Our nation is floundering. All aspects of government are in limbo and virtually ineffective. Compromise between the major political parties is not possible. Our leaders and lawmakers cannot agree on any priorities. And the economy is heading towards a recession, higher prices and untenable national debt.

There are no opportunities for negotiators to meet and compromise in the nation’s capital. Free time is spent castigating individuals and seemingly unattainable objectives. Both sides do not trust the other side, even on issues that are existentially important to all Americans.

Among these items is nuclear proliferation. Putin has morphed into a science fiction evil force who pillages, lies and assaults others in a fruitless effort to dominate mankind. He threatens others with nuclear force just like the bad guys in the movies. In the meantime, Russia continues to experience huge losses of life while unsuccessfully trying to overwhelm a small and somewhat defenseless neighbor. In my dreams, I wish the US had a bench full of brave patriots with the courage and leadership acumen of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine.

China is intent on keeping political tensions high as it makes its case to recover an independent former island possession. What kind of leaders threaten others with oblivion for relatively negligible causes? And while the big guys are pushing and shoving each other at the UN, and in the South China Sea, nutcases like the Iranian ayatollahs and the dimwit in North Korea are threatening others with weapons of mass destruction. How could the US allow unpredictable two-bit banana republics to build weapons that could stymie humanity? It has always been a top priority of the US to halt nuclear proliferation. Why are we not living up to this promise?

In the meantime, the US government is still debating whether millions of illegal aliens should be allowed to continue to enter the United States. Governors of border states are calling the bluffs of governors of sanctuary states by sending them illegals with free transportation. Illegals, according to radicals, are only acceptable in other neighborhoods.

Exacerbating a plethora of national issues is the fossil fuel controversy. We cannot ban fossil fuels before we have alternative sources of energy. Tesla is not ready to sell battery-operated cars to Americans at this time, at an affordable price. We need fossil fuels to drive our automobiles today and to drive our economy for the next few years.

The current occupants of the White House are attempting to convince the nation and the world that Joe Biden is a leader with all his senses and should run for president again. Not a day passes that Biden’s sycophants don’t walk-back something stupid the president has said. You don’t have to be a geriatric psychiatrist to know that Biden should be in a rest home, not blathering in front of the morons and anti-Americans at the United Nations.

In schools, radical left wingers are attempting to poison young people with perspectives that are not acceptable to a majority of parents. Since when is brainwashing the way to educate children? Since when are our children taught about political, sexual and racial issues by teachers without support from parents?

We are at a crossroads and possibly an age of destruction. At a minimum, power in Washington should change hands immediately. The Democrats are incapable of running the country; they proved it without a doubt. Conservative government, without any interference by Trump, is what we need before the next general election.

Our nation is floundering. All aspects of government are in limbo and virtually ineffective. Compromise between the major political parties is not possible. Our leaders and lawmakers cannot agree on any priorities. And the economy is heading towards a recession, higher prices and untenable national debt.

There are no opportunities for negotiators to meet and compromise in the nation’s capital. Free time is spent castigating individuals and seemingly unattainable objectives. Both sides do not trust the other side, even on issues that are existentially important to all Americans.

Among these items is nuclear proliferation. Putin has morphed into a science fiction evil force who pillages, lies and assaults others in a fruitless effort to dominate mankind. He threatens others with nuclear force just like the bad guys in the movies. In the meantime, Russia continues to experience huge losses of life while unsuccessfully trying to overwhelm a small and somewhat defenseless neighbor. In my dreams, I wish the US had a bench full of brave patriots with the courage and leadership acumen of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine.

China is intent on keeping political tensions high as it makes its case to recover an independent former island possession. What kind of leaders threaten others with oblivion for relatively negligible causes? And while the big guys are pushing and shoving each other at the UN, and in the South China Sea, nutcases like the Iranian ayatollahs and the dimwit in North Korea are threatening others with weapons of mass destruction. How could the US allow unpredictable two-bit banana republics to build weapons that could stymie humanity? It has always been a top priority of the US to halt nuclear proliferation. Why are we not living up to this promise?

In the meantime, the US government is still debating whether millions of illegal aliens should be allowed to continue to enter the United States. Governors of border states are calling the bluffs of governors of sanctuary states by sending them illegals with free transportation. Illegals, according to radicals, are only acceptable in other neighborhoods.

Exacerbating a plethora of national issues is the fossil fuel controversy. We cannot ban fossil fuels before we have alternative sources of energy. Tesla is not ready to sell battery-operated cars to Americans at this time, at an affordable price. We need fossil fuels to drive our automobiles today and to drive our economy for the next few years.

The current occupants of the White House are attempting to convince the nation and the world that Joe Biden is a leader with all his senses and should run for president again. Not a day passes that Biden’s sycophants don’t walk-back something stupid the president has said. You don’t have to be a geriatric psychiatrist to know that Biden should be in a rest home, not blathering in front of the morons and anti-Americans at the United Nations.

In schools, radical left wingers are attempting to poison young people with perspectives that are not acceptable to a majority of parents. Since when is brainwashing the way to educate children? Since when are our children taught about political, sexual and racial issues by teachers without support from parents?

We are at a crossroads and possibly an age of destruction. At a minimum, power in Washington should change hands immediately. The Democrats are incapable of running the country; they proved it without a doubt. Conservative government, without any interference by Trump, is what we need before the next general election.

I hate to be a cynic about the British monarchy on the heels of the great Queen’s death, but a story that details aspects of King Charles’ personal investments and net worth brings up a number of issues that really should be addressed by the Brits.

Note: I want be perfectly clear that I don’t intend to denigrate the amazing service Elizabeth has given to her people for nearly a century. She was queen during my entire life. I have issues, but a monarchy does not exist in America, which I’m thankful for. I expect that some Brits will say, I should mind my own business. I say to all Brits, celebrate this amazing woman.

