By Bruce A. Smith
Here on the day before the official “Election Day” of November 3, I’d like to post my predictions for the 2020 Election:
Biden will win the national count by 12 million, and take the presidency with an Electoral College victory of 310-228 or so. I believe the Democrats will also take Senate 53-47, and maintain their majority in the House of Representatives. These numbers will probably not be confirmed until Friday, November 6.
Further, state legislatures nationally go Democratic in a major tidal wave of Blue as the GOP is crushed. In response, the GOP will become the “Resistance,” and obstruct the Biden administration at every step. Trump and FOX News will be the loudest voices, but over time the GOP will become less “Trumpy,” less white supremacist, less racist, and more working-class – certainly by 2024.
The Democrats will have absolute dominance for 4-5 years, politically. But they will struggle to blend their globalization and corporate instincts with effective policies that help working people in the USA, especially the manufacturing sector in the heartland. Ultimately, their efforts fail politically even though many Americans benefit financially. The GOP will regain a lot of strength as the dynamics of the Cultural War are just too strong for the Democrats to overcome, especially the issues of abortion and white fears of the “Browning of America” – the growth of Hispanic populations and the growing political clout of African-Americans.
In the near-term, though, the Mask War intensifies. Mask-wearing becomes more political, and Republicans/Trumpers don’t wear them while Democrats and Liberals do. Locally, it is charged and bitter, but veiled. Certain stores get identified as
“Trumpers Only” and no one wears a mask or socially distances. Other stores become “Liberal Only” and require Covid protocols to be followed. But enforcement of these safe practices by departments of health are meager and ineffective.
As a result, Covid continues to cripple the economy and society. It lingers through 2021 and into 2022 with waves and troughs. Vaccines arrive but are only marginally effective – approximately 70%. More troubling, 35% of the country refuses to take any vaccine. Death total by end of 2020 is 350,000. Another 300,000 die in 2021 despite Biden’s best efforts. Total Covid deaths in USA by end of 2022 will exceed 800,000.
Even though Trump is defeated in the election, the polarization of America continues to intensify. especially as many Liberals view the Trumpers as “trying to kill us with Covid.” The legal effort to adjudicate Trump for negligent homicide – stemming from the hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths generated by his ineffective policies – fails, as Biden gambles on trying to unify the national psychologically. He is partially successful.
A new stat emerges: unaccounted-for deaths. Already we are seeing 100,000 deaths in 2020 that are not Covid-specific but are above the expected projections from prior years. Who are these extra deaths? How do they die? From what? Covid-like complications?
QAnon is still with us. Lots of folks still drink the Kool-Aid. Conspiracy theories abound. But no one examines closely the Jeffrey Epstein case, such as who called Alexander Acosta when he was the Florida Attorney General and convinced him to squash the first Epstein sex trafficking case in Palm Beach. Nor why Acosta was then elevated to the Secretary of Commerce by President Trump. Nor why the alleged suicide of Epstein in federal detention was allowed and the follow-up investigation so flawed.
The economy fractures and struggles, but many Americans thrive and prosper – perhaps 2/3 of the population – as they can work from home, have Internet connection, or the skills to earn them a good income in the new, distanced, informational economy.
But many don’t have those resources and flounder. One-third of the population remains unemployed or under-employed for years. The entertainment and travel industries are non-existent. Airlines go belly-up and Boeing files for bankruptcy. The European Airbus agency, with its governmental support, exists only as a shadow of its former self.
Restaurants struggle and few are successful. Bars and taverns remain mostly closed or at greatly reduced capacity. As a result, illegal parties and drinking clubs flourish, which also helps to spread Covid in an endless cycle.
Schools remain mostly closed. Hybrid programs of partial-attendance-in-class coupled with home-schooling predominate, but many families are reluctant to send their kids to school. Most teachers are afraid to enter their classrooms, but do so with strict testing and disinfectant practices. In effect, classrooms become like the iconic NBA bubble. Some kids thrive in this environment; many don’t.
The financial hardships drive many individuals and families into homelessness. Addictions and health problems abound. The Biden Administration launches Depression-Era-esque federal programs to address the chronic job loss and homelessness. These efforts are mostly successful and Biden is hailed as a hero who has saved America. His nickname becomes “Grampa Joe.”
China emerges as the dominant world power as it controls Covid better than anyone else, and as a result is able to maintain its economy. Europe, like the United States, continues to struggle with Covid and a limp economy.
Global Climate Change dominates world attention within the decade, and countries shift their politics to address the situation, but there is much resistance regionally and within the political factions of the right. In the United States, de facto confederations emerge to address local climate issues, such as forest fires, and the western states form the Cascadian Confederation to pool resources and advance useful policies. These latter issues include a vast increase in fire-fighting resources, the mandating of electric cars, amplification of alternative energy sources, and decreasing the use of oil and gas. Within ten years all new homes will be required to have solar power arrays installed on their rooftops, along with other energy saving devices such as infra-red hot water heaters.
Biden does not run for re-election in 2024 due to this age, and is replaced by Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket. The GOP gropes for an answer to the Trump debacle, but opts for the arch-conservative Tom Cotton, who loses disastrously to Harris.
The nearly one-million Covid deaths by 2024 casts a pall over the political passions of 2020, and most folks are just looking to survive. Culturally and psychologically, many turn inward and find a deeper level of spiritual mindfulness. Many are “woke” and active. This becomes a major force in the country and counters the social isolation brought about by the Covid restrictions and social disruptions of poverty.
New cultural norms are developed for celebrating holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays. New jobs are created, and public art flourishes. The talismans that were once used to produce tribal identities shift and reform. Ten years from now, Americans will see themselves and their neighbors in a new way, and many will say that this period of time was the best thing that ever happened to them.
Addendum
Within minutes of posting the above essay, Mountain News readers began sending me messages of concern for violence, especially Tuesday night and the days following the vote counting.
Will Trumpers go violent if The Donald loses? I don’t think so, at least not with any organized, substantive violence. I think the Trumpers will stay home and watch the news to see how big their Red Wave actually is tomorrow night, and once they realize it’s not big enough they will sit down, ponder, and regroup – waiting for some leader, like DT, to tell them what to do.
