Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Thanksgiving – a uniquely American tradition

 


As we prepare for the annual Thanksgiving feast with family and friends, let’s keep in mind how fortunate we are to live in such a bountiful country. Even those considered poor will have access to turkey dinners, complements of the social service agencies in every town and city from coast to coast. With all of our political and social differences we are always united in our belief that no one should go hungry. We are a wealthy and proud nation that was born and nourished with the philanthropic milk of human kindness.

However, even humanitarianism must have limitations; otherwise, it will lead to abuse. The reason our country is in this wealth-sucking black hole is because of an elite ideological group of elected reps who think they can wave a magic wand and create, not equal opportunity, but equal results. Hence, if you didn't work hard and save enough money for a down payment on a house or a car, that doesn't mean you should be denied something that others have.

Our parents wanted to make us happy, but they understood the danger of taking satisfaction to the extreme. In addition, they understood the need to teach us the merits of self-sacrifice. They realized that we would grow up and be released into a world in which discipline was a key factor in our maturity. If you had permissive parents, they probably gave in every time you pouted, screamed, or engaged in other childish tantrums. But, if you were really lucky, you had parents who taught you that life isn't always fair and that nobody owes you a living. They were preparing you for adulthood.

What our government is doing today exemplifies the permissive parent/spoiled child syndrome. Liberal ideologues say you should have everything you want, that freedom is unlimited, and every grievance should be soothed by the curative balm of government largesse. Conversely, conservatives say you must take responsibility for your own future and not use the blame game as a crutch. When you take advantage of a legal product like cigarettes, despite warnings of ill effects, you should not expect a multimillion dollar “reward” for your own lack of discipline when you get sick. Blowing up like a tick on fast food burgers, fries, and shakes doesn't mean you have the right to get rich as part of a class-action lawsuit brought by an army of obese opportunists. And getting pregnant because you didn't behave responsibly by taking precautions shouldn't give you a license to kill the child growing inside you.

Behavior must have consequences; otherwise, we'll be ruled by animal instincts. Freedom must have limitations; otherwise, we'll have chaos. Civilization is a social contract in which the participants must agree on the terms of an orderly existence. Those terms involve moral obligations that are consistent with the dominant culture. History teaches us that great civilizations are conquered from within, perhaps because, in their striving for greatness, they neglect and abandon the principles that built their success. Those principles usually were, and are, grounded in religion. Before there were laws in books, there was religion in the hearts and minds of people struggling to carve a decent life out of a cruel and brutish landscape. Before there was a constitution to guide us in the building of a nation, there was religion to guide us in the spiritual recognition of a soul.

Yet in spite of all the lessons of history, we find ourselves in the classic struggle between good and evil. Murder, rape, child abuse and pornography have become so commonplace that the public pays scant attention unless the victim, or the offender is a celebrity. Bodies found in garbage dumpsters may not be mentioned at all if a sports playoff game is in the headlines.

We have been systematically conditioned to tolerate behavior that once would have elicited gasps from even the most seasoned exhibitionists. It appears that we have lost our ability to be shocked. Nevertheless, in the face of all this evidence that we are in desperate need of a spiritual Renaissance, those who strive for a rebirth of values are pejoratively referred to as members of the “religious right.”

In other words, if you want a return to the days when twelve-year-olds were not having sex with their teachers (an almost weekly headline), child molesters weren't soliciting children on the Internet (NAMBLA), and murders didn't occur in multiples (daily headline), you must be some sort of extremist. Well, if being an extremist means having faith in a higher power and clinging to a values-based moral code, it’s a label we should wear proudly. It was worn by our ancestors when they celebrated the first Thanksgiving in the new world.

 

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Warner Bouzek running for Simpsonville Mayor

 

With Election Day about 2 months away, candidates for political office are reaching out to voters to provide information on their background and to explain their reasons for running. One candidate, local entrepreneur Warner Bouzek, came over for a video interview to highlight some of his reasons. As the owner of King Tut Grill in Simpsonville, Mr. Bouzek, a longtime resident of the city, talks about some of the issues that motivated him to run for the office.

In addition, Mr. Bouzek talks about his business career, as well as his career as a championship wrestler. His local involvement includes Hillcrest Booster Club, raising funds for various sporting activities. Among the issues he talks about is the traffic problems in the city, and wants to improve the infrastructure, mainly the roads. He is financing his own campaign, so he doesn’t foresee any need for fundraisers.

