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Wednesday is September 11, a date that will always have special meaning for all Americans, indeed for all decent people worldwide. Like December 7 and November 22, September 11 is a date that will, in the words of former president FDR, “live in infamy.” This year will mark the 23rd anniversary of the horrific event. I am sorry to say that, in my view, the US is in grave danger of a replication. This view has been supported by warnings issued by a variety of officials from GOP politicians to the heads of all of our intelligence agencies such as Homeland Security, the FBI and the CIA. And yet, I have seen little or no evidence that anything is being done about it.

Why? We have grown complacent. In particular, the Biden-Harris Administration (“BH”) opened our borders to allow anyone and everyone to enter the US. The number of illegals that have entered since BH took office in January 2021 is downright staggering. Estimates vary but the general consensus is that some 20 million illegals have entered the country during the BH Administration in just 3 1/2 years.

No one knows the actual number due to the additional numbers of “got-aways.” Few of the illegals have been vetted properly. It is logical to believe that a goodly portion of them are terrorists, criminals, drug dealers, women and child traffickers, and others who would do us harm. Even if only 1% of the illegals fall into the aforementioned categories of “bad actors” that would mean there are in excess of 200,000 running loose in the country. We have no idea where they are or what they are planning. I fear it is only a matter of time until we find out.

Of all the ill-conceived and ill-advised BH policies, and there have been a plethora of them, this one is arguably the worst. I have described this, at length, in previous blogs. Suffice to say, even absent a terrorist attack the devastating political, economic, financial and social ramifications of this policy are already being felt. If not corrected, I predict the long-term negative ramifications of this open border policy will be incalculable.

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 began as a beautiful late summer day in NYC, pleasant temperatures and a brilliant blue sky. That would soon change. At 8:46 a.m. ET, Americans’ safe and secure lives changed forever. Like Japan’s sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and the JFK assassination, undoubtedly, most everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when they first heard of the attack. At that moment, the first hijackers’ plane crashed into the north tower of the WTC. This was followed quickly by a second plane crashing into the south tower, and, later, a third one crashing into the Pentagon. Incredibly and inexplicably, by 10:28 am both towers had collapsed.

Later in the day, a fourth plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, PA. It is believed that this fourth plane was bound for a target in Washington, D.C., perhaps, the White House or the Capitol, and it would have succeeded but for the heroism of some of the passengers on board. The true story of the passengers on that flight is told in the compelling, dramatic and true tv movie The Flight That Fought Back, which is shown periodically. I strongly recommend it.

As I said, this year will mark the 23rd anniversary of those horrific attacks. They resulted in just under 3,000 deaths. Most of those were workers who were trapped in their offices and consumed by fire or smoke/chemical inhalation. They could not escape because most of the stairwells were blocked.  Many victims have only been identified due to their DNA, in some cases many years later.

Compounding the tragedy was the fact that NYC’s 911 operators were not as well informed as they should have been. Thus, they were advising callers from inside the towers not to descend the stairs on their own. Some of them proceeded to the roof hoping to be rescued by helicopter. Unfortunately, helicopters could not land on the roofs due to the heat and thick smoke. Many of us who were watching on tv witnessed the awful sight of people jumping to their deaths (in some cases, actually holding hands with others for support) rather than awaiting their fates from the fire.

The horror of the attacks, themselves, was amplified by the fact that the victims were not soldiers but innocent civilians who were merely working at their jobs.  In addition to the thousands of civilians, police officers, firemen and EMS workers that were killed in the attacks, themselves, thousands more volunteer workers and even people who lived or worked in the vicinity ended up contracting various illnesses from inhaling the many carcinogens in the air and dying subsequently, in some cases many years later. 

Many of us know or know of someone, such as Jamie Testa, a close family friend, who suffered this fate.  These people were heroes. They didn’t have to be at ground zero. They volunteered to help rescue people who were trapped under the rubble, because that is what Americans do. Tragically, they paid with their lives. Even today, 23 years later, people are still contracting diseases and dying.  Horrifying as it may seem, some doctors have predicted that eventually these victims will exceed the 3,000 killed on 9/11. 

The primary illnesses are cancer, respiratory disorders, asthma, COPD and gastroesophageal reflux disorder. In addition, in the aftermath health workers noted a significant increase in anxiety, depression and PTSD. As I said, many of the above have manifested themselves years later. Even now, new cases are being presented. The number of documented cancer cases, alone, has tripled in the past few years. The physical, mental and emotional toll has been astounding. An estimated 18,000 people have contracted illnesses from the toxic dust. Moreover, there is speculation that 9/11 has caused health issues in babies whose mothers were pregnant at the time of the attacks, such as premature birth, respiratory problems, below average weight, and increased neo-natal requirements.

This was the deadliest attack on US soil ever. By comparison, the shocking Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which, as I said, President FDR characterized as “a date that will live in infamy” resulted in “only” 2,400 deaths, and they were mostly military personnel.

Various ceremonies, vigils, memorials, and tributes are scheduled throughout the day in various venues around the world. Some of the highlights will be:

1. Various dignitaries will speak at ground zero in NYC.
2. There will be a moment of silence at 8:46 am eastern daylight savings time, the exact time AA flight #11 struck the WTC. This will be followed immediately by the reading of the names of the victims. This is my personal favorite part. I find it especially poignant, particularly when some names are read by the victim’s surviving spouse or children.
3. The “Tribute in Light” ceremony featuring two blue beams of light will last from dusk to dawn.
4. There will be a commemorative ceremony to honor the passengers of flight 93.
5. There will also be commemorative ceremonies at various other locations throughout the country and the world in remembrance.
6. The day’s events will be telecast on many major tv channels and livestreamed on U tube.

In addition to the deaths there was significant damage to the economy of NYC and the US as a whole. The entire Wall Street area, including the financial markets, was closed until September 17. Air travel was disrupted. Americans’ psyche was severely damaged. The cleanup of the WTC area was not completed until May 2002. All in all, it took 3.1 million man-hours to clean up 1.8 million tons of debris at a cost of $750 million.  Internationally, countries were generally horrified and supportive, although some of the people in some Muslim countries, such as Iraq, were seen to be celebrating.

Fifteen of the hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, with the others having originated from Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. The terrorist group, Al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, quickly claimed responsibility. Bin Laden had declared a holy war on the US and had issued a fatwa calling for the killing of Americans. Following 9/11, bin Laden became public enemy number 1. Eventually, the US exacted revenge, hunting him down and killing him.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Americans wanted to know how our intelligence agencies had failed to anticipate them. Who had “dropped the ball?” Amid many investigations and finger-pointing it became obvious that the major factor was a failure to communicate and share intelligence and information. For example:

l. The CIA had intelligence reports that a terrorist attack was forthcoming, but it was expecting it to be in Israel, not the US.
2. The CIA knew that two known terrorists had slipped into the US.
3. The FBI had information of certain anomalies at some US flight schools.
4. The Justice Department policies advocated very limited intelligence-sharing, even with other agencies.
5. The CIA and NSA were reluctant to reveal sources of information and their methods of attaining it.
6. None of these agencies reported their information to each other or to the White House.
7. In 2004 Attorney General John Ashcroft testified to the “9/11 Commission” that the “single greatest structural cause…. was the wall that segregated or separated criminal investigators and intelligence agents.”

