John F. Kennedy was 43 years old when he took the oath of office, and delivered an extraordinary inaugural address. The moment represented generational change. Kennedy had been a PT boat skipper and wounded combat veteran from the Pacific theater of the Second World War. His older brother was killed in combat over the skies of Europe. He was accepting the torch of leadership from the Allied Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower, who was leaving the presidency after two terms.
Listening to President Kennedy's inspirational speech made me think of the comparison with Trump's horrific "American Carnage" speech.
In my 73 years, I can't recall despising anyone more than I do Trump. The destruction he has caused in America is equalled by the mental, and physical, illness he inflicted on the American people.
I, for one, have, and do, feel these affects; however, I cannot bury my head in the sand, in apathy. I (we) must stay involved in this battle for democracy! I'm not alone in my belief that the 2024 election IS our final chance to retain our democractic form of government.
How we will ever repair the damage Trump has done to our society is still unknown. However, we DO know that to retain our democracy, we must get involved, make sure we know the TRUTH from "alternate facts" and help make sure there's a massive turnout of voters!
We need new ideas, a new way of thinking and new leadership to unite the country. We need to look outside of the Republican and Democratic establishments for that. I'm starting a movement to do just that. Instead of fretting over how bad things are, let's do something about it! Won't you join me?
I'm sticking with the Democratic party. This is the absolute worse time to even consider a 3rd party (No Labels or any other) or a protest vote for sweeping changes.
Please don't misunderstand me. The new ideas, ways of thinking and leadership have to come from outside of the existing Republican and Democratic establishments, i.e. leadership and hierarchy, but but from rank and file members. I'm not advocating for a third party or protest vote.
I believe it can come from within the existing Democratic cohort. People like, Raskin, Murphy, Murray, Hines, Newsome. Warnock, Whitmer, Jeffries and many others are decent Americans effectively serving their country. They need a majority. a healthy one to make positive change and undo Republican negativism and destructiveness both at the state and national level.
“If they pick the demagogue, it’s all over.” I used to think if a law required politicians to write their own speeches, like Lincoln at Gettysburg, we’d see the candidates’ real intelligence and character. But we don’t need that. Trump, Tuberville, Greene, Gosar, etc are right in front of us, going full moron. And were elected. And may be reelected. “They” do pick the demagogue.
We need new ideas, a new way of thinking and new leadership to unite the country. We need to look outside of the Republican and Democratic establishments for that. I'm starting a movement to do just that. Instead of fretting over how bad things are, let's do something about it! Won't you join me?
NOT Natalie here, but I agree with her. Now is not the election to throw out other candidates. It will ensure a Trump win, and we will be toast. It will all be over for us, and not even the "fat lady" (hate this phrase) will be singing.
I had a snafu with the IRS last year; my accountant said that many of her clients were also being charged extra for taxes they didn’t owe. That this was unusual and had never happened before with her clients.
After our first appeal was denied, I told my accountant that I would just pay the IRS what they demanded. They will keep charging you penalties and interest and what might have been a manageable amount to pay can rapidly escalate while you try to prove that they made a mistake.
I was fortunate; our payment was under $200. But my advice if you’re ever in a situation like this with the IRS - pay the taxes requested if you possibly can. You can still appeal but you won’t be racking up the fees. The situation with this poor family is reprehensible and my guess is that nobody ever advised them to pay right away while continuing to appeal their case.
The decay and corruption are real we have been smelling the stench of Washington for a long time. However, the stench was particularly offensive during the low tide of the Trump Era. It has a lingering effect that continues to this day. It is sort of like the stench of the globsters that wind up washing ashore on the Philippines. The only way to rid ourselves from the rotting decay is to bury it deep in the sands of time. This is the only way to rid ourselves from Trump. To bury him under the weight of the law and indictments of Trump's own doing. Let us rid ourselves from the stench of Trump. Bury the fool and stop digging him up to reminisce that awful smell.
You hit the mail on the head with this one Steve. In my opinion that’s a big difference between Democrats and Republicans. The Dems are idealistic and care for others. The Republicans care about what’s in it for them and no one else.
My husband has his own business. He employs one person - she's a single mom. His business, like many others, suffered tremendously during the pandemic. He applied for a relatively modest PPP loan to stay afloat and to keep paying for his employee and her health insurance.
