It's odd to make this observation, because there are still many pressing issues; because we live in a time of division and outrage; and because I make my living writing conservative political polemics, but most of the issues that motivated me to get involved in U.S. politics on the Republican side are being resolved.
That was driven home to me on Tuesday, when a Democrat who backed J Street and its criticisms of Israel lost in a primary to a Democrat who backed Israel and was supported by AIPAC. In 2010, I was the first political candidate to stand up to J Street anywhere, when I challenged Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) in Illinois.
During that election, Obamacare was the major issue on voters' minds. The most offensive part of that law was the individual mandate, through which the government forced people to buy insurance. Republicans could never fulfill their promise to repeal Obamacare, but Trump killed the individual mandate.
Another big issue was spending. The Tea Party opposed massive deficit spending but both parties continued to spend big. They could do so, as long as there was low inflation and slow economic growth. Now that we are facing inflation not seen in forty years, Americans are thinking seriously about fiscal restraint.
Reality is also beginning to intrude into energy policy. Democrats could make sweeping, utopian "green" policies when energy was plentiful and fuel prices were low. Now that our grid is near the breaking point and gas is expensive, there is a growing will to compromise (though we are not quite there yet).
And as for the 2020 riots and "defund the police" -- well, you still see stupid Black Lives Matter signs and flags in liberal neighborhoods in many American cities, but voters, even in left-wing San Francisco, are busy throwing out the George Soros-backed prosecutors who helped drive a nationwide crime wave.
Back to foreign policy: I can't think of any issue on which I've ever agreed with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), whom I regard as one of the most destructive political figures in America. Yet she did the right thing by going to Taiwan this week and confronting China, amid President Joe Biden's weakness.
Biden probably didn't mind much, because he announced the killing of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan. That didn't make up for his disastrous withdrawal last year, or for trashing Trump for similar counter-terror operations, but at least killing terrorists is once again a bipartisan pursuit.
And while Biden returned empty-handed from the Middle East in terms of Saudi concessions on oil, he reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel against Iran. He also walked back earlier promises to build a Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem. In other words: he abandoned his own policies, and embraced Trump's policies.
Abortion was not a major motivation for me, politically; I regard myself as personally pro-life, and I donate to an organization that provides financial support to pregnant mothers in need, but I never thought the government should be involved in the early stages of pregnancy. It's a theological issue, IMO.
Regardless, Roe v. Wade is now gone, thanks to Dobbs and Trump's appointees, and behold: the parade of horribles promised by the left is failing to materialize. Voters in Kansas(!) rejected a pro-life amendment to the state constitution. Boundaries are being set in the states, where this issue belongs.
I feel as if I'm starting to see the world I hoped for, coming back together. And maybe I can take some pride in helping bring about this outcome, because when J Street started their crap, I stood up to it. And others, later, did the same. We are back to bipartisan support for Israel. Maybe there is hope on other issues.
This week's portion elucidates some of the first laws and principles of the Torah that follow the Ten Commandments, including -- a message particularly relevant to freed slaves -- the Jewish restrictions on indentured servitude.
God also provides the basic civil laws of Jewish society, governing almost every area of life -- in this one portion! -- as well as several basic principles of faith and religious observance. Moses then ascends Sinai for 40 days.
One of the laws God gives is the law against taunting a foreigner. This is different from allowing people to enter your land illegally; it is about showing respect, however, for people from other lands and other groups.
I am reminded of the importance of this principle because of the rhetoric lately attacking Elon Musk, a fellow South African-turned-American, for his foreign roots -- often by people who favor illegal immigration, ironically.
...
Since the Palisades Fire on January 7, my posts have been fairly sparse. I have just been so busy -- fighting the fire, covering the fire, helping neighbors, and launching a new podcast, "Three Homeless Guys," with two local friends.
Things are up and down. My family is still displaced, and we haven't resolved our living situation. We are awaiting answers from the insurance company (State Farm) on what they will cover, including alternative living expenses.
There are some incredible opportunities opening up -- more on that later -- and our kids are generally doing well, though this has been hard for them as well (especially the two middle kids, who miss their friends and their house).
The emotion of it all hit me yesterday. Today I feel wrung out. But I also feel that, in a way, going through the fire has been a process of refinement, of re-casting in a new mould, to face new challenges. And to win each new day.
So much to talk about, once again, as the Trump administration continues at breakneck pace. From DOGE chewing through the federal bureaucracy, to Marco Rubio heading out on his first missions for Trump, there's so much...
Special guests:
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio -- on the L.A. fires and reforming CA insurance
Matt Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on DOGE and confirmations
Jamie Paige -- founder of the Westside Current, on L.A. politics and the fires
Frances Martel -- Breitbart News foreign editor, on Rubio and Russia/Ukraine
Rob Hersov -- South African commentator, on SA's fight with the White House
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
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