#200 US Microcosm: Raleigh Republicans Render Revenge (Part 1)

22 Sunday May 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Gov't Policy, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

≈ 3 Comments

First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Most entries assume there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1. List and general description of entries to date. Annual assessment whether Revolution plausible.

Note: most entries are constructed as a dialogue between the main character, Jordan Abel, and variety of colleagues, friends and random acquaintances. Characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations. Profile of characters. You’ll catch on quickly. Thanks for your time and interest…and comments.

This entry breaks with the traditional format. Regular readers might be wondering why all the entries about NC legislators. I’d like to let go and move on to another topic. However, just when I think the legislators are beginning to act rationally, they manage to continue to do something potentially harmful to the state.

The actions in Raleigh seem to be a microcosm of what’s happening in Washington. Two sides seemingly unwilling to compromise, even if one of the positions is considered so extreme that no compromise is possible. Further, the irrational actions often continue even when continuing could cause consider harm to a wide swatch of society.

For NC legislators, the most recent action is a threat to withhold a limitation on the amount of sales tax on jet fuel paid by American Airlines. While I believe that incentives are not the most effective way to attract and grow businesses, incentives do seem appropriate in some cases…and this is one.

Charlotte is a major airline hub (Initially USAir which was acquired by American). The airport itself is not a major economic driver, but having a major airline hub is a major economic driver. Numerous companies, especially companies with HQ outside the US, have cited an important reason for locating in and around Charlotte is easy access to international flights.

So why does the legislature want to eliminate the incentives? Not because of opposition to incentives. But because American Airlines supported repealing HB2 (the bill that among other things forces transgenders to use the bathroom of the sex listed on their birth certificate). And American is not alone is supporting repeal of HB2. Many large employers in North Carolina have urged the governor and legislators to repeal of the law.

So, how do the governor and legislators respond? Like 2-year olds. The legislator and the governor appear willing to bring economic harm to many citizens in NC because someone told them their legislation was stupid. And, like a whiny 2-year old, the legislators and the governor blamed someone else – in this case the mayor of Charlotte.

What did the Charlotte mayor do? Lead the effort to pass the ordinance allowing transgenders to select their restroom. The ordinance, which applies only in the City of Charlotte, is admittedly controversial. However, before the ordinance took effect and before the residents of Charlotte had an opportunity to overturn the ordinance – city-wide referendum, recalling the mayor and council, etc. – the state legislators stepped in to “save Charlotte from itself.”

So here we have legislators from throughout the state, many of whom probably have never been in Charlotte, telling the residents of Charlotte what’s good for them. And oh, yes, Charlotte residents, we’re going to take away your right to address issues that affect only your city. Why? Because, we, the Republicans in Raleigh, know best. A little bit of overreach here?

Then what happens? With the overreach the NC legislators poked the big dog in Washington…and, oops, the dog bit back. Department of Justice filed a suit against the state. Then the Department of Education issued a directive mandating that schools comply with regulations that are similar to the Charlotte ordinance.

The NC 2-year olds claimed overreach by the Federal government and harden their stance. The result was to inflict more economic damage on the state as companies began to drop NC from consideration for relocating or expanding operations. The economic damage affected Charlotte, even though the City has made considerable effort to attract a more diverse workforce and attract more high-tech industries.

The legislators apparently offered to repeal HB2 if Charlotte repealed its ordinance. The Charlotte mayor and some council members…and many citizens…responded by asking “‘why agree to something the other side had no business getting involved in the first place?” The current resolution of the issue is weaving its way through the courts, which could take years.

A better step, I think, is let the people of Charlotte decide if they want to support the ordinance. Let residents debate the plusses and minuses, possibly reach a reasonably palatable solution to all sides.

Voters in the City of Houston rejected a similar ordinance. Other cities have ordinances similar to the one passed by Charlotte. But let the residents of the area affected decide. If Charlotte wants to be labeled as “too liberal” by some others in NC, so be it. Those same people will likely not go to New York, San Francisco or many other locations.

The irony, from my perspective, is transgenders have been using the bathroom of choice for many years with no apparent incidents. Now that the City of Charlotte formalizes the choice, Republicans in Raleigh believe there is an issue. Uh, your reaction couldn’t be merely political could it?

And thus, the suggestion that NC is a microcosm of the US. Every decision in Raleigh and Washington seems to have become so politicized that compromise and reasonable solutions are impossible. Further the seeming insistence on seeking revenge and inflicting pain on those who have a different view reinforces my concern the US is headed for a 5^th revolution, the Revenge Revolution.

The next few entries will center on NC HB2 bill. Then we’ll move on. Jordan Abel

#199 Bullying, Blame and Blasphemy (Part 9 of 9)

15 Sunday May 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

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First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1. List and general description of entries to date. Annual assessment whether Revolution plausible.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations. Profile of characters. You’ll catch on quickly. Thanks for your time and interest…and comments.

Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington. Jordan meeting with JC, who has agreed to propose causes of the Revenge Revolution for Greenie, a mutual friend, who is an author. Greenie is recovering from short-term illness. Conversation started #191.

JC: “Back from my break. We’ve got one more topic for Greenie’s articles.”

Jordan: “OK, but let’s go to the coffee shop and sit outside. It’s a Chamber-of-Commerce day and we should enjoy it.”

(Now outside at the coffee shop.)

JC: “Here’s an idea as a cause for the Revenge Revolution – bullying, blaming and blasphemy?”

Jordan: “Sounds like a headline from some tabloid. Tell me more. Start with bullying.”

JC: “Seems to me that many people just got tired of politicians trying to bully each other, bully the media and bully the public.”

Jordan: “Such as…”

JC: “I keep ratcheting back to the 2016 presidential campaign. That set a new standard for bullying. Simple example, conservative Republicans ranting and raving that news clips on Facebook were biased against Republicans. C’mon. As if the news clips on Fox aren’t biased? Look who’s calling the kettle black?”

Jordan: “OK, the bias claim has long been a standard line of the radio talking heads. I guess because of its popularity, Facebook qualified as ‘drive-by’ media. What else?”

JC: “What else is this. People who tried to bully Facebook should be glad I wasn’t in charge. I would have told them to shove it. Zuckerberg was far too diplomatic.”

Jordan: “A more relevant example, please.”

JC: “Your great state of North Carolina. I know it’s not really your state but you do live there. The legislators…and governor what’s his name…tried to become world-class at bullying and blaming.”

