Author: Ronald

Absolute Fury Felt Over Trump GOP Budget Bill, And The Harm It Will Cause For Millions Of Americans!

Ronald 7 Comments

This author and blogger has lived a long life, but the feeling, presently, of absolute fury over the Trump “Big And Beautiful” bill, that will harm millions of Americans who will lose Medicaid, and SNAP (Food Stamps), is something very hard to live with!

The federal government under Donald Trump is rapidly putting the nation back a century on basic needs, such as health care and nutrition, along with many other reversals of significant government policies under a multitude of American Presidents of both political parties!

This is unconscionable, and harmful to the well being of most Americans, whether indirectly or directly!

The idea that so called “moderate” Republicans have expressed dismay at the harm this legislation will visit on the lives of the disabled, the poor, the elderly, and children, and which will cause the shutdown of hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities in much of the nation, has not led to their voting no on the bill. After complaining, they follow in unison to support Trump’s demands, absolutely infuriating!

Why are so many Republicans so afraid of defying Trump? Why are they so focused only on keeping their seats in Congress, when none of them depend on the membership in the House of Representatives or US Senate for their survival?

It is well known that most members of Congress are very well situated financially, and while they might wish to keep their seat in Congress, they do not have desperate need to do so!

Why cannot we have “Profiles in Courage” that will leave these politicians with a heroic reputation in history, instead of one of being a “lackey” to an unprincipled and totally immoral and unethical President, who does not give a damn about any of these politicians beyond “using” them for his aggrandizement?

The American democratic system of government is in dire danger, and needs men and women of principle and convictions, but at such a difficult moment, the nation faces a true domestic disaster in the making, that could have been avoided if only a few sacrificed their personal futures for a better present situation!

Totally Disillusioned By Lisa Murkowski, Who Caved In And Caused Budget Bill To Pass Senate! :(

Ronald 12 Comments

This author and blogger is fully aware of the pressures brought on by the feeling of “party loyalty”, as that is the nature of politics.

But the idea that Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who has often demonstrated a sense of independence and sincere conviction, would allow herself to vote for the Trump “Big And Beautiful” Budget bill, just because a few details favored her home state, is a sign of the true disaster the nation is facing in 2025 from Trump authoritarianism.

Murkowski made it clear she did not like the details of the bill in broad terms, so why did she lower herself to gain an image of being weak, unprincipled, and afraid of Trump?

If we cannot count on even Lisa Murkowski, the “last great hope” of mainstream Republicanism in the past ten years, to show courage and determination, then it leaves us with a feeling of hopelessness!

After all, her colleague, Susan Collins of Maine, who sometimes shows weakness and indecisiveness, came through in opposing this bill, so why could not the two women, who generally represent the little bit of decency left in the national Republican Party in Congress, team together and show they are jointly “profiles in courage”?

The hope is that the House of Representatives will reject the Senate bill, and will change it dramatically, and maybe then, Murkowski can join Collins and a few others, and stop this disgraceful, outrageous legislation dead in its tracks, with the help of a few House members, most notably Don Bacon of Nebraska, who is not running for reelection, and represents one of a few House districts won by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, alongside Bacon’s victories.

Are There Enough GOP Votes To Kill “Big And Beautiful Bill” Attack On Medicaid?

Ronald 19 Comments

It is still possible that a few Republican Senators and or Republican House members could kill the “Big and Beautiful Bill” of Donald Trump, and in the process, save Medicaid!

ALready, North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul have made it clear that they will not support the legislation, Tillis because of the Medicaid cuts that would affect so many North Carolinians, and Paul, because he does not want to add trillions to the National Debt, already 36 Trillion!

But what about Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Maine Senator Susan Collins, who have both expressed dismay at the Medicaid cuts, that would hurt so many of their constituents?

And also, similar thoughts have been expressed by Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, and also, to some extent, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran.

In the House of Representatives, with Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon deciding not to run again for his Omaha seat, and already seen as the most moderate, centrist Republican who might refuse to support such legislation, since his seat was won by Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024, there could be another vote.

California Congressman David Valadao has also spoken out against Medicaid cuts, and is one of two Republican Congressmen to have voted to impeach Donald Trump in the second impeachment effort following the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection.

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie and Ohio Congressman Warren Davidson haver voted against the House bill already, and New York Congressman Nick LaLota, Maryland Congressman Andy Harris, and Texas Congressman Chip Roy all have different reservations.

Also, the members of the Republican House Freedom Caucus are not guaranteed in any sense to support the complicated legislation.

This horror of a bill will do such heavy damage to the American people at large, while the corporations and Billionaires will gain major tax cuts that will add many trillions to the national debt.

