By: David A. Franklin, Jr.

And the Republicans continue to lie!!!   Lying has become their platform.  Thier hobby of lies is now their full-time occupation!!

Neil Newhouse, Romney’s pollster said the campaign will not “be dictated by fact-checkers”. He plainly is saying to the electorate, “To hell with facts, because Mr. Miss & Mrs. America YOU ARE IGNORANT ASSES… you don’t know your ears from your asses so we can manipulate the truth, we will blatantly, and unashamedly play upon what we are sure of – you are ignorant of the facts!”  Ryan’s speech was a true enactment of this.

Huffington Post’s headline says Paul Ryan Address: Convention Speech Built On Demonstrably Misleading Assertions »
The Washington Post - Mr.Ryan's speech: Effective maybe, but definitely misleading
Daily Kos - "Paul Ryan fails--the truth." WOW. Jonathan Bernstein whales on Ryan big-time.
"It was, by any reasonable standards, a staggering, staggering lie. Here’s Paul Ryan about Barack Obama: He created
a bipartisan debt commission. They came back with an urgent report. He thanked them, sent them on their way, and then did exactly nothing. 
  “They.” “Them.” “Them.” Those words are lies. Because Paul Ryan was on that commission. “Came back with an urgent report.” That is a lie. The commission never made any recommendations for Barack Obama to support or oppose. Why not? Because the commission voted down its own recommendations. Why? Because Paul Ryan, a member of the commission, voted it down and successfully convinced the other House Republicans on the commission to vote it down."
Salon.com How Paul Ryan gets away with BS -  Salon.comEditorial Board: Mr. Ryan's misleading speech |  WOPULAR

FOX News Fox News' Sally Kohn: Paul Ryan's Speech Set World Record for Greatest Number of Blatant Lies and 
Misrepresentations.
Ms Kohn says “No decent person wants to go down in history as a liar, but Paul Ryan has won the gold medal for a single speech that was full of blatant lies.”
Mr. Ryan you have always scraped the bottom but you continue to sink your opportunistic, exploitative, devious, unprincipled and unscrupulous self to below zero.  I personally did not know that any human being could achieve this depth in stinky mire.  When FOX NEWS with all the Conservative Unfair and Unbalanced character that God can bestow on a group can call you out, you are subhuman…or worse!

MEANER, GREEDIER, COLDER AND A LIAR

Republicans  say President Obama must stop blaming Bush for what Bush did but they (Ryan) are blaming President Obama for what Bush did!!

On the GM Plant Closure Ryan said that then candidate Obama said “'I believe that if our government is there to support you … this plant will be here for another hundred years.' That’s what he said in 2008." Ryan continued his lie and painting the picture with his “lie brush”..  "That plant didn’t last another year. It is locked up and empty to this day. And that’s how it is in so many towns Today, where the recovery that was promised is nowhere in sight," 

Facts are Obama promised no such thing. The plant closed in December 2008 -- while George W. Bush was president!!


Republicans (Ryan) blame President Obama for killing bills that Republicans kill

The Debt Commission
Ryan thumped the president for not supporting a deficit commission.It is Ryan who voted against this commission and drove the final nail in its coffin. But the fact that he voted against it, is an insignificant detail he refuses to mention or even remember or accept.   

Republicans (Ryan) use dirty digs to disparage the President on actions that they themselves do.  It is OK if Republicans do it but “bro” that’s not for you!!

$716 billion taken from Medicare
Ryan made it a foundation of his fight, claiming that Obama "funneled" $716 billion out of Medicare to pay for Obamacare.  Ryan fraudulently refused to mention that his own budget plan relies on those very same savings and further, that his $716 billion is earmarked for giving additional tax cuts to the top 1%. 
 

Republicans (Ryan) took the country to the brink of bankruptcy and Republicans caused a downgrade of the country’s credit score but blame Obama.  Apparently in a case  of “The devil (Obama) made us do it!” 
 
GOP Causes S&P Downgrade, but Republican Candidates Blame Obama - The Nation, Ben Adler, August 8, 2011
“Two of S&P’s biggest concerns about whether the United States will pay off its debt are whether Republicans will be
so insane as to refuse to lift the debt ceiling, a possibility Republicans intentionally stoked fears of, and whether the United States will raise much-needed tax revenue. Specifically, S&P changed its baseline assumption that the Bush tax cuts would expire on schedule in 2012 because Republicans are so insistent that they must be renewed.  “We have
changed our assumption on this because the majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues,” wrote S&P. That adds $4 trillion over ten years to the projected deficits.”

Ryan also packaged and delivered the Standard & Poor's downgrade of U.S. government debt to Obama at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC.  What Ryan dishonestly, deceitfully, and fraudulently, failed to mention is what S&P in clarifying its reason for the downgrade made reference to the debt ceiling standoff.  -Paul Ryan himself was the standard bearer for House Republicans in politicizing the process of raising the debt ceiling. 

But will America be fooled by this dishonesty? Unfortunately some will flatly be fooled while others, driven by hate for the President will justify the truth in these lies… an oxymoron if ever there was one.   The hope is that  these“Morons of the Oxy type” will be in the minority and the majority will see these not just as lies but go further to insist that what America needs in leaders is honesty and we will all recall the words of the gem I learnt at pre-school “Speak the truth and speak it ever, cost it what it will.  He who hides the wrong he did, does the wrong thing still”.

These Republicans, if they win in November cannot be expected by some streak of pure magic, to be honest and  truthful in their dealings suddenly after they gain the power they connive to achieve by pure, unadulterated mendacious lies.

We can only keep Hope alive and trust as in the words of Bob Marley in his song “War”
  “And we know we shall win
As we are confident
In the victory of good over evil – of good over evil…. of good over  evil.

The “we” being the American people.

Why Do Republicans Hate Women So Much?
By David A. Franklin, Jr.
 
Nirvana’s song “Rape Me” may be open to several interpretations.  Republicans it is apparent, are receiving this as an invitation by the women of America to commit this bastardly act on them. 

“Hate me
Do it and do it again
Waste me
Rape me, my friend”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyWw8ry-yiQ

Republicans display a penchant to debase, demean, degrade, and defile women with the thinking that they have the absolute and supreme authority over all aspects of women’s lives.  Whether it is on the job (less pay for equal work and no recognition for promotion although women may equal and even outstrip their male counterparts in ability and performance), in the bedroom, in their uteruses, in their sexual organs in general, being against preventive healthcare for women, and the list goes on. As I asked in an earlier article - where did these people come from?  Did they happen on planet earth from outer space and even so, do they have mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, daughters and nieces?  Or are they themselves women – since women too, are among those who vote for these laws? Or is it that these Republicans who repeatedly cosponsor and vote into law these suppressive, authoritarian, and draconian rules by which women should abide, are still living in the cobwebs of time? In the late 19th Century to early 20th Century rights were fought for and won, during which period:  
1.      Married women were legally dead in the eyes of the law 
2.      Women were not allowed to vote 
3.      Women had to submit to laws when they had no voice in their formation
4.      Married women had no property rights 
5.      Women were not allowed to enter professions such as medicine or law 
6.      Women had no means to gain an education since no college or university would accept women students 
7.      Women were not allowed to participate in the affairs of the church
8.      Women were robbed of their self-confidence and self-respect
9.      Women were made totally dependent on men.

