Time for a Reset

Time for a Common Sense Reset

With midterms less than a year away, the Biden/Harris fiasco fading in the rearview mirror and polls showing concern, it's time for a Trump reset. Every Presidency has one. Nobody sails through without bumpy seas. Especially when turning a battleship around.

Trump should do three things.

1. Announce a comprehensive fix (or at least significant) to immigration that gives permanent status to those with long term residential equity.

2. Stay the course on tariffs but get remaining "big deals" done like India and Canada ASAP. Implement a series of "common sense adjustments"...beef, key manufacturing components etc.

3. Compromise on the Unaffordable Care Act subsidies by declaring an 18 month partial moratorium just to avoid a shutdown.

I would also recommend he promise not to mention the Biden/Harris farce again. Turn the page. This is about Trump 2.0.

No More Paper Straws

Among the unprecedented plethora of executive orders issued by Donald Trump in his first 100 days there was one that stands out as emblematic of dedication to common sense. No more paper straws.

The phrase a Revolution in Common Sense was used by President Trump in his inaugural address for Trump 2.0. It is also the title of a new book by Scott Jennings, the conservative foil on nightly news panels at staunchly left wing CNN. Jennings wrote the book based on hours of interviews with the President himself as well as cabinet and family members.

The message is clear. The solution to most problems derives from common sense. Sometimes correct answers are counterintuitive but not mostly. The book examines how Trump makes most decisions. He is not wedded to any particular ideology, although clearly he is more inclined to conservative thinking. Rather he depends on his own assessment of what makes sense aided and abetted by what he feels the American people are telling him.

For example...it seems to make sense that most Americans do not want millions of immigrants entering the country illegally. Usurping resources for which they pay no taxes. Especially when thousands are coming here to commit criminal acts against US citizens. Seems like common sense, no? Likewise most Americans do not want to depend on foreign nations for the energy necessary to heat their homes, fuel their transportation and grow their food. Especially when many of the greatest producers hate America and Americans. Again, common sense, right? Most Americans do not want their children taught gender ideology or that the Founding Fathers were racist. What they do want is their children taught to love their country and become productive, self-fulfilled adults. Oh yeah and...readin, ritin and rithmetic - at grade level. Few Americans think it's okay for men to play girl's sports. Or for government to spend their hard-earned money on DEI boondoggles or valueless paper pushing jobs.

The author describes Trump's thinking and logic, although for the most part it's pretty obvious. He tells how Trump relied heavily of the feedback he received directly from the thousands who attended his rallies and whose applause or lack thereof was a surefire guidepost to their wishes. Rather than polluted polls and stacked focus groups.

BTW - turns out paper straws contain PFAs a damaging chemical that is water soluble so it bleeds into your iced tea. And they come wrapped in plastic. Not common sense.

One Down

Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned. The once strong Trump supporter had gone off the rails on many key issues, which Republican cannot afford with razor thin margins in the House. Fortunately, she hails from a Republican stronghold so her replacement is not likely to reduce Republican advantage.

MGT wrote..."I believe in term limits and do not think Congress should be a lifelong career or an assisted living facility," My only goal and desire has ever been to hold the Republican Party accountable for the promises it makes to the American people and put America First, and I have fought against Democrat’s damaging policies like the Green New Deal, wide open deadly unsafe border policies, and the trans agenda on children and against women."

Ironically, she is right on all counts but apparently she does not fully grasp the concept of loyalty nor compromise in the interest of greater good. She also was one of the most outspoken antisemites in the party. And let's not forget whjat drove off the Trump bandwagon. Trump told her not to run for Senator or Governor because polls showed she would win 12% of the vote. A woman scorned...

Where "Affordability" Goes to Die

New York, San Francisco, Boston, San Jose, and Honolulu are the costliest cities in the U.S. All are run by Democrat mayors and are in states with Democrat governors. Of the top ten most expensive towns in the country, all but one – Miami – are similarly ruled by one party – the Democrat Party. The list includes Washington, D.C. and Seattle. 

Why is that? First, high taxes. New York has the highest personal income tax in the U.S.; California, Hawaii and Massachusetts are close behind. Why are taxes high? Because these cities and states spend too much money and have to finance their largesse by taxing their citizens.

