Month: July 2026

CAPITALISM AND COMMON-SENSE VS COMMUNISM AND CHAOS

As always, the contents of this blog constitute a compendium of multiple media reports supplemented by my personal opinion, where indicated.

Finally, we are beginning to get some clarity with respect to the DSA/neo-communists’ radical political platform. Finally, the veil of secrecy and deceit is being lifted, and we are getting a peek behind the curtain. Finally, they are disclosing their scary, radical, insane, inane plans. Megan Romer, DSA National Co-Chair laid it all out very specifically in a recent interview on Fox News. It was pretty consistent with what I had discussed in an earlier blog. Romer cannot claim she was misquoted. DSA spin doctors cannot “clean up” her comments. This was the moment I and many others have been waiting for. Finally, the DSA advocates are no longer hiding inside the “Trojan Horse.” I don’t know why Romer disclosed the DSA’s plans in such a forthright manner. As I stated in an earlier blog the TH strategy was very effective.

Afterwards she was mocked by some conservative commentators, but it will behoove all Americans to understand that she was deadly serious. Speaking on Fox News Sunday Romer responded to criticism by claiming that establishment Democrats are the ones who should be concerned because “they have not been delivering [on voters’ cost of living concerns], and our candidates are and have been, and it’s resonating with voters.”

Below please find a list of some of the DSA’s more egregious policies. Again, the following is not based on guesswork nor my opinion. It is straight from “the horse’s mouth” so to speak:

  1. Its overall goal is to “build a new society from the ground up.” That means tearing down the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and destroying the America that we know and love and that has existed for 250 years and rebuilding it in their own image.
  2. Eliminate the delicate system of “checks and balances” that exists among the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government and which is one of the cornerstones of our republic.
  3. Abolish the Senate. Congress would then consist solely of the House of Representatives in some form. (Students of history are cognizant that the Senate serves two vital purposes. (1) It protects the small, less populated states from being dominated by a few large states as each state has two senators regardless of size. Without that protection the small states would likely not have agreed to join the republic.) (2) Its much maligned rules of debate and 60-vote requirement to pass legislation in many cases serve to make the legislative process more thoughtful and more deliberate and to encourage debate.
  4. Abolish the presidency.
  5. Cripple the authority of the Supreme Court by rendering it subservient to the Congress. Those actions would leave us with a politbureau style of government similar to that in Russia and China.
  6. Abolish ICE.
  7. Abolish prisons
  8. Eliminate our national border; permit anyone to enter.
  9. Grant amnesty and citizenship to all illegals.
  10. Defund the Pentagon and the police.
  11. Make large corporations government-owned and controlled.

Obviously, it is critical that the Repubs and moderate Dems spread the word regarding the aforementioned agenda. The DSA’s policies are off-the-charts radical. They would certainly lead to lawlessness and chaos. I cannot see how any more than a thin sliver of the electorate would support them. These crazies are relying on low turnout, voter apathy and ignorance. I cannot comprehend how any sensible voter could possibly vote for candidates that espouse those policies. Daylight is the best disinfectant.

As the midterm elections approach finally mainstream politicians are beginning to wake up and push back.