Item number 3 above is what obtains within the thinking of the Republican Party- Women have to submit to laws when they have no voice in their formation.

The status of women in the Mormon Church has a
question sign hanging over it and continues to be a source of debate as it has been since before the death of the church’s founder Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1844. In other religions also, woman equality is still being hindered – the Catholic Church where nuns/women cannot be ordained as priests for example.  These Republicans (under the pretext of Christianity) see themselves better than other religions that practice these anti-woman sentiments. Republicans are among those who are the strongest critics of other religious  practices as it pertains to the treatment of women in other cultures and societies. How different are they and their faiths from Islam where equality of women is abhorred?  Is this not the same horse?

Anti-Women Bills
In the past four months alone, all across the United States, State Houses dominated by Republicans have introduced some 916 Anti-Women Bills – at the  expense of, and forgetting jobs, healthcare, budget. Another 300+ bills are pending. Their hate stems from fear as women are thriving in all spheres of life in 21st Century America coupled with these haters’ un-emancipated minds. When compared to the Taliban, today’s GOP is exactly the same. Their avid
supporters bomb health clinics that provide the opportunity for women to choose not to have a baby (even in cases of rape and incest) and strongly believe that women should be seen but not heard (Stepford Wives Syndrome). They have done a good job in demonizing Planned Parenthood and have become the standard bearers for the last of the chauvinistic Old Boys Network.  Any female who still would vote for Republicans after all this, needs serious  psychological help with their Stockholm Syndrome. GOP “War On Women” (from Moveon.org) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=834jIeRQd3M&feature=relmfu

Let it be known that a woman’s place is in the House. In the House - in the State Senates and State Houses, in the U.S. Congress, in Governor’s mansions across America and ultimately the White House. 
  
And, for the love of everything that is good in this world, can someone please explain to me what the hell is “legitimate rape”? When we find this out, we can rename Nirvana’s song to “Legitimately Rape Me Republicans”!
     
From Todd Akin to Paul Ryan to Mitt Romney to the entire Republican House, those in the Senate and beyond in the “jerk-osphere” of the Republican Party they share those backward and anti-woman sentiments and one can only postulate that those females among them be it professional colleagues or family members are keeping their places in the male-centric moronic commune called the Republican Party.   
 
I will ask one delicate question for the road – Should Todd Akin’s daughter be raped (God forbid) by one from the “other side of society”, by someone of other ethnic origin and the baby comes looking “not like them”, would he allow his daughter to keep the pregnancy and would Akin walk around with that "different” baby and be proud of his grandchild?  He sure should but would he? I am absolutely positive he would damn well not!  Talk about circumstances Mr. Akin et
al….

Quite a seemingly innocent question, the answer to which is dependent on who you ask. In this culture of severe political gridlock and polarization, I dare say “Yes!” America is doing better across the board. There have been many real accomplishments of which the Obama-Biden Administration should be proud. Here are a precious few of those accomplishments:


OBAMA’S JOB CREATING PERFORMANCE – from 2009 to date, over 4 million private sector jobs created)
Obama has turned the “Jobs Lost” report from red (dismal) to green (road to recovery). It took him only one year after the Bush eight year calamity for this statistics to start on the upward/positive swing and the swing continues. And don’t forget, this is despite of Republican obstructionist mantra!!
How Many Jobs Were Created or Lost in 2009?
•  Jobs LOST 2009: -5,060,000
How Many Jobs Were Created or Lost in 2010?
•  Jobs ADDED 2010: +1,027,000
How Many Jobs Were Created or Lost in 2011?
•  Jobs ADDED 2011: +1,840,000
How Many Jobs Were Created or Lost in 2012 to date (July 2012)?
• Jobs ADDED 2012 to date: +1,059,000
Molly’s Middle America - All Jobs & Unemployment Reports (2011 & 2012)

Bureau of Labor Statistics Report LNUO2000000

 
REPUBLICANS’ JOBS-IN-AMERICA POSITION AT END OF GEORGE BUSH’S TERM IN 2008
• According to CNN Money Report’s David Goldman, 2008 was the worst year for jobs since 1945. “Annual loss biggest since end of World War II…November (2008), in which 584,000 jobs were lost, and December marked the first time in
the 70-year history of the report in which the economy lost more than 500,000 jobs in consecutive months.” This is the hemorrhaging and tide of job loss that the Obama Administration inherited.

BENEFITS OF OBAMACARE – Yes he cares!!The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office lists the advantages of Obamacare: 

1. It reduces overall healthcare costs for the 32 million who currently can't get insurance thus making healthcare available and affordable to these Americans. This starts in 2014.
2. For people who can't afford health insurance, the Federal government will pay the states to add them to Medicaid.
The income requirement is expanded up to 133% of the Federal poverty level - roughly $29,000 for a family of four.
3. Those who don't qualify for the expanded Medicaid will receive tax credits if their income is below 400% of the
poverty level ($88,000 for a family of four). States will be required to set up insurance exchanges to make it easier to shop for private health insurance coverage.
4. Insurance companies cannot deny children coverage for pre-existing conditions. This benefit applies to everyone in 2014. Insurance companies can no longer drop anyone from coverage once they get sick. If a company denies someone coverage, that person can go to an external appeals process.
5. Parents can put their children up to age 26 on their health insurance plans. As of 2012, more than three million previously uninsured young people were added. (Source: Department of Health and Human Services)
6. The Medicare "donut hole" gap in coverage will be eliminated by 2020.
7. People with existing health insurance will keep it. For those businesses preferring to offer a tax-free benefit like health insurance to attract good workers that won't change under Obamacare.
8. Obamacare does not apply to businesses with less than 50 employees. Larger businesses are required to offer health insurance, but receive tax credits to help employees pay premiums. In 2014, the tax credit increases to 50%.
9. The Act will lower the budget deficit by $143 billion over the next 10 years by raising some taxes and shifting more cost burdens. (Source: CBO CBO Report on Health Care Reform and the Budget; Wall Street Journal, What Health Insurance Ruling Means, June 28, 2012; NPR, Medicaid Expansion, June 27, 2012)

