Fully Present Post 50

I’ve seen a lot of Instagram posts these days mocking young women describing themselves as traditional wives or “trad wives”. These pretty young women in their early twenties brag about their happy marriage to a domineering alpha man. Without life experience nor knowledge of previous female hardships, they forego higher education in favor of maximizing their physical attractiveness while highlighting a level of vulnerability and dependence that strokes the male ego. They promote scary levels submissiveness, relishing their role as “helper” while offering to have produce as many babies as possible and playing Susie Homemaker. They are outspoken in their belief that women should give up the right to vote in favor of allowing their husband to vote on their behalf. And of course, sex with their husband is non-negotiable as it is their duty. When they speak, I feel like I’m watching a character right out of the Hulu series, “The Testaments” (the sequel to the “Handmaid’s Tale”, also written by Margaret Atwood in 1985). I think these young women genuinely want to live a good life. However, I recognize that they are naive, short-sighted, and far too eager to encourage other young women to follow in their footsteps.

I’m pretty certain that Republican white male “Christian” nationalists are behind this trad wife movement to subjugate women by funding it and promoting it. Republican legislatures in red states refuse to pass laws banning child marriage. This president is soft on sex crimes against girls and women. Their abortion bans and the prosecution of women who have had miscarriages further highlight their nefarious agenda. Their move to suppress the vote of women through the SAVE ACT is clear evidence. Even the refusal of Pete Hegseth to promote women to higher military ranks is indicative of where this movement is heading. Fox News host, Jesse Watters, joked about military women and women at ports needing to “be careful” because “these guys are going to be wild animals, and you better watch out” because of the testosterone boosting policy Hegseth just put into place.

These young women are likely daughters socialized in conservative evangelical churches to believe that the God sanctioned role of women is to marry, have children, keep silence, and submit to their husbands. They are taught to view too much education as a threat and undesirable to men. Feminism and self-sufficiency among women are the deceptive work of the devil. I know these women and how they think because I personally rejected this line of thinking when I was a teenager, vowing that I would never marry if this was what awaited me. I knew then that nothing short of an equal partnership in marriage would work for my dignity as a creation of God. It’s as though these people are using author Margaret Atwood’s 1985 and 2019 fictional books at their actual guidebook.

I have to surmise that there must be a passive personality, a lack of confidence, a lack of self-awareness, a lack intelligence or just blind faith in the young women who accept this lifestyle. Admittedly, most of the trad wives I have known were not very smart. This could have been because of the church and parental expectations they experienced since birth. I know they were raised to view themselves as below men in authority and subject to them. However, any girl raised alongside boys (like I was) knows there is something inherently wrong with the notion that boys are more capable and that suppressing one’s gifts, one’s intellectual curiosity, foregoing one’s autonomy, and that leaving oneself completely dependent on the whims of males is unwise. Inside, these young women know, as I knew, that they aren’t inherently dumber or less talented or less capable than their male counterparts. But some of them are convinced that God’s just punishment for women is for them is to have children and to protect the fragile male ego. And so, they will pretend to be content. Like the girls in “The Testaments” and on social media, they just want to be “picked”. And when they are, they will keep silent to keep the peace. They will feign meekness and look pretty. They will panic and pray in private every time poor decisions are made by a husband who has no reason to respect their opinions. Until they can’t.

This kind of suppression and pretending doesn’t last and neither does their outward beauty. And none of this is without emotional consequence. Only the more intellectually challenged, naturally passive, or emotionally damaged women are cut out to be trad wives. Most women have egos, too. Like Eve, most women are intellectually curious. And constantly belittling oneself will take a toll on such women. Many will eventually find themselves increasingly unable to bite their tongues. And sometimes violence or infidelity from the man who was supposed to protect them will be the result.

The scenario I have repeatedly seen among women who choose to be trad wives is pretty predictable. The man can’t escape his vices. He’s a serial cheater. He gambles. He drinks too much. He is prone to violence. He can’t keep a job. He spends too much on toys. He is inconsiderate. He takes too many risks. Like the previous traditional wives before them, most of these young women will find themselves trapped in an unhappy marriage and without the means to escape. It’s too common for the husband to eventually leave the trad wife for a younger model. Or should their husband die prematurely, they are ill-equipped to survive on their own so they will struggle until they find a new man to care for them and their children, hoping he is good to them. I’ve also met a few former trad wives who broke free and got their education and became independent self-sufficient women who may or may not find true partnerships later in life.

It should be a huge red flag to young women that there aren’t a lot of older trad wives out there promoting this lifestyle. There is a reason for this, and I hope that more experienced women share the necessity of self-sufficiency and loving partnerships that preserves both egos as a more satisfying alternative. A bit more mentorship and candid conversations with our daughters, grand-daughters and nieces is needed to combat the promotion of female subjugation. Or a viewing of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and the “The Testaments” on Hulu might do the job.

Recently my husband and I complained that no one told us what life was going to be like as senior citizens. Neither of our parents lived that long. We were almost completely ignorant of what happens to our bodies, our finances, our relationships, our activities, and how others treat us when we retire. We were unaware that our cabinets would be overflowing with medications and that our metabolism would slow to almost zero despite our continued appetite for delicious food. We didn’t count on a loss of night vision and a heavy reliance on glasses until cataract surgery could be performed. Nor did we believe that exposure to loud noises in our youth would truly result in the need for hearing aids. One thing for sure though, it is a privilege to live this long with adequate funds, a sound mind, senior discounts, and a fairly functional body. Relatively speaking, we have it pretty good. We are aware that many seniors do not.

