July 27, 2016

I turned on the convention tonight convinced that we need to get behind Clinton

not because we're excited about her, but because we cannot allow Trump in the WH.

Uh...clearly not allowing Trump near the WH is still a really good idea.

But something else happened.

I listened to those speeches - the first responder from New York, the politician from New York that grew up in Queens who asked 'Where was Trump?' Then there was the sandy haired guy from Nebraska who had a rare form of dwarfism, America Ferrara and Lena Dunham, and finally Bill.

Honestly, I had no idea Hillary Clinton had done so much over her lifetime. So many accomplishments. And I had no idea she cares so deeply about people. Sure, a lot of the convention is for show and this one is real slick and well choreographed. But tonight's speeches showed me a Hillary Clinton I frankly did not know existed. One who calls before a surgery or to offer support before an important event. Someone human who cares maybe more about getting stuff done than about getting elected.

So, I am supporting Clinton now. My vote will not be 'against Trump' but FOR Clinton.

That's new. I'm feeling pretty good after learning what I did tonight.

One other thing: My wife commented that our convention is SO much better because we're talking about love and helping people and positive change and all the Republicans are doing is sowing hatred, racism and divisiveness.

Am I drinking the Kool Aid? I don't think so. This election presents a starker choice than we have ever had in history, and now that I've learned a little more about the humanness of Clinton I'm going to finally say it -

I'm with her.

July 21, 2016

Tim Kaine Calls To Deregulate Banks As He Campaigns To Be Clinton’s VP

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tim-kaine-clinton-vp_us_578fc8e3e4b0bdddc4d2c86c

OK. Kaine is a bit of a neolib. He likes deregulation and 'free' trade. This means that if you are on the left wing of the party, you (and me, for sure) need to fight against these policies being forwarded after Clinton's election to President. But let's get her elected first.

By the way, did you all see Maher last night? Micheal Moore said he thinks Trump will win. God, let's hope not!

July 9, 2016

Clinton Reaffirms Support For Public Option In Bid For Sanders Supporters

In a HuffPo article, "Hillary Clinton reaffirmed her support on Saturday for creating a “public option” within Obamacare and allowing people to enroll in Medicare at age 55.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee also called for a substantial increase in funding in medical clinics that serve low-income Americans, fully embracing a proposal from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

While Clinton has long supported the creation of new government-run insurance options and reiterated that support several times this year, Saturday’s statement comes three days before she is scheduled to make her first joint campaign appearance with Sanders ― who has championed government-run insurance and federally financed clinics throughout his career and during his own bid for the presidency."

NOW you're talking! I can sure get behind this!

July 4, 2016

Has decades of corporate propaganda removed the last vestiges of empathy from Americans?

Most of you know that I'm quite to the left. I've said many times that we need to rethink our whole social and economic organization so that addresses our needs as a species and supports human need instead of human greed. I have also often said capitalism sucks and that I believe it is a cancer on the earth. I mean, we're literally destroying the planet we live on for the sake of earning a few shareholders more profits.

OK...so I read something this morning that deeply troubles me. Makes me wonder if empathy around here is so dead that I might as well shut up and not even bother.

Check out this article on Huffpo:

"These 2 Boys Were Born The Same Day In The Same Town, But Their Lives Will Be Dramatically Different"

The story is about two boys in Madagascar and talks about the effects of 'stunting' due to malnutrition. Bad enough, right?

OK. Go into the link and LOOK AT THE COMMENTS.

I quit posting on HP some years ago because I hated their censorship of comments. I tend to think mine through and not worry much about length, I know - maybe a little TOO verbose sometimes. Now I see what they wanted all along. Short and...I just don't have a word to describe the quality of those comments.

ARE THESE DEMOCRATS, DO YOU WONDER?

July 2, 2016

Trump’s Vegas Hotel Spent Half A Million Dollars To Stop Maids From Unionizing

This guy is SO not a friend to the working class. His hypocrisy knows NO bounds.

Here's an excerpt from the Huffpo article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-union-vegas-hotel_us_5776b0dee4b09b4c43c05424?c9i6yldi

(Added link to article on edit)

"Before entering the voting booth, those union members might want to know how much money one of Trump’s businesses has spent in an effort to persuade low-wage workers not to unionize. The Culinary Workers Union recently organized housekeepers and other service workers at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The union won the election in December — but not without a fight from hotel owners Trump Ruffin Commercial LLC. That’s a joint venture between the likely GOP nominee and casino magnate Phil Ruffin, himself a major financial backer of Trump’s presidential run.

According to Labor Department disclosure forms reviewed by The Huffington Post, Trump Ruffin shelled out more than half a million dollars last year to a consulting firm that combats union organizing efforts. The money was paid from Trump Ruffin to Cruz & Associates in a series of seven payments between July and December, totaling $560,631. Nearly $285,000 of that money was paid over the course of two weeks in December, shortly after the hotel held its union election."

So there it is. Not only is he unqualified to be president at every level, the guy is virulently anti-union.

Not acceptable!