Hate

It is pure hatred of this President by Congressional Republicans that is harming every American. Split government no longer works. We need one party rule. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?....Happy new year...except Congress.

Ignore Him

Happy holidays to all...almost all. I would skip Wayne LaPierre. The manufactured fears by our idiot Congress hurt our nation. All these calls for compromise even as the President moderates his position, are ludicrous. The President has the people on his side. We are more moderate ad thoughtful than we are given credit for. We should all just ignore the Speaker. He and Congress are out of control. The President and the nation will prevail if we simply shut these extremists out. Moderation will win the day...for this I am sure. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Fiscal Snit

Speaker Boehner has forgotten who won the election. He and his ilk just do not like this President. They resent his growing popularity and his growing popular vote mandate as states continue to count absentee ballots. They do not accept that the nation supports the President's 250,000 and above tax rate increase, now compromised by the President to 400,000. They are in a snit. They are petulant and hurtful toward our country. They blame the man who won, won't accept the truth, cannot handle bringing some Democrats on board for a 218 vote while castigating and isolating the extremists. I hope these Plan B, procedural gymnastics and other tricks fail and that we have a real strategy by the end of the year. If not, and contrary to how much they will try to blame the President, We the People know who is to blame. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Enough is Enough

To those who have been afraid to go up against the NRA, you are losers. You are weak at the knees politicians without an ounce of courage or bravery. You have allowed gun freaks and second amendment obsessors to cloud the truth. Guns do kill people. Assault weapons have no place in our society and not a single individual who touts guns as a means of self defense needs one. To those who will continue to bow to the Gun lobby, you are not worthy of your special privilege of representing our nation. If you continue to allow the guns to get onto the streets, to disguise the right to hunt as the same as owning a Glock, then you are not only an idiot, but deserve no support from any fair minded, emotionally stable individual. If we cannot as a nation for once and for all deal with gun control, then we deserve a continuation of such horrific and violent actions. Enough is enough. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Has Been

John McCain lost the 2008 election. He lost to W in 2004. He selected the most incompetent Vice Presidential candidate in modern times and made her a celebrity. He has been calling for War, War and more War since his days in Vietnam. He is a vindictive, jealous and petulant war hero whose quest for relevancy just cost a very competent person her next job over an overblown and preposterous suggestion of scandal over Libya. John McCain is a has been and I only hope his irrelevancy continues to grow and the Senate ignores his bluster and his anger. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

218

Many people dont realize that all it takes is 218 members of the House to approve a bill. No filibusters in the House. Now there are about 75 tea party extremists out of 435 members. They are pushing the Speaker to reject any tax hike on the rich. They defy even the likes of Bill Kristol and Ann Coulter, both who know who won the election and that extra revenue from the wealthy wont crumble the land. The republicans have 235 seats and the Democrats 200, give or take. IF the Speaker tells the 75 to pound salt, gets a majority of his caucus ....say 135 to support a compromise and leader Pelosi delivers a minority of her caucus...say 83 to support a compromise, EVERYONE WINS. Boehner gets a majority, Pelosi can claim she opposed Republicans, President Obama can sign it after both houses pass it and the people get a break. SIMPLE MATH. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Disgraceful

It is absolutely disgraceful that I for one minute actually thought that quickly after the election, these elected idiots from both parties would actually put the country first and do what is easy to do. Any common sense person could fix this cliff problem in five minutes.....protect all 98% of us making under 250,000 a year immediately. Negotiate after the first of the year a program for the top wage earners calling the revenue whatever you want so that both parties can claim victory. Means test Social Security and cut duplicate programs which are as a result of pork barrelling by these elected hogs. It is disgraceful that these power brokers are so incompetent,uncaring and ignorant of their real role... To support We the People, not We the rich People. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

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?