Pete Buttigieg: What Could Have Been

Pete Buttigieg’s withdrawal from the Democratic nomination race left me with a number of questions… and one in particular that will linger.  I wondered if Pete was ever given fair consideration by those who seemed ready to pounce on every perceived past faux pas, without seeing him for who he really is?

I’m not sure it’s widespread knowledge that Pete advocated for a solid progressive agenda:

He is pro-choice, and supports repealing the Hyde Amendment.

He supports abolishing the death penalty, reversing criminal sentences for minor drug-related offenses, and restoring voting rights to former felons.

Pete would have restored U.S. commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, and doubled our pledge to the Green Climate Fund.  He supports a carbon tax and dividend policy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  He proposed building a clean economy through the creation of clean energy jobs, improving our resilience by investing in disaster relief & prevention, and building the US role on the international stage.

Pete proposed the Douglass Plan:  it would have allocated $10 billion to African-American entrepreneurship over 5 years, and grants amounting to $25 billion to historically black colleges.

As a self-avowed “Democratic capitalist”, Pete supports “Medicare for All Who Want It”—a plan that would have implemented a public option for healthcare insurance, while still allowing private healthcare insurers to remain in business.  He released a $300 billion plan to expand mental health care services and fight addiction.

Pete favored amending civil rights legislation w/ the Federal Equality Act, so that LGBT Americans also receive federal non-discrimination protections.  He opposed the ban on transgender people that prevents them from joining the military.

Pete advocated tor empowerment of workers by raising the minimum wage to $15, and offering paid family leaves nationwide.

Pete advocates for the abolition of the Electoral College…. He believes that the president ought to be elected by the people—i.e. Hillary Clinton’s victory, by roughly 3 million votes, would have spared us Donald Trump.

And yet, there were many who decided he wasn’t progressive enough, he wasn’t green enough; heck, he wasn’t even gay enough for some of these people!  They were suspicious of his time as Mayor of South Bend, they were suspicious of his time in the military, they were suspicious of his work with McKinsey… Did I always agree with Pete?  No, I was certainly uncomfortable with how some of the fundraising was handled, but in the long run I believe he would have been an incredible choice for our country.  Furthermore, I’m 63, and I recognize the need for a generational change of leadership.  Yes, I realize Pete is 37 and likely to be around for quite some time, but that doesn’t ease the disappointment I’m feeling now.

Never Trump... but Bernie?

     Let me start with a given:  Donald Trump must be defeated.  His presidency is an embarrassment to the American people; a betrayal of our values and beliefs.  The Donald has ushered in a culture of corruption unparalleled in our history.  Furthermore, where the United States was once admired—if not revered—by many around the globe, we have now become a laughing stock. And, quite frankly, though Trump claims to be a “stable genius”, all available evidence points to him being a vain and stupid little man…

     My question now is whether or not the best hope of defeating Trump lies in nominating a 78 year old self-described Socialist who is apparently unable to control the outrageous behavior of his own so-called “Bernie Bros”?  Thus far, these Sanders flying monkey types have been using social media to attack rival candidates, their families, surrogates, journalists, and even celebrities who may have strayed from the Bernie message.  In Nevada, they bullied members of the Culinary Union and harassed the State Democratic Chair late at night outside his home (bullhorns).  One aide in particular, Ben Mora, has demonstrated an appalling lack of character and judgment—making disparaging (to put it mildly) comments concerning the physical appearance, gender, and sexuality of rival candidates.  In light of this—and other—instances of bad behavior, Bernie has postulated that perhaps these aren’t his supporters acting out, but rather Russian operatives looking to embarrass him.  Seriously?

     Look, if Sanders 2016 campaign operatives and associates hadn’t actively encouraged people to vote for third parties, or not at all, and if the 12% of Sanders supporters who actually cast their votes for Trump could have behaved responsibly (i.e. in the best interest of the country), then it’s likely Donald Trump would have never desecrated the White House. So, although Bernie himself did campaign for Hillary (39 rallies over the course of 3 months), far too many in his “movement” were intent on keeping their noses out of joint and refused to play nice.  Look at where it got us!  If Bernie can’t hold sway over his own supporters, it’s hard to see him as an effective nominee-- unifying the many factions of the Democratic Party, while simultaneously advocating for an agenda that promises (or threatens) revolution.

