George Washington once proposed a pledge of allegiance that seems far different than the pledge we all grew up reciting.  What makes Washington's pledge so different from what we have been reciting for so long?  Instead of pledging allegiance to the Flag, Washington instead proposed a pledge of allegiance to the Constitution.  In light of today's politicians abuse of their oath of office while putting Political Party first over Country perhaps it would be wise for our Congress to actually revisit the pledge as it no longer really seems to mean anything.
          Just take a look at how people represent the flag today.  Although federal law prohibits desecrating the flag, people today routinely wear clothes that include the image of the flag - even worn as shirts and pants. It is even "stylish" to wear flag scarfs, hats, on torn jeans, even as headbands.  Yet, pledging allegiance to the Flag really doesn't convey the message the Founders and Framers actually had in mind.  So just for your consideration, ponder George Washington's proposed Pledge of Allegiance to the Constitution;
         "I, as one of We, the People of the United States, affirm that I have read or will read our U.S. Constitution and pledge to maintain and promote its standard of liberty for myself and for my posterity, and do hereby attest to this by my signature."
        Wouldn't that be a better pledge to make?  But would it be too difficult for many Americans to understand?  I mean, we have Republicans claiming to be strict Constitutionalists; but never seem to know what is actually written in our foundational document.  We have a president that routinely dismisses the limits of authoritative government because he simply finds some of the provisions of the Constitution "Phony." (See: www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-blames-phony-emoluments-clause-scrapped-plan-host-g-7-n1069606).   Now we have the hyper-partisan media (Fox et al) distorting the Constitution so it fits their narrative of supporting a president who clearly has not read  the Constitution or agree with its guiding provisions.  Under Article I, the House of Representatives has the sole authority to conduct Impeachment and related inquiries. Yet, according to Fox and Right Wing media outlets (and elected officials), the Constitutional norms are okay to attack because they now have a supporting cast on the Supreme Court that will make the Constitution "bend" to their liking.  Except the Constitution was never meant to be "bent" to benefit one political party over another.  As mentioned here a lot, Washington warned America about the use of factions to divide us in order to seize and maintain corrupt control of the government.  And this is exactly where we are today.
        Until Trump and his sycophantic media and followers wake up, we will be in a crisis that will continue to challenge the very fabric of our experiment known as our democratic republic. As Thomas Jefferson once wrote; "Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence."  Have a great week!

        After everything we have seen and heard from Donald Trump, and his caravan of misfits intent on gaslighting gullible supporters, what else can be said at this time to salvage America's greatness from the jaws of those intent on splitting her apart for personal gain (either it be financial or other "advantages")?  Those of us that write on and on about why Trump is very bad for America, are reaching a point where we are only "preaching to the choir" while those that support the man seem satisfied with their ignorance. All because they have the mistaken belief that "winning over Liberals" is what matter most, instead of what our Nation collectively needs.  This is evident from comments on social media and in the Letters to the Editors in local newspapers. 
        Case in point.  Last week I had a "discussion" with a Trump supporter claiming that Trump "placed the biggest sanctions on Russia than anyone else and defeated ISIS when no one else could have," or Trump has "succeeded in building the most vibrant economy in American history!".  Except none of that is true.  When trying to explain the fallacy of their arguments, they all come down to two important positions.  First,  nothing I can tell them will convince them that the DEEP STATE isn't behind everything to "destroy Trump."  Except, there is no Deep State and there has never been one.  Nowhere can anyone find any actual basis for such a "state" in our government, because it simply does not exists.  Where did the term originate that Republicans now use?  You guessed it - Stephen Bannon of Breitbart fame.  Made up from whole cloth, reinforced by Trump and his supporting media.  The term has now captivated Trump supporters to the extent it is there first fall back position on every argument.  "We can't trust your facts because they came from the Deep State!"  Since when do facts change? Also, when those so caught up in the rhetoric of false narratives can no longer see the "forest from the trees" resulting in impulsive and reactive argument based on fantasy - and the cult-like adoration they pile atop their new Savior" or "Chosen One."  Second, attack those who you disagree with, with personal slanders.  "That's your opinion" or "You are so mis-informed!" or the best, "You have fallen into the Anti-American Socialist/Communist pit of hatred for everything American!"  I had one guy last week tell me off because he "knew more about politics" than I did (the guy is 24 years old, works a minimum wage job and has no formal secondary education). 
