State of the Union - Trump 47

Letter to Congresswomen Pingree

Before Trump 1st inauguration sixty-three Democrats refused to attend... "He's NOT my President!" Everyone said he would destroy the country, the stock market and start wars. He didn't... Then they said he wouldn't leave office and even though Trump didn't believe President Elect Biden received 81,283,591 votes he infact left office and the Democrats impeached him again anyways.

Congresswomen Pingree please don't blow off the State of The Union. You represent me and my state and if you don't go I'm not represented. I know Trump is a dictator. He's a wannabe King. Of course he's a pedophile, Nazi and a racist... But still, actions have consequences and by not going to the State of The Union you are feeding the fire that our democracy is at risk. You know, democracy, where the person getting the most votes gets elected?

Fast forward a few days: My request fell upon deaf ears. The largest previous boycott record was just fourteen in 2018. This was crushed in 2026. The Democrats call for unity seems crazy when 31 Senate Democrats and 103 House Democrats "miss"  the State of the Union. Yes some Democrats were sick or had other pressing obligations but it's clear no matter how you count this was the largest boycott of any gathering of Congress in our nations history.

Everyone says Trump continues to destroy the norms of his office when in fact it could be argued that the Democrats are the ones blowing up norms. It's Democrats fanning the flames of the people who are mentally unstable. Two serious assassination attempts with one a half inch away from blowing Trump's head off are indicators that the Democrats don't really believe in democracy.

It's hard not to believe Justice Kavanaugh being targeted for assassination or Charlie Kirk being assassinated are not the byproduct of the Democrats ever increasing, unhinged rhetoric of hostility and anything remotely associated with Trump. 

Van's RB-14 Fuselage Final Parts

I've been working pretty hard on the fuselage since the beginning of the year. Got the fuel system done, most of the brake system and the left skin is now attached.

So I'm working on the avionics bay now and things are looking great.

Our local EAA monthly chapter meeting was canceled due to snow so I had a helper and we worked on the instrument panel. 

This week I finished with most of the remaining fuselage parts.

The first thing you do is separate them, deburr, scuff, wash and dry.

Then you clean them off with acetone and paint with self-eching primer.

The last step is crazy... After a few hours of drying you can bake them in the oven for 60 minutes at 160 degrees. These parts are ready to use but some will be painted a final color for looks or corrosion resistance. If a hard durable finish is required I wait a week or longer for them to completely dry. I them wipe them down with a rough rag, paint them their final color, let the dry for a few days or longer and then bake for 60 minutes at 160 degrees. The result is a be very consistent poor man's powder coat finish.

It's nearly impossible to really get the feeling how much work is needed to build a plane unless you participate in building one. Kinda like not being  able to understand how much your Dad loved you without being a dad.

Life is good and very importantly the chicken is once again ready to fly after our fourth nose gear overhaul in less than a month.🤞

 

Thanks to our local A&P Scott... That nose gear piston looks super shiny 😆.

TDS - Is it Terminal?

A Letter to a Friend Who Sees Things Differently

Dear Mike,

Your call inspired me to write a blog to help process my thoughts so I could move forward with a clearer mind. Like many on the Right I have a few close friends and some family members who share your strong feelings of frustration and concern about Trump. I understand that emotions run high on this topic, and history will judge how we all handled these divisions.

One of the smartest people I know is a very successful lawyer who ran for office as a Democrat. She's one of my best friends and one of my most valued clients. Last year, she mentioned her belief that Trump's assassination attempt was staged. It's hard to imagine a bullet grazing someone's head, missing by half an inch, as a publicity stunt. For the life of me I can't comprehend how anyone might question the assassination attempt even in these polarized times.

You and I are both thoughtful enough to recognize that Trump doesn't always know as much as he claims, that he's getting older and that he often says or does things that can be frustrating or misguided. Where we differ is that I'm willing to overlook much of this because I see value in many of his key policies and actions. Furthermore, unlike you I believe his intentions are generally aimed at what he thinks is best for the country.

