Congressional Allegiances in Question

"The only thing for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do noting!"

Edmund Burke

 

Tragically, the Republican Party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Reagan, to which my parents belonged their entire lives, has for all practical purposes ceased to exist. 

Today, the majority of Republicans in both the House …

Trump’s America After Me Campaign

“Since narcissists deep down feel themselves to be faultless, it is inevitable that when they are in conflict with the world they will invariably perceive the conflict as the world’s fault.”
M. Scott Peck

Lest anyone doubt presidential wannabee Donald Trump’s priorities, his rhetoric makes it crystal clear addressing such critical issues …

Democracy Works When Compromise Replaces Inflexibility

“Compromise is an agreement between two people where each person gives up a coveted desire to bring a close to the disagreement”

Anon

George Santayana famously noted, “Those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it.” 

Tragically, very few Americans remember or are even familiar with the consequences of America’s isolationist policies …

A Theocrat at the Helm

'Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it. That's my worldview.'"

Speaker Mike Johnson

Newly-minted Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has made it clear his actions are driven by his faith and looks to the Gospels to form policy positions.  Echoing evangelical and Christian Nationalists ideologies, he …

A Danger of Textualism

                                    “Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings,”

Article I – Section 5

United States Constitution

For textualists, the embarrassing and potentially destructive circuses presently on display in the House of Representatives and Senate may be perfectly acceptable as the Constitution permits each chamber to establish its own rules.  Its drafters …

Is Our Democracy Slipping Away?

“Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for.”

Adlai Stevenson

America’s 244-year experiment in representative democracy and the freedoms it has bestowed on its citizens has endured …

Where Are the Patriotic Republicans?

“It’s a very detailed indictment and it’s very damning.  But I do think if even half of it is true, then he’s toast”

Former Attorney General Bill Barr

In the wake of his 37-count indictment, Donald Trump launched a predictable tirade, again baselessly claiming the 2020 election was stolen and portraying himself …

Equality and Social Aspirations Do Not Equate to Socialism

“I am angry that the Democrats don't have the ability to explain to Republicans that we should be able to feed people in this country, and that it is not socialism.”

Lewis Black

Republican presidential wannabees, together with the GOP’s Congressional caucus and conservative media talking-heads, have been extremely successful in labeling …

Will Statesmanship or Partisan Politics Prevail?

“You can compromise without violating your principles, but it is nearly impossible to compromise when you turn principles into ideology.” 

Jamie Dimon

Speaker McCarthy and President Biden are embroiled in a risky game of political chicken over increasing nation’s debt ceiling, necessary to cover spending obligations previously-authorized by Congress. 

McCarthy is being held …

The Second Amendment is Not Absolute

“I do not believe in taking away the right of the citizen for sporting, for hunting and so forth for home defense.  But I do believe that an AK-47, a machine gun, is not a sporting weapon of needed for defense of a home.”

Ronald Reagan

The Constitution and Bill of Rights …

And the Next Speaker Could Be ….

“The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers”

U.S. Constitution – Article 1, Section 2

With only 213 Democrats elected during the mid-term elections it would seem the Party will have no realistic say in the election of the chamber’s next Speaker. 

Kevin McCarthy, the current frontrunner, has demonstrated he’ll …

Our Cowardly Washington Elite

“Sadly, too many politicians in Washington lack the courage to do something to fix our problems.  They are worried about the political implications of making the hard choices we so desperately need …”

Matt Salmon

On January 19th, the Federal Government reached its authorized borrowing limit, a staggering $31.381 trillion.  Technically, …

When Will Congress Begin to Act Responsibly?

“The debt is being cynically exploited by the far right, with collusion of the Democrat establishment, to undermine what remains of social programs, public education, unions, and, in general, remaining barriers to corporate tyranny.”

Noam Chomsky

The new Republican House majority has staked out a number of goals, a few admirable and …

The Cost of Patriotism

“… for meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States”

Presidential Medal of Freedom Criteria

Yesterday, Americans witnessed the price an individual often pays for exhibiting true Patriotism.

Sadly, the vast majority of Republicans continue to embrace the former president’s “big lie” about a stolen election, ignore his attempted …

Be Careful What You Wish For

Be Careful What You Wish For

“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”

Margaret J. Wheatley

Last week, to the dismay of Democrats, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending a women constitutional right for an abortion.  The Court’s …

An Open Letter to President Joseph R. Biden

"The fabric of democracy is always fragile everywhere because it depends on the will of citizens to protect it, and when they become scared, when it becomes dangerous for them to defend it, it can go very quickly.".

Margaret Atwood

June 24, 2022

Dear President Biden:

Since January 2017, our fragile democracy has been, …

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport

 

"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."

