Deception By Religion / Trumpcare: Bad Medicine?

There is so much happening in the world right now that it's difficult to decide what to write about. Therefore, in that case, I'll run with a few trending topics. First, let's look at Europe. In England we're still seeing various acts of violence, such as individuals on motor bikes (what we might refer to as a "scooter" in the US), doing a drive by. However, instead of using a gun, they're throwing acid in the faces of their intended target. Currently, about two such incidents involving four individuals have been reported. Most of the those attacked didn't sustain any serious injuries, while one is reported to have significant injuries. What this attack reminds me of is the same cowardly attacks made on females attending school in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and other nations where there is a radical or extremist Muslim presence. The reason, in case you're wondering, why little girls going to or returning from school would be singled out for such a horrendous attack.

One of the key tenants of radical Islam is the control of females. By that they mean utter subjugation---no driving, no voting, no showing of skin, no excursions without their husbands or male members of their families as escorts. Finally, no education. That's right. Females are not to be educated beyond a functional level; how to read and write and some nominal mathematics abilities. So, in order to discourage these girls from attending school, these cowards often attack the girls with cane poles and beat them all the way back home, or, as in this case, attack them with acid in order to disfigure them (the thought is so that no one will want to marry them. The first rule according to their religious teachings is that women are responsible for home and hearth). Therefore, since this is the kind of barbarity we see in the Middle East, plus parts of Africa and Asia, it's logical that we're dealing with the same people.

Elsewhere in England, but especially in continental Europe, there has been a number of protests by "migrants". Some are demanding that Europe accept Sharia law only; some are demanding that non-Muslim European women cover up, plus demands to stop producing pork products as well as liquor, including beer and wine. Interestingly, many are protesting the quality of their free food and free government housing (which, in most cases, had been the homes of poor citizens just a few days earlier). Sadly, low income nationals been forced out in order to make room for the immigrants, who are now demanding better housing (a few are demanding better medical care as well , of which they aren't paying for either). I would be remiss if I didn't mention the attacks on young girls and women in subways, parks, swimming pools, and so forth. When---and if--- confronted by the police, the men usually claim that they didn't understand the cultural restrictions or that they were "offended" and so they were just "protecting" the women in accordance with their religion ( I would love to know how they explain the gang rapes or rape beatings). Naturally, they should know right from wrong, so I guess they are just playing the cops for fools, who----along with the corporate media---seem to be buying it. Perhaps it will take a few journalists, cops, or their family members being beaten or repeatedly raped to drive home the danger.

On the home front, we again have the issue of healthcare; the zombie legislation which refuses to die. Under this recent incarnation, the Republican controlled House didn't have enough votes to pass it through. However, that's really not the issue. If you'll recall, when the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") was first proposed, the Republicans fought it tooth and nail; citing a whole host reasons why it was a bad bill---some of which proved to be true. However, it took the US Supreme Court, in violation of role per the Constitution, to turn the bill for healthcare into a tax before it could be ushered through. Meanwhile, the Republican House leaders promised to work on a "solution" which would be ready and "in the drawer", ready to pull out and pass as soon as they had the votes to get it through Congress.

Well, they now have the firepower. They control both houses of Congress and the presidency. However, it's now quite obvious that there was no one working on a replacement bill during all these years despite promises to the contrary. There was no new healthcare bill to "pull out of the drawer". What they have is a half-ass bill designed to lift up and protect their corporate masters. Meanwhile, those at the lower social/economic ladder face the very real possibility of losing coverage all together. Now, no matter what you say about Obamacare---pro or anti---you have to admit that this was the first time so many people were finally covered; some for the first in their lives. In addition, Obamacare at protected not just the poor or working poor (formerly known as the Middle Class), it provided coverage for seniors. Seniors, in case you don't know it, is the largest demographic in America based on age (currently seniors are comprised of the WWII generation aka "the greatest generation", the Silents who are their children, and now, the Babyboomers, who are now entering retirement.

From what I've heard about the latest healthcare bill, which uses the moniker "Trumpcare", was that most of those mentioned above would be crap out of luck when it comes to coverage, especially pre-existing coverage. In addition, the list of prescriptions not covered are expected to be expanded., meaning that individuals will have to pay for it out of pocket, when, given the astronomical costs of some medication, will be all but impossible. While a few have taken to going to Mexico or Canada where the medication is cheaper, are often taking a gamble on being stopped at the border or receiving inferior medication. It seems that the only ones who actually benefited from "Trumpcare" were business owners and the pharmaceutical industry.

I wonder how many people will have to die or suffer the consequences of doing without their medicines before Congress, the White House, the media and their corporate owners finally create a realistic plan? Personally, I favor a single payer. This would provide basic coverage for everyone irrespective of previous injuries or what medication they're on. It would also allow individuals and businesses the opportunity to purchase additional coverage separately. In this way, those who don't need extra insurance will have basic coverage while those who need more or specialized coverage can buy it on the open market. Lastly, whatever type of insurance plan Congress settles on, I think it should be mandatory that all government employees including those elected to office have to participate in. In other words, Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, and all the bureaucrats cannot exempt themselves.

