Americans Have Much to be Thankful For
The View from the Middle
At a time when Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, has said, “America has never been that great”, and other politicians see racism, bigotry and misogyny around every corner, it is important for us to give thanks for the blessing of being born in this great country.
I believe that Thomas Jefferson knew exactly what he was committing to when he said, “That all men are created equal” in the Declaration of Independence. At the time he wrote that famous phrase, that was definitely not true, but he was pledging that this new nation would make that promise a reality. From Jefferson to Lincoln to FDR to LBJ to today we have worked to make that dream come true.
In 1965 we had only five African American members of the House of Representatives and none in the Senate. In the 116th Congress which will start in January of 2019, we will have 54 black House members. This is not only more than ten times the membership of 1965, but will bring African American representation very close to their proportion of the general population (12.4% of the House – 12.6% of US population). This is hardly a sign of a racist America. In fact, it is an indicator of a promise being kept by generations long after the original pledge.
In 1956 there were only 17 women in the House of Representatives. In the 116th Congress there will be 100 or more when all the races are decided. Is this a misogynistic trend? I think not. There are many men who vote for women running for office. Remember, I voted for Carly Fiorina in the Presidential primary. This is just another sign of the self-correcting nature of the country that we should be proud of.
After the “Debbie Downer” politicians have put the country in a state of depression, along comes the lame-stream media with their caustic, hyperbolic drivel to add rage to our already despondent psyches. They tell us daily that our country is in the middle of a crisis of our democracy. Even as they spew this rubbish, we complete yet another peaceful election which ushers in a transition of power in the House from the Republicans to the Democrats without guns firing, torches blazing and pitch forks raised. This is how our Republic is supposed to operate.
They cry that we are also experiencing an assault on the freedom of the press, while their coverage skews 90% negative against the person in power, Donald Trump. Wouldn’t that ratio be reversed if our press was truly being controlled or threatened by the government? Isn’t this actually a sign of real freedom of the press? Even Jim Acosta (let’s face it, he is a jerk) got his White House press credentials back. Only in America.
Finally, the press will suggest that we are also experiencing a constitutional crisis. They do love a good crisis, don’t they? They say that if the President fires Robert Mueller he will be violating our constitution. Unfortunately for the lame-stream media, they and the Democrats are the only ones talking about taking such action. Trust me, the President has no intention of firing Robert Mueller. My prediction is that Mueller will be allowed to deliver his report and the whole Russia collusion conspiracy will die with a whimper instead of a bang.
Don’t be duped by the detractors who will try to tell you that “America never was that great” or that we are the cause of the world’s problems and not the solution. America is the kindest, most compassionate, most powerful, most blessed, most generous country in the world. The American people are the most generous, most industrious and the most determined people on the planet. So, reject the politicians’ and news commentators’ suggestions that we should all hate at least half of our citizenry.
Yes, on this day of thanksgiving let us be thankful for this country and this people. Be thankful for our founders who established a government based on freedom and liberty and the idea that the state is servant of the people and not the other way around. Be thankful for the progress we have made through the years to make this country even better. Be thankful for our soldiers and police and first responders who put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedoms. Be thankful for your friends and family who bless you every day.
The list of things to be thankful for could go on and on, but on this day let us be most thankful for each other and for the blessing of being born in this great country. God bless you all, and may God bless America. It truly is a great country.
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Mid-Term Election True Analysis
Blue Wave? More Like a Ripple
The View from the Middle
Let me give you, my readers, a true analysis of last night’s mid-term elections while the mainstream media is busy covering their collective butts after projecting a blue wave just a few months ago. For perspective, Barack Obama lost 63 seats in the House of Representatives and thus lost control of the House and put Nancy Pelosi out of the Speakership in his first mid-term election. Democrats also lost six Senate seats and lost control of dozens of state legislatures and six governorships. To quote then President Obama, his party took a “shellacking” in his first mid-terms. Did the media call it a red wave. Nope! There were excuses galore. The party that controls the White House always loses seats in the mid-terms! The base didn’t show up! The independents took a right turn! The mainstream media, forgetting what their actual job was, acted quickly to cover up the shellacking and then quickly change the subject.
