TARIFFS-THERE ARE NOT TWO SIDES TO THIS DEBATE!!!

President Trump announced his tariffs yesterday and his explanation of the way tariffs impact our people in the United States is absolutely wrong. Tariffs will increase the cost of goods we purchase and will increase inflation. There are not two sides to this debate. Many people voted for Trump to bring prices down and stop inflation. How's he doing? I'm writing this blog on the morning after the tariffs were announced. The stock market is ready to open at levels rarely seen in the history of our country. All three major markets are down close to 3% already. That should tell the story about how these tariffs are being received. There are not two sides to this debate. These tariffs will damage our country. The Senate passed a resolution that would stop Trump from implementing these tariffs. The House could stop the tariffs by simply voting for this Senate Resolution with a simple majority vote. But that won't happen. Mike Johnson will not bring this vote to the floor. He redefined a day by making a day last for months. Yep. I don't know how he did that either. But we'll all be paying for the mistakes that are being made by Trump and Johnson today.

USAID- ??? Why Would Anyone Support The Elimination Of This Amazing Program?

Do you really want to keep "America Great?" Yews. I said that correctly. The United Sates has always been great before the Election of 2024. USAID provided amazing levels of humanitarian aid and assistance to countries that needed this help the most. I am proud of our country for providing this support thoughout the last sixty plus years. Combatting AIDS, Ebola, starvation and other emergencies in our world were actions that saved millions of lives. All that has ended and we could list hundreds of reasons why this has now damaged the United States and will destroy our ability to effectively address problems globally in our world today. "God did shed His grace" on the United States. We still have the wealthiest country in the world. The USAID budget represented less than one percent of our total federal budget. What in the name of the Lord could the current administration possibly be thinking. Despite the fact that hundreds of reasons for keeping this great program, there was never a chance to consider those reasons because this program was on the chopping block in the first two months of the new administration. Do you really want to keep America great? Then the United States should keep and strengthen the amazing work of the USAID!!!

ELECTIONS

I guess I just don't understand all the allegations that we don't have fair elections in this country. I always watch the news and am constantly searching for evidence about voting irregularities and violations of the laws. There are few, if any, cases that are taken to court and successfully prosecuted that show widespread problems with our system. Our election system works. Trump won in 2024 but has yet to concede to Biden for the Election of 2020. But that is what we are dealing with in 2025. Many people who do not closely watch and follow reputible news outlets have doubts about our elections. Many of those people lose faith in the process and simply don't vote. Others follow the many news sources that simply don't present accurate facts and information and even serves as propaganda outlets. I think Benjamin Franklin once said that "What is necessary for our democracy to survive is to have an educated and well informed electorate." Accurate facts and information is essential fo that to happen. That will be our greatest challenge in the years to come. Our elections are not the problem. They are fair and well run. The people voting, however, need accurate fact and information to make their decisions.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS PUNISHING LAW FIRMS

The recent executive orders punishing law firms that represented people and groups that investigated President Trump is a clear violation of the Constitution and the powers of the Executive Branch. Two law firms have given in already and made deals with President Trump. They made a mistake. Three firms have taken this matter to court and have had favorable rulings negating the Executive Orders. I sincerely hope these recent rulings will be the norm in pushing back against these types of Executive Orders. The U.S. Court System has held up so far against the misuse of the powers of the Executive Branch. We are only two months into the Trump Presiency and there will be so many more situations that will test our fragile democracy. Our system of government will only survive if we have judges, lawyers and citizens who have ethics and a love of our country and stand up against people who are trying to tear apart our country.

Tariffs

There are times, in my opinion, when tariffs are absolutely necessary. The solar panel industry is a good example. China was greatly subsidizing solar panel manufacturers in their country. These products were being mass produced and sold at a price in other countries that could not be matched. U.S. companies suffered greatly and many went out of business. This left Chinese companies with a gigantic advantage and even led to price increases. This is a concrete example of when tariffs are absolutely justified. Today's use of tariffs are absolutely not justified. Blanket tariffs on other countries does not work and is adversly impacting our relationships with other countries. Effective use of tariffs must be calculated, well thought out and surgical in their use. There is no doubt, in my opinion, that tariffs will raise prices, contribute to increased inflation and alienate many of our allies in the world today. Trade can be an important part of increasing the chances for world peace. Today's trade policies are achieving the exact opposite.!

Medicare

Medicare This program that assists people over 65 to receive health insurance to significantly lower out of pocket costs in their later years. It isn't perfect. Paying premiums, co-pays and dealing with the high cost of prescription drugs are still major challenges for people in this system. Universal Health Care would seem to be a much better system. But people pay into this system throughout their working years so this is not a "government hand out." This program is expected to be under attack very soon. Cuts are now being seriously considered. But this plan has been, and continues to be, a life saver for tens of millions of people since its beginning in the 1960"s. This is still one of the most successful and greatly needed programs in the history of our country. We should enhance and strengthen this program and take the necessary steps to improve all aspects of Medicare and stop any talk about hurting this program in any way.

SOCIAL SECURITY

SOCIAL SECURITY I am amazed at the number of Republicans who do not see the importance and benefits of Social Security. This program has provided an income and paece of mind to hundreds of Americans over the last ninety years of its existence. Small amounts of each worker's pay check would be deducted over their working lifetime and that would provide an income upon retirement. FDR's idea in the 1930's has been extremely successful. Bbut some people, including many in the Trump Administration, are part of a movement that could very well destroy this essential program. Social Security should be strengthened and changes might be justified. People on Social Security might not get cost of living increases for a year or two. The age for full benefits might be increased a month or two. Means testing might be used to see if billianares really need to receive benefits. Small increases to people working now can also help to make sure this program will exist well into the future. And finally, taxes on Social Security could be put back into the Social Security fund. I believe Social Security is an amazing program and it is in danger for many reasons. Acting now can help to make people aware and learn about the dangers this program faces. It can be saved if enough people step up to save it.