It’s The Premise, Stupid

In the political landscape of 1992, James Carville coined the memorable phrase “It’s the economy, stupid,” which became a pivotal campaign slogan. Inspired by his linguistic prowess, I aspire to craft an equally impactful statement in 2025, though the odds of achieving such widespread recognition may be slim. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal in the realm of memorable catchphrases.

Let me share an illustration I previously used, which remains relevant and insightful. While some time has passed since its initial presentation, the core message continues to resonate. Even if you’ve encountered this example before, a refresher can often reveal new perspectives or nuances that might have been overlooked.

On the cusp of legal adulthood, a 21-year-old embarks on a predictable rite of passage, venturing into a local bar with curiosity and youthful naivety. Eager to explore the newfound freedom of being able to legally consume alcohol, he decides to experience the atmosphere and get drunk, just to see what it’s like.

After several Scotch and sodas, he collapses, and his friend is tasked with escorting him home. A familiar scenario for many, he awakens the next morning, suffering from a pounding headache and overwhelming nausea – the dreaded consequences of excessive drinking.

Now when I heard this story, the teller really drew it out. I’ll save you the repetition. I’ll simply say that he gets drunk again on the following two evenings. However, he decides he does not like the hangover thing. So, each time he changes what he mixes with the soda.

After three days of heavy drinking, he realized the allure of intoxication was overshadowed by the brutal aftermath. Determined to solve this dilemma, he made a decisive choice to remove the source of his morning misery. Ergo, he decided to eliminate the common element.

Initially, I found the statement amusing, but upon deeper reflection, I recognized it as a poignant critique of political dysfunction. In modern urban landscapes, citizens repeatedly cycle through elected officials, believing each new leader will miraculously resolve complex systemic challenges.

The fundamental issue lies not with individual politicians, but with the shared ideological framework that underpins their collective approach. The prevailing political narrative fails to deliver meaningful solutions, instead creating a cycle of diminishing returns and increasing societal frustration. Each successive political iteration seems to compound the ineffectiveness of its predecessors, resulting in a progressively more dysfunctional system.

As urban centers continue to decline, a pattern emerges reminiscent of an individual’s struggle with addiction: recognizing the problem only when circumstances become dire. The ongoing exodus from major metropolitan areas signals a potential watershed moment for political understanding and urban transformation, challenging the long-established trajectory of population concentration that defined the industrial era.

Ivermectin Trial Please

Now that things have settled a little and Old Joe and his minions are out of office, let’s conduct rigorous, independent clinical trials to evaluate Invective’s potential effectiveness against China virus. A series of well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies could provide definitive scientific evidence about the drug’s efficacy, helping medical professionals make informed treatment decisions.

One thing is certain. We need to keep the FDA and all its associates far away from those conducting the tests and the test reports. There are at least three reasons for this, if not more. First and foremost, they have a reputation to defend. They would never want the world to know that they purposely let millions die because of their hard-headed self-interested decisions.

Secondly, the pharmaceutical industry faces potential economic challenges if alternative treatments prove effective, as such discoveries could significantly impact existing vaccine development and distribution strategies, potentially disrupting established financial models.

Finally, the goal is to obtain accurate information from the test. The FDA has had a long history of making errors. Accuracy is not exactly their strong suit.

If Ivermectin works, it might mean an end to the COVID-19 virus, given that Ivermectin is a very inexpensive drug. It might do a better job of eliminating the virus than the highly expensive vaccine.

Then, of course, all those big drug companies would have a bunch of vaccines, wondering what to do with them. Then too, they would lose all the money they have been getting from Uncle Sam for years of future research.

Fauci certainly would not like to see a good positive test for Ivermectin. He just might need to build himself a good fallout shelter at the South Pole to feel safe. Actually, he and his cohorts might want to build a small city down there.

Just as a side note, the “Write Assist” provided by my Kindle would not let me call it China virus. It also rewrote the text to make Fauci and his friends looks, well, not as bad. I guess, if that artificial intelligence were on Fauci’s jury, we’d never get a conviction, would we?

One of the Primary Goals of the Dems

Protect the Department of Education and the bureaucracy that goes with it. They protect the unions that provide the virtual wall of protection they provide that protects even the least qualified teachers.

One of the Primary Goals of the “Trumpers.”

