Nominee Trump; Mother’s Day

Nominee Trump

So Donald Trump — a divisive, blowhard conman from New York City — is now the presumed nominee of a major U.S. political party.

Future historians will puzzle over how a certain segment of America collectively came down with a temporary bout of insanity in 2016.

In reality, it was more a perfect storm of idiocy.

First, blame the media for giving him $2 billion worth of free advertising.

Second, blame the toxic right-wing media echo chamber for lowering our political discourse, so that Trump’s laughable lies and rants were not dismissed immediately as they should have been by any sane, decent person.

Third, blame Trump backers for giving in to his racist, demagogic and xenophobic poison with a wink and a nod.

This is gut check time, people.

You are either on the side of a dangerous racist, or you are against him.

There is no middle ground.

Now that the thought of a contested national convention has gone out the window, Republicans are left with a nominee who is opposed by virtually the entire political establishment.

Several Republicans have already publicly stated that they would vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton to ensure that this dangerous demagogue stays out of power.

Republicans created this monster through decades of fear-mongering that has finally culminated with a candidate who wants to ban entry of Muslims and deport millions of immigrants.

Grab your popcorn, this will be an interesting election.

I moved from Tarrant County to North Carolina and always believe that I will eventually move back. Texas has always made me proud.

Now, I am disappointed in that neither of the former Bush presidents will stand behind the Republican nominee.

The objective is get the White House back.

The primaries are behind us, a future with Hillary Clinton would be dismal.

Tell the Bushes to wake up and smell the bluebonnets.

Indiana primary: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.

The revolution has begun: Both sides of the political spectrum, both sides of the economic spectrum.

This election year reminds me of 1964: Republican Barry Goldwater, extreme conservative, vs. Democrat Lyndon Johnson, moderate liberal.

LBJ won in a landslide.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate all mothers.

But, too often, mothers in the least-developed parts of the world are losing their children to diseases that could have been prevented by vaccinations, adequate nutrition and timely medical care.

It doesn’t have to be this way, though.

Since 1990, the number of children dying under the age of 5 has fallen by more than 50 percent!

Even though that’s impressive, 16,000 children still die every day.

If we take the right steps now, though, we can bring that number close to zero in the next 25 years.

Our country, working with developing countries, has been a global leader in saving the lives of mothers and children.

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act (HR 3706 and SB 11) will ensure that our aid will be even more effective.

I call on Congress to pass this legislation, which will help mothers everywhere keep their most precious gifts, their children, safe from harm.

Pass the Reach Act now.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Nominee Trump; Mother’s Day."