USA Slow Slide Toward Autocracy

USA Slow Slide Toward Autocracy

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The Republican Party 

The Republican Party is now the party of white US citizens feeling threatened by the increase in minority numbers and power.   Some Republican politicians, it is reported, say they are even afraid for their lives if they fail to show allegiance for Donald Trump.  Some GOP congressmen and women can no longer do what they may think is correct to protect our democracy but rather make their constituents happy working toward the betterment of the white race.  For many, the GOP is now the party of white racism.

The Republican Party agenda is as follows:

  • Protect business interests as payback for their dark money income.
  • Keep business taxes low as payback for receiving dark money income.
  • Protect their personal dark money gains from being revealed.
  • Work toward revising state voting laws to cheat instead of compete in all future elections.
  • Work toward making President Biden fail so the do nothing GOP looks better to the American public. 

The Democratic Party

Is now the party that claims it wants to do the following; 

  • Building an economy that lifts up all Americans, not just those at the top.
  • Equal pay
  • Job creation
  • Health care
  • Education
  • Clean energy
  • Civil rights
  • Immigration reform
  • National security
  • Voting rights
  • The Democratic Party also receives a lot of dark money.

The Supreme Court

The “Supreme” Court made a series of decisions that created an awful environment for the US Democracy to survive.  They have failed to uphold what was written in the US Constitution and understand that document provided an outline for all of us to follow which is to form and keep this country a well running Democracy.  A Democracy needs constant attention toward the details of how it should run to best allow it to run better for the people it was designed to function for as a governing body and method.  Our country, at times, may need changes in how it operates to improve our form of Democracy.  But, over time, the “Supreme” Court has failed it’s stated and implied mission to protect this nation.  Here are some examples:

The Supreme Court’s decision in Buckley v. Valeo (1976) a majority of justices held that limits on election spending in the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 § 608 are unconstitutional.  In other words, any single rich person can buy a congress person.  This builds a plutocracy class that holds sway over this government.  Each citizens vote is not equal.  People with money have taken away your voice and control over what takes place in the government seats of power.  The concept of equal rights is not recognized by the “Supreme” Court.  The “Supreme” Court had diminished the individual citizen’s power.

Another Supreme Court decision, First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti, 435 U.S. 765, is a U.S. constitutional law case which defined the free speech right of corporations which held that corporations have a First Amendment right to make contributions to ballot initiative campaigns.  So large corporations can use their money to buy election results.  What is obviously wrong with this is that corporations have way more power than the single voter does.   A voter that realizes that his or her vote is now diminished may feel not to vote.

The “Supreme” Court Citizens United decision struck down as unconstitutional a federal law prohibiting corporations and unions from making expenditures in connection with federal elections thus allowing the plutocracy class to control our form of government to a varying degree by allowing their dark money to buy politicians.  The politicians then serve the plutocracy and not the Democracy.  The plutocrats are interested in their own separate ambitions and needs apart from the interests of the general population of citizens.  This is dangerous because the wish of the people has become diminished.  

 

Voting for Citizens United:

  • Kennedy 
  • John G. Roberts
  • Samuel Alito
  • Antonin Scalia
  • Clarence Thomas

Current “Supreme” Court members who voted for Citizens United, and still serving, should be forced to resign by the American voting public.

Dissenting (the good members):

  • John P. Stevens
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  • Stephen Breyer
  • Sonia Sotomayor.

The current result from a lot of factors is that it seems that the United States is sliding toward an autocracy form of government as we have already witnessed with the rise of Donald Trump and the control Mitch McConnell and the white race has over the GOP.

 

 

Thom Hartmann on How the Democrats Should Fight Back

 

 

Please Support For the People Act.
“An Act to expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, strengthen ethics rules for public servants, and implement other anti-corruption measures for the purpose of fortifying our democracy, and for other purposes.”

 

 

 

 

Published June 11, 2021
Revised June 15, 2021

Brinks Money Debit Card Is NOT Recommended

Brinks Money Debit Card Is NOT Recommended

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June 6th 2021 while walking along a highway I found a Brinks Money Debit card laying on the ground.  I picked it up with the intent to return it to the owner.  After hours on a computer searching for phone numbers for Brinks, and they have quite a few, I discovered that there fails to be, in my opinion, any live person to talk to.   I tried all the phone numbers that I could find and every one has a rather long phone tree with a lot of branches that end without being able to talk to anyone about this problem.   I have spent way too many hours trying to research who owns this card with NO help from Brinks.

I do NOT recommend anyone using Brinks services or products because they seem to fail to offer the service I require, a live human being, to talk to.

I have tried Internet searches but no positive results.

Currently, I have contacted a local police department but after 4 calls to the records and front desk, they fail to respond to their calls.

HOURS SPENT ON THIS ISSUE SO FAR:   Approximately 5 hours.  (This will be updated after each effort.)

