The American Republic Can Save American Democracy - by Gary Hart - A Continuing Discussion - Follow the Money...

Those of us who love fiction or movies have come to know the phrase, Follow The Money... But it is only in recent years that we've begun to really watch how "our" money is being spent... Yes, it is our money, each citizen who pays taxes knows that it is WE who pay for the government that leads our nation...

I became more personally involved when I began working with a capital budget for facilities at a local university... In most ways, problems arose because of mistakes made... but, sometimes, I wondered--why did some jobs get priority over other projects that seemed to go on forever...

But others turn out to be done on purpose...

 I could go on with video after video, but these are just a few of showing the scope and breadth of how criminals will find ways to defraud the government-- To Steal!

Still, there is one area of criminal shenanigans that I had not heard of prior to reading Hart's book... While, even at the same time, a similar action is being investigated for the long-held belief that China steals ideas from America...now they are stealing back scientists with American knowledge by paying them large salaries...

But, could it be that practice also happens in America? Yes, according to Gary Hart! Think about it... Even though there is now an attempt to separate our nation, we, all of us, have much in common. That is, for example, the services we need performed for our safety and well being, such as the FBI and other environmental safety agencies that protect our physical lives... Then consider the interstate highways, parks, public research agencies, the postal service, to name just a few. All of these agencies serve ALL of us... So, why are some always trying to privatize them?

The first thing that pops into my mind is that we KNOW for a fact that public education has been sadly underfunded--all I ask of you who are reading these words is this--as you read, stop and think, which party has spoken out for programs that support the commond good of all people...

Hart is making what should be an obvious awareness by all of us, if we only had stopped to think about it... As the constitution was being considered for the first time, it was to these areas of common use that led them to develop the framework of our government. Otherwise, all of these facilities--areas of infrastructure would deteriorate, be forgotten and slowly disappear... 

And, I have to ask, how many of you--how many of our citizens who choose our leaders, even think about AND realize that it is OUR citizens, right now, that must decide what to do in order to keep America as it is for future generations! Frankly it scares me, especially when I see personal freedoms, fought for by many for so long are now being removed...taking us backward rather than forward in important areas that affect the common good of our nation. For, surely, what we have seen is that these issues have been used so blatantly as tools in and for political gain! While those same people do little if anything to care for the needs of all citizens...

Always allowing actions that are done to make money without regard to the future of our land--our lives--has led, as most people now see--a major shift in climate that can be proven to be because we have used materials such as coal, that have caused damage... And, more importantly, when we learned of that damage, we made choices to continue to make money, regardless of the future... How...Sad... A republic can not stand firm without the citizens of that republic accepting and making choices of what must be done to protect...America...as a democracy! For now and the future...

The Every Man For Himself idea may sound rugged or individualistic, but it soon devolves into cultural fragmentation and social clashes.

Isn't it obvious that we have reached that point?!

Hart notes that corruption can be in different forms other than what we commonly think of, such as theft, bribery or even murder. But it became more within politics as we saw and realized that some place their special needs or desires above the common good...By that broader definition, American government is massively corrupt. The army of lobbyists expands regardless of the political party in the White House or Congress.

Although interests are often about money, there is a difference between a small salary increase for an overworked nurse and the corporate profits and annual salaries for corporate executives...

Special interests are sometimes important, but if it goes to the point of being contrary to the common good, or is struck as "a deal" behind closed doors, and often is done at every level of local government all the way into the top! Then it really is criminal.

The incestuous corruption of republican government at all of these levels is compounded by two other factors: campaign contributions and the revolving door...

I have earlier spoke about my own concern about the solicitation of funds in order to fund political campaigns. To me, it is just plain wrong... Why should we, who pay the taxes in order to fund the government(s) be then harassed to pay for getting "our" candidate into office... Is selecting effective leaders really based only upon how much or little the amount of funds available for campaigning...?

Lobbying is a huge business according to Hart... That entire program has become so powerful it may be beyond getting it under control... And, supposedly it would be the voters who should make any changes needed to that process... Well, let's look at gun control attempts as an indication of this problem... We have still been unable to move some voters, especially of one party, even though military style guns, which are now legal, have been used to kill thousands of our citizens, including many of our children! Choosing more and lethal guns over people is just wrong...and we all know it... But how can we change things? 

