I was working on a post which was, essentially, a refresher on the mistake President Obama made when he chose to “look forward instead of back” – allowing Bush/Cheney to leave Washington DC with no consequences for their illegal activity while in office.  To me, that set the stage for a lot of what is SO wrong in America these days – where those at the “top” feel NO fear of any prosecution for thumbing their collective noses at our criminal justice system.  I believe this attitude has filtered all the way down to many in America’s police force and we’ve all witnessed the arrogance and lack of integrity of police departments all over the nation as many unarmed civilians (mostly Black) have been gunned down.  I will finish that post soon – but just yesterday the tentative agreement with Iran, aimed at stopping their pursuit of a nuclear weapon was announced and those on the “right” showed why so many of us are embarrassed that they even have a voice in the national dialogue with their knee jerk reactions – in most instances by men who haven’t even read the agreement!

So, I decided this was not the time for me to pile on to the anti Obama campaign – mainly because I’m one who wishes for him to succeed and, basically feel that, despite the incredible effort of the republican party to derail his presidency, he is succeeding.  Heck, President Obama can’t even count on many in his own party to defend him – which is one of the reasons democrats are in the minority in Congress.  I have to say that I’m extremely happy that President Obama ignored the “liberal press” as they apparently want the U.S. to, as John McCain put it a few years ago, “Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran.”  I believe the Iranian people are not that different from “we the people” in America – they want peace.  It’s true there is an incredible hatred in Iran of the Israeli government, but the idea that we can just bomb them into submission is ludicrous to me.  I don’t know who the speaker was (I was listening to MSNBC on my car radio as they played sound bites of various republican responses to the agreement) who claimed that “this will be the cause of “World War III.”  That’s the kind of thinking (and rhetoric) that will guarantee no republican sits in the White House for the near future.  (I mean, for heaven’s sake – their present “front runner” is Donald Trump – you’ve got to be kidding)

I recognized some of the voices as I listened to this chorus of doomsayers chime in on what a terrible agreement this is.  Of course, these are the same people who have been panning the Affordable Care Act (AKA “Obamacare”) for the past 5 and 1/2 years – including something like 50 votes in the House of Representatives to “repeal it” – without even a scent of something different to replace it with.  It’s almost exactly the “same song” on this Iran agreement (which has been in the “works” for almost 2 years and was the “force” behind the traitorous letter from 47 republican senators to the right wing leaders of Iran encouraging them not to negotiate with President Obama’s representatives – because, essentially, those very same republicans could not be trusted to honor any agreement – one of the more incredible, and disgusting, acts by any group of congressional “leaders” in my lifetime) – the republican war mongers have offered NOTHING as an alternative – while, with the help of George W Bush/Dick Cheney who actually softened the sanctions initiated by Bill Clinton, they enabled Iran to amass a huge stockpile of centrifuges and fuel necessary to build a bomb – all while our republicans presumably are waiting for the opportunity to try their “shock and awe” treatment that they used on Iraq on the Iranians.  (I wonder if they even think about how that strategy worked in Iraq?)  Actually, it was President Obama who strengthened the sanctions imposed by President Clinton and ENFORCED them, that brought the Iranians to the negotiating “table” the republicans apparently want to avoid.

This republican policy toward Iran has been curious to me for many years.  (I know for certain they’d like to get their “hands” on Iran’s oil reserves)  If you’re as old as me – actually, you don’t even have to be that old – I was around (graduated high school) as LBJ used a lie to escalate our involvement in Viet Nam – so, my only surprise when Bush/Cheney did essentially the same thing in Iraq was that they, and our other “leaders,” had apparently missed the “lesson” of Viet Nam.  To me, Iraq was a “deja vu all over again” fiasco.  But, I digress – back to Iran – during the administration of Ronald Reagan – the “patron saint” of present day republicans, the American executive was ILLEGALLY trading arms to Iran (our “sworn enemy” – in defiance of our Congress) and laundering the money so they could support the “Contras” who Reagan et al wanted to undermine the elected government of Nicaragua.  Reagan should have been impeached over this scandal (well over 1000 missiles were shipped to Iran – who, at the time, was at war with Iraq – and Saddam Hussein – who we were publicly supporting with American weapons) but my point is that, just like today, the republican public position was that Iran was our “mortal enemy” while – at the same time – we were arming them to the “teeth.”  (Our next republican president – “Poppy” Bush, who was involved in the Iran/Contra dealings pardoned every member of Reagan’s administration who were prosecuted for this illegal behavior with nary a whimper from our “liberal media”)

