October 10, 2022
What happens if the MAGA GOP gets control of state and federal legislatures? For starters, extremists like Wendy Rogers, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor-Green, Lauren Boebert, Blake Masters, Ron Johnson and Ted Cruz would be setting the legislative agenda for Arizona and America.
Investments in infrastructure, innovative technology, climate change mitigation or water conservation would end. Consumer and worker protections would cease. Gone would be any chance of holding insurrectionists, corrupt corporations or elected officials accountable. Efforts to reduce medical and prescription costs would be tossed aside. Forget tax policies benefiting working families, let alone any DACA or immigration reforms.
The MAGA GOP is solely interested in power and control by any means. Their agenda includes a national ban on abortion, huge cuts to Social Security and Medicare, further restrictions on civil rights for minorities, book banning and control of election outcomes based on their preference. They’d turn a blind eye to the rise of extremist militia and white nationalist organizations. Mass shootings would become more likely with gun safety restrictions erased. The American carnage Trump mentioned in his inaugural speech would be realized.
This isn’t speculation or exaggeration; it’s literally the publicly espoused MAGA GOP plan, proven by their voting record. Any GOP candidate elected at any level enables this outcome and puts extremists in charge who do not represent the priorities of a majority of voters.
Please consider the serious long-term impact of your 2022 vote. Choose candidates who represent your core values — choose D up and down ballot.
July 18, 2022
Recent testimony before the Joint Legislative Budget Committee from Arizona Department of Corrections Director David Shinn is more than concerning. One gets the feeling Mr. Shinn thinks we aren’t very smart based on the excuses he makes for keeping private prisons in place and taxpayers paying for a large number of empty beds, at $85.12 a day per bed. The most glaring statement was that Arizona communities would “collapse” without cheap prison labor. Really? I’m sure there are benefits for both prisoners and the community from prison labor, but if our communities would collapse without it then something is very wrong. Somebody is surely making money here, and it’s not the prisoners who are forced to work 40 hours a week, with some making only 10 cents an hour.
Citing the state’s inability to run Florence West due to over 1,800 corrections officer vacancies, he states, “If the state were to take this over today, we would literally have to shut down functions and close programs. We cannot support that level of activity without our partners.” Well, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that state corrections officers were siphoned off due to privatization. And it doesn’t take much to figure out that with good planning and management these perceived personnel obstacles could be overcome. Mr. Shinn’s comments justifying the status quo of privatization of prisons in Arizona illustrate the need for drastic change in our penal system. One phrase keeps repeating in my mind: “Follow the money."
March 26, 2022
The March 24 guest column by Mayor McFarland and Evelyn Casuga, “Creating our vibrant communities,” was indeed inspirational. It details their participation in January’s 113th Arizona Town Hall and the knowledge and recommendations they took away from it. They bulleted the recommendations as such: providing affordable high-speed internet to all, focused on rural, low-income and tribal communities. Prioritizing sustained equitable funding for child care and education. Improving communication between government and the public. Engaging in general partnerships and collaboration to optimize funding, share information and resources, and improve services. Learn about communities and engage in effective, far-reaching communication within those communities that will center and honor their voices. Create consistent town halls in which all Arizonans can participate.
Reading these recommenda-tions, I was struck by the obvious comparison of the recommen-dations to the agendas of the two major political parties. These recommendations go hand in hand with the Democrat agenda and run contrary to that of the Republicans. Congressman Tom O’Halleran recently announced the application of $100 million for high-speed internet thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act championed by Democrats. Funding for child care and education is always a priority for Democrats, as opposed to Republicans crowing about their “victory” over Proposition 208. Likewise communicating with their constituents and honoring their voices is another Democrat ideal, as opposed to Republican efforts to eliminate the popular mail-in voting and subvert the vote in a sad variety of legislative proposals. Which party will help produce vibrant communities? The November choice is clear.
December 2, 2021
The Dispatch’s Thanksgiving edition inadvertently opened a window to examine the critical race theory “controversy." Page 14A, the “World of Wonder: Pilgrims” page for kids, presents typical fare for what children are taught about the Pilgrims. Surprisingly, it does include a concluding paragraph on King Philip’s War, something that is rarely taught. That war, fought between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people some 55 years after the arrival of the Mayflower, is described in the article as such: More Europeans arrive, straining the relationship. Occasional fighting escalated into bloody war. The Wampanoag attacked many English settlements but failed to dislodge the settlers. Hmmmm, what’s missing? Why were they fighting? Answer: Competition for land and resources. What the Wampanoag had gladly shared 55 years earlier was now forcibly being taken from them. There were forced land sales, “praying towns” created for “converted Christians” who had been “relieved” of their lands, lengthy and harassing examinations for loyalty to the English political system and confiscation of arms.
