It's not a Doormat

I teach Advanced Placement Government and Politics. I am pretty good at it too if results are any indication. I would consider myself well studied and knowledgeable about our Constitution and yes, can incorporate both the strict conservative constructionist and more open, flexible and loose constructionist ideologies into my thinking. I would not suggest either side to be ignorant or incorrect. It has become exceedingly difficult to teach students about our Government when things that aren't even mentioned in the document are responsible for the idiocy and failures of our Government to function such as gerrymandering or the filibuster as examples. "No students, you don't need a majority of the Senate to move a bill, you need 60 to agree to vote on it...Yes, kids, I know what it says in the Constitution" etc. etc. The most extraordinary thing in these days, is how a political party uses it as a doormat. They step on its language as if James Madison never existed. They scream and I paraphrase "we cannot step on our Constitution with imperial Obama not following it". When Speaker Boehner pretends to understand it more than our Yale educated Constitution Professor President, I cringe, like Obama or not. We should not be surprised though, since he represents the same party whose Chairman of the Environmental policy committee brings a snowball into Congress to prove global warming is a farce. The Republicans took command of Congress promising to govern and so far they threatened to shut down Homeland Security, invited a head of state from another country to lecture America about foreign policy, and now have sent a letter to a terrorist Government mocking our own Presidential leadership. I could go on and on. The purpose of this post, for the few who may read or even see it, is to remind us all, that the Constitution isn't some piece of paper that is rewritten and interpreted by today's idiots. It isn't a doormat to wipe our feet on. It is a document that guides us with little ambiguity as to the separate powers and responsibilities of each of its described branches in Articles 1,2 and 3. There are processes to stop bills and laws and agreements through Courts, votes in Congress, vetoes and overrides and clearly articulated language. The great Republican party, has become illiterate to its words and puts hatred of the biracial President ahead of America's interests. Nice job America for giving these folks more power. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Simple Quiz

Last night we heard the President give his sixth State of the Union address to the nation. Prior to its delivery, his political enemies were already mocking the proposals and guaranteeing not to support them. The President used the speech to obviously make himself look good and made some statements that if not lies, certainly had some holes. On balance, however, it was a bold speech, consistent with the views he has expressed in the past and one that promises to see a very active man in his last two years as our leader. Putting politics aside, here is a simple quiz, with yes or no answers. Perhaps we can judge the speech and his Presidency based on your responses. 1-Is the economy better off now than when Obama took office? 2-Is it true that unemployment is down? 3-Is it true that we have the lowest uninsured rate in history? 4-Is it true that the rate of health care inflation is at the lowest level in 30 years? 5-Is it true that we are almost independent of the need for foreign oil? 6-Is it true that we have had 60 consecutive months of private sector job creation? 7-Have we increased our usage of alternative fuel sources? 8-Has the earth experienced recent records of heat as a result of human behavior? 9-Are our roads and bridges in disrepair? 10-Do the wealthiest amongst us get tax breaks not available to the middle class? 11-Is college too expensive? 12-Is child care an essential component of a family's quality of life? 13-Do the American people support an increase to the Federal minimum wage? 14-Aren't unfair exemptions given to the wealthy and not to the lower wage classes an example of redistribution of wealth? 15-Have we brought 170,000 men and women home from Afghanistan and Iraq? 16-Did we save the domestic automobile industry through the government assistance program? 17-Is it true that there have been no terror related deaths of Americans on our soil in the last six years? 18-Is it true that the Dow Jones Industrial Average is over 17,000? 19-Is it true that we have an inferior transportation system of rail, road and port? 20-Is it true that the Republicans have not offered an alternative to the Affordable Care Act? Thanks for taking the quiz. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

