Tag: Politics

Opinions on political events, trends, policy

Opinion

Impeachment votes and reasons are piling up

We are living through a period of tumult and scandal that is amongst the worst in American history. The current president has been caught using tax payer funds to bribe the Ukrainian president to help with his re-election by investigating the Biden family. The president has a lot of valid reasons to be impeached, but trying to use foreign support in two consecutive elections (2016 & 2020) is too much for any citizen to tolerate. I am glad that the House of Representatives is doing what they were elected to do; provide a check on a lawless president and the Republicans who refuse to stand up for the republic.

Opinion

Harder and harder to avoid impeachment

The current president is making it very difficult for Democrats to avoid impeachment. We have reached the point where a president is trying to get a foreign government to help him with an election which undermines our republic. The more information that comes in; the worse the President’s Ukrainian bribery phone call looks. We have not seen the taxes of the President and many assume it is because they would show he owes money to Russian oligarchs. Obstruction of justice and elections violations from 2016 are already assumed to be awaiting the President once he leaves office. Numerous crimes not yet in headlines are assumed to have been committed by the President or members of his family and cabinet. Will equal justice under law continue to include the person who is president? I am hopeful that the search for the truth will formally begin soon with Impeachment proceedings.

Opinion

A government you can trust

Today bought more news of misuse of taxpayer funds by multiple persons working for the executive branch of our government, and a whistleblower complaint about the president making promises to a foreign leader. There are a lot of details that remain to be uncovered, but the pattern that we see daily is that our government cannot be trusted to have the best interests of American citizens at heart. A story was also released today from the Huffington Post that UFO photos released should have never been released. These are many different issues ranging from the current presidents resorts and hotels, to a FEMA contract for over a billion dollars in Puerto Rican Hurricane rebuilding funds, to UFO pictures for what passes as comic relief. Our current government reality is more like that in a third world dictatorship than a great republic. Elections matter – please vote in 2020.

Opinion

Americans are getting ready to lead again

A new poll shows that a large majority of Americans believe that humans contribute to climate change and can slow it. That is good news for many of us who are alarmed by our lack of leadership on the climate crisis. Our country has taken it’s time, but I believe that the United States is uniquely able to lead, and create conditions that will lead to a planet that is more conducive to human civilization. We live in interesting times that will demand our attention and creativity to prevent catastrophe. Hope is what we need to create energy and solutions and the 2020 election will be critical to supplying new leadership that can bring it. I think and I hope we are on the path to confronting the climate crisis as a fully engaged society with powerful markets, and structures to apply to the fight.

Opinion

The value of good government

We live in strange times where climate scientists and forecasters are under threat of being fired for disagreeing with a President who made a mistake. Other scientist who work on climate related agriculture issues are being forced to move from Washington DC to Kansas City within a three month time frame. In an audiobook by Michael Lewis called “The Coming Storm” tells the stories of government scientist and their research being monetized by outside companies while they are told to remain silent. American tax dollars pay for access to the truth of science to protect lives and livelihoods, but not everyone wants to see the jewel that is our civil service science and research succeed. Some want tax funded research dismantled, or muzzled to hide the truth so that a few can make money, or seem like they know what they are talking about. Every American should be made aware of what our government does well, and not just problems.

Opinion

Republican Patriots?

After watching politics fairly closely for decades I have noticed that the Conservative party seems to get away with more offensive behavior than the progressive one. I understand that some of the ideas on the left are frightening to the moneyed class, and anyone who has experienced success in America. Why would anyone want to bail out someone for mistakes that they have made? Taking out too much in college loans is a personal decision. Too much consumer debt on your part should not mean extra taxes for your neighbors. But what about medical debt due to a broken health care system that is at times predatory? What about payday loans that target hard working people with low incomes? When will Republicans engage in open debate about the issues that make people who work hard for a better life into victims? America has always been about creating a better future for those willing to work for it. Republicans need to focus less on Trump, and more on citizens who work hard and play by the rules.

Opinion

What is the happy medium for gun laws?

Mass shootings in American cities targeting random people with assault rifles is becoming a routine news event. Every few weeks we have another horrific slaughter whose victims could literally be any of us. Politicians don’t seem to know what to do. I believe in the right to bear arms, but I don’t think civilians need assault rifles with high capacity magazines any more than we need hand grenades. Most Americans don’t believe that military weapons systems designed to kill people quickly and in high numbers should be on the streets. Some new policies need to be enacted into law, and we don’t need to wait for more slaughters to start doing it. Hunt and defend your home – yes; kill the whole block – no.

Opinion, Self improvement

Deport Isabel?

Maria Isabel Bueso is a young lady who has helped American doctors develop a treatment for a rare disease. Isabel came to America in response to a request from American doctors to study a treatment for a rare disease that affects American citizens. The current administration sent a letter to Isabel saying that she had to leave within the next few weeks which is a death sentence for her because she receives weekly treatments. Will this young lady receive a death sentence because the current administration wants to demonize immigrants? What happens to Isabel will be a judgement on America as we know it. I hope all citizens will rise to defend decency and the golden rule that so many of us live by, and believe in.

Opinion

Football season is back

Football is a great American pastime that in the past has provided a sense of unity for many people. Football was an example of young men coming together to prepare and fight hard for a cause – in this case winning. This great sport has become just another example of our divided society in the past few years. I am hopeful that the sport will go back to being a fun event for fans to root for their favorite high school, college, or pro team without creating division. Standing out of respect for our great country, or taking a knee to pray for a better day should be acceptable to all citizens as the choice of our fellow countrymen.

Opinion

Tax cuts and Tariffs – no strategy

The United States economy is the most powerful in the world, and we currently seem to have no strategy to make life better for citizens. We have had tax cuts that mostly went to the wealthy and corporations who did not need them. We have a tariff war going on with several countries that does not appear to have a theme or focus. Many experts are saying that we need to confront China about copyright issues, currency manipulation, etc., but that is not our focus. We have not put together previous allies to help us deal with China; Trump has alienated allies and attempted an attack on China without any help. The United States has many power multipliers including what is called soft power (our image, culture, technology, etc.), and allies. Trump is not using American power with great effect, but is acting as a solo amateur. America can do better.