Unasked question not mentioned

Immediately following the news of Antonin Scalia's death,the "chess game"
​over what will happen next began as Obama,Congressional leaders, media
and everyone following the story of when someone should be appointed
was chatted about throughout the weekend.

But, as often happens Rush Limbaugh brought clarity and realism of
what to expect. He calls it "wisdom based on experience".

The "experience" was the behavior pattern of President Obama who
has never delayed doing something he wanted to do. No surprise, he
immediately said he would name a replacement for Scalia.

Second bit of "experience" has been the performance of the Republicans
in Congress who time and again have disappointed their constituents with
their attempts to stop Obama through legislative actions.

That it the "experience"

Now turn to Sen. McConnell who said the Senate would not hold
confirmation hearings this year. Really? Not based on past experience.

The media and pundits thought this was great news, another Washington
food fight!!

Back to Rush.  The "wisdom" he offers, don't expect McConnell to
delay confirmation hearings. In seven years the Republican have yet
to even try to stop Obama. The best they offer are lame excuses no
more convincing then "the dog ate my homework"

Based on the "experience" Obama will nominate someone and the Senate
will have confirmation hearings and confirm the nominee.

If anything other than this occurs, that would be news!

Did I hear right at the SC GOP debate?

Trump was Trump again, doing what he does and taking no prisoners!
He even dared to attack former president George W. Bush for taking

our nation to war in Iraq!

This would not stand, especially to Jeb Bush who immediately came
to his brother's defense. Jeb reminded us his brother kept our 

country safe. Even Colin Powell's name was reverently mentioned

to strengthen the case to remove Saddam Hussein.

But, as I listened to the fond remembrance of Bush 43 and Powell

I thought how different the feelings were during the 2008

presidential election campaign.

As I recall, the Republican Party had no use for George Bush, the
man who "kept our country safe". The party did not even invite him

to its convention. This was the 'thank you' for eight years of 

fighting against terrorism where it was found. As expected its

leadership turned into jelly fish.

And for those who put Colin Powell on a political pedestal,remember
it was Powell who endorsed Barack Obama, a political neophyte with
scant experience against his mentor in the Senate, John McCain,
much more accomplished.  Powell continued to insult his party by
supporting Obama once again against Mitt Romney in 2012.

So the outrage towards Trump should pale to the outrage of insulting

President Bush by his own party. And to hold up Powell as a paragon
of political virtue is hogwash!

Trump may be tarnished by his comments, but the Republican Party

should be embarrassed​ for showing no appreciation for George W. Bush!​
​​

Sentinel of the Constitution

On Saturday our nation suffered a great lose with

the passing of Antonin Scalia, a name most Americans
may not know. Nor will many people who do know his
name appreciate what he has done for them the past
thirty years.

During his three decades on the Supreme Court Scalia
has been a lightening rod on the most divisive issues
confronting the jurists.

Yet through the accolades and criticism Scalia has
remained the "sentinel of the US Constitution".

Most people may not understand the import of what
Scalia brought to the court as its longest serving

jurist.

He was revered by those who understand the importance
of our Constitution, the foundation of our republic.

But,he was also hated in some quarters by those who
believed the Constitution be 'molded' to fit their 

interests,something Scalia knew was not the court's

role.

It serves no constructive purpose to argue with someone

who allows 'hate' to replace 'respect' when reviewing
Scalia's, or any other jurist's, opinions.

To view Scalia fairly, we need look no further than his
relationship with his colleague for 27 years and closest
friend, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Both served the public admirably yet neither agreed on
much which came before the court, especially the limits
of govt.

Constitution conservatives are saddened with Scalia's

passing.  Let's hope they are equally saddened with

the passing of jurists such as Ginsberg, I know Scalia

would be!

Antonin Scalia, Rest in Peace

A Presidential Nominating Conspiracy!

Most Americans are not actively involved with their political parties,

attend meeting or events, resulting in only about half even voting.

They have no input to the process.  Political party bosses set the 

parameters, apply rigged rules, ensuring desired candidates win 

and orchestrate their version of a democratic process giving the

impression it will be the people who decide.

The public know they're on the sidelines, only observers watching
elected representatives fail once again to follow through on their 

campaign promises, doing bidding for behind the scenes interests,

not their constituents.

This is the way it is, and the public knows change is near impossible.

For the most part Americans pay little attention to what goes on in
Washington, state capitals or even their town halls. They  have been
driven away by the aura of corruptibility surrounding the governing
process.

But, outside observers are not the only ones harmed, even those
on the "inside", elected officials, find themselves excluded, from 

the governing process. They are under the thumb of power brokers,
told what to do, coerced on how to vote, even told they should not
consider running for higher office!

The evidence is right in front of us as this year Democrats have
orchestrated it's primary for the presidential nomination to assure
the desired outcome would occur.

As we are in 2016 presidential primaries the considered wisdom is

that the "second time will be the charm" for Hillary Clinton who 

faltered and lost to a young upstart in 2008!

Hillary is once again seeking the Democrat nomination and was not

expected to be seriously challenged as not a single experienced, long 

term  elected Democrat stepped forward to fight for the nomination, 

a rarity when the most powerful elected office at stake.

You will not read of this political oddity in news reports, but there
was no need for one, a corruptible process is hard to disguise! No
matter the unwritten "rules", there are exceptions.

Enter, Sen. Bernie Sanders who is running for the presidency, and
running hard. Apparently he didn't get the message.

