How many times this week have we heard about the failure of the web sites to plug Americans into the Affordable Health Care Act's registration and how many times have Republicans used the term to describe "ObamaCare" as a "Train Wreck?" As each day passes, Republicans are banking on the short term memory loss of Americans so that they can conveniently blame everything from health care to gas prices to a slow economy to Obama.   Think I am over-reacting?  Look at the Op-Ed pages of your local newspaper along with Letters to the Editor.  You will find the designed strategy of "pivot and blame" unfolded right before our eyes.  But will it work beyond exciting a gullible and anxious base?  Perhaps.  But for how long?  You can bet the economic hit suffered as a result of the Tea Party's shutdown will be blamed on Obama come January.  Count on it.  When the total negative impact of the shut down is revealed in the economic data for the fourth quarter of 2013, Republicans will pivot to blame Mr. Obama for the slow economy and will attempt to use it as a campaign issue heading into the 2014 Mid-Term elections.  But will Americans be paying attention?   Will the "smoke and mirrors" approach of the Tea Party still work by then?  
         Just this past week, several pundits have made concerted efforts to steer America's attention away from the Republican shut down debacle and instead onto the failures of the health care computer systems.  Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and many other GOP "leaders" have excitedly pointed to the computer glitches as proof 
"Democrats cannot govern!"  Ironic isn't it?  If Democrats can't govern is a real concern for Conservatives, than what about Republicans refusing to govern and preferring to dismantle the United States government?  Is this why public polling reveals the GOP has fallen to the lowest level of public approval since such polls have been in existence?   Now don't get me wrong - Democrats in Congress are not held in high esteem either, but for the Cruz faction, Tea that hangs around in water begins to dilute and Americans are getting tired of their rhetoric.
       According to Cruz, the only reason the shut down did not succeed was the GOP's lack of backbone and he was going to be their orthopedic support!  According to Cruz and his followers, real Americans want to dismantle ObamaCare because it is the No. 1 reason America is failing.  Really?  To think some Americans actually believe in Cruz and his crazy talk is not only amazing, but also dumbfounding.  According to data, most supporters of the Tea movement enjoy benefits under Social Security and Medicare.  How far will Tea Party supporters follow Cruz and their leaders if Social Security is privatized and Medicare is severely cut back (see GOP Ryan Plan)?  Hmm, I wonder.
       In addition to the Tea Party rantings about ObamaCare, the GOP has continued its efforts to steer the country into a direction most would find puzzling.  When New Jersey Governor Chris Christie dropped his appeal against a ruling in favor of Same-Sex Marriage, Social Conservatives in the GOP were outraged.  When the GOP-led House voted this week to curtail environmental protections the Supreme Court sees as legitimate extensions of the EPA's authority, the Conservatives seem satisfied.  But what about the rest of America?  What about Americans that have never supported the notion that big corporations deserve all of the breaks because they either know best or are the real "job creators" and employees owe their livelihoods to them?  What happened to supporting Middle Class values in the GOP?  Can one say "lip service?"
        Just this week Arizona Republican Senator John McCain hinted (even though he was just reelected in 2010) that he may run for reelection in 2016 at the age of 80.  Is it any wonder that Mr. McCain is so concerned about Ted Cruz's statement that the Tea Party will LEAD the Republican Party in the future?  Is it any wonder that McCain, despite his advancing age sees it necessary to interject himself as a kind of "firewall" to protect the GOP from the likes of Cruz, Rubio, Inhoffe and Palin?   With Moderate Republicans gearing up to defend themselves in the primaries against opponents from the Far Right, can anyone really expect their candidates to succeed in the general elections?  Obviously, Cruz and his followers are banking on America's  collective attention deficit.  I'm betting Americans know better and hope McCain and his supporters somehow wrest control of the GOP back from the fringe dwelling "Cruz missile wing-nuts!"
         So enough of bashing the majority that does not believe in the America used for talking points and narratives .  Enough of manipulating emotions of Americans in an effort to misguide and misdirect the public from the real problems facing our great nation.  And enough with the efforts to divide America by claiming a self-righteousness that pits American against American.  As President Theodore Roosevelt once wrote "We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country.  Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all!"    Have a great week!

          Now that the Nation has been saved from the suicidal wishes of a minority in Congress, wouldn't it still be prudent to keep ourselves on a form of "suicide watch"?  I mean, just because last Thursday Congress avoided killing the long standing financial Full Faith and Credit of the United States from being destroyed, it only postponed another round of suicidal thoughts until February.  You see although a bi-partisan Congress kept America from jumping off a fiscal cliff, it only moved us collectively away from that cliff by a mere foot or two.   The debt ceiling debate and the urge by some to kill the Nation's credit still may bubble-up in February.  
