Yes, a Blue Wave!! Now, what?

Well, I guess we won’t be getting our $5,000 each.  Which is unfortunate, because I spent most of my $2,000 tariff rebate on a couple Omaha steaks and a tank of gas.  It’s the price we pay for democracy.  According to a White House source, the President spent Wednesday, the day after the Republican defeat, which looked a bit like Napoleon’s retreat from Russia, in a wise use of his time – reviewing plans for his new ballroom.  That’s the spirit, Donald.  “Let them eat cake.”  And therein lies the problem.

So, much of what happened on Tuesday will be misread and misunderstood in Republican circles.  One reelected Florida congressman suggest that congressional Republicans weren’t “conservative” enough.  Oh, yes.  That was the problem.  There definitely wasn’t enough “slash and burn” in the last two years.  Affordable Care subsidies, Medicaid, medical research, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kennedy Center fiasco.  Most important, of course, are the costs of gasoline, hamburger patties, housing, and child care.  The returning stampede of fossil fuels.  Import tariffs.  They’ve been wonderfully effective in returning manufacturing to the US.  Worries about student debt, losses of employment opportunities in the face of an AI takeover.  And the data centers needed to power them.  In fact, everything that maintains our quality of life, unless you’re a billionaire, is in question and doubt.  All of the things about which Orange Man has largely ignored or told us not to worry.  All of the things that voters told him in 2024 should be the focus of his attention.  Forget the ballroom, the Rose Garden, the grand arch, and now the DC golf course.

Vice President Vance blamed it all on the war with Iran.  It “was the war”, he explained.  Not enough “America First” initiatives.  Well, in fairness, Mr. Trump did rename the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario, and most recently New Mexico for us.  And he’s deported almost a million undocumented immigrants, making us far safer than we were.  Except for the critical labor shortages in some key segments of the workforce, the occasional snatching of legal residents, and every so often, a fatal shooting on the streets by ICE agents.  You will notice, though, that interest rates have plummeted as he said they would . . . . . .oh, wait.  No. Inflation is totally under control, though . . . . oh, wait again.  Another no.  In fairness, he has had his successes:  the US takeover of Greenland went smoothly, and it’s just a matter of time before we make Venezuela a US territory, earning him perhaps a second borrowed Peace Prize.  I hope the new ballroom has enough display space for both of them.

Democracy depends to a large extent on balance.  It’s essentially a pendulum, which we know in time will swing back again.  Former Senator Claire McCaskill, speaking on Tuesday night as the election results unfolded, reminded Democrats that they won’t hold on to power unless they’re able to work effectively, and appeal to, moderate Republicans and independent voters.  Increasing numbers of voters identify as independent, not affiliated with either party.  Sticking rigidly to ideology and being unable to compromise doesn’t work well in either our government or our society.  Compromises will have to be reached.  We know that rightest, authoritarian government systems haven’t done well over time.  On the other hand, extreme leftist governments, what we in the past have come to call “communism”, haven’t fared particularly well either.  I think that’s because in either, people don’t feel they have a voice. No, our system – democracy – works best when both sides are free to express their thoughts, exchange ideas, and come to some sort of compromise.

It often comes up in political discourse, and debates, from both right and left that, if the other side prevails, societal collapse is inevitable.  Well, guess what.  Both sides have had their turn at the controls of this country, and we’re still here.  We’ve managed to bounce back from leftist control (or “socialism”, as the right likes to call it) and control by the right (or “fascism”, if you tend more toward the progressive side).  We’ve managed to survive the whole spectrum.  For those that say we’ve never been more divided, I beg to differ.  I recently read a new biography of patriot Samuel Adams, who was deeply distrustful of a strong federal government, despite his efforts to unite the colonies.  He favored a loose union of sovereign states, which didn’t work very well under the Articles of Confederation, to be replaced by the Constitution. The beginnings of our country were messy and divided. The period leading up to, during, and after the Civil War was probably the most conflicted, the most vicious period in American history, and the Cold War of the last century, including Sen. Joseph McCarthy rounding up suspected “un-Americans” wasn’t a whole lot better.  Yes, we have divisions, and yes, we disagree.  We will always disagree. Who’s to blame?  I’d say there’s enough blame to go around.  I remember several decades ago when one party, after a particularly triumphant election, predicted the demise of the other.  Again, guess what?  They’re both still here, and currently are pretty evenly dividing the government.  Which would suggest that voters don’t entirely trust either party with complete control.  So, advancing the causes of cooperation and compromise, stated reelected Congressman Randy Fine of Florida, “So we’re going to be having to fight against stupid policies that they will be pushing. And it’s going to be an ugly two years, but we’re gonna have to explain why all of the things that they said they would do during the campaign are so bad.” Ah, that’s the spirit, Randy.  Your way or the highway.  Or, as my grandfather used to say, “My mind’s made up.  Don’t confuse me with facts.”  The American voter, sometimes a majority of them, may not always be the brightest bulbs in the chandelier – they elected Donald Trump over far superior candidates not once but twice – but over time, they’ll revisit their mistakes.  Like the stock market, there will be a correction.

