Speak To The People

 

If Democrats want to win, they have plenty of issues to address. The cost of living, inflation, and cost of health care are on top. Speak to those issues, and the Democrats will find their talking points resonating with the majority of Americans. These issues are common ground, transcending the culture wars (race, color, and creed), because they affect all of us.

As of early 2026, the biggest problems in America are dominated by financial pressures, intense political divisions, and the rising cost of living, with many Americans feeling their financial situation is deteriorating. [1, 2]

Based on 2026 data, here are the top issues facing the United States:

1. Cost of Living and Inflation

• Persistent Inflation: Despite cooling from previous peaks, inflation remains a major issue, with 50% of Americans ranking it as a top concern.
• Housing Affordability: The high cost of housing is a critical issue, exacerbated by low inventory and high mortgage rates.
• Everyday Costs: Surging prices for food, gas, and utilities are placing a strain on household budgets, leading to a "struggle for survival" for many households. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

2. Healthcare Costs and Access

• Rising Costs: Healthcare has become the top concern for Americans, rising above the general economy as a key worry.
• Insurance Premiums: The potential doubling of insurance premiums for millions following the expiration of Obamacare subsidies is a major 2026 issue. [1, 2]

3. Politics and Government Functioning

• Political Polarization: "Government dysfunction" and the inability of Democrats and Republicans to work together are considered major problems by 60% of Americans.
• Role of Money in Politics: 72% of Americans say the role of money in politics is a "very big problem," topping the list of societal concerns.
• Trust in Institutions: A 2026 record high of 45% of U.S. adults now identify as political independents, reflecting disillusionment with the two-party system. [1, 2, 3]

4. Immigration

• Border Concerns: Immigration is a top-tier issue for the American public, with 44% citing it as a priority concern. [1, 2]

5. Economy and Labor

• K-Shaped Economy: While some wealthy households continue to spend, many lower-income families are struggling, creating a "K-shaped" economic divide.
• Job Market Uncertainty: Concerns exist about a "low-hire, low-fire" labor market and a slowdown in job growth outside of health and education services. [1, 2, 3]

6. Climate Change and Infrastructure

• Uninsurable Homes: Climate change is fueling destructive natural disasters, causing insurance companies to stop issuing new policies in some regions, making homes uninsurable.
• Grid Stability: Increased electricity prices and the need for new transmission infrastructure are major concerns. [1, 2, 3, 4]

7. Social and Health Crises

• Mental Health Epidemic: Rising mental health challenges, particularly among youth, are a significant issue.
• Misinformation: The spread of misinformation is posing a threat to public health, with the return of diseases like measles.
• Drug Addiction: Many Americans still classify drug addiction as a very big problem. [1, 2, 3, 4]

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Other 2026 Context:

• Demographic Shift: US public schools are facing a crisis due to a decline in the number of children in America.
• Global Instability: The U.S. is facing high levels of geopolitical risk, including an "End of Global Order" scenario and a new nuclear arms race. [1, 2, 3]

Why Is War Prioritized Over Poverty?

 

Is This Who We Really Are?

Based on recent policy positions, the Trump administration has prioritized military spending and federal budget cuts over funding social safety nets, which it often views as ineffective, arguing these programs ("little scams") should be managed at the state level. Critics argue these policies disproportionately affect low-income individuals. -The Nation 

Three Quotes and a Call to Action

"One cannot live with sighted eyes and feeling heart and not know or react to the miseries which afflict this world."
- Lorraine Hansberry

“A few years ago there was a shining moment … It seemed as if there was a real promise of hope for the poor—both black and white—through the poverty program. There were experiments, hopes, new beginnings. Then came the buildup in Vietnam, and I watched this program broken and eviscerated, as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube. So, I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.” MLK jr. (Beyond Vietnam)

"When Trump says “We can’t take care of day care,” we must expose the lie: Our nation absolutely could take care of child care and medical coverage; we’re just choosing to spend taxpayer money—to the tune of around $12 billion so far—on a war in Iran." -Russell Taylor

 
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy." -Proverbs 31:8-9

The war with Iran is neither a just war or a holy war. It is a war of choice. The Council on Foreign Relations thinks so. A classic example was the Iraq War.  It was not required for survival, but rather to change the Iraqi regime. Critics are labeling US military actions against Iran as a "war of choice" that was costly, risky, and lacked public or congressional support. Is the warrior mentality more important than treating the poor fairly, and offering the dignity they deserve? I hope not. But that would mean regime change, wouldn't it? How? Vote!

