The Cream Of The Presidential Crop Is Sour

I cannot recall ever seeing two more disagreeable people vying to be our President.  Hillary has always skated on ethically thin ice and is still doing so.  She is, however, a known quantity and if enough people think she is worthy of the job she will get it.

Mr. Trump is another case all together.  He is certainly being helped along by FOX news who unabashedly support him and the Republican Party which seems unable to keep from tripping over their own feet in trying to oust him.

I have a theory for them to consider.  Let him alone and he will implode all on his own.  If the Republicans persist in their quest for a brokered or contested convention Trump will have someone to blame.  If they keep their mouths closed they have the chance to regain some sense of dignity.  Not that I expect it from the current crop of Republican leadership.  I use that term loosely.

Something every one need consider with Mr. Trump is that he is not a known quantity.  If he can't act with decorum during the campaign what is he likely to do when a foreign leader disagrees with him or even tries just to get a straight answer? Generalities bound in bluster isn't governing.

I may be mistaken, but Trump is on overload with me and hopefully a lot of other voters.  He is rude. He is crude. Worst of all he seems to be addicted to Twitter and that I think will be his downfall.

Surely he must realize that all of his opposition follow his Tweets religiously and are johnny on the spot to broadcast any thing and every thing that can make him look bad.  Well, maybe not, he's making himself look bad.

Actually it's who and what he is.  He says he can act presidential but he has yet to show it.  Not even a smidge.  I think somewhere in the deep reaches of his ego he thinks he has a perfect right to spew whatever venom that comes to mind in any particular moment. Frankly I'm tired of it and embarrassed by him.

I'm also tired of Ted Cruz taking every opportunity that presents itself to perpetuate Trump's childish behavior and thus his own.   I guess he doesn't think he is damaged by doing so but at least with me he has diminished himself as candidate.  Not that I particularly liked him in the first place.  He still reminds me of  the self rightous and totally insincere Elmer Gantry.

Hillary the Shrill and The Donald. Wow.  And in second place Bernie and Cruz. What a choice!

Who's Left?

I've had it with the presidential candidates.  Really, out of a nation of some 30 milling people is this really the best we can do?  That's an old cliche if ever there was one.

I am beyond disgusted with all of them.  In fact they've become an embarrassment.  This bit about the wives is so pre-adolescent I can't believe either Trump or Cruz would go there.  But both have.  At this point I don't give a hoot if Cruz has had affairs.  We already know Trump has. Just look at past candidates and presidents and for that matter Congress.  There are so many that are morally challenged I can't begin to name them.

The only one tending to the business of running for president is Bernie Sanders.  I can't vote for him because I just don't agree with what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. But as far as having a moral compass, he seems to be it.

What about Kasich?  I had wanted him to get in the race but he has lost me.  He brags about what he did decades ago and he didn't accomplish anything strictly by himself.  I don't believe, either, that the mess the world finds itself in can be cured with "love".  Love is a two way street.  What we're facing is a dead end road and hopefully it will be ISIS and their ilk rather than us.

So on it goes.  I will be interested in seeing if Obama learns how to dance and if Hillary learns how to tell the truth.

I'm not holding my breath.

The Political Siren's Song Nabs Two More

My upcoming trip to Yellowstone to photograph wolves and bears can't get here too soon.  For me, whether we actually see any or not, it will be pure, blissful escapism!

I need the break from the political soap opera that is now taking place.  It goes to show that even the "outsiders" will succumb to the siren song of politics.

It also shows that I'm a pretty poor judge of character.  I thought Carly Fiorina would be a great candidate for president but her campaign never caught on.  Mostly because the press is liberal, I think, and Hillary is their female of choice thus little coverage of Carly.

As for Ben Carson, his low key personality couldn't make any inroads against his more flamboyant competitors.

Carly disappeared for a time.  Carson stayed in until last week when he finally admitted the handwriting was on the wall and it didn't favor him.

