The Main Event

Conventions are done, battle lines are drawn and for better or worse, come November we will have either Hillary or Donald as our President. So it comes down to a liar in chief or a big mouth in chief. I get why Trump is the Republican nominee. In a time when the people of this country are calling for political change, he was the biggest face of change on their side. I don't think I will ever understand why the democrats chose complacency over change and put Clinton in. Maybe it's the "historical" factor. I just don't know. The previous President was historical and his presidency has been mediocre at best. History for its own sake just doesn't work.

Trump says what's on his mind whether you like it or not. He doesn't have much of a filter and this makes him a wild card. I'll call this foot in mouth disease or FIMD for short. If his wranglers can get him to tone down, he might be able to pull it off. Of course that's assuming he can let his ego go for five minutes and listen to someone else. Should he prove he can do that during the campaign, it might show he could do that during a term as President. The next few months will tell a lot. He makes me a bit nervous, but not enough to ever consider Hillary Clinton as my choice.

It has been proven as fact that she lies. From sniper fire in Bosnia to the truth about Benghazi to the classified emails she "never sent" on her server, it has been documented that she lies. She has close ties to Wall Street, her foundation takes donations from foreign governments, and she wants to put Bill in charge of the economy. The same Bill who signed two laws into effect that helped to create the financial collapse of 2008. In typical Clintonian fashion she never takes responsibility for her actions. The Clintons escaped Whitewater unscathed while their associates were convicted or committed suicide. How convenient that Bill pardoned at least one of those associates on his way out the door. Hillary's excuse for the classified email situation that she initially denied doing then was proven to be a liar, was to say others did it. Did others laugh about a rape victim too Hillary? I don't get it, most nominees lie on the campaign trail and then when they are President, their lies are challenged but by then it's too late. Hilary's lies are known before she ever got the nomination and yet....she still gets the nod. Wait a minute, maybe I am staring to get it. That's the change the Democrats chose, the lies are up front and out in the open and that must seem refreshing to them.

Democrats Blow It

Ok I've kept quiet for awhile now hoping the Democratic Party would get their heads out of their asses and vote against corruption, cronyism, and lying, but nope they decided that Hillary Clinton should be the nominee. First of all both conventions have been a cringeworthy circus that we should all be ashamed of, but the icing on the shit cake that is politics in this country is Hillary just made history. That can't be recinded. I had someone reply to a tweet I made that she was embarrassed as a woman that this was taking place. There are many good women in politics, Hillary is not one of them. I understand Trump getting there, the Republicans fielded no one better but the Democrats had Bernie and they chose instead to fuck us all with Hillary. I am not a religious man so I won't say God help us but some force better or we are screwed sideways until Sunday. A new low in politics has been hit in the name of history and we all know who is to blame for this.

Time For a Third Party Choice?

So here we are, apparently after a contentious primary season nears the end, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will square off in the November election. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. I have serious mixed emotions about "The Donald". On one hand, he is a refreshing change from the same old political insider crap that has plagued us for decades. On the other hand, he is Donald Trump. Big mouth, shoot from the hip without thinking, insult you until you cry, Donald Trump. His business interest are mainly in America so his claims of wanting to strengthen our working class and economy probably ring true. He certainly doesn't back down from a fight which is good in itself but only to a point. When it comes to the international platform, he is going to have to learn to use more diplomacy than big hammer politics. While we are a leader in the world, we still need to consider the rest of the world and it's needs. He will have to work on his diplomacy a bit more. Not that he shouldn't keep speaking what he feels is honesty, he just needs to temper how he puts it out there. The Republican voters have spoken and said that they are tired of more of the same, but is Donald the right change? I'm not totally convinced of that.

