I Just Don’t Get It 🤷

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Election 2022, Environmental Issues, Political commentary, voting rights

Perhaps I’m a bit simple-minded these days, but I’m really confused over something and I’m hoping someone can make sense of this for me.  The issue?  Why is it that the United States Congress can pass, relatively without argument, a bill that allocates $768 billion for a single year to the military, in large part to purchase more tanks, guns, and nuclear weapons … hardware made with the sole purpose of killing humans … but they cannot pass a bill that would help people who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table?

To be clear, here is a summary of the major points in the Build Back Better bill (aka BBB) that congressional Republicans are determined to send to its grave:

  • Universal preschool for children
  • Free community college
  • Lower prescription drug costs
  • Tax cuts for families with children and childcare support
  • 12 weeks of paid family leave
  • Housing investments
  • Tax cuts for electric vehicles and other climate incentives

The cost of the Build Back Better bill is $150 billion per year … just under 20% of the cost of the recently passed defense bill.  Build Back Better helps people … people who need the help whether due to the pandemic or other circumstances beyond their control, whereas the defense bill largely helps arms manufacturers.  The refusal of Republicans in Congress to even consider the BBB at this time is a huge hypocrisy and in my view is further proof, as if any were needed, that Republicans largely do not give a royal damn about the average person in this nation, including their own voters.  Their fortunes and therefore their votes are tied to the wealthy corporations and groups like the NRA, arms manufacturers, and fossil fuel industry and to hell with John Doe!

And on another, but related note, why in the Sam Hell are both of the voting rights bills stagnating somewhere in the Capitol, unlikely to see the light of day?  With nearly every state in the nation passing draconian laws that will make it harder for the average citizen to vote and damn near impossible for many who are not white middle-class males to vote, it is not rocket science to figure out that the federal government needs to step in and protect the most important right granted to We the People under the U.S. Constitution!

The two voting rights bills, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the Freedom to Vote Act, are being held up by not only every Republican senator, but two Democratic senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.  These 52 unconscionable people either do not understand the meaning of a democracy or else are determined to undermine the very foundation of our nation and turn it into a banana republic, an illegitimate dictatorship.

The Republicans in Congress are not in the least bit bothered by spending nearly a trillion dollars of OUR hard-earned tax dollars to build more killing machinery, yet they will not lift so much as a pen to protect our rights, our very lives.  I sincerely hope that the majority of Republican senators and representatives currently sitting in Congress are voted out of office next November for they do NOT represent the people of this country!

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52 thoughts on “I Just Don’t Get It 🤷”

  2. Oh the irony.
    The Republicans cheerfully voted lots of money for the Defence of the USA, while the biggest threat to stability and unity of the USA is the Republican Party and its mob mentality wing who when they grunt ‘You um jump’…It’s response is ‘How High, Voters?’

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Thank you for sharing!!.. Congress will not change until the people that put the politicians in office change.. and the people that put the politicians in office are thinking only of themselves and use the military to prevent opposing ideologies, every country has the same issue…“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom” ( Isaac Asimov) and hopefully everyone can come to a better understanding about each other and bring peace and a better world… 🙂

    Until we meet again..
    May love and laughter light your days,
    and warm your heart and home.
    May good and faithful friends be yours,
    wherever you may roam.
    May peace and plenty bless your world
    with joy that long endures.
    May all life’s passing seasons
    bring the best to you and yours!
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 2 people

    • Good to see you, Dutch! Yes, you are right … it is up to We the People to make wiser choices and to use our votes wisely. Still, I don’t understand how anybody can take an oath one minute and break it within the hour and then manage to sleep at night. Sigh. Thanks so much for the wonderful Irish Saying!!!

