Surrender or Strategic Withdrawal?

The fight in Congress… actually among Democrats in Congress… over voting yea or nay on the horrendous Republican CR is seen by many Democrats as a surrender to Musk, Trump, and MAGA. I admit I see it that way too. To quote David Corn at Mother Jones, “if you aren’t punching back, you are the punching bag.” 

But, Minority Leader Schumer and a small group of Senate Democrats (and one independent) chose to fight another day. They figure that over the next few months DOGE will have so damaged American’s expectations of government services, that anger over higher prices and a crumbling economy, and that Trump’s disregard of civil rights and the rule of law will shift the battlefield. There is a real possibly that Trump/Musk will overplay their hand with Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Schumer and friends hope the American people will be pissed! They believe that not only Democrats and the American people, but also some Republicans in purple districts/states, will have second thoughts about supporting the mad king and his court jester. 

Time will tell if Schumer is right. In the meantime he may even lose his leadership position. But, the strategic withdrawal card has been played and won’t be available a second time. Democrats and a growing number of Americans of whatever political persuasion will have drawn a line in the sand and said ENOUGH… we are no longer the punching bag for a bunch of bullies.

The Mad King’s Chaos and Confusion

Chaos and confusion. Tariffs on, then off, then on again. Formerly friendly trading partners appalled and angry. Everybody loses trade wars. The stock market falling. Prices in my local market rising. Uncertainty and complete lack of clarity about direction is apparent to Wall Street and Main Street.

Historically Republicans were opposed to tariffs but GOP Representatives and Senators continue to kiss the ring of the mad king. Under the National Emergencies Act, Congress has the power to end this so-called “emergency.” Congress needed to act on the resolution to end the false emergency within 15 days—so to dodge having to vote a bit of parliamentary trickery stops the clock until the end of the session.

Republican cowards, like lapdog Ben Cline, are enabling this authoritarian madness to continue. Trump inherited a strong economy that was the envy of the world. Less than two months in this presidency the economy is cratering… the administration says the economy is in “transition.” Transition to what… recession… or worse?

Protect Our National Forests

An executive order by President Trump directs the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to issue new guidance within the next 30 days to accelerate timber harvesting on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), with the goal to “fully exploit our domestic timber supply.

Contact Representative Ben Cline to protest cuts of Forest Service employees and the executive order to decimate our national forests.

This executive order would end compliance with the Endangered Species Act, bypassing critical protections for Virginia’s most vulnerable animals and plants. There’s no way to increase timber production without targeting old-growth and mature forest stands that do the crucial work of providing habitat for wildlife, filtering municipal drinking water, providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildfire resilience, and absorbing and storing the carbon necessary to fight climate change. It’s also unclear how timber sales could be planned, administered, and implemented when the government has just fired thousands of Forest Service employees.

My family has enjoyed camping, hiking, exploring, canoeing in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. We have often explored and camped in other national forests while cross country traveling. My family drinks municipal water from the national forests.

Tell Ben Cline to protect our national forests.

Trump… the Manchurian Candidate

Hey Ben, maybe you can hold some townhall meetings to discuss the Manchurian Candidate? President Zelensky pointed out that America has oceans for protection. But, what if the invasion is from within, directed by a powerful and aggressive force from without? What if the rot and the subversive danger is deep in our constitutional system?

 

John Locke anticipated thugs like Trump and Musk

 In his 1690 Second Treatise on Government, John Locke noted that when a leader disregards constitutional order, he gives up legitimacy and the people are justified in treating him as a “thief and a robber.” “[W]hosoever in authority exceeds the power given him by the law and makes use of the force he has under his command…ceases in that to be a magistrate; and, acting without authority, may be opposed, as any other man, who by force invades the right of another,”

Ben Cline… it is time for you to do a bit of reading.

Ben Cline’s five accomplishments last week

I emailed Rep Ben Cline (VA 06) to ask what five good things he’d done for the United States last week so that he could comply with the DOGE command. Knowing Cline wouldn’t respond, a helpful friend supplied the answers: “1) Called my most generous donors to find out what favors they’d like me to do for them. 2) Visited remote western towns in my district to explain to people how they will be better off when their local clinics close. 3) Drafted a bill to change the name of Shenandoah National Park to Harry Byrd NP. 4) Attended Jud Comm meeting to strategize ways to impeach woke radical leftist judges who are disloyal to our Dear Leader. 5) Invited teenaged DOGE techies to program office computers to auto-delete *** ****‘s emails.”

