Time for Constitutional Amendments

In Today's The New Yorker (@newyorker), Jeffrey A. Frank (@jeffreyafrank) asks:

"What If A President Loses Control?"

The article discuss the U.S. Constitution and reminds us that the 25th Amendment exists as a contingency plan in case a President becomes incapacitated or is unable to perform duties competently.

Jeffrey Frank cites Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, who believed the framers purposely ignored the issue because “almost any means created its own problems and that therefore the matter was to be left to the pressure of events whenever the contingency arose.”

Frankfurter wrote, “I need hardly add that there were no keener, more resourceful draftsmen than Hamilton and Madison,” so they must have “concluded to leave the matter in the undefined form in which it now stands.”

Alexander Hamilton clearly expressed this as his view in 1788. He believed our Constitution must be written in the most general of terms because of their permanency. Too much specificity would limit the scope of the document. Hamilton knew the Founders could not possibly anticipate how society might evolve over the ensuing centuries.

Just as humans should be receptive to and capable of change, the Constitution must similarly be both mutable and malleable, to wit, a living and breathing document that evolves in response to new information and the changing times.

Interpretation of the Constitution would be influenced by, and reflect the views and mores of each generation, necessitating amendments to more accurately address a transforming society's needs.

This is why our Constitution must be considered a living document. 

With that, I challenge Jeffrey Frank's assertion that "the Electoral College is unlikely to be changed—at least not any time soon; the Founders made it difficult to tamper with their extraordinarily durable, imperfect document."

As we know, Congress has thought it fit to "tamper with" the Constitution; there are 27 Amendments to date. The first 10 were written in 1791 as our Bill of Rights, addended to the original document. As soon as the Founders drafted the Constitution, several states demanded greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, thus invoking specific prohibitions on governmental power.

In response, James Madison drafted The Bill of Rights.

Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment 2: A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment 3: No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment 4: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment 5: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment 6: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment 7: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment 8: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment 9: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment 10: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Since then, the Constitution has been amended 17 more times.

1795 – Amendment 11: Makes states immune from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not living within state borders; lays foundation for sovereign immunity.

1804 – Amendment 12: Revises presidential election procedures. (Changes to Electoral College.)

1865 – Amendment 13: Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

*It took Congress over 70 years to free Blacks from slavery.

1868 – Amendment 14: Defines citizenship, contains Privileges or Immunities Clause, Due Process Clause, Equal Protection Clause, and deals with post-Civil War issues.

1870 – Amendment 15: Prohibits denial of right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

1913 – Amendment 16: Permits Congress to levy income tax without apportioning it among states or basing it on United States Census.

1913 – Amendment 17: Establishes direct election of United States Senators by popular vote.

*The 16th and 17th Amendments were both

passed by Congress for their own benefit

Notice that they are elected by popular vote!

1919 – Amendment 18: Prohibited manufacturing or sale of alcohol within United States. (Repealed December 5, 1933)

*The 18th Amendment began a 14-year period of Prohibition, 

imposing morality via legislation.

1920 – Amendment 19: Prohibits denial of right to vote based on sex.

*It took Congress over 120 years to give Women the right to vote.

1933 – Amendment 20: Changes the date on which the terms of the President and Vice President (January 20) and Senators and Representatives (January 3) end and begin.

1933 – Amendment 21: Repeals 18th Amendment, but makes it a federal offense to transport or import intoxicating liquors into US states and territories where such transport or importation is prohibited by laws of those states and territories.

*The 21st Amendment lifts ban on Alcohol/Liquor,

but imposes interstate regulations.

1951 – Amendment 22: Limits number of times a person can be elected president: a person cannot be elected president more than twice, and a person who served more than two years of term to which someone else was elected cannot be elected more than once.

*Interestingly, a Republican-controlled Congress passed 

the 22nd Amendment to limit the terms of a President after FDR,

but have not imposed a limit to how many times they can be elected.

George Washington believed in limiting the terms of a President. 

A friend urged him to come out of retirement in 1799 to run for a third term.

In light of the phenomena of multiple political parties, Washington responded:

"The line between Parties" had become "so clearly drawn"

that politicians "regard neither truth nor decency; 

attacking every character without respect to persons

-- public or private -- who differ from themselves in Politics."

