To Republicans

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/20/lincoln-project-oped-republicans-stand-up-for-america/

Sympathy For The Devil

I was listening to old Rolling Stones and heard "Sympathy For The Devil". It reminded me of President trump and his Covid 19 infection. Now as any good human would, I am not wishing him harm or worse. I will not, however, feel an ounce of sympathy while he gets the best socialized medicine our country offers and his contribution for that care is next to nothing. trump lied about the virus, mocked the wearing of masks, touted unproven and dangerous remedies, knowingly infected people since we now know he was infected before his NJ fundraiser. He participated regularly in superspreader events and his mismanagement of the crisis has cost 210000 lives and rising. The virus still takes about 800 people a day and new cases are rising to an average of 45000 a day. He has denied the virus effects in public while boasting of his deliberate action of playing it down. He has denied science, sidelined experts and politicized public health. He is actively pursuing the repeal of the ACA and has lied about a replacement. I could go on. Do I wish him a full recovery? I guess so. But sympathy for this devil? Sorry, No. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth. Vote.

You can Whine or you can Vote.

Mitch McConnell is motivated and obsessed by nothing else other than the rightward direction of the court. If you have a pulse you would know this. Therefore his actions from Obama through trump are neither surprising nor hypocritical. Truth is not a tactic. Hypocrisy is not a policy or a direction.

Republicans control the Senate and all the whining, yelling and crocodile tears does not change that fact at least until January 2021. This upcoming confirmation should be the greatest motivator for Democratic voters in modern electoral history. Vote for a Democratic Congress and President if you want to control the levers of power and be as aggressive as Republicans in supporting issues of importance. Climate change, Healthcare, Covid assistance, science, economic equality and opportunity, women's rights, civil rights. Stop Whining. Just VOTE.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth.

It will Count

As long as your mail in vote is postmarked by Election Day, it will be counted. States, not the Federal Government, determine their election process. Nothing that mr trump says on the matter will change that.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

So What?

Today, there are 60 plus million voters saying..."So what.". So what if he lies about the seriousness of the disease. So what that he mocked masks knowing they'd protect us. So what if he dodged the draft and called the fallen, suckers and losers. So what if he said bleach might rid us of Covid. So what if he promised new healthcare for all 3 weeks ago. So what if he stokes fear while saying he doesn't want to panic us. So what, so what, so what. But her emails? And Biden is senile  in a basement taking guidance from Antifa. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth. 

Denial

66 percent of America, according to FOX and Gallup polls rate the President as dishonest. OK, so he lies, his supporters say and so do all politicians so big deal. And Biden has dementia and lives in his basement and is directed by Antifa terrorists who throw cans of soup at police claiming it's their food. (President said this, not me). The President got 4 bone spur deferments to avoid Vietnam. Well so did liberal deserters and others who left for Canada. No big deal. None of the Presidents' kids served a day in service to our country but Beau wasn't killed and Hunter was on drugs and got kicked out. John McCain, a war hero and Republican candidate in 08 was called a loser and mocked for being captured, by the President. So what. McCain saved Obamacare and was against torture.

The Khan parents were made fun of by the President in 16 having lost a son to war. Big deal. It was a campaign and the mother didn't speak up. And they are Muslims. The Atlantic monthly reports on trump's comments about fallen ww1 vets as being losers and that no one wants amputees in military parades. It's OK we know he lies and his denials are just him being him. Also,  I ask, why make fun of dementia. Really?

Where are You Americans for Reason and Truth.

It's A Strategy

Politics as they say is hardball. From the Willie Horton ad to "lock her up". What we are witnessing now is a deliberate strategy designed to use race again as a tactic of fear. Forget the fact of the many crises that have been mismanaged or lied about. That's for you to assess. Now, however, the purposeful starving of States for Covid relief funds is a political attempt to frustrate large cities, spur some violence and show images of lots of black and brown people, those with different eyes and accents that are often the center of any large urban area. Keep financial assistance away from their homes and flames are lit. It's a strategy. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

President Houdini

Harry Houdini was a famous escape artist know for spectacular events where he could challenge police to keep him shackled or to put himself inside water filled milk containers with handcuffs and getting out without drowning. The current President is very much like Houdini having escaped the IRS, Removal, Access Hollywood tapes, mocking disabled people, lying about treatments for Covid, ignoring the real pain of the virus and on and on. I figure there are 62 million voters that will continue to allow his escapes from responsibility, from truth and from decency. They will rally around the false narrative and disrespect of Biden as a demented fool. They will rally around FOX news and its 3 nightly horror shows and they will rally around a new caravan, scaring us about black people in our cities and soon to be destroyed suburbs, hoping white "housewives" will repel the left wing extremist Antifa rabblerousing Democrats. Ok. Good for them. Houdini is dead. Hopefully so too will be the trump Presidency. He's no Houdini. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Nasty

Whenever the current 

occupant of the White House is faced with a strong woman he brings out his playbook. "She's Nasty".

Really? Where are you Americans For Reason and Truth?

Assumption Racism

Joe Biden will be picking a Veep candidate and his choice will not alter my Presidential voting decision in the least. I am however disturbed by something and that is a less discussed form of racism. I call it Assumption Racism. Many assume that people are unable to support candidates based on views but only based on race. 100 leading black leaders are saying that blacks will only be enthused about voting if Biden picks a black woman. That offends me. Blacks do not vote in lock step with that view any more than whites who voted for Obama, or whites who voted against him based on policy, not race. To assume this about a group of people implies prejudicial and yes, racist attitudes. Amongst black voters, in fact, Senator Warren's positions actually poll higher than do any of the black candidates. I'm not saying whom I support but I am saying that Assumption Racism is insulting to the black voter.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth.

Schools Can Open If.....

In the middle of a nationally uncontrolled pandemic, the clamor to open schools has entered the realm of politics. A disgraced CDC and it's feckless director can no longer be believed. If you really want schools to open it can happen if:

-Classroom spaces with real 8 ft. distance on all sides are provided.

-Student schedules are put in place with minimal to no movement from class to class occuring. This means bring back tracking...sorry education gurus.

-New high tech desks with plastic see through all around inserts and disinfectant wipes,, tissues, gloves and masks supplied and replenished within built in compartments.

-Triple Custodial and Nursing positions to provide twice an hour cleaning and to reach testing protocols.

-One full day school cleaning meaning all remote at least one day a week.

-PPE provided to all staff daily along with twice weekly Covid tests for students and staff.

-Elimination of close contact activities and classes or complete revision of affected curriculum to provide social distance learning with Chorus. band, theatre, Physical Ed. etc

-Remodeling of staff break areas to insure social distance and hygiene guidelines, toilets, refrigerators etc can be to the highest health standards.

-Prepacked lunches for students distributed with social distance and mask standards in place.

-Eliminate assemblies and replace with high tech school zoom/communication systems in place.

-No class trips

This is a start but the costs will never be funded. I guess you are on your own. Remember that we love our students and staff. Health first. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

The Right Way To Open School

I wouldn't ask a florist to perform heart surgery nor a carpenter to be my wedding planner. Training and expertise matter. I therefore would not ask a politician to decide on reopening school unless they were a former teacher or school expert with something credible to say. We should not be surprised that the least competent Secretary of Education and anti public school advocate in history and the demonic idiot she serves are putting students, parents and staff in the middle of a political war during a raging health crisis without regard for their health. We must hope that the thousands of smart minds running public school systems can ignore the noise, the threats, the inaccuracies and the bluster and plan for a safe reopening of school. We cannot look for a one size fits all approach. The reopening plans should run the gamut from a hybrid of remote/in class to a full reopen to full remote. It depends on how you merge the realities of the spreading virus with the essential public health requirements, building capacities and financial flexibility of each district. All 13000 school districts are planning for the new school year but must reflect on their geography, their infrastructure and their local realities. It's easy to create another us vs. them war...those who want to open school and those against it. That is a false and totally dangerous narrative. It's only used by trump to stoke more hatred and division. It won't work. I am a retired educator and Board of Ed member so this issue is near and dear to me. I know that the expertise, professionalism and common sense of the vast majority of educators is up to the task. Knee jerk reactions and political interference will not work. Let the educators and public health officials do their jobs. The rest should just go under a tree and read a book.

Where are you Americans For Reason and Truth?

Mass(k) Confusion.

Let's say you are a MAGA hat wearing supporter of the President. He has told you masks are not manly, they show weakness and the virus has only affected15 people going to zero. Then it was that the virus is only for the old. Then it was it won't kill more than 75000. Then it was, we have to open, the virus will just go away. Then it was the Governor's are handling it great. Then it was Dr. Fauci makes a lot of mistakes. You've bought into it all. You've listened and reacted hook, line and sinker. You worship him. Now yesterday, he wore a mask. Are you confused? Are you less of a man? 

