OK Right Wingers - you OWN this guy!

Attention, Trump supporters and Alt-Right ideologues! 

You are fully responsible for the consequences of what you hoped for and have now helped bring to pass.

Due to your blindness, your ignorance, and your failure to uncover, or refusal to believe actual facts when shown the truth about this colossal con, our country as a nation is now saddled with a 'President', in name at least, whether the rest of us like it or not. It's 100% your doing and he's your guy, lock, stock and in all his unbelievably bloviating and revolting ridiculousness.

Why you can not recognize this is a mystery to me. Perhaps it was the relentless propaganda and the mega-millions of dollars spent by America's oligarchy to protect and promote their agenda. Whatever the reason, you bought into this cynical manipulator's shtick from day one and never once pulled back the wrapper to uncover the rottenness simmering and foaming underneath. Even when proved over and over to you, you have refused to believe facts, and somehow justified Donald Trump's lies and nonsense to yourselves. It truly baffles me. Presidential elections have no warranty and bad apples have to be endured unless they die, or are impeached. That said, any way we could rid ourselves of this person would be fine with me.

Elections do have consequences as will soon be all too evident to all, including to you. Never in the history of our country has such an internationally recognized fraud actually been elected to this high office, and he's YOUR GUY! YOUR VERY OWN GUY!

You and the Republican Party OWN this fraud! And, since he and the Republican Party now control both houses of Congress and the presidency, and will soon own the Supreme Court too, there can be no excuses. 

It's 100% your deal now and you own it! That makes YOU responsible.

You own this odious deal 100%, along with the other results of the November 2016 election, and the saner members of our society are going to make sure you, individually and as a group, are held fully responsible for the damage this person will do to our beloved nation and our people. We will neither forget, nor let you get away with it. You can count on that. Yes, you may well end up - sooner than later in fact - with 'buyer's remorse', and rue the day you ever supported Trump, but that will never excuse your part in creating this calamity. You will very likely try to disown your support for him too as so many of you did with Bush II.

But, the fact will always remain, he's YOUR BOY! 

He's ALL yours, along with all of his 'alternative facts'!

100%!

I did not think this could ever actually happen, and hoped until the last possible moment it would not. But, the United States now has a pussy-grabbing (whether its owner likes it or not) sex abusing, narcissistic, neofascist, racist, white supremacist, military disrespecting, draft dodging, tax evading, pathologically megalomaniacal, climate change denying, Russian loving, vendor stiffing, lying, treacherous, vindictive, fear-mongering, American job outsourcing, serial adulterer as its new president. I could go on and on, but there's a limit to how much time I am willing to put into listing all the faults and crimes this odious person represents. He is by orders of magnitude, the most disgusting, unsuitable and disastrous individual to ever rise to such a position in our country.

And he belongs to YOU. And, ONLY to you! The rest of us want no part of him. Ever.

Remember that. The rest of us will not forget . . that he belongs ONLY TO YOU!

Hopefully, any remaining sanely responsible Republican leaders have a fallback plan devised amongst themselves to shortstop damages Trump might attempt to inflict on the country through his ineptitude, ignorance and tantrums.  I very hopefully believe they do. But if they do not or can not put our country's interests over 'party loyalty', the saner ones too will show themselves to be totally irresponsible and share fully in whatever blame coming as a result of this totally unsuitable man's election. He is ALL yours after all, in name, and the GOP as a brand now owns him.

One hope and a very good thing is that it will take only a handful of responsible Republicans to cooperate with Democrats to block Trump's country-damaging insanity. I believe this is what we shall see. I surely do hope so. But whatever it is, it will not be pretty and it will be one wild ride for everyone.

I am so ashamed of all of you who helped elect this monster for your own sake and especially on my country's behalf.

Buckle your seat belts Americans, our ride is only starting!

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Want to do something progressive which is both delicious and effective?  Read on:

Progressives wonder at the obtuseness of some of the worst of the Right Wing idiocy. Like Ann Coulter’s ‘perfection’ of Jews, and Rick Perry’s officially praying for rain, and Michelle Bachmann’s husband’s group for ‘Praying The Gay Away’. And then there’s all the blather about the sins of abortion, the U.S. being a ‘Christian Nation’, and illegal immigration and so on and on and on. If you are a student of history you know the right wing reactionary compulsion is very old, going back to the beginning of recorded time. 

It is a sort of, ‘he or she is not like me, so I’ve got to compel him/her to conform to my way of thinking’.

Right wing conservatives seem to find so many things to be alarmed about. Who knows why they get so exercised and reactionary? My theory is this syndrome is fueled mostly by fear, and its cousin hate, with some envy and jealousy thrown in for good measure - but those are themes for future blogs.

Money seems to be a huge concern for right wingers, and is THE ruling factor in so many of their lives. We progressives need money too of course, but most of us are not so dominated by a primary interest in it. To us money is a means for sustenance and survival and not a tool for control. However, this is not to say money can not be used as a voice.