The journey through old age is wrought with physical challenges, slower cognitive abilities and perhaps memory loss. Most surprising is that it is impossible to escape the varying levels of sporadic grief. Beloved family members, lifelong friends, former colleagues, new friends and even pets die on a weekly basis. However, nothing hits us as hard as the untimely deaths of young people we know and love. Not surprisingly, I’m meeting far more widows than widowers in my journey through old age. It’s unusual for the surviving spouse to continue without going through a period of depression and if they emerge from it, a complete reorganization of their life. Sociologists tell us that women emerge stronger than men because women are better at nurturing themselves and they rely more heavily on social relationships. I wouldn’t be surprised if elderly men are more prone to isolate themselves after the death of their wives.

From what I’ve gathered, our inevitable death isn’t so dreaded as it once was, but the need for careful estate planning takes priority for many of us. My husband and I included. I’m meticulous about it. I’ve noticed that others are content to let their family and the state sort things out after they are gone. I’ve seen that mess up front, and it can destroy families. Basic estate planning is a must for those who care about their end-of-life decisions, their funeral and remains, and the distribution of the assets they spent a lifetime accumulating. For those of us with real assets, a living trust (which includes a will) is worth the time and financial investment. It has to be updated at least every two years or upon major changes like the death or birth of family members or the acquisition of major new assets. It’s also important to pay attention to changing laws.

I’m finding that there is great joy in watching our grandchildren and great-grandchildren being born and growing up. Among my circle of elderly friends, we spend a great deal of our time-sharing stories and pictures from our last visit with our grandchildren. Among the younger elderly, say 65 -80, a good portion of our travel budget is spent traveling the country for weeks at a time to visit the grandchildren. Some continue to travel the world, but that was something I did in my mid 40s through my 50s. I no longer have the desire to sit on a plane longer than 6 hours. And my husband’s back won’t allow him to sit on a plane at all. I’m glad we did our most desired world travel before we retired.

I’m especially grateful these days for the Active Adult Center in my small city. There are others throughout Ventura Country and members travel between them for various activities. I first joined the Monday morning knit and crochet group. They are a highly diverse group of ladies ranging in age from 66-90. Our 92-year-old friend passed away in her sleep several months ago after a short, undefined illness and a rapid cognitive decline. Every member of this group has mourned the death of at least one loved over the past year, including me. More than a year ago, I joined the Friday morning Bocce group. I participated in the Senior Olympics and won a gold medal in the darts competition. I marveled at the folks who participated in the annual senior talent show, realizing that talent and the desire to perform endures. I recently started playing Mahjong every Thursday and staying for the free lunch at the Center afterward. The food is terrible, but the fellowship is fun because our Center is so diverse (like California) and the life experiences of the people is so rich and interesting. Next door to the Active Adult Center is our city library. I joined the adult book club and thoroughly enjoy the lively book discussions among these intellectual and mature ladies who attend every month. Some are also members at the senior center.

I’ve learned that the greatest threat to our physical wellbeing and continued mobility is a bad fall. My husband and I both wear watches that can sense a fall and call emergency help if needed. I know people who have benefitted from this technology. In 1982, at age 94, my great-grandmother fell and broke her hip. The injury led to her death soon afterward. There are many examples of life-altering falls that I can now point to, but I’ll share the story that affects us the most these days. Just two years ago, our elderly next-door neighbors were very active in their church, around the house, and they traveled a lot. In the course of one year, both had falls that landed them in the hospital and rendered them home bound with a nurse aide who visits them several times a week. Thankfully, they had moved here shortly after retirement from up north to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. That too, is a common practice I’ve seen among my elderly friends. I’ve met many people who left behind their former independent lives to move in with or at least closer to their adult children. But sometimes even that isn’t enough. One night, their daughter was at a dance recital for her teenage daughter, and not wanting to disturb her, they called me help get the husband into bed. I’ve driven the wife to the hospital when no one else was available. My husband was called upon a few times to help lift the wife from the floor. He did it to the detriment of his ongoing back problems.

Growing old is a blessing that comes with strings attached. There are more doctor’s appointments and dental appointments than I knew were feasible to fit into a weekly calendar. We pay for the rough activities of our youth in old age. I have arthritis in my knees, hands, and shoulders that require cortisone shots and physical therapy. I have numerous friends who have had knee replacements, hip replacements and back surgeries. It’s no fun. All those sports activities and abuse in our youth may cost us. Pickle ball is keeping physical therapists extremely busy as senior injuries pile up. However, we pay even greater price if we are sedentary. Body parts stop working if we fail to use them. An active brain, an active body, and an active social life are key to enjoying old age. I’m inspired by the mentally sharp and physically active 80 and 90 plus folks at the Center who drive themselves around and participate in all sorts of activities. One of my 90-year-old friends, drove her 22-year-old niece visiting from South America to San Francisco and back. Seeing these role models motivates me to keep stretching, gardening, and walking every day. I might try tai chi again.

I’ll conclude by sharing the story of one of our closest friends, a retired scientist, who regularly shares fish from his frequent deep sea fishing trips. At dinner this past last week, I asked about his elderly mother whom they (he and his wife) had moved to a senior living facility when she turned 98 after he discovered that his “caregiver” sister was leaving her in complete isolation every day and ignoring her needs. Some people mistakenly think that elderly people no longer have desires, needs, values, nor preferences. My greatest fear is being at the mercy of a caregiver who feels that way. Thankfully, his mother is now 102 and is living her best life among new friends. She is socially more active than he ever recalls, and she is even taking boxing lessons.

Old age comes with its challenges, but when I think of the alternative, I’m willing to do what is necessary to make it as rewarding as possible.