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

trump Math

Math is useful whether you like the subject or not. Numbers do not lie. trump has the support of 40 percent of likely voters. This group is 53 percent men 94 percent who are white. 73 percent are non college grads. 47 percent are women 92 percent who are white and 68 percent non college. These numbers have been gathered from a selection of polls and may not be completely representative of real numbers. That leaves the rest of us. If you do the math, it looks like he is a goner. So how does trump math work? Restrain mail in ballots to reduce the educated participation. Pass draconian voter ID laws in red states to suppress minority votes. Scare suburban white women about Antifa kidnappers coming for their kids so they stay inside on election day. Lie about Covid 19 death numbers calling the lost lives fake corpses and use the three fifths compromise to only count 60 percent of the black vote claiming that one man one vote is not real getting AG Barr to issue such an advisory. It just may work.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

The Old Playbook

In 1987 George Herbert Walker Bush was down in the polls against Massachusetts liberal Michael Dukakis. He dusted off the old Nixon playbook, the Southern strategy and his race baiting Willie Horton ad turned the tables. Be afraid of mean looking black rapists released from jail. It worked. He went on to be our President. In 2020, we again are seeing and experiencing the remnants of racism in this country. This time the incumbent, down in the polls is going full on hate. Good Nazis, heroic Confederate traitors, left wing Antifa, encouraging police roughness, extremist lefties aligned with Pantheresque dark people. The same old playbook. If you don't want it to work again, you better vote. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

From Russia With Love

How do Americans support the denial and credibility of the former director of the KGB over the CIA? Is there a MAGA explanation for that? Or an invitation to rejoin the G7 to a country that invaded Ukraine against our interests? Is there a MAGA explanation for that? Or the financing by Russia, the killing of coalition forces as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Is there a MAGA explanation for that? I am just asking. I'd like to make an informed decision.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth.

Why Won't They Listen?

I am a left of center citizen. I am educated, generous and accepting of different points of view. I never disrespect a person just because their views differ from mine. It does however produce incredible sadness in me to know that there remains a substantial number of my fellow Americans who just don't listen. Forget partisan differences related to size of government, taxation and originalist vs flexible interpretations of our Constitution. Whereas these are viable, relevant and acceptable points for debate, the non listeners will not accept the most basic, human and decent elements of reality. Masks work. Bleach should not be ingested. The virus did not magically go away. There is no caravan of rapists on our border. Confederate monuments do not represent America, they represent secessionist states. North Korea is not reducing it's nuclear arsenal. Telling 20,000 lies as a President is not a good thing. Trying to deflate real numbers during a health crisis is not safe. Encouraging people to rally in hot spots is not good policy. Trying to take health care away during a health crisis is mean without a replacement. Lying about mail in voting while voting by mail is disingenuous and isolating scientific experts in the name of a political campaign is dangerous. Applauding autocrats, ignoring the opinions of intelligence experts and antagonizing allies is unhelpful. Using racist language, encouraging violence and creating division is hurtful to our nation's principles. Still, they won't listen. Vote.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Good Government

Many people rail against government. It's too big. My taxes are too high. I don't want government telling me what to do EXCEPT when it affects them. Then, they love government. When it finds you a job (New Deal) or protects your health and retirement (ACA, SS and Medicare), or helps rebuild your home after a hurricane or gives you incentives and loopholes to avoid taxes. Then you love government. Most of the animosity comes from those who actually rely on it the most. Statistically those states who are most likely to be red, take a larger proportion of Federal aid than what they contribute but are the loudest in railing against government. BUT, it is functioning good government that should be debated and demanded. This is what is most important. Government that works, that cares, that makes a difference. What we are seeing now is BAD government. 3 months into a pandemic that has affected us all, we are seeing the worst case counts so far. Why? Bad government. We need Good government. One with leadership, compassion and truth. Wear a fukking mask. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

The New Normal? What's that even mean?

Today, Memorial Day, will likely mark the 100 thousandth Covid 19 death in America. Notwithstanding the utter failure, inhumanity and denial of our President in the handling of this crisis, a lot of dialogue about a new normal is being had. What does that really mean? If anyone tells you they know, they are drinking bleach. We don't know when or if an effective vaccine is coming. We don't know the level of a fall surge. We don't know (yet) how reopening measures will affect the health care institutions. We don't know if positive antibody results protect you from a reoccurance. We don't know how children reexposed to each other will handle the virus. We don't know which underlying conditions give certainty to the virus strength in your body. These are just the tip of the iceberg. We do know that masks work to mitigate spread. We do know that drinking bleach or disinfectant is not a good idea. We do know that hydroxychloroquine can cause fatal heart arythmias. We do know that lengthy crowding in closed spaces causes viral spread. We do know that fresh air, exercise and social distancing work in controlling the virus. We do know that 

Scientists, Doctors and Researchers know more about viruses than do politicians. And, we do know that a healthy, careful and science based population can restore economic growth quicker than any tweet or reckless recommendation. The New normal? Beats me. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth.

He Deserves It

He is a bad guy. A bully, a liar and a cheat. His whole life has been built on a narcissistic self promotion narrative and on the backs of others' misfortune. As President he has violated his oath to protect and defend the Constitution and no matter what his supporters say, he is just not worthy of the office he holds. He may not be removed by a feckless sycophantic Senate, but he deserves the historic rebuke that will be delivered by the peoples' House. Only 2 before him have suffered such a repudiation. He will go down in history as deserving of the pain and insult he will receive just like how he piles onto others. Merry Impeachment Donald. Wear the mantle of scorn with dishonor and shame. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Not a Close Call

I am far from a genius. I am no better than you. I do, however, understand our Constitution. I taught it, I went to school to learn about it up through and including graduate courses and I keep a copy of it at my disposal at all times. It is not a close call regarding trump's continuous violation of his oath to defend it. No matter what your political party affiliation is, take a breath, be honest, pretend it was Obama if you are a Republican, and clear your mind of spin. trump has refused to execute existing law. He has obstructed Congressional authority for spending. He has held aid back from an ally for political gain. He is colluding with jurors at a possible trial. He has set policy for personal financial gain. He has instructed people to defy subpoenas and he has obstructed an investigation into an enemy attack on our democracy. Not a close call. Where are you Americans for reason and truth? Impeach.org for a rally near you.

There was a time

There was a time in America where bullying a child, making fun of a disabled person, lying, being a hateful, indecent piece of human trash, would be viewed as bad. No more. The New America. Welcome. Brown people not welcome. Education is not needed. Only wealth matters. Health Care is a privilege. Debate and compromise are gone. Indecency is our new motto. Hate your enemies. Ignore the law. Rip up the Constitution. Love Russia. Ignore truth. Yes folks, this is our country. What a shame. Where are you Americans for Reason and truth. Go to impeach.org and rally for how we used to be.

All this winning

Mexico has not paid one cent for a border wall. Manufacturing at a 10 year low. GDP growth is half of what was promised. North Korea is expanding it's nuclear program, calling djt a dotard. Love letters? Iran is enriching uranium. No Middle East plan. 11 million additional uninsured Americans. Record defecits. Lifespan of Americans declined. Small farmer bankruptcies on the rise. Trade war getting worse and not so easy to win. 6 child deaths in detention facilities. Coal mines closing with no new coal jobs as promised. Air and water more polluted according to government agencies as a result of deregulation. No plan to address Dreamers. Still in Afghanistan. Hate crimes quadrupled. No sensible gun legislation in the face of mass shootings. Have I mentioned Impeachment?...nope Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Still Not Enough?

What I don't get is that regardless of what this man does, the Republicans don't see him as an existential threat. One day he'll be gone and where will the party be? Left as the representatives of indecency, immorality, racism and injustice? Is that what they want? Imagine a KasichHaley2020 ticket where they ran on Conservatism and Decency. Wavering Republicans, angry and embarrassed would vote for that ticket. The party would be saved. And still, they won't. I hope they stick by this cancer they have enabled, this filthy inhuman indecent thug. Stick by him Republicans, I beg you. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Un Constitution Moscow Mitch Style

It is crystal clear in the Constitution that Congress legislates and the Executive enforces. It is also clear that a President does not ever have the final word on law. NEVER. Our past greatness has always come from debate, disagreement and compromise. According to "Moscow Mitch" McConnell, these rules and realities need not apply. It is profoundly incorrect to hold up legislating because of what a President thinks. For that reason, Congress has override authority. People are getting killed by guns at alarming levels and the most vociferous 2nd amendment advocates want this debate to be in the open and supportive of sensible measures. McConnell's refusal to move forward by using the excuse that the President won't support it, is not only a dereliction of duty, but an insult to the founding principles of our nation. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Sick Children

The new policy from the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania avenue is to deport children of immigrants of questionable status, who are receiving life saving medical care. These are children, sick children, who will die. The greatness of America? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Garbage

When the current occupant of the White House ran for President, he ran against America. He said everything Obama touched turned to garbage. Today he criticizes his opponents for calling America garbage when in actuality that's a lie, they didnt, but who cares, right? The best way to express love for America is by debate, disagreement and free and fair elections. By this standard, trump hates America. Who stinks of the garbage? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Sad Truth

Every time I watch the pundits after each trump action of hatred, I listen to them say "it's not who we are". Well folks, it is who we are. We elected him and may do so again. Until we eject him from power and hear decent elected officials call him out from his own party, this is America. We are the country that has brought him to power and nurtured his racism. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Air and Water

For six months this blog has been heading to the graveyard of blogs. It didn't quite make it. Its near death experience was precipitated by my deep sadness and despair over what has happened to my country. It is easy to scapegoat the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. whose name I cannot utter without a peristaltic rage. There are others. A majority leader whose corruption mirrors the reckless cabinet of which his spouse is funneling money to his home state. A man who defies the will of the people by blocking every substantive piece of legislation coming from the People's House. Perhaps we should include the feckless cowardice of Mitt Romney or the hypocrisy of Susan Collins, or the abject fraudulence of Lindsay Graham or the news network that enables lies and promotes bigotry in the name of the President. All candidates for barnacles that feast on the muck and mire at the bottom of the sea. The daily lies, the prejudice and racism, the narcissistic and hateful vengeance, the denial of facts, science and truth, the self aggrandizement, the daily drumbeat of self congratulations, the incompetence and dangers coming from his aids and advisers, all weights upon my desire for expression. My psyche has been harmed, injured, battled and put on life support. BUT, it has not died. Not yet. What has brought it to life? Very simple. Air and Water. If you put everything aside about the man in the White House, everything, didn't follow politics at all, didn't care much about DC., but knew your air and water were under attack, you might say, maybe I should pay attention? For the first time in 40 years, the scientific community has issued non partisan reports that say our air and water are less safe and more polluted. The President's response in typical rally like fashion was that our air and water are the safest they have ever been under his Presidency. A lie, but who listens anymore? His further response due to his obsession with all things Obama, was to deregulate coal and end the Clean Energy initiatives of his predecessor adding to the dangers of drinking our water and breathing our air. This is what has caused this blog to arise from its near death experience. Perhaps next, we should care about Nazi marches in the streets of Florida when the polluter in chief held his re election rally. Just sayin. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

A very bad ,sick, evil man.

