Trump should reject advice on preserving dollar.

 BETTER TO SEEK TO "MAKE THE DOLLAR GREAT AGAIN"

SANCTIONS AND INTIMIDATION WILL NOT SAVE DOLLAR

Recently it has been revealed that Trump is considering ways to preserve the global use of the dollar in international trade. It has been a strong factor in the success of the U.S. economy. Attempting to force others to use the dollar will in effect hasten its decline as the world's reserve currency.

In 1948, when the dollar became the world's reserve currency, it was adopted because it had the reputation of being "As good as gold". The stable value of the dollar coupled with the United States being, by far, the dominant industrial power remaining after the devastating war. The United States was the most stable society, biggest industrial power and most powerful military in the world. All those previous virtues are now under question.

In 1971, only two years after the United States became committed to a policy of deficit spending, it was forced to sever its tie of the dollar to gold. At that time gold was valued at $35 an ounce, last week it took 2325 dollars to buy an ounce of gold. Did gold become more valuable or did the dollar become less valuable?

Deficit spending has been accepted and has accelerated, some to do with promising ever increasing domestic social benefits, some to do with using the dollar to buy friends and allies around the world. The U.S. has not balanced a budget since 1969, mostly because its standing as the worlds reserve currency sheltered it from true market forces that would have normally challenged the irresponsibility and lack of fiscal and monetary prudence of the United States. Those times are coming to an end and also accelerating.

The United States now has a near $1 Trillion trade deficit, mostly with China and Japan but with most every country. This means every year these countries receive over $1 Trillion in dollars over the amount that they can or are willing to buy from the United States. Often they have parked these dollars in U.S. ever increasing debt and receiving a return that is lees than the inflation created by the deficit spending in the United States. One answer would be to buy products manufactured in the U.S., but that is often difficult as there are is much better value to be had in other places. many purchase weapons made in the U.S. because they were perceived to be the best, but even that is coming into question and many competitive systems are as good and for far less money.

In the last 30 years a new dimension of the dollar has been the use of sanctions and economic punishment to force political submission on other countries, much of this is an outright attack on their culture, religion and social structures. All the while the value of the dollar is continually being diluted to enhance U.S. government spending. It is in fact a fraudulent system that pays the hard work and resources of our economic clients with debased dollars. The move away from the dollar is being embraced by many countries and it is accelerating.

China may be the biggest recipient of dollars and at the same time the U.S. has refused to sell computer chips, farmland and other things that China was willing to buy with these excess dollars. If you are Saudi Arabia, who has been selling the U.S. oil for decades for ever debased dollars, sells oil to China for Chinese Yuan, they have a huge selection of items that they can buy for a better value than just weapons from the United States. It is a no brainer business transaction.

The recent freezing of $300 billion in Russian assets and the United States push to confiscate those assets has accelerated the concern in most foreign countries that they could be next if they do not submit to U.S. wishes.

The role of a reserve currency is its stability, confidence and immunization from political reprisals. That is not the dollar of today.

So, if Trump, or any other president wants to preserve the dollar as the world reserve currency, He first has to make it a solid store of value, not a continually declining value. Then it has to make it a safe store of value, not a weapon to be used to control the cultural, economic and political policies of the countries of the world. Only then will it survive and not succumb to the real market forces that attempting to force that reform. " Make the dollar great again" and everyone will want to use it.

 

Long range weapons to Ukraine will accelerate their destruction.

 NATO LONG RANGE WEAPONS WILL HASTEN UKRAINES DESTRUCTION

RUSSIA WILL NOW TARGET MORE INFRASTRUCTURE 

The escalation of giving Ukraine weapons to target Russian infrastructure will only damage Ukraine further. Objectively, Russia has been restrained in its actions concerning Ukraine. While this conflict has been portrayed as all out war, it has really not been the case. Most of the destruction and fighting has been concentrated in the Russian speaking eastern part of the country. Many areas have not been targeted, most of the targets have been military supply or infrastructure. 

With the recent attacks on oil refineries in Russia, Russia has now targeted electric generation in much of Ukraine. They may very well continue until most of Ukraine is without electrical power. They haven't as yet taken out the railroad and highway bridges over the Dnieper river. In fact, they have often waited until equipment is near eastern Ukraine before attacking it. They have not taken out the government buildings or even the leadership in Kiev. Many of these decisions have to do with preserving the cultural heritage of the region and not destroying historical and cultural icons. Long range weapons against Russia, may very well change this into a scorched earth policy that will completely destroy the infrastructure of Ukraine, not only in the east but all the way to the Polish border.

Hotels that are  housing foreign troops from NATO countries will now be consistently targeted. Restraint by Russia has been voiced and advertised as weakness or an inability to take out the Ukrainian infrastructure. I expect that use of weapons to target the Russian homeland will now put much of that opinion to rest.

Most prevalent word describing Ukraine, Collapse.

 RUSSIA ADVANCING ALL ALONG FRONT

UKRAINE IS REACHING LIMITS OF RESISTANCE

While the U.S. and NATO are sending more arms and money to Ukraine, the reality is that the Ukrainian army is exhausted and losing its ability to resist the relentless Russian pressure. 

More arms and ammunition are of course needed, but no one seems to understand the tribulations of the Ukrainian army in this conflict. Many of the brigades are operating at 30% or 40% of full strength. Most of the present soldiers have been in unending conflict for over 2 years. Many have not had leave to visit family and the prospects of them being cycled out of conflict are poor. 

Recently Ukraine lowered the conscription age to 25, many expect that to soon be lowered to 20. They are attempting to have other EU nations round up and send back their nationals of service age, that may be contrary to many laws in the region. The reality is that they are having a problem finding new recruits, many consider going to the front a death sentence. Part of the new mobilization law was a provision to fix the time one had to serve in combat, that provision was deleted and now many believe they will be forced to serve until they die. This provision has had a demoralization effect on their military.

The conditions for Ukraine, on this battlefield are relentless artillery shelling, without respite. Often unable to go outside during the day, because of large numbers of drones either attacking them personally or sending targeting information to the artillery. They often have very little direct contact with Russian soldiers.

