A timeline of US immigration from theSkimm

| March 13, 2017

The US has been going through immigration policy mood swings since the American Revolution. At first, only “free white persons” can become citizens. And over the next several decades, immigration (mostly from Europe) is fairly free flowing, because Thomas Jefferson and friends want more people to come party in the USA. In 1868, an NBD […]

FoxBusiness is growing because of talent like Maria Bartiromo

| March 2, 2017

This kind of interview and polite exchange with Jason Furman is what make Maria Bartiromo one of the best in the business … and why FoxBusiness is beating CNBC. They are now the business news powerhouse … not to mention their sister channel FoxNews had more viewers than any other network during President Trump’s speech […]

It looks like there is hope for America #Millennials

| February 28, 2017

Spotted this on my Facebook feed (was posted in 2016).

Paying to exercise a constitutionally protected right

| February 22, 2017

Should municipalities and states charge citizens if they exercise a constitutionally protected right?  On the surface, most of us would say "no way" should a city or state charge US citizens to "vote," "worship" or to "speak freely" … but that’s what some politically left leaning cities and states do to those who own firearms. […]

Presidents Day: Leaving behind debt (as a share of GDP)

| February 20, 2017

Happy Presidents Day … if you can still smile after the lack of discipline and leadership.  

Debating political spin, fake news, lies and misleading the public

| February 19, 2017

Having been around journalists and the media most of my working life, I disagree with the broad brush of many who paint them as "knowingly biased and of misleading the public." Most reporters, professional journalists, aspire to gather and report the relevant facts with the purpose of getting a story correct and providing the facts […]

Federal Income Taxes – what changes are in store for 2017?

| February 16, 2017

Unless you’ve had your head in the sand pile, you know that there is a shake-up happening in Washington DC since the election of President Donald Trump and his taking office less than 1 month ago. Much of the economic optimism seen by new records on Wall Street, job incentives and both interest rates and […]

Nicki Bluhm and an appropriate song for our political state

| February 8, 2017

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President Trump and Andrew Jackson – a comparison

| January 31, 2017

Is there a comparable president to Donald Trump? People say President Donald Trump is unique in U.S. history, yet a few who study presidential history say it is not entirely true. Doug Wead, a presidential historian, compares President Trump to Andrew Jackson, as he did shortly after the November 2016 election on "Happening Now" with […]

Can the Federal Government find political balance?

| January 26, 2017

My answer: Rarely does the pendulum find the middle. Neither the fiscal or social policy balancing coming from Washington DC makes much sense to me. There have to be moderates who see validity in each others positions? Rather than the black and white collisions between the liberal Democrats and the conservative Republicans’ points of view, […]

What photo is most vivid in your mind for 2016?

| December 31, 2016

The last several years MyDesultoryBlog has highlighted "banished words" from the list Lake Superior State University (LSSU), who puts together a list at the beginning of a new year (and probably still will in early January)? This year we’ll end we’ll end 2016 with a couple memorable photos. The first being serious, and second … […]

Debt, Bankruptcy and Loan Forgiveness — a personal rant

| December 15, 2016

Forgiving debt and bankruptcy options aren’t new, but those of us who strive to “play by the rules” often feel like suckers when it comes to bureaucrats playing fast and free with tax dollars … or with OPM. While it is understandable that our society wants to be compassionate and lend a helping hand to […]

The morning or mourning after: Trump wins, Clinton concedes

| November 9, 2016

Closing in on a president-elect Trump at 2AM

| November 9, 2016

They won’t call it, but it is all but a shoe in for America’s next president … Donald J. Trump. Since both Clinton and Trump are in NYC, here’s the current New York Times website front page. Good night all and hold on for a wild financial market ride tomorrow.

One last uncomforting look at our presidential choices

| November 6, 2016

As someone who politically grew up at a time when Ronald Reagan instilled optimism in America and in Americans, I am disgusted and embarrassed to to watch and vote for the “least worst” person running for president. On this coming Tuesday, or for many mailing in absentee or early voting, we’ll be doing just that […]

Nothing like NYTimes Page A21 to inform readers #sarcasm

| November 2, 2016

While I suspect a Thursday post to be about game 7 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs (let’s just call them the comeback kids now that they have won the last 2 games and have tied the series up), I’ll post an election observation and get my bias media post […]

Halloween evening. Waiting for Trick or Treaters

| October 31, 2016

Just capturing a beautiful autumn sky as the Trick or Treat gang gets ready to make their rounds in the neighborhood this quiet Halloween night. Let’s hope I have enough candy as I’m giving out 5-bar packs tonight! (the last photo below I saw on TwitterBrenda said I couldn’t share it when "Baby […]

