SYCOPHANTIC SUCK-UP PERFORMANCE

Has there ever been a parallel in American history to match the sycophantic suck-up performance that occurred this afternoon (December 20, 2017) on the steps of the White House?

Nearly a dozen Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, fell all over themselves telling the world how tremendously awesome President Donald J. Trump is. Oh, and the just passed Tax Reform Law was good too. Did George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, or Ronald Reagan require such obsequious conduct?

Fellow Americans, something ain't right. Our current ultimate leader requires far too much coddling. And his immediate sub-leaders need backbone transplants. (Cranky would say they need to grow a pair but such language is no longer acceptable.)

TRUMP'S TRIUMPH

Many naysayers contend that President Trump hasn't accomplished squat in his almost first year in office. But there is one thing he certainly has accomplished. He has achieved what has apparently long been his goal. And that is to be the undisputed center of attention.

Has there ever been a more needy individual? At least one over the age of three? Remember his first public cabinet meeting when he went around the table virtually demanding accolades from the attendees?

The craving for attention explains his often erratic, irrational behavior. Who are you mostly likely to notice, the serious quiet individual trying to get something done, or the loud buffoon ranting and raving about nothing in particular?

Yes, we put a narcissistic self-infatuated showman in charge. And he's not gonna let us relax for a moment.     

ZERO TOLERANCE OR GRAB 'EM BY THE P___Y

In their unceasing effort to never agree on anything, our two political parties have ended up on opposite ends of the sexual harassment and assault spectrum.

Extreme Democrats have gone the zero tolerance route. Told an off-color joke in mixed company? Complimented an individual of the opposite sex on their appearance? Accidentally touched someone in a place he or she considers off-limits? Then at the very least you need to place yourself on a sexual predator watch-list.

On the other hand, extreme Republicans, particularly those who have achieved considerable political power, apparently view sexual harassment and assault as benefits of the job. Genitalia-grabbing? Assaulting teenage girls? Hey, you earned the right.

Maybe it's time for some new political parties.

GOVERNMENT OF THE RICH, BY THE RICH, FOR THE RICH

Many decades ago when Cranky was a history major, one historical situation puzzled him a bit. It involved the French Revolution in the waning years of the 18th Century. The thing that puzzled him was, what made the French common folk such blood-thirsty rascals? Yeah, they had some grievances, and yeah, it was long ago when people were maybe still imbibed with some primitive blood lust, but getting their kicks by cutting off the heads of their social and economic betters? Cranky just didn't quite get it.

Well, now in his waning years, Cranky is beginning to get it. The ascendancy of His Highness D.J. Trump to the Presidency of these United States and the obnoxious rich people he has surrounded himself with has shown Cranky that, under the proper circumstances, disliking the rich very much is an easy emotion to develop. Indeed, it is extremely hard to resist.

The latest evidence that the rich are obnoxious? The tax bills that the House and the Senate will likely soon combine into a monstrous financial goody gift for those at the top of the economic pyramid. And what will this goody gift have for the us peasants? A "tremendous" increase in the national debt, not to mention increased taxes for many poor and middle income taxpayers.

Maybe the guillotine wasn't such a bad idea after all.