Now it seems they both want to be players if not viable candidates.  How do they do that?  Apparently the easiest way is to endorse a candidate and become a surrogate campaigner.  Oh my.  Who to support and what was their price?

Carly chose Cruz.  Does she have any idea who this man is?  To me he's more frightening than Trump.  Now I understand her rational.  After what Trump insinuated about her I wouldn't expect her to jump on his circus train, but still, Cruz? Maybe she's vying for that V.P. slot after all. She denied that as a goal as long as she was an active candidate, but now who knows?  She'd be powerful at keeping the negatives about Hillary front and center.

Now, what about Carson?  He endorsed Trump.  Two more opposites would be hard to find.  What was his price?  Health and Human Services would be a good fit.  Is that the deal?  When asked how he could endorse Trump after what was said about him he brushed it off as it just being politics.

Well, there you have it.  Two candidates  of whom I thought highly were lured by a siren song only politicians can hear.  It seems this time around the more incomprehensible you are the better you do. The lust for power and the lure of the adoring crowds is as much of an opiate as opium itself.

Now what?  I've lost my optimism.  I may be spending more and more time in Yellowstone or photographing petroglyphs in the southwest.  Thinking about them, as a sort of newspaper of the ancients, I wonder if being able to decipher the markings would be great or not. We might learn that back hundreds of years ago people had the same disillusionment with their leaders as we have today.

Maybe it's better we not know.  We'd not have leared from it anyway. People are people and we continue to make the same mistakes over and over.  It is probably one of our greatest shortcomings.

Star Struck

He came, he saw, he conquered!  Yep, ole Trusted came to our burg Saturday and had the citizenry wowed.  It's not uncommon around here for people to be in awe if some "personality" is spotted.  I find it odd since we do have our share of them that visit for at least a short time to enjoy the lake and surroundings.

A lot of politicians pass us by however so perhaps that's why all the hub bub.  The reason is this part of the state is redder than red when it comes to politics.  As Hub says, you could say a tree stump was Republican and it would get elected. In fact I think a few have.  It's definitely an area where the good old boys club reigns supreme.

Back to the purpose of this post.  The organizers secured a building at the fair grounds, expecting to seat around 800 people.  They had that and just as many if not more standing outside in the rain to hear the man.  Talk about political nirvana.

Cruz had just come off his best showings in the primaries leaving poor Marco playing catch up. Where was he?  In Puerto Rico which is okay because he won there.  Now the southern part of the state does better than we do because that's where the largest city is - Boise, the capital, and the largest population base. Cruz headed there  well primed from his local visit. Rubio was scheduled and I think finally made it after a trip to Puerto Rico. It gave him bragging rites for now he had won a whole two contests.

Cruz did bring them out, they came from all over the area and a respectable number from our neighboring states.  Did I go?  No.  following politics as I do I don't need to stand in the rain to hear the same old stump speech. I did watch the coverage of the even and searched the crowd for a familiar face but saw none. I'm not one of the in crowd for sure and don't mingle with the political class so it was no surprise.

What is of concern though is this being star struck.  A reporter asked one of the locals if he thought Cruz would do well here.  Yep.  He sure would.  He took the time to come and address we little people (my paraphrase).  The people sure would reward him with their votes.

Really?  Just because he showed up?  What about his policies, his negatives with a Congress with which he is not held in high regard, plus a lot more I won't take the time to list.  That's not important. He cared enough to show up.  Really?  Maybe it's why political speeches are referred to as "stump" speeches.  It's bound to be elected, especially if it's red wood!

Defending Ted Cruz Again

I don't intend to get in the habit of defending Ted Cruz but today I once again must.  I applaud him for calling out Mitch McConnell for what he is.

Oh, the hue and cry!  How dare he.  The Senate is above such behavior.  It has it's dignity you know.  Well, they've been hiding behind tradition and false dignity far too long.