I am surrounded by Trumpers here in rural WA, and I am not afraid of any violence.
Addendum II
Reader response has been phenomenal. Besides the above concerns, some readers are questioning whether Donald Trump will leave office peacefully. I believe he will leave, but not quietly – and in veiled pathological ways. I don’t think DT will ever concede to Joe Biden, nor will he congratulate him. I think DT will leave the White House long before the Bidens show up at the customary noon-time arrival on January 20th.
On Tuesday night as the reality of his loss becomes apparent, I think Trump will enter a sullen, depressed state – much like he did when he realized he won in 2016. Back then he was reportedly overwhelmed by the enormity of his victory. Melania wept then, too, supposedly and she might tomorrow night as well, but for very different reasons. She and her husband might be going to jail in 2021. For more on that aspect, I recommend reading Jane Mayer’s article in the New Yorker, as submitted by a MN reader this evening. Titled; “Why Trump Can’t Afford to Lose,” Mayer addresses all the lawsuits and illegalities of The Donald and those close to him. It’s stunning.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/11/09/why-trump-cant-afford-to-lose
Addendum III
A MN readers posted his own prediction that Trump will win and “…the Marxist wing (Antifa/DSA/BLM) of the Democrat party riots in major cities and tries to take Washington. They are planning it already. BTW, I am not American and don’t vote. “
In turn, I replied with the following:
The Antifa guys I’ve spoken with were not Marxist in the least, and didn’t have a clue about communism or any of that stuff. I interviewed a couple of Antifa people back in the “Occupy Movement” days, and I was stunned at how cruel and violent they were. But they are also very disorganized and not particularly sophisticated – intellectually or organizationally.
The Antifa folks who have presented themselves at rallies, do so to “protect” other protestors. That seems to be their MO: a reactive force to other people’s violence. The antifa people I have met have a hard time ordering lunch, let alone paying the rent or raising a kid – or launching a revolution.
As for the BLM – Black Lives Matter – I see them as focused more on social justice and real reform, not the looting and tearing down the walls of civilization. One of the real issues of the summer and our nationwide social protesting is that no real leaders emerged, nor did any recognized leaders step forward and try to organize the demonstrations. The whole thing was very organic and localized. That allowed Trump and the right-wing commentators to control the narrative of who was doing what and why – in my view.
This issue remains. We still don’t know what to do with our cops – or what it will take to stop the murdering of black men by white police officers. Clearly “Defunding the Police” is a non-starter, and certain reforms, such as posting mental health counselors in squad cars to de-escalate crazy, violent incidents, is still not widespread. Mentally ill guys are still getting killed, such as occurred in Philly two weeks ago.
The Mountain News - WA 
Well that was a fun read to close out the day…..
Thanks for this insightful glance into what may be awaiting us.
Thanks! It’s a lot to swallow but I believe in many ways you are right on. Let’s continue this discussion on 11/4.(-:
I must say this is a brilliant article Bruce and it’s tough to argue with your take. I do want Trump gone. I just think he is dividing us far too much.
Thanks Buffalo Rick. BTW: Are you any relationship to Buffalo Bob? (Smile…. Howdy Doody’s sidekick in the 1950s…)
Grapes of Wrath – I trust it didn’t cause any indigestion….
Doing just fine, Bruce. It was a very well-written article, which probably accounted for my initial shock. I think the pill America will swallow tomorrow will cause severe indegestion regardless of the outcome.
A very brilliant article Bruce! I do want Trump out. He is dividing us.
Bruce, you spent lots of time and effort to write this – it is a great article.
Other than this praise – if you had described the main players in reverse/opposite roles, then maybe it would have been more interesting to me and maybe more prophetic.
Luby
Well, thanks for the kind words, at least, Luby. Not only do I believe the polls, which show Biden winning and the Senate flipping, I see almost no new Trump voters. More importantly, a few of his voters from 2016 are saying they are going Blue this time around. Yes, the Trump Base is Ecstatic with Trump Excitement, but other than an increase in passion I don’t see an increase in votes.
Editor’s Note:
The following comes from a MN reader named Jane, in an email:
“The article is fantastic!… It’s so light-hearted…really hopeful…nothing perfect and yet embraces relief of so much B.S…..it’s just “SHUT UP”! and think different …. move! It’s not going to be a sunshine picnic…but a picnic with a bit of rain;)…at least we come together for a picnic! I hope you are smiling….this is great!….and bring an umbrella!”
Perfect metaphor, Jane – “a picnic with a bit of rain.” Yup, that’s how I see the future.
I predict, Trump wins, the Marxist wing (Antifa/DSA/BLM) of the Democrat party riots in major cities and tries to take Washington. They are planning it already.
BTW,, I am not American and don’t vote.
The Antifa guys I’ve spoken with were not Marxist in the least, and didn’t have a clue about communism or any of that stuff. I interviewed a couple of Antifa people back in the “Occupy Movement” days. I was stunned at how cruel and violent they were. But they are also very disorganized and not particularly sophisticated – intellectually or organizationally.
The Antifa folks who have presented themselves at rallies, do so to “protect” other protestors. That seems to be their MO: a reactive force to other people’s violence. The antifa people I have met have a hard time ordering lunch, let alone paying the rent or raising a kid – or launching a revolution.
As for the BLM – Black Lives Matter – I see them as focused more on social justice and real reform, not the looting and tearing down the walls of civilization. One of the real issues of the summer and its nationwide social protesting is that no real leaders emerged, nor did any recognized leaders step forward and try to organize the demonstrations. The whole thing was very organic and localized. That allowed Trump and the right-wing commentators to control the narrative of who was doing what and why – in my view.
This issue remains. We still don’t know what to do with our cops – or what it will take to stop the murdering of black men by white cops. Clearly “Defunding the Police” is a non-starter, and certain reforms, such as posting mental health counselors in squad cars to de-escalate crazy, violent episodes, is still not widespread. Mentally ill guys are still getting killed, such as occurred in Philly two weeks ago.
