Violence with political roots is tearing our country apart

July 14, 2026

The physical interference with government agents who are arresting people who have broken our immigration laws by coming into the country the wrong way is an example of political violence. And the violent attacks on these agents is an even worse example.

The week-long preliminary hearing for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer highlights a far more serious one, along with the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York street in 2024, the murder of a Minnesota state lawmaker in 2025, two assassination attempts on President Donald Trump in 2024, and attacks on the CDC headquarters, and other targets.

Charged with Kirk’s murder is 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. After the murder and before he was arrested Robinson was talking with his parents. They reportedly asked him why he committed this crime, to which he said, "there is too much evil and the guy spreads too much hate."

Robinson’s roommate and lover, Lance Twiggs, testified in the hearing that Robinson confessed to killing Kirk for the same reason he had given his parents: he was angry at Kirk and disagreed with the things he said at his public appearances.

Since the murder of Brian Thompson, allegedly because of features of healthcare insurance to which many people object, a shockingly large number of people have celebrated the murder as a good and proper way to complain about the way the industry is operating.

So, in the minds of some people, anger at differing ideas, and disgust with insurance issues somehow justify murdering someone.

All of this political violence ought to concern everyone. And, in fact, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 3,445 U.S. adults conducted last September, people do recognize this trend.

The poll shows that 85 percent of those polled believe politically motivated violence is increasing. And Democrats and Republicans are almost evenly supportive of that opinion. The poll shows that 86 percent of Republicans and those who lean Republican, and 85 percent of Democrats and those who lean Democrat recognize that political violence is increasing. 

Both left-wing and right-wing politics are blamed for this increase, at nearly the same levels, both over 50 percent among those polled. And, those polled say that nearly half of the extremism is from those who do not have clear political views.

Among Democrats, 76 percent say it is right-wing extremism that is the major problem, and 32 percent say it is left-wing extremism.

Among Republicans, 77 percent say the left-wing is the major problem, and 27 percent say the right-wing is the problem.

Just how big of a problem is political violence? A poll by YouGov shows that 59 percent of all adults think it is a big problem. In the party breakdown of whether it is a big problem, 58 percent of Democrats think it is, 54 percent of Independents think it is, and 67 percent of Republicans think it is.

Perhaps more troubling is the result of whether political violence is ever justified. Here is the percentage of those polled by YouGov who think it is sometimes justified, in the following categories: Very Conservative - 3; Conservative - 6; Moderate - 8; Liberal - 17; Very Liberal - 25.

GovFacts online offers this explanation of the cause of this violence: “At the heart is affective polarization — not mere policy disagreement, but visceral dislike and distrust of opposing parties. Since the 1990s, Americans’ feelings of anger, contempt, and hatred for political opponents have intensified more sharply than in most other Western democracies.

“This is driven less by economic debates about ‘who gets what’ and more by cultural debates over identity, immigration, and religion — arguments about ‘who we are’ that are harder to compromise on.”

This development is so at odds with the American culture. It is a danger to our nation’s well-being, and it puts the country’s future at serious risk.

One of the hallmarks of our constitutional republic is the idea that political differences can, should, and will be resolved through peaceful discussion and compromise, not by violence.

If the people fear violence in response to an idea, they may be deterred from taking part in political activities or exercising their right to free speech. And during a heated or even violent election period, people may even fear going to the polls to vote. This is wrong. It is not the America.

We cannot allow this political violence to continue, let alone to increase. People on all sides need to settle down, cool the hot rhetoric, realize that their differences are merely based on differing ideas that have equal status under the First Amendment, and return to sensible, peaceful means of resolving them.

That requires maturity of thoughts and actions, and staying true to the ideals of America’s founding.

We have got to get back to how things were done a few decades ago. Back then, Democrats and Republicans, who most often held different views on issues, made the effort to talk to each other sensibly and peacefully, working to find a mutually suitable solution to the problems. It isn’t that hard, if you put your mind to it.

Our tax system is a necessary mechanism, but is being misused

July 7, 2026

Taxes are one thing that many of us think about, and worry about. We understand that taxation is the primary way of financing government functions at all levels. And that by taxing citizens and businesses governments fund public services, infrastructure, and operations. The primary kinds of taxation are income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes. 

Under the best of circumstances, governments will work to keep their financial needs as low as possible, while providing essential services, and little else. It’s no secret that such a scenario is not common in our country, although some states are moving in that direction.

Taxation is a broad topic with an array of features that generate interest. One of those is the sorts of tax systems we have here in the United States. 

One system for taxing earnings is progressive taxation, which is quite common. The term “progressive” means to move forward toward some target or goal — except in the case of political “progressives,” which is a faction with the goal of moving the country backward.

In taxation, a progressive tax is one that has higher rates as you go up the ladder of earnings. The more you make, the higher the rate of tax you are charged.

For example, in the U.S. the lowest 50 percent of taxpayers paid a rate of 4 percent. Moving up the earnings ladder, those in the 50 - 25 percent range paid 8 percent. Those in the 25 - 10 percent range paid 10 percent; the 10 - 5 percent range paid 14 percent; the 5 - 1 percent range paid 18 percent, and the top 1 percent of earners paid 26 percent.

The theory behind this is that the more money you make, the better able you are to pay more, while those at the lower levels cannot afford high taxes, and in the case of the lowest earners, any taxes. And while those with more money will pay more taxes under a progressive system, they would also pay more under a flat tax, where everyone pays the same rate. 

The tax system in the U.S. has been rated number 1: the most progressive tax system among the 33 developed countries. This, incidentally, is not a feather in our cap.

The political Left keeps shouting “tax the rich.” Well, just how much tax revenue does each group pay? In 2023, the top 1 percent of earners paid 38.4 percent of total tax revenue; the top 5 percent paid 59.3 percent of revenue; the top 10 percent paid 70.5 percent of revenue; and the bottom 50 percent paid only 3.3 percent of tax revenue.