It’s a not-so-happy 4th of July for me. Unlike in previous years, I didn’t host nor attend a 4th of July celebration. I’m not listening to patriotic music or hanging the flag outside. If I were to hang it, it would be hung upside down as a sign of distress. With conflicted emotions, I briefly watched the local fireworks display from my bedroom window. This 4th of July, I’m simply not proud of my nation. I’m patriotic for sure, but I feel our current condition is not worth celebrating. A few days ago, PBS, NPR and Marist released the results of a poll they took ahead of our 250th anniversary and they revealed some interesting results that are both disturbing and unclear as to the root of people’s responses.

First of all, I’m not at all surprised that 93% of Republicans say that they are proud to be Americans while only 45% of Democrats and 61% of Independents feel that way. The divide clearly indicates that Republicans are either ignoring the current corruption, cruelty, cowardice, and incompetence leading the nation or they believe the drastic rulings from the Supreme Court and the unfettered actions of the Trump administration are moving the country in their preferred direction. They detest our diversity, viewing it as a threat because they believe white “Christian” culture is being undermined or replaced. They despise the notion of fairness because they don’t think they should have to compete with women or outsiders for anything. And they view inclusion as outsiders and women trying to rob them of their rightful position of supremacy. With this viewpoint, it’s understandable that they feel proud that America is finally pushing back against the black and brown people, the gays and transgender, the religious minorities, and independent women who are demanding the rights and freedoms they believe is solely their birthright as white “Christian” men. On the 4th of July, 400 masked members of the white nationalist/white suprematist group, Patriot Front, grabbed headlines as they marched through D.C. clad in khakis and blue shirts, carrying both the American and Confederate flags and passing out leaflets that explain their anti-immigrant pro-white ideals.

The truly scary thing about the poll is that 58% of people under 30 believe that violence might be needed to set the country on the right path. I suspect the percentage is considerably higher among young men on both sides of the political spectrum. According to the poll, almost half of Americans believe that the country has strayed from its founding ideals and principles. I can see that being true. The problem is that liberals and conservatives can’t agree on which founding ideals and principles we should be pursuing.

Liberals cite the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the Constitution as the aspirational direction of the country. We believe that the founders pointed us in the direction of all men being created equal and entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We believe they were purposeful in not establishing a state religion and proclaiming equal justice under the law. Although most of them were slave owners whose wives, daughters, mothers, aunts and sisters couldn’t vote, we believe they pointed the nation towards a future without slavery and towards equal rights for all Americans regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or national origin.

On the other hand, the current Republican Party sees something entirely different. They see the founders as rich white Christian men who believed God favored them and handed this nation over to them. They believe white men conquered the natives by God’s divine favor as some kind of righteous, (not heinous) acts of violence against humanity. They believe in the supremacy and entitlement of white Christian men and that the spoils of this nation belong solely to them. They believe that God ordains the submission of women to men. They believe their ancestors came here legally (even though legal immigration wasn’t a thing for many years). They think that opening the country to non-white immigrants was a mistake. So, they agree with Trump that newcomers from “shithole” countries (non-white countries) should be expelled or encouraged to self-deport. Those people of color who remain and all women, should rightly be considered second class citizens who serve the national interest as they see it. That’s what these masked young men were marching in support of.

Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Elon Musk, Steven Miller, and the Heritage Foundation are moving the nation in that direction. The stacked and corrupt conservative Supreme Court is helping them. They turned abortion rights over to the states. They granted Trump immunity from criminal prosecution. They allowed the racial profiling of ICE agents in their pursuit of undocumented people. They allowed Trump to revoke the protected status of Haitians and Syrians. They gave Trump the right to fire people from independent agencies without cause (except members of the Federal Reserve). They removed yet another obstacle to dark money in our political elections. They removed voting rights protections. They favored the rights of Christians over the religious or non-religious rights of others. And what should have been a unanimous decision on birthright citizenship based on the clear writing in the 14th Amendment was only a 6-3 decision upholding the citizenship of persons born in the United States.

The Supreme Court upheld counting mail-in ballots post-marked by election day because not doing so would disenfranchise military members and too many others unable to make it to the polls. They also seem to deny Trump’s decisions that could damage the economy such as tariffs and his ability to fire someone on the Board of the Federal Reserve. We all know that President Trump is illegally enriching himself and his family through insider trading, taking bribes, grifts like his meme coins, extortion, and no-bid contracts to his friends. But the Republicans and MAGA ignore his criminality and egomaniac behaviors because they see that through him, they have the opportunity to push the nation toward white “Christian” nationalism. Their hatred and fear of independent women and people who look and believe different from them drives their passion for Trump.

Just imagining what this country would be like if white Christian nationalists have their way is frightening. The civil rights, livelihoods, and future prospects of people of color, women, religious minorities, and the LGBTQ people would be turned upside down. I think those 58% of young people under 30 believe that their future is under threat and worth fighting for using violence if necessary. They have lives and futures to protect. A larger percentage are likely liberal, and a smaller portion are highly organized into groups like the Patriot Front. They are young white male suprematists and Nazi sympathizers who realize their current numbers, poor job preparation and mediocrity isn’t enough to compete with the growing numbers of more highly educated independent women, hard-working immigrants, academics, celebratory LGBTQ folks, and visibly talented black folks. The presidency of Barack Obama only solidified their insecurity. Instead of celebrating Obama’s integrity, brilliance, and competence, they felt threatened by him and his equally brilliant wife, Michelle Obama. The candidacies Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris were yet another signal that were losing control.

This fall, people who aspire to continue the nation’s pursuit of equality and justice for all must support candidates with our voices, our pocketbooks and our votes to replace the complicit and cowardly Republicans who are moving this nation away from liberty and justice for all towards liberty and justice solely for white males. However, this election goes, I fear there will be violence from young men in groups like the Patriot Front. The question is which ideals and principles our laws will favor moving forward.

