Thoughts from Yvonne Surette

 You know the commercial for home insurance where Mayhem (in the guise of actor Dean Winter) comes to call, wrecking garages, cars, and houses. Have no fear, the insurance company says, “We’ve got you covered.” I’ve been wondering: What insurance coverage do Americans have to protect ourselves against the mayhem and chaos caused by the MAGA Republican Party?  We have a lot. We have the ballot box, for one thing. Democrats have proven their ability to defeat the MAGA Mayhem threatening democracy. Earlier this month, there was an election to fill a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the Democrat won by a wide margin. Previously, because of Republican gerrymandering, Wisconsin Democrats have been unable to control their General Assembly, but voters elected a Democrat who will help cease that anti-democratic practice in their Supreme Court. She is also a supporter of women’s reproductive rights. The political orientation of the Wisconsin Supreme Court has been in Republican ...

 When I started writing this column for The News Virginian, my first column was about insurrection — what it is, how it works, and why it’s a federal crime. This was just after the attack on Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. I never dreamed that I would still be writing about that same treasonous insurrection two years later, but I am. The Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Congress began months earlier, with former President Donald Trump constantly telling the public that if he were to lose the upcoming election, it meant the election “was rigged.” Egged on by Fox News, this became his rallying cry for months, hoodwinking many people. The culmination came on Jan. 6, after a speech by Trump telling his supporters to fight, claiming he’d be with them at the Capitol. His supporters went; he did not. His supporters killed six and wounded 114 police officers. I’m writing about it again because many Republicans persist in stating President Joe Biden is not the “real” president, and they keep push...

In writing a column reflecting Democratic and Progressive values, I find no shortage of topics: Republicans keep coming up with more and more crazy initiatives and policies; they are currently trying to take away rights to vote, the right to reproductive freedom, the rights of teachers to select curriculum, the rights of librarians to select books. They still support treasonous insurrectionists and the lie that Trump won the 2020 election. There’s so much, and it’s all a toxic mix of delusion and anti-democracy. As my last column warned: Get ready for Republican shenanigans instead of governing now that they have the House majority (barely).  After running for election on issues such as inflation, rising gas prices, and immigration reform (issues that Americans are concerned about), what has the new-Republican majority been up to?  Instead of tackling the real problems Americans face, the new House Oversight Committee, using a broad-based panel called The Weaponization of Gove...

For Democrats, the year has begun on a high as we watch the continuing implosion of the Republican Party. The chaos within their ranks sharply contrasts the calm, successful governing of the Democrats and the Biden Administration. The expected “Red Tsunami” that was supposed to engulf the nation with substantial Republican gains in the midterm election was a pink fizzle: Republicans hold a razor-thin edge in the House, and they lost the Senate. And they’re bickering amongst themselves. Mainstream media loves to present Democrats in disarray, but it’s the Republican party. Last week we all watched Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy trying desperately to become Speaker of the House vote after vote. After more than four days and 15 ballots, he finally barely got his speakership but has no control or strength in his party. We all watched last week as the Republican Party was held hostage by 20 far-right extremists and 14 members of the obstructionist Freedom Caucus, their stated goal to disman...

Chaos vs. competency. Fiction vs. fact. Criminality vs. law and order. Tax cuts for the wealthy vs. helping Americans. Social Security for seniors vs. enriching corporations. Increased violence vs. sensible gun control. Government shutdowns vs. capable governance. Worsening climate conditions vs. saving our environment. That’s the scenario if the Republicans take over Congress next year. And that’s not just what Democratic politicians are saying in their bid to stay in control of Congress; that’s straight out of the Republican playbook. Republicans have no legislative agenda, no plans except for investigating and/or impeaching the Biden Administration. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., stated Republicans will shut down the government, “unless President Joe Biden walks back ... his signature climate change, tax and health care legislation.” Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told donors, lobbyists and senators in December 2021 that Republicans are only planning to attack Biden and th...

Fall is my favorite season. I love switching to winter foods and sweaters after a hot summer. I love the bright leaves and the pumpkins surrounded by yellow chrysanthemums on porches. But mostly I love the spooky atmosphere, Halloween, dark gothic movies and little witches trick or treating. I love being scared by fiction, however, not real life, and in our real life, America has become a place threatened by some terrifying stuff — way worse than vampires and zombies. America could possibly no longer be a democracy after the November Congressional midterms. If this were a horror movie, this moment would be that moment — you know it — when the group of cute lost teens decide that going into the creepy house in the middle of the woods is actually a good idea. When the viewer says, “Oh, no! Don’t go in there!” And of course, they do, and all hell breaks loose. Because the cute teens have walked straight into a terror that they’ll never be free from. So will the American public if the Repu...

Quietly, and without any press coverage, the Biden administration continues its commitment to the American people by making sure baby formula is readily available. On Sept. 7, the administration completed the 22 mission of Operation Fly Formula, which has now flown in more than 85 million, 8-ounce bottle equivalents. Each time I drive by my neighborhood Citgo station, I see the price of gas is lower than the day before. They are just two of many accomplishments to improve life in America. President Joe Biden has had the most successful first two years of any president in history. When he came into office, he faced a botched withdrawal from Afghanistan plan concocted by former President Donald Trump and the Taliban; military officials here noted that the collapse of the Afghan government was linked to Trump’s deal to withdraw U.S. troops. Biden had no choice but to honor this deal. Biden also faced a botched response to a virus that has killed more than one million Americans. The Trump ...