The Current State of Things

During my hospitalization and convalescence the new president

(sigh) has been busy introducing and implementing his grandiose 

programs and ideas, some of which he is still trying to install while

others have taken root. Some are calling his fledgling term the third

term of President Obama; President Joe Biden, who was Obama's 

Vice President, learned well at the side of his Democrat predecessor.

Always a staunch liberal throughout his long career in politics, Biden

has been called a moderate when he was running for his party's 

presidential nomination. In relative terms, this was certainly true.

He went up against then-Sen. Kamala Harris and Sen. Bernie Sanders,

the arch-socialist who, while considered an independent, caucuses 

with the Democrats in the Senate. Some time ago your prescient 

Peasant said on this very blog that Sanders may never be elected 

President, but he would receive as a consolation prize considerable

influence over the Democrat Party and the shaping of its party

platform --- and with it the resituating of the party to the far left,

remaking one of America's two major political parties into The

Radical Party. When Biden won the Dem's nomination in an upset

he had to make some deals and concessions to the new and newly

dominant radical wing of the Democrats' party, i.e. backing Rep.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez' (AOC's) Green New Deal, which would

be an energy and economic disaster for the country. And the list of 

Santa Claus-like presents for the far lefties in his party makes for

quite a wish list. AOC, like Sen. Sanders, calls herself a socialist.

Another such present for the gonzo lefties is stoppage of the building

of the wall meant to keep out aliens seeking to enter our country at

our southern border any means possible, never mind such niceties as 

our immigration law. Which these gonzos want. Biden has thus

managed to undo almost all of the work that President Trump had 

accomplished, which led to a significant decrease in illegal entries

by aliens coming up from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and some

countries farther afield. Biden wouldn't, for the longest time, call

the situation a crisis, even though it has truly devolved into one.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who once was sanguine with 

this unfolding turn of events, has recently warned that the U.S.

is on pace for the biggest border surge in twenty years, with the trend

especially big among minors. Most of the aliens being detained at

the Customs and Border Protection facilities are staying longer than

normal for such detention. This is the result of Biden reversing

Trump's successful attempts to stem, or to at least slow, this tide.

The Biden administration has created an exemption from Title 42

for minors, thus causing a huge incentive for minors to come to 

the border. And Biden's minions have been claiming all the while

that the current crisis --- Biden at last calling it what it is, a crisis 

--- is the result of having to repair an immigration system which

was supposedly broken by President Trump (!!!). I'm so glad

I don't have a tooth with that nerve! Typical of the left-of-center

crowd that they never take responsibility for their mistakes but

instead blame conservatives and others for same, hoping to con 

as many of the people as they can and keep them conned right

until the next election. 

Getting back to AOC's Green New Deal, this exceedingly bad idea 

would end America's status as a net energy exporter, consigning 

her to again be a major energy importer, reliant on oil and natural gas

for the foreseeable future. In 2020, official figures informed that 

the United States exported more oil and petroleum products than it 

imported. The Green New Deal would work in tandem with 

climate change initiatives which would, among other things, forbid

the exploring and drilling for much of our oil, and scrap fracking too.

And there'll be no more DAPLs (Biden has recently acted to scrap

DAPL --- the Dakota Access pipeline, acting ahead of AOC's 

idea). 

And there's more, much more, that Biden and the Dems have in store

for us. You can rest assured, my fine readers, that we shall examine 

it all right here, and create ways to thwart the implementation of the 

Dems' plans. 

MEM

Please Forgive My Disappearance; I've Got a Note From My Doctor!

You all may have wondered why in February I suddenly disappeared

without a word of notice or an explanation; I do sincerely offer a heart-

felt apology along with a belated explanation for my absence: 

I had a heart attack.

On February 17, Ash Wednesday, I was visited by my friend and land-

lady, but she had to use her key to let herself in. I was barely conscious

as I lay in my bed. I remember feeling weak and very tired but felt no

pain, tingling or numbness on my left side. She tried to get me up but

when she couldn't she called for an ambulance, which took me to 

a renown local hospital. I meanwhile passed out and didn't awaken 

until we got to the hospital where I was wheeled immediately into the

ICU. I figured out that I was at a hospital, and I thought "Well, I must

really be sick or what, but I'm in good hands, so I'm not going to 

worry". From there I was wheeled into the hospital and to what would

be my quarters, where I promptly fell back asleep. 

