It's Time Folks!

https://maryhallrayford.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/its-time-folks/

Enjoy and vote on 11/6/18 like your life depends on it, because it does!

Mid Term Election Upon Us!

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment provides, “The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.” It prohibits states from discriminating among voters based on age, for people who are at least 18 years old, and grants Congress power to “enforce” that prohibition through “appropriate legislation.” The Twenty-Sixth Amendment is the last in a series of amendments enacted over more than a century expanding constitutional protection for voting rights. Like many other amendments, it was enacted as a direct repudiation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

We can see with our own eyes (even though the orange menace in the WH told his base, not to believe what they see, hear, or read--cult mentality) that the Republican party is doing everything it can to keep citizens from voting.

In North Dakota--they've come with a "legal street residence requirement" for Native Americans who live in rural areas where no streets have been established. It is designed to keep them from exercising their right to vote. Fear of them voting for Democrats--is the real reason since most usually vote for Democrats.

In Georgia--Brian Kemp is afraid of losing to Stacey Abrams--a Black woman who is the Democrat challenging him. Right now--Kemp--is the Secretary of State in Georgia--has over 53,000 voter registrations sitting on his desk because--get this--the signatures don't match "exactly" those already in their data files. Realistically, if I signed my name three times within three minutes, they won't match exactly. This excuse is just that--another attempt to suppress the Black vote in Georgia by Republicans.

In North Carolina--the Republicans shut down "Sunday Voting" in counties that are predominantly Black--to keep the citizens from exercising their right to vote.

In Michigan--just weeks before the election--the Republicans changed the rules about "straight party" voting by excluding it. Their hope is that most of the residents won't take the time to complete their ballots.

All across the nation--wherever Republicans are in charge of the state government--they are enacting "cheating rules" to control how people vote. This is a gross violation of every citizen's constitutional rights. The word, "abridged" means no state or the nation has the right to curtail, get in the way of anyone of legal age to vote.

So, America--we don't have to let Republicans get in our way, but we do need to understand that the only way Republicans win--in any election--is by cheating and we have a record of that--in recent elections starting with George W. Bush with the "hanging chads" in Florida where his brother was governor. Fearmongering is another favorite tactic used by Republicans as Laura Ingraham so aptly demonstrates on Fox News by warning their viewers they must vote for Republicans or the Democrats will "replace them with immigrants." That is fraudulently false that she should be sued for it, but apparently, all's fair in war and politics--use of the first amendment that is.

Well, I'm exercising my 1st amendment rights in every blog I write and today, this is dedicated to every person eligible to vote, but is hesitating because of lies promoted by Republicans through a number of means--including videos produced by right-wing entities like Prague U and Carol Swain (The Inconvenient Truth About The Democratic Party). What Swain does is to take the viewer of the video to a specific point in history--prior to the Republicans and Democrats--switching their philosophies and platforms--and leaving it there. That was the late 19th Century and Early 20th Century history of the political parties. This is the 21st Century and I guarantee everyone reading this--The Democratic Party is the only political party that cares about "all the people" and not just some as we see in the Republican party (tax cuts for the rich, loss of services for everyone else who now pay higher prices for everything).

 

Okay, so I know this is a lot to read, but check out my YouTube Channel--Everyday Americans 2020--and listen to the videos I've produced to encourage all to vote.

https://youtu.be/8Op8DgkPgsA


And for the Black Community--don't be mislead and tricked into voting for people who really don't care about you and their very recent legislated policies--prove it. Republicans don't want people to have access to affordable healthcare, education, veteran's benefits, clean air, water and non-toxic soil from which all of our food production is dependent. Listen, remember, research and then march to the polls on 11/6/18 and vote like your life and our democracy depend on it because they do.
 
https://youtu.be/Nk_gKzZpsks

If you still don't see the need to vote and to vote for every Democrat on your ballot--I'll have to assume you've partaken of the orange shake and incapable of rational thinking--especially if you're paying attention to the daily news--which demonstrates how our democracy is at risk. The Republicans won't exercise their constitutional right to "check" all the nonsense trump does and some have even considered, rewriting the Constitution to eliminate terms for a president--that is a dictatorship--when one party rules and keeps others from exercising any choice. Don't believe me--research it for yourself!

Until then, remember--we only have a little over two weeks before 11/6/18 and the outcome will be a reflection of who we are as Americans--whether we are True Patriots--ready to live out the inscription on the Statue of Liberty--

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

or whether we are just inclined to go along with a party--no matter how much it could endanger us. Elections have consequences and see that every day since the 2016 election. Let's not be foolish and repeat the mistakes of the past election. We deserve better and it's up to us--to make sure we have what we deserve--freedom to choose and the right to exercise our choices in government with our vote.

I'm Mary M. Hall-Rayford and I approve the message of the content of this blog.

Kanye West Should Be Ignored!

In his most recent attempt to have something intelligent to say, he failed miserably. But this was not the firs time!

https://youtu.be/f4QJSmgYJCY

Detaining Children Is Immoral and Inhumane!

Contact Sec. Azar, Sec. Nielsen, VP and Jeff Sessions and tell them to reunite the children with their own parents. 

https://youtu.be/OvCRbk_fQD8

Why We Must Vote!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more engaging videos! 

https://youtu.be/Nk_gKzZpsks

Money, Money, Money!

Sitting here thinking about "the new world" Christopher Columbus was so excited about when he was making his journey from Spain and got lost. To be clear, he was not the first person to set their sights on the Americas, but that's a discussion for another time. For now, people need to take a serious look at what we have called a democracy in America.

