Robert H Miller Sat, 19 Oct 2019 15:24:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 IN MY GREAT AND UNMATCHED WISDOM Sun, 20 Oct 2019 12:30:55 +0000 Trump Pontificates “. . . if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey. . .” So said Donald Trump, spinning the most unconscionable, reprehensible and heinous decision—among so many such decisions—of his presidency. In the event… More

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Trump Pontificates

“. . . if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey. . .” So said Donald Trump, spinning the most unconscionable, reprehensible and heinous decision—among so many such decisions—of his presidency. In the event you were visiting another planet and missed the event, here are the salient points.

Kurdish History in Brief

Historically the Kurds have never had their own country. When the WW l victors drew borders of new nation-states, Kurdish interests were largely ignored. Thus, the Kurdish population ended up occupying principally, what are today, parts of Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran. Their different language, culture and customs always marked them as outsiders to the ethnic group controlling the country. These differences exist today and are a continuing source of repression by those who control the countries in which they live.


After WW II, the Kurds established the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad in the Iranian City of Mahabad.  But the Republic collapsed when the Soviet Union, which had supported its creation, withdrew from Iran. The former Shah had treated the Kurds brutally, so they actively supported the 1979 revolution. However, after the revolution, the new government returned to hostile treatment of the Kurds. This gave rise to a militant group, the PJAK (Free Life Party of Kurdistan), operating out of Northern Iraq. In 2019 the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights testified that about half of Iran’s political prisoners are Kurdish.


The U.S. failed in its commitment to support the Kurds in 1991 after the Gulf War. But subsequently, the U.S. established a “safe haven” and “no-fly zone” in the Kurdistan Region to provide asylum from Saddam Hussein. In 2003 the U.S. invaded Iraq and ousted Hussein, enlarging the area of the Kurdistan Region. Today, the Kurdistan Region, is the closest the Kurds have come to having their own country. It operates semi-autonomously with its own government and security forces, but also participates in the federal state institutions in Baghdad.


Successive Turkish Governments have suppressed the Kurds, banning the Kurdish language, dress, customs and names. Their clear intent was and is to extinguish the Kurds as a separate ethnic group. The European Court of Human Rights has condemned Turkey for its execution and torture of civilians and destruction of villages. In short, the Court blamed Turkey for thousands of human rights abuses. Desirous of an independent Kurdistan or more autonomy within the country, the PKK (Kurdish Workers’ Party) was formed in 1978. It began to fight the Turkish Government in 1984. The U.S., U.K., European Union, Japan and Turkey have labeled it a terrorist organization. But the U.N., Switzerland, China, Russia, India and Egypt have not. There have been ceasefires, but none have prevailed to bring peace to the combatants.


The Syrian Government routinely harassed the Kurdish population, which finally rebelled as did other ethnic groups. Two Kurdish organizations emerged from their rebellion: the PYD (Kurdish Democratic Party) and the KNC (Kurdish National Council). These Parties created the KSC (Kurdish Supreme Council) to govern the areas of Syria under Kurdish control. The KSC, in turn, created the YPG, (People’s Protection Units) to control Kurdish inhabited areas.  The YPG aligned itself with Arab, Assyrian/Syriac militias and other smaller forces to form the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces). Since the YPG is closely associated with the PKK, many see the SDF as simply a Public Relations front to mask its connection with the Turkish PKK.

Nevertheless, U.S. Special Forces, allied with the SDF/YPG, routed ISIS, capturing thousands, and kept Syrian Government forces at bay. These actions established a “safe zone” in northern Syria, but at the cost of thousands of Kurdish lives.

The U.S. Dilemma

The Kurds have been one of America’s best allies and certainly earned the respect and support of the United States. On the other hand, Turkey is a NATO ally, at war with the PKK, the Turkish terrorist organization. The Syrian YPG is an outgrowth of the PKK and its members are believed to be followers of the jailed PKK leader, Abdullah Ocalan. The U.S. had made some modest effort to defuse the situation, but Turkey was and is more interested in destroying the Kurdish threat. Though having a limited troop presence between Turkey and the YPG, the U.S. was able to forestall a Turkish invasion. That is until the man with “great unmatched wisdom” decided to demonstrate just how wise he was.

Trump’s Great Unmatched Lack of Wisdom

Former Cabinet Secretaries have referred to Trump as a moron and an idiot. Sadly, I believe they overrate him.

The Phone Call

In a phone call with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey, Trump said he would remove U.S. forces, thereby abandoning the U.S.’ Kurdish allies. Thus, he gave the green light to Turkey to invade northern Syria. Erdoğan wanted to establish an area without the presence of YPG forces that could attack Turkey. Trump claimed it was to follow through on his campaign promise to bring the troops home.

Nice, but nonsense. His military and other advisers opposed such an action, and were caught blindsided. Clearly, Trump is unaware of the region’s history and incapable of understanding the consequences. And there are terrible consequences that impact the national security of the United States.

Trump claims that in the phone call he warned Erdoğan, “If Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!).” Erdoğan denies Trump ever said that.

Trump Justifies Betrayal

Let us also not forget how Trump subsequently justifies abandoning the Kurds. “ . . . They didn’t help us in the Second World War, they didn’t help us with Normandy.” That’s a true but ridiculous statement. The Kurds never had their own nation state to make such a decision. It’s obvious that Trump doesn’t have even a grade school understanding of history.

Trump also tweeted that “we are slowly & carefully bringing our great soldiers & military home.” A blatant misstatement. While withdrawing troops from Syria, he sent about 2,000 troops to Saudi Arabia. According to Fox News, since May, U.S. Forces in the middle East have increased by 14,000.

The Consequences

While the present situation is highly fluid, some consequences are already evident.

Lives of American Soldiers

The most immediate consequence is that the lives of American soldiers are at risk. They are now forced to suddenly withdraw from territory without adequate preparation or support. To prevent enemy forces from obtaining supplies and munitions, American planes have been called in to bomb and demolish sites American troops have abandoned. But major risks remain as Americans withdraw amid armed forces of Kurds, Turks, Syrians and Russians in relatively confined areas. Yet Trump doesn’t seem to care about the danger in which he’s placed our troops.

The U.S. Reputation

United States national security has been built on alliances with other countries—NATO being a prime example. But Trump’s action in Syria has solidified a growing U.S. reputation as less than a loyal, dependable ally. Hard to maintain our good name when he betrays an ally that has stood with us at a huge cost in lives of its troops. Perhaps Israel should reflect on what might happen if it needs U.S. help. It’s well known Trump has no loyalty to those who have been loyal to him. However, Israel loving Evangelical support in the United States might guarantee Trump answers the phone if Israel calls.


The Kurds’ priority is now fighting the Turkish invaders in northern Syria while finding refuge elsewhere. Hundreds of ISIS prisoners have already escaped from custody, and more, including several of high value, are expected to. Trump has brushed that problem off since he believes ISIS will go to Europe to commit their terrorist acts. Perhaps Trump believes European countries will get what they deserve since they refused to take back their nationals, captured ISIS members. Apparently, he is in denial that the U.S. is just as much an ISIS target.


The situation on the ground in Syria has changed dramatically. With the U.S. departure, the Kurds are looking to the Syrian Government for help to defend against the Turkish invasion. Welcome back Bashar Assad and hello Vladimir. Russia has just gained a larger voice in Middle-East politics at the expense of the United States. Iran is licking its chops, too. No more pesky U.S. military to interfere with Iran’s control of Syria and opportunity to attack Israel. Take note, Netanyahu.


Then there’s that irksome problem of nuclear arms at the Incirlik Airbase in Turkey. The U.S. stores an estimated 50 B-61 hydrogen bombs—more than 25% of the nuclear weapons in the NATO arsenal. Turkey has purchased the Russian S-400 missile system, which violates U.S. law and requires the U.S. to impose sanctions. That is in addition to any sanctions the U.S. may impose as a result of Turkey’s invasion. Whether Turkey should remain a member of NATO is a subject worth exploring. Though it’s further complicated by all those hydrogen bombs.

Trump’s Motivation

Aside from the consequences that challenge our national security, this action by Trump will likely cause the death of thousands of innocent civilians. Aside from sheer stupidity, I believe it is the most callous, inhuman and heinous action he’s ever initiated. And I find myself trying to understand his motivation.

Is his narcissism so great and his understanding so lacking that he didn’t realize what he was doing? Possibly. He is shockingly stupid and uninformed.

Is his narcissism and confidence in his “gut instinct” so great that he knows more than his experienced advisers and believes this is the right decision? Possibly. He repeatedly tells us he is a stable genius and knows more than his generals.

Is his narcissism and view of himself as a strongman so great that he believes no world leader would do anything to challenge or upset him? Possibly. But look how Kim Jung Un has played him.

Perhaps we can sum up these possibilities in one sentence. His narcissism made him do it.

