From Bipartisan Governance to Election Politics in the White House, US Congress and US States and Territories
Julie Ann Racino
Cornell and Syracuse University Alumni
jar329@cornell.edu
August 29, 2020
Democrats and Republicans, the two major political parties in the US, held their "virtual conventions" for the 4 year US Presidential Elections. For most governments in the US, the goal of bipartisanship, often marked by Congressional gridlock, has reached an impasse post the impeachment proceedings of the Democrats against the Republican Trump Administration.
As many know, the new face of the Democratic Party is shaping in the US as the eras of Kennedy, Clinton, Carter and Cuomo politics reached the Obama generations. While the Nation has always heard of the evangelical right in the Republican Party, today the new Democrats are often considered controlled by the (far) left wing of the party, including Sander's constituencies. The 2016 Tea Party of Sarah Palin, and the Bush Republicans (late Pres. George H.W. Bush, and Pres. George W. Bush) which dominated the US Presidency were dwarfed by the Trumpian politics, Republican administration.
In August 2020, the Democratic Party nominated Joseph R. Biden as their Presidential candidate, traditionally called the establishment due to his career starting at age 29 in the US Senate. Serving for 8 years as Vice President of the United States of America under President Barack Obama, the political narrative or story has Joe Biden "in waiting for the Presidential nomination" as a brokered deal for the first US Woman President results in Hillary Clinton winning the US popular vote in 2016.
2020 Election Campaign for US President
The hallmark of the 2020 Election campaigns, held during the Covid-19 pandemic, were the largely uncontested re-nomination of President Donald J.Trump as Republican (incumbent) candidate, and the Sen. Biden and Sen. Sander's Democratic state party campaigns. The latter tipped Joe Biden (accompanied by Dr. Jill Biden) into the winning seat in South Carolina attributed to the support of the "traditional black African Americans." Sen. Elizabeth Warren retained (distant) third place for the Democrats with the "diversity team of Presidential candidates" supporting Joseph R. Biden by or post Super Tuesday. Barack Obama endorsed Joe Biden (whom he lauds as one of his best life decisions) later in the campaign, and First Lady Michelle Obama and Barack Obama were featured as Democratic Convention speakers in 2020.
The Democratic campaign was bolstered by the high support of the President Jimmy Carter, President Clinton and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and the early support of our own Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York. CNN's Democratic debates in 2019-2020 positioned leadership for the Democratic Party diversity campaign, including Biden's VP choice Kamala Harris of California, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of Indiana, Andrew Yang of New York, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York (withdrew after first debate), Julian Castro (former HUD), Tulsi Gabbard (National Guard), and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, among others (E.g. Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana; Marianne Williamson, new age author; Mayor Bloomberg of New York).
Republicans, admitting the devastation caused by Covid to the economy of the US, held their Republican roll call vote for Donald J. Trump on Monday, August 24, 2020. Both the President and VP Michael Pence gifted the Convention audience with speeches during the unanimous re-nomination of the current US President on Day 1 of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Michael Pence of Indiana accepted the Vice Presidential re-nomination on Day 3 at Fort McHenry outside Baltimore, MD and President Trump on Day 4 at the White House in Washington, DC. Both the First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Karen Pence were featured as Republican Convention speakers in 2020.
Campaigns: From Traditional Issues to Diversity and Government Control
Both campaigns are vying for the vote of the new diversity and political blocs in the US, and all campaigns featured visible professional women, African Americans, disabled Veterans and families, with the Democrats taking on the LGBTQ+ constituencies most visibly. Republicans won the political show from the Democrats on the Centennial celebration of women rights in America, and the George Floyd political demonstrations and Black Lives Matter which portended the nomination of Senator Kamala Harris, former Attorney General for California, as the first Vice Presidential nominee, women of color in the US (black-Jamaican and Indian American).
The traditional campaigns on law and order, now highlight the state Attorney Generals which are a path to higher government offices, and the peaceful protests and marches characterized in the US as "arms length from" looting, rioting and police brutality. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in their first televised interview as a Presidential team supported the police (the Blue) in their work in the US, during the time Republican opponent Michael Pence characterized the Democratic leader as pushing to defund the police. The latter was featured by Policy Link in Oakland, California as "black organizing" in cities and regarding city budgets.
