"To Whom My Concern"

       What does health have to do with anything? I'm unhealthy, but I could do a better job than either presidential contender. In fact my kids could do better than them. The thing is, neither myself nor my kids would want the job. All kidding aside, the health question is a valid one. We need someone who would not be constantly distracted by health issues, if possible.
       So now comes a bunch of wild claims about Hillary's poor health, all of which seem to have been debunked. She ain't no spring chicken, but then we don't really want one as president. She does have some little experience. And while she's had some mistakes, she does seem to be thinking clearly and acting the same way.
       Across the stage and stepping to his podium, The Donald has in his hand a half page, typed letter from a Gastroenterologist (?) who seems to be a high school student with third grade writing skills. It took him five minutes to write  his report on Trump's health, affirming that the Donald will be the healthiest person ever elected to the presidency in all American history. Well, what about George Washington? He was in great shape. Is Trump in better shape than Washington? How would we know? Because this gastro doc thinks so?
       Ya know the more times you read that short letter the more it sounds exactly the way Trump would describe himself. Its like this doctor is a long lost identical Donald with long grey hair and beard who got his finger caught in a light bulb socket. And Trumps test results are "astonishingly excellent?"
       In fairness, we do need to get the accurate and complete report from a qualified doctor on the health of both candidates. It might be the most truthful and potentially useful information we would get in this campaign season. I say that because folks on the far right continue to claim that Clinton is incapable of telling the truth and the rest of the world think Trump is insane. And again in the spirit of fairness, in this insane world we live in, either trait could be helpful.
       So lets get complete reports including all tests completed and the results thereof on Hillary and Donald. Not even the upcoming debates would tell us more about the candidates. After all, claims of incompetence from both candidates against the other do little to convince anyone.

I''d Tell You But Its A Secret.

       Hey, the Trump campaign has discovered a new path to the White House according to the Washington Post today. No its not on any map of America or the District of Columbia What it is is a secret strategy that includes SECRET VOTERS in SECRET STATES. Now the reason why these secret states can't be found on any map of America is because they are secret, of course, but also because the Trump campaign won't release the names or places where these states can be found.
       Sounds kinda silly, but its the strategy how Trump's new advisor, Kellyanne Conway, has explained this new plan. I assume Trump will be speechifying to these secret voters secretly. I can't wait to see the news that Trump will be in secret state Alpha on Tuesday, where he holds a commanding lead in the secret polls.
       I know of a number of folks who might be interested in visiting these states. Some folks are proud that they have visited every state in the country and are now slightly upset that they were unaware of these states. I'm sure they'll be ready, at a minutes notice, to carry out a trip to these huge, more beautiful than any blue or purple states as soon as they hear where these states are.
       Just imagine all the corporations anxious to do business in these mysterious newly discovered states. There must be prime new business opportunities. I can see many entrepreneurs  salivating for the chance to move in. I suppose Trump Industries have already contracted to build huge hotels and spas, and maybe even casinos. I have it on the Q.T. that the governorship of at least one of these secret states is available to a Trump supporter, or even Trump himself should the election be hijacked by crooked Hillary supporters. I wonder how many new stars will have to be added to our flag?

What The Heck Is Going On?