I hope that the coordination and information-sharing among these agencies have been enhanced since 9/11, but I have my doubts. As time has gone on, I sense that we have grown more and more complacent and the various alphabet agencies have resumed “guarding their own turf” rather than sharing intelligence and information for the greater good.

Americans’ lives have changed considerably since 9/11. Many believe that not all of these changes are good or even necessary. For instance:

1. The US created the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate and oversee intelligence activities and security. In addition, it passed the USA Patriot Act. These agencies have improved our readiness and security but at the price of certain civil liberties. There is, and should be, a balance between security and liberty, and depending on one’s political point of view the pendulum may have swung too far, or not far enough, toward security.

2. Enhanced security at airports and train and bus terminals has made travel more complicated, time-consuming, and nerve-wracking. Some people have curtailed or ceased their travel entirely, particularly internationally.

3. Many parents are apprehensive, if not paranoid, about letting their children go outside to play or ride their bicycles in the neighborhood. Also, they accompany their children to the school or school bus stop and pick them up at the end of the day. The various terrorist attacks in schools in recent years have done little to assuage these fears and concerns. Schools have ramped up security protocols. Some have even hired armed guards. Some people have advocated arming teachers.

5. On the plus side, there has been a significant increase in patriotism and gratitude toward veterans.

In my opinion, parents should make a concerted effort to educate their children on the tragedy of 9/11, what happened, how it happened and what it means. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation approximately one-third of Americans are under the age of 26, and, therefore, have little or no recollection or knowledge of this event. The danger is that as time passes the populace will forget, and we should never allow that to happen. Educate your kids!

In addition, I recommend you watch some of the special memorial programming about 9/11 which will be shown on tv this weekend. I have seen a few and they are excellent.

In the last few years, I have noted a marked increase in anti-Americanism. This has manifested itself in riots on college campuses and in the streets. Often, these anti-American riots have been conjoined with anti-Israel/antisemitic/pro-terrorist/pro-Palestinian riots, which have grown alarmingly in frequency and intensity ever since Hamas’ attack on Israel last October 7.

Moreover, some people have been “down-playing” the 9/11 attacks. For example, Rep Ilham Omar, one of the notorious “Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse,” aka “The Squad,” who has uttered many disparaging remarks about America and Americans, has summed up 9/11 as “some people did something.” Really? Is she kidding? It’s easy to write off her and others of her ilk as “kooks,” but she does have followers who place credence in what she says.

Every anniversary has presented the heightened danger of additional terror attacks. In addition to the many obvious high value targets, such as ground zero, Times Square, and sporting venues there are a plethora of soft targets, such as churches, schools and malls.

I encourage everyone to find the time to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. It is on the site of the original WTC complex in lower Manhattan. It occupies approximately one-half of the acreage of the original complex. It features two huge waterfalls and a “survivor tree,” which symbolizes resilience and strength. Take the time to stroll around this beautiful area. Take one of the many tours. You will find them most informative. Yes, it is tragic to be reminded of the horror of that day, but, on the other hand, it is uplifting to be reminded of the heroism and resilience of many first responders and even ordinary citizens and to experience the healing that has occurred. Remember, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

CONCLUSION

The sad fact is that we as a nation have grown complacent again. We have forgotten the “lessons” we learned on 9/11 and in its immediate aftermath.

There are many examples of this manifestation. As I said above, the most obvious one is our failure to secure our borders. I have written several blogs on the dangers of this policy. Inexplicably and illogically the BH Administration has chosen to ignore this danger or justify it based on “humanitarian” concerns.

Consequently, at the present time, we are at grave risk of a repetition. And, as bad as 9/11 was the next one could be worse, far worse. This situation has had and will continue to have incalculable political, economic, social and military consequences for our nation, none of them good.

Undoubtedly, many of you experienced 9/11 firsthand. Please feel free to share your experiences.

Why would any Jew who is cognizant of the current Administration’s attitude toward Israel and the Jews vote Democrat in the 2024 election? Unless said voter is devoid of compassion for Israel and his fellow Jews, totally indifferent to current events, not knowledgeable of the facts and/or a terminal sufferer of TDS it is beyond my comprehension. If you wonder why I feel that way, read on.

Jews, if you think you are safe and secure in America, think again. If you think you are insulated from the rampant antisemitism that has been ravaging throughout the world, think again. If you think a KK-TT Administration would safeguard your rights, think again. If you think this election doesn’t matter, think again. History tells you otherwise, and, more often than not, history repeats itself. See below for more details.

Throughout history, Jews have always been the whipping boy. In the Middle Ages rulers would often allow Jews to live in their country when times were good. However, they were quick to blame them whenever conditions deteriorated, for example if the crops failed, or if there was a drought, or a plague, or some other calamity. Then, blaming the Jews became a handy means of diverting the masses’ minds away from the root causes of their misery. They were told “blame the Jews.” It’s their fault. And, more often than not, the masses believed the rulers and reacted violently.

Why? I believe it was because Jews were (and are) different. Different God. Different method of worship. Different day of worship. Different appearance. Different customs. People tend to mistrust or even hate others who are different.

Hence, the Jews would be expelled from the country or victimized by pogroms or other means of violence with the tacit approval of the ruling class. It’s important for American Jews to be cognizant of that historical fact. American Jews must comprehend that even though they have enjoyed freedom, peace and prosperity in the US for some 250 years that can be taken away. For example, Jews lived in peace and prosperity in Germany for some 500 years before the Nazis came to power. Hitler’s rise to power was fueled by blaming the Jews for the post-WWI depression in Germany. The real causes were varied and complex, but the Jews were not one of them. Of course, that did not matter to Hitler who just wanted to seize control by any available means. We all know what happened afterwards. Jews cannot take the good life for granted. It can and generally has been transient.

So, we come to the present time in America. Traditionally, American Jews and the Dem Party have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship. Most Jews are liberal and have tended to support liberal candidates and liberal causes both monetarily and at the ballot box. According to a June 2024 survey by the Jewish Electorate Institute 67% of the respondents expressed support for Biden versus 24% for Trump. This was less of a margin than an exit poll after the 2020 election when Biden led 71% to 21%, but it is still sizeable.

Often, Jews vote Dem out of habit or because their parents did. Regardless, most of them have been loyal Dems their whole life. In return Dems have normally championed Jewish causes and, by extension, Israel. Since Israel’s founding in 1947 every administration, both GOP and Dem, has been a strong supporter, recognizing that it is our only true and enduring ally in the volatile and strategically vital ME. Every one, that is, until now.

Like any country that has been attacked Israel has a right and an obligation to defend itself. Moreover, it must defeat its attackers decisively and thoroughly in order to deter future attacks. This is an axiomatic concept. It has been true throughout all recorded history. More recently, it’s what we did after we were attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor and the Islamic terrorists on 9/11. Furthermore, it is how Israel has reacted every other time it has been attacked with, I might add, the US’s unwavering support.

The Biden-Harris Administration and its allies in the Dem party acting in concert with their friends and allies in the media (“BHD”) have paid lip service by saying that “Israel has the right to defend itself (Thank you, “captain obvious.”), but their support has had limitations. They have not let Israel prosecute the war decisively to destroy Hamas and Hezbollah once and for all. Instead, they have placed restrictions on its military actions. They have advocated pursuing a negotiated cease fire and a two-state solution; they have threatened to withhold military aid; and they have undermined Netanyahu by criticizing his prosecution of the war and advocating new elections. This interference has actually prolonged the war and endangered the lives of the hostages still in captivity.

