Tag Archives: Democracy

Dinner with my Friend

I have four college friends with whom I meet every few months for dinner and drinks. It’s always a great evening. We relax, catch up, and laugh.

We’ve had two get-togethers since the 2024 presidential election.

Because one of our friends is a staunch Republican, we don’t talk politics at these dinners. It’s strange because if that one friend was not sitting with us, we’d be talking politics – not the entire evening, mind you, but at some point. How could we not? Look at what’s happening to our country – not talking politics in this day and age feels like a dereliction of civic duty – at least to me, it does.

Since Donald Trump won the presidency, we’ve seen firsthand the harm a dictatorial know-nothing president can inflict on Americans and citizens across the globe – every one of our allies hates us (even Canada!) now, and rightfully so – fuck, I hate us – we’ve become the nation-state version of the ugly American – taking on the personality of our intellectually vapid, bloviating, bigoted, bully of a president.

On one level, I think we feel that talking politics might reveal something about our Trump-voting friend that contradicts the deeply held values the rest of us have about truth, honesty, the rule of law, Democracy, and the country we live in. We don’t want to deal with all that on a casual night out, where the primary goal has always been to enjoy each other’s company.

And so, in this unprecedented era of political upheaval, we choose to bite our tongues. We keep our views on Trump to ourselves – sticking to familiar and comfortable topics like family, work, retirement, sports – everything and anything under the sun – except the fall of America’s Democracy at the hands of a deranged and narcissistic demagogue.

We sipped wine and whisky at our most recent get-together and indulged in expensive appetizers, never speaking about America’s seismic political shift and disastrous effects on our friends and allies worldwide. It’s a strange dichotomy—like we sense the orange elephant at the table and simply talk around it.

Sometimes silence (whether for fear of retribution by a government or to avoid feeling uncomfortable with a friend) isn’t the best approach. Fascist movements grow when citizens bow to fear and go silent. Silence can also damage friendships differently. When we hold our tongues to avoid being uncomfortable around a friend, we subconsciously fill the quiet with preconceptions. When that happens, we attribute characteristics and hardened views about that friend, which may or may not be true. Over time, these views can weaken the friendship. 

Maybe it’s better to discuss everything openly so we truly know what each other thinks about America’s current situation.

I’ve had conversations with 3 of my friends who, like me, are appalled at the shitshow that is Donald Trump – and none of us can understand how an educated person capable of critical thought would ever consider voting for Donald Trump, especially after what played out before our eyes on January 6th, the stolen documents case, and Trump’s 34 felony convictions. I always thought that even for diehard Republicans, all of Trump’s negative baggage would be enough to say, “I’m done with this guy.” That doesn’t necessarily mean they would vote Democrat — just that they would not / COULD NOT cast a vote that would hand America’s policy keys to a malevolent malcontent who is drunk and hellbent on retribution and indebted to Russian mobsters and oligarchs.

POLITICS FEEL DIFFERENT TODAY BECAUSE IT IS DIFFERENT—In the past if a Republican won the presidency, I was disappointed for a few weeks, and then I moved on. I wasn’t worried about American Democracy crumbling when Reagan or George Bush was president. I understood that even though my politics didn’t align with theirs, we believed in the same core principles that define America.

Recently, I saw a post on social media categorizing Trump voters into nine groups. It’s less complicated than that. In my view, Trump voters fall into three (sometimes overlapping) groups:

  1. The ignorant/uneducated
  2. The misinformed
  3. The selfish

The 2024 election taught us that when combined, these three groups—the ignorant, the misinformed, and the selfish—outnumber voters who think critically, and we’re seeing chaotic and tragic results on the national and international stage.

By the way, I know how I come across when I lump people into three negative categories—I come off as a judgmental elitist / absolutist. But here’s the thing: I had never categorized voters like this before Donald Trump became president.

Before Trump, the difference between Democrat and Republican voters wasn’t perplexing. Elections before Trump didn’t cause me to look for a deeper understanding of “what went wrong” by digging into the cult-like psychology of Republican voters. Before Trump, voters differed on policies and social issues but not on truth, integrity, and what it meant to be an American — that is not the case with Trump Republicans. Honestly, I hesitate to call Trump supporters republicans, because they are askew of traditional Republican values, such as free-market capitalism and a more internationalist approach to foreign policy.

I don’t associate my friend (who I admire on many levels) with any of these groups. I began to think that I was oversimplifying or over-generalizing people who voted for Trump.