The Russian Connection

Of course, we cannot dismiss his Vladimir crush. He’s placed Russia’s interests above ours so many times, and we know this green light move is in Russia’s interest. Before Trump could tweet his message to the world, Russia became the power broker in Syria and a—if not the most—dominant player in Middle-East politics.


Then there’s always the self-interest factor. After all Trump does have two hotels in Turkey. Could that have influenced his actions? Perhaps this explains why Trump had instructed his lackey Attorney General to go softly on Turkey’s state-owned Halkbank, accused of circumventing U.S. sanctions on Iran. We might ask why an indictment against the bank was only filed Tuesday, October 15th after Turkey’s invasion became a cause célèbre?

And then there’s the question of why the Trump administration has been trying to extradite the exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen for his alleged role in the 2016 attempted coup? I guess Trump wants to maintain a good relationship with his upright friend Recep.

More thoughts on Trump’s Rationale

On Monday October 14th, Trump tweeted: “After defeating 100% of the ISIS Caliphate, I largely moved our troops out of Syria. Let Syria and Assad protect the Kurds and fight Turkey for their own land. I said to my Generals, why should we be fighting for Syria…. and Assad to protect the land of our enemy? Anyone who wants to assist Syria in protecting the Kurds is good with me, whether it is Russia, China, or Napoleon Bonaparte. I hope they all do great, we are 7,000 miles away!

It’s amazing how many lies and how much stupidity Trump can squeeze into a few sentences. He defeated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate? Obviously, he doesn’t understand the conflict in Syria. He has cleared the way for Russia to enhance its influence in the Middle-East and implies that the U.S. is in no danger because we’re 7000 miles away. Representative Liz Cheney reminded him that the 9/11 terrorists came from Saudi Arabia, which is more than 7000 miles away.

A Formula that Works

I doubt there are many people happy with the endless wars in which the U.S. has been engaged since the terrorist attacks in 2001. And it is understandable to want to bring our troops back home. But turning inward and bringing all troops home will not keep the United States safe. The world is a dangerous place and made more so by the expanded reach of non-state actors like ISIS and Al Qaeda.

Dealing with such situations requires a solution that does not call for an invasion of hundreds of thousands U.S. troops. The U.S. presence in Syria—before Trump’s traitorous action—represented a realistic and effective way to approach this issue.

Kurds were willing to partner with the U.S. to deal with ISIS because we had a mutual interest in defeating them. They supplied the necessary ground forces and we provided a limited number of U.S. Special Forces and other support. The Kurds paid a terrible price in lives, but the partnership worked. We took back territory from the ISIS Caliphate and captured thousands of ISIS prisoners. Kurds and smaller ethnic groups now had a place to live safely, and away from Syrian control and repression.

So having developed and executed a formula that worked, Trump, the military genius, blew it up in one phone call. Why would any country want to work with the United States and a President who so callously betrays his partners? The damage he’s done to the United States is immeasurable.

Trump the Stable Genius

On Wednesday Trump said our Kurdish allies are “not angels” and U.S. troops shouldn’t be losing their lives along the Turkish-Syrian border because “it’s not our border.” He then declared his actions were “strategically brilliant.” Later he spoke disparagingly about the Kurds suggesting they were fairly compensated for their effort. As if that was their motivation. Trump is so self-impressed about his grasp of the situation, he has no idea how totally uninformed he is.

Trump threatened and cajoled his good friend Recep in a letter so infantile that Recep threw it in the garbage. So Trump sent the two Mikes—Pence and Pompeo—to Ankara where Erdoğan benevolently met with them. They obtained a five-day ceasefire—or pause —after which no sanctions on Turkey will be imposed. The Kurds are expected to withdraw and allow Turkey to set a 20-mile zone south of the border. What a negotiation! Trump was played again. He gave Turkey everything it wanted in Syria and removal of sanctions, too. We got nothing.

Erdoğan is to meet with Putin in five days so we’ll have to wait to see what Putin decides about this arrangement. Nonetheless, Trump feels good about the deal and states that it’s a great day for civilization. I don’t think the Kurds would agree, nor would most Americans. On Thursday Trump added to America’s shame. He said, “In fairness” to Turkey, they had to have Kurds living along their border “cleaned out.” Imagine, the President of the United States supporting genocide.

Looking Ahead

The House has passed a bipartisan resolution condemning Trump’s action by a vote of 354-60 with more than 2/3 of Republicans voting in the affirmative. Senator Ron Paul blocked a vote in the Senate, though Moscow Mitch McConnell has indicated he wants a stronger resolution of condemnation. Will Moscow Mitch follow through?

In the weeks and months ahead we’ll learn more about the damage Trump has caused America. We’ll continue to ponder the question, whose side is Trump really on?

I suspect the reader will now understand why I said that former Cabinet Secretaries who referred to Trump as a moron and an idiot overrated him.


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Trump—More than an Embarrassment Sat, 05 Oct 2019 13:00:00 +0000 Actions lead to major security risk Donald Trump isn’t capable of self-reflection and feeling shame, so he isn’t embarrassed by his behavior. But when he was elected President, he became more than an embarrassment to the United States. He has upended global alliances, shown disdain for the environment and actively destroyed gains we’ve made. His… More

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Actions lead to major security risk

Donald Trump isn’t capable of self-reflection and feeling shame, so he isn’t embarrassed by his behavior. But when he was elected President, he became more than an embarrassment to the United States. He has upended global alliances, shown disdain for the environment and actively destroyed gains we’ve made. His disastrous trade tariffs, punishing immigration action, attempts to withdraw healthcare from millions, irresponsible tax cuts and support of authoritarian leaders is incomprehensible.  He scuttled the Iranian agreement with no plan to replace it.

He is blatantly corrupt and dishonest, as are many of his cabinet secretaries. He apparently feels contempt for the Constitution, and has turned the United States—once the moral leader of the free world—into an untrustworthy pariah. But beyond the embarrassment, he has become a major risk to the security of the United States.

Trump beholden to Russia

I have long believed that he is beholden to Russia, which provided financing he couldn’t obtain elsewhere. Remember, he had driven companies he controlled into bankruptcies, while stiffing the banks that financed him. I also believe he has laundered ‘dirty’ money for Russian oligarchs. These actions make it easy for Russia to insist Trump follow their playbook. If Russians provided financing, they could easily withdraw it, bringing on the collapse of the Trump empire. And if they chose to reveal his duplicity, his reelection hopes would be dashed and potentially expose him to prosecution.

This scenario seems like a plausible explanation for his refusal to release his tax returns. It also makes sense of his continued defense of Russian aggression towards the United States. Despite being warned repeatedly by the U.S. intelligence agencies, he refuses to take any serious action to prevent Russian intervention again in the 2020 elections.  Of course, these assertions remain to be proven. But the whistleblower complaint, which revealed his conversation with the new Ukrainian President suggests this theory might be accurate.

Trump—sleazy misogynist and more

Trump’s narcissistic character and lack of morality has never been in doubt. The Access Hollywood tape revealed—in his words—he was a sleazy misogynist, proud of being able to assault women. Without insight or shame there can be no remorse. Therefore, he hasn’t changed, but has exposed more of what most people would find shameful. Unabashed liar, racist, anti-Semite and corrupt, are descriptions that characterize Donald Trump.  His hubris is unmatched outside of a psychiatric in-patient unit. He calls himself a patriot, but he is definitely not a patriot of the United States. Just read the readout of the conversation with the Ukrainian President.

In that call Trump violated U.S. law that prohibits a person from soliciting, accepting, or receiving anything of value from a foreign national, directly or indirectly, in connection with a Federal, State, or local election. He also abused his power by withholding material aid to Ukraine—aid that had been specifically authorized by Congress. He used Mafia-like extortion that he believed would benefit him personally in the 2020 election, before releasing the aid. Then he authorized the record of that call to be transferred to a separate server used only for top-secret, sensitive government information. At the very least, this cover up is an acknowledgement that he had committed a crime.

Throwing the Ukraine under the bus

But the commission of a crime is not the most damaging result of his actions to the country. Withholding approved aid to the Ukrainians limits their ability to defend themselves from Russian aggression. During their meeting at the U.N. General Assembly, Trump blithely commented to the Ukrainian President, “I really hope that you and President Putin can get together and solve your problem.” That statement completely ignores and eliminates Russia’s blatant aggression in annexing Crimea and invading Eastern Ukraine. Trump would be hard pressed to make it more obvious that he is beholden to Russia, and vulnerable to blackmail by foreign sources that could present proof he’s broken U.S. law. No President has ever been more of a risk to the security of the United States.

Time for impeachment

I was against impeaching Donald Trump, but no longer.  He is more than an embarrassment. Trump has debased the Constitution and committed high crimes and misdemeanors. He must be removed from office. Of course, that raises the ugly problem of the self-serving Republicans Senators. But in spite of them, Democrats must make the case and put Trump’s sycophants on trial as well.