Hamas and Hezbollah don’t want to negotiate a peace or a cease fire. They don’t want a two-state solution. (For that matter, neither do the Israelis.) They have reiterated many times they want to destroy Israel and all the Jews in the region. That is the meaning of their mantra, “from the river to the sea.” One cannot negotiate with an enemy like that. BHD does not understand that.

Jews, wake up! BHD has demonstrated repeatedly and emphatically that it is no friend of either Israel or the Jews. I have included all Dems in this category because very few have dared to contradict BHD. Incidentally, I have a particularly strong utter contempt for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (the “Chameleon”). He is one of the most powerful and influential Jewish politicians in America. Not only has he not been supportive of Israel during the current crisis as he has in the past, he has consistently toed the BHD party line. He was especially critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu in “The Speech.”

BHD has uttered meaningless platitudes such “we stand behind Israel,” however, their actions and non-actions have exposed their true feelings. Remember the old expression, “actions speak louder than words.” I have blogged about this several times in the past year, but apparently a brief review is required. For example:

1. Recently, BHD has not been as supportive as prior Administrations. Since October 7 its support for Israel has been tepid, at best.
2. BHD have forgotten, or never learned, two of the primary lessons of warfare history. (1) Never negotiate with terrorists, and (2) appeasement never works. The world now views the US as an easy touch, a weakling, an appeaser, and the reincarnation of Britain’s late Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. KK with her pro-Hamas, anti-Israel, antisemitic bent has exacerbated matters. For example, recently she hired a consultant named Brenda Abdelall, to head up an outreach program to the Arab community who is blatantly pro-Arab/anti-Israel. Abdelall has been quoted as stating the “Zionists control much of American politics.”
3. BHD has continually urged Israel to “show restraint” in retaliating against Hamas.
4. BHD has repeatedly criticized and undermined Prime Minister Netanyahu’s prosecution of the war. It has urged him to pursue conciliation and negotiation rather than full-bore aggression.
5. BHD has never condemned Hamas for the brutality of its attack and its murder and torture of the victims. Remember, at least four of the 60 or so hostages thought to be still alive are American citizens. BHD has abandoned them as it did the Americans in Afghanistan.
6. BHD has tried to pressure Israel into holding new elections with an eye to replacing Netanyahu. This constituted blatant interference in a nation’s internal affairs, a tactic which might be appropriate for a banana republic, not an ally.
7. BHD has slow-walked aid and has threatened to suspend aid if Israel were too aggressive.
8. At one point BHD sent Secretary of State Tony Blinken to attend a meeting of the Israeli War Cabinet to “advise” them which courses of action would and would not be acceptable to BHD. To use a Yiddish expression, what Chutzpah!
9. BHD has avoided blaming Iran, which, as Hamas’ sponsor, is ultimately responsible.
10. In general, BHD has been trying to steer a middle-of-the-road policy, which has not pleased either side, because it is afraid of offending the Arab states in the region such as Iran, its sponsored terrorists like Hamas and Hezbollah, and its supporters in the US. In short, BHD is selling out Israel and American Jews in order to win an election.
11. KK has been even more extreme than Biden. Recently, speaking on ABC’s “This Week” GOP Senator Lindsey Graham characterized her as a “wrecking ball.” Harris has vowed to “defend Israel and help it defend itself,” but even though she has professed to have been “the last person in the room” whenever Biden discussed policy, she has neither advocated nor implemented any specific actions consistent with those words. Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap; play the game.
12. Latent antisemitism has exploded in the last few years. It was always there lurking just below the surface, but now it is out in the open. A prime example is the recent massive anti-Israel, pro-Hamas, pro-Palestinian rioting. Many, if not most, of these rioters have no conception of the issues, which are very complex. They probably couldn’t even find Gaza on a map. They don’t care. They just want to riot and incite violence. A goodly portion of them are probably outside professional agitators.

BHD has abetted and exacerbated these conditions by their failure to stand up to the rioters. They have allowed the violence to proceed and metastasize unchecked. There has been violence in the streets and in the colleges.

It’s apparent that antisemitism on college campuses has become pervasive. It has been reported consistently that many Jewish students are uncomfortable and afraid. My research disclosed several surveys supporting this. I have included a few below to illustrate the point.

According to a survey conducted by the Anti-Defamation League in November 2023 73% of college students reported they had experienced or witnessed an antisemitic incident. According to a recent survey by the IDF some 63% of Jewish students have either been the victim of or know someone who has been the victim of an antisemitic attack. A recent survey of major universities conducted by US News and World Report disclosed that some 2/3 of the students responded that antisemitism was a “problem” on their respective campuses. Some 44% of these students reported that they “rarely” or “never” feel safe “identifying” as Jews. A recent survey conducted by Alums for Campus Fairness disclosed that 81% of college students and 69% of alumni tried to “avoid certain places, events and situations.” Moreover, 60% reported witnessing faculty making an “offensive antisemitic remark” either to them or an acquaintance.

As a consequence, parents of many of these students have recommended they transfer to a college with a “safer” environment, but where would it be safer? Hard to know. And why should these students be forced to transfer from their choice of college by the actions of others? Tough decision.

GOP NJ Rep. Jeff Van Drew observed that “there’s little difference between the ideology of the protesters and the top of the [Dem] ticket.” To illustrate this point, BHD has continued to take no action. Neither they nor the various local governments have activated police to control and/or arrest the rioters. They have not deported those that are in the US illegally. They have not even condemned the violence. They are either indifferent or, worse, supportive of the mob.

Similarly, college administrators have failed miserably to quell the antisemitism on their respective campuses. Unfortunately, antisemitism is well-embedded on many campuses, so I wouldn’t expect significant improvements any time soon.

If any other ethnic or religious group were being victimized in this manner you can be sure there would have been an uproar and a flurry of action. Now that a new school year has commenced the violence of last year will likely be repeated. What will BHD and the college administrators do about it? My guess would be lots of words, but no actions. We need action. Actions speak louder than words.

Expressions of antisemitism have not been limited to college campuses. Various media outlets have reported a plethora of antisemitic incidents. For example, the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force reported it had investigated 45 such incidents directed at Jews in the month of June and 30 more in July. Donald Trump has observed that there has “never been a more dangerous time since the Holocaust to be Jewish in the US.” I would concur.

Despite her protestations to the contrary, many observers have opined that KK selected MN Governor Tim Walz as her running mate instead of PA Governor Josh Shapiro to placate the far left/pro-Hamas/antisemitic wing of the Dem Party because Shapiro is Jewish. I agree. Otherwise, her choice made little sense since MN is solidly blue, and PA is a large swing state.

Various GOP politicians have weighed in regarding KK’s anti-Jewish bias. For instance, former NYS gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin warned that if KK were to be elected Jewish Americans would be among the biggest losers.”

CONCLUSION

With respect to the Israel-Hamas War the best and only logical course of action, in my opinion, would be to provide Israel with the means for total victory. Let them eliminate Hamas, Hezbollah and the various other terrorist groups as effective fighting forces once and for all. The US should eliminate Iran’s ability to support terrorism in the region. It won’t be easy, but Trump managed to do it during his tenure. That would be the only way to achieve a lasting peace in the region. Otherwise, we are just fooling ourselves and sowing the seeds for another war, and another, and another.