      Like

      • For the politician it is a job and to keep that job the politician has to appeal to those who he/she will represent, has nothing to do with the good of all of America..; one does not be a Muslim and run for Congress in Alabama… change has to come within the voters, the people.. 🙂

        Have a Merry Little Christmas and until we meet again..
        May your day be touched
        by a bit of Irish luck,
        Brightened by a song
        in your heart,
        And warmed by the smiles
        of people you love.
        (Irish Saying)

        Liked by 2 people

        • So true, but these politicos are acting against the interests of the people who vote for them and who pay their salaries. It ought to be a crime, but instead they just keep taking and taking more. And unfortunately, it seems that much of the voting public are not well-educated and cannot understand what is happening, but rather are willing to believe the lies they are told. Sigh. Merry Christmas to you, my friend, and thank you so much!

          Liked by 1 person

          • Unfortunately they are telling the voting public what the voting public wants to hear (especially when it comes to religion) so again change needs to come from the voting public… 🙂

            Merry Christmas and until we meet again..
            May the love that you give
            Always return to you,
            That family and friends are many
            And always remain true,
            May your mind only know peace
            No suffering or strife,
            May your heart only know love and happiness
            On your journey through life.
            (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

            Liked by 1 person

          • There are many in today’s world societies that are closed minded and in their comfort zone and will fear and reject any ideology that they feel may threaten their world and they will support anyone who says they will protect them….. 🙂

            Hopefully with folks like you and technology more will become more moderate in their thinking… “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” ( F. Scott Fitzgerald)… 🙂

            Again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…. 🙂

            Liked by 2 people

            • I hope you are right, Dutch. It seems that bigotry in all it’s many forms has expanded in recent years and I don’t know how we can stop this runaway train! Fitzgerald’s words make sense, but few today would pass that test, I think. Selfishness, fear of ‘other’, and greed seem to be the driving forces. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you, my friend! 🎄

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    • This is so true. It brings to mind that old saying that if you give someone an inch, they will take a mile. Our systems give people many freedoms that people in other countries do not have, and yet it’s never enough. Sigh. No, I don’t expect it to get better anytime soon, likely not in my lifetime and maybe not even in yours, but we have to keep on fighting for our children and all future generations. It seems humans never learn from their mistakes.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Hi, Jill—
    So glad you’re blogging again. We need your voice! But please make sure you’re protecting your health at the same time.
    I found it extremely disconcerting that the vote on the defense spending bill was $25 billion more than the administration requested. Biden and Blinken have been stressing diplomacy, which among its many advantages is less costly than warfare. But the lopsided nature of the NDAA vote (88-11) led Politico to call it a substantial “rebuke” to the President. The silence of Democratic Senators willing to make the case for revising the nation’s priorities in this instance by supporting Biden’s request was deafening.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Annie!

      Yes, it seems that the Republicans in Congress just love their implements of war so much that they even exceeded giving more than the Pentagon asked for! And yet … for the family that is struggling to pay the rent, put food on the table, and take their child to the doctor, there is no empathy. And you’re so right … the Democratic senators should have fought that one tooth and nail. Perhaps they were hoping that if they agreed to that, the Republicans would in turn agree to BBB and VRA, but they should know from experience that isn’t going to happen.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Project Do Better needs beta readers, and your readers may find it a useful place to start, as an umbrella project, now that the book Do Better will be in the public domain (freely available) shortly.
      Shira

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Jill, as most BROADLY well-educated Moderate Americans with an average or above average IQ would surmise, you’ve (and Keith above) summed it all up accurately, damn near perfectly really.

    On matters of U.S. economics, required budgets, required fair comprehensive taxes, required public programs, public institutions, public health & safety, public education, and critically important government that SERVES all its citizens despite party-affiliation… and behaves (as it should) with doggedly persistent Oversight Committees to PROTECT said citizens from unethical, greedy, corrupt(?) businesses, guilds, and billion-dollar obese corporations from exploiting U.S. citizens—not the other way around!—for these matters I lean heavily on two Nobel Prize winning Economists for expertise and guidance: Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman.

    The wealthy [in America’s top 1-10% demographic] may not fully realize it, but it is in their own self-interest to make sure that everybody in our society does well, and that the [inequality] gap between the rich and the poor doesn’t continue to increase as it has.

