Final Grades: Saturday Political Soap Box 257

 

Weird times, huh?

Trying to get on my Soap Box about who to vote for when over 50,000,000 people have already voted?  These numbers are boosted by the Pandemic, but I think it's going to represent a permanent change - I think early voting will become almost as dominant as voting on Election Day.

That may be a good thing unless you wake up on the Monday before Election Day and find out your candidate is starring in a Borat video.

Given that, I'm still going on advocating until Election Day, even though many of you have already voted.  Indeed, my family is voting today, so we'll be part of the early brigade.  Benjamin is home this weekend, and we like to go vote as a family.  My big dream for my home county is for the Republican Candidate to receive a lower percentage of votes than they did in 2016. What did Trump get here in 2016?  87%.

I would do a post of endorsements, but it's not very involved this year.  Vote for Democrats all down the line.  Choose Reverand Raphael Warnock in the Georgia US Senate open primary style race - we need to consolidate behind one candidate to get into the two-person runoff (and there is at least a chance that Warnock could win outright with 50% plus).  

I won't dwell on the incredibly offensive and toxic personality of President Bone Spurs.  What I would like to do is grade the two candidates on a few of the issues that are most important to me. Please note issue discussions about these won't be in great detail.  For greater detail, please see some of my other 250 plus political posts.

Reversing/mitigating Climate Change/Global Warming

The ideal position is support for a Green New Deal.  Biden does not go that far, but he recognizes the crisis's reality and is willing to take serious steps to mitigate it.  On the other hand, Trump doesn't care about it, doesn't think it's real, and wants to gallop us off in a direction designed to accelerate it.

Biden B+  Trump F- 

Universal Health Care

The ideal position is universal health care, which I identify as Medicare for All.  This may be one of my biggest disappointments with Biden, as he has firmly stated he won't implement Medicare For All.  That said, he is for important improvements - improving and preserving the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), and even putting in a public option.  Trump, on the other hand?  He knows nothing other than he wants to destroy Obamacare because it's connected to his predecessor - he doesn't have a real replacement because he really doesn't give a rip after that.

Biden B Trump F-

Raising Minimum Wage

The ideal is a living wage - whatever wage it takes so that a full-time working person can support themselves and their family.  The number most bandied about is $15 per hour.  Biden supports this.  Trump doesn't even support a minimum wage.  I'm not sure he even knows what the minimum wage is.

Biden A Trump F-

Addressing Income Inequality

This involves a lot.  It's highlighted by the fact that as most of the US has fallen into a severe recession, billionaires have actually GAINED in money and power.  Solutions involve tax reform, antitrust legislation, raising wages (as addressed above), the hated necessity of government regulations (including consumer protections - which you might hate, but I don't).  Biden is slightly flawed as he has often represented corporate Democrats, but I think he recognizes the problem and will work in the right direction.  For all of Trump's symbolizing economic resentment, he has done little but serve his Wall Street masters.

Biden B- Trump F-

Systematic Racism

This is deeply ingrained into the American system and has little to do with personal racism (that's a problem, but only a corollary to systematic racism). This will require police reform, ending housing discrimination, prejudicial bank practices, and so much more.  This has to be graded on a curve, as this will take time and requires so much from ALL OF US, not just political leadership.  For the record, Trump can't even say the phrase "systematic racism."

Biden A- Trump F-

Foreign Policy

Some may be surprised at this, given my other positions, but I am not much of an isolationist.  The world is far too complicated for America to withdraw into its own little corner.  But that does not mean that I support military intervention - that should always be a last resort and done with clear objectives in mind.  I believe in a super-strong diplomatic corp and the very best intelligence-gathering agencies we can muster.  Trump has dismantled the diplomats and has tried to turn the intelligence services into his OWN tool for his OWN means. 

Biden A Trump F-

War! What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing. Can it always be avoided?  Maybe not always, but I think it can 95% of the time.  Biden does not seem as potentially militaristic as Clinton did, but I can't rule out, since Trump has put us in so many holes around the world, that war will not happen on the Biden watch.  Trump, for all his bluster, seems less inclined to actually go to conflict.  How that would be true in a second term, and with sinking relationships worldwide, is anybody's guess.

Biden C Trump D+

Preservation of Democratic Institutions and Principles

I mean, good Lord, do I even need to discuss this one?

Biden A+ Trump Z-

Bipartisanship

I mean, I kinda want this one, but honestly, I also kinda don't care.  We have a lot to get done.  I'll take some compromise, but my God, we have a lot of ground to make up.  Nevertheless, the choice here is clear.  Biden has an almost naive Obama-esque attachment to working with Republicans.  On the other hand, Trump works well with no one, even trashing Republicans if they dare utter a hint of a word in opposition to him or to anything he wants.

Biden A+ Trump Dante's Ninth Level of Hell

Coronavirus Response

Think of the James Bond movie Goldfinger:

Biden: My god, man?  I favor science, masks, reason!  I have an actual plan!  Do you expect us to get over this without a plan?