Election Day is November 7. Voters can obtain information on registering, early voting, absentee voting, etc., by clicking on South Carolina Election Commission: www.scvotes.gov



Meet the Mayor of Mauldin, South Carolina


 

After 33 years living in Flower Mound, Texas, my wife Annette, and I moved to South Carolina to be closer to family. For many years, while living in the Lone Star State, we filmed video interviews of prominent people in all walks of life, including elected officials, entrepreneurs, CEOs of charitable organizations, and others who were part of the community landscape.

Now that we’ve settled in our new home, in the Parklynn Hills development of Fountain Inn, we look forward to continuing to contribute to our new community, including cities and towns contiguous with Fountain Inn. Annette is the videographer for the interviews, which will be posted online at the Simpsonville Sentinel newspaper and widely distributed on local social media platforms. On Monday, we interviewed Fountain Inn Mayor George Patrick Mcleer. Earlier today (Wednesday), we interviewed Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker.

This interview of Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt took place Wednesday afternoon.

Mayor Merritt sent the following short bio:

Native of the great state of South Carolina and a full-time resident of Mauldin since 1969 (Except for 4 years USAF service and 2 years in southern Greenville County); Graduate of Hillcrest High School.

Married for 55 years to Dianne Roberts Merritt, 3 children; Terri Lynn(deceased), Stephen and Jeffery, all graduates of Mauldin High School; and 6 grandchildren.

1982 graduate of FURMAN UNIVERSITY

Veteran of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) during the Vietnam War, 4 years active (1969 – 1973) plus 2 years Inactive (1973 – 1975) Reserves (USAFR). Now retired, after 32+ years as IT professional.

Member of Mauldin 1st Baptist, where he currently serves as a Sunday School Teacher.

Former member of Mauldin Rotary Club. Charter Board Member of Mauldin Civitan Club.

Volunteers at Ronald McDonald House, Greenville.                                                                                   Member of Carolina Corvette Club. Member of American Legion Post 271.

Served 5 years as City of Mauldin Councilman, Seat 3 (2015 – 2019).

Currently serves as Mayor of the City of Mauldin (2020 - ).

Member of Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC):

Municipal Elected Officials Institute Graduate

Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute Graduate

Current Member of Association of South Carolina Mayors.

Current Member of Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study (GPATS)Policy Committee.

January 25, 2022, recognized by the Greenville Business Magazine as one of the 2021 Top 50 Most Influential People in the Upstate of South Carolina.


 

 

 

Meet the Mayor of Simpsonville, South Carolina


 

After 33 years living in Flower Mound, Texas, my wife Annette, and I moved to South Carolina to be closer to family. For many years, while living in the Lone Star State, we filmed video interviews of prominent people in all walks of life, including elected officials, entrepreneurs, CEOs of charitable organizations, and others who were part of the community landscape.

Now that we’ve settled in our new home, in the Parklynn Hills development of Fountain Inn, we look forward to continuing to contribute to our new community, including cities and towns contiguous with F.I. Annette is the videographer for the interviews, which will be posted online at the Simpsonville Sentinel newspaper and widely distributed on local social media platforms. On Monday, we interviewed Fountain Inn Mayor George Patrick Mcleer. Our guest today is Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker.

Mr. Shewmaker sent the following short bio:

“Mayor Paul Shewmaker, elected in 2019, currently serves with distinction in his inaugural term as mayor, demonstrating his commitment to Simpsonville’s progress. Alongside his mayoral responsibilities, he holds a significant role on the Board of Directors for the Association of South Carolina Mayors, showcasing his dedication to fostering collaborative leadership.

“Before assuming his civic role, Mr. Shewmaker enjoyed a long professional career in safety, production management and human resources. He retired in 2019 from his role as Director of Human Resources for National Carbon/Morgan Advanced Materials. His professional journey encompassed diverse roles in industrial management, including a nine-year tenure as a production manager. His expertise extended to pivotal areas such as environmental health and safety, benefits, and HRIS.

“Paul has a Bachelor of Science degree in Safety Management from Indiana State University. Commencing his career as a safety manager at Union Carbide and AT&T, he later joined KEMET before culminating his journey with 15 years of service in Human Resources for the Electrical Americas Division of Morgan Advanced Materials. Beyond his professional endeavors, he speaks a bit of Italian, loves to travel, enjoys yard work, and one time he decontaminated nerve gas bombs for the Navy.