First, BLM is a Marxist organization, their founders brag about it. They recently scrubbed info from their website. They want to overthrow the system and are funded by the wealthy elites like Soros and Ford Foundation.. Antifa was originally founded by Communists and is a violent Marxist Revolutionary organization, many are disaffected and brainwashed youth seeking camaraderie and purpose. They are violent revolutionaries trying to overthrow the Government. These groups with others want a revolution…
Antifa is not a reactionary force, they instigate, provoke and are organized. They call anyone that doesn’t agree with them a nazi to justify their violence. The media and politicians have covered for them to blame Trump. Antifa are the Fascists..
Stores across America are being boarded up to protect themselves from the violent LEFT.
White cops murdering unarmed blacks is propaganda and media hype, the statistics don’t support a racial bias. George Floyd had a lethal level of fentanyl in his system.
Everyone is being played.. lied to, by the media, politicos, big tech and intelligence agencies.. The irony is the LEFT is supposed to be anti-establishment. Well, the establishment has manipulated their disciples into supporting them based on lies and amazing disinformation campaigns.
It was the Joe Biden crime family that was colluding with Russia, Burisma/Ukraine and China,, that is why the deep state impeached Trump.. They need to hide their own corruption. Trump never had anything to do with Russia that was a deep state coup attempt.
If Trump wins,, this stuff will get investigated. If Biden wins it gets covered up. The deep state is sweating bullets.
Everything you have been fed is a lie. The Dems are the corrupt establishment.
Good to know, Fly.
As a long-standing member of the media, however, I do take exception to your comment that I lie. Personally, it’s insulting. Professionally, it sounds like a sweeping indictment for obvious political results, which tend to discount what you say.
Hence, I think what is needed is more discernment from readers, so that the truth is known. Yes, all media slant their reporting, oftentimes inadvertently or subconsciously, as we write within our bubbles of reality.
I never said you personally lied,, you are making a really poor argument claiming that by some association with the media in general.
In fact, your being “insulted” is the typical faux defence response by the Left when their reality is confronted. Facts don’t really care about your feelings.
BLM is a Marxist org, simple research proves it. Antifa is a violent organized revolutionary founded in Communism that wants to overthrow the Gov.
Russia collusion was a hoax, you pushed it. Not because you were lying but because it fit your bias and you were not critical. The media, in general has been a colossal failure. They are establishment activists shaping narratives not seekers of truth.
Hillary paid for the fraudulent Steele Dossier to distract from her email scandal. It was created by Russians and used by the intel agencies to spy on the Trump campaign and later try to remove him by framing him for collusion. Obama and Biden knew all about it. This was a deep state coup against an elected President and the media buried it. No, it turns out that Hunter Biden was selling access to Joe “10% for the Big Guy” Biden. And you claim to be part of the media… you should be embarrassed.
People vote for Trump because is the outsider, he isn’t part of the corrupt swamp. That includes both Dems and establishment Republicans.
The media/dems/intel agencies have engaged in 4 years of Trump disinformation.. you have uncritically absorbed it as it fits your confirmation bias.
You have been lied to.
You do not understand the game being played. Your claimed facts are not true. Your opinion is based on a combination of incomplete, false information and bias.
I don’t believe you are lying.. you are kept uninformed and misinformed by the corrupt establishment.
The thoughts in your head are not your own.
I suggest you get out of your hate Trump bubble and do some research because there is much you don’t know.
It isn’t really D’s vs R’s or left vs right… It is the hidden class structure in America, the establishment elites propaganda vs the common man.
The Left believes they are fighting for some noble feel good social justice, they don’t understand that they are really supporting a concentration of power for the corrupt elite establishment and the tyranny and misery that it creates. The modern Left is a scam, it is the extortionist establishment, it is the destruction of individual liberty, opportunity and freedoms so those at the top get rich and powerful.
anyway, I predict Trump wins, the radical Left riots in cities, word is they are planning to take the WH, the establishment lawyers go to court to change the results.. if it is close it may take weeks to sort out.
You ought to move to Yelm, WA, Fly. You’d fit right in! Your perspective is voiced by many, particularly in Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment. In fact, as I understand Ramtha, he claims exactly the same truths as you have been proclaiming regarding the worldwide political struggle of the common man versus the global elite.
John Perkins, the noted author of “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man” are also in alignment with what you are stating.
I respect you all. However, my personal experiences lead me to other conclusions. Remember, I grew up living ten miles from Donnie Trump, and I’ve known for a long time that he is a thug who doesn’t care about me or the people I care about.
I never called you a liar,
Your faux “insulted” defence to discredit facts and your own laziness is troubling but typical of biased ideologues.
You are very uninformed.
You think the establishment cares about you? or democracy? They are the thugs, tyrants and grifters..
Biden is supported by every org and institution you oppose including the military industrial complex.
Trump isn’t trying to kill you.
This isn’t really about Trump,, he happens to be the vessel for people to fight back instead of the typical establishment R’s and D’s.
This is bigger than Trump. If Biden does take this democracy is dead.
This is a fight between Tyranny and Liberty.. the corrupt establishment vs the common man.
The Hunter Biden laptop and Tony Babulinksi testimony show that Joe Biden is corrupt as hell.
The Obama admin illegally spied on the Trump campaign and attempted a coup using a fake political dossier created by Hillary.. the biggest scandal of our lifetime completely ignored and buried by the establishment media.
If Trump can get the illegal and unconstitutional ballots thrown out, he wins.
Trump increased the minority vote, latinos, black males and females.. Does anybody really believe that Biden got more votes than Obama… evidence is coming out of various targeted ballot fraud schemes in key swing States. All for Biden.
Count every LEGAL and CONSTITUTIONAL vote,
Pfizer just announced successful COVID trials,, exactly what Trump claimed was coming. The stock market is flying,, the media is already spinning it for Biden..
Jane, I’m reminded of the Alanis Morrisette song with the line – “Rain on Your Wedding Day.” That’s our future! Party, but with a raincoat!
Bruce, I spent quite a bit of time leaving a well crafted commentary but because WordPress needed me to create a new password (which I did), my comments were lost. I could not retrieve them.
This is what Bruce should have written…
Glenn Greenwald article censored by The Intercept..
