Global macro trends – looking forward from 2012

I wrote the following twelve years ago. It is longer than my current posts, but is segmented into categories, so pick one or two that interest you. These global macro issues still exist, yet they are not discussed enough if at all by politicians here.

As I was watching “Real Time with Bill Maher” Friday, he had as his last arriving guest, Bill McKibben, one of the planet’s foremost authorities on global warming. Not to shine spotlights, but the rest of the panel was a progressive leaning actress and two conservative talk show hosts, one on the radio and one of CNN, one a former congressman and one an attorney by trade. What I found as indicative of discussion in our country, we had two people arguing GOP talking points with a true expert. I kept thinking they need to be asking him questions about his concerns and what he thinks. When one said that he agreed with the Exxon Mobil CEO that we can just move the farmland to warmer places, McKibben retorted, “so we should just replace Iowa?”

My purpose in this post is not to only focus on the impact of global warming, but to highlight we need to have more informed discussions about the big-ticket, macro trends. We need to do so with better data and recognition for what scientists are saying and not using industry lobbyist talking points which at best are subjective. These are major concerns for the people on this planet, but also in the US. We cannot ignore these problems as we are now being impacted and we are contributing to a progression down a slippery slope.

Please note there are more trends than those mentioned here, but let me highlight four in no particular order:

1) Sustainable Population Growth

2) Aging Population

3) Water, the New Oil

4) Global Warming and our Toxic Chemical Crockpot

Sustainable Population Growth

In an earlier post, I mentioned a study conducted in Great Britain which asked the question, how many people can the Earth sustain? The key conclusion of the study was it greatly depended on consumption rates. If people on average consumed resources like one of the poorer countries in Africa, the Earth could sustain just about 15 billion people. Please know I am rounding the numbers from memory. However, if we consumed like the average North American, the planet could only sustain about 2 billion people. We are about 7 billion people as of this writing.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, if fertility stayed the same, we would be looking at over 11 billion in 2050. If it increases and people consume at a higher clip, then we would be in a heap of hurt. So, what can we do about it? Per the UN Population Fund, they suggest several things, but let me highlight a few year:

– we have to have greater awareness over this issue and concerted planning by major governmental, societal and business leaders.

– we have to increase the availability, awareness and use of contraception.

– we need to have better overall family planning and increased awareness of the correlation between poverty and larger family size.

– we have to improve access to child healthcare and overall healthcare.

– we have to be mindful of our resources and know they are not infinite in supply.

– we have to find better ways to grow food, manage water and sewage (more on water below).

– we need better data for measuring intervention outcomes and assessing needs.

Aging Population

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development partnered with global human capital consultant Mercer in 2010 to conduct a study of major issues facing countries. One of the more significant macro trends that was a premonition into the economic travails in Europe is our aging population. Why is that important? As a society ages, the ratio of retirees to active worker increases. This becomes a huge problem when more of the unfunded liabilities of an entity are out the door than can be covered by active worker funding. These are the reasons France increased its normal retirement age and why Greece has to follow suit.

Our average age has increased here in the US, but there are countries that are far worse than we are. Yet, it is and will become a greater problem here. The other key concern is the majority of healthcare expenses occur in the last two years of a person’s life. As we age, it puts more pressure on the cost of delivery of medical care. This becomes exacerbated by an overweight population as we have here in the US, which causes even more cost pressure due to unhealthy lifestyles. At some point, you have to pay the fiddler.

So, we have to take better care of ourselves and we have to make adjustments to medical care benefit coverages. We need more people included in medical coverages which is the reason some form of Obamacare needs to continue. Yet, we also need to come to grips that changes are needed to Medicare and Social Security. We also need to encourage greater savings. Before the recession, the US was one of the worst at saving. This has only been heightened by the recession where people had to dip into their savings and forego future savings.

Water, the New Oil

This has been a concern of mine which became more paramount after reading Steven Solomon’s book “Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power and Civilization.” This is the best history book I have ever read about how civilizations rose and fell because of their ability to manage water for use, transport and sewage. This last point may sound very mundane, but washing away sewage has been a huge challenge in major metro population areas such as Rome, London and New York and in impoverished areas.

Yet, the book is more than a history lesson. It shows how dear water has become even in some of the richest places on the planet. Oil rich Saudi Arabia has a major catastrophe in the foreseeable future due to the significant decline in their aquifers. China had a major problem when they built a dam that impacted the water supply to others to such an extent they had to cease energy production until they figured out a better solution. And, we are seeing it in the US as well. We have always had droughts, but they are greater in number and severity and per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have worsened because of global warming.

