Skip to main content

Hang the Flag Upside down at Half Staff

If you know me, you're that I'm upset and exasperated. The Party of No has finally gotten what it wants, unabated control of all of the government.

The Party of No's  first goal was to convince people that government was the enemy. They did it by letting the American People know that they were not alone with their prejudices. With a wink and a nod, it was okay to carry suspicion dislike for; people of color, foreigners, anyone not Christian or heterosexual.

By diverting the attention of the electorate with astroturf campaigns for issues like abortion, prayer in school, gun rights and the sanctity of the flag, they have been able to pick the pocket of the average Joe Sixpack.

The overall tactic was simple. The phrase "starves the beast" was put in practice by voting to give the electorate anything they wanted or needed, but refuse to fund the program. In many cases, programs like financial regulation and food plant inspections failed. These failures are not blamed on the lack of proper funding, but the nature of government not being able to perform

For eight years they stood steadfast in their stated goal of making sure President Obama was not successful. Even with the evidence that his first stimulus bill helped get the economy back, it's feet; they refused to consider another.

When the Affordable Care Act put twenty million more people on insurance rolls, they made it their goal to repeal the bill.

The Senate denied his last appointment to the Supreme Court a hearing, betting that they could appoint someone they felt was better suited to their goals and they won that bet.

President Obama tried to get an Immigration Bill, A long term Transportation Bill and Funding for Infrastructure investment. All of these efforts failed.

Watch how these programs will get quick and forceful action in the first two years of this next administration. The programs will not be so dissimilar to the one;s Obama put forth. The difference will be who gets credit for them.

The People have spoken, and most of them did not vote for President-Elect Trump. Many people, including President Obama, have said, "We are all Americans. We must hope and wish for a successful Trump presidency for if he fails, we all fail."

Did John Boehner, Mitch McConnel, the senate and the house representatives of the "Tea Party." Feel the same way about Obama or is this all lip service?

I for one am not going to wish President- Elect Trump and his henchmen in the Senate and House any luck or appreciation for the final dismantlement of the New Deal and the Great Society with the goal of further entitlements for the already wealthy and entitled.

Trump has, and it's already showing it's ugly head, vindicated in advance all forms of prejudice.  He has made false and undeliverable promises to desperate and hopeless people. He has insulted the intelligence of thoughtful people and fired up the emotions of the downtrodden.

If you thought we were divided before this election, you haven't seen anything yet. The boundaries and battle lines are brighter and easier to see. The rules have changed, and the teams look different than before.

I see no dawn on the morning of America. I see no peace in the Valley. I see the broadening of a revolution. It's a fact no one gives up power, it must be taken. We can change this country at the ballot box. I sincerely hope that's the way this revolution is won. This election was a battle. It does not have to be the battle that wins the War. It can be a defeat that teaches how to win the next battle and the next until just, inclusive and diverse society is available to all of us.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Once A Young Man

 My late friend Jack had a saying that's lost on young people; it sure was lost on me. With his version of a Finnish accent, he'd say, " We are too soon old and too late, smart." I've never heard anybody answer the question about returning and reliving their youth that didn't include the covariate that they would know what they know now. Maturation and accepting the onset of the later years of our life goes a long way to mellowing our passions. Chicago Bear fans are less intimidating, and the members of the opposite sex who are age appropriate are far more appealing than we might have thought in our youth. Yes, I will admit some men still try to relive their youth in ways that defy logic. This facet of two late smart prevents athletes from realizing when their best years are behind them. More men than women seem to delude themselves into believing that members of the opposite sex half their age are suitable mates.  I'm not going to deny that some of us old...

Which Doctor Do I Call?

 It started with weepy, crusty eyes. Then my left leg started acting like it had a swivel for a knee. Suddenly, I was experiencing a lack of energy. To top it off, I wasn't getting a good night's sleep. Who do ya call? In my case, I'm calling my primary. My eye problem might need a specialist. Since I have CMT, my leg problem could be neuropathy or orthopedic. My cancer treatments might lead to my lack of pep. And despite using my pillows to attain perfect comfort, my aching legs and lower back keep me awake. I'm going to be cutting back a bit since my health seems to be melting before my weepy, crusty eyes. I've quit my tutoring gig. This hurts me. My student, six-year-old Aydn Collins, is a joy to be with. I had hoped my contribution to his education would be good for him. The biggest problem with the job is getting in and out of the school. Featuring long walks from and back to the parking lot and the mountain of stairs. The older schools are wonderful in almost ...

Watching the Oldies

Note: Last week's post was late. There is a reason. Read on.  Classic Film: From Here To Eternity The film opens in Hawaii in 1941. The film stars Bur Lancaster, Mongomery Clift, Deborah Carr and Donna Reed. It is before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The only scene I remember is a scene many people who never watched the entire film have seen. It shows Bert Lancaster and Deborah Carr lying on a sandy beach, kissing as an incoming washed over them. Given the popularity of that scene, it was amazing to me that that iconic image is only seconds long in the film. The story is about the innocence of army personnel with no idea what's coming. Lancaster literally runs the squad while his Captain lets him take charge so he can campaign for his promotion and cheat on his wife.  To make up for the disrespect he has for his commanding officer, Lancaster beds his Captain's officer's wife only to fall in love with her.  Clift's character suffers the humiliation of an offic...