  1. GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a post on Fox News, “Read their platform: Abolish the Senate, the Presidency, the Supreme Court and immigration enforcement. Open the border wide. Grant mass amnesty. Defund the Pentagon. The barbarians are inside the gate—and Democrats are WELCOMING them in! Communism is no longer a far-fetched threat. It is here on our SHORES! This isn’t just Common Sense vs. Crazy anymore. It’s Common Sense vs. COMMUNISM.”
  2. TX Senator Ted Cruz, never one to mince words, “told it like it is.” “These people are insane.”
  3. Even the left-leaning Washington Post has weighed in urging mainstream Dems to “find their ‘spine,’ ” and fight back by rejecting the DSA’s platform and policies, and aggressively supporting campaigns against DSA candidates.
  4. So far, the only Dem politician who has taken a stand against the radicals has been PA Senator John Federman.
  5. Most Dems have been reluctant to speak out for fear of being “primaried.” They have been standing by watching the radicals tear their party apart. As I wrote in the blog “The Camel’s Nose” the “big tent” concept is just a form of appeasement, and history tells us appeasement never works. The moderate Dems are “feeding the lion” hoping it won’t eat them, but eventually they will run out of food to feed it, and it will eat them. The radicals don’t want to share control. They want total control.
  6. Finally, some moderate Dems are beginning to fight back, but it’s already a little late. Radical candidates, capitalizing on a wave of antiestablishment sentiment and rising opposition to the US’s strong support of Israel, have already beaten Dem moderates in several primaries notably in House races in NY and CO and in mayoral elections in Washington, D.C., Seattle and of course NYC. Strong, unwavering support of Israel has always been a “given,” but recent polls indicate that support is wavering. For example, a July 2026 Emerson College poll found that 61% of likely voters feel the federal government spends “too much” on aid to Israel, although polls like Ipsos/Washington Post disclosed that only 29% support complete termination of military aid.
  7. In the interest of balance, I feel compelled to disclose that various recent polls have disclosed that even though Democratic socialism isn’t particularly popular in mainstream America, it is slightly less unpopular than MAGA politics. I must say that I question the validity of those polls as I believe many of the respondents were unaware of the real DSA agenda as articulated above.

Conclusion

So, how will all this affect the upcoming elections? Everyone has an opinion, but nobody knows for sure. In my view, the rise of the radical neo-communists threatens the long-term viability of the Dem Party. This election will be critical. The commie movement MUST be stamped out.

I expect the Repubs to characterize the DSA’s radical and scary agenda as communist, not socialist nor progressive. As you know, I heartily agree with that characterization. Unfortunately for the Dems many far left Dem candidates have already won primaries against more moderate Dems who would likely have stood a better chance in the general election.

The Repubs are fighting history. Since 1946, the party holding the White House has gained House seats in only two of 20 elections (1998 and 2002). With respect to the Senate, historically the sitting president’s party has lost an average of four seats. There are 33 U.S. Senate seats up for regular election in 2026, 20 of which are held by Republicans, which gives the Dems more chances to gain seats. Perhaps, the most critical factor will be voter turnout. Generally, it has been about 40% in midterm elections compared to 60% in presidential elections. The country needs a high turnout. Everybody get out and VOTE!

I don’t believe it is hyperbolic to state that in this election the US is fighting for its future viability as a free republic based on capitalism, free enterprise and freedom of choice. The Founding Fathers and all those who have fought and died for this country over the past 250 years will be watching.

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COMRADE ZOH’S FOLLY

As always, the contents of this blog constitute a compendium of multiple media reports supplemented by my personal opinion where indicated.

My opinion of Comrade Zoh has been well documented, and there is no need to regurgitate it here. Virtually not a day passes in which he, his staff and/or his supporters do not say or do something inane, illogical or illegal. I found two recent particularly egregious examples that illustrate my point.

  1. Zoh announced that he intends to attend the 9/11 memorial ceremonies commemorating those who tragically lost their lives on that date. I find this particularly insensitive and disingenuous. He doesn’t care one whit about the victims. In fact, through words and deeds he has repeatedly demonstrated that his sympathies are more aligned with the terrorists who perpetrated the heinous attacks than with the innocent victims. For example, he has refused to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada;” he has repeatedly spoken out in favor of the terrorists and against Israel; he defended the October 7 terrorist attacks; and he has maintained “close associations” with several known or suspected terrorists. Accordingly, a goodly portion of relatives and friends of the victims object strongly to his attending. They have been circulating a petition to that effect. According to the NY Post currently it has in excess of 17,000 signatures. As I write this Zoh has not been swayed by those persons’ concerns. On the contrary he has brushed them aside as inconsequential. In my view he should demonstrate a modicum of sensitivity to the feelings of the victims’ friends and relatives and stay away.
  2. Zoh’s attempt to comply with his campaign promise to establish state owned grocery stores has been fraught with delays and other problems. He has pledged to build five such stores – one in each borough. Supposedly, the cost will be $70 million. Guess how many stores are open and operating? How about zero. The first store is not projected to open until early 2027. If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you. In my experience these projects take twice as long and cost twice as much money as estimated. And by the way where will the funds come from, and who will be monitoring that the builders’ prices are fair and honest? Easy answer, no one. Moreover, as it turns out the stores will only carry a limited range of products. The discounted prices will likely put many family-owned bodegas out of business. Zoh has portrayed himself as an advocate for the working class, but again, it’s the little guy who gets hurt. The concept of state-owned grocery stores has attracted much criticism. For example, NYC Councilman Phil Wong, a Dem no less, characterized the stores as “something out of Communist China.” He opined “there will be shortages and empty shelves.” That is in accord with what I have been saying; it is clearly a communist idea straight out of Karl Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Castro. Don’t just take my word for it. Listen to those who have experienced this firsthand in communist countries. They know what to expect. They’ve seen this before. For instance, Juan Carlos Santiago, a Cuban refugee, compares it to what he fled to come to the US. He told the NY Post that “in the end it will cost more, and you get less.” That sounds about right.

