Lets Have A Moratorium on Information

I am calling for a moratorium on information. Just for a little while. It is tiresome listening to supposed experts claim, suggest, predict and postulate on everything from economics, medical information and world events with such differences of opinion and such confusing data and contradictory evidence that it is making my head spin. I just don't want fourteen different analysts to look and twenty different economic reports and go from doom to happiness with every waking moment and every ridiculous interpretation. They simply do not know more than everyone else and are tiresome advocates for their own books, programs, egos and self aggrandisement. Shut up for a while. Your silence will be welcome...at least for a little while. I will keep dreaming. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Unreliable Conservatives

The Supreme Court has markedly shifted to the right over the last three decades. As history shows, the pendulum swings and history also disappoints Presidents whose choices for the court do not always meet their hopes and expectations. The litmus test for Conservative justices has always been judicial restraint and original intent of our founding fathers when they wrote the Constitution. Politicians love to rail against activist judges...love to criticize courts for over involvement in the affairs of state and have relied on four reliable conservative justices who always seem to tow the conservative interpretive evaluation. Not so fast...not so reliable. It is impossible to be sure which way the court will rule on the Health Reform Bill just from the questions they have asked these last few days but if the pundits are correct, the conservative justices seem to be leaning toward its destruction. If this happens, it won't be the judicial philosophy of these justices that will prevail, but their political philosophy. This is a shame, will be a dark mark on their tenure and more important, will throw out their claim of judicial restraint. Too Bad. Let us see. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Let us Remember

If, and it is certainly unclear, the Supreme Court strikes down the provision of the insurance mandate, let us remember that this was an idea born out of the Conservative Heritage Foundation, embraced by the leading candidate for President on the Republican ticket and supported by Republican Presidents and Republican members of Congress. This was also reluctantly supported by President Obama as a compromise away from single payer care in an effort to get some Republican support. It never came, but their idea survived. Now they condemn it as unconstitutional and try and shift the blame to Obama. These realities are indisputable and must be remembered as the process unfolds. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Health Care Debate

As the high court continues this fascinating and interesting look at the limits of Congressional power, there is something else that must or should be on their minds.....Politics. As the branch of government least political in theory, it has thrust itself, as it has in the past, in the middle of a political firestorm and a Presidential election. With this in mind, I believe they will consider other important issues....the legitimacy of the Obama Presidency, challenged by the crazies, the incendiary and hurtful rhetoric that would be leveled against a President who will be condemned for impeachable offenses against the Constitution and lastly, giving voice to those in the nation that are simply uninformed, ridiculously stupid and ignorant of the issues that affect the future of our nation. You may be able to argue the legal merits of both sides of the mandate for purchasing insurance, but the realities of a decision of unconstitutionality would reverberate throughout the land in ways that are assuredly destructive. I am confident they will keep all of this in mind. Past practice indicates that the court is hesitant about undoing signature legislation. The appropriate way to deal is through legislation,not as Republicans always fear...activist judges. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

All of a Sudden We are All Justices of the Supreme Court

It is amazing to me that people are lining up in DC to provide pressure on the Supreme Court. Elected officials who have never even read the Constitution are going on TV so sure of their legal interpretations. Cable pundits are invoking Madison's ideas as if they are historians and an onslaught of inaccuracy, political bombast and nonsense is coming out of the mouths of the candidates. It is as if overnight, our nation of the uneducated and ill informed has suddenly graduated from Law School and we all have become Constitutional scholars. As Dr. Jonathan Gruber, noted economist from M.I.T. and aide on health care legislation for Romney's Massachusetts plan and Obama's efforts has said, and I paraphrase, [a one sentence lie is easier to sell than two sentences of truth]. This has become the reality of the Affordable Health Care Act, passed by Congress two years ago. People do not understand it, are listening to the easy misinterpretation and do not even realize that the bulk of this bill is still almost two years away from being implemented. Yet half of us seem to be so sure it is unconstitutional. We don't understand it, but we want to kill it. The President is at fault for this as are the Democrats that passed it. They have not been able to articulate the message in terms that people can understand and appreciate. Hopefully this changes before the election, but if you take the pieces of the bill, it is overwhelmingly popular. When you get the one sentence lie, we get concerned that socialism, government takeover and killing grandma with death panels is what the bill is about. In an upcoming and somewhat historic three days, the Supreme Court will judge three aspects of this Law and determine through its evolved responsibility of Judicial Review (no, not the founders original intent)whether it meets the standard of Constitutionality, mostly through the Commerce clause. In a nation that is polticizing everything away from the court, I have confidence that the justices will leave their personal politics at home and come to the conlusion that health care affects us all, that we all pay for it one way or another, and that the collective good of the nation, trumps the amateurs that are hoping for the law's death. If Congress and the people really do hate the bill, then let them try and repeal it. This will not happen and I prefer the side that has established health care as a right, over those who would deliberately harm our national wellness. We are not all Justices of the Supreme Court. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

"Etch a Sketch"