1961 – Amendment 23: Grants District of Columbia electors (the number of electors being equal to the least populous state) in Electoral College.

1964 – Amendment 24: Prohibits revocation of voting rights due to non-payment of a poll tax or any other tax.

1967 – Amendment 25: Addresses succession to Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in office of Vice President, as well as responding to Presidential disabilities.

*The 25th Amendment has been discussed of late as a possible option 

for removing Donald Trump, due to his being viewed as having severe 

psychological, emotional, intellectual, and behavioral disabilities.

The Amendment is an option when "the President is unable

to discharge the powers and duties of his office." 

It was enacted in response to the assassination

of President John F. Kennedy.

1971 – Amendment 26: Prohibits denial of right of US citizens, eighteen years of age or older, to vote on account of age.

1992 – Amendment 27: Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after next election of representatives.

*The 27th Amendment was submitted for ratification in 1789.

But it took over 200 years, because

Congress didn't want a law that would
limit increasing their own salaries.

As you can see, the Constitution has been amended twice with respect to the Electoral College. In 1804, the 12th Amendment replaced the procedure provided in Article II, Section 1, Clause 3. Then in 1961, the 23rd Amendment gave the District of Columbia its own electors, effectively considering it a state for the purpose of voting. 

Precedent has been set that the Constitution can be amended with respect to the Electoral College. As we learned in 2000 and 2016, it no longer accurately represents the wishes of the majority of voters. It no longer serves the best interests of the American people. It is no longer effective or fair given the distribution of our population.

Twenty-five years have passed since the last Constitutional Amendment. It is time for the Constitution to once again be amended. The Electoral College must be abolished at once via Constitutional Amendment.

While we are amending the Constitution, this additional Amendment is requested by "We the People" of these United States of America. Such Amendment shall mandate that all Presidential candidates:

Release 20 years of tax returns to the public for examination at least four (4) weeks prior to a Primary election.

Undergo physical and psychiatric examinations by an independent panel of physicians, releasing those medical reports to the public for review at least four (4) weeks prior to a Primary election;

Submit to a full background check (including any foreign ties or interests) and lie detector test, with the results being made available to the public for review at least four (4) weeks prior to a General election; and 

Provide proof they have divested themselves fully of any and all holdings and/or personal, financial, or business conflicts of interest, by either placing their assets in a true "blind trust," or selling off all interests in same, at least one month prior to Inauguration.

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The Art of Political Lying

"Falsehood flies, 
and the Truth comes limping after it." 
~ Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)

I, like many, attributed the quote about a lie traveling around the world faster than the truth can catch up, to Mark Twain. As it turns out, I was wrong. Jonathan Swift wrote about this over 300 years ago. And before Swift, Ovid wrote about rumors almost 2000 years ago in 8 A.D.

QuoteInvestigator.com states: "Metaphorical maxims about the speedy dissemination of lies and the much slower propagation of corrective truths have a very long history."

Excerpt from The Examiner No. XIV
by Jonathan Swift Thursday, November 9th, 1710

"Besides, as the vilest Writer has his Readers, so the greatest Liar has his Believers; and it often happens, that if a Lie be believ’d only for an Hour, it has done its Work, and there is no farther occasion for it. Falsehood flies, and the Truth comes limping after it; so that when Men come to be undeceiv’d, it is too late; the Jest is over, and the Tale has had its Effect…"

This brings me to the greatest Liar of them all -- Donald J. Trump.
On January 1, 2017, the Associated Press (AP) ran this:

Trump expected to embrace bold use of Twitter

Incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer says he expects President-elect Donald Trump will boldly use Twitter to make major policy announcements. 

Trump was scolded by foreign policy experts last month when he used Twitter as the venue to say that the U.S. should greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capacity until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nuclear weapons.

Spicer said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that he thinks it freaks the mainstream media out that Trump has more than 45 million people following him on social media. He says Trump doesn't need to funnel his comments through mainstream media outlets. 

Spicer says when Trump tweets, he gets results.

Sadly, Sean Spicer exaggerates as much as Trump. For example, he claims that Trump has "45 million people following him." It took me all of five seconds to look at Trump's Twitter page. He has only 18.4 million followers, less than half of Spicer's claim. It's also relevant to note that a considerable number of followers may be fake accounts created by Russian "bots." Many others are not fans, but rather, Democrats and concerned Americans (like me) keeping a close eye on him.

