Wow what a week! A big blowing storm hit the country this week, and it was not necessarily only snow that blew hard! Sarah Palin re-entered the consciousness of the American Public by leeching onto the Trump presidential campaign, George Will erroneously confuses his partisan clap-trap for legal opinions on what the "Take Care Provision" of the U.S. Constitution means, Hillary and Bernie trade rhetorical barbs at each other, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz can't figure out how to be more brash in the shadow of the Trump phenomena, and Michael Bloomberg, yes that former NY City Mayor is making waves about entering the presidential race as an Independent. Wow, and we thought big blows only came with weather related storms. Well hang on folks, this campaign season is setting itself up for a huge shift in America's political sands!
As you all know, I am not a fan of Donald Trump, but his welcome addition of Sarah Palin to his campaign makes his efforts clearly disruptive to all political narratives. Really, Sarah Palin offers to endorse Trump and he welcomes it? Sorry America, but Trump already was leading a coalition of haters and conspiracy wing-nuts, but by adding Palin, he has now reached rock bottom when it comes to engaging actual thinking Americans. Hey Trump, America rejected Palin years ago for being too ignorant to be a real political leader. Your engagement of Ms. Palin will lead many thinking Americans to but one conclusion - "You're fired!" Ted Cruz being offered as the "next best candidate after Trump" also does not bode well for the GOP. The man is dangerous, both to our society and to the Constitution (as previously mentioned, Cruz and Rubio want to amend the Constitution to meet their polarizing beliefs, not those of the Framers). That alone should give Americans great pause before even considering them any further as a viable candidates.
Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio also went on record to question the role of dealing with Iran claiming "America is weakened by trading anything for hostages." Unfortunately, these two conveniently forget about the Iran-Contra scandal perpetrated under the leadership of their saint - Ronald Reagan. Oops, their partisan slips are showing. Ironically, none other than Right-Wing pundit Charles Krauthammer applauded the swap (See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-gop-gets-the-iran-prisoner-swap-wrong/2016/01/21/58a38eb6-c071-11e5-83d4-42e3bceea902_story.html) albeit a back-handed compliment.
Then George Will opines that Obama's executive actions have consistently violated the Constitution. His proof? An opinion by Josh Blackman, of the South Texas College of Law. You know, the school that sets the standard for all judicial interpretations, right? Frankly, I have never heard of this school, but conveniently, it only takes on "expert" to propel Will's hyper-partisan ramblings. What really makes this professor credible in Will's mind? He's an "adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute." Yes, that very same Right-Wing think tank. His argument? States should have a say whether the President can or cannot change the classification of immigrants. Except nowhere in the Constitution does it give States any rights in the field of immigration - none. How does Will end his diatribe about Obama's "overreach?" By claiming "...no Obama executive order has yet repealed Article III's judicial powers." Huh? By claiming Obama has overreached, Will want us to believe Obama would try erase Article III from the Constitution if he would. Really? Seriously? What kind of snake oil are you selling? What Will really wants though is to erase the authority of the President under Custom and Usage and Article II in accordance with his hyper-partisan and often hyper-hypocritical positions. Let's be frank, whatever Reagan did was okay as he was taking care of the nation. Obama (or any future Democrat) - never! (See: http://www.theindependent.com/opinion/another_opinion/obama-s-overreach-must-be-policed/article_29a1da76-c253-11e5-a9df-b3fe33b04332.html).
Which gets me to what may become the biggest "blow" to the campaigns - the possible entry of Michael Bloomberg into the fray. Why? Bloomberg possesses the financial strength and political experience to actually pull off the election! In a time when most Americans are sick and tired of the hyper-partisan nonsense offered by both party's candidates, Bloomberg brings a whole new angle to the argument (See: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/nyregion/bloomberg-sensing-an-opening-revisits-a-potential-white-house-run.html?_r=0). And what type of leader might he be if not indebted to either party's platforms, planks or legislative agendas? Perhaps a great one?
"Donald Trump understands business and is a billionaire so he's exactly what we need to make our country great again!" At least that's what his followers have been led to believe. Except The Donald is projected to be worth $4 Billion. Bloomberg? He's worth somewhere around $37.2 Billion. Hmm, if financial success is a measurement, Bloomberg is over nine times successful! As far as administering a government, Trump has zero experience - neither does Rubio, Cruz, Sanders or Clinton. Bloomberg served three terms as mayor of the largest city in America, a city reflective of every diverse race, religion and creed. I guess when Cruz attacked Trump for having "New York Values", who better to counter that argument than Bloomberg? Cutting budgets and operating a city the size of New York is by far more of a measure of Bloomberg's skill than any of the other candidates (let's discount Jeb - some in Florida wouldn't elect him governor today even if he was the only choice on the ballot). Bloomberg also flew to Israel when Hamas was bombing the airport. Talk about leadership. Instead of hiding behind his words of support, Bloomberg took the reins and led by taking the risks himself - confronting the fears our enemies tried to impose on Americans. Bottom line - I'm going to be learning more and more about Michael Bloomberg as a potential viable candidate for president. Why? Because like most Americans, I am fed-up with the hyper-partisan nonsense spewing from both sides of the political aisle and I believe Bloomberg might actually be able to LEAD us back together at a time when our country needs it most! Like most Americans, I am uncomfortable voting for the "better of all evils." Perhaps Bloomberg can rise above the hyper-partisan nonsense afflicting our political system today. If he can, he may have a legitimate shot at winning the White House! And just think of the message that would send to the American public about their views towards the political parties! Perhaps?
