A Learning Disability

When I tell a student something several times and there is still a look of confusion on his or her face, I know there is a problem. Being a sensitive and caring educator, I work to find alternate ways of reaching the student in the hopes that my effort to get through are ultimately successful. I seek out the advice of other teachers or other educational professionals and do whatever I can to address the learning challenges of the student. The Speaker of the House, John Boehner and his cohort in the Senate, Mitch McConnell remind me of this aforementioned student. No matter how many times they read the polls, or look at the election results, or hear their constitutents, they continue to deny reality and hang on to a lost cause, an unsupported notion and blame others for their apparent inability to learn. Remediation of an aggressive sort is needed and needed soon. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Deaf Ears

Just when you think your vote counted, that the nation will begin a healing process, that we voted for compromise and working together, we all find out we were wrong. Our government is deaf. They cannot hear. Republicans continue to say no to tax increases on the wealthy despite overwhelming support for it. Extremist Democrats continue to balk at real entitlement reform even though polls suggest we support the need to do so. Just when you think that John Boehner and Mitch McConnell will move their party to real compromise, they take the old tactic of saying no to everything the President wants and then call him an obstrunctionist. Just when you think we are done with John McCain, the old fart seeking relevancy yells cover up to finally even the scales of his pal Nixon. Nothing has changed. We are lead by a lightweight Congress and a President who continues to be rejected by extremists who still carry much weight. They are deaf. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Compassion vs. Celebration

When Hamas launches missiles toward Israel and kills people, it celebrates in the streets of Gaza. When Israel launches a missile and it kills people, it mourns them with compassion and warnings in advance. Terrorism vs. Democracy. An obvious call. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Tough Job

Since the election, Europe has gone back into recession, Syria's civil war has worsened, Israel is at War with Gaza as a result of ruthless attacks on Israel's sovereignty. Key Officials of the Military and Intelligence establishments are embroiled in a sex scandal, costing one his job. The Fiscal cliff approaches, hearings about Lybia are going on and the aftermath of Sandy continue to cause grief and hardship for those affected. Any President would have his hands full under normal circumstances but this one is certainly dealing with his share. Instead of the lack of support he continues to get from his enemies, how about turning to history where during times of crisis, we rally around our leader? Those were the days. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Don't Overanalyze

The pundits are having a field day analyzing the election. Every media personality has an opinion. The country is moving left....Romney was too moderate....This was a status quo election....blah blah blah blah blah. Don't overanalyze. The country is more diverse. Republicans didn't target the population and they got less votes. America didn't trust Mitt Romney, they like the President and the economy is slowly recovering. That's it. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Why I Voted For President Barack Obama