Jordan: “You talking about HB2 – the transgender law? And by the way, the governor in 2016 was Pat McCrory.”

JC: “See if I have the sequencing right. The City of Charlotte passed a law that provided certain rights to LGBT’s. The law applied only to the city and nowhere else. Right?”

Jordan: “Right so far.”

JC: “Then the Republican state legislators passed some law in a special session with no discussion. The law applied to the entire state, not just the City of Charlotte. Moreover, the language read like an old Jim Crow law with ‘LGBT’ inserted for blacks.’ Then puppet Pat signed the bill the same day.”

Jordan: “Why do you classify that as bullying?”

JC: “Why did the Republican legislators feel compelled to pass a law for the entire state when the ordinance covered only Charlotte? Bullies want people to think they’re powerful. So the yahoos from rural North Carolina, who would never step foot in Charlotte anyway – too many of ‘those people’ and too many Yankee liberals – passed a law for the entire state. Bullying pure and simple.”

Jordan: “OK, where’s the blame come in?”

JC: “The yahoos then blamed the mayor of Charlotte for causing the problem and forcing the legislators to act. Excuse me. No one twisted the legislators arm to act.”

Jordan: “Are you implying some pattern for blaming?”

JC: “Yes, there is a pattern…at least there was a pattern then. If one listens closely to Republicans, then and even now – and I’m not talking just North Carolina but nationally – the mantra seems to be that whatever the issue, someone else is to blame for causing the problem. Republicans never, ever seem to own up to being at fault.”

Jordan: “JC, You seem to be letting your liberal side get out of control. You really believe there’s a pattern?”

JC: “Start listening more carefully to the wording of statements. You’ll see the pattern. Sometimes its blatant but most of the time it’s more subtle.”

Jordan: “Let’s go back to the NC law for a few more minutes.”

JC: “OK, remember right after Puppet Pat signed HB2, PayPal cancelled an operations center in Charlotte with how many jobs?”

Jordan: “400 minimum.”

JC: “What does the Puppet say? PayPal was bad because they did business in countries that discriminate against gays and other LGBT’s. Well, Patty Boy, if PayPal was such a bad company, then why did you slobber all over yourself and take credit for ‘economic development’ when PayPal announced the call center? Using Patty’s logic, PayPal was at fault for cancelling the call center, not actions by the legislators or the governor.”

Jordan: “Keep going.”

JC: “Not long after PayPal bailed, the Feds got involved. They threatened to without funds for schools and roads because HB2 conflicted with some Federal statutes. The Feds gave the state a chance to overturn the law or at least stop enforcement. And how do Patty Boy and the legislators react?”

Jordan: “They blamed the Feds for not giving them enough time to overturn the law.”

JC: “Now you’re getting the picture. In less than one day, the legislators passed the law and Patty signed it. But then the same fast-draw Republicans screamed and blamed the Feds that five days wasn’t enough time to respond. See my point?”

Jordan: “There’s a pattern.”

JC: “Then talk about stupid is as stupid does. The state sued the Feds claiming, really blaming overreaching. Did anyone ever teach those yahoos not to poke a sleeping dog with a stick, especially a really big dog?”

Jordan: “Apparently not. Just to be fair and balanced…”

JC: “Please, Jordan, don’t make me throw up over fair and balanced.”

Jordan: “You’re not suggesting that Democrats are completely clean on bullying and blaming are you?”

JC: “No, but the scale seems to be heavily weighted toward Republicans. Look who the Republicans nominated in 2016, the Donald.”

Jordan: “I don’t think I ever heard him take responsibility for anything going wrong. It was always someone else’s fault. And he was clearly a master bullier.”

JC: “And a master bull…oops, I forgot we’re outside. A master BSer.”

Jordan: “We’ve covered bullying and blaming. What’s the blasphemy part?”

JC: “The religious right kept claiming they were exempt from certain laws because the laws conflicted with their religious beliefs. And any challenge to their argument was considered blasphemous. Sometimes I thought we were in Iran, not the US.”

Jordan: “You must think the US Constitution includes some kind of clause about separation of church and state? Where’d you ever get an idea like that?”

JC: “My apologies for such a stupid thought. Seriously, the claims by many fundamentalists they should be excluded from certain laws created extreme resentment among many people.”

Jordan: “I agree. The constant finger-pointing and the attitude ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’ and the ‘law doesn’t apply to me’ really added fuel to the fire.”

JC: “As we talked earlier, the pot of water boiling over lead to the Revenge Revolution.”

Jordan: “You think we’ve been too one-sided in our topics for Greenie? Most seem to fall in the Republican camp.”

JC: “No one’s claiming Democrats are faultless. But if one evaluates objectively where society got out of whack, I think the Republicans hard shift to the right along with the bullying, blaming and blasphemy made governing nearly impossible. So the pot boils over and we have a revolution.”

Jordan: “Think the country can recover?”

JC: “I don’t know. You and I are old enough to have lived through the last revolution. The country was in turmoil for more than a decade.”

Jordan: “And it wasn’t any fun. Let’s hope this recovery doesn’t take as long.”

JC: “I agree. Maybe Greenie’s articles will help heal the wounds more quickly. I’ll let her know what we came up with.”

(End of the series about articles for Greenie)

#198 Lessons from Feeling the Bern and the Donald (Part 8)

08 Sunday May 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues

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Jordan: “Greenie asked if we could come up with 9-10 possible causes of the Revenge Revolution.”

JC: “We need a couple more. I had the last idea, your turn.”

Jordan: “Not sure of the answer but the question could be a good topic.”

JC: “OK, what’s the question?”

Jordan: “Go back to 2016. What were the causes of such wide-spread support for Bernie Sanders and The Donald?”

JC: “Interesting question. Both sets of followers seemed to the antithesis of the candidate.”

Jordan: “There’s Bernie, an old Jewish guy from Brooklyn transplanted to Vermont. And what does he do? Attract huge crowds of Millennials.”

JC: “Feeling the Bern was like voting for your crusty old grandfather. You’d expect the Millennials to gravitate to some dynamic Millennial-like candidate.”

Jordan: “And exactly the opposite happened. The Millennials support an old, sort of frumpy guy.”

JC: “The same with supporters of the Donald. Here’s a NY real estate guy with lots of money and a high life-style. And who are his primary supporters?”

Jordan: “Lower-income, middle-age white guys. Most of them probably had never been to NY, let alone shop on 5^th Avenue near Trump Tower.”