The translation of Spicer's statement that Trump "doesn't need to funnel his comments" through media? Trump can use Twitter to disseminate lies and have them spread before anyone can debunk them.

I also take exception to Spicer's use of the adverb "boldly." There is nothing bold about Trump's use of Twitter to avoid being challenged by the media. More truthful adverbs might be: timorously, deceptively, and manipulatively.

*   *   *   *   *

In the year 8 A.D., the Roman poet, Ovid, wrote a Latin narrative poem titled "Metamorphoses." It is considered his magnum opus, comprised of 15 books and over 250 myths. The poem is a hybrid of myth and history, chronicling the history of the world beginning with the time of its creation up to the deification of Julius Caesar. 

Ovid's Bk XII:39-63 The House of Rumour

There is a place at the centre of the World, between the zones of earth, sea, and sky, at the boundary of the three worlds.  From here, whatever exists is seen, however far away, and every voice reaches listening ears. Rumour lives there, choosing a house for herself on a high mountain summit, adding innumerable entrances, a thousand openings, and no doors to bar the threshold. It is open night and day: and is all of sounding bronze. All rustles with noise, echoes voices, and repeats what is heard. There is no peace within: no silence anywhere. Yet there is no clamour, only the subdued murmur of voices, like the waves of the sea, if you hear them far off, or like the sound of distant thunder when Jupiter makes the dark clouds rumble. 

Crowds fill the hallways: a fickle populace comes and goes, and, mingling truth randomly with fiction, a thousand rumours wander, and confused words circulate. Of these, some fill idle ears with chatter, others carry tales, and the author adds something new to what is heard. Here is Credulity, here is rash Error, empty Delight, and alarming Fear, sudden Sedition, and Murmurings of doubtful origin. Rumour herself sees everything that happens in the heavens, throughout the ocean, and on land, and inquires about everything on earth.

*   *   *   *   *

Here now is the full text of Swift's magnificent essay on the Art of Political Lying. It is prefaced by his poem, derivative of and inspired by Ovid's Bk XII:39-63 The House of Rumour (just above):

The Examiner No. XIV

by Jonathan Swift Thursday, November 9th, 1710

E quibus hi vacuas implent sermonibus aures,
Hi narrata ferunt alio: mensuraque ficti
Crescit, et auditis aliquid novus adjicit auctor.
Illic Credulitas, illic temerarius Error,
Vanaque Laetitia est, consternatigue Timores,
Seditioque recens, dubioque auctore Susurri.

With idle tales this fills our empty ears;
The next reports what from the first he hears;
The rolling fictions grow in strength and size,
Each author adding to the former lies.
Here vain credulity, with new desires,
Leads us astray, and groundless joy inspires;
The dubious whispers, tumults fresh designed,
And chilling fears astound the anxious mind. — Ovid, Metamorphoses. xii. 61.