Most of the Ukrainian defenses are in urban areas, at one time large buildings were the preferred defensive positions, now with the use of glide bombs, Russia is able to drop these weapons from 40 miles east of the conflict line and accurately target these defenses. These bombs carry from 500 to 3000 lbs of high explosives and a single bomb will take down any large building. Ariel videos of these detonations show a huge shock wave going 100's of yards in every direction. The effects on any human are concussions that may have permanent effects and most likely make them helpless for sometime. The term "shell shocked" in today's battlefield cannot be compared to WW1 were the term originated.

Politicians in both Ukraine and NATO continue to insist Ukraine soldiers carry on, they have been very effective, but they are at their limit. Ukraine can not prevail in this conflict, but  many more can die and be damaged for the rest of their lives.

We have seen a process of escalation, more weapons, longer range. all with the hope that Russia will give up and sue for peace. It is a delusional assumption, decades of demonization of Russia and blustering about the dismembering of the country have convinced the leadership and the people of Russia that they are in an existential fight for their existence, and they are. Russia has been getting a steady stream of recruits of approximately 30,000 new volunteers a month. This is going to go on no matter who is in charge of the country. Russia will fight this battle even if it takes a nuclear confrontation, it is assured and it has been assured even before this conflict started.

Whether the hope of the west is to at least get past the elections or if they really want an all out war with Russia, remains to be seen, but the reality of the battlefield is consuming several generations of Ukrainian men all to preserve the dreams of western warmongers, who have no compassion or empathy for those forced to fight for their Ukraine project.

Biden' s 2025 budget, raising taxes to record levels.

 WILL 45% CAPITAL GAINS TAX BE GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY?

PAY FULL CAPITAL GAINS ON INHERITED PROPERTY

Two items that are part of the 2025 budget proposed by the Biden Administration is raising concerns about the future of investing in this country. besides raising the corporate income tax, which will again make this country less competitive compared with many other countries. they are proposing raising the capital gains tax to over 44.6 % the highest rate in over 100 years. 

With this rate after state capital gains are counted the governments will be taking over 50 % of any gains made through investment. Losses are limited to $3000 a year and then must be taken in later years at $3000 a year. It is recipe for economic disaster, as it may be very risky to invest any money into anything that is subject to such taxes, especially when you consider that many these investments are just inflated due to government created inflation. It may be very difficult to hope for any return from investing in the future.

Even worse is the idea that on death, any inherited assets will be taxed with this capital gain rather than it being valued at the stepped up rate as it is now. today when someone dies the purchase price is stepped up to the value it is at death.

Example, if parents purchased a home in 1970 for $30,000 and then died with the property valued at $350,000 the inheritance tax is paid on the increase in value over the $350,000. In the proposed new law, You would pay 45% on the difference of $315,000 or $141,750 and then also pay the inheritance tax. This would also apply to any stocks, or other investments that would be inherited. It is a direct attack on any hope of keeping up with government created inflation. 

Many have been led to believe that the huge increases in spending by the government have no effect on them, the reality is that everyone pays for this irresponsibility, vote buying, and corruption either through inflation immediately or by in effect the confiscation of any wealth in the future. 

While this is just one example of the possible schemes being hatched to cover for all this spending, I suspect we will see many more in the near future. 

Sow and cultivate division and then reap the results.

THE POLITICS OF DIVISION IS COMING HOME TO ROOST 

REPERCUSSIONS NOW EVIDENT AT HOME AND ABROAD

This week, the demonstrations and protests focused on Israel have intensified and are now a concern. It is not a wonder that the use of divisive protests for political purposes will eventually become uncontrollable and be focused at those who often have encouraged such protests and even riots for political advantage.

We witnessed years of divisive demonstrations often paid for by leftist and democrat political operatives. We saw Antifa burn and destroy cities. Black lives matter were considered heroes of the democrat party, while they destroyed and attacked police at every opportunity. Then we saw some similar response by Republican protesters on January 6, and many are still confined without bail or charges files. Many were given long prison terms. The message was clear, our demonstrators are an asset, yours are criminals. It not surprising that eventually it would all become out of control and consume everything. 

This country has used these tactics to sow discord and regime change around the world, often by the use of federal money to enhance democracy and other well sounding ideals to gain access to their political system and sow discord. Then through an open immigration policy to dilute the votes of Americans, those other places can now very well use the same tactics on this country. You reap what you sow. The policy of division for political advantage has created long lasting damage to this country, both here and around the world. 

The repercussions may actually spell the demise of this experiment called America. We have witnessed years of the demonization of everything Russian and now Russia which had a small military and hoped to become a member of the world community is alienated to the point that they now have a far more effective and growing military than they had during the cold war. The Russians are now united and motivated, it is not going to end well in Ukraine.

Secretary Blinken is now in China again threatening China that they are about to be sanctioned economically if they do not cut production and cease trading with Russia. The answer is going to be NO, you are not going to tell China how to run their economy. Then there is concern and bewilderment that China is now preparing for war. A war that has been threatened and talked about by our media, military and politicians. It is bewildering to many that the United States is now on a path to all out world war abroad and civil war at home. Is it the result of incompetence or is it planned destruction. Many wonder. 

Economic war with China may very well be far more costly to the U.S. than to China. With a $34 Trillion dollar debt and an expected increase, just this year, by another $3 Trillion, the country is actually now on economic life support.  No one seems to care and there is little concern in congress, which continues to spend and borrow money like there is no tomorrow and maybe there is not.

It may very well be clear to objective economists in other parts of the world that the U.S. is on a path of self destruction and with the animosity created by our political leaders, they are fine with being observers of our own destruction.

Tax the rich, Are YOU the rich?

 ASSET TAXES ARE THE NEW TARGET IN THE WEST

DEBT-RIDDEN GOVERNMENTS EYE NEW REVENUE

We hear the same calls for taxing the rich from Joe Biden and the European union. Tax rates of high earners are already often over 40% in the U.S. and over 50% in the EU, yet they call for more taxes as they claim inequality is growing. Everyone should do an accounting and see what percent of their income they pay in taxes. Add up your federal, state and local income taxes, your real estate taxes, and the long list of sales taxes, fees, registrations, and permits you now pay and you may find you are paying much more than you knew. No matter,  is will never be enough. 