JC: “Or been to Palm Beach and shopped on Worth Avenue.”

Jordan: “You’d think the Millennials would be attracted to Trump and the middle-age guys would be attracted to Bernie.”

JC: “But just the opposite happened. The attraction must have been the message.”

Jordan: “What about the messenger, which seems to be a big concern in politics?”

JC: “Well, Bernie and the Donald proved that looks are unimportant. Bernie in his rumpled suits. And the Donald who looks like a cartoon character.”

Jordan: “Plus, the delivery was not extraordinary either. Neither could match the delivery of JFK or Reagan…or even Bill Clinton.”

JC: “While the Donald was a bit of a flame thrower, he was anything but eloquent.”

Jordan: “So, she says, the key must have been the content of the message. But do you think people actually listened to the message?”

JC: “Yes. Both Bernie and the Donald realized the message from mainstream politicians was ‘broken.’ So, they took a different tact. Throw out the sugar-coating and the euphemisms. Bring in straight talk.”

Jordan: “Both talked about problems and issues that mainstream politicians sidestepped. You might say Bernie talked about the donkey in the room and the Donald talked about the elephant in the room.”

JC: “Both were effective, although I must say the Donald was less than tactful much of the time. Clearly Millennials and future generations faced a set of circumstances that needed to be addressed, which Bernie tried to do. And middle-aged people…white and black…faced a problem of no longer having decent-paying factory jobs. And that problem needed to be addressed.”

Jordan: “To show you how the job market has changed…and how old I am…when I got out of undergrad, I had 10 job offers. Not all great but 10 offers.”

JC: “10 offers? You? You fooled that many companies?”

Jordan: “Thanks for the vote of confidence. When Bernie and the Donald were campaigning, for a college grad to get a couple of decent job offers, let alone 10 offers, was more like a pipe dream. A fairly high percentage of college graduates were getting no credible offers.”

JC: “At the same time, a high percentage of middle-aged people had been in a job that was eliminated and then could only find a job that paid significantly less. In a way, it was the same dilemma that recent college graduates faced.”

Jordan: “So the lesson for Greenie is message is more important than the appearance of the messenger.”

JC: “Yes. I’d add one other lesson from the Bern and the Donald – fund raising.”

Jordan: “They both broke the traditional model of who fed the piggy-bank. Neither Bernie nor the Donald had support of any PAC and both started with virtually no field organization. Bernie had no appreciable financial assets but still managed to raise millions of dollars from small donors. Raised money like Obama but took it to another level.”

JC: “The Donald spent his own money and then leveraged the media better than anyone before him. Think about all the free coverage he got.”

Jordan: “OK, lesson #2. Traditional funding and traditional field organizations are not required to gain wide-spread support.”

JC: “Here’s what I’m still having trouble with. The last topic we gave Greenie – the effect of internet myopia – and this topic – lessons from the Bern and the Donald – did these factors really contribute to the Revenge Revolution, or were they merely side issues?”

Jordan: “I think Greenie is going to find the Revenge Revolution is like most revolutions. There is no single cause. Revolutions follow an accumulation of many events and frustrations. I agree that at some point the pot boils over and there is a revolution. But the cause of the pot boiling over is not the last few minutes before it boils over but the build-up of heat over a much longer period. Consider all the events we’re outlining as throwing wood on the fire. With more wood the fire keeps getting hotter and hotter…”

JC: “…until the water boils over. Then we have a revolution. And speaking of water about ready to spill from the container, I need a break.”

#197 Internet Myopia: More Information, Less Understanding (Part 7)

04 Wednesday May 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution

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Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington. Jordan meeting with JC, who has agreed to get storylines about causes of the Revenge Revolution for Greenie, a mutual friend. Greenie is recovering from short-term illness. Conversation started #191.

Jordan: “OK, JC, you’ve had your break? Feeling better?”

JC: “Much better, thanks. By the way, do you have any chocolate in the office?”

Jordan: “I think Gelly has a stash somewhere.”

Gelly: “Did I hear my name called?”

JC: “Yes. Do you have any chocolate, please? I’m dying for something sweet.”

Gelly: “Been talking too long to Mr. Sourpuss here?”

Jordan: “Why do you guys always pick on me?”

JC: “You’re such an easy target. And it’s fun.”

Gelly: “I’ll get the chocolate. You want some coffee?”

JC and Jordan (in unison): “Yes, please. Thanks.”

Jordan: “OK, back to work. We need a few more topics for Greenie’s articles.”

JC: “Before the beak you said tax policy contributed to the decline in such cities as Flint. And the decline was a factor in the Revenge Revolution.”

Jordan: “Yes. Now have you got a topic for Greenie?”

JC: “Yep, the internet.”

Jordan: “Why the internet?”

JC: “The internet is a great tool for certain things, such as ordering certain products, checking out restaurant menus, getting answers to trivia questions…and a bunch of other stuff.”

Jordan: “So what’s the problem with the internet?”

JC: “Like a lot of things, sometimes what is good in one situation turns out to be bad in another situation.”

Jordan: “You need to be more specific, please.”

JC: “While the internet is great for looking up…whatever, the internet is awful for providing the entire picture.”

Jordan: “Why do you say that? You have a lot more information at your fingertips than ever before.”

JC: “True, but, like I said, most people don’t take time to get the entire picture. For example, some news websites allow viewers…really encourage viewers to tailor information to suit their tastes. Tailoring eliminates some or all of the story.”

Jordan: “So, your concern is people are not getting exposed to an array of info, but rather just what they want to see, or read. Call it ‘internet myopia’. It’s as if people are looking at the world through a telescope.”

JC: “Everything is magnified but the field of vision is narrow. Without tailoring, the news websites would be more like newspapers. Think about looking at a hard-copy newspaper. You might not read an article but you read the headline to decide whether to read the article. Just by reading the headline, you got some information, whether or not you want additional info.”

Jordan: “I guess the same logic applies to newscasts. Viewers or listeners are exposed to an array of stories, whether or not they would have selected the stories.”

JC: “People using the internet as a primary source for news and then tailoring the stories really narrows what they are exposed to — just like the telescope. On the website, many viewers just get information that reinforces their opinion or perception. Many of the internet-only news folks are not exposed to few new ideas and not exposed to opposing views.”

Jordan: “Back to your hard-copy newspaper or newscast — do you think anyone actually changed their opinion?”

