Tag: 2020 Presidential Election

Opinion

Essential workers and other heroes

Many Americans are still at work putting themselves and their families at risk for COVID-19. We call them names like essential workers, but they are just people who want to do their part and make a living, The president and others are pushing for things to quickly get back to normal with as many businesses as possible open. The only problem with the complete re-opening of the economy (that everyone wants) is we have no plan to combat COVID-19 being implemented. American leadership has failed on a massive scale. We live in an America with many heroes but Republican political leaders display cowardice while pushing for others to pay the price. Teachers, store clerks, bus drivers, and others should not have everything placed at risk while being treated like canon fodder by Trump and McConnell with no health insurance. Our country is facing pandemics of privilege, greed, corruption, racism, and COVID-19. Most of these pandemics have been with us for awhile and periodically erupt threatening to consume us. Our sense of decency and fairness should push us to value and protect our fellow citizens. Nature is pushing us to adapt to challenges such as climate change and COVID-19. We must begin to build a better America before time runs out.

Opinion

Economic malpractice or malfeasance?

The Republican controlled senate has a decision to make on stimulus for our wounded economy, but they are in no hurry. They have gone on a long weekend break while leaving jobless Americans in desperation during a pandemic. Do we provide support for the millions of Americans left unemployed due to the pandemic, or allow more families to be thrown into desperation? Desperate families are bad news for our society and economy. Reports of Republicans wanting to cease unemployment benefits are increasingly widespread. Many of the same Republicans would have sent us into a 2nd Great Depression after the 2008 market crash. Thankfully President Obama and the Democrats took over and revived the economy. If the Republicans and Trump allow the economy to be further damaged it will be much harder for it to recover. Contact your representatives and let them know that we need to support those thrown out of work for reasons beyond their control. America is great because of its people and our belief in the social contract that binds us together. The best money we can spend right now (outside of a vaccine or cure for COVID19) is enhanced funding for the unemployed to pay their bills and keep the economy out of free fall. The Republicans own the COVID-19 pandemic and response; do they care what happens to Americans?

Opinion

John Lewis believed

John Lewis was great a American who built a reputation of standing up for liberty and justice everyone. We say liberty and justice for all in our pledge of allegiance regularly, but we still struggle to achieve that lofty goal. Some Americans believe in a just society while clearly others are not interested in equal rights, or justice. An example is the upcoming election where Republicans do not want mail-in ballots because more people might vote. John Lewis had faith in people; if they knew the truth they would move toward liberty and justice for all. Right wing media regularly distorts the truth to support policies that are unfair and will lead to failures like the current pandemic. America has been a great country because we made decisions based on truth while pursuing the growth of human potential. Over time more citizens have become able to pursue happiness but now some want to return to a great time in the past. The United States is not going back to the past without destroying itself. We need more believers in peace and justice like John Lewis to continue our movement toward our potential, as we leave the filth of fascism behind.

Opinion

Both sides do it

Citizenship in a functional republic requires people to pay attention and evaluate the performance of politicians and parties if they want to maximize their freedom. Jesus said “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – he was speaking to us. Benjamin Franklin said “Those who wish to be ignorant and free wish for what never was, and never will be.” – he was speaking to us. We live in an age where people believe in outrageous conspiracy theories and rumors without doing any serious research. It seems our society follows an ethos of; if it feels good or seems to reinforce what I think, believe it. We are in an amazing place where science is questioned for no apparent reason, and a wanna be dictator has run wild for over three years. We got here because we allowed the Republican party to commit serial outrages and when caught get away with the claim of ‘both sides do it’. We stopped evaluating based on truth, the liars got away with it, and here we are. I am hopeful that Americans will stop allowing childish people to claim leadership positions for making war on fellow citizens because of race, class, sexuality, or religion. Stop tyranny and save the republic. Vote in 2020!

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.