Make sure that the kids get the best education possible. This includes those who cannot afford the advantage of PRIVATE SCHOOLS, to which the wealthy dems send their kids. As an aside, send the teachers who can’t or won’t teach to looking for another job, perhaps one where they will be more productive. (perhaps they will have to go back to college to learn how to do something)

It is ABOUT time our children get the education for which our tax dollars are paying for, even if it means failure of public schools. After all, the purpose is to educate the kids, not babysitting.

Two Questions I’d Like the Answers to Before my Death

Who is Ray Epps, and who has been issuing his paychecks for the last 20 years? All those people in or around the Capitol were thrown into various prison cells on the slimmest of evidence for over four years. Not Ray. He will serve 100 hours of community service after waving and encouraging people into the Capitol Building. I am not sure he will serve that. If he does, it will be under the best conditions.

I figure he had a part in the conspiracy or he knows someone who knows someone. I mean there were people who went to prison for being in the vicinity. He stands outside the building and directs traffic, and he was sentenced to a hand slap, which he never receives.

Even now, after the change of administration, he remains in Arizona in that wonderful weather, apparently totally immune to being touched by anyone. And now, who is it that he works for? Does he work at all, or does he draw some kind of FBI paycheck through back channels?

Do you suppose they would give me an hour or three in an interrogation room with Epps, where he would be required to answer my two questions honestly? It is a cover-up that makes anything done by President Nixon or anyone around him look minor. It is far worse than VP Spiro Agnew ever thought about doing.

I THINK NOT!! I will die not knowing, as the rest of us.

Let’s Please Get the Terminology Right

A dead hostage is not a hostage at all but rather a dead body. It’s time the Palestinians learn that.

Maybe it’s time the Israelis stop returning the prisoners and start running tanks through Gaza with guns blazing again… This time without warning. I expect 2 or 3 days of that and the Palestinians will have the smarts to figure out the difference.

Fifty Times a Day

The man said, “Giving up cigarettes is one of the easiest things I ever did. I did it fifty times a day.” I have often said that food addiction is probably one of the most difficult of all. It is ultimately impossible because none of us is able to go cold turkey and just stop eating. I mean, at some point, giving it up is worse than getting fat. As one who fights the battle of the bulge, I am all too aware of the temptations. One minute I am saying outlaw chocolate; the next, I am scarfing it up by the pound. Thank goodness for diet drinks, or I’d have been pushing up the proverbial daisies years ago.

Many problem drinkers adamantly claim, “I’m not an alcoholic. I can stop drinking whenever I want.” Yet, the irony lies in the fact that they never actually want to quit. A preacher once colorfully described this phenomenon, suggesting such individuals have a “broken wanter” – a metaphorical term implying a deep-seated inability to truly desire change, despite outward assertions of control over their drinking habits.

Please forgive me for zeroing in on the problem drinker. Though he would seem to be one of the biggest problems in society, he is far from being the only one. My doctor says I should not eat so many hamburgers. And, by the way, I can give up hamburgers any time I want. However, habits, really deadly bad habits, extend throughout the US. Indeed, it would seem to be most problematic in societies with the greatest wealth.

Perhaps I should not say that. Someone might suggest that my Social Security be halved as a treatment for my clogged arteries.

I suppose, ideally, the easiest way to resolve the problem is to repair those little wanters that the preacher mentioned. However, before we could hope to do that, we would need to find the little things.

Some might go so far as to outlaw certain foods. Some substances are already illegal. Yet, each year the problem only seems to get worse. I think that close to half of our law enforcement efforts are spent eradicating harmful substances now.

Ah, the classic dilemma: solve chaos with total control or embrace the beautiful mess of human imperfection. I’d rather dance with disorder than waltz into a surveillance state—some cures are deadlier than the disease.

Rights and Courtesies

As Americans, we have rights. When we go outside the US, we lose those rights. Many of those rights are converted to courtesies. However, many people get the idea that they have rights in other countries too, some of which the citizens of those countries don’t have. Consider the right of freedom of speech. Most countries have no such right.

It is but one of many reasons why I am so hesitant to leave our wonderful country. Moreover, there are some things we know we can do here that you cannot do elsewhere without being arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned.