"He was impatient, overly aggressive, overly dramatic. He acted on impulse. He tended to sensationalize the evidence he had. He would neglect to do the important homework and consequently would, on occasion, make challengeable statements" Roy Cohn. This is the same Roy Cohn who was a lawyer to the trump family. In the quote just cited, most relatively smart people, might think he was describing our current President. He was not, but he could have been. Instead, he was describing one of the most indecent, lying, dishonest, hateful thugs in American politics, Joseph McCarthy who better than most, could use lies, fear and demagoguery to seize upon the hate in the hearts of the ignorant and use to his political advantage. He had no match, until now. Donald trump, our President, is a darkly disturbed, evil manipulator of the truth, an ignorant fear mongering narcissist that cares not a hoot for our country or its people, other than those who blindly support him. He gladly supports policies that separate children from their parents in the name of security. He supports and fawns over obvious dictators who have no restraint from a free press and no concern for human dignity. He blames every dangerous situation of his own creation on others. He gladly supports the taking away of health care in the name of personal hatred of his predecessor. He gladly supports shuttering our government just to hang on to a campaign promise neither needed nor truthfully expressed. I can go on with similarly evil and mean spirited examples but the point has been made. Donald trump is simply an evil, bad, sick and darkly disturbed man. We either hold him accountable for his criminality, his mean spiritedness his indecency, or we don't. If we don't, we cease being the beacon of hope for all who value freedom, we disgrace our founding principles and we dishonor ourselves. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

What If?

On Tuesday, there will be millions of people who rely on Medicaid, pharmaceuticals, good roads, improved infrastructure, good schools, food assistance and healthcare that will willingly and actively support a political party that has vowed to reduce or take these benefits away from them and avoid spending money on needed improvements. This has been the case for a while, but this mid term election makes this stupidity even sadder and more dangerous than ever. These folks will vote for candidates that support massive tax benefits for the wealthy leaving very little for them. These are also people who are less educated and less informed than those who view things differently. In an effort to further solidify their loyalty, they are being scared to believe a massive invasion from the south, by darker skinned terrorists and lepers is coming to destroy their way of life. To these people I say, sorry for you. You are lost. To everyone else, you have witnessed a Presidency for the last two years that had doubled downed on racism, narcissism, lies, indecency and hate and many have stood by in the name of party loyalty. This Faustian bargain, however, has had an opposite effect in practice,for the many things that the Republicans told us they were about. Things like free trade, deficit control, family values, decency, stuff like that. These have been ignored. Very little of what traditionally comprised the Republican party has come to fruition and while this happened, we have been witness to one of the most corrupt, inhuman and indecent thugs ever to preside over our country. I wont continue. Instead, WHAT IF we honored the Constitution and put the desired checks and balances in place? What if we split government like in the past and reigned in this ignorant, narcissistic fool? WHAT IF we stopped our government from taking away healthcare, demonizing public education, cutting benefits to pay for the tax break for the wealthy and stopped the onslaught of lies and conspiracies? WHAT IF we returned to the values of decency, honor and truth? WHAT IF? We may actually feel better and begin to correct the mistakes of the past two years. Not if you sit on your ass we wont. VOTE BLUE. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

An accessory to Crimes

In law, if you aid and abet a crime, you are considered an accessory and subject to punishment in accordance with the law. Donald trump did not march with neo nazis in Charlottesvile. Donald trump did not mail the pipe bombs to his political opponents and Donald trump did not shoot and kill 11 Jewish worshippers in Pittsburgh. Donald trump did not shoot and kill the journalists at a Baltimore newspaper. Donald trump did say there were good people on both sides in Charlottesville thus sending a not so subtle message to white extremists that their behavior is acceptable. Donald trump did tell his supporters that Hillary Clinton should be locked up. Donald trump did say George Soros, a Jew, is leading a "globalist" agenda, a loud and well known dog whistle of anti Semitism. Donald trump did call the press the enemy of the people and applauded the violent body slamming of a journalist by an elected Republican member of the House. Anyone who denies that his words and his actions are not emboldening and giving a loud voice of acceptance to extremist, violent lunatics, is hiding from the truth. This President, like no other, is aiding and abetting the hate, the violence, the bigotry and racism we are seeing currently. As such, he is an accessory to these horrific acts of terror. Perhaps we should "lock him up"? Vote Blue, regardless of your political loyalties. It is about our soul, about decency, acceptance, respect and truth. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Anger

Psychologists will say, anger is destructive. It serves to only induce stress and cause us to react irrationally. trump is an example of such irrationality with his angry mob tweets as he deflects toward Democrats. trump has used anger to describe women unfavorably, you know that angry bitch stereotype. trump uses anger to induce fear such as drug running illegals crossing our open borders. He uses anger to stoke the uneducated to hate his opponents and lies non stop with angry tweets, anger against Muslims, NATO, allies, Mueller and on an on and on. However, I disagree that anger is a bad emotion. In fact, anger induces action and can create change. On November 6th, we should get angry, we should act, we should vote. If you do not like that children are separated from their parents, get angry and act. If you don't like your health being politically used to hurt you, get angry and act. If you don't like seeing women disrespected and ignored, get angry and act. If you don't like that trump supports and loves dictators while mocking our allies, get angry and act. If you don't like the direction of the Republican party that explodes deficits with unpopular tax cuts for the wealthy and promises to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid blaming the elderly, the sick and the poor for such deficits, get angry and act. If you don't like the mocking of disabled people or those with darker skin, get angry and act. If you don't like corruption in our Cabinet or a political party that has forgotten its check and balance role, get angry and act. If you don't like the fact that a journalist can be hacked to death and your president does nothing about it other than support the murderers for some dollars, get angry and act. If you don't like lies about the economic issues facing the middle class, get angry and act. If you don't like America losing its prestige and influence around the world, get angry and act. If you don't like the fact that the president disrespects those who honor us at the Justice department and FBI and courts of law, protecting us against corruption, collusion and obstruction, get angry and act. If you think trump is an inhuman pig, deserving of all the contempt and hurt he so richly deserves, get angry and act. Anger can be good, it can be constructive, if used during desperate times. We are facing desperate times with a government that has chosen power over right, power over people and money over values. GET ANGRY, AND ACT. Vote Blue, Or Else. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

It was only High School...So what?

I am so sick and tired of those people who suggest that alleged sexual predatory behaviors in high school are just the raging hormones of young men acting out under the influence of alcohol. These idiots say, no big deal. Well it is a big deal. I am 64, retired, taught HS for years and I can tell you that groping women, forcing them to have sex against their will (rape) is neither normal nor epidemic. Most young men I know avoid such despicable and inappropriate behaviors. They know better, which makes those who do not, guilty of unacceptable actions that should not be easily forgotten or forgiven. I was in High school. I never considered violence or aggressiveness toward a young girl. I raised a son. He never considered such actions as normal. It is time to stand up against this cavalier approach to such behavior, real or alleged. These behaviors are abnormal, disgusting and outside the boundaries of adolescence and adulthood. If we succumb to such thoughts and normalize them on a long term basis, we will get more trumps and forget who we are as a human species. Brett Kavanaugh may be innocent, I doubt it, and he should be treated fairly on this matter, but Dr. Ford deserves to be heard and loud voices must condemn the prospect that this is or was normal adolescent high school behavior. IT IS NOT. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Not So Fast

If you despise trump, as I do, you might feel like gloating. This was by all accounts a bad week for him. Talk about the mid terms and the dimming prospects of continued Republican control may boost the spirits of those who believe that the absence of moral character, the dangerous unhinged nature of his narcissism, the lack of any intellectual capacity and the utter indecency that is pervasive in this man, but I say not so fast. I have seen this game played before. Talk about record turnout when it doesn't occur. Talk about an active youth movement, and it never happens. Confidence in your candidates and your ground game, with no real change. Confidence and then letdown, excuses, punditry, analysis and blame. If you look at reality, another conservative justice will be confirmed, the base of 35 percent will remain unwaveringly in trumps pocket. Republicans wont dare confront him regardless of new indictments and new information. After all, no one is surprised anymore. He is a mob boss, a thug, a bully and an idiot, but his party is in the majority and even decent Republicans feel he remains the vessel for them to continue their assault on anything that speaks of fairness and compassion. Earning the biggest prize of my contempt, is Susan Collins who remains a woman who pretends moderation and compromise, goes on TV and then caves every time. Even her ACA vote was based on a promise that never materialized and she stands by while trump erodes any prospects for expanded and better healthcare. So all of this is happening in the summer, when people aren't even watching. As we get closer to November trumpublicans will boast about another justice confirmed, point to the positive aspects of this fake economy and scare us about illegal immigrants and for all the talk of a trump meltdown, an existential threat to his Presidency and how the people will end this nightmare, Not so fast. Apathy remains the root of all evil in this country of ours. Millennials will likely stay home, uneducated white men will vote Republican. White woman while their wellness is stripped before them, will vote Republican. The wealthy will vote Republican and gerrymandering is still an advantage to Republicans. So before we get on our victory pedestals and say democracy works because the people do what's right, remember that we are a deeply flawed people, influenced by selfishness and ignorance. There is nothing I want more than a blue wave, a dismantling of this President and a return to decency, but I say to my fellow anti trumpers, Not so Fast. Where are you Americans for reason and truth.

