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THE FUTURE OF THE USA

It was a rough night.  Nightmare became reality.  Not only will Donald Trump again become president, but the U.S. Senate will be Republican controlled.  Probably the House too.  Said   Time : Trump campaigned on an authoritarian agenda that would   upend America’s democratic norms , and he is already preparing to deliver on it: mass detention and deportations of migrants; revenge against political enemies via the justice system; deploying the military against his own civilians. How far he chooses to go with the power the public has handed him is a question that will shape the fate of the country. A good look at  Project 2025  provides you the Trump agenda.   Global warming?  While it might not be a hoax anymore, the U.S. will not be cooperative, citing the actual recalcitrance of China and India as reasons.  Trump is also beholden to fossil fuel interests.  The world will suffer. Freedom?   Abortion rights will be minimized and restrictions maximized, leaving much up to the states. LGB
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THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN HISTORY

There have been times in the history of the United States when the presidential election determined the future of Humanity.  Which one was the most important? A case has been made for 1940, when then President Franklin D. Roosevelt ran for his third term.   The makers of the Constitution did not include presidential term limits. Some had tried. In 1880, Ulysses Grant ran for a third term and failed. In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt also ran, but lost to William Howard Taft. Harry Truman sought a third term in 1952, but dropped out after losing in a primary. In  1940, FDR, a Democrat, ran against Republican Wendell Wilkie , who was an isolationist, and totally against the U.S. entering the war in Europe.  FDR too indicated his opposition to the war, but insiders knew that was just something he said in public,. Hitler and continued recovery from the Great Depression were compelling issues inducing FDR to go for a third term. Wilkie, a relative unknown, had upset Senator Robert Taft and New Yo

DEMOCRACY vs DICTATORSHIP

We are on the Norwegian Encore from Miami to Southampton, UK, and will be at-sea for the next few days.  This gives me an opportunity to wonder how the USA got to the point where a convicted criminal, liar, misogynist and all-around lout, former president Donald Trump, has a 50-50 chance of getting re-elected tomorrow. About the voting public. Most of them have gone through our K-12 school system, which, in addition to academics, teaches you to be a good citizen, with some pride regarding our country.  Just about all states require students to daily recite the  Pledge of Allegiance .  Written by minister Francis Bellamy in 1892, it is short, simple and meaningful. I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This was adjusted in 1954 when President Dwight Eisenhower, concerned about the Communist threat, asked Congress to add "under God." I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of

DAY 22: WE ARE IN MIAMI

Dinner on Day 21 was a choice of Beef Wellington in the Garden Cafe buffet, or whatever they have on the menu sit down restaurants.  We picked Manhattan, and had our third best meal of the trip.  Something about the waiter, his aides, food, talk, and length, plus a lot of Dewars White Label and Jack Daniels, plus Chardonnay, helped.  First a plate of Tostadas. I had a corn soup with Caesar Salad. The fried chicken was really good.  But the corn, mashed potatoes and biscuits added. My lowest walk day so far, only 1617 steps. Day 22.  We arrived in Miami. The city of Miami has a population of 6.14 million, but a core of 442,241, 70% Hispanic/Latin. 300 high rises, 61 exceeding 491 feet in height. The cruise port is the busiest in the world in both passenger traffic and cruise lines. Second most visited city/metropolitan area after New York City. Named after the Myaimi River. Only major U.S. city founded by a woman, Julia Tuttle, a wealthy local citrus grower from Cleveland.  She owned th