Happy Thanksgiving, Indeed

 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Calm, Unemotional Logic on the November 3 Vote

From actor and activist Robert Redford because we seem to be lacking calm, clear, unemotional logic and thought lately.

"I have a lot of vivid memories of growing up in Los Angeles in the 1940s, but one in particular keeps coming back to me today, in these troubled times. I remember sitting with my parents -- actually, my parents were sitting; I was lying on the floor, the way kids do -- and listening to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt talking to us over the radio. He was talking to the nation, of course, not just to us, but it sure felt that way. He was personal and informal, like he was right there in our living room.

I was too young to follow much of what he was saying -- something about World War II. But what I did understand was that this was a man who cared about our well-being. I felt calmed by his voice. It was a voice of authority and, at the same time, empathy. Americans were facing a common enemy -- fascism -- and FDR gave us the sense that we were all in it together. Even kids like me had a role to play: participating in paper drives, collecting scrap metal, doing whatever we could do. That's what it was like to have a president with a strong moral compass. It guided him, gave him direction, and helped him point the nation toward a better future.
Maybe this strikes you as simple nostalgia. I've got a touch of that, sure (who doesn't right now?). But I'm too focused on the future to sit around pining for the old days. For me, the power of FDR's example is what it says about the kind of leadership America needs -- and can have again, if we choose it.

But one thing is clear: Instead of a moral compass in the Oval Office, there's a moral vacuum. Instead of a president who says we're all in it together, we have a president who's in it for himself. Instead of words that uplift and unite, we hear words that inflame and divide. When someone retweets (and then deletes) a video of a supporter shouting "white power" or calls journalists "enemies of the state," when he turns a lifesaving mask against contagion into a weapon in a culture war, when he orders the police and the military to tear gas peaceful protestors so he can wave a Bible at the cameras, he sacrifices -- again and again -- any claim to moral authority.

Another four years of this would degrade our country beyond repair. The toll it's taking is almost biblical: fires and floods, a literal plague upon the land, an eruption of hatred that's being summoned and harnessed, by a leader with no conscience or shame. Four more years would accelerate our slide toward autocracy. It would be taken as free license to punish more so-called "traitors" and wage more petty vendettas -- with the full weight of the Justice Department behind them. Four more years would mean open season on our environmental laws. The assault has been ongoing -- it started with abandoning the historic agreement that the world made in Paris to combat climate change, and continued, just last month, with using the pandemic as cover to let industries pollute as they see fit. Four more years would bring untold damage to our planet -- our home.

America is still a world power. But in the past four years, it has lost its place as a world leader. A second term would embolden enemies and further weaken our standing with our friends.

When and how did the United States of America become the Divided States of America? Polarization, of course, has deep roots and many sources. President Donald Trump didn't create all of our divisions as Americans. But he has found every fault line in America and wrenched them wide open.

Without a moral compass in the Oval Office, our country is dangerously adrift. But this November, we can choose another direction. This November, unity and empathy are on the ballot. Experience and intelligence are on the ballot. Joe Biden is on the ballot, and I'm confident he will bring these qualities back to White House.

I don't make a practice of publicly announcing my vote. But this election year is different. And I believe Biden was made for this moment. Biden leads with his heart. I don't mean that in a soft and sentimental way. I'm talking about a fierce compassion -- the kind that fuels him, that drives him to fight against racial and economic injustice, that won't let him rest while people are struggling.

As FDR showed, empathy and ethics are not signs of weakness. They're signs of strength. I think Americans are coming back to that view. Despite Trump -- despite his daily efforts to divide us -- I see much of the country beginning to reunite again, the way it did when I was a kid. You can see it in the peaceful protests of the past several weeks -- Americans of all races and classes coming together to fight against racism. You can see it the ways that communities are pulling together in the face of this pandemic, even if the White House has left them to fend for themselves.

These acts of compassion and kindness make our country stronger. This November, we have a chance to make it stronger still -- by choosing a president who is consistent with our values, and whose moral compass points toward justice."

--Robert Redford, July 8, 2020

Vote, folks.

November 3, be sure to vote.

And vote blue.

On This November Election Coming Up?

Let's be clear.  What needs to happen. What needs to happen to this man, to his political party and FOR our nation.

VOTE, folks!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2020!

And VOTE BLUE!!

BLUE WAVE!!!

A Historical, Patriotic Reminder -- And a Hope

Vote, folks!

Come Tuesday, November 3 this year, VOTE!!

And VOTE BLUE!!

BLUE WAVE!!

On Being a Liberal

Reputedly, supposedly, reportedly and hopefully, from Ron Howard, found out there on social media:

January 24 at 5:41 AM

I'm a liberal, but that doesn't mean what a lot of you apparently think it does. Let's break it down, shall we? Because quite frankly, I'm getting a little tired of being told what I believe and what I stand for. Spoiler alert: not every liberal is the same, though the majority of liberals I know think along roughly these same lines:

1. I believe a country should take care of its weakest members. A country cannot call itself civilized when its children, disabled, sick, and elderly are neglected. PERIOD.