Trump: No, Mr. Biden.  I expect hundreds of thousands of Americans to die! (Dr. Evil level chortling)

Biden A++ Trump -  A Blackhole of Death and Doom

There are other issues, but I don't want to go on forever.  

After all, I have to get ready to vote this morning.

Biden/Harris 2020

AOC 2028

Speculatron Foolishness in the COVID-19 Era: Saturday Political Soap Box 246

I haven't done a speculatron in a while, even with an election approaching.  It seems kind of foolish in the COVID-19 era to try to predict our political future.  It's also hard to do but look with jaw-dropped horror how low Trump can go and still garner support from anyone, anywhere.

Well, I'll give it a try, anyways.  Sometimes, my middle name is foolishness, so..here it goes - 

Who will Biden pick as his running mate?

I don't care.  There's no one on that above list, or any list I've seen who I can't get behind and enthusiastically support.  He's going to pick a woman.  And he has a plethora of good, viable candidates to pick from.

He needs to pick someone he can work with, assign responsibilities to, whose advice he can rely on, who can step in and be President at a moment's notice.

SMART MONEY:  Senator Kamala Harris of California.  She's tough and experienced, a good debater, and a practical legislator.  Her name and record, and ability to generate support, including financial is proven.

NEW MONEY:  Karen Bass, Congresswoman from California.  Not as much is as known about her as some of the others, but she was Speaker of the California State Assembly, a substantial position in a state and economy larger than most nations on Earth.  She is currently chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

SIDE MONEY:  Susan Rice, Former UN Ambassador, and National Security Expert.  Super intelligent, and someone who works well with Biden.

BEST MONEY:  Elizabeth Warren, Senator from Massachusetts.  There is no one in the country more qualified and better able to work as Vice President than Elizabeth or to step into the Presidency if needed.  Since dropping out, she and Biden have gotten along very well and have used her to help in policy formation.

So who it will be?  I don't know.  As far as I'm concerned, he can't go wrong.  The frontrunner is Senator Harris, but I think any of those pictured are possible.

Who will win the election?

Ok, let me get down on my hands and knees for this one.

It better be Biden.  I can't picture what this country or planet will be like if Trump continues in office.

At this point, here's my prediction:

Biden 56%, Trump 42%, Others 2%

I'm too lazy to work out the Electoral College Map right now - maybe in a later post - but in general, I think Biden will exceed 400 Electoral College votes.  His win will be larger than even Obama's were, but not quite as large as '72 Nixon (520 to 17) or '84 Reagan (523 to 13).

You would think that would be enough to make me happy.  But, no.  I am ashamed that there is anyone in this country who would consider voting for Trump.  I don't care how conservative you are, or how much you hate the "libtards." Trump is not a fit leader.  He is not a decent human being.  

Who will win the Senate?

I'd love to think a landslide of the level of what I'm expecting would be enough to pull along the Senate, but people are strange.  So I'm not sure.  Without a race by race analysis, my gut instinct is...

Democrats (including Independents who caucus with them) 52, Republicans (including whatever the hell Rand Paul is) 48.

Democrats will retain the house.  The margin may change a few votes, plus or minus, but the Democrats will retain control.

What will Trump do if he loses the election?

Here's where my opinion diverges from most others.

He may or may not try to hold onto power.  If he does, he will fail.

What he will do is resign from office, probably before Thanksgiving.  Why?  Because President Pence will then grant him what every turkey wants at Thanksgiving - a full pardon.

If he's still hounded by state or local prosecution, he might have a deluxe suite waiting for him in Moscow. 

He will invest heavily in Trump TV, broadcasting his lunacy to his small but rabid base.  He will, with his buddies (foreign and domestic) take over the OAN network (One America News Network).

He will remain an irritating but less relevant voice.

The good news is, though -

He won't be in power anymore.

And a majority of Americans will remember what it was like when he was.

It's Time For THE TALK, My Progressive Friends: Saturday Political Soap Box 239

It's time for the talk, my Progressive friends.

Are you ready for the sad truth?

Bernie Sanders is not going to be President of the United States.

Whether you call yourself, like me, an independent Progressive, or any stripe of Democrat - leftist, liberal, progressive, moderate, or a republican/Independent who believes in the anti-establishment approach and feels like Trump failed to deliver - and you supported Bernie Sanders, I'm sorry to break it to you.

It's not a done deal yet.  Bernie could win Michigan and prolong this for awhile.  But I don't think he will.

That does not mean you shouldn't vote for Bernie if your primary is coming up.  You should ALWAYS vote for who you believe in, regardless of what the media says, or what the delegate count is.  I HATE coronations.  We do not have to fall in line until the convention.

But we may need to admit reality.  Barring the unforeseen, Biden will be the nominee of the Democratic Party.

I will vote for Warren in the Georgia primary.  Some of you think that's stupid since she has withdrawn.  My vote is my vote, and I believe she is the best person to be the next President of the United States. 

This decision is made easier partly because Bloomberg is no longer in the race, and I don't have to vote strategically to stop him, and by the fact that I remain agnostic between Bernie and Joe.  They both have flaws.  They both have advantages and disadvantages, and it is hard for me to decide which one outweighs the other.