OBAMA ON EDUCATION
• Barak Obama has doubled Pell Grants. 
• He has signed into law a bill that keeps interest rates on federal student loans from doubling this year. This would have hurt approximately 7 1/2 million students raising their loan payments by an average of $1,000.
• He has invested in universities and early in childhood education for  research and development 

The list is so long it will take pages and pages to complete:
• Osama bin Laden, and top Al Qaeda leaders, are dead! A lot of relevant Al Qaeda planning documents for future attack against American soil, and interests around the world, were recovered by the heroic SEAL 6 team. Obama can boast the “Mission Accomplished” sign so stupidly and dishonestly displayed by the Republican captain of the last failed presidency!!
• General Motors and the American Motor Car industry have never before been so alive and so well. The American
Auto Industry was saved. Mitt Romney tried to claim credit for such the successful recovery after shamelessly saying “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt!”
• The $787 billion Stimulus Package. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 spurred economic growth amid the greatest recession since the 1929 Great Depression. Many Republican Governors have benefitted from this although they continue to be their true hypocritical selves and bash the stimulus.
• The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 was signed to re-regulate Wall Street. Their unchecked practices caused the Great Recession which started under the previous Bush-Cheney Administration. Positives stemming from this  law are:
 -Tightened capital requirement on large banks and financial institutions
- Mandated large banks to provide “Living Wills” to avoid chaotic bankruptcies
- Limited their ability to trade with customer’s hard earned money for their own profits
- Created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to stop abusive predatory products and companies.
• War in Iraq was ended with last troops leaving on December 18, 2011 on the orders of President Barack Obama.
• Equal Pay for Women signed into law
• Women’s Rights to choose how to care for their own bodies supported and laws passed to uphold this right.
• Afghanistan War - In June 2011, troops numbered 101,000 in Afghanistan. That is down to 91,000 and a further 23,000 leaving by the end of summer 2012. All combat missions “…will be over by next year 2013” according
to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
• “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell!” The discriminatory policy repealed. This new policy enables gays and lesbians to
serve openly in the Armed Forces for the first time in the nation’s history.
• Colonel Moammar Gaddafi was toppled because of a joint coalition of American, European and Arab governments in a joint military action. The dictator’s 42 years of unchecked power was ended with his unceremonious overthrow by rebels on October 20, 2011. No American lives were lost and Gaddafi was killed.
• The Arab Spring saw Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ouster on February 1, 2011. Obama publicly called on Mubarak to “accept reform or step down” which weakened and undermined the dictator’s position in, not only Egypt,
but the entire Arab world. February 11, 2011 saw Mubarak’s 30 year rule end with his overthrow and arrest.
• Improved America’s image abroad because of deft diplomacy, new pragmatic policies and lowering the caustic rhetoric employed by the Bush-Cheney Administration. 
• All “enhanced” interrogation techniques reversed a practice not only lauded but applied by the Bush-Cheney
Administration.  It is considered inhumane under the Geneva Convention. 
• The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010 was signed punishing firms and individuals who aided Iran’s petroleum sector. In early 2012, America coordinated with our Western Allies to impose
further sanctions aimed at Iranian banks. 

These are only a handful of major accomplishments by the Obama-Biden Administration. At this point in the
previous Administration, all was touted was “The War on Terror” forgetting everything else that was important. 

Rome was not built in a day.  For America to be where it needs to be, it will take a massive undertaking of epic proportions never before seen. What was destroyed and the devastation brought on the country in eight years by the
previous Administration cannot be rebuilt in four years. I doubt it can be fixed in even eight years. Barack Obama is human not a miracle worker or a messiah. 
 
In conclusion, having witnessed the lies and pitiful desperation of the Republicans at their recent convention, it is time to dig deep and get the honest truth America. It is a bitter pill to swallow for the Republicans but, America is on the path of economic recovery. And it is the Obama-Biden Administration to be commended. 
It’s time to go “Forward Forever, Backward Never”.   

Isn’t it amusing, even comical and indeed it has an entertaining flavor to it!!!  First of all I will highlight the fact that the first “drool-er” (those drooling to become “The Pick”) I mentioned in my most recent article “GOP Convention 2012” is Paul Ryan. The others can move on and hang their heads in disappointment.  The Romney clan which by now has perfected the art of the game of dodgeball, having not answered any question directly has acquired a new team member. 

Not Florida
When in his first outing as the VP running mate, Paul Ryan did not visit Florida the campaign was quick to say “Ryan skipping Florida has nothing to do with his plan to end Medicare”.  They claim that the division of the duo, one to Florida and the other to Iowa is only to spread their resources.  Really?   Believe me, any hint of jeopardizing Medicare benefits whether true or imagined, is not received well.  Medicare is such an appreciated social program that you cannot call Medicare and “cut” in the same sentence. 

Questions:  1. Do you think those over 55 (current beneficiaries, current recipients) would not be nervous of any hint of 
                      disturbing Medicare?  They are scared that adjustments might spill over to their over 55’s group
                  2. Do you think coverage would be easy to come by, inexpensive and affordable 
                      for those now under 55 when they become voucher-qualified?  
                      Insurers - would they be welcoming and provide equitable rates? 
 
Iowa
In Iowa, Ryan dodged the ball again!  He was asked to comment on the charge the President made that Ryan joined his House Republican colleagues in “standing in the way” of legislation to help the drought stricken heartland.  His response – he will get into “those policy things later.”  Further “Right now I just want to enjoy the fair”. 

Questions:  1. How long do you think it will take for Ryan to realize that he has no breathing space, he does not have
                     the luxury of taking a break and go to the cafeteria for a snack when he is sitting in the chair and being 
                     interviewed?
                  2. Does Ryan realize that his being picked by Romney means only that he is on a short list of one and the 
                      real interview begins with the real CEOs - the electorate?
I think Ryan’s actions over the first few days are indicating that he thinks he has arrived and the job of VP is all sewed up…  He acts not only as if he has arrived, but that he is already there!

What are your thoughts?

By: David A. Franklin, Jr.

We wait with bated breath - some to enjoy and others to be horrified with  the excitement, restlessness, ferment, debacle at this 2012 GOP Convention with all the rival factions, the undercurrents, the dictates of big Super Pac donors, et al.  It’s a must see!!!
   
 As far as the intrigue is concerned I focus on the VP pick.  There are those with mouthwatering desire to be picked and those who are convinced that they have the ‘big axe’ to dictate their wants and demands.  The first category of the “drool-ers” includes Marco Rubio the Senator from Florida and Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana and we cannot rule out the secret wishes of one such as Michelle Bachmann being a woman and all, who she thinks could help the Presidential Candidate with this demography in which he is trailing so badly.  Don’t forget she thinks she could be president so why not vice-president?

