Are We 'Progressives' or 'Regressives'?

Yesterday I read the actual Republican Party Platform as posted online, just for kicks. As I was reading through an endless list of punchy titles (I actually physically recoiled several times), it struck me just how un-American this document seems. So many barely veiled religious references, the discussion of removing essential resources from those most in need, I actually has a visceral reaction to what I was reading. What shocked me most of all was the negative, narrow, limited vision of what America could be.

The third paragraph of the GOP platform 'preamble' states in no uncertain terms the "the American dream is at risk." This is followed by reams of positions that seem to be entirely regressive, not just a matter of maintaining the status quo. For instance, the platform seeks to eradicate abortion access, ban pornography, and return to a traditional judeo-christian definition of marriage as that between a man and a woman exclusively. In the same vein it seeks to reduce taxation on corporations as a means of remaining globally competitive, preventing something the GOP refers to as debt explosion, while at the same time suggesting that it is critical that the United States has a highly trained and skilled workforce. I'm not sure if the GOP missed the memo about the state of the student debt crisis, but they apparently think that highly trained and skilled workers evolve in an education vaccum. Does that even resemble the American anyone wants, knows, or loves? I doubt many dictatorships could top this initial 'wish list'. It seems so backwards that I can only say it is the exact opposite of a progressive way of thinking, it is infact a regressive way of thinking and acting.

Out of fairness, I also looked into the Democratic Party Platform. Here the difference are stark just in the choice of words and the broad range of ideas and issues presented. For instance, the Democratic document speaks of "too many being left out or left behind" in the current political climate. I think all Americans can identify with that sentiment, which is why candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders hold so much appeal as outsiders. The platform focuses more on ways to help America achieve the so-called 'American Dream', as opposed to stressing that the concept is under attack. With the help of Bernie Sanders guiding the platform in a progressive direction, one at least feels somewhat hopeful when coming away from the document, even if they note (rightly so) that it is still not progressive or proactive enough. It's not that I am all about an exclusively progressive outlook for the Democratic Party of the future, but currently I am caught by just the differences in tone. This is not about the presidential candidates, it's just about the ideas and language in the document as presented. While reading this second document, I came away with a very different feeling.

America is not about one side of the aisle or the other, it's about the very best of ideas coming together. I understand the two-party system, the checks and balances, and that no single party has yet managed to achieve an entirely 'utopian' [if we take their platforms to be a model] society. The red team wins some games, sometimes it is the blue team. The balance is what we see today, it is 'western' culture, this mix of ideals and ideas. However, what happens when this system breaks down? 

What if, let's imagine for a moment,  the blue team uses steroids or other performance enhancing drugs, and the red team does not (or vice versa), would we be ok with that? You can easily see these 'influences' as a matter of the moneyed interest driving candidates to vote against their constituents interests. What if it happened for eight years in a row. America would look very different, as it always does, when a two-term President with a majority house and senate leaves office.

Human Beings are fascinating creatures when you think about the way we form societies. For example, the power of the US Supreme Court is pivotal for shaping policy and precedents. We need to recognize our own limitations, but also give ourselves enough credit for having the bravery to reach higher and be better. This wired-in world is so different from the one that I was met with back in the early 1970s. With information comes knowledge, knowledge bringing empowerment, it gives us a more realistic picture of the actual urgency and priority of issues.

So if we have any one party with an eight year stranglehold on government, eventually a lot on their wish list is brought forward for debate. Let's step away from the American two-party system, and open the doors to other parties, independents like Bernie Sanders, and imagine how remarkable these debates would be if instead of just two teams on the field, we see a round-robin tourney of multiple viewpoints representing the nuanced positions that real people, the voters in this case, care about. That is where ideas like the Brand New Congress hold great appeal for those who can see beyond the two-party system. Even if the small handful of independents or third parties in congress can't sway the vote, at least their positions can be heard and evaluated by the people. That is the America I want to see, the America that the people deserve, and the America that is bound in the living breathing document that is the United States Constitution. So the question we should really be asking is not if we are Democrat or Republican, but are we Progressive or Regressive as a society.

