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.

This is Different

When W. won the Presidency, I was disappointed but didn't go over the edge. The country and the Supreme Court decided, the process worked and I lived to fight another day for eight despicable years. When Nixon beat McGovern, I was sad but not outraged. Nixon got his and we moved on. When Reagan won with his message of a better America and smaller government, I didn't cry, I accepted his victory and watched for eight long years. This time, it is different. It is hard for me to express but if Romney becomes the President, my outrage and fear and total demoralization will set in in ways that they never have before. Romney is a liar. He has switched his position on absolutely every major social, foreign policy and economic issue and gets away with it every time. Obama should be kicking his ass, but he is not. This is because our nation is filled with tens of millions who tune in after the summer for the first time. They see a man who looks good and can speak articulately so they say, OK, lets give him a chance. We tried the Black Man, we proved we aren't racist so let's go back to our real roots. Mitt Romney can and will say anything with no conviction, belief or moral compass. This automaton is the scariest candidate in modern American Political history, not because he is dumb, or ill informed, but because you do not know which Mitt will show up. This, is why this is different. Where are you Americans for reason and truth? Be safe through the storm.

A Friend of Mine

I have a good friend. On most every aspect of conscience, we agree. This friend however, is voting for Mitt Romney. The response I get is that " I make my choice only on economic issues and don't concentrate on all the other noise ". I smile, walk away with disgust in my bones but with continued love for this person. I simply cannot continue to try and influence this position. I know in my heart that Mitt Romney does not understand or care about the middle class. I know in my heart that Mitt Romney believes in outsourcing and not much about US manufacturing. I know in my heart that Mitt Romney's positions on job creation are tied to failed policies but my friend does not listen. That's OK. What is not OK is that this support cannot be separated from the mean spirited racisim, extremist and hateful positions toward women and gays, the candidates that think rape is a message from G-d, the unwillingness to support equal rights, the march toward defense overspending and the sheer hate toward our President that represents the party of Mitt Romney...and my dear friend, all of these positions have direct, vital and certain economic implications. Please think, my dear dear friend. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

He Doesn't Understand?

Paul Ryan doesn't understand President Obama's bayonet remark? Maybe that is because he makes up the second half of the least experienced Foreign Policy ticket in recent memory. You do not judge the military based on numbers of ships, but capability. The rest of us got it. Read up Mr. Ryan....One day you may wish to run for President. Enjoy the next Congress. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Last One.....Finally

As you watch this evening, remember this.....one man has led the nation as commander in chief and one has no experience at all. One man decided to give the order to kill Bin Laden. The other did not. One man ended the war in Iraq, the other thinks we should go back. One man led a coalition to rid the world of Muamar Quadaffi, the other uses the recent emabassy misfortune and tragedy to score cheap political points. One man has been desrcribed by Israeli leaders as responsible for giving Israel the best intelligence and military cooperation, the other tries to create a wedge between Jews and the Democratic party for some votes. One man thinks before he acts, the other speaks before he thinks and then changes his mind. One man is evaluating the Syrian situation and treading carefully not to start another war with another Middle East nation, the other threatens to act without specifics. One man has thwarted many terrorist plots, the other pretends to know more. This is what you should remember. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Ill Served Again

Debate number two in the books. Again, the American electorate was poorly served. The two men came out battling, gloves off, taking it to each other....these are the descriptions we are hearing. Who won, who lost? The American people lost. There are many pundits that see value in these fiascos, but I do not. There isn't sufficient time to provide depth to any answer. There is no direct questioning and challenging of each other, Lincoln Douglas style. There is little substance. The post debate analysts were aglow with all the topics addressed, but nothing was addressed. We still do not know how Mitt Romney would pay for his tax plan. We still do not know if the President supports more stimulus for more job growth. We still do not know how these men differ in energy policy? We do know that Mr. Romney holds the edge on generalizations and on playing havoc with facts. We still know that Mr. Romney has no keen sense or understanding of foreign policy and we still know that President Obama is a much better choice if you are in the middle class, or are a woman, or are an Hispanic or young voter. But, we knew all this before. So I say, cancel these entertainment shows or put them on as "Reality TV', just don't try and convince me that they are at all instructive. They are not. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Media Will Strike Again

