WELCOME TO 2018

Last Friday, the day before a three-day weekend, we had the classic “document dump.” This time however the dump came from the Justice Dept. and it was several thousand emails from Huma Abedin to her then husband, former Congressman and now convicted sexual predator, Anthony Weiner. What a perfectly named individual, but I digress.

In these documents were several emails marked classified. Now remember, at no time were any classified materials supposed to be transmitted over any unsecure servers or computers to any individuals who did not have proper security clearance. Every bit of this activity was illegal and punishable by prison time.

James Comey, when learning of this activity, excused it with the explanation that Abedin probably wasn’t aware that her actions were illegal. Excuse me. Unaware? Are you kidding me? When I was a youngster of eighteen, I was given a security clearance by the Army in order to do my job as a radio operator who sent and received coded messages. I learned early on the meaning of that clearance and clearly knew of the possible punishment for any violations. If Hillary Clinton or her trusted aide Huma Abedin were so ignorant of the law, how in the world could they ever have been entrusted with US secrets? The entire mess stinks and should be put before a Grand Jury for indictment and arrest. We don’t have one set of laws for our citizens and another set for the political elite. Oh, and by the way, ignorance of the law is never an excuse or a defense.

Another little item caught my attention last week. The Democrats plan to attack the Republicans this year in an effort to win back control of the Congress. So far, so good. I expect that. But their plan to attack the Republicans is based on the economy and the tax reform package that was just passed into law. They plan to use that as fodder in their effort to woo voters to their side. What? They plan to attack Republicans based on a booming economy, a soaring stock market, and the lowest unemployment rate in decades? When people discover more money in their paychecks and consumer confidence at all-time highs? The Democrats seem to believe their strategy will work. I guess they have forgotten the words of one of the biggest loud-mouthed Democrats of all times, James Carville, who famously opined, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Carville was right then and he is right now.

I sincerely hope the Democrats follow through with their threat and pursue this line of campaigning. That will all but guarantee the Republicans even larger numbers in both the House and the Senate. Even with the non-mainstream media on board, they won’t be able to fool the vast majority of Americans. Money talks, period. As a very young man I was told that the quickest way to become a Republican was to get a wife, a job, and a mortgage. That’s when reality strikes. It sure did in my case.

And finally, I am amazed that there is a single American Jew who wouldn’t be a President Trump supporter. Israel has never had a better friend. Even lifelong Democrat, Harvard professor emeritus, Alan Dershowitz sings Trump’s praises. He clearly understands the value of Trump’s support for Israel and her objectives as well as his willingness to reign in Iran and her nuclear ambitions. Israel is even talking of naming a major train station in Jerusalem after Trump. The Democrats have never done anything for Israel. Remember that in the next election.

Welcome to 2018. It is going to be a great year.

Ron Scarbro

2017 HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD YEAR

 

2017 is ending and it has been a great year. A lot has happened. I am going to try and list some of the positives and some of the negatives of this past year. You should play along to see if you agree or disagree.

First on my list of positives was the inauguration of Donald Trump. His being seated in the job of President necessarily created several more positives, but his inauguration was certainly the most positive thing to happen to America in many years.

One of his first chores was to name a Supreme Court Judge. He named Neil Gorsuch to that position and he was confirmed. This truly was one of the most important positives for us this year.

In no particular order several more changes came out of the White House. The decision that no new regulation could be enacted without the elimination of at least ten old ones. For business this little act has been a boon. The stifling regulations produced by liberals and career, unelected, bureaucrats has needed scrutiny for many years and Trump took care of it.

Next on my list has been the effort by this administration to once again put the world on notice that we will not be a rug on which they could wipe their feet. America is the preeminent power in the world and there should be no doubt. President Trump is letting punks like North Korea and Iran know that.

We are pulling out of ridiculous treaties and agreements signed by previous Presidents, many without the consent of Congress. Trade agreements that favor the other side are ending. Nuclear reduction treaties that have no teeth and fail to offer us any security or assurance of success are being thrown into the trash can where they belong. Global climate change agreements which serve only to stifle American business and commerce are being cast aside. Feel-good nonsense like this is being handled as it should be and disregarded.

