“So much to write, so little time.” (and energy) There are so many things I want to write about I’m going to end up sounding like Trump at one of his rallies. Round and round we go, where it stops…….. (You know the rest) Tonight I had the misfortune to listen to a bit of an interview someone (I can’t remember who) was giving Melania Trump – she was hawking a recent memoir – and, I might add, not nearly to the level her husband would presumably be expecting. When asked about Kamala Harris she pointed to Ms. Harris’ “record” presumably as the reason people should support “The Donald.” The record: she said something along the lines of “people can’t even go to the store and buy things like bread.” (That’s how I remember it – she was suggesting people don’t have money to spend because of Kamala Harris.)

Fun Fact: Today is the birthday of a good friend of myself and my wife and we went out to dinner with him and his wife. We went to a nice steakhouse (plus seafood, etc.) that I only go to on special occasions – maybe two or three times a year. For a former teacher it’s not “cheap.” However, for the past three years, EVERYTIME I’ve gone there if I forget to make a reservation the wait to be seated is anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The bill for two is usually around $100 and there’s NO shortage of customers. When I go to the local grocery stores (despite “inflation”) there’s ALWAYS lines at the check out lines – even the self check out lines now usually have lines. And, many people have grocery carts filled to the brim. My point: people have and are spending MONEY!

And, when I listen to people complaining about the price of gas. As if it’s a national disgrace. Well, my first thought is, my wife and I have been driving ELECTRIC cars since 2015. We don’t buy gas. It’s true, not everyone is “right” for an electric car because you’ve got to have a place to charge it. Back in Pittsburgh, when I was there, people parked on the side of the street. Not that convenient. But, out here in Washington, where the price of gas is about $4 per gallon (if you shop around) I can remember it being higher than that several times since the late 1970’s – and, be thankful you’re not in Europe buying gas. It’s become obvious many of America’s “young people,” as I like to call anyone 35 or younger, either watch too much Fox “news” or are simply – I hate to say this – but, spoiled. In America, gas is cheap!

I hear them complain about inflation – and, it reared its somewhat ugly head in the past 3 years, but here’s the deal: We just came out of a once in a century pandemic (or at least I hope so), Trump turned over an historic mess to Biden/Harris, (and, when he tells you it was “perfect” if you believe him we’re right back at that Fox “news” argument), the economy was in a shambles and government stimulation is how you get out of such a mess without risking an economic calamity, (ie another “great recession” or worse, depression) and when the people at the “bottom” go back to work and their wages are higher (which is good) AND there’s a supply chain bottleneck (that’s bad) prices go up. And, OBTW, back in the early 80’s inflation was much higher, interest rates were 18% and higher, and worse yet, Reagan introduced the anti-union stagnation of wages. (which lasted until Biden/Harris)

Add to that the world’s premiere fascist dictator deciding to invade his sovereign neighbor (actually, he already had one “foot” in the “door”) which just made matters worse. And, try as he might, Donald Trump SHOULD not be able to convince you he would have prevented Putin’s ILLEGAL attempted takeover of Ukraine. He recently gave his solution – just have Ukraine simply give Russia the land Putin was already controlling – then all the “dead people wouldn’t be dead.” My advice to someone close to Trump, tell him about Neville Chamberlain! (Trump called Putin a “genius” when he first invaded – with Trump in office Kyiv likely would have fallen in three days and NATO would be “no more.”

Speaking of the 35 and younger set of Americans. (Millennials? Gen Z?) I watched with interest the other evening when Alex Wagner of MSNBC went into Michigan and held a mini town hall (my characterization) with a group of around 50 union members from I don’t remember which town. There was a mix of younger members and older members and Ms. Wagner did a great job of just letting people answer (her) questions without any response on her part (at least noticeable to me). She didn’t, for example, make any indication to the one young man who said he was voting for Trump as to whether she agreed or disagreed with him.

Here’s what I found interesting – especially as someone who believes this election will ultimately be decided by the young voters – the old guys were especially well informed about the issues – from the perspective of a veteran labor union member. The young guys, in fact, didn’t seem to have the slightest grasp of the issues. For example, the reason the young Trump supporter gave for his decision was “immigration.” He had no support for his opinion – meaning he couldn’t explain why – it’s just what he’d “heard.” To Ms. Wagner’s credit, she didn’t show even a hint of trying to give him facts one way of the other. Most of the young guys were “undecided” – they just needed more information before they could make up their minds. Again, Ms. Wagner didn’t attempt to find out what info they had – she just asked generic questions.

The older guys: woo boy! They were well versed on the issues and NONE of their reasons were based on issues like “abortion” or “immigration.” In fact, they were a bit harsh with the younger guys in the room because to them, as to me, a young person voting for Trump needs their head……. (Oh wait, I just – finally – had my head examined – via a CT scan :o) The old guys pointed out the job these guys were all working on – and, making good money – was a direct result of the Biden/Harris’ administration’s “Chips and Science Act.” They felt the young guys should know “where their bread is buttered.” (Again, my characterization) I’ve had the same results when talking to young people about the election – not always – and, that is they are not paying attention. Most I talk to will vote the same as their parents – even if their parents are republicans and aren’t paying attention.