2. I believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Somehow that's interpreted as "I believe Obamacare is the end-all, be-all." This is not the case. I'm fully aware that the ACA has problems, that a national healthcare system would require everyone to chip in, and that it's impossible to create one that is devoid of flaws, but I have yet to hear an argument against it that makes "let people die because they can't afford healthcare" a better alternative. I believe healthcare should be far cheaper than it is, and that everyone should have access to it. And no, I'm not opposed to paying higher taxes in the name of making that happen.

3. I believe education should be affordable. It doesn't necessarily have to be free (though it works in other countries so I'm mystified as to why it can't work in the US), but at the end of the day, there is no excuse for students graduating college saddled with five- or six-figure debt.

4. I don't believe your money should be taken from you and given to people who don't want to work. I have literally never encountered anyone who believes this. Ever. I just have a massive moral problem with a society where a handful of people can possess the majority of the wealth while there are people literally starving to death, freezing to death, or dying because they can't afford to go to the doctor. Fair wages, lower housing costs, universal healthcare, affordable education, and the wealthy actually paying their share would go a long way toward alleviating this. Somehow believing that makes me a communist.

5. I don't throw around "I'm willing to pay higher taxes" lightly. If I'm suggesting something that involves paying more, well, it's because I'm fine with paying my share as long as it's actually going to something besides lining corporate pockets or bombing other countries while Americans die without healthcare.

6. I believe companies should be required to pay their employees a decent, livable wage. Somehow this is always interpreted as me wanting burger flippers to be able to afford a penthouse apartment and a Mercedes. What it actually means is that no one should have to work three full-time jobs just to keep their head above water. Restaurant servers should not have to rely on tips, multibillion-dollar companies should not have employees on food stamps, workers shouldn't have to work themselves into the ground just to barely make ends meet, and minimum wage should be enough for someone to work 40 hours and live.

7. I am not anti-Christian. I have no desire to stop Christians from being Christians, to close churches, to ban the Bible, to forbid prayer in school, etc. (BTW, prayer in school is NOT illegal; *compulsory* prayer in school is - and should be - illegal). All I ask is that Christians recognize *my* right to live according to *my* beliefs. When I get pissed off that a politician is trying to legislate Scripture into law, I'm not "offended by Christianity" -- I'm offended that you're trying to force me to live by your religion's rules. You know how you get really upset at the thought of Muslims imposing Sharia law on you? That's how I feel about Christians trying to impose biblical law on me. Be a Christian. Do your thing. Just don't force it on me or mine.

8. I don't believe LGBT people should have more rights than you. I just believe they should have the *same* rights as you.

9. I don't believe illegal immigrants should come to America and have the world at their feet, especially since THIS ISN'T WHAT THEY DO (spoiler: undocumented immigrants are ineligible for all those programs they're supposed to be abusing, and if they're "stealing" your job it's because your employer is hiring illegally). I believe there are far more humane ways to handle undocumented immigration than our current practices (i.e., detaining children, splitting up families, ending DACA, etc).

10. I don't believe the government should regulate everything, but since greed is such a driving force in our country, we NEED regulations to prevent cut corners, environmental destruction, tainted food/water, unsafe materials in consumable goods or medical equipment, etc. It's not that I want the government's hands in everything -- I just don't trust people trying to make money to ensure that their products/practices/etc. are actually SAFE. Is the government devoid of shadiness? Of course not. But with those regulations in place, consumers have recourse if they're harmed and companies are liable for medical bills, environmental cleanup, etc. Just kind of seems like common sense when the alternative to government regulation is letting companies bring their bottom line into the equation.

11. I believe our current administration is fascist. Not because I dislike them or because I can’t get over an election, but because I've spent too many years reading and learning about the Third Reich to miss the similarities. Not because any administration I dislike must be Nazis, but because things are actually mirroring authoritarian and fascist regimes of the past.

12. I believe the systemic racism and misogyny in our society is much worse than many people think, and desperately needs to be addressed. Which means those with privilege -- white, straight, male, economic, etc. -- need to start listening, even if you don't like what you're hearing, so we can start dismantling everything that's causing people to be marginalized.

13. I am not interested in coming after your blessed guns, nor is anyone serving in government. What I am interested in is the enforcement of present laws and enacting new, common sense gun regulations. Got another opinion? Put it on your page, not mine.

14. I believe in so-called political correctness. I prefer to think it’s social politeness. If I call you Chuck and you say you prefer to be called Charles I’ll call you Charles. It’s the polite thing to do. Not because everyone is a delicate snowflake, but because as Maya Angelou put it, when we know better, we do better. When someone tells you that a term or phrase is more accurate/less hurtful than the one you're using, you now know better. So why not do better? How does it hurt you to NOT hurt another person?

