What Does it Mean to Be a Socialist?

One thing that is certain is Republicans will be using the “S” word a lot this year during the elections.  When the “Socialist” label is thrown out it strikes fear in the hearts of at least half the country.  This fear-mongering is meant to instill in the minds of every one an image of a dark, gray, meaningless life style where we are living a life of drudgery and everything we produce is sucked up and confiscated by a big, hungry, ever-present government.  We do not own anything in this life of drudgery and we are totally dependent upon the meager, subsistence-only handouts as we wait in long lines.  We own nothing and are totally dependent on a stingy government for everything we need.

In this definition of a socialistic economy, government owns all means of production.   There is no private ownership and the laborer is totally dependent on the government for providing all goods and services.  Republicans are right, at least in one sense.  This type of economy is a depressing and scary thought.  Examples of this type of economy are most closely depicted by Communist countries where the governments such as the old Soviet Union and China control everything.

The other kind of economic system is called Capitalism.  In a pure Capitalistic society, the government is provided a very limited role.  It is thought that in an ideal capitalistic system, all needs of society will be provided through the creation of wealth from private production.  Yes, there will be the ultra-rich where most of the wealth ends up, but there will also be a very strong middle-class who have also benefited from the Capitalistic system.   This would create a freer society where Democracy is the political tool in which all people participate for their own good which, as result, is good for the whole society.

The problem is that neither socialism nor capitalism has proven to be successful when run in their purist forms.  In a socialistic society, a suppressed citizenry will eventually rise up and defeat the power structure that suppresses them.  In a capitalistic society, the wealth increasingly ends up in the hands of the few with larger portions of the society losing their ability to purchase goods, like food and housing. Again, a revolution is the corrective action.

A blend of these two systems is required to meet the goals that all healthy economies attempt to reach, freedom to own and produce wealth combined with a structure to meets the needs of society that are not being met by the mechanisms of capitalism: Democratic Socialism.

Now you may still be leery of a system that contains the ugly word, socialism.  But let’s look at our society today.  In the 19^th century most wealth was ending up in the hands of a few.  They were called “Robber Barons.”  Large portions of this society were either unemployed or working in sweat-shops where their earnings did not meet their needs.  Changes were made where the government began instituting labor laws to create healthier working conditions and increased wealth. 

The 1920’s, an era of vast wealth ended in a Crash that put millions of people into soup lines.  It was only after FDR had the government step in with work projects did the economy turn around.  These work projects no only put people to work but they helped to win a world war.  Since then, the U.S. economy has been the premier model of Democratic Socialism, where capitalism still reigns as the economic method but where government provides those services to society that capitalism does not.

 

Here are a few examples of the Democratic Socialism we all have been “enjoying” for over 100 years.

·        A world-wide military presence working to maintain peace in the world.

·        A postage system providing inexpensive and reliable communications.

·        Electrical and heating grids to heat and light homes throughout the country.

·        Mail Services

·        Library services

·        Public Education

·        Police and Fire protection

·        Interstate Highway System

·        Paved roads in all communities, no matter how small

·        Garbage disposal systems

·        Clean drinking water and safe food

·        Sewage disposal

·        Art museums

·        Radio, Television, Internet and Broadband networks

·        Medical facilities

·        Weather tracking and reporting

·        Medicaid and Medicare

·        Social Security

·        Air Traffic Control

·        Immigration officials

·        Environmental protection

This is only a partial list… a list that illustrates living in a Democratic Socialistic society is not that bad of a deal.  These are all examples of socialistic services that are being provided today.  They have made our society better.

So, what about the candidates for President this year that are running for office?  Do their programs threaten to destroy our society and move us towards Socialism? Or are they simply looking at issues that are not being met by our Capitalistic system?  Are they threatening to overthrow our democracy or only providing a course correction to take care of some things that have become serious societal problems needing to be addressed? Is having a Healthcare system in place that provides everyone access to affordable medical services, even when you’ve lost your job or have, god-forbid, a serious (expensive) illness?  Is it wrong that all people should be able to attend college or a technical-trade school without having to file bankruptcy to pay for it?  Is it wrong to want better education services for our children ages 0-18?  Shouldn’t everyone have access to a job that provides a living-wage instead of a wage that forces people to live on the streets or in unhealthy conditions?

