Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot became a symbol of "progressive" misgovernance and intolerance. So when Chicago voters ousted her in the primary earlier this year, reform seemed to be in the air.
The hero: Paul Vallas, the 1990s-era CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, placed there by the corrupt but effective Mayor Richard Daley. Vallas is the latest in a long line of white liberal reformers.
Unfortunately, he was no more successful than his predecessors. He lost to Brandon Johnson -- a "defund the police" advocate and teachers' union organizer who is even further left than Lightfoot.
The city is basically done. Wealthy people and businesses, especially in real estate, are going to leave the city rather than face a slew of new taxes. The unions, which have destroyed schools, will rule.
And crime, which has skyrocketed out of control, will continue to be a terrible scourge. Millions of Chicagoans will continue to vote with their feet, as they have for two decades, moving to red states.
I used to live in the Chicago area. I left for ... California. It's run only slightly better than Illinois, and L.A. is a bit less dysfunctional. But it has weather, and a sense of freedom, even with taxes and rules.
The problem with socialism is that once it takes over a democratic system, it is nearly impossible to remove. It is the choice that ends all choices. But it is a temptation that may be impossible to resist.
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
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
Call in: 866-957-2874