June 15, 2021, I called my local university police department and asked if they could find the person who’s name is printed on the debit card.  They told me they only have records for people who have commited a crime but they would check.  I waited a few minutes for the person to check their data base.  The lady came back saying they could not see any solution.

June 16, 2021 I took the debit card to the police department that had jurisdiction for the location that we found the debit card.  They took possession of the card and said they would try to research who owns the card.  I asked for a police report be sent to me as to what they found out.

If this card was from a more modern bank or credit union, I would have found the owner of the card rather quickly.

 

Posted 6/7/2021
Updated 6/16/2021

Apple Airpod Pro Review

Apple Airpod Pro Review

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Apple Earbuds Pro

 

Years ago I purchased wireless bluetooth Apple headsets and they seemed to work fine until March 2021.  Then, the batteries within the earbuds failed.  I went out and purchased the new Apple Airpod Pro paying close to $200 before tax.  I have been disappointed with this purchase for the following reasons:

  • My main complaint is that the audio level has diminished.  They provide a much lower volume than the older version of Apple bluetooth headsets.  I use an Android LG-V30 cell phone and have tried to increase volume settings but nothing works.  I did discover that if I tap on the left earpiece the volume seems to go up a tiny bit.  I walk outside along roadways and the traffic noise easily drowns out the audio I am listening to.   I find that I have to plug in corded headsets to properly listen to my cell phone applications.  With the cord headsets my cell phone allows me to increase volume.  This option fails to show when I am using the Apple Airpod Pro.
  • A constant problem is that the audio frequently fails to arrive at both ear pieces at the same time.  I get sort of an echo type of effect.  My solution is to switch out of one audio playback application and enter another different application which frequently results in synchronized audio.  I then switch back to the audio application I wish to listen to and for a while it plays properly.  The best solution is to, again, use wired headsets.
  • I tried to make a phone call using the Apple Earpod Pro but the party that I called immediately complained that he could not properly hear me.  I think he said that my audio was distorted.  I told him that I would call him back.  I removed the Earpods and used the phone microphone and speaker to make a second call to the party I wanted to reach and the person at the other end said the audio was now perfect.
  • The changeable ear piece fittings, of which there are three, is a possible improvement maybe for some people.   They are a bit difficult to unplug and attach, in my opinion.  I have yet to find one of the three ear gaskets that keeps the device in my ear without falling out.

The Good: 

  • The connectivity between this unit and my cell phone has really improved over the prior Apple wireless model.
  • Audio quality is very good.
  • Pairing between the headsets and the audio source is good.

The Bad:

  • Low apparent maximum audio level.
  • Audio fails to reach both headsets at the same time, occurs frequently.
  • Possible distortion in my microphone audio when using with a cell phone to make a call.

 

Summary:  I do NOT recommend this product.  I have resorted to wearing my very old corded headset, which NEVER provides echo problems, never falls out of my ears, gives good audio output level, but the cord is a bit of a pain.  I really do think I wasted my money.

________________

My Solution:

Years ago I purchased a very expensive handheld ham radio.  It is a Kenwood TH-D74 costing over $800.  I discovered that one of its many features is that the user can connect a bluetooth headset to it so the user can listen and talk on the radio.  But, for years I could not find any bluetooth headset that showed to work with the radio until 2021.  One ham radio operator stated that he found three bluetooth headsets would work. I rushed out and purchased two of them and they do work.  My surprise was that the Plantronics Voyager 5200 was so good that it not only connected to my handheld ham radio but also to my Android cell phone. It could connect to BOTH!   This headset is perfect for me for the following reasons:

  • Perfect audio.  The audio level can be turned up.  When I walk along any highway the passing car noise is loud so I turn the volume up or down to my liking.  I also found out that if I hear a vehicle approaches from behind me on the road, I can take my hand and press the headset into my ear and the volume really goes up.
  • Quick charge.
  • Very nice controls.
  • Perfect voice commands.  This headset notifies you of any incoming call and asks you if you accept or deny the connection.
  • There is a very small switch that you need to flip when you use the headset or not.  When you turn the headset off and plug in the USB charge cable there is a very small blue light that shows you that the headset is charging.

 

Summary:  I am so happy that I purchased this headset.   It costs about half what Apple Airpod Pro costs.  The one slight deficiency is that you only get audio into one ear.  I find this slightly annoying.

 

 

Posted May 21, 2021
Revised:  July 1, 2021

A Google Search You Should Try: “CHICAGO UNIT ACQUISITION LLC”.

A Google Search You Should Try: “CHICAGO UNIT ACQUISITION LLC”.

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I have a rather interesting assignment for you to try.  Using your computer or cell phone, and using an application such as Google, type in these words:  “CHICAGO UNIT ACQUISITION LLC”.   See what you can find about this company.

