1950s

Trump Republicans Have Become Pro Russian, Stunning Reversal Of Republican Party History!

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The Republican Party historically was always anti Soviet Union, and its peak was in the time of Senator Joseph McCarthy and the Second Red Scare of the 1950s, and the tough line of Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan that followed in later years.

Now there is a complete reversal in the age of Donald Trump, with the 45th President cozying up to Vladimir Putin, a former KGB agent, and leader of the Russian Federation since 2000, who has already invaded Georgia (2008) and the Crimean area of Ukraine (2014), and now threatening another invasion of the remainder of Ukraine!

Rather than unite around President Joe Biden against a potential Russian invasion, Republicans on Capitol Hill, the majority ignoring the January 6 US Capitol Insurrection perpetrated by Donald Trump and his authoritarian supporters, instead are critical of any strong reaction to Russia’s government!

This is mind boggling, and demonstrates how the Republican Party has become authoritarian and Fascist in nature, promoting the end of American democracy and instilling fear of what they call “white replacement” theory!

Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Proposal In Line With Eisenhower, Lincoln, Kennedy, And Lyndon Johnson!

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President Joe Biden is making clear in his $2 trillion infrastructure legislation proposal that it is long past the time when the nation needs a repairing and expansion of our roads, bridges, railways, airports, ports, and waterways, including the promotion of electric vehicles, and insuring infrastructure resiliency to withstand climate related disasters. There is also a need for modernizing public transit, and to double federal funding.

Biden also wants to expand high speed broadband; upgrade and build public schools and community colleges; as well as water infrastructure projects, public housing projects, VA Hospitals and Clinics; retrofit more than two million homes and commercial properties; improve the Electric Grid; expand high speed Broadband; provide caregivers for the elderly and disabled; promote clean energy and technology to deal with the climate crisis; and promote workforce protection.

This proposal is forward looking, and would match the significance of the Interstate Highway system promoted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s, and the significance of the Transcontinental Railroad system promoted by President Abraham Lincoln in the 1860s, as well as the promotion of the Space Programs under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s!

Donald Trump Wants A White Anglo Christian Dominated America, But The Cause Is Already Lost

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Donald Trump clearly wants a White Anglo Christian dominated America, like the one he and I grew up in during the 1950s and 1960s.

But that is a lost cause, due to the immigration laws passed under Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s, and the high birth rate among African Americans, Latino Americans, and Asian Americans.

The white population did not reproduce in large enough numbers, after the massive Baby Boom of 1946-1964, and also many young people have intermarried with people of different races and cultures, creating a large number of mixed race people.

Is this something to be upset about or concerned that it will change America?

The answer is CLEARLY NO, as diversity through marriage and immigration enriches America, and this blogger has never for a moment felt concern for the future by these demographic changes.

America is enriched by immigration and intermarriage, and the only threat is the alarm expressed by white supremacists and white nationalists who think a multiracial and multi religious America indicates a downturn in the future of America.

America is the greatest nation in the world, precisely because we are a nation of all nations, of all nationalities, of all religions, of all racial and cultural groups.

Time For Direct And Massive Federal Action After Hurricane Harvey

Ronald 7 Comments

The horrible disaster of Hurricane Harvey demands direct and massive federal action, including tens of billions of dollars to rebuild ravaged Houston, the fourth largest city in America, as well as nearby areas that have been devastated.

The idea that charity and local efforts will be enough is preposterous, and Congress must do whatever needs to be done.

It is time for wealthier Americans to do their part, after having gained massive tax cuts under Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

Instead of tax cuts once again, which Donald Trump wants for the wealthy, they must have their taxes increased dramatically, as they were in World War II, and also the higher rates under Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s and Richard Nixon in the 1970s, both Republican Presidents.

They can complain all they wish, as that is the American tradition, but they have been very fortunate, and already own the vast majority of the nation’s assets, and it is now their responsibility to do their part, and to thank the nation for their good fortune, also accentuated by the tax cuts in the 1980s and 2000s that greatly distorted the class system in America, and made this nation more stratified than Great Britain.

And corporations must pay the taxes they are responsible for, instead of lobbying constantly for special treatment.

Unfortunately, with a GOP Congress, they may not come through for Houston and Southeast Texas, and if they do not, that is the campaign issue for the Democrats in the midterm Congressional elections of 2018 and the Presidential and Congressional elections of 2020, including on the state level.

The Undermining Of Civility In America Long Lasting Damage, Setting Us Back From Progress Which Had Been Made In The 1950s, 1960s And 1970s

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Civility is a lost art in America, with the two major political parties no longer able to work cooperatively for American advancement.

We now live in a society in which most people only read, watch, and listen to those who profess their religious and political beliefs.

A dialogue in which both sides respect their opponents is no longer conceivable, and one wonders what event will unite the American people and allow a return to reasonable discourse.