Conclusion

These are but two examples of the ineptitude of Comrade Zoh’s Administration. I could cite a dozen other examples, but time and space preclude me from doing so. Anyway, I think you get the idea.

He and his staff have no knowledge nor experience in governing. They are committed to a flawed system of government that has never succeeded anywhere else. NYC voters elected him, and now they will pay the price.

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THE TROJAN HORSE DSA STYLE

As always, the contents of this blog are a compendium of multiple media reports supplemented by my personal opinion, where indicated.

Did the Trojan Horse really exist? Or is it merely a mythological “tall tale?” Or is there an element of truth to it that has been exaggerated and embellished over the years? Historians have been arguing this forever, but whether it is truth, fiction or a combination of the two is of no consequence for this blog. The salient point I wish to make is that it was a classic example of deception that the radical left has been replicating to great success.

Briefly, after a ten-year war with the city of Troy the Greek army, unable to penetrate the walls of the city, pretended to give up. The bulk of the army sailed away leaving a large wooden horse. The Trojans, thinking it was a gift, dragged it inside the city. Unbeknownst to them, a select contingent of Greeks was sequestered inside the horse. During the night they came out and overwhelmed the Trojan guards. Then, joined by the returning army, they sacked the city.

Over the years the Trojan Horse has become a symbol of deception. I believe the commie/DSAs, aided and abetted by a compliant mainstream media, have been employing this Trojan Horse strategy to hide their true intent from the voting public. So far, it has been one of the all-time successful gaslighting strategies. They and the media portray themselves as “progressives” or “socialists,” and their candidates run under those labels, which, though leftist philosophies, are not extremely radical. Thus, they are fairly acceptable to mainstream Dems and many other voters, particularly those who are dissatisfied and frustrated with their lives and/or envious of others who are more successful.

On the other hand, their radically left communist policies, which advocate for fundamental, structural shifts in U.S. governance, economics, finances, and society would be anathema to a majority of voters. In reality, they despise the USA and everything it stands for. They are disciples of Marx, Lenin, and Stalin. They want to end capitalism and free enterprise and replace it with a stateless society in which the government controls every aspect of life such as in Soviet Russia, Cuba and Venezuela.

Furthermore, the cherry on top is that they are vehemently anti-Israel and antisemitic. They don’t try to hide their policies they’re so arrogant that they come right out and state them. Thus, they are a combination of the two worst scourges of governance – Nazism and communism. As I have blogged many times history tells us American Jews, who have grown comfortable are at great risk, and many of them seem oblivious. I don’t comprehend why.

Once the radicals win an election, typically they disclose their true leftist policies. A good example of this is Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger. During her tenure in Congress and throughout her campaign she was a moderate Dem. Once she won, however, she transitioned to a progressive. Virginia voters were radically misled.

Below please find a sampling of the neo-communists’ policies. In my opinion most of these are inane, won’t work, lack common sense, and illustrate a lack of experience and knowledge of economics, politics, history and finance. Moreover, some of them are unconstitutional and have no chance of being enacted. As you read them, see if you don’t agree. Their purpose is just to feed their rabid lunatic base.

Most of these people have no practical work experience that would qualify them to govern; they have not built anything nor run a business; some are professional students, live at home and/or are supported by their parents. I wouldn’t trust them to manage a lemonade stand.

