Tag: #biglie

Posted in Current Events, Political

Guardrails Against the Authoritarianism Storm

Posted on by simplebender
Columns supporting our Constitutional Liberties

Article first published in the Bend Bulletin 9/27/25

The Bill of Rights was not a mere document, but a product of the founders’ deep suspicion of concentrated power. They had witnessed the crushing of liberties under a monarchy and feared that even a republican government might someday drift toward authoritarianism. The First Amendment enshrines freedoms of mind and voice; the Second Amendment ensures the citizenry will never be entirely powerless should those freedoms come under assault. This foresight of the founders enlightens us about the historical context of the Bill of Rights, giving us a deeper understanding of our constitutional rights.

History was their teacher. British suppression of colonial assemblies, censorship of dissenting press, and the Intolerable Acts were enforced not with argument but with troops. The Revolution began not at a printing press, but when local militias clashed with regular soldiers at Lexington and Concord (1775) to resist the seizure of their weapons. It was this combination—ideas in pamphlets like Common Sense (1776) and the willingness to defend them—that secured independence.

James Madison (Federalist 46) envisioned an armed citizenry as the ultimate check on federal overreach, noting that “the advantage of being armed” would deter encroachments on liberty. Alexander Hamilton (Federalist 29), though skeptical of full-time militias, conceded that a people capable of bearing arms would make any tyranny costly. Later commentators, such as St. George Tucker (1803), referred to the Second Amendment as the “true palladium of liberty,” a final barrier against usurpation (Tucker, Blackstone’s Commentaries).

The framers did not celebrate rebellion, and neither should we. They built a republic designed to settle disputes through institutions—legislatures, courts, and elections—not through insurrection. The Second Amendment was less an invitation to revolt than a final constitutional guardrail, a reminder to government that the people remain sovereign. It was meant to make authoritarian control—whether through censorship, suppression of dissent, or militarized governance—impractical.

“The Second defends the First,” captures part of this truth but misses the deeper genius of the American design. Our first line of defense for free expression is institutional: the separation of powers, judicial independence, and a free press that is able to hold the government accountable. An armed citizenry is the last resort, the failsafe that ensures no regime can permanently silence the governed, providing a sense of security about our rights.

Even in polarized times, the resilience of this framework is remarkable. Courts still strike down attempts at censorship, legislators still debate fiercely, and citizens continue to speak, publish, assemble, and worship according to their conscience. With some legislators seeming to yield to the mob or bend a knee for their own political survival, our Constitution has withstood civil war, economic depression, McCarthyism, and demagoguery precisely because its protections are layered—legal, institutional, and cultural. The greatest defense of liberty is not fear of armed resistance but the enduring resolve of citizens who insist on their right to speak and be heard. When we do not defend the first, we risk the second, the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the nineteenth. When we defend free speech, preserve checks and balances, and reject authoritarian shortcuts and fragile egos—whether from the left or the right—we prove that the American experiment remains not only viable but vital. This reiteration of the importance of defending free speech should empower you and make you feel responsible for upholding your rights, instilling a sense of duty and empowerment in you. # NeverFearTheDream # Stand for Truth # Stand with Pride # Stand with Spine

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NeverFearTheDream simplebender.com Stand For Truth

If you’re looking for daily thoughts and insights you will want to start the morning with:

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Joy in Alzheimer’s: My Mom’s Brave Walk into Dementia’s Abyss

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Posted in Current Events

History Is Screaming—To Be Heard

Posted on by simplebender
Never forget the long shadow of history….

The echoes of history serve as powerful lessons of the consequences of forgetting our past. Throughout time, humanity has faced recurring challenges that, when ignored, tend to repeat themselves in devastating ways.

History’s lessons are written in the experiences of those who came before us. The Holocaust victims’ voices scream to remind us that unchecked hatred and persecution can lead to unimaginable human suffering. And yet, some of their descendants are perpetrators of similar horror.

Similarly, the suppression of academic freedom, knowledge, and the rule of law under totalitarian regimes like those of Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot warns us about the dangers of attacking educational systems, free thought, and the judiciary. Universities and professors aren’t the enemy–closed minds are. The constant drone of verbal assaults, threats, and misinformation is fueling the flames of unfounded fears, conspiracies, and vile responses. We, as a society, must value and protect our educational institutions. They play a key role in preserving the lessons of history and challenging minds with ideas they may have never considered. Each of us has a part to play in this preservation, making us all integral to the process.