My doctor said that I had a heart infarction; a small heart attack.

But boy, did it pack a wallop! I was told that when I was 

brought in my heart, liver, and kidneys were all on the verge of 

shutting down. In my unconscious state I didn't dream any dreams,

and didn't have any OBE (out of body experience); All I saw was

darkness. Nothing else. Nothing more. I slept very soundly and thank

God and Jesus I ultimately awakened. 

This was followed by three weeks in hospital, followed by six weeks in 

a convalescence home where I received further rehabilitation after that

which I was given at hospital. Nine weeks in all, during which I had no 

access to a computer (although I tried to arrange such). And that's why

I couldn't get back with you, my grand and wonderful readers, until now.

Meanwhile so much has happened in the realm of politics, stories I've 

been chomping at the bit to examine and discuss; there is SO

much to get caught up on! But we have the mettle, we shall do it! 

So thank you all for your forgiveness, your understanding, and 

for continuing to visit your favorite Peasant here at this blog. 

We shall make up the lost ground and I shall make it up to you 

for my sudden and lengthy departure. God bless you all!

And thank you a trillion-fold to Froedtert Hospital and to Luther

Manor, both in Milwaukee, not far from New Berlin. You all 

helped me to rehabilitate with good therapy, good food, and 

good medicine. And I've enjoyed getting to know those of you

who worked on me and with me. You all are the best!

God bless you too!

MEM

Unexpected Happenings

The Peasant had hoped to have a post to share with you,

my fantastic readers, to give you my thoughts and impres-

sions on the final attempt by outgoing President Donald 

Trump to have the 2020 election results investigated for 

fraud, or at least for irregularities and outright ignoring

state laws re: election tallying and related things in some 

key states, i.e. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Then a Trump rally in Washington had a breakout of violence

and self-serving bedlam as some of those assembled climbed 

over barricades and fences to breach the Capitol, some even 

breaking into the meeting place of Congress. A few days 

after that, it was said that some of those miscreants were

actually members of Antifa and other radical groups (?!).

Now, your accuracy-devoted Peasant is checking the facts 

(and separating them from the misinformation out there as

well) to see just what was what and who was responsible. 

I shall need a bit more time for all of this, but will have 

some posts on some other stories to share here in the mean-

time. 

Your grateful Peasant thanks you, my grand readers, for your 

forgiveness, understanding, and patience, which all will 

in due course be amply rewarded. Of course you'll be 

kept up to speed on things. We'll get this done yet, and 

done right!

God bless you all! You're the best!

MEM

Coming Attractions

Folks, I wish you all a Happy New Year and I pray 

that we ultimately get it. Shortly I shall be posting

on the electoral bedlam which had ensued just

after last November's election and the upshot of it

all. Your confident Peasant is taking on the challenge

of sorting everything out and presenting the picture of

how things have come to be the way they are.

The thing of it is that I shall need more time for the 

preparation and presentation of this post, but in 

due course I shall have it finished and posted here 

for you, my great and wonderful readers. I am facing

several hindrances to putting this together and posted

in a timely manner, so please bear with your faithful 

Peasant and you shall have an article that shall astonish

you as well as keep you spellbound. So for now let's 

part company for the time being, and I shall announce 

to you all when the piece is ready to share.

A lot has happened since Election Day, and I have a lot 

to say. But these times are what The Peasant was made for,

and vice versa as well. Be strong and stay close. 

God bless you all, and God bless America.

MEM

Happy Birthday to a Great Public Servant!

For my fellow "old timers" among the throng

of political junkies who remember the standout

cabinet post holder in several presidential ad-

ministrations, a staunch conservative Republican,

and a man who not just kept up with but had 

studied various topics and disciplines so master-

fully; George Schultz celebrated his 100th 

birthday on Sunday, December 13 of the old year.

Being one of just two Americans to have held four

cabinet posts (the late Eliot Richardson being the

other) --- State, Treasury, Labor, and Office of 

Management and Budget, Schultz has more top
level government experience than most presidents

have had. He has worked on nuclear disarmament,

China, Taiwan, development of a sensible and 

realistic energy policy, economics and international

trade during his storied career. Schultz was also a

champion for free markets and better treatment of 

labor. Some people have commented over the years 

that George Schultz would make a fine president 

himself; on this point I offer no disagreement.

Meanwhile, Schultz set the standard for the epitome

of a cabinet secretary and adviser to presidents.

