Its Been a While

The Recent Rumblings From Washington

As we suspected all along, the Republican leaders in Washington lack backbone when it comes to Donald Trump. Recently released tapes indicate the Kevin McCarthy felt Trump should be urged to resign shortly after the Jan 6 insurrection.

We as a people need to understand any attack to our democracy. Make no mistake, Jan 6th was an attack on our democracy. Most Republicans voted against any investigation. This vote does not recognize the existence of an insurrection and effectively continues it.

Thank goodness for Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. If JFK was alive today he would include them in his “Profiles in Courage.” His definition was taking positions advantageous to the majority while not necessarily in one’s own interest. Can anything be more true of these two representatives. Both are receiving harsh challenges to their continuing in office beyond 2022. Both have put country over their own interests.

Ron DeSantis and Election Year 2022

The Florida legislature created Congressional districts which disadvantage Democrats. This was not enough for Ron DeSantis, he needed districts which also disadvantaged minorities. Make no mistake the Republican caucus throughout the south wishes to return to the days of the past where the white majority dictates to the minorities.

DeSantis takes on Disney, not because of the jobs created in Florida near Orlando, but because Disney has the will to speak up against his policies. The last year has seen laws limiting descent in Florida. What will come next? Are we close to the time when one party can limit access to the media of the other party.

We already have separate media for each party, because neither party can civilly discuss issues with the other. This must change.

A true democracy demands a civil debate of the issues.

For now I blame Republicans…

Not because I think all their ideas are evil, but because it is Republicans more than Democrats who refuse to compromise.

Immigration Reform.

Immigration reform is not about a wall or who to keep out. It is about how to treat other human beings. When discussed in these terms, I believe that our agreements far outweigh our differences. The discussion on immigration reform needs to start on what we can agree on.

• Adults brought to this country as children who are not criminals should not be treated as such. There needs to be a path to citizenship for anyone who grew up and has known no other home but the US.
• Children arriving at our border alone is a tragedy. The first item of business is their care. The final outcome should be made on an individual basis. This process will take time.
• Large groups fleeing their circumstances for a better life here is a reality which requires changing the origins problems. This may be beyond our control, but making this country less desirable is not a solution.
• Closing the border is not a solution, but just ignoring the problem.
• Building a wall will not work. We need only look at how the Maginot line didn’t keep out the Germans in World War II and the Great Wall of China didn’t keep enemies at bay.

The difference between Republicans and Democrats.

Republicans want to go back to the good ole days. Democrats advocate building a better future. Remembering the good ole days is important, but only through clear glasses which also see the imperfections.

I saw a History Channel documentary on Ulysses S. Grant recently. While I don’t always believe everything I see on TV, there were several points I want to repeat.

• Grant as a general was a genius. He is remember because war is brutal and he fought the war completely. It earned him the nickname as the Butcher.
• He believed in the equality of all men. His presidency started by using military action in the south to enforce the rights of blacks. Re-election required him to ease the enforcement. The north tired of war with the south and the politics of reelection forced him to redefine his commitment.
• His presidency but not Grant himself ended with scandal.
• Southerners wrote most of the histories of the Civil War. Because of this we remember Grant’s faults more than his successes.

I find this last point interesting.

The slant given by history books…

Robert E Lee is a hero. The victor Ulysses S. Grant is a drunk incompetent butcher. Republicans are asking us to not rewrite history. History says the south fought for states rights. The right which was most controversial was the right to own another human being. The south fought to retain a lifestyle supported by slavery.

This is the truth.

Grant fought to abolish slavery both as a General and then as a President.

Elon Musk

He recently said that the extreme left is all about hate. Later in the same interview he had misgivings about the extreme right. I agree that the divide between the two extreme is undeniable. Both sides truly hate each other.

I would suggest that the far right’s position is one motivated by providing unlimited opportunity. The far left is motivated by the common good. While opportunity is enough for most folks, there are a disadvantaged minority who truly need help. The positions of the far right will never solve this need and as such will never solve root cause issues.

While I chose a more middle of the road approach, the far left’s position is much closer to mine. I would suggest that the life of Jesus of Nazareth is an example of living life to the far left.

Bringing us back to Today.

We are on the brink of losing our commitment to the phrase “all men are created equal.” The rich and their financial resources will never be disadvantaged. They will always have access to power. The question is should that power be limited. I say it must and the only way is through “government of the people, by the people and for the people.” Origin