Our democratic foundations were carefully crafted to balance power– to protect against excesses of powers by any of the three equal branches–and require constant vigilance to maintain. When we fail to understand or conveniently ignore these principles, we risk eroding constitutional values that have guided our nation. This becomes especially critical as we witness the rise of polarization, intolerance, and power grabs in modern politics, governance, and civil discourse. Our founders are screaming for us to pay attention and have the courage they had to stand up, speak out, and protect our representative republic, its Constitution, and the separation of powers. It’s our responsibility to uphold these values and engage in the democratic process.

Even in matters of public health, historical lessons prove invaluable. The victims of diseases like polio and measles are screaming to remind us of their pain and suffering, and why scientific advancement and vaccination programs are so crucial to public health. Forgetting these lessons puts us at risk of reversing decades of medical progress and witnessing once again the senseless spread of controllable illness.

Our global standing and leadership role depend upon our ability to learn from history. When we abandon our ideals and integrity for short-term self-interest, we risk losing our international influence and the core values that have defined us as a nation. The sacrifice of fallen soldiers for these values stands as a testament to what we stand to lose when we forget our history. Those who were injured or gave the ultimate sacrifice were never “losers” or “suckers”, they are heroes, and they too must be screaming in disgust at our division and loss of integrity. To those serving, those who served, and the families who lost loved ones, we should all say: ‘Thank you for our Freedom.’ Learning from history isn’t just about memorizing dates and events – it’s about understanding patterns, recognizing warning signs, and making informed decisions that prevent us from repeating past mistakes. Choose to forget and risk repetition, and the perpetuation of the retribution and retaliation cycle. When we ignore history’s lessons, we don’t just dishonor the past; we compromise our future.

NeverFearTheDream simplebender.com @simplebender.bsky.social Stand For Truth

If you’re looking for daily thoughts and insights you will want to start the morning with:

For Every Problem...A Solution...
Lap Around the Sun: Daily Steps Forward

If you know someone is facing any facet of Alzheimer’s they might gain some insight from:

Joy in Alzheimer’s: My Mom’s Brave Walk into Dementia’s Abyss

Please consider following simplebender, you’re reading makes my writing more fun..…

Comments and thoughts are always welcome and feel free to re-post …..

Posted in Philosophy

Democracy dies with blind loyalty and uninformed, intimidated voting

Posted on by simplebender

Democracy dies because of uninformed voters, misinformation, blind loyalty, and masked intimidation. The idea of a people-controlled government necessitates the populist cast ballots and respect the outcome. Your turn to let democracy win is now. Be an informed, knowledgeable, non-single issue, country before party voter. While every vote is sacred, an uninformed, ignorant vote is dangerous because elections have consequences.

Our system of voting, and our form of government, are more at risk today than ever before. It’s up to us to ensure their survival. The risks are real; ignorance, misinformation, intimidation, gerrymandering, and least of all fraud.

The airwaves and multiplatform media are awash with half-truths, slanderous snippets, blatant lies and a never-ceasing, bot propagated, flood of misinformation. Every minute of every day a new incendiary hoax is proliferated to influence the ignorant and the blind followers. It’s hard to pierce through the noise and find the truth. Remember, hate speech isn’t free speech. Those who want to influence voting don’t want you to research and study. Don’t listen to the ridiculous, the outlandish, or the absurd. Stop funding those individuals and organizations which support them. Defy them, study, and research all the issues and candidates. Reach out to the League of Women Voters, read the Voters Pamphlet, question the nonsense. Educate yourself.

Voter intimidation and political violence is on the rise. A dangerous turn of events which cannot be tolerated. Masked and armed people in military garb are now ‘observing’ Arizona polling stations and ballot boxes. These vigilantes, reminiscent of the masked KKK, are afraid to show their identity yet they photograph the voters. Their presence chills the atmosphere of a free and fair election process and heightens the risk of political violence. In today’s polarized election cycle this could be anywhere, not just Arizona, especially after a Federal Judge refused to stop them. Polling centers and ballot boxes must be free of harassment, direct or implied. So, if your ballot box is being watched, cast your ballot, then turn and smile to their masked, cowardly, faces and give them the appropriate digit enhanced wave they deserve.

