The Nation might be better served by politicians with less grey hair

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Image result for state of the union address 2018 DEMOCRATS

Americans Held Hostage Year 10

If you regularly read this blog, you know I’m not a fan of Donald Trump.  While we have never have seen a man as divisive as President Trump.  It impossible to blame the political climate on Trump. 

There where serious problems within the individual parties  before he was elected. After becoming President, the GREAT DIVIDE between the two parties has grown wider. Child like, finger pointing in the order of the day.  “But what about what they did ”  .

Let’s be clear, its Party Before Country!!!!

Prestige Position and Power! men and women shaking the hands of the right people in the parties. Voting as told, a lifetime of patience waiting to be assigned to an influential and powerful committee.  A few years ago, the Tea Party opposed the system and nearly divided the Republican party as members of the Tea Party weren’t life long politicians and demanded a place at the table. 

 As Americans are entering  the tenth year as hostages of their government.  There isn’t any indication of a meeting of the minds between the two parties.   As the infighting between the two parties continues, important legislation remains unsigned  Bipartisanship is simply a word or Idea.  Americans are still waiting.

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The Current State of the Union

“Given a choice, I would prefer you to marry out of  your race and religion than to marry a Democrat”

“I Don’t Care how nice his mother is ! You are not allowed to play with ANY Republicans “

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Grace 

1. simple elegance or refinement of movement “she moved through the water with effortless grace”.

2. To honor or credit to (someone or something )by one’s presence.  “he bowed out from the sport he has graced for two decades” 

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A few Democrats boycotted the President’s State of the Union Address.  A mistake in my view..   We may not  like or respect the views of the man in office, however as politicians they need to respect the office.   

We teach our children to be respectful, to be a good sport ,to stick it out and not retreat because we don’t like their opinion or their personality.

Someone has to rise above, the Crazy.  Someone who st remembered the basic lessons from his parents.   Perhaps we would be better served by those who still remember.  Perhaps someone with less gray hair.

It cant be any worse than it is today

CityFella

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The day After New York

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Forget the second or third largest state. New York was the ‘If you can make it here?” State!

An outsider, who entered politics in the seventies. Running for the President of the United States in his seventies.  His  views and opinions are considered extreme by members of his own party.  During the early months he was ignored by the media.  But his message appealed to a non traditional voting bloc, voters under 30.

His anti-establishment views ,defending the importance of free enterprise and the limited role of government appealed to this group. He ignited this group, who’s enthusiasm grew by the week.   This appeal, initially ignored by the other candidates was rapidly gaining ground and by spring it was clear, he owned this bloc of voters . Not only did they pledge their allegiance to him, they opened their wallets in large numbers.

In 2008, Ron Paul ran for President as a Republican.Twelve years earlier he was a Libertarian.  His presence annoyed Mitt Rooney, John McCain  and most of the GOP establishment. His team used You Tube and Social Media (a technology underused by the GOP) to help spread his message. Donations to his campaign though small, kept him in the race through June.

Ron Paul did not endorse any GOP candidates in 2008, preferring third party candidates.  If someone within the Republican Party brokered a deal with Paul as the Democrats did with Howard Dean in 2005, 2012 may have had a different outcome.

In 2004, the former Governor of Vermont campaign appealed to younger voters.  Many Democrats considered Dean an outsider.  But Dean’s campaign could not be ignored, and his non traditional campaign utilizing the net and social media was the foundation of Obama’s 2008 Presidential bid.

Not Yet

Bernie Sanders is the ticket, his campaign is drawing thousands. People want to be near him and feel the bern.   As for drawing power there  isn’t a close second this political season he is the Rock Star.   Like Ron Paul ,those large crowds and the enthusiasm does’t necessarily translates into votes.

Lynn Vavreck, a professor of political science at UCLA, noted that it was early in the election cycle and that support for Sanders may not translate to votes.  “Just because people are interested, it does not mean people will actually cast a ballot in support,” Vavreck said. “People showing up for these rallies have a strong interest in politics. They’re not average voters, who are barely tuned in to the election at this point.”

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, and two associates, “It’s important to remember that crowd size fundamentally doesn’t matter much. Comparisons between how large one candidate’s crowd is compared to another are ripe for misunderstanding.”

