Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Rejecting dogma of the left

By Vinton Today · October 12, 2020, 1:46 am

Re: Todd Dorman Cedar Rapids Gazette

Mr. Dorman:

I reject all leftist, Progressive, Marxist, Communist dogma. That also means I reject the new Democrat Party and its Communist leadership – Pelosi and Schumer including the Squad - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

I direct your attention to October’s issue of National Review – Against the 1619 Curriculum - by Stanley Kurtz.

Quoting, “What is to be done about the assault on America’s history and Founding principles embodied by the 1619 Project and the Woke revolution it has helped to launch? In the short term, the answer is to reelect President Trump. Although most conservatives understand this, a few still do not. Trump’s conservative opponents highlight his imperfections of character while downplaying the immensity of a cultural battle in which everything Americans value is now at stake. There has never been an election in which one party has so entirely rejected America’s founding story in favor of what is, in effect, a revolutionary repudiation of our system. American history is on the ballot in 2020, and with it the very survival of our founding principles."

In May of 1963, I graduated with a B.S. degree from Iowa State University and was also Commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Part of the oath of office I took stated that I would protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. I served active just five years, but that oath has no statute of limitations at my age of 79 summers that oath is still in effect. Also, we learned verbatim the Code of Conduct of the Armed Forces. Part of which stated, “I am an American Fighting Man, I serve in the forces that guard our Country and protect our way of life…” I believe in the code to this day as well.

President Trump is a fighter; a fighter in my corner. Thank God he came along when he did as we have been heading in the wrong path since the end of Ronald Reagan’s Presidency. He is rude, crude, insulting – his demeanor is nothing like any President before him, but in calling out the “old order” or the Swamp he is exactly what is needed. He has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. He moved our embassy to Jerusalem which has passed Congress but at least three previous Presidents failed to do. The critics all stated that War would happen, it didn’t. Two more Arab States now have diplomatic relations with Israel. Also said to be impossible without the Palestinians consent. I can just imagine what the Trumpser would have stated, “Why do we need them? They won’t agree to anything with Israel- an ‘end around is appropriate’ ”. Great job at diplomacy that no one else would have dared; other countries will follow. John Kerry stated that no peace would be possible without the Palestinians and Hamas. He was wrong like so many other things he has advocated.

One more time ---Egypt and Jordan were the only Middle East countries to have diplomatic relations with Israel; now two more, UAE and Bahrain. This is a remarkable diplomatic feat attained by the efforts of Jarod Kushner and President Trump! This team along with Sec State Michael R. Pompeo has gone around Conventional Wisdom in that “no peace can be achieved without Palestine and Hamas. I suspect that the team realized that Palestine and Hamas were obstacles to this achievement, so “What do we need them for?” – an end run, so to speak. More countries will come on board in the future further isolating Iran and its terrorist atrocities. No credit by MSM, or TV pundits, but three nominations for the Peace Prize.

A recent letter to the editor claimed 20,000 lies told by President Trump, with no mention of what they were or what they may have referred to. I don’t believe that figure for one second. What I do know is H. Clinton lied about the death of Ambassador Stevens and three other Americans at Benghazi, Libya. Susan Rice, President Obama affirmed the same mistruth. The other lies – The Affordable Care Act, was not affordable to many and mandated items covered, but also fined those who chose to not participate. Uranium one which placed north of 20% of our Uranium reserves in the hand of Vladimir Putin. The Iran Nuclear deal did not prevent Iran from refining yellow cake into weapons grade uranium. These are big lies so name three attributable to President Trump – small change or big deals? Plus the fact that billions of dollars were shipped undercover to Iran by the Obama Administration; did this money benefit the people of Iran or did they further sponsor terrorist groups or ship weaponry to Iraq and Afghanistan to kill Americans? Why on Earth would Pres. Obama do that – well, it was their money - oh geez make them come after it!!

