Beware of False Economies

05/05/25 12:47
DOGE DoorMay 5, 2025 (Vol. 19 No. 19) - I may not be the one in my household who balances the checkbook or regularly checks our bank account, but I’m obviously someone who knows a hell of a lot more about the economy than the fool in the White House. Donald Trump is ruling the country by fiat. He believes that in what is supposed to be a constitutional democracy, what he says goes and cannot be challenged. His attention to things such as illegal immigration, tariffs, and liberal universities is what I would call an attack on the margins. These are not really things that Americans think a lot about. In fact, for the most part, these are things Americans benefit from. For example, let’s look at illegal immigration. Trump‘s rationale is that these “illegals“ are bringing crime and drugs to our country. Yes, there are some instances where that is true. But it is not true to the extent that Fearless Leader would have you believe. Drugs are not brought to this country by just "undesirables" from Central and South America. They’re also brought in by white collar, well dressed, well-educated Americans looking to make an easy buck. (If you really want to stop the flow of drugs into this country, stop the flow of American-manufactured guns out of the country financed with drug money.) But Trump has overreacted and overreached, as usual - and on purpose. Immigrants have become his straw dogs for vilification. What the Orange Fuhrer wants to do is round up the 11 million undocumented persons in this country and send them packing. However, he does so at the risk of our economy. The dimwitted governor of Florida seems to understand this. He’s talking about of a shortage of farm laborers because of deportations. Of course, his response is a purely Republican nonsensical approach: Let’s lower the working age so we can put children to work in the fields. Of course, Elon Musk believes Social Security - a program you pay for - is a Ponzi scheme. He wants to get rid of it and has made its services less accessible to those who need it. Then there’s Trump‘s attack on universities, such as Harvard. They are too liberal, too "woke," for his liking. He wants to take a slash-and-burn approach by denying them their federal funding. Of course, doing this undermines the very research and education components of our economy that has - to borrow a phrase - made America great. For example, does it make sense to slash funding that might help find a cure for cancer, cheaper energy sources, or safer modes of transportation? Of course it doesn’t. But that doesn’t matter in Trump World. There is no strategic vision coming out of Washington these days, just retribution. In turn, it is creating a false economies that will lead this country toward an unpleasant reckoning. What Mr. Trump isn't smart enough to realize is that this ugly reckoning will also become his own. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.

Governments Are Not Run Like Businesses. Nor Should They.

27/04/25 11:38
Public PrivateApril 27, 2025 (Vol. 19 No. 19) - The Elon Musks and Donald Trumps of the world are quick to tell all who would listen that government should be run like a business. Of course, in the case of Musk and Trump, this sage advice comes from people who have famously run businesses into the ground. (RE: Tesla and Trump Casino.) However, government should not be run like a business. The ultimate goal of a business is to make money for its owners and shareholders. Its efforts are focused on producing goods and services that will prove most profitable. Government, on the other hand, must produce the goods and services that meet the needs of everyone without regard to whether doing so is profitable. For example, pharmaceutical companies produce and price their products based upon consumer demand. If you are someone with a rare, therefore less profitable disease, tough luck. On the other hand, the U.S. Postal Service is expected to provide mail service everywhere from New York City (population 8,8 million) to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (population 1,300). While there is undoubtably waste in government, the same is true in spades for businesses. The difference is that governments operate in the open. Businesses bury their mistakes. While publicly held companies and non-government organizations face certain disclosure requirements, that is nothing compared to the transparency under which governments must operate. Frankly, a lot of business disclosure is gobbly-gook. I defy you to read any company's creatively crafted 10K filing and to come away with a sense you have received the straight scoop. Financial analysts are experienced at reading between the lines to unearth hidden truths. Of course, the Trump administration has adopted a psuedo-businesslike approach which places cost-savings ahead of agency missions. Does anyone really believe that gutting the Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are good ideas? The DOGE slash-and-burn approach to budget cutting has been anything but strategic. Musk's minions have been cutting entire agency budget lines without regard to their congressionally mandated missions. That's how they wound up firing all the folks who oversee the nation's nuclear arsenal, only to have to call them back (if they could find them). That's also why judge after judge has reminded DOGE that it is Congress, not the White House, that dictates the role and existence of federal agencies. There is one other key difference between government and the private sector: government's mandated transparency over the private sector's often spurious self-policing. As a result, the incidence of business corruption is much higher than you will find it in the public sector. If you want to know where corruption exists, just follow the money. An obvious example of how some businesses put greed over public needs is the Trump Organization. (How's that Trump University degree working for you?) The next time someone tells you that government should be run like a business, laugh in their face and hold tight onto your wallet. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.