Sanders may not be running to win, but he does want to make a 

statement, the govt. is rigged against American workers. Sanders

believes he has found an opening to sell Socialism. And with the

state of public education this may not be a difficult sell.

Sanders message has resonated wherever he speaks, drawing large
crowds and bringing in donations to fund his campaign!

Could Sanders seriously challenge Hillary? The answer is seen in
the size of his crowds compared to the small ones Hillary draws.

Sanders is so formidable the Democrat bosses are fearful. Not 

about Hillary losing, but Sanders not able to win the presidency!

Party bosses are now reaching out for others to jump into the race, 

many of the same people they quietly asked not to oppose Hillary.

Name dropping is the new parlor game at Washington cocktail parties
and names mentioned include Biden, Kerry and Elizabeth Warren, or
anyone else who will keep the White House in Democrat hands!

This confirms the system is so corrupt even when the people support
a candidate, it is meaningless.

As for now Hillary is still the odds on favorite. She has the money, the

organization and power brokers in and out of politics!

But, if she stumbles and the party brokers conclude Sanders will be its

nominee he'll be challenged by a new entry quickly being saddled up 

and heading to the track!

The Democrat Party have taken selecting their nominee to another
level! By any description, it is a fraudulent conspiracy to avoid being
bound by the will of the majority! 

Stay tuned!

ajbruno14@gmail.com

What Presidental Candidates Should be campaiging on

This presidential election campaign word is being mentioned time and
again, and when it is candidates run in the other direction. The word
is the "establishment". 
What is it?  For this discussion, it is the existing political power structure 
which governs. It is the dominant groups in our society, institutions who
control every aspect of import to them.
 While the electorate gets one bite at the apple, on Election Day, the
establishment gets the remainder when it "takes charge".

to make sure the majority of  the
$4 trillion spent by Congress and president each year passes through
its portal.

The establishment is not recognizable to the general public but well
known to the politicians who write laws, and the govt. regulators
that control what individuals and businesses are permitted to do.

Most elections the word establishment is never mentioned but in the
battle for the presidency several candidates are bringing this 'shadow
govt. to light.  Even career politicians who travel in the same circle
with the establishment protest they are not!

Who 

Great Issue....but where is the political solution?

One of Bernie Sanders rallying cries has been free college tuition!

Sanders wisely hits on an issue long with us, the cost of higher 

education, using it successfully to win favor,  especially with 

younger voters.

But, this is nothing new, politicians will always gravitate to any 

issue they  can capitalize on. And when it works for one, most 

will climb on board!

The cost of higher education has been corrupted by the deliberate

avoidance of supply/demand and cost competition in pricing that

is done throughout our capitalist, free market system. Both were 

replaced with either aid or enormous debt!

Its apparent there is little concern for the debt required to put a child 

through college, only the shedding of  'crocodile tears' by politicians 

and college administrators, whose solutions include student loans,

grants and  scholarships. 

Higher education, unlike other large purchases such as homes and

cars, isn't  negotiated. You will never see a university have a "sale" 

to compete with another school. Nor, will politician investigate why 

a  college education so high and put the onus on universities to make 

it more affordable.

But, you will see politicians rail against the high cost and even promote 

"free tuition" playing on the ignorance of the general public.

What most people fail to recognize, education is the largest "industry"

in our country, subsidized by govt. and corporations. 

Politicians have capitalized on this, playing on the fears of parents who 

only want the best education for their children, with little regard for cost

or the enormous debt in places on them!

Cost of education is the perfect political issue, the gift that keeps on 

giving, election after election, exactly as intended.

Its too bad Sanders is not campaigning on WHY the public is saddled 

with the burden, not transferring it to taxpayers!

Only when politicians put aside all pretence of caring and do their part

to reduce the cost of higher education will  the public be properly served.

Bound together by Govt. Bonds...here in NC

While our attention will be on the winners of the NC 

presidential primaries on March 15th, we may miss 

a bigger story, the "strange bedfellows" who support

the $2 billion infrastructure bond.

Democrats, Republicans and the News and Observer

are on the same page!  How often have we seen this?

The N&O is doing its part, reporting years of neglect 

that necessitates this multi-billion investment, citing 

UNC failure to plan for the future!

Politicians, in a rare occurrence, are making nice, so 

this $2 billion funding apple cart is not overturned by
the people next month.

Citizens don't disagree with investing in infrastructure if
they are told 'why' the debt is needed and the reasons 

for the reported neglect dating back three decades. 

But, "why" is a rare insertion in most news reports on
many topics, as the answer could weaken the case to
be made!

The public should question why a university which sees
fit to pay some employees so handsomely, as much as
50% more than the governor receives, not tend to what

is essential in its plans for the future.

As voters, especially in Wake County, we should ponder
whether or not to support the Infrastructure bond based
on what has already been done, as well as what is on
the horizon.

First, remember NC took three years to repay the Federal
govt. $2.5 billion it received for extending unemployment
benefits.

Second, Wake voters approved an $800 million school 

bond, half of what was originally requested.

Third, homes were reappraised last year leading to an 

increase in most homes value and a tax rate increase.

Fourth, a second county school bond will be presented
to get the remainder of the initial request, about $1 billion.

The public learns of such actions piecemeal but rarely see 

the fashion in which politicians operate, working diligently 

to not take money from taxpayers while making decisions 

that leave them no choice but to do so!

As the political Ides of March near airwaves will be inundated

with ADs on the Infrastructure bond.  Watch them, learn both

sides, but in the end ask yourself, "why do the public's needs 

go so neglected for so long?"

Stay informed!