Archives for July 2015

Republican Party Circa 2015 … An Embarrassment

July 31, 2015 By John DeProspo 1 Comment

With former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore becoming the 17^th declared candidate for the Republican presidential contest, some might say the Party suffers from an embarrassment of riches. Then there are those who might say today’s Republican Party is just an embarrassment … period.

That a sideshow carnival barker is the leading Republican candidate in national polling, is an embarrassment; that the field of candidates includes so many political lightweights (Ted Cruz, really?), is an embarrassment; that Fox News will choose which 10 candidates will make it to the debate stage, is an embarrassment; that the party of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower is today the party of crazy, is an embarrassment.

Are there any adults left in the Party? Where is that wise, respected statesman the party so desperately needs?

The sad truth is that even if such a transcendent figure exists in today’s Republican Party, he, or she, would be unelectable. By having been forced, for sheer survival, to cater to a base of religious fanatics, bigots, racists, and misogynists, the Party sold its soul long ago.

The Party has created a Frankenstein who feeds on hate, ignorance and division.

No, I do not believe even the party of crazy is capable to making Donald Trump their presidential nominee, but who knows? The fact that we are even speculating on such an absurd possibility is, well, an embarrassment.

Image courtesy of bandrat at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Clinton And Trump, Polar Opposites

July 30, 2015 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

Ask potential voters what they like most about Donald Trump and you will get the same answer, “He’s real; he’s authentic.” Ask what potential voters hate most about Hillary Clinton and you are likely to hear, “She’s too calculating; not genuine.”

According to a recent CNN/ORC poll, just 46 percent said they view the Democratic presidential front-runner favorably, compared to 50 percent who said they have an unfavorable view. And even more telling, just 42 percent say they think the former secretary of state is “honest and trustworthy,” compared with a whopping 57 percent who say they do not.

Of course, being authentic and “telling it like it is” doesn’t make one a good president just as being cautious and calculating doesn’t make someone bad presidential material. Being “unfiltered” is a bad way to brew a good cup of coffee let alone elect a Commander in Chief.

What people who admire Trump fail to comprehend is that, while having a seemingly straight-talking politician may feel like a breath of fresh air, if everything coming out of that person’s mouth is batshit, no thank you! It’s like saying someone is a great leader because he makes quick decisions and acts decisively, but all the decisions are wrong. Does any past president come to mind?

I guess what this all shows is that most voters are sick of lying politicians and will gravitate towards anyone that seems authentic to them, no matter how delusional the candidate. This “genuineness” factor is a main reason why so many Democrats have flocked to Bernie Sanders. But Bernie is no Trump. What comes out of Sanders’ mouth reeks of common sense!

Yes, Hillary is a flawed candidate. But against an “authentic” imbecile like Trump or any one of the other lying dirtbags in the Republican stable, Hillary it is.

Top Ten Quotes From Republican Presidential Contenders

July 29, 2015 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Here is the top-ten list of quotes, mostly ignored by the media, by 2016 Republican presidential candidates. OK, only one is real. Can you guess the actual quote?

“Of all the candidates, I’m the richest, smartest, have the best hair and best-looking wives.” – Donald Trump

“I know I would just be another Bush in the White House but I can promise you there won’t be a Dick for Vice President.” – Jeb Bush

“Some say my youth works against me, but no other candidate can rock a conga line like me!” – Marco Rubio

“I want to do for America what I did for Hewlett-Packard.” – Carly Fiorina

“Remember me? I helped engineer the government shutdown of 2013 and that is why I am asking for your vote.” – Ted Cruz

“People who say I’m a bully really don’t know me so they should just shut their f**cking traps!” – Chris Christie

“Good lord! People are starting to ask about my health just because I suffer from “the vapors” now and again.” – Lindsay Graham.

“I really don’t want to do this … I feel fingers” from God to run for president.– Ben Carson

“We’ve got to take this country back… the further back the better.” – Mike Huckabee

“I think the Pope should just stick to his popely duties and let us politicians worry about our 6000 year old Mother Earth.” – Rick Santorum

Did you find the real quote? Extra points for those quotes the gullible might think are real.

American Education’s Downward Spiral

July 28, 2015 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

As if there weren’t enough evidence that our educational system is failing our youth, a recent survey by Achieve, a national not-for-profit focused on education reform, found that neither university professors nor employers believe that American public high schools are preparing students for the expectations they’ll face in college or in their careers.

The sad fact is that, compared to 2004, the assessment is even more dismal. More than a decade ago, for example, only 28 percent of college instructors stated that schools were doing an adequate job of readying students for what would come after high school. That figure is down to 14 percent in 2015. Among employers, 49 percent in 2004 said that schools were adequately preparing students for what they would need for work; in 2015, the count was 29 percent.