       Okay, now he's done it. Now he's gone too far. I know, I know, he's said and done some pretty far out things but never has he said anything so divorced from the truth as far as the far right sees it. He's been hacking away at Hillary, and well he should. He's leveled blistering attacks at Obama and a slew of others including a good many fellow Republicans.
       But now, now he's done the one thing that is unforgivable in the eyes of every card carrying Tea Partier and right wing nut. Donald Trump has, upon greater reflection, stated that as President he will continue to do what Pres. Barak Obama is doing on immigration. As an afterthought he said "perhaps with a lot more energy." Nice try Donnie but not an acceptable save. You're still praising that devil Muslim, that Fascist, that Communist, that Socialist, Anti-American, Barak Husain Obama.
       Well he's done for now. Even all those African Americans who've changed their minds after his "What the hell do you have to lose" speech, even those millions of black voters can't save him now. What ever possessed him to compliment Obama? Why Obama is hated almost as much as Hillary. Hated him even more before Hillary decided to run for President. Doesn't he understand you can't just flip flop on something as basic to the ideology as anti-Obama-ism? He'll never get another Cracker vote. Why, I'll bet that even the uneducated won't vote for him now.
       And this came after the latest campaign shakeup. Well, I'll be surprised if this doesn't mean another shakeup at the top of his campaign committee. You can't expect to soften our hero, talk him into betraying us and then expect to continue to chair his committee and CEO it. But who's next? Maybe Sean Hannity, or someone like the NRA's Wayne LA Pierre.
       Ya know, unless Trump starts to act like Trump again the interest in this Presidential campaign is gonna flop. I'm surprised that the media, which is becoming almost as rich as Trump thinks he is, has allowed The Donald to do anything other than be outrageous. After all, he's become something of a cash cow for them. Of course Hillary is doing her best to fill in, but then there simply isn't anyone like Mr. Trump.

Balancing The Budget.

       There's a somewhat dangerous plan underway by Conservatives calling for an amendment to the Constitution by the states. Now on the surface that sounds okay. And the purpose to require a balanced budget for America sounds like an idea who's time has come. Problem is you've got to look beyond your own family budget making and keeping to the gigantic budget needs of America. Especially when you consider the Republican demand for no tax increase whatsoever.
       So what do we do, as a country, when we face environmental disasters, medical emergencies and wars? Where will the money come from to dispatch these never ending emergencies? And what about inflation? Right now it doesn't count for much, but even so, there's a need to increase spending for defense every year. Where will the increased funding come from? Because income to the Country doesn't necessarily increase just because there are unexpected needs?
       Should America depend even more on its credit card? Well, it depends on how they would write a balanced budget amendment. The idea and goal for these folks is to reduce the size of government and as you should already know they would accomplish this by reducing or eliminating entitlements. In which case you can say goodbye to food stamps and any other program designed to help the poor.
       Think it'll never happen? There's a clause in the Constitution that allows a two thirds majority of the states to call for a constitutional convention. It gives the states power to override and bypass the Congress. Think they'll never reach 2/3 of the states' legislatures? The count is 28 states so far that have approved of a convention. That leaves only six more and the constitutional convention is on its way. That would leave the door open for lots of mischief. Thirty one state assemblies are controlled by Republicans now, according to an article in the New York Times..
       So who's pushing this, who's funding this? Well among others are the Koch brothers and the ultra conservative organization ALEC. ALEC is the group that has pushed the stand your ground state laws as well as stringent voter ID laws. It's basically a white supremacy group claiming not to be.

Simple Trickle.

       Ahh, those Republicans, they love their Trickle Down theory, don't they. And in all honesty, it could actually work exactly as advertised. After all, if you look at it through a microscope, it does appear to make perfect sense. If you allow the rich to have more money, through tax cuts, they can and will create more jobs. Why not? After all, more jobs mean more products available for sale which means more profits. It just requires a completely honest and trustworthy society.
       How could such a simple, straight forward approach to life not work? Simple. For starters, having more product to sell doesn't automatically mean it will sell. And if it doesn't sell, then the company is stuck with a backlog of inventory. And when that happens jobs get cut. Management knows this so they don't hire until they know there's a market. And that market doesn't magically appear because a rich guy got a tax break.
       And another thing. Just because a rich person gets a new tax break doesn't obligate that rich person to invest in new jobs. Maybe he'll invest in real estate or pork bellies or who knows what. Remember that new hires mean new and added headaches and require more and new raw materials at additional costs. Sometimes its just easier to send those savings offshore.
       And then those tax breaks come with a cost to government. Maybe those costs are offset by added revenue, but never fully and usually not at all, as proven by history. So there has to be an offsetting budget cut. Fewer services like education, social services, even military, when it comes to big cuts. Cuts to social services and education most severely hurt the poor and middle class.
       On the other hand tax cuts for the middle class spur spending for products causing inventory shortages requiring new jobs. To offset these tax cuts, tax increases on the wealthy are called for which will deliver a tax neutral policy. Its sort of a trickle up theory. History tells us it works. Republicans want us to trust in their complete honesty and trustworthiness. Democrats admit they nor the Republicans are fully honest and trustworthy. You choose. Tax cuts for you or the rich.