Obstruction of Values

Much of the news, particularly followed by pundits and more aware citizens, is about the potential Obstruction of Justice charges that may be coming against Trump. This fervor of expectation is so troubling to the administration, that they have dispatched a totally unhinged Rudy, Devin and Hannity who do and say anything to try and soil Mueller and his investigation. The IG report today, does nothing other than support the reality that Comey hurt Hillary but Trumpers are using it to enhance their deep state fiction. I say stop. It isnt about Obstruction of Justice until and if there are charges. It is, daily, about Obstruction of Values. Where are our values? Where is our protection for children, our championing of human rights, our support for the right to vote, our condemnation of enemies and aggressive support for our friends, where is decency, honor, telling the truth and not saluting ruthless murderous dictators? As the Republican party continues to enable Trump without any regard for the true values of America, we are being embarrassed around the world and fed abject, dangerous lies. This is pure Obstruction of Values, not subject to legal proceedings, but only dealt with at the ballot box is what should concern us most. Where are you Americans for Reason and truth?

Dishonor

On this Memorial Day, normally a holiday to honor those who fought for freedom, regrettably we dishonor them with a President focused on his lies, his self absorption and his utter disregard for honor. This is a sad Memorial Day. God help us. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Death of Decency

To be a decent person means that you care about others, many times before yourself. It means you tell the truth, not about whether you like someones' hair, but on matters of serious import. It means you avoid vulgarity and immoral behavior. It means you have empathy for others and a serious internal desire to help and to be compassionate. It means respecting others who look different, sound different and act different. It means being loyal to others, sticking by them regardless of disagreements they may have with you. It means committing to love, not being cavalier and non serious about relationships. I could go on for a while longer but what is the use? Decency is dying in America. We have annointed a man who in every manner of defining decency fails to live up to its meaning. As his continuous demonstration of habits and behaviors unbecoming to humanity and not representative of the America I know go unchecked, we fall deeper into the abyss of indecency, making it acceptable to be a Donald Trump. As we become less informed, more hypocritical and immune to truth, we become worse than many could have imagined. As leaders continue to put money and power ahead of what's right, we redefine a once great nation and enter an historic period from which we may never rebound. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

An Existential Threat

It is President's day today and many news programs are inviting historians on their stations to offer opinions and analysis on the best and worst Presidents. Almost to a person, because of the existential threats to America as a nation and a democracy, Lincoln, Washington, FDR and Truman seem to rise to the top of most lists, regardless of party or political slant. Mostly because the existence of America was at stake. For Truman and FDR it was fighting Fascism and insuring that freedom would be preserved against the mind boggling hate and imperialism of Hitler and Japan. For Washington, would the revolution be in vein, or would the United States survive as a nation? For Lincoln, would a united America be preserved? In all cases, these four men rose to the occasion, thus preserving our great nation and making it to the top of most analysts' lists as best among the 44 men (don't forget McKinley)to occupy the office. It is unfair to place Donald Trump on the list quite yet since his Presidency is still young, but based on their analysis thus far, Democrats, Independents and even Republicans rank him at the bottom. It isn't because of his human foibles, frailties and fecklessness, but because he is refusing to face an existential threat to our democracy and this, according to historian Michael Beschloss is "chilling". Our Congress thus far, has turned its back on this reality due to partisan loyalty and there is obviously still time to reign Trump in and face these threats, but if left to Trump, the institutions of American democracy may be destroyed for a very long time. Many around me suggest it is hyperbole and over reaction to think that such a thing could ever happen here, but, it is happening. Foreign powers can disrupt our electoral processes, nations around the world are fast losing respect for the United States, doors are being opened for autocracies and dictatorships and hate groups and terror groups both domestically and abroad are being emboldened by the absence of the usual credible global leadership of America and the tweets of one very sick and unstable man. This is no hyperbole. It is the truth. It is indeed an existential threat that we face. And so too, are we threatened by the guns. It is time to step up and address the issue and put the NRA where it belongs...with the hunters. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

You decide

Treason" is defined in the Constitution as: Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States. Russia is the enemy. Trump is adhering to them. He has certainly aided Putin and given him comfort. He has blamed this as a hoax and refuses to execute sanctions law. You decide. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Missing the point

Those of us that hate Trump are so caught up in the Bannon affair and collusion and his lying and his stupidity and his obsession with undoing Obama's regs and the size of his button etc., that we are missing the point. All of that, although important to us, pales in comparison to the real issue. This President has done what was almost unthinkable. He has made Kim Jung Un look statesmanlike, he has opened the door to China and Russia to fill the void being left behind by an absence of global leadership by the United States and has dangerously proven such incompetence in the job that we are all in more danger than is necessary. To add salt to this unbelievable situation, is the enabling of both leaders in Congress, lets call them RyConnell. They have added to this situation all the while knowing the truth....that the President is unfit. We must not miss the point. Where are you Americans for Reason and truth?

Moore of Trump

If you want to believe that trickle down economics works, then fine. If you want to be pro life, that is perfectly fine. If your religion keeps you from accepting non heterosexual lifestyles, I can respect your commitment to your faith. If you want to believe that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are unsustainable programs that must be cut to bring economic stability, then we can agree to disagree. If you want to accept that the science behind climate change is not 100 percent sure but 95% sure I will give you that and if you believe that the deficit is only a concern when Democrats grow it and not Republicans I will simply call it partisan politics. But, if you accept violations of the Constitution and pedophilia in our elected officials, that is where any person with a scintilla of moral conscience must draw the line. The President of the United States instead of hoping for a Moore win, has actively thrown his support behind a man that twice was removed from his Judicial responsibilities for violating the Constitution. Local police, decades ago, were told to keep judge Moore away from the cheerleaders. Judge Moore was banned from the mall due to his creeper activities. Judge Moore said slavery was when America was great, he has called homosexuals a blight on the world and accepts the notion that our country is better when it is whiter. Our President has supported this man. Our President is knowingly and willingly endorsing pedophilia, white supremacy and violations of the Constitution in the name of his eroding but committed base. Shame on him and shame on us. If the people of Alabama cannot put partisan politics aside for the good of country, then we are certainly in for a period of history that will be one of the darkest ever. Vote Doug Jones Alabama and remember your 13 year old daughters as you enter the polling places on Tuesday. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

No More Hugs

A few months ago, Senators Collins and Murkowski, the sensible ladies, the protectors of women, were lauded when they expressed opposition to the attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. There were pictures of them being swarmed by supporters both in Alaska and Maine and in one particular video, Collins was being hugged in the airport. Her specific concerns were that premiums would rise and millions would lose their coverage and she could not support such a reality. In the wee hours of Saturday morning, both women voted to support the Senate bill that does two things related to healthcare. It will cause 13 million to lose it, and raise premiums. Now in the case of Murkowski, its easy...Arctic drilling was the bribe used for her vote. Suddenly that became more important than her constituents' health. In the case of Collins, she was assured by the President, who never lies, that the markets would be stabilized and is relying on a letter promising to deal with the issue in the future. The Brooklyn bridge is still for sale. Shame on them both. Not only have they abandoned their principles regarding the health of our nation, they support hurting teachers, small businesses, homeowners and yes, middle class taxpayers who according to this version of the bill, will only receive modest and temporary cuts in taxes while corporations receive permanent ones. Collins declared her support after she got a 10,000 cap for property tax deductions but she ought to be reminded that prices of homes in Maine, are not the same as in higher cost of living states. This may be OK in Maine, but not where I live. It is true that the conference committee has a lot of differences to iron out before any bill reaches the dictator and calls, letters and protests should continue. These tax efforts seem to be less popular than chicken pox and perhaps there is a glimmer of hope. For now, NO MORE HUGS. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

The Blame Game

No one plays the blame game better than donald trump. President Obama, according to trump, is responsible for all that is bad while only he, is responsible for all that is good. The current ISIS strategy that trump crows about, is Obama's policy. Not a hairs difference. The current economy is Obama's economy and trump crows about the stock market he called fake under his predecessor. This afternoon, after a terror attack in NY, trump immediately blamed Chuck Schumer for supporting a lottery program for immigrants from low immigration countries such as Uzbekistan. The suspect was actually radicalized while in the United States according to authorities, not because of how he came here. Again, the blame game. Try this on for size. The hateful bigotry caused by trump, has sparked violence amongst domestic terror groups and he and he alone is responsible for violence in Charlottesville. Hate crimes are at increasingly high levels due to trumps hateful language and inaccurate bombosity and arrogance. trump is responsible for the terrorist action in Vegas, killing dozens and injuring hundreds with real guns, not fake ones in the hands of the NY terrorist yesterday. trump is to blame for giving full support for the most dangerous and extreme views of the NRA. I can go on. If we allow trump to blame everyone else for current day failures without reminding him that he and only he is to blame, we let him slide like the slimy piece of trash that he is. Its all your fault mr. trump, not Barrack Obama's. Where are you Americans for reason and truth.