This November citizens will have a clear choice regarding the direction of the country. I see within my own circle of friends and family that folks have heard enough and seen enough and are simply tuning out to the constant barrage of chaos, incompetence, and cruelty. I just pray each one of them votes to end the frustration and destruction in November. Sadly, I’ve heard some people say that their vote doesn’t matter because both sides are the same. While neither side is perfect, they are clearly not at all the same. In fact, Republicans are hell bent on limiting the vote to men. But there are many more differences that everyone should be aware of.

The Republican ranks are primarily filled with white “Christian” nationalists, white suprematists, crony capitalists, proponents of small government and severely limited business regulations, conservative billionaires, Zionists, xenophobes, homophobes, misogynists, and a whole lot of frightened, untraveled, and poorly educated white folks who get their information from Fox News. Republicans prioritize the civil rights of white males and wealthy individuals over the rights of women, poor people, immigrants, non-Christians, and racial minorities. They now favor immigration only from predominately white countries. They prioritize religious beliefs over scientific facts. Many value increasing their personal wealth and power above the well-being of the nation, the environment, and other human beings.

The Democrats and Democratic Socialists ranks are filled with a diversity of religions, genders, sexual orientations, and races. Since the Civil Rights Movement, Democrats strive to make it easier for all citizens to vote. They value equal justice under the law and defend the civil and human rights of all people as they strive for equal opportunity. Democrats favor a regulated capitalism that protects workers and the environment. They value paths to citizenship for law-abiding hard-working people willing to contribute to the country no matter their country of origin. Their focus is on the public good as opposed to increasing individual prosperity and power. Democrats are proponents of public safety nets such as access to food, healthcare, education, gun control, disaster relief, and housing. They prioritize scientific research and facts over beliefs. Democrats are generally more highly educated and traveled. Their ranks include liberal billionaires, feminists, liberal-minded Jews, and people who value diversity, equity and inclusion. They believe everyone should pay their fair share toward the common good of the nation.

Both Republicans and Democrats agree that national security is a priority. They agree that having good infrastructure benefits both people and business. Prior to Trump hijacking their Party, both Republicans and Democrats agreed on fidelity to the Constitution and adherence to the rule of law. They once agreed that immigration was good for the nation and that education and scientific research propelled us forward in the world. Trump’s bullying of Congressional Republicans in conjunction with Zionist and the conservative billionaires’ purchase of the Supreme Court justices have fundamentally changed the policy direction of the country in a dehumanizing direction that threatens women’s lives, the safety of immigrants, the environment and accountability to the rule of law. Because of these Republican policies, we can no longer trust our government to do what is in our collective best interest. The Republican goal is nation run by wealthy white men and a perverted version of the Christian religion.

This November’s election will determine whether or not we will hold this Administration accountable for breaking numerous laws. It will determine whether or not people have due process. It will determine whether we have an independent Department of Justice or one that acts on the whims of the president. It will determine whether or not we continue to lock people away in for-profit concentration camps or prisons and deport them because they are brown. It will determine whether or not we continue to endanger the lives and future prospects of pregnant young women. It will determine whether or not we have lifesaving access to food, healthcare, drinkable water and breathable air. It will determine whether or not gun violence will continue to threaten our daily lives. It will determine whether or not we have access to factual news and information. It will determine if our basic freedoms are restored. It will determine our access to history and books. It will determine whether or not we respond to natural disasters in a reasonable way. It will determine who gets to marry whom. It will determine if our education system teaches science or the Bible. It will determine who gets to be a citizen and who has the right to vote moving forward. It will determine our reputation in the world.

Anyone who continues to claim that the two parties are the same and that elections do not matter, need to be made aware of the current situation and the actual facts we are dealing with. As citizens who care about our nation, the environment, and each other, we have two jobs starting this November. First, we must vote and ensure a democrat turnover of both the House and the Senate. Second, we must push our new representatives to represent us aggressively and unapologetically to build back better all that has been damaged and torn down. And Speaker Mike Johnson was right, that if the Democrats win this November, some folks will end up in jail, not for revenge but for the sake of accountability and justice.

It’s quite possible that the greatest legacy of the Trump presidency will be a lesson in how important it is to vote. Good people who ignore or even hate politics learned that politics actively shapes the quality of their lives. I believe the majority of Americans are decent and reasonable people who want the best for themselves and their loved ones. I also believe that most Americans knew that Trump wasn’t fit for the White House. And yet, a full third of eligible citizens sat out the 2024 presidential election. And today we are collectively experiencing the consequences of their failure to vote. I pray that by the 2026 midterms this November and the 2028 presidential election those people will make voting a priority. What we have right now is nothing short of a fiasco comprised of decisions being made by Trump’s poor judgement, oversized ego, and ignorance.

Trump followed the Project 2025 playbook and surrounded himself with loyalist who would follow his every command no matter how ill-conceived. He handed over the federal government to Elon Musk and three inexperienced 20-year-olds who decimated federal agencies and the federal work force without regard for their crucial knowledge base and it’s efficient functioning moving forward. In the end, DOGE didn’t save much money and we lost services. In fact, federal spending in 2025 actually increased 6% (co-pilot) and tax revenues dropped because of less IRS enforcement. By most accounts, DOGE was a shortsighted failure that cost innocent government workers their jobs, is responsible for the death of millions who relied on U.S. aide for food and medicine and caused the loss of government competency and accountability.

The fiasco continued with the imposition of “illegal” tariffs on most of the world as Trump tried to convince the American people that tariffs were paid by foreign governments and not by the companies who import goods and passed on the cost to consumers. Of course, all he did was destroy our trade relationships, disrupt commerce, put farmers in peril, close small businesses that depend on imports, and cause prices to rise. Then the Supreme Court finally stepped in and confirmed that his tariffs were illegal without congress as the Constitution clearly states. But the damage was already done.

