An Open Letter to Evangelicals

Republicans (a synonym for evangelical),

There’s a story about a faithful man who, upon hearing of a major flood coming to his city, ignored calls to evacuate. After turning away two attempts to save him when the waters rose, he drowns and goes to Heaven. Upon arriving, he asks God why he was not spared. After all, he was faithful and praised Him constantly. The Lord responding by saying that He had provided a warning and two attempts to save him. What more did he need?

I feel the same way about evangelicals. After the disastrous results of George Bush and Donald Trump, how can anyone believe that they were anointed by God to lead this country? Wouldn’t they have been more successful had God REALLY anointed them? How do you explain September 11th, Katrina, Iraq and the economic meltdown, in addition to the dumpster fire of the Trump presidency? They are giving God and evangelicalism a bad reputation.

Evangelicals, how many more signs do you need to come to the conclusion that God is not too pleased with the way your professed fellow evangelicals represent, I say pervert, Christianity and faith, in general? Did George Bush follow God’s will? Are Trump, Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell, Jr., et. al. really listening to God? Or are they just using God for their own personal gain, power and ego?.

Wake up!

An open letter to Barack Obama- Part 1A

Sir,

In his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, Theodore Roosevelt noted, “We despise and abhor the bully, the brawler, the oppressor, whether in private or public life.” However, he continued with this bracing passage: “But we despise no less the coward and the voluptuary. No man is worth calling a man who will not fight rather than submit to infamy or see those that are dear to him suffer wrong.”

I guess the American public aren’t that dear to you. It’s only the kids and Michelle that matter. $40,000,000 will by a lot of insulation from the injustices of this country.

A open letter to Barack Obama- Part 1

trump obama

Mr President,

I don’t know where to begin other than to say the current situation in this country is largely your fault. Not for what you did, but for what you didn’t do. It will take me multiple posts to cover it all.

I begin with stating that I don’t have a problem with the policies you tried- mostly unsuccessfully- to implement. My problem is how you went about it.

You came into office with majorities in both Houses, a super-majority in the Senate and you squandered the opportunity. Your dogged instance to play nice with the Republicans, when a simple push would have sent them over the edge into long term irrelevance, made you look weak and enabled their return to power. You did an awful job of explaining your actions and contrasting them with the disastrous Republican positions, making it easy for them to turn public opinion against you and your actions. Your failure to campaign in the midterms allowed them to grow in strength each election cycle. (I actually think you wanted the Republicans to win in 2016 in hopes they would pass big-issue legislation that would require negotiation with you.) They now have majorities in both Houses of Congress, state houses and governor’s mansions. We now have Neal Gorsuch, a pullout of the Paris agreement, a pullout of the Iran nuclear slowdown, ad infinitum. Your fault.

Your unwillingness to call out Trump for his actions when you are still the highest profile Democrat robs Democrats and progressives an opportunity to make their case to the few remaining independents. Just because George Bush didn’t criticize your actions during your terms is not a reason for staying silent. Bush left in disgrace. A few words from him would have actually helped you had you responded politically to his criticisms.

I don’t mind that Republicans hate you. I do mind that they don’t (still don’t) respect you. You spent your time hoping they would like you, but a few beat-downs would have made them respect you, a far more useful relationship. You had Republicans in a corner during the government shutdown over the Bush tax cuts. Instead of extracting maximum political effect and concessions, you sent Joe Biden to negotiate to help out McConnell. Did Mitch return the favor? I have a two word answer for that question. Merrick Garland. I don’t know how much more disrespect they could have shown.

But on the upside you have a $40,000,000 book deal. If it’s title isn’t something like “I’m sorry. I fucked up”, then I know it will be 400 pages of rationalizations and excuses, at $100,000 per page!

So disappointing.

An open letter to the President

trump-putin

Comrade Trump,

I regret that your campaign had to collude with Russia to win the presidency. It will always stick in your craw that you could not have won without Russia’s help. It reflects in your attitude and the way you try to run this country into the ground. You are Putin’s tool to harm this country.

Which will it be? Collusion? Obstruction? or Money laundering?

Hurry Bob Mueller!

An open letter to those who feel left behind

meth lab blog Billy,

Maybe if you hadn’t spent your high school years in your pick-up truck with your girlfriend, getting her pregnant while Hank Williams, Jr was playing on the radio, and if you learned more chemistry than how to cook meth from your cousin Ricky, you would be able to compete for a good job and not fear immigrants.

You were given an opportunity to compete but threw it away. Now you feel animosity towards immigrants because they can do the same job as you. “30 weight or 10W40, sir?”

Whose fault is it?

An open letter to Joe Biden

obama bohner blog Respectfully, sir,
Make as much money as you can from your book and speaking engagements AND THEN GO HOME. You and President Obama showed over your eight years that you don’t have what it takes to effectively counter Republican tactics. Now is not the time for nice guys to run for the presidency who don’t have the necessary skills to confront Trump and his enablers. The bully needs to be beaten at his own game for the public to turn away from him. He would not be in power had you done your job.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

No one listens to me, so I am joining the blogosphere (where no one will read me). I’ve also recently retired and have plenty of time on my hands. I hope you find some of my musings interesting.

About me:

I’ve lived in red states nearly my entire life.

I was a Republican because my family was Republican, but quit voting that way after 1980. Reagan was the last straw following so closely after Watergate.

I used to be an evangelical (Southern Baptist). But since I am no longer a Republican, I can’t be a “real” evangelical.

I am educated and had good jobs my entire career, though I have been “RIF’d”. I don’t fear immigrants. I welcome them. The immigration issue is solvable in a fair and humane way.

I voted for Obama twice, but for Hillary in my state’s primary in 2008. I donated more money to him than any other candidate ever. I voted for Hillary in 2016.

I support gay rights, DACA, the Paris accords and Iran nuclear agreement and ESPECIALLY campaign finance reform.

Sensible gun laws don’t mean the end of the 2nd amendment, though that wouldn’t be too bad if that happened.

I’m undecided, but leaning against, legalizing marijuana. I’ve seen what chronic use does to people and I don’t trust most people to manage their use.

I give to charities and donate my time in service.

As much as I support Bernie’s positions, I believe he is more of an insurgent than a leader. Bernie’s strengths lie in moving the establishment candidates in the right (correct) direction. He would be a terrible president because he wouldn’t know how to develop or implement his programs, or have the support to do so. His supporters were sore losers.

I believe that voters are looking for strength and confidence in their candidates. Discussing the details and hedging your positions on camera makes you look phony, weak and indecisive.

I believe the situation in the Country is the responsibility of Democrats. They didn’t hold Republicans accountable, don’t know the difference between a political argument and a legal one, are too worried about process and didn’t vote.