Take A Knee

While storms, nuclear threats, deliberate sabotage by our President of our healthcare and tax policy are all in the mix of daily life, trump, with a small T, picks a fight with the black athletes of our country. He started it in Alabama where two other lunatics were running for Senate, the winner of that primary, now trump's guy, is a homophobic, law breaking bigot, so picking such a fight down there seems right for him. Now trump has never read the Constitution so he doesn't understand what America is about. Several Supreme Court rulings have unambiguously declared that even unpopular or disrespectful expression, is protected. In the instance of the NFL dispute created by a President, he is preying on the stupidity and ignorance of many people who think the flag, the song and the statues are what makes America great. I wont change their minds and certainly wont waste my time trying. The actions of unpopular resistance have historically proven to facilitate progress such as expanding civil rights, raising consciousness on matters of importance and truly represent what our values are and what we stand for. Protest, respectful disagreement and activism are the true representations of our nation. trump will never get that. He actually by sabotaging law, using racism to quell disagreements and displaying ignorance with every breath he takes, is demonstrating much worse than taking a knee. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Dismantling of Humanity...Trump style

I love President Obama. He will always be a great President in my eyes, not for what he did not accomplish, but for his intellect, his vision for the future, his committment to the human condition and his scandal free, family friendly, poised, stable and compassionate administration. He talked about future technology jobs, improved infrastructure, an updated electric grid, respect for our global connections, protection of the environment and the basic decency and humanity of the American spirit. He left with a 58% popularity and an economy in a better position than the one in existence when he took office as evidenced by the continuation of good numbers over the past months. These are numbers completely unattributable to President Trump. If you are objective, put your hatred aside and be honest with yourself, my description cannot be factually unwound. In a few short months, hate crimes are up, we are questioning whether or not to condemn Nazis, we are denying the reality of human made environmental disasters, we are threatening nuclear destruction of sovereign nations, backing away from trade agreements, disrespecting our allies and using harsh, despicable language toward fellow citizens, declaring the free press obstructionist and putting fiction over fact on the most serious of matters. It is no coincidence that this is happening during the administration of Donald Trump, whose inhumanity pre-dates his Presidency. He is not alone responsible. His party has nurtured the conditions that have allowed such a man to be elected President. Now, in a last ditch effort of desperation and hurt, the Republicans may finally succeed in kicking millions off of health insurance, remove requirements that would have long term health benefits, make premiums in many quarters much higher, particularly for the sick and economically challenged all in the name of hate for Obama. It is a dismantling of humanity in our supposedly morally superior nation. It is a perfect storm. Trump style. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Teachable Moment

Back to school is around the corner and as a teacher, I am getting the usual pangs of anticipation and hope as a new year approaches. One thing we are not hearing a lot about during our current political reality, is how all of the dysfunction and meanness pervading our country right now, should be handled in the classrooms. I, quite frankly, am a bit worried about how to teach students the difference between good and evil without entering the arena of their own family dynamic and political perspective. After all, I actually work with teachers and other educators who support President Trump and it takes a lot for me to restrain myself and say to them how unbelievably inappropriate and ignorant their viewpoints are but I refrain. I have always made it a habit to teach students how to make decisions rather than make the decisions for them. It is hard, but it is right in my judgement. They may be able as they get older to guess that I am a left of center Democrat believing in compromise but they wont hear me define myself as such in the classroom. I never, however, refrain from modeling for them or teaching them about good character, respect for others and the avoidance of apathy. In the movie, "American President" Michael Douglas plays President Andrew Shepard who is dropping in the polls nearing re election. He finally decides to speak out against his fear mongering opponent Bob Rumson played by Richard Dreyfuss. In a famous line from his speech Shepard says "Being President is entirely about character". The teaching strategy that this example provides us as teachers is therefore the one I will use, without condemning party political affiliation or calling out the President by name. Instead I will teach students that we must fight against symbols of hate such as swastikas and KKK robes. We must respect each other and not use vulgar terms and expressions of disrespect toward women. I will teach that lying is bad and avoiding responsibility by blaming others is inappropriate. I will reinforce the importance of stopping bullies and speaking out forcefully against bigotry and hate. I will remind students that how they behave as young adults will shape who they become as adults, and I wont even have to mention Donald Trump, the most despicable human being, the most incredibly hateful and disingenuous thug, the most lacking in character of anyone to assume the office of the Presidency in a long long time. Maybe even forever. I will not squander this teachable moment. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Let It Fail

Article 2 section 3 of the Constitution says that the President "shall take care that the Laws be faithfully executed". It doesn't ask for his opinion of the law or suggest he even have one. The President as any citizen, has the right to speak and share his thoughts, but he must enforce the laws that have been passed by Congress and signed by a President. We have today, a President who is boastfully, systematically and aggressively hoping that a law, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" signed into law in 2010, fails. In fact, he is encouraging and helping it to fail. He is hoping it fails. He is willfully and systematically not enforcing this law. I personally believe that this rises to a high crime or misdemeanor, but that is just my opinion. Until such time as something changes with the laws that impact healthcare, it is his duty to do what he can to insure that this law is faithfully executed. If everything spoken about, written about and observed about Donald Trump is put aside, the one thing we should be most concerned about is his desire to hurt our citizens. He wants to do it deliberately to score some political points. In their worst days, no previous President would call for failure. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

What about the country?

There is no time for I told you so. The man has always been a liar, a cheat and a very bad human being. He holds the office of President for now. But what about the country? We still have McConnell trying to push through a deathcare bill. We still have a Speaker who is too petulant and phony to stop supporting the President in the name of party. We still have many Republican leaders going with the usual approach of partisanship and resistance to compromise. The scandal that is unfolding in the White House which I would like to refer to as TrussiaGate, has a long way to go. It will eventually play itself out, but in the mean time, who is running the country? Who is protecting us from a terrorist attack? Who is coordinating the agencies of government? Who is getting out the message that things will be just fine? No one. We have a President so unhinged, so concerned with his ego and cable news and tweets, that he has no business being in charge. Yet he is. If this persists, the dangers will be worse than we even imagine. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Spite

There is a Seinfeld episode where Jerry decides to return a blazer for spite. It fit, there was nothing wrong with it but he just wanted to spite the salesperson. The manager said "you cant return it for spite". This was a funny episode but our President rules over our land with spite. Without thought and without any knowledge about policy or impact, if it is related to Barack Obama, it goes. Why? Spite. Trump is threatening not to pay insurance companies the money due them for providing care for those in need of financial subsidies. This is bad policy, bad humanity and solely due to spiteful, hateful ignorance. Can he get worse? Yes. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Will of the People

We had an election. Trump won. Republicans are scared to do anything because they feel the will of the people will be breached. Well yes, for 35 percent of us. But 35 percent of us would vote for a Nazi sympathizing racist criminal who supports cannibalism. We have a certain group of people like that and they do not represent the will of the people, but they do represent votes, votes these Repubs don't want to lose. They wont. Repubs will always own the crazies. So here is a lesson about the will of the people. It fluctuates like the wind. Remember Obama? Won big in 2008. Amazingly popular and loved. He had the will of the people behind him. And then? 2 years later we were impatient, he was too slow to deliver, he must be punished. He was. Lost the House. Dems got crushed. A new will of the people. We are an impatient and often ungrateful lot, we Americans. We want change but don't like it. We want tax cuts but want our medicare. We want food stamps but mock the poor. We want, we want, we want but we hate government except when it benefits us. We are human and being human involves a bit of selfishness. We are, however largely moral. We know right from wrong and after we make petulant, often stupid decisions, we rethink. We shift. Right now we have a President who tried to stop an investigation and probably gave intel. to Russia that while not illegal, may have been strategically dangerous. And that was this week. What I am trying to say is that Republicans shouldn't worry that we picked Trump on November 8th. That's a lifetime ago. Remember that the will of the people picked Obama twice but the Republicans said it was the will of the people to wait to pick a justice with a new President. We can spin this will any way we want. What is more important than our will, often based on who we are angry at today, and not the best barometer for doing what is safe and what is right, is our Democracy. Right always prevails, our will shall follow. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

"Believe Me"

Remember during the campaign, Donald Trump at his rallies invoked "Believe Me" wherever he went. Never any substance, just a promise that for a vote, you can count on him to do what he says. After all, "Believe Me" is powerful medicine to the ill informed. So by the millions, three million less than his opponent, (unless you don't count the millions who voted illegally,another total lie) people did believe him. He promised that he would direct his Treasury Secretary to declare China a currency manipulator, oh wait, he just said they aren't. He said we must stay out of Syria, oh wait, didn't he just bomb them? He said there were no ties to Russia, oh wait, didn't we just find out one of his key foreign policy aids might actually be a spy for Russia? He said we would have great healthcare, oh wait, didn't his efforts fail thus far?. He said that we need to get Wall street to curb their greed and help the middle class, oh wait, didn't he appoint 5 cabinet members all with ties to JP Morgan, the very corporation he condemned Hillary for making speeches to? He condemned Obama for golfing or taking vacations or being away from the WH, oh wait, Trump has just spent more in 85 days on travel than O did all 8 years. He said Planned Parenthood does good things. Oh wait, today he signed an order making it OK for states to deny them funds. That will result, knowingly, in the death of many who rely on their health services. He also said yesterday, that he may stop giving the subsidies to the Insurance companies under the ACA because he didn't win and now wants to punish Democrats. Oh wait, wasn't it Republicans who got cold feet and don't these subsidies save lives? I remember when Trump said that he could stand on 5th avenue, shoot people and not lose support. Well, by his own deeds so far, he is killing people by polluting the world, denying health services and being just plain out of control and unhinged. To the Trump voter, you really are screwed. And you screwed the rest of us "Believe Me". Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth.