Most recently President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Incidentally, Jerusalem has been Israel’s capital for 3000 years so this is nothing new, it just needed to be stated for the record and Trump did. We will be moving our embassy there very soon and the rest of the world and especially the United Nations will just have to get used to it. And speaking of the UN, our Ambassador Nikki Haley has served notice that we will not be looking kindly on any member who disrespects us in future votes. Without our financial contribution the UN would fold like a cheap blanket. For my money I would just as soon see that building turned into luxury condominiums anyway.

Finally, the just passed and signed tax reform bill. This just may be the most important thing Trump accomplishes in his whole term, but I doubt it. It really is just the beginning.

Let’s talk negatives and they are many. How about Hillary’s refusal to accept the will of the voters? Then there’s the NFL and their unwillingness to require their employees to honor our country or our flag. It is all just pure ugliness and it, if not brought to an end soon, will pronounce the end of the NFL. I don’t know about you, but I don’t care.

Then we have the FBI’s unwillingness to investigate Hillary and her money grabbing schemes. Coupled with that is a completely ridiculous investigation of our president and his so-called collusion with the Russians of all people. A fable created by Hillary to try to delegitimize Trump’s victory. We are now learning the entire investigation was probably motivated by Clinton supporters disguised as independent FBI investigators. That whole house of cards is now tumbling down.

My final negative for this year; Democrats, aren’t you embarrassed that your spokespeople are Chuck, Nancy, Maxine and others of their ilk? They are an insult to thinking Americans everywhere and you should be ashamed.

Happy New Year,

Ron Scarbro

ECONOMIES NEVER TRICKLE UP

Money is not a static commodity. It has to be moving to be of any value. There has never been a time when a poor man has offered me a job. Jobs become available when companies need help to produce product that will generate profit. Let’s blow up another myth. Governments don’t produce anything. Governments don’t make money. Governments only spend money. They create rules and regulations designed to control those who produce the very money they need for their projects. Governments seem to believe they are better at spending money than those who produce it. Sadly, all one has to do is look at the track record of our own government to prove the validity of that statement. If practice made them good at it, they should be experts by now.

So, comes now a tax reform package. This reform should cut the income taxes for most Americans and for most corporations. Obviously the plan is for that money to be utilized by the recipients and spent. Individuals and families, who will receive approximately $2000 in lower taxes, will have greater spending power in 2018. The Obamacare penalty will be eliminated.  Corporations will benefit the most by a huge reduction in their tax responsibility. It is expected they will use that additional money to expand and grow their businesses. That will require more employees. That additional growth will cause all around it to also grow. Transportation will be needed to move product. More spending by individuals will also create more jobs and opportunity. Restaurants will see an increase in business as more people eat out. In fact, every element in our economy will benefit from this tax reduction. America will be the winner. The only losers will be the Democrats who refused to participate in this most beneficial tax reduction.

Imagine the election next year when the economy is roaring, the stock market is exploding, and we are experiencing near full employment, and a Democrat goes to the voters asking them to reelect him or her to continue their resistance and obstruction. Do you think that might be a tough sell? Can you see their campaign literature? “The economy is roaring and unemployment is at an all time low. Paychecks are higher. Our borders are secure and the stock market is continuing upward, in spite of everything I did to stifle and obstruct it. Vote for me to continue harming our country and our way of life.” Even for the liberals that will be hard to get a handle on.

What we are talking about here is the “trickle down economy” that was made famous by Ronald Reagan a few years ago. It worked then and it will work now. Economies never trickle up. Money flows downhill, never uphill. When governments take your money away from you to fund various boondoggles and pet projects, very few benefit. When that same money is in the hands of the very people who earned it and subsequently spent by them, economies grow. That, ladies and gentlemen, is basic economics.

Some have said the very rich will not spend the money. They will just put it in the bank or the stock market. Don’t they understand that the money they deposit will become the funding for new cars and new houses? It will fund the creation of new businesses. Money doesn’t just sit still. It is always moving. The only way to stop the movement is to put it in a jar and bury it in the ground or maybe tax it to allow the government to have control over it and its spending.

I have always been puzzled by Democrats, especially highly educated Democrats, who cannot seem to grasp basic economics. They can’t or they just won’t. Either way, this economy will grow with this tax reform package with or without Democrat help.

As President Trump has said, this will be a great Christmas gift to America. Remember who voted for it and more importantly who voted against it.

Ron Scarbro