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

Rand's Rants

Rand Paul's name comes up a lot these days. The junior Senator from Kentucky is a libertarian, who rails against Government for its intrusion into our lives (except when he supports government regulating a woman's body or a gay person's marriage rights). The fact that this man's name comes up as a future Presidential candidate should fuel our fear but that is for election politics which will be here soon enough. What Senator Paul, who loves to cite Constitutional scripture fails to admit, is that in a Republic, we elect people to serve us. We have three distinct branches of government with separate powers and checks and balances on each other. The surveillance issue is not fraught with Government intrusion, it follows Constitutional requirements. The President executed it, informed Congress who approved it, and the courts issued the warrants. All three branches of government collaborated as they are supposed to. Now, you can disagree with the reach of their decisions on this matter, but you cannot claim Constitutional foul. In fact the founding fathers may actually be seeing their work in action as it was supposed to occur...with all its warts. When Senator Paul stops supporting corporations and donors who don't think twice about violating our privacy every minute of every day, then perhaps he can claim a degree of credibility. For now, he remains in the ash heap of stupidity, hypocrisy and self aggrandisement.

What about Governing?

The Republican party will stop at nothing to embarrass and defile President Obama. The resounding victory this past November notwithstanding, is a fantasy in the eyes of political hacks with no goal except to destroy the opposition. If we assume the absolute worst about each of the three recent embarrassments to the President, what we can say is poor management of each situation or the absence of a pit bull within the Executive branch to manage these issues. However, the House Republicans, unable to govern, unwilling to defend our national interests and totally without a cohesive strategy for the nation, has decided to double down on its hatred toward the President. As such, no governance, no policies, and no help. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Still Steamed

Still cranky over their devistating loss to Obama, the Republican party is basking in the glow of the Obama missteps as he starts his second term. Now I do not mean to diminish the importance of finding out the truth on any issue within our government, but proportion is certainly absent. We fought and died over fake weapons of mass destruction and then proceeded to forget about the whole scandal. I suppose the hatred toward this President, partly of his own making, is understandable, but while the attempts to distract us away from our affection toward the President are in play,this gives the Republicans another excuse not to do what is right for our country. You won't hear much, at least for a while, about the important agenda items that have been laid before us while the power of oversight, led by some bad people, takes hold. We the People are again being held hostage by an overreaching and hateful group of politicians who care more about blood sport than they do about our country. When the dust settles, and most in the know already know this, there will be no inappropriate actions tied to our President and talk of impeachment will die down. This will be after the 2014 elections as Obama enters his lame duck period. Too bad. By the way, the deficit is at the lowest point in 5 years. Any news about that? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

I Beg you...forget the polls... We just don't care.

How many times have we heard in the last two months that polls indicate a 90% support of sensible background checks before gun purchases? How many times have we seen polls over the last year that strongly suggest a support for a path to citizenship? How many times have we heard the President refer to America's support for these two sensible approaches? LOTS....too many to count. The bottom line, however, is that these two issues are just not on the top of peoples' minds, no matter how they answer the poll questions. People are concerned with other things...jobs, the future of their children, AND, what is happening to me TODAY. We are creatures of habit and creatures in need of immediate gratification. We just don't see guns and immigration as issues that affect our daily lives. We are sad and angered after a tragedy, but we go on with our lives, answer poll questions as sensible citizens and then act as selfish ones. Our Congress, for all the criticism we give it, really does understand Americans. They get the fact that we forget, that we care about other things and know that they can weather the temporary storms of polling data, keep their phones off the hook, take a few pot shots at a town hall meeting, and then vote against what's right and take the NRA's money. They care not about what is right, they care about how much they can take. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Fly Fly Away

My posts have become more infrequent, not because I have given up, but because my anger and frustration mounts every day as I watch the Legislative branch of Government become more and more ineffective each session. They are now on another undeserved vacation and they certainly took care of their commercial flights before they left. They took some shots at the President, blaming him for the long lines at the airports and left cuts in tact for Head Start and other very worthy programs. The Congress, not able to do its job two years ago to pass legislation that balances cuts and revenues, passed Sequestration. It was intended to be avoided but these incompetents couldn't. On three occasions I heard the FAA chairman make a speech warning us about airport delays and furloughs, but the amnesiac Republican party railed about the surprise and lack of warning. Then it hit them. We are going on vacation, how will we get home on time. Magically, they found the money and the air traveling public is saved while the children who rely are important services are not. Way to go 113th. If possible, you are worse than your predecessor Congress....oh, and thanks for those background checks. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A System in Disrepair