The second and larger category includes the million-dollar donors, together with those who are afforded un-tethered and unbridled access to conservative news organs – the Rush Limbaughs of this world, the Christian Conservative groups, the Fringe Right Republicans, the Tea Party and those who the “Unfair and Unbalanced” Fox Network breeds to feed their festered hatred and tension while causing the proverbial pus and infection among GOP base. Each player in this group with absolute certainty thinks that they can dictate who should be or should not be picked. 

And last, but by no means least let us not forget the indomitable Ron Paul with his resolute, stubborn, spirited and determined persona who is expected to inject a level of excitement we could truly enjoy or which could be cringe-worthy depending on which side of the isle of the theater you sit.

 I will get my glass of lemonade, and I invite those who prefer soda or beer to join me and my popcorn and be a part of the 2012 GOP Convention and whether to sympathize, or with vicarious pleasure be a part of what threatens to be the most exciting party Convention ever!


GOP TOOLS OF TRADE:
Conspiracy, plot, deception, scheme, stratagem, maneuver, ruse, subterfuge and trickery which have been applied and traded among fellow Republican Presidential hopefuls during the primary season and currently in the Presidential Campaign against President Obama and the Democrats will be for those few days later this month of August (27 through 30, 2012) expected to be directed inwardly at the Convention. It will be inbreeding of a sorts, of the bile that is so much a part of their character. All we have seen and can anticipate is that they will go against the very laws of nature: the human body for example recognizes organs and tissues as its own and does not attack them with antibodies but the GOP has never and cannot be expected to adopt this law of nature.  Great theater for some and horror for others!

Sarah Palin & the Tea Party Shadow:
Can we expect some covert side shows with Sarah Palin’s silhouette hanging over the happenings?  I think we already are seeing this.  In an article of “The Ballot 2012” Rebekah Metzler on July 5th, 2012 wrote: Experts: Romney Won't Pick Woman VP Because of Sarah Palin.  Further the article says “the long shadow of Sarah Palin still hangs over vice presidential politics, says Jennifer Lawless, director of American University's Women and Politics Institute. John McCain's decision to share the ticket with the former Alaska governor in 2008 was widely panned after a series of missteps by Palin,..” http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/ballot-2012/2012/07/05/expert-romney-wont-pick-woman-vp-because-of-sarah-palin 

Sarah Palin is still the darling of the Tea Party and although she spouts nonsense they continue to buy into her idiocy and insanity, hook line and sinker for reasons obvious to some but which escapes the understanding of most logical thinkers.  BUT Governor Palin is definitely one of the flies in the ointment.

Ron Paul and the Obscure Rule 40

RNC rule No. 40(b) states: “Each candidate for nomination for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States shall demonstrate the support of a plurality of the delegates from each of five (5) or more states, severally, prior to the presentation of the name of that candidate for nomination.”

Four years ago, the Republican National Committee (RNC) instituted the Rule 40 which opens a window of opportunity for the Paul camp to cause major heartache and nuisance for Mitt Romney in the nominating his choice for VP at the convention. 

Ron Paul and his loyalists control majority delegates in at least three states (Maine, Minnesota and Iowa) a fact not to be forgotten and which has been clouded by all the other shenanigans being played out over the past few months in the party. 

In an email in June, Paul said “…When it is all said and done, we will likely have as many as 500 supporters as delegates on the Convention floor. That is just over 20 percent!
And while this total is not enough to win the nomination, it puts us in a tremendous position to grow our movement and shape the future of the GOP!"

Tell me – how better to “shape the future of the GOP” than to demand and succeed in choosing the VP pick? 

 Ron Paul backers fight effectively for GOP goals: 
The rest of the world may have moved on, but loyal followers of Rep. Ron Paul of Texas are still fighting a rear-guard — and effective — battle for delegates at the state level with just weeks to go before Republicans gather for their national convention in Tampa, Fla. A federal judge this week allowed delegates supporting Mr. Paul to file an amended complaint in a case in which they accuse the Republican National Committee of manipulating the delegate allocation process” David Sherfinski of the Washington Times, August 8, 2012 

Although some of the Paul camp says they do not plan to cause ruckus at the convention, I know the GOP Establishment is on edge. Is a speaker position for his son Rand enough pay-off to stop this possible show?  

Friends, neighbors, believers and non-believers all - the intrigued, and those who belong to the group that think “it’s not funny”… sit back, relax let the show begin because I believe there will be fun for all!

Why is it that caring for the poor in other countries is so honorable but caring for the American poor is Socialism?  Not only are jobs being sent offshore but compassion too.

By David A. Franklin, Jr.

“I will not be party to socializing health care ...” ~ Governor Rick Perry (R-Texas), which boasts the highest uninsured residents in the nation.
 
Why do Americans – Evangelicals, Mormons and Republicans included - give so generously to the poor in other countries?  And the troubling question is - why in America these “Christian, kind-hearted, caring” people do not give to, or pray for, or vote for healthcare for America’s poor but they boast of their work for the poor in other countries? Work that includes running and building schools, clinics and hospitals.  They teach, heal and feed the poor and unfortunate of other countries but no – not here in America. 

         “Most white evangelicals in America reflexively dislike the 
         Affordable Care Act. They don’t know why, and can’t tell you why other than 
         ‘SOCIALISM!!!’ or fear of contraceptive religious persecution or death panels or 
         some other myth…White American evangelicals support health care for poor people 
         overseas. And White American evangelicals adamantly oppose health care for poor 
         people here in America.” Fred Clark - former staff person with Evangelicals for 
         Social Action and a graduate of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Mormons in their GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN OUTREACH states“The Church humanitarian work primarily helps those in need who are not members of the Church. There are many people in virtually any community in the world who struggle to meet their basic needs. The Church seeks to help as many as possible”. Where is the love for the American poor? 

Christian Conservatives Right-wing US based Christians especially Evangelicals and Pentecostals.  This group is consistent with its assault on human rights. They have broadened their US and international agenda to breed cultural wars and implant right-wing political agendas. Jesus according to their actions would not want the sick, the poor and injured to get Healthcare!!  Their “in your face” arrogance about Jesus under the guise to “save” people is a total disconnect from what their Champion preached and lived. Their Champion Jesus healed the sick (the leopards, the blind, and the lame) and fed the hungry. He said “Blessed are the poor..”  “In as much as you do to the least of these, you have done it onto me.”

Republicans
The concern for poverty alleviation exhibited by these Republicans, these “benevolent Americans” begins at America’s water’s edge and radiates outwards or more distinctively away from America. It is apparent that their love of people can be and is compartmentalized.  It is fully evident that this “love and concern for others”exhibited by these holier-than-thou and concerned people and organizations is rooted in prejudice. 
 
“Despite significant advances in civil rights, race remains a significant factor in determining whether an individual receives care, whether an individual receives high quality care, and in determining health outcomes.”~ Kaiser Family Foundation “Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health Care: What are  the Options?”