Tomorrow we will see the "Thrilla in Hofstra" and again we will be instructed by the media on how we should see it. A great disservice continues to prevail in our nation as the media turns on every tie color, verbal gaffe, body language, sweat pores, eye contact and other irrelevancies at a time where the differences in content and policy couldn't be more stark. Already there is analysis about how this is a make or break night. This debate does not change one thing. It does not change the facts, figures or realities of the substance required to make an informed decision. Mitt Romney continues to nuance and lie to his heart's content and the media gives him a pass, regrettably, because his eye contact was better. Our President will now have to fall into this maelstrom of irrelevance to keep pace, and the media will be aglow with more nonsense than I can stand. So goes the debate...So goes our politics....and Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Two Against One

Two against one isn't a fair fight unless you are a superhero, but nevertheless we seem to have this in the upcoming Presidential election. On the ballot will be three candidates for President...Barack Obama, Mitt A and Mitt B. Two against one. The problem is that if you vote for Mitt A or Mitt B, the name of Mitt Romney will get the vote. If they were listed separate as they shoud be listed, then Obama gets 50% of the popular vote and the requireed 270 plus electors, Mitt A would get 25% and Mitt B 25% with the associated, if any, electoral votes. Mitt A believes that we should re-enter war with Iraq, that abortion should no longer be the right of a woman, that health care reform should be repealed, that PBS funding should stop, that defense should get an additional 2 trillion dollars, that taxes for the middle class should be disproportionately and unfairly collected, that regulations on banks should be reduced, that global warming may be a fake and that immigrant youth should be deported if their parents came here under false pretenses, that 47 percent of us are leeches and deserve less assistance from government, that we have eroded our support for Israel, that the Palestinians are not peace partners, that we should voucherize Social Security and that underperforming states should continue to underperform educationally because only the states know how to educate. Mitt B believes that the Massachusetts mandate for health insurance is a great idea, that the Federal government is an important source of funds for activities such as the Olympics, that we should withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014 (Obama Plan), that the Palestinicnas should have a state next to Israel (US policy for decades), that there is a role for the Federal Government in Public education, that the middle class and elderly need to be supported, that he really does care about the Middle class, that Social Security should not be cut and that women in this country should not have the government tell them what to do with their health. Now, you can argue intelligently for Mitt A or for Mitt B and you should cast your vote for one, if you believe him to be a better chioce than the other two guys. But....is it really fair to have both votes for A and B go to one man? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Culture of Lies

At last week's debate, Mitt Romney lied about the level of the deficit, his tax plan, the percentage of gas exploration on public land, about pre existing conditions, about middle class wages and about medicare. I would say these are pretty big lies, but it didn't seem to bother us at all. Instead of moving away from a bald faced liar, the nation seemed to move a little toward him. Why? I guess it's because we live in a culture of lies. We are skeptical about government in general so we assume all politicians lie. When we are too tired to go to a baby shower, we lie about having other plans. If we are too tired to be intimate with our significant others, we lie about having a headache. When we are in school, we lie about our homework being eaten by a dog and when we look for a job, we put a few things on our resumes that may be a bit untrue. I grew up being told that lying is bad and I have told my share, but the national debt, care for the elderly and the future of our nation were never at stake. Right now, experts on both sides of the aisle have had to admit that the Romney candidacy is frought with more inaccuracy and more bold statements of falseness than that of any other major candidate in decades. We just don't seem to care and I just don't get it. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

Yesterday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced the monthly unemployment numbers. Because they were better, and came on the heels of the Romney debate victory lap, immediately the Republican bloviates like Jack Welch, Rick Santelli and Rush and the other kooks said the numbers were skewed, dishonest, cooked and conspiratorially played with to secure a second term for the President. Even Mitt Romney, seemingly knowledgeable about how this stuff works, didn't join the chorus of these irrational supporters. He kept lying and showed some frustration with good numbers trying to minimize their impact, but he didn't accuse the President of dishonesty. Those who did, ought to be ashamed. The BLS is an agency of government, bureaucratic to the core. It is made up of lifers, from both political parties, pure bureaucrats that do their jobs, care about what they do and work for an agency unchallenged by both sides of the world of common sense, as to its integrity. The last time any President attempted to curry political favor with the agency was Nixon, who said the Jewish money people were against him and he tried to sway the BLS to see it his way. He was rebuffed and other than that attempt, the BLS has been accepted as an honest purveyor of statistical information related to jobs. Why weren't the kooks accusatory when numbers were not so good? You figure it out. Lastly, to listen and observe leaders of this nation show sadness over good news, is another reason to awaken all you sleepy heads. The Republican party and its leaders care more about re-electability than they do about you or America. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

