2 to go

I was reading an article this morning and when you added all the numbers in the article up, you were informed that BILLIONS of dollars have been spent in this mid term election period. The number one issue of concern to Americans is the struggling economy. Put two and two together and it doesn't make 4. Billions to get elected because the nation's economy is still struggling? It simply does not make sense to me. I have given up my hope of a Democratic surprise, even though I will continue to pray until the results are in and hope that all the bluster on cable news isn't truly reflective and that all the pollsters are using methods that aren't capturing the true sentiment out there. However if all of these dollars were spent to build a bridge, or fix a road, or hire some people, it certainly would be put to better use. Watching negative ads, listening to lies and seeing candidates run from their accomplishments has been truly sickening. Unfortunately, I don't see it getting much better. Anyway, don't forget to vote. I will be supporting Rush Holt for Congress in my home town. A great guy, wise, intelligent who is in a close race against a hedge fund manager. It's close because of nonsensical anger. A hedge fun manager? Aren't these the guys whose irresponsible and reckless investments contributed to the economic crisis? I'll go with a Princeton physics professor and expert on energy, any day. Go Rush. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

3 to go

In Delaware we have a tea party candidate who has dabbled in witchcraft. In NY, we have a tea Party candidate who threatens to "take out" reporters for asking questions. In Alaska we have a tea party candidate who has a paramilitary force for his body guards keeping the free press at a distance. He also has some serious new skeletons in his closet. Palin picks wrong again that stupid freaking idiot. In Nevada we have a tea party candidate who is calling on us to control the Government by exercising our 2nd amendment right to bear arms. In Ohio, we have a Republican candidate engaging in Nazi re-enactment weekend activities and a would be Speaker of the House endorsing him. In Kentucky, we have a tea party Senatorial candidate whose supporters stomp on peoples' heads with their feet if they support the opposition. In Louisiana we have a Republican Senator running for re-election as a moral values candidate who has regularly cavorted with whores. If only any of this was false, maybe we could laugh. But, it is all true. It is Halloween Eve and quacks and kooks come out of the woodwork in good fun, but this election season has given us quacks and kooks who wont go away after Halloween...unless voters chase them away. It is crunch time. People may be angry, but does America really want to turn the country over to such nutcases, all who are on one side of the two party system? Pay some attention to today's DC rally to RESTORE SANITY before it is too late. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

4 to go

I woke up this morning to the following report....GDP is showing the fastest pace of growth since the recovery began. Additionally, apparently consumer spending exceeded expectations. This, coupled with 74% of companies reporting earnings that beat the street. How will the Republicans spin this good news as bad news? They will ignore it, or lie. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

5 to go

It looks like a victory for the Repubs. in the House. Maybe not as wide a margin as once thought, but probably a switch in leadership. It amazes me how the poorest states, with the worst education and the greatest need for Government assistance, continue to vote against their own best interests. Some spin machine the party of the rich has. Democrats win only when the nation is disgusted with the lies. The party never seems to deliver a message that sells to the masses. Democrats are disgusted with the truth. They are blowing it every day that they allow the lies and distortions to go unchecked and unchallenged. I am so tired and so disgusted myself. It is time for this election to end, to be depressed for a few days and then to get back in the game to watch more failure, more obstruction and more nonsense. I can still pray...Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

6 to go

Less than a week. The Democrats have caught up and surpassed the Republicans in spending for the mid terms, Obama's voice is gone from yelling at complacent Democrats and the polls still point toward a sea change in the House. I think any effort to change the minds of those who are blind to progress, hateful toward this President and ignorant of the facts is wasted effort. All aggressiveness must be toward rank and file Democrats, who if they stay home, deserve what they get....further obstruction...more Beck/Limbaugh hate....and a paralyzed government. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

7 to go

I just finsished grading an essay in my AP Goverment class entitled "Why we don't vote?" The students handled it quite well having responded to my own frustrations about stupidity amongst the American electorate. If you continue to believe the polls, the Republicans are poised for the re-taking of the House and at this time of slow and steady progress, this is particularly bad for our country. Failed policies leading to recession, obstructionism of the highest order, mistruths, scary candidates and an absence of any plan, is what we will again get if the polls hold. Anger is one thing, stupidity is another. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