The Constitution of the United States is totally clear and unambiguous. For a bill to become a law, it takes a majority of both houses of Congress coupled with a President's signature. That's it. No debate. Modern day politics however have changed the essence of this reality. Senate rules permit them to declare certain bills subject to a filibuster proof vote. Today, by a 54 to 46 majority, the bill to expand background checks passed. This was consistent with the 85 percent of us who supported this. The 60 vote threshold, simply a Senate rule that has evolved not from Constitutional requirement but rather from political obesity, has again given the NRA a victory. A simple background check expansion failed. I would be upset if it wasn't for the reality that Speaker Boehner and his ignorant minions would have stalled it anyway. The Senate gave this idiot an easy out. Again this nation failed to honor the wishes of the people. If these Red state Democrats think they saved their jobs, they are wrong. These despicable, weak at the knees politicians may have just garnered support from their overly conservative populations, but Alaska and North Dakota barely hit the percentage meter in terms of population. The nation will respond. In its own way and its own time. Gun control will prevail, Red states will become blue, and the NRA will one day die. I hope sooner than later, but today is merely a temporary continuation of insanity. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

NRA Wins Again

Forget the fact that the House hasn't even taken up a gun bill yet and that it will probably not look like the Senate bill. Forget the fact that the House is driven more by its extremist base than is the Senate. Forget the fact the the watered down bill that these Senators are gloating over is nowhere near what is needed to control violence. Forget it all. Remember this......the NRA will win again. It will get a bill that allows dangerous and uncontrolled weapons on the streets of this country. We will see school shootings, theatre shootings and factory shootings again. We will continue to have 40 gun related deaths a day, and move ahead as the most ignorant citizenry in the world of Democracies not even understanding our own Bill of Rights. Thanks for nothing. Until we vote out of office the gerrymandered Republicans who seemingly will serve for life, gun control is only a dream. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Values Party

As the Republicans continue to autopsy their party, there remains a strong evangelical base that loves to preach values. They don't believe in gay rights, don't believe in a woman's right to choose, want prayer in the schools and condemn the blasphemic activities of a former President Clinton's White House activities. These folks condemn moderation toward any of these views to include gun control and immigration reform. These are also the supporters of Rush, Hannity, O'Reilly, Savage and Palin. They are also the supporters of family values Senator Vitter who cavorted with whores, former Governor Sanford's reinvention of himself and newly elected Ben Carson who compares gays to pedophiles. Add to this list Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Michelle Bachman and you have a party not in need of an autopsy, but in need of cremation. Why the Democrats have not been able to bury them for once and for all is more a statement of our own national inadequacy than it is the desire for differences of opinion. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Elections Don't Matter....I Guess.

Before I blog, it was just reported that the Colorado Prisons chief was fatally shot as he opened his door. Anyhow, the overwhelming majority of us support an assault weapons ban. The Congress just doesn't care what we think. Nor do they care much about the President's agenda, which is our agenda. Nor do the Democrats have the spine or the fortitude to put their electoral fortunes beside and do the right thing. Nor do they care much about the word regulate which is in the 2nd amendment. Nor do they care that the Supreme Court with its most conservative justice in agreement, has ruled that guns can be regulated. Nor do they care, in my judgement, about the 35 people killed daily in this country by guns. I do not want to hear that people kill people not guns. Guns are deadly weapons. Assault weapons are not designed to protect you from someone stealing your TV. Harry Reid has shamefully mismanaged this, Patrick Leahy hasn't been as aggressive as he should be. Politicians need to stop apologizing to the Gun advocates. They need to stop producing pictures of themselves killing varmants or looking tough. Toughness comes from standing up against the dangerous extremists in this country that put violence above humanity. Shameful. Elections used to matter. Not anymore I guess. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Only Adult in the Room

The President has been consistently misrepresented and his views not even known by many of his adversaries. He has been criticized for not reaching out to the other side even though he has and has been willing to put pro Republican ideas on the table for negotiation. Recently and currently, he is holding lunches and meetings with members of Congress, perhaps to change the perception but perhaps to get a serious deal. He has been the adult. Paul Ryan, whose ideas were roundly defeated at the polls last November, attended a lunch with the President. One day later, he came out with a budget that again eliminates ObamaCare and cuts entitlements beyond what is reasonable all the while knowing this hoax will go nowhere. We need adults at the negotiating table, not petulant kids. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Just Imagine