  1. Political Structural Reform: Radical changes to the U.S. government, including abolishing the Senate and the presidency in favor of a unicameral legislature and parliamentary system, packing or even eliminating the Supreme Court, eliminating the Electoral College, expanding the House of Representatives, adding DC and Puerto Rico as states, and instituting multi-party proportional representation.
  2. Economic & Labor Overhaul: A guaranteed 32-hour workweek without a loss in pay, expanding union protections, raising income taxes, instituting a wealth tax, reducing the power of large corporations, free universal healthcare, tuition-free higher education, canceling student debt, government owned and run grocery stores, free busses, and freezing rents.
  3. Criminal Justice Reform: Abolishing or at least curtailing the power of police and police unions, freeing all criminals from prison, and ceasing the deportation of illegals even those who have committed violent crimes such as murder and rape.
  4. Electoral Strategy: Operating not as an independent third party but rather taking control of the Dem Party to push the membership further left.
  5. Forgive all debt.
  6. Make comfortable housing a “human right.” No rent or mortgage payments.
  7. Publicly-funded retirement.
  8. Eliminate borders. Open the floodgates. Anyone can enter.
  9. Abolish ICE.
  10. Eliminate all foreign aid to Israel.
  11. Mandami wants to arrest Netanyahu as a war criminal and violator of human rights if he comes to NYC. He has no authority to do so, and he conveniently forgets or is not cognizant of the concept of diplomatic immunity.
  12. There will be no such thing as private property. The concept will be you didn’t build it; you don’t own it; and you don’t deserve it. The government will own everything. It can seize your assets and either keep them or redistribute them to those who are deemed more needy or deserving.

Conclusion

I fear that if these people were ever to seize control every aspect of life as we know it would be destroyed. The greatest country that ever existed would be no more. If this were to occur it would not be overnight. It would likely occur gradually over several election cycles, so gradually that most people would not be cognizant of it until it was too late.

What can be done to combat this scourge? Not to simplify, but I recommend two courses of action: (1) stay informed, and (2) VOTE. Pay particular attention to the off-year elections like 2026. Historically, voter turn-out is low and that is how many of these radicals sneak in. They are well organized, well financed and highly focused.

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THE CAMEL’S NOSE

As always, the contents of this blog constitute a compendium of multiple media reports supplemented by my personal opinion, where indicated.

Either the mainstream Dems and their allies in the mainstream media are really stupid, or they think the voters are. Their latest spin that welcoming the neo-communists into their party is beneficial because it is creating a “Big Tent” in which all ideas are welcome is inane on its face. The neo-communists have no long-term desire or intention of collaborating with them. On the contrary they have reiterated time and again that they hate America and want to tear it down and remake it in their own image. In addition, they have made their irrational, unconditional hatred of Jews and America’s support of Israel very clear.  In my opinion it is obvious that they intend to use the establishment Dems as a tool to attain power.  Slowly and inexorably, they plan to take control. First, they will continue to primary Dems that are not sufficiently to the “left.” Ultimately, they will challenge Republican office holders for control of the country.

They are disguising their true program of creating a country controlled by the state à la Soviet Russia, Cuba and Venezuela by claiming to be socialists rather than communists. Socialism is more benign and more palatable to voters. They are hoping voters will be fooled. However, their desire to redistribute wealth from the rich to the “needy” and to have the government control all key facets of life are dead giveaways.

One of their central policies is the promise of “free stuff.” The allure of “free stuff” is very powerful.  Many people love it not realizing that, in actuality, there is no such thing. Somehow, somewhere, someone has to pay for it. Their plan is that the billionaires and other rich people will pay for it. This classic plan of income redistribution is one of the major tenants of communism. Of course, there are not enough rich people to pay for all of their programs. Sooner or later, they will run out of other people’s money, and then the system will self-destruct.

Moreover, most rich people have the ability to transfer their wealth to other jurisdictions that do not penalize the wealthy or, in extreme cases, to just emigrate to another country.  This has been occurring in many socialist and communist countries. Communism has NEVER been successful anywhere. Eventually the countries that tried it have all self-destructed. The most recent example is Venezuela, which in a short period of time has deteriorated from one of the wealthiest countries to one of the poorest.