I'm much closer to Bernie on policy.  I worry about the negative charge that his campaign has built up, and although it is unfair, and partly stemming from Hillary people's resentment from 2016, it will be hard to impossible to break through that.  It has been a considerable mistake to identify as a Democratic Socialist.  I understand what that means, and think it is the preferred form of governance.  Many young people are undeterred by it, and I think it will become more acceptable, understood, and appreciated over time.  And although that time is close, I am not sure that it is now.

Although not much in policy synch with Biden, I do like him.  He was my choice for Obama's running mate, and when he was picked, I was stunned when I had finally gotten both the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate that I wanted.  AND they won TWO terms.  AND they brought the country back from the brink of economic disaster.

At this point, it's a lot to surrender policy-wise. But it's not anywhere what we'd have to surrender if Trump wins a second term.

Joe has clearly lost a step.  I'm not trying to be mean, but it's the truth.  He's always gaffed and glitched, but it seems to be increasing.  I don't think it's reached a dangerous level - this is a good and decent man who cares about the American people, and is still practical and intelligent.  But he's goofing enough that the Republicans are going to use it against him.

These next few weeks are crucial for Biden, and it is why Bernie must continue to challenge him.  Biden must decisively convince the American people that he still has it.  We don't want to find out this in the Fall.  It has to be gotten out of the way now.


So, if we don't have Bernie, my Progressive friends, what do we have?


We have the future.  We have the world.  If the young and disadvantaged, the working poor of all colors/religions/ethnicities turn out and vote, we will be able to move this country forward.

Let's concentrate our firepower on the new Progressives coming up the ranks.  Let's recapture the Senate and make Mitch McConnell irrelevant.  Let's support people like Georgia First Congressional candidate, Lisa Ring.  Let's support the most progressive people running for the Georgia US Senate, or from whatever state you live in.  Let's turn around as many state legislatures and Governors as we can.  Let's elect young, dynamic Progressives even at the local level.

Let's join and advocate and march with organizations that promote our causes - Medicare For All, raising the minimum wage, responsible gun legislation, income equality, restoring voting rights and civil rights, removing corruption and oligarchical control, standing up to authoritarians, and most importantly, taking climate change seriously and advocating for the Green New Deal.

And at the national level, let's promote candidates of the future, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Kaite Porter, like Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, like Stacy Abrams and Andrew Gillum.  Let's NEVER have another election that comes down to old white men.

The future belongs to...

Change the year or candidate if you want to.  But you get the drift.

Just a suggestion,  folks. 

But a pretty damn good one.

My Proud History of Backing Losers

In 1976, my first time voting, I chose Morris Udall, a progressive Congressperson from Arizona.  The winner of the Democratic nomination, and winning the Presidency,  was Jimmy Carter.

In 1980, I voted for John Anderson in the Republican Primary (!).  I also voted for him in the General as a third-party candidate, the one and only time I voted for a third party.  He lost to Reagan.  Want to blame me for Reagan?  I voted in Georgia, one of the few states Carter would win.  

In 1984, I voted for Gary Hart.  He was a leader in the "New Democrat" movement.  The Democratic nominee was Walter Mondale, who lost to Reagan in brutal fashion.

In 1988, I voted for Al Gore.  He lost the nomination to Michael Dukakis, who then sunk like a stone against Daddy Bush.

In 1992, I voted for Paul Tsongas.  He lost the nomination to Bill Clinton.  Our favorite hound dog went on to two terms as President.

In 2000, I voted for Bill Bradley, former basketball star and Senator from New Jersey.  By this point in time, I had firmly decided that I would always vote for the candidate that I believed would move us fastest to universal health care.  He lost to Al Gore, who won the election but lost the electoral college due to monkeyshines in Florida, a state managed by Bushy Jrs' brother, and an election recount halted by a Supreme Court dominated by Reagan/Bush appointees.  Why this was not a rallying cry for Democrats, I don't know.  But we would soon pay a heavy price for having let it go.

In 2004, I voted for Dennis Kucinich, who had a great universal healthcare proposal, and was against the worst military decision of modern times - the decision to invade Iraq (hey!  it'll cost nothing, and we'll be out in weeks!)  John Keery was nominated - a military hero!  He'll appeal to Republicans! He'll even talk to John McCain into running with him (that failed to happen, but they tried)!  What could go wrong?  Yeah.  Let's ask PRESIDENT KERRY how that strategy worked.

In 2008, I voted for Barack Obama.  And he's the exception that proved the rule!  He's the only candidate I voted for FOUR times - two primaries and two generals.  A corporate Democrat, but still the best President of my lifetime!

In 2016, I voted for Bernie Sanders.  He was FOR Medicare for All, and Hillary was sneering at it as a pipe dream.  Democrats failed all the lessons of the past few elections - they had done nothing about the electoral college, and they continued to tack to the right, thinking some wavering Republicans would bust their way.

And now she's still sneering at Bernie AND his voters.  You know what?  Bernie campaigned more for her than she did for Obama.  His voters had a lower defection rate in 2016 than her voters did in 2008.