Two weeks of chaos and retreat

Donald Trump has been president a couple weeks and it feels like two years of misery. The chaos is by design… confuse, confound, overwhelm everyone. It is all about revenge and retribution. The Constitution… who cares? The rule of law… doesn’t apply to me! Government by the people… they are peons who don’t matter. The psychopath at the helm doesn’t give a shit about much else than himself and his perverse fantasies.

Trump places tariffs of Mexico and withdraws them claiming victory but it was hollow. Announces plans for a U.S. takeover of Gaza only to have aides walk it back the next day. His policies are a bad joke of empty rhetoric.

Courts are stepping in to block his birthright citizenship, firing of government workers, and other lawless atrocities. I applaud those judges. But what if Trump and the sidekick who bought unwarranted influence during the election, refuse to obey? Who enforces the courts decisions? The House of Representatives could impeach… ha ha… a bunch of compliant pussies.Things will change with the 2026 elections… maybe so, but with gerrymandered districts and lots of dark money will they change that much? Would the Senate convict? Not likely. On the unlikely chance they did find the criminal guilty and ordered his removal from office… would he leave? If he didn’t what could anybody do?

Trump is a psychopath. Musk an evil and greedy power grabbing bastard. Our constitutional checks and balances were supposed to block such men. But when an entire political party… the Republicans… are so smitten with power, so devoid of a moral barometer, and so castrated after bending the knee can ther truly be meaningful checks and balances? I fear for American democracy.

Meanwhile the price of eggs soars.

Fifty Three Days and the Death of Democracy

On January 30, 1933 Adolph Hitler became chancellor of the Weimar Republic and immediately began an assault on that constitutional republic. As recounted by Timothy Ryback's fascinating history, "How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days" published in The Atlantic, Adolph Hitler "systematically disabled and then dismantled his country’s democratic structures and processes in less than two months’ time—specifically, one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes. The minutes, as we will see, mattered." 

Hitler swore an oath to uphold the constitution but almost from the beginning began talking about his mandate from the German people to carry out his plans. He began firing government officials and replacing them with loyalists and withdrawing from international commitments. The chancellor wanted to purge the county of foreigners, revive the economy, and drain the 'parliamentarian swamp." 

Before long Hitler's opponents and skeptics began to fall in line or remain silent. They barely protested when National Socialists convicted of crimes and treason were released and became heroes. Concerns about an independent judiciary, press freedom, and citizens rights were brushed aside, after all, Hitler was building the economy and securing the borders. One politician expressed concerns about the dictatorial powers being granted to Hitler under the enabling act, but the announced, to laughter, that he and his party would be supporting it.

In less than two months Adolph Hitler had destroyed democracy. And we all know what came next...!

Fifty three days. Donald Trump's inaugural address with filled with lies and angry threats directed at political opponents and other nations such as Panama.

Fifty three days. Donald Trump has been in office less than a week and he's already pardoned January 6 rioters and insurrectionists who committed treason by storming the Capitol and interfering with the constitutional duties of Congress. Many of them attacked, injured, and even cause deaths of police offices. Trump has regularly praised these criminals and now has his brownshirts ready to act on his every utterance. 

Fifty three days. Donald Trump has illegally fired dozens of inspectors general in a number of different agencies. These watchdogs are tasked with assuring the agencies follow the law, don't waste taxpayers money, and meet ethical standards. The inspectors general are Senate approved and can be removed only with 30 day notice to that body.

Fifty three days. Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship is an attempt to rewrite the United States Constitution. Fortunately a federal judge... a Reagan appointee... has blocked the illegal order for now, but it is bound to end up before a Trump-friendly Supreme Court.

Fifty three days. Already nearly every Republican (including lapdog Ben Cline) in the House of Representatives is licking his boots and doing what is puppet Speaker Johnson wants. Most Republican Senators are marching in lockstep or keeping their views under wrap – evidence – nearly every Republican Senator voted to approve Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Never mind that Hegseth is clearly unqualified and corrupt, there are serious questions about his commitment to women's role in our armed forces, his alcoholism, abuse of women. His only qualification, it seems, is being a total Trump toady. 

Stay tuned as we count down fifty three days... we are under a week into the second Trump atrocity. Trump's billionaire buddies are jockeying for position of influence in the Trump White House. Elon Musk gives the Nazi salute. There is indeed "Rot at the Top."

Convicted. Felon.