         Now we have a litany of Americans preparing to vote in 2020 armed with a bevy of misinformation and propaganda spoon fed them on a daily basis by Trump, Fox News and other Right Wing outlets. How do we know this?   It really is not too difficult to ascertain the origins of their beliefs when they are exclusively propagated and reinforced by Fox News.  Case in point.  A Letter to the Editor in the Sarasota Herald Tribune reads like a rendition spewed from a Trump Zombie.  How can anyone tell?  It full of lies, that's how. 
         The headline of his letter is entitled "Democratic Party stuck in Stupid."  Talk about projection, but I was willing to read the letter to see what type of argument the letter writer was making - and found it full of nonsense.  First, he readily admits to being a "deplorable." Okaaay.  Then he goes on to claim he is "disgusted" with "Trump's conceit, lying and arrogance", labeling them "obscene."  But his next statements leave the station known as Reality.  "The policies of the Democrats are even more so (obscene); for example the right of a woman to have an abortion at the end of her pregnancy (isn't that murder)." As a matter of fact, it IS murder, and no Democrat is espousing such a policy.  There are no full term live-birth abortions - they simply do not exist except in very limited situations and when medically necessary to save the life of the mother.  So as I  read further, I wondered where this letter writer gets his information (knowing full well it had to be Fox or another Right Wing garbage scow of lies).  He goes on..."medical benefits for people who are here unlawfully (ask any politician if they can tell the public that he doesn't mind if some illegal immigrant is cared for in an emergency room before his loved one)." Except no one is ever turned away from an emergency room for emergency health care. No one.  Care is provided on a Triage basis - treatment for those more in need are prioritized.  Is the letter writer suggesting doctors should let an immigrant whose status is "undetermined" die before treating a non-life threatening problem exhibited by a "Real Citizen?"  This is a ridiculous notion, but still one fostered and fomented by the Right Wing.  But our current system does not provide such a "priority"system, nor should it. That is our current system.  Have insurance or not, a citizen or not, medical treatment is given when needed.  Since when do Republicans think it is a good idea to turn away people (regardless of their "status") from the provision of needed medical care? Ask any physician.  Treatment is not denied anyone - regardless of "status."  So why would someone think otherwise?  And where does morality and religious ethics enter into the letter writer's mind.  Only Americans are worth the the provision of medical care?  Hardly a Christian or American thing to believe and proclaim in a  public letter.
        He goes on to write, "...and open borders (national security and educational/medical costs are no critical matters)."  This is one of those statements that is really frustrating.  The notion that Democrats are arguing for Open Borders can't be found in ANYTHING spoken or written by Democrats.  In fact, the only mention of such nonsense comes solely from the Right Wing.  So as I rhetorically began to think where this letter writer gets his information, he confirms my suspicion in his next sentence. "Two Fox Commentators rated the Democratic Debate's winner as Michael Bloomberg, who isn't running!"...."  Since Fox News did not air any of the Democratic debates, does this mean the letter writer doesn't watch to learn for himself what they are espousing but instead relies on Fox News to tell him what to think?  And he considers Democrats to be "Stuck on Stupid?."
          With all of the disinformation, misinformation and gas lighting coming from the Right, Democrats and Independents have a much more difficult time getting reality in front of the electorate.  Facebook announcing they will accept political ads, regardless if they are full of lies is another step in the wrong direction.  Hopefully one day, America will effectively balance the First Amendment with the need for integrity and honesty from our media.  We have had some very rough patches in the past when it came to dishonesty in our media and at the highest levels of government, but we have always been able to rely on the intelligence of average Americans to discern when they are being lied to.  Unfortunately, those interested in dividing us from within are succeeding by pitting Americans against each other, while some unwittingly are aiding and abetting their efforts by being "stupid" just by themselves. 
         Although it has been disputed if Benjamin Franklin actually said these words, they remains applicable to our current state of affairs. "We are all born ignorant, but one has to work hard to remain stupid."  One thing the letter writer got right, there certainly are a lot of stupid Americans - especially those that throw stones at others while living in very, very fragile houses.  Have a great week!

