MAGA = MUELLER AIN’T GOING AWAY

 

It’s kind of funny in a way how the howl emanating from the conservative quadrant of the asylum related to Mueller’s investigation usually includes something along the lines of after a year no collusion has been shown between this administration and Russia or anyone for that matter is somehow proof that none exists and the investigation amounting to little more than a “witch hunt” should end.

This apparently ignores the fact the investigation remains ongoing for obvious reasons – there have been at least two notable defections from inside players like Flynn and Papadopolus and no one knows exactly what Mueller’s evidentiary files contain.

The congressional investigation has been constrained and those called to testify like Bannon and Kushner apparently have the privilege of Republicans on the panel running interference for them.

The possibility of more direct presidential intervention like the firing of former FBI director James Comey has been something of the sword of Damocles hanging over Mueller’s head but to his credit the investigation has not only pressed forward but expanded into areas like the financial dealings of the Trump cartel disregarding Trump’s personal threat that to do so would the crossing of a red line he would not tolerate, sort of his petty despot version of a line in the sand.

Trump may become desperate enough to fire Mueller, if so it would have to be an act of desperation as opposed to one of intellect as IQ has arguably come to designate Ignorance Quotient when applied to Trump and associates – but more than that it’s difficult to imagine such a scenario without all hell breaking loose or Huckabee Sanders trotting out to do her spinning dance of the seven “alternate facts”.

Pence is something of a wild card in all this, being the dutiful little minion as he reads from the script given to him while biding his time as visions of sugar plums and ascending to the throne dance in his head.

Should Trump be impeached and a national/global sigh of relief follow it won’t amount to much more than a momentary respite – sure the presidential verbal diarrhea would abate and twitter stock might incur a devaluation but Pence with his religious zealotry would soon dampen any celebration.

Trump really isn’t an aberration, he is the embodiment of long held Republican “values” they previously were hesitant to come all the way out of the closet about, and now having done so scared to offend the base by backing off.

Trump is their Manchurian Candidate and they’re going to ride his coat tails as long as they can and when it all unravels he’ll make the perfect whipping boy.

Immediately following the passage of the so called tax bill an infusion of thank you money from the wealthy and corporations has poured into Republican coffers – Paul Ryan’s campaign has been the beneficiary of a five hundred thousand dollar thank you “contribution” from the Kochs a mere thirteen days after passage.

Now maybe it’s just me but that sounds an awful lot like collusion and I believe in a principled democracy it would be – but the key word is principled and there is precious little of that in government.

We hear a lot about collusion isn’t actually a crime, this from the Trump entourage, but for collusion to occur a conspiracy has to be in place and no argument can be advanced that conspiring to defraud or commit a crime isn’t criminal.

But wait – what do you do if engaging in political collusion/conspiracy?

Simple, you decriminalize such activities, which is exactly what the Supreme Court did when passing Citizens United – they hung a giant sign out announcing that “payola” is a legitimate approach to governance – that government doesn’t belong to the people it belongs to corporations and the silver spoon set.

I recently saw “pastor” Franklin Graham the son of Billy Graham paying homage to today’s version of Caesar and it made me think of the Temple priests of old when Israel was under Roman rule who did likewise.

MAGA may be interpreted as Make America Great Again but more to the point it should be understood Mueller Ain’t Going Away.

Now there really isn’t any high ground in Citizens United Democrats can claim as they have embraced the same gravy train while sputtering and fuming about the need for campaign reform – their defense when pressed is something along the lines of they made me do it.

The need for corporate money in campaigns is a classic example of bullshit in capital letters – a need that only exists if as a candidate you’re acting as a proxy for others – Bernie Sanders campaign proved that – proved that if a candidate is of and for the people that democratic principles can be resurrected.

Campaigns are a huge money maker for the media, so much so it fuels boondoggles like Citizens United – one solution would be since the media is required to make public service announcements giving candidates equal airtime as a public service should also be the way of it – you can rest assured that’s an idea the media would fight tooth and nail.

The question isn’t whether you are a fan of any particular candidate, it’s about whether or not you believe elections and candidates should be bought and paid for?

Whether you believe foreign governments should influence elections with money or subterfuge?

For decades “Reds”, “commies”, and “pinkos” were a major talking point for the Republicans, a topic sure to rally their base – kind of funny now how in the midst of investigations into Russian hacking and collusion they’ve distanced themselves from “ the commie threat” isn’t it?

McCarthyism still exists, only with different targets now – targets like women, children, elders, the working and middle class, healthcare, education, minorities, free speech, a free press, truth,  facts, and the environment.

 To segue a little in case anyone hasn’t noticed the Dems blinked when it came to a government shutdown and immigration – call me psychic or just a lucky guess but I never had a doubt that they would.

Sure they postured and attempted to take the high ground but it amounted to little more than theater once they began to feel a little heat.

Now in an attempt, to make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear it’s all about Senate Majority Leader McConnell gave his word and golly gee we haven’t a single reason to doubt him.

Kicking the can down the road has never been shown to be a viable option, in this particular instance the Dems have acted as enablers of a dysfunctional administration.