In a democracy, it’s imperative that issues of disagreement among us are discussed with information and reason.  Not label anything with which we disagree as “stupid policies”.  We need to move well beyond issues like a “stolen” elections, or COVID is a hoax, despite millions of deaths worldwide.  How many consecutive nights do we need to hear the evening news leading off with “fierce storms and severe weather lashing . . . .” before we begin to think climate change may just be a “thing” after all?  The least productive element of a reasonable discussion is fear, and distortions often lead to that fear.  When people lash out in anger, or worse, form their political views based on it, fruitful debate devolves into shouting and finger pointing.  It is therefore essential that respect for opposing views prevail.

What’s next, Democrats?  You have solid majorities, and as we say in football, you’ve been given the ball.  You can run with it, pass it, or punt.  You can either demonstrate that you’ve been listening to voters, and lay out your objectives accordingly, or you can stand down and watch inertia set in.  The latter course won’t sit well with voters in 2028, because they have short memories.  They usually shape their views through their personal situations, their personal economies.  Affordable living spaces.  Affordable child care, because living in America usually means two incomes.  Jobs that offer advancement and a way to live comfortably to retirement. Perhaps less reliance on oil and other fossil fuels, more on cleaner, cheaper energy that won’t damage the environment.  Healthcare that is affordable and allows us to seek medical treatments when we need them.  Pathways to citizenship for those looking for a better life for their families or have been here for decades, not forced deportations to countries unrelated to their places of origin.

So, Democrats, you’re in control now.  Show us what you’re made of, and what you believe in.  That America is the world’s friend, not its bully. That we take care of ourselves, our neighbors, and our allies.  We won’t abide injustice, but we’ll take reasonable action to stop it.   We won’t allow the wealthy and powerful to take what they want, trampling the majority in the process. Most of all, we’ll bring together a coalition that represents, and listens to, all segments of America.  Yep, that’s what is next.  Now is your chance, Democrats.  Don’t fumble the ball.

Trick or Treat – On Election Day

Yes, it’s fast approaching.  The midterm elections, where we elect members of both houses of Congress, along with state and local government officials.  Red and blue, purple, independents, socialists, fascists, libertarians (or as we call them in New Hampshire, “Free Staters”) and anarchist.  Here in the US, unlike many other democracies, where election seasons are reasonably short, November 3rd, 2026 represents the official kick-off of the 2028 election campaigns.  It’s to the political process what a starter’s gun is to a marathon.

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Halloween is Looming Again

OK, I’ll just say it boldly.  Halloween isn’t my favorite holiday.  In fact, it’s right below Labor Day in terms of my expectations, what with running to the door to disburse endless quantities of sweets for which I’ve paid a king’s ransom.   Many folks don’t feel as I do, planning elaborate decorations and building up great stores of candy.  I don’t ignore it, but in full disclosure, I’d like to.

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More “Getting Older”

It was a nice, crisp fall day, sunny and pleasant.  I thought I’d take a walk down to the mail house, about a half mile away, to pick up today’s mail.  It was late afternoon, when I was reasonably sure that the mail would have been delivered.  Perhaps a package or two, as Her Ladyship has begun her Christmas shopping. Good exercise while the weather is nice.  Too soon, the streets will be snow covered and the temperatures a bit chilly for my taste. 

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Death by Murder, and tips to avoid it!

Years and years of watching crime shows and murder mysteries have contributed to my semi-expertise in the field of becoming a murder victim.  The honest truth is that so many make the same mistakes that have taken lives in the past.  It’s a shame really that history has repeated itself, and yet, in show after show, and now, sadly, spilling over into “True Crime”, it’s happening in real life every so often.

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There’s “no greater burden . . .”

From time to time, Linus, the wonderfully philosophical, security blanket-clutching member of the “Peanuts” gang in the comics would opine: “There’s no greater burden that great potential.”  Often in reaction to his overbearing sister, Lucy, and his hapless friend Charlie Brown.  Wonderful creations of cartoonist Charles Shultz.  On reflection, though, perhaps Linus had something.  The pressure of high expectations and achievable reality often seem to collide in life, leaving us disappointed and feeling let down, even when perhaps we should have felt differently.

