John DeProspo

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.”

What Donald Trump Reveals About Ourselves

July 18, 2015 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

If you had told me only a few months ago that Donald Trump would not only be a bona fide presidential candidate but also leading in Republican national polls, I would have advised you to get back on your meds. But here we are and the once unimaginable has become reality. In the most recent Fox News poll, Donald Trump leads the pack of 15 declared Republican candidates with 18% of the vote, followed by Scott Walker at 15% and Jeb Bush at 14%. None of the other candidates reached double digits in the Fox poll.

But you, the person I so dismissively accused of being off their meds, quickly remind me of previous Republican candidates who led in presidential polls only to later self-destruct. “Just look at Herman Cain, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry,” you say. “Trump will fizzle and fade just like they did.”

After reading some of the comments people have posted online about “The Donald,” (“Trump tells it like it is;” “Trump…USA, USA, USA;” “Trump is a real leader, not like that wuss Obama;” “I’m a Democrat but I like what Trump has to say” ) I do not think he will go the route of “The Herminator.” Trump is a different animal altogether. He is a showman, a celebrity starring in his own new reality series. The spotlight is squarely focused on him and he is luxuriating in the attention. To his credit, Trump has done something all the other mainstream candidates have been unable to do. He has brought people who otherwise do not care about politics into the game. And boy have they made their political views, however ill-informed, known!

Trump, with an ego the size of which we have not seen in some time, says exactly what people are thinking but other established candidates dare not say. They prefer to deliver their messages in code or through dog whistles. Trump has successfully tapped into a deep vein of racism, bigotry and xenophobia that makes up a large part of the American electorate today. “Trump is like a breath of fresh air because he could care less about political correctness,” one comment read.

The “real” politicians in the race have been put in a bind by Trump’s success. Do they risk offending their base by criticizing Trump or do they lay back and not attack the man? When (not if) Trump, in a debate, accuses President Obama of not being an American will there be any candidate who has the guts of a John McCain who famously told a supporter, “No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man [and] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that’s what this campaign’s all about. He’s not [an Arab].”

The Republican Party has stealthily been playing on people’s fears, and ignorance, for quite some time. They are masters at the game. Trump is just the “unfiltered” version of who they are and what they stand for. The chickens have finally come home to roost.

The odds of Trump becoming the Republican Party’s presidential nominee are still remote. With a mouth like his, how long before a Todd Aikens “legitimate rape” moment? But then again America elected a “B” actor president and the great state of Minnesota swore in a professional wrestler governor. As Chuck Berry might say, “You never can tell.”

God Picks Multiple GOP Presidential Candidates

July 16, 2015 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Scott Walker’s recent announcement that he will seek the Republican nomination for president brings the unofficial count of candidates chosen by God to four. The other three candidates directed by God to run for the highest office in the land are Ben Carson, Bobby Jindal and Rick Perry. Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich, not yet a declared candidate, has stated he is still waiting for the word.

If you add other God-friendly candidates who are running, but did not get an official nod from The Almighty (Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio) Christian conservatives are blessed with an embarrassment of riches in selecting their 2016 standard-bearer. The question, though, is why would God choose so many candidates to run for the same office?

As a young boy attending Saturday confession at my local church, I once mustered the nerve to ask my priest why God would allow so much suffering, misery and injustice in the world. I still remember his answer very clearly. “My boy,” said the priest, “it is not for us humans to understand God. If we could understand God, we would be God. No one can understand God but God himself.”

My working theory on God’s motive for selecting multiple presidential candidates is that God just wants to make the nominating process more entertaining; more suspenseful. After all, while God has directed multiple candidates to run, God has not promised any of them victory (as far as I know.)

My other theory is that God is getting on in years and has become somewhat forgetful.

In an effort to better understand God’s motive, I decided to email the Vatican. To my amazement, I received a reply from His Holiness, Pope Francis, himself. “My boy,” said the Pope, “it is not for us humans to understand God. If we could understand God, we would be God. No one can understand God but God himself.”

Are Republican “Wedge Issues” Being Whittled Down?

July 15, 2015 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

Say what you will about Republicans: they’re hypocrites, liars, mean-spirited, the embodiment of pure evil, but there is no denying they are political geniuses. How else can the party of big business and the wealthy, otherwise known as the 1%, continually get working class voters, who actually benefit from programs championed by Democrats, to vote against their own economic interest?

For many years, the GOP establishment has successfully used “social issues” to attract voters whose economic interests were really more aligned with the progressive policies of Democrats. These “social issues,” such as abortion, immigration, gun control, gay marriage, war on terror, are also known as “wedge issues,” “hot button” issues, or “culture wars.”

While Republicans have the public and the media distracted with emotional topics, they are free to make the wealthy wealthier, increase the national debt, hijack the Constitution, and take away government social services. Yes, “wedge issues” are a powerful distraction from the real issues that should occupy the political discussion; jobs, income inequality, social justice, equal rights for all.

Another tactic that has worked well for Republicans (and never matched by Democrats) is the art of political messaging. Would the workingman ever be against eliminating the estate tax? Never, but ask that same person if he favors repealing the “death tax,” the answer will always be “hell yeah!” The list of great Republican messaging is long and includes such winners as: “death panels,” “pro life,” “Obamacare,” “job creators,” etc.

