Year: 2017

This blog posting is a shameless paraphrasing Richard Rhor’s meditation today – I hope it’s ok w/him! You can find his work at the Center for Action and Contemplation. https://cac.org/

All too often, governments become rigid and need to be revived, reformed, and reborn.

When governments become machines more than movements, it’s a sign that they must shake off the historical and cultural calcifications so they can continue evolving as a useful servant of the people. Just as in our own lives, growth is never in a straight line; it is often three steps forward and two steps backward.

This year, when so much decency has been lost in government, it is a good time to again rebuild our people driven democratic ideals “from the bottom up.” Rather than coming from those in power at the top, the most effective and lasting change happens at the grass-roots level, led by those who are on the “edge of the inside” and are not afraid to shake and challenge the status quo; and are not afraid of those that aim to destroy the goodness of responsible government by deconstructing it for their own self gains.

I hope in 2018 we (re?)gain the strength to mend the breach between the world as it usually is (Power) and the world as it should and could be (Love). Both love and power are the necessary building blocks of an empathetic, caring government. Love utterly redefines the nature of power. If it is true that power corrupts and destroys, love respects and builds up.

Power without love is mere brutality, and love without power is only the sentimentality of private lives disconnected from the Whole. Goodness in its fullness holds power and love together, creating new hope and healing for the world.

As this year draws to a close, may we go and grow forward as breach-menders, restoring the places in which Goodness and decency have become hidden or misrepresented.

Have courage and be tender. #RESIST

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Oh shucks. I could not help ourselves. I did it!

It is Christmas time, so it is time for gifts, right?

I’ve bought us a new house. Not to brag, but it did cost us $10,000,000.

No problem though. I’ve borrowed the money in a way that it will be paid off by my children and grandchildren – and great grandchildren, and their children.

You see, we have all the confidence in the world that our children and their children will be making at least $1,000,000 a year by 2025.

And if that does not come to be or they don’t have the money to pay the mortgage? NO problem there either. They’ll just declare bankruptcy and let others pay it.

THIS, my friend, is exactly what the tax bill about to be passed by Congress does. We are borrowing $1,000,000,000,000,000,000 (one trillion dollars)so corporations can pay less taxes in the hopes and prayers they do something they have never, ever done: prioritize investing those tax savings in a way that creates jobs and increases wages instead of pocketing the profits.

Think about it. We are gifting the same people that took us for a ride and sank us into the worst recession we’ve ever had a decade ago – the same people we had to bail out with tax payers money – and we are expecting them to increase wages and create jobs rather than buy themselves more luxury items and spend away, increasing their luxury lifestyles.

We also are praying and hoping that the economy will improve so much so fast that paying for that trillion will be simple because we as a nation will be producing so much more and our productivity will be at least twice as much as what it is today.

And, if the economy does not improve to that totally unrealistic level?

NO problem! The government will simply cut other programs so the $1T loan can be paid off.

And what are those programs that will be cut – probably more drastic than ever since their inception? Medicaid. Medicare. Social Security.

Yep. You have it right.

This Christmas the modest and middle class are about to gift the ultra rich $1T so they can further enrich themselves. And we are paying for it by reducing our social commitment to the poor and elderly.

Welcome to the American Oligarchy. It’s here.

Call your Republican Senator TODAY. Not that it will do any good, but their conscience must be nudged. They have to know we care. They have to know we are watching. And they have to know we’ll see them at the ballot box.

#RESIST

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Welcome to the partisan presidency – a precursor to the partisan dictatorship.

Not all dictatorship come to power after some coup or revolution. Indeed, since the latter part of the 20^th century most dictatorships have come to power through the ballot box. Some were rigged from the get go, but not all.

Venezuela comes to mind. Hugo Chavez was pretty much duly elected. Yet he used the power of the position to chip away at democratic institutions, militarize his cabinet, discredit any press that disagrees with him, reshape the judiciary, and drive a partisan wedge in the legislative… Sound familiar?

Paraphrasing MLK, in the US the arc of democracy bends toward inclusion and diversity. But, that arc is bound to sometimes be bent backwars, dipping into exclusion and tribalism.

Every President in recent history (and throughout history!) has been partisan. They come to power with a definitive national agenda that reflects his Party’s platform agenda.