Skimm-ing Ohio as the 2016 presidential election nears

| October 25, 2016

Looking at Ohio in the presidential election from theskimm.com distance: OHIO DON’T LIVE THERE, DON’T CARE. If you had to bet on who’d win in November, hang out in Ohio first. The state’s voted for the winner every year since 1964. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW? That if the US held up a mirror […]

Trying to keep a sense of humor about the upcoming election

| October 23, 2016

It has NOT been an enjoyable campaign season … a very long year and a half! Citizens of voting age in the United States (see Twiitter comment below) voluntarily head to the polls to decide who they want or more appropriately DON’T want as their president for the next 4 years. I doubt I’m alone […]

Ugly election, Middle East unrest, Economy – October surprise?

| October 18, 2016

Maybe it is just me being a little nervous, but there are a lot of potential triggers for panic. The craziest presidential election I’ve ever seen, a stock market that has risen longer than average between recessions (with tepid economic growth), unrest in the middle east (of course always on fire) and both the Chicago […]

What is with the cryptic Wikileaks 64-character messages?

| October 17, 2016

Rumors are swirling that something or someone has started triggering the Wikileaks "Deadman’s Switch," which has been put in place if something should happen to founder Julian Assange. Some suspect that a "state party" intentionally severing of his Internet link was more than just someone attempting to silence the release of more incriminating emails, which […]

Everybody thinks they are an economist … including me!

| October 16, 2016

I love simplicity … so when tossing around political footballs, I generally join the team that at least "attempts" to simplify government and taxes. I’m not naïve enough to believe it will ever happen or even work well, but after filing personal (for friends and family), organizations and business taxes for years, it would sure […]

For the political type who still has a sense of humor

| October 12, 2016

  Pick your poison … a very scary Hillary Witch or a very angry orange TrumKin.

The Trump phenomena has now turned to full fledge panic

| October 11, 2016

The Republican establishment has moved a bit closer to full fledged panic after a video of their candidate for president was dug up from a "hot-mic" Donald Trump celebrity appearance 11 years ago. It offered an audio picture of what most knew about the man who swaggered his way through the Republican primaries. His vulgarity […]

How does government best assist in job creation?

| October 7, 2016

What is the goal? More and better paying jobs, profits for companies and growing tax revenues to fund government services, entitlements and improved ability to pay down our nation’s debt. How do we accomplish this? There are two ways government helps to create jobs in the US. The current Democrats remain focused on #1, while […]

Books and WSJ page: Trumped! A Nation on the Brink of Ruin

| September 27, 2016

After watching David Stockman on Wall Street Week this past weekend, I was intrigued enough in his message of economic panic to pick up the Kindle version of his latest book. Although he is not new to the "Henny Penny" view that economically we can’t continue on the current path, hearing and reading his analysis […]

Presidential hopeful Gov Gary Johnson gets a little tongue-tied

| September 26, 2016

Just when you thought this years presidential campaign couldn’t get any weirder … Gov Gary Johnson steps it up a notch on MSNBC. I don’t have (or want) the full context.

What will another 51 years do for society?

| August 30, 2016

I mentioned Paul Harvey’s broadcast on the 50th anniversary last year, but his 1965 thoughts are worth hearing again in this election year … not that we’re even talking about social issues. I didn’t post it as an audio MP3 format file — so here it is.     Paul Harvey | If I were the devil … – […]

How much more government can small business take?

| August 22, 2016

I wish politicians would listen to managers and owners of small businesses. In a Maria Bartiromo interview with  Metro Applebee’s CEO Zane Tankel, his frustration at the challenges being force down the throats of business in the U.S. is apparent (about 2 min into the interview). It is understandable why starting a business and hiring […]

Sensible economic thinking from business CEO Andy Puzder

| August 11, 2016

There are people who have the ability to communicate and can make "simple-sense" of the usually complicated economic issues facing our country. I’d like to believe that IF enough voters are willing to digest the three minutes of conversation below, that they would be less inclined to "dis" a business oriented pro-growth policy that is […]

Our Options for President are at an All Time Low

| July 27, 2016

While I’d prefer watching something more enjoyable than the political sales pitches from Republicans talking about Donald Trump (at the GOP convention) last week or the Democrats attempt to do the same this week, I am trying to be fair by watching both. Frankly at this point is looks like we are stuck with picking […]