         After everything we just went through, one would think there is no way that could happen, yet listen to the words of those who not only tried to kill America, but actually voted to do so!  Texas Senator Raphael "Ted" Cruz came out after the vote to save America and said; "What I intend to do is continue to stand with the American people working to stop Obamacare.  Washington focuses on the politics all day long.  That's what this town does, but what we saw in the deal last night, is that the U.S. Senate is not concerned about all of the people out of a job, all the people in part-time work, all the people whose health insurance premiums are skyrocketing, all the people who are losing their health insurance, and that's happening because of Obamacare."  (Note to folks reading this.  There is NO evidence any of this is happening.  Obamacare is still in the subscription phase and no one has lost their jobs).
         What?  Cruz, filling his pockets with campaign cash set off on a self-fulfilling fantasy of forcing the President and the Democratically controlled Congress to cave in and allow the Affordable Health Care Act to be dismantled through any means possible - including closing the government and committing economic suicide.  Does Cruz intend to "stand-down" in the run-up to February's next round of debt ceiling debates or does he intend to pursue his "my way or the highway" approach?  Florida Senator and Cruz compadre Marco Rubio seems to believe Americans will "Revolt" against Obamacare come the 2014 and 2016 elections.  Marco Rubio also voted for economic suicide, all in a transparent effort to latch onto the Cruz Crazy Train that enjoys rock-star status in the Ideologically Oriented For-Profit Media.  Instead of recognizing their strategy was a complete failure, costing American Billions in the process, they continue to blame others for not "joining their cause."  More importantly, Cruz continues to imply he will continue to same failed strategy come February's debt ceiling debate.
       For some, instead of focusing on the reality of today's schism among Republican leaders, they instead continue to focus on the straw man argument that all of the problems in Washington are due to Obama's "self-regard, the scale of which has a certain grandeur, reinforces progressivism's celebration of untrammeled executive power and its consequent disparagement of legislative bargaining" (George Will, Washington Post 10/20/2013).  To be fair to Will, he does write about the need for the Tea Party wing of the GOP to start operating as legislators and not suicidal maniacs, but enough with the moral equivalency of pitting these self-serving political fringe dwellers with the President. Obama is the President of the United States, duly elected (twice).  Cruz represents the State of Texas and outside of his state, folks disagree with his scorched-earth strategy.  Many within the Republican Party are now actively voicing their disdain for Cruz, all the while the President's ratings and the ACA's continue to rise. And add my disdain for Mr. Rubio (Florida can do better)!
        Perhaps President Andrew Jackson put it best when he said; "Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error."   Wouldn't it be interesting to see Mr. Cruz and his followers confronted by Andrew Jackson?  Now that would be political theater!  Have a great week!

        Let the games begin!  No, I am not referring to the lighting of the Olympic torch signifying the approach of this summer's Olympics, I am referring to the real games being played in Washington.   Now I know many of you believe that these particular "games" have been going on for quite some time, but circumstances aligned with the potential to default on our National Debt has elevated these games to be the "Super Bowl" of all political games.  Unfortunately, the players are more interested in seeking personal victories rather than securing a major win for the American people.
          Just listen to the comments of political leaders during the current government shutdown.   Speaker Boehner proudly proclaims that we have "a divided government" with the Republicans controlling one third of the branches.  Uhm, having control of the House of Representatives is NOT controlling one-third of the government, unless he really meant that the GOP also controls the Senate.  Was he mistaken when he made this statement, or was he actually being honest?  Yes, the Republicans control the House, but the Democrats have a majority in the Senate.  But, does a majority matter anymore?  With the Cloture Rule and the excessive (and abusive) use of the filibuster by the Republicans, are Americans really aware that despite a couple hundred years of democracy of majority rule in government, the Republicans have usurped rule "by the minority?"  Do elections matter anymore to Republicans?
     For my entire adult life (until the election of Barack Obama), the majority set the public policy agendas for the   country.  The minority would seek to influence policy through negotiation, but ultimately would cede to the will of the majority, since they were elected into the dominate role by the electorate.  But now, regardless of who wins elections, the minority can use pre-existing rules and twist them into seizing control of the government.  How else can a small band (80 or so) Tea Party members of the Republican Caucus take hold of the House and render the Speaker mute (pun intended).  How can a small number of Republican Senators convince their Conference to obstruct the majority at every turn and demand the minorities' agenda take priority over the majority?  Can anyone recall when freshman Senators could have entered the Senate and immediately become the leaders of their conference over existing senior members?  How could this happen?