It's all about the Message

One thing Republicans know how to do is to send messages to the voters. This past election and for the last two years, the message was simple...if it is Obama then it is bad. It worked. We stayed home in record numbers on election day, and gerrymandered districts expanded Republican control in the House and Senate Democratic candidates lost. They lost, not because of their party, but because they lacked a message. A message that they could have talked about: an improving economy, job growth, oil independence, women's rights etc. They too got sucked into the great Republican message. Democrats need to learn how to do this. How about starting tomorrow? The President will unveil more proposals that will go nowhere. His political enemies have grown in number and frankly his words wont lead to legislation. He is, however at 50 percent popularity according to today's ABC poll. A far cry from the defeated lame duck of 12 weeks ago. His message is clear. Let's help the middle class. Instead of letting Republicans win the day with their message..a 372 billion dollar tax increase on the job creators, how about this for Democrats: President Obama has proposed a 372 billion dollar tax cut for the middle class and Republicans are against it. Now there's a message. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Obama on Life Support?...Not So Fast

As of the new year, Barack Obama's perfomance as viewed by Americans is 48 favorable and 48 unfavorable. This is an increase of 11 points since the election. Our nation's record low mid term turnout in November has masked the country's real pulse. Republicans did a phenomenal job blaming Obama for everything from ebola to unconstitutional imperialism. Their message along with the consistency of the drumbeat, resonated with frustrated middle class citizens looking to play the blame game. The lesser informed amongst us, either stayed home or voted against anything tied to this unpopular President at 37 percent. So it was. The lame duck had perished. Republicans would rule the nation and show us how its done. They pledged to destroy the ACA and put 13 million newly insured back to square one. They pledged to pass a bill requiring an oil pipeline just as we are almost fully independent of foreign oil and masking it as a jobs program. They have promised to undo the executive orders of the President who has issued the fewest of all modern Presidencies and promised to show the nation how to govern. This is after six years of attempts to make Obama the most irrelevant and most unpopular President in history. Yes, they'll show him. As this rhetoric and nastiness continued through election day and the present, this plan may be showing signs of failure before it begins. Perhaps Health care reform is not as bad as promised? At least this is what the newly enrolled are saying. Without any fanfare or declarative banners on big ships, the second Cheney War has been ended.. but lets not forget the dangers of the remaining 13000 troops who will advise...The GDP has just delivered a performance that is the best in a decade. Gas prices are at 7 year lows...and yes....if Obama caused the spikes (ridiculous Newtism) then he deserves credit for the reduction...(almost as ridiculous). There have been 58 consecutive months of private sector job creation. The deficit, the big Republican mantra, is half of what it what as a percentage of our Government and health premiums are rising at the slowest rate in 25 years. Consumer confidence was just reported to be on the rise...banks are beginning to loosen lending standards so people can enter the mortgage market and sanctions in Russia are having the desired effect. The US economy is outpacing the world. Democrats ran away from these facts and fell into the trap of Republican Obama bashing thus giving Congress to the republicans and yet, Obama's popularity is on the rise. Obama plays long ball. He doesn't allow the noise of hate and distortion to set him off. He looks at what the vision for America should be and if you don't like this vision, fine, but don't count him out. I am not some Obama suck up who praises him at all costs, I just think that his haters are here today and gone tomorrow. They are the lame ducks. President Obama is the President and our future is brighter because he thinks before he acts. Don't "right" him off quite yet. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Mid Term Election

As I await what looks to be a favorable result for Republicans in the upcoming mid terms, I wish to remind anyone who is listening what this party stands for. It supports invasive vaginal probes for women considering abortion. It supports suing a sitting President for doing his job. It supports the destruction of unions. It supports salary inequities between men and women. It supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act responsible for 10 million newly insured. It supports suppression of voting rights. It supports gun rights without any limits. It supports more ground troops in countries that fail to defend themselves. It supports demonizing children of unlawful immigrants who have been here since childhood. It supports further tax breaks for the wealthy and elimination of benefits for the middle class. It supports the repeal of Roe v. Wade and the teaching of creationism equal to the teaching of evolution. It supports cuts in science and research and climate change deniers. Now, GO VOTE.

Tell Us Why....

