control of the Senate in 2014.  (Evidence of the Koch’s success is the republican “PLEDGE” to start their new-found control of both houses of congress by passing the Keystone XL Pipeline bill – which equates to ANOTHER $100 MILLION for Koch Industries! yuk – people like me will be watching carefully at the democratic response to this action!)

What’s the most scary to me, as I’m gaining a better understanding of the “Koch empire” is they are practicing the very things they’ve railed against over the years – starting with their Father being a founding member of the John Birch Society and, along with his 2nd son Charles, railing publicly on many occasions a serious “anti-communist” rant.  Again, ironically, Charles’ and David’s father, Fred, who established the “empire” gained the foundation for their great wealth by taking his oil refining technology to Stalin’s Russia to help them “modernize” their oil refining abilities while profiting to the tune of millions.  He went to Russia because he was being sued in the States for, essentially, stealing this technology from a competitor.  Based on what I’ve read elsewhere and what is in this book, I believe it is fair to say that the Koch’s (as do many highly successful business executives) clearly fall into the RUTHLESS “whatever it takes” category.

And, I’m not one to “judge” any successful business person – especially when they are functioning according to the legal boundaries that are set up to protect “we the people” (which is highly questionable in regard to the Kochs) – I’m just not comfortable AT ALL with people in their position (who claim to be “for FREEDOM” – even though their “freedom” adversely affects the lives of MANY others) being able to buy our government.  Make no mistake about this, the “Koch Brothers,” as they’ve come to be known, are EXTREMELY wealthy, they are EXTREMELY sophisticated, and they have proved OVER and OVER again that there are no means they will not use to gain the “end” they’ve been pushing for over the past 50+ years.

In the previous election (the midterms of 2014) much of what the Kochs (along with others in the republican party) have been strategizing – really since the New Deal era of FDR – showed it’s  coming together and, in my view, by the time “we the people” figure out what has happened, it will be EXTREMELY difficult to reverse.  When Karl Rove (who I believe is not in total unity with the Kochs) postulates about the “permanent republican majority” he is pointing out the end goal of Charles Koch – who is USING the republican party as the surrogate to his LIBERTARIAN beliefs.  Unfortunately, I don’t think many Americans are even aware of the “Koch Brothers” – save for the few “progressive” activists who were (finally) warning progressives – er liberals – (who still chose NOT to vote in 2014) about the money the Koch network of wealthy Americans was funneling into the electoral process without any effort to educate what that means.  In the process, it appears to me the Kochs have their opposition kind of like a dog “chasing its own tail” in the BATTLE for political POWER in America.

Koch Industries – which is a huge conglomerate – is the record setter in environmental abuses that is evident through the hundreds of MILLIONS they’ve paid in fines for the damage done by various factions of their empire.  Untold numbers of people have died or been adversely affected by negligence and willful disregard for environmental laws but it seems as if there’s an unlimited budget to pay the fines and the two brothers have successfully insulated themselves from any criminal prosecution that has resulted in their GREEDY push for even more wealth. (In fact, much of their agenda is aimed at repealing the government regulations aimed at protecting the environment and “we the people” from predatory businesses and business people such as the Kochs) Their “empire” is generating well over $100 BILLION in revenue each year and each of the two brothers still involved with Koch Industries (Charles and David) are reported to be worth $50 BILLION (and counting) as I write.  It’s as if there is no amount of money to satisfy them – in fact, I believe their true motivation is creating a legacy of POWER – turning America into what they envision is a “free society” – which in reality will resemble something more approaching a Fascist Society.

