The framers of our Constitution understood that governmental power can be misused for partisan purposes. Therefore‚ they carefully designed a national government of limited powers‚ with separation of powers‚ and checks and balances. Unfortunately‚ later generations gradually removed most of the safeguards they had painstakingly built into our constitution: As I’ve written in TAS previously‚ “When government grows that big and powerful‚ politicians will find a way to warp power for their own ends.” (READ MORE from E. Donald Elliott: It Should Be Illegal for Politicians to Buy Votes With Our Money) Joe Biden and Co. have perfected techniques for using the expanded powers of the modern Administrative State to funnel money to their political supporters. First‚ Biden mandated by Executive Order that “at least” 40 percent of the $329 billion supposedly meant to fight climate change was to be directed to “disadvantaged communities” populated by racial minorities that voted overwhelmingly for Biden in the last election. Next Biden tried to “forgive” $430 billion in student loan debt‚ a blatantly illegal move that was eventually set aside by the Supreme Court — but the political damage had been done. Democrats got a double benefit with younger voters in the runup to the 2022 elections: they got credit for trying to give younger voters a $430 billion payoff‚ but then those nasty Republicans on the Supreme Court took away their gift. Let’s hope that OIRA‚ the Congress‚ or the courts … see this for what it is — a big payoff to the plaintiffs’ trial lawyers at your expense. Now comes Election Payoffs Part Three‚ which dwarfs the previous two: Biden and Co. are now trying to weaponize the enormous regulatory power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)‚ an agency for which I once served as General Counsel‚ in order to shovel billions of dollars in contingent fees to the plaintiffs’ trial lawyers. Such plaintiffs’ lawyers are big contributors to political campaigns with 99 percent of their contributions going to Democrats according to one study.  Here’s how the latest scam to use your money to buy Biden’s re-election works. The EPA proposed a rule to regulate extremely low levels of “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances” (PFAS)‚ a large class of chemicals used in a variety of consumer products. If adopted‚ the EPA’s proposed new rule would limit the levels of certain PFAS compounds in drinking water down to the unimaginably low level of 4 parts per trillion — which is equivalent to just four grains of sand in an Olympic size swimming pool. Meanwhile‚ the EPA quietly removed several PFAS compounds from its “Safer Choice” list of recommended ingredients for consumer products. (READ MORE: The Left Does Not Believe in the Rule of Law) If adopted‚ the EPA’s proposed rule for PFAS in drinking water may be the most expensive rule in the EPA’s history. The direct cost to water utilities to comply is estimated by the EPA at “only” about $1 billion per year‚ but the American Water Works Association (AWWA) says it would actually cost $3.8 billion per year. How much this will cost the average American family varies from a high of about $10‚000 extra per year to a low of about $100 per year depending upon the size of their water supply system‚ as shown in the chart below from an analysis by the distinguished engineering consulting firm Black &; Veatch for AWWA: However‚ the direct costs to comply are only a small part of the total costs of the proposed rule. A much bigger expense is that “the maximum contaminant levels that the EPA sets [for drinking water] will become target cleanup levels at Superfund sites and de facto cleanup levels at other sites.” (This results from an arcane aspect of Superfund law called the ARAR principle‚ which is explained here.) The lower courts have turned that casual one-liner into a legal doctrine that requires judges to give “super-deference” to agency judgments.  This one-two gut punch is likely to push several major U.S. chemical companies essential to our national defense into bankruptcy. Think I am exaggerating? One company‚ 3M‚ has already reached a settlement for $10 billion (yes‚ with a B) to settle only part of its PFAS liability. Time magazine says that was “just the tip of the iceberg” with plenty more to come. PFAS lawsuits will be a bonanza for plaintiffs’ lawyers‚ who typically take 20–33 percent of recoveries as their contingent fees. This multi-billion-dollar wealth transfer might be defensible if eliminating low levels of PFAS from drinking water really would save thousands of lives‚ but not a single study cited by the EPA actually shows any harm to human health from exposure to low levels of PFAS‚ including exposures to PFAS many times higher than the EPA’s proposed 4 part per trillion limit. Rather‚ the EPA relies on a few studies that show no toxic effects but only “subclinical effects‚” which are measurable changes in bodily functions within the range otherwise considered normal. (I am not a scientist‚ so I have checked with three Ph.D. toxicologists who all confirmed that my understanding is correct.) (READ MORE: The Worst Supreme Court Decision in History)  The EPA’s proposed new rule for the U.S. would be hundreds of times more stringent than what most other countries worldwide consider a safe level. That’s not industry propaganda but the conclusion of an international collaboration of independent scientists that recently won the prize as the best scientific paper of the year from a section of the prestigious Society of Toxicology. Slide from January 22‚ 2024 Shubik Lecture to the Toxicology Forum by Dennis Paustenbach Ph.D‚ DABT‚ FATS. Even the EPA’s own very slanted analysis of costs and benefits shows that the alleged benefits