JC: “Far more likely than anyone in the internet-only group changing their opinion.”

Jordan: “The internet seems to have created a paradox. Although information is more accessible, with tailoring many people are being exposed to less information and have less understanding.”

JC: “And a lot of people seem to be thinking less. Sounds crazy but it’s as if the internet and the smart-phone didn’t make people smarter, but made them dumber.”

Jordan: “I like calling it ‘internet myopia’ but aren’t you stretching the idea of the internet as contributing to the Revenge Revolution?”

JC: “The problem with internet info is unless one accesses a highly credible website, there is no way of knowing how good the info is.”

Jordan: “I agree a large portion of the younger population has never been taught how to research information properly, how to read a newspaper, or how to listen to two sides of an argument.”

JC: “And a lot of older folks seem to have forgotten, or just become lazy. Some people will chastise me but the internet seems to have diminished society’s ability to think critically. People seem to react without thinking.”

Jordan: “Interesting comment and I think you’re on to something.”

JC: “When one stops thinking critically, it’s easy to fall for slogans and other BS. I know it’s a few years ago, but look at what happened in the 2016 presidential race.

Jordan: “During that campaign a very smart guy and long-time friend asked me when the US economy was going to come out of the 2008 recession. Somehow he didn’t know, or maybe want to know, the economy had been expanding for 7 years with no recession in site.”

JC: “He must have some reason for his claim. Did he have his head in the wrong part of his anatomy?”

Jordan: “I think foremost, he’s a Republican who can’t stand Obama. But his argument about the economy was based on median income not increasing…which is true. But what he failed to understand is where the income went. He failed to understand how tax cuts and other policies had shifted income to upper quintiles.”

JC: “How’d he react when you filled him in?”

Jordan: “He was surprised and said he felt as if he had egg on his face. He knew I spent a lot of time studying economic data. But my frustration is this guy is not alone. He’s typical of many people, and it seems especially true of right-wing Republicans.”

JC: “Maybe you should rephrase that to former right-wing Republicans. A lot of those former Republicans became part of the Revenge Revolution.”

Jordan: “What’s your take why the participated.”

JC: “Something easy to understand. Lack of cash. A whole bunch of middle-class people kept working but few of them got ahead. They kept hearing promises from Republicans that tax cuts were the answer but those tax cuts never helped the little guy.”

Jordan: “And the little guy kept looking in his wallet and rather than dollars, he saw moths flying out. The middle-class family was out of cash and wanted a change…and they nominated The Donald.”

JC: “Then a few years later they started the Revolution. OK, but how does Greenie weave together, or maybe link together the internet, less critical thinking and economic inequality?”

Jordan: “My view? If a person tailors information received they are very likely not to understand what is really happening…and why. For many people, especially younger, the internet replaced traditional media forms. As a result, there was less exposure to differing view and certainly less critical thinking. That continued until…”

JC: “…people got tired of moths in the wallet instead of dollars. They felt screwed. Then many people, including a high percentage of lower-income Republicans, got jolted into reality.”

Jordan: “And voila, the Revenge Revolution.”

#196 How Tax Policy Created Multiple Flints (Part #6 of Series)

30 Saturday Apr 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Gov't Policy, Societal Issues

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Jordan: “For Greenie’s next article about the Revenge Revolution let’s select a topic that’s less political.”

JC: “Look, most big societal issues seem to come down to politics one way or another.”

Jordan: “Probably so. But some factors causing the Revolution didn’t start as big political issues.”

JC: “You have a particular topic in mind?”

Jordan: “Flint, Michigan.”

JC: “That’s an old story. Won’t Greenie be beating a dead horse? Besides you talked to POTUS about Flint. What’s new?”

Jordan: “Not much new about the facts. What is new is that we…societal we…failed realize the underlying cause of the problem. We failed to realize the cause when it happened. We fail to realize the cause now.”

JC: “And, I take it, you think the failure has widespread implications?”

Jordan: “Right. There are still many cities with problems very similar to Flint’s.”

JC: “When the story broke, there was lots of finger-pointing by politicians. Then people got very angry and Flint finally got a solution.”

Jordan: “What troubles me is the solution addressed the symptoms, not the cause.”

JC: “You saying fixing the infrastructure in Flint…and elsewhere…was the easy part? The Band-Aid?”

Jordan: “Here we are 5+ years after the Flint problem became public and we still haven’t start addressing the underlying cause. When are we going to wake up?”

JC: “Maybe that’s what Greenie should explore and write about – the real causes of problems in Flint.”

Jordan: “We keep saying Flint but we know the problem is more widespread – look at Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland…and a lot of other cities.”

JC: “I know there’s more than Flint but it’s a great example that’s still fresh in everyone’s mind. What did you tell POTUS?”

Jordan: “If you take personalities out of the Flint equation…”

JC: “…you mean like that guy you talked about that had it in for Flint — GM’s chairman. Squeaky or whatever his name was.”

Jordan: “Roger B. Smith.”

JC: “That’s it, Roger Smith. I like the name Squeaky better.”

Jordan: “If you take personalities out of the equation, the primary cause seems to center on US tax policy.”

JC: “Huh? Flint and tax policy. How so?”

Jordan: “Because tax policy allowed, maybe encouraged is a better term, inflated compensation for senior executives. The compensation was tax-deductible but hidden in the form of stock…more stock options then.”

JC: “Aren’t stock options only worth something if the price of the stock goes up?”

Jordan: “True but shareholders really didn’t understand how much the executives could make if the stock price increased.”

JC: “So what’s wrong with the executives making money? If the stock price increases, all the shareholders benefit also.”

Jordan: “How do you think the execs increased the stock price?”

JC: “I guess more effective management. Maybe introducing new products. I don’t know.”

Jordan: “What about cutting costs?”

JC: “Sure you can cut costs some but that only works for a while. No one ever saved their way into prosperity.”

Jordan: “Part of the problem at public companies was Wall Street.”

JC: “You keep confusing me. I thought Wall Street guys made it possible for companies to grow…and create all that wealth.”

Jordan: “One thing people need to understand. Wall Street pushes a stock price higher for increased earnings, not necessarily for preparing to grow the business. The focus during Squeaky’s reign was short term…and to a large extent the focus today remains short-term.”

JC: “Keep talking. I’m still a little confused.”

Jordan: “For many established companies, generating cash flow was…and is…rewarded more than building for long-term growth.”

JC: “Why? That seems like back asswards logic.”