The Ignorant/Uneducated

Voters in this group see a candidate holding a bible and humping the American flag while saying over and over Make America Great Again, and that’s enough for them. They either don’t care much for thinking critically or are incapable of doing so. They go with their gut because their gut is all that they got. These voters represent low-hanging fruit for populist demagogues like Donald Trump.

My friend is well-read, educated, and not a piece of fruit; he does not fall into the Ignorant and Uneducated group.

The Misinformed

The misinformed consist of the conspiratorial deep-state fear mongers who live on an intellectually unhealthy diet of Reddit communities, YouTube channels, and Joe Rogan podcasts and who believe that by consuming copious amounts of content, they somehow become experts in climate, health, immunology, geopolitics, the Kennedy assassination, and fake moon landing or whatever the fuck they happen to be watching while eating Cheetos and drinking beer – they gravitate to content that confirms their conspiratorial beliefs and hunker down in those polluted ecosystems. I include the Fox News audience in this group because Fox News is not a news channel – they are a rightwing opinion and entertainment platform. While trying to defend themselves in an 800-million-dollar lawsuit in which they admitted to lying about a rigged 20/20 election, part of their defense was, “We are not a news channel, so don’t hold us to that standard; we’re an entertainment channel.”

Fox News is largely a Trump propaganda machine that is on its way to becoming the equivalent of RT (Russia Today), the Russian state-controlled international news television network funded by the Russian government.

I don’t know which cable news station my friend has on at his house. But I know if it’s Fox News, he’s not getting a fair and balanced view (despite their tagline) of Donald Trump as a person or as a president.

I don’t think we can underestimate the negative impact Fox News has had on our nation and our family and friends who rely on Fox as their primary source for news.

The Selfish

Here is where things get tricky.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we’d say all humans are selfish to a certain degree. We get behind a presidential candidate or a set of ideas when we believe that candidate or those ideas will help us prosper and take care of our family.

Voters who fall into the “Selfish” group know in their hearts that Donald Trump is an intellectually lazy criminal thug and a liar. If they looked more deeply at Trump’s history, they would probably be open to the likelihood that Trump’s been compromised by Russian mob bosses or Putin himself. Still, even all that is not an impediment to them supporting an administration that they believe benefits them financially.

What matters most is taking care of their family and (if they own a small business) their employees. Never mind the fact that historically, America’s economy does better when Democrats are in charge or that Trump is a horrible person. If you honestly feel that Trump is better for your business and your family, I can see how that might override all the other shit for some people. I am not one of them.

At dinner, my friend broke the unspoken rule and brought up Donald Trump by saying his business had gotten better in the four months of his presidency. He couldn’t say for sure that Trump was a cause, but to him, there was at least a correlation, and he said multiple times that “facts are facts” and that his business was doing better. I’m glad my friend’s business is doing better—truly, I am.

But the country is not doing better; the world is not doing better; our Democracy is not doing better; the markets are not doing better; people’s retirement accounts are not doing better – legal residents are being snatched from the streets by masked agents of the government and whisked away without due process – there’s a measles outbreak in Texas where two kids have died. The leader of our country is demonstrably incompetent and cruel daily. America’s president has been credibly charged and civilly convicted of sexual assault and fraud; he pardoned dangerous and violent criminals who assaulted the capital. Trump is demonstrably a shitty human being – and I don’t think my friend would dispute that (because really, how can you?) and when I kept saying over and over that Trump is a shitty human being, he never disagreed. Things got heated for a bit, but we were able to transition to normal non-political talk seamlessly, which I took as a credit to the strength of our friendship.

On the walk back to our cars, we talked a little bit more — and we agreed that we look at Trump from different perspectives — him on a micro-level where a Trump presidency seems to favor his business and his ability to take care of his employees — where I look at the macro impact of a Trump presidency on Democracy, individual freedoms, social safety nets for the most vulnerable of us and adherence to western democratic principles.

My friend and I are in our sixties—we’ve got 20 years left if we’re lucky—and my question to him the next time we sit down is, what kind of country do you want for your kids or grandkids—a democratic and free country (like the one we grew up in) or an authoritarian oligarchy that cracks down on individual freedoms and forces political, social, and religious beliefs on its citizens?

