Tag: Politics

Opinions on political events, trends, policy

Opinion

Removing Confederate symbols

Systemic racism seeks to produce inequality through: 1. fear created by terrorism that is sanctioned but denied 2. Cultural symbols that reinforce beliefs in the system of inequality 3. Mental and physical attacks at the micro and macro levels to maintain the system 4. Political,social, cultural and economic resources unevenly allocated. Events in Georgia, Kentucky, and Minnesota revealed systemic racism in action that this time have sparked extended outrage. The battle for civil rights for African Americans is a continuation of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Northern and southern whites reached agreement after Reconstruction to create second-class citizenship for black people. Confederates who had been traitors to the United States were elevated to hero status as a symbol of white supremacy. The Confederate traitors were not considered in a negative light because that was reserved for black people. Whites were elevated to a status of having the benefit of the doubt, while blacks were assumed guilty of something. Taking down the symbols of treason that subtly promote racism is a milestone on the road to fulfilling American potential.

Opinion

Gross failure of leadership

Americans across the country should be wearing masks in public spaces, but they are not. Many people refuse to protect their fellow citizens from the risk of infection by the simple act of masking up. All of this is taking place while infection rates are rising as predicted. Where are our leaders? A strong economy requires healthy people to work and participate in commerce without fear of death. Scientist point to countries that committed to mask wearing have sustained low infection and death rates. President 45 has no articulated plan for testing and pandemic mitigation, beyond pushing decisions to governors so he doesn’t look bad. States with republican governors often do not have campaigns to promote the wearing of masks. Many people will get infected and die because ignorance rules in one of the most advanced societies ever on earth. We are and will pay a price for this foolishness. Research, spread the word, set the example, and vote in 2020!

Opinion

More than meets the eye

The protests are about much more than Black Lives Matter. A protester sign said “All lives can’t matter until black lives matter.” Some say African Americans are the proverbial canary in the coal mine. In 2016 we elected an individual who gained political fame using the racist birther lie. The individual continues to lie and distort reality to attack others and defend himself. There is no accountability for the individual because his political party chooses to block the truth and limit voter participation. People can ignore a lot when they think things will turn out well for them and those they care about; but they can’t ignore looming disasters to protect a clear threat to their own futures. Citizens are seeking a rock (the truth) to build momentum for decent futures because Trump’s lies and incompetence are so monumental. Trump does not deal honestly with disease, climate, police abuse, and a shaky economy. The myth of strength has been punctured and the evil orange clown is seen increasingly for what he is. Abraham Lincoln is reputed to have said you can fool some of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time. But, you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” Many people are tired of the deception as threats grow larger. Please research, talk to friends, register, and vote in 2020 and every election!

Opinion

Culture of Lying

We currently have political leadership more beholding to Trump and the Republican Party than the United States Constitution. Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump are not pillars of morality or decency, but they control our government for the worse. Both men appear motivated by ego and the desire to profit from their office. They use partisan motives to weaken institutions while relatives and friends are placed in positions of power. Their chosen ones gain access to resources and opportunities that others cannot get. McConnell covers for Trump and he gives him judges, etc. Republican senators stand with these two men out of fear, cowardice, and a lack of conviction. People see the criminality in Washington DC, and getting away with murder is more than political when police officers kill an unarmed man, on camera, in daylight. It is becoming obvious that our society is threatened by a growing culture of official criminality and lying. America faces the mother of all elections while Republicans fear more people participating, and fight the expansion of voting by mail (during a pandemic). Only citizens can put an end to this rot. Have a plan, do your homework, and vote every time starting in 2020!

Opinion

Trump or America?

The last four years and recent events have spelled out the choice that we have ahead of us: 1. Donald Trump and more insanity 2. The American republic and the orderly pursuit of our potential as a nation. A large percentage of citizens have been deceived by media hacks and politicians to believe that Trump will bring success for them. Another large percentage of citizens believe in the American republic and shared prosperity based on hard work paying off. The second group of citizens see Trump for what he is; an amoral opportunist who wants to change our government towards authoritarianism. After speaking to Russian President Putin today Trump attacked peaceful protesters to appear strong in a photo opportunity. Trump sees Vladimir Putin as a strong leader. Putin’s motto is said to be “anything for my friends, and for my enemies the law”. The current president is following in Putin’s footsteps with Bill Barr using the Justice department to help allies and pursue those who threaten Trump with truth. Four more years of Trump likely spells the end of the American republic. Do your own research, spread the word, make sure you are registered, and vote in 2020.

Opinion

Racism and our current reality

Donald Trump rode to prominence questioning Barrack Obama’s citizenship by claiming he was not born here. Trump lied saying he had evidence but later admitted he had none after successfully using racism to takeover the Republican Party and become president. Trump continues to lie as our system of justice continues to victimize African Americans and working-class people. It seems that every year we experience black citizens being killed in horrific videos or stories with things getting worse as the weather heats up. Poor people in urban areas riot to vent rage, while rural and suburban folks vote for radical conservatives who want to pack courts to minimize civil rights. America’s war with itself weakens the country and our enemies celebrate it. Under Trump our image around the world has never been lower while our allies make plans to move forward without American leadership. We need a new president desperately not to change things in the short term, but because we are heading in a hopeless direction.

Opinion

Civil Rights for all citizens

America continues to struggle with equal rights and treatment for all citizens. The recent killing of a citizen in Minneapolis by police while being recorded underlines the inequity in our country. Republicans actively block access to healthcare and voting even though it would benefit society to increase both. Tolerance for lies and liars has taken control of the Republican Party with the next target likely to be society in general. Election 2020 is the most consequential vote in recent history because we are heading towards a terrible future, I think that we should question and strengthen every institution to protect our republic, and it starts with a massive turnout in 2020.

Opinion

We need steady leadership

We should have national and/or regional threat assessment levels for the pandemic like we had for terrorist threats. In the past we have seen our intelligence agencies used to inform Americans about threats to our safety. Today we have an executive branch that refuses to use the CDC honestly to inform us of pandemic outbreak levels. We spend trillions to protect Americans but now because of an unstable executive branch; citizens stumble around in the dark. Governors and local leaders provide leadership, but are undermined by an erratic president telling citizens to “liberate” their state. Meanwhile we approach 100,000 deaths (and beyond) with our hands tied by psychotic leadership. Lies, rumors, and chaos roll from the Whitehouse. The scientist say a second wave is coming and our behavior will determine the size. Polls say Americans are catching on; but it is critical that everyone possible vote for steady leadership in 2020.

Opinion

Hiding the facts, or truth for reopening America

We are watching an experiment but most people already know the result. Some state and local governments are employing the strategy of hiding facts about the spread of COVID19 from the public. The idea seems to be that if people are not aware of virus hotspots they will be more likely to participate in the brick and mortar economy. Challenges to get the truth about the spread of the virus from state and federal government agencies are ongoing. Science and transparency should lead the reopening of America because it is wrong to deceive people about issues of life and death. We have heroes to thank for the defense of the public and our republic. Journalists, health professionals, public servants, and others who have stood up for truth and science. God bless these heroes for being the eyes and voice of the people!

Opinion

Eyes wide open

The COVID19 pandemic is still with us. I am hopeful that people will continue to help one another to continuously take the steps to reduce the spread of the virus. The wisdom of crowds will have to work in a way that actually reduces crowding and helps individuals to keep their distance while acting to protect others with masks, etc. While the economy is reopening and more opportunities to socialize emerge people can fall into old habits. I hope we can be gentle with one another and lead by example as we battle the spread of the virus. The current president will not lead and chaos lurks throughout our country; as President Obama said we will have to be the change that we seek.