8 to go

I pretended today as if I was totally unaware of politics and the issues in my country. I wanted to become informed. I wanted to view the lead candidates, the ones we hear about most to determine whether they have earned my vote. I tried John Boehner's website first. After viewing it over and over again, I could not find one item of significane in terms of his plans for job creation. Not one thing other than propaganda about tax breaks for the rich and a condemnation of every piece of legislative action by the Democrats. I checked his record of initiatives in the House and found it to be ripe with vagueness and total absence of planning specificity. This is the man who would lead the House? I got so disgusted that I stopped looking. No wonder so many stay home during mid-term elections. John Boehner represents the party of no ideas, unkept promises and simplistic platitudes. Be careful people. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

9 to go.

Sarah Palin was in Florida yesterday pitching her reality TV show and railing against the policies of the Democrats. She said: "What this great country needs is a little bit of good old Reaganism -- lower taxes, less government intrusion and overreach, smaller, smarter government," Well if there is anything she shouldn't do with her life it is to have a reality show. She lives in a world of political spin, cliches and say nothing speeches. This time, invoking Reagan to a partisan crowd was not surprising. The facts, however, do not bear truth, (but Ms. Death Panel doesn't care about truth) in fact taxes went up under Reagan once you add State and local taxes needed to make up for his irresponsible Federal cut. Savings rates declined and the beginnings of reckless abandonment of sensible economic policies began. I do not wish to debate Reaganomics in this post, but I am sure that the leader of the tea party movement doesn't even understand or comprehend what comes out of her mouth. But, watch her show. We have 9 more days to become frightened with the prospect of having her candidates on the scene in Government with Mama Grizzly the uninformed buffoon who leads their cause. Oy vey. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

10 to go

10 more days. The real countdown begins. Our President said it best yesterday on the campaign trail. The Republican Party is selling "snake oil". Yes they are. The completely failed policies of greed, tax breaks for the wealthy and indiscrimindate unchecked actions by our financial institutions brought us to the brink. Do not let them peddle that crap anymore. Garbage, wrapped in a different box, is still garbage. 10 more days to do your homework. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

11 to go

74% of corporations who have declared earnings have exceeded expectations. This doesn't sound like a declining economy to me. Republicans are screaming about unemployment being high and democrats expanding the size of government. So help me understand this hypocrisy....they call for smaller government and as every state in the union tries to decrease in size its government by shedding employees, employment growth slows or declines. Republicans ask for smaller government and when they get it, they are complaing about no job growth. Corporations, long supported by Republicans, have been doing quite well under the Democrats. People, you have got to wake up to the realities of the Republican party. 11 days to figure it out. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

12 to go

There are less than two weeks to go until a pivotal election and there is some electricity in the air. There are still some challenges that my Democratic party faces, but the gift that keeps giving, Sarah Palin, has just started a tea party express bus tour around the country, at least to places where sanity is a question mark. Anyhow, Mrs. Palin announced the end of the GOP yesterday claiming that if the moderate thinkers in the party don't get on board with the extremist haters, then the party will disappear. This should be a wake up call to every independent and moderate Republican that your ideas are no longer welcome in the Republican party. There is another place to go and it isnt' a crime to vote for the party in power if it delivers. The Democrats have withstood incredible opposition from obstructionists who have cost our nation dearly. Don't listen to rhetoric without researching the facts. Use the 12 days you have left to really understand what tea party extremists are saying. Listen. Don't go where you are not wanted. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

13 to go

Not only have your taxes gone down under the Democratic controlled Congress during Obama's Presidency, so too has deportation of illegal immigrants gone up. In fact, more deportations have taken place during President Obama's tenure than in all four years of the second Bush term. Additionally, the largest increase in border patrol agents and significant increases in penalties against corporate violators. So here again, two signature issues of the Republican party, taxes and immigration and under the current Congress there has been progress on both. Why vote the other way? It makes no sense. People have got to listen and learn. Being dumb almost negates your vote. The Founder's were right. We aren't as a population knowledgeable enough to make decisions. If only we were. 13 days to vote the truth based on facts not fiction. As Laurence O'Donnell says, "you are entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts." Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