barely exceed the EPA’s greatly understated estimates of costs. Those costs will be paid for by everyone who drinks water‚ including you. The burdens are particularly crushing for smaller water systems and low-income areas. Tables 7-1 and 9-13 buried in the EPA’s 374-page economic analysis shows that the costs for these areas will exceed the benefits‚ even assuming the EPA’s exaggerated estimate of benefits. Getting bored by the technical details? Keep reading; the proponents of this huge waste of your money are counting on all the technical gobbledygook to prevent you and the rest of the public from understanding that you are being ripped off big time. The extremely low levels of risk from PFAS in drinking water and consumer products — if indeed there is any real risk at all — could not be the basis for successful personal injury lawsuits against the PFAS manufacturers and companies because plaintiffs would ordinarily have to prove in court that their alleged injuries are more probable than not to result from exposure to PFAS. So how to magically turn extremely low risks that do not meet the “more probable than not” test into a gravy train for lawyers? Get the EPA to regulate on a very precautionary basis and then sue the manufacturers for the additional costs of compliance. Think the courts will save us from this regulatory atrocity as they did for student loan forgiveness? Think again. The lower courts have developed a doctrine called Baltimore Gas &; Electric deference‚ after a 1983 case by that same name‚ in which the Supreme Court made a passing remark that “[w]hen examining this kind of scientific determination [making predictions‚ within its area of special expertise] at the frontiers of science as opposed to simple findings of fact‚ a reviewing court must generally be at its most deferential.”  The lower courts have turned that casual one-liner into a legal doctrine that requires judges to give “super-deference” to agency judgments “on the frontiers of science.” I call this “no look judicial review‚” and have advocated its abolition in an academic paper‚ but for now‚ that pernicious doctrine is still on the books; it gives judges an excuse to save themselves time and trouble by rubber stamping technical judgments like those in the EPA’s PFAS rulemaking. The only remaining line of the defense against such abuses of regulatory power is the White House Office of Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)‚ now headed by Richard Revesz‚ former Dean of NYU Law School and an eminent lawyer-economist whose confirmation on a bi-partisan basis I supported publicly. The EPA’s proposed PFAS rule is now undergoing final review at OIRA‚ and most of the needless expense could be avoided by setting a more reasonable limit‚ such as in the 20-to-40 parts-per-trillion range‚ while still fully protecting public health. However‚ making that change would probably require the EPA to repropose the rule for another round of public comment because that was not one of the options in the EPA’s original proposal‚ and OIRA is under a lot of pressure to get it out before a May 22 deadline so that it cannot be reconsidered by the next Congress under the Congressional Review Act after the November elections. Let’s hope that OIRA‚ the Congress‚ or the courts come to their senses and see this for what it is — a big payoff to the plaintiffs’ trial lawyers at your expense — with little or no benefit to public health. Note: The author represents that he has not received any compensation for this article‚ but he also discloses that the law firm with which he is associated represents multiple parties on all sides of various PFAS-related disputes. The post Biden’s Latest Political Payoff … With Your Money appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

Oh‚ to be a conservative now that election season is nigh. For the record‚ I am a conservative and will likely spend the months leading up to Election Day comparing and contrasting the efficacy of various over-the-counter antacids. Despite the fact that the GOP nomination is essentially a foregone conclusion‚ it is no secret that within the conservative movement‚ the debate of Trump vs Non-Trump has created its fair share of internecine animus. Anyone who may have even a slight reservation about Trump risks being labeled a closet progressive and a RINO. Conversely‚ a conservative who saw some benefits of Trump’s term may find themselves characterized as a knuckle-dragging‚ red-hatted MAGA Neanderthal who clubs women over the head and feasts nightly on raw wooly-rhinoceros in his cave. And that’s just from the conservatives. As a conservative who has been ambivalent about Trump‚ is a former evangelical‚ and who earned a master’s degree as part of a now-defunct plan to become a pastor‚ I was interested in the film God &; Country‚ produced by Rob Reiner and set for release this month. I have a continued interest in religion and matters of faith and was excited to get permission to screen the movie in advance. An interview with the director did not come together by the time I hit my deadline. I planned to approach the film with an open mind and to see what I could glean from it. I thought to myself‚ “Who knows? The filmmakers may have some points to make.” The film is a 90-minute campaign ad designed to play on the fears of believers who may be suffering a crisis of conscience. God &; Country is somewhat of a study in contrasts. The viewer is treated to plenty of scenes of the January 6 riot and incendiary snippets from the likes of  Marjorie Taylor Greene‚ Robert Jeffress‚ John MacArthur‚ Greg Locke‚ and Charlie Kirk. Ralph Reed‚ Rick Wiles‚ Glenn Beck‚ and even Allie Beth Stuckey make appearances‚ as does Jerry Falwell and a number of televangelists whom the world