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.

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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. 

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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

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President Trump can fix the Affordable Care Act without Congress!

For those of you who know me, it is rare I am critical of President Trump.

Its not that I defend him out of loyalty, its that my focus from the very

beginning has been on what he will do for the American people and

our country.

But, today I heard President Trump say once again what I have heard 

him say many times before after becoming frustrated with the failure 

of Congress to offer legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act.

Trump's quote, "let Obamacare fail", rung differently today and gave

me pause.

Here is the first president in my lifetime who is connecting with a cross-

section of our country that has been damaged by political malfeasance.

Like sixty million others who voted for him I heard Trump offer not just 

promises, but real solutions!!

So, when Trump says "let Obamacare fail", he unwittingly also saying

"lets fail the American people".

First of all, lets drop 'repeal and replace', it i become toxic to both Obama

loyalists and Obamacare detractors.  To continue this line of debate gets 

us nowhere!

BOTH parties are treating the Affordable Care Act as a  piñata , rather than 

the serious issue that requires supporters and detractors to fix!

First American don't care a whit which party gets blamed for a failing health

 care system.  They only want what government is offering meets the promises

of affordability and superior health care for all. 

President Trump has the opportunity to do just this, as he outlined during his 

campaign for the presidency and he does not need Congress to do it!

As a businessman he saw first hand the damage the ACA was doing, even as 

many people benefited.  

Trump outlined what he would do to fix health care, yet he has deferred to Congress, 

and the entire country is seeing the results!

President Trump and Health and Human Service Secy. Tom Price have the authority

to address the problems without Congress as the original legislation explicitly stated. 

While the public has become frustrated watching Republicans come up with more 

reasons to justify doing nothing, the table was set after Price was confirmed in February.

There have been stories of what could be done WITHOUT Congress, yet little was done.

Here is an article offering some suggestions.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/2/10/14576558/price-obamacare-executive-action

Between President Trump and Secy. Price, the Affordable Care Act can be modified to live up 

to President Obama's promise. I urge President Trump to keep it!

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Old Navy flyers never die, they become US Senators

Once again Sen. John McCain weighs in critically on the Trump Administration.

This time it a criticism of  Secy. of State Rex Tillerson who McCain never liked

for State and now implies is 'not up to the job'.

Consider exactly what McCain is saying now about Tillerson who has been on the
job for only six months and what McCain had to say about Hillary Clinton after her
four year tenure at State and the damage she did!  You will be hard pressed to find

such criticism!  (Guess McCain agreed with the uranium sale to Putin and Benhazi)

McCain remains delusional today about world affairs as he was about the Lincoln 

Savings and Loan when he was implicated with four other US senators, becoming

infamously known as the "Keating Five", which resulted in him and the others
receiving censure, the equivalent to a traffic warning rather than a speeding ticket!

McCain refuses to "fade away" as MacArthur stated old soldiers do in speech before

Congress. He still believes he is relevant unaware his relevance is only in his own

mind, unsupported from a political career, devoid of measurable accomplishments!

McCain who claimed to be a protector the veterans did little to address problems

in the Veterans Administration during his forty year political career, only observing
as problems were passed along from one president to another for decades.

In fact, the new Secretary Veteran Affairs, David J. Shulkin, is addressing problems

at the VA that McCain and other politicians showed little interest in fixing.

Mc Cain will go down as the longest imprisoned captive of war to serve in the US
Senate.  And in the world of "firsts and longest", he will be celebrated, but only
a hollow legacy!.

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America is God's 'Chosen Nation'

​It's almost the​ Fourth of July, known as Independence Day,​ a​ fitting
​name for the country that is home ​of the freest people in humankind, ​
whose independence is guarantee​d, as they rule themselves.

For me, its not a stretch to say America is God's 'Chosen Nation'. 

After all, no other nation is home of more people of different races

and nationalities that share America's intangible bounty, no matter 

when they arrived or where they are from, citizens and visitors alike. 

