Understanding the state of our nation

I find 'chaos' is a suitable description for what is occurring across the country in the name of freedom of

speech and assembly. But, trying to wrap my arms around

the reason for this chaos has been difficult.  

It would be easy if I did not resist the temptation to be guided by what is reported. It's always easy to grasp the most recent headlines as the primary cause. But, after a few days, these headlines are replaced with new ones spewing a different cause. 

The chaos I observe is not about race, our country's past or any number of anti-this or anti-thats. It is about the willful efforts to weaken our nation, plain and simple. 

What we can observe today is nothing new, just a current example of 'human nature', only this time, being at its worst. 

Recently, I came across a sensible answer why we see an uptick in chaos across our country in recent years.

I found it in a book, the 'Jefferson Hemmings Myth', a challenge to the "conclusive" evidence Jefferson fathered children of a young slave.  It was a compelling rebut of the conclusion that has been broadcast as fact!

In the last chapter,  'Conclusions and Consequences', I stumbled on the answer to what is going on in our country. 

The author addressed the paternity charges against Jefferson during his life and even DNA testing to confirm one hundred-fifty years after his death. 

In the summation, several questions were posed, "What is the purpose behind the scurrilous attacks?"  

This same question we need to ask ourselves observing the current chaos, what is the purpose of riotous protests? 

Second, "Why do so many feel compelled to expend so much time and energy in such a frenzy to trash our nation?"

Why do people creating chaos see the America so differently than most others? 

Lastly, "What will be in store for this great nation if it tramples on our heritage founded on freedom and self-government?" 

This is the great unknown we should fear most for it identifies how fragile our nation has become.

The author concludes, "It has become 'unfashionable' in 
this day to speak of one's love of country, and 'more fashionable' to denigrate it and everything that is noble about it".

"We seem to live in an age pervaded by the self-destructive, tabloid mentality which has taken over, as not just newspapers devote to all kinds of sensationalism, but even highly trained academics who should know better".

The author could be speaking of today, not decades earlier when "Myths" was published or of yellow smear journalism which attempted to destroy Jefferson's presidency.

I don't know how many Americans see the problem as I do. Surely, they have not been warned by the media that in most cases support this chaos.

But, those of us who are, need to be engaged and press our politicians to stand up for our country when it is unfairly being denigrated.

This message needs to be broadcast to the widest audience. 

I will do my part, thanks for doing yours.

Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/

An Example of missing the large problem...

I have been "keeping my literary powder dry" the past two weeks, as I was wrestling of how best 

to convey my thoughts on what is occurring across our country.

But, this week a rather small news story caught my attention and illustrates the depth of the problem,

people gravitating to a concern that is minor compared to major ones.

The story was about Gary Cohn, an advisor to President Trump who almost quit the Administration

for he felt the "White House must do better in consistently and unequivocally condemning” white

supremacists, neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan.

First, something about Mr. Cohn.  Conservative eyebrows were raised when President Trump 

chose a Liberal Democrat from New York to join his administration in a key role as economic

advisor. My feelings, if President Trump wanted Mr. Cohn, it was fine with me.

As for his critical statement about Trump's response needing to 'be better', I immediately thought

of how Mr. Cohn fell victim to the media frenzy about  “white supremacists, neo-Nazis and KKK'.

Before Charlottesville these groups were on no ones radar, but now they are front page news,

while riotous 'protesters' bring chaos to cities across our country getting little scrutiny.

Cohn, who is Jewish, probably can't recall the last time he gave a thought to anti-Semite bigots,

now does. Thank you, media!

If Cohn gave serous thought to the threat to Jews and other minorities he need look no further

than his own Democrat Party which has all but destroyed the valued relationship with the Jewish

community by driving its social agenda no matter the cost, evidenced by urban communities.

Over the past few decades the Jewish constituency was hijacked by 'cocktail party' Jews, those

who flaunt their 'Jewish-ness', yet  succumb to the trappings of unions and Hollywood-style

Leftist thinking, leaving no room for deeply rooted conservative Jewish principles, the reason

many notable Jews left the party!

Given this weakening, I wonder how many Jewish voters who supported Hillary Clinton were

surprised Netanyahu call President Trump 'Israel's best friend' ? Netanyahu knew better than

most who would be a serious partner and friend with Israel.

Most Jewish Americans have bought into the 'identity politics' of the Democrat Party that

cultivated a victimization mindset which have kept minorities (and teacher's unions) beholden

to a single party. 

Cohn fails to understand where his concern should be directed, not towards small and

insignificant groups that are bigoted,  but the major ones that weakened the relationship

between Jews of faith, here and in Israel, and the American govt. over the past decade.

Lastly, its too bad Mr. Cohn made his thoughts public, especially in this toxic atmosphere.

As a friend of President Trump, Cohn should have spoken to him in private. 

Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/

Mr. Trump takes on Washington.

You will not hear or read the following about President Trump, but it must be said.

No need to rehash past criticisms, before or after his election.  All the public 

needs to understand is what the media refuses to tell them.  President Trump

is doing fine!

First, the media is quick to compare President Trump's poll numbers that hover 

between 35-45 percent with President Obama's most recent poll rating.  

Although this is the common practice, does it make sense to compare a

sitting president with authority against a former one?

It would be better to compare the two branches of government, Congress

and the presidency, which both must serve the American people concurrently.  

The public should know how a president's poll numbers compare to the legislative

body he must work with!

When we see the media and other Trump critics point to his polling numbers

we should be 'curious' why they neglect to compare his performance with that 

of Congress.  If they would​, ​ the public would learn President Trump, like most

presidents, easily out performs Congress by at least a three to one margin!

Noted below is a most recent survey.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE WAY CONGRESS IS DOING ITS JOB?
Excellent	5%
Good	10%
Fair	27%
Poor	56%

​Congress has been below 40% for over a decade, and hovering around 20% for the past five years!

The Congress, no matter which party is in the majority, rarely gets high marks. Issues are rarely
resolved, problems are passed  from one Congress to the next.  Budgets are never on time, and
deficit spending is as common as member of Congress retiring a millionaire after first securing a
job as a lobbyist.

​ ​

President Trump is right to criticize his OWN party for failing to keep campaign promises. And,
judging from polls of the president and Congress we see w​h​ere the public stands.

President Trump is doing in his own way what Teddy Roosevelt did when he​ was president, using
the 21st  century version of the 'bully pulpit' and calling out those who have failed the people, including
past presidents!  

But, President Trump does even more, he takes ownership of problems, no matter how long they have smoldering and offers solutions to solve them which is why more than sixty million Americans elected him.

President's Trump's supporters see him taking on the Washington "business as usual' form of
governance. He calls out current leaders in Congress and even goes where no president has done,
calls out  his predecessors whose promises went unfulfilled.

Donald Trump has turned the page on old-style Washington and little by little is putting his imprint how government should serve the people.

We are a long from determining whether "Mr. Trump goes to Washington" will end as well as the version
which starred Jimmy Stewart.

But, if nothing else, President Trump has galvanized tens of millions of Americans to seek a single goal,
make our country once again aspire to our Founders' promise!

​

-- 

Regards,

Anthony Bruno

Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/