Now, let’s take a look at what really happened last night. First, we must understand the backdrop of last night’s elections. Republicans had to deal with an unprecedented 42 retirements in the House. Given the power of the incumbency in today’s politics, holding the House was going to be almost an impossibility for Republicans. With this in mind, not only can’t you call what happened a “blue wave”, you would probably have to call last night’s results a Trump win.
The Democrats did take control of the House, but they did that by switching around 35 seats in the House, about half of what Obama lost in 2010. Again, with 42 retirements, that was be expected. Then, it looks like Republicans will pick up about four or five seats in the Senate, and we really need to treat Marsha Blackburn’s win in Tennessee like a pick up. The current senator, Bob Corker, had decided to retire, and Blackburn was running against the very popular X-governor, Phil Bredesen. And, if Marsha McSally holds on to win in Arizona, where Jeff Flake had retired in anticipation of an electoral trouncing, Republicans could hold a commanding majority in the Senate. Democrats and the media, although I repeat myself there, will have to admit that this performance in the Senate was unprecedented and even unexpected just a couple of months ago. This was a huge win for Republicans and some credit must go to President Trump.
But this could all work out for the American people. First, with Republican control in the Senate, Trump’s economic plan is guaranteed stay in place, and Nancy Pelosi has even spoken words of bipartisan compromise in the House. She may well understand that two years of frivolous investigations with no progress on things like infrastructure and immigration could spell disaster for Democrats in 2020. Infrastructure is a bipartisan issue and I believe Trump, the great deal maker, will revive his “wall for dreamers” proposal which will be an offer Democrats can’t refuse.
If you have any doubt about the impact on ordinary Americans as a result of yesterday’s election results, look no farther that the Dow Jones Industrial Average which was up over 500 points on Wednesday. The market loves a divided government. At a minimum, it could spell gridlock, and when the government passes no meaningful legislation to restrict business it actually is enabling our economy.
So let’s be honest, the blue wave, which the mainstream media has been projecting for the last six months, didn’t happen. But, what DID happen is probably the best thing for us. Both sides of the political spectrum have something to feel good about and it may drive some compromise progress that will be good for the country. It may turn the party of “resist, insist, persist and throw hissy fits” into the party of action that could work with the great deal-maker, Trump. I’m even hopeful both parties could come together to address our debt and deficits. Hope springs eternal.
The View from the Middle
Let me give you, my readers, a true analysis of last night’s mid-term elections while the mainstream media is busy covering their collective butts after projecting a blue wave just a few months ago. For perspective, Barack Obama lost 63 seats in the House of Representatives and thus lost control of the House and put Nancy Pelosi out of the Speakership in his first mid-term election. Democrats also lost six Senate seats and lost control of dozens of state legislatures and six governorships. To quote then President Obama, his party took a “shellacking” in his first mid-terms. Did the media call it a red wave. Nope! There were excuses galore. The party that controls the White House always loses seats in the mid-terms! The base didn’t show up! The independents took a right turn! The mainstream media, forgetting what their actual job was, acted quickly to cover up the shellacking and then quickly change the subject.
Now, let’s take a look at what really happened last night. First, we must understand the backdrop of last night’s elections. Republicans had to deal with an unprecedented 42 retirements in the House. Given the power of the incumbency in today’s politics, holding the House was going to be almost an impossibility for Republicans. With this in mind, not only can’t you call what happened a “blue wave”, you would probably have to call last night’s results a Trump win.
The Democrats did take control of the House, but they did that by switching around 35 seats in the House, about half of what Obama lost in 2010. Again, with 42 retirements, that was be expected. Then, it looks like Republicans will pick up about four or five seats in the Senate, and we really need to treat Marsha Blackburn’s win in Tennessee like a pick up. The current senator, Bob Corker, had decided to retire, and Blackburn was running against the very popular X-governor, Phil Bredesen. And, if Marsha McSally holds on to win in Arizona, where Jeff Flake had retired in anticipation of an electoral trouncing, Republicans could hold a commanding majority in the Senate. Democrats and the media, although I repeat myself there, will have to admit that this performance in the Senate was unprecedented and even unexpected just a couple of months ago. This was a huge win for Republicans and some credit must go to President Trump.