The push for asset taxes by all governments has been growing for years, they use examples of the increase in value of some billionaires stock holdings and claim they are not taxed, as they should not be, as this profit is only realized when an actual sale is made. How would they make provisions when the next year these same assets decrease in value, will there be a refund? Of course, they always state these taxes will only be on the rich, so everyone who believes they are not rich will support taxing someone else. 

In the EU they claim they want to tax millionaires and billionaires. Today, if you were even moderately thrifty, responsible, own a home and saved for old age you are very likely a millionaire. Being a millionaire is not what it used to be, mostly because the government devaluing the buying power of the currency.

When the Income tax was first introduced it was 1 % on the incomes over $3,000 and that sum was a lot of money in 1914. It has always been up ever since with a digest of cut-outs and other ways to manipulate taxpayers.

Asset taxes, are in effect, an annual taking of a piece of your wealth, wealth that you saved, invested and often paid large taxes on before it became your wealth. It will be a never ending drain on your savings and frugality that you thought would be yours, but instead it will be a never ending pocket for the government to pick and pick it they will. You can bet the definition of rich will soon be anyone who has more than the government believes they need and the rate will increase as well.

Then you have the annual declaration of your net wealth, If you underestimate you may be fined. Eventually it would need a army of accountants and assessors by the government and also by taxpayers to decide what your assets are worth. That antique car, grandfathers summer home, maybe even the wifes collection of shoes. A very costly nightmare of accounting, all paid for by you, the now rich.

House celebrates increasing debt.

 MORE BORROWED MONEY FOR FOREIGN WARS

NO SENSE OF AMERICAN PRIORITIES

The house voted to pass $91 billion to finance foreign wars. All while the deficit is now projected to be $3 Trillion this year. $61 Billion to Ukraine, the 51st U.S. state, with much bigger funding than any U.S. state. A spending that will not make the outcome of the Ukraine conflict any different, except that more Ukrainians will die, and more of the country will be destroyed or annexed.

So far the west has contributed $380 billion in aid to Ukraine since 2022. Interesting the total budget for Russia for 2023 was $343 Billion, with military spending around $67 billion, both are expected to rise in 2024.

California receives $43. 6 billion, Texas $26.9 billion. Florida $23.7 billion, New York $22.06 billion and Virginia $17.6 billion in funding from the federal government. 

$28 Billion to Israel, a candidate for the 52 state. I have to wonder how many Palestinians could have been persuaded to sell their property in GAZA and the west bank for $28 billion. Of course, most of the property in GAZA is now worthless, so maybe it could have bought the whole west bank, and everybody would be happy. It seems it is much more profitable to buy more weapons than actually look for solutions to these problems.

So if anyone's real foreign strategy is working it is Russia's, in that it is not only demilitarizing Ukraine, it is in fact indebting and demilitarizing the U.S. and NATO. Of course, the hope in the star chambers of these countries is that they will now have to increase spending on defense to produce weapons to replace all those gifted to Ukraine.  This will also add to the debt and deficit and reduce the buying the power of the dollar and increase inflation in the western world.

While the ultimate strategy was to bleed and weaken Russia, it appears the "Rope a Dope strategy" is working well for Russia and all the others on the list of countries to be weakened. It is a hell of thing when you intentionally set out on a "Rope a dope strategy" only to end up the dope.

We are all paying for Biden's energy policy.

 EMPTY STRATEGIC RESERVE, WAR, ENERGY POLICY MAY BRING ECONOMIC DISASTER

POLITICAL OPPORTUNISM  OVER SOUND JUDGMENT

With all out Mideast war looming and energy prices rising, Biden announces further restrictions of petroleum usage by this government.  Is it stupid, or is it just an attempt to keep the environmental vote from voting for Kennedy.  It is clear that short term vote counting is always more important than long term national wellbeing.  

Politics always has prevailed with this administration. the squandering of a full strategic oil reserve, filled to capacity by the previous administration at below cost prices of under $20 a barrel. Emptied to help in the 2022 election to keep oil prices temporarily lower.

The promise to refill the reserve is being delayed by their own admission by high prices that are the result of their policies.

We did not have an energy emergency in 2022, Biden had a desire to keep prices under control for political purposes, but we may very well have one within months and the strategic reserve, that was there to get us through such an emergency, is empty. 

Coupled with this, yesterday Biden announced the restriction of new drilling in Alaska and has previously restricted offshore drilling.

Biden's energy policy enacted within days of taking office, reversing all the gains from the previous administration was responsible for the exploding inflation cycle. The increase in energy prices and the unrestrained deficit spending has seen the worst inflation since the 1980's. 

It is very likely to get much worse, with the possibility of skyrocketing prices and even rationing. I assume they hoped to fend off the consequences of their policies until after the election, but that now looks very unlikely.

Of course, we can expect the complicit media to help and place the blame on Putin, Iran, and maybe even China.

Ukraine now feels like stepchild.

 ZELENSKY WANTS SAME AIR-DEFENSE AS ISRAEL

THE REALITY OF UKRAINE'S POSITION IS DISMAL

Ukraine is now at the point where it is almost defenseless against the air campaign of Russia. Sadly for Ukraine, it will not be getting any better. The ability to provide air defense to the vast area of Ukrainian territory is virtually impossible. Israel on the other hand is a speck on the map compared to Ukraine. Even the much touted cooperative attempt at air defense in Israel was not foolproof and the reality is that Iran was able to seriously damage important military targets. Iran does have the capability to strike Israel and cripple its defense and economy very quickly, serious military analysts know this is the case. Sadly, much of the policies today are managed by delusional amateurs who are living in the past.

Israel cannot win a war with Iran, just like Ukraine cannot win a war with Russia. The profligration of advanced drones, missiles and defense countering cruise missiles is making any war a costly enterprise for even the biggest and best equipped military powers.