Plagiarism and authenticity: We are a crazy species

| July 21, 2016

Mike Rowe brings a bit of commonsense to the nutty “mostly” media outrage about Melania Trump‘s  plagiarism considering almost every politician reads someone elses’ words off a teleprompter in practically every important speech. Are we fooled they aren’t reading a speech someone else wrote anyway? Should we be outraged at every speech a politician give […]

Before passing more laws, enforce existing ones!

| July 10, 2016

If liberal politicians really wanted to reduce gun violence, they would enforce existing law in the cities suffering the most … and the complicit left leaning media would be holding their feet to the fire. Instead, the ultimate objective is obvious: dismantle the 2nd amendment granting the right to bear arms to all law abiding citizens. https://youtu.be/qgr2lj7jwr4

My anger is boiling over today after the killings in Dallas

| July 8, 2016

I can’t stomach posting anything polite today after the horrendous targeted sniping of police officers in Dallas, Texas Thursday night. It is an absolutely senseless murder of 5 police officers (6 wounded) after a relatively peaceful Black Lives Matter protest/rally. These were officers who were just doing their job of crowd control and keeping citizens […]

The politics of being a connected Clinton #TooBigToJail

| July 7, 2016

Every public official who has spent decades under the bright lights of public scrutiny are in one way of the other connected to the political machinery, but few are protected as much as the Clintons. The deep Arkansas doo-doo surrounding Hillary and Bill Clinton never goes away and whether you support their political philosophies or […]

The UK out of the EU. Cameron Resigns. The #BREXIT recoil.

| June 24, 2016

Financial markets around the globe are reeling Friday morning from yesterday’s historic BREXIT vote in the UK as the people have chosen to exit the EU. Big picture is that life has not improved for citizens of Britain under the real or perceived central control — some suggesting it is "their" Independence Day. Even though […]

The power of framing in presenting the news

| May 19, 2016

When consuming the news and information, whether on the Television or any other news media, it is important to pay attention to the biases of who is “painting the picture.” Off the top of my head, I’m thinking about how Facebook priorities their newsfeed.

Thoughts of war, a nuclear exchange and our human condition

| May 16, 2016

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Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Ed “Too Tall” Freeman

| May 13, 2016

Sharing a post as it was written back in August of 2008 then edited with shaming political commentary many times after. It is still as poignant as ever. For me it is worth sharing again not only to remember Captain Ed  Freeman, but as a reminder to Americans of those who served our country heroically […]

Americans are giving up independence for dependence

| April 19, 2016

Recorded a bit of audio off the television this week as the intellectual thinker Charles Krauthammer summarized in about a minute and a half just how and why our country move from its independent founding to the dependent populous we see today. Krauthammer’s best comment in the exchange was “the big debate between left and […]

Talking taxes, politics and old #TBT high school reunion pages

| April 7, 2016

Here’s a personal "what I’m doing" post after spending an evening with my son Taylor finishing up his taxes. We of course used this excuse to have dinner together too. I think we have both always enjoyed our time together, but the older (and more mature) he gets, the more I really do enjoy talking […]

Winning the GOP or DEM nomination is uglier than you thought

| March 18, 2016

On Friday morning, Doug Wead a presidential historian, talked with Maria Bartiromo on Mornings with Maria about the confusion most of us have regarding contested, brokered or open political convention. Personally, I only semi-understood the "courting of delegates" process that goes on behind the scenes in party politics. The "sausage making" and cronyism that goes […]

Voting on Tuesday in a few states is critical for Republicans

| March 14, 2016

If you are voting for another Repubican candidate … I get it … but if you are voting in Ohio, be sure you weigh your selection carefully. A wrong vote for the right reason could very well mean Obama’s policies, SOTUS picks and a weak economy for another 4 years.   I have #NoRegrets casting […]

Should a firearm be disguised as a smartphone?

| March 13, 2016

First off, I'm “pro” 2nd Amendment and am concealed carry licensed in a couple states … but seeing this new Ideal Conceal handgun “disguised like a smartphone” just after watching the violent protests happening at campaign rallies has me nervous. Almost every rally attender holds up a cellphones to take video or phones. How much […]

As former speaker Tip O’Neill once said, All politics is local

| March 9, 2016

As we continue to drill down to select the best candidates to represent both the Republicans and Democrats in November’s presidential election, the process has been pretty disgusting … perhaps not the process, but the candidates ugliness. Here’s how I am coming to a conclusion before voting next Tuesday. As a long time Republican, I […]