I AM prevailed on, through the importunity of friends, to interrupt the scheme I had begun in my last paper, by an Essay upon the Art of Political Lying. We are told the devil is the father of lies, and was a liar from the beginning; so that, beyond contradiction, the invention is old: and, which is more, his first Essay of it was purely political, employed in undermining the authority of his prince, and seducing a third part of the subjects from their obedience: for which he was driven down from Heaven, where (as Milton expresses it) he had been viceroy of a great western province; and forced to exercise his talent in inferior regions among other fallen spirits, poor or deluded men, whom he still daily tempts to his own sin, and will ever do so, till he be chained in the bottomless pit.	1
But although the devil be the father of lies, he seems, like other great inventors, to have lost much of his reputation, by the continual improvements that have been made upon him.	2
Who first reduced lying into an art, and adapted it to politics, is not so clear from history, although I have made some diligent inquiries. I shall therefore consider it only according to the modern system, as it has been cultivated these twenty years past in the southern part of our own island.	3
The poets tell us, that after the giants were overthrown by the gods, the earth in revenge produced her last offspring which was Fame. And the fable is thus interpreted: that when tumults and seditions are quieted, rumours and false reports are plentifully spread through a nation. So that, by this account, lying is the last relief of a routed, earth-born, rebellious party in a state. But here the moderns have made great additions, applying this art to the gaining of power and preserving it, as well as revenging themselves after they have lost it; as the same instruments are made use of by animals to feed themselves when they are hungry, and to bite those that tread upon them.	4
But the same genealogy cannot always be admitted for political lying; I shall therefore desire to refine upon it, by adding some circumstances of its birth and parents. A political lie is sometimes born out of a discarded statesman’s head, and thence delivered to be nursed and dandled by the rabble. Sometimes it is produced a monster, and licked into shape: at other times it comes into the world completely formed, and is spoiled in the licking. It is often born an infant in the regular way, and requires time to mature it; and often it sees the light in its full growth, but dwindles away by degrees. Sometimes it is of noble birth; and sometimes the spawn of a stock-jobber. Here it screams aloud at the opening of the womb; and there it is delivered with a whisper. I know a lie that now disturbs half the kingdom with its noise, which, although too proud and great at present to own its parents, I can remember its whisperhood. To conclude the nativity of this monster; when it comes into the world without a sting, it is still-born; and whenever it loses its sting, it dies.	5
No wonder if an infant so miraculous in its birth should be destined for great adventures: and accordingly we see it hath been the guardian spirit of a prevailing party for almost twenty years. It can conquer kingdoms without fighting, and sometimes with the loss of a battle. It gives and resumes employments; can sink a mountain to a mole-hill, and raise a mole-hill to a mountain: hath presided for many years at committees of elections; can wash a blackmoor white; make a saint of an atheist, and a patriot of a profligate; can furnish foreign ministers with intelligence, and raise or let fall the credit of the nation. This goddess flies with a huge looking-glass in her hands, to dazzle the crowd, and make them see, according as she turns it, their ruin in their interest, and their interest in their ruin. In this glass you will behold your best friends, clad in coats powdered with fleurs de lis, and triple crowns; their girdles hung round with chains, and beads, and wooden shoes; and your worst enemies adorned with the ensigns of liberty, property, indulgence, moderation, and a cornucopia in their hands. Her large wings, like those of a flying-fish, are of no use but while they are moist; she therefore dips them in mud, and soaring aloft scatters it in the eyes of the multitude, flying with great swiftness; but at every turn is forced to stoop in dirty ways for new supplies.	6
I have been sometimes thinking, if a man had the art of the second sight for seeing lies, as they have in Scotland for seeing spirits, how admirably he might entertain himself in this town, by observing the different shapes, sizes, and colours of those swarms of lies which buzz about the heads of some people, like flies about a horse’s ears in summer; or those legions hovering every afternoon in Exchange-alley, enough to darken the air; or over a club of discontented grandees, and thence sent down in cargoes to be scattered at elections.	7
There is one essential point wherein a political liar differs from others of the faculty, that he ought to have but a short memory, which is necessary, according to the various occasions he meets with every hour of differing from himself, and swearing to both sides of a contradiction, as he finds the persons disposed with whom he hath to deal. In describing the virtues and vices of mankind, it is convenient, upon every article, to have some eminent person in our eye, from whom we copy our description. I have strictly observed this rule, and my imagination this minute represents before me a certain great man famous for this talent, to the constant practice of which he owes his twenty years’ reputation of the most skilful head in England, for the management of nice affairs. The superiority of his genius consists in nothing else but an inexhaustible fund of political lies, which he plentifully distributes every minute he speaks, and by an unparalleled generosity forgets, and consequently contradicts, the next half hour. He never yet considered whether any proposition were true or false, but whether it were convenient for the present minute or company to affirm or deny it; so that if you think fit to refine upon him, by interpreting everything he says, as we do dreams, by the contrary, you are still to seek, and will find yourself equally deceived whether you believe or not: the only remedy is to suppose, that you have heard some inarticulate sounds, without any meaning at all; and besides, that will take off the horror you might be apt to conceive at the oaths, wherewith he perpetually tags both ends of every proposition; although, at the same time, I think he cannot with any justice be taxed with perjury, when he invokes God and Christ, because he hath often fairly given public notice to the world that he believes in neither.	8
Some people may think, that such an accomplishment as this can be of no great use to the owner, or his party, after it has been often practised, and is become notorious; but they are widely mistaken. Few lies carry the inventor’s mark, and the most prostitute enemy to truth may spread a thousand, without being known for the author: besides, as the vilest writer hath his readers, so the greatest liar hath his believers: and it often happens, that if a lie be believed only for an hour, it hath done its work, and there is no further occasion for it. Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect: like a man, who hath thought of a good repartee when the discourse is changed, or the company parted; or like a physician, who hath found out an infallible medicine, after the patient is dead. *   *   *   *   * From the Letters of Thomas Jefferson [written to Peter Carr on August 19, 1785] "It is of great importance to set a resolution, not to be shaken,  never to tell an untruth. There is no vice so mean, so pitiful,  so contemptible; and he who permits himself to tell a lie once,  finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length  it becomes habitual; he tells lies without attending to it,  and truths without the world's believing him.  This falsehood of the tongue leads to that of the heart,  and in time depraves all its good dispositions."