Foreign Policy of Trump

Trump Calisthenics; open mouth, put foot in mouth, remove foot by spitting out bizarre lies, repeat with other foot. On Tuesday, once again Trump found himself unprepared and caught in another self-spun web. On July 31st Trump was being interviewed by ABC News Anchor George Stephanopoulos, saying a lot and yet still nothing of consequence when the topic shifted to Trump's knowledge of Russia and the Ukraine. Trump was adamant that Russian President Putin, would not be going into Ukraine [sic]. When corrected about the fact that the annexation of The Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine by Russia had infact happened two years prior, Trump once again doubled down. Perhaps we have found the source of Trump's failed Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City. Donald seems unable to walk away from the tables, and infact doubles down on every bad investment, refusing to leave the table (or topic) until he comes out on top or another debacle takes it's place.

"He's not going into Ukraine, OK, just so you understand. He's not going to go into Ukraine, all right? You can mark it down. You can put it down. You can take it anywhere you want," Trump said in an interview on Sunday with ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "This Week." Source: CNN Politics.

By Monday, August 1st Trump hammered away at the topic again by emitting several tweets obviously aimed at saving face. Now suddenly an expert on the Ukraine, he explained that what he 'meant' to say was that under a Trump Presidency 'it never would have happened'. He doesn't know what 'it' he is talking about, but at least he now knows he could have prevented it. He might actually have a group of imaginary advisors in his mind that could have done a better 'deal' than any other candidate in the history of forever.

By the time Tuesday came, Trump went on Fox "News" Show 'The O'Reilly Factor' with Bill O'Reilly, to clarify still further, now adding that "Obama is the worst president in the history of the United States", which is convenient since he has actively campaigned, supported, and/or run for office with at least three entirely different political parties over at least six different election seasons. I had not realized how rabid Trump's appetite was for studying the history of the US Presidency was. To suggesting that Obama is the 'worst' and 'weakest' ever would require extensive scholastic efforts. Trump then added, "I know more about foreign policy than [Obama]." [video below]

More about foreign policy or foreign tax loopholes? I think Donald may be confused. They are not the same thing Mr Trump. To suggest you know more about foreign policy and relations than a sitting Two-Term President that has travelled the world to international summits, met with heads of state, and had eight years of actual experience with foreign relations, is frankly absurd. Let us not forget to mention President Barack Obama is an Ivy League Educated Lawyer, widely respected, who can actually read and understand the language of policy documents.

Taking military steps to intervene at the time of the annexation of the Crimea by Russia would have destroyed decades of work from GOP and Democratic Presidents alike, but also may have led to actual war. Had Obama acted in a 'tough' not 'weak' way, as Donald puts it, we may well have seen an escalation in the conflict, being called upon by NATO agreements to send over, house, arm, clothe and feed thousands of military personnel, endanger the lives of servicemen and servicewomen, as well as innocent civilians, including women and children. Let's remember folks, Russia has a nuclear arsenal and would not hesitate to use it on us. But then, had we survived a potential Nuclear war, Trump would be listing all of the things Obama had done wrong by being 'too tough'. I'm not even sure that Trump could define what he means when he calls people 'weak' or 'tough', he has no ability to employ nuanced or quantifiable terms. He 'alone will fix', as he says so eloquently, I know those details will be released soon, right along with his tax-returns.

There has never be anyone so contradictory in his own interviews and speeches as Donald J. Trump. The thing is, I believe I may know more about foreign policy than Trump, and I am a Canadian and a Nurse by profession. I just want to have an idea about what is going on in the world. Quite simply, I read and research information when I have questions about world events, I have studied statistical interpretation of research and know that almost without exception every mainstream media outlet has it's own agenda and political ideology. It's almost a comedy routine whenever Trump starts to lash out at the media for being 'unfair', I can hardly keep track of which outlets are on his good list. This is a grown ass man, 70 years on this planet and he has yet to understand that the media is not your personal playground, The televisions news business is after all a business. It is there to inform and interpret daily events, sell lots of ads, pull in the ratings and go where the story is. There is no loyalty in the mainstream media, they are corporate owned entities that seek to turn a profit, and they don't care who they take down.