One of the voices I heard (and recognized tonight as I drove home) was Dick Cheney’s.  Now, I’ve stated many times on this site that it is beyond me why this man gets to say ANYTHING on a national (or local) “news” broadcast.  (I put the word “news” in quotes because – if you missed it – I’m not sure if we really have national “news” broadcasts anymore.  To me it’s becoming “entertainment” with a slant toward news (that seems always “slanted”)  Why anyone would even care what Dick Cheney thinks anymore is beyond me.  He was the driving force behind America’s DISASTROUS invasion of Iraq in 2003 and he’s been busy trying to defend that HORRIBLE mistake ever since – including his repeated admissions that he authorized TORTURE and that he would “do it again” if given the chance.  The man should be BEHIND BARS!  So, I have no idea why he gets a voice on TV (and, usually with no rebuttal!)  People actually believe him – I know this because I know some older white guys (like me) who still watch Fox “news” and actually believe they are informed.  Of course, Dick Cheney would call this (agreement with Iran) a “bad deal” – I’m sure without the benefit of actually reading it – because he’s one of the war mongers who’ve been PROFITING off of America’s “war machine” since the day George W Bush took office (check out the “no-bid” contract history of Halliburton, Cheney’s company before he took the oath of office and how much he has profited off of the war he instigated – yuk!)

One thing most people don’t know is when Dick Cheney was the CEO of Halliburton, the company managed to find a way to bypass the rules that prohibited doing business with Iran and signed contracts for drilling for oil and gas during the Clinton years.  Bill Clinton had “cut off ALL trade and investment in Iran.”  These are the sanctions I mentioned above that the Bush/Cheney administration virtually ignored during their administration and left the “cleanup” of Iran’s push toward a nuclear weapon to President Obama.  Then, when the Obama administration negotiates a deal which virtually guarantees Iran will not get a nuclear bomb for at least the next 10 to 15 years, Cheney is on the “front lines” of those trying to undermine the process.  But, why would anyone think this would be different.  After all, the republicans have focused their efforts since the day Obama was elected to ensuring that he would – in the words of Rush Limbaugh – FAIL!  They blast anything President Obama does before any ink used in whatever the agreement might be, is dry!  As stated above – they are constantly responding to events with “knee jerk” reactions.

Here’s the rub for them.  Yes, they’ve got a stranglehold on most of our “liberal media.”  And, yes, Fox “news” still has a significant audience (of minions).  But, the reality is that republicans are falling on the WRONG SIDE of virtually EVERY issue that stands before the American people and the world.  From health care, to immigration reform, to Cuba, to the Middle East, and I could go on and on – republicans represent what is wrong in America.  People are shaking their heads because one issue after another have the support of HUGE majorities of the American public – yet our government fails to get ANYTHING done in response to just about every situation.  President Obama is taking matters into his own hands where he can – which, I might add, is invigorating the very “base” that elected him and has been so disappointed in his efforts to “bargain” with these right wing thugs who won’t rest until Obama has been destroyed – they’re too stupid (now, in many ways they’re smart – like in how to manipulate the “system”) to realize that “history” will get this all “right” – and, they are going to end up being a “blight” on America history.  From the Bush/Cheney crew who instigated the fiasco’s in Iraq and Afghanistan to these congressional leaders who’ve been spewing the racial “code words” for the past (almost) 7 years in their attempt to ensure President Obama’s failure.  In the end, they will make him look even BETTER!

This agreement with Iran really brings out the republican’s “true colors.”  They have no concern for the success of this nation.  Their only goal is controlling POWER and making sure that our first president of African American descent FAILS.  Everything else, to them, is secondary.  And, more and more people, every day, are realizing what the reality is.  And, each one who comes to the understanding they’ve been duped for all these years will be part of a significant “backlash” that (I hope) will either destroy the republican party or force it to reform itself and rejoin the “melting pot” we call America with policies that benefit the middle class of this great nation.  A large portion of the American people support President Obama’s attempt to solve the Iranian problem diplomatically (as they do with health care, immigration reform, Cuba, the minimum wage, etc.) and the Iranian people have responded to this agreement joyously.  I can’t help but think of how the so-called “neo-cons” will respond if we (America) actually establish a diplomatic relationship with Iran.  (One of my ironic thoughts was that the leadership of Iran probably views America’s “liberal” move toward “marriage equality” in the same vein as these republicans who are panning this deal – right wing zealots have more in common than they’d like to admit)

I’m going to end this by reminding anyone who’s interested.  The Iranians volunteered to help the U.S. defeat Al Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks and were refused by Bush/Cheney.  Now, we are dealing with the aftermath of that disastrous decision which is the spread of ISIS (or, as some call them ISIL or “The Islamic State”).  I remember John McCain as he ran for president not knowing the difference between Shia and Sunni Arabs – and, for that matter, President Bush blundering the same subject, yet the reality is these two sects have been mortal enemies for centuries and NOTHING we do will change that.  The Iranians (Persians) are Shia Muslims and the Iraqi Arabs are Sunni.  Saddam Hussein and his supporters (the Baathist’s) were Sunni and had been at war with Iran (Shia) for as long as I can remember (while I was paying attention).  ISIS is made up largely of the Sunni remnants of Saddam Hussein’s army that was “dismissed” by Paul Bremer soon after the American invasion of Iraq and is a major threat to Iran. From all I can tell, virtually every one of the republicans I heard tonight panning the President’s decision to make this agreement with Iran (keep in mind there were several other countries involved in the decision, so America could have been left on the “outside” had President Obama listened to these republican detractors) have also been condemning President Obama for the very existence of ISIS (of course, as I just stated, their existence is a direct result of decisions made by Bush/Cheney et al).  I can’t help but think of how will they react if the United States joins with Iran in an effort to defeat ISIS and succeeds?  My biggest concern is that, while this deal has great potential to initiate a true change in the Middle East, will republicans, in their effort to ensure President Obama’s “failure,”  attempt to scuttle the deal with Iran?

