Category: Opinion

Cultural, political, and philosophical ideas

Opinion

The Looting has begun

The Trump administration is ethically challenged; this statement is not a revelation to anyone who has been paying attention. As the election looms on the horizon there seems to be more energy from Trump to break the law and increase his personal wealth: 1) A US ambassador being coerced to ask the British government to move their major golf tournament to Trump’s property to make the president money. 2) Presidential reelection campaign funds allegedly being diverted to personal accounts are being investigated. 3) Personal friends of the president know that pardons are available if they are caught while carrying out his corrupt wishes (examples – Roger Stone, General Flynn). Trump knows that the Republican senate will not hold him accountable as long as he is useful to their political agenda. The corruption in our country must be dealt with in November. We are in this mess because too many politicians have gotten away with murder for too long by saying things like “both sides do it”, when one side dominated lying; the Republicans. Trump knew what he was doing when he joined the GOP and became the king of the liars. We need two or more principled and patriotic political parties, not one. Please research and vote to save our republic in 2020!

Opinion

Threat to America

Donald Trump talks about conspiracies, fake news, and how the election will be stolen if vote by mail is allowed. While Tump questions the upcoming vote he does not fund efforts to secure the election and asks foreign powers for help. Trump follows anti-democratic actions like these with threats to citizens (like the COVID-19 response, unmarked federal agents kidnapping protesters, attempting to destroy the ACA). This president appeals to the worst of America while trying to create confusion and distrust of institutions like the CDC and FBI built by our tax dollars. Trump pushes to divide Americans and increase strife throughout our society, but never says anything negative about Vladimir Putin or Russia. How much more of a threat will we allow him to become? Research and vote in 2020.

Opinion

Defeating foolishness and selfishness

America is a world leading country in the worst way right now. Why are we failing so badly? Americans are no longer comfortable with the truth. We feed ourselves comforting lies that feed our selfishness and usually we get away without any consequences, but now the virus has shown us who we really are. We survived three years of a lying president and only our reputation was noticeably damaged. Covid19 is likely our final warning before climate change takes the stage to show mankind what an existential catastrophe looks like. We need to listen to the science and care about each other while resisting foolish selfishness, or the worst will happen. Dr. Martin Luther King said that ‘we must learn to live together as brothers or we will die as fools’. Under the Trump administration we are living as fools with increasing death among us. Wake up and vote like your life depends on it; because it does.

Opinion

Shining City on a Hill, or Wild Animal Park?

The issues America faces are numerous and daunting. From healthcare to justice reform there is a lot to do. Americans have many blessings, but we have allowed fear to dominate our society for a long time. People fly American flags dedicated to support for police, while others march for police accountability. Why are the police a lightning rod in our society? Has money and greed become more important than the basic wellbeing of our countrymen? Are we at war with each other and using the justice system as a substitute for a social contract? America has one of the lowest rates of social mobility and the highest incarceration rate of the industrialized democracies. If you are born to a lower class you are more likely to be stuck there here in the USA than similar countries. Americans are afraid of each other and the current uptick in gun purchases highlights that fact. We have more guns than people and we still don’t have enough. The election of 2020 will clearly be a pivotal vote for America as we will define ourselves for the future. A vote for hope can put us back on track as an exemplar nation, the shining city on a hill, or we can be deceived into the chaos and fear of the wild animal park.

Opinion

How the mighty fall

The United States is believed by many people around the world to be the greatest nation in history. Considering military, cultural, economic, scientific, and political influence the US is widely considered first in all areas. Since 2016 however the view of America has changed. Rising numbers of foreign students don’t want to come to American schools. Around the world American culture is increasingly seen as divided over race and class. American troops are targeted by Russian agents with bounties and nothing happens. The US healthcare system is unable to deal with COVID19 effectively due to a lack of leadership; creating a very negative impact on the economy. Politically, the United States is isolated as Trump attacks allies while stating love and admiration for dictators. Across the globe respect for America has declined and it shows in every poll on the subject. Trump cannot be allowed to sell hatred and division to win the White House; he must lose for America to win. We have fallen, but we can get up.

Opinion

What is a criminal?

When the president of the United States uses the law to hurt his enemies and help his friends; what is a crime? A system that says if I do it it is okay, but if you do it, it is a crime cannot stand. Every person serving a sentence for wrongdoing has to question why they are in jail when guilty people who help the president walk free after being convicted. The Republican led United States Senate refuses to uphold its constitutional duties and provide a check on the lawlessness of the current president. With corruption and crimes ranging from obstruction of justice to attempted bribery of a foreign government; we see failure to prosecute or potential collaboration from the administration. There are several guilty persons associated with the current president’s administration who have been pardoned or remain unpunished. The rules seem only to apply to the poor and unconnected. We have little left to be proud of as Americans as long as this goes without accountability.

Opinion

Divide and Conquer?

The current president is trying to run a campaign for re-election using divide and conquer tactics on the American people. He uses racism and fear to stoke division to get votes, or make our society too chaotic for an election. He has already allowed the COVID19 pandemic to dominate America like it has in no other country. He has said nothing about Russians putting bounties on the lives of US troops in Afghanistan. He has not shared his tax records despite compelling claims that he is afraid of Putin because he owes Russian oligarchs money. He has asked other countries for help in the upcoming election, while making it riskier and harder for Americans to vote. He lies and spreads hatred daily as if he were a demonic agent. He fights his own scientists, intelligence officials, doctors, generals, and American experts of any sort. Trump has made it crystal clear that for him to win re-election, America must die. Maybe there is a bonus in it for him.

Opinion

The long first wave

COVID-19 has hit the United States much harder than other industrialized democracies. We look more like Russia and Brazil than Germany or Japan. As cases are spiking to higher daily rates more elected leaders are finally backing mask wearing. Several Republican politicians are now saying that people should wear masks while out in public. Hopefully wearing a mask will cease to be considered a political statement in the USA, and this explains why our infection rate is so horrific. Trump and his backers in Congress have made a public health issue into political cause that has led to more disease and death. Americans are now banned from travel to many foreign countries because they don’t want us spreading disease. I am hopeful that a new government after the elections will put America on the comeback trail and end the American Carnage of Trump. Vote in 2020!

Opinion, Self improvement, Words to ponder

Keep counting those blessings

The news these days is often very bad, but we still have reason to hope. Make a point of thinking of the good things in your life or that you have achieved. Make plans that you feel good about and will help someone beyond yourself. Celebrate small things and express gratitude to others for what they add life. Imagine a world where you were alone before looking at the issues of society. People make the world go around and we are all lucky to have so much company. As an adult own your life and feelings while working to improve the management. Thank God for the good things in life and you will see more!

Opinion

Commander and Chief?

US troops have been targeted by Russians bounties in Afghanistan since March with no response by the current president. The evidence keeps stacking up that Putin and the oligarchs have something on Trump to keep him on a leash. We have seen no backbone from this president when it comes to standing up to Putin. The republican controlled senate does nothing to push accountability or leadership on major issues confronting the country; they only care about judges. America is transforming from a shining example of a republic, to a pitiful zombie nation that is a danger to what is left of the modern democracies. I am hopeful that the United States will regain its bearings and hold Trump and his enablers accountable, but we must reinvigorate our republic. Voting should be a high participation event, and public employees should work with transparent community oversight. A united strong America that is working towards its potential will lead the world towards a brighter future. America can improve; but only if every person of decency and conscious votes in 2020 to destroy the current criminal regime and its legislative branch supporters.