Any food, water, sewage and energy production exercise has to figure water usage in its calculations. This is probably my biggest concern with fracking, e.g. Fracking takes 4 to 6 million gallons of water per fracking well that cannot go back into the water supply. And, if you do not think this is a problem, the frackers and farmers were fighting over water in Kansas this summer during the droughts. On the sewage side, Bill Gates is running a global contest for the purpose of developing a scalable, waterless toilet that can be used in impoverished, arid areas. Dysentery and cholera are in abundance in these areas as the raw sewage goes directly into the water supply. Since water is so dear, we need to use it less for sewage. I would add in Orange County, CA they are using multiple filter devices (and I mean multiple) to reuse sewage water as drinking water. They have been doing this for a couple of years now.

We need to have concerted effort around the needs and uses of water and plan accordingly. I believe that a robust eco-energy plan has to factor in the use of water in all energy, water, food and sewage planning.

Global Warming and our Toxic Chemical Crockpot

The impact of global warming is being witnessed on a daily basis. It is no longer a futuristic event. Like the birthers, the deniers should not have a place at the adult table. Yet, we need all reasonable parties to have a voice in what we do next as we develop holistic eco-energy plans. I have said this multiple times, but Germany is ten years ahead of the US and plans to be 80% alternative energy powered by 2030. By my count, that is in 18 years. We need multiple parties at the table as we have to make a concerted effort to divorce ourselves from fossil fuels and not double down on them. We know we cannot quit cold turkey, but we better get moving. Any plan has to endure beyond the terms of political incumbents, so it cannot be shelved when a new political party comes into power.

The part that does not get enough attention is the toxic chemical crockpot that is simmering. As the planet turns the heat up on the crockpot, a relatively misunderstood and vastly underestimated problem will become increasingly worse. Like a broken record, the best books on this subject are written by Dr. Sandra Steingraber – “Living Downstream” and “Raising Elijah.” As a biologist, ecologist, cancer survivor and mother, she is garnering bi-partisan support about these issues. The problem is her voice is drowned out by the petro-chemical industry who is leading a cause to defang the EPA. The Koch Brothers make their money here, e.g, and they are the most significant contributors to the Tea Party success. They also have about 100 pending violations in front of the EPA.

The dilemma is with people moving around it is harder to prove causality of illnesses with toxic chemical creation, disposal or use. This has been the industry’s principal defense and they can throw vast sums of money to confuse and diffuse their opponents’ efforts. Yet, they toxic chemical are present and they do impact people living in various areas for more than a few years. Migrant farm workers exposed to pesticides have much greater cancers, lung and mental health issues. The increase in autism and premature births can be traceable to larger traces of toxic chemicals in the environment. And, as Dr. Steingraber has noted, a very relevant factor in family history is not considered in medical diagnosis as much as it should be – where the family grew up can actually be more important than the genes. Her case in point, her family (siblings, cousins nearby, etc.) had a significant number of cancers, including multiple cases of bladder cancer which is what she had. The key to all of this story – Dr. Steingraber was adopted. Note, bladder cancer is a bellweather cancer. If someone gets it in your family especially at a relatively young age, it is likely environmentally caused.

Dealing more effectively with toxic chemicals also has to be a key part of addressing a holistic eco-energy solution. And, let me shout this from the rooftops one more time – doing away or gutting the EPA is the most irresponsible recommendation that could be made, which is precisely what is being recommended by one of our major political parties in the US. And, I have highlighted the word irresponsible with purpose as a true independent voter and business person. For someone to frame an argument against this by calling anyone a “tree hugger” is poor form and stewardship. Creating the EPA may actually be GOP President Richard Nixon’s greatest contribution as president.

If you agree with me, please help get the word out on these issues. These are local problems, these are state problems, these are US problems and these are global problems. We have to solve them in a concerted way and build upon a confederation of good ideas being done all around the country. With wind energy in 38 states, someone is doing something right. Let’s build on that.

About that insurrection thing

Per ABC News on January 5, 2024:

“In the three years since the Jan. 6, 2021,assault on the U.S. Capitol, federal prosecutors have charged more than 1,265 defendants across nearly all 50 states and D.C. and secured sentences of incarceration for more than 460 people, according to newly released numbers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C.”