I'm sorry.  I'm so angry at her right now.

And I will be voting for Elizabeth Warren in the March 24th Georgia primary.  I am proud to cast this vote, because not only are positions on universal healthcare and the Green New Deal great, she has the temperament and intelligence to be one of the best Presidents we've ever had.

Is she likely to win?  No.  But my vote, especially my primary election, is MY VOTE, and I reserve the right to cast it in a way that means the most to me.  

And yes, she may withdraw soon, maybe even by the time you read this.  I don't care.  I know who I want to vote for, and I'm going to do it.  Bloomberg is out, so I don't have to worry about stopping him (thanx and a big hat's tip to Warren eviscerating Bloomberg in the Nevada debate).  Biden will win Georgia, consuming the lion's share of the delegates.  So, yes, I'm sticking with Warren.

For those of you caterwauling for her to end her campaign -  

STOP IT!  JUST STOP IT!

I believe in democracy.  I believe in competition.  If people want to stay in, let them stay in.  It's their fricking right.  I don't believe everybody has to get out of the way for a freaking coronation.

Every single primary voter, all the way to June, should have the right to make a competitive choice.

Except for Bloomberg.  I'm glad he got out.  He never should have been in in the first place.  That's a half a billion dollars flushed down the drain.

I don't vote strategically in the primaries.  I vote my heart.  I vote my gut.  I vote for what I truly think is the best for the country.

I'm voting for Warren.

Deal with it.

Bossy Tuesday Tidbits

Yep.  Love to stay home and write today, but my bossy schedule determines otherwise.  Sorry, Boss-A-Man.  I will need to go into work at least some today.

Party Weekend!

Both Doug and Benjamin were home for the weekend!  We had a great time just hanging out with each other.  Brought in Surchero's to eat (a local burrito place with assembly similarities to Chipolte and Subway) and watched the movie Knives Out, a clever little mystery/thriller. 

Personal Health

Still staying on track!  Making progress in losing weight and lowering blood pressure and glucose readings.  I slipped a little this weekend with the boys, but not as much as I feared.  My sweet tooth has disappeared, and I fill up faster than I used to.  I thought that I would crave sweets a lot on this dietary change, but I do not.  My largest cravings center around cheeseburgers and sandwiches.

MLS starts!

We got a new 4K TV and were able to watch the Atlanta United season opener with Doug.  Game looked awesome.  Atlanta won, but in doing soon, they may have won the battle but lost the war.  Their superstar player, Josef Martinez, was injured in the game.  We found out later it was a torn ACL and that he may be out six to nine months. 

Super Tuesday:  The Democratic Establishment Strikes Back!

The Democratic Party establishment, the Corporate Democrat Empire, is coalescing to oppose the last of the Jedi Knights, Bernie Sanders.  Joe Biden wins his first primary in 32 years of running for President, and suddenly it's like the race is over.  And everyone seems to be forgetting that the ideal candidate (our Princess Leia) is waiting in the wings.  What the heck, people.


Well, I would love to write more, but this time of year is tough to write or even get the mental space to think about WHAT to write.  As I'm between novels, I really am trying to squeeze out a good short story idea, one that might break into a science fiction magazine, and I am having no luck.

Anyhoo, have a great day!  Heck, have a SUPER TUESDAY!

T, M, Strait

Battle of the Septuagenarians! Saturday Political Soap Box 238

Hokey Smokes!

When did our election turn into

The Battle

Joe Biden, 77

Update:  The man who has never won a primary finally won one in South Carolina.  The corporate media is wetting all over itself in excitement.

Of

Bernie Sanders, 78

Update:  THe problem for Bernie is not that the state that ALWAYS upholds the establishment candidate**  stunningly upheld the establishment candidate.  No, his problem is that he was supposed to be adding people of color to his base of support.  And in South Carolina, he did not.  All the press caterwauling aside, this is the true danger sign for him, and for the progressive movement in general.

the Septuagenarians!!!*

Mike Scrooge McDuck Bloomberg, 78


Hoe did the most important political contest of our lives turn into a battle between old white guys?  

Weren't we supposed to be turning a page to a new kind and age of politics?  Shouldn't the Millenials start picking up the ball, and start to straighten the mess the Baby Boomers have created?

What the hell happened?

WAIT!
What about these people?

Pete Buttigieg, 38

Ok, maybe this one is too young.  But, hey, maybe he has already accumulated a lot of experience, with positions in state and national governance.  Ok...well, it's the thought that counts.

Update:  Buttigieg now has an opportunity for the next four years to garner that experience.  His strategic withdrawal just before Super Tuesday was to curry favor with Biden and corporate Democrats and put a final shiv to Bernie Sanders.  Oh, well.  Politics ain't bean bag.

Amy Klobuchar, 59

Hey, the Goldilocks candidate! The one whose age is just right!  Too bad her politics is not appealing to progressives and/or people of color.  Oh, well....can't have everything!

Update:  I believe she is staying in solely to dampen down Bernie's vote in Minnesota.  After Super Tuesday, she will withdraw posthaste, either explicitly or implicitly endorsing Biden.