14 to go

As a teacher, I get frustrated when students do not pay attention and do not always perform to their potential. This, however is part of the job and you live to fight another day. When the general population of this nation, however, acts like High School students then I get angry. In today's front page of the New York Times, there is an article about a political rally and the people at the rally were angry at the increases in their taxes under President Obama. However, when pointed out to these voters that in actuality their taxes declined, the people were dumbfounded. They couldn't find the words to reply. To paraphrase, their reaction was :"Oh yeah, but it was so little that I forgot". Forgot that their taxes were reduced and about to vote against Democrats because of higher taxes. Wake up people. Every single person except the very wealthy received a 400 dollar per person tax reduction and 800 per couple. This was part of the stimulus package being so scandalously condemned by do nothing Republicans and tea party people. Taxes under Obama have gone down for those who are working. Wake up people. You have 14 days to get informed. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

15 to go

I really dislike invoking the name of Sarah Palin in my posts, but she just keeps giving. Yesterday at her newly refined stump speech, she said we will all be dancing after the election. I suppose she is insinuating that a Republican victory in the House will be cause for celebration, but I wonder who will be dancing? The 19% un or underemployed Americans who cannot find work due to corporations not spending their hordes of cash on job creation? The remaining un-insured in this country who do not have a public option for health insurance due to Insurance company greed and Republican obstruction? The millions of people in this country who rely on the minimum wage to avoid poverty? Just who will be dancing? To invoke such happiness at a time of such unhappiness shows Mrs. Palin's true colors. She loves the limelight, loves the money and loves the fame. She remains immensely incompetent, uninformed and unwise. Perhaps she will be dancing, but no one else will. Progress is slow, neither party will hold an immense majority and much of what we have now will be the same, no matter what promises we hear. I vote for slow and steady progress, not for "Dancing With the Stars." Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

16 to go

Losing Presidential candidate John McCain, still bitter over his loss, ornery and hypocritical, the man responsible for bringing light weights such as Sarah Palin onto the political scene, yesterday made some very insulting and disparaging remarks about Senator Barbara Boxer. He is certainly entitled to his opinion, but saying it has been an unpleasant experience serving with her, and that she has the worst record on the military is just another scare tactic used by Republicans who consistently try and depict Democrats as weak on defense. Senator McCain never met a military expenditure that he didn't like and is an aggressive supporter of military force. His heroism notwithstanding, does not make him right. We lost Vietnam because we could not fight gorilla tactics which still today challenge our military. We are smarter, and lives are just as precious, but indiscriminate acceptance of military funding without appropriate review is just as irresponsible as not fighting when our interests are at stake. Senator Boxer may be more of a dove, but it is not unpleasant at all to have Senators that challenge our military strategy when the expense hurts us at home. Republicans cannot control the deficit create jobs, support the rich and two wars all at the same time. We need statesmanship, not name calling and insults. Go Boxer. Think about this over the next 16 days. Fear, or truth. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

17 to go

A few weeks ago I blogged that the Congress while on recess could call an emergency session and pass tax rate reform immediately. My plan was to have the issue that all agree with, 98% of America, protected under the current rates from the Bush era, and leave the disputed 2% for a debate after the election or once a new Congress was convened. Seems reasonable to me. Both parties, instead of showing concern for the people, balked, held fast to their inflexible positions and went home to campaign, leaving the rest of us to remain worried and disconcerted. Well guess what, Mike Pence, one of the self-annointed Republican leaders said the same thing, calling for an up or down vote, with one big exception...include the wealthiest Americans and add an additional unpaid for 700 billion dollars in debt. This is the Republican party way. While it asks for your votes, complaining about deficit reduction and unchecked Democratic spending, it calls for an irresponsible and unneeded debt expansion. In the last 17 days before the vote, this is what Americans must understand. Your anger toward the Democrats and assumptions that the party of the rich is looking after you, just ain't so. You must pay attention. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

