Do We Have Ten Good Men Left?

Do We Have Ten Good Men Left?

Michael Cannata

            This week has seen some historical events unfold that could bring about the downfall of Donald Trump's presidency. His long time lawyer and "fixer," Michael Cohen, has declared in court that Trump directed him to pay hush money to Stormy Daniels in an attempt to influence the 2016 election. He has been branded a criminal co-conspirator in campaign finance violations by a man who is in a position to know.

            His former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was found guilty on 8 counts of tax evasion and bank fraud, barely escaping guilty verdicts on 10 other charges thanks to a lone holdout on the jury. Several members of his administration have been charged and have pleaded guilty to a variety of crimes in the course of their duties.

            However, the members of congress, the GOP in particular, still seem reluctant to pursue impeachment as a means to remove Trump from office and try to salvage what little respect people might hold for those in office and for our government in general.

            There's an old saying that "the fish rots from the head down." However, the fish that is the GOP has been rotting away long before Trump came on the scene. Trump has just accelerated that rotting the way the hot sun would while burning down on the carcass.

            Yet, even as our country is being torn apart by the hate, racism, bigotry and misogyny he spews on a daily basis, the GOP still turns a blind eye to his sick and twisted sense of governance. They are unable or, worse, afraid to oppose his attacks on almost every social and ethnic group; Unwilling to challenge him as he insults and denigrates the character of greater men for reasons that are petty, personal and vindictive. Men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving their country,

            While his party has control of both houses of congress and the White House, he has continued to blame the democrats for his failure to accomplish any meaningful changes that would benefit the American people. Instead he has attacked and attempted to take away many of their vital social services such as health care, education, food stamps and financial aid.

            He has raped the nation's coffers to enrich those who need it the least while denying aid to those that need it the most. He has spurned and insulted long time historical allies and has kowtowed to fanatical despots and dictators around the globe. He has accepted the denials of Vladimir Putin at face value while condemning our own national intelligence agencies for insisting that Russian meddling in our elections is real and dangerous.

            It's become clear that Donald Trump lives to serve only one man, himself. He demands loyalty from all but shows loyalty to none, no matter how long they work or sacrifice for him. He accepts, no, he usurps all credit for any success those around him achieve. Yet, he blames everyone around him for his personal failures as a businessman and politician.

            He lives in an alternate reality, filled with alternate facts where "truth isn't truth." He has boldly lied with impunity on a scale unparalleled in modern history.

            He has attacked our greatest institution, the free press, and declared them the "enemy of the people!" He mounted a full assault on our right to free speech. I have never heard more insane and dangerous invective spoken by a member of our government.

            The members of both parties are part of the problem. But the GOP has all the chips in this game. It's time they come together with the democrats and realize they have a common enemy in Trump.

            Surely there must be a lot... ok, many... well, some... a few?... members of the GOP party willing to put their names on the line and stand up to this lunatic posing as the American president; Leaders who are willing to join with their democrat counterparts and impeach this dangerous charlatan before our country is damaged beyond repair.

            The American people are in desperate need of GOP leaders who will challenge their base and show, not just Americans, but the global community, that America doesn't need to be made great again. It has been and always will be the greatest nation on Earth. And we are not going to let Donald Trump tear us down while he tries to prop himself up.

            When push comes to shove... and I believe we have reached that point, I can't believe that all the republicans will put their own country in peril and allow Trump to wreak havoc on all that America has stood for. I don't believe the members of the GOP will choose their party over their people. I don't believe they will sacrifice their personal integrity and honor as elected leaders, just to protect a corrupt, unprincipled, ego-maniacal man who would destroy this country and destroy them rather than resign.

            I fear for our country now more than ever. We The People are at the point where we just might collapse as a country. Trump seems determined to divide us against ourselves and bring our United States down in a show of fire and fury of our own making. We have become a nation where evil; corruption, criminal conduct, greed and avarice in our elected leaders are almost seen as positive characteristics. Like Rome we are a grand Empire just before its fall. Or maybe we are closer to one of those famous cities that were destroyed by an angry God.

            I don't often use biblical stories to get a point across but this seems to be the right time. I'm paraphrasing here:

            When God sent his angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah they were met by Abraham and they told him they were there to destroy the cities because they had become corrupt with evil. Abraham asked God if he would spare the cities if he could find at least 10 good men among those who lived there. God agreed.