It is a repudiation of much of the mid 20th century “Great Society” of President Lyndon B. Johnson, a totally horrendous attack on common decency and compassion for those among us less fortunate!

Six Decades Ago, LBJ Accomplishment For Independence Day, Contrasted With Donald Trump In 2025! :(

Ronald 21 Comments

Six decades ago, right as the Independence Day celebrations were about to take place, the Democratic controlled US Congress passed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, bringing about the greatest period of civil rights reforms, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was signed in August.

President Lyndon B. Johnson presided over the massive amount of political, social, and economic reforms known as “The Great Society”, which also included the Immigration and Nationality Act of October 1965, and the passage of Medicare in 1965, Medicaid in 1966, and the Food Stamp Act (SNAP) in 1964.

That period of time saw great hope and optimism that the nation had moved in the proper direction toward true justice, progress, and freedom.

Sadly, now, after six decades, we are witnessing a massive backtracking of civil rights, immigration reforms, and social and economic reforms, with the present move by Donald Trump and the Republican Party to reverse all of the great reforms of “The Great Society”, with their “Big and Beautiful” bill, that seems ready to promote massive cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Food Stamps (SNAP), all major moments of the Presidency of LBJ.

This is a time of great feelings of betrayal and sadness over what has changed from the optimistic and expansive times of the federal government back in the 1960s!

Elizabeth MacDonough, Senate Parliamentarian, A Light In The Darkness!

Ronald 7 Comments

Elizabeth MacDonough has been the nonpartisan Senate Parliamentarian for the past 13 years since 2012.

She has a high level of respect and regard by most members of the Senate, and has been seen as the “guardian” of Senate rules, who does what is best for the Senate and its reputation. This is true even when some disgraceful Senators, like presently Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, have called for her to be fired for refusing to back all of the demands of Donald Trump.

She has presided over periods of Democratic and of Republican party majorities, and been part of the institutional history of the upper chamber in a very distinguished manner.

MacDonough has enforced the so called “Byrd Rule”, named after the late Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, which allows elimination of “extraneous” proposals that interfere with reconciliation of provisions of legislation, with 60 votes needed to overrule the Senate Parliamentarian, a high barrier.

It seems likely that Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota will not listen to a few Senators who want her fired, as she is well respected, and Thune is reluctant to interfere with her nonpartisan approach to Senate rules.

Already, with North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, opposed to aspects of the House bill, it is possible that the Trump “Big And Beautiful” bill might fail to get past the Senate, if on final passage, other Senators, such as Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Josh Hawley of Missouri, vote to reject the legislation as it is constituted right now, particularly regarding Medicaid cuts.

Birthright Citizenship, A Basic Part Of The 14th Amendment, Lies In Tatters! :(

Ronald 2 Comments

Donald Trump’s despicable attack on the 14th Amendment and Birthight Citizenship has won a battle in the right wing, extremist Supreme Court, by a 6-3 vote on Friday.

While it is not final, as the issue has been sent to the lower federal courts for further adjudication, the signs are that a basic right, insured 150 years ago after the Civil War, may be totally wiped out.

The tensions are high on the Supreme Court, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson in particular, being highly critical of the majority decision produced by Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

The language utilized by both Justices and the clearcut tone of exasperation at what the Court is doing to promote an Imperial Presidency makes one wonder how thare can be any sense of camaraderie of the Court members toward each other.

It seems clear that the three Justices in the minority, also including Elena Kagan, probably would wish to leave the Court in disgust, but of course, cannot do so, as that would only promote an even more extremist right wing Court.

But it is clear that there are no “happy days” on the Court led by Chief Justice John Roberts, who has clearly presided over a totally disgraceful Court, that will undermine his reputation in the long run of American history!

The Republican Stronghold, Rural America, To Be Disastrously Affected By Medicaid And Food Stamp Cuts In “Big And Beautiful” Trump Budget Bill!

Ronald 11 Comments

The Republican Party stronghold in rural America will be disastrously affected by the proposed Medicaid and SNAP (Food Stamp) Cuts in the “Big and Beautiful” Trump budget bill being promoted to become law by July 4!

Much of rural America is “red”, the strongest supporters of Donald Trump, but clearly, Trump and his Republican Party are more interested in promoting massive tax cuts for the wealthy one percent and corporations, and ignoring the reality that rural health care will be dramatically harmed by this legislation, with many rural hospitals shutting down, when Medicaid is cut.

And to cut nutrition for poor people is unseemly, and the bulk of people affected by these heartless cuts in Medicaid and SNAP (Food Stamps) are actually white working poor, disabled, elderly, and deprived children.

Most Trump supporters are not aware of what is happening, and a rude awakening is coming!

Massive Split Among MAGA Supporters Of Trump Over US Attack On Iranian Nuclear Sites!