Now on the flip side, apparently the Democrat voters are simply not interested enough as a whole to change things. They prefer overall to let things plod along as usual. Here's Hillary who has a history of "misspeaking", who has this cavalier attitude about using a private email for highly classified information, who refuses to acknowledge that the investigation into the email situation is just that, an investigation. Her ties to Wall Street are deep, and we all know Wall Street helped to create the debacle of 2008 which leads me to question her choice of economic adviser, her husband, who signed NAFTA and the repealing of Glass Steagall which also helped to contribute to the same debacle even though he blames it all on the Republicans. She has been on the wrong side of history on social issues until public opinion has become so great that she jumps on board, also known as flip flopping. She outright lied to the families of the Benghazi victims and the American public about the cause of attack while knowing the truth hours after it happened. Those same emails she's "not" being investigated for have proven that fact. She actually seems like the most Republican Democrat I can think of.

All of this leads me to wonder who really should I vote for? A hot headed big mouth or a openly corrupt career politician? I'm sure as hell not voting for the latter, and not sure I'm comfortable yet with the former. So now that leaves me looking towards libertarians and if they can muster up someone who will make a respectable run for the office. If we are going to have real change, it has to be either Trump, or a third party candidate. I'll keep my eyes on the libertarians for awhile to see what they come up with.

Others Did It Too: Clinton's Lame Excuse

Remember when you were a kid and told your parents that everyone was doing something you wanted to do and they didn't want you too? What was their response? If they all jumped off a cliff would you too? So now we fast forward to the present and Hillary in child like defiance claims previous secretaries of state did it too. Actually Hillary you just "misspoke" again in your defense because it's not plural it's one Colin Powell. Now that it has been proven that in fact she did something wrong, her excuse has gone from "I did nothing wrong" to "They did it too." Does this politician ever own up to her mistakes? Clearly not. Yet people still vote for her. As her track record gets proven to be dirtier and dirtier I wonder will he faithful still remain faithful? Probably. She could commit murder and as long as she could blame someone else for her actions the gullible will swallow it. So I have a question for Hillary Clinton. If others jumped off a cliff would you? Please?

Immigration Woes versus Immigration Pride

With the near riot atmosphere at the Trump rally in New Mexico I decided to speak on how immigration has played out in my life. To begin with I am first generation Italian in this country on my fathers side of the family. He and my grandparents came to America in 1957 through New Orleans and settled in New York. In June of 1963, they were all naturalized. They chose legal immigration to this country and were very proud to become citizens. Having been forced out of their home in Northern Italy in an area that is now Slovenia during the Istrian Exodus, they sought out a better life in the U.S.A. So immigration is not an abject subject to me, it is a reality that without, I would would not be an American citizen. That is to say, legal immigration.

I am not without empathy for people who want to escape persecution etc.. to make a better way, but I do have mixed emotions about the ones who come here illegally and skirt the naturalization process for as long as they can before either being forced to do it legally or getting deported. There are legal means and I know it can be arduous to accomplish but it can be done. I work with a gentleman that I call friend from South Africa, who has within recent years been naturalized. He admits it was tough and somewhat costly in the long run but he stuck it out and went the distance. Earning his right to call America home.

Recently I had the honor of attending a naturalization ceremony in Phoenix Arizona. I watched as my Son in Law's grandmother, a native of Peru, took the same oath that our soldiers and Presidents do, to defend the Constitution from "all enemies foreign and domestic" I found it almost thought provoking that naturalized citizens speak these words. If only all of us should have to speak them upon entering adult hood, then maybe the weight of what it means to be a citizen would sink in to more of us. It was a moving ceremony as several of the seventy five individuals from thirty nine countries stepped up to tell their story. One story in particular moved me more than the others. A middle eastern woman came to this country after armed men had stormed her home, took her brother and another male member of her family out by force, and killed them. Imagine living in fear that this could happen at any moment to you. In her country, she had gotten an engineering degree but here she was working as a waitress until she could find a way to use her degree. She was all alone at the ceremony and afterwords, while families took photos of one another, she stood near the crest of Arizona taking a selfie. I offered to take a picture of her standing there, and when I was done, I told her that her story moved me and wished her luck in attaining her dream. This is what legal immigration looks like.