            However, after saving Lot and his family, the angels scoured the city and couldn't even find 10 good men. We all know what happened after that.

            If his angels were to show up in Washington D.C. today looking for 10 good men, we would be in deep doo-doo.

When Doing the Wrong Thing is the Right Thing to Do.

When Doing the Wrong Thing is the Right Thing to Do

Michael Cannata

            In 2016, for only the second time in my 66 years, I registered to vote. I was inspired because of Bernie Sanders' decision to enter the presidential race. Sanders is a man that I had come to admire as an example of a man who had served his country honorably. Over his entire career he has been one of only two independent Senators in our Congress.

            I truly felt he was the only man capable of bringing the two parties together. He has a history of being able to support the best side of an issue regardless of what side of the aisle it came from. He had the respect of virtually all the members of Congress. While I was disappointed that he dropped his independent status and joined the Democratic field, I still felt he had a good chance of winning. And he did, until his own party sabotaged his efforts and backed Hillary Clinton. I knew his cause was lost, long before the Democratic Convention.

            I have always taken politics very seriously. So seriously, that I realized early on that our country has never been interested in what I or people like me think. I believe it should be a law that people must go to the polls and vote. Conversely, until we give them the options to express their opinions on the candidates, people have no choice but to stay home. Almost 50% of the eligible voter never went to the polls in 2016. I believe, as I always have, that our election system is not designed with people like me in mind. I am in the majority in that sense.

            A good friend declared that, unless we vote, we lose our right to complain. He said, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

            I don't believe that by failing to vote one loses their right to complain. My major complaint has always been that, unless you are willing to support a candidate from the two major parties, our elected officials would prefer that you stay home. And please don't give me that "you can write in any name you want" argument.

            As long as we are given the same old problems (candidates) there is no solution.

            There is nothing "silent" about the voice of the almost 50% of eligible voters that boycotted the election. The problem lies in the country's refusal to register those votes in a category where they can be counted and have their voice be heard.

            Suggesting that people vote for people from alternative parties just because they are on the ballot is just as much a way of saying your vote is wasted. In recent years so many politicians who have won office with a bare 25% of eligible voters have declared that they have a "mandate" to their credit; which, of course, is far from the truth.

            When it comes time for our congressmen and senators to vote on a bill or issue before them, members have the right to abstain. They basically remain neutral on an issue and don't cast a vote. These moves are counted but they have no part in deciding the issue being voted on.

            In Nevada, they have the right to choose "None of the above." Voters should have the right to do the same and have their opinions counted. If we want voters to use their voice, give them the proper platform. Voting for candidates from alternative parties with no realistic chance of winning is like asking people to talk with a pillow over their face. It's pointless to use your voice when it will never be heard.

            Voting for fringe candidates who have no chance of winning is a wasted vote and a silent voice. These are candidates who aren't even allowed the opportunity to stand with those from the two major parties onstage in nationally televised debates. A vote for them is akin to betting on a horse that's been scratched before the race even starts. It is a waste of money.

            I had intended to vote in the November elections, but after talking with my friend I have reconsidered. I don't want to vote for a candidate because he is the other party's candidate and thus is opposed to Trump. Voting against the lesser evil isn't something I can do. If I don't believe in a candidate in a personal way, if I don't believe that they are the best person for the job, I can't in good conscience vote for them.

            The one thing Trump has been right about is that the elections are rigged. I think the majority of Americans who stay away from the polls believe it too.

            To imagine that half of the country just doesn't care, that they have become too apathetic, is to disregard a lot of people who feel they are not fairly represented by either party. It isn't apathy when you stop caring about people who don't care about you. Perhaps it is our country that doesn't care about them... unless they are part of their rigged two party election system.

            And right now the system gives them no incentive and no means to express their true opinion about the candidates. They are given no means of voting against a candidate. Nevada does and it has served them well. As far as I know "None of the above" has won over the candidates on the ballot. The candidate who got the most votes still won the election But, at least, by official count, they knew for sure that the majority of voters didn't want either of them.

            Americans across the country should be able to do the same. Sometimes saying "None of the above" is the only way a citizen can voice their opinion. And that is a choice our country should offer them if we really want to bring people to the polls.

            They're called polling places for a reason. They're not just for registering votes...  they are meant to poll the citizens on their opinions.

            Votes matter. Opinions matter as well. Just because people don't vote, that doesn't mean they have no right to their opinion.