The primary campaigns of the Democratic Party featured traditional issues of education and schools, health care for all, climate change and energy, housing "for different population groups" (e.g., prisons), Social Security and Medicare for seniors, free college tuition, family and medical leave, criminal justice reform, pre-k and child care for working parents, supporting small businesses, and voter access, among much more (racial justice). Republicans, meeting the Democrats on their issues, are supporting school choice, keeping promises to America's seniors, and have influxed cash into the economy as high unemployment rates soar in the US.
On foreign policy, we look forward to the forthcoming debates from widely experienced Joseph R. Biden (our winner on the Iran trade deal) and our current President Donald J.Trump (who renegotiated the NAFTA Trade Compact as USMCA-United States, Mexico, and Canada Trade Deal). We began with the UN Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities as a priority and the new Convention on the Rights of Indigeneous Peoples which are now at the Biden-Harris versus Obama-Biden worldwide treaties and the roles of the US in the global world.
We thank both political parties and the newsmedia, especially CSPAN (for continuous political and government coverage) and PBS Newshour's Judy Woodruff, for this year's Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Third party coverage of the Liberterian and Green Parties, Working Family Parties, Woman's Equality Party, and Independent Parties, among others are also available on websites and through wikipedia. Thank you to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for turning the House of Representative Blue in 2018 in a diversity campaign with Tom Perez, Democratic Party National Committee. And with our Republican colleagues, God Bless America and Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, indivisible and one Nation under God, liberty and justice for all.
On disability politics, Evelyn and Andrew Yang, while guests on The View, discussed raising a son on the autism spectrum. Andrew Yang, similar to Kamala Harris, are the children of parents from the "university sector" and both are second generation Americans. Andrew Yang's parents immigrated from Taiwan in the 1960s, and he was born in the US in 1975. Andrew and Evelyn Yang were married in 2011, and Andrew has discussed her role as stay-at-home mom on national media. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, International, 2020 Autism spectrum is very popular in discussing disability in the 21st Century. Andrew Yang continues as a business entrepreneur and is also paid via the news media sectors.
ReplyDeleteJoe Biden's Plan for Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities from May 28, 2020 release is online and covers health care, education, transportation, civil rights, criminal justice, home and community-based services, and long term services and supports (LTSS). Kamala Harris released a separate plan during the political campaigns, and meeting of the team will continue to strengthen the Democratic agenda for the White House in 2020. Julie Ann Racino, National Democratic Party, 2020
DeleteContinuing on disability politics, US President Donald J. Trump
Delete(Republican Candidate for 2020) issued a proclamation from the White House on July 24, 2020 in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, International, 2020
Microsoft Edge search back to 2019 has a RespectAbility Report on May 14, 2019, 3 months prior to Kirsten Gillibrand's withdrawal from the Democratic Race for US President, now online. Sen. Gillibrand, Junior Senator of NY cosponsored the Disability Integration Act with New York's Charles Schumer (Democratic minority leader) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (Republican-Wisconsin) to strengthen private insurance coverage of long term care, such as in home nursing care and personal care attendants for people with disabilities. See, article by Eric Aschew which includes women's equality and abortion at the campaign trails, and hiring of staff with disabilities in government by the Democratic candidates. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, HHSA, 2020
DeleteThe Respectability Report on US Presidential Candidates (See, above) indicates that Sen. Cory Booker cosponsoring legislation (with Sen. Al Franken of MN) in mental health, including the Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015 with 2,000,000 individuals with serious mental illness booked into jails each year. His legislation involves Medicaid, Medicare and Insurance Laws, including benefit packages, waiting periods, and juvenile justice and mental health. Sen. Booker supported a new law signed by President Trump in 2018 on Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders, Surveillaince, Prevention and Treatment Act. Sen. Booker, prior Newark, New Jersey Mayor, began with instructing the General Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an airport accessibility study given the extensive complaint findings. Also, cosponsor of the above Disability Integration Act. See, other candidates, that site.