And now for the central point of the blog, I will paraphrase for you the parable of the camel’s nose. A man sets out riding a camel on a trip through the desert. The first night he stops to make camp. He pitches a tent for himself to sleep in and beds the camel down outside in the cold. After a few hours the camel asks if he could put just his nose in the tent because it is so cold. The man acquiesces since he wants to keep the camel happy as he is relying on it to continue to transport him on his journey.

The next night the camel requests to stick his entire head into the tent. It’s a tight fit. The tent is barely big enough, but again the man agrees. This goes on for a few days. Soon, the camel is entirely in the tent, and the man is sleeping outside in the cold.

Folks, in this parable the tent represents the Dem Party; the man represents traditional Dems; and the camel represents the neo-commies. The moral is quite clear. The Dems’ mantra of a big tent in which a wide variety of views can co-exist is a fallacy. The tent is simply not big enough for the traditional Dems to co-exist with the neo-commies. Eventually, the neo-commies will take control of the party. They will keep pushing and pushing until they have either converted every Dem to their radical views or purged them from the party entirely.

It may take a few election cycles, but I fear it will come to pass eventually, unless the moderates nip the movement in the bud. The 2026 midterm elections would be a good time to start. Remember the lessons of communist Russia in 1917 and the Nazi movement in Germany in the 1930s, which I have described in previous blogs. Don’t delude yourself into thinking it can’t happen here, because it could.

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HERE COME THE COMMIES

As always, the contents of this blog are a compendium of multiple media reports supplemented by my own opinion, where indicated.

The commies are not just coming; they are already here in the US. What was thought to be impossible just a few short years ago is becoming a reality. In the most recent primaries several commies secured the Dem nomination for various offices. In “blue” jurisdictions, such as NY, nomination is tantamount to election, so next year they will likely be serving in Congress as well as various state and local offices.

Essentially, they are “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” They portray themselves as “progressives,” or “socialists,” but their beliefs are more aligned with communism. I call them “neo-communists.” More on this later.

Wikipedia defines communism as a “political and economic system where all property and resources are collectively owned by the public or the state, rather than by individuals. The core goal is to create a classless society where wealth is distributed based on individual need, eliminating the concept of private ownership.” Without delving too far into the weeds what that means is everything you own, your house, your business, your retirement funds, everything, belongs, not to you, but to the state. You didn’t earn it; you didn’t build it (the source of the title of my blogs); you don’t deserve it. The state has the right and authority to seize it for itself or redistribute it to the less fortunate.

If that doesn’t resonate with you think of the old Soviet Union, Cuba, or Venezuela. In those instances, the state controlled all economic activities, the means of production, education, communication, military, and property. The notion of equality was phony. In every case a small class of elites arose to control everything. Inevitably, the system failed as it always has. The old Soviet Union collapsed, Cuba is a failing state, and in just a few short years oil-rich Venezuela has gone from one of the richest countries in the world to one of the poorest. Socialism/communism has never lasted. In the words of former British PM Margaret Thatcher, “eventually, you run out of other people’s money.”

The distinction between communism and socialism can be blurred. In fact, Wikipedia’s definition of “extreme socialism” pretty much matches its definition of “communism.” In my opinion, there is no brightline distinction between the two. I view it as more of a continuum from socialism at one end to communism at the other with different gradations of socialism in between. I associate socialism with the form of government practiced in countries like Sweden. Even in the US we practice some elements of socialism, such as social security and Medicaid. That is not the same as communism, which is far more extreme and adheres to the philosophy of Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Castro.

