Day 1 - Biden Disaster Unfolding

 Joe Biden has been president for a little more than one week and he has already put 10s of thousands of people out of work with the stroke of his pen (Keystone XL, Border Fence, Oil drilling ban). In the midst of economic turmoil caused by the pandemic and just as the economy is recovering, he puts the brakes on.

Signing away people's livelihood on Day 1

In a string of executive orders (called acts of tyranny by Dems during the previous administration), he reinstalled regulations that put a drag on the recovery and, as if small businesses weren't hurting enough, he raised the minimum wage to $15. This just makes it more and more difficult for entry level workers to get a job. In the first week of the Biden presidency, my retirement fund has lost $50K in value. I predict economic doldrums and an international relations quagmire under this administration. All of this while ordinary American's constitutional freedoms are curtailed.

COVID-19 Update

The latest wave of infection is beginning to subside here in AZ.

Studies are showing that temperature makes a big difference as to how long the virus lasts on surfaces. With the vaccine rollout and increasing temperatures, I expect to see a decline in infections. We should return to normal. Mutations of the virus are occurring. It will likely be around just like the flu, returning with annual surges. We should behave the same with it as with the flu, take precautions but don't let government halt commerce.

Violent Errors of Passion

2020 Election Protest 

A grave error was committed by those rallying for Pres. Trump in Washington DC on Jan 6, 2021.

Election Protestors at the Capital Jan 6, 2021 

Republican Senators and Congressmen were sticking their necks out to lodge objections  to election results based on certain states violating their own election process laws. Instead of allowing these representatives to be able to make their case during prime television hours, the pro-Trump protestors of the election results undermined the message by invading the capital, destroying federal property (breaking windows), and causing all lawmakers to have to abandon the building. Predictably, violence and even death resulted. 

All republican leaders, including Pres Trump, condemned the invasion but the damage was done. Elite media and Democrats quickly used this instance to discount any mention of election irregularities (as they have been for weeks) which will only further alienate and impassion the millions of Americans who believe the election was unfair. The cowardice of any court to allow the election problems to be brought before a court for hearing is a significant factor that brought this to a head at the capital.  All cases presented to the court were dismissed for procedural reasons such as timing or standing. Not a single case was allowed to be brought before the court for discovery and a decision on the merits. 

Dennis Prager commented that a group or movement should not be judged by the actions of a few bad actors but by the reaction of the group's leaders to that bad action. The invasion at the capital was stupid, illegal, and damaging to the message the protestors were trying to send.

COVID-19

COVID is now spreading among the population as it was destined to do in the winter months. The graph below shows the cases in Arizona.

AZ COVID Cases in Jan 10, 2021

Despite having twice the number of cases now as in July of this year, knowledge of the disease has improved so hospital beds are not depleted. The current number of hospital beds filled is similar to a bad flu season. Flu is nearly non-existent this year. The stress at hospitals is  a shortage of healthcare workers caused by schools being closed and parents needing to be home with their children.