Thoughts for the Day, August 25, 2025: Call me crazy. Call me paranoid but most of all call me a realist

Call me crazy. Call me paranoid. Most of all call me a realist.

As conservative lawyer George Conway put it: “If you want to have a coup against the constitutional order, you want to control the capital city. And if he has control of the policing in the city of Washington,... how do you stop him? Who's gonna tell him to leave the White House?"

I have watched Trump weaponize the federal government against those who have “slighted” or pissed him off. I have watched him use national guard and federal troops to patrol two of our major cities, most importantly Washington D.C. I have watched him attempt to manipulate congressional elections by demanding Republican governors “gerrymander” states’ voting districts to increase the chances for Republican congressional candidates. As a result, I have come to the conclusion this is all part of Trump’s master plan to manipulate the 2026 and 2028 national elections to guarantee he stays in office after his term expires on January 20, 2029.

By weaponizing the federal government against his perceived enemies, he is doing his best to stifle dissent (which he has already made great inroads in doing so). By taking over the major cities with the armed national guard and federal troops, he will use intimidation to scare people, who traditionally vote for Democratic candidates, from going to the voting polls in November 2026 and 2028. By manipulating the congressional districts to favor Republican candidates, he is putting his thumb on the scale to favor the Republicans. As a result, I have come to the conclusion this is all part of Trump’s master plan to manipulate the 2026 and 2028 national elections to guarantee he stays in office after his term expires on January 20, 2029.

Trump knows if the Republicans control congress, they will not go against his wishes. He knows that if he controls Washington D.C. with the national guard and the military, no one has the power to physically remove him from office. He knows that if he controls Congress and he cannot physically be removed from office, he can declare a national emergency and suspend the presidential election in 2028, and no one will be able to do a damn thing about it. He will remain president for life.

Call me crazy, Call me paranoid. Call me a realist. This is the path most voters in 2024 chose for our country. It is a path we will remain on as long as Trump and the wimp ass Republican congress members that kowtow him remain in office.

Elections matter.

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Where is the outrage?

Twenty people were reported killed in Gaza on Monday, among them medical workers and journalists, when two Israeli strikes hit a hospital in what Israel’s prime minister later described as a “tragic mishap.”

The Gaza health ministry, which provided the death toll, also said that dozens more people had been wounded. The five journalists had worked for media outlets including Reuters, The Associated Press and Al Jazeera, according to their employers.

The Israeli military said it had carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital, without saying what the target was. In a statement, the military said that it regretted “any harm to uninvolved individuals.”

Later in the day, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare statement of contrition about the strike.

“Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza,” he said. “Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home.”

Mohammad Saqer, a Gaza health official at Nasser Hospital, said the first of the two strikes hit the fourth floor of a hospital building, prompting first-responders and medical workers to rush to the scene. The second strike came several minutes later, killing and wounding some of them, he said.

“We are trying to preserve this hospital,” Mr. Saqer said. He said, “If the Israelis think there’s been any violation here, they should talk to us, and we can solve the problem. Instead, they’re bombing,” he said.

On the campaign trail, President Trump said he would end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine within days after taking office if he is elected. He said the wars wouldn’t have started if he was president because of his “relationship” with Netanyahu and Putin.

Here we are eight months into his second term and his relationships with Netanyahu and Putin have done nothing more than put egg on Trump’s face. Netanyahu and Putin are aggressively escalating their wars and ignoring supposed agreements that Trump says he had with them. Today, Putin’s government announced there are no plans to meet with President Zelensky and recently Netanyahu announced plans to occupy Gaza.

Trump refuses to publicly condemn Putin and Netanyahu, which many of our allies have done. Trump refuses to condemn those he idolizes for the ability to maintain authoritarian rule over their countries.

Elections matter.

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Project 2026/2028: Chapter Five: Fiscal Policy.

This is Chapter 5 of Project 2026/2028 which outlines what I am looking for in candidates who want my vote in 2026, 2028 and all dates thereafter. Today’s chapter focuses on identifying the fiscal policies I am looking for in candidates who are seek my vote. As with the previous four chapters, the following is a combination of my words and Chat GPT.

Since the year 2000, the United States has had a budget deficit in 24 of 25 years. Only 2001 had a budget surplus. The current national debt is $36 trillion, of which $24.3 trillion has occurred in the last 25 years according to Economics Insider.

The last 25 years have proven that politicians from both parties do not have the stomach and fiscal discipline to properly oversee the country’s financial requirements and needs. The last time the U.S. passed a budget prior to the start of the fiscal year was 1997.

The logical answer is for the U.S. government to have an annual balanced budget like nearly all 50 states are required to have. Unfortunately, this would place undue hardship in times of national emergencies, such as the recession of 2008 and Covid, when the federal government needs to have the ability to provide stimulus to the economy in a manner that states do not have.

Starting with the elections in 2026 and 2028, I am looking for candidates who understand that a strong, stable economy requires a federal fiscal policy that responsibly manages debt and deficits while encouraging innovation, investment, and long-term expansion. Without fiscal discipline, the U.S. risks undermining its global economic leadership, raising borrowing costs, and burdening future generations. At the same time, overly rigid policies and practices can stifle innovation and economic growth. A sound fiscal program strikes the right balance—ensuring fiscal health while fueling a dynamic, opportunity-rich economy. Here are the key characteristics of a sound fiscal policy.