Then there are his mass deportation efforts. He claimed he was going to rid the country of violent criminal illegally in the country when in fact the vast majority of people detained are not criminals at all and a good number are not even here illegally. In an outlandish move, untrained ICE agents of questionable backgrounds were given the right to violate the due process rights of anyone they came into contact with in order to fill “for profit” concentration camps before deporting people to other parts of the world. The disregard for basic human rights and even the constitutional rights of citizens through brutality led to the unlawful death of protesters Renee Good and Alex Paredy. Those two murdering ICE agents still have not been prosecuted. The cruel and unlawful actions of ICE rightfully led to protests across the nation and the eventual replacement of that weird puppy-killing Cos-playing ICE director, Kristi Noem.

That brings us to the Epstein Files. Trump promised folks that he would release the files, but instead has been ordering his FBI and Justice Department to hide the fact of his extensive involvement and deep friendship with Epstein. Trump is implicated as not only knowing what Epstein was up to, but of being an active participant. Most people believe that we have an unprosecuted pedophile in the White House. And now we are seeing evidence that the first lady is a former prostitute. The whole Epstein fiasco along with the failed attempts to prosecute Trump’s political rivals, critics, and criminal prosecutors led to the firing of Pam Bondi. Now we have Todd Blanche as acting Attorney General who was his former defense attorney. He is under investigation for defrauding the court by agreeing to a $1.8 billion dollar “weaponization fund” designed to give people money who were prosecuted for crimes related to supporting Trump and a tax immunity deal for Trump, his family members, and his businesses. It’s plain crazy that this whole nonsense is to settle Trump’s lawsuit bogus $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS (under his own Administration) for leaking his tax returns. Thankfully more than 30 judges saw through the ruse and filed briefs with the court to stop it.

We have to contend with the illegal war in Iran that he started that has cost the life of 160 innocent middle school girls, about 4,000 Iranian soldiers, and 13 American soldiers for nothing in addition to billions of our tax dollars. In addition, this war has turned the world upside down as oil and fertilizer are held up in the Strait of Hormuz. Gas prices have soared and food shortages are expected to further raise the price of food. The MOU Trump signed has politicians, historians, and analysts disgusted by the actual concessions to Iran and the weakening of the U.S. position regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons. Nothing was gained by attacking Iran. The fact that the French president, Emmanuel Macron, mocked Trump by having him publicly sign the MOU at Versailles where the Germans surrendered is not lost on anyone but the feckless Trump Administration.

The list of messes we are enduring with the Trump Administration is long and includes the appointment of ridiculously unqualified cabinet members, the demolition of the East Wing of the White House, the silly and wasteful military parade no one wanted, plastering his name on the Kennedy Center and taking over the chairmanship only to have entertainers withdraw and the court rule that his name has to be taken off the building. Then there was that vulgar UFC fight at the White House. Hegseth removed the flu shot mandate and of course, soldiers are getting sick in numbers so high, that he has to restore the mandate. JFK, Jr. ushered in the return of measles, and we are unprepared for a new pandemic. There are the attempts to erase or rewrite history and eliminate the contributions of people of color from the public record. Trump’s insider trading to enrich himself and his family is by far the most corrupt thing we have ever seen. The fact that independent agencies like the FCC, FBI, Homeland Security, and the DOJ are doing his bidding counter to the welfare of the American citizens is difficult to stomach.

We are watching the erosion of our nation and its reputation in real time. Finding a new channel that isn’t afraid to report the news is difficult. Trusting that our government will act in our collective best interest is no longer a given.

The fiasco at the reflecting pool clearly demonstrates where we are. Trump gave his pool guy a $14 million no bid contract to beautify the reflecting pool, because clearly aesthetics, not the welfare of the American people, are his priority. The pool was drained, sealed, painted blue and then filled with water. Of course, algae quickly set in and the blue became green. So, they poured in jugs of hydrogen peroxide. The algae around the edges dissipated but the blue paint began to peel. So now, for $14-million dollars, we have a reflecting pool full of algae and peeling blue paint.

The fact of the matter is that Trump destroys everything he touches. And right now, he is destroying our country. I hope those who didn’t vote in 2024, realize that voting truly does matter and that they will move heaven and earth to vote from now on.

I’m happy that most of the people I encounter in my everyday life are decent people. Beyond my family, friends and neighbors, I watch and interact with people at the senior center, in restaurants, in stores, at salons, at theatres, and during my daily walks. I find the people I encounter to be courteous, considerate, friendly, and even generous towards others. So, how is that the majority of us have allowed ourselves to be ruled by wicked people in high places?

As kids we all encountered that playground bully who embodied shameless selfishness, violent aggression, the lack of empathy, and little fear of consequences. We all hated and avoided that monster. That bully was the reason we had adult supervision. Fortunately, most families and teachers concentrated their efforts towards curbing the behavior of such children, realizing that without intervention that bully would eventually become a danger to society. Most who continued along that path either ended up dead or in prison.

However, the trajectory is different for the bully who grows up with money and neglectful parents. We’re experiencing the consequences of how the Trump family allowed Donald to grow up to be a lawless and cruel person who sexually molested children and women, dodged the draft, defrauds vendors, insults others, threatens, cheats, steals, lies, insights violence, starts wars, and murders others with impunity. Most of us were shocked to find anyone who took him seriously as a presidential candidate in 2016.

People reprimanded Hillary Clinton for correctly labeling his supporters as “deplorables” because she recognized the depravity of folks who openly admired such wicked behavior. Trump supporters saw him as “authentic” because he unapologetically defied the confines of common decency. They viewed him as “strong” because he violated others without consequence. And they made him their hero because he promised to defend and restore the unearned privilege of white people. His unashamed wickedness, empty promises, coupled with xenophobia, racism and sexism were enough to get him elected twice because too many decent folks were either too busy or too apathetic to vote.