No data on the lies, misinformation, misdirection of Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Maxine Watters no mention of the lack of ethics and the possible illegal behavior by Comey, Brennan, Clapper, Mueller and the whole Russian Collusion crowd; no mention of the lack of accomplishment of 47 years of political office by Joe Biden. Name one thing he has done that benefited the working class? Name one issue he has gotten right on foreign policy – just one thing. Nor has there been any mention of his many gaffes and racist insensitive remarks against minorities. The mainstream media and TV pundits cherry-picked Trump’s remarks – 20,000 lies not possible – good grief.

Also mobs of democrats advocated by Maxine Waters in the faces of normal people including Government Officials dining or in their own homes demanding allegiance to black lives matter or other liberal causes; shameful. “Show them they are not welcome.” Advocating anarchy and uncivilized behavior!

An important point – Trump was elected because he spoke to the working class that had been neglected by both parties for too long. Also, he provided a list of possible nominees to the Supreme Court. That meant something to a lot of Conservatives. Steel, pharmaceuticals and other manufacturing jobs went overseas, now due to tax reform and the ridding of cumbersome regulations, they are coming back.

President Trump has been wronged, slandered, and libeled by the mainstream media, pundits and opinion pages of The New York Times, Washington Post, L A Times and both the Gazette and Register. He can’t do anything right – Yee Gods! Oh yes, and wrongly impeached by hateful and wrongheaded Speaker Pelosi and Democrat Representatives. There was no bribery, no federal crimes. This was no more than a spiteful act by those swamp rats that were uncovered by an unrelenting New Yorker!!

What will be looking to if Biden/Harris wins in November?

Federal registry of all firearms now legally owned by law-abiding citizens.

Two Hundred dollar fee for all rifles and magazines of over ten rounds.

Packing the Supreme Court with liberal lawyers legislating from the bench.

Eliminate the Electoral College – disenfranchising lower population States.

Federal bailout of all blue states mismanaged state union worker pensions.

Redo a settled Court opinion requiring Little Sisters of the Poor to fund birth control and abortion drugs for their employees.

Sanctions on Iran, Russia and China will be eliminated or reduced.

Outsourcing of labor to China will be reinstated.

Economic, employment, and educational gains made by Blacks and other minorities under the Trump Administration will end.

Unrealized gains in pensions, IRAs, and 401(K)s will be taxed

Unsold assets will be taxed.

Gasoline powered vehicles will end having no value. Losses in the billions.

Wildfires in the Western States will continue until dead and diseased trees are removed.

Open borders to all, sanctuary cities balloon.

ICE and Border Patrol disbanded – Police Departments defunded or disbanded.

Medicare for all free? Private insurance no more – thousands unemployed.

Free tuition. Where is the money to come from?

Critical Race Theory gains more traction from the looney left. Just as looney as “white privilege” that does not exist.

Our Republic is at stake and I believe in great danger if Biden/Harris wins. Our first, second, fourth and fifth Amendments will be eliminated or weakened. I believe Joe will not survive as President more than two years; having Kamala Harris as President should terrify all Americans. Communism is on the Democrat ballot this election; I will do what I can as a dutiful law-abiding American to prevent that from happening.

