US Congress

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

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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!

Volodymyr Zelensky Of Ukraine Is New Winston Churchill, Inspiring Fight For Democracy In Same Manner!

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President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has become an international hero, a man of deep convictions in democracy, a man of courage and decisiveness.

A former comedian, who engaged in politics only in 2019, when he was elected President, he has refused in the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine to escape the capital of Kiev, putting himself and his family in great danger.

But he realizes the only hope to rally the Ukranians against the Russian aggressor is to stay in his nation, and resist to the end, even if it might lead to his demise.

Zelensky is Jewish, and his family heritage was of relatives killed in the Nazi Holocaust in World War II, and he does his family heritage proud with his strong leadership.

He has made addresses to the US Congress, the British Parliament, the German Bundestag, and the European Parliament, and his speeches invoke important moments in the history of these international institutions.

Zelensky has also visited hospitals to award medals to the wounded patriots, and has inspired a fierce resistance by Ukranians that Vladimir Putin never imagined would occur.

Zelensky reminds many of Winston Churchill in 1940, as Nazi Germany assaulted Great Britain by air, utilizing much the same language as the esteemed British leader in World War II.

The hope is that Ukraine will survive the Russian onslaught, and that NATO will come to the rescue soon, at a much greater involvement than presently.

Republicans Are Now The Party Of Anarchy And Support Of Domestic Terrorism: Mind Boggling!

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The Republican Party has now become the party of anarchy and chaos, and support of domestic terrorism, absolutely mind boggling!

Not only did much of the party in Congress support denying Joe Biden his Electoral College win!

Many have chosen to ignore the reality of the January 6 Insurrection, a domestic terrorism that caused death, injuries, and destruction at the US Capitol, and just want to move on!

And now, eight Republican Senators have opposed putting mask opponents on a “no fly list”, who have committed the equivalent of domestic terrorism against airline employees and passengers innumerable times on domestic and foreign flights!

Such unruly passengers on aviation flights should face arrest and imprisonment, but more than that!

They should be barred from EVER again being able to use any airline for any flights anywhere!

But these eight Republican Senators—Rick Scott and Marco Rubio of Florida; Mike Lee of Utah; Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming; Ted Cruz of Texas; Kevin Cramer of North Dakota; James Lankford of Oklahoma; and John Hoeven of North Dakota, think otherwise, which is astounding beyond belief!

This is recklessness and lack of concern for public safety beyond the pale!

Six Months Since January 6 US Capitol Insurrection

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It has been six months since the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection.

Over 500 seditionists and traitors to the US Constitution have been arrested for the domestic violence, bloodshed, and destruction they perpetrated on the cradle of American democracy, and they need the full effect of law enforcement to be brought upon them.

The investigation of what happened that day is moving ahead whether or not Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell and the Republican Congressional members want it to procede.

Those members of Congress or their staffs who collaborated in the events of that day need to be prosecuted and expelled from Congress.

White supremacy must be eliminated from the halls of Congress, and Donald Trump needs to be indicted for insurrection, treason, and sedition, and be shown in handcuffs, and sentenced to federal prison, as in the same disgraced company of such traitors as Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr, Jefferson Davis and others in the American past!

A salute to Republicans Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois for being supportive of the January 6 House Committee creation, and Cheney’s accepting membership offered by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi!

Enhanced defense and readiness for the US Capitol is essential, due to the right wing threats of more violence, due to the QAnon promotion of the crazy idea of Donald Trump returning to the Presidency in August.

And greater protection is required of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, their families, and the same for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other Democratic and Republican members of Congress who have expressed loyalty to the Constitution and rule of law!

America Is In The Most Precarious Situation Since The Civil War, 160 Years Ago!

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Sadly, America is in the most precarious situation since the Civil War, 160 years ago!

Even during the Civil War, the US Capitol and Washington, DC, while under threat from Southern Confederate military forces, never saw the secessionists enter the nation’s capital!

World War II was a dangerous time, but never was the US Capitol or Washington, DC in direct danger!

When Al Qaeda attacked on September 11, 2001, America was fortunate that an attempt to attack Washington, DC was unsuccessful, although the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia was successfully damaged!

But now, the danger of more attacks on the US Capitol, and Washington, DC, and threats to the lives of President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect are very real, and makes the next ten days very precarious, but even beyond the inauguration!

We have now in the US Congress seditionists and traitors who continued to support Donald Trump in a phony challenge to clear cut election results, which were repudiated in over 60 legal cases, and twice by the Supreme Court, including all three Donald Trump appointees part of the unanimous majority in each case.

We have Senators such as Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas, along with Congressmen including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Devin Nunes of California, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Louie Gohmert of Texas, and so many others, who rightfully should be expelled from Congress, and be considered as complicit in the violent attack on the US Capitol, which led to the deaths of five people, including a Capitol police officer.

And Donald Trump, his son Donald Trump, Jr. and Rudy Giuliani, who stirred up the crowd on January 6 to assault the Capitol should all face criminal charges!

No question, Joe Biden faces challenges even greater than Abraham Lincoln, as not only do we have millions of crazed people who are adopting extremist right wing and QAnon views, but they are capable of continuing violence and bloodshed, which could lead literally to a a second Civil War!

Republicans Are Out To Declare War On Women’s Rights, Health Care, Labor Rights, Gay Rights, Environment And So Much More!