Hello Murkoswki

Sing to the tune of “Seasons in the Sun” By Terry Jacks

Hello Murkoswki, my old friend

I heard you speak your truth on CNN

about the fear inside your heart

It’s so easy to get played

when bullies know that you’re afraid

Hello Murkowski, my old friend

a fascist train is coming ’round the bend

and our freedom’s on the track

It’s time to take our country back

from that empty orange sack

There’s no joy, there’s no fun
when your nation’s overrun
by a pig and a creep
stealing freedom while you sleep

Hello Murkowski, my dear friend

the words you spoke are something to commend

but there’s a truth that can’t be blurred

We’ve been conned, and we’ve been lured

by the rich and self-assured

The time for words is over now

Let’s worship freedom not an orange cow

It’s our nation on the line

Gather forces and some nerve

to take back what we deserve

There’s no joy, there’s no fun
when your nation’s overrun
by a pig and a creep
stealing freedom while you sleep

Torch your Tesla

Torch your Tesla

Elon Sucks

Burn those fucking ugly trucks

Screw the racist Nazi King

And his Orange ding-a-ling

Don’t despair, you have a choice

Use your wallet as your voice

Resist the darkness of this troll

Buy a Ford or Kia Soul

Keep the hope and dream alive

Be cool about the car you drive

Don’t be fooled by all the noise

From boisterous bullies and their toys

Torch your Tesla

Elon Sucks

Burn those fucking ugly trucks

Screw the racist Nazi King

And his Orange ding-a-ling

Let’s Ask Arty What it Means to “Be an American”

Let’s Ask Arty uses existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to query LLMs about politics in these troubled times.

Query 1: What does it mean to “be an American”

The idea of “being an American” is deeply tied to the nation’s founding principles and values. While interpretations can vary, there are some core ideals that are often associated with the American identity:

  1. Freedom and Liberty: The United States was founded on the belief in personal freedom, whether it’s freedom of speech, religion, or the press. The idea of individual liberty is enshrined in foundational documents like the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  2. Equality: The notion that “all men are created equal,” as stated in the Declaration of Independence, is a key American value. While the country has faced challenges in fully realizing this ideal, the principle of striving toward equality remains central.
  3. Democracy: The U.S. stands for the right of its people to have a voice in their governance through elections and civic participation.
  4. Opportunity and the American Dream: The belief in the possibility of upward mobility, where hard work and determination can lead to success, has long been part of America’s narrative.
  5. Innovation and Individualism: Americans often value creativity, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of personal goals, reflecting a culture that celebrates independent thinking and innovation.
  6. Diversity and Inclusion: Although the journey toward this ideal continues, the U.S. is seen as a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, and many celebrate the richness of its diversity.

Query 2: What are American Values on a global stage – what has America stood for internationally?

On the global stage, American values have often been associated with ideals such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and economic opportunity. These principles have shaped the nation’s foreign policy and international actions over the years. Here are some key aspects of what America has stood for internationally:

  1. Promotion of Democracy: The U.S. has historically supported democratic movements and institutions worldwide, advocating for free and fair elections, rule of law, and accountable governance.
  2. Human Rights Advocacy: America has often positioned itself as a defender of human rights, speaking out against oppression and supporting initiatives to protect individual freedoms and dignity.
  3. Economic Leadership: Through institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. has played a significant role in shaping global economic policies, promoting free markets, and fostering international trade.
  4. Global Security: The U.S. has been a key player in maintaining international security, often leading efforts to combat terrorism, prevent nuclear proliferation, and address global conflicts.
  5. Humanitarian Aid: America has provided substantial humanitarian assistance in response to natural disasters, health crises, and conflicts, reflecting its commitment to global welfare.
  6. Cultural Influence: Through its media, technology, and cultural exports, the U.S. has shared its values and ideals, influencing global perceptions and fostering cross-cultural exchange.

Can you explain how America promotes democracy internationally?

America promotes democracy internationally through a combination of diplomacy, aid, advocacy, and partnerships. Here’s how it generally operates:

  1. Diplomatic Support: The U.S. provides diplomatic backing to nations transitioning to democracy or facing challenges in maintaining democratic systems. This can include offering guidance on structuring constitutions, electoral processes, and governance.
  2. Economic and Technical Aid: Through organizations like USAID, America provides funding and technical assistance to support democratic institutions, civil society organizations, and free press initiatives in developing democracies.
  3. Education and Training: The U.S. funds programs that educate citizens, journalists, and political leaders about the principles of democracy, human rights, and accountable governance.
  4. Election Monitoring: By working with international bodies and sending observers, the U.S. promotes transparency in electoral processes, ensuring that elections are free, fair, and credible.
  5. Sanctions and Incentives: The U.S. can impose sanctions on governments that undermine democracy or provide incentives for reforms that align with democratic values.
  6. Global Partnerships: America collaborates with international organizations like the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and other allies to advocate for democracy on a global stage.