Still, some changes have been made over the decades... But is it really necessary for we who are most concerned, the voters, to take such huge efforts to get something done that we all want? Clearly, indeed, corruption is behind everything when we have an issue that we all know is NOT for the common good, but cannot get support of those WE PAY to ACT for the common good.

Much public discontent and suppressed anger is due to the perception, and too often the reality, that laws are passed and high court rulings enacted to legitimize undemocratic systems at war with our Republic's principles and values. The Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case, giving corporations First Amendment speech protection (namely, unlimited campaign contributions) stands as one of the worst examples of this trend.

Now we know why...and, need to think carefully about what or who works for the common good of the republic...

 So, what is "the revolving door?" It is the most powerful of interest groups who use the "revolving door." They (corporations) hire former officeholders, including elected officials and those who have held high level appointive positions to represent their interests.

Former elected officials have (the magic word in politics) access to their former colleagues. They can open doors, call upon old friendships, find time on their calendars, and, of course, wine and dine.

One recent report in the New York Times documented a significant number of senior officials in the US Department of the Treasure in the previous Trump administration who resigned after the 2020 national election and took up senior positions in some of the largest investment firms in the nation with a substantial increase of their personal incomes. They took with them not only access to old colleagues but also, more importantly, knowledge of complex regulations of the financial industry of crucial importance to those firms! This meant they knew how to take advantage of, or, circumvent the very regulations that former public officials had written...it is all about money...

Steps can and should be taken. There can be statutory prohibitions against former elected and appointment officials from representing interests before Congress or regulatory agencies...

Hart presents more options to eliminate the deals that have been made over and over, not only sharing what should be confidential info, but also resulting in public officials depending on those favors to firms to be returned in political actions, favors or monetary contributions...

This last play of criminality--the revolving door--could not only save the government money, but would allow more access to high-level positions in corporations who did not have the benefit of what might well be called insider trading... or The Good Ole Boy Club in Action...

In closing this article, I am reminded of the book by Mary Trump who shared about Donald Trump's father and his developing empire. You may want to check out my review of her book...

The question must be raised... together with the apparent well-known revolving door between the government and corporations, we--you and I--must wonder if there is anything possible to stop the seemingly endless fall of our democracy due to criminal actions?!

If we only have one method, then, my friends, when we do our research and decide on our voting choices, may it be to choose those who have demonstrated truth, justice and the "real" American way guiding these individuals. Check their backgrounds yourself and don't depend upon the lying ads that are often used by opponents. Even wanting to do too much of good things, is far more easily dealt with as time goes by, then to vote for and place those who choose/make their decisions on how much money and power they can gain by working for US... Yes, US... If politicians are making far more money than the least of our citizens, not because of their worth to the common good, but rather for how much they can make by working to divide and thus conquer America (the loss of democracy) may be inevitable--unavoidable!

Plan for voting activities right now. Be sure that you do your research... 

After reading this and other books, I am already beginning to believe that, although it is being used, religion has little if anything to do with the problems we really face. Lying, cheating, hating anybody against what they want, lacking empathy so that not even the murder of children is a force strong enough to break the ties developed over the years to ensure a financial security far beyond what the average person could ever make, just by making deals...or... making...steals... These actions are all not of God... vote for what they want to do in response to the country's needs.

Look to your children, your family... if you care about their future, you must consider making decisions based upon the COMMON GOOD OF ALL PEOPLE NOW LIVING IN AMERICA AS CITIZENS... FOR THEY ARE, INDEED, ALWAYS TO BE CONSIDERED EQUAL UNDER THE LAW OF THE LAND!

Vote for the future of the children you love

I recommend Gary Hart's book if you are looking for facts and actions for now and the future. It is short, but impactful...

God Bless,

Gabbie

 

A Promises To Keep Continuing Discussion - Featuring the 9-11 Event... Remembering - Comparing...