Gerrymandered voting districts are fundamentally wrong. Party controlled legislatures are redrawing election boundaries for their own benefit not for fair representation. During the years of Jim Crow Laws extraordinary efforts were made to limit black voters by determining the smallest amount of black heritage would disqualify voters. In a reversal of logic southern Republican legislatures are now determining people must have a high degree of blackness to be deemed as black to be a factor in redistricting. A perfect example of the means justifies the end, holding power no matter how unethical.

Voting integrity is an issue and yes, voter fraud did occur in the 2020 election. The Heritage Foundation, a heralded conservative organization, has documented an unimpressive 1380 proven instances of voter fraud across the country. A fraud rate of less than nine proven fraudulent votes per million cast. After spending almost six million dollars on forensic analysis, Arizona determined blatant, systematic, fraud did not take place. Yes, we have a problem but it’s not voter fraud. It’s the Big Lie and those who continue to propagate and benefit from it.

Our democracy is at our mercy. We have a responsibility to be independent informed voters who will politely and with civility take part in the process. We must not, cannot, be guided by blind loyalty, swayed by the attack ads, or the propagation of lies and inuendoes. Voting districts should be established by independent bipartisan commissions, not biased state legislatures. Our democracy depends on us standing up and being counted as thinking individuals, not manipulated party zombies.

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Posted in Philosophy

What have we become; what are we afraid of?

Posted on by simplebender

We have witnessed and experienced a lot in the last year, as individuals and as a country.  However, the capitulation and implosion of the Republican party maybe the most shocking.  The Grand Ole Party which once championed global influence based on principles and global trade has become a Group of Patsies wallowing in self-delusion, fearful of shining the light of truth, and idolatry.  The party, in my lifetime, faced down the tyranny of Soviet Russia now embraces its own form of tyranny, race-based caste system, and isolation.  It is now a party which advocates hiding behind walls rather than tearing walls down.

The party, which once proudly advocated for fact-based decision making, is now advocating hiding from the investigation of the January 6th insurrection.  Burying their collective head in the sand trying to make believe it did not happen.  That a mob; flying the flags of a corrupt defeated dictatorship, the flag of racism and slavery, and those of idol worship; did not attack the Capital, did not assault Capital Police and the foundations of our Constitution.  Nope, didn’t happen.  It is fake news and was a group of peaceful, law abiding citizens exercising their freedom of speech and having a ‘tour of the Capital’.  Denial does not mean it did not happen.  Denial does mean it will happen again.  How many members of Congress will stand up for the Constitution and this country and try to determine what happened on the days before and after January 6th.  And how many will prove they are panderers and patsies only vying for votes from those who are too afraid to seek truth.

What are we afraid of?  As we consciously and unconsciously practice our unique form of race-based caste system.  What are we afraid of?  Are we afraid of losing some of our race-based privileges?  Are we afraid of equal rights, equal treatment, and equal access?  Are we afraid, that on any given level playing field, we can no longer compete?  That maybe, just maybe there are those who are better who have never had a chance to show just how good they are?  If we consider ourselves a team; TEAM USA is failing.  It is failing to play the best the players or even to let them try-out for the team.  We must look forward and recognize everyone has more talents and more to offer.  Exclusion based on race, gender, creed, orientation, nationality, education, or anything else succeeds in maintaining a false based caste system and inhibits all of us from moving forward toward greater goals.  It succeeds in allowing those who strive to see us fail drive wedges of misinformation into the fabric of our nation.

The principles of fiscal discipline, personal responsibility and accountability, global leadership and trade, and social compassion have been cast aside.  Cast aside for denial, scapegoating, isolation, and radical racial divide.  The Republican Party I was a part of for more than half a century has been displaced by a cult, worshiping a demigod in the hopes of maintaining a failing direction and whose leaders care more about being re-elected than taking a stand for the principles of the country.  The Party was bigger than one person and now is as small, and as shallow, as one.  The party, whose leaders, once stood in defiance of tyrants and dictators now embrace them rather than standing for freedom, truth, and democracy.  The idea of ‘truth will set you free’ can only come to reality if we actually seek the truth. 

#BigLie

Posted in Political

Flags of Insurrection….