Elizabeth Warren, 70

Oh, crap!  My favorite candidate is a...

Septuagenarian!

Ok, well, at least she's Septuagenarian Lite.  And a female.  And whip-smart.  And high energy.  And with plenty of new ideas.

Update:  She raised $29 million in February, some of it from me.  Please don't quit.  I beg of you.  Please don't.  Your voice is needed.


And waiting on the other side...

Donald Twitter from the John Trump, 73

Representing Septuagenarian, Maroon Division,

Our Narcissistic, Racist, Would Be Dictator and beloved Conman,

President Warm Weather Will Kill the Beer Virus Donald J Trump

*septuagenarian is someone between the ages of 70 to 79.

**Barack Obama in 2008 was a slight exception to this rule.

The Vanishing Speculatron: Saturday Political Soap box 236

I used to do a feature within Saturday Political Soap Box called the Speculatron, where about once a quarter, I would speculate as to coming events in the political world.  I wasn't always accurate, but for the political buff in me, and my love of speculative fiction, it was a fun thing to do.

It's been a long time since I 've done one.

Why?

The future has been hard to face.  My usual long-term optimism has fled me, and I see fewer and fewer ways out of our current dilemma.  Problems are so severe that even the election of the very best we have to offer may not be enough to save us.

And it's becoming clearer and clearer that we may not elect our best.

I would love to project that the Democratic nominees will be a team of Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, or Warren/Kamela Harris.

I can't predict that.  Because it appears that I am totally out of synch with the Democratic primary voter.  Somewhere, somehow, the fear of Trump is so strong that we've turned our back on female candidates, and also people of color.  We're scared that these people will not be effective in running against Trump, that only a white candidate can draw the votes needed to win.

What poppycock and horse hockey.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Women and people of color drive Trump crazy and cause hin to say more and more disgusting things.  His allies will not be able to contain themselves, and go too far, if not for the dedicated Trumpeteer, than for a significant majority of Americans.

This irrational decision of Democratic voters was driven home to me by an Iowa exit poll.  58% of Iowa Democratic caucus-goers were women, but even though they had two incredibly well-qualified women as candidates, they did not support either one in a significant way.  There was going to be no surge of sisterhood like there was for Hilary in 2016.

So my preferred outcome for 2016, female candidates for both President and Vice-President, look increasingly unlikely.

So, where then are we headed?

Bernie is the front runner right now.  I like Bernie.  Bernie is building support among non-whites now - did you know that?  Nah, the media doesn't report on that.  To be the nominee, he must show he can grow support beyond the base of his highly-dedicated supporters.  He not only has to achieve, but he also has to overachieve.  No one is going to let a Progressive be the nominee unless he is beating everyone else by significant margins,  He'll have to take not just the lion's share of the delegates, but a MAJORITY of the delegates.  Being slightly in front will not be enough to stop the large army of media and political pundits from savaging him.

Mayor Pete is a reasonably nice guy, and he has a chance to throw up enough smoke that people aren't sure whether he is Progressive or Corporate.  This may work for a while, but I don't know if he can keep it up.  I would feel a lot better about Mayor Pete if he had a bit more executive experience (statewide) and legislative experience behind him. 

Biden...I don't know what to say.  It's clear to me now, particularly from his Iowa Caucus night speech, and some other recent times I've heard him, that he has lost a step.  I still think he is highly qualified to be President, but he is a lousy campaigner and the most visibly aged of the candidates. I would not rule out a comeback - Super Tuesday has states with more diverse constituents, and most of them will know him primarily from ads and the great job he did as Obama's Vice President, rather than his town halls and campaign appearances.  It's not likely, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. 

I am Team Warren.  I make no excuses about that.  I will be with her until she withdraws.  She is not likely to leave before Super Tuesday, so that is who I am voting for.  It's dim for the home team, but nevertheless, we Warrenites persist.  She has the talent and abilities to be a first-rate President, and a greater ability to work with all sides than she has been given credit for.  Not only does she have to fight the current prejudice against female candidates, but she is being squeezed out from the Progressive vote by the loyalty to Bernie Sanders, and on the moderate side by the rise of Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Klobuchar...she is far too conservative for me, but...I have to admit she is demonstrating the skill set to be a good President.  I find her the best of the moderates.  I wouldn't be overly thrilled if she got the nomination, but I would be comfortable with it.  She has to demonstrate an ability to win votes beyond her moderate base and pull in Progressives and people of color.  Her, in combination with Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, or Julian Castro, might be quite an exciting ticket.

Bloomberg...I find his candidacy very upsetting.  I can't talk about it, even write about it without getting overemotional.  Nominating him would signal our country's complete surrender to the wealthy oligarchs.  How any Democratic, of any stripe, could consider this super-rich Republican/Independent is far beyond my comprehension.

It's hard to speculate about what I fear.  And I fear a Bloomberg candidacy.  Would I vote for him over Trump?

I would vote for Ted Cruz over Trump.  I would vote for a ham sandwich over Trump.  So, yes, I would vote for Bloomberg over Trump.