Jordan: “I think it is back asswards logic. But for many stock traders, short-term is more important. Long-term growth is uncertain and requires cash. Earning often suffer before growth begins.”

JC: “Sounds to me as if Wall Street cared only about performance today, not really about the future. And certainly Wall Street didn’t care about the company. I keep using past tense. But you’re saying it’s till true today.”

Jordan: “Exactly right. People who trade stocks have no emotional bond with the company. Wall Street’s focus is dollars, not the company or its people.”

JC: “So now the company execs, who have a boatload of the stock options, need to play the Wall Street game if they want to make money. Otherwise the options could be worthless.”

Jordan: “Now you have it. The execs are the dog being wagged by the Wall Street tail.”

JC: “Based on what you just described, it makes more sense to cut costs and not spend money for future growth. Seems so stupid.”

Jordan: “Pretend you’re a CEO of a big manufacturing company with lots of workers in Flint, Detroit and elsewhere. And then…”

JC: “…I look at my pile of stock options and ask myself, ‘How can I make the most money?’ Mmm, maybe I can move operations to Mexico, or China as a way of cutting costs. And with that thought I shed a crocodile tear for the workers and the cities left behind. Their problem, not mine.”

Jordan: “Enlightening, huh?”

JC: “I never connected tax policy with movement of US companies to Mexico and China…or even to the southern US.”

Jordan: “Think about the implications of the tax policy.”

JC: “For the execs, they gain in wealth. They also walk from any obligation to the workers or the communities.”

Jordan: “Heads I win. Tails you lose.”

JC: “Seems more like the execs gave a one-fingered salute to everyone on the way to the bank.”

Jordan: “So if Greenie writes about how tax policy helped cause the downfall of Flint and other places, maybe…just maybe…the post-Revenge Revolution Congress will make some changes.”

JC: “And may…just maybe…people will begin boycotting companies who don’t support US cities and workers. And with that, I need a break.”

#195 Greenie’s Articles re Revolution: Petraeus Betrayed Us (Part #5 of Series)

23 Saturday Apr 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues

≈ 1 Comment

JC: “OK, I feel better now. So I don’t get the urge to scream again, could we talk about something other than the stupid North Carolina legislature…and governor?”

Jordan: “I thought you needed ideas for Greenie about the causes of the Revenge Revolution.”

JC: “I do but NC legislators were not the only cause. Give me another idea.”

Jordan: “One event that has always angered me but never seemed to get the in-depth news coverage I thought it deserved was the criminal activity and then sentence of General Petraeus.”

JC: “You mean the 4-star general who was head of the CIA? Didn’t he disclose top-secret info to his mistress…and who knows what else he did?”

Jordan: “Don’t you like the deal he cut with prosecutors?

JC: “Deal is an understatement. As I recall he got off with some misdemeanor…and a fine. I’ve got a question…”

Jordan: “…that is?”

JC: “You were in the military, right?”

Jordan: “Yes.”

JC: “Disclosing secret information has to be more than a slap on the wrist.”

Jordan: “In some cases the disclosure could be considered treason.”

JC: “So he disclosed secret info to some lady who was supposedly writing a biography about him.”

Jordan: “She was a lieutenant or captain in the Army Reserve, I think.”

JC: “OK, she’s some military officer. But she could be a spy. Not the first time sex was used to gain military secrets. How much security clearance did she have? Who knows, she might have been on double-secret probation.”

Jordan: “I like your humor but I don’t know what security clearance she had.”

JC: “This case smells like a really serious offense. A 4-star general discloses secrets to a much-lower ranking officer.”

Jordan: “Remember he was also head of the CIA, which meant he had an even higher clearance than anyone in the military.”

JC: “What’s the penalty for disclosing government secrets?”

Jordan: “Some type of felony…and certainly not a misdemeanor.”

JC: “Strike #1. Disclosure of secrets by a 4-star who is also on POTUS’ cabinet and sits in meetings at the White House. In fact he briefs POTUS on issues. It’s not as if he didn’t know disclosing secrets was a no-no. What’s the penalty if a military officer discloses secrets?”

Jordan: “There’d likely be a court-martial and if convicted, a demotion in rank, maybe dishonorable discharge, certainly loss of pay or pension and possibly time in the brig…jail time.”

JC: “Government employees, I guess, would be tried, and if convicted, fired and jail time…and maybe loss of pension.”

Jordan: “When Eric Snowden disclosed secret info, the US government wanted a maximum penalty, which would have been life in prison or death.”

JC: “But for our little 4-star who couldn’t keep his pants on, a slap on the wrist was the penalty.”

Jordan: “You got it.”

JC: “Speaking of pants, isn’t adultery a serious offense in the military?”

Jordan: “Yes, adultery is prohibited and cause for court-martial.”

JC: “Now General Pants Off has two serious offenses – disclosing secrets and banging a subordinate. Was she married, too?”

Jordan: “Maybe you can be a little more discreet with your choice of words. Banging seems a bit crude.”

JC: “Why? He wasn’t being an officer, a gentleman or fulfilling his duties as head of the CIA.”

Jordan: “He did betray the Army, the CIA, POTUS and his family with his behavior. He like stabbed them in the back. Stabbed all of us in the back.”

JC: “I remember before he became a 4-star or maybe before head of the CIA, there was a group that labeled him General Betraeus. The right-wing went nuts of course, claiming those who made such allegations were traitors.”

Jordan: “Are you saying the group was right?

JC: “Based on his behavior, the group that called him ‘General Betraeus’ was dead-on.”

Jordan: “Another aspect of the case continues to baffle me. The right-wing thinks the military can do no wrong. Yet, when the highest-profile military commander…and head of the CIA…flagrantly breaks the law by disclosing secret information, the same right-wing keeps its mouth shut with no call for accountability. Talk about hypocrisy.”

JC: “But let someone like Hillary use a private computer server for some emails…and apparently a number of other high-ranking officials did as well…and the same right-wing group wants to try her for treason.”

Jordan: “Now you see why I’m confused. The right-wing group screamed about an alleged infraction by one side and had a severe case of duct-tape-on-the-mouth when the head of the CIA knowingly disclosed secrets. I think a lot of the voting public is confused and frustrated by such hypocrisy.”

JC: “My take is this…inside the Beltway if you know the right people, criminal behavior is acceptable. And that applies to some people on both sides of the aisle.”

