Presidential Election Of 2024

Trump’s Victimization Of Ethnic Groups–Haitians, Venezuelans, Palestinians, And More!

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Donald Trump has been on a campaign to victimize various ethnic groups, most notably Haitians, Venezuelans, and Palestinians.

Trump claimed that Haitians were eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio, during the 2024 Presidential campaign, asserting so in his debate with Kamala Harris.

Trump has ended Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, and for Venezuelans, and is promoting the myth that all Venezuelan immigrants are members of gangs or have committed criminal acts, a great distortion of the truth.

Now young Venezuelan men, many of whom are not gang members or criminals, have been deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcment (ICE) to the horrendous superprison in El Salvador, a nation with horrendous human rights violations.

The Israel-Gaza War has led to victimization of all Palestinians, and to the deportation of some, and a lack of concern by Donald Trump at the massive losses of women, children, the elderly, as Israel continues what is seen by many observers as a promotion of “ethnic cleansing”.

Those of us who are not Haitian, Venezuelan, or Palestinian, should not sit easily and think we are safe from loss of our civil rights, as really, all Americans who dissent at what is going on could, one day, face similar horrendous circumstances!

Donald Trump’s Victory In 2024 Fifth Lowest Since 1924!

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Donald Trump and his loyalists continue to declare that he had a “massive” victory in the Presidential Election of 2024, when he most certainly did not, and including the fact that his Republican Party now has the barest margin in the House of Representatives that has occurred since the 72nd Congress in 1931-1932, losing the majority on October 22, 1931 to the Democrats and never regaining the majority again until the 80th Congress in 1947-1948.

Trump has the fifth lowest margin of victory by 1.7 percent, only higher than Richard Nixon in 1968 with 0.7 percent, John F. Kennedy in 1960 with O.2 percent, George W. Bush with MINUS 0.5 percent in 2000, and Trump with MINUS 2.1 percent in 2016, with the last two losing the popular vote, but winning the Electoral College.

And Trump did NOT gain the majority of the popular vote, ending up with 49.9 percent.

So Donald Trump does NOT have the mandate he thinks he has, and if Republicans lose one or two seats in replacement elections for members of the House that are joining the administration from Florida and New York, then the Democrats have the possibility of gaining control of the House of Representatives during the present 119th Congress.

A Day Of Sadness And Concern: Inauguration Day 2025

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Inauguration Day has arrived, and this author and blogger feels a sense of sadness and concern for the future.

Thank goodness there is a peaceful transition of power, unlike 2021, but it is scary to think what has occurred today.

It is still hard to fathom how 49.9 percent of the American voting population could back a person who was twice impeached, four times indicted, and a convicted felon, with the other charges only dropped because he is becoming President for a second time.

With Presidential scholars clearly putting Donald Trump in the bottom few Presidencies, in the company of James Buchanan and Andrew Johnson, but often rated worse than them, it makes one wonder how American citizens could allow concern over the price of eggs and gas, a temporary phenomenon, to decide their vote, rather than think of the long term, and the effect on both the American economic future and America’s role in international affairs.

Instead of honoring Donald Trump on the day of his Inauguration, we should focus on the fact that today is Martin Luther King Day, a time to honor and memorialize this man of principle, decency, compassion, and human rights, who sacrificed his life for the cause of civil rights!

Trump Appointments In November Finish With Kash Patel As FBI Head, An Alarming Development!

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Donald Trump finished the appointment process in the three weeks since he won the Presidential Election of 2024, with the very disturbing appointment of Kash Patel, an extreme loyalist, as new head of the FBI, effectively shortening the ten year term of Christopher Wray that he made upon taking office in his first term in 2017.

The FBI’s past included the corrupt leadership of J. Edgar Hoover from 1924-1972, but with the agency having been reformed in the half cantury since then.

But now a lot of the corruption and abuse of power of that half century is likely to return, as Patel has made it clear he is out to pursue revenge against those who pursued the scandals and corruption of Trump in his first term, which led to two impeachments and four indictments.

Patel has threatened retribution against “deep state” officials he plans to target. He has also attacked the news media, therefore potentially making the FBI an agency out of control, with the intent of “cleaning house” in that agency and setting out to prosecute those he considers “enemies” of Donald Trump who “caused” his prosecutions, including the events of January 6, 2021.