 

Convicted Felon Donald Trump

Donald Trump will be the first convicted felon in the White House. Nevertheless, the “rule of law” failed the U.S.A. No punishment for the felon. He skated on the January 6 treasonous insurrection case and on the theft and retention of classified documents case. Donald, Sam, and Clarence are conspirators. He will take office and commit more felonies under the shroud of dubious immunity. Trump’s pawns like Bobblehead Ben crow and pledge to support his every atrocity.

The big joke on democracy is 

that it gives its mortal enemies the means for its own destruction.

                                           ~Joseph Goebbels

Bobblehead Ben’s propaganda machine

Bobblehead Ben Cline and his congressional staff are budding masters of the propaganda machine. Or maybe it is the House propaganda MAGA-machine that gives them the juice? Anyhow, Bobblehead’s “Sixth District Perspectives” isn’t so much news of interest to all constituents as it is a series of propaganda pieces that would make the Joesph’s… McCarthy and Goebbels… proud.

His recent production included this picture from the propaganda-on-steroids machine known as X. 

I think Bobblehead Ben supported the bipartisan bill originally put forth by the Speaker. Then power-behind-the-throne Elon Musk (followed later in the day by DJT) came out in opposition and the bill fell short of the necessary 2/3s majority (and a simple majority). The “slimmed down” bill passed the next day.

The deception in the picture is grotesque… it implies the CR that passed spends just a fraction of the money as the original. Not true! There are some savings to be sure… but.the major saving was in the number of pages in the bill! Why? Well one item cut was restrictions on pharmacy managers… yep the guys and gals who frequently overcharge and screw over sick Americans. Those restrictions are very technical and required lots of ink… hence a much longer bill.

Also eliminated were certain restrictions of American investments in China that could have serious national security implications. Musk wanted them gone. Cha Ching. Elon should send you a Christmas card, Ben.

Back to Bobblehead Ben. His entire “Perspectives” email was self-serving propaganda. Most casual readers of his communications likely aren’t aware of Ben’s misdirection and deceit. There is very little media in the Shenandoah Valley willing to research and challenge him. So he cultivates an image as a budget hawk and responsible conservative. 

Let’s see how Ben reacts to raising the debt limit next year and to Trump’s likely budget busting spending and tax cuts. 

Democrats Save the Clown Caucus (again)

Last evening the House passed a Continuing Resolution to keep the government functioning through March. Almost all Democrats voted yea, saving the U.S. from a government shutdown over the holidays and saving Republicans from their pitiful selves. Ben Cline did the right thing this time voting for the CR.

The mess erupted a couple days ago when shadow president Elon Musk objected to a bipartisan CR. He was then joined by President-in-waiting Donald Trump and that negotiated deal collapsed. Musk (and Trump) notably demanded an increase in the debt ceiling now rather than in mid 2025 when Republicans will have control of the White House along with the House and Senate. That demand was NOT included in the CR that passed setting up an interesting and bitter intra-party fight next year. Chaos averted for Christmas but it isn’t gone for long!

The CR that passed did cut a small amount of dollars from the budget… not budget busting items but very real programs that help the American people. All of this to appease Elon. A few examples (from Bryan Tyler Cohen):

• GABRIELLA MILLER KIDS FIRST RESEARCH ACT 2.0, which provides funding for pediatric cancer research.

• The GIVE KIDS A CHANCE ACT, to provide studies of new cancer drugs

• ACCELERATING ACCESS TO CARE ACT to streamline out-of-state treatment for medically complex kids

• SUPPORT ACT promoting Opioid recovery and treatment

• PANDEMIC AND ALL HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS ACT

• Restrictions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, who often overcharge patients

Some Republicans (like Bobblehead Ben) will boast of the dollars saved, but in reality the savings is small and the hurt is real. This is foreshadowing the mess we are in for the future… an eccentric billionaire able to control a weak minded (actual) president while corralling a herd of House cats.

We have gotten the government we deserve… chaos theory 101.

Bobblehead Bob and the Clown Caucus

House Speaker Mike Johnson just got punked by the incoming president and his chaos crony, Elon. Give Johnson some credit… he tried to keep the government’s Christmas lights on by working across the isle with a continuing resolution funding the government through early spring. He’d been juggling his clown caucus, which includes the Valley’s own Bobblehead Ben Cline.