Thomas Jefferson

Sadly, Republicans have stonewalled reasonable and meaningful, overwhelmingly popular gun control legislation, complaining about losing Constitutional Second Amendment rights.  Yet, they’ve been quick to embrace a dangerous and delusional ex-president who frequently violated his Constitutional oath of …

It’s Long Past Time for Congress to do What’s Right

“Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited.”

Justice Antonin Scalia – District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

 

Only 21 weeks in to the year and the United States has witnessed 213 mass shootings, a staggering average of 10 per week … with 27 having taken place …

To Filibuster or Not to Filibuster

"In the first 50 years of the filibuster, it was used only 35 times.  But the last Congress alone had 112 cloture motions filed plus threats of more.  This is tyranny of the minority."

Peter Fenn

The Senate’s inflexible partisanship has paralyzed Congress’ ability to reach reasonable compromises on legislation to improve …

We Need a Civics Education Again. Pass the Civics Secures Democracy Act (Guest Commentary)

This is the first of what will hopefully be many insightful and reasoned guest commentaries addressing a variety of political, social and other important issues affecting America and Americans

In any competition, there must be a common set of standards used to create a fair and transparent battle. For our representative …

We Need More than “Thoughts and Prayers”

“If guns don't kill people, why do mass killers arm themselves with guns?”

DaShanne Stokes

When just one of 7.7 million people who had J&J’s Covid vaccinations died and five others experience a blood clots, those vaccinations were halted across the US and Europe, although no direct correlation has as yet been …

Compromise is Not a Four-Letter Word

“Compromise is not about losing.  It is about deciding that the other person has just as much right to be happy with the end result as you do.”

Donna Martini

The flames of partisan tribalism have infected politics since the 1800 election between Federalist John Adams and his Democrat-Republican rival Thomas Jefferson.  …

Lacking Moral Principles

“We were discussing their strategy for tomorrow, and we were sharing our thoughts, in terms of where the argument was and where to go,”

Senator Ted Cruz

At the outset of the Senate Impeachment trial of Donald Trump, each of the body’s 100 members (the trial’s jurors) declared, “I solemnly swear (or affirm) …

A Case for Impeachment Jury Tampering

“The intentional effort to influence the outcome of a juror’s opinion, vote or decision by unlawfully communicating with the juror in either a direct or indirect manner, outside the scope of legally permitted courtroom procedure.”

Definition of Jury Tampering

Once the results of the 2020 election became clear, Donald Trump became consumed, …

An Impeachment Trial Accomplishes Nothing

“Prudence means understanding your situation, seeing what good can be accomplished in it, knowing what options are both morally legitimate and likely successful—and then pursuing the wisest goal in the wisest way”

Brian C. Collins

Unquestionably, President Trump’s words and actions were the catalyst for the mob invasion of the nation’s Capital. …

Our Republic Under Siege

“We will never give up; we will never concede”

Donald Trump (January 6, 2021)

 

In the wake of Wednesday’s violent demonstration and lawless assault on the Capitol building questions must be asked … and answered.

Concerns Trump can still wreak havoc on our democracy and imperil our national security has initiated calls for …

A Time to Heal

"Our Anerican republic will endure only as long as the ideas of th emen who founded it continue dominant"

James Russell Lowell

Republican politicians must stop pandering to the president and his delusional belief he won the 2020 election and begin a process of helping to heal a dangerously divided nation.

 

As the …

Trump’s COVID-19 Failure of Leadership

“America Doesn’t want a King Trump”

Piers Morgan

In November 2019, U.S. intelligence officials warned a contagion sweeping through China was altering lives and business and posing a mortal threat to its population.  By January, senior White officials tried in vain to warn the president about the looming danger to America as …

Trump Latest Attempt to Stonewall Legitimate Congressional Oversight

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."

Abraham Lincoln

Shortly after President Trump’s televised signing the $2.3 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus bill, and out of the public eye, it was announced than he had issued a contemporaneous signing statement, “I do not understand, and my administration will not …

An Emboldened President … Dangerous for Our Democracy

“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

James Madison

Attorney General Barr concluded the “Mueller Report” exonerated President Trump, his associates and campaign of collusion with Russia during the …

Congress Must Support and Defend the Constitution

“There are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual consent and silent encroachment of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”

James Madison

 

Given Mitch McConnell cannot prevent the Senate from voting on a House passed resolution to overturn President Trump’s declaration of a …

Why the Big SCOTUS Rush?

“It’s not the FBI’s role to investigate Ford’s claims”.