The pillars for which this democracy upholds are being eroded by Russian influence and a traitor to America. We know that Russia attacked our electoral system and I believe it was not just through the social media accounts--gaslighting gullible people, but it was also through deliberate bribes of those in the electoral college. Notice that in all the swing states where a recount was requested and in some cases started, money convinced judges to call them off. So if money can determine the direction of our country, what is the purpose of the Constitution? What was the purpose of establishing three branches of government by which all policies would be established, reinforced and adjudicated when needed? We have an illegitmately elected clown in the White House--who has ignored the Constitution from the beginning and more despicable clowns in Congress who refuse to exercise their oversight responsibilities. And now, with the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, a blatant liar, and possible serial sexual predator, the Supreme Court will never again be seen as an arbiter of justice and truth. Three pillars missing from the democratic structure leaves only one left--a free press and even there, that pillar is endanger of toppling with all of the vicious lies told by the White House clown.

I have to wonder if people really understand the significance of this process in which it was nothing like the process, usually observed. Brett Kavanaugh has had several sexual assault allegations lodged against him, he perjured himself under oath during his last hearing, he's had political PACs paying for advertisements (out of the norm for a judicial nominee), and then because he knew he had screwed up with his belligerence, wrote an OP ED in the Wall Street Journal (owned by Rupert Murdoch who also owns Fox), which defies all logic, other than to conclude, he was begging for the position. His behavior is abominable, but that won't stop Republicans from confirming him into the position he feels he's entitled to have. Law Professors have sent letters to the Senate warning them not to confirm him; the ABA has warned them not to confirm him and former classmates have attested to the fact that he was lying while under oath. And why oh why wasn't the FBI allowed to question the 20 or more people who contacted them with information? Cover-up anyone? If Brett Kavanaugh had any integrity or honor he'd step aside rather than have the Supreme Court's reputation tainted forever.  Oh yeah, the Republicans know he's not fit to sit on the bench of the Supreme Court but they don't care because they care more about their agenda, than people and doing what's right. Traitor Don will have his "get out jail card" when the crap catches up with him. That's what this is really all about--along with all other Republicans who are complicit in the Russian meddling. We know. We are not the victims of the gaslighting. That's trump's base. Gaslighted into cult worship.

Here's the thing--all women, Black and White--our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren will be subject to Supreme Court decisions for decades to come. And the one thing I don't understand is why women would sit back and allow this travesty to continue. When women vote, they should vote for people who are committed to serving them, not the lobbyists who pay them. We deserve a return on the tax dollars all elected persons get for their pay. As a result, voters must take more time in getting to know who it is they're electing, since we are actually their employers. I don't want to pay anyone who neglects or ignores my rights in order to obtain money from corporate entities or rich old white men who have nothing better to do with their money than to influence politics and politicians.

With the Supreme Court appointment--a life time appointment--we pay them, too. And if they choose to screw over us all, we've allowed it to happen by those we elected who confirmed them. So, now--it really boils down to--how do you want your tax dollars used--to promote sexual predators and those like-minded elected officials who support them or people who look out for all the people, protecting their interest for decades to come? The real issue here is that elected officials get greedy with corporate lobbyists and others. They're not happy or satisfied with the $174K salary, they want more money and some think they are entitled to more money so they allow their greed to lead them into situations like Russia, where so many are guilty of receiving money from a foreign entity.

So, if we want democracy to work--to have government, "by the people for the people," we must engage in the process. We must get to know the candidates that seek our support and vote, before we vote for them. We must work side-by-side with those candidates we have *vetted* to encourage others to vote for them. If we're not going to be part of the process, we can expect to see the dismantling of our democracy by those who wish for it to crumble--the rich and powerful--who will not consider the people since they only care about money. Think--Mr. Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) and remember how the only thing he cared about was his money and making a profit. That's what we have in the White House now--policies are legislated for the rich, not the poor; tax dollars are being wasted on the rich (US Marshall protection of DeVos, Conway, and others) instead of being used for the poor (healthcare, education, etc.). They're stripping away all the consumer protections just so their rich cronies can make money--ravaging the land, out of greed. We see it. Gas prices rising along with food costs and everything, but do those in the legislative branch of our democracy care about what happens to the people they're supposed to be writing legislation for?

I can't speak for anyone other than me at the moment and all these shenanigans are giving me a headache. My blood pressure is also rising and I guess the next step I need to take would be in suing the White House for decimating my health. That's a thought. I have to think about it more. Perhaps, the ACLU will take on the case as a class action suit.

I'm not rambling incoherently, I'm thinking out loud about my options and the possible options for others. Someone has to be thinking about--what's next? We already know trump lied about his own wealth and how he accumulated it (I've known since 2016) and the fact that he doesn't want anyone to see his tax returns, is telling. But we will see them, one way or another. But knowing, definitively, won't change a thing about our lives, so we must muster all the energy we can to get people out to vote. This is key! We must get people to vote. This is our voice in our crumbling government and if we want to salvage it, we must vote and vote Blue or we may never get a chance to vote again. This is not a scare tactic--this is reality. Anyone can do the research for themselves--pay attention to what Steve Bannon said--destroy democracy in America. Pay attention to the Koch Brothers who have never wanted government in charge of anything. Pay attention to all the Republican politicians who are only interested in pushing forth their agenda--taking steps to move us backwards instead of forward. PAY ATTENTION! If you don't see what's happening right in front of you on a daily basis, it's because you're not paying attention or you're willfully blind to the facts as they unfold.

I'm not blinded by gaslighting, nor am I gullible. I am fully capable of thinking for myself, researching information and analyzing what I discover, and drawing accurate conclusions. I know there are millions of others who are just as capable as I am of knowing what needs to be done--65M others who know right from wrong and they are not Putin's puppets and we don't have an agenda that involves us getting more money, money, money by ripping off the US Treasury.