From Hand To Pocket.

       I just read the strangest story in the Washington Post this morning. Its written by two Democratic Senators. It seems that the Attorneys General from Massachusetts and New York are investigating whether Exxon Mobile has misled citizens and shareholders of their state (s) about global warming. Now there's nothing so terribly unusual about that, right? Well except for the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
       Chairman Lamar Smith of the HSST committee has subpoenas for all records pertaining to their investigation. And while Lamar is at it he also subpoenaed similar records from Union of Concerned Scientists, Rockefeller Family Fund, Greenpeace and five other groups. In other words, pretty much all or any evidence held by almost anyone against Exxon Mobile on that subject.
       Now why would the HSST and Lamar Smith need to get their hands on all that information? Of course if they got it, then those eight groups and the two AGs would have to start over from scratch. Lets see about good ole Lamar. Hm seems he's got $680,000 from the oil industry since coming to the House. It does sort of sound like good ole Lamar is on Exxon Mobile's leash now doesn't it? Good boy Lamar, sit up speak and we'll give ya another bone.
       Ya see? There's just too much coziness between major corporation and Congress. The big corporate donors give huge sums to politicians to help them get elected and then they want to be reimbursed. Everybody claims there's no quid pro quo, but we all know there is.
       In the meantime the investigations are stopped cold in their tracks and Exxon Mobile goes on business as usual. Think there's nothing you can do about it? Well actually you can do something. Stop electing folks who play that game and demand an end to Citizens United Supreme Court decision.

The Real Beginning.

       In the beginning there was no form, only void. And darkness was on the face of the void. And then Capitalism was born. From the form of Capitalism came forth America. And then all the lessor forms of government. The Socialists and Fascists, and Communists, and principalities were brought into being for them in the World which was created by America.
       And then Capitalism defeated each of the forms of government in their turn. Then came the great depressions and wars until it was time for the appearance of Saint Ronald, The Reagan. And he did mount his mighty winged steed and rode to the top of the mountain. And when he returned his wisdom was beyond any other. And he did institute the great Trickle Down theory.
       The wealth flowed to the richest in the land and they were instructed by St. Ronald on how to trickle down upon the poor. And low the trickle did come down upon the poor and middle class. And the middle class and the poor were sorely afflicted by the trickle of poverty, low paying jobs, increasing costs and badly handled governance. And St. Ronald saw what had happened and said "it is good."
       Now a time came upon the land where Liberals saw what was happening and said "let us go unto the land and demand more equity for the poor and middle class and take it from the wealthy. And Conservatives said "NO. This is against the teachings of St. Ronald and therefore it cannot come to pass, for the wealthy are the job creators and are in charge of the trickle down." But the Liberals complained bitterly that the trickle down was burdening the middle class and the poor, the 99%.
       And it was decided to hold elections to determine which path to follow. And the Liberals did state they wanted more fairness for the poor and middleclass, the 99%, but the Conservatives explained it was better to do without so the rich can be blest. For St. Ronald did explain how trickle down will mend all afflictions. Thus Endeth This Story.

Primaries, Law And Order, And Such.