My Input

Arty articulates that “being American” transcends mere geography or ink on a birth certificate.

“Being American” comes with firmly formed and instilled principles and values crafted painstakingly by our forefathers – principles that we’ve fought for proudly at home and abroad, both individually and collectively – values that feel intrinsic to our identity.

Our forefathers didn’t conjure up the American system of government in a vacuum. They considered admonitions from two of the greatest thinkers in world history (Aristotle and Plato) who stated, “Inequality brings instability, and demagogues exploit free speech to install themselves as tyrants.”

Our forefathers were so concerned about the rise of tyranny that they devised a system of governmental checks and balances to prevent it from occurring on our shores. Today, we’re discovering that the system they devised is only as strong and viable as the humans who serve in it.

Donald Trump is the tyrant that our forefathers feared. He is “American” by birth and residence only. His actions, deeds, words, and values are ardently un-American and tyrannical.

With backing from his Russian BFF, Donald Trump is twisting our Democracy by the nuts into submission. He is hammering, bending, and malforming America into an ugly, extortionist, and oligarchic fiefdom.

Unless true Americans stand up to him and the congress of cowards who fear him (as well as the billionaire class that sustains him), the definition of what it means to be American will change forever.

We must not let that happen.

What makes America’s drift towards oligarchy and fascism so difficult for many to handle is that it involves the dissolution of our American identity.

Our parents and teachers taught us that America welcomes immigrants, detests fascism, and protects the vulnerable – and we were proud to be associated with these values – so much so that these values became our values – they defined who we were as individuals and as Americans.

I always viewed myself and most of my fellow citizens as kind, tolerant, and fair. My view changed almost overnight when America elected an unkind, intolerant, and unjust leader to represent our nation on the world stage.

The impact of the 2024 election felt seismic and personal all at once. And when I witness my fellow citizens support America’s shift towards fascism and authoritarianism enthusiastically, well, that’s been a fucking gut punch that I wasn’t ready for.

But I’ve absorbed it, and now I’m ready to move on.

I cannot love, respect, or maintain friendships with people who casually voted for a convicted felon and serial sexual abuser.

I cannot go back to the relationship I had with them before the election, knowing that they support the chaos, vindictiveness, cruelty, and anti-intellectualism going on around me.

What America do you want to live in?

That’s going to be decided in the next 2 to 3 years.

My Republican friends and family members seem unable (or unwilling) to contrast the Republican party of their past with what that party represents today. It’s a party that your father, mother, and younger self would never have supported years ago and it’s a party unworthy of your support today.

Let’s Ask Arty about the War in Ukraine

Let’s Ask Arty uses existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to query LLMs about politics in these troubled times.

Query 1: How did the war between Ukraine and Russia start?

The war between Ukraine and Russia began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This invasion was preceded by years of tension and conflict, including Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine2. The full-scale invasion in 2022 marked a significant escalation in the conflict

Query 2: Did Russian Forces commit war crimes against Ukraine citizens?

Yes, there have been numerous credible reports and investigations indicating that Russian forces have committed war crimes against Ukrainian citizens since the invasion began in 2022. These war crimes include deliberate attacks on civilian targets such as hospitals, schools, and residential areas, indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas, abduction, torture, and murder of civilians, forced deportations, sexual violence, and destruction of cultural heritage.

Query 3: Is Vladimir Putin responsible for war crimes against Ukraine?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. This is part of broader allegations of war crimes committed by Russian forces, including deliberate attacks on civilian targets, abductions, torture, and murder of civilians, and destruction of cultural heritage.

Query 4: As an American citizen, how can I support Ukraine in its war with Russia even when my government seems now to be siding with Russia?

