Don't Blame left or Right, Blame Nihilism.

Image credit Johnny Silver Cloud

Historically there have been atrocities committed by leaders on the left that could be equivocated with the evil coming from the alt-right today and the various hate groups fueling it. Some even surpassed it.That said, none of them are American, none of them were evil simply because they were on the left part of the spectrum or relevant to this situation with opposition of hate groups coming from the left in America today. 

They were Authoritarian's and nihilists and used the doctrine of the left to support their acts and could have just as easily done so from the right given the proper political climate. Authoritarians are loyal to themselves, not a party or ideology.

Nazi type movements come from the extreme authoritarian right. They are nationalist in nature. Hitler used some socialist measures when it suited his purpose (it's actually called populism which works from both sides), but you could hardly call him a left wing tyrant. My history teachers in college usually placed him on the extreme end of the authoritarian right (as opposed to libertarian right or either end of the left).

Let us not try to disqualify the arguments of Democrats or Republicans solely on the basis of what historical figures have done around the world. If you look at the spectrum properly you will see that no politician in power today has become extreme enough in action to be place near  Mao, Stalin or Hitler. 

The Alt-Right, White Nationalists, Neo Nazis, and KKK have given their aid and support to the election of #45 and the Republican party, they are making a lot of hateful noise, and they are actually getting violent. This is a problem. It doesn't make moderate Republicans or even #45 Nazis, but it needs to be addressed. 

Being complicate with these groups is almost as bad as joining them, but not all or even most Republicans are complicate with them. Many prominent Republicans have rightly and justly spoken out against these groups. The alt-right may have appeared to hijack the republican party for now with the last election, but #45 hasn't shown any loyalty to any particular group or ideal to be honest. The danger in #45 is his nihilist nature, not the alt-right supporting him.

Moderates Embrace Single Payer

Republican efforts and rhetoric regarding the Affordable Care Act have only succeeded in pushing Democrats further to the left on healthcare and much of the voting public with them. The Affordable Care Act is actually a very conservative plan in nature, so keep it up GOP. You are pushing more moderates over and losing power before you can even exercise it.

Liberal vs. Libertarian when it comes to Liberty

Liberal is closer to liberty than Libertarian on many things. The problem with Libertarians is like other primarily conservative groups they stress individual economic freedom over other types of rights and actually end up suppressing the rights and freedoms of a large portion of the population. The wealthy have a right to make money, use drugs, and pack guns; Everything else and everyone else be damned.

Democrats Must Play Hardball

It is not only that the GOP refuses to be subordinated to the good of the republic, it is that they will accept any atrocity so long as it helps them gain or retain power. Look at the people being nominated, appointed and confirmed into positions within the executive branch. Look at who is being let go and the timing. Look at what is being done with entitlements and social services in general.

It is time for Democrats to truly stand up for those marginalized by this truly self serving grab at power and wealth by the GOP. Reach out to those duped by the extremely wealthy into acting against their own best interests. Do it with respect and without condescension.

Don't play nice with the deceivers though. It's time for brutal honest truth and decisive quick action. Protest, and do it loudly and proudly. Be vocal with your elected officials. Make calls, write letters, go to town meetings. Act with your wallet, not by boycotts necessarily but donate to progressive causes if you are able.

Democrats Get Off Your Rear!

Anyone not worried because they are convinced the health care bill the house passed will die in the senate should remember that Trump was considered a joke at first when he started his runs for president. He did what most of thought laughable. He won.

This needs to be fought and actively opposed by everyone against it. Leaning back because you think your senators wont vote for it is giving up because somebody else has senators that will. We don't need to just lobby our own reps and senators. We need to reach out to the constituents of politicians that will support this atrocity. 

Energizing the left and the Democratic base is great, but it wont work unless you bring the moderates along with you. An awful lot of people that voted for Obama turned to Trump in the last election. If you want to keep your healthcare or even go to single payer reach out to these voters. Get them to bring their elected officials on board. 

Single Payer is Responsible Governance.

I know it has been made into a partisan issue, but providing a national healthcare system that allows everyone to receive care regardless of their individual ability to pay really isn't a partisan issue. In a single payer system the people providing services get paid so that the people that need it receive it. It satisfies sensibilities on both sides of the aisle. 

The only people that stand to lose are the one that rake in money hand over fist on the inequitable private insurance system. The Affordable Care Act addressed some of the issues with our system but doesn't go far enough. Part of the job of government is to provide for the general welfare of the people. Implementing a system that provides all of us with the care we need and all of the professionals that provide the services compensation is not a government over reach like many conservatives try to claim. Both the preamble & the taxes & spending clauses of the U.S. Constitution mention providing for the general welfare of the people.

A Right AND Responsibility.

Liberals believe healthcare is a right and conservatives argue it is a responsibility. The truth is that it is both, but what some people don't get is that it is not a privilege. People have a responsibility to care for themselves whenever possible and plan for the future, but access to competent healthcare is a right and the poor should not be denied care or judged for needing it. Nobody should be denied care or judged for needing it. Every life has value and everybody deserves medical treatment when needed.

Privacy Rights Still Matter

Many don't care about privacy rights. They have given up because we are already watched by companies and corporations online and elsewhere everyday. You can't be a hermit anymore. If you tried to live under a rock Google would come along, snap a picture and add that rock with your limbs showing to Google Maps. Heck, I have practically no privacy in using the services I share this on and you none to speak of if you are reading it. For those of you that don't see a big deal with the NSA & now the CIA spying on Americans let me explain it in a way even my 5 year old son would understand.

Sometimes bad people get put in charge. Bad people don't care if you are breaking the law. If they don't like what you do or say or believe they might lock you up or hurt you. We don't want bad people spying on us. If Bad people are in charge and know everything you do and say or believe because of the NSA or CIA they can find ways to hurt you.