It is easy to understand why the Romney campaign is trying to downplay the "Etch a Sketch" remark made by a lead advisor of the campaign. It is also appropriate not to jump on every word and every clip of every speech ever made by a person out of context. In this case however, these words are so typical of the man who wishes to represent the Republican party as President that they need not be trivialized. Mitt Romney's history is clear; he does not have roots that are consistent with what he is claiming to be and therefore is being untruthful and disingenuous as he looks for votes. When I was a boy, I loved playing with "Etch a Sketch". I used to imagine scenes and ideas and try to duplicate them on the screen. "Etch a Sketch" is a toy, it is a game. Running for President is no game Mr. Romney. It is serious business, it requires conviction, honesty and sincerity....qualities that you have conveniently erased from yourself. I hope you have lots of time after November playing with your toy....don't play with the American people. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

One More Reason

One more reason for why a young person should vote Democratic....

THE PAUL RYAN REPUBLICAN BUDGET. THEY OUGHT TO READ IT.

One More Reason

One more reason for why a young person should vote Democratic....

THE PAUL RYAN REPUBLICAN BUDGET. THEY OUGHT TO READ IT.




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Why a young person should vote Democratic?

Here is an answer to Mitt Romney's question:

-so women have the freedom to make choices
-so college students can get low interest loans to pay for tuition
-so middle class workers and small businesses are incentivized
-so the defense budget does not drown us in fear and debt
-so fossil fuels become one of our sources of energy, not all
-so health care is available for all
-so banks and brokers are restrained from unchecked abuse
-so the foundations of protecting the disenfranchised are not destroyed
-so voting is not suppressed based on race or income
-so troops can come home from Afghanistan
-so the uneducated can become educated
-so bigotry, hatred, ignorance and prejudice can continue to diminish
-and that is just a few

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Why I Do Not Like Mitt Romney

I do not like Mitt Romney. I have never met him but as a citizen I have to be able to decide on who to support in any election. I am an unapologetic supporter of the President and hope he is re-elected and I do not believe the nation will be destroyed or fall apart under a Romney presidency, but I just do not like him. Here is a man who does not have a conviction or a moral compass. It shifts with the daily vicissitudes of the primary camapaign. His history as a candidate and governor is fraught with inconsistencies in position and his description of his own accomplishments are just not accurate. He tries to be southern in the south but this obvious pandering is so dishonest that it makes me so angry. He is one of the wealthiest and most elite candidates we have ever seen and yet he tries to pin the President as just another Ivy School elitist liberal. With each new day, Romney changes his priorities and speaks in non substantive platitudes. He says nothing. He offers nothing. His supposed tax plan released when all the other candidates released one, actually raises taxes on the middle class while expanding breaks for the wealthy. Today he continues to bash Obama on gasoline, on foreign policy, on education, and yet he offers nothing....nothing. He cannot answer straight on anything. Will there or won't there be a role for the Dept. of Edcuation? He makes up stories about meeting people who have refused to look for work because gas is too expensive. Who are these people? Do they have names or faces? He panders non stop and looks silly doing it. He offers no opinion on Afghanistan and in the same interview says withdraw early and stay there. He runs from his past if it doesn't meet the conservative smell test and then he rewrites the history of his accomplishments as if he has no memory. I just don't like him. Mostly because he is a liar, he is not real and he is a big phony who wants to be President just because. I hope we are smart enough not to buy it. I don't like Mitt Romney. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Cagey?

In today's Times, David Brooks writes about the President's caginess. He takes great pains to insure us he doesn't mean dishonesty, but I read it as a criticism surrounded by a lot of good. He recognizes the necessity for compromise and altered courses based on circumstances but my feeling is that he challenges Obama's conviction and authenticiy and I kept thinking that he should have written about Mitt Romney a man with less conviction than any other recent pol I have seen. To be a Republican these days you must love oil, tax breaks for the wealthy and deregulation. In each of these areas, the President has shown incredible passion. He believes in alternate energy sources while embracing the realities of oil need and consumption. He has proposed fewer regulations than his predecessor, but they have some teeth to control financial recklessness. He has embraced tax incentives for small business and the middle class, while campaigning on a more balanced approach. There is no doubt that this President has looked at circumstances and counterbalanced the realities with his own personal views and convictions. It takes time to make change, Obama realizes this and to characterize him as a man without real passion is unfair and inaccurate. I honestly do believe Brooks admires and appreciates Obama, but he just can't let too much of this show through. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Legend In His Own Mind

One of the most reviled and unpopular politicians of modern times is former Speaker, Newt Gingrich. Here is a man who cannot find support from any of his past colleagues. Here is a man who staked his claim to the south and lost badly the other night. Here is a man who has lost 26 of 27 delegate contests. Here is a man who spews lies, hate and vitriol against his enemies and in particular the President with his GAS act. 77 percent of America is smart enough to recognize that President's do not control gas prices and in fact if Obama had not committed resources to alternate fuel and set some better standards for energy consumption, it may in fact be worse. Gingrich, after losses in Mississippi and Alabama made a speech that was so ridiculous in its nonsense that it left me amazed at his audacity, arrogance and ego. He is a legend only in his own mind and whereas I as a loyal Obama supporter want this circus act to continue, Newt is nothing more than a bombastic loser and perpetual boil on the ass of our political process. One day, he will go away but for now we are stuck with his BS a little longer. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