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The Emmy’s – What I Haven’t Seen

Well, that’s another “wrap” at the Emmys.  Time to reflect on what is considered “excellence” in television programming – acting, directing, writing, and all those technical things that most of us don’t understand.  More and more, the Emmys are, like the Oscars in film, increasingly moving away from viewers.  We’re estranged, like that sad couple in separate bedrooms, and making separate meals.  In the quest for “excellence”, perhaps they’re trying a little too hard to produce things we’ll actually enjoy watching. Sometimes, we’ll test-drive one of the winning shows after it’s racked up multiple awards, only to have Her Ladyship and myself look at each other and shake our heads.  Really, that won for best writing?  Or more commonly, that was a comedy?  After some show has won for a couple of years in a row, we may give it another try, but often with the same result.  Nope.

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Wait – they do what now? Enhanced Job Titles

I’m always curious about the way professions and job titles evolve.  People making short video clips, for example, are now “content creators”.   Because, it seems, anything can become “content”, even what I’m writing here for you to read.  I could actually put this on film, or record it, in which case I’d no longer a blogger.  I’ve become a podcaster, a vlogger, or even better, an influencer.  

Meanwhile, I watch (and if I am honest, mostly enjoy) those Dr. Rick commercials.  You know the ones, of “young homeowners becoming their parents”.  I, of course, am long since into the parent category.  I talk to people in the grocery store, I’ve even been known to correct a bagger when they’re putting eggs or chips in the bottom.   One of the most recent ones, though, is an introduction to internet communication.  It features a young man who is a “reaction influencer”, and you may have seen it.  At one point, he’s putting on hats in the video, if video is even still the right term.  One of the observers asks, “So you sell hats?”  No, the influencer explains.  He’s just putting them on to judge a reaction.  Apparently, it’s a thing.  I googled it, and here’s what I found.  

“Influencer reaction videos, a mainstay of platforms like YouTube and TikTok, feature creators watching and responding to viral clips, music, news, or pop culture moments. In 2025, this content has evolved beyond mere facial expressions; influencers now weave in expertise, personal anecdotes, and humor. Audiences seek not just the original clip, but a trusted voice interpreting and contextualizing it for them.”  This comes from writer Eli Turner, from a website called #Influencers Time.  Wow.  Apparently, as the author of this column indicates, being a “reaction influencer” is a big money-maker.  Or, as we now say, is a “monetizer”, the $$$ equivalent of “content”.  That money flows in from subscriptions and advertising.  Who knew?  And more importantly, what am I doing wrong, sitting at my computer writing this?  I see people doing stupid stuff every day.  I could be filming it, commenting on it, and posting it to millions of devoted followers for beaucoup cash.  Not that I don’t appreciate all of my faithful readers – I do, indeed.  But if I’m honest, you’re not contributing much to my retirement account.

I was in a furniture store a few years back to buy a new recliner for Her Ladyship.  A fine young man assisted in the process, and after the purchase was complete, he handed me his card.  On it, I was informed that he isn’t a “salesperson”.  He is a “customer satisfaction representative”.  Ah.  Sales is no longer what happens when we enter a store, purchase something, and walk out.  I’d guess that if we’re unhappy with our purchase down the road and need to take it back, the person at the euphemistically called “customer service” desk, who explains the store policies and why return isn’t an option, is a “customer non-satisfaction representative.”  Quite like the person in “tech support” that tells us he or she has no idea why our technology is not performing as it should.  

As a fan of the show, “Jeopardy”, the opening announces the contestants, what they do, and where they’re from.  So, we get a name, followed by “an innovation communicator from Des Moines, Iowa.”  Later in the show, Ken is getting to know them, but rather than asking “what the heck is an ‘innovation communicator’?”, he instead turns to something like, “You had a funny experience with your cat recently.  Tell us about it.”  No, no, Ken.  We don’t care about the cat. Go back to the job.  

There was a time when jobs were, well, self-explanatory.  A “butler” buttled.  A “carter” was a prehistoric trucker.  They transported goods by cart, usually horse-drawn.  Surnames, like Baker, were often taken from the family profession. If you’ve ever wondered about the name “Fletcher”, it derived from “fletching”, the feathers attached to the end of an arrow to ensure an accurate flight path.  The fletcher was the person that made and calibrated it.  Very useful in the Middle Ages, before firearms. Now, of course, in today’s world of archery, they would be called Projectile Stabilization Technologists.  