As I see it, in facing the worst “DO NOTHING” Congress in the nation’s history (they’ve been upfront with their obstructionism) President Obama has FINALLY gone on the offensive.  I hope the members of his own party “jump on board,” because I believe this could be the beginning of the end of the present day republican party.  They are looking more like the sixth graders I spent my career teaching than national leaders.  President Obama is “on a roll” and I believe he’s of the mindset that “what have I got to loose?”  He’s going to push for progress and members of Congress can either decide to jump on board or, in the end, face the wrath of the American people who – in my mind – are getting sicker and sicker of the gridlock that defines Washington D.C.

So, I have my disagreements with our president, but I’ll leave them for later.  At this point, I applaud him for taking aggressive action in areas where his executive authority allows him to bypass the obstructionist congress.  And, my hope is that these republican minions who carry the water for whomever is “pulling the strings” would listen to Chris Christie and “just shut up.”  To my friends who still admire GW Bush and claim that President Obama is “the worst president ever” – all I can say is maybe you should re-think your position.  Certainly, make sure you’re around other Fox “news” propaganda victims before you openly broach the subject.

I haven’t written for a bit, but the thoughts have definitely been “flowing in.”  For example, the other day I was driving around listening to MSNBC on my car radio when John McCain was given “air time” (that, in my opinion, should NEVER happen – he follows close behind Dick Cheney for me as to “conservatives” that should just “shut up” – that’s as nice as I could say that).  McCain was commenting on the fall of Ramadi in Iraq (to ISIS) and, of course, BLAMING President Obama and his “failed foreign policy.”  McCain doubled down on his stupidity by saying something along the lines of “While President Obama is worried about Climate Change ………” and you can imagine the rest.  McCain, and the rest of these right wing (nuts) republicans are regularly making me sick to my stomach when I listen to them.

In this instance, of course, the natural implication of McCain’s remarks is that President Obama should never have allowed America’s fighting forces to leave Iraq, and now that ISIS (ISIL as some refer to them) is gaining “traction” in what is essentially a continuation of the Shia v Sunni (un) “civil war” that’s been “raging” for several thousand years, America should “protect” the Iraqi’s from this evil force (other Iraqi’s).  (ISIS are the same Iraqi’s that Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Bremer along with all the cheerleaders like McCain “deBaathified” after Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Bremer and the cheerleaders destabilized Iraq, the Middle East, and the world in their push for oil and other “free market” profits they envisioned upon the defeat of Saddam Hussein)  Interesting (at least to me) is the reality that – the Iraqi’s themselves don’t seem too willing to participate in their own “protection.”  I honestly believe that people like McCain see Iraq (and the Middle East) as an opportunity to keep America’s “Military Industrial Complex” (in the words of Dwight Eisenhower) “employed” into the indefinite future.

The stupidity of McCain’s comment regarding the situation in Iraq (which he and the rest of the right wing militarists will probably NEVER admit to regarding their ownership of the damage to LIVES and PROPERTY that has resulted from their INCOMPETENCE) wasn’t enough for this guy who has thrived on incompetence since the Viet Nam War and still somehow manages to stay in the United States Senate (what’s up Arizona???), but he had to attempt to push himself towards the top of the list of “Climate Change” deniers at the same time.  Most people in America know that our Congress has been BOUGHT and SOLD by the special interests who are “INVESTING” millions of dollars on our “representatives” in congress, not only to keep us in perpetual WAR, but also to allow the continued PLUNDERING of “Mother Nature” by the fossil fuel industry.  These comments by McCain just show, along with comments by NUMEROUS others on the “right,” that the fight to save this great nation and the planet is an “uphill battle” because NOTHING positive will happen until the America public WAKES UP and votes the John McCain’s and his peers out of office!  Really, you should be required to be more informed than simply watching Fox “news” if you’re going to accept the responsibility of helping to run our government.  (and, I would remind anyone who is of the “anti-government” ilk, “we the people” are responsible for electing OUR government – so, we’re responsible for people like McCain being there – it really is time for a “housecleaning”)

I’ve listened to the stupidity regarding Iraq coming from the mouths of people like McCain since the day Bush/Cheney lied us into the invasion (and, of course, there was WAY too much Democratic enabling at the time) and none of it surprises me anymore – despite ALL the evidence (I can’t count the number of books I’ve read about the reality and the futility of the Iraq invasion – I doubt McCain has read one of them) that the Iraq invasion was possibly the STUPIDEST move ANY U.S. president has ever made.  (the results of the Iraq invasion just keep getting worse – I’ll leave that discussion for another day)  McCain and his buddies (Bush/Cheney et al) will NEVER admit their stupidity on this, but what riled me the MOST as I listened to McCain’s “canned” attack on President Obama was when he “doubled down” with his “Climate Change denial.”  I was just finishing the book, “This Changes Everything” by Naomi Klein (who also authored “The Shock Doctrine” – both of these books would be on my “most recommended” reading list) and I thought, “I knew McCain was ignorant regarding the Shia v Sunni “thing” in the Middle East, but I wasn’t aware that he was part of the Climate denier fraternity.  (after thinking that through, I wondered, “what was I thinking” – of course he’s part of that “fraternity” – he’s a republican!)