And I boldly state that this lack of care is driven and dictated by a pot pourri of prejudices. Their utterly despicable and
  contemptible behavior is as a result of who is putting forward the agenda for helping the American poor and also driven by self aggrandizing agendas of these benevolent do-gooders. The deliberate plan is intended only to let themselves  seem bigger and better with their self exaggerated praise of how much good they are doing and not because they genuinely want to do good! But they should remember that the same God they claim to be serving and at the same time acting as if they own this God, knows the inner workings of their hearts, minds and souls and know the truth.  The Good Book by which they claim to live states that “God is not mocked”, and this hypocrisy and prejudice, both overt and covert is nothing but a mockery to truth and honesty.
 
Let me move outside of the realm of emotions and document some facts. 
 
The United States government is the largest donor in dollar terms to this crucial help to poor developing nations.  The US helps these countries to grow out of poverty and we must remember that this ‘gift’ must be agreed to by congress and written into the Federal Budget therefore these GOP Congressmen and women play a crucial role in allocating these sums for foreign countries while they block any bill that would help America’s poor.
The US admirably contributes to the World Food Program and the Global Health Initiative to assist the millions of starving and undernourished people in foreign/developing countries. 
 
The Kaiser Family Foundation 2012 Survey of Americans on the U.S. Role in Global Health looks at, among other things, the attitudes of Americans about the role and contribution of the US in its endeavor in improving the health for people in developing countries and how the public views the country’s support for global health.

 “Improving health in developing countries is one of many priorities the public sees as important for the president and Congress to address in world affairs….  Within health, basic needs such as providing clean water and reducing hunger, along with improving children’s health, are seen as the top priorities, though every health issue asked about in the survey is seen as important by a large majority of the public.” ~ Kaiser Family Foundation – US Global Health
Policy.
 
A precious few of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act read like this:

 1.       3.1 million more young adults will have health insurance under their parents plan
 2.       3 million seniors have already received a 50% discount on their prescription drugs
 3.       Millions of Americans are provided to no-cost preventative services 
 4.       Abusive insurance practices are being abolished
 5.       The Act helps small business with the cost of health insurance for their staff
 6        Coverage for pre-existing conditions

Poverty levels among children in America sees almost 15 million
children (that is 21% of all children) live in families living below the federal
poverty level. And don’t forget child poverty rates are highest among black,
Latino and American Indian children.  Statistics show the official child poverty
rates ranging from 9% in New Hampshire to 31% in Mississippi. With facts such as
this, I reiterate the obvious flavor of prejudice.  Why care for the Americans who are living below poverty levels?  There are more accolades, goodwill and publicity to be had if aid in Healthcare and Poverty Alleviation is given offshore. Not only are jobs being sent offshore but compassion too.

There are some GOP governors who flatly refuse to implement the nationalized health care plan. Texas’ Gov. Rick Perry, Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona and Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana are adamant that they will not implement Affordable Care Medicare expansion into their states. 

ALARMING STATISTICS  OF STATES WITH MOST VOCIFEROUS GOVERNORS AGAINST AFFORDABLE CARE
ACT

Texas             Uninsured  27.5%        Child Poverty  34.0%          Governor's Decree: “I will not be 
                                                                                                                                  party to socializing  health care”
Florida         Uninsured   21.0%         Child Poverty  28.0%         Governor's Decree: “ Opting out of Obamacare
                                                                                                                                                  is the right decision for 
                                                                                                                                                  our citizens." 
Arizona       Uninsured  19.0%         Child Poverty  35.0%           Governor's Decree:"Obamacare must be fully
                                                                                                                                                  repealed"
Louisiana   Uninsured  17.0%         Child Poverty  31.0%           Governor's  Decree “We are committed to 
                                                                                                                                                working to elect Gov.
                                                                                                                                         Romney to repeal Obamacare.”
Uninsured and Child Poverty - Source Kaiser Family Foundation statehealthfacts.org
             
The United States Congress allocates billions of dollars in Foreign Aid annually. In FY2010 alone, U.S.foreign assistance totaled $39.4  billion, or 1.1% of the total federal budget. This was the highest level of U.S. foreign assistance since 1985. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department, the primary administrators of U.S. foreign assistance, provided $10.38 billion in security-related assistance; $10.93 billion for health, education, and social welfare programs; $3.64 billion for governance programs; $5.21 for economic growth activities; and $4.98 in humanitarian assistance. Assistance can take the form of cash transfers, equipment and commodities, infrastructure, or technical assistance, and, in recent decades, is provided almost exclusively on a grant rather than loan basis.

Don't misunderstand me, I am all for foreign aid having been brought up under the edict that "you never  have too little to share" but.....
  Why is it that caring for the poor in other countries is so honorable but caring for the American poor is Socialism?  Please help me understand!!!

Here is the GOP strategy on how they plan to win (or steal) the election of 2012:
     
THE AFFORD CARE ACT is a health care law that aims to improve the country’s current healthcare system by increasing access to health coverage for Americans. But the GOP demonizes it and labels it “Obama Care” hoping to continue the hatred for the President and anything he does or stands for.  They have successfully sold the name
Obama as a poison pill among some of their like-minded idiosyncratic oddballs. They try to distract the electorate with mundane absurdities and complicate matters by using key scare words like socialist, islamo-fascist, communist, when
describing the Law. And they don’t know when to stop!!  

Although the Supreme Court has ruled the law constitutional, today (Wednesday, July 11th, 2012) the Conservative House is wasting tax payers money by meeting to vote on what is already done!!!  Symbolic act? No!!! It is adult buffoonery, a waste of time rather than telling the country their plan to dig the middle class and America out of the
hole they are in.  But then, the middle class for the GOP is not part of America is it?  

Read More:
GET OVER IT
TABLES TURNED ON GOP MISSION TO REPEAL OBAMACARE
….POLLS SIGNAL WHERE AMERICA STANDS AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING

VOTER ID LAW - “2012 or Never - Republicans are worried this election could be their last chance to stop history. This is fear talking.” Jonathan Chait, The New York Magazine.

VOTER ID LAW is nothing but a throw-back to the disenfranchisement which happened after the Reconstruction era. Lest we forget the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1870. 
This was put in place with the expressed reason to protect the suffrageof freedmen after the American Civil War.
It prevented any state from denying the right to vote to any male citizen on account of his race.  The state of Georgia was the forerunner in instituting a “poll tax” where southern legislatures passed statutes that created more barriers to voting by poor whites and blacks.  This Voter ID Law is an amplified modern-day version of the poll tax of the 1870’s because in one fell swoop it includes the “chronic poor” and the “new poor” of all ethnicities– Caucasians, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, et al.  The piece in the New York magazine sums it up with statistical precision:

“Every year," Chait wrote, "the nonwhite proportion of the electorate grows by about half a percentage point --meaning that in every presidential election, the minority share of the vote increases by 2 percent, a huge amount in a closely divided country." "By 2020," Chait writes, "nonwhite voters should rise from a quarter of the 2008 electorate to one third. In 30 years, "nonwhites will outnumber whites."  Which is why "whites," and especially white men, seem so determined this election cycle to make it harder for nonwhites to exercise their right to vote.
      
