Opinion

Lies as a power play

We live in a time where one of our two major parties (the Republicans) lie with astonishing regularity and are not called on it. Why is this happening? Lies are a play for power and when we don’t call people on obvious lies that involve our lives; we are either complicit or cowering. As you observe news and events notice who is saying what, and whether liars are held accountable. In our society we have people called journalists, but they usually do not look at trends or past events (which should be in their journals); they just ask questions and accept answers. Every astute observer of news knows that when a “Fox News journalist” asks questions it is a lot different than most other networks. We are used to observing complicit persons and organizations participate in a propaganda campaigns in what we often call our culture wars. Academics and observers of our society say that we are in a cold civil war that can turn hot at any time. America is better than our politics, but we do get the government that we deserve. Pay attention and act so that what Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature” are more powerful than the demons.

Opinion

Conmen looking for malevolent dupes

News reports that Donald Trump fundraises off of lying about the 2020 election and tricks donors into giving money weekly instead of a one-time gift is not surprising to most people. The stunning truth is the millions of people who continue to believe Trump and have respect for him. Americans are not forced to listen to, or watch, particular sources of information; they choose outlets providing lies and and deception fitting their view of the world. The view of the world that is against increasing the number of citizens who vote, against equal rights for women, against civil rights, against social mobility. A large number of Americans don’t believe in democracy or equality; they want to be entitled and able to lie about opportunity for all. Americans who want an America that lives up to the social contract that rewards work and discipline with dignity and respect must be ready to vote and provide resources for it. The struggle between good and evil is never won by sitting around and waiting for someone else to provide it to you. Vote, contact your representatives, and donate to causes you care about.

Opinion

Republicans are out of the closet

The Republican Party has decided to come out of the closet as a fascist entity preferring support from Vladimir Putin to increasing democracy in the US. It is a problem for our country because it both emboldens oligarchs in Russia while alerting freedom loving Americans of a threat. Almost 75 million Americans voted for a clownish fascist named Trump after observing his insanity for four years, but over 81 million rose up to end the madness. We will go into 2022 with clear stakes for both sides and Republicans determined to remove the vote from Americans who oppose them. A destabilized America is the greatest wish of Putin and America’s enemies; it is an increasing possibility with Republican led attacks on our democratic systems. Americans must send a clear signal about who they are or we will find ourselves speeding towards the abyss. America is the last best hope of mankind and it is critical that we resume acting like it. Four years of Trump did not destroy the country, but our moves in the next four years are critical to its success. Reject pettiness, greed, and selfishness to stand up fo our republic and the civil rights of all Americans.

Opinion

America on trial again

American racism and social dysfunction are on trial again this week. Police departments are thrown into the breach to solve problems that we refuse to commit resources to solve as a society, or act as a source of repression. The police have a range of tools to coerce people, but they will be the first to tell you that those tools don’t work well with hopeless, traumatized, or mentally unstable persons. We must all support public safety by re-thinking how we achieve it. Police officers should not have high suicide rates, or a constant drumbeat of killing unarmed Black men or others because they feel threatened. Police have a dangerous job that is made worse by our society’s cruelty and heartlessness using them to clean up the mess or maintain a broken status quo. Support all levels of government in planning and implementing improved public safety measures that reduce negative or coercive police interaction with the public.

Opinion

America drifting apart

It has become a national defense issue that the citizens of our country cannot agree on basic facts. Putin and the Russians have been observed by the world dominating America under the Trump administration without any observed punishment. Other countries can see that Americans can easily be pitted against one another because some watch Fox and others watch NBC, ABC, etc. When you observe clear lies being spread by mass media boycott the sponsors and spread the word. The truth is the strength of America if we can figure out what it is, and not allow liars to divide us.

Opinion

Take Responsibility

Many Americans seem to be struggling with taking responsibility for a variety of issues from political leaders to getting vaccinated against COVID-19. When surveyed Americans tend to say they like their representatives, but don’t like the decisions the same politicians make. A sizable minority of people say they will not take the vaccine, but only offer vague reasons for not trusting it. Too many people are stuck in laziness leading to ignorance and a lemming-like follower mentality. Polls show the majority of people don’t want assault rifles in our society, but we still have them killing Americans on a regular basis. Someone recently joked that ‘we should quit fooling ourselves and leave the flag at half staff’. Republican voters poll as wanting more gun regulation, but their politicians are loyal to firearms companies and block restrictions on gun purchases. America looks increasingly like a nation in decline whose politics is more about greed and diminishing fellow citizen’s rights than solving real problems. The real issue is not lying low-life Republican politicians but the people who keep electing them while expecting a good outcome. This will not end well until we all take responsibility and act to bring about the world we say that we want. If we have another Trump or similar presidency I fear our country will decline noticeably and rapidly. The time for participation in our democracy and action to save it is now.