Keeping Our Power

“If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be

in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.” ~ James Madison

I titled this post, "Keeping Our Power," and I mean it both metaphorically and literally. 

A few days ago, I was on the phone discussing Trump and Russia with a friend, and shared my prediction that something like this (see 12/30/16 WAPO article) was imminent.

Article in Washington Post on December 30, 2016

The Power of One Voice

"Just One Voice... singing in the darkness

All it takes is One Voice singing so they hear what's on your mind

And when you look around you'll find there's more than One Voice

Singing in the darkness... joining with your One Voice

Each and every note another octave... 

Hands are joined and fears unlocked

If only One Voice would start it on its own

We need just One Voice facing the unknown,

And that One Voice would never be alone

It takes that One Voice." ~ Barry Manilow

My lifelong crush, Barry Manilow, wrote that beautiful anthem with a message that is incredibly relevant right now. Oh, what I wouldn't give to record an album with Barry. I've been told I'm a pretty good singer. People often ask why I didn't pursue a career in music (fodder for another day), or why I don't sing publicly anymore (mudder for another).

Well, consider this my formal announcement that I'm willing to dust off my vocal cords to sing at Donald Trump's Inauguration. Yes, I just said that.

But first, I have some conditions. After all, divas and rock stars have lists of requirements for their dressing rooms. So why should I be any different? But don't worry. I'm not asking for water from the Nile or anything exotic. I think what I'm asking for is rather reasonable, all things considered.

Electoral College Rules - How Clinton Can Win

"The supreme quality for leadership is

unquestionably integrity." ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

The Constitution's 12th Amendment describes the Electoral College rules. It also addresses a scenario in which no candidate reaches 270 Electoral College votes.

Following is the text of the U.S. Constitution's 12th Amendment (emphasis mine):

"The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;

--The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; 

--the person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President.

But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. 

And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.  

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed,

and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."

Okay. I know that was a lot to take in. It sounds more complicated than it is, which is why I separated the paragraphs and added color to help your eye find the relevant section. First, let me explain the math.

There are a total of 538 available Electoral Votes; hence, 538 Electors who will vote on December 19. Right now, Trump has 306 votes and Clinton has 232 votes = 538 Electoral Votes. So why is 270 is the magic number? 

538 ÷ 2 = 269. So with two candidates, each getting 269 would make it a tie. Therefore, 270 breaks the tie, giving one candidate the majority of the votes.

Are you with me so far?

• Scenario A: If 37 leave Trump and go to Clinton, both candidates will have 269, creating a tie, and the House of Representatives will become the final arbiter.
• Scenario B: If 38 leave Trump and go to Clinton, Trump drops to 268 and Clinton gets 270, the magic number -- and Clinton becomes our first woman President.

But recently, a GOP Elector announced he will not give his vote to Trump. This means that Scenarios A and B are unlikely. What if 37 leave Trump and give their votes to some "other" candidate?

Clinton would still have her 232, "Other" would have 37, and Trump would have 269. And again the House of Representatives would become the final arbiter.