The NATO/Russian project is lost and Ukraine is suffering the casualties and lost future. Other than NATO willing to engage Russia head to head and engage in an inevitable nuclear war it is best to end it now and preserve some of the youth of Ukraine and some of its infrastructure for a possible recovery in the future.

Ukraine, with no real ability to produce weapons, never had a real hope of winning. Most of the calculations of its masters in the U.S. and Nato counted on Russia caving or regime change in Russia. It is obvious to any objective observer, that is not going to happen.

Israel allowed itself to be baited into an emotional and out of control response to the dastardly attack by Hamas.  Many is Israel and its supporters in the U.S. state department have wanted war with Iran for a long time.We hear similar accounts of how the Iranian people do not support their government, how the answer is regime change in Iran. A similar regime change that started this negative relationship with Iran in 1953. It is again a delusional hope without real substance, but with the possibility of Israel being crippled in just a few days of warfare. Then the inevitable nuclear response by Israel, that would then cause the intervention of numerous nuclear powers.

The present administration in Washington and sadly in many western capitals, believe in their invincibility, it is a delusional belief without real substance, they are not the power they were in the past, not economically, not militarily, certainly not morally. We have in effect a team of Machiavellian amateurs who believe they can rule the world. They have placed the world on the precipice of the ultimate disaster and they have no idea how to exit and save face. It seems that saving face is much more important than admitting failure and saving civilization.

Debt, deficits, lost manufacturing and endless war = Poorer America.

 WASHINGTON IS THE PROBLEM

THE INSIDER POLICIES ARE DESTROYING THE COUNTRY

While we continually hear that Americans are being threatened by China, Russia, Iran and whoever the villain of the week is, it is the bureaucracy and the corruption in Washington that we should fear the most. If America had a solid economy and a strong manufacturing base we would be able to deal with all adversaries and challenges. 

The reality is the the country has lost its self sufficiency in manufacturing, it is in unprecedented debt that is unsustainable and the debt is increasing by the day. The value of your savings and wealth denominated in dollars is going to continue to lose its purchasing power. The inflation that we have witnessed is not the fault of some foreign entity, it is the fault of those who rule in Washington. This is not a result of some foreign conspiracy, as I am sure you will be told, but the irresponsibility and greed that is prevalent in Washington D.C. 

Of course, the American people have been trained to vote their pocketbook, meaning who will promise them more free things. Free tuition, free healthcare, free housing, solar panel subsidies. Buying and selling votes is big business in this country. 

It is all coming to an end, the pot is empty, the golden goose is near dead and this adventure into democratic socialism is coming to an end. We can no longer borrow enough to prop up the benefits game, the endless wars around the world or buy allies.

Everyone wants access to the biggest source of money in the country, the federal government, there are multiple ways for money to be kicked back, syphoned off and insider deals to be gamed. It has now reached the point where it is coming to an end and it is going to take us all down with it.

If that is not bad enough, beware, because the solution to the disaster that these actors have created will likely be even worse.

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, will leave everyone blind and toothless.

 WHO WANTS A NEW MIDEAST WAR?

ISRAEL AND U.S. WARMONGERS WANT WAR WITH IRAN

This weekend's retaliation by Iran on Israel in response to Israel's bombing of the Iranian embassy in Syria is a major escalation. It is exactly what Israel hoped to achieve with its bombing of the Iranian embassy. It is the first time that Iran has directly attacked Israel.

Much of the continued violence in the middle east by both parties is rooted in the Old Testament remedy for civil disputes, as money was not always possible in those days penalties were awarded with equal loss to the perpetrator. As stolen or dead livestock were to be replaced by a similar animal.  Summed up in the eye for eye or tooth for tooth remedy. Today we see both Muslim and Jewish leaders continually using this remedy for political disputes. It has resulted in a disastrous never ending cycle of reprisals and it is now escalating until they may all be destroyed.

What about the biblical admonition about, "Vengeance is mine, I shall repay" meaning let God or Allah exact punishment in his way. Or, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Or, the fact that forgiveness is good for everyone in the long scheme of things.

While Iran has many years of meddling in the region, it is clear and they have made it clear, that they do not want war with Israel. Not necessarily because they are afraid of Israel, but that all the major countries in the region are looking to a future era of peace and prosperity. While Iran has not been fully there yet, they have been moving in the right direction recently. 

In the last week, Iran has made it clear to the U.S. and others that their response to the embassy bombing was meant to be a one time event and that they consider that to be the end of this. It was a limited and restrained attack, that many are heralding as a failed mission. The reality is far different in that they sent hundreds of drones 3 hours before their first missiles and then lastly had hits on 2 airfields and Israeli intelligence center. They also did not use their most effective weapons. The estimated cost of the defensive missiles is now $1.3 billion. A very high price for a limited attack.

Israel cannot win a war with Iran, but the hope is that the United States will participate and then the hope that they then can prevail. I still doubt it, I don't expect anyone to be foolish enough to enter into a ground war in Iran. If Israel gets themselves into a existential situation, I doubt they would hesitate to use nuclear weapons.

The great accomplishments toward long lasting peace in the middle east that were started with the Abraham accords has been derailed by the Hamas attack and the  Israeli response. In fact, they have created many more thousands of enemies. Hamas, a fringe group that intentionally did not want the peace initiatives to succeed and Israel's response that they believed is acting strong, is in fact just plain stupid. 

This coupled with the delusional war mongers, like John Bolton who have been advocating for war with Iran for decades are agitating with dangerous and poor advice.

They were winning and now they are on the brink of a catastrophic war.

Huge crowd shows up in support of Trump.

 TOO MANY FOR TOO LITTLE SPACE

IT IS ALL ABOUT DEMONSTRATING SUPPORT

Saturday was the 4th Donald Trump rally that I have witnessed, it may have been the biggest ever in this part of Pennsylvania. It is estimated that over 40,000 at least attempted to attend this rally, There was a miles long line that snaked across the property of Lehigh community college and the Schnecksville fire co. It took near 4 hours to actually get to where the event was held. 