America’s (and now the “world’s” – “our” corporations are now referred to as “multinational”) corporate BEHEMOTHS have been plundering the earth for her natural resources for years.  “We the people” have been the beneficiaries of this “plundering” while being kept “in the dark” as to the manner in which these corporations have gone about their business.  And, in the process, I’m now convinced there’s a totally unreported “partnership” between our government (especially the CIA) and the industries that are profiting off of the extraction of fossil fuels from – essentially – any place they can find them (the fossil fuels).  Additionally, these interests (the corporate and the “national”) will stop at virtually NOTHING to get what they want.  Books like “The Shock Doctrine” and “Confessions of an economic ‘hit man'” clearly point out the unethical (and brutal) means this corporate/government “partnership” has gone to in order to assure the American public a continued “fix” to their fossil fuel addiction.  The result now is that “the pigeons are coming home to roost!”  Maybe the American public is still ignorant to what has transpired over the years, but people around the world are “waking up.”  (McCain and his peers are “counting” on our public remaining “in the dark”)

From the overthrow of Mohammed Mosaddeg in Iran during the spring of 1953 to CIA led coup d’etat’s in various other countries around the world (all of which had “rich” supplies of natural resources – usually OIL) The United States has put its own industrial growth ahead of any kind of “moral compass” regarding the rights of peoples in “third world” nations across the globe.  The result of this PLUNDERING has been the massive industrial “ADVANCE” in America and (mainly) Western Europe since the post WW II era.  With the “advancement” of the “Free” Trade agreements that had various effects on trade and economies for years – GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) was implemented right after the end of WW II to facilitate the post war rebuilding effort, but the agreements like NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and others have been “springing up” since with a focus on corporate profits and “cheap stuff” for “we the people.”  The result: especially since the 1980’s – America’s “blue collar” work force has been experiencing job losses and/or stagnant wages and  workers around the globe have experienced the exploitation predicted by Marx in his “Communist Manifesto” when referencing “Free trade.”

Not surprisingly, the “forces” which I refer to as the PLUNDERERS are functioning in “high gear” as I write this – with the help of people (politicians) like John McCain who will dutifully say whatever “talking points” they are given to say – in order to keep their “status” in the republican hierarchy.  We’re talking about corporate interests from the likes of Koch Industries, Shell Oil, Exxon, BP, etc.  They are all involved in the Tar Sands of Alberta Canada – the dirtiest oil coming from the planet – which (as I understand it) is being “mined” from a HUGE open pit and requires transportation across Canada and the United States to reach refineries and ports capable of shipping it to countries willing to burn it.  (The now “infamous” Keystone XL pipeline is one of the ways these people plan to PROFIT off of this dirty oil)  Additionally, the bi-products of producing oil from the tar sands are also environmentally “unfriendly.”  The result of the carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels is already having devastating effects on the planet, but, evidently, it will take a total catastrophe to get the attention of McCain and his cohorts on the “right.”  So I expect him to continue making “light” of “Climate Change” while attempting to BLAME President Obama for as much of the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Bremer (and the cheerleaders’) NIGHTMARE as he can.  The republican solution to their abysmal place in HISTORY is to REWRITE it!

However, there are no words McCain can come up with that will change the FACT that ISIS (or ISIL) is the result of Bush/Cheney et al and their invasion of a sovereign nation – ILLEGALLY! (Click HERE for info on “The Project for a New American Century” which should partially “clue you in” on why Bush/Cheney invaded Iraq)  For McCain to “frame” his disingenuous comments regarding President Obama’s “responsibility” for the fall of Ramadi with a “jab” at “Climate Change” tells us, even MORE, the stakes in the upcoming elections of 2016.  If we, as a nation, don’t SOON come to our senses and begin the process of RIDDING America of “right wing” wackos from the Congress the consequences will be disastrous.  Climate Change is nothing to be GLIB about.  I’m not sure what we can do at this point to mitigate it, but having leaders like McCain and his peers who won’t even acknowledge the problem, and who continue to support the policies which have contributed to this issue, makes no sense.  As I told a friend of mine the other day – I’m not a supporter of the democratic party – but, the starting point (for us idealists who still believe America can be “saved”) is voting out the republican party as it exists today.  Step two – is then letting the democrats know that “they’re next.”  Just as we (should) refuse to accept the republican disregard for the “will of the people” we need to let democrats know that timid “leaders” who won’t even defend their own policies and beliefs are unacceptable as well.