I felt content during his first term and I was okay during Biden's term. So far, I'm feeling positive about Trump's second term. Do I need to adopt your perspective to understand the concerns that make you feel angry and disheartened? One big realization for me has been noticing how biased the media is. It's absolutely eye-opening once you start seeing it, like when you're thinking about buying a specific car and suddenly spot it everywhere.

Mike, you brought up the death of Officer Sicknick, mentioning that he was bludgeoned by January 6th rioters and died after being in a coma. I encourage you to look deeper into the details. Nearly everything on the Web talks about how this officer was attacked but they don't show anything because his bludgeoning was a lie. Maybe he was sprayed in the face with bear spray but even that didn't show up on his autopsy. I challenge you to did deeper and find the videos Congress released of Officer Sicknick walking around the rotunda helping with the cleanup after the riot. Definitely review his autopsy report and compare that the press reported regarding the fire extinguisher and what his body showed.

Similarly, take a closer look at the shooting of Ashli Babbitt, a former Air Force enlistee. Watch the video of the incident and note the two officers in riot gear at arms reach to her right. Read about the officer who fired the shot and then promptly "left" the scene. She was climbing through a broken window, and while she could have been apprehended and arrested instead she was shot in the neck.

Did Ashli Babbitt deserve to be killed? No. Did her actions put her in a dangerous situation and result in her death? Yes. Clearly the officer felt threatened in that chaotic moment. It's fortunate he didn't accidentally hit one of the officers behind Ashli. Firing his weapon with officers right next to Miss Babbitt, his quick departure from the scene and the $5,000,000 settlement raises serious concerns about judgement, accountability and the need for deadly force in this matter.

Mike, as you know I live in New England, where if you want an example of how systems can feel rigged look no further. Just over 40% of New Englanders voted for Trump even with the Left leaning media, schools, colleges, and universities, which often promote progressive viewpoints. 

How can I say the system is rigged? Even with 40% conservative support Republicans hold only 3% of New England's congressional delegation. Only 1 of New England's 33 seats in Congress and the Senate is Republican. It's very likely that over $100 million will be spent trying to unseat Susan Collins, potentially giving Democrats full control of the region's representation all in the pursuit of democratic outcomes. Wasn't taxation with out representation a thing 250 years ago?

Here's a biscuit we might both consider chewing: There's agreement across the political spectrum that Trump genuinely believes he won the 2020 election. Yes, Trump delayed the transition while court cases were dismissed one by one. In the end, though, the only thing that was different was the cordial White House handover. Citizen Trump boarded the Marine helicopter, flew to Andrews, and departed on "Air Force One" without shaking Joe Biden's hand. Democracy persisted, even as the nation navigated challenges under a leader whose cognitive health was embarrassingly downplayed by the MSM for the next four years.

It's tough for anyone deeply invested in one viewpoint to shift perspectives, but I hope you can one day see things the way I do and return to the Republican party. Regardless, I firmly believe Trump will once again become just a citizen on or before January 20th, 2029 and you Sir will scratch you head and say... Hummm that wasn't so bad.

15 year old Dog is teaching us about life.

Five Year Old Taken by ICE!

Was the five year old in Minneapolis taken by ICE? Technically yes but that's what officers do when someone is arrested and they abandon their child to flee authorities.

This little boy who was "captured" by ICE has become a talking point designed to enrage the Left and spur action. Actions that are illegal (yes, interfering with a officer of the law while they are arresting someone is a felony) are being celebrated by the radical Left. Liam Conejo Ramos was brought home by ICE but his mother wouldn't open the door to take her son. The father and son where flown to Texas and are awaiting deportation. However, Texas U.S. District Judge Fred Biery has ordered the boy and his father. The vast majority of Judges know the federal government is responsible for enforcing immigration law but some judges, typically those on senior status, have found ways to legislate from the bench. 

We also have the lie that U.S. Citizens being "disappeared". Some like this man in his underwear during a Minnesota winter by "masked" men? Note the officer here is NOT masked.

If ICE can do this to this citizen they can do it to you... Right? Well yes they can if you repeatedly refuse to tell the officers who you. It's also been reported this citizen wouldn't allow the officers to use their biometric identification tools. When on officer asks you who you are are yo in are required to to tell them.