Three simple words for the Republican party....Tell Us Why: -you object to 8 million people getting health insurance. -you object to a shrinking national debt. -you object to extending unemployment benefits to long term people in need. -you object to comprehensive and respectful immigration reform. -you object to sensible gun control. -you object to equal pay for equal work. -you object to a woman choosing what to do with her own body. -you object to our oil independence by next year. -you object to ending two costly wars. -you object to restraint on the part of our government as it tackles world issues. -you object to stopping laws passed by states that infringe upon our right to vote. -you object to a declining unemployment rate. -you object to replacing all lost jobs under GW Bush. -you object to helping the poor and the elderly and keeping their benefit levels. -you object to infrastructure repair. -you object to an increase in the minimum wage. -you object to every single thing President Obama does...no matter what. TELL US WHY.....I don't think you can. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Busy Governor

I know how busy Governor Christie is. He has to work on his bully persona while seeming a man of the people. I know he has to work at figuring out further lies about his ignorance over the bridge. I know he has to kiss the ass of tea party Republicans who have pledged to work against him because he shook hands with the President. I know he is busy trying to craft a story about his leadership with Sandy while Sandy funds remain suspect as to their distribution. I know he is busy trying to revive the Christie narrative that is nothing more than bombast and bluster. He proved yesterday, however, just how disingenuous and full of it he is. The Governor came to South River, New Jersey to hold a town hall meeting. His staff invited students from the public high school to attend and said the Governor would be asking them a question or two. As the only school from the town it would seem appropriate for the Governor to recognize them. These students from the Advanced Placement Government class were prepared, professional and respectful. The Governor decided to bash public sector unions, bash public schools and let 11 year old private school students ask scripted cutesy questions while ignoring the local kids. It was disrespectful and arrogant. As the teacher of these students I was outraged by his slight, and unimpressed by his attempts at invigorating his failed stewardship over our state. Thanks for nothing Governor. You are who you are. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Bully Pulpit

The bully pulpit is a term that is used to describe how the power of one's position can have influence in the outcome for your own ideas and beliefs. Usually it is uttered when describing the advantages of a President, who can summon the media any time and use the power of the office to get coverage, attention and public support. In the last few days, however, the Bully Pulpit has taken on another meaning, one that is being defined by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who is regrettably, my Governor. Mr. Christie is a bully and thus when using the bully pulpit, he is doing just that....bullying. This governor is known for being a bully. He shouts down reporters and calls them idiots to intimidate them for asking questions he does not like. He shouts down a teacher for asking a question that might be symbolic of a teacher union position. He has described his directness as honesty and bipartisanship and working together, but it is not that at all. This is a man who indeed wants to have his way, all the time. He shouts, he abuses and he lies as is evident to anyone with some common sense. This shrewd and manipulative man, a lawyer by profession, knows the ins and outs of the legal process, but despite his attempt to rise above the scandal, once a bully always a bully. Today his bully pulpit is all about mocking, criticizing and pummeling his former friend Mr. Wildstein in an effort to discount his comments. [Mr. Wildstein is no great shakes. He comes from the Christie camp so I have no sympathy for him.] The bully is at it again. Governor, your days as a national figure are over. You are a bully. Bullies always lose eventually. Americans do not like a bully. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Plan For Smaller Government

Here is my plan for smaller government, something that will drive our economy continuously forward, insure cheaper health care costs, improve the environment, expand the use of alternative fuels, raise incomes and drive job growth. Reduce the House of Representatives by half. Fire 217 members of the House and restructure the districts to be reflective of the 63 percent that support a minimum wage increase or the 58 percent that want immigration reform, or the 83 percent that want background checks for gun purchases or the 68 percent that want a smaller US footprint in the Middle East. By firing 217 members of the House,(half), that account for approximately 55,000 million dollars of taxpayer dollars per year, we could pay for 3,000 minimum wage jobs at the publicly supported 10 dollars an hour. What a great payback. Gerrymandered districts in republican territory have accounted for an obsession with doing all that is bad for our nation. And, my Republican friends, I am paying for my jobs by getting rid of yours. There's your offset.