Why We're At War

A Gut Feeling

I noticed two things. First, if it is inconvenient or contrary to what he wants, Trump won't listen to people who know what they're talking about. Second, his closest advisors decline to offer any advice for fear of making him angry. The Trump cabinet is not made up of the best and the brightest. The chairs are filled with sycophants desperately clinging to power. A sycophant is a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite. They tell Trump that he is tall and tan, and wise and intelligent. Not to mention those great ties.

From The NYTimes:

 Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, who report on the White House, have uncovered new details about why, with little opposition from his closest aides, Trump attacked Iran.

The pitch came from Israel — in the Situation Room. Netanyahu made an hourlong presentation to Trump and his senior advisers on Feb. 11, arguing that a joint U.S.-Israeli campaign could destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, force regime change and bring down the Islamic republic. Sounds good to me, the president said.

The next morning, U.S. intelligence officials questioned that plan. Kill the ayatollah? Sure. Cripple Iran’s capacity to threaten its neighbors? Absolutely. But a popular uprising? A secular leader installed to govern the country? They found that “detached from reality.” The director of the C.I.A. called the scenario “farcical.” Trump, though, thought the campaign would be quick and decisive.

Previous victories filled him with confidence. He pointed to Iran’s muted response to the U.S. bombing of its nuclear facilities in June, and to the hasty seizure of the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January, an operation during which no American lives were lost. Tucker Carlson called the president to ask how he could be sure that everything would be OK in Iran. “Because it always is,” Trump replied.

Trump’s decision was gut-driven, and driven by Trump’s gut alone. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was enthusiastic about striking Tehran, of course. But Trump’s more equivocal advisers — Secretary of State Marco Rubio; his chief of staff, Susie Wiles; and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — did not push back on Trump’s plan. (His director of national intelligence and Treasury secretary weren’t even part of the final discussion.) Vice President JD Vance told the president: You know I think this is a bad idea, but if you want to do it, I’ll support you.

Read more of the inside story about how Trump decided to go to war with Iran. It’s reporting taken from a forthcoming book from Jonathan and Maggie, “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump.”

Iran has proved to be difficult, problematic. His attention will drift elsewhere. Cuba? I hope for some rationality among his inner circle when it comes to Cuba. Russia is their closest ally. It is not likely they will stand idly by and let Trump swoop in for a regime change and takeover.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greece, sykophantēs meant "slanderer." It derives from two other Greek words, sykon (meaning "fig") and phainein (meaning "to show or reveal"). How did fig revealers become slanderers? One theory has to do with the taxes Greek farmers were required to pay on the figs they brought to market. Apparently, the farmers would sometimes try to avoid making the payments, but squealers—fig revealers—would fink on them, and they would be forced to pay. Another possible source is a sense of the word fig meaning "a gesture or sign of contempt" (as thrusting a thumb between two fingers). In any case, Latin retained the "slanderer" sense when it borrowed a version of sykophantēs, but by the time English speakers in the 16th century borrowed it as sycophant, the squealers had become flatterers. -webster

Has God turned his back on us?

 

Now that's A Scary Thought

The Pope issued that warning yesterday to those with blood on their hands.

What was Pope Leo talking about in his Palm Sunday message? His reference was Isaiah 1:15. Yes, this is directed at the masters of war and religious leaders, including those who believe this conflict is a divine intervention, and our leader is somehow the chosen one.

From Isaiah 1: 13-17 (The Message)

Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.

Powerful stuff! Maybe we should open our eyes and ears. The answer to what we should be doing is in the last few lines.

The Best Leaders Listen

What distinguishes good leadership? Have a plan? Planning for all possibilities? Garnering advice from those you can trust?

According to The Center for Creative Leadership, it's all that and more. A good leader inspires trust, fosters collaboration, and drives results through integrity, clear communication, and empathy. They are self-aware, resilient, and adaptable, focusing on empowering their team while taking accountability for outcomes. Effective leaders lead by example, mentoring others to achieve professional growth.

Nowhere in there do I see, "I alone can fix this."