PURGING VOTERS’ LISTS in important "must win" swing States. This action deletes citizens from the list who are of course part of the “super voter” demography. 
 
INTIMIDATION through force and the threat of physical violence. The use of the State’s security forces and their supporters who are strong Second Amendment advocates. 
 
UNDERHANDEDLY CHANGING VOTING RULES on the local level using the State Legislature. These State Legislatures are predominantly rubber stamp Republicans backed by the Koch Brothers, Karl Rove, Grover Norquist and/or the Tea Party. 
 
NON-STOP ILLEGAL USE OF ROBO CALLS with misinformation telling voters not going out to register and/or not to vote on Election Day. A bill the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Act is being debated as this piece is being written to make it a federal crime to knowingly mislead voters as to the time and place of a public election.  
 
COUNTER-SUING JUSTICE DEPARTMENT that is suing those States trying to force through legislation barring real Americans from exercising their right to vote. These real Americans are usually none Anglo-Saxons who  overwhelmingly vote for Democrats.  
 
CLASS WARFARE to “divide and conquer” the people.  As is the pledge of Scott Walker of Wisconsin so is the universal pledge of the GOP. Wedge issues such as abortion rights, welfare reform, immigration, gay marriage and health care reform just to name a few of these issues. This is the modern-day interpretation and application of the divide-and-rule methods of plantocracy.

WAR ON WOMEN playing up to their Christian Conservative holier-than-thou niche. Trying to take away women’s right to chose if they want to have an abortion, no equal pay for equal work, publicly demeaning women by calling them
sluts, demonizing and blaming rape victims, forcing a woman to have that baby even if she was assaulted or inpregnated through incest and forcing her to have the baby even if it means her dying while giving birth. They accuse Democrats of taking women for granted but THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO RESPECT FOR WOMEN!

According to GOP strategist Ed Rollins, “the Republican Party can still be summed up as bunch of old white
guys."   Today’s woman has come a long way baby! As Loretta Lyn sings:

 “Well, I don't want a wall to paint but I'm a-gonna have my say
  From now on, lover-boy it's fifty-fifty, all the way 
  Up to now I've been an object made for pleasin' you 
  Times have changed and I'm demanding satisfaction too.”
 
PAY TO STAY HOME AND NOT VOTE.  With the economy still not what it should be these Republicans usurping their predatory dole out cash indiscriminately. This entices desperate people to stay away from the polls on Election Day. It doesn’t matter if it’s against their economic interests in the short term Republicans bank on the instant gratification – the need to eat and for shelter will outweigh any thought of the future. To some people money trumps integrity and personal pride in voting.  

Republicans all… Christian Conservatives no less…Republican House included and even the publicity-seeking dense dim-wits like Palin, Bachmann, Limbaugh and Allan West - my grandmother riveted it in my head that “good always overcomes evil” and it proves true every time!  So get over it and stop spewing evil and get your act together and start suggesting something that will benefit America.

As the economy improves slowly but surely, the voters will remember when Republican Leaders boldly and emphatically in the first month of this presidency, proclaimed that their only purpose is to “see to it that Barack Obama is a one term president”. The GOP deliberately strangles progress to the detriment of America and because of ideological gain. Barack Obama is leading by example. The GOP continues to throw tantrums but people will let their vote make the real statement in 2012.

By: David A. Franklin, Jr.


Three Goals in a row: Immigration/Dream Act, Arizona Law and Affordable Health Care

What is a hat-trick? “A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes.”

Obama runs well oiled political machinery that always catches Republicans off-guard.Obama is like a fox in the box and pounces on the slightest opportunity. Just when his detractors thought they had him, he sneaks up, gives them a nutmeg for good measure and scores goals one after the other. He comes out unscathed, leaving them thoroughly humiliated and in total bewilderment.

The kick and rush method used by Republicans is beyond pathetic. They are grabbing at straws, hoping that the American voters will forget their tomfoolery, while the Middle Class suffers and get redefined as the poor and the poor become the” Under-the-Bridgers” – the homeless. Such play-acting is not lost on the American people. They fail to
realize that Obama is the ultimate play-maker who always makes something good out of nothing. One would believe that Republicans would know better by now---but, they don’t – the keep trying the same pranks over and over again. The definition of a crazy fool is doing something repeatedly and expecting a different outcome. That is so with the Republican Party. Truth be told, they belong in the bush league (pun intended) and not in the premier league of
American politics.

Goal Number 1 - The Immigration Law/Dream Act
Unlike past and present elders in the Republican Party, who have so far taken a moderate approach to immigration, Mitt Romney has gone ultra right-wing fringe. He is for the mass expulsion of non-documented immigrants and for the ridiculous hope of self deportation. http://youtu.be/OpQgAzAJQ7I Romney: Self-Deportation Is The Answer.
Good luck with that pig-headed approach. I have one question for you Mr. Romney “Your father was born in the  Mormon colonies in Mexico.  That makes you a child of an immigrant.  Did your father self-deport to America with the hope that someday he might achieve the American Dream to become the President of American Motors Corporation and the 43rd Governor of Michigan and the dream that his son will one day be able to run for President of this great nation?”  Your father is no different from other fathers/parents.  Why then should his dream come to reality and you are
standing in the way of others to realize and enjoy that same dream?  Did you break and discard the mold of that dream after you achieved yours?

All President Obama wants is to preserve that same path that you and your family have enjoyed over time!!!  Is that too much to ask?

Goal Number 2 - The Arizona Immigration “Papers Please” Law
Simply put, where does Governor Jan Brewer get off playing Queen! She and the Secretary of State tried to get the HB 1070 Immigration Bill rammed through the Republican dominated State Legislature. They want to legalize racial profiling which they have been perpetrating for some time now, regardless of harassing American citizens in the  Republican defined dragnet.  Is this apartheid? Is this South Africa?  Oh no!  My apologies South Africa this practice of racial profiling was abolished over 2 decades ago! America if you recall was a big participant in the list of embargos against that country bcause of this practice – oil embargo, trade and arms embargo.  Why then is this Arizona Law smell of apartheid?  

Advantage Obama and Democrats! 
Democrats in Congress must step up to the plate use this wind beneath their wings and show some spine for a change. Stand up for principles against the (GOP) Grand Obstructionist Party.  Blue Dog Democrats, make up your minds if you are Democrats and rather than staying and behaving just like the GOP, get the hell out of the party and stay home.   

