American Democracy

So, here's the worst case scenario for American democracy.

Despite her big win in New York, Hillary Clinton goes back to her losing ways against Bernie Sanders.  She goes into Philadelphia behind in elected, pledged delegates,  but, unlike eight years ago, the super-delegates remain loyal, and she gets the nomination.

On the Republican side, Donald Trump arrives in Cleveland with a significant lead in actual votes as well as pledged delegates, but not the majority he needs to secure the nomination.  The Republicans, after multiple ballots, reject both Trump and his nearest competitor, Ted Cruz, and instead pick John Kasich as their standard bearer.  Donald Trump, angry and hurt, launches a third party run.

The election is over, Hillary comes in first, Trump second, and Kasich third.  And one faithless elector casts a single electoral college vote for Paul Ryan. No candidate has enough votes in the electoral college, so the final choice for President is left to the House of Representatives.  They choose Paul Ryan, a man who hasn't received a single cast vote from anyone.

And that's how American democracy finally dies.

Teddy Boy and the Women

Teddy Boy is running as an evangelical Christian.  Of course his sexual dalliances are relevant.   Meanwhile, our favorite hacktivists, Anonymous, have posted phone records that may show a link between the Texas Canadian and D.C. madam Deborah Palfrey.

Now, let's be clear.  Heidi Cruz's appearance is not an issue, but as long as the press is fixated on who's wife is hotter, they aren't questioning Mrs. Cruz's employment at Goldman Sachs.  The Wall Street firm already has too much influence in Washington.  What happens if a Sachs employee is First lady?  Will it be a repeat of Dick Vader and Halliburton?

Donny Dumbo vs Teddy Boy

Let's be honest.  Ted Cruz is worse than Donald Trump.  Trump may be a jackass, but at least he's a malleable jackass.  

The New Definition of Treason

It's time to start calling it what it is.  It's not extortion, blackmail, an attempt to force negotiations, or a power grab.  It's an attempt to subvert the constitution, a coup, it's treason.

Yes, the Repugs are at it again.  There's a way to get rid of a law that 's not to one's  liking.  It's called repeal.  But what to do when that's not possible.  Why, subvert the constitution. Shut down the government, destroy the credit of the United States.  When small, far right (Or left.) parties try something like that in a third world country, we sniff, hold our noses and call it treason.  For the life of me, I can't understand why Ted Cruz and his followers aren't guilty of the same crime.

Of course, the Repugs have been pulling this stuff for awhile now.  Let's see, there's that whole voter suppression thing.  Five conservative thugs on the Supreme Court overturning an election.  And let's not forget the impeachment of Bill Clinton over a sexual indiscretion.  Bad taste, for sure, but a basis for removing a President from office?  I think not.

There's an important constitutional issue here.  If the Repugs can threaten the destruction of the country, if they don't get their way, then the country ceases to exist.  I hope President Obama fights this one to the end. Let's also hope that the Republicans are going the way of the Whigs.