Finally, Russia. Specifically, Russian interference in the 2017 Presidential Election. Frankly, as far as I'm concerned, this is a non-starter. I think this is all about trying to find an explanation for why Hillary Clinton was denied her coronation. Disagree? Let's look at the "7 Stages of Grief". First, there is Shock. I think we saw that all over CNN, MSNBC, ABC, and the other corporate news stations, not to mention all the various talking heads from Rachael Maddow to "The View". After that we had Denial. There were hundreds if not thousands of protesters chanting that Trump wasn't "their" President, with others demanding recounts or wanting to find something---anything--- to impeach trump on. Many boycotted the inauguration and parade (a few were childish enough to post pictures comparing Obama's inaugural turnout with Trumps). Next comes Anger. That's obvious enough with idiots trying to block traffic, demands "safe spaces", claims of "offended" , riots (err, I mean "protests"), trying to shout out or attack anyone who disagrees with them (refusal of free speech) and so forth.

After Anger, we come to Bargaining. Bargaining, in this connotation, it means trying to find ways around what happened. This may including refusing to cooperated in any way possible, or providing excuses for what happened (in this case, "the Russians must have done it". Once we realize that we can't bargain or negotiate our way out of the situation, we slid into Depression. I think that's where many Democrats are now. These Democrats are coming to terms with the realization that they had a crappy candidate; one that was full of flaws... including some treasonable crimes as well as actions which shows either a complete lack of intelligence or hubris such improper handling of secured information, refusal to use secured servers, lackadaisical handling of cell phones and e-mails just to mention a few.

Next on the Grief Hierarchy comes Testing. This is perhaps the most critical step now that we've had an opportunity to get ticked off and an opportunity to vent and point fingers and so forth. Testing means you understand what happened, and to a degree, why. You know that you can't go back and change events. Things are as they are. However, this stage is where we re-evaluate what went wrong and why. We know our political system is broken beyond repair (and our social and economic systems are severely damaged and isn't functioning properly). This is where change happens. It's where we take a measure of ourselves. In many cases, it's where decisions to jettison the existing system is collectively agreed upon; where we might look to third parties or Independent candidates; where we decide on a new social and/or economic contract) or how we get our news and other information. A great deal can and often does happen in this stage.

Finally we come to Acceptance. By the time we reach this stage, we (hopefully) have got our collective act together. We've accepted what happened...and why. We've learned where to place the blame (which, more often than not, is mostly on ourselves). In addition, we've come to a consensus on how to proceed. We've changed the rules. We've decided on a collective direction. Lastly, this is the stage where we look around and see where how much we've changed or adapted. It's at this stage where we've realized how much we've grown. I think by the time we've reached this stage, we will have accepted the notion that a woman...or anyone of any race, religion, or gender, has the potential to become President.

It's also at this stage where we accept the fact that we simply misjudged the quality our earlier choice. I think too that by the time we reach this change, we would have found a way to re-spark our nation; where we have found and implemented a new system which works for all of us, which means doing away our current form of government, a neo-fascist Oligarchy, complete with its growing surveillance apparatus. To do nothing is a guarantee that it will continue to grow like a cancer and our former constitutional republic will be found only in the history books.

The Delegitimizing of President Donald Trump

There is something very wrong in America right now. You can almost see it, just under the surface. You can feel it in the air, like a kind of static electricity or the smell of rain, except this isn't refreshing. In fact, it's a sour like smell. The peaceful transition of power from one Presidential Administration to another is the hallmark of American government dating back to the Presidency of George Washington. It represents the essence of a Constitutional or democratic republic. Of course, that is mostly a facade these days; we are a defacto Oligarchy as most everyone knows, but nevertheless, this is still an important part of the illusion. But that's not what we're seeing or hearing.

There is no question that the political Left truly believed that Hillary Clinton was going to win the election. In fact, I think the political Right and the Establishment Republicans had consigned themselves to four years of the "Hillary and Bubba Show", especially after their handpicked cardboard candidates were taken out one by one by "the clown and his circus" as the poster child for the Establishment, Ted Cruz often said. Yet, "the clown" did indeed win. The corporate media and its scripted talking heads were gobsmacked; they were stunned and almost lost for words. The "limo liberals" of Hollywood were knocked sideways. Many had made the usual empty promises of "leaving America" if Trump won, fully expecting of course that they would never have to honor their promises and would use a Clinton victory as proof of America's affection and awe of them.

Ever since then, we have been witnessing the overt and covert sabotaging the Donald Trump and his incoming Administration; a de facto attempt by the Left, with the blessing and support of the Oligarchy, to delegitimize Trump as America's new President along with his administration; a "soft coup" as some as put it. We've witnessed demands for recounts via third parties (to avoid the taint of sour grapes), which failed. We've seen attempts to blame Hillary's failure on the Electoral College; then on supposed "Russian Hacking", complete with Congressional hearings and testimonies from the same intelligence agencies which claimed Hussein had weapons of mass destruction; and on Russian Times (RT), a global alternative media site, for hosting a debate between third party candidates Jill Stein of the Green Party and Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party (the US corporate media wouldn't give them any serious coverage. The Democrat/Republican controlled Commission on Presidential Debates doesn't let any third party or independent candidate participate in the debates, as designed since Ross Perot's performance in 1992 and 1996). So, who does that leave to blame I wonder?