DeleteTonight, the Kennedy legacy, including Eunice Shriver and Special Olympics, and civil rights history of the Kennedys by Joe Kennedy III online twitter at Democratic Primary for Massachusetts Senate. Newsarticles online, with history of school integration in America. Julie Ann Racino, National Democratic Party, 2020
DeleteNew York State Governor Andrew Cuomo celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with new NYS accessibility legislation (A.136-A.S.1405) and directing examination of state laws regarding military families (specifically by NYSOPWDD, S.5630-A.A.7766). Post Olmstead's most integrated setting, Gov. Cuomo signed Executive Order 136 on New York State Employment First Initiative. In 2016, New York "added" mental health to the health curriculum in middle and high schools through support of the Mental Health Association of New York. Am ambitious 5 year plan for $20 billion in supported housing in New York was passed in 2017. In 2019, NYS included behavioral health in mental health and substance abuse parity, veteran's mental health, and highlighted national minority mental health awareness. Currently, in March and April 2020, both NYS and the White House were contacted on the accessibility of coronavirus briefings (i.e., American Sign Language, in addition to closed captioning). The leads on the latter are the National Council on Disability, National Association of the Deaf, and Disabled Rights of New York. Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2020
DeleteFor those reviewing the 2016 Democratic campaign, Hillary Clinton specifically addressed disability, and domestic policies included: support the millions of Americans with autism and their families; expand early childhood education to provide a strong start; expand health coverage and tackle mental health addiction, and Alzheimer's disease: guarantee paid and medical leave; HIV-AIDS; protect and defend the rights of people with disabilities; "support immigrant integration"(opportunity for every child to live up to his or her potential); defend women's health and reproductive rights; and defend and enhance Social Security, among others (Clinton & Kaine, 2016). Joe Biden has Democratic teams throughout the US!
DeleteFor those at the international disability reviews, the nation of Ghana and its disability fund has been featured in the refereed journals. Suggested reviews of the continent of Africa (see, Nigeria, Tanzania) given the relationships with African ministers and US Presidency under US President Barack Obama who signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Julie Ann Racino, ASPA International, 2020
DeleteFor the Republicans, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is credited to Pres. George Bush even though Judith Heumann was appointed by Pres. Bill Clinton and served in both Democratic and Republican Administrations. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, 2020
DeleteSearching for the author's books: Public Administration and Disability: Community Services Administration in the US (Racino, 2014) at http://www.crcpress.com; Policy, Program Evaluation and Research in Disability: Community Support for All (Racino, 1999) on Barnes and Noble, www.bn.com; and Personnel preparation in disability and Community Life (Racino, 2000) on amazon.com. See, other journal articles, book chapters, book reviews, public policy reports, books, public policy forums, and professional publications Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, 2020
ReplyDeleteIn 2014, the author (Julie Ann Racino) also featured two international reports, Reflections on community integration in the Czech and Slovak Republics, and Reflections on consultation on community integration (See, wikipedia) in the United Kingdom, based on work with her colleague David Towell of the United Kingdom. In the 2014 book (above, http://www.crcpress.com) Racino also reflected on her own heritage in Poland with her uncle Joe Bien's study at the village and church of his mother Julia Bien (Huta Polan'ska, 1904-2003) devastated and later rebuilt. The Czech and Slovak nation formation of January 1, 1993, was called the Velvet Divorce (Czechoslovakia) subsequent to the 1989 Velvet Revolution; both are Eastern European nations now with very different standards of living and rankings in education, family services and welfare. Then the King's Fund David Towell and Center on Human Policy's Julie Ann Racino also visited the Holocaust site in Prague, Czechoslovakia on their visit to the national Health Ministry. The European Disability Strategy of 2010-2020 (80 million citizens) was cited in the Czech-Slovak report. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA International, 2020
DeleteThe wikipedia and internet information on the European trips is phenomenal (as were the trips by the way)! "In 2013, the Teaching Hospital at Motol is described on the internet as one of the most developed and largest hospitals in Europe, providing total health care for both adult and pediatric patients". The hospital is associated with Charles University in Prague which was established in 1348 (yes, 1348! Cornell University is 150 years and Syracuse University not yet 100) with 1,000 students. The Psychiatricka klinicka was and is also located in Prague (beautiful city); the psychiatric residency program was available in 2013 directly on the internet sites (e.g., addictive disorders, neurotic & affective disorders, psychotherapy, general psychiatry, pharmacology), and of course, this party was concerned about no community courses per se (the environmental context-family, general health, education, housing), and the US's forensic and sexology (p.5). Czechoslovakia was one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945, and Slovakia at the divorce became an independent member of the UN (1993); both have separate nation state health ministries in 2020. Julie Ann Racino, Community and Policy Studies, Square Market, 2020
DeleteThis Tuesday morning, cartoons and beauty contests with the yes, young lady/girl* contestant "in a wheelchair" who might receive the sympathy vote. And the girl who comes from a rich family (or a rich father) and cannot tell if she is "making it on her own" for a win. Now, does that have to do with Miss USA or not and are we involved internationally with Trump International? And now why would LGBT skip ahead before "the men" are in discussion at all? That's why the discussion of what people say is "bad" or "good" (1980s research studies on homes). Julie Ann Racino, Syracuse University Alumni, 2020 "via Otto the Orange" who has a disability.