Braving 20 mph winds and chilly temperatures the crowd was upbeat and enthusiastic. It was unanimous that they were not actually there to expect to hear any new message or campaign policies. They were there to demonstrate to Trump that they are with him and to encourage him to keep fighting against the corrupt authoritarians now running the country. Everyone agrees the lines are in fact a moving party atmosphere of diverse people united with a common goal of hoping to save the country from ruin. 

With election now just 6 months away, we expect the fervor to increase with each passing month. We can also expect the corrupt minions of the Biden administration to use of the legal system to attempt to disqualify Trump from the election. A sad commentary on the state of the much touted Democracy, but actual disdain for democracy, by the elite of this country. We again see no debate about about policy, just the attempt to force the opposition from the election. The once bright light on the hill, is now the example of corruption of the political, legal and election system. No longer the envy of the world, but just a very bad example of too much power in the hands of the ruling elite.

With Biden expected to show up in Pennsylvania, we can expect to see his support by paid union members, government workers and the fringes of society as compared to the Trump supporters who mostly are the people who make things actually work in the country. 

I expect this will be the last election where we will see any such grassroots support for a candidate in this country. This is Trump's last run for elected office and I cannot see anyone that can garner the type of support that has been the phenomenon of the Trump era. It may be a historic and one time event in American history. We have to see if it is last hurrah of the country or the beginning of a restorative renewal.

West and Ukraine bullshitting each other.

 WEST PROMISES NATO AND EU MEMBERSHIP

UKRAINE PROMISES NEW COUNTEROFFENSIVE

If bullshit won wars the Ukraine conflict would have been over 2 years ago, but sadly the death and destruction continues without any hope of a positive outcome for Ukraine. The west in its hope to encourage Ukraine to keep fighting is still promising NATO membership and becoming a EU member. Sadly the rules for such membership clearly preclude any such thing, anytime soon.

Then we have Zelensky talking about a new counteroffensive in 2025. We expect that this is in the hope of receiving more funds from its western backers. The reality is that Ukraine has had 2 new armies destroyed and will not be able to replace the manpower for a third army. The other reality is that the west does not have the ability to supply more tanks, vehicles, weapons and ammunition.

While all this smoke and mirrors continues, middleclass Ukrainian men a dying to the tune of near 1000 every week and no one can calculate the disabling injuries. But as the esteemed Washington politicians say, it is all worth it, if Russian are dying. It is disgusting to witness the lack of compassion that we see from Washington politicians who will sacrifice any number of human lives to accomplish their political ends.

Moscow has now stated that the recent attacks on the power generation in Ukraine is in response to the Washington encouraged attacks on Russian energy production. The Russians also stated that they waited to after the winter for humanitarian purposes. The fact is that the Russians are systematically destroying the ability of Ukraine to generate electricity that cannot be rebuilt for possibly months.

Kharkov is now under mandatory evacuation orders as Ukraine expects a major attack by Russia. While Russia has been taking out the infrastructure, they may again just continue in the wat of attrition by making the city a desolate unlivable place and move to some other objective. It may be just a giant diversion of Ukraines limited manpower.

Ukraine has lowered the conscription age to 25 from 27, but is struggling to find new recruits. Washington is encouraging them to lower it to 18. The reality is the motivated men who desired to join the military have all enlisted, the others do not want to go and will likely be poor soldiers if forced to the front. 

Sadly the war looks like it will continue until Ukraine can longer field a viable defense and will loose more territory and be at a poor position for any negotiated peace.

Biden team cannot repair U.S. foreign policy disaster.

 INCOMPETENCE AND IDEOLOGICAL EXTREMISM HAS US ON THE PRECIPICE OF WW3

ONLY A COMPLETE OVERHAUL WILL DO

While many hope for the best, it is becoming clear that the foreign policy initiatives of this administration are a unmitigated disaster. I see no redeeming policies that improved the lives or the prospects of peace and prosperity for the future. It does not need fine tuning or improvement, it needs complete replacement. The whole team needs to be fired. If this was the leadership of any serious corporation they would have been fired long ago. 

Their domestic polices are not any better, they only have one agenda, buying votes to sustain their power, by attempting to bribe students by promising more unconstitutional promises of cancelling their debt. I suppose we have a new group of students who did not witness the last failed promise. 

Then we have the endless adds about low priced drugs, bargained with the pharmaceutical industry, I suppose they will make it up by by some other insider deal, like the fake covid vaccines. 

We hear the same old tired promises of better education and strengthened defense, which translates to more graft and money for these special interests and poorer education results and no ability produce basic ammunition. These promise come every election season by both parties.

No sustainable policies for the future, just outright promises of more government programs, while running up the debt and deficits to unsustainable levels.

While domestic policies may cost us all financially, the foreign policies may very well lead to near extinction of the human race. A foreign policy based in threats and extortion, promising war with anyone who will not submit to their demands. All this with a manufacturing base that is a shadow of the capabilities that  propelled this country into the strongest military in the world.

While this administration is now at the helm, we can also blame previous presidents and congress's for allowing this country to deteriorate to the point where it has lost its credibility with much of the world. It is now watched as a bit of a freak show by serious and objective counties, both opponents and allies, except for the western Europeans who are as deluded as the leaders of this country.

If a complete overhaul of this government does not happen, not our system, but the delusional incompetents who populate Washington, we will witness this country decline economically and socially at best and a disastrous world war at the worst.

Janet Yellen's embarrassing trip to China.

 U.S. FOREIGN POLICY BECOMES EVEN MORE DYSFUNCTIONAL

MULTIPLE POLICIES FROM THE SAME ADMINISTRATION

The United States's credibility declines with every meeting and every approach, it is an embarrassment to the nation and will take years to correct, if ever. Janet Yellen's recent trip to China is an astonishing example, maybe it is the mushrooms. 

This administration began with an adversarial relationship with China, It threatened China,  both economically and militarily, both privately and publicly. China took them at their word and began preparations for war with the United States. 