But it would make me very sick to my stomach. I would not want to be the next person in the voting booth after me.  It might not be pretty or smell very good.

I haven't got to Trump and his accelerating march towards authoritarian fascism.  This is something else that is too disturbing to speculate on.  He has learned from his Senate acquittal.  He has learned he can get away with anything, and he won't be stopped.  God help us all.

Bottom line?

I can't accurately predict the Democratic nominee.  My hopes for a good outcome are too low, my fear of a bad outcome are too high.

Pushing me to make my best guess?

Klobuchar/Booker.

If it can't be Warren, that's the next best outcome I can project.

Please, just don't let it be Bloomberg.

Hobbled: Saturday Political Soap Box 235

There is so much to write about and react to.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), I am somewhat hobbled this morning.  The knee pain that has flared up out of nowhere is making it difficult to sit at the computer for any length of time.

How do I feel about the Democratic race at the moment?

Not too bad.  The tabulating of Iowa's results were a horrible, time-delayed muddle.  Even though the candidates nor the DNC was directly involved, people are going to attribute it to "Democratic failure."

Bernie and Mayor Pete were neck and neck competing for first.  Bernie did very well, but he's going to need to be better if he's going to win the nomination  He can't just win close, fractured elections,  He's going to have to win bigger, and demonstrate both an ability to win over a healthy chunk of moderate/conservative  Democrats, and demonstrate the ability to attract new voters, increasing primary and caucus turnout.  Attendance at Iowa caucuses was about the same as four years ago - those numbers are going to have to rise, and it has to be attributed to Bernie.

Buttigieg lost the popular voting, but he did gain more than the others in the second realignment vote.  This means he was many people's second choice.  When other moderates failed to meet viability in a precinct (at least 15% of the precinct vote), they tended to switch to Buttigieg.  And then the State Delegate equivalents were structured to give rural voters an outsized voice.  Shades of the electoral college.

In third, in a tier by herself, is Elizabeth Warren.  This may not be the worst position to be in. She may gain from the fact that attacks will focus on the two frontrunners, and not her.

In another close bunching, is Biden and Klobuchar.  This did not hurt Klobuchar - she is still considered a viable candidate. It was a devasting blow to Biden.  If Biden does not have a breakthrough in South Carolina, he's pretty much toast.

My favorite progressive candidate is Elizabeth Warren.  My favorite corporate/moderate candidate is Amy Klobuchar.  If we're going to beat Trump, it's going to take a blend of these two camps, along with someone who can inspire people of color to turn out in large numbers.

I have no comment about the impending arrival of the billionaire. Can we at least agree that this is not the best year to have someone else BUY the Presidency?

Of the major candidates,  here is my ranking concerning my own support.

1)  Elizabeth Warren

2)  Bernie Sanders

3)  Amy Klobuchar

4)  Joe Biden

5)  Pete Buttigieg

The Impeachment Trial is Over


It had to be done.  The Constitution and its preservation demanded it.  Political consequences be damned - this could not be unanswered.

And his acquittal will have consequences - dire, dramatic consequences.  He will seek vengeance.  He will do it again.  Sorry, Maine Senator Susan Collins - he learned nothing.  The only thing Trump got out of it was...I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT AND GET AWAY WITH IT.

Super kudos to Mitt Romney, and to Senator Doug Jones of Alabama.  They did not take the easy way out.  They voted their conscience, despite the consequences.  And there will be consequences.  Doung Jones will almost certainly lose his election in the Fall.  Romney will be ostracized and treated like dirt.

Donald Trump is coming after all those who try to speak the truth.  And it won't be pretty.  The training wheels have been taken off Trump and expect him to crash headlong into everything.

Anyhoo, it's taken me a long time to write this, and I have had to correct it numerous times. 

Thank you all for perusing my political posts.  No one agrees with anyone 100% of the time, so I appreciate you reading even when you don't agree with me.


Y'all have a great time, and I'll see y'all back here for Saturday Political Soap Box 236.


Yes.  236 of these over the years.  Yeppers, if nothing else, I embody quantity over quality.

Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Saturday Political Soap Box 228

For those of you who are not attentive to everything I write, this may come as a bit of a shock to you.

I am not a Democrat.

I am an Independent Progressive.  I will vote for whichever candidate will move the fastest and farthest to achieve the goals most important to me -   mitigating and reversing climate change, universal healthcare through a government single-payer program, student debt forgiveness and free tuition to public universities, a higher minimum wage ($15 or greater), reducing the income gap and restoring the middle class.

Under our present two-party system, there is only one party that even suggests approaching these issues, and that is the Democratic party.  But I look carefully at each candidate, each race.  If the Republican was clearly more progressive than the Democrat, I would consider voting for that candidate.  Frankly, it's been over three decades since that has occurred.

The Democrats are divided between corporate Democrats and progressive Democrats.  The corporate vary from slightly (ever so slightly) center-left to centrist moderate to center-right.  The biggest thing they have in common is they like the current system, accept money from large donors representing wealthy and corporate interests, and want to make change slowly and incrementally.  I can work with corporate Democrats if I have to.  President Obama was a corporate Democrat, but he was also the best President of my lifetime.