With respect to America’s antisemitism problem, we need forceful, decisive action from the federal level on down. That will also be difficult as antisemitism is heavily engrained. The federal government has the means to do it, but I don’t think BHD has the ability or the willingness. They are all about winning elections so as to retain their power and control, and they are too heavily reliant on the support of the far-left antisemitic wing of the Party.

Trump could do it. He has the requisite motivation, desire and strength of character to do it. More significantly, he already has done it once in his prior administration.

Which brings me back to my original question. Why would any intelligent, knowledgeable and objective Jewish Democrat who cares about Israel and his fellow Jews in America and around the world vote for the Dems? I think it is time for Jewish Dem voters to reevaluate the benefits of the above-mentioned symbiotic relationship with the Dem Party. Jews must realize that the present-day Dems are not the Dems of FDR and JFK. They were strong supporters of the middle class, the working class, and the downtrodden. The present-day Dem Party is the party of the coastal elites. It doesn’t have the same values. It is not loyal to you; therefore, you do not need to be loyal to it.

Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap. Play the game.

So, you’ve decided to vote for KK. The purpose of this blog is NOT to try to talk you out of it. It’s your right as an American to vote for whomever you wish. HOWEVER, you owe it to yourself, your family and your country to vote for KK for the right reasons. In other words, make sure you’ve done the requisite research into KK’s policies and politics so that you know where she stands on the issues that are important to you. Don’t vote out of ignorance or indifference. Ascertain the facts. Ferrit out information that has been hidden from voters, distorted, or misrepresented, for example, the veracity of Hunter Biden’s laptop in the 2020 election. Don’t be gaslighted by the Dems or the media. Remember, you get the government you deserve.

In the event that you require assistance in your research I have presented a brief summary of KK’s policies and positions on the key issues. I have discussed each of these in more detail in prior blogs. Feel free to fact-check my research or conduct your own.

1. The Economy/Inflation – According to the CPI the rate of inflation in 2021 when Biden-Harris (“BH”) took office was 1.2%. It rose to a peak of 8% in in 2022, and in June 2024 it had decreased to 5%. This all a direct result of BH’s excessive spending programs, such as the misleadingly entitled Inflation Reduction Act. As President of the Senate Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the IRA, and she has often said she was “proud to do it.” All of us can see many ramifications of the IRA in our daily lives.
2. Food/Groceries – In March 2024 a basket of groceries that cost $100 in November 2020 cost a whopping $125.80. During the same period restaurant meals have increased 24%, and fast-food prices 24.6%. These price increases are probably understated since they likely don’t take into account smaller portions, to which we can all attest. KK has been blaming these increases on price gouging. My research has not disclosed any evidence of that. I view this as a ruse for the government to take control of the country’s food supply and distribution.
3. Gas at the Pump – According to Newsweek and AAA the average price was $2.40/gallon in January 2021 when BH took office. It rose to a peak of $5.06 in June 2022, and in August 2024 it was $3.83. Dems have been twisting these numbers to assert that gas prices are decreasing while ignoring the overall increase since January 2021.
4. Housing – According to AI Overview the median sales price of a house increased 28% from June 2020 to June 2024. According to bankrate.com the 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate averaged 3.5% in 2021. In 2024 it was 6.5%. That would amount to a significant difference over a 30-year period. The obvious result is that many people cannot afford to buy a house.
5. Illegal Immigration/The Border – As “border czar” she has done nothing to curtail the onslaught of illegal migrants. She hasn’t even deigned to visit the various border hotspots to view the situation firsthand. In fact, she has proclaimed she favors unfettered, unlimited immigration and full rights for illegals, including free education and healthcare. In doing so, she has, in effect, supported human trafficking, sexual and other abuse of women and children and abetted the increased risk of terrorism, crime, and inflation. She wants to decriminalize illegal border crossings. Without effective borders we would no longer have a viable country.
6. Green New Deal – She was an early and staunch supporter of the Green New Deal, an ill-conceived, ill-advised program that will cost trillions of dollars, explode inflation, foster government control of our daily lives in a plethora of ways, and in my view, do little to clean up the planet and affect climate change.
7. Single Payer Healthcare – She supports this government-run system similar to that of Canada and Europe as a replacement for private insurance. Ask any resident of those areas how that system is working out for them.
8. She supports eliminating ICE or at least sharply curtailing its powers.
9. She supports defunding the police.
10. She would ban various quality of life choices such as gas cars, red meat and plastic straws. MIDWESTERNERS, ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?
11. She would ban offshore drilling and fracking. VOTERS IN PA, OH, AND TX, ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?
12. She would abolish the Senate filibuster. At times, this rule can be annoying, but it has encouraged thoughtful and thorough deliberation of proposed legislation.
13. She supported the rioters in 2020 (“They won’t stop and should not.”), no-bail laws and established a fund to bail out criminals.
14. She favors unrestricted abortions up to the moment of birth and perhaps beyond. This is only supported by a small sliver of voters and is tantamount to infanticide.
15. Income Redistribution/Wealth Tax – She supports raising the income tax rate to as high as 80% and taxing unearned income. The upshot of this is some government bureaucrat would arbitrarily determine the value of your home, farm, or business and determine the amount of income tax owed due to the increase in value even if you haven’t sold it. If you were unable to raise the requisite cash, you would likely be forced to sell the property.
16. Gun Confiscation – She has disguised this as a mandatory government sponsored buyback program for guns owned by private citizens, but it is tantamount to a gun confiscation program.
17. Inappropriate/Ignorant Comments – She has denigrated and demeaned 18–24-year-olds characterizing them “stupid.” “That’s why they live in dormitories with resident advisors.” Kamala, how about all the 18-24-year-olds who work and support their families or those who serve in the military? That was just one example of the inane things she has said periodically. Another one would be when she gave a speech saying the US and “North Korea” have enjoyed a “long and enduring alliance.” Really? She has made tasteless jokes about killing Donald Trump. It’s irresponsible talk like that that may have inspired the would-be assassin in Butler, PA and perhaps others prospectively.
18. Censorship – She supports the autocratic regulation of “hate speech.” The US government would define it, regulate it and enforce it.
19. Pro-Hamas/Anti-Israel/Antisemitic – Her past actions and words have made it clear that she is pro-Hamas, anti-Israel and antisemitic and cares more about the Muslim vote in Michigan and other states than American Jews or our most reliable ally in the ME.
20. Her penchant for kackling is most annoying, embarrassing and unprofessional. Can you imagine her being in a serious meeting with Putin and suddenly bursting out with one of her kackling episodes?
21. Crime – Again, one has to look past official statistics. Many crimes are not being reported because everyone knows that the police are severely hampered in dealing with criminals, and “woke” DAs are reluctant to prosecute them. Just turn on the tv news. Almost every day there are reports of people being murdered, assaulted, robbed and raped. The worst thing is that much of the crime is indiscriminate and random. No one and nowhere is safe. Property is being wantonly destroyed. Again, store employees are powerless to stop the perpetrators. Many businesses are abandoning crime-ridden cities. Many people are fleeing Dem-controlled states such as CA and NY for “safer” states like FL and TX.
22. Foreign Relations – When Trump left office we were not involved in any wars. Terrorism was under control. The ME was relatively quiet. Iran was subject to embargoes, feeling a severe economic pinch, and in no financial position to fund terrorism. The US was feared and respected. Now, there are serious wars ongoing in the ME and Ukraine; Iran is very close to possessing nuclear capabilities; our allies are distressed; and are enemies are emboldened.

