Many of my friends and colleagues are on a “news diet” - avoiding the chaos that follows the day-to-day activities of a government led by executive orders.
Other friends see the news cycle as a series of distractions from what really matters - the truth of the corruption, cruely and chaos that fills our news feeds.
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It is useful to recall, that life often imitates art. If you don’t think so, take a moment to watch the move Wag the Dog, where the President of the United States produces distractions to cover up scandals.
As we watch ICE become activated just in time to change the narrative from the “Divorce” of Elon Musk and his allegations against President Trump, it is ever more important to find voices that provide clarity and insight into the contradictions in clear sight.
While the actions of ICE appear to be arbitrary, the timing is not, as it works perfectly to distract the public’s attention from the wealthiest man in the world agreeing with the sentiment that Trump should be impeached.
For my friends who wonder where the clear thinking is, I want to share some quotes from voices I respect. The first is a respected attorney, business and community leader who dares to express clear thinking in his column below.
Dan’s SubstackThe Coming Political SingularityThe Coming Political Singularity…Read morea year ago · 9 likes · 2 comments · Dan MahoneyWhile Dan makes several useful points, there are two that I want to highlight that seem timely for this weeks news.
“The Abdication of Fiscal Conservatism”
Republicans once campaigned on cutting spending, shrinking government, and balancing budgets. But in recent years, rhetoric and reality have diverged. Under President Trump’s first term, the GOP presided over an unprecedented explosion of federal spending. Today, with debt-to-GDP ratios climbing steadily, Republicans in Washington appear no more eager than Democrats to seriously engage with entitlement reform, discretionary spending, or long-term budget sustainability.”
Immigration Hypocrisy
And there’s another layer of inconsistency here. On immigration, Republicans have long held that no deal on amnesty should be entertained until the border is secure. The logic is clear: don’t give away a permanent concession in exchange for a temporary promise. Yet on fiscal policy, many of the same voices now argue that we should reduce taxes without requiring any corresponding immediate reductions in spending. That is the economic equivalent of granting amnesty before border security—ceding ground permanently while pretending discipline will come later. If we are unwilling to trade amnesty for border security, why are we so quick to trade tax cuts for more debt?
I also recommend following whose keen observations help to parse out the actions of elected officials from the policies they claim to promote.
His post this week - is essential reading.
Freedom Circus & its Clowns
Robert RobbBiggs, Musk, and the disgusting abominationAfter Elon Musk described the budget reconciliation bill as “a disgusting abomination”, Arizona U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs tweeted: “He’s not wrong. This sentiment would have been much more impactful before the vote, when my @freedomcaucus colleagues and I were catching flack for fighting tooth and nail for more spending reductions. As it was, we voted to adv…Read morea year ago · 13 likes · Robert RobbMy favorite point he makes is “Biggs is running for governor. In my view, his vote to reject Arizona’s Electoral College votes for the 2020 election should disqualify him – morally and politically, not legally – from that, or any other, elected position.”
Biggs is hardly a serious person. His greatest acheivement is being lucky enough to win the lottery. He is a dishonest showman that claims a commitment to the Constitution with no evidence demonstrating the courage to uphold this duty.
He and the Freedom Caucus are not trustworthy. Robb correctly describes this below:
In determining policy and law, the founders gave predominance to the legislative branch, not the executive branch. The president can make recommendations and veto legislation. But Congress was intended to exercise independent judgment about the right course of action for the country. The president was then supposed to administratively execute that course of action, irrespective of whether he agreed or disagreed with it.
I don’t know how one maintains a claim to be a constitutionalist while supporting Trump, who sedulously attempts to usurp the legislative role through executive orders and proclamations, rides roughshod over the constitutional separation of powers and due process, is seeking to undermine the independent judiciary, and turns the power of the government against private-sector entities and political opponents. In my opinion, Biggs forfeited any claim to constitutional fidelity when he argued that federal judges could be removed other than through impeachment, which requires as contorted a reading of the Constitution and its intent as found in any liberal jurist’s opinion.
I highlight this quote and conclude with another vital insight from Dan Mahoney where he highlights the cost of their hypocrisy.
The True Cost of Populist Drift
Some will argue that this realignment simply reflects democratic adaptation—that parties must evolve to reflect the priorities of the electorate. But adaptation is not license for incoherence. A party without philosophical fidelity will inevitably become a vessel for grievance and expediency. Democracy must be anchored by responsibility. Populism without principles is a shortcut to mob rule. We should listen to working Americans, yes—but leadership means making tough choices, not just echoing anger. Fiscal irresponsibility wrapped in populist language is still irresponsibility.
Many voters today demand benefits without costs, protection without competition, prosperity without restraint. Both parties are obliging, offering fiscal profligacy dressed up in populist rhetoric. Republicans do it through tax cuts without spending cuts. Democrats do it through stimulus and subsidies. The result is the same: an unmanageable debt, a distorted economy, and a political culture that punishes responsibility.
Some days, and today is one, the best we can do is to concentrate on the reality as we see it. The best leaders define reality accurately.
In my opinion, Democratic society depends upon truthtellers who reflect this reality with meaningful context. Voices like these give me confidence that truth-tellers can emerge and benefit us all. I encourage you to subscribe to each of their SubStack accounts.
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