It’s commendable that you want to support Ukraine despite the complexities of international politics. Here are some ways you can help:

  1. Donate to humanitarian organizations: Organizations like People in Need, the Ukrainian Red Cross, International Medical Corps, and CARE are actively providing aid to those affected by the conflict. Your donations can help provide food, shelter, medical aid, and other essential services1.
  2. Support Ukrainian businesses: Purchase products made in Ukraine or from Ukrainian-owned businesses to help support their economy.
  3. Advocate for Ukraine: Use your voice to raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine. Write to your representatives, participate in peaceful protests, and use social media to spread the word.
  4. Volunteer: Look for local or international volunteer opportunities with organizations that support Ukraine. This could include anything from fundraising events to providing direct assistance to refugees.
  5. Educate yourself and others: Stay informed about the situation in Ukraine and share accurate information with your community. Knowledge is power, and spreading awareness can lead to more support.
  6. Support cultural initiatives: Attend events, concerts, and exhibitions that promote Ukrainian culture and raise funds for the cause.

Query 5: Was Donald Trump financially beholden to Russia?

The relationship between Donald Trump and Russia has been a topic of much discussion and investigation. While Trump has consistently denied having any financial ties to Russia, investigations and reports have revealed several connections.

  1. Business Ventures: Trump has pursued business deals in Russia since the late 1980s. Although he never successfully concluded any real estate deals in Russia, Russian investors have heavily invested in Trump properties.
  2. Financing: Following his bankruptcies in the 1990s, Trump borrowed money from Russian sources. His children have also acknowledged that Russia was an important source of money for the Trump businesses.
  3. Associates: Several of Trump’s senior advisors and business partners have had financial and business ties to Russian financiers.

Despite these connections, Trump has maintained that he has no financial ties to Russia. The full extent and nature of these connections remain a subject of ongoing scrutiny and debate.

My Input

Before I get going, I need to jettison some of my anger about America’s shift regarding the war in Ukraine.

I’m angry that millions of Americans don’t seem to care their President is a fucking liar. They don’t seem to care that under Trump’s authority, America has flipped its position on Ukraine, signaling support for the nation that unlawfully invaded them while committing war crimes against Ukrainian civilians.

This past week, in America’s name, Trump stood on the world stage and knowingly lied about who started the war in Ukraine and then regurgitated Russian talking points about President Zelensky being a dictator.

Let’s get to the point. As Arty states clearly, there is no ambiguity about what happened on February 24, 2022.

After Putin unlawfully invaded Ukraine and committed war crimes against Ukrainian citizens, America stood shoulder-to-shoulder with law-abiding nations around the world in condemnation of Russia. America and our Western European allies offered humanitarian, military, and moral support to help Ukraine defend and fight against Russia.

Before Trump became President again, standing up for Ukraine wasn’t a sticky wicket politically. Ukraine was not threatening Russia. Ukraine was simply next to Russia—there for the taking. The “right and wrong” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was so clear that even our divided Congress came together almost immediately to support President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.

I was proud of our government’s stance, but honestly, it was a no-brainer.

Right??

Now look at where we are today. Trump is working directly with Russia while excluding Ukraine from negotiations and labeling President Zelinsky a dictator.

What we need to remember about Donald Trump is that he’s purely transactional, has no moral compass, and has a penchant for revenge.

Why is this important regarding the war in Ukraine? Whether you curry favor or scorn Donald Trump, you can expect reciprocity—he’s a tit-for-tat president unfettered by morality or the rule of law.

Donald Trump dislikes President Zelensky because, in 2019, Zelensky didn’t agree to Trump’s request that he “do us a favor” and investigate Joe Biden, his political rival, and his son Hunter Biden.

Trump threatened to withhold military aid and a White House meeting as leverage to strong-arm Zelensky.

A House investigation found that Trump’s actions constituted an abuse of power (pressuring a foreign leader for personal political gain) and that he obstructed Congress by instructing his administration to ignore subpoenas for documents and testimony.

Donald Trump hates the fact that Zelensky would not be bullied and probably blames the Ukrainian President for his first impeachment.

Trump likes Vladimir Putin because Putin and Russia curried favor with Trump by interfering in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election to undermine Hillary Clinton’s campaign and boost Donald Trump’s chances of winning.
Russian interference included hacking and releasing emails from the Democratic National Committee and Clinton’s campaign chairman, as well as spreading disinformation through social media.

The U.S. intelligence community, the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee, and Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation all concluded that Russia engaged in an extensive campaign to influence the election in favor of Donald Trump.