CONCLUSION

So, there you have it. A vote for KK is a vote for the above policies. If some of them seem Socialist or even Communist to you that’s because they are. During her tenure in the Senate Harris was rated as the most extreme leftist, even more to the left than avowed Socialist Bernie Sanders.

Many of them are identical to Biden’s. She has been trying to divorce herself from his unpopular policies, but she was his loyal VP for 3 1/2 years and, by her own admission, was the “last person in the room” when decisions were made. Moreover, she has frequently reiterated that her “values” have not changed. That’s probably the most forthright statement she made during the campaign.

If you were not cognizant of some or all of them, you are not alone. Various polls have disclosed that over 70% of voters are not. The Dems have done a great job of shielding KK, and the mainstream media have done a great job of suppressing/distorting what she has said.

As I said, I am not trying to influence your vote. I just want you to base your vote on full knowledge of all the facts.

Last night we were treated to the long-awaited first interview of Komrade Kamala (“KK”) by the media. KK’s “handlers” had selected CNN and Dana Bash for the honor. I said “handlers” because in my view KK has not been running her campaign on her own. She has been completely beholden and reliant on her “handlers.” CNN and Bash were chosen for the obvious reason that it was expected they would be “friendly” to KK. More on that later.

Supposedly, the primary purpose of the interview was to afford voters, particularly independent voters, the opportunity (1) to assess how KK would fare in an actual interview without the benefit of notes and spin doctors, and (2) to ascertain exactly where KK stands on the issues. Is she still the far-left radical we saw for the past several years in San Francisco, the Senate and as VP, or is she the newly minted moderate we have seen during the campaign? Voters are entitled to know so they can make informed choices for whom to vote. The voters are fully cognizant of Trump’s positions on the issues. He has articulated them very candidly and consistently. You may agree or disagree, but at least you are cognizant of them.

On the other hand, KK’s have been a mystery. So, how did she do? The answer to that would probably depend on one’s political point of view. KK’s supporters would likely point out that she responded to Bash calmly and avoided her trademark kackling and “word salads.”

On the other hand, Trump supporters would counter, disdainfully, that the foregoing is a very low bar, particularly since the interview was pre-recorded. That said, below please find my observations:

1. Due to the presence of “time fillers,” the actual interview was only 27 minutes long, much shorter than we were led to believe and insufficient to cover every issue of interest.
2. KK looked uncomfortable and nervous. Furthermore, rather than looking at Bash directly when speaking she often shifted her eyes and looked away, which is an indication of lying.
3. Bash’s interview style was often too conciliatory. At times, she accepted evasive answers without attempting follow up questions to clarify further. She wasn’t blatant about it, but nevertheless, it was apparent to me. One example of this was her failure to pin KK down as to when she became aware of Biden’s cognitive decline.
4. I’m still not clear as to the purpose of TT’s presence. He contributed nothing substantive, and when queried about a significant topic of interest (his abruptly “retiring” from the National Guard to avoid deployment) he failed to give a straight answer, and Bash failed to follow up to pin him down. Was he there merely as a “crutch” to “hold KK’s hand?” It made KK look weak and unsure of herself. One might wonder, if she needed his presence for a softball interview with a friendly CNN journalist, how would she hope to face Putin or Xi Jinping in a hostile interview one-on-one? Politico commented that “obviously, she will do solo interviews [prospectively].” Don’t hold your breath.
5. KK continued to speak in generalities, not specifics. For example, several times she referred to her “values” and how they have not changed. “I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed.” Huh? Which values, the ones she has espoused all her life, or those of the last month? That statement is a direct contradiction to all of her flip-flops in which she is trying to convince voters that her positions have changed radically from far left to moderate. She wants to have it both ways, but the two statements are mutually exclusive. If you are going to lie, you’d best refrain from spouting two statements that are mutually exclusive.
6. Other favorite statements included “a new way forward” and a promise to strengthen the middle class.” Those opaque statements and others similar ones told us nothing.
7. In my view, her flip-flops on specific issues such as drilling, fracking, the border wall, Medicare for all, and mandatory gun “buy-backs,” tax hikes, wealth redistribution, and the Green New Deal, among many others, are more instructive. For instance, in 2019 during a CNN town hall Q &A with climate activist with Jessie Bluedorn she explicitly stated there was “no question” that she would ban fracking. Moreover, she has reiterated that position many times. In addition, she co-sponsored the Green New Deal bill a key tenant of which is to ban fracking. Yet now, she insists she will not ban fracking, which is another instance of gaslighting to win in PA and other states that rely deeply on fracking. Banning fracking would have a severely deleterious effect on the economies of several states. Moreover, it would exacerbate inflation significantly. The cost of oil affects every aspect of the US’s economy.
8. She failed to clarify her pivotal role in the Senate’s passing the Inflation Reduction Act. Remember, she “proudly” cast the tie-breaking vote, which has had a direct result on exacerbating inflation.
9. During the campaign she has often reiterated all the things she would “do on day 1” such as reduce inflation and fix the border crisis. If she really meant that she could act now. She is the sitting VP. For her, day one was January 20, 2021.
10. These are but a few examples. I could elaborate further, but I think you get the point.

CONCLUSION

In my view, we don’t have a significantly better comprehension of the real KK than we did before. If you’re still confused as to the identity of the “real” KK remember this old expression: “Actions speak louder than words.” In other words, don’t base your opinion of her on what she is saying now. Base it on what she has done or not done over her long political career. As I have denoted in previous blogs, she is gaslighting voters in order to get elected. This is what Dems do. Unfortunately, it worked in 2020 with Biden, and it appears that it may work now in 2024 with KK.

We all know that candidates normally attempt to shift their positions on issues toward the perceived center during election campaigns. But these are not minor modifications; these are substantial shifts away from an extreme far left to moderate.

I don’t believe that KK woke up one morning and had an epiphany. Obviously, her “handlers” ascertained where voters stand on the key issues and have determined she cannot win based on her real positions. Ergo, the flip-flopping. Don’t fall for the ruse.

Below please find a list of significant historical events that have occurred during the month of August.

August 1, 1838 – Slavery in Jamaica, which had been introduced by Spain in 1509, was abolished.

August 1, 1944 – Fifteen year-old Anne Frank, who was fated to be captured by the Nazis three days later and killed at Bergen-Belsen, wrote her final entry into her famous diary – “[I] keep on trying to find a way of becoming what I would like to be, and what I could be if … there weren’t any other people living in the world.”

August 2, 1776 – Most of the 55 signatories to the Declaration of Independence signed the original document (not on July 4, as is commonly believed).

August 2, 1923 – President Warren Harding died suddenly and was succeeded by Calvin Coolidge.

August 3, 1492 – Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain seeking the elusive Northwest Passage to Asia. Do you remember the names of the three ships in his convoy? See below.

August 5, 1583 – Explorer Sir Humphrey Gilbert founded the first British colony in North America in present-day Newfoundland.

