Sometimes I Sits and Thinks...

...other times I just sits.  Today might be a good day to do just that.  But, nah......

This election has me all discomboobulated [sic].  I made a paid political announcement last night in class, without mentioning any specific names, that in November we might well have a Presidential election in which the candidates are Bozo and Krusty the Clown (the Simpsons).  That, again without mentioning names, seemed to generate more than a few chuckles.

Gee, what prompted this in a Michigan History course??????  I was presenting the founding of the modern Republican Party, often cited as occurring in Jackson, MI (well, at least cited by teachers of Michigan history!), in 1854.  I was explaining the disenchantment and dissatisfaction with both the Whigs (a major political party on its way out) and the Democrats, esp in the face of the question of slavery.  Using today as a point of reference, I asked about current attitudes toward the Establishment Democrats and Republicans, particularly in light of Bernie Sanders and Don Trump.  What, I asked, are the odds of a major party being created to succeed either the Dems or Reps?  Letting that seep in a bit, I the pointed out that the Republicans created in 1854 ran a candidate for President merely two years later (and who lost by a couple of percentage points!) and won the Presidency in 1860 (You know who!).

Of course, the issues of today are quite different and the Republicans' character is not at all what it was in 1854.  And neither is that of the Democrats.  (That could be for better or worse in both instances, although I'd suggest worse.)  But this Presidential campaign and election are referendums/a on the recent history of both parties.  I think that is good, very good.  Both parties have without question let down the American people, have weakened American life, and have created an unhealthy distrust, frustration, and even hatred of government.

What isn't good is what if this campaign/election thwarts the "uprising?"  That is, what if the Establishment candidates win, both the election and even the nominations?  Where will that leave us?  The leadership of both parties, esp of the Republicans, have been very dismissive of what most Americans want.   They (leadership of both parties) have exhibited an arrogant elitism, one peppered with ignorance and even stupidity.  What if, in this "uprising," the people fail?  That, my friends, is a scary thought.

Is this correct, that Obama isn't attending Justice Scalia's funeral?  (Did you note I wrote "Obama," but "Justice Scalia?"  That was intentional and I'll let you figure out why.)  If so, I think that is just one more example of the divisiveness Obama has fostered over the past 7 years.  He's always blathering about Republican "obstruction,"  (That is a good thing.  Remember one of my favorite quotations regarding government is "Don't do something.  Just stand there.")  When exactly has he reached out, tried to compromise, seek bipartisanship?  I know, I know......  "But Bush lied."

That said, Republican leadership is abysmal, if not worse.  (Is there anything worse than "abysmal?")  Already in the effort to nominate a replacement for Justice Scalia, McConnell has said the Senate won't take action (that is "advise or consent" or, I suppose, reject) on an Obama appointee.  The man is a loon!  Obama's Constitutional duty (and authority) is to name/nominate someone to fill the vacancy.  (Of course, Obama has already shown us what he thinks of Constitutionalism, esp when it stands in the way of what he wants to do.)  The Senate's duty is to vote, confirm or reject, that nominee.  It's that simple.  (I did hear one guy claim the Senate, unlikely to confirm, is just trying to save time, effort, and money on the hearings/process.  Yeah, right.  I can think of a lot more ways to save a lot more money that those Bozos are wasting.)  This, on the part of both parties, is symbolic of the frustration and anger people have toward government, at least those now running government.  We want them to do their jobs, not to play games all of the time.  It's time for them to put on their big boy pants and do what they are elected to do, that is, represent us and do what we, not they, want.

I do like, however, the incredible hypocrisy of the Democrats in slamming the Republicans over this "obstructionism."  Can you say "Sam Alito?"  Yep, two US Senators named Clinton and Obama were among the Democrat obstructionists when Alito was nominated.  As Casey Stengel used to say, "You could look it up."  And I get a great kick out of the Dems talking about following the Constitution after what their President has done, while they sit back in silent sycophancy.  And let's go back about 30 years.  Remember Robert Bork and the smear campaign the Dems launched against him when Reagan nominated him to the High Court?  Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden wrote the book on obstructionism in '87 in seeking to block Bork's approval.  And they didn't mind throwing out all scruples in doing so.

BTW, how the heck could anyone praise Ted Kennedy??????  "The Lion of the Senate?"  If he was this, then God help us.  If you want a good laugh (although it's not really funny), learn some things about Kennedy and then read the eulogies upon his death.  Fact is stranger than fiction.

And what's with Madeleine Albright?  She, a few weeks ago, loudly proclaimed that there's "a special place in hell" for women who wouldn't/won't support Hillary Clinton.  Maybe that explains why she was such a lousy Secretary of State, a tradition kept alive by Clinton and Kerry.