An election season void of any real debate on any real issue, simply comes down to this: the best liar, wins.
Who pointed the most fingers, who had the biggest megaphone and the most passionate liars on the biggest networks to push their message, who had the most donations from the most secret donors each with their own motives for getting their politician elected.
These are the engins that pushed this year’s midterm election cycle, and lost in all the melee are the issues that matter to the voters.
After the dusts have settled and the votes are counted we will know. The final vote count will tell us who had the loudest megaphone, the best liars, the biggest network. In this cycle it does not matter what your feelings were about health care, or the deficit, or ISIS or the budget or immigration. Because the chance that these issues survived this election cycle is minimal.
So some will win and they will celebrate, oblivious to the issues that matter, but mindful of the donors they’ll represent.
And these “winners” will sit in office for the next few years planning their path for the next re-election. They will cuddle up with their secret donors and they will cultivate their friendship with the networks. And the vicious cycle of lies and misinformation will continue with the losers being the American people and the issues that matters to them.
President Obama continued his personal tradition at this year’s White House Correspondents Dinner, of being the funniest man on the room.
Watch, as even Boehner’s color got a laugh with this remark, “These days, House Republicans are giving [Speaker John Boehner] a harder time than they give me – which means orange really is the new black,”
The President even went after Chris Christie when he spoke about the partisan gridlock in Washington, saying that partisan gridlock “has gotten so bad in this town – you’ve got to wonder, ‘What did we do to piss off Chris Christie so bad?”
After hearing the news on NBC’s The Today Show, Lupita Nyong’o replied, “It was exciting and just a major, major compliment. And especially, I was happy for all the girls who would see me on [it] and feel a little more seen.”
In the first go around, Bill O’Reilly had his way with the first term President. Bill showed a level of disrespect to the president not seen in a long, long time. O’Reilly lived up to his Fox News expectation and interrupted, cut off, spoke over the young Barack Obama. So when I heard that the President was offering O’Reilly another interview, I couldn’t understand the reason.
I do now. Like he did in the second debate against Mitt Romney, President Obama kept Bill O’ Reilly and his Fox News talking points at bay.
In the second go around, President Obama stood his ground and directly pointed out that Bill O’Reilly and the people at Fox are the ones pushing the misinformation to the country. He refused to allow Bill O’ to run the show like he did in the first interview and over the 10 minutes of the interview, President Obama got his message across, leaving Bill O’ to try to cut the interview short, but the President continued, letting the country know that he is doing his part, unlike those who wish to continue push a misleading narrative to their listeners… like Fox News.
Far be it from me to argue with one of the greatest historical minds of the 20th century, but we essentially have an executive that serves a six year term, even if we get two extra bonus lame duck years for our efforts. So it has been with most other presidents, and so it probably shall be with Barack Obama. This is his sixth year; if it doesn’t happen this year, chances are that none of his high priority agenda items will become law in 2015 or 2016.
That’s why 2014 represents the final push for immigration, tax reform, a higher minimum wage, climate policy and every other item on the left-wing wish list. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. History has taught us that the first push rarely results in success when it comes to big change. Look how long it took to get healthcare reform. Sometimes the push is necessary if for no other reason than to get an idea in the public’s mind and to prepare them, or to follow their lead, when it comes to legislation.
Like marriage equality, which coalesced into a major civil rights issue in a short amount of time, the push for rights for all people goes as far back as Stonewall in 1969 and the Supreme Court’s ruling for and then reversal on, anti-sodomy laws in 1986 and 2003. Progressives have been highlighting income inequality and the rising gap between wealthy and not for decades. Now that cry is becoming a major force in calling for a higher, livable minimum wage that just could pass this year. After all, most people, even Republicans, support it.
The same will most likely be true of climate legislation, immigration, privacy and energy. More and more younger people realize that their world is changing and that the United States either has to catch up to other countries who are already addressing the problems or fall behind to our economic and social detriment. The far right is beginning to lose its grip on the Republican Party, and while I don’t see a more moderate wing surging anytime soon, I do see a less strident GOP in our future. That’s good news.
This year will see one or two major pieces of legislation, with the rest of Obama’s agenda left to the next Democratic president and a more willing population. I think we are moving in the right direction, but like anything done well, this will take time.