The problem is that wicked people, like Donald Trump, only become more audacious in their wickedness. Absent the guardrails of his first term, his corruption and evil ways have grown increasingly grotesque to most of us. He ignores the Constitution and our laws, enriches himself with our tax dollars, seeks revenge through the DOJ, and plasters his name and image everywhere. His vulgarity never ends. It’s disgusting to most of us and now our expressions of disapproval and outright disgust are everywhere.

Only 16% of Americans approve of his UFC fight happening today at the White House. Thank you, Mother Nature, for the forecasted heat, humidity, thunderstorms and tornado along with swarms of gnats and mosquitos that will make the event miserable. In addition, Algae has already infested the newly painted reflecting pool. Celebrities pulled out of his 250 Festival when they realized it was all about him, not the nation. Folks stood outside the Kennedy Center in the middle of the night cheering as his name was removed from building following a lawsuit. And of course, he was loudly booed by Knicks fans when his face appeared on the big screen during the national anthem at the Knicks and Spurs NBA finals game. Saturday night folks stood outside Trump Tower in New York to make sure he understood he was unwelcome at any future games.

Most Americans have heard and seen enough. They recognize the mistake of electing a truly wicked individual to the highest leadership position. The question is what will we do about it because this Republican lead Congress is full of cowards. We have many options. I’ve seen a lot of trolls, creatives, artists, comedians and podcasters matching his negative energy with their own. The protest songs, skits, and Lego videos just keep coming. The lawsuits are never ending and he keeps losing. The street protests are growing. The elections are happening and many are hopeful. However, if these don’t solve the problem, I dread seeing what comes next because it won’t be pretty. But whatever comes next, will be well deserved and hopefully effective in removing him and his entire administration.

There have always been people of poor moral character whose charisma and empty promises get them elected to public office. When in office they use their position to enrich themselves by taking bribes in exchange for their votes for favors or by purchasing stocks based on non-public information. This is called corruption. And when independent journalists reported on it, we shamed and prosecuted these individuals because we had a Congress and judges that generally stood for the rule of law and our Constitution. That stopped.

I surmise that public scrutiny slowed as our attention was strategically drawn elsewhere when unscrumptious wealthy men purchased news organizations. Once journalists’ loss their independence, politicians and judges were able to continue low levels of corruption while motivating media outlets to convince us that our elected representatives and Supreme Court judges were needed to resolve manufactured culture wars that fuel the insecurities of a few while destroying the lives of undesirables. Issues that we once agreed were making us a more perfect union and a more prosperous nation became convenient distractions so that corruption along with lower taxes for the rich could grow unabated, leaving the average American out in the cold. The wealthy gained cover by calling themselves “job creators” instead of “policy manipulators” to silence opposition from the middle classes and poor who weren’t getting what they actually needed. Issues like affirmative action, abortion up to 24 weeks on demand, gay marriage, prayer in schools, gun rights, immigration, police brutality, multiculturalism, Zionism, transgender issues, and vaccine conspiracies became cultural hot points that fueled the votes of fearful closeted white suprematists and evangelicals instead of life-affirming issues like accountability, healthcare, a living wage, social justice, reasonable gun control, clean air and water, a social safety net, immigration reform, education, and human rights.

It didn’t help that these unscrupulous wealthy men bought and packed the Supreme Court. The newly conservative Supreme Court essentially opened the flood gates for greater corruption by first declaring that corporations were people and could flood our elections with money to influence the outcome of elections. Elon Musk took his contributions to Trump’s election even further and bought himself an unconfirmed position in an unauthorized agency (DOGE) that destroyed public service and international aide diplomacy that cost the country more tax dollars than it saved and killed aide-dependent children in poor countries. The Supreme Court rolled back gun control laws at the behest of the gun industry; they eliminated affirmative action; took away a woman’s right to choose, creating chaos and loss of life; they granted presidential immunity; and now they have rolled back voting rights to help white suprematists maintain power.

At the core of all these decaying decisions is the corruption caused by greed and power and unabashed bullying, not patriotism. A few individuals with money and a selfish vision for the future successfully infiltrated our democracy and drew power away from the people and unto themselves, making most politicians and Supreme Court justices their puppets by using their fear, egos and their own greed against them. Apparently, they realized that just about everyone has a price and can be bought in this government.

It is no surprise to anyone paying attention that President Trump is the most corrupt president in U.S. history. His objective is money, power, adoration, and the humiliation of others. He is truly a sick and despicable human being. Because of his carrot and stick approach to maintaining control over others, Congress has effectively ignored the emoluments cause in our Constitution which is supposed to prevent his many business transactions in office. We are watching him sell pardons to all manner of convicted felons for a price. We are watching him enrich himself and his family with bribes from other countries and wealthy individuals in exchange for favors like no bid contracts, influence, and investments in his family businesses. We are watching him roll back regulations and agencies designed to protect the environment, enhance international relations, protect public health, and even monitor weather events, all in favor of businesses who pay him compliments or money. We are watching him round up people paying under-trained cruel ICE agents to send them to profit-making concentration camps that treat them terribly. We are watching him prevent the regulation of AI so he can and a few tech bros make more money. We are watching him threaten, bully, and waste our tax dollars on projects that feed his ego.

The corruption extends to an insider trading frenzy that is unmatched by any sitting public officer in history. He has gone so far as to extract profit from executive orders and by starting a war. Even his ego-driven “Trump” accounts for babies created by a $6 billion dollar donation from Michael Dell was in exchange for a $8 billion dollar no bid contract to Dell and a presidential endorsement of his Dell computer products. Of course, Trump then purchased shares in Dell. And this whole $1.8 billion dollar slush fund for criminals he likes and this IRS immunity deal for him, his family members and his businesses is the ultimate in corruption that may prove to be American’s breaking point. Brave judges are stepping in to stop it, however, the Republican Senate proved too cowardly to codify closing down the deal.

