321 results for author: Phil Anderson


We are Screwed

“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” H.L. Menchen, American journalists in and social critic in the 1920s and 30s. Just prior to the 2016 presidential election an acquaintance asked me what I thought would be the result. I answered that I was cautiously optimistic but, “Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people.” On November 5th the American people proved my pessimistic assessment correct in ...

Getting Over The Woman Thing

“Cause if it's the woman thing it's time to get over that...It time to be a man and vote for a woman.“ Sam Elliot, actor   “Most women know the story. She’s overqualified for the job. He isn't qualified at all, but it’s still a contest. Can you see any man having been district attorney, state attorney general, U.S. senator, and U.S. Vice President but being told HE isn’t qualified?” My sister, who has considerable experience with sexism in business.   “The Man's Prayer: I am a man, I can change, if I have to, I guess,” from the Red Green Show.   I want to talk to you men out there – especially you ...

Republicans against Trump

“...another four years of Donald Trump’s chaotic leadership, this time focused on advancing the dangerous goals of Project 2025, will hurt real, everyday people and weaken our sacred institutions.” This quote is from a statement signed by 238 former Republican officials and campaign staff going back to the George H.W. Bush administration. They are urging Republicans to vote for VP Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz. Fostering division is one of the primary results of Donald Trump's actions and bombastic demagoguery. His angry, hateful, racist and destructive fear mongering has divided the nation. But it has also divided Republican voters. ...

VETERANS FOR HARRIS

“As veterans, we have defended this nation with courage and honor; now we must defend it at the ballot box.” Jose Vasquez, U.S. Army Veteran and Executive Director of Common Defense. No one and no organization speaks for all veterans. Those who have served in the military reflect a cross section of our society. Their social and political views are as diverse as any other sampling of citizens. We often stereotype veterans as being conservatives, but this is not true. There are many veterans with liberal opinions on many issues. There are two nationwide veterans’ organizations who are actively involved in supporting progressive issues and ...

Project 2025 Will Impact Your Life

Republican policies hurt people. Project 2025 provides a blueprint – and an advance warning – of the many ways Republicans intend to hurt most people and the country. Project 2025 goes way beyond the usual Republican agenda of outlawing abortion, destroying unions, eliminating all restraints on big business and cutting taxes – again – for the wealthy. This agenda will dismantle all the social, legal, economic and environmental progress of the last 150 years. Many of the rights, protections, expectations and freedoms we currently enjoy will be eviscerated or eliminated. If Trump wins and Republican gain control of Congress, they will implem...

Decency is on the Ballot

“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people – does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us.” Gen. Jim Mattis, Trump's Defense Secretary 2017 to 2019. This election is essentially about decency. As a nation will we return to a modicum of civil politeness and decency in our political discourse, or will the Trump inspired anger, ugliness and division be the future of our country? The contrast between the two presidential candidates on their basic human decency – who they are, how they behave and how they treat others – is huge and more significant than any policy ...

Republicans against Trump

“...another four years of Donald Trump’s chaotic leadership, this time focused on advancing the dangerous goals of Project 2025, will hurt real, everyday people and weaken our sacred institutions.” This quote is from a statement signed by 238 former Republican officials and campaign staff going back to the George H.W. Bush administration. They are urging Republicans to vote for VP Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz. Fostering division is one of the primary results of Donald Trump's actions and bombastic demagoguery. His angry, hateful, racist and destructive fear mongering has divided the nation. But it has also divided Republican voters. ...

VETERANS FOR HARRIS

“As veterans, we have defended this nation with courage and honor; now we must defend it at the ballot box.” Jose Vasquez, U.S. Army Veteran and Executive Director of Common Defense. No one and no organization speaks for all veterans. Those who have served in the military reflect a cross section of our society. Their social and political views are as diverse as any other sampling of citizens. We often stereotype veterans as being conservatives, but this is not true. There are many veterans with liberal opinions on many issues. There are two nationwide veterans’ organizations who are actively involved in supporting progressive issues and ...

The myth of Noncitizen Voters

“Demagoguery: political activity or practices that seek support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.” Oxford online dictionary. “A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.” This line from “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel describes Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI). Tom hears what he wants to hear – the MAGA conspiracy theories about voter fraud – and disregards any logical thinking or factual information to the contrary. The myth that noncitizens are voting is another example of Tom's flawed thinking and demagoguery. As demonstrated by the his online ...

The Last Guardrail

The American voters are the last hope – the last guardrail – for our democracy. The Supreme Court – the supposedly independent third branch of government – has failed in its responsibility to uphold the rule of law and hold the dictator wannabe accountable. Now only the voters can stop Trump from taking power again. All the other checks and balances in our political system have failed. The legislative branch failed to reign in his past excesses and is now hamstrung by partisan gridlock, The executive branch dithered too long and failed to prosecute his crimes timely. The lower courts allowed too many frivolous delaying actions by the miscre...