            I submit this has happened because American democracy has come to a tipping point, and the momentum is pushing us all over a cliff.  Money, driven by the Citizens United decision, has stripped the long held traditional power structure of Congress in favor of up-start independently financed members to ignore and outright attack existing leaders within their own parties.  The threat of being "primaried" by the base of their party now controls members of Congress instead of general elections.   News media, filled with financial incentives have become the beacons of messaging, promoting misinformation designed to feed into the ignorance of their viewers who are typically , too "busy" to pay attention to actual news (or preoccupied with sensationalized eye-grabbing "breaking news" manufactured to elicit emotionally exciting reactions).    
          Case in point.  Being someone folks like to ask for guidance on politics,  a secretary where I work asked me for my thoughts. When she raised the issue of the government shutdown and potential default, I asked her opinion. Immediately, she gleefully stated she was "thrilled the government was shut down and hoped we default in order to send a message that the government spends too much money!"   Can you guess what television news network she relies upon for her "political" information (I'm being kind, "infotainment" is what she's viewing as it certainly is not real news).  Rather than educate her on what the debt ceiling actually involves, I chose instead to limit my response to; "Be careful what you wish for!" Multiply this secretary by the millions of the viewers of Fox News and you begin to appreciate how ignorant folks are.   
         As I have stated many times before, those supporting the Tea Party are well meaning people.  They just have no idea that their support runs contrary to the very American principles of liberty they have been told to believe.   I mean, the Framers of the Constitution constructed the federal government to BE the government of the United States.  Not sure what I am talking about?  Taking a closer look at the Constitution, you will note that the Framers did not use language that included the words "Federal Government."  They instead used the interchangeable term "United States" instead.  Take a look at Article VI of the Constitution; "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof;..."  (emphasis added).  Take a look at the 10th Amendment, the linchpin of the Tea Party's argument for States' Rights; "The Powers not delegated to the United States..." (emphasis added).  
         My point is this: the Framers specifically identified the National Government as THE UNITED STATES, and NOT the Federal government!  As a result, this constant noise being heard from the Republicans and their supporting Media have erroneously convinced folks (like the secretary) that it is their patriotic duty to shut down the Federal Government AND to lead it to financial ruin,  all without a clue that by doing so, they are promoting and supporting an actual attack on the United States of America!  Some patriots, right!?  
        Stop the nonsense and return respect to the traditional democracy created by the Framers and the Constitution.  Stop listening to media whose entire objective is to hijack democracy for their own ideological leaders instead of preserving it for all Americans.   And stop supporting the efforts to harm the United States of America and start working instead to preserving the objectives of "One Nation, Under G-d, Indivisible, with Liberty AND justice FOR ALL!"  As President Andrew Jackson once said, "There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses."   If some truly believe the games should continue, then we all lose. So "be careful what you wish for!"

      Now that Fox News has made the incredible comparison between the government/Democrats sending more people to guard the WWII Memorial with the lack of security sent into Benghazi to protect the consulate, it is certainly fair game to point out the obvious deception and hypocrisy of our current leaders in the United States Congress.  Since no one calls Fox News out for their blatant misleading of their loyal audience under the guise of being "Fair and Balanced," I find it incredible that no one (besides Jon Stewart) seems to be pointing out the obvious - that Fox News is not a news organization, but an adjunct entertainment/propaganda outlet for the Republican/Tea Party.  
        Some of you are old enough to recall when Dan Rather, anchor of CBS News, reported that Presidential candidate George W. Bush was AWOL from the Air National Guard.  Mr. Rather was forced to resign when he could not prove his reporting about Bush.  In other words, Rather was forced to leave the anchor desk because folks demanded that news anchors be accountable if they report or pursue the reporting of inaccurate or misleading "falsehoods."   So why is that standard ignored in the case of Fox News?  Oh, Fox News would never broadcast inaccurate or misleading news, would it?  
