Post-May musings

Random thoughts from the past two months.

• Most Americans think that this country is a democracy, as in "Trump is destroying our democracy," when the United States is a constitutional republic, a format that recognizes states as well as individual rights and freedoms. A democracy is unfettered majority rule, which is especially ironic today, when the Democrat party is ruled by tribal minorities, each claiming a case of victimhood that must be remedied and paid by the majority.

• ESG movements are being rejected, thank goodness.

• Democrats running on open borders, the war in Ukraine, faux "gender affirming" surgery (which is actually gender desecration surgery), college loan debt forgiveness, climate change histrionics, and DEI have formed the perfect example of a circular firing squad.

• HBO/Max's "Succession" was more about the progressive, limousine liberal idea of spoiled, rich idiots having control over a company worth tens of billions of dollars than it was about corporate insights.

‘Succession’ Tricked a Sliver of America Into Thinking That It’s a Good Show

• If you think inflation is bad here, try Europe. We did. We paid but we spent wisely, be it for taxis, train tickets, gold, leather, luggage fees, business and premium economy seats, lounge passes, and family dinners in the apartment. The mantra about how value is more important than cost remains a key family value.

• Trying to make sense of so many sports competing for our attention, in the press and on tv, is a hopeless task, including the end of the EPL, NCAA (lacrosse, baseball and softball), NHL and NBA seasons, the FA Cup final, and the faster-paced but still tedious MLB games.

• My combination of Medicare A, B and D, along with the Aetna supplemental plan leaves me with zero out-of-pocket costs and unlimited access to treatments for a variety of illnesses, accidents and injuries.

• The only think better for my health than the aforementioned "healthcare plans," is my almost one full year of experience on the CPAP.

• Walking continues to be my primary, near-exclusive form of regular exercise, with another year of tracking for 1,100 to 1,200 miles. Shoulder problems made the rower problematic. The leather seats and handle bars on my bicycle don't overcome my clumsiness in mounting and dismounting, let alone finding a good gear for the neighborhood. All I need to do is find a way to keep the heels of my walking shoes from eroding quickly, with an added heel piece or not.

• The 2024 way-too-early election cycle offers a few rays of hope, with Biden's health and mental skills deteriorating before our eyes, Robert Kennedy's entry into the Democrat primary, and several credible if little known challengers to Trump on the Re[publican side. Way too early to make prognostications.

• Maggie's Farm remains my go-to blog for curated articles of greatest interest.