The British monarchy at one time truly dominated its Commonwealth and a large part of the world politically, economically and socially. The king or queen was the commander in chief of the military and operated as an authoritarian regarding all matters of state. This included what places would be colonized, what wars should be fought, whom should be taxed, etc. The authority of the reigning monarch was absolute. No one questioned the wealth of the monarchy because it provided so many things to the people including safety, support for agrarian activities and manufacturing and it was a reign of great power.

In the mid 1600s, Britain committed to a constitutional monarchy that transferred many powers away from the monarchy to parliament. Part of the deal enabled the monarchy to hold sway over some government and to keep their accumulated wealth. Thereafter, numerous ways to control the monarchy we’re installed as Parliament increased its power. Parliament also provided millions of dollars of spending money to members of the royal family, perhaps to gain its concurrence.

The big question is why should individuals who are born into high society by a twist of fate be entitled  to favors that are not available to commoners? This includes a (very large) spending allowance, no taxation and a great many perquisites such as security and care of the family’s vast real estate holdings.

It’s ironic that questions are now being raised, after the incredible record-breaking reign of Elizabeth II. For seven decades, the queen seemingly gave her constituency what it wanted, a high-end global presence with no real power or influence, goodwill to commoners located around the world and a smiling face to greet heads of state who were equally excited to meet the queen. All diplomacy was conducted by elected MPs. The chit chat and schmoozing was left to the senior members of the royal family.

But we also enjoyed happy moments like living vicariously through the Royals that included Charles and his spectacular marriage to Diana, and the births of William and Harry, the likely heirs to the throne after Charles passes away. It was a great day for the world when there was an heir and a replacement if needed.

And, of course, there were some dark moments. The untimely death of Diana, the uncomfortable marriage of Harry to Meghan and numerous bizarre activities indulged in by various members of the royal family. Most of the royal family moments were weird things chatted up in the gossip columns, the worst of which wa affiliation to a convicted pedophile.

All that is fine and things everybody knows about. The Brits get off watching the queen and king mount steeds in full battle uniform to motivate the military. They don’t go into battle or do anything dangerous. They just ride around in a circle and stir everyone up. I’d love to know what Charles did to earn all of the metals in his on his uniform. What wars did he participate in?

By now, you know the direction I’m going. My concern was encouraged when I saw how much money the royal family has and how much Charles accrued while waiting for his turn to assume the throne. He’s a regular entrepreneur using tax free money from his constituents to enrich himself. No number was given in the Times article about Charles and his fortune or the rest of the family for that matter. I suspect that the number if calculated would be in the multi-billion dollar range.

My question is what have the royals done with the money they received over hundreds of years? It appears that Charles has been investing in polo fields and shopping centers lately. If Brits want to continue to give tax free money to the Royals to invest in all kinds of commoner things, visiting other countries and getting dressed up for galas, so be it. I kinda have a problem with it. Sorry to bring this to the surface so soon after Elizabeth’s death. May she rest in peace.

The time has come to isolate Donald Trump from the political discourse in this country.  His intentions are nefarious, and he aspires to be a leader reminiscent of some of the world’s most autocratic (and despicable) leaders past and present.

The recent death of Soviet strongman Mikhail Gorbachev is an important reminder that people throughout the world want democracy and the right to choose their leaders. They are terrified of political power being centralized in one person. History has shown us that autocratic governments eventually end terribly. Gorbachev put an end to the Cold War because he was farsighted. He knew that in an atomic age his beloved Russia could not compete with the US. 

Gorbachev’s diplomatic acumen and prophetic assessment of unlimited authority led him to make a temporary peace with the West so that his country could more effectively exist in the new age. He feared that Russia would evolve into a second-rate power if he did nothing. Unfortunately, Vladimir Putin eventually took control and turned Europe upside down.

The absurdity of Trump’s behavior and his one-day attempt to incite a coup d’état cannot be overstated. Trump contested a fair election without the support he would need to change our democracy to some other form of government under his leadership. This ridiculous gambit failed and has led us into political turmoil as we consider Trump’s true objectives.  

There are many reasons why Trump was in no position to start a revolution. First, the former president is not intelligent enough and lacks the skills to lead a bureaucratic democratic nation, much less an authoritarian state where he would have to make many more decisions. Trump could not even keep a cabinet of advisers intact during his tenure as president. 

Second, a coup requires the support of the military to unseat the existing government. It has been pointed out on numerous occasions that the current US military leadership would not back Trump in such a bold and crazy strategy.

Thirdly, during his tenure, Trump was unable to enhance the power of the Executive Branch, which would be a precursor to expanding his personal influence. What could he accomplish after losing the election?

So, when I read that Biden believes Trump is a threat to our democracy, I slap my forehead. Trump has no power over anyone other than a motley group of followers who want to denigrate our country. To think that he is a modern-day Stalin, Putin, Xi or equal to any two-bit leader of a banana republic is a sorry exaggeration. The only kingdom Trump will ever rule is Mar-A-Largo.

However, I am not so naïve to think that Trump would be unable to destroy a great opportunity for Republicans to retake the government in a free and fair election. He has followers that are brainwashed by a megalomaniac in an empty suit. Even the Talking Heads at Fox News continue to support Trump. The man could not win a general election. Everyone knows he is a demented and misguided.

Republicans need to move on and select a man or woman that will obliterate Biden or any other weak politician the Democrats might nominate. Republicans- don’t miss this opportunity to end frivolous spending, eco-dominated laws, defunding of the police and a weak-handed attitude towards Russia, China, Iran and all the war mongering threats globally.

Americans- forget about Trump. He’s a bad dream that can finally end with your vote.