The people who know Trump best – the ones who served in his administration and the high-ranking officers in the military that he commanded, spoke clearly before the 2024 election, telling Americans in no uncertain terms that Donald Trump was a fascist and a threat to our democracy and democracies around the world. However, the price of eggs was through the roof, a handful of trans athletes competed in events, and the local library hosted Drag Show Readings. And so millions of Americans turned a deaf ear to the warnings and voted for a convicted felon and serial sexual abuser. Today, the consequences of that decision are unfolding before our eyes.

It’s clear that Congress, which has the constitutional authority to check the President’s powers, lacks the courage to do so. And we can forget about the Judicial branch, which granted Trump immunity from criminal prosecution.

American citizens will have to right the ship. The longer Trump’s actions go on without protest or dissent from citizens, the more momentum Trump and the MAGA movement gain, and the more dangerous and difficult our task becomes.

With each passing day, more executive orders come, and Elon Musk swings the DOGE wrecking ball at federal institutions and agencies to weaken the government and solidify executive power and authority.

It’s up to American citizens to demand a moral, competent, and just government that supports democracy and works for the people instead of an autocratic, oligarchic government that demands fealty from the people.

The clock is ticking.

Let’s Ask Arty!

Let’s Ask Arty uses existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to query LLMs about politics in these troubled times.

Query1: What strategies are used to turn a democracy to an autocracy and how many of those strategies has Donald Trump used in his second campaign for the US presidency?

Turning a democracy into an autocracy typically involves several strategies, often used in combination. Here are some common tactics:

  1. Extending Executive Power: Strengthening the executive branch’s power while weakening checks and balances, such as parliaments and judiciaries.
  2. Suppressing Dissent: Restricting freedom of speech, assembly, and press to silence opposition and criticism.
  3. Controlling Information: Manipulating media and spreading misinformation to shape public opinion and maintain power.
  4. Capturing Elite Support: Gaining the backing of influential groups and individuals by offering political favors and economic benefits.
  5. Undermining Democratic Institutions: Weakening institutions that uphold democratic principles, such as electoral commissions and courts.
  6. Exploiting Populism: Appealing to nationalistic and populist sentiments to rally support and create divisions.
  7. Crippling Opposition: Discrediting, intimidating, or legally targeting political opponents to reduce their influence.

Regarding Donald Trump’s second campaign for the US presidency, he has been accused of employing some of these strategies. For example, he has been known to challenge democratic norms, criticize the media, and promote conspiracy theories. However, it’s important to note that the US political system has strong institutions and checks and balances that make it difficult for one individual to transform the system into an autocracy completely.

My input

You’d have to be pretty dense not to see that Donald Trump is following the autocracy playbook pretty closely.

In terms of the following statement from Arty, I have some thoughts:

However, it’s important to note that the US political system has strong institutions and checks and balances that make it difficult for any one individual to completely transform the system into an autocracy.

In theory, this is correct. The US political system is indeed set up with checks (judicial and legislative) that are designed to prevent a malevolent person in the executive branch from dismantling democracy and instituting an autocratic dictatorship. But these systems are only as effective as the people in them. When members of the judicial and legislative branches lack the courage to check the executive branch — or if they support the autocratic goals and objectives of the executive, the system does not work.

The Stench of JD Vance’s “No”

Since the 2024 VP debate, we’ve all watched JD Vance sidestep whether Trump lost the 2020 election. Most recently, Vance was asked five separate times in the same interview but refused a yes or no answer.

Anyone with an iota of intelligence understands that JD Vance knows Trump lost but was instructed never to say it. Trump won’t allow any of his people to utter the word “loser” when talking about him—he’s too fragile. So, like the good soldier, JD refused to answer, sidestepping more than Al Jolson and Fred Astaire in a game of dodgeball.

Yesterday, Vance got a message from his boss that sidestepping wasn’t cutting it and to fall in line with the election denial. So, when asked AGAIN if Trump lost the 2020 election, he said “No,” which we all know is complete bullshit.

How do we know it’s complete bullshit? Because it’s been almost 4 years since the votes for the 2020 election were tabulated, litigated, and re-tabulated, yielding the same result – an overwhelming victory in the popular vote and electoral college by Joe Biden, with no evidence of vote rigging or cheating, in what the lead Trump election official called the fairest election in a generation and in which Trump’s attorney general called Trump’s assertions of a stolen election “total bullshit.”

Zero evidence that Trump won.