As President George Washington once said; "I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe, that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction." A big wind is blowing in America. Let's hope someone can calm the damage such winds can cause - especially one that has little actual political direction. Have a great week!
PS. I know this blog will upset many of my friends. Where did you miss my continued stance as a registered Independent, who frequently rails against both political parties?
As you all know, I am not a fan of Donald Trump, but his welcome addition of Sarah Palin to his campaign makes his efforts clearly disruptive to all political narratives. Really, Sarah Palin offers to endorse Trump and he welcomes it? Sorry America, but Trump already was leading a coalition of haters and conspiracy wing-nuts, but by adding Palin, he has now reached rock bottom when it comes to engaging actual thinking Americans. Hey Trump, America rejected Palin years ago for being too ignorant to be a real political leader. Your engagement of Ms. Palin will lead many thinking Americans to but one conclusion - "You're fired!" Ted Cruz being offered as the "next best candidate after Trump" also does not bode well for the GOP. The man is dangerous, both to our society and to the Constitution (as previously mentioned, Cruz and Rubio want to amend the Constitution to meet their polarizing beliefs, not those of the Framers). That alone should give Americans great pause before even considering them any further as a viable candidates.
Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio also went on record to question the role of dealing with Iran claiming "America is weakened by trading anything for hostages." Unfortunately, these two conveniently forget about the Iran-Contra scandal perpetrated under the leadership of their saint - Ronald Reagan. Oops, their partisan slips are showing. Ironically, none other than Right-Wing pundit Charles Krauthammer applauded the swap (See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-gop-gets-the-iran-prisoner-swap-wrong/2016/01/21/58a38eb6-c071-11e5-83d4-42e3bceea902_story.html) albeit a back-handed compliment.
Then George Will opines that Obama's executive actions have consistently violated the Constitution. His proof? An opinion by Josh Blackman, of the South Texas College of Law. You know, the school that sets the standard for all judicial interpretations, right? Frankly, I have never heard of this school, but conveniently, it only takes on "expert" to propel Will's hyper-partisan ramblings. What really makes this professor credible in Will's mind? He's an "adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute." Yes, that very same Right-Wing think tank. His argument? States should have a say whether the President can or cannot change the classification of immigrants. Except nowhere in the Constitution does it give States any rights in the field of immigration - none. How does Will end his diatribe about Obama's "overreach?" By claiming "...no Obama executive order has yet repealed Article III's judicial powers." Huh? By claiming Obama has overreached, Will want us to believe Obama would try erase Article III from the Constitution if he would. Really? Seriously? What kind of snake oil are you selling? What Will really wants though is to erase the authority of the President under Custom and Usage and Article II in accordance with his hyper-partisan and often hyper-hypocritical positions. Let's be frank, whatever Reagan did was okay as he was taking care of the nation. Obama (or any future Democrat) - never! (See: http://www.theindependent.com/opinion/another_opinion/obama-s-overreach-must-be-policed/article_29a1da76-c253-11e5-a9df-b3fe33b04332.html).
Which gets me to what may become the biggest "blow" to the campaigns - the possible entry of Michael Bloomberg into the fray. Why? Bloomberg possesses the financial strength and political experience to actually pull off the election! In a time when most Americans are sick and tired of the hyper-partisan nonsense offered by both party's candidates, Bloomberg brings a whole new angle to the argument (See: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/nyregion/bloomberg-sensing-an-opening-revisits-a-potential-white-house-run.html?_r=0). And what type of leader might he be if not indebted to either party's platforms, planks or legislative agendas? Perhaps a great one?
"Donald Trump understands business and is a billionaire so he's exactly what we need to make our country great again!" At least that's what his followers have been led to believe. Except The Donald is projected to be worth $4 Billion. Bloomberg? He's worth somewhere around $37.2 Billion. Hmm, if financial success is a measurement, Bloomberg is over nine times successful! As far as administering a government, Trump has zero experience - neither does Rubio, Cruz, Sanders or Clinton. Bloomberg served three terms as mayor of the largest city in America, a city reflective of every diverse race, religion and creed. I guess when Cruz attacked Trump for having "New York Values", who better to counter that argument than Bloomberg? Cutting budgets and operating a city the size of New York is by far more of a measure of Bloomberg's skill than any of the other candidates (let's discount Jeb - some in Florida wouldn't elect him governor today even if he was the only choice on the ballot). Bloomberg also flew to Israel when Hamas was bombing the airport. Talk about leadership. Instead of hiding behind his words of support, Bloomberg took the reins and led by taking the risks himself - confronting the fears our enemies tried to impose on Americans. Bottom line - I'm going to be learning more and more about Michael Bloomberg as a potential viable candidate for president. Why? Because like most Americans, I am fed-up with the hyper-partisan nonsense spewing from both sides of the political aisle and I believe Bloomberg might actually be able to LEAD us back together at a time when our country needs it most! Like most Americans, I am uncomfortable voting for the "better of all evils." Perhaps Bloomberg can rise above the hyper-partisan nonsense afflicting our political system today. If he can, he may have a legitimate shot at winning the White House! And just think of the message that would send to the American public about their views towards the political parties! Perhaps?
As President George Washington once said; "I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe, that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction." A big wind is blowing in America. Let's hope someone can calm the damage such winds can cause - especially one that has little actual political direction. Have a great week!
PS. I know this blog will upset many of my friends. Where did you miss my continued stance as a registered Independent, who frequently rails against both political parties?
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