For people I know who believe in the Ayn Rand wing of the Libertarian movement (and, I have to admit, I haven’t had the motivation to read “Atlas Shrugged” which seems to be the “bible” to some of my extreme right wing acquaintances) the Kochs are “right on.”  Most of these people that I know, have been more than willing to accept the benefits of what many call “The Commons” – meaning the roads, the post offices, the bridges, the military, the police, the fire department, the schools, etc. etc. – yet, don’t want to pay any taxes, they don’t want government regulating their lives in any way (accept on the occasion where they need something) and, kind of comically, several who are already on Social Security and Medicare oppose government involvement in health care by saying “keep your government hands off my Medicare.”  To me, this is kind of how the national debt most of these people rail against got out of control – beginning with Reagan – we want an endless amount of “stuff” (mostly military) we just don’t want to pay for it.  I’m sure there are some in this “camp” that simply believe that everyone should have a cache of weapons and “everyman for himself” and “the strong will survive.” One thing I feel certain about is most of the people who align themselves with the Koch Brothers don’t believe in giving a helping hand to those who are “down and out.”

Ostensibly, when you read “Sons of Wichita” and you take a look at the direction this nation has evolved since the days of Reagan, and more seriously, since the Citizens United Supreme Court decision which opened the “floodgates” to the “dark money” the Kochs and their surrogates are throwing around it is easy to see why we have apparently taken steps backward in the areas of racial justice, women’s rights, education, environmental protection (take a rational look at the necessity of the Keystone XL pipeline, for instance), and basic national morality – for example, the endless wars, the TORTURE (without accountability), the bank bailouts at the expense of ordinary American’s retirement accounts, etc. etc.  In my mind, the Koch brothers stand for everything that’s wrong in America, yet they’re “winning!”  Go figure!

I’m trying to process my frustration with “the way things are” and not allow myself to go back into intellectual hibernation because there appears to be no hope for America to “right the ship” at this time.  The biggest problem to me is the media.  It has been hijacked by some very sophisticated corporate interests and they’ve convinced, I believe, even the “journalists” who should know better that everything is the way it is because “both sides are equally to blame.”  I find that argument ludicrous and I find it very discouraging that the so-called “liberal” pundits are not able to fight back against the incredible PUSH to the right in our nation which began with the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980.  I’m not arguing that both political parties aren’t – well, disgusting – most people can agree on that – what I’m arguing is that the pandemic problems in America are the result of the republicans push to the right.  OK, then the question is what about the democrats?  And, to me, the answer to that one can be summed up in the old saying, “when you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one.”  In other words, the democrats don’t seem to be able to fight for their own fundamental values.  And, the beat goes on!

The other day I was listening to Thom Hartman, and he is a person who I often feel is “right on” and defending the “liberal” point of view.  He has a radio (and Free Speech TV – I recommend you give them your financial support – it’s listener supported media) program where he often interviews people with opposing viewpoints to his own.  The other day he was interviewing a right wing libertarian who had been a sheriff in Arizona some time back and who is evidently writing books at present.  I didn’t pick up all the details (or the guy’s name) – but, what caught my attention was this guy was the type who’s been using the infrastructure of America for his lifetime, but apparently wants to pay no taxes (well, he wants to abolish the IRS and the typical right wing proposal for some form of a flat tax – at least he used the word graduated) and he was basically espousing abolishment of much of our existing government.  As he made his argument (and the reason I’m mentioning it here) he claimed that the republicans and the democrats were equally responsible for a list of problems which seemed absurd to me and didn’t get the “blow-back” I expected to hear from Hartman.  For example, to me, it’s absurd to accuse democrats and republicans to be EQUALLY responsible for the national debt.  The statistics are clear – Reagan started the massive debt problem with the so-called “trickle down” economic philosophy, George HW Bush notched it up a level, and George W Bush put it on steroids!