Pete Buttigieg & Our First Priority

Priority one, for every decent, intelligent, and patriotic American is to rid the White House of Donald Trump. To that end, the Democratic Party kicked off the current election cycle with enough presidential candidates to choke a horse.  Mercifully, the winnowing process took effect, and no horses have been harmed.

In the interest of transparency, I’ll admit upfront that I’m 63 years old.  In most people’s minds, that has somehow come to mean that I must be supporting former Vice President Joe Biden.  Even though he’s fourteen years older than I am, they assume I must be generationally linked to him. Of course Bernie is even older at 78, Bloomberg is 77, and Warren the “spring chicken” of this particular group is 70.

Initially, I found myself pining for a Sherrod Brown-Kamala Harris ticket, but my personal “dream team” was not to be.

And, although I find myself supporting much of the Sanders agenda, I find it impossible to ignore the fact that his intransigence in 2016 proved to be a significant factor in ensuring Donald Trump’s Electoral College (not popular vote) victory.  When he talks about the need to support whichever candidate wins the Democratic nomination, I find myself cringing.

Furthermore, although I recognize the need to overturn every piece of legislation that Trump has signed into law, I don’t believe that the surest path to victory lies in promising to make a series of sweeping changes from day one.  That would have the effect of further traumatizing voters.  Extremism will not result in regaining control of the Senate, let alone bringing the curtain down on the Trump national nightmare.

As a result, I find myself supporting Pete Buttigieg.  There is no candidate (or human being, for that matter) who isn’t flawed to some extent, and I have my concerns about Pete.  I’m not comfortable with some of the donors he’s courted, or with the lavish fundraisers in wine caves.  On the other hand, I believe he handled the McKinsey consulting firm questions forthrightly.  Contrary to what the conspiracy theorists may have led us to suspect, there was nothing sinister in his list of clients.

I trust Pete...  He strikes me as a thoughtful, intelligent guy.  He won’t make rash decisions based on political calculations, and he won’t engage in deceitful and petty efforts to bring down his political opponents.  Pete is, genuinely, a very stable Rhodes Scholar.  The days of dealing with a paranoid narcissist (and his other personality disorders) will fade from sight in our rear view mirrors.

Does Pete’s “lack of experience” worry me?  Not really, because while he may not have a “traditional” background in foreign policy, for example, he’s gained at least comparable experience through serving our country abroad.  I am convinced that Pete will take his time, surround himself with the best people, and govern in a calm, deliberate fashion.

We don’t need another President who’s in his or her 70s.  It’s time to turn the page and hand over the keys to those who have a lifetime ahead of them.  At 38, Pete Buttigieg fits that bill perfectly, and I  plan to do whatever I can to insure that he becomes our next President.

Mike Pompeo: The Lap Dog Roars

In his role as Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo has proven himself a fascinating combination of sycophant and bully.

On the one hand, it’s evident that his life mission is to gain the approval of Donald Trump, no matter the cost.  He’s made sure to attune his every position to those of the “President”.  Pompeo was instrumental in undermining the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran (a particular obsession for Trump), and his devotion to the Donald’s vision/intransigence has threatened to plunge that region into war on more than one occasion.

Likewise, Pompeo has adopted Trump’s views on North Korea.  Where he was once in charge of a covert cyber campaign against Kim Jong Un, he has now tailored his actions to fall in line with Trump.

He has humbled himself before the dictator, and has repeatedly claimed great success in negotiating with him.  Nothing of lasting value has been achieved, of course, and Kim Jong Un is currently demanding that Pompeo be excluded from any future talks/negotiations.  Given Trump’s peculiar, quasi-romantic, relationship with Kim Jong Un, and his obvious reluctance to lose that special friendship, it remains to be seen what Pompeo will resort to next.

In another effort to gain favor with the groper-in-chief, Pompeo has adopted DJT’s  disrespectful/abusive attitude toward women—as evidenced by his recent temper tantrum directed at NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly.  Pompeo is unable to tolerate challenging questions, and most especially from a woman.  His condescension took full flight—he screamed at her in an expletive-filled tirade, then he employed his mentor’s modus operandi and chose to lie about the encounter.  Apparently, Kelly had to point out Ukraine to him (on an unlabeled map)—and he later claimed she pointed to Bangladesh.  Naturally, Trump felt the need to congratulate Pompeo for his “handling” of the situation.

