Tag: 2024 elections

Opinion

Is America flirting with fascism, or are the idiots taking over?

Jesus effectively told us ‘we will know the truth and the truth will set us free‘, but Republicans like Ron DeSantis and Glen Youngkin don’t want instruction in history based on truth. Why not? The Republican governors say that truthful history will hurt young white people’s feelings, but they say nothing about the feelings of African-American children. Truth and history are not about feelings; they help us to be strong and intelligent people. The same Republicans worried about feelings also attack people they call “Woke”, but they do not explain what they mean by this. Do they want American citizens to be “Sleep”, and if so why? Fascist do whatever they can to achieve power. The classic move of fascists is to pit people against each other while lying and claiming to be victims; their intent is to victimize others. The Republican leaders pushing fascism claim to be for freedom, but the only freedom they are concerned with is their own to abuse, harass, and threaten the other. Americans must be ready to choose in upcoming elections between dignity and respect for all, or power for some at the expense of others. The fascist Putin has been quoted as saying that he will “do anything for his friends and for his enemies the law.” Fascist in America will sell a similar message of law and order in the streets, but the crime wave will be in the halls of power. Research and act to preserve our republic.

Opinion

Fascism and the new Racism in America

America is still a country relying on truth as the bedrock of our republic but increasingly we are under attack by lies and selfishness. Ron DeSantis seems to be the replacement for Trump should he face conviction for his legion of alleged felonies. DeSantis pushes attacks on marginalized groups like Blacks while claiming to defend traditional values. He offers ideas like more power for police over civilians, and centralized state control of education. Everything would be routed and controlled by DeSantis and those he would pick to defend what Professor Eddie Glaude Jr has called the Big Lie of White Supremacy. Using tribalism to achieve strongman status is not a new trick. People like Trump and DeSantis love the poorly educated as they seek to achieve the power of a Putin so they can pillage and loot America. Truth has never been more important for the American republic to have a future. Research and act to protect the decency and dignity of American citizenship. President Biden and Democrats cannot save us on their own. We need two parties based (predominantly) on truth and integrity; not just Democrats. After the Trump assault on the law and democracy don’t buy the “both sides do it” lie. Republican practice lying and deception far more because they dupe the poor with tribalism while selling out to corporations and the wealthy. Vote Democrat until Republicans return to policies and ideas that put improving American society for all citizens first.

Opinion

Republican Book Bans

Republicans need to deal with the truth and stop their efforts to hide it so that some people feel comfortable. The truth is not about harassment or shame for groups of people but growth and improvement for all people. Republican states and legislatures should focus on creating conditions for growth and improvement; not maintaining advantage for the privileged at the expense of access to truth. Americans will have to stand up for traditional national and religious values while resisting the propaganda and myths of Republican tribal fascism. The battle for the soul of America is ongoing in today’s politics. Research the issues and vote Democrat!

Opinion

Trump is telling us everything

Trump statements about disregarding the parts of the constitution that get in the way of him continuing his crime rampage from the White House are telling. Can you call an American who does not believe in the Constitution a patriot? What do you call someone who wants all the power and has no respect for truth? Why do White Evangelicals support such a person? Why do Republicans refuse to hold Trump accountable for his behavior? A conspiracy takes place when multiple people agree to work toward an outcome. When does constant lying and harassment become an evil conspiracy? The danger to the Constitution and America are real and will continue after Trump is gone. He is the figurehead to a movement that does not want equality, but seeks power at the expense of the soul.

Opinion

Dictatorships and Oligarchies are crooked and lousy

The Ukrainian offensive against the Russians (in a war that should have never been started in the first place) proves an old point all over again. Authoritarian governments are terrible ways to run any country. Corruption and lies in authoritarian governments destroy the interests of the people and lead to death and destruction. Biblically it was termed “without a vision the people perish”; but we see groups of people conspiring to create authoritarian movements in our country today. Republicans surround Trump and lie to keep him in power and relevant. The question is what do they think will happen when such a broken person has power? Voting in our near future (possibly as long as several elections) will be an exercise in purging those who love authoritarians out of government power. Republicans have allowed their party to be turned into a clear threat to democracy. Research the issues and vote like your life depends on it. Climate change has to be addressed in the near future (just like women’s rights, voting rights, and many other issues). The time for games and foolishness is over or humanity will face dire consequences.

