How much will “Socialism” resonate as an election
issue in races where no Social Democrats are running?
Would you call this Socialism? The Department of
Commerce quietly announced it will designate more than $870M in federal
incentives for semiconductor manufacturing in exchange for a minority equity
stake in seven companies.
Sen. Paul vs. Dr. Fauci: did either side “win”? What are the charges against him? Given an overt goal “to put Fauci behind bars”, was this a missed opportunity to learn something?
What should we make of the Blanche A.G. issue? Does it
matter if he is Acting vs. Official?
Europe’s soccer governing body voted to
boycott future men’s and women’s World Cups in reaction to FIFA’s
plan to inject private money into competitions. “World Cup is not for sale.”
Fed decision on rates riles the markets. They held
steady, but 3 voted for rate increases.
Is this a positive move toward peace? President Trump announced an historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. The diplomatic breakthrough, brokered by the Board of Peace alongside mediators Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, will pave the way for a new Palestinian government in Gaza.
Status of Sen. McConnell? Kentucky Gov. Beshear
demanded more transparency from Sen. Mitch McConnell, who hasn’t been seen in
public since his hospitalization in mid-June. “As Governor of the state you
serve, I am calling on you to directly and verbally address the people of
Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve or resign.”
Who would you like to see campaign for President in
2028 and why? Would Sec. Rubio be a stronger Republican Nominee than VP
Vance? Would Sen. Ossoff be a stronger Democratic Nominee than others
mentioned? How viable is AOC? BTW, South Carolina will be the first state to
hold a Democrat Primary. Who might that
favor? Or is it too early to discuss?
Does America suffer greater concern with Left Wing
Political Terrorism than Right Wing? Was the J6 attack the top example of
Political Terrorism in our recent history?
What else might compare?
The Administration is considering “Military Options”
with Cuba. Are we pushing Cuba to be an even more failed state? How might
our taking over a failed state be in the best interests of working-class
Americans? How might controlling Cuba make American lives better?
Our Governor signed the bill mandating No Phones in
Illinois Schools. Good idea?
The Trump administration plans to cut a subsidy
program that has been helping lower the cost of prescription drugs for people
on Medicare, potentially raising prices for millions of seniors in 2027,
according to The Wall Street Journal
Good idea? Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 3341
into law in July 2026. The law amends Illinois' Birth Control Services to
Minors Act so that any minor may consent to contraceptive services or supplies
without the consent of a parent or guardian. Previously, minors generally had
to meet certain conditions (such as being married, pregnant, a parent, having
parental consent, or meeting other statutory criteria). The new law removes
those restrictions
Should we make Daylight Saving Time permanent?
Your thoughts about “Trump Accounts”? It
provides a one-time $1,000 federal investment for eligible U.S. citizen
children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. The money is
invested in a broad U.S. stock index fund, and families may contribute
additional money (up to the annual limit). The account generally can't be
accessed until the child reaches adulthood.
What do you fear more: artificial intelligence, or the
government that would regulate it?
Where are we today with the Epstein files? Does this
issue still resonate with voters? What might change if Democrats win the House?
Big Win for Executive Authority. What are the
ramifications? The Supreme Court ruled
that a President can fire any agency member for any reason. It hands the
president the power to control every regulatory agency in the executive branch.
Congress created agencies to be independent of presidential control by only
allowing the president to fire for cause—not for policy disagreements. (…but
The Federal Reserve will remain independent. Why is there a double standard?)
Good idea? Older Adults are turning to ‘Golden
Girls’ Housing. A growing network of home-sharing programs is helping Super
Seniors find compatible housemates to save money.
Your thoughts about Pope Leo’s concerns with A.I. Pope Leo added his moral point of view to
a
growing backlash against the impact of A.I. “A.I. threatens
to normalize an anti-human vision.”
Florida Issue: Property taxes, which tend to fund
local services, have come under particular scrutiny of late, as Republican
state lawmakers around the country search for new strategies to address the
affordability crisis.
Is eliminating all standards for greenhouse gas
emissions in our best interests? How smart is it to totally disregard the
concerns of scientists vs. moderating how standards apply? On the other hand,
are we spending millions without seeing plans work to bring emissions down?
Your thoughts about Spacex: largest IPO ever. And
Musk, the first trillionaire.
Is this “hot” book politically important? Or mostly
just gossip? The most revealing part of NYT reporters Maggie
Haberman and Jonathan Swan’s new book “Regime Change” isn’t the bombshell
reports or gossip, but just how much information is leaking from the White
House.
Should we call this “Corruption” more than “Insider
Trading”? What if I buy a stock, and have the power to affect a major
change that dramatically increases that stock’s value?
A related issue: is it OK to allow bets on
ANYTHING? Folks who never worked on a
trading floor are moving markets with “informed wagers”. Some are getting rich.
How healthy are we with RFK Jr? Food & Drug
Administration blocked publication of several studies supporting the safety of
widely used vaccines against Covid-19 and shingles.
The color of money is now gray. What are the
ramifications of Seniors holding more wealth? In 1989, Americans over age
55 held 56% of the wealth. Today it’s 74%. Wealth for under 40 has shrunk from
12 to 6.6%. 18% of Americans are Senior citizens, up from 13% in 1990.