Bill Clinton left “W” with a surplus of $250 BILLION annually that was projected to eliminate the deficit in 10 years (which is the Fed’s greatest nightmare – go figure) and George W Bush, with the help of Dick Cheney who famously said, “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter,” turned that surplus into a waterfall of debt by the time he left office.  And, this sheriff pointed out that “Obama created the bailout” or something of that effect (which convinced me his information came directly from Fox “news”) and I didn’t hear Hartman correct him that the TARP bailout was orchestrated by Hank Paulsen and George W Bush – Obama had little choice but to implement the final stages of it – which, to his credit, he used partly to save GM and Chrysler. (and thousands of middle class jobs!)  These things shouldn’t be debatable – the only reason they are is because republicans shout louder and democrats seem to lack the courage of their own convictions.

Bush/Cheney left President Obama with an economy teetering on depression with an annual deficit in excess of $1 TRILLION, a job market that was shedding jobs at the rate of a MILLION a month, and republicans in congress whose MAIN objective was to facilitate President Obama’s FAILURE!  Despite the incredible level of OBSTRUCTION during President Obama’s first 6 years in office, the economic circumstances in America have slowly improved, and the yearly deficits have been cut more than in half.  Had there been any level of cooperation in Washington DC during this period there could have been significantly greater achievement for those of us who would love to see the government operating with a surplus again.  Obviously, with the American people (well, actually, a small minority of the American people chose to vote in the last election) empowering, unbelievably to me, the republicans to be “back in charge” of both houses of Congress, we should be headed back to another economic crisis – I’m sure they hope it’s in the next two years so they can blame it on Obama.

Everyone who’s paying any amount of attention knows that if President Obama is for it, the republicans are automatically against it.  When you look at the FACTS, the deficit is MOSTLY the result of republican “trickle up” economics, the two wars (and, what now appears to be perpetual war – the so-called war on terror) are the result of Bush/Cheney BLUNDERS – Afghanistan should have been OVER in 6 – 9 months and we all know that Iraq should have NEVER happened, the economic collapse of 2007-2008 was the direct result of republican inspired deregulation of key parts of the New Deal (Glass-Steagall in particular), and it was Bush/Cheney who ruined America’s standing as the holder of the “moral high ground” when referring to Human Rights as they threw out the “rule book” on treatment of prisoners of war and authorized a massive amount of WAR CRIMES (part of their justification came via calling the detainees “enemy combatants” which means they aren’t actually “prisoners.” – this is what I call 21st century DOUBLESPEAK!)

I’ll say it again, this spiraling toward second tier status in America is largely the result of republican policy.  (and, yes you could add, a democratic party that has little to no FIGHT in it! – I believe they lost the last election because they abandoned their leader and failed to defend their own policies that were WORKING – it’s like the tail is wagging the dog)  Our media has been hoodwinked into adopting the Fox “news” mantra of “fair and balanced” evidently failing to realize the “scale” is tipped dangerously FAR to the right – reporting is NOT balanced at all!

No one wants to talk about the opposition to President Obama on the “news” channels – at least that I’ve heard.  I was telling a friend of mine the other day that I have plenty that I’m not happy about with our president (much of which you can find in the archives) but I don’t like to dwell on it because there’s so much coming at him from what I consider racist white people (or minions of Fox who actually believe they are a “news” channel) who want him to fail simply because they don’t want a Black person in the “White House.”  One of my good friends tends toward the Tea party and, for some reason, is unable to see the racist rhetoric (and signs and code) coming from those who are the majority of that faction.  He mentioned that he had watched the movie “42” the other day (about Jackie Robinson) and I told him I feel that Obama is facing circumstances that often remind me of that movie.  I really don’t see how anyone can miss the message when right wing republicans refer to Obama, for example, as “uppity.”  I’ve heard some republicans refer to our president as “elitist” evidently with no comprehension of the barriers he overcame in order to break the national political “color barrier.”

