As America celebrates the nation’s birth by taking inventory of the hotdogs, hamburgers, soda and beer, the most treasured and esteemed American stock lies forsaken along freedom’s continuum. 

There are some who argue, and with good reasons, that all politicians should have a military background. Such sentiments are certainly desirable but not always feasible. What is both desirable and feasible is that all politicos should have a thorough understanding of economics and budgeting. 

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers recently stated when inflation rises above four percent and unemployment drops below four percent, a recession is inevitable within two years. We are there now, according to The Economist. The Wall Street Journal’s recent headline was telling: “Inflation hit a four decade high in May.”

In the midst of the primary elections going on across the country, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that had near unanimous support. You would believe something so atypical would have gotten more ink than it received.

It didn’t.

What was blatantly missing in action during this much anticipated primary polling season was my time-honored conversation with my old Marine Polish paisan, the Jazzman – Robert Jasinski. During his six-decade run on this third post from the sun, he was an avid historian and a political sage who never hesitated to engage with anyone on any topic.

Of all the columns this space has hosted through the years, abortion has received plenty of ink.

Why?

Abortion gnaws at the American conscience because Roe v. Wade, which codified this horrific procedure into law, was the most egregious decision ever rendered by the U.S. Supreme Court. As a result, 65 million lives have been lost and counting.  If leftists were honest, they would admit abortion is unconstitutional and a legal abomination – a result of judicial activism – that must be undone. 

 With the Pennsylvania primary election upon us, the clarity of the November midterm elections will begin to emerge and loom even larger. With good reasons, expectations of a republican rout are running from sea to shining sea.

There is, however, one element, like hydrogen, that remains incessantly present – this incredible penchant for the GOP to create, among themselves, a circular firing squad. When republican incumbent State Rep. Kurt Masser announced that he would not seek reelection in November representing the 107^th Pennsylvania Legislative District, it underscored such a political paradigm.

Given President Biden’s slumping approval numbers, CNN+s sudden termination, increasing crime rates, record inflation, a nonexistent border, transgender education being foisted upon kindergarten children, Democrats are doubling down with their four candidates for the open U.S. senate seat in Pennsylvania’s May 17^th primary election.

It is easier to win an open seat than to defeat an incumbent. Retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey’s senate seat is a prime opportunity for Democrats to add to their senate number in a pivotal state that Biden carried in 2020.  

Candidate Malcom Kenyatta’s senate website opens with a video of the 31-year-old state representative from Philadelphia kissing his gay lover.

Many argue there are only three seasons: summer, winter, and road construction. Essentially, there are five. If you are a business, tax season is always in bloom – a perennial All-American weed. Provided your taxes are filed and you are not working on the dreaded tax-extension, here is an examination at a fundamental tax change for 2022.

The Federal Reserve has created a financial Frankenstein by printing money nonstop that has led to unchecked inflation.  Too often the political answer to any problem is more spending and to make it appear “free.”

The proof can be found in the nation’s $30 trillion debt and widespread inflation that in March witnessed an increase of 8.5% in consumer prices – a record four-decade high. Increasing prices says a recession is looming. The era of “free” money via stimulus checks and guaranteed bailouts must go the way of the rotary telephone – easier said than done.

As the holiest week on the Christian calendar concludes, plenty of headlines from sea to shining sea should give pause. In a marked sign of the times, Americans are sedated to stories that include how Colorado’s governor signed into law legalizing abortions up to birth with no limits, while bills pending in Maryland and California would legalize infanticide.

With celebrated fanfare, President Biden nominated a Black woman for the Supreme Court based on her race and gender, yet she would not define what a woman is for fear of offending. Former Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to The University of Virginia was criticized by the student newspaper claiming Pence’s beliefs threatened “the well-being and safety of students.”

This is just a brief sampling underscoring how pathetically fallen society is.