Tag: Republican Party

Opinion

The Latest Lie

Many Republicans have the strategy of continuous lying to avoid accountability for their words and deeds. The latest example is Governor DeSantis of Florida as he avoids responsibility for adding to the misery from COVID (preventing local mask mandates for example) in his state. The strategy of lying appears to work for a large chunk of Americans; they want deceptive politicians who will carry out their desires for personal elevation and status at the expense of others. The politicians who can do this best are the biggest liars with the least morality. If America does not reject this path we will lose our republic. Research and act to stop the torrential Republican liars from twisting government power to attack democracy.

Opinion

Ammunition shortage

Reports of an ammunition shortage are in the news today. Why is there a shortage? Maybe there were outbreaks of COVID at the ammunition factories, or perhaps the record level of gun sales has led to more demand than supply. Americans seem to be preparing for violence with years of record gun sales and more guns than people. You have to hope that at least many of the guns are in the hands of responsible persons who are both progressive and conservative. Several politicians on the right have made veiled threats of overthrowing the government, or unleashing mobs of angry people to exact some sort of revenge for unnamed injuries. Climate change (and COVID) has many people getting ready for the breakdown of society so weapons figure into that scenario. I no longer think it is realistic to ban firearms, but I do believe that the castle doctrine can be returned as the central idea for legal gun ownership. We have a lot to be concerned about and the lack of trust in our society only feeds suspicion of each other. Research and act to develop a society of true dignity and respect for life.

Opinion

Shoes dropping like a hail storm

Trump scandals are no surprise to anyone paying attention, but the pace of revelations about his malevolence and attempts to undermine our democracy is picking up. I hope the US justice system redeems itself and holds a high level criminal like Trump accountable. I suspect that the crime wave in US cities is related to the crime wave Trump ran in Washington. We need to make sure that the phrase “No one is above the law” is more than a platitude. Research and act to protect our republic by rejecting Republicans who enabled and still seek to protect Trump’s crime spree.

Opinion

Staying the course

Under President Biden’s leadership the United States is starting to heal and strengthen, but Republican victory in the 2022 congressional races can reverse that quickly. America is nowhere close to being out of danger. Until insurrectionists are held accountable and the truth informs the majority of American decisions; we face new horrors. Some politicians talk of bipartisanship at a time when one party (Republicans) is trying to create a one party state or autocracy. The pandemics (COVID, climate crisis, tribalism, increasing autocratic power, etc.) assaulting America and the world are not going away, only determined American leadership provides the best outcomes. The wisdom of the crowd comes out when the people have access to the truth; this has been America’s strength. Research and act to protect the vote for yourself and all citizens

Opinion

Help wanted

Democracy around the world needs help, but the USA is the cornerstone country in trouble. If the American republic goes down, it may be a fatal blow for democracy. Republicans are pressuring for minority rule by minimizing minority voters and controlling the counting process. A suspicious vote leads to the decline of societal trust and the rise of oligarchs, autocrats, and ultimately dictators. Research the history of governmental systems and act to preserve the wisdom of the crowd known as a republic.

Opinion

Richard Branson shows us how we should be

Richard Branson is a wealthy man who continually seeks growth and new experiences as he tries to make the most of his life. Too many Americans lazily spread lies and attack fellow citizens in pathetic attempts to gain power as they diminish others. These people seek power to minimize and disrespect others to continue the lie of white supremacy. The first casualty of war is the truth and by that measure we may be in for a second civil war. I hope that the majority of Americans recognize the great evil seeking power and live up to their better selves. We must reject QAnon, Trumpism, and Republican liars claiming Trump won. We must reject those who do not believe in the right to vote for all citizens, have the votes counted, and the majority of votes represent the will of the people in running our government. Research and act to save our republic.

Opinion

Dangerous days

The United States is in a period of danger that will likely continue until at least the 2025 inauguration. I say the inauguration because of ongoing efforts to overturn vote results through lies, threats, and violence. If the American people make wise choices and maintain democracy through active participation in the electoral process success is likely, but not guaranteed. Competitive nations can see that we are on the edge of serious instability with Russia openly pushing to increase strife in the US. Politics is central to solving climate change, inequality, public safety, health care, etc. American politics is hobbled by corruption and demagoguery dominating the Republican Party. Keep hope alive by donating time or money to causes and candidates you believe in after researching the issues.

Opinion

Critical Race Theory

Professor Timothy Snyder wrote a brilliant article titled “The War on History is a War on Democracy” for the New York Times (June 29,2021). He did the public service of defining Critical Race Theory – a set of decades-old arguments about how racism works in law and society that has recently become a fixation of Republican politicians. Associated with the U.C.L.A. and Columbia Law School professor Kimberlé Crenshaw and other African American scholars, Critical Race Theory asks why discrimination did not end with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and recommends critical scrutiny of laws focusing on their consequences rather than upon the avowed intentions of their authors.

Professor Snyder also wrote how authoritarian regimes (and now Republicans in several states) try to control what people know and think about so that they can maintain power or control society. Here is an example from the article of how Florida is making the teaching of facts illegal while attempting to confuse the issue with Holocaust denial:

the Florida Department of Education’s new policy states, “include the denial or minimization of the Holocaust, and the teaching of Critical Race Theory, meaning the theory that racism is not merely the product of prejudice, but that racism is embedded in American society and its legal systems in order to uphold the supremacy of white persons.” Professor Snyder reminds us all that truth and liberty are under attack. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance and the will to act on the truth.

Opinion

Hope rides with informed people

Ignorance and evil always ride together because there is no hope without truth. Every post I write is to inform and provoke people to become seekers of truth. Always remember; Jesus said “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Liars lie to deceive and enslave. If groups spread lies or tolerate widespread lying; they do it for a reason. Make sure you are on the side of righteousness and make an effort to find out the truth in our politics and society. The truth provides our only hope.