Jordan: “Petraeus is a good example of such behavior. Yet the Petraeus or the Betraeus story did not get as much coverage as I expected…and might not be a major cause of the Revenge Revolution.”

JC: “I think you’re underestimating the impact of General Pants Off. It’s one of those events that just hangs around and does not go away. The inexcusable behavior continues to gnaw at you, even if it doesn’t scream at you. Greenie needs to write about it.”

#194 NC “Done Wrong” by Mental Midgets in the Legislature (Part #4 of Series)

13 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Gov't Policy, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

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Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington. JC and Jordan continue conversation that started #191.

Jordan: “Aren’t you being harsh on North Carolina? The legislature wasn’t that bad was it?”

JC: “Worse. What really frosts me is how hypocritical the Republicans were.”

Jordan: “Like what?”

JC: “The legislature and the governor…who was governor about 2016?”

Jordan: “You’re talking about Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte?”

JC: “I guess so. Wasn’t he the governor when the legislature passed a bunch of laws they claimed would attract more business?”

Jordan: “You mean like tax cuts for the wealthy, prohibiting cities from raising minimum wage above the Federal level, restricting workers from filing discrimination claims in state court…and some other stuff?”

JC: “The legislature passed a bill making it OK to discriminate against gays…really all LGBT’s. Then, a bunch of large companies start pushing back and asked the governor and legislature to repeal the law. And what did the governor and the legislature say?”

Jordan: “If I recall correctly, comments from Republican Representative Pittinger, whose district includes part of Charlotte, were typical. He said we can’t let business dictate policy for Republicans.”

JC: “What’s his name…Pettinger?”

Jordan: “Pittinger, Robert Pittinger.”

JC: “Excuse me Bobby Boy, all this legislation got passed by Republicans to attract business. Then when some large businesses pushed back at legislation that clearly discriminates, you had the gall to say business should not dictate Republican policy. Can you connect two dots…not three…just two dots?”

Jordan: “You probably weren’t aware when Pittinger made those comments he was under investigation by the IRS for some type of tax issue…and he had a revolt by investors in his land-development company.”

JC: “Sounds like a credible guy. A developer, in the same huckster genre as Donald Trump?”

Jordan: “Yep, although not nearly as successful as Trump.”

Jordan: “No wonder investors…and apparently the IRS…didn’t trust him.”

Jordan: “Here’s an idea. If Pittinger thinks Republicans should not let business dictate policy, then why doesn’t he introduce legislation in Congress to negate the effects of the Supreme Court’s decision re Citizens United? That would put his money where his mouth is.”

JC: “Great idea but you know he won’t do that. No guts plus I’m not sure he’s smart enough to see the irony in his statement.”

Jordan: “So, we’ve got a wacko US Representative from North Carolina. Other places have wacko Reps as well.”

JC: “But NC seemed to go from a reasonably rational state to an irrational state. What happened?”

Jordan: “Earlier I said Republican legislature was like a bunch of teenage boys…”

JC: “…watching ‘Girls Gone Wild…”

Jordan: “As companies began to take action that hurt the NC economy and/or reputation…”

JC: “…like PayPal cancelling a major expansion in Charlotte…”

Jordan: “…and high-profile entertainers cancelled shows…”

JC: “…like Bruce Springsteen…”

Jordan: “…and a bunch of conventions cancelled or took Charlotte off the list, the Republican legislators dug in their heels and refused to consider changes to the law.”

JC: “Where was the governor in all of this?”

Jordan: “He claimed to be helpless in controlling the Republicans. Hapless is probably a better description. After a lot of heat, he issued an Executive Order to overturn part of the law but the EO was feeble and ineffective.”

JC: “So to prove they were in charge, the Republican legislators let the state of North Carolina, and Charlotte in particular, deteriorate economically. Didn’t they care?”

Jordan: “Obviously not. The Republicans had so gerrymandered the voting districts that most were rural and solid Republican. To many of those people Charlotte had been overrun by a bunch of Yankee liberals and needed to be straightened out.”

JC: “Payback time for the Civil War?”

Jordan: “Not the Civil War, please. War of Northern Aggression.”

JC: “Pardon me, I forgot.”

Jordan: “Many of the legislators were farmers or small business owners in rural areas. They thought their fortunes were not tied to Charlotte…or Raleigh, for that matter.”

JC: “So their attitude was let the hoity-toity city slickers rot. Some time passes and then the economy of Charlotte and Raleigh take a serious hit. But the legislators till won’t budge.”

Jordan: “Then the rest of North Carolina starts to slide. But before the legislators will admit their mistake…”

JC: “…the Revenge Revolution starts. The very people who the Republicans counted on to screw Charlotte ended up turning on the Republicans. I love poetic justice.”

Jordan: “Poetic justice but not before a lot of damage was done. North Carolina will spend decades trying to rebuild its reputation and begin attracting younger, well-educated people.”

JC: “I understand there have always been differences in perspective between rural and urban dwellers. What I cannot understand is why the NC Republican legislators felt a need to react so viciously to an ordinance enacted by the City of Charlotte. That reaction seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Jordan: “What I don’t understand is why the legislators even acted. The ordinance was for the residents of the city…no one else. If someone didn’t like Charlotte’s ordinances, no one was forcing them to go there. Go someplace else. I mean, what’s really the issue?”

JC: “My opinion. In NC terms, the state was ‘done wrong’ by a bunch of mental-midgets in the legislature. The mental-midgets were power-hungry, on the loose and the governor either couldn’t or chose not to control them. Let’s take a break before I start screaming.”

#193 North Carolina: First in Discrimination; Last in Education (Part #3 of Series)

09 Saturday Apr 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Education Issues, Societal Issues

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Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington. JC and Jordan continue conversation from #191.

JC: “You know it’s probably not fair to say North Carolina is last in education just because they refuse to pay teachers a decent wage.”

Jordan: “Whadda mean that’s not enough justification?”

JC: “Doesn’t NC have a decent university system. I mean University of North Carolina has good basketball teams.”

Jordan: “Have you ever wondered why the teams are so good?”

JC: “Good coaches and good academics, I guess.”

Jordan: “You can skip the good academics part. You might not remember but in say 2014-2016 there were numerous stories about how UNC allowed athletes to take non-existent classes…I should say classes that required no attendance. And then…surprise, surprise…the athletes all got very good grades in these vapor classes.”

JC: “But that was just for a year or two, right?”

Jordan: “Try much longer.”