I’m extremely impressed by several female Democratic Congresswomen who, in 2018, were elected in districts Trump won in 2016. Despite the risk to their reelection in 2020, they voted to begin the impeachment inquiry, and uphold the oath they took to defend the Constitution. Republicans, it is a time to face the obvious truth, exhibit some moral character, protect the country and honor the oath you took. The United States of America needs men and women of honor, who don’t put the fear of being “primaried” above their patriotism.

A grave threat to democracy

Donald Trump and his administration are the gravest threat to our democracy in my lifetime. And Democrats must take up the task. Polls show that a majority of Americans are fed up. Perhaps the Trump base, like other cults before them, will never accept the danger this man represents. During the 2016 campaign Trump said, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” It sounded like hyperbole, but it was not then, and is not now.

Reality and facts

In 1950 Bernard Baruch, an American financier and presidential advisor said, “Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts.” Were he alive today, he’d be shocked to learn that many of Trump’s followers have come to believe in alternative facts. The saying, “Don’t confuse me with facts,” has no relevance to them. Reality and facts are what they perceive them to be, what they hear on Fox News, and what Trump says they are. Let me give a brief example.

Trump supporters take me to task

As anyone who’s read my blogs knows, I’ve been very critical of Donald Trump. In general, they’ve been largely ignored by Trump supporters. After all, why would a Trump devotee read this blog? But an August posting, I love My Country, Do You? must have inspired a few to look at it. They took me to task for my failure to recognize reality and distort the truth. Here are some comments:

“Robert… President Trump is the first honest president since JFK- who was assassinated by the Deep State Cabal.  I’m hoping you will do some real research and wake up to the truth.  The msm is controlled by the Deep State and is lying about Trump- and everything else!”  

“Bob, very sad to read this. You attack your president that the majority elected Recklessly. Every single president in your lifetime has been a law breaking criminal. Some worse than others, I rate a president on what they actually do or dont do for the country. This president is by far the best performing president of my lifetime, a patriots patriot. And i may speak having actually served my country as a patriot.”

I responded, suggesting a reality check was in order. Honesty is certainly not an attribute to apply to a proven pathological liar. And as most of us know, Trump was not elected by a majority of Americans. As for Trump being a patriot’s patriot, I suggested that would apply only to Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Meaning of the whistleblower’s complaint

Given the fast breaking news and seriousness of Trump’s duplicity, let me repeat and summarize my conclusions.  Up to now I could only surmise that Trump was acting on behalf of Russia. However, that’s been substantially confirmed in the aftermath of a Whistleblower’s Complaint concerning Trump’s illegal extortion of the Ukrainian President. He violated the law seeking information from a foreign government about a U.S. political rival. He then covered up his illegal action, improperly placing relevant data in a server reserved for top security code-word items.

His actions were known to several U.S. intelligence officials, and likely by other countries’ security services known to intercept calls. And that is a risk to our national security. Trump obviously wanted to keep his actions secret, making him vulnerable to blackmail by an enemy country that knew of them. But even worse was his delay in delivering weapons Congress had already approved for Ukraine’s defense. A U.S. ally is trying to defend itself from Russian aggression, and Trump places a roadblock in its path. Did he forget Russia is a country that has, and is actively trying to harm the United States?

What Russia means to Trump

No, he didn’t forget. He just didn’t and doesn’t care. Russia is more important to him personally than is the security of the United States. Recent news reports reveal that Trump excused Russian interference in the 2016 election. Notes of this 2017 meeting with the Russian Ambassador and Foreign Secretary were then hidden in the top-secret server. It’s also believed that information concerning Vladimir Putin and Mohamed bin Salman have been improperly placed in these top-secret servers.

If these reports are true, and I suspect they are, then Donald Trump is a real-life Manchurian candidate. Not one who acts under a movie plot’s controlled mind, but is driven by his own greed, fear and narcissism. A traitor is someone who betrays the trust of another or is false to an obligation or duty. Donald Trump meets that definition. He is not a patriot. Donald Trump is more than an embarrassment. Donald Trump is a traitor. For the security of the United States, he must be impeached and removed from office.


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Real Americans Fri, 20 Sep 2019 13:00:41 +0000 The Faux Americans Donald Trump has given hate groups license to unabashedly reveal their hatred of everyone different from them—the Others. White supremacists and their nationalist, Neo-Nazi and alt-right allies have taken advantage of their newfound legitimacy. They publicly and proudly proclaim they are the Real Americans. The rest of us, with our different skin… More

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The Faux Americans


The Real Americans

In actuality, native American Indians are the only ones who could claim to be Real Americans. Everyone else came from somewhere else. They became Real Americans by immigrating directly, or as a descendant of previous immigrants. That includes the men who established the United States and its government. Known as “Founders,” they immortalized their vision of this new country in the Declaration of independence and the Constitution.

The Founders’ Vision

They wanted the United States of America to be free of restrictions on any ethnic or religious group. That principle is codified in the First Amendment to the Constitution. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” George Washington was immensely proud of implementing this novel idea. In August 1790 he traveled to Newport, Rhode Island where he visited a Jewish synagogue. In a letter of thanks to its congregants, he made several references to religious freedom.




The Shame of Slavery

It is incontestable that at its founding the United States welcomed people of all religions as Real Americans. Though religious freedom was specifically spelled out, not everyone was free. Slavery, widespread throughout the South, was a permissible practice preserved in the Constitution. The Civil War finally ended that shameful chapter; abolished slavery and codified it in 1868 as the Constitution’s 13th Amendment.

Enslaved men and women did not choose to be immigrants, yet as a workforce they made major contributions to the development of this country. Though they were not free, their labor was. They more than earned the right to be called Real Americans.

Hatred Disguised as Patriotism

Apparently, white supremacists and their nationalist, Neo-Nazi and alt-right allies believe it is their right to define who a Real American is: a mirror image of themselves. Everyone else is The Other, and should have no rights. There is no historical, legal or moral basis for that claim, just irrational hatred disguised and justified under the cloak of patriotism.

E Pluribus Unum”

The great strength of America has always been its diversity. People are drawn here because this country, more than any other on earth, creates its strength and greatness by intertwining cultures, religions, languages, customs, colors and traditions into a masterpiece. It’s what the founders envisioned when the Great Seal of the United States was first used in 1782. “E Pluribus Unum” – Out of Many One.  

Franklin D. Roosevelt expressed this perfectly when he said, “The principle on which this country was founded and by which it has always been governed is that Americanism is a matter of the mind and heart; Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry.

The Hatemongers Who Lack American Values

The men and women marching under the banners of Confederate and Neo-Nazi flags have no right to claim they are Real Americans. Their flags represent groups that made war against the United States and tried to destroy it. Fortunately for them, freedom of speech is a respected American value. If the United States were a country reflective of the values these hatemongers are demonstrating, they would be treated as Real Enemies of the State and prosecuted for treason, or much worse.

Neither the white supremacist nor Nazi agenda is an American agenda or philosophy. These hatemongers should be marginalized and forced to crawl back into their racist and antisemitic holes. It’s time to quarantine them in the dustbin of history.

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Inspiration for Hatred, Racism and Antisemitism Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:00:16 +0000 Trump—An Inspiration for Hatred Long before Donald Trump occupied the Oval Office, he was an inspiration for hatred and racism. Initially, his targets were people of color; then Mexicans, then Muslims. Being an equal opportunity racist, the President has added antisemitism to his arsenal. Now everyone among his base of white supremacist and Neo Nazi… More

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Trump—An Inspiration for Hatred


His father, Fred passed down his racist ideology to little Donald. An article in a 1927 New York newspaper reported Fred Trump was arrested at that year’s Memorial Day parade. The charge: refusing to disperse from a [Ku Klux Klan] parade when ordered to do so. Of course Donald denies it, but we all know what his version of the truth is worth. Perhaps he’s accusing the media of retroactive fake news.

In 1973 the U.S. Department of Justice sued the Trump Organization for violating the Fair Housing Act. It had evidence Trump refused to rent to black tenants. Though he denied the charge, he signed an agreement in 1975, promising not to discriminate against renters of color. There’s nothing subtle about his bigoted attacks: accusations against the Central Park Five, President Obama’s place of birth, Blacks, Mexicans, and Muslims. An excellent article by German Lopez in Vox details Trump’s long history of racism.

Charlottesville—Trump’s Open Embrace of Hate Groups

White supremacists, white nationalists, Neo Nazis, Klansmen, and other self-identified members of alt-right hate groups gathered in Charlottesville in 2017. Carrying torches, they marched through the University of Virginia chanting their hatred of Jews. With Nazi flags waving and swastika armbands unabashedly on display, it might as well have been Berlin in the 1930’s.

Even though I knew about Trump’s racism, I still expected that as President of the United States he’d condemn these racists and antisemites who were shouting, “Jews will not replace us.” But not this President. Taking note of the counter demonstrators, he said, there were “very fine people on both sides.” People have called that statement a “dog whistle.” I call it a bullhorn, blaring inspiration for racism and antisemitism. He has given these avowed hate mongers permission—one might say encouragement—to openly spew venom. Trump has legitimized the racism they had kept hidden under wraps, and they flaunt it proudly

These groups had supported his election, but I remember him publicly trying to distance himself. Obviously, he has come to see political value in supporting hate groups and in saying outright hateful things himself. The negative consequences continue to grow.