Opinion

Trump versus America

Any casual observer of American current events and history sees we are in trouble. Friends and foes know that the American people face basic choices about the future. Trump tried a coup once and failed; if Republicans choose him again (as they seem to be ready to do); the rot will move to a dangerous stage of malignancy. People everywhere understand that some Americans hate the idea of America. Tribalism will triumph with Republican support as Nixon’s Southern Strategy morphs into Trumps fascist kleptocracy (related to Putin’s oligarchy?). Racism creates a tax on marginalized minorities that is winked and nodded at by those in on the conspiracy. Whites benefit while marginalized are harmed in the racist version of politics that has dominated our past. Whites will likely lead the way to whatever future we will have in America. If Whites decide to be evil and buy what Trump is selling we will all be in for nasty surprises that will end badly. When Jesus told us to know the truth if we wanted to be free it was a roadmap for life. No matter what your background be a seeker of wisdom and truth; then act accordingly.

Opinion

Climate Emergency

The issue of our time is making its presence felt. Heat waves due to Climate Change are killing people in “first world” countries as well as the rest of humanity. There is no escape from the damage caused by fossil fuels. Joe Biden has taken on the challenge and is working to do all that he can. He needs help. It is up to the rest of us to vote for the survival of ourselves and our posterity. Republicans have made it clear they do not see fossil fuels or climate as major priorities; meanwhile the window for civilization (as we know it) surviving is closing. Vote and act to support Democrats and President Biden moving quickly to shift our country to less fossil fuel dependence.

Opinion

Texas Fabulist

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has been lying about the school shootings in Uvalde from the beginning. He initially talked about the shooter using a handgun and we later found out he had no handgun. Abbott continued to lie about school resource officers and other events because he wanted to shift the narrative away from an eighteen year old murder buying assault rifles legally after his birthday. Abbott clearly understands his liability in the death of 21 people and he does not want the citizens of Texas to think about the policies he pursues. I am sure that Abbott enjoys the support of some Texans who feel that he is delivering what they want; but I hope that most people actually love life more than they favor bullying and harassment to return to the 1950s. The human brain is not fully formed until after the mid 20s. People who want assault weapons in their lives between the ages of 18 to 25 can join the military, reserves, or national guard. Research and support candidates who are in favor of sensible gun laws that reduce the death toll in America.

Opinion

Pro-Life?

America has a problem. We love to destroy one another. We take issues and divide ourselves over them with a lot of lies thrown in to rationalize our positions; meanwhile reality tells us to stop lying. Deaths due to cigarette smoking continued for years while politicians and corporations lied. Pollution and Climate Crisis kill thousands in America and we still avoid the truth about the depth of knowingly caused destruction. QAnon and White Supremacist lie in a systemic way to point the heavily armed mentally ill at minorities or people they don’t like. Republicans claim to be pro-life but don’t support health care for all, or gun control to stop mentally ill 18 year olds with assault rifles. America is big into death and personal destruction. It is said that courtesy is the lubricant of society, but the “Pro Life” party uses personal attack on any who disagree with them. The January 6 coup attempt should have been enough. The children murdered in Uvalde, Texas are an atrocity that happens because we value the ability to kill and destroy more than the lives of children.

Opinion

Joe Biden is doing a good job

President Joe Biden is doing a good job (not great yet) in leading America to it’s traditional world leadership roles in economic, military, cultural, and geo-political affairs. Donald Trump and the Republicans root against America and democracy in their craven lust for power. President Biden looks out for average Americans in areas from healthcare, to student loans, to baby formula. Republicans talk about inflation and invaders from south of the border; real problems that require thoughtful solutions not victimization. Our problem is that we have a party that is good at attacking others, but has no solutions for anyone but themselves and their rich donors. American are at a sink or swim series of elections in 2022 and 2024. Voting for Republican talking points and anger will mean autocracy and rapid decline as climate change accelerates negative pressure on our civilization. We can approach existential challenges as the best version of ourselves, or a rats blindly eating one another alive. From all appearances President Biden believes in America, while Trump and the Republicans believe in controlling and fleecing the public. Research and vote like your life depended on it; it likely does.