It seems to be the season of making predictions for the next year, and I certainly don’t want to be the only self-appointed chronicler of the age to miss that boat, so herewith is my take on what we can expect for 2014.
The year will be unpredictable. A bold assertion, I know, but look at where we were a year ago. Obama had just been resoundingly reelected and the right was on the run. They gave in on taxes and spending and agreed to extend unemployment benefits for another year. They were talking about immigration reform and a bargain on spending. It seemed that the left had the right ideas and, led by the president, it would be a year of progress.
How did that work out? We know. Immigration passed the Senate. Sequestration clawed its way through all of the doomsday scenarios and became the budget template for the year. The House became the place where all good ideas went to die. The website was doomed to failure because nobody thought or had the money to test it. The right shut down the government. Unemployment payments have not been renewed. Our privacy either being stolen from Target or abused by the NSA.
So why am I so optimistic about the upcoming year? Because there are some terrific trends in American life that are trending in the right direction. Marriage equality is close to becoming the law of all the land. The Supreme Court will probably slow it down and rule at some point that states do have the power to prohibit it through their constitutions, but that will just be a temporary delay. State barriers to marriage, and by extension to rights for all LGBTIH and GSD and other capital letters, is in our near future. This is a profound change and one that we need to be thankful, thoughtful and diligent about enforcing.
The next year will also see health care for all. Think about that one and smile. Health care for all. The United States will join the rest of the industrialized world, and some of the less industrialized, in making sure that sickness or injury doesn’t mean bankruptcy or worse. There will be more bumps next year related to insurance company payments and recalcitrant GOP obstruction, but this law is here to stay. And the better part is that the law will be strengthened in the next few years. It has problems that need attention and we are looking at the possibility that more employers will begin moving employees to the exchanges rather than covering them through company plans. As one of my conservative friends says, if you thought the fuss over six million people being told their insurance didn’t measure up to the ACA and had their coverage canceled, wait until sixty million people who have insurance through work lose it. This is your only warning.
There are other hopeful trends to watch in 2014. The move towards a livable minimum wage is not going away and will probably gather steam next year. The criminal justice system is recognizing that mandatory sentences were a fevered reaction to inner city crime related to drugs and has done more to create a new economy based on prisons, especially in rural areas. President Obama’s sentence commutations are a first step towards making sentencing more flexible without going back to the instability of the 1960s and 70s. The Dodd-Frank bill will force financial institutions to curb or make transparent some of the practices that led to the financial crisis. Wall Street will kick and scream, but they will need to abide by the new rules.
And immigration reform will, I think find some success in the coming year. The Senate bill will not be passed by the House, and a path to citizenship might not survive the political process, but this is an idea whose time has come. It might take four or six more years before it comes to fruition, but it will.
The House will stay Republican in November and the Senate will stay Democratic, if only by 51-49 or by a Vice-President Biden Tie-Breaking Constitution Special 50-50. Someone you never considered will announce, by year’s end, that they will be a candidate for president in 2016. Someone you thought was a no-brainer will say that they will not run.
And no, it will not snow on Super Bowl Sunday.
Have a very Happy New Year and continue to work to make the United States, and the world, a better, more humane, just place to hang out in.
If Democrats are able to regain control of the House of Representatives from the failed Republicans, they have some big plans for the last years of the Obama presidency, like comprehensive childcare.
In an interview with The Hill, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi explains.
Pelosi and other Democrats have emerged from the shutdown fight with new confidence, and she vowed her party would “of course” pick up seats next year. It is the first time Pelosi has guaranteed that Democrats will cut into the GOP’s majority.
Atop her priority list as Speaker, she said, would be “comprehensive affordable, quality childcare” for working mothers, which she sees as a natural extension of ObamaCare.
“That would have the biggest impact on women, families and … job creation,” Pelosi said. “That was on President Nixon’s desk … in the ’70s, and he vetoed it for cultural or whatever reasons. And now we have to do that again.”
Pelosi, the nation’s first female Speaker, has long fought for progressive legislation on women’s issues, whether at home, in the workforce or in politics.
Of a federal childcare law, she said: “This is the missing link in so many things that we’ve talked about. It is not exhaustive of all the things we want to do or have done with regard to women, but I do think it would unleash the power of women.”