Saturday GOP voting and Cincinnati ties for Trump

| March 6, 2016

The Republican party continues to narrow after a Donald Trump and Ted Cruz split the four states and their deligates up for grab on Saturday. Cruz won in Kansas and Maine, while Trump picked up wins in Louisiana and Kentucky. The big “winner take all” states are yet to come. Interestingly during the Donald Trump […]

Can running for political office get much uglier?

| March 3, 2016

Yes … it probably can and will IF “friends” like  Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton go at it. On the otherhand, they still have some mud to sling to reach the level of the John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson campaign as highlighted in the WSJ. Political Mudslinging, 1828 If you think this presidential campaign […]

And then there were five: Yup, another GOP Debate

| February 26, 2016

The Republicans are going through a slugfest this year in part due to having such a large field of candidates to whittle down. Just a few months ago, the debates had 16 GOP hopefully, and yet according to pundits, five is still three too many (probably true if you are supporting any other candidate but […]

Elections are serious … but we can still have a little fun

| February 24, 2016

See: Silvertoons.com

Campaigning, mud-slinging and dirty politics #photoshopped

| February 18, 2016

All is fair in love and war … AND POLITICS … or is it? In the campaign for president this year, candidates have pulled out all the stops and are turning to deceit. In the above Ted Cruz ad, his campaign put together an ad that portrays Sen. Marco Rubio shaking hands with President Obama […]

Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon know how to deliver monologues

| February 18, 2016

Great monologue on the Tonight Show … Jay Leno tag teams with Jimmy Fallon.

Who in the Republican field can beat Hillary Clinton?

| February 18, 2016

The field of GOP candidates is still pretty full (six candidates) yet the election looks a little more challenging according to the polls IF the Republicans put up the wrong candidate. I’m still hoping some commonsense arrives and voters pick someone who can win … and not just nominate someone who expresses their anger and […]

Justice Scalia and another fiesty GOP presidential debate

| February 14, 2016

Politics and the upcoming presidential election seem to be dominating the discussion in my online social networking circles … at least on my Twitter feed. The news of Justice Antonin Scalia’s death on the afternoon of the South Carolina GOP Debate Saturday left most who appreciated his 30 years of conservative jurisprudence in a very […]

Catching up on the politics of running for president

| February 13, 2016

It has been a rough week for “establishment” candidates …both for Democrats and the Republicans. Donald Trump continues to dominate the headlines and is capitalizing on the anger from those caught between the “new upper class and the new lower class” as the WSJ’s Saturday Essay commented, “in the plight of the working class” as […]

One of the strangest presidential primary contests ever

| February 11, 2016

As a frustrated political watcher, I'm starting to think I may have hitched my wagon behind the wrong GOP horse, although it is still a bit early. I haven't jumped in with both feet or anything, but I thought I was supporting a Republican with “acceptable” values and ability to grow the party … and […]

The election season has started … like it or not

| February 3, 2016

We may be proud to be living in a representative democracy, but watching the political sausage being made is probably as disgusting as going to a slaughter house to see the production of real sausage. This past week kicked off the 2016 primaries with the Iowa caucus. After months of political speeches from the large field of […]

Election 2016: What will it take to win 270 electorial votes?

| February 1, 2016

For those concerned over the direction of our country, following the strategy needed to win the Whitehouse is enough to drive you crazy. Click the map to create your own at 270toWin.com If you are an ordinary voter and political follower, it is easy to get caught up in the primaries and “thinking” your candidate can […]

Coming around and Socialism Gets a Second Life #WSJ Op-Ed

| January 30, 2016

I had an interesting text exchange with my son Taylor who is smack dab in the middle of finding his political “sense.” Thankfully he is far more rational, a questioner, independent thinker and a lover of history to be snookered into “herding” blindly with the crowd who are “Feeling the Bern.” He has been closely […]

Count me as one of those JITTERY Republicans

| January 25, 2016

After an opinion piece was published last week in the National Review, the battle among Republicans for an appropriate presidential candidate became even more aggressive. It was already contentious between many in the large field of candidates, but a few high profile Republican voices made their concerns know against the vocal, attention getting poll leader, […]

Thousands Apply to U.S. to Forgive Their Student Loans

| January 20, 2016

Americans are flooding the government with appeals to have their student loans forgiven on the grounds that schools deceived them with false promises of a well-paying career. Source: Thousands Apply to U.S. to Forgive Their Student Loans, Saying Schools Defrauded Them

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
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