2016 Elections Ruminations: Bullies

2016 Election

For the last seven years, the President of the United States has worked with unprecedented opposition to his initiatives, and the American electorate has stood by and accepted the dysfunctional way our national government has been doing the peoples’ business, or not doing the peoples’ business. Now there are divides and ideological differences, but in the end the business of governing has to go forward, smoothly and reliably. The opposition raises their issues, voices, and argues their points; but the imperative is to get the job done, find the compromise and common ground that allows the certainty that the programs are funded and the bills paid. At least that is what I expect of these duly elected representatives.

In the coming election, I do not see a candidate that if he or she were to win is going to be able to change the way Congress functions for the better. The entire Republican field is campaigning in undoing the ACA, imposing Christian values as protected by the government and integral to the “values and decisions” used by Congress. Women’s rights to equality and unimpeded health care regarding their own health and life decisions is being promised to be removed and illegalized, Further deregulation on the financial industry, undoing of consumer protections, major tax cuts for the wealthiest segment of the population, major changes in Medicare and Social Security to reduce the cost of the programs and delay eligibility is all on the promise list.

Women have rights, but are not treated equally. Minorities have rights, but are not treated equally. Children deserve a great educational opportunity, but all schools are not equal. The people with life experience that leaves them marginalized due to mental illness or disabled, homeless, jobless, disabled, their needs are not being met in a comprehensive way to reduce their number to the smallest possible.

Freedom of religion means freedom from intimidation, threats, or violence against those of differing beliefs. Freedom means freedom from discrimination against minorities based on race, color, creed, and sexual orientation.

The ideal is to be free to develop our own beliefs and the understanding and acceptance that others have that same right. We should not discriminate in the workplace, in government, in the military, in society as a whole. We should be protective of all Americans rights and be the example we claim to be of a free and open society.

So, who is the leader that has the confidence and humility to acknowledge the foundation of freedom and rights that Americans are all promised and foster the good will and lead us all to the Promise Land?   

Heed the following.