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.

USAID- ??? Why Would Anyone Support The Elimination Of This Amazing Program?

Do you really want to keep "America Great?" Yews. I said that correctly. The United Sates has always been great before the Election of 2024. USAID provided amazing levels of humanitarian aid and assistance to countries that needed this help the most. I am proud of our country for providing this support thoughout the last sixty plus years. Combatting AIDS, Ebola, starvation and other emergencies in our world were actions that saved millions of lives. All that has ended and we could list hundreds of reasons why this has now damaged the United States and will destroy our ability to effectively address problems globally in our world today. "God did shed His grace" on the United States. We still have the wealthiest country in the world. The USAID budget represented less than one percent of our total federal budget. What in the name of the Lord could the current administration possibly be thinking. Despite the fact that hundreds of reasons for keeping this great program, there was never a chance to consider those reasons because this program was on the chopping block in the first two months of the new administration. Do you really want to keep America great? Then the United States should keep and strengthen the amazing work of the USAID!!!

ELECTIONS

I guess I just don't understand all the allegations that we don't have fair elections in this country. I always watch the news and am constantly searching for evidence about voting irregularities and violations of the laws. There are few, if any, cases that are taken to court and successfully prosecuted that show widespread problems with our system. Our election system works. Trump won in 2024 but has yet to concede to Biden for the Election of 2020. But that is what we are dealing with in 2025. Many people who do not closely watch and follow reputible news outlets have doubts about our elections. Many of those people lose faith in the process and simply don't vote. Others follow the many news sources that simply don't present accurate facts and information and even serves as propaganda outlets. I think Benjamin Franklin once said that "What is necessary for our democracy to survive is to have an educated and well informed electorate." Accurate facts and information is essential fo that to happen. That will be our greatest challenge in the years to come. Our elections are not the problem. They are fair and well run. The people voting, however, need accurate fact and information to make their decisions.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS PUNISHING LAW FIRMS

The recent executive orders punishing law firms that represented people and groups that investigated President Trump is a clear violation of the Constitution and the powers of the Executive Branch. Two law firms have given in already and made deals with President Trump. They made a mistake. Three firms have taken this matter to court and have had favorable rulings negating the Executive Orders. I sincerely hope these recent rulings will be the norm in pushing back against these types of Executive Orders. The U.S. Court System has held up so far against the misuse of the powers of the Executive Branch. We are only two months into the Trump Presiency and there will be so many more situations that will test our fragile democracy. Our system of government will only survive if we have judges, lawyers and citizens who have ethics and a love of our country and stand up against people who are trying to tear apart our country.

Tariffs

There are times, in my opinion, when tariffs are absolutely necessary. The solar panel industry is a good example. China was greatly subsidizing solar panel manufacturers in their country. These products were being mass produced and sold at a price in other countries that could not be matched. U.S. companies suffered greatly and many went out of business. This left Chinese companies with a gigantic advantage and even led to price increases. This is a concrete example of when tariffs are absolutely justified. Today's use of tariffs are absolutely not justified. Blanket tariffs on other countries does not work and is adversly impacting our relationships with other countries. Effective use of tariffs must be calculated, well thought out and surgical in their use. There is no doubt, in my opinion, that tariffs will raise prices, contribute to increased inflation and alienate many of our allies in the world today. Trade can be an important part of increasing the chances for world peace. Today's trade policies are achieving the exact opposite.!

Medicare

Medicare This program that assists people over 65 to receive health insurance to significantly lower out of pocket costs in their later years. It isn't perfect. Paying premiums, co-pays and dealing with the high cost of prescription drugs are still major challenges for people in this system. Universal Health Care would seem to be a much better system. But people pay into this system throughout their working years so this is not a "government hand out." This program is expected to be under attack very soon. Cuts are now being seriously considered. But this plan has been, and continues to be, a life saver for tens of millions of people since its beginning in the 1960"s. This is still one of the most successful and greatly needed programs in the history of our country. We should enhance and strengthen this program and take the necessary steps to improve all aspects of Medicare and stop any talk about hurting this program in any way.

SOCIAL SECURITY

SOCIAL SECURITY I am amazed at the number of Republicans who do not see the importance and benefits of Social Security. This program has provided an income and paece of mind to hundreds of Americans over the last ninety years of its existence. Small amounts of each worker's pay check would be deducted over their working lifetime and that would provide an income upon retirement. FDR's idea in the 1930's has been extremely successful. Bbut some people, including many in the Trump Administration, are part of a movement that could very well destroy this essential program. Social Security should be strengthened and changes might be justified. People on Social Security might not get cost of living increases for a year or two. The age for full benefits might be increased a month or two. Means testing might be used to see if billianares really need to receive benefits. Small increases to people working now can also help to make sure this program will exist well into the future. And finally, taxes on Social Security could be put back into the Social Security fund. I believe Social Security is an amazing program and it is in danger for many reasons. Acting now can help to make people aware and learn about the dangers this program faces. It can be saved if enough people step up to save it.

Paying Taxes is Patriotic

Yep. Call me a fool or stupid. But I'm proud to pay my taxes. I live in one of the most beautiful and blessed countries in the history of the world. That doesn't just happen. It takes money. The IRS collects federal taxes that helps to make it possible to defend against foreign threats and makes it possible to form a more perfect union, insure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. We need to strengthen, not cut, the resources of the IRS. The wealthiest citizens of the United States need to pay their taxes and not use the 77,000 pages of the tax code to avoid taxes. Corporations and the wealthiest Americans should not seek additional tax cuts at the expense of damaging Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. But to cut the staff and resources of the IRS is just another way of making it easier for tax cheats to avoid audits and getting caught when they try to evade paying their fair taxes. Our deficit is over 36 trillion dollars and the solution is not to hurt the IRS but to strengthen it and to praise those who pay theit fair taxes. So yes, you can call me a fool or stupid but I love our country but it needs the resources to execute the goals of our Preamble to our Constitution.

The World Today As I See It

The World Today As I See It I'm just a middle class citizen of a country that I have always loved. I am so blessed. The 2024 Presidential Election presented a situation that is so similar to other situations in world history where so many people supported a person who would be so destructive to everything they held so dear. The list of reasons I feel that way will be the basis for my future posts. I will also include reasons for hope as people, institutions and organizations step up to challenge efforts to destroy our beautiful country. There aren't many, if any, people who follow this blog but it sure does present a way for me to address my concerns as I see them and be prepared to talk about them when opportunities arise.