I’ll write at another time about the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) that is being pushed by President Obama.  Let me just emphasize that I don’t hold democrats blameless – it’s just that there has to be a starting point to cleaning up the mess in Washington DC – and, I believe, for the past 35 years (since the election of Ronald Reagan) republicans have been pushing us toward the “brink” – with no regard to anything other than profits, shareholders, lower taxes, and removal of every last remaining part of the New Deal.  It seems to me that republicans view the “Guilded Age” as the goal when they say they want to “take our country back.”

The thought “What will people think of America in the early 21st Century?” seems to be continually crossing my mind these days.  And, the answer to what comes to mind as a question is not “pretty.”  This thinking parallels my thoughts as to how people around the world are viewing America these days – the once shining (at least in the eyes of all of us idealistic liberal fools) “leader of the free world.”  The more I read about what is/has (been) really going on since the days of Ronald Reagan the more disgusted I get.  As I learn as much as I can find that would resemble something approaching the “truth” as to what our nation’s “leaders” have been up to over the past 35+ years the more I believe that history is going to look back at this part of America’s legacy with disdainful eyes.  The list of abusive practices seems endless, but the hope for solutions seems illusive at best, and most of the time seems impossible.  Certainly, should America’s right wing republican party succeed in controlling the “White House” (along with their control of the Congress, the courts, and the media) “we the people” could be going from “bad to worse.”

As I’ve said many times on this site, I find it unfortunate that I MUST rely on the (spineless – in my mind) democratic party to “turn the tide” against the right wing “tide” that got out of control with the election of George W Bush/Dick Cheney in 2000.  As stated above, to me, it all started going “south” when Ronald Reagan won the presidency in 1980.  But, Bush/Cheney managed to REALLY topple the “apple cart” in their 8 years of creating an unstable world militarily, financially, socially, and morally.  They created a record that I certainly hope will NEVER be matched.  (However, as I predicted around 5 years ago – there’s another Bush on the horizon – and, incredibly, his foreign policy adviser is his brother GW! Now that takes a set!)  Despite what Bush/Cheney left as a “legacy” the American “voters” put republicans in charge of the House of Representatives only two years after republican policies nearly bankrupted the entire nation (and much of the world).  Since then, it has continually gotten worse -right wing republicans have gained control of the Senate, an increasing stranglehold on our “liberal media,” and suffocating and disastrous control of the court system.  All of this has happened with not much more than a “whimper” from leading democrats – although, recently I’ve seen signs that some dems are realizing what people like me have been saying since the “heyday” of Bush/Cheney – this is a WAR for the heart and soul of America.

Like I said above, the examples of how republicans are destroying America from the inside out seem endless.  Just yesterday, there was a tragic accident on an AMTRAK train on what I heard characterized as the busiest public transit route in America where 5 people were killed and dozens of others injured – some critically.  And, what happened today?  The republican House passed a budget with an 18% cut to funding for AMTRAK – transportation used by MILLIONS of Americans.  Kind of how they (republicans) view anything that relates to the infrastructure of this great (my thoughts) nation.  We use it until it falls apart and then apparently we discard it.  Reminds me of the business philosophy of the last republican candidate for president – Mitt Romney.  I believe members of his own party referred to him as a “vulture capitalist.”  He got filthy rich by creating an investment group (Bain Capital) that would purchase active businesses, suck every dime of equity out of the business possible, and then abandon the business in a heap of noncollectable debt and devastated workers who were the necessary “collateral damage.”  We’ve seen this philosophy with highways, bridges, schools, and many other parts of the infrastructure which many refer to as the “commons” with the pending “bill” to bring things up to “code” (or rebuild the nation with a “green” philosophy) now skyrocketing into the multiple TRILLIONS!

Our republican “leaders” seem perfectly “fine” with complaining about the debt they themselves have been instrumental in creating while, at the same time, leaving the cost of the “solution” to our children and grandchildren.  You read that right – they don’t want to “inconvenient” the wealthy among us (those benefiting the MOST from America’s natural “riches”) by actually PAYING for all their “must haves” (like, for example, a war machine that costs over $600 BILLION per year – more than the rest of the world COMBINED spends on the military! – plus, Bush/Cheney put two WARS on “charge cards”) but they seem perfectly fine leaving the cost to those who would follow us.  (Republicans would also tell you the financial problem is because of things like Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment insurance, early childhood education, Medicaid, and other social services without a reference to the military budget which is “keeping us safe” – seriously, and as an aside, just think about how much safer we get the more we spend on the military – arming ourselves to the teeth along with selling our outdated weapons to virtually every other country around the world)

We have an unlimited budget for bombs (and troops) around the globe, but we can’t afford to make our public transportation safer – like the businesses that Bain Capital left in ruins, apparently we will now do the same with AMTRAK and who knows what is next.  (If you haven’t noticed, republicans have blocked (or attempted to block) EVERY initiative put forth by President Obama except spending in the military – there seems to be no limit to the size of the military’s “piggy bank.”  (There is one caveat to that last statement – evidently the Trans Pacific Partnership – often times referred to as the “TPP” – seems to have almost universal republican approval.  That doesn’t seem to make President Obama nervous although it does me, especially when the “agreement” is negotiated COMPLETELY in secret- I’m sure I’ll have more to say on that topic at another time.)