How can anyone say with a straight face that while Harry Reid was majority leader that he acted with dignity? Mitch McConnell is a different personality but no less a servant of the gods of  power and money.

I'm still waiting for some of these newer members of both houses to show their grit.  Some have and done so admirably.  Tom Cotton.  Trey Gowdy.  In his own way, Rand Paul.  They're not afraid to speak out for what they believe.  Some waffle a bit too much for my taste but are getting there.  Others are spot on.  Whether or not you agree with them, it is refreshing.

Both house and senate leadership are having difficulty in keeping their members in line.  There is a good reason for that.  Some of them actually behave as though they were elected to serve the people who elected them rather than the special interests of the leadership. The presidential election aside, it will be interesting to see if more of them step up to the plate.

For the moment we are watching the beginnings of a turning tide.  The old war horses are just that and like me are having a difficult time adjusting to new thinking.  They resist mightily because they see a future where they are no longer vital and stripped of the power they so enjoy now.  As for myself, I'll  cheer on any one of them that will put the country first while we still have one.

I'll wrestle with my own ability to adjust to new thinking. I've already conceded the loss of the morality I lived with as I grew up.  That counter balances with efforts to prevent unwanted pregnancies leading to ruined lives not to mention lives lost to abortion.

See?  I can adjust.  So bring it on, ladies and gentlemen, do it for the good of the country as we all see it and I'll cheer you on.  Bring it on for your own prejudices without foundation and I will condemn you as Cruz did McConnell.

Don't think for a moment my generation isn't watching!

The Republican Nominee Will Be?

As much as Trump is striking a chord, I don't think he'll be the nominee.  Voters will come to their senses.  One can hope.

At the moment my guess is it will be the candidate who can take Trump's broad brush on the issues and paint in the details.  I think the candidate most likely to  do this is Ted Cruz.

He is almost evangelical in his delivery.  He is passionate and articulate.  He also hasn't insulted Trump.  If he can say, "Trump is correct and here's why..." I think it would carry him a long way.

At the moment I'm leaning toward a candidate who probably has no chance because the media is giving her short shrift.  Almost to the point of being chauvinist.  If only they felt the same about Hillary! What I like about her is her business background and understanding of how businesses are run.  Exactly what our government needs - to be run like a business.  As it is now it isn't being run at all.  It's Camp Run-a-Muck. And like a poorly run company, doomed.

Realistically, however, I figure a politician is going to win the nod and it will be a matter of personality.  Not a good reason to be sure but with 16 candidates running personality is going to be a large part of what helps a candidate break out.  I think Cruz has that zeal.

They all are saying pretty much the same thing regarding policy.  So far I haven't heard a one of them explain exactly how they are going to achieve what they all agree needs to be done.  Especially if they don't have a solid majority in both houses.  Actually they are a pretty boring bunch.

Personality could push some one past Hillary too.  Hers is grating and fraught with ums and ahs. That is if she even succeeds.  With the rumors about Biden thinking seriously about jumping in and Warren reconsidering, she could have some real competition.  Webb, so far, has been a disappointment.

Of course my ideas change on a nearly daily basis as the jockeying for position continues.  Trump, on the Republican side, does, like it or not, have a huge amount to do with how things shake out.

Even if Trump goes 3rd party I believe a strong Republican can prevail.  Mainly because to date Trump hasn't said anything of substance either.  I'm not sure there is any from which he can draw.  Take note, Republican candidates. Get some personality and passion!

Some People Never Learn

So the Omnibus Bill has finally passed.  I suppose I should take some pleasure in the fact that people from both sides of the aisle tried to stop it but I don't.

The way I see it, it's how government is supposed to work.  Neither side got everything they wanted but both got something.  It's called compromise.

It also means they might actually get some work done next year without the threat of  having to pass continuing resolutions or shutting down the government.

