Us(A) vs. Them (9/21/26)
(Sorry, Nancy, this is a longish one. I do, however, think it's both timely and revealing.)
The Most Important Election of Our Lifetime
How often have we heard Sean Hannity say that? No question, the cry is overwrought. Nonetheless, this one is... really important.
In life and politics, when all's said and done, it's only the "done" that matters. NOT promises made but promises kept. Let's compare.
The Biden/Harris Report Card
Sleepy Joe and Word Salad promised, if elected, to:
Get Covid under Control: D. But at what cost? First Biden paraded the GOAT of healthcare disinformation in front of us as the "expert". Then he ordered unjustified, unrestricted business and school closures. People lost their businesses forever. Child learning was set back years.
Raise taxes on the Wealthy: F. Tried but nothing happened, thank goodness.
Create a $15 Minimum Federal Wage: F. Remains at $7.25, thank goodness.
Expand Obamacare and create a public option: F. No public option. Did extend Covid subsidies far past their stipulated expiration. Cost us a bunch.
Combat Climate Change: D. Spent S$ billions on Green Energy boondoggles. Cloaked under the "Inflation Reduction Act". Rejoined Paris Accords, which is like kissing your sister. Imposed a ton of regulations on oil and gas production so gas prices surged. As did our dependency on nations not the least bit interested in our well being.
Reform Immigration with a Path to Citizenship: F-. Nada, zip, zilch. Did, however, fling open our borders so the country was overrun by 11 million illegals many of whom were criminals and future terrorists.
Create Major Infrastructure Investment: B. Passed an Infrastructure Law that added $550 billion to already authorized funding for bridges and transportation. The $1 trillion Biden promised from private sources never happened.
Reduce Prescription Drug and Healthcare Cost: D. Made a few targeted reductions like insulin and Part D caps. But no universal reduction in drug prices. Did NOT reduce Healthcare costs overall. Stood by while manufacturing of essential pharmaceuticals and their key ingredients were ceded to China.
Reduce Student Debt and College Affordability: D. College costs went up. Biden did let students off the hook for repaying their loans. Billions were flushed down the toilet to the clear detriment of national debt. Stayed silent as antisemitism ran wild on campuses.
Strengthen Gun Control: C+. Increased background checks and attacked firearms trafficking. Plus lots of haranguing every time a mass shooting occurred as if citizens with firearms were the root cause.
Although Biden/Harris did NOT "promise" these, the dynamic duo did accomplish other things. Inflation went through the roof (A+). The Iranians went about their business building nukes. A hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan was bungled handing the country back to the Taliban. America lost all stature and influence throughout the world.
On the strength of this performance Biden's own Party tossed him under the bus.
Trump/Vance Report Card
On November 5, 2024, the American people elected Donald J. Trump as their President for the second time. The margin of victory was 312 electoral votes for Donald Trump and 226 for Kamala Harris. While not technically a "landslide", most agreed it was a convincing victory. Hardly shocking after the preceding report card.
Here are the results...so far
Seal the Border: A+. Done about an hour after he took office despite Democrats saying for years it required an "act of Congress". Houdini couldn't get across now.
Mass Deportations of Illegals: B-. Certainly a high profile priority until violent protests from the left forced it to be dialed back. About 500,000 have occurred thus far. Far less than the 11 million that crossed illegally under Biden. Left wing and LSM opposition made it politically unwise to proceed as swiftly as planned. Regardless, ots of criminals have already been shown the door and the push continues.
Lower Inflation: C+ While down mightily from the 9-10% hey day of Biden/Harris, it is still a thorn in Trump's side. Currently sits at 3.4%, exacerbated by the Iranian conflict. The perception "not enough is being done" is trumpeted daily by Dems and leftwing media. US median income in 2025 did rise to its highest ever. Let's wait until Iran is resolved.
Major Tariffs: B. A major thrust. About $300 billion has been collected. Unfortunately SCOTUS struck down a portion saying Congress approval was required. Good luck on that. Of course, those now paying up are bristling. After years of enjoying scales tipped heavily in their favor, they are definitely not cheering. Still the increases seem to be settling in most places except Canada and China. As to "leveling the playing field", for sure NATO "allies" are ponying up more for their own defense.
Drill Baby Drill: A+. We now produce more than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined.
Expand Tax Cuts: A+. Plus several important ones locked in.
Bring Manufacturing Back to America: B+ Too many initiatives to count in progress. Will take a while to grade accurately. If Dems get back in power and start puking regulations, it will all be negated.
End Russia-Ukraine War: D+. Could be an F but some credit for getting NATO to buy US weapons for Ukraine instead of us supplying for free. Not sure why this is our problem anyway. Only way this ends is if Putin swan dives off a Moscow balcony.
Reduce Government Bureaucracy and Fraud: B/B-. Disappointed DOGE was so short lived. But...our eyes have been opened. Thanks to Trump, Musk and OZ, it is official. Medicaid is rife with criminal activity, fraud and theft. Progress? Not sure, but it is being addressed. Throw 'em jail, I say. Hear that Timmy?
Protect Social Security and Medicare: DNF. Certainly both are functioning so they have been "protected". We are working on fraud. But, the biggest concern, namely the sustainability of both, is being ignored. There's a good reason fooling with SS or MCR is called the "third rail" of American politics.
Crime and education were also priorities. Good job on crime. Murder rates at all time lows. Felonies way down. Not much to show on the education front except school choice now available in many more states (nearly all RED) and boatloads of taxpayer monies sent to universities who allow antisemitism have been curtailed. Tons more to do.
While my sainted Irish mother and Math teacher father would focus on the D+, overall, I'd say this is a pretty damn good "interim" report card. For a President whose administration is saddled 24/7 by an entire party and lamestream media working against them. Especially with razor thin margins in both houses.
Promises Made...mostly kept. Certainly worth two more years of opportunity.
But, Pull the Wrong Lever and...
here's what's in store.
Democratic Socialists of America Promise...
Government will take ownership of private companies and industries
Aggressive taxes on wealthy & corporations (bye bye jobs)
Greatly strengthened unions
32 hour work week.
Guarantee of federal jobs
Healthcare for all
Housing a human right
Free education through college
Cancelation of all student debt
Free energy, medicine, transportation.
Wait...it gets better...
Abolish the electoral college
Abolish the Senate
Abolish the presidency and let Congress choose an executive branch that reports to Congress.
Same with Supreme Court
End prisons
Abolish ICE
Phase out Fossil Fuels now
Dramatically ramp up the Green New Deal.
End wars
Close bases overseas
Defund the Department of War
Free Palestine
End all sanctions and blockades.
If you don't believe me go to their website and read for yourself. The DSA describes these measures, not as reforms, but "total transformation of the economic and political system". I'd say that's spot on.
Xi, Putin, Jong Un and the Mullahs have already pulled the lever. Probably Canada too.
Never forget...for government to give, it must first take away. And...there is a second amendment in case the government fails to follow the first.
Quite a bit more worth reporting, but I'll stop for now as this is long enough.
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