America’s greatness is in serious danger. No, not because of some external threat. Not because as a nation we are economically bankrupt. America’s place in the world is being challenged by a broken educational system. This is not the space to get into the many reasons why this is so. Suffice it to say, we are failing our young by denying them the type of education that fosters a love of learning and prepares them to become effective workers and informed citizens.

Republican conservatives have no problem, or shame, in talking about “American Exceptionalism.” They do this in the face of a plethora of evidence showing otherwise. They do this while at the same time slashing educational spending to make way for more tax cuts for the wealthy. A good way to begin solving our educational crisis is to vote for only those politicians who recognize the problem and have solutions to solve it.

Thomas Jefferson wrote that a well-informed electorate is a prerequisite to democracy.

For the sake of our nation, this ship needs to be turned around … fast.

Rick Perry … Answer to Gun Violence, More Guns

July 27, 2015 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was recently quoted as saying that if all moviegoers packed a piece, the experience of watching a movie in a darkened theater would be a safe and pleasant experience once again. Speaking in the aftermath of the Lafayette, Louisiana theater shooting, Perry said, “I truly believe, with all my heart, that a bunch of good guys carrying heat would discourage a bad guy from trying any crazy stuff.”

Such an idea “makes a lot of sense” under the Second Amendment, the 2016 Republican presidential candidate went on to say.

“Just think how much safer your daughter might feel if the fella taking her to the picture show was armed,” reasoned Perry, the father of two daughters. “It would, however add a whole new wrinkle to that old Mae West question ‘is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me!’ quipped Perry.

“But on a more serious note,” Perry added, “if any trouble were to start, you’d have a bunch of good guys ready to unload on the perpetrator. Any damage would significantly be lessened.”

A reporter asked Perry if a shootout in a darkened theater is really a good idea; wouldn’t it just add to the number of injuries and deaths? Perry was quick to respond, “No, because the projectionist would be trained to quickly turn on the lights.” “But what if all those armed moviegoers are bad shots and instead of striking the shooter they strike one another or innocent bystanders?” the reporter asked. Perry hesitated, “Now that would be a problem.”

It appears Donald Trump was right about the glasses.

Birthers Mum On Cruz

July 26, 2015 By John DeProspo 3 Comments

While Ted Cruz’ chances of ever being elected president of the Unities States are slimmer than a stick of beef jerky, the question remains, “Where are the birthers?” Where are all those concerned citizens who questioned Barack Obama’s right to the Oval Office? Where are all those strict constitutionalists who claimed Obama was not a “natural born citizen” as required by the Constitution?

Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Canada, to an American mother and a Cuban father. Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to an American mother and a Kenyan father. Of course, the birthers do not believe Obama was born in Hawaii but Kenya.

To the birthers’ credit, Section 1 of Article 2 in the Constitution indeed states that only “a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President.” However, Section 301(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act automatically extends naturalized citizenship to anyone born of an American citizen.

So both Ted Cruz and Barack Obama, even if he were born in Kenya, are American citizens eligible for the Presidency.

What all this clearly shows is the whole “birtherism” movement was bogus from day one. It was not about Obama’s birthplace but his skin color. What this also shows is the shear hypocrisy of the conservative right and just adds to the long, inglorious history of right-wing double standards.

The most notable birther and current Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, was recently asked why conservatives were not making an issue out of Cruz’ birthplace like that of Obama’s. Trump replied, “Because Ted is a good man and a good friend. And he’s white… sort of.”

That Trump, he sure tells it like it is!

Father Bobby Jindal, “Let Us Pray”

July 25, 2015 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

In the aftermath of the Lafayette, Louisiana theater shooting, Governor Bobby Jindal offered his well-worn bromide to the almost daily, senseless gun violence in this country. “’What we can do now,” said Jindal,” is pray. We can hug these families, shower them with love, thoughts and prayers.” This advice coming from a man who is on record as saying, “In Louisiana we love us some guns;” from a governor who actually loosened the gun laws in his state after 20 children were murdered in Newtown, Connecticut.

Jindal, with an outstanding A+ rating from the NRA, presides over a state awash in guns and gun violence. An official report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a year ago revealed that 45 per cent of Louisiana residents have a gun in their homes. The State ranks fifth for weakest gun laws in the country, according to data researched by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Louisiana has twice the national average of gun deaths, with 18 per 100,000 residents. (Rhode Island, by comparison, has just 3 per 100,000).

Governor Jindal, no, I do not believe prayer will solve our nation’s gun problem. But if it can help in any way, this is what I pray for:

The day when common sense rules our politics.

The day when the Supreme Court is not occupied by right wing ideologues.

The day when the Second Amendment is read as it was intended.

The day when fomenting hatred and division is not a winning political strategy.

The day when conservative Christians heed the teachings and example of Christ.

The day when the United States joins all the other civilized nations of the world.

The day when a Bobby Jindal, and his ilk, leaves politics for his true calling, the priesthood.

So, Mr. Jindal, enough with your crocodile tears. You have blood on your hands, sir. If you are not going to resign your office, at least act like the Christian you claim to be.