Its not Just the Lies

The Donald has been President now for about two months. It isn't just that he lies in a pathological and hateful way, it isn't just that he is incapacitated by the truth, it isn't just that he really has no clue about how the government works, or what the Constitution says, it's that he has no regard for the millions he insults, hurts or worse, whose lives he will destroy. The irony is that those who will hurt the most, are those who supported his candidacy with great fervor. The uneducated white man, in his forties, living in places like West Virginia, Michigan and Ohio, not too educated, out of work manufacturing workers, angry at everyone, blaming Government for their failures while accepting unemployment, medicaid, food stamps and other programs that they demonize with no desire to retrain, retool, take some responsibility for their ignorance and re enter the collective called the United States. It is this group, passionate for the misogynist in chief who will find that his lies and distortions will only make matters worse for them. But you know what? It wont matter. They just don't get it. Enjoy your new healthcare. Enjoy your new minimum wage factory job and enjoy the great American dream of Donald Trump. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Now What

I have not been able to post since election day. I have been frightened, amazed, angry, disappointed and totally disgusted with my fellow citizens. I am not angry at the stupid ones, who do not understand, who listen to demagogues and liars because they are too dumb to know any better. I am angry at those who either do not think there is a difference or who are smart, but so focused on one selfish interest or issue, that they set aside all the other realities and amazingly think "oh, it wont be that bad. It really doesn't matter much" I am angry at those who stayed home and didn't think exercising their right to vote, something to be cherished not squandered, was important. And so it goes. The same drumbeat of apathy, cynicism and ignorance. Already, only two days in to his Presidency, the man has sent his Press Secretary out to lie for five minutes about the size of an inaugural crowd. He has professed love for the very agency, only a week ago he assigned Nazi like tactics to. His speech, was dark, divisive and not reflective of this great country. So now what? We watch him destroy himself, little by little, each day, showing even his supporters how totally wrong they were. I only hope he doesn't destroy We the people, before he destroys himself. Resistance is at the heart of American patriotism and we need organized, consistent resistance every single day that we have a Monster in Chief in office. Thank you ladies for getting us off to a good start. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Trump Alphabet

Assault, buffoon, controlling, deplorable, exaggeration, facist, groper, horrific, insane, joyless, KKK, liar, misogynist, neurotic, obnoxious, predator, quack, racist, selfish, troglodyte, unaware, vitriolic, womanizer, xenophobic, yucky and zany. Dont forget to vote. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Truth

This has been a sickening campaign. I stopped posting because of it. I have been emotionally and physically ill over what I have seen and heard. On Tuesday, the election isn't just about who is more experienced, who is less impulsive, who has the knowledge and capability to adjust and react to dangerous situations, who has shown the ability to compromise, who has paid their fair share of taxes, who has advocated for others, who has raised money to support important causes around the world, who has been in the toughest situations, who has been kicked to the ground and with dignity gotten up to fight another battle, or who is a woman or man. This election is about decency vs. indecency. Hillary Clinton used a personal email server that may have had some improper emails on it. She regrets it, apologized for it, said it was a poor choice but no one in their right mind can believe this woman tried to do harm or commit treason to our great nation. No one. Hillary has been investigated over thirty years by those who just don't like her or her husband. In a nation of laws and justice, which we still are, at least for the moment, you are either found guilty or not guilty, you are either indicted due to sufficient evidence of wrong doing, or not. If after the non stop scrutiny, unfair, politically motivated and vindictive that she has received, not a single act of guilt or lawbreaking has been discovered, this should dismiss the narrative of corruption that her enemies have obsessively tried to pin on her. Her enemies are so fiercely vindictive and vitriolic that they are already promising more obstruction after her election if she wins and even floating the I word, using handcuffs as props and continuing this path of hatred before the election is even concluded. This is not how this country works. From reports and widely known aspects of Mr. Trump, here is a comparison to consider. Donald Trump was born in Queens where I grew up and the Trump name was always couched in racist activities. Blacks were targeted as unwanted tenants and Jews were used for investment, while the family's anti-semitic undertones were always in evidence. From this upbringing of white superiority, Donald continued in his father's footsteps targeting Manhattan. His real estate holdings and projects have only been marginally successful despite the bluster. His holdings are over leveraged and his debt at skyrocketed proportions. His fame and fortune comes from reality TV more so than from savvy investment capability. He has avoided paying taxes going on 15 years and is the only candidate in 40 years refusing to release his taxes. He has refused to pay service providers, used bankruptcy as a tool to avoid responsibility and has a reputation of being an absolute thug, one that decent men refuse to do business with. He has admittedly judged women to be inferior, boasted about groping them. He is on trial for rape has been accused by 12 women of assault. His university has been a fraudulent activity continually under scrutiny and soon to have its legality judged. He has promoted a racist undertone as evidenced by the support he gets from the KKK and white supremacy groups. He boasted about having the tallest building after 9-11. He has lied about his level of charitable contributions, which have been made available for scrutiny. He lied about thousands of Muslims cheering on roof tops after 9-11. He has lied about financial links to Russia. He has disrespected our President through his ridiculous and proven to be false birther conspiracy. He has insulted our military saying they are in awful condition, has boasted about knowledge he does not have. He used excuses of spurs to avoid the draft on multiple occasions. He has insulted Muslims and Mexicans, lied about the extent of illegal immigration, lied about his net worth and his holdings. He has failed at marriage, was accused of rape by one of his wives and has cavorted with the criminal underclass. This is a very incomplete list. When you choose on Tuesday, there is only one choice if decency is what you want in a President. If you disagree with a President, you fight in Congress or within the rules of fair play and institutional processes traditional in a Democracy. If you pick someone who is as flawed, as pathological and mean spirited as a Trump, you not only defile the country, you set an awful example for your loved ones. Vote Clinton for decency. Where are you Americans for Reason and truth?

Must Read

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/26/opinion/why-donald-trump-should-not-be-president.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

Debate One

If you tune in tomorrow to watch the debate, you will be amongst an estimated 90 million people. This will probably break modern debate records in terms of viewership, but this is only because of the reality TV atmosphere created by a reality TV star. If you are tuning in to see him bully Hillary, or make another incendiary ridiculous remark that turns you on, or to see his hair, then you deserve his Presidency. If you are tuning in to see if either one of them knows what they are talking about, there is only one choice. If you dont like her, fine, but if you think he can run this country, you are void of any real understanding of the job of President. Be careful. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Ignorance is Not Bliss

I have taught about American politics and government for many years. I can say with a fair degree of expertise, that the greatest problem in our country is the perception by many that ignorance is bliss. Many believe that one word uncomplicated answers to complicated questions is enough for them. Many people lack the basic knowledge of how government works. It isn't easy to understand, and it takes time, time that many people do not have nor care to find. Its easy to have someone yell a cliche, a slogan, a 5 second rant, without substance, listen to it, and shut out the facts, the information and the detail required for a true and accurate assessment of what is real and not fake. Readers, ignorance is not bliss. It brings demagogues and self absorbed egotists like Donald Trump to the forefront. So a quick lesson in government if you can read past this one paragraph is in order. Government is all about influencing elected officials or appointed officials to carry out legislative or policy initiatives that a particular, person, group, business entity or nation supports. For instance, people give money to candidates they support in the hopes that they get elected and carry out policies of interest to them. People hire lobbyists to go to elected officials to threaten lack of support for their election or to educate officials as to the nuances of an issue or policy. An NRA lobbyist for instance. People may join an interest group that is powerful in number, the AARP for instance. People may use States Rights to avoid an intrusive Federal action or go to the courts for a remedy against a law or an issue, transgender bathrooms as an example. All of these are linkage institutions designed to influence government. If it can be proven, that money was given to an official who then did something because of that money as a quid pro quo, that is bribery and is illegal. There sometimes is a fine line. Sometimes it is obvious and we have courts, juries, judges, Congressional investigations and lawyers who make the judgement. So, giving a donation to a charity and asking for a meeting in return is completely part of the normal processes of how our government works. It may seem wrong and not pass your smell test, but it is how it works in America and other places as well. It is like the person who attends a fundraiser and gets to meet the official because of the size of the donation. A meeting, is a meeting. Now if it can be proven, that a government official did something specific in terms of policy or law because of the donation, we have a problem. Holding a meeting, means nothing other than responding to the request for influence. The Clinton Foundation has saved the lives of thousands, brought medicine to the worst areas of the world, helped to train people on basic first aid, helped with agricultural knowledge in areas of hunger, prevented aids, assisted in the ebola crisis, helped nations dig out from under an earthquake etc. It has done great work. 80 percent of its money has gone directly to those who need it with administrative costs relatively low. By collecting donations from the wealthiest people and dignitaries from other countries, it has made the world a better place. Those that wish to soil it, diminish it and stop it, are either too hateful or too ignorant to understand how government works. Lastly, most of the meetings in question over the last few days, before the emails are even published, took place when Mrs. Clinton was not Secty. of State. As we will surely come to find out as with every other attempt at the destruction of Hillary Clinton, nothing that violates the spirit of government happened under her watch. Nothing. Secretaries of State do not set foreign policy. The President does. The State department carries out the wishes of the President. Unless you can find an example of a donation, leading to a meeting with the Secretary of State, leading to an altering of foreign policy directly as a result of that meeting, this is all a bunch of pure baloney. The GOP knows it and so too must you. No people, Ignorance is not Bliss. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Words Matter