This administration often used the word, "decoupling" economically from China. Delusional congressmen, senators and members of this administration voiced the opinion that China needed the U.S. market to survive. The reality is that the U.S. is dependent on Chinese manufacturing for the majority of its goods. 

China has been systematically liquidating its investment in U.S. debt, as is Japan, Saudi Arabia and others. Not because of some sinister conspiracy, but due to objective view that it is no longer a good investment. Many countries central banks have been buying gold which has now risen over $300 in the last few weeks to an all time high of $2350.00. Much of this has to do with the unsustainable U.S. debt and deficits which are excellerating.

The United States has been buying allies in east Asia in an attempt to surround China militarily in an effort to counter China's growth as a global power both economically and now in response to U.S. threats, militarily.

The reality is The U.S. market of 350 million is dwarfed by the other 6.5 billion consumers around the world. Its purchasing power is inflated due to government deficit spending and the erosion of the buying power of the dollar. It is all likely coming to an end.

So, we see Janet Yellen, who in her last trip to China, when she threatened them with,"consequences", return and ask them to stop overproducing, as it is putting pricing pressure on U.S. producers. Overproduction, by the wat, is a self regulating affair, and not profitable, the Chinese are very keen on making profits.

Then to top it off she is asking them to not only stop liquidating the U.S. debt but to buy more, so that in effect, the U.S. will have more money to buy allies in the region. Then I suppose she celebrated her successful trip to China buy consuming a large serving of magic mushrooms.

Trump clarifies position on abortion.

 YES, LET DEMOCRACY IN THE STATES DECIDE

REMOVING ABORTION FROM NATIONAL POLITICS BEST FOR THE COUNTRY

Yesterday, Donald Trump voiced his position on abortion. He believes it it best to let the citizens of the states decide. While it may take some time, it is the best decision for the country. It is the perfect example of the benefits of states rights and for democracy to work. It would be best for the states to propose a series of referendums on this  issue to fine tune the citizens wishes on this subject. Not a politically charges decision by lawmakers, not a poison pill referendum, but a series of referendums to come to a state decision that would be binding for 5 years before revisited. 

Removing this issue from national politics is the least divisive approach and is in the best interests for the country. What is acceptable in California will most likely be unacceptable in Alabama. Besides the Supreme court ruled that the constitution does not address abortion, so constitutionally it then remains the purview of the states. 

Trump also publicly endorsed  Invitro fertilization that has allowed so many to have children who previously would have been denied that possibility. This particular issue was a lame attempt of the abortion lobby to use the slippery slope of legislation involving birth control and invitro to gain support for national legislation to protect abortion rights.

Contrary to the national narrative, abortion is not illegal in this country. The supreme court did not make abortion illegal. All that has changed is that the states now have the onerous duty to make decisions about this issue.

The states that engage in a objective series of referendums to allow the citizens to have a range of choices on this issue and then let the democratic process work is the best way to address this divisive issue. Whether you are for abortion or find it repulsive, multiple decisions will allow this to be the least divisive and least damaging approach for the country.

EU dilemma, NATO or new EU Army.

 END OF NATO AS WE HAVE KNOWN IT?

CAN EU FORM EU ARMY FINANCIALLY AND POLITICALLY?

Since the inception of NATO in 1949 the European nations have been subjected to little risk by being NATO members. they have enjoyed the perceived security of a common defense that was primarily provided by the United States. It has allowed them to engage in many social programs like national healthcare and a 32 hour workweek. While they have offered token military assistance to U.S. power projection around the world, it has been a very slight inconvenience to their domestic prosperity.

This all changed with the U.S. operation Ukraine project. The EU, with little consideration of the consequences signed on to this project that has now required a far bigger commitment than at any time since the formation of NATO.  

The perceived weak Russia, that was expected to submit to the threat of alienation from the west was far more committed to resisting NATO expansion than they understood. If they had just listened to Russia and understood the history of this region, as those a generation before them would have plainly understood, they may have taken a different direction.

But they did not, lulled into a delusional belief in the wisdom of U.S. intelligence and a seemly situation with little risk, they are now at a crossroads with no good outcome.

There is growing concern that the U.S. population is rejecting the U.S. policy of eternal war, and regime change projects around the world. This and the inevitability of U.S. financial irresponsibility and future ability to finance a near $ Trillion defense budget is making it apparent that they may have to start thinking for themselves both militarily and most importantly politically.

There is growing pressure to increase their defense spending in NATO. This was offered by Donald Trump before this Ukraine project worsened. Now, they seem to fear that if Trump is re-elected they may not be able to count on the U.S. being the major financier of NATO. The reality is, that U.S. is soon facing its own financial limitations.

The other problem with NATO is, since all members have conveyed their former Soviet era weapons to Ukraine and much of their other obsolete weapons, they will need to replace these weapons. The U.S. is pushing for NATO weapons to be all uniform in their usability. The idea is that all of NATO's new weapons will be U.S. designed and the majority U.S. manufactured. This is going to be resisted by the financial implications to EU arms makers and their own domestic manufacturers.

That leaves the option of the EU forming its own military apparatus, maybe part of NATO, but independent of U.S. dominance.  While this is being pushed by some members, it will require a major investment in new weapons and then political problems of who will be in charge, Germans, French, or Poles etc.. That in itself will be a very interesting scene to witness.

So much about the future, when at present they have the dilemma of sending EU troops, not NATO, into Ukraine with all the political ramifications both domestically and the Russian response. That and the realization that Ukraine will not be a NATO member and maybe not even a viable country in the future. The repercussion of the EU signing on to the U.S.'s Ukraine project will be felt for decades.

Has Hamas been successful at derailing lasting Israeli peace?

 ISRAEL'S RESPONSE MAY HAVE REVERSED HOPE OF LONG TERM PEACE

HAMAS MAY HAVE REALIZED ITS GOAL

When the Abraham accords were signed, during the Trump administration, it was the most positive step to bringing about lasting peace and recognition of Israel by the Arab world. Many Arab leaders had a vision of a prosperous future for the region and an end to the Israeli/ Palestinian crisis was essential for that to happen.