Article on Joe and Hunter Biden Censored By The Intercept
An attempt to assess the importance of the known evidence, and a critique of media lies to protect their favored candidate, could not be published at The Intercept
https://greenwald.substack.com/p/article-on-joe-and-hunter-biden-censored
Fly, your post about the True State of the World may be accurate in every detail, but how does one corroborate whatever you claim about Marxists, Soros, BLM, Antifa, etc.? How do you/we know that your sources are pure, un-slanted, and truthful?
To my mind, it is naive to assume that all websites and online sources are legit. I suspect that lots of websites, such as those you have attributed to the BLM, are in fact false, part of the “deep fake movement” that seeks to subvert trust in mainstream journalism.
I will check out the Greenwald story, but my understanding is that Glenn’s article was nixed because he could not corroborate his claims. MN readers should know that Glenn Greenwald is one of the founders of The Intercept and his fellow-founders iced him out for failing to comply with their requests for fact-checked reporting – in this case Greenwald’s story on Hunter Biden and Ukrainian Connection.
Greenwald has an outstanding reputation in the realm of “alternative” journalism in that he gets stories no one else can, and also finds places to publish them. If I recall properly, he was instrumental in the release of all those state department memos and emails a while back, where Eric Snowden was the intermediary.
As a result, Greenwald’s personal life seems to be a bit topsy-turvy, as he moves from employer to employer, and was last living in Brazil I heard, having burnt a few bridges in other places, such as the UK.
GAWD only knows what his love life is like. Whew….
Hey guys…..love you both. But can we please just get back to the real liar……..ROBERT BLEVINS.
Mr. Bevins, i read your post over at the DZ today, where you talk about Bruce Smith getting COVID. You are a complete, effing asshole and I really mean it. What kind of a jerk wishes death on another human being. Your continuance at DZ should be stripped away and your involvement in the Cooper case should be eliminated. As for your campout solicitations.. …are you a cruiser looking for same-sex hook-ups like your favorite subject Ken Christianson? You ass!
Bruce, you still don’t get it… you’ve been played by the Neoliberal/NeoCon cabal.
There is a propaganda/information war going on to manipulate Americans.
The Trump Russia collusion was a hoax.. it was a frame job by the establishment by both R’s and D’s.. media and intel agencies.
BLM is a marxist organization, the founders brag about it. It is a fact.
The Hunter Biden laptop is real, it does implicate Joe Biden in corrupt deals and it was buried by the MSM media and the FBI. The FBI had it since last Dec and buried it to stop Bernie Sanders from winning the Dem primary.
This is 4th level chess going on..
Trump is anti establishment.. Biden is the corrupt establishment guy.
Biden is supported by.. (the establishment)
Media
Intel agencies
Elites
Academia
Big tech.. Google, Twitter, Facebook
Republican establishment (Bush crowd)
Wall Street
Globalists
Hollywood
Billionaire donors and Davos crowd
The last four years have been an unprecedented propaganda/disinformation war against Trump the outsider to stop him from exposing the establishment grift and corruption..
Biden isn’t Grampa Joe,, He is a corrupt grifter, a puppet for the establishment.
This is not R’s vs D’s,
it is the establishment elites (the takers) vs the American working class (the makers)…
It is really a hidden class war, the “systemic racism” NeoMarxist identity politics is a their strawman and cover… to distract and control.
Biden represents Tyranny of the elites vs Trump’s liberty of the American working class.
Which side are you really on? Conflicted now? You’ve been played.
Well, well.. Trump won if you count legal and constitutional votes.
This isn’t over, it will get decided by State legislators and the supreme court.
It isn’t decided by media declarations.
Marla , as per an earlier post…I don’t enjoy standing up for Blevins but I don’t think he was wishing any harm to come to Bruce. I just kinda skim thru most of his posts so I may be wrong but I think he actually said he was worried about what could happen if Bruce contracted the covid. Like I said I generally skim thru his posts so I may be wrong. As per Flyjacks conjecture, I think there will be a civil war if Trump is able to overturn the election results. I just don’t see that happening.
Perhaps Biden does want to kill you…
“Biden announced that his coronavirus task force would include Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, In a 2014 essay in The Atlantic, Emanuel, explained why he hoped to die at age 75, and why he finds the idea of living past that date to be morally problematic.”
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/bidens-pick-for-coronavirus-task-force-living-too-long-is-also-a-loss/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=homepage&utm_campaign=right-rail&utm_content=corner&utm_term=first
Socialism is evil..
Fly,
Did you ever watch the movie, “Logan’s Run?”
Recommend it.
I did, long time ago though. Fabian Socialists…
I am Canadian and can tell you how universal “socialized” healthcare works…
If you have minor ailments it is fine. If you have anything complex, it is delayed and rationed unless you have connections. Like most “socialized” systems some are more equal than others.. It is illegal to pay for your own healthcare in Canada. Think about that, the State decides whether you get treatment, live or die. But is gets worse, they actually deny a diagnosis to cover it up.
Many people can’t even get a GP.. tests take many months to schedule, seeing a specialist can take months or a year plus..
Canadian healthcare almost killed me. They denied me treatment and I was not allowed to pay for my own treatment. I eventually went to the US and paid $50 grand… or I’d be dead. That treatment was simple should have cost $500 if treated early.
Delayed and rationed healthcare is healthcare denied..
The thing everybody misses is the massive cost and unsustainability. It is funded through taxation and that is spread and embedded throughout the economy in higher costs,, healthcare is “free” (NOT) but taxes and prices of goods and services are higher to pay for it.
Every year it gets more expensive with less quality.. there needs to be a private and public system.
FREE stuff from the Gov is alluring but nothing is really free..
Fly,
Thank you for the commentary on Canadian health care. I have heard this same thing reported from other Canadians, as well as a doctor from Sweden. Apparently, an ingrown toenail can get triaged and repaired ahead of a severe case of asthma. Alex Trebeck was Canadian. He had a heart attack in 2009 and other medical problems before he was diagnosed in 2019 with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He received the best care here in the States and lived to 80. He probably would not have made it that far if he lived in Canada. RIP, Alex.
Sidney Powell is putting together the case for systemic voter fraud by the Dems… (Deep State)
She said she has evidence the same “system” was used against other Dems like Bernie Sanders.
Supreme Court judge Alito has ordered all late Pa ballots segregated, those ballots were subject to a late unconstitutional rule change. If they get thrown out Trump takes Pa..
