Tag: Republican

Insurrectionist Wing of the Republican party

Insurrectionist Wing of the Republican party

Posted on by Jack

The insurrectionist Wing of the Republican party is something to fear. Beware of allowing them to take charge.

Should our political leaders be chosen by other politicians ? For example, should the state legislatures be able to override the will of the people as determined by an election ?

Should violent factions choose our leaders as they tried on January 6, 2021 ?

Or should elections determine the results ? I would think most Americans would prefer that.

Net Neutrality is almost gone

Net Neutrality is almost gone

Posted on by Jack

Net neutrality, it’s not just for nerds.  It sounds like kind of a technical thing but most of us should care.

Why? Freedom of choice is the short answer. And by that I mean our choice. Not the choice forced on us by the company that provides our internet service.
Continue reading “Net Neutrality is almost gone”

The unscientific chief scientist

The unscientific chief scientist

Posted on by Jack

The Senate is ready to confirm the unscientific chief scientist. I was about to say an unqualified chief scientist but then I thought that he did have the one qualifier that matters in this case. That is, the support of President Trump and a Republican majority in the Senate that seems to approve the President’s nomininees, irrespective or qualifications or suitability.

The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics is better known as the chief scientist of the Department of Agriculture.
Continue reading “The unscientific chief scientist”

Reality Based Opinions, Again

Reality Based Opinions, Again

Posted on by Jack

I started this blog as Reality Based Opinions then went to RetiredGuy. I explain my reasoning for this move in the post Reality Based Opinions.

But now I decided to go back. If you like this move, you might want to thank President Trump since he and the Trump adminstration are an important factor in my reasoning.

I started this blog in mid-2009. I suppose at least part of the reason I chose that name was a reaction to the George W. Bush adminstration’s referral to “reality-based community”. Continue reading “Reality Based Opinions, Again”

Two Paths: America Divided or United by John Kasich

Two Paths: America Divided or United by John Kasich

Posted on by Jack

John Kasich  is a 2 term governor of Ohio and a former  U.S. congressman. In the House of Representatives he was on the Armed Services Committee and was chairman of the  Budget  Committee the last time we had a balanced budget.  So he does know a bit about governing and fiscal matters. Continue reading “Two Paths: America Divided or United by John Kasich”

Save science, Canadian-style

Save science, Canadian-style

Posted on by Jack

The Trump administration seems intent on muzzling science, at least in federal agencies. How can we save science in our government? There are those of us who believe health, environmental, and other rules should be based on the best science possible.

But the Trump administration and many Republicans seem to believe otherwise. Why should rules be based on science? Why even consider reality? Why not base rules on wishful thinking, political theories, works of fiction, etc. How can we save science in this “party of ignorance” environment?

The answer may be a simple as looking north. The Canadian federal scientists faces a similar situation not too many years ago. So this could be a good model to examine.

A Canadian scientist has published a short article giving some of the specifics. When Canadian Scientists Were Muzzled by Their Government is well worth reading if you are a scientist or merely an interested party, such as those who may drink water or breathe the air.

Crazy, Useless, Shafted

Crazy, Useless, Shafted

Posted on by jack

I called this book review Crazy, Useless, Shafted. That seems to cover it in a few words. The full title is The Party Is Over: How Republicans Went Crazy, Democrats Became Useless, and the Middle Class Got Shafted but that seemed a bit long for a title.

The book is by Mike Lofgren who spent 28 years has a Republican Congressional staffer. His start was with John Kasich who in the 1980s was on the House Armed Services Committee. Mike switched from national security to the House Budget Committee when Representative Kasich became chairman. He retired from the Senate Budgetary Committee in 2011, frustrated by the ridiculous debt ceiling debate and the lunacy and terrorism of the Republican party.

Why I read this book

Continue reading “Crazy, Useless, Shafted”

Yesterday (August 1, 2012) a date that shall live in infamy

Yesterday (August 1, 2012) a date that shall live in infamy

Posted on by Jack

According to Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), yesterday (August 1, 2012) was a date that shall live in infamy. What terrible thing happened that made it comparable to the great loss of life on September 11, 2001 and December 7, 1941 ?

Why it was the implementation of a provision of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) ? Now most folks won’t think this is as terrible as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 or the attack on Pearl Harbor that got us into World War 2 but at least 1 republican representative thinks so.

What was this dastardly provision that is so terrible? It is the provision of preventive health services to women( avert your eyes for the rest of this sentence if you are squeamish) which includes contraception. Surely a terrible thing and a good reason for this date to live in infamy.

Here is the story of CBS News which includes a video of the Congressman. Here is an annoucement from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services in case you are interested what this provision is actually about.

As I mentioned before this is a complicated issue but “date that shall live in infamy” is a bit over the top.