has largely forgotten. There is also a generous helping of supercuts from various church services and gatherings like the Flashpoint Rally‚ CPAC‚ Reawaken America‚ and the January 6 riot. (READ MORE from Lincoln Brown: Distinctly American: Who Are RFK Jr.’s Supporters?) Interspersed with these vignettes of shock‚ awe‚ and shame are comments from various thought leaders‚ some of whom have or had some ties to the evangelical and conservative movements. These include Russell Moore‚ Phil Vischer‚ Skye Jethani‚ David French‚ and others. During the scenes depicting the violence and rhetoric associated with Christian Nationalism and‚ by default‚ the Right‚ the music is menacing. But when the various experts speak‚ the music is somber and even soothing. The critics speak in quiet‚ thoughtful tones‚ with kind and sometimes pained expressions. The viewer is offered a choice. They can throw their lots in with the crazy‚ violent anarchists who are hell-bent on creating a new theocracy‚ or they can join the calm‚ erudite intellectuals who want nothing but the best for us all. Aside from a few remarks that not all conservative Christians have joined the movement‚ the middle ground is left unexplored. At one point‚ a list of organizations that are moneymakers within the conservative movement is displayed on the screen. Among them are the Heritage Foundation and even Hillsdale College. Whether it is intended or not‚ the image implies that the organizations may be complicit in the efforts to fuse church and state. While the Heritage Foundation and Hillsdale College are certainly conservative‚ one can hardly call them hotbeds of revolution. One of the sins held up in the film is the opposition to CRT and the LGBTQ movements. A book-burning scene is even included. Along those lines‚ the clip of Jon Tigges being taken into custody by police at Loudoun County‚ VA‚ school board meeting flashes across the screen. Tigges‚ like many of the people at those meetings‚ was concerned about the sexualization of students and the mixed use of bathrooms. Of course‚ it would not be until later when the news broke that a student calling himself transgender had been accused of sexual assaults in girls’ bathrooms‚ and the school board was attempting to conceal the issue. With that revelation‚ those parents’ worst fears were confirmed. The film proposes that while a major cause célèbre of Christian Nationalism is abortion‚ the movement has its genesis in racism‚ specifically in the opposition to desegregation. While I am not sufficiently schooled in that era of history to categorically deny any connection‚ it is noteworthy that the popularity of the Left among people of color is decreasing and that it has lost allure for many such people. It also pointedly ignores the fact that there has been a rise in demand for minority-only spaces coming from the Left. The makers of God &; Country do not spare the rod when it comes to abortion. Simone Campbell‚ an attorney and nun who claims she has a nuanced view of abortion‚ asserts that the practice is not mentioned in the Bible. The case could be made for that‚ but the Bible does prohibit the taking of innocent life. In the writings of the Apostolic Fathers‚ one can find condemnations of abortion and the sexualization of children. The average man or woman in the pews may be able to claim ignorance of those writings. As a nun‚ Campbell must certainly be aware of both issues. I was talking about that scene with a friend of mine. This friend’s mother did not want her as she was an unplanned pregnancy. This was in the days before Roe v. Wade‚ and my friend said that her mother certainly would have aborted her if she could. The truth is‚ my friend’s mother gave her to a relative as soon as she was able to do so. My friend went on to become a dedicated and talented healthcare provider who has donated time and services to impoverished people in other countries. I would like to see Campbell sit down with my friend and tell her that she was nothing more than a “nuanced” choice. (READ MORE: The Allegations Against Tim Ballard Must Not Disrupt the Fight Against Human Trafficking) Similarly‚ the point is made that many Conservative Christians will donate time and money to stop abortion but dedicate little of either to assist new mothers. This is patently untrue. There are many Christian organizations devoted to that very cause. But acknowledging their existence and efforts runs contrary to the popular narrative the movie reinforces. Clips of January 6 make up much of the imagery in God &; Country. I do not agree with some conservatives that everyone who entered the Capitol that day was merely on a convivial‚ self-guided tour of the building‚ which included an unscheduled stop at the Nancy Pelosi Gift Shop. But it is disingenuous to claim that everyone there was on a mission to search and destroy and that an overthrow of the government was in progress. And it is not as if there was no precedent for such a thing. The nation and world watched when‚ not so long before January 6‚ progressive protestors took to the streets to loot‚ burn‚ and create chaos. And in the ensuing years‚ there have been incidents of leftist protestors occupying government buildings. While the Hamas terror attack on October 7 likely occurred after filming on God &; Country wrapped‚ one cannot deny the vitriol and the acts of violence aimed at Jews across the nation and the world. And much of it was reminiscent of that of the Third Reich. God &; Country strives mightily to point out the suspected sins and navigational errors of the Right while studiously avoiding those of the Left. During the film‚ Anthea Butler‚ the author of White Evangelical Racism‚ muses on what might happen in the unlikely event that the nation should become a dictatorial theocracy. She wonders what would happen to those who do not fit the Christian Nationalist demographic. That is a question that conservatives‚ even those who want nothing to do with Christian Nationalism‚ have been asking themselves in terms of the current trajectory of the nation. The media‚ academia‚ and at times‚ even the government itself have indicated that conservatives‚ and even people without political affiliation who subscribe to traditional viewpoints‚ will have no place in the future of America. Late in God &; Country‚ Skye Jethani makes the following assertion about Christian Nationalists: They’re told over and over and over again that “you’re in danger and you need to be more afraid. The enemy is wokeism‚ it’s CRT‚  it’s liberals.  