The morning or mourning after: Trump wins, Clinton concedes
RichC | November 9, 2016
Closing in on a president-elect Trump at 2AM
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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 Twitter … Brenda said I couldn’t share it when "Baby […]
Skimm-ing Ohio as the 2016 presidential election nears
RichC | 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
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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!
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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!
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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.
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | May 16, 2016
This content is restricted.
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Ed “Too Tall” Freeman
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | February 24, 2016
See: Silvertoons.com
Campaigning, mud-slinging and dirty politics #photoshopped
RichC | 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
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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?
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
RichC | 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
Imagine this happening to a Senator Obama rather than Cruz
RichC | December 23, 2015
Imagine this editorial cartoon being published by a right-leaning newspaper during a previous presidential campaign … let’s say to a “then” Senator Obama rather than a “now” Senator Cruz? Something tells me Democrats on the political left would have settled for nothing less than a full apology from the publisher and possible firing of those […]
Uncertainty, regulation and taxes taint the year for investors
RichC | December 16, 2015
The relatively flat year for stocks reflects the sentiment of many Americans who instinctively know the long and slow economic recovery has been unnecessarily hindered by politicians. The United States is certainly capable of stronger grow overall and in my opinion the blame lands heavily on the burdensome regulation, high corporate taxes and bloated government […]
As the market slides, one wonders if the Fed can change rates?
RichC | November 13, 2015
It has been a rough day … week … for the financial markets. One has to wonder if the Fed will ever be able to move lending rates back to traditional levels? Sure doesn’t look like the economy here or abroad is able to support itself without the easy money policies. (charts and heatmap: www.finviz.com)
The #GOPDebate hosted by FoxBusiness and the WSJ
RichC | November 10, 2015
As a big fan of the Wall Street Journal and the FoxBusiness network, I’m looking forward to the next GOP debate tonight (9PM Tuesday 11/10/2015) and am hoping the moderators do a better job than last months CNBC hosted debate. I suspect Maria Bartiromo, Neil Cavuto and Gerard Baker will work particularly hard to avoid […]
Enjoyed The Daily Skimm’s review of the Keystone XL Pipeline
RichC | November 3, 2015
TransCanada requested a suspension of the U.S. permit on the Keystone XL Pipeline and one of my favorite “short take” email headlines did an appropriate refresher: Keystone XL Pipeline: not a beer. It’s a major oil pipeline project that would carry a LOT of crude oil from Canada to Texas. It’s also a major political […]
Rep Paul Ryan is open to running for Speaker
RichC | October 21, 2015
It looks like Rep Paul Ryan is open to running for Speaker of the House “if” all the political components in the Republican party can unite. In today's divided congress (not just Democrats and Republicans), this will not be a small task. I personally hope that this Miami grad (MU Ohio) will be able to […]
Archive: An email response on the GOP and Dem debates
RichC | October 16, 2015
I wrote and email the other day explaining my thoughts to someone commenting that they were impressed with the Democrats and and not so impressed with the Republicans after watching three recent debates by 20+ different candidates. Since I put a little time and thought into my reply, I figured it might be blog-worthy … […]
Contemplating gerrymandering changes in U.S. politics
RichC | October 11, 2015
After an enjoyable polictical conversation with a client this week in Akron, I'm unsure where to come down on the long political practice of gerrymandering verses risking changing it. On the surface, there must be a better way, but with change can come an unbalanced and equally questionable re-alignment. Here is an article forwarded from […]
A lack of foreign policy experience and a portrait of weakness
RichC | October 1, 2015
The world around us is degrading into chaos as Russian “tough guy” President Vladimir Putin sent his militarily into the middle east and has quickly backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the supposedly the terrorist group ISIL/ISIS who is aggressively building their Caliphate and the American backed pro-western rebels (well, maybe … but who really […]
Getting to know the candidates: Marco Rubio in @theskimm
RichC | October 1, 2015
Marco Rubio and his family in Parade.com from September 2013 Getting to know those running for office is always interesting … but most likely knowing his coffee preference and reasoning isn’t most important factor in supporting a candidate. Early on, we only hear the debate snippets and talking head conversation, but it is also helpful […]
It might be time to get some blue paint – #ThinBlueLine
RichC | September 30, 2015
Although government is too big, there is a place and a need for it … especially outside of Washington DC. I’m thinking particularly those elected and hired to keep us safe in the military, law enforcement, as rescue workers and the fire department. When they are under attack, as some in law enforcement have been […]
A day with doctors and shoulder surgery follow-up
RichC | September 29, 2015
It was the first day of rain and ugly weather that we’ve had here in Cincinnati for a while as we have had a near perfect end to summer and beginning of fall … so, it was not all that bad of a day for doctor appointments. First, I had my annual physical knowing that […]
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.