I would feel as if there was more “hope” in politics (for those who don’t understand my spiritual side, there is always “hope” in Jesus Christ – at least that’s my firm belief) if so many others besides Fox weren’t seemingly “feeding from the same trough.”  I have a tendency to listen (on my XM radio) to MSNBC when I’m driving around (or occasionally watching it at home when I can muster the will to watch TV “news”) and, as I’ve mentioned on this site numerous times, Chris Matthews and Chuck Todd – two to the political “heavyweights” on MSNBC – seem to me way too “full of themselves.”  They portray themselves as “experts” (Todd is now the narrator on “Meet the Press”) but come across to me as unwitting tools of the “invisible cabal” that is orchestrating America’s demise.  Most of us are now fully aware of David and Charles Koch (I really recommend you read “Sons of Wichita” – a very interesting biography of the Koch family) but I don’t think we’re at all aware of the size (or the danger) of the network of wealthy (and greedy) associates they’ve put together over the past 50 years since Charles Koch’s father helped found the John Birch Society.  For some reason our national media seems disinterested in educating “we the people” regarding the Kochs and their network of “supporters.”

We’re all witnessing the HUGE amounts of money being POURED into our electoral process, the likewise HUGE amounts of money LOBBYISTS are funneling to our Senators and Representatives that makes it clear our government is CORRUPTED to the core – yet, the media’s attention seems to ALWAYS be elsewhere.  I’ve come to the conclusion that the “invisible cabal” I often refer to is much more sophisticated than us everyday Americans can even imagine and, I believe they have their “tentacles” securely wrapped around our so-called “liberal media.”  Keith Olberman was trying to open eyes – he was fired (evidently, on top of his liberal views he’s hard to work with – at least that’s what makes it seem more tolerable that his voice was removed from the “airwaves”).  Mitt Romney’s Bain Capital owns “Clear Channel” which operates almost a monopoly of “talk” radio stations and after his defeat numerous “liberal talk” stations were “shuttered.”  In the case of the station in Portland, Oregon which was replaced by a Fox “sports” station – the ratings were something like EIGHT TIMES higher with the talk show than with its replacement – leaving at least me to believe it was shuttered for totally political reasons.  In Portland, a liberal city, you can get Rush Limbaugh from multiple locations, but I had to subscribe to XM to get anything resembling “liberal” talk radio.

All of this should BOTHER everyone – including conservatives – in my view, especially when you learn what kind of person Charles Koch is and what his core beliefs are.  Anyone who believes he’s spending what amounts to BILLIONS of dollars to cram his LIBERTARIAN views down our throats for “honorable” reasons is, in my view, either being foolish or not thinking at all.  People like Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, and lessor minions like Lars Larsen have proven over and over they will say whatever they’re told if the money’s right.  Sometimes I believe they have become victims of the very propaganda scheme they’re being paid to promote (the Joseph Goebbels “Big Lie Theory).  They may actually have gotten to the point where they believe the lies they’re paid to promote (despite the FACTS saying otherwise) are true.  By definition, when you get to that point we’re talking about pathological liars!

If America is to return to the middle class ideals fought for and won during the New Deal and the Great Society (FDR, JFK, and LBJ) she will need a media that is actually educating “we the people” to the reality of this sophisticated PUSH to the right.  The Koch’s (Charles and David) Libertarian philosophy has morphed into something that is more in line with the philosophy of the Third Reich or Mussolini’s Italy.  As I read “Sons of Wichita” I can see glaring examples of the Kochs pushing in the very direction they (and their father) railed against as their “empire” was forming.  There is a group known as “The Family” that the Kochs are almost certainly part of (if you get the chance, read the book “The Family” by Jeff Sharlett and you’ll get a better picture of what I’m trying to say here) which makes me worry that the “invisible cabal” is much larger than even I can imagine.  This gets back to my point – AGAIN – If America’s “liberal media” doesn’t soon educate our people FACTUALLY about this push to the right, the damage could last a generation. (or more)