A sign of a mature adult is one that is not afraid to ask for help. Unlike Trump, I would want the best trained, most experienced, and most knowledgeable aides and advisors to help me become ready to take on such a tremendous responsibility. Being responsible for the safety of every US citizen, it's allies, and ultimately the planet, is not a joke, it's not a publicity stunt. The presidency is often frenetic and overwhelmed, sometimes isolated or maybe boring, repetitive, frustrating, and definitely a twenty-four hour responsibility. It is not so much Trump's lack of knowledge, he can hopefully learn anything he sets his mind to, if he is of sound mind. It is Donald's stubborn 'My Way or No Way" attitude that is sinking his ship. Mr. Trump, please just admit to America that you don't know it all but you are willing to learn it all because you take the office of POTUS very seriously. Unless of course you aren't willing to put in the work, and don't actually want the job, which would be fine by me.

Generativity Versus Stagnation: A Climate of Change

Being a Progressive isn't just about one person and one vote, it is about caring for your fellow humans, fighting for their rights too, and about leaving the world a better place for all our children. Today, after many tears and sheer exasperation, I decided to no longer share my opinions on the American election with my real world friends and family on my own Facebook page. Some people think that, as a Canadian, I should not be so invested in the American political dysfunction going on just south of our border. If you don't care, that is your choice. I care because the next four years of American environmental policy will affect each and every one of us, our children, and every generation to come, no matter what country or part of the world you are in.

Trump thinks climate change is a Hoax by the Chinese, Clinton thinks fracking is just fine and can be done safely in 'certain places'. Clearly there is no major American Political Party with an exclusive claim to stupid anymore. It's already too late to turn back the clock, entire species are going extinct, air is visibly polluted, sea levels are rising, oceans are being devastated by pollution and the bleaching of coral reefs, and wildfires are out of control in the US, Canada, and around the world. I could go on and on, but you get my point. We don't have another planet, another option other than immediate action, or a way get back all we have lost. If you think life is expensive now, imagine it when there is no more oil, no more coal, no more natural gas to be got, nothing clean and sustainable in place, and no petrochemicals to make the plastics and other elements so vital to the technology of today. We are striping the planet of more than fossil fuels, but also of rare minerals, metals, and materials that are finite elements. The refugees of Climate Change will far outnumber those from international conflict. Will we suddenly be better equipped to deal with an influx of people looking for higher ground, potable drinking water, and breathable air?

Go ahead and turn off your TV, don't read at the news, or treat it all as entertainment, but that doesn't mean this problem is going away. None of us wants to admit we have all been a party to what amounts to the rape of the planet, but the only thing worse than unwillingness to own our history is letting it go on while watching and saying nothing. I know that while my personal passion is wasted on even members of my own family, people I love but now clearly disagree with, it won't be a waste if even one person thinks a second time. If you are of retirement age and your only concern is lower taxes and the money you have worked your whole life to save for your retirement, I understand your motivations, but in 20-30 years your own grandchildren will be living on a dying planet unless you also care about climate change and environmental protection. Without a living wage they may never be able to afford to live independently, without affordable education they will never be able to reach their full potential, and without ongoing reform to the Health Care system, they may not even have access to the mental health care that too many of them already need.

This is not merely about American politics, this is about what we owe future generations. This is Erik Erikson's 'Generativity versus Stagnation' in a nutshell. As a nurse, I have been a student of Psychology for many years, Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Stages has made a large impact on me. According to Erikson, the seventh stage of development is about the virtue of Care. You either start to give back to the world and care about it's future, making it a better place, or you fail to find a way to contribute, withdraw, and likely disconnect from society as a whole. Future generations would ask for this if only they knew the facts, facts we feel are too disturbing to burden children with because they are too bleak. I hope you care enough about your own children and grandchildren to do the best you possibly can, in whatever way you find most meaningful, because that is the only way we as a society can move forward. I hold no ill will against anyone who wishes to unfriend me or block me, disagree with me or mock me, it's not my child you have to explain your action [or inaction] to, it is your own. Let's do it for them, our kids have no vote before the age of majority, so we must vote with them in mind.