    Here’s a painful, poignant clue as to how U.S. government—on county, state, and federal levels—has since 1883 taken the WRONG path from “one man, one vote” to “one dollar, one vote“:

    It is a fairly simple overall concept. When our society is sufficiently (even abundantly) funded in infrastructure, education, research, and technology, these vital areas of a thriving economy offer hope and security to ordinary citizens. The majority of Americans, the bottom 90%, will actually SEE and experience for themselves what the U.S. Constitution, the Statue of Liberty, and all other symbols of democracy, equality and fairness are really made of… not just “promised” or rhetorically talked about on TV. Those principles would be available to a vast number in society in an efficient dynamic economy. Even the top 1-percent would benefit when the capabilities of so many quality workers and citizens are not wasted but fully utilized. It’s a concept of not just strength in numbers, but strength in well-educated, ingenious, motivated Einstein-citizen numbers, if you will! There is a huge difference between the two. The difference is not just inclusive, but very alien to exclusive.

    Economic questions and social questions go hand in hand! They’re inseparable. Some “individualized” Americans who’ve become independent of a majority sector often have the pragmatic realization that looking after the welfare of others—in both government SERVING your citizens as well as the private sector—is not only good for the soul, but is equally good for business and wealth. Stiglitz elaborates on this truth wonderfully:

    The top 1 percent have the best houses, the best educations, the best doctors, and the best lifestyles, but there is one thing that money doesn’t seem to have bought: an understanding that their fate is bound up with how the other 99 percent live. Throughout history, this has been something that the top 1 percent eventually do learn. Often, however, they learn it too late.

    Ignore it or snub your nose at this concept and the welfare of America’s 90% too long, then history has repeatedly shown it quickly becomes YOUR personal problem banging, bashing right on your doorstep.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Thank you, Professor! Your information is well-researched and spot on! I have long felt that the single biggest problem in this nation is the obscene wealth of the top 1% and their ability to buy politicians, even before Citizens United, but even more so since that law passed. What always puzzles me is why people who struggle to survive will support the politicians that are in the pockets of the wealthy corporations, whose decisions are NOT favourable to the average person’s well being. Brainwashed, not well educated, or just hoping the lies they are being told will come true?

      Liked by 2 people

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  8. You got right, Jill! But, honestly their decisions make sense. In future we will become a lot of so called civil war activities around the world.There will be less money, and even less food, and work. ;-/ Some governments had not done right (during the pandemic). xx Michael

    Liked by 3 people

  9. I read somewhere that the REASON for the military buildup (aka increased $$$$$) is due to the situation with Russia/Ukraine. Uh … well … yes … maybe. (However, if one uses their mental powers to any degree, one can’t help but wonder where all the $$$$$ directed to the military have been going up until now … !!?!)

    In any case, I agree with all that you wrote!

    Liked by 4 people

    • I have no doubt that some would use that excuse, but the reality is that I rather doubt we will become militarily involved in the Russia/Ukraine conflict in the coming year. And, the Pentagon did not even ask for as much as Congress approved … I think Congress gave the military about 25% more than was asked for! It’s in keeping with that gun mentality in this country … weapons are placed far above people in the minds of far too many.

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  10. You got it right Jill. They do not give a damn about the people in this country. Power is all they care about. And they’ll do whatever it takes to get it back. I’m so sick of Dems not playing hardball with these idiots. Of course it doesn’t help when two of the Dem Senators seem more in line with those idiots than their own party. Pathetic.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Nope, they have proven time and time again that the people in this country are no concern of theirs … with the exception of the very filthy rich people, of course. They matter … we don’t. Yes, much as I like tact and diplomacy in my government, it appears the time has come for the Democrats to take the gloves off and fight fire with fire.

      Liked by 2 people

  11. Jill, what is ironic is the Department of Defense has noted the absence of dealing with climate change is a key threat to national security. It pointed out many of its bases will be in danger along the various coasts.

    Access and distribution to clean water is a global crisis that does not get enough attention and also will be made worse by climate change. Easy example is the Biscayne aquifer which supports Miami and other counties is protected by porous limestone, so as sea water encroaches, it will impact more than just the buildings in Miami. Spending on our infrastructure and investing in America are much needed.

    We live in a country that likes to spend on stuff that blows things up. We do need some of that, but it would be nice if we spent on things to avoid having to blow things up. Keith

    Liked by 4 people

    • Yes, it is ironic … and you are so right when you say that we live in a country that likes to spend on stuff that blows things up!!! I truly despair for the future of the nation, but also the human species if we don’t open our eyes and take the environment, the health of the planet, more seriously!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, I still think that, but I realize that you and I will likely always disagree. I’m not sure what country you live in, but you definitely view Putin and Russia much differently than I do. I have studied Russia for many years and no, by my definition it is not a democracy by any stretch of the imagination.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I’m German living in South Africa since over 20 years. I studied eastern european history on a German uni and am kinda expert in the field since many many years. Even travelled some Asian Soviet republics as a high school project in cold war times.
        And from all I hear and know, and all the facts you guys liked Russia when they had that hilarious drunkard Yeltsin ruining the Russian economy. Of course you had to spew all tne hate on Putin since he not onlyplays the capitalist game better than then Americans but he also cares about the Federation and its people first and foremost … and is rather hard on the oligarchs. This is much too commie for American tastes.

        Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like any world leaders but study them all in a rather neutral fashion. And when you just judge by the facts Putin wins every time. And should the SAffas ever kick us out, we’d probably move to some warmer coastal town in Russia, Sotchi or thereabouts. Life in the West is too small and unfree for us after so much time spent in Africa.
        I honestly couldn’t fit back in again.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Hey, Jill,
    Not much to get, really. Republicans will do anything to try to make Democrsts look bad, thus thinking that will make them look good. Unfortunately, it is working on almost half your population. Certain voters seem to have no idea how they are being hurt by the party they are voting for. All they seem to need to know is they are sticking it to the Libtards when they have no idea what a Libtard is, or why they should be sticking anything to them. They believe the Republicans when they say the Democrats are stealing from them, even though in truth it is those same Republicans who are doing the stealing from everyone. You might hope they would have more sense, but when money talks… They listen.

    Liked by 4 people

    • What I don’t get, though, is how anybody can take an oath to the Constitution and to the people of this nation, and break it with impunity every day they are in office. How do they sleep at night? How do they look their children in the eye, or the people who voted for them and who pay their salary? I couldn’t do it.

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      • That is the difference. You take your citizenship seriously. Republicans feel no responsibility to your Republic. Power is their only goal, and as their hero Mussolini said, “The end justifies the means. He forgot to qualify, “When you don’t give a shit about anyone but yourself!”

        Liked by 1 person

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  17. This sounds, a whole lot of, what’s happening where I currently live too, the government, set its mind up, in destroying the environment, by building the nuclear plants over, the thousand-year-old, algae reefs, and, importing of pork with ractopamine from the U.S. into the country, and, despite how the majority of the voters are, against these issues, and, no matter how we vote, the government just, goes, ahead, and, does what it wants to, leaving we the people, with the, consequences, of, passing these, laws, and so now, going to the polls serves, only, one purpose, it’s the people’s way of, showing how we are, upset of, the government’s, behaviors. Our votes, don’t count for, anything, but we’re still all, voting…

    Liked by 3 people

    • True … the U.S. isn’t the only country going through this. The reality is that if every nation on earth doesn’t take the environment far more seriously than they have been and clean up the planet, cease the burning of fossil fuels, etc., the human species will not survive beyond the end of this century. People choose to believe the lies the politicians tell them, for it is more convenient than seeking the truth, so it’s really down to the people to demand our governments do the right thing, but somehow I don’t see that ever happening.

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