“Shewmaker is a proficient wild bird expert, reflecting his passion for and connection to the outdoors. His enthusiasm extends to pursuits such as hiking and golf. Shewmaker served as a long time Scout leader for the Boy Scouts of America, where he guided and mentored young minds. His most cherished accomplishment was serving as Scoutmaster and helping his two sons achieve the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. His Scouting career stands as a testament to his exceptional values and leadership.

“In summary, Mayor Paul Shewmaker's trajectory from a distinguished industrial career to his present role as mayor illuminates his unwavering dedication to community service.”


 

 

 

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Meet the Mayor of Fountain Inn, South Carolina



After 33 years living in Flower Mound, Texas, my wife Annette, and I moved to South Carolina to be closer to family. For many years, while living in the Lone Star State, we filmed video interviews of prominent people in all walks of life, including elected officials, entrepreneurs, CEOs of charitable organizations, and others who were part of the community landscape.

Now that we’ve settled in our new home, in the Parklynn Hills development of Fountain Inn, we look forward to continuing to contribute to our new community, including cities and towns contiguous with Fountain Inn. Annette is the videographer for the interviews, which will be posted online at the Simpsonville Sentinel newspaper and widely distributed on local social media platforms. 

Our first guest is Fountain Inn Mayor George Patrick Mcleer Jr. Mr. Mcleer sent the following short bio:

George Patrick [GP] McLeer, Jr is the Mayor of Fountain Inn, SC, the Executive Director of the Upstate Mobility Alliance, and a founding partner of Pecan Public Relations, LLC.


A South Carolina native, in 2019 GP was elected Mayor of the City of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, one of the fastest growing cities in the state, at age 31, making him the youngest mayor in the city’s history.


As Director of the Upstate Mobility Alliance, he works to advance transportation solutions across ten counties in the Upstate of South Carolina including public transit, vehicular innovations, walkability, trails, and other methods of connectivity. 


In 2021 he founded Pecan Public Relations, LLC which focuses on advocacy, communications, and governance for nonprofits across the state.



GP has served on numerous board and committees, and currently sits on the following:

 

 

GP graduated from the College of Charleston where he has also been awarded the 250th Anniversary Young Alumni Award and serves on their School of the Arts Council.

 

GP and his wife, Taylor, have one daughter, Albee James. Taylor earned her undergraduate degree from Coker University, and has two masters degrees in education from Anderson University (MAT) and Clemson University (EdS). She currently works in Greenville County Schools and also is the founder of The Orchard, a professional coaching firm curated for educators. 

 




 

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Our bittersweet move to South Carolina

 


After living in Texas for 33 years, Annette and I have moved to South Carolina to be 1000 miles closer to more family members, including my son and daughter. With my dear sister-in-law, and 2 nephews living in Flower Mound, one nephew in Dallas, and one in Little Elm, along with their spouses, we’ve enjoyed many years of family-oriented happiness. However, when my son and daughter moved from Long Island to Simpsonville, South Carolina about 2 years ago, with their mom joining them in the same city, I began to dream about being in close proximity to them after so many years. For about a year it was just a notion that seemed too difficult to pursue. After all, we had developed a wonderful life here in the Lone Star State, especially being fortunate enough to live in Denton County.

We certainly felt secure in the bosom of great leaders with staunch conservative principles, keeping taxes low, serious crime practically non-existent, and an impressive road system that makes traveling in the county a pleasure. Moreover, being residents of Flower Mound meant living within a minute or 2 of several supermarkets, restaurants, home furnishing outlets, medical facilities etc. Contrarily, in Fountain Inn, SC, where we currently live, we are at least 4 to 5 miles from any of the above. That may not seem like much until you realize that there are several winding, 2 lane roads through the countryside before you see anything resembling a retail establishment.

Sure, we were spoiled by our easy access to all that accommodation, but we can remember when we first moved to Flower Mound and had similar challenges before the growth began. Fountain Inn, which is contiguous with Simpsonville, is part of Greenville County, which has a population just over 500,000. We bought a new Toll Brothers home in the attractive emerging community of Parklynn Hills. Ultimately, there will be 90 homes gracing this neighborhood. So far, we are only one out of about 10 completed homes. As we were contemplating the move, friends cautioned us about the stress involved in such an endeavor. They were right!!