They fought for their very survival in what was, proportionate to population, America’s deadliest war. A war that began the implementation of Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny. Misinformed critics label telling the entire story as CRT. Rational people understand it’s simply telling the truth. American history is not all beauty marks, there are plenty of warts as well. Warts that, per Santayana, must be examined so they don’t occur again. That’s teaching informed, analytic, responsible citizenship and embracing comprehensive education over the manufactured CRT boogeyman.
September 22, 2021
Kevin Cavanaugh's overblown, pontificating column in the Sept. 21 issue of the Dispatch would have benefited from the sharp pen of a good editor. His justification of his very political decision regarding the rejection of federal grant money was definitely long on words and low on non-partisan substance. In his three-part defense, he loads up on dog whistle words and stories such as his versions of the history of "take a knee," "defund the police" and "Justin Trudeau-esq apology letters." Add to this his description of the grant funding as a Biden/Democrat conspiracy to "further President Biden's political objectives" and "divide Americans"; one can clearly see how his tainted vision affects his judgment.
He speaks of the need for knowledgeable leadership but clearly does not see the irony of the use of the George Bernard Shaw quote "Beware of false knowledge: it is more dangerous than ignorance." This statement so aptly fits Republican leaders and their refusal to speak the truth and support the facts regarding COVID-19, vaccines and the Big Lie in order to further their political gains that I laughed out loud. And in light of the ridiculous fraudit happening in our state, I just can't miss the opportunity to note his obliviousness when he complains that some of the grant money must be transferred to an "unknown private contractor."
Stephen Miller owes no apologies for his vote or his comments. I support the votes of Mr. Miller and Mr. Goodman and hope that this decision will be overturned at the county supervisors meeting on Sept. 29.
Scenario 1: A mob breaks into your house, destroys your property, threatens, injures and kills family members as they parade through the house. Upon responding, the police indicate they will start an immediate investigation. You refuse to allow the investigation to begin as it was “just another typical day” in your house, and then threaten family members with expulsion should they cooperate with the police.
Scenario 2: You’re aware of the “trumped-up” lies about a stolen election, the ridiculous Cyber Ninjas “fraudit," and the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Arizona’s voter suppression laws. Meanwhile, Arizona legislators engage in a backdoor maneuver to circumvent the voters with a damaging flat tax that basically negates Proposition 208, a badly needed assist to an education system decimated for years by that same legislature, dominated by the same political party. Despite all of that, you support the political party that promotes the lies, birthed the “fraudit” and canceled the voters' will.
Neither of these scenarios makes any sense, but are unbelievably being played out in real time. However, this insanity can be broken by becoming involved in the very future of our state and nation through communication with your elected representatives, active support of citizens who run for office with the true interests of their constituents in mind, and lastly casting your vote knowing which party is working for the people and which party engages in the behaviors described in the scenarios above. The Retrumplican Party has lost its way and its very soul. Vote Democrat.
I’ve worked hard and paid into Medicare and Social Security my entire life. When the president and politicians toss around ideas that would bankrupt Medicare and SS so casually, it makes me very upset. These are programs I’ve planned to rely on for years now, and I don’t know how I’ll survive financially without them.
I’ve done my research and I know that our representative, Tom O’Halleran, has always been outspoken on the importance of protecting Medicare and Social Security for seniors like me. We may not agree on everything, but we agree on this. He has my vote this fall, and I encourage other seniors like me to vote for him also!
For all his hugging of it and his sanctimonious bluster about “disrespecting our troops and the flag” when sports figures “take a knee,” Trump does not really care about the flag. If he did, he would go after his own supporters who display the Stars and Stripes with Trump’s own image imposed upon it. He would tell them he does not approve. He would tell them to respect the flag. Instead he is silent. If challenged, no doubt he would cover his own butt by saying he is unaware the offending flag exists even though it has been seen on national TV being waved by supporters at his rallies.
Imposing an image of anyone’s face over the 13 stripes is not just disrespect, it is desecration. Our flag is desecrated and disrespected in many ways. It is used for advertising and for underwear, outerwear and even for face masks today. Sometimes it is burned or dragged through the mud. Our First Amendment — one of the many things our flag stands for — allows all of this.
The flag is a sacred symbol of real heroes who worked and fought and died to secure the American ideals of freedom and equality. It does not belong to any person and should not bear the image of any person — especially a president who avoided fighting for it when his country called. While Trump supporters have the right to fly that flag, they should have the decency — out of respect for those who protected that right and protect it today — to find a better way to express their misguided support for this president who pays only lip service to our real Stars and Stripes.