If I were a reporter, I’d follow up with JD Vance and ask why he has refused to answer the question for the last several weeks. Why didn’t he say “No” the first time he was asked? Now that JD Vance has officially joined the Election Deniers club, I would press him to explain precisely why he thinks Trump won. What evidence does he have to come to his conclusion?

It was almost comical watching JD Vance refusing to answer the question about Trump’s 2020 loss because we all understood (to an extent) the Vance Dance – He didn’t want to piss off his boss by being honest, so, sidestep shuffle-shuffle, sidestep, no answer.” 

Embracing the lie is anything but comical because it shows us that JD Vance cannot be trusted with the most basic of things: facts, math, counting, and recounting.

If he denies something so clear and definitive, how can he be trusted to be truthful to the American people?

Everyone knows Donald Trump can’t be trusted—that if he loses AGAIN, he’ll refuse to accept the result. Some of us might have had an inkling of hope for Vance—that when faced with basic math that proved he and Trump came out on the short end of the election, he would man up and say, “We lost.” That hope is now gone with his one-word answer, “No,” and it’s the biggest reason to vote against this ticket.

Vance’s election denial is the latest example of the public humiliation by association that anyone close to Trump goes through. The cowardice of simply going along to get along will stick to Vance long after the stench of Trump fades.

Vote blue in 2024.

Young People, it’s your Time to Shine

There’s a crook in the race who’s a felon

 all his tweets are full of misspellings

let’s put him in jail

protect pussy and tail

and bid adieu

to his fat ugly melon

Democracies don’t breathe on their own

a voice ain’t the same as a phone

Kamala’s the traction

for you to take action

to keep Donald Trump

from his throne

You walk in the booth and you pull it

you beat him with ballots not bullets

don’t sit on your hands

or wave from the stands

you have to commit to the fullest

Trump’s Veep is creep and a fraud

a populist prick with a sword

beware of JD

he’s cruel and shady

and thinks he’s

the hand of the lord

Our democracy is starting to teeter

we don’t have much time on the meter

walk into the booth

cast a vote for the truth

and swat Trump away

like a skeeter

It’s time for a new generation

to save the soul of our nation

with a foot in the door

you’ll settle the score

And send Trump to his

incarceration

You walk in the booth and you pull it

you beat him with ballots not bullets

don’t sit on your hands

or wave from the stands

you have to commit

to the fullest

Put on your cape, we have a job to do!

More than two years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine.

Its army murdered civilians, raped women, and kidnapped children.

In a recent speech, Donald Trump said he would “encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want” to NATO countries who don’t pay their fair share.

In November 2024, American voters must become Guardians of Democracy, swarm to polling places in droves, and drive a stake through the heart of the MAGA movement once and for all. 

Donald Trump wants to end American Democracy and Democracy around the world.

This November let’s end him instead.

Vote Ideas, Not Candidates

Joe Biden is a walk waiting to fall.

But Donald Trump is a creeping fracture on the hip of America’s democracy.

Biden is a danger to himself.

Trump is a danger to the republic and the freedom for which it stands. 

Do I think Joe Biden is too old for the presidency? Yes, I do. But that problem will eventually take care of itself, as it does for all of us. 

We must stop thinking about 2024 as a contest between two men, one who has clearly lost a step, the other hell-bent on lying his way back to the presidency.  

The 2024 election is not about Biden or Trump; it’s about good versus bad ideas.

It’s about whether we move the country forward or backward. It’s about whether we expand rights or restrict them. It’s about whether we try to bridge our gaps and differences or widen them. In 2024, either we embrace and promote the ideas of western Democracy, or we don’t. 

Trumpism – the metastasizing malignancy of malevolence and malfeasance has taken root in the Republican party. Trumpism is less of a political platform and more of a manifesto of intolerance, anger, fear-baiting, and grievance. And that’s today’s GOP.

To move the country forward and to trigger a “re-set” for the Republican party, we need to bury it under an avalanche of votes that screams DEMOCRACY MATTERS! 

Today, banning books, demonizing “the other,” promoting one religion over others, and protecting unfettered access to weapons, even in the face of mass shooting after mass shootings, are Republican ideals, but they’re not American ideals. 

While Republicans bitch and moan about pronouns, wokeness, and drag show readings, broken parents relive the scene of janitors mopping up the blood of their children from the hallways and classrooms in schools.

Most Americans are tired of nonsense in the face of real-life challenges and hardship.

The 2024 election, more than any other past election, is about ideas. Foundational ideas. The ideas upon which America will stand or crumble.