Green card holders often misunderstand the extent of their legal rights in the United States. While permanent residency provides significant privileges, it does not equate to full citizenship. To prevent misconceptions, it would be beneficial to implement a comprehensive orientation program that clearly outlines the responsibilities and limitations associated with green card status. Such a program could include a detailed briefing and signed acknowledgment that emphasizes the importance of adhering to local, state, and federal laws, and clarifies that certain constitutional protections may differ for non-citizens. This approach would help ensure that immigrants fully understand their legal standing and obligations within the United States.

Recently, a person with a green card led a protest on Columbia University. He had not that right. More important, as a foreigner, he was trying to run our country, which is blatantly wrong. Now that they are in the process of pulling his green card, the news broadcasters are again on the wrong side. Because they like what he was preaching, they came to his rescue and said he should not be deported.

Foreign nationals should not attempt to interfere with or manipulate the internal affairs of a nation where they do not hold citizenship, regardless of their geographical location or political stance.

Moreover, they should not at all be surprised when their green card is revoked and they are put on a plane home. And by the way, it is not likely that they will be welcomed back.

Without a Trace

The television series portrays a specialized FBI team dedicated to investigating missing persons and kidnapping cases. While the show likely takes creative liberties with its narrative, it offers a glimpse into the complex world of law enforcement’s search and rescue operations. In reality, such units probably manage multiple challenging investigations simultaneously, potentially juggling a dozen active cases at any given moment, each representing a critical mission to reunite families and bring resolution to desperate situations.

In quiet moments of reflection, I ponder the profound theological promise of the rapture—a divine event where believers will be lifted heavenward, united with Christ in eternal communion, transcending earthly concerns and embracing celestial peace.

Given the increased workload and potential staff reductions, they might experience heightened challenges in managing investigations, potentially leading to significant operational stress and widespread concern among personnel.

I am glad I won’t be here to see it. It might be a good reason to be one of those who have accepted Jesus as your Savior now, before it’s too late. It would be a horrible thing to find out it’s already too late. If it should happen that the missing persons unit has about ten times the workload, you will know it’s too late, even if you are an upstanding member of a respected church, even if you have been baptized.

By observing closely, you’ll recognize those who genuinely shared a deep relationship with Christ – they will be amoung those who mysteriously vanish without a trace.

“Call Nine One One!!”

In countless crime dramas, a familiar scene unfolds: a character stumbles upon an injured individual, pauses briefly, then urgently shouts, “Someone call 911!” This trope has become so ubiquitous that it’s practically a television cliché, especially in police procedurals like Blue Bloods, where such moments are almost a narrative staple.

If someone discovers me injured, I urge them to directly contact emergency services. Immediate action reduces response time and guarantees that help is summoned. By taking personal responsibility, bystanders can prevent the diffusion of responsibility, where everyone assumes someone else will make the call. This approach also minimizes redundant emergency dispatches, streamlining communication and reducing potential confusion at the response center.

International Economics

International economic relations are nuanced and multifaceted, extending far beyond simplistic perceptions of conflict. Collaborative efforts like the joint European development of Airbus demonstrate how nations can strategically partner in high-technology industries. Unlike the United States, where aerospace innovation relies primarily on private sector investment, European governments actively support and fund aerospace research and manufacturing.

There is another problem American manufacturers must face: when foreign countries do not allow the sales of American products in their markets. Sorta hard to compete when we are not allowed to compete.

Throughout history, strategic economic manipulation has posed significant challenges to global trade. Nations have employed tactics like predatory pricing to undermine domestic industries, as exemplified by China’s approach to steel and aluminum production. By flooding markets with artificially low-priced metals, foreign producers can effectively dismantle local manufacturing capabilities. Once domestic production ceases, these countries can then leverage their market dominance, potentially dictating prices and availability during critical national needs, such as aerospace manufacturing. This economic strategy transforms a seemingly competitive market into a potential strategic vulnerability, where a single nation can exert substantial economic pressure by controlling essential industrial resources.

National security demands strategic self-sufficiency in critical manufacturing and industrial sectors. We cannot afford to depend on foreign nations, particularly those with potentially competing geopolitical interests, for essential materials like steel used in defense infrastructure. Our national strategy must prioritize domestic production capabilities that ensure we can manufacture key resources independently, maintaining a robust and resilient industrial base that can meet our strategic needs during any potential global disruption.

Are we prepared to risk the collapse of Boeing, potentially leaving the global aviation market entirely dependent on Airbus? The implications of losing a critical American aerospace manufacturer could have far-reaching consequences for our industrial infrastructure, technological innovation, and economic competitiveness.