If you’ve been reading my posts for any length of time you know that I’ve been writing about my DISAPPOINTMENT that President Obama chose to “look forward instead of back” regarding TORTURE from the beginning days of his administration.  In fact, I’ve stated MANY times that I believe President Obama and his Attorney General, Eric Holder, were (are) LEGALLY required to have pushed for legal ACCOUNTABILITY regarding what transpired under the Bush/Cheney regime from 2002 until they left office (in disgrace) in early 2009.  Since leaving office BOTH George W Bush and Dick Cheney have ARROGANTLY acknowledged that they AUTHORIZED TORTURE (water boarding among other hideous acts) and would DO IT AGAIN!  That certainly doesn’t feel like regret or remorse to me – and, President Obama’s “pledge” that “we” (America) wont do it again borders on the absurd.  Obama will no longer be president as of the end of 2016 and what if the American people (who just voted in a republican Senate to go along with the republican House) should vote for someone like Ted Cruz or John Kasich or (God forbid) another BUSH (Jeb).

I stated (many times) in the early days of Obama’s administration that his decision to essentially PARDON those in the Bush administration who not only AUTHORIZED TORTURE but actually PUSHED the idea of “enhanced interrogation” was one of the WORST political decision in my lifetime.  While I’ve acknowledged that “Citizens United” conceivably could destroy our democratic republic from the inside out, I believed (and still believe) that President Obama’s decision to “look the other way” – in a different way – could end up being every bit as devastating.  The ramifications of that decision are certainly apparent to me virtually every day as I witness this nation I love spiraling toward second tier status in the eyes of the world.  And, for people like me who feel the “world” is teetering on DISASTER in so many ways – the idea that the United States of America has lost its “moral high ground” is one of the main reasons I see even more disaster on the world’s horizon.  Thanks to Bush/Cheney and the subsequent enabling they received from President Obama the rest of the world is no longer looking up to America.  This all is mind numbing bad in so many ways.

I’ll list some of the “ramifications” here – but, they certainly fall into the “I could go on and on” category – so, I’ll try to limit myself to something that ends up being readable in less than an entire evening.  First, the effect this decision (to look the other way) has had on the legal system itself.  I don’t believe there’s much doubt among those who are turned off by how our government is functioning that our legal system is RIGGED for those at the top.  Not only were the members of Bush/Cheney et al allowed to “skate” after publicly admitting to authorizing WAR CRIMES and/or carrying them (the crimes) out – but, at the same time this all came down, the Wall Street bankers were bludgeoning the retirement accounts of MILLIONS of working Americans and, to this day – six + years later – not a SINGLE Wall Street “bankster” has face accountability for their reckless actions.  In fact, the common perception is that it didn’t take Wall Street long to pass out the bailout money in the form of bonuses for the bad behavior – and, then start right back up again with “business as usual.”  It didn’t seem as if “we the people” even got a “slap on the wrist” in.  I’m bringing the Wall Street stuff up – because, the so-called “Tea Party” movement was spawned by this fiasco which led to the republican controlled House – controlled by some extreme “right wingers” and the relentless attacks that have followed – many seeming to me to be racist – at our sitting president.  (and, by the way, in the “category” of irony of ironies – this same Tea Party republican party is now responsible for RE-ENABLING the “too big to fail” banks, in the pending “omnibus spending bill” before the Senate as I’m writing this which would roll back the provision passed in the “Dodd-Frank” bill of the “Great Recession” that would prevent the government from bailing out the “banksters” when their gambling goes bad.  Unbelievable!  This move falls into the category of typical Washington DC political blackmail)