  1. The neo-communists, such as Zohran Mamdani, Janeese Lewis, Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez, Melat Kiros, and Graham Platner, may have subtle differences in their beliefs, but they are united in (1) their desire to tear down and remake America, (2) terminate America’s support for Israel, and (3) their unabashed antisemitism, which they espouse freely, openly and loudly.
  2. Most of them were born outside the US. Their parents emigrated here to secure a better life for them. Rather than be grateful to live here they seek to destroy it.
  3. Most of them have no practical life experiences. They have never built anything. Some of them have never had a real job, are perpetual students, and/or live at home with their parents and are supported by them.
  4. Some of their positions are downright irrational, such as open borders, abolishing ICE, emptying prisons, and ceasing to deport illegal aliens for any reason even if they have committed serious crimes. Those who advocate those policies have truly lost their minds. Any sane person could ascertain those policies would result in utter lawlessness and chaos.
  5. Comrade Zoh is the mayor of NYC, the largest and most diverse city in the US. He was born in Uganda. When he was seven years old his family moved to NYC. He has a bachelor’s degree in Africana studies. He worked as a housing counselor and a rapper. He was elected to the NYS Assembly in 2020. After serving three terms he was elected mayor in 2024. He is portrayed as a “democratic socialist,” but based on his policies, such as tax increases on corporations and those earning above $1,000,000 a year, free buses, universal childcare, freezing rents, and establishing city-owned grocery stores, among others, I consider him to be a neo-communist. What are his background and credentials for the job? Not much. No background in business, economics, politics, law or other practical areas. But he is a glib, articulate, persuasive speaker, which is a major source of his appeal to voters.
  6. Darializa Chevalier is a community organizer, UAW member, and the daughter of Dominican immigrants who has spent years advocating for her community in upper Manhattan. She graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies.  She has been associated with various radical, anti-American and anti-Israel groups. She has denounced Israel as an “apartheid state [that is] committing genocide” against Palestinians. She described her political views as having been influenced by her experiences while living in Palestine and the writings of black radicals such as Angela Davis. Even the NY Times has characterized her as “far left.” Based on her activities I would call her a neo-communist. She disrespected the American flag by once tweeting that she “wiped her hands with [it].” Is this the type of person you want representing you in Congress?
  7. Platner, a military veteran, sports a chest tattoo identified as a Totenkopf, a skull-and-crossbones emblem historically used by Nazi SS guards. He is an oyster farmer whose sole customer is his mother. He claims he got the tattoo in 2007 while on leave with the Marines in Croatia and was completely unaware of its historical Nazi associations. He merely chose the design from a tattoo parlor wall during a night of drinking. Yeah, right! The Dem establishment is supporting him because they think he can win the election, which is more important to them than the fact he is a Nazi. They have no scruples; they crave power. Does anyone else see the irony? For years the Dems have been calling Trump a Nazi, which he most assuredly is not. Now they have nominated a real Nazi for the Senate. [Today, I heard that some Dems are looking to force him to withdraw due to repeated allegations of sexual assault. The deadline to replace him is July 13. I predict he will withdraw.]
  8. These people are not limited to a small geographic area. There are many others with similar opinions and attitudes scattered around the country such as in Colorado, DC and LA.
  9. This group of anti-American, Nazi-loving bigots is ill-equipped to run a lemonade stand, much less the government.

Conclusion

So, what has given rise to this group of extreme radicals, which essentially has hijacked the Dem Party? I believe there are many factors, however, I maintain that the cowardly character of Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries is the major cause. They have no integrity. Neither has condemned the group’s radical, anti-American, anti-Israel, antisemitic comments and policies. In my view they afraid to do so. In fact, they are bending over backwards to curry favor. Even Kamala Harris is “kissing the ring.” They are the leaders of the Party, or at least they are supposed to be. They’re afraid they will get primaried or lose their leadership positions. Well, I’ve got news for them. They will never be “left” enough to satisfy the wolves. It’s analogous to a man who keeps feeding a wild animal in hopes it will not eat him. In reality, eventually he will run out of food, and the wild animal will eat him anyway.

Jeffries and others are claiming that the far lefties are welcome, that the Dem Party has a “Big Tent” philosophy, that a wide variety of ideas and policies are welcome. That is pure BS. That is akin to letting the fox into the henhouse. They should familiarize themselves with the fable about “letting the camel’s nose into the tent.”

Schumer is the worst. I have no respect for the man. He is a coward. He is Jewish; he represents a heavily Jewish state; and yet he has said and done nothing about these lunatic radicals. In fact, no Dem has taken a stand except for PA Senator John Federman. Schumer and Jeffries will lose their leadership positions anyway, and they will get primaried, and good riddance.