Sincerely yours,

John R. Stiegelmeyer

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CKK October 15, 2020, 11:35 pm From the time this country was established we have valued free speech. Our people in and out of the military have struggled and fought to defend that right. Unfortunately, our airwaves are now filled day after miserable day with the booming voices of radio personalities that distort facts and sow conspiracy theories in order to make their financial fortunes larger than any we less verbally gifted people could ever aspire to. Sometimes they admit they are entertainers, not news people, but they don't admit it often enough. to prevent vulnerable people from being swept up in the fear, the pride, the excitement, the hate, the love...these people have made a soap opera out of the day to day facts that take place in our nation. US citizens used to be people - family members, workers, public servants, teachers, doctors, bricklayers, farmers - just people doing our best and trying to make our communities better. Now we are Marxists, Communists, Socialists, haters of democracy, haters of our country, and only God knows what else. Everything is a conspiracy, a plot, an ugly secret or some other destructive thing. I've learned this by listening to Rush Limbaugh, Shawn Hannity and the rest of them to the degree I can stand it. If you want to know what has happened to our country, just listen to Trump. Everything is a scam, a hoax, fake news: people are losers, suckers, horse faces, low IQ. If you want to know what has happened to our country,, turn on daytime radio for a week and hear the jabs to humiliate, demean, discredit, devalue, degrade... In the olden days we were taught not to talk like that, not to think like that, not to act like that. We treated our respectable leaders with respect and our neighbors with dignity. My best hope is that we will wise up and shut off the radio and propagandist television. All they do is make us crazy...suspicious, angry, paranoid, and all that goes with it. I don't claim to be a saint. I'm one of those Commie-Marxist-socialist-America hating, horse-faced hags that Trump wouldn't sleep with (thank God!!!!) But really, as long as we allow these windbags to abuse their right to free speech and victimize well-meaning people just to make mountains of money, how can average citizens enjoy our right to happiness?

JS October 14, 2020, 9:29 pm Thank you John and Gerald for saying the things that I'd like to. Whatever happened to the America and Vinton that I grew up in???

GB October 13, 2020, 11:42 pm Great read John. Unlike some of our colorful friends from the Socialist Party (formally Democratic Party) who crawl out from under their rocks to spout their hatred for President Trump which blinds them to reality... I am glad to read you're writing. Please keep doing it. Do not be discouraged by a handful of uninformed Liberals who clearly can't stand to exist in their own skin without pouring and crying their opinions out on to others while presenting them as facts. As Vice President Pence told Kremlin Karmala in the debate, they are entitled to their opinions, they are NOT entitled to their facts when they do not hold up to truth and "real" events.. Biden doesn't even know what state he is in most of the time. He has been in Washington spouting his propaganda for like 47 years! He is a part of the problem! Biden, Schumer and even Fruitcake Pelosi were there when Ronald Reagan was president, blaming him for everything wrong with the country! Those oxygen thieves are still there, spouting the same garbage! It does not take a mental giant to know exactly where the problem is... Drain the damn swamp! Keep draining it until the rats have nowhere else to hide. Just remember it wasn't that long ago that Mr. Linsey was comparing Antifa to the men who hit the beaches at Normandy. That alone speaks volumes for being "informed" MAGA 2020

TP October 12, 2020, 9:46 pm Thank you, John! Spot on!

SL October 12, 2020, 8:54 pm John, youre scaring all the moderates and hurting your future. Utter destruction from the fringes means rejection. Do you wish for mental rehabilitation centers for those who disagree with you even slightly?? You have my thought and prayers..

NG October 12, 2020, 8:32 pm How about this John? The Democratic Governor of Michigan was about to be kidnapped and who knows what would have happened to her after that. The FBI was able to stop the plan and protect her. Following is what Joe Biden said about talking to Governor Whitmer. Did the president of the United States call her to offer his gratitude that she was ok? Of course he didn't, but why not? Was it because he didn't give a damn? Was it because she was she was a Democrat and he really hates Democrats that much that he doesn't care if they live or die. If you remember when Covid-19 first started it started it was in New York and Massachusetts and trump and Kushner decided not to try to stop it because it was in Democratic states so they just let it go. They didn't care about Democrats dying. Well they obviously didn't care about Gretchen Whitmer either but Joe Biden cares about Democrats and Republicans and he will care about you too John, even you. Joe Biden Earlier today, I spoke with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. I am grateful that she and her family are safe, and I commend the FBI and other law enforcement officers for their work to prevent this deranged act by emboldened domestic terrorists. As a nation, we are at a crossroads. We have come to a point where, despite our shock, we are not surprised that such a heinous plot was even conceived — a plot by Americans to blow up a bridge on American soil, threaten the lives of police officers and other law enforcement officials, and kidnap an American leader, take her hostage, and stage a mock trial for treason. It’s the kind of twisted plot we expect from ISIS, but now it’s here at home. The words of a president matter. They can move markets. They can bring peace. They can bring war. They can heal divisions or incite violence. When Governor Whitmer worked to protect the people of her state from a deadly pandemic, and saved countless lives, President Trump issued a call to “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” That call was heard. When protesters with Swastikas and Confederate flags, nooses, and assault rifles descended on Michigan’s capitol echoing the President’s own refrain to “lock her up,” President Trump called them “very good people.” He was heard, just as he was heard by neo-Nazis in Charlottesville three years ago, and again last week, when he told the extremist Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by." There is a throughline from President Trump’s dog whistles and tolerance of hate, vengeance, and lawlessness to plots such as this one. He is giving oxygen to the bigotry and hate we see on the march in our country. We have to stop it. I just spoke a few days ago in Gettysburg about the cost of division in this country and the need to stand up and shut down violence and hate. The moment has come. We need to come together for the country I know, for the country you know. We need to make our voice heard. Vote.