Az and Ga are within reach,, this isn’t over.
I have no doubt that if only legal and constitutional ballots are counted Trump won it. This will go to the courts,, if Trumps legal team can get to discovery it all gets exposed.
It’s just amazing that our Canadian friends to the North know more about American political underworkings than do average Americans, who would rather watch NFL and stupid tv shows.
Health Care.
I have superb national healthcare via Medicare and Medicaid. My co-pays are very low – only a dollar or two on my meds – and I have none for my doctor’s visits, labs, or hospital stays. I qualify for Medicare as I am over 65 years old, and I’ve qualified for Medicaid since my heart attack at 62 as my income is below the federal poverty level.
As I understand Grampa Joe, he would like to expand these programs by lowering the age limits in an incremental basis, such as lowing the Medicare age to 55.
That said, these programs don’t cover everything. I don’t have any dental coverage, and my vision benefits under Medicaid are modest. I just paid 80 bucks for a pair of glasses, but I didn’t have any costs for the eye doctor and exam.
If I was willing to enter a Medicare HMO, such as Medicare Advantage, I could get dental, vision, and lots of little goodies such as free delivery on my meds, but then I would have to enter a health care “network.” As a result, I would have to drive an hour to Tacoma for most practitioners, which I find unacceptable. Currently, I see my GP ten minutes away in downtown Eatonville. I consider that a sweet deal.
Yes, I consider myself very fortunate, and I am grateful to all the American taxpayers who are picking up the tab that keeps me hale and hearty.
Canada does not include dental…
The problem is the single payer system.. yes the Dems want it. That means an elimination of private and forced public participation in the public system via taxation schemes. Canada is a single payer system,,, rationed and delayed.
My View on the Post-Election Problems
I disagree with Flyjack on almost all of his pronouncements. I think our election was fair, and Joe Biden the winner. I trust that he will be inaugurated without incident on January 20, 2021.
Further, I don’t think Flyjack’s arguments are particularly well-founded, as he is repeating what many others have written publicly, such as in the right-wing blogosphere, or to me in private – remember, I live in the Ramtha Ecosystem and therefore I am surrounded by QAnon supporters. In fact, on the Parler website, Ramtha’s channel, JZ Knight, has called for a military coup to keep Donald Trump in power. I consider that to be the most dangerous and saddest state of affairs I can imagine. How does a school of enlightenment come to declare itself for an armed revolution to end our democracy? Whew….
As a journalist I have a dilemma – how to respond to the broad charges of illegality leveled by right-wingers against the Dems and liberals. I’ve tried arguing, challenging case by case and point by point, asking for corroboration and proof. Rarely is anything substantive given in response. As a result, I am exhausted and too tired to respond to statements such as Flyjack’s above, and the many emails that my neighbors and friends send me.
But I saw that the conversation is expanding here and other voices are joining the fray. Hence, I thought it important to state my views.
Bruce you are wrong or submitting to your bias which weakens critical thinking. This is a deep state COUP.. I have been tracking this, fake polls for suppression, documented widespread fraud, unconstitutional last minute rule changes, media disinformation even from FOX,, things are moving fast. Example, A Pa postal worker signed an affidavit claiming an order to back date ballots. He was pressured by inspectors to recant, WAPO wrote a FAKE article that he recanted, he didn’t. I watched a video on twitter of him showing the FAKE WAPO article and saying he didn’t recant, then the video disappeared…
Big tech is censoring factual information..
Media is engaged in disinformation..
There is a massive information war to fraudulently claim the White House.. Trump just fired a bunch of people at the Pentagon…
This is crazy and it is just getting started..
America is deep trouble here,,, this is a massive coordinated subversion of the democratic process.
“…documented widespread fraud…”
Okay. Let’s see it. I need credible sources, names, dates, places. Anecdotal material is not enough. Videos on Twitter are insufficient.
That is your job,, I wasn’t keeping notes. I am an observer not a reporter.
Your personal bias is blocking you from even considering this the biggest event of our lifetime.
Evidence is being compiled and forensic data analysis being done, this will all come out in court.
Some states are doing their own audits,, AG is looking into it based on widespread reports. Legal docs filed with more to come.
We are witnessing a downward revolution… the establishment elites are stealing power from the will of the people. This is banana republic stuff..
I think 72 million people will have something to say about that..
WHOA. My will says Biden will take office on January 20, 2020.
It isn’t over, PA was ordered by Alito to segregate late ballots, the PA ballot change was unconstitutional. If those counted late get tossed PA goes to Trump. AZ and GA are still tight with outstanding ballots that skew Trump, they will get a recount/audit. Trump gets those 3 he wins.
The media doesn’t pick the winner… the electoral college does. That isn’t settled. There are some complicated legal dynamics involved.. and they favour the Republicans.
The ballots need to be certified and proven valid, not the other way around.
138,000 Biden ballots dumped in the middle of the night doesn’t cut it.
The deep state underestimated Trump, he is a fighter, most would have caved. They are throwing everything at him.. they have for four years..
I give it about 50/50 right now. Anything can happen when you go to court.
I have found that arguing with Trumpers is like arguing with Evangelicals about Jesus. The beliefs and perspectives go way beyond facts or reasonable interpretations – it is foundational, religious, and about as deep in the psyche as one can go. To my view, America is entering a period where we are so divided that we’re the equivalent of Israelis and Palestinians, or Armenians and Azerbaijanis.
I am not a Trumper or a Republican,
You have no argument.. you are still inside the system.
Your predictions are right on the money. And this race is over. Biden is the winner. Trump needs to deal with it like Hillary had to. Its pathetic what he is doing right now. It needs to stop.
The winner has not been determined legally. The media doesn’t choose the WH.
Ga just announced a hand recount.
Lawyers have 234 pages of affidavits for voter fraud in a single county in Pa.
The fraud “case” is still being compiled and will play out in the courts.
Notice something wrong..
There is no Office of the President Elect… it is propaganda
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Emh0WrEUYAELMRJ?format=jpg&name=small
You are right Flyback. The media doesn’t choose the winner, the math does. If I buy you a beer will you quit drinking the kool-aid?