Independent Progressives are much more forthright in wanting to achieve many of the goals that I want to see us achieve.  They don't take big money, and they are much more explicit about the structural changes we need to make.

The media and many of the corporate interests behind the corporate Democrats have made it clear that we won't ever have a progressive for a Democratic nominee.  They will pull out any stops to prevent it from happening.  There has not been a progressive nominee since McGovern in 1972, and although the country has changed dramatically, centrist Democrats use that loss as a boogeyman for any progressive threats.  Of course, Republicans have not been deterred by such losses.  They have moved so for to the right (they now dwell beyond, into reactionary/fascist territory), and figures such as Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagen would be considered too liberal to get their nomination.

How deep is the mindset of this anti-progressive movement in the Democratic Party?

The media universally decries Progressive positions and Progressive candidates.  MSNBC, the so-called left-leaning network, regularly warns us that the progressive positions are too far (even though polling proves otherwise), and will alienate voters who might otherwise vote Democratic.  They slam Progressive candidates, particularly Bernie Sanders,  as being unelectable, even when they poll well.  Bernie ahead in a state?  Well. that's a mistake, and his support will dissipate as we get closer to an election.  Elizabeth Warren got a pass when she was down in the polls, with some kind things said about her, but that changed as she rose to contention.  Now everything she does is savaged.

The billionaire class, even those who carry some pretense of being moderate or liberal, are terrified of Warren and Sanders.  Some have even said they would abandon their moderate roots and vote for Trump over a Warren or Sanders.  One billionaire (fifty times over billionaire) has entered the race, mostly due to fear of Warren's wealth tax.  This candidate owns one of the largest media outlets in the country and additionally will be able to buy enough advertising to drown out everyone else.

My favorite President, Barack Obama, has privately said that if Bernie Sanders looks like he could get the nomination, he will come off the bench and come out swinging against him.  Our most popular political figure has suggested that he will turn into a weapon to ensure that a Progressive does not get the nomination.

Progressives don't even have to wait for the Republicans to be attacked and demonized.  The corporate Democrats will gleefully use Republican talking points to try and destroy them.  Medicare For All is too expensive, costing (snatch a number out of the air) thirty trillion gazillion dollars!  People want their private plans (that come from their employers and are subject to their employer's whims, not the employees)!  Free college even for billionaire's kids (I guess according to Mayor Pete's plan, that includes any family that makes a combined amount greater than $100,000 - yeah that's almost like being a billionaire)*!

Now, trust me on this.  If a progressive attacks a corporate Democrat on anything, the weeping and wailing begin - HOW DARE YOU HAND THE REPUBLICANS LINES OF ATTACK AND WEAKEN THINGS FOR OUR INEVITABLE CORPORATE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!!! But attacking a progressive Democrat?  Oh, you can do that all day and all night until the cows come home.

I will always fight for and support a progressive Democrat.  Things are getting dire out there, and we need them more than ever.

But, sigh, I will concede to the inevitable and vote for the corporate Democratic nominee.  Because, yes, I understand the alternative is so much worse.  And yes, even if the contest winds up being a corporate Democrat (Biden, Mayor Pete, Klobuchar) and a corporate Republican  (Kasich, Romney), I will still vote for the corporate Democrat.

I'm not stupid.

I'm just disappointed.


*Another shocker spoiler alert for Mayor Pete and his plunge to the corporate side of the Democratic Party  -  billionaires don't send their kids to public universities - they go to fancy private colleges that would not be covered by anybody's plan.**

**The reason we still have a Hope Scholarship in Georgia is that it covers every student that academically qualifies.  If it didn't, the moneyed interests that lobby our ultra-conservative Georgia legislature and Governor would have destroyed it.

***Can anybody tell that I am upset about Mayor Pete and his turn to the right?  Spoiler alert...yes, I am.

****and do I realize I misuse the term/cliche 'spoiler alert'? Yes, I am.  I just don't care.

Full Slate Update! Saturday Political Soap Box 210

We have a full slate!  Joe Biden (and 19 others) are now in!  

I don't know how much Joe Biden will take off.  It could be enough to force others out of the race, but even if he's successful, that could take some time.  So, at least until mid Fall, I think the field is about set.

The biggest surprise to me so far is that the female candidates have gotten so little time and attention.  Elizabeth has been a knockout, high energy, and detailed solutions/plans.  Jamala Harris has been an excellent fundraiser with potential appeal to different groups across the cultural and political spectrum of the Democratic Party.  Both Amy Klobuchar and Kristan Gillibrand are successful, competent Senators.  Yet most of the noise and polling have gone to the four male Bs - Biden, Bernie, Beto, and Buttigieg,

This is a ranking of my own preferences.  It is subject to much volatility and change, as more candidates enter and more information is gathered.  I concede that I need to do more research on some of these candidates.  I am reasonably solid on my number one choice, but the rest could change dramatically.

I will keep negative commentary to a minimum, and concentrate on positives.  I invite commentary, but I hope we can center more on why you like a candidate than the negatives of other candidates.

My basic criteria?