The moving company needed an entire day to get the 4 bedrooms of furniture, dishware, mirrors, lamps, etc. wrapped, and a second day to get it all loaded onto the massive truck. As soon as the van left, with a promise of delivery within a week, we made the 2-day drive, with a stopover in Mississippi, to Simpsonville to stay with Bob Jr. and his lovely wife, Debbie. Evidently, our furniture was first on the truck that morning, which meant other homes were loaded in the next few days, causing our delivery to be made 10 days after pickup. Although our new home is larger by about 300 square feet, when the movers finished their job, it looked like an obstacle course in every room, with huge cardboard boxes, some wooden crates, and an assortment of appliances to be reconnected.

Speaking of connections, there were the usual filings for utilities, updates on our drivers’ licenses, new license plates indicating South Carolina as our residence, insurance applications, etc. Most of that was done online, with only a few visits to city hall and utility companies to set up billing. The real job was that of opening all those paper-stuffed boxes, finding places for the contents, and getting rid of the enormous amount of rubbish. Thankfully, there were large dumpsters across the street that were being used by the workers constructing nearby homes. Nevertheless, I haven’t worked so hard since I was a lot younger, digging holes to plant trees and bushes in our FM home.

Annette worked even harder, doing just as much of the heavy work, plus, using her talent to decorate and beautify our new surroundings. With our flat screen TVs going all day to keep us entertained, we have put in 10-hour days, with just enough time to familiarize ourselves with some of the local eateries and food markets within a few minutes’ drive. In the evening, we often sit on our lofty screened porch in the rear of the home, scanning the tree-lined landscape below. Leaving Texas meant putting a lot of distance between us and some of the best friends imaginable. The memories we made with them will always comfort us as we embark on our new journey.

In addition, the years of writing and videotaping interviews for local publications, including the Cross Timbers Gazette, makes me extremely proud of my contribution to the community. Max Miller, owner, and publisher of the Gazette has built an impressive publication that serves tens of thousands of readers across the county. Putting all of that in the rearview mirror is the bitter part of the move.

Yet, spending more time with Bob Jr., my amazing daughter Laura, and their extraordinary mom in the last few weeks than I have in years, makes the move very sweet indeed. My Texas buddies know they are welcome to visit us anytime, and some have already made the commitment. When those happy times occur, they’ll be treated to more than comfortable accommodations in our spacious home, they’ll be accepted as part of our extended family. In the meantime, Annette and I will endeavor to become part of our new community, while continuing our affection for the one we left.

 

 

 

Thursday, June 8, 2023

When Trump exposed corruption, he was doomed!

 


When I look at the last seven years and how our country seemed to get more divided than any time since the Civil War, it's easy to conclude that President Trump is the reason it occurred.  From the moment he declared war on the corruption in D.C., he became a target of all those entrenched power brokers who have been able to hide their venal activities from an unsuspecting public. Trump became the loudest whistleblower in history when he talked about draining the swamp that had been operating like an organized crime family for generations. In order for a Mafia-like mob to operate effectively, it must keep its nefarious pursuits from public exposure. Hence, President Trump had to be destroyed!  

Like most people, when I was growing up, I heard the phrase “no one is above the law” many times. It was a saying that provided a definition of what justice means.  If someone punched you in the nose without provocation, you were confident that you could call a cop and have the puncher arrested. But suppose the ruffian was related to the police chief or the mayor? Would his chances of conviction for assault be the same as if he were the son of the local electrician or plumber? Nepotism and other forms of favoritism seem to be part of the DNA in all of us. We want to protect our own, so we'll use whatever resources we have to keep them out of trouble.

We can apply that reasoning to national politics as well. Once upon a time, if politicians were caught in a corruption probe, they would quickly resign their offices and attempt to hide from the embarrassing publicity, while praying that they would not go to jail. In addition, when public officials were exposed as incompetent, reckless, or negligent in the performance of duty, they'd step down amid a swirling tide of public outrage. Not anymore! These days, it takes a lot more than bribery, mismanagement, or mendacity during congressional hearings to remove these reprobates from office. It seems as though we've arrived at a time in which those in power have rigged the system to keep from being penalized for their crimes. They'll destroy anyone who threatens their comfortable position at the top of the crooked food chain.