2013...A Year to Forget

I have been away from the blogosphere for a while, dealing with personal things. And who misses me anyway? I like to write, however, and feel like posting at the end of this miserable year, 2013. I am sure just as there have been many hit with sadness and tragedy, as always there are those hit with great fortune and luck. This is the normal cycle of life, but for me it is a year to happily say goodbye to. My mom left this world at the age of 90 and I miss her terribly but I know she is in a better place. It was a tough year and I pray every day that she is resting in peace. Despite the personal difficulties, it was also a year where my Government let me down. We saw a ridiculous shutdown caused by House Republicans. We saw a witch hunt against the President on all sorts of issues that only now are crystal clear of their intentions, again caused by the House Republicans. We saw a Speaker, an historic failure, preside over the least productive House in history, only to waste our time in an effort to repeal a law, like it or not, that is here to stay. We saw the word compromise become the next curse word. We saw a tea party wing of one party in one branch of Congress demonize all Obama, lie to our faces, scare us into further ignorance and actively try and hurt our country all in the name of hate. We saw an abuse of the filibuster costing us jobs, progress on guns and the lack of movement on Presidential appointments just to stick it to the President. We saw the House drop the ball on Immigration reform, ignoring the progress made in the Senate. We watched gerrymandering become the biggest political tragedy of our time. We heard lies, campaigns of deception by those in and out of government. We watched a deliberate effort to keep the law of the land from being successful and hoping for the denial of health care to millions. We watched the gap between the rich and poor widen while House Republicans and filibustering Senate Republicans forced those in most need, to get the least help from their government through sequester. It was a year of failure. Even the recent anemic budget compromise isn't worth the efforts made in the last hour. The goals of this President, if you remain objective, remain the right goals for our country. Fairness, health care as a right, minimum wage increases,, responsible immigration reform, national gun policies that work, infrastructure jobs programs and bipartisanship in action, not in word only. I only hope We the People send a message, that failures like those of Speaker Boehner and his minions, failures of 2013 and hurtful policies of the extreme, are no longer acceptable. Rest in peace mom. Let 2014 be better.

Obama's List

What does President Obama want: -he wants a healthier America where health insurance is a right, not a privilege. -he wants America to be free of violent entanglements in other Middle East nations. -he wants an America where business opportunities exist here and not abroad. -he wants tax incentives for small businesses to be able to compete with improving nations throughout the world. -he wants an infrastructure that is top rate, with bridges that aren't crumbling. -he wants to cut the deficit, in fact he has. -he wants a banking system that is fair and doesn't take advantage of a vulnerable public. -he wants the threat of terror reduced beyond the already incredible successes. -he wants investments in community colleges. -he wants low interest loan money available for college bound young men and women. -he wants a public education system that can compete with the nations of the world through incentives for good performing schools and investments in teachers and teacher training. -he wants internet availability in every classroom. -he wants ideas for improving our nation no matter who or where they come from. -he wants gay Americans to have the same rights as all other Americans. -he wants women to have the right to make judgments on their own reproductive choices. -he wants an America that is great for generations to come What do his enemies want? None of the above. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Bad Deal for America

16 days and 24 billion dollars later, the Government will resume its operations and the public debts will be paid. The deal struck by Congress last night, signed immediately by the President is just another example of a government that is stuck in reverse. The gears of our nation remain broken, with only some oil and grease lubricating its failing parts without a new engine being put to work. A 90-120 day combined reprieve is nothing more than a band aid on a tumor. Looking at the deal, you can see it is not different from what we should have had in place two weeks ago. It continues to be insufficient to address for once and for all the dysfunction of this failing system. There are no winners, only losers and anyone in government who gloats or rationalizes this compromise as a success, is truly living in a reality TV show. There is no end in sight to this debacle and we will be right back at it again once these imbeciles realize they resolved nothing. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A work of fiction.....a teacher's lament