As Americans watch the rich get richer through an increasingly corrupt system of government while their gas prices rise because of Trump’s illegal war in Iran, and as they see women and children in their communities suffer from increasing food insecurity, and as they witness the death of women and babies without adequate prenatal care and see others die from preventable diseases or go bankrupt from the lack of affordable health insurance, as data centers suck the water and electricity away from unsuspecting communities, as random gun violence continues to plague our communities, and as young people can’t afford to live on their own, as education and research declines, and as everyone watches AI threaten to surveil us and replace jobs leaving many folks without jobs, I predict a revolution in our future.

Personally, I don’t think the democrats are saying enough. It’s frustrating to watch their silence in the middle of all this corruption. They talk about affordability as our nation is literally burning down beneath the weight of corruption. I suspect some of them continue to benefit from the corruption. Our job is to weed out every complicit representative and to replace to use our vote to remove every coward and corrupt politician. We need brave souls who will hold Trump and his administration, corrupt judges, corrupt media, and corrupt politicians fully accountable. This next election in November is our one chance to turn the tide on the corruption that has gripped our nation. Without the commitment to accountability and a commitment to reverse laws and policies that harm rather than help, we are doomed for revolution in the streets. And I’m certain it will not be pretty.

I don’t mind paying my fair share of taxes. I believe it’s my civic responsibility to help fund the roads and bridges, the police and firemen, disaster relief, public health, safety nets, parks, environmental protections, scientific research, national defense, childcare and public education. The problem is that the tax dollars collected for each of these things are either misallocated or misaligned to our actual needs or they are grossly underfunded. We’re in this chronic predicament of lack and fiscal deficits because we keep electing government representatives who don’t listen to us and because we repeatedly fail to collect adequate funds. I believe I pay enough in taxes. My children who all earn higher incomes are paying a lot in taxes. In fact, the top 10% of high-income earners pay 40% of taxes. The problem is that the super wealthy who report little to no “salary income” currently pay next to nothing in income taxes. This is not right!

Our government allows the ultra-wealthy and CEOs who inherit or who take their compensation in company stock (instead of a salary) to avoid paying income taxes. These folks use their assets as collateral to borrow money from banks and private lenders at extremely low interest rates (2-5%) for their living expenses, thereby avoiding federal and state income tax. In addition, our federal government taxes long term capital gains at only 15% when they sell off stocks or property that have appreciated. This is “labor-free” money that really should be taxed higher than wages if the system were equitable. And finally, the wealthy pass on their wealth tax-free to their children. Again, the folks paying the most in federal income tax are high wage earners and small business owners. This isn’t fair and it is clear to anyone paying attention that the ultra-wealthy are not contributing their fair share to society.

Some politicians and many citizens are calling for a wealth tax to be imposed on the wealthiest folks who avoid taking a salary, pay less in capital gains, and pass on wealth untaxed, and thereby avoid paying income taxes. It would be helpful if we closed their ability to use stocks and other assets as bank loan collateral or if we taxed the loans themselves as income when it is evident that the loans are a substitute for salary income. As mentioned before, there is no logical reason why capital gains beyond a certain amount should not be taxed higher than wage income. The problem with the wealth tax is that it is too messy with all the appraisals required. In addition, the wealthy will simply hide assets. It will be too cumbersome to try to figure out how much any particular person is worth.

Instead, on the national level, I think we should tax the wealthy on capital gains at a slightly higher rate than wage income with an exemption amount to protect the middle class and as a guard against inflation. I believe we should tax any transfer of assets as income for the recipient beyond a predetermined level, and I believe loans secured by investments and assets other than one’s primary residence or business should be taxed as wage income. In addition, I believe the federal government should impose a 10% luxury tax above state sale taxes on extreme luxury items like original artwork, expensive jewelry, designer clothing, designer watches, private jets, yachts, perfumes, personal robots and luxury cars. Using a private plane should also come at an extra cost. I think the federal government should impose a hefty environmental surcharge every time a private plane takes off or lands in the United States.

More specifically, I think the capital gains on the sale of homes should be taxed as regular income for homes sold above $2 million while also eliminating the capital gains for home sales below that level. Large real estate investors who purchase property to rent should pay the federal government an annual surtax per rental (regardless of occupation) in addition to their state’s annual property tax.

And finally, with the move toward AI replacing human workers, I propose a $50,000 minimum federal annual tax per AI agent or robot used to replace the work of each human being. States should also impose an appropriate level of employment tax on the use of AI agents and robots. These funds should go towards the universal basic income needed to keep people afloat when jobs become scarce.

Taxing the wealthy is something we absolutely must do. Electing representatives who allocate our tax dollars according to our values must become a top priority in every election moving forward or nothing will change. It was clearly a fiscal mistake to allow DOGE to reduce the number of IRS agents, allowing the ultra-rich to avoid paying taxes with impunity. And I am hopeful that the courts will stop Trump from exempting him, his businesses and his family from any future tax scrutiny because we already know he cheats. Just as important, I hope the courts stop this misallocation of $1.776 billion of our tax dollars from going to Trump’s favorite criminals as payment for being prosecuted for their criminal actions done on his behalf.