August 5, 1861 – President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an emergency war measure to levy a 3% income tax on income in excess of $800.

August 5, 1962 – Actress Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson), symbol of Hollywood glamor and sexuality, was found dead from an overdose of sleeping pills.

August 6, 1945 – The US drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians, destroying the city, and hastening the end of WWII.

August 6, 1962 – Jamaica achieved independence, ending some 450 years of colonial rule first by Spain and then by England.

August 6, 1965 – President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law.

August 7, 1964 – Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which provided legal “cover” for the US’s entry into the Vietnam War.

August 9, 1945 – The US dropped a second atomic bomb (on Nagasaki).

August 9, 1974 – President Richard Nixon resigned as a result of the Watergate scandal.

August 11, 1965 – Six days of racial riots began in the Watts section of LA. The riots resulted in a reported 34 deaths, over 3,000 arrests and property damage estimated at $40 million

August 13, 1961 – East Germany put up the Berlin Wall separating West and East Berlin.

August 14, 1935 – FDR signed the Social Security Act.

August 14, 1945 – V-J Day commemorating Japan’s surrender, which marked the official end of WWII.

August 15, 1969 – The Woodstock festival began in Bethel, NY.

August 16, 1896 – Gold was discovered along the Klondike River in Alaska, precipitating what became known as the Great Klondike Gold Rush.

August 18, 1920 – Ratification of the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

August 21, 1959 – Hawaii was admitted to the Union as the 50th state.

August 24, 79 A. D. – The volcano, Vesuvius, erupted destroying the cities of Pompeii, Stabiac and Herculaneum.

August 24-25, 1814 – During the War of 1812 the British attacked Washington D.C. and burned much of the city, including the White House and the Capitol.

August 26, 1883 – One of the most catastrophic volcano eruptions ever recorded occurred on the island of Krakatoa in Indonesia. It produced tidal waves of 120 feet and killed 36,000 persons.

August 28, 1963 – Over 250,000 persons participated in the March on Washington in support of civil rights. One of the many speakers was the Reverend MLK, who gave the famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

August 31, 1997 – Princess Diana died from injuries suffered in an auto accident while fleeing from pursuing paparazzi.

Birthdays – Francis Scott Key (wrote the “Star Spangled Banner”), 8/1/1779 in Maryland; Herman Melville (wrote “Moby Dick”), 8/1/1819 in New York City; Ernie Pyle (WWII war correspondent), 8/3/1900 in Dana, IN; Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong (Jazz trumpeter), 8/4/1901 in New Orleans; (Quiz question #2 – Do you know the derivation of his very unusual nickname?); Raoul Wallenberg (saved 33,000 Jews from the Holocaust), 8/4/1912 in Stockholm; Barack Obama (44th US President), 8/4/1961 in Honolulu; Alfred Lord Tennyson (poet, wrote “Charge of the Light Brigade”), 8/6/1809 in England; Alexander Fleming (discovered penicillin), 8/6/1881 in Scotland; Herbert Hoover (31st US President), 8/10/1874 in West Branch, IA; Alex Haley (wrote “Roots”), 8/11/1921 in Ithaca, NY; Cecil B. DeMille (directed “The Ten Commandments”), 8/12/1881 in Ashfield, MA; Annie Oakley (sharpshooter), 8/13,1860 in Ohio; Alfred Hitchcock (British film director, “The Birds,” “Psycho”), 8/13/1899 in London; Fidel Castro, 8/13/1927 in Cuba; Napoleon Bonaparte, 8/15/1769, on the island of Corsica; T. E. Lawrence, 8/16/1888 in North Wales, Quiz Question #3 – Who played Lawrence in the Oscar-winning movie, Lawrence of Arabia?); Menachem Begin, 8/16/1913 in Poland; Davy Crockett, 8/17/1786 in Tennessee; Meriwether Lewis, 8/18/1774 near Charlottesville, VA; Orville Wright, 8/19/1871 in Dayton, OH; William Jefferson Clinton (42nd US President), 8/19/1946 in Hope, Arkansas; Benjamin Harrison (23rd US President), 8/20/1833 in North Bend, OH, (Quiz question #4 – He was the grandson of another president. Who?); Leonard Bernstein (conductor and composer), 8/25/1918 in Lawrence, MA; Lyndon Baines Johnson (36th US President), 8/27/1908 near Stonewall, TX; Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (aka Mother Teresa), 8/27/1910 in Yugoslavia.

Quiz Answers

1. Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria
2. The most likely story is as a youth Louis would dance for pennies in the streets of his home city of New Orleans. To prevent other boys from stealing the pennies he stored them in his mouth, which would then become so stuffed as to resemble a satchel. Someone dubbed him “satchel mouth,” which became shortened to “Satchmo.” Many of his friends called him “pops.”
3. Peter O’Toole
4. William Henry Harrison

On September 2 we will celebrate Labor Day (“LD”).  As we all know, the holiday has traditionally been celebrated on the first Monday of September.  It is celebrated in various forms and at various dates in approximately 80 countries.

To most Americans LD merely symbolizes the unofficial end of summer and the impending beginning of the school year.  They enjoy the three-day weekend off from work.  They spend the day with family and/or friends. They enjoy picnics, parades, vacations, shopping, baseball games and other sports activities, and barbecues. They lament, but grudgingly accept, holiday traffic and long lines at airports.

According to WHAS11 some 17 million people are expected to fly on this LD weekend. According to Trip IT Friday will be the busiest day at airports.  According to American Airlines Thursday, Friday and Monday will be the busiest days. However, whichever day you fly expect long lines and flight delays and cancellations. The latest weather reports do not predict any extreme weather, but you never know what could crop up to complicate matters.  

With respect to the highways just about whenever one travels one can expect delays. NBC predicts that the most congested periods will be Thursday between 1-7:30 pm, Friday between 2-6 pm, Saturday between 8-11 am and all day Monday. Again, adverse weather and/or accidents could easily cause further problems.

Why does the summer season appear to be so short? Every year it seems like summer has just begun and here comes Labor Day. I believe it is because in our minds, we transfer the approximately three post-Labor Day weeks of the season to Autumn.

What is the meaning and purpose of LD?  Why do we celebrate it?  How did it come about?  Good questions.  Read on for the answers.

As the name implies, the purpose of LD is to celebrate the accomplishments of the American Labor movement.  Whatever one’s political views and affiliations, I think it is important and appropriate to understand Labor’s contributions to the growth and development of the US.  For one thing, cheap labor was an integral component of the Industrial Revolution.  When all was said and done, someone had to build all the roads, railroads, and cars, and operate all the factories and steel mills.  In addition, the labor activism of the late 1800s and early 1900s was largely responsible for the relatively high wages and extensive benefits that are enjoyed by today’s US labor force (compared to that of other countries).

It should be noted that union membership has been declining sharply and steadily.  For example, in 1950 approximately 40% of American workers were members of a union.  By contrast, in 2023 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number was approximately 10%. Moreover, the flood of illegal immigrants in recent years has served to depress wages of both union and non-union workers.

The history of LD began in the 1870s in Canada.  Labor Unions were illegal in Canada, and 26 members of the Toronto Typographical Union had been imprisoned for striking for a nine-hour work day.  That action led to demonstrations and rallies and raising the profile of labor unrest in both Canada and the US.  Two of the most outspoken leaders were Peter McGuire, founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and an official of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire, Secretary of the Central Labor Union in NY.