15. I believe in funding sustainable energy, including offering education to people currently working in coal or oil so they can change jobs. There are too many sustainable options available for us to continue with coal and oil. Sorry, billionaires. Maybe try investing in something else.

16. I believe that women should not be treated as a separate class of human. They should be paid the same as men who do the same work, should have the same rights as men and should be free from abuse. Why on earth shouldn’t they be?

I think that about covers it. Bottom line is that I'm a liberal because I think we should take care of each other. That doesn't mean you should work 80 hours a week so your lazy neighbor can get all your money. It just means I don't believe there is any scenario in which preventable suffering is an acceptable outcome as long as money is saved.

Added to all that, the definition of a liberal:

liberal  [ˈlib(ə)rəl]

ADJECTIVE

willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.
"they have more liberal views toward marriage and divorce than some people"

Synonyms:
tolerant · unprejudiced · unbigoted · broad-minded · open-minded ·

relating to or denoting a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise.

"a liberal democratic state"

synonyms:
progressive · advanced · modern · forward-looking · forward-thinking ·

relating to a Liberal party or (in the UK) the Liberal Democrat Party.
"the Liberal leader"

given, used, or occurring in generous amounts.
"liberal amounts of wine had been consumed"

NOUN

a supporter of policies that are socially progressive and promote social welfare.Often contrasted with conservative.

"are we dealing with a polarization between liberals and conservatives?" ·

a supporter of a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise.

"classical liberals emphasized the right of the individual to make decisions, even if the results dismayed their neighbors or injured themselves"

a supporter or member of a Liberal party or (in the UK) the Liberal Democrat Party.
"the Liberals are looking to defend a seat in Tuebrook and Stoneycroft"

Republicans and Democrats

Unfortunately, Ronald Reagan wasn't held accountable for his famously illegal Iran-Contra weapons scam.

But sure, the 2 parties are just the same.

Sure they are.

A Few Reasons I'm a Democrat

This leaves out, of course, all the things Republicans do and have been doing, in Congress, across the states, across the nation, to their respective states, to their constituents and so, to the nation so yes, it's a long but partial list.

Yoder and Kansas GOP Set For a Fall?

There is a terrific, even hopeful article out this week at The Hill and it has potentially good to great information on Kansas’ House seat.

Check it out:

Top 10 GOP House Seats Most Likely to Flip

Sharice Davids, Kevin Yoder

Kevin Yoder (KS-03)

Yoder is the only member of Kansas's all-Republican congressional delegation seeking reelection in a district won by Clinton in 2016.

What's more, the state's 3rd District includes Kansas City and its surrounding suburbs, making it a prime target for Democrats this year.

Yoder faces a challenge from Democrat Sharice Davids, who, if elected, would be one of the first Native-American women in Congress.

Recent public polls show Davids with a solid lead in the race. A survey released late last month by Emerson College put her ahead of Yoder by 12 points, and The Cook Political Report has for over a month kept the race in the "Lean Democratic" column.

At the same time, the NRCC has drastically scaled back its financial support for Yoder - a sign that the GOP House campaign arm may be losing confidence in his prospects.

I love it, of course.

Take nothing for granted, folks. Get out there this Tuesday and VOTE.

And VOTE BLUE!!

Midterm Elections Weeks Away!

The midterm elections are only weeks away! November 6!

Are you registered?

If you aren't, did you know you can register at the local Kansas City Public Library?

Go! Go now! Register!

And vote!

And VOTE BLUE!!

We need that BLUE WAVE!!

Hope for the Left, In Spite of Yesterday's Loss

Okay, sure, Jon Ossoff lost yesterday against Republican Karen Handel in Georgia's 6th District.

You wouldn't think anyone in this nation could say, publicly, in the middle of a political campaign, as Ms. Handel did, that she's against a living wage and still win an election but here we are.

That said, even with knowledge of yet one more loss today, last evening, there are two things to keep in mind. First, there is this from the  New York Times a few days ago (link below).

If Mr. Ossoff wins the election, Republicans can argue — with some credibility — that Georgia’s Sixth was a particularly ripe opportunity for Democrats at a time when Mr. Trump’s ratings among college-educated voters have sunk into the low 30s.

But even if he loses, Mr. Ossoff’s strong performance has already demonstrated that Republicans in well-educated but traditionally conservative areas now shoulder the burden of Mr. Trump’s weak performance. It suggests that previously safe Republican incumbents in Orange County, Calif., or the suburbs of Dallas and Houston could face serious challenges next November. And most important, a close race in Georgia’s Sixth suggests that control of the House is in play, regardless of which candidate comes out on top.

Second, next, there is this today, from Professor Robert Reich's Facebook page.