A recent letter to the editor detailed the writer’s opinions regarding the Republican Party championing for Black Americans. I won’t embarrass him further by citing his name, but I would like to respond. His use of the term “the Negro” demonstrates an antiquated and derogatory frame of reference and his recitation of historical “facts” is in dire need of a quick history lesson. To keep it simple, there was once a branch of the Democrat Party that viewed Abraham Lincoln and ensuing political actions benefiting Black Americans with extreme hatred. They were called Southern Democrats, who would do anything to disassociate with the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln that had defeated the Confederacy. That all changed with the election of JFK, who initiated the movement toward civil rights legislation and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 under LBJ.
Angry Southern Democrats immediately switched over to the Republican Party, where they remain today in ruby red Southern states. To say today’s Republican Party fights for the rights of Black Americans is laughable, even more so as it has become the Retrumplican Party. Attacks on the BLM movement and efforts to suppress the Black vote are just two recent examples of a Republican Party in which many of its members are wrapped up in birtherism (still), white supremacy movements, QAnon and the alt-right. These are hardly ways to champion the concerns of “the Negro” or Americans in general.
I completely agree with the recent letter to the editor written by Ralph Atchue, exposing the racist political cartoon to be found on the Facebook page of the state senator from LD 11, Vince Leach. It should be noted that this cartoon is not the only cartoon of that nature on his page, but is one of many that Mr. Leach so proudly displays. It’s obvious this is not a man who should be representing LD 11 or holding any public office for that matter. I am perplexed as to why the Dispatch chose to weigh in with a footnote describing the cartoon as the cartoonist’s attempt to “challenge African Americans’ loyalty to the Democratic Party." While one might charitably accept that interpretation, it is much more than that. The words and images are stereotypical, conveying misogynistic and racist “themes” from the far right.
With this in mind, it’s time to send Vince Leach packing in November. LD 11 and the state of Arizona deserve far better.
I don’t see how anyone can avoid being astonished by the consistent pattern of rampant corruption of the Trump administration.
Let’s begin with Michael Flynn. Contrary to editorials that cherry-pick quotes and evidence, Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI. He was not coerced, he was not tortured and he was not framed. The FBI followed commonplace procedures used in criminal investigations at every level. His lies covered working on behalf of foreign governments — while becoming head of U.S. intelligence!
Scandal and unethical behavior have become a hallmark of the Trump administration. Look at this list of Trump Cabinet members or advisers who were convicted, pled guilty or resigned under investigation:
Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Roger Stone, Michael Cohen, George Papadopoulos, Carl Icahn, Tom Price, Ryan Zinke, Scott Pruitt. (There are others whose investigations have been stopped by Trump’s consigliere William Barr.)
By comparison, the Obama administration had zero indictments, guilty pleas or convictions in eight years. This, despite endless congressional investigations into Benghazi, Fast and Furious and emails.
Never before has a president leveraged his office to profit directly. Using and promoting his properties has brought in millions of taxpayer and foreign money — in direct violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. Never before has a president fired a host of inspectors general who sought to investigate and thwart administration screwups or misconduct. The latest news is that the administration’s lead scientist working on the COVID vaccine has been removed from his position because he warned about the dangers of using unproven medications touted by Trump. These public servants were on the job working for the American people — they are not supposed to be Trump sycophants.
This pattern of corruption cannot be overstated or excused. The American people deserve better than rants, lies and corruption.
I don’t see how anyone can avoid being astonished by the consistent pattern of rampant corruption of the Trump administration.
Let’s begin with Michael Flynn. Contrary to editorials that cherry-pick quotes and evidence, Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI. He was not coerced, he was not tortured and he was not framed. The FBI followed commonplace procedures used in criminal investigations at every level. His lies covered working on behalf of foreign governments — while becoming head of U.S. intelligence!
Scandal and unethical behavior have become a hallmark of the Trump administration. Look at this list of Trump Cabinet members or advisers who were convicted, pled guilty or resigned under investigation:
Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Roger Stone, Michael Cohen, George Papadopoulos, Carl Icahn, Tom Price, Ryan Zinke, Scott Pruitt. (There are others whose investigations have been stopped by Trump’s consigliere William Barr.)
By comparison, the Obama administration had zero indictments, guilty pleas or convictions in eight years. This, despite endless congressional investigations into Benghazi, Fast and Furious and emails.
Never before has a president leveraged his office to profit directly. Using and promoting his properties has brought in millions of taxpayer and foreign money — in direct violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. Never before has a president fired a host of inspectors general who sought to investigate and thwart administration screwups or misconduct. The latest news is that the administration’s lead scientist working on the COVID vaccine has been removed from his position because he warned about the dangers of using unproven medications touted by Trump. These public servants were on the job working for the American people — they are not supposed to be Trump sycophants.
This pattern of corruption cannot be overstated or excused. The American people deserve better than rants, lies and corruption.
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