        As I returned from my most recent trip out of state, I met my wife for a previously scheduled hair cut.  As I was in the process of having my hair cut, our friend and stylist mentioned that she felt "Trump should not be impeached because every president does stuff they are complaining about now."  She went on to say that "Biden is dirty" because "What did his kid know about Ukraine!?"  When I asked her if she knew Hunter Biden's credentials, her reply was a simple, "I know he is an alcoholic and drug addict!"  Obviously, anyone with drug and alcohol problems does have issues, but that does not make them incompetent or automatically disqualified them from having the ability to conduct business affairs.  Think how many folks at high levels of business and government have similar issues.  You can bet there are more than a few with a substance problem. Yet, she admitted she had no personal knowledge as to Hunter Biden's qualifications, but then insisted that Joe Biden was "Crooked!"  When I explained how easily the Biden-Ukraine matter can be debunked, she seemed flabbergasted.  
         She even got serous when I explained that no president has (to our knowledge) ever pressured a foreign nation to get involved in a domestic political campaign, as this was explicitly prohibited in the Constitution.  She seemed confused when I told her what Trump did was exactly what the Framers to the Constitution warned us about.  Only then did she realize the gravity of Trump's transgressions as president. So, to make it clear to the rest of you, what Trump did is NOT lawful and IS impeachable.  Why?  Because the Founders and Framers told us it was. Where can we find this warning and prohibition.  Look no further than the Constitution itself, the Federalist Papers and George Washington himself. 
          In Article II, Section 3, the president is required to; "he shall take Care that the laws be faithfully executed..." Although this seems innocuous in of by itself, it is known as the "Take Care Provision" - wherein the president is required to abide by all laws and to ensure they are "Faithfully executed" on behalf of the nation, not for just his own personal interests.  We know this is a requirement because just under this language in Section 3, it warns that a sitting president can be impeached for failing to meet this requirement under the banner of "Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."   We know what was intended by this language by reading John Jay's  words in relating to the presidency in Federalist #3.
       "​Nay, it is far more probable that in America, as in Europe, neighboring nations, acting under the impulse of opposite interests and unfriendly passions, would frequently be found taking different sides. Considering our distance from Europe, it would be more natural for these confederacies to apprehend danger from one another than from distant nations, and therefore that each of them should be more desirous to guard against the others by the aid of foreign alliances, than to guard against foreign dangers by alliances between themselves. And here let us not forget how much more easy it is to receive foreign fleets into our ports, and foreign armies into our country, than it is to persuade or compel them to depart. How many conquests did the Romans and others make in the characters of allies, and what innovations did they under the same character introduce into the governments of those whom they pretended to protect."
         I was intending to write further about the positions our Founding Fathers and Framers took when it came to an Executive seeking foreign influence in our elections and domestic affairs, but others have already written extensively on this topic.  What truly troubles me is how easily Trump supporters dismiss anyone they disagree with and instead rely on what they "hear" from fellow Trump supporters and related media.  Case in point. Someone recently posted on my wife's FB that the 1. Media is corrupt, 2. The Whistleblower process was conveniently changed right before the Whistleblower complaint came out, 3. Schiff colluded with the Whistleblower and the CIA to attack Trump, 4. "Several legal experts that have read the entire transcript have said nothing unlawful was involved."  Of all the lies told in that simple paragraph, the most outlandish is "some experts say..." Like whom? Hannity? Limbaugh?  Barr?  Pompeo?  Trump himself?  When I linked actual evidence to disprove his statements, you guessed it...I am too sensitive to "counter arguments" and I shouldn't take it so personally"  Really?  Seems it's okay for those on the Right to attack the credibility of others, but once you defend yourself, then you are "too sensitive" and obviously too biased to be correct.  And this is the current state of our political affairs in America.  Everyone knows our history, political systems and Constitution, so who needs those that write about them, speak about them, teach about them when we should just trust what Trump tells us.  The Cult is strong and it will be difficult to cleanse America from it. 
      "This relationship between experts and citizens rests on a foundation of mutual respect and trust. When that foundation erodes, experts and laypeople become warring factions and democracy itself can become a casualty, decaying into mob rule or elitist technocracy." (See: www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2017-02-13/how-america-lost-faith-expertise).  Try to have a great week!