Obviously, I realize there are serious fixes needed in the path to legal immigration, it's a bureaucratic nightmare at this point to fix. However we have to be smart about immigration. We can't have open borders with all the issues we have now to fix in this country, unchecked population expansion can not be sustained. There is no country that I know of that allows open immigration, because it's just not feasible. Reality has to be a part of any immigration system. When I see violence erupt, windows broken, stuff tossed at police, etc etc... When I see a quote of the effect that Trump is targeting my family who is here illegally. When I see things burned, honestly it hardens me to the plight of illegal immigrants because they are, let's face it, illegal. There are legal ways, albeit difficult, to become a citizen in this country and I for one am proud my Father did it the legal way, and my Son In Law and his family have done it the legal way, and my friend has done it the legal way. I respect them for this and am proud to call them fellow Americans.
This photo is of my Son In Law's Grandmother, and this is what legal immigration looks like. Salute.

Politicians Just Catching Up

I've been quiet for awhile just watching what is transpiring in the political arena, watching the media circus that has developed. Quite a few of the politicians now are jumping on the "we need more manufacturing" train. It seems to be a rather large talking point this primary season. I've one word for them .... DUH! When NAFTA was signed, the working ranks cried out, "what about our jobs?" We were placated by Washington, "Don't worry this will encourage more people to get college degrees and therefore better jobs" What the "Brainiacs" in Washington never took into account was that the aptitude and or desire of many blue collar workers wasn't compatible with a college education. Their attitude was that they knew what was better for us so we needed to shut up and do what they say. What we wanted or needed was of no consequence to them, they know better. They don't know much but they know better.

What the stupid bastards didn't realize or didn't care was, that they were making a nation of service industry workers who would now rely on fast food jobs and WalMart type jobs to feed their families. This makes our workers stronger how? Now they are catching up to what us common folk knew all along and are seeing that our working force is being burdened with increasing weight year after year. Now they are playing catch up and want to do something about it. Now.... after millions of good paying manufacturing jobs are gone, now they see. Who could have seen the problems the trade agreements much like the one this administration along with the rest of the politicians just approved, would cause? Oh wait, everyone that wasn't in Washington did.

The candidates pretty much all claim to want to do something about it, and they pretty much all acknowledge the mistakes of the trade agreements. Better late than never I guess and I hope they are serious about actually doing something about this. We can't keep hurting the work force which is the backbone of this country without causing more harm to America. It's just common sense and I know that Washington lacks this, but maybe they are learning on this one. Which does bring me to a question for Hillary. Why would you want to put your husband in as Manufacturing Czar after he drove the bus over us with NAFTA when he signed it into effect? Are you frigging nuts?!?! Are you the only one not learning or listening? Are you that arrogant and conceited as to not realize he helped cause this problem and now you want the fox in charge of the hen house? Ugh I hope for the sake of this country, you don't win. You'll never change, you'll never listen to the people, and you'll never be anything more than the business as usual dirty politician you really are.

Musicians and Politics.

For as long as I can remember, musicians have used their notoriety to further causes close to their hearts. Protest songs, and acceptance speeches have both been used to get their message out. It's good to see socially conscious stars reaching out to help make the world a better place and in doing so, give back to the community. However, I think the recent canceling of shows by two legendary artists, might have some unintended adverse consequences. Bryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen both canceled shows in Mississippi and North Carolina respectively because of laws those states passed that are bigoted towards the LGBT community. They certainly have a right to protest, and whether or not one agrees with their views, they have the right to speak out against the laws and I suppose they have the right to cancel shows.

For the most part, people on social media are lauding these cancellations, saying how great this is, I wonder how great they would think it is if they had missed the concerts because of this. Unfortunately, their actions don't punish the politicians, they punish their fans. These two artists are arguably "bucket list" artist. The kind of musicians you hope to see before you kick the bucket, or the way 2016 is going, before they do. I couldn't imagine how pissed off and disappointed I would be if I had tickets to or had planned to go to these shows and they were canceled for political reason. I'm sure that out of the 10,000 plus people that would have attended each of these concerts, not very many of them voted for the laws. If it's the laws you don't like, why make your fans suffer? I would think that a better way to protest the laws would be to write a hit song about it and donate the money to the LGBT community in those states. Come on guys, don't make the people suffer because politics, the idiot politicians are already doing that enough.