Antisemitism and Loyalty of American Jews

Antisemitic attacks in the United States have been on the increase since Trump was elected. But I don’t think we fully appreciated the depth of antisemitism before breaking out in the open in Charlottesville. Antisemitism has always existed at the margins. But a few old tropes from the bully pulpit or conspiracy theories on social media and it’s back in the mainstream. Trump’s tweets have certainly been an inspiration!

Consider his statement to American Jewish Republicans referring to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, as their Prime Minister. He accused Jews who are Democrats of being disloyal to Israel or having dual loyalty. The point here is to suggest that Jews have a greater loyalty to Israel than the United States. This, of course is the opposite of criticizing Jews for disloyalty to Israel. But then again, no one can accuse Trump of making a rational argument. Following his logic further, we therefore conclude that if Jews don’t support him, they aren’t loyal Americans. All this from the mouth of the “stable genius” and “least racist person in the world.”

Support for Israel and Antisemitism

Some Jewish Americans take comfort in Trump’s strong, unquestioning support for Israel. However, support of the State of Israel does not also equate to automatic support of the Jewish people or acceptance of the Jewish religion as a path to God’s good grace. In fact, many strong supporters of Israel are also antisemitic.

Evangelicals are ardent supporters of Israel. They believe its existence is necessary to fulfill the biblical prophecy of the return of Jesus Christ and the End Times. But while Evangelicals, as a group, tend to take conservative positions, Jews lean toward the liberal. American Jews overwhelmingly support issues such as abortion and gay rights; Evangelicals see them as a threat to the American Christian identity. By no means does this reflect all Evangelical viewpoints. But if you examine speeches made by prominent Evangelical Pastors across the country, it is not unusual to find support for Israel concurrent with muted or direct condemnation of Jewish people, religion and/or political positions.

Trump the Antisemite

This President will continue to make his racist and antisemitic comments because that’s what’s in his heart. And the fact that his daughter converted to Judaism and is married to a modern Orthodox Jew cannot be used to negate his antisemitism. Nor can the fact that his principal adviser on immigration and hatred of immigrants, Steven Miller, is Jewish. What you see is what it is. Trump must believe his public racist pronouncements help him with his base and will drive them to the polls. That is a Trump card, and he’s willing to play it regardless of the damage he’s doing to our country. If it doesn’t hurt him personally, it doesn’t matter.

Domestic Terrorism

Domestic terrorism is now considered a major threat across this country, far greater than that of foreign-based terrorism. There are well over a thousand hate groups in the U.S.: Neo-Nazis, skinheads and others who all conform to a white supremacist ideology. Inspired by Trump’s racism and antisemitism, they, in turn, spawn domestic terrorists who put the philosophy into action and are largely responsible for the epidemic of mass shootings. Children are being murdered in their schools. Worshipers are being murdered in their churches and temples. Ordinary Americans are being murdered in shopping malls and concert halls. Yet the only thing this President and his lackeys in the Senate offer are thoughts and prayers.

The FBI has asked to have domestic terrorism classified a federal crime so it can be addressed in a more effective manner. Yet Moscow Mitch McConnell takes no action—he apparently doesn’t want to risk upsetting Trump’s constituency.

Passage of effective gun safety laws could reduce the number of mass shooting victims. Yet Moscow Mitch McConnell is unmoved—he also doesn’t want to upset the NRA, or chance losing its financial and membership support.

Dangers of Trump’s Stress, Delusions and Hatred

The dangers posed by white supremacists, Neo Nazis and other alt-right groups are real and present, but Congress does nothing. Concurrently, the President continues to verbally fertilize the seeds of hatred, stimulating the growth of racism and antisemitism. No one within the Trump orbit can make him behave like the elected leader of a democracy. That is apparently not good enough for him. He retweeted that Israeli Jews “love him like the second coming of God,” and he agrees with them. He has declared himself to be “The Chosen One,” a delusional grandiose assertion that one normally hears on a psychiatric in-patient ward. I wonder what other deity will emerge next.

Trump is under considerable stress. There are forecasts of a looming economic recession and he’s having problems fulfilling campaign promises about immigration, trade and building a border wall. Then there’s the possibility of his tax returns becoming public. And it’s clear that when his stress levels rise, he strikes out at others and becomes increasingly more erratic. An unhinged president is a clear and present danger.

Trump’s blatant public racism and antisemitism are inextricably linked with gun safety. Must we wait for graveyards full of mass shooting victims or a full-blown race war for action to be taken? It’s time for Republicans to stand up to Trump. He is a man without a conscience or moral compass. Congress must act to protect the country from his hate filled rhetoric and the people it inspires.


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Gun Safety Now! Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:00:11 +0000 Moscow Mitch and Gun Safety An overwhelming majority of Americans favor adopting certain gun safety laws now. Congressional Republicans sit on their hands, while Senate Majority Leader “Moscow Mitch” McConnell ignores legislation passed by the House. So we must ask why? What is it about gun safety or gun control that makes “Moscow Mitch” and… More

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Moscow Mitch and Gun Safety

An overwhelming majority of Americans favor adopting certain gun safety laws now. Congressional Republicans sit on their hands, while Senate Majority Leader “Moscow Mitch” McConnell ignores legislation passed by the House. So we must ask why? What is it about gun safety or gun control that makes “Moscow Mitch” and other Republicans willing to watch tragedy play out across the country and ignore it. 

Immediately after a mass shooting, these folks are quick to offer sympathy and prayers. But they refuse to endorse gun safety policies either at times of crisis and public outcry, or at times in between. At all times Congress has turned a deaf ear to the voices of the people it represents.

Gun Safety Laws and the Second Amendment

Perhaps they are opposed because they believe any such law would violate the Constitution’s Second Amendment. But that is false reasoning. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote for the majority in Schenck v. United States. “The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing a panic.”

Another judicial giant, Justice Antonin Scalia, confirmed that opinion when he issued the Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia et al. v. Heller. In defining Second Amendment rights, he specifically stated they were not unlimited and provided a road map for constitutional limitations.



Limitations on Second Amendment Gun Rights

As should be plainly obvious, background checks and red flag laws conform to the constitutional limitations Scalia described. They provide the means to prohibit the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or impose conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms.

His statement there is “not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose,” would seem to allow a ban on assault weapons.

Scalia’s opinion conveys the view that gun safety laws do not restrict law-abiding citizens from exercising a constitutionally protected right. So today, proposed gun safety laws encompass permitted limitations on those rights. The question is how long will this Supreme Court allow those limitations to continue. In the past, conservatives criticized the Supreme Court for making law, intruding on the political process. No longer. Now that they are in the majority, it appears making law might just be an operative principle. Certain Justices appear desirous of addressing this issue again and further restricting or even eliminating these permissible limitations.

If that happens, it will strike at the credibility of the Court as an impartial referee and imprint it as an instrument of political ideology. One hopes that Chief Justice Roberts will not want that as his legacy and allow the current political process to proceed. It is therefore critical for Congress to confront this issue while the constitutionality of gun safety laws can be defended.

Other Fallacious Arguments Against Gun Safety Laws

Aside from challenging their constitutionality, opponents of gun safety laws argue the real problem is not guns, but mental health. However, it is clear that this is a disingenuous argument. They concurrently oppose red flag laws and extensive background checks that could limit individuals with mental health problems to obtain guns.

“It takes a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun.” This is a catchy meme meant to encourage good guys to purchase guns. It asserts that well-armed law abiding citizens will be more quickly able to stop mass shootings. In reality it doesn’t work that way. Note the carnage, despite police—the good guys—responding to the recent mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio in 32 seconds. 

Proponents of unregulated gun ownership have managed to frighten people. Only the criminals and evildoers will have them. Law-abiding citizens will be defenseless and unable to protect themselves against a government that’s gone bad. Their list is extensive and would be alarming if it were true. But this debate is not about banning guns. It’s about keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not have them. It’s about preventing one person from killing more than thirty people in less than a minute with an automatic weapon.

Automatic and Semi-automatic Assault Weapons

Yes, there are law-abiding people who use automatic weapons for hunting and/or target practice. As noted above, banning assault weapons could be a permitted limitation of the Second Amendment. However, if automatic weapons were banned, these individuals would be deprived of the enjoyment of using them. But I ask, how many lives is that enjoyment worth?

Consider the recent mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio. Police reported the gunman had an AR-15 style assault rifle with a 100 round magazine. He killed nine people and wounded 27 in 32 seconds before the police shot him. How many lives would have been saved and less people wounded if the gunman didn’t have an automatic weapon? A majority of Americans must believe lives can be saved because 59% favor banning assault weapons while only 23% opposed.

