I sent letters to Senators Brown and Portman as well as Representative Stivers with the following text. I know that and $2 will buy a cup of coffee, but at least I have expressed my feelings. And of course I know the issue is more complex than I describe, but it is the framework for the approach I think we should be taking.
Political Compromise
Current political thought, expression, and debate in the nation,
My Credo – Christianity in the United States
In the first part of this presentation I addressed my thinking about religion in general and my personal spiritual position. In this part I want to discuss Christianity in the United States. Specifically, I want to present my concerns about what I see as serious corruption within part of the Christian community and in one case a dangerous threat to our democracy:
Senator Portman Violated his Oath
I watched virtually the entire impeachment trial of President Trump. The House managers seemed to make a compelling case that the president abused the power of his office. The president’s counsel denied that he did anything wrong; they claimed that the entire impeachment was a political charade cooked up by the Democrats in the House.
Trump is Marching Us Toward War
Back in the olden days (like before 2017) we listened when the President spoke. If he talked about military actions, war, or national security we knew he was telling us the truth as he understood it.
My Credo – National Immigration Policy
Immigration is likely to be one of the major issues of the 2020 presidential election. Therefore, I am offering my view of a framework for rational discussion/debate on a workable national immigration policy. This is not intended to be a final plan but only a strategic concept which needs to be more fully developed and promoted.
Impeachment Strategy
As I watched the Republicans’ strategy of confusion, lies, and misrepresentations during the impeachment hearings I worried that everyday Americans might not know what to believe.
Joe Biden Should Drop Out of the Race
It’s time for Joe Biden to gracefully bow out of the 2020 presidential race. I was a supporter of Joe for President in 2008 until he dropped out. So I am clearly not anti-Biden. But things are different this time.
Dangers to our Democracy and the World Order
Serious political divisions were brewing in our country long before Trump decided to run for president. That is being driven primarily by growing economic inequality, racial, ethnic, and religious bias, as well as immigration issues. However, today Trump and his Republican legislators are the greatest threat to our democracy in my lifetime.
Applied Republican Economic Theory
I was a strong supporter of Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election. I promoted his supply side economic message (Reaganomics) especially aggressively. I made speeches to anyone who would listen about its absolute brilliance. I presented “proof” that demonstrated graphically how reducing taxes on the wealthy and corporations, combined with free international trade, would unleash previously unimaginable economic growth. That in turn would raise the living standards of the middle class and bring in substantially more federal revenue than the higher tax rates then in effect. I could not even imagine how anyone could not see the wisdom of what Reagan was proposing.
I Worry About the Health of Our Democracy
I recently received two Facebook posts blaming President Clinton for Trump’s hard line separation of immigrant families. I replied to both senders that the posts themselves were dishonest hate literature intentionally misrepresenting the truth. In response one of the senders accused me of being a socialist. Not sure exactly how he drew that correlation but it is a perfect example of trying to shift the debate from facts to political bias. Regardless, I decided to outline some of my real fears and frustration with Trump specifically and the Republican Party more generally in this and two companion blog posts.
Black, White, or Gray?? 