Opinion

Punish the bad guys

A perceived strength for America has been our justice system and the protection of civil rights, creation, and work. Today our justice system is being swamped by Republican dominated legislatures who seek to make cultural preferences legal while decency and fairness are criminalized. Examples of Republican misbehavior; 1) the Georgia bill to make it illegal to provide water to people waiting in line to vote 2) a proposal in Arizona to allow the legislature to overturn the will of the voters if they don’t like it 3) A judge overturning the Boulder City, Colorado code to make it illegal to carry assault rifles in public. These are examples of sick ideas that put decent people in jeopardy while feeding the criminality or corruption of the unstable and self-absorbed. The average American citizen will either rise or fall in stature based on what happens in the coming months. Bad actors can become legally untouchable while decent people are incarcerated if Americans do not vote and act to protect core American values. Contact your legislators using the 5 Calls app or other means and let them know what you expect.

Opinion

We live in exciting times

The last four years of Trump and the spillover from the hatred and malevolence that flowed from it are an ongoing threat in our lives, but there are reasons for hope. The Biden/Harris Administration and the Democrats have the opportunity to build back a better United States with the following legislative actions: 1) The COVID response will lift potentially millions of children from poverty, 2) The For the People and John Lewis Acts will strengthen our democratic systems if passed, 3) Infrastructure legislation will lead to reduced carbon emissions, safer and more accessible transportation, a more robust and resilient transmission system, lower costs for citizens and business while producing high paying jobs for Americans. 4) Raising taxes on the wealthy while maintaining lower taxes on households making less than $400,000 per year. 5) A Healthcare bill could build a system worthy of the name that will be affordable to every citizen while providing support for mental and physical health. Mental health accessibility could reduce homicides , police killings, and societal stress. The possibilities for improved living while creating a sustainable world are real reasons for hope, but so are the good paying jobs that will be created building a healthier, resilient, socially mobile, and more fair society.

Opinion

America degenerates

After four years of Trump we are deep in the sewer as a country, but trying to climb out. Numerous Trump officials likely committed multiple acts of corruption or criminality and have yet to face official accountability. We have numerous Republicans in the US Congress who will not say that an American election was free and fair; even though they cannot prove cheating that would have made a difference. State legislatures want to make it harder to vote, but have no evidence of a need for fewer voters beyond protecting their party. Asian Americans feel targeted by their countrymen as do many other ethnic groups after Trump’s assault on truth and decency. I have heard several people in media and elsewhere speak of being ready to fight to protect themselves. America is at a crossroads. If our leaders and representatives do not act decisively; the degeneration Trump and his followers started will metastasize into civil war. The rising insanity and evil that is perpetrated by those who feel entitled to act with impunity must be met with truth, compassion, and justice. Putin wanted Trump for president because he felt he was a tool for American decline and self-destruction in all areas. Putin has won all of the early rounds but the fight is not over. Research our history and current reality from verified sources. Be ready to make the important decisions made by citizens in a republic.

Opinion

Will immigration destabilize America?

Reports of increased numbers of immigrants at the US border with Mexico are making waves in local and national news outlets. Immigrants are reportedly saying they are coming because they believe that the Biden Administration will allow them more humanity. Immigration issues helped to power Trump to the presidency with his rhetoric about the wall (that immigrants now climb over) and policy of cruelty toward immigrants. Biden wants to return America to it’s status as a defender of human rights and decency, but news reports about increased undocumented immigrants threaten this idea. The Republicans will say that cruelty worked and Democrat’s policies of decency encourage undocumented immigration. Morality, truth, science, and human dignity mean little to power hungry Republicans. If they can make you believe that evil works better than decency their program of degenerating Democracy and seizing power will be further along. Immigration is about more than Black and Brown people showing up at the southern border; Climate Change, unstable countries, corruption, and criminality are causing people to flee to the US. The Biden Administration faces another critical test, but the real people being tested are the American people. We are the deciders who must choose the harder dignified path of an immigration system, or the cruel degenerate short-term lie of border walls and brutality leading to success.