The "You have nothing to worry about if you aren't breaking the law" argument is naive. Privacy rights matter and we are in a society where everything is all ready voluntarily watched by corporations in lieu of direct charges for service. The difference is that so far corporations appear to be standing up to the government when it comes to obtaining that data. Also, you are voluntarily giving that info to the corporations, it is being taken clandestinely in the case of NSA or CIA involvement. Don't expect the same of the NSA or CIA whose job is to give that info to our government. They are even more invasive then Google or Apple, or Microsoft and all to happy unlike them, to give your info to people in power with bad intentions.

Leaker and Chief

Trump allowed himself to be recorded and live streamed on Facebook dealing with classified material. Mike Pence has 3 private email servers. Flynn discussed sanctions with Russia before Trump was even sworn in and is taking the fall for it even though there is no way he was acting alone. Tell me more about Hillary's private e-mail server.

The list goes on. This administration has produced more bad news and scandal in the last 3 weeks than most would have in an entire term. It's time to wake up. Articles of impeachment followed by a senate trial are in order. There is plenty of evidence. The problem is that Pence wouldn't be a very good President either. Those of you that thought Trump or Hillary was a choice of which one would be the lesser evil should consider Trump or Pence.

Right has More Success than Left Electing Presidents that Lose the Popular Vote

It is interesting that the right has the most success at winning the presidency despite losing the popular vote. I'm guessing it is coincidence but it still makes me wonder. At any rate, I would like to see the electoral college abolished. Presidents should either be chosen by popular vote or by full vote of the House and the Senate.

1. John Quincy Adams lost the popular vote in 1824 and the electoral vote. Federalist and Classical Conservative

1. Rutherford B. Hayes lost the popular vote in 1876. Republican, but he proclaimed himself to be a conservative Republican

1. Benjamin Harrison lost the popular vote in 1888 Republican, He was known as a conservative Republican.

1. George W. Bush lost the popular vote in 2000. Republican

1. Donald J Trump, lost the popular vote by the largest margin in US history. Republican. Claims to be conservative. Was a registered Democrat for several years.

Sources:

wikipedia.org

www.factcheck.org

www.u-s-history.com

www.usatoday.com

Trump is Clearly Not Truly a Republican.

I encourage everyone that supports Trump and claims to be Republican to read and digest the full text of their party platform. After doing so you wont be able to call Trump a Republican and you may question your stances or wish you had supported a more moderate candidate in the primaries. I have read it. Have you?

Republican Party 2016 Platform Final Draft

Prominent Trump Backers Sign Letter Pushing To End Conflicts Of Interest

Prominent Trump Backers Sign Letter Pushing To End Conflicts Of Interest

I hope more republicans join in bi-partisan efforts to reign in the executive in areas of ethics and abuse of power.

Governance Hijacked by Hate Groups.

The republican party is being led by a president elect that is neither conservative nor truly a republican by virtue of his words and actions thus far. Fringe edge groups with hateful philosophies have hijacked the process and gotten who they want in power. It does not matter if Trump is officially connected with these groups or not as it does not change the reality of the situation. He is appointing people to high level positions that support the erosion of the institutions, agencies, and foundations of our democracy. This is not a conservative approach to politics or leadership. Many republicans that did not support Trump initially for the same reasons the rest of us don't have knuckled under. Some haven't, and we should work with them to protect our shared values and way of life.

19.43% of the USA supported Trump in the general election. These people should subordinate to the good of the republic, but instead they support those that would destroy it by bringing fascism to power. I will the first to laud good decisions in the best interest of all Americans if I see them, but I will not hold my breath and say just give him a chance when he is already doing things that set a terrible precedent for our nation. The reality of a representative democracy is being destroyed while the structure is preserved, at least on face. Are the rest of us going to stand idly by while it happens? 

Sources for 19.43% stat:

Daniel S. Levine for Heavy.com

Worldodometers

Google

nytegeek.blogspot.com

A liberal concept from the right, doomed to fail.

A wall along the Mexican border would cost between $12 and $25 billion and it would have to cover over 2,000 miles of terrain. Think about it, that is more than the the entire budget of NASA. Real conservatives should see this for what it is. An enormous over reach of the federal government and a huge waste of tax dollars. You could build the hoover damn several times over with that money. With a federal budget deficit is $441 billion how can we stand for nonsense like this? Please contact your representatives in the house along with your senators to let them know this money can be put to better use.

Sources:

1. Current US Federal Budget Deficit: Causes, Effects - The Balance
2. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Border in Miles. Washington, 2016
3. Drew, Kate. "This is what Trump's border wall could cost US." CNBC. NBCUniversal Comcast, 9 Oct. 2015.
4. Granath, Bob. "'Reach for New Heights' -- NASA Budget Unveiled for Fiscal Year 2016." NASA.gov. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Feb. 2, 2015.

Unchecked Nationalism usually leads to War.

The renewed proliferation of nuclear weapons cannot be allowed. Please write or call congress and let them know that we do not want our children growing up with the fear we had and that we would like them simply to be allowed to survive. An arms race is not an "America First" policy, it is a recipe for everyone's annihilation. This is the kind of madness that makes Russia our enemy and this is why Democrats said Trump was unfit to have nuclear codes. I am referring to this article from CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/politics/donald-trump-strengthen-expand-nuclear-capability

This is serious, this is terrifying, and this is a reversal of nessacary progress towards peace. Unchecked nuclear proliferation in the hands of hard line political strongmen is a possible end to life as we know it. This isn't a partisan issue, this is a human issue and we need to send a strong message to both Putin and Trump on the matter. Unchecked nationalism leads to war and death. Nuclear war could mean death for all or most of us.