Saving Lives

Opponents of such laws argue they will not stop the dedicated killer. They are correct. Then again, all laws do not prevent what they are designed to. Murder is against the law, but killers murder. Seat belts are required in autos, but even wearing them does not always prevent deaths. Gun safety laws could prevent some dangerous individuals from obtaining a weapon, thereby potentially saving a life. And a properly enforced assault weapons ban that also includes modifications converting the weapon to semi-automatic can save lives.

It should cover not only the speed projecting the bullet from the weapon, but also the number of rounds its magazine holds. The Dayton shooter fired 41 rounds in 32 seconds or 1.28 rounds per second from a 100 round magazine. Surely a weapon of lesser velocity with a smaller magazine would have reduced the number injured or killed. This isn’t what it takes to kill one deer. This is what it takes to mow down a mall full of people, or a school full of children.

The Science Behind Gun Deaths

But proponents of unrestricted gun ownership laws are afraid that if studied, the effectiveness of gun safety laws reducing death tolls would be scientifically proven. That is why they have essentially blocked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from doing any research on this issue. The Dickey Amendment passed in 1996 mandated that “none of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be used to advocate or promote gun control.”

Imagine if such a restriction were placed on measles or any infectious disease. Let people die by gun rather than examine the underlying cause of their deaths. Congress should eliminate this provision as part of addressing the issue of gun safety laws.

Moscow Mitch and the NRA

So we are at a moment in time when there is no rational argument for Congress to prevent consideration of red flag laws, extensive background checks and a ban on assault weapons. Conversely there is a very real reason to enact such laws. Yet, as stated at the outset, the one individual imbued with power by virtue of his position to stand in the way is Moscow Mitch McConnell. Over the course of his career the NRA has contributed $1,261,874 to his campaigns. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. The tens of million dollar contributions the NRA has made to Republican Senators have played no small role in the Republican Party’s control of the U.S. Senate. In fact, at least 2/3 of current Republican Senators have received contributions from the NRA.

Still, the key is Moscow Mitch. If he allows consideration of these measures, it would force each Republican Senator to take a position on gun safety measures. That might not be very appealing to Republican Senators in purple states up for reelection in 2020. If they vote for gun safety, they could end up with a primary opponent. If they vote against, they could doom their chances of reelection. So Moscow Mitch’s strategy is to avoid the issue. After all, if he keeps putting it off, the public clamor might diminish and nothing will change.

While I’m hopeful that something positive can be accomplished, I suspect that Republicans will simply drag their feet. Therefore, real change will come only when Republicans are no longer in control of the Senate and this President is replaced by one who does not stoke fear, hatred, and violence.


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I love our country. Do you? Mon, 05 Aug 2019 13:00:18 +0000 The Criminal in the White House I love our country but something terrible is happening here. And it’s hard for me to believe we, the majority of Americans, like it. No matter our political leanings, we did not vote to put a criminal in the White House, nor do we now approve of the one… More

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The Criminal in the White House


For those who object to referring to Trump as a criminal, let me point out that Michael Cohen, the President’s long-time attorney, is now in prison for committing a crime that was proven to be at Trump’s direction. In fact, the evidence presented in the Cohen case leaves no doubt that the un-indicted Co-conspirator, Individual–1, is actually Donald J. Trump, who also should have been indicted. But the U.S. Justice Department guidelines do not allow for the indictment of a sitting president.

Corruption and National Security

I strongly suspect that sometime in the future we’ll learn that our corrupt president committed many other serious crimes. I believe Trump fights so hard to keep his tax returns secret because he’s afraid. A forensic analysis might reveal transactions with Russian oligarchs were money laundering—flagrantly illegal under U.S. law. Perhaps it will reveal that Trump is so indebted to Russian financing, that he has no choice but to show fealty to fellow criminal, Vladimir Putin. This would explain why Trump puts America’s national security at risk and ignores Russian meddling in U.S. elections. And all of these crimes were committed before Trump became president.

Another Criminal in the White House

We’ve had a President who proved to be a criminal despite his public pronouncement. “I am not a crook. I earned everything I got,” said Richard Nixon. His crimes were obstruction of justice; abuse of authority and defiance of Committee subpoenas. But at that time, congressional Republicans had not sold their souls. They did not go out of their way to provide cover to a man besmirching the highest office in the land. Once Nixon realized he was going to be impeached, he quit. More accurately, the criminal was exposed and fled. Subsequently he received a pardon from his replacement, Gerald Ford. But the nightmare ended. Not so for us today.

The Racist President – A lack of Love of Country

I don’t like what’s happening to our country. Do you?

A president is elected to serve all the people. This President makes it patently clear he only represents his base, some 40% of the electorate. He is divisive and takes pride in driving a wedge among the rest of us. Though he denies it, there’s no way to ignore Trump is a Racist, with a capital R. His “patriots” are the ones chanting,  “Send her back.” His “very fine people” in Charlottesville include White Supremacists and Neo Nazis. He is an equal opportunity misogynist, though with more emphasis on women of color. Immigrants are scapegoated as if they are the cause of all America’s ills.

It’s hard to fathom that almost 40% of the electorate identifies with this man. I don’t like to think that such a large percentage of the country actually embraces his mean-spirited hatefulness. Perhaps they tolerate him because he gives them judges, tax cuts and less regulation. Or is it because he says what they cannot? If that is the reason, this is not the country I want. And I refuse to accept this is the country a majority of Americans want.

Ronald Reagan, Racist and yet . . .

Nor do I believe this is the country Ronald Reagan wanted. Recently the National Archives released a tape of a 1971 private phone conversation between then California Governor Reagan and President Richard Nixon. It demonstrated unequivocally that Reagan personally was racist. Some would also argue that certain of his policies confirmed his racism.

Yet publicly, this icon of Republicanism was a conservative who saw America as a color-blind land of opportunity for immigrants. He best expressed his views in one of his final speeches as President. Below is a transcript of that speech. But to fully appreciate the depth of Ronald Reagan’s feelings on the subject, I urge you to view the video of that address.

Ronald Reagan’s Last Speech as President

Since this is the last speech I will give as President, I think it’s fitting to give one final thought, an observation about a country which I love. It was stated best in a letter I received not long ago. A man wrote me and said: You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk or Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.

Yes, the torch of Lady Liberty symbolizes our freedom and represents our heritage, the compact with our parents, our grandparents, and our ancestors. It is that lady who gives us our great and special place in the world. For it’s the great life force of each generation of new Americans that guarantees that America’s triumph shall continue unsurpassed into the next century and beyond. Other countries may seek to compete with us; but in one vital area, as a beacon of freedom and opportunity that draws the people of the world, no country on Earth comes close.

This, I believe, is one of the most important sources of America’s greatness. We lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people, our strength, from every country and every corner of the world. And by doing so we continuously renew and enrich our nation. While other countries cling to the stale past, here in America we breathe life into dreams, we create the future, and the world follows us into tomorrow.

Thanks to each wave of new arrivals to this land of opportunity, we’re a nation forever young, forever bursting with energy and new ideas, and always on the cutting edge, always leading the world to the next frontier. This quality is vital to our future as a nation. If we ever closed the door to new Americans, our leadership in the world would soon be lost.

A number of years ago, an American student traveling in Europe took an East German ship across the Baltic Sea. One of the ship’s crew members from East Germany, a man in his 60’s, struck up a conversation with the American student. After a while the student asked the man how he had learned such good English. And the man explained he had once lived in America. He said that for over a year he had worked as a farmer in Oklahoma and California, that he had planted tomatoes and picked ripe melons. It was, the man said, the happiest time of his life.

Well, the student who had seen the awful conditions behind the Iron Curtain, blurted out the question, well, why did you ever leave? I had to, he said, the war ended. The man had been in America as a German prisoner of war.

Now I don’t tell this story to make the case for former POWs. Instead, I tell this story just to remind you of the magical, intoxicating power of America. We may sometimes forget it, but others do not. Even a man from a country at war with the United States, while held here as a prisoner, could fall in love with us.

Those who become American citizens love this country even more. And that’s why the Statue of Liberty lifts her lamp to welcome them to the golden door. It is bold men and women, yearning for freedom and opportunity, who leave their homelands and come to a new country to start their lives over. They believe in the American dream. And over and over, they make it come true for themselves, for their children, and for others. They give more than they receive. They labor and succeed, and often they are entrepreneurs.

A Needed Republican Response

Whether you agreed or disagreed with Reagan’s policies, and even if you considered him racist, there is no question that he recognized immigration and the “melting pot” for what it is: the foundation on which this great country was built.

It is beyond time for Republicans to return to the values that truly make America great, to speak out against the fascist demagogue that presently occupies the White House.

Another great Republican President—Abraham Lincoln—must have been prescient when he said:

 “To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.”