Today, we saw an unexpected but welcome decline in the unemployment rate as well as a job creation number that was higher than thought even with public sector jobs disappearing. Just Imagine if we had a House of Representatives more cooperative with our President when he called for infrastructure repair, or a more balanced approach to the deficit. Just Imagine if the stimulus was more to the liking of the President instead of blocked over and over again. Just Imagine, if Senator McConnell was more supportive of this President instead of trying to stop him at every turn. Just Imagine if Congress agreed to put legislative force behind Simpson Bowles instead of only advisory responsibility. Just Imagine if the Constitutional requirement for passage of legislation was actually followed instead of filibustered. Just Imagine. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Tax Breaks

We are at the lowest percentage of tax revenue relative to the size of our economy, in fifty years. Americans overwhelmingly support the elimination of tax breaks for the wealthiest and support tax reform. Even current Republicans have gone on the record in the past few years supporting policies that generate more revenue. Yet, we are about to go over the Sequestration bridge at midnight tonight because the Senate Republicans ignored what WE the People want and filibustered a reasonable bill. The House won't even allow a vote on moderation and instead have a Speaker who is so inept, so shrill with his language, so tied to Tea Party extremism that he cannot even get out of his own way. I say the President issues a signing statement like his predecessor did frequently, and suggest which elements of the legislation he is choosing not to enforce. I would keep middle class needs at the top of the list. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Does it Matter?

Let us suppose that Sequestration was the total brainchild of President Obama. Let's suppose he cajoled and influenced Congress with such pressure, that they voted for it against their will. Let us suppose the President was solely responsible for the mess. Does it matter? Does anyone believe that when this idea was proposed and approved, that it would be lived up to? It is most accurate to say that no matter who thought it up, it was intended as a wedge to move the parties to negotiate a better arrangement. It was designed to get a responsible group of legislators together and come up with an idea, which they failed to do. We are at this point now, not because of the idea, but because of the mutual inability for our House Republicans to work with this Democratic President. Bob Woodward may win on points for a few days, but America loses big time. Instead, his story should be on the effects of the real situation and not on the blame game that sells his books. This isn't Watergate Mr. Woodward. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

246,378

Speaker Boehner was elected by 246,378 Americans. There are 315 million Americans. President Obama was elected with about 63 million votes. Yet, Speaker Boehner is assuming the role of obstructionist and blamer in chief. Today he blames the Senate for inaction on Sequestration. This Speaker took his House on vacation for crucial days that could have been used to resolve this House Republican controlled mess. When a single House member can fly in the face of the nation in the manner by which Speaker Boehner is, there is something radically wrong with the way modern politicians are interpreting the Madisonian model of Democracy. Speaker Boehner is known to less than 20% of the country by name, and was elected by less than .1 percent of the nation. He needs to realize who he is NOT working for, everyone other than Ohio's 8th. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

SOUR SOUR Grapes

President Obama had a resounding victory in November both in terms of electoral votes and the popular vote. The Senate picked up seats for the Democrats, and gerrymandering notwithstanding, Democrats got more votes in House Elections and did pick up a few seats. On matters of guns, immigration and taxes, the people of this nation do, according to polls favor overwhelmingly, the path laid out by the President. In addition, the President has reached his highest favorability rating in a long time, while Congress remains mired in an all time low of popularity. You would think therefore, that the voice of the people would prevail. It is not. The intransigence of the Republican party and their continuous quest to embarrass and show vitriolic hate and disrespect to Barack Obama is palpable and obsessive. They are only hurting the country and ultimately themselves. This latest crisis, sequestration, no matter who thought it up, was intended to force responsibility with cuts in spending. It was passed by Congress in such a deliberately unpopular way, that the thoughts were that after the election, reasonableness would prevail and we would look like a country whose government works. But no. The Republicans are so distraught over losing an election they thought was in reach, that sour grapes are keeping them from governing. They may think that in the end the nation will blame Obama, but they couldn't be more wrong. So, my Republican friends, for your own sake, get a grip. Help yourselves, but much more important, help our nation, the one you supposedly love. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Repeal

Last year the Republicans ran around the country yelling "Repeal Obamacare". Well, that didn't work out for them, but it did do us a big service. It reminded us that just like Congress has the power to make law, it has the power to repeal laws it has passed. The sequestration, which is about to occur and everyone seems to hate, while everyone is trying to assign blame, is the law of the land as of March 1st. So, repeal it. Congress can. The President is likely to support that. Get back in the negotiating room, and act like adults. It is so easy that it hurts to see these elected imbeciles put ego first and country second. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Simply Amazing