 

Full disclosure: I do not have absolute faith in the judgment and wisdom of the American people. We’re all human, and we can all be misled. When leaders don’t level with citizens, we can’t expect them to make good judgments. But I do have absolute faith in the heart of the American people. The greatest resource in this

country is the grit, the resolve, the courage, the basic decency, and the stubborn pride of its citizens. I know thousands of ordinary Americans, faced with burdens that would break many of us, who get up every single day and put one foot in front of the other and make it work. Most do it without demanding special favors or pity, even while the more fortunate among us stand willing to help ease those burdens. I’m convinced of the generosity, determination, and capabilities of our fellow Americans. I’ve seen it over and over, but it came home to me dramatically in the hours after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

One of the benefits of reading books is that, when there is an historical event, there are ways in which what is being said in the book can be verified. At least when that event creates such an impact on all of our lives! Thus it was with interest that as I read, I discovered that Joe Biden was "involved" on that day! At that time, he was a well-known Senator who got things done... So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was Joe Biden who had first addressed the public after the attack...

The planes hit while I was on the train from Wilmington to Washington, and when I came out of Union Station that morning, I could see a haze of smoke rising from the Pentagon across the Potomac. It was a morning of surreal stillness. There was almost no breeze. It was so quiet, I could hear myself breathe as I walked toward the Capitol dome. I was struck by the warm glow of sun on my face and the sharpness of the cobalt blue sky, which was strangely unmarred by air traffic. But beneath the calm there was a gathering feeling of panic on the ground in Washington. The Capitol building had already been evacuated. Senators, House members, and their staffs were milling around the park between the Capitol and Union Station. Some were talking on cell phones. Some were already arguing about the need for funding Reagan’s Star Wars missile defense system. The Capitol police refused to let anybody back into the building, but they were offering briefings for a select group of elected officials at a command post on the top floor of a four-story building behind the Senate offices. Most members were camping out on the floor below. So I was shuttling back and forth between floors, trying to persuade anyone who would listen that we should get back in session and show the American people we were taking care of business. Nobody would budge; leaders in both parties were being told they should be prepared to leave town. Congressman Bob Brady, who had also been pushing our colleagues to get back in session, finally gave up in disgust. He thought he might be able to do some good back in his home district in Philadelphia, and he offered to drop me in Wilmington on the way. On the way out, Brady and I could sense the panic rising as we walked through scores of reporters outside the building; they were understandably anxious to get some word of what was happening. 

“Senator Biden,” a reporter from ABC said to me, “senators I’ve spoken to and members of Congress as well have said we are now at war. Senator Shelby, who is the ranking member on the intelligence committee, has said we are now essentially at war. We have to be on a war footing. And Senator Chuck Hagel says we have to start securing our borders, locking down our airports, revisiting the way we protect our public institutions. What about that?”

“I hope that’s not true,” I told her and her listening audience. I would say it another way. I would say we’ve come face-to-face with a reality. A reality we knew existed and we knew was possible. A reality that has happened to varying degrees in other countries. But if in fact, in order to respond to that reality, we have to alter our civil liberties, change the way we function, then we have truly lost the war…. The way to conduct the war is to demonstrate that your civil liberties, your civil rights, your ability to be free and walk and move around in fact are not fundamentally altered…. There are a lot of things we can do though to diminish significantly the possibility of this happening again without changing our character as a nation…. This nation is too big, too strong, too united, too much a power in terms of our cohesion and our values to let this break us apart. And it won’t happen. It won’t happen.

Many had already left, including the vice-president. President Bush was being flown from safe place to safe place and would not speak to the country until that evening. 

The Twin Towers had collapsed by the time we got on the road toward Wilmington, and the death estimates in New York were five, six, seven thousand—maybe more. But when I got home and put on the television, I saw that the American heart was still beating strong. Doctors and nurses were standing by at hospitals in New York City, ready to treat the wounded. Snaking through the streets and up the avenues were long lines of New Yorkers waiting to give their blood, even though word was being passed that no more blood was needed. I could see it in their faces: They were hungry to do something, anything. Nobody was talking about war footings or payback. They just wanted to do their part. That was the day that reminded me that even in a moment of almost total silence from their leaders in Washington, Americans would rise to the occasion. Watching those people on the blood lines, I was convinced the country would get up off the mat, face the new challenge head-on, and emerge stronger for having done it. To me this is the first principle of life, the foundational principle, and a lesson you can’t learn at the feet of any wise man: Get up! The art of living is simply getting up after you’ve been knocked down...

