Joel Pollak
Politics • Lifestyle • News • Travel • Writing
I will share my thoughts about American politics, as well as current events in Israel and elsewhere, based on my experiences in the U.S., South Africa, and the Middle East. I will also discuss books and popular culture from the perspective of a somewhat libertarian, religiously observant conservative living in California. I will also share art and ideas that I find useful and helpful, and link to my content at Breitbart News, Amazon, and elsewhere.
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Some rather obvious political deals that never get done

1. Universal voter ID for universal vote-by-mail: Republicans could offer to accept some of Democrats' proposals for universal vote-by-mail, early voting, etc. as a nationwide standard -- if Democrats also accepted universal voter ID, either through photo ID or some other unique personal identification number.

2. A border wall for DACA: Democrats would agree to fund the border wall, in return for Republicans agreeing to give permanent legal residency to anyone brought into the U.S. as a minor before a certain date (it would have to be prior to this administration, though, since Biden is bringing in any and all comers).

3. Permanent residency in exchange for no vote: Republicans could agree to give permanent leal residency to the millions of illegal aliens in the country, on the condition that anyone who willingly entered the country illegally is never able to exercise the right to vote, ever. You can stay/work but you can't govern.

4. A carbon tax in exchange for the elimination of payroll taxes: Republicans could agree to a tax on carbon -- i.e. on the use of fossil fuels for energy of all kinds -- if Democrats agree to drop the payroll tax, which is a tax on work. Discourage waste instead of work. Encourage efficiency, reduce emissions.

5. Reparations in exchange for an end to affirmative action: I'm just playing with the idea here, but what if Congress agreed to some form of reparations payout, no questions asked, on condition that affirmative action be barred by an amendment to the Constitution, much like California's Proposition 209?

There are a lot of these. They don't get done because part of the business of politics as a career is making sure there are still disputes to fight about.

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Videos
Posts
Time-lapse sunrise at Temescal Falls
00:00:17
This is what is left of my special place in the forest

Burned, then covered in mudslides and rockslides. The river still flows through it. But we have lost so much. I have to believe the spirit still lives on.

00:00:16
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (August 24, 2025)

This week, we are tackling two major areas of contention between the Trump administration and Democrat governors: fighting crime, and redistricting. The president is sending the National Guard to blue cities -- and blue states are trying to stamp out Republican representation. Is this a civil war situation?

Special guests:

  • Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on redistricting
  • Tom Manza, California Business and Industrial Alliance, on Gavin Newsom
  • Jon Fleischman, veteran California political expert, on the special election
  • Dan Backer, veteran political lawyer and consultant, on corruption
  • DJ Mark Anthony, on a recent visit to Rome and visiting Pope Leo XIV

Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET / 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874

Weekly Torah reading: Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17)

This week's portion is the last of the month of Av -- also known as Menachem (Comforter) Av -- which begins in mourning and ends in celebration and anticipation of the New Year and the process of repentance and renewal.

In a similar vein, the portion features Moses offering the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse. They are masters of their own fates: if they obey God's commandments, they receive the blessings -- and vice versa.

The key commandment is to reject idol worship. There is said to be something magnetic about the practice of worshiping idols in the new land, such that it would be constant moral battle, both individually and collectively, in the land.

Nowadays, according to Jewish tradition, humanity has lost the urge for idol worship (and the antidote, which is divine prophecy) -- but there are several near substitutes, such as lust or excessive appetites for worldly pleasures.

We are wired for compulsive behaviors, bad habits, and even addictions. These ...

Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (August 17, 2025)

We have so much to talk about this week -- Trump's efforts to negotiate peace through negotiation, and Gavin Newsom's efforts to divide Americans through gerrymandering. We'll also talk about Playboy leaving LA and California.

Special guests:

Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Russia & Ukraine
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on Newsom
Harmeet Dhillon - DOJ Civil Rights Division chief, on the fight against DEI
Jessica Vaugn - Playboy model on political commentator, on California

Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 PT
Call: 866-957-2874

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