JC: “Really? I didn’t hear any of that.”

Jordan: “The school tried to keep everything quiet…”

JC: “You mean cover it with tar…like the Tar Heels?”

Jordan: “Very good. How’d you know the name Tar Heels? Never mind. Anyway, the practice of allowing athletes to take no-show classes and have someone else write papers when necessary apparently goes back to the 1990’s, maybe longer.”

JC: “The coaches have must have known about the scam.”

Jordan: “The coaches claim they didn’t know.”

JC: “That’s the biggest crock I’ve ever heard. Let’s see, the coach recruits some kid who’s great at basketball but with no apparent academic skills.”

Jordan: “And when he starts to play college-level basketball he learns how to study…”

JC: “…and voila, he becomes proficient in algebra, English and whatever else he’s supposed to study. So under the leadership of this basketball coach, the kid’s IQ jumps 50-60 points and he turns into Albert Einstein.”

Jordan: “In all fairness, some of these kids are really street.”

JC: “I agree. But universities are not about how to become street smart. Universities are about becoming book smart and learning critical thinking. In all this fiasco, where were the coach’s ethics…and the university’s ethics?”

Jordan: “I hear from UNC grads that the program of no-show classes and inflated grades wasn’t so bad since many other schools have similar programs for athletes.”

JC: “First, I think that’s BS. Besides just because someone else does something unethical doesn’t mean its ok for you to do something unethical. I thought UNC was the pillar of ethical behavior. Isn’t the area around UNC the buckle in the Bible Belt?”

Jordan: “Yep.”

JC: “So for the UNC Bible belters, cheating is OK as long as you can get away with it. Then when you get caught, don’t take responsibility but try to blame someone else.”

Jordan: “That seems to be the formula.”

JC: “Maybe we should change the NC state slogan to: “First in Discrimination; Last in Education; Last in Ethics.”

#192 NC: First in Discrimination; Last in Education (Part #2 of Series)

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Gov't Policy, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

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Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington. JC and Jordan continue conversation from #191.

JC: “What have I been up to while you were away on R&R?”

Jordan: “Hardly consider recovering from surgery R&R.”

JC: “Well, you weren’t working very much as far as I know, so it must have been R&R.”

Jordan: “Back to my question, what have you been doing lately?”

JC: “Helping Greenie prepare some articles on the Revenge Revolution.”

Jordan: “Now I have to deal with both of you?”

JC: “You love it and you know it.”

Jordan: “I admit, working with you guys is fun. What’s your topic?”

JC: “State governments running wild.”

Jordan: “Reminds me of a movie from many years ago, ‘Girls Gone Wild.'”

JC: “Did you actually watch that stuff?”

Jordan: “Look, I saw my share of trash. Remember I was a teenager once. And teenage boys sometimes do stupid things. But let’s get back to your topic. Any state in particular stand out for running wild?”

JC: “Yes, your current home state, North Carolina.”

Jordan: “Call it the state where I pay taxes. But I hardly consider NC my home state.”

JC: “Whatever you want to call it, the NC legislature might as well have approved a new slogan, ‘NC: First in Discrimination; Last in Education.'”

Jordan: “Funny, JC, but unfortunately close to the truth.”

JC: “Tell me what went on to cause such a shift in your state?”

Jordan: “Please don’t call it my state. We just happen to live there. I have no other connection with NC…nor do I want any.”

JC: “OK, but what went on? The legislature seemed to want to lead the race to the bottom. Didn’t they understand there would be economic consequences? As I recall PayPal cancelled a big project.”

Jordan: “Yes, PayPal did cancel a big project. But I’m not sure the legislators thought about the real consequences. Conventions also began avoiding NC, companies other than PayPal didn’t expand in NC…and some actually relocated elsewhere. As a result the economy stalled. Then the Republicans blamed everyone from the mayor of Charlotte to the Yankee liberals for ruining the state.”

JC: “Still fighting the Civil War and the carpetbaggers?”

Jordan: “I don’t know when they’ll give up and realize they lost, or even put on their big-boy pants. Anyway, the Republicans legislators in the state house continued to act incredibly stupid.”

JC: “Like teenage boys? But, why?”

Jordan: “My view is the legislators got addicted to power. About 2012 or so the Republicans gained control of the state house for the first time in a long, long time. The first couple of years they went a little crazy with legislation. Many voters just rolled their eyes and thought the craziness would pass and some semblance of sanity would return.”

JC: “But it didn’t, right?”

Jordan: “The craziness got worse. The Republican leadership was drunk with power.”

JC: “What about the governor? What was his name? Mac something. Wasn’t McConnell, was it?”

Jordan: “His name was McCrory, Pat McCrory.”

JC: “Wasn’t McCrory mayor of Charlotte for a long time before becoming governor? I thought Charlotte was a reasonably progressive city. They were on a roll for a while.”

Jordan: “McCrory was fairly progressive as mayor. In fact, the right wingers thought he was too progressive. One of those liberals, as they say.”

JC: “What happened when he became governor? How could he shift so far right so quickly?”

Jordan: “Good question. My opinion – I think he got overwhelmed by the complexity of the job.”

JC: “Are you saying he wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box?”

Jordan: “I don’t know how smart he really was…or is. But he seemed to leave some of those smarts in Charlotte when he became governor.”

JC: “So at that point NC has an emboldened Republican legislature and, in polite terms, a weak-kneed governor.”

Jordan: “Exactly. There was no moderating force so the right-wing kept pushing and pushing and pushing…”

JC: “…and it eventually pushed the state over the edge. In researching for Greenie, I read that to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, the NC legislature cut salary increases for teachers.”

Jordan: “Even worse…or at least just as bad…to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, the legislature increased taxes on middle and lower-income residents.”

JC: “What about the airport fiasco? The state really tried to take over Charlotte’s airport? How could they do that?”

Jordan: “Another power grab, although fortunately they did not succeed.”

JC: “Seems like the state legislature basically gave the finger to everyone. They told Washington that states like NC should have more power. Then told the NC cities they had less power. Think the legislators understood the irony of what they were doing?”

Jordan: “When you’re drunk, whether drunk with alcohol or drunk with power, there are a lot of things you don’t understand. The LGBT ordinance was yet another example.”

JC: “If I understand correctly, the city of Charlotte passed an ordinance banning discrimination against LGBT’s. The ordinance affected only the city of Charlotte. No other location was affected. Then the state pulled a power play and banned the ordinance.”