18 to go

Yesterday someone commented on my blog. This individual, clearly angry and frustrated and within his rights to criticize my sentiments called for all the liberals to lose their jobs. He thinks liberals destroyed the land. I am not sure that with already naggingly high unemployment wishing for others to lose their jobs is an appropriate solution, but it speaks to the issue of how blind we have become to truth. This blogger, clearly a tea party sympathizer wouldn't address the deficits created by the Republicans or the massive job loss under George Bush. Instead, it was about the liberals. I will not change his mind, nor is it my intent to do so. It is, however, my intent in these last 18 days to call us all to account for reality and to be thoughtful with our votes. Voting anger and extremist views has never worked in our country. Social Security will not end, unemployment insurance will continue when needed, Medicare and Medicaid will remain in place, a strong military will persist and a supported Veteran's Administration will remain. All this will continue to cost us mightily no matter who is in charge. Forget today's anger and direct it toward the future. Ask if you really were happier 2 years ago. If you are reasonable and fair, you would have to answer no. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

19 to go

In the last few days a very disturbing pattern has emerged, or at least at last the media is focusing on it. Many Republican Tea party candidates are coming out against a Federal minimum wage. At 7.25 per hour, a full time worker will earn 290 dollars a week. Wow, they're rich. So rich that the party of the rich wants to eliminate the safety net for the poor. An absolutely unfathomable and ridiculous notion if I ever heard one. No amount of spin about businesses being restrained due to the minimum wage or other such economic nonsense can mask the fact that the Republican party cares not one iota for the middle class. They care about wealth, supporting a system where the wages of the middle class have been stagnant for 30 years and the disparity between rich and poor is at the widest level since 1929. Remember what happened back then? 19 days to awaken to this sad but true reality: the Republican party is bad for America in its current form and the trend toward the right is scary. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

20 to go.

Yesterday a Bloomberg poll had a generic Democrate defeating a generic Republican 42 to 40. Today a Reuter's poll had it the other way, 48-44. Democrats have been creeping up, but most of the pundits have declared a switch in power in the House. Extended gridlock for sure. The House Republicans will not have an overwhelming majority if they win, and the Senate will stay in Democratic hands most probably without the necessary veto override power. Thus, extended partisanship, gridlock and false promises all over again. This result, will not result in change at all, only more of the same political lying and bickering at the expense of the people. Extremist tea party activists certainly won't help. One can argue this helps the President in 2 years when further anger and frustration about the tone of government persists. In fact, for all his difficulties, not unlike past first term Presidents, Obama remains personally likeable. So ask yourself this, if I am impatient with the pace of economic improvement, and the new guys in town will not be able to do much about it, why vote against the Democrats? Who saved the auto industry? Who saved the banking sector from collapse? Who put us on the road to recovery? Who is responsible for some growth in private sector employment after years of declines? Who passed some form of health care reform? Who has a plan for withdrawal of troops from two nasty and expensive wars? Who was in charge when the recession was declared over? Unemployment remains high, typical for a recovery and the stimulus has saved millions of jobs that would have been lost but no one seems to be listening to that fact. Big business is doing fine, record earnings, hordes of cash but they won't hire. This is so that stockholders can reap better stock prices and dividend income. If you are unemployed, it isn't because the Democrats are wrong. It isn't because they haven't legislated on your behalf. If you support the party that has promised to extend benefits for the rich and promise job creation without a plan, you have 20 days to change your minds. Republicans do not support policies that help the middle class and John Boehner does not have the capabilities to understand or care about your problems. You must be rationale, you must think and you must be patient. Don't make the worst decision of your life. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

21 to go.