Ted Cruz and his ilk have yet to learn the art of compromise.  They are the obstructionists because, like the President, their modus operandi  is their way or no way.  They think that's what the American people want.  Or so they keep telling us.  This American person doesn't.  I want them to put their heads together and draft legislation that will move the country forward.  Not their personal agendas.

That's what the last election was about.  I am going to be a very unhappy camper with the Tea Party Republicans if they continue obstructing forward movement. I'm already fed up with the "conservatives" on the air who have done nothing but bash McConnell and Boehner since the election.  Give them a chance when they have the power.  Until January they don't and even after, the President still has the final word so expect compromise unless the demands are egregious.
 
We're going to have to know when  members of Congress are working toward their own ends for 2016 versus working for us. Especially those wanting to bid for the presidency.  Their ideological base may help them in the primaries but they best remember they're supposed to govern for all of us, not just those who share their point of view.

We've had six years of one who has not learned that lesson. I'll be holding those vying for his job to a much higher standard.

Cruzin' For A Bruisin'

I'm beginning to wonder just what the Tea Party stalwarts represent.  Pig headedness for sure.

Take their in house figurehead Ted Cruz and his attempt to filibuster the procedure to move ahead a vote on raising the debt ceiling. The last thing anyone needed was another fight to the wire on shutting down the government or in this case defaulting on the debt. It isn't even really the debt but rather the interest on it.

Because of his ill advised stunt he forced a handful of wiser Republicans to vote with the Democrats to move the measure forward.  The clean bill went on to pass without the vote of a single one of those Republicans.  Now Cruz and his ilk are threatening to use those votes against the incumbent Republicans in the primaries.  Do it my way or I'll punish you by golly!

To what end does he do this? So they can possibly lose to more like Cruz who doesn't seem to understand that in order to win you have to have the votes.  Maybe they should start by not passing the spending bills that require a rise in the debt limit in the first place.  As it is it indicates that the Republicans are as guilty as the Democrats when it comes to excessive spending.

I understand standing on principle. There is a time and place for it but not in a working house of Congress where governance is a shared proposition and in order to share one must be willing to compromise.  It is not a dirty word. Granted the Democrats, having the power for the moment, have no interest in sharing.  But they stand together as a party.

The Republicans don't.  Those who stand on principle alone are negating what power they do have as a whole. Some of these legislators have Presidential ambitions, Mr. Cruz included. What I see in him is blind ambition and ideology over reason.  I've blamed the Democrats for the same and this is one area I'd rather the two parties didn't share!

If his unwillingness to listen to what Republican leadership has to say and close ranks with them for the good of the party and more importantly, the nation, it indicates to me what type of President he is likely to be. Inflexible.  My way or the highway. Does any of this sound familiar?

The behind the scenes maneuvering is no easy task to be sure, in either the House or Senate, but unless you hold total power like Harry Reid does,  joining with leadership is pragmatic if nothing else.

I'm looking way past charisma on potential candidates.  I'm looking for those who understand what is necessary to move forward rather than perpetuate a stalemate.  Mr. Cruz fails on both counts.

...And The Beat Goes On...

The continuing soap opera coming out of D.C. would be laughable if it wasn't so serious.

First thing this morning, west coast time, we waited anxiously for Speaker Boehner and the House leadership to announce a new plan.  Last night they had been cut of of the dealing due to lack of movement and the Senate was said to be making progress.

Well, you can't have that! Finally after much delay the Republican leadership paraded before the microphones and cameras to tell us they didn't have a plan yet but were definitely working for for fairness for all the people.

You'd think by now they'd realize that Obamacare is off limits in these negotiations but those squeaky wheels insist on beating their heads against the wall. It's time for Speaker Boehner and his fellow moderates come up with a new strategy.  The Tea Party element is killing them.  So here's the new strategy.

Quit worrying about being challenged in the primaries by Tea Party approved candidates.  They're making such a bad name for themselves they're ruining their own chances.  Let's face it, if it hadn't been for them the CR and debt limit would be old news by now.  Until the next time, I grant you.