They cite 2012, “when press reports and GOP partisans frequently mentioned the large numbers that Mitt Romney was drawing on the campaign trail. Did this end up mattering? Obama won the popular vote by about 5 million votes. “

Bernie Sanders isn’t going to sing anytime soon.  He has loyal followers who will finance him to the Convention.  Like Paul, he has a large following and if current polling holds true, only one in four Bernie supporters will vote for Hillary in the fall.
Sanders is an outsider, like Paul he changed his party affiliation from Independent to Democrat to run for President.  Like Paul, he has little support from the establishment in the Democratic Party.    However, the Democrat’s needs to regain those voters who enthusiastically supported Obama in 2008.

Real Change Happens from the Bottom up

Many of the young voters who supported Obama in 2008 are disappointed many are still waiting for the Change he promised.   Many of those young voters are disillusioned and have walked way from politics.
In an ideal world, those voters would have participated in local and state races.  This is where real change happens.   However, most of the members of the House and Senate have been in office for decades and holding on to power is the goal.   These (establishment) politicians have prevented change on both sides of the aisle and will continue until there is change from the bottom up.
In 2005 Howard Dean became the chair Democratic National Committee (DNC) he held that position for four years.
If the DNC is wise, they would broker a deal with Bernie Sanders. Again like Paul, many of his supporters would follow him.
The real failure of Ron Paul, was not using his appeal to generate interest in the Libertarian  Party.

Yes The System is Rigged

The are local, state and Convention rules for the Delegates. The objective is control over members of the two parties.  Its important that are choices are limited to Skippy or Jif.

The top of the ticket is important for the make up of the Supreme Court..
American are angry!   For eight years we are hostages in the war of  Rhetoric and ideologies.    Unfortunately most people believe its the President who has the power.
In the red states if you are poor, Obamacare isn’t an option. Many counties are without clinics and people are without medical care.   If you are a woman,your legal right to have an choice has been stripped away  with new laws intending to make it difficult for physicians and their patients are on the books. Texas the second largest state in the country with over 26 million people has less than 6 clinics.
If you are Gay or Trangendered your civil rights have been stripped and businesses  can legally fire you for being Gay.  In resent weeks some states have added new law that further restricts the LGBT community.
Stagnation plagues many of the blue states.  Internal issues power struggles within the Democrats prevents movement within the states.  Lost in the middle is  adequate funding for education, repair roadways and polices that will attract business.
The President can not change these policies that adversely affects Americans. These changes can only happen when we change the make up state and local politicians.
The Day After New York expect more of the same.
CityFella
Sources: (Larry Sabato)
(Lynn Vavreck)

Asian Voices: Progressives, Are You Listening?

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By:Jarryd Willis/Huffington Post

Start including Asian voters in any discussion of Black and Hispanic issues. We’ve heard little of the 1.4 million undocumented Asians or 200k Asian youth who qualify for the DreamACT. Remember, Bill Clinton never won the Asian vote, and we shouldn’t take it for granted in 2016.

Asian-Americans appear to be the only large (and growing) voting group whose interests align with the Democratic Party and yet they are rarely afforded the same share of the ‘debate spotlight’ as social issues relevant to women, LGBT, Black, Hispanic, religious minority, middle-income and low-income voters. The absence of Asian voters’ concerns in the public debate allows the GOP to take a revanchist approach to legislation affecting minority populations with the belief that they’re acting in impunity. To be blunt, they may feel the Black/Latino/LGBT demographic groups affected are inexorably members of the Democratic Party, and therefore there’s nothing to gain by supporting a law and/or no cost in repealing a law tailored to the concerns of such groups.

The Republican Party DOES, however, believe it should be winning the Asian vote. Thus, if Progressives reached out to the Asian-American community and sought their engagement on key issues, it may bring more Republicans to the table to prevent Democrats from completely filling that vacuum.

The Immigration Reform debate provides an excellent example. Democratic politicians, Progressive news hosts and analysts, and many Liberal bloggers engaged in this debate have focused on the importance of the legislation for Hispanic youth and families. Almost no attention has been paid, however, to what Immigration Reform means for the 1.4 million undocumented Asian immigrants, or the 200,000 undocumented Asian youth who qualify for the Dream ACT. According to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, nearly half of the 4.3 million people in our immigration backlog are individuals from Asian countries waiting to be reunited with their families.

If the implications of Immigration Reform for Asian voters (which the GOP believes they ‘should’ win) were given the same attention as the implications for Hispanic voters (which the GOP may believe they will never win again) and LGBT voters with international spouses (which the GOP apparently never wants to win), then there may be more House Republicans open to supporting it.