When I was a little boy, I liked to jump off the stoop by my apartment. Every time I got up to the fourth step (third was easy), I would fall at the end of my jump and skin a knee, or sprain an ankle. My mother would bandage me and say these words "If you always get hurt, don't jump". As a typical 10 year old would do, I would say "OK mom" and then jump the next day for the cycle of my stupidity to begin again. With 21 days to go until the mid term election, I am thinking about my frivolous and unfathomable actions. Today a poll was released saying that Americans feel worse about the Republican party and its actions and ideas than that of the President. I feel as if the entire nation is jumping off a stoop, skinning our knees and ridiculously doing it again. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

22 to go

There are 22 days until the mid term elections and today, Tea Party candidate from NY, Mr. Palladino has given us yet another reason to vote. His homophobic language of yesterday has caused an uproar and today he is backtracking and denying the undeniable. He will be marching in the Columbus Day parade which honors the millions in this country of Italian heritage, both gay and straight. This disgrace of a candidate could not even begin to walk in the shoes of any decent and honorable American.

Yesterday, President Obama came out swinging in Philadelphia. He plans to make many such stops before the election in an effort to awaken the Democrats from their stupor. Things aren't great, but clearly getting better. If the President can't shake them out their doldrums, perhaps Mr. Palladino can. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Countdown

My little blog has 19 followers. I average 50 views per week, not what you would call a blockbuster performance, however, it makes me feel good to write these posts and I will continue. To the small but loyal few who do me the honor by reading "Americans for Reason and Truth", I thank you and for the next few weeks I will be in countdown mode. 23 Days until the mid term election and I will be reminding absolutely everyone I know of some basic facts, indisputable and relevant before making a choice at the polls.

The Tea Party Movement may claim independence but clearly they almost exclusively field candidates who run on the Republican ticket. Therefore the extreme positions that they represent are encouraged by every Republican voter....Fueled hatred toward gays, blacks, Obama supporters and the educated.....excessive tax breaks for the wealthiest....cut back education spending because education fuels elitism.....privatize social security.....fundamental Christian extremism.....an elimination of a woman's right to choose....a complete misreading and misunderstanding of the Constitution.....and completely lying, distorting and made up facts of health care reform and economic recovery. If you do not believe these extremist views and allow your anger to fuel an anti-incumbent vote, just think carefully. A Republican House with a small majority will never ever be able to deliver on these promises, even ones you think are reasonable because of a Presidential Veto. Therefore, your vote on reasonableness could potentially and likely lead to an increase in hatred, bigotry and intolerance. Countdown, 23 days. Think. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Food Stamps

Yesterday, Newt Gingrich who has become the absolute worst of the worst in American politics, this adulterer and boor, and liar, told his Republican party to frame the debate in this election around food stamps. He wants to remind the voters that Democrats are the party of food stamps and Republicans are about jobs. Yeah Newt, great job creation during the Republican led Congress. This scoundrel of the worst degree is mocking the decent and hard working Americans that have a lifeline from their Government in times of need. The vast majority of food stamp recipients in this country are working, collecting a paycheck and doing all they can to protect their families. It is a tribute to the Democrats, that such programs like this exist during times of financial crisis. To condemn it as a crime or to use it to race bait as has been Newt's way, is hateful. Every program has abusers and I would ask Mr. Gingrich as he plans his 2012 Presidential run, if he is willing to condemn the banking sector for its abuses, caused as a result of a Republican Congress blind to using its regulatory powers? This morning a report will show private sector job growth and a continuance of slow but steady economic progress. Food stamps aren't the issue. The issue is contemptable, self serving, arrogant ego hogs like Newt Gingrich. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

" I am not a witch "

Remember these famous words uttered by President Richard Nixon during the Watergate investigation: "I am not a crook". As we all know, Nixon lied, was forced from the Presidency and became the poster boy for lying politicians...from both political sides I might add. Americans are legitimately skeptical of what we are told by politicians, but we are also quite gullible and responsive to political messages that are perpetrated by political spin doctors and media conglomerates. So when Senatorial canidate O'Donnell from Delaware says "I am not a witch" in a TV add, be skeptical. When politicians tell you they are not bigots and then support legislative initiatives that deny people their rights and when the Republicans promise to repeal health care, lower taxes and shrink government, be skeptical. Remember Nixon. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