However, every President – once in office – also reaches out to those that did not vote for him and at least tries to welcome them into the national agenda. Most of the time this leads to pursuing policies that at least have the semblance of “across the aisle” compromise. Sometimes that is just not possible and the party in power goes at it alone. Sometimes. But that is the exception, not the rule.

This Administration has made partisan voting the rule and by-partisan compromise the exception.

Past Presidents made at least token attempts at speaking as the leader of the Nation first; as leader of their political party second – if at all. And, when they spoke as leaders of their Party, it was clear they were doing so. This President speaks almost always as the leader of his Party – and very seldom (and disingenuously so) – as the leader of the Nation.

Therefore, he is well on his way to establish nothing short of a partisan dictatorship, constantly disparaging the other Party, mocking those that protest and resist, and humiliating anyone that opposes any of his partisan positions.

In talking points terms this is called “speaking to the base.”  In actuality this means he is solidifying the one third of the Nation that blindly supports him, placating the other third that continues to see him as a useful idiot to get their agenda passed.

The danger in this partisan presidency is that it makes “the other” the enemy, rather than affirming the American tradition of compromise, dialogue, and bi-partisanship. The consistent degrading of the opposition pins brother against brother, cousins against cousins, and makes it increasingly difficult to come together – sometimes even as family.

President Trump’s blatant partisan politics – couple with his distaste for any sort of accommodation for the opposition – is clearly a tell-tell sign of the beginning of a partisan dictatorship.

The only way to stop this is at the ballot box.

Therefore, #RESIST

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To my Republican and Conservatives friends:

I get it. You wanted a majority in the Senate and the House; you wanted to stack the courts with conservative judges, including making a Supreme Court appointment; you wanted to pass a tax bill; and you very much wanted to somehow be able to say you saved us from Obamacare. I get it.

Well, you’ve accomplish the first two and are about to do the latter two. Congratulations. (I guess.)

You paid a high price for your success – a high price indeed.

You sold your soul. You held your nose and accepted a leader you can’t stand. A leader that insults you, degrades you, embarrasses you, and is no more Republic or Conservative than I.

Yet, you took a calculated risk. And it worked. Congratulations. (I guess.)

Now, what use to you is this useful idiot?

Surely you don’t want to play along with his next game – his Second Act – right? He is now embolden – and expects you to to:

• Build the wall
• Ban Muslims
• Deport Dreamers
• Gut the Park System
• Defund the Departments of State, Education, and Environmental Protection
• Walk away from sensible – if imperfect – trade deals

And that is only the Second Act. Surely you don’t want to embrace the Third Act, his embrace of Steve Bannon in deconstructing their so called ‘administrative state’. That, my friend, may very well be the most dangerous of all his games and ploys… (Might that be The Final Act?)

I am so with you that the bureaucracy is dysfunctional. Believe me, I know. And, it needs fixing. For sure.

And yet, the backbone of that bureaucracy is rooted in essential American principles; the mission of the many departments and agencies are visionary and have been built with consensus; and most importantly, the vast majority of the people working there are solid professionals with strong ethics.

We don’t need to ‘deconstruct’ the bureaucracy. We need a fresh recommitment to their core values and ensure we fix how they function to achieve their mission efficiently… No, we don’t need to throw away the baby with the bathwater…. (And, I think you agree with that.)

We need an evolution, not a revolution. And, part of that evolution is to return the Presidency to a decent role.

Grant you, it’s been entertaining for a year. But, no más please. It is verging on the catastrophic.  It is time to say adios to Trump.

It’s time for this useful idiot to go. He has outlived his usefulness to you; and he has never been of any use to us.

Now mind you, I am no lover of Pence. He too is dangerous, in a very dangerous kind of way.

But – and I never thought I’d say this – I’d rather see Pence’s (seemingly) authentic evangelical zeal come to the forefront and debate its merits in the public square than continue this circus of craziness that is Donald J. Trump as President of the United States of America.

#RESIST

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www.Reemberto.net

 

 

 

 

 

On this Thanksgiving Weekend, I want to give thanks for our President, Donald J. Trump.

For he has really brought out the best in us.

He has made us realize how much we need to be there (and here) for each other, help each other get over turbulent times, act to improve the lives of those that do not have a voice – and those whose voices are being taken away… So, I give thanks for all of those around us, near and far, who opt to act, to not stay silent, to shout out with anger with a purpose.

His attitude towards immigrants and refugees have sparked our deepest sympathy and empathy for their plight and struggles… So, I give thanks for the immigrants and refugees, for what they teach us, for what they bring into our nation.

His lashing out against Muslims has inspired us to become seekers of the universal love all faiths have in common… So, I give thanks to our Muslim community, for their amazing tenacity and fortitude in light of constant bashing.

His racist overtones and blatant disrespect of African Americans have rekindled our fight for full and equal justice… So, I give thanks to our African American community for their commitment to stay in – and intensify – the struggle.

His administrative changes to try to put the LGBTQ community back in the closet has reawakened our embedded sense of fairness…. So, I give thanks to our LGBTQ community for pushing back – and pushing back hard – to not lose the gains we’ve made to respect dignity and love.

His disruptive behavior has made us reconsider the role of the Presidency and shown us that we can not count on history or tradition to be the sole determinant for our future… So, I give thanks for history, but I do not worship it.

His demeaning of women has sparked a tidal wave of awakening and the expression of past hurt by women who have been done wrong… So, I give thanks for all the women that have bravely come forth to bust through the matrix of men’s false pretensions and illusion of domination.

His flippant way of dealing with international situations has reaffirmed how interconnected we are with the whole world.. So, I give thanks for all the wonderful peoples from around the world and their contribution to humanity.

His disregard for the truth about climate change has helped us refocus on the wonders of nature and the awesomeness of Mother Earth… So, I give thanks for every specie, beautifully interwoven to from this, our only communal home

His alarming toying with apocalyptic war has helped us reaffirm our love for the simple things in life, including rediscovering contemplation, the joy of healthy relationships and thriving communities… So, I give thanks for my family, my neighborhood, and my community.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

#RESIST

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It is not just about the character, the manners, the Tweets of this President. It is also about very real policies that do very real damage to very real people.  This administration is implementing real policies and procedures and administrative rules and regulations that cause bad things to happen and hurt people. Among many examples:

• Immigrants being expelled
• Muslims being banned
• Blacks being killed
• Healthcare being reversed
• Gun laws going unchecked
• The tax system being rewritten to favor the rich
• Environmental policies being rewritten to serve fossil fuel industry
• The military complex being expanded
• Affordable housing being de-emphasized
• The poor being forgotten
• The judiciary being taken over by fanatics
• Banking regulation being erased

And, let’s throw in four more that pre-date Trump, but need our attention too:

• Corporations becoming people (Citizens United)
• Political boundaries being drawn to perpetuate those in power (gerrymandering)
• Letting corporations – particularly financial institutions – off the hook for their role in the Great Recession
• Rampant economic inequality getting worse by the day

Lest we think things are going to hell in a handbasket, it is good to sense a new “Coalition of the decent” emerging to #RESISTandREPLACE many of these misguided and mean-spirited effort. This emerging coalition is a motley crew of renegade misfits from all walks of life, from every corner of the country. Among them are:

• Aging hippies
• Proud women
• Loud Latinos
• Gay gays
• Fed up Blacks
• Poor Whites
• Liberal rich
• Recantant Republicans
• Re-energized middle class
• Rethread punk rockers
• Sickened scientists
• Legalese lawyers
• Bummed out bureaucrats
• Pissed off park rangers
• Pissed off soccer moms
• Pissed off high schooler
• Pissed off lots of others

While this movement remains leaderless at the national level, make no mistake about it: It is taking over local and state politics with a vengeance. Eventually a national leader (and/or leaders) will emerge, no doubt… Until then, #RESIST – and, as that wonderful song from the 70’s by Curtis Mayfield  says: “Keep on Keeping On”.

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Donald Trump was elected President of the United States a year ago this week.

… and he is still the President.

And I still #RESIST

 

The opposition is dysfunctional, splintered, and marred in its own scandals.

… and is still leaderless.

Yet I still #RESIST

 

He has the power, he has the votes, and he is making appointments to departments and agencies that will reshape the bureaucracy with his draconian policies.

… the odds are still against us.

But I still #RESIST

 

He is trying to implement an economic agenda that works against all but wealthy Americans, a social agenda that disenfranchises and alienates most non-whites, and a foreign policy that is making America small.

… he is still Donald Trump.

So I still #RESIST

 

Why?

I #RESIST because I can, I must, and I care.

 

I #RESIST because I can. If not I then who? I am blessed with the opportunity to do so. I can get involved. I can voice my opinion. I can argue with friends and foes. I can, therefore I #RESIST.

I #RESIST because I must. My moral, ethical, and spiritual compass guides me. And, it clearly points me in this direction. I must, therefore I #RESIST.

I #RESIST because I care. I have a deep innate desire for the common good, love humanity, and celebrate life. I love the simple joy of seeing others happy, self fulfilled, sharing values, and intentionally interconnected. I care, therefore I #RESIST.

 

I look to leaders to challenge us to a higher ground, aspirationally and practically, empathetically and pragmatically.

Trump has more than proven that he is simply incapable of doing this.

 

Therefore, I still #RESIST – and hope you too will do so.

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This Administration’s tactics are appalling.

Make no mistake about it, while we are bashing Trump’s antics and behavior, his Administration is busy – VERY busy – doing some real damage.

Very busy indeed. Pursuing self-serving, self-righteous acts intended to appease their fundamentalist base while gutting away real programs that help the many.

Examples abound. They come at you every day. But, the media seldom seldom highlights these. Media outlets across the political spectrum much rather stay with the salacious scandals, be they real or fabricated.

While we are entertained by these juicy stories, this Presidency’s fanatic bureaucratic strike force is wasting no time finding opportunities to administratively implement their draconian views – for they know well that trying to do so legislatively is hard work and complicated.

Here are but three recent happenings that you might have heard about for a news cycle or two but could have serious long term consequences:

[1] The hoopla about them trying to obstruct the undocumented 16 year old held in a detention camp from getting an abortion masks the reality that they are doing nothing to support adoption or provide new-born universal healthcare – and are willing to destroy whatever little healthcare support there is for undocumented people.

[2] They brag about how the new regulation making it impossible for class action lawsuits against financial industry giants will avoid frivolous lawsuits while in fact it makes it impossible for consumers to band together to fight these giants. (Look it up. This one got almost zero press.)

[3] The V.P. goes in front of fundamentalists to announce that the Administration will shift its funding from the U.N. to religious institutions to provide aid to Christian refugees while the proposed budget deeply cuts USAID and the level of refugees they are willing to accept into the county is the lowest in decades. https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2017/10/26/trump-administration-will-shift-international-aid-un-faith-based-groups

Their actions seemed to be guided by some very simple protocols. All actions must (a) be diagrammatically opposed to anything the Obama did; and, (b) please fringe elements of the fundamentalist, alt-right core fanatics.

Shameful. And dare I say: Not very Christian. Zero – zilch – moral compass.

#RESIST

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A substantial number of people in the United States are clearly with Trump. That is no ‘fake news’.

The vast majority of Americans that identify as Republicans are still very much with him. And so are the vast majority of Americans that do not identify as Republicans yet voted for him. That too is no ‘fake news’.

The fact that many who did not vote for him – and many who did not vote – simply do not like the man is also no ‘fake news’.

I did not vote for him. I do not like him.

I do not mean ‘like’ like in a Facebook comment. I mean ‘like’ as in his personality bothers me; the way he talks turns me off; and I find his behavior un-presidential.

I also find myself seriously disagreeing with many (most) of his policy positions – but more about that in other postings…

Trump way of doing things is making America small, divided, and mean – like it’s never been before.

He is making America small by promoting a perverse sense of native nationalism; demeaning the presidency; and lying.

> Promoting perverse sense of nationalism.  Ever since the creation of nation-states, people who feel they ‘belong’ in any given nation-state have the inclination of feeling proud of their ‘Country’. Americans are no different. However, feeling proud of your Country does not mean you have to disparage or be against everybody else. And, being proud of your Country does not mean you have to select a ‘tribe’ inside your country as being better than the other ‘tribes’. Trump’s white nationalist views makes America small – not great.

> Demeaning the presidency.  The Presidency is our Nation’s highest elected office. It is to be revered, respected, and treasured. When Trump cheapens the Office of the United States President by engaging in arguments that to many are ‘beneath’ the Office; when he speaks in an overtly populist style; when he tries too hard to be ‘one of us’, he demeans the Office.

> Lying. President Trump lies. Of course, every President has had to forego sharing all details of certain circumstance; speak carefully about certain topics; or, conveniently avoid talking about certain things. That is called diplomacy. That is called tact. Trump has neither. When he lies to other world leaders, he makes America small; he demeans the office he holds.

He is dividing America by enticing political polarization; fanning the flames of extremism; and lying.

> Enticing political polarization. Every President is also the leader of a political party. That is the nature of our democratic system. Once in power, however, most Presidents have tried to unite the Country by reaching out to those who voted against him with olive branches and such. Not Trump. He has hardened the positions that his ‘base’ expects of him. He disparages the opposition political parties. He drives wedges among different political views. He polarizes.

> Fanning the flames of extremism. Trump polarizes in many ways. One way that is abhorable is when he refuses to discredit extremist views and instead winks at the extremist leaders as if saying “I got your back.’ What Trump has done is to unleash – and try to mainstream – the visceral extremist views regarding White supremacism and climate change denial pseudo-science by fanning the flames with Tweets and campaign style rhetoric.

> Lying. President Trump lies. He lies about his timid rejection of White supremacists. He lies by using bad data and scientifically dubious references to support his position regarding climate change, benefits of proposed tax system revisions, and educational policies. With these lies he further polarizes the political landscape.

He is making America mean by abusing power dynamics; tweeting disparaging insults; and lying.

> Abusing Power Dynamics. Trump seems to find cheap thrills in picking ‘fights’ with people in position of limited power well beyond his position. This, of course, is the classic definition of harassment and bullying. When Trump picks a fight with the likes of the Mayor of San Juan Puerto Rico, or a Congresswoman he is abusing his power. It is not unlike a CEO publicly chastising an Administrative Assistant or a plant manager. It is harassment; it is bullying.

> Tweeting disparaging insults. Trump is taking America down to the gutter. His propensity to Tweet insults is making a mockery out of the Presidency. He has lowered the Office to the status of a television game show. Jerry Springer would be proud.

> Lying. President Trump lies. Trump’s choice of blurry words and unambiguous lies using mean-spirited words is unbecoming of a President. His right-out-lies – documented by many reputable sources – sets an awful example for our youth and future leaders. It is as if he is saying: “Want to get ahead? Be mean – consistently and callously. Insult constantly. Lie whether you have to or not.”

To my friends, family and foes that have opted to stay with Trump in this race to the low road and gutter, I say: Good riddance. For me, I will #RESIST both his policies and personality.

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{This is a guest post from my sister, Carmen Villafañe. I could not have said it better!}

WHO – much less the President of this country – would THROW supplies to the victims of a natural disaster as if he were playing volleyball?

WHY would the comparison of disasters of this magnitude even be necessary when speaking with the leadership of an island nation that is US territory, under extremely dire circumstances to alleviate the trauma and hardships their people are undergoing?

HOW is it possible for the budget issue to be brought up in such a crass manner in the face of an entire country who has very limited or no power, lacks clean drinking water and entire areas where it’s citizens – AMERICAN CITIZENS – are still cut off from access to relief efforts happening on the rest of the island?

I have chosen NOT to repost the glaring footage* of this visit because I find it offensive. My heart breaks for the PUERTO RICAN people, who still can’t give a clear death toll post-Maria due to inaccessibility on many parts of the island & who are struggling in the day-to-day called SURVIVAL after such a devastating hit. {If you must see the footage, it is here.}

The lack of RESPECT for HUMAN DIGNITY in the attitude & actions of the man who carries the title of President of the United States towards some of the weakest among us – who are our OWN, as much as Floridians & Texans – is a clear reflection of his priorities.

Those are NOT the priorities of the people of the USA. We are compassionate, decent & empathetic towards others in times of need, capable of setting politics aside and putting PEOPLE first. Politics have no place in this (nor any) humanitarian crisis.

I can only ACT in solidarity through helping with my time, treasure & talent when others are in need. I can only PRAY to be sensitive to those in need and that my attitudes & actions reflect my sincere effort & desire to help in the best way possible for THEM, not for me. Also, I pray that as a country, we look inward and re-assess our compass, so that our history as a generous nation always remain in the very fiber of our being.

This post is my reflective response to what I witnessed this afternoon in the news about the President’s visit to PR.

If you respond, please do so with respect.

¡DIOS BENDIGA A PUERTO RICO! ¡ARRIBA Puerto Rico!
God bless the USA!

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