Further, 718 people have pled guilty, some of which are likely included in the 460 incarcerated folks.

But, of course, MAGA fans say the former president did nothing wrong. These fans still believe what his Attorney General William Barr called “bulls**t” to his face regarding the former president’s claims of election fraud.

Three things are certain:

-the former president has had ample opportunity to prove his claims of election fraud, but has failed miserably losing EVERY recount, audit and review and all but one of about 65 court cases.

-Fox News has settled two of their five court cases on defamation where internal emails show that many at the network knew the former president could not prove his claims, but aired them as fact, gaslighting their public. So far, Fox is out approximately $1.1 billion in restitution to those they defamed (and counting).

-Two months before the 2020 election, I read an article saying the former president had already hired over 1,000 attorneys to contest the election and also put someone in charge of the USPS to hobble the mail-in process knowing most of those ballots would be against him.

These three stories are all true. The following is speculation. The insurrection would not have happened if an accountable and responsible person was in the White House. The former president caused the circumstances, invited would be insurrectionists to DC, wound them up, then sicced them on the Capitol building telling them to “hang Mike Pence.” Per Cassidy Hutchinson’s book “Enough,” he also had metal detectors removed when he spoke to the crowd beforehand, so they stormed off to the Capitol possibly armed.

Former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney called the former president a “coward” for lying to people about the election fraud. Cheney says the former president knows he lost the election and lost big. I agree. In my view, he is also a traitor. Call me crazy, but we should not elect someone who betrayed our country. As his niece Mary Trump said “My uncle will burn it all down to avoid losing the election.” We should avoid giving him more matches.

When a TV series character dies

When people are invested in TV series they form a personal bond. I know the relationship is not real, but that emotional investment remains. So, when a long time character dies in a sudden manner, you feel grief. Maybe not full on grief, but still it causes some anguish.

We have been fans of the “Young Sheldon” series ever since “The Big Bang Theory” went off the air. The show is a prequel to reveal the development of the child genius Sheldon Cooper who would go onto win a Nobel Prize with his wife on “The Big Bang Theory.” The prequel follows the historical stories and anecdotes that the older Sheldon shares on the adult show.

One of those stories is Sheldon’s father George (played by Lance Barber) dies of a heart attack before Sheldon leaves to pursue his Ph.D at CalTech. Even knowing it will come does not lessen the impact. On last night’s show, the next to last one, two of George’s colleagues from the school where he coached show up at the house to share the bad news. Once his mom Mary opened the door and we saw who was standing there, my wife and I knew it was time. Yet, we still grieved.

We have also been followers of the Australian series “McLeod’s Daughters. The story focuses on two half-sisters, Claire and Tess who decide to run their father’s ranch together. After three years, Lisa Chappell, the actress who played Claire was ready to move on, but her character would never leave Drovers Run, their ranch. So, when Claire had a car accident taking her to the precipice of a cliff, she would eventually perish. That was a tough pill to swallow. The show would continue on, but it was never the same.

Yet, one of the toughest TV moments occurred in the series “Mash.” McLean Stevenson played Colonel Henry Blake, the original commander of the MASH hospital. His relationship with the doctors, nurses and Radar, his quirky and efficient administrative assistant, helped make the show. Yet, the actor decided to leave the show. So, his character was flying home from his tour of duty and his helicopter crashed killing him. The audience learns of this when Radar comes into the operating room and tells the news to the doctors and nurses in a zombie-like trance finishing with “There were no survivors.” The doctors and nurses somberly continue operating. It still gives me chills.

These are just three top of mind character deaths. Did you see these shows? What were your reactions? What are some other character deaths that were meaningful to you?

Libertarian group closes doors, a victim of MAGA populism

In an article in Politico by Luke Mullins called “FreedomWorks is closing – and blaming Trump,” the death of a Libertarian think tank is highlighted. Per the article, a few select paragraphs tell the story.

”FreedomWorks, the once-swaggering conservative organization that helped turn tea party protesters into a national political force, is shutting down, according to its president, a casualty of the ideological split in a Republican Party dominated by former President Donald Trump…,

FreedomWorks, the once-swaggering conservative organization that helped turn tea party protesters into a national political force, is shutting down, according to its president, a casualty of the ideological split in a Republican Party dominated by former President Donald Trump.
After Trump took control of the conservative movement, Brandon said, a ‘huge gap’ opened up between the libertarian principles of FreedomWorks leadership and the MAGA-style populism of its members.