 

 

 

 

Posted May 19, 2021

Fight Child Poverty

Fight Child Poverty

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It is never has been my interest or motivation to recommend to my readers any charity because that is not the main purpose of this blog.  This blog is to inform, not to sell.  But, this issue of child poverty, in my mind, is very important to us all.  I, therefor, have tried to research any possible solution that we, as a population of public, can think about adopting to improve this situation.  Our politicians should work toward resolving this issue.  While waiting for them to act typically takes quite some time.  The faster solution is for all of us to consider what we can do to help.  The easiest solution is to throw our money at this problem.  So far, here is my rather short list for you to consider.  I have attempted to only offer, to you, highly recommended solutions.  I will only show very high score operations, by Charity Navigator, and I reject religious affiliations.  I am sure there are a lot more solutions for you to consider:

  • Feeding America. has a very high score from Charity Navigator.
  • Save The Children has a near perfect score from Charity Navigator.   This organization also serves other nations than the United States.
  • Child Defense Fund has an above average score from Charity Navigator.
  • National Homelessness Law Center has a 82.69 out of 100 score from Charity Navigator.  Their emphasis is to end homelessness and poverty.

 

The above list is still being expanded when time permits.

 

See also: Political Problems From Child Poverty

 

Political Problems From Child Poverty

Political Problems From Child Poverty

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It appears that the Republican Party is in the process of rejecting Democracy because the party has failed to gain power through that normal political process.  So now it appears they only seeks to win elections by changing the state primary voting rules to gain power for little purpose other than welding power for their plutocracy backers.  The United States political problems came from vast child poverty.

I plan to try to prove to you that the problem is not just the Republican politicians but also the American public.  I will attempt to prove to you that income inequality leads to poor education for a vast number of our citizens.  Then those under educated citizens might fail to comprehend what is really taking place in the political sphere.

For example, the Republican Party is failing badly for a number of factors:

  • How is it that so many voters fail to recognize that the Republican candidates are now telling lies and still support a failed president?
  • Why do so many Republican politicians support the big lie that Donald Trump was the real winner of the 2020 election?

A possible significant factor is that the public have not received a significant education so they can properly understand the democratic process.  Let’s attempt to present to you some proof of this happening:

The need for civic education in 21st-century schools:

“… limited civic knowledge of the American public, 1 in 4 of whom, according to a 2016 survey led by Annenberg Public Policy Center, are unable to name the three branches of government.”

Let me show you an example of what happens when education really hits rock bottom:

“The greatest defect in the working of democracy lies in the fact that the masses in whom the power is vested are mostly uneducated, in the third world countries. They do not properly compre­hend the political problems of their country and the value of their votes.”

So what exactly causes a lower level of education?

“… every other country that outranks the United States on the PISA test, have in common: lower rates of child poverty.”

 

These rich countries have high levels of child poverty
Food Insecure

In the chart above, only five countries perform worse than the United States: Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Mexico.

The best and worst performers on child well-being

“Overall, the countries that performed best across the indicators on children’s well-being were the Nordic nations, Germany and Switzerland. At the bottom of the league table were Chile, Bulgaria, Romania, Mexico and the US.”

“… every other country that outranks the United States on the PISA test, have in common: lower rates of child poverty. And poverty is a major factor in how well students perform on the tests.”

“October 2020 data analysis by the Center on Poverty & Social Policy (CPSP) at Columbia University monitored monthly poverty estimates, which showed that an additional eight million Americans—including 2.5 million children—have fallen into poverty since May 2020.”

“Socio-economically disadvantaged students across OECD countries are almost three times more likely than advantaged students not to attain the baseline level of proficiency in science,” PISA reported in a 2018 paper.

“A 2013 study by Stanford University researchers found that the U.S. would rank much higher on the PISA test if it weren’t for its higher levels of socioeconomic inequality.”

“It is only possible to understand higher education in the United States in light of the intensified concentration of wealth in the country during the last thirty years. During that time the richest one percent of Americans have come to own more private wealth than the bottom 90 percent; the top ten percent of Americans own 71 percent of all private wealth.”

Summary:  The American public embraced one of the worst presidents in history and many still do follow Donald Trump.  Why?  One possible reason is that a vast number of the American public have been disadvantaged by poverty.  Studies have shown that the United States has one of the highest rates of income inequality.  Individuals and families with low income seem to be getting a poor education as a result.  Studies seem to have proven that students who suffer from having low income do poorly in school.  Doing poor in school then might set the individual up for possibly a less paying job and then: 

“They do not properly compre­hend the political problems of their country and the value of their votes.”

This then results in a lower educated voting population that may  fail to understand the advantages of having a Democracy over having a dictatorship.  There seems to be a current threat that the United States may be shifting away from being a true Democracy.  

 

Recommended Reading:

Starting Strong 2017.  Key OECD Indicators on Early Childhood Education and Care

 

 

 

 

Posted:  May 15, 2021
Updated: May 20, 2021