Tag: Democrats

Much Of The Republican Party Is Heading Down A Dangerous Path

by inmanb17cedcb09, posted in Current Events

Feb 7, 2022
   A significant amount of the Republican Party is heading down a dangerous, undemocratic, authoritarian style, and potentially violent path that is absolutely threatening American democracy. This may sound like an outrageous statement, but it is still unfortunately true. Quite scary indeed. But we cannot and should not ignore the dangers. Instead, we need to educate ourselves about what is happening and speak out. We should stand up for truth, justice, open-mindedness, kindness, thoughtfulness, fairness, and democracy.
   We have seen over and over how so many Republicans have followed Donald Trump no matter what, even when he is clearly in the wrong. The evidence is overwhelming that the 2020 election was free and fair and that Trump’s claims of widespread fraud are false. Every election will have isolated issues or problems. That is normal in a big election, but there was no widespread fraud here. Ballot counting rooms in every state had Republican, Democrat, and Independent observers monitoring the process and responding to questions that arose. There were also international observers from multiple countries watching things, and every state certified the election, because it was fair. The Trump campaign lost over 60 court cases where it tried to claim widespread fraud, and many of the judges who ruled against it were conservatives. The Trump campaign lost all these cases because it did not have the evidence to back up its outrageous claims. In other words, the 2020 election was free and fair with Biden legitimately winning and Trump legitimately losing. Yet Trump and others have continued spreading their false claims and lies about it, and what is disturbingly frightening is how millions of Americans believe these lies. The spreading of these false claims led to the violent Jan 6 assault on the US Capitol Building by Trump followers. But the danger to American democracy doesn’t end there.
   Donald Trump uses the willingness of millions of Americans to blindly follow him to enhance his power and control over much of the Republican Party in an authoritarian style way. He has many Republicans in elected positions bowing to him, even when a number of them know he is wrong, because they fear he will turn his followers against them and vote them out of office. A scary number of Republicans in elected positions appear willing to undermine democratic values in order to keep their jobs, and another disturbing facet is how some of these officials are true believers. Republicans in numerous states are fighting to pass laws that would make voting much more difficult for millions of Americans. They appear to be doing this to make Trump happy and to increase their chances of defeating Democrats in future elections because it’s no coincidence that these new laws often target people who are more likely to vote for Democrats.
   Recently, we saw how the Republican National Committee (RNC) officially censured Republican Representatives Cheney and Kinzinger just because of their participation in the Congressional Investigation of the violent Jan 6 attack on the Capitol Building. In this censure, they actually referred to the Jan 6 events as “legitimate political discourse.” Think about that for a minute. We all saw the violence of that day as Trump supporters literally assaulted the US Capitol Building. We could see members of Congress fearing for their lives and Capitol police being physically attacked because of lies being spread by Trump and others. The events of that day were not “legitimate political discourse,” yet that is how the RNC referred to it. At the same time, we have seen elected Republicans such as Marjorie Taylor Greene make numerous hateful, false, cruel statements without being censured by the Republican Party.
   Think about this. And these are just a few examples of the dangerous trend many Republicans are going down. 
   This is why we must educate ourselves and speak up. We should stand up for truth, open-mindedness, tolerance, kindness, thoughtfulness, fairness, justice, and democracy. And we have to get out there and vote for individuals who also have the courage to truly stand up and fight for these ideals as well.

What Happened to Civil Debate, Open-mindedness, the Ability to Compromise, and Getting Things Done in US Politics?

by inmanb17cedcb09, posted in Current Events

7-9-21
   You know what, democracy can be messy. It sure can. When you look at history, there are plenty of examples of that. A democracy is made up of plethora of different people and viewpoints so that everyone’s not going to agree on everything. There will be disagreements. Political parties push their agendas and vie for more power. At times, arguments can get passionate and quite heated. Again, if you look at the past, there are plenty of examples. The problem these days is that divisions and severe partisanship have gotten dangerously extreme.
   If you look back at the 1980s and 1990s in Washington DC politics, sure, there were plenty of disagreements and battles in Congress. But there was also compromise and bipartisanship as well. Republicans and Democrats in Congress could sit down and hash out compromises to get things done. Senator Ted Kennedy for example was very liberal and quite passionate about his views, yet he could also sit down with Republicans and hammer out a deal to get legislation passed. While neither side got everything they wanted, in the end, they would get legislation passed for the good of the American people. Sure, it wasn’t perfect. But they were able to get things done much better than today.
   Even before Donald Trump took office, political divisions were getting pretty severe, and then when Trump took office, they got much worse since he made a point to encourage and exacerbate divisiveness. We’re seeing political extremes who don’t want to compromise, and while both parties have been guilty of this lately, the Republicans have gotten much worse about it. A disturbing example of this is the statement by Texas Republican Chip Roy when he said that he would “oppose almost everything that Congress does.” He clearly means that he intends to try to stop any significant legislation that is proposed by the Democratic majority in large part to try to increase the chances of Republicans gaining seats in the 2022 midterm elections. And Roy is not the only one guilty of this. Mitch McConnell for some years now has been going out of his way to obstruct and stop legislation proposed by Democrats in his obsession to try to gain and hold a Republican majority in the Senate. Since he is the Republican leader in the Senate, he is essentially trying to gain and hold as much power as he can in that chamber.
   It seems that too many people in Congress are showing more loyalty to their party than to the United States Constitution and the American people as a whole. And in the Republicans’ case, too many are bowing to the authoritarian style whims and demands of Donald Trump as well. This goes against what Democracy is supposed to be about.
   I’m not one of those people that glorifies the old days so to speak. While I think history is fascinating, it is important to be honest about the past and try to understand the good, the bad and the in-between. But one thing I will say is that we need to regain the ability to talk to one another, to listen to one another, to be open minded, to compromise, and to get things done. Both Democrats and Republicans need to do better in this regard. Furthermore, in the Republican Party’s case, they need to separate themselves from Donald Trump and his dangerously authoritarian tendencies and lies. Democracy frequently requires compromise because of the diversity of society. Everyone needs to remember that it’s more important to stand up for the United States Constitution, the American people, and Democracy than be blindly loyal and follow a particular political party or individual. Too many people these days are essentially being more loyal to their political party (and in many Republicans’ case, to Donald Trump) than to the United States Constitution. This trend is not only disturbing, it’s dangerous because history is full of examples of things like this and how they can lead to authoritarianism and dictatorship.
  