Historical accounts differ, but one or both of these men are credited with being the first to propose a holiday to celebrate labor.  In any event, the CLU planned and organized the first LD celebration in NYC on September 5, 1885.  Approximately, 20,000 workers and their families participated.  The concept spread.  In 1887 Oregon became the first state to sanction the holiday.

The Pullman Labor Strike in 1893 provided the final impetus for a national labor holiday.  The Pullman Company had been founded and was run by George Pullman.  Pullman, IL, where the company operated, was a classic company town.  All the workers lived there and paid rent to the company, which was automatically deducted from their paychecks.  Workers’ housing was segregated according to their jobs; everyone shopped at the Company Store.

Many viewed such an arrangement as a form of slavery, because workers were, in actuality, trapped due to their omnipresent debt to the Company. (Think of the song “Sixteen Tons.”)  In 1893 the country was in the midst of a recession.  The company laid off hundreds of workers and reduced the wages of many others.  Of course, living expenses remained constant.  These actions led to a strike.  President Cleveland declared the strike to be illegal and “broke” it with Federal troops.  Some striking workers were killed in the ensuing violence.

This incensed many Americans, and 1894 was an election year.  So, Congress expeditiously passed a bill establishing LD as a national holiday, and the President promptly signed it into law.  This entire process took only six days, so you can imagine the extent of the public outcry.  Incidentally, this action failed to save President Cleveland’s political career; he was defeated anyway.

Eventually, the government settled on the first Monday in September as the official date.  Many countries celebrate it on May 1 in conjunction with International Workers’ Day, but the Federal government did not want the association with that date for obvious reasons.

One of the supreme ironies of LD is that because it is such a big shopping day, many workers, especially retailers, are required to work.  LD is considered to be one of the biggest retail sales days of the year.  Some people use the day as a benchmark to change over their summer clothes to fall clothes.  Fashion-minded people claim it the latest day when one should wear white clothes (although “winter white,” whatever that is, is still permissible.)

Like other holidays, LD should be a time for all of us to come together and reflect on what makes America, despite its flaws, the greatest country in the world.  Disaffected residents as well as some people in other countries may like to criticize us for our real and perceived flaws, yet foreigners still want to come here, in some cases, desperately.  In essence, many of them are “voting with their feet.”

Despite what you may see on tv or read in newspapers or on social media, most Americans are decent, hard-working, caring persons.  Whenever disaster or tragedy strikes we unite to help those in distress.  Many have donated their time and/or money without being asked and without expecting any payback or even recognition.  If you doubt me, just look at the outpouring of kindness and empathy shown by “average” Americans toward the victims of the catastrophic events in recent years, such as superstorm Sandy, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. Those people, not the destructive thugs and professional agitators one sees on the tv news destroying property, attacking the police, and beating up those with whom they disagree, are the “real” Americans.  It is the proverbial “silver lining” in a very dark cloud.

CONCLUSION

I hope you all enjoy your LD holiday however you choose to spend it.  Feel free to tell me how you celebrated.

Who is your #1? Who is (are) the most important person(s) in your life? Be honest. These are not hard questions. You’re familiar with the expression “look out for # 1.” The answers are you and, by extension, your family.

So, in deciding for whom to vote in probably the most significant presidential election in your lifetime why would you not make your choice based on what’s best for #1? The obvious answer is of course you should. You should vote for the candidate who will make your life and the lives of your children better. You should vote for the person who will most benefit the country, because what’s best for the US will most likely also be best for you.

Let’s play a game of “what if.” If you’ve read my previous blogs, you have heard this before, but it is important, and it bears repeating for the benefit of the new readers. What if, God forbid, you were seriously ill, and you needed to find the best doctor to save your life. Let’s suppose you have a choice between two doctors. Doctor A seems to be a nice, kind, friendly person, but he is inexperienced. Many people you know like him on a personal level, but he has little or no track record. Furthermore, when you try to evaluate his experience, qualifications and expertise he gives vague, evasive answers. He asks you to “trust” him, trust him with your life.

On the other hand, Doctor B has a reputation for being arrogant, abrupt, sarcastic, and nasty, particularly in his younger days. He is controversial on a personal level. Some people you have queried hate him; others swear by him and his abilities. Moreover, he has a lengthy track record of excellence. When you query him regarding his experience, accomplishments and expertise he answers you fully and honestly. In short, he’s clearly the more accomplished doctor, but you have serious doubts regarding his personality and likeability.

Which doctor would you choose? If you said Doctor A, good luck. You would be allowing your personal feelings affect your judgment. Your decision would not be hurting the doctor. He would like you to be his patient, but he would be just fine either way. Your decision would only hurt you. In that instance you would not be looking out for #1. As they say, you would be “cutting off your nose to spite your face.” If you said Doctor B, go to the head of the class. You would have made the best choice for you, for #1.

My friends, the foregoing is a metaphor for the upcoming election. Obviously, Kamala Harris/Komrade Kamala (KK) is “Doctor A,” and Donald Trump is “Doctor B.” I maintain that if you don’t vote for Trump for personal reasons, you are mostly hurting yourself, not him. Sure, Trump wants to win. But if he loses, he will be disappointed, but not devastated. He will be just fine. He will return to his previous life as an entrepreneur and a celebrity. It is you who will suffer with the Dem communist-leaning policies of KK and her cohorts.

If you insist on voting for KK for whatever reason, at least be cognizant that you are voting for a candidate who refuses to discuss her policies in any detail. She has flip-flopped her positions on many key issues, such as fracking, the border, benefits for illegal migrants and single-payer healthcare. In each case she has abandoned policies she has held her entire political life, which if one cares to do a minimal amount of research are well-documented in her own words, for ones that she perceives will be more palatable to the majority of voters. This should make one suspicious of her sincerity and honesty.

She has not held a press conference in over 30 days. She will not answer questions from the media, except for a few chosen “friendlies.” On the few occasions she has spoken it has always been with prepared, vague, scripted remarks on a teleprompter. Ask yourself, why? What is she hiding? Why won’t she express her views on issues clearly and specifically?

The answer is we know why. She is gaslighting the voters. Her campaign is all “smoke and mirrors.” She is trying to demonize Trump in the hope that you will not look at her own record too closely. Like I said, it’s all there if one cares to look.

The Dems don’t care about you or the country. Their sole objective is to retain their power and control. They are willing to do anything to do that, even pander to hate groups such as Hamas just to garner votes. Hamas and other terror groups don’t just hate Israel and Jews. They also hate America and all it stands for. Is that really with whom you want to be aligned just because you have a personal dislike for Trump? That is inane.

The Dems claim inflation is under control whereas every time one goes to buy groceries or gas up the car it is obvious it is not. Prices are higher, and quantities are lower. Rather than admit that is caused by the inflation they created and exacerbated with their runaway spending, they blame it on price gouging by the food retailers. My research has not disclosed a shred of evidence to support that claim.