Pope Francis (1936-2025)

22/04/25 05:09
Pope FrancisApril 22, 2025 (Vol. 19 No. 18) - His death shouldn't have come as a surprise. After all, Pope Francis had been in failing health for some time. Still, his passing on Easter Monday came as a shock to many, especially after his greeting the throngs in Vatican City on Easter morning and his surprise meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance. I am not Catholic. However, I am married to a Catholic and my late first wife was also Catholic. As a confirmed Episcopalian, you might say that I am "Catholic light." For that reason, I pay close attention to the Pontiff who sits on St. Peter's throne. I very much liked Pope Francis, primarily because he was a Franciscan, meaning he put spirituality and humanity ahead of the trappings of his high office. At a time in world history when human beings have demonstrated a shocking capacity for hurting one another, this Pope's compassion and empathy toward the downtrodden and suffering was a welcome relief. Nor was he afraid to speak truth to power. On his very last day on earth, he spoke up for the immigrants who flee oppression in their homelands only to have barriers thrown in their paths where they seek refuge. His calmness and serenity stood in sharp contrast to the chaos we are experiencing here and in other nations. Was Pope Francis without fault? No one is. For example, his response to the church's ongoing sexual abuse scandals had been underwhelming. However, from this non-Catholic's perspective, Pope Francis was the right person at the right time for his very important job. Even to non-Catholics, the person who serves as Pope, the moral leader among 1.6 billion Catholics worldwide, matters. The Pope carries with him a moral authority that few other world leaders enjoy. Here's hoping that the next Pope will speak with the humility and humanity with which Pope Francis blessed us. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle. Photo courtesy Time

Pat Paulsen For President

16/04/25 15:54
Pat PaulsenApril 16, 2025 (Vol. 19 No. 17) - Tired of writing about that schmuck in the White House, I decided to turn my attention to one of the great leaders of America's not-too-distant past, Patrick Layton Paulsen. OK, I realize that most Americans under the age of 70 may be scratching their heads and saying, "Who?" But he was an inspirational leader introduced to us in 1967 as a writer and performer on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a show that provided some of the most astute political commentary at that time. Paulsen was a deadpan satirist who we first came to know for his outrageous editorials. However, during the presidential election year of 1968, the Brothers took things a step further, showcasing Paulsen as a candidate for president running on the Strait-Talking American Government (STAG) Party. And, as you will see in this clip, the man could really turn a phrase. Unfortunately, Paulsen lost that election to Richard Nixon - and, in fact, to everyone else as well. He made one of the greatest concession speeches in American history. One of my favorite books on my personal bookshelf is Paulsen's How to Wage a Successful Campaign for the Presidency, published in 1972 at a price of only $2.95 a copy. In it, he wrote, "In America, any boy can grow up to become President. Or, if he never grows up, Vice President." One of the chapters in the book is entitled "Choosing Your Party: Democrat, Republican or Tupperware." Why did Paulsen want to become President? He said it was because with the job you get "a big house, a big plane, $100,000 salary and it's the only government job that does not require a civil service examination." In light of the outrageous lunacy of today's political scene, how could you not vote for a man like Paulsen? Unfortunately, Patrick Layton Paulsen died in 1977 at the age of 69. Come to think of it, that changes nothing. Considering today's offerings, how could you still not vote for a man like Paulsen? That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.

Takin' It To The Streets

07/04/25 08:57
ProtestsApril 7, 2025 (Vol. 19 No. 16) - Millions of Americans took to the streets this past weekend to show that democracy and free speech are alive and well - at least for now. There were "Hands Offs" rallies in more than 1,200 communities, including right here in my hometown of Lawrence, Kansas (photo above). Of course, many butt-kissing MAGA sycophants in Kansas would tell you that Lawrence is the "Lib-tard" capital of Kansas. However, I was one of the 500+ people standing at a busy downtown intersection. While there were some individuals who may have come from the outer fringes of society, most were mainstream folks - some of whom identified themselves as Republicans - who were fed up with the reckless, heartless and unconstitutional dismantling of government that has occurred since President Poopinpantz took office in January. (And, by the way, did you see the strange life forms that attended last summer's GOP convention?) It is important to remember that this national day of protest was called weeks ago, before President Manchild single-handedly sent the American economy into free-fall by announcing "global across-the-board reciprocal tariffs." Many of the harshest penalties were levied against some of this nation's closest allies. He called them "The Dirty 15," although there were actually 29 nations on that list. (We are trusting our economy to a guy who can't even count?) One particularly onerous tariff was imposed against Heard Island and McDonald Islands, an Australian territory comprised of no people and maybe a million penguins. (It's a good thing the movie Happy Feet came long before penguins got on this administration's enemies list.) And guess who was not included in his "across-the-board" tariffs? Russia, of course. Maybe that's because we are going to need all of the vodka we can get to dull the economic pain Felon47 has inflicted upon us. Of course, our Demander-in-Chief says we should trust him, just like his voters did last fall when, as a candidate, he promised us that tariffs will not cost the American people any higher costs. If you believe that, why not go out and buy a new car? Of course, it is not his fault that he lied. It was his voters fault that they believed him. (Shame on you!) And I haven't even begun to discuss his unconstitutional mass firings, deportations and dismantling of vital government agencies - all on the behest of a psychopathic oligarch who wants to repopulate the earth with his own offspring. Millions of my fellow citizens took a page out of Howard Beale's script and said "they are as mad as hell, and they are not going to take it anymore." Some Republicans are beginning to take note. Those that don't, do so at their own risk. GOP elephants are not the only creatures with long memories. The mid-term elections are not that far off that we, the people, are unlikely to forget. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle. Photo copyright David W. Guth, 2025