I can speak with some authority about the 2nd amendment. It has been firmly established and supported by President Obama, that the individual's right to own a gun is protected, not just groups (militias) as the language of the amendment may suggest. It is also factual, that with all the talk about Obama coming for our guns, gun sales during his Presidency have hit record numbers. It is also true, that the NRA is the most effective lobby group in all of America and every elected official in areas of the country where guns are more a part of ones way of life, are beholden to the wishes of the NRA. Nowhere, however, do I ever hear the most liberal or most aggressive supporter of gun control, suggest a repeal of the amendment or taking the rights of gun ownership away. When the Republican nominee for President says that Hillary Clinton will end the 2nd amendment, in keeping with his ignorance, he forgets that there is a process whereby an amendment can be repealed. The bar is high, and even were it true, a President cannot take away your guns. The most he or she could do is lobby for gun control advocates on a court, use executive privilege and speak out. We all see that even as aggressive as this President has been with all these strategies, the checks and balances of government have thwarted his efforts. So we have our guns, and will for a very long time. Having said all of this, it is important to recognize that invoking the second amendment to a group of ignorant citizens who believe anything they are told, would stimulate some to look to their guns to thwart government and to use them in the name of liberty in a violent and most unfortunate way. Even though today, the Republican spin operation is suggesting that Donald Trump was only encouraging 2nd amendment people to vote when he encouraged them to stop Hillary Clinton, it is important to note that in the past, such references have led to a huge and scary misunderstanding. This guy has encouraged hacking by a foreign power, lies about almost anything and yet still survives. In Schenck v US, 1919, it was decided that if your words encourage a "Clear and Present Danger", your first amendment rights are not protected. So it must be in this case. Words matter. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

A Lowlife

My mother, Lord rest her soul, used the word lowlife to describe certain types of people. The dictionary defines it as "someone who engages in disreputable and often criminal behaviors." With my mom, it was less subtle. A lowlife was the person who had a cart full of groceries while you only had one item, but refused to let you check out first. A lowlife was the person who refused to open the door to the building while your hands were filled because it would mess up their manicure. A lowlife was the parent that didn't discipline their child for being mean, or the bus driver who wouldn't wait an extra second for a senior citizen moving slowly toward the bus stop and a lowlife was the person who deliberately lied to avoid taking responsibility. For my mother, it was easy to define a lowlife. If she were alive today, she would be describing the candidate running for President from the Republican party as a LOWLIFE. The list that she would use is too long, but having grown up in Queens, the Trump name represented shady deals. I am in no position to judge the validity of such reporting then and now but as has been reported, there were lawsuits regarding discrimination against blacks, complaints about violation of tenants' rights and descriptions of sleazy real estate deals, but for those who want details, do some homework. It would also take too much time to list the more modern examples of why he is a lowlife such as mocking the disabled etc. I will let the opposition run ads and try and give America these examples through the rest of the campaign. I think the most recent, {only Friday to be aired on TV today} example, challenging the truthfulness of the Muslim parents who lost their son to war, assigning Hillary with the responsibility for writing the words of his speech, insinuating the mother's silence should be attributed to subservience and Trump offering examples of his personal sacrifices in his life of avoiding and dodging his military responsibilities, as "working hard and creating jobs" both questionable, do your homework, may have reached new lows. Since when is creating jobs a sacrifice? We cannot forget during such tirades of vengeance and hate, that he is best known for "You're Fired". Needless to say, Hillary is not a perfect candidate. As a lawyer, she has learned how to be ambiguous and as a politician she stretches the truth, how unusual is that? As a public servant for 30 plus years, her political enemies have had her onstage to boo and hoot and probe and mock for a very long time, thus successfully creating a narrative of unlikeability. By her own words on Thursday, she has always stressed the service aspect of her work rather than the public, thus being aloof at best and a "bitchy woman" at worst, but she is no lowlife. She has worked for children, the disabled, New York's first and second responders and if you do your homework, you can find out more about her efforts. She is a moderate Democrat, with left of center leanings and so am I, but aspects of character have become so crystal clear this election that there is no other choice no matter your views on Government. True Republicans must realize that it is better to compromise with a moderate Democrat for the good of the country. They must realize that working with someone who is competent and capable and genuinely interested in the job is the better choice. We do not need and cannot afford a Lowlife in Chief. Make my mother proud. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Homework

By every measure of research, students who do their homework, tend to perform better in school. Homework, if given strategically by a teacher, can help to reinforce knowledge, improve research and study skills and help students to explore information and determine its accuracy. As a teacher myself, I do not make it a daily ritual but whenever I give it, it usually is to force students to find information that is accurate, truthful and reinforces the concepts we are learning together in class. Here is some homework. If you do it, you will perform better as a citizen, if you do not do it, as often is the case, you will continue to be less prepared and perform less well than others. I would never say to students "Believe Me" just because I am the teacher and I know myself to be right. I do tell students when they suggest or believe things that are not true, to reconsider their viewpoints by doing some homework. I then proceed to give them valid and credible sources of information to help them perhaps alter their incorrectness. To those who support Donald Trump because you "Believe" him, your homework is to find out what specific plan he has in place to defeat ISIS. So far he has said he will destroy them and we should believe him. He ignores the hundreds of thousands of acres of lost land by them due to current government efforts against the extremists as well as a built coalition of dozens of nations assisting in their destruction, but whatever. The second part of your homework is to find out what Donald Trump's policy for Middle East peace is. So far he has said America will not butt in and that Israel and Palestine will have to work out their own problems. He also conveniently forgets that his love of Russia and Putin demonstrates a complete ignorance on his part related to Israel's security. Russia's history of anti semitism runs deep, to this day. Putin supports the very nations that have vowed the destruction of Israel such as Syria and Iran, but you do some research and find out the truth. Dont believe me. Part three of your homework is to find out what Donald Trump's plan for job creation is. So far he has said we will have so many new jobs, believe him. In fact, the job creation over the last 7 years has reached historic levels and his own company outsources jobs to produce the merchandise he sells. But dont believe me, do the homework. Your fourth and final part of the homework is to find out why Mr. Trump refuses to release his taxes. Now this one will be harder to do. He has said he is being audited and wont release them but the IRS has said an audit is irrelevant to their release. Trump also promised to do so after the audit but now has refused. You should find out the past practice of other candidates as it relates to their taxes and research why he is being allowed a different standard. He said there is nothing in them to be concerned about, believe him, but your homework is to dig a little deeper. On matters of national importance and fitness for office, other than screaming for us to trust and believe him, I have not been able to find any answers to the homework questions I have given to you. Perhaps you will do better than I? Or, dont do the homework. Choose to perform less well as a citizen and join the club of many others whose failure to do the work, left them with a failing grade. Or, just, believe him. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

#BoycottClevelandConvention

There are many good Republicans. Decent and caring men and women who debate the size of government, the burdens of taxation, deficit spending, the efficacy of government run programs and fiscal austerity. They care about their fellow man, have no racism or hate in their hearts and love America. These are not the people who are representing themselves in Cleveland this week at the GOP nominating convention. This event will be an all caucasian slugfest of anger, bigotry, symbols of fear and blame. It will be spearheaded by a man whose name I cannot speak. He is a reality TV clown, a liar, and a self absorbed egotist whose sole game is to win at all costs, destroy others and pretend to care about a group when he is in front of them, but never when they are in the background. He has challenged the birthplace of our President, has made fun of the disabled, advertised with symbols of hatred, tells everyone how great he is and how bad America is and the only person he cares about in this world is himself. He shows an absence of knowledge of world affairs and the Constitution that is frightening but he does do one thing well, capture the laziness of a restive electorate that is unwilling to research fact and who listens to bluster and fear mongering. This is a solid 35 percent of America who is so unmovable and so ignorant as to fact, that efforting to change them is a waste of time and energy. Let them be. Let them have their hatefest. It is striking how many decent and caring Republicans will not be in attendance and instead of really saying why, they give the politically acceptable excuses, but two living past Republican Presidents and two living past Republican nominees wont be there. Whereas I disagree vehemently with their ideas on the nation, they are four decent men, men who understand that running for President is serious business and what they see in their party's nominee is a man who is just not up to the job. They are not joining the apologists who pretend the candidate is actually not what we know to be true. They say he will learn, or he will adapt, or that he is going to grow into the job. Folks, this is just not going to happen. To see a man whose life has been to entertain and to be so self absorbed and morally bankrupt, change over four days, is like waiting for the bus that had its route canceled. Don't watch, don't hope for an impossible metamorphosis. Don't be deluded into thinking that this guy is anything other than a despicable, arrogant, misogynistic, dishonest and reprehensible man. Boycott this Convention. It will only make you sadder if you tune it. Just go out and vote either for his opponent, a third party candidate or not at all. This would be the only time I would ever suggest a citizen not exercise such an important civic responsibility but with this guy, not worth your effort. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Hijacking in the Senate