And (getting back to the TORTURE issue), where did this looking the other way get President Obama?  He stated he didn’t want the distraction of the investigations (and presumably the prosecutions) to get in the way of his proposed agenda. (which included the Affordable Care Act, Wall Street Reform (now being gutted as mentioned above), and a stimulus bill (among other first term goals).  To me, what was accomplished was the republicans took this reluctance to hold them accountable kind of like a shark takes to blood in the water.  It was like a HUGE “go” sign to them in the plan to disrupt and obstruct EVERYTHING the president was/is for!  As Rush Limbaugh said, “I want this president to FAIL!” – or as Mitch McConnell stated, “Our (republicans) number one goals is to make President Obama a one term president.”  What I’m saying is that I believe President Obama got WAY MORE distraction by failing to seek accountability for an administration that had OBVIOUSLY broken MANY laws!  Not only was it common knowledge that Bush/Cheney et al had committed WAR CRIMES, but anyone paying attention knew they had violated the FISA law, that someone (presumably Cheney) had outed a CIA agent, they had politicized the Justice Department and one of their surrogates had ILLEGALLY required “loyalty oaths” (to the republican party) for new hires there, several had LIED directly to Congress, agencies were being undermined from the inside leaving consumers and workers at risk, and I could go on and on.  When President Obama publicly demonstrated he did not have the WILL to address these illegal overreaches of the Bush/Cheney regime he invited what he’s been getting from republicans for the past 6 years.

Looking the other way sent the EXACT wrong message around the world.  In fact, the government of Spain, at one point, began their own investigation into the War Crimes of Bush/Cheney et al – presumably stopping at the behest of the Obama administration.  This indifference to the seriousness of these deplorable actions (the Torture) sent the absolute wrong message around the world.  Maybe the American people were brainwashed to believe that these actions were justified and “useful” (despite ALL the evidence showing that torture doesn’t produce “actionable intelligence”) but the people outside of the United States – around the world and especially in the Middle East – knew/know better!  Personally, I don’t excuse anyone in America for not knowing what was going on.  The Senate now has published a highly redacted “summary” of a 6000 page investigation into America’s TORTURE program – and, based on what I’ve heard it says that things were “worse than we thought” – but, we all saw the images from Abu Ghraib and we’ve all heard for years about the “enhanced interrogations,” Guantanamo, “extraordinary rendition,” and how Americans were transporting “enemy combatants” to countries around the world notorious for TORTURE.  None of this has been a secret and, from my own experience, I can attest to the FACT there have been MANY books written that detail the CRIMES committed by our CIA along with the “private contractors” they worked with based on authorization that came directly from the White House and the Secretary of Defense’s office.  Seriously, shame on us!

Here’s some examples of some of the TORTURE I was familiar with LONG before the Senate report was published.  For starters, early in the “war on terror” there were corroborated reports of Americans randomly picking up “enemy combatants” based on the “word” of personal enemies of the so-called combatants AND the Americans were PAYING the informants.  I’ll let you put 2 + 2 together on that one.  Subsequently, scores of “enemy combatants” were jammed into vans that had no ventilation and were “transported” to various “black holes” presumably to face the now infamous “enhanced interrogation” only to discover that many of the “combatants” died en route via suffocation.  I haven’t heard much reporting on this deplorable fact for several years.

We all were exposed to Abu Ghraib – and, the atrocious conditions and treatment prisoners received there (and, to make matters worst, this was where Saddam Hussein was torturing Iraqi’s).  I read a book that specifically was about Abu Ghraib (and, the information in that book was corroborated in other publications I read subsequently) and there is little doubt in my mind that the directions for the treatment of prisoners came directly from Donald Rumsfeld’s office of the Secretary of Defense (or higher).  The book clearly explained (in detail) how at least one prisoner was interrogated by some “specialist” and ended up DEAD.  There was an attempt to cover up this MURDER, but the bottom line with Abu Ghraib was that the “grunts” who were “in charge” – none of them trained even to be prison guards and all of them thinking they were following orders (well, I should say most of them) were sent to prison and the American public was led to believe these lower level Army personnel devised this terrible treatment on their own.  “Dirty Wars” by Jeremy Scahill was a book I read years after the Abu Ghraib book that really spelled out how disgusting our “war on terror” became!