ReplyDeleteThank you to all for "disability images" integrated into daily media photos and high programs. In the 1970s, we also had early on the obsession on thinness (today, the well known "eating disorders"), decade prior to the obesity epidemic (yes, young children, too) in the US. Embedded in all media are concepts of equality and equity, integration and choice, gender and racial 'human' rights, and community values and standards. Inclusion still faces a history of enforced racial school integration (to long-term federal funding for historically black colleges and universities, Trump Administration) and "associational preferences" (e.g., Black Caucus, Women in Public Administration, LGBT Alliance, Chinese Public Administration) in the "post-EEO and affirmative action" period in the US. The US has much to face in the future of the global world and economies of "192 Nations". Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2020 This party is an expert on early AO/EEO, which believe it or not, are denied (especially at high positions such as the Democrat VP this year), are in major legal cases by state and federal governments (needs multi-decade law review), are highly misrepresented by academia (at statistical figures), and "still can be found as the EEO-Equal Employment Opportunity Program" ("black, urban poverty") at the federal human resource (HR) levels. Julie Ann Racino, Cornell University Alumni, 2020
DeleteWhen I visited my brother Terrance Racino in Phoenix, Arizona back in 2011, we were talking about the employment and business industries at the backyard swimming pool. I mentioned to him (who worked a lifetime in the retail industries) that back in the 1970s the original affirmative action in disability included dwarves (which we knew from the Wizard of Oz, the Munchkins) and the now extreme obesity (which today is treated by bariatric surgery). Believe it or not, cannot reach the shelf "from the wheelchair" or order over the counter, is a barrier to employment. Now, Bob Bogdan's sociologists instead published more on disability images which included the circuses (employment). That period involved trying to "think through" all the kinds of prejudices that exist in the world, including at professional women, the classic "dumb blonde". Yes, "we did mean" Cabinet member Betsy DeVos! Easier in some ways were classic back injuries at workplaces, though we focused on the individual (e.g., pain implants-to medical rehabilitation), the person's goals (e.g., get back to work, change jobs-advent of choices), "and the environment" (e.g., ergonomics). Now, by 2017, I was indeed back at affirmative action and protected classes-with "quite a list" included pregnant women at work (Racino, Rolandi, Huston, & Bergman, 2017). And, side-by-side, "supported employment" which is popular as employment ambassadors with the business sectors (Racino & Bergman, 2016). That's to start a few other conversations today. Julie Ann Racino, ASPA, 2020
DeleteFinal US Presidential debate between Democratic Joseph R. Biden and Republican Donald J. Trump this Thursday night (10/22/2020). Yesterday, John King of CNN called the likely winner of the November 3, 2020 US Election, Joseph R. Biden based upon national, state-by-state voting models. Mixed map in the US with Democratic mid-West at Republican red, post VP debate in state of Utah between Kamala Harris (Democrat) and Michael Pence (Republican), dueling virtual town halls in the Covid period between Biden and Trump, and the first "rule breaking" debate in which Biden won! Best advice- Vote! Julie Ann Racino, National Democratic Party, 2020
ReplyDeleteYes, Kamala Harris on the View yesterday together with Oprah Winfrey; post 60 Minutes Election Special with Biden, Harris, Pence and Trump. Social media on Trump's attack of Lesley Stahl the 60 Minutes host with "verified" at the next political rally. Yes, Vote Democratic today! Julie Ann Racino, National Democratic Party, 2020