As the national political and media world focused heavily on the Georgia race, an underfunded, overlooked Democrat, Archie Parnell, also a first-time candidate, almost pulled off a huge upset in the South Carolina seat vacated by Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s budget director. Parnell lost by about 2,800 votes, a little more than 3 percentage points, after party leaders decided to devote all their attention in the run-up to Tuesday’s elections to the Ossoff-Handel race.

Bottom line: Democrats are doing extraordinarily well in traditionally red districts -- and have an excellent chance of taking back the House next year.

So take heart all you Liberals (libruls), Lefties, Democrats, Progressives and Socialists out there. There is cause and room and reason for hope.

We just have to get out there and work our tails off.

And VOTE, of course.

Links:

The 15 Best-Educated Districts in the U.S., 

and Why It Matters in the Georgia Race

Robert Reich

The Democratic Party Must Finally Abandon Centrism

Don't get demoralized by the big Georgia loss, Democrats

I'm Not Demoralized by Jon Ossoff's Loss

Neither Triumph Nor Despair: Sizing Up a Loss in Georgia

Buck Up, Democrats

Quote of the Day -- Election Day

"The most important political office is that of the private citizen."

--Justice Louis D. Brandeis

Vote, folks. 

Get out and vote.

And have a great day.

It's Election Day!

Don't forget to vote!

Eight Years Ago Today

Eight years ago today, one Barack Hussein Obama was elected into office, the highest office in the nation and the most powerful office in the world.

Don't forget. We can never forget.

And now, let's do it again, with and for the first woman, this coming Tuesday.

Vote.

And vote blue.

The Bad Hombre vs. The Nasty Woman

The Donald and Hill, songified. Hit it.



God forgive us.

To All the Liberals and Left Wingers and Progressives

Think about this.

At minimum, at minimum, when Hillary Clinton takes office next year, this coming January 20, as president---and she will--she will, at the very least be appointing first one and then another or more Supreme Court Justices. At the very minimum.

And at that very least, the Democrats and Liberals and Progressives and anyone and everyone of any political stripe that realizes we need to get the money out of our politics will all get together and come up with a legal challenge to the earlier Citizens United ruling.

And it will be overturned.

So if you're maybe frustrated that Senator Sanders didn't make it to where we are now and to the White House, at least realize you have this. And it is no small thing.

Count on it.

Quote of the Day -- On Polarization

"There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.".

--- John Adams

This Convention Vs. The Last

Differences between this political party's convention vs. the last

--This one did have humor in it

--It looks like America. It looks like a rainbow of color, not a box of saltine crackers

--The convention hall is full, not spottily or partially filled

--There are no calls at this one for anyone to be "executed" or "hung" or even arrested

--There ARE calls, however, for, finally and at long last, rebuilding and improving our nation's infrastructure of roads, bridges and highways, etc.

--Signs this week? About love. Literally. "Love trumps hate.'

--Tears. There were already, on the first night, tears of joy, tears of laughter, tears of inspiration

--No hate

--No fear

--At the end of this one, I would nearly bet there will be no musical groups insisting the political party or candidate not play their music

Finally, there's this:

Most Cities Evict Their Homeless Before Big Events. Philly Is Trying Something New.

A huge difference between what this Democratic National Convention, this week, in Philadelphia, the "City of Brotherly Love" did vs. the Republicans' convention in Cleveland. One evicted them. This one found them beds and places to go.

Since When, America?

From a friend's Facebook post today:

Since when did wanting a society:

* that is as inclusive as possible
* that works effectively for all its members
* that provides opportunity equally regardless of accidents of birth
* that places the rights of people above the rights of corporations.
* that protects its resources for future generations
* that treats its citizens equally before the law
* that protects its most vulnerable members
* that cooperates in preference to dominating
* that values education and wisdom

become a "radical" idea?

Thanks, Doug.

Democratic Socialism and Being Consistent For Over 25 Years

Why Senator Sanders Is Right For America

It's not just that Senator Sanders stands for things and stands for the right things and isn't taking money from the big PACs, though those are all big factors in his campaign.

It's that he stands for so many RIGHT things and that he stands for the people and that he's his "own man."  His views set him so apart, so simply but clearly, distinctly and strongly apart from ALL THE OTHER candidates in this presidential race and that it's basically the same stances he has taken FOR YEARS.

It's clear he's for us. It's clear he's been for us, for the people, for years.

Finally, it's clear he's genuine. It's very clear he's the "real deal."

As president, he wouldn't be and won't be "perfect" and solve all the nations ills, no more than our current president has or did. 

But he's the right man for the job and with a Democratic Congress, a lot of our intrinsic problems in the nation, in and of our government, could and would be addressed, repaired and changed for the better.

Links:  Bernie Sanders - Mayor, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator

Bernie Sanders - Wikipedia

Meet Bernie Sanders