Yes, these are socialistic solutions.  Yes, it will mean that the government will need to find ways of paying for it, mostly through a taxation of some kind.  Yes, your lives will be altered and the capitalistic society we currently know will change.  But it is a change for the better.  Millions of people’s lives will be improved.  The GNP will grow and fewer people will go to bed at night without a roof over their heads.

So, when the Republicans begin using the “S” word, rejoice.  A promise of a new, bright day is coming. - Gary

I want everyone to know that I live in a socialistic system, but it is one where we do not own our means of production.  It is awful.  Every day the farmer’s wife steals our eggs.  Sure they feed us and keep us housed, but shouldn’t those eggs belong to us? Oh, and those meal worms she gives are a wonderful treat. I guess I’m crowing up an empty tree.  Anyway, I envy you humans for having a choice as where to live and the freedom to do anything you want. Why are you griping?  What is wrong about a situation where you have all your freedoms AND have your basic human needs met, too? Now that is what I call a perfect living situation – a utopia if I’ve ever heard one.  We call that having your meal worm and eating it too. – Peace, you lucky beings.  Ollie

“Boogaloo”

On the eve of MLK Day, a date that has been set aside to honor the memory of a man who dedicated his life to bring equal rights to all people, we face a threat from white-supremacists and 2^nd Amenders to once again tear apart the fabric of our society.  Ironically, Richmond, VA, the former capital of the Confederate States of America could be the site of the next conflagration to pit “brother against brother”.

This time the topic will not be slavery, a racist method of generating economic wealth and power.  Instead, it is an issue that could be more divisive, infecting all levels of our society – the ownership of guns.  The elimination of slavery threatened only the elites of society.  Today, it is those who have very little wealth and influence that have been led to believe the 2^nd Amendment is under attack and, with it, the foundation of their liberty and power.  2^nd Amenders have been convinced that any gun law or legislation is an attack on their Constitutional Right to own a gun.  They adamantly insist that if one red-flag law exits, providing authorities permission to remove guns from those who are mentally unstable and an immediate threat to those around them, then all guns can and will be removed along with their God-given rights and freedoms.

This gun-rights paranoia has been fed and inflamed by the NRA and Conservative politicians for decades for the sole purpose of inducing gun owners into supporting their agendas; the selling of guns and being elected into office.  This has created a far more dangerous situation than the slavery-rights debate of the 1860’s.

In addition, in the 1860’s we had a president dedicated in holding the Union together while taking steps to correct a human tragedy.  Today, the human tragedy we face is from the proliferation and normalization of mass shootings and a pandemic level of gun shots ringing out daily in our cities and homes due to the unfettered ownership and use of guns in our society.  It is an evil raging against our society that is more infectious and inflicting greater universal harm than slavery.  Unfortunately, however, this time as we face an Evil that threatens everything we hold dear, we have a president who works at inflaming the divide instead of being a healing balm of unity and peace.  He is encouraging extremists heading to Richmond tomorrow with his tweets filled with alarming rhetoric.  As the Governor of Virginia works frantically to establish safeguards against a violent protest erupting, Trump tweets: “Your 2^nd Amendment is under attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia.  That happens when you vote for Democrats!”

Social media is filled with rhetoric from right-wing extremists calling for Richmond to be the site of the next “Boogaloo,” a term used to mean a race war or civil war.  It is definitely a call to violence.  With Trump’s tweet he not only sends a message to condone violence but it also demonizes Democrats, justifying that all actions taken against them as a holy undertaking.  He might as well simply said “Boogaloo, NOW!”  The result would be the same.  – Gary

I really don’t know what you want me to say.  Who in their right mind condones violence?  I mean, I’ll fight to the death to protect my flock so I guess that fighting to protect your constitutional and God-given rights is sort of like protecting your flock.  At least I can understand the argument that defending a document designed to define and protect the rights of everyone is worth fighting for but I think I remember some key words in another important document: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” Doesn’t this mean that no matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican, gun-owner or not, slave or slave-owner… Stop – I’m losing my focus. Let’s just say the list is long because “all men” means everyone, right?  Everyone means everyone. 

If your Constitution and Bill of Rights is written with everyone in mind then what is there to fight over?  A gun owner has the right to own a gun but everyone also has the right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Hasn’t a person who has been shot and killed had his right to Life infringed?  If that is the case then it means that a right to owning a gun should have some limitations imposed in order to insure that the Right to Life is not violated.  It only makes sense that there needs to balance established to insure that one right doesn’t trump another.  