Hijacking is an act of terror. Today, the NRA hijacked the Republican Senate by stopping bills to control assault weapons, require expanded background checks and to deny guns to terror watch list individuals. This by itself is an act of Domestic Terrorism. It is therefore the responsibility of every one of the 85% who supported these initiatives to turn the Senate Blue in November. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Berned

I think it is wonderful having competition in politics and as a teacher of an Advanced Placement Government class, it is refreshing to teach the nomination and elections unit with multiple candidates vying for the ultimate prize. I also teach students about the realities of governance and that to move anything forward in terms of legislation, it requires votes and a signature. It requires invoking cloture when you have an intransigent opposition and ultimately, some form of compromise. I also teach my students that regrettably, America's knowledge of civics, governance and politics is pretty dismal. I often sight my own personal experiences of travelling abroad and meeting students in foreign countries that seem to have greater knowledge of the American system than those within our own borders. With this in mind, it is therefore appropriate to study the Sanders candidacy. It is a candidacy built on a House of Lies. To provide free college tuition and medicare for all, would be estimated to cost in excess of two trillion dollars in additional taxes and without any specifics about taking more from the wealthy or breaking up banks and destroying Wall street, Bernie is light on specifics but full of bluster and anger. Bluster and anger may recruit the ill informed, but it will not get you 218 votes in the House or a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. With the very likely continuation of partisan stubborness no matter who becomes President, what is clear is that Mr. Sanders, a 25 year member of Congress, part of the establishment he claims to loathe, knows that his ideas are folly. He therefore is lying to his supporters and tarnishing the better candidate for President between Clinton and Trump. Don't get Berned. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

So What is it about Donald Trump??

In the last three days, Donald Trump has said the Muslim mayor of London can visit the United States, he would favor an increase in taxes on the rich, he would favor an increase in the minimum wage, that he may not support Speaker Ryan's agenda, that Hillary is responsible for Bill's infidelity, that Bernie Sanders is a great man for calling Hillary unqualified and thats just the last three days. Trump has called for isolationist policies in the Middle East, requiring those countries to fix things themselves, something Obama has pursued as a policy to a large degreee. Dick Cheney faulted Obama for weakness, yet that murderer will support Trump against a very hawkish Hillary. Trump has suggested a balanced approach to the Palestinian Israeli conflict against the soul of Neo Con conservatism and is much weaker on Israel than Hillary. He has suggested that the United States default on its obligations, against the Constitution, because that is how he dealt with his bankrupt casinos. He has not put forth one coherent or consistent policy position on anything except banning Muslims and building a wall, both without a plan to do so. Trump has said he wouldnt issue daily Executive Orders like Obama and yet history will show that Obama has actually used Executive Order privileges fewer times than all of his recent predecessors. So the obvious question should be, with this level of lunacy, "What is it about Donald Trump"? Well folks, thats not the question. The question is or at least should be, "What is it about the American voter"? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Thinkable Unthinkable

That which was unthinkable has become thinkable. Donald Trump as President of the United States. If this doesnt scare the heck out of you, nothing will. The seriousness required to select a President has since been trashed and dumped into the garbage heeps of reality TV. We gobble that crap up, blame everyone around us for our woes, look to the vacant promises and one liners of a self aggrandized pathological demogogue, and think giving him the keys to the nuclear codes is not dangerous. After all, every great dictator promised somebody something. Instead, the day after Indiana, those trying to save the Republican party from irrelevancy, are actually rallying around this dangerous man. A man with no knowledge of or comprehension of the serious issues facing our world. If the label of your party, means more than your country, then we have truly gone off the deep end. Our only hope, is that party regulars stand up against this folly of a man. They go to the polls and support the sensible choice regardless of the D in front of her name. She can compromise, she understands the dangers of the world, and she is not a left wingnut unable to distinguish unreasonableness from practicality. If you wish to save the nation from a trip to Trump Hell, do what is right. Or else. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Making America Great Again

The lead candidate from the Republican party wishes to make America great again. I thought we were great already. Anyway, this is his plan. Use nukes against terrorists. Go after the families of the terrorists. Bring back torture as a method of interrogation. Condemn one billion Muslims as bad and block them from coming to the freest land on Earth. Build a wall. His competitor wishes to add surveillance and police in Muslim areas, much like Hitler did with the Jewish Ghettos before the Holocaust. Is this a plan for making us great or for becoming a terrorist nation ourself? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Teaching Truth or Lies?

This is an interesting year teaching an Advanced Placement Government class to American High school students. Just when you think you are telling the truth, your lessons become lies. For instance, the President gets to nominate Justices to the Supreme Court with the advise and consent of the Senate. Pretty simple. But is it? Nowhere does it read in the Constitution that this applies only for 3 of 4 years of a Presidency. The argument about the Justice nomination needing the people to decide has already been accounted for. We voted for President Obama, twice. We picked him to pick Justices. Many Senators controlling the process have chosen to ignore this. These are new rules being written without any truth or precedent. The Supreme Court is considered the non political branch of Government due to lifetime appointments and selections that are made by Presidents regardless of party, whenever there is a need to do so. Now, with our current ridiculousness, this truth is becoming a lie. How about this one..It takes a majority of the Senate and House along with the Presidents signature, for a bill to become a law. Hold on. Not so. You really need 60 Senators to move forward with a vote. The filibuster isnt in the Constitution. Oops, another lie. Immigration reform, infrastructure repair and energy laws would have passed by Constitutional standard, but the never mentioned in the Constitution refusal to allow votes or to require more than a majority is now a new normal. There are many more. It seems as if the hatred of our current President by his enemies in the Republican party seems to have TRUMPED the truth. I may have to change me teaching strategies....or not. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Two things to know

I have been quiet with this blog, waiting for a single vote to be cast before resuming but today I have to remind the USA of 2 things done by the leading candidate for the Republicans. First he retweeted a picture of Bernie Sanders, a Jew, being put into a gas chamber by the Hitleresque candidate. Second, the same candidate boasted that he could shoot someone on 5th avenue and still keep his support. Just sayin. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

A Legacy in Progress

As the clown parade of Republican candidates for President continues unabated, I as a proud American reflect on the six and one half years of the Obama Presidency. Surely, as all Presidents ponder, the legacy of their tenure becomes important to them all. How will history treat them? What will the pollsters and pundits and historians express? No one can know for sure, but what I do know, after watching Barack Obama for his two terms, no one will ever be able to convince me that he has failed. Only an ignorant, obsessively partisan and subjective analyst can say so. In reality, on every important measurement from leadership, to how he delivered on his promises as a candidate, to America's position in the world, he has achieved success that pales in comparison to his immediate predecessors and thus, when all the hate subsides, the extreme vitriol towards him lessens and the results are tabulated, the haters will grudgingly be forced to admit to his greatness. If not, they will rewrite history with lies and distortions, all too common in the age of politics as entertainment. What is fact, is that he ended two wars, with both of those countries still struggling with historic tribal and religious difficulties not worthy of American blood. He gave us near universal health care coverage that by every objective analysis has been an improvement over what we had. His energy policies have led to the largest domestic oil production within our borders and the lowest level of reliance on outside sources in our history while moving the nation toward an historic commitment to alternative energy sources. He has forged coalitions with other nations and has shown the world that collaboration and respect for other nations's perspectives is preferable to American bluster and military aggression. He has decimated Al Queda, killed Osama Bin Laden and is bringing the fight to terrorism without foolish and wasteful disregard for American lives. He has defied his reckless enemies with poise, professionalism and respect and has been an exemplary example for families and for the possibilities for all Americans. He has avoided scandal, negotiated deals for the future peace and prosperity of the globe and has maintained American might, using it when needed and strengthening our position abroad. He has avoided the use of reckless and unsubstantiated claims, remaining calm and steadfast in his rationality and has proven that America can work despite the demagoguery of his enemies. His economic policies have created 13 million new jobs, brought unemployment to 5 percent and he has put in place additional policies with long term prospects for success with no help from the opposition party whose mantra is say no to Obama no matter the costs. He has maintained an unwavering commitment to our historic relationship with Israel through military and intelligence support. These are only some of the examples of what he has done. As his term winds down, as the craziness of the campaign moves forward and as the lies and distortions of America's greatness are put into campaign ads by his extremist foes, it is important that we begin to recognize his legacy of greatness. No matter how much the haters hate, and the ignorant scream, the truth is the truth. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?