Debates? Who Needs Them!

First of all what is being called a debate bears no resemblance to what a debate really is.  Secondly, both the political parties and the networks should have a say in who the moderators should be.

More so, however, at this point in time, they really have little value.  The Republicans have too many candidates trying to outdo one another rather than lay out their own vision of policy.  The Democrats are no more than a love fest for Hillary and an opportunity for her to excoriate the Republicans. Her policies make no sense either unless taxing the rich is the end all.

Since the candidates aren't lacking in opportunity to be heard why the debates at all?  State by state the candidates flood the populace with town halls, speeches and anything else they can think of to win them over. Do the national debates really add anything?  Considering the contentiousness and lack of substance I think not.

The debates should come into play once the nominees are decided.  Let them lay out their policies and argue their points.  Then voters can decide which approach is best for the country.

The last thing I want to see is Ben Carson's idea of holding them on Facebook.  There are those of us not wed to social media and the last place we want to go to listen to candidates duke it out.

If the debates are going to remain the same I have a dream team of moderators from FOX for the Republicans.  Britt Hume, Charles Krauthammer and Kirsten Powell for the Liberal point of view.  Their questions I believe would be relevant and lack snark.  They might even give the candidates time to speak.

Even better would be one moderator and a time keeper.  Each candidate has say 12 minutes to lay out his or her vision or anything else they'd like to say but after 12 minutes that's it.  Over.  Done. The moderator would keep everyone in line and the time keeper would just keep the time.

Then I might be interested in listening.  As of right now I can tune in anytime for at least a week after the last word has been spoken and see repeats ad nauseam.  Many times out of context to boot.  They've lost me.

Hopefully someone of ability and substance will rise to the top before next November. In the meantime there are so many things that need to be addressed personality clashes seem trivial.  The media should be covering it all.  Good luck with that.

The War Over Washington

Our country in now in another civil war - and I'm loving it!  It's the establishment against the outsiders.

So who is who?  The establishment is comprised of all the business as usual types beholden to one another in a very intricate web.  Politicians, lobbyists, special interests and the liberal media.

The outsiders are like you and me.  Those of us who are willing to look at the whole country and those who control it with  perspective that only comes from outside the political ranks.  And those of us, yes us, who have stepped up to the plate to run for office - for President.

Both parties, I'm hoping, are beginning to realize their insular days are numbered.  The people now have people in places that will make our voices heard.  Take the debates as an example.  If it weren't for Trump and Carson, the ultimate outsiders, and a few mavericks they would continue to be the anemic productions of the past because of the  obvious bias of the moderators.

Carson and Trump said,"Enough.  No more."  Cruz flattened them.  It was deserved and far overdue.  Paul Ryan is now Speaker of the House.  A young man.  New blood.  A chance to start anew.

Yes, I know this is probably over optimistic, but there is a war going on.  Not just for the heart and soul of the Republican party but for the heart and soul of what is supposed to be America.

I'm not a fan of the Freedom caucus but I like Jim Jordan.  Maybe obstinacy is what's needed to be heard.  Hopefully he and his group will give Paul Ryan a fair chance and they can all learn the value of compromise.

The same goes for the Democrats.  Maybe they will come to see that Hillary Clinton does not deserve their lock step loyalty.  Again I'm probably whistling through the grave yard and it will probably be the independents who sway the election.

At least there is movement and while still contentious it's movement in the right direction.  I'll concede the Democratic nomination to Hillary grudgingly.  Those who I hoped to run didn't even limp.

On the Republican side it's still a huge chess game.  Many, starting with Pataki, Graham, Jindal and Santorum should bow out and save their supporters their money.  The first tier also has a few who should recognize the handwriting on the wall and follow Paul Walker's lead but then political egos are what they are and it will take some time.

Never-the-less, I'm feeling cautiously optimistic that the tone is beginning to change. And I thank the outsiders for being the much needed catalyst.  May they stay their course.

Birth Right, Squeaky Wheel Or Universal Apathy

The coronation is back on.  The only viable, though mostly invisible, challenger to Hillary has departed the race.  Jim Webb, disgusted with the way the debate was held has said to heck with it. There is no way to get a fair hearing.

Much the same can be said for the Republican debacle.  The only way for a candidate to get any press time is to be in a squabble with Trump.

This is one hell of a way to choose a President when the entire world is in turmoil and Islamist extremists, no matter to which wing they belong, are making inroads into the west with fearsome speed and effectiveness.

So what to do?  Hope that the American voter actually starts to take notice?  Not that it will do much good.  So far all you hear if you hear anything is the same old pat answers to the same old pat questions.

Hillary has moved left to contend with Sanders and between the both of them we'll end up with all our earnings going directly to the government which will then dole out our allowance depending on what we do to earn it - or not.  Equality at all costs you know.

The Republican side seems frozen in time. Little of substance is being said, even less is being heard. Will anything change this?  It doesn't look like Trump is going to fade anytime soon.  Carson is maintaining his place in the polls, such as they are, because people like him.  Not necessarily because people would vote for him. Carly is fading yet of the outsiders has the best experience to actually lead the country.  That she is a woman, though certainly not in the same vein as Hillary, doesn't seem to matter or is a negative from the Republican point of view.