And, half of all taxpayers actually paid 97 percent of all federal income taxes.

Will it matter at all to the progressive Left that the highest earning 1 percent paid well more than a third of all tax revenue? Or, that the top 5 percent paid well more than half of it? Do those figures justify the idea of the rich paying their fair share? Not to the progressive Left.

There are proposals in some states — including Washington, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York and California — to impose a wealth tax on the rich folks in addition to their regular tax rate. And there is the possibility of an increase in the amount the wealthy will have to pay for their Medicare and Social Security.

Massachusetts has imposed a 4 percent surtax on income over $1 million, and Washington is considering a 10 percent surtax on the same amount. California is considering a one-time tax of 5 percent on wealth above $1billion. Then there is the question of whether California will stick with just one time.

What these states may not realize is that it is not difficult for wealthy residents and businesses to pack up and move to a red state, if existing taxes, increases in taxes, or a bad business climate make life difficult for them. And some businesses have done this.

California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey lead the nation in how many businesses have moved out. And Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arizona are very happy to have accepted these companies and the jobs they brought to their states.

Governments ought to be thinking about how to keep taxes down for everyone. But they are more concerned with expanding their operations, often for things they should not do, and of course, taxes are how to finance those things.

They also apparently do not understand the benefits of what the wealthy would do with the money they could keep if tax rates were lower. They support local and other businesses when they buy houses, cars, clothes, furniture and other things. They invest in businesses. They support charitable organizations at levels that exceed the amount they can claim as deductions on their tax return. 

In its 250-year history, the U.S. government has moved well beyond the limits our brilliant Founders set for it. Those limits include what the government ought to do, and how much control it exerts over the people.

We should all hope that the efforts to eliminate some of the excesses is successful, and that we do move back to that original format.

250 years, and counting. How much further will we be able to go?

June 30, 2026

As everyone knows, this Saturday is a special day. It not only is America’s birthday, it is its 250th birthday. Most countries don’t make it that long.

Under the modern definitions of sovereignty and governance, there are currently 195 recognized countries: 193 United Nations member states and Vatican City and Palestine, which are regarded as “observer states.”

According to Britannica online, the number of those who do make it to 250 or beyond is well below 100. Countries are divided into two categories: Strict Continuity and Broad Continuity.

Approximately 20-30 have made it under Strict Continuity, which means they possess an unbroken state identity, government structure, and geographic boundary dating back to at least 1776.

Under Broad Continuity, approximately 40-60 countries qualify. These nations have experienced major shifts in government type or borders but have maintained a continuous, recognizable cultural and national identity.

And, we are told that throughout history there have been thousands to tens of thousands of nations that were established, and few have made it to 250.

The United States of America owes its lasting this long to its Founding Fathers and their vision to create a nation unlike any other, so far. Focusing on individual freedom and rights given to each of us at birth, they designed a country with a “government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

That was a truly unique design, one that was the result of having lived in and witnessed other types of government systems that failed “the people” because that was not their focus.

For the better part of its 250 years, America’s design was taught, appreciated and highly regarded by the people. They appreciated their many freedoms which are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

And that is what made America the highly appreciated and envied nation that it became and has been for a long time.

If you want to become a business person, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a CPA, a scientist, a construction worker, a driver, a politician, or whatever, you have the freedom to pursue that goal. You can buy whatever house, car, home appliances, hobby items, and other things you can afford. You can think as you please, although certain dangerous thoughts you might have should not be expressed, and not every action you might dream about is legal.

Through its life, our nation has moved beyond its original limits, with a federal government that has grown in size, cost and power over the people. But even so, our unique system still exists and thrives, and there are efforts to restore its original scope.

Other changes have also occurred that are as dangerous as the growth of the federal government, and perhaps more dangerous.

While differences of opinion have always been present, protected and tolerated, what we are seeing today from the political Left is extreme and dangerous to the future of our republic.

Which leads to a famous quote from Benjamin Franklin in 1787, as he was leaving Independence Hall during the Constitutional Convention. Asked what kind of government they had created, he replied, warning, “A republic, if you can keep it.” 

Franklin and his colleagues understood that the republic requires an informed citizenry that will be vigilant and strong supporters of the integrity of the system. The people elect the leaders, so they must be alert to challenges to the system.

Today, we have a large and growing segment of the citizenry that is not well informed about their country and its unique and wonderful benefits. Because they grew up with all of this already provided for them, and did not have to work for it, they have little understanding of how great this country already is.

The ideas the political Left wants to replace the original design with are socialistic, communistic ideas that sound good, but do not work and have always failed to produce anything nearly as good as what we have.

Their poisoned dreams include: Implementing government-run, zero-premium Medicare for All; tuition-free higher education and student debt cancellation; free universal childcare; implementing universal rent control; transitioning to a 100 percent renewable energy economy; defunding police, ending cash bail and mandatory minimums, and ultimately freeing incarcerated people; abolishing the Electoral College, and reducing the power of the Supreme Court.

In sharp contrast to the creators of these senseless ideas are the ultra-positive responses to this country from the European visitors who have come here for FIFA World Cup 2026, which ought to be an eye-opener for the Lefties.

Fox News reported that “the visiting fans from those nations really seemed to have enjoyed their time here, and who could blame them?” “[I]t's been fun to follow the exploits of fans from all corners of the world during this year's tournament.”

Liberal talk show host and comedian Bill Maher offered this enlightened comment: “The World Cup is at our shores, and all these people are doing us a great service. They are reminding Americans that this place is kind of awesome.”

Awesome, indeed! But socialists will work to make their changes, and only after will they realize what a horrible mistake it was.