President Donald J. Trump

 

Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans seem committed to send Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court to the full Senate next week despite recent allegations he may have committed a prior sexual assault; and while thousands of pages of his …

An AWOL Congress

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently”
Henry Ford
House Intelligence Chair Nunes’ release of a Republican-drafted factually misleading memo accusing the FBI and Justice Department of improperly using their surveillance authority against the Trump presidential campaign while suppressing a dissenting Democratic minority report is indefensible!
When Americans …

Our Dysfunctional Federal Government

” the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better.”
President Obama (January 2016)
 
While President Obama lamented on the increasing polarization during his Administration, he needs only to look in the mirror. His demonizing those who disagree with him, unwillingness to compromise other than on his terms …

An Irresponsible President and Congress

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Presidential Oath of Office
US Constitution – Article II, Section 1

The President, all members of …

Compromise is Not a Four Letter Word

“No democratic government can last long without conciliation and compromise”
The Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin
 
While the federal government remains “sort of” shut down (although Congressional and White House personnel continue to get paid while visible programs affecting average folks, children and veterans are always targeted in such situations) and our national …

Compromise is Not a Four-Letter Word

It’s Time to Hold Congress Accountable

“The Congress shall have the Power …  to Declare War”
Article I, Section 8, US Constitution
Not since December 8, 1941 has the United States Congress passed a Declaration of War.  Yet, since then our country has sent its men and women in “harm’s way” in no less than 27 conflicts, nearly …

A Failing Political System

“No democratic government can last long without conciliation and compromise.”
Benjamin Franklin
Partisan politics have been part of the American landscape since the bitter 1798 presidential campaign between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.  However, the endless divisiveness and unwillingness of our Beltway representatives to work across party and ideological lines has so …

Paying One’s Fair Share … of Taxes

“There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation.  One is by the sword.  The other is by debt.”
John Adams

In the endless debates over reducing federal deficits Republicans offer little other than spending cuts, too many of which impact the most vulnerable in our society.  They and …

Doing One’s Job Should Trump Re-election Concerns

Doing One’s Job Should Trump Reelection Concerns

“The budget should be balanced, the treasury refilled, public debt reduced the arrogance of
officialdom tempered and controlled … lest Rome become bankrupt”
Cicero
For the decades, our federal government has perpetuated a myth that, unlike individuals, it can routinely spend more than it takes in … so long as such deficits …

The Power to Declare and Wage War

“Congress shall have the Power …. To declare War”
US Constitution (Article I, Section 8 Clause 11)
If any nation lobbed missiles at US targets or interdicted the movement of US military men and materials the defacto conclusion would be the attacker had declared war on America!
By such a rational standard, President …

Restoring Faith in Our Government

“The budget should be balanced, the treasury refilled, public debt reduced, the arrogance of officialdom tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands curtailed, lest Rome become bankrupt.”
Cicero
The Congressional election results were neither a mandate for extremist social or political agendas of Republicans and Tea Party activists nor the …

Rhetoric, Reality and Responsibility

“Governments must be accountable to someone besides themselves”
Walter Lippmann
The budget charade currently playing at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue is enough to turn even the most objective patriot into a hardened cynic, particularly where fiscal responsibility is concerned.
Perhaps the biggest shams in this American tragedy are the “deficit reduction” and …

A Time For Conciliation And Reason

“A wise and frugal government …”
Thomas Jefferson
With the results of the 1992 election now a fait-accompli, President Clinton finds himself faced with the same type of hostile Congress as did his two predecessors.  And, while there have been the predictable, post-election peace overtures from both the White House and the …

War By Any Other Name Is Still War!

“Congress shall have the power … to declare war”
Article I, Section 8, U.S. Constitution
In what may become the nation’s shortest and most unpopular use of military might, President Clinton stands poised to order American soldiers, sailors and airmen to intervene in the internal affairs of an independent sovereign nation which …

The Freedom and Fairness Restoration Act

Plea Bargaining with Rostenkowski Would be a Travesty

“When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.”
                Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson noted, holding a “public office is a public trust.”  Unfortunately, some elected officials loose sight of this imperative, substituting personal appetites for power, stature or wealth for the ideals of public service. 
In recent …

Rhetoric, Reality and Responsibility

End The Elected Aristocracy!

Mark Twain once characterized Congress as the only “distinctly native American criminal class“.  While an exercise in hyperbole, it’s undeniable Congress has repeatedly displayed incredible arrogance for those people it purports to represent; quietly bestowing exorbitant perks and other benefits on its members and conscientiously exempting itself and its members …

A Lack of Congressional Backbones

In their rush to "resolve" the burgeoning federal deficit crisis,members of COngress have been quick to suggest all American will have to live with "necessary" cuts and increased taxes.

Yet these same individuals who hv ebeen directly responsible for crating the budget mess have again failed to demonstrate real political courage …

-->