FreedomWorks leaders, for example, still believed in free trade, small government and a robust merit-based immigration system. Increasingly, however, those positions clashed with a Trump-aligned membership who called for tariffs on imported goods and a wall to keep immigrants out but were willing, in Brandon’s view, to remain silent as Trump’s administration added $8 trillion to the national debt.”

From what I have gleaned, the Republican Party has no official platform and has not had one since 2016. It is more like a cult that stands for whatever Trump believes on a given day. Whether one agrees with what FreedomWorks stood for, we should acknowledge they have long stood for key principles that are codified.

Just a couple of sayings for a melancholy smile

As we were going through some old clothes and housing items in various closets, we came across two carved signs with sayings. The first one may be more unique to us, but I will share it anyway.

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN BISCUITS AND GRAVY.

My wife will order biscuits and gravy off a breakfast menu almost every time. Of course, it is bad for her, but it does taste good. Loving me more than that sinful indulgence is high praise.

The second one is more general, but is also a sadly comical reminder that we will become more forgetful or worse. Unfortunately, our mothers were in the worse category.

LET’S BE FRIENDS AND IF WE BECOME SENILE, WE CAN BE NEW FRIENDS.

Dementia, Alzheimer’s are horrible diseases as they hurt the patient as well as their loved ones. The only thing you can do at some point is just be there for them. Give them company and conversation. Be a friend.

A friend once told me she showed up to see her Alzheimer’s afflicted father at a Long Term Care facility and she found him in the great room listening to a singer. She quietly sat down beside him and when he noticed her he got excited and said “You’re on our team.”

So, the moral is eat the “occasional” order of biscuits and gravy, but exercise in-between orders, and be a “new” friend to your memory-losing parents, spouses, siblings and friends. Our mothers remembered old song lyrics and parts of old events, so nurture those dangling memories. And, wear the same lotion, after-shave or perfume as I read the memories from the sense of smell seem to linger on longer than others.

Both Sides Now – a repeat tribute to a worthy and universal song

Ladies and gentlemen, once again, Joni Mitchell.

From where I sit, one of America’s greatest songwriters is Joni Mitchell. Perhaps my favorite song of hers is “Both Sides Now.” Ironically, it was popularized by Suite Judy Blue Eyes herself, Judy Collins. I also enjoy Neil Diamond’s version with his deeper voice, but Judy’s version is the one most folks know. First, let’s take a peek at the lyrics:

Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way

But now it’s just another show
You leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away

I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say “I love you” right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way

Oh but now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed
Well something’s lost but something’s gained
In living every day

I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From WIN and LOSE and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all

I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all

In addition to melancholic and reflective nature of the song, “Both Sides Now” resonates with me as it makes you think of issues, events and people from different perspectives. How we view things is based on our history of experiences. A line from the Heart song “Straight on for You” would reinforce this “what the winner don’t know the gambler understands.”

Mitchell starts with clouds as we lie on our backs and reflect. I find this a clever metaphor. Yet, what you see in the clouds can and will change. Not to mention when you ask someone else what he or she sees, you are likely to get a different answer. So, we really don’t know clouds at all, as what can be seen varies, even with the same observer.

But, the same holds true for love and life, as well. In the US, about half the people who get married, eventually get divorced. Once the passion abates from its peak, people have a different set of experiences and perspectives. As an old fart who has been married for thirty-eight years, it is important that you like your spouse, as well as love her or him. If you don’t, then your marriage will have some challenges. So, we all have viewed love from both sides now.

This goes hand-in-hand with life, as well. Think back on how many opinions of yours have changed over the years. Think back on who you thought were true friends, who you do not involve yourself with anymore. Think back on how it was to struggle with a budget and how it is far easier to make ends meet when you have some money. With the number of people who have been exposed to the precipice of poverty or who have fallen over the cliff, many never imagined that this could happen to them. Your perspective changes when you have to stand in a line to collect unemployment benefits or go on food stamps.

I was thinking about this song after I read the post by Emily January on “Zenzele: a letter for my daughter,” especially when she speaks of the two men you will meet – the one you will be madly in love with and the one who will be your rock to live with day-in and day-out. I also believe my love for this song is a reason why I enjoy Malcolm Gladwell’s books. He describes himself as an outsider based on how he looked and who his parents were, a multi-racial couple (one from Jamaica and one from England) growing up in Toronto. So, he has an uncanny ability to see things from both sides or at least two perspectives. He is constantly challenging normative thoughts and beliefs as he can see things from an outside in perspective.

