President H.W. Bush likely meant well and his “no new taxes” comment was just an oversell.
Likely the same when President Obama said that under the ACA our doctors won’t have to change.
Then Trump came along promising to build a wall for which Mexico will pay.
Although suspect, we can give him the benefit of the doubt.
Chalk it up to ignorance, innocence or naiveté.
But thinking he could be above board shouldn’t have lasted long.
In came the blatant lies.
Not even an attempt to disguise.
So much so, his staff had to give them a name.
And that seemed to remove the dissonance from some people’s brains.
As Kellyanne Conway cooked the term “alternative facts.”
There were so many of those, some who tried, failed to keep honest and accurate track.
As Trump spewed his own fake news.
Ignoring the obvious, people rested their trust to him and his minions.
Putting them above US.
The alt-facts and fake news – so rampant and prolific.
People saw it fit to create their own fact base to make a case for their preferred reality.
Which seems how many in America now choose for their life to be.
As we have seen with the rejection of the vaccines.
The reasons vary because they chose to bury the facts.
And follow different tracks to rabbit holes that became the source of their no-go.
Historically, on the Republican side, voters don’t seem to mind when their candidates show failures or wrong doings.
Instead voters give them a platform and keep them in the mix for choosing.
Take Majorie Taylor Greene, living on the taxpayers’ dimes while spending time in Washington D.C.
Still getting a salary, though not serving on any committees.
Known to fly the flag of Qanon.
Seen threatening her perceived opposition.
Endorsing violence and execution.
Mocking the Parkland teen going to speak to lawmakers.
Who she reels against even though they are her co-workers.
Showing allegiance and more enthusiasm to Trump and guns.
Than what she can do to serve US.
Matt Gaetz and others showing disgust for 13 Republicans who voted for “Biden’s” Infrastructure Bill.
By his doings, he has people believing that it’s Biden for hurting.
When in truth it would be Americans to lament if Gaetz succeeds at his goal to make Biden a lame-duck President.
That type of opposition targeting has been a McConnell mastering.
Now other Republicans are emboldened to do the same and only engage in political games.
Like McCarthy did when he made the call to not have a bipartisan committee at all in order to investigate January 6th.
Then he would have had his committee picks with equal power.
After the Democrats moved on, he tried to shove in five Republican members at the last hour.
But Pelosi blocked two who were delivering untruths.
McCarthy cried foul when he was the one being unreasonable and troublesome.
Six siblings of Congressman Gosar warned Americans against voting their brother in.
They listed his shortcomings.
He succeeded still.
Now those who promote(d) stop the steal and participated in the coup are being elected too.
Because Republican voters have not been holding their own to account.
They dismiss, denounce, outcast and sabotage.
Preventing a lot of good from being done.
Yet they are the patriots.
Permissive to sin after sin.
While canceling those trying to do what’s right.
Allowing the GOP to rise to unprecedented heights.
So now corruption and dishonesty is accepted and elevated on the side of the GOP and their chosen leads.
Likely reflective of the seeds that were already present in people’s repertoire.
The leaders we choose, speak to the people we are.
Allowing them to stay, is agreement with and giving credence to what they do and how they behave.
And their behaviors reflect how and as much as the voters permit.
Else they wouldn’t be in the lead still.
The contents of America’s heart and soul are being exposed by the way her people choose to vote.
At least now people still have that Right.
But as Republicans legally pull tight on the straps at the polls, many of people’s votes will just be empty holes.
Now affecting certain members in our society.
But the GOP will have the power and ability to have it spread as they will it to be.
Republicans embed grains of truth into a multitude of lies.
Ending to false accusations, tagging on erroneous motives and inaccurate ties.
Like accusing Democrats wanting to impeach Trump because they are afraid he will run again and win another election.
True – but their attempts to his conviction were not odious, criminal or villainous.
It was to hold him to account for the wrongs that were done.
And out of real concerns that he poses a danger to America(ns) and democracy.
His Presidency showed a path leading to the destruction of the Country.
And to what we stand back or don’t give a resounding “No”.
Gives credence to that which has momentum or is the status quo.
Some Trump-Pence signs have remained on display all this time.
And Pence has been trying to play nice to the Insurrectionists side.
But if he’s trying to score.
Is dependent on boosts from Trump for 2024.
He should know it’s likely that Trump has already shut that door.
And that he will have to find another way.
To “make America great again, again”.
Time after time we’ve seen.
There is no honor or loyalty among the crooks, terrorists, insurrectionists and thieves.
What members of the GOP have proven themselves to be.
Yet they are being elected and re-elected to decide for and lead the Country.
All that Republicans and the right have been accusing are coming through as their doing.
Deep state against Biden.
To their side, there has been the rise of corruption and intimidation.
Verbal abuse, threats and terror to any opposition.
Not just government officials and public servants but to their families, even their young children.
All targets to their wrath and hate.
As they are fed more power they feel they have a Right to dictate.
As they did with the Supreme Court.
They are maneuvering to do the same to School Boards.
It’s an easier ride when you side with that which aims to go against other people’s claims.
It takes a lot more to show, hold and justify what you are for, and to stay the course with truth, rules and values.
To still feel embarrassment and shame.
Not getting by with the dismissal and shelving of blame.
Naïve and innocent – The World will not swallow.
America – No longer a beacon to follow.
Yet it’s still with pride that many Americans stride.
As they display their Trump signs and fly their Trump flags high.
Often above or instead of the American.
That’s a symbolic representation of messaging.
To which many Americans have been in agreement with.
We can pretend, try to fool ourselves.
But the rest of the world has clarity to their vision.
And they are very much aware of our sordid decisions.
While we still have freedom to choose our leaders and heroes.
We should do better than those bent on delivering zeroes.
Because for years now, whether in the lead or as the opposition.
That has been the agenda of Republicans.