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, 

and you may cherish the sweetest reflection 

that your vote is never lost." ~ John Quincy Adams

On a personal note, I cling to the belief that many GOP Electors recognize Trump as temperamentally unfit to be president. He lacks integrity, sound judgment, and experience. He behaves recklessly and without forethought, endangering our nation's stability. Putting him in the White House would be a catastrophic mistake for our country and the world. It is my hope that the Electors will put principles above party and not vote for Trump. If they do not feel comfortable crossing party lines and giving their votes to Clinton, then voting for Kasich would likely be embraced by both parties.

Note: If a constitutional attorney/expert reviews this post and says my interpretation is flawed, I will revise and update this post to ensure it is accurate.

*Scroll to the bottom of the page to read my Disclaimer.

Important Message from an Elector

"Constitutions should consist only of general provisions . . .  they cannot

calculate for the possible change of things." ~ Alexander Hamilton

Watch the Following Video About Electoral College 
Then Share Repeatedly Until December 19!

Insomniac Seeks Refuge

In its early stages, insomnia is almost an oasis in which those who
have to think or suffer darkly take refuge. ~ Sidonie Gabrielle Collete

Okay, I'm going to babble incoherently now. I begin writing this at 4:00am because I can't sleep. Waiting for a sleeping pill to kick in. I'm sitting at my desk, talking to myself as I look at Trump's fat smug face in post after post on Twitter, and I'm saying aloud: "I can't believe he's the fucking president of the United States." I'm saying it over and over in disbelief.

Debunking False Information on the Internet

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while

the truth is putting on its shoes.” ~ Mark Twain

SIGH. Is anyone else annoyed having to perpetually debunk false info on Twitter and the Internet? Twain said the above quote never anticipating technology. Here's the timeline related to a blogger's "article" about the now thrice-cancelled (alleged) rape case against Donald Trump:

Mental Health: No Laughing Matter

I've been remiss in keeping this blog current due to my never-ending bouts of depression, so it's fitting that my first post after a hiatus is about Mental Illness. I was inspired to discuss this issue specifically because of glaring defects in Donald Trump's character which suggest he has Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), discussed below. 

Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional and carry no medical license. My comments about Trump are not a diagnosis. This is all just an educated guess given his words, his behavior, and his personality.

Let's start with this sobering statistic. According to time-to-change.org.uk:

I'll put it right out there and risk being vulnerable. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally disabled. I suffer from debilitating depression to the point where I battle suicidal ideation. I often have the "what's the point in living" talk with myself. The thing that keeps me from ending my life is my wonderful dog. Without her, I wouldn't be able to function.

I have Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder. This means my depression is not situational. Even when things are going well in my life (which is rare), I'm still depressed. Chronically.

The condition is not seasonal. While some people living in the Pacific Northwest have what's known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, where dark gloomy months affect their mood, I don't have that. I lived in Southern California for 26 years where it's sunny most of the time, and was still battling depression all the time.

Also, my depression does not magically go away with therapy or medication. I've tried pretty much everything that's out there. My psychiatrist and I have even tried "cocktails" mixing two different medicines to see if it boosts me somehow. The SSRI's have included generic versions of Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Oleptro, and even Prozac. Whether I suffered from bad side effects or no effects at all, nothing's worked.

Recently we tried the newest med on the market, Trintellix, but I had negative side effects within days -- rash, itching, instant weight gain, and it put me into a darker place than I was without it. So I'm back on Wellbutrin SR 150mg. It doesn't really lift me up, but at least I'm not in what I call "the basement."

Depression is something I have struggled with since childhood and it will plague me for the rest of my life. For most people, their "lows" are my normal. My "highs" are their normal.

It's also come to light that I have Complex PTSD, thanks to being abused by mother for my entire childhood, teen years, and even into adulthood. It's characterized by experiencing chronic victimization and total control by another for a prolonged period (months to years).

I also have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Symptoms include severe insomnia, along with feeling as though I've been hit by a truck. (Not that I know what being hit by a truck feels like, but I can imagine.) I have massive chronic body pain and fatigue. This makes me more depressed. And as I'm depressed, I'm sedentary, causing an endless cycle of sadness, pain, and fatigue. As if that weren't enough to battle daily, I suffer from a litany of other physical health problems, which I will refrain from documenting as they are not relevant here but, believe me, they are often debilitating and hinder day-to-day functioning.