Personally, I believe Pompeo’s level of rage stemmed from his takedown by Linda Ronstadt at the Kennedy Center Honors dinner (she chastised him for enabling Trump).  Given the setting, he was unable to explode at Ronstadt, and has been looking for a female victim ever since.

Without a doubt, Mike Pompeo is one sorry excuse for an American Secretary of State.  He doesn’t come close to meeting the standards set by his most recent predecessors:  Madeline Albright, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, and yes, even John Kerry.  Our country deserves so much better—yet another reason why the November elections are of critical importance.

The March of Trump's Toadies

Just as the migratory behavior of the lemmings leads to mass suicide, so the inevitable march of the toadies will lead the walking dead of the Republican Party straight down to hell, courtesy of the AntiChrist himself, Donald J. Trump.  Who are the most notable toadies?  A closer look is in order…

Toadie-in-chief:  “Moscow Mitch” McConnell, one of the most vile and reprehensible individuals in the history of the Senate… and a certified racist to boot--which ought to be surprising, given his marriage to fellow swamp creature Sec. of Transportation Elaine Chao... but the way he behaved throughout the Obama years left no doubt.  Meanwhile, estimates of Moscow's net worth vary widely, from $13-54 million... Perhaps an investigation is in order.  Incidentally, Satan wants his soul back, Mitch.

Lindsey Graham – the less said the better.  From combative Trump adversary in 2016, to apologist extraordinaire.  Speculation that Graham has suffered numerous concussive events would at least provider an explanation for his behavior.  John McCain would no longer recognize his old friend.  Sad.

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Tom Cotton –this guy is a real piece of work.  A veteran who opted to embrace DJT’s ludicrous assertion that soldiers (stationed in Iraq) who were injured in the Iranian missile attack following Soleimani’s assassination were actually suffering from “headaches”, not traumatic brain injuries.  Way to turn your back on your comrades in arms, “Captain” Cotton.  Pick any topic… civil rights?  Cotton opposes a woman’s right to choose, same-sex marriage, stem cell research, and the Violence Against Women Act.  His depressing resume plays out in similar fashion across the board. I have a sneaking suspicion he participated in the Unite the Right march in Charlottesville back in 2017…

Ben Sasse—dubbed the preeminent intellect in the new conservative movement (scary!).  He spent his time during the impeachment trial passing notes and giggling with S.C. Senator Tim Scott.  At least this noted Chinaphobe didn't share his views (for the most part) in a public forum, though it was evident he’d made up his mind before proceedings began.  No need to deliberate thoughtfully if you're an intellectual icon!

Joni Ernst – the train ran off the tracks a long, long time ago.  Joni has supported privatizing Medicare, rolling back clean water protections, opposes a federal minimum wage, has never met a gun she doesn’t love (in any setting), and has been a staunch supporter of Steve King and his racist rhetoric.  Iowa has done so much better...

Marsha Blackburn – might be more dangerous "if she only had a brain" (witness her inexcusable attack on Lt. Vol. Alexander Vindman’s patriotism).  Also, is it just me or do her eyes appear to spin counter-clockwise?  Remember Michele Bachmann?

Roy Blunt – even after the Bolton bombshell this character opposed calling witnesses.  Blunt didn't  want to “prolong” the trial, and made it clear that no new witnesses, or evidence, would change the outcome.  The “not guilty” verdict was predetermined..  As far as these folks are concerned, DJT and Jesus must be one and the same.

Josh Hawley – Missouri rookie grandstanding for the Donald, demanded that the Bidens, Schiff, and the whistleblower all be called to testify if the Senate voted to hear from new witnesses, i.e. Bolton.  Amusing notion, rookie, but irrelevant to the Trump impeachment case.  Back to the bench Josh.

Martha McSally – might be taken more seriously if she behaved in an appropriate (human) fashion.  She lashed out at CNN reporter Manu Raju, alleging he’s a “liberal hack”.  I find it hard not to wonder if his name (i.e. ethnicity) contributed to her rage.

Rand Paul – “The Senate will not continue this partisan abuse of power and should at once put an end to the charade.”  His arrogance and intransigence helped the outside observer at least place his neighbor's actions in context.

On the plus side:  six of these individuals are in reelection battles this year.  It's always possible that lightning could strike, and decency prevail.  Lord knows, the country deserves better.