Tag: Opinion

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.

Opinion

The perversity of Racism

Racism leads people to behave and think in ways that diminish themselves and others. Americans have struggled with attacking others while appearing not to or maintaining plausible deniability for a long time. This evil has caused issues and pain that drag the nation down. The country is threatened by the smallness in people who want to have two sets of rules; one for us and another for them. This embrace of fundamental evil must be broken for the United States to reach its potential. The United States shocked the world when President Barrack Obama was elected because other countries could not do what we had done. Choosing a minority group member for the most powerful position in government is unheard of around the world. Now we shock the world with our electoral pendulum swing to overt racism, fascism, incompetence, and xenophobia in the form of Trump. Evil will always be around but we do not have to accept it or give it a place in our society. We are capable of better as a species and time is running out. Ending the Trump administration is about the soul of America; a country so many amazing people have sacrificed to build. Think, research, communicate, pray, and vote in every election.

Opinion

Long game and Short game

Citizens who want a better future need to be active and engaged in the coming months and beyond. Good people need a long and a short game to bring about change in society. A lot has happened in the short amount of time since George Floyd’s killing, but much more needs to be done for real change. Leaders are emerging who focus on benchmarks and bringing people together to get things done. America will change if most of us want it to happen. The challenge for leaders and caring citizens is to develop the habit of following up. We will all have to monitor what is going on in our society and demand that media works for us, not against us. The saying that you need to “inspect what you expect” must be brought to life if we are to fight climate change, create a just society, and improve our republic. Social media and people power have been harnessed to challenge the status quo which makes the continuous effort that leads to change possible. All of us can research, communicate, and vote in today’s society with a minimum of effort (provided there is no voter suppression); it is the least we can do for a decent future. We must all remember the words from the Bible “Without a vision the people perish”.