Blog PostsFriends | BlogBefore it's too latePutin (Russia), Xi (China), Kim Jung Un (North Korea), Orban (Hungary), Erdogan (Turkey), bin Salman (Saudi Arabia), and Khamenei (Iran) all endorse Trump. Shouldn’t everyone know why by now? Hasn’t everyone seen Trump’s speech in which he takes the word of Putin over the U.S. intelligence agencies in regards to election interference? Trump professing that he has exchanged love letters with Kim Jung Un? That Viktor Orban “of Turkey” is a great leader? (Orban is the leader of Hungary, not Turkey. And which candidate’s mental capacity is severely diminished?) What did Trump say about Xi? “Well, he runs 1.4 billion people with an iron fist. Smart, brilliant, everything perfect. If you went all over Hollywood to look for somebody to play the role of President Xi, you couldn’t find anyone. There’s nobody like that. The look, the brain, the whole thing.” And as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia approaches the two year mark, let’s harken back to Trump’s first comments: “I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, ‘This is genius.’ Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine — Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful. He used the word ‘independent’ and ‘we’re gonna go in and we’re gonna help keep peace.’ You gotta say that’s pretty savvy.” And, of course, we have the $2B investment in Trump’s son-in-law’s startup company by the Saudi’s. As a matter of U.S. national security, the U.S. economy, and democracy itself, should it not concern each and every one of us that he is leveraged financially from his international business ventures, some in autocratic nations, and that he willingly participates in these quid pro quos that compromise our great nation domestically and its status and reputation in the world, and our trustworthiness with our allies? Shouldn’t everyone care that by abandoning democracy and adopting some form of autocratic ideology, which he obviously envisions, in plain sight, he’s not hiding it, that your vote will cease to count? When FOX Sean Hannity tried to do damage control in a one-on-one interview, and tried to steer Trump into refuting that he will be a dictator, Trump responded, “I’ll only be dictator on Day 1.” Why does he envy these autocrats and dictators? A tri-equal vision of: 1. Supreme power with no term limits, no checks and balances by the courts or legislature on the Executive Branch of Government. No accountability for criminal activity. None whatsoever. 2. Narcissistic personality disorder and egomania - an unreasonably high sense of self-importance requiring constant, excessive admiration. 3. Advancing his personal wealth without regard to legality or how it may compromise the United States of America. Who would be foolish enough to deny this describes Trump’s modus operandi to a tee? Is his characteristic unbridled lack of control, which includes his hateful rants about anyone or any group that opposes him, his infamous knee-jerk decisions, his complete and utter ignorance of and about American history, the law, policy, and the issues of the day, his gutting of institutions of government and hiring of cronies; his sewing of division, and his strong suggestions and theme of being “Chosen by God.” acceptable? When have we EVER heard him break down anything of substance in his speeches? It’s all about self-praise and victimization. As the election approaches, he is finally being called out BY FELLOW REPUBLICANS for his broken promises and inability to govern. The economy? Trump’s rhetoric about the economy and trade is just that, rhetoric. Those who believe that he is better able to steer the US economy are listening to his consistent repetition of lies, a deliberate tactic of his. “If you repeat something consistently and often enough, people begin to believe it.” Instead, we have to look at the numbers. The numbers don’t lie. Biden’s economic policies are working! Unemployment historically down, higher wages outpacing inflation, prescription costs down, millions of additional people with health coverage. Not to mention that he guided us out of the pandemic and passed the Infrastructure Package, which incidentally, Trump couldn’t do in four years after declaring it was Infrastructure Week. Speaking of being disingenuous (at best), a growing number of House Republicans who voted AGAINST the bill are taking credit for it with their own constituents. We know what Trump did, the only thing he did, was to cut taxes for corporate America, benefiting the highest of high-income individuals. If voters can rationalize Trump’s chaos (Nikki Haley’s recent messaging that chaos follows him), his lunacy, his claim of executive privilege for criminal behavior that threatens the nation and the rule of law, do they really think that it won’t make its way down to them as families and individuals? Everyone