Peace is the overriding principal that governs my community of chickens.  I recognize that every hen has a right to that one worm that showed up in our yard.  But they can’t all have it.  When the henpecking gets out of hand, I step in with some rules in order to reestablish peace in the yard.  Rules and laws create a society of peace based on an established understanding that the individual has rights that need to be managed within the framework of a societal structure to insure the well-being of all.

I don’t mean to lecture you humans but it seems you have forgotten this very simple and basic principle.  All I am hearing from you now days is a loud, unceasing hullabaloo, which is threatening to become a “boogaloo.”  Come on, people. Get your act together before it’s too late.  

Peace Now! - Ollie

Into the Darkness

I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘Darkness’ lately – not that I’m in a depressed or in a dark mood, it’s more about the literal and figurative aspects of what Darkness means and represents. Most people would say that we are living in Dark Times.  (If you disagree with this statement, please stick with me a bit as I lay out my rationale and deduced interpretations.  Below, Ollie will, as usual, will provide us a clearer explanation from his perspective.)

What brought me to the brink of this potentially macabre rabbit hole is that the Darkness we are sensing is a symptom of the political and environmental realities we now face in our world.  I already posted an article on depression but this meandering is something different.  Instead of being a morass of hopelessness, this contemplative study of the Darkness that is enveloping us is more of an observational, even historical, perspective.

An Op-ed in the Washington Post by Dana Milbank this week described the transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment from the House to the Senate as a journey from the Bright Lights of investigation and inquiry to the Darkness of minimal TV coverage, zero witnesses, closeted meetings, and close-mindedness.  Senator McConnell has said he does not want on open and fair trial.  No examination of the evidence.  No time allocated for witnesses.  He simply wants the entire situation hidden from public view, buried in a hole, and forgotten as quickly as possible. It is not a metaphorical stretch of the imagination to refer to his tactics as “going into the Darkness.”

The thing about Darkness is that, in most instances, it is associated with evil, wrongdoings, or ill-intent.  I agree with the Washington Post tag line that says “Democracy Dies in the Darkness.”  I’m sure there are thousands of historical references from philosophers and writers that echo this sentiment.  The Darkness is no body’s friend.  Regardless of your opinion of the impeachment hearings and trial, I’m certain that you would agree that things become clearer when they are viewed “in the Light of Day.”

If people perceive McConnell’s actions as sinister it is because we do not trust anything that is done secretly, behind closed doors, and in the Darkness of the Night. It seems that McConnell knows there is truly something to hide.  He does not want the public to be allowed to see the mounting evidence under the scrutiny of the bright lights of TV cameras.  He is doing this not because he is protecting us, or the constitution, or Democracy.  He wants to keep the myriad lies and deceit that have been uncovered by the impeachment investigations in the Darkness.  He is doing this because it supports his world view as to what is best for the country and because the Light of Truth will undermine his ability to maintain Republican control of the White House along with undermining his ability to keep the power he personally enjoys in the Senate. 

No one can honestly consider President Trump to be a good, moral and honest man who follows the rules doing only what is best for the country.  The manner in which the Senate trial is being managed is simply an effort to protect a conservative presidency by any means possible against the alternative that portends to take its place should the truth be allowed to come out of the Darkness.  Viewing all things in the Light of Day is the only way to find the truth and preserve our Democracy.

Let there be Light on Earth and let it begin with a fair and open trial. - Gary

Hi folks, Ollie here.

I have never pretended to understand politics. I don’t even know if it is a necessary evil or not. Humans spend a lot of time with it but we certainly don’t waste our time with politics in the chicken yard.  However, I do know a lot about Darkness.  Chickens hate the Dark!

Every day as the Sun begins to set I anxiously begin urging my hens to find their way into chicken coop while keeping a watchful eye out for early arrivals of the night-bound creatures who threaten to destroy our home and our lives.  Evil things come out at night and it is my job to make certain that the entire flock is tucked away safe and warm; secured from the harm the night brings.

Coyotes, owls, skunks, raccoons, snakes, cats, dogs and too many others to count are roaming in the Darkness every night looking for opportunities to strike and destroy.  There is only one word in our chicken vocabulary for Darkness – EVIL!