They distribute inaccurate employment numbers and try to convince you they are real. They claim the border is secure whereas one only has to watch the tv to see illegals pouring in every day. They preach to us to be tolerant about granting sanctuary to the “disadvantaged, asylum seeking” illegal immigrants many of whom are unvetted and likely criminals or terrorists while they live in gated communities or apartments with a doorman to keep out those same people. They preach to us about the Green New Deal and carbon “footprints” while they maintain multiple houses and fly in private jets. They deny the rampant crime that we can see every day, while they have private security. They outright lie about their opponent claiming he advocates bans on abortion, curtailing or eliminating social security and Medicare. Their hypocrisy is despicable and knows no bounds.

CONCLUSION

To paraphrase the late Harpo Marx, “What are you going to believe, me or what you see with your own eyes? Like I said, don’t be gaslighted. Don’t believe the Dem and mainstream media rhetoric and spin. Believe what you see every day in the grocery store, at the border, at the gas pump and in the cities. Don’t be deceived into voting for the pandering, disingenuous candidate. Vote for the forthright, blunt candidate whom you may dislike or even hate but whose policies will benefit you.

You’ve worked hard and sacrificed your whole life to get where you are. Don’t squander it now. Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. It’s time you voted for #1.

Strap on your “Bigboy pants,” hold your nose, and vote for Trump. Your kids and grandkids will thank you.

As we all know, at least those of us who have been diligently following the 2024 presidential election and have declined to drink the Kool-Aid the Dems have been offering, Komrade Kamala, aka KK, has unveiled her proposed tax plan. My initial reaction is that as expected, it is very vague and short on details. My second reaction is that it is a good example of why her campaign has been mostly silent with respect to her platform. More on this later.

The salient elements of her tax plan are as follows:

1. She wants to roll back the “Trump tax cuts” of 2017, which had slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. As KK’s campaign spokesperson, James Singer, related to NBC News she is advocating a rise to 28%. She is touting this as a “fiscally responsible way to put money back in the pockets of working people and ensure billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share.” In my opinion, pure pandering and gaslighting. It is another example of spouting vague generalities and code words and phrases without specifics as to how they might affect the economy. If she truly believes that claptrap, she doesn’t have the foggiest idea of economics in general and the history of tax rates in particular.
2. Don’t they teach economics and history at Stanford? The history of tax increases is that they stifle the economy. There are various reasons for this, which time and space do not afford me the opportunity to elaborate, in detail, in this blog. The most obvious ones are that (1) corporations, which always pass on any increase in expenses to the consumer, will simply raise their prices; (2) some corporations would relocate some or all of their operations to more tax-friendly countries (taking jobs with them); and (3) it would lead to shortages and supply chain issues. If you doubt me, you can, as Casey Stengel was fond of saying, “look it up.”
3. On the other hand, tax cuts spur the economy by injecting capital into the system. The Kennedy, Reagan and Trump tax cuts of recent vintage are examples of this. You could also “look that up.” So, it’s fair to say that raising the corporate tax rate would have an injurious effect on the economy. More gaslighting and pandering.
4. KK also advocates a $25,000 payment to new home buyers. Again, this a pandering and gaslighting policy with unintended negative consequences. (1) It is inflationary. (2) It wouldn’t really help home buyers. The price of houses would simply increase by $25,000. (3) It doesn’t address the problem of high mortgage rates.
5. KK’s plan to curtail “price gouging” is another example of a gaslighting, pandering policy that is ill-conceived, ill-advised and is fraught with negative unintended consequences. (1) There is no reliable evidence of price gouging at the present time. She is trying to conjure up a bogeyman to blame for the Biden-Harris inflationary policies of the last 3 1/2 years. (2) Artificial price controls won’t work. They never have. They lead to supply chain disruptions and shortages as manufacturers will be disincentivized to produce and distribute products if it is not economical. Venezuela is a good example. President Nixon tried them in 1971 to combat the rampant inflation at the time. They didn’t work, and he had to abandon them.
6. Far more damaging, however, is KK’s plan to tax individuals’ unrealized income. Essentially, this is another term for a “wealth tax,” “wealth redistribution,” or “wealth confiscation.” This idea has received widespread criticism, even by normally supportive media outlets such as The NY Times, The Washington Post and CNN, among others. My research has not uncovered even one creditable, objective economist who supports this. KK claims that the tax rate would only be 25% and would only apply to households with a net worth in excess of $100 million.
7. Don’t believe it. It’s more gaslighting courtesy of the same people who brought you lies such as the Russia hoax, FISA warrants, Hunter’s laptop, and, more recently, that the GOP wants to ban abortion, and terminate social security.
8. There aren’t enough of these people to even put a dent in the current budget deficits we face courtesy of the Biden-Harris trillions of dollars of inflationary spending of the last 3 1/2 years. Over time the policy could and likely would be easily adjusted to apply to non-wealthy households such as yours and mine.
9. This is another ill-conceived, ill-advised policy designed to gaslight and pander to the middle class and working people that will have severe unintended consequences. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia “there is no legal consensus about its constitutionality.”
10. A wealth tax is a tax on unearned income, aka asset appreciation. For the uninitiated, this is simply a tax on value that you have not yet received and may never receive. For example, say you bought your house 20 years ago for $100,000. Today, it is worth $500,000. The government would say you owe taxes on the $400,000 unrealized profit that you have not and may never receive. You don’t have that much cash laying around. Few people do. Therefore, you would have to sell your house to raise the money. The same logic would apply to your 401k and IRAs, or a business you built from the ground up. This is like Barack Obama’s famous (or infamous) statement regarding a business (and I paraphrase) that “you didn’t build it, the government provided you the means to do so.” (If this sounds familiar it is because it is the basis for the name of my blog.)
11. Wealth/wealth redistribution has been tried in various countries. The concept is not new. It dates back to ancient Athens. Most have abandoned it for various reasons such as poor design and implementation. For example, it was found that many wealthy people were able to avoid the tax simply by transferring their wealth to more tax-friendly jurisdictions. This wealth transference was severely damaging to the economy of those countries, and it would be to the US’s as well.
12. In 2006 a study published in the Washington Post denoted various negative unintended consequences of France’s wealth tax. They included “brain drain, capital flight, loss of jobs” and ultimately a decrease in tax revenue.
13. According to a 2022 study published in the Wall Street Journal the most significant “fatal flaw” was valuation. The study concluded that generally, wealthy people maintained as much as 40% of their assets in non-liquid assets such as real estate and private businesses. These types of assets are difficult to value. Often, valuations are subjective. A good example is the pinhead NYC judge’s valuing Trump’s Mira Lago estate at $16 million, which most real estate persons derided as merely a fraction of its real worth. I can picture some pinheaded government bureaucrat with limited business and economic expertise arbitrarily placing a value on a small business or other non-liquid asset for wealth tax purposes. The study also concluded that “even the rich don’t know exactly what they’re worth at any given moment.” As of 2021 a wealth tax was only extant in five countries.

CONCLUSION

The concept of a wealth tax/income redistribution/wealth and income confiscation is an anathema to our system of hard work, individualism and free enterprise, which has served us very well for some 250 years. It is a further attempt to create tribalism and class division. It is an additional example of the Dems strategy of gaslighting and pandering.

It is a basic tenant of communism, pure and simple. Therefore, it is no surprise that KK is advocating it. It makes one wonder what other surprises she is harboring. Somewhere, Karl Marx is smiling.

No doubt, KK and her campaign are creating more gaslighting and pandering to hide the real issues and win the election. Then, it will be a return to the same old, same old of the Biden-Harris Administration. As I have written before, don’t fall for it.