The Hagel filibuster attempt, first in history has been reported by many and admitted by some in the Republican party as payback or revenge for the past Senator's disagreement with the neo cons in his party. He was against a war that was fought by our brave soldiers under false pretenses with cost of blood and treasured human life. Those policies were policies of madmen, who concocted reasons to go to war. Those policies have finally been proven wrong and this Presdident will end the second costly war next year. Chuck Hagel has the experience and wounds to show for it, to be an outstanding, reasoned and careful Secretary of Defense. This is what our nation wants and needs....not the continuation of failed, reprehensible policies of aggression that neither work nor should be pursued. It is simply amazing how these lunatics wish to rewrite history for the sake of their own egos. A pox on them all. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Reagan and Bush and Disengagement

I believe that history will realize in total, that the Reagan and Bush 2 Presidencies were filled with examples of aloofness and disengagement. Reagan did not properly secure our barracks in Lebanaon where 330 were lost and Bush failed with 9-11, having ignored certain warnings and signals and certainly he blew Katrina where New Orleans flooded while he kissed Brownie's ass. The Republican outrage over Benghazi, and the loss of four lives is simply an attempt to cover up for their own past ineptitude. The loss of life and the mistakes made are regrettable and sad. They are deserving of scrutiny by their government and the number of private and public hearings on the matter have been transparent and frankly disproportionate. Lindsay Graham and John McCain's hatred of this President clouds their ability in all aspects of their lives. To suggest an absence of engagement on the part of this President is not only false and unbelievably inaccurate, it is just plain hate. These two along with Prick Cheney(no typo), represents the worst of our country's politics. Americans outside of the tea party, racists and haters will have none of it. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Bullies Unite

Yesterday the bullies of the Senate who supported the failed Iraq War, who accepted the lies of the Bush Administration, who cavalierly accept the death of men and women in battle, many who have never worn a uniform, piled on the nominee for the Defense Secretary. Previously one of their own, Chuck Hagel was inappropriately grilled by the scum of the Senate, men who are trying to hang on to failed policies that Americans left behind long ago. Whereas his performance may have been less than crisp, the piling on was so dramatic and so mean spirited that I was left supporting this man more. He has been selected to depart from these imbeciles and their views and that is what he should have done...spoke about his disagreements with them. Instead, he tried to appear more like them than he is. As such, he looked indecisive, but this does not negate his abilities not will it derail his confirmation. This nation, for once and for all needs to derail the abject dishonesty and failures of neo con versions of American foreign policy. Once the public flogging and its aftermath fades into history, perhaps those who still support War and more war, will take their place into the box of irrelevancy.

Words Matter

"For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America's prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of G-d but also in our own." President Barack Obama. January 21st, 2013. WORDS MATTER. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

When You Can't Win, Change The Rules

The Republican Party of this country knows it has a problem. It cannot win with women, young people or minorities. This knowledge led them to try and stack the deck in red states in bullet proof gerrymandered districts. Now both parties do this, but in the case of the reds, it is because they do not offer a message that is likable to our citizens, at least not enough to defeat President Obama. Instead of offering something for blacks and hispanics to support, they tried to pass laws to suppress minority votes. Instead of offering women a comprehensive approach to their health care, they lied about Planned Parenthood. Now, having lost again, by 5 million votes and a huge electoral defeat, they want to change the laws about how Electoral Votes are calculated. If you cannot win, then change the rules. Where are you Americans for reason for truth? By the way, where were they during Bush v. Gore?

Keep Talking Mr. Rubio

Recently, I have found Senator Marco Rubio from Florida to be one of the most offensive members of Congress. Now we know he is the fair haired, good looking, Hispanic Republican looking at a 2016 or 2020 run for the Presidency. We all know he has to bash Obama to maintain his tea party bonafides and we all know that he is positioning himself as the go to guy for the extremists. I want him to continue to talk, to campaign and to go on TV, because whenever he speaks, he shows himself to be unworthy of the Presidency and more important, unqualified. He also, as a reminder, cooked up his resume to solicit sympathy from hispanics alleging a Cuban escape story not all that accurate. Today he is calling the President a liar about guns. He has mispoke about Planned Parenthood, has distorted views about the economy and continues to walk back statements that are found to be profoundly wrong and untrue. Keep talking Senator. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Guns