This blog post was prompted by a comment I saw on social media about Donald Trump. Some people are confusing two different personality disorders: BPD (Borderline) vs NPD (Narcissistic).

Saying that Trump has BPD does a tremendous disservice to those who actually have BPD. The label is thrown around because of the unfortunate word "borderline." The origin of BPD is that people with it were seen as being on the "borderline" between neurosis and psychosis. That label is undergoing revision in order to more properly address its symptoms.

See http://www.borderlinepersonalitytreatment.com/bpd-name-change.html

People with BPD are misunderstood because people misuse the term. I saw an episode of "Criminal Minds" in which the writers irresponsibly and incorrectly labeled a serial killer character as having BPD, thereby perpetuating misconceptions about the illness. 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/basics/symptoms/con-20023204

Signs and symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder may include:

•        Intense fear of abandonment, even going to extreme measures to avoid real or imagined separation or rejection
•        Pattern of unstable intense relationships, such as idealizing someone one moment and then suddenly believing the person doesn't care enough or is cruel  
•        Rapid changes in self-identity and self-image that include shifting goals and values, and seeing yourself as bad or as if you don't exist at all
•        Periods of stress-related paranoia and loss of contact with reality, lasting from a few minutes to a few hours
•        Impulsive and risky behavior, such as gambling, reckless driving, unsafe sex, spending sprees, binge eating or drug abuse, or sabotaging success by suddenly quitting a good job or ending a positive relationship
•        Suicidal threats or behavior or self-injury, often in response to fear of separation or rejection
•        Wide mood swings lasting from a few hours to a few days, which can include intense happiness, irritability, shame or anxiety
•        Ongoing feelings of emptiness
•        Inappropriate, intense anger, such as frequently losing your temper, being sarcastic or bitter, or having physical fights

Females are diagnosed about three times as often as males. People with BPD have abandonment issues and tend to come from highly abusive childhoods. There is instability in relationships and employment, and those with it have a hard time regulating their emotions.

Wikipedia correctly writes: 

"Borderline personality disorder (BPD), also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder, is a long-term pattern of abnormal behavior characterized by unstable relationships with other people, unstable sense of self, and unstable emotions. There is often an extreme fear of abandonment, frequent dangerous behavior, a feeling of emptiness, and self-harm. Symptoms may be brought on by seemingly normal events. The behavior typically begins by early adulthood, and occurs across a variety of situations. Substance abuse, depression, and eating disorders are commonly associated with BPD. About 10% of those with BPD die by suicide."

"In Marsha Linehan's view, the sensitivity, intensity, and duration with which people with BPD feel emotions have both positive and negative effects. People with BPD are often exceptionally enthusiastic, idealistic, joyful, and loving. However, they may feel overwhelmed by negative emotions ("anxiety, depression, guilt/shame, worry, anger, etc."), experiencing intense grief instead of sadness, shame and humiliation instead of mild embarrassment, rage instead of annoyance, and panic instead of nervousness."

Now, when you read the above, do you think of Donald Trump? Of course not! That is why I was dismayed to see screenwriter Callie Khouri on Twitter saying that Trump has BPD. If one were to make an armchair diagnosis of Trump, it is more likely to be Narcissistic Personality Disorder, since he has all of the markers. 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/basics/symptoms/con-20025568

The DSM-5 criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder include these features:

•        Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
•        Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
•        Exaggerating your achievements and talents
•        Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
•        Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
•        Requiring constant admiration
•        Having a sense of entitlement
•        Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
•        Taking advantage of others to get what you want
•        Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
•        Being envious of others and believing others envy you
•        Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner

Now that sounds like Donald Trump, doesn't it? 

It's important we remove the stigma of "mental illness" and "personality disorders." Whether someone has a chemical imbalance, or their "wiring" is frayed due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g. abusive histories), they have an illness that is just as real and valid as any physical challenge. If you have a physical illness such as diabetes, people don't judge or reject you. But if you have a mental illness, you're treated like a pariah. 

People with mental illnesses need compassion, understanding, and acceptance. While some celebrities have gone very public with their mental health stories, such as Demi Lovato and Carrie Fisher and Richard Dreyfuss with bipolar disorder, there are millions out there suffering in silence, afraid of being judged, ridiculed, and rejected.

So... Be kind to others. It costs nothing.