Goal Number 3 - The Affordable Health Care Act of 2011 (Obama Care)

In March 2010 the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a non-partisan government agency, estimates that the Affordable Care Act will lead to a net reduction of $143 billion over 10 years. When the GOP legislators put forward their idea of repealing the Law, CBO estimated that the GOP Bill would add $230 billion to the deficit if enacted, also over a period of 10 years. The new Health Care Law “does not intervene at all between doctors and patients, although it does set up minimum benefits for Insurance Companies”. This according to www.factcheck.org.
  
On July 11, 2012 House Majority Leader Eric Cantor will have a vote in the attempt to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act in the face of the United States Supreme Court voting 5-4 to uphold the Law. Majority Leader Cantor, House  Speaker John Boehner and their fellow Republican lawmakers will continue to try to vote it down as the supreme law of the Land. I invite them to run on this issue in 2012, they would ensure a certain loss! To learn more about
the Affordable Health Care Act, please visit www.newhealthcarelaw.com.

With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the President and Democrats have gained traction and popularity with America on the subject of Affordable Health Care. Their job now is to properly educate the citizenry on what it stands for and what it
would mean to the general public. Failure to do so (because of Republican lies and distortions), will sink them in the coming election this November. Since the Law took effect, 2.5 million more young adults- the group most likely to be uninsured-have insurance. Under the law, insurance companies CANNOT refuse to cover Americans due to “pre-existing conditions”such as asthma, cancer or diabetes. It also caters to preventative care for women. There will be no cost for mammograms, pap smears and flu shots. By 2014 it will be against the Law for Insurance Companies to discriminate against women by charging them more than men for the same coverage Seniors too will have better benefits. The new law strengthens and protects the Medicare earned and gives new important benefits. There is no ceiling to the amount of coverage– coverage dies only when you die.

Romney’s and the GOP’s Scarcity Mentality

The only rationale to the GOP’s objection to such benefits for every American is because they suffer from the disease Scarcity Mentality.  This is the belief by those who suffer from it that there is not enough to go around.  Romney and the
Republicans are deeply scripted in this mentality.  These “patriots of America” where Liberty and Justice is supposed to be for all see life as having only so much – there is only one pie to share. Should anyone else get a piece of that pie, it would mean less for them. The GOP is definitely inflicted by this mentality.  They are never willing to share recognition and credit and especially power and profit!  And get this - this grudge to share extends to not wanting to share with even the American people who help them in producing the power and profit Romney and his GOP friends enjoy.  Yet they feel that something is being taken from them when the American people receive special recognition, or like President Obama when he experiences remarkable success or achievement

The symptoms displayed by Romney and his cohorts are obviously that of one who is inflicted with this ‘disease’. They go into a defensive mode as a result of President Obama’s or the people’s achievement of the slightest modicum of success. They scream, they rant and lie because the success of others mean failure to them. It is a psychosis.

Principle is lacking at the core of the Republican Party and definitely at Mr. Romney’s core beliefs - but I would urge them, to become more principle-centered human beings.  This is the route to developing an abundance mentality where
they can become genuinely happy for the successes, the good fortune and well-being and for the achievements of the American people.  And daaaaaahhh!
 
Less you forget Republicans, this is the very reason you are elected to office. You will see that the success of the  American people and as an obvious extension of America itself adds to...rather than detracts from...your lives. 

And by the way…. hold your breath there are more goals coming.

Why Rick Scott Is A Joke & Florida has become The Jerry
Springer Show of American Politics
 
By David A. Franklin, Jr.
 
And it came to pass in those trying economic times, when political madness ensued in our beloved Sunshine State of Florida! Hardships there are but Florida is where beaches are beautiful, the gorgeous women make guys suffer debilitating whiplash and the weather is hot 24/7--- as is the case with politics in America today. 
 
States with Republican Governors, with the help of their State Legislatures, SUPER PACs and other big money “outside” donors, go through extreme lengths to see to it that voter’s lists are scoured and certain groups
of people disenfranchised because of the following: 
  
a)   Having a past criminal record and/or prior arrest/incarceration although they have paid  their debt to society as   
      society dictates
b)   Have a history of voting for the Democratic Party
c)   They belong to a Minority Group (i.e. Black, Hispanic, Woman, Disabled, Legal Immigrant able to vote, and they 
      incude the poor of all ethnic groups)
d)   Unable to show what Republicans have determined to be “proper” I.D. to vote
e)   Don’t speak English fluently
 
How low and despicable can the actions of one person be? Rick Scott rode into the Governor’s Mansion because some careless voters took it for granted that populist progressive Democrat, Alex Sink, was able to defeat him – so they did not turn out to vote. Scott was coming off that Medicare scandal investigation that exposed a scam of Healthcare providers who shafted the system of billions of dollars. Any educated voter would push for a criminal trial for the guilty to be charged and put in prison for a long time. Instead with the veil of impropriety hanging over the head of Scott, he ran successfully for Governor of Florida. It is Florida after all what can we say?

Everything that is supposed to be in the playbook fundamentals in basic human decency spiraled out of control making the people of the State look foolish, backward and ill-informed. Sometimes one wonders if an uncomfortable number in America who vote aren’t in this category of persons. We witnessed this in the recent recall attempt in Wisconsin and the continued efforts by at least twelve (12) States using intimidating guerilla tactics to disenfranchise some of their citizens. Nazi Germany would have been proud of today’s current Republican leadership in using scare tactics, outright intimidation and the use of fraud to win by any means necessary. It is their way or no way at all! In the good old days of Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neal there was the art of compromise. There wasn’t blind political ideology or greedy corporate vampires like the Koch Brothers who try to control everything because they threw money around recklessly. It was always about putting America first and how we can move to the next level where the country, on a whole, benefits. Not the few in the 1% but the whole.
 
The Occupy Wall Street Movement (OWS) has turned out to be a bust. My suggestion is that they organize by getting
people registered to vote for more progressive candidates who share their ideals and common political goals. The Tea Party was able to do that brilliantly. The results saw their fringe (i.e. crazy) candidates being elected to Congress in droves as well as in State Legislatures and Governorships across the country. Sitting idly by in public parks, communicating through Social Media and chanting kumbahya has failed miserably. Bill Maher was correct in mocking OWS ever so elegantly when he made the point that the Tea Party mobilized and were both effective and successful. That is what the OWS must do if they want real change and be taken seriously. Maher was right! Meaningful change will not come from hippies, and other socially progressive movements, sitting around on their butts in public parks “protesting”. If that shouting mentality isn’t changed to actual mobilization then America is screwed! It’ll only lead to more frustration and nothing being done to make effective change. 
  