The first time he submitted his application, it was denied. Apparently he submitted an attachment that was deemed insufficient for some reason. He spent hours on the phone, mostly on hold. He ended up having to re-submit the whole thing. Meanwhile, he was going deeper in the hole just trying to keep up with expenses. He didn't pay himself for almost a year.
Why did an honest person like him have such a hard time, yet so many others were able to cheat and steal so easily? It makes me furious.
Time to require a year of public service for young people who can do it. Get kids going across the country to meet Americans they would never have met. The desire to serve is on life support. It’s no wonder so many so-called public servants are just serving themselves. Look at our Supreme Court. Thanks, Steve, for your focus on building an America we can be proud of.
I watched Kennedy give that speech on my parent's little black and white television. I was about 13 years old. It knocked my socks off. Until that day I was just a kid and that speech opened my eyes. What can I do for my country?
Why is it whenever the government gets into a generous mood to give money to people in need does it somehow fail to protect itself from thieves. There will always be takers if given the chance but please? A trillion dollars!
I am in total fear of the IRS. Not because I don't pay my taxes but because I once got audited by them. Got a letter then a phone call. Nasty. Then I was in the process of gathering information when I got another letter from an IRS manager saying that his staff had made a mistake and apologies all around. Thankfully, never heard from them again. I love my country. I don't love the IRS.
I was six or seven years old when JFK made that speech and it’s one of the first clear political messages I can remember. It had such an impression on me that when I was a little older I memorized that speech and would recite it during Memorial Day ceremonies at the cemetery in the small town in rural America where I grew up.
I was also on the wrong end of a IRS audit. I made a mistake and incurred 4 years of penalties for mistaking a debit for a credit. A costly penalty I will never make again.
Many years ago I was taxed on tips I made waitressing (I put myself through college waiting tables) and I fell behind on payments and was audited. It was a nightmare.
The IRS part of the story infuriates me. I worked for the Service at National Office from 1989 to 1997. Absolutely correct the IRS cannot provide individual tax information. Where is the IRS Ombudsman? This is exactly why they exist-to deal with these issues.
The theft and later “forgiveness of COVID loans” is grand larceny. I think the forgiveness is a direct result of not knowing where the funds went and having to audit their use
And when the R’s start screaming about deficits, ask them if they’re willing to repay their COVID loans
The Covid giveaway was designed to allow those with more to take more.
The Covid giveaway is proof we will never see a Conservative/republican effort to secure our infrastructure and personal information. They generate public outrage by maligning the IRS and slash much needed funding for upgrades necessary to protect the public.
The Republican's are manipulating our government using decades of legislation and loopholes, leaving citizens with "something to talk about". Vote them out.
P.S. Political strategists, please do not write off any District as unwinnable. Every vote will count in every election from now on. The cost/benefit ratio is my Country's existence.
A very precious article. Hard to understand at the time but it was the economy that Trump’s administration had wrecked the most. It could have ended the American super power status if Trump had won in 2020.
A beautiful speech, full of hope and principles. Behind the great ending quote is a pledge to our neighbor republics. This is where we have failed. The root causes of our immigration problems are embedded in not helping them. Instead we have ignored and sometimes exploited them. A wall is not the solution. Finding ways to improve the economies and lives of our Central American neighbors will have a major positive impact on the border. As JFK states, only by working together, not closing the door, can we lift ourselves up.
Yes, but the awful history of CIA involvement in Central American politics was going on when that speech was made and long after that. We deposed, assassinated or muzzled damn near every progressive politician in this part of the world to keep the world safe for capitalism and exploitation.
Yes, bureaucratic incompetence and lack of accountability are systemic in our governments at all levels. It’s even worse in large corporations we all know are impossible to communicate with. But what’s most disturbing to me in the numbers around this nationwide grift is this......It was our fellow citizens, from all socioeconomic strata, taking advantage of our federal government reacting to a national, dire emergency. Heedless of personal or business need, they lined up to trough. The government was there to help and they dishonestly took our country to the cleaners. Shame on them all!
Listening to President Kennedy's inspirational speech made me think of the comparison with Trump's horrific "American Carnage" speech.
In my 73 years, I can't recall despising anyone more than I do Trump. The destruction he has caused in America is equalled by the mental, and physical, illness he inflicted on the American people.
I, for one, have, and do, feel these affects; however, I cannot bury my head in the sand, in apathy. I (we) must stay involved in this battle for democracy! I'm not alone in my belief that the 2024 election IS our final chance to retain our democractic form of government.