Enter President Musk… oh I mean Trump… oh I’m not sure who I mean anymore. They tanked the bipartisan plan that Johnson had juggled over the past weeks and insisted on a new CR that included, among other atrocities, a demand for extending the debit limit. Perhaps this should give all of us pause that, in spite of musk’s and Ramaswamy’s DOGE, the incoming administration will run up the federal debt. Oh yes, the twin sons of different mothers, will try to cut programs that mean much to Shenandoah Valley residents… farm aid, Social Security, Medicare, etc… and call it savings, but their giveaways to the  top tier and their cronies will more than offset any savings. I predict the deficit/debt will soar!

What will The “budget hawk” Bobblehead Ben do? Nothing because when it comes time to stand on principle against Trump, Ben is a chicken hawk. 

Trump and the little devils sitting (shitting) on his shoulders have no plans for fiscal austerity or responsible governance. They offer only chaos, shutdowns, retribution. And Bobblehead Ben concurs. 

Be afraid, very afraid

Donald Trump spoke to the Turning Point Action Believers’ Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 26. During his speech Trump made his plans to become an authoritarian strongman clear to the extreme Christian nationalist group: “Get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians…. Get out, you’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again, we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”

Holy crap… certainly sounds like Trump is promising a second term would be a Christian nationalist dictatorship where elections don’t matter and our representative democracy dies. What do you think Ben Cline? Are you okay consigning American constitutional democracy to the dust bin of history? But of course you are… you still think the 2020 election was stolen and celebrate the January 6 insurrectionists. Ben you are bobblehead who only knows how to genuflect to the dear leader of your bankrupt party. 

Bobblehead Ben calls for President Biden to resign the office

Bobblehead Ben Cline, the inept guy representing the 6th District of Virginia, is marching in lockstep with the Speaker of the House by calling for Joe Biden to resign the presidency. Even Ben is smart enough to know that won’t happen (or perhaps he isn’t smart enough). It is partisan posturing because Trump and his cult were caught flat footed when Joe Biden ended his quest for the nomination and Republicans are in panic mode. There is absolutely zero evidence Biden cannot competently complete his term.

Hey Ben, how about asking Donald Trump to step down as the nominee of the Republican cult? After all, his performance at the convention is at best questionable… he occasionally appeared to be dozing and then gave a super long speech that, after a short nod to “unity,” veered off into deranged and frightening ramblings that were a mix the Big Lie and a scary American future if his platform, Project 2025, is enacted. The old guy ain’t right! 

While we’re at it, Ben why don’t you resign? After all, you regularly put party above county and constituents!

If you are a voter in Virginia's 6th Congressional District there is a much better choice than Bobblehead Ben. Ken Mitchell is running a positive and inclusive campaign. Meet Ken:

Bobblehead Ben’s Republican Party is a Mess

Congressional Republicans, including Bobblehead Ben Cline, achieve little unless you count blocking progress and policies favored by a majority of Americans. Over the past few months Republicans…

Blocked aide to Ukraine for a long time thereby endangering the nation that is struggling against a vile dictator trying to expand his influence. Fortunately a bipartisan deal and the leadership of President Biden and other western leaders got the aid in the nick of time.

Blocked a strong bipartisan border security bill at the urging of the former president and felon. He, and Republicans like Ben Cline, would rather toss red meat to the base than actually make progress on solving problems.

Blocked legislation to protect the right of adults to obtain birth control.

Blocked legislation requiring a stronger, more transparent ethics code for the Supreme Court.

Blocked legislation to protect IVF. 

On a mostly party line vote, House Republicans did manage to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over the videotape of the special counsel questioning President Biden about retention of classified documents. Congress has the transcript so they absolutely do not need the video. The President has claimed executive privilege so this contempt resolution is pretty meaningless. Republicans were even too dense to see the irony of three of their own… Jim Jordan, Andy Biggs, and Scott Perry… ignoring subpoenas from the House committee investigating the Trump led January 6 insurrection and attempted coup.

Bobblehead Ben Cline marches in lockstep with this ship of fools. He should be voted out of office this November.

Ben Cline a hypocrite when he says he supports law enforcement

In his recent Sixth District Perspectives, Representative Ben Cline touted his support for National Police Week and stated that he wants “ to improve officer safety and help those who protect our communities.” Hum… what a crock of bullshit!  He saw nothing wrong with the January 6 insurrection when Donald Trump’s treasonous thugs stormed the United States Capitol, violently attacked police officers, and chanted hang Mike Pence. Wonder where Ben was hiding that day… probably shaking in fear behind a scummy mop in a janitor’s closet. He continues to support Trump’s “Unified Reich” where red ties have replaced the brownshirts of Adolph Hitler but the violent authoritarian filth remains. Yes, it is abundantly clear Bobblehead Ben supports the MAGA jackboots who care little for legitimate law enforcement officers who protect our communities and the rule of law.

