The Fight For the Soul of America
For the past six years, Republicans have used every dirty trick in the book, and a few more, to hold this country hostage for its temerity in electing a black president – not just once – but twice. They have stopped every bill proposed that might have alleviated the suffering of the 98% and done all they could to allow the 2% to continue to rule and rob this country.
The Republicans, driven by blind hatred of PRESIDENT Barack Obama, stopped every piece of legislation that might have benefitted the citizens of America. Nothing mattered except causing harm to Obama. That they were destroying the country at the same time did not deter them.
Despite this and, at least, partially due to gerrymandering, Republicans have now taken control of both the House and Senate. Already, Mitch McConnell is expressing frustration. They have wasted no time in working to further cripple the country they are, ostensibly, supposed to be serving. To their astonishment the Democrats, rather than slinking away, quietly, to skulk in a corner, have chosen to fight back.
Now, the shoe is on the other foot. It is the Democrat’s turn to obstruct. There is, however, a crucial difference. The Democrats are driven by the love of this country and its citizens. They will fight Republican legislation that will destroy it. They will do all they can to ensure that the Republicans never have enough of a majority to override a presidential veto. They will stop the bills that will solidify the hold that the 2% has on the members of Congress and, thus, on our country. They will fight legislation that will destroy the environment and cause more harm to Americans.
Reading articles that describe the machinations of the Republicans being thwarted by Democratic resilience, I could not help but be reminded of the speech by Shylock in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.” With just a bit of adjustment that I hope doesn’t cause Shakespeare to roll over in his grave, his words still ring true.
To bait fish withal; If it will feed nothing else, it will feed our revenge.
They had disgraced us and hindered us half a million
Laughed at our losses, mocked at our gains,
Scorned our nation, Thwarted our bargains,
And what's their reason? We are Democrats, and we support President Obama!
Hath not a Democrat eyes? Hath not a Democrat hands, organs,
dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with
the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject
to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means,
warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer
as a Republican is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us,
do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.
If a Democrat wrong a Republican, what is his humility?
Revenge. If a Republican wrong a Democrat, what should his
sufferance be by Republican example? Why, revenge.
The villainy you teach us, we will execute,
and it shall go hard but we will better the instruction.
(Act III, scene I, “The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare - paraphrased)
It will be a difficult two years, but it is not hopeless. With resolve and ingenuity, the Democrats can fight a Republican party that is intent on destroying what is left of this country. They will do all they can to stop the Keystone XL pipeline because they know the death knell its passage will sound for the Ogallala aquifer which supplies water for millions of people and irrigation for many of the crops that feed this nation. They will fight to ensure that women have the right to choose the best course of action when faced with a difficult and extremely personal decision. They will do their best to maintain the social safety net that allows millions of impoverished Americans to barely survive because of rapacious Republican greed to give more and more to those who have everything.
For the next two years, Americans will witness ugliness and cruelty at its most base and evil. It is evil to sell our environment for the profit of a few. It is evil to force babies to be born when most will face unimaginable suffering. It is evil to deny food to hungry people including millions of innocent children.
Hopefully, Americans will finally learn their lesson and turn to the Democrats who offer the only hope this country has for a sustainable future. Tuesday, November 8, 2016 can’t come soon enough for this country. Let’s hope that right will finally defeat might.
Posted in Democrats, Government, Patriotism, Republicans, The Future by Randee Head with no comments yet.
The Real WMDs
I found the real WMDs, and they're not in the Middle East. They're here - right under our noses. Hopefully, they're on their way out. It isn't difficult to predict that they will not go gently unto that good night. So what are the WMDs? They are White Male Dominators.
In the end, this is what the struggle in our country is all about. Those who fondly remember the days when being white and male meant instant success don't want to see their leg up take off. They long for the days when even poor, male, white trash was better than "them." They enjoyed being able to abuse everyone else without fear of retaliation. They liked being able to apply for jobs and colleges without the competition. They were comfortable knowing they were not held accountable for the suffering of those who were not white and male because they were secure in the knowledge that the white male was superior.
Thankfully, for the rest of us, their days are numbered. The writing is on the wall, but they refuse to read it. They are doing everything in their power to maintain the status quo, but it's becoming more difficult. Every day, more people are stepping up to claim their portion of the American dream. White Male Dominators (read Koch brothers, Adelson and their ilk) are doing their best to buy Congress and create laws that will keep them in control.
So what's stopping them? What's the monkey wrench in the works? I'll tell you. We are stopping them. We are the monkey wrench in the works. We, the people, those of us who have struggled to get where we are, are not willing to give back what we have fought and, often, died to attain over the last two centuries.
When our founding fathers (What happened to the mothers?) wrote, "All men are created equal," they meant all white, male property owners. Women, people of color and those who are different in any way had to struggle to get ourselves included. We have made progress, but the fight is far from over. In many ways, the real work is just beginning.
If you are not sure you are on the right side of history, ask yourself this question. Do you believe it is important that all people are treated well. If so, then you are thinking of others. That is the litmus test. If, however, you believe you deserve more than other people, irrespective of the reason, your time is coming to an end.
If you want to work for universal equality, there is something you can do. Social media and the Internet have given us a way of finding each other and working together to bring all people into a future that will be bright if we all have the opportunity to share in its rewards. Vote for the people who have your best interests at heart. Keep up the pressure. Don't give up. Don't let up. Work together to achieve equality. Don't let them divide and conquer. We will prevail. If we don't, it is unlikely democracy will survive.
Posted in Bigotry, Economic Inequality, Hate/Violence, Humanity, Philosophy/Ideas, Social Media, Struggles/Protests, The Future by Randee Head with no comments yet.
