It’s Monday! It looks like the Trump Trial may be going to closing arguments by Tuesday and the jury may be deliberating by week’s end. There has been a raging media conversation about Michael Cohen, mostly about how he is a flawed witness and a convicted liar. All that is true, but he has largely corroborated testimony in this case that has: 1. Shown Trump to be a micro-manager, 2. Because of 1, subordinates would not make independent financial decisions of this nature without his knowledge and approval, and 3. Trump wanted this done because he believed it would have a negative impact on the election. The Jury will decide. Trump could be found innocent, but it is more likely he will be convicted, or possibly have a hung jury, which could necessitate a new trial. What I find curious, is that of all the actions being taken against Trump, the insurrection in D.C, the election interference in Georgia, and the documents case in Florida, that this state case about a payoff to hide sexual conduct and the reason for it, is the one to hit first. The reality is that despite all the delays engineered through the courts, right up to the Supreme Court, Trump may be a convicted felon within two weeks.
Let’s talk a little about integrity and bribery. I’m sure most of us, well at least those of us who have a functioning brain, can understand and see that the Republican Party is a wholly owned political arm of corporate America. The Citizens United decision has allowed the purchase of politicians through “donations” to campaigns and PACs. After all, as the Supreme Court has said, money is free speech! The catch is, all that money comes with an agenda. If you don’t support the agenda, you don’t get the money and they will support a Candidate who will take your place. Given the potential financial payoff from some of these agenda items, we find that politicians work really cheap. We should pay more attention, and publicly challenge them more often. Although declared legal activity, if this is not bribery, then what is it? It is perfectly clear that these people do not work for their constituents because the items they support are not beneficial to the working- and middle-class voters of their district. Trump recently solicited a bribe from the fossil fuel industry in a public statement. He said to oil and gas producers, give me a billion dollars and I will give you everything you want. Why is that not a raging scandal in the media?
Now we come to a very important aspect of our system, oversight, and accountability. The Supreme Court has the ultimate oversight over everything we do. Whatever laws we pass, or rules (through which we attempt to hold actors accountable) when brought before the Supreme Court, are subject to incontestable oversight. Yet the Court itself is not subject to any oversight, and has no enforceable rules of conduct, like everyone else in government. Justice then, is not blind, if the purveyors of it have a partisan agenda and no checks and balances on themselves. The right is constantly harping about activist leftist judges, but have themselves, between 2016 and 2020, managed to craft the most right leaning Supreme Court Majority in its history. The proof is in the gleeful attack on human rights and the promotion of property rights. The scandals surrounding the court, involving gifts, money, family members inappropriately using influence, and actions like flying the upside-down flag and a refusal to recuse. are further indications of inappropriate actions.
We must not let our guard down. We must be active mentally. Write letters, talk to people, and tell the truth without being confrontational or name calling. Most importantly, vote!
John Huot
JeffDems Chair
Donations Needed and Accepted
The Jefferson County Democratic Committee (JeffDems) is funded through donations (we do not get funding from the state). We rely on the generosity of local Democrats to enable all our initiatives, including an Office/HQ to function as “JeffDems Central” before the critical Fall Election. Please start a monthly recurring donation to JeffDems, large or small, using the ActBlue link below, or of course, one-time donation checks are welcome! Contribute so that your County Committee can do more on your behalf. Thank you!
“Jefferson County Democratic Committee”
c/o Steve Larchuk, Treasurer
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CALENDAR
* June 29 – July 6: Festival in the Park – Barclay Square, Punxsutawney
– We will, once again, be an exhibitor and will need volunteers to “man” the JeffDems booth.
* July 14 – July 20: Jefferson County Fair – County Fairgrounds, Brookville
– We will, once again, be an exhibitor and will need volunteers to “man” the JeffDems booth.
* August 23 – 24: Demstock 2024 @ The Butler County Farm Show Grounds
– More info will be coming soon. We may be purchasing a County Sponsorship, which will enable us to exhibit and receive an allotment of tickets for Saturday 8/23, and one overnight camping pass. Individual tickets can be purchased by going to demstock.net
* Picnic @ Nick’s: Date TBD
www.jeffdemspa.org