Before the October attack on Israel, even Saudi Arabia was entertaining recognizing  Israel, a breakthrough event for further recognition. Even Iran was desiring to become part of a new economic era that would have likely softened its position with Israel. 

Hamas was on the verge of becoming irrelevant and their attack was designed to bait Israel into a destructive act to insure that Israel did not become an accepted part of the middle east region. 

6 Months later, Israel's response continues and is escalating, it has set back long term peace in the region in an incalculable way.  In fact, it is clear that Israel seeks a military conflict with Iran, one that it cannot win, without U.S. backup. A conflict that could possibly spread very far, that would likely force other Arab countries to take sides and be involved.

It is also clear that the major counties in the region are focusing on a positive economic future, they have been restrained in their response to Israel's over enthusiastic and spreading military attacks. Of course, Hamas believed that Israel's response would bring about a regional conflict that they hoped would destroy Israel. So far, the major players in the region have not taken the bait, they do not want a new war in the region.

This weeks Israel's  bombing on the Iran embassy in Syria and their attack on aid workers has placed them at a very precarious position. Some in the Israeli government and some in the U.S. state department want war with Iran. Some believing that it will protect Israel in the long run and others hope to derail peace and prosperity for the region. We should all hope that a return to some diplomacy by Israel and the U.S. will abort such a war. It may be only accomplished by a public statement from the U.S. that a provoked war with Iran will be fought without U.S. assistance. With an acommoning private message to Iran that there are limitations and to not take the bait.

Iran is now in a position that it may be politically forced to respond, hopefully it will be measured and not an all out reigning of ballistic missiles on Israeli cities.

The United States often talks about leadership, it is really such a time to make that more than a catch phrase and end this before it engulfs half the world.

EU, NATO desperate, with no plan B.

 NATO TROOPS? MONEY FOR 5 YEARS? NO REAL SOLUTIONS

SALVAGING UKRAINE PROJECT DILEMMA

This week we hear that Romania and Poland may possibly be sending troops to western Ukraine. This adding to France also proposing sending troops is just another sign of the desperation in the EU community. What are these troops going to do? Are they going to prevent Russia from taking land west of the Dnieper or defending Odessa? No one has voiced what the plan is, because there is no plan. 

Yesterday they are proposing a NATO plan to guarantee Ukraine 108 billion Euros over the next 5 years. Again, 5 years, when Ukraine may not last 5 months. At the same time the head of NATO proclaimed that Ukraine will become a member of the EU and NATO. The same proposal that started all this and could have ended in the early months with Ukraine becoming a neutral, non military aligned country.

The troops to Ukraine may all be just a bluff, hoping Russia will now plead for peace and the 108 billion may be just a carrot to keep the Ukraine government from imploding in the near future. Neither proposal will change the outcome of this conflict, but it will most likely insure more deaths and a smaller and less intact Ukraine and a diminished bargaining position in the future.

If NATO wants to go to war with Russia, they will be doing it in eastern Ukraine, east of the Dnieper river. Russia has set up its defensive positions there for a reason. The do have a plan and likely a plan B. 

NATO's plan was to weaken Russia, bleed them from this conflict and possibly create a revolt at home. While Russia may have been weakened, the EU and NATO have been drained of its resources and have damaged their economies. Russia population has been hardened and is recruiting new volunteers daily. They are now stronger than they were 2 years ago.

To go to war with Russia, NATO will need to institute a draft in all their countries, they will need to put their economies on a war footing, dramatically increasing manufacturing of war resources and denying social programs. If that is what they want to do then they should be doing it, but they are just running around with proposals, lots of words and meetings, with no real preparation for war.

Then if they should manage to do all this and then defeat Russia they are looking at the likelihood of nuclear incineration. It is clear, and Russia has been making it clear since 2008, Ukraine will not become a member of NATO, without the defeat and destruction of Russia. Which is very unlikely to happen.

The realistic solution is to end this war and guarantee a neutral nonaligned Ukraine. If negotiated soon, they could possibly retain Kharkiv and Odessa and western Ukraine as a free independent neutral country.  If they continue on this path, the results will be bad or even worse. Sadly there is no good outcome for Ukraine or NATO. They need to be humble and admit their error in this project and move on.

The new democrat party has destroyed the country.

 

 DEMOCRATS NOW THREATEN AMERICA 

 THEY PROMISE IF GIVEN POWER, THEY WILL ABUSE THAT POWER

Democrat whining over the confirmation of Amy Barrett to the supreme court has now descended into threats to the country. They openly threaten America that they will take vengeance on the citizens of this country by using that power to solidify their control of the government forever. This is not a surprise, after watching their abuse of power for the last 12 years.

You could say that much of this division started with the passing of the Affordable Care Act. This bill, which affected the health care of everyone in the country, was passed without one republican vote. They had to change the rules of the Senate and publicly bribe many of their own democrat senators to pass this law. They knowingly lied to the people that if they liked their doctor, they could keep their doctor. If they liked their insurance, they could keep their insurance. It was all about political power and control of the health care industry. They used the plight of those who were uninsured to disrupt the health care of the whole country in an effort to move the country to a national health care system. A system that did not pass muster with the constitution, but they were able to keep it alive by a convoluted ruling by the Republican appointed Chief Justice himself. 

The uprising that resulted led to the democrats losing 63 seats in the house and the majority and losing 7 seats in the senate which gave them a slim 53-47 majority. 

They could have taken their time and worked for a bi-partisan effort to address the problems with healthcare, which was high quality healthcare, but a continually rising cost. Instead they used the problems to push a partisan ideological solution.

In the election of 2012 Obama was reelected, but the republicans held the house. It was obvious that the people were afraid to give them that power again.

In the election of 2014 the Republicans won 9 senate seats and now controlled the senate and the house. A Democrat state senator from California and a Democrat state representative from Connecticut were arrested and convicted for voter fraud. Voter machine irregularities occurred in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Illinois. The Affordable care act was still a major issue in this election.