On the other hand, we love the light that brings warmth, food, dust baths, and all the enjoyments of life.  I personally enjoy the light of the Sun so much that I begin calling for it to come hours before the first hint of dawn is in the sky.  I know my crowing  early in the morning annoys some of our neighbors, but I’ll do anything I can to convince the Sun to come earlier, if possible.  I would prefer if the Sun wouldn’t go away at night at all, but instead stay around to protect us all day long.  I can handle most of the dangerous things that happen in the light of day, but that Darkness… it’s more than even I can bear.  I agree with my farmer - "Let there be Light." -  Ollie

Race and Ethnicity Tendencies in Humans

My farmer has been talking a lot lately about racism in America.  It seems to me that this is a very confusing topic… a topic that is mostly centered on the issue of justifying one’s hate and fear.  From my view, it is a bigger problem than anyone will admit and it is the basic cause of all human strife and war.

I understand that groups of people can look different than other groups of people.  A person’s color of skin, hair, and eyes seem to be the main distinctions that I have noticed. What I don’t understand is why these colors are a cause of hatred? In my chicken yard I have 20 hens with about 15 different colors of plumage. I think they are all beautiful. Many of my girls are considered to be different breeds of chickens. As a result there are, at least in coloration, size, and shape of their combs, small genetic differences, but they are still chickens!  The hens all still lay eggs (albeit different is size and color), scratch in the yard, and compete over food.  They are different in small ways but they are the same in so many more.

There is also the issue of ethnic or cultural differences in humans that can cause misunderstanding, fear and hatred.  We have chickens in my yard that come from different parts of the world.  Some breeds grew up in deserts, others in mountains.  When they first arrived in my yard, they sounded a bit odd but I learned to understand what they were saying and again, these differences are very small compared to the things we have in common. 

I am not trying to say that humans are just like chickens, Heavens no! I recognize that your cultural backgrounds are very important to you. With this importance firmly in place you often seek to live with others who share the same language, religion and cultural experiences.  However, it seems to be from my perch that these self-imposed groupings are the source of racism and hatred in your countries.  Since you are separated you do not understand each other.  There are language barriers, religious practices and foods that can cause misunderstandings and differences of opinion.  You do not know what to make of the weird dress or confusing language and strange habits that are different from your own.  As a result you tend to avoid each other, or even fear each other.  These differences become the only thing you see, refusing to recognize that for every one thing you find different there are thousands of other things that you share in common.

The human traits of racism, bigotry, prejudice, intolerance, sexism and self-righteousness seem to be borne into your DNA code. You all are capable of acting out these traits.  It is a sad commentary based on how wonderful you can be when you demonstrate love, generosity, togetherness, intimacy, sharing, understanding, and community.  If you could only get over yourselves the world would be a much better place to live for us all.

Unfortunately, I do not have a suggestion for you as to how you can eliminate racism and bigotry.  The efforts of eliminating or eradicating alone are acts of intolerance and self-righteousness.   Praying to your gods is divisive. Failing to learn other languages and cultures is isolationism.  Placing blame or making generalities causes separation and misunderstanding.  You are a wonderful species but if you can’t learn to get along, the whole world will suffer.  If nothing else, please consider the impact you are having on us chickens.  We just want to get by each day with full crops and a safe place to sleep.  It is difficult to sleep when I have to worry about what you are going to do next.  Please, learn to accept one another for who they are.  We would all sleep better if you did.  - Peace be with you, Ollie

The Winds of War

Every world leader throughout history has wanted to do something significant in order to create a legacy that lasts through the millennia.  Trump, as narcissistic a leader the world has ever seen, is not any different. 

From day one of his presidency he has been enthralled with his generals and the toys they bring with them.  He has dreamed of having the largest military parade the world has ever seen but failed to garner one for his inauguration.   He did manage to have a small military showing in last year’s 4^th of July parade in D.C. but it pales in comparison to the parades in Moscow and Pyongyang.  Since he claims to be the “greatest” in everything we can surmise that he wants to be known as the world’s greatest military strategist in history.  You can’t do that without having a war.

In addition, no matter what happens in the Senate trials, Trumps legacy has the blight of impeachment all over it. It is a stain on his name he does not like.  I can imagine him yelling in his suite each night, “Out, damn spot!” over and over again.  The effect impeachment will have on his re-election efforts remains to be seen but deep inside his hardened heart exists a growing sense of fear and dread that he might actually lose.