       As most of you know, Fox News reported on a satirical news story from the Onion that President Obama was costing America over $200 Million a day for his trip to India.  Not even remotely true.  Fox News also gave a platform to the "Birthers" claiming Obama was ineligible to be president due to his alleged birth in Kenya.  Now that Rafael Edward (Ted) Cruz admitted to being born in Canada, where is the Fox News machine on Cruz's alleged ineligibility to be President under the same standard they promoted against Obama?  Nowhere. Remember the Onion story about Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, claiming he was filing for personal bankruptcy?  Fox News sure does, they ran with it (once the Drudge Report passed it onto them).   Remember the hoopla surrounding former Chuck Hagel's alleged ties to the fictional group, "Friends of Hamas"?  It was a joke, yet broadcast repeatedly by Fox News as real news.  Remember?  Now Fox News reported that President Obama, while refusing to open the WWII Memorial, was personally paying out of his own pocket money to keep open the "International Museum of Muslim Cultures."   The story originated in the National Report, a satirical publication.  Fox News just can't seem to help themselves when it comes to airing reports that slam Obama, including those that are patently false and ridiculous.  So where are the "Broadcast Purists" that demanded Dan Rather resign over the Bush controversy?  Why isn't the American public demanding "Fair and Balanced" reporting actually BE fair and balanced?  Where are real journalists to point out that Fox News is NOT news, but political entertainment not to be taken at face value?  Does anyone take Saturday Night Live's News Update as serious news?  Perhaps Fox should add SNL News Update to their nightly broadcasts?  
        The shame of it all?  That the hypocrisy is LOST on so many Americans that SWEAR Fox News is a legitimate source of news and rely upon it faithfully to shape their political opinions.   Why?  Because Americans have become so intellectually lazy they must be told what to think.  Being manipulated by news reporters is a lot easier than having to think for ones self.  And please, those demanding I point out the deficiencies of CNN and MSNBC should realize that Fox routinely gets the news wrong.  Could it be mere negligence or part of the network's agenda and design?  Which gets me to my final point.
        The current shutdown is NOT due to Obama and the Democrats, despite the best efforts of Republicans and Fox to promote the lie.  On August 21, 2013, 80 REPUBLICAN members of the House of Representatives signed a strategy letter to shut down the government in an effort to defund ObamaCare (see http://timesfreepress.com/news/2013/oct/04/the-letter-behind-the-shutdown/).  Now that public opinion polls indicate the public is blaming the GOP for the shut down, these very same Representatives and Fox promote claims that Democrats and Obama are to blame for the shut down.  What gives?  Where is Fox News to report the truth behind the GOP/Tea Party shut down strategy?  Obviously, too busy amplifying the message that "Obama, the Democrats and Liberals" are to blame.  Yes, folks - Fox News and the GOP do believe Americans are that stupid, and apparently, those who watch Fox News exclusively for their news ARE that stupid!
          With the Debt Ceiling rapidly approaching (Oct. 17) and the Republican/Tea Party representatives willing to sacrifice the nation's financial stability to prove THEY have usurped democracy, things are getting even more at odds with reality.  Just yesterday, Charles Krauthammer wrote that the reason no one likes ObamaCare and why it must be repealed is because it's passage was "contrary to the modern American tradition - and constitutional decency - of undertaking major social revolutions only with bipartisan majorities.  Having stuffed Obamacare down the throats  of the GOP and the country, Democrats are now paying the price."  (Herald Tribune, Oct. 5, 2013).  The gist of his argument is that Congress should not initiate and approve laws unless everyone agrees.  Yet, if that is the case, where is Krauthammer now that the GOP has hijacked the House of Representatives by using its Majority to deny a clean Continuing Resolution that includes full funding of the Government over the opposition of every Democratic Representative?  Democrats have unanimously opposed the 40 plus efforts to defund ObamaCare, yet Krauthammer can not even see over the height of his own hypocrisy to see the reality of the GOP's failure to adhere to his self-described "modern American tradition - and constitutional decency."  I guess it depends on your political perspective - which IS hypocrisy at its worst!  
          So I will leave you with this final thought.  If John Boehner, as Speaker of the House can ensure the country avoids falling off a dangerously real fiscal cliff by extending the debt ceiling, then why all the talk by the GOP and Fox News about protecting the interests of Veterans?  You see, Veterans put their actual lives on the line to protect our great nation.  They are willing to sacrifice their very existence to protect America.  Why do politicians like John Boehner refuse to put their own political lives on the line by moving to protect America from disastrous financial default?  What should we think when we hear the less than authentic rantings of Boehner, Cantor, Cruz, Paul or Rubio, promoted and amplified by Fox News?  What should we think when folks like Krauthammer and Fox News employ hypocrisy (and admitted distortions) in an effort to manipulate a gullible and uneducated  electorate?  And please do not interject Obama into this discussion - his political career was extended due to his re-election and will end naturally at the end of his current term.
          "The Chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns the disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.  Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it." President George Washington, 1796.  
      Isn't it time to find politicians willing to sacrifice their political lives to save America from financial threats of ruin?  Isn't it time for America to elect political leadership in Washington that put country first and their political lives and party second?  Until then, perhaps America should begin to seriously think about replacing ALL of our leaders in Congress when the opportunity arises? Perhaps it is time to seriously consider an opportunity for Americans to Sweep Congress Clean in 2014!?  Interest and Duty? You Bet! 