We all have our favorite causes, and many progressive ideas are just so much anathema to conservatives. So much the better, and therein lies our concept. We often contribute money for our causes, and get a feeling of satisfaction from doing so. But, how about DOUBLING that feeling? 

It is easy really: Just think a little about a cause you may be interested in, and then think of some high profile right winger who is in vocal opposition to it. Once you’ve settled on your right winger, donate to your cause IN THEIR NAME. Make sure you research their name and mailing address so any thank you response from the cause goes directly to your right winger. This can be so, so rewarding and gratifying. Besides directly helping your cause and irritating your target, this lets them know there is someone out there ready and willing to put their money where their mouth is in opposition. Another benefit is your right winger can be seen, albeit indirectly, as actually supporting the cause they vocalize against. 

Sweet!

For example, I myself have donated to the ACLU in Ken Starr’s name, to Planned Parenthood in Sarah Palin’s name, and the Wisconsin Teacher’s Union in Governor Scott Walker’s name. There are so many possibilities you may need to set a budget for your donations to keep things under control.

And, I recommend doing just that by making a list of your right wing ‘donor honorees’ and the causes they are to be honored with. When you sit down to write that check, the feeling is great!

President Obama, as perceived by Far Right Wingers

The following are the perceptions widely perceived and re-translated by Far Right Wingers about what President Obama says and does:

What Obama actually does: Extends medical care to millions of uninsured Americans;

What the Far Right Wingers say: “Obama’s anti-American socialist agenda to cost insurance companies billions.’

What Obama actually does: Resuscitates the national economy;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama’s economic policy not equal to Bush’s.’

What Obama actually does: Urges vigorous enforcement efforts to lower national crime levels;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Nation’s prisons and jails woefully insufficient and understaffed under Obama’s plan.’

What Obama actually does: Pats child on head during public occasion.

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Authorities suspect Obama of pedophilia’.

What Obama actually does: Pins medal on military hero;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama ignores millions of soldiers to reward favorite.’ 

What Obama actually does: Urges development of fuel efficient vehicles;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama plots to destroy nation’s energy companies.’

What Obama actually does: Praises Catholic relief agency;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama shows his scorn for protestant relief efforts.’

What Obama actually does: Urges remedial climate change legislation;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama imperils planet with radical plan.’

What Obama actually does: Comes out of shower in morning;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘President said to walk around nude in the White House.’

What Obama actually does: Shakes hands with Russian Prime Minister;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama obsequious and embarrassingly friendly with Communist leader.’

What Obama actually does: Golfs on Sunday;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama ignores important national business in romp with friends.’

What Obama actually does: Visits VA hospital;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama shows guilt for his policies now crippling American soldiers.’

What Obama actually does:  Suggests comprehensive legislation to settle immigration problems;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama’s policies will put millions of farmers and small businesses in dire economic straits and imperil nation’s food sources.’

What Obama actually does: Furnishes long-form birth certificate;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama sneaks in forged birth documents.’

What Obama actually does: Refuses to release gruesome picture of dead terrorist;

What the Far Right Wingers say: and, ‘Bin Laden death claim suspected Obama hoax.’

What Obama actually does: Kisses wife in public;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Psychiatrists wonder if Obama is sexual deviant.’

What Obama actually does: States he is a Christian;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama pretends christianity to hide his implacable Muslim faith.’

What Obama actually does: Meets with Republican leaders;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama’s smarmy arm-twisting fails to sway honest Republicans.’

What Obama actually does: Attends Broadway play with his wife;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama neglects his own children in wild night on the town.’

What Obama actually does: Has a drink at a cocktail party;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Doctors suspect Obama of hiding alcoholism.’

What Obama actually does: Criticizes outrageous Tea Party claims;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama attacks free speech rights of American patriots.’

What Obama actually does: Makes offhand joke about Sarah Palin;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ’Sarah Palin steadfast and unruffled by Obama lies.’

What Obama actually does: Says he believes in free markets;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama unsuccessfully hides his anti-capitalist socialist program.’

What Obama actually does: Watches people walk down the street;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Is President Obama a secret voyeur?’

What Obama actually does: Supports civil rights for gays;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama now out of the closet!’

What Obama actually does: Believes in hope and change;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama hopes to change everything we value in this country.’

What Obama actually does: Says money is not the most important thing in life;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama’s shows his true anti-capitalist communist colors.’

What Obama actually does: Says he believes in a woman’s right to choose what happens to her own body;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama ardent supporter of abortion mills and murder of the unborn.’

What Obama actually does: Finds a cure for cancer and the common cold;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama seeks to put thousands of doctors and nurses out of work.’