“I need to do something big to turn the focus of the media away from this damn impeachment thing.  It’s all they talk about,” mulls Trump on a cold December night in an empty White House after turning off the latest replay of a Fox News show.  “What should I do?”

 “Do you want to hear my opinion?” whispers his alter-ego, Barron.

 “Maybe I should call Vlad?  He’ll know what I should do.”

 “Yes, I’m sure he’ll have some ideas,“ Barron sniggers.  “But I think he has coached you along enough that by now he is watching to see how you will react. A bold move of your own could be more impressive… don’t you think?”

 Trump’s eyebrows twitch and his arms flail for a brief second and then, with a slight grimace, he says in a wobbly voice, “Maybe a war?”

 “Now you’re talking,” Barron replies as he slithers to the other side of the vacuous brain.  “Where is the best place to start a war, do you think?”

 “North Korea!” erupted Trump.  “No, no wait! IRAN! Yes, that’s it. Iran.  I remember now.  We decided on Iran last May when I announced we were leaving that very awful Obama nuclear agreement.  It was a bad deal… very bad.  You hinted that if we left that deal it would force Iran to be more aggressive in the region.  If we played are cards right we could walk them right into a war.  I’m a genius!”

A war with Iran has zero upside and a lot of risk.  Yes, Soleimani was a bad guy, flexing military muscle throughout the region with his Shiite cells but his assassination should never have been done.  Ali Khamenei will react fiercely.  The loss of his best general is an act he will never accept.  – Gary

Oh boy, here we go. Why is it humans have the tendency to think that war is a good thing?  Legacies? Distractions?  It really ruffles my feathers.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, we chickens have a lot of bulling to deal with in the chicken yard.  There is always a young cock popping off that he thinks he has the most to crow about.  We have our battles and they can get bloody.  However, we never think about world conquest.  Geez.  Why would I want more than 20 hens and another roo or two to fret over? All we want is peace in our own yard.  Yes, we will fight to keep that peace but the battles are always very short, with the pecking order being established quickly.

Humans have several chicken adages they like to mull over such as “which came first the chicken or the egg?” (Personally, I think it was a rooster)  The one I like the best is “Why did the chicken cross the road?”  The funny part of this question is not the answers that come out of it, but the fact the question is being asked in the first place.  Chickens do not cross the road!  We are not looking to explore and conquer new territories.  We are not looking to expand our territories.  We just want a good place to scratch up a meal and safe warm place to roost at night.

My farmer has been known to say “I dream of a world where chickens can cross the road without their motives being questioned.”  If you ask me, it would be a better world if humans quit crossing every road, byway, ocean and sea to find something bigger and grander to own or control.  It is their motives that should be questioned. – Peace to all, Ollie

Cheeping Away at Doom and Gloom

I believe that many of us are worried about the mental health of our country.  At the very least, we all recognize that we are deeply divided with a gulf that is widening daily with each newscast and tweet that is emanated into our lives.   This worry, concern or fear affects everyone, no matter what side of the “aisle” you are currently sitting.

Democrats are distrustful and angered by President Trump’s demeanor and actions; feeling The Constitution is under attack and fearing the possible end of democracy in our country.  Republicans fear that if Democrats take power they will lose a grip on maintaining normalcy which will result in the country slipping into the chaos of revolutionary change or destruction of our capitalistic society.  Young people are scared to death about their future on a dying planet.  Baby Boomers worry about being phased out from work before they are ready and being unprepared for retirement.  Children are worried about guns in their schools and blue-collar workers fear a future where their jobs are being exported at alarming rates.

We could go on and on with this list.  The causes for anxiety and depression are many, varied and very personal.  We cannot make wide spread generalities and assumptions about the cases or the cures.  A large sector of our population is sick in a very real and severe way.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, 40 million adults in America suffer from an anxiety disorder of some kind.  In my reading, I cannot tell if this is an estimate based on reported studies or if these are only the ones that have been diagnosed.  Either way, it is a lot of people.  Putting it into perspective, in the 2016 election Trump received 62 million votes and Hillary 65 million.  If 40 million people in America have mental health issues, how will that affect our next election?  How will the post-election results contribute to this malaise?   How will people react to an extremely divisive election campaign and/or to a result with which they do not agree?