We have had virtually nonstop media coverage badmouthing of Trump, his family, his nominees, and an all out effort to dig up something---anything---on any of them! We've seen Left leaning organizations publicly planning to do everything in their power to disrupt, delay, or stop the inauguration at every step; to overwhelm security, not to mention national and local protests amid slogans of "Not My President" and promises to ignore or challenge the Trump Administration at every turn. We have some 50 members of Congress throwing a hissy fit and boycotting the ceremony. Meanwhile, we have members from the corporate media basically giving advice about disrupting the proceedings, plus none too subtle discussions about what an assassination attempt on Trump would do and how it could delay Obama's departure.

While watching and reading all this, I had to reflect back on all the protests and riots by conservatives when Obama was sworn in the first time, and then, despite being nearly hated, all the hubbub the second time he took the oath of office. Oh, what a minute---there wasn't none! That's right. Despite being viewed by the Right (and many others) as a unknown, unqualified political upstart with no voting record; whose background was murky at best and teeming with possible communist fellow travelers; a possible birth in Nigeria or wherever plus being a closet Muslim who attended a racist church (and later claimed he wasn't aware of any racist sermons by the minister), there was no attempts to disrupt either of Obama's inaugurations. It seems that even conservatives, Republicans, and the political extreme Right, was willing to swallow their collective pride, rub their sore butts, and respect the rule of law as laid out by the Founder's and accept the outcome. They were also willing to respect the transition of power peacefully despite their personal opinions of the incoming President, if for no other reason, than out of respect for the Constitution.

Of course, this isn't the first time in recent years where there has been controversy regarding an election. Everyone remembers George W. Bush and Al Gore's election outcome (Florida's "dangling chads"), which was resolved (albeit illegally) by the Supreme Court which decided for Bush (the decision should have been made by the House of Representatives according to the Constitution, but with a GOP controlled House, the outcome would have likely been the same). Nevertheless, while there were was a "hue and cry" from the Left, there was no planned demonstrations or attempts to disrupt Bush's inauguration. Going back a couple of generations, we had the 1960 election between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon, which was the closest presidential race to date at the point. There was little question of voter fraud, especially in West Virginia, as a result of Kennedy money and mob influence or in Chicago thanks to the "machine" of Mayor Richard Daley. But, rather than challenge the results, Nixon accepted the results and encouraged Americans to do so as well (of course if we're going to talk about corrupt elections, we could be at this for awhile).

Regardless though, this election and the subsequent fallout has been unprecedented in its virile hatred of in the incoming President. I guess one could expect this from the extremist, but this isn't coming just from them (I would include Hollywood here since they live in their own little insulated world). It's coming from what is supposed to the more rational Left, including Establishment Democrats, the corporate media, college campuses and academia, and it extends all the way down to state and local levels. It's "as if" the Left felt "entitled" somehow to the Office of the President and that entitlement has been unfairly denied them. So, like spoiled children, they're determined to throw a temper tantrum and try to make everyone's lives as miserable as possible until they get their way. Well, four years is going to be a long wait. I don't know if they can stay in their "safe spaces" that long. Sooner or later, reality will sit in, at least I hope. If they're smart (I said "if"), they will use the next four years to see where they went wrong (such as promoting someone who was more corrupt than Al Capone, not to mention arrogant to point of ignoring security protocols, repeatedly lying to Congress, leaking secure information and committing numerous possible acts of treason; and then there was Benghazi). Her promises of following in the footsteps of Obama, especially in areas of foreign policy didn't help---just ask Israel and our allies in Europe. How did we go from a President telling the American People he wasn't a crook to a candidate for President who made no qualms about it in under 50 years? At the risk of sounding callous, what difference does it make? I'm not saying Trump is any better, not by a long shot. We, as Americans, have found ourselves going from scrapping the bottom of barrel in trying to find competent political representation to scrapping under the bottom of the barrel.

Perhaps this is by intent. The Oligarchy which now controls this country needs chaos. It needs apathy as much as it needs for us to feel insecure and unease. Why? Simple. As history has repeatedly shown, a people, when faced with insecurity and fear will always---always---surrender its freedom for a sense of peace, safety, and stability. Business, especially big business, the kind the Oligarchs run, needs this too. They can't make long term plans and financial projections without it. Besides, with the kind of stability they need and want, comes control, and control is the name of them game for them. So, regardless of what you think of Trump, let's give him a fair chance to prove himself one way or another. If he does good, yeah us. If not, we'll know better the next time. Of course, despite all their rhetoric, both parties are bought and paid with the same coin. It's their game and their rules. We're just the "marks" to use an old con game term. I think we know that by now. If Trump doesn't work out, then perhaps it's time to change coins and change the rules.