What Obama actually does: Hunts down and kills Osama bin Laden;

What the Far Right Wingers say: ‘Obama violates borders of sovereign nation to murder man.’ 

or, 

‘Obama's success is really based on George W. Bush’s actions.’

or, 

 ‘Obama had him in secret prison all along to await right moment to kill him.’

and/or,

(Pick one or more):

It was a staged death to insure Obama’s reelection;

It was a staged death to divert attention from a Miss USA being groped causing another backlash against the TSA; 

It was a staged death to divert attention from the collapse of the dollar and rising gas prices;

It was a staged death to divert attention from hyperinflation;

It was a staged death to divert attention from the release of the long form birth certificate and lack of a paper trail.

Most of the above are actual claims made by right wing nutters. Well OK, I threw in a few I made up like curing cancer and the common cold. But most are the claims and statements actually being made, or which might easily be made by the unhinged nut jobs on the far right now flying the Republican Party around in tight, bizarre circles.

A Cynical Moderate in a Right Wing World

These days sometimes I feel like an alien dropped onto a strange planet.  A surrealistic planet where very little is as it is purported to be and labels are opposite to realities.

I have always considered myself conservative, particularly on monetary matters.   In fact, I KNOW I am financially moderate.  Maybe even ‘penurious’ as my wife sometimes claims.  I am a child of a child of the Great Depression after all.  The lessons and fears of that time were drummed into me and my siblings during our childhoods.

I have mostly lived in what are now called ‘Red States’, meaning Republican or at least Republican leaning.  But, many were not always Republican, although they were always what is now considered ‘conservative’ and right-wing.  The current Republicans in the Old South where I now live were once solidly Democratic in the past.  Rabidly so, in fact.  I’ll always remember my Georgia grandmother telling me as a child, “Don’t you dare tell anyone, but we just found out your Uncle Sammy is a ‘REPUBLICAN’!”, suggesting that was equal to being a child molester or equally vile.

I lived in North Carolina during the early ‘eighties during the so-called ‘Reagan Revolution’ when a great transition took place in the south.  Local politicians who were once solid ’Democrats’ began switching parties, but usually only after they were securely in office.  Their politics did not change one iota, only their political label.  I remember a neighbor lady who ran for mayor of our town, who once elected, changed political affiliations the very next day.  At the time I wondered about her sincerity and apparent lack of honesty, but excused it since I considered myself a ‘Republican’ at the time, though I was never a party member.  I did not realize my brand of moderate republicanism would soon be vanishing.

At the time most Republicans were moderate in outlook particularly in the northeast .  But their new southern brothers decidedly were not.  They were the remnants of the old hard line Southern Democrats, who transitioned through being ‘Dixiecrats’ before finally hanging their shields on the ‘New Republicans’ tent as *'neo-Conservatives'.  Basically, the parties switched sides, and platforms.  Democrats became moderates, while retaining their liberal constituencies.  The old hard-line Southern Democrats became ‘Republicans’ and eventually captured the party, driving most moderates, away from the republican camp.  Along the way they captured the term ’conservative’ and redefined it to mean something not conservative at all, but rabidly reactionary in concept.  And yes, they claim financial conservatism, and on the surface it is.  But, underneath it is actually radically pro-corporate and ‘people-be-damned’.

* ("Our "neoconservatives" are neither new nor conservative, but old as Babylon and evil as Hell."
     ~Edward Abbey)

And, to my amazement they have succeeded in persuading millions of Americans to support them against their own personal interests.  Their supporters in the main do not realize this, since they buy into the propaganda and disinformation purchased and disseminated wholesale by corporate special interests, who created a vast PR and propaganda apparatus for this express purpose.  The other amazing part to me is much of the wealth behind this ‘conservative’ push is foreign money - our very own fifth column in you will.

How can this happen?  Why are so many Americans so easily misled?  I am convinced it is part of a decades long campaign by cynical ‘money-masters’ to capture our electorate, and thereby our economy and wealth.  Voters have been ‘dumbed-down’ for years.  We are subjected to a constant barrage of misinformation, disinformation, deception, deceit and outright lies - all piously asserted to be ‘facts’.  I get emails almost every day from someone outraged over some ‘fact’ or the other sent to them by email, and then spread like a virus. And most of us are too busy, or lazy to check for ourselves, simply believing what we want to believe.  As voters, we don’t bother to turn over the rocks. 

But, thankfully today it is very easy to turn over rocks to check for yourself - but only if you are motivated to do so.  Most people do not bother.  I do.  I’m too conservative to simply take someone’s word for something on faith alone.  As a responsible voter, I feel the duty to check things out for myself.  I highly recommend the practice.

Whenever you are presented with a political assertion - you should check for yourself, even if the ‘fact’ fits your political view and you want to believe it.  Often you will be surprised, even by things from your own end of the political spectrum.  This practice will open your eyes and provide you with an entirely new perspective on the political process.

Here are some illustrations: 

"Families for Walmart"

Using Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt as a political tool.

Spreading the news about 'Cap and trade'.

How Obama used the Stimulus fund to help his brother-in-law

Never forget:  "Freedom begins between the ears"  ~ Edward Abbey