It’s all these things that are dismantling America.” And it’s a really clear narrative: “Join us and you’ll have purpose and here’s your enemy.” Change the names‚ and how much does this message differ from those offered by many of those on the Left? The issue is not whether Christian Nationalism exists — and many conservatives‚ including myself‚ do not subscribe to the movement. The real questions are how prevalent it truly is and to what degree it will influence the next election. Setting aside Biden’s disastrous appearance last week‚ almost every conservative I know‚ including myself‚ was alarmed by Biden’s infamous “Red Speech.” Many saw that address as a blanket indictment of and warning about all conservatives‚ using a MAGA brush. God &; Country would have the viewer believe that there is a wild-eyed Trump supporter hiding under every conservative bed‚ waiting for their cue to commence operations. It is an attempt at a 21st Century Red Scare. Literally. French and Moore’s involvement in the film may be motivated by something beyond saving the soul of a nation. Writing at First Things‚ Meghan Basham reports that French and Moore have teamed with Duke Divinity consulting professor Curtis Chang to create a study for church groups called “The After Party.” The trio realized they would have difficulty pitching a progressive group study to evangelical Christian funders and turned to the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ New Pluralists project. Another donor is the One America Movement. The various benefactors of “The After Party” have supported promoting “the leadership of rural LGBTQ+ people” and “keeping fossil fuels in the ground” to prevent climate change. They have also advocated for abortion access and gender-affirming care for young people. (READ MORE: The Evangelical Divide) In America‚ one is free to support and promote whatever causes one cares about. The above-mentioned efforts do not often find homes in evangelical settings unless they are introduced subtly and under different flags. Small group curricula are staples of many churches‚ particularly those in the Evangelical movement‚ and present just such an opportunity. Basham points out that the aim is not to purge the church of politics but of the “wrong” kind of politics under the banner of being a better Christian: Creating a Bible study curriculum to teach churches how to engage politics is‚ by nature‚ a political act. That’s even truer if you’ve turned for financial support to unbelievers committed to advancing left-wing policies. If these critics of conservative evangelicals are correct that their Trump-voting brothers and sisters are sick with political obsession‚ then they have the same disease. One would be hard-pressed to identify evangelical voices who’ve done more to bring a divisive focus on politics into the pews — all under the pretense of de-escalation and bipartisanship. Not every Christian conservative‚ even those who may support the 45th President in the upcoming election‚ is interested in establishing a theocracy or the apotheosis of Donald J. Trump. In my experience‚ the majority of them are not. Many have an almost acute aversion to politics‚  at least outwardly. This may be due to the fact that they do not want an incursion by the world disrupting their church services or Bible studies. It may be because they do not want to frighten away potential seekers. The film does highlight the fact that there is a cadre of believers who hold that we are living in the End Times and that the Rapture and/or the Second Coming are nigh. And that assertion was accurate. However‚ many Christians‚ especially those who make up the target audience of God &; Country‚ are susceptible to societal peer pressure. They may not be “of the world‚” but they have to live in the world‚ or at the very least‚ live unmolested by it. Witness the popularity of “Duck Dynasty.” Christians everywhere were jubilant that a show about people who shared their beliefs was popular. While the mass appeal of the show began to wane‚ books by the members of the Robertson clan continued to appear on the shelves of Christian bookstores‚ even as beach towels bearing the image of Uncle Si with his teacup were finding their way to the bargain bins at Walmart. For a brief time‚ contemporary Christianity was cool. With the death of George Floyd and the rise of BLM and CRT‚ I saw several rural Evangelical Christians post the now-famous Black Square on social media and adopt decidedly left-wing stances. That was the direction in which the world was drifting at the time‚ and these people were terrified of being seen as standing on the proverbial wrong side of history. This is especially true of believers who came of age in the era of Post-Modern Christianity and were raised on the top-ten list at K-LOVE. (READ MORE: We Built Ugly Churches and Still Do Not Attract Young People: How Is This Possible?) One may accurately surmise that these are the people at whom God &; Country is aimed. The film is a 