Republicans Are Pushing For New Laws That Would Make Voting More Difficult For Many Americans

by inmanb17cedcb09, posted in Current Events

4-5-21
   Republicans around the country are pushing for new laws that would make it significantly more difficult for many Americans to vote. They’re particularly targeting mail in voting and ballot drop boxes, both of which were used heavily by people who voted for Democrats in the last election.
   This is no coincidence. It’s very clear that the Republicans are trying to make it more difficult for people to vote, especially those they fear will vote for Democrats. Historically, Republicans have often feared large voter turnouts in elections because they worry that it may favor the Democrats if more people come out and vote.
   This is clear voter suppression. Republicans are trying to increase the odds that they might win future elections by making it more difficult for those who may vote for Democrats to cast their ballot. This is sick, disgusting, and goes against what democracy is supposed to be about. Frankly, it starts getting dangerously close to authoritarianism and clearly goes against what this country should stand for.
   Everyone who cares about our freedoms and democracy should be furious and speak out against these horrendous laws that Republicans are pushing all around the country. Mail in voting has been shown over and over to be very effective and quite secure. The military has been using it for years. We should be encouraging people to exercise their constitutional right to vote and have a voice in American democracy.
   People need to speak up and speak out against these outrageous new laws.
   Let’s stand for democracy and the United States Constitution.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/30/politics/voting-rights-republicans-restrictions-key-states/index.html

It’s Time For Everyone To Start Working At Healing This Battered, Divided Nation

by inmanb17cedcb09, posted in Bi+/LGBTQ Issues, Current Events, Social Issues

11-8-20
   Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the presidential election, and yes, this is a big deal. A potential turning point to begin the process of healing this bitterly divided, battered nation.
   I’m an Independent politically. In some ways, I’m very liberal while in other ways I’m moderately liberal and moderate. Like many people in this country, I’m a mixture.
   We’ve all seen how viciously divided this nation has become. While Donald Trump’s outrageous rhetoric has seriously inflamed this state of affairs, others on all sides of the political spectrum have contributed to it.
   Many people have gotten to the point where they see almost anyone who doesn’t agree with them enough as a mortal enemy. Instead of calmly discussing issues, learning about (and from) one another, people often lash out. They frequently refuse to listen to the other side or even consider different points of view.
   Another trend contributing to this problem is how many people only surround themselves with others who agree with them and exclusively seek out information from sites that tell them what they want to hear.
   Thing is folks, this is not healthy, and it’s hurting our nation.
   Like it or not, this country is made up of people with a whole plethora of views, ideas, and outlooks. We are not going to agree on everything, yet we still have to live together. We need to find ways to talk and listen to each other. Learn from one another. Find ways to work together.
   I think most people in this country are sick of the vicious divide that has been tearing things apart. It’s time for change.
   We need to do better. We should be able to have healthy, rational, calm discussions with people who hold different views. We ought to be learning from one another and seeking out ways to work together. Frankly, people (whatever their political views) need to get out of their comfort zones and seek to open their minds. Get information from a variety of different sources and hear what others have to say. Try to find ways to educate, learn, listen, and work together.
   And yes, sometimes this will mean making some compromises, and I’m talking to everyone here. Liberal, conservative, in between, whomever you are.
   I truly hope that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris start bridging some of the serious divides plaguing our country and get people talking again. Strive to get some bipartisanship back in government.
   But they can’t do it alone. Let’s all start working at the process of healing this battered, divided nation.