But the old Republican playbook is not looking so good these days. With the Supreme Court’s decisions on Obamacare and gay marriage, Republicans have lost two of their hottest “hot button” issues.” Of course there is still an appetite for such issues among an ever-decreasing rear guard, but they are just that, decreasing.

I will not say the “culture wars” are over, but from the standpoint of national public opinion, the Republicans have lost, particularly among young people.

Republicans now face a conundrum. Today when they use “social issues” to appeal to white working class voters, or social conservatives, it drives away, in droves, young voters and socially tolerant voters of all ages. Many political observers now see this as a sure recipe for extinction.

“The tide of progress will always wash you to shore.”

Sarah, Oh Sarah … Where Are You?

July 14, 2015 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

With Donald Trump, the P.T. Barnum of the Republican Party, running circus rings around the more established Republican presidential nominees, the question on everyone’s mind is, “Where is Sarah?” What “The Donald” has proven is that there is a strong appetite among the Republican base for crazy and who knows crazy better than Sister Sarah?

If the Republican Party base is so keen on a showman running for office, surely they would love to have the ultimate political showwoman throw her hat into the ring! And good news! The rumor on the street is that the base may get their wish.

According to an anonymous source within PalinWorld, the “pit bull with lipstick” is flat broke and could use some cash. Though she accumulated tens of millions after quitting her Alaska governorship gig, the source confirmed she has lost most of the money through bad investments.

First there was the investment in a chain of Florida alligator petting zoos. That misadventure came on the heels of a men’s fragrance Sarah heavily promoted that captured the manly scent of the great Alaskan outdoors. Unfortunately, her “Eau D’Grizzly” never took off with men in the lower 48.

Some establishment Republicans have indicated they would enthusiastically support another Palin run. Their thinking is that she would split the crazy vote opening the door for someone more mainstream, like Jeb. But they should not be so quick to underestimate the lady master of “word salads.” If things don’t break her way, Sarah, as she is wont to do, will just quit… and wait for the next multimillion-dollar book deal.

Hallelujah! Majority Of Americans Do Not Think U.S. “Christian Nation”

July 12, 2015 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

Good news! According to a recent report by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), most Americans reject the idea the United States is a theocracy. Only about one-third (35%) say that the U.S. is a Christian nation today

Bad news! About one-third (35%) of Americans think the U.S. is a Christian nation today!

A closer look at the numbers reveals some more startling news. Nearly 45% of the public believes that the U.S. once was a Christian nation but is not any more. Among Americans who believe the country is no longer a Christian nation, almost (61%) wish it still were.

“This just proves my point,” noted famed ‘war-against-Christians’ conspiracy theorist, Bill O’Reilly. “This myth of separation of church and state, a modern invention created by communists/liberals/atheists and shoved down the throats of a Christian America, is taking hold.”

“For Christ’s sake,” fumed O’Reilly, “what about our Pledge of Allegiance? It’s ‘One Nation Under God,’ not ‘One Nation Under Karl Marx!’ And what about ‘In God We Trust’ on our currency’?”

Papa Bear O’Reilly should have taken the time to study-up on his American history

The Pledge of Allegiance, written in 1892, did not originally contain the phrase “under god.” The phrase was added in 1954, at the height of the Cold War. It was another way for Americans to separate themselves from the atheistic Soviet Union.

“In God We Trust” is nowhere mentioned in the Constitution. The words did not appear on our currency until 1864 and didn’t become our nation’s motto until 1956 (once again Cold War inspired.)

Mr. O’Really, now let’s get real. Any honest reading of American history does not suggest a Christian nation forcefully secularized by the liberal left in recent years, but quite the opposite.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: …” – U.S. Constitution

Comedy Central Announces New Trump Reality Show

July 10, 2015 By John DeProspo 10 Comments

Polling news for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been encouraging. Some national polls show Trump in a solid second place position behind Jeb Bush. But, businesswise, it has been a tough stretch for Mr. Trump. First NBC gave his reality show, “The Apprentice” the ax; then Univision dumped Trump’s “Miss USA”; then Macy’s stripped Trump’s clothing line from its shelves.

But things may soon be looking up for Trump. Comedy Central has just announced that, “in the event Donald Trump does not become our next president,” he will be the host of a new reality series, “I Really Did Run For President.” A Comedy Central spokesman, on condition of anonymity, confirmed that production for the new series is already underway. “We believe it’s a good bet. “The Donald’s” chances of being our next Commander in Chief are as good as that thing on his head being real.”

The new show’s format will feature Mr. Trump interviewing other failed presidential candidates. Each will be asked the same question, ”What on god’s good earth made you think you were presidential material?” First on the guest list will be “The Hermanator” himself, Herman Cain. The plan, as it stands, is to follow Mr. Cain with Michelle Bachmann.

As there are currently more than one dozen declared Republican presidential candidates, the show will have many colorful candidates to invite to the show. The producers believe they will have enough guests for at least two full seasons.

The list of misguided 2016 presidential wannabes will most likely include: Carly Fiorina, Rick Perry, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Lindsay Graham, George Pataki, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, Scott Walker, Marco Rubio and Rick Santorum.

If the producers decide to go back a few years, they may have enough guests to go beyond two seasons. Who wouldn’t want to hear the following former presidential candidates answer Trump’s question: Roseanne Barr, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Tom Tancredo, Dennis Kucinich, Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan?