During an interview a Georgian woman had a very interesting answer as to why she was voting on the first day of early voting. She thought one party’s conflicting statements was confusing. She thought Republicans were more concerned about saving a fetus’ life which hadn’t breathed than they were about people killing people with “automatic weapons” who did breathe. It was a conflict that I hadn’t thought about before. Politics creates such conflicts just to get elected.

            Some people complain about Nanny State and then work to make sure their constituents get as much out of it as they can to get re-elected. Some people in the House and Senate voted against the infrastructure bill but made sure their district and state got their fair share.

            I have heard many people complain about how the rich don’t pay their fair share of taxes. The conflict is when the government wants to raise taxes on billionaires and rich corporations; they complain or vote against the change. The IRS is going to hire thousands of new agents so the reports from those people and corporations can be audited. It may require a hundred agents to audit a return of hundreds of pages. Some people have said those agents will go after the poor and middle class voters to get re-elected by scaring people.

            Some people have been conned so much and so often they believe anything they are told. When a con artist can convince so deeply that they are willing to overthrow their government and install a dictator, then the American light is out.

            An episode of NCIS reminded me how lucky we are to be born in the United States of America. The show’s line was about how much people have to divulge and how many inspections are made to adopt or foster care a child when a few minutes can produce one to total idiots. Yes there are many adopters and people fostering who slip through the system but millions of parents should never have been able to procreate.

            Another example is those people who want to become a citizen of this country. They have to pass a test that probably eighty percent of those lucky enough to be born here couldn’t pass. Most of us born here couldn’t tell anyone how many justices are on the Supreme Court much less name more than one or two. It is sad most Americans can’t name their representative or senators yet we are allowed to vote.

            For those who are born here the choices are infinite. Kids from poor families have become millionaires and those not so bright have become president just because they can talk a good story or have a rich father.

            Today we have a Black woman next in line to be on the Supreme Court, a Navajo as Secretary of Interior, a Black woman as Vice-President, a gay Secretary of Transportation, and others with different religions, skin colors, gender identities, and other designations which couldn’t have happened just two decades ago. Only here in the United States of America.

            The United States Constitution specifies the minimum age to be a Representative, Senator, or President. Oddly it didn’t specify they had to be white males. Of course women and blacks were not capable of such strenuous thought so the founding fathers did not need to mention either women or blacks.

            The Constitution did not specify any requirements about who could be a Supreme Court Justice. A Justice, as we see today, can be a man, woman, white or black, etc. One interesting thing is the lack of an age requirement. CBS nightly news showed a letter from an eleven year old black girl to President Biden asking to be nominated. Of course the Senate wouldn’t give consent but it is an interesting point.

            Another point is a law degree, or even law experience, is not required. At least one justice has not had a law degree. The news article didn’t mention her politics so the little Black girl could be a bi-partisan choice.

            I am a student of Military History and its involvement with the State department, the political spectrum and the American Public. The military has lied to us from its inception. George Washington and the other generals lied about the Revolutionary War and it has lied about every war since.

            We are told that Pershing never allowed any of his troops to be under another nation’s control. False! He sent troops to fight with the French and British. General Douglas MacArthur had a company of public relations people to con Americans about how great he was running his part of the Pacific War.

            In Viet Nam we were lied to through the entire time we were there and afterward. When the NVA and the Viet Cong were pretty much defeated after TET, nobody believed it after the years of lies.

            In Afghanistan and Iraq we were lied to on a daily basis to keep the public supporting the announced goals although some truth leaked out occasionally. The first may have been how Bin Laden got away. Another time was the Taliban was destroyed so troops could be moved to the concocted invasion of Iraq. Rumors of high up corruption were dismissed after we pumped billions in cash to support the military and the construction projects in both countries.

            Just like Viet Nam we threw cash to the people we bought. Graft made those “friends” very rich and they bailed when we did.

            When I was a little boy I lied more than I told the truth and it made adulthood easier. Maybe that is why I have so little regard for most politian’s. Being a good liar seems to be a prerequisite for the position.

            My paternal ancestors came across the pond in the late 1600s and to the best of my knowledge and the history of the Johnson family; we have never had a politician in it. So when I hear Wisconsin’s Senator Ron Johnson spouting all the lies about the election and how Trump has been cheated, I am glad he has no more of a relationship to me than the last names we have in common.

            When he was at the latest CPAC meeting I bet he was one of those who got his picture made with the golden idol of Trump and worshipped the man himself. Wouldn’t it be nice if he decided to tell the truth and not be a sycophant of an egomaniac who only cares about himself?

            There’s a story during the French Revolution of a man who was standing in a front alcove with another man. The second man asked the first if he would join the mob coming down the street. The first man said he would lead it when he could find out what they were upset about.

            I doubt the story is true but it does explain a lot of people we elect to office. They want to be elected for many reasons but I fear many just want the position for vanity. Many may start out to work on some perceived inequity they wanted to solve but then can’t give up the perks and “respect” of the office. To stay in office they sell themselves to their party’s line of propaganda even if it conflicts with their original intentions.

            Senate Minority Leader McConnell voted to acquit Donald Trump and then issued a scathing attack on him saying he is morally and perhaps criminally responsible for the January 6 attack on the Capital Building. His proclaimed reason for the vote was Trump was no longer in office thus allowing him to sidestep a guilty vote. So why did he vote for acquittal? He wanted to continue to remain the Minority Leader and highest ranking Republican in Washington D.C.

            How many of the people who talk about fiscal responsibility vote for big expensive projects in their districts and states or in trade for a vote. If their base suddenly wants something else then the office holder will get in front and lead disregarding the legality and morality. That’s why they keep getting re-elected.

            Find out what the people want through polls and then use the results to make the hook for their campaign. The modern day Frenchman looking to lead the mob.