The Sixth District of Virginia deserves so much better than the not-so-smart loser Ben Cline. Check out Ken Mitchell. He served over two decades in the military and in the White House under both parties. Ken will get things done in a bipartisan spirit, unlike the hyper-partisan and unimaginative Bobblehead Ben Cline.

Cline the Appeaser

Bobblehead Ben Cline, again mis-representing the best interests of the 6th District of Virginia and the United States, joined the pro-Putin appeasers in the House of Representatives by voting against aid for Ukraine. If you can judge a man by the company he keeps, then Ben is wallowing the crazed right wing ignorance along with Bob Good, MTG, Chip Roy, and others of the so called “Freedom Caucus.” Most members of that “esteemed” cabal failed freedom by siding with the Russian dictator’s aggression. 

Fortunately there is an alternative this November… Ken Mitchell of Rockinghsm County is running for Congress. Mitchell has 24 years of military service and has worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He understands the threat that Putin and other authoritarian thugs present to democratic nations and world peace… something Bobblehead Ben repeatedly fails to comprehend as he is lead by the isolationist wing of the GOP. Check out Ken at his website and at this article in The Winchester Star. 

Bobblehead Ben votes to shut down the government

On the evening of January 18 the House passed a continuing resolution to keep the government running through early March. It required a 2/3s vote since the speaker suspended House rules in order to fast track it. 107 Republicans joined with 207 Democrats to avoid the shutdown. Bobblehead Ben preferred to follow the lead of such “stellar statesmen” as Lauren Boebert and Bob Good in support of tossing federal employees out of their jobs and denying important services to citizens. He’ll play it up in his next Perspectives newsletter bashing Democrats while conveniently forgetting the growing deficit under tRump. Up next for the Bobblehead… opposing any compromise on the border reached in the Senate. He’d rather have a red meat issue than a solution.

Bobblehead Ben Endorses Twice-Impeached Criminal

It came as no surprise that Bobblehead Ben endorsed the twice-impeached, many times indicted Donald John Trump for president. The Bobblehead, who supported all attempts… legal court challenges and the violent and illegal insurrection… was delusional in citing tRump’s “global leadership” and great economy as reasons for the endorsement. Guess Bobblehead is okay with the Trump organization receiving at least $7.8 million from nearly two dozen foreign government with the biggest chunks coming from authoritarian China. Bobblehead Ben is apparently sipping Kool-Aid… or bleach!

This endorsement comes at the same time that the former president’s lawyers argued for complete immunity for anything he did during his miserable term of office. Reminds me of President Nixon’s famous statement that “when the president does it, that means it is not illegal, by definition.” Laughable then and highly unlikely the appellate court will uphold anything close to that absurd argument. But, I imagine Bobblehead Ben buys this hook, line, and sinker. Dumb cluck.

Bobblehead Ben

Representative Ben Cline, aka Bobblehead Ben, is the quintessential Republican lapdog.  Bobblehead Ben rarely consults a moral barometer, following instead the questionable lead of party leaders. Like a middle school kid, he just can’t break from peer pressure. This was true when he was in the Virginia House of Delegates so it is no surprise that Bobblehead Ben continues to represent his party peers more than he represents the people of the 6th District of Virginia. Consider a few examples:

Bobblehead Ben supported the attempts to overturn the 2020 election in court and has justified the actions of the insurrectionist mob or traitors. Most Virginia residents were shocked and angered viewing the horrific events on January 6. I can imagine Bobblehead Ben cowering in a basement safe room that day. Yet he never condemned the former president nor the violent traitors. I don’t believe he has ever forcefully acknowledged that President Biden was the rightful winner of the election.

Bobblehead Ben voted against expelling George Santos for multiple ethical, legal, and moral violations well-documented by the House Ethic Committee. When the Speaker and other party leaders made it clear they wanted to protect their slim majority rather than do the right and moral thing, of course Bobblehead Ben caved to peer pressure.

Now, Bobblehead Ben is standing with Republican leaders to block additional military aid to Ukraine. He could, on principle, stand up for democracy and speak up against dictators and aggressors. Instead, Bobblehead Ben joins with his peers trying to score political points by linking that aid to security on the U.S. southern border.

Come on Representative Cline. You were elected to represent your constituents and to exercise some degree of independent and moral judgment. You are failing the good people of the 6th District.

Belle Rose is back and watching Bobblehead Ben.