Posted on by simplebender

Reflect for a moment on the flags and banners shown proudly flying in the hollowed halls of our Nation’s Capital during the insurrection and attempted coup.  We all saw the flag of the Confederacy, ‘Trump 2020’, ‘Jesus 2020’, the flag of South Vietnam, the flag of Christianity, and ‘Q’.  At best, only one of those may have some contribution in ever ‘Making America Great Again’.  What was represented were failed, defeated, and debunked causes, and corrupt regimes.  The banners of a cult not the banners of a proud representative republic.  So, as we watch the collapse of a once grand old party let us hope we aren’t also witnessing the rise of an unrestrained cult.  A cult without moral guiderails or a grand vision, just corruption and power. 

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Stay well.

, #BigLie,

Posted in Political

Be very careful what you ask for…..

Posted on by simplebender

The calls for Trump’s resignation, impeachment, and maybe eventual trial and incarceration may not be what you really want because what you might get you really don’t want.

You do not have to be much of a student of history to recognize a dangerous pattern.  Imprisonment and exile of charismatic, cult, leaders has not proven to be successful means of silencing them or their supporters.  A few examples which come to mind include Stalin, Hitler, and Napoleon.  In these cases, the imprisonment only made them, and their followers, more radical and extreme.  Too many in the ‘establishment’ stood idly by, in their own political miscalculations, and did not act upon the reemergence which climaxed in the succession to absolute power.

Think this through carefully.  Recognize the anger.  Position yourself to be prepared to stand fast because the next wave will be more fanatical and less restrained.

If the goal of impeachment is removing him from office, then at this juncture, it is more political theater than substantive.  If the goal is to banish him from future political office; then, the impeachment conviction must include clear language which forbids him from holding office again.  If it does not, we will probably be repeating this cycle with a more radical perspective.  Be prepared……

To those who follow this blog; thank you…to those who have stumbled upon it, please consider following….Stay well.

, #BigLIe,

Posted in Philosophy, Political

The Thucydides’s Trap of our own making

Posted on by simplebender

Thucydides, the ancient Athenian historian and general, claims the fifth-century BC Sparta and Athens war was inevitable because of “the rise of Athens and fear that this instilled in Sparta.”  More simply, war is a likely outcome as tensions increase between rising powers and those who are currently ruling and in power.  Are we on the precipice of our own Thucydides Trap and is it one of our own making?

Our trap has taken generations to build.  A failed and misdirected reconstruction, Jim Crow Laws, congressional district jerrymandering, ongoing voter suppression efforts, the Civil Right Act, and the Black Live Matter movement have collectively shored the frame of the trap.  The Republican party controls both the executive and legislative branch in twenty-four states and legislative control in thirty-one; clearly distinguishing it as the ruling party.  And yet we are a country divided.  The past Presidential election and the slim majorities held by opposite parties in the U.S. House and Senate are manifestations of our divide.  The open hostility based only upon race, gender, and /or sexual orientation is played out in the news, and our streets every day.  We, collectively, find ourselves struggling with how we got here and how we get out.

Some of the more significant findings of the 2020 American Values Survey by PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute, https://www.prri.org/research/amid-multiple-crises-trump-and-biden-supporters-see-different-realities-and-futures-for-the-nation/) sheds insight and may clearly imply we are stepping on our own Thucydides Trap.  It shows Republicans are the only political organization which believes whites and Christians are being discriminated against more than any other ethnic or racial group.  More granularly, out of nine groups comprising multiple religious and racial affiliations, only white evangelical Protestants, shockingly, maintain whites and Christians are more discriminated against than Blacks, Hispanics, or Asians.  And then, not surprisingly, the white evangelical Protestants maintain the Confederate flag and monuments are symbols of Southern pride and not symbols of racism. Those currently ruling feel they, and their beliefs, are under siege.  The spring of the trap is being pulled taunt and the trigger about to be set.

The corollary from the survey is that in total, Americans, collectively by a large margin, believe Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians are discriminated against on a daily and systematic manner.  Americans believe Whites and Christians are the least discriminated against and the symbols of the Confederacy are racist.

We can escape the Thucydides Trap of our own making by strongly standing together as Americans rather than subsets of the whole.  The country’s direction has never been straight and true.  We have grown, matured, and changed with the times.  We should not feel threatened by change but embrace it and help mold it to benefit the majority of us.  The political tents have to be big enough for all of us.  The trap is built.  The spring is taunt.  The trigger set and probably tripped unless we, collectively, decide to recognize the trap for what it is, step away and have the faith and strength of character to determine the best way to dismantle it and do so.          

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#BigLie,