If you refuse to open the door and the government suspects you are harboring two illegal alien convicted sex offenders they will likely kick it down. Even the slightest cooperation in this case would have prevented this entire fiasco.

If you do not cooperate with the federal government they can "disappear" you if they have probable cause for 72 hours or longer if national security is involved. This is a constant regardless of who you are. ChongLy "Scott" Thao, a 56-year-old Hmong immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen refused to identify himself, was brought to the ICE detention center and released as soon as his identity was determined which took 60 minutes. My guess is he refused to get dressed as well.

Media flaming the fire continues. Reporting that a VA nurse was just walking the streets and came to the rescue of a woman being assaulted by ICE was a lie proven by a video of a violent incident just 11 days before he was killed. The subsequent struggle with ICE ended with the tragic loss of life after Alex Pretti's handgun "fell" from his waist band. To increase his appeal as a man wrongly killed the media ran with the AI modified picture above.

The Left continues to pound the drum that ICE's actions are unlawful. Even the men who created  the laws ICE is enforcing have joined in the deception. Here is Senator Dick Durbin in the Well of the Senate showing an AI generated picture of Alex Pretti being assinated. If you look closely you can see the officer on his knee is missing a head. Crazy to think that Dick Durbin is leading the Senate efforts to get AI under control with Bills like the AI LEAD Act (S. 2937)... Go Dick Durbin!

This shit has to stop. Picking and choosing which laws to enforce has to stop. Senior judges that don't give a shit about the law anymore more need to fully retire. Clearly the media doesn't give a shit about getting it right anymore. The Left is wholeheartedly convinced that this administration will be the death of democracy thus anything and everything can be justified to stop them. I've got dear friends and family members who are so ramped up they can't, even if their life depended on it, see things for how they truly are. Common sense is not even a part of their thought process. Tell them they are looking at AI generated photos and the response isn't OMG that's BS... it's something  else that's hard to describe.

Open Letter to My Grandchildren

Dear Grandchildren, 

I'm sorry that I have failed you. I failed to impart my values upon my children. I failed to convey just how much being a father has meant to me to me and that the love of one's offspring is just impossible to explain with words. It's a feeling you get the moment you.jold your son or daughter in your hands for the first time.

My values are not complex and for the most part came from my father and to a lesser extent my mother. A few of my values can be summoned up against the background of what is currently happening in America. What are those values?

- Treat everyone based on their character not the color of their skin, sex, physical size or any other feature they can't control.

- Acknowledge that current technology can't turn a man into a woman and a woman can't become a man.

- Note that our countries political system requires the electorate to be educated, moral and believe in a power greator than themselves.

- Understand that all countries are responsible to enforce their borders. If the 1st thing you did entering America is break it's immigration laws you need to leave. Illegal aliens are not migrants. Those who came here during the Biden "migration" need to go home.

The list goes on and on and I'm just tired thinking of all the things we disagree upon that are just fundamental to being a good citizen.

One of my all time favorite pics...

Ponder this... The largest city in America has elected a young man who has never worked a "real"  job other being involved with politics. The Mayor elect was born in Uganda and moved to South Africa. His family "left" South Africa when he was seven. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and earned a degree in African Studies. Fingers crossed he does a great job running a city that if it was a state it would the 13th largest by population.

Grandchildren, my biggest life failure is not teaching your mother that they were the greatest thrill of my life. Nothing as of yet has come close to the feeling of holding them in my arms as they began their lives.

Corporate Tax Rate Drops 18%

In 2018 Corporate Tax Changed to a Flat 21%

How soon we forget... In 2018 corporate income tax brackets went away and the top rate of 39% became a flat 21%. This monumental shift was not celebrated by anyone. It may have been one of the greatest accomplishments of Donald Trump.

When I was born the geniuses in Washington felt that 50% was the proper corporate tax rate. I think you know I believe it should be zero because corporations don't actually pay tax... Their customers do and for the most part that is us. Meaning corporate taxation is yet another hidden tax on the American people.

The Constitution prohibited income taxes. But the 16th Amendment changed that... If you did deep you will see this was the byproduct of the first progressive movement. 😡

Corporate tax rates started out at 1%. They consistently went up every few years. It then became graduated and complicated. Each major war increased the tax rate. We even had a 10% Vietnam War surcharge levied.