One very long and drawn-out election season’s already been fitfully left behind, but that hasn’t stopped pundits from casting their gaze on another upcoming ballot battle: next year’s midterm elections.
Though not as popular nationally as presidential elections, midterm votes are seen as powerful referendums on the sitting president’s agenda, as well as a means to decide how power is brokered in the often divided and ideologically warring houses of Congress.
Every retirement, every scandal, and yes, even every death, is seen as a potential Congressional opening by two parties interested in taking full control of the government. And as the tea leaves seem to show, neither party can claim to have an advantageous lead… so far.
Toss-Ups
When citizens cast their midterm votes on November 4, 2014, most eyes will be on the very contentious Senate races. That branch of Congress is currently made up of 53 Democrats, 45 Republicans, and two independents. And though Democrats control the senate by a clear majority, several announced retirements have made the prospects of them maintaining their hold after the elections a little more unclear. So far, six Democratic senators have announced they will not be seeking reelection, compared to just two retiring senators on the Republican side (though one of the expected-to-retire Democrats, New Jersey’s Frank Lautenberg, passed away June 3. New Jersey’s Republican governor, Chris Christie, has scheduled a special election in October to fill the seat).
The early departure of heavily funded incumbents has created unexpected toss-ups in states that were once considered safe. Should Republicans pick up all the seats being vacated by the Democrats while losing as few of theirs as possible, the chances of them taking over the Senate are very high. This would lead to a completely Republican-dominated Congress, as the GOP already has a strong majority in the House: 233 against the Democrats’ 200 seats. Of course, control of the House could shift should Democrats make some unexpected gains. One of the more surprising retirement announcements from that chamber came in May, when Tea Party darling Congresswoman Michele Bachmann stated she would not be seeking reelection. Strategists thought the Minnesota representative’s exit would clear the way for businessman Jim Graves, her former opponent. However, Graves himself said he would not be running for Bachmann’s post shortly after her announcement. This air of uncertainty has created one of the most visible toss-ups in what was once considered a safe Republican stronghold.
Presidential Stakes
Though the president’s name won’t be on the ballot next year, it’s safe to say many of the issues he has fought for most certainly will. That’s because midterm votes are usually seen as critiques of the job the commander-in-chief has been doing since his election. The midterms of 2006 saw Democrats taking over Congress, which pundits analyzed as voter disapproval of George W. Bush’s war policies. A similar lesson was gleaned from the GOP’s takeover of the House in the 2010 midterms, when young, ultra-conservative congressmen swept that chamber through voter insecurity over Obama’s health-care legislation. As the president wades more deeply into controversial policies, the public’s votes will be seen as a gauge of their approval on issues such as same-sex marriage, immigration reform, overhauls of the education system, foreign policy, and even the specter of “Obamacare,” which remains as polarizing as it was back in 2010.
The chief executive’s daunting task will be to hold on to the Senate while trying to win back the House, all while preserving his legacy and defending his legislative record from Republican attack. To do this, political analysts have suggested Obama and Democrats seek a way to revive the strong coalition of young and minority voters that helped sweep him into power in both past presidential elections. This can prove a major challenge, as midterm elections have always been beset by historically low turnout, especially in those two demographics, according to the Center for Voting and Democracy. The only way to rouse these groups would be through strategies already employed in previous bigger elections, mainly the use of internet tech and social media to build grassroots activist movements. The administration could also tout some of the positive aspects of Obamacare, such as the expanded role it will have for mental health and substance use disorder benefits, a cornerstone of the president’s new policy on the fight against drug and alcohol abuse. By stressing his legislation’s role in tackling the root of alcohol abuse in Minnesota or other states known for their high numbers of alcohol dependence, the president will be able to showcase the practical aspects of his more controversial laws.
Decisions
Despite the lower appeal midterm elections have for most voters, these are the campaign wars that decide which course the government will take for the next few years: whether it be a united Washington under the control of one specific party, or a fractured government beset by constant infighting. Political careers can be made or destroyed at this time, and coalitions formed or disbanded. But no matter the outcome of these bitterly fought seats, at least there will be one clear winner: pundits with more tea leaves to pore over.