How we will ever repair the damage Trump has done to our society is still unknown. However, we DO know that to retain our democracy, we must get involved, make sure we know the TRUTH from "alternate facts" and help make sure there's a massive turnout of voters!
Please join the fight🙏🏻
https://time.com/4641547/inauguration-2017-donald-trump-america-first/?amp=true
We need new ideas, a new way of thinking and new leadership to unite the country. We need to look outside of the Republican and Democratic establishments for that. I'm starting a movement to do just that. Instead of fretting over how bad things are, let's do something about it! Won't you join me?
https://thesingularmovement.substack.com/p/the-singular-movement
I'm sticking with the Democratic party. This is the absolute worse time to even consider a 3rd party (No Labels or any other) or a protest vote for sweeping changes.
No other issue matters if we lose our democracy.
Please don't misunderstand me. The new ideas, ways of thinking and leadership have to come from outside of the existing Republican and Democratic establishments, i.e. leadership and hierarchy, but but from rank and file members. I'm not advocating for a third party or protest vote.
I believe it can come from within the existing Democratic cohort. People like, Raskin, Murphy, Murray, Hines, Newsome. Warnock, Whitmer, Jeffries and many others are decent Americans effectively serving their country. They need a majority. a healthy one to make positive change and undo Republican negativism and destructiveness both at the state and national level.
“If they pick the demagogue, it’s all over.” I used to think if a law required politicians to write their own speeches, like Lincoln at Gettysburg, we’d see the candidates’ real intelligence and character. But we don’t need that. Trump, Tuberville, Greene, Gosar, etc are right in front of us, going full moron. And were elected. And may be reelected. “They” do pick the demagogue.
We need new ideas, a new way of thinking and new leadership to unite the country. We need to look outside of the Republican and Democratic establishments for that. I'm starting a movement to do just that. Instead of fretting over how bad things are, let's do something about it! Won't you join me?
https://thesingularmovement.substack.com/p/the-singular-movement
No, Mark. No.
Hi Natalie - it would be helpful to know what it is you are objecting to.
NOT Natalie here, but I agree with her. Now is not the election to throw out other candidates. It will ensure a Trump win, and we will be toast. It will all be over for us, and not even the "fat lady" (hate this phrase) will be singing.
I had a snafu with the IRS last year; my accountant said that many of her clients were also being charged extra for taxes they didn’t owe. That this was unusual and had never happened before with her clients.
After our first appeal was denied, I told my accountant that I would just pay the IRS what they demanded. They will keep charging you penalties and interest and what might have been a manageable amount to pay can rapidly escalate while you try to prove that they made a mistake.
I was fortunate; our payment was under $200. But my advice if you’re ever in a situation like this with the IRS - pay the taxes requested if you possibly can. You can still appeal but you won’t be racking up the fees. The situation with this poor family is reprehensible and my guess is that nobody ever advised them to pay right away while continuing to appeal their case.
It's absolutely horrendous that their Congressional representatives can't make any progress on their behalf!
The decay and corruption are real we have been smelling the stench of Washington for a long time. However, the stench was particularly offensive during the low tide of the Trump Era. It has a lingering effect that continues to this day. It is sort of like the stench of the globsters that wind up washing ashore on the Philippines. The only way to rid ourselves from the rotting decay is to bury it deep in the sands of time. This is the only way to rid ourselves from Trump. To bury him under the weight of the law and indictments of Trump's own doing. Let us rid ourselves from the stench of Trump. Bury the fool and stop digging him up to reminisce that awful smell.
You hit the mail on the head with this one Steve. In my opinion that’s a big difference between Democrats and Republicans. The Dems are idealistic and care for others. The Republicans care about what’s in it for them and no one else.
I'm proud to be a "woke" Democrat!
"Woke means
awakened to the needs of others.
To be well informed, thoughtful, compassionate, humble, and kind.
Eager to make the world a better place for all people.
BE WOKE"
My husband has his own business. He employs one person - she's a single mom. His business, like many others, suffered tremendously during the pandemic. He applied for a relatively modest PPP loan to stay afloat and to keep paying for his employee and her health insurance.
The first time he submitted his application, it was denied. Apparently he submitted an attachment that was deemed insufficient for some reason. He spent hours on the phone, mostly on hold. He ended up having to re-submit the whole thing. Meanwhile, he was going deeper in the hole just trying to keep up with expenses. He didn't pay himself for almost a year.