Then in 2018 the seemingly impossible happened. The Trump Administration pushed hard and the corporate income tax rates became a flat 21%... Go TRUMP 👍 aka Orange Man Bad? Sorry big guy no parade for you... Not yet Sir.

Seriously, how do we not remember this. Who in the past thought 50% of all corporate profits should go to the Federal government? Who doesn't understand that corporations don't pay tax? That the people buying the products and services are in reality paying the tax... Duh?

How this is not one of the greatest Trump accomplishments is beyond me and yet the right knows it's a losing talking point and the Left... They know saying they want to raise taxes will also lose them votes. 

The result? No one remembers the greatest shift in corporate taxation since the passage of the 16th Amendment. 

The flat 21% corporate taxes rate was and is an epic shift in America. This move combined with a few others was like strapping the American Stock Market on the back of a rocketship. Did this new found prosperity usher in a Communist leader for New York City? Is having a self identified Communist lead New York city really that big of a deal? 

New York City's population alone would rank it as the 13th is largest state. The city is the national center of finance, culture, media, diplomacy, commerce and business. It's arguably our center of innovation and diversity. For over 100 years it's been a magnet for technology, academia, and immigration, boasting the world's most linguistically diverse population and significant cultural output. What could possibly go wrong with putting a communist incharge?

Corporate Tax Rates 75 Years Ago... 

Trump Tariffs and Thomas Sowell

Tariffs are tough for conservatives to agree with and adopt. Historically and economically tariffs are obviously bad. Thomas Sowell is my hero and I align with his economics. His exceedingly well thought out approach based on real life circumstances is hard to argue against.

I don't wonder what he would say about reciprocal tariffs... I've read a few of his books and Thomas Sowell's stance on reciprocal tariffs and macro economics is clear:

Google - Thomas Sowell views tariffs, especially broad or "reciprocal" ones, as economically damaging, repeating the mistakes of the 1920s that worsened the Great Depression, causing job losses and reduced trade through retaliatory wars; he sees them as inefficient tools that benefit specific industries at the expense of consumers and overall economic health, leading to uncertainty and hindering market function. His stance aligns with free-market principles, emphasizing that such protectionism creates artificial costs, destroys more jobs than it creates, and ultimately harms national economies by disrupting global trade and supply chains. 

Grok - Regarding “reciprocal” or “fairness” arguments (e.g., “if they tariff us, we should tariff them”), Sowell considers this economically illiterate. He often uses the analogy: “If another country puts rocks in their own harbor, is the wise response to put rocks in our harbor too?” Unilateral free trade benefits your own country regardless of what others do.

ChatGPT - Thomas Sowell has written extensively on trade, tariffs, and macroeconomics over several decades. His stance is consistent, clear, and grounded in classical economic principles. Tariffs hurt your own citizens, not foreign governments

Sowell argues that tariffs are essentially taxes on domestic consumers, raising prices for goods at home. Imposing tariffs “in retaliation” simply doubles the harm by raising prices on imports for your own consumers

Beemer - My view is slightly different. Should the US have any Tariffs? Obviously yes but a true like Thomas Sowell would say no.

If country "X" can produce steel at half the cost of the US then we buy their steel. Shutting down our steel plants will free up labor to do other things. Labor is the true limiting factor to production. 

However, this pure economic view while absolutely true during normal circumstances completely fails during conflict, pandemics, zombie apocalypse, etc... 

So... Trump was clear if a country had no tariffs on the US we would have no tariffs on them making Thomas Sowell very happy. If they had "normal" Tariffs on the US then Trump wants to keep our tariffs around 10%. 

The higher or crazy high tariffs are specifically designed to break down historical tariffs of other countries. Shining a light on insane post WWII tariff structures that are still in place to encourage the recovery of Japan makes sense. 

Lastly, there have been some important people talking about eliminating the income tax. I know that seems insane. Consider this... 7 states do not have an income tax and most of them are flourishing. A great example of what not to do is Connecticut. They didn't have an income tax and decided to add one to raise more money in 1991. It took 30 years for people to vote with their feet. The tax worked until it didn't... last year I believe was the 1st year their state revenue dropped below pre income tax levels. Without international (illegals) migration Connecticut's population would have continued to decline relative to the United States.