Ancient Wisdom

Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

- Proverbs 11:14

Voice of the day

A painting is more than the sum of its parts. A cow by itself is just a cow, a meadow by itself is just grass, flowers, and the sun peeking through the trees is just a beam of light, but you put them all together...and it can be magic.

- Richard Baker in “Flipped” (2014)

And in 2026?

Two political experts were blown away on Thursday after President Donald Trump proved he "paid attention to nothing" that his war advisors are telling him. -Raw Story

We're in for a rough landing.

How low have we fallen?

Acts of Violence

As of March 9, 2026, President Donald Trump's approval rating sits at approximately 38%–41%, with disapproval around 56%–58%, reflecting a net negative rating. Recent polling indicates low confidence in his ethics and leadership, with approval for his handling of the economy and immigration stalling near 40%–41% -pew research.

Support for his war with Iran is bumping along the bottom. Democrats (86%) and independents (61%) are largely aligned with each other in opposition to the military action. But 84% of Republicans support it according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. .

Who's to blame?

From the administration's perspective, it's always the victim, or the critics. After the fatal shooting of two protestors, the response was immediate. They were accused of threatening ICE agents. 

After the video by six members of Congress urging members of the military to follow the law was posted, they were labeled traitors who should be shot.

The bombing of a school in Southern Iran is drawing sharp focus on Rules of Engagement. After the attack, which killed over 170 children, Trump blamed Iran. Investigators have found the missile used was a tomahawk cruise missile. The only military force using that weapon is the United States. The investigation is not complete, but it looks like our military targeted the school.

After the attack on the synagog in Michigan and the attack at Old Dominion, he blamed genetically inferior people. That's right in line with his blatantly racist presidential campaign in 2024.

Could Trump be called morally bankrupt? "Morally bankrupt" describes an individual, organization, or society that has completely lost or abandoned its ethical principles, integrity, and values. It implies a state where actions are taken without regard for right or wrong, often driven by selfishness, greed, or a disregard for the well-being of others. -Psychology Today

The Atlantic has published numerous articles and opinion pieces that strongly argue Donald Trump is "morally bankrupt?"

Key arguments presented by The Atlantic and its contributors include:

• Character and Ethics: The publication has described Trump as a "depraved and brazen pathological liar," a "shameless con man," and a "sociopathic criminal" who lacks moral or social conscience, empathy, or remorse.
• Business Tactics: The Atlantic has detailed how Trump used "ruthlessness, racism and cruelty" in his business career, often inflicting harm on real people and businesses while enriching himself.
• "Moral Bankruptcy" in Business: Articles have highlighted that while Trump often avoided personal financial ruin, his casino businesses in Atlantic City went through four bankruptcies, leaving investors and contractors with significant losses while he continued to collect millions.
• Presidential Conduct: The outlet has labeled his administration "the most corrupt in American history," citing conflicts of interest, the use of public office for personal profit, and a disregard for the rule of law.
• "The Swamp": Some contributors argued that Trump did not "drain the swamp" but was, in fact, "the swamp" himself, characterizing his actions as a "grift". 

Supporters often frame his actions not as a lack of morals, but as a disruptive, anti-establishment approach necessary to challenge entrenched political norms. They may see his business background as a strength and interpret his, at times, unconventional behavior as a sign of authenticity, or as a "smart" use of opportunities. -ussenate.gov

That's all well and good, but there's no due process, no accountability, no consequences for bad acts, no apologies.  Just shoot first, and don't you dare ask questions. Is this important. Yes! He's taking us all down with him.

Biblical and Traditional Proverbs on Corruption

• "Righteousness builds nations; corruption buries them." (Proverbs 14:34) - Emphasizes that integrity is the foundation of a stable society, while dishonesty leads to national decay.
• "Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster." (Proverbs 22:8) - Suggests that corrupt actions inevitably lead to negative consequences.
• "A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he prospers." (Proverbs 17:8) - Highlights the deceptive power of bribery, often used to bypass rules.
• "The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice." (Proverbs 17:23) - Points out that corruption is often hidden but destructive to fair judgment.
• "A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long reign." (Proverbs 28:16) - Links honest leadership with longevity and stability.
• "By justice, a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes ruin it." (Proverbs 29:4) - Contrasts fair leadership with the destructive nature of bribery.
• "A corrupt system survives only when good people stay silent." (Proverbs 31:8) - Highlights the role of complicity in allowing corruption to persist.