90-minute campaign ad designed to play on the fears of believers who may be suffering a crisis of conscience. These believers may think that they can retain their Christian identity while still meeting the ever-shifting demands of the secular‚ progressive‚ and popular culture. In some ways‚ It is the ultimate expression of the “Jesus is my boyfriend” mindset. It offers all of the “warm fuzzies” that come with being a member of the new Elect without the need for discernment. Ultimately‚ God &; Country was a disappointment. I went into it thinking‚ somewhat quixotically‚ that I might have my worldview challenged. Self-examination is necessary‚ if sometimes uncomfortable. Instead‚ I heard shouts from the echo chamber‚ with a strongly implied warning that any political stance other than progressivism is not only wrong but dangerous. The post <;i>;God &; Country<;/i>;: Deliver Us From Christian MAGA appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

MEMORANDUM DATE: February 19‚ 2024 FROM: Lee Atwater‚ Republican Party strategist (1951-1991) TO: Donald J. Trump‚ Republican Presidential nominee RE: 2024 Presidential Election vs. Biden I read about the NBC News national poll that had you leading Joe Biden 47 percent to 42 percent in the presidential race.  More importantly‚ you lead Biden on many key issues‚ including the border‚ the economy‚ competence‚ having the mental and physical health to be president‚ crime‚ and improving America’s standing in the world.  Biden only leads on abortion.  On Biden’s signature issue — he claims he is better at “protecting democracy” — the electorate is split.  And Biden’s approval rating is heavily underwater at 37 percent.   Even worse‚ Biden’s three-year average approval is only 40 percent. Matter of fact — like Yogi Bera said‚ it’s déjà vu‚ all over again.  In 1980‚ Jimmy Carter was in pretty much in the same spot.  And as you remember‚ Carter lost. (READ MORE from Adam Turner: The Ghost of Thurlow Weed Seeks Out Donald Trump) I believe that if you play things right‚ Joe Biden will be the new Jimmy Carter. I know that Joe Biden is worried about this.  That is why he is acting so desperate‚ and making such a big deal about “protecting democracy.”  And why he will also continue to call you a racist‚ a Nazi‚ and a dictator.   So‚ like some others have said‚ you should be hitting Biden hard on his economy‚ his foreign weakness‚ and his corruption. I’ll tell you what.  In 1980‚ Jimmy Carter was worried too.  He said Ronald Reagan was a racist‚ a Nazi‚ a right-wing fanatic‚ and a warmonger.  Carter was so obviously out of his mind‚ that after a while‚ no one took him seriously.  Barbara Walters characterized him as “vindictive‚ hysterical‚ and on the point of desperation.”  And even then‚ the mainstream media was not the friend of Republicans‚ and they were always looking for opportunities to bring us down. So‚ ignore this kind of baloney coming from Biden.  As Slick Willie would say‚ it couldn’t be used to sell p#$y on a troop train. The one political hit they do have with some force behind it‚ is abortion.  There‚ you are doing what you need to do‚ by moving to the middle.  Keep on doing this.  The Democrats are going to get some traction on abortion‚ with people who really care about this issue.  Don’t waste your time trying to convince these folks‚ who will never be convinced by you.  Stay in the middle‚ focus on eliminating late-term abortion and exemptions for rape and incest‚ with your supporters and swing voters in mind.  In the end‚ abortion won’t be enough for Biden. Other than that‚ the Biden team is reduced to hoping for one of their partisan law cases to come through.  Once again‚ keep doing what you are doing — talk about how this is all BS partisan politics.  Politics is all about narratives‚ and you have already crafted a compelling narrative‚ which the people are listening to. Because it is true. You also have a break with the timing of the cases against you.  The one most likely to be tried during this election year is the case from New York.  If that Soros prosecutor Bragg completes it‚ you and I both know you will be convicted by the biased left-wing jury.  But the Bragg case is incredibly weak‚ obviously partisan‚ and all about sex.  And what did my old friend Jim Carville say about Presidential sex scandals?  “In my world‚ you don’t abandon a guy over sex.  You stick with him.”  That advice should work for your voters‚ and those in the middle‚ too.  The Bragg case — that dog won’t hunt. Let me tell you something.  I have always believed that fear is a powerful motivator in politics.  The American people are afraid this year‚ because the economy has fallen apart‚ prices are through the roof‚ and the international scene is in chaos.  The American people also fear that Joe Biden‚ who his own Department of Justice thinks is too old and senile to be indicted for his multiple crimes‚ isn’t up to the job of being President.   (READ MORE: A Letter From Lincoln to Donald Trump) But you are.  So‚ like some others have said‚ you should be hitting Biden hard on his economy‚ his foreign weakness‚ and his corruption.  You should be comparing his sorry job as President to your jam-up job.  And most especially‚ you should be pounding him on the fact that his lights are on‚ but nobody’s home.  The U.S. needs a president who is as sharp as a tack‚ as stubborn as a mule‚ and a bull in the China shop‚ in order to make Congress listen to the people‚ and to scare off the foreign buzzards circling‚ such as Russia‚ China‚ and Iran.  Americans also want someone who can fight the deep state.  They want someone like you. Now‚ let’s talk about your “mean tweets” and other colorful commentary.  I agree with the others that you should pretty much hush up.  