You Get What You Deserve

It is clear, as in the past, that when a challenger has a good first debate performance against a sitting President, there is a new dynamic that develops. Certainly Mitt Romney had a good performance and is a practiced debater. Whereas the President was not at his best, he certainly upon re-review was not that bad, but you would't know it from the analysis. In fact, Mr. Romney is using the strategy that he was substantive and specific at the debate. First and foremost, he lied. He is a liar and has always been so. On every major political, social and economic policy, he has shifted. On foreign policy he bows to the neo cons and then tries to act knowledgeable and statesmanlike. Today the polls are showing some movement toward Mr. Romney on the strength of his renewed stump speeches and momentum from the debate. The President's supporters continue to berate his performace and pile on. Fact checkers have shown that the lies and distortions significantly tilted toward Mr. Romney. Having said this, there is no doubt that the debate has shifted the the political environment and added some pop to Mr. Romney's fault prone candidacy. I say this, if you want a liar in chief, a charlatan who cannot find a moral compass on anything, if you want a slick, untruthful person in the White House, vote for Mitt. You will get what you deserve. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Big Show

Tonight will be entertainment, a show, but not much else. If you don't know by now who to support then you are not one who really follows politics and have been quite distracted by other things. If you are tuning in to tonight's performance to get clarification on details, or full plans or to even see a debate, you won't. It will be about tie color, body language, zingers, barbs, jokes and one liners. The media will spin the event to favor candidates based on their biases and fact checkers will work overtime to produce facts that we all ignore anyway. So enjoy the big show. Watch it as you would watch reality TV and remember, there is nothing real about it. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

But I'm a Privileged White Guy?

From the outset of this campaign, Mitt Romney and the Republicans have quietly and not so quietly tried to paint President Obama as not "one of us". From birthers challenging his birthplace, from comments about Kenyan tribalism, to comments about his affiliations, the Republicans want to let the white folk in our country vote against Obama in huge numbers out of fear and out of a sense that this is a country defined by the whiteness of our original immigrants. As our country has continued to become the great mosaic of diversity that it is, we see our demographics changing. It is true that often minority voting patterns are smaller than caucasian participation so the strategy has worked somewhat in the past but not anymore. While Romney is losing every single major constituency group except white men, he desperately clings to the strategem of white privilege so as not to lose his base. I can hear him at home saying to himself: "I am a privileged white guy? How am I losing to this guy". He is losing because President Obama represents and understands the real American story. It isn't a story of privilege, it is a story of opportunity, and sharing and compassion. If the President holds on to win a second term, it won't be because of a slow recovery that tries our patience, but because Mitt Romney and his party are losing touch with America and its true greatness as a nation. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Debate Romney Style

Acccording to the pundits, Mitt Romney's chances may hinge on his debate performances being so superior to the President's whose must be a calamitous failure in order to move big blocks of voters toward the Republican. I wish to express my own thoughts. As you watch these debates one thing is one hundred percent sure, whatever Mr. Romney says, it will be the opposite of what he has said on the issue sometime in his recent political past. If he speaks moderately about health care in Massachusetts, remember he vows to attempt a repeal with a friendly Congress of the Affordable Care Act. If he expresses outrage at abortion, remember he was a moderate pro choice republican not too long ago. If he talks about creating jobs, remember he has supported outsourcing as a means to great profitability for himself and his clients. If he talks about small government, remember as the Olympic chair, he begged for and received Federal funds. If he talks about sabre rattling and war in Iraq and Afghanistan as Obama failures, remember he has zero foreign policy experience and has expressed repeatedly in the past that the US should not be in the business of nation building. If he talks about compassion for the poor, remember that he selected a running mate who supports dessimating programs that aid the poor. If he talks about public education successes in Mass. and states' rights, remember he wants to eliminate the role of the Dept. of Education and let Mississipi continue to fail and some states succeed. If he talks about college education support, remember he also said you should borrow money from your parents to do it. If he talks about taxes, remember he promised not to raise middle class taxes but his plan on his own website does this. If he promises a better life for working Americans, remember he was against the car bailout. If he talks about deregulation, remember that he loves regulations on the books that allow him to shield his income from taxes and that provide subsidies for big oil. If he talks about women as partners and leaders in our country, remember he supports canidates and a budget that will strip women of their ability to get important heath care from important agencies. If he rips Obama about how bad things are, remember he told Laura Ingraham on conservative talk radio that things are improving. If he bashes Obama on his economic policies, remember he used to support them as a moderate but now wants to go back to the policies that failed us 8 years ago. I can go on and on, but I won't. Whatever you hear, cannot be taken as truth. You cannot trust Mitt Romney to say what he thinks because he just doesn't think. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?