The big question is what impact these radicals and their supporters will have on the 2026 midterm elections. Will they help Dems attract young voters and disaffected nonvoters excited by the left-wing candidates? Or, conversely, will it prompt moderates to stay home or even vote Republican? The answer is critical to the future of the country. At this point I don’t know, but it will bear watching.

Currently, the neo-communists comprise a very small portion of the electorate. However, they are aggressive, vociferous, well-organized, and well-funded. I agree with President Trump that we must deal with them now rather than wait until they grow more powerful. History tells us we should have dealt with the Nazis in the early 1930s. We didn’t, and you know what happened. Also, I would remind you that in 1917 there were only 24,000 Bolsheviks in Russia out of a total population of 160 million, yet look what happened.

Democracy, capitalism and free enterprise is engrained in our DNA, not communism. In the words of Winston Churchill: “Democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others.” I say, wake up and act now before it’s too late. This applies doubly to Jews and those who support Israel.

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HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY AMERICA. HAPPY SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL!

When you think about it, we are an amazing, unlikely success story. History buffs will recall that at the dawn of the American Revolution a small band of patriots were leading a rebellion against the mighty British empire. They had a seasoned, well-trained, well-outfitted, formidable army and navy, perhaps the mightiest in the world. On the other hand, we had no army and no navy NONE.

What we had was a bunch of ragtag, ill-equipped, parttime, inexperienced militias scattered among the various colonies. Our men were farmers and tradesmen, not professional soldiers or sailors. Our military leaders, even George Washington, were inexperienced in the tactics of warfare. What we did have, however, was an unquenchable thirst for freedom.

Seemingly we had very little chance of success. (If there had been a Las Vegas it would have given us infinitesimal odds of success). Yet, we persevered. That, in and of itself, is a great American success story. Then, we followed it up with 250 years of unparalleled achievement and success to become the greatest nation in the history of the world. Yes, we have flaws. Nothing is perfect, but we are continuing to deal with these problems and evolve.

A small, persistent, vociferous, well-funded group of dissidents have been very critical of America, even advocating tearing down our society and remaking it into a socialist/communist nation. They’ve been getting much publicity lately, but they are in the minority. A recent Cato Institute poll disclosed that only 17% characterized themselves as “not very patriotic compared to 70% who described themselves as “at least moderately patriotic.” Even a majority of Gen Z’ers characterized themselves as “at least moderately patriotic.” 63% of all respondents averred they are “grateful” to be Americans. Only 10% expressed an unfavorable view of America’s founding. So, take all the negativity reported in the media with a big “grain of salt.” More on this later.

To honor America’s 250th birthday below please find a brief summary of trivia and notable historic events that have occurred in America on July 4th during the last 250 years.

  1. In 1776 when the Declaration was signed there were but 2.5 million people living in America. The current population is 349 million.
  2. Benjamin Franklyn, age 70, was the oldest person to sign the Declaration of Independence. South Carolina delegate Edward Rutledge, 26 years old, was the youngest person to sign it.
  3. According to Wikipedia it is believed that there were only 200 original copies of the Declaration of Independence printed. Today there are only 26 known copies in existence.
  4. John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. His bold signature was so memorable that his name became synonymous with the phrase “put your John Hancock on this form.”
  5. President Warren Harding created the popular term “founding fathers” in his address to the Republican National Convention in 1916.
  6. Independence Day is celebrated annually all throughout the country with parades, fireworks and other events. According to Wikipedia Bristol, Rhode Island’s celebration, which commenced in 1785, is the oldest.
  7. Americans love to eat! Hot dogs are the undisputed most popular food consumed on July 4. According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC) Americans consume an estimated 150 million of them on the holiday.
  8. Nathan’s at Coney Island has hosted a famous hot dog-eating contest every year on July 4th since 1916. It is so popular that it is televised in all its gluttonous glory.
  9. Hamburgers are a close second. Who doesn’t like the smell and taste of burgers on the grill?
  10. New Englanders, to be different, have a centuries-old tradition of eating salmon and peas on Independence Day. I don’t mind the salmon, but peas, ugh.
  11. For dessert we have apple pie, the undisputed cultural symbol of America. It has served as the de facto national treat for generations, and it is deeply embedded in the nation’s culinary DNA. We are all familiar with the phrase “as American as apple pie.”
  12. We do love our pyrotechnics. For many of us they are an engrained feature of the holiday celebration. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spend in excess of $1 billion on them every year. Out of this, only 10% of firework displays are set off professionally, which probably accounts for the estimated 13,000 firework-related hospital emergency room visits per year. According to Fortune Magazine almost 70% are normally for treating men.
    Most people are sensible enough to view them from a safe distance or on the tv. However, there are always a few irresponsible daredevils who injure themselves. Some of you may recall that some years ago NY Giants star defensive lineman Jason Pierre Paul severely injured his fingers and hand and almost derailed a promising career.

