Conservatives who don’t know history are dangerous. What are they conserving, anyway? If there ever was a golden era in American history, just consider the years after World War II when the New Deal direction really kicked in. (The “socialist” programs they’ve always derided.) And we’re seeing all of its downsides, as well – sexist, racial, environmental polluting, smug.

As for solutions? It’s safe to bet their ideology would lead to yet another banking meltdown. As I said about history? Bush I and Bush II, or even Harding-Coolidge-Hoover, illustrate that point.

Without banks, there’s no modern economy. (What would you barter for a computer, for one thing?)

Oh, but if you’re truly conservative, what would you need a computer for, anyway? Or anything more than a mattress?

In the World War, we used propaganda to make the boys accept conscription. They were made to feel ashamed if they didn’t join the army.

Maj. Gen. Smedley Darlington Butler, USMC
— from War Is a Racket

America – and the world – needs a Congress that can solve problems.

Not make them. And not pretend they don’t exist.

The public needs to take back the House and Senate and stop marching to the tune of the One Percent.  Or the lunatic fringe. Or the National Rifle Association. What kind of Congress runs scared in the shadow realm as this one does? Denial is not an option when it comes to the real issues before us. (All of us.)

One man can’t do the job alone. No matter how valiantly he’s done in the face of such ill will and obfuscation.

Beautiful ideals were painted for our boys who were sent out to die. This was the “war to end wars.” This was the “war to make the world safe for democracy.” No one told them that dollars and cents were the real reason. No one mentioned to them, as they marched away, that their going and their dying would mean huge war profits. No one told these American soldiers that they might be shot down by bullets made by their own brothers here. No one told them that the ships on which they were going to cross might be torpedoed by submarines built with United State patents. They were just told it was to be a “glorious adventure.”

Maj. Gen. Smedley Darlington Butler, USMC
— from War Is a Racket

How many of those scoffing at climate change also think Darwin was all wrong?

Even while planting hybrid seeds or taking medicines developed through application of an understanding of evolution?

For that matter, speaking honestly, they’d probably still have the world flat rather than global.

It’s not all that they’d flatten.

The news coming out of Kansas is truly disturbing. Things were bad enough when historian Thomas Frank asked, What’s the Matter With Kansas? (Subtitled, “How conservatives won the heart of America.”) But now it’s looking out and out suicidal.

It’s what happens when ultra-right-wingers take over the governorship and legislature and begin dismantling the government. Make that, all signs of civilization. How bad can it get? When the legislature cuts down the judiciary?

This is tyranny running toward dictatorship. And the bold economic “plan” is piling up record debts for the state – and others who just might come to the rescue will wind up with the “tax-increase” label. Well, it’s looking hopeless unless the corporations in the state force a change in direction, as business leaders are urging. (At least they know the value of investing for a future.)

My suggestion? Go ahead, if you want, be truly conservative. Give it back to the Indians. And move to your own reservation.

Humpty-Trumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty-Trumpty took a great fall.

All the Trump’s men and all the Trump’s bad-asses

Couldn’t put Trumpty together again.

Party first?

As the good ol’ boys go:

Sober up later.

More than two aspirin and a raw egg, at that.

Party first?

Leave the poor custodians to clean up later? Or the ambulance and emergency room personnel?

The ones you look down on?

There are two sides to this issue. As well as two parties, for good reason.

Party first?

Who’s gonna fix the disaster?

Rock all you want. More than the room’s swirling. What can you grab hold of that’s steady?