       Well finally, some truly important and entertaining news. And both wrapped up in some crime. Everything you could ask for. It's primary season in Tennessee and news comes out that a longtime lawmaker, State Representative Curry Todd, was arrested for stealing his opponent's signs. His primary challenger kept having his signs disappear so he sent one of his volunteers out to find out what was happening.
       Sure enough Todd pulled up in a Mercedes, walked up and pulled three signs out of the ground, stuffed them in the trunk and drove off, all on camera. Well his opponent, Mark Lovell, contacted the county Sherriff who reached out to Todd and asked him to report in to the Sherriff's office. But Todd told him he couldn't or wouldn't because he was out of town. So the Sherriff had him arrested.
       Now you'd think that would be the end of the story. But it's not. When Mr. Lovell found out that Todd couldn't pay the $100 bail, Lovell paid it for him. It wouldn't do to have a state representative sitting in jail. An embarrassment to the district and the state. So now I wonder about recidivism. You don't suppose Curry will take any more signs do you?
       There's a lot of craziness that goes on during the campaign seasons and this is just one, but you have to wonder what Curry was going to do with those signs? Maybe he would just put them out for trash pickup, or maybe hold a bonfire for his followers. But one has to wonder what he might do to any picketers at one of his campaign stops.
       Just remember, the higher up the ladder you go, the thinner the air and the wackier the antics.

Polls And Such.

       This morning I listened to some Republican spokespersons claim that 70% of Americans are dissatisfied with the way our country is going. A little bit later I read that President Obama has the highest rating, at 54% approval for a second term. So, now, let me see if I understand these polls. Obama has 54% approval, 70% think the country is going in wrong direction.
       I think I understand how polls work now. Over half of Americans think Obama is doing a great job of leading the country in the wrong direction, according to 70% of the people. No, wait, I think its 70% think that 54% are wrong. Well at least we now have 124% of the population agreeing to disagree.
       Think back to the Republican Convention. As soon as it was over Trump was ahead in the polls, but as soon as the Democratic Convention was over a week later, Clinton was in the lead. I used to have a yoyo. I wasn't great at using that yoyo, but I think using a yoyo is good training for figuring out how polls work. Except that polls are supposed to reflect how people think about the campaigns. Which makes perfect sense, because people don't seem to know how they feel about the candidates and that sentiment is reflected in the polls. The one good thing is that we're up to 124%.
       For real honest opinions of how the campaign is going, all you have to do is ask the campaign manager form each party and you'll get the straight scoop. They'll each tell you confidentially their candidate is slightly ahead. That is to say that each candidate has over 50% of the voters in their camp. Now if you wonder how each candidate can have over 50% of the voters, you weren't paying attention when I explained the 124% figure.

The Great Thing Is ???

       I received a joke today from a good friend and it got me to thinking. It read : HISTORICAL FACT. Who said building a border wall won't work? The Chinese built one over 2000 years ago, and they still don't have any Mexicans.  That's all true. So maybe I've been wrong about this wall thing all along.
       And if that's the case, maybe I've been wrong about a lot of things. In fact my wife tells me that all the time. So I guess I need to start rethinking more of Trump's ideas. Like Muslims for instance. What if we did stop all Muslims from coming into America, in fact we should kick any already here along with any Hispanics, just kick them all out.
       Maybe we should take a good, long, hard look at the northern border as well. What with the southern border shut off, those terrorists are apt to decide to visit scenic Canada in order to get at us. Alaska would be problematic, but we can leave them to Gov. Palin. That leaves just our sea ports. I'm gonna have to think about how we build walls around them.  And I suppose we'll have to worry about airports as well. Geez, this thing is getting out of hand.
       Next, we've got to think about jobs, and how to house all the extra military we're gonna have. As for jobs, maybe enlarging the military will solve that question. We're gonna hafta start a pup-tent company for all these new recruits to live in. And farms, we're gonna hafta have more farms near the pup-tent areas to feed them. I wonder how ya heat a pup-tent in the winter?
       Now about foreign policy. I don't think that'll be any problem at all. We will be so great again that we won't need any friends and as for enemies, well, what with Putin in our president's pocket there really isn't anything to worry about there either. And healthcare? He's got that all figured out, he just hasn't taken the time to explain it all to us yet. It's like his tax returns. What with all the other stuff going on, he just hasn't had the time for us.