May all rising administration aspirants study his

career and the standards he comported himself to,

so that they might do the same when they are tapped

for such a role. 

Happy Birthday, George Schultz. You are greatly 

respected by younger followers of our political 

scene, and are fondly remembered by we older

members of this tribe. God bless!

MEM

Christmas Greetings!

Friends, your favorite Peasant has been pushed to the brink 

of exhaustion this month with a bunch of commitments,

projects, increased hours at my job (making some Christmas

cash!), and a few other activities too, so the upshot of it all 

is: I won't be posting anything until after Christmas Day

unless something monumentally huge happens. Right now

I just need to take things down a notch or two, but I'll be back

to be with you to welcome the new year and tackle the news 

of the day with you as always. And there will be lots to talk 

about, to be sure!

So everyone have a very Merry Christmas; get together with

family and friends, exchange presents, pleasantries, and love;

yes, this will fly in the face of some mayors and governors 

who suggest (and in some cases order) that we all stay home 

for the Holidays and limit the number of guests at our homes,

because these elected "leaders" know what's best for us stupid

peasants --- they say they want to save our lives. Gee, they didn't 

seem too concerned with our lives and keeping us safe when they let

radical left-wingers tear up their cities in their states; they claimed 

that these riots weren't riots but "peaceful protests" and so what 

if some people lost their homes or their businesses, or were 

assaulted during these celebrations of peace and love. So all gather

with those whom you love, and those who love you, sing some carols,

share stories of Christmastimes past, and enjoy a Christmas feast 

to beat the band! We'll gather here afterward and take care of business.

God rest ye merry gentlemen, ladies, and children! Love and Christmas

joy from the Peasant!

MEM

California Exercising Common Sense? What a Notion!

Long considered the nation's lunatic asylum, run by the inmates

to boot, Californians actually practiced a little common sense in

the recent election. True, they once again supported the Democrat

candidate for the presidency, but at the state level they did some-

thing astonishing which no one thought they would do: they said 

"no" --- in a loud and unmistakable voice --- to some of their 

political masters. They rejected a referendum which would have

allowed racial preferences in state hiring and college admissions,

eschewed a huge business property tax hike, and rescued tens of 

thousands of "gig economy" jobs, i.e. drivers for Uber and Lyft.

Robert Ripley, call your office.

California's 42-year-old Proposition 13 caps taxes on commercial

and residential property at 1% of their assessed value, and limits 

annual increases to 2%. Left-wingers, especially the public unions,

have wanted all these years to do away with it; looks like they will

have to wait for some more years to fulfill their cherished dream.

The unions claimed that the tax increase was necessary to support

education and public safety, even though progressives promoted 

deep cuts to law enforcement, and to make big corporations pay 

--- here comes that old familiar song! --- their "fair share".  Well,

the lefties put up Proposition 15, which would have required that

commercial property be reassessed at market value every three

years at the very least. The initiative was to jack up property taxes

by $8 billion to 12.5 billion annually by 2025. Notice that they 

didn't go after residential property taxes, as they thought that they

would bypass angering homeowners and instead go after the 

big businesses, always a popular political idea with those who

don't realize that all taxes and tax increases on businesses are 

always passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for

their goods and services. Well, enough Californians apparently

do realize this economic fact because they defeated the measure 

by 3.6%. Most non-coastal counties refused Prop. 15 by 20 or

more points.

Californians weren't through yet though, approving by a margin of 

58.5% to 41.5% Proposition 22, which will exempt gig workers

such as Uber drivers, GrubHub takeout delivery people, and 

Instacart shoppers from California's union-backed AB5 law,

which reclassified thousands of independent contractors, 

gig workers and all, as employees. The referendum also 

required that companies provide health insurance subsidies 

as well as occupational accident coverage, taking away a union

argument that Prop. 22 would enable firms like Uber to skirt

workplace protections (i.e. not provide the aforementioned 

occupational accident coverage)

California, in summation, may now be willing to rethink living

with an all-pervasive state government which, among other 

things, stifles business initiative and innovation and economic

growth as well as a broad and open playing field for job seekers 

and college student hopefuls. They still don't seem ready for 

giving up one-party rule in their state but give them time.

Once people get a taste of the less regulated, less mandated 

life they'll find it so sweet that they'll want more, to the 

consternation of the grandees in Sacramento.

MEM