TODAY-NO KINGS PROTESTS

I have so many friends and family members who voted for Donald Trump and continue to support him. These are "all" good people. I do not understand this. But I respect them and will listen to their reasons why they have those views. I do not think they will listen to my views but will continue to look for opportunities and use this blog to lay the groundwork for my views and positions. But today we have the "No Kings Protests." I do not call these rallies. These are protests that express our opposition to Trump's policies, positions and actions. I'll outline those in the days to come in this blog. I firmly believe that our country is being damaged and I will be protesting, in a small way, to stop Trump's actions. I'll be out there with other people who see the damage being done and are stepping up to let others become aware of this horrible administration. Everything, I am sure, will be peaceful.

Applying History for a Greater U.S.

I have been doing this blog, off and on, for a long time. I am so proud of our country and I have always been optimistic about the future and firmly believing that the best times for our country are in the future. But I never believed we would have a President who would intentionally destroy our country. Many people will attack this belief but it is my hope that I won't just meke a statement like that but provide "strong" evidence and lay out the case with each of my postings. I also hope to provide what I see as the alternative for current policies. I'll also attempt to use history to provide guidance for future, constructive policies. As I close this post I would like to remind everyone that the great Roman Empire was not defeated by outside forces. It was destroyed from within due to corruption and incompetence by its emperors. That led to attacks on various parts of the empire and its eventual collapse in Rome. I invite comments and criticisms to my posts and I hope I will be corrected when appropriate.

THERE ARE NOT TWO SIDES!

I am absolutely amazed that people believe news and imformation from various sources and take a position on various issues that makes it sound like there are two sides. I'll be using this blog to give examples of this and lay out my position that there are not two sides for good people who are ethical, moral and reasonable. We'll see if anyone pushes back on my views and I hope I might clarify my own thoughts and beliefs with these posts. I am starting with an international issue that should make all of us cry and demand action. There is only one side in the war in Ukraine. Russia is wrong. Ukraine is simply defending their country against an unlawful and abhorent invasion of a sovereign country. Russia bombs and kills innocent civilians and destroys non military infrastructure that leads to horrible death and destruction. Ukraine limits their attacks on Russia to military assets and avoids civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure. Ukraine simply wants to live in peace. Russia is fighting this war for territorial expansion. The United States deserves much blame. No. I am wrong. Donald Trump deserves much blame. Financial and military support is warranted and so needed and Trump has stopped this aid. There is bipartisan support for helping Ukraine. Putin has continued this war because he knows Trump will not act against him. Trump says he is trying to broker a peace agreement between the two countries and that is a noble goal. But he also says he'll walk away if there is no progress. But there is only one side that is righteous and moral in this conflict and that is Ukraine. They deserve the support of all good, moral and ethical people in this world.

Pope Francis- A Democrat?

I know politics should not be part of religion. But it is. I see Pro Life material on my window shield on my car when I go to Mass before general elections. These fliers tell me who I should be voting for and there are clear messages sent from the pulpit. But Pope Francis really did say we should not be overly obsessed about any one issue, even an important issue like Pro Life. Pope Francis supported compassionate and caring approaches on immigration. He would support programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He would support programs like Chip, Head Start and WIC. He would support progressive tax policies that would have lower rates on the poor and middle class. He would certainly support USAid and programs helping the less fortunate in our world. I could go on and on. I really could. And yet, many Catholics and religious leaders still support Republican candidates and policies. Pope Francis will be laid to rest this week. But his beleifs, approaches and love for mankind will not be put to rest. These will live and influence people like me and many others to cary on his work and the message of Jesus during these challenging times. And yes! I really believe Pope Francis was a Democrat.

It Simply Should Make Us All Cry.

Russia continues to bomb and destroy Ukranian cities and the United States continues to support Putin. It should make us all cry as we stand on the wrong side of a horrible war that was started by Russia and now sees no end short of a Ukrainian surrender. Ukraine should be admired and we should stand with Ukraine and the countries that are supporting their survival. The United States has made plenty of mistakes in our history. We should have learned from our mistakes and how other dictators have caused harm and destruction in our world. It looks like we have not learned from history and we must change that in order for us to avoid having a dictator and causing that same harm and destruction to our world. It should make us all cry. but after that cry we, as United States citizens, should take steps to stand on the side of righteousness and the rule of law.

Which Political Party Helps People More?

There was a recent poll conducted that found that people are split about which party helps people the most. In past years it was always the Democratic Party. I really can't explain how it would ever be close. Which party created, supports and seeks to strengthen Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Which party seeks to provide affordable health care and lower prescription drug costs? Which party seeks to increase the minimum wage from the disgraceful $7.25 an hour that it is today? But I must apologize. This is a partial list and I have many more examples of why this recent poll is so puzzling to me. I challenge anyone to give me one example of the Republican Party supporting a policy or program that helps the poor and middle class. Please! I need to know.

TARIFFS-THERE ARE NOT TWO SIDES TO THIS DEBATE!!!

President Trump announced his tariffs yesterday and his explanation of the way tariffs impact our people in the United States is absolutely wrong. Tariffs will increase the cost of goods we purchase and will increase inflation. There are not two sides to this debate. Many people voted for Trump to bring prices down and stop inflation. How's he doing? I'm writing this blog on the morning after the tariffs were announced. The stock market is ready to open at levels rarely seen in the history of our country. All three major markets are down close to 3% already. That should tell the story about how these tariffs are being received. There are not two sides to this debate. These tariffs will damage our country. The Senate passed a resolution that would stop Trump from implementing these tariffs. The House could stop the tariffs by simply voting for this Senate Resolution with a simple majority vote. But that won't happen. Mike Johnson will not bring this vote to the floor. He redefined a day by making a day last for months. Yep. I don't know how he did that either. But we'll all be paying for the mistakes that are being made by Trump and Johnson today.