An OpEd piece in the New York Times today by Lee Seigel called Why is America so Depressed? attempts to put this issue into a personal perspective.  He reveals some good personal insights and observations and is worth the time to read.  This article grabbed my attention mostly because I was planning to write about this topic today and needed a bit more background from which to write.

My focus on this vast topic is mostly on the effect it will have on the election process this year.  In our current political climate it will be nearly impossible to find a salve to heal all wounds; partially because no such salve exists when treating depression, but mostly because the wounds are being torn and ravaged every day.  Causal factors of anxiety are many and diverse: economic, health, addiction, genetic, and strife, to name only a few. 

As we dive into the New Year, many of us will be actively involved for nine months in the Revolution for America called the Presidential election.  In all ways, the warring factions will be at each other’s throats to help insure victory for their side.  In the middle sit many of these depressed and anxious individuals who just want the racket to go away so that some order or peace can be restored.  No matter where an individual sits, inside or outside the fray, the likelihood of unexpected explosive outbursts is very high.  As those involved in the political process reach out to others, they will need to remain mindful that ticking time-bombs of frustration, fear, anxiety and hate are waiting to explode at the slightest provocation.  Taking an empathetic approach is advised but it is important to remember this:  Words that comfort some may revile others.  I want to caution everyone to be careful and respectful at all times, but mostly to recognize that Words left unsaid may be the best salve of all.  – Gary

Happy New Year, everybody. 

I think my farmer is in a bit of a mood today.  I agree that there are times when one can think the world is coming to an end.  In the chicken yard last year we had a coyote attack that ended up killing 4 of my hens. Every one of us was at risk of being killed.  I can tell you that we were not feeling very safe.  Fear and dread filled the hen house.  We were depressed and anxious.  I think you humans would call it PTSD.  As time passed, my farmer did some things around the chicken yard to help make it more secure but our fear did not subside and a year later the depression had set in to the point that the hens quit laying eggs altogether.  Several others succumbed to their fear and died later.  I felt hopeless.

Then one spring day, the farmer’s wife brought us a wonderful surprise; a shipment of new baby chicks.  Just listening to the cheeping coming from the brooder brought new life to the hens.  They started laying eggs again and their soothing clucking sounds in the yard returned. It was a slow process but by the time the chicks grew large enough to join the main flock, their optimistic outlook became infectious.  New life brought hope. 

I heard the my farmer the other day talking about the scientist Stephen Hawking. He said, "There should be no boundaries to human behavior. However bad may life seem, while there is life, there is hope." All I know is that new life in the chicken yard brought hope and optimism to us all... that and a new fenced-in yard.  Have a hope-filled day. - Ollie

Crowing in the New Year

Another New Year and I wonder what all the crowing is about.  My farmer has been a little depressed lately.  His feathers have turned gray and many of them have fallen out.  I guess that the experience of 68 New Years has taken its toll.

But there is something more that I've noticed over the past couple of years that has grabbed my farmer's attention.  He definitely has not been spending much time in the chicken yard of late.  When he does come by, he seems distracted. I often hear him mumbling things like:  "Can we save democracy or will it be destroyed?"  At  least his distraction seems to have lessened his appetite as there is a lot less "poultry harvesting" going on around here.  Now that is something to crow about.

I have noticed, however, there are some important things he needs to worry about.  I haven't had my head just stuck in the chicken coop, you know.  I hear all the news too. Those podcasts he is always listening to paint a depressing picture for us all.  From what I've heard, here are a few of my thoughts that humans need to consider as they enter the New Year.

It is difficult to be optimistic, even in the chicken yard, when you consider the impact for us if democracy is destroyed.  You have to admit that a lot has gone wrong over the past few years that could cause anyone's feathers to turn gray.

First, the election of Trump as President has caused a lot of unrest.  It has revealed that hatred exists in a society that is, characteristically, more of a white-supremacist society than many had realized.  I should say hatred and fear as, in my experience with the coyotes prowling around our yard, hatred is borne from fear.  I hate those coyotes and nothing will change my mind no matter what you might say.  All right, you can say that I've justified my hatred in a selfish and self-righteous manner and I guess that is what is happening in your society.  Hatred is being justified.  I've heard my farmer say that simply having White Supremacy and Fascism as viable options that are eagerly and openly embraced by 30-40% of the country illustrates how far things have gone astray.  I agree.  My world would be much better if coyotes were made to live far from my home.