The foregoing is reminiscent of notorious racketeers, who would do anything to keep from being exposed. If you were a witness to a crime by some hoodlum, with ties to organized crime, your chances of making it to a courtroom with your testimony were slim to none. Anyone who endangered the criminal enterprise would suddenly disappear or have a tragic “accident.” Although those tactics may have also been used in cases of government corruption, these days, there are other tactics that are more subtle but just as effective in silencing the conscientious citizen.  If you're viewed as a threat to the established order, you might be labeled a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe, or some other “ist” or “phobe.” Even if you're a U.S. senator (Josh Hawley), you may have your home surrounded by a vicious mob in the middle of the night, or you (Senator Rand Paul) and your wife may need police protection to leave a gathering at the White House.

In addition, if you're a Republican who posts on social media, you're very likely to be attacked by left-wing posters who will attempt to scare you by destroying your character online, even going so far as to call your employer and demand that you be fired for having the audacity to post opinions outside left-wing orthodoxy. If you are a conservative notable with a large following on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc., your views will be considered “inappropriate” by the tech giants who have morphed into tyrannical oligarchs with the power to muzzle your every thought.

All of the foregoing seems to be indicative of the systemic corruption in the political establishment that runs this country like an organized crime empire. The FBI, which was the unchallenged enemy of the gangsters that terrorized large segments of our country, appears to have become complicit in the crooked machinations of our government. In the latest display of contemptible impudence, FBI Director Christopher Wray refused to hand over unclassified documents to Congress for their lawful probe into corruption by the Biden Administration. When the federal agency with the responsibility to investigate criminal behavior becomes unlawful, is anyone safe?

Meanwhile, we see numerous attempts by highly placed people to keep Donald Trump on the defensive against an unprecedented assault from phony investigations. That’s a sure sign that they want to divert the public's attention from their despicable behavior. Why did so many insiders conspire to keep an outsider from pushing the curtain aside and looking inside the tent? Is it possible that the level of corruption is so immense that if uncovered, elected officials from coast to coast could end up wearing orange jumpsuits? Is it unfathomable to believe that top officials in our government have created an alliance with corporate giants and media moguls to make exposure impossible? What they did, and continue to do, to Trump is a warning to all others who would dare attempt to drain the swamp that operates in perpetuity on the Potomac.

 

Friday, April 28, 2023

HUD is coming to your suburban neighborhood.

 

As we sit comfortably in our homes, having dinner with our families, crime rates are going up all around us. That is to say that criminals are no longer relegated to the inner cities; they’ve evolved to suburbs and rural areas as they seek new and more vulnerable targets. The Biden Administration is fostering the decline of those outer areas by using the Housing and Urban Development agency to force suburbs to accept high-density affordable housing. For several decades, one of the major dreams of the middle class has been to own a home in the suburbs. Now, under the guise of prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, gender, etc., Democrats have proposed regulations that would force any jurisdiction that accepts HUD funding to “promote equity in their communities, decrease segregation, and increase access to opportunity and community assets for people of color and other underserved communities.”

In other words, the left is saying that the route to upward mobility for disadvantaged minorities is dependent on their relocation to more affluent areas, where they will have access to more services. One wonders what services they’ll receive in a small town that they can’t get in a big city. By the way, could someone please tell me which communities in this country are segregated by race, or any other factor?  Furthermore, given how the left describes “equity,” we can be sure it means that every resident will demand to have the same level of affluence as their neighbors, whether they can afford it or not.

Once again, the left is preparing us for a socialist future in which no one is denied anything, their ability to pay for it notwithstanding. How long before those apartment dwellers, next door to your split-level home, start demanding that you allow them to use your pool because their edifice lacks one? After all, why would your family of 4 deny those scores of residents a chance to cool off on hot summer days? How dare you deprive people of the things you and your family enjoy! Could it be that you don’t like some races, nationalities, or genders? Are you a greedy bigot? This is the mindset being promoted by the radical left in an attempt to discourage and destroy the middle class.  

The fact that segregation in housing ended about a half-century ago doesn’t mean the word is not still a valuable tool to further divide the country. The fact that you’d be hard pressed to find a neighborhood in the country that is not fully integrated means nothing to those who achieve power by keeping us divided. Through incompetence and radical policies, the left destroyed the inner cities. Now they plan to export their ineptitude to areas that have been diligent in creating safe and comfortable environments in which to raise families. Evidently, they concur with the adage “misery loves company.” Moreover, anyone who disagrees with this social engineering scam will quickly be labeled with some sort of “ism” or “phobe.” If some of those who disagree are minorities residing in the suburbs, they will be pilloried as “white supremacists,” despite the dark pigment of their skin. 