Some of the notable events that occurred on July 4:

1777: The first Independence Day celebration was held in Philadelphia, featuring fireworks, bonfires, and parades as originally envisioned by Founding Father John Adams.

1789: 1st US tariff act signed by President Washington.

1802: The United States Military Academy officially opened its doors at West Point, New York.
1803: The United States government officially announced the Louisiana Purchase from France, which doubled the nation’s size.

1826: Former Presidents and Founding Fathers John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day within hours of each other, exactly 50 years after the Declaration was adopted.

1827 Slavery was abolished in New York.

1831: Former president and Founding Father James Monroe passed away.

1831: The song, “America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)” with lyrics by Samuel Francis Smith, which many supported to be designated as our national anthem, had its first public performance at Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

1863: Confederate forces surrendered at Vicksburg, Mississippi, a major turning point in the Civil War.

1870 July 4th was designated as a federal holiday.

1884: France officially presented the Statue of Liberty to the United States.
1946: The Philippines gained full independence from the United States.

1916: 1st Nathan’s hotdog eating contest.

1939: Baseball legend Lou Gehrig gave his famous “Luckiest Man” retirement speech at Yankee Stadium after being diagnosed with ALS

Birthdays of notable persons:

1804 – Nathaniel Hawthorne, author (“The Scarlet Letter” and “House of the Seven Gables”).

1872 – Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President.

1911 – Mitch Miller, big bandleader, “Sing along with Mitch.”

1918 – Ann Landers (aka Esther Pauline “Eppie” Lederer), advice columnist.

1918 – Abigail Van Buren, advice columnist (“Dear Abby.”).

1927 – Neil Simon, playwright and screenwriter (“The Odd Couple,” “The Goodbye Girl,” “Biloxi Blues” and “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”).

1929 – Al Davis, NFL Oakland Raiders owner and executive (“Just win, baby.”).

1930 – George Steinbrenner (aka the “Boss”), NY Yankees owner.

1938 – Bill Withers – singer-songwriter (“Lean on Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Just the Two of Us”).

1943 – Geraldo Rivera, journalist and talk show host.

1988- Malia Obama, daughter of former President Barack Obama.

Conclusion

To reiterate my earlier comments America has some flaws, but it is still the best nation on earth. Witness the millions that are striving to emigrate. Also, several foreign soccer fans visiting for the World Cup matches expressed their pleasant surprise at the politeness of the American people.

In 1776 few around the world thought we would win our independence, and after we did few thought it would last. After 250 years I maintain we have proven those naysayers wrong.

This country was built by immigrants who came here with nothing but a dream. I’m talking about most of our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. Most had few possessions, no prospects, and knew no one. Some even came alone as children. Against all odds, they survived and prospered. They built a life for themselves. They sacrificed so that their kids would have a better life.

Others of our ancestors were slaves. Once they earned their freedom, they too strived to attain a better life for themselves and their children. In America there are a plethora of blacks and other minorities who have taken advantage of their opportunities and become successful in business, entertainment, politics and a host of other fields. Blacks have served on the Supreme Court, and we elected a black president, twice.

America is and has been the one country where one can start with nothing and be successful. Our history is replete with thousands of examples of that. Hence the common phrase “only in America.” A prime example is our current vice president, J. D. Vance. To quote the late Winston Churchill- “Democracy is the worst form of government except for all [the others.”].

Tomorrow, July 4th, is a day to celebrate 250 years of independence. Enjoy the holiday, and stay safe.







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