There are several other key issues where Asian-Americans’ and Progressives’ policy preferences align. Consider the following:

Abortion. During the 2012 election, Mitt Romney gave an interview where he stated he wanted to see a prohibition on abortion. This strongly conflicts with the views of 54 percent of Asian-Americans who feel abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

End Racial Profiling Act. Like Blacks and Hispanics who are stopped and frisked due to their skin color, and LGBT who are attacked by gaycists on a regular basis, Asian Americans face profiling. Imagine an Asian woman walking home one night when she notices some unknown man following her in his truck. She starts moving faster to get away from him but he gets out of the vehicle and catches up to her. She defends herself fearing the stalker may try and rape her, and he takes out a gun and shoots her. Without legal protections against profiling, this woman’s family would likely see the man who killed their daughter walk free on self-defense.

ObamaCare. While the GOP has attempted to repeal ObamaCare for the 40th time (going on 1,000), a majority of Asian-Americans support the health care law whereas only 18 percent are opposed.

SCOTUS Voting Rights Act Decision. Asian-American groups have been fervently opposed to the decision to strike section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. This is related to my earlier point: because the GOP likely thinks the VRA only applies to Blacks, a voting group they don’t care to engage with, they had no problem striking it down & have no interest in amending it. However, if the concerns of Asian voters (and Hispanic & Indian/Native American) are brought to the VRA debate, the GOP will be more a more attentive audience.

Affirmative Action. Another issue where the GOP is largely opposed whereas the Democratic Party and Asian-Americans are aligned in support.

Gay Marriage. Despite Asian-Americans’ support for same-sex marriage being lower than the national average, there has been an increase in support in the past few years (similar to the national trend).

Right now Republicans are more concerned with their NRA Scorecard than Compromise Scorecard, but as the Asian-American community continues to grow at a rate faster than Hispanics, as there are more majority-minority districts that are primarily Asian-American, and as they grow in swing-states such as Nevada, Virginia, & Texas, the GOP will have to respond appropriately to the concerns of diverse groups tethered by common fates. Should the Republican Party fail, the Whig Party will welcome their company.

 

 

Wasting My Vote

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By CityFella,

A Sea of Democrats 

From a child I loved politics, at 15 I was a member of a youth commission.    For years, I walked the precincts and manned the phone banks for various candidates and issues.

A billion years ago, A friend asked if I wanted to meet George McGovern, he was speaking at the Cow Palace, just outside of San Francisco.  Meet turned out to listen, and after hearing him, I  immediately volunteered to work for his campaign.   Even though I was to young vote, I did anything they asked of me.  It took a while to recover from his loss to Nixon.

A look outside of  the Democratic Party and Republicans 

Everyone I knew was Democrat.  I didn’t meet a Republican until college, my first meeting almost turned violent, as my Republican neighbor told me, I liked the Democrats because of welfare.  He assumed this black man, as every black man was getting a check.    The save, was his Republican friends didn’t share his racist views and called him an asshole.   While I didn’t like my neighbor, I liked his friends, some are friends today.

Exposure to Republicans changed my view on Republicans, I put away my giant brush and learned there were different Republicans.

I changed my party affiliation to Independent more than 20 years ago to support Presidential Candidate John Anderson, who changed from his affiliation from Republican to Independent.                     ( At the time I thought I was limited to Democratic Candidates)

Ideology aside, I began to see many similarities in the two parties.

Many of us are led to believe, a vote for someone other than a Democrat or Republican is wasted vote.

There is some truth to this.  In most states, third parties candidates are invisible with some members of the two parties suggesting they are cult candidates.

Most Americans are not privy to the positions of third party candidates.  They are often ignored by the local press and other media outlets.   On a national scale, there is a convoluted policy that prevents them from participating in televised debates.   Of course this limits their ability to raise funds.

Americans are being held hostage by Congress who despite our anger and despair is ignoring the electorate.  Americans are simply collateral damage.

The Democrats can blame the Republicans who’s current slogan should be just say no.  However, when the Democrats were the majority, little was done due to the infighting in their party.

Beginning this year, I plan to waste my vote.  Its clear as an American, I am not important.  From bad highways and dangerous bridges, to the well being of Veterans who have fought and served this country, we are simply collateral damages in the war of policy and opinion.