If McConnell etal do indeed find themselves in a political trap as some are suggesting it is one they volunteered for from the first day of Trump’s presidency demonstrated by their willingness to go along for the ride and refusal to call ignorance and lies what they are.

Immigration reform is a no brainer, even Canada our close neighbor has a merit based system – exceptions should be made for refugees and special cases.

Though I would rather eat my shoe than swear allegiance to either party I think it’s obvious on some level immigration is seen by the Dems  as a vehicle to swell the party base …… a benefit of not having personally sworn allegiance to a party is my lack of hesitancy in saying so.

DACA is another no brainer, there is a national and moral obligation to honor it.

OWN IT

 

On the subject of mental health:
Congress is the largest out patient clinic in America – and we pay for it ……. Lewis Black

Procrastination is I imagine a singularly human trait, and something we’re all guilty of it to one degree or another.

For some though it is a lifestyle – their philosophy seems to be why do something that can be put off indefinitely or until it becomes absolutely unavoidable?

Somewhere in that I don’t doubt is a belief that if they wait long enough someone else will do it for them.

And that kinda brings me to people taking ownership for their own actions or avoiding doing so.

For all those “make America great” conservatives out there procrastination time is over, it’s time to own it.

Trump’s their guy, they voted for him and will fall all over themselves defending and denying in his behalf.

Maybe that’s easier than admitting they blew it big time, easier than taking responsibility by stepping up and saying my bad and enough is enough.

They can spin, conflate, or ignore all they want, make excuses, false accusations, put their brain on hold and declare conspiracies based on such “reputable” sources as Brietbart and Alex Jones but they own it.

Forget that the bread and butter of conservatism has been the “red menace” lurking around every corner and in their frenzy to deny what is becoming so obvious a blind person can see it compare the Trump administrations association with Putin and Russia to be nothing more than a liberal witch hunt.

All those calls for investigations, independent investigators, and demands to know the truth are out the window now aren’t they?

It’s a different story, their boy has won and that’s the only thing important to them regardless of where it leads.

They frothed and foamed at the mouth about affordable healthcare and doing likewise now when the prospect looms there won’t be any.

They did this without having made an effort to educate themselves opting instead to go for the party line and be led along like Lemmings.

Raved about the national debt and have nothing to say about this administrations proposals that will increase it by an estimated ten trillion dollars.

It was all about jobs and getting America back to work while they ignored the fact that unemployment levels had dropped.

They believe they deserve a decent wage and yet opposed to a minimum wage increase, Unions, and collective bargain while championing the outright lie of “right to work”.

A “law” that insures low wages, dwindling benefits, and exploitation.

They’ve got a lot to say about taxation and never ask how many poor or economically disadvantaged conservative working class people are in this country?

Never question why it’s the wealthy and corporations that get all the tax breaks just as their boy and his minions are intent on doing now.

They hated the idea that a black man was president, answered the call to obstruct, and in turn elected a mentally challenged “outsider” incapable of spelling a simple word like hereby.

Gun violence to them translates to the right to own a gun and shoot at will, to parade around in public with some iron strapped to their hip so people will think they’re some kind of “patriot” or at a minimum a tough guy.

Their solution to gun violence? To enable mental patients to own guns, do away with assault rifle bans, and make schools armed camps in case a rogue grizzly launches an attack.

The only thing truly laughable about all this is they refer to themselves as “patriots”.

They care so much about their children as part of their “family values” that they deny climate change and the impact it will have on them – they’re okay with repealing clean water regulations, toxic dumping, and even safety oversight for food products.

They thump their bibles going on about god’s will and ignore the admonition to be “good stewards” corrupting the intent to be about money only.

They’re against exporting jobs and yet couldn’t wait to buy a Trump hat made in China, they don’t care that Ivanka Trump products are made overseas and applaud that as business acumen just as they do Trump’s boast of avoiding taxes while they cannot do likewise.

Here’s an idea, if they want a job they should emigrate to a foreign country Trump does business with – like Russia or China for instance.

They’re all for the “drill baby drill” mentality and fracking as long as it isn’t in their neighborhood or proximity, as long as there isn’t an oil spill in their yard.

Water that contains lead or will ignite isn’t a big deal as long as it isn’t their water.

Funding Public education? F*** that – vouchers are where it’s at – vouchers that in all likelihood they’ll never be able to obtain.

They’re all about Constitutional precepts like the separation of church and state while attempting to insert religion into government – as long as it’s they’re religion no problem.

Their televangelists would have them believe if Jesus were alive today he’d be a Wall Street broker or CEO of Exxon as they buy into the “prosperity doctrine”.

They’re opposed to birth control while promoting abstinence – an abstinence they probably didn’t practice themselves – but that’s okay because they’ve been “forgiven” just like Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Bakker, and a long list of others as they condemn everyone else.

Planned Parenthood? Don’t get them started on that – they’re more than willing to throw both the baby and the mother out with the bathwater while going on about the sanctity of life.

Equal pay and access for women? Forget about it, everyone knows that’s just some liberal bs – women belong in the home barefoot with a child on each hip and another one on the way.

They need to tighten their belts, they’re in for a rude awakening regardless of how acute their self imposed myopia is and a well deserved rough ride – unfortunately the rest of us don’t deserve the same but we’ll be dragged along as well.