There is no perfect candidate because there are no perfect people. To be human on this planet is to make regrettable mistakes. However, the only human beings worth electing are those who acknowledge past mistakes, learn from them, and understand that they are likely to make new mistakes and are willing to take responsibility for them. I once admired Eric Swalwell and thought he might make a decent governor until I learned about his sexual abuse of women and that he covered it up instead of making amends. It was right for him to drop out of the race. It seems that Democrats always cut and run when they have been found out. Republicans, on the other hand, are not only unrepentant in of transgressions, but they keep on transgressing as if laws, rules, and morality do not apply to them. After Swalwell dropped out, I was in search of another candidate to support for governor of our great state of California.

I listened to a full debate and watched several interviews with different candidates. I’ve seen the television ads. After everything, I’ve landed on the billionaire Tom Steyer. He’s acknowledged some poor decisions and short-sighted viewpoints in his past. His business investments in some companies that he now criticizes made him a billionaire. What matters now is what he plans to do with those billions. Using his money to improve the lives of Californians is a good use of that money.

Steyer is spending his own money to fund his campaign which means he isn’t beholden to the backroom deals made by AI tech bros and other wealthy donors and corporations. We need that. Just as important to me, Steyer is a progressive. He cares about the environment and has a detailed plan to help California deal with the wildfire situation caused by climate change. He will ensure that homes are fortified, that bush is cleared and that insurance companies acknowledge the risk mitigation efforts of homeowners in their premium pricing.

I like that he is for single payer health insurance and for taxing the rich. I agree with his desire to abolish ICE and to replace the agency with a law-abiding immigration enforcement. I’m glad he plans to prosecute ICE agents who routinely break California law by racially profiling people. I like that he has a plan to build more housing. I especially like that he is in an emotionally and financially strong position to defend our state against Trump.

The California primary is fast approaching. It is important that we do not allow either one of the MAGA Republicans onto our ballot. Both are pro-ICE, pro-Trump, and have no interest in protecting the environment. In California, the top two candidates will make it onto the final ballot no matter their political party. We have a long list of Democrats on the primary ballot and only two Republicans, so the danger of splitting the vote among the Democrats and pushing the two Republicans to the top is real. We can’t let that happen. I don’t want to see either of them on our final ballot!

That’s why I’m making the case for Tom Steyer. He is my first choice. However, as the election draws closer, I will vote for the Democrat who has the highest poll numbers to ensure we have a Democrat candidate on the ballot. California cannot afford to have a MAGA Republican running our state in lock step with that criminal Donald J. Trump.

Progressives have the opportunity to win the 2026 mid-terms and the 2028 presidential election if they are smart, articulate and strategic in sharing policies that will actually improve lives. I firmly believe that the majority of Americans are sick and tired of the high prices, the incompetence, the cruelty, the cronyism, the corruption, the bigotry, the revenge, the poor policies, the self-dealing, and the rolling back of civil liberties under the Republicans. Life has become harder, not easier, under Republican rule. Personally, I am exhausted by the daily drama. It feels like we are being emotionally attacked every day by hateful rhetoric and sophomoric insults and worse, innocent lives are being lost or ruined because of funding cuts, war, and out of control ICE agents.

This is not how most of us aspire to live. It is not how we want to be viewed by the rest of the world. And anyone with a heart, ears, and a brain can understand that we are in danger of being overrun by “fake” Christian bigots who believe their whiteness, religion, and maleness entitles them to an advantage in this country. Decent people value fairness. They value giving everyone who is willing to innovate and work hard the opportunity to succeed regardless of their race, gender, national origin or religion. Most of us understand that immigration has made us innovative and strong as a country. MAGA Republicans and white nationalists think differently, and they are willing to steal elections to restore the advantages they once built for themselves while subjugating everyone else.

We must acknowledge that we have a few misogynists. We have a few racists. We have some homophobic people. We have white suprematists. We have religious bigots. These people are living among us and they vote. Most are poorly educated, but some of their leaders have an education and have chosen this evil path for selfish reasons. They are not patriots, nor are they actual followers of Christ as they claim. They are brutal criminals at heart who will lie, steal, and kill to feed their ego and greed. We see many of them currently serving in our government because they figured out that making the laws was a good strategy to bend the country to their hateful will. We see them on social media trying to convince others to their demented way of thinking. These hypocrites make laws for others to follow, but excuse, exempt, and even pardon each other of the worse crimes.

Since Trump 2.0, it has become crystal clear where they want to take us. Their agenda is no longer hidden. I firmly believe that the majority of us who value the rule of law, human dignity and human rights will not bend to their will. Most people do not want to be told how to worship, who to love, what to learn, and when to have children. The very idea that these men think they have a right rewrite history, punish truthtellers, and to force women to give birth and to stay married no matter the circumstances is abhorrent to reasonable people. They are actively working to take the vote from people of color and women. It’s appalling to hear some politicians suggest that fining a woman $17,000 for not giving birth by age 30 is a good idea.

The Republicans have become tone deaf to the needs and desires of most Americans. We simply want to live our lives peacefully. We want to be able to afford food, education, healthcare, homes and childcare. We want to be assured that the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink will not kill us. We want to know that the bridges we drive over aren’t going to collapse beneath us. We want to be assured that those who violate laws will be tried and punished through a fair judicial process. We want to have the respect of the international community so we can travel freely. We want to enjoy our friends and family in peace, without conflict over politics. And we certainly do not want to see the name and image of Donald Trump plastered everywhere!

Politicians who can articulate a plan to deliver these basic necessities as well offer a return to basic sanity, integrity, the rule of law, and common decency will easily win future elections. Many of us are missing the days of “no drama Obama”, when dignity, intelligence, and competence were on full display every day.

I’m optimistic that there are candidates waiting in the wings to offer us the stable, yet progressive future for a better life for all. They only need to step forward and show themselves before it is too late. And when they do, no amount of redistricting or gerrymandering will prevent reasonable people and true patriots from electing them. Because I am convinced that there are more of us than there are of them.