As we look toward another anniversary of 9-11 coming next month, so many different thoughts bombarded me:

• The realization that it was Senator Biden, not then republican President Bush who spoke to the nation. Surely there was some way for Bush to get a message out sooner?
• The confirmation of my opinion of Joe Biden, who, instead of moving quickly from danger, took the time to address the nation--He cares so much about Americans!
• The comparison of the 9-11 terrorist attack to the 1-6 insurrection attack on our Capitol by domestic terrorists.
• The recognition that not only did the president not address the nation immediately, but we have learned that he not only initiated it, but wanted to actually go there and participate (lead) his followers in overthrowing the election! 
• The knowledge that, during the 2016 election, Joe Biden did not immediately move to run for president. However, as he watched what was happening--how hate was being incited, along with fear and so much lying that people didn't know who or what to believe.
• It must have been a difficult decision for Biden to consider running again. His long career had been full of many accomplishments and he would be seen as possibly too old to run for the presidency. Yet, with Covid and Trump's failure to even begin to plan for dissemination, and, at the same time, giving so many mixed signals about just how bad it was--in fact, admitting to a writer that he just didn't want to tell the people the truth, Joe Biden decided to step in and do what needed to be done.
• And, even with so many different issues occurring after the devastation and death of Covid, he was not only able to get the distribution process started quickly, but also had a total plan of action of what needed to be done in every area.

You know, folks, those who claim he was and is not now able to run again, are being lied to as well. His opposition is doing all they can to continue to lie about Biden and his administration, but also to imply that he has not handled everything. When, in fact, he has done more, even with almost no republican support in getting things passed and moving forward. 

Using pictures of when he was distraught over something, and claiming it reflects he is not able to handle the job is especially cruel, given just how much knowledge and experience he has provided and shared to get all of the things accomplished that were never achieved before.

Yet, even having to deal with Trump's continued control of republicans is unbelievable and surely could not have been predicted... I say, put the blame where it belongs. With the republican party that continues to use lies, tricks, and false conspiracy theories to try to continue the fear of losing our democracy... our freedoms... It will not happen!

Major issues have arisen because of Trump and his "loaded" Supreme Court. Women and men all over the world are questioning America going backward, taking away what was made into law! And threatening even more... 

The republicans again refuse to deal with the use of military weapons for the murder of children, and adults...claiming it is not a problem...yet we have seen an increase of violence, many times from those who participated in the insurrection...to go against even the FBI and their actions... This has GOT to Stop...

And, by the way, one final opinion. I have NO desire to see the affidavit that brought about the FBI's need to restore records taken by Trump... We need to ensure that there is nothing to prevent him from being found guilty of espionage and more... Wait...the law may be slow...but more and more guilty designations are being made for Trump and his cult followers.

In the meantime, be careful of those running for congress... Even Mitch McConnell has hinted at the quality of republican candidates... One we know was part of the insurrection is now running for governor in my state! We've never heard of him before... Then Dr. Oz was brought in as a "ringer" to try to garner Trump follower support...and everybody knows he doesn't live in PA! Be careful and do your research. Right now, people are working from a plan of action that includes lies, fear, and removal of rights for many of us...Do remember that the republican party has changed! It is no longer party to party...it is Trump's cult against the Democratic party...and they used guns to garner fear! Stop the Madness!

These final thoughts are, of course, my personal opinions, of course... But I have made sure I keep up to date on what is happening... That's all I ask of you.  Do your own research and discover the reality... Check out for instance the democratic nominee running against DeSantis... He WAS a republican and when he saw what had happened to the party, he first became an independent, and then a democrat, probably for the same reason I did, so that we could vote in the primaries... He is a former republican party governor...and easily won... Personally, I think that should tell republicans something about who is controlling the party now... 

And a final thought...Joe Biden was called, later, by President Bush, to thank him for speaking on behalf of the government... noting that it was exactly what needed to be said... Doesn't it make you wonder why neither the vice-president or president could manage to speak to Americans on 9-11 until it was already over... ?

God Bless

Gabbie