People who are willing to lie to the American people are in charge of our military and intelligence agencies, and it seems to me that they would be willing to go to war and certainly are willing to cozy up to the new Russian czar.

Our health infrastructure has been handed over to a man who doesn’t believe in science and is set to fire thousands of scientists and researchers whose jobs are to protect the health of our country and ensure that our food industry is not poisoning us.

Elon Musk and his band of bumblers is threatening the IRS, Social Security, and Medicare. Like so many other Americans, Sue and I depend on our social security checks along with my government pension to live, and when Musk calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme and closes local offices, you have to pay attention. How many poor people will lose their access to public health?

And talking about a government pension, I served in the military and worked for the government for more than thirty years, and the vast majority of people that I worked with were hard-working and dedicated public servants who took great deal pride in the job that they were doing. There is waste and fraud in the government, but this administration doesn’t seem to be looking for it in the most likely and obvious place–The Pentagon, now run by a former Fox News weekend host, who has no moral compass and lies to the American public and is willing to violate the law by holding meetings with no public records.

Public libraries and museums serve communities all over this country; why are we slashing their budgets and rescinding their community grants? Their share of the federal budget is minuscule, but what they do with it provides programs and services for thousands of communities that are life changing and enriching. How many children will not learn to read?

USAID has saved millions of lives throughout the world and made many friends for our country, but it is now totally decimated and emasculated, totaling ignoring all the good it has done over the last 80 years, again with an incredibly small amount of national resources. This week, Myanmar has been devastated by a horrendous earthquake which has claimed thousands and thousands of lives. In the past we would have been Johnny on the Spot with life saving services and outreach. The US response this week was to send three people…that will create a lot of friends for us. Meanwhile the Chinese are there and making sure that the international press covers their humanitarian outreach. How short-sighted!

Are we sure that the fossil fuel industry will look out for the environment and do no harm to our clean air and water? I’m not… I had much rather trust the now fired EPA scientists to do that job. Are we prepared to throw away all that has been done over the last 40 years? Climate change is real and will not stop just because we deny it. What kind of world do we want our children and grandchildren to inherit?

We can’t even visit a national park to escape the bad news because their gates are closed. Budgets and staffing have been slashed. Again a small piece of the national budget for an incalculable good, but that doesn’t seem to matter as long as we can get rid of a DEI program or two. Come on, I mean, who thinks the Smithsonian is corrupt or harboring satanic organizations?

Yesterday, the administration announced crippling tariffs on almost imports (except Russia!). It is overturning 80 years of international trade agreements that have made the US the leading economy of the world, and despite what the president and his lackeys say, tariffs are a tax that we will all have to pay! We are imposing tariffs on our friends and allies alike–how can that be right–I mean Canada; what is he thinking?

And how long will it take for our IRA funds to recover–so far we have lost 10% of its value.

I can go on…but you get the picture.

But I am also hopeful…

because we have patriots like Cory Booker who is willing to stand up to a president who wants to be our first king. Yesterday, he stood and spoke truth to the Senate and the country for 25 hours…breaking the record last set by a man who was defending our segregationist and racist past. I hope that I can follow his invocation and “cause some good trouble.”

The future of our democracy is in the balance.

Monday, January 20, Inaugural Day, was a cold winter’s day in Denver…and for our country an even colder and bleaker winter’s day.

As any of you who know Sue and me, we are dyed in the wool Democrats who were very disappointed in the outcome of the November election. America elected Donald Trump and returned him to the White House; it wasn’t a mandate, but it was decisive.

We had hoped that, despite the often divisive language in the campaign, that we would all be invited to work together to move this country forward in peace and prosperity, building an inclusive and more equitable future.

But we don’t feel invited or wanted. We hear no outreach or inclusion. The Episcopal Bishop of Washington speaks for us: “Have mercy on those who feel afraid.” All the immigrants who care for the young, old and sick or who cultivate and harvest our food or build and repair our homes and roads. All LGBT people. All people who believe that we can and should find a way to power our homes and cars, without destroying our natural world. Where is the outstretched hand for support and comfort? Is there room in America today of us? I despair but continue to hope.

As John Lennon said, “it’s time to love each other right now.”

Peace and love!

These past weeks since the first presidential election have been a tumultuous time for dyed in the wool Democrats like us. After watching the debate, where President Biden seemed lost and totally out of it, I remember Sue telling me that she had a knot in her gut and felt sick, both physically and mentally.

I was willing to give Joe more benefit of the doubt, saying to myself and anyone who would listen, that he was a good president and good man…but it was clear to many of the party leaders that he was not up to another term. Thankfully, he was given enough time to make the decision on his own to withdraw in favor of Kamala; a brave and selfless decision. Wow, what a ride it has been since then.

We loved the DNC; we joyfully watched the entire convention. Each night, especially for stalwarts like us, was well produced and interesting to watch, building to the final night. Hilary Clinton, Barack & Michelle Obama, Oprah, and Coach Walz all delighted and informed. Didn’t you love Gus Walz standing up and saying “That’s my Dad!” Kamala gave a perfectly crafted and delivered acceptance speech.

With 70 days to election, the polls have Kamala up by two to five points nationally and holding onto the Blue Wall (Pennsylvania, Michigan & Ohio.) Let’s hope it continues to look so hopeful.