To those who wish to effectively counter the onslaught of right wing reactionaries trying to demolish government: remind people that our shared government is the only thing that can hold us all together as Americans.

The decision taken over two hundred years ago to unite as a single nation has enabled us to attain to the highest standard of living in the world. Much of this was due to a strong central government supporting portions of the nation that would have languished otherwise (rural electrification, land grant colleges, federal water projects).

The coming administration will try to pit us against one another, but our shared history must be recalled, and any  attempts to shatter our historic mutual bonds must be fought as fiercely as our forefathers fought for independence, or against the onslaught of Fascism.

It is clear that neither of the 2016 presidential candidates actually represented the bulk of the American people. One was a shameless huckster who never treated anyone else with any respect. The other was a creature of the 1% masquerading as the people’s friend (as shown by her continual avoidance of the public versus her eager attendance at million dollar fund raisers).

Our only hope for recovery as a nation is to reinvigorate our fading democracy with a new party that actually reflects the will of the people. Educating people to recognize that their self-interest demands that they abandon both parties will be a very difficult undertaking given the control of the media by the existing power structure, but the ongoing and escalating attacks on the economic and civil rights of the 99% just may provide the fuel for a new political revolution.

I watched the disturbing video linked-to below and was appropriately distressed at the violence and ruthlessness of this  predatory creature.
evil actor
And yet, upon reflection, it seemed to me an apt metaphor for the evil slouching its way towards Washington D.C.
It has sharp mouth hooks which trap and injure its prey. It has an underground body that consists of many segments all of them ugly and hungry; and it takes beautiful free creatures and through deception and violence converts them to foul worm droppings. All in all a pretty close metaphor for what our democracy is currently swimming to ever more closely.

The other day my smartphone lit up with a Google calendar warning that I needed to start my journey to class earlier than scheduled because the traffic was so bad on Highway 101.

I wish that everyone’s smartphone would light up with the message that we need to stop burning so much fossil fuel because the CO2 levels are bad and getting worse everywhere.

Anyone here in Silicon Valley up for writing such a “stop gassing out the planet” app?

I was formed at a time (1950’s, 60’s) and place (New York City) where the government actually did take measures to build a strong middle class and even give a helping hand to those hoping to enter but not yet in the  middle class.

My family of six received a break when we qualified for public housing in Brooklyn. The rental cost was reasonable and helped us eat, even though it was often just tuna fish at the end of each month.

We all received a great education (I was lucky enough to qualify for Stuyvesant High School, one of the best  schools in NYC, and free except for the subway fare needed to get to Manhattan).

When I graduated H.S. I received a Regents Scholarship (publicly funded). It was the only way I was able to  attend Columbia Engineering, which basically set me on the course to Silicon Valley and a good life as an  Electrical Engineer.

All of this is a long-winded way of saying that today’s government abandonment of the poor and most of the  middle class in favor of the ultra-wealthy pains me deeply. I know from personal experience what a difference a  supportive society can make in the life of those not born with the proverbial silver spoon inserted in oral cavity.

Hence my letter writing, political interest and disheartenment at the apparent direction of our Nation in these troubled times.

Trump won because at least since LBJ, no major party had ever responded to the desperate struggles of working class people oppressed by the predatory nature of modern capitalism.

Whoever figures out how to improve the plight of the working class (an improvement which will not be coming from the next White House occupant) will gain the allegiance and votes needed to reclaim the Executive branch.

I suggest Democrats google “Economy For The Common Good”.

This is a movement out of Europe that defines the purpose of the economy not as maximization of profit but as maximization of the common good. This movement could both aid the average worker and reduce the severe impacts the profit-only model is having on the survivability of our species and the entire plane.

Economy for the common good

Since fake news is toute la rage these days, herewith a fake letter I never received:

Dear Easyed
Please stop sending letters to the Editor decrying our “rigged and broken system which just isn’t working”. Silly you. Of course it’s working. Great. For us. We have spent a lot of time, money and effort moving the system from one that allowed all a chance at a decent life to one that funnels all the money into our offshore accounts. Quit whining and either join us or shut up.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
The Oiligarchs, Messrs. Koch and and our “main man” the Donald

I have been sending letters to the Editor of local newspapers for many years.

I have long been urged by my friend George to post some of them in a blog.

Well George, this blog’s for you!