When a football team hires an “offensive coordinator”, we pretty much know what they do, and it has nothing to do with being brash and annoying.  In broadcasting, the “color commentator” is the person that provides bits and pieces of insight so we don’t get tired of hearing the main commentator babble on and on, particularly when not much is happening on the field.

My final position before I retired was as a school district “Fine Arts Director.”  What is that, you may well ask, and further, is it all that important?  Yes, it’s vital.  I oversaw programs in the arts – visual art, music, theatre, and media.  I oversaw the curricula in each, the course offerings. I supervised and evaluated teachers, developed budgets, and so on.  And yes, I was also a music teacher.  There are, as in any school district, educational layers of instruction, and titles that describe them.  Titles evolved over the years, often to make them more appealing.  Janitors became “custodians”.  Teacher aides became “program assistants” or “para-professionals”.   Business administrators, often at the level of assistant superintendent, oversaw all of the district’s finances, which can be very complicated, and entails holding certifications and licensures. All of those titles were fine, because we all knew what they did.  We didn’t have to wonder.  

We used to have “activists”.  Ok, those are people working for a specific cause.  But, were they paying jobs and careers?  Could you live on that?  In the 19th century, we had “anarchists”, people seeking to overthrow governments.  Archduke Franz Ferdinand and President William McKinley were assassinated by two of them.  But were those professions?  Was that something you put on your resume?  Did a Human Resources director, on reviewing your application, ask, “I see you’re an anarchist. What have you done lately to shake things up?”  No, I guess it’s just a political philosophy that has, or will pass into the dark corners of history, like moderate Republicans. 

At some period in the recent past, the term “life coach” appeared.  There was probably a need. I never had one, so I’m speculating here that it was a service provided for a person that needed a little back-up or lacked direction in life, as opposed to the person requiring a whole psychological SWAT team. Someone whose peace of mind has a few bumps and potholes, or who is going through a difficult transition phase.  A career change, or perhaps inheriting some caregiving situation.  I’m not exactly sure what experiences or professional training one need to be a life coach, although I do know that a friend’s mother was considering it fairly late in her life.  Her life was, shall we say, a bit dependent and chaotic, and empathy wasn’t really her strong suit. My first thought when she announced that she was pursuing that career was, “oh, dear God.”  

In the current job market, new title buzz words are running rampant.  They include “strategist”, “optimizer”, “facilitator”, and “coordinator”.  My wife and daughter are ardent followers of the television show, “Project Runway”.  They’ve been watching since the dawn of time, or when Tim Gunn mentored the designers.  One of the current judges bills themselves as an “image architect”.  First, my sincerest apologies to Frank Lloyd Wright, Christopher Wren, Frank Gehry, Frederick Law Olmsted, and so many other famous designers of buildings, parks, gardens, and other notable design achievements of actual things. They must be swirling overhead at the new use of “architect”.  Anyway, this person apparently develops “images” for people.  Kind of like a publicist on steroids.  It’s described as ‘way more than fashion and make-up”.   It’s a total look, and if his own image is anything to go by, it goes well beyond the visually superficial to personality as well.  Particularly to the condescending and confrontational.  If it’s a “look” and an attitude that some find appealing, they should perhaps “look” again.  

As social media and the internet transform the job landscape, it’s inevitable that job titles and descriptions will continue to expand into the realm of intensely perplexing and bewildering.  And if you could see my face right now, it’s a mixture of frowny face and “deer in the headlights”.  I may not yet be an influencer, but I have the “reaction” part down.

The New “Geography”

The “renaming” binge goes on.  President Trump signed an order this past week that makes the former Lake Ontario, the easternmost of the Great Lakes between the Canadian province of Ontario and the US’s New York state into “Lake America”.  It flows into the St. Lawrence River, which may well become the “Grand River of America” by the time you read this. This move hasn’t been quite as spectacularly splashy as his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico into the Gulf of America, which, as we all know, didn’t exactly send mapmakers scurrying back to the drawing board.  But, with a stroke of the pen, and a bit of vengeful rhetoric, the president has managed to divert attention from a host of more pressing national problems, along with centuries of tradition. 

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No, I’m Not Running

My faithful readers will know by now that I have decided not to throw my hat in the ring for any state or national elective office.   It’s not that I’m not quite as sharp as I used to be, truth be told, my memory and recall are slowing down a bit.  I know this because we watch “Jeopardy” every night, and often, I’ll think to myself, “I knew that.”  But I wouldn’t be able to buzz in fast enough.  And, once again in full disclosure, I’m lacking the stamina of Mitch McConnell or Chuck Grassley.  So, this year, I’m passing.  If some untoward write-in campaign forces me to emerge from retirement, well then, perhaps I’ll bow to the people.  

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