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The Republican Party and President Donald Trump have declared open war on women’s rights, health care, labor rights, gay rights, the environment, and civil liberties.

They have become an extreme right wing party, more like a Fascist Party, disparaging the history of a party that once stood for basic decent principles.

Officeholders in the Republican Party have sold their souls to the most evil man ever to be President, and their future will be one of total destruction, as the nation turns against them in November and in the future, as they did in California after anti immigrant legislation was passed in the early 1990s.

If there was ever a time for all good, decent people to vote, and to be willing to resist with demonstrations, but without violence, it is NOW!

The nomination of Circuit Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a complete repudiation of the historic role of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and will galvanize all intelligent and educated women, all those who care about life in the midst of this COVID-19 Pandemic, all gays and lesbians, all environmentalists, and all who believe in racial equality and civil rights, to unite, and hopefully, defeat the forces of evil.

And if the Supreme Court with the evil intentioned Amy Comey Barrett declares abortion illegal and destroys the Affordable Care Act without a replacement, then the Democrats will have to add new members to the Court to upend the evil Trump-Republican strategy to take away basic human rights!

40 Years Of C Span: Opening Up Congress And American Government To Public Scrutiny And Attention

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40 years ago today, the cable networks agreed on the establishment of a non partisan channel to cover US Government in the service of the knowledge and enlightenment of the American people.

Over time, three channels developed, one for the House of Representatives, one for the US Senate, and one for History (American History TV).

Not only does C Span cover all proceedings in the House and Senate, but also many other public events, including congressional hearings, lectures and ceremonies, interviews of published scholars, and presentations on all aspects of American history.

But also, coverage of the British, Canadian, and Australian governments in English are telecast, and many foreign policy issues have become part of the mission of C Span, and what cannot be aired on cable is available on videos available through the C Span website.

Many different special series have been aired over time, all educating, informing, and promoting study of American history, government, and politics.

It is hard to imagine how much worse off we would be if there was no C Span, so happy 40th anniversary and many more years of wonderful programming and information.

Congressman John Dingell Of Michigan Becomes Longest Serving Member Of Congress In History On June 7!

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Michigan Congressman John Dingell becomes the longest serving member of Congress in American history on June 7, having served over 57 years, and about 21,000 days, and 25,000 votes.

The nearly 87 year old Congressman won a special election to replace his father. who had passed away.

Dingell will break the record of longevity of Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

The Congress will celebrate the event on June 13, when there will be a ceremony in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol, honoring Dingell.

This is an event unlikely to be surpassed, although one cannot be sure of what the future might hold, as to another Congressional member breaking the record!

The Future Of Student College Loan Rates Will Affect The Economic Future Of America!

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It is more than ever essential, for long term economic success, for a young person to attend college, by every measure and statistic.

It is also becoming more and more expensive to attend college, even public colleges and universities.

The college student loan system has the capability to bankrupt millions of students, who will spend up to 30 years of their work lives paying down their college loans.

IF the interest rate is overly high, it can have a dramatic effect on the American economy long term, as many college graduates will be unable to afford a home, buy a car, spend money on consumer goods, and decide to have the expense of children.

IF we make going to college the equivalent of a form of economic slavery, it will discourage people from attending college, and will embitter those who have, and now are saddled with unsustainable debts.

That is why, at the least, the low interest rates agreed to in 2007–3.4 percent on government loans–needs to be continued, rather than the planned 6.8 percent.

But in 2007, the Republicans agreed to join the push for lower interest rates, but this time might not do so on political and ideological grounds.

Keeping the interest rate low will cost the taxpayers, but benefit the nation at large.

A greater goal should be the forgiveness of a large amount of student debt as an expense for now, but a method to promote economic growth in the long run.

Education should never be an issue of money alone, as without promotion of educational opportunity, not only the individual suffers, but the nation at large!

Earth Day, The Environment, And Republicans From TR And Nixon To James Inhofe And Mitt Romney!

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The Republican Party under Theodore Roosevelt a century ago promoted conservation and growth of national parks.

The Republican Party under Richard Nixon promoted the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, and expanded on the air and water pollution legislation of Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson.

The Republican Party under Ronald Reagan, despite his wish to destroy the Environmental Protection Agency, and having a terrible record on the environment, possibly the worst of modern times, actually came to realize the dangers of global warming, which became part of the national security agenda in 1985 and after.

The Republican Party under George H. W. Bush, and then Democrat Bill Clinton, continued to deal with the issue of global warming.

It seems clear that once Al Gore, an environmental champion before, during, and after serving as Vice President under Bill Clinton, lost the Presidential Election of 2000 in the Supreme Court, it became the clarion call of those who would deny global warming and climate change, to push against any such crusade, and to condemn environmentalists on principle, much of it based on fake science promoted by right wing Evangelical Christians, with their leading champion being Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe, but certainly joined by others in the Republican Party in both houses of Congress.

So we have even Mitt Romney now straddling the fence, refusing to take a strong stand on the environment, global warming, and climate change, and about to give a commencement speech next month at the late Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University in Virginia, where denial of environmental crisis, and even of evolution, runs rampant.

Look how far the GOP has fallen from the time of TR and Nixon to the present–a true national tragedy playing itself out, and certain to have a negative impact on the future of this country and the planet!