Patel would need to be confirmed by the US Senate, and he adds to the list of highly objectionable nominees, and the question arises, how many, if any of these individuals, can be rejected by the Senate and yet not be put into office by so called “recess” appointments!

Democratic Party Positives In 2024 Elections

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The Presidential and Congressional Elections of 2024 produced some significant positives for the Democratic Party, despite Donald Trump’s close victory for the Presidency, and gaining of 53 seats in the US Senate and about the same tiny margin in the US House of Representatives that the Republicans already had.

Trump’s margin of victory was smaller than that of Joe Biden or Barack Obama, and Trump’s victory was less impressive than any election since the late 19th century Gilded Age. He was NOT anywhere near the landslides of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936, Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, Richard Nixon in 1972 or Ronald Reagan in 1984, but Trump is trying to claim otherwise.

Also, each of these landslide victories led to a loss of seats in the following midterm elections for the President’s party, so there is hope for the future of the Democratic Party in 2026 and 2028.

Also, Democrats were able to retain control of Senate seats in four “swing” states that Trump won–Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin, while losing the Senate seat in Pennsylvania.

North Carolina, despite going to Trump, elected an entire Democratic state government team, including Josh Stein, who is Jewish, as Governor.

Also, Matt Meyer, who is Jewish, was elected Governor of Delaware.

And despite attacks by Republicans on “diversity”, the Democrats were able to win or hold Senate seats with other than white straight Christians, as witness the following:

Arizona–Ruben Gallego–Hispanic male–elected to open Senate seat

Nevada–Jacky Rosen, Jewish female, reelected

Michigan–Elissa Slotkin, Jewish female, elected to open Senate seat

California–Adam Schiff, Jewish male, elected to open Senate seat

Wisconsin–Tammy Baldwin, Lesbian, reelected

New Jersey–Andy Kim–Korean American male–elected to open Senate seat

Delaware–Lisa Blunt Rochester–African American female–elected to open Senate seat

Maryland–Angela Alsobrooks–African American female–elected to open Senate seat

61st Anniversary Of JFK Assassination: It Still Hurts!

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As I write this blog entry, the time of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy arrives, the most tragic event of my lifetime until September 11, 2001!

A young, vibrant, charismatic, good looking young President, murdered at a time when there was hope and optimism about the future of America.

This is very different than the present sense of pessimism and dread that millions of Americans feel after the nation has put into the White House a man who represents the worst elements of the American experience.

The fact that two women–Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris–who represented the sense of hope and change that Kennedy represented six decades ago, lost to Trump is very much a source of disappointment.

It is not as if John F. Kennedy was perfect or had a perfect rcord in office, but he inspired millions by being the youngest elected President in American history.

And the fact that his nephew, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has so damaged the historical memory of both his father, Robert F. Kennedy, who was also taken from the nation by assassination, and his uncle, by his horrendous and lunatic conspiracy theories about health and medicine, is tragic.

And the fact that RFK Jr. is about to work with Donald Trump in undermining the health care system, makes the anniversary of the JFK Assassination more depressing than ever before.

Donald Trump Trying To Bully Senate Into Submission On Appointments!

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Donald Trump is clearly working to bully the Republican majority in the US Senate into submission regarding his many controversial Cabinet and other appointments, and stripping the Senate’s power of “advise and consent” on Presidential appointments.

Trump’s aim is to make the US Senate lose its status as a co-equal branch of government, along with the House of Representatives, part of his plot to establish an authoritarian executive branch, uncontrolled by the legislative branch.

In so doing, he is working to undermine the Constitution, rule of law, and American democracy.

This, despite the reality that his victory was NOT a massive one, and that he has not won a majority of all votes cast by the American people, while defeating Kamala Harris by less than a two point margin.

Trump is causing our closest allies, including the United Kingdom, France, Israel, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to consider NOT sharing intelligence information.

Such an eventuality undermines American national security, and puts America in danger from its adversary nations, including Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran, among others.

A Multitude Of Qualified Democrats For 2028, As Party Assesses The Future!