Jordan: “Banned the ordinance plus a bunch of other stuff…like prohibiting the city of Charlotte from raising the minimum wage beyond the Federal level.”

JC: “Didn’t the legislature call a special session and in less than 12 hours pass the legislation, and then governor sign the bill? But the bill prohibited something that had not yet taken effect. How can that be?”

Jordan: “The whole thing was probably outside the constitution. However, the weak-kneed governor claimed nothing really changed because the ordinance had not yet taken effect.”

JC: “Which means that if discrimination was OK before the ordinance, then discrimination could continue. Now I see why the Revenge Revolution started in North Carolina. People became sick of the crazies in the state house.”

Jordan: “Just to be fair, North Carolina wasn’t the only state with crazies in the state house. But it was leading the pack.”

JC: “Thus the slogan, ‘North Carolina: First in Discrimination; Last in Education.'”

#191 Greenie to Write Articles about Revenge Revolution (Part #1 of Series)

02 Saturday Apr 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

≈ 3 Comments

Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington.

Gelly: “Jordan, you have a visitor.”

JC: “Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Big Dog himself.”

Jordan: “First of all, nice to see you JC. And what’s with the Big Dog stuff?”

JC: “Gelly tells me you had dinner at the White House – just you and POTUS.”

Jordan: “Yeah, so?”

JC: “So? That makes you a big dog, a really big dog.”

Jordan: “The dinner and $3.00 will get me on the subway. But the dinner was great fun.”

JC: “What’d you talk about? No, first, tell me what was for dinner? Some fancy, schmancy food?”

Jordan: “Texas BBQ.”

JC: “You’re kidding. Really? Texas BBQ?”

Jordan: “Really. And it was great. Couple of guys, some good wine and a fun evening.”

JC: “Normally I don’t put Texas BBQ and wine together.”

Jordan: “When no one else is around, guys can eat and drink what they want. Besides the wine was a favorite of mine from Sonoma County.”

JC: “So what’d talk about? Anything really juicy you can tell me?”

Jordan: “We talked about the creation of the universe.”

JC: “C’mon, you’ve got to be kidding. With all the gossip and scandals in Washington and you guys talked about the creation of the universe? What’s wrong with you two?”

Jordan: “POTUS wanted a break from politics so we picked a topic that interested both of us.”

JC: “You guys are boring.”

Jordan: “Actually it was an enlightening evening away from the DC fray.”

JC: “Alright, I’m here to talk politics with you.”

Jordan: “Thought this was a social call. Do we have an appointment?”

JC: “Cut the Big Dog BS. Yes, the call is mostly social…and some business. No, we didn’t have an appointment. Gelly told me you had a break in your schedule so she let me in.”

Jordan: “That’s OK. Always nice to see you. What’s the business part? You’ve not become some kind of journalist or lobbyist have you?”

JC: “No. I’m doing a favor for Greenie. She’s starting a series of articles about the Revenge Revolution.”

Jordan: “And I take it she wants my help? How?”

JC: “The first article is about nominations of Supreme Court Justices. Remember she covered the Supreme Court in her journalism days, right?”

Jordan: “I read her articles regularly. She always had great insight for the non-lawyer types.”

JC: “Her premise is the thinks that any chance for fairness from the Supreme Court was jilted following the death of Antonin Scalia. All the hullabaloo by Republicans about refusing to even consider the nomination by President Obama made the public aware of how political the Supreme Court had become. That cynicism was yet another prod for the Revenge Revolution.”

Jordan: “But politics on the Court started at least 25-30 years before that.”

JC: “True but she thinks the public really didn’t pay much attention. For example, the confirmation of Clarence Thomas was juicy but people were less concerned about how Thomas would vote on certain cases than whether he put a public hair on a Coke can.”

Jordan: “I also think that even without the nomination hullabaloo, after 30 years of Scalia’s logic, agree with it or not, the public became more aware of the importance of selecting a Supreme Court Justice.”

JC: “Some of the logic was a bit convoluted to say the least. So Scalia dies and before the body is even cold, Republicans…led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell…state that the Senate will not consider any nominee to the Supreme Court put forth by President Obama.”

Jordan: “And why?”

JC: “Because, according McConnell, the people should elect the Supreme Court Justice. Excuse me, Mitch, have you ever read the Constitution? Voting on the nominee is the Senate’s job, period.”

Jordan: “I do find it ironic that the Republicans were demanding that the successor for Scalia, who considered himself a “Constitutionalist,” be elected by the people. The claim by the Republicans was completely contrary to the Constitution.”

JC: “So when did some facts and a few pieces of paper called the Constitution get in the way of a good argument in Washington, especially by Republicans?”

Jordan: “Now, now aren’t you being a bit harsh on your Republican friends in DC? Don’t forget the whacko Republican legislators in Kansas who wanted to impeach judges who decisions they didn’t agree with. OK, guys, let’s throw out the state constitution. Talk about stupid is as stupid does. Anyway, how does Greenie think I can help her?”

JC: “You know a lot of the players involved…but know them outside their usual environment. I mean you and POTUS had a private dinner together, right? You’ve played golf…or at least I think you have…with Mitchy, right?”

Jordan: “Yes, I do know a few of them. And, yes, I’ve played golf and had drinks with a few. Still not sure I can be of any help, but I’ll try.”

JC: “OK, great. I’ll let her know.”

Jordan: “When is she coming back?”

JC: “Don’t know. She might want to talk to you by Skype if that’s OK.”

Jordan: “Fine. Now, what were you up to while I was gone?”

usrevolution5

~ USA Headed for a 5th Revolution! Why?

Author Archives: Jordan Abel

#200 US Microcosm: Raleigh Republicans Render Revenge (Part 1)

#199 Bullying, Blame and Blasphemy (Part 9 of 9)

#198 Lessons from Feeling the Bern and the Donald (Part 8)

#197 Internet Myopia: More Information, Less Understanding (Part 7)

#196 How Tax Policy Created Multiple Flints (Part #6 of Series)

#195 Greenie’s Articles re Revolution: Petraeus Betrayed Us (Part #5 of Series)

#194 NC “Done Wrong” by Mental Midgets in the Legislature (Part #4 of Series)

#193 North Carolina: First in Discrimination; Last in Education (Part #3 of Series)

#192 NC: First in Discrimination; Last in Education (Part #2 of Series)

#191 Greenie to Write Articles about Revenge Revolution (Part #1 of Series)