My point... Tariffs are a tax on the consumer. A tax on all consumers. If it's managed correctly it theoretically could replace the income tax. 

If you eliminate the income tax or just the corporate income tax (which is also a tax on the consumer) the economic boom would be massive and sustainable. If our government could find a way to fund itself and eliminate all income taxes as originally spelled out in the Constitution the positive impact would be incomprehensible. 

I worked for almost two decades to repeal the 16th Amendment (while you're at it toss in repealing the 17th) which would end the individual income tax. America would immediately become the economic shining light on the hill and maintain itself as world's largest economy. 

Greatest Practical Economist - Thomas Sowell 

Jan 6th Pipe Bomber Conspiracy

Did the FBI Cover Up the Jan 6th Pipe Bomber?

Last week the accused Jan 6th pipe bomber was interviewed for four hours and it's been reported by NBC that he confessed to the placing bombs at the DNC and RNC national headquarters on the evening of January 5th, 2021. The narrative that Brian Cole, Jr. was unhappy with the 2020 election results and believed the election was stolen is yet another false flag stoked by a Left leaning complacent media. This narrative is easily proven false because Mr. Cole was buying parts for his bombs before the "stolen" election. 

So what's the conspiracy?

Many of the Right believed the FBI didn't want to find the pipe bomber. Some went so far as to accuse the FBI or other three letter agencies of planting the bombs themselves. I'm so happy that this conspiracy theory proved false. True, we don't know if anyone convinced Brian to plant these bombs but it's very unlikely the FBI or another three letter agency is involved.

One outstanding question remains: Compared to hundreds of Jan 6th trespassing cases these two "viable" pipe bombs discovered at the RNC and DNC headquarters, with the Vice President elect being just feet away for one, seem much more important. Why did the FBI fail to track down the bomber sooner? The Biden administration had four years to figure this out but they didn't. The Trump FBI took just nine months (Cash Patel was sworn in February 21st, 2025) to make an arrest. I think it's safe to say Congress needs to find out what went right and what went wrong. I can't wait to hear Mr. Christopher Wray testify again.

Senator Chris Murphy a Lying Turd

I do my best to watch the Sunday News Shows. Please believe me, when I say it can be difficult. Recently I've come up with a strategy... Catch a guest in three absolutely easy to prove lies and fast forward. 

This shit stain only lasted two minutes...

Is it possible that Senator Murphy believes what he is saying? No! These are not just talking points he is just making shit up. I wonder if I dig into Connecticut politics what stupid things have his finger prints on them? Connecticut was once one of the eight States without an income tax. In 1991 the state decided they needed to raise more income and thus they adopted a state wide income tax mostly on the rich.

Predictable the tax now impacts everyone making a living in Connecticut. Poverty has risen, rich people expecially people that used to work in New York but live in Connecticut have fled to Florida, etc... and shocker... revenue is down from what it was before Connecticut enacted an income tax. If Chris Murphy wasn't involved in the income tax economic malfeasance it's clear that his politics align with those that did.

Mr. Murphy, point by point by point you are saying things that are factual wrong or go against basic economy concepts.

"The department of Justice has just become a protection racked for Donald Trump... This is why our democracy is in such peril." How far up your ass does your head need to be to not have witnessed what the Justice Department did during the Biden Administration? The DOJ even coordinated with New York and Georgia to arrange prosecutions of Donald J. Trump?

Senator Murphy goes on about the Epstein files and says: "It's true that Donald Trump is trying to cover up for I think a host of really powerful and rich people... If he wasn't seriously implicated in those files..." You freaking dirt bag par excellence. The Biden Administration had access to these files for years and so did Obama. Why didn't they release them? Do you really think the average American is so stupid to believe that the Dems sat on information implicating Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein? Are you kidding me?

Regarding the longest shut down in history. "The bottom line here was, that Republicans refused to negotiate with Democrats at all. Any meaningful way because they are so intent on raising costs." Those words come out of your mouth with such confidence and clarity that I caught myself saying this guy is spot on. The Republicans want to raise costs... WTF! 🤔 Duh, everyone knows the Republicans are the ones increasing costs. Right?