There was another report that came out a few years ago regarding the “suicide” of three detainees in Guantanamo.  Our government classified the deaths as “suicide,” but there was never a public investigation and the guards, who were supposed to be watching the cells every 10 minutes or so, were never allowed to testify why the bodies had been hanging for two hours before being discovered.  Additionally, “we the people” are expected to believe that these were suicides despite the FACT all three were found hanging with sheets turned into nooses, each body had his hands tied behind his back, his feet were bound together, and each prisoner had a wad of cloth crammed so far down his throat it was difficult to get out after they were dead.  I’ve been puzzled since I heard this how a person could do all that.  It would be difficult enough to cram a wad of cloth down your own throat (to the point where breathing was impossible), but how does a person do that and then bind their feet, tie their hands behind their own back, and put a noose around their own neck?  I don’t get it.  If you would like to read another account, click here.

This topic is FINALLY back in the news because (miraculously, I thought it’d never happen) a summary (redacted) of a 6000 page Senate Intelligence committee investigation – the summary is reportedly about 600 pages – was published by Senate Democrats getting it out before the republicans take control of the Senate in January.  As you might imagine, had the democrats waited this report would have never seen the light of day.  The report is DAMNING and, supposedly, things were much worst than even someone like me (who’s read as much as I can find on this travesty) was led to understand.  For example, I’m still trying to understand what is “rectal feeding?”

All it should have required for these investigations to have been undertaken years ago, and publicly, was the admission (on national TV no less) by both GW Bush and Dick Cheney that they had authorized WAR CRIMES!  Even worse, to me, is that they both still maintain, despite the evidence saying otherwise, that they gained useful information and they both have said they’d “do it again.”  People around the world are now demanding accountability.  If I were George W Bush or Dick Cheney I would be careful about vacationing in Europe or other parts of the world.  This all violates our own laws and the international laws represented by the Geneva Conventions.  I believe it was Ronald Reagan who signed the international pledge that America would not commit TORTURE in 1988.   GW Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and others are allegedly guilty of WAR CRIMES.

As one would expect in today’s America the report on TORTURE has been met with partisan rancor – as is usual with just about any issue that comes to the fore these days.  I’ve listened to as much Fox “news” (I call it GOP TV) as I can stand, and the same minions that are always defending the “right” no matter the issue are lining up in support – mainly of Dick Cheney – I believe he’s refuting the report because he is now in SERIOUS legal jeopardy.  I’ve heard Sean Hannity throwing “softballs” Cheney’s way, Bill O’Reilly giving his usual “I’m a puppet for the ‘right'” response – and Fox giving Cheney every opportunity to continue his absurd arguments that TORTURE “kept us safe” after 9/11.  In Cheney’s case it’s called “CYA!”  In the case of the Fox “pundits” it’s called participating in the “Big Lie Theory” – pure propaganda!  And, unfortunately, there’s way too many Americans who believe Fox is actually a “news channel.”

The one republican who I’ve heard speaking out about this issue in a straight forward manner is John McCain.  Of course, as most Americans know, McCain was a victim of TORTURE as a POW in Viet Nam for 5 1/2 years.  I find it interesting (it tells all we need to know about the media in today’s America) that McCain (at least when I heard his comments) was on MSNBC.  Normally, I would expect to hear McCain speaking on Fox – I don’t know if he has on this subject, but I doubt they would allow his thoughts on their network.  I have heard Cheney, several times and his response to the report is nothing less than COMBATANT and ARROGANT!  He called the findings during one of the interviews I heard, “a bunch of crap.”  (his exact words) – of course, one of the methods he authorized was handcuffing prisoners to bars attached to the ceiling of their cells so that their arms were extended above their heads for entire days (and nights – like 22 hours at a time) with no clothing except a diaper and no ability to relieve themselves except into the diaper.  Do you think that’s why he called this report “a bunch of crap?”  I’m finding it hard to believe that Dick Cheney gets a “say” ANYTHING anywhere anymore.  As far as I’m concerned, the only “say” Dick Cheney should have regarding TORTURE, is defending himself before the Hague!