As I have watched the debate continue to unfold over the 2nd amendment, and regrettably, this only seriously happens after a tragedy, only to be forgotten, I applaud the actions of the President to put the issue front and center. Today, whatever his suggestions are, at least Congress will be forced to engage in a public debate that may stick around this time. The speed of Governor Cuomo and the NY legislature in passing some state controlled regulations shows that strength of will and bipartisanship is sometimes possible, at least at the state level. As I have watched and listened to people like Alex Jones, Rand Paul and Wayne LaPierre along with militiamen from small groups in various states, I get very scared listening to these guys talk of armed rebellion, 1776, impeachment and revolution. I know people in this country love guns, and nothing that the President suggests will take away the right to own and use them for self defense, hunting or just plain obsession, but the strongest advocates for no gun control seem to be the people that we can least afford to have own them. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

What do 157 House Republicans say to Sandy Victims?

DROP DEAD

What Deficit?

The best way to fix the deficit is by growth in our economy. More workers, means more tax revenue. It means more sales taxes paid to municipalities. We as a nation are recovering and despite Republican falsehoods and nonsensical and deliberate attempts to be relevant, the deficit will be coming down slowly without another crisis and without another nasty threatened economic collapse. The debt needs to be raised to pay for those things that Congress has passed into law. Obama is ending another war and the health care costs are having their cost curve bending in the right direction. As Mr. Krugman reminds us, these point to a better than we are being warned future. If we elected people to lead us, we must let them. The real deficit is in Congressional action. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

18

There are 200 Democrats in the House of Representatives. You need 218 to pass legislation. There are 67 Republicans who voted against Sandy Aid almost all from red states. More Democratic votes were cast for House members than Republicans but gerrymandering has made sacrosanct most of these districts. There do exist more moderate Republicans in blue states whose party is leaving them behind. Here is my wish, my hope, for an America that can compromise and avoid doing battle over every single legislative issue....find 18 more moderate Republicans and get them to switch parties. The days when a split government could function are long gone. We need the gavel in the hands of the President's party. These folks would have an opportunity to express moderation, compromise and do good for the nation. Let's find them. I would like to start by asking Peter King from NY. Democrats have been tough in war, have balanced the budget, have cut spending and have worked across the aisle. This too, is what King and others in the party truly believe. Come on board Representative King. 18 and counting. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Hate

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

Ignore Him

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

The Fiscal Snit

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

Enough is Enough

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

The Has Been

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

218

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

Disgraceful

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

A Learning Disability

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

Deaf Ears

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

Compassion vs. Celebration

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

A Tough Job

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

Don't Overanalyze

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

Why I Voted For President Barack Obama

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

The Sandy Effect

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

This is Different

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

A Friend of Mine

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

He Doesn't Understand?

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

The Last One.....Finally

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

Ill Served Again

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

The Media Will Strike Again

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

Two Against One

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

A Culture of Lies

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

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

You Get What You Deserve

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

The Big Show

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

But I'm a Privileged White Guy?

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

Debate Romney Style

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

ER

No, not the television program. This ER is the Mitt Romney plan for universal health care. We have it he says, you can leave your apartment when you are having a heart attack and go to the emergency room for treatment. That's it. Universal health care Romney style. Oh, wait, yesterday while bashing Obamacare he touted his Massachusetts Romneycare plan for universal coverage. Each day it becomes more and more scary that this man, with virtually no plan, no conviction or foundation based on principle or good judgement, is just 40 days away from possibly becoming President. If this doesn't scare you, then you need the ER. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

True Colors

Today, amazingly, the Speaker of the House conceded that President Obama may win re-election. By raising that possibility it may show that the reality of a Romney Presidency may not be as near as once thought. Having made this comment, the Speaker then doubled down and promised further obstruction, already saying no to a President still campaigning for re-election. The true colors of his party continue to spread like a peaocock's feathers. I think the Speaker may need to check the polls and realize that he himself may no longer be making those calls after January 1st. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

"Those people"

Mitt Romney says it isnt his job to worry about those who rely on their government for help. We better tell the returning war veteran not to get his prosthetic limb from the VA. or tell the poor kid not to use that college Pell grant.. Let us not forget to alert the senior citizen with Alzheimers disease that he cannot use Medicare for his pills and let us surely remind the unemployed white, blue collar worker not to try and get that community college job training grant. We can't help "Those people" Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Disgraceful Acts of a Desperate Man

Never before in recent memory, has a challenger so blatantly, unprofessionally and inaccurately attacked a sitting President while he engages in a response to violence abroad against our embassies. Calling the President a liar, challenging him on his response, all while our President grieves with the families of the fallen, without any intelligence information of his own, so inappropriately criticizing our efforts to diffuse the situation over a racist documentary that he doesn't even criticize, is the mark of a bad, unprepared and desperate candidate. Americans must look at Mitt Romney for what he is....an ill prepared, lying, directionless poor excuse for a Presidential candidate. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

9-11

May those lost rest in peace. May the families and friends remember those lost with fondness and may we never forget.