But this could all work out for the American people. First, with Republican control in the Senate, Trump’s economic plan is guaranteed stay in place, and Nancy Pelosi has even spoken words of bipartisan compromise in the House. She may well understand that two years of frivolous investigations with no progress on things like infrastructure and immigration could spell disaster for Democrats in 2020. Infrastructure is a bipartisan issue and I believe Trump, the great deal maker, will revive his “wall for dreamers” proposal which will be an offer Democrats can’t refuse.
If you have any doubt about the impact on ordinary Americans as a result of yesterday’s election results, look no farther that the Dow Jones Industrial Average which was up over 500 points on Wednesday. The market loves a divided government. At a minimum, it could spell gridlock, and when the government passes no meaningful legislation to restrict business it actually is enabling our economy.
So let’s be honest, the blue wave, which the mainstream media has been projecting for the last six months, didn’t happen. But, what DID happen is probably the best thing for us. Both sides of the political spectrum have something to feel good about and it may drive some compromise progress that will be good for the country. It may turn the party of “resist, insist, persist and throw hissy fits” into the party of action that could work with the great deal-maker, Trump. I’m even hopeful both parties could come together to address our debt and deficits. Hope springs eternal.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
None so Blind as Those Who Will Not See
None So Blind as Those Who Will Not See
The View from the Middle
It was John Heywood, 16th century playwriter, who coined the phrase, there are, “None so blind as those who will not see.” The staying power of this maxim speaks of its simplistic wisdom. Notice, that he said “will not see” and not that these people cannot see. There’s a big difference. But before we give John Heywood all the credit, many people suggest that John was just paraphrasing the Prophet Jeremiah, chapter five, verse 21, where he said, “Hear this you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.” Yes, it is foolish to simply not listen or not see the obvious truth just because it conflicts with our political objectives, but that’s where we are today.
Today, the extreme left, which includes most of the mainstream media, has the uncanny ability to accuse others of doing exactly what they are doing. They often condemn certain behavior or policy positions but then exhibit that same conduct or support those same beliefs within weeks, days, hours and at times even within seconds of their condemnation. While these politicians obviously can’t hear their own contradictory and hypocritical rhetoric, WE, the citizens of this great country need to be able to discern the duplicity.
Left wing politicians and media pundits, like Joe Scarborough and Elie Mystal, have denounced Donald Trump for his “hateful” rhetoric. But no sooner have they made their condemnation, then they turn around and compare Trump to Hitler and anyone who voted for him to Nazis. Really? Are these people listening to themselves? Do they have ears to hear?
Hillary Clinton condemned the vitriolic rhetoric in politics in America today, but within a few days she announced that Democrats “can’t be civil” to people who just happened to disagree with her on policy issues. The good news is that she and Nancy Pelosi have suggested that somehow if they regained power that civility would return to the American political landscape. How can people denounce incivility one day and then claim that it (incivility) is somehow a virtue for them in the same interview. It really boggles my mind.
Maxine Waters, Corey Booker and Eric Holder have accused the President of inciting violence across the country, yet each of them has encouraged the exact same behavior that they condemn. Maxine Water and Corey Booker have extoled their followers to “get in the face” of their political opponents, to “harass” them and to let them know that “they aren’t welcome here anymore”. Not Welcome here? In America? What America is Maxine Waters talking about. And Obama’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, the defender of justice in this country, suggests that Democrats should “kick” Republicans when they’re down. Do these people understand the absurdity of this kind of hateful double standard?
But it was Don Lemon of CNN who set a new land speed record for portraying piety followed by hateful bigotry in his interview with the morally and intellectually challenged Chris Cuomo. Lemon actually said, “we have to stop demonizing any one group or ethnicity” which is a statement that I absolutely support. Unfortunately, he followed that thought in the same sentence by announcing that, “the biggest terrorist threat in this country is white men.” To be clear, he “demonized” an entire group of people in the same sentence where he condemned demonization. And of course, the deep-thinking Chris Cuomo didn’t even catch this soft ball gaffe and simply agreed with him wholeheartedly.
