Reality TV with Real Consequences Part 4

By Chuck Marshall


Today is my fourth in a series reviewing the Presidential candidates for 2016.   Today is the New Hampshire primaries so it's possible these two candidates will no longer be in the race after today.   Both of these guys are what I would refer to as genuinely "nice guys" so I will miss both of them in the election if it does come to that.   They are both patriots and they care about our country and have been endeavoring to make it better for us.  God Bless them both for trying.




     John "My top 3" Kasich

     Governor John Kasich, Republican (Ohio).  In my mind, was the forgotten candidate for a while flying low and not getting too much attention except when Donald Trump whacked him a couple of times regarding his record in Ohio.  I have come to like John, and he has actually risen to my "top 3" choices since my first blog regarding the candidates back  several weeks ago.  I like John because he doesn't pick on anyone, he sticks to his guns, and he keeps on fighting.  He is a moderate which is important to me for obvious reasons if you read the title of my blog.  Finally, he has experience as the governor of Ohio, which seems to have been very successful.  So, John Kasich is on my short list, he's on "my top 3" choice list.





       Ben "soft spoken" Carson

     I watched the movie about his life with Cuba Gooding Jr. and I was blown away.   So much hope and faith and a total inspiration to us all that anything is possible, especially in this country.  Carson was my guy for about a month !  Unfortunately for Ben, the left dislikes him because of the color of his skin.  They skewered him over and over because the idea of a Republican black goes against their bigoted ideas of what African Americans should be.  Their behavior towards Ben during this election actually moved me to the right a little bit more because they disgust me so much.

     At the end of the day, though, I do feel that Ben is a little too soft spoken to get his message out effectively in the general election.  There's too much hatred out there.  I believe the Democrats would mock him and do everything they could to prevent his election including to bring up his unique opinions regarding the pyramids that he refuses to disavow or explain effectively.  So, with their narrow minds the left defines a man by one odd opinion and not the lengthy success of his career.   I don't think he could withstand their attacks and so therefor, as much as I like him, if he is the Republican nominee I don't think he would be elected and so by endorsing  him I'm helping the Democrat nominee (and we know that's one of two people) and I do not want either of them. Strategically, I can't support Ben because I don't think he'd win the election.

 God Bless you Ben.


Tomorrow;  Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz.

Selecting the Presidential Candidates- My personal Take

By Chuck Marshall


 Since the Presidential primaries are brewing "good and hot" right now, it seems appropriate that I entertain who I think would be the best selection from each party.

     For the Democrats,  I choose Hillary Clinton.  The only other choice is Bernie Sanders whom I believe is totally unqualified and is really not to be taken seriously.  A self-described socialist ?    I'm sure he means well and yes, we all want to see the "fat cats" get what they deserve but trying to make our country prosperous by taxing the wealthiest among us simply doesn't work.  It has been tried many, many times and in many, many different ways.  As Margaret Thatcher put it  "the problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money".

     For the Republicans.  I have narrowed my choices down to three candidates.  Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Ben Carson.   (Carly Fiorina is my "also ran", but I decided I needed to get it down to three)

Marco Rubio-  He's sharp as a tack.  He's young and energetic.   I have never seen a person answer questions from the press  with such brevity and effectiveness.  I've never seen someone so quick with comebacks during debates.  He knows his stuff and he has thought everything through.  He seems sincere and he seems to want the best for our country.  He speaks Spanish which I think means something as our country has become more diverse.   Marco is from the middle class and understands the American middle class.  He knows the challenges we face every day.  I really like Marco !

Ben Carson-  Ben is very smart but more measured than Marco.  I like that he holds onto his faith at a time when I'm sure "handlers" have advised against bringing it up.  After all, he might  offend someone or challenge the people to consider their own faith or lack there of.    Ben is a self-made  man who rose from the bottom of society to the top.  This impresses me immensely.   Some people say he "doesn't know foreign policy", but I've been impressed by his determination to learn all he can and offer intelligent answers to questions.  In other words, he saw the problem and admitted it and is working on it- he didn't just lie about it like Donald Trump.    He is sincere and has a very good understanding of the constitution which is, in my humble opinion,  the most important thing a candidate should know. (President Obama is unfamiliar).  I really like Ben !

Jeb Bush-  Again, very smart.  Jeb has suffered badly due to his poor debating skills.  I agree he is bland like a bowl of oatmeal, but oatmeal will stick to your ribs and sometimes it's just much better for you.  The thing about Jeb is he knows his stuff., he has thoughtful answers to complex questions.  Above all, he has the experience.  None of the other top candidates  has served in an executive  position (as in governing, not executive of a real estate interest that declared bankruptcy 4 times).  Jeb was a successful governor here in Florida.  He proved himself and understands how it all works, there will be no "learning curve".  (Obama is still in the learning curve !)   He was an EXCELLENT governor !  He's genuinely nice guy ( Donald Trump is genuinely NOT a nice guy.)  I really like Jeb !
Oh, and by the way.... I really don't like Donald Trump.  In case the reader was wondering.

"The Donald" Doesn't "Get It"

By Chuck Marshall



     Today there was a lot of play time in the media regarding Ben Carson's surge past Donald Trump in a key national poll.  Donald Trump was quick to express his confusion and said on several occasions that he "didn't get it".   What doesn't he get ?  Haven't his "handlers"explained how polls work?  I suppose he's being rhetorical but something in his voice is truly confused by all this.  The egomaniac is getting a dose of reality.  I have already written my opinion of Trump in this blog a couple of months ago.  In case you missed it, here it is from August 5th, 2015 titled "The Donald and Hillary";  "Our country has truly dropped to a new low with these two as the front runners to be President.   Donald Trump is a wind- bag egomaniac with not one ounce of class.  He calls his opponents names and gives out their phone numbers to the public.  It's like watching a mob boss run for President.  He runs his mouth about what he's going to do with no explanation of how he'll do it.  The only thing I've agreed with that has come out of his mouth was the comment he made on O'Reilly that our country is in trouble and on the decline.  He is living evidence of that fact."

     Now, here we are over 2 months later and the Republican party still struggles to find a potential candidate  to replace the "community organizer" we have in the White House right now.  The fact that Trump is still way ahead in the polls truly frightens me and is evidence that the frustration in the country is much worse than I thought.  On the other hand,  it's good because there's a chance the American people will wake up and start paying attention to what our leaders are doing or "not doing" (as is usually the case).  It's easy to imagine that  "The Donald" as president would certainly NOT be boring and he would most assuredly DO something., I'm just convinced the bulk of it would be BAD things.  How can commerce and prosperity flourish when we're  all on edge regarding what outrageous comment will come out of the president's mouth next ?  Will he get us in a war today?

     If nothing else, Obama is boring but safe and steady.   The college professor wouldn't dream of getting into something so serious that he could feel compelled to stand up and ask something of us.  His ringing oratory is strictly for ideals and theories.   The Donald would not only not speak to us but would probably speak AT us and I'm afraid we'd all eventually be "fired" in his mind because we don't "get him" and his brilliance.   His egomania is disturbingly similar to tyrants throughout history. He's truly confused and baffled by criticism and reacts with exaggerated venom often referring to critics by name calling.   A potential President, Really ?    You don't "get it" Donald ?   Again, I agree with you.  You definitely don't get it.  You don't get the American people and you never will and I am hoping that the "rank and file" of the  Republican party is starting to see that too.







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