I teach Civics....more specifically, Advanced Placement Government and Politics to High School students. I teach them how to pass a test with the hope that some of the information will resonate with them throughout their lives. Today, I will teach them that the Constitution is a work of fiction. Yes, fiction. They will be tested in May on how a bill becomes a law. The test will want them to answer that it takes a majority of each house of Congress plus a President's signature. They will be tested on which branch of government is responsible for releasing money to spend on Government functions and priorities. The test will want them to say Congress, the legislative branch of government. Unfortunately, today, these answers are not accurate, thus making the Constitution a work of fiction. Today it takes a majority of the majority party in the House when it opposes the President, for a bill to become law. Today, it takes 60 Senators to get a vote on a bill. Today it takes all 100 Senators to agree to expedite legislative action. I defy anyone to find these procedures in the Constitution. You won't be able to. Our government is not honoring the terms of its most precious document, thus making it a work of fiction. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Utter Stupidity

Our Founding Fathers had differences that would make today's disagreements seem mild. Some believed in the ownership of human beings as property. Some believed in a strong central government while others believed in genuine libertarianism, not like the fraudulent spectacle of a Ted Cruz. The document that they ultimately wrote, the Constitution is known as a Bundle of Compromises by men who did have two things in common, a love of the nation and its principles and they had intellect. They were learned men, men of distinction, men of the classics, men of philosophy and men of the best education offered at the time. They were statesmen, scholars, lawyers, property owners, elected officials, politicians and yes, pretty wealthy and distinguished. They doubted the ability of the common man to make the kinds of decisions required of our leaders and could not conceive of Twitter, the Internet or Facebook. Most important, they weren't stupid. Today is different. Some of our leaders are stupid, and more damaging is that these loud mouth destroyers and haters mock intellect. They poke fun at the well traveled, at the cultured, at the reading of a book or the understanding of science and math. This group has been holding the nation hostage because those with the power to doom them to irrelevancy are too weak kneed and inept to confront them. They allow them to lie to our citizens, preach fear and show ignorance on the issues in ways that have caused this crisis and doomed our nation to a future of mediocrity. The polls have been devastating for these people and their party but even so, as of this post, the nation's Republican leaders still cower over the tea party, denying any sense of reality, wisdom and care for our nation while they ponder their Koch funded primary opponent at the next election. Their safe gerrymandered districts promote this intransigency and stupidity, but the nation continues to suffer. There is hope as always that at the last minute some deal will be struck, but the President is right...we cannot do this every few months. A six week deal is a preposterous attempt at Republican face saving and whereas I believe future budget negotiations are important, the nation's credibility is more so. The Speaker's ineptitude has been catastrophic and we all suffer because of Utter Stupidity. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

We Fixed the Gliche

One of my favorite all time movies is "Office Space". I can recite the dialogue and never stop laughing and now, more than ever, one needs to laugh because of the sad and depressing spectacle unfolding due to the sheer ineptitude and bullying of the House Republicans. No matter how many attempts they make at passing the blame or attacking Democrats as culpable for the problems as a way to deny the truth, intelligent citizens see the writing on the wall. The fault lies with Ted Cruz, his puppet the Speaker, 35 lunatic fringe representatives and the rest of the Republican caucus, so afraid to be primaried, that they have sold their souls and their hearts to the devils Koch. One of the great lines in the movie was "We fixed the gliche", reference to Milton's pay no longer being processed. Lumbergh, the general manager, is John Boehner, too weak to confront Milton and hoping it will just work itself out. Not that simple. So, instead of owning some responsibility, these nitwits blame Obamacare. Obamacare, the great Kenyan socialist plot to destroy America....take away our freedom....blah blah blah. Once people realize what the Affordable Health Care Act will do for their lives and for the long term success of our country, they will love it and the Republicans know it. So after a few days of startup gliches, all they are talking about are these terrible gliches, destroying our lives, awful program...blah blah blah. How many of us have logged into our banks to check a balance only to get the message "weekend maintenance on the site. Please try again later". We all have, we deal with it, we recognize that technology has its moments and thus, we wait. We don't leave the bank. We don't stop tweeting when the system is overloaded with tweets. We try again. We don't trade in our Apple products when the Apple store website goes down. We recognize that any website, any search and any new program will have these hiccups. The only real gliche, is the stupidity of these Republican haters who have gotten us into some mess. This is the only gliche that really needs fixing, the real technical difficulties. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Deliberate Pain