1. Managing Debt and Deficits Responsibly: Persistent budget deficits and rising national debt weaken the country’s financial flexibility, crowd out private investment, and raise the risk of inflation or fiscal crisis. A practical policy must set clear targets for deficit reduction over time. They must balance the need for increased revenue through economic growth and tax increases as needed. They must emphasize spending efficiency, and reform unsustainable obligations without harming vulnerable populations or economic momentum. (Note-the work of DOGE is not how it should be done)

2. Investing in Future Growth: Fiscal responsibility does not mean eliminating all spending increases. Strategic public investment in research, education, infrastructure, and clean energy generates long-term returns. These investments stimulate innovation, improve productivity, and create the foundation for sustainable economic expansion—raising revenue through growth rather than higher taxes alone. The emphasis should be raising revenue through economic growth.

3. Modernizing the Tax System: A sound fiscal policy requires a tax system that is fair, simple, and growth oriented. Closing loopholes, broadening the base, and ensuring all individuals and corporations contribute equitably can increase revenue without stifling entrepreneurship or competitiveness.

It is ridiculous that we have a tax code that is over 2,000 pages long that only specialized lawyers and accountants understand. Most states and municipalities have a flat tax of some form or another. There is no reason that we couldn’t implement a modified flat tax that is fairly implemented and ensures everyone pays their fair share. Most states have done it.

Targeted tax incentives should be used sparingly to encourage private-sector innovation and capital formation. Targeted tax incentives should not be used as repayment for political donations.

4. Encouraging Private Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Stable fiscal policy creates confidence for investors, businesses, and consumers. Predictable federal budgeting reduces uncertainty and allows businesses to plan, innovate, and expand. Policies that support small businesses, startups, and technological innovation fuel job creation and upward mobility. Note: Tariffs and top-down economics (Reaganomics) do not work as ways to stimulate long term economic growth.

5. Aligning Short-Term Relief with Long-Term Goals: In times of crisis, such as recessions (2008) or public health emergencies (Covid-19), fiscal stimulus is appropriate and necessary. However, such measures must be time-limited and accompanied by long-term plans to restore balance. Responsible emergency spending should transition into sustainable fiscal frameworks as economic conditions improve. (Note: in the last 25 years there have been many instances of temporary tax increases, tax reductions, expense reductions, and expense increases that have been initially established only to have congress make them permanent when the temporary deadline expires.)

6. Preserving U.S. Global Leadership: The strength of the U.S. economy is critical to our global influence. Fiscal instability erodes investor confidence, weakens the dollar, and reduces America's ability to respond to future challenges. A stable, forward-thinking fiscal program ensures that the U.S. remains a global economic and geopolitical leader. Our global strength and influence come first and foremost from our economic strength. Military strength is a result of our global economic strength. This cannot be forgotten.

The person who receives my votes in 2026 and 2028 must be committed to the U.S adopting sound fiscal policies and approaches that promote both economic growth, fiscal discipline, economic momentum, and fairness across all populations without harming vulnerable populations. The politicians I will be voting for understand that fiscal sustainability is the foundation upon which innovation, economic growth, global influence, and national and individual prosperity are built.

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A great homestand for the Tigers

The Tigers won five of six games on their recent homestand, increasing their Central Division lead to 10.5 games over the Kansas City Royals. The games on Friday and Saturday also produced my Quote of the Day, Orchid of the Day, and Onion of the Day as follows:

Quote of the Day: "I'm going to say it was borderline to not get fined. But I know everybody was in on that at-bat. What an incredible battle. To Michael Wacha, too, who is tiring at the end and Dillon is fouling balls off. There was the near homer. It ultimately didn't go our way, which is frustrating, but it doesn't mean that wasn't a great at-bat." Tiger manager A.J. Hinch after Dillon Dingler was called out on strikes on a pitch that Statcast indicated was at least one ball off the outside part of the plate. It was the fifteenth pitch of one of the best bats I have seen in many years.

Orchid of the Day: Zach McKinstry, the Tigers’ all-star jack of all trades former Central Michigan Chippewa, for hitting a home run, triple and single while playing stellar defense at shortstop in Friday night's game, which happened to be Central Michigan Day at the stadium. Comerica Park was filled with Chippewas and Zach put on a show. In his first and last at bats, his walk-up song was the CMU fight song.

Onion of the Day: The umpire in the Tigers’ game Saturday night for his called third strike against the Tigers’ Dillion Dingler. Dingler battled KC starting pitcher Michael Wacha to a 15-pitch standoff, fouling off pitch after pitch, including one that would have been a homerun if it wasn't five feet foul. The fifteenth pitch came on a 3-2 count. According to Statcast, which supplies the “box” of the strike zone we see on the TV, the pitch was at least a ball outside. My initial reaction to the pitch was that it was ball four and Dingler earned a walk in one of the greatest at bats in recent Tiger history. It took a few seconds for me to realize that the umpire mistakenly called it strike three.

Dingler was not catching on Saturday, instead he was the designated hitter. As an umpire, I am sure if Dingler was catching the fifteenth pitch would have been called a ball. No umpire wants to blow a call on a catcher who is protecting him from getting hit by 95mph fastballs.

Question of the Day: Where is the outrage? See above.

Lyrics of the Day: A man walks down the street He says why am I soft in the middle now. Why am I soft in the middle. The rest of my life is so hard.
I need a photo-opportunity. I want a shot at redemption…..
If you'll be my bodyguard, I can be your long lost pal.
I can call you Betty. And Betty when you call me. You can call me…..

Thank you, Ed, for the suggestion. If you think you know the song and the artist, send me your answer in the comments section of the blog.

Answer to Lyrics of the Day for August 20: Due to a brainfart on my part there was no Lyrics of the Day. I am shocked no one called me out on it.

Video of the Day: Phil Collins, with his unique sweet-sounding voice, is one of the great rock and roll performers of all time. He is also one of the greatest drummers of all time. In the following video you get both at his very finest.

Phil Collins Farewell Tour - Drums and "Take Me Home"

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