You didn’t watch the video I posted above, math says NO and FRAUD
Amazing audio, Erie Postal worker interrogated by Federal Agents..
He signed an affidavit that his superiors instructed postal workers to back date ballots. He was put on leave without pay.. After this interview the media claimed he recanted, he didn’t.
google this “postal worker recants” those are all false stories citing an anonymous source.
Propaganda and witness intimidation..
Thanks, Haggar. You gave me the best chuckle of the day so far.
Detroit IT worker …. whistleblower
explains the fraud. multiple scanning of a ballot 8 to 10X, rampant
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/798796260
Jimmie Kimmel made an interesting point last night on TV about the issue of voter fraud. He asked – “If the Dems stuffed the ballot for Joe Biden, then how come they didn’t stuff the ballots for the Democratic candidates running for the Senate, too?”
Perhaps it was just an oversight on the part of the Dems????
LALALALALALA… NOTHING TO SEE HERE… ONE COUNTY
We have 234 pages of sworn affidavits under penalty of perjury alleging election irregularities from just ONE county in Michigan
ALLEGATIONS:
EYEWITNESS saw batch of ballots, 60% had SAME signature
EYEWITNESS saw ballot batch scanned 5 times
EYEWITNESS saw 50 ballots fed many times into scanner
EYEWITNESSES say Jan 1, 1900 was recorded in poll book as DOB for many not in book so they could count ballots
EYEWITNESS saw 35 ballots counted even though not connected to voter record
EYEWITNESS saw poll workers marking ballot with no mark for candidates
EYEWITNESSES saw ballots counted with no signature or postmark
VOTER said deceased son was recorded as voting twice
EYEWITNESS saw provisional ballots placed in tabulation box
PASSENGERS dropped off more ballots than people in car
WITNESS told ballots received after election were being pre-dated, counted
FAILED software that caused error in Antrim County used in Wayne County
GOP challengers not readmitted but Dems admitted
GOP challengers forced to stay away while Dems were not
GOP challengers physically pushed from counting tables by officials
GOP challengers subjected to racial harassment
DEM challengers gave out packet: “Tactics to Distract GOP Challengers”
Election officials covered windows so challengers couldn’t observe counting
Election officials cheered when GOP challenger ejected
GOP challenges to suspect ballots ignored
Challengers barred from observing ballot duplication process
So we are supposed to believe the Republican Party’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud? This the same Republican Party that gutted the Voting Rights Acts. The same Republican Party that sabotaged the United States Postal Service. The same Republican Party that closed how many polling places. The same Republican Party that purged voters. The same Republican Party that attacked mail in voting. The same Republican Party that tried to throw out ballots. The same Republican Party that fabricated “evidence ” of fraud under oath. So what you’re saying is we should believe this same Republican Party when they accuse the other side of cheating?
Hagg,,,
You missed the morning meeting.. you are spewing Dem talking points, not reality.
This is not R’s vs D’s, you are still in the matrix. I realize it hard to see clearly.
There is really only one big fat corrupt party, the establishment (R’s and D’s) and they rigged the election. They hate Trump and they hate you.
It is isn’t even about Trump,, it is a war for power, the establishment elites vs the will of the people.
There is evidence of widespread voter fraud… you shouldn’t automatically accept claims of fraud as fact,, they will be part of the court actions. Personally, I have seen enough evidence to convince me that the fraud is massive,, but that is an individual thing. At minimum, you wait and see how those claims pan out and NOT ASSUME there was no fraud. Of course there was,,, the only question for the court is how extensive it was. That is the rational view.
Watch the vids I posted,, if they still work,, many are getting deleted or throttled.
I just heard Ga has massive invalid COA’s… there is a recount ordered, it will go to Trump.
AZ is close, still votes to count.
Other states, NV, Pa, MI have lawsuits filed and pending.
Breaking.. I have changed my prediction.. 60% Trump wins.
You may not see it now the propaganda and disinformation is heavy, but we are living through an active COUP in AMERICA.. amazing.
RNC Chair says 11,000 people have come forward with voter fraud claims…
It begins….
So, Haggar, we now know that Fly agrees with you – the Republican Party can not be trusted.
The Bigger Question remains – Who CAN we trust? Obviously, according to Fly, we can trust him. Plus we can trust Donald Trump and the postal worker in Erie. Judging from the news I think it would be safe to add that we can trust Mike Pompeo, and the RNC Chair, too.
Remember, no one can trust the media, and I assume that means Fox, as well. Facebook is suspect, too, as most folks who want The Truth are heading to Parler. However, the call for a military coup that I saw posted there by JZ Knight a few days ago is no longer visible. So there is a scrubbing process going on, even in this new bailiwick of truthfulness.
Thank gawd for the Mountain News! Can I get an AMEN????
Patronizing nonsense, Bruce.
You’d think a “reporter” would want to get to the truth but clearly this is over your head.
It may be. But the essential question remains: what is truth and how does one know it?
I doubt that watching the videos you suggest will help me emerge from the matrix and see the light. I have grown very mistrustful of these kinds of videos. In the era of deep fake video technology, I think it is pointless.
To me, my knowingness informs everything else in my life. Donald Trump does not speak to me, and never has. Simply, he does not care about the people I care about, not do I feel he cares about me. To me, Donald trump is a thug who will say and do anything to get his way. I consider him toxic and a liar.
Hence, I consider his charges of voter fraud to be bogus, and designed to jam the courts in an effort to stay in power.
A big Amen, Bruce! Thanks for providing a place we can have this discussion. Although I obviously don’t agree with most if not all of Flyjack’s opinions, I do appreciate the chance to discuss them. For me personally it is choice for the lesser evil. I realize the elites have no love for me. But I do believe they absolutely love Donnie boy. I am talking both parties. I personally believe that corruption comes with the big money. In that respect Donnie has made both parties huge money. Look at the huge increase of interest in politics. It has dominated our everyday lives for at least the last 4 years. With increase comes the money for both sides. Donnie boy is the Republican Party through and through. That is reality for me. Although the Democratic Party is far from perfect ( not even close) for me they are the lesser of 2 evils. Donnie boy has used a campaign of fear mongering to establish his power. He has used this to divide the country. He has run an openly racist campaign strategy. All of this is unacceptable to me. I didn’t even mention his atrocious environmental policies which I am afraid will harm my family members for generations to come. I respect your right to an opinion Fly, I just don’t agree.