New York, for instance, will spend some $254 billion this year, up an astonishing $100 billion from ten years ago. There are roughly 20 million people living in New York State; Florida has 23 million residents, but a budget of only $117 billion. To repeat: Florida has more citizens, but is spending about half as much as the wastrel government of New York. Naturally, Florida’s taxes are lower, and so is the cost of living. Common sense, no?

People living in blue states don’t just get socked with high taxes. They also get hit with high cost of living, because businesses pass along those taxes by raising prices.

Blue cities and states also hit employers with costly labor rules and regulations, which find their way into the prices people pay. In California, for instance, the government demands high pay as well as complicated work scheduling and overtime rules. When the Wildfire State demanded fast-food companies pay their employees $20 per hour, for example, more than 10,000 workers lost their jobs. Menu prices increased 14.5% due to the $20 wage hike. So much for helping the "little guy."  And forget about regulations, kickbacks and red tape to build new housing.

Want more Blue State/City extortion and mismanagement? Look no further than the midterms.

And Here's Your #1 Democratic Choice...

For President of the United States.

California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Brazil to tout his failed energy agenda in mid-November. Meanwhile the reality back home is unavoidable: because of his policies, Californians are paying some of the highest gas and electricity prices in the nation and being crushed by the Newsom energy affordability crisis. 

Since 2018, more than 360 energy companies have left California due to the state’s debilitating regulations and new oil drilling permits have fallen by 95% since Governor Newsom assumed office in 2019. 

As a result, California has produced nearly 128 million fewer barrels of oil per day over the past five years — despite holding the fifth-largest petroleum reserves in the country. The undeniable consequence of Newsom’s refusal to support domestic production is a greater reliance on foreign oil. 

In 1982, less than 6% of California’s crude oil came from outside the United States. Today, according to Newsom’s own California Energy Commission, that number has skyrocketed to over 60%. Brazil now accounts for 20% of our imported supply and 21% comes from Iraq.

Simultaneously, California’s refining capacity continues to collapse. 

By early 2026, the state is projected to lose nearly 20% of its remaining refining capacity, and without urgent action, blackouts, price spikes and fuel shortages will become the new normal – not only for Californians, but for millions across the West Coast who depend on its energy supply. 

This drastically impacts the viability of California’s pipelines, most of which require 90,000 barrels a day in production to remain financially solvent and operational. However, due to shortages they are barely operating at 50,000 barrels a day, causing $2 million in losses a month for operators.

As President Trump pulls every lever to restore energy security to the nation, this buffoon is steering our largest state in the opposite direction. Just as his disastrous spending on green energy and illegal immigrants robbed Californian's of the resources to fight and prevent wildfires, these same policies have destroyed their energy sufficiency. Well done!

Now Democrats think it might be a good idea to export this leadership to 1600 Pennsylvania. Not common sense.

Elect Me Because I Hate You

There is a congressional election in the Nashville area because of a recent resignation. The Democratic candidate is Ms. Aftyn Behn. Presently Behn represents Nashville in the state legislature and has been dubbed the AOC of Tennessee.

Here's what she has to say...I hate Nashville. I hate bachelorettes, I hate pedal taverns. I hate country music. I hate it all. All the stuff that makes the rest of the country love Nashville.

Now that's the kind of representative I want.

Can You Vote from Venezuela?

Or even Iran? Congressman Eric Swalwell is running for governor of California. He want people to be able to vote by phone. We can't vet people in person and now we'll do it by phone. Maduro and the mullahs will soon be casting votes.

DOGE goes the way of DEI

Sad but true. Absent the charismatic Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency quietly shut its doors last week. By its own admission falling far short of its goals.

As a brief reminder of why DOGE was so essential, here's a sampling of the waste it uncovered:

• $6.9 million spent on "smart" toilets to scan user's anal footprints.

• $2.3 million to inject beagles with cocaine.

• $118K to determine if a robotic replica of Marvel's Thanos (?) could snap its fingers.

• $40 million to improve social and economic inclusion sedentary migrants (again ?)