There is no religious or station qualifier in our country, all are welcome.

Yes, we have a sizable number that cringe whenever "American
Exceptionalism" is mentioned rather than demonstrate pride. 

Perhaps they feel embarrassed for having the abundance of riches 

that most other nations do not have. 

But, how else can we describe the most generous and benevolent nation

in humankind other than acknowledge it is exceptional? 

Our country not only cares for its people but also can be counted on to

send humanitarian aid where needed as well as defend those unable to 

defend themselves.​

The United States, this landmass of almost four million square 

miles, is rare in so many ways​. What other​ nation​ can self sustain

a population of almost 330 million people, third largest in the 
world​ with a quality of life and standard of living unmatched.​

Not only self sustain, but​ thrive even as it  provides valued 
resources for the most depressed parts of the world.

Can anyone name one other nation that has done so much for so 

many?  I cannot think of one.

Yes, we cannot overlook the plight of some, that live in 'forgotten' 

patches of America, where poverty has reigned from one generation 

to the next. But, this has less to do with a nation's broken promise

than it does with the failures of individuals and governance in these communities. Yet, even within these areas of blight, problems have

a better chance of being overcome than anywhere else!

So, on this Independence Day, how do YOU feel? How many of you 

truly appreciate our great nation? How many realize no matter 

​where 

you live, your home state has so much to offer. Travel

throughout  your state and observe the natural wonder.

Behold the wonder of the natural landscape blended with the 

wonder 

of what man has created. Every state is unique,​ ​which 

I believe is a blessing by the Almighty.​

We may all agree the Grand Canyon is a natural world wonder,

but 

there are also so many lesser natural landscapes in our own 

backyards, found in Utah, Michigan, New York and each of our 

other states.​ Visit them, see for yourselves! ​

Where else can we find so much of Nature's bounty and wonder

in a continent that is one-tenth the size of our entire planet.

Nature, with God's 'helping hand' has done what man can only

view 

with awe!

If the United States is not the "Chosen Nation", than no place is!

Cherish where you live, the freedom and the responsibility 

to

self-govern!

God has Blessed America.  Be thankful he has!

Happy Independence Day!

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Evaluating Senatorial Dissent....

The Republicans are doing what they most often do, they refuse
to vote in unison for the 'good of the party', admirable in the
 "best of times". 

However, as most would agree, these are not the best of times.
The political climate is toxic, filled with partisan rancor, elevated
to heights not seen before as the  media has abandoned all objectivity
to turn Washington politicians into a herd of  cats that refuse work
with any pretense of commodity so important to equitable governance.

Now to 'evaluating Senatorial dissent'.

I am addressing the recent report that four of the most conservative 
Republicans in the Senate have stated they will (I say may) not join 
the forty-five others that will support the Senate version of legislation 
to replace Obamacare.

Not only are senators Cruz, Lee, Johnson and Paul conservative, 
I find them to be the most principled when taking positions.

As for not supporting the Senate version of replacement bill, there is 
merit in their argument, which comes down to this, its not perfect!

But, I would argue the merits for passage are more than equal to their 
concerns.

First, look at what is being replaced, Obamacare, "a broken promise"
that Congress and the Obama Administration  have failed to address 
for the past seven years!

Nor, do I believe their dissenting views factored in the current climate
within states they represent, Texas, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

Rather than looking into what the Senate bill does not provide, each 
should look deeply to what Obamacare has done to their states and 
the people they represent.  

Were the promises of lower premiums and keeping your doctors been
realized?   Have insurers not stopped doing business in their states?  
Has  the cost to state government and businesses been lowered?

These are the questions Cruz, Lee, Paul, Johnson as well as ANY other
senator reluctant to vote in favor of a replacement bill need to answer.

This is not solely about finding a superior replacement for Obamacare, 
it is equally important that Congress stop the hemorrhaging of  the
Affordable Care Act!

Once this is done a bi-partisan Congress can fine tune the replacement so 

every citizen will receive the quality health care that has been promised! 

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