Vote Republican

If you believe that votes of your fellow citizens should be suppressed over a non existent issue of fraud, then vote republican. (This is racism by the way) If you believe that Roe vs. Wade should be overturned, vote republican. If you believe that programs for women's health care should be defunded, vote republican. If you believe that the Affordab;e Health Care Act eliminating pre existing condition waivers, extended care for college grads. and health care cost equality between genders should be eliminated, vote republican. If you want the current jobs bill that would add one million jobs immediately should be obstructed further, vote republican. If you want to increase tax spending on military equipment that the Pentagon has not asked for, vote republican. If you want to extend the war in Afghanistan and open more fronts of violence in Syria, Russia and Iran, vote republican. If you sincerely believe that trickle down economics works, then vote republican. If you want tax breaks for the wealthy at the expense of the middle class, vote republican. If you want to ignore 4.6 million newly created private sector jobs, vote republican. If you want to deny the fact that the stimulus bill saved conservatively, 2.5 million jobs, vote republican. If you are against saving the car industry, vote republican. If you are not satisfied with the killing of Osama and the dismantling of Al Qeda, vote republican. If you want to suppress freedoms for gay people and treat them as unequal, then vote republican. If you want to deny that natural gas production is up, prices are down, and the percentage of oil imports are lowest in the last 40 years, vote republican. If you think global warming is a joke, laugh at green energy initiatives and want more guns on the street, vote republican. If you want less money for college grants, vote republicans. If you want to see programs reduced for the poor, vote republican. If you believe giving a voucher to your grandmother for health care is better than Medicare, vote republican. These are not the ramblings of a supporter of the President but simply the platform items, ads, stated viewpoints of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan and the story they told. I have a choice and will make it, but if you like what they said, vote republican. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Proud and Still Inspired

When I listen to my President speak about education and the future, about green jobs and investment in the Middle class, about shared sacrifice and fairness, I feel proud to be a supporter of Barack Obama. Anyone who supports the other guy is not opening their eyes to some basic realities that were highlighted at the conventions. The notion of an entitlement President is disturbingly dishonest. The notion of government choosing for women is nauseating, the suggestion that we return to failed policies is just plain stupid. Sorry my Republican friends. You are represented by people who have been praying for bad economic news, who care little for this country, who promote ignorance and have picked two people that have neither a conscience nor an ability to tell the truth. Progress is always slow, and currently this is the case, but progress is better than moving back and truth is better than lies. We are better off today than four years ago and to deny it is to bury your heads in the sand. Two visions, one good, the other not. You will decide for yourself but I am inspired and hopeful. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Day Two

Nuff said.

10 Years Old

In 1980, Paul Ryan was ten years old but today, as the pre convention attack dog, he claims to know how to compare President Obama with Jimmy Carter. Mr. Ryan is a petulant little ass, with an extremely high opinion of himself. He loves to take liberties with the truth, from his marathon run to his blame game against others, while he took similar views and awful votes. I think at the end of the election, the Republicans will regret having selected Mr. Ryan who still acts like a ten year old. To disrespect a former President who he only knows from his handlers is another example of his mean spiritedness and inexperience. Jimmy Carter gave us peace between Israel and Egypt, warned us against our profligate consumption of oil and insured every hostage came home alive. The circumstances of his Presidency and the malaise in the nation at that time was captured successfully by Reagan who then went on to lead our country on a path toward economic insolvency, the results of today tied to his economic philosophy. Anyhow, while Mitt Romney prepares for the debates, trying to figure out how to backtrack and avoid falling into the trap of being caught with his many lies and shifting positions, Paul Ryan is out there shouting like a ten year old. I implore him not to shut up, but to keep behaving like the child he is. If he has half the life's accomplishments of Mr. Carter, he will be lucky. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Not Smaller...Just Different