Beginning this fall, I will only vote for a third party candidate running for Congress and the Senate, any third party candidate.

I’ve had my fill of cake.  I want someone who will act in my best interest.

Most states have closed primaries, limiting your vote, to those candidates in your party.

HOW ANGRY ARE YOU?  

This fall most Americans will vote for a member of the majority party, ensuring more of the same.  Insuring more of the same.

If ten percent of Americans vote for a third party candidates, the two parties will notice.    10 percent will not elect a third party candidate.  Its a beginning.

This is just the first step.

The next is opening the primaries, which have been effective in shutting out third party candidates.

If your angry and want change, join a group, there are many across the country.

I have a small group on Facebook called:   “Taking Back America-No Prisoners-Kick Them all out”

https://www.facebook.com/groups/598268403570564/

There are many others throughout the country.

This is my personal revolution change can happen one vote at a time.

 

Are the Republicans misreading the polls again? The Cliff and what it means to you

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During the  November election  Republican  strategist’s  misread the polls. Will they misread them again?   Or will they they choose to honor the “Norquist Pledge” ?

What is the Norquist Pledge?

The Pledge,” the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) Taxpayer Protection Pledge

I, ______, pledge to the taxpayers of the ______ district of the state of ______ and to the American people that I will:
One, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and
Two, to oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates

In the current Congress, 238 representatives and 41 senators have signed the Pledge. In the next Congress, ATR claims 219 representatives and 39 senators as adherents–although a small handful have already backed away from their commitments.

The Pledge goes back to 1986 when Ronald Reagan was President.

The Cliff and what it means to you

If Congress and the President are not able to reach an agreement a number of tax cuts that were passed years ago will expire.

Taxes

  1. An expiration of all the Bush era tax cuts which lowers rates for nearly every American
  2. An alternative minimum tax break which decreases the rate for over 30 million Americans
  3. A payroll tax cut which lowers the Social Security tax by 2% for 160 million Americans
  4. A 0.9 percent increase in Medicare taxes for very high income earners
  5. A tax on very expensive health care plans, sometimes referred to as “Cadillac plans”
  6. A phase out of itemized deductions, capital gains tax cuts, and personal exemptions for upper income individuals under the Bush-era tax cuts

Automatic Spending Cuts 

  1. A $55 billion cut in defense spending, which constitutes nine percent of the overall defense budget
  2. Another $55 billion cut in domestic programs, includes a large cut to Medicare providers
  3. An across the board cut to discretionary spending that would have dramatic effects on government.
  4. An expiration of jobless benefits for the long term unemployed

The average American could see an tax increase by $3500.00 .

The spending cuts would also be very painful. For example, the cuts to “discretionary programs” are so deep that many airports would need to be shut down for a lack of Federal Aviation Administration traffic controllers. Many national parks would shut down due to a lack of rangers. The FBI would have to layoff agents and the FDA would have to lay off meat inspectors.

If the defense cuts are passed the military would have to reduce their personnel and likely consider more base closures. Many large defense contracts with private companies would be on the chopping block.

Straight Talk

Increasing taxes on the 2% will not balance the budget, the 2% will always have an advantage over the 98%, but this is a beginning.   The reality there will be difficult cuts in the budget however some   like the oil subsides (1.7 billion)  should be eliminated completely.  There has to be some  future  tweaking in Social Security, Medicare and other programs.

2014

The majority of Americans have agreed with the president for some time, tax the 2%.  The house has resisted, holding the country hostages  for some time now.    The tea party took a hit this month.  it’s clear, Americans have had enough.   throughout the country, Americans have taxed themselves to improve the quality of life.   The sentiment is lets get on with it..  A do nothing congress is non longer acceptable. Recent polls suggests if the country goes over the Cliff, they will blame the Republican party.   Democrats should not  find comfort here,  there are no sacred programs, they must be reminded they are passengers on the same ship.

This time out we are the supervising and looking out for the slackers and it doesn’t matter if they are wearing a Red or a Blue sport coat .    Extra pressure should be applied to all House/Senate  members who’s terms end in 2014.

Contact your representative  tell them you demand a solution  to find yours, click on the link below! 

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Those Whacky Republicans from Arkansas: Slavery was a Blessing for African Americans and send those Muslims Home

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Ask any one of  Rep. Jon Hubbard of Jonesboro Arkansas African American friends and they’ll tell you, that there ancestors where happy being slaves, happy,happy happy.   Oh yes it was a blessing, it would have been too much being free in Africa, we were much better off here as slaves serving our gracious host in the new world .