Joni, as per usual, you got it right. Your song stands the test of time due to the underlying truth in the lyrics. Thanks for setting your wonderful scripted words to such a beautiful melody.

To all our sexy mothers (an encore post for Mother’s Day)

The following is an encore post in advance of Mothers’Day here in the states. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers of all ages. To put your mind at ease, my thoughts with the title is for our sexy wives and single mothers, not for my mother, who I think of differently as a son, although she was quite the looker when younger. Yet, even our own mothers are women first.  

As my wife and I drive back from visiting my mother, my wife is singing along with the Divine Ms. M as she takes her turn behind the wheel. What we and others love about Bette Midler is the range of music and emotions she will take you through from the pious to the profane. As she can be a tad bawdy, it reminded me that my wife and the mothers of our children are like Bette and should never forget that sexy woman they are.

And, it is essential that we co-parents and boyfriends/ girlfriends should remind them of such. Our blogging friends, Erika (Erika Kind) and Holly (A Heart Afire) have written posts about unconditional love, being not only supportive but attentive to the needs of each other. Being able to see past the shortcomings and see the beauty and sublime. As I write this, my wife and Bette are singing the lyric “Did you ever know that you are my hero?” which seems fitting.

Yet, we should never lose sight of women’s sensuality and sexuality even if they are mothers. With the added responsibility of raising children (hopefully along with an active co-parent), these women need more than ever that focus on them and their needs.

This focus need not be grand gestures, but those help. It is those things we do throughout the day that matter. And, they really are the beginning of foreplay for later on. The kiss on the back of the neck, the phone call during the day, the touch of a hand or caress of a cheek, the hug in the hallway as you pass or kitchen as you cook. Or, it may be the “noticed” or “stated” glimpse of how good she looks in that blouse, sun dress or pair of jeans. Our friend Erika calls them “almost shy gestures” that make a difference.

So, let’s not forget our sexy mothers. And, remember they are the women who look past our shortcomings. We co-parents certainly have them, whether we are men or women. Happy Mother’s Day.

Florida governor signs a very short-sighted and mean-spirited law

An article by Michael Sainato in The Guardian called “Florida workers brace for summer with no protections: ‘My body would tremble’” reveals just how low a governor can go. To combat an effort for workers to get some protections in the more tropical South Florida, the governor steps on them with a short-sighted and mean-spirited law.

The subtitle tells you all you need to know: “Effects of heat are expected to worsen after bill prohibiting municipalities from enacting shade and water protection is passed.” But, just to shine a spotlight on Governor Ron DeSantis, here are a few paragraphs.

“For Javier Torres and other workers whose jobs are conducted outdoors in south Florida, the heat is unavoidable. A new law recently signed by Ron DeSantis, Florida’s Republican governor, that prohibits any municipalities in the state from passing heat protections for workers ensures that it is likely to stay that way…

The effects of extreme heat on workers are only expected to worsen due to the climate crisis. Many parts of Florida experienced record heatlast year. Orlando hit 100F (37.7C) in August breaking a record set in 1938. The National Weather Service recently issued its outlook for summer 2024, predicting Florida summer temperatures will be warmer than normal.

‘The heat can be very intense, especially as we get closer to summer,’ added Torres. ‘What we want as workers who labor outdoors is to have water, shade and rest breaks to protect ourselves.’

At the behest of agricultural industry lobbyists, DeSantis signed HB433 into law on 11 April, a bill scaling back child labor protections that also included an amendment prohibiting all local municipalities in Florida from enacting heat protections for workers.”

Let me speak frankly. People will die because of this, if left unchanged. As an athlete who grew up in Florida, hydration is essential.* For someone who works outside, it is a matter of life and death. This is beyond the pale in dereliction of duty. DeSantis will never be accused of being a leader in my book , as a true leader cares for people. Yet, I did not think the limbo bar on mean-spiritedness could go this low.

*Note: I recall doing cross country running training each day after school in the late summer heat. Water breaks were provided, but on occasion I would wake up in the middle of the night with leg cramps from not enough hydration. And, that is only being outside a couple of hours. Try 8 – 10 hours of work in the hot sun.

Climate change -denial to doublespeak

The US Senate  is looking at a report that is meaningful per an article by Dharna Noor in The Guardian called “Big oil spent decades sowing doubt about fossil fuel dangers, experts testify.” The subtitle adds more concern: “US Senate hearing reviewed report showing sector’s shift from climate denial to ‘deception, disinformation and doublespeak.’”