These young people have SO much more at stake than us old people (I’m 77). Take for example, right now, as I’m typing this, Hurricane Helene is SMASHING the “big bend” region of Florida soon to be ravaging places in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Last weekend Helene was a “Tropical wave” which would likely be a Tropical Storm when it reached landfall in Florida the “experts” said – “maybe a ‘cat 1’ hurricane. Instead the WARM waters of the Gulf of Mexico (near 90 degrees and warm to historical depths) generated enough POWER for Helene to be a category FOUR hurricane by the time it hit landfall with record amounts of storm surge (up to 20 feet in some places). Don’t believe in climate change? Yikes!!!

To me, for young people – and, I’m including my two daughters who are in their mid forties – this SHOULD be the most important issue of them all. I mean, what the hell difference does 50 cents more for a gallon of gas compared to the earth becoming un-inhabitable? Trust me, if “we the people” don’t take the climate crisis more seriously there could be a day when Melania Trump’s nonsense of today becomes far more real. Many scientists say we’ve already passed the 1.5 Celsius … OK, don’t ask me to explain it to you – it’s easy to find articles on the “internets” – I go by the “keep it simple stupid” philosophy. (And, I’m referring to myself as “stupid”)

For example, take Hurricane Helene – which is going to cause BILLIONS in property damage and KILL, likely, quite a few people who chose to “shelter in place.” (in the wrong “places”) These storms are more frequent and more intense. Helene is the SECOND Hurricane to hit Florida in almost this same place – THIS YEAR! (The other one was “only” a category 1 storm) There still could be more storms in Florida this season. (This is why you have to buy homeowners insurance from the state – the private insurers are “long gone.” The wild fires out West are more frequent and more intense, wiping out entire communities. The other major weather disasters around the country (and world) are more frequent and more intense. How much of a “hint” do we all need – especially if you’re younger?

Of course, there are the issues of abortion, education, voting rights, civil rights, and the preservation of our republic – the one Benjamin Franklin said would last only as long as – “we could keep it.” If personal morality means anything to you, “How in the world could you vote for Trump?” He’s a race baiting narcissist, a sexual predator (adjudicated), a CHEATER (on his taxes, his loan applications, his insurance forms, and, of course, in his election campaigns), a xenophobe (check in with the LEGAL Haitian residents of Springfield Ohio to see how that one’s going), and a delusional old person. His strength is his ability to look you in the eye and LIE to your face. (i.e. He’s a “stable genius,” and his word salads = a brilliant compilation of words impressing even English teachers) His supporters apparently are OK with all that. (Can you imagine if Ms. Harris was doing the same thing?)

And, don’t get me started on Project 2025! The “conservatives roadmap to fascism.” Once again, my characterization. But, read it for yourself. I’m not going to link up to it once again, but I have links in previous posts. The last time (I think it was my last post) I had to give my name and email address before I could access it to the Heritage Foundation who are the ones who put out Project 2025. But, you really SHOULD read as much of it as you can tolerate. I have a former friend who I couldn’t get to read the Mueller report (he was in the Trump CULT) who may have read Project 2025 all the way to the 902nd page – who knows? I could only stomach the first 100 pages or so (plus the introduction). I gave them (Heritage) my info so you don’t have to. :o)

By all accounts this coming election is going to be decided by a razor thin “majority” (of the Electoral College). Undoubtedly Harris will prevail in the “popular vote” by several MILLION American voters – but, the antiquated Electoral College will overly benefit people in rural areas – wait a minute, I live in a rural area, but I digress – just as our outdated system has created a Senate which is definitely controlled by a minority of the American people. But, it’s the system we have so progressives have a lot of work to do between now and November 5th. If Trump wins there will be a “peaceful” peaceful transfer of power. If Kamala Harris wins, well, all hell might break out. Stay tuned…..

Final Thought: Today as my wife and I were heading to the restaurant I mentioned above we came across a sliver of green grass between a sidewalk and the main road where one of Trump’s “salespeople” had a bevy of Trump flags for sale – the kind of flags we used to see more of in pickup trucks where the driver had his rifle hanging across his rear view window. One of them had Trump’s mug shot from Georgia’s election interference indictment and read: “Trump or death” with his photo between the words. I told my wife, I think I’d choose death. I’m thinking he very well may be the anti-Christ. Yikes!!! (My mind is wandering!)

I have begun reading a few “substacks” – I’ve subscribed to Thom Hartman’s (in fact, I’ve “shared” several of his here – he ALWAYS “says it better” than me), Robert Reich’s, and Joyce Vance’s “substacks” – which are, in essence, like blog posts. Another one I’ve started reading (it pops up in my email inbox) is Rick Wilson’s. Wilson is one of the original republicans who formed the “Lincoln Project” which I donate money to each month. I don’t know if this will work, but Wilson’s last post is well worth reading in my view. Rick Wilson therickwilson@substack.com is the connection I have to it, so hopefully that will work if you’re interested. Maybe just log into the “Lincoln Project” to get a view of what he/they are thinking. To me, well worth the time.