Other candidates are just as capable but who would know? John Kasich is probably the most well rounded.  Rubio is great on foreign policy.  The others have their strong points but seem not to be multi-dimensional. Will the media, however, give any of them a hearing?  When?

Okay.  Most probably all is lost for the remainder of the year.  Unless Hillary's testimony Thursday in front of the Benghazi committee produces some bombshell truths I expect all will go quietly into the holidays.  Thanksgiving comes fast after Halloween then Christmas for those of us who still use the word.

Maybe after the first of the year when football has wound down and the February doldrums set in, those candidates who still have money and are still in the race will begin to be heard.  One can hope.

Meanwhile I've been wracking my brain to come up with something about which to write. So far so little. Not to worry though. The horror which is the middle east will continue to worsen.  The war on police is sure to continue and of course, with political correctness running rampant, Christmas is sure to spark controversy.

All I can do is watch and wait. The political class is the gift that keeps on giving. You know, I'm not so big on gifts these days. Not even with Christmas coming.

Confusion Reigns, Not Hillary

According to Hillary women in politics are supposed to be both strong and vulnerable and it isn't easy to do.  That's nonsense.  What women are supposed to appear as, not that it's hard to do.

Thinking back on women in politics from Barbara Jordan to Ann Richards to Condi Rice to Madeline Albright to Nancy Pelosi, Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer and even relative newcomer Carly Fiorina, all are strong and not a one seems or seemed the least bit vulnerable.

Hillary's problem is that she isn't strong and that's what makes her vulnerable.  Forget all the scandals since she first appeared on the national scene, just look at her positions and how they shift to whatever is expedient.  That's not strength.

The aforementioned women and many others came in all shapes and sizes.  Some were sharp, others were dowdy.  Some had acid tongues, others were true intellectuals.  What they had in common was they had something to say and said it with conviction.  Hillary shouts.  Tone of voice isn't conviction.

We're going through a political upheaval in this country and I can only hope that the voters have the savvy to sort it out.  It isn't going to be easy.  At least today there is no clear path to sanity.

Hillary tops the Democratic polls because other than a bad alternative no one else has risen to the top.  Maybe the debate will begin to change that but I'm not holding my breath.

The Republicans have a similar quandary. Bluster is reigning supreme even over non-political candidates though they are beginning to give Trump a run for his money.  Change doesn't come easy over ingrained and lucrative practices.  Power is surrendered reluctantly and new power isn't always what we hope.

Change is in the wind, however, and the future of this country is at stake. A candidate who says everyone opposed to him or doesn't treat him as he feels he deserves or a candidate who insists her opposition is at war with everyone and everything shouldn't prevail.

If either does it will because we just don't get it.  Not them.  Us.  They're playing to our emotions, not the other way around.

If you think we and the country deserve more only we can make it happen. Politics is dirty and no doubt always will be but it shouldn't be a blood sport with the victor making his or her loyalists wondering what int the name of God they have done.

Too many haven't gotten to that point with Obama.  Is it too much to hope that in the interim we may have learned something?  To at least pay attention?  All I know is if it is time for a woman president that woman should not be Hillary Clinton.  We don't need vulnerable in the White House.

Paul Ryan Needs Friends ~ Not Republicans

Paul Ryan should stick to his guns and decline the House speakership.  He's one of the few bright spots the republican party has.  It's certainly not Jim Jordan, leader of the House Freedom Caucus who are as sure they have the only answers as is the President and oh, so many others.

You talk about a circular firing squad.  These guys look in the mirror, see only their the self righteous image they have of themselves without recognizing that every one of their compatriots are seeing the same thing.

When Jordan states he and his cohorts were sent to Washington to change the way it works he seems to think that with those votes comes omnipotent wisdom. He's wrong.

Paul Ryan has ambitions.  I'm not a huge fan of career politicians but if we are to be so cursed, Ryan is one I could live with.  He's barely acceptable to the Freedom Caucus guys and to me that's a plus, but to give up his aspirations for them would be crazy.  They'll turn on him the minute he goes against something they badly want.

The Party as a whole got themselves into this mess.  They have no right to beg one of their best to take the fall for them.  The Freedom Caucus wants Dan Webster.  Fine.  See if they can get the votes for him and see how he does.  I expect he'll fail miserably because he will have but one small group of obstructionists supporting him through thick and thin.  He'll win nothing.

Then too their is the Senate to contend with.  They too are in a state of disarray but not getting the press for the moment.  I'm all for new leadership in both houses and both parties but now is not the time to bully one of your best to knowingly put his career at risk.  How self serving can the party get?  Who cares if they need a sacrificial lamb.  Well, I care.  We should all care.

He should either get a signed letter of resignation from each house member, date to be added, and let them know he'll use it if they don't back the party or just let them stew in their own juices and suffer with the consequences with an inconsequential leader who has nothing at stake and nothing to lose.

Follow your instincts Mr. Ryan.  Don't cave to pressure from the self-serving.