will sooner or later discover that the U.S. economy, it that’s their only concern, cannot possibly function as it has for decades and decades under autocratic rule. Our relationships with our trading partners will be changed permanently. There will be no return to what America was built on, and thrived under. If the entertainment that Trump provides – after all, The Apprentice is said to be the only genuine financial success of his entire career – is worth the demise of our great nation… If people are satisfied having a leader who is only smarter than them in terms of being a con-man, bilking millions for legal fees and to pad his own wallet from the Average Hard-working Joe and Jane, and it’s okay for the person who represents the U.S. to be as vulgar in public as some of us only are in private… If people think that Trump will only hurt the Dems and Libs, who unlike MAGA, actually have a political platform that values the rights of the oppressed – women’s control over their own bodies (“If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament.”)… people of color, immigrants (America is a country of immigrants. All but Native Americans are immigrants. We are all immigrants. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”)… LGBTQ+, Non-Christians, you need to be reminded that we study history not only to know about the past, but so we do not repeat the mistakes of it. Re-read or read the text for the first time before it is outlawed: First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. So, what is it that we have in common with Trump? If you have amassed wealth legitimately through your creativity and hard work, or inherited it, and pay your fair share in taxes, good for you. No one should resent that. It is to your credit or those who came before you. Trump inherited his from an allegedly corrupt father, and proceeded to squander most of it. He preys on “suckers and losers,” not the fallen soldiers of U.S. wars that he characterized as such, but those who buy into his lies and donate to his candidacy and growing legal fees, and who share his white supremacist beliefs. And just like some of the contractors who worked for him, the lawyers who more recently worked/work for him, his legions of political supporters and allies, he will turn his back on us, AGAIN, too. Epic PerformancesGagaAdele Lou Reed Springsteen, Zac Brown, Grohl Aretha Blackberry Smoke covers Petty DadJack of All Trades - Bruce SpringsteenDad's Old Number - Cole Swindell Sometimes I forget these ten digits ain't my lifeline anymore. He could fix anything... My Old Man - Zac Brown He was a lion We were our father's pride But I was defiant When he made me walk the line He knew how to lift me up And when to let me fall Looking back, he always had a plan My old man... Voices – Chris Young Like, my dad saying work that job, but don't work your life away Like, my dad saying quit that team and you'll be a quitter for the rest of your life... Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore - Chris Stapleton Daddy doesn't pray anymore I guess he's finally walking with the Lord He used to fold his hands and bow his head down to the floor But daddy doesn't pray anymore... Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw Even Though I’m Leaving – Luke Combs Just 'cause I'm leavin' it don't mean that I won't be right by your side When you need me and you can't see me in the middle of the night Just close your eyes and say a prayer It's okay, I know you're scared when I'm not here But I'll always be right there Even though I'm leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere... A Father’s Love – George Strait And he said, Let me tell you a secret, about a fathers love A secret that my daddy said was just between us He said daddies dont just love their children every now and then It's a love without end, amen, its a love without end, amen... Teach Your Children - CSNY Hey Dad – Matt Stillwell His old hands were like leather Hey dad, it's me dad Just wanted to tell you that I miss you bad... Watching You – Rodney Atkins Dad – Tyler Wood An early riser, always-on-timer A back breaker, giver not a taker Made sure nothin' was missin' So we could have everything you didn't Firm hand shaker, never meet a stranger Tough as steel, heart of gold It took a while, but now I know All the little life lessons But you never expected a thank you, a pat on the back You did what you did, no questions asked You carried the weight so we'd have a good life Raised us with love so we could fly Anyone else would call you Superman And I am the man that I am Because I call you Dad... Best Seat In The House - Locash I could see you every time I close my eyes And I feel you in my heart And I hear you in my mind Saying I'm right here When things get rough And when I fall down You still pick me up Remind me how everything's gonna be just fine |