ReplyDeleteI usually do not, but yesterday evening at 3 zoom panels on US Presidential elections, Kamala Harris is considered (one panelist only) as a possible or likely 2024 US Presidential nominee- and it was called, "not to be crass", unless or especially if "Joe kicks the can in office"! The panelists (yes, largely white, high status males!) were discussing the Electoral College history and whether the Electoral College should be kept; though we believe in the popular vote, the "explanation" ("truth") began that Americans are casting ballots only for electors not the candidates. Thus, I cast my vote for "the current system" (e.g., electors "do not need" to follow the intent of the voters) similarly to I do not agree to open up a new constitutional convention to "rewrite the US Constitution". Without explanation, I believe in the Pledge of Allegiance (Nov 2020), sing America the Beautiful (Nov 2020), hold to the right of Americans to now "carry a Trump rally -or confederate or union -historical flag" (Jan 2021), reaffirm free speech and religious rights in America (Feb 2021), and believe in In God We Trust (Feb 2021). To we were taught that US President Lincoln freed the slaves in America ("white majority or white ruling government unanimity"), not Martin Luther King Jr. freed the slaves (On Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and Lincoln's Birthday as US government holiday). Why? I follow Mahatma Gahndi was in and then the Dali Lama. Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2021
DeleteDemocrat Joseph R. Biden Jr. wins the US Presidency as projected by CNN (11:24 am), ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox News (11:40 am) on Saturday, November 7, 2020. Congratulations from Boris Johnson of the UK, Angela Merkel of Germany and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada. Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2020
ReplyDeleteThis party was viewing the proceedings on January 6, 2021 regarding "the current government procedures" on election verification at US Senate with Vice President Michael Pence presiding when the "Capitol Riot" occurred. The archives of that evening when Senators "returned to work undaunted" by the death from gunshot from their Chambers "still needs to be viewed". In part, this party was at the Electoral College over the 2016 US Presidential Election when Hillary Clinton conceeded the election to Donald J. Trump as is traditional in US politics "based on the newsmedia projections" of "that Election night". In 2020, the newsmedia did not call the election until the Saturday following the Tuesday election (unanimous for Joe Biden) "due in part" to the new procedures on Absentee ballots, Early voting, and Mail in ballots (to "every vote counts"; Democratic campaigns), role of courts in reviewing or disallowing ballots (e.g., wrong state, unverified signature, Presidential challenges of its own elective party and government), and the "actual government's procedures" on Election Boards ("County Executives"), US Secretaries of States (relatively unknown to the public, post Hillary Clinton as Pres. Obama's Secretary of State), Electoral College (standard as does it work as the founders of US government meant it to, or should it be replaced?), and US federal governmental bodies (e.g., US Senate, not viewed prior by this party, Jan. 6, 2021) and Executive "transfer of power" (which did not occur peacefully "or legally" in US). Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2021
ReplyDeleteThis week continues the confirmation hearings of the Biden Administration nominees for US Cabinet and top jobs in federal government (seat, Washington, DC). CSPAN hearings are live and archived and range from US Secretary of Education, US Secretary of Transportation, UN Ambassador from US, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the US Trade Representative. In the midst, the US Congress reportedly passed the US Equality Act. Today, we have identified the philosophy undergirding the Biden Administration nominees which is best represented by "Taiwanese American" as US lead in US-China policy (a theme throughout the selections as Nation's values for trade, education, sports, businesses) and so forth. We simply stated that we do not agree with the "in your face actions" of the governments as supporting the US and its people, the economy and the future of the Nation. "And it shows-the US is reportedly in decline and the economy is repeatedly hurt at global and world!" Julie Ann Racino, American Society for Public Administration, 2021
ReplyDelete