RB October 12, 2020, 5:17 pm Whenever I need to be amused I read you delusional letters to the editor. Never witnessed anyone so far out there. True is a corrupt conman that will be in jail soon. Maybe you can be a pen pal with him while he is in prison! lol

RR October 12, 2020, 3:55 pm I agree John! I think Trump could have accomplished a lot more good things if he would have had Democrats that wanted to work on finding answers to real problems not wasting 4 years trying to kick Trump out. Pelosi needs to be out of there. As far as lies...haven't saw a politician in Washington yet that doesn't lie about something.

DB October 12, 2020, 3:23 pm What does the Republican Party stand for? Every time they have owned the Presidency, our deficits have ballooned to records. So much for fiscal conservancy. Bill Clinton left office with record surpluses only to see George W. Bush squander it away on a war that was not really necessary. Not saying Saddam Hussein was not evil, but he did not pose the threat that was presented to put us into a war that we are still waging. Trump was elected President, and we live in democracy and he is our President. He has done more to destroy the Republican Party and the results of the 2020 elections could reverberate for years. What was the first thing Trump did, offer a tax cut that was supposed to help the middle class, but it did not and only made the richest of our nation even richer. There is only one way to fight deficits, cut spending and raise taxes. There is no trickle down, it is a dream that has never come true. Nobody wants a President to fail, but Trump will go down as one of the worst, no question about in my lifetime. You cry about collusion and hoaxes, how many convictions have been under his watch? He was going to drain the swamp, he only added more creatures to it. Both parties are supposed to represent us the people and they only care about their special interests and getting re-elected year after year. One the American people would go for is term limits, but neither party will ever let that happen as they have it so good. It would pass with flying colors. John, your post is your opinion and you are entitled to believe that you say. Maybe some will agree with and maybe they won't. You believe that President Trump does not lie, again your opinion. He may speak a language you understand, but there is large part of the United States electorate that disagree with your view. 2020 elections are a month away, the House will stay Blue, the Senate could flip and it is looking like Biden might be our next President, of course that is my opinion. Elections have consequences and this one is shaping up to be a battle royal. The mere fact that we can have this discussion is what makes this a great country. John, you have your opinion and I have mine and we will see where the chips fall in 3 weeks and a day, if not a bit later due to the mail in voting that could delay some actual results.

DL October 12, 2020, 1:24 pm Oh John. You think you're quite the prognosticator, don't you? You are just adding to the fear mongering of white supremacists, KKK, buggalo boys, proud boys, and the mafia chief that you're defending. One might think that you support all of them. Since you believe everything that a 74 year old, lifelong con artist, I guess it could be believed that you do support them. You say that it's not possible for 20,000 lies and misinformation to be spoken, in 4 years time. But, we've all been witness to it. The Washington Post has a spread sheet that lists every one of them, and links to the source of every word that has come from his mouth and/or fingers.