If you want to simplify the rhetoric in our politics, then the Republicans want small government and low taxes with no regulation, and the Democrats want big government, higher taxes and regulation. This is easy to understand and 80 percent of us are unwavering in our beliefs that this is where the two parties differ. If you care to exercise your brain just a little, and think, and recognize the truth, these two easy to understand views are simply not based in reality. When George Bush left office, he had swollen the deficit and the size of government by almost 11 trillion dollars with every one of his spending bills endorsed for six years by the small government Republican Congress. It isnt that Republicans want smaller government, they want different government. They want the government to find you a job....if not, they wouldnt be complaining about anemic job growth under this President. They certainly did not care about jobs while they presided over the loss of nine million of them. They want government to decide what a woman can do with her own body, just not allow her to go to a government funded clinic for preventive care. They want defense to remain at 26 percent of the Federal budget but want to shrink the Education department and other programs. They want to raise the deficit through tax breaks for the wealthiest, they just don't want the deficit to rise through spending on unemployment insurance, Pell grants or food stamps. They want to give big oil tax exemptions, they just don't want to fund alternate energy initiatives. They want farmer drought insurance to be paid by the Federal government, they just don't want to spend on mass transit or bridge building. So it isnt about smaller government, it is about different government and unless one brave Republican says this and is honest about the difference, we will continue to go nowhere. Small government my ass. I hope the President says this, but I guess he cannot be so vulgar. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

If You Don't Watch

If you aren't going to watch the convention in Charlotte, then at least think about this. During Reagan's election against Jimmy Carter, he asked a simple question: "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?". What a great question, and the answer is what lost it for President Carter. Republicans are trying this approach again, but this time, it won't work. It is the wrong question. The question, if you are a Republican should be "Is the country recovering fast enough or not?" They win on that, but this isn't what they are asking, because if they did, they would be admitting to a recovery. I want to answer their question and I think you should too. Are we as a nation better off today than four years ago? YES We were losing jobs, now we are creating them. We were fighting two wars, now only one. We were contracting as an economy, now we are growing. We had a dying domestic auto business, now it is thriving. Banks were on the brink of bankruptcy, now they have mostly recovered and repaid their Tarp loans. The Dow was at 6,000, now it's at 13,000. Corporate coffers were depressed, now there is record cash on the books. Real Estate lost one trillion in value, now it is stabilizing. Inventories were swollen, now they are depleted with better manufacturing prospects. Everyone's taxes were higher than they are now. Natural gas prices are low and have offset the costs of rising gas prices. Our level of reliance on foreign oil is lowest in 40 years and improved since 08. Mortgage rates were higher in 08 than in 12. Osama Bin Laden and Muamar Qaddaffi were alive, now they are dead. This is just in three and a half years. I can list many aspects of our economy that continue to struggle and in fact, the recovery is slower than anyone wants. Deficit spending continues, and Congressional gridlock and games continues, but, the question as to whether we are better off as a nation is easy to answer. This is what the President will be discussing this week in Charlotte. You can focus on the bad, or you can answer the question honestly....then vote. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

It's Our Turn

The moment has passed. Mitt Romney gave a speech letting us know he loves his family. Very sweet. We also saw a conversation with a chair. This is appropriate in crazyland I guess. We heard Mitt Romney repeat the CBO estimate that normal economic growth will produce 12 million jobs in four years irrespective of who is President, so his number isn't anything to boast about. We also heard him say he wants to take care of your family while mocking global warming and ignoring his party's willingness to cut those programs your family needs most, like Health care? We heard him tell you he is willing to take us to War and lie about Obama's performance with Israel. I'm a Jew, Mitt, not you. So is Ehud Barak, Defense Minister of Israel who spoke of historic support from our President. We also heard him say he wants to care for the poor, but supports cutting their benefits and we heard not one word of thanks or appreciation for our troops in Afghanistan or any reference to the war there. We heard him mention college students, but he supports cutting Pell grants and represents a party that mocks intellectualism. We also heard another vague racist reference to needing an American to run our country. Red meat for his audience in the room. We also heard from Lyin Ryan, and that has already been pretty much vetted but the people in that room didn't care much about the truth anyway. We heard from his wife, but she ignored the realities of her husband's affiliation with the most extreme platform in recent history. We saw a parade of women in an effort to reduce the gender gap and Hispanic gap and we heard from young Rubio whose biography was manufactured to make him look like an escapee from Castro's regime. Most disturbing, we heard from Condaleeza Rice, a member of the cabal that couldnt find Bin Laden, brought us into war under false pretenses, declared victory when there was none and actually tried to take credit for Bin Laden's death as a Bush victory. Lastly, she spoke of civil rights, lunch counters in Alabama, poor schools for black kids and her own personal story while she accepts a party that is engaging in the most historic voter suppression since 1965, wishes to cut education funding, accepts Texas rewrites of text books denying the truth during the Civil War and accepting the unspoken draconian cuts to all non defense programs that would help the plight of the unfortunate in our land. Condi Rice's speech for all its eloquence was the most hypocritical and disturbing of all from my viewpoint. The balloons have dropped. It' over. Now it is our turn. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

From Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/

What She Didn't Say

Last night Ann Romney came to the defense of her husband. As a good wife, she attempted to humanize the man who many view as an unemotional automoton. To the extent that someone watching will change their mind or now support this man on the strength of his wife's speech, this blog is not for you. If you make decisons like that, then I cannot reason with you. What angered me the most about this speech is when she tried to convince us that their lives were filled with tough times and that it hasn't always been easy due to the illness that Mrs. Romney has, MS, thanfully in remission. I open my heart to anyone who struggles with illness and suffering. What Mrs. Romney didn't remind us, is that even though she struggles with this terrible disease, she doesn't have to worry about medical care or insurance or paying the bills for expensive care. Why? Because she is financially privileged. Her husband, who she asks us to support, will however on his first day in office ask Congress to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act, and anyone on Main Street with a pre existing condition of MS will not get insured, probably not be able to afford the care and will likely experience pain and suffering that Mrs. Romney is financially able to avoid. He also wants more tax breaks for himself at the expense of Middle Class America. This is what her husband will do as President. This is what you did not hear. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Bully Pulpit

This evening, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, my governor, will take the stage at the Republican convention and deliver the keynote address. The narrative about him is one of the biggest canards in recent political history. He was literally begged by Ann Coulter to run for President. The neo cons love him for his directness and small government pro business pretend bona fides and he has become a contender for future Presidential opportunities. The truth, as is often the case with this party, is different however. The governor is brash, is direct and is loud and obnoxious, good qualities if you are a prison warden, but his approach to his job has been hurtful to our state which is not performing according to the story Mr. Christie likes to tell. He demonizes teachers and their pensions as the root cause of the state's fiscal difficulties. He has promised property tax relief which has not materialized and instead has played funny math with pension contributions and projected revenues which have not materialized. He rails against the wealthiest New Jerseyans from paying a little more in tax, and has reduced funds to schools, only to restore them due to the State Supreme Court's judgement that he violated the Constitution with his draconian methods. He destroyed an infrastructure project, a needed tunnel, with job opportunities galore by lying about the level of cost to tour state. Under his leadership, New Jersey has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the nation, and this is NOT a result of Obama policies. The real story about Chris Christie is different than what his handlers tell, and despite his popularity in some quarters, he remains a bully, an arrogant and overly rambunctious and obnoxious, self serving man. This is who the Republicans are using to represent them and to deliver the red meat consumed by the party faithful. I for one will not be able to watch. I have a much more important task this evening.....to take out the trash. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Republicans

There was a time when moderate Republicans roamed the Earth. They believed in small government and low taxes, but they also believed that diversity is our greatest strength. They believed that those who are unfortunate need a protected safety net. They believed that compromise and accepting opposition points of view were essential qualities for doing the peoples' work and they governed. Republicans opened up barriers to trade, ended unpopular wars and believed that building bridges and roads and airports were good things to do. These Republicans deserved consideration during elections and were welcomed and most definitely the bulk of the party. Today, these moderates cannot co-exist with the extremist direction that the Republican party has taken. This intense move to the right, will cost them the election at a time when the incumbent is vulnerable. Today, I am embarrassed that this party has become so extreme and so unwavering in its obsession with the wrong things that I cannot in good conscience give them a second look as a voter. I have pledged to no longer try and convince some of my friends who are otherwise capable and reasonable people, that their denial of the extremist views of their party, makes them culpable for its heinous beliefs. The litany of those items that are frankly so extreme as to be borderline un American are too numerous to list, but as Mitt Romney tries to re cast himself as the beacon of future prosperity for all, as he tries to become a man of Main street and as he embraces the callous disregard for the unfortunate in our land, or the hard working young immigrants looking for a better life but deserving of no help or to solidify behind extremist views on abortion, health care, fairness, climate change and wealth, I only hope that those watching realize there is much more that we need to demand from our President. Republicans have become scary, uncompromising and hurtful to our nation. I am sad to say. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Vacation

Taking a needed rest from the lies and the bull. See you soon.