I Like grits

Forget the fact that Mr. Romney has switched positions for political right wing expediency on absolutely every single major campaign issue from abortion, to auto industry bailouts, to health care mandates and the environmnent. What is most disturbing, dishonest and disgusting is how he is talking in the south about eatin grits, y'all and how he loves to hug southern women from 12 years and up....like they say in the south, "that dog won't hunt". Trying to be honest and genuine is what Mitt Romney has most difficulty doing. Whereas I am diametrically opposed to southern state opinions and ideas, what I do know, is that they are honest and hospitable folks. They can also see through dog dung and Romney's attempts at southern style dynamics is as false as false can be. Such fakery continues unabated and will cost him dearly...I hope. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Gas Strategy

With the economy on a potential mend. With women angry over the recent Republican strategy toward contraception and with the Republican candidates grasping at straws to find a winner and to seize an issue, that issue is GAS. Most polls suggest that people do not hold a President responsible for gasoline price increases, but the Republicans are seizng on this as a wedge issue come November. Blame Obama for the price at the stations. Any student of economics knows that we do not have a supply issue and demand for gas has actually declined by 7% over last year, therefore, normal supply and demand should have forced prices lower. They are not, and this is because on the world market, the commodity of oil due to global risks and increasing demand elsewhere, is experiencing a 60 cent speculation price increase, not of America's making. I could explain this further, but you would need to be more patient and a better listener....boring stuff. Anyhow, if we want to blame the President for gas prices, can we give him credit for lowering natural gas prices? Can we give him credit for reducing our reliance on foreign oil and increasing drilling? (not stopping it). Can we give him credit for low inflation rates on the total market basket of consumables? If politicians wish to seize upon gas as an issue, fair play suggests credit for all the other price related issues that are going in an opposite direction. Dream on. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Commander in Chief

Article two of the Constitution gives the President the power as Commander in Chief. In the past few days, former Presidential candidate McCain advocated for American led airstrikes against Syria. Current minority leader of the Senate McConnell, called for a declaration of war against Iran. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich who all know nothing about the emotional attachment to Israel and rattle sabres irresponsibly have been critical of our Commander in Chief. Gone are the days when the unknowing give support and wish for the success of our President in conducting foreign affairs. President Obama has had his share of successes and now PM Netanayu has gone home willing to allow sanctions against Iran to work. North Korean leadership expressed willingness to reduce their committment to nuclear weapons testing and these two additional accomplishments are met with the deafness of Obama's enemies. He is the Commander in Chief not Fools in Chief like these buffoons on the other side. We are a nation tired of war and ready to meet world challenges in a more intelligent way. Thank you Mr. President. Oh, good job numbers AGAIN. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Keep it Going

With the liklihood of a Romney ascendancy, as a Democrat I hope that his annointment is delayed, that these four men continue to batter each other mercilessly and allow the rest of us to see what they claim to stand for. Each of them touts deficit reduction through economic independence and better tax and energy policies, but all of them, through websites and advisors, have suggested plans that do nothing of the sort. Only Congress, working with a President can implement change economically. So what we have left, is a bunch of men, claiming that they know what is right for women, that G-d must play a larger role in our government, that global warming is a myth and Obama is a Muslim extremist Nazi sympathizer with no right to the Presidency. Yes....I hope they keep it going...for a long time....then, when the last man standing looks for moderate votes, he'll be standing on the sidelines looking for work instead. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Russia

There is so much reckless talk these days from pundits, candidates and world leaders that it makes me wonder just how serious most of these situations really are. Do not get me wrong, I worry about nukes, and terrorists, and world economic issues along with some concerns here, but this is why I support the President so much. He is cool. He doesn't overreact, and he analzyes without too much incendiary bluster. I hope, however, he is looking closely at Russia. Many think that since the decline of the Soviet Union, we have a reliable democratic friend in Russia. Well, we don't. Former KGB agents really never change and Vladmir Putin is certainly taking an election and an undemocratic seizure of power, instincts never lost by him. He still views the iron hand of Politburo days of old as the rule of today. Most concerning to us, should be how Russia won't even condemn Syrian genocide and actually along with China blocked a necessary step toward resolution of the Assad terror. Russia continues to support some of our enemies with economic support and trade. Russia still controls tons of nukes and is surrounded by old Soviet satellite states that are oil rich and prone to terror and recklessness. So, not to drum up any cold war fanaticism, while we listen to the crazies threaten and scare, the real scare should probably be from our old friends the Rooskies. I'd keep an eye out. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Slut Comment

When Don Imus called the Rutgers girls "nappy headed hoes" he was fired almost immediately. When Rush Limbaugh calls college coeds sluts for using birth control he probably remains employed. Not a single Republican Senator or Congressman has yet to loudly condemn him due to the fear he instills in them. He is a fat, blohard, piece of scum degenerate, big mouth, asswipe, intolerant, despicable, low life. How's that for free speech. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?