So, getting back to my original thought: How will America be looked at 30 years from now? (And, I’m talking about in history books that actually report factual history – not, for example, the “history book” students will likely be reading in places like Texas in these upcoming 30 years.  Republicans are already well into their attempt to “re-write” history regarding the invasion of Iraq, the fiasco that is Afghanistan, the financial crisis of 2008, the costs of the deregulations that began with the aforementioned President Reagan, the real cause of the massive deficits, the “attacks” on women, workers, and the elderly – and, I could go on and on.  Real historians will “tell it like it is” and the reality is that the 35 years following the Reagan election and, who knows how many more, will fit right in with the “blackest of times” in the evolution of America.  Just recently I read a letter (to an editor) by a Canadian Citizen listing all the accomplishments of Barack Obama and his administration (despite all the republican obstruction) and wondering why the American public would vote republicans into control of Congress despite these successes. (of course, most of the successes are a direct result of Obama’s first two years in office when democrats controlled Congress)  The writer of the letter asked, “When Obama is out of office, could you send him to Canada?”

And, the reality is that under Obama (whom I have my share of disagreements) America’s standing in the world has been somewhat reclaimed.  People in other countries are not so stupid as to miss the reality of America’s Republican party.  They are confused (as am I) how the American voter can continue to vote these people into office.  I believe the answer to that confusion is that our “liberal media” ISN’T “liberal,” President Obama is too close to Wall Street for many “liberals,” (along with the Democratic party) and the result is an embarrassingly low voter turnout (especially, in mid-term elections) in a country where there is no serious threat to those who go to the polls.  (Yes, republicans are busy creating voter suppression laws around the country in an attempt to keep what they consider “low life” away from the voting booth – but I believe the democrats failure to fight for their own values is just as significant.  For example, in the last election – 2014 – based on the emails that flooded my inbox I felt I was being asked to vote AGAINST the “Koch brothers” more than FOR democratic successes.)  And, by the way, I’d vote “republican” if I could find one who is genuinely for “we the people” and not beholden to the corporatocracy.

I’ll conclude by saying that this vote to defund AMTRAK just one day after the terrible accident (which, granted, we still don’t know the real cause) is a clear symptom of the real problem in America.  Our “leaders” (mainly in the Congress) have been corrupted to the “core” by the influence of the “moneyed interests” of this nation.  The result has been, since – again – the election of Ronald Reagan, a dismantling of the fundamental institutions which created the greatest middle class in the history of the world – which continues to be the republican agenda to this day, leading to a rising gap between the “haves” and “have nots” that threatens to turn America into “third world” status.  Today it’s AMTRAK, tomorrow maybe the Postal system, we’ve already seen a huge push to “privatize” the prison system (I really don’t understand how “we the people” can not see past that one), we’ve got private “militias” feeding off of government contracts, and the “military industrial complex” (as Eisenhower named it) sucking the nation’s economy dry, and republican leaders who evidently see America as Mitt Romney sees takeover targets in business.  Do republicans really intend to “suck” the wealth out of America and leave the “rubble” as collateral damage to us peons? (remember, many of the wealthy “leaders” have stashed untold BILLIONS in foreign tax havens – evidently for the day when it’s time to “get out of town.” (Ironically, they’ll probably relocate in some “socialist” European country!)

I don’t use AMTRAK (at least at this point) but I’m totally happy with my tax dollars going to support public transportation.  Please read Naomi Klein’s “This Changes Everything – Capitalism vs Climate Change” and you’ll understand why I believe we should be investing more in mass transit instead of less.  If we end up with a republican in the White House after the 2016 election, I believe the results will be so catastrophic that even my republican friends will understand the disastrous results in their lifetime.

There’s a group of right wing politicians lining up as candidates for the republican nomination for president in 2016 and they all seem to be spouting the same line: “We need to ‘take our country back.'”  Well, have you ever wondered what that actually means?  Take it back to (or from) what?  There never seems to be substance to that cliche’, but they repeat it often enough that I’m continually wondering what they REALLY mean.  The more I ponder this, the more I believe they want to “take ‘our’ country back from “we the people” – so to speak to the days of the “Robber Barons.”  That is, they are pushing for the continuation of the assault on FDR’s “New Deal” which has been in the “cross-hairs” of the right wing since the days of FDR himself.