Ronald 5 Comments

A massive split among MAGA supporters of Donald Trump has emerged as a result of the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites a few days ago.

Many MAGA Republicans are isolationists, which they thought Donald Trump was, but in his early second term, Trump has shown that he is willing to be interventionist, and assist Israel and attack Iran.

So, for example, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Steve Bannon have expresed outrage at the bombing of the Iranian nuclear sites, while, on the other hand, Sean Hannity, Laura Loomer, Matt Gaetz and Charlie Kirk have supported Trump.

The coalition around Trump is wearing thin over the controversial foreign policy Trump has adopted.

Shocking, Stunning NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary!

Ronald 12 Comments

New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a mostly obscure politician with only brief experience in government at age 33, born in Uganda of Indian parents, with his father Muslim and his mother Hindu, with him professing to be a Muslim who is pro Palestinian in his views, has stunned the Democratic political establishment in New York City and nationwide, with his shocking, stunning, seismic first round victory in the NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary, over highly favored former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo!

Mamdani, seemingly, came out of “nowhere” and has a seven point lead on Cuomo, with ranked choice voting system adopted by NYC having to wait until July 1 or later, before having a final victory in the primary, but with a solid seven point leader for Mamdani likely to hold up in the end.

The ultimate Democratic nominee for Mayor will be a heavy favorite to win in a city strongly loyal to that party. But present Mayor Eric Adams, under a cloud of corruption, will be on the ballot as an Independent, and Cuomo had previously planned to run on an Indepedent line along with what he hoped would be the Democratic nomination. So if Cuomo does that, it will be a”wild and wooly” campaign, with Mamdani, despite his strong left wing views, likely to win, but no certainty at the result in November.

At age 33, which would make Mamdani the youngest Mayor since John Purroy Mitchel (1914-1917), he would with his Muslim heritage have to combat both Jewish groups that in most cases would be against him; African Americans, who would favor Adams; Establishment figures who would favor Cuomo; and with the likelihood of great conflict in the future between a potential Mayor Mamdani and the Trump Administration.

Ranked Choice Voting is only used widely in three states–Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii, along with a number of states in local elections, and some cities, including Washington DC; New York City; Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and Oakland and San Francisco, California.

Mamdani, with his Democratic “Socialist” ideas, would be, likely, the most leftist Mayor of New York in modern times, and possibly, of any major city, and with his backing and endorsement by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, makes “fireworks” likely in NYC politics by the various opposing groups in the city and in the national government.

It reminds one of Mayor Fernando Wood, who served two rounds as NYC Mayor (1855-1858) and (1860-1861), becoming a leading critic of Abraham Lincoln, and a supporter of the Confederacy in the first year of the Civil War as a “Copperhead”, northern supporter of the South against the Union. He even proposed NYC secede from the Union!

Wood also served in the US House of Representatives from 1863-1865, as well as later terms, and promoted continuing opposition to Lincoln and the Civil War, and opposed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, ending slavery. He was also married three times, including his third marriage at age 48 to a 16 year old!

Most certainly, Mamdani will shake up American politics if he becomes Mayor of NYC, with its 8 plus million people, larger than all but 12 of the 50 states in America!

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Soon To Be Second Longest Serving Court Justice In American History!

Ronald 6 Comments

Clarence Thomas, the presently longest serving Supreme Court Justice, celebrated his 77th birthday, yesterday, June 23.

Thomas, a highly controversial and divisive Associate Justice, has been on the Court since 1991, after being nominated by President George H. W. Bush to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall.

His nomination was memorable for the challenge by his former aide, Anita Hill, that he had sexually harassed her, and it has been argued that his whole career since has been a rebuke of what he called “liberalism”, which he saw as the “enemy”, wanting to take him down and deny him the Court membership.

He has been accused of improper corruption, including taking major gifts from supporters, such as Harlan Crow, to promote right wing causes, and he has been defiant of any criticism, and is seen as the most right wing member of the Court in the past century by many.

But he ignores criticism and is defiant, and he presently is the 10th longest serving member of the Court’s history at almost 34 years.

But within the next year, he will go from 10th longest serving to second longest serving, only behind Justice William O. Douglas, the famous and controversial liberal justice appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 and serving for 36 and a half years until his retirement in 1975.

There are a generation and more of Clarence Thomas law clerks, many of whom have been appointed to the federal courts, over this third of a century he has been influential on the Court.

The odds are that he will stay to break the record of Douglas, and become the longest serving Justice in history, which would be accomplished in June 2028.

Thomas’s historical impact will be the center of constant research and analysis long into the future, and he will continue in life and after eventual death, as possibly the most complex personality and influence on legal history, for good and for bad in modern times, depending on one’s perceptions.