And then there is House candidate Charlie Fuqua of Batesville, Arkansas who want to buy Muslims one way tickets on American Airlines.

No No No Actually Really

These were simple excerpts from their books…..

Hubbard wrote in his 2009 self-published book, “Letters To The Editor: Confessions Of A Frustrated Conservative,” that “the institution of slavery that the black race has long believed to be an abomination upon its people may actually have been a blessing in disguise.” He also wrote that African-Americans were better off than they would have been had they not been captured and shipped to the United States.

Charlie Fuqua, who served in the Arkansas House from 1996 to 1998, wrote there is “no solution to the Muslim problem short of expelling all followers of the religion from the United States,” in his 2012 book, titled “God’s Law.

Fuqua is running against incumbent Democratic Rep. James McLean in House District 63. Jon Hubbard is running  against Democrat Harold Copenhaver in House District 58.

Arkansas GOP:  Your Kidding  Right!

The Arkansas Republican House Caucus followed, saying the views of Hubbard and Fuqua “are in no way reflective of, or endorsed by, the Republican caucus.

The writings “were highly offensive to many Americans and do not reflect the viewpoints of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

While we respect their right to freedom of expression and thought, we strongly disagree with those ideas.”

Damm

U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Ark., kicked off the GOP’s response Saturday by issuing a release, saying the “statements of Hubbard and Fuqua are ridiculous, outrageous and have no place in the civil discourse of either party.”

“Had I known of these statements, I would not have contributed to their campaigns. I am requesting that they give my contributions to charity,” said Griffin, who donated $100 to each candidate.

Charlie Fuqua Shocked, Surprised !

Fuqua said Saturday that he hadn’t realized he’d become a target within his own party, which he said surprised him.  I think my views are fairly well-accepted by most people,”

DAMM, DAMM,DAMM, NOT NOW, NOT NOW!

The November elections could be a crucial turning point in Arkansas politics. Democrats hold narrow majorities in both chambers, but the GOP has been working hard to swing the Legislature its way for the first time since the end of the Civil War, buoyed by picking up three congressional seats in 2010. Their efforts have also been backed by an influx of money from national conservative groups.

Fun times in Arkansas

CityFella

One mans support of Obama Care

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Obama Care is the one area where the Republican candidates for President agree,  Obama care will ruin everything American, it will weigh down the economy they say.

Obama Care is the great unknown, its intent is to help millions of Americans who do not have health care.   If you have health care through your employer, you may view Obama Care as an unfair tax.    After all why should you have to pay for health care for someone else?

We live in an uncertain world.  Job security is a myth-it doesn’t exist.

Hundred of thousands of Americans  have lost their jobs in the last few years.  The economic crises has effected workers who have worked for companies for 20 years or more.    One of the first realizations for the worker who have always had medical coverage are the costs.  It’s expensive, extremely expensive.  To replace my current coverage(with a co-pay) would exceed my current rent by 20%.

If the unemployed has a family member needing medical care he will learn, real  help isn’t available until his or her savings and holdings (the family home) is exhausted.    This in the richest country in the world. 

Health Cares effects all Americans, not just  Republicans and Democrats.

Ultimately, tax payers pay for the uninsured  through higher medical cost, which would be considerably  lower if the patients were able to afford preventive care.

My last five day stay in a Sacramento Hospital without surgery cost nearly  27,000.

Before Obama Care, The United States of  America was by far and away the largest country without proper health care for its citizens.    There has to be something wrong with a country that offers subsidies  to Oil Companies and  questions the need for health care of all of its citizens.

The full implementation of the law is still two years away, a  long time for those without Medical care. Until then the political sky is  falling.  I find it interesting when I see politicians shaking  the hands of people, feeling their pain saying they understand, promising to improve their quality of life.  Whisked away in a limo or luxury bus to feel the pain of the next group.

I am one of those with a  pre-existing condition.   I live in constant fear of losing my job, not because of the economic crises difficulty finding another job, its the fear of losing my medical coverage, my medicines.   ( My cobra coverage would be over $800 a month)  There is a waiting period of 90 to 180 days before new a new hire can receive medical coverage.

Obama Care,might ease some of those fears.   At this point,what is my other option?

Cityfella