It's Getting Worse

I suppose it is working in South Carolina, but last time I checked, it was still one of the 50 states and part of the United States of America. One of South Carolina's senators, Jim DeMint, tends to be the poster boy for extremism within the Republican party. What boggles the mind, is that in sections of this nation, his bigotry, his prejudice and his hate, really sells. Yesterday, Mr. DeMint called for legislation that would prohibit gays from teaching. That's like calling for women, or Jews, or straights from teaching because they have a lifestyle or set of values different from yours. This is one of the most unbelievable Un-American pronouncements that I have heard in a long time. To mark a segment of our population as unworthy of teaching or of doing anything in particular, takes us back to a time when McCarthyism reigned, when people were unable to be tolerant and when our nation was struggling to makes sense of its values. In 2010, for a senator to propose such a notion, regardless of how it pleases his constituency, speaks to issues that our nation must rise up against. Jim DeMint will be returned to the Senate and his idea will not move forward, but as we get closer to November, Americans must be more thoughtful and careful of who we choose to represent us. If we want irrationality, ignorance, hate and just plain nuts, the Republican party has provided us with the option. It's getting worse and this is our chance to stop it. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

But What About Me?

Many Americans remain unemployed and there does continue to be nervousness out there. People may be planning to voice their nervousness at the polls by voting for the "other guy". We tend to be concerned about ourselves first and that is clearly understandable. We all say "but what about me"? The fact is, that corporate America has recovered from the recession with incredible speed as evidenced by cash, earnings reports and dividend payments. The fact is that the turnaround from job losses to gains has been faster during this recovery than in any recent recovery. The fact is, that the wealthy do not spend additional tax savings on jobs and growth, they save it, so to throw the Democrats out because of their reluctance to give the wealthy more breaks does not make any sense. The fact is that runways and bridges and tunnels and roads are being repaired and spurring job creation from stimulus money and the fact is that every child under 26 can now remain on their parents' health plan. Yes it is frustrating in many parts of the land, but going back to the very policies that led to our near economic meltdown, just isnt smart. Republicans even if they win the House will not be able to roll back health care or force tax breaks for the rich because their majority will be small, thus perpetuating the continuous pattern of gridlock. Vote for progress, slow and steady not for disastrous policies and promises unfullfilled. Be careful of what you wish for. You may get it. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

It was Hate, Not You Tube.

Tyler Clementi was an innocent young man, a college student at Rutgers, whose privacy was violated in such an audacious and despicable manner that he felt he had no choice but to jump. The debate over the cause of his suicide is raging. Many feel that the age of social networking and an unrestrained internet have reduced us to frivolous, superficial beings engaging in reckless, careless actions. Others believe that open communication and high tech pursuits have opened up the world and brought us together. No matter what side of the debate you are on, do not confuse Tyler's death with that discussion. One thing killed him....HATE. For thousands of years, no matter what mode of communication existed..the printing press or youtube, people have jumped because of hate. Our world has always had hatemongers, people whose ignorance and bigotry is blind to tolerance and acceptance. Pharoahs who hated Hebrews, Whites that have hated blacks, Christians that have hated Muslims, straights who hate gays, this has been history. One could argue that tolerance and acceptance has been on the rise over the past generations and I will accept that, but still, today, there is hate and bigotry out there that makes a person like Tyler Clementi kill himself. Tyler may have believed that those in his life, whose acceptance he valued may have been too distraught, perhaps making it untenable for him to go on. I don't know, I am not a psychiatrist and I did not know him, but as his parents and others mourn his loss, don't blame youtube or facebook or the internet, blame hate. Blame the people such as Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh and Laura Schlessinger who in this country fuel this kind of homophobic and bigoted and ignorant hatred. Sadly, the wrong person jumped. Let Tyler's death not be in vain. Let us learn from this sad experience and tragic loss. It is hate, not youtube. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Never too old.

It is fair to say that as a burgeoning man in the early 70s, my left leaning self was shaped by many influences, among them the "Village Voice". As I matured, and moderated somewhat, I allowed other influences to socialize me politically. But folks, I will never be too old to continue to think the Voice speaks for my voice. Here it is...couldn't have said it better myself.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-09-29/news/white-america-has-lost-its-mind/

It's all there. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?