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Trump, Lackeys and the White Rose Sat, 20 Jul 2019 13:10:44 +0000 Republican Lackeys and the White Rose Lackeys are persons who show servile obedience or deference toward someone else without questioning them. Republican Lackeys supporting our crude, racist, uninformed, misogynistic President are creating a precarious situation for the United States. “Nothing is so unworthy of a civilized nation as allowing itself to be governed, without opposition,… More

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Republican Lackeys and the White Rose

Lackeys are persons who show servile obedience or deference toward someone else without questioning them. Republican Lackeys supporting our crude, racist, uninformed, misogynistic President are creating a precarious situation for the United States. “Nothing is so unworthy of a civilized nation as allowing itself to be governed, without opposition, by an irresponsible clique that has yielded to base instinct.” No, that statement was not written about those Republican Lackeys who remain silent while Donald Trump destroys the norms of democracy. It was written 77 years ago by the White Rose, a German resistance movement created during the Second World War.

Started by Munich university students in 1942, the White Rose leaflet campaign promoted active defiance to the Nazi regime. Unfortunately, the Nazis crushed the movement the following year, executing its leaders.

The Growth of Fascism

The Trump regime is not the National Socialist German Workers Party that governed Germany between 1933 and 1945. But the similarities are chilling, or should be. They parallel those of an authoritarian leader trying to gain complete control of government, flouting the law and constitutional strictures.

The President makes no attempt to hide his fascist tendencies. He repeatedly refers to the “free press” as the enemy of the people. Anything critical of him or his policies is immediately discredited as fake news. And when challenged by critics, he belittles their physical appearance and/or mental capacity. They are UN-American. So much for the Constitution’s first amendment regarding freedom of expression.

Then there is his contempt for judges who rule against him. Virtually every Trump policy decision or action attracts legal challenge. Many, if not most of those challenges have resulted in decisions unfavorable to Trump. Which prompts him to assail the individual judges and urge their removal from the bench.

Flouting the Constitution

He does not accept the role of the House of Representatives in appropriating funds for specific purposes. The House refused to finance his border wall. Using a specious claim of an “emergency,” he is attempting to transfer funds from approved appropriations to pay for it.  Once again the issue is under judicial review.

He challenges Congress oversight role and directs executive staff to defy requests by Congressional Committees and ignore related subpoenas. In fact, his lawyers have openly asserted in court that Congress has limited authority to investigate the president. I guess they never read the Constitution and the House’s power of impeachment.

Narcissism Over Knowledge

He fawns over other authoritarian leaders such as those of Russia and North Korea, who play on his narcissism and naiveté to their advantage.  By not taking cyber and military threats seriously, he endangers national security.

His policies on trade and tariffs—though directly contrary to policies of the Party he heads—have hurt segments of the economy. To compensate for their loss of markets, the Government has paid U.S. farmers amounts greater than those received from tariffs on Chinese imports.

He takes immigration action with no apparent idea how to implement it properly, thus creating a crisis at the border. Children and adults are held in cages in inhumane conditions without adequate sleeping facilities and basic health necessities. Harm to children separated from their parents is immeasurable but real. The United States is no longer the bastion of hope for those seeking asylum from the dangers of their home countries.

The Laughing Stock to the World

He is a laughing stock to the world. In his speech at the United Nations the audience of diplomats broke out in laughter when they heard him touting his outrageously false claims of great accomplishments. And the unflattering opinion of him and his administration recently leaked by the now resigned British Ambassador is shared by virtually all others in the diplomatic corps.

He revels in his crudeness, racism and misogyny. A recent tweet stated that four newly elected Congresswomen of color should go back to the countries they came from. They all are American citizens. Three were born in this country and one is a Somali refugee.

Truth has no place in his arsenal of dialog. He lies without hesitation, and repeatedly. By any measure, he fails to observe the norms of civil, political and diplomatic discourse. He is a disgrace and danger to the United States. Yet those who have pledged to defend the Constitution remain silent.

First Tier Republican Lackeys

Former Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan—perhaps one of the few politicians who could have constrained Trump at the start of his Presidency—now claims he did just that. Had it not been for me, he opines, Trump would have been much worse. This is now the common rejoinder of those no longer in government, who sat by while the President acted Trumpian. I doubt Ryan or others will receive a positive response to their attempt at reputation resurrection.

Then there is Mitch McConnell. He is not uninformed or stupid. He knows better. But for blatant politically cynical reasons, he enables Trumpian action in return for judges, tax cuts and less regulation.

Lindsey Graham is the Republican Lackey next in line. I must admit it took me a while to see him for what he is. Because of his close connection with John McCain, I thought he had the deceased Senator’s same moral character. But I was wrong. John McCain was a true American hero in every sense of the word. Lindsey Graham is a self-serving wimp—make that a self-serving, cowardly wimp. He is worried more about being challenged in a primary than defending the values of our country. What would John think of his “friend” if he were alive today?

Graham is not the only wimp among the Republican Lackeys. Let’s start with Vice President Mike Pence. The constant up and down movement of his head in silent acknowledgement of or in agreement with anything Trump says has apparently earned him the nickname, “Bobble head.” And if you’re so inclined, you can even buy one from

Other Lackeys

You can also include, Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader and virtually all Republican Senators and Representatives. They all grovel in fear of a primary challenge. It is rare when any of them speaks out no matter how outrageous Trump’s words or actions. When they do, it’s usually too little / too late.

To this list of elected officials, you can add many who serve in the Executive Branch. One who comes quickly to mind is the Attorney General, William Barr. He came to this administration as a competent, well respected individual. But his lack of integrity in dealing with the Mueller Report and his actions supporting, encouraging and even enabling Trump’s attempt to bend the Constitution to expand his unlawful powers bring him to the top ranks of Republican Lackeys.

“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president.” And, “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” These are the words of President Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. President. Perhaps all Trump’s Republican Lackeys should take a moment to consider them.

The White Rose

I started this treatise with reference to the White Rose wartime resistance group. I include the following portion of their first leaflet for its implications of failure to resist an authoritarian regime. Remember, White Rose members directly challenged the Nazi regime though they faced the loss of their lives. Trump’s Republican Lackeys face a much different and less lethal danger: the potential loss of a political career.

“If the German people are already so corrupted and spiritually crushed that they do not raise a hand, frivolously trusting in a questionable faith in lawful order of history; if they surrender man’s highest principle, that which raises him above all other God’s creatures, his free will; if they abandon the will to take decisive action and turn the wheel of history and thus subject it to their own rational decision; if they are so devoid of all individuality, have already gone so far along the road toward turning into a spiritless and cowardly mass – then, yes, they deserve their downfall.”

Surrendering Your Soul

Does retaining a Senate or House seat really warrant surrendering your soul? If you don’t know the answer, I suggest you find a version of the 1958 movie, Damn Yankees. Even the fictional Joe Boyd, a lifelong fan of the then hapless Washington Senators baseball team, finally makes the right decision. The glory of winning is not worth the price of his soul.


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Trump’s Foreign Policy is Narcissism Driven Chaos Fri, 05 Jul 2019 13:00:28 +0000 Presidential Doctrines Most Presidents come to office with their own ideas about foreign policy. Some even put them in writing in the form of a doctrine. President James Monroe issued the first Presidential Doctrine in 1823. The Monroe Doctrine was a statement of American foreign policy. It warned European powers not to further colonize in… More

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Presidential Doctrines

Most Presidents come to office with their own ideas about foreign policy. Some even put them in writing in the form of a doctrine. President James Monroe issued the first Presidential Doctrine in 1823. The Monroe Doctrine was a statement of American foreign policy. It warned European powers not to further colonize in the Americas or interfere with independent states. Since then, Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, among others, have announced their own Doctrines. In every case these Doctrines were based on carefully thought out foreign policy goals.

Trump’s Non-existent Doctrine

Sadly, our current President not only has no doctrine, but also lacks a real understanding of foreign policy. In fact, he is incapable of formulating a cohesive, consistent set of foreign policy goals. Specific policies are of no interest to him. Policies require thought, understanding and the ability to formalize them in writing. But that would require a degree of reading, and Trump has unabashedly proclaimed that’s of no interest to him.

Still, in the two and a half years he’s been in office, he’s been actively involved in foreign affairs. So, he’s given us a body of evidence that reveals some common themes in his decisions and actions.

Trump’s Foreign Policy: Trade and NATO

Trump’s foreign policy is an outgrowth of his belief that he is a “victim.” Not surprisingly, the United States is always “the victim,” too. Other countries take advantage of the United States in trade. Allies do not bear their fair share of defense costs. Only Trump can redress these wrongs.

To fix a trade imbalance, he threatens and usually imposes tariffs, unless the offending country yields to his demands.

He considers NATO an obsolete organization and disregards its vital role in our national security. He’s hinted that he might not honor our commitment to defend a small member nation. And in the process, he’s insulted virtually every other leader of an allied member state.

Trump’s Foreign Policy: Authoritarian Leaders

While insulting allies, he goes out of his way to support Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the face of overwhelming proof of Russian interference in the 2016 election, he defends Putin’s denials. Russia has earned “favored nation” status in the eyes of Donald Trump.