The establishment elites (both parties) hate Trump. Biden is THE establishment guy.
Trump cut out all the lobbyist grifters, Biden just announced waivers for lobbyist to be on his transition team… get it, corruption and grift is back in DC, BIGLY
Biden supporters.. (not complete)
Media
Intel agencies
Elites
Academia
Big tech.. Google, Twitter, Facebook
Republican establishment (Bush crowd)
Wall Street
Globalists
Hollywood
Lobbyists
Billionaire donors and Davos crowd
WA DC Deep state swamp
Military industrial complex..
A vote for Biden is a vote for the establishment.. that is the scam. The Dems have sold themselves as the party for the middle class working guy. They aren’t.
but the the point everyone should agree with is that the winner should be determined by LEGAL votes…
There is evidence of voter fraud… the final outcome will be determined by the courts, not necessarily the democratic process.
Well said, Haggar.
Questions about QAnon:
Lots of folks are talking about QAnon these days, and their basic ideology lines up pretty close to Flyjack’s. We are in a global war between the elites – both Dems and Repubs – and those forces fighting for the common man.
What I wonder is what happened to Q? Anyone know? I know when I first started hearing about QAnon – in about late 2016 – I was told Q was a committee composed of three top WH officials and three extraterrestrials. I never hear about the ETs anymore. Anybody know what happened to them?
Just wonderin’.
The only time I hear about them is when the LEFT is trying to smear and discredit views they don’t like. Similarly, Antifa calls everyone that disagrees with them a nazi… to justify their own Fascism and violence.
and after I am sworn into office I will issue a Presidential pardon to D B Cooper..
You get my vote! If it’s legal to vote for a Canadian….
Heck I would vote for you Flyjack. It doesn’t matter if you are Canadian. I voted Democratic this election (I haven’t always) so obviously I have no problem with fraudulent votes right? Just a little jest in vain. I honestly relish the opportunity to discuss this with you and Bruce and others! Someday I would love to buy you ( and Bruce) that beer in person!
Here we go,,
GRAHAM ALLISON, AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, INSISTED PRESIDENT TRUMP RETAINS A “VIABLE, STEALTHY ROAD TO VICTORY.
“I project a 20% chance of a contested election outcome leading to a victory for President Trump.”
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/donald-trumps-stealthy-road-victory-172235
BTW, I am still at 60%..
Beer call – Haggar’s buying…
…Maybe at the 50th Anniversary party for DB Cooper in November 2021?
That’s definitely a possibility! I have always wanted to see the Pacific Northwest. What about you Flyjack?
I am up North in Canada several hours away and the US/Canadian border has been closed for about 8 months..
I haven’t personally met any Cooper sleuths in person though I was at the Washington Museum thing back in 2013.. a bunch were there.
Flyjack’s list of “Bad Boys” is actually quite informative, as it identifies the major players in the world these days:
Media
Intel agencies
Elites
Academia
Big tech.. Google, Twitter, Facebook
Republican establishment (Bush crowd)
Wall Street
Globalists
Hollywood
Lobbyists
Billionaire donors and Davos crowd
WA DC Deep state swamp
Military industrial complex..
But are they really Bad Boys? If so, who exactly, and when? And how? To me, the reality of World Power is a study in gray – some people and their organizations are sometimes corrupt, often misguided, and sometimes manipulated by a powerful elite. The Big Question is how to discern the truths of what is going on.
John Perkins, in his NY Times bestseller “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” calls this interplay of forces “The Corporatocracy.” I think that is a useful term in which to view this Global Dance of Power. Corporations, governments, lobbyists, the military, entertainers, financiers, mafia and cartel types, religious leaders – all who have influence with others do produce a net mix of power that impacts all of us.
So what do we do? Select carefully, I say. Make mindful choices on what we buy, what we read, and what we say. To me, I have a few guiding principals that help me make decisions as I navigate the corporatocratic world:
. What is the greatest good for the greatest number?
– Does it get us closer to Liberty and Justice for All?
Remember, that list backs Biden… not Trump
America really has a hidden class structure, systemic racism and (neomarxism) identity politics of oppressor/victim is the strawman and shield they hide behind. Keep the masses divided, in conflict and distracted while they centralize all the power and wealth… It isn’t a race issue, it is really a class issue.
They have caused the inequalities… by rigging the system and restricting individual freedoms..
The irony is, Socialism isn’t the solution, it only empowers them more. (via the Coercion of the State)
Bernie Sanders identifies the problems but has the wrong solutions. A more powerful State, that is the problem.
The elites prefer socialism because they control the cultural, economic, State institutions and apparatus. Corporatism or NeoFascism…
That is why Trump expanded his vote count by 10 million vs 2016,, he is the anti-establishment.
Obama lost 4 million votes in 2012.
I agree. A lot of people sense that something is not right. Hence, they voted for Trump.
However, a lot of us realize that blind faith in Trump is not the answer, either.
This isn’t about Trump or blind faith in him.
Trump is the accidental President. He wasn’t supposed to win in 2016. It was rigged for Hillary but they underestimated the amount of fraud needed.
You still don’t understand the game. The establishment controls both parties.
They rig the primaries to have an establishment R and D…
It isn’t Trump vs Biden.. it is the common man vs the establishment.
It was rigged for the establishment on BOTH sides.. until Trump broke their scam.
For 2020, the establishment did everything to take him out and that included massive fraud.
Editor’s Note: The following was sent to me via email from a MN reader, Steve Klein.
“My comment did not post:
“If people really want to know how they are being influenced, watch the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. “This documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.” If one is not discerning the facts from the dross, then much of the public dialogue is guided and swayed by algorithms of one’s choices via their Smartphones and use of social media influencing their thoughts. Don’t believe me, listen to the people on this movie who created these platforms/worked for these social media companies.”