I just returned from my generator charged polling place to cast my vote for President. I proudly voted for President Obama for a second term. Here is why. In January of 2009, President Obama took office while the nation was reeling from two wars and an historic recession. His cry for hope and change was heard by a nation that was tired of the Bush years and the failed financial policies of trickle down economics. The President understands that the greatness of our nation lies in recognition that the future must be different than the past, that climate change is real, that equal pay is essential, that the rights of all Americans must be protected and cherished, that Government can play an important role in improving our lives, that shared sacrifice is in our soul as a nation, that infrastructure repair saves money, that green jobs, alternative energy and reducing reliance on foreign oil is good energy policy, that education and training prepares Americans for the jobs of the future and that America is at its best when we respect each other instead of destroying each other. The President has stayed true to these values and in his time of office has accomplished much. He signed a bill allowing women to sue for equal pay for equal work, he ended the war in Iraq, he authorized the Navy Seals to kill Bin Laden, he provided Federally backed loans to save the auto industry (paid back to Americans with interest), he signed legislation to protect consumers from deceptive credit card practices, put restraints on banks for their most egregious practices, he pushed through a stimulus that helped, contrary to the Republican narrative. The stimulus saved two million jobs, accounted for programs to improve rail, airport runways, electric grid systems and school construction. He got us as close to universal health as we could have, an accomplishment never achieved by his predecessors. He ended Don't Ask Don't Tell, allowing gays to serve openly in defense of our nation. He pronounced his support for gay marriage, putting love above bigotry. He has helped to create 5.5 million private sector jobs over a 33 consecutive month period. He has NOT doubled the deficit as his opponents suggest, but in actuality has reduced the pace of growth of government. He has presided over a growing economy during world financial crisis and has helped reduce unemployment from a high of 10.2 to under 8 percent while his opponents filibustered jobs bills. He has suggested entitlements be put on the table for considered reductions to be balanced with some revenue increases. He has appointed two female Justices to the Supreme Court including the first Hispanic. He has by executive order helped young patriotic immigrants avoid deportation due to the decisions of their parents, keeping their skills and diversity as part of the American dream. He built a coalition of nations in support of Libyan rebels, accounting for the death of Muammar Qadaffi. He has kept us out of another foolish and costly war and has a plan for the end of the longest war in American history. He has presided with skill over national crises such as the BP oil spill and Sandy in a bipartisan and respectful fashion. He has been thoughtful in his approach, respectful of his enemies and has acted with dignity, compassion and has avoided a major scandal. He has acted to give Israel the greatest defense and intelligence support in history, this earning him Israel's largest newspaper endorsement. He is a family man who sets the highest standard of family values and acted with skill in doing his job, against all odds, under constant hateful abuse from his enemies and has elevated the United States back to its respected place in the community of nations. I pray he is our President for four more years to finish the work he has started. The reasons why I did not vote for Mitt Romney are simple. He lies. He has not been a job creator. He wants to overturn Roe v. Wade. He wants to shut Planned Parenthood. He wants to reduce Pell grants. He wants to defund FEMA. His vetoes as Governor were overturned at high levels, mitigating his recent narrative about crossing lines to work with the other party. He is against the right of marriage for same sex couples who love each other. He supports candidates that want to jail women who wish to abort a fetus created through rape and incest. He has picked a VP candidate who says the President in against Judeo Christian values. He pretends to understand the Middle East, pandering to my fellow Jews without an ounce of understanding of Israel's soul and historic importance. He has mocked Palestinian efforts toward a two state solution only to change his mind. He has told his donors that half of America wants to stay on welfare, lied about the Presidents welfare to work support. He has lied about auto jobs to China. He is a charlatan, a fake and a man with no connection to the Middle Class values that make this nation great. Go Obama. Please vote. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Sandy Effect

I am at a friend's home blogging after a few days to deal with Sandy. I still have no power but I have a roof over my head, food, friends and life. For that I am truly thankful and my heart goes out to all in need, to all who lost loved ones, property and much more. As Gloria Gaynor once sang "I will Survive" so will we all. It was a bit refreshing to be away from the insanity of the pre election craziness, but now that I have some access to the internet, it is time to say a few things. First, to listen to Rudy Giuliani criticize Obama for the Sandy response and the campaign is so boorish. One day we will all learn the real truth about the job the Mayor did during 9-11. Rudy's entire political life and survival was tied to that horrible day and its aftermath, but serious analysis shows that severe criticisms could be leveled against his actions. He is irrelevant and ought to shut up and go back to earning millions as a consultant. President Obama's visit to New Jersey and his bromance with Governor Christie was not a political act. These two men share a common story. An American story, one with roots to a place and to an America that allows the common simple man to achieve greatness and success. They share this story and those who try and make a political mockery of their genuine concern for American are simply out of touch and mean spirited partisans who care little about this country. As Tuesday approaches, Americans must remain vigilant and get to the polls. The choice is clear. A charlatan, a liar, a man without a vision, without a moral compass and without a record of job creation, who mocks the President disrespectfully because he feels entitled, whose wealth resides outside of this country, who is against a woman's right to chose, against marriage between same sex couples who love each other, who would shut Planned Parenthood, stop health care progress, mocks climate change as fantasy, supports the unrestrained spending on military aggression and would make the sick go to emergency rooms, who is an elitist, a robber barren and a man of the one percent, Mitt Romney. Or, a man who came from modest means, who represents the diversity that is so special about our country, who ended a costly and false war, who has moved us forward, created jobs, taken us from an historic economic collapse into a period of growth, saved our auto industry, believes in the rights of all Americans, who believes global warming is real, who will end the war in Afghanistan and protect women's rights, who respects the legitimacy of our immigrant heritage and believes in a fair chance for us all, President Barack Obama. Where are you Americans for reason and truth? Stay Safe all those affected by Sandy. Go vote. It is too important.