Lots of Spin, But Not Enough Willingness To Do The Right Thing!

We live in times when those on the political right, especially the more extreme ones, often call any news they don’t like and/or doesn’t agree with their preferred narrative, simply as the same-old fake news from the mass media, while those on the left of center, often seem distressed by seemingly-contradictory reports from sites such as FOX, NewsNation, Breitbart, and a wide-ranging conglomeration of internet blog-sites, etc.! While each individual is, and should be entitled to their own opinions (whether we agree or not) and to express it freely as long as it doesn’t create a public safety, public health or other imminent danger, no one is entitled to his own set of facts! Largely because of this never-before (at least in recent memory) witnessed extreme-level of polarization in our society, we keep witnessing far-too much political spin, but not nearly-enough willingness to achieve a more-preferable, more unifying meeting-of-the minds, on both sides of the political spectrum!

Democrats often blame Republicans, Republicans blame Democrats, and instead of trying to cooperate and serve and represent citizens to seek the greater-good, we too-often experience excessive name-calling and a strategy to pigeon-hole a political opponent, while making little-to-no effort to consider with an open-mind the rest-of-the-story! Although humans are born with two ears, but only one mouth, too often, too little effort is made to effectively listen, and too many politicians seem content to enjoy hearing their apparently-favorite sound (the sound of their own voice)! It has reached a point where it goes way-beyond mere-political rhetoric/spin, and seems closer to venomous vitriol!

Unfortunately, instead of fully discussing actual issues, many politicians and their followers resort to oversimplifying an issue. For example, the current discussion referred to as the SAVE Act, is not merely an attempt to codify a method to enhance and improve election integrity! It’s not simply about presenting a Voter ID! Rather, the extreme conditions of what is considered an acceptable ID, creates a much larger burden on married woman who have taken their husband’s last names, as well as on poorer individuals who don’t have and don’t need a Passport and its associated costs, and might also make it extremely challenging because many Birth Certificates lack all the required components of this act! In addition, this legislation goes counter-to apparent Constitutional requirements, which place regulating and overseeing voting and elections, on the state, and this act seems to refocus and thus, risks being potentially-unconstitutional, because it goes counter to these regulations, etc. While I believe there would be nothing wrong with requiring a Voter ID, the SAVE Act seems to be ill-advised, etc.! Some claim we are the only nation which doesn’t require ID to vote, yet in most nations, any required ID is issued directly by the government at no cost to the citizen! Shouldn’t any law enacted treat all citizens equally?

Another controversial issue is Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Many people on both sides of the political spectrum tend to oversimplify what’s involved. Those who proclaim ICE should be abolished seem to be avoiding the fact there is a need for this nation to have immigration enforcement, but instead of abolishing it, ICE should be held to the same or similar requirements and oversight as any other policing body! Similarly, those who state in often-racist, xenophobic, fear and hate-mongering terms, their apparent beliefs that ICE must be able to enforce the laws, and take any and all needed measures, seem to be ignoring our American heritage and traditions, as well as the inherent Constitutional issues involved. If we don’t demand Constitutionally-guaranteed ideas and concepts such as due process and Habeas Corpus be honored and maintained, what does that do to our sacred Constitutional guarantees and protections? If this was about, simply, protecting our borders, or safety, etc., it could be achieved while protecting and preserving all of our democratic principles, equally, for all! While at times, Trump and his minions point to the immigration measures and deportations of his predecessors in an effort to justify his efforts, etc., at other times they proclaim how his predecessors permitted open borders! Isn’t that more-than a little hypocritical? Therefore, isn’t it interesting to note, Biden, Obama and Clinton, each deported more people per month (average) than Trump, but without the questionable methods used by Trump and his ICE?

Trump and his minions/supporters proudly point to his so-called Big Beautiful Bill as a sort of hallmark piece of legislation, often promoting the tax savings (some of which are temporary or difficult to qualify for), while opponents claim it predominantly favors the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations, proportionately, to a far-greater extent. Trump’s other major effort seems to be his extreme-love and belief in using and imposing tariffs. Trump has claimed these were great because they would increase federal government revenues, and that foreign nations, who have taken advantage of the USA, would pay for them! However, economists and anyone who has even-read an Economics 101 text realize and understand, the vast majority of tariffs end-up being passed through to the US consumer. A recent data review indicates thus far, approximately 91% of these have been paid for by consumers and US businesses. The net-impact, over-time, therefore is that broad tariffs, nearly always, when applied for a significant period, act like regressive, inflationary taxes! Nevertheless, Trump and his closest minions continue claiming how wonderful tariffs are for the country and our citizens!

If you perceive the USA is closer to having significant class wars today than you have ever witnessed, you are not alone!

In addition, we seem to be in a serious condition where facts are not agreed upon, and therefore, people with far-different perspectives and positions, often believe extremely different realities! Wouldn’t we be better off if more people were ready, willing and able to take the time and make a concerted effort to do meaningful fact-finding? Little is achieved when so many people proceed as if their preferred opinion is fact, and are unwilling to fully-consider the bigger and more complete position! When nearly all political fact-finders and fact-finding organizations state Donald Trump lies, misstates, and otherwise falsifies claims at a never-before seen rate, wouldn’t it make sense to do personal fact-checking and not simply accept any one source’s opinions and claims?

Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. appears to be a so-called anti-vaxer and an enjoyer of preferred Conspiracy theories (without proof or basis). We have already witnessed the largest measles outbreak in years, and does anyone believe that’s merely a coincidence, instead of based on Kennedy’s statements and rhetoric? Clearly, cutting scientific and medical research, putting unsupported questions in citizens minds about supposed safety and health risks, etc., leads to a clear danger to this nation’s public health!

In the House of Representatives, a bipartisan group of about 30 Congressmen, led by Suozzi (D) and Bacon (R) have attempted to come to a well-considered meeting-of-the-minds for the greater good, and has suggested several potential compromises to proactively get priorities achieved. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives is led by a MAGA Speaker Johnson, and leans heavily in that direction. It and Johnson, often, seems to merely do as instructed by this President. When that is the case, our checks and balances and Balance of Powers is lost, and democracy and common sense protections is threatened!

Whether it’s about the ever-escalating costs of health care which threatens the health and well-being of a significant percentage of our population, a threat to legal protections and equal justice, etc., or presenting facts instead of mere opinions, this nation is teetering on losing its 250 year old dream of a true Constitutional democracy!

Wake up America. We can and must do better, but it will require meaningful efforts, and an open-mind!