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A week after the disturbing defeat of Kamala Harris, causing great distress and dismay among Democrats, including this author and blogger, it is important to learn from the disappointment and plan for the future.

The Democratic Party cannot move toward the center Right, if it means ever to offer a reasonable alternative.

However, that does not mean that it should adopt Bernie Sanders Left Wing type progressivism, which, despite what some say, would never be accepted by voters at large as an alternative in the future.

The party needs to continue to promote mainstream progressivism and liberalism, including labor rights, protection of the environment, and enforcement of basic civil rights for the growing Latino minority, African Americans, Asian Americans, gays and lesbians, and women, along with promotion of more voter education as to the details and effects of government policies.

The idea that Latino males, young people, and white women would think of Donald Trump as the better alternative is shocking, so therefore the need for greater voter education is essential.

And as the Democrats ponder their future, it is blessed with a multitude of qualified Presidential contenders!

This includes the following Governors:

Gavin Newsom, California
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania
Wes Moore, Maryland
Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan
Andy Beshear, Kentucky
J D Pritzker, Illinois
Jared Polis, Colorado
Tim Walz, Minnesota
Josh Stein, North Carolina

Additionally, there are US Senators in the mix, including

Christoper Murphy, Connecticut
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Cory Booker, New Jersey

Also, present Transportation Secretary and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is rumored to be planning to run for Michigan Governor, to succeed Gretchen Whitmer, who is term limited from running for reelection in 2026.

To assume that Donald Trump and his party will be able to keep public opinion on his side over the next four years is failing to realize that it is certain there will be a major negative reaction to the agenda that is now being imposed on America by aggressive and extreme Right wing forces!

Democrats must be optimistic and willing to work hard for the future of common decency and empathy as part of American principles!

Disturbing Influence Of Elon Musk And Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., As Neither Should Be Near Power!

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It has only been a few days since Donald Trump won a second term in the Oval Office, surprising millions of Americans.

But now, the apparently growing influence of Billionaire Elon Musk, along with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is alarming even many who voted for Trump.

Musk, the wealthiest person on the planet, is a control freak who would wish he could be President, but is ineligible, since he was born in South Africa.

But his dominating personality and desire to influence national and international policy in ways that benefit his own bottom line, has for now, at least, attracted Donald Trump, since Musk contributed more than $100 million to the Trump Presidential campaign.

RFK Jr. has also attracted Trump support, and the fear is that he will play a major role, possibly in the Trump Cabinet, as possible Secretary of Health and Human Services or specific health agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, advocating his crazy campaign against vaccines, and even fluoridation of drinking water.

Both many medical and dental professionals are deeply alarmed that his looney attitudes on public health will endanger America, if Trump gives him a free hand to do what he wants, which so far, is the indication of what is about to happen.

The nation is in the early stages of what is likely to be a series of nightmares on many areas of government policy, brought about by millions of Americans, who have lost all sense of sanity and common sense, in their decision to support Donald Trump, despite the many shortcomings and scandals of the first Trump Administration!

Joe Biden’s Ego Helped Cause Democratic Defeat!

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This author and blogger has been a longtime fan and supporter of Joe Biden, going back decades!

Biden has had an historic Presidency, and has been listed as number 14 in Presidential rankings by the American Political Science Association.

Biden is a decent, compassionate leader, a model of what a President should be. He saved American democracy in winning the Presidency in 2020.

But sadly, when one looks back now at the Presidential Election Of 2024, it must be said that his ego helped to cause the Democratic Party defeat!

Being an advanced age, Biden should have announced after the midterms in 2022, that he would finish his term, but leave the future of the party to a primary contest of Democrats who wished to succeed him.

It is possible that Kamala Harris, who ran an heroic 107 day race, would have been the nominee in any case, but Biden allowed his ego to get in the way of what was best for the Democratic Party and the nation at large.

Biden is being “blamed” by many for his refusal to accept his age as a limit, and the realization that he was not the same person in 2023 and later that he was in 2020.

That reality will tar, somewhat, his reputation, which is highly regrettable.

It will not mar this author’s view of the 46th President, but history will record that it was a mistake for Biden to remain in the race when he should have announced his withdrawal.