Ronald Reagan made it clear who they think is the enemy when he said to fear these words, “I’m from the government and I can help.”  For 50 some years there’s been a group of right wing “conservatives” who’ve been attempting to gain control of our government in order to dismantle it.  And, they are very sophisticated, they can’t seem to take no for an answer (meaning losing elections just seems to invigorate them), they have unlimited funds, and they’ve – over the years – gained MORE and MORE power in the fundamental underpinnings of our government system.  (ie – control of the courts, the media, local legislatures, state legislature, governorships, and now America’s Congress.)  All that is left for them to have a complete “stranglehold” on our “system” is gaining the White House.  Should that happen in 2016 all the unsuspecting “liberals” and democrats who don’t seem to be paying close attention will have an incredible “up hill climb” to reverse the damage that will be done in short order from the date the next president (if it’s a republican) takes the oath of office.

They have already achieved much toward their goal to repeal every part of the New Deal.  In fact, as recently as 2007 -2008 we (America – and, because of us the rest of the world) experienced a financial calamity that, except for the TARP “bailout” and actions taken by President Obama shortly after he took office, could have resulted in another “Great Depression” due in large part to the repeal of New Deal regulations that prevented Wall Street Banks from becoming “too big to fail.”  Obviously, the American people didn’t learn much from that one, because we’ve now voted back into control of Congress the policy makers who still profess the very politics that brought that crisis to a head.  In my mind, the “next go round” is not too far in the distance – especially if the republicans gain the White House in the next election.  The coddling of Wall Street is not unique to republicans, the democrats – some way more than others – are guilty as well – but, it was the repeal of Glass Steagall that allowed the banks to consolidate with investment houses leading to the savings of Americans being gambled in high risk derivatives.  (and, yes, it was Bill Clinton who signed the repeal of Glass Steagall as he was seeking to “get things done” with a republican led congress – but, it was an issue that originated with and was pushed by republicans led by Phil Gramm).

Since George W Bush took office in 2001 the push to privatize EVERYTHING possible has been on steroids.  The “conservatives” have succeeded in “privatizing” many different aspects of what was once government responsibility on the assumption that private business can do things more efficiently.  I’m sure in some instances that is true, but let’s look at the prison system.  Do we really want a privatized prison system – where the focus then turns to profitability instead of rehabilitation?  I really don’t get that one.  And, republicans have been trying for years (and they still are) to privatize Social Security and Medicare (while ostensibly eliminating Medicaid), and tonight I happened to tune into the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC and she reported that the republicans have a plan in place to push for privatization of the VA after gaining the White House in 2016.  Yikes!  I’m sure they will claim they’re doing this in the interest of all the veterans they claim to support (one of these days ask a vet who’s home from Afghanistan, Iraq, or one of the still living who went to Viet Nam or Korea how much they think republicans are “supporting the troops”) and won’t bring up their motives to gain access to the TRILLIONS of dollars that will be required to adequately take care of ALL of our disabled (and otherwise) veteran’s health care in the next 40 years.

Yes the VA is experiencing some difficulties, but much of that has been brought about via spending cuts initiated by republicans in Congress.  The VA needs more doctors, more nurses and more facilities.  It shouldn’t take a “brain surgeon” to figure that one out – we’ve got something along the lines of a quarter of a MILLION vets who’ve returned from either Iraq or Afghanistan (or, in many cases, both).  Viet Nam should have made clear to our leaders that troops who are involved in conflicts where there is no clear enemy – that is, like in Viet Nam, the troops spent tours where they had to wonder if they were in someone’s “cross-hairs” 24/7.  In both Iraq and Afghanistan there was no clear “enemy.” Aside from all the obvious injuries brought home from these “wars” by our troops, the number with mental maladies must reach into the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.  My guess is that most who experienced combat in either of these conflicts suffer from, at the minimum, PTSD.  Those afflicted need whatever level of medical attention necessary to give them a chance to re-integrate into American society. (and, it should be a lifetime commitment and it should be FREE)

Although, the longer we were there with the BUNGLING of the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld regime, the number of “enemies” was continually on the rise along with the rise in American “casualties.”  And, by casualties in this instance, I’m talking about the troops who made it home needing the above mentioned medial treatment.  Believe it or not, the Iraqi people, in general, didn’t take well to American troops breaking down their doors, ransacking their homes, taking family members prisoner and then torturing them.  As these wars dragged on, the more our military came to understand they were given a bogus mission, and the more they realized our policy was creating more “enemies” every day of the occupation. I have to believe the only thing which keeps the American public from understanding this is the incredible BRAINWASHING we receive on a daily basis from our “liberal media.”  The solution isn’t to privatize our VA, the solution is to fully FUND it!

This discussion could go on and on.  For example, we’ve fallen to something like 33rd in the world in education.  The “push” to privatize education has been ongoing since the days of Reagan – you guessed it, there’s a lot of money to be “had” in education dollars.  But, like the VA, the prison system, and so many other aspects of government, the republican strategy is to siphon financial support away from “whatever” (in this case education) and, then claim it’s “broken” and can only be fixed by the “free market.”  (allowing for more of their benefactors to skim HUGE amounts of money from the American “pie”)  As a retired teacher I could get lost writing about this issue, but suffice it to say that if America’s public education was fully funded from “top to bottom” (this includes early childhood education and support for low income students) the results would be much more competitive with the rest of the world.  This is just another example of how republicans think and work.