• $8 million to promote LGBTQI in Lesotho (that's in Africa)

• $47 million to improve learning outcomes in Asia as if they need that more than we do.

• $300K to educate queer and transgender farmers in SF on food justice (?).

  
  

DOGE clearly had an impact - thousands of positions were eliminated, grants canceled, layoffs effected. Nowhere near the "trillion" Musk touted early on.

No doubt the Administration will claim the quest to root out waste and fraud has been inculcated in daily government operations; but, you and I both know it just ain't so. Hopefully some behaviors have changed but culture? Nope, afraid not. Not common sense to abandon ship on this issue.

See what I Mean?

MORE from the Windy City...Chicago public schools blew millions on travel expenses while students can't read at grade level. Travel expenses jumped 2,467% from 2021 as just 30.5% of students grades 3-8 show reading proficiency. A scathing report from the Chicago Public Schools Office of Inspector General revealed that the school system spent a staggering $14.5 million in "excessive" travel expenses in FY 2023 and FY 2024 combined. CPS OIG's report documented school system officials took lavish trips to Las Vegas, Egypt, Finland and South Africa.  Obvious bastions of educational prowess.

Windy City Keeps On Truckin'.

Some things never change.

Multiple Chicago police officers were attacked in downtown violence last Friday in a tree lighting ceremony. Several victims were shot. Sources reporting live said ..."300 juveniles rioting in the Loop now, at least 5 victims shot, one critical with life threatening gunshot wound to torso. Multiple police officers attacked and injured with mace and stun guns, at least one PO hospitalized."

Wonder what the common sense solution to this kind of crap is?

Update on Fair and Balanced

Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Journalism released a study that showed that in 2002 18.4% of journalists identified as Republicans. By 2025, the number is down to 3.4%.

Rubio on Foreign Policy

"If it makes America stronger, safer, more prosperous, we'll do it. If it doesn't, maybe we shouldn't do it at all." He went on to say...For generations American foreign policy has been driven by supporting the international community (global world order), upholding global norms and funding development for the sake of diplomacy (a piggy bank for leftwing regimes and NGOs) - without actual regard for American interests.

Take the Panama Canal for instance. Or LGBQTI in Lesotho.

Common sense, no? Marco was confirmed 99-0 by the Senate.

Power Sharing

How can you be President and follow the mandate of the voters if you have to share power and be preempted constantly by 600 individual federal court judges?

Why DEI had to DIE.

The female firefighter who makes $300K as LA Fire Department's Chief of Equity and Inclusion insisted that rescuing a male victim was an inappropriate imposition. So much for MLK's famous saying...let us not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character.

In 2022 Boeing decreed that 90% of interview slates for managers and executive positions be filled with "diverse" candidates. The people who will make decisions of how to build planes hurtling through the skies at 500 mph filled with 300 lives.

Or cadets at the US Military Academy being required to read Critical Race Theory. Knowledge no doubt of priceless value on the battlefield in Fallujah.

Or Biden's appointee as FAA Administrator who couldn't answer the question...what makes an airplane stall.

Back for a Minute to Tariffs.

Didn't know this but tariffs existed long before income tax as a way to fund the government. Alexander Hamilton was the Father of Tariffs.

Funny isn't it? Back in April 80 US Senators voted for Lindsay Graham's bill to put 500% tariffs on China to stop them from buying Russian oil. Yet they scream about 30% tariffs on China to stop them from taking American jobs, fueling the fentanyl epidemic, stealing American secrets and being an all around crummy world citizen. Guess they care more about Ukraine than the USA.

Opposition to tariffs have long claimed tariffs are really taxes and taxes are bad. Well, Trump and his Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, clearly see tariffs and far more than taxes. they see them as a badly needed reordering mechanism. Trump for 40 years has openly expressed his conviction that America is being ripped off by other nations. Taken advantage of. Not only by NATO's defense spending deficits, but by the whole trade system. Giving most favored nation status to China - how'd that work out. remember when Ross Perot called NAFTA the "giant sucking sound"? What he meant was American industries being sucked from the US into Mexico.

Even Biden, who promised to undo every his everything his predecessor did kept China tariffs and even increased them. Well maybe Biden didn't really do it, maybe the autopen did.