Mark Sanchez is owed $8.25 million next season after having a miserable 2012-13 season
Let me just say, I’m not sure if drafting Geno Smith was a wise move or just a move to create publicity. The Jets current roster has Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Geno Smith, David Garrard, Greg McElroy, and Matt Simms all for the position of quarterback; That list is just down right ridiculous. While guys like McElroy and Simms are not big names nor important right now, the questions still circulate around Sanchez and Smith. Will the Jet’s release Sanchez, taking a $12.35 million cap hit this year and $4.8 million hit in 2014, or will they keep him and let him compete for a job that was once easily his? Will Garrad be the back up to Smith or will Garrad have the starting job?
Welcome Geno Smith, to the Jets media circus
Once again I’m going to do a favor to a professional sports teams front office, free of charge; it would be wise to release Mark Sanchez. Granted his 2012-2013 season was horrific, though it will be an immediate cap hit this season, it will push the Jets under cap for the 2014 season. Garrad is more than skilled enough to help Geno Smith grow, assuming he is the next franchise quarterback for the Jets. If they shall go on this releasing frenzy, also release Tebow and allow him to carve his own path in the NFL. Let Geno get comfortable playing for the Jets and let Rex Ryan reel in his defense again; perhaps one day soon we shall see the Jets again in an AFC championship game. Until that day comes, the Jets have quite a lot of work to do.
There is no secret behind the end of the 2014 NBA season and that years top free agent, Lebron James. There is also no secret behind top marquee teams, I’m looking at you L.A Lakers, freeing up cap space that year to land the current best player in the NBA. There is also no surprise behind the rumors of “The King” returning to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for one last stint. To that I say: Keep dreaming Cleveland.
Lebron James left Cleveland in 2010
It’s sad to see how quickly the Cleveland Cavaliers fell after the departure of Lebron James back in 2010. They fired coach Mike Brown, who they just recently rehired, months before James left. Since then there’s very very little they’ve gotten right outside of their lottery pick up of up and coming All Star Kyrie Irving. Since 2010 they’ve gone 19-63, 21-45, and 24-58 under coach Byron Scott, who is now unemployed.
Cleveland fans would love a Mike Brown and Lebron James reunion
Entering the 2014 season the Cleveland Cavaliers will have an estimated $29 million in free cap space to sign a number of players or just give Lebron a max contract and a blank check. I can’t say I have much faith in the Cavaliers front office to work out a smart business decision, but players such as Luol Deng, Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala, and Paul George are all free agents that year as well. Match any of them with Kyrie Irving and you will easily have an amazing duo to play and dominate in the immediate future.
Current Cavaliers Point Guard Kyrie Irving
Speaking of Kyrie, he is the only person the Cav’s front office should be concerned of keeping very happy. He is the only player on the roster who a team should be built around. Hey Cleveland! Kyrie Irving is going to be an All Star very soon, he’s going to be a top Point Guard in this league even sooner; Cleveland, this is your next star!
Here I can do it for you Cavaliers front office and best of all is that I won’t charge you a penny. Throw out your pipe dreams of landing Lebron in 2014 and start shopping the free agent market, use your incredibly valuable top draft picks wisely, and also keep Mike Brown around for his contract length, he is a good coach.
Lastly…if I was a Cavaliers fan I’d never want a star player who went out like this, back in my hometown’s uniform.
The two-minute ad, titled “Loaded for Bear,” focuses heavily on Palin’s CPAC appearance, lauding her as the fearless anti-establishment superstar.
The video also features freshman Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praising Palin for her work in 2012 and giving her credit for his win, as well as that of others. It also features text reminding viewers that there are 35 Senate races and 36 gubernatorial races next year. The video ends with the silhouette of a bear growling, and the words “We haven’t yet begun to fight!”
Geraldo Rivera from the Fox News Network signaled that he may run for the Senate representing New Jersey, saying that he’s been in touch with “some people in the Republican party” about running in 2014. But it seems that Geraldo is suffering from short-term memory.
In the 2012 presidential election, Geraldo went against everything Fox News and the Republicans stand for when he openly admitted he was voting for President Obama. In the tweet sent on November 5th right before the election, Geraldo said that he endorses Romney/Ryan, but will vote for Obama/Biden because of their stance on immigration and gay marriage.
Yes, that may have been his best vote yet, but if you really think New Jersey Republicans will forgive him for voting for their enemy and send Geraldo to the Senate, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’ll like to sell ya!
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