     Now that the government has been officially shut down, many Americans can't seem to fathom what is going on in Congress.  Some reactions I witnessed today I found to be outright dangerous.  Seems folks still believe the ObamaCare will have active "Death Panels" and still believe that raising the debt limit leads to increased spending. These folks actually celebrate the government being shut down and hope the United States  actually defaults on its debt!
      What gives?  The Media must start educating Americans with the truth about our government and stop perpetuating distortions that advance objectives of Political Parties or interest groups. Shutting the Government is one thing, defaulting on our financial obligations is another!  But what can be done?  
     Are we entering an era of total governmental stagnation and self-inflicted financial/economical disarray and chaos? Are Tea Party and GOP members in Congress doing to the Country what no terrorist could ever accomplish - push America over a financial cliff?   But there is something Barack Obama might be able to do!
      Within Article II of the Constitution, the President is required that "...he shall take Care that the laws be faithfully executed..."   (Article II, Section 3).  Okay, so what does this mean?  Known as the "Take Care" Provision or Clause, the President is required to take all steps necessary to protect the United States from any threats, domestic, foreign, military or economic.  So there is an obligation to act in this matter!  But, with what authority does he have to act in any way to ensure the country never goes into financial default?  Look to the Fourteenth Amendment, which reads; "SECTION 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned."  
     So here goes.   In the event Congress is going to force the United States to default on its financial obligations, the President, under his "Take Care" obligations under Article II, can look to Section 4 of the 14th Amendment and argue that the debt being defaulted upon was authorized by law (Congress), and only now when it comes to pay the tab for the debt do they balk.  And balk not for financial reasons, but solely for political ideological purity reasons alone.   Congress authorized the spending - on credit.  The debt ceiling simply authorizes paying the debt back, not the initial spending represented by the debt.  
       If Obama uses an Executive Order to direct the Treasury to continue to pay the debts of the United States, we might avert total disaster.  Great for the Country, Bad for Obama and Real BAD for Republicans.  Why?  Well, in the event Obama has to act (he would be violating the Constitution if he did not act), then the GOP leaders in the House of Representatives would undoubtedly demand his immediate impeachment, which they would get (impeachment is NOT removal, it is simply an indictment for "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" and it requires only a simply majority in the House).  So Obama would be impeached right out of the gate (after all, he's already a tyrant in the eyes of the Tea Partiers).  But what about the Constitutional Crisis it would create, surely the Supreme Court would intervene?  Based upon SCOTUS history, the Court might not act due to the crisis being "Political" in nature and not "justiciable" - and an impeachment confirms it is "Political" (does anyone really think Obama would be convicted in the Democratically controlled Senate?).   Of course not.  Bottom line, Obama stays in office, but the hatred towards him rises to a very dangerous level.  So - Bad for Obama.  But why Real BAD for the Republicans?
       If Obama is impeached, that would make two consecutive Democratic Presidents to be impeached by a Republican controlled House.  Two in a row!  Has a Democratically controlled House ever impeached a Republican president?   Richard Nixon resigned before he was impeached, and many Republicans favored his removal as well.   Andrew Johnson was impeached, but by a House controlled by what was known then as the "Radical Republicans."  There has never been a Republican president ever threatened with impeachment, let alone impeached by Democrats in the House.   So where does that set up for the future?  Think the Democrats will ever again ignore using the same tactic of impeachment against a Republican President while having control of the House?  Is this enough  for Americans to finally say "enough is enough" and demand a wholesale turnover in our Congress?  Regardless, the negativity to America is extreme.  The negatively to Obama is short term and history will be on his side, but for Republicans, will they ever recover if this scenario plays out?  
       Time to get real folks.  The Tea Party does NOT represent the vast majority of Americans.  The Media can no longer be trusted to provide real objective information about our government, and the GOP must stop playing fast and loose with their oversight authority in the House and their overuse of the Filibuster in the Senate. Americans are seeing the GOP's true colors with the current shut down and the impending debt ceiling crisis.  Sorry, but there is no moral equivalence in this battle.  It is all on the Republican's side.  The GOP still cannot admit they lost the White House in 2008 and again in 2012.  They fail to admit, ObamaCare IS the LAW.  Instead of trashing it, find its faults and fix them!   The GOP must start doing their jobs instead of running for them! But whatever happens, stop playing games with the financial security of the United States of America!  Perhaps President Washington said it best; "Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble."