Republican Party

MAGA Republicans Turn Against Trump On Epstein Scandal!

Ronald 17 Comments

Shocking to believe Steve Bannon, Megyn Kelly, Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carlson, Charlie Kirk, Marjorie Taylor Greene, even Laura Loomer, and many other MAGA Republicans, are furious at Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, for “covering up” the details on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. This became evident at a right wing rally of “Turning Point USA” in Florida this past weekend.

This includes the indication that a prominent list of famous and wealthy public figures, likely including Donald Trump among them, had sexual relations with girls as young as 13, on Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean.

Also, the question whether Epstein committed suicide while in prison in 2019, or was murdered to cover up the so called “Client’s List”, is causing an eruption that is out of control, and undermining Trump support.

There are rumors that deputy FBI head Don Bongino, and even FBI Director Kash Patel, may also resign over this matter.

But this morning, unbelievably, some of the MAGA faithful seem to be backing away from criticism, and choosing to believe the report of Attorney General Pam Bondi, that there is no “Client’s List” of Epstein, and the attempt of Democrats to want an investigation in the House of Representatives failed to gain more than one Republican vote, so apparently, no investigation is likely!

And yet, MAGA Republicans are ready to accuse Joe Biden of all kinds of corruption, as they did with Bill Clinton, showing the total hypocrisy of Trump’s party!

Trump Threatens Any Republicans Who Support NPR And PBS: Time For Courage, Conscience, And Principle To Resist!

Ronald 13 Comments

Donald Trump is on a rampage to eliminate all media reporting of the horrible truths of his first six months in office.

He is trying to eliminate the free media and press through lawsuits of privately owned media, including most notably CBS and ABC; and to wipe out financial support of two institutions that have been crucial in public information and truth—National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), created during the Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson six decades ago.

Both NPR and PBS are great treasures, who have always had citizens contribute to their well-being, including this author and blogger. But there has also, always, been public tax support of the massive positive impact of both agencies, which is a pittance, when one considers federal expenditures.

Trump’s attempt to destroy NPR and PBS, and to promote censorship of major television and cable news, as well as the best newspapers that keep America free (specifically the NY Times and Washington Post, along with the Los Angeles Times and Wall Street Journal), along with other major print media, needs to be resisted at all costs, as the one way to insure American democracy survives the nightmare of Trump authoritarianism!

It is urgent that Republicans in Congress show some courage, conscience, and principle, and resist threats from Trump to oppose any party member who resists his desire to destroy public media that has done so much good for 60 years!

If they do not, on such a small investment as this, then it is time for the Republican Party of history to be declared dead, and admit we have a Fascist party, with elements of Benito Mussolini, Francisco Franco, Juan Peron, and even Adolf Hitler!

Early Prognosis Of Potential Republican Presidential Contenders In 2028

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Already, just short of six months into the second term of Donald Trump, speculation is rampant as to potential Republican Presidential contenders in 2028.

From this author and blogger’s perspective, it is a literal “horror’s list” of potential Presidential nominees.

It includes:

Vice President JD Vance, assuming he does not succeed to the Presidency during this term

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also, presently, National Security Advisor

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, primarily responsible for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which now will have more funds to promote arrest and deportation than many government militaries worldwide have.

US Senators Ted Cruz of Texas; Rand Paul of Kentucky; and Tim Scott of South Carolina, with the first two having contended against Donald Trump in 2016.

Governors Brian Kemp of Georgia; Glenn Youngkin of Virginia (both who will be out of their Governorships at the end of 2026 and 2025 respectively): and Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, former Press Secretary to Trump in his first term.

There may be other contenders as well, but looking at this list, it is a horrible group, with this author and blogger’s personal opinion being that Noem, Cruz, and Huckabee Sanders are the worst of the worst.

But Vance, Paul, and Scott are not much “better”, and Kemp and Youngkin, while comparatively less controversial, are still far from adequate.

Out of this list, Marco Rubio is the “best”, but simply not being as horrendous as the others!

Hopefully, none of these or any other Republican contenders gain the White House in the Presidential Election of 2028!

Lisa Murkowski And Don Bacon Disappoint Those Who Thought They Had Basic Principles!

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When one looks at the cave in of Congressional Republicans on the “Big And Beautiful” Bill that just passed Congress, wiping out a lot of “The Great Society” of Lyndon B. Johnson from six decades ago, what particularly disturbs is that only three Senators and two House members voted against the legislation.

Had one more US Senator and two more House members voted against, the legislation would have failed, and would have had to go back for further consideration and modification, hopefully making it less onerous.

It is amazing how members of both houses of Congress, that were opposed to adding to the deficit, and those who made clear their concern about the Medicaid Cuts, still went ahead and voted for the Senate bill, which was more extreme than the House bill.

So called “principled” Republicans demonstrated that they were NOT “Profiles in Courage”, and two come to mind.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon both seemed to be people of principle, who would stand up for the needs of their constituents and the nation at large.

But both failed to do so, and now makes this author and blogger look at both as no longer believable, and really, no better than the multitude of Congressional Republicans surrounding them!

Independence Day 2025 NOT A Day To Celebrate, As America Is In Constitutional Crisis!

Ronald 3 Comments

Today is the 249th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and it should be a day of celebration.

But it is extremely difficult to feel excitement or thrills, as America is on the cusp of Fascist authoritarianism after nearly six months of the second Donald Trump Presidency.

With many corporations, the Republican party in Congress, the Supreme Court, and some of the news media, kowtowing to Trump and his Cabinet and other supporters, the feeling is that what America fought for two and a half centuries ago, is being lost, without much hope of a turnaround any time soon.

The Democratic Party and the defiant news media sources continue to fight against the trends that have emerged, but now, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) having a larger enforcement budget just enacted, it is clear what is occurring.

Mass arrests and deportations are violating the major tenets of our Constitution, and the Bill of Rights is under attack, with little likelihood of a challenge, at least short term, that will reverse the damage that has been done, and is being done by the “Big and Beautiful” Budget bill that just passed into law yesterday, and was, a short time ago, signed into law at a White House ceremony!

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.