Second, who is in charge of this mess, anyway?  I recognize that who ever controls the feed sack has all the power.  We can try to scratch out a living in the chicken yard, but we are very happy when the feed bucket comes around.  So why all the talk about the power elite who control all the wealth?  I've heard my farmer call them Oligarchs in a not so nice way.  Are they abusing their power?  Are they hording the feed sack, leaving everyone else to scratch out a living in an increasingly depleted yard?  I have heard him rant about a guy named Ditch or Bitch or Mitch... I'm not sure which.  Any way, apparently this guy, I'll call Rich, has decided that it is more important to control the power than to share it.  He has refused to follow the rules of governance.  (you might think a rooster would not understand the power of governance but try managing the pecking order of a flock. It is a big responsibility.  There are rules to follow, even in the chicken yard, and if you don't follow those rules things can get very ugly, very fast.)  So Rich is working with the Oligarchs to control and limit power sharing.  In my opinion this can be very dangerous.  If I stand up and crow that I'm right to justify any action, I'll have a difficult time getting the hens into the coop at night.  It does not work in any society when you can justify an action based on your own feelings of self-importance.  Remember the abortion clinic bombings and assassinations in the 80s?  (I don't because it was before I was hatched but I've heard it mentioned by my farmer and in those podcasts.) If that can happened then it is the same, in my clucking opinion, as disregarding the first three Articles of your Constitution that outlines the balance of power in democracy.  No wonder my farmer is crowing so much lately.

I have also heard a lot about a religious group who has joined forces with the Oligarchs along with Trump and Rich.  I've never heard so much crowing as I have heard from this group. Oh my God.  Do you know how problematic this can be?  Religious crowing is self-righteousness on steroids.  We had a young rooster in our yard once; one of those specialty breeds who thought the world of himself.  It was before my time, so I only heard this from the hens.  They put an end to his crowing right away.  There is no room for religious nonsense in the hen-yard or in politics.  It can destroy a society.  It has destroyed many a society in history.  I'm proud of my ladies who stood up to his crowing.  A Chicken-Me-Too movement took over and they eliminated this cocky bird in a very quick way.

The most alarming thing I have heard from my farmer is that the opposing political factions have seemingly become radicalized.  That leaves about 1/3 of the country sitting in the middle thinking they do not have a voice in what is happening.  I have to be very careful in my flock to make sure every hen is getting a turn at the feed pan.  A quiet, brooding hen can be the worse thing to have around.  They sit there quietly in the corner with nothing to say, completely isolated from the others. But, beware.  If you come too close or say the wrong thing, they will lash out with a built up anger that will cause you to swallow your crow in midstream. In your politics I would watch these brooders closely because when they lash out they are very likely to turn 180 degrees and vote the opposite way you are hoping they will because of what they consider the "insane BS you have been spewing."  If they do not lash out then they'll probably continues to sit in the corner and do nothing, leaving their voices out of the ballot box altogether since "no one is listening, anyway."

I understand that when there is a problem in the chicken yard it is usually very difficult to remain hopeful until a solution can be found.  You have difficult questions to consider going into the new year, like:  Who will turn the problems you face in Washington around?  Where is your hope that Democracy will be saved?

My farmer would like to add a few closing words so I turn the rest of this article over to him.  Have a good cluck and crowing new year. - Ollie

When a country has such extreme differences being warred in the media and in the ballet box, oftentimes democracy is the loser, no matter which side wins the day.  Feelings of self-justification will abound by the "winners" creating actions that will further alienate the "losers."

Reading current literature, both fiction and non-fiction, you will see that a very large faction of our country on both sides are willing to revolt in violent ways should their side lose.  This will not be a peaceful transition of power.  The likelihood that Trump will call a National Emergency and throw-out the election results is very high.  Who in Congress will stop him?  Can you picture the rioting in the streets that will take place if this happens?

Just as likely, if he is somehow removed from office, right-wing, neo-fascist military groups will violently react, not only creating a violent ruckus much like-my rooster Ollie sometimes faces in the chicken yard but a full-fledged civil war could result.

Like Ollie, I would like to be hopeful that a New Year will bring about positive change and restoration of hope in our country.  But, as you can tell with this posting, I really doubt it.  2020 will most likely go down in history as the year democracy died in America, unless we find a way to minimize our crowing and concentrate on the issues that will bring us together.