Thank God I've developed my the three strikes and you're out Sunday News Show rule. If you want people to take you seriously you might want to actually listen to what you are saying. It's hard to believe that the only Democrat Senator that is not constantly spewing utter nonsense is the one that had a major stroke a few years ago and is obviously still impaired. 

The interview went on and on with just absolute BS dumping out of this guys pie hole. It's clear he needs a shave, a pressed shirt and tie as well a degree in political science. I thought he was old enough to have taken social studies in highschool. I don't think he's stupid. I think his approach to politics is to say whatever he needs to say to get elected. Since my brother-in-law fled to Florida I don't give a shit about Connecticut. They have the government they deserve. How about raising the income tax brackets to increase revenues you dumb asses... I'm joking buy you know they will absolutely raise rates and collect fewer dollars. 

2020 Election Results Echo

The NY Times and the Washington Post provided detailed reporting which "proved" how President Trump and his team worked with Russia to win the 2016 election. Most of us now know the Russian Collision story was absolutely BS but for two years it ripped our nation apart. The is now doubt millions of Americans suffering from TDS still believe the Russians colluded with Trump. What's even more crazy we now have documentation that our intelligence community knew that Russians didn't want him to win. Kinda makes sense if you knew Bill Clinton was paid $500,000 to give a 45 minute speech in Moscow.

Do you think the Russia collusion story helped Biden win in 2020? 

Have you ever wondered how Biden got 81.3 million votes? 

President Obama ONLY got 69.5 votes? Did you know that President Obama was the 2nd President in history reelected with fewer votes than their 1st term... he won his 2nd term with 65.9 million votes.

In 2016 Trump won his 1st term with 63.0 million votes. He lost with 74.2 million in 2020 and won his 2nd term with 77.3 million. What absolutely insane is yo can find graph's on the interview from respect new outlets you get these basic numbers wrong.

Axios does not make it clear that these numbers are preliminary. Almost 6 million more votes will be added over the next few weeks.

With the Media finally telling the truth about Joe Biden's mental health Joe dropped out and Vice President Harris got crushed in the Electorial College and even lost the popular vote with Trump getting 77.3 million votes. 

Shifting gears to were I live. New England's political demographics have slowly flipped during the last 100 years. By the 40's New England is pretty much 50/50 with a slight majority in Congress. Today New England's ratio of Republicans to Democrats is 40/60 although not a single member of Congress is a Republican. What's crazy is the Democrats don't see anything wrong with this as they yell and scream that Texas is redistricting after the DOJ ordered them to redistrict:

Litigation | Texas

United States v. Texas - July 28, 2025

CASE SUMMARY

On December 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against Texas and the Texas Secretary of State, challenging the state's enacted congressional and state House redistricting plans as violating the federal Voting Rights Act. The DOJ asserts that Texas's enacted congressional plan violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act because it both was enacted with an intent to discriminate against Latino and Black Texan voters and has the result of diluting the voting strength of those minority groups, citing the state's elimination of a Latino opportunity district in West Texas, failure to create a seat capturing the growing Latino electorate in Harris County, and decisions creating several new majority-white districts.

Reading about the Governor of Massachusetts taking steps to punish Texas' effort to redraw five Congressional Districts to comply with a federally ordered judgement which will likely create two more Republican Districts is shocking. How can the Democrat Governor of a state with 40% Republicans and ZERO members of Congress take steps to punish Republicans?

Never forget the origins of Gerrymandering was in fact Massachusetts. They are the raining champions of gerrymandering. No state has done it more effectively with more evil intent than the elected officials of the state of Massachusetts.

New England's six states are 40% Republican but only 1 out of 33 members of the entire Congressional delegation is a Republican. That's right Susan Collins is the only federally elected Republican in Congress as a whole. What's even sad the Democrats will spend millions over the next year trying to unseat her. Now that's Democracy... As Democrats want it. 

PS How many primary votes or open convention votes did Harris get in 2024? ZERO... ALL HAIL DEMOCRACY!