Monday, July 25, 2016

The Dems Convention: Day ONE part ONE


                 So, it’s time for the Democratic National Convention. What to say about that? First, I think the Democrat’s convention will be much less orchestrated than what the Republicans gave us. Sure, the Republicans had some missteps, which I think were organized by “The Donald” and didn’t accidentally happen. However, that’s just my paranoia talking. Bernie Sanders will almost certainly put his support behind Hillary Clinton. Probably far behind. The trick for that pony will be to get his supporters behind her.

                Thanks to WikiLeaks, Bernie supporters now have proof the Democratic elites did everything in their power to keep him out of contention for the Democratic Party’s nomination. With the release of DNC party emails making it clear Bernie Sanders wasn’t going to be given a fair shake by the Democratic elites, it’s going to be a hard sell for Bernie to make a case for supporting Hillary Clinton. At least one that his supports can get behind. After all, she is the parties “elite”.

I think you’ll see plenty of Bernie supporters stay home. I seriously doubt they’ll migrate to Donald Trump. While Sanders and Trump had similar issues defining their primary contests, their plans to achieve those issues are just too far apart. For example: both Sanders and Trump want affordable college education for everyone. Sanders plan, to make if free (meaning someone other than the students will pay for it) and “The Donald’s”?  Make sure graduates have good paying jobs after college so they can pay back their students loans. See what I mean?

                In all fairness to the Democrats, they’ve always been up front about their nominating process. It’s rigged. What I mean by that is: The Democratic Party elites set up a process that allows them [elites] to control who the party nominates.  But they’ve never pretended otherwise. For that I’ll give them credit (small pat on back). So, I suppose we didn’t actually need to hear it from WikiLeaks. However, seeing proof from WikiLeaks made it real for the millennials and they make up a substantial percentage of Bernie supporters. They [millennials] could no longer profess, to themselves anyway, that all was on the up and up. After the WikiLeaks disclosures, they had to pull their collective heads out of the sand (or would that be their ass?). Now they’re showing up in scores to protest.

                What will grow from these protests? Probably nothing. However, it will make the Democratic National Convention “TV worth watching”. If only because “liberal” protesters tend to be much more disruptive then their “conservative” counterparts. The head of the DNC, Debbie Wasserman Shultz, has already fallen on her sword. Scheduled to “gavel in” the convention, she has withdrawn and plans to step down as head of the DNC after the convention. Undoubtedly, being shouted down when speaking to the Florida delegates, her home state BTW, had something to do with it. So, I guess, something has come of the protests. But really, nothing’s going the change.

                I kind of feel sorry for Hillary Clintons’ campaign. I mean, here they have an historic event, the nominating of a women for President of the United States by one of the two political parties. Yes, I know there are more than two, but that’s just on paper, in reality (that’s where we live people, in case you need reminding) we are a two party political system. On a side note, communism is a one party system.  Just wanted to throw that out; doesn’t really have anything to do with what I’m talking about. So, where was I?

Instead of the media throwing themselves at the first women running for President story, it’s become all about the Democratic National Party “elites” and their concerted efforts to keep Bernie Sanders out of contention for the nomination. And the protests this is sparking? They will be the major stories oozing (yes, I too have a thesaurus) out of the Democrat’s convention this week. The paranoid voices in my head hint at a deliberate attempt to divert attention from their candidates’ numerous scandals. But I’m sure that’s just me?

                To add insult to injury, for the Clinton campaign, Hillary should have been able to position herself as an outsider, being a women and all. I’m serious here. Political supporters of all makes and models tend to buy into the rhetoric their chosen candidate spews. You and I know when people talk about power within the Democratic Party they’re talking Clintons. However, as I’ve already mentioned, people will believe what they want to believe, regardless of the evidence.

Why is this important? This need to be the outsider candidate? In the current political climate, the outsider candidate has a big advantage. Unfortunately for the Clinton campaign, the Republicans nominated a true outsider. Not since Eisenhower’s nomination (look it up) has either party put forward a candidate for President that hasn’t held elected office. I’m going to go out on a limb here (not) and say this makes “The Donald” the outsider candidate.

                I want to put this out there. I know it doesn’t exactly flow, but I think it’s important. Do actions speak louder than words? I was taught they [actions] do, but I’ve come to believe this is NOT the case. Take, for example, Hillary Clintons rhetoric that she’s a champion for women. I guess she gets to claim that because she’s a woman. It’s most definitely NOT supported by her actions. During Bill Clintons sexual scandals back in the 90’s, Hillary blamed the women coming forward. She called them liars and blamed them for what happened. Don’t take my word for it, look it up. Obviously, her actions don’t reflect the rhetoric of a champion for women. And she has, at least in the past, disgracefully paid her female staff less than she pays the men. Again, don’t believe me? Look it up for yourself.

                And what about “The Donald”? He’s said some rather obnoxious and unpleasant things regarding women. The most notable? His comments regarding Carly Fiorina’s, one of his opponents in the primaries, physical appearance. However, his actions reveal something different. He hired the FIRST women construction supervisor in New York history! His companies employ more women in executive positions of power than any other in that industry. And he pays them the same as their male counterparts. Who’s actually putting their money where their mouth is? That’s a rhetorical question, people!

So, look for lots of rowdy protesting at the Dem’s convention this week. And blaming the republicans for it. Should be entertaining, especially if the protesters manage to get inside the convention center and onto the floor. I doubt security will let that come to pass. Too bad really, would significantly increase viewership if it happened.

As always, that’s just my opinion. You could be wrong?

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