Let us pray.

Ted Who? Rand Who? Jeb Who?

July 23, 2015 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

If you didn’t know any better, you could easily forget there are sixteen declared 2016 Republican presidential nominees. Many of the candidates are real life politicians with substantial resumes; a governor here, a former governor there, a senator here, a former senator there … but from the moment Donald Trump entered the race for the Republican nomination, he has sucked all the air out of the room with the way he instantly dominated news coverage.

Think what you will about Trump, that he’s an unelectable, egotistical, mindless windbag, but there is no denying he is the master of the art of self-promotion. The way he has been able to dominate not only the conservative, but also liberal, news media is pure genius. For a shameless guy like Trump, it doesn’t matter how stupid, how racist or how false the comment, it’s all good as long as brand Trump is front and center. The phrase “laughing all the way to the bank” comes to mind.

Sure he has taken a few financial hits so far for his outrageous comments, but those business opportunities pale in comparison to what lies ahead. And, to be clear, it is not the Republican nomination.

No, Donald Trump has made a name promoting his name. After all, here is a man who makes money putting his name on things. Surely a big book deal will be on the horizon as will be a new TV series, speaking engagements, appearances and so on. And how valuable is it for someone as self-absorbed as Trump to become a permanent footnote in the history books?

“The Donald” doesn’t care what damage he does to the Republican brand, it is all about brand Trump. No matter how ridiculous his behavior, the media will continue to lap it up. In the end, reality will set in among Republican voters and they will see Trump for what he is… an unelectable, egotistical, mindless windbag who is only out for himself and the almighty dollar.

Pope Francis’ Approval Ratings Dip Sharply in U.S.

July 22, 2015 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

With Pope Francis’ visit to the United States just over one month away, a new Gallup poll shows the Holy Father’s favorability ratings among all Americans taking a big hit, dropping to 59% from a 76% one year ago.

The biggest dropoff has come among conservatives. Just 45% view the Pope favorably, down from a previous 72%.

These findings are perplexing for a country that many believe to be a Christian nation.

“This decline may be attributable to the Pope’s denouncing of ‘idolatry of money’ and attributing climate change partially to human activity, along with his passionate focus on income inequality – all issues that are at odds with many conservative beliefs,” wrote Gallup analyst Art Swift.

What the poll numbers demonstrate to me is the shear hypocrisy among conservative Christians who claim to be followers of Jesus. That the most Christ-like pope in my lifetime would face such disapproval when he speaks out on issues of justice and equality tells me all I need to know.

If today’s so-called “followers of Christ” had paid attention in Sunday School or actually read their revered Bible, these so-called Christians would reject conservatives if for no other reason than their preferential treatment of the very people Christ said had about as much hope of getting into Heaven as a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

John Boehner must be racking his brain trying to figure out what in god’s name compelled him to invite the Pope to address a joint session of Congress. If the Pope’s speech (sermon) is anything as I expect, look for the Pope’s favorability ratings among the American faithful to decline even further. Hypocrites hate to be called out.

And What About Hillary’s Age?

July 21, 2015 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

Is Hillary Clinton too old to be president?

While you will never hear any Republican politician directly bring up Hillary Clinton’s age for fear of being accused of sexism, that hasn’t stopped some from indirectly attacking her “advanced years.” Rand Paul, Republican presidential nominee, was quoted as saying, “It’s a very taxing undertaking to go through. It’s a rigorous physical ordeal, I think, to be able to campaign for the presidency.” Sen. Mitch McConnell compared her to a cast member from “The Golden Girls.”

You can see why Republican presidential nominees have tread lightly on the subject of Hillary’s age (she is currently 67 and would turn 69 in 2016.) Ronald Reagan was 69 when he first took office and 73 on his second inauguration. John McCain would have been 72, and Robert Dole 73, if elected president.

While the issue of age has been raised, somewhat, by the candidacy of Bernie Sanders, (he would be the oldest president at 75) no one has been discussing the age of the current Republican frontrunner for president, Donald Trump, who will turn 71 in 2016.

Aside from their concern of being seen as sexist, Republicans have a better reason not to play the “age card.” A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed little evidence that voters are concerned about having another president in their 70s. The poll revealed that Clinton’s age would not influence how 67 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of independents voted in November 2016.

Additionally, in a recent Pew survey, young people don’t even perceive Clinton as particularly old; 69% of 18-29 year olds think Clinton is either in her 50s or younger. Just 27% accurately place her age as between 60 and 69, while only 2% say she’s older than 70.

As for the candidate herself, rather than downplay her age, Clinton in recent campaign stops in Iowa and New Hampshire has embraced her role as grandmother, striking sympathetic notes with other older women in the audience about the joys, and responsibility, of raising a grandchild.

Perhaps if the topic of age should come up in a presidential debate with a young Republican opponent, such as a Rubio or Walker, she can channel Reagan’s classic quip used against a younger Walter Mondale, “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”