So have authoritarian leaders. He makes no attempt to hide his fondness for power beyond the rule of law. Not that he pays particular attention to the U.S. Constitution and laws, anyway. Trump now has nothing but kind words for North Korea’s brutal dictator Kim Jung Un. He’s proud to brag about the love letters they send each other.

On the other hand, he has no kind words for Venezuela’s authoritarian ruler, Nicholas Maduro. Perhaps because Trump needs to win over the Spanish community in Florida where Maduro is so heavily disliked.

Trump’s Foreign Policy: Transactional Approach

Trump regards foreign policy issues on a transactional basis. He refuses to take any action against Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for murdering U.S. resident and journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. He claims U,S. jobs are created because the Saudis buy $400 to $450 billion of equipment from the U.S. This justifies giving the Prince a pass. But this is a boldfaced lie. Of course, there may be more to it. We don’t know to what extent Trump and Jared Kushner personally benefit from their friendship with the Prince.

Trump’s peace plan for the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians—subcontracted to   Jared Kushner—is also reflective of this transactional approach. It is based on Trump’s philosophy that everything can be bought if you pay a high enough price. But it looks like Trump’s proposed $50 billion peace investment will be insufficient. When people are looking for a political solution, they just can’t be bribed with money.


Then there is Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran, despite Iran’s adherence to its terms. Adding additional sanctions has brought Iran’s economy to a virtual standstill, prodding its mullahs to resume their nuclear activities. Trump’s actions and Iran’s reactions have brought the two countries to the edge of war.

Behind Trump’s Actions

So what can we deduce from Trump’s actions?  All his endeavors flow from his deeply held conviction that he is a genius. He truly believes no one knows more or better understands how to deal with leaders of other countries. He is the greatest negotiator, ever. Yet he is so uninformed and so narcissistic, he cannot see the negative impact of his decisions.

Trade Wars and Tariffs

Trump boasts trade wars are easy to win. But as any knowledgeable businessman knows, they are not. Trump’s trade war with China and the tariffs applied have already inflicted great pain on American farmers in the short term. They could also reduce their opportunity in the Chinese market longer term. After all, the U.S. isn’t the only country that produces soybeans. Because the U.S. has demonstrated it is an unreliable supplier, China is likely to consider alternative sources of supply.

Beyond farming, Trump’s tariffs and threats of future tariffs can upset the global manufacturing process. His dogmatic actions could force changes in countries that are the source of components or labor going into a finished product. Businesses do not like uncertainty and Trump has thrust a basket full of uncertainty upon them.

After assessing tariffs, he proudly proclaims that the offending country—China, for example—is pouring millions of dollars into the U.S. Treasury. Of course, it is not China, but the U.S. importer and ultimately the U.S. consumer who are paying those tariffs. Yet Trump continues his false assertions. Perhaps he’s just too stupid to know better. Or, perhaps he does understand, but doesn’t want his base to know who is actually paying the tariffs.

Trump, Patsy for the United States

Trump’s relations with authoritarian leaders put U.S. security at risk. He jokes with Putin about Russian interference in the 2016 elections but does nothing to prevent such interference in 2020. Trump portrays himself as the tough negotiator when the truth is exactly the opposite. He is a patsy and Kim Jung Un plays him like a fiddle, as do others. But he doesn’t really care. They flatter him, make him feel important but give up nothing of substance that benefits the U.S. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that Trump’s ego has been inflated by their pretensions.

The Saudis did this extremely well on Trump’s first foreign visit as President. They made him feel like a real potentate, not someone constrained by a ridiculous outdated document—the Constitution. He’s now returning the favor by ignoring the fact that Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is a cold-blooded murderer.

The Specter of Barack Obama: Iran

There is one constant in Trump’s tenure as President. Any Barack Obama law, regulation, executive order or agreement is no good and must be changed or repealed. Which brings us to Iran. The Iran Nuclear Agreement didn’t restrict Iran’s nuclear activities long enough and didn’t address Iran’s aggressiveness in the Middle East. It did, however, remove the immediate threat of Iran having a nuclear weapon. It was not perfect, but it was something Iran agreed to with all major powers. It could have been the basis for improvement.

But Trump decided to scuttle the agreement, invoke new and punishing sanctions designed to bring Iran to its knees. Those sanctions are hurting Iran and Trump is putting pressure on U.S. allies to honor them. But Iran rejects U.S. intimidation and threatens to restart its nuclear activities. In turn, even though it was the U.S. that walked away, Trump warns there will be obliteration like you’ve never seen before. And the chicken hawks—Bolton and Pompeo—are cheering him on. They would like nothing better than a war with Iran.

Trump’s End Game

So in the end we scratch our heads and try to understand the end game from Trump’s moves. Does he really have a plan? I think it’s fairly clear he does not. He just goes with his impulses in the moment. Unfortunately the sources that feed his impulses are severely lacking in knowledge and intellectual capacity, but overloaded with narcissism.

He enjoys chaos and is very adept at creating it. He likes to bully and brag about what a strong man he is. But like any bully, he consistently backs down when challenged. Gee, I was wrong. There is something consistent in his foreign policy.

Rex Tillerson

Rex Tillerson, the former Secretary of State recently appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss his time in the Trump administration and the challenges he faced at the State Department and the White House. He spoke of “behind the back” actions by Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon making foreign policy. Some of his comments were unflattering to Trump.

Hearing those comments, Trump responded by describing Tillerson as “a man who is ‘dumb as a rock’ and totally ill prepared and ill equipped to be Secretary of State.” This is Trump’s description of a man who was CEO of one of the largest corporations in the world. Based upon what I know about both men, I think Tillerson was correct when he said Trump is a “moron.”


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D-Day June 6, 1944 – 75 Years Later Thu, 20 Jun 2019 13:00:41 +0000 World War ll – The Western Front It is June 1944. The United States is in its third year as a combatant in the Second World War. Nazi Germany controls much of Continental Europe. For three years the Soviet Union has been engaged in a violent battle with Germany in the east. It is pressing… More

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World War ll – The Western Front

It is June 1944. The United States is in its third year as a combatant in the Second World War. Nazi Germany controls much of Continental Europe. For three years the Soviet Union has been engaged in a violent battle with Germany in the east. It is pressing its allies, the United States and Great Britain, to open a second front in the west.

Anticipating such an attack, the Nazis build an extensive and massive system of coastal defenses and fortifications. This “Atlantic Wall” stretches from Scandinavia in the north to the French border with Spain in the south. Concrete bunkers buried deeply underground, huge coastal guns, batteries, artillery and thousands of German troops dominate the land mass. Mines and anti-tank barriers lay hidden in the waters approaching the coast. All create a formidable obstacle to an invasion of Nazi held territory from the west.

The D-Day Invasion Force

The allies assemble an invasion force in southern England with the naval vessels to transport it across the English Channel. It includes thousands of troops, tanks, vehicles, landing craft and other instruments of war. They name the operation “Overlord.”

The Supreme Commander of the allied forces, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, selects June 5, 1944, as the date for the invasion. However, his meteorologist predicts bad weather on that day and Eisenhower delays the launch. On June 5th his meteorologist predicts clearing over the Channel on June 6th. Eisenhower gives the order to “go” on the 6th.

It is the evening of June 5th. Infantrymen already on board anxiously await their ship’s departure across the Channel. Apprehensive paratroopers stand ready to board planes to be dropped behind enemy lines before dawn June 6th. Most men about to do battle are not professional soldiers. Many are teenagers.

The D-Day Invasion Begins

It is the morning of June 6thD-Day. The largest amphibious invasion begins. Naval guns batter the Normandy coast while the air force drops thousands of tons of bombs on coastal defenses. Then the specially designed landing crafts head for 60 miles of beaches code-named Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah.

When landing crafts come close to shore they drop their front ramps and discharge tanks, vehicles, and infantry. Some landing crafts cannot get close enough to shore but still drop their ramps. Weighted down with backpacks, many men sink and drown in deep water as do those in tanks and other vehicles. Those that do make it closer are met with a deadly barrage of machine gun fire from German defenses. They are killed in droves. Thousands never make it to shore. Yet these brave men keep coming.

By June 11th, they secure the five beachheads, marking a turning point in the war. This is the beginning of the end of Nazi domination of Europe.

The 75th Anniversary of the World War ll D-Day Invasion

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the ceremony commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the World War ll D-Day landings in Normandy, France June 6, 1944. It was a day to reflect on what was the greatest maritime invasion in the history of warfare. But, more importantly, it was a day to pay homage to the brave men who participated in that assault, many of whom never made it home.

Officials expected a crowd of 12,000 to 15,000 to attend the ceremony at Omaha Beach, Colleville-sur-Mer, France. With the Presidents of the United States and France in attendance, security was extremely tight. To enter the premises, long lines snaked around the exterior parking area to reach a security checkpoint and metal detectors. It was while standing in one of these lines that the resonance of this day unfolded.

Entry of Heroes

At the edge of the parking area, several veterans in wheel chairs were being escorted to the entrance reserved for them. Suddenly, everyone—the thousands of men, women and children standing in line—started applauding in homage to these veterans and didn’t stop until they were all out of sight. The scene repeated itself every time another veteran appeared both outside and inside the ceremonial grounds.