Why did an honest person like him have such a hard time, yet so many others were able to cheat and steal so easily? It makes me furious.
Time to require a year of public service for young people who can do it. Get kids going across the country to meet Americans they would never have met. The desire to serve is on life support. It’s no wonder so many so-called public servants are just serving themselves. Look at our Supreme Court. Thanks, Steve, for your focus on building an America we can be proud of.
A lot of these young belong to the “bone spur” generation?
They are grifters, takers, and sure do not want to serve in any way! The Poster Boy Trump does it, and they think it is okay?
Applauding loudly.
The aroma of this fiasco is suffocating! “ What’s in it for me” is the operational theme today! It sadly permeates our nation.
I’m sorry, but the “what’s in it for me” attitude remains first and foremost in the thinking of many Americans today.
I watched Kennedy give that speech on my parent's little black and white television. I was about 13 years old. It knocked my socks off. Until that day I was just a kid and that speech opened my eyes. What can I do for my country?
Why is it whenever the government gets into a generous mood to give money to people in need does it somehow fail to protect itself from thieves. There will always be takers if given the chance but please? A trillion dollars!
I am in total fear of the IRS. Not because I don't pay my taxes but because I once got audited by them. Got a letter then a phone call. Nasty. Then I was in the process of gathering information when I got another letter from an IRS manager saying that his staff had made a mistake and apologies all around. Thankfully, never heard from them again. I love my country. I don't love the IRS.
I was six or seven years old when JFK made that speech and it’s one of the first clear political messages I can remember. It had such an impression on me that when I was a little older I memorized that speech and would recite it during Memorial Day ceremonies at the cemetery in the small town in rural America where I grew up.
I was also on the wrong end of a IRS audit. I made a mistake and incurred 4 years of penalties for mistaking a debit for a credit. A costly penalty I will never make again.
Many years ago I was taxed on tips I made waitressing (I put myself through college waiting tables) and I fell behind on payments and was audited. It was a nightmare.
The IRS part of the story infuriates me. I worked for the Service at National Office from 1989 to 1997. Absolutely correct the IRS cannot provide individual tax information. Where is the IRS Ombudsman? This is exactly why they exist-to deal with these issues.
The theft and later “forgiveness of COVID loans” is grand larceny. I think the forgiveness is a direct result of not knowing where the funds went and having to audit their use
And when the R’s start screaming about deficits, ask them if they’re willing to repay their COVID loans
Yes. Like MTG Covid loan. Please!
First, we must take true ownership for being a sick culture.
The Covid giveaway was designed to allow those with more to take more.
The Covid giveaway is proof we will never see a Conservative/republican effort to secure our infrastructure and personal information. They generate public outrage by maligning the IRS and slash much needed funding for upgrades necessary to protect the public.
The Republican's are manipulating our government using decades of legislation and loopholes, leaving citizens with "something to talk about". Vote them out.
P.S. Political strategists, please do not write off any District as unwinnable. Every vote will count in every election from now on. The cost/benefit ratio is my Country's existence.
A very precious article. Hard to understand at the time but it was the economy that Trump’s administration had wrecked the most. It could have ended the American super power status if Trump had won in 2020.
Oh yeah, I smell it. It is foul.
A beautiful speech, full of hope and principles. Behind the great ending quote is a pledge to our neighbor republics. This is where we have failed. The root causes of our immigration problems are embedded in not helping them. Instead we have ignored and sometimes exploited them. A wall is not the solution. Finding ways to improve the economies and lives of our Central American neighbors will have a major positive impact on the border. As JFK states, only by working together, not closing the door, can we lift ourselves up.
Yes, but the awful history of CIA involvement in Central American politics was going on when that speech was made and long after that. We deposed, assassinated or muzzled damn near every progressive politician in this part of the world to keep the world safe for capitalism and exploitation.
Yes, bureaucratic incompetence and lack of accountability are systemic in our governments at all levels. It’s even worse in large corporations we all know are impossible to communicate with. But what’s most disturbing to me in the numbers around this nationwide grift is this......It was our fellow citizens, from all socioeconomic strata, taking advantage of our federal government reacting to a national, dire emergency. Heedless of personal or business need, they lined up to trough. The government was there to help and they dishonestly took our country to the cleaners. Shame on them all!