Anatomy of a Republican Voter

Posted on June 6, 2018 by admin

This just in: In California, yesterday, people actually casted votes for Republicans. This means they voted for a person that took away many of their tax deductions and gave that money to the handful of billionaires that run and fund the Republican Party. They voted in favor of more expensive healthcare and against social safety nets.

Why would anyone do this?

I have a few answers…

They are racist. Those that fear America is becoming less white routinely vote Republican. This is especially true in the age of Donald Trump. This is the base of Donald Trump that will not abandon him no matter what he does.

They are Evangelical. These are the folks that “forgive” Trump’s behavior which is, on nearly every measurable standard, the exact opposite of what the Bible preaches. Why? Because they fear that American may becoming a nation that is not what they believe to be manifest destiny… a Christian Nation.

They are uniformed. These people either don’t follow the news or watch Fox News. Studies have actually shown that people that rely on Fox News for all of their news, are less informed than those that watch nothing at all. Fox can pull this off because they know people tune in to hear what they want to believe is true; something that has nothing to do with the facts.

They are single issue voters. These people only care about 1 issue. This could be a Second Amendment issue or an abortion issue of a size-of-government issue. It could even be that the issue is “I have always voted Republican.”

I support none of these issues. With some of these voters, I see room to work. If you want to vote on a single issue, let’s discuss that one issue. If you want to watch Fox News, then let’s have a debate where we both come armed with our own perspective and possibly data.

I have no interest in arguing with a racist or an Evangelical. In my mind, they are the exact same thing.

So there you have it…the world according to Jim.

Up, up and away…

Jim

I looked in the mirror and came away…disapointed

Posted on May 21, 2018 by admin

This just in: Some things really get to me and others just roll off my shoulders, unnoticed.

I woke up this morning and checked my news feed and felt like our country is crumbling before my eyes as I stand by and do nothing – other than pound my chest via this blog.

There are three things that really bothered me in the news today, but first…I want to start with a quote:

“Every country has the government it deserves.” – Joseph de Maistre

In short, what I am about to complain about is my fault. Rather, its our fault. It’s our fault because we allow it. It’s our fault because we feel helpless. It’s our fault because we do nothing. It’s our fault because we ignore it. It’s our fault because we think it’s not.

Item #1: Guns

I’m not going to make an argument about gun control. I won’t because it won’t change a single mind. But, I need to be clear…Without guns, the United States wouldn’t have 36,000 gun deaths a year. I’m tired of hearing things like “We, in congress, will do whatever it takes to make this stop…even if it means sending twice as many thoughts and prayers as normal.”

We have gun deaths because we allow it. We don’t need to pull triggers to be culpable in every preventable gun death.

Item #2: Religion

I don’t care if you are Christian, Muslim or belong to the Order of the Jedi. The only thing I truly believe is that if there is a supreme being, it would either be (1) indifferent about us or (2) a total asshole or (3) deeply disappointed in the fact that we use religion like we do.

I think the Pope is a great guy. I also think he has as much of a direct line to God as my Labrador. None of us knows the will of God. Those that tell you they do are just making a power grab.

The biggest problem with religion in the United States is that the same people that don’t think gun deaths are related to guns, also fear that Christianity is going to become a minority “belief system” in the United States. They think that guy over there will convince someone to believe that he knows the will of God instead of the charlatan that is currently telling you that very same thing. The biggest problem is that these people vote…in droves.

Item #3: Racism

In the last week, a lawyer went off script in New York because people around him were speaking Spanish. Two dark skinned guys were detained by an ICE officer because they were speaking Spanish in public (both were U.S. citizens). A black man was pulled over for not using his turn signal. They noticed leaves on his windshield and said, “That looks like vegetation” and used that as an excuse to search his car. Black people are being shot and threatened daily.

Historically, in our country, steps forward in Civil Liberties have always come by way of legislation. Left to our own devices, we would still have laws that say, “You can’t eat here because the color of your skin if offensive to me.”

Living in a system where Civil Liberties are Legislated, allows me to pretend that we are not racist. The racism is hidden because that type of behavior is illegal.

Now that we have a racist president, it has become okay to be racist again. You can call the cops because there is a black man walking down “your” street. You can call the FBI because a Muslim is talking into a cell phone in “your” mall.

So there you have it…my morning rant.

We don’t have to be country that puts up with any of this. In fact, we were born into the world were these behaviors would have been unthinkable. I can’t see our Forefathers writing a Constitution that says: (1) Unlimited and unregulated guns will make us great or (2) To be a citizen you must first pledge allegiance to a Christian sect of your choice or (3) Only white people will have rights.

I you disagree with me, I’d love to hear about it. If you agree, then I suggest you start doing something about it….Something like voting in November.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

Perspective

Posted on May 18, 2018 by admin

This just in: For those of you that read my blogs, you may remember that my favorite quote is from Wayne Dyer and reads, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

I mention this because a few days ago, I wrote about the idea that Conservative Views are not so much based on “longing for the past” as much as they are about “fearing the future.”

For me, this cleared up a lot of things. Why would they long for the past? Did they not like the internet, airconditioning and computers? Did they prefer covered wagons? What was it?

As I said, they really were longing for a past where America, in their minds, was a White, Christian nation. They see the tide turning to where we have Muslims and non-white immigrants in increasing numbers.

Their Conservatism gives way to racism and its all based on FEAR.

I am restating this because of the man in NY that went on a racist rant in a restaurant. Here is a link to the video. Turns out that the man is a lawyer. He has been kicked out of his office and a petition with more than 10,000 signatures has already been generated seeking to have him disbarred.

I could look at him as a racist; a person that hates others simply because of the color of their skin and their non-english speaking ways.

Instead, I see a man overwhelmed with fear. Fear of a change that is coming; that has always been coming. Fear of a condition that he cannot control. Fear of a condition that his “future eyes” see but that does not, and may not ever come to be.

This does not justify his actions. It does not make him less racist. But it does help me to understand the root cause of his behavior.

In the end, I don’t get mad at him. Instead, I pity him.

That is how my perspective changed when I looked at this situation differently.

Now…a word about Vinegar…

I started taking 2 tablespoons of apple vinegar in the morning and again at night. I feel great! Could be the Placebo Effect or I could be onto something. Turns out I am not alone. Here is a link to 6 proven health benefits of vinegar.

While I’m on the “secrets of good health” wagon…

Do you have arthritis? I know a guy that went on disability at the age of 50 because his was so bad. He tried everything. Eventually, he tried becoming a Vegan. Once he did this, he quickly recovered and is completely pain free. Has been for years.

On the Dog pain page…

I had an older dog that started limping. The doctor said it was because of his age and the fact that the dog walked up and down stairs at the house. He recommended trying MSM. He said it works for some dogs with some conditions. I tried it and in less than a week, my dog stopped limping.

I tried this on another dog with a different cause of leg pain and had no result.

Now, keep in mind, I’m not a doctor, but I pretend to be one on my blog so you know you can trust me.

In reality, I’m a superhero that spends a lot of time thinking about saving the world. Someday I hope to actually get around to it.

Up, up and away…

Jim