1) explicit support for Medicare For All (single payer) 2) understand that climate change is the greatest threat to the planet, and support the Green New Deal 3) fund through small donations rather than corporate PACs 4) generally progressive positions on economic issues and 5) everything else being equal, I would prefer female candidates to men.  It is way past time for a woman to be President of the United States.

#1 - Elizabeth Warren, Senator from Massachusetts.  American workers have not a better defender and supporter for the last decade than this energetic and knowledgable person.  I first saw her on CSPAN as a professor explaining the decline and struggles of the middle class, in an as concise and clear way as I had ever seen.  She inspired and created the Consumer Protection Bureau.  She has led the way on a host of issues that would improve the lives of working families.  On my list of considerations above, she checks the boxes more clearly than anyone else.  The objections I have heard about her are nonsensical and stupid. But I'm not getting into that here.

Everything that has happened since my first ranking has solidified her as my personal choice.  She is not just fluffy and platitudinal about her plans to solve problems - she has been bold and specific, without being too wonky or Rube Goldbergian.  She was also the first candidate to call for Trump's impeachment.  She is not going to be one to sit on the sidelines.  She will fight boldly and clearly.

#2 - Bernie Sanders, Senator from Vermont  - I did not expect him to rank this high.  I thought it was time to move past the Sanders/Clinton rancor (that's not a reflection on either candidate - that's on the extremists in both camps).  He was our Moses leading us out of the wilderness.  But, dammit, he still checks all the boxes, except for preferring a female candidate.  He continues to show that he is the all-time champion at grassroots fundraising and campaigning.

He has taken some minor stumbles recently (voting rights for incarcerated felons, including the Boston Marathon Bomber - politically pure and not politically astute).  He remains the clearest and most decisive candidate for Medicare For All.  And that is of vital importance to me.

#3 -  Kamala Harris, Senator from California.  I know a little bit less about her, so I'm still in discovery mode.  What I know is mostly positive.  She has been dynamite in Senate hearings, her background as a prosecutor serves her and the nation well.  Like many, her alliance with a great midwestern candidate, like Sherrod Brown or Amy Klobuchar, would make a formidable team.

#4 - Peter Buttigieg,  mayor of South Bend, Indiana.  All I know at this point is that he's prominent in Democratic National Committee circles, has some fresh ideas, and is even younger than Julian Castro - 37!    

Mayor Pete is the biggest mover on my list, going from #10 to #4.  His positions are innovative and straddle the gap between Progressive and Corporate Democrats.  He is a great speaker, highly intelligent, and one of the best representatives of Progressive Christianity I have seen on the political front in a long time.

#5 -  Joe Biden.  Undoubtedly, the most qualified person in the country to serve as President of the United States.  Joe is not without his flaws, but being a competent President is not one of them.  He is ready to lead and has the experience to guide us through tough times.

#6 - Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator from New York.  She started as a conservative Democrat in Congress about a decade ago.  She has been moving to the progressive side ever since.  She has the Senate's best record of opposing Trump.  She checks a lot of the boxes I have listed, but with a shorter duration of support than some.  She is another whose list position could change, as I get more information and do further research.

#7- Tulsi Gabbard, Congressperson from Hawaii.  I really like her,  She checks a lot of boxes.  The press, including the liberal media, have a great hostility towards her.  Her consistent position on opposing regime change throws off some, as it's not influenced by traditional political lines.  She is one I'm going to listen to carefully, and research, and accordingly, could move dramatically on this list, either up or down.  Many of you will not know about her, as the press will either exclude her or if they do mention her, it will be negatively.

The most significant drop on my list.  A lot of her positions are excellent, but she was kinda dismissive of the Mueller Report and somewhat tolerant of torture.  I'll continue to monitor her progress.

#8 - Cory Booker, Senator from New York.  He is a great guy, who has been heroic in the past   He is a great leader and speaker, and has had positive relations in the Senate, which has helped in moving forward on legislative agendas.  He has received a good bit of Wall street money in the past, but I think he has decided to raise more small donor money this time. He is generally good on the issues, albeit a little more centrist than some.

#9 - Jay Inslee, Governor of the State of Washington.  A recently announced candidate whose focus will be climate change.  Can't argue with that!  I'll just have to find out more as time goes on.

#10 - Amy Klobuchar, Senator from Minnesota.  A little too moderate to be a top contender for me personally, it is not without value that she is well respected by her colleagues in the Senate, Republican, and Democrat alike.  Although her leadership might not be bold, there is at least a possibility that it could be incrementally positive, or at least in the right general direction,  Because of her popularity in the Midwest, she might also make an excellent Vice-Presidential candidate.

There are other announced candidates that either has no political background and/or yet to be determined credibility.  The most interesting may be Andrew Yang, a businessman who is advocating a basic income for all Americans of $1,000 a month.

Beto O'Rouke has announced but does not make my top ten.  It's possible he could break through, but I'll have to hear a lot more from him.

Expect to disagree with me!

Except I hope we have agreement on one central point - Trump AND the Republican agenda must be defeated in 2020!

The future of the world depends upon it!