Category: People & Politics

Trumpism; The Modern Covenant?

Posted on by Ladmann

Donald Trump, the Republican Party, Trumpism and their followers represent “the modern covenant”. 1 Adherents to this covenant behave in a manner that “humans agree to give up meaning in exchange for power.” 2

Give up on the meaning of what? They’re giving up on the meaning of democracy and respect. In particular, they have jettisoned any element of respect for themselves as well as for others.

This Republican party, Trumpism, and the MAGA movement means “complying with it could easily result in a dark world, devoid of ethics, aesthetics, and compassion.” 3

 

  1. Harari, Noah Yuval; Homo Deus, A Brief History of Tomorrow: Harper Collins Publishers, 2017. New York, NY. Pg. 200.
  2. Ibid.
  3. Ibid, pg. 220.

Public Deception Exposed?

Posted on by Ladmann

Founding father John Jay noted in 1795 during a particularly divisive period in our history involving publications of false information and vicious public attacks, a belief in the American people. He stated that “the American people” had “a greater portion of information and morals than almost any other people”, and that “although they may for a time be misled and deceived, yet there is reason to expect that truth and justice cannot be long hid from their eyes.” [1]

Although Jay may be correct, it is obvious that the time under which citizens continue to believe in misconception(s) can be painfully long. The “Trump/Republican” era of misinformation and bullying continues to promote obvious un-American ideas on freedom and respect.

You would think that with current technology and access to information that we could quickly ascertain the difference between truth and lie. Unfortunately, the desire for power and winning at any cost is overriding common sense.

[1] Stahr, Walter, John Jay Founding Father; Hambledon and London, New York, 2005, Pg. 337.

The Political Two-Step

Posted on by Ladmann

The Political Two-Step

Mitch McConnell’s recent post impeachment statement regarding Trump vs. his vote is a classic political two-step. First to promote his “true beliefs”, then second, to explain his opposite actions.

Moderates in both political Parties use this two-step action as an attempt to maintain power and position while straddling political and philosophical positions.

I have written previously supporting the creating of multiple political parties in the U.S. McConnell’s actions and statements are an additional striking action in support of multiple parties. Moderate Republicans need to retreat from the Republican Party and create a Party and platform they can honestly support without resorting to untruths and untenable positions. The same holds true for the moderates in the Democrat Party.

For all politicians, you can not have it both ways, not for long. Because the dishonest nature of those positions ultimately undermines how others perceive you and how you live with yourself.

The “Imperial Presidency” ¹ Revisited

Posted on by Ladmann

In the past, our country and political system became concerned about the alarming increase in presidential power relative to the Congress. Over time this concern has taken a back seat to the ongoing and increasing war of obstruction and destruction between the Republican and Democratic Parties.

As a result of the continuing lack of constructive attention to and resolution of our nations challenges, recent presidents have taken increasing and unbalanced power from the Congress.

This congressional power vacuum has allowed the Presidential power to amplify the degree of political polarization.

Executive actions taken by recent Presidents:

  • Bill Clinton 364
  • George W. Bush  291
  • Barack Obama 276
  • Donald Trump  206 [only 4 years]

The concern here is the degree of political extremism in Congress combined with wide volatility in the executive actions; created and vacated by each President as the political party changes.

Combine the above with the rise of social media and extreme emotional nonfactual broadcasting of extreme views and beliefs, you have the perfect storm.

In the eye of the perfect storm is the Imperial President.

 

  1. “The Imperial Presidency”; Schlesinger, Arthur, M. Jr. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1973

Time for Multiple Political Parties

Posted on by Ladmann

As unfortunate as the attempted insurrection on January 6th is, we should be aware that this has been coming for a long time. The two primary political parties conduct, promote, require, and reward tribal warfare against the other party for the simple and primary purpose of obtaining and maintaining power. “Governing” then becomes the positioning and re-positioning, each election, based on the power politics of the extremes. Maintenance and financing of power becomes the norm, and little attention is paid to the needs of the country.

The corrective measure requires breaking the deadlock. As bad as recent events are, maybe this is what is required for the citizens to finally take control and create additional political parties.

  • Let us start with splitting the Republican and Democratic parties in two. This would create two new parties to allow the extremes to exist [freedom of speech must be maintained].
  • First eliminate the current names of the Republican and Democratic Parties to allow new allegiance without the baggage of the past.

An example could be:

Current Republican Party Becomes the:

  • ⇒ American Conservative Party
  • ⇒ Tea Party

Current Democratic Party Becomes the:

  • ⇒ Progressive Party of America 
  • ⇒ Socialist Party of America

We currently already have the Libertarian and Green parties. This would provide 6 parties and at least the start toward allowing voters other options as they believe and vote. This would break the log jam of the two current major parties we are and have been stuck in.

The new political parties could be:

  • American Conservative Party
  • Progressive Party of America
  • Libertarian Party
  • Green Party
  • Tea Party
  • Socialist Party of America

I recommend using a “ranked voting”¹ system for ballots [all paper, hand delivered or mail in] to allow for complete openness and full disclosure in all elections.

[1] “Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop”, Lee Drutman, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-091385-4

 

 

 

Dissolution of the Republican Party

Posted on by Ladmann

Like many, I had hoped and believed that the current Republican Party would realize the errors of their ways in continuing to support Trump solely for gaining and maintaining political power. Given the last 4+ years culminating on January 6th, those who continue to maintain their allegiance and support for this Party must recognize their complicity of the thus far unsuccessful insurrection attempt. If members of the party believe I am mistaken, please note the results of your “Sounds of Silence” for over 4 years. The Republican Party needs to be dissolved and replaced.

 

Republicans; the Party of Lincoln?

Posted on by Ladmann

The Republican Party has finally reached the point where its members no longer have license to identify themselves as the party of Lincoln. Continuing to undermine the right to vote and the results of an election by declaring the election rigged and stolen and then of all things, vote to not certify the electoral college, disenfranchise states rights and voters is a blatant violation of our Constitution. It is against everything Lincoln stood for and died for.

SHAME ON YOU!

 

GOP Time to Return to Ethical and Moral Positions

Posted on by Ladmann

I have been a life long conservative Republican and Libertarian.

The Republican Party has chosen to promote itself and govern merely from the position of power politics. The ongoing competition between conservative and progressive agendas is acceptable and necessary.

However the GOP has chosen to continue aligning itself with Mr. Trump at the expense of all reasonable social, ethical and moral positions. That is unacceptable, unnecessary and unproductive. In fact counter productive.

Government Dis-Information

Posted on by Ladmann

For media and citizens of the USA who are concerned about the dis-information emanating from China and/or Russia, your time and attention could be better spent addressing a government source we can control.

You and all of us could be better served by paying attention to and holding accountable the dis-information coming from the White House!