I just recently heard about this documentary. It was recommended to me by one of my kids. It was recommended to her through one of her teachers. Her and I plan on watching this together real soon. I look forward to seeing it with her! ………. I personally find these times trying yet filled with opportunities. In some ways my immediate family has had an opportunity to bond in ways that in pre epidemic times we might not have. It’s also presented an opportunity to share our feelings, thoughts, and opinions to each other about the happenings around us. We also have had a chance to share our visions for the future. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity!! I am sorry it took an epidemic to get to this point but am extremely glad that we ,as a family, have taken advantage of the opportunity to become closer. I have never been rich in material belongings ( money included) . I am not complaining. It has been a choice. I have always valued happiness and fulfillment rather than the pursuit of material riches. I realize this isn’t the norm. As I get older I realize that maybe some riches would be nice as well as happiness and fulfillment as long as all three can happily coincide. That being said, I still value simplicity in my life. I try to put out a garden every year. I try to buy locally. I try to buy from and support small businesses. I barter for things when possible. I also reuse and recycle as much as I can. We also raise our own livestock. I realize this lifestyle isn’t for everyone. I am not judging anyone, just trying to explain how I deal with the world we live in. Although I consider myself spiritual, I don’t follow organized religion. In fact I gave up organized religion a long time ago. All of this somewhat keeps me at odds with the elite and somewhat with the establishment. I find this acceptable. I know the elites hate me for who I am and the choices I make. I am okay with their hatred. I don’t hate them .I try to separate my life from theirs. I have little in common with them. I understand this and have no problem with it. I try to look at both sides of an argument. I try to keep an open mind and heart. I am not always successful yet I still try. I try this approach when listening to the media. I try to listen to a variety of outlets and hopefully glean some truth from each. It’s not always easy nor is the truth always present. I trust few and far. You could say I have trust issues and you would be correct. The trust issues have been a part of my life for a long time. While most of my life these have been a hindrance, I believe they actually have had some usefulness in these trying times. I am thankful for the opportunity to discuss my views and beliefs Bruce! It’s another way I cope and deal with the times.
Well said, Haggar, and so heartfelt. Thank you.
Yes, Covid has delivered some unexpected bounties, especially in family closeness. My mother, sister, and I speak on the phone every Sunday afternoon and it is the closest we have ever been. In fact, my mother has said some stuff that has truly touched my heart: “You and your sister are good people. You deserve each other, and I hope you two stay close forever.”
We will change in others ways, too, I am sure. Exactly how, I don’t know, but not getting together for Christmas and Thanksgiving will compel us to try new ways to connect. My mother might even get Internet! Then we can Skype!!!
All of your content is just amazing 🙂
Bruce, I watched the HBO trailer for the new Cooper show coming out this Wednesday night. You ARE the star of the show. The Oregonian reviewers agree. They stated as such in their column today. Congratulations! This HBO docu-drama rocks. Better than anything to date. Better than Ulis’ which I would give a solid B. Better than Tom Colbert’s. …..a C. And it kicked Decoded, which was a D or D minus. Of course, Robert Blevins has a tendency to devalue almost everything. Maybe an F plus.
Any presentation with Robert Blevins would be a far departure from the Truth. That’s why the poor old man is still chasing down prospective campers, 10 years after he first brought his bag full of lies to the internet. Pathetic old man! But Bruce, we are cheering on YOUR arrival into the Hollywood scene. Now that you are about to become rich and famous, you can trade your digs for a new condo on the coast and a BMW. Maybe some new camping gear and a Grand Cherokee too.
Congrats!
A CJ-7 would do fine. A Grand Cherokee is too big. Maybe a RAV-4 hybrid?
Bruce,
You are a hero. I just finished watching the entire HBO film. You were the heart and soul of the movie. Job well done. This is the best Cooper movie to date. You have left Robby Blevins in the proverbial dust. Now, he can go back to cleaning a few more toilets before he retires. Come to think of it……you retired old sh*t for brains.
Thanks, Johnnie.
Here’s the current link to the BBC/HBO docu on YouTube: The Mystery of DB Cooper, plus a link to an interview with the director, John Dower, all courtesy of Flyjack:
BBC, HBO, The Mystery of DB Cooper, November 2020
Dower interview
THE MYSTERY OF D.B. COOPER (2020) – John Dower Exclusive Interview
The FULL show.. I downloaded it, might get deleted.
Storyville: The Hijacker Who Vanished The Mystery of DB Cooper BBC Documentary 2020
Love it, “old sh*t for brains,” Robert Blevins. No wonder Minnow Films gutted Blevins from the script. They wanted an entertainer like Bruce, not a toilet scrubber.
Really entertaining Bruce! Thoroughly enjoyed it! I think you did great in front of the camera. Thanks for providing the link!!
Glad you lied the docu. I thought it was wonderful. Besides being in it, I loved seeing Tina, Bill and Andy at length.
Bruce did look like a high Jedi priest, running around in his floor length robe in the show. Lol….love ya, Bruce. A humble man with a sense of humor. You carried the show. You had some of the most memorable lines in the entire production. Theatrical take-away:. “I wanna be DB Cooper.”. LOL….
Minnow Films really should have shown a 10 second clip at the end of the film, with Robert Blevins carrying a mop and a toilet plunger across the screen saying,
“Dats all folks!”.
Good post, above, Marla. I thought Bruce looked exceptional walking around in his robe like he just got out of bed and was relaxing after chasing DB Cooper all night. Bruce certainly did steal the show. I think Bruce is ready for Hollywood. And I agree with you about Robert Blevins. They could have at least shown Bruce tearing pages out of “Blast” and putting them into his stove to keep warm. Or, stacking up the torn pages to be used as emergency toilet paper this winter.
What? No pictures of Robert Blevin’s janitorial supply room? Why are all the toilet plungers, mops, and crap cleaners missing from his photos? Thought Blevins was proud of his toilet scrubbing heritage?
Bruce is exceptional as a story teller and as a human. Happy Thanksgiving to Bruce and the Mountain News.
Simply put, the reason that Minnow Films excluded Robert Blevins from their Cooper Film is because they finally learned about all the shit that Robert does behind everyone’s back. They saw it from Bruce, Ulis, Shutter and others. Robert Blevins is simply a jealous, f*ucked-up liar. And the new owners of the Ariel Store know about him now too, and will ban him from the premises.
Just curious Fly, what you put the odds at now?