You never want to get caught up in a whopper.  And if you really need to say something mean‚ then use an escape route — give it to Junior.  A president needs to be presidential.  You should also be pickier about who you fight with.  Don’t punch down on people whose support you might want.   But‚ at the same time‚ don’t apologize for who you are.  Never show weakness‚ as it’s a sign of vulnerability.  Instead‚ just shrug off those “mean tweet” attacks‚ and tell them that this is how you are — you are a fighter — and the U.S. needs a fighter in the White House.  Now‚ more than ever.   If you do all this‚ that is going to be enough to win ugly.  And winning ugly is still winning. The debates are going to be a hoot.  Biden said no‚ of course.  That is because‚ as the Department of Justice just said‚ the old goat’s way past his prime.  He will make up some excuse why he won’t debate; but nobody will believe him.  They have eyes and ears. You need to make Biden own his weaknesses.  As in 1980‚ there are going to be some 3rd party candidates running.  So‚ when Biden ducks‚ hides‚ and crawfishes‚ you should agree to appear on the stage with all the candidates who are on the ballot.  (After all‚ polling shows that you benefit from the 3rd parties.)  Just like Reagan debated with Anderson.  All the nation’s attention will be focused on the debate‚ and on you‚ the one candidate with a real chance to win.  If you perform well enough‚ as Reagan did‚ Hidin’ Biden might be forced to join the next debate.  But I doubt it — he can’t even talk plain. And‚ of course‚ you already know what your closing statement on the debate stage is going to be: The American people need to ask themselves some questions.  Are we better off now than we were four years ago?  Is it easier for us to go and buy things in the stores than it was four years ago?  Is it cheaper for us to buy gas for our cars?  Is America as respected throughout the world as it was?  Do we feel that we are as safe‚ secure‚ and as strong as we were four years ago?   And can Joe Biden‚ the guy who can’t remember what he did yesterday‚ struggles to communicate and walk‚ the president who is going to take us back to those better days?  The answer to all of these questions is “no.”  I am the only candidate who can bring us back to where we want to go.  That is why I am running — to Make America Great Again.  Everyone is expecting you to say this‚ because it so fitting.  And Biden has no good reply to it.  And‚ sometimes‚ you need to give the people what they want. Say hey to Roger from me. Harvey LeRoy “Lee” Atwater (February 27‚ 1951 – March 29‚ 1991) was a Southern based United States political consultant and strategist for the Republican Party.  He was an adviser to Republican U.S. presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and chairman of the Republican National Committee.  He still resides in an undisclosed location down in the deepest part of the South‚ where it is hot all the time‚ and where there are plenty of other American politicians to keep him company.   The post Make Biden Own His Weaknesses appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

Republicans have increased their odds of winning back the U.S. Senate as former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that he is running for the seat left vacant by retiring Senator Ben Cardin. This surprise move by Hogan is a strategic recruitment victory by the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell‚ as blue state Maryland joins a winnable electoral map that favors Senate Republicans in a presidential election year. Republicans have been reeling in losses these last few election cycles because they ran bad candidates in winnable races. The popular former two-term Republican governor left office with a 77 percent approval rating and considered running for Senate in 2022‚ but he declined. His repeated criticism of former Donald Trump led many pundits to speculate he would run as a third-party candidate ticket for “No Labels.” However‚ his endorsement of former Ambassador Nikki Haley for president clarified that he still wants to be a voice in the Republican Party. (READ MORE from Alex Adkins: San Francisco Swings and Misses on Crime‚ Theft‚ and Shohei Ohtani) In his announcement video‚ Hogan called for an end to petty partisanship‚ stating‚ “Washington is completely broken because that kind of leadership‚ that kind of willingness to put country over party‚ has become far too rare.” He offered a stern‚ pragmatic approach‚ saying‚ “I don’t come from the performative art school of politics. I come from the get to work and get things done school‚ and I’ll work with anyone who wants to do the people’s business.”. According to CNN political director David Chalian‚ Larry Hogan’s entrance into Maryland’s senate race is “Chuck Schumer’s nightmare.” As it currently stands‚ The Senate is 51-49 in favor of Democrats‚ but they are defending 23 of 34 seats in this year’s election. States like Ohio‚ Montana‚ and West Virginia are all states that Trump won in 2016 and 2020 and look to be prime pickups for Republicans in this race. Now‚ add Maryland into the mix as a new potential pickup. Republicans only need to flip two seats to deny Chuck Schumer his majority leadership. Winning Maryland has never been easy for Republicans. The last Republican senator to win an election in the Old Line state was Charles Mathias in 1980. President Joe Biden beat former President Trump by over 30 points in the most recent presidential election. Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-1 margin‚ which makes it difficult for any Republican to win. Hogan won his first race for governor in 2014 in an upset against then-Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. He prevailed in a landslide in his reelection to a second term as governor.  