Will we ever have a President who is able to appeal across party lines and party beliefs?

In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, there was a lot more bipartisanship on many issues, and much more “crossing the aisle”, rather than straight party line votes.

Members of Congress used to spend weekends with “friends” and their families despite different party labels.

That sense of camaraderie and shared commitment to do what is good for the nation is totally gone in 2017.

“Bad Blood” is now the norm, with little interaction, and even basic courtesies and manners are no longer utilized.

“We Must Take Our Government Back!”—To What, May We Ask?

Ronald 13 Comments

Carly Fiorina said it last night in the GOP debate; Donald Trump has said it; so has a multitude of others in the Republican Party debates so far—“We must take our government back!”

Back to what, is the question!

Back to a time when women were “dutiful” housewives who stayed home, avoided education and employment, and were totally dependent upon their husbands?

Back to a time when “Negroes” were segregated by law and custom and “knew” their place not to complain?

Back to a time when “Negroes” were lynched at will and no one seemed to notice?

Back to a time when gays and lesbians were openly discriminated against in all areas of life without any protection or support of their rights?

Back to a time when child labor existed as young as six years old, and they and poor women who worked were paid far less than men?

Back to a time when there was no Social Security system for the elderly and disabled?

Back to a time when immigrants were barred from coming to America if they were Jewish or Catholic or Asian in origin?

Back to a time when labor unions did not exist, and work places were totally unsafe, and there was no workers compensation for injuries at work?

Back to a time when corporations “raped” and pillaged the environment for their own selfish purposes?

The list could go on and on, and who would “love” if all this was to return, from the 1950s, 1920s, and the “Gilded Age” of the late 19th century?

Conservatives who have fought against and resisted all of these changes and reforms brought about by progressives such as Theodore Roosevelt; Progressive Era reformers at all levels;  Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal coalition; Harry Truman; John F, Kennedy; Lyndon B. Johnson; 1960s reformers at all levels; Jimmy Carter; Bill Clinton; Barack Obama; and the constant battle of modern progressives and liberals to protect and expand all of the great political, social and economic reforms of the 20th century, hard fought, and the battle goes on in 2015!

 

The Republican Party 2014–Anti Immigrant, Anti Women, Anti Gay, Anti Labor, Anti Science

Ronald 2 Comments

The Republican Party of 2014 has put itself into a box it cannot get out of, and it is doomed to lose the nation short term and long term, as a result!

Yes, the Republicans can win gerrymandered Congressional districts in the “hinterland” of the nation, but they cannot win the African American vote, the Hispanic-Latino vote, the women’s vote, the gay and lesbian vote, the labor vote, or the science and environmental vote!

Without those, they cannot EVER become a serious threat to the Democrats for the White House or the US Senate long term, even if somehow they are able to gain six Senate seats and the majority in the Midterm Elections of 2014!

In 2016, with two thirds of the Senate seats being Republican seats, and with Tea Party activists leaving behind a record of total rejection of government, and total lack of concern for their fellow citizens, the Senate will have a major Democratic majority, and the House has a good chance of being take back by the Democrats!

And with the states of Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina turning “Purple” toward “Blue”, with growing numbers of Hispanics and Latinos, and also the growing Asian vote there and elsewhere; and with Florida and Virginia also more “Blue” than ever in Presidential races, the Republican Party will be “toast” as a serious political opposition!

There would have to be a major realignment of the GOP for this pessimistic assessment of its future to change, but the spokesmen for the party, and the candidates jockeying for position for 2016, shows otherwise.

The Republican Party is deaf, dumb, and blind at their own self destruction, and their reward will be total repudiation by all but the ignorant and biased of the “hinterland”, who want an America which is no longer there, the America of the 1950s, when we favored the traditional immigrant groups from Northern and Western Europe; when women “knew their place” as housewives and mothers, and not workers and educated; when those who were gay or lesbian “stayed in the closet”: when the labor movement offered tons of blue collar jobs that no longer exist, due to the greed and selfishness of American corporations looking for “cheap” labor overseas; and when we abused the environment, and yet woke up to the importance of science after the Soviet orbiting of the first space satellite, Sputnik I!

Those days are gone forever, but the GOP is like an ostrich with its “head in the sand”, denying reality, and for that, they are, and will be, punished and repudiated!

Message To Homophobes, Racists, Sexists, Nativists: This Is NOT The 1950s, It Is The 21st Century, So Get Used To It!

Ronald 54 Comments

We have come a long way as a society since the 1950s, the height of the Baby Boom generation!

But we see that it is many Baby Boomers, mostly white and supposedly ‘Devout” Christians, who are unable to accept that society has changed, and that it is time for them to adapt!

Yes, gay and lesbian Americans have gained their rights, including marriage, in many states, and by federal law announced by Attorney General Eric Holder over the weekend. And yes, now we have an openly gay football prospect, Michael Sam, and we have people in all walks of life in the public sphere coming out as gay. The answer is “so what?” It is no longer acceptable to be advocating homophobia in the name of God, as it has always been in the past, but conveniently forgotten, on the issue of racism and sexism and nativism, which the history of religion in America has been trying to push under the rug, so that we are not aware of the long discrimination against other groups, and including anti Semitism as well, along with the advocacy of slaughtering native Americans!

It is time for professional football to make it clear to its employees that it will no longer tolerate an atmosphere of homophobia in its locker rooms, and if so, then such players, no matter how prominent or outstanding they are on the football field, shall be kicked off the team, and no other team should employ such a bigot!

And the same goes for other organized sports, including baseball, hockey, and basketball! Behave and be tolerant, or else you are not welcome to play professional sports!

It is time to make it clear that homophobia, racism, sexism, and nativism will no longer be tolerated in American society, and that religious bigots, when revealed, shall be fought tooth and nail until it is eliminated!

This is not the 1950s, but instead it is the 21st century, so get used to it!

What Is It With Republicans And Women’s Rights?

Ronald 2 Comments

The Republican Party of 2012 is absolutely crazy and loony when it comes to the rights of women.

Just look at Richard Mourdock of Indiana and Todd Akin of Missouri, both running for the Senate, and sounding like coming from past centuries, and medieval religious ideas And see how Mitt Romney endorses and supports them, showing no guts to defend women’s rights. But then again, remember he is a Mormon, a religion which promotes inferiority of women, so why should he have an open mind?

Republicans want to deny women equal pay at work.

Republicans want to deny women the right to contraceptives being covered on employer health plans.

Republicans want to deny women the right to control their own reproductive lives, and have the nerve and gall to justify rape as ordained by God, and force women to have babies born out of violence.

Republicans want to deny women the right to decide they do not wish to have a baby caused by incest of a sibling or parent or other relative.

Republicans want to deny women the right to their own life, if the life of the baby can be saved.

Republicans want to deny women the respect that allows them to decide their own futures, and instead allow religious zealots, whether Catholic, evangelical Christian, Orthodox Jews, or Muslims, to dictate to them, and treat them as second class citizens who must obey their husbands and fathers, and have no free will.

Republicans want to deny women the right to an education and professional or business career, preferring they go back to the image of women in the 1950s—obedient, barefoot and pregnant too many times, and good housewives and cooks who remind men how wonderful they are as the head of the household. They want the era of Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet, and Leave It To Beaver!

Well, intelligent women are NOT going to tolerate such abuse any longer, and it is time for even “religious” women to realize they are being controlled and dominated by the men in their lives, and make it clear that they will NOT be dictated to about their work or educational lives, their sex lives, and their reproductive lives!

The days of obedience and submission of women to men is over, and the Republican Party needs to be taught a punishing lesson this November, that their attempt to go back in time, and show lack of respect and equality for women, will be punished severely by elimination from our political system.

Also, there is a need for churches and synagogues and mosques to forget “tradition”, and recognize we are in the 21st century in the most advanced nation on earth, and modernization and change are not an option, but rather essential and pronto!

We are not a backward nation of the “third world”, and it is time for women to be treated with dignity and respect!

There are a total of FIFTEEN Republican Senate candidates wishing to deny rape victims the right of abortion, and all of them need to be soundly defeated!

Women Have Changed, And The Republican Party Needs To Adjust For Viability In Future!

Ronald Leave a comment

It is obvious that many Republicans and conservatives long for the “good old days”, back in the 1950s and earlier, when women as a group were:

Often married at a very young age, often not even a high school graduate. and subject to their husband’s whims, including difficulty being divorced if necessary.

If working, women were most likely office workers, teachers, nurses, but only until children came along.

It was thought to be unnecessary that women attend college and become professionals.

Women allowed their reproductive lives to be controlled by their husbands or fathers.

Women tended to avoid speaking up for themselves, as that was not “appropriate”, and they had little say on their existence, and had few legal rights.

How times have changed, as now women:

Marry, if at all, at much older age on average, and only when they can support themselves, if needed, and able to divorce without much trouble, if necessary.

Women attend and graduate colleges and universities at higher rate than men.

Women are a large portion of all professionals, and even in the military, politics and religion when they can overcome tradition.

Women demand control of their own reproductive lives, instead of leaving it to their husbands, boyfriends, and fathers.

Women have been able to gain totally equal legal rights, and demand what has not yet occurred, equal pay for work.

Until and when the GOP and conservatives come to grips with reality, they are doomed politically, as the vast majority of women are NOT going to live back in the 1950s anymore!