On February 13, 2016 Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia unexpectedly died. On Mar. 16, 2016 Obama nominated Merrick Garland to replace him. The president nominates and the Senate give advice and consent. The republican senate refused to put the nominee up for a vote. They had the constitutional right to make that decision, but the animosity over the partisan passing of ACA weighed in the decision.

During the presidency of Obama every part of the Federal government was politicized. We had the IRS use their power to restrict political organizations. The ATF engaged in gun running to Mexican cartels to create a climate for gun control that resulted in the death of a Border control officers. We saw his Justice department refuse to hand over subpoenaed documents.

We saw the Obama administration engage in regime change and foment revolution in Syria, Egypt, Libya, Ukraine and interfere in the elections in Israel and Russia. They helped in effect to finance Iranian terror and destabilization in the middle east. Their policies resulted in the destabilization of much of Europe and greatest displacement of human beings since WW2. It has resulted in the death of 100's of thousands in the middle east.

Then during and after the election of Donald Trump the FBI, State department and CIA engaged in an effort to overthrow the election, to discredit Trump, drive his popularity down and force him to resign. The Mueller investigation went on for 2 1/2 years and when they finally gave it up, within a week the Democrat controlled house set out to impeach the President for inquiring about the true corruption engaged in by the Joe Biden family in Ukraine. They had the constitutional power to engage in that and they did. They did not receive 1 Republican vote. It was nothing more than a partisan abuse of power.

We have seen four years of Democrat appointees and bureaucrats leak misleading and dishonest attacks on the president. Undercut and attempt to hinder his presidency. All in an attempt to destroy and cover up their own corruption.

We watched a viscous, slanderous and perjury laden Senate hearing for the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh as a supreme court justice. A disgrace to the country.

Now they whine about the Republican senate actually fulfilling their constitutional duty to fill a seat on the supreme court. Not just whine, but threaten and promise, that if they regain power there will be no limit to the abuse of power they will engage in by enlarging the court, adding states to the union to control the senate forever and lower the voting age to sixteen so they can then politicize the public schools to win elections.

We have witnessed the degradation of our election system that is no longer trusted by a large part of the electorate, not because of misinformation, but the reality of system that has been perverted in their lust fro absolute power. 

The last twelve years has shown the nature of this new Democrat party, it is a party of revolution and destruction. Their goal is to destroy America as we know it and replace it with some yet to be determined Utopian illusion. This is the most important election in the history of this country. Our very survival is at stake.

Update 1/8/21

Originally published 10/29/20, Now that they have obtained their goal of unlimited power, you will see their priorities, it will be insuring power forever and retribution to those that oppose their agenda. There will be little reconciliation or unifying agenda. It will very likely not end well for the United States.

Update 4/3/2024. The results of the policies of the new revolutionary democrat party are now evident. Social revolution both here and abroad. The worst political division at home in our history. The intentional chaos and death and destruction around the world, and it continues.  It is very likely to come to a disastrous conclusion this year. The ability to endlessly borrow to finance this revolution is coming to an end. Other nations have had enough and are saying, No more. 

The policies of this party have unleashed the worst invasion of the country, the lawless and reckless disdain for the law in most cities controlled by their party, the pervasion and attempt to destroy the innocence of children. 

They have abused  the legal system to punish their opponents and insure their unlimited control of the government. The goal is clearly total control and the end of any semblance of what has made this country the best experiment in human history.  It seems the siren song of social utopia and the promise of expanding economic benefits has led many to sell their birthright for modern day porage. It is all unsustainable and its demise is on the horizon. 

It is indeed the party of death, destruction and chaos and will end in disaster both here and in many parts of the world.

Kharkov evacuates, no electric, aerial bombing.

 RUSSIA MAKES INCREMENTAL ADVANCE EVERYWHERE

MAJOR NEW OFFENSIVE LIKELY SOON

In the last weeks Russia has began focusing on the electric generation plants in eastern Ukraine. While distribution was formerly the focus, by hitting the generation plants it is now obvious that the civilian population will not be able to stay for much longer. No light, refrigeration or heat has already seen over 100,000 leave Kharkov and more will follow if they have the means to exit. It seems that there is little air defense left in these areas and now it is possible to use bombers with conventional bombs, something that Russia may have immense stockpiles.

Many are predicting that as soon as the ground dries up Russia will begin a major offensive on Kharkov, the largest city in eastern Ukraine. 

It is also being reported that Russia is bombing all the airfields and will soon eliminate the already decimated air support.  

It is also reported that Russia has started taking out bridges in the east making it hard for Ukraine to resupply their troops. They have not yet taken out the bridges over the Dnieper river, even though they have that ability. They must either want to allow the Ukrainians to be able to evacuate west or they want to preserve these bridges for their own use in the future.

The reality is that the future for Ukraine now looks dim indeed. They have reportedly lost near 80,000 troops just this year and they are finding resistance to any further conscription. Some are predicting that while the fighting is still often intense a possible collapse of Ukraines ability to hold up may be just a few months away.

While more funds may allow the government to function for more time, it will have little effect on the military ability to resist the Russian offensive. Sadly, the time for a meaningful negotiation is probably past and now it will be a peace dictated by Russia.

Easter replaced with Trans day of visibility?

 U.S. CULTURAL REVOLUTION CONTINUES

CHRISTIANITY OUT, WOKE IN

The cultural revolution in the United States continues. Much like the Chinese cultural revolution of Mao, it seeks to replace any remnants of the traditional culture with the woke culture of the future. A culture that is beginning to resemble not a step into the future, but a step into the pagan beliefs of the past. 

We see things like earth worship, sun worship and even a round about sacrificing of infants and children to the the new, but in fact, old gods of early human civilization. In fact, most of the cultural revolution dismisses a creator, and a moral based legal system in favor of worshipping the most human destructive and society destroying policies that have reappeared in this new century.

It is indeed a symptom that this present system and its lack of any sustainable moral adherence is in its last days. We can expect to see it get a lot worse because it is unlikely to be addressed or corrected by any electoral change, which is also perverted, but the inevitable decades of suffering and despair that are also the historic results of such depravity.