It’s not much different from the business model of republican leaders.  For example, the last republican nominee for president, Mitt Romney, used the same philosophy to get rich in the business world – presumably thinking if it worked there it will work in government.  Romney and his Bain Capital cohorts would purchase a company, underfund it by pulling as many assets as possible from the business, and then walk away leaving the mess for someone else to clean up.  And, of course, like the students in our schools, the inmates in our prisons, the Vets in our VA system, and the citizens of countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, the human capital that is lost is just “collateral damage.”  In the case of the businesses, millions of workers lost their jobs (and, in many cases, their retirement savings accounts), in the prisons you hear stories of people spending years behind bars for possession of a joint, in education you end up with many students who will never reach their potential for lack of support, and in Iraq nearly half the nation was uprooted from their homes, not to mention all the dead and wounded.  The “free market” philosophy continues to fail miserably yet republicans continue to “push it.”

So, again, what is it that republicans want to “take our country back” from?  They’re certainly not trying to take it back from the things I just mentioned – in fact, they’re pushing for more of the same.  The Affordable Care Act (AKA “Obamacare”) has provided something like 16 MILLION Americans health insurance so that they can go to the doctor without fear of bankruptcy, yet the republicans want to “take us back” from that – with, as far as I can tell, no alternative.  I don’t think they’re trying to “take us back” to the days when corporations and MILLIONAIRES paid higher taxes (in the case of corporations, maybe I should say “some” taxes) although they claim to want to “balance the budget.”  They recently voted in Congress to repeal the estate tax which will remove something like $280 BILLION in the next 10 years – I haven’t heard how they plan to keep that from “ballooning” the budget deficit.  Maybe they want to take us all the way back to when there wasn’t programs like Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, food stamps, environmental protections, a food and drug administration, the IRS, etc. etc.  Maybe that’s it, you know, “every man for himself.”  The true “state of nature” where the “strong will survive.”  Maybe that’s why the NRA is such an integral part of their support group.  I don’t know, but I’m open to suggestions.

All I can tell you is that I have children and grand children that I love dearly (you probably do as well) and I’m very concerned as to what those of us who are considered “mature” are going to leave them.  I’m a “baby boomer” and I feel a sense of embarrassment crossed with a sense of anger when I see groups of White Americans who don’t even realize the “White privilege” they’ve enjoyed for the past 70 years (actually, it’s obviously been going on much longer than that, but that’s kind of the median age of the baby boomers from my calculations).  We’ve enjoyed a wonderful highway system, the best of the education system (college was SO available – and affordable – when I was “of age”), good and cheap medical care (until post Reagan America – more “privatization”), and a nation that led the world in “upward mobility” during our prime years.  (Now, with the advent of “trickle up” economics, America is near the bottom of ALL advanced nations in the possibility of children born into poverty “moving up”)

The list goes on and on and I can only guess what “we want to take our country back” actually means.  You’re going to hear it OVER and OVER again between now and November 2016.  If I thought for a minute that the republicans meant to “take us back” to the pre-Reagan years – that is, the 50’s through 70’s – I’d be right in line to vote for them.  If they would promote publicly operated hospitals, prisons focused on rehabilitation, fully funded education for our once treasured public school system, a focus on human rights and civil rights, rebuilding our infrastructure and protecting our environment (I didn’t even mention all the republican climate change deniers in this post, and ultimately, that could be their gravest threat to our nation’s (and the world’s) stability), and ACTUALLY a plan to balance the budget through a combination of tax increases and public investment (along with a commitment to peace) then I would no longer feel the need to vote AGAINST republicans.  The sad reality is that their “belief system” fails miserably for the vast majority of Americans who “need” government yet they continue on the path which has pushed America downward in so many ways for the past 35+ years.  If the democrats had the “stones” to fight for their own fundamental beliefs, they would be the ones campaigning on “we want to take our country back.”

I briefly mentioned above how so many White Americans, at least in my opinion, have no conception of what is called “White privilege.”  I didn’t want to spend a lot of time on that thought, I was simply trying to “blend” it into my “thought of the evening.”  However, as I finished writing this and was briefly skimming it for the inevitable “foo pahs” I had another thought:  “Maybe that’s it – that’s what they mean when they say they want to “take our country back.”  Maybe they feel that having a person of color in the White House means they’ve lost “their” country.  Yikes!  I’ve been thinking of a post that relates to the FACT republicans have held in abeyance the nomination of Loretta Lynch (a Black FEMALE nominated for Attorney General – a person who’s been previously confirmed to a judicial position UNANIMOUSLY) for longer than the previous SEVEN Attorney Generals COMBINED and I have to think:  She’s obviously a woman, and she’s obviously a person of color.  Do you think that’s what republicans want to take us back from?  A country where women or people of color can reach the highest offices in the land?  A country where people are judged by the content of their character instead of the color of their skin?  WE all know they “want Barack Obama to FAIL!”   And, now this fiasco with Loretta Lynch.  Again, I’m just trying to make sense of all this and ……………………………..

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!