Trump Is Grossly Unqualified And Incompetent As President

by inmanb17cedcb09, posted in Current Events

10-10-20
   Let’s get one thing out of the way. I’m an Independent politically and don’t blindly follow anyone or anything. I look at the evidence and make the best decisions I can. With that said, I must tell you that we all need to unite behind Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
   I realize this sounds like some political ad, but it’s not.
   The thing is: we cannot afford 4 more years of Donald Trump. The country really can’t. We must vote him out of office, and the only way to do that is to unite behind Joe Biden and Kamala Harris because the next president will be Trump or Biden. That’s a fact. Third party presidential candidates have zero chance of winning this election. Zero. Worse is that supporting one splits the anti-Trump vote and thus helps Donald Trump. As a matter of fact, people voting for third party candidates in 2016 is a significant part of how Trump got in office.
   We all know how horrendously bad a president Donald Trump is. His outrageous hurtful rhetoric, colossal scale of lying, authoritarian tendencies, xenophobic behavior, and gross mishandling of the COVID pandemic are well known. Trump seems to go out of his way to avoid upsetting Russia and has not held the adversarial nation accountable for its ongoing cyber attacks on the United States. He has also not adequately addressed the serious accusations of Russia paying bounties for killing US and Coalition soldiers in the Middle East. On top of that, he is using the courts to try to take away Obamacare in the middle of this pandemic without having any replacement whatsoever. If he succeeds, millions of Americans with pre-existing medical conditions could be at risk of losing their health insurance during the COVID 19 crisis. Trump is also engaged in voter suppression with his baseless, unfounded attacks on mail in voting and the US Postal Service. He is clearly trying to hinder the ability of people (whom he fears will vote against him) to vote. This sort of behavior goes against the foundation of our country and democracy itself.
   Also consider this: the September 26 White House event in the Rose Garden exemplifies how horribly the Trump Administration has been handling the COVID pandemic. People sat shoulder to shoulder and most wore no masks. Scientists are calling this a super-spreader event due to the number of people who have tested positive and the number of additional people potentially exposed to the virus by these positive individuals. Think about that. The Trump Administration ignored the White House’s own COVID guidelines so that the Rose Garden event became a super-spreader situation.
   I could go on and on. The point is that whatever your political views, it’s time to unite behind Joe Biden and Kamala Harris because we must vote Trump out of the White House. We also need to vote a Democratic majority to both Chambers of Congress in order to start trying to repair the damage being done to this country by Trump and numerous other DC Republicans.
   The United States cannot afford 4 more years of Donald Trump.

People Must Register To Vote And Actually Vote To Defeat Trump and Other Republicans

by inmanb17cedcb09, posted in Bi+/LGBTQ Issues, Current Events, Social Issues

The Democratic Iowa Caucus appears to have had a lot of confusion as well as a disappointing turn out. Folks, too much is at stake! Trump and the Republicans in Washington are frankly scary.

The national deficit is worsening dramatically.

Russia is not being held accountable for its ongoing cyber assaults on our country and other nations.

Trump interfered with the Mueller Investigation as well as the Impeachment Inquiry and Trial. If a Democratic President did this, I bet the Republicans would have decisively impeached and convicted them.

The Trump Administration abandoned our Kurdish allies, a move which greatly enhanced Russia’s power in the region and ensured that nations around the world will no longer trust the United States like they once did. This latter state of affairs is exacerbated by the way Trump insults, undermines, and injures our long term allies.

Trump’s actions with regards to Iran has increased the likelihood that that nation will develop nuclear weapons. If Iran does, Saudi Arabia will follow suit since they are adversaries. Then two extremist governments will be nuclear powers. The risk of a terror organization getting a nuclear device will go up. And make no mistake: if a terror group obtains one, they will use it.

Donald Trump lies on a scale we haven’t seen in a modern president and then viciously assaults the legitimate free press when they rightly call him out on it. The free press, which Trump clearly disrespects and does not like, is a vital component to American Democracy. Trump’s attacking such an important part of our freedom as “fake” is exceedingly dangerous and frighteningly reminiscent of authoritarian rulers around the world and throughout history.

The Republicans in Congress have shown themselves to be pathetically and dangerously weak enablers of Donald Trump and his terrible behavior. They won’t hold him accountable when they clearly should and have failed their oaths of office by refusing to subpoena witnesses and documents in the Impeachment Proceedings. If a jury in any other trial behaved as the Senate Republicans have, a mistrial would have been declared.

Trump and the Republicans are desperately trying to pack the Supreme Court with hard core conservatives who could jeopardize the rights of millions of Americans. LGBTQ rights in particular could be in serious danger if Ruth Bader Ginsberg is replaced by an extremist social conservative.

Clearly, the upcoming election is one of the most important events in US history.

Too much is at stake to stay out of it.

So, get involved!

Speak up! Register to vote!

And VOTE!

Remember, particularly in the Presidential election, we must unite behind whoever wins the Democratic Presidential nomination. Voting for a 3rd party candidate is helping Donald Trump.

So whoever the Democratic Presidential candidate turns out to be, suck it up and vote for them!

Too much is at stake not to!

And by the way, I’m an Independent.