Interestingly enough‚ in 2018‚ Senator Ben Cardin ran for reelection and won 65 percent of the vote in Maryland‚ while Governor Hogan won his election by 12 points on the same ballot. It suggests that he’s the type of Republican who can win over moderates‚ independents‚ and a decent amount of Democratic voters. Running for governor is an entirely different dynamic than running for U.S. Senate. No ex-governor has won the Senate since Herbert Romulus O’Conor in 1946. Republican governors have difficulty winning senate races due to the nationalization of federal issues‚ and the same is true for democratic governors. (READ MORE: Freedom Conservatives: A Stand Against Progressivism and Populism) Not only does Larry Hogan have an excellent name ID as a successful two-term ex-governor‚ but his dad‚ former representative Larry Hogan Sr.‚ was a well-known congressman who represented the eastern portion of D.C. and was known for impeaching President Nixon as a party member. In Hogan’s announcement video‚ he shared his dad’s willingness to put country over party.  This approach is paying off so far. According to an independent poll from The Baltimore Banner‚ Governor Hogan is beating his most likely opponent‚ Angela Alsobrooks‚ 42 percent to 36 percent. Inside Elections has shifted the race from Solid Democratic to Likely Democratic. American United Inc.‚ a Hogan-based nonprofit issue advocacy group‚ raised around $975‚000 in 2022 and spent $1.8 million to promote Hogan further nationally. Republicans pouring in financial resources forces Democrats to spend more money in Maryland instead of allocating that money to more critical races. Hogan has never run in a presidential election. His feud with Trump at the top of the ticket could hurt him with Republican voters who see him as a squish. Nikki Haley would be the perfect nominee as she polls strongly with independent voters. Matthew Foldi of Spectator believes Republicans will come home for Hogan because “Republicans are tired of losing.”(READ MORE: Doug Ducey: The Right’s New Free-Market Champion) The stakes for control of the U.S. Senate have never been higher as Democrats plan to pass D.C. statehood‚ pack the court‚ and end the filibuster with an expanded majority. Republicans have been reeling in losses these last few election cycles because they ran bad candidates in winnable races. Larry Hogan will never be the most conservative senator‚ but he is a good Republican senator for a state like Maryland and can win. The post Larry Hogan Will Help Republicans Take Back the Senate appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

Dairy Queen is practically synonymous with its Blizzards‚ but the creamy‚ crunchy treats used to be quite contentious‚ particularly with candy companies.

In recent years‚ there has been one enormous crisis after another.  We live at a time of major wars‚ global pestilences and billion dollar natural disasters.  Millions have died over the last several years‚ and I believe that millions more will die during the years ahead.  In fact‚ there are several existential threats that we are facing right now which could potentially result in millions of dead Americans.  I wish that I was exaggerating but I am not. Throughout human history‚ great pestilences have killed millions of people many times. Today‚ our scientists are taking some of the deadliest diseases ever known to humanity and are purposely trying to make them “more infectious”.  Here is just one example… The US government is spending $1million of American taxpayer money to fund experiments on dangerous bird flu viruses in collaboration with Chinese scientists. The research involves infecting ducks and geese with different strains of viruses to make them more infectious‚ and study the viruses’ potential to ‘jump into mammalian hosts‚’ according to research documents. It is being funded through the US Department of Agriculture and collaborating studies will take place at sites in Georgia‚ Beijing and Edinburgh in Scotland. Are they insane? According to the CDC‚ bird flu has a death rate of more than 50 percent in humans. And these researchers want to make it “more infectious”? As I have repeatedly warned my readers over the years‚ this type of research really is an existential threat to humanity. It is way too easy for an accident to happen‚ and once a dangerous bug gets out it can spread around the globe in the blink of an eye. And the head of the WHO is warning that the timing of the next great global outbreak is “a matter of when‚ not if”… The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) made yet another warning of an impending “Disease X” outbreak‚ with Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus telling world leaders it is “a matter of when‚ not if.” At the World Government Summit‚ held in Dubai from February 12-14‚ Ghebreyesus told attendees his previous predictions came to fruition in the form of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Now‚ the W.H.O. director believes a new pandemic‚ for which the international community is ill-prepared‚ is on the horizon. Renewing urgent calls for a global pandemic treaty to be agreed upon by May‚ Ghebreyesus dismissed suspicions of the treaty being a W.H.O. power-grab and called it “mission critical for humanity.” Of course strange diseases are already making headlines all over the globe. Here in the U.S.