I’m not sure I understand why, but I’m not embarrassed to reveal I was overcome with emotion. Tears filled my eyes. I was not alone. I doubt there was a dry eye there. I was proud to be an American in the presence of such brave men—real heroes.  

Recognition of the Heroes of Normandy

After passing through security, visitors made their way to the seating area created to view the ceremony. To its side was the Normandy American Cemetery containing the remains of more than 9,300 Americans. Most were killed during the invasion of Normandy and subsequent operations in France during World War ll. Burials are marked by white marble Crosses for Protestants and Catholics and Stars of David for Jews.

In the formal ceremony, both Presidents Trump and Macron praised those who took part in the invasion. They also described the specific heroic actions of some of the veterans seated on the stage. President Macron awarded five American veterans the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.

At the conclusion of the ceremony a group of World War ll DC-3and C-47 planes flew over Omaha Beach. They were followed by a group of F-15 jets in the missing man formation, and finally by fighter jets leaving a trial of red, white and blue smoke.

Looking to the Future

As those jets passed out of sight, I reflected on how radically different America is today compared to the war years of 1941 to 1945. I am not referring to all the unparalleled and innumerable technological changes that have occurred since then. Rather, during that time the country was united against a common foe. Despite the differences created by the strain of isolationism, the country came together after the attack at Pearl Harbor.

Today, politicians promote divisiveness and polarization for personal political gain. The country’s interests are secondary. The Korean war and more significantly the Vietnam War generated polarization. The attacks of September 11, 2001 promoted a sense of patriotism and fellowship among many Americans, albeit with some exclusion of Muslim Americans. But that feeling of unity has dissipated, which raises a significant question. Must there be another catastrophic event to bring the country together?


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Donald Trump and the Rise of Populism Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:30:47 +0000 Trump’s Brand of Populism Many people have wondered how Donald Trump attracted a hard core of followers despite all that was known about him. There were those who came to his side for strictly ideological reasons. Some were evangelicals who came en masse based on Trump’s promise to appoint conservative judges to overturn Roe v.… More

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Trump’s Brand of Populism

Many people have wondered how Donald Trump attracted a hard core of followers despite all that was known about him. There were those who came to his side for strictly ideological reasons. Some were evangelicals who came en masse based on Trump’s promise to appoint conservative judges to overturn Roe v. Wade. Others saw him as someone who would replace Obamacare, reduce regulations and/or lower taxes. But his base also includes rare bedfellows — white supremacists and Barack Obama supporters.

White Supremacists and Previous Obama Supporters

At first blush it seems strange that those who saw something good in the country’s first black president found common ground with those full of hatred toward Latinos, Muslims, Blacks and Jews. The Oxford Dictionary defines populism as a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that the “established elite” disregard their concerns. From post election interviews we’ve learned that many Obama supporters who voted for Trump feel that way. This suggests they share a similar background experience that unites them. And that common experience is the source for the rise of populism in the United States.

I believe that this issue must be addressed if we want the U.S. to remain a Democracy with the values enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I don’t say that flippantly or lightly. Populism can easily develop into nationalism and nationalism into fascism. A slide into fascism will mark the death knell of this country as we know it.

The Impact of Globalization

So, how did we get here? How did we get to the point that so many good citizens feel disenfranchised and how can we alleviate that alienation? For the answer, I believe we must first look back to when globalization became a reality.

Globalization is the process of integrating international trade so that people, ideas and goods move freely around the world. As part of this process manufacturing is shifted to less developed countries where labor costs are low. That brings investment and employment to those countries and less expensive goods to consumers in the developed world. But the downside is the loss of better paying jobs when factories are closed and manufacturing is moved to a lower cost country. While the world economy benefits, its victims — workers who lost their jobs — bear the negative consequences.

Globalization marked the beginning of the end of the silent compact between employer and employee. Historically the employer provided the jobs and the employee provided his or her services. It was a case of mutual loyalty including the community in which the employer was based. But a business must remain competitive and profitable. The lure of lower costs in another country became impossible to ignore. Capitalism dictated the move.

Government’s Failure to Address the Ills of Globalization

However, it was here that government first failed those employees. I do not suggest that laws should have prevented companies from moving. After all, if a company could not remain competitive and profitable, it would not survive. But there should have been special provisions to retrain workers so that they would have opportunities for other employment. The cost should have been borne by the departing company, which otherwise could have been assessed a penalty on its new foreign made goods coming back into this country.

In the process of globalization, corporations saw opportunities to reduce their federal income taxes through make believe accounting that transferred profits out of the United States to lower tax countries. This had the effect of denying revenue to our government, despite the increasing need for improvements in infrastructure that could have provided better paying jobs to compensate for the jobs lost.

Additionally, several companies used the technique of “inversion” to reduce their U.S. taxes. Using a variety of methods, these companies were able to reincorporate their parent company in a low tax country. Foreign sourced income would then no longer be taxed in the United States until the funds were repatriated.

The Changing Economy

While this was happening, the economy was changing. Automation was coming on line big time. Robots were doing work that previously people performed. Successful businesses of years past began falling by the wayside as online merchants replaced brick and mortar stores. And industries such as coal saw the use of its product dramatically diminish.

Broad segments of the population were affected by this displacement, but the governing class did not respond with compensating measures. Worse, many politicians did not recognize this as an important issue. To the disenfranchised, the political elite just didn’t care.

Obama, Clinton and Trump

When Obama entered on the American scene, he understood the issue. He gave hope to those affected by it and won much of their support in his two presidential campaigns. But the excesses of the past continued. Obama’s would be successor, Hillary Clinton, seemed unable to connect with this group and, fairly or not, people judged her one of the elite.

Trump the Charlatan

Enter Donald Trump, a charlatan of the first order, but a great self-promoter. Though he never used the same language as Bill Clinton, he led the disenfranchised to believe he understood their pain.

So, step back and try and place yourself in the shoes of those who had lost their jobs through businesses moving overseas, automation, or a changing economy. Someone caused this. Someone had to be blamed and Donald Trump knew exactly who that was. He made immigrants and immigration the scapegoat for all the ills the displaced felt. And more importantly to them, he promised he would reverse these terrible trends. He would bring back the good manufacturing jobs, all the while projecting he was one of them.

He proclaimed he was not an elitist like those other politicians. And his future supporters bought it. That is why an Obama supporter and a white supremacist could vote for him. They both believed his rhetoric. Get rid of the immigrants. Keep more from coming in.

Trump is not and never has been one of them. Throughout his career he has stiffed working people, not paying them for work done on his buildings. He has cheated people with his failed Trump University; used his charitable foundation improperly; and demonstrated he is one of the worst businessmen in the United States. I suspect we will eventually see that he has managed to finance his businesses by laundering money. Nonetheless, he knows how to connect with the average man. To them, he is their populist. They overlooked his sleazy character traits in 2016, and could easily do so again.

The 2020 Democratic Contender and Issues at Play

To beat him in 2020 the Democratic presidential candidate must connect with these disenfranchised voters. That means understanding their discontent and establishing a platform that addresses their concerns and does not aggravate them. This is more easily said then done. While there is broad unanimity on certain issues, the devil is in the details. For example, “universal healthcare” is likely a winning issue with this group, but I do not believe “single payer” is. I believe there is an unwillingness to accept radical change with the potential for unintended negative consequences.

The same can be said about climate change. While the great majority accepts the reality of climate change, I believe they also fear the consequences of radical changes that might cost jobs or raise taxes. The reelection of a populist prime minister in Australia demonstrated voters chose economic stability over greater action on climate change. They also chose someone who promised jobs and cuts to immigration. Notice the similarity among the issues and personalities with the United States.

And in countries around the world—as in Australia—populists have taken power by taking strong stands against immigrants. Notwithstanding the fact that the majority of Americans favor legal immigration, it remains a divisive topic. Immigration has been used as a scapegoat for the loss of good jobs. Though totally untrue, it will likely be used again in 2020.

Presenting the Key Issues

There are many issues on which to build a case for change. But Democrats must be judicious in how they present these issues. For one, keep away from radical solutions. Everyone agrees that creating good paying jobs is a winning subject. Establishing a solar industry in West Virginia and building sea walls to keep out rising sea levels are examples of creating jobs while dealing with infrastructure and climate change.

Put immigration in a positive light emphasizing its benefits, but concurrently calling for reform that recognizes economic reality, security needs and discouragement of illegal immigration.

Tax reform to address economic inequality is another area that properly presented can prove positive. Increasing taxes on corporations and the wealthy can be used to create jobs through building infrastructure and addressing climate change.

Meet the People

Most importantly, Democrats must go out and talk to people. They must make it clear that Democratic candidates are not elitists. They have to win over the disenfranchised and make it clear they see their value. Many, if not most, of the disenfranchised were and should be natural Democratic supporters. It is time to bring them home.


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