I have in the past, and will again today, condemn Donald Trump’s rough and even crude insults to those who attack him. He is not a politician, and in that way exposes himself as such. Real politicians would insult you and then, within seconds, deny doing it and condemn others of the sin they just committed. And I will allow the Democrats to criticize Trump for those insults. Maybe he will learn. It would certainly be better for him and the country if he could soften his tone.
But, for Democrats to claim some sort of moral high ground in the vile rhetoric contest is ludicrous. From Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” comment to Maxine Waters’ lynch mob pep talk to the disgraceful treatment of Brett Kavanaugh, Democrats have proven that they are still the front runners in the race to the bottom of human behavior. “We the People” need to hold all of these hypocrites accountable at the polls next Tuesday. Vote now or forever hold your peace.
The View from the Middle
It was John Heywood, 16th century playwriter, who coined the phrase, there are, “None so blind as those who will not see.” The staying power of this maxim speaks of its simplistic wisdom. Notice, that he said “will not see” and not that these people cannot see. There’s a big difference. But before we give John Heywood all the credit, many people suggest that John was just paraphrasing the Prophet Jeremiah, chapter five, verse 21, where he said, “Hear this you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.” Yes, it is foolish to simply not listen or not see the obvious truth just because it conflicts with our political objectives, but that’s where we are today.
Today, the extreme left, which includes most of the mainstream media, has the uncanny ability to accuse others of doing exactly what they are doing. They often condemn certain behavior or policy positions but then exhibit that same conduct or support those same beliefs within weeks, days, hours and at times even within seconds of their condemnation. While these politicians obviously can’t hear their own contradictory and hypocritical rhetoric, WE, the citizens of this great country need to be able to discern the duplicity.
Left wing politicians and media pundits, like Joe Scarborough and Elie Mystal, have denounced Donald Trump for his “hateful” rhetoric. But no sooner have they made their condemnation, then they turn around and compare Trump to Hitler and anyone who voted for him to Nazis. Really? Are these people listening to themselves? Do they have ears to hear?
Hillary Clinton condemned the vitriolic rhetoric in politics in America today, but within a few days she announced that Democrats “can’t be civil” to people who just happened to disagree with her on policy issues. The good news is that she and Nancy Pelosi have suggested that somehow if they regained power that civility would return to the American political landscape. How can people denounce incivility one day and then claim that it (incivility) is somehow a virtue for them in the same interview. It really boggles my mind.
Maxine Waters, Corey Booker and Eric Holder have accused the President of inciting violence across the country, yet each of them has encouraged the exact same behavior that they condemn. Maxine Water and Corey Booker have extoled their followers to “get in the face” of their political opponents, to “harass” them and to let them know that “they aren’t welcome here anymore”. Not Welcome here? In America? What America is Maxine Waters talking about. And Obama’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, the defender of justice in this country, suggests that Democrats should “kick” Republicans when they’re down. Do these people understand the absurdity of this kind of hateful double standard?
But it was Don Lemon of CNN who set a new land speed record for portraying piety followed by hateful bigotry in his interview with the morally and intellectually challenged Chris Cuomo. Lemon actually said, “we have to stop demonizing any one group or ethnicity” which is a statement that I absolutely support. Unfortunately, he followed that thought in the same sentence by announcing that, “the biggest terrorist threat in this country is white men.” To be clear, he “demonized” an entire group of people in the same sentence where he condemned demonization. And of course, the deep-thinking Chris Cuomo didn’t even catch this soft ball gaffe and simply agreed with him wholeheartedly.
I have in the past, and will again today, condemn Donald Trump’s rough and even crude insults to those who attack him. He is not a politician, and in that way exposes himself as such. Real politicians would insult you and then, within seconds, deny doing it and condemn others of the sin they just committed. And I will allow the Democrats to criticize Trump for those insults. Maybe he will learn. It would certainly be better for him and the country if he could soften his tone.
But, for Democrats to claim some sort of moral high ground in the vile rhetoric contest is ludicrous. From Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” comment to Maxine Waters’ lynch mob pep talk to the disgraceful treatment of Brett Kavanaugh, Democrats have proven that they are still the front runners in the race to the bottom of human behavior. “We the People” need to hold all of these hypocrites accountable at the polls next Tuesday. Vote now or forever hold your peace.
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