What HUD and its liberal administrators will never acknowledge is that upward mobility is based on sensible, constructive life decisions made at the family level, including marriage, employment, and budget planning. In order to succeed in the free market of ideas and choices, one must construct the building blocks of his/her future to achieve the necessary economic gains. Just ask all those ambitious African-American residents of suburbia who have worked hard, played by the rules, and saved for a down payment on that dream home. Do you think they want a 10-story, low-income apartment building hovering over their 2-story colonial, featuring a well-manicured lawn and a cabana next to their kidney-shaped pool?

Well, in the bizarre world of leftwing dogma, they’d be called Oreos, black on the outside, white inside. However, in the real world they are merely decent people who recognize the value of living in a country where one can achieve anything through hard work and prudent decisions. The dictionary is the only place in which “success” comes before “work.”

 


HUD is coming to your suburban neighborhood.

Monday, April 3, 2023

Are we losing our country?

 


I never thought I'd have to face the prospect of witnessing the decline and fall of the United States, the greatest country in the history of the world. I've always felt grateful for having been born in this marvelous nation. Yet, today, as I woke up and was having my morning coffee, I began to realize that things are changing quickly, and the changes are corroding us from the inside. Regardless of how I vote, or whether I vote, it seems as if it doesn’t matter because something evil has invaded this great land, and our lives are never going to be the same.

I've been confused by the hostility coming from family and friends. I look at people I've known for years, who have become so hateful that they will agree with opinions they would never have expressed as their own. The indoctrination from the mainstream media has done a thorough job of implanting a sinister poison into the consciousness of a growing segment of the population that once would have immediately rejected the absurdity coming from the left and deemed it to be ludicrous on its face. Instead, it's like our planet has tilted on its axis and scrambled the innate common sense that once allowed us to think clearly.

We've become a nation that has lost its collective mind. We’re urged to abandon reason and reject cultural norms, choosing instead, an accommodation to an assortment of freakish behaviors, which, during a saner time in our history would have required psychological counseling, rather than fawning acquiescence. The more we cater to the idiosyncrasies from that tiny fraction of society, the more likely it is that it will get progressively more repugnant. You can't justify this insanity. If a guy pretends to be a woman, you're required to pretend with him. If you say it’s impossible for a man to get pregnant and have children, you’re attacked as a “transphobe.” A woman running for the Supreme Court can’t define what a woman is. If a man walks into a room wearing a dress, high heels and panty hose, while sporting a beard and goatee, and you address him as “Sir,” you might be vilified for “misgendering.”

Russians influencing our elections are bad, but illegals voting in our elections is good. It was okay for Biden to blackmail the President of Ukraine, but it's an impeachable offense if Trump inquires about it. Twenty is too young to drink a beer, but 18 is old enough to vote. People who never owned slaves should pay reparations to people who have never been slaves. People who have never been to college should pay the debts of college students who took out steep loans for their degrees. Immigrants with tuberculosis and polio are welcome, but you'd better be able to prove your dog is vaccinated. Irish doctors and German engineers who want to immigrate to the US must go to a rigorous vetting process, but any illiterate gang-bangers who jump the southern fence are welcome. Five billion dollars for border security is too expensive, but 1.5 trillion for free healthcare is not. If you cheat to get into college you go to prison, but if you cheat to get into the country, you go to college for free. 

People who say there's no such thing as gender are demanding we elect a female president. We see other countries going socialist and collapsing, but it seems like a great plan to some of us. Some people are held responsible for things that happened before they were born, and other people are not held responsible for things they're doing now. Criminals are caught and released to hurt more people but stopping them is bad because it's a violation of their rights. And pointing out all this hypocrisy somehow makes us racists. Nothing makes sense anymore. No values, no morals, and no civility. People died from a Chinese virus, but it's racist to refer to it as Chinese, even though it began in China. We're clearly living in an upside-down world where right is wrong, and wrong is right, where moral is immoral, and immoral is moral, where good is evil, and evil is good; where killing murderers is wrong, but killing unborn babies is okay. 

Wake up America! That great unsinkable ship, Titanic America, has hit an iceberg. It’s taking on water, and it’s sinking fast.