‚ we witnessed the first ever death from “Alaskapox” in late January… An unidentified immunocompromised man died from “Alaskapox” in late January. He lived in the woods of the Kenai Peninsula by himself‚ and it’s unclear how he contracted the virus. Alaskapox – from the same genus as smallpox and monkeypox – was first discovered in 2015 in Fairbanks and is more common in small mammals. This is the seventh human case overall‚ the first outside the Fairbanks area‚ and the first to lead to death. And it is being reported that there is a confirmed case of the bubonic plague in Oregon… The first case of the bubonic plague found in eight years in one US state has been found – and is said to have come from a cat. Oregon health officer Richard Fawcett told NBC News that the patient who caught the disease from her pet‚ became “very sick”. Usually‚ this kind of infection starts with flu-like symptoms‚ such as tiredness‚ fever‚ chills‚ and a headache. But in Oregon‚ the infection had advanced to a draining abscess‚ called a “bubo”‚ which is unusual these days. Let me switch gears and talk about another existential threat. According to 60 Minutes‚ the number of migrants from China that are crossing our southern border has gotten 50 times higher over the past couple of years‚ and a very large proportion of them are “Chinese males of military age”… War correspondent Michael Yon and the Rubin brothers of Muckraker.com have documented the presence of dangerous-looking elements — from China‚ Iran‚ Syria and Venezuela — among the hordes of migrants traveling up from Central America. Yon and the Rubins have noticed‚ among other things‚ that Chinese males of military age are traveling in packs of five to fifteen‚ are unaccompanied by family members‚ and are pretending not to speak English. Some of them‚ on their way to America‚ have performed Chinese military rituals. The Chinese know that once they invade Taiwan there will be war with the United States. Have they been preparing for such a conflict in advance? Retired Air Force General Blaine Holt believes that is precisely what is happening… “Tens of thousands of military-age men have come across our border and are now in America‚ organized by group and nationality” Holt told Gatestone this month. “Among them are terrorist and state actors‚ in particular‚ members of the People’s Liberation Army of China. As we speak‚ these actors are training‚ making plans and obtaining weapons‚ watching our patterns‚ and learning our vulnerabilities.” “We are vulnerable to attack‚” Holt added. “Our enemies eagerly wait.” If a full-blown war with China erupts‚ vast numbers of Americans could potentially die. Of course the same thing could be said about a full-blown war with Russia. Dmitry Medvedev has warned us over and over again that the Russians will use nuclear weapons if they are pushed too far‚ and now he has issued perhaps his most ominous warning yet… Dmitry Medvedev – a close Putin ally who served as president from 2008 to 2012 – said if a military defeat led to a return to the 1991 frontiers‚ when the Soviet Union collapsed‚ Moscow would unleash Armageddon. ‘Attempts to return Russia to the borders of 1991 will lead to only one thing‚’ he said. ‘Towards a global war with Western countries using the entire strategic arsenal of our state. In Kyiv‚ Berlin‚ London‚ Washington.’ Hypersonic nuclear missiles would also strike ‘all other beautiful historical places that have long been included in the flight targets of our nuclear triad’. He added: ‘Will we have the courage to do this if the disappearance of a thousand-year-old country‚ our great Motherland‚ is at stake‚ and the sacrifices made by the people of Russia over the centuries will be in vain? The answer is obvious.’ Why won’t our leaders take such threats seriously? If a nuclear war happens‚ most of the U.S. population will not survive. So perhaps we should see if there is any possible way to settle our differences with the Russians peacefully before someone crosses a line that will never be able to be uncrossed. But instead‚ our leaders have decided that now is a great time for the most extensive NATO military exercises since the Cold War… Aimed to prepare for a potential war with Russia‚ NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercises have become the alliance’s largest military drills since the Cold War‚ NATO’s Military Committee Chair‚ Admiral Rob Bauer‚ told the Financial Times. The experience gained during the Steadfast Defender exercises is expected to form the basis for NATO’s plans to deploy and reinforce forces in Europe in case of war. The exercises started on January 24 and will continue until the end of spring 2024. This story is not going to end well. But most of those in the general population do not understand anything that I have shared in this article. They are just going to keep playing around and partying until time finally runs out. Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com‚ and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here. About the Author: Michael Snyder’s extremely controversial new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written seven other books that are available on Amazon.com including “End Times”‚ “7 Year Apocalypse”‚ “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”‚ “The Beginning Of The End”‚ and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog‚ End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News‚ and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  You can connect with Michael on YouTube‚ Facebook and Twitter‚ and sharing his articles on your own social media accounts is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times‚ and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world‚ that he gave his only begotten Son‚ that whosoever believeth in him should not perish‚ but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so‚ we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today. The post 3 Existential Threats That We Are Facing Right Now Which Could Potentially Result In Millions Of Dead Americans appeared first on End Of The American Dream.