Tag: Political Corruption

Who Holds The Power?

Posted on by Ladmann

Who Holds the Power?

 

“…In all societies for which there was any kind of historical record, political power and wealth tended to go hand in hand; and a few people invariably accumulated more wealth and power than the others. The central problem of American politics was [is] to make political use of the aristocracy while still controlling its influence, to design governments and then use governments authority to assure that the energies of the elite flowed toward public ends. One way to assure that this did not happen, indeed one way to assure domination by a plutocracy [1] or oligarchy, was to pretend that aristocracy [2] had become extinct in America.” [3]

It is obvious that plutocratic influences thrive in the US today and potentially impact our society in a detrimental way.

The present state of our political parties, social media, technology, accumulation of wealth, and elections provides subsistence feeding the power of the ruling class. It may be creating “…a hell of a mess in every direction.” [4]

 

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutocracy

[2] Aristocracy – Wikipedia

[3] Passionate Sage The Character and Legacy of John Adams. Ellis, Joseph, J.  W. W. Norton & Company, New York and London. 1993. Page 160 – 161.

[4] Paul Volcker, at 91, Sees ‘a Hell of a Mess in Every Direction’ – The New York Times

It Can’t Happen Here?

Posted on by Ladmann

It Can’t Happen Here?

 

When it comes to the election of a US President in 2024, I “…could not explain his [Donald J. Trust, I mean Trump] power of bewitching large audiences. The [former President] was vulgar, almost illiterate, a public liar easily detected, and in his ‘ideas’ almost idiotic, while his celebrated piety was that of a traveling salesman for church furniture, and his yet more celebrated humor the sly cynicism of a country store…[Trump] was [is] an actor of genius. There was [is] no more overwhelming actor on the stage, in the motion pictures, nor even in the pulpit. He would whirl arms, bang tables, glare from mad eyes, vomit biblical wrath from a gaping mouth; but he would also coo like a nursing mother, beseech like an aching lover, and in between tricks would coldly and almost contemptuously jab his crowds with figures and facts — figures and facts that were inescapable even when, as often happened, they were entirely incorrect.” [1]

 Again, history repeats itself. Or will the citizens/voters realize that history is replete with small narcissistic, autocratic, wannabe macho men who can entertain in a circus tent but whose leadership ends badly for the country and its citizens.

Will It Happen Here?

 

[1] It Can’t Happen Here; Sinclair Lewis, Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York, 1935. Pg. 86-87.

 

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.

Stop The Steal! Which One?

Posted on by Ladmann

Stop the Steal!     Which One?

 

Mr. Trump’s supporters and the Republican Party have continuously promoted the unfounded claims that the election has been stolen.

Which election is that?

The Republicans gained seats in the House of Representatives. “…Republicans had flipped fourteen, including one held by a Libertarian in 2020…” 1

 Just a reminder that ballots have all the choices, all candidates, on the same ballot!

Oh, that cannot be correct, because the election was stolen. That being the case I can only assume that the Republicans were the ones who stole it!

Excuse me for forgetting my common sense. The Republicans only believe the election results were stolen when they do not like the result.               Ok, that makes sense!

 

 

 

  1. https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2020:_Control_of_the_U.S._House

Continue reading “Stop The Steal! Which One?” →

Clear and Present Danger

Posted on by Ladmann

Mr. Trump is a clear and danger to our democracy not just because of January 6th. He is dangerous because he has consistently sought to undermine our government by:

  • Continuously attacking the legitimacy of many departments of our government, including the Departments of Defense, Justice, FDA, Attorney General, CDC, etc.
  • He has undermined our country’s relationships with many of our allies.
  • He has continuously charged the election of 2020 as rigged and stolen. He and the Republican Party has filed 62 suits and had 61 dismissed for lacking any evidence. Making these charges when no evidence exists and continuing to excite crowds against the results undermines the most important element of a democracy, the vote.
  • He has attempted to have several states votes overturned using the “power of the Presidency” as a threat.

This President needs to be impeached!

We need to hold him and the Republican Party responsible and send a clear message that this will not be allowed by any future President.

Political Correctness?

Posted on by Ladmann

Political Correctness Creates Political Corruption!

How are we to have serious, thoughtful conversation on important political and societal issues if we are restricted by believed correctness in not addressing issues?  That results in us becoming fixed in beliefs/facts that may be wrong. “My mind is made up, do not confuse me with the facts!”  None of us knows all the answers!  Be open to other opinions and ideas.