Ever notice how the Press focusses on beneficiaries when Democrats are in charge and policy victims when Republicans are.

The history of hypocrisy is long and storied. Pocahontas once declared "tariffs are an important tool in our economic toolbox." During his 2008 campaign, Barack Hussein Obama endorsed an "America First" foreign policy. That was before his apology tour in the months right after being elected. He stated in his imperious fashion...America needs a president who will stand with the workers. Not just when it's easy, when it's hard too. Like bringing back jobs to America even when it means short term hardships from inflation and layoffs. Like that kind of "hard" maybe? Fraud.

Clearly the final chapter is yet to be written on Trump's campaign to reshore American manufacturing and implement a fair trading system. Equally clear is the fact that considerably more restructuring, dislocation and pain are also coming. Just hope we have the stomach for it as the alternative is proven a poor one.

Speaking of Hypocrisy

Lib hair caught on fire when Trump wanted to change to Gulf of America and restore Mt. McKinley. But it's fine to change the Redskins, Indians and Aunt Jemima. And knock down statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt.

Click that Switch

Remember when Biden's policies led to 9% inflation and he proclaimed..."You can't just click a switch on gas prices and they come down." Well turns out you can.

All you have to do is...Drill Baby Drill.

Manhattan Project 2.0

We had to beat Germany to building the atom bomb. And we did. We have to beat China to AI supremacy. And we need boatloads of efficient, low cost energy to do so. Drill Baby Drill.

Free Markets are a Good Thing

Except when sworn enemies corral vital strategic production and resources.

In 1980 the Mountain Pass Mine located at the edge of California's Mojave Desert produced 2/3 of global demand for neodymium, lanthanum and cerium - materials vital to radar systems, chips and munitions guidance. Then we gave it away. By the 90s the mine lay in dusty mothballs. Forced to close by environmental regulations and Chinese state subsidies to depress prices, we now depend on the ChiComs.

In the 90's GM subsidiary Magnaquench produced 85% of the magnets used in missile and other defense systems. Then GM sold it to a consortium controlled by two Chinese entities.

These examples are much worse than "bad deals". They are strategic surrender. When China cut off rare earth minerals this Spring, assembly lines stopped.

How We Got There

As we close in on what will almost certainly be another government shutdown at the end of January, it is useful to look at the reasons. Certainly the Democrats intransigence on the Covid-era subsidies to Obama is the hallmark reason. But the root cause runs much deeper. It has to do with the conduct of Congress all year long and going back many years. There has not been a balanced budget in light years.

In the last two years of Schumer's rule as majority leader of the Senate he did not bring even one single bill to the floor for a vote. Even the bipartisan ones. Without appropriations bills on major spending items like Defense there is no hope of a budget passing. Isn't it the job of these clowns to pass legislation, to balance the budget, to cut spending? I say off with their heads - every last one.

and, before I sign off for the holiday let me comment of a truly heartwarming story...

Guess Another Place Your Taxpayer Dollars End Up.

A story broke this week that revealed that millions of dollars are flowing from the Gopher State to Al-Shabaab the terrorist group based in Somalia. Minnesota's Medicaid Housing Stabilization Services program, an HHS hand out, exists to help seniors, addicts, the disabled and mentally ill to secure housing.

Turns out there is a sizeable Somali population in Timmy Waltz's home state. They set up scams to siphon dollars from the fund then ship them to the terrorists via Hawalas. Like millions. When the fund was created in 2020, it was estimated to cost $2.6 million per year. In 2021 the actual cost shot up to $42 million, then $74 the next year, then $104 million. Before it was scrapped for the boondoggle it was. Maqtar Hassan Aden, Mustafa Dayib Ali, Khalid Ahmed Dayib Ali, Abdi Fita, Mohammed Mohammed and Christopher Adesoli Falat have all been indicted for Medicare fraud. No Tom, Dick and Harrys in that crowd.

Enjoy your bird and give thanks you don't live in the Gopher State...even if your tax dollars do end up there.

By the way...last year's White House pardon of the turkeys has been invalidated because an autopen was used.