But it gets worse. I was listening to the noon news and heard Ted Cruz and a conglomeration of Tea Part cronies from both the House and Senate were huddling in  secret in the basement of a gin joint called Tortilla Coast.  I kid you not! Well, maybe not so secret.

What were they doing?  Figuring more ways to keep the monkey wrench in the pile?  Both Boehner and McConnell should tell them to go pound sand.  Band with the Democrats, get the CR and debt ceiling business done and gird themselves for the next fight which can be Obamacare if they insist.

Actually it looks more and more like it's going to meet its demise on it's own because they can't get it rolled out and more and more people with some actual knowledge and clout are becoming more vocal.  Besides, foreign policy needs some serious atttention in case you haven't been following that too.

So what's next with Cruz and The Cronies? Maybe putting such a punitive a tax on Botox shots that Nancy Pelosie would have to reveal her real face?  Along with several other ladies of high office?  I'd love it.  Then we could move on from racism, like the vet that had a Confederate flag along with the American one he was waving in front of the White House on Sunday.  Gasp.  Black people live there!

Yep.  On to sexism! They think they're having a tough time with the Democrats and White House?  Wait until they get the Ladies of the Houses mad at them.  Hell hath no fury...

...to be continued.

Ted Cruz, You're Bleeding The Republicans Dry!

Scratch the surface and all politicians are the same.  Take Ted Cruz for example.  He's just like Obama in many ways.  It's his way or the highway and no one will suffer more than the American people and his party.  For what?  His opinion. His opinion that is so superior to all others.

Defund Obamacare or shut down the government.  You know, that's not a fair trade.  Just like so many of Obama's dictates.  But lets look at it.  In truth, not as many are against Obamacare as a whole as Cruz and his ilk would have us believe.  What most object too is that it's being shoved down their throats even though there is much that needs to be reconfigured and the blatant miscalculations that were represented as truths.

Politicians seem predisposed to making a big splash to fix what's wrong rather than taking baby steps.  It is the law of the land.  And yes, Obama has tweaked it under dubious legality.  But why not amend it.  Amend it so there are no carve outs for anyone.  Not the unions, not the largest of corporations and especially not the Congress and their staffs.

Why not amend it so the work week goes back to being 40 hours instead of 30 which is putting so many into financial straits.  Why not amend it to delay the individual mandates along with the corporate ones that Obama has already delayed. You get the idea.

This would make the Republicans look like the paragon of reason, a willingness to compromise and heroes to those who will be most affected.

Why must these politicians tilt at windmills?  Ego.  Ambition.  Both, when misguided lead to oblivion.  Mr. Cruz fancies himself President one day.  He's a rock star in Iowa at the moment.  How many of those Iowa rock stars went on to become President?  Palin?  Bachmann?  Santorum? Caine? Perry? Who?

If he had a Republican Senate behind him and the numbers to over ride a veto I could understand his fervor, but he doesn't.  The Senate will take out the defunding and send the bill back to the House.  Will they put it back in and return it to the Senate in another game of chicken?  Time will tell, but I wish Speaker Boehner would get tough with the Tea Party types who are holding the Republicans, the House and the Country hostage. Deprive them of committee chiarmanships or whatever House discipline measures are available.  Party politics is a team sport and the quarterback calls the plays.  That would be Boehner.  Your not a team player then the prize passes don't come your way.

We all know that if the roles were reversed the Republicans would be screaming bloody murder. This isn't the way government is supposed to work.  In fact it doesn't work this way.

Shutting down the government is Republican suicide.  Those who can't understand this should not be re-elected.  We complain about other countries who have petty dictators as heads of state.  We're not so very different except we have a lot of them.  Each and every member of the governing bodies who refuses to listen and negotiate is just that.  A petty dictator.  That includes the President.

No wonder the rest of the world finds us laughable. We don't even know how to make it work!