If a person were innocently walking down the street and you threw a rock deliberately at their head and hit him/her, you would be inflicting deliberate pain on the individual. The House Republicans are doing just this. Throwing rocks at heads of innocent Americans. A law to make us healthier was passed by Congress and signed into law. It has not yet been fully implemented. It is the law of the land. Instead of allowing it to take hold as it should, a small group of tea party fanatics will shut down the government, hurt seniors, Federal workers, close parks, delay checks and negatively impact a slowly recovering economy just so that they can hurt Barack Obama. These sick monsters deserve nothing but the worst. They represent the darkest part of the human experience. I do not wish them well. They deserve rocks thrown at them. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Third World USA

Third world nations generally do not accept the will of the people. They tend to have corrupt governments and leaders who line their own pockets while raping the citizens of their rights and privileges. Third world nations rig elections and defile the opposition. The United States of America is no third world nation. Oh, really? We have passed a signature healthcare bill not even yet implemented but the corrupt amongst us wish to kill it before it takes hold. We have had a President elected to two consecutive terms with citizens choosing to support his agenda, which includes health care while the corrupt amongst us wish to deny him legitimacy. We have attempts to kill the rights of voters by denying them an opportunity to do so under the falseness of fraud allegations. No we are not a third world nation. Or??????? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

He's No Mr. Smith

Jimmy Stewart played Senator Smith in a great Hollywood production about the little guy, in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". It is a great movie and one that has stood the test of time. His filibuster in the film made all the little guys stand up with pride at the courage of one man, with a desire to rid the Government of corruption and good old boy hardball politics. In the present, the bloviating idiot, self serving, do nothing junior Senator from Texas knows no bounds. He is indecent, ridiculously rude, insulting and uses McCarthyite tactics to get in the news. Whereas the shameful lot of Americans too stupid to see him for what he is may support him, he is no Mr. Smith. Senator Ted Cruz is a curse on this nation. He is a man with no moral compass, no compassion for truth and not worthy of the position he holds. As he gets the cameras to focus on him today, and the headlines tomorrow, his attempt to distort, dissuade and discourage people from learning the truth about our Government will succeed amongst the ignorant, but not amongst decent people in our land. You are an ass, Senator and your passing fame will fade into the ash heep of history. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

I'm Back Baby

Took the Summer off to refresh and retool and now I am compelled to blog some more. I continue to be offended and embarrassed by the ineptitude of my government. We are allowing mistruths and distortions to rule the day. We are actually taking lies and spreading misinformation in an effort to create a new normal that is not part of any Constitutional reality. In fact, if our Government was a reality TV show its ratings would be sky high. One thing is crystal clear, hate and disrespect of this President by his enemies has exceeded any prior attempts at weakening a President. You and I know why this is, but that is a social issue for a future blog post. To allow hatred, not founded in accurate policy differences, to actually hurt the nation, has become the rule of the day and hiding behind gerrymandered districts with citizens encouraged to be ignorant with perpetual fear mongering by its do nothing, power hungry representatives, has so injured our system that I see little hope for immediate change. There was a time when split government worked...compromise was respected...and differences were worked out. Today, however, the circus mentality by elected carnival barkers has co opted our once sacred ability to govern ourselves. What is clear, is that this nation was not founded by threats to the system, but protections of it. James Madison would not support a Congress threatening to neglect its constitutional responsibility to the paying of our nation's debts. None of the founders would have. So to those out there spinning inaccuracies and re interpretations not based in any common sense, of our constitutional processes, you are about to hurt the very people you claim you wish to help. All hope is not lost. There will be an election in 2014. Since fractured government doesn't work anymore, at least with President Obama's opponents who view compromise as a curse, we can have the issue resolved with one party rule. Then we can show the world that when we have a two term President, voted by more than 50 percent of the vote twice, it really does mean something. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Gone Fishing

GONE FISHING BACK IN AUGUST