Florida puts the “fun” in  dysfunctional:
Can the State get anymore screwed up than it already is? Florida leads the way in being dysfunctional. In fact, Florida puts the “fun” in dysfunctional. The State brings it to new heights starting back to the 2000 presidential snafu. Then till
now, Florida has been in the public eye. As it stands now, I boldly predict that it may come down to Florida and/or Ohio in the Electoral College vote. Rick Scott is doing his part to rid Florida of some 182,000+ registered voters. The Federal Government is counter-suing Florida as a result. A great majority of residents in Florida “dislike” Governor Rick Scott. Even people in his own Republican Party not a fan of his. I guess they are having buyer’s remorse and are unable to do jack about it. Why? Because, before demitting office, Jeb Bush signed a bill into law stating that no Florida Governor can ever be challenged in a recall election. The typical response in Florida was to go along with that and do nothing. When will Florida ever learn? 
 
Florida is fast taking over as the poster child of everything backward. Fast and surely Florida has become the next Jerry Springer Show of American politics. Thanks in large part to Rick Scott and Republican demagogues who so successfully appeal to the people’s prejudices and are so efficient in their manipulative and dangerous actions. They put ideology above practicality/pragmatism. The madness must end Floridians! Stop Rick Scott by electing progressive people come August 14th, 2012. From County and Citywide Judgeships, Commissions and School Boards to Local City Councils, the State House and State Senate. This is the only way to curb Governor Scott’s crazy enthusiasm and bring back some semblance of order and respect to the great State of Florida. Failure to do so would be detrimental and have epic negative ramifications come election-day this November. 
 
Stop being the laughing stock of America and do the right thing Florida. The entire nation - the World, is watching! Take your Democratic rights back from rapacious Corporatists and SUPER PACs.  
 
Return true power to the people.

By: David A. Franklin,  Jr.

The assault on the middle class will escalate. Congratulations especially to those 36% of union members who voted for the assault (Walker) they have indeed formed their own suicide pact.

I will not say much, but to ask, “Are these people incapable of formulating a decision based on the facts – what they see, what they experience and what they and others are feeling? Why are they still locked in their pre-pubescent mental
state, the period where human beings are at their most impressionable?”  It is apparent they are cooked in that state of mind.

I will adopt from an article, and especially the statistics collated by Gavin Aronsen in his June 5th, 2012 article entitled:  The Dark Money Behind the Wisconsin Recall 
70 percent: How much more expensive the governor's recall election is than the state's second-most expensive race (the 2010  gubernatorial campaign)  $30.5 million: Amount raised by Walker to fight off the recall effort

$3.9 million: Amount raised by his challenger, Tom Barrett, the Democratic mayor of Milwaukee

About 2/3: Proportion of Walker's donations that have come from donors outside Wisconsin

About 1/4: Proportion of Barrett's donations that have come from donors outside Wisconsin
 
Unlimited: Maximum individual donation Walker may accept under state law $10,000: Maximum individual donation Barrett may accept under state law

$16.3 million: A mount spent by pro-Walker independent expenditure groups, which have invested $22 million in the Wisconsin recall

Some of the biggest contributions and expenditures in support of Walker:

•  $510,000 to Walker from Diane Hendricks, Wisconsin's richest businesswoman and a member of Charles and David Koch's million-dollar donor club

•  $490,000 to Walker from Bob Perry, a Houston homebuilder who with his wife has spent more than $8 million on the 
   2012 elections

• $260,000 to Walker from David Humphreys, a member of the Kochs' million-dollar donor club

• $250,000 to Walker from Amway founder Dick DeVos of Michigan, a member of the Kochs' million-dollar donor club

•  $250,000 to Walker from Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who with his wife has spent
    more than $25   million on the 2012elections

•  $100,000 to Walker from Wyoming investor Foster Friess, a member of the Kochs' million-dollar donor club

•  $100,000 to Walker from New York billionaire Louis Bacon, a media-shy hedge-fund trader

•  $100,000 to Walker from Dallas oil and gas billionaire Trevor Rees-Jones

•  $6.5 million on ads spent by Americans for Prosperity, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and the anti-labor
   Center for Union Facts

• $4 million on ads spent by the Republican Governors Association's Right Direction Wisconsin PAC; only about $7,000 
   was raised in-state. The RGA got $1 million from David Koch in February. It's also received $500,000from the
   US Chamber of Commerce

Dark Money is just another tool in the Republican’s arsenal which is plunging America back into the dark days before
universal suffrage where citizens of countries were first allowed to vote regardless of ethnicity, or importantly regardless of property requirements or other measures of wealth. It is also worthy of note that although the concept of universal suffrage was born in the early 1800’s and that countries like the Pitcairn Island , Iceland, Franceville, New Zealand and
Australia started to implement universal suffrage.  Some of these countries virtually unknown and would be classified as ‘backward’ by their “first world” giants.  Further, US’s tiny neighbors in the Caribbean beginning in 1944 implemented
FULL suffrage where all adults vote.  US only jumped on board in 1965 in any meaningful way although – 
         “.. in 1870 the 15th Amendment granted suffrage to African Americans, and in 1920 the 19th Amendment
          extended the franchise to women many Southern States pro-actively disenfranchised black voters through
         poll taxation, literacy tests and bureaucratic loopholes. The Further enfranchisement was realized in 1965 with 
         the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the ratification of the
         24th Amendment in 1964.[18][19]  The 26th Amendment set the voting age to 18.”
             ~Wikipedia.

Still, after 127 years of other countries in the civilized world have implemented, Universal adult suffrage is still not established in the United States of America.  Currently in 2012 some categories of felons in 48 of 50 states are still excluded from voting although they have fully paid their debts as dictated by society. And the tug-o-war of the 1870’s, the 1920’s and the 1960’s is fresh today as it was way back then:
 
-    The poor of all ethnic groups targeted by virtue of social and economic inequalities which render some incapable of  "coughing up" the small amounts of money to apply for birth certificates to get their voter ID

-      Bureaucratic road blocks being implemented in many states with equivalent ramifications of the
        poll taxation,literacy tests of the 1920’s

-       Dis-enfranchisement of the Michigan electorate by the appointment of a State Manager whose terms of reference render duly elected commissioners, (representatives elected by the people to manage their affairs) powerless and useless. Those elected by the people in a democratic process hold no authority to make decisions to the  smallest
detail even to fix potholes in the State’s roads and highways.
 
 The final nail in the coffin of democracy and citizens rights is the infusion of DARK MONEY into the electoral system
where ONE MAN ONE VOTE is substituted for ONE DOLLAR ONE VOTE.

Americans will have to regain their consciousness and stop this before the Republicans plunge the country fully into the dark abyss of the 1700’s and erode and erase all the gains that civilization has defined as DEMOCRACY.