The term “doublespeak” is of course borrowed from George Orwell’s “1984.” Here are the first few paragraphs:

”The fossil fuel industry spent decades sowing doubt about the dangers of burning oil and gas, experts and Democratic lawmakers testified on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

The Senate budget committee held a hearing to review a report published on Tuesday with the House oversight and accountability committee that they said demonstrates the sector’s shift from explicit climate denial to a more sophisticated strategy of ‘deception, disinformation and doublespeak.’

‘Time and again, the biggest oil and gas corporations say one thing for the purposes of public consumption but do something completely different to protect their profits,’ Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House oversight committee, testified. ‘Company officials will admit the terrifying reality of their business model behind closed doors but say something entirely different, false and soothing to the public.’

The findings build on years of investigative reporting and scholarly research showing that the sector was for decades aware of the dangers of the climate crisis, yet hid that from the public.

In the absence of decisive government action to curb planet-warming emissions, the impacts of the climate crisis have gotten worse, committee Democrats said. Several senators said the industry should have to pay damages for fueling the crisis.”

I have long believed this assertion as the industry makes far too much money and has put money in the pockets of legislators to just remain silent. After waning for a few years, the efforts to deceive have been stepped as renewable energy advancements continue. We hear the focus on all the hiccups and challenges, but the continuing increase in market share on electricity production of the renewable energy is still an undertold story.

So, is the story that shareholders have voted management at several fossil fuel companies like Exxon, Occidental Petroleum, eg. must report on what they are doing about climate change intervention. When I hear pushback that the activist shareholder groups are forcing this, I chuckle as the fossil fuel industry is the most subsidized industry in history. It is a key reason they can afford to sponsor so many climate change denial websites to overwhelm the far fewer peer reviewed scientific websites.

I fully recognize change cannot turn on a dime. But, we must be even more active in demonstrative climate change interventions. Renewable energy is just one large component. But, more trees, more mangrove buffers next to the ocean, more kelp farms, more moving traffic patterns, less meat eating, etc. must be part of the equation.

I must add that a key reason I left the Republican Party in 2008-ish is the party’s stance on climate change denial. That was 16 years ago. And, it continues today. I am reminded of the lyric from “Cabaret” which says it all “money makes the world go around, the world go around, the world go around.” Money can fund a lot of things – even denial.

Peddling former president paraphernalia

On a trip to the beach traveling through South Carolina, I saw two retail stores related to the former president. They each had “TRUMP STORE” in big letters complete with numerous American flags. 

It should be noted the sign on the second one said “Only Patriots Allowed” so I guess we should shout something pro-Trump so we can enter using their definition of patriot, whatever that means. We passed on the opportunity. To me, their patrons support a person who betrayed our country and divided (and still divides) us further. That does not sound much like a patriot to me. His niece Mary Trump said “he will burn it all down to avoid losing the election” while former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney called him a “coward” for lying to his fans.

It reminded me of the Mel Gibson movie “The Patriot” ironically based, in part, on the infamous American patriot Francis Marion of South Carolina who was known as “The Swamp Fox” as he battled the British. His namesake Marion, SC is only twenty miles from where we spotted the second store. Marion was fighting for our freedom from British rule, while Trump’s patriots are supporting an illicit acting and bullying person who acts like the king that George was. Like king George, some have questioned his mental acuity.

As we passed the first store, my wife said aloud “you have to be kidding me.” Then, we saw the second one and she lamented “there is another one.” To me, this is clear evidence that Trump is the barker for the traveling medicine show. You know the one selling mostly alcohol in a medicine bottle that will cure all of one’s ails.

To me, this shows Trump should not be taken seriously as he and his followers want to peddle his wares. Of course, I have often said what Trump spews is his sales schtick where truth and lies don’t matter – sales do. I even saw wife Melanie is peddling something. I guess someone has to pay his legal bills and fines. Buy a Trump bible, a Trump constitution, a Trump cap, etc.

I tell you what we should do. We should tell him we will all buy some Trump merchandise if “you will just